Fic: Love is not always easy. (Sequal to Altered States)

[Ginner WTluv]

Heehee spazz. Yeah, i kinda stole that from Friends That episode was on last night and i thought it would be a good idea for Faith to slip up like that.

Glad you're all liking this. I should have another update up sometime today



~ Jen

[xita]

Willow's all nervous to meet Giles as Tara's dead even though she knows him, even though he knows about them, hee. She's funny. Thanks for the updates!

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Childie -"Not all girls are raving bloody lesbians, you know!"

George - "That's a misfortune of which I am perfectly well aware."

The Killing of Sister George

[witchbitchwillow]

wahoooo!!! i'm back from my holiday! also i'm all caught up with this fic! i love the stoyline and cant wait to see what happens next! great story jen.



xxelliexx

**"Damn gayly forward!"** Anya- into the woods by blameburner.

[Ginner WTluv]

Okay.... lets try this again.... part 17 here. Hope you like

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 17



They had finally sorted out the food, decided on what they were going to wear, and Giles was going to be there in five minutes. Faith had disappeared a little while ago and Willow and Tara were sitting in the kitchen waiting for Tara’s father to arrive.



Willow: What if he doesn’t like me?

Tara: He’ll love you.



Willow chuckled nervously.



Willow: Hopefully not too much, because, ick. Oh! Not that Giles is ick, I’m sure many none-gay women find him attractive, it’s just well, gay now and, uh, the age thing. Not that he’s old, cause, well I actually don’t know how old he his but her doesn’t look old and why don’t you stop me when I do that?



Tara just smiled at her girlfriend.



Tara: I think it’s cute.



There was a knock on the apartment door and Willow shot up out of her seat.



Willow: He’s here! Do-do I look okay? Is my hair okay?



Tara giggled and got out of her seat. She walked forward and quickly kissed her girlfriend.



Tara: Calm down.



A whimper escaped the redhead’s lips.



Willow: My palms are sweaty.

Tara: Aww, poor baby.



After another quick peck on the lips, Tara went to answer the door. Willow followed her out and stood in the sitting room and tried to get her tie straight. It simply wasn’t having any of it, so she tore it off and hid it behind one of the cushions just as Tara opened the door. Giles stood on the other side, smiling. He wore a grey shirt and a pair of black trousers, and had a matching grey coat slung over his shoulder.



Giles: Good evening.

Tara: Hey dad, come in.



Tara stood to the side and Giles walked into the sitting room. Willow smiled at him, a little unsure about what to do, and extended her hand. Noticing her nervousness, Giles simply grinned at her, walked forward and wrapped her up in a hug. After all, this wasn’t the first time they had met. In fact, the redhead in front of him and saved his daughter’s life a week before and for that he would be forever grateful.



Giles: Good evening, Willow.

Willow: H-hi Mr Giles.

Giles: Now Willow, you don’t have to call me that. Just plain old Giles will do.



She smiled at the older man and they all took their seats around the table. A meal of hamburgers and fries were set out before them. Tara looked up at Giles and grinned sheepishly.



Tara: We did have chicken…. But it kinda…. Got burnt. Hope this isn’t too bad.

Giles: Nonsense. I’m sure it’s fine.



They began eating, a silence momentarily falling over the room. Giles glanced at the redhead sitting on his left and noticed she was looking at the girl he’d revealed to be his daughter the previous week. Smiling, he placed his hamburger back onto his plate and broke the silence.



Giles: So, after Willow’s slip last week am I to assume you to are dating?



Willow almost choked on her food when Giles brought the subject us. This is exactly what she had been nervous about. Giles’ reaction to their dating. He was Tara’s father and what he thought of their relationship was important to Willow and undoubtedly important to Tara as well.



Tara: Yes. Willow and me…. W-we’ve been together for nearly five months now.

Giles: And you’re happy?



Giles looked directly at Tara while asking this. He wanted to make sure her answer was genuine and she wasn’t just saying it because he was there. Tara glanced at Willow and smiled before answering Giles’ question.



Tara: I am, dad. I’ve never been happier.



The man’s face had broken out into a smile as soon as Tara had called him dad. He had wanted to hear her call him that for the last seven-teen years.



Giles: Tara…. You’ve known me as your father for the last week, I’ve miss out on the last seven-teen years of your life, it wouldn’t be right of me to come into your life now and start telling you who you can and cannot date, would it?



She smiled at her father.



Tara: But if you did?

Giles: Then I’d tell you how happy I am for you. I may not have known Willow for that long, but in the short time I have known her, she has proven herself to be an amazing person and one who has an unconditional love for you. I believe she would do anything to make you happy. She showed me that when she saved your life.



He turned to Willow.



Giles: An act of bravery for which I am forever grateful. I can’t imagine anyone being more worthy of my daughter’s love.



Giles reached out and took Willow and Tara’s hands.



Giles: I have a feeling you two are going to be very happy together. But Willow, I must warn you, you ever hurt my daughter, I’ll have to kill you.



Willow swallowed hard.



Is he serious? He looks serious. What do I say?



Noticing her somewhat flustered state; he smiled at her and squeezed her hand.



