Summary: Alternate Timeline. This fic follows Missing Her. It’s written from BPOV. Six years after the fall of Sunnydale, Buffy finds a new life in an unexpected place.
Disclaimer: I don’t own any of Joss’ creations. I just use them horribly. In fact the only thing I own is Wes. This story contains adult themes and or sexual situations between same sex partners. If this offends you or is illegal where you live…consider opening your mind and moving states. This is my fourth posting so be gentle.

-Subversive Theatre

Then There Was You

Chapter One

Mmph. I grunt at the sound of a phone ringing. It had better not be Dawn. I only just got to sleep a few hours ago. I think. I roll over and reach for the phone on the floor and look at the display. Ugh. Not my cell. I drop it back to the floor and pick up the flashing cordless phone. Who the hell would be calling Faith at 7:00 am? “Hello?” Yeah I’m not a happy camper.

There’s silence on the other end and my irritation grows. I mutter more to myself than anything else. “Okay I’m hanging up now.” Just as I’m about to click the talk button a deep voice answers if I wasn’t so sleep deprived I have the feeling I would recognize it.

“Buffy?” It’s curious and also a little shocked sounding. This forces me to blink the sleep out of my eyes and actually focus. I grunt again. Where the hell do I know this voice from? “Uh. Buffy this is Wood. Robin Wood. It was looking for Faith.” I bite back the question of why and grin. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard from him.

“Sorry, yeah it’s me. Faith’s right here, hang on a sec.” I still haven’t forgotten the fact that he and Faith slept together or the fact that just before that he was trying to date me. Not that any of that matters now but I still have the urge to razz him. Just a little. I roll back over and nibble the ear poking out from between strands of Faith'’ hair. She groans and it sets off all kinds of reactions in my body. "Hey sleepyhead, you have a call.” Faith buries her face in her pillow and I think it’s pretty damn cute. “It’s Robin.” She sighs and reaches over her shoulder for the phone.

“’Lo Woody.” Aww poor baby sounds so annoyed. I can’t keep the grin off my face as I plan my attack. If she wakes up in a funk she’ll be grumpy pants all day. I brig my hands down and stroke the backs of Faith’s thighs. Her breathing catches for half a second before she forces it in to a normal pattern. I change tactics and go from stroking to lightly dragging my short nails over her exposed flesh. I can feel her muscles tense but she’s not making me stop, she’s not even ditching her call. Oh now she’s in trouble.

Moving her hair aside I place little kisses and nips down her neck and over her shoulder. She’s taking this as a personal challenge I think. That’s fine by me since I don’t intend on losing. I shift my body to spoon her making damn sure my already hardening nipples graze the smooth skin of her back. She grunts in to the phone and it could be an acknowledgment to Wood or it could be in response to my insistently teasing touches. I don’t know what it is about her that makes me need her so badly but I’m so addicted. My fingers come to the top of her thigh making little designs with my fingertips. I can tell she’s liking what I’m doing by the heat coming from her center.

I bet she’s just getting wet. I give a little groan of satisfaction when I slip my fingers in to her silky folds. Okay now I’m the one who’s wet. C’mon Slayer, hold it together just a little longer. Faith can’t hold out on me forever. Though if she could see the look on my face right now I’m pretty sure that phone would be a pile of plastic and circuits. I lean in close to her ear and whisper barely loud enough for her to hear. “You feel so fucking good.” I know she likes it when I say stuff like that. It’s mostly why I do it. Of course the other reason I do it is because she brings it out in me and I can’t help it sometimes.

“I gotta go.” I know she couldn’t hold out for too much longer. I chuckle softly still running my fingers over her slippery wet sex and over her clit in slow teasing caresses. “You’re tryin’ ta kill me aren’t ya B?” No if I was trying to kill her I’d be taking care of myself and only letting her watch. You see? Faith just has this effect on me. She finally gives in and gives me a moan when I press the tip of a finger to her entrance. I just hold it there, letting her know she’s on my time.

Now if anyone would have told me that Faith would give me so much control over her during sex I would have laughed right in their face. Faith is all about control and her extreme toppiness is just fine with me. I like not having to be in control of every damn thing sometimes. But times like now, when I want to claim her and let her know just how much I want her, well these are the times when I’m really glad she just gives over willingly.

I pull away enough to shift us so Faith is on her back and I’m hovering just inches above her. My eyes trail over her body and I leave searing kisses every where I can. Faith's hips jerk when I bring my hand down between her legs again. An evil grin crawls across my face at the deep moan of pleasure she makes when I slide two fingers in to her in one quick thrust. “Mmm. I love being inside you. The feel of you so wet and ready. You don’t know how many times I used to lay in bed, soaking wet, hand between my legs wishing it was you I could be fucking.” My strokes are deep and slow so I can take the time to really get her worked up.

Faith’s hands come up and run down the length of my back. Nails raking just hard enough to sting a little. God, I love when she does that. I shiver and let myself press along her body. Her thigh comes up a little pressing against me in the best way. I can feel my own wet folds sliding easily on her toned thigh. If the fact that she’s almost whimpering with each slow grind is any indication then I don’t think she minds. I lean close to her ear again and the deep tone of my own voice surprises me. “Did you know that I used to fantasize about you?” She shakes her head no with quick movements. Faith is too lost in the sex to try and get cocky about it. “Oh yeah I did. That smirk on your lips, the sway of your hips in your leather pants. Your voice. Oh God your voice.”

I actually moan right in to her ear at that. Faith can’t bite back the whimper this time. Hrm. Somewhere along the line I started turning myself on. Or maybe it’s the wet slap of my thrusts getting harder and deeper with each little sound she makes. “Fuck, the things your voice does to me. It made me wish you’d push me up against a mausoleum, push my skirt up around my waist...” I’m surprised by the low possessive growl that trickles out of her throat.

And oh so turned on by it. Guess she likes this fantasy of mine. It was one of my favorites so I’m not complaining. “I wanted to feel the cold rough brick against my back, legs wrapped around you as you fucked me hard and deep. You always got me so fucking wet and you didn’t even know it.”  That’s something I wish I could change. I wish I had said something or dome something to let her know I wanted her. Faith’s hips work to meet me thrust for thrust and she’s so close. Her muscles start clamping down around my fingers and I want to take her over the edge. I slip fully out of her and wait for her to open those beautiful eyes.

My God. She’s the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. Faith’s eyes are black with need and she’s biting her lip to keep from begging. Don’t worry baby, I’ll take you there. I run my free hand along her jaw and I know my face must show the awe I’m feeling. “Buffy...” That’s all I was waiting for. I slam in to her with three fingers and groan as she pulls me in deeper. One, two, three deep fast strokes and Faith is screaming out my name as she comes hard. A fresh flood of sticky come drenches my hand and I fucking love it. I did that to her.

“Fuck B.” I shiver at the sound of her sex rough voice. Two words. Damn sexy. Actually there are a whole lot of words I can use but damn sexy will do. A smug smile crawls across my face and I relax in to Faith’s embrace. It’s been almost two months now and while it hasn’t been perfect bliss it’s been pretty damn close. Willow keeps reminding me that it’s still new so we should take it slow but, I’ve known Faith for so long that it feels right just the way we are. It takes Faith a little while to catch her breath but she won’t let me pull out of her yet. That’s okay too.

“So what’d Robin want?” A tiny tremor goes through her body and it only serves to make me grin more. Faith is a multi orgasmic kind of girl. I wonder if that in conjunction with being a Slayer is what makes her sex drive off the charts.

“I have no damn clue...I should call him back after I pick Wes up from Pinkie’s place.” I nod and place a light kiss to her shoulder and oh so slowly pull out of her. Faith groans and it reminds me that I’m feeling a little needy myself. Faith bucks her hips, rolling us over and gives me a wild grin. I reach out and touch one of her deep dimples. Wow. She’s just wow. “So about these fantasies, wish ya had them back in high school. I coulda done somethin’ about it then.”

This is the part where I keep my mouth shut because if I mention that those were my high school fantasies we won’t be able to fit her head through the door. Faith narrows her eyes but I just smile innocently. I don’t think she’s going to buy it though. Now I’m afraid because she has this really devious grin on her face and oh God please don’t stop. I gasp as Faith rolls her fingers over my clit. My hips jerk and I bite my lip to keep from just telling her. Nope. I will win this one. I don’t know why she wants to hear me say it so badly. It’s not like she doesn’t know by the look on my face or the fact that I’m trying really hard not to say anything. “Jesus Faith, don’t stop.”

As soon as I say that she totally stops. I give her a death glare even though she just smirks at me. That damn smirk. Sometimes it’s sexy but right now it’s just annoying. I will not give in. Nope not this girl. “Ya sure ya don’t have somethin’ ya wanna tell me B?” Yes. I mean no. Fuck. I don’t know what I mean. Faith goes back to teasing my clit, stroking it and pushing on it to give me a little more pressure. Well, if I wasn’t we before I certainly am now.

Faith’s nostrils flare as she catches the scent of fresh arousal. I must not give in. Gah. Fuck this, I need her. “Okay okay. I started having those the first time we patrolled together." The surprise shows on her face for about a minute, which is about a minute too long for her not to be touching me.

“Now you’re just fuckin’ with me right?” What? Is she kidding me? She’s not getting on with the show because she thinks I’m just messing with her? In a desperate attempt I grab her hand and move it from my clit to my dripping entrance. I use my other hand to bring her face to mine in a breath-stealing kiss. If she doubts this she is so sleeping alone for the rest of the month. Er. Week. Okay fine, day.

“Does this feeling like I’m fucking with you?” Yes that was strained sounding. Faith shakes her head no but she’s smiling. I knew that would give her a big head. She takes the time to give me a few quick nibbles along my jaw. And just because I’m totally not expecting it she nips me hard right over the scar from Angel’s bite. I give a half moan half growl sound and jerk my hips up hard enough to bury her fingers in side me. “Oh God.”

Faith isn’t wasting any time now that she’s inside me. There isn’t anything gentle about it but gentle isn’t what I want or need right now. I need rough, hard, bitey, scratch sex. I need her to own me. My legs spread wider and wrap around her slim waist. Faith grunts and picks up the pace until all I can hear is our panting breaths and the sound of her fingers pounding in to my soaking sex. “This what ya wanted B? To feel me fuckin’ ya hard, to hear me tellin’ ya how bad I wanted ta be inside ya. Feelin’ how tight you are. Ungh. ‘Cause I woulda told ya every fuckin’ thing I wanted ta do to you.”

I think I just lost the game. And nope I’m not complaining here. Not me. When it comes to playing the game Faith owns it. And I’m really not minding. I whimper when she pulls out but she doesn’t keep me waiting long. Or at least I don’t give her a reason to keep me waiting long. “Yes. Fuck yes. I wanted you so goddamn bad.” Faith thrusts in to me hard, filling me four deep. My nails scrape hard lines down her back and she hisses, biting my scar again. Oh God. Oh God. Oh...Fuck. Pinpoints of light blaze behind my eyelids and I can’t breathe. Though...if I die right now it’s okay. Yes I know Buffy likes it rough. So fucking what. An no the biting thing isn’t lost on me. But I’ve got a good thing here so I’m not going to waste time agonizing over it.

When I can breathe again I feel Faith slip out of me and yep you guessed it, she snuggles in close. I tried to tell Dawn about the fact that Faith is a snuggler but she just started talking over me. I think it might have been a case of too much information. I hear a smug sounding chuckle so I look up at Faith and grin. I can’t help it; right now a sandblaster couldn’t force the grin off my face. “Ya got a mouth on ya don’cha?” Oh right like I was the only one saying dirty things. I just roll my eyes at her and snip her shoulder playfully.

Seriously. Life does not get much better than this. Except for the fact that the phone is ringing again. But then for all I know it’s been ringing this whole time. Faith mutters something that sounds vaguely like curse words and answers the phone. “Yeah?” She sighs and I already know our little cuddle time is going to be cut short. “Are you fucking kidding me? Alright alright. I’ll be right there. Just try and turn off the main electrical breaker.” Faith drops the phone to the floor and covers her face with a hand. “Fuckin’ bar is fallin’ apart. Again.”

Technically she’s not due in for another few hours but something has gone wrong. And Faith is always the one to fix it. I reach out and run my fingers over the lightly ridged planes of her stomach. You'd never guess she's had a child. "If you want I'll get Wes from next door and take him with me to run a few errands. We can drop you off at work on the way.” I know Faith trust me with her son but I still feel like I should ask her permission to spend some time with him. I don’t want to overstep any bounds or anything like that.

“Yeah that might be good. Pinkie’s probably wonderin’ why we haven’t picked him up yet.” She usually keeps him overnight on the occasion that Faith and I patrol together. Which is excellent given the fact that patrolling with Faith tends to get me a little worked up. Faith gives me a light kiss before getting out of bed to shower. I look down at my sweat-slicked body and sigh happily. I probably should shower too. Well no time like the present. I heave myself out bed and follow Faith in to the bathroom.

Chapter Two

"Alright. You gonna be good an' listen ta B?" Wes gives his mom and sunny smile and reaches up for a hug. It cracks me up a little to know she melts every time he smiles at her. Then again I'm not immune. Faith reaches down and lifts him like nothing, peppering his face with loud ticklish kisses. Aww so cute. Wes squeals and she sets him back down. I open the truck door and help buckle him in. Faith really needs to get a bigger car. Once I get Wes all settled I turn and tug on one of Faith's belt loops. "So see ya at 11 right?"

I nod and tip my head back to look in to her eyes. "With bells on. Only without the actual bells." Faith nods once and leans in to give me a kiss. Wes giggles from the truck so we make it short. I watch Faith walk in to the bar before I get in to the old Datsun and start it up. "Alright Bubba, where do you want to go for lunch?"

Wes actually pretends to think about it for all of three seconds before he gives me his heartbreaker dimples. "Waffle Hoooouse!" Oh my God. He actually did that heavy metal style. This kid. I love this kid. Everyone I know would love this kid. I crack up and ruffle his hair as we drive. It's not far from the bar and I know Faith is is going to be so jealous. I might just have to bring her something since she missed breakfast. Wes kicks his feet idly on the seat before looking up at me. I glance at him through the corner of my eye.
"Got something on your mind Bubba?" His eyes get huge but he shakes his head no. I think I just scared him in to clamming up. He's been doing that a lot lately and it makes me wonder what's on his mind. Not even Faith has been able to pry it out of him and they have heart to hearts every night she tucks him in. I pull in to the parking lot and put the car in park. Wes peeks up at me and then quickly looks away. Weird. Well I know what can get him to spill the beans.  Leaning over I kiss the side of his head and unbuckle him. "So I hear there's an ice cream place near the market. Maybe we can go there after we do some groceries...then we can just hang out and talk and stuff. Sound good?"

He eyes me warily. Guess his momma didn't raise no fool. I sigh and hop out of the truck. Wes jumps out his door and immediately puts one hand on the car as he waits for me to get to his side. Why does he do that? It's something he does as soon as he's near the car. "Buffy?" I hold out my hand and he legs go of the car and puts his small hand in mine. My brow comes up questioningly. "You love mamma right?" Well that's kind of a given but he's a kid and he needs the reassurance.

"Yup. I love her from the top of her head to the bottoms of her feet. And everything else in between." Even the stubborn streak and the occasionally piss moods, oh! And even the little frown she gets when I pick on her for being a mushball. Wes nods to himself as we find a seat at the only open booth. One of the servers gives me a wave as we settle in. Faith and I come here a lot after patrols. "Is that's what's been on your mind?"

Wes' little shoulders shrug but he's still got a contemplative little frown. "How come my dad..." He shakes his head and lets his statement trail off. I'm a little relieved that he doesn't ask whatever he was going to ask because I'm not sure how to answer him. I'm not his mom and I know exactly squat about raising a child. Okay breathe Buffy, just breathe. Don't let him know you're freaking out or he won't open up to you. Don't make the same mistakes you made with Faith. I prop my head on my hand and grin at him. "Buffy?" I nod and wait. "You don't gotta spend time with me just 'cause ya love my mamma. Just don't hurt her."

What? Wait. No this is bad. This is so bad. I blink at him and watch as he lowers his head and looks at the pictures on the menu. Oh baby. "Wes look at me." It takes him a long time to finally look up and his big brown eyes are glossy with tears I know he won't ever let fall. "Why do you think I only want to be around you because of your mom?" He blinks away the tears and shrugs again.

"It's what my dad does." That son of a bitch. I sigh softly and reach out to put my hand over his small one and give it a light squeeze. I hate Jimmy. I really really really hate him. One of these days he will get his. I promise that to whatever higher power is listening.

Wes wraps his fingers around my index finger. "Wes, don't ever think for one second that I just want to impress your mom. I love her. All of her. And loving all of her is loving you too. And not just because you're her son but because you stole my heart just as easily as she did." I don't know if he is going to understand that. My eyes well up a little at the thought that he thinks I don't want him around and only put up with him to get to Faith. "Even if your mom and me don't work out...I will always love you."
The tension in his body drains and he smiles a little bit. "You love me?" With my whole heart Bubba. I didn't even know there was room in there but along the way I totally fell in love with this boy. I've missed out on a lot these last few years. I've missed out on things that I can't ever get experience. Like Wes' first steps, his first words, waking up in the middle of the night to feed him. His first smile, his first scraped knee. All the things I wish I could have witnessed. And I'm not about to let what I have now slip through my fingers.

"More than the air in the sky Bubba." Wes smiles widely at me suddenly I realize that I did something right. Hey this parental concern thing isn't so hard. I pull my hand away and look at the menu. Ooh. Diced and chunked hash browns. "So what do you think? Breakfast food or burgers?" There's silence so I look up just in time to see Wes' head duck under the table. What the hell? I jump in surprise when he tries to crawl in to my lap. He's shaking. Immediately my senses go on alert and I look over my shoulder.

Jimmy. My arms come around Wesley protectively as I stare Jimmy down. He gives me the nastiest look he can manage with all of three teeth. That's got to be a big blow to his ego since he was good looking before. I bet he's having a hard time finding women to push around now. "Get your damn dirty hands offa my boy." Oh yeah like that's going to work. Nice try Gumby.

"You want to leave right now." I just don't have the witty banter in me. Anger is coursing through me and I know it's seeping in to my connection to Faith because I can feel her confusion reaching out tentatively. Jimmy notes the cold look in my eyes. I swear to the PtB if Wesley wasn't here right now I'd rip this guy apart with my bare hands. He stands there debating it before taking a step back.

Coward. "This ain't over bitch." No it's not. But I swear if you lay a hand on either of them you will be over. I watch him walk out the door and get in to a big white truck. He's yelling at his friends to go just as they were about to get out of the truck. As they pull away I glance down to Wes and stroke his back lightly.

"Hey...he's gone now. You okay baby?" Wesley finally looks up and I can see that he finally let those tears drop. I wipe the tears away with my thumbs and press a kiss to his forehead. Poor boy is terrified and when Faith finds out what happened...

"Can we go home now Buffy?" Yeah baby. We can. I nod and scoot out of the booth and hold out my hand to him. Wes takes it immediately and scoots out after me. We head to the car and I know he's going to be hungry later but I also know what the comfort of home can bring. Maybe we'll just order a pizza or something. Fucking prick of a redneck bastard son of a bitch. Yes. Faith has been corrupting me in more ways than one.

Chapter Three

A/N: The book mentioned as Faith’s favorite is The Bell Jar by Syliva Plath.

I’m sitting in the truck waiting for Faith to come out of the bar. I hate that everyone calls it the titty bar but what can I do? I’m an outsider here. And the dancers in there made that perfectly clear when they realized that Faith and I are seeing each other. Seeing each other? Um. Let me try that again. We’re actually living together. Yeah I know this is supposed to be a visit but we sleep in the same bed, we have seriously hot sex, we talk.

Yeah you heard that right. We talk. Faith actually has a lot more to say than she lets on. For instance she can recite whole passages of The Bell Jar. She says it’s her favorite book and while I do remember reading it once Freshman year at Sunnydale U, I really need to reread it so I can learn more about what appeals to her about the book.

Not to mention the fact that she can speak Latin fluently. Yeah that one threw me for a loop too. Now I’m not saying that I ever thought that Faith was stupid. Far from it but I never really knew her to apply herself to anything other than sex and violence. The door to the bar opens and I can see her familiar swagger as she makes her way to the truck. One of the girls there takes the time to throw her arms around Faith and hug her. I sigh deeply. I am well aware of Faith’s charms.

I did fall in love with her all. But does every dancer in that bar have to throw themselves at her? I mean I get it. I really do. Faith treats them all with a lot of respect and a little flirting. And hey I have eyes. She’s incredibly sexy. Who wouldn’t want to get with her? But do they have to throw themselves at her while I’m sitting in her truck waiting for her so that I can take her home? Okay I need to put the irritation away. I slap my inner bitch and smile when she opens the door to the truck.

