The Slayer

 

The Slayer

By Norwalker

Part 22 of a multipart story.

Summary: What if Faith came first? If she were the slayer before Buffy( if Buffy even became a slayer)? Just my take on what might have happened. AU, of course.

Pairings: Not sure yet. You might be surprised.

Rating: M( R )

Disclaimer: Characters depicted in this story, except for original characters created by the author, are the sole property of Mutant Enemy, Fox and Joss Whedon.

 

1

 

She was so hoping that she would be 'excused' from her 'duty' when she appeared at Giles' apartment close to noon.

"Hey, Giles, I mean, you don't want me to embarrass you, right? I just don't have anything to wear to this shindig, ya know?" Faith stood in his living room, arms folded across her chest. "Guess that means I can't go."

"Yes, I anticipated such a contingency. I withdrew some funds from the contingency fund, so you could purchase something appropriate for this evening," Giles handed her some bills.

Faith looked at the money with some consternation. Damn!

"Hey, maybe you do your shopping at Watchers R Us discount clothing, but this isn't gonna buy squat at the local stores, Jeeves." Faith counted the cash in  hand.

Giles made a face, then withdrew his wallet. He carefully, almost parsimoniously removed a credit card from his wallet. He handed her the card, recovering the cash.

"Very well, use this. But don't go overboard. It's going to be hard enough accounting for this expenditure," He said, somewhat dryly. " This is a formal occasion, remember. Be sure what you purchase is suitable."

"Oh, damn. I guess the leather mini and bustier is out then?" Faith teases him a little. "Really, not a moron, Giles. I know how to dress." But she smiles, more amused than irritated. "Which fork to use at dinner, too."

"With you, Faith, one finds one must be specific in one's requests."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Just that you at times take … creative liberties, shall we say?"

"I'm not going to embarrass you Giles," Faith is still in good humor. "Trust me, I'll do you up proud."

I have no doubt. I just hope my budget survives, Giles sighs.

"May I go now, or would you like to pick out the color, too?"

"I'll see you at the dance. Remember, 7:00 p.m. sharp."

"Yes, Giles, I know Giles," Faith shakes her head, mock impatient. "I'm not a kid, Giles." She disappears out the door.

Giles watches her go, feeling a little sad. No, you're not allowed to be one, are you?

He turns back towards the kitchen.

Faith spent the rest of the afternoon going from store to store, trying to find something in a dress that wasn't, in her words, barf-worthy.

Melissa saw her as soon as she walked into the shop. The girl had that look of confusion and anxiety that spoke right to her. Doesn't know what she wants, but she needs it yesterday. That's pretty obvious. This could work out well. She watched her as she moved to a rack of dresses, picking through them and rejecting different ones left and right. Poor girl needs some guidance. Well, Mel, that's what you're here for… go help the poor girl out. I'm sure she'll be grateful, and of course, if she spends a ton, that won't be bad either. She started to move towards Faith when she saw Gina, her competition, speeding quickly towards her quarry. No, no, Gina, she's mine. Back off.

"Hi!"

Faith looked up, a little startled. A rather attractive young woman with long chestnut colored hair and china blue eyes smiled at her. Then she saw the name tag. Ah, right.

"Hi," Faith responded, sorting through the dress rack in front of herself.

"My names Melissa. I work here. Can I help you find anything?"

"Yeah, a way to get out of going to this dumb dance would be really nice," Faith grumbled, feeling frustrated. "But I'm guessing that's not gonna happen."

Melissa smiled apologetically and shrugs." Sorry. Having trouble finding something to wear?"

"Kinda yeah," Faith sighed, leaning on the rack.

"I know what you mean. Sometimes, I can't find anything I like either," Melissa sympathizes. "Maybe I can help you look?"

"Sure, why not?" Faith shrugged, at this point feeling a little desperate.  She knew the girl worked on commission, and was trying to make a sale, but maybe another pair of eyes would help.

"So, what's this for? The dress? Wait, you told me, a dance. Is it… a party, or is it formal…?"

"Yeah, formal. Sunnydale High Homecoming dance."

"Isn't that tonight?" Melissa frowned. "No time to make alterations… oh well, we'll just have to do the best we can." She turned and started towards another section of the store. "Follow me, we keep the formals over here…"

Faith followed, looking a little grim. This is going to be expensive. Giles is going to have a conniption. Well, this IS his fault. I'd rather be out on patrol… this wasn't MY idea…

Faith caught up with Melissa, and found herself surrounded by a world of taffeta, satin, lace, brocade, chenille and ruffles. She felt a definite chill go down her spine.

"You're kidding me, right?"

"Well, you said it was formal."

Faith picked out a particularly fluffy and frilly looking dress, with full bodice and skirt, in a shade of lime and rose seen only on ice cream pops, and holds it up in front of her.

" This really screams "me" to you, does it?"

"Well, of course not," Melissa rejoined. She held up some hangers she'd already collected. " There are other styles. These I suspect are more suited to your personality, and body type." She grinned. " You do have the figure to make them work."

Faith, resigned, followed Melissa to the fitting room.

They spent close to an hour trying on a number of dresses. There were a few that Faith, while not crazy about them, could've lived with. But nothing really pleased her.

"Maybe we should look at the sheath dresses," Faith finally decided to end this. It was only wasting both their times.

"Hmmm," Melissa took a good look at Faith, evaluating what she was wearing, and how she carried herself.

"What?" Faith felt a bit nervous under the scrutiny.

"I was just wondering…" Melissa nodded. "How would you like to try something really different?"

"Different?" Faith feels a small lump in her tummy. "Different… how?"

"Well, I'll be frank. This isn't something I'd normally recommend for a typical formal like Homecoming. But, after all, I believe you mentioned this isn't your Homecoming; you're chaperoning, right?"

