|
Disclaimer: I do not own Faith or Willow, or anyone else mentioned. Joss Whedon does. Sort of. I'm making no money from this, and am only amused. The songs quoted belong to Lita Ford and Bryan Adams. Probably.
Notes: I'm irritated to have run out of song before I ran out of fic. Hrmph. No clue where the title came from. This is a SONGFIC. Abandon all socks ye who enter here. Er. There's also frank discussion of sex, and reference to lesbian sex. If this squicks you, run away fast. Dedication: Here's where it gets tricky. Lise was the catalyst on this one, if I'm remembering right. But it was started for MellyPol's challenge about writing strong women. Or maybe it was Lise's complaining there weren't enough f/f fics out there. Hrm. Anyway.It's for both of them, sorry I've succeeded in missing both birthdays.
Loaded Smile, Party Hats, Diamond Wings, Paper Scraps
|I went to a party last Saturday night Her hair was what you noticed first. Cascading everywhere, ebony as sin and luxurious even when matted and filthy. Next, you noticed the way she walked. Controlled and careful with a sinuousness that called to mind jungle cats and snakes. Even if she'd been in green chiffon with peach lace, you would have noticed the movement. Seen her for the predator. Her flashing dark eyes caught your gaze, measured you, and usually found you wanting. They'd turn away scornfully, to skewer their next victim while you were still recovering.
|To really love a woman You saw the red hair, and wondered if the temper came with it. If it did, she hid it well, almost sublimating it to other emotions. Pain, isolation, almost terror at the thought of allowing people to touch. Thin face, quirky eyes, lips that could smile devilishly or frown uncertainly. And a tiny dusting of freckles. She was cute, but not cutesy. In a way she was like a house cat, pampered and sleek. With a piece of feather between her lips.
|I went to a party last Saturday night She was ducking in and out of doors as sunset fell. Moving closer to her destination, further from the jail. She'd escaped with her sanity intact--well, if you could call it that. Movement in the shadows ahead of her caused her to pause. Faith watched until the vampire sauntered out into the street and began inspecting her luscious and tempting victims. It was so easy to saunter out of the shadows, and smirk at the blonde's back. "Not with me on watch, bitch." The blonde turned and smiled into Faith's eyes. "I was hoping you'd say that."
|Hear every thought It had become her task, now. Buffy was gone, and Angel... Well, Angel had gone all Warrior of Light, which meant he didn't have time for the little people anymore. So it was down to her and the rest of the gang. They'd been so much cannon-fodder. Anya had been slain two months before when a band of demons tried to take the Hellmouth. After that, well, Xander wasn't much use. He was so full of grief he tended to not be wary of his own skin, much less others. Giles and Dawn had perished together when a fire demon had destroyed the magic shop. And Tara. Buffy had... But she didn't want to think about Tara. Not now, not when-- Her head came up as she slipped around another dimly lit corner. There was something going on nearby.
|Late for my job and the traffic was bad Faith dodged another gut shot and backflipped, pulling a stake from her waist as she landed. The vampire giggled. "You can't beat me, Faithie. You never could, remember?" The blonde gloated as she sauntered around the brunette Slayer. "We've danced this dance before. And I shall defeat the King of Clubs." "Since when did you get all cryptic and shit?" Faith snorted as she threw a kick. The other dodged and laughed, "You can't touch me, jailbird." "Whatever. Besides, why would I want to touch you? You're dead, which, trust me, is BAD for the personal hygiene." She wafted a hand in front of her face, flaring her nostrils. "When was the last time you had a bath?"
|And when you find youself lying helpless in her arms It was... her. Buffy. She was fighting someone, Willow thought. Someone with dark hair. Faith. Buffy was fighting Faith. For a moment, unreality intruded, memories cascading through her mind of other times, other places. Faith and Buffy, fighting the darkness together. Arguing over ethics. And then fighting each other. Willow shook her head, grounding herself in reality again. Or what passed for reality, these days. The Buffy she had known was gone. If she were lucky, Faith could defeat her. If not, a new slayer would be called.
