Change of Season

Disclaimer: Joss owns all.

Pairing: Joyce/Faith

A/N: Incest, violence

1

"Aw, crap!"

Buffy sits up, once again woken by the noise going on next door in
her mom's bedroom. Don't those two ever give it a rest? she thought,
as she swings her legs over the edge of the bed. You'd think it was
the end of the world, and they were going to do it as many times as
they could before it's all over. She shakes her head to clear it,
then sits there with her head in her hands, staring off into space. I
think I liked it better when we didn't know about them. At least then
they hid it, and you could get some sleep…

Despite her grumbling, she has to smile. She can't remember a time
when her mom was just so happy. A little cloud comes to her sunshine,
however, when she realizes even when things were good between her dad
and mom, mom was never this happy. I don't remember her being this
happy, anyway. Maybe she was, maybe I was just too young to notice it…

A thought occurs to her. A little, nagging thought that's been
occurring to her more and more for the last week or so. Something she
doesn't want to think about. About what's happened… what she's done.
She pushes it away, but feels a little chill nonetheless.

Her tummy grumbles, and she looks down at it with a smirk on her
face. "Well, well, look who else is awake," She says softly, "… and
hungry. Geeze, don't you ever get filled up, piglet?" She rubs her
tummy, and smiles lovingly, as her stomach gurgles some more. "Ok,
ok, we're going!" She giggles softly, heading for her bedroom door.

She looks out carefully, ready to duck back in quickly. Whatever
happens, she doesn't want any closer encounters of the naked kind,
especially if it involved her mom… Ok, that would scar me for life!…
but the hallway is clear. But just as she's going out, she sees
Dawn's door open, and her head pop out, doing the same thing she's
doing.

"Aw, geeze… Buffy…" Dawn makes a face, looking at her sister in the
hallway.

"What?"

"Do you gotta? I mean, haven't you heard of a robe?" Dawn indicates
Buffy's au natural state. "I mean, seeing my sister naked first thing
in the morning? Not good on any level."

"Aw, crap," Buffy, blushing, ducks back into her room. She emerges a
minute later, her body wrapped in an old, well worn terry robe. And,
just in time to hear another loud moan come from her mom's room.

The sisters look at each other with that impatient, half amused and
slightly disgusted combination look so perfected by teenagers. Dawn
holds up 2 fingers, and Buffy shakes her head, holding up 3. Dawn
rolls her eyes and lets out a breath in disgust. Buffy smirks, and
nods towards the staircase, indicating Dawn should follow. Without
waiting for a reply, she turns and heads down the hallway.

* * *

Buffy is already seated at the dining room table, chowing down on
some cereal when Dawn enters. Dawn takes a look, and makes a
disgusted noise.

"Geeze, pig out much, Buffy?" She says, heading towards the kitchen.

"I'm hungry, ok?" Buffy says, mouth full. "took you long enough to
get here…"

"Well, excuse me," She says while walking into the kitchen towards
the cabinet; She grabs a glass and heads for the refrigerator. "I had
to pee." She pulls out a carton of orange juice pouring some in a
glass.

"Uh huh," Buffy grunts, taking another mouthful. "Was that before or
after you eavesdropped on them?"

"I wasn't eavesdropping!" Dawn puts away the juice. "I mean, who
needs to? Gawd, do they ever let up?"

Dawn sits down at the head of the table just in time to catch Buffy
mumbling something to herself

"Sorry, didn't hear that," Dawn says, taking a drink.

"I said, jealous much?" Buffy smirks over her cereal bowl.

Dawn almost spits out her juice, and the look on her face is
priceless.

"That is so stupid! Never mind, you've been using that forever now.
What's wrong, Buffy? Your Brain goes to sleep and you can't think of
anything else to try to tease me with? You'd think hanging around
with Will, you'd get smarter. Well, that didn't happen," Dawn lets
out an impatient breath. "If you don't remember, for like the
millionth- gazillionth time, I've got a boyfriend. I know that's a
hard one for you, Buffy, remembering what a boyfriend is, since you
haven't had one since like forever, but really, this whole me
crushing on Faith is getting way old. I like Faith, but I'm not in
like with Faith, you know? Get it through your head, ok?"

"Why're you making such a big deal then?" Buffy asks, grinning at her.

"God you're terminally stupid…"

"Speaking of the terminally stupid…" Buffy eyes her sister, "maybe
you should keep up on the latest…"

"What're you babbling about now? Like I care…" Dawn, however can't
resist a bit of gossip, good or bad.

"Just…" Buffy waves her spoon, "I've got a boyfriend, is all…"

"Yeah, sure, " Dawn says, then takes a look at Buffy's slightly
blushing and beaming face. "Oh, my god, you're serious! But, who'd
be… OH! OZ!" Dawn jumps up, and rushes over to her sister, hugging
her tightly. "That's so COOL!"

"Geeze, squirt, don't get all sloppy on me…" Buffy pushes her away,
but the big grin on her face belies the grumpiness. "It's no big."

"It's a big, big!" Dawn says as she moves back to her chair. Taking a
swallow of juice, she continues. "So, when did this happen, huh? I
mean, you two have been dancing around it for weeks…" Dawn leans in
eagerly. "C'mon, I want the dirt…"

Buffy suddenly withdraws a little. Her expression changes.

"Look, Dawn? No real dirt on it, ok? It's… new, and I'm really not
ready to talk about it…"

"Since when? You've never been like secretive about a relationship
before, Buffy. What's the 411 here?"

"Not secretive," Buffy evades. "Look, we met for coffee. We talked
some and … well, it just kinda happened, ok? There's really nothing
to be secretive about, Dawn. We haven't even dated yet…"

"Well, we can fix that. Xander and I are going to the Bronze tonight.
I mean, ok we always go to the Bronze, but you know, you guys can
come with… "

"Dawn…"

"It'll be fun, and then you guys are like officially official…"

"Dawn, Oz is out of town on a gig. He won't be back til Monday… we're
going out next weekend. Alone." Just what I need. Doubling with my
little sis? Oh yeah, that'd be… awful comes to mind…

"Oh," Dawn looks a little disappointed. "Well, why don't you come,
anyway? I mean, we're just going to hang out…"

"No! I mean, no, because well, I'm having someone over tonight…"

"WHAT?" Dawn looks a little stunned. "You haven't even dated, and
you're cheating on him already?" Dawn's intrigued. "Who with?"

"Wanna collect your mind from the gutter? I'm having Willow over…
we're having a girl's night in…"

"Hey! How come I wasn't invited?"

"Excuse me?"

"I'm a girl!"

"Yeah, and you're my sister, and annoying, and you're surgically
attached to Xander at the hip…wither thou goest, he's there, and
anyway, we're both dateless and decided to spend some quality time
together making fun of old movies and gorging on popcorn and ice
cream. With friends, not annoying siblings!" Buffy gives her a
look. "You don't see Will bringing her sister, do you?"

"I'm not annoying," Dawn says, tightly, "and Will doesn't have a
sister!"

"If she did, she wouldn't be coming along. The point is, squirt, I
see you every day. Why would I want to hang out with you?"

"Mutual! I was going to say, why don't you and Willow come with us
tonight, but you know what? I don't want to hang with you, either!"

Buffy just rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

"You're a total pig, you know that, Buffy?" Dawn's mouth is a tight
line. "And you better stop chowing down everything in sight, cuz
you're starting to get a belly…"

"Well, family harmony is on again, I see."

Both girls freeze, and look up to see Faith standing in the doorway.
Actually, she's leaning on the doorjamb, wearing jeans, boots, t-
shirt with the logo "Kiss the girl and make her sigh", and a man's
striped short sleeve shirt, hanging loose and unbuttoned. She grins
at the sisters.

"So, do you guys ever get along?" She asks, turning from Buffy to
Dawn.

Buffy shrugs, but Dawn blushes slightly. She glares at Buffy for a
moment, smiles crookedly at Faith, then pulling her robe tightly
around herself, quickly exits upstairs. Faith watches her go, and
turns back to Buffy, a slightly puzzled look on her face.

