DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Buffy The Vampire Slayer stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Warner Brothers. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. There is some subtext in this story. If this kind of stuff is not legal where you live, if you're under 18 or if you don't like the notion of two women being in love, then you should find something else to read.

The Date
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"Hey, Red," Faith said when she came to the library.

"Hi, Faith," Willow said, looking up from the computer.

Faith looked around.

"Where is everybody?"

"Giles had to go to Principal Snyder and the others still have classes."

"Oh." Faith hesitated for a moment and then sat down beside Willow. "Em, you're B's best friend, right?"

Willow looked at her, curious.

"Yes."

Faith hesitated for a moment, nervous as hell.

"Em, do you think B would go… out with me?"

Willow did a double take and blushed.

"Out? Out as in on date out?"

"Well, yeah," Faith said, looking at her feet, which suddenly became very interesting.

Willow thought for a moment.

"Em, I don't know. I don't think she's gay. Not that being gay is a bad thing."

"Oh," Faith said somewhat disappointed.

"You want to go out with her?" Willow asked, trying to make sure that she heard right.

"Well, yeah," Faith said, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks.

"Are you, em, gay?" Willow asked, curious.

"No, I'm bi, I guess. I usually prefer men, but B just got my juices flowing."

Willow blushed and Faith grinned, hoping she wasn't blushing anymore.

"Em, I don't know, you'll have to ask Buffy," Willow said. "She likes you and she might go out with you, I don't know."

Faith rolled her eyes.

"Some help."

Willow smiled.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly.

Faith sighed.

"I guess we'll see soon if I'm gonna make a complete fool of myself."

"You wouldn't be the first Buffy turned down."

Faith chuckled.

"That's very encouraging."

"Sorry."

Faith smirked.

"Do you know how many periods she has?"

Willow thought for a moment.

"Six."

"Okay, I'll come back later," Faith said and got up. "Oh, em, do you think you could get rid of Xander while I ask her?"

Willow grinned.

"Sure, no problem."

"Thanks."

Faith started walking toward the exit.

"Where are you going?"

Faith turned in mid stride and walked backwards.

"To gather the courage," she said, grinning, and turned around again.

Faith came back to the library just before the sixth period ended.

"Did you find your courage?" Willow asked quietly when she got to the library.

Faith blushed a bit.

"We'll see in a moment. Where's B?"

"Just outside."

Faith took a deep breath.

"Oh boy," she murmured.

Willow smiled.

"I'll get Xander out of the way."

"Thanks."

Willow left and Faith waited for Buffy.

"Is Giles in?" Buffy asked when she came in.

"Nope."

Buffy sighed and sat near Faith.

Faith wanted to get straight to the point and ask Buffy out, but she got scared. She swore under her breath for being such a coward. Why was it so easy to get someone to go to bed with her and so hard to ask Buffy out? She had no idea. Then she noticed Giles outside talking to someone and she decided to go for it.

"Em, B?"

"Yeah?" Buffy said, looking at her.

Faith hesitated for a moment, still having doubts.

"Em, would you go… out… with me?"

Buffy did a double take, dropping her jaw.

"What?"

Faith gulped, regretting the question already.

"Would you go out with me?" she quickly repeated. "On a date."

Buffy stared at her, surprised.

"I… Em… I…"

Giles chose that moment to enter and Faith quickly got up.

"Never mind, it was a stupid idea anyway," she said and fled.

Buffy stared after her, speechless. Faith was asking her out?

"Buffy? Are you alright?" Giles asked, noticing her expression.

Buffy jerked and looked at him.

"Huh? Oh, yes. So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Giles raised an eyebrow.

"Me? Nothing."

Buffy frowned.

"But Willow said you needed to talk to me about something."

Giles shook his head.

"No."

Buffy raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

"Okay. I'll go home now. See you later."