Willow: I’d never do anything to hurt her. Ever.

Giles: Do I have your word?



She nodded.



Giles: Then I have nothing to worry about. I can’t imagine you ever hurting her anyway.



All three of them were smiling now and Willow was suddenly a lot less nervous. They finished off their food and made themselves comfortable in the sitting room.



Giles: So, how did you too meet? I assume you go to different schools, because I haven’t seen Willow around Sunnydale High.

Willow: Yeah. I go to Darwin.

Giles: Ah, I bet your relationship didn’t go down to well with some of the students at the school.



Willow and Tara both chuckled, remembering some of the hard times they’d had.



Willow: It wasn’t all pleasant. I got beat up, the worst when three of my class mates jumped me in the corridor…. But it didn’t keep me away from Tara. Nothing ever could.



Giles smiled.



Giles: I can see that.

Tara: And the story of how we met is an unusual one.

Willow: We’d both gone to watch the Darwin and SH high football match with our friends, I don’t know if you remember what happened….

Giles: All too well. That riot isn’t one to easily forget.

Tara: I don’t think we’ll be forgetting it anytime soon.

Willow: We weren’t even there for half an hour and a huge fight had broken out on the field. Then everyone in the stands joined it and Faith, Oz and me decided to make our way through the crowds to get out of the gate.

Tara: Buffy, Xander and me did the same.



Willow suddenly let out a giggle.



Willow: I’ll never forget the look on Oz’s face when he saw that footballer coming at me. He just snapped and lashed out.

Giles: You’re all very close then?

Willow: We are.

Tara: We weren’t that night. At some point I lost Buffy and Xander and Willow lost Faith and Oz.

Willow: That’s when we first saw each other. Tara was standing in the middle of the field looking around for Buffy and Xander when I saw three girls running towards her. I actually don’t know what came over me, I just ran in her direction and pushed her out of the way.

Giles: Ah, so you’ve saved my daughter’s life twice then.



Willow chuckled.



Tara: Three times actually.



Giles took off his glasses and smiled.



Giles: And what happened the second time?



Tara shuffled nervously in her seat, not sure whether Giles would want to hear about it.



Tara: Before m-my dad…. Um, Peter, got sent to prison…. Well, he’d hit me every night. One night it just got too much and I ran to Willow’s house. She helped me and I stayed there for a few days, but I went back…. I’m not sure why I went back now…. But I did. Anyway, Willow turned up at my window the night I went home but she had to leave because he got home. He-he was going to hit me again…. But Willow came back. As soon as she saw what was going on, she flew through the window and pushed him away from me. They got into a fight and Willow told me to leave. I went to her house and she turned up a little while later. The police took him away later that night.



Giles sat in awe of the redhead across from him. This young woman has saved his daughter’s life three times.



Giles: I don’t know how to thank you, Willow.

Willow: You don’t have to thank me. I saved her because I was in love with her…. And I still am. I always will be. I’m never going to hurt her and I’ll never let anyone else hurt her ever again.



Tara beamed at her girlfriend. Never before had she felt such love for one person. Leaning forward, she kissed Willow lightly. Hearing Giles sigh, the both turned to him and could have sworn he had tears in his eyes.



Mutant Enemy



Faith didn’t know why she was in the club. She hated the place. Hated everything about it. But for some reason, she’d dragged herself in there. Sporting a fake ID, she chugged down drink after drink and even though she was sure she knew the bartender, he never questioned her age. She’d spent the last hour sitting at the bar, drinking vodka and coke.



Faith: Can I get another one over here?



Her speech was so slurred, the bartender barely understood her.



BT: What?

Faith: You want me to speak slower, lackey? I…. want…. Another…. Drink!

BT: I think you’ve had enough. Maybe you should go home.

Faith: Don’t tell me what to do! Now, I want another drink and I’m going to get it if I have to come round there and get it myself.



The bartender sighed and made her another vodka and coke. She took a swig and smiled.



Faith: That’s the stuff.

Riley: Bad night?



A young man had walked up to the bar and was now leaning against it and looking at her. Faith didn’t look at him, just swirled her drink around in the glass as sighed.



Faith: Bad life.

Riley: I hear you. I’m Riley.

Faith: Faith.



He ordered himself a drink and sat down beside her. The bartender put his beer onto a cardboard coaster and took the money from him.



Riley: You want to talk about it?

Faith: You think you could understand if I did?

Riley: I think so.

Faith: Yeah, whatever.



He smiled.



Riley: Try me.



Faith set her drink down and turned her head to look at him. He had longish messy blonde hair and had somewhat handsome features. In fact, if she didn’t bat for the other team, she was sure this was the kinda guy she’d go for.



Faith: Why do you wanna know, anyway? You don’t even know me.

Riley: No, but you look like could use a friend.



He didn’t seem to have any problem understanding her.



Stupid deaf bartender



Faith: It’s not a friend I want.

Riley: What do you want?

Faith: Someone I can’t have.



She took another swig of her drink and set it back down again. Riley smiled, knowingly.



Riley: Oh I’ve been there.

