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. 

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