|I went to a party last Saturday night Faith dodged again, watching the ex-Slayer flail slightly as she lost her balance. "Hey, Buffy, you've gone soft." A spin kick was the only answer, and she ducked it, coming inside the leg to shove an elbow in the vampire's side. An oof escaped the peroxide queen, and Faith followed up with a backhand to the head. At the same time, Buffy shoved a knee into Faith's leg. They went spinning away from each other, Faith recovering first. She drove back in with a boot to the head. "Hey, Buffy!" A voice called from the shadows, "Who does your hair, Harmony? Oh, wait. She can't, 'cause she's dead." The voice stepped out of the shadows as the ex-Slayer paused. "Willow?" "Yeah. Now, why is Harmony dead? Oh! I know." She smiled, "Because I killed her."
|When you love a woman, Faith looked tired, lean and haunted. It wasn't a combination that worked well on her. It troubled Willow to see her like this. Almost as much as her ex-best friend trying to kill both of them did. "Yes, you did, didn't you. Goodie-Two-Shoes Willow. Always there when the chips were down. Well," Buffy smirked, "Where were you when Anya was killed? I bet you were happily ensconced in your little bedroom, thinking about fucking Tara." Faith got in another punch, and Buffy reeled back. "No, Buffy, actually, I was planning the best way to kill you." "I'm sure." The ex-Slayer smiled and stepped up to Willow, "But you don't have the guts to do it. I know you, Willow. All soft fingers and deep kisses and meaning in life, and *no guts*." "That," Willow said softly, "Is where you're wrong."
|It ain't no big thing Buffy was completely ignoring her now, Faith almost objected, but decided this was a good thing. If Willow wanted to play mousie for the cat, that was fine with her. "Faith." "Yo." "Could I borrow a stake?" Buffy laughed and turned to Faith, "Yes, Faithie, dear, let the little girl try to--" A look of surprise crossed the vampire's face. She blinked, then looked down at her chest. A stake protruded from the region of her heart. Solid, implacable. There. "Oh, fuck."
|To really love a woman Willow dusted Buffy off her hands and looked at Faith. "Oh, hey, it's the skanky ho." "Yeah, and I fantasised about killing you last time." Faith shrugged, "Silly me." "Yeah." Willow nodded, "So, why're you back?" "You mean, 'wasn't I in jail?'" Faith replied sardonically. "Well, that..." The dark-haired Slayer shrugged, "I was needed. Angel broke me out about three months ago. I've been pitching in when I could ever since." "Sounds like fun." Faith shrugged, "I survive. So. You. What's the story?"
|And I know what you like "They're dead, and I'm left to defend the world against the terrors of Sunnydale." Willow shrugged, "You?" Faith blinked, "They're dead?" "Yup. Anya, Giles, Tara, Dawn, and now Buffy. Pretty impressive list, don'tcha think?" The bleakness in those grey eyes tore at Faith, and she wanted to cry that it wasn't her fault she was late. She had tried, but there was nothing left to fix. Except Willow. "Shouldn't we get under cover?" "Should we?" Willow seemed surprised, "Why? Scared, Faith?" "Yes." The simple word seemed to startle the redhead, and she blinked, then shrugged, "C'mon."
|You gotta breathe her, and really taste her, The small apartment was clean and spare. One room with small kitchen attached. Willow had shared it with Tara until that night so long ago. The bed was big enough for two, and she sometimes thought of selling it, but then the memories would catch her. Faith seemed to not really notice the bed, though she did sprawl on it with a lack of grace that surprised Willow. It was if the Slayer was tired and weary to the bone. Of course, she looked like shit, so she could actually BE that bad off. Willow decided to make them tea, and headed for the kitchenette. "Nice place." "Thanks." Silence fell again, this time an actual, almost, comfortable silence. As if they had never been mortal enemies, once. "Hey, Willow?" "Yeah?" "Sorry about the knife thing. Y'know, um, back in the Mayor's office." Sorry doesn't make it all right, Willow knew. But it did, in a way. Especially coming from Faith, the uber idiot. "Uh..." "Don't worry, I just had to say it. I'm trying to remember to say stuff like that now." Faith turned on her side and looked through the doorway at Willow. "I did so many stupid things." "Not gonna argue there." "You wouldn't." She shifted into a sitting position, and curled her legs crosslegged. "Anyway. Bygones may not be all ok, but thanks." Willow avoided answering by holding up a mug, "Tea?" "Gah. I thought only Tweedman did that shit." "I like tea. And... this is Giles' old mug, anyway." Willow half-grinned, "It's sort of fitting." "Well. No thanks. I'm sure it's all well and good for you Watcher-types, but I need something harder." "Sorry, no penises here." "Oh, Willow, you wound me." Faith unfolded herself and sauntered towards the other woman. "It's not like I have a one-track mind or anything." "Buffy used to tell me you got horny after Slaying." "Well, yeah. It's all that--" Faith paused, her hands on her abdomen, "Energy. The rush, it's all there, waiting to be expended right." "No guys here, Faith. Sorry." Willow held up the mug. "But there's tea." A smirk crossed the brunette's lips. "Who said only guys provided good sex?"