"What's with her? I was just teasing…"

"It's Dawn. Who can figure her out? I sure can't," Buffy looks to
spoon some more cereal, sees it's gone soggy and makes a face. "Guess
I'm done here…"

"Yeah, I guess so," Faith refers to Dawn. "What were you two fighting
about this time?"

"I wasn't fighting," Buffy shrugs, carrying her bowl into the
kitchen.

Faith follows her in, looking at her.

"Really? Cuz, you shoulda told Dawn. She seemed pretty upset."

"Yeah, well, she's all bent because I didn't invite her to a Girls
night I'm having her tonight…"

"Oh? You clear it with your mom?"

"Well, duh! Yeah, I did. She's cool with it," Buffy rinses out the
bowl, then puts it to soak. "She's probably happy I'm not out running
around and stuff…"

"Yeah, probably best, considering…"

Buffy freezes, her back stiffening. She doesn't turn to look at Faith.

"I'm going to tell her, ok?" She says, sotto voce. There's an edge to
her voice.

"Hey, I didn't say anything."

"Yeah, well, the implications are just rolling off you though,
right? 'Probably for the best, considering'." She turns to face
Faith. "Not like it could happen again anyway, right?"

"I just meant, for your health. And the baby's."

"Yeah, well, your concern? Touching." Buffy pushes past her, back
into the dining room.

Faith stands there for a moment. 10… 9… 8… 7…

She turns, and enters the dining room, sitting down at the table.

"Look, Buff. I'm sorry, ok? I wasn't trying to upset you. I'm just
worry about you, ok?"

"Yeah, well…" Buffy looks up, and sees Faith's genuinely concerned. "…
I'm sorry too…" she sighs, and grins lopsidedly. "I am gonna tell
her, I promise…" She reaches out, not able to quite reach Faith's
hand. "I want you to be there, too. Please?"

Man, you're so much a con… Faith thinks, not sure whether to be mad,
amused or actually charmed. She reaches out, touching Buffy's hand.

"The longer you wait, the harder it's gonna be, Buff. That's all I'm
thinking…"

"I know, I know…" Buffy sighs, withdrawing her hand. "Just, it's not
gonna be easy, and I don't wanna ruin the weekend. Ok? And anyway,
don't you guys have that date thing?"

"Buffy, do you really think that's important here?" Faith frowns. "We
don't gotta go to that…" Faith shrugs. "It's just a ballgame."

"No, it's fun. It's you two getting away from here, and for once, mom
not worrying about anything but spending some time with you. Don't
you want to spend time with my mom?"

"Well, that's a pretty dumb question, Buffy. Yeah, I do, but this is
more important…"

"What? I'm going to get UN-pregnant if I don't tell her today?" Buffy
makes a face. "What's another day or two, Faith? I'm going to tell
her, and that's gonna ruin it for everyone soon enough. How about we
just don't do it today?"

Faith knows a wall when she hits it. She backs off, and smiles.

"You sure there isn't some Irish in there?" She teases Buffy, "you've
got a pretty glib tongue, girl. I almost bought that crap myself, and
I know it's crap."

"I know you think I'm scamming you, Faith, " Buffy says softly, "I
know that trying to convince you otherwise is kinda hopeless. I know
I've caused mom a lot of pain, too. I'm not entirely self involved,
whatever you think…"

"Buffy, I didn't say that…"

Buffy puts up a hand. "Let me finish, ok? I have caused her a lot of
pain. And I know when I tell her this, it's just gonna be more pain
and disappointment for her. So, maybe it's selfish, but it'll be
easier if it's sweetened with something nice that happened this
weekend, you know? And I know mom loves being with you, loves you.
And I get why, too. Cuz you love her like I guess no one's loved her
before. And I think that's totally cool… she deserves it. So, I'll
tell you what. You and she go to that game. And have a good time.
And tomorrow night, I'll tell her. I promise." Buffy's face takes on
a resolved expression. "Just be sure she has a good time today, ok?"

Faith looks for the scam. She looks for any sign of deception , but
she can't see any. God, she's either Academy Award material, or she
means it…

"You mean it?" Faith asks her, a little skeptical.

"Cross my heart, and all that junk," Buffy says, grinning
ruefully. "So, how long do you think I'll be grounded?"

"18-21 years, I'm guessing," Faith cracks.

"I'm so not ready to be a mom," Buffy says, reality sinking in. "I'm
so gonna blow this, big time."

She suddenly is up, moving about. She turns to Faith, her voice
cracking.

"I'm gonna be a horrible mom. I don't have the first idea what I'm
gonna do, Faith. I don't know what to do!" She closes her eyes,
trying to catch a breath. "Mom makes it look easy, but I know it's
not easy, and I'm so fucking scared…" tears start to roll down her
cheeks.

"Hey, hey, it's gonna be ok…" Faith is up, and takes Buffy in her
arms. "It's gonna be fine, Buffy. You're gonna do fine… and you got
the best resource in the world to help you." She pulls Buffy close,
stroking her hair. "It's all gonna be fine…"

Dawn sits on the third stair, stunned. She only eavesdropped to see
what Faith would say about her, and now… this… oh my god! Buffy's
pregnant! No wonder she's been acting crazy… well, crazier than
usual… ok, now I wish I had just gone upstairs… I don't want to know
this, I so don't want to know this!!!!

Turning, she rushes upstairs, to the safety of her room so she can
try to figure this out. rushing towards her room, she almost runs
into her mother as she turns the corner, .

"Dawn? Honey? What's the hurry?"

"Mom! Oh god, sorry… I … I just forgot something … I need…"

Joyce's mom radar is suddenly spinning like mad. "Dawn, is everything
all right?"

"Yeah, mom, everything's fine. Everything's… peaches…" Dawn turns to
go.

"Dawn Marie Summers, hold up right there!"

Oh, crap!

"Ok, what's going on?" Joyce goes up to her. "Why're you acting like
your tail's on fire, young lady?"

Oh, crap, oh crap, oh crap oh CRAP!!!

"Nothing's going on mom. I told you, I forgot something in my room,
and I need to get it…"

"Did you have another fight with your sister?" Joyce guesses.

"What?" Dawn seizes on it. "Not a fight, no… not really…"

"Dawn…" Joyce looks at her impatiently. "I don't have time for 20
questions this morning. What happened?"

"Buffy is like a total pig, you know? She's having this girl's night
in with Willow tonight, and does she even invite me? No, she doesn't
and why not? Aren't I a girl? Maybe I'd like to hang out with the
girls once in awhile, and…"

"That's it? You're upset because Buffy didn't invite you to her…
whatever it is?" Joyce cocks her head. "Ok, what aren't you telling
me?"

"Nothing!"

"Dawn, please? I really want today to go well…"

"She called me names, ok? And you know what? I'm tired of her
treating me like some annoying kid! I'm not a kid! I'm nearly her
age, and she should start … well, she should start treating me
better!"

Joyce stands there, looking at Dawn, and wants to burst out laughing.
I swear, she's becoming more like her sister every day. Oh great,
another Buffy! That's just what I need… Joyce! That's terrible… and
so true…

"Dawn, maybe your sister needs some alone time, with you not in it?"

"But mom!"

"No buts, young lady. Anyway, don't you have a date with Xander
tonight?"

"Well, yeah…"

"So, I don't get it. Buffy's having a get together with Willow,
because they don't have dates tonight, and you want to be there, with
them, instead with Xander, because you do?"

"That's so not the point, mom! I want to be asked…"

Joyce shakes her head. Will I make it til she's 18?

"Dawn? Let it go, ok?"

"But mom…"

"Dawn!"

"Ok, ok!" Dawn says, impatiently. "Geeze, you always side with her."

Dawn, in a huff, turns and marches towards her room.

Joyce just wonders at the enigma known as teenaged girl. I wouldn't
be that age again, for anything!

Dawn, reaching her door, realizes that Buffy and Faith are still
downstairs. They might still be talking about… it!

