Hey all. God, i had such a full week last week.... all i wanna do is go to sleep and not wake up for 100 years.
I got this finished today. It's pretty big update, because i'm not sure when i'll be able to update again. Hopefully you'll like this part and actually want to come back and read the next update when i get my computer back
Anyway, on with the show.
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Part TenThe clock on the wall read ‘six-thirty’. It was still early, but Willow had been awake for hour. Of course, she’d also been up most of the night, not that she was about to complain. Any time Tara had been the one to keep her awake, you wouldn’t ever catch her complaining.
Glancing down at the blonde who was snuggled up to her, Willow smiled. She loved to watch Tara sleep. It was definitely in the top five on her “Things I Love To Do” list. Among other things.
Tara, for some reason, always smiled in her sleep and it made Willow wonder what she was dreaming about. She looked so peaceful. Not only could Willow see that, but she could feel Tara’s calmness. It was weird, but the good kind. It was as if the connection they shared ran deep within them. So deep, and their feelings for one another were so strong, that at times they could feel how the other felt, and once or twice, they had actually known what the other was thinking. It was amazing. Willow ran her fingers through her girlfriend’s hair, they’d been through so much together. Overcome so many obstacles, and they were still standing, refusing to let anything separate them.
Thinking back to before they were a couple, Willow remembered her first encounter with Tara’s father and how she felt when she’d seen him raise his hand to hit Tara. In that second, every single emotion imaginable hit her at once and it made her snap. She wasn’t thinking about herself, all Willow had cared about was making sure that Mr Maclay didn’t lay a finger on Tara and he didn’t get the chance to. Willow dove through the window, glass shattering around her, cutting her, and tackled Mr Maclay, pushing him away from Tara. After telling her too, the blonde fled, leaving Willow to deal with the man that had tortured her girlfriend for most of her life, and that’s just what she’d done. By the end of the night, Willow was covered in cuts and bruises and Mr Maclay was lying unconscious on Tara’s bedroom floor. Then there was his escape from prison, after he’d been locked up four months previously, and he’d gotten all “gun happy” on her, Buffy and Faith and kidnapped Tara. They’d all somehow got out of the hospital before Mr Maclay had chance to take Tara away with him and arrived at the train station just in time. But as Tara was trying to get to Willow, Mr Maclay lifted his gun and pointed it at Tara's back. He didn’t get much further than that, Willow pulled out her own gun and shot him before he hurt Tara. She’d killed him. Giles, a teacher at Sunnydale High and the person who had taken them to Tara, told the police he had shot Mr Maclay, but after he’d explained what had happened, he wasn’t charged. Then after that, Tara had found out that Giles was in fact her real father. So much to deal with over such a short period of time, but they’d gotten through it. Together.
It was amazing. However much Willow thought she loved Tara, it only got stronger. Never the other way around. Their love for each other grew with each day and just when Willow thought she couldn’t possibly love Tara any more than she already did, the blonde would do something and Willow would just fall for her all over again. It didn’t matter what it was: whether it was as simple as Tara tucking her hair behind her ear and then letting it fall back onto her face, or whether it was Tara biting on her bottom lip or stuttering when she was nervous, or even when she walked into the room or said Willow name a certain way. Was that what love was? Was that how it was supposed to make you feel?
Willow knew it was love, she’d known it since the first time she’d laid eyes on Tara. As soon as she’d seen her, her heart stopped and the emptiness she’d felt all her life, disappeared. Just like that. One minute it was there, then their eyes met and poof, it was gone.
Tara was her everything. Her world. Life without the blonde wouldn’t be worth living. Tara made her happy and Willow would be miserable without her. Tara was her life. She meant everything to the redhead. Willow couldn’t imagine being without her and she didn’t want to. It would be like a world without sunshine.
Her thoughts once again drifted back to before they’d got together. Willow would go out of her way to see the blonde. Track miles just to catch a glimpse of her. How she’d make excuses to touch her, hug her, hold her hand. Was she crazy? No. She was in love.
She was momentarily jerked from her thoughts, when she felt the girl beside her shift closer. Looking down, she smiled. Tara had moved so that she was pressed up, as close as humanly possible, to Willow. She’d wrapped her arms around the redhead’s middle and entwined their legs beneath the bed sheets. Her head was nestled in the hollow of Willow’s neck and one of her hands was spread out across her girlfriend’s upper arms. She heard Tara mumble and her smile widened. It seemed Willow wasn’t the only one who talked in her sleep. As she looked down at her girlfriend, she began to wonder. Was it possible to love someone as much as she did? Was it all one long, wonderful dream? Was she going to wake up any moment? She hoped not. She was enjoying this dream, if that’s what it was, way to much to wake up now.
