FIC, Fruits of Her Labor, Scene 2, part 2

[BHV <bighotvirgo@xxxxxxxxx>]

(NOTE: Disclaimer in part 1)

Scene 2, part 2
---

Gonna take you back down
I won't feel no shame
Till my dreams
Are my own again
Gonna take you right down, and I'll take the blame
Till my dreams are my own again


When Faith came into the tiny kitchen on her way back outside, Buffy
was leaning against the counter, holding the melted ice pack and
looking at Faith with an intense expression.

It was an interesting conversation but thats not why I came, so lets
get back on track, Faithy. 

So I pissed ya off, right? she asked bluntly, leaning against the
door between the living room and the kitchen. 

Buffy put the ice pack in the freezer and shut the door. Not really,
she said, a little too quietly.  Youre right, but I still dont think
its as easy as you make it sound. The clipped tone, combined with
pursed lips and furrowed brow, made Faith think shed maybe gone a
little too far.

Well, maybe not every day .... she admitted.  Sure youre not mad? 
Cause, she gestured to Buffys face, you got an expression there. 

As quick as she said it, Faith saw the expression disappear, replaced
with a grin. 

Girls a pro.

Thats just my I really have to pee and youre kind of standing in my
way expression, Buffy motioned past Faith.

Sorry!  Awkwardly, Faith sidestepped, allowing the blonde past.  You
need help, I mean, with the foot ... and all?  

Nah, Im good.  Buffy limped past, leaving Faith alone in kitchen to
ponder whether she should just open the last bottle of wine in the rack
on the counter, or wait for Buffy to offer it.  

Its not like she expects me to be well-mannered.

She grabbed the bottle and headed back outside.  Shed filled both
glasses by the time Buffy returned, limping across the patio, carrying
a large bag of frozen peas.  

Using the ol Green Giant ice pack of the working class, huh? she
smiled, wondering if Buffy would notice the wine.

You got it, Buffy repositioned her foot on the pillow and sat the
plastic bag on top of it.  I think the swellings gone down some. 

Good. 

Yeah. 

They sat in awkward silence for a couple of minutes. 

Fuck.  If we live to be a  hundred, itll never be easy between us,
will it?  If shes pissed about what I said, I wish shed just tell
me.

I opened your last bottle of wine, she confessed. 

Yeah, I noticed.  Its OK, Faith, its not like Im running a tab or
anything.  Buffys tone was reassuring.

OK.  Good. 

More silence, slightly less awkward, as they both stared at the pool.

Buffy finally spoke. So, why are you here?  She kept looking at the
pool, not at Faith.  Not that I dont appreciate the pizza and
philosophy and psychoanalysis, but we both know thats not why you
came, is it?

Nope, fraid not. Faith looked over and Buffy met her glance briefly,
before drinking half of her glass of wine in one swallow.

Oddly enough, despite the whole kinder, gentler Council thing, this
is starting to feel a lot like one of those the Council shows up
unexpectedly to spy on Buffy visits from the past.  Despite her
tipsiness, the edge of anger was clear in Buffys voice.

So thats why shes pissed?

First off, Faith stood up for emphasis, this isnt a Council thing.
She walked across the patio to retrieve her boots, then returned to
the table.

So, Buffy prompted, there wasnt some discussion or vote or anything
where you guys all sat around and talked about how mentally unsound I
was? 

Jeez, Buff! Faith couldnt help but wince at the blondes insecurity.
Give me a break!

Sorry ... I really shouldnt drink. Buffy grimaced.  Little too
paranoid, huh? 

Little too pathetic is more like it. Faith answered.  Buffy, this
was just an idea Giles had.  Xander knows about it but thats it. 
Theyre worried about you.  Actually, I think more than that, they miss
you and miss doing the father/brother male thing, to the extent you
ever let them do it to begin with.  The brunette pulled on her socks,
then reached for the boots.  

So, Giles sent you, the top Slayer, just to check up on me? Buffy
sounded doubtful. 