Oooooh, Crap!

Dawn rushes down the hall.

"MOM! MOM!"

Joyce, halfway down the stairs, stops and turns.

"What, Dawn?" She sounds on the edge of irritation.

Yeah, what, Dawn?

"Uhhh… I wanted to know where you were going again, MOM?" Dawn's
voice rises on the last word.

"We're going to be at the Angel's stadium in Anaheim, Remember, I
told you and Buffy… a couple of times…"

"Oh, right. Duh… must've had a Buffy moment…" Dawn grins. "THANKS,
MOM!" Again, her voice rises, and feeling she's done all she could,
she turns and walks away.

Joyce walks her go, then looks up at the ceiling.

"You know, God, I thought you gave me at least one sane daughter!"
She mutters, turning around and walking down the stairs.

She enters the dining room to find Buffy and Faith sitting at the
table, chatting about, of all things, baseball.

Buffy is giggling over some insane theory as to why the Red Sox keep
losing to the Yankees year after year.

"I'm tellin' ya, Buff, it's got absolutely nothing to do with Harry
Frazee selling Babe Ruth to New York. That's just a myth for the
tourists, ya know? Actually, I know the real deal, and I got it
straight from a good source…"

Joyce stands there, knowing Faith is winding up one of her whoppers,
and again just adores and admires the young woman. God, she could
charm the pants off of the pope… Well, if he were wearing pants…

"… ya see, it's got nothing to do with that crazy Curse of the
bambino. That's just total urban legend, you know? What's really
going on is… well, now don't be spreading this around, because it's
supposed to be secret, and damn I don't want to be … aw, never mind,
anyway, it's a curse, all right, but not the curse of the bambino…
nope…it's a voodoo curse…"

Joyce can't help it. It's so ridiculous, she has to laugh.

Faith and Buffy look up, Faith's face lights up. She gets up and
throws an arm around Joyce's waist, pulling her close.

"MMMMMMM" Faith kisses Joyce wetly. "Hello, gorgeous!" She gives
Joyce a pat on the fanny. "Now, I heard that laugh. You're not like
laughing at me, are ya babe?"

"Nooooo…." Joyce says, her voice merry and musical. "Well, I know you
hate the Yankees a lot, but Voodoo? Isn't that a bit much?"

"Babe, even George 'Bottomless Pockets' Steinbrenner has limits, ya
know? And every damned good player cant go play for those pin striped
phonies! Nope, I'm telling you, and you, Buffy," Faith looks at
Buffy, who's biting her bottom lip to keep from guffawing with
laughter, "… old Bags of Gold Steinbrenner has hired some evil
Houngan witchdoctor dude to curse Boston. And it's been handed down
to him from the former owners… c'mon, it's gotta be something like
that. How can those Yankee pricks like win 26 World Series titles in
like 80 years or so, and Boston only play in 4 lousy series, and win
NONE? I mean, I'm tellin ya, they were cursed. But not because they
traded fat boy. Uh-uh. It was some dumb Yankee voodoo curse, and I
got it on good authority!"

"Really, sweetie?" Joyce plays dumb. "Who?"

"I could tell ya, baby," Faith says, in a stage whisper, "but then
I'd have to kill ya."

There's a pause, then both Buffy and Joyce burst out laughing.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh… but you explain it, ok? New York is loser town.
Everybody knows it, well…everybody from Boston, anyway, and how did
they manage that little trick with the World Series? Huh? I'm tellin'
ya, it's magic of the voodoo kind, and it's only when the Bosox
finally got their own voodoo guy to break the spell that we started
winning…"

Joyce hushes Faith's nonsense by kissing her again. Buffy, watching,
grabs her neck and starts making gagging noises.

"Yeah, ok Buff? That was funny the first hundred times, but it's
getting old, you know? Gotta come up with something new," Faith
teases her.

"I would, but I start gagging every time you guys start getting
touchy feely here, and well, I can't think when I can't breathe…" She
stands up, and heads for the doorway. "I think I need a shower now,
anyway…"

"No kidding, Blondie," Faith waves her hand.

Buffy glares at her.

"Buffy?" Joyce steps to her daughter, stopping her.

"What, mom?" Buffy sounds a little impatient. "I was only kidding…"

"I know honey. It's not about that. It's about Dawn. Did you two have
a fight or something this morning?"

"What? No!" Buffy shakes her head. "That little weasel! What's her
deal? She got all bent outta shape when I didn't invite her to my
girl's night in with Willow … like I want to hang out with my little
sister!"

"Still, dear, she feels upset by it… would it have hurt you to ask
her? She probably would've said no…"

"Oh geeze… mom, do you know how…" She catches Joyce's look, and bites
her tongue. " God, what? Don't I see her enough? Why should I ask her
to hang out with me and Will? Does she like ask me along on her dates
with Xander?"

"Buffy, that's different…"

"How? Cuz Willow's a girl, and Xander's a guy? Or, do you think like
maybe Willow and I are gonna be making out all night or something?"

"Buffy, of course not…" Joyce gives her daughter a strange look.
Buffy returns an irritated look. "I'm just saying, your sister has
feelings, and you should consider them…"

"Oh, I see. Cuz I want to hang out with my friend, Willow, and I
don't want Annoying ever after around, I'm being what? A bitch now?"

"Buffy, I didn't say that…"

"You kinda implied it, mom. Here's what I'm saying. It's all good and
all that Dawn thinks I'm treating her unfairly when I want to hang
with friends without her, but when she hangs out with her friends,
does she invite me along? I don't think so…"

Joyce stands there, frustrated. Much as she hates it, Buffy has a
point. She uses the oldest mom fallback in the book.

"Just talk to her, ok?"

"Oh, I'm gonna talk to her…" Buffy starts up the stairs.

"Buffy! Be nice! If you two are just going to bicker, maybe I can't
leave you guys alone for the day…"

Buffy freezes in her tracks. That little… I'm gonna kill her!

"Look, mom, I won't yell at the squirt, or nothing. I'll even be
nice. Just, don't let her ruin your date, ok?"

Joyce stands there, confused. Who IS this girl?

"Buffy, that's not the point…"

"That's exactly the point, mom. You and Faith… you don't get enough…
I dunno… fun time together, you know? You really need this, I'm
thinking. I mean, your relationship can't just be all about doom and
gloom and stuff. Go on, I promise. I'll suss out Dawn. Maybe she's
just transferring her crush of Faith to Willow. Maybe she's got a
thing for gay girls. I dunno…" Buffy shrugs, and proceeds upstairs.

Joyce stares after her daughter's retreating form, then turns to
Faith, who shrugs.

"You know what? I'm starting to believe that voodoo story of yours…"

The two of them walk into the dining room.

* * *

Buffy strides down the hall towards Dawn's room, her irritation
growing with each step. Reaching the door, she knocks once, and
opens it, catching Dawn pulling on her jeans. Dawn glares at her.

"Hey, ever hear of knocking?"

"I knocked."

"Ever hear of waiting to be allowed in?" Dawn shimmies around,
pulling up a pair of obviously tight jeans. "What do you want,
anyway, Buffy?"

"What's your deal, Dawn? Why did you go to mom this morning, trying
to make trouble? What, you jealous cuz she and Faith are going out on
a date? What is your trauma, anyway?"

Dawn stares at her, a mixture of amusement and anger on her face. She
beckons Buffy to come in.

"Close the door. You might not want anyone to hear this."

Buffy, thrown a little, does what she says.

"Ok, brat. What's the cloak and dagger stuff about. What's going on
in that calcified knob you call a head?"

Dawn frowns, clearly annoyed.

"You know what? Forget it. Get out. I really don't want to talk to
you…"

"Well, we're gonna, cuz I want to know what the heck is going on with
you. Why would you even care if me and Willow hang out, and more, why
bring mom into it…"

"Look, Buffy, I'm sorry about that, ok?" Dawn says, lips tight. "I
just couldn't think of anything else, and I had to stop her…"

"What're you talking about?" Buffy shakes her head. "Stop her from
what?"