Faith: Yeah?

Riley: A number of times actually.



She turned towards him, nearly falling off her chair and then regaining her balance.



Faith: What did you do?

Riley: Well, the first time I knew there was nothing I could do.

Faith: Huh?

Riley: He was my English teacher.

Faith: He? You’re gay?

Riley: I don’t strike to many people as the type. But yeah, I’m as gay as they come.



She finished off her vodka and coke and ordered another one.



Riley: The second time, I just asked myself if there was any way he could feel the same. If there was any indication he felt the same.

Faith: And?

Riley: I got sick of asking myself the same questions over and over. It was driving me mad. So, one day I just walked up to him and told him how I felt.

Faith: You know…. I don’t have the guts to do something like that.



He chuckled.



Riley: Believe me, I never thought I did either, but we all have it in us.

Faith: Not me.



She side and the bartender brought her drink over, eyeing the man who had appeared not long ago at the bar.



Faith: So what happened?

Riley: He totally freaked and I haven’t spoken to him since.

Faith: And how was this supposed to make me feel better?

Riley: What I mean is, if I hadn’t told him…. I would never have known if we could have had something or not. Can you imagine sitting in some nursing home, reminiscing about your past, and never knowing if you two could have had something? Never knowing that if you had told them how you felt, maybe he’d be sitting beside you.

Faith: Why are you making sense? You’re not supposed to do that. I’m supposed to be right about everything.



He chuckled again.



Riley: So, you’re scared to tell them how you feel?

Faith: I’m not scared. I’m not scared of anything.

Riley: Then why haven’t you told them?



Faith grunted and took a huge swig of her vodka and coke, half the glass or more.



Faith: Because I know she doesn’t feel the same.

Riley: How do you know if you haven’t asked her?

Faith: Buffy’s straight, okay. Straight.



He didn’t even flinch when she told him it was a girl. Not because it was obvious she was gay, but because nothing shocked him anymore.



Riley: Has she told you that?

Faith: No.

Riley: Has she had boyfriends?

Faith: Yes! She has. Ha! His name was…. S something. Scott I think….

Riley: Okay. But that doesn’t mean she’s straight. She could be gay. People change. They grow older and their wants and needs change completely.

Faith: Stop making sense.

Riley: Hey, I’m only here to help. Why don’t you go find her? Tell her how you feel. You’ll never know if you could have had something otherwise.

Faith: Whatever.



She finished off her drink, got up and stumbled out of Mutant Enemy.



Faith and Tara’s apartment



Giles hugged both girls and put his jacket on.



Giles: Well, I think I’ve outstayed my welcome.

Tara: You could never outstay your welcome, dad.

Giles: Yes well, I should probably go. Leave you two girls alone.



Tara leaned forward and kissed her father on the cheek.



Tara: Thank you for coming tonight.

Giles: It was my pleasure. I’ll talk to you both tomorrow.



They said their goodbyes and Giles left. Willow collapsed onto the couch and sighed.



Willow: That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

Tara: See? You got all nervous for nothing.



Tara sat down beside her girlfriend and pulled the smaller girl onto her lap.



Willow: Yeah. I just…. This was a big deal, you know? First dinner with your actual father and I haven’t had the best luck with parents, what with beating them up and crushing their flowers.

Tara: Huh?

Willow: I saw a frog in Oz’s garden once, totally spazzed and tried to kill it, smooshing all of his mom’s flowers in the process.



Tara giggled, her girlfriend could be so cute sometimes.



Tara: I bet that didn’t go down well.

Willow: I was band from his garden for the next three years. His mother never looked at me quite the same afterwards. I guess I’ll always be the annoying little flower smoosher to her.

Tara: Maybe, but you’ll always be the cute little frog chaser to me.



It was Willow’s turn to giggle. She turned in the embrace and planted a soft kiss on her girlfriend’s lips.



Willow: How did I get so lucky?

Tara: I’ve been asking myself that since we first met.



Willow smiled at Tara and rested her head on the blonde’s shoulder.



Tara: I wonder where Faith went.



Somewhere in Sunnydale



Faith didn’t know where she was going. She didn’t really care either. She was tired, but didn’t want to go home. Hungry, but didn’t want to eat. It was as if there was something at the back of her mind that wouldn’t let her rest until she figured it out. And she knew exactly what it was.



I’m not going to tell her. There’s no way. You can’t make me.



Oblivious to the fact that she was actually arguing with herself, Faith strode on.



Just go…. Talk to her….

No!

What harm will talking to her do?

A lot if I slip up again!

Just talk to her.

There must be a button around here to switch you off

You can’t switch me off. I’m your better half. The one that makes sense



She just ignored it. There was no way she was going to Buffy’s house. She was too afraid she’d slip up again. So she carried on walking. Not noticing where she was going because she was too busy looking at her feet. Her head was spinning, and not because of the alcohol. There were so many thoughts in her head right now, they were all getting jumbled up and didn’t make much sense anymore. Shaking her head, she let out a frustrated groan and finally looked up. She was standing outside Buffy’s house.



Of all of the places I could have ended up….



