The Three of Us

Thanks to extraho_puella for the Beta.
Reviews are welcome.
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Buffy walked up to Giles’ home and knocked. “Hi, how’d it go?” she asked as Giles let her in.

“Okay, come in please.” Giles ushered her into the living room. “She told me she’s from Boston, and the details of what happened to her watcher. I checked with the council and there was a slayer called around there about two years ago that was never found. I’m waiting to hear back on the Watcher’s name, hopefully that will help.”

“What else do we do?” Buffy asked as she flopped on the couch and dropped her book bag onto the floor. “How do we deal with this? I didn’t sleep well last night. Wondering, what does this all mean? Can I quit? Lead a normal life? What?”

“I asked myself a lot of questions last night as well. If she is a Slayer, it will make a difference. The Council though, may not let her stay here.”

“What!” Buffy squeaked as she sat up. “How could they not?”

“Think of it Buffy. Two Slayers. One stays on the Hellmouth and one to go wherever they’re needed.”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t help me much.” She said as she flopped down again.

“Yes, well, it’s not always about you. I did ask her to come by this afternoon. I would like you to spar with her if possible, just to see what she’s capable of. We need to build a rapport with her, to get her to trust us, and for us to learn to trust her. Her spending time with us will allow us to accomplish that goal sooner.”

“I won’t have a problem kickin’ her ass,” Buffy stated. Holding her hand up to stave off Giles’ complaint, “I know, get her to trust us.”

“Yes, thank you Buffy.” Giles shook his head as he smiled at her.

“Hey Scoobies!” Willow chirped as she came through the door with Tanya and Xander. “Time to save the world again?”

“Not today,” Buffy grinned. “I called and cancelled the Apocalypse 'cause I just had my nails done.”

“Good,” Xander replied, “That means I won’t have to bruise later on.”

“Right,” Giles spoke up. “Things to do. Buffy, you can go down and get ready to train. I’ll be there shortly. The rest of you can start to research a vampire named Kakistos. He is the one that killed Faith’s Watcher and why she came here. We will try and help her as much as we can.”

“Why are we doing it?” Xander asked. “She should be doing her own research!”

“Yes, well, Mr. Harris, for her to help us, we must help her.” Giles reprimanded him.

“Are we sure she’s a Slayer?” Willow asked.

“No, but with what I learned today there is a strong possibility she is. So, for now, we’ll see what we can find out about this Kakistos, if he is here, the information will be useful to us as well. Also Faith might come by this afternoon.” Giles told them. “If she does, could you send her downstairs? Thanks.”

Giles went down to the training room to find Buffy changed and going through her warm-up routine.

“Do you think she’ll come by?” She asked.

“I hope so.” He said as he picked up a pair of hand pads.

Giles started to move around on the mat, moving the pads around for her to hit. Moving forward and backwards forcing her to adjust. A light sheen developed as she jabbed, and kicked at the moving pads following Giles erratic movements around the room. The harshness of their breath and the thump of the pads being hit were the only sounds. In mid kick, Buffy stopped. She swivelled her head, a confused look on her face.

“What?” Giles asked.

“She’s here or at least close.” Buffy replied. “It’s that same tingly feeling I had last night.”

“Can you tell where she is or what she’s doing?”

“No, but the closer she is, the stronger it gets.”

“So you might be able to tell how far away she is when you’re used to it?”

“Maybe, it has picked up in the last little bit.”

“Good, we’ll get back to training and see if she shows.” With that, Giles looked at his watch, then started to move the pads and shuffle around the room again. Every so often Giles would look towards the stairs to see if anyone appeared.

Willow looked up from her book when she heard a knock at the door. “Think that’s her?”
“Don’t know,” Xander replied. “Guess we should go see.”

“I-I’ll wait here” Tara said as she watched the two of them head for the door.

“Hi Faith, Come on in.” Xander said as he opened the door. “Welcome to Casa del Giles!”
Willow just stared at him as Faith walked in. She was wearing her duster and carrying a well worn duffel bag. She dropped it in the hall and looked into the dining room, then into the living room. “Red, Xan, Blondie.” She said nodding her head at each in turn. “Where’s G-man and B?”
Willow huffed, “The name is Willow, and they’re down in the training room.”

