Risk and Reward

TITLE: Risk and Reward AUTHOR: MidKnight CHAPTER: 4 of ? SHIP: Faith / Xander RATING: NC17 CATEGORY: Romance, Angst, Erotica, Drama, Action SPOILERS: Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 3 & 7 Finale and Angel Season 5?6? general. DISCLAIMER: None of these characters belong to me. They belong to Joss Wedon, Mutant Enemy, Warner Bros. and I bet a whole bunch of other corporations and I am only borrowing them, seeings as thoso owo own them donÕt seem to want to use them anymore. UNIVERSE: Slayer Academy - Everything that happened in BTVS Season 7 happened except Robin Wood never existed, ever. Anya still died and Sunnydale is a crater. All the survivors have gone to L.A. and Angel has given them The Hyperion. Buffy, Dawn, Giles, Andrew and some of the now fully powered potentials have gone to Europe to rebuild the Watchers Council. This leaves Faith, Xander, Willow, Kennedy and the rest of the now fully powered potentials. Willow with FredÕs help has used her mojo to create a magical website that only Slayers can access to answer any questions and to give them the surviving Scoobies location. So, The Hyperion is now a sort of school for Slayers where they can get training and knowledge about who and what they are. Gunn has sorted out all FaithÕs legal issues and she and Xander have been working construction together for the last 6 months or so. On the Angel front. It is in the early part of the Wolfram aart art storyline, so I guess itÕs season 5 and it goes as such. Cordy came out of her coma and she and Angel are dating as are Gunn and Gwen, Knox doesnÕt exist, so, Fred and Wesley are now living together. Spike came back fully corporeal. it was him that couldnÕt save Nina from being bitten and he is the one helping her to deal with her werewolfism. AUTHORS NOTE: I apologize before hand and hope you will forgive any errors or blatant discrepencies, but I am new at this so... Enjoy FEEDBACK: Yes Please - Deton8@mweb.co.za Sunday, 4 April 2004, 3:1 The The Hyperion Hotel, The Lobby, L.A. Faith looked around herself in amusement. She was happy, relaxed and a little drunk and for a Slayer that is an achievement. TheyÕd feasted like kings on deepdish pizza and chicken wings, washed down with beer while watching Triple X. TheyÕd all had a good laugh when Kennedy just blurted out ÒThat Vin Diesel is yummy.Ó and when everyone turned to her in question, Willow with a pointed raise of he eyebrow, sheÕd turned bright red with embarressment. ÒHow hetro of you.Ó Xander had taunted the diminutive dark haired Slayer. Willow grinned at her blushing girlfriend, ÒJust to recap. You did say that out loud. We all heard you and you are so busted. Plus youÕre right, but he ainÕt got nothing on that Russian chick. I think her name is Asia Argento. That accent is just too delicious.Ó the red head toer ler lover. ÒThat she is Darlink.Ó Kennedy recovered with aplomb in a heavy, fake russian accent. After the movie they broke out the snacks, sweets and treats and watched first Pretty Women then Heat back to back. The joked about and heckled both movies with relish, eagerly discussing this point or that or making absurd observations. Faith had settled with her head resting on XanderÕs stomach as he reclined back in the sofa, so that she lay on her back with her feet dangling over the armrest. His hand rested lightly and warmly on her belly. She occassionaly felt him sketch little patterns on her skin with errant movements of his thumb. She didnÕt think he even realised he was doing it as he seemed totally engrossed in the movie or what he was saying at the time. The gesture was oddly reassuring for her, like he was always aware of her. Faith had never been very tactile person. Her personal space was very dear to her and she had in the past protected it violently, but she couldnÕt get enough of the feel of Xander or his touching her. She absently fed him chips, moving them to his lips without taking her eyes off the screen and he unwrapped and fed her HersheyÕs Kisses, the white milk chocolate kind. She felt oddly pleased, but not surprised that he remember she loved those, but disliked the original dark chocolate ones. The bag that they bought had been mixed. Kennedy and Willow were curled up on the other sofa and Willow whispered something into her loverÕs ear and Kennedy got up as the end credits of Heat began to roll across the screen. ÒThat was a good movie.Ó Xander said from above her and she rolled fully onto her back to look up at him. ÒYeah. Robert DeNiro and Al Pachio really should do more movies together. TheyÕre really intense on screen.Ó she replied. She loved the way he was looking down at her, not quite smiling with an attitude of study in his eyes as if he were memorising her. He moved some hair out of her face his fingers feather light on her temple. HeÕs fingers lightly began to knead her firm abdominal muscles. ÒThatÕs nice.Ó sheÕd murumured. SheÕd smiled at him closing her eyes luxuriating in his nearness and touch. She opened them again at the sound of clinking glass to see Kennedy placinot got glasses and the booze Willow had bought on the coffee table. She sat holding his arm so that it now lay across her shoulders. Willow cleared her throat. ÒIÕvver ver gotten that chance to get intoxicated before,Ó WIllow began only for Kennedy to interrupt with an aside,ÓThatÕs drunk for the layman in the room.Ó before gesturing for the witch to continue. ÒThanks Ken. As I was saying, to get intoxicated, well to be accurate to get intoxicated on alcohol. So, tonight ladies and gent the hangovers are on me. LetÕs get this party started.Ó she fini pou pouring herself a shot of vodka and downing it. ÒGo. Red!Ó sheÕd shouted as the witch began to pour drinks for all of them as they requested different liquors. Buffy gave Dawn a disapproving look as she reached to take a shot of Tequila and the her hand froze. To her surprise it was Xander who spoke next although she saw Willow start as well. ÒBuffy. SheÕs with friends and we wonÕt let anything happen to her. Eventually sheÕs gonna try this stuff anyway. Better with us ton hon her own. Just for tonight?Ó he told the blonde Slayer in ernest, not wanting the young women to be left out. ÒPlease Buffy?Ó Dawn asked her older sister, her plea made elegant by itÕs simplicity. Buffy had looked at all of them. ÒOh well. If you canÕt drink with the people in this room, who coud you drink with? This is a one time deal sister mine and I am sure the hangover you have in the morning will more than convince you of why that is a good idea.Ó she told her now not so little sister. ÒI wonÕt drink that much Buffy. I just wanna taste, honest.Ó Dawn told her sister, but Buffy gave her a look that told her she knew better. ÒIf she becomes an alcoholic. IÕm blaming you, Xander.Ó she accused her friend. ÒBlame away Buff. Now someone tha that little lady some lemon and salt.Ó Xander replied with a laugh. Faith had downed her first shot of Jack Daniels as the Summers sisters both did classic Tequilla shots with lemon and salt. Dawn sputterd abit at her first taste of hard liquor. It surprised her that BuffyÕs expression hardly changed. Xander whispered in her ear and she poured him a shot of Jack as well as another for herself. The alcohol felt good going down, hot and warming her belly. SheÕd stayed away from the hard stuff since getting out of prison, but like B said ÒIf you canÕt drink with the people in this room, who could you drink with?Ó That had been about two and a half hours ago and led to the spectacle that surrounded her at the moment. Slayer physiology meant that her system easily metabolised alcohol which meant it took a whole lot to get a Slayer drunk. Kennedy and Buffy seemed to have decided to prove exactly how much that was. The two slayers were in a serious drinking competition. ÒSlayer physiology or not, those two are gonna feel it in the morning.Ó she thought with a smirk. SheÕd decided to take it easy and not get involved when the debate on which Slayers were better, the originals or the new ones, came up. Shortly after which challenges were issued and theyÕd begun drinking in ernest. Easy or not, the bottle of Jack Daniels was empty and she lulled against Xander, nicely buzzed. She looked over at Dawn. ÒPoor kid. Someonouldould have told her not to mix. I foresee a worship session at the porcelain altar in her future.Ó Faith thought as she watched the girl stirr where sheÕd fallen asleep next to Willow. It had been amusing to watch the teen trying to convince them that she was perfectly sober while she could hardly stand and was finding everything extremely funny. It had been Xander who finally got her to sit down when she started professing her undying love to everyone and hugging them sloppily. HeÕd settled her down and made her drink a bottle of water before she drifted off, a smile on her face and the protest that she wasnÕt drunk fading on her lips. Willow was quite impressive to. Quiet, reserved Willow was a noisy boistrous drunk as it turned out and it took alot more than Faith thought to get her in that state. Between alot and too much alcohol Faith got to see a whole new side of Willow. Well, she guessed, one that Willow didnÕt show in company. The red head had been all over Kennedy. At one point she flopped down next to her and she was very touchy feely as she asked Faith about her and Xander. Faith felt alittle uncomfortable, but at the same time flattered. Xander returned with a bag of chocolate covered marshmellows and the witch had practically bounced out of her seat and tackled him for them. He easily held the treats out of her reach above his head taunting her mercilessly. She gave him an exasperated look and then snapped her fingers and the bag jerked out of his hand and into hers. ÒNo fair.Ó Xander cried foul and all the witch did was stick her tongue out at him. ÒWitch!Ó he accused her. ÒMan!Ó she retorted and they both began to laugh unable to maintain the facade of their fight. She opened the bag and made a show of offering him some of the treats. SheÕd then flitted off to have a loud and inappropriate conversation about what it was really like in Europe with a wasted Dawn. She then flowed into KennedyÕs lap and surprised her Slayer lover with a fervent kiss and putting her opinion into the debate Kennedy was having with Buffy before she settled on the c and and shortly into her present slumbering state. The two Slayers were still swopping debate points getting more slurred, absurd and petty, but finally stopped as they found themselves without anything more to drink. They seemed to finally notice the room was pretty quiet. Xander had put Aliens on at some point and he and Faith were lazily watching the screen, not really following the movie, but just relaxing in each others arms. Buffy nudged Kennedy under the table. ÒShuppose we better get these two shleeping beauties to bed.Ó Buffy slurred. ÒYesh.Ó Kennedy affirmed rising unsteadily. ÒIsnÕt she gorgeous?Ó the short dark haired Slayer asked them pointing at the sleeping witch, Òand sheÕs mine.Ó she whispered to them confirming that she was definately three sheets to the wind. ÒDawnieÕs all grown up and passed out.Ó Buffy said giggling. Faith watched them with amusement. ÒI think I better make sure they get to their rooms okay.Ó Xander said. ÒYeah. IÕll switch everything off down here and put the leftovers in the refrigerator.Ó she replied. ÒNo, Why donÕt you just wait for me. We can watch Casablanca if youÕre not too tired.Ó he told her as he got up. She thought for a minute. ÒCan I make popcorn?Ó she asked. ÒSure. I think thereÕs microwave popcorn in the cupboard above the microwave. Melt some butter too.Ó he answered her as he got up. ÒFive by five.Ó she replied as she took his offered hand and got to her feet. He had to steady Kennedy as she lifted Willow into a firemanÕs carry. The witch nuttered something in her sleep, but didnÕt wake. Buffy gathered her sister into her arms and with Xander keeping a watchful eye on both the Slayers and their respective charges they all trouped upstairs. Faith was alittle surpr tha that she was abit unsteady when she first got to her feet, but by the time she reached the kitchen she felt fine. She made three bags of the microwave popcorn and dumped it all into a large bowl which she carried back to the lobby. She had just ast down when Xander came down the stairs. He went directly to the television and inserted the Casablanca DVD. He went to the light switch and turned off most of the lights throwing the area into darkness except for a soft pool of light around the sofa before returning to where she was on the couch. He clicked the remote and the movie began. ÒHI.Ó she said to Xander as he settled onto the couch next to her. ÒHey.Ó he replied with a smile. ÒYouÕre not drinking.Ó she accused him as she manuvered herself onto his lap. SheÕd noticed he only taken one or two shots after the one sheÕd poured him. ÒSure I am.Ó he said waving the beer in his hand. She dug her elbow into his side and he winced. ÒSorry. Forgot about yribsribs, but you know that ainÕt what I meant.Ó she said taking a swig from his beer. ÒNot much for getting drunk. Borders abit close on the thou shalt not be like thy father oath I made.Ó he told her his face clouding with bad memories. She place her hand on his left cheek and kissed his right. ÒSame thing with my mom. Ò she said quietly thumbing the top of the beer bottle picking at the label at itÕs neck. ÒTell me about it?Ó he asked her not knowing quite how they got gotto tto that point. The light cast by the black and white images on the television made her pale skin seem even paler, her appearance ghostly. ÒAbout my mom?Ó she mused. The chuckle she emitted was a bitter, ugly perversion of the sound. ÒYou donÕt wanna know about my mom or ...Ó she began, her voice bitter and hard. He halted her as she tried to move his hand to take another swig of beer. ÒI think I do.Ó he told the women in his arms. She looked at him, searching his gaze. The combination of the alcohol and the intensity of the bond between them, that had developed over the last few days, The close, cosy situation the fact that he asked. That he cared, conspired to draw the words from her lips as she let tightly bottled emotions take sway and form them. ÒMy mom was a crack whore bitch who doesnÕt deserve the title of mother and I use the present tense graciousy believing she is still alive. I never got to know my father. He was long gone before I was born, but I got to know her boyfriends. Oh yes. The nice ones from when I was younger. The okay ones who thought they could change her and the bastards who... who...Ó her voice faltered as her aggitation increased and she took two handfuls of his sweatshirt as she pulled herself closer to him. For the first time she let herself mourn for the life she should have had. For the innocence that was stolen. He had opened the floodgate of emotions she kept walled up behind her tough girl facade and he road the wave in the only way he knew how. He held heose ose giving her all the warmth and understanding he could deliver with that gesture. She whimpered into his chest and he felt tears dampen the material of his sweatshirt. She raised her head. Tears still glistened in her eyes, but they blazed with determination and she loosened her hands to brush away the tears. ÒYou really wanna know Xander? Do you?Ó she asked him. ÒYes, Faith. I donÕt care about your past as it pertains to us, but I want to know what youÕve experienced. I need that to understand you, your reactions and so that I donÕt accidentally hurt you. If you donÕt want to, I understand that too, God knows my childhood wasnÕt a picnic and weÕve brushed on it a couple of time and I know how hard and painful it is to dredge up those memories. YouÕve heard the stories from Willow, but I always had her and even the Rosenbergs for support, later their was BUffy and even Giles. You donÕt have to do this now, but that doesnÕt mean I wonÕt ask again. IÕll always wonder. IÕve fallen in love with you. You have become part of my life. The part that makes it... You give my life flavour. I sometimes think I have always loved you in some way or another. Well, maybe not loved, but definately attracted, like I have some kind of affinity or connection to you. I know that sounds implausible, but whose to say what the subconscious really gets up to in itÕs free time.Ó he told her. A faint wan smile twitched her lips at his subtle use of humour. ÒI give your life flavour do I?Ó she asked him quietly. ÒThatÕs right. YouÕre my existential salt, as it were.