"Catching you. And Faith…"

"Ok, stop right there!" Buffy comes over to Dawn, clearly
angry. "This jealousy crap? This obsession with Faith crap? You
really got a get a handle on it, Dawn. Now you're imagining I'm…"

"Get real! You know what I mean…"

"Not a clue, squirt."

"Oh, really?" Dawn arches a brow. "How long, Buffy?"

Buffy looks at her like she's lost her mind. "What're you babbling
about now? How long what?"

"How long have you been pregnant?"

2

"Good morning, Father."

Cordelia's tone is cool as she walks into the breakfast nook next to
the kitchen in the Chase household. Carrying a cup of coffee, she's
wearing a rather sheer shorty robe, and a pair of less than modest
panties. She sits down, as far from Avery as she can.

Avery glances up from his paper, his gaze sweeping over his daughter
as she sits. His expression is irritated, edged by amusement.

"You know, Cordelia. If you're that chilly, perhaps you should wear
something a bit more substantial." He looks back at his paper,
ignoring her mood. "I trust you slept well. Once you stopped boffing
your girlfriend, that is…"

Cordelia, despite herself, blushes lightly. She just glares at
Avery's paper.

"How is Harmony, by the way? I found her most… surprising, myself."

"What are you talking about?" Cordelia's tone is still less than
friendly, and she tries to sound bored.

"Didn't she tell you? I'm rather surprised." Avery's mouth is a tight
line, but his eyes are dancing.

Cordelia doesn't answer, her look says it all.

"Very well, then, I'll tell you," Avery says, moving closer around
the nook. "I had a little visit from your friend, Harmony, the other
day. She had the most interesting proposition…"

Cordelia looks bored. "Do you think I don't know you're fucking
around with Harmony? Hello, dad, I brought her to you…"

"Oh, no… this wasn't about that. Though we did have some fun, too.
That girl is a talented little slut, I'll give her that…" Avery
grins. "No, surprisingly, this wasn't the usual self absorbed
teenaged crap I expect from the sluts you bring me, Cordelia. As I
said, she quite surprised me…" Avery smiles at the memory.

"I'm sure there's a point to this, isn't there?" Cordelia yawns. "I
mean, otherwise, I think I'll just go back to bed… not that listening
to your sexcapades with Harmony might not be amusing, except I've
heard them all before…"

"Clever, dear, very clever. But this wasn't about Harmony, as you
well know…"

"I'm sorry, but you lost me a couple of turnoffs ago…" Cordelia
sounds as impatient as she feels.

"Oh, very good, darling girl. Very good!" Avery smiles coldly. "I'd
almost believe myself…"

"Look, if you're going to play games, I think I'll just leave now…"
Cordelia starts to get up. Avery grabs her arm, pulling her back. "Do
you mind?"

"Actually, I do mind," Avery says quietly. "Sit down, Cordelia."

Cordelia feels her stomach clench.

"What do you want now?" Cordelia says through clenched teeth.

"Aren't I allowed to have a chat with my own daughter?" Avery smiles
softly. "I just wanted to tell you what happened between Miss Kendall
and myself. Aren't you the least bit curious?"

"You want the truth?" Cordelia says, her lips tight, "…or a stroke?"

Avery's eyes flash briefly, and for a moment Cordelia thinks she may
have pushed it too far. She can almost feel the steel ruler across
her most intimate places…again.

Then Avery smiles, and he gently strokes Cordelia's arm, sighing.

"Well, humor your old dad, ok?" He smiles warmly, throwing Cordelia
completely. "It's not often enough that I get to praise you for
cleverness."

"I'm still lost here…"

"Shhh… I get it, it's ok." He holds up a hand. "We'll play your game.
Guess what your little girlfriend came to see me about yesterday. Go
ahead, Cordelia… guess…"

"Maybe she was tired of pussy, and wanted a little dick. I really
don't have a clue here, dad…" She makes a slightly disgusted
face. "And frankly, I'm getting kind of bored."

"Really? How odd," Avery leans back, staring at his near naked
daughter. "I thought anything concerning Miss Rosenberg fascinated
you…"

"What?" Cordelia's voice is soft, and her stomach is churning. "What
about her?"

Avery nods his head.

"So good, so convincing." He smiles. "Ok, well, it seems your Miss
Kendall has a real beef with Miss Rosenberg. Jealousy, I suppose."

"Tell me something I don't know?"

"We're getting there, dear. Well, she came to me yesterday with a
proposition."

"Boring, again…" Cordelia feigns indifference, but inside her heart
is beating fast. What the fuck is he playing at here?

"It seems Miss Kendall is well aware of my… interest… in Miss
Rosenberg, and is willing to deliver her up…"

"What?" Cordelia stares at him. "What're you saying?" All pretense of
indifference is gone.

"I'm saying, Miss Kendall said she could get Willow … Miss Rosenberg
… for me… if I allow her to watch her being… well, I think the term
is broken in?"

Cordelia feels her insides grow icy. She stares at Avery, not saying
a word.

"I admit, I was somewhat surprised. I mean, I know Miss Kendall hates
Miss Rosenberg's guts. But I thought you kept her on a pretty short
leash. Why all of a sudden, would she break that leash?"

Cordelia remains silent, her eyes narrowed.

"I thought, at first, that jealousy had won out. She knows your…
obsession with this girl, and she hated it. Hated it so much, that
she'd risk your ire. Just to watch Willow… how did she put it? Oh
yes… destroyed. How charming…" Avery nods. "She did very well. I
actually believed for the longest time it was her idea. We even had a
celebratory… game… over it. Yes, she was very good…in more than one
way…"

"I told you before, you leave Willow alone…" Cordelia's voice is
hard. "I don't care what you do to me, just let her alone!"

"Bravo!" Avery claps, mockingly. "So convincing, dear, so very…real."
He leans forward. "As I said, I bought it, hook, line and …well… I
did then. And for most of last night…"

"But something bothered me. Something she said. About you thanking
her, after all was said and done. And you know what, dear? It just
didn't fit. I know my daughter pretty well…" He leans closer. "She
doesn't like being defied, any more than I do. I think it's a genetic
thing. My father was the same way…" He smiles tightly, remembering
his father. "And I know while Miss Kendall is pretty… well, stupid is
too mild a word, she's clever enough to know not to screw up a good
thing. So, why would she suddenly come to me with something she'd
know would displease you? It made me think…"

Avery neatly folds up his paper, all the while his eyes fixed on his
daughter.

"And it came to me this morning, after I woke. Of course. Perfect. My
daughter came through for me, after all. Oh, she couldn't just 'give'
Miss Rosenberg to me… that would be …dangerous. After all, her little
tryst was known at school. If Willow were so foolish as to… well,
tell the wrong person about our little… fun… there might be
repercussions. Particularly to you…" Avery smiles. "But you've
managed to get what I want, and make it look like you had absolutely
nothing to do with it. Perfect, my dear. Utterly brilliant. No
average person could piece it together…certainly not Miss Rosenberg,
whom I'm sure you have plans for after I've finished with her… She'll
probably fall at your feet, kissing you for 'trying to protect her'.
Oh, very good, very good indeed."

Cordelia glares at him, furious.

"Oh, still with the game. Still don't trust me? I see… very well,
we'll play it your way…" Avery's smile fades, and his eyes harden. "I
told you before, young lady. I always get exactly what I want. I want
Miss Rosenberg, and I'll have her… with or without your assistance,"
his face softens, just a hair. "Don't worry, darling girl. I won't
spill your secret… not even to Miss Rosenberg!" He stands up,
grabbing the paper. "Well, I must be off. Some of us actually have to
work around here. Do enjoy your day."

He leaves Cordelia sitting there, stewing

And stew she does, sitting there staring out into space. The anger,
the hurt and rage build up in her

Harmony! What the hell have you done?!!! Cordelia rises to her feet,
and starts walking back to her room.

Her fury builds as she goes. Harm, I've put up with your petty crap
for too goddam long. You've crossed a line, girl. You're so gonna pay
for it!