Sighing, Faith sat down on the curb and wrapped her arms around herself, wondering why she never brought a jacket. She wasn’t sure how long she spent sitting there, but when she stood back up, she couldn’t feel her legs. Faith turned to face Buffy’s house, her “better half” surfacing again.



Just knock on the door…. What harm can it do



Before she could stop herself, she was walking towards Buffy’s front door.



What am I doing? I can’t do this…. Why am I still walking! Stop!



Her “better half” seemed to have control over her now and it wasn’t listening. She walked up to the front door and noticed that the living room light was one. Suddenly, she was knocking on the door. Faith didn’t know whether to bolt or stay and talk to Buffy. She decided on bolting, but just as she was walking back down the path, the door open and Buffy stood on the other side.



Buffy: Faith? What are you doing here?



Turning to face the other girl, she found she couldn’t talk. Seeing Buffy had taken her breath away, something that wasn’t unusual for her. And then, unable to stop herself, Faith did something she knew she’d slap herself for later. Walking back towards the porch, she came as close to Buffy as she possible could and pressed her lips to the other girl’s. Too shocked to say anything, Buffy just stood there and returned the kiss. When Faith pulled away, a sense of disappointment filled her and she realised she hadn’t wanted Faith to end the kiss. But before she could say anything to the other girl, Faith turned and ran down the path. Buffy watched, still shocked, as Faith disappeared around the corner of the street.



Faith and Tara’s apartment



The door flew open and Faith walked in, breathless.



Tara: Faith?

Willow: Where have you been? Have you been running?



The brunette leaned against the wall to support herself and lifted her head to look at the two girls sitting across from her.



Faith: I just did something really stupid….



TBC.............

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And the plot thickens



~ Jen

Edited by: Ginner WTluv at: 8/11/02 6:43:10 am

[snuggle79]

oh no, i don't think it was stupid! Finally it happened! The rest should be getting easier now i hope...

I liked the dinner with Willow, Tara and Giles.

But i don't know, maybe it's just me, but it kinda freaked me out, when Giles said something about "i'll kill you, if you hurt Tara" to Willow. I don't think that was so funny or whatever, although he smiled at her later on...

Kinda frightened me.

Anyway, excellent update! I can't wait for the next part!

Tara:"Maybe we dreamed it."

Willow:"Right. Right. Wrong! (points at her head ) Different Brains." Tara:"Oh yeah."


Can we just skip it? Can...can you just be kissing me now?

[MissQuirky]

My God!! Faith, grrrrr!! Hopefully Buffy will have the guts to confront Faith, cos obviously Faith doesn't!!



The lil dinner w/ W/T and Giles was nice, but Giles did freak me out too w/ the whole "if u ever hurt Tara I'll kill u" speech!! Giles = freaky/scary, but i guess it was a lil joke but more on the frightening side then the funny side!



But this was a great update!! And I can't wait 4 more!!

"Don't warn the tadpoles!...
I-I have frog fear."

[Jennpurr]

I'll second what others are saying about what Giles said to Willow. That was kinda freaky. I know he wants to protect Willow, but still... He means well, though.



And Faith. WOW... she's alot braver than I would have been. It's good that Buffy kissed her back though. I'm curious to see what she will do now.



Thanks for the update, Jen.



More, soon??



Jen

* * * * * *
Melissa Etheridge on 8/10/02, in The Woodlands, TX

"I've been to every, one of Melissa Etheridge's concerts! ... No, really, I have!"
"THAT, is a bat! ... Hey, does it have a ticket? ... It doesn't have a ticket!"

[jdcioffi]

Excellent! I adore this Faith.



I'm looking forward to Buffy's/Faith's next interaction.



JD

"I smell the smelly smell of something that smells smelly!" (SpongeBob Squarepants)

[Broken hart]

Buffy's stupid i wud have ran after faith coz Faith is yummy!! But Willow was very cute. Loving this!!

The heart was made to be broken.

[spazz07]

Nive evening dinner with W/T and Giles Faith should listen to her better self more often Riley gay, ha



Cheers

Nath

If life was meant to be a bed of daisy's we'd have chicken crap thown on us all the time.

[Ginner WTluv]

Snuggle - The Giles thing was supposed to come off as somewhat over protective. Guess it just freaked people out though



Quirky - There will be definate confrontation from Buffy, but i'm not saying what happens. It could go good, it could go bad. My lips are sealed



Jen - Don't worry, you won't have to wait long to see what happens between Buffy and Faith. It'll be in my next update, which i've almost finished.



JD - I'm glad you like my Faith. I got really sick of people calling her evil and stuff.... so i decided to portray Faith how i saw her.... before the acidently killing and stuff.... or how i thought she would have been if that had never happened.



Broken hart - Have to agree with you on that. Eliza Dushku is definately yummy. Just don't tell my gf i said that



Spazz - I think things would have been a lot easy if Faith had listened to her "better self" earlier.... but that wouldn't have been as near as interesting or fun to play around with. And i always thought Riley would have been better gay



Thanks for the feedback, i'll have another update up asap.



