The Three of Us

Buffy felt a weight on her chest. She struggled to see what it was, but her eyes weren’t open. Her brain finally figured out which neuron to fire, and one eye slowly cracked apart. She could see a tangle of auburn hair spread out before her, ‘It’s only Faith,’ she thought to herself. Her eye slowly started to close, when it registered, ‘Shit, its Faith!’ Both eyes popped open and she remembered where she was. She glanced at the clock to see that she’d only slept a few minutes late, ‘That’s okay. I just have to get out of here without waking her up.’ That was when she realized Faith was completely wrapped around her. She sighed, and slowly started to extricate herself from the dark slayer.

“Where ya goin’?” was mumbled in her direction when she was halfway out.

Buffy looked at the still closed eyes, “I have to go study with Giles.”

“Mmph,” was the response. Buffy started to move again. “Didja want me to go with?”

She stopped, “No it’s okay. I’ll call you later and let you know what he says.”

“K,” Faith mumbled. She let go of Buffy and rolled away, her breathing slowed and she drifted off to sleep again.

Buffy stood and looked around the room. She finally located her clothing, strewn about the basement, and pulled them on. She paused, to look at Faith for a moment. She padded over to the bed, bent down and gently brushed her lips over those of the sleeping slayer. “See you, Faith,” she whispered.

“Call me,” was mumbled back.

Buffy smiled and started upstairs, ‘I don’t know how she does that.’

Faith was pouring herself a cup of coffee, when her phone started to blare. Joyce jumped at the sound. Faith put the phone to her ear, “Hey B, how ya doin’?”

“Okay,” the blond answered. “You up yet?”

Yeah, havin’ coffee with yer mom. She’s starin’ at me, so she wants to know how it went with G-man as well.” There was a sigh on the far end of the phone. “What, B?”

“Umm...”

“You did tell him, right?”

“Yeah, I did,” came over the phone. “He seemed to get kinda nervous, then he calmed down a bit,” Buffy paused for a moment. “He didn’t really react like I thought he would. He hemmed and hawed for a moment, and then told me to start studying. When he came back later, he told me that he would start looking into it tonight with Willow and I.”

Faith had an incredulous look on her face. Joyce’s brow furrowed as she watched the dark slayer start to pace in the kitchen. “That’s it?” Faith said into the phone. Joyce’s frown deepened, “Yer losin’ yer powers and he says it can wait?”

“Umm, yeah,” Buffy answered. “Pretty much.” She sighed, “I’ve got to go meet Willow, and tell her what’s going on. I’m done at two; did you want to meet me at the Espresso Pump?”

“Hmm,” Faith paused. “Yeah, I can swing it. I’ll just tell ‘em I gotta bail. I’m ahead on this study thing, so I can take some time. I’ll see ya then, k?”

“Okay,” Buffy answered. “I’ll be there. Bye”

“Bye,” Faith snapped the phone shut and furrowed her brow.

Joyce watched her for a moment, “Faith?”

“What?” her head snapped up. “Oh, sorry, Mrs. S. It’s weird, this thing with B. G-man don’t seem bothered by it, I woulda thought he’d be all in a flap over her losin’ her powers.”

Joyce looked at her, “What do you mean?”

Faith slumped into the chair next to Joyce, “He just said that he’d look into it tonight with Red and B. It didn’t seem to bother him at all. She said he seemed to get a little nervous, then said not to worry.” Silence hung in the air between them. “It don’t seem right.”

“What do you mean, “Not to worry.”?” Joyce was surprised.

“That’s what I thought,” Faith mumbled. She looked at Joyce for a moment. Her gaze shifted to a faraway spot as several thoughts ran through her brain. “I dunno,” she spoke out loud. Her focus returned to Mrs. Summers, “Last night, on patrol, there was two guys come outta Wakefield just before I went in. They were both wearin’ a lotta tweed and Old Spice, like G-man. B, said they could be Council guys, and that G might not even know they’re in town.” She paused again. “Or he does know, and ain’t tellin’ us.”

Joyce blinked, “You think that Giles or the council has something to do with Buffy losing her powers?”

Faith looked away from her, “I don’t know. It just seems like too much of a coincidence. Them bein’ in town and everythin’ else goin’ on.”

Joyce huffed, “Well I’m going to call Rupert this morning and find out what the hell is going on. If he does know something, why the hell hasn’t he told us anything?”

Faith’s head jerked as Joyce had started to speak. “Rupert?” she asked. “Since when did you start callin’ him Rupert?”

Joyce blushed slightly, “The, umm, last time we talked, he, uh, asked me to.”

A large smirk broke out on Faith’s face, “Yer sweet on him aren’t ya?”