“Thanks Red, how do I find it?”

Xander pointed to a door down the hallway, “The stairs are through that door.”

“K” She picked up her bag and headed towards the door. “I use nicknames Red. Untwist yer knickers.” She said as the door closed behind her.

“How did she know I was going to say anything?” Willow muttered.

“She’s p-probably heard it m-more than once. If I ask nicely, c-can I untwist your knickers for you?” Tara said as she blushed.

“Whoa! Where did that come from?” Xander laughed as he looked at Willow’s jaw hanging down. Tara just blushed harder. Willow just huffed again and stomped back into the living room.

Buffy stopped again, when she heard the door open. She turned to the stairs and looked up to see who it was. As Faith descended the stairs, Giles checked his watch. “Eight minutes.” he said.

“What?” Buffy asked.

“It’s been eight minutes since you told me you could feel her. Faith, Buffy says she can feel when you’re near. Do you have the same sensation?”

“Yeah, it’s a tingly feeling, at the back of my neck. Different from what I get when I sense a vamp.” Buffy just nodded her head.

“How far from the house were you when you first could sense her?”

“Dunno, ‘bout a block anna half.” Buffy’s and Giles’ eyebrows shot up.

“That’s incredible. I’ll definitely have to research this some more.”

“Yeah, is there some place I can change?” Faith asked.

“Bathroom is there.” Buffy pointed at a door. “I’ll just get some water, while you change.”

“Whatever.” Faith said as she crossed the floor.

A few minutes later, Faith walked back into the training room wearing a loose pair of sweats, and a tight tank top. She slowly started to move her body through different Tai Chi moves. Buffy watched as she flexed and stretched. 'She just flows from one move to the other. I could watch her all day. Where the hell did that come from?' she thought as she furrowed her brows.

“Everythin’ OK B?” Faith asked. “You seem to be bothered by somethin’.”

“No, no, I’m, ahh, just peachy. Yeah, peachy girl that’s me!” Buffy turned away from Faith. 'God, I’m channelling Willow again!' she thought.

Upstairs, Willow flipped a page and sighed, Xander just stared at his book, while Tara looked at both of them. “N-not much research g-getting done is there?” she asked. “I t-think maybe we should g-go and check on Buffy and G-giles. If s-she is a demon or s-something, they might n-need our help.”

Xander and Willow grinned at Tara. “You’re right!” they yelled then leapt from there chairs and ran to the basement door. “Wait for me!” Tara said as she rushed after them.
Faith had started over to her duffel bag as the three came down the stairs. With a smirk she said, “Come to see the show?”

“N-no,” Willow stammered, “Just taking a break and wanted to see how everyone was getting along. Friends and stuff you know?”

“Of course I do.” came the flat reply. Giles started to clean his glasses while Buffy rolled her eyes.

Faith opened her duffel bag and pulled out two wooden objects, followed by her two katanas, then a small rug she placed in the corner. With her back to the corner, she sat cross legged with the Katana in front of her. She put her hands together in front of her, then bowed slightly. She lifted one katana up while her lips moved in supplication. Then she did the same with the second one.

“What’s she doing?” Xander whispered while they watched her.

“It looks like she’s centering herself.” Willow whispered back. Buffy looked at them and shrugged. Faith placed the second katana back in front of her, bowed again, and reached into her duffel and pulled out a roll of tape.

“Yes.” is all she said in answer to Willow. When she finished taping her hands, she put the katanas back in her duffel. As she picked up the two objects, Xander asked, “What are those?”

“Bokken,” she replied, “they’re practice swords, or can be used as real weapons.”

Turning to face him, she tossed one to him so they could look at it.

As the Scoobies looked at the bokken, Faith turned to Buffy and bowed slightly. When she straightened up, she settled into her stance and looked directly into Buffy’s eyes, “You ready B?”

Buffy squared herself to Faith, “Bring it.”

