That Could've Been Me

Chapter Five: Moving

At 12:06, Faith crept into Giles’ dark house. Her hearing was still a little dulled from the loud music of The Bronze. Before she closed the door, she turned to wave to the Scooby Gang. Oz beeped the horn in response and puttered away. She closed the door and leaned against it.

“You’re five minutes late.”

Faith started at the sound of her mother’s stern voice. Peering into the darkness, she spotted her mother sitting in a chair. “I know,” she answered, sounding sheepish. “Oz had a little trouble starting his van. I was gonna call, but then the van started working so we just left.”

Maggie kept her face stern and mom-like. She didn’t care about a few extra minutes, but she’d never tell her daughter that. You must hold on to whatever parental leverage you have. It’s just good survival tactics. Silence was also a useful tool. Faith squirmed a little as her mother sat in stony stillness. “Where’s Buffy?” Maggie finally asked quietly.

“Uh, she left before we did.” *With some beefy guy who kept putting his hands on her ass.*

“Is she out on another patrol?” Maggie asked.

“Yeah,” Faith lied.

Maggie was silent for a few more moments as Faith continued to squirm. Finally, the worried mother spoke. “I think we should move to Sunnydale.”

Faith’s jaw dropped open. “Just like that?”

“I can’t stand the thought of you facing unspeakable evil and horror alone. I just can’t do it.” Maggie took a deep breath as she blinked away tears. “Giles has already spoken to The Council and they are amenable to having two slayers on the,” she stumbled a bit over the next word, “Hellmouth, on a more permanent basis.” She stood and put her hands on her hips. It was her no-nonsense pose. “I’ll fly back to Boston in a few days and take a few weeks to tie up loose ends. You can come with me, if you want, to say goodbye to your friends. Giles will look into getting me a job here and finding us an apartment or house to rent.”

Faith stood in the dark, her brow furrowed in thought. After a few minutes of silence from the teen, her mother finally asked, “What are you thinking?”

“I think it’s the only thing to do. Move, I mean.”

Maggie sighed with relief. She really was not looking forward to a fight with her daughter. “Do you want to come back with me? Say your goodbyes?”

Faith shook her head sadly. “No,” she said with finality. “I don’t have those friends anymore. When Mary found me and started to train me, I had to keep all these secrets. From you. From my friends. From everybody. And when I was called, when I became The Slayer, it got even more complicated. I was all alone. Mary was the only person I could talk to about everything. It’s better to just leave it all behind me. Start fresh.”

Maggie’s heart ached for her little girl. “Fifteen, and you’ve had to deal with so much. Seen too much. I’m terrified for you, Faith.” The girl hung her head at the sound of anguish in her mother’s voice. Maggie continued, “I’m also so proud of you. And not because you can throw a vampire ten feet. I’m proud of you because you face your fears and you fight for what’s right.” She walked over to Faith and wrapped her arms around her. Faith sighed and hugged her mom around her waist and rested her head on her shoulder. “It’s your job and your destiny to fight for good and the safety of innocents. I can accept that, but it’s my job to fight for you.” She rested her cheek against Faith’s hair. “Here in Sunnydale, you’ll have a ready-made set of friends who already know about the supernatural, a watcher, and, best of all, an experienced slayer who seems willing and able to teach you. And stop rolling your eyes, young lady.”

Faith smiled. She’d been doing exactly that.

Maggie continued. “You’re going to let Buffy guide you and protect you, because if you don’t, and you die an early death, I don’t think I can recover from that.” Maggie’s voice was thick with unshed tears. Faith felt her own eyes fill in sympathy. “I’m sorry to put this extra burden on you, but the fact remains: you are my life. If something were to happen to you, my life would be a long, gray stretch of hopelessness.”

“I love you, too, Mom,” whispered the girl. They stood in each other’s arms for a few minutes.

Finally, Maggie said, “Alright. Enough of this maudlin routine. Go to bed, get some sleep and we’ll make plans in the morning.” They broke their embrace.