Im on a run between Texas and LA, doing the welcome wagon, hello
young slayer, wherever you are thing, Faith finished lacing up one
boot, and started on the other.  So it was easy for me to take the
scenic detour, drop in by surprise, see how you really are, slayer to
slayer.  Taking another sip of wine, she realized that quite soon, in
minutes, probably, she was going to have to tell Buffy the whole truth.

I can handle this.  If worse comes to worse, I can still outpunch
her.

In other words, he was afraid of pissing me off himself, but knew it
wouldnt bother you ... kind of a lame plan, Buffy said, rolling her
eyes, but I guess it beats covert surveillance. 

Yeah, Faith chuckled lamely. Besides, our black ops squad? ...  not
really up to speed yet.  

So, Buffy said solemnly, Slayer to slayer, how am I?  She reached
for the wine bottle, filling up both glasses again, then set the
now-empty bottle back down.  What are you going to report back? 

Faith took another long slow swallow, then looked up. Far as I can
see, youre good.  You look good, taking good care of yourself,
obviously getting enough sleep, food, exercise.  Youve got a sweet
little setup with the whole pool lifestyle.  The vacant house look is a
little too zen for my taste, but hey, it works for you.

So, I pass the home visit? Buffy raised an eyebrow.  I get to keep
collecting my slayer retirement checks? 

Well, Ive got to deduct a few point for the ankle, since its not
clear just exactly how you managed to swim into a big ol concrete
wall, but I dont think its a symptom of some deep inner despair ... 
Faith grinned.

Nah, just deep inner distraction, Buffy murmured into her juice
glass.

Ya know, Buffy, not that Im the expert, but maybe if you tried
actually being in the same place as Will, at the same time, as in
actually being together, you might not be so distracted ... Faith
trailed off.  

What the fuck am I saying?  Thats the last thing I need, them
together, fucking each others brains out.  On the other hand, theyd
be happy, Id be getting my little cut of the action, and I wouldnt
have to ever tell em about our little problem.  Why couldnt that
work?  Oh yeah, cause Id be in a graveyard somewhere and theyd start
up the nasty and Id get killed by some junior vamp who didnt even
have to try hard cause I was too zoned out on my invisible happy to
even see straight ... 

Faith shook her head to stop the inner thoughts, just in time to see
Buffy up-end her glass of wine and drain it dry.  Then sitting up
straight, she put her hands on her knees, took a deep breath, and said,
Faith, Im going to tell you something and I have no idea why Im
going to do it, other than Im just a titch drunk.  

Ah fuck, this is like a nightmare.  She picks now to do the bonding
thing.

Buffy continued, But Im going to tell you and Ill probably regret
it, and if you tell anyone else, Ill have to kill you, OK?

Faith tried to look merely curious, not as paranoid as she felt. OK,
B, under those terms, I think I can keep a secret.

Im having strange dreams, Buffy said simply, looking at Faith
quickly for a response.

Oh shit, didnt count on this scenario ...   

All Faith said was, Yeah?

Yeah, I think theyre Slayer dreams.  You know, the intense colors and
sensations and the prophetic feeling ... but, Buffy paused, then
lowered her voice, theyre erotic, all about sex.  Sex with Willow. 

Fuck, what do I do now?  I still have to tell her ...  

When Faith didnt respond immediately, Buffy plunged ahead, all in a
rush.  And, the thing is, I think it means something really good, like
she and I are connected, even though, and this might be the bad part,
she doesnt know about it.

Thats not the bad part, trust me.

Shes not having the dreams, so Im kind of scared, a little, but I
mean, theyre Slayer dreams, so maybe shes not supposed to have them.

Buffy paused, blushing.  I dont know Faith, maybe its wishful
thinking, but theyre so intense, it just seems like were really being
together, just not in this dimension right now, cause we both have to
do other important stuff now, but it makes me have hope, you know?

Buffy looked over shyly. Like weve been given this place to be
together, just the two of us. 

Oh god, look at her, shes all pink and happy and shit.  

Faith felt like a deer caught in the headlights of Buffys goofy shy
excitement. 

