The Three of Us

This Chapter is unbeta'd, I apologize for any mistakes.
Reviews are welcome.
*******************************************************

The two slayers walked through Sunnydale towards Buffy’s house. Neither had said much since they’d left the crypt.
Faith stopped and waited for Buffy, “You sure your mom’s gonna’ be okay with this? I don’t wanna stir up any trouble.”

“For the hundredth time Faith, she’ll be okay.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one that’s gonna get all excited, then kicked out.”

Buffy sighed, while she looked at Faith. “I understand your feelings, but my mom’s not like that. She’ll get used to it and everything will be ok.”

“Hold it. Whatta you mean, ‘She’ll get used to it’? Where did that come from?”

“Just think for a sec Faith. I’m about to tell her you’re moving in, it’s the middle of the night, she’s going to take a little time to process that. It’ll be fine. Trust me.”

Faith laughed at Buffy. “If I had a dollar for every time I heard that, I’d be rich.” She turned and started to walk again. Buffy caught up to her and fell in step beside her.

“Faith,” Buffy spoke up nervously, “What did you do for money?” Faith stiffened at the question, but kept moving. After a few moments Buffy tried again. “I’m sorry, but I was curious.”

Faith didn’t look at Buffy or slow down. “I did what I needed to survive. Some things I’ve done, I’m not proud of.”

“Did you steal?”

“If I had to, I would.” Faith stared at the ground as they walked.

“I understand” Buffy quietly replied. Faith stopped suddenly and grabbed Buffy’s arm.
“Look,” she said, “I’m not lookin’ for your pity, or your sympathy. I’ve been on my own for a long time and I can look after myself. If I’m going to be your charity case then I’m fuckin’ off.” Faith let Buffy go and started to turn away.

“No!” Buffy answered, “That’s not it at all. I’ve never had to do anything like that. I’m just trying to understand.” Faith could see the hint of tears in Buffy’s eyes. ‘Now what the fuck have I done? She’s trying to be nice and I’m jumpin’ all over her. I just never get it.’ Sighing, Faith took hold of Buffy’s elbow. “I’ve been alone for a very long time. I was a hard ass long before I became a slayer. The only person who’s ever looked after me is me. Anybody else that’s tried has had some kinda deal to make themselves feel good. If people start offering me things, it makes me nervous. If ya don’t trust people, ya don’t get hurt.”

“I want you to trust me Faith.” Buffy could feel the electrical jolts, from Faith holding her elbow, running up and down her spine. Faith let go of Buffy and ran her fingers through her hair.

“I know you do. It’s just going to take me a long time to get there.” Gazing out over Buffy’s shoulder, Faith stood there with a faraway look in her eyes. “Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever trust anyone again.”

“Oh Faith,” Buffy reached out and pulled the dark slayer into a hug, “You will, and it won’t take that long.”

Faith stood there wrapped in Buffy’s arms. ‘I’ve never felt like this with anyone before. God, please don’t let me hurt her.’

“C’mon, let’s go B.” Faith extricated herself from Buffy. “We gotta let your mom meet her new boarder.”

They walked in a comfortable silence, the sound of their footsteps the only accompaniment. Buffy watched Faith with an occasional glance. The dark slayer was deep in thought and not watching where she was going. She stumbled on a broken piece of concrete, causing Buffy to laugh. “Aren’t we graceful?” Faith turned a light shade of pink,

“I was distracted.”

“Of course you were.” Buffy replied. “I assume it was all the stimulating conversation we’ve had over the last ten minutes.”

“Actually, that’s part of it.” Buffy looked at Faith with a raised eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

Faith sighed and bit her lower lip. “Part of trusting someone is bein’ able to tell them things, right?”

“Yeah, that’s usually the way it works.”

“Okay. Back to the question about what I do for money?” Buffy nodded her head and waited. Faith looked around nervously. ‘She looks so cute like that.’ Buffy thought.
“See,” Faith began, “Usually when I’m patrollin’, I’ll find a coupla vamps and beat them senseless. Then before I dust ‘em, I’ll take whatever cash or jewellery off of ‘em.”

“Oh.” Was all Buffy had to say.

“Fuck, I knew it. Now you don’t want anythin to do with me. I always find a way to screw things up.”

“No, no, don’t,” Buffy said. “It’s actually a smart idea. It’s not like they can lodge a complaint or anything. They’re dust. What do you do with the jewellery?”