Reaching her room, she opens the door, striding quickly to her bed.

Harmony is laying there, turned on her side, sleeping. Her long
blonde hair is splayed over the pillow, like a star's corona.

Cordelia, despite herself, feels her rage seep away. She tries to
stoke it back up, bring back the fire, but she can't. Looking at
Harmony lying there, so trusting, so sure Cordelia would never really
hurt her; even after what happened at school, touches Cordelia deeply.

Why Harm? Why did you do it?

But she knows why. Even more than the jealousy, Harmony is protective
of her. She did it to get Avery off her back, give her some kind of
peace. I can fix this. No one needs to get hurt… Cordelia looks down
at the sleeping girl

She realizes something else. Deep down, on some level, she needs
Harmony, as much as Harmony needs her. She needs someone who trusts
her without question, without remorse. Someone she can hold onto when
it gets too bad.

Like now.

As quietly as possible, Cordelia shucks her robe, and slips into bed
next to Harmony. She slips her arms around the girl, and buries her
face in her shoulder.

"Cor?" Harmony, eyes heavy, mumbles .

"Hey, yeah… who'd you think it would be?" Cordelia smiles. "Go back
to sleep, baby."

" k" Harmony shifts around, and finally turns on her side.

Cordelia adjusts, spooning into her back. Her head rests on Harmony's
shoulder.

Just as so much her life does.

3

"So, Buffy. You going to answer me, or just stand there with your
mouth open, looking stupid?"

Dawn, sitting on her bed, stares at her sister, trying to see if she
can see any changes in Buffy. She cocks her head left, then right,
but really, Buffy just looks like… Buffy to her.

"Look, squirt, I don't know who's been telling you this crap, but…"
Buffy plays a bluff.

"You did, about… 10 minutes ago…" Dawn smiles. "I heard you and Faith
talking."

Buffy loses the bluff. And any pretense at cool.

"You… little weasel!" Buffy, flushing red, strides over to Dawn,
getting in her face. She pushes her. "You were eavesdropping? Don't
you even know anything about privacy?"

"Don't you know how to keep your legs closed, Buffy?" Dawn sneers at
her. "Oh, look, daddy's perfect little girl winds up knocked up. So,
what're you gonna tell dad, huh? How about Mom? She's gonna love
this. After all the crap you pulled? And Oz? Think he's not gonna
dump you after he learns what a slut you are?"

SLAP!

Buffy slaps Dawn across the face, hard.

Dawn grins, holding her cheek.

"Well, what else could I expect from you, huh, Buffy?" Pushing Buffy,
she gets up and walks over to the mirror, checking out her cheek. "I
guess that's how you deal with everything, isn't it, Buff? You don't
like the truth, so you punch it." She rubs her cheek.

"Look, Dawn, I'm sorry…" Buffy comes over, trying to smooth it out.

"You're not the least bit sorry, Buffy," Dawn whirls on her, face
flushed angrily. "You love this! You love all the drama! You love
making everyone miserable! You can't stand people being happy for
five minutes. You just keep stirring up trouble, making yourself the
center of attention, because, well…' Poor me, daddy left and I'm so
sad so I'm gonna get all bitchy and moody and make all sorts of
trouble for everyone!'… well, it's really getting old, Buffy. No one
likes you. Ever figure out why?"

Buffy stands there, ashen faced. She doesn't say a word.

"No, I guess not. That would take being honest with yourself, and
heaven forefend you should do that! Well, here's the scoop. It's
because, you don't give a crap about anybody whose name isn't Buffy!
All you've ever cared about is you. Being popular, being a
cheerleader, being the Queen of High School. That was all you were
about. Being on top, that's what you cared about."

"You're wrong," Buffy protests weakly.

"Am I? C'mon, Buffy, look, really look at yourself!" Dawn grabs her,
forcing Buffy to look in the mirror. "Look at you, Buffy! Think of
everything you've done for as long as I can remember. It's always
been 'me, me, me' with you! You don't like Cordelia much, do you?"

"No," Buffy replies, quietly.

"Ever figure that's because you're exactly like her?"

"T-That's not true," Buffy says. She looks away, not able to look at
Dawn in the eyes.

"Really? Gee, let's review here. Cordelia feels threatened, she does
a search and destroy mission. Or didn't you figure out that's why she
was being chummy with you? You must've known she felt threatened by
you."

Buffy nods, not speaking.

"Now, let's look at you. Back when you were in power, just like
Cordelia. Remember Dina Morehouse? Remember what you did to her?"
Dawn shoves her towards the mirror. "She was no real threat to you,
she just wanted to be a cheerleader. But you…" She shoves Buffy
towards the mirror. "What did you do, Buffy? Do you remember?"

"Let me alone. Let go of me!" Buffy struggles, but not too much.

"She came to you, Buffy, cuz she thought she was your friend. She
wasn't a threat to what you were. You were captain of the squad. She
just wanted to be on it. And what did you do?"

Buffy is beginning to hate the girl staring back at her from the
mirror. She looks away, ashamed.

"Yeah, you know what you did, don't you. You made her life miserable
at Hemery. You had that bitch, Janet Stevens, spread rumors about
her. Just because she happened to be gay. She was no threat, but she
creeped you out, and you didn't want her around." She gives Buffy a
stern look. "Sound familiar? Sound like someone we know?"

"Cordelia," Buffy's voice is so low, it's hard to hear.

"Yeah, Cordelia. So, Buffy, how are you any different from her?"

"I… I … guess I'm not …" Buffy stammers.

"Sometimes it's hard to see it, Buffy. Because of all the crap you've
pulled lately. That whole thing with the Fraternity, getting Faith
fired and kicked out of school. Even then, still sucking up to
Cordelia, because you wanted to be back, have your power back. Not
even seeing what you were doing to the people around you, the people
who care about you. You just went on and on, doing what you do best.
Thinking about yourself, first, last and always."

Buffy stares at herself in the mirror, frowning. God, you are a
totally selfish bitch, aren't you Buffy? Couldn't you see what you
were doing? What's wrong with you?

"On the other hand, Buff… you did take a lot of crap, once you
finally got a clue and figured out that Cordelia was evil. Willow
told me about how you stood up for her, when everyone was attacking
her. Man, I would've loved being there to see you spit in Cordelia's
face."

Buffy can't help smiling at the memory. She loved the expression on
Cordelia's face when her spittle was dripping off it.

"You took a lot of crap for that. And you took it without whining.
Sometimes, Buff, you can be incredibly tough. And much as I hate to
admit it, I admire that about you. When you're for someone, you
really put your heart in it."

"That doesn't change the fact I was a totally selfish bitch though,
does it?"

"No, really doesn't. And you're at it again. How could you be so
stupid as to get pregnant? You know better, there's lots of stuff to
prevent it, I mean, if you can't control your own hormones… I guess I
get that… still, you didn't have to …" Dawn shakes her head,
disgusted. "You're right back at square one. It's all about you…"

"You really hate me, don't you?" Buffy says, to the mirror and to
Dawn. "I guess I kinda deserve it…"

"No, Buffy. Again, you're not getting it." Dawn shakes her head. "You
being pregnant isn't just about you. It's about me, and mom, and
Faith and a lot of other people. People who, for some strange reason,
care about you." Dawn comes over, and puts her arms around her
sister. "I don't hate you, stupid. I love you. I don't have a choice,
you're my sister." She leans her head on Buffy's shoulder. "But you
can't be just Buffy now. You gotta be more, because you got a new
life growing in you. Someone who's gonna depend on you for
everything. You can't be selfish Buffy anymore, and hey…" She hugs
Buffy," wouldn't hurt if you didn't practice that on those around you
who love you. Maybe, like trusting them with things…like this?"

Buffy's head slumps to the side, and her face scrunches up. She
starts to cry, sobbing and shaking in Dawn's arms.

Dawn hugs her tighter, stroking her face and wiping her tears.

