EMPATHY

Chapter Three


Xander had relocated to Seattle to help supervise a new Skyscraper project. He and Anya's relationship hadn't survived the wedding fiasco and her tryst with Spike. They'd parted still in love, but reconciled to only being friends.

Anya had pulled some supernatural strings and managed to get a job working in New York, on Wall Street of all places. She had put her vengeful, determined nature to good use, and had the reputation of being a ruthless, savvy Trader.

Willow had chosen to further her studies in Information Technology at MIT. Tara had gone with her, refusing to carry on a long distance relationship with her lover.

Of all the people no longer in her life, Buffy missed Will most of all. The Redheaded Wiccan's presence had always been a comforting constant in her life, since the first day she entered Sunnydale High.

Will had been her calming voice of reason in the mist of chaos, and when the awesome responsibility she shouldered threatened to overwhelm her, she always found an anchor in Will's comforting arms.

They met periodically, whenever Willow came home to see her parents. Their easy friendship always picked up where it left off, the last time they'd seen each other.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy recalled the last conversation they shared, when she went to visit Willow in Cambridge, over Spring Break. They were sitting on a bench, in a park not far from her apartment.

The beautiful day unfolded around them, warming their spirits with the sights and sounds of spring. The smell of fresh blooming flowers filled the air as joggers ran by, and couples strolled along walking their dogs.

To anyone passing by, they would've appeared to be lovers. The deep feelings they shared for one another were evident in their body language and facial expressions. Buffy looked at her oldest and dearest friend and took her hand.

"Love you Will."

The former nerd turned Scholar returned the affectionate squeeze to her friend's hand and smiled, showing Buffy a glimpse of that shy, fourteen year-old she had befriended so long ago.

"More than chocolate?"

"Yes honey, more than chocolate."

They discussed life in general and relationships, or Buffy's lack there of. It was then that the topic of Faith came up, and Buffy wondered why she was so annoyed by it.

"So Buffy, do you ever wonder about Faith, have you written to her?"

The blonde reached over and tilted the cup in the red head's hand to look at its contents.

"What do you have in there Will, it's too early in the day for you to be drinking."

"Seriously Buffy, she's never crossed your mind after all this time?"

The petite slayer sighed deeply and shook her head gently, "If you ever tell this to another living soul, I'll behead you with a battleaxe."

Willow's pixie face lit up with the anticipation of hearing a juicy secret, and she moved closer to Buffy as if the whole world were listening.

"Pinky swear, now spill."

"I testified on her behalf for early release at her last parole hearing."

"GET OUT!”

The witch broke into a huge smile and drew Buffy into a tight hug. The slayer was a little baffled by her reaction; she had thought Willow would be upset at the thought of early release for Faith. People don't usually get over their life being threatened, with a knife to their throat, very easily.

"Look at you, going all better persony on me. I'm glad you did it Buffy. I never really thought that Faith meant me any real harm. She was just scared and confused back then. I always hope she would get a second chance."

"Uh, Will?"

"Yeah?"

"Not getting it here."

"Oh, sorry. So how did Faith react, what did she look like?"

"Don't know, I never got to talk to her or see her. I preferred it that way, there was no need for her to know, so I gave my statement to the presiding Judge in his chambers."

"So what are you going to do if she gets released and wants to see you?"

"I don't know Will, I honestly don't know."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Faith had taken a few days as Angel suggested, relaxing and becoming accustomed to life on the outside. She had to admit she loved every minute of it, and couldn't imagine ever being behind bars again.

She had a checklist that she reviewed daily. It was written in prison and consisted of all the amends, she wanted to make to the people she had hurt during that dark period, when it seemed like she had lost her soul.

The two most difficult names were at the very bottom, and she dreaded the visitations. Eventually she would have to face Buffy and Wesley. The meeting with Wesley more imminent because he worked with Angel.

Facing her fear head on, she called Angel to arrange a meeting with Wesley for the following day. She had no idea what she could say to this man that would possibly convey her remorse, for the way she had brutally tortured him.

Sleep was fitful and fleeting, as flashbacks plagued her dreams. The next morning her face appeared pale and drawn. She chose an outfit that reflected her somber mood; she wasn't the firecracker today.

Her palms were sweating and her mouth was dry as she slowly approached the entrance to Angel's hotel. She didn't know who to be; surely Wesley was expecting some trace evidence of the sociopath he had encountered almost four years ago.

The usually breathtaking smile was replaced with a pessimistic, pensive set of her jaw as Cordelia greeted her in the lobby.

“Faith, it can't be as bad as you're thinking. After all, at least you're trying to say you're sorry for all the skanky-ass things you've done in the past."