“Pawn it or fence it.” Faith was looking at Buffy. “You’re not freaked by this?”

“No,” Buffy answered, “You did what you needed to survive.”

“Okay,” Faith sounded rather unsure of herself. “Umm, could you please not mention this to anyone? I’m, ahh, not really proud of it.”

Buffy beamed at Faith, “Of course not. It might come in handy someday.”

“Oh, great, I tell you somethin’ now you’re gonna blackmail me with it.” Buffy giggled and slapped Faith in the shoulder.

“No, if I ever need any extra cash, I can get it without asking my mom.”

“Ahh.” Faith replied. The two slayers turned onto Revello drive and approached Buffy’s house. “My mom should still be up, so I’ll talk to her and we’ll get this sorted out. Okay?”

Faith was really nervous and fidgety. She was looking around with wide eyes, trying to find an escape route. “She won’t try to kill me or anything, right?”

“No, she doesn’t maim anybody till after three days.”
“What!”

“Relax Faith, I’m teasing.” Buffy had unlocked the door and was about to open it. She turned her head to look at Faith, “Everything will be fine. Just relax, and be yourself. It’s just my mom.”

“Exactly the point.” Buffy giggled and opened the door. “Mom? I’m home.”

“I’m in the kitchen Buffy.” Faith put her duffel bag and knapsack in the hallway next to where Buffy had dropped the sleeping bag. She followed her down the hall to the kitchen. Joyce was sitting at the kitchen table reading. She looked up at Buffy as she walked in. “How are you dear? Do I need the med kit?”

“No,” Buffy leaned over and kissed her mom, “We’re okay. Mom this is Faith, Faith this is my mom, Joyce Summers.”

“Hello Faith.”

“Umm, hi.” Faith shrugged and looked at Joyce. “Pleased to meet you Mrs. S.” Buffy smiled at both of them, then sat down across from her mother.

“Faith is the other Slayer that I told you about a week or so ago.” Buffy waited until her mother had nodded. “I told her tonight that she could stay with us, if that’s okay with you.”

Joyce blinked several times, “Oh.” She sat there not moving for a few moments. Faith started to edge out the door. “Faith,” Buffy said, “sit down.”

Faith reluctantly sat next to Buffy and looked at the table.

Joyce pinned Buffy with a cold stare. “Why would you say that without asking me?” Buffy chewed her bottom lip and glanced at Faith. “I just found out that since Faith’s been in Sunnydale, she’s been living in a crypt. I couldn’t leave her there!”

Joyce’s head snapped around to stare wide-eyed at Faith. “You’ve been living in a cemetery crypt?”

Faith dropped her eyes and nodded her head. “Good God! What were you thinking? You’re a slayer! You know what lives in those places! Why would you take a chance like that?”

Faith looked up at Joyce, “I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for a long time and...” Buffy reached out and covered Faith’s hand with her own, stopping her.

“That’s why I asked her to move in with us mom. I couldn’t leave her there either. I thought she could stay in the basement, and maybe we could talk to Xander and have him put up a couple of walls so she has her own room.” Buffy looked imploringly at her mother.

“She can stay in the basement, but we’ll discuss the renovations later.” Joyce smiled.

“Faith, I will want to talk to you tomorrow. If you are going to stay here you will have to abide by the house rules. I expect you to abide by the same ones that Buffy does. Is that acceptable?”

Faith’s face broke out into a huge grin, “Sure Mrs. S, that won’t be a problem.”

“Good, are you two hungry? Buffy’s always starved when she gets home from slaying.”

Faith started to giggle as Buffy blushed, “Mom!”

Joyce busied herself in the kitchen, “So Faith, tell me about yourself.”

“Not much to tell really, I’m from Boston and I’ve been here for about three weeks.” Buffy looked at Faith, “Three weeks? You’ve been here that long?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m surprised we didn’t run into you earlier.”

“”12 cemeteries, no waiting.” Faith shrugged.

“Faith,” Joyce interrupted, “Are your parents still in Boston?”

Faith dropped her head a little, then looked back up at Joyce. “Don’t know. I haven’t seen ‘em in years.” Joyce and Buffy both gasped and stared with wide eyes at the dark slayer.

“Who looks after you?” Joyce asked softly.

“I been lookin’ out for me since I left home. I do ok.”