She’s not smiling. My smile fades and she slams the truck door closed and stares me right in the eye. “What the fuck happened? I tried callin’ all fuckin’ night.” Oh. I forgot that I left my cell phone in the truck. “Well? Is Wes okay?” I bite my lip and try to figure out how to tell her everything that happened. I start the truck and nod in the direction of our now growing audience. I really don’t want her to yell at me in front of other people.

“Wes is fine. We had a little heart to heart at lunch but it got cut short by Jimmy showing up.” Faith tenses and pulls her seatbelt over her chest and buckles it in. I know she has the urge to hit something but she’s holding it all in. “He’s always going to be a thorn in your ass as long as you guys stay here.” Faith nods once and runs her hands through her hair. I know she can hear me but she’s really a million miles away. And I know where she went.

I can feel this huge surge of darkness through our connection. Okay I know I have issues when the feeling of it doesn’t really scare me as much as it should. Maybe it’s because I had to work hard not to snap Jimmy’s neck at the Waffle House. “Did he touch Wes?” Yeah like I would ever let that happen. I pull out of the parking lot and head back toward her house.

“No. But he did tell me to get my dirty hands off his boy.” Another surge of darkness but this time I think it’s mine. Faith looks at me a little startled as I grip the steering wheel hard. “I didn’t really know what was happening at the time, one minute we’re sitting there getting ready to eat and the next Wes was trying to crawl in to my lap and shaking like a leaf. And then I felt it. I could feel his greasy eyes on me and there he was being all demandy and lame.”

And mostly toothless. Faith’s breathing is far too even. She’s working hard to control herself. “What’d ya say to him?” Well I wanted to tell him to fuck off but I was much more rational than that.

“I told him to take off and he did. Though not before calling me a bitch.” This time Faith turns to look at me and the shine of intensity in her eyes is worrisome. I’ve seen this look before. Only it was directed at me and we made a mess of things then. Faith looks away again and grinds her teeth. She’s got to stop doing that or she won’t have anything left to grind. I almost jump when I feel her very warm hand cover my own. Well at least she’s not shutting me out. I’d have to be all pouty until I get through to her. “I swear I wouldn’t let anything happen to Wes.”

Faith nods and gives me a gentle smile. I flick my eyes to her hands and then back up to the road. It’s weird. Her hands have been the source of many dreams. Not all of them of the naked sexy kind either. I’ve seen those hands take part in terrible destruction. I’ve seen them coated with blood. But I’ve seen those hands be incredibly gentle. Loving. Comforting. Like now. A small smile crawls across my face and I relax my grip on the steering wheel. “I know ya wouldn’t B. Ya love him.”

She knows? I glance at her again and take the next turning. I learned my way around town pretty easily. Patrolling helps. Once I walk somewhere I never forget how to get back. “He wasn’t so sure about that.” Faith takes her hand from mine and gives me a curious look. “I finally found out why he’s been so quiet. He kind of thought I was only using him to get close to you. Like Jimmy did.” She gives a mild growl of annoyance. Yeah me too love.

“What’d ya tell him?” Well Faith, honey, I told him that I only care about getting in to your pants and that I’ll pay him five bucks a week to act like we have fun together. I give her a look that clearly says ‘what do you think?’ She shakes her head and raises a hand to stop the look before it turns in to something much nastier. I hope she doesn’t think that I’m just spending time with him because of her. Because that would be fucked up and it would start a fight. One she wouldn’t win. “That’s not what I meant by askin’ B so you can stop with the what the fuck face.”

I relax and offer her a little smile by way of apology. “I told him the truth Faith. That I love you and that no matter what happens between us I’ll always love him.” I have to keep looking at the road because while I know that Faith loves me, I don’t know how she feels about me caring so deeply for her son. I swallow hard and pull up to the house. I’m not looking. Nope nope nope.

I feel Faith’s fingers on my chin. She turns my head to get me to look at her. “I’m glad ya told him B. He kinda needed to know ya love him back.” She places a light kiss on my lips and gets out of the truck. Wait! I was enjoying that you know! I give a mutter and get out of the truck but not before I try to get out without unbuckling my seat belt. Damnit. Once I free myself I catch up to Faith at the door. Pinkie gives her a pissed look and raises her cane threateningly.

“Offering to walk Pinkie home again?” Faith steps out of the range of the can and shrugs. I think Pinkie appreciates the gesture but she’s an ornery old bat and she just won’t allow anything like that. I chuckle and give the woman a solid hug. “We still on for tea tomorrow?”

Faith makes her escape in to the house the minute I’ve got Pinkie distracted. “Yeah. Went out an’ got me some brownie mix. So I hope you actually eat.” She pokes at my middle a little roughly. Man this is one tough lady. We’re walking along the way to her house. See I’ve figured out that she doesn’t mind being walked home so long as you don’t mention it. Honestly I don’t know how Faith would get along without her. She watched Wes a lot before I got here.

“I eat Pinkie. I just have a high metabolism.” And I work it all off Slaying. Or being Slayed but I so am not going to mention that to her. I do have some respect for my elders. Sometimes. Mostly. “Do you want me to bring something over?” I have to offer even though I know she’s going to say no and possibly brandish her cane at me. Pinkie opens the door to her house and shakes her head with a smirk. Why is it that I think I’m in trouble now?

“Eatin’ Faith isn’t the same as eatin’ food. Now g’wan get.” I blush a deep red and am really grateful there’s not much moon out. Pinkie slams the door in my face and I let out a nervous sounding chuckle. Okay then. I make my way over to the house and close the door behind me. Faith pokes her head in to the living room from the kitchen to make sure it’s me. I shake my head and laugh.

“That is one straight forward woman. You’re off tomorrow right?” She nods and I move in to the kitchen to steal some of her food. Faith offers me a bite of her sandwich and I take it. God she’s so sweet. I love her and you know what? I can’t leave this. I just...can’t. Faith catches my serious look and frowns. She looks at the sandwich and sniffs it to make sure it doesn’t seem weird.

“S’matter B? Somethin’ wrong with the sammich?” I bite back the grin and shake my head.

She gives me another curious look and takes a sip of her beer to wash down the bite of food she had in her mouth. “I love you, you know that right?” She nods warily like she’s waiting for something bad to happen. “And you know I love and adore Wes right?” Another nod. This time an edge of panic is starting to make her eyes go wide. I think I'll let her off the hook this time. “Good. Because I want to know what’s next. For us. I mean. I want there to be a next if you do.”

“Ya mean besides the gratuitous nudity I plan on havin’ as soon as I’m done eatin’ this?” I roll my eyes and smack Faith’s arm playfully. Yes besides the naked time. I kind of need to know what’s going to happen and it’s a tricky situation because of what I want to bring up. Faith pushes the plate away and takes another sip of beer. I steal her bottle and take a sip myself. “Well. It’s been really good since ya been here. I...I love havin’ ya around B. I won’t lie about that. An’ okay so it might kill my rep a lil bit to say but I don’t wanna see ya go. It’d break my heart.”

Good. I needed to know that. I mean I knew. How could I not know? It’s Faith and she doesn’t do the things she does with me. Um. That didn’t sound how I meant it. I mean she doesn’t show people who she really is most of the time. But she doesn’t hide from me the way she used to. Maybe it’s because I spend a lot of time being as honest with her as I should have always been. “I’m glad. Er. Not about the heart breaking because that’s not what I want. I just mean that you want me around. Because...I have to go home. There are things I need to settle but I don’t think I can deal with being away from you and Wes. So. Come with me?”

She does a double take and snorts. She thinks I’m pulling her leg. I wait and just look. Faith realizes I’m not laughing and blinks at me. “Seriously? Like just pack up an’ go?” For an undetermined amount of time. Yeah. It’s a big thing and she’s all settled. I didn’t honestly think she’d want to but I had to try. “Fuck yeah. I’ll tell Wes in the mornin’.” She said yes? She’s coming back with me? I won’t have to leave Wes and my heart behind? I beam at her sunnily when she snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me tightly against her. “Now that I got ya I’m not tryin’ ta let go this time. An’ with Jimmy bein’ around again I’d rather my son be with the two people that love him most.”

Is that...is she saying what I think she’s saying? “Everyone loves Wes, Faith. He’s a really special kid.” And not just because his mother is a Slayer. There’s something about him that’s just so damn loveable. Something that pulls at my heart in a way no other kid has. I...I wish he was my son too. Faith watches me closely and cups my face in her hands. Her lips are soft against mine but there’s more in the kiss than just the act of the kiss. There’s an understanding between us. And God the things she does with that tongue of hers.

“Yeah he is. An’ he’s only gonna get better the older he gets. I really want ya to have somethin’ to do with that.” It’s all come down to this. Right here. Right now. Sharing a beer and a sandwich in a kitchen talking about raising a wonderful kid. Being in her arms and Faith looking at me like she is right now. Knowing that I’m looking at her with the same look of adoration and love. It just feels...right. Like my world just cosmically fell in to place. Finally. And it only took ten whole years.

Chapter Four

Jimmy POV

That fuckin’ bitch. Goddamn dykes. Takin’ my boy from me and then showin’ it all over town. Fuckin’ stupid bitches. I’m gonna get them one day. I got that whore Faith didn’t I? And who moved my fuckin’ front door? I don’ remember it bein’ this far away from the porch. Ah. Alright alright I got it now. Who the fuck slammed the fuckin’ door?

Oh yeah. Me. I hafta laugh at it. It’s not like there’s anyone here to bitch at me for slamming the door. Hell with my face fucked up like it is I couldn’t lure a whore here. I sure as hell couldn’t get that whore Faith here. Bitch. I’m thirsty; I need somethin’ to drink. I stumble forward in to the bathroom. This isn’t where I wanted to go. How’d I get in here? Okay okay I needa put some water on my face anyway. God that feels good. Nice and cold like.

Wonder if what’s her face from the titty bar will come here. Spend a lil time with me. That’s if she’s not still hung up on that other one. Yeah you know who I’m talkin’ about. All those whores just love Faith. Like she’s so fuckin’ great. She’s a bitch with too much fuckin’ attitude for any woman to have. Just ‘cause she looks good don’t give her a right to turn me down. She didn’t seem to mind me bein’ around when she wanted to fuck.

I look up at myself in the mirror and grin. Yeah she wanted me bad. Couldn’t get enough of me. The sight of my mouth all tore up pisses me off though. Look at what she did to me. I slam my fist in to the mirror just to keep from havin’ to look at myself. I hate her more than I know how to say. If I had slapped her around a lil more than she wouldn’t be all uppity now. I shoulda listened to my Ma. Never let a whore get close to you.

And that’s what she is. Faith not my Ma. Ma was a saint. What’s that? Blood? My hand. “Sum’bitch.” See what she’s doin’ to me? Always gotta get one last dig in. Have the last fuckin’ word. Don’t know her damn place. I shuffle to the kitchen and grab the dishrag from the counter. “Need to teach that girl a lesson, teach her to act like a proper woman. Know her fuckin’ place.”

Yeah I’m talkin’ to myself. So fuckin’ what? No one else around since Ma kicked it. Poor Ma. She’d be rollin’ over in her grave if she knew what that bitch did to me. Ow! Fuck. Gotta dig some of that mirror out before I wrap my hand. Tight now. Gotta stop it from bleedin’ all over the place. What’s that? Someone’s here. I can hear them. I reach for the long kitchen knife on the counter and flick a bug off it. “Who’s there?”

Come out come out wherever you are. I can hear you breathing you little fuck. Holy shit! Ma? I drop the knife and jump back. “What the fuck? You can’t be here. You’re dead.” I’m seein’ stuff. It had to be the coke I snorted earlier. She’s dead. She can’t be here.

“You mind your mouth Jimmy Lee Dixon.” Oh mah God. Ma. I scramble back. No this is just some bad trip. What the fuck did Wyatt cut that shit with?

“You can’t be here. You’re not real. Just g’way.” Get the fuck away from me. I turn tail and yeah I run. If you came face ta face with your dead Ma you’d run too. There’s the door. Right there. “Ahhhhh!” She’s there. How’d she get there? She was in the goddamn kitchen. “Get the fuck away from me!” She’s a demon she’s gotta be a demon. I gotta pray.

“What did I tell you about that mouth of yours boy?” I’m sorry Ma. Oh God I’m so damn sorry. How’d I get on my knees? I don’t care. I can pray here. Dear God, I know I’m a sorry sum’bitch but I swear on Ma’s grave I won’t do wrong no more. Just get her the hell away from me! “Oh stop prayin’ boy. God ain’t here, I am. And look what you’ve done to my house. Havin’ whores in here no doubt. Just like your daddy.”

No Ma. Not like Daddy. I’m a real man. I got me my own boy. Good lookin’ kid too. “How...why you here?” I think I might piss myself is she gets any closer to me. She does and I scuttle back. Don’t touch me, oh God please don’t touch me. “You can’t be here. This ain’t natural.” My back hits the wall and she’s right there. Right in fronta my eyes. Why is she here?

“Oh my poor boy. Look at what that whore did to your face.” It is her. It has to be her. I’m shakin’ and I just want it all to go away. But damn I missed her. I missed havin’ her to look out for me. Wouldn’t be havin’ all this damn trouble if she had stuck around. “What’d I tell you about that one Jimmy? Hrm? I told you she was trouble. Actin’ out of line, flirtin’ with anything with legs. And now look at her. She’s got your boy and she’s livin’ in sin carryin’ on with that other one.”

That bitch. Buffy. Who the hell names a kid Buffy ol’ way? And the way she is with him. Huggin’ on him. Like she cares. She just wants to fuck Faith. “I hate it Ma. I took him away an’ they just came on up to Wyatt’s and took him back. Wasn’t none I could do about it. Look what she did to my face. I ain’t got no teeth!” Well. I got a few of ‘em.

“You need to get that boy back. Raise ‘im up right. Teach ‘im not to stand for that kinda thing. Teach ‘im how to be a man.” I know it Ma. And I tried but I can’t get near them.

I tried Ma. I tried. “What do I do Ma? She’s strong. Unnatural like. Fuckin’ whore won’t let me near Wesley.” Oh shit. I said a curse word. “M’sorry Ma, it just slipped out. She makes me so da..rned mad. I could kill ‘er. Almost did too, but she just keeps comin’ back.” She should be dead. After what me and the boys did to her she shoulda been a fruit. Or vegetable. Whatever it’s called.

“Well now why do you think I’m here? You never could do anythin’ right. Well? Get up off that floor and get your ass to bed. I need you sober before we head out.” Head out?

“Where we gonna go Ma?” I get up and make my down the hall to the bedroom. Never could stand to be in Ma’s old room. Kept my old one. Plus it was a damn sight easier to get in to when I’m fucked up. “We just gonna leave them be?”

I look over my shoulder to make sure she’s there still. Can’t have her go an’ leave me now. I need her to help me make this right. I want my boy and I want Faith to suffer. Her and her whore. “No boy we won’t leave ‘em be. Not for long anyway. But you gotta get strong, you gotta be a man. And that ain’t gonna happen here. You’ll see boy, you’ll see.”

Chapter Five

“So you got plans with Pinks today?” I nod at Faith and sip my coffee. I know I look like hell and it’s kind of annoying that Faith looks damn good right now. Even with her hair all messed up and sleep deprived she’s still got this sexiness that would kill a lesser mortal. And before you think it, no we’re not sleep deprived because we were having earth shattering mind blowing multi orgasmic sex. Wes woke up not long after we got in to bed and crept in the room.

Thank God for Slayer hearing. If Faith hadn’t heard the door open the poor little guy would have gotten an eyeful of something no four year old needs to see. But it wasn’t his fault; he just wasn’t feeling well and had thrown up all down his pajamas. It put the brakes on my libido that’s for sure but I wasn’t actually bothered by the sudden stop. Sure I needed to breathe for a few minutes and Faith refused to get anywhere near me, but I wasn’t upset. Wes needed Faith and I got that.

So we spent the night taking turns getting him to the bathroom for either clean up or puking. I won’t lie, it was pretty gross but not the huge ick that I thought it would be. Maybe I just didn’t mind because it was Wes. Huh. I’ll have to ask Faith about that. I just can’t imagine she’d be okay with cleaning up anyone’s puke but her own or her kid’s. I’m zoned out and she knows it because she moves in close and kisses me on the temple. “Ya know it’s really not fair that ya so look good after the night we just had.”

Ha. We must have just totally had a crazy mind meld thing. I snort and shake my head. “You’re sweet. A liar but a really sweet liar.” Faith gives me her mock offended look and sips right out of my coffee cup. It’s not like her cup isn’t on the counter not two feet away. She just wanted mine. “How’s Wes doing?” She raises a shoulder in a half shrug and runs a hand down my side. I shiver as my body remembers what her touch was doing to me last night. Oh boy. The lust will be back and it’ll come back with a vengeance.

“Better. Poor kid is wiped out from chuckin’ all night. I don’t think anythin’ short of a marchin’ band could wake him up.” Really now. I just give her a mild look and sip my coffee some more. Okay. I can stand here against the counter and not react. Yep. I can do it. Faith moves in closer and eyes my choice of sleepwear. Her favorite Red Sox tee and her favorite pair of boxers. “Was wonderin’ where these went.” She tugs the waist of the boxers making them slide lower on my hips.

“Well I had to put something on when Wes came in the room. I didn’t want to have to pay for his therapy bills at seeing his mom doing things to another woman that he just wouldn’t get.” Faith snickers and takes the mug out of my hands and puts it on the counter. Yeah. I’m not even going to try and hold out. Not with her looking at me like she can practically taste my arousal in the air. Which. Hey maybe she can. God, this is so not fair. She hasn’t even kissed me and I’m wanting her.

Faith puts her hands on my hips and leans in for what I hope is going to be the kind of kiss that causes spontaneous orgasms. It’s not. It’s soft and gentle and way to brief for my liking. Not fair. “You were real good with Wes last night B. It’s...I...” I stare up at her as she looks down and away and shrugs. Okay something is on her mind, something she doesn’t know how to express. I slide my arms around her waist and just wait it out. “I love seein’ ya with him. Seein’ how ya care and everything. It...it’s nice is all.”

It’s nice? I don’t want to laugh or even smile because Faith is right on that knife’s edge of closing off. She’s been really good about expressing herself to me in the couple of months I’ve been here but when it comes to Wesley it’s really hard for her to be open. “Well. I love him. I want to be there for him.” Didn’t we talk about this last night? Oh my God. Is she changing her mind? I don’t know if I can handle that.

“I know ya do. It’s why I gotta ask ya somethin’ real important an’ I don’t want ya to answer right away. I just want ya to think about it.” Um. Okay. I nod and wait for whatever it is she’s going to ask me. “If anything ever happens to me, with the Slayin’ or anything...will ya make sure Wes always has someone?” First of all, nothing is going to happen to Faith. I won’t let anything happen to her. And secondly Wes will always have me. Always.

We stand in silence as I stare at her. “How long do you want me to wait before I tell you that I think you’ve been hit on the head way too many times on patrol?” She blinks a few times and opens her mouth to say something but just snaps it closed. Ha! I finally made her speechless. That’s never happened before. Faith always has the last word. “C’mon Faith. You think I would ever let anything happen to you? Especially now that we’re doing what we should have been doing for ten years? And please. Make sure Wes always has someone? He’s got me. He’ll always have me.” You’ll always have me.

“MAMMA!” Faith stops herself from actually kissing me and sighs softly. Right. We can wait on that one. She gives me a wry smile and heads out of the kitchen. And yes I do watch her ass as she leaves. Tiny feet pound down the stairs at fast pace and I frown. That’s weird. I move in to the living room in time to see Wes leap in to Faith’s arms and hide his face in her neck. He’s shaking and crying and I’m wondering if my heart is going to break every single time he cries.

“Hey hey hey. Shhhh. It’s okay Wes, I got ya.” Faith holds him close and rubs her hand comfortingly over his back. I think he must have had a nightmare. And if he did I’m pretty sure I know who it was about. God I hate that bastard. I can’t say that enough but it does make me feel a little better to say it often. “Breathe baby.” Wes gives a shuddering gasp but it starts to calm him down a little.

“He’s gonna come get me mamma. I don’t wanna go. Don’t let him take me.” I fucking knew it. Faith tosses a glance over her shoulder at me and nods to the sofa. Okay I don’t know what that’s about but I’m game for anything to help reassure Wes. We settle on the sofa together and I reach out to run my hand through his dark hair.

I know one true thing. I will kill to protect this boy. No if ands or buts about it. And I probably won’t even bat an eyelash at it either. “Wes, look at me.” He does but his face is still all red and scrunched like he’s going to cry again. “No one is ever gonna take you away from me again. Ever. Remember how I told ya that no matter what ya always got me?” He nods and clings just a little tighter to her. Faith gives him a kiss on the head and looks over at me. I can't read her expression very well. It’s a mixture of anxiety and something else. “Well ya always got B too. An’ even if the world ends...me and Buffy won’t ever let you go.”