Ó he told her. ÒHow can a girl say no to that. My mom was either dead drunk or high as a kite for as long as I can remember and understood what that meant which I guess was at about age six. I learned to get by. ItÕs not that hard to stick jam and peanut butter on bread, provided you have jam,peanut butter and bread, of course. There were aunts that came round. Neighbours that helped. She even hadf a decent boyfriend on occassion, but it never lasted. My mom would alienate my aunts or borrow money from them and not pay it back, insult the neighbours when drunk and cheat on the boyfriends for her next fix. Our things were reposessed so many times I lost count. I know you find it amusing when I go all gushy when I buy something like m3 pl3 player or my stereo, but itÕs itÕs a big deal for me to own those things outright.Ó, ÒSee with the understanding already.Ó he said his words playful,his tone serios and sincere, ÒOkay, I got it already.Ó she retorted. ÒThis in turn led to worse boyfriends and less people who gave a shit. I learned not to depend on anyone other than myself. If I needed food or clothes, I did what I needed to. I was the queen o fthe five finger discount.Ó she spoke quietly and near emotionlessly as if she were reading off a page somewhere deep in her mind. ÒWhat about the authorities? Social Services?Ó he asked dumbfounded. ÒThis wast Ast Armpit Alabama, Xander. There were no authorities. Then two days after my thirteenth birthday I woke up in the dark of the night when my motherÕs latest walked into my room and started to take off his pants. I tried to run, but he was between me and the door. He simply threw me back onto the bed. He was drunk and he stank. I tried to climb through my window, but he pulled me back and... and... I fought. I clawed. I screamed, but...Ó she shrugged against him and he could feel her shiver, ÒI cried the whole time. When... when he was done he just rolled off and went to sleep. I didnÕt know what to do, sore and bleeding I crept from my room. For some reason I believed my mother would help that she would make everything all right. I found her passed out on the livingroom floor, a needle in her arm. I couldnÕt wake her.Ó she told him her voice faltering into silence. Xander tightened his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. ÒOh Baby.Ó he said softly rocking her slowly. Her hands once again took firm grip on his sweatshirt as if she was drawing strength from it as she drew her knees up to her chest, literally curled into a ball in his lap. ÒOh Baby. IÕm so, so sorry. I never...Ó he told her, his words unable express the depths of his feelings as she clung to him. He felt her shudder as sobs wracked her huddled form and his own tears soaked her hair beneath his face. They stayed like that for some time. The movie ran on forgotten and Xander only registered the classic scene of Humphrey Bogard and Lauren Bacall facing off at the movies climactic ending through blurry eyes because Faith had called his name. He released his hold on her alittle and lifted his head. ÒYouÕre the first person I Ôve told. I mean really told. Angel knows the gist of the story, but not specifics and not about...Ó she said sniffeling. He kissed the top of her head, tasting his own tears. ÓThere are no words to... I canÕt... I admire you now, even more. My imagination canÕt even wrap around itself what it must have been like to...Ó he told her quietly. ÒI... Thank you. I didnÕt know how much I needed this. I thought I had buried it deep and I didnÕt to to deal with it, but itÕs always been there. I told you I had issues.Ó she told him with a littel smile that drew one from him as well. ÒWell, two days later I took every penny I could find, including everything that bastard had on him as he lay passed out next to my mom and ran away from home. I never had a plan. I just needed to get away, as far away as I could. I ended up in New Orleans. I was a real river rat. I... I did things. I did whatever I had to, to survive, Xander.Ó she said looking up at him. ÒI understand.Ó Xander told her. ÒI hope you do Xander, cause I ainÕt gonna spell it out for you.Ó she told himibitibiting some of that attitude that so defined her character. ÒI lived, if you want to call it that, like that for about two years. Then, I started having these weird dreams.Ó ÒThe Slayer visions?Ó Xander asked. ÒUh huh. Well, they freaked the hell out of me and thatÕs when Peter Walken found me.Ó ÒPeter Walken?Ó Xander asked, curious. ÒMy first watcher. He said he could explain my dreams. Help me. Get me off the street. He was older than Giles and I honestly thought he was just after... whatever men are always after. But, he offered me a place to sleep, food and money for clothes in exchange, I would have to submit to ÔtrainingÕ. A testament of what my life was like is that I didnÕt think it would be a bad trade. I didnÕt know what to make of it when he showed me the lock on the inside of my bedroom door and handed me a key. Training ended up being just that. Martial arts. I finally found something I was good at. I took the explainations about vampires being real with a serious pinch of salt until he showed them to me. I felt the need to destroy them, but he held me back. He told me it wasnÕt my time. That, it may never be my time. I canÕt tell you how long this went on for. I grew to like Peter. He taught me basic school stuff, well he had to, my reading skills were not what you would call great, but he got me to want to learn. Then one morning I woke up and I just felt different. I suddenly felt more alive, more alert. I didnÕt think too much of it at the time, just thought I had a really good nights sleep. It was only at training later that morning when I nearly threw Peter through a wall that he told me I had been called. He explained that the previous Slayer must have died and that my time had come. We hunted vamps in the Big Easy for six more months before the council sent word to Peter about Sunnydale, how Buffy was still alive and how Kendra had died. Peter was surprised to say the least and he told me that Buffy must be really extraordinary. When I asked him why, he was very vague. IÕd only got to learn about our limited life expectancy much later, from Giles. About two months aftert I t I got cocky. I started doing what I wanted. DidnÕt always listen to PeterÕs advice. My strength and speed made me feel powerful. I was no longer the victim and I took great delight in proving that. I used men for sex, not the other way round as you know from firsthand experience. Then I managed to piss of a eight hundred year old vampire lord and it cost Peter his life. I watched that vamp bastard drain him while I lay there in a broken heap in the corner. I managed to escape and I ran. The only place I could think of was this Sunnydale place and this Buffy chick Peter mentioned. The rest you know and that is the abridged version of The Fucked-up Life Of Faith Kaitlin Williams, A Work In ProgressÓ she finished. She move around until she look directly at him. ÒIs that what you wanted to know?Ó she asked him calmly having weathered the storm of her emotions. ÒYes. No. I guess. I donÕt know what I was expecting, but I am glad you told me Faith. It means so much to me that you can trust me with this. I know it wasnÕt easy.Ó he tried to answer the women who had just bared her soul to him as truthfully as he knew how. ÒSo, can you figure me out now?Ó she asked him a genuine smile on her face. ÒNo. now that would be presumptuous.Ó he replied grinning. ÒGood answer.Ó she said with a silvery peal of laughter. ÒBut, I got me some insights. Yes, mam. I got me some insights.Ó he continued. ÒInsights, huh? Like?Ó she almost purred linking her hands behind his neck. Òwell... I kno...Ó he began but his voice faltered as she slowly leaned forward, deliberately pressed her lips to his and effectively countered his ability to speak. Her lips were delicately soft a contrast to the slight roughness of her tongue as she swiped it playfully across the top of his lower lip before moving back. ÒI know that you taste really, really good.Ó he said when he could finally find his voice. She wiped his lip with her thumb removing the saliva she had left there. ÒWanna try to watch the movie again.Ó he said flustered as his body reacted to her taste and he was sure she would feel him ÔstirÕ if they stayed in their present position. ÒNo.Ó she said shifting her butt in his lap seemingly all to aware of his thoughts. ÒWhy donÕt you take me upstairs Mr. Harris and then, why d you you just take me.Ó she said her eyes and voice smoldering. It seemed the unburdening of her soul had also released her hold on the more animalistic and boldly sexual part of her character that had been so in evidence when she originally came to Sunnydale. Xander swallowed hard as she rose off his lap. He grabbed the remote and shut off the television. ÒWhy donÕt you go on upstairs anÕ freshen up alittle, Faith.Ó Xander asked her. ÒWhat?Ó she asked. ÒNot even Slayers are tear resistant, Sweets.Ó he answered as he started collecting their half empty packets of snack and assorted party detris to take them to the kitchen. ÒOh.Ó she said running a hand over a tear stained cheek. ÒOk. DonÕt be long. You gave me a great ride earlier this evening in the parking lot. IÕd like to return the favour.Ó she said over her shoulder as starstarted up the stairs. Xander grinned as he followed her shapely denim clad ass up the stairs before piling everything on top of the empty pizza boxes and rushed to the kitchen. He heard her in his bathroom when he entered his room so, he stood by his dresser as he stripped off his sweat shirt. he could see where her tears had stained it. He unwrapped his ribs and checked the bruise on his side. It was already fadinust ust a yellowish discolouration. ealleally should remember to thank Willow for that ointment. He tested it lightly with his fingers. It hardly twinged, then his breath caught. He could see her reflection in the mirror as she stood just outside the bathroom door. She was nude with one hand languidly resting on the door frame above her head. She knew he could see her and she stood perfectly still, letting his eyes roam over her and drink her in. Her eyes caught and held his gaze boaring into his soul. Her skin seemed luminous in the brightly lit room. Her figure lush and inviting. His gaze travelled down her body as she stood demurely with one leg slightly extended and crossed to partially obscure his view of her sex. His penis strained to attention almost painfully as it was trapped at an awkward angle in his boxers. He let out a heavy breath he didnÕt know he was holding and his hand moved to free his aching erection. ÒStop. Do... Not... Move.Ó she said softly, but with the steel of command in her voice. His hand froze as she padded toward him and stopped directly behind him, now out of his sight. He could feel her breath, warm against his back as she stood as close to him as she could without touching. He felt her move. The heat of her breathe trailing down along his spine and he gripped the edge of the dresser to keep his hands still. His grip tightened and his body jerked as her hot, wet tongue darted out to touch the base of his spine before drawing a wet, scittering trail upward. She touched her lips to the skin of his back around her tongue as it swirled around the slight ridges of his spine, sucking gently then moving on and repeating the manuver on the next ridge. He tensed, pushing against her lips as sparks of sensation raced from her touch through his body to be registered as pleasure in his brain. A whimper escaped his lips as his sex lurched painfully in itÕs confinement. ÒFaith.Ó he hoarsely breathed her name making it a plea, an admonishment and a praise his thoughts dashing themselves on the dillemma of relieving the pain and risking loosing the pleasure. She made it a mute point as she snaked her hand around his waist, pressed to is skin. Her palm warm and soft. Her fingernails fiery points of sensation as she dragged them across his skin before she broke the contact and skillfully undid his belt before unbuttoning and unzipping his jeans, letting them sag loosely to his . Re. Relieved of the pressure from his jeans his erection tented boxers standing to attention, the head straining now to work itÕs way through the button barred opening. ÒBetter?Ó sheed hed him after planting one more wet, searing kiss on his shoulder. ÒYe....ahhhh.Ó his reply became unintelegable as she ran her fingertips the length of his cloth clad erection, pressed her body full length against his and tested the muscles on his shoulderblade all at the same time. XanderÕs eyes closed as he was flooded with stimuli. His mind frantically trying to sort thru the sensory overload Faith presented him with. Her fingers along his sex were points of heated pressure with pin ps ofs of added intensity where she brough her nails to bare, making him throb and strain into her touch. Her body moulding to his was like warm syrup. Hot and smooth with slight friction as she breathed. Her nipples, two scorching points branding his back surrounded by the lesser more comforting heat of her full breasts as they flattened against his skin. The surprise shock of her teeth testing his flesh was gently washed away by a wet swirling tongue tip only to be repeated again as she moved across the expanse of his broad shoulders. Had, either, bothered or been able to notice they would have seen XanderÕs knuckles were white with the intensity of the grip he had on the dresser edge as the feel of Faith washed through and permeated every part of him. His breathing ws a harsh rasping sound inthe quiet of his bedroom. He had to grit his teeth and exert every ounce of control to remain immobile. He growled. The sensations were driving him insane. His body was starting to ignore his mind as it shuddered and he actually found himself, incredibly, close to the point of orgasm and she hadnÕt even touched him directly yet. That thought caused him to groan and he fought harder for control. Faith catalogued all his reactions. Their love making so far had been all emotion, with very little seduction. She wanted to change that. Telling him her story made him realise that she didnÕt need to hide from him. She even realised how absurd it was to try. He had seen her raw sexual side. He had suffered her use all those years ago. She felt free and indulgent. She liked being the seductress. It had slipped out the night before she realised when she had taken him in her mouth. She also realised how this side of her was enhanced by the love she felt for this man. It wouldnÕt be just great sex it would be shared memories and feelings to go with it. She loved the salty taste of his skin as she tested it with her teeth and soaked it up with her tongue. The sturdy, hot feel of his body beneath her made the skin on her back pebble and contract in goosebumps with the temperature difference, only to loosen and soften again as the heat radiated itÕs way through her. His sex pulsed and seemed to push against her fingers as she ran her fingers over the length of his penis. It was such a rampant and vibrant symbol of the desire he had for her. She ran her other hand upward from his taught stomach and over his chiseled chest. She scissored two finger around his hard nipple, stroking it between them as her hand continued itÕs skyward journey. His breathing hitched and his cock twitched under her still restlessly stroking fingers as she tightened her fingers together before releasing the hard nub of his nipple as it reached the point where her fingers joined hand. She heard him growl, low and feral and she smiled against the skin of his shoulder. Her arm slipped under his armpit as her hand snaked over onto the top of his shoulder. Her fingers gripped his shoulder and she pulled herself up along his so so that she stood on tip toes so that she could rest her chin o his shoulder and look over it. She watched him in the mirror for a moment. His eyes were shut and his teeth clenched in intense concentration. His tongue darted out to wet his dry lips and she pressed herself more firmly against him and she grinned as he hissed and he again had to clench his teeth. She could feel moisture on her fingers stoking his penis as his pre-cum soaked his boxers. The twitch and throb of him under her fingers had become more pronounced as well as more erratic. No longer just the beat of his heart or the spasm of muscles. This was his body racing toward the primal need for release. His body was more elequent at tell her of his desire than his mind could ever be. ÒXander.Ó she called his name. ÒXander. Open your eyes.