As she walked home, confused, Buffy thought about Faith. She still couldn't believe that Faith had asked her out. Not to bed but on a date. It must have taken quite some courage, Buffy figured, and her less than stellar response must have scared Faith, judging from the way she fled the library. And let's not forget the more or less disastrous record of her dating. She felt a bit uncomfortable thinking about actually going out on a date with Faith, another girl. She didn't consider herself gay, or even bi, but with Faith, she seriously considered the idea of them being together. Though there was still the matter of Angel. Angel. Buffy sighed. Why did things have to be so complicated? She still cared about him, a lot, but the entire relationship was very painful, for both of them. Not to mention that ever since Faith had shown up she had been looking forward to being with her, gay or not. And every time they were together, she forgot about Angel. It was a Slayer bond, definitely, but it was nothing like the bond she shared with Kendra, no, this one was way more intensive. Still, Angel was back and she still cared about him and she still felt guilty for sending him to Hell, even though she knew that she had no choice. But she wanted to help Angel now that he was back and she wasn't sure how Angel would react to her being together with Faith. Though she had to admit that she and Angel weren't as close as they used to be, they both kept their distance, it was as though the magic was gone. But she wanted Angel to be happy. She frowned. And she was sure Angel wanted her to be happy. She sighed, shaking her head. It was a mess. And the funny thing was she wanted to go out with Faith, she had even considered asking her herself, but Faith's openness about sex intimidated her and she didn't know if all Faith wanted was sex or would she be interested in a long-term relationship. Well, that question was now answered and it was up to her to decide if there was going to be a long-term relationship or not. She realized she was nervous as hell.

All the way to the motel, Faith kept cursing herself for being so stupid. Like there was a chance in hell that Buffy would go out with her. And now things would get awkward. Big time. She hoped that Xander wouldn't find out, his hormones were doing overtime as it was.

As soon as she got back to the motel, she went to the bathroom and ran cold water over her face to calm down a bit. Then she lay down to think about how to best avoid Buffy without being too obvious.

Not long after she lay down, someone knocked and Faith had a bad feeling about who it was.

When Buffy arrived to Faith's motel, having decided to go to her right away, she was very nervous. She stood in front of Faith's door for few moments, trying to calm herself. After all, she was already asked out, she just had to accept. She finally took a deep breath and knocked.

Nothing happened for a few moments and then Faith opened the door.

"Buffy."

Buffy smiled nervously.

"Hi. About the date…"

"Yeah, I know, it was a stupid idea," Faith interrupted her, wanting to get over it as quickly as possible.

"I'd love to go out with you," Buffy quickly said before she lost her nerve.

"Sorry, won't…" Faith trailed off when her brain registered what Buffy had said. "You would?"

Buffy blushed.

"Yeah."

Faith's mouth opened and closed itself a couple of times before Faith gathered her wits again.

"Oh, wow," she said, thinking furiously about what to say. "Shit."

Buffy chuckled and Faith blushed.

"Are you always this nervous?" Buffy asked.

"Eh? Oh. No, just when it's… important. Hell, this is my first date in a long time and the first one that's really important to me."

"It is?" Buffy asked.

Faith blushed again.

"Yeah," she said and Buffy smiled. "So, em, huh, what do you say about a dinner at, em, the Espresso Pump, a movie and a joint patrol?"

Buffy's smile widened.

"Sounds like a plan."

"Cool. Em, I think there's a movie at seven. How about I pick you up at, say, six and then we go to the Espresso Pump?"

"Sure."

"Okay. Great."

"Good. I'll see you at six, then."

Faith nodded.

"Okay."

Buffy hesitated for a moment and then left. Faith stared after her for a few moments and then closed the door.

"Yes!" she cried, happy.

Six o'clock seemed to be an eternity away, but when it finally came, Faith was ready. She took a deep breath and rang the bell. A few moments later, Joyce opened.

"Hello, Mrs S."

"Hello, Faith. Come on in, Buffy's almost ready."

Faith blushed and entered.

"Hey," Buffy said, smiling, as she came downstairs.

"Hey," Faith said.

"Bye, Mom," Buffy said.

"Bye, honey, have a good time."

"We will."