Joyce turned a little redder, “We are two adults Faith, we do talk about Buffy, you, and Slaying, so there is a relationship there. He asked me to call him Rupert, and he now calls me Joyce.”

“Right,” Faith’s smirk was still there. “I’m sure that’s all there is to it.”

“Faith,” Joyce said sternly, “What did you mean you’re ahead in your studies? I thought you passed your GED.”

“I did,” Faith turned away from Mrs. Summers. “They got me doin’ an advanced course in Math and Sciences, so I can write the Entrance exam.” Joyce furrowed her brow. Faith looked back at her for a moment, “They got me studyin’ stuff that ain’t covered in the GED Courses. I think most of it is first and second year college courses.”

“Oh,” Joyce blinked. “And you’re ahead?”

Faith nodded, “Only a coupla weeks though. So I can take an hour and go see B.”

“Of course,” Joyce mumbled to herself.

Faith stood and picked up her backpack, “Me ‘n B, will be home for dinner, then I’ll take her to G’s while I patrol. That okay?”

“Hmm?” Joyce snapped out of her reverie. “Oh, yes, sure, that’ll be fine.”

“K,” Faith turned to the door. “We’ll see you later.”

“Mhmm,” Joyce was lost in thought again.

Buffy watched as her girlfriend made her way through the tables. ‘I could watch her move like that all day,’ she thought. She smiled as the eyes of the other patrons followed the leather clad slayer as well. Faith’s face lit up as she neared the booth, where Buffy was sitting. She slid in opposite, her leather pants creaking along the vinyl as she sat.

“Hey,” she pulled her sunglasses down and winked at the blond. “How ya doin’?”

“I’m okay,” she shrugged. “I ordered you a bold Sumatra.”

Faith’s smile slowly dimmed, “Thanks, what’s buggin’ ya?”

“Everything,” Buffy sighed, “nothing, I don’t know.”

Faith didn’t answer right away, the waiter had shown up. He looked quickly at Faith, before turning a brilliant smile on Buffy. “Will there be anything else?”

“No, thanks,” Buffy answered without really looking.

“Okay,” he was still smiling at her. He leaned forward slightly, “If you need anything else, anything at all, my name’s Greg, and I’m here for you.” He stood there, still smiling at Buffy.

She looked up after a moment, “Yeah, we’ll uh, call if we need anything.”

“Sure thing,” he turned and walked away.

Faith’s eyes darkened and her fists clenched. Buffy looked at her quizzically, “What’s your problem?”

“He was makin’ a pass at you, and you wonder what my 'problem' is?”

Buffy broke out laughing; she smiled at the scowling Faith. “You’re so cute when you’re jealous.”

“I’m not jealous,” Faith steamed. “I’m just makin’ a point.”

“Right,” Buffy winked at Faith. “The point is you’re jealous. Otherwise you wouldn’t have pointed it out.”

“Whatever,” Faith sighed. She picked up her coffee and took a sip. Putting it back down in front of her, she tilted her head and looked at Buffy. “How you holdin’ up?”

“I’m worried,” she clasped her hands in front of her. “I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t get my powers back. Willow freaked when I told her. I had to talk her out of cutting class to start researching right away.”

Faith nodded, “That’s what I thought G-man would do.”

“Yeah,” Buffy’s voice quieted. “I was disappointed when he pushed me off this morning.”

“Did he call you today?”

“What? Since this morning?” Faith nodded in reply. “No, should he have?”

“Hmm,” Faith answered. She paused for a few moments, “I’d a thought he would have. Yer Mom was gonna call him and give him a piece of her mind. She was pissed when I told her.”

Buffy smiled, “Maybe his ears haven’t stopped ringing yet.”

“Or maybe he’s afraid to put his books down, in case she’s spyin’ on him.” Faith smiled back.

“That’s probably closer to the truth.” Buffy looked down at the table for a moment. She slowly raised her head and looked at the dark slayer, “Thanks Faith.”

Faith blinked, “For what?”

Buffy smiled at her, “For making me laugh, and helping me through this.”

“Pfft,” Faith blew out. “I ain’t really good at relationships, but the one thing I learned from you, is you don’t cut and run when someone needs ya.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t say thanks.”

Faith blushed, and shrugged, “C’mon, finish your mocha. We gotta go home before we go to G-man’s. I’ll patrol from there, while you guys research.” The girls continued to chat and had another coffee, before deciding it was time to go. Buffy and Faith were getting their change at the till when Buffy called the waiter over.

“Greg,” she motioned at him with her finger.

He came around the counter to stand next to her. He had a large smile on his face, “How can I help you?”

“Do you think you have a shot with me?” Buffy asked sweetly. Faith started to get furious.

He was grinning now, “I’d like to think I’d be perfect for you.”