"Yeah. So?"

"Well, it's not something I'd normally suggest to a young woman actually attending the event. But as a chaperone, and considering how you carry yourself, I think you could pull it off."

"Ok, you're kind of freaking me here." Faith gives her an intense look. "Not looking to look like an idiot here."

"Oh, I don't think you'll look like an idiot at all. I think you'll look great." She waves towards the fitting rooms. "Go change, I'll bring it to you."  She walks off, making her way towards the back of the store.

Faith goes and starts to change, not sure she's all crazy about this idea. Different? Aren't I different enough, already? What does this ditz have in mind for me, anyway? Oh well, at this point, what're a couple more minutes? Worse comes to worse, I'll find a cocktail dress and some heels.

She's down to her underwear when Melissa breezes into her dressing room, carrying another change. She gives Faith the once over, and smiles.

"I'll just take this," She grabs the dress Faith just removed. "Try this on, see what you think." She breezes out, and Faith is standing there, staring at the door.

"Ever hear of privacy?" She grumbles, reaching for the hanger. It's then that she notices that this is indeed not the typical formal. Or for that matter, a dress at all.

It's a tuxedo. Restyled and cut for a woman, but you can't mistake it. It's a tux.

"What the hell? What is she thinking?" Faith wonders. Still, looking at it, she's intrigued. "Hmmm…" What the hell. Maybe I'll look good in it.

She pulls the shirt off a hanger, and begins dressing.

A few minutes later, she emerges from the dressing room.

Melissa takes a look at Faith, and smiles.

"I think we found it," She smiled, coming over to Faith. She fussed around a little, straightening the collar, adjusting the lapels. She stepped back and nodded. "Yeah, I think it looks great." She gently turns Faith towards the mirrors.

Faith looked at herself in the mirrors, and smiled. She definitely liked what she saw.

She was wearing a dove gray tuxedo , with a contrasting silk brocade 2 button vest. The shirt had a high wing tip collar and pleated front, and she left it open at the neck. The pants were typical tuxedo pants, tailored to fit a woman, and even had a matching satin band running down the outer crease. All in all, the effect was slightly butch, but softly so.

"I've got the perfect shoes for that. Fortunately, it looks like it won't need any alterations, so we're good on that score." She walks over, and looks over Faith's shoulder as she preens in front of the mirror. "I think it looks hot. How about you?" She says softly near Faith's ear.

Cor is so gonna die when she sees me in this, Faith admires herself in the mirror. I think I'm gonna love seeing her face.

"Yeah, I think it's hot. Let's check out those shoes," Faith follows Melissa, still wearing the tuxedo.

Maybe this won't be so bad tonight, after all.

 

2

 

Faith rushes towards the doors of the gymnasium. She's running a little behind.  It's been like that all day.

Faith stops the door of the gym to catch her breath.  Ok, not that late. Just chill. Drawing herself up, she walks into the gym.

"Whoa, Oz, check it out. She's here!" Devon, lead singer for the Dingoes, nods to his band mate.

Oz arches a brow.  Does this guy ever think of anything but chicks?

"Who?" Oz asks, laconically.

"That girl. From the Bronze? The one I noticed the other night?"

"Which one, Devon? You notice almost every chick that looks up at the stage."

"The one that night of the big chick fight. You know, the hot brunette?"

"Cordelia Chase?" Oz looks a bit surprised. "Didn't think she was your type."

"No not her…the other one. You know…"

"Oh yeah …"

"It's fate, Oz, I'm tellin' ya. It's destiny. She's so supposed to be mine."

"How do you figure?"

"Hey, she's following us around. It's gotta be because she wants me. She's a groupie, man. And wow, did you notice her outfit? So cool…" Devon nods his head towards Faith.

Oz looks down where Devon nodded, and stares for a second.

"Forget it, Devon. So not a groupie."

"I'm tellin' ya man, she wants me."

Oz chuckles. "C'mon, D. Lets get this going. And after? I want some of what you're smokin'."

Oz cues the drummer to start the set.

 

3

 

 

"Did you get it set up? Is it ready?"

Harmony Kendall is backstage, talking with a couple of guys.

"It's all set Harmony,"  Walter, a skinny kid with wild looking red hair smiles. "This one controls the projector and screen… and this one controls the tape recorder." He hands the remotes to Harmony.

"Is it going to work? Did you test it?" Harmony demands. "This is mega important. I can't have it screwing up."

"It's Wireless, Harmony. You can trigger this from anywhere in range. It works on radio signal, so it won't be blocked by walls or anything, unlike infrared, which you need line of sight…"

"I don't need the technical gobbledygook. I just need to know it's going to work!"

"It'll work. Now, do you have the rest of the money?"

"Uh-uh,"  Harmony shakes her head. "You get paid when it's done! I'm not paying if this goes wonky."

"That wasn't the deal, Harmony," Walter flushes. "I want to be paid now."

"When it's over," Harmony says, "What do you take me for? Some kind of idiot?"

Walter just stares at her.

"Well, I guess I'll just take my stuff back…" He starts towards the stage.

"Hey… NO!" Harmony runs after him. She puts on an obsequious smile. "Geeze, can't you take a joke?" She reaches in her purse, and pulls out a bunch of bills. "But this better work, Walter… or…"

"I'm telling ya, sis, it's going to work. Don't sweat it" Walter grins.

" Walter! I told you, never call me that. I so don't want anyone to know I've got a AV geek for a brother!"

" Ummm… Harm? Don't you think they're gonna catch on? Seeing we have the last name, live at the same address, and all…" Walter taps her head. "Do you use that thing for anything but to hold your hair up?"

"Don't play with me, Walter…" Harmony's eyes narrow, "Or maybe mom and dad would like to see that special collection of muscle mags under your bed?" Harmony smiles smugly. "I know for sure dad would love them."