|Had a few beers getting high Faith regretted the words the instant they left her mouth. She'd been only half-teasing when she'd said them, wanting to get a rise from the redhead who watched her so solemnly. But the flash of shock and hurt nearly hurt her back, and she silently cursed at herself, "I--" "No." Willow set her mug down and smiled absently, "It's all right." "It's not all right." Reaching out to the other woman, Faith touched her cheek. "It was...." "Tara wouldn't mind." Faith blinked. "Oh, she might have been jealous, but she's dead. And she would have wanted me happy." Willow smiled slightly and caught Faith's hand. "I--"
"Now you're the speechless one." She teased, "You with all your posturing and hip-swinging. Silenced by the thought of a woman giving you pleasure." Faith shuddered, "Willow, it's not that, it's--" Willow dropped her hand and smiled again, "I know." She turned back to the mug, "Tea?" "Yeah. I think that would be good." Avoiding the bed, she wandered back into the room and flopped into the computer chair.
|When you love a woman, "It's nice and strong. Giles taught me how to make it right." Willow held out the steaming mug. Faith took it and sighed, "Tea." "It's good for you. Herbal stuff to relax the muscles and channel some of that tension away." "Like a hot bath?" "Not quite as good." "Sex is better." Willow tilted her head to the side, "You keep coming back to that." "Sorry." "Don't be. I can remember when Tara was here. After a good fight, there was extra spice in the sex." She sipped her mug, then sighed. "And this isn't working." "What isn't?" "The not having sex." Faith blinked. "What do you--" "I mean, Faith, I find you incredibly attractive. Maybe it's because I haven't had The Sex in a while, but at the moment, I wouldn't mind knocking you over and ravishing you mercilessly." "Do you mean that?" Willow set her mug down, "Yes." "Good." Faith stood and caught the redhead's chin, leaning in to kiss her gently. "I thought you weren't into women." "Oh, I'm into everything."
|Nothing to eat and no T.V. Willow pulled away after a moment, looking confused. "Why are we doing this?" She decided that was a question she didn't have the answer to. Faith looked at her and shrugged. "Because." "That's not an answer." "No, it isn't." Faith said solemnly. "Yeah." They stared at each other. It was Willow who reached out and touched Faith's cheek. Willow, the shy one, the one afraid of being hurt, who leaned close as Faith watched her with sudden terror in her eyes. "It's ok." "I--" Faith looked away, then smiled sadly, "I used so many men, Willow. Why should I be allowed something this clean?" "Hey." Willow turned Faith to look at her, hands gentle on her arms. "I've done bad things, too." "Not as bad as me. I mean... That was the point, Willow, I was the Bad Guy, I had to do horrible, Bad things..." Faith turned away, restlessly touching things. The bookshelf, desk, the computer. The dresser, one drawer half-open, a sweater spilling from it. Willow watched her, letting her come to this on her own. Letting her decide whether she would let herself do this. "You're not Bad. I mean, yeah, you did not-good things, but you knew it--you knew they were not-good. It's why..." "Why Buffy tried to reform me." Faith replied brittlely, memory fresh with what the Slayer had become. "No... I was gonna say... why I'm here right now." "You're here because of some misguided sense of chivalry, or, or--" Faith' lips twisted into a grimace, "or because you think I need you. Hah. You helped. Didn't save me, but you staked her. I'm washed-up as a Slayer. Buffy knew that long ago. She knew that--" Willow had been stalking towards Faith as she backed away, trying not to let the redhead touch her. As she broke off, Willow had cornered her, arms on the wall to either side. "Shut up." "But--" The redheaded witch dipped in, her lips skimming Faith's throat. "Shut up, Faith," she whispered as the other tried to speak again. "This has nothing to do with Buffy, and everything to do with us."