Ó she told he her voice louder her tone forceful and commanding. He heard her as if from a great distance away. His mind almost irritated by the distraction of trying to form enough coherent thought to decypher the meaning of the sound he heard. He didnÕt have the will to spare as he fought to burn every sensation into his memory while experiencing them and at the same time hold in check the reaction they caused. The tone of her voice more than her word made his eyes snap open and he saw her face reflected next to his. He saw the heat of passion in her eyes. He saw her lick full lush lips and the control on his body slipped just that little bit more. There wasnÕt enough air in the room, in the world as his chest laboured. Then her pink tongue snaked out and traced the shell of his ear and she whispered a single word. He was so close she felt as his body tensed. She distracted him by running her tongue along the shell of his ear while she deftly undid the button on the fly of his boxers, but held the material firmly in place. Then she whispered into his ear, her voice honey sweet, ÒCome.Ó and at the samee she she slid her hand into his baxers and squeezed. Later. much later Xander would deny it but she distinctly heard him say ÒOh Crap.Ó before his body went rigid against hers, heÕs eyes closed again and with a roar he did exactly as he was told. The world went away. There was no room for anything else besides Faith and his orgasm. Every fibre of his being had gathered in his groin and was now on their way out to explore the universe. His ejaculation was as painful as it was pleasureable. Things spilled from his mouth. Words wer down graded to gutteral halting sounds and those were silenced as he threw his head back in a wordless cry. Spots danced before his eyes as he jerked again and again. His consciousness slowly began to spiral back down only to be thrust back into the heavens as she squeezed him again and he groaned as he let forth one last spurt of seed. He felt her release his body as she slid down his back again in torturous slowness, but she didnÕt release his sex. His weight was braced on his hands holding onto the dresser. His legs were wobbly. Air burned in his lungs. ÒChrist.Ó he exclaimed between gasps. ÒNo. Just a girl. Just a girl who loves you.Ó he heard her say behind him as she finally slid her hand from his boxers as his sex softened. He caught a flash of movement in the mirror and watched as she licked his essence from her hand the way a cat laps up cream. He groaned mentally as his penis twitched in response. He still couldnÕt muster the strength to turn and he watched her in the mirror as she casually saunted over to the bed. Every sway of her hips a challenge and an invitation. She crawled onto the bed, her every movement deliberate as she arched and stretched presenting him with her fabulous view of her ass and sex. She looked over her shoulder at him letting her dark hair frame her face as it hung down onto the bed. He could see wetness glisten between her thighs as she shifted. His eyes followed her backside as if mesmerised. ÒI think IÕd really like it if you turned around, took off those clothes, came over here and fucked me real good. What do you think?Ó she purred at him. She had driven him passed rational thought about five minutes ago and all her words did was give him the strength in a burst that had been trickling back into his limbs. He turned letting his jeans fall from his hips even as he pushed down his boxers. He stepped out of and kicked both garments away as he stalked towards the bed. ÒI... think.. youÕll be very appreciative of your Slayer healing after IÕm done.Ò he said his voice tight as he closed the distance between them. Her laugh was a challenge as she crawled further up the bed until she held the headboard at arms length while kneeling. ÒDo your worst, Lover.Ó she tossed over her shoulder a s a sassy flick of her hair. She watched him as he approached. His hair was pastered to his forehead with sweat, but there was something about the way he moved, a set of his shoulders the intesity on his face that made him look positively predatory. ÒIÕm gonna fuck your brains out.Ó he growled as he climbed onto the bed behind her. The tone of his voice told her he meant every word. She moaned as his hands firmly grasped her asscheeks, kneeding the pliant flesh forcefully before he let his hands slip along her flanks. His hands were just below her breast when she yelp as he bit her left buttock. He then bathed the bite with his tongue. ÒYesssssssss.Ó the word hissed from her lips as his hands closed around her breasts. He suqeezed them rhymically before capturing her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers. he first rolled them, almost gently and then he pulled the hardened nubs stretching them. She lurched up in response stretching them even more before he let go. She panted as she look over her shoulder at him. ÒWell. well. well.Ó she said between pants. ÒLooks like I found the Superman in my mild mannered reporter.Ó she continued. The answering grin he gave her was pure lust. He rained hungry, wet and hot kisses up her spine. Teeth, tongue and lips tasting her flesh as his hands continued to fondle her breasts and tweek her nipple. She felt his once again erect penis bump again her moist, open sex. He drew his hands up along her arms until they covered hers on the headboard and then laced his fingers between her. ÒYou offered me a ride. I think IÕll take it.Ó he breathed in her ear. His breath hot as he thrust forward, but his penis slid up along the length of her slit, his head collecting and being coated with the copious moisture that signaled her arousal. She moaned. He growled, adjusted and thrust again. He slid into like a hot knife through butter and just kept going. He entered her fully in three deliberate, hard and forceful forward thrusts. Her back arched as she threw her head back in exstacy and he felt her grip tighten under his. He pulled back until just the head was inside her before he caught the lobe of her ear between his teeth. He applied pressure as he drove back into her and loved the gasp both actions ellicited from her. He let go of her ear as her head sank down between her arms. She locked her arms and thrust back, burying him even deeper. They began to move in unison. Thrust and counter thrust. There bodies moving faster and harder together. Each movement ignited sparks of white hot pleasure, fanning the flame of their passion into a blaze. His larger frame slid a her her sweat slicked back and their flesh produced a passionate symphony that only the act of sex could produce. Their breathing heavy, loud and synched. Hearts thumping and blood pounding in their ears as they strained to match each other stroke for stroke. His head dipped and he rested it at the base of her neck. He managed to free one of his hands and ran it across her belly feeling her muscles quiver as they moved. His fingers dipped lower as his hips pumped faster. HIs fingers snaked through her pubic hair as her movements became more frantic. They moved as if they were trying to become one person. He thrusting to get as deeply into her as he could. Her bucking to drive him deeper. She felt like liquid heat as her sex moulded around his. Clenching and releasing. All of him wasnÕt enough. All of her wasnÕt enough. He heard her stifle a cry as his fingertips found the sensistive bundle of nerves that was her clit. His fingers circled the hard little nub slowly zeroing in on itÕs centre witer ier increasing pressure. A mewling noise joined the panting of her breath as she thrust back even hard, their hips now meeting with bruising force. He moved his other hand to her shoulder and as their bodies met again he tightened his grip, holding her in place before circling his hips, grinding into her. The noise she made was indescribable. Something like a whine, but forceful and animal with a strange lilt that drove him to repeat the manuver again and again. ÒNow... Now... Now!Ó she cried and he went into over drive. He heard the headboard begin to creek and groan in time with their rhythm as he diddle her clit faster. ÒYes... Yes... Yes.. Yes.. yesyesyesyesyes.Ó she chanted and he felt moisture flood his fingers. She had brought out the devil in him and he took his hands from their positions and wrapped them firmly on her hips before pulling out of her completely. She tried to buck back to keep him inside her, but his hands held her in place, nearly immobile. ÒNo!!Ó she cried out trying to bring her head up and around to look at him. Again she found her movement blocked, this time, by his head at the base of her neck. She could hear him breathing as hard as she was. She was so close, so very close. Her orgasm felt like a heavy knot in the pit of her stomach, a pleasurable ache. She had never been wound up this tight. ÒWhat do you want, Faith?Ó he asked. His words made no sense to her. He repeated the question allowing her hips to move just enough so that the head of his cock pressed against her swollen lips. she felt it sounded like a question but ttimutimulus of his sex so close to hers left her unable to comprehend and she tested his grip trying to bury him in her body again. He didnÕt give her an inch and she growled in frustration. He moved his head allowing hers to rise until his lips were level with her ear. ÒWhat... do... you... want?Ó he asked her slowly, a third time. The meaning of his question finally sank into her sex fogged mind. It took alittle longer for itÕs implications to register. ÒI... wa... want you to... to fuck me Ôtil I cum.Ó she forced out between clenched teeth. ÒAre you sure?Ó he teased her moving forward sawing the head of his penis over he clit. ÒYes.Ó she hissed. The breath left her in a woosh as he rammed back into her. His hips hitting hers in a single fluid stroke. ÒYour... wish... is... my... pleasure.Ó he told his lover punctuating each word with a thrust and a firm tug at her hips. Xander didnÕt understand what had come over him. He had never had the notion to be this way with a women much less one he truly and deeply loved, but with Faith it felt right. He released her hips as she picked up his rhythm and their bodies were soon playing the second movement to their earlier passionate symphony. He gathered her dark, lusterous, sweat damp hair into his left fist and he pulled back lightly at first, but more forcefully as she first brought her head back and then strained forward abit. He tugged at her hair to the same rhythm of their bucking hips and she threw herself into it even harder thrusting from her arms. ÒI... love... you!!!Ó he muttered into her ear. Ò I... love... you... tooooo!!!!!Ó she replied. Their statements drawn out by and at odds to the violent acts they werllinllingly and eagerly perpetrating upon each other. His right hand found her clit again and he diddled it hard and fast. The knot began to unravel and she felt her orgasm begin. She arched hard into his next thrust and he felt her inner muscles begin to spasm around his sex as he felt liquid flood around him and out of her. He gave his fingers a burst of speed on her clit and she cried out most of his name as the wave of her climax peeked and pleasure burst through every nerve ending in her body. Sparks of delight streaked through her making her muscles misfire in delicious fits and starts that made her toes curl. White hot pleasure engulfed her body and she let herself ride the wave. She shuddered as he ground his penis into her pulsing orgasmic sex. Her spasms milked him, tugging at him until his body could not deny itÕs pull and he released rope after rope of his thick seed into her with a strangled cry of his own. He draped his body over hers and he wrapped one of his arms around her belly and the other just below her breasts before he rolled them onto their left sides. Their movement was slightly halted as it took a moment for FaithÕs fingers to let go of the headboard. They stretched out and he heard Faith groan as she stretched the stiff muscles of her thighs and calves. He let his right hand knead the muscles her could reach and she sighed her appreciation as their breathing returned to normal. ÒItÕs good thing our friends are sleeping the sleep of the drunk or we would never be able to live down the racket we just made.Ó he told her planting a kiss on her sweat slick shoulder, savouring the taste of salt. ÒYeah.Ó she answered almost abscently. ÒYou okay?Ó he asked concerned at the tone of her answer. ÒGod, yes.Ó she answered with force. He slipped out of her as his penis softened and he felt their combined juices trickle out between them. ÒThat was wild.Ó he said, nuzzling her ear. ÒWould you like to tell me where that came from?Ó he asked. ÒLetÕs just say I got afew insights from telling you my story too.Ó she told him and she smiled a secret little smile. ÒCare to elaborate?Ó he asked still curious. She shifted onto her back letting him free his arm still around her. ÒMaybe. In alittle while. IÕd like to bask in the afterglow of having my brains fucked out by my boyfriend for abit. If you donÕt mind.Ó she told him in a dreamy voice with alittle sigh. ÒBy all means. Bask away. She turned to look at him. He was propped up on one elbow, still on his side looking down at her with an indulgent, smug smile on his face. ÒBesides youÕre really beautiful when you bask.Ó he said, leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Just, thghteghtest touch of lips to skin. Considering what they had just done Faith was shocked to feel her face heat with a blush at his compliment. He noticed and chuckled. ÒWhen did you become Mr. Smooth?Ó she asked. He frowned. ÒYou know what? I honestly donÕt know.Ó he answered her his expression overly thoughtful. She slapped his thigh and he smiled. He looked down at aga again and the frown returned. ÒYou bask. IÕll be back in a minute.Ó He told her getting up. ÒWha...Ó she started to ask. ÒHush. Bask. Be right back.Ó he told her as he headed for the bathroom. Her fingers trailed dow along her belly and south toward her crotch. She was a sticky, sweaty mess and as loathsome as the idea was she thought that sh better get up too and take a quick shower. She lay back, her body totally relaxed, eyes closed, fore arm thown over her eyes to block out more light, as she let her mind run over what they had just done. She couldnÕt stop herself from smiling. After afew minutes she heard him exit the bathroom and her mind began a serious debate with her body about the benefits of taking a quick shower as apposed to staying right where she was. She felt the bed shift with his weight, but didnÕt move as neither mind or body had made a winning point as yet. She imagined she heard water and then she felt somethng wam and wet being placed on her thigh. She shifted her arm so that it was above her head and cracked open her eyes. Xander was kneeling next to her on the bed. There was a basin of water next to him. She saw steam rising from it. She never said a word as he slowly, gently and meticulously cleaned her up as best he could, she did pull in a ragged breath as he cleaned her sex and her eyes fluttered closed. He rinsed the cloth and then ran it down her thighs and calves. He rinsed the cloth again and then worked it over her torso, breasts and neck. She sighed at the heat and soapy feel of the cloth. She let herself go totally limp as after rinsing the cloth once again he lifted and wiped her arms. With, gently hands he urged her to roll onto her side and he quickly cleaned her shoulders, back and butt. He took his time with her buttocks and Faith enjoyed every minute of it. She felt him shift again and the he was patting her dry with a soft towel. He moved her onto her back again and blotted her front as well. The fabric of the towel left little tingling sensations as it touched her breasts and belly. ÒThere.Ó he said sounding satisfied and again she felt him shift. She opened her eyes and turned to look at him. The basin was nowhere to be seen, but she thought she could make out little tendrils of steam off to the side of the bed. He stretched out next to her. ÒHow goes the basking.Ó he asked quietly looking up at the ceiling. ÒAre you for real? You didnÕt just do that. Is this a dream? Could someone make sure my alarm clock never goes off?Ó she questioned and spoke as if to herself. She rolled onto her side and rested her head on his shoulder. ÒThanks. i think that was the most amazing thing anyone has ever done for me.Ó she told him as she rested her hand on his chest directly over his heart. ÒI helped make the mess. I figured, the least I could do, was clean it up and you looked so relaxed I didnÕt think it would be comfortable sleeping in that state.Ó he explained. ÒHey!Ó, she said with mock indignation, ÒI was gonna get up and take a quick shower when you got out of the bathroom.Ó she continued drawing spirals arond his nipple with her fingernail. ÒYes. IÕm sure you were Sweetie.Ó he said in a tone that said she wouldnÕt have. ÒI wou...