Title: Return of Faith (Part 2)
Author: amluv
Summary: Faith is released from jail. Starts life anew.
Pairings: F/C
Spoilers: a smidgen of a mention of the end of season 3
Rating: PG-13/R
Feedback: If you can give it, I can take it.
Distribution: This story can be archived by whom ever just as long as I get all the praise.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, I don't claim to own them, however, they would look really cute in my collection.
It's been a year. One whole year Faith has been on the straight and narrow. She convinced herself to take each day as it came. Although that sounded really lame to her, it was the only thing she could do. Those first few months were tense to say the least. Wesley was a little edgy at first, but started to come around when he saw how hard Faith was trying, how much effort she put into redeeming herself. Lorne, Gunn and Fred were more receptive. With them she didn't have to worry about the baggage of her past. They accepted her as she was now and didn't judge her for who she was then. To Faith, that was a start.
Angel was the only one who truly accepted her, all of her. He was there for Faith during those rough patches when she didn't think she could make it. And he was the one who helped her get through it. Always willing to listen, yell at her, or if need be, even knock some sense into her. Point was, he was there.
As for Cordelia, well Cordelia was Cordelia. Despite herself, Faith couldn't help but smile whenever she thought of Cordelia. They were still far from friends, but Faith could see the change Cordy has undergone. A change that she both envied and respected. Faith didn't know what to make of the feelings she had for Cordy. Somehow she developed a soft spot for the girl and couldn't explain why. At first she just chalked it up to the fact that she was totally lusting after the seer. But as Faith continued to ponder the situation, she began to see that there was more to it than just that. And that revelation wasn't something she was prepared to deal with at the present time.
All of these things were crowding Faith's mind while she was going at the heavy bag in the makeshift gym Angel had in the basement of the Hyperion. She was so deep in her own thoughts, she didn't hear Cordelia come in. The seer came up behind the slayer suddenly, instinctively, Faith threw a punch, not realizing it was Cordelia behind her. To her credit, Cordelia was able to duck before Faith's punch could connect.
"Whoa, Faith!" Cordy shrieked.
"Dammit C! I could have done major damage just now. What were you thinkin', sneakin' up on me like that?"
"Sorry, I thought you heard me when I came in."
"Well, I didn't. Are you okay?"
Without thinking, Faith had grabbed her by the shoulders in a way that belied nothing akin to idle concern. The two women stood like that for a few moments before Cordelia shrugged out of Faith's grasp.
"I'm fine." Cordy asserted.
"I didn't mean to…"
"I know."
They stood there staring at each other amid confusion and awkward silence. Then finally, Faith cleared her throat and began to speak again.
"Um, just why did you come down here anyhow C?"
"Well, there was something I wanted to ask you."
"What do you want?" Faith blurted out, sounding far more harsh than she had intended.
"You know what, never mind. It was stupid of me to think I could ask anything of you in the first place."
'Shit.' Faith said to herself.
"I'm sorry C. I'm just a little jumpy is all. Ask away."
'Okay, now I'm just plain pathetic. Goddamnit, what the hell is she doin' to me?'
"I was wondering if I could train with you?"
"Why you wanna do that?"
"It's not exactly a question of want. It's more like Angel's busy with Connor, so he can't train with me."
"Why me? Why not Gunn or Wes?"
"Because as much as I hate to admit it, you are the best and if I'm going to learn how to handle myself, I should learn from the best"
"Are you sure about this, C? I mean I'm not much of the teachin' type. And I ain't exactly what you call disciplined either."
"Look Faith, if you don't want to do this just say so…"
"Stop puttin' words in my mouth C. I just want to make sure you know just what it is you are gettin' yourself into. That's all."
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes, C. I'll train with you."
"Great. So when can we start?"
"How about tomorrow?"
"Um, how about now?"
"No."
"Why not?
"Cuz."
"C'mon Faith, what are we in fifth grade? Surely you can do better than 'cuz.'"
"If you must know C, I'm kinda done here So I'm gonna go out for a little while tonight." Faith blurted.
"Oh. I didn't know you had plans." Cordy said, almost disappointed.
Faith noticed something had altered in Cordy's voice and felt the need to explain something to her but didn't know what it is was she was supposed to explain.
"I just need to get out for a while is all. Not exactly plans in the traditional sense." Faith offered.
"Tomorrow is good. Um, have fun. Just be sure there's a way we can contact you in case some big ugly decides to rear its head."
"I will."
They share another awkward silence before Cordelia walks out of the room, leaving Faith both frustrated and confused.
As Cordelia walked out, Faith cursed herself for her impulsivity. The very thought of that much physical contact with the seer was more than Faith could bear. The last thing Faith wanted, was for Cordy to find out that she was crushing on her.
*******************************
To Faith, the bar seemed like a good place to go to forget all about her "Cordy situation."