The two circled each other, slowly trying to spot an advantage while not giving one away. Buffy threw a jab that Faith easily blocked, then countered with a fast right that was also blocked. The Scoobies and Giles just watched, mesmerised. The four of them had never felt so much power in one room before. You could see the tension coming off the two slayers in waves. Violence, Sex, Passion, all rolled into one. Xander crossed his legs to hide his discomfort, while Willow licked her lips. Tara and Giles just stared. The two combatants started to pick up the pace, jabs, kicks, moving quicker, getting the measure of their opponent. Buffy connected with a punch to Faith’s shoulder, “You hit like a girl.” the dark slayer said.

“Don’t want to hurt you.” Buffy responded.

“Like you could.” Faith said as her hand shot out and slapped Buffy in the side of the head. Buffy’s eyes narrowed, as the Scoobies collectively inhaled.

The fight was on. There was nothing but a blur of hands and feet, with sweat flying, the rasping of breath, and the slap of leather hitting skin. The two seemed to dance around the room in a flow of arms and legs. Always shifting never missing a beat of whatever music was driving them. It was violent ballet. The two were almost perfectly matched.
Giles’ watch beeped, distracting Faith for a split second. Buffy dropped and swept her feet out from under her and leapt on top to pin her. Looking into Faith’s eyes, “You’re mine.” She panted. Faith smirked then arched her back lifting Buffy off the floor with her. She pushed herself until she was up on her palms and her feet. Buffy instinctively wrapped her legs around Faith and hung on. Still smirking and staring into Buffy’s eyes, Faith dropped her waist and then with a huge thrust, pushed herself up into a handstand. Buffy’s eyes opened wide and she tightened her grip as Faith held them upright, then started to come down with Buffy underneath her. Arching her back and extending her legs to stop them before they hit the floor, “No, you belong to me.” Faith said as she slowly let them come to rest on the floor. They laid there, Buffy’s arms and legs wrapped around Faith, both panting as green eyes stared into dark chocolate. They could both feel the physical heat coming off themselves, but there was something else as well. Not defined, but they could feel it. Giles cleared his throat, and look away from the two.

“That was definitely something to see.”

“Yes it was.” Willow whispered, Xander just bit his knuckle and moaned, “Wow.” was all that Tara could say. Buffy could feel a tingle through her core as Faith sat up, straddling her. “How you feelin’ B?” she asked looking down.

“Hot and sweaty.” Buffy replied.

“Just the way I like ‘em.” Faith smirked as she stood up and extended a hand to Buffy. Helping the blushing blonde off the floor, “I’ve never fought anybody that could keep up before.” Faith said. Still holding Buffy’s hand, “I’d like to do it again, if that’s okay?” Realizing she was still holding on, Faith quickly let go of Buffy.

“Uh, yeah, umm, good, that would be good.” Buffy said as she walked over to the cooler. “Water?” she asked handing a bottle to Faith.

“Thanks.” She said, tipping the bottle up and letting the cool water pour down her throat. After draining about two thirds of it, she closed her eyes, lifted it up and poured the rest over herself. Buffy’s eyes widened as the water ran over Faiths face and onto her shirt. The cool water temporarily hardened her nipples. Buffy just stared. 'She’s so HOT!' leapt to the front of her brain. 'Huh, why would I think that?'
Her thoughts were interrupted by Faith, “Earth to B. Where are you?”

“Oh, ahh, just umm, thinking, about nothing.” She said looking away. Faith smirked at Buffy’s answer. She could tell that she had the power to put Buffy off. She wasn’t sure how serious the flirting was, but she enjoyed it. It wasn’t the same as she usually did though. Not flirting to get someone into bed, but just to get Buffy to pay attention and break her out of her shell.

“We done?” Faith asked.

“Yeah,” Buffy answered. “Did you want to go patrol later? With me?”

“Sure, I can do that.” Faith picked up her duffel bag and walked towards the bathroom. “I’m gonna shower and then I’ll meet you later.”

Buffy came upstairs after her shower and saw Willow, Tara, Giles and Xander reading in the living room. “Did Faith leave?”