Willow glanced over at the clock.
Seven-fifteen.... still plenty of time yet. Faith’s bedroomHer eyes fluttered open and she looked around the room, groggily. Had it all been a dream? God, she hoped not. But hoping hadn’t really got her anywhere in the last couple of days. Letting out a heart-filled sigh, she got up. Or tired to, but something was holding her back. Someone. Faith was pulled back down onto the bed and the sheets were lifted over her head and she was practically dragged under. She looked at the person in front of her and almost shrieked with happiness.
It wasn’t a dream!Faith: Buffy!
The blonde raised an eyebrow.
Buffy: You were expecting someone else?
She sounded hurt. Maybe. Faith couldn’t really tell.
Faith: No. Just happy to see you.... here.... and knowing that last night wasn’t a dream.
Buffy: You normally have dreams like
that?
Faith: Wouldn’t you like to know?
Faith wiggled her eyebrows.
Buffy: Yes, I would actually.
The brunette giggled as Buffy slid up the bed towards her, the sheet above them moving slightly with her. She moved her body up Faith’s, pinning the other girl to the mattress of the bed. Faith giggled again as Buffy began kissing her way to the brunette’s lips, starting at the bottom of her tummy.
Faith: Can I wake up like this every morning.
Buffy looked up at Faith, without lifting her head, and flashed her girlfriend a sexy smile.
Buffy: I think that can be arranged, I should warn you though, once I start, I won’t be able to stop.
Faith: You promise?
Kitchen: LaterFaith bounced into the kitchen, her happiness evident. She flicked the switch on the kettle and waited for the water to boil, a smile planted firmly on her face. She was practically glowing. After being miserable since she and Buffy broke up, being happy made a pleasant change. And it was even better because it was her and Buffy getting back together that had made her happy.
Hopping onto one of the kitchen cupboards, she began thinking about the last two years and how much things had changed. Some things hadn’t changed at all, others had changed in life-altering ways.
The first big one had been, of course, Willow switching teams. That hadn’t really shocked Faith, well, maybe at first, but the more she had thought about it, she realised that she’d kind of suspected Willow being gay all along. It had been quiet a big change though, but a good one. Then, Willow and Tara had gotten together. Faith had known since Willow first told her about the adorable blonde that her friend was falling for the other girl. It became more and more obvious as time went on. Willow didn’t think Tara would return her feelings, but she did. Faith knew she would, she didn’t know how she knew, she just did. Maybe she was psychic. She’d always thought being psychic would be cool. Being able to read people’s minds without them knowing.
After Willow and Tara became a couple, Mr Maclay, the guy who was supposed to be Tara's dad, was sent to prison, but her escaped and kidnapped Tara, putting her, Buffy and Willow in hospital in the process. She still had the scar where the doctors had removed the bullet. For some reason, it was in the shape of a bolt of lightening. her first reaction to it was: Wicked!
Willow had killed Mr Maclay. She’d killed him. Shot him dead to protect Tara. She had nightmares for weeks afterwards. Something, when she’d been sleeping over at Faith’s apartment, Faith would wake up. Willow’s scream always woke her up, It was horrible and the only thing that could calm the redhead down was Tara. After a while, the nightmares stopped and they could all sleep again.
She loved Buffy. She’d loved her since she first laid eyes on her. Well, maybe not when she first laid eyes on her, Buffy had had her best friend pinned to a wall and was threatening her at the time and then she and Buffy had gotten into a bit of a scuffle, but that was a different story.
The first time she’d looked at Buffy, really looked at her, gotten to know her, she fell and hadn’t got back up. She didn’t want to. Faith liked the little hold she got stuck in, she’d gotten comfy and didn’t want to get out. She loved Buffy. The blonde meant everything to her and if Buffy let her, Faith would gladly spend the rest of her life with her. Yeah, they’d been through a rough patch lately, but they’d got through it and would get through everything else fate decided to throw at them, as long as they were together. Her heart belonged to Buffy and it always would.
The kettle whistled.
Espresso Pump: That NightIt was quite slow that night. They’d expected the Espresso Pump to be filled with caffeine addicted college students like always, but were surprised to find it pretty much empty. They grabbed the booth at the back and were sipping their mocha’s and talking.