~ Jen

[singgirl]

Nice job! I think Riley is much better as a gay dude...besides, gives his character ome interes, though, not much, he's still Mr. Cardboard.

[witchbitchwillow]

heya jen,



great update! i really like seeing faith all confused and loved up, it shows a different side to her . Nervous willow just cracks me up, shes so cute! i think that giles makes a great dad for tara .



more soon please.



xxelliexx

**"Damn gayly forward!"** Anya- into the woods by blameburner.

[Thanatopsis]

Glad Faith finally did something, even if she's even more confused and worried.

--------------------
Too many of us live desert lives. ~Charles de Lint

[Ginner WTluv]

Okay, after an angonising period of writer's block, part 18 is here. Hopefully, the ending with please you all

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 18



Tara stood up and helped the breathless girl over to one of the chairs. Sitting her down, Tara took her seat next to Willow and they both looked at Faith.



Tara: What happened?



Faith just shook her head.



Faith: I’m so stupid….

Willow: How about you tell us what happened and let us decide whether you’re stupid or not.



The brunette buried her head in her hands and side. After a moment of silence, she lifted her head again and looked at Willow and Tara.



Faith: Okay…. I went to Mutant Enemy.

Tara: Not sounding stupid so far. Well apart from the fact that you hate that place and despise the owner.

Faith: I got a little tipsy.

Willow: They served you?

Faith: I guess my fake ID didn’t look fake. Then this guy come over, Riley something, and we start talking. I told him about Buffy and what was going on and he gave me some advice. I can’t really remember what he said now…. But at the time I’m pretty sure it made sense. Anyway, I left the bar and just walked around for ages. Then I found myself outside of Buffy’s house. I sat down outside for a while to think some stuff over and decided I wanted to talk to her. So, I walked up to her door, knocked on it and chickened out. Just as I was leaving, she answered the door. I turned to look at her and….

Willow: And what?

Faith: I don’t know…. I just…. Everything just seemed to fall into place. And then before I could stop myself…. I walked right back up to the door and kissed her….



Willow and Tara both sat there looking at Faith, who was mumbling the word “stupid” over and over.



Willow: That might not have been as stupid as you thought.

Faith: What do you mean?

Willow: Well…. I’m guessing now she knows how you feel-

Faith: Don’t say she might feel the same. That’ll just get my hopes up and when I’m shot down it’ll hurt that much more.

Tara: Maybe you won’t get shot down.



The brunette grunted.



Tara: When you kissed her, did she try to stop you?

Faith: No. But she was probably in shock. It’s not every day one of your friends, who happens to be a girl, knocks on your door and kisses you.

Tara: It might have been a good shock.

Faith: What?

Tara: Well, if she didn’t push you away…. Maybe it was a good shock.

Willow: Did she kiss you back?

Faith: I…. um…. Maybe, yeah….



Faith stood up and shook her hands, irritated.



Faith: Why can’t this just be simple? I tell her how I feel and…. She doesn’t freak and tell me she never wants to see me again. Why does it have to be so hard?



She looked at her friends, pleadingly. Tara simply took Willow’s hand and looked back at Faith.



Tara: Love is not always easy, Faith.

Faith: Well it should be! It should be easy….

Willow: Faith….

Faith: No…. I…. I need to go for a walk.



And with that, she grabbed her jacket and headed back out.



Buffy’s house



The blonde had stood at the door for what seemed like hours, trying to get her head around what had just happened.



That was Faith, right? And she did just…. She did



Buffy: Oh boy….



Buffy closed the front door and collapsed onto the couch in her living room, covering her head with a cushion. Wasn’t this what she wanted? It was obvious now that Faith liked her, isn’t that what she had wanted from the first moment she laid eyes on the brunette.



I was so ready for rejection…. I didn’t expect her to feel the same….



Buffy sat bolt upright.



Does she feel the same? She kissed me….



Joyce walked into the living room and noticed the frown her daughter was currently wearing.



Joyce: You okay, Buffy?

Buffy: Hmm? Yeah, I’m…. I’m okay.

Joyce: You sure?



She looked up at her mother.



Buffy: No…. not really.



Joyce sat down opposite her daughter, her face shrouded with concern.



Joyce: What’s wrong, honey?

Buffy: Mom…. You like Faith, right?

Joyce: Of course I do. I think she’s a very bright, pretty, smart young woman. You’re very lucky to have a friend like her. I use the term “friend” loosely of course.



She smiled at Buffy and the blonde shifted uncomfortably.



Joyce: Is that what this is about? You and Faith?

Buffy: Yeah.

Joyce: Did you two have an argument?

Buffy: Not exactly.

Joyce: I’m sure it’s nothing you two can’t work out together. That’s what relationships are about.

Buffy: Mom…. Faith and I…. aren’t dating.



Joyce’s expression turned to one of confusion.



Mom: But I thought…. I mean, you said she was your date at the party….

Buffy: I know I did…. I’m just…. Confused.

Mom: Well, I know when I’m confused about something, talking usually helps.



Buffy sighed and turned in her seat so she was facing her mom.



Buffy: Faith and me…. Well, we’re really close. Like best friends. It’s just….