"When in doubt, get shit faced." Faith said to herself aloud.
She sat at the bar and ordered a shot of tequila. And by the fifth one, she was feeling pretty damn good.
She had noticed that a tall, dark, and handsome man had been checking her out since she sat down at the bar.
"It's been a while since I've driven stick. And I could use a nice, long ride right about now, that's for damn sure." She thought.
She walked out onto the dance floor and waited for him to make his move. The beats were thumping and she could feel herself get lost in them. It had been so long since she was able to do this. To just cut loose and lose herself in the oblivion of a wicked guitar riff.
"Ah, there he is. Dude thinks he's smooth, slidin' in behind me. Hm, not bad. Not bad at all. He just doesn't know what I've got in store for him. He'll be lucky if he'll be able to walk in a week when I'm through with him." Faith thought lasciviously.
"How about we take this little dance else where, beautiful?"
"Okay stud. Lead the way."
As they headed for the door, Faith's heart dropped straight to her stomach. She saw Cordelia on the other side of the dance floor with a companion just as tasty as the one Faith just blew past, stalking her way where Cordy was holding court.
She could feel her heart pounding, only she couldn't figure out whether or not it was her jealously or her desire that was causing it to beat so rapidly. Her mind was racing and she was afraid of what she was capable of doing within the next thirty seconds or so, until she heard the music. A very sinister grin crept its way across the slayer's lips as she stood before the seer, hands entangled in her long, dark, unruly locks. Her hips, began to move languidly and seductively, as Faith seized the spotlight that had just illuminated the former prom queen.
Cordelia, to her credit, remained cool, almost nonchalant, began to match Faith, gyration for gyration, until they were totally synchronized. They danced furiously with each as the air around them became undeniably, charged.
Their eyes remained locked on each other. Each daring the other to look away, walk away, daring the other to concede defeat. Yet, neither gave up ground. Cordelia decided to up the ante. She turned so that her back was now toward Faith and then she began to dance with her initial dance partner. Not one to miss a beat, Faith followed behind her until she had her body pressed hard against Cordelia's. Faith instinctively placed her hand on Cordelia's hip and ground her hips into Cordelia's backside in tune with the music. All of Faith's senses became hyper aware and she could feel that all too familiar tingle begin to work its way through her body. She grew feverish with desire, "want, take, have," words that had ruled her in a former life, resurfaced. And she wasn't going to be denied.
Then it happens...
"Beeeeeeeeeep!"
The simultaneous ringing of cell phones brought Cordelia and Faith out of their battle of wills. Before Faith could process what had happened, they were already on their way back to the hotel.
********************************
Faith sat on the gym floor replaying the events of the past twenty-four hours over as she stretched stiff limbs. All she could think about was the feel of Cordelia 's body, the she smelled, all she could think about was how distracted she was during the run in they had with that Fyarl demon, which incidently was the reason why they were interrupted in the first place. Needless to say, Faith was not a happy slayer.
"So, how about that session?"
Cordelia said tauntingly as she stood in the archway of the door, arms folded across her chest, eyes blistering and mouth feral.
"What the hell, why not? 'Kay C, why dontcha show me whatcha got."
With that, Cordelia took a defensive stance. As far as Faith, could tell pretty basic move . After sizing her opponent up, Faith threw a punch only to have her wrist grabbed, then twisted and flipped onto the floor.
"Hm, not bad pompom girl, but…"
"But what?"
Faith put her in a leg scissors and brought Cordelia crashing down to the mat next to her, then she rolled over so that now she was on top of Cordelia with her hands pinned to just above her head.
"Once you have your opponent on the defensive princess, you never let up until he ain't movin'. Cuz if you don't you'll be the one who won't be movin'."
"Point taken. Now think maybe you could get the hell off of me."
As Faith was about to get up, she was seized by a moment of impulsivity and tightened her hold on the seer.
"Aw, c'mon princess, from the looks of it last night, I kinda thought maybe, you might like it rough."
"Faith I'm not joking, you're hurting me, please let me up."
"Not until you tell me what that was all about back at the bar last night."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Cordelia huffed.
"I'm talking about that little show you put on." Faith hissed back at her.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sure ya do. Let me refresh your memory a little bit." Faith said cocking up her eyebrow. Then Faith began to slowly rock her hips against Cordelia's.
"Please stop." Cordelia rasped.
"What's wrong C, can't handle the work out? I thought this is what you wanted."
"I can handle anything you can dish...F. But what makes you think I want some common slut like you to even touch me?"
It took everything Faith had inside of her to suppress the overwhelming rage she was feeling at that exact moment. How could she possible think that she could fall in love with someone who was only capable of feeling nothing but contempt for her?
That was it. Faith realized she thought the unthinkable. She was in love with Cordelia. And in her realization, Faith slowly raised up off of Cordelia and silently walked away.