"Bye, Mrs S."

"Goodbye, Faith."

The two Slayers left and Joyce closed the door.

"Does she know?" Faith asked once they were on the sidewalk.

"That we're having a date?"

"Yeah."

"No." She frowned. "I hope."

Faith let out the breath she didn't know she was holding.

"You think she'd mind?"

Buffy frowned.

"I don't know. I hope not. I mean, she knows we're Slayers, she knows I dated Angel and that he was a vamp. I'd say she wouldn't freak out."

"Good."

They walked quietly for a while, both feeling a bit awkward.

"So, em, how come you decided to ask me out?" Buffy finally asked.

Faith blushed a bit.

"Well, em, I noticed the way you acted all excited about me, so I asked Willow if…"

"Wait. You asked Willow?"

Faith smiled sheepishly.

"Yeah. She's, like, your best friend and I wanted to find out if I stood any chance with you."

"What did she say?"

"She didn't know. She said I should ask you." She chuckled. "She said I wouldn't be the first you turned down."

Buffy chuckled at that.

"I'm glad you asked."

Faith smiled.

"Me too."

Buffy frowned.

"Is that why she told me Giles wanted to talk to me and then took Xander away?"

Faith laughed.

"Yes."

"I'll have to have a talk with her."

"Don't be too hard on her."

Buffy smiled.

"Don't worry." She frowned. "Oh, em, there's still the matter of Xander. And Giles and my Mom."

"Oh." Faith thought for a moment. "Well, I guess we can tell Xander." She frowned. "I hope he's gonna keep quiet about it, at least in front of Giles and your mom, I don't think we're quite ready to tell them yet."

Buffy smiled.

"Okay."

The dinner passed quickly and they chatted mostly about everyday nonsense, neither of them quite ready to go straight for the emotional stuff. The movie that followed was a romantic flick, but neither of them was very interested in it, especially when Buffy's hand accidentally touched Faith's and neither moved to break the touch. After a few minutes of complete stillness, Buffy finally moved her hand over Faith's and their fingers interlaced. Faith glanced at Faith, glad it was dark and Buffy couldn't see that she was blushing, and Buffy smiled at her. Faith smiled back and then tried, in vain, to concentrate on the movie.

"That was intense," Buffy said when the movie was over and they went on patrol, still holding hands.

Faith blushed.

"Yeah," she said and Buffy could feel that she was nervous.

"Nervous?"

"Hell yeah," Faith said. "I'm not used to all this hand-holding and stuff." She paused for a moment. "It's nice."

Buffy chuckled, relieved.

"Glad you like." She hesitated for a moment. "You wanna go out again tomorrow?"

Faith looked at her, wide-eyed.

"You're asking me out?"

Buffy smiled.

"Yes."

"Wow. Nobody ever… Okay, they did, but they had more in mind than just a date."

Buffy chuckled.

"Is that a yes?"

"Oh yeah, most definitely," Faith assured her, nodding her head.

"Good. I'll surprise you."

Faith glanced at her, raising an eyebrow.

"Surprise? Em, I'm not too good with surprises."

Buffy chuckled.

"Don't worry, you won't embarrass yourself."

"Huh. For a moment there you got me worried."

"Sorry."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Em, does that mean we're, like, a couple now?" she asked nervously.

Buffy looked at her, smiling.

"Would you like that?"

Faith looked down, embarrassed.

"Yeah," she said quietly.

"Then I guess we're a couple."

Faith looked at her, beaming.

"Cool. Oh look, a vamp."

Joyce was just putting away the last of the dishes when she heard noise outside. She looked trough the window and saw that it was Buffy and Faith, taking care of a vampire. At least she believed it was a vampire, she was never sure about these things. But when Faith dusted the monster, she was sure it was a vampire.

"Piece of cake," Faith said and shook off the dust.

"Yeah."

They stared at one another for a few moments.

"So…" Faith then said.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," Buffy said.

"Yeah. Good night."