Ó she began again. He cut her off. ÒFaith. You looked sated. IÕve seen you after a steak dinner remember. Another five minutes and you would have been in dreamland.Ó he told her patiently. ÒBut...Ó she tried again. ÒFaith.Ó he said her name with a just a hint of warning in his voice. ÒOh All right. Mr Smartass, but I did think about getting up. Honest. He smiled. ÒWell, now you donÕt have to.Ó he said and she snuggled against his shoulders. They were quiet for a few minutes until Faith asked, ÒDo you know how many guys would have thought to do that?Ó His shrug josseled her head and she deliberately scraped her nail over his nipple. ÒOww! I sure wonÕt again.Ó he replied playfully. ÒHa Ha Ha. Seriously. The answer is none, Xander. Zip. Nada. Nyet. YouÕre not a man Xander, youÕre a saint and someday I am afraid you will realise I am nowhere near good enough for you.Ó she admitted softly. ÒWhere did that corom?rom?Ó she asked herself. ÒIt could happen. After Sunnydale my idea of impossible is fairly unique, so, yeah. I guess it could happen, but hereÕs the kicker. I donÕt think it would happen before you found out that I am no saint. That I am as human, hell, IÕm more human than you are. Hopefully you will realise the fact that I have flaws, and guess what? I know you have flaws too. Not to put too fine a point on it, you did try to kill me. ItÕs not something you forget. That was then and you can still be a witch with a capital B when you wanna be, but that doesnÕt mean I donÕt love you. Sometimes, and outside of this conversation I will never admit it, your attitude, your directness, the darkness youÕve faced and overcome are what I love about you. Neither of us are picnics, Faith. I want this to work and I believe you want it to, also. IÕd like to say: Yes, Faith everything will work out and weÕll live happily ever after, but I canÕt. What weÕre doing here is taking a risk, rolling the dice and hoping for the reward, the big payout that is life with someone you love and who loves you. What IÕm saying, Faith is that I love you and am in love with you. I have faith, excuse the pun, that you feel the same way, so you can keep brooding like you are trying to take on Angel for the Brooding Championship or you can try to trust me and what you feel.Ó He di loo look at her while he spoke until the very last sentence. He spoke forcefully and with fire in his voice and his words hammered into her subconscious skeptism. ÒI know. I want to. I...Ó her response faltered. She was surprised at his smile. ÒThatÕs all I need to know. I am glad you told me about your doubts. I just hope I donÕt have to, as you put it, fuck your brains out, to get you to talk about anything that bothers you. Speaking of which I still want to know what insights brought that on.Ó he told her and she felt his fingers scrape lightly along her flank, tickling her. She laughed, rich, full and with warmth. She clamped her arm to her side to trap his hand and stop the tickling. ÒI realised that not all of the things that IÕve done and enjoyed in my past, need to stay in my past. I thought in order to change I had to deny everything that I was back in the bad old days. I came to the conclusion that... that I can be as sexually adventurous, for want of a better description, as I have always been, but, just for the right reasons and... and with the right partner.s nos not what I did, it was why I did them. I sort of finally managed to seperate some my sexual issues from my others. IÕm not saying Freaky Fuck Faith is back. IÕm just saying that the person that I am now still has certain urges of the non-homicidal variety and that she wonÕt be afraid to let them be known in the context of her new life. I took a risk and trusted that you would... would be into it and boy did I get my reward.Ó she spoke elequently, choosing her words carefully with pause-bet-between as she tried to arrange her thought and emotions into words. He brushed hair out of her face, his touch light as angel wings on her cheek and he kissed her temple. ÒSo... In all, a good evening was had by all?Ó he asked her. ÒAll in all? Yeah.Ó she responded. ÒNow why donÕt you get the lights so we can crawl under these covers and get some sleep. I can hardly keep my eyes open.Ó, she craned her neck away from him to look at the bedside clock, ÒDaaaaammmmmmn! Xander. ItÕs after six. The sualrealready coming up.Ó she told him with a yawn. He got up with a yawn of his own. She slid under the covers as he switched off the lights. She watched him walk back to the bed, her Slayer night vision countering the dimness of the room. She found the way his flaccid penis bobbed as he moved strange and unexplainably amusing, a fact that she kept to herself as he ced ied into bed beside her. He moulded himself to her back as she rolled onto her side and she snuggled back fitting her head below his chin. She could feel his penis against her butt and even felt it give a little lurch as it settled into the crack. ÒSorry. Reflex.Ó he apologised. He couldnÕt see her smile. ÒYour feet are cold.Ó she accused him. ÒYoursÕ arenÕt, so be nice and share the heat.Ó he countered rubbing the tops of his feet against the soles of hers. She grabbed his hand and drew his arm around her placing it on her midriff. She folded her arm over his and twined her fingers with is. The heat of his palm on her belly felt very good. ÒSleep tight, Freaky Fuck Faith.Ó he wished her from above her head. ÒSleep tight, Saint Xander.Ó she quipped back and the both chuckled. ÒSleep.Ó she told him as she closed her eyes and let the heat and comfort of the sturdy frame of her lover and his steady breathing lull her into sleep. Sunday, 4 April 2004, 2:28pm, The Hyperion Hotel, XanderÕs Bedroom, L.A. There was a weight on che chest and something was rhythmicly tickling his neck. It was the tickling that had woke him, the weight was warm and comforting. He opened his eyes and looked down. He was on his back and Faith was spralled diagonally across his chest. The tickling was her warm breath. She must have shifted and it now hit a sensitive spot and woke him. He smiled as he saw the contented, semi-smile on her lips. The faint miasma of sex still lingered and as she shifted slightly again he became very aware of her body and felt his manhood twitch. He willed his body to still and it did. Her shift was enough so that her breath no longer tickled. He was loathe to wake her. She looked peaceful and angelic and she sighed into his chest as he slowly slid his hand across her back simply to feel the sumptuous softness of her skin. He moved the covers to cover them again. It always amazed him how much younger she looked when she let herself relax. The things she had told hiim about her past now allowed him to understand where those extra years came from and how she could find, at times, such innocent delight in things that he took for granted. He thought about what he wanted to do for her and hoped that they would stay on schedule at work so that he would have the time to do it properly. He had to talk to Willow about some of the things. If Buffy and Dawn were going to be staying that long he was sure they would help too. He would have to keep most of the preparations Ôtil the very last minute. Faith was very observant. He would have to be really careful if he wanted to keep it a surprise. His smile broardened as he realise, abit guiltily, that deceiving her to pull it off would be quite alot of fun for him. ÒBad, Xander. Bad.Ó he thought clipping off a chuckle for fear that it might wake the sleeping beauty on his chest. He will never know if itÕs the beginning of the chuckle he let slip out or the tactile information she received as she moved her hand into his hair that caused her eyes to flutter open. She runs her hand through his hair lazily, grazing the scalp with her nails. She closes her eyes again and plants a kiss on his chest. He can tell by her breathing that she is awake, but they remain as they are neither moving or saying a word. Time passes and she can feel his thumb making little circles on the skin of her back where his hand rests, She wonders if he knows heÕs doing it. She opens her eyes and he is looking directly into them. He can feel her cheek shift as she smiles. ÒYou make a really good pillow. Do ya know that?Ó she asks him and she can feel the chuckle rumble through his chest and she ruffles his hair. He kisses the top of her head. ÒIÕll keep that ind ind if I get tired of the construction business.Ó he tells her his voice contemplative. ItÕs her turn to laugh and she swings her leg over his torso so that she now straddles his stomach. She moves back enough to rest her hands on the top of his chest one on top of the other before resting her chin on them. His head came up off the pillow to watch her as she started to move. He grunts with an exhilation of breath as she shifts her weight fully onto him, then groans with a sharp intake of breath as her backward movement causes his manhood to press against her sex and she feels it came to life. ÒWhy. Hello there, Mr. Harris.Ó she purres as he letÕs his head fall back onto the pillow. He breathes out slowly and heavily as he feels the head of his penis slide upwards through the folds of the outer lips of her vagina as his erection continued to grow inspired by the seductive tone of her voice. ÒWe should be getting up, Faith.Ó he tells the dark haired Slayer as he tries to get his body back under control. ÒWell, Xander, one of us is already pretty up. DonÕt you think?Ó she asks him as she shifts back alittle further pressing herself more frimly against him. She letÕs alittle groan slip from her lips as the move creates pleasant friction on her clit as it runs along his pubic bone. He can feel her moisture on him. His hands seem to move of their own accord and he runs his fingers and palms from her lower back downwards over her curvacious buttocks. He rests his palms just passed the apex of the curve and tenses his fingers to grasp and squeeze the lower curve where her buttock joins the top of her thighs. The skin is smooth, the flesh firm, but supple. Deliciously pliant in his hands. ÒYessssssss.Ó the word hisses triumphantly from her lips and she rocks her hips in time with his squeezes grinding herself against him. ÒI guess we could stay in bed alittle longer.Ó he says with a grin as she pushes against his chest and sits up letting the covers fall away. ÒYes. I think that would be a really good idea.Ó she says her voice strained alittle as she rises onto her knees. She reaches back grasping his hard member. It throbs in her hand. ÒA really, really good idea.Ó she exhales as she lowers herself onto his erection, inching backward slowly impaling herself. She is setting the pace and he sqeezes her ass alittle harder, making her gasp, in order not to thrust his hips up to bury elf elf fully inside her more quickly. They both groan as she finally settles on his pubic bone and he lets his hands slide back and forth along the globes of her ass as she holds herself still, hands braced on his chest. Her breathing is deep and steady, her head bowed. Tendrils of her silky soft, dark tresses brush his chest with faint pleasurable sensation. Her hips shift with minute adjustments as her body gets used to the feel of him stretching and filling her. She flicks her head back sharply to get the hair out of her face. The movement also shifts her backwards, roughly drawing him even further into her molten depths and draws a feminine grunt from her lips. He is surrounded by warm, pulsing pressure and it feels like home. Somewhere he belongs. The sight of her is amazing. Her eyes are hooded, barely slits, her upper teeth are worrying at her lower lip and her nostrils flare as she draws breath. Her fingers clutch and test the muscles of his chest as she concentrates on where they are joined. Her breasts shimmy and sway slightly with the raggedness of her breathing and his eyes follow the hard, upturned tips of her nipples as they poke skywards from slightly swollen aereola. He runs his tongue over dry lips, the hunger to run them over something else growing. He would have to move to satify that hunger, but something tells him, he needs to wait until she does. They seem to hang in this limbo for what feels like an eternity, but in reality is only a minute or two before she begins to move her hips in a slow, gentle circular motion. Her movements barely move him an inch back and forth inside her, but he knows it grinds her clit against him continually. He can feel the shocks of pleasure spasm her muscles around him each time the sensitive bundle of nerves makes contact with his pubes. Their lovemaking is slow and leisurely. He draws his knees up and places his feet flat on the bed. It gives him the leverage he needs to thrust up gently into her and she adjust her rhythm and movements accordingly. She finds that this slow, leisurely pace is just as enjoyable as the more violent acts of earlier only different, more intimate. The next time her hips are flush with his, he grips her waist and lowers himself to the bed holding her firmly to him. Her eyes open to look down at him and it takes a moment for her arms to relax as his chest pushes against her palms. She lets her hands slide up over his shoulders and then wraps her arms around his neck as he sits up. He had meant to kiss her, but her hand, buried in his hair, guides his lips lower. His tongue snakes out and flicks her hard left nipple before his lips close on the soft flesh of her breast. He nips gently at the flesh with his teeth before opening his mouth wider and drawing more of the firm succulance into his mouth and sucking. His tongue circles and flicks her nipple as he inhales her. He hears her groan and gasp before he feels her tongue, her teeth and finally her lips on the skin of his shoulder and then his neck. Her hips begin to move again as he releases her waist and lets his hands dance up and down her spine. His right hand continues to draw patterns across the expanse of her back, while his left snakes up over her ribs before gathering her right breast into his palm and squeezing firmly. Her hard nipple presses against his palm and he stimulates it further with clockwise motions of his wrist. The sound she makes as she throws back her head is part pant, part moan, part purr and all enjoyment. Her back arches pushing her breasts harder against his lips and hand. He alternates, his mouth moving to her right breast as his hand now claims the saliva slick left. He worries her nipple alittle with his teeth before drawing more of her into his mouth. The movement of her hips has become more pronounced, the circles bigger making her rise further off him and plunge down harder. ÒYes... Yeah... Right there... Tha... Tha.. Oh... That feels so good... D... D... Do that again... Oh Yeah... DonÕt stop... So good So... Good...Ó she praised his ministrations in a breathy voice between pant. She grinds into him a the end of her down stroke making electric shocks of pleasure race and arch through her body. In their present position it is hard for him to thrust, so instead, he raises his hips as she grinds down adding pressure. She gasps her approval. She keeps their pace slow and leisurely. Her orgasm is building like a thunderhead off on the hor, bu, but she feels no need to rush towards it. Her sex ripples around him, massaging him in her warm, wet depths. He misses the sensation as she rises, even while enjoying the heated sparks of pleasure the friction of her movement causes. He is breathing heavily through his nose as his mouth alternates between her breasts, His tongue occassionally running the length of her sweat slick cleavage or exploring the lower curve of her full voluptuous breast, but always returning to the worship of her engorged nipples. His hand glides over slippery sweat and saliva slickened flesh and he applies more pressure moulding her tit flesh into his hand. Each flick from thumb or tongue makes her jerk in flaring pleasure only to have it soothed by a carressing touch or gentle laving before it is repeated. She tastes of sweat, sex and Faith. She smells of animalistic femininity. His senses drink her in and label her all women. He can feel the five points of her fingernails dragging across the expanse of his broad back. They dig in, testing the flesh, branding the nerves underneath. Just alittle more pressure would draw blood, but she doesnÕt. Instead, her sucking mouth marks his neck after her teeth grazes the corded muscles she finds there. He is quickly reaching sensation overload and mercifully she finally speeds up their pace. The storm that is her orgasm has massed high on the horizon and the winds of sensation drive it towards her. Lightning archs and thunder rolls in firing synapses and booming panting breaths. The tempest drives her beyond herself almost as she is now more an observer than a participant as her mind is swept away in pleasure. Their rhythm becomes sloppy and unco-ordinated. His hand leaves her breast as does his mouth as he gulps in air in desperation as his mind screams, ÒDeeper! Harder! Release! Hold Back! Heaven! Hell! Faith!