"C'mon, sis. Don't get all weepy on me. I like tough Buffy too." She
rocks her gently in her arms. "I love you sis, even if you make me
insane sometimes."

Buffy turns towards Dawn, her eyes puffy and nose running. Dawn
laughs, and releasing Buffy, gets a tissue off her dresser. She comes
back and cleans her up. "You really look like crap when you get all
weepy…"

"I love you, Dawnie. You know that, right?" Buffy sniffles, taking
the tissue and blowing her nose.

"Ok, ok, that's enough. Getting mushy on me, munchkin? Not your
style…"

There's a knock at the door. Dawn looks at Buffy, who nods and then
walks over to the bed, facing away from the door. Dawn walks over and
opens it.

"Hey," Faith walks into the room, "your mom got busy last night and
forgot to pick up the tickets she ordered. I was just gonna go pick
them up, and wondered if you wanted to…" She notices Buffy sitting on
the bed, facing the window. "Something going on here?"

"No, nothing, "Dawn answers quickly. "We were just talking."

Faith can feel the tension in the air. She nods, and walks over to
Buffy.

"Really? What about?" She puts her hand on Buffy's shoulder. "You ok?"

"Yeah, I'm great, Faith," Buffy says quietly, clearing her
throat. "We were just gossiping…"

"Cool beans," Faith drops down on the bed beside Buffy, and turns to
Dawn. "What's the dirt?"

Dawn stands there, nervously. The fact that Faith is staring at her
with her large, chocolate eyes isn't helping her nervousness. She
can't really think of anything to say.

"Uhhh… Well… ummm…"

Buffy lets out a sigh, and turns around. " Forget it, Dawn. We're not
fooling anybody…" She turns to Faith, who sees her red face and puffy
eyes. "She knows, Faith. She heard us talking downstairs."

Faith's lips make a little "O", and she looks at Dawn, who nods.
Taking another quick glance at Buffy, she walks over and closes
Dawn's door.

"No, she doesn't," Faith says, back to the door, facing the
others. "She doesn't know anything."

"What? I just told you, she was snooping and…"

"I so wasn't snooping!" Dawn protests.

"There's no time for that," Faith cuts it off. "The point is, as of
right now, Dawn still doesn't know you're pregnant, understand?"

Both girls look at her quizzically.

"Buffy, your little secret is becoming the most public secret …ever.
Everyone is starting to be in on the know… everyone except maybe the
one person who should know? Capice?"

Buffy colors a little bit. "I don't know what you mean. I mean, I
only told you and Willow…"

"Willow knows?" Dawn looks amazed. "Since when?"

Faith gives Buffy an 'I-told-you-so' look. "See what I mean?"

"Do you think that was smart, Buffy? I mean, I love Will and all… but
she might have told Xander…" Dawn's face suddenly reddens. "Wait.
Xander knew and he didn't tell me?"

"She didn't tell Xander!" Buffy throws up her hands, " What makes you
think that?"

"Well, duh, Buffy. They're like this…" Dawn crosses her fingers,"…
she tells him everything…when they're not on the outs…"

"Well, she swore she wouldn't tell anyone else, and I believe her!"

"Stop! That's not the point… well, not exactly. The point is, Buffy,
your mom deserves some respect here. How do you think she's gonna
feel if she thinks she's the last one to know?" Faith walks over and
sits down next to her, patting her leg. "Look, not trying to be harsh
here, babe. I'm just saying, your mom's done a lot for you over the
years, and you gotta come outta Buffyworld there for a moment, and
consider how she might feel if she thinks you don't trust her enough
to come to her with something like this… she's your mom, Buff. You
gotta respect that."

"Yeah, how do you think I feel?" Dawn says, crossing her arms over
her chest. "You told Willow about it, but not even me! I'm your
sister, Buffy…"

Faith throws her a look, and Dawn subsides .

"Well, I am!" Dawn huffs, then throws up her hands. "Ok, ok. I don't
know. Geeze…." Making a disgusted noise, she walks over and plops
down on the chair by her desk.

"Do you see what I'm getting at her, Buff? I just think your mom
deserves some respect, is all…"

"I got it," Buffy says, a little petulantly, "no one knows. It's a
big fat secret." Buffy pushes off the bed, and walks towards the door.

"Where you going, Buffy?"

"To my room, if that's ok? I think I've had more than enough family
time for the moment."

"Buffy, c'mon. There's no need to get pissy about it. I'm right, you
know," Faith stands up, and walks over to her. "You can see my point
here, can't you?"

Buffy rolls her eyes. "Not stupid Faith. Well, maybe I am. Right now?
Wish I hadn't told anyone, you know?"

With that, she walks out the door.

While Faith stands there, staring at the doorway and experiencing
another round of the 'Will I ever figure that girl out' game, Dawn
seems to verbalize her thoughts.

"What's her problem, anyway? God, what a total brat!"

"What were you two talking about when I came up, anyway?"

"Uhhh… nothing, really…" Dawn withers a little under Faith's gaze.

"Didn't sound like nothing… and Buffy was crying and all…"

"Sister stuff, ok?" Dawn says defensively, not wanting to explain
exactly why Buffy was crying, or how she got there.

"Uhhh…" Faith grunts, knowing a stone wall when she's hit it. Lotta
crap, but don't think she's gonna fess up in this lifetime… "So, I
guessing you're saying, butt out, that it?"

"Kinda, yeah," Dawn doesn't want Faith angry at her, "Just… you
wouldn't be interested, you know?"

"Sure…" Faith nods, heading for the door. "Just remember she's your
sister, ok? She deserves some respect…

"Hey, how about her respecting me? "

"If ya let me finish, I was gonna say, like you…"

"Oh…" Dawn blushes, "… sorry"

"Yeah, well, no big…" Faith turns, and opens the door. "Guess I
better go get those tickets."

Dawn, despite her own resolve, can't seem to keep her eyes from
wandering down, admiring the way Faith's ass fills out her jeans. She
gets a slightly warm feeling in her tummy. Dawn, Stop staring.

"Coming?"

"WHAT?" Dawn blushes furiously.

Faith looks over her shoulder, grinning. "That's why I came up here,
remember? Wanted to know if you wanted to go with me to pick up the
tickets?"

"Oh…right, the tickets…" Dawn recovers enough to act casual. "I dunno…
I have plans with Xander…"

"Oh. Cool. Ok, then, seeya later…" Faith starts out through the door.

"WAIT!"

Faith stops, and turns around, to see Dawn, holding her robe together
with one hand, rushing to catch up.

"What? Thought you had plans with tall, dark and high school…"

"I do, and his name is Xander, ok? But…" Dawn shrugs, trying to
regain her cool factor. "… well, I'm supposed to meet him downtown,
and since you gotta go downtown anyway to get the tickets, figured I
could ride along…" Faith stares at dawn.

"Yeah, sure, whatever…" Faith grins. "Just, planning on going on your
date like that?" She gives Dawn a sweeping glance.

"Huh?" Dawn looks down, realizing she's still in her robe,jeans and
no top. " Uhhh… can I have five minutes? Uh, ten minutes?"

"Yeah, sure, just not too long, ok? We gotta get on the road to L.A.
before the traffic gets too bad." Faith turns and walks away.

Dawn quickly loses the robe, rushes to her closet and mulls over what
to wear.

You're so transparent. Ride to town to meet Xander. God, you really
think she bought that?

Still… got the ride, didn't I?

Dawn picks another pair of jeans, matching top and starts to dress.
She grins a little as she wiggles into her jeans.

Maybe things aren't so bad today, after all…

Things, from her perspective, are getting a lot better than when it
started.

4

Willow lets out an impatient sigh.

She wonders if she's ever going to find a way to get out of the
living room, and sneak out of this little party her parents threw for
his confirmation as Chazzan of the Temple.

She'd figured that once his buddies showed up, she'd find a way to
excuse herself and make with the scarce. But for some reason, Ira
Rosenberg seemed to suss out her desire to leave, and made it a
personal mission to see that his daughter was in attendance until the
bitter end. It was almost as if he wanted to show off for her.