Faith: Don’t they scare you?
Willow: What’s to be scared of?
Faith: Oh, you mean apart from everything?
Willow let out a short laugh.
Willow: Faith, they aren’t scary.
They’d been talking about this for ages now. Buffy and Tara had already voiced their opinions on the subject and now Faith was interrogating Willow.
Faith: They are.
Willow: Face it, you’re a big baby.
Faith: Lets just see how you react when you’ve got one following you around for an hour, copying everything you do.
Tara: Well, I think Faith should leave the big bad mimes alone.
Faith: Hey, i’ll be happy to. It’s them who can’t leave me alone and I swear, they keep on following me, they’re gonna be extinct.
Buffy: You’re gonna kill them all? You and what army?
Faith held up her fists and looked at them. Buffy nodded.
Buffy: Ah, okay.
She smiled. She knew her girlfriend was strong. Really strong. Faith could lift Buffy up over her head. Of course, this made good material for teasing Faith about being butch as well.
There was a moment of silence as they all sipped their mochas, before anyone spoke again.
Willow: So, what do you guys wanna do now?
Faith: Well, there’s a new skate park just opened. We could check that out.
Willow: Sounds like fun.
The redhead grinned.
Willow: You gonna show your girl some of your moves?
Buffy’s head snapped around so she was looking at Faith.
Buffy: You skate?
Faith gave Willow a look, to which the redhead simply smirked.
Faith: No. I don’t.
Buffy: But Willow-
Faith: Willow likes to make things up. I can jump on a board. That’s about it.
Willow: You can do so much more than just ollie, Faith.
Faith: Willow, shut up.
By this time, Buffy was confused.
Buffy: Faith, do you skate or don’t you?
Faith: I don’t. I just wanna go down there and see some of the people who do.
Buffy nodded not really sure what to believe.
Buffy: Okay.
They finished their mochas and headed off to the skate park.
Skate ParkIt was huge. As in Grand Canyon huge. Faith looked around in awe. It had three huge half pipes back to back in the middle, ramps, all different sizes, everywhere. Then there was an even bigger, vertical drop one towards the back. Grinding poles, quarter pipes, Faith noticed a few more half pipes scattered around. It was amazing. She’d never seen one so big.
Faith: Wow.
Willow: It’s huge.
Tara: How have we missed this?
Faith: It only opened about two weeks ago and we have all been kinda busy.
Buffy noticed Faith eyeing the place up.
I wonder if she does skate....Faith: Come on.
She grabbed onto Buffy’s hand and began dragging her into the park.
Buffy: Hey! Where are we going?
Faith: Best seats in the house just became available.
She indicated a tatty looking sofa on top of one of the half pipes.
Buffy: I am not climbing up there!
Faith: Why not?
She stopped and turned to face her girlfriend, her tone teasing.
Faith: Is Buffy afraid of the big back block of wood?
Buffy: No. It’s the skaters who are skating down it at incredible speeds that i’m scared of.
Faith rolled her eyes and continued walking towards the half pipe, but Buffy wouldn’t budge. Sighing, she turned back to the blonde, picked her up and threw her over her shoulder.
Buffy: Faith!!
Faith: Oh, keep it down. This way, you won’t get hit by some skater dude, simply because I won’t let us get hit.
Buffy just pouted and watched as Willow and Tara followed them. Once Faith had gotten herself and Buffy up the half pipe, they sat down on the sofa and waited for Willow and Tara to join them.
By the time they got to the sofa, Willow was fuming. She’d seen at least six guys eyeing her girlfriend up.
Tara: Willow, i’m sure they weren’t looking at me.
Willow: They had eyes Tara, they were looking at you. It’s those damn jeans your wearing. Their too tight.
Tara: Honey, you picked these out for me.
Willow: I didn’t think i’d have the whole of Sunnydale gawking at you when I picked them out.
Tara: They’re not gawking.
They sat down next to a somewhat confused Buffy and Faith, who’d only caught the last part of the conversation.
Buffy: Who’s not gawking?
Willow: Every single person in Sunnydale.
Faith: Huh?
Tara: Willow thinks all the guys are looking at me.
Faith glanced at Tara, then at Willow.
Faith: Well, i’d usually say Willow was being paranoid.... but you do look mighty fine tonight Tara.
The brunette felt the back of Willow hand hit her head from behind.
Faith: Hey!
The Buffy slapped her knee.
Faith: Oww! Jesus, what was that for?!