Ó He snakes his arms under hers. His hands slide up over her shoulders. His fingers grasp at the tops of her shoulder blades. As, their pubic bones meet he tightens his grip pulling her down even as he archs his back and pushes with his feet to thrust himself off the bed and deeper into her. He feels himself pressed hard against her cervix almost gaining entrance into her womb and his penis pulses painfully hard as he jets stream after stream into her quivering core before they clamp down on him in a painfully pleasurable vice. There is a sharp puntuation of pain on his left shoulder and then there is the sensation of falling as he looses all control of his body and slumps backward onto the bed. She feels his grip tighten and suddenly there is nowhere for her to move, but further onto him. He slams into her from below, driving the breath from her body. She draws in breath in a huge gulp, as if suffocating. Her exhiliation transforms into a rising wail as lightning strikes and every muscle in her body tenses as pleasure courses through it from the feel of his member pressed hard to her cervix almost begging admittance to her womb. Some analytical part of her mind that has, by some daunt of effort, managed to keep itself aloof from the pleasure that overruns the rest of it, informs her that very soon every person in the Hyperion is going to be able to hear her cry. Had her eyes been open she would have seen XanderÕs teeth clenched tight in an attempt to cage his own animal roar of release and gratification. She stifles her cry in hs shoulder even as he falls backward, drawing her with him and her body becomes boneless and limp. They are breathing as if they have run a marathon in high altitude. Each breath is a labour, but is needed to refuel the energies they have releases and the aftershocks of their orgasms. Each tremor of her internal muscles makes his penis twitch and strain for the impossibility of staying hard, erect and buried deep in her luxurious heat. Her muscles clench in a vain attempt to keep herself so pleasurably filled. Nerve endings feel raw and their skin on skin contact is a prickly hot sensation that only gradually fades as, despite both their efforts his softening sex begins to slip out of her. They both groan softly in loss. His hands slip from her shoulders and race a trickle of sweat down her spine before once again coming to res the the firm globes of her ass. They donÕt sqeeze or grasp. He doesnÕt have the strength or where with all. They just rest there, two bastions of heat as her sweat dries and cools the rest of her skin not in contact with his. She can taste blood in her mouth and it is with effort that she drags her eyelids up to open her eyes. She can clearly see the bite mark on his shoulder she doesnÕt remember making. She has marked him with her teeth as well as her lips as she notices the dark bruise of a hicky, low on his neck. That, she does remember giving him. He has marked her too. Her nipples feel sore and sensitive against his chest. Had she been able to glance down she would have seen a hicky of her own just above her right aereola. She raises her hips slightly and lets her legs slide backwards and straighten out. ItÕs an effort she has to expend in order to avoid stiffening, cramping muscles. It also succeeds in letting his spent sex slip completely out of her and her lower body slump back onto his torso heavily. Her arms still cradle his neck. On impulse she runs her tongue over the wound her teeth have left on his shoulder in an attempt to sooth it. The action seems to drag Xander from whatever place his mind was occupying and he tilts his head down and too the side to look at her. His right hand glides up the silky soft skin of her back, fingertips tracing the ridges of her spine before leaving her flesh. His movements are lazy, but purposeful. She moves her head closer to the edge of his shoulder as his hand comes over her shoulder. His fingertips explore the bite mark and he winces slightly. ÒSorry.Ó she whispers. He rests the palm of hind ond on her cheek and runs the pad of his thumb over her lips until she parts them. The digit slid past her lips and he skimmed it lightly over the edge of her teeth. ÒSharp.Ó he observed and she bit down gently and he chuckles. ÒJust remember, Baby. You broke it ,you bought it.Ó he told her still stroking his, now released thumb across her full, lush lower lip. She had to push his thumb away with her tongue before she could answer. He pulled the offending digit away with such a start she guessed he never even knew what he had been doing with it. ÒYou give me the receipt and IÕll sign it. I guess weÕve gone over the guarantee clause already.Ó she replied smiling brightly. ÒSharp teeth and a sharp wit. Who knew?Ó he teased and she sticks her tongue out at him. Her head was tilted toward him at just the right angle and he couldnÕt resist. He swooped down and sucked her protruding tongue into his mouth and kissed her soundly. Just as she started to get into the kiss he pulled back abruptly. ÒFaith.Ó he said her name in a tone that was stern, but somehow conveyed both regret and a warning. ÒThat way lies madness. I think we need to get up. I, for one, would like to find out if my legs still function,Ó she brought up her knee rubbing the soft, smooth flesh of her inner thigh against his outer thigh, Ófor walking, Faith. If we stay here much longer we are likely to get frisky again and as much fun as that might be... I am alittle curious as to how our budding alcoholic friends are doing. So, what do you say? Give a guy a break and saunter that sexy ass of yours out of my bed and into your shower. Hmmm?Ó he argued his point as valiently as he could as Faith squirmed deliberately against him and batted her eyebrows at him in a come hither manner. ÒOh! All right.Ó she said with a playful pout that almost melted his resolve. ÒHer lower lip is just so delectable.Ó he thought. Without another word she gathered the covers and rolled off him and out of the bed taking them with her, leaving him completely naked in the middle of the bed. ÒHey!Ó he cried after her retreating form. After two step she turned her head to look at him, frowning. ÒWhy my bathroom?Ó she asked curiously only now realising the way he had phrased his request. ÒItÕs a time thing and a getting frisky thing.Ó he replied and she raised an eyebrow. Òit would be quicker if we showered seperately in two different showers and if we decided to try and use the same shower at the same time...Ó he let the statement hang as his expression became an exaggerated leer. ÒI think you get the picture.Ó he told her with a wink. ÒOh, I think I do.Ó she said as she once again began to move. She deliberately let the covers fall from her body as she walked over to his dresser. As, she got closer to the dresser she could see his reflection and she loved the way his eyes roamed her nude form with appreciation and hunger. She deliberately bent down, at the waste, next to the dresser to grab her shirt off the chair where she had disgarded it earlier, knowing full well it would drive him to distraction. She thought she heard a strangled noise from behind her, but before she could turn to comment she heard the bathroom door slam shut behind her. ÒThat was fast.Ó she thought and laughed out loud. She slipped on and buttoned the shirt before collecting the rest of her clothes and going to her room to shower. She was taunting him and she was doing a pretty good job of it. His eyes were drawn to her lithe figure and the feminine sway of her hips. Then, she bent over and he had to quickly stifle a groan as she brazenly exposed her most intimate parts to his view. He knew sheÕd heard him and he knew she would use it to her advantage. He did the only thing any mature male in his situation would do. He bolted. He managed to get the bathroom door between himself and her, but the image of her remained in his mind. He heard her laugh. He shouid be upset that it was at his expense, but he was starting to really become accustomed to the sound of it. It was something so simple, yet it made his day seem somehow more complete. The image of her naked body was not bannished by his musings and in the end it took a brasing, cold shower before he took a hot one to get his mind off sneaking into her bathroom and joining her and seeing what adventure that would lead them on. The water stung the bite mark on his shoulder. He checked it out in the mirror when he got out of the shower. It was shallow, had barely broken skin, but still, sheÕd drawn blood. Somehow looking at the way sheÕd marked him left him with a feeling of smugness. He knew he had made her do that. He toweled off quickly, then slipped on a pair of boxers and black sweatpants. He took out a tanktop, but soon realised it wasnÕt his. He held the garment to his nose and smelled it. Jasmine and an image of Faith. He placed it on the dresser, then donned a white one of his own. He toweled his hair vigorously until it was dry, but he only ran his hands through it a couple of times to tame some of the more unruly curls. He grabbed FaithÕs tank and left his room. He wondered if any of the other women were up yet as he padded down the hallway to FaithÕs room on bare feet. He ked sed smartly on the door and she told him to come in. He hesitated. ÒFaith? Are you decent? No. DonÕt say it. Let me rephrase. Are you clothed? Make that fully clothed?Ó he asked through the door. ÒYes, Mr Prude. The names Clothed... Fully Clothed. Now come in alreadyÓ she answered and again he heard the richness of her laughter. He opened the door fully expecting to see her standing naked, arms akimbo and fists at her hips in challenge, but she was dressed similar to him, only her sweatpants were grey and her tank was cropped and black, leaving her midriff bare. ÒFood. Xander. I need food.Ó she said not turning from where she sat at her dresser as she combed out her luxurious growth of shiny, dark hair. She put her comb down and turned on the seat to look at him. He thinks he can make out the slight protrusion of her nipples and he speculates that she isnÕt wearing a bra. ÒWhat in the world? HavnÕt you heard of a comb.?Óshe asked him as she picked up the comb again. ÒSit.Ó she commanded. He fleetingly thought of arguing, but the tone of her voice and the little tap of her foot he noticed, soon dispelled such notions and he meekly sat where she directed. She combed his hair with gentle care and he got to see a more maternal side of FaithÕs nature as she fussed with his hair until she had it neat and tidy, just the way she wanted it. He had a quick flash of what she would be like as aher her and smiled at the extraordinary, complex women infront of him. ÒCan I go out and play now?Ó he asked her in a little boy voice. ÒBe nice.Ó she warned and he laughed. ÒCome on. You mentioned food. IÕm starved too. LetÕs go. IÕll let you play with my hair some more some other time.Ó he urged his girlfriend. She swatted his shoulder. ÒIf I werenÕt so hungry, IÕd teach you a lesson, but right now, Faith gotta get her grub on. Big time.Ó she relented and put the comb down. ÒWow! Using the third person. That will teach me.Ó he joked. ÒOh please.Ó was her rebuttal. He got up and as she turned her back on him to leave he checked himself out in the mirror. ÒNot bad.Ó he thought and hurried after her lest she see what he was doing. He realised he still had her tank top in his hand. He called her name and she stopped with her hand on the doorknob, turning to face him. He waved the tank at her. ÒYou left this in my room. Would you be freaked if I offered you a draw, some closet space and a shelf in my medicine cabinet?Ó he asked her. It was a snap decision. ÒMaybe I should have thought this through abit more.Ó he thinks when she doesnÕt answer immediately. She walked back to him and took the tank from his hands. ÒI would, but can I have them anyway?Ó she replied alittle bit apprehensively. He smiled. ÒYou donÕt have to give up your room or anything. I just figure, that it would be more convenient.Ó he said. Her eyebrow arched skyward. ÒOh Boy. That didnÕt come out right.Ó he thought. ÒHmmm. What I meant was... Well, what I mean is... I want you to share my life and I guess we could start by sharing a room and mineÕs bigger, so...Ó he said slowly trying to make sure he chose the right words. Her eyebrow smoothed to itÕs customary position and she looked at him through lowered lashes, ÒHis just so sweet sometimes.Ó Faith thought. ÒSo... YouÕre asking me to officially move in with you?Ó she asked seriously. ÒI guess... Yes... Yes. I am.Ó he answered her his voice firming. ÒIÕd like that.Ó she said demurely her teeth worrying at her lower lip while she shifted her feet nervously. She knew it was the right thing to do, but she still had her doubts and insecurities, even with everything he had told her. ÒGreat.Ó he said flashing her a broad toothy grin. He took her hand grasping her knuckles between his thumb and forefinger. He stroked the tops of her fingers just below the knuckles with the pad of his thumb. ÒDamn. itÕs soft and smooth.Ó he thought, surprised considering the things she tended to hit with her fists and the force with which such blows were often delivered. He raised her hand and kissed the back of her palm. He heard her sigh and saw the tension and nervousness leave her feature at his gently galant gesture. He smiled as he lowered her hand, but did not release it and she smiled back. ÒCome on. LetÕs go get your grub on.Ó he whispered in her ear, leaning close as he stepped past her. HeÕs tone had Faith thinking about a completely different kind of hunger, but her stomach over rode... other parts of her anatomy. Still holding her hand he opened the door and she let him lead her from the room. Sunday, 4 April 2004, 4:19pm, The Hyperion Hotel, The Kitchen, L.A. She was dragging him along by the time they reached the kitchen or the casualty ward considering what or more correctly the condition of who they found around the kitchen table. Both Willow and Dawn are slumped over the table heads cradled on crossed arms, Their hair looking mussed and disheveled. TheyÕre both in bathrobes. There are steaming cups of coffee next to each of them. Kennedy and Buffy are sitting at the table across from them sipping their own coffees. ÒGood day, Ladies!Ó Faith greets them loudly and cheerfully. ÒJust die.Ó Willow groans as she raises her head enough to take a sip of her coffee. Dawn, just weakly flipped her the bird before asking. ÒCould you breathe alittle more quietly? Please?Ó Faith laughed loudly. Kennedy and Buffy looked fine, but Faith saw their twin winces at her loud greeting. They greeted herself and Xander quietly. Xander moved behind Dawn and Willow and places a hand on each of their shoulders, rubbing them gently. The two women craned their heads around to look at him with wan smiles on their faces, their eyes bleary and their skin a shade or two too pale. Faith took pity on them and lowered her voice as she asked ÒAny more coffee?Ó Buffy gestured at the counter next to the stove with her mug and Faith saw a half full pot of coffee. She gave Buffy a thumbs up and moved to the cupboard containioffeoffee mugs. She took out one and then paused and took out another, gesturing to Xander with it. He nodded and she took both over to the coffeepot. She poured them both a cup adding some cream and honey for Xander, knowing how he took his coffee, while leaving hers black. She handed Xander his coffee and took up the task of rubbing WillowsÕ back he had relinqushed to take the drink from her. ÒWhyÕd you let me do it, Xander? Why?Ó Willow asked her friend miserably. ÒI second that question. I thought you liked me.Ó Dawn muttered hoarsely and Faith saw her shudder as the young women sipped at her coffee. Xander chuckled softly. ÒSorry ladies. IÕll never tie you down and pour vast amounts of alcohol down your throats again. I promise.Ó Xander apologised his expression and tone sincere while merriment danced in his eyes. Buffy laughed and if looks could kill the younger Summers sister would be up on charges of first degree murder. Faith leaned down and whispered something in the witchÕs ear. Willow looked sharply at Faith, who nodded. Willow looked alittle green around the gills, but gave Faith a slight nod. Faith turned to a suffering Dawn. ÒYou done throwing up yet, D?Ó she asked and the wretched moan from Dawn confirmed what Faith had thought when watching BuffyÕs sister drink. ÒThe poor girl most liked puked her toenails up earlier.