“I want to wait up for Buffy,” said Faith.

“That’s fine,” agreed the drained mother as she walked to the guestroom. “You owe me five minutes, darling girl. I’ll collect tomorrow,” she called over her shoulder.

Faith rolled her eyes. “Yeah, ok Mom,” she mumbled resentfully. “Five lousy minutes. And it wasn’t even my fault.” She flopped down onto the couch in an adolescent pout to wait for Buffy.

===========

After half an hour of infomercials, Faith drifted off to sleep.

She was at The Bronze dancing with Buffy. The music was pounding through her body. They were surrounded by an eager group of males, each vying for the attention of the two siren slayers. Faith was lost in the music and lost in the scent of the older girl.

Buffy danced with her eyes closed and her feet planted wide. Her hips moved with languid, feral grace. She looked totally absorbed in the music. Every once in a while, her eyes would open to rest upon Faith. Every time that happened, Faith’s breath would do a little hitch and her heart would skip a beat.

The music seeped into her bones as she danced, affecting her in a way it had never done before. She flung her dark hair about and let her body move in tandem with the older slayer. Letting herself get lost. Letting the slayer part of her free to feel.

The Chosen Two danced away the last lingering effects battle adrenalin. Faith’s movements became more sensual and abandoned. Buffy took her hand and raised it over their heads.

“You did it,” she mouthed to her dance partner. She leaned in close and yelled into Faith’s ear, “You killed him. You’re the champion. The hero of the day.” She waved their clasped hands like a referee announcing the winner of a boxing match.

The smile on the brunette’s face was so wide, her cheeks ached. The two slayers stepped close and their dance became more suggestive.

One of the men surrounding them got brave and moved in close behind Buffy. He was tall and bulky with blue-gray eyes and short, dark blond hair. Buffy didn’t push him away and he crowded in closer, pressing the front of his body against her back. She smiled a smug, sexy smile and leaned into him. Faith watched the two dance, irritated at the interruption. He put his large hands on Buffy’s hips and she leaned her head back and let her body sway with his. Faith seethed as his hands moved to her stomach. Buffy smiled broad and placed her hands on his tree-trunk thighs.

===========

Faith’s eyes opened. She was on Giles’ couch, no longer dancing at The Bronze. The pounding beat of the dream music and something else had her body still humming. Sleep started to overtake her again and her eyes slid closed.

In that state of almost-sleep she felt a presence against her awareness. It pressed itself into her tired consciousness.

*Buffy.*

She knew it was the older slayer. She could feel her. Faith was suddenly fully awake and alert. She sat up, heart thudding in her chest and throat. She got to her feet and went to the window to look out into the night.

The street was empty. At first. But she could feel her getting closer. And soon she appeared, strolling casually down the sidewalk. There was something different about her. Faith couldn’t quite put her finger on it until Buffy turned towards the apartment window and Faith had a good view of her face.

Buffy looked relaxed. The diamond hard countenance had softened and the older, jaded slayer had a gentle half smile resting on her lips. Faith stood transfixed, unable to move or look away. Her breath seemed stolen, no longer required. All she needed or wanted was to gaze upon the golden beauty.

As Buffy approached the door she spotted Faith in the window. Her dark eyes, black in the night. She stopped and they stared at each other.

After the quick fuck with Johnny Beefcake, Buffy’s slayer-ardor cooled. He was a wonderfully obliging one night stand, who followed instructions enthusiastically, providing a few much needed orgasms. She felt relaxed for the first time since returning to Sunnydale.

The burning, charcoal stare of the brunette in the window, however, ignited a slow heat in her belly and her breath caught. This wasn’t slayer lust. It was different. Then Buffy remembered she was standing outside, she pulled her gaze from Faith’s and opened the door.

The air inside was close and still. She could hear Faith’s shallow, quick breathing. “Did you wait up for me?” she asked with a small, amused smile.