Buffy: Ogling Tara.
Faith: I was kidding!
Tara looked at her and raised her eyebrows.
Faith: Not that Tara isn’t ogle worthy tonight.
Another slap on the back of the head from Willow. Faith practically growled and got up.
Faith: Okay, what is this? ‘Everyone hit Faith’ day?
Buffy: Hey, that would be a good idea for a holiday.
Faith was about to say something when she was tapped on the shoulder. When she turned around, she found a sandy haired boy smiling at her. He was wearing long, denim, skater shorts, with a longish chain hanging down from them and a black, baggy T-shirt that said “Skating = Death”. Faith grinned.
Faith: Callum!
Callum: Hey, dude. Long time no skate.
They shook hands, but not in the way you would think. Buffy thought it looked like some tribal handshake.
Faith: Yeah, well, been busy. You know.
Callum: Yeah, I know. S’cool. You up for a skate?
Faith: Naw, s’kay. Ain’t really doin’ that any more.
Callum: No kid? Really?
Faith nodded and looked around at all the skaters.
Faith: Yeah, just kinda stopped.
Callum: Dude, the boys are gonna be torn.
Faith: They here?
Callum: Yeah. They’re around.
Callum noticed one of the guys from the gang skated past and shouted to him.
Callum: Hey Kemp! Guess who just walked in? Get your board up here!
Kemp turned his attention to the halfpipe they were standing on and grinned when he saw Faith, who waved him over. He joined them on to of the half pipe and they shook hands in the same way Faith and Callum had.
Kemp: S’been a while.
Faith: I know. Lot’s happened since the last time we all hung out.
Kemp: Yeah?
Faith nodded.
Kemp: You still skate?
Faith: No.
Kemp: What?
Faith: Not anymore.
Callum glanced over Faith’s shoulder and caught sight of Willow. She smiled at him as he walked towards them.
Callum: Hey.
Willow: Hey Callum. How’ve you been?
Callum: Oh, you know. Just got out of hospital a few months back after breaking my leg.
Willow: And you’re already back skating?
Callum: What can I say? You can take the skater out of the park, but you can’t take the park out of the skater.
His grin widened as he eyed Tara.
Callum: Who’s your friend?
Willow almost blew her top then and there.
Seven!! Seven bloody people!!She bit down on her bottom lip to stop herself from losing it and reached out for Tara's hand, entwining their fingers. Callum let out a laugh.
Callum: All the hot ones are taken. See ya, Will. Will’s friend.
He winked at Tara as he dropped in on the half pipe and skated down it on his board.
Willow: He may be a friend, but if he looks at you like that again, i’ll kill him.
Buffy was busy looking over and Kemp and Faith. They seemed friendly. A little too friendly for Buffy’s liking. Jealousy took over and she got up off the sofa and stood next to Buffy, grabbing Faith’s hand. Kemp arched an eyebrow, his way of asking Faith: And who is this?
Faith: Buffy, Kemp, Kemp, Buffy. My girlfriend.
He smiled at her.
Kemp: Nice to meet you. Listen, i’d better go find the rest of the gang. We’re supposed to be heading to Riley’s Place in a bit. I’ll catch you later.
Faith: See ya.
She turned to Faith her girlfriend.
Buffy: Who was that?
Faith: I thought I went over that with the: Buffy, Kemp, Kemp, Buffy.
Buffy rolled her eyes.
Buffy: Yeah, I got his name. Didn’t catch who he was.
The brunette shrugged.
Faith: He’s an old friend. So is Callum.
Buffy: How d’you meet?
Faith: How does everyone meet? You know.
Faith heard someone shout her name and looked down towards the bottom of the halfpipe. It was Callum and a group of other guys.
Callum: Hey Faith! The guys are pretty upset with you.
Faith: Oh?
Faith grinned and shook her head, she knew what was coming.
Callum: I think you should make it up to them.
Faith: And just how would I do that?
Callum smriked and threw his board up high, up the side of the halfpipe. Faith caught it and put it on the floor.
Callum: They wanna see you skate. Find out if you got rusty while you were away.
She sighed. It looked like Buffy was going to see her skate after all. Faith flipped the board up with her foot and caught it easily.
Faith: Rusty? Me? No way.
Faith smirked, she could feel Buffy’s eyes on her. Balancing the skateboard on the metal that was placed on the edge of the halfpipe, Faith carefully got onto the board, got her feet in the right position and leaned forward, executing an perfect stand in. The group of boys at the bottom whistled and cheered as she skated up the opposite side of the halfpipe, lifted her back legs up so she was upside down, holding onto the board with one hand and using the other to hold herself up. Buffy just stared.