Joyce: Your feelings have grown into something more?



She looked up at her mother.



Buffy: Um, hello? Could you at least knock before you enter my mind?



Joyce smiled at her.



Joyce: It’s not that hard to see it, Buffy. When you’re around each other…. The look in your eyes….

Buffy: Am I that obvious?

Joyce: Maybe not to others, but I’m your mother. You can’t hide anything from me.



Buffy let out a shaky breath.



Buffy: I…. I don’t know how to explain this….

Joyce: Well, try telling me how you feel.

Buffy: I think…. I like Faith. I like her a lot. It’s like, even when I miserable, just seeing her can make me happy again. She always makes me laugh…. No one’s ever made me laugh like she does…. And when she looks at me…. It’s like my whole world just falls into place…. Like everything suddenly makes sense…. everything feels right.



She sighed.



Buffy: I’m not making much sense, am I?



Joyce just smiled at her daughter.



Joyce: You’re making perfect sense, and it sound to me…. I think you’re in love, Buffy.

Buffy: In love?

Joyce: You sound surprised.

Buffy: I am…. I mean, I pretty much knew I liked Faith but…. Love?



Joyce smiled and got up to sit next to her daughter.



Joyce: Tell me something. Do you find yourself sitting around just thinking about her? Does your skin tingle every time she says your name?

Buffy: If I answer that will you ban me from seeing her?



Joyce smiled.



Joyce: Buffy…. I think you really need to think about this. If I took a wild guess, I’d say Faith feels pretty much the same way you do. What you need to do now…. Is ask yourself if you’re willing to take a risk.

Buffy: A risk?



Joyce nodded.



Joyce: Anything to do with love is always a risk. You just need to ask yourself if this is worth taking a risk. Love is not always easy, Buffy.

Buffy: Yeah…. I-I think I’m gonna go for a walk. Maybe go to see Faith.

Joyce: Okay, honey.



Buffy got up and walked into the hall.



Joyce: And Buffy?



She turned back to face her mother.



Buffy: Yeah mom?

Joyce: Good luck.



Buffy smiled at her mother and left, headed towards Faith’s apartment.



Sunnydale Park



It was dark, cold and miserable, much like Faith. She’d been sitting on the bridge that ran over the lake in the park for ages, just staring off into space, thinking. Going over everything she and Buffy had ever said to each other. Everything they done together. Going over everything, trying to see if there had been any signs that Buffy was interested in her.



Well…. We wrestle a lot…. And hug a lot…. Always finding some excuse to touch each other…. She holds my hand a lot…. But friends hold hands too.



Faith’s brow crinkled into a frown.



Then again, I could just be imagining all this. Wishful thinking, I guess.



Faith mind began to drift to the first time Buffy had spent the night at her apartment.



God I was so nervous….



Her stuttered had reappeared after ten years and she hadn’t been able to get rid of it again until the next morning. Faith smiled, remembering how she’d felt when she woke up and found Buffy snuggled right up against her.



Wish I could wake up like that every day.



Faith shook her head, refocusing her thoughts on the things that could have meant Buffy liked her.



Well, I did ask her out on a date and she said yes….



Finally, Faith had found something.



But she could have just been kidding around. Saying yes because she didn’t want to hurt my feelings.



Faith’s better half had had enough of her negativity and decided to speak up.



Will you listen to yourself! You’re making up excuses because you’re scared



Faith: I’m not scared.



Then what would you call it? Freaking with style? If you’re not scared, why are you making up excuses?



Faith: I don’t want to get my heart broken. Not by Buffy. I couldn’t handle that.



Because you love her. I know it and you know it. And Buffy feels the same



Faith: You don’t know that.



Are you blind?! It’s blatantly obvious! Jeez, if it smacked you any more in the face you’d be rendered unconscious. Open your eyes, wake up and smell the damn coffee, Faith!



Faith got to her feet, blocking out her better half’s voice and walked out of the park. She needed to think some stuff over.



Faith and Tara’s apartment



Willow and Tara were in the middle of a heavy make out session when there was a knock at the door. Breaking the kiss, Willow groaned in frustration.



Willow: Whoever it is…. I’m killing them.



Her girlfriend let out a giggle and reluctantly let her girlfriend get up to answer the door. Willow’s jaw hit the floor when she saw who was on the other side.



Willow: Buffy?

Buffy: Hey, um, is Faith here?

Willow: No, she went out. For a walk. Come in.



Willow stood aside and walked into the sitting room. As soon as Tara saw her, she quickly sat up and adjusted the blouse she was wearing. Buffy raised an eyebrow.



Buffy: Am I interrupting? Cause, I can go….

Tara: N-nonsense. Take a seat.



Buffy rubbed her forehead with the palm of her hand and sat down across from Willow and Tara.



Buffy: Did Faith say where she was going?



Willow shook her head, still a little frustrated that she was forced away from Tara lips.



Willow: No, just said she needed to go for a walk. That she needed some time to think.

Buffy: Oh.



Willow and Tara glanced at each other, both wondering whether to ask Buffy what was going on and wondering whether to tell her they knew what had happened.



