The scoobies were no different, they had all taken some time out to just sit and chill, a rare part of their youth, so treasured wisely…
“Seriously Xander? Football?” Buffy was lounging in the sun in her low top and shorts.
“Aww come on B why not? It’s just football!” Faith of course had to be ready to show off. She knew she could beat Xander, but the chance to humiliate the girly girl in Buffy was too rare to pass up.
Xander had a goofy grin as Faith joined his side, “Any one else?” Willow looked over at Buffy above her sun glasses,
“What would it hurt? A slayer on each team seems pretty fair to me,” Buffy gave in, it was those damn puppy dog eyes, each one of them had it down to a T.
The two pairs split up as Buffy and Willow took the ball. Both girls huddled together to come up with a strategy, after all it’s no fun to lose the bragging rights.
Buffy rolled her eyes, she had a perfect plan to put stop both the over competitive two some. Buffy started with the ball as Xander and Faith went for her she threw the ball to Willow, but before they could register where the ball was Buffy bent down to ‘tie up her shoe laces’. Faith and Xander were dumbfounded memorised and prayed in thanks to the lord of low tops.
“Um, 1-0?” Buffy lop sided her head to give a dumb blonde look.
“S’nothing B, soon pick it up won’t we Xan man?” She hit Xander to get a response. He nodded his head with confused eyes. They had to both admit that they had been played and as before neither could stop the similar game play for the next half hour.
“No fair B! You and Red cheated!” Both the accused players stood together swayed hips and arms around each other they placed their heads together with a sexy smile,
“Yeah, I mean we can’t be blamed if they can’t ogle and concentrate at the same time.” Faith gave in and began to gather their things as the sun would soon be setting, she had a plan.
“So, putting today’s roasting behind us, you wanted to train a little B?” They were setting their things down in Buffy’s kitchen. Faith playfully poked Buffy in the ribs showing off her trademark grin.
“Garden? After all it is a nice evening.”
“Aww, Faithy getting all romantical? How cute,” Buffy poked Faith back,
“I guess that makes it 2-0 then Faithy! Come on, race you out back!” Faith was still working out the scorings before her mind was yelling, “Run!”
“Must admit B, never saw you as an on top girl,” Buffy’s face blushed furiously at her remark, as Faith gut laughed at the effect her words had, “Ha!! 3-1, come on girly girl lets see what you got!”
Faith lent in towards Buffy’s ear, her breath calm “3-2” With her free hand Faith poked Buffy in her exposed ribs before letting her go.
“No problem F, still got that point lead!” Faith shook her head freeing her tasselled raven locks raising her hand she wagged her finger,
“Shit,”
“Since you used words with more than one syllable,” Buffy rolled the pair over till she was on top; about to hit out with another jibe Faith flipped her again.
“I wouldn’t be if you let me up!” she managed to get her words out through loud laughter, as much as she knew she had to patrol this little game wasn’t over yet.
Buffy waved an accusing finger at her captive “Now Faithy, surely you jest,”
“You don’t think I can let you off without a taste of your own medicine, do you?” Buffy’s face contorted to a semi evil smile.
“I must say I admire your feeling of responsibility ‘F’ but it doesn’t fool me.” Buffy was ready to dish it all back and without hesitation her attack began. She forcefully pinned Faith with her toned thighs and wrestled both of Faith’s wrists into one hand.
Buffy cemented the pin still keeping one arm free and resumed her assault on Faith, her fingers skipped over the tanned skin causing the younger to squirm away from the touch and yet relish it at the same time.
“Well you know you are sitting on me in not very much and the summer sun, does a lot to a girl, know what I mean!” Faith returned with her shit eating grin and a wink to boot.
Buffy got up from Faith who was still laughing, but she soon followed suit. The two slayers leant on the fence watching the sun go down. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?” Buffy sighed quietly savouring a moment of peace in Sunnydale.
“You know, people might think this was weird you know us standing like this.” Faith ventured heavily hinting at Buffy.
A smirk adorned her face waiting to feel her tense up behind her, but Faith had other plans. Faith leaned her head on the shoulder in front of her, “No, I’m not so sure; people don’t care about anything these days.”