Walter's lips press together tightly. "Big Dan" Kendall, his father, was all conference in High School, All –American in College, and was more than disappointed by his lanky, geeky son. Since he often couldn't understand him, Big Dan would make fun of him and his interests. Walter can just imagine what he'd make of the magazines under his bed.

Still, he isn't exactly without ammunition. He pulls some Polaroids out of his pocket and waves them in front of Harmony.

"Recognize these, sis?" He half smiles.

"Where'd you get those?" Harmony flushes.

"Doesn't matter, does it?" He winks," just don't go trying to blackmail me, sis. You just don't have it up here." He taps his head. "And be sure you have the money for me … got it?" He pockets the pictures and walks away.

Harmony feels the anger rise inside her, but she bites it back down. Walter isn't important right now; she can take care of that later. You think you're life's miserable around here now, Walter? Trust me, it's only going to get worse. Don't try and mess with me, Bro.

The anger fades however, when she thinks of what's going to happen tonight. Tonight, tonight, she'll finally get her revenge. Get hers back on Cordelia Chase, who has humiliated her for the last time. Tonight, she'll watch Cordelia fall, and she'll rise in her place. Tonight it all changes, and it'll be Harmony's turn. She is almost salivating at the prospect.

She's already put things in motion with a little whispering campaign about no one's favorite captain of the cheerleaders. Amazing how a little question here, a little comment there can so raise doubts.

Oh, she'll be Queen of Homecoming, just like she wanted. I made sure that's fixed. But just wait til she sees the little surprises for her. Oh yeah…

Smiling like the cat that just stole the cream, Harmony leaves to join the dance.

 

4

 

 

Faith finally makes her way across the dance floor, after nearly getting crushed by the crowd when the music started up.  Why is it you put a bunch of kids in a large space, and they all bunch up into one small knot? Oh well, no harm done, I guess… and they'll be easier to watch. She heads for Giles, who has a plate of something in his hand.

"Finger sandwich?" He offers one to Faith, who refuses. "I don't believe they're made of real fingers…"

"This is the Hellmouth, Giles. Ya never know."

Giles looks at the plate, then sets it down.

"So, Giles, returning your card to you…" Faith holds out the credit card. "What do you think?" She does a little turn.

Giles, for his part, looks a little surprised. Taking his card, he carefully returns it to his wallet, then takes this moment to clean his glasses.

"I'll admit, I was expecting something rather more traditional…"

"Giles, do I look hot or what?" Faith works hard to fish that compliment.

"… if you will let me finish, I was going to say I find it quite charming," Giles smiles.

"Yeah, but is it hot?" Faith insists. "Do you think…"

"I'm sure Ms. Chase will find it most ' hot' as you put it, though I doubt she'll acknowledge it, from what you've told me."

"Yes, but it never hurts to be drool-worthy, Giles," Faith grins. " I gotta say, you cleaned up right nice, Giles. You look spiff."

"Yes, I thought I'd turned out rather nattily, myself," Giles says, brushing off an imaginary bit of dust on his lapel. He is out of uniform, wearing instead a classic black tuxedo with notch lapels and boutonnière.

"Nattily? People actually say that?" Faith teases him.

"Yes, well, some of us prefer English over vernacular,"  Giles remarks wryly.

"Yes, and some of us prefer to live in the twentieth century," Faith pats his chest, smiling at him. "So, Giles, anything actually happening here? I saw Angel lurking about outside. Expecting trouble?"

"Not really…just thought it might be best if he were close at hand. After all, we have a group of  young people together at a party on the Hellmouth. All sorts of things could happen."

"Yes, we're in serious danger of being bored to death," Faith says, "I guess I better walk around a bit, keep an eye on things…" Faith starts to move away.

"And perhaps, keep an eye out for Ms. Chase?"

"Yeah, that too," Faith smirks.

She walks away, blending into the crowd.

 

5

 

 

Willow Rosenberg sits in her parents living room, watching TV.

She's not dressed for the dance.

God, I so messed up everything! Why couldn't I just let it go? Why did I have to always be snooping on her? What good did it do? She's withCordelia now… God, Cordelia! How could she pick that bitch?… and I've like ruined everything with Xander. He'll never talk to me again. He won't even return the like 100 messages I left for him…

She looks at what's on the TV, and making a face, turns it off.

… can I like blame him? He's right… he was  right. I was obsessed with her… god knows why… but I was, and I ignored him… and now…

She stands up, walking towards the stairs. Everything seems to be on autopilot; there's no Willow there, only her body.

Might as well go to bed. Pull the covers over my head, and hide from everything. Then, tomorrow I gotta get used to the fact that I'm alone. Really alone this time. At least before now, I always had Xander … yeah, and I treated him so well, didn't I? I'm sooo stupid. Supposed to be so smart, and sooo stupid!!!

She makes the third stair when she hears the doorbell. What? Turning around, she starts downstairs.

What the heck? I didn’t order anything. Probably some kid selling candy or something… Still, she finds her heart beating a little faster as she approaches the front door. Despite all odds, she still has a tiny, bitty hope that Xander will show up. Not for the dance, or anything, but maybe just so they can talk, or something. Tiny, but real.

That's stupid. Not gonna be Xander. He's probably already at the dance, standing by the sidelines, making fun of the couples. What we always did…

She opens the door.

Xander is standing there, in tux, with a corsage in hand. He smiles his trademark goofy smile.

"Hey, Will. And Hey. Why aren't you ready? I mean, you're not going like that, are you?" He notes her somewhat casual dress. "Not that it isn't … and it would make a bold statement… but I thought we…"

He's cut off when the red-headed Tornado Willow hits him full force, almost knocking him off the porch. He feels soft Willow lips kissing him all over his face.

