Simple Choices
by rebelrsr
Chapter 10
[reviews]
Disclaimer: All things Buffy belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and lots of people in expensive suits. I'm not making any money here, just trying to create a happier Buffyverse for my favorite characters.
Spoilers: I borrow heavily from "The I in Team" for this chapter. Big alterations ahead for the remainder of S5. Eh, who am I kidding? This is really AU now.
A/N: Thanks to the best beta crew: Zigpal and Zenithar. There would be no writing without you guys.
Willow stared at Buffy in confusion. *Did she really ask me that?* "Hey, um, why don't you go call Graham, and I'll just stay here and watch Riley, 'k?"
"No," the Slayer stated. She moved closer to the young witch, flushed and breathing hard. "I want to know. Do you think I'm hot?" A roughened hand caressed the redhead's cheek. "It's a simple question, Will. Why the avoidance?"
"Because you're freaking me out, that's why." Willow's voice drifted up an octave, but she didn't move away from the blonde. "Wh-why would you even think I'd think about how you look?" She blushed at her stumbling question.
Buffy smiled. "Our conversation earlier got my mind on the subject. After all, if you're OK with Tara lusting after you, maybe you haven't been so straight all this time. And" hazel eyes flicked over the unconscious Marine, "Ry's a military man, but he's not stupid. Did he see something I missed, Will?"
Chewing on her lip, the young witch considered her options. Lying — never good, but it might preserve their friendship. The truth — karma points, but bad for friendship. Willow bounced in place, unable to decide. Finally, the blonde took the choice out of her hands. "Maybe I should find out for myself, huh?" Buffy moved closer until they were pressed together, and brushed her lips gently over her friend's.
The witch jerked in surprise and then threw caution to the winds. Sliding long fingers into Buffy's hair, she drew her in closer and opened her mouth, inviting further exploration. The Slayer's tongue took advantage of the opportunity. The kiss grew less gentle and more heated, interspersed with gasps and moans. Body burning with primal need, Buffy started to stroke her hands down Willow's back until she cupped the jeans-clad ass.
The sound of clapping drove them apart. A slim figure emerged from behind the stage. "Ya' know, I saw all the kiddies running outta the Bronze and thought there might be some major blood sucking going on." Dimples flashed as Faith moved closer. "Didn't know I'd see other types of sucking. Surprised at you, B."
The blonde Slayer took a fast step forward, a growl bursting from her throat. Already keyed up from the fights with Riley and Adam, plus the short make out session with the witch, she was more than ready to take on the other girl. "Don't, Buffy." Willow's voice rang in the empty bar. Green eyes flashed. "Still trying to get a reaction, aren't you, Faith? I'm curious. Did you come in here to stop the vampires? Or did you plan on holding their victims?"
Even in the dim lighting, Slayer and witch saw the younger girl pale. "Glad to know you think so highly of me, Red."
"You expected something more?" Willow was on a roll. "The last time we met, you threatened to kill me. Sorry if I don't trust your motives."
The Dark Slayer walked passed the Scoobies and jumped up to sit on the bar. "So, girls, fill me in. What'd I miss?"
"Not much, really," Buffy said quietly. There was something not right with the other Slayer. Although Faith was trying to close off their bond, enough leaked through for her to sense a little of the teen's feelings.
"Been eight freakin months, Buffy. You telling me the Hellmouth's been quiet?" The words were angry and bitter. "How about the Mayor? I'm sure you and your girl are just itching to give me all the gory details."
Feeling her way, Buffy held up a hand, preventing Willow from divulging the more graphic parts of their fight with the Ascended Mayor. "He Ascended on Graduation Day, just as planned. We fought. He lost."
Faith didn't answer, merely sitting on the bar, swinging her legs.
"Will, can you call Graham for me? I don't want Riley waking up and trying to get all He-Man again." Buffy's eyes never left her sister Slayer.
"Are you sure? I'd be happy to knock her out and tie her up for you." The blonde raised an eyebrow at the venom in the normally friendly voice.
"I'm sure, Will. Faith and I are just going to talk while you're gone." Letting just a hint of threat slip into her tone, she asked, "Right, Faith?"
Although it obviously galled the younger girl, she nodded jerkily. "Right, B. Talking."
Willow looked between the Slayers. The intensity in the room was frightening, and she expected an explosion soon. Still, Buffy usually knew what she was doing. Backing away, the witch headed for the bank of pay phones in the hallway near the bathrooms.
Once Willow was out of range, Buffy moved carefully toward Faith, perching on a bar stool by her knees. "Faith, I don't know what to say..." she trailed off, staring at her hands resting on the scarred wood. "I'm sorry doesn't even scratch the surface."
"What the fuck are you apologizing for?" The usual bite was absent from the husky voice.
A bark of laughter escaped. "Oh, you know, not helping with the Finch thing, treating you like a stone cold killer, stabbing you. Did I leave out anything?"
Unease trickled through the link. "Nah. Those are the highlights." Uneasy silence grew between them. "I keep expecting you to jump me and finish the job." Brown eyes met hazel ones. "Why are we just sitting here?"
"Because I refuse to go back to where we were, Faith. That night on the roof," the blonde felt her counterpart flinch, "I crossed a line I never imagined was there. And," a self-mocking grin appeared, "there's a new Big Bad in town. We could use your help."
"Sounds familiar." No anger, just a hint of bitter. "Don't know, B. Might be best if I just blew out of town."
Buffy absorbed that information. "Don't. Please."
The other girl stared at her in shock. "What the fuck is going on, Buffy? Is this another Slayer dream? Am I still in the hospital, waiting to die?"
"No dreams here." Then, thinking of Adam and the Initiative, "Well, maybe a Hellmouthy nightmare or two."
