Freakin Christmas

Another Chapter! I'm on some sort of writing binge. I hope it lasts.

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Disclaimer - See Part One

Faith’s POV

I looked over at the clock. 10. I could still go, they’re probably not finished with whatever it is they were doing. I could go. I could go. I can sit here and tell myself to go, or I could just get up.

Ok. I’m going.

I’m so happy I’ve got a car. I love to drive. It’s nice just knowing that I can get the hell away if I have to. Not that I’m going to go anywhere, but still. It’s like insurance or something.

B walked to my apartment. Wonder why she did that? Oh wait, I remember, she drives like a maniac. Ok, really I didn’t forget. I tend to remember those times when I am near death. Especially at the hands of my sister slayer.

We went to get something to eat once after some massive slay or another. I commented that I was starving and she said let’s go. I don’t think she completely got exactly what I was starving for, but I was hungry also. I told her I was craving Italian and she said she knew this restaurant on the other side of nowhere. Well, she didn’t say that, but that was where it ended up being. So, naively I might add, I allowed her to drive me there. Yes, I am a dumbass.

“Whoa, B, holy fuck, you need to like slow down,” I screeched holding onto my seatbelt. Get it buckled, hurry, I told myself.

“I’m only going seventy,” she said, looking over at me innocently.

Jesus. Seventy. She acted like that was slow or something. I didn’t want to die. I really didn’t. There was really so much I hadn’t done yet.

I tried a different approach, “How about if we go a little slower?” I whispered, doing my best to sound afraid. (Which, believe me, wasn’t very hard).

She looked genuinely concerned, “Oh. I’m sorry.”

I decided to milk it. “Yeah, it’s just…well I had this wreck with my uncle when I was a little kid. I hate going fast. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.” So sue me. I lied. Desperate times called for desperate measures. I’m pretty sure that being frightened for your life is an excusable reason to lie.

“Sure Faith,” she said looking over at me. Look at the road B. Look at the road. “I’m sorry.” She sounded sorry. Like I said, I’m a heel. But hey, I lived.

You know, we actually had a lot of fun that night. Just me and B. No Scoobs, no crazy ex-demon chick, not even Dawn. Don’t get me wrong, I love Dawn, and Tara, and well…I love Dawn and Tara. But still, it was just nice to spend the evening with B. No distractions.

And it wasn’t what you think either. We just had dinner. Talked about silly stuff like that show where they go on dates for money. Who Wants to be a Millionaire or something? Ok, so I don’t actually watch a lot of TV. I prefer to read. I’m sure most people would be shocked to learn that, but I don’t give a fuck what most people think. So mostly B talked about the show. I am content just to listen to her rambles. Some people would probably call them inane, but I think they’re cute. And it was nice to see her smile. She’s so animated sometimes.

Yeah, that was a good night. I was still thinking about said night when I pulled into the driveway.

Well, everyone’s car is still here, I told myself. Lights still on, check. Now I’ve just got to open my door and get out. Ok, here I go. I’m gonna get out any minute.

And…no I’m not. What the fuck was I thinking? Fuck this. I put the car into reverse, and turned to back out of the drive.

“Faith.” Shit. I heard a knocking on my window, “Faith. Where have you been?”

“Hey Dawnie,” I said, rolling down the window.

“Where have you been?” She asked again, opening my car door, “Were you leaving? Why are you leaving?”

I turned the car off. “Umm, no,” I told her leaning back in my seat. I put my hands on my temples, “Just parking the car.”

“Oh well good,” she said, pulling me from the seat, “Come inside. I’ve been waiting on you. Buffy said you weren’t coming, but she’s a retard. I don’t listen to anything she says.”

I got out of the car and followed her to the door. Oh fuck, I can’t go in there. I think I’m gonna faint or something. Why the hell did I feel like this? Oh shit, Dawn was still talking to me.

“…And then I told Buffy there was no way you’d be buying her any underwear. She thinks she’s so hot sometimes. But I was like whatever.”