*********************************
As the sting of hot water beat on her about the head, Faith couldn't wrap her brain around what had happened in the gym. Nor could she forget the sensation she felt when Cordelia's body was pent beneath her. Somehow everything suddenly became tangible, especially Cordelia's hatred of her. The culmination of all of it left her too raw for thoughts and words. And that's when she allowed tears fall along with the sting of hot water.
Just as Faith was wrapping a towel around her, a soft knock came from the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's Cordelia. May I come in?"
Faith hesitates before she allows Cordelia entry. She wanted to brace herself for the onslaught of belittling remarks she was sure Cordelia had prepared for her assault against her. So she let out a deep breath and opened the door.
For a long minute all Cordelia could do was just look at her. The look in Faith's eyes made her stomach churn. She looked so...wounded.
"Why is it every time I come in here, I find you like this?" Cordelia said just above a whisper.
"Did you say sumthin'?"
"No." Cordelia lied.
"What do you want C?"
"I was jealous."
"'Xcuse me?"
"Last night at the bar, I was jealous."
"Of what?"
"I watched you dancing with that guy. Watched him all over you. I watched how easily you drew him in. Watched the effect you have on people with that all too available sexuality you weld like a broad sword. How with just a flash of those deep, dark eyes, you can reduce anyone to jelly. How that cocky grin of yours can make someone pissed and gooey all at the same time. You make it look so easy Faith."
"Humph. You think it's easy for me, huh C? Knowin' that all anyone sees in me is a nice piece of ass? You think it's easy convincin' yourself that's all you need, all you deserve, just an endless string of faces without names, bodies without commitments. Yeah C it's real fuckin' easy."
"That's not what I meant Faith."
"Then what did you mean C?"
"I…"
Cordelia stopped suddenly and looked at Faith searching for the words to explain, but unable to find any. She walked toward her as if somehow if she got closer to the slayer, somehow the words would magically appear, that somehow everything would suddenly become clear. And as she stood before Faith, the right words did come.
"I wasn't jealous of you. I was jealous of him." She whispered.
"Of…him?
"Yeah. Of him."
"Why?"
Cordelia remained silent, and tried in vain to come up with a reason, any reason to explain away the feelings she was feeling toward a particular slayer. But there was nothing.
"You know what C, fuck it. You said what you had to say, now get out." Faith hissed.
Instead of leaving, Cordelia placed her hand on Faith's bare shoulder and trailed her fingers up Faith's neck and through her still damp hair, pulling Faith into her until their eyes were leveled.
"I didn't mean what I said back in the gym."
"Sure ya did C. You meant every word of it." Faith said pulling out of Cordelia's hold, walking over to the window.
"Do you realize how helpless you made me feel, holding me down like that?"
"I wasn't gonna hurt you," said Faith on the verge of tears
Cordelia was about to say something, but thought better of it. She knew that the time for words was over.
She walked over to the window and stood directly behind Faith. Cordelia wrapped her arms around the slayer and placed a light kiss on her shoulder, hoping for a reaction that would allow her to continue with the plan she formulated within the time it took to cross the dark room.
A steady stream of air escaped from Faith's lips and Cordelia took that a sign to continue. And continue she did. Cordelia's tongue traced up Faith's neck and to her earlobe.
"This is what I want Faith. I want you like this. In this room, wrapped in that towel, drenched in moonlight."
Faith turned in Cordelia's embrace to face her once more.
"Is this what you want, huh C, to fuck me?"
"No Faith. What I want has nothing to do with fucking. You think I don't see you Faith? You don't think I see how you bust you ass day in and day out for the cause? I see you Faith...I see you."
Faith couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Cordelia bent her down slightly and caught the first tear drop on her lips.
"Shhh...it's okay, everything is okay now." She whispered to Faith as she placed butterfly kisses all over her face.
"I want you too, Cordelia." Faith said breathlessly.
And with that, Cordelia reached her hand up and tugged the corner of the towel out of where it was tucked in. She took a few moments to marvel at the site before, a naked Faith illuminated by moonlight. It was a vision enough to make her cum right where she stood.
"You are so beau..."
Faith placed her index finger on Cordelia's lips,
"No more talking."
She removed her finger and replaced it with her lips for their kiss. At first is was tentative and then grew deeper as the emotional and the physical converged.
Their exploration began with the removal of Cordelia's clothing and then it was Faith's turn to revel in the seer's beauty. She was intent to experience every line and curve to it's fullest extent and experience she did. Allowing her tongue to traverse the distance between twin peaks, down the taunt line that led to the lushes of valleys. And Cordelia cried and moaned her approval and appreciation of the tour Faith took about her body. And she was just as content when her tour came. They continued their explorations throughout out the remainder of the night and well into the next morning. And as Faith watched Cordelia sleep, she felt a calm settle upon her and for the first time in her life, she knew how love truly felt.
The End