“Well,” Buffy smiled right back. “Not until you look this hot,” she tossed her thumb back toward Faith. She quickly turned and grabbed the lapels of Faith’s jacket, and pulled her into a searing kiss. There was whistling and catcalls from some of the other patrons. She broke away from Faith after a few moments, their breathing ragged. She turned to the wide eyed waiter, “And can kiss like that.” Faith just held on to Buffy, and smirked at him. “C’mon,” Buffy smiled at Faith, “Let’s go.”

“Hey,” Faith said after they had walked a couple of blocks. “We didn’t leave a tip.”

Buffy smiled and hooked her arm through the dark slayers, leaning into her. “I think he got a tip he’ll never forget.”

After dinner, Buffy and Faith were cleaning up in the kitchen. “B,” Faith whispered, “Do you think it’s weird that your mom couldn’t get a hold of G today?”

Buffy quickly looked around, “Kind of, he’s been in and out of the Library at school all week. Half the time we show up he’s gone. So yes, and no.”

After a few seconds, Faith answered. “Okay, I’m gonna try and figure that out later.” Buffy smacked her in the shoulder. Faith smirked, “The up side of you losin’ your powers is I get bruised a lot less often.” She shrieked as Buffy splashed her, then ran around the other side of the island. Faith tried a feint to her right, and then grabbed for the blonde.

“Like that’s going to work,” Buffy said as she dodged out of the way.

“Don’t worry,” Faith was grinning maniacally at the blond. “I’ll get ya.”

“Right,” Buffy scoffed.

“That’s enough,” Joyce had come into the kitchen. “You’re supposed to be cleaning the place, not trashing it.” She looked around at the mess. “Fortunately it’s still salvageable.”

She looked at the two contrite slayers, “Okay, here’s the deal, I’ll take over in here. You two walk Dawn over to Janice’s on your way to Rupert’s. Deal?”

“Sure mom,” Buffy moved over to where Joyce was standing. She wrapped her arms around the older woman and hugged her. “Thanks, we’ll call you if we come up with anything.” She released her and turned toward the living room, “Dawn, get your stuff and let’s go!”

Faith stood next to Joyce, “Thanks Mrs. S.” Joyce cleared her throat as Faith turned to go.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” She held her arms out to the dark slayer.

“Oh, right.” Faith stepped into the warm embrace of Buffy’s mom.

“See,” Joyce smiled as she let go of the girl. “No harm done.”

A large smirk grew on Faith’s face, “Yeah, but there’s this itch...” She back pedalled out of Joyce’s reach.

“Faith!” Joyce mock scowled, “It’s not that bad!”

“I know,” the dark slayer smiled warmly at her. “Just keepin’ ya on yer toes.”

“That is one thing you do well Faith.” Joyce paused, “Be careful out there Faith. We all want you to be here with us.”

Faith nodded, “I am Mrs. S, this is where I want to be.”

Dawn was walking between the two slayers as they approached Janice’s house. It was a warm, quiet evening, but the three of them had been mostly lost in their own thoughts. An evil smirk started to grow on Dawn’s face; she quickly looked at her sister, then at Faith. The dark slayer had noticed the movement and raised an eyebrow in question. Dawn’s smirk just got bigger. A few seconds later, she hauled back her fist and punched Buffy in the shoulder, and then took off at a sprint. Faith just stared after her.

“Dawn!” Buffy yelled. “What the hell is that all about?”

Dawn had stopped about fifteen yards away, “This is probably the only time in my life I can out run you. So I better make the most of it.” She stuck her tongue out at the blond.

Faith started to laugh, until she noticed the slightly pissed look on her girlfriends face. “What?” she smiled. “The kid’s got a point.”

The glower on Buffy’s face darkened. “Thanks for your help,” she spit out. That just caused Faith to chuckle again. Buffy quickly turned and sprinted after her sister. Dawn shrieked when she saw the blond charging after her, and she took off towards Janice’s. Faith shook her head and then ran after the two of them. She passed Buffy and started to close on Dawn. The young brunette looked back to see Faith gaining, she shrieked again and tried to go faster. The slayer grabbed her and lifted her off the ground when she caught her. Dawn’s legs were kicking uselessly in thin air.

“No fair!” she yelled, squirming to try and get out of the slayers grip.

Faith chuckled, “Where do ya think yer goin’?” She came to a stop, still holding her, when Buffy ploughed into them, knocking all three to the ground. Faith laughed out loud and rolled off of Dawn. “Everyone ok?” she asked. She got a nod from each of the Summers girls. “Good,” she said as an evil smile creased her face. she launched herself at Dawn and started to tickle her. The diminutive brunette started to squeal and squirm. Buffy leaned across Faith to join in the torment of her younger sister. “Uh-uh,” Faith grinned, pulling Buffy over and tickling her as well. She had both girls pinned to the ground and screaming in laughter, as she tickled them both mercilessly. She looked up suddenly as a porch light came on, illuminating them.

