Freakin Christmas

Trying to get this story moving. Probably will upgrade to NC-17 before long. I just can't help myself.

Disclaimer - Part one.

Let me know if you like. Please!!!!!!

Part 5

Faith’s POV

“Here you go,” Tara said handing me a glass of wine. This was one cool chick. Alcohol, I needed it and she knew it. “So I’m glad you came,” she said.

“Yeah,” I muttered.

“It really wouldn’t have been the same without you.” See what I’m talking about?

I turned to look at her, “Look, I just wanted to say thanks for sending B my way. I mean, I just really appreciate it and all. Between you and me, well, I didn’t really have any other plans. I don’t know. Maybe they don’t want me here, but I wanted to tell you thanks. You’re really…”

She interrupted me; “Of course they wanted you here.”

“Well I don’t know about all that, but I know that you did. So thanks and all.”

“Oh, Faith, sometimes I just want to smack you,” she said.

Ok. What the hell?

She looked apologetic, “Oh, I don’t mean literally. It’s just that you are being a little dense, don’t you think?”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Dense?”

She smiled, “I don’t mean it in a bad way. I just mean that of course we wanted you here. Especially Buffy.”

Apparently Tara had been partaking in some sort of mind-altering activity before I arrived. “Whatever,” I said, trying my best to sound indifferent.

“Whatever,” she smiled. “Buffy was really freaked when she thought you weren’t coming. She cares about you Faith. We all do. But Buffy,” I must have looked at her like she was crazy, cause she hesitated for a moment. “Let me explain it this way. Say Willow’s name for me.”

Yep she has to be on something. “What?”

“Humor me Faith. Ok?”

“Willow.”

When I said her name, Tara got this instant smile on her face.

“Every time someone says her name I feel like smiling. I can’t help it. She makes me happy. And every time someone says your name, Buffy gets the same sort of smile on her face.”

Yeah right. “Sure.”

“I’m serious Faith. Look, you’d have to be blind, or naïve, to not see that you umm…like Buffy.”

I looked down. Am I that easy to read? Jesus, I need to work on my skills a little.

“Well, maybe not blind. Maybe it’s just me. What I’m trying to tell you is that she feels the same way.” I started to ask her why but she stopped me, “And don’t ask me why I know. I can just tell these things.”

“Am I that easy to read?”

She smiled, “it’s okay. I completely understand.”

If it had been anyone else, I would have probably hit them. But it was Tara. Know what I mean? And I finally felt like a huge burden had been lifted or something. I wanted to hug her. “God I’m so glad somebody knows,” I said.

She put her hand on my cheek, “I think it’s sweet. I think you’re sweet too. You’re way to hard on yourself. I know the first time around here was sort of difficult for you, but you’ve got people on your side now. Try to remember that.”

God, this girl was golden. She really knew how to make you feel special. “Thanks Tara. I’m glad I came.”

She smiled at me, “Merry Christmas Faith,” she said, bending to give me a kiss on the cheek.

“What the fuck?” I heard come from the kitchen door at the same time.

I turned to look. Buffy. What the fuck indeed?

Buffy’s POV

“Umm what’s going on here?” Why oh why is Tara kissing Faith?

Tara smiled at me, “Nothing Buffy.”

“Doesn’t look like nothing,” I said focusing on Faith.

Tara giggled, and walked by me going back into the living room, “You two need to seriously get a room,” she said as she patted me on the shoulder.

Huh? What? Did Tara just say we needed to get a room? We who? Me and Faith? What is she talking about? Why was she smiling? Why did she leave me in here with Faith?

“Who was she talking about?” I heard myself ask Faith.

“I don’t know,” Faith sorta mumbled.

Ok. No need to go down that street. Let’s see, what do I say? “So you came?” Duh, Buffy.

“Umm, yeah.” She said, looking at her shoes. She loves those shoes. She is always looking at them when we talk.

“So did you bring my present?” Oh god, somebody shoot me. Did I actually just ask that?

She looked up and laughed. Hah! I’m so witty. “Yep B. I brought your present.”

I walked to the bar stool and sat down facing her. “Good. Cause you weren’t going to get yours until I got mine.”

Her face lit up. I loved to see her smile. She’s pretty when she smiles. She has these really gorgeous dimples. I wished she’d smile more.

“You got me a present?” She asked, blushing. Did I mention how adorable she was?

“Of course I did, silly,” I told her, “It took me forever to pick it out too. You are one hard girl to buy for.”