Wes sniffles loudly and turns his gaze on me. I’m drowning right in to those brown eyes. It must be a genetic thing with them. “She’s right you know. You’ve got me.” I take his hand in mine and kiss it. Wes looks back at his mom and then to me as if he’s trying to take it all in. It’s probably confusing. It’s not like we’re getting married or anything we’re just deciding to be together for as long as we can. Um. Not unlike marriage but it’s not. Because there’s no rings and no actual discussing of marriage. Crap. Now I’m going to be thinking about it all day.

“And your dad isn’t gonna even know where ta find ya even if he wanted ta take ya from me.” At this he furrows his brow and looks at her in confusion. “You an’ me are gonna take a trip. Ya wanna go on vacation?”

“Can Buffy go too?” Awwww.

Faith looks at me and smiles and oh geez. I’m going to have to start wearing sunglasses around these two so I don’t wind up mesmerized by the dimples, the grins, or the eyes. Gah. “Well it was kinda her idea boyo. We’re gonna go see where she lives an’ ya get ta meet her sister an’ all her friends.”

He turns his head and looks at me with wonder and a little bit of awe. “Can I meet Xander?” How’d he know about Xander? I look to Faith and she bites her lip. Wait a minute, I know I missed something here.

“Sure Bubba. I’ll give him a call and let him know I’ve got a friend that wants to meet him.” Wes squeals and launches himself out of Faith’s arms and right in to mine. Hrm. So this is what home really feels like. Boy, I really feel sorry for everyone that’s missing out on knowing what this is like.

“Mamma told me all about him an’ how he’s a hero an’ how even though he can’t be a Slayer ‘cause he’s a boy he’s still got special powers an’ how he saved her life an’...” Whoa. “...how come she named me Wesley Alexander ‘cause of him an’ how cool he is.” I look over at Faith who is very pointedly not looking at me. I’m so going to drag this story out of her later. I grin at Wes and nod.

“That’s my Xander. He’s a winner alright.” Wes gets off my lap and heads for the stairs. I think he’s already on his way to pack and we haven’t even figured out when we’re leaving yet. When he gets to the top of the stairs I turn to Faith and raise my brows. She shakes her head and I don’t want to push it but I do really want to know. “So. What’d Wood want?” Faith smacks her head and mutters.

“I fuckin’ forgot to call him. I’ll do that today while you’re hangin’ with Pinkie.” I nod and scoot closer to Faith on the sofa. No we’re not going to crawl all over each other and have sex on the couch. I’d like to but timing has to be right and now isn’t right. “Oh an’ B. Don’t eat the brownies.” What? I blink at her and frown slightly. “At Pinkie’s place. Don’t eat the brownies.”

Um. Okay. Why? “Okay...why?” She chuckles and pulls me against her body for a deep kiss. Have I mentioned how good she is at that? No seriously. She’s really good at it. Extremely good. Spontaneous orgasm good at it. I shudder and accidentally bite down on her lip as a small orgasm crashes through me. Faith's deep chuckle makes me open my eyes and focus on her.

“C’n I hab my lib back?” I blush lightly and let go of said lip. Faith rubs her thumb over it and I should feel ashamed at that but no I’m actually kind of smug about it. “She’s got glaucoma. So. Don’t eat the brownies.” What does Pinkie having glaucoma have to do with brownies? Faith inhales deeply with a satisfied smile on her face as she pulls me down to lay with her on the couch. Ah the cuddles. I’m loving the cuddles.

“Don’t think this is over Slayer. This is just getting put on hold until later.” She chuckles again and runs her fingers through my hair. In fact that little orgasm didn’t really do anything to lessen the feeling of need within me. It just stoked the fires a little more.

“Was hopin’ ya’d say that.” I nip her shoulder playfully and slide a thigh between her legs. Faith groans at the pressure I’m creating and grinds up a little. Oh yeah. She wants me. And bad. And I’m so never going to get over the fact that she wants me like that. No matter how many times we sleep together it never ceases to amaze me that she wants me. Fuck I want her. “An’ I get the feelin’ I’m in serious trouble for teasin’ ya.”

You have no idea.

Chapter Six

JPOV

What the fuck is this shit? I look at the cave entrance then back to Ma. “I gotta go in there?” She gives me a blank look like she don’t know I hate dark places like that. Ever since Randy Wade pushed me in to that well when I was six. Little prick. I got him but good after that. Stuck a pencil right in his ear and made him deaf. But I can’t take a pencil to Ma’s ear. She’s already dead anyway. “How’s this gonna get me ready to take my boy back anyway?”

“That girl is more trouble than you know what to do with. Her and the blonde.” Well no shit. She done knocked my fuckin’ teeth out. I swear that woman hits like a man. If I didn’t hate her ass so much I’d be impressed. Well I’d be impressed if it was someone else’s teeth that got knocked out. Maybe Randy Wade’s. I look at the cave and shake my head. Hell no. No way, no how am I goin’ in there.

“Why can’t I just shoot ‘er? Wyatt’s got a gun I can use and ditch. He took it off some dirty street pimp last month.” I don’t bother to tell Ma the details. She was never fond of cousin Wyatt and his whorin’ ways. She sighs and crosses her arms over her chest. Now that is a scary sight.

“She ain’t no average girl, boy. She’s a Slayer.” A what? What the fuck is a Slayer? “She’s a demon Slayer.” Huh? Ma gives me a look that could skin a skunk and shakes her head. “I swear if I wasn’t already dead your stupidity would kill me. I told you boy, she’s not natural. She’s stronger than the things that go bump in the night. And the other one. Well that one has caused a whole hell of a lot of problems for a lot of people on the other side.” Is that so? Well I knew the dumb bitch was a pain already.

I look back at the cave. I don’t stand a chance against either of them if I don’t go in there and find out what Ma needs me to do. I run my hand through my hair and try to steel myself. “Does this mean my boy is gonna be...like them?” Because I’ll kill him dead before I ever let him grow up to be like Faith or her whore.

“No. But you won’t stand a chance of gettin’ him if you don’t get your stupid ass in to that there cave right now!” I wince because Ma in a mood is about as deadly as rattlesnake half full of buckshot. “Look boy. You want him back?” I nod. “Good well the one pullin’ the strings around here wants them dead. Way I see it that’s two birds with one stone.”

Yeah I get that. But do I gotta kill them? Can’t I just hurt them real bad? Make them suffer, teach ‘em a lesson. Nothin’ like a real man to change that bullshit gay thing they got goin’. And if it don’t well who the fuck cares. I got mine. “Yeah and who exactly is pullin’ the strings?” Ma stops lookin’ at me and stares at the cave as somethin’ inside it makes a rumbling sound. “It’s bigger’n a name. Bigger’n death and life itself. And it’s got a grudge.” That don’t tell me shit. “You can call it The First.”

The first? The first what? I look over at Ma and then nod. “So...this thing is stronger’n Faith and Buffy? How come it hasn’t killed them already?” I feel more than see something in the cave. Whatever it is, scares the crap outta me. Ma gets real close to me and I flinch even though she hasn’t touched me.

“The First is eternal. And it’s been waitin’ a long time to find a weakness and now it has one. And you’re gonna do what I damn well tell you to do and get in that cave or I'll never leave you. Never.” Okay that’s enough of a threat for me. I just nod and take a few steps toward the cave. I stop and look back at Ma but she’s already gone. Fuck.

Chapter Seven

“So when are you two takin’ the kid and headin’ back to wherever you came from?” It’s really hard not to be offended by her tone but I think it’s because she’s upset that Faith and Wes are taking off and she’ll be lonely. I sip my tea and let out a breath before answering. Faith and I still haven’t talked about when we’re leaving we’ve just decided to leave.

“Well. We’re not sure yet when we’re leaving. Soon though. Jimmy’s starting to show himself again and it’s affecting Wesley.” Which is something I don’t like at all. I put my mug down and wrap my hands around it. Pinkie nods at me and taps her cane lightly on the floor. She hates Jimmy as much as I do and she’s known him longer than I have. So she must really hate him.

“That boy is trouble that’s for sure. Always been a bully and I never really got why Faith wasted her time on him. You could tell she didn’t love him.” She shakes her head sadly and pulls a plate of brownies closer to her. They look good. Faith told me to skip them but...chocolatey goodness is hard to pass up. Pinkie pushes the plate toward me and I take one of the brownies.

Mmm. Brownies good. I chew slowly and nod my head. “Yeah well I guess we all make some questionable relationship mistakes. I once dated a guy from Iowa. He was a really great guy but he wasn’t anything like anyone else I ever dated. I thought I wanted nice and normal, bring home to mom, white picket fence. I thought it’d make me forget about everything and everyone that had ever left my heart broken and bruised.” But I was so wrong. Riley was a good guy, he really was and he deserved more than I could give him.

I’m glad he found someone who could love him the way he deserves to be loved. Pinkie raises her brows and takes another bite of her brownie. I wonder what the secret ingredient is in these. They’re wonderful. “I’m guessin’ that’d be Beefstick?”

Jesus did Faith tell everyone about that? I swallow another bite and wash it down with tea. “Um. Yeah. Faith wasn’t fond of him. I don’t really blame her, I sort of pushed her away for some guy I was seeing and then when it was over I jumped right in to Riley's arms without even giving her a second glance.” Then there was the whole thing where she slept with him while she was in my body. I’m disturbed by that on so many levels. You know the old adage, walk a day in someone’s shoes? That was one of the worst days of my life.

“You all had a bumpy road to get to this point. You sure this is somethin’ you really want to work out?” Yes. Yes I do. I want this more than anything in the world. I need it. I finish off my brownie and tea and lean back in the chair. I can’t imagine that Faith wouldn’t like these brownies. I’ll have to take one back to her and force her to eat it. Or I’ll just eat it myself.

“More than anything in the world Pinkie. I can’t go back to living the way I was. I felt like I was drowning before I came here. I mean, I had my good days, and my friends and family but there was a part of me that was just dead. Empty. Cold.” I’m really going on a rambly tangent here. “There was just so much I was missing. And I knew it was Faith I was missing but she was gone and all I had left were these memories of her. Okay not all of them were good but I cherished them anyway because I thought I’d never see her again.”

What is going on with me? This is stuff I’ve never told anyone. Not even Willow and I tell Willow everything. Well. Almost everything. I haven’t exactly told her about the sex stuff, I’ve just kind of glossed over it. And I don’t think I’m going to get away with that for much longer since she did mention that we needed a girl talk when I get home. I guess that means she and Kennedy are going to be making a trip up my way. “Well I’ll tell ya Buffy. I didn’t think much of you from what Faith’s told me. Oh don’t you start, she never said a word against you. No. She blamed herself for anything and everything under the sun but in my mind I didn’t think much of a woman who’d let Faith get away when she clearly loved you.”

I didn’t know that then. I didn’t understand and maybe a little part of me hoped, or wanted it to be true but the other parts of me that were scared put it out of my mind. “I didn’t think much of myself either Pinks.” Pinks? Did I turn in to Faith at some point here? Pinkie smirks and gets up from her chair. I get up too and put the mugs in the sink for her. “So are we okay? You and I? You mean a lot to Faith and Wes and that means you mean a lot to me too.” Okay Buffy now would be a good time to shut up. Why am I talking so much?

“Well I reckon we’re okay. Faith’s been happier these last two months than I’ve seen her in the last five years. And Wes seems to love you. So you must be doing somethin’ right. But don’t you think for one hot second that I don’t have my eye on y’all.” I have to smile at that. I’m totally okay with Pinkie being a part of our lives. She’s a very special lady. I give her a hug and kiss her on the cheek.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” I make my good byes and head out the door. As fun and nice as it was to hang out with Pinkie I’m really missing Faith and Wes right now. I push the gate to Faith’s house open and note that it’s white and pickety shaped. I laugh to myself as I climb the porch. So I finally got my white picket fence. I poke my head in the door and absolutely melt at the sight of Wes knocked out on Faith’s chest on the couch. She’s asleep with one arm around his small body.

They’re both smiling in their sleep and it’s really fucking adorable. I make my way to the couch and brush a lock of Faith’s hair off her face. She opens her eyes and gives me a big dimpled grin. “Hey B. Have a nice time with Pinkie?” I don’t even bother to answer her, I just lean in and give her a kiss. She blinks at me and chuckles. “Ya ate a brownie didn’cha?”

Yep. I sure did. “Only one. They’re good, I don’t know why you told me to stay away from them.” Wow. What’s wrong with...hey! Those weren’t normal brownies! “Oh God I ate a pot brownie didn’t I?” Glaucoma. I should have figured it out then. Faith bites her lip to keep from laughing and waking up Wes. Well my sudden babblefest makes more sense now. And the fact that I feel just a little like I’m floating.

“Don’t worry B, she slipped me the mickey a few times. It’ll wear off soon en...”

“Shhh. Do you hear that?” I get up and walk to the kitchen and then back in to the living room. Faith is really working hard not to laugh at me now. Great. Just great. I’m stoned and she’s making fun of me. I give Faith my best glare of death and walk out of the room. I can hear her picking up Wes and following me up the stairs. I take the turn to her bedroom and she goes in to his. Poor guy was all tuckered out from last night and the excitement of this morning.

I drop my body on to the bed and groan happily. Even if Faith pisses me off I still love her. And I’m sure once I’m not all fucked up I’ll find this whole thing funny. Even the parts where I’m paranoid are kind of funny. Faith lowers her body on to mine and whispers in my ear. “Ya pissed at me for laughin’ at ya?”

“Not really. But you can make it up to me anyway by giving me a massage.” A throaty chuckle in my ear sends fire down my back and right between my legs. I give a loud groan of extreme pleasure when Faith’s hands start kneading my back. Okay I was wrong I never went to heaven, this is heaven right here. Heaven is kneading my back and making me feel ten shades of loved.

“You’re not goin’ ta sleep are ya B?” No. Kinda. Alright yeah I was. I grunt and arch my back in to her hands. “Feel good?” Uh huh. I nod my head and nuzzle the pillow that must be Faith’s since it smells like her shampoo. I inhale deeply and feel all my muscles relax instantaneously. Faith works out a particularly tight muscles in my shoulder. I’ve always had problems with that shoulder. Ever since Faith and I fought on the rooftop I’ve had a sore spot right there. God it feels good to have her hands on me.

“If you get any better at that I might never leave this bed.” She laughs in a low sultry tone and I’m so hers. How could I have ever thought I loved anyone else? “Best massage ever.” Faith’s hands slow to a stop and she settles her weight on my lower back. I can’t resist the urge to arch up in to her again and smirk as she grinds down against me.

Faith lets out a shaky breath and I have to congratulate myself. All my life I’ve always known I was pretty but I never thought I was you know. Lust worthy. And the way that Faith responds to me...well that’s just a serious ego booster. “Had a lot of massages in your day B?” Hrm. I know she said it as a joke but I can read between the lines here. I have no idea why she’s feeling insecure now but I want to make sure she doesn’t doubt this.

“I’ve had a massage or two.” I look back at her over my shoulder and run my hand over her thigh. This isn’t about who we’ve been with or what we’ve done because I really have no desire to know who Faith’s been with in the past or anything like that. “But I’m here with you.” She nods once but there’s a storm brewing in her eyes. Damnit. Faith gets off my back and lays on the bed a few inches from me. She’s staring up at the ceiling with her hands under her head. “What’s wrong?”

She shakes her head and doesn’t say anything. If I have to pry this out of her I’m going to be really pissed off. I prop my head on my hand and nudge her shoulder gently. Come on Faith tell me what’s wrong so we can talk about it and get back to the touching and snuggling and maybe the naked stuff too. “I don’t mean ta be a dick or anything but are ya with me ‘cause I fit some kinda ya know, type?”

I think back at my past lovers and I have to say that I understand why she would think that. There was Angel, and then Spike. The only one that doesn’t really fit is Riley. Oh. And Parker. But I never think about him really, he was just one night. And it wasn’t that great either. “I’m not with you because you fit in to some kind of category. I’m with you because I love you, because of who you are.” She flicks her eyes to me and then back to the ceiling.

“So the fact that I’m a reformed baddie has nothin’ to do with it. Or the leather. Or the mysterious background. Or the fact that I’ve been known to kill people.” I can hear the tension in her words. Just under the surface. “I just...needa know B. Before we take this trip, before me an’ Wes get any closer. I just need ta to know it’s me.” I can’t blame her for wanting to know.

I roll over on to her so she’s pinned to the bed with my body. “You and Riley are anything but similar. He was so...Riley. Kind of dull, kind of boring. Kinda everything you’re not. Which is why I was with him in the first place. I was hoping that he’d make me not want you, that I could feel safe with him.” But I didn’t. I just shake my head at that because I know how it must have looked to her. How it must have felt to wake up from a coma that I put her in only to find me all over Bee...er Riley.

“And I never felt the things you made me feel when I was with Angel. He was cold and he was...well...dead.” I didn’t realize it at the time but later on I realized that there was some part of me that never felt right with him. Never safe. Maybe because he was a vampire and I’m a Slayer. Or maybe because I was young and stupid and I was in love with the idea of being in love. Even if loving him wasn’t the same as being in love with him I thought it was then. “You made me feel so many things. Mostly frustration. But I always felt alive.”

I run a finger tip over a dark brow and chuckle. Boy did she ever frustrate me back then. It’s like she knew every little thing that would get under my skin and did them. Repeatedly. And I wanted to hate her because she did a lot of things to hurt me but I just couldn’t bring myself to. I should have known then that it was love. “Yeah well what about Spike? I’m not like his replacement or anything am I?”

Oh baby if you only had a clue. I snort and shake my head. “Spike was dangerous and mysterious and sexy and leather wearing, cigarette smoking, eye liner wearing...and boy did he ever push my buttons but no you aren’t his replacement.” I shift so I’m more fully on top of her. Faith’s arms come around my body instinctively. “He was yours.” He was the closest thing I could find to Faith. “I needed you then Faith. I needed to feel safe and alive and I needed to not be babied and treated like I was going to die any second. But...you were in prison and I was still angry with you so I went to Spike.”

And I used him. I used him in the same ways that I would have used Faith and that hurts to admit. I’m glad she wasn’t there when I came back from the dead. I would have hurt her far beyond anything Jimmy has done. And she would have hated me for it. Hell. I would have hated me for it. “So...this is real right?” I give her a kiss that says so much more than I could ever express with words. This is real. This was always real.

Chapter Eight

“So...” Yeah that isn’t the smoothest of intros. I run my fingers over Faith’s bare stomach. I love all the little ridges of muscle just under the skin. She hasn’t been working out all that much but I guess I’ve been giving her all the exercise she needs. Oh yeah I’m totally in to the sex part of our relationship. It’s not all there is to it but it’s really really really really good. Faith opens an eye and gives me a mildly amused look. Okay let me try this again. “I don’t want to push here but we should talk about when we want to leave.”

Faith’s arms tighten around me and I groan at the contact of her thigh against my super sensitive sex. Shivers. I feel the shivers. She chuckles softly and places a few kisses on the top of my head. No one would ever believe me if I told them how affectionate Faith is with me. Actually I think I might keep that little secret to myself. “Depends on when ya wanna get gone B. Woody asked if I could run up to New York an’ give him a hand with one of his girls.”

So we can leave after that. I can maybe help in New York. Or maybe she wants to do this alone. Maybe I should wait here with Wes. I nod slowly against her shoulder. “When are you going up to New York?” Faith stops her tender touches along my back. I look up at her and frown slightly. It’s my ‘why’d you stop?’ look. Her look is disappointed I think. Faith is a hard read in the best of times.

“Ya mean when are ‘we’ goin’ to New York. Right?” Oh. I chew my lower lip and give her a warm smile. I wasn’t sure if she wanted me to tag along. I mean it’s been a long time and she’s been saving the world on her own for awhile now. Faith narrows her eyes and tweaks my ribs getting a giggle and a half yelp of surprise. “You didn’t actually think that I was gonna just take Wes an’ leave ya here did you?”

You know it never occurred to me that Faith would take Wesley with her at all. “I didn’t know you took Wes with you on your missions.” She laughs and wiggles out of my grip when I tickle her hip.

“Have you seen the temper on that kid? He’d kick my ass if I left him behind.” Probably not really since he’s the sweetest little boy I have ever met. But I’m sure he’d give her a Slayer sized attitude for sure. “Plus...I kinda like him near me. Not when there’s fightin’ or anythin’ but at the end of the day I like to know he’s gonna crawl in to my arms and love me no matter what happens. I never had that kind of love before.”