Ó she thought synpathetically. ÒI just offered to make Red here a hangover cure. ItÕs abit exotic and you wonÕt like it, but IÕll promise youÕll feel better in thirty minutes or... well either way you wonÕt feel anything. so, Kiddo, what do you say? Feel the way you are for the rest of the day or ...Ó Faith offered with her head cocked to the side in question. ÒI donÕt think it is any way possible for me to feel any worse. IÕll try anything at this point. I swear the only things IÕm ever drinking again are water, milk and coffee.Ó Dawn told her. ÒOkay. Two Hair of the Hellhounds who bit ya coming up. Xander. In my room, bottom dresser draw. ThereÕs a bottle of Absinth Ultra Supreme.. Get it for me. Please?Ó she asked him in a crisp business like manner. Xander cocked an eyebrow at her, but moved to do as she requested. ÒOh and Xander. DonÕt look in any of the other draws. A girl likes to keep alittle mystery after all.Ó she said to his back. ÒNow, youÕve just made me curious.Ó he threw over his shoulder. She didnÕt reply because he was already out of earshot. Dawn looked at Willow. ÒAbsinth. IsnÕt that alcohol.?Ó Dawn asked the witch. ÒYes.Ó Willow replied and they both blanched. The grin Faith flashed them was absolutely wicked. She got two large tumblers and placed them where the two sufferers could clearly see them. She looked to Buffy and Kennedy. ÒDo you need some too?Ó she asked. The two Slayers looked at her speculatively and then at each other. ÒAhhh. No, Faith. I think weÕll stick to Asprin. My headaches already starting to fade.Ó Buffy replied rather wisely considering the only ingredient Faith had mentioned so far. Kennedy concurred. Faith shrugged and began moving around the kitchen getting the various things she needed. Four eggs, milk, tomato juice, Tabasco sauce, a celery stalk, pepper and lemon juice. Willow and Dawn followed FaithÕs movements with wide eyed aprehension. She deftly broke and dropped the contents of two of the eggs into each tumble and mixed the yolks and whites together with the celery stalk. Next, she dashed in some lemon juice, followed by some milk until the tumblers were half full. She waited until Xander returned with what appeared to be a shiny, silver metal bottle with a strange clasped lid. ÒDid you look?Ó she asked him. ÒNo. I promise. ScoutÕs honor.Ó he replied handing her the bottle. ÒXander. You were never a boyscout.Ó Buffy interjected. ÒShe didnÕt know that.Ó Xander replied flippantly and gave Faith a peck on the cheek before resuming drinking his coffee. Faith removed the strange top from the bottle and it turned out to be a silver shotglass. She ground some pepper into the tumblers then carefully measured out a shot glass of what was in the bottle and poured one into each. The liquid was clear. She them poured in some tomato juice followed by alittle more milk into the tumblers before finally shaking afew drops of Tabasco sauce into the milk staining it red. She looked at the glasses critically and put abit more Tabasco sauce into one. (Disclaimer: This is not a real hangover cure. This is fiction. It is fictitious. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT! attempt to recreate this. I have no idea what it would do to an actual living human being. Understand.) She sealed the bottle and slid the glasses forward infront of her two friends. ÒThere you go, Ladies. Drink up.Ó Faith told them crossing her arms infront of her. ÒYou have to be kidding me?Ó Willow said her voice incredulous. Faith gestured for them to do as she said and picking up her forgotten coffee showed them what she meant by downing the cooled drink. Willow still looked at Faith as if she were crazy, but Dawn reached out with a trembling hand for the multi-layered concoction. Willow transfered her ÔYou must be nuts!Õ look to Dawn as she brought the tumbler to her lips with unsteady hands. ÒItÕs works best if you can get it down in one go.Ó Faith advised and DawnÕs eyes bugged. Willow looked at Dawn uncertainly, but took hold of her tumbler as well. All eyes were on the two badly hungover women as they brought the drinks to their lips. A look of determination crossed both their faces and following WillowÕs lead Dawn pinched her nose close between thumb and forefinger and began to guzzel down the concoction. Both choked abit at first, but only Dawn halted about three quarters through, needing to catch her breath before finishing hers. They both grimaced horribly throughout the grewsome ordeal. When Willow finished she slammed the tumbler into the table and vented the longest stream of curses and explitives Faith had ever heard. Sheleteleted the English language and then just kept on going in languages none of them understood, but the tone and verocity of the words left little to the imagination. Faith was impressed the witch even knew what some of the terms she had used meant. She also kept a close eye on Dawn who was dead quiet. Faith saw DawnÕs stomach lurch, but the tough teen managed to keep the drink down. ÒFUCCCCCCCCCCCK! that was absolutely horrible. Faith, I like you, but I might have to ask my sister to kill you, just so that you never, ever, ever amke that... that thing for anyone ever again.Ó Dawn said finally finding her voice even as WillowÕs tirade began to wind down. ÒI think youÕre gonna have to get in line D.Ó Faith told her as Willow stared daggers at her. ÒI warned you, you werenÕt going to like it.Ó Faith told them, ÒBut, how are you feeling?Ó she asked. They both looked at her in surprise as they realised that besides the foul taste in their mouths they were starting to feel alot better. She didnÕt need them to answer because she could see the colour return to their cheeks. She knew although the ingredients did help, it was the reaction to it that did the most good. She turned to Xander. ÒSo, what are you gonna make me to eat, Honey?Ó she asked him sweetly. He considered her request. ÒDo I owe you a bite?Ó he asked surreptitiously tapping his shoulder. She sighed. ÒGuess IÕm cooking. A girl can just never catch a break.Ó she said resignedly. ÒEggs, bacon and sausage okay?Ó she asked making her voice sound as put upon as she possibly can. ÒOh come on, Sweetie. Stop being so melodramatic. IÕll help.Ó Xander chided. ÒYeah. Help eat whatÕs first off the pan.Ó she muttered under her breath. ÒI heard that.Ó Xander said and she shrugged. She got out a big frying pan before getting a large carton of eggs and three packages of bacon. The sausage was frozen and she passed it to Xander to defrost in the microwave. She turned on the stove and drizzled some olive oil into the pan and waited for it to heat. She listen to the rest of her friends talking about this and that. She smiled, glad that Dawn and Willow were feeling well enough to joke. She decided to do two eggs and some bacon at a time so that each time she finished someone could have a hot meal. As, an afterthought, she grabbed and slipped the loop of an apron over her head and tied it behind her back. Xander loaded the four slice toaster and leaned back on the counter watching Faith. He likes the domestic look on her, but he knows itÕs a rare sight and savours it. Both Dawn and Willow thank Faith with a pat on the shoulder as they leave the kitchen telling everyone they would like to take showers and get dressed. ÒHurry back.Ó, she told them,ÓI donÕt know how long I can defend the bacon against Xander. A Slayer can doonly so much.Ó She heard them laugh and smiled. The first lot is soon done and she shovels it onto the plate Kennedy holds out to her while Xander adds two slices of toast. ÒThanks.Ó she says cheerfully. ÒGet the juice from the refrigerator.Ó Xander tells her and she nods before doing so. She snags a few glasses and brings it all back to the table. Faith gives her a thumbs up. ÒHow is the sausage doing?Ó She asks Xander who opens the microwave. He prods the sausage and then brings it over to her. She adds three sausage links with the eggs and bacon this time round. She hears him reload the toaster. The smell is driving her insane and her mouth is watering. ÒIÕm so gonna swipe the first piece of bacon thatÕs ready.Ó she thinks wondering if anyone can hear her stomach rumbling. She feels Xander move up behind her, very close, but not touching. He brings his arms around her and in one hand he has a slice of toast and in the other the sqeeze bottle of honey. He sqeezes some honey onto the toast, dribbling it from a distance infront of her eyes and then makes as if to take the toast for himself. She doesnÕt see the devilish grin on his face as she whines her discontent unitl he whispers in her ear, ÒOpen.Ó, and he feeds her a bite of the honey covered toast before taking a bite from it as well. They share that piece of toast and another that he prepares in the same way, before the food in the pan is ready. Buffy puts two glasses of orange juice where they can easily be reached before presenting her plate onto which she slides the contents of the pan. She barely manages to stop herself from filching a piece of bacon, but the toast has managed to take the edge off her hunger. Buffy grabs her own toast and at a signal from Xander puts the remaining two slices on a plate and reloads the toaster before returning to her seat and tucking in. Both Slayers are humming their appreciation. Faith adds some more olive oil and starts the next batch of frying. Xander wraps his arms loosely around her waist, interlocking his fingers, the side of his elbows rest lightly on her hips. She can feel his chest against her shoulderblades and she relaxes back against him as she keeps an eye on the pan shifting bacon and sausage as she sees fit. As, her weight settles back against him, he realises he canÕt feel a bra strap and concludes that his earlier guess was correct. She doesnÕt know who started it, but when Dawn and Willow arrive, theyÕre rocking gently from side to side, dancing in place to music that isnÕt there. His chin is resting on the top of her head. He likes how she fits him so neatly. He tells the witch and his friend to get some toast. After seeing what Faith has fried Dawn asks WIllow if sheÕd mind sharing it as, although she is hungry, her apetite is not yet recovered enough to finish such a generous amount of food. Willow agrees saying she feels the same. They both hold out their plates containing two slices of toast and Faith turns and divvies up the contents of the pan evenly between them. Xander doesnÕt release her, he just moves with her and she like that. Kennedy pushes her plate away. ItÕs spotless and she finishes off the last of her juice. She rises and puts her dishes in the sink. She walks over to Faith and Xander. ÒConsider the spot hit. That was great Faith. Why donÕt you cuddle bunnies take a load off and IÕll take over the fry duties?Ó she tells them. ÒCuddle bunnies?Ó the ask her simultaneously. ÒYip. You two are stuck on each other like a tax man on Bill GatesÕs ass. You donÕt even know it, but you guys touch each other all the time. I think itÕs cute. so does Willow. YouÕve been doing it for months. Now sit. These are almost ready.Ó she finishes indicating the pan with a tilt oh her head. Xander unties the apron behind FaithÕs back, she slips it over her head and hands it to Kennedy along with the large fork she has been using to turn the bacon and sausage. TheyÕre all dressed pretty casual and easy going in either sweat pants or blue jeans with t-shirts or tank tops. Everyone is barefoot. ÒMonths?Ó Faith asks the other Slayer. ÒUh Huh.Ó Kennedy nods. Faith looks thoughtful as she follows Xander to the table. The only seat at the table is the one that Kennedy has just vacated and as Xander sits she snakes out a foot to snag one of the stools from underneath the island counter beside it. SheÕs precariously balanced and Xander takes full advantage by grabbing the hand she had extended in his direction tontaintain it. A quick yank and she literally drops into his lap, crying out in surprise and dismay at his sudden, unexpexcted move. Her arm reflexively slide around his neck to stop her decent, but his arm is diagonally behind her back, stopping her backward fall and with his fore arm under her knees he settles her safely onto his lap. ÒHey!Ó shees aes as she punches his shoulder lightly. ÒYou should know better than to surprise a Slayer like that. I couldÕve... couldÕve reacted violently and hurt you or something. She feels his grip tighten at the side of her hip. ÒThe little girlish scream you made was quite violent, Honey, and it did hurt my ears.Ó he teases her. ÒJerk.Ó she mutters, but lays her head on his shoulder shifting slightly to get even more comfortable. He turns his head and kisses her forehead before gently accusing her, ÒJerkette.Ó His grin is infectious and she giggles. ÒGod. his such a goof sometimes, but his MY goof.Ó Faith thinks happily. ItÕs then that they notice the silent hush that has fallen over the kitchen. Beside and infront of them Willow and DawnÕs forks are frozen halfway to their mouths and BuffyÕs glass seems unable to complete the journey to hers. They are all staring at the couple incredulously. If their blatant show of affection had been surprising, Faith giggling like a school girl was just plain unbelievable. ÒWhat?Ó Faith asks them feeling sheepish. ÒLive with it. Cuddle Bunnies we were named, so Cuddle Bunnies we shall be.Ó Xander tells his friends, locking his fingers to wrap Faith in his arms. Time seems to unfreeze and the three women complete their actions. ÒThatÕs so sweet.Ó Buffy says after swallowing. ÒJealous?Ó Faith asks playfully. ÒAlittle. but, thereÕs all that chocolate ice cream we bought so IÕll live.Ó she replies grinning. her laugh is full and throaty and her warm breath tickles his neck. Willow smiles at them and Dawn just rolls her eyes, but wonders what it would be like to be held like that. Kennedy drops a plate infront of them. There are two eggs sunnyside up, six strips of bacon, four links of breakfast sausage and two slices of toast. ÒGuess you guys can share that until the last lot is done.Ó she tells them. She also brings over their forgotten glasses of juice and they thank her by saluting her with them. ÒFeed me, Faith. Feeeeeed meeee.Ó Xander commands Faith in an imitation of the plant from Little Shop of Horrors. Faith sticks a crispy piece of bacon halfway into his mouth to shut him up. On impulse she fastens her teeth onto the exposed end and nibble down itÕs length toward his lips. She just barely brushes his lips with hers before pulling away, chewing. She loves the way his eyes nearly cross as he tried to keep them on her. She know sheÕs showing off, but she is having fun letting her inner, lovestruck teen out to play. Willow calls her on it, ÒNow, youÕre just showing off.Ó Dawn makes a gagging noise. ÒHelllloooo. Teenager trying to eat here. If youÕre gonna do that, do it somewhere else... Better yet, donÕt do that.Ó she scolds the couple in mock disgust. ÒIf you got it, flaunt it, RedÓ Faith tells the witch. ÒSorry Dawnie but, I like my bacon with abit of Faith.Ó he tells the teen as they repeat their bacon kiss performance. She presses her lips abit more firmly to his this time and he is tempted to let his tongue follow the bacon sheÕs just nibbled, but he doesnÕt. ÒXander,as much as I would love to keep doing this, I have to get down to some serious eating. A growling stomach is not a ladylike thing.Ó she tells him as she shifts so that more of her back is to him and she frees both her hands to deal with a knife and fork. ÒFeeeeeeed Meeeeeeeeee!!!!Ó he starts again. ÒKeep your pants on.Ó Faith placates him with another piece of bacon. ÒXander. Please do, for all our sakes.Ó Buffy tells her friend. He frowns at her. ÒKeep your pants on.Ó shelainlains sweetly. ÒOh Ha... Ha... Umph...Ó Faith cuts his sarcastic reply short by stuffing a forkful of egg and toast into his mouth and he murmurs his enjoyment as he chews happily, BuffyÕs jibe forgotten. Faith feeds him and herself alternately. She gets abit distracted when he starts rubbing the flesh at her side under his thumb and she looks back sharply thinking he is messing with her, but he only seems to be enjoying the latest forkful of food she has deposited into his mouth. His watching Buffy bringing two tubs of ice cream to the table. He swallows and calls to the blonde Slayer to bring spoons for all of them. Buffy looks at the two tubs she has,shakes her head and backtracks to the refrigerator. Kennedy reloads their plate and asÒThaÒThat enough?Ó Faith and Xander nod with smiles, mouths too full of food to answer verbally. ÒCool. Everyone else had enough?Ó she asks the table in general as Buffy arrives with spoons and three cartons of ice cream. ÒThanks, Babe.