She was beaming. “You really got me a present.”

Why did she think I wouldn’t get her something? Did she really think I wouldn’t…why would she think that? “Faith, I...” I was stumbling over my words. Focus Buffy, “Faith, of course I got you a present. You know, you are an important part of my life; uh I mean, our lives, our lives. Dawnie loves ya. In fact, you are all she ever talks about. I think she wishes you were her sister. She was talking about how you were the hot super chick and I was her dumb old sister. The little shit. You know, I resent that too. I am hot and super as well. I don’t know why she can’t see it. I guess cause I’m her sister, huh? I mean, it would be kinda gross if she thought I was hot. But still, can’t I at least be cute or something?” I was rambling. Shut up. Shut up.

Faith cocked her eyebrow. I love when she does that. “Course you’re hot B.”

She thinks I’m hot. She thinks I’m hot. I was not going to do the little dance. But I wanted to. “Really?”

She moved around the counter and stood next to me. Oh, she smelled good. I wondered what kind of perfume she wore? She was looking at me. Was she talking to me? Did I mention that she smelled good?

“You’re really a whole lot more than hot, actually,” she said leaning closer.

I smiled up at her. I am an idiot. Say something. “Really?”

She smiled back. She pushed a piece of hair from my face. “Merry Christmas B,” she said, and bent over to kiss my cheek.

I could turn my face, I told myself. Kiss her. Kiss her. Why did I just sit there? I wanted to kiss her. She backed away and looked in my eyes.

“Buffy…I…just wanted to say…that…” What Faith???

“Buffy? Can I open another present?” Dammit!!!

We both spun towards the door. “Huh?” I sputtered.

Dawn walked in, “What are you guys doing?” She asked.

“Nothing,” Faith and I spat out at the same time.

Dawn looked at us quizzically for a minute, “Yeah right. Look I so don’t care. Can I open another present?”

Get out Dawn! “No.” I said.

“Why???” She whined.

“Cause, Christmas is tomorrow. One present that was the rule, remember?” Now get the hell out of here.

“Please?” Oh, she was not whining. Take a hint and leave. I wanted to hear what Faith was going to say.

I just stared at her. She stared back. I could feel Faith’s eyes on both of us. She was moving her head back and forth like we were some sort of tennis match or something.

“No Dawn. Tomorrow.” Now go away.

“Fine,” she huffed. She reached for Faith’s arm. “Come on Faith, I want to show you my watch.” Oh, you little shit, you.

Faith followed behind her, before turning to look at me. “Sorry,” she mouthed walking out of the kitchen.

Come back here! Why was she leaving? We almost kissed. I want to kiss you. Oh, god, what the hell?

I sat in the kitchen for a minute thinking about what she was about to say. Ok, get yourself together Buffy, I told myself. I finally got up and went back into the living room. Everyone was sitting around watching some movie on TV. About the kid with the sore ear. You know the one, with the angel and every time a bell rings. That sort of thing. Anyway, they were all just sitting there. Faith almost kissed me, I wanted to scream. Course, I didn’t. She was sitting next to Dawn on the couch. They were all engrossed in the movie. Ok, I can do this. I walked over and tried to sit down beside them.

“Scoot over Dawn,” I said.

She huffed but moved. I scrunched myself between her and Faith. I couldn’t look her in the face, but that was ok, cause she was looking straight ahead. Was she avoiding me?

“Buffy?” Huh? Who’s talking to me?

“Buffy.” Oh, Anya. “I really like that lipstick.” Huh? What lipstick? “It goes great with your complexion. But next time, you should try putting it on your lips and not your cheek. I’m sure Faith wouldn’t mind letting you borrow it,” she smirked.

Everyone giggled. Except me and Faith. Ok, first kill Anya. Next kill Dawn. Then, take Faith upstairs and … Oh god, what the hell is wrong with me? Ok, I knew what was wrong with me. In fact, my ‘problem’ was blushing twice as much as I was. She’s so cute when she blushes. She’s cute all the time. I wondered if I should tell her. Uh-Oh, I’m staring. Got to stop that.

I looked around the room. Everyone was watching the movie again. Except now they all had stupid smirks on their faces. Fine, I’ll show them.

I turned to Faith, “Merry Christmas Faith,” I said, and kissed her on the cheek. I turned to look at Anya who was staring open-mouthed, “So does my lipstick look as good on her. Or should I try for the lips next time?” I turned back to watch the movie. Hah! Who’s smirking now?