I don’t even know what to say to that. Wes has a lot to do with the woman Faith has become. I’ve said it before and I’ll be saying it until I die. And I’m completely amazed at the person I see. She amazes me every day. “So when are we leaving?” I’m not going to call attention to the fact that Faith just let a very personal side of her show because if I do she won’t do it again. And I desperately want to see more. I need to now everything about her that I never gave her the chance to show me before.

“Well I was gonna go to work this afternoon and tell Cal that I was gonna be gone for awhile. He’s got another bartender that he can call in to pick up the slack.” Cal. I try really hard not to let my irritation show. It’s not that I don’t like the guy. I just don’t particularly appreciate his personality. Or his lack of hygiene. Faith rolls over so we’re facing each other, nose to nose, chest to chest, hip to hip. “I know ya hate him B, I’m not gonna be offended by that. He’s a prick.”

I shake my head and sigh. “He just creeps me out and I don’t like the way he treats the girls.” At this Faith’s brows crawl right up in to her hairline. “What?”

She stays silent for a long second. “Didn’t think ya cared much for the dancers at the bar.” Well. I don’t like the way they hang all over her but I don't dislike them. They’re women who do what they have to and maybe it’s not my first choice of work but I’m not them.

“They strip for a living, that doesn’t mean they should be treated like shit.” Before I can go on a tangent on objectification of women and today’s societal norms, Faith covers my lips with her own in a fiery hot kiss. Okay what were we talking about? “Um...what was that for? Mind you this is not a complaint just you know...wondering.”

“Because you’re amazing.” Oh. I blink at her and clear my throat. I seriously have to stop getting lost in her eyes. I flush pink and give a slight nervous laugh. “You have no idea why I think that do ya?” I shake my head and let her roll me under her. I knew it would only be a matter of time before she did that this morning. Or I did. It almost seems like we do it when we want undivided attention because what we’re going to say is so important. It’s kind of hard to disregard the body covering yours and most especially when her voice gets that low growl. “You care B. Ya don’t know these women an’ they sure as fuck don’t make it easy for ya but ya care. Because they’re friends of mine an’ because it’s how ya are. I love that about ya.”

Oh. So what she really means is that she realizes I’m not the judgy bitch I used to be. I chuckle and wrap my legs around her waist. Well if she’s just going to lay there I should be getting something out of it don’t you think? “Well. Slayers or not we’re all women and we share a common bond.” She gives me a wry smirk and rolls her hips a little to grind against mine. Oh yeah that’s the stuff right there. I hiss softly and oh my God. Wesley.

“Wha’cha doin’?” I had no idea he was right by the bed. Faith nearly jumps out of her skin at the sound of his voice and I’m struggling to hang on to her because if she moves I’ll be you know, naked. Why is it that the earth never opens up to swallow me whole when I want it to? Why Lord? Why? I quickly hide my face in Faith’s neck and refuse to move. Thank the PtB that there’s sheets on most of our bodies at least.

“Wes! What’d I tell ya about knockin’?” I can’t see him because you know...hiding here. But I can guess that he’s looking at her curiously. I knew I should have gotten him that collar with bells on it.

“Ya said ‘if the door is closed knock’ but the door wasn’t closed so I just walked right in. So. Wha’cha doin’?” Oh my God did we forget to close the door last night? He could have walked in at any time last night and seen me doing terribly dirty things to his mother. I am never leaving the security of her neck. I don’t think I can look Wes in the eye right now.

Faith keeps trying to pull away from me but I’m so not letting it happen. She grunts and in the middle of the struggle parts of our bodies brush against each other and we both have to fight not to react. “Okay...this ain’t workin’. B. Let go.” Damnit. I unlock my legs from around her waist and stare directly up at the ceiling. I think I might die of embarrassment now. “Wes, g’wan downstairs an’ we’ll be down in a minute.”

He gives her a mildly suspicious look but nods. I sigh when he turns his back and starts walking out of the room. He’s almost out and I’m almost home free before he comes running back in to give me a kiss on the cheek. “Mornin’ B.” And then he’s gone. I’m...a ginormous puddle of Buffy shaped goo. That kid. Faith chuckles at my look and slides out of the bed. So much for a morning romp.

“You do realize you’re going to have to tell your son why exactly he can’t just come in to the room right?” She snorts and nods. Thankfully I will not be in on that conversation. I lean over the edge of the bed and look for something to put on. Faith’s arms wrap around my body and I sigh happily. The heat of her body against mine does a world of good when it comes to soothing my frazzled nerves.

“You do realize ya gotta talk to him to. Right B?” What? So much for the soothing of the frazzled nerves. I look over my shoulder at her grinning face and yep. Panic. I’m panicking. I can’t breathe. Faith kisses my shoulder and chuckles. “Easy Slayer. We’ll do it together. It won’t be so bad that way.” Okay. Together. I can do together. I think.

Chapter Nine

This had better be worth it goddamnit. I groan and kick out as something starts bitin’ on my leg. “Goddamnit le’go of me!” I will kill Ma if this thing takes my leg. First my damn teeth next a leg, might as well take my cock while we’re at it. I’m no good as a man if I lose any more bits. Whatever it is lets me go once I give a good hard kick to it’s head shaped body part. I think it’s a head but I ain’t never seen nothin’ like it before. Once I’m free I scramble to the top of the stone stairs in the cave and reach for the...

Well I don’t rightly know what the fuck that is. I just know it’s glowin’ green and pulsing and it’s makin’ me sick to my stomach. My hand reaches up and clamps down on the green thing. Holy Fuckin’ Shit! As soon as I realize it’s a snake I try to drop it but the damn thing slithers around my forearm tightly and sinks its fuckin’ teeth in.

“MOTHERFUCKER!” I scream in pain and try ta slam my arm around on the floor and any nearby rocks to get the thing offa me. My vision is startin’ to go hazy here, and my arm feels too heavy ta move. Shit. I done got my ass poisoned. I knew Ma was just fuckin’ with me. My thrashin’ around ain’t get me no where so I just stop and let the snake finish me off. Might as well. I’m ruined anyway. But til my last breath I’ll think of Faith and her cunt of a girlfriend and hate them.

Too bad I didn’t get ta raise my boy up ta be a real man. Too bad that whore gets ta see him through life. I fuckin’ hate her. Hey. Why ain’t I dead yet? I look down at my arm and notice the snake ain’t on it. Fuck! The last thing I want is the snake slidin’ around the floor lookin’ ta take another chunk outta my ass. When I stand I notice something is different. I can see more clearly than I could before. What the fuck?

A soft sound like a hiss of air makes me turn to my left and stare open mouthed at Ma. “Ma? What in hell’s blazin’ circles is goin’ on?” She gives me a half smile that says she knows somethin’ she ain’t tellin’. I hate it when she does that to me. Always did like to hold shit over my head. She glances to my forearm and I look down at it to. Hrm. I don’t remember gettin’ no tattoo of a snake there. An’ if I look at it close enough I swear it looks like it’s movin’.

“You’re a man now Jimmy. My baby has finally come in to his own.” There’s a tingling in my mouth and I raise a hand to it and blink. I got teeth. Well lil baby teeth right now but I’ll take anythin’ over what was left before. What the hell is goin’ on here? I get a little dizzy and sway on my feet but Ma is right there. Close enough to practically feel. And lemme tell ya I’m feelin’ all sorts of things. And it’s makin’ me hard.

I look down at my pants and grunt. “This is better’n any whore or drug I’ve ever had.” She tuts at me in that disapprovin’ way but I know better. She’s happy. Happy I’m gonna get my boy back. Happy enough to not bitch me out about my language. I give her a deadly serious look and I’m not even scared of what she’ll say about the huge bulge in my pants. “I want my son. Now.”

And the bitch will pay. Repeatedly until she screams for me to stop. And then I’ll kill her. And make the blonde watch. It’ll take us a day ta get back but they ain’t goin’ no where. Settin’ up house like they were a real married couple. Fuck that. “Well then boy c’mon. Times wastin’, and for God’s sake boy do somethin’ about your pecker before you take someone’s eye out.”

Well that’s Ma for ya. As I make my way through the cave I can hear the thing I ran from before. And it’s runnin’ again. Just away from me. Far away. Guess that lil fucker knows what’s good for it. The light blinds me when I step outta the cave. Good God that’s bright. I make a mad dash to the car and dig around in the glove box for the spare pair of sunglasses I usually keep. Once they’re on I sigh in relief and then jump about ten feet high when I catch my reflection in the rearview mirror.

I’m green? What the fuck is this crap all about?? “MA! Why didn’t you tell me I’d be goddamn green. I look like a fuckin’ alien!” She’s laughin’ at me now. This shit ain’t funny. I give her a glare which only makes her laugh harder. Fuck her. I slam the door to the car with a grumble. “Goddamn fuckin’ snake.”

“Watch your mouth boy. I might be dead but I’ll still smack the hick right outta your ass.” Goddamnit.

Chapter Ten

Okay I know I’m a little early to pick Faith up. But I couldn’t resist the urge to watch her work. You have to understand. Faith is...beyond graceful even when she’s being all rough and tumble. The way she handles the bottles of alcohol puts the movie Cocktail to shame. Part of it is the Slayer reflexes and the other part is just years of practice. As soon as I’m through the door I get a catcall or two or seven.

Faith looks up at me and gives me that heartstopping grin. She’s busy so I just make my way to the far end of the bar. Or I would if Cal hadn’t stepped right in front of me. “Well ‘lo there lil girl.” Ugh. He reeks of sweat and stale sex. I don’t even want to know what he requires of his dancers. Ew.

“Hi Cal.” I try to step around him but he gets in my way again. I hate it when guys try to use their size against me. I’m not that easily intimidated and really he just smells. This would be one of those times that I curse Slayer senses. Agitation runs right out of my Slayer connection and right in to Faith the second he tries to reach in to grab my arm.

“So when ya gonna ditch that broke down ex con and run away with me huh?” Um. Never. Not even with someone else’s body would I touch this man let alone run away with him.

I take a step back and shrug lightly. I don’t want to be rude or anything I just want him to go away. “Well I’m kind of attached to the pretty girl so never.” Okay I wanted to be a little rude just get him away from me. “And just so you know, you probably don’t want Faith to hear what you’re saying, she might break all five of your appendages. Ex cons are pretty possessive of their stuff." Yeah. I’m hers. Just like she’s mine. I give a glance over his shoulder to see Faith at the bar frowning.

She looks dead sexy doing it too. Or maybe it’s the fact that her top is really just a fuzzy red bikini and I can’t stop staring at her chest. I blink and swallow hard before focusing on the stale whiskey breath coming off of Cal. I look him in the eye with my brow raised.

“I ain’t scared of no woman. Not especially a dyke like her.” Oh I want to hit him. What is it with the men in this town being threatened by strong women? And who cares if Faith sleeps with another woman anyway? “Though if ya ever wanna make a little money...” I did not just hear that. I’m just about to tell him where he can shove his money when I see a dull gleam of a well-oiled blade. It’s point just under his chin. Cal stiffens and stops breathing entirely.

“One more word out of your mouth Cal and I swear they’ll be pickin’ pieces of you off the fuckin’ ceiling.” Faith’s voice has that cold low burr that always sets me off. Now is so not the time to want to jump all over her. I look at her from over Cal’s shoulder and I realize that yes she’s changed a lot and yes she might not want to kill people but she knows how to and whatever greater good she fights for, it won’t be enough to stop her from protecting hers. And I’m okay with that.

Not to mention that the sight of her wielding a wicked looking blade sends shivers up and down my spine that are not entirely unpleasant. Okay. I have some issues. And it’s probably really fucked up and I should seek some therapy but I’m not sure I want this to be wrong. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want her to hurt anyone but I’m not going to freak out on her if it happens and there’s a good reason behind it. “Okay Faith okay. Just put the knife down okay?”

She looks at me and pokes the tip just a little harder in to the fleshy part of his chin. I can see the control just barely keeping the darkness at bay. Okay. So there is a type. But I swear it’s only sexy when it’s her. I never thought Spike or Angel’s violence was a turn on. But hers. Well. That’s a different story entirely. “Don’t even think about layin’ a hand on one of the girls while we’re gone. If I find out you did...” Another jab and I’m suddenly aware of the fact that I’m wet and it’s uncomfortably warm in here.

He nods and she takes a step back and away from him. With a flick of her wrist she twirls the knife idly letting him know she’s good at what she does and he’d better remember that. I remember. Oh God do I remember. Cal takes a few shaky steps away from us and looks back and forth like he doesn’t know what to do. “Running now would probably be a good idea. She gets cranky just looking at you.” And a cranky Slayer is a deadly Slayer. Cal books it so fast past me that I think he’s actually running to the bathroom before he shits himself.

Me? Oh I’m just grinning. That was funny shit. Faith gives her knife another twirl and I shiver the good shivers again. Okay I need to not be here in the middle of the bar just staring at her like I could eat her whole. Huh. Things that sound dirty but aren’t. “You okay B?” I blink and snap out of it long enough to grab Faith by the wrist and tug her along to the backstage area. The girls are pretty much getting a clue by the look on my face and heading elsewhere.

I slam the dressing room door and push Faith against it. She’s not fighting me but she is giving me a slightly confused slightly aroused look. “Not one word. Just go with it.” Faith nods and drop to my knees in front of her. God she smells good. Before she can protest I’ve got her pants unbuttoned and pulled down to her knees. I look up and raise a brow when she starts to open her mouth. I mean business when I said not a word.

Faith snaps her mouth closed immediately and I don’t even bother with the foreplay. I bury my face between her legs, snaking my tongue out to take a long slow lick from her entrance up to her clit. Fuck. She tastes so fucking good. I don’t know why but there’s always a hint of cinnamon and I wonder if it’s because she puts it in her coffee every morning. Whatever I don’t I care. She shudders when I take another lick before sliding my tongue in to her.

It’s loud and it’s wet and messy and I seriously do not care so long as she doesn’t stop whimpering. Faith bucks against me, riding my tongue and causing more sticky sweet wet to cover my chin and nose. I growl in to her and she gasps. I think she might cry when I pull out of her. Don’t worry lover I got you. I move my attention to her hard clit and suck it between my lips. Faith gives a grunt the minute she feels my slide my fingers in to her.

I know she’s surprised because I can feel it faintly through our connection. And I like it. I like being her knowing I’m in control even though I’m the one on my knees. I like it because I know when we leave here she’ll have all the control and I have zero issue with that. I thrust in to her hard while sucking her clit and I know it’s just a matter of time before she comes. I can feel her walls spasming around my fingers as I fuck her hard. My teeth graze her clit lightly. Just hard enough for her to feel me.

Faith lets out a strangled sounding yelp as she comes hard. Her hips buck in to me, digging me in to her deeper. Fuck. I think I might just come myself. I thrust in to her a few more times before pulling my head back and watching her shudder and pant through the waves of orgasm. Have I mentioned how beautiful she is? I pull out and dip my face in to her warm sex. The scent of her drives me fucking insane. I hum happily as I lap up the hot wetness on her folds.

“Can I talk now?” I chuckle in to her and pull back when she nearly loses her balance. Smirking I give her clit one last hard suck before crawling up her body kissing her like I need her to breathe. I think I do. Faith groans in to my mouth and pulls away. “The things ya do to me baby.” The things I do to her? Ha. She has no fucking idea. Or. You know. Maybe she does since I just dragged her in to a back room to give her head.

Faith gives another small shudder before bending down to tug up her pants. I watch her lean away giving me a damn good view. I do that groan whimper thing that always comes out when I want her bad. She just looks over her shoulder and raises a brow. This is new for her. Well and for me. I’ve been aggressive before but never like this. I trail my fingers through her slick folds and up to her ass. Faith doesn’t move an inch.

I press hard enough to tease her with my wet finger before pulling away. We’ve never actually explored that whole anal sex thing. At least not together. I have no clue what she’s done with other people but I’ve never. And I never wanted to. Until nowish. Okay so I’ve thought about it once or twice in the last six years. Faith stands and buttons the fly on her leather pants before facing me. “See somethin’ ya like B?”

Oh God yes. I give her a shy nod but don’t say anything. Faith takes a step closer to me and I’m already shaking. Half with need and half with a little fear that she might reject me. She leans in to my body sending a buzz of need right through our connection. I gasp a little at the feeling and grind my hips against hers. What the hell is she doing to me and how can I keep it from stopping? “Ya want me B?” Yes!

“I want you bad Faith.” I can’t lie to her about it. After what I just did she knows I want her. But then, I always want her.

“Ungh.” I close my eyes and bite my lip because if I don’t I swear I will come in my pants right this damn second. I feel Faith’s breath on my cheeks as she leans in close and pushes me against the wall. The drywall shakes with the force of our bodies pushing against it. Faith pulls back to breath and hey I guess I needed air too. “You can take me anyway ya wanna. You know that right?”

I can? Is she fucking with me? Because it’s not funny if she is. I swallow hard and look in to those deep penetrating eyes. “Any way?”

Her lips pull back in to a sexy grin. “Any fuckin’ way ya want me B. I trust ya.” Now that...really did make me come. I whimper and press in to her. Fuck we need to get out of here right the hell now. “Wanna go home?”

“Yes please.”

Chapter Eleven

Well it took us a few minutes to actually get the knife out of the wall where Faith stuck it. I think she was using it to help hold herself up while I was giving her head. There was a little cursing and some struggling but we finally got it free. I think Faith was feeling a little weak so it took her awhile to get it. But I’m not laughing. Nope. I’m just standing here trying to get my shaking under control. That way when I walk out of the bar I won’t feel like a crack addict looking for a fix.

Also falling in to the category of things that sound dirty but aren’t. Faith takes my hand once she’s done making sure she didn’t seriously warp the blade and we walk out of the dressing room. I’m half expecting catcalls and whistles but all I get are a few nods from some of the dancers. Great. So they accept me but only on our last night in town and only because I dragged Faith in to a dark corner to have sex with her. I’m thinking they have a weird code of honor among them. I nod back and keep my eyes forward as much as possible.

Because if I look at Faith for too long I’ll just fucking lose it and maul her where she stands. She trusts me. That thought just keeps zinging around in my mind over and over again. She trusts me. That’s bigger than love. I loved Angel but I never really trusted him. I loved Riley but I know I could never trust him to really keep me safe. And Spike. I loved getting lost in him but like hell did I ever trust him with me. With Dawn yes. I knew he’d die before hurting my sister but with me. Well. I was just another obsession so I didn’t trust him not to hurt me.

Maybe it’s why Faith’s betrayal hurt so damn much. I trusted her because we were Slayers. Sure I said I didn’t trust her but deep down I didn’t think she’d ever really try and hurt me. Not really. But she did. She went after everything that made me, me. And it fucking hurt. So I hurt her back. I made her not trust me either. Sure at the time I was all justified and self-righteous about it but over the years I've learned that I didn’t do what I did for the right reasons. I did what I did because I wanted her to know she had no where to turn. I did it on purpose.

She has no reason to trust me. But I’m so fucking glad that she does. The cool night air goes a long way in bringing me out of my lust crazed shaking fit. I take a few deep breaths and lean against the car door. Faith leans in to my body but the hard tug of need doesn’t flare back up. Well. Not as much anyway. “You okay there B?” I’m not sure. I’ve never felt anything like this. It’s...fucking incredible and a little scary at the same time.

“I think so. I just needed some fresh air I think.” Faith cups my face in her hands and gives me a gentle kiss on my brow, then the tip of my nose and finally on my lips. See what I mean about her being gentle with me? I wrap my arms around her waist and just stand here with my eyes closed, breathing in the scent of her and feeling our connection throb between us. “Faith...is that offer you made a standing one or is it one night only?”

I kind of need to know this. Her low voice rumbles in my ear causing a whole new set of shivers. “Well...if ya need time B...ya just gotta say so.” Oh I need time. Not like she’s thinking. I get an unsure feeling through our connection and I open my eyes. She hasn’t started to close off yet but she’s right on the edge.

“I need time.” She gives me a nod and starts pulling her hands away from me. I don’t let her go far. “Not time to work up to it Faith. I’m so there. It’s just...we leave in four hours and that’s not enough time. For what I need.” Yes need. I need her. I need to experience this with her. I don’t know why but I know that I do. Faith nods her understanding and gives me a gentle if somewhat weary grin. God I love her. “You get this. Right? What’s happening between us, you understand, right?” Because I know there’s a lot to take in and I’m kind adrift here.

“Sure B. We mighta told each other the past is the past but the past makes us who we are now. An’ okay we’re over some shit but we’re not over it all.” I nod. I agree. I mean I just now came to the realization that I need all of Faith, including the violence. That’s a huge deal for me. “We’re just better at the non verbal...”