|So tell me have you ever really, Faith shivered as Willow pulled the blanket off of her, hogging it as some lovers tend to do. "Hey." "Wha?" One grey eye opened to study her, then a soft chuckle escaped her companion and she snuggled back into Faith's side, bringing the blanket with her. "Sorry. Forgot there was more than one person here." It was sort of odd, really. Faith's experiences with sex usually were fast and furious, leaving her sated. And then they left--or rather, she left them, or kicked them out of bed almost immediately. Like Xander. Slam, bam, thank you, man. Willow was different, though. After sex, she seemed to be all cuddly and sleepy, and not at all inclined to shove Faith out the door, or even onto the floor. Rather nice, really. "What?" "You didn't make me leave." "Ah." A shrug sent a shoulder into her side slightly. "Didn't think you'd want to. Y'know, vampires being out there, and all that." "No." "Besides," Willow yawned, "I hate having no one to snuggle up to at night." Faith slid her arm around Willow's waist. "I've never had snuggles." "Always a first time for everything." "Yeah."
|But I know what I like Willow woke first, and found herself utterly fascinated by the careless sprawl Faith presented to the world. Her head lay tilted to the side, mouth partially open as she snored softly. Neck at a slightly odd angle, probably due to being unused to snuggling up with someone. One arm half-dangled off the bed, the hand clenched into a fist save her middle finger. Telling the world off was definitely the brunette's style. Her legs were tangled up with Willow's own, a fact which made Willow pleased. Tara had always slept curled around herself. She looked almost innocent while asleep, all tangled hair and exhausted floppiness. And she was all Willow's. "You're laughing." "You don't even have your eyes open." Willow pointed out, amused. "But I can feel it," Faith twitched the hand that still cupped Willow's hip. "All here, and up here." She stroked it upwards, tickling gently at the redhead's ribs. "You breathe laughter." "Mmm. No, this is purring." "I should scritch you like a cat, then." "Yes--Ooo." There wasn't much talking for the next little while, as Faith discovered scritching was more than adequate to turn Willow from pampered housecat into sex-starved panther. Pleasure was given and received, until they were panting and sweat-soaked, the blanket lost to the floor and a pillow tumbled all the way into the kitchenette. "Well." Willow blew up to remove the strand of hair across her nose. It flopped upwards, then came back down to the exact same place. "Deep subject." Her companion replied, casually reaching out to move the offending piece of hair. "Breakfast might be good." "Already eaten." Willow blushed, then began attempting to remove herself from the bed, since her stomach WAS demanding food. "Yes, well..." "But I guess actual food would be good." Faith sighed and flopped over onto her back. "Don't suppose you have any steak?"
|With a little tenderness, "So." Faith toyed with her fork, as if the scrambled eggs she was eating were the most important thing in her world. "Good eggs?" "Yup." She hadn't eaten any. Willow didn't seem to have noticed, as she busily cleaned up the kitchenette while her oatmeal nuked. "Willow?" "Yes?" Had she turned too fast? Had she seemed almost nervous when she answered? Faith straightened her shoulders, "Thank you." "No problem. I'm glad you like the eggs." "I do." "So, where ya livin' in the city on the Hellmouth?" "I just got into town, but probably that motel I was in last night. He takes money by the week, but it's not bad." Faith shrugged and took a bite of the eggs. They *were* good. "That's silly. You can just stay here. We're both in the vampire-killing business, we can both live together." Faith looked at her and sighed, "I'm not the relationship type, Willow." "Who said anything about a relationship? I'd just prefer The Sex. And it DOES make sense to pool our resources, especially since Xander's--er, never mind. Live at that seedy dive." "You've always wanted to say that, haven't you." Restlessly, Faith took another bite of eggs. The redhead shrugged, "Eat your breakfast. Then you can go talk to the motel guy." "Yes, mom."
|Kiss me once "Willow?" The redhead looked up from the Ancient Text she was reading. Mid-morning light spilled into the one-room apartment, gilding the air with a sort of mellow glow. "Yeah?" "What happened to Xander?" "Nothing." Faith raised an eyebrow, "Nothing?" "Absolutely nothing." A sigh came from the young witch. "He... He lost Anya, and just sort of stopped." "So, about the same with him, then." "At least he isn't boinking you." "That's gotten to be your job." "Yeah." Willow turned back to her book, "Well, I never did have good judgement." Faith stood, "Good point. I'll be off to check out that roach motel I was talking about." "Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out." "You liked my ass unbruised last night." "I liked a lot of things last night." "You liked a lot of things this morning." "I have poor judgement." "I'm going." "Do that."