She had lent in and fully crushed her lips against the blonde’s, Buffy’s eyes opened in surprise; no sooner had it began Faith broke away laughing and smiling as she ran back to the house, “Ha! 4-4 baby!! Bring it slayer!!”
***
Heading into a small dinner the two tired and dusty slayers slumped down in a booth away from the other customers. Faith sat with a smug grin flashing her teeth at Buffy.
“I’m just enjoying my lead s’all B, but don’t think I’m not pissed about you getting my digs dirty!” Thumbing through the menu Faith checked her wallet,
A caffeine fuelled waitress stood noisily chewing gum while she waited for their order, “Yeah, I’ll have the big breakfast, twice.” The waitress nodded about to turn away,
“Damn you’d think they never saw hungry people these days huh,”
“Yeah, eh, I mean what about the rest of the team huh,” She kicked her again, “Go slayers! Yeah, woo,” the man just shook his head and muttered something about pot headed kids.
“I don’t see you jumping in to bail us out!” Faith rolled her eyes at the blonde girls lame come back,
Buffy just sat watching her, what had she got herself into, this stupid game was gonna take over everything that she did until she gave in or Hell froze over and Faith admitted defeat.
But just for a little while longer maybe she could bait Faith into doing what she wanted her to do, at least for a little while longer, maybe just maybe it would fool the stubborn girl.
The caffeine ridden waitress returned with arms laden with their breakfast, she placed them on the table and muttered something Buffy didn’t quite catch it.
“Yeah, yeah hang on nearly got it,” The machine made a few bleeps as Faith kicked it. Buffy raised a questioning eyebrow as the tired and dirty slayer sat down. “I nearly had it.” The smaller girl couldn’t help but smile.
“So high score or not?” She was cleaning her teeth with a toothpick as Faith sighed,
“Mind if I give it a shot?” Faith’s face contorted in confusion, why would Buffy be into pinball?
About ten minutes later Buffy was trying her hardest to rouse the dosing girl, “No I don’t wanna go to school,” Buffy shook her again, “Mom, come on ten more minutes please?” Buffy rolled her eyes.
She paid the waitress and grumbled about picking up the tab. Walking back over to the table she tried to wake Faith up again, and once more she mumbled some adolescent excuse to sleep longer. Buffy smiled, it was cute, when she slept at least. Lifting the younger girl up onto her shoulder she carried the dozing slayer home but not before taking a picture of the pinball machine, inwardly she smiled. *7-7 little Fai,*
Faith woke later in the morning to the sound of her cell, “Damnnit where’d I put you!” She half heartedly rooted through some clothes on the floor still lying on the bed. It was only when she pulled the cell from the pants she was wearing that she wondered how she had got home. She soon dismissed the thought as she knew she was safe.
“Who would wanna send me a message at this god awful hour,” She looked at the clock as she grumbled answering the message.
"No fucking way B, I don’t believe it. Some one else has gotta have done that and you took the picture,” On Faith’s cell was a picture of the pinball machine with the high score next to Buffy’s name.
Faith rolled her eyes Buffy couldn’t have beaten her score she was the pinball goddess, “Hey!” Faith started at Buffy’s comment, it wasn’t a stunt, a cheap shot maybe but she meant it, Buffy’s head shot up at her shout, “I, I mean,” Faith started playing with a stray strand of hair, “I mean I’m not little, I’m taller than you stumpy!”
Later that evening the whole gang decided to kick it at the Bronze for a night of extreme summer partying. Willow and Xander were sharing a particularly close dance, Buffy rolled her eyes and wondered why the hell they weren’t getting it on, and they practically fell over themselves for each other. Faith was leaning on the bar sharing a fairly meaningless conversation with her, she wasn’t listening, she was scheming.
So at first she was kinda scared, but over time Buffy had come to realise that there was more to her relationship with Faith than slaying. They were good friends but a little voice in her mind was nagging her for months but she had no idea why. But she did now, she was crushing, no falling for her and it had scared her. But Faith had shown her what it was like and she wanted more. But how? What did Faith like?
“Whoa B you had me worried! I was gonna call a doctor after you didn’t reply when I offered you a drink!”