“Communication.” Right. This is what’s going on I guess. We’re working out our issues through sex. I can honestly say that I’m so glad we’re not talking about it. Talking gets me in to trouble because I say things that I don’t mean and I hide away from things that scare me. I can’t do that during sex. At least. Not sex with Faith. “So, can we? Wait a little while that is?” I hope she doesn’t think this is a rejection of some kind. And I’m not saying that I don’t want sex when we get home. I’m just saying that I want to wait on having my way with her all night long.

Plus I think I may need Willow’s help with something. Er. Shopping help. I don’t want to think about it just yet. Right now I want to just enjoy the feeling of being all caught up in everything Faith. It’s like being picked up in a tornado and the adrenaline junkie in me is loving it all. Ooh. Maybe I can be Helen Hunt in Twisters. Only. Faith is so much better looking than Bill Paxton.

“We can wait as long as ya want B. I want it yeah but um, nervousness ya know?” Nervousness? That isn’t a very Faith-like word. I grin a little and nod. I get it. This is all new for me to, um, not just the idea of anal sex but everything else I have in mind for her too. Hey, I have ten years worth of fantasies I have work out okay? I raise myself on my toes and give Faith a long, lingering kiss.

Faith moans in to the kiss and I smile. “Me too. A little. Lets just go home and get some rest before we fly out.” By get some rest I mean have sex and pass out for an hour or two before we get up and take off. What? Slayers have needs and the lust isn’t that easy to shut off once it gets going. Faith is definitely rubbing off on me. Hrm. Now that’s a visual I could get used to seeing.

“Well I would if ya promise not ta get that look on your face. Ya know what I’m talkin’ about B.” What? What look? On whose face? What is she talking about? “The I want to fuck you look.” Oh. I give her a sheepish grin and get in to the truck.

Chapter Twelve

I have never been more exhausted in my life. Seriously. I know I say seriously a lot even when I’m not too serious but oh my God am I tired. Remember how I thought I was going to get some and get to sleep with maybe an hour or two to spare? WRONG. Faith spent all that time getting me back for my stunt in the bar. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Thankfully I can sleep on the plane.

Well. Okay I can sleep on the plane but I’m kind of just sitting here watch Wes and Faith. Every time I think they can’t possibly get any cuter they surprise me. But then Faith surprises me all the time. “Okay boyo...which one next?” Wes sifts through the pile of books that were in the backpack Faith brought on board with her. They’re sitting on the floor of the cabin, Faith’s back against the sofa seat I’m laying on.

“Um. Hobbit? Wait. No. Fabulae Mirabiles.” Fabuhuh? I look over at Faith who’s digging in the pile. She picks up a book I fully expect to see in Giles’ collection. I glance at the cover and note that it’s in Latin. I should feel bad that this kid is smarter than I am. He likes his fairy tales in Latin.

I run my fingers through Faith’s hair as she cracks the book open and looks for The Three Pigs. It’s Wes’ favorite but I think he only likes it so much because Faith actually changes her voice for each character. So damn cute. Somewhere along the line here I think I might actually fall asleep. The sound of her voice tends to put me at ease. Especially when she’s speaking in Latin.

Before I know it I feel the plane making a descent. Faith nudges me gently to wake me up. I sigh feeling refreshed, but one look at Faith’s obviously tired face makes me grimace. “Took him awhile to settle down huh?” I nod at Wes who is fast asleep in Faith’s arms, still clutching a book to his chest. She nods once and smiles sleepily. She might have gotten him to sleep sooner if I hadn’t been bogarting the sofa seat. Well I can fix that sorta. I reach out for Wes and pull him to me.

I’m afraid he’s going to wake up but instead he just curls up against my chest and goes back to sleep. I could get very used to this feeling. Okay who am I kidding? I’m already addicted to having this boy near me. The cuddly love just makes it better. Faith settles on to the sofa seat and rests her head against my other shoulder. “Should be landin’ soon. Woody’s gonna pick us up an’ take us to his place.” I just nod. It sounds like she’s been to his place before.

Which makes me wonder. Okay I really need to stop this. I can’t just get all pissy about her past lovers. It’s not like she gets really pissy about mine. Except Spike. And Angel a little. Oh. And Riley but she has a good reason for that one. Wait a second. I narrow my eyes and glance at Faith who has no idea what the crazy lady is thinking so is happily resting against me. “So. You and Robin have stayed friends all this time. That’s good.”

I’m trying for nonchalant but I think Faith can tell that I’m not quite as offhand as I’d like her to believe. She gives me a slight nod and raises her brow questioningly. “Yeah. He’s a generally good guy. Kinda likes ta hit on me but other than that we’re cool.” Ah ha. She must know me well because she’s actually answering my questions without me having to ask.

“I take it you’re not a fan of the hitting on by him.” She turns and looks out the small window behind her head. Oh boy. I don’t know if I like that response. I see her shoulder come up in a shrug. Yep. I am definitely not liking this response. I know he had a thing for her and I know she kind of had something like feelings for him. I just don't know how deep those kinda feelings were.

I’m not going to push it. I don’t really want to know. It’ll make staying with him difficult. “Ya gonna get on my case about everyone I’ve ever slept with B or is this just special circumstances ‘cause ya liked him first?” And she’s still refusing to look at me. Damnit Faith that isn’t what this is about. I couldn’t care less if I liked him first or not. What I care about is the feelings she might have toward him. “Or is this because I kept in touch with him when I wouldn’t with you.”

Ouch. She knows how to get me. Now it’s my turn to look away from her. I really don’t want to be having a fight as we’re landing. The pilot announces our final entry and it buys me a few minutes before I have to answer her. “Well I won’t lie and say I’m not bugged by it but I’m not pissed off. I’d just like to know what I’m walking in to. I mean. If you guys had a thing that was more than just um what we had than I’d like to be aware of it.” By we I mean me and Faith not me and Wood. Wood and I were never an item. Sure we had a date but then that whole thing with Spike really pissed me off.

Actually I was mad at Giles for a long time after that too. Faith finally turns her head to look at me and I catch my breath. Yeah well you would too if she was looking at you. “He didn’t even come close ta what you an’ me got B. Not that night, and definitely not now.” Okay. Color me a happy little Buffy. And I’ll do my best not to be smug about the fact that one night with me was worth more than an entire possible relationship with Wood.

“That’s all I needed to know.” God, have I always been this insecure? Faith snorts a little and leans in to me. The heat of her body magically makes the tension in my neck and shoulders disappear. I wish I didn’t doubt myself so much. It’s just that between the two of us I feel like I have more to lose if she walks away. I lose her, my heart, my soul, and someone I’d like to call my son. I lose it all.

“Whatever you’re thinkin’ B, stop. Ain’t gonna happen.” I glance at her through the corner of my eye and raise my brows. It’s impossible for her to read my mind. Unless of course she’s Willow or Xander. Right? A slight edge of panic goes through me at the idea that she can read my mind. “No I can’t read your mind so stop freakin’ out. You’re just an easy read by now.” Oh. Okay. Breathe Buffy breathe. I give her another look but turn away again.

“Well that’s good. If you knew what I was thinking half the time you’d be running for the hills as fast as your legs can carry you.” Not an understatement. If Faith knew what a basket case I really am she might be tempted to put the brakes on our relationship.

Faith chuckles and nibbles my neck. “An’ I bet the other half of the time I’d be findin’ ways ta get ya all naked with me.” Well. Yeah. I laugh, careful not to wake Wes but it’s a lost cause. We’re hitting the tarmac anyway. The plane bounces once and then again before landing. Wes opens his big brown eyes and gives me a smile to die for. “We there yet?”

“Yep. Just landed.” Wes nods and gets off my lap to start shoving books back in to the backpack on the floor. As we taxi to a stop I take a second to bury my face in to Faith’s neck and inhale. She smoked just before we got on the plane and the smell of it is clinging lightly to her. Cloves. God I love the way she smells. “Sorry I’m being a pain in the ah...butt.” Wes’ throat clearing saved me from having to chuck a dollar in to the curse jar. Faith puts enough in for both of us.

The feel of Faith’s arms around me causes me to lean in to her further. I love this feeling. Being hers. “I get it B. I’m sure I’ll be a big pain when we get across the pond. I’m not thrilled ta run in to any of your boytoys. An’ Squirt is gonna probably read me the riot act too. I’m probably gonna be grumpy a lot.” I can help with that. I pull back and give her the straightest face I can manage.

“Oddly I’m thinking you won’t be grumpy much. Unless you have to get dressed and then I can see that causing some grumpage.” She snickers and stands giving me an awe-inspiring sight as she stretches. I wonder if she’s as affected by me as I am by her. Or is this just one of those things that only works on me. I take Faith’s hand in mine and Wes’ in my free hand as we disembark from the jet.

I can see Wood standing by a nice comfy looking black car. Lincoln Town Car. Has to be. I notice the insignia on the car and nod to myself. Not that I’m a fan of the motor vehicles but I’ve had the chance to take a nap a time or two in these babies. And I’m a fan of sleep. Best naps ever. Well minus naps with Faith. Nothing really compares to that. “Hey Woody.” Faith doesn’t let go of my hand she just waves to Wood. Wes shakes me off and takes a headlong leap right in to Wood’s arms. “WOODY!”

I bet they’re the only two that get away with calling him that. “Hey look who’s getting big. I was expecting a baby and here I see a man.” Nice touch, now Wes will love him forever. I grin at it and shake my head. Wood gives Faith a light punch in the arm by way of hello. “So my two favorite Slayers in the same place at the same time. Must be a mystical convergence or something.” I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up. I guess it’s good to see him afterall.

“Hey Robin, long time no see.” He leans down to give me a hug before opening the car door. Wes slides in first and then Faith. Just as I’m about to get in to the car Robin holds my elbow signaling that he wants a word. With me. Oh boy.

“Glad to see she came to her senses.” So my question is, does everyone know that Faith was in love with me and being retarded about it? I bite my lip and nod. Maybe we both came to our senses. I mean she wouldn’t have told me where she was in the first place. I had to come find her. So I guess I came to my senses too. I can hear Faith groan from the car.

“I can hear you, ya know.” Right. I give him a peck on the cheek and hop in to the car next to Faith. She’s grumbling but I know she’s not really irritated. If she were she wouldn’t be making a sound. She’d be doing that cold distance thing I hate so much. I tickle her rib and grin. It knocks her out of her funk enough for her to get to the point of the visit. “So what’s with this kid, she messin’ up a lot or what?”

Robin puts the car in gear and heads out toward the main drag of traffic leaving the airport. “Not really. She’s pregnant.” Ah. Well now I can see why Wood called Faith. “And she’s young.” Faith just nods and laces her fingers with mine. She wasn’t a teenager when she had Wes but she was still young enough to understand that she had a lot to learn. I wonder how Faith is going to handle this. I don’t doubt her but talking is something that I didn’t think she was so good at. Grunting and hitting sure. Those are her easy ways to handle problems.

“Hm. I’ll meet up with her after lunch. We can’t stick around long this go around.” I knew she’d been up this way more than once. Faith’s arm comes around my shoulders and I sigh happily. This is so the life. Wes taps me on the knee across Faith’s lap and smiles. I smile back at him and ruffle his hair. I still can’t get over how much he looks like Faith.

“Hey Bubba. You excited to get to London?” He nods and takes out his Nick Fury coloring book and points to it.

“Yeah. I getta meet Willow and Xander and Squirt. Only mamma says I can’t call her Squirt ‘cause it bugs her. But mamma says it alla time. I think mamma just likes makin’ people mad.” Wood and bust in to laughter at that.

“Well I think you’re right about that one Bubba.” Where I got the nickname Bubba I will never know. But he doesn’t seem to mind it and Faith doesn’t mind it so I think I’m okay.

Chapter Thirteen

Somethin’ don’t look right. The house is all dark and quiet. I been here off and on all day and I ain’t seen ‘em leave yet. Or come back. My tongue comes out in a fast flicker to taste the air. It’s fuckin’ disgustin’ but I guess I gotta just live with it. You know I don’t reckon I’da gone in that cave if Ma had told me this was going to happen. Sure I hate those bitches but I’m green goddamnit. And what the fuck am I supposed to do with a forked tongue?

Well. Maybe I could think of a thing or two to do with that. But gettin’ back to the green thing, there ain’t no damn way I can hide that. I’m like the Joker only not really. I don’t have that stupid smile. But I do have fangs. Which I guess is alright, ‘cept when they get in the way when I’m trying to eat. And green. Back to that goddamn color. I’m fuckin’ green man. “Stop that boy.” Fuck. I flick my eyes to her form and hiss.

“Stop what Ma?” Stop bein’ some freak? Or stop bein’ her son? ‘Cause I’d like to do both but I can’t. She gives me a look that I know I should be afraid of but I’m too pissed to care about right now. “I’m just askin’ seein’ as how I wasn’t doin’ anything. You know I’m a grown man now Ma, you can’t just boss me like you did before. Hell, Ma, you ain’t even alive.” I can see the fury in her eyes before I even know what’s happening.

I’m fucked. Ma opens her mouth and lets out a scream like a thousand nails on a chalkboard. Som’bitch! I stumble back and trip over a root. My ass hits the ground hard but I’m up quick like. “You dare talk to me that way? Think you’re a big man now do you? You can just treat your Ma like dirt? Even though I raised you. I brought you in to this world boy and I will damn sure take you out. You know why I’m back boy? Because you’re a failure. Just like your dad. You ain’t even half the man that poor drunk son of a whore was more a man than you.”

Why’d ya hafta go and say a thing like that Ma? Why? Boy I sure do wish I could inflict what they call grievous injury to Ma. “You take that back now Ma. Take it back!” I don’t want to hafta hurt Ma but I will find a way to make her shut up. That fuckin’ shitbag left her alone with me to raise. I never left her so I know I’m more a man than him. But she knows how to dig at me.

“Oh take it back now. Is that what little Jimmy Lee wants? Well I’ll tell you what I want. I want you to grow up! Stop standin’ around with your thumb up your ass and go kill those heathen whores!” I start to cross my arms over my chest and ignore her but she opens her mouth to make another one of those gawdawful screams. I back up quickly but give her a glare anyway.

“Alright already.” Jesus on the stick that woman is a bitch. I make my way up to the porch and let my tongue flicker out again. They aren’t here and I know it even before I jimmy the door. I try a light switch but nothin’ happens. What the fuck is goin’ on here? My steps take me to Faith’s room. I look around and see most of her shit is still here. But there’s a lot of clothes missing. I toss a few things around carelessly.

“Wes...WES? You in here boy?!” Oh no. I run for his room and push the door open. Shit. Shit. It’s gone. His clothes, his dumb book he’s always draggin’ around, his blanket, it’s just gone. Som’bitch! That whore. I don’t know what’s worse than kill but I’ll think of somethin’ real good for her. Goddamn slut took my boy. I duck out of the house as quick as I can. Ma’s just up round the corner waitin’ I bet. My breathing is a little heavy as I heave my ass in to the car.

Maybe I should stop smokin’ so much. I put the key in the ignition and look around to make sure ain’t no one looking before I turn it. “I take it they weren’t home.” I jump up hard enough to knock a dent in my coconut. Where the fuck did she come from? I look around again while rubbin’ my head. That shit hurts.

“Goddamnit Ma! You tryin’ to scare me to death?” She gives me a warning look about my language but shrugs an apology all the same. I put the car in gear and head to the highway. I don’t know where they went but they intended to be gone awhile. Electricity was out, probably water and gas too. Too many of Wes’ things were gone and that stupid stack of pictures Faith keeps around. Pictures of that...blonde. “They took of Ma, they ain’t comin’ back round for a bit.”

Think. I gotta think. Where is it that Faith would run to? Oh yeah. Him. Ma turns to give me a questioning look when I chuckle. “Something about all of this funny to you boy?” I shake my head and chuckle again.

“I know where she’ll go. She used to take up with this fellow from New York. Said they were just friends but she was probably bangin’ him on the side.” Well. Not that she was ever really bangin’ me exclusively. No she had to be all independent woman and not want to be in a relationship. Now what kind of woman don’t want a man? A dyke that’s what kind. I had my questions about this Buffy bitch before. Faith seemed awful keen to stay away from her but she had pictures of her.

Didn’t make a lick of sense. I should have figured it out sooner I suppose. But the sex was too good for her to be fakin’ that. She liked dick well enough when she was with me. I glance over at Ma who’s bein’ merciful and keeping her fat trap shut for a change. I need time to think. She’s goin’ to New York probably to have some weird sex thing. Three way or what have you. She’s gonna wanna ditch the kid so she can do whatever she intends to do.

If I take him then she’ll come lookin’ for me. Faith is a shit list of things, whore and a bitch just the least but I can’t lie. She’s a damn good mamma. If she didn’t have to be such a bitch I think I woulda married her. Hot sex, she looks damn fine, she can kick most men’s asses, she gave birth to a boy, it’s almost perfect. Except for the sex was only on her terms, she talked back to fuckin’ much, and she didn’t even give my boy my last name. Not to mention that she named him something other than what I told her to name the boy.

Bitch.

“Well have you figured out you’ve got to take your boy first yet? Or do I still have to sit here until you puzzle it out?” I hiss in her direction and keep drivin’. I already figured that shit out Ma, thank you very much.

“Yeah I got it worked out. Just thinkin’ about how much I hate Faith.” She gives me an approving nod. Killin’ her won’t be so much of a problem for me. I’d have liked to work it out if she could learn to obey me. She was a nice ride afterall but fuck her. She took my boy and broke my face. That bitch deserves to die.

Chapter Fourteen

It’s quiet in here. Just the sounds of me and Wes breathing in shallow slow breaths. We were taking a nap and waiting for Faith to get back. Her reassuring weight denting the bed behind me makes me smile. She must have been what woke me up. A warm hand rests on my hip lightly and warm, happy sensations flood our connection. Is it even possible to be this much in love? She hasn’t tried to wake me, I’m guessing she’s tired. Up all night, long flight, even longer talk with a younger slayer.

How long has it been anyway? I crack an eye open and flick my gaze toward the glowing time stamp on the clock. 7 p.m. Faith can tell I’m awake now. She’s shifting a little behind me to get more comfortable. Incredibly soft lips graze my ear by way of hello. I open both eyes and run a hand through Wes’ wavy black hair. He looks like a tiny angel. Er. Not the vampire. Though in the right light... “Ya get a good nap B?”

And just like that she derails my little thought train. Jesus, Mary and some other guy, did she have to do that right in my ear? I shiver but give a slight nod. “It was okay. It’s better now though.” I’m just going to stay right where I am. Because if I don’t look at Faith then I won’t be tempted to make out with her. Don’t laugh, it worked in high school. Sorta. I get a nibble to my ear and I sigh happily. Blood rushes to my ear making it scarlet red. At least I think it’s scarlet. I can’t see my own ear though once Faith got me drunk and told me to try and I spent fifteen minutes actively trying to look at my own ear. “So how’d it go Dr. Laura?”

Faith’s quiet for a minute while she looks over my shoulder at Wes. About a hundred emotions flash behind those eyes of hers. I can tell she’s getting with the heavy thoughts. I don’t know if she’ll talk to me about it and I’m prepared to change the subject with no fuss. I’ll just bring up the fact that I’m still annoyed about the ear thing. “Bad home life, out on the streets, hangin’ out with all the wrong kinds of people. Shit happens ya know? Coulda been me sittin’ there. Only this kid doesn’t have half the attitude I did. She’s like Willow was. Shy, always smilin’ and shit.”

I think she identifies with this girl more than she’s willing to admit. My eyes go to the tanned arm that reaches out and runs a fingertip over Wes’ jaw. He’s her boy and I know she’d never trade that in for anything. It must have been so hard for her. And lonely. I need to do something to break the silence that’s settling over us. My voice is tender and soft, because I don’t want to be intrusive while she’s thinking. “She sounds like a good kid.” It’s not really saying much of anything but it’s something.

“Key word bein’ kid. I wasn’t much older when I had Wes but I wasn’t a kid. Ya know?” It’s hard for me to think of Faith as really being a kid. She always seemed so wise. Part of that was the cocky strut. It was like she owned Sunnydale, or California for that matter. She owned it all and she wanted everyone to know it. You know, I haven’t seen her strut in a long time. Might have to do something about that. “Wood is gonna hook her up with a real good Watcher. He already talked to Giles about it I think. Someone patient but you know, tweedy.”

I grimace at the thought. Giles, luckily for me, has stopped wearing the same suit he wore the entire first year I knew him. He thinks Dawn and I put it away in storage but really we had a bonfire in the yard. Old relationship burn out. We just added the suit at the end because we couldn’t think of a better way to say good bye to it. “Have you been in contact with everyone but me?” Where that could seem bitchy, it’s not. She knows I’m teasing by the soft chuckle at the end of my question. Faith gives my ear a hard nip in retaliation. But hey look who’s not being all cranky pants.