|You really gotta love a woman The door had slammed hours ago, but Willow could still hear the sound echoing in her head. Had she really done everything she had in the last 24 hours? She killed her best friend, and slept with the enemy. It made an ironic sense, in a way. Her best friend had murdered her beloved. And Xander. Lost in his own head, singing to the world in that padded cell.... Xander wouldn't understand it. She wasn't sure she understood it. Why Faith? Why not some hooker from downtown? Why anything. Why did her best friend get turned into a vampire? Why had Darla and Drusilla died when they tried to open the Hellmouth? No answers. "Fine. So there aren't any answers to life." Willow shut her book and stood, restless. "You know this, you idiot." The apartment sat silently around her, the slight breeze from an open window stirring some papers. She was an idiot. She'd fucked a psychotic Slayer. Oh, yeah. Fate was having fun.
|Kiss me once Kicking a trashcan hadn't helped. Neither had slaying a newspaper that had innocently wrapped itself around her legs. Faith didn't understand why she was so angry about this. It wasn't as if she and Willow ever got along before. Far from it. They had loathed each other, especially after Faith had boinked Xander. A new dimension of hate had been added to the redhead's lexicon. She had played with Willow's people, and it didn't sit well. Why last night? It didn't make sense. Lust, maybe. Faith shook her head. It had felt like more than lust, though. Uncomfortably like friendship, comfort, succor. Words she didn't want to have. She wasn't supposed to have them. Wasn't allowed them. Fuck up and you get the short end of the stick. It's how it always was. And Faith had fucked up bigtime. Nothing clean was for her, nothing easy. Life sucked and screwed her ten ways with a chainsaw. Someone was following her. Her breath quickened, instinct taking over as she slid to one side in the alley, searching for a spot to make a stand. One presented itself shortly, and she stepped into the alcove, waiting. "Skulking about in doorways. Thought that was my job." Faith peered back into the alley, blinking. He was blond, the kind that came from a bottle. It was spiked up, greasy and disarranged carelessly. "I know you." He shrugged, leather duster creaking like only well-oiled and worn leather can. "You, I don't know." "Spike, your memory went. First thing to go, they say." "The tits are the first thing to sag." Faith cupped her breasts and smirked. "Mine haven't gone yet." "Neither have mine." He paused, "Why am I having this discussion?" "Search me." "If you're a demon, gladly. If not, piss off." "We never met, did we," Faith mused as she leant against the wall, staring up at the sky visible through the gap between buildings. "Sun's out, though. Must suck to be you." "It always sucks to be me, sweet cheeks." "Can't kill, can't drink. And now Buffy's gone." She snickered. "Poor Spike, all left alone in the world." "What do you know about her?" "I know that you were a bit sick, had a thing for the Slayer, didn't you?" Faith was making a large leap of guessage, really. Putting together one or two things she'd heard in jail and adding in his reaction to her in Buffy's body all those months ago. "Of course, it's not surprising, since you used to hang with old Angelus." Her laughter echoed in the alley. "Sod this for a lark." He turned from her and stalked off. "Spikey, I really don't think you understand who I am." Faith said, following him calmly. "Yeah, and who are you?" "I'm Faith. I'm the new Slayer in town." He stopped walking and slowly turned to face her. "I remember now. What was it you said last time? Ride me until I popped?" "Like a pimple." "Oh, real scary. Y'know, all these threats would work better if you slayers would actually, y'know, follow up on 'em." "It's daylight, Spike." "This has reached my brain, yes." She smirked and pointed at the mouth of the alley which hovered rather close. "I shove you out there, you become just another pile of crispy vampire." He rolled his eyes, "What was that I just said about empty threats?" "Not empty." Without missing a beat, she caught his arm and stalked out into the sunlight, dragging him behind. He fought her, trying to avoid the sudden glaring heat of the sun. "Hey, hey!" Faith kicked him in the head. "Is for horses." She quipped. "I'm going to burn!" "Cool." "You bitch." "Thanks." She watched as the afternoon sunlight slowly caused him to start smoking, he fought her, trying desperately to free himself and get back in the shade. But she held on, hand wrapped around his arm. "Fine. I burn, you burn." He lurched towards her. Faith dodged away, dancing into the sunlight and further away from the alley as the smouldering vampire stalked her, pain and vengeance in his gaze. Again and again he tried to pounce upon her, dragging her into his embrace and pain as he burned. She was crafty, though, and wriggled away from him every moment. Until it was too late for him, and flame claimed his once arrogant frame. Minutes later there remained nothing of the vampire save a bit of ash, and third-degree burns on Faith's left hand. She looked at them and sighed. A slayer's pain was never done.