“Uh huh, shouldn’t think B does bad things to you, this however is waaaaay better.” Faith handed her a bubbly drink full of little pretty umbrellas and several other small colourful things. Buffy started to take a sip, “Bottoms up B” Faith raised her whiskey glass as Buffy nearly choked on her words.
The evening passed on without event for the most part, Faith getting in a fight outside the Bronze was old news no matter when it happened, and he always, “Had it comin’ B, trust me,” They always stumbled home together and before they crawled up to bed they always sat and just talked.
“Aw come on B, tell me about that dude in freshman yr, come on it always makes me laugh!” She was fidgeting in her chair, no matter how much she hated it, there was a better cause. Well that’s what she kept telling herself.
"Fine, fine, one last time then you drop it ok?" She faked the pleading in her eyes and perfected her puppy dog pout.
"No way B, it's just pure gold!!" Faith was already grinning from ear to ear she knew the story like the back of her hand but the way Buffy just tried to justify it every time had her sides splitting.
"Well how about a trade, I tell you that ridiculously grotesque story if you tell me one of yours." Buffy's face was serious but Faith was too drunk to care she just nodded and sat herself comfortably for the classic tale of Buffy's high school.
“Oh B! That gets me every time!” she was lying on her back wiping tears of laughter from her face.
“Come on then Faithy, your turn to share,” she was still on the floor staring at something inconceivably interesting on the ceiling.
“B, I’m in no condition to tumble around with ya here,” Buffy swatted her arm and grinned at her, “Don’t like that smile B, what ya planning in that little scheming head of yours?” Buffy gave her best, ‘who me?’ look.
Although she was openly enjoying her position Faith was never going to spill about her teen years, there was enough gold there to keep Buffy laughing for months. Yeah growing up is always hard but hell it got her to where she was today.
“Slayer hearing Faith, nice try. You can’t trick me that easily. Come on spill; or I might just resort to some under handed tactics.” A sly smile slowly spread across Buffy’s face as Faith tried to look anywhere but at the blonde straddling her.
“So you think I’m pretty?” Faith choked on her words not expecting the retort.
“No wonder you lost at football so easy, here’s me thinking that it was Xander holding you back!” The penny had dropped in Faith’s inebriated mind; Buffy had caught her in a mind game that she couldn’t win.
“Alright, OK, fine. I suppose this is going to count against me huh?”
“Don’t be mean ok, I was only 17 when this happened alright?” she slouched back in her chair and swigged on the bottle.
“Cross my heart and hope to giggle- at least a little.” Faith scowled at her before continuing.
“Like I said I was just 17 and I had just got a job waiting tables in this small bar. There were loads of people all the time, staff, customers and the occasional troublemaker. But there was this one person who always caught my attention; she was one of the bosses there. She started about the time I did and we were both kinda lost a lot of the time so we helped each other out. So you know we naturally spent a lot of time together, all at work of course. And y’know after time things started to develop.”
“Things? Come on Faith don’t shroud it in non specifics. By things you mean…” Buffy was egging her on; somewhere in this small tale was the key she needed to bring this foolish game to a suitable end.
“Yeah ok chill B. I’m getting to it. It’s just difficult alright. You don’t understand and probably won’t.” Faith let go of a long sigh as Buffy waved her on to continue.
“Like I said things started to develop. I started noticing things about her- the way she walked, how her perfume smelt or that 1000 watt smile if I bought her a drink.”
“Well if you put it that way B, yeah I suppose I did. But man was that ever tough to live down.” Faith swigged on her bottle emptying half of it in the process.
“I must say I’m disappointed in you Faith- I thought this story was gonna be interesting and maybe just a little funny. But then I guess that’s just the luck of the cards.”
Faith almost launched herself out of the chair, as soon as she was out of sight Buffy leaped for the phone.
A yawn came from the other end of the phone, “Do you have any idea what time it is?”
"What’s up Buff? Everything ok? You don’t call this late in case somethings wrong, what’s wrong?”
“Well yeah I’m sure there is something, is it an emergency?”
Willow sighed and recited the spell to a rather grateful Buffy.