“What the hell is going on?” a gruff voice yelled. The three girls, started to disentangle themselves, and get up. “Dawn?” the voice called, “You two, get away from her!” The man had started to come down the stairs.

“Hey Mr. Lewis,” Dawn weakly waved at the man. He slowed as he approached, Buffy and Faith didn’t move from Dawn’s side. “This is my sister, Buffy,” she pointed to her, “And her girlfriend Faith.”

Faith put her hand out, looking him over as she shook his hand. “Pleased to meet ya, you Janice’s dad?”

“Yes,” he replied, trying to figure out how he lost control of the situation. “Yes I am.”

“Ok,” Faith put a charming smile on her face. “We were just droppin’ Lil’ D off, and it broke into a tickle fight. Sorry to have bothered ya.”

“No problem,” he replied. He was still shaking his hand, trying to get some feeling back into it. “You, ah, can’t be too careful these days.”

“That’s right,” Buffy smiled at him and pulled Faith away. “We’re going to go now. We’ll see you later Dawnie, okay?”

“Yup,” she walked toward Mr. Lewis. She stopped and waved at the two slayers, “Bye Buffy, Faith.”

“See ya Lil’ D.” Faith replied. The two slayers turned away and started to walk into the darkness.

“Wait,” Dawn called to the slayers. They turned to face her. She ran up to Faith and hugged her, “Be careful, okay?” she whispered to the dark slayer. She released her and hugged her sister. “I hope you figure out what’s wrong,” she whispered to the blond. Letting go, she turned and sauntered back to Mr. Lewis, leaving two stunned slayers in her wake. They turned to each other, looked for a moment, then shrugged. They turned and walked away.

“That umm, friend of your sister’s,” Mr. Lewis started. Dawn looked up at him as they walked to the house. “She uh, can be quite, umm, intimidating.”

Dawn snickered, “You’re lucky.”

“Lucky, why?” Mr. Lewis had stopped.

Dawn looked back at him as she climbed the steps, “I think she liked you.” She stopped, “You should see what she’s like when she doesn’t.”

“Umm, no,” Mr. Lewis, stuttered, “N-no, I think that will be okay, if I don’t.” The two of them headed into the house.

Buffy and Faith strolled up to Giles’ house and stopped on the porch. They peeked in the window, and could see Willow haranguing Giles about Buffy. Faith smiled, “Sorry B, I ain’t goin’ in there.”

Buffy nodded, “I don’t want to either.” They both watched for a few more moments. Buffy sighed and took Faith’s hand in hers. “I don’t want to, but I guess I should go in.” She pulled Faith into a hug, then kissed her. “Be careful.”

Faith chuckled, “Do I have a target on my back, or somethin’?” She was trying to look over her shoulder to see if something was on her back.

“No,” Buffy tilted her head to the side as she watched Faith turning in circles on the porch. “Why?”

“’Cause all the Summers women,” she stopped turning and looked at Buffy. “Have told me to, ‘Be Careful’ tonight. So I’m thinkin’ there’s somethin’ stuck there.”

Buffy smacked her on the arm, “No, silly. It’s because we care about you!”

Faith smiled, “I know.” She leaned forward and kissed Buffy hard. She pulled her into her arms and slipped her tongue between her lips. After a minute they broke apart and Faith rested her forehead against Buffy’s. They were breathing hard, “I do appreciate it,” she said quietly. “But if too many people start sayin’ shit like that, I get nervous.” She looked away from the blond for a moment. “And, with everythin’ else goin’ on, I’m nervous enough.”

A weak smile flitted across Buffy’s face, “I get that.” She sighed and looked toward the window again. “We both need to go,” she paused and looked down at the porch. There was a nervous glint in her eyes when she looked up to Faith again. “You’re important to me Faith. You’re just as important to Cordy as well. Dawn and my mom, look at you as part of the family now. We all know how dangerous this job is, and we all want you to come home to us.”

“Great,” Faith mumbled. “For sure there’s a bulls-eye on my back now.” She smiled and jumped out of the way when Buffy swatted at her. She grabbed the blond and pulled her into a kiss. She released her after a minute, “All of you are very important to me, I ain’t never had a reason to be anywhere before. Now I have four. Like I told yer mom, I don’t want ta screw that up.” She turned and walked off the porch, stopping at the bottom. She turned back to Buffy, “I got my phone, I’ll see ya when I get back.” She blew a kiss to the blond, turned, and jogged into the night.