Buffy: What’s that?
Willow grinned as Faith let herself drop, twisted her body a full 360 degrees and landed back on the halfpipe.
Willow: Faith’s version of a handplant.
Buffy: Oh right, I knew that.
Faith steered the skateboard off the halfpipe and headed for one of the biggest ramps. She got to the top, turned the board around and practically flew down the right side of the ramp. It had a longer bit towards the end that curved up slightly. She hit it head on, ollied and land on the grinding pole. The both tails of the board were either side of the pole now and the side was facing the half pipe Buffy, Willow and Tara were sitting at the top of.
Buffy: And what’s that?
Willow: Fifty-fifty grind.
Faith flipped the board again, while still on the pole, changing the grind.
Willow: No, now it’s a nose grind.
Buffy: They have weird names.
She came to the end of the grinding pole, ollied off it and headed back to the half pipe, picking up an amazing amount of speed on her way. Faith bolted up one of the sides, spun herself and the board around and then grabbed the front tail, while still in the air, and leaned back, pushing down on the front of the board. The board, almost fully vertical now, sped back down towards the halfpipe and just before the wheels hit it, she let the tail go, finishing off her perfect “rocket nose dive”. She flew up the side the girls were on, ollie again and landed on the top of the halfpipe, board in hand. Faith walked over to the side where the wooden fences stopped anyone from falling off and dropped the board back down to Callum, grinning.
Faith: I never get rusty.
Callum shook his head as cheers and whistles continued to roar through the park. Faith turned back to the sofa where Buffy, Willow and Tara were still sitting. Buffy and Tara were gawking at her, amazed. Faith coughed and sat down on the arm of the sofa next to Buffy, who just stared.
Faith: What?
Buffy: I thought you said you didn’t skate.
Faith: I don’t. Not anymore.
Buffy was about to say something when Kemp shouted up to Faith. The brunette got up and walked back over to the side, leaning on the wooden fence and looking down at the rugged looking boy. He looked pretty much like everyone else at the park. He wore a baggy, black and white, long sleeved T-shirt, long denim shorts that were frayed and worn at the ends and torn on his right leg by his knee, and a chain hanging from the loops of his shorts. He looked like a real “bad boy”. What made him stand out was his hair. It was as black as night, but he’d had white streaks put in that were in the shape of lightning bolts. It looked pretty nifty or at least Faith thought so.
Kemp: Callum, Jay and me are gonna race. Once around the park, first one to make it to the end wins. You in?
She shook her head.
Faith: I’ll pass.
Buffy got up from her seat and walked over to Faith.
Kemp: What’s wrong? You chicken?
Faith: No, I just-
She was cut off by Buffy, who began clucking like a chicken. Faith turned and glared at her. Buffy smirked.
Buffy: What? All your time away from the bad life of a rebel made you go soft?
She clucked a few more times and Faith turned back to Kemp.
Faith: You know what? Count me in.
Kemp grinned and winked at Buffy, before skating back towards Callum and Jay to tell them Faith would be joining them. Faith turned around and leaned against the wooden supports, looking at Buffy.
Faith: Thanks.
Her sarcasm wasn’t lost on Buffy.
Buffy: Aww, poor Faith and her ego. Chicken just doesn’t go well with your tough girl reputation, does it?
Faith: Carry on and by the end of the night i’ll be ignoring you.
Buffy: Makes a change from wanting to jump by bones.
Faith: Oh, I still wanna do that.
She grinned and pulled Buffy in for a quick kiss before jumping over the side of the twenty foot halfpipe.
Buffy: Faith!
The brunette landed on her feet, no problem, and looked up at Buffy. Her grinned widened as she saw the panicked look on her girlfriend’s face.
Buffy: I am
so going to kill you when you get back up here.
Faith just giggled and ran over to Callum, Jay and Kemp. The starting point was right at the other end of the park, which made it hard for Buffy to see, but she could just about make Faith out. Willow and Tara had sat themselves on top of the sofa, behind Buffy. It was as if everyone in the park had suddenly flocked to the three half pipes to watch the race. They were crammed in everywhere.
Buffy: Are the races usually this big?
Buffy turned her head to look at Willow.
Willow: When Faith’s involved.
She heard a whistle being blown and the four skaters were off.