Buffy: Did she say anything to you? When she came back, I mean.

Willow: Um….

Tara: She-she told us w-what happened.

Buffy: She did?



Willow and Tara both nodded.



Buffy: Oh.



The room fell silent after that. Buffy fiddle about with the ring on her finger nervously



Tara: You came here to talk to her?

Buffy: Yeah.

Tara: Can I ask what about?



Buffy lifted her head to look at her friends.



Buffy: Us.

Willow: There’s an “us”? With you and Faith, I mean.

Buffy: I…. I don’t know.

Tara: Do you want there to be?

Buffy: ….Yes….



Tara smiled.



Tara: Why didn’t you say anything?

Buffy: I was scared.

Tara: Scared of what?

Buffy: I don’t know. Everything.



Buffy sighed and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to explain.



Buffy: I’ve never felt like this before. It’s like…. when I’m with her, everything’s right, it all makes sense. I just wanna be with her all the time, you know?

Tara: Yeah, I know.



Tara smiled and took her girlfriend’s hand, entwining their fingers. She defiantly knew.



Buffy: I just, I don’t know what to do.

Willow: You could try telling Faith how you feel.



Buffy shook her head.



Buffy: No, I can’t.

Tara: Why not?

Buffy: Because she might not feel the same.

Willow: After what she just did, you’re still questioning that?

Buffy: I….



Buffy trailed off. People were starting to make sense again.



Tara: Isn’t that what you want? For Faith to feel the same?

Buffy: Yes. More than anything.

Willow: She does.



Buffy frowned.



Buffy: She does?



Willow and Tara just looked at Buffy, smiling. Buffy’s frown began to fade and she got up.



Buffy: Do you have any idea at all where she went?

Tara: She might have gone back to Mutant Enemy.

Buffy: What was she doing in there? That place sucks.

Willow: Oh! She might be at the park. She used to go there to think.

Buffy: Okay.



Buffy started to leave, when she turned back to face them.



Buffy: Thanks.



And with that, she was out the door, on her way to find Faith.



Somewhere in Sunnydale



Faith roamed the streets with her head hung low. Her hands were stuffed into her jacket pockets and she wore a frown. Kicking a stone along in front of her as she walked, Faith sighed. Weren’t things supposed to get easy once you’d figured them out?



I’m jinxed. That’s the only explanation. Why do I always get stuck with the back luck? My life stinks.



Faith continued to walk down Main Street. Brushing the hair from her face, she looked up at the sky. The stars were out, every constellation she could think of, she could see. It was a perfect night. It started to rain.



Great. Now my bad luck’s effecting everything.



Sighing again, Faith continued to walk. She was soaked in minutes and still the rain continued to fall, the sound as it hit the ground echoing all around her. She turned the corner and levelled her head so she was once again looking straight on. Faith stopped dead. Standing in front of her, a little in the distance, drenched by the rain, was Buffy. Silence fell around then, the sound of the rain seemingly ceasing for the moment as they just looked at each other. Buffy started walking towards the brunette in front of her, seeing this, Faith lost what nerve she had left and began to walk back in the direction she had just come, when she heard the other girl shout.



Buffy: Don’t! Don’t you dare run away from me again.



Faith stopped and slowly turned back to Buffy who was a lot closer than before.



Faith: B….

Buffy: You were just going to walk away again, weren’t you? Run away like before?



The brunette didn’t say a word, afraid she wouldn’t be able to speak even if she tried.



Buffy: You can’t keep running, Faith! You have to face me some time.



Buffy voice wavered slightly, her nerves showing. A she continued speaking, her voice became calmer.



Buffy: Please…. Talk to me.

Faith: What do you want me to say?!

Buffy: Well you can stop shouting at me for a start!

Faith: Okay, you want me to talk? Fine. I don’t care anymore, B.

Buffy: What?

Faith: My life is messed up. It’s always been that way. It isn’t gonna get any better. It’s always gonna be the same. I’m the outcast, the weird one, the one who never quite fits in. The one who never gets anything she wants. The one who falls in love with people she can’t have!



She looked at Buffy, angry at her feeling for the other girl. The blonde stared back at her, watching as Faith’s emotional floodgates flew open and we ripped off their hinges. All her pent up anger, all the feelings she had been trying to hide, were finally free.



Faith: Is this what you want to hear? Is this what you wanted me to talk to you about? Tell you how I’m a complete loser and list all the reason why a girl like you could never fall for a girl like me? God knows I’ve told myself those things over and over. But do the feelings go away? No. They stay, because they can’t leave! Because I can’t make them go away. They’re too damn strong. I’m drowning…. Grabbing at the sides, trying to pull myself out…. But I keep slipping back under!



Buffy stepped closer to the emotional girl in front of her.



Buffy: This isn’t what I want to hear, Faith.

Faith: Then what?! What do you want to hear?!

Buffy: Just tell me tell me-

Faith: Tell you what? Tell you how pathetic I am? Tell you how I’ve lain awake at night every night since I’ve met you thinking about you? You want me to tell you how I feel so you can turn and walk away from me forever? I’m not going to do that, Buffy! I couldn’t handle you walking away from me!