"What?" He chuckles as Willow almost wraps herself around him, kissing him madly.

"Oh, Xander!" Willow breathes between kisses. "I thought for sure you weren't coming. I mean, after last night, and what I did…"

"Oh, so ok, you're not mad at me?"

"Mad at you? How could I be mad at you? Ok, for 5 seconds I thought you were being a total butthead, but I'm the butthead, and I thought for sure you were gonna like dump me and never see me again, and I lost you and that I'd be all alone and be totally ostracized in school and then not get into college and wind up sweeping floors at the Espresso pump and live in my parents house forever and have 2 dozen cats as my only company and …"

"STOP!" Xander laughs. "Please, I love Willow babble-o-sity as much as anyone but…"

"I thought you weren't coming. I thought you weren't taking me to the dance…"

"And just who else would I want to go with?" Xander asks, dead serious.

Willow looks into Xander's face, and sees the utter seriousness in his eyes, and melts like a candle under a blowtorch. She slips into his arms, snuggling close to his chest. She looks up at him with her large, sparkling green eyes.

"I love you so much." Willow murmurs, burying herself in Xander. "I was so stupid, I was such a dumb bunny, and you're here and I just love you so much…"

"Well, that's great. But don't you think you should get ready? You're really not planning to go like that, are you?"

"You still want to go with me?" Willow looks at him, "We'll be so late…"

"So?" He shrugs, "We'll be fashionably late, you know? Be nice not to get there early for once. I really hate being pressed into punchbowl duty."

"I'll hurry, I promise, I won't take long!" Willow, flustered, happy, turns and runs in the door, slamming it after her.

Xander stand there for a moment, staring at the closed door. Then the door opens, and a sheepish looking Willow peers out.

"Did you want to come in?" She asks in a small voice. "Sorry."

Xander just smiles, and enters the house.

 

6

 

 

Cordelia arrives on the arm of Joe Morgan, her date du jour for the Homecoming dance, pausing briefly at the entrance to the gym.

There's something different about Cordelia.

It's not her attire, which is perfect, a long flowing affair , essentially backless and not a whole lot of frontness. But this is typical Cordelia tease em-and-please em wear. Her hair is perfectly coiffed, her makeup is spot on. Her expression is typical of her position in the school. A small smile graces her lips, with a slight air of haughtiness.

It's her eyes that stop you. Somehow they seem off, there was a hardness about them, a cynicism backed up with a deadened look. And something else, something indefinable but dark.

Cordelia feels strange. Strange with a side of bizarre.

She looks in at the dance with the practiced, slightly jaded eye of someone who's been here a lot. She knows she probably has a lock on Homecoming Queen.  I mean really, who has a chance against me?

That isn't strange. That's normal. What's strange is this feeling of not belonging inside her own skin. As if she's watching this all through someone else's eyes; the passenger and not the driver. Her nerves feel like they're working on overdrive; every little touch, every little anything seems to make them quiver and jump under her skin. Her eyes feel hot and gritty,  and she hears an ambient buzz in her ears.

How she got here is a little bit of a mystery to her. The whole day is a little bit of a mystery to her. Everything seems a little fuzzy and out of focus.

Shake it off, Cor! You're just still weirded about last night. That was enough to make anyone a little fuzzy. Get a grip, it's over. Just straighten up and get your ass in there. It's your party, and baby, it's time to rock.

"We're here," Joe Morgan, her date, states the obvious.

"Yes we are. Ready for some fun?" She turns and smiles at him.

She sees a look in his eyes. A look resembling fear. Christ! What's his trauma?

"Sure," he says with a nervous quiver in his voice.

God, they don't make guys like they used to.

They enter the gym.

 

7

 

Faith, cruising through the crowd, stops suddenly. Her brow furrows.

Something's wrong. She can sense it. Her slayer sense is tingling madly.

Demon? Here, now? She does a slow scan of the crowd, but her eyes lock on Cordelia, who's just walked in the gym doors.

She's… beautiful.  Faith stands back, feeling her breath catch in her throat.

Suddenly, everything else seemed to fade into a soft focus, all except Cordelia, who was clearly and sharply delineated in Faith's view. She seemed to almost glow, the lights bouncing softly off her perfect skin. Her hair was full, with a hint of wild, making it look like a cascading waterfall over her shoulders. Her dress molded to her body, revealing yet covering each little detail in a satiny splendor.

It's that moment; that one defining moment in their relationship where Faith sees Cordelia not with her eyes, not with her brain, but with her heart. It's that moment that it all comes together for her, the chemicals in her brain mixing in the perfect balance of pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow to create that sweetest of emotions.

It's the moment that Faith falls in love with Cordelia Chase.

A warmth suffuses her body, and she can't help feeling jealous that Cordelia is with that guy rather than her.

Ok, girl. Chill. This is Cordelia's thing. Her night. She relishes this kinda crap, so cool it. You're not even supposed to be here, so getting all green-eyed isn't gonna help nothing.

Even so, an uneasy feeling roils in her stomach.  Her slayer sense is still tingling madly, and even as she follows Cordelia at a discreet distance, she scans the crowd, looking for the source. She stops for a moment, and closes her eyes, letting her concentration guide her to her target. She turns, sensing a stronger 'pulse'.  She opens her eyes, and sees she's staring straight at Cordelia.

Ok, what the hell is going on here? I should be seeing fang gang or something. Instead I keep on honing on Cordelia. What's the deal?

Finally, hating to have to tear her eyes away from Cordelia, Faith turns and walks back to the refreshment table where Giles seems to have staked a claim. She feels a little frustrated, not able to find the source of her tingling.

A little distracted, she doesn't see Harmony until she nearly runs over her.