Faith's demeanor didn't change, even when faced with the presence of the wicked- sexy brunette with attitude to last for days.

"Hi Cordelia, should I have brought a weapon, ya think?"

Queen C was serious now as she tried to reassure Faith, "After all you've overcome, you can face Wesley."

She graced Faith with that "Miss America" smile as she reached down to squeeze her hand, "They're upstairs in Angel's office, to your left."

This situation gave new credence to the phrase, ‘Feet don't fail me now.’

It was the first time in her short life where she found herself at a loss for words. However, the true nature of the Slayer hadn't deserted her.


She didn't bother to knock as she boldly opened the door to Angel's office and quickly mapped out the room. Yes, this was Faith in all her feral glory, the lioness on the defensive.

She knew this was the time for humility, but she was done being the victim. The woman she had become would not accept being victimized by anyone, for any reason.

Angel and Wesley turned simultaneously, mouths agape, as they looked at Faith. Angel, ever the mediator, motioned her to a seat.

"Faith, we were expecting you to be announced."

She smiled slightly. "C'mon Angel, you know I never do what's expected of me."


Wesley gazed intensely at her with a furrowed brow, almost as if he wanted to bolt from the room. The male in him noted that prison had done nothing to tarnish her sultry, good looks. She was just as gorgeous as ever, but there was a calm in her that wasn't there before.

The air in the room was thick with the tension of things unspoken; Faith spoke first to break the ice.

"Angel, could you leave Wesley and me alone?"

Angel looked for affirmation from him before rising to leave. Wesley nodded in agreement. Strangely enough, he didn't feel threatened at the thought of being alone with her.

Faith turned her chair to face him directly and sat down.

"I've thought about this every day for three years… how I would feel…what I would say. The truth is, I don't know what to say to you Wesley. What you did for me after the way, I-I treated you, was really a class act."

He looked into her eyes as she spoke to him, expecting to find insincerity there. What he found instead were luminous brown eyes, brimming with tears and remorse. He chose not to respond just yet, allowing her to vent.



"I don't have an excuse for my behavior, so I won't try to make one. All I can say is, things are different for me now, and it's mainly because of you. I won't promise to make things up to you Wesley; I know I never could. What you need to know is, I'll regret what I did to you every day for the rest of my life." She turned away from him then, no longer able to continue.

He was taken aback to see the gentle motion of her shoulders, as she cried silently. It had never occurred to him that there could be any vulnerability in her. He exhaled deeply and reached out to her tentatively, cupping a reassuring hand under her chin.

"You're forgiven Faith. I don't want the rest of your life filled with regrets about anything. I fought for your release because, I realized you have the potential to be one of the few people in the world, who can truly make a difference."

There wasn't any soaring violin music or cathartic hugs, just a quiet understanding of a truce set in place, leaving them standing on common ground.

He ended their meeting by saying, " I'm no longer a watcher, but my connections are still in place, if there's any way I can help..."


She graced him with that smile, the one revealing the sexy dimples in her cheeks, and lightly touched his arm.

"You've done enough already…but maybe, I could take you to dinner some evening?"

His carnal mind swept over the entire length of her body, and admitted that wouldn't be an unpleasant thing to do.

"Certainly Faith, be well."

Wesley had given her something priceless, a chance at redemption. She felt playful and light, with a dash of sexy thrown in. There was one more promise she decided to fulfill before she left the hotel.

Cordelia had her back turned, looking in a file cabinet as Faith used slayer stealth to glide up behind her, undetected. The sassy beauty jumped when she felt a strong but velvety soft pair of arms slide around her waist, pulling her close to an even softer body.

Faith had forgotten what a real woman felt and smelled like. Those savages in prison couldn't be considered the real thing. Cordelia on the other hand was grade A choice. She nuzzled the taller woman's neck as she took in her scent, and savored the feel of those tight, athletic curves under her hands.

"Been meaning to thank you for the set up at the apartment."

Her voice was warm and inviting, tickling the shaking brunette's ear.

Cordelia flushed, embarrassed at her body's reaction to Faith's attention. She tried to control herself, but her nipples were hardening and her arousal was obvious. There had always been a dangerous, exciting edge to the rogue slayer, and it hadn't dissipated with time.

"You…um, you're welcome Faith."

She turned Cordelia around to face her, her eyes filled with desire as she locked her gaze with her prey and whispered, "Gonna kiss you now, coz I wanna."

Cordelia moaned as she allowed her mouth to be taken and devoured by those full, sensuous lips that promised so much pleasure. She felt light-headed and her body began to tingle, as Faith explored her mouth, caressing her tongue slowly with her own.

The kiss ended as quickly as it begun, and Faith smiled as she wiped the lipstick from Cordelia's lips, enjoying the look of disappointment on her pretty face. She did say say a word, just turned and strutted from the office, making sure to put just enough sway in her hips.