Joyce placed a plate in front of each slayer. “I have to work tomorrow, so I’m going to bed. Faith, I believe you’ll be more comfortable talking to me alone. I want you to come by the gallery at 11:30. We’ll talk then.” She turned to Buffy, “You have class tomorrow, don’t stay up to late. You can make up the bed for Faith in the basement. Don’t forget to give her directions to the gallery.”

“Yeah, I got it mom.”

“Good. Faith it’s nice to meet you and we’ll talk tomorrow. Goodnight.”

“It’s nice to meet you Mrs. S, and thank you for letting me stay.”

“We’ll talk tomorrow Faith and then decide for how long that is.” Joyce left the kitchen and headed upstairs. “Night mom.” Buffy called after her. “See,” she said to Faith, “I told you it’d be okay.”

“What are you talking about? I gotta meet her tomorrow and talk to her. After that she’s gonna kick my ass out.”

Buffy giggled and shook her head. “No she won’t. She just wants to get to know you without me there.” Buffy stood and picked up the plates. Moving to the dishwasher, she said, “Go get your stuff and we’ll go downstairs and make the bed up.”

Faith walked down the hall to pick up her gear, then followed Buffy downstairs. “There’s a washroom over there.” Buffy pointed to a closed door. “It’s only a sink and a toilet, you’ll have to use the shower upstairs. That’s the laundry room.” She pointed to a set of bi-fold doors. “And this,” swinging around with her arms spread, “is your room.”
Faith smirked at her. “Thanks for the tour B. I woulda never figured it out on my own.”

“I’m sorry it’s like the whole basement, but I’ll talk to my mom and see if we can build a room for you.” Faith just stood there staring at Buffy.

“Are you insane? This is like livin’ in a fuckin’ palace! Did you not see where I was gonna sleep tonight?”

“Yeah, I did. But that doesn’t mean I can’t want the best for you.” Buffy dropped her head and batting her lashes, looked up at Faith. Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout, she slowly moved towards her. “Isn’t that what you want from me Faith? Only the best?” Buffy had moved right up to Faith. She could feel the current between them. ‘If she touches me I’ll explode!’ She thought. Faith’s smouldering dark eyes looked unblinkingly into Buffy’s green ones. A smile slowly crept across her face. “You’re a piece o’ work B.” Faith stepped back and looked at the other slayer. “I’ve really got my own bathroom?” She moved around Buffy and went to take a look. Calling over her shoulder as she peered in to the room, “This is fantastic B. I never woulda believed it. I can never thank you and your mom enough.”

Buffy rolled her eyes; ‘I’ve been passed over for a washroom? I’m crushed.’ She thought. “Come on and give me a hand making the bed. It’s getting late.”

After the slayers had made the bed, Faith sat on the edge, her hands in her lap, looking at the floor. Buffy tilted her head as she watched the dark slayer lick her lips, ‘I know exactly where I want that tongue. I have to get out of here before I jump her.’ “I’ve got to leave at 9:30, so I’ll make sure you’re up by 9:00. We can have a coffee before I go. You have to be at the gallery for 11:30, that’ll give you plenty of time. Okay?” She waited for a response but Faith was staring at the floor. “Faith?” She moved to kneel in front of the slayer. “Faith?” she asked again. Gently cupping Faith’s chin with her hand, she tilted her face up to see the tears in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

Faith sighed, “I don’t know how to thank you for this.” Buffy smiled, “It’s what friends do Faith. We help each other when they need it.” Buffy stood and kissed Faith on the forehead. “Everything will be alright Faith. You’ve got nothing to worry about. I’ll see you in the morning, goodnight Faith.”

A weak smile appeared on Faith’s face, “You tell anybody about this, I’ll kick your ass.” Buffy laughed as she headed up the stairs, “Of course Faith, I wouldn’t expect anything else.”

Faith flopped back on the bed after Buffy had gone. Unfocussed eyes looking at the ceiling, ‘She kissed me! Okay on the forehead, but she kissed me! WOW!’ Faith reached up and touched the spot where Buffy’s lips had touched her. ‘If that’s what a friendly peck feels like, I’ll melt if she ever really kisses me.’ Sighing, she sat up and started to get ready for bed. ‘She ain’t ever gonna do somethin’ like that. She won’t want anything to do with someone like me. I just have to remember that and I’ll be okay.’