"Hey, watch it…" Harmony sees who it is, and smirks."… butch."

"Hey, Harmony. Nice dress," Faith snaps back.

"You think?" Harmony, unused to praise, preens a little.

"Yeah. Too bad you're wearing it. It could look good on somebody else."

She leaves a burning Harmony as she makes her way towards Giles.

"So, how are things going, Faith? Have to break up any madly passionate couplings yet?"

"I see chaperone duty brings out the funny in you, Jeeves," Faith parries, coming up beside him. "Actually, something's up, but I can't find it."

Giles' brow furrows. "You're sensing danger?"

"My slayer sense is going nuts, but I looked around, and can't find squat to trigger it."

"That's very odd. You're sure you can't spot the cause?"

"Yeah, I'm sure, Giles," Faith says impatiently. "When I focus, I keep coming up with Cordelia, which is just dumb…"

Giles feels a small chunk of ice form in his stomach.

"Ms. Chase?"

"Yeah, but she's human, Giles. Something's just throwing me off."

"Yes, indeed," Giles says, pushing away any thoughts that might show on his face. "So, what do you suggest?"

"Well, I thought you might suggest, Giles. After all, you're the knowledge guy."

"Perhaps something is lurking outside, Faith. It might be advantageous if you did a quick sweep, see if you can find anything."

"Yeah, maybe…" Faith turns and starts off. "It's just weird." She calls over her shoulder as she makes her way to the entrance of the gym.

Giles watches her go, disquiet settling over him like a cloak.

You should tell her. She might be in danger.

You have no proof, Giles. None. Everything Cornell has done is, while possibly ethically questionable, not outside the bounds of normal cutthroat business practices. While I might find his methods reprehensible, there is no real proof it's other than that.

Yes, and what if it is other than that? And  Cornell turns out to be more than he seems. And Cordelia is more than just a high school girl? What then? Will you be able to live with yourself is she becomes hurt… or worse?

And if I interfere and it's nothing? No, I have to find out more…

Seeing her disappear in the crowd, he can't help but remember that despite all her powers, she's just a young girl. A young girl  possibly in love.

At her most vulnerable. Especially where it concerns Cordelia.

He sighs, wishing once again he'd become that greengrocer like he wanted to when he was younger.

 

8

 

 

"Will? Hurry up, we're going to be late!"

Xander calls upstairs, wondering what's taking Willow so long to get ready. Boy, if we were going to the dance, she would've been ready 45 minutes ago. What's she doing? Having a dress sewn by hand?

"Will, c'mon! I want to get there tonight!"

"Almost done, Xander, but I need some help. Can you come upstairs?"

Xander sighs, and mounts the stairs. Girls, I swear, they're helpless. I mean, I managed to dress myself without any help. Ok, well, except for the tie. And  mom did that. But you didn't see me asking Will to come over and tie my tie, did you?

Xander makes a beeline for her room, and looking in, doesn't find her.

"Will, where are you?"

"In here, Xander" She calls out from the direction of her  parent's bedroom. "Mom had something I needed to borrow."

Xander turns, and walks down the hall.  I swear, we're going to miss half the prom at this … WHOA!

Xander looks into the room, and almost chokes.

Willow is standing there, in a diaphanous floor length white nightgown that hides almost nothing. Especially when it's backlit, as it is at the moment. It's obvious that other than the nightgown, she's wearing just a smile.

"W-Willow? Y-Your not going to the d-dance like t-that, are you?" Xander stammers, somewhat in shock.

"Of course not, silly," Willow sashays over, giving her hips an extra swing as she walks. She's loving Xander's drooling. "Do you really want to go to some old crowded homecoming dance?" She smiles as she almost slithers into his arms, her arms wrapping around his neck, and her body pressed up against his. "I mean, I thought we could make our own dance right here…" Her voice is low and soft, with a generous side of sultry.

"Great Gravy, Will," Xander, whose mind has gone somewhat blank, blurts out.

Ok, not the greatest love poem in the world, Willow giggles to herself, looking at Xander's confused and lustful expression, but it'll do. She guides Xander's hand down, down, down until it is planted firmly on her derriere.

"Mmmm, you know how to sweet talk a girl, don't you?" She says, going up on tiptoe and nibbling on his ear.

"Willow… do you think we should… I mean in your parent's bedroom…?" Xander is in shock. He can't believe what's happening.  It's a dream, it's a dream, oh god, don't LET me wake up! Please, please, please! PLEASE!!!!

"They're gone for the weekend… I thought we could get a nice start on the weekend…" She moves over, and is about to lock lips with him… when there's a loud banging on the front door.

They blow apart as if hit by  an electrical shock.

"Who in heaven…" Willow looks puzzled.

"Maybe we should find out?"

"I can't go to the door like this," Willow gestures at herself.

"I can check it out," Xander turns to go. God, talk about your crappy timing…

"Xander, wait! What if it's my parents?"

"Wouldn't they have a key, Will?"

"Wouldn't be the first time they forgot it. If you go down there, and answer the door and they see you dressed like that and come up here and find me like this… ohhhh…."

"We could look out the window…" Xander gestures towards the window.

"Good idea." Willow makes for the window,  Xander following her. They both peek out the curtain.

"What's he doing here?" Xander turns to Willow, looking even more puzzled.

"I guess we should find out," Willow looks around for something to cover up with.

Xander looks out the window, and down.  This can't be good…

 

 

9

 

 

Cordelia is miffed. Really miffed.

This dance is not going the way she wants at all, and she doesn't understand why.

First of all, her 'date' has turned out to be less than attentive, breaking off soon after arrival and barely even acknowledging her since. It's been like pulling teeth to get him to dance with her. And, he has the nerve to be looking around while dancing with me. With ME! Then, he scurries off immediately like a rabbit after the song is ended. Does he realize who he's with?