That's a laugh. Show off for me? I don't think so! More, he's
torturing me.

Willow almost jumps when she feels her cell phone vibrate in her
pocket. Looking up, seeing no one watching her, she turns around, and
flips open the lid.

Instead of a call, there's a text message:

Have to see you. Need to talk. It's important! C.

Willow rolls her eyes. Crap, she's been doing this all day. Can't she
get a clue?

Willow quickly texts back a reply:

Can't. Family thing. Sorry.

She pockets the phone, and starts to turn back when it vibrates
again. Geeze, what's with her?

Please! It's important! Meet me! C.

Forget it. Cordelia. I know what you want. You want to dump on me for
standing up to you in school. Not gonna happen.

No!

Ok, can she even… shit! The phone goes off again.

Don't be so stubborn! Meet me! C.

Always the sweet talker, huh, Cor?

What part of No didn't you get?

There, that should…

Please! Please! Please, please, PLEASE!!!

Willow shuts off the phone. God, you're so stubborn! Get a clue, and
a life that doesn't include…

"Are you done?"

Willow looks up to see her father standing over her, frowning at her.

"I'm sorry, I …" She blushes a little..

"Come with me," Ira says, turning and walking out of the room, into
the kitchen.

Willow follows, noticing the stares of the others. She feels a little
more than foolish.

"What's so important, Willow Danielle Rosenberg, that you can't even
put that stupid toy away even at a time like this? Do you think I get
made Chazzan at Temple every day?" He turns on her as she enters.

"No, sir," Willow says, chastised. Damn that Cordelia Chase! Even
when she's not trying, she makes my life miserable. "I'm sorry, dad,
really. I didn't mean to …"

"You didn't mean to. That's the story of your life, Willow, " Ira
sighs, "You do these crazy things, and then you expect everyone to
just overlook it, because well… you think you're special." He shakes
his head. "I try to include you in something important to me, because
well… I wanted you to be part. I tried to reach out here, make you
part of things, and what do you do?"

"It wasn't me, dad! I didn't start it. The girl just won't let me
alone!"

"Swell. My daughter, the Don Juan of the lesbian set. Couldn't you
tell this little… friend … of yours that you were busy?"

"I did!" Willow protests. "I can't help she doesn't listen."

"Of course not," Ira frowns. "You couldn't even think to shut off
your phone, could you?"

"Dad…"

"Don't, ok?" He puts up his hands to stop her. "I guess you couldn't
even give up one lousy day of your life to spend some time in mine.
Ok, fine. That's just fine." He shrugs, resignedly. "Just go, ok?
You've been champing at the bit to be out of here, so just go…"

"Dad, please. I'm sorry about the phone thing, but I want to stay…"

"Don't lie to me, Willow!" Ira, upset, brings his hand down on the
counter. "You couldn't make it clearer that you'd rather be anywhere
else but here. So, I'm letting you off the hook. Sorry I wasted your
time. Now go!" He turns, and starts towards the door. "Why did I even
try?" He mutters.

"Try? You call this trying?"

"Excuse me? You're still here? Why is that?" Ira turns back, grim
faced.

"You call this trying? For what? Two years now, you've ignored me,
practically, right? You won't barely speak to me, or look at me, or
acknowledge I exist! Now, all of a sudden, you decide to include me,
and I'm supposed to what? Do cartwheels? Care? Why should I care, if
you don't? Tell me that, Dad!"

"What you're doing is a SIN!" Ira explodes, losing his grip on
calm. "Do you even realize that? You fornicate with women! That's
spitting in the eye of God, and his plan for creation. Do you even
UNDERSTAND that, young lady? Do you even understand it's the worst
sin, because you deny God's purpose every time you…." He bites on his
fist, to stop his words, the thought too vile to him to think. "How
am I supposed to act when you spit on everything I believe? You tell
me you're a faigelah, you act like a Meshugeneh, and I'm supposed to
what? K'velen? Is that what you expect from me, kinderlech? What do
you expect? What do you want from me?"

"Nothing, dad," Willow says quietly, seeing him with new
eyes. "Nothing at all."

They stand, staring at each other. A few feet apart; separated by a
chasm a thousand miles wide.

"You should go now, be with your friends," Ira gestures towards the
back door. "And I should get back to my guests."

"Yeah…" Willow walks towards the back door, and stops, turning
around. "Mazel Tov, dad, on being chosen Chazzan."

"Thank you, " Ira says, staring at her.

Both don't move for a moment. They know something fundamental is
broken here. Neither knows how to fix it.

"Bye, dad," Willow slips out the door, not looking back.

"Be safe, kinderlech," He says and turns, returning to the party.

* * *

Buffy rushes around the living room, picking this up, fluffing up
that pillow on the sofa, generally doing her best to make everything
just perfect for the little 'girls' night in' she has planned with
Willow.

She wants everything to be just so tonight. Everything has to be
perfect tonight. Somewhere she realizes that it might be her last
night to be a kid… really a kid. It's something she doesn't want to
waste.

She looks at the clock, and notices it's past four. Where is she?
Why hasn't she called? Did she forget?

Buffy shakes her head at the idea, and turns, rushing off to see how
the cookies she's been baking are coming.

I hope she likes chocolate-chocolate chip cookies, Buffy thinks,
peeking into the oven. Ok, who am I kidding? Who doesn't? She drools
a little as the smell of baking chocolate cookies fills the air.
Testing them, judging them perfect, she pulls the two cookie sheets
out and sets them on the counter to cool.

Then she's off, in another direction, hoping by keeping busy she'll
avoid the thoughts that have been plaguing her all day.

Finally she just runs out of things to do, and stops, in the middle
of the living room, staring out the window.

And the thoughts she's been avoiding come rushing up to the front of
her mind.

Who do I think I'm kidding here, anyway? This isn't normal… none of
this is normal, anymore. I'm not normal girl, and Dawn's right. This
isn't just about me. This affects everyone… Dawn, Faith… Mom… Oz…

Damn. Oz. That's so over… Buffy laughs dryly. Like, there was ever a
chance, really. Oh yeah, he's gonna love that his potential
girlfriend turns out to be a big old pregnant slut. What guy wouldn't
want that, huh? Oh yeah, soon as he learns I'm baking something in
the EZ Bake oven here, it's bye, bye Daniel. Can you say dumped like
yesterday's trash? That's what I am, isn't it?

And can you just see mom's face when I tell her I'm knocked up? Oh,
the pride, the joy that'll be there… Buffy hangs her head, hair
covering her face. Shit, can't I ever stop disappointing her? God, I
don't even think I can take that look again. Like, it hurt to just
look at me… shit, shit SHIT I know she'll try to hide it. She'll be
all supportive, and try not to let me see how she's really feeling.
But does she think I'm that blind? When she looks at me, and sees
total slut who can't keep her legs together, doesn't she figure I'll
see it there, in her eyes? In the glances she gives me? The way she…
just knows I'll somehow screw up raising the kid. Forget college,
that won't be happening. Good old Buffy, get a job at the Double Meat
palace, cuz that's about all I'll know how to do… yup, just more for
mom to be proud of.

Know what, Junior? Buffy looks down at her belly, and sighs. I'm
thinking, you're mom's pretty much a dunce. Totally. You're gonna be
smarter though, aren't you? I mean, if you're a girl. You're not
gonna like let anyone knock you up, are you? Not even if you love
him. Love him so much, you'll do anything to keep him from leaving…
and then fall in love with him? Buffy laughs bitterly. Right, like I
even know what love is, right? Cuz, I'm the expert here, right?