“I’ll give ya contact B.” And before I can even take a breath to make a reply she’s kissing me. Long, slow kisses. My body melts in to hers as we shift to make this easier. I could kiss her like this for the rest of my life. It’s not like we’re trying to eat each other’s face here. It’s just...our way of communicating I guess. “How’m I supposed ta sleep if you keep makin’ kissing noises with Buffy?” I swear this kid has the worst timing. Faith chuckles in my lips and pulls away. At this rate I may never go back to my natural color, I’m just going to stay red in the face forever.

“Just wait boyo, when I catch ya kissin’ on someone you’ll never hear the end of it.” Wes gives her a wide eyed look. I know what he’s thinking. I can see the wheels turning as he ponders that one. I flick my eyes to Faith and bite back a grin at the serious look on her face. “And before ya even say ‘ewww or gross mom’ just remember when you get older ya won’t think that way and I’ll be waitin’.” Wow. Dramatic much? Wes’ eyes get that much bigger as he ponders the idea of Faith waiting years to get her revenge.

I snicker and nudge Faith in the ribs. My poor little Bubba is going to be all repressed when he gets older if she keeps it up. “Don’t worry Wes, I won’t let your mamma pick on you.” Much. Hey he has it coming. Wes wriggles up closer to me and puts his small hands on either side of my face. He’s got this awestruck look like he’s never actually seen me before. Weirdo. I love it.

“Mamma...can we keep her?” Faith bursts in to laughter and I go right along with it. If only I had a video camera to catch the genius that is Wesley Alexander. “I’m workin’ on it boyo. I’m workin’ on it.” Hrm. Said twice for emphasis. I’m tempted to tell her that she doesn’t have to work on it because I’m for it buuuut, I’m all for showers of affection and love so I’ll let her keep at it awhile.

“So. How long are we staying for? Because I could really get in to the shopping. I didn’t actually pack much and I’ve been wearing mostly your clothes which never really seem to fit me quite the same way. Oh! And I can get you guys really nice thick sweaters. It’s getting cold in London now.” Would someone please just duct tape my mouth shut? Could I be any more obvious about my excitement? If I was a puppy I’d be all butt wiggly with the excitement.

Faith and Wes look at each other then at me and then back to each other. “Pay up boyo.” He gives her a dramatic sigh and places a kiss on each cheek and gives her a bear hug. He’s not as bothered by it as he’d like us to believe. Wes crawls to the end of the bed and hops down muttering something about food so he won’t have to hear the kissy noises. I raise my brow at Faith as she glances over to me. "Told him ya wanted to go shopping.”

It should weird me out a little that Faith is teaching her soon to be five year old son about gambling. But it’s just so damn cute. And she would kill me for ever thinking so. “Well I’m glad that I can provide you and Wes with some quality gambling time together.” We laugh together. Sometimes even just randomly. Like we’ll be sitting on the couch together or at the counter over coffee and we’ll just start giggling. It’s the most bizarre thing.

“So I think we should head out in the morning. I told Wood that everything was five by, gave the girl my cell number in case she needed ta talk or somethin’. It’s all I can do ya know?” Big softy. I nod and run my fingers through her hair. It’s soft and she must go through a lot of creme rinse. Which brings up another question, how’d she get her hair so shiny and full in prison? Because I’ve seen prison movies and none of those women had hair like Faith’s.

“She’s got a lot of advantages you didn’t have Faith. And you turned out to be pretty fantastic.” She gives me doe eyes at that. I think I just melted her heart. Hey score one for Buffy. Faith gives me a loving kiss before pulling back. I can hear Wood and Wes talking about Chinese food and my stomach gives a growl. Faith’s echoes it and we laugh again. “So I’ll call Giles and Dawn and...well everyone. Let them know we’ll be there soon.” Faith gives me a slightly worried glance and a nod.

“Think Squirt’s gonna try an’ light me on fire?” Possibly. I tweak her ribs and bounce out of the bed before she can retaliate. Sometimes. I really love being a Slayer. “You are so done for ya know that?” Ha. If she can catch me. I take off down the hall with Faith practically breathing down my neck behind me. So why am I running again? I stop and let Faith’s body plow in to mine taking me down to the floor. I think I smacked her nose with my head at one point so I look over at her rubbing her face and crack up.

Faith gives me a glare that I return with a sunny smile. She smirks at me even though she’s still rubbing her nose gently. It must be love.

Chapter Fifteen

Well damn if I wasn’t right. Sort of anyway. Ma snorts at the scene of Faith and my boy, Buffy and that fella Wood sitting around the table having a family dinner. Just like that. All together. What kind of fucked up kinky bullshit is this? Eatin’ Chinese food around the table ain’t gonna make this normal or alright. It’s just confusin’ my boy even more. Now he’s gonna think everyone is like this, that gay is normal.

I bite back a hiss and flick the air with my tongue. They don’t even have a shred of fear to ‘em. I’d have tasted it if there was. Ma backs away from the window as they all laugh about some bullshit coming out of Buffy’s mouth. I don’t know what it was but I’m sure it wasn’t funny. She’s got a mouth on her and likes to act all innocent but it’s just an act. She’d strangle a man to death. One she don’t even know.

I remember how that bitch is. I follow Ma back out to the street and get in to a car I borrowed out of the airport lot. Coulda got me somethin’ better but no, Ma wanted somethin’ less noticeable. So now we’re ridin’ around in some crap ass import. I hate little cars like this. Don’t got much to ‘em, barely anything under the engine. Mostly they remind me of paper cups. They work but they crumple awful easily.

“So now what boy?” She’s askin’ me? I raise my eyebrows and settle in to the driver’s seat. Good question Ma. Now what do I do? ‘Cause it don’t look like they’re gonna send the boy off anywhere and I might just be a real ass kicker now but I don’t wanna run up in that house and take on three people at once. No. I gotta change tactics. They’ll shove the kid off at some point.

“Now we wait Ma. Track ‘em tomorrow, see where they go, what they do. Shouldn’t be too hard to grab the kid and go.” Especially if they aren’t paying attention. The only problem with that is me walking around a big city with green skin. Ma turns her head to give me a look of surprise and finally disbelief.

What’s it gonna be Ma? You gonna cut me down for my ideas or you gonna keep it shut and go along with it? “Of all the stupidest ideas I have ever heard, and all of them come out of your mouth mind you, that is the worst. How the hell are you going to cover up your complexion? Walking around New York lookin’ like that. Boy if I were corporeal...” She’d what? Knock the freak offa me? That’d be nice.

I give her a glare and pull out a cigarette. She hates the smell she says but I bet it’s because she can’t smoke one too. I light it and take a long drag. Ma just stares at me until she looks away. See the key to winning with Ma is to just let her steam run out and then throw it back in her face. “Well if you got any ideas, what with workin’ for the First and all, I’d sure as fuck like to hear ‘em.”

Yeah I said fuck. Something about Ma don’t seem right and I’m wonderin’ if she’s gonna do that scream again. But she doesn’t she just shimmers and fades in to Buffy. What the fuck? The cigarette falls from my lips and I smack at it to put it out before it lights my dick on fire. “So you think you have this all figured out already huh?” What the shit?? I back against the door and reach down for anything to use as a weapon. My hands curl around the handle of a maglite and I swing it around to knock the bitch’s head off. It goes right through her and she smiles.

I am so fucking tired of seein’ that damn smile. I swing again but nothin’. I glare hard and put the flashlight away. “So. You died too huh?” What I wouldn’t give to make her die again. The Buffy thing nods at me and crosses her arms over her chest like she’s cold. What does Faith see in this girl anyway? Besides the obvious.

“Twice even. Me and death we’re old pals.” She gives me this sweet look and I feel somethin’ inside of me stir. An itch almost. A need. I need her. To hurt her, to fuck her, to kill her. “She’s not your mom any more than I’m the annoying little blonde you want to kill right now. We’re all just faces the First uses to make a point. Now.” This part kills me. The part where she looks up at me from under thick eyelashes.

Oh she’s learned the game alright. She knows what men wanna see. The Buffy thing slides over in the seat so she’s closer and I can almost feel heat like a body would give off. My cock hardens and she looks down at it with mild surprise. She ain’t even close to surprised but she’s actin’ like it. “So you’re the big dog huh? I’d think ya’d hate ta put on that bitch’s face.” See this is me trying to keep my cool.

It ain’t as easy as I make it look that’s for damn sure. Not with her hands not quite touchin’ my chest. Or the flutter of air over my ear as she leans in to whisper. Fuck. If this is just a copy of the real thing it’s a wonder why Faith ditched her in the first place. She might be a pest and really fuckin’ annoying but she’s dead sexy. My cock twitches again at the thought of the two of them fuckin’ around together. Hrm. I’d like to see that happen.

“Thinking about what it’s like when Faith and I are alone?” I don’t say nothin’ but I don’t have to. She’s readin’ me like a fuckin’ book right now. “You know how she is Jimmy. Like she can’t ever get enough. The way she looks at you like she’s going to devour you if you don’t hurry up and fuck her.” I give a slight grunt as she crawls even closer. I press myself back in to the seat because I just don’t want her that close to me even if she can’t touch me.

I try for some bravado though. “You an’ me an’ half of Texas bitch. We all know what Faith is like.” I’m just assumin’ here ‘cause like I said, we weren’t exclusive. I know she fucked other people. She had to have. “Don’t kid yourself sweetheart, a woman like that don’t give a rat’s ass about you once she’s done gettin’ hers.”

You’ll be out the door faster than you realize. Bitch. “Yeah well getting hers always means getting mine.” She gives me a sexy little smile and I hiss. Fuck I want her bad now. My hand goes down to the crotch of my jeans and I rub a little. The Buffy thing watches me, her eyes goin’ a dark green color. Oh yeah. I like them eyes. “The things she can do to me...mmm. The way her body is always so fucking hot, and wet. Bet you couldn’t do to her what I do Jimmy.”

Ha fuckin’ ha. “You wish little girl. I had Faith in ways you never could.” Mostly ‘cause I have a dick. I give her a full on head to toe eyeballin’ before smirking and rubbin’ myself harder. Who the fuck does she think she’s kidding? She might be a dyke but she’s all girl. Hell this one is probably the fuckin’ pillow queen. I can’t imagine Faith would let anyone top her and not the least this lil piece of fluff.

Her laugh trickles out and I feel another puff of air across my face. It could be real. If I close my eyes and pretend a little it could be real. “Oh Jimmy you have no idea the ways I can have her. You think just because I wasn’t born with a dick it means I don’t have one? And oh my girl likes it to. The way I fuck her with it all night.” My breathing is heavier and the look on her face is making me think she’s fucking me instead of Faith. I close my eyes and undo the zipper of my jeans.

My cock just falls right out in to my hand like it was waitin’ for this. I give it a few tight strokes and just listen to her voice. “Do you remember what it’s like to be in her pussy? The smell of her all around you. The feel of her gripping your dick with each thrust.” Oh yeah I remember. Visions of Buffy and Faith takin’ turns fucking each other and me take over my mind. Oh fuck. I’m gonna bust a nut here soon. I give another hard jerk when a sound shatters my little world.

“Boy would you put that thing away?” Goddamnit. I jump and pull my hand away from myself. Som’bitch. That was a damn rotten thing for it to do. Lookin’ one second like her and talkin’ and making me think things. Then to just turn around and be Ma again. I mean I know it’s not really Ma, especially after that little display but I can’t get over it. As long as The First is wearin’ Ma’s face I have to behave.

“Did’ja have scare me half to death?” She pretends to look away while I get my junk back in my pants. It’s gonna be real uncomfortable the rest of the night. Especially if I have to sit here and watch the house in case any of them leave. Ma squints her eyes at me when I’m done and shakes her head. I don’t wanna hear it. I’m a grown ass man. “And don’t you start with me, the plan stays the same. Watch and wait. She’ll ditch my boy soon enough and we’ll snag him there. An’ if that don’t work then I’ll think of somethin’ else.”

She gives a nod and I look around for my dropped cigarette. It’s crushed to bits and I think it was my last one. Motherfucker. I grunt and resettle myself uncomfortably. Well. Can’t jerk off. Can’t smoke. Can’t leave. This sucks. “You tired yet boy?” I nod a little and lean my head back against the headrest. “Well you g’wan and get some shut eye. I’ll wake you if anything happens.” I don’t trust her much as far as look out goes but if she really is this First thing then it’s best to go along with it. If it wants Faith and Buffy dead that bad it’ll wake me.

I feel like I’ve just closed my eyes when I hear my name bein’ called. I open my eyes and look around. The sun isn’t up yet but I can sense it. Ma gives me the same look she used to give me when I was a kid. “Well well the creature stirs.” She smiles and I can’t help but smile back. I missed her. Well. I miss her sometimes. “Something is goin’ on down yonder. Saw the dark man putting luggage in his trunk.”

Hrm. I do not like the sound of that one bit. I watch Wood from my review mirror and ponder. “They must be ready to take off again.” Just a stop over then. I gotta think. I can’t remember where this Buffy bitch is supposed to be from. I glance to Ma and shrug. Might have to beat the information out of Wood but I will find out where they’re goin’. I put the car in gear and pull away from the curb. Ma looks like she’s about to argue but I put a hand up while I puzzle this out. “Looks to me like they’re goin’ visitin’. They’ll come back home at some point but it’ll be easier to get my boy while they’re on the road. So for now we gotta find us somethin’ to eat and a place to rest. I’ll come back and have a little talk with Mr. Wood there. Find ‘em and catch up.”

Yeah. I think I can make that work. Ma nods at me but doesn’t say anything. Good. I was tired of her yappin’ anyway.

Chapter Sixteen

I don’t dislike flying but I hate long flights. Don’t get me wrong. I love Faith and I love Wesley but being cooped up in a jet for seven hours with them can wear on a saint. And I’m no saint. I’m watching them wrestle around on the floor of the cabin like I have been for the past two hours. I don’t know if it’s because he’s the son of a pretty damn powerful Slayer or if it’s just because he’s Faith’s son but that kid has more energy than I do. He’s making me tired just by watching him.

I wonder if this is how Faith keeps in shape. She chases her kid around and beats the hell out of the undead. I might have to rethink my pilates program. Finally I can feel the plane starting it’s descent. Wes looks up at me and beams and I fall in love with him all over again. I’m going to have to ask Willow if dimples have any magical properties that I didn’t know about. Because I swear a few grins from these two and I’m a puddle of Buffy.

“Ladies and Gentleman, we’re about to land so please take your seats and buckle in.” Wes’ smile starts to fade until he’s got the most serious look on his face that I’ve ever seen. Faith frowns slightly as she starts buckling him in to the seat in between us. She settles in and runs a hand through his hair and I note that she did not bother to buckle herself in. I give her a mild look until she gets it and huffs in irritation. But hey she’s getting buckled in so yay for me.

“You okay Bubba?” Wes turns his attention from the window to me and shrugs. I wonder what’s up with him, he was just fine a second ago. Faith shrugs at me when I give her a questioning look. Maybe he’s just nervous. I know Faith is, I can tell even if she’s acting all hardass about it all. It’s been a long time since she’s had any contact with Dawn or Willow or Xander. I have faith in the fact that they’ll forgive her for that. Eventually. Well. Willow and Xander will. Dawn is another story altogether.

“Buffy?” I look up at the sound of Faith’s voice and raise my brows. She looks at Wes who is back to staring at the masses of land gliding by now that we’re close to actually landing. I look back at her not sure what she wants me to do or say here. Give me a clue at least sheesh. Faith shakes her head with a smirk and goes back to staring at nothing and pretending she’s not the mom in the situation. Fine fine. I’ll take care of it.

I lean down and give Wes a tickle and a kiss that he squirms for. “Are you nervous to meet Xander?” He shakes his head no and grips Faith’s hand just a little harder when we hit some turbulence. I know this kid isn’t scared of flying. He’s not really scared of anything. Except Jimmy. So. It’s not Xander. “Do you miss Pinkie?” Because I kinda do too so it’s okay if he does. Another head shake. Okay. I give up, he’ll tell me when he’s ready.

I shrug at Faith and lean back in my seat. We bounce on landing and Wes’ expression just gets even more serious. My poor little man must have a lot on his mind. “So is Xander pickin’ us up or Giles?” I smile a little at getting to see my family again. I missed them these few months.

“Xander. I didn’t tell him about Wes, I just told him I knew a couple of Slayers that would need a ride from the airport to Giles’.” She nods a few times and looks at her watch. I don’t know why she’s doing that it’s still on Texas time. Finally the plane stops and the hatch opens. I pull the buckle holding Wes in place and reach down to pick him up. He goes with me and we start down the steps with Faith in tow.

Holy crap. It’s cold. I shiver and Wes takes his beanie off and puts it on my head. Thankfully I have a smallish head. “Thanks Bubba, but now your ears are going to get cold.” He smiles sweetly at me and shakes his head. Apparently the cold doesn’t bother him as it would the average child. But there’s nothing about him that’s average that’s for sure. We make our way over to the big suv that’s pulling up to the plane.

Faith’s warm hand is resting on my shoulder and I turn my head to kiss her knuckles. Everything is going to be okay. Just don’t go anywhere near Dawn if she’s holding something flammable. The truck parks and the two front doors open. Oh God. Dawn showed up here too. I pick up on the anxiety trickling tremulously through our connection. Why is it that Faith can kick the living crap out of the meanest, nastiest, gnarliest demons but she’s afraid of my little sister?

Xander reaches us first. God it’s good to see him. He stops and looks at Faith with a mixture of amusement and joy. Well it’s good to see someone besides me is happy to see her again. “Well it’s about time you moseyed on back to us. You are moseying on back to us right? We’re not just a pit stop on the way to bigger and badder baddies right?” That’s my Xander. She gives him a light smile at that and nudges him in the shoulder playfully.

“I think my moseying days are up Xand.” Hey that’s always good to hear. She gives me a shy look when Xander’s arms wrap around her in a tight hug. Aw. See? He missed her almost as much as I did.

“That’s good to hear Faith. We missed you.” I’m going to have to thank Xander later. His attitude went a long way in soothing Faith’s nerves. He lets her go after a minute or two and turns his attention to Wes. Xander’s head cocks to one side as he eyes the kid and then Faith. “And who’s the lucky little man that gets to be oh so close to Buffy’s b...er...bosom?” I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing at it.

Wes debates sticking his face in my neck and hiding but he holds out his hand to shake Xander’s with a look of sheer resolve. “I’m Wesley Alexander. But everyone just calls me Wes.” Xander takes his hand and shakes it solemnly. It’s got to be a man thing.

“Wes this is my bestest friend Xander, and this is my sister Dawn.” I finally turn and give Dawn my attention because she’s been waiting oh so patiently while I ignore her. Dawn offers Wesley a slight smile and holds her hand out to shake his smaller one. He takes it but doesn’t let it go. And then it happens. I knew at some point Wesley would prove how much he was like Faith I just didn’t expect it right here and now.

He grips Dawn’s hand a little tighter when she tries to take it back and furrows his brow. “If you’re gonna make mamma cry we’re gonna have a problem.” Slowly everyone turns to Faith who’s probably just as shocked as we all are. Wes lets go of Dawn’s hand and narrows his eyes. “Well? Are we gonna have a problem?”

“Um. Nope. No problems here.” He gives her a sage nod and wiggles out of my arms. Wes grabs Xander’s hand and starts leading him away toward the car. Dawn turns to Faith and raises her brows. “Wow. Attitude must be hereditary huh?” Faith laughs and looks between me and Dawn.

“Definitely Squirt.” I hold my breath for a second before Dawn chuckles and socks Faith in the arm hard. Obviously not hard enough to really hurt a Slayer but hard enough to let her know she’s not quite forgiven. They’ll be having a talk I’m sure. “An’ sorry about Wes. He’s kinda protective of me lately.” Well watching your dad and a couple of his friends beat the shit out of your mom will do that to a kid.

Dawn nods for a second and then gestures vaguely to the truck. Faith’s hand covers mine and we stroll along to the car in time to catch Wes babbling at Xander while holding his hand against the side of the car. Ooh that reminds me. “Faith? Why does Wes always have his hand on the car like that?” She looks at her son and then back to me with a slight shrug.

“Well when he first started walkin’ I didn’t want him to run in to traffic so anytime he’s gettin’ in to or outta a car he’s gotta put his hand on it until I’m ready to go.” Huh. That’s a pretty good idea. Wonder why mom never did that for us. Not that Dawn would have listened. Or me for that matter. Oh. Well maybe that’s why she never bothered with that. I give Faith a loving look and hop in to the backseat of the suv. Wes wiggles around a little in the seat until he’s pressed right up against my side. My arm goes around him and he cuddles in.