Anyway, thats the distracting part.  Its nice, but really, and I
mean, really, distracting, you know?  Again, Buffy blushed, even
deeper than before.  She reached across the table and picked up Faiths
forgotten glass of wine.

Tell her! ... dont let her go on ... it gets worse with every word
she says.

Faith managed a noncommittal Yeah, I think so...  

So, you think Im crazy now?  Buffy asked quietly, her enthusiasm
seemingly dampened by Faiths lack of feedback.

Faith stood up abruptly, moving away from the blonde on instinct, then
turning back toward her, struggling for the right words.  

What is it? Buffy asked fearfully.  You really do think Im crazy,
dont you?  Faith, please ... 

Faith held out a hand, interrupting Buffy.  No.  No, I dont think
youre crazy.  

Again, she walked away, feeling the urge to put distance between
herself and Buffy.  Then, thinking better of it, she moved back toward
the slayer.  

Yes, I believe you.  I believe youre having slayer-type prophetic
dreams about having sex with Willow.  She paused for breath, no longer
just afraid that Buffy was going to go ballistic, but also guilty about
having to burst her pretty little bubble. 

Mostly afraid though. Either way, Im the punching bag.

Then whats with all the pacing? Buffy asked nervously, with an edge
of irritation.  

OK, Buffy, heres the deal. Faith began to pace again. One, I dont
know why this is happening.  Two, I didnt ask for it, or make it
happen, as far as I know.  Three, I dont want it to be happening. 
Four ... 

Faith, just say it! Buffy demanded.  Just tell me! 

Faith sat back down.  Im having the same dreams.  She blurted it
out, managing to look the blonde in the face when she said it, and
instantly regretting it ... because Buffy looked like shed been hit
hard in the stomach, like there was no more air to breathe.  Anywhere. 
In the whole world.  Ever.

Since Buffy looked like she might not speak again in this lifetime,
Faith continued, slowly, quietly. At least I think theyre probably
the same dreams.  I mean we can compare notes later, but they started
the night after you left the hotel, for seven nights straight.  Then
they stopped again, and then I had another one last night that was
kinda different than the others.  It was more ... she paused, looking
for the right word

Like a ritual, Buffy whispered.  Staged, like a series of scenes,
rituals, maybe spells ... She said all that but still didnt seem to
be breathing.

Yeah, Faith answered almost as quietly. Like in a play or a theater
or something ...

She trailed off, looked at Buffy, and saw that her eyes were glistening
and her chin was trembling.  Faith switched her focus to a spot at the
bottom of the pool, wishing thats where she was, wishing she was
anywhere but here.

Wishing I was still an psychotic asshole, cause then it would make me
happy to watch her, seeing it hit her that another chunk of her life
just got torn to shreds.  
 
Buffy finally spoke, her voice oddly steady as she stood up, too calm. 
You were going to tell me?  The calmness made the hair on Faiths
neck prickle, as did the standing.  Faiths guilt took a back seat to
fear, and she instinctively started scanning the scene for possible
weapons, handholds, vantage points in a fight.  She noted Buffy still
held a glass of wine.

As calmly as she could, she answered, B, I swear, I was going to tell
you. Tonight.  I was already on the way here because Giles asked me,
just like I said, but after the dream last night, I knew I had to tell
you. 

But before, you didnt think I needed to know you were having Slayer
dreams for seven days in a row.  Dreams about about me.  Me and
Willow.  Buffys voice was even, measured.  Faith looked up into eyes
that were hard, like gray-green stones, the tears long gone.  

Hello, Slayer.  Remember me?  Im the other one. You killed me, been
almost five years now, remember?

I didnt know for sure what it was, and then they just stopped. She
hoped her soft tone would keep Buffy from ratcheting up the
threatening, but she steeled herself for the next part, standing up.  

This is going to be so bad.

Buffy, you need to know ... and youre really not going to like this,
by the way ... but I wasnt dreaming about you and Willow ...  

Buffy didnt speak, trying to figure out what Faith meant.  It was
obvious she wasnt getting it. 