How you think Dad's going to take it, knowing he's going to be a
daddy again? I dunno… I just don't. I know he's not gonna love me
anymore. I mean, once I blow up like a balloon, think he's not gonna
go out looking for a slimmer, sleeker model? Oh yeah, lay book on
it. Buffy gets a chill in her heart, thinking about it. Realizing
that she'll be very jealous if Hank starts playing around on her.
How could he do that? What kind of man is he, anyway? I'm carrying
his baby, his child. How could he…

Get a grip, ok? Not like it's real. It's all your stupid fantasies,
Buffy. The only thing real here, is you, isn't it, Junior? She
smiles. And I know, whatever dad feels about me, he's got to love
you. Has to, he's your daddy. It's some kind of law or something, you
know? And I know he'll love you. Cuz you're going to be beautiful.
And when you come out, ready to conquer the world, he's going to take
one look at you, and he's so going to fall in love with you…

Maybe if he loves you enough, he'll take us both. Maybe he'll see
that we can be a family… I know he wants a family. Well, why not you
and me, baby? We're the perfect family for him, don't you think? I
can cook and clean house and well, you can just be you… and that's
more than enough…

Buffy sits there for a moment, immersed in a pleasant little domestic
fantasy.

Like an old Donna Reed show, she's busily humming away, pushing the
vacuum and waving a feather duster.

Unlike Donna Reed, however, she's not dressed in pearls, high heels
and a one piece dress. For some reason, she's dressed in a
cheerleading uniform, bobby socks and keds. her hair is tied back in
a pony tail..

Why am I dressed like cheerleader, she wonders as she continues to
push the vacuum and dust away.

"Hi, Honey, I'm home!"

"Daddy!" Buffy bounces up and down, almost like doing a cheer, she
then straightens her skirt and rushes off to greet Hank at the door.

Somehow, a martini with olive magically appears in her hand.

"Hi, sweetie. Wow, you look like the perfect cheerleader. Is that
a new dress?"

Hank is dressed Business suit, tie, carrying a briefcase with an
overcoat folded over his arm. His head is covered with a hat, and
clenched in his teeth is a pipe.

"This old thing?" Buffy blushes, turning around to show off her
skirt. "I just threw it on…"

In one swift and well practiced motion, she relieves him of his hat,
coat and briefcase and hands him the drink. Hanging up the hat and
coat, she bends over to set down the suitcase.

"Have a hard day, dear?" She asks, as her skirt rides up over her
firm athlectic derriere. Despite the virginal cheerleader look, she
seems to be wearing an itty bitty thong underneath. So much the image
of wife/slut expected of her.

Hank's eyes seem locked onto her revealed charms.

"Hmmm? No, usual stuff. Jim said blah, blah, blah, while Bob, that
old kidder, blah, blah, blah…"

"That's nice, dear, " Buffy says, standing up and going over to him.
She leans in, and wrapping her arms around him, gives him a three
alarm kiss. She presses firmly against him, feeling his growing
interest.

"Daddy! Bud is being a butthead!" A younger clone of Buffy bounces
down the stairs to greet her father.

"That's so not true. Mary is just being a total slut!" Another clone,
this time of Hank in his much younger years, follows her down.

Strangely, both are dressed ala modern day. Bud is wearing a black t-
shirt with AC/DC on it, and torn jeans and engineer boots. Mary is
dressed perfectly trampy… short, above the thigh tight skirt, cut off
t-shirt revealing her perfectly flat(I so hate her) belly with a cute
little ring, and a black nylons and ankle boots showing off her
shapely legs.

Buffy immediately notices Hank's attention to their daughter, and a
wave of jealousy fills her up.

"Now, kids, your father just got home! Go and set the table for
dinner!" Buffy orders, still pressed against Hank. She smiles when
she feels his hands kneading her firm buttocks through her skirt.

"Ok, Mom!" They sing out in chorus, disappearing into the dining room…

WHOA!

Buffy shakes off the fantasy, a frown on her face. What the heck was
that? Father knows best meets Grease? She shivers a little, still
wrapped in the cobwebs of the fading fantasy.

She looks at the clock again, and notices it's past 4:30. Where is
she? Getting up, she heads for the phone to call Willow when the
phone starts to ring.

Ok, weird!

"Hello?" She answers, still feeling a little off.

"Hey, Buffy!" Willow's voice greets her cheerily.

Ok, weirder!!!

"Hey, yourself! I was just about to call you. Where are you?"

"Geeze, Buffy. I just escaped from the parentals. I didn't know we
had a set time, like a date…" Willow grins evilly, lowering her
voice. "Is this a date?"

"Huh? NO! I mean, you know, I just got worried cuz you said you'd try
to get out early and…" She's interrupted by Willow laughing. "What's
so funny?"

"You are, you goof," Willow chuckles, "You should enter the Olympics
in back pedaling. I'm sure the gold would be yours!" She can't help
needling her, just a little.

"Iffen I didn't know you were yanking my chain, I might be offended!"
Buffy joins the game, "So, where are you anyway? And, is she cute?"

"Buffy Summers! I made a commitment to you, and I'm going to be
there!" Willow pretends to be hurt. "What, are you like… jealous?"

"Only if she's not cuter than me!" Buffy grins, enjoying the teasing,
and dishing out of her own. "I mean, otherwise, I'd really be upset!"

"Now, don't get all bent, Buff. I mean, who could be cuter than you,
you nut job!" Willow shakes her head. "Look, I just called to see
what you wanted on your pizza…"

"You're getting pizza?" Buffy's stomach rumbles in hunger. "I think I
love you!"

"You tease!"

"I so am not! Bring me pizza, and I'm yours. " Buffy giggles.

"You're so easy!"

"You so wish," Buffy teases her. "Ok, I want olives, and mushrooms,
and bell peppers, and jalapeno's and pepperoni and sausage and…"

"How bout I order the works?" Willow laughs. "That might be easier!"

"Yeah, ok, but no dead little fish!"

"Aw, c'mon, who doesn't like anchovies?"

"Well, me, for one. You can have all the dead fish you want on your
half, but I don't want any of those slimy things on my part!"

"Ok, ok, got it. No anchovies. Anything else?"

"Yeah, hurry up! I'm starving here!" Buffy complains.

"Wow, what a little piglet. Is it ok if I let them cook it first, or
do you just want it raw?"

"I'm so not even going to dignify that crack with a response…
however, I made chocolate- chocolate chip cookies, and if you don't
get here soon, I might just have to eat them myself…seeing how I'm
starving and all…"

"Don't you dare!" Willow chuckles, imagining Buffy pigging out on the
cookies. "I'll light a fire under Fat Tony's butt myself…"

"You're at Fat Tony's?"

"Where else you gonna get decent pizza around here? Roundtable?"

"EEEWWWW!" Both girls say in unison.

"Just hurry, ok? Cuz, I'm really looking forward to our girls' night."

"Yeah, me too…"

Buffy detects an off note in Willow's voice.

"You ok?" She asks, solicitously.

"Yeah, I'm great…." Willow lies. "Don't worry, I won't forget the
pizza, piglet."

"Better not. See you soon…" Buffy hesitates a moment. Willow still
sounds a little odd. "You sure you're ok?"

"I'm fine, Buffy. I said that already… are you trying to get out of
our date?"

"It's not a date!" Buffy sputters.

"Oh? Two girls, having dinner and watching a movie alone together…
you remembered the movies right?"

"Well, duh, yeah!"

"… as I was saying, watching a movie together, and one of them
staying over the night? Dunno, sounds like a date to me…" Willow's
tongue is firmly planted in cheek.

"I think someone has a perverted point of view here, and it's not me,
gutter mind!"

"Well, we'll see…"

"WILLOW!"

"Burn!"

"I'm so gonna get you…" Buffy threatens.

"You wish. Bye, Buff." Willow hangs up.

"Grrr! That girl makes me crazy sometimes!" Buffy stands there,
fuming a little. "Ok, I need a cookie. Maybe…two cookies…"

Once in the kitchen, she snags two cooling cookies off the cookie
sheet, and without ceremony, almost vaporizes one in two bites.
Brushing herself off, she frowns.

"Well, maybe I should dress up a little. Don't want to look like
frump of the year, do I?" She sniffs under her arm, and wrinkles her
nose. "And a shower wouldn't hurt. I mean, don't want to kill her
off right away…"

Munching on the other cookie, she heads upstairs to freshen up.

TBC