Secondly, when she goes around to chat, trying to make the best of his rudeness, others seem to be in a hurry to get away from her. Rude, much? I mean, c'mon people. I'm talking here. At least have to courtesy to let me finish my thought before you scamper off like rabbits in mating season. You'd think I'd grown a third eye, or had body odor. And the worst is the looks when I approach. As if being seen with me is rather distasteful. What's that about?

The topper is the looks and whispering she hears when others think she doesn't notice. Something is going on around here. Some big secret. I mean, if this is about me being crowned Queen of the Homecoming, well, where's the secret there? Lets get real here, shall we? Who else would be the Queen? Melinda Peters? You've got to be kidding!  Olivia Soames? People, puhlease! Her family is nouveau riche. Voting for her? Beyond tacky! Of course, there's one choice to be queen. So why all the looks and whispers?

Then there is Faith. Cordelia hadn't realized that Faith was going to be here. And, of course, she had to be just too cute, right? I mean, does she wear a dress and look like the rest around here, utterly forgettable? Of course not. She wears a tuxedo, and looks… oh, gosh, she looks stunning. Of course, she walks through the crowds, not even realizing the entire male population, and a good number of the females, cannot seem to take their eyes off her. I'm so jealous, I could spit! What is she doing here, anyway? She's not a student. I suppose she's a chaperone. Sweet. And has she even once looked at me? I don’t think so! Does she think I spent 800 dollars of Daddy's money on this dress for my health? She could at least walk her cute little ass over her once and gaze longingly at me! She doesn't even notice me! Cordelia pauses in her tirade, an uneasy feeling building just below her chest. She looks around, trying to find Faith, and can't see her. Where is she? Where did she go? Did she leave?

Something is wrong. Something is off here. She can sense it.  She couldn't tell you how she knew it, but she did.

Suddenly, all of this seemed like a sham. Hollow, a joke. Some kind of bizarre masquerade that if you peel away the masks, nothing is there. Her heart starts to beat faster in her chest, and she feels afraid. Not for herself, but for Faith. As if something is going to be very wrong, very soon.

Where is she? Where did she go? She asks herself again, this time not in pique, but with a real feeing of unease. She moves around, trying to see around and through people, wanting, needing to see Faith.  She spots Mr. Giles, standing by the refreshment table, and starts towards him. He'll know where she went. 

She makes it halfway through the crowd when she spots Faith entering through one of the side entrances. She looks a little put out. But toCordelia, it's the most wonderful sight she's seen all night. She's ok. She's ok. The tightness in her chest eases, and her breathing is easier. She turns, intending to make her way towards Faith when she's interrupted.

"Hi, Everyone!"

Harmony Kendall is onstage, and taking the microphone, addresses the crowd.

"HI HARMONY!" The crowd roars back.

"Welcome to Sunnydale High's Homecoming dance. Is everyone having a good time?"

The are cheers, whistles and clapping.

"Excellent!" Harmony claps to the crowd. "As chair of the Dance Committee this year, I want to thank all the members who worked so hard to make the Homecoming dance a success. Let's hear it for them!"

More cheers and applause.

"As chair, I have the honor of announcing this year's King and Queen of the Homecoming.  The ballots have been counted, and …" She holds up two envelopes, waving them above her head, "I have the results right here! Your votes count, so YAY YOU!" She brings her hands down, and awkwardly applauds the audience once again.

They respond, maybe a shade more enthusiastically this time.

"Anyway, the time has come to announce the winners."

There is a drum roll from the band.

Cordelia prepares herself. She needs to have the ' who, me?' look down perfectly when the winner is announced.

"The 1999 Homecoming queen is…" Harmony makes an elaborate gesture of opening the envelope, and even more elaborate effort to look surprised,"… Cordelia Chase!"

There is applause as the spotlight scans over the crowd for Cordelia.

Before it finds her, she has a moment of doubt. She feels an emptiness inside, as if this is all a sham. Somehow, the sweetness of victory has a bitter aftertaste, though she doesn't have a clue as to why.

However, she's all smiles and excitement when the spot comes on her, and after doing a perfect ' Who, me?' expression, makes her way to the stage with a mixture of excitement and dignity.

Cordelia crosses the stage, and stands just a little to the right of Harmony. Harmony comes up behind her, and slips on the Tiara, perhaps a little roughly.

Cordelia never loses her smile, but still manages to whisper to Harmony.

"Hey, watch it, Harm. That hurt!"

"Oh, sorry, Cor. Just a little nervous, I guess."

"It's ok, just be more careful!"

Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, Harmony is standing behind her, and she can't see Harmony's expression.

"I want to thank you all for voting me…" Cordelia looks at the mike, and taps it.  "I want to thank you all…" She looks at the mike, then turns to Harmony.

"Is this thing working?"

Harmony walks out to the microphone. She taps it, and blows into it.

"Seems so…" She smiles, and turns forward. "And now, for our king…"

Cordelia narrows her eyes.

Harmony opens the other envelope, well aware of what name is in there. Still, she makes the pretense of being surprised.

"Well, it seems we have an unexpected write in entry for King. A really dark horse. Now, isn't that interesting?"

Cordelia gets her first sense that something's off here.

"The 1999 Sunnydale High King of Homecoming is…" Harmony draws it out as long as she can, savoring what's to come, "… Faith Lehane!"

Cordelia feels a chunk of ice in her stomach.

There are murmurs running through the crowd, along with some polite applause and more than a few catcalls.

Faith, crossing over to Giles at the refreshment table, stands stunned. What the hell? What's going on?  She looks towards Giles, but he just shrugs, indicating he's clueless.

The spot travels around the crowd, and Faith starts to avoid it, having a feeling this is some kind of set up.

