PART 11
Faith took a cigarette out of the pack she'd bought the day before. She'd quitted not very long ago after starting, in New-York.
She lit it as she stared at the mansion on the slight hill across the street she was on. She took a few puffs and exhaled.
She stared at it for a while then threw her cigarette on the ground and smashed it. She walked away and threw the whole pack of cigarette in the first garbage can she found.
Faith didn't show up at the library the next day. Buffy didn't wonder too much since the grown ups’ behavior really got all her focus until the gang figured it was related to the chocolate candy.
The night was very long but Buffy and 'Ripper' managed to get a hold of Ethan Rayne; chocolate poisoner of the day, on behalf of Mr trick and they stopped them before babies were given in sacrifice to a sewer demon.
All of them went home quietly the next day after school as the previous night had been tiring plus they'd had exams during the day.
Buffy, however, walked back outside after dinner.
She smiled as she walked in her driveway, “You could've knocked you know. I'd have come out earlier.”
Faith walked out from behind the bush with a smile, “And miss on lasagna?”
Buffy frowned, “Ok, maybe not. But you would've waited inside at least and hey, don't you like lasagna?”
“Maybe... But I ain't gonna play greedy girl every night, am I?”
Buffy smiled and they were both on the move already.
“So I heard there was mayhem in town yesterday?”
“Please, let me forget.”
“What happened? All I know is I was going on patrol and the hotel's manager asked me in his office, I thought he was gonna try to either jump my bones or tell me he hadn’t been paid you know. But no, he needed a second player to compete on his new racing games on play station. I thought that was weird, ok I thought about joining for a while, but mainly that it was weird so I went out and vamps looked the same as usual so I thought he was just drunk or something.”
“It was all grown ups in town, candy bars led them to act like teenagers again. It was creepy. Did I tell you about the part where I found my mother sucking face with Giles? Yew.” Buffy said with a shiver of disgust while Faith started laughing.
“That really wasn't funny.”
“That no, but the look on your face was probably priceless.”
“Thanks, you're so nice with me.”
“You're welcome.”
Buffy sighed but they give each other a knowing gaze.
“So what caused this?”
“Trick, again. We're gonna have to take care of that one. Wanted to give babies to a demon in the sewer. Like a ritual you know.”
“You stopped it right?”
“Yeah. Only just in time but the babies are safe.”
“Good thing.”
They remained silent for a while.
“So err, you seen Angel lately?”
Buffy looked at her but then looked back in front of her as they kept walking.
“Not since last time.”
“Ok.” Faith just nodded.
“So err did you plan on seeing him tonight. I mean, if I hadn't showed up tonight? Maybe I'm in the way.”
“No. You did not get in the way. I wasn't planning on going there today. I told you we're not, I mean it's different. I'm just helping him and then it's goodbye, you know.”
“And it won't bother you? You're telling me there's not the slightest part of you that wants him to stay?”
##Why is she asking all this?##
“Well, I'd be lying if I said that it leaves me indifferent. But the whole fact of him being here shakes me anyway. But it's just. I know that it is not like before because it just can never be.”
“A little like us then.”
##Does she sounded sad?##
“Well, yes, and no.”
Faith looked up at her with an inquiring frown.
“I mean, so far you haven't slaughtered half of town right? And most of all, because we had sex. In that it's really different, the only person we truly hurt is ourselves.”
Faith kept staring in front of her and so did Buffy.
“I mean, Angel and I did that too but it's another kind of... bad blood between him and I than between you and me.”
“I guess.”
“We don't have to talk about Angel you know. I know it's upsetting you so...”
##I really would like to move on from that topic now.##
“No it's ok, I'm cool. I guess you're the one who's getting upset, B.”
“No, I'm not upset I'm-” ##Alright, she's trying to act like it's ok. And, well I guess it is right. I mean, I must show her that it really is over with Angel, I mean, I mean with her too, I mean that I can talk to her about him like I would talk to Willow for example because she and I are friends. Gotta prove her that.##
“Well, maybe it's a little sore but, no it's ok. I just thought you wouldn't like talking about him but I can if you want.”
“Ok. So, first question.”
“There are gonna be questions?”
Faith smiled, “You said you were ok?”
“Yes, yes I am, so ok, what do you want to know?”
“Well, how was it? I mean... how could you kiss a man that's been dead a hundred years ago?”
“You have more questions like that?”
“Ok, I'm not miss tactful I know but I just... I just can't get it. You had sex with a dead guy and I Just.... I don't know.”
“It's... I slightly fell for him before I knew who he was, I mean, there was something about him but... then it was complicated but... we just couldn't help it. But we were normal I mean as normal as slayer and a vampire could be, you know. If we'd known about that curse. If we didn't...”
Buffy lowered her head, “Everything was pretty casual otherwise.”
“How...”
##Please don't ask that, please. ##
“How was.... Did you like it?”
“Dating a vampire?”
Faith gave her a look.
“I don't really like to talk about this.”
“I know but.... I mean. Did I do that?”