Willow placed the phone down groaning before rolling over back to sleep.
*Oh you in trouble now Faith, you just wait.*
The kitchen door slamming brought Buffy out of her conniving scheme,
“Who was on the phone?”
Buffy blushed a little, “Oh, er, just a wrong number, nothing really.”
Faith raised her eyebrow, Buffy was up to something but what?
The evening had ended almost the same as every other night when the pair sat drinking. They talked, they drank, they messed around, they drank, they watched some tv, they drank.
Normally Buffy would pass out with the amount of alcohol and Faith would have to drag her sorry ass to bed. Even sometimes change her, sounds amusing but each time always tried her patience at the babbling drunk incapable of even undressing.
However Buffy had a plan, instead of actually passing out- she played possum waiting for Faith to take her to bed. This time she could have some fun.
The movie they were watching was drawing to a close, Buffy had seen it so she just slumped in the chair and pretended to sleep waiting for her to notice. Faith rose from her seat to turn of the tv,
“I reckon it’s time to hit the sack huh B, B? Great asleep again. I swear you’re such a lightweight.” Faith groaned as she lifted Buffy up and over her shoulder.
Buffy just grinned to herself out of sight; the night had only just begun. She just had to keep up the act and let Faith dress her. Who knows it could be fun.
As they reached Buffy’s room Faith actually surprised Buffy; she had dragged her up here so roughly, and yet she placed her down on her bed as if she were a baby. She cradled her head afraid to wake her.
“You know I wouldn’t do this if you didn’t look so cute when you sleep.”
Buffy was fighting every urge in her body to open her eyes and say something, anything. She lay still letting careful hands gently remove her clothes. She murmured a few times but Faith just quietly whispered nothings to her in attempt to calm the ‘sleeping’ slayer.
As soon as the door was shut Buffy quietly climbed out of her bed. Faith would be asleep soon so she had to prepare. Now where were those ingredients she had hidden?
She stood by the door listening to the rhythmic breathing; Faith was asleep- time to do a little digging. Buffy stood by the side of her bed, the spell had conjured up a small pebble. Apparently she had to place it on Faith’s head; damn good job she’s a heavy sleeper. As Buffy held the stone to her head the room changed.
She was sat in a restaurant at a table alone, hiding behind a newspaper to watch what was going on. At a podium by the door stood a young woman, she couldn’t have been any more than 24. Her dirty-blonde hair pulled back hung down her back. The tight dark top accentuated her perfect chest; this had to be the one.
Snapping out of her thoughts Buffy watched as one of the waitresses went over to speak to her. The girl was only about five foot two, almost matching the older woman in height. The girl had short bobbed raven hair and a strong Bostonian accent. It was Faith, just a little smaller- and she was wigged by something.
Buffy watched the younger girl go about her duties but she kept catching her, the younger Faith took every opportunity to look over at her awe struck. Tweeny Faith had it bad, and Buffy wanted to find out why.
Rising from her seat Buffy headed toward the authoritative woman. She smiled at her and the woman relayed the gesture.
“I just wanted to thank you so much, it’s been incredible service, the food was amazing and the waitresses do such a great job.” Buffy put on a charade in an attempt to make conversation.
“Well thankyou, it’s such a difficult job to do and some of them are so young.” Buffy caught a strong smell of perfume as the manager turned to face her.
“I know this will sound incredibly weird, but just what is that you’re wearing? I love it, I just have to get some- my boyfriend will be clawing the walls,”
The woman in front of Buffy seemed taken aback just a little, “It’s ah just a little something from Armani I think, my mom bought it for me a few years ago.”
Buffy nodded, “Well thanks a lot any way. Good bye now.” Buffy exited the restaurant waving to the younger Faith who had a jealous look plastered on her adolescent face.
Back in the real world Faith was still very much asleep; Buffy crept back to her own room, tomorrow she was to go shopping.
Faith woke up the following morning, she groaned and pawed at her head- she knew she’d be hung over but she was like a bear with a sore head. She ambled down the stairs following the sweet smell of pancakes.
She stalked all around the kitchen looking for signs of anything, satisfied that Buffy might have just been nice this morning she sat down to the plate.