"Faith? Faith Lehane? Are you out there? Come on now, don't be shy!" Harmony says cheerily.

"What the heck is this about, Harmony?" Cordelia stage whispers to Harmony.

"I guess it's the will of the people, Cor," Harmony pretends ignorance.

Faith, still trying to duck the spotlight, looking for a way to the exit, fumes. Did Cordelia do this? Is this some kind of joke? Doesn't she get I can't have the spotlight on me? Damn, this is a nightmare!

But the Fates, or the PtB, or whoever really love their little jokes. Before she can duck out, the spotlight finds her.

She stands frozen, like a deer caught in the headlights.

"There you are!" Harmony calls out, all smiles and sweetness. "You're a hard one to find. Don't be shy. Get up here and claim your reward!"

Faith stands there, jaw tight. Someone's going to pay for this. I swear, someone's going to be sooo sorry they pulled this stunt.

"C'mon, guys. Cheer her on, get her to come up here," Harmony calls out to the crowd.

It starts slowly, but soon the audience is clapping and cheering. Faith takes on last look at Giles, pleading for some help. But there's no help there, so she starts towards the stage.

The grim expression on her face, and her stride as she makes her way through the crowd tell that she is not pleased about this.

Even from the stage, Cordelia can tell that Faith is just this side of furious about this, and cringes just a little. She's going to think I did this. She's going to think this was my idea. She… oh, crap, she's going to hate me!

Cordelia turns, and watching Harmony's expression, suddenly has an epiphany. She knows Harmony is somehow behind this. And somehow, she suspects, there's more to come. She feels her stomach turn to lead.

Harmony makes her way towards the back of the stage.  Cordelia turns around to address her.

"Harmony…"

"Not now, Cor. Busy, busy" She smiles. She ducks behind the curtain briefly.

"Is it ready?" She asks Walter, who's working the equipment.

"Yeah, it's ready."

"Good, don't mess this up. If you do…"

"It won't be messed up. Get back out there before they suspect something."

"Don't tell me what to do! I'm going to be in charge around here, and you want to treat me nice!"

Harmony ducks back onstage, and  she walks forward just as Faith is climbing the side stairs.

"Harmony, what's going on?" Cordelia hisses at her.

Harmony just smiles, and moves forward to greet Faith.

"There you are," Harmony is all false cheer. "Don't you just look so… studly…  in your tux and all" She places the king's crown on Faith's head, much to her chagrin.

Faith looks over at Cordelia, staring daggers at her. Cordelia shakes her head, as if to say "No, no, this isn't me. I don't know what's going on!"

"Are they just the cutest couple?" She asks the audience.

The Audience, a little confused, plays along and cheers.

"And you know what else? It's not just for tonight. No sir, these two crazy kids are … well, let's see some pictures of a more intimate moment, shall we?"

The lights aimed at the stage go down, and the scrim behind the stage lights up. There, blown up larger than life, is a picture of Faith and Cordelia kissing in the library.

A picture provided courtesy of Harmony.

 That is followed by a few more, and while they aren't going to win any awards, it's clear that it's Cordelia and Faith kissing with some passion.

 There are some catcalls and hooting from the audience. Mostly, though, there is silence.

 But, just like all couples, our king and queen have their problems."

 The PA system comes on, and the following is heard:

  Faith, look really, I …"

  Cor? Forget it. It was nothing personal. It's still the same deal. So, why pretend anything's changed?"

 "What're you talking about? Nothing's changed? I don't get you!"

 "God, even after what happened tonight, you're clueless. You don't know what you want, Cor. God, I'm so sick of it. One day you're running hot, next day you could freeze water by touching it. It's making me … crazy. Just choose one, Cor. You hate me, fine. You love me, fine. But quit this back and forth shit."

" What the … you think this is easy for me? This is some kind of game? God, you have NO idea what it's like to be me, you … you waltz into town, thinking your god's gift. You have no idea that some of us gotta work, work hard at what we are. This just doesn't fall drop off the tree, ready to eat. Damn. I have responsibilities, an image. I can't just do what I want. Don't you even get that? And hey, I don't exactly seeing you committing to anything. You can't EVEN say the L word to me. What's that about!?!"

" God, I knew this was useless. Why do I waste my breath? You're so hung up on three stupid words .Oh god, you idiot. I wouldn't hurt you. Stupid. Listen, anyone can say that. Anyone can say " I love you". Point is, do they mean it? I don't want to lie to you, Cor. I just don't know. We haven't been together enough to know. Don't you get that?(a sigh is heard) This is pointless. Listen. Decide what you want, Ok? I mean, Cor, what you really want. And then get back to me. Cuz, I'm done here."

The sound cuts out, and light come up. "Aw, seems our king and queen have their little problems. Aw."

There is silence from the audience. You could hear a pin drop.

Cordelia looks mortified. Faith just stands there, arms crossed.

Harmony drops the act, and grabs the microphone.

"Well, well, well. How about that? Our own Cordelia Chase turns out to be some kind of big old lesbo. I can't remember how many timesCordelia Chase made fun of others for being less than perfect. So, what you got to say, Cordelia? Hmmm?"

Cordelia steps up to the microphone closest to her, and starts to speak. Nothing. Not a sound is heard. She taps the mike, and stares at Harmony.

"Gee, nothing Cordelia? Gosh, who would've thought it, huh? Cordelia speechless?"

There are laughs in the audience. Cordelia just stands there, burning.

"So, on top of being what? The biggest bitch in school, you're a hypocrite, too. A big old dyke lesbo hypocrite. Have anything to say to that,Cor?"

Cordelia stands there, her eyes narrowing.