##Huh?##
“Huh?”
“I mean, you did it with me and then we.... and you're next one is a vampire? Did I do that?”
“No, no, I don't think at all. Him and you it's.... totally different. It just happened.”
“And did you like it, with him?”
“I,” Buffy couldn't help blushing with deep embarrass. She looked thoughtful for a while, “I loved him.”
“That wasn't the question.”
“I, yes I did, I guess, I mean, you're confusing me, Faith.”
“Why?” Faith asked, completely casually.
“Because, it's confusing talking about this with you.”
“Ok, I'll stop then.”
“Thanks.”
They remained silent for a minute.
“And why does the sex matters so much to you?” ##Dammit did I just start back on that topic?##
“It wasn't casual sex, B. It was sex with a vampire; I'm just curious that's all.”
“That's not all, Faith. You're curious about things and me too, I just… oh and the hell with it, why did sex take so much importance in your life?”
Faith looked aside.
“I know about what we said and I'm sorry to ask that but I just can't understand. All of a sudden it became...” Buffy trailed off.
##Glad she remains calm at least. And she's not walking away from me that's a plus. But she doesn't reply. Not that I thought she would.##
“Maybe it’s just the way I like it.”
“I can’t believe that. I mean... I'm sacred that you will never find something right for you that way. These people you meet don't bring you anything.”
“That's the point B. Get some get gone. I don't give them anything and they don't. We just have fun in the moment and then we're done.”
“But it wasn't like that with me and I know that, so I don't understand why-” Buffy stopped as Faith stared at her.
“No Buffy, it wasn't like that with you. But it is now. I don’t have anything to give anymore and I don’t want anything… from no one.”
Buffy stopped walking. ## I-I don’t... And I, why can I say to that? I remember our last talk there… I can never forget about it, she was so right…She doesn't say but... this is... me... I did this... to her.##
“I don't know what to say, Faith.”
“You don't have to say anything. I'm over all of this. It doesn't bother me, I like my life the way it is. It's simple, I take what I want, when I want, where I want and no one has anything to say. I'm free. I like it better that way.”
Buffy swallowed, “I, I guess.” ##It's good. I mean that's what matters right; that she's ok with all of this. That's she fine. And she seems. I mean, she doesn't regret anything apparently. I guess it's ok, then, right? What else can I do now anyway?##
Buffy looked thoughtful and a little sad. Faith glanced at her but didn't say anything more.
They ran across a bunch of vampires. Dusted some and chased the others until they met more of them. They slew all over the cemetery for a few hours.
“Woo, that was the last one. That was a good night.” Faith sounded ecstatic.
“That wasn't too bad.” Buffy said, taking deep breath too.
Faith cleaned the dust from her jacket with a smile. Her eyes then fell on Buffy doing the same, wiping the dust away from her top... from her chest. Faith dampened her lips.
“Where do we go now?” Buffy really looked like she was ready for more. She'd let herself unwind and clear her mind of confusion just like every time she slayed.
“Well, I guess I 'm gonna go now.”
##What? Already? I thought she'd be thrilled to do some more. ##
“Now? Don't you wanna stay a little more Faith?”
Faith was avoiding Buffy's gaze.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing; But I really should go.”
Buffy moved closer, “Faith, come on, what's wrong, I know there's something.”
Faith pretended to wipe some dirt from her shoe, “No really. I'm just tired.”
“Faith I-” Buffy stopped at Faith's stare when she put her arm on the brunette's shoulder. She understood by the intensity of her gaze on her. She slightly stepped back where she was. Faith looked aside.
“Ok, I guess err, are you, err, I mean, you're gonna go to the bronze or something then? I mean to find. I mean.”
“No. I'm just gonna go home.”
“It's fine if you go. I mean I really don't have anything to say if you're ok with this. So you don't have to hide, you know.”
“Yeah, but I'm just gonna go home.”
Buffy looked interested, thoughtful.
“Ok, ask your question B.”
Buffy smiled, “Yes err, ok I won't lie, I know I get excited too but... I mean, does it always do that to you? I'm just curious cause we haven't slayed much so I'm just wondering, you know.”
“Oh no, usually I go to the end of the night before getting in that state. Tonight it's just because you're here.” Faith stopped in her track and closed her eyes, wishing she hadn’t said what she just did.
Buffy slightly scrubbed her skull on the side, not knowing if she should say something.
“I mean, we had fun, chasing the vamps and err, it's more, err, intense, I mean, more enthusiasm you know. That's what I meant.” Faith said then looked aside with a frown at her pale attempt to catch up.”
“Yes of course. I understand.” Buffy couldn't help but blush.
“So err, I'll see you, err, later.”
“Yes, ok.”
“Bye.” Faith turned around and left, slapping herself mentally.
##Ok, usually I would be asking myself what and how and what she meant and what it meant and all but right now I'm far too horny to think. God I just said that, didn't I? And it is so right. I need ... Doesn't that replace the usual thoughts I have? Or... answer them? Alright, Buffy, straight home... No stops no where...##