Willow: And you’re about to find out why.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the four skaters. Kemp was at the front, Faith just a bit behind him and Jay and Callum tying at the back. Suddenly, someone turned on the stereo and the huge speakers that were scattered around the park began pouring out a song. Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated” could be heard all over the skate park and probably could be heard in Africa, it was that loud. Everyone shouted and cheered as the song filled the park. Another round of cheers sounded as Kemp sped up the side of one of the ramps and pulled off a 360 degree turn while he was in the air. Jay picked up his speed and came level with Faith. She turned and grinned at him, before swerving her board towards him and almost knocking him off. He let out a yell and steered his board away from Faith. She let out a laugh and turned her attention to Callum who was now in the lead.
Callum: Little slow today, aren’t you Faith?
Faith: You just wait. I’ll beat all your asses.
Kemp: In your dreams.
The competition heated up as all four competitors became level with one another. Someone turned up the volume and presses play on the CD again and Avril’s voice once again filled the skate park, although no one seemed to notice. They were all to engrossed in the race.
Faith pushed her foot along the floor, picking up speed and headed for one of the bigger ramps that was even higher then the halfpipe at the top. Kemp, Callum and Jay all looked at her as she bolted up the front of it, hoping that Faith wouldn’t do what they thought she was going to do, but knowing she was going to anyway. Speeding towards the top of it at an incredible pace, she did nothing but grin and flew off the end of the ramp. Nothing compared to the feeling of flying through the air on a skateboard. The adrenaline, the excitement. Well, almost nothing compared to it. Faith grabbed the side of her board and twisted her body around. Once she got a good grip on her board, she pushed her feet out so they were straight. Then, as she tucked her legs back in, she used her hand that was holding the board and her right foot to kick the board. It spun around, momentarily leaving her hand, as she flew over the top of the half pipe and then caught it again. Buffy closed her eyes tightly.
Buffy: If she dies i’m never speaking to her again!
Callum, Kemp and Jay all sped up, but it was no use. Faith’s feet fell back on the board and she hit the floor behind the half pipe. Just as Avril’s song finished, she rolled over the finish line, arm raised high in victory. The skate park exploded. Every single person in there got to their feet and shouted, whistled and did everything they could think of. Faith just grinned and turned the skateboard around as Callum, Kemp and Jay rolled across the finish line after her.
Faith: Hey losers.
Kemp: Shut up.
Callum: I would have beat you, but you had a head start,
Faith: I left the same time as you guys, you’re just pissed cause you got beat by a girl.
They all shook their heads and Kemp flipped his board up and caught it, walking over to Faith.
Kemp: Got to say it though, that was pretty wicked.
Jay: Oh hell yeah. Wish I could have pull something like that off.
Faith: Just call me Tony Hawk. I’d better go see if Buffy’s fainted or not. Catch you later.
Kemp: See ya, Tony.
Callum: Don’t be a stranger.
Jay: I need you to teach me how to do that!
She heard Jay shout from behind and grinned as she skated back towards the halfpipe. Faith stopped at the side of it and handed the board she had been using back to the girl she’d borrowed it from and she looked as if it just been handed the Holy Grail of skateboards.
Faith: Thanks for that.
Claud: Yeah, yeah. Anytime.
Faith ran up the side of the halfpipe, grabbed hold of the metal bit and pulled herself up, getting pats on the back and more cheers on her way. She walked over to Buffy, still smiling at all the attention she was getting.
Buffy: Are you trying to give me heart failure?!
Faith: Um.... no?
Buffy: You.... god I could just.... ugh!
She slapped Faith’s arm.
Faith: Ow!
Buffy: You deserved it. I thought you were gonna kill yourself!
Faith: Buffy, I used to do stuff like that all the time.
Buffy: How was I supposed to that?! You never told me.
Faith: You never asked.
Buffy: Yes, because asking you if you skate was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw you!
Faith put her hand on Buffy’s shoulder and tried to calm the other girl down.
Faith: Buffy, hey, i’m okay. I don’t skate anymore. This was a one off. No more stunts like that, but if I didn’t think I could do it, I wouldn’t have done it.
She smiled and tucked Buffy’s hair behind her ear.
Faith: I’ve got something to live for now, don’t I? I don’t want to throw that away by dying from a skating trick that went wrong.
Buffy: Why do you do that?
Faith: Do what?
Buffy: Say stuff like that and make me love you even more so I can’t stay mad at you?
Faith grined and leaned forward, pressing her lips against Buffy’s in a soft kiss. Suddenly, the brunette giggled and pulled away.