Ó Willow answers her girlfriend for the whole table. The short, dark haired Slayer moves back to the stove to switch it off and to take the pan to the sink where she rinces it before putting it down. She walks back to the table and stands behind WillowÕs chair. ÒCan we try that?Ó she asks the redhead, bobbing her head at Faith and XanderÕs seating arrangement. ÒLooks like fun.Ó Kennedy continues devilishly. ÒHop aboard Slayer mine, but only as long as you promise to Feeed me, Kennedy. Feeeeeeeedddddd Meeeeeeeee!!!!!Ó Willow invited also mimicking the cult horror movie and they all laugh. Kennedy slides into the witchÕs lap and pecks her on the cheek. ÒWanna sit in my lap Dawn?Ó Buffy asks her sister. ÒNah. Sorry, Sis. IÕm good.Ó Dawn answers and they start sharing one of the cartons of ice cream. Faith and Xander make short work of their food. She is leaning back in his arms just enjoying the quiet moment with their friends. Kennedy is feeding Willow large spoonfuls of ice cream. The witch is sucking the chocoy goy goodness off the spoon in a very suggestive manner. It looks very natural, sensual and sexy. She knows Xander has noticed because his suddenly very interested in the table top. Buffy and Dawn appear to have the same fascination with the tabletop Xander has, but she does see Dawn sneak curious glances before guiltily returning her eyes to the tables surface. ÒAhhhh. To be young and curious.Ó she thinks. XanderÕs thumb is still lazily stroking back and forward over her skin. She finally realises that the movement is synched with her breathing and that unless he was getting very, very good at hiding things from her he doesnÕt even know what his doing. She wonders if his movement would halt if she holds her breath, but she decides she doesnÕt want that. His thoughts are different and similar to hers. He watches her watching the lesbian couple across from them with rapt concentration. He gives a mental chuckle of how her actions reminds him of AnyaÕs almost perversely direct, but innocent curiosity about all thing sexual. He hopes the ex demon is happy where ever she is. He has to look away from his oldest friend and her lover, as with the kiss at the market the night before, what theyÕre doing creates of images of Willow that he just wasnÕt quite prepared to deal with. Her thumb is stroking his palm, just below his calluses as it lies on her lap. ItÕs a nice sensation of smooth on rough. He smiles. He can almost swear her movements are in time with his breathing, but he canÕt be sure. Her attention is so captured by their lesbian friends that she hasnÕt even touched the ice cream carton infront of her and he wonders if she knows what she is doing to his hand. He nuzzles just behind her ear. ÒDonÕt stare. ItÕs not polite.Ó he whispers in her ear as low as he can. Her eyes dart to him, but quickly return to Willow and Kennedy. ÒBut, it looks so hot.Ó she whispers back with just a hint of awe in her voice. He sees Buffy blush. ÒOh crap! Slayer hearing.Ó he thinks and he looks up to see Kennedy staring right at them as she swipes some of ice cream off the spoon, that Willow offers her, with her tongue before sucking the spoon and the rest of itÕs contents into her mouth. The spoon exits afew moments later, spotless and Kennedy grins even as Willow forehead creases into alittle frown at her loverÕs blatant display. Xander can feel his face heat even as he feels Faith shift forward closer to the table. Buffy gets up suddenly and clearing her throat says, ÒNeed to go to the bathroom.Ó and leaves the kitchen. ÒWas that good, K? It looked like it was good.Ó she asks. ÒYes, Faith. I like something sweet I can wrap my tongue around.Ó Kennedy replies her gaze still direct. ÒI bet you do. I like popsicals better, personally.Ó Faith rebutts her voice filled with shades of meaning. Willow is shifting her gaze from Slayer to Slayer as it finally dawns on her what is happening. Dawn sputters around a mouthful of ice cream and pushes her chair back noisily. ÒThink IÕll go check my e-mail,Ó the teen stammers already hurrying out of the kitchen. ÒYeah well. To each her own. I like mine in a carton, you know, something you can really dig into.Ó Kennedy continues blithely determined to use gasoline to put out a fire. ÒI can see how that might be, but I have to say that popsicals are just more... filling.Ó Faith countered. ÒThat might be, but when a popsical melts itÕs gone, but a carton of nice, rich, creamy ice cream just gets all soft and you can just drink it down or lap it up.Ó Kennedy returned licking her lips in emphasis. Willow is watching the exchange with interest now. Neither Faith nor Xander can see her hand kneading the side of KennedyÕs thigh, below the table. She had seen the couple whispering across the table from them before this verbal fencing match began and guessÕ that Kennedy had heard what they were whispering with her enhanced Slayer hearing. Their playful innuendoes, insinuations cloaked in this conversation is really turning her on. She can see Xander shift uncomfortable. There is no easy exit for him, unlike with Buffy and her sister, he has Faith on his lap. He has to shift as his body reacts to the real content of their exchange. He hopes Faith cannot feel him hardening, sheÕd never let him live it down, ÒNo pun intended.Ó he thinks. He hears Faith drawing breath for her next volley and does the only thing he can think of to head it off. He digs out a large spoonful of ice cream and pushes it into her open mouth. ÒBe quite and have some ice cream.Ó he says in a strained voice. Faith mumbles something around her mouthful of the confectionary. She swallows loudly. ÒWhat??Ó she asks him in dismay turning to look him full in the face even as Willow and Kennedy burst into howls of laughter. He looks at them strangely. ÒI said: Have some i...Ó his voice trails off and his eyes widen as he realises what that would mean in the context of Faith and KennedyÕs little discussion. ÒYouÕd like me to have Ôice creamÕ. Would you like to watch me enjoy some Ôice creamÕ, Xander?Ó Faith asks him managing to say the word ice cream so that it has quotation marks and conveys the true meaning of what she and Kennedy were discussing. Xander has gone red and he is sputtering as he tries to start half a dozen sentences without getting past the first syllable of the first word. Having changed her position she can feel him getting hard and he twitched and jerked when she made her suggestion. ÒInteresting.Ó Faith thinks. ÒErrrr. I think I hear Buffy calling me.Ó he finally manages to say and he nearly dumps Faith off his lap in his hurry to push back their chair. He manages to steady her, keeping her between himself and their friends as he is fully aware of the state of his crotch and feels more than embarressed enough as it is. ÒHey!!Ó Faith chides at his sudden movement, but the grin on her face is one of pure wicked amusement. ÒIsnÕt that Dawn? I think she needs help accessing her mail.Ó he says his eyes abit wild as he seeks escape from the situation. ÒI thought it was Buffy that was calling you?Ó Willow asks. ÒHer too. Errrr so I betterÓ heÓ he replies hurriedly moving towards the kitchen door. ÒThatÕs Okay, Xander. You go see what the SummerÕs sisters need and leave us girls to enjoy our Ôice creamÕÓ Willow tells her oldest friendÕs back, getting in a jibe of her own. The three women hear him groan as he passes the kitchen thresh hold. He hears them roar with laughter even as he tries to will his manhood back to flacidity and his face back to room temperature. He pauses for afew moments to achieve these goals before continuing on into the lobby area where he can see Dawn behind WillowÕs computer and Buffy is chatting with Annebelle and Krista. He briefly wonders where Ruth is. He greets the two young Slayers and they chat about this and that before he asks about Ruth. ÒShe didnÕt come home last night.Ó Krista tells him. ÒWhat?!Ó, he exclaims, ÒWe should go loo...Ó Buffy cuts him off before he can continue. ÒRelax, Dad. She met a guy at a club, they hit it off and spent the night talking at the beach. She called earlier from his cellphone and left a message and the number seeing none of us were in any condition to answer the phone. I called her a couple of minutes ago to check on her sheÕs fine.Ó she told him. ÒTalking, Buff? SheÕs only sixteen. I mean...Ó he says. Buffy and the younger Slayers are looking at him in dismay and he can feel DawnÕs gaze on his baÒWhaÒWhat?? IÕm just concerned.Ó he defends himself. ÒSheÕs also a Slayer, Xander.Ó Buffy counters. ÒI know that Buff, but sheÕs also a sixteen year old girl in a new city and I know the way guys think.Ó he tells Buffy, holding his ground. Buffy looks thoughtful. ÒWe met him too, Xander. We were all at the same club. We were all together for about three hours before they split. He was a good guy. RuthÕs our friend, we wouldnÕt let her go off with a guy if we didnÕt think sheÕd be safe. Honest.Ó Krista piped up. Xander looks at her speculatively. ÒOh alright. Maybe I over-reacted, but do me a favour? Remind me to get you girls cellphones. IÕm sure the Council will pay for the charges. IÕll ask Giles.Ó Xander said relaxing. ÒSure thing, Xander. ItÕs nice that you are looking out for us.Ó Anabelle answered for the younger Slayers. He smiles. ÒIf you thought that was overbearing, wait Ôtil Giles sends you WatcherÕs once they have been trained. Then youÕll see.Ó They look at him aprehensively. Buffy laughs and Xander joins her. She nudges his shoulder with hers. ÒStop it. YouÕre scaring them.Ó she tells him her voice warmed with laughter. ÒI doubt the new batch that Giles is training will be as uptight as he and Wesley were at first.Ó she continued. The girls chuckle nervously before Krista looks at her watch. ÒWe better go Anna, if we wanna make that movie.Ó she tells the redheaded Slayer. ÒOkay.Ó she replies and they say their goodbyes before leaving. Buffy suddenly hugged her smaller frame to his. ÒI love you, Xander. DonÕt ever change. Promise?Ó she tells and asks him. He is surprised by her show of affection, but pleasantly so. He sometimes forgets how short Buffy really is as he has to lean down to lay his cheek on the top of her head while hugging her back. ÒI promise.Ó he says softly. He doesnÕt hear Faith come up behind him until s clears her throat. He releases Buffy with a start and turns to find his fiery dark haired girlfriend standing with a hand on her hip and a raised eyebrow. ÒJealous Much?Ó Buffy asks Faith as she steps away from Xander. ÒNah. Just thought IÕd mess with X here alittle.Ó Faith says flashing them a grin. She makes her way over to Xander and worms her way under his arm. ÒYou still love me? Right, Xander?Ó she asks. He makes a big show of considering her question. ÒInexplicably, Yes. I still do. I may never be able to look at a Baskins and Robinsons the same way again, but I definately still love you.Ó he says hugging her head closer to him with the arm he has over her shoulder. ÒAwwwwwwwwwwww.Ó Buffy teases not quite understanding everything but applauding the sentiment. ÒYou ladies enjoy your ice cream?Ó she asks as Kennedy and Willow joins them and Xander coughs loudly almost choking. Faith pats him on the back until he can catch his breath. Buffy is mystified by XanderÕs actions and the broad grins being exchanged by the three women. ÒYeah. Dessert was... fun.Ó Willow answers the blonde Slayer. ÒHey guys.Ó Dawn calls from behind the computer. SheÕs frowning. ÒThereÕs an e-mail from Giles. He says heÕll be coming to visit at the end of the month and for me to tell you all ÔsurpriseÕ so... SURPRISE!!!!Ó she finishes loudly making an exaggerated happy face. ÒSurprise?Ó Kennedy asks them. ÒGiles being cryptic. Hmmmm. No good can come of this.Ó Xander muses. ÒWas there anything else on the mail?Ó Willow asks. Dawn looks at the screen again and answers, ÒNope. ThatÕs all.Ó Willow looks thoughtful and then shrugs. ÒBeats me. Maybe his coming to visit is the surprise.Ó she theorises. ÒBut, then why tell us his coming?Ó Faith asks. ÒI didnÕt say my theory didnÕt have holes, Faith.Ó she replies. ÒGuess weÕll only know when Giles gets here next weekend. I suppose.Ó Buffy ends their speculation. Sunday, 4 April 2004, 6:37pm, The Hyperion Hotel, The Lobby, L.A. ÒSo what do you guys wanna do now?Ó Buffy asks. ÒWe didnÕt get to watch Ferris BeullerÕs Day Off last night.Ó Kennedy suggests. ÒItÕs an idea.Ó Faith speculates. ÒXander. Do you think you could hook-up your Playstation Two to that bitchinÕ monster of a visivision?Ó she asks. She loves the way XanderÕs eyes light up. ÒFaith, are we talking a round robin Tekken Tagteam tournament on that beautiful piece of hi-technologyÓ he asks his girlfriend pointing at the big screen television they had hired. Faith nods. ÒSee. See. This is why I love this women.Ó he tells the other women playfully. ÒAre you guys, like seriously, talking video games here?Ó Buffy asks her sister, Willow and Kennedy incredulously looking for support. ÒIt appears so. A chance to kick Slayer ass in a fight. IÕm game.Ó Willow answers causing Buffy to stare at her in shock. ÒThems fighting words, Sweetie.Ó Kennedy tells her girlfriend. ÒIÕm in. We can hire the movie another time.Ó Kennedy adds her vote. ÒDaaaaawwwwnnnnnnn!Ó Buffy whines turning to her last ally. ÒSorry, Sis. YouÕre asking me to give up the opportunity to kick the ass of two Slayers, a witch and a guy. Come on. How could a girl turn that down? IÕm so in.Ó Dawn disappoints her sister. BuffyÕs shoulders slump ÒI donÕt believe this.Ó she mutters to herself. ÒYou donÕt have to play, B. I mean... I donÕt know how much fun it would be for you too lose all the time.Ó Faith tells her sister Slayer. ÒOooooooooooooooo!!!Ó Dawn camment. ÒYipe.Ó Willow adds. ÒOh Boy.Ó Xander says. ÒDaaammmmnn.Ó Kennedy concurres in a hushed voice while Faith smiles smugly ÒGet the game, Xander. ThereÕs some ass I need to kick.Ó Buffy tells him fire heating her cool blue eyes. Faith turns to Xander her back now to Buffy and slowly winks. Xander has enough sense to hide his smile behind his hand and a cough. Xander heads to his room to get hise coe console and the game while the ladies move over to the television. ÒWhose bowl of popcorn is this? Dawn asks. ÒShit! Fuck!Ó Faith exclaims. ÒI made it last night. Do you think itÕs salvageable?Ó she asks Dawn mournfully. ÒI think not, MIss Potty Mouth.Ó she says turning the bowl over. Not a single kernel falls. The butter has hardened and itÕs just a messy hunk stuck to the bowl. ÒOh well. LetÕs hope thereÕs still some more.Ó she says taking the bowl from Dawn and righting it again. ÒSorry about the language.Ó she apologises as an afterthought. Buffy smiles as Faith heads back to the kitchen. ÒFaith will be Faith, but the fact that she actually apologised for her use of profanity is proof of how much she has actually changed.Ó Buffy thinks as Xander comes bounding down the stairs and begins to set up the gaming console. He and Willow have an argument as to where to connect it to the television until Dawn points out they are both wrong and points out an audio / visual connection panel marked ÔFor Game ConsolesÕ and shows them the button on the remote that links to it. They both look abit sheepish, but Xander whispers ÒSweet.Ó at the feature. ÒWhy canÕt we get one of these?Ó he asks Willow. ÒEconomics. This beautiful, shiny, big, Friends-Would-Look-So-Good-On-It, state-of-the-art technological masterpeice costs more than three months salary. IÕm surprised you could afford to rent it.Ó Willow answers as the game begins to load. ÒThereÕs that.Ó Xander says glumly. ÒThat reminds me. Xander, can you have the charges reversed and have it put on another card?Ó Buffy asks with a frown. ÒI suppose, but why? I said IÕd pay for it.Ó Xander replied abit more forcefully than he intended. ÒTouchy much?Ó Buffy asks. ÒSorry.Ó he apologised with a smile. ÒStill why?Ó he asks again his tone more even this time. ÒShort answer: WatcherÕs Council Plastic. Visa for the Vampire Slayer. Mastercard for the Master Killer.Ó she singsongs the last two sentences and Xander gives her his patented ÔYouÕre nuts but, we love you anyway.Ó look. ÒI guess you get the picture. Why donÕt we let the Council pick up the tab? I know you work hard for the money you earn and I would feel better if you didnÕt waste it on entertaining us.Ó she says with a laugh and indicating herself and Dawn. ÒI dunno if Giles will be too happy with that.Ó Xander frets. ÒDonÕt worry about Giles. It will surprise you what makes him happy these days.Ó she answers and Xander is abit suspicious of her knowing little smile. ÒWell, if it will make you feel better. Do you think you could stop by the store after they collect it? IÕll call them in the morning to explain or you could ask them to call me on my mobile?Ó he asks. ÒDeal.