Willow had been listening to the quiet exchange, having completed her mercy call to the other Marine. "Buffy, Graham's on his way."
Still looking at the confused brunette, Buffy answered, "Thanks, Will. Can you check and see if we're going to be fending off firemen soon? It looks like they're as competent as the police."
"Call me Errand Girl," the redhead quipped, trying to lighten the still tense mood. Her comment fell flat. Sighing, she trudged toward the front door, leaving the two Slayers alone again.
"What's it going to be, Faith? Giles is willing to look for ways to help out. The Council is out of the picture. In fact, they've disowned all of us: you, me, and Giles." She stood up, hand resting on the other Slayer's thigh. "Want to join the Good Guys again? Benefits suck, but it feels good most of the time."
Buffy held her breath until the brunette replied.
"Don't know about joining. I'm not cut out to be a Scooby. But if you need me for the big fight, I'm in."
The blonde grinned up at the younger Slayer, relieved. "To borrow a phrase, wicked cool." Her grin widened when Faith chuckled. "Will, what's the word on the big red trucks?" she called out.
"Nothing yet, but I can hear sirens," the redhead yelled back.
"Damn. We can't let them find Riley, and I want to be long gone before they get here." Buffy scowled at her ex-boyfriend. "Let's go, Will. Faith and I'll carry Ry toward Lowell House. I don't want to make explanations when the firemen finally get here."
The witch trotted back over. "OK. I can do a glamour so we don't draw attention on the way."
"Excellent." The blonde Slayer grabbed the Marine's body under the arms. "Get his feet, will you, Faith?"
Sliding to the floor, the brunette moved slowly into position. Sweat broke out on her face and she grimaced as she lifted Riley's heavy boots. "Faith? What's wrong?" Willow asked. She'd never seen the other girl look so out of it.
"I'm thinking an eight-month nap ain't so good for muscle tone," the brunette quipped. She managed to get Riley settled in her arms. "Let's motor, girls. I don't know how long I can do this." She grunted as they made an awkward trek to the alley entrance. "Man, B, who is this dude and why can't we leave his heavy ass here?"
Buffy blushed. Not looking at either of her companions, she mumbled, "He's my ex-boyfriend."
The Dark Slayer nearly laughed, until she saw how uncomfortable Buffy was. Glancing to the side, she noticed Willow biting her lip and examining her shoes. *Man, these two are priceless. I shoulda just sat back and watched the show. Wonder if either of them would have known what to do?* "He's kinda beefy for a soldier boy."
The trio plus their cargo staggered into the alley. "Hold up, guys. I need to do the spell," Willow ordered.
"Hurry the fuck up, Red. I'm way below par here." Faith dropped the Marine's legs, leaning against the brick wall and panting.
Nodding in understanding, the redhead held her hands palm up and began chanting. White light surrounded the four of them briefly. "We're set." The young witch was shaking from the effort.
"Will, are you sure it worked? I mean," Buffy didn't really want to accuse her friend of anything, "I can't see any difference."
"You won't. It basically puts a, um...shield around us that tells people's minds to see nothing." She grinned. "Tara showed it to me."
"Whoo fucking hoo," Faith mocked. "We ready? Cause I don't think I'm worth too much more."
Buffy glared at the brunette, but her irritation wasn't with the younger girl. Willow's enthusiastic mention of Tara had her grinding her teeth. She had been the one kissing the redhead just minutes ago. Why was Willow still so gung ho over the other blonde? "Yeah. Come on. We need to get back before Adam finds us or Giles worries himself to death." She waited for Faith to pick up Riley's feet again and they staggered toward campus. It was a nightmare journey. While the downtown area wasn't crowded, they still had to dodge the occasional group of people on their way home from dinner. By the time the little band hit the edge of the UC-Sunnydale campus, Buffy was panting and Riley's legs dragged the ground more often than not.
"Fuck, B, how much farther?" Faith actually looked worse than their cargo. She was grey-green and sweat stood out. Both Buffy and Willow noted the shake in her hands every time she shifted her grip on the Marine.
Buffy stopped. If they pushed any farther, they'd be carrying Faith, too. "We'll wait here. Graham and his group will have to come this way." She motioned for the other Slayer to take a seat. "You don't look so good."
"No, really?" Faith rolled her eyes, leaning against a tree. "I've been flat on my back for almost a year, B. Even Slayer healing's gonna take a while to fix that."
"Why?" Willow commented without thinking. "Wasn't that a normal position for you?" After a pained silence, the witch offered, "I am so sorry, Faith. Totally uncalled for." She looked pleadingly at the tense brunette.
"Put the puppy dog eyes away, Red. It's just a comment." Faith's voice was really raspy, and the witch thought maybe there were tears in her eyes. "While we wait, you want to fill me in on the sitch here? It must be pretty bad if you're willing to let me stay in town."
Buffy started to answer, but paused, head cocked. "Someone's coming." She stood up, ready for a fight. Faith managed to join her, but the blonde figured Willow would be more use in hand to hand combat. Luckily for them all, it was just Graham and a couple of Riley's unit. "Thanks for helping out, Graham. I know things are a little weird for you guys at the moment."
The handsome Marine smiled. "Don't worry about it, really. We were glad to get out for a while." He eyed his superior officer. "He'll be OK?"
"Oh, yeah. He just ran into my fist. Give him a few hours." Buffy smiled, then remembered the information they'd overheard. "You guys know anything about an experiment where they put drugs in your food?" When all three claimed ignorance, she gave them a quick rundown.
"Damn." Graham looked angry. "Maybe it's time to get in touch with some contacts at the Pentagon. This is not part of our orders."