FIC: Back In Boston Part 8

["Callistosdarkside" <callistosdarkside@xxxxxxxx>]

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone that's given feedback to this
story, and that's a lot of people.

It's the reason why I write this stuff, cuz now I know I'm not the only one
that enjoys my little daydreams. :)

-CDS

. Title: Back In Boston
. Author: Callisto's Dark Side
. Email: callistosdarkside@xxxxxxxx
. Feedback: The more I get, the faster I write.
. Distribution: Can be found at
http://www.geocities.com/callistosdarkside/BackInBoston.html
. Spoilers: Season 4, but since Dawn's in it, I guess there's also some of
season 5. It's an alternate universe in which Faith never joined up with
the mayor.
. Rating: I'll just set it at R now, cuz I know for sure that's where
chapter 3's gonna be. Possible NC-17 later on, so be warned.
. Pairings: Wait and see.
. Disclaimer: All characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are copyright
Joss Whedon and 20th Century Fox.
. Summary: Faith convinces Buffy to go back to Boston with her for Christmas
Holidays, but Buffy only agrees if Willow comes along as well. Dawn tags
along, much to Buffy's dismay.

Chapter 8


"Why are we here?" Faith asked, eyeing the boxes full of half-priced
Halloween costumes.

"Because, they're cheap now," Dawn explained.

"Of course they're cheap, it's Christmas."

"Yeah, that's why we don't wear them until Halloween."

"Too long term for me."

"I see something that would look great on you."

"Really?" Faith quirked an eyebrow.

"Yeah." Dawn reached into the pile, pulled out something black and held it
up.

"Xena?" Faith frowned.

"Uh huh," Dawn nodded happily. "It'd be perfect."

"I dunno, it's not even real leather."

"But it's got the chakram and the sword."

"I guess." Faith caressed the plastic weapons.

Dawn reached into the pile again and pulled out a green outfit.

"Don't tell me?" Faith eyed the familiar green sports bra.

"Yup, Gabby," Dawn smiled.

******

"So far we've only bought presents for ourselves," Buffy commented, stuffing
another fry into her mouth while Willow frowned into her burger, noting that
Buffy had yet to buy her own meal.

"I'd say we captured the spirit of Christmas then, considering I'm Jewish,"
Willow mumbled between mouthfuls.

"That we have," Buffy said dryly. "I wonder how Faith's doing?"

"I'm sure she's managed to buy herself something nice as well."

"Yeah, but I wanna know if she got my present."

"Why?"

"So I can figure out what to get her."

"You think she'll show you?"

"No, but I could always sneak a peek."

"Like you did with me?"

"Hey, I didn't know those sneakers were for me until you babbled," Buffy
said.

"Of course you didn't, because you were only whining about how old and worn
your current sneakers are for the past month."

"Busted, but you didn't have to return 'em."

"If I didn't, you wouldn't be surprised."

"I hate surprises," Buffy pouted.

"Good, cuz I intend to make you hate me."

"Does that mean no sneakers?" Buffy frowned, stealing another fry.

******

Faith carried Dawn via piggyback as the Slayer approached the food-court.

"Can you see them?" Faith asked, as Dawn surveyed the crowded court.

"Nope, maybe I should sit on your shoulders," Dawn suggested.

"You sure you can't see them?"

"Wait a sec, I think I see them eating over there." Dawn pointed.

"They're already eating?"

"Looks like."

Faith clenched her hand, only she was holding onto Dawn's thigh, thus
causing the younger brunette to yelp in pain.

"Sorry," Faith apologized as she barreled through the crowd.

******

"Did Dawn get taller?" Willow asked, finishing off her burger.

"What?" Buffy stuffed another fry into her mouth.

"Over there." Willow pointed.

Buffy turned to see Dawn's head just above the throng of shoppers, and then
she saw Faith.

"Piggyback," Buffy sighed, "how childish."

"Maybe Dawn got tired."

"It's been 3 hours, she normally doesn't complain until 4."

"Maybe today's different."

"Maybe," Buffy frowned as Faith finally reached the table.

"Piggyback, huh?" Buffy said, as Dawn looked down on her.

"Yup, Faith carried me all over the mall," Dawn smiled.

"It was awesome," Faith added.

"She doesn't have legs of her own?"

"Yeah, but we figured it'd be easier to spot the bargains if one of us had a
bird's eye view," Faith explained, putting Dawn down into a seat. "What I
wanna know is how could you start without me?"

"Start?" Buffy and Willow asked in unison.

"Eating?"

"Oh, actually I haven't gotten anything yet. These fries are Will's."

"Cool," Faith shrugged, "wanna share a pizza?"

"Share?" Buffy asked.

"I wanna share," Dawn added.

"K, two extra large it is then," Faith stated as she slapped the table.

"I don't think I can eat that much?" Buffy complained.

"Most of it's for me, B."

"I want some too," Dawn chimed in.

"Of course, I wouldn't starve my little Sunshine." Faith tousled Dawn's
hair.

"Sunshine," Buffy muttered while rolling her eyes.

"What?" Faith asked.

"Nothing," Buffy mumbled.

******

"How can you eat like that?" Buffy asked, as Faith held the slice of pizza
over her mouth, her head tilted backward as she engulfed the slice like a
seal.

Faith swallowed the pizza and downed a long swig of her coke, "Cuz B, it's
the only way."

"No, there's the normal way of eating it, like a human."

"That's for wusses, girlfriend."

"Again with the wussage."

"Yup, ya gonna do it?" Faith asked.

"No," Buffy answered.

"I bet Sunny D's not afraid," Faith patted Dawn on the shoulder.

Dawn smiled and proceeded to mimic Faith, the sauce and cheese covering her
chin instead of entering her mouth.

"Dawn, put that down," Buffy ordered, but Dawn ignored her and continued to
stuff the pizza into her mouth, choking, until Faith grabbed her from behind
and squeezed, sending the pizza into Buffy's face and onto her clothes.

Buffy wiped the cheese and sauce from her face and flicked it in the
direction of the two brunettes.

"Sorry," Faith and Dawn apologized.

"That's why I told you to eat like a normal person, but you didn't listen,"
Buffy raised her voice as she stood up.

"I'm sorry Buffy," Dawn said as she reached for a napkin, but Buffy slapped
her hand away.

"Gee, B, it was my fault." Faith stepped in front of Dawn.

"No, you didn't force her to act like an idiot," Buffy growled as she tried
to step around the brunette Slayer.

"But it was my idea," Faith said, sticking out her arm to stop the blonde.

"It's true," Willow added, "Dawn was just trying to fit in."

"Fit in? She's my sister, she doesn't need to fit in."

"It's okay guys," Dawn interjected, stepping around Faith, "It was my
fault."

"Finally," Buffy sighed, "the sister from Hell actually admits she screwed
up."

"Buffy." Willow admonished.

"Yeah, B, that's kinda harsh."

"Harsh? You wanna know what's harsh? Harsh is having pizza all over you
while a crowd of strangers stare because you have to yell at your sister."

Faith, Willow and Dawn slowly looked around, the entire mall stopped to
watch the pizza girl and her friends.


To be continued.