Buffy: Just tell me!

Faith: Tell you what?!

Buffy: That you love me!



Faith’s breath caught in her throat, Buffy’s words shocking her.



Faith: What?



The blonde stepped closer so they were only at least a foot apart.



Buffy: Tell me…. You love me.

Faith: Why?

Buffy: Because I want to hear you say it.

Faith: But-

Buffy: God dammit Faith, tell me!

Faith: I love you!



She’d said it, the three words flowing out of her mouth with more emotion than her previous rant. Faith sighed, her bottom lip trembling as she spoke.



Faith: There. I said it. Now what are you going to do? You gonna walk away? Go on, walk, because I know-



Buffy’s lips pressed against her own cut her off. No matter how shocked she might have been, she couldn’t help but melt into this kiss. This was everything she wanted, everything she’d dreamed about for the past months, this was all of those things and so much more. But above everything, it was right. As the kiss ended, Faith’s hand came to rest on Buffy’s hip to support herself. Her head dropped forward and she took a deep breath, asking herself if this was really happening. As she lifted her head, she got lost in seas of green and her question was answered. It was real. It was finally happening. Then, Buffy spoke, almost breathing out the four words.



Buffy: I love you, too.



TBC..............

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Questions? Comments? Outbursts of displeasure? Please, feel free to share.



~ Jen

[WillowTarafan98]

totally awesome!!!!!!!! You wrote that so well!!!!!!! GREAT update!



~Stephie~

If you woke up breathing, congratulations, you have another chance!

[LiangFeng]

Yay! B/F smoochies! Wheeeee...!!!

O-Mei Duei! JIA YOU!

[singgirl]

Awww! Wow! That's so sweet! Good show, but it all seems to winding down...are you heading for a conclusion!? Cuz, that's just wrong, ya gotta keep going, more!!!!!!!!!

[foreverpiper]

That was the pure definition of excellence!!! I applaude you! That was brilliant! They finally admitted it to each other and themselves. And I especially loved this part:



Buffy: Just tell me!

Faith: Tell you what?!

Buffy: That you love me!

It's better to be pissed off than to be pissed on. - My mantra on a bad day.


And never let it be said that I left a Tara craving unsatisfied. - Willow in Wilderness

[JennY]

YAY!!! That was well worth the wait.

-----------


If we don't understand

What this life is made of

We learn the truth

When we find that kind of love

-"That Kind of Love" by Alison Krauss

[spazz07]

I'm not the biggest B/F fan going around, but that was just so well written i must applaude the effort. It really moved me and once again well done.



Cheers

Nath

If life was meant to be a bed of daisy's we'd have chicken crap thown on us all the time.

[mocha fiend 22]

wow i love the last few updates even thou u brought in riley but i like ur riley and buffy and faith's feelings r finally out in the open so woohoo for them and willow in a tie is so cute and theres nothing else to say except i love this fic

The word "gulp" comes to mind.

[Broken hart]

I'm so happy!!! i've been wating for them to get together since you're first story and finally my wait is over. loved the update can't wait for the next part.

The heart was made to be broken.

[Ginner WTluv]

I want to thank you all for the feedback. You're all soooo kind . I'm glad you liked the update, it took me forever to write. Stupid thing wouldn't go where i wanted it to, but i got there in the end. Unfortunately, the series is coming to a close but.... depending on how you like the final ending, i got an idea for another series while on the bus this afternoon, so, when i post the ending, you can tell me whether you want this to turn into a trilogy or not

Thanks again



~ Jen

[witchbitchwillow]

heya!



great update, very sweet. urm. . . trilogy. . . yes please .



xxelliexx

**"Damn gayly forward!"** Anya- into the woods by blameburner.

[Broken hart]

i can tell you wiv out reading the final part that i want another series!!

The heart was made to be broken.

[MissQuirky]

BIG YAAAAYYYY!!!



I was sooo waiting 4 this, and it was just awww so so so good!! And dammit I love Joyce in ur fic, she supports Buffy, so sweet!



And aww W/T got their smoochies interupted but it led to some B/F smoochies! But there not as good as W/T smoochies tho, still all w/ the goodness in this update!!



Can't wait 4 more!!

"Don't warn the tadpoles!...
I-I have frog fear."

[Ginner WTluv]

Hey all. Glad you're liking this.



Ellie - heya babe! Good to see you back! It's been quiet around here without you



Broken hart - heehee... thanks Glad you liked this series.



Quirky - Yeah, i know a lot of you were waiting for this to happen... so i dragged it out for 18 parts And i thought Joyce was always the supporting type. Glad you liked the update.



I'll get you guys an update soon

Thanks.

~ Jen

[witchbitchwillow]

i like being loud! heh, keep writing honey! i love ure fics.



xxelliexx

**"Damn gayly forward!"** Anya- into the woods by blameburner.

[Ginner WTluv]

You and loud just go together, Ellie. But not in a bad way. . Glad you like my fics... not sure why anyone actually reads them. I'm no good at writing, i just do it to let off steam. Some people punch walls, i write fic and poetry



~ Jen