Faith almost moaned and the sound of her voice. It was soft and gentle and about two octaves lower than usual. The sound of it shimmered over the surface of her skin like warm rain, eliciting chills and thrills. Buffy tilted her head, waiting for a response.

“Yeah,” Faith answered, her voice soft and breathless. “I guess I did wait up.” She was still staring at Buffy, unable to pull her eyes away. “Mom’s moving us to Sunnydale.”

Buffy’s eyebrows raised. “That was quick,” she said, keeping her voice soft to avoid waking the slumbering adults.

“Yeah,” answered Faith. “Mom’s still in the middle of a major freak-out. She’s convinced that if I stay near you, it’ll extend my life.” Faith was staring at Buffy’s hair. It framed her face like soft, spun gold. She wanted to put her hands in it to see if it felt as soft as it looked.

After a few moments of silence as they stared intently at each other, Buffy spoke. “I gotta get to bed.”

“Where were you tonight, Buffy?” Faith asked.

*God. She sounds like a jealous girlfriend.* Buffy smirked. “Somewhere not sleeping,” was all she said on that subject. “You bunkin’ with me tonight?” she asked casually.

“Hmm. I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” said Faith uncomfortably. “Would you mind? Mom’s already asleep.”

“No, it’s fine.” Buffy walked to her bedroom, Faith trailed behind, catching a scent as she traveled in Buffy’s wake. A different shampoo. Wherever she was tonight, she took a shower before coming home. Faith frowned at Buffy’s back, staring at her as she stripped out of her clothes.

Buffy caught Faith’s stare in the mirror. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Did I grow a tail or something?” She brushed her hands over her bare backside, just to be sure.

“Huh?” Faith shook herself out of her reverie. “No, no,” she said, blushing when she realized she’d been staring at a completely naked Buffy. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to stare. I’m just…I guess I’m just tired,” she finished awkwardly.

“Well,” said Buffy with a huge yawn, “it’s time for slayers to go to sleep.”

Faith nodded with a faint smile. She changed into her shorts and t-shirt. Her stomach crawled restlessly when she noticed Buffy’s sleepwear. A half-shirt and cut-off sweats. *Is she gonna press up against me all night long again? God! What’s wrong with me? I’ve been so twitchy all night.* Dancing at The Bronze flashed through her mind. Buffy rubbing herself all over that giant piece of beefcake.

She was staring again as Buffy crawled into bed with a grateful sigh. She curled up under the covers looking bewitchingly girlish. Faith turned off the light and got into bed beside Buffy, curling up at the edge with her back to her. As Buffy’s breathing slowed, Faith’s mind turned over and over.

*I’m staying in Sunnydale. With Buffy and Giles and the Scooby Gang. Mom knows everything. Mary’s dead but so Kakistos. I killed Kakistos. Buffy helped me so much. She danced with me at The Bronze. She’s so beautiful. Who was that guy she left with? Do they know each other?*

These thoughts and many others like it, randomly floated around her consciousness as sleep hovered close. Before she fell completely into dreamland, she felt Buffy move closer to her and snake her arm around her waist. Then she felt the length of Buffy’s body all along her back. The heat of her seeped into her bones, melting them. No longer able to move, she could only feel. Buffy’s face burrowed into her hair and soon she felt soft sleeping breaths caress her neck and ear. With Buffy wrapped securely around her she fell into a deep sleep.

===========

The pumping, loud music of The Bronze seemed to move her blood through her veins like a heartbeat. Faith looked around and spotted Buffy almost immediately. Well, Buffy’s back, anyway. She was in the middle of a crowd, dancing to the onlookers who surrounded her but didn’t touch her. Almost as if she were royalty. A queen, untouchable and unattainable.

Feeling brave and special, Faith walked to her and stood behind her. Knowing, somehow, that she would not be pushed away, she moved closer until their bodies were touching. Buffy let herself lean back against Faith and they danced. Faith kept her hands at her sides and just touched Buffy with her body. Her whole body. They danced this way for a while as the crowd watched.