“Yes, she said she would be back at 7:30 to go on patrol.” Giles answered. “What did you think of your sparring session?” He reached for his journal and pen. Opening it, he waited for a response.

“It was weird. I didn’t hold anything back. I’ve never been able to do that with anyone. It was amazing. I felt like we knew what the other was going to do before they did it. If she’s not a slayer, I sure hope she’s not evil.”

“Yes, well we’re still waiting on that.” Giles said as he jotted down a few more notes. “Is there anything you want to add?”

“When I was in the shower, I could feel the tingle lessen. That’s why I asked if she’d left.”

“How did that connection affect you when you were sparring?”

“I think that’s how we knew what the other was going to do. It’s like we were sharing information. Not really reading each other’s minds, but kinda like being able to feel each others intentions. It’s hard to describe.”

“That’s good, because you did some things today I’ve never seen you do before. I don’t know if you remember, but you did a double kick to her head using just one foot. First you kicked the left side, with the top of your foot, then the right side with your heel. It really was quite impressive.”

Did I connect with either one?”

“No, she blocked them both. But did you know where that came from?”

“No, I don’t remember it being a conscious decision. It just seemed to pop into my head to do it. Almost like it was something she would do.”

“This really is quite fascinating. I wonder if you’d be able to communicate telepathically? It almost seems as if you may be able to read each other’s minds.”
“Eww, Giles! I don’t want anybody reading my mind and I definitely don’t want to read hers!” Scrunching up her face, she stared at Giles. 'I wonder if that’s where those comments she’s made have come from. If she can sense how she makes me feel? OH MY GOD! I am so not GAY!' the look on her face slowly changed from one of concentration to one of shock.

“Buffy?” Giles asked, “Are you okay?”

“Umm, yeah, umm, just uhh, thinking, of ahh, Homework! Yeah, I gotta go do some homework before patrol! Bye” She jumped up, grabbed her book bag and ran to the door. Giles stared after her. 'I’ll never understand teenagers.'

Faith stood on the porch and knocked. Giles opened the door, “Hello Faith, how are you? Please come in.”

“Fine thanks. B will be here shortly.” She said walking in and dropping her duffel bag on the floor. “Hey.” She said to the Scoobies sitting in the living room.

Giles stared at her. “How did you know she wasn’t here yet?”

“I can feel her, and it’s not as strong as when she was here earlier. She’ll be here in a coupla’ minutes though.” Faith answered as she looked at the books the Scoobies had in front of them.

“They’re manuscripts and texts we use for research.” Willow said. “We’re trying to find info on Kakistos for you.”

“Why?”

“Because if he is here, we will have to deal with him and it’s best to know as much as possible before you confront your enemy.” Giles answered, walking back into the living room.

“I just go in and kill’em” Faith stated.

“That is dangerous and not always successful. It adds to your longevity in this business to have a plan and use all weapons at your disposal.” Giles retorted.

“Don’t always have time for that shit.”

“No, but if you have time to prepare it’s best to make the most of it.”

“Whatever. What have you found?”

Willow piped up, “So far, he’s from central Europe, he’s about 450 years old and he came to America about 110 years ago. He moves around, which you already know. He’s a cross between a demon and a vampire. That’s why he has the horns and the cloven feet. If he is here that would explain the increase in vampire activity over the last few weeks. We know of a couple of places where we can check to see if anyone’s heard of him being here.”

“We can ask Spike to check at Willy’s.” Giles said.

“What’s Willy’s? Oh, Buffy’s here” Faith said.

“Buffy’s...” Giles queried as he heard the door open. “Ah, Slayer senses. Willy’s is a Demon bar here in town. Occasionally we ask Spike to get information out of him.”

“Hi guys, I’m here.” Buffy chirped.

“Tell me where it is and I’ll go after patrol and ask around.” Faith said as she stood. “You ready to go?”

“Umm, yeah, I guess so. We’ll do a sweep through Restfield then Shady Acres. So we’ll be back in about 90 minutes.”

“Alright, we’ll see you when you return.” Giles waved them off.