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Faith spoke softly, In my
dreams, its me, not you.  Me and Willow. 

It seemed to Faith that she saw the glass fall from Buffys hand in
slow motion, shattering and splashing against the concrete at their
feet, and she watched transfixed as pieces of broken glass fell into
the water, camouflaged by their transparency.  

Better be careful ... someone could get hurt ...

Snapping back to real time, she was surprised to see Buffy had walked
away, was slowly walking around the pool, one arm down, fist clenching,
the other hand absently holding the tensed arm, rubbing up and down. 
She seemed to have forgotten her foot was hurt, or just wasnt noticing
the pain.

Endorphin rush?  Not good.  Shes ready to fight and I havent even
told her the rest of it ... better be careful ... someone could get
hurt ... 

Having made the full circle, Buffy was coming back around the pool,
past the diving board, toward her, looking through her, like she was
maybe going to keep going for another lap.  

Faith heard her voice before she even thought about speaking, Theres
one more thing you need to know.  Buffy.  Theres something else. 

Buffy kept coming, and Faith moved to block her as she approached,
fully expecting to be struck.  Instead, Buffy stopped a foot or so
away, but still too close, still too calm, her eyes fixed beyond Faith.
Other than stopping, she gave no indication she was waiting for Faith
to speak. 

Remember at the motel, when Dawnie and I came to your room?  Remember
right before that Id had that weird little spell? Buffy remained
impassive, motionless.   Faith continued, Well, I dont know for sure,
but Im guessing you and Willow might have been ... doing something ...
in the room before we came in ... 

She saw Buffys eyes close.  

Because later ... later ... while we were waiting for you in the cafe,
all of the sudden I started feeling all flushed, like ... hot and
bothered.  And it kept up and things got hotter and I could feel, well
all kinds of stuff ... I had the sensation ... someone was all over my
neck ... and then, I actually ...

Get out.  Buffy was so icy calm when she said it, Faith didnt trust
her.  Her whole body braced for a blow, she even backed up to get out
of range.

I said Get out.  Again with the cold calm.

Buffy,  I dont want this, she said as steadily as she could.  I
came here to help fix this.  We can fix this.  We can do research. 
Well call Willow, get her to ...

Even prepared as she was, she never expected Buffy could move so fast,
given the alcohol and the broken ankle, but suddenly Faith was flying
through the air, then felt the flesh on her forearms being scraped off
as she skidded to a stop at the edge of the patio where Buffy had
tossed her.  Instinctively, Faith flipped to her feet facing her
attacker but Buffy was ready, above her and pulling her up by her shirt
so they were nose to nose.

As her hands clenched Faiths shirt so tight under her chin she
couldnt breathe, Buffy growled, twisting the fabric tighter with each
word, You ... dont ... go... anywhere ... near ... her.  

Well, at least shes not calm anymore.  

Faith slammed her forehead up into Buffys, then pushed her off.  Her
bad ankle crumpling underneath her, Buffy fell across one of the lounge
chairs, tumbling over backwards, feet in the air.

Faith took the opportunity and scrambled away, stumbling toward the
back door of the house, where she stopped to look back.  

Buffy struggled up, then stood by the pool, lit from all round by the
shimmering pale green light, watching Faith.  Both women stood silent,
panting, puffs of their breath condensing in the cool night air.  
.
Faith opened the screen door to leave, but then turned back. Buffy,
she has a right to know.  It involves her.  And shes the best chance
we have of figuring this out!

Buffy kicked the fallen chair out of her way, knocking it into the
table.  Faith heard the wine bottle hit the patio and roll around as
Buffy began to move toward her, limping slightly and breathing hard,
but no less ready to kill her than before.  

You.  Dont go.  Anywhere.  Near her.  Buffy was closing the distance
slowly, giving her a chance to leave. 

Deciding to take the chance, Faith turned and left, letting the screen
door slam behind her.


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Willow: "It's a good fight, Buffy, and I want in."
Buffy:  "I kinda love you."
                     'Choices'

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