Surprises

Disclaimer - see part one

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Part 9
Present Day
Normally, when Faith woke with a headache, it was her own damn fault. But tonight, after spending most of it explaining everything to Willow, she was tired, and all she wanted to do was sleep. Unfortunately, that was impossible because she was in B's house. The girl was everywhere, even though she wasn't there. Faith could smell her perfume, albeit faintly the the living room. On her way to the guest room, she slipped into Buffy's bedroom and looked around. Not above snooping, the scent of the girl overpowered her, and she quickly retreated. She had fallen asleep in her new bed on top of the comforter, before waking suddenly when she heard Willow speaking.

"It's three in the morning," Willow said.

Faith had to strain to here what the redhead was saying. The girl's bedroom was next to the room she was in, so she concentrated and listened.

"Buffy, please stop crying" Willow said, "just come home."

Willow was busy mumbling 'I know' over and over again. Faith wondered why the blond was crying. Fuck, what's wrong with you B, she thought. She was debating whether to get up and go into Willow's room when her door opened.

"Faith," Willow whispered into the dark room.

"I'm awake."
"Buffy just called," Willow said. Faith nodded. "She's crying. I couldn't understand her. I don't know what to do. I told her to come home, but," the girl crossed the droomroom and sat on the bed, "she said no. That she didn't think she could come back here. Not right now. I don't have a clue what she means. I asked her where Xander was. She said she thought he was sleeping. "

Faith hesitated for a moment, "Did you tell her I was here?' she finally asked.

"No. I was going to, but she was crying and she..."Willow stopped a moa moment, "I don't know. It didn't feel right. But I did get her to tell me where they were. I guess I'm going to go down there. See if I can get them to come home."

"And then what?"

"I don't know. I don't know what to do with either of them. It's starting to get to be a little much. I love them, don't get me wrong, but ...I think maybe I'm outta my league here."

"Well then let's go."

"Oh, Faith I didn't mean you had to go. I mean I don't want to rush you out or anything. But this is my problem and I don't see any good reason to force you to get involved. I know you have a life and everything, and I don't want you to have to take on someone else's problems."

Faith got up and turned the light on, "Did you listen to anything I said, Red?" She picked up her suitcase and rooted around for something to wear, "And you still honestly think I'm not going?"

"Faith, you don't have to."

"Do you want me to?" Faith asked her.

"To tell you the truth it would be nice. But I don't want to..."

Faith held up her hand, "Don't. I'm already involved. She called me, remember? Besides the way I see it, it's not your problem either. And, she added, "I know you're powerful and all, but I could still kick your ass. I don't want to. But you try to keep me here, and..."

Willow laughed, "Please Faith, I'd turn you into a toad before you got the first punch in." She stood, "get your stuff. I'll call the airport."

Sunny Florida. Not unlike sunny California, expect for a lot of more old people, Faith thought looking around the airport. I guess California had those as well, she remembered, except they were usually of the undead variety, making it harder to determine their age. She busy shifting, foot to foot, waiting for Willow to finish at the car rental station. There was guy sitting in a chair next to where she was standing. She could feel his eyes on her, and she was about to turn around and ask him what the fuck he was staring at when Willow walked up.

"Okay, got the car and directions to the hotel. He said it's about twenty minutes from here. I hope we can read the map. It looks like we've got to turn two or three times. I hate maps. I'd rather just teleport there," Faith looked at Willow strangely, "Oh, I don't do that anymore, she quickly got out, "but it was useful. Of course, if I was going to teleport anywhere it would be to London, not here. Oh fuck," she suddenly exclaimed, "I forgot to call them. They're going to be pissed. Wonder what time it is there? Do you think there is any coffee around here anywhere?"

Faith stared at the girl for a minute, "Whoa, okay, slow down. I'm sure there is coffee around here. But after the six and a half cups you've drank thus far, you aren't getting any of it," Willow pouted. Faith continued, "give me the keys." Willow handed them over hesitantly, "and the map. Good. Now let's go. You called the hotel, right?"

"Yep. We are all set. All we have to do is check in, find Xander and Buffy, assure them we are not spying on them, force them to see the errors of their ways, the then we can get righteous tans."

"Oh, well, looks like we got an easy day, huh?'

Whoa B. Living the high life, Faith was thinking as they walked into the hotel. She looked around the lobby, hoping to spot the blond and Xander. But, everyone in the place was blond. Ok, well not everyone, but she was too busy caught up in the long parade of bikinied sun seekers to differentiate. Come on Red, she willed, let's get going. Willow was busy conversing with the desk clerk, and Faith was trying hard to pay attention, but she was fast being lured by the idea of a sun soaked vacation. Ok, not here to party. Here for B, she reminded herself.

"Ready?" Willow asked, causing her to jump.

"My fucking head hurts," Buffy moaned to Xander who was lying on a chair next to here, "like someone drove a nail into it or something."

"Or plucked your eyeball out?" he asked.

"Haha. Funny, funny Xander, but no. Not like that. Like someone hit me on top of the head. Repeatedly."

"Ok, I hit you on top of the head. Repeatedly. Last night," Xander said, "but I thought you liked it. You didn't say anything."

"If I thought you were serious Xander, I would hurt you," she answered, "but it like really hurts. Not like Xander thinks he can hurt me hurts. More like something strong can hurt me hurts."

"Touché, Buffster. I'm actually offended."

"No you're not."

Xander bent over and reached for the sunscreen. He offered some to Buffy, who waved him off, "Who'd you call last night?" he suddenly said, staring behind him.

"Huh?"

"Did ya happen to call anyone last night, Buff. Think?" he turned and asked her.

"No. I don't think I did. Why?"

"Think really hard Buffy."

"I don't know, Xander. I told you my head hurts in the not remembering anything sort of way," she turned over on her stomach and looked at him, "So? Again I ask, why?"

He didn't need to answer her though. She followed his eyesight, which was trained on the hotel behind them. She sat up, and shielded the sun from eyes. Willow, she thought, before letting her eyes focus. Followed quickly behind by Faith. Well fuck, Buffy thought, still staring as they approached.

Faith dressed in a pair of really short shorts, Buffy noticed, sauntered over to the pair and sat on the chair next to Buffy, "What's the what B? Mind if we join you?" she asked.

To be continued