“Morning Faith, hope you’re enjoying your breakfast. I’m going to be out shopping today so I’ll pick up some more stuff for you. And this evening we’re going to the bronze so don’t go back and spend the rest of the day in bed. I know you feel like shit but trust me it’s gonna be a night to remember.b7-7 Match point Faith. Buffy”
Faith quirked an eyebrow, what the hell did that mean. Well at least it gave her cause to be paranoid, Buffy was calling and end to this game- she had to win.
Meanwhile Buffy was dragging Willow into every perfume shop within a 50 kilometre radius. She kept trying to describe the perfume to the assistants, she had sniffed at least 30 different blends with no avail.
“It’s hopeless Will, I can’t find it anywhere. Let’s just go home; I’m sorry I dragged you around all day.” Buffy hung her head and kicked at the leaves on the ground
Buffy sighed as she relayed the little information she had to the assistant. The woman behind the counter busied herself at the back of the cupboards looking for the request.
“Ah ha, I think this might be the one you are looking for. Go ahead try it.” The assistant held out a small bottle to the two women.
“I guess the coco’s on me Will. It’s perfect, I’ll take it!” Buffy couldn’t hide her smile as the assistant wrapped the box up for her.
“Well from what I saw it looked like Faith was pretty into her. I just hope this will kinda have the same effect. It’s pretty strong smelling; it takes over your senses, it’s intoxicating. I want to trap her in her own hormones.” Buffy shone,
The evening soon drew in and Faith stood in her shower contemplating the evening’s possibilities. This competition had to draw to a close tonight, and she had to win even if just for the bragging rights. Besides, it was getting harder and harder not to cross the line with Buffy tempting her at every moment.
She floated out of the shower wrapped in her robe. Faith sat down on her bed towelling off her hair. She looked over to her dresser; a picture of her and Buffy the first summer they spent together. She sighed out, this game had tested her.
It was no secret Faith wanted Buffy; she had tried to tell her so many times. But she was so scared oh what would happen, even her attempt on patrol she was deadly petrified of the consequences. Maybe after tonight she could change things, maybe she could finally let it all go. Sure Buffy would probably laugh in her face, or worse.
Faith spent the next half hour just selecting the outfit she was going to wear. It had to be special, it had to scream out. Along with her “fuck me” charm she was sure to rule the club tonight. Just as long as Buffy noticed.
Buffy was at home with Willow, almost just as wigged.
“Chill out Buffy, it’s not like an impending apocalypse or a major big bad is knocking at your door.” Willow was carefully picking up and folding the clothes Buffy had cast out of her closet.
Willow stood there and pondered for a moment. She waved her arms about creating a small green glow in the centre of the room. The glow emitted an impressive pouf and laid out clothing on the bed.
“Here you go Buffy; she’s gotta love that! And if she doesn’t I’ll personally jinx myself.” She sported a proud smile as Buffy checked out the outfit with a wicked grin.
“Will, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it a million times more I’m sure, but you are a god damn genius and I love you!!” Buffy squealed as she grabbed her best friend and danced around the room.
A few hours later Faith was already at the Bronze in their usual booth; closest to the dance floor for those spur of the moment boogies. She was mindlessly swilling her drink too preoccupied trying to predict the evening’s events. She didn’t even notice Willow or Xander sit down in the booth with her.
“Oh, shit you guys scared me! I didn’t see you sit down, how’s it going?”
Willow and Xander said their hello’s before taking up some meaningless conversation.
“If you guys are here, where the hell is B at?” Faith swigged hard on her drink and emptied the glass.
“She’s at the bar getting you two a drink.”
Faith nodded still preoccupied. She took in a deep breath, her nostrils flare as she takes in an all too familiar smell.
“Becky? It can’t be,” Faith’s head snapped up at the smell, Willow couldn’t hide the look of shock in her face at Faith’s reaction.
“Close,” Buffy sidled into the booth with two drinks her tall usual cocktail and Faith’s regular hardy whiskey.
She looked up at Buffy and her jaw almost hit the table. She was wearing a pair of not so loose black pants showing off her curvaceous thighs. She also had a low white corset that allowed a good look at her ample chest. Above that she wore a shirt collar and tie separate to her outfit with her suit jacket to top it all off.