Ó Buffy says without hesitation. Xander catches Dawn giving her sister a ÔWhat was that all aboutÕ look and Buffy just shrugs. ÒWhereÕs Faith.Ó he asks. ÒKitchen.Ó Willow replies abscently as she and Kennedy start their first bout of Tekken. ÒYou lot go ahead. Give Buffy some practice before Faith gets back. IÕll be back.Ó he says the last line in a fairly good Swartzennager slash Terminator impersonation as he heads to the kitchen to see whatÕs keeping Faith. He leans against the doorframe leading to the kitchen. Faith is singing. SheÕs doing a fairly good rendition of theme of Coyote Ugly, CanÕt Fight the Moonlight by Leann Rimes. SheÕs even doing the the instrumental sound effects. SheÕs also shaking her hips and shimmying to the beat in her head as she stands infront of the stove. She is carefree and really into the moment and he canÕt help but smile at seeing her this way. She finishes the song with a flourish of her hand as he hears the corn begining to pop in the pot she is shaking over the stove. He applauds as he walks towardr anr and she turns with a start, but has to turn back to keep the pot where itÕs meant to be. His grinning like a maniac. He knows heÕs got some serious leverage on her. ÒHow long have you been standing there?Ó she asks. ÒLong enough, Miss Rimes.Ó he says confirming her worst fear. ÒYou donÕt have a bad voice, you know.Ó he tells her as he wraps his arms around her and they take up the same position they had while she was frying food earlier. ÒYou smell good too.Ó he compliments her. ÒIf you tell anyone and I mean anyone what you think you saw or heard and you wonÕt be smelling me or anything else for that matter, Ôcause IÕd have to break your nose.Ó she threatens him even as she lays her head back on his shoulder. He chuckles. ÒWeÕll see.Ó he whispers in her ear before blowing into it. A silvery peal of laughter falls from her lips. ÒWhat would I have to do to convince you?Ó she asks seductively while still keeping an eye on the popcorn sheÕs making. He makes a speculative sound. ÒYour lips. Yes. You have to sign over your lips to me.Ó he decides. The nastier side of FaithÕs mind asks, ÒWhich set?Óbut, she says, ÒBest I can do is a sample with an option to buy.Ó she counters in a huskey, sultry voice. He leans down and tilts his head to kiss her offered lips. He kisses her firmly letting his tongue dance between her lips and across her teeth. He lips are as smooth and soft as he remembers, but tonight they hold just a hint of chocolate. He breaks the kiss, but drops down for another quick peck. ÒItÕs stopped popping.Ó he tells her and she lifts the pot off the stove. ÒNo it hasnÕt.Ó she replies her voice still honey sweet and not referring to the snack sheÕs making. ÒGet two big bowls. WeÕll make some with just salt and some with butter. Wait. Make it three. Some with sugar would be cool.Ó she directs him He nods and disentangles himself from her. He gets the bowls, but also snags a tray. Faith distributes the fluffy white kernels equally into the three bowls and then turns back to the stove to melt some butter. He prepares two of the bowls with salt on one and icing sugar on the other. While Faith dribbles the butter over the remaining popcorn Xander grabs some glasses and two bottles of Pepsi which he places on the tray. He also grabs a large bag of crisps. ÒSwitch off the stove, Faith.Ó he tells her and she mimics hitting the heel of her palm against her forehead in a sign of abscent mindedness. She switches off the stove and reaches for the popcorn bowls. ÒYou can bring those HersheyÕs Kisses too. Where ever you stashed them. ÒWhat Her...Ó she starts to protest. ÒThe ones you were eating before I got here.Ó he cuts her off. ÒHow?Ó she asks curious. He licks his lips in answer. ÒOh.Ó she answers grinning sheepishly and ducking her head in a strangely demure fashion. ÒXanderrrrrrrr.Ó she whines. ÒThere are now eight women living here including myself. Chocolate was already a rare commodity before B and D got here. Now... Come on let me keep these.Ó she says reaching into a large jar marked Bran on the counter, ÒNo one knows I have Ôem. Pleasssssssssse.Ó she pleads her case. SheÕs doing her little girl pouty routine in an attempt to sway him. He has to admit that her tactic has some merit, but he is not so easily swayed. Still heÕs not that heartless adn counters. ÒGive them those and... IÕll buy you another bag of all white chocolate HersheyÕs Kisses and you can hide it in our room. You wonÕt even have to share them with me.Ó She thinks over his offer. ÒA whole bag? All to myself?Ó she asks. He nods in confirmation. ÒPromise?Óshe asks again her voice now kittenish and low. Looking into her eyes he sees a need in her to trust in his promise that spans to much more than just a bag of treats. He can see all the promises that have been made to her and broken in the past lurking in the depths of her chocolate brown eyes with the flecks of mint green you can only see when the light hits them in a certain way. ÒI promise.Ó he says quietly and with as much sincerity and ernestness as he can muster and makes a vow to himself to never make a promise to her that he cannot keep. HeÕs melting her heart. ÒIÕm such a girl.Ó she thinks as a knot grows in her throat. He taps her nose with a finger. ÒI donÕt break my promises, Faith.Ó he tells her and her face lights up with a smile. ÒCome on. ThereÕs a blonde, blue eyed Slayer out there with a hankering to try and kick your ass at Tekken.Ó he coaxes her to follow him. ÒEmphasis on ÔtryÕ.Ó she quips with her characteristic sass as they gather everything and make there way back to the lobby area. ÒYou canÕt do that!Ó Dawn cries as they near the television. ÒI can and I just did.Ó Willow responds smugly. ÒHow did she do that?Ó she asks as she hands Kennedy the controller. ÒI dunno. SheÕs won ten in a row. I think sheÕs using magick.Ó Kennedy theorises. ÒHa. Just for that I will crush you quickly.Ó Willow retorts. ÒQuick. Someone check what colour her eyes are. I think she might be going evil on us againÓ Buffy chimes in. Willow issues a overly dramatic maniacal laugh as she beats Kennedy. ÒNice try, that was close, but... WhoÕs your daddy?! WhoÕs your dadd!?!!Ó Willow taunts in high spirits. ÒOh, you are so not getting any tonight.Ó Kennedy mutters. ÒCan I get in on some of this action? Faith asks Buffy whose turn it should have been. ÒBe my guest. SheÕs my daddy, as it were. Four of those wins are over me. ÒOkay, Red. LetÕs see what you got.Ó Faith challenges as she settles on the sofa they had drawn closer to the huge television. ItÕs a tight contest, but Faith wails ÒNooooooo!Ó as Willow barely beats her in the third and deciding round. ÒWhose the bitch neehow?Ó Willow asks. She then does the circle dance with her hands and shoulders while chanting, ÒWhoÕs the best? I said, whose the best? Willow is. Oh yes she is!Ó Faith rolls her eyes. ÒModest too.Ó Faith comments and Willow laughs with glee. ÒOkay. Red, youÕre good IÕll give you that, but next time, next time.Ó Faith admits. ÒXander... If you love me kick her ass.Ó Faith charges Xander with the task of breaking the witches winning streak. ÒWell, when you put it like that. Sorry, Wills youÕre going down.Ó Xander explains confidently. ÒNot according to Kenny here, but bring it, X.Ó Willow taunts picking up the gauntlet. TheyÕre both grinning like little kids. Willow is overconfidant and Xander uses it to his advantage as he expertly and calmly blocks her attacks until she gets frustrated and gives him the opening he needs to go on the offensive. He has to give Willow her props as she manages to block some of his initial blows, but eventually he slips a devastating combo through her defences and wins the first round with hardly any damage. She looks at him, her eyes narrowing and he just smiles back as if nothing happened. SheÕs more cautious at the start of the second round and itÕs a fatal mistake as he attacks viciously and relentlessly. He cuts off every move she tries to execute and she is reduces to simply fending off his attacks. With, time running out she makes one last ditch attempt at offence which ends the round and her reign. ÒSorry, Wills. WhereÕd you learn some of those moves? They were pretty good. I didnÕt know you played Tekken.Ó he compliments his oldest friend. SheÕs still holding the controller stunned at her relatively easy defeat. ÒI donÕt. I just read the little booklet thingy while they were playing.Ó she says pointing at the gameÕs box. ÒAnd, you could do that? Hmmmm. ThatÕs really very good.Ó he persisted. ÒSee, Willow. ThatÕs how you win graciously.Ó Kennedy points out. ÒYeah. Okay. Give me a break. When else do I get to kick ass unless IÕm like all high on the Dark Magicks and out to destroy the world? And, I was kicking some major ass until Mr Zen Tekken Master here came along. Excuse me if I was enjoying myself.Ó Willow explains. ÒThere... There... Babes. YouÕll get him next time.Ó Kennedy says throwing her arm around the red haired witchÕs shoulders. ÒDarn tootinÕ!Ó she agrees. Xander weathers three more rounds against all of them before losing to Buffy of all people. TheyÕre all cheering each other on and shouting advice while snacking on the popcorn, crisps and chocolate treats. Faith does bar duty pouring Pepsi for anyone who asks. Dawn thanks Faith enthusiatically for introducing her to sugared popcorn and the two of them share the bowl pretty much exclusively. After WillowsÕ admission of checking out the gameÕs manual, the rest of them do too and once Buffy gets a better understanding of the controls, the Slayer in her comes to the front. She got better with each round until she manages to find his weak points as well as how to exploit them, while finding her defensive balance. He has seen her do this so many times again the Big Bads they had f in in Sunnydale that it doesnÕt surprise him. SheÕs all bouncy happiness at her victory and high-fives Dawn. She manages to hold her own against Willow, Kennedy and Dawn which brings Faith up to bat. ÒWe meet at last, Ms Summers.Ó Faith adresses Buffy in a bad Bond villain impression. ÒYes indeed, Ms Will. Ki. Kindly present ass for kicking.Ó Buffy quips. ÒOh? Now itÕs on, B.Ó Faith grins enjoying the banter. They take it to three rounds each adapting and re-adapting to whatever the other does. Xander is impressed as they trade banter even while concentrating heavily on their game play. He guesses itÕs a Slayer thing remembering how Buffy was always able to exchange witty repartŽ with her demonic foes. The third round is decided by a time out and Faith lets out a loud explosive whoop as she is proclaimed the winner. She sticks out her hand to Buffy and they shake hands. ÒNice one, Buff but...Ó she lets go of BuffyÕs hand ÒI wonnnn... I won I won I won I wonnnnn. I wonnnnnn!Ó she chants like at an English soccer match before doing the same circle dance Willow had earlier. SheÕs grinning like a Cheshire cat and surprises Buffy with a hug taking the sting out of her gloating. Things get steadily more playful after that as stipulations or handicaps are added to the matches as well as challenges and dares. No single one of them wins for any extended period of time and theyÕre all laughing and joking and just generally having a good time. Xander glances at his watch as he pours the last few crumbs out of the packet of crisps. ItÕs twenty-five past ten. He takes a closer look to make sure his reading it right. He shows his watch to Faith tapping the face. SheÕs sitting next to him on the sofa with her legs drawn up underneath her. Dawn and Willow are going head to head in a best out of five challenge while Buffy and Kennedy are talking about Europe. ÒWow. Time flies when youÕre having fun. I guess.Ó say says and gets up and stretches. ÒLadies. I think weÕre gonna retire. ItÕs getting late and we have work in the morning.Ó Xander announces. ÒCan you unhook the PS two before they collect the television in the morning, Wills?Ó he asks the witch. ÒSure.Ó she answers with a wave over a shoulder. ÒNight, then.Ó Xander and Faith excuse themselves and head upstairs. He steers her along and she likes the warmth of his palm on the small of her back. ÒWanna grab some of your stuff now before we go to my... our room?Ó he asks her. ÒNot really. I can do it tomorrow evening. Will give you some time to clear space for me as well as time for me to completely wrap my head around the idea. If thatÕs okay?Ó she answers after a moments thought. ÒThatÕs fine.Ó he says as he shift her across to his other side passing the small of her back from one hand to the other so that he is now on the side of the hall with his door. He opens his door when they reach it and ushers her inside. She goes straight through to the bedroom and turns on the bedside lamp. He gathers and neatens the papers he was working on the day before and puts them in his bag before turning off the light he had switched on, upon entering and following Faith into the bedroom. SheÕs just finishing remaking the bed sheÕd taken the cover off of and theyÕd left in disarray. She grimaces. ÒBe right back.Ó she says and flits out the room and he hears the outer door open and close. He strips off his tank, stretching as he does so with a stifled yawn. He wonders what Faith had to go get in her room and heÕs on his way to the bathroom when she returns. She has a bottle of skin lotion and her toothbrush. ÒForgot about the necessities.Ó she explains with a sheepish grin. They share the bathroom brushing their teeth and washing their faces. She uses his facecloth and she runs itÕs damp warmth over her neck under her hair with a sigh. He notices and places his palms on her shoulders, his thumbs resting at the nape of her neck. Her skin is smooth, pliant and warm as he massages her shoulders and loosens the muscles of her neck by working his thumbs in tight littel circles up and down itÕs length. ÒThat feels heavenly.Ó she murmurs. ÒCome on, lets go to bed.Ó he says as her head sinks forward in relaxation and the tension flows out of her muscles. He swes oes off the light as she precedes him from the bathroom. She continues on to the dresser where sheÕs left her skin lotion. She rummages in his top draw and takes out one of his sleeveless t-shirts and places it on top of the dresser. He is sitting back resting his back on the headboard, watching her. It shifts alittle under his weight. Their earlier antics seems to have loosened it. He makes a mental note to fix it the following evening. He smiles as he hears her humming tunelessly as she pours some of the lotion into her hand. She divides the lotion to each of her hands and then works it into her arms, one at a time. Her movements are brisk and business like, but he finds the act extrememly feminine and sensual. She finishes by working the last of the lotion into her hands. She crosses her arms and grasps the edge of her top and draws it up over her head. His eyes follow the lift of her breasts as tateraterial pulls them up and the jiggle as the settle back into place as they come free of the material. She is half in and half out of the light from the lamp and it paints her skin with sharp contrasts of light and shadow. Part of her he can see in sharp detail well the rest is nearly silohetted. She has to raise the thick mass of her hair high in order to get the top off and he is entranced as it cascades back down in an ebon waterfall of lush curls. She then dons his t-shirt and it falls loosely around her ending at about mid thigh. She shakes out her hair throwing her head back and raking her fingers through the luxurious growth. She slips out of her sweatpants and pads towards the bed. He fluffs his pillow and climbs under the covers as Faith slips in frhe ohe other side. The fresh scent of jasmine wafts off her skin and he inhales deeply, closing his eyes, as she leans over him and does something to his alarm clock. She starts to move away, but instead tucks her shoulder under his left arm and rests her head and hand on his chest. SheÕs lying on her side, her body angled slightly away from his as he lies on his back. She can feel the rise and fall of his breathing as well as hear the rhythmic thump of his heart. Her breath is a light, gentle and warm caress stirring the hairs on his chest ever so slightly. He switches off the lamp and darkness enfolds them in its velvety embrace. They donÕt say a word as their bodies heat each other and the bed. She can hear his heart slt slow and his breathing quiet even as her eyelids grow heavier and begin to flutter close. His hand slides up onto her hip, under her t-shirt, but slips down again limply to rest on the soft and incredibly smooth skin where her back meets her buttocks. She sighs contentedly with a heavy exhillation as her eyes close before her breathing settles into the stately cadence of sleep. End of chapter 4