|You tell her that she's really wanted Sundown had come and gone. Willow had checked her locks, then made a pot of ramen. Chicken flavour, with added corn and some sharp cheddar cheese. It was one of the things she'd discovered as a college student. Live in the now. Buy cheap food. Faith hadn't come back. Nor had she called. Which was silly, since Willow doubted the slayer had clue one what her phone number was. But... Maybe she could look it up? No. Faith wasn't the type to use a phone when she could just scream at you, or preferrably, stake you. Willow wasn't even sure why she cared. Sure, the sex had been good. But she hated Faith. Which was why it made no sense her wanting to pounce Faith last night--it could have just been simple desperation, of course. After all, sex is comfort, and when it stands before you in a sleek and gorgeous body that makes you want to tie her to a bed and never let her go, you sort of... Lose it. She'd lost it. Definitely. Sleeping with the enemy. That movie had nothing on her. Sleeping with the psycho bitch monster from hell, was more like it. What Xander would say if--when?--he ever found out, Willow didn't want to know. Calling her stupid would be the opening gambit, though. Which she was. A knock came at her door, and she jumped, wondering if it was Faith, Xander, or some indeterminate enemy. Maybe it was the Watcher's Council. "..." It wasn't any of her fears. "Hi, Willow. I hope you don't mind me coming down and intruding on you, but I just thought, y'know, someone should be in town in case that skanky Faith shows up, and I elected myself, and wow, this apartment is smaller than your dorm room." Willow sighed. "Hello, Cordelia."
|Kiss me once Coming back to Sunnydale must have been a mistake, Faith decided logically after staking a few more vampires. It was drawing towards midnight, the half-moon casting a pearly glow through the crowds. Some stars occasionally twinkled at her, but she didn't really pay attention to them. Yeah, she was the Slayer. Yeah, this was the town with the Hellmouth. But there had to be a better reason than just that. She'd lived before Buffy, before Sunnydale. There had been trips to the Bayou and New York and a hundred other places where the vampire population decided to make itself a nuisance. That had always been Buffy's problem. She'd been to fixed in a 'home'. Faith had none. It sucked. Fate played a seven and got trumped by a two. And Faith stepped into Willy's. "Hey. The Slayer." The weaselly man announced. His clientele glanced at her, then went back to their drinks. "Hey, the ferret." Faith hopped up onto a stool and smiled at him, "Scotch." "You're under age, I can't--" Her fist wrapped around his collar stopped him cold. "Right. Scotch." She smirked as she released him, "I so glad I didn't have to hit you. Yet."
|'Cause she needs somebody to tell her that it's "Look, Cordelia--" "Really, Willow, it's no problem." The ex-Queen of the Bitches smiled. "I can just sleep on the, uh, couch. I won't be any trouble, you'll never--" "No." Willow interrupted her firmly. "You're going to go sleep in a hotel. Not here. Not ever." "Now, Willow, don't worry--" "Cordelia." Willow interrupted, "While it's very nice that you've come, I think you should leave." "I can't leave, how would I forgive myself if I let Faith kill you?" "She won't." "How do you know?" Willow looked at her, lips twitching slightly, "I fucked her last night. How get the hell out of my apartment before I zap you out." "You--" Cordelia stopped, her mouth gaping. "Out." Willow stalked over and yanked open the door. "Go." "I mean, I--" "LEAVE." "OK. Fine. Be an insane Wiccan boinking a psychopath." She snapped, as she flounced through the door. "I'll do that, thanks." The door slammed shut, and Willow considered it, lips still twitching. A small smile slowly formed on them.