“Excuse me guys,” Faith rose from her seat and almost ran into the bathroom; Buffy exchanged shocked looks with Willow and Xander before following the fleeing slayer.
“Faith, Faith are you in here? Talk to me honey, what’s wrong?” Buffy went across the entire room pushing the stall doors until she came to one. She gently pushed it open to see Faith sat on the cistern dragging heavily on a cigarette.
“Faith, you’re shaking, are you alright?” Buffy tried to get into the cubical and closer to Faith.
“I’m fine B really, you just caught me by surprise that’s all. I suppose you win then huh. I got bugged out and split.” Faith released a long held sigh.
“Oh Faith, I don’t care about this silly game anymore. It always ends up with one of us getting upset- I think a heightened ego is wrapped into the slayer bag too.” Faith smiled a little,
“Come here Faithy, its ok,”
Buffy pulled Faith from the toilet and opened her arms to her, Faith needed no encouragement she let Buffy hold her. She rested her head in the nape of Buffy’s neck; inhaling deeply the beautiful scent.
“How did you know I love this perfume? It drives me wicked crazy B, I’ve been trying not to take you right there in the club.” She smiled against Buffy’s neck nuzzling her softly.
“Just a little magic and a devilish imagination.” Buffy ran her hands all over Faith’s back; she leaned her head in carefully and gently placed butterfly kisses up Faith’s neck to her ear,
“Tell me I’m not dreaming this B, tell me that all of this is real,” Hands found purchase in the raven locks,
“I’m right here Faith, you’re right here in my arms, forever.”
With that Faith began to return the soft caresses that Buffy was offering her. Something just told her that rough and ready weren’t quite appropriate, she was too happy to melt at the feather light touches from the blonde angel holding her.
“As much as I really don’t want this to end B, aren’t Xander and Willow gonna be wondering where we are?” Faith rested a hand on Buffy’s hip while she lazily drew patterns on the smaller woman’s back. Buffy moaned out a little into Faith at the gentle tickle.
Buffy whispered into Faith’s ear, “I suppose, come on. We can carry on somewhere a little more comfortable than a club bathroom,”
The two slayers left the bathroom and made their way back to the booth by the dance floor hand in hand. There was a note on the table,
“I think we should follow suit, for some reason this isn’t really my taste this evening.” Buffy just smiled sweetly making Faith blush, they walked through the crowd ignoring the cat calls.
The smitten pair walked unusually slowly towards the Summer’s residence. Walking inside Buffy lead Faith into the living room, she sat on the sofa guiding the younger woman with her. Faith was only too happy to oblige, she carefully rested her weight on top of Buffy. She rested her head again in the nape of her neck breathing in as much of her scent as possible.
Her usual vanilla shampoo wasn’t what was comforting her this evening, the perfume had calmed Faith. She was like a baby again, happy just to nestle in the soft skin of the older slayer.
“Are you ok Faith, you seem distracted. What happened to the rough and hardy girl I know and love?” Buffy stroked the dark hair as she settled in the moment.
"I don’t know, I just, that just doesn’t seem right at the moment, I just want to hold you and kiss you, and, and, and I want to love you. Just like I do now,”
“It’s getting late Faith,” Faith’s face fell,
“Oh God no! I was just saying that it’s about time to, to ah, head up, to bed.” Buffy bit her lip and looked away unsure whether Faith would understand let alone want to go with her.
Faith rose up off of Buffy; she shivered slightly at the loss of the heat Faith had provided. Reaching out Faith extended her hand to the smaller woman; smiling Buffy happily took it. Faith pulled her into her arms once more, she finally felt happy, smiling she carefully lifted the blonde into her arms.
“Faith what are you doing?” Buffy was laughing at the cheesy gesture but played along.
She carried her up to her room once again but rather than cursing about it, this was something she had wanted for so long Again she carefully placed her angel down on the bed. Buffy dragged her up to straddle the blondes waist.
"I guess we're gonna find out who come's out on top," Faith smirked and winked at Buffy,
"I'll take that bet Faithy, game on!"