“Tired Bubba?” He nods and frowns at the fact that Faith is sitting up in the front seat with Xander while Dawn is on my other side. I don’t think he’s ready to let Dawn off the hook. I wasn’t expecting it but I’m kind of glad. I know Dawn and I know how she feels and I wouldn’t want her to be a pain to Faith either. Even if she feels that Faith deserves it. And I’m not too sure Faith does deserve it no matter how fall on her own sword she may be these days.

“Buffy?” I look down at Wes and smile gently. “Do you think Giles will like me?” I glance up at Dawn who’s trying so hard not to do the awww thing. Which is fine because if she does then I will and then Xander will and poor Wes will get all embarrassed and won’t talk to Giles or Willow. I bite back my internal babble and cup his little face.

“Of course he will baby. Why would you think he won’t like you?” He shrugs and glances in Faith’s direction. I can see her watching from the visor mirror. I don’t think she knows how to handle this. Well. That makes two of us. Faith turns in her seat and levels a serious gaze at Wes. He blinks and focuses in to her in a way that makes me wonder if they can read each other’s minds. Nah. Probably not.

“Hey boyo.” Wes reaches out a hand with his pinkie extended and Faith locks one of her pinkies to it. “I promise ya got nothin’ to worry about. Giles might be kinda British an’ cranky sometimes but he’s a good guy. An’ he must already like ya ‘cause he’s the one that sent ya your favorite book.” Ah ha. So he’s the one that sent fairy tales in Latin to a four year old. I should have known. “We cool?”

Wes gives her a nod and takes his hand back so that he can curl up with me again. I am so not complaining. Xander clears his throat and turns on the windshield wipers. “So. Not that I want to die here but my god Faith, when did you become so darn cute?” I bite my lip to keep from laughing at the look on Faith's face. Dawn snickers quietly from the seat next to mine.

“Eyes to the road. Zip it Squirt.” That’s my baby, getting all gruff and annoyed. Heh. Wes looks up at me and sighs heavily. He knows what’s coming. Everyone in the car gives us their attention the minute I start talking.

“Pay up Bubba.” I told you Faith was rubbing off on me. And later I’ll really let her rub off on me. But right now I’m content with the fact that Wes is letting me pepper his face with kisses. He giggles in my grip and pretends to fight me off but lets face it folks. This kid loves getting hugs and kisses from me and Faith. She grumbles from the front seat as Xander out right laughs.

“Never shoulda taught that kid how ta gamble.” Grumble grumble. She’ll get over it. I’ll even help her. With nudity and everything. And now that we’re not plane hopping or staying at other people’s houses I’m so going to have my way with Faith. She gives me a look in her mirror and I smile that smile. Yes. ‘That’ smile. Faith gives it right back and Dawn sighs.

“God, could you two maintain for at least the duration of the car ride?” No not really.

“Well I would Squirt but I just don’t wanna.” God I love her.

Chapter Seventeen

Giles is puttering around making tea and being all British. I’m not sure but I think he’s slightly uncomfortable with the new Faith. It’s almost like he doesn’t know where he fits in or what he should be doing. I watch him filling his mug with water and lean on the counter across from him. “So, what’s new in the wide world of Hellmouths? Anything new we should be worried about?”

He putters some more and smiles slightly. “Actually no. There’s been a few minor demon uprisings. One in Asia and one in The States. I sent two teams of four to each site and things were well in hand. How was Texas?” I give a nod and smile a bit. How was Texas? Stupendous, grand, fanfuckingtastic. Also frustrating and worrisome.

“Rednecks aside it was pretty good. Faith and I talked about some things which is always a better choice than throwing each other through windows, doors and off rooftops.” Giles chuckles a bit at my attempt at humor. I really wish I could go back and undo all the things we did to hurt each other but I can’t so the best I can do is laugh off the pain and hope that we never get that far gone again.

I watch him sip his tea and wait for it. Giles has this thing he does. He’ll sip, pause, nod once and then start telling me what’s on his mind. He thinks I don’t know it’s how he figures out how to break news to me. My stomach triple ties in to a knot that even the laughter from the other room can’t soothe. “You’ve been lonely a long time Buffy.”

“You have but face again.” Giles grimaces at the comment and raises a shoulder in a slight shrug.

This can’t be good right? “Well I imagine this is the part where you’re expecting me to ask if you’re ready for this. A child. A serious partner. Living arrangements. Long term planning. You won’t get that from me. I’m your Watcher Buffy and I know you perhaps as well as your peers. And one thing I am quite familiar with is the pain you’ve been living in without her. Quite frankly I think it’s quite about time you two worked it out.”

Whoa. That’s like whoa you know? I blink a few times and open my mouth to say something but close it quickly. “That means a lot to me Giles. I was worried that you didn’t think this was such a good idea.” He pushes up his glasses and leans back against his own counter.

“Yes well six years ago I would have had to agree with you. But Faith has become something much more than the troubled girl willing to reform that she was then. She’s grown quite a bit in the years you’ve been separated. Not just as a Slayer as an individual. Though to be fair she wasn’t the only one that had growing to do.” And he gives me his Watcher look. I nod at it.

Yeah I know I was a spoiled brat sometimes. But I feel really bad about it now. “Yeah yeah Buffy’s a brat.” I grin at him and reach out to squeeze his arm. It really does mean a lot to me that he cares so much. I love my father but I’ll never know or trust him the way that I do Giles. Another bubble of laughter comes from the other room and I leave the kitchen so I can join in with the gang.

I don’t get far before Willow’s hand shoots out and grabs my wrist. “Buffy. Got a second?” For you Willow? Always. I nod and follow her past the group lounging around the sitting room. Everyone’s attention is on Wes as he’s relaying some funny story about something I’m sure I won’t think is quite as funny. Like the times he’s walked in on me and Faith in compromising positions.

“So what’s the what Wills?” I settle in to one of the comfy leather reading chairs in Giles’ library. I say library but it has less books and more with the records. It’s his favorite place in the flat. Just a small nook with a turntable and rows and rows of old albums. Faith would probably drool all over the place if she knew it was here. Willow drops in to the chair next to me and grins.

“What’s the what? The what is the scoop. I feel a girly talk coming on.” Oh thank the PtB for my Willow shaped friend. I love Dawn and I know I can tell her just about anything but it’s different with Willow. First of all she totally gets the girl on girl loving and secondly she doesn’t want to flay Faith for ditching me. I get an excited grin and look back at the empty doorway back down the hall. Just making sure no one’s sitting right there. “So what’s it been like? Is she totally different now? Because she seems different. Calmer. Obviously less with the homicidal. Okay okay I know she hasn’t been that way in a long time but you have to admit she was always really you know...aggressive.”

Wow now that’s what I call a ramble. “It’s been...wow. She’s as intense as ever but it’s different it’s a little less wild. I mean I hate to make her sound domestic because Faith and domestic are like twins in the world of bizzaro land. But being with her has felt so right. Safe even. And I kid you not she fucking cuddles.” Alot. I won’t say that part because I think if Faith ever found out I’d let the cat out of the bag she’d be really pissed.

“No way. That’s pretty wow.” Willow beams at me and grips my hand. Oh I know what’s coming next. She glances at the door then leans in close. “So. How’s stuff. You know. Stuff.” Heh. I love Willow.

“Wills...she can do things that could bring a grown Slayer to tears.” I shit you not. Her brow quirks and she gets this devilish little grin. Oh I think she might actually shock me. Occasionally Willow will just get wild and say something completely un-Willow like.

“I’m thinking yeah ‘cause Slayer lust times two. So. Who tops who?” Is she kidding? Because hello. Faith is clearly the top. I give her a blank look and she waves her hand out in front of her. “Okay dumb question. So when you say bring you to tears what are we talking here?” I open my mouth to tell Willow all about it when Dawn pokes her head in to the room.

“Please don’t answer that.” Oh but I want to scar her for life. I debate it for a second and shrug. Okay this time I’ll keep it to myself but I’ll get Dawn at some point. It’s my sisterly right to torture my baby sister. “I’m so hiding out with you guys, Kennedy and Faith are arm wrestling and Xander and Wes are giving the play by play commentaries.”

Willow laughs as Dawn makes her way in to the room and settles on the arm of my chair. I knew that having Faith and Kennedy in the same room would end up turning in to a show of who’s toughest of the tough. They’re really competitive like that. Too bad for them that the toughest of the tough is up here and I am she. I am the one that died twice afterall. “So what brought on the displays of bravado?”

Dawn’s eyes brighten. Oh this is going to be good. Hopefully better than Willow’s less than racy questions. “Well I think we all felt a little uncomfortable when Xander almost started to cry his eye out.” I snicker and wonder who hit him and why. Willow pipes up with a half giggle.

“Why was he crying? Kennedy wasn’t going on again about her adventures in lesbianism was she? Because we talked about this already.” Poor Xander, everytime sex is brought up he always has the first initial reaction of ‘ooh girly lovin’ but then he has to realize that he can’t react because he’s usually in a room full of women. Kennedy likes to torture him from time to time.

“No it’s even better than that. So Xander was all nosy about Wes and Faith pretty much let Wes do all the talking. Which, totally typical of her to avoid dealing. Not the point. Anyway. So they get to talking about names and Wes turns those huge eyes on Xander and says ‘Mamma says she named me after the people that taught her what courage and forgiveness really are.’ And then! Faith looks right at Xander and gives him this like nod and he gives her one back. It was all very Hallmark.”

Oh my God. Willow looks at me with raised brows and I nod. “She’s the real deal. Kinda scary and intimidating actually.” I mean have I changed as much as she has or am I still as shallow and petty as I ever was? I’d like to think I’ve grown but I have to wonder sometimes. I shrug it off and smile. “It’s so weird to see her with Wes. I swear if there was a cuteness of the universe award they’d win it. He’s smart and kind of a little punk sometimes but really sweet and sensitive. And those dimples.”

Dawn snorts and I look up at her in confusion. “Oh like you didn’t know you were a sucker for dimples. Were you even present your senior year?” Oh. Heh. Well. Yeah okay when she puts it like that I can see her point. Willow pokes at my knee smirks. So great everyone knew I had the big love for Faith and no one bothered to tell me. I should be bothered by this I really should. A random surge of love comes through my connection and feel my heart swell.

“Okay guys. I’m glad we’re all here for some catching up but I’m feeling pretty jet laggy. Can we all meet at my place tomorrow for lunch? I have to tell you about this freakass little town Faith lives in. There’s much mocking to be made.” Willow nods and nudges Dawn in the shoulder.

“Thanks for letting us stay at your place Dawnie. You’ll hardly know I’m there. Kennedy on the other hand will probably be all about making her presence known.” I grin and look over at Dawn who shrugs. I’m glad to see her being so close to Willow and Kennedy. I didn’t think she’d ever get over Tara’s death. They had a bond and I think sometimes Dawn wished that Tara had been her big sister. I don’t blame her. I wished it too sometimes.

But Dawn was pretty open to anyone Willow would want to spend time with. She just wants Wills to be happy. “Not a problem Will, me casa es su casa.” I just had a horrible thought. God, why do I have to be so fucked up? Why did I have to think that things are just perfect and nothing can bring me down. Why God? Why? I just gave myself the biggest godsmack jinx ever.

Chapter Eighteen

I got a crick in my neck. But then that’s what happens when you have to hide in the damn cargo hold of a damn jet. I finally got smart and took care of that dumbass stewardess. I probably coulda killed her a few hours ago and then I probably wouldn’t have this damn crick in my neck. Ah well. I figure once the plane starts to get closer to land I intend on havin’ me a party up in that rich man’s cabin.

Bunch of coked up business men. Bet they got that good shit too. Ma won’t mind since I got an hour or two before we land. I glance back at the body on the floor and nudge it with the toe of my boot. What a damn waste. I coulda shown her a real good time. Ma frowns down at the body and sighs. “Another whore. Look at what she is wearin’. Has the entire world lost it’s damn mind since I died?”

Yeah Ma. The whole fuckin’ world went crazy while you took a dirt nap. I huff and pick up the body so I can stow her someplace outta sight. “Plane should be landin’ in a bit. Gonna go upstairs there and have me some fun.” I’m not askin’ for permission. That’d be the same as askin’ her to say no. Ya gotta just go on and do it or else she’ll have control over you.

Ma’s back gets all stiff and she gives me a disgusted look. I just shrug at her and shove the body in to a small back compartment. When I turn around she’s standin’ there right behind me. The stewardess not Ma. What the fuck? “I don’t think it’s a very good idea for you to go up there.” I give her a glance and snort.

You know I can’t decide if I’m glad I killed her or not. On the one hand this bitch is annoying so knowin’ she’s dead is kinda comfortin’ but now that she is dead now The First is in control of her. Which means keepin’ her shut up ain’t gonna happen. I sigh heavily and shake my head. “Naw, ‘course you don’t. Why should I get to have any fun? I mean it’s not like I got my face bashed in by that bitch Faith, or had her take my boy to another country with that tramp of hers. Or had my dead Ma haunt me in ta fightin’ off some weird ass demon thing. Or you know had a magic snake bite my ass an’ make me in to a freak monster movie extra. Christ. What do I need a lil bit of fun for?”

She gives me a mild look and then shrugs. See? I got me a point. A valid one too. Ma would be so proud. “I it can’t really hurt. Just don’t hurt the pilot. Unless of course you’d like to land the plane yourself.” Right. Don’t kill the pilot. I can handle that. I hitch up my pants and kick up my heels as I make my way to the hatch going up to the cabin. The truth is I really want to see what my new and improved body can do.

I can taste them on the air before I actually see them. Big coupla fellas. One sorta looks like that guy that used to play that mobster on TV. Can’t remember his name now but he looks kinda like him. The other one kinda looks like a rat. There’s fear all over him, stinkin’ up the plane. I watch for a few seconds as they do lines on the chrome topped table. I step out of the shadows as the plane gets to rockin’ again.

The big one cusses up a mean streak when his wine glasses topples over. I think it’s kinda funny. “Sherry! Get your ass out here and clean this mess up will you? And you tell that stupid fuck of a pilot that if he...” There ain’t nothin’ in the world like the look of surprise on a person’s face when they know they’re in deep shit. “Who the fuck are you?” Oh not so cocky now are ya big man? I grab the front of his shirt and haul him up easily. I bet ya he’s wonderin’ if the drugs are makin’ him think I’m green or if I really am.

“Sherry can’t help you right now. No one can.” Gotta keep the screamin’ down or it’ll bring out the pilot and co pilot and we can’t have that. I’d have to kill ‘em and then try and land the plane on my own. Hrm. Well this wasn’t a very well thought out plan but I still intend to have my fun. I flick my tongue out at him and smirk. He starts up like he just might holler out but I stop him quick. “Ah ah ah. You don’t wanna do that.”

The little one is edging away from his seat but I put a booted foot up right between his legs and rest it on the edge of the chair. He looks at me like a scared little rabbit. First he’s a rat and now he’s a rabbit. I’m startin’ to make myself hungry. I push big man down in to his chair and eye the lines of coke on the table. Kill first, party later. I have my priorities here. “Look I don’t know who you are but anything I have, anything we have it’s yours. You don’t have to...” My hands come up and I twist the big ‘un’s head with a sick crack. I didn’t much care for him anyway.

“Now where do you think you’re gonna run to?” Ratty shakes his head no like that’s an actual answer. I just smile wider. He goes pale and sinks back further in his seat. “What’s the matter boy? Ain’t you ever seen someone like me?” He shakes his head no and I chuckle. Nope, didn’t figure he had. “Well g’wan. Try an’ run. I wanna get a bit of a work out in. I’ve been cooped up too long.”

Chapter Nineteen

Lucky for me it was dark when we landed. Fuckin’ long ass flight. I sigh and drop lightly to the ground as I watch the only glowing window in the building. I need to get in there. My boy is in there. Ma looks up at the place and shakes her head. “You sure they in there boy?” I give her a pissed off look and flick my tongue out. Positive. I can taste them and even if I couldn’t I saw them and Wes about an hour ago. Just walkin’ in as if that was home. Fuck them.

That bitch never had it so good as she did with me. This thing with the blonde is just a lie. Somethin’ to tell herself she wants even though we both know she don’t. She wants me. I know she does. You don’t play a man the way she tried to play me unless you want that man bad. “They’re in there. Saw Faith leanin’ against the wall a few minutes ago.” She didn’t see me I don’t think. Hell even if she had she might not realize I was me. She’d never think that I’d fly out here after her. She doesn’t even trouble herself to think I might just come chase her down. Now me and Faith are gonna hafta talk about that. But it can wait. Don’t worry baby girl you and me are gonna have that reunion soon.

I smirk and Ma makes her usual annoyed sigh sound. “I hope you don’t think this is all romance and roses boy. You’re going in there to kill those girls. Not date them.” I didn’t say one word about datin’ anyone. I give her a glance and shrug but she can tell that there’s somethin’ goin’ on in my head. She gives me another annoyed sigh and shakes her head. “Goddamnit Jimmy. There ain’t nothing you can offer those two girls but a hot load of death. Yours if you don’t get your ass in there and get your boy before we start to get a little testy.”

A little? And what’s with this we business? Her and the First or just her and her fuckin’ hormones? I grunt and heft the piece of iron rebar I pulled outta some construction site on the way. With my speed and strength I’m more than a match for those two. Plus. I got me a big metal stick. My feet are heavy as I take the steps to the door. The front door to the building is locked but I duck in to the shadows as some dumbshit comes out. Before the door closes I reach out a hand and push it back open. Now. That window was right about here, second floor. I lean against the door and taste the air. Oh yeah that’s them alright.

Wes is crackin’ up in there. Must be somethin’ goin’ on. “Kissy noises again??” They kiss in front of him? That poor boy is gonna be so messed up thinkin’ all this is right. I hiss and knock on the door. The rebar is heavy in my hand and I grip it tighter. I can make it cleaner if the bitch answers but if not her it’s gonna be messy. I hear the lock turning and raise my arm and flex my fingers around the cold metal in my hand. “No Wes, go help B set the table. Thanks boyo.” Good it’s Faith, that makes this so much better.

As soon as the door gets open an inch I’m barrelin’ through it. I feel it give under the weight of my shoulder. I smile when I hear the breath get knocked outta her when she hits the wall. It won’t stop her. No. Probably barely even slow her down but I’m ready for her. Faith is on her feet before I clear the door. “Hey baby.” My tongue flicks out at her to show her what I can do with it. “Been missin’ you a long time. Lemme show you how long.” Her jaw drops and I take that second to give her a good whack. It stuns her long enough for me to hit her a couple more times. I reach down and grip her neck tightly. She gasps and groans and it gets me hard. “Not right now baby but I promise you we’ll have our dance.”

My hands feel good on her throat. Faith is fadin’ in and out. No no. Can’t have that. She’s gotta see the show. I haul her up but ease off on my grip. She starts to come to and I smirk. You always did like it rough, well now you’re gonna get what ya asked for. I bring the rebar up again and pin her to the wall through her shoulder with it. She lets out a strangled gasp and I blow her a kiss. “Wait here baby. I need to do some things before you and I get reacquainted.” And she passes out. Pussy.

I creep down the hall and taste the air to get the feel of the place. Hm. Kitchen. As I get closer I can hear them laughin’ and shit. I can’t hardly believe my fuckin’ ears. You know that boy don’t do nothin’ but pout and whine an’ shit? I hear him laughin’ with this bitch and it makes me crazy. Well he ain’t gonna be laughin’ too much longer. That’s for damn sure. “Faith? Who’s at the door?” She’s worried. I can taste it. She can’t possibly know anything. I was quick and quiet. She can’t fuckin’ know already.

I hear feet shuffle and I think I’ll just back up a bit here. Why not let Buffy get Wes outta the way. Makes my job easier. Only thing is now she knows I’m here. Gotta surprise her. Yeah. I reach Faith again and pat her face to wake her up. Show me them big brown eyes baby. I smirk at her when she recognizes me. I get my hand on the rebar just as Buffy’s skiddin’ to a halt in front of me. “Sorry baby. We’ll finish this later.” Usin’ all my strength I yank that puppy right out of her shoulder and let her drop to the ground with a yelp. She won’t be gettin’ up no time soon.

It doesn’t take me more than a half a second to face her. Ya know in pictures you couldn’t tell she’s such a lil thing. All green eyes and long blonde hair. I bring my arm down quick to try an’ stun her the way I done Faith. She’s quick though and halfway gets her arm up. The blow I give her breaks her forearm I bet. I know I felt somethin’ give a good crunch. I gotta press my advantage here or I’m gonna have a long drawn out fight an’ I’m not in the mood for that shit. I hit again and again and again until she’s givin’ up ground and backed against a corner. I raise my arm again but she’s fast.