"Of course not! Figures, doesn't it? Sooo vocal about other people's faults, but not a word about to say when it's turned on you. Well, know what I think, Cordelia Chase? You're a phony. A big fat loser and phony." She marches over, and tears the tiara off Cordelia's head. "You don't deserve this. You disgust me."

"Hey, give me that back!" Cordelia, fuming, grabs the tiara back from Harmony. "it's still mine!"

She jams it back on her head.

There are some jeers and catcalls from the audience. Cordelia just stands there, taking it. She doesn't wilt.

Faith stands watching Cordelia. She feels bad for her, because she knows how image conscious Cordelia is. This must be killing her. And look at her, she's not backing off, she's not crawling away. She's got a lotta guts I wouldn't have given her…

 Cordelia sees Harmony still gripping the microphone, and with one swift move, snatches it away from her.

She looks around at the audience, and as her gaze passes over, the jeering and catcalling die away. Finally, there is just silence. She turns back to Harmony. She's smiling, but it's not a pleasant smile.

"Nice job, Harm. I gotta say, when you stab somebody in the back, you really do it up right," She looks back at the projected pictures. "And you know what? Just 3 months ago, this would've really done it.  I would've been devastated, and ran out of here crying, or yelling. Or scheming about a way to get you back." She looks at the pictures again. "Thing is though? I know something. Doesn't matter what you think of me Harmony." She turns to the audience." Or any of you, actually. Know why? Anybody?" She looks around at the silent crowd. "Guess not. Well, here's why Harm," she turns back to the blonde. "Thing is, when I wake up tomorrow, I'm still going to be me. And you are still going to be you. Difference is, I'm an original, Harm. One of a kind. You, on the other hand? Well… you’re a sheep. And why should I care what YOU think of me? All you can do is follow the herd, Harmony. You don't have the brains or the talent to be anything but a follower."

"Oh yeah?" Harmony grabs at the mike. Cordelia shoves it in her face. "What about this? I really got you, Cordelia. Admit it."

"You think this is original? This is almost straight out of Carrie. Sure, the details are a little different, you didn't dump pigs blood on me, but it's the same basic idea. You want to embarrass and humiliate me, so you make sure I'm elected queen. You bring me onstage, and then embarrass me, expecting me to run off all upset. Well, guess what? Look like I'm going to run off to lick my wounds?" She again smiles at Harmony, "see, there's the difference, Harm. I'm an original, and you're just a copy. And you'll never be anything else. Don't care what you do, you just haven't got it. You'll always bow to whatever way the wind blows."

"And yeah," She turns back to the audience. "I'm in love with another girl. So what? I don't go by the crowd, I go by me. I love her…" She points at Faith, "… and I'm not ashamed of it. And if you don't get that, well, I really feel sorry for you. There's more to life than high school, people."

She walks over to Harmony, who looks flustered. This isn't going at all like she expected.

"Harmony? One more thing."

"What?" Harmony almost whines, seeing her golden moment quickly turning to brass.

"Well, I'm pretty sure that somehow, they'll figure a way to kick me off the Cheerleading squad. I mean, who wants a … how'd you put it? … big old Lesbo leading the squad. But know what? I'm still captain. And as of now, you're off the squad."

"What?" Harmony's eyes go wide. "You can't do that!"

"I just did Harm. Now, you're going to have to try out for the team, if you want to get reinstated. Good luck with that, buffalo butt."

Harmony turns a bright red.

"You can't do this to me! I'll get you for this, Cordelia! I'll so get you for this!"

"And do what?" Cordelia starts to laugh at her. "You already 'got me' you dumb ass. What do you think you can do now? God, you're even more stupid than I thought! You'd really have to be, if you thought you were going to step into my place. Idiot."

She turns her back on Harmony, and starts over towards Faith. She realizes she's still got the tiara she grabbed back from Harmony. Taking it off, she looks at it with a strange smile.

"It's funny. I used to think this meant something," She stares at the crown. Looking up, she shouts out to the crowd. "Anyone want to be Queen?"

There's some murmuring in the crowd, and then a timid arm raises up. Cordelia smiles, and throws the crown toward the raised hand.

"Good luck with that," She calls out.

Turning, she walks over to Faith.

Faith is standing there, very still. She's a little shocked by Cordelia's performance. A little shocked, and a whole lot proud.

Cordelia slips her arm through Faith's, and Faith can't help but feel her trembling.

"Scared?" She whispers, lacing her fingers with Cordelia's.

"Oh yeah," Cordelia says, voice trembling almost as much as her hand. "What the hell did I just do?"

"Make me love you even more," Faith says softly.

Cordelia whips her head around. "What did you say?"

"I love you, Cordelia Chase," Faith says softly.

Cordelia stares at her for a moment, the hits her.

"HEY!" Faith steps back, rubbing her arm where Cordelia hit her. "What was that for?"

"Faith Lehane! You tell me that Now? Now, when everything is going wonky, and I'm an emotional wreck? Are you nuts? What's wrong with you?"

Faith looks at her like she's lost her mind.

"Gee, never mind. I take it back."

"You better NOT!" Cordelia says, grabbing her.

"Why not?"

"Cuz…" Cordelia reels her in, and kisses her.

There are some catcalls, and a loud " WOOOOOO" from the audience when this happens. The someone claps, and another , and another, and soon the audience is cheering them on.

"I think you're secret's out," Faith teases Cordelia as the kiss ends.

"Yeah. So, shut up and kiss me, stupid," Cordelia pulls her into another kiss.

Harmony is furious. She can't believe what's happening. She marches over, and grabs the mike.

"Helloooo!  What's WRONG with you people?" She scolds the audience over the PA system. "Don't you see what's happening here? Your head Cheerleader is some kind of Lesbo Dyke! Are you all insane, or what? Can't you see what's going on right in front of your noses…?"

And just then, the lights in the gym go out.

 

===

 

 

To be continued