Huh??? Did she just say something about buying underwear? What the hell was she talking about? Oh fuck, Anya. I’m gonna kill that crazy bitch.

Dawn paused, “Faith aren’t you coming?” She asked, pulling on my sleeve.

Uh nope. No way in hell. Nah-ah. Over my dead body. Underwear. I’m not showing my face in there, no mam.

I turned back around intent on leaving when I heard my name again, “Faith?”

I spun around to the door, “Oh, umm…hey B.” I said. I wished at that moment that some supernatural hole would open up on her porch and swallow me whole. No such fucking luck. What the hell is the point of living on a hellmouth if you can’t use it to your advantage?

Buffy’s POV

Oh Faith! She was here. She looked flustered and cute. Hee. I wonder why she looked like that. I looked at Dawn.

“So I thought I would come after all.” Oh, she’s talking. Pay attention Buffy.

“Well I’m glad you did.”

“Buffy tell her about the underwear story. That was so funny.” Dammit Dawn! I was so going to hurt her. She was not getting any presents. Ever again. “I told her they weren’t for her. But she is so full of her self sometimes.” She said turning to Faith.

I do not understand why I could not have just gotten a puppy when I was little. I did not want a little sister. I made that crystal clear. Sometimes I would forget that she was annoying, but then she would go and pull some stupid stunt like this.

Faith must have noticed my murderous gaze, “Oh, you know how Anya is Dawn. She gets a little confused sometimes,” she said smiling at me a little.

Thank you Faith. I wanted to kiss her. That a way to end the discussion.

“Are you coming inside?” I asked her holding the door open, “Everyone was waiting on you.”

She hesitated for a moment, looking back and forth between Dawn and I. “Yeah, sure.”

She shuffled in behind my evil sister and I, and instantly looked like she was going to bolt when I shut the door. I put my hand on her elbow and led her into the living room.

“Look who’s here,” I said.

Everyone looked up. Don’t freak her out, I wanted to tell them.

Willow smiled, “Hey Faith.”

“Merry Christmas, Faith. I’m glad you came.” Tara added.

“Yeah, me too,” Xander said.

“Please don’t kill me.” Anya threw in.

I waited for Faith to ask her why, but she didn’t. She just stood there looking all uncomfortable.

Tara stood up, “Are you hungry Faith? We still have a lot of food left over.”

“Umm not really. But I could use something to drink if you got it?” She said looking imploringly at her.

Why wasn’t she hungry? She really was freaked. That made me sad. I wondered why Tara could always put her at ease. I felt a little pang of jealousy wash through me as she and Tara headed into the kitchen. I went to follow them.

Willow called me, “Uh, hey Buffy. Why don’t you stay in here with us,” she whispered. “She seems a little weirded out. I’m sure she’ll be fine in a minute though.” She said when I looked down, “Tara has that effect on people.”

I did’t want Tara to have that effect on Faith. I wanted to have that effect on Faith. Why did Tara get to soothe her? I wanted to soothe her. Ok, not that way. Not that Tara was soothing her that way. I don’t know, maybe she was. Ok, right, now I was starting to make stuff up.

“So, can I? Can I?” Dawn was asking.

“Can you what?”

“God Buffy. You are a spaz. Can I open a present? Just one. I swear.”

I just nodded my head. As slow as she was at opening presents it would take until tomorrow morning anyway. I wondered if I could open one present? Did Faith bring my present? Wonder if she would let me open it?

I looked over at Dawn. She was still busy removing the paper from the gift. Good gracious. Hurry up girl. She finally made it into the box. What was it? I couldn’t even remember.

“The watch I wanted. Thanks Buffy,” she said, barreling over to me and hugging me.

Right. I had forgotten I had bought it. She’d dropped enough hints. Oh, look, she was smiling. I’m glad she liked it. I’m such a cool sister.

“You know you’re actually a cool sister,” she said.

I nodded sagely. Dawn was so smart sometimes. And perceptive. I decided not to be mad at her anymore. It was Christmas after all. And Faith was here. Granted she was in the other room, but it was progress. My Christmas was slowly getting better.