Faster than I’m ready for. Well goddamn. I grunt as the weight of her body knocks mine off my feet. There’s a second where we just hover in midair but then we crash to the ground in a hard thud. I hate this bitch. We struggle around for a minute and I won’t lie, the state Faith got me in earlier and havin' this one wrigglin’ around on me has got me a lil bit riled up. Maybe more than a little bit. She’s got one hand clamped around the forearm with my brand spankin’ new snake tattoo. Something weird moves under the skin and she lets go quickly.

I smirk at the dumb bitch and slam my elbow in to her nose. It stuns her and I take my chance before she snaps out of it. I get her pinned under me and flick out my tongue to her face. She flinches away and struggles but I got her pinned good and hard. And if it worked on Faith it’ll damn well work on this one. I wonder if she’ll taste as sweet. “Oh no no darlin’ you and me got a date. Feel free to scream and fight, I kinda like it better that way. Ain’t that right Faith?”

I don’t expect her to answer so I just chuckle. Buffy struggles again and I slam her head down on the floor a couple of times. I can see real fear in her eyes. Pretty pretty green eyes. I think I’ll start with those. We lock eyes as I get closer to her face and smile. Fear. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of tastin’ that. Little gold flecks in her eyes darken as she starts to get bold again. “Ya know the snake thing? Not that impressive.” Oh you’re a funny one. Always runnin’ off at the mouth just like the first time we met. I wonder if this is what Faith likes about her. Freaks. I hiss loudly and rear my head back to gouge my fangs in to her but she fuckin’ head butts me right in the fuckin’ mouth. Blood as black as tar bubbles up and I reach up to my mouth.

Goddamnit. My fuckin’ fangs! She knocked out my goddamn motherfuckin’ fangs. Fuckin’ whore ass motherfuck slut...GODDAMNIT! I stumble back against something hard and unmovable like a rock or somethin’. My head tips back as something warm and wet lands on my forehead. How the fuck did she get up? And where the fuck is my rebar? Faith’s arm shoots down from outta nowhere and grips my tongue between her fingers before I can get it back in my mouth. “You dickless son of a bitch.” How come she cusses better than me? I holler out as she tugs on my tongue.

She lets go of my tongue and slams the rebar across my head. Well that answers that question. Stars spark behind my eyes and I think she knocked me blind. I shake my head but she hit me again and I take a tumble to the floor. She gives me a kick that sends my ass slidin’ across the floor. I give a grunt as the wind gets knocked outta me. Guess that’s what hippies call instant karma. My eyes snap to Buffy’s form on the floor when she pipes up.

“Faith wait...” I start to crawl off while Faith’s distracted but she stomps her foot down hard on my knee. SOM’BITCH! I yelp out and look around the room. Ma. Where is she? I see a flash and I look back behind Faith. Ma. There’s my Ma. I reach out a hand but she just shakes her head at me. What? What the fuck is that about?

“Boy. You’re in it now. I told you not to underestimate them. Told you it wasn’t no damn date. I told you Jimmy.” Another head shake. Well fuck her then. I sneer even though I’m back to havin’ no teeth. I’ll be damned if I let these bitches take me out. I shove offa Faith’s leg hard enough to knock her over. It hurts like a motherfucker when I stand up and try to make a run for it. I can feel the ripple of air as somethin’ whizzes by my ear. I stop just a hair from runnin’ face first in to the rebar stickin’ outta the wall in front of me. Fuck me that was close.

“Where ya goin’ Jimmy? Thought you an’ me had plans.” You know I thought I was pretty scared to go in that damn cave but right about now I imagine that was a right calm spell I was going through. My heart beats quickly as I back away from the rebar and face Faith. She eyes me up and down and I swear she shouldn’t be standin’ let alone be smirkin’. I watch her as she goes to Buffy’s side and helps her up. What the fuck? Are they invincible too? No. Buffy’s limpin’ around. I did that. Yessir. I try to get the smug look off my face before Faith sees it but her fist connects with my already abused mouth.

I feel bone crunch in my mouth and I’m pretty sure she cracked my jaw. Fuck. Fuckin’ feels like a donkey kick in the face. Two years ago at Twin Moon Rodeo I got kicked in the face by a donkey. To be fair I was piss ass drunk and I probably shouldn’t have tried to steal him but one my cousins from down south bet me I couldn’t do it without gettin’ caught. If he won he’d get to fuck Faith. I wasn’t gonna let that shit happen so I stole the fuckin' donkey. And broke my jaw for it. I was pretty pissed off when I came home that night.

Woulda kicked the shit out of anyone then. Jaw all wired shut. But Faith was real kind to me. Oh yeah. That mouth of hers...yeah. But she ain’t bein’ nice now. Now she’s glarin’ somethin’ fierce. If her look could control the weather my balls would freeze right off. “What. The. Fuck?” Well I guess that’s a vague but fair question. As in what the fuck am I doin’ here. What the fuck happened to me? Blah blah blah. Well I don’t answer to no bitch. Ma shimmers right behind Faith’s shoulder and sighs. Oh fuck her. I’m over this First bullshit. She can’t help me now anyway.

I don’t think Faith is gonna wait too long for an answer but it don’t matter none ‘cause before I can even blink that blonde bitch pops me a good one. I yell out and drop to the ground. My mouth. My fuckin’ mouth. I cower away before she can kick me. I can’t believe Faith is just lettin’ her get at me like this. So this is it. This is what she chooses. Fuck her. Fuckin’ goddamn whore. She picked that bitch over me. “Buffy don’t.” What? That’s right bitch. That’s fuckin’ right.

If you know what’s good for you you’ll get your whore off of me. I’d say all this out loud but since I can’t barely move my mouth I’ll just think it out. Real loud even. Buffy turns to look at Faith but Faith ain’t lookin’ at her. She’s lookin’ at me. That’s right baby you an’ me. I can tune everythin’ out. Buffy, the sound of Wes tryin’ to break out of where ever the fuck Buffy stashed him, hell I can even tune out Ma. Almost. “Idiot manchild.” But she takes off so it’s all good.

“Told ya didn’t I Jimmy? Come near me or mine and it was gonna get ugly?” I’m startin’ to get that scared feelin’ all over again. Her hands are rough when she pulls me up from the floor and starts pushin’ and hittin’ me. “You hit me with a shovel, you stole my son, you threaten my family, you fuckin’ follow me to another country.” Each hit and kick has me stumbling back from her. I’m trippin’ over furniture and I broke the fuckin’ coffee table when Faith gives me a particularly hard uppercut. Goddamn she hits like a man. “You hit me in the face with a metal bar. You pin me to a goddamn wall like a fly. And then...” Oh shit.

I feel her hands grab either side of my face as she hauls me up to my feet again. “Then you put your hands on my girl.” Oh fu...

Chapter Twenty

Ain’t that right Faith?” You motherfucker. I struggle under Jimmy again and I swear to god I want to murder him right fucking now. His hand comes down and slams my head in to the hard floor. Ow. Ow. Ow Hair. Ow. His face gets impossibly close to mine and I start to panic a little because. Ew. We lock eyes for about a minute before I see something that sends all my senses reeling for a half second with shock at the intensity coming off her. Her. My girl. I swear she stood up right out of the shadows like an avenging angel or you know a murderously angry Slayer.

He her hurt pretty bad too since she’s bleeding a lot and the cuts on her head are sheeting blood down her face. But what really has my attention is the look in her eyes. I know that look and I know the girl with that look and Jimmy’s going to die. This is one of those situations that I have to put a check in the ‘Yes! Please!’ column and call it a day. I have to get him off of me so I give him an annoyed look. “Ya know the snake thing? Not that impressive.”

He’s all ego so when he gets his ego bruised he gets all butt hurt. I get him with a good hard headbutt. Owie. I hate doing those. But it worked, I’m pretty sure I felt his teeth break with that hit. Which is good because I want no part of him plunging in to any part of me or Faith. Jimmy backs right in to Faith’s legs but she doesn’t even stumble back. It’s like she’s frozen there. Except for the fact that she’s actively bleeding all over her baby daddy. Wow. Things I never thought I’d say.

I sigh with relief when she grabs him and starts kicking his ass. Ow. I roll over on to my side. I wince at the pain in my arm and realize that we don’t know why Jimmy looks like a man...snake...thing. “Faith wait...” She gives me the most incredulous look. Oh. No baby. I shake my head no to let her know I don’t mean don’t kill him. I just mean don’t kill him yet. I open my mouth to tell her to find out what this is all about first but Jimmy gets the bright idea to try and make a break for it.

He’s not bright. Faith stomps his knee and I bite my lip. That had to be painful. She grinds her boot in a little and then turns back to me with a raised brow. There really seriously is something wrong with me. I know I have strong sexual urges at in appropriate times but this is starting to make me wonder. I’m just going to chalk it up to after fight lusties and move on. Jimmy takes that second of mutual distraction to try again.

Faith’s ass hits the floor hard and I wince because just watching it hurt. She grunts and I scooch closer to her. She practically growls and chucks that pipe thingy at Jimmy’s head. I can actually appreciate the beauty of that on a totally Slayer related level. That’s precision throwing with an arm that very recently was skewered with a rusty metal spike. “Where ya goin’ Jimmy? Thought me an’ you had plans.” Ha yeah like that would ever happen.

I want to kill him. I really really really really do. I think Faith senses it through our connection because she ignores him entirely and starts to help me up. I glance in to her eyes when I stand. She’s worried about me. I soothe her questioning glance with a slight smile. I’m sore and I think my arm is broken. I’ll have one hell of a headache but it’s nothing a couple of days of Slayer healing can’t completely fix. I’m more worried about her shoulder and the blood that pours out of it every time she moves that arm. She’s acting like it doesn’t hurt but it has to. I look up in time to catch Jimmy’s little look.

What an idiot. And what is with the looks over Faith’s shoulder? There’s no one there freako. I feel a strong rush of dark energy sweep through our connection when she hits him. Ow that had to hurt. I almost feel sorry for him. Only not really. “What. The. Fuck.” Yeah. That’s what I want to know. Only I want to hit him because I just now realized that he had me pinned the same way that he used to pin Faith and he wanted me to know it. Bastard. She didn’t want that. I don’t realize I’ve taken a swing at him until I feel my fist connect with his bloody gummy maw of a mouth.

Can I just say...yick. I’ve punched my hand in to some really disgusting things in my life but that one was pretty bad. Maybe because it’s Jimmy and he could have rabies or something equally as mouth foamy. Faith’s arm around my waist only just catches me before I stomp his head in to a goopey mess on the pretty rug Willow and Kennedy gave me for my birthday. Wait. I like that rug, it’s got really pretty chocolate and sage colors in it. It’s very calming and warm. On second thought maybe I don’t want to stomp his head there. Ooh but the rest of the floor is hardwood so easy clean up.

A loud crash from the kitchen jerks my attention away from Faith and Jimmy. Wes. Oh my God he’s still locked in the pantry. I’m sorry Bubba but I can’t get you out just yet. I can hear Faith kicking Jimmy’s ass in to a new shape. But I can also hear Wes yelling out a few choice words that I know, that he knows would seriously cost him in the curse jar. Considering the situation I don’t think Faith will charge him. She’d probably be proud. I bite my lip and wince when Jimmy goes through my coffee table. Oh. Coffee table. Well as if he didn’t already need to die but now he really has to go.

Xander built me that coffee table. “And then you put your hands on my girl.” I look up at Faith as the rising tide of darkness crashes over and through me hard enough to take my breath away. Faith’s hands on either side of Jimmy’s head jerk to haul his battered body up and back. I flinch at the sick sound of the rebar going through his head and face. I want to look away but I can’t because this is a part of who Faith is. A part I’ve come to accept. Even find agreement with.

I shuffle over to her and rest my head between her shoulder blades. The tension in Faith’s body lessens but it doesn’t go away. I put my arms around her and feel her relax in to me. She’s not going to be okay for awhile. I know this and I’m prepared for it. She just needs to know I’m not going anywhere. “Faith?” Wes is really working the pantry door. It sounds like he’s almost got it broken open. I wouldn’t be surprised. So. I don’t have much time. “Go to your son, I’ll call Giles and have him send Clean Up. I’ll be with you soon. I promise.” Always.

She turns in my arms and I can still see the shine of power lust in her eyes. It takes my breath away and I’m just sitting here looking possibly retarded because I can’t stop staring at her. Her fingers trace my bottom lip and I press a kiss to them. I promise Faith. I’m not going anywhere. She gives me a nod and walks away from Jimmy’s body without looking back. I watch her go in to the kitchen and look back at the body. I sigh and find the phone in the wreck that used to be my coffee table. Oh well it died for a good cause.

I dial Giles’ number and watch as Faith carries Wes up the stairs and in to our bedroom. Our. Hrm. That has a nice ring to it. I hope she remembered to wipe the blood off her face before she opened the door to get Wes. That could traumatize him. “Giles? Sorry for the lateness. Faith and I just had an unexpected visitor.” His concern touches me. I can hear it and even feel it in his voice when he speaks. “No we’re okay it’s just...complicated. It’s him Giles. Wes’ dad.”

Oh. Yeah that’s about all anyone can say about that. “It was weird. You might want to put his body on ice and have Andrew and the Nerd Herd go over it. He's kind of a snake-man. No Giles. A man that looks like a snake. Okay fine he’s kind of a man-snake.” Honestly. Is that really important right now? I sigh and shake my head. I don’t want to be here on the phone with him. I want to be upstairs with Faith and Wes. And we still have to do something about her shoulder. “Oh and probably getting Janice to do a little patching up might be good. It’s not bad well I don’t think. Faith kind of got stabbed in the shoulder with a metal bar.”

Giles’ quiet ‘Good Heavens...’ makes me smile. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor. Or father. “I’m going to go check on Faith and Wesley so if you or Xander could you know keep an eye on the cleaning up stuff that’d be really kind.” He assures me that it’s all going to be taken care of so I hang up and make my way slowly up the stairs. I lean against the doorframe to watch for a second. Wes is clinging to Faith and she’s leaning back against the headboard just holding him and running her hands through his hair.

I expected some hysterics even crying but I did not expect the quiet relief in the air. This was pretty scary for an adult let alone a kid. Faith’s dark eyes rest on me and I nod. It’s all taken care of baby. I move in to the room and Faith scoots forward so I can slide in behind her and Wes. Normally she’s the one holding me like this but it’s nice to be able to hold her. She leans back in to me and I sigh. In a little while I’ll convince her to let Giles or Xander keep an eye on Wes while we shower and I convince her to get her shoulder looked at. And then we’ll all go to sleep and worry about tomorrow...well tomorrow.

“Why ya so good to me B?” Faith’s low rumbling voice makes me smile and shrug. Why? Because she’s letting me, because I love her and I love Wes and I need this. Because if she walks away from me I’ll be a shell of a woman. Because this is right.

“Because I love you more than I have ever loved anyone in my life.” She tips her head back on my shoulder so she can look at me better. I’m serious. I know she has this violence to her. This darkness that will always be a part of her. It will always be a part of us. I remember the old guys that gave the First Slayer the bad juju to make her powerful. It’s just as much a part of me as it is Faith she just has a special relationship with it is all. I accepted that the night I dragged her in to a dressing room at the bar and gave her head. That was me giving in whole heartedly and so willingly.

But she doesn’t know that. She doesn’t understand it and really I just figured it out so it’s reasonable. “Yeah? How do you know?” What do you mean how do I know? I know I love you more than I have loved anyone because well. I do. I give her a bored look and raise my brows. “Not ya know. How do you know, know but like this is it. I’m...scary. I’m...”

I cut off whatever she’s going to say by brushing my lips lightly over hers. “You’re Faith and I’m Buffy. We’re Slayers. We’re friends. We’re lovers. We’re family.” She opens her mouth and I already know what’s coming. Sometimes she’s like a little kid. “Because I know.” She gives me a dubious look and closes her mouth. I sigh and bite back a chuckle. “Because when I think of all the people I’ve shared my heart with there were two categories. There was everyone else and then there was...” I shrug a shoulder and trail off.

“And then there was?” Faith’s voice is soft, barely a whisper. It’s tremulous and the fear in her question leaks in to our connection.

“And then there was you.” There is no comparison. I loved Angel and I really truly thought we had a love to end all loves but it wasn't that way. I was young and naive and I wanted to be special like other girls are special. I wanted a boy to love me and protect me. Little did I know I’d feel more loved and protected by a girl than any of the other guys I dated. And not just any girl. Because Faith was my first experience but she wasn’t the only one.

It’s her. It’s always been her. “But...he’s your soulmate.” He. Angel. No baby. He wasn’t. He couldn’t ever be. I feel our connection throb between us and smiled gently.

“I thought so once. But then...well then there was you.” Again. If she doesn’t get it now I don’t know what else to do to convince her that this is real that this is it. It’s new but that doesn’t make it any less real. I want this now and I want it forever and I’m not taking no for an answer. Granted that sounds kinda obsessive crazy and we just dealt with that because of Jimmy and all but I’m not about to get myself turned in to a snake thing to stalk her if she doesn’t want this. I just need to know she’ll let me stick around. “So how long do you think we’ll last?” I’m kind of joking. I want to make light of it but I want a serious answer.

Does that make sense? Faith smiles tenderly up at me. “As long as ya let me love ya B.” Okay. See that right there? That’s it. That’s point where I realized it. By it I mean the thing she does that makes my broken table and sore body all worth it.

“So forever then. I’m pretty sure I can work that in to my schedule.” We chuckle as the door downstairs creaks open. I can hear Xander’s voice float up. He’s really got take charge guy thing going on. Faith sighs and looks down at Wes who wouldn’t know if a marching band were in the room. My poor baby boy. Xander’s head pokes around the frame and his face has a current of tension just under the surface.

“Hey you’re okay right? You counted everyone’s fingers and toes and everything right?” His worry is sweet. I nod from behind Faith and flick my eyes to Wes. Xander steps in to the room and kneels next to Faith on the bed. “You want I should take Wes while you guys get cleaned up? Giles said you need your shoulder looked at.” For a second I’m not sure Faith is going to give him up. Xander rests a big hand on her shoulder and gives it a tender squeeze. Thankfully it’s not the bad shoulder. “With my life.” It’s all she needed. Xander will protect Wes with his life.

She lets him go and I help her up. Xander leans against the headboard with Wes cradled against him. Faith gives them a final look before heading in to the bathroom. I turn on the water and start peeling off her clothes. It’s like she’s shell shocked. Once we’re in the shower, letting the water wash the blood and sweat and grime off of us, it hits. Faith leans in to my body and breaks down. It breaks my heart but all I can do is be strong for her. So I hold Faith and let her work it out because I know this will be the last time she cries over this. He’ll never hurt them again and even though I didn’t kill him I would gladly have done it.

Chapter Twenty One

Things have gotten back to normal in the past week or so. Nothing yet on Jimmy’s snakeness. Wes doesn’t seem to be taking anything badly. In fact he's pretty much as energetic and lively as ever. Which is why tonight he’s going to stay with his uncle Xander. I pack his backpack with his books and sit on the edge of the bed. Faith is packing his clothes in to a small kid sized rolling suitcase. “Buffy?”

I lean over and pick Wes up. He curls in to me immediately and I get all heart melty again. “Yes Wesley?” He looks up at Faith and she smiles but doesn’t say anything. What? He gives her a nod and then looks at me with these huge brown eyes. Um. What was I thinking about? Oh. Right. He wanted to say something. I hope he’s finally forgiven me for locking him in the pantry that night.

“Now that my dad is dead...” Oh boy. I don’t know if I can handle whatever he’s going to ask me. It wasn’t my idea to tell him that Jimmy finally croaked it but Faith said he was four not retarded so I went with it. Plus not my son so what can I say. “Does this mean I can have two mammas instead?” Um. Okay. I can’t breathe. Is he asking what I think he’s asking me? I look up at Faith who’s just watching me try and work this out.

“Is that what you want Wes?” He furrows his little brow while he thinks it over. I’m telling you this kid isn’t your average four year old. He thinks like a much older person. Well not an adult but sometimes he’s quicker on the uptake than me or Faith are.

I hope he’s going to say yes. Because I’d die for this child. I’ll live for this child. And it doesn’t matter that I had nothing to do with his birth. I love him more than I thought it was even possible to love. “You love mamma. An’ she loves you. You came to save us. That’s what moms do.” I’m the one that got saved. He nods once as if he’s made his decision. “You always have time to play with me and you never yell. Well. Not at me. But sometimes mamma makes you yell. She does that sometimes.” He shrugs that off and I’m glad he made me laugh because I was starting to get teary eyed.

“You know I love you right Bubba? That no matter what, I will always love you.” I don’t want him to want this because he wants it for Faith. I want him to know I love him no matter what he decides. Faith’s body warms my back as she settles in behind us. My breath catches when Wes takes my face in his two little hands so he can look at me.

“That’s the best part mom.” When I die my heaven is going to be this moment over and over again.

The End