Buffy: What?
Faith: I think we need to take those two home before this lot get a hell of a lot more than they bargained for.
Buffy turned her head and laughed. Willow was sprawled out on the sofa, after pushing everyone off, with Tara on top of her, in the middle of a heavy make out session.
Faith: Guys?
They didn’t even flinch, so Faith shouted a little louder.
Faith: Hey, guys!
The two girls broke apart and finally noticed everyone staring at them.
Buffy: You guys are worse than that vampire slayer and the bimbo vamp.
Faith: Only them doing it is just.... uck.
Buffy: But if you two are gonna carry on, I think we should start charging these guys to watch.
Tara buried her head in Willow’s shoulder, embarrassed at getting carried away in the packed skate park. The people around them either giggled or grinned at them and commented on how cute they both were. Buffy and Faith laughed as Willow and Tara got up of the sofa, both their faces as red as Willow’s hair.
Willow: Lets go, before we do something else.
Buffy, Willow and Tara carefully walked down the halfpipe while Faith just jumped over the side again and landed next to Buffy on the other side. The other girl let out a yelp and slapped Faith’s arm again.
Buffy: Don’t do that!
Streets of SunnydaleIt was a beautiful night. The stars were out and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. A light breeze swept through the streets as the four girls headed home. They were talking about Faith and her somewhat spectacular show at the skate park.
Buffy: If I wasn’t busy having a heart attack, I would have told you just how amazing it was.
Tara: Yeah, me too. It was.... wow.
Faith: No biggie.
Willow: No biggie? Faith, i’ve seen you do stuff before, but that was one hell of a stunt.
Faith: What about that time I jumped over those ten guys outside the school?
Willow giggled.
Willow: That was just funny. The look on their faces.
Faith: And Oz just stood there, right on the end, looking all calm all the way through.
Buffy: How the heck did you do that?
Faith: We put two planks of wood up against two cars, one of them happened to be the principle’s, I skated up them, jumped, cleared the guys, landed on the other side and skated down.
Buffy: You say that like it’s nothing.
Willow: It wasn’t. Not for Faith.
Faith: I wasn’t that good, Will.
Willow: Faith, every single skater in our town worshipped you. I bet they still do. In fact, I bet most of them cried when you announced your retirement.
Faith rolled her eyes.
Faith: Shut up.
They carried on walking in the direction of Faith and Tara's apartment, when Willow suddenly stopped and turned around.
Tara: Will?
Willow: Did you hear that?
Tara: Hear what?
Willow: Someone talking. Did you hear it?
The three girls shook their heads and stopped to look around. They hadn’t hear anything.
Faith: Probably the wind.
Willow: Yeah.
Your time is here....Willow stopped again and spun around quicker this time.
Willow: Okay, tell me you heard it that time.
Buffy: I didn’t hear anything.
Faith: Hey, maybe you’re going crazy, Will.
Willow: That’s not funny. I happen to like my sanity.
Hands of time closing in.... all around you....Willow: Okay, weird creepy voices, not funny either. Are you guys not hearing this?
They shook their heads, all of them officially spooked. Willow wasn’t kidding. The redhead began to step closer to the alleyway that was in front of them. Tara stepped forward and put a hand on Willow’s arm. The redhead turned her head to look at her girlfriend.
Tara: Willow....
Willow: I’ll be right back.
She gave Tara a reassuring smiled and gave her hand a squeeze before stepping even closer to the alleyway.
Closer.... your time is getting closer....Willow shook her head, hoping the voice would go away. She was only a few feet away from the pitch black alleyway now and suddenly, she heard something. Only this time, it wasn’t a voice. it was different.
Willow: Can you guys hear that? It’s like....
She strained her hearing to try and work out what the sound was.
Willow: It’s like.... growling.
It lunged at her. She screamed. Whatever had been in the shadows was now on top of her. It ripped at her skin and she felt a bolt of white hot pain shoot through her body. She screamed again.
Tara: Willow!
The thing lifted it’s head at the sound of Tara's voice and it stepped off Willow. It growled again and began to move closer to Tara. It’s fangs beard. The redhead, still on the floor, looked down at her stomach. Her top was soaked with blood, but she couldn’t make out the wound. Carefully, she lifted her top and winced as the material caught on the gashes underneath. Three huge claw marks. Her head began to spin and then suddenly, instinct took over as she realised that whatever had attacked her was not going after Tara.