Then Buffy turned around and stared into Faith’s eyes as their bodies continued to move with music.

===========

Buffy awoke feeling a lazy buzz through her body. At the feel of warm lips and breath on her neck, her eyes flew open in alarm. Thinking at first that she’d fallen asleep at—what the hell was his name? Tom? Tim? Edward? Then she caught Faith’s scent, heavy and sweet, and realized that the girl was half on top of her, sleeping deeply. With her mouth on Buffy’s neck. When she nuzzled deeper into the embrace, Buffy started to panic. She stared at the ceiling and scrolled through her exit strategies.

She decided to try to gently extricate herself without waking Faith. She wrapped her hand around Faith’s wrist and started to pull the arm resting just under her breasts. The other arm snaked tighter around Buffy’s waist, triggering another nuzzle session. Buffy panted a bit as her skin erupted with goose flesh at the tantalizing friction. *Crap!* She took a deep breath and tried to roll out of the embrace.

Still no go. Faith squeezed sleepily and her leg fell between Buffy’s. *Ok. Have to try a new tactic.*

“Faith,” she murmured with her best mom voice, “it’s time for school.”

Faith mumbled an incoherent protest. Buffy smiled at the cuteness of it. “C’mon, Sweetie. It’s time to get up.” Faith released Buffy and rolled over, tucking her head under a pillow. Buffy sighed with relief and regret and got out of bed.

She wandered out to the kitchen to find Maggie already seated at the table sipping a cup of coffee. “Good morning, Buffy.” Maggie’s voice was a bit raspy with sleep. “How was patrol last night?”

“Huh?”

“Faith told me you went out on another patrol last night after The Bronze.”

*Ohh! Riiight.* “It was typical. Killed a few vamps. No biggie.” She grabbed the pot of coffee and poured herself a cup.

“Did Faith tell you that I’m moving her here to Sunnydale?”

“Yeah, she mentioned that.” Sipping the hot beverage, she sat down at the table and eyed Maggie.

“So, what do you think?” Maggie asked, looking uncertain.

Buffy’s eyes widened at the question. Very rarely had anyone asked her opinion about anything not slayer/slaying related. “I think it’s probably a good idea.” Maggie’s shoulders relaxed as she sighed with relief. Buffy continued. “The Hellmouth is always attracting the bad crowd. It’ll be nice to have another slayer around.” Maggie frowned and got tense again. “Plus,” Buffy went doggedly on, “Faith’s pretty green. We could help each other. Be sparring partners. No one can give you a workout like a slayer.” She smirked.

“I won’t lie to you, Buffy,” said the worried mother. “I’m hoping that you can help Faith. Train her.” Her dark eyes filled with tears as she spoke. “It may seem that I’m using you and maybe I am, but I can’t protect her from this…this…calling. You’re the only one who can. You’re my only hope. If you can do that and keep her alive, I’ll be more grateful than you can imagine. My life is in your hands, Buffy.”

Buffy sat, stunned speechless at the emotional plea. Maggie held her gaze for a few moments then stood suddenly. “Well,” she said cheerfully. “Would you like me to fix you breakfast?” Buffy nodded mutely as her mind swirled around.

She wanted to reassure the anxious mom. She wanted to tell her that she would protect the girl with everything she had.

She wanted to run like hell from the weight of responsibility suddenly pressing down on her.

The prospect of failure resulting in Faith’s death terrified her. And not just having to face Maggie. She couldn’t fail Faith. She’d rather die herself.

She was startled out of her reverie by a plate of scrambled eggs and toast. “Thanks,” mumbled Buffy.

Maggie absently stroked a hand over Buffy’s hair and kissed the top of her head. “You’re welcome,” she answered, not noticing Buffy’s wistful look that quickly hid itself away.