*Oh yeah Faithy, ya still got it baby, was there ever any doubt? *

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It felt good to be back in the sanctuary of her apartment, as she took a moment to rewind the events of the day. It had turned out better than she anticipated with Wesley. He had been a true gentleman. She felt emotionally fatigued after their meeting, and had promised to give Angel a call in the morning, to discuss future plans.

She predicted a warm, relaxing bath in her immediate future, with candles and wine. The warm water and soothing bath oils drained the tension of the day from her, leaving her pleasantly sleepy with a rare feeling of well being.


Purplish blue clouds swirled around her, surrounding her in unfamiliar place. The haziness gave way to a room decorated with assorted candles and incense, smelling of sandalwood and honeysuckle.


There was a figure standing back in the shadows, whose identity became clearer as she walked into the room. The scent of arousal radiating from her body promised forbidden pleasure. Faith was spellbound as her eyes beheld a body that begged to be touched, ravaged and possessed.


Buffy spoke to her in a voice modulated with lust, "I've been waiting for you."

Faith circled around her, barely touching her, and smiled as she heard her sigh. Buffy shivered, feeling the dark slayer move in behind her, placing hands on her hips and pulling her back tightly against her body.

Faith whispered hotly in her ear while snuggling her, "So damned sexy B."

The blonde allowed herself to surrender in the brunette's arms as she leaned back, exposing her neck. At that moment, Faith almost felt like a vampire as she bit tenderly but firmly into it.

Buffy's breathing became harsher as hands moved possessively up the front of her body, hungrily cupping her breast through the silk material of her blouse and squeezing, the act made more erotic because she wasn't wearing a bra.

She moaned, pressing up against her harder as Faith captured her lips, making love to her mouth with her tongue. She ripped away the blouse and grasped Buffy's pert breasts in her hands, twisting those achingly erect nipples while starting to slowly grind her hips into her ass, almost wishing she were a man so Buffy could feel the hardness of her desire.


Buffy's body felt so good rubbing against her; that firm, soft ass putting pressure on just the right spot, making her groan low in her throat. Faith continued kissing her passionately as her hands reluctantly left those tantalizing breasts, traveling downward to unzip the smaller Slayer's jeans.

Her skin smelled of freesia blossoms. Faith was lost in the scent of her, caught up in the breathtaking heat emanating from that luscious triangle. She cupped Buffy's ass tightly with one hand, entering her hot, dripping wetness with the other. Faith took turns spanking and cupping her ass-cheeks while plunging deeply and rhythmically into her yearning hole.

Faith panted in her ear, her voice thick with arousal. "I'm going to make you come until you can't breathe."

Buffy lingered closer to the brink with every SMACK, SMACK, SMACK only intensifying the effect of Faith's fingers as she fucked her without mercy. The blonde called out, "Damn you, you're going to make me cum!"

Faith pushed her fingers in deeper than she thought possible as she felt the beginning stages of Buffy's climax. "Come on baby, cum for me."


Buffy's desire escalated as she leaned back against the dark beauty, her legs almost giving way while her hips kept up the pace with Faith's thrusting, matching her stroke for strok

"Oh yesss, fuck me harder."

Faith knew Buffy was close. The clenching muscles, undulating hips and sultry moans were giving her away. Faith started to pound her as hard as she could, slipping yet another finger inside her, sweat flying from her body with the effort.

"How many times have you dreamed about me fucking you like this B?"

Buffy was almost whining now in the heat of her passion. "Yeah baby, that's it, take me…ahhhh."

Faith started to grind against her in tighter circular motions from behind, never slowing the pace with her hands, "I want to feel you squeeze me and shout out my name as you cum all over me. I'm deep inside of you now B, I own you, let go lover."

Buffy's body tensed then, in a series of convulsing shudders.

"Yeah baby, oohhh, gonna make me cum for you!"

Faith slowed down, still stroking her, lasciviously nibbling the lobe of Buffy's ear, licking her tongue in and out, matching the rhythm of her questing fingers.

"No one will ever make you cum like I do B, face it."

Buffy couldn't believe she was going over the edge again. She buried her face into Faith's neck and rode the intense wave, "What is it you've done to me Faith?"

She gently put her hand on Buffy's throat, pulling her closer.

"I've claimed what was meant to be mine." She took Buffy's mouth again in a blistering kiss that threatened to rekindle the fierce desire between them.

Faith woke up moaning, drenched in sweat. She wiped her forehead and took a deep breath. Her mound and thighs were soaked with her juices and quivering. She cursed Buffy Summers out loud, " You wicked, sexy, bitch!"

TBC