|Kiss me once A thump from outside her door, awoke Willow around 4am. She yawned, and dragged herself to the door. Peering through the small eye-let gave her no information, so she opened the door, cross in hand. Faith fell in backwards, eyes glassy and not-quite-seeing. "Mrphtjel." "You're drunk." Willow deduced calmly, tossing the cross onto the small table next to the bed. "I think so." Bending over to hoist the Slayer up, Willow gagged at her breath. "Really drunk. What did you do, drain a brewery?" "Soundsh fun." Faith hindered Willow, trying to get to her own feet without help, and failing. "I'll drag you, if I have to. Work with me, here." "No." With a snort, Willow got a grip on the Slayer's shoulders, and pulled. For a moment, she resisted, then she slowly got on her knees, then her feet. They swayed there for a moment, each trying to stay balanced--Willow having an extra problem because Faith's legs seemed to not want to support her weight. Then Faith tossed an arm over her shoulders, and they were steady. "Shall we try for the bed?" "'K." Careful, lurching, movements brought them to the bedside, where Willow released Faith and she toppled, landing with her face in the sheets and her legs dangling off the side. Willow considered leaving her like that, but decided that SHE wanted to be able to sleep, too, and dragged the Slayer's legs up onto the bed, so she straightened and ended up on only one side. Next, she began pulling Faith's clothes off. "Stopit." "Fine. Stay in those stinky clothes. See if I care. But you're not getting any covers." "Bitch." Faith mumbled, beginning to pull her own clothes off. "Yes. I should chuck you in the shower, too." "Cold water. Ick." "Uhuh." Willow snorted and climbed into the other side of the bed. "I'm going to sleep. Try not to puke on yourself." "'K." -- Her head hurt. It pounded, like there were ten thousand vampires banging on it with sledgehammers. Unfortunately, those crushing blows weren't ending the pain. And there was a bright light on one eye, piercing deep into her soul. If she had a soul. "Mowwwww." She mumbled wordlessly, trying to at least turn so her eye wasn't emblazoned. "Head hurt?" The voice asking sounded not at all sympathetic. "Mmm." "Good." "Mmmwench." Movement made her bones ache for a moment, then an arm slipped under her shoulders, and the world tilted rather ickily. "Auuuugh." "Drink this." A cup touched her lips. She could smell... something, from it. It didn't smell good. She gritted her teeth. "Nhnh." "Drink, or I make you." Faith cracked one eye open to glare mistily at Willow. "Like to see you try." She croaked. "Certainly." Willow pulled her arm from behind Faith's back, and as she flopped back onto the pillow, she straddled her, hand pulling down her jaw. A moment later, the liquid was being poured down Faith's throat as she attempted to remove the encumbrance on her chest. Spluttering and forced to swallow some of the stuff, Faith shuddered. It tasted just as vile as she'd thought it would. Wriggling, she got enough of a grip on Willow to toss her off to the side. Then her head protested this movement and abuse, and she found herself curled up in a fetal position, hands around her forehead. "I am never drinking again." "Good plan. And, the next time you do drink, you can imagine how stupid it is to break a promise." "Huh?" "Sorry. Rambling." Willow patted her shoulder and took the cup into the kitchen. She came back a moment later, a damp cloth in her hand. "You going to stay?" Faith took it, and wiped at her face with it. "Where?" "Here." Faith shrugged and let the cloth flop over her eyes. "Dunno." "Think of it this way. It's cheaper." "Point." "I'm a witch, so I can help if you need it." "Mhmm." "I'm almost as good a Watcher as Giles was. I mean, he knows a bit more, but that's just experience." "Mmm." "The sex was good, too." Faith pulled the cloth off one eye, and looked at Willow, who was actually blushing. "Is it a requirement?" "No." "Sure?" "Yes." Willow shuddered, "I'd never force anyone into... that." "OK." The cloth replaced itself over her eyes. "I'll get a cot or something for you to sleep on." "Bed's better." "The bed is mine." "You shared it the last two nights." "I should've made you sleep on the floor." "True." Faith tossed the cloth to the floor, and smirked at Willow. "Whatever was in that stuff worked." "It ought to. So, what'd you do last night besides try to drink yourself to death?" "Killed a couple vampires." She sat up, crossing her legs carefully. "Your sacred duty. Very good. Anyone I knew?" "Spike." "Cool." "So, you're not upset that I turned chip-boy into dust?" "Nope." "Ok." Faith stood, stretching and wincing. "Do you mind?" "As long as you don't try to kill me in my sleep." "I can think of much better things to do with you than murder." Willow blushed, but grinned. "Good. -=-==- Epilogue... "Hey, honey. I'm home." "Morning, baby. How'd your night go?" "Oh, I killed some vampires, stopped a couple apocalyspes." "Good for you." Willow paused, "Apocalypses?" "Joking." "Uhuh." She snorted at Faith, "Want hot cocoa, or just sleep?" An eyebrow-waggle was her response. -=finis=-
Back to my stories |