Buffy was glued to the spot. The sight of the creature freezing her there. Faith wanted to move, but her legs wouldn’t work. Tara kept backing up, in the hope that the thing would be distracted and would leave Willow alone.
Willow staggered to her feet and threw herself at the creature, just as it was about to attack Tara, but it didn’t do much. Willow was weak and dizzy from the amount of blood she was losing, and the creature rolled them over and viciously tossed Willow to the other side of the road. It growled again and turned, this time, to Faith. The brunette finally remembered how to work her limbs and she pushed Buffy behind her and slowly began backing them up. The creature began to step forward, every so slowly and then suddenly broke out in a run. Faith turned and pushed Buffy towards Tara so the thing wouldn’t get her and the creature hit her, pushing her down to the floor. She let out a yelp as she felt something sink into her back and then felt the creature pull what ever it was out again. It snarled at her and Faith felt the same white hot pain Willow had felt, all across the back of her legs. She cried out in pain and the creature left her for the time being. It’s eyes locked on to Buffy, as the blonde picked up a metal pole that was lying to the side. She swung it about furiously as the creature jumped at her. Buffy hit it. It went down, but only for a second. Before she could even blink, it was back up. The creature growled again and lashed out at Buffy, wounding her side. She hit the floor and cried out in agony.
Faith: Buffy!
It then turned to Tara. Willow had begun crawling across the road, holding her bleeding side and every now and then wincing in pain. Seeing the creature turn and start towards Tara, she pushed her body into an upright position, ignored the excruciating pain that swept through her and ran as best she could towards the creature. The thing snarled at Tara and the blonde closed her eyes. Willow’s hand tightened around her wound and she fell back to the ground in pain, crying now. It was going to kill Tara and there was nothing she could do. She, Faith and Buffy were all down. Bleeding. Dying. The thing continued to close in on Tara and the blonde could do nothing put wait.
Oh god.... this is it.... this is how I’m going to die. I’m never going to see Willow again. This thing is going to take me away from her.... I won’t let it!Her eyes opened and the thing seemed to sense her anger and determination, because it stopped. Tara's anger at the thing surged through her body, she wasn’t going to let this thing kill her, her girlfriend, or her friends. It snarled at her and she clenched her jaw, summoning every once of bravery she had in her.
Tara: Back off!
Her words were slow, full of anger. She could have sworn she heard the creature whimper and suddenly, it was flung across the street by some unseen force. The strength of the force was so powerful, the creature was thrown almost sixty feet and was then impaled on the bent iron fence that was behind Mutant Enemy.
She just stood there. Amazed. Confused. Scared. Buffy had managed to get to her feet and was now walking over to Faith to try and help the girl up. Faith’s legs had been slashed by the thing, making it almost impossible for her to walk. Willow dragged herself to her feet again and staggered over to Tara.
Willow: T.... Tara?
Tara's eyes were fixed firmly on the impaled creature. Willow’s hand fell onto the blonde’s shoulder and Tara turned to look at her girlfriend. Tara's face was white.
Tara: W-w-what.... what w-w-was th-that?
Suddenly, a voice surfaced, only this time everyone could hear it. It came from the same alleyway the creature had come from.
Voice: Are you sure you want to know? Do you think you can handle the truth?
Willow: Who are you?
A man stepped out of the shadows. He was completely dressed in black. Black trousers, black top, black leather jacket. His hair was brown-black and as he stepped forward he reached into hit jacket pocket and took out a packet of cigarettes and a lightly. He put a cigarette in his mouth, lit it and then put the packet and light back into his pocket. Buffy, who was crouching next to the now kneeling Faith, looked up at him.
Buffy: I know you.
He smiled at her.
Buffy: You were the guy at the mall. The one I talked to.
The Stranger.
Stranger: Ah, you remember me.
He smiled at the four of them, but then his smile faded and his face took a more serious look.
Stranger: Do you want to know the truth? Once you know.... you can’t go back, but you don’t really have a choice.
This time Faith spoke, her voice firm.
Faith: What was that? And who are you?
He took a drag of his cigarette and his eyes locked with Faith’s.
Stranger: That.... that was a werewolf. And me? I have many names, but most people call me Wesley.
TBC..............
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Thanks for all the feedback. It means a lot to me
~ Jen
by Ginner WTluv » Mon Aug 26, 2002 11:48 pm 
Great stuff Jen, also a laugh out loud moment with Giles watching Xena 
Wesley?? Werewolf? What's that all about???