"Good night, Faith," Buffy said and Faith turned to leave. "Hey," Buffy called after her and Faith turned. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Faith frowned and stared at Buffy as she approached her. Buffy stopped right in front of the confused Faith and then leaned in for a kiss. Faith gasped as Buffy's lips touched hers, but she didn't back off.

Buffy only lingered for a few moments and then broke the kiss. She smiled at the speechless Faith and caressed her.

"Okay, now it's really good night."

"Aha," was all Faith managed to say.

"I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Aha."

Buffy chuckled.

"I better go."

She turned and went in. When she turned to close the door, she saw that Faith was still there. She chuckled again.

"Go home, Faith."

Faith snapped out of it.

"Home. Right. See you tomorrow."

"Okay," Buffy said and closed the door.

Faith brushed her lips with her fingers and then turned and left.

Joyce stared out the window, surprised. Buffy and Faith? Together? When did that happen? Was her daughter gay? She frowned. Did it really matter? After all, she was a Slayer, she killed vampires and other monsters every night. Compared to that, being gay was like an innocent thing. And if it made Buffy happy, well, she decided not to interfere, she had enough problems already. And besides, at least Faith was alive, unlike Angel. Not to mention that they were both Slayers. She smiled. It sort of fit together, two Slayers. After all, who could understand a Slayer better than another Slayer. She shook her head and went to greet her daughter.

"Hi, Mom," Buffy said when she saw her mother.

"Hi. How was your date?"

"W-What?" Buffy stammered, blushing.

"You did go out with Faith, didn't you?"

"Em, yeah?"

Joyce smiled.

"And, how was it?"

"It was okay. We went to the Espresso Pump and to the movies."

"What were they playing?"

Buffy flushed.

"Em, I'm not sure," she said and Joyce raised an eyebrow. "Some romantic flick."

"I see." She frowned. "Where does she live?"

"In some sleazy motel."

"Really? Why don't you ask her if she'd like to move in with us?"

"What?" Buffy said, surprised, and blushed.

"She's probably all alone there, not to mention the company. And the hygiene."

Buffy's mouth opened and closed.

"Em…"

Joyce smiled.

"Are you two together?"

Buffy shook her head to compose herself.

"We, em…"

"I saw you kissing," Joyce prodded, trying to encourage her.

Buffy's blush reached very unhealthy levels.

"Does… Does it… bother you?" she finally managed to ask nervously.

Joyce smiled.

"A year or two ago it would, but I've seen things since then. All I want is for you to be happy, Buffy, and if Faith makes you happy, I won't give you trouble."

Buffy stared at her mother, surprised, and then smiled.

"Thanks, Mom," she said and hugged her.

Joyce smiled and hugged her back.

"I'm going to bed," Buffy declared when they stopped hugging.

"Good night, Buffy."

"Night, Mom."

As Buffy lay in bed that night she definitely felt as good as never before. Well, maybe with Angel, but this time it was different. This time she wasn't worried that Faith might lose her soul. And while Angel was great, Faith was… more great. They were both Slayers and they knew exactly what the other was going through. Yes, it was definitely the right decision to go out with Faith.

As Faith lay in bed that night she definitely felt as good as never before. She still couldn't believe that Buffy had agreed to go out with her. And why would she, Faith couldn't even save her own Watcher, was out of control mostly, while Buffy was always in control, had a great mom, a great Watcher and great friends. She had felt like she didn't belong, but now that she was with Buffy, things might change. Buffy's mom would become her mom, Buffy's Watcher would become, well, he already was, her Watcher, and Buffy's friends, well, they were her friends already, sort of, but they would get to know each other better now. Oh yes, things were definitely looking up.

"Hey, Willow," Buffy said when she got to school the next day.

"Hi, Buffy."

"I hear you've been playing a matchmaker yesterday."

Willow blushed.

"Sort of. Was I successful?"

Buffy smiled.

"Yes."

"You two went out?" Willow asked, excited. "How'd it go?"

"Okay. We went to dinner to the Espresso Pump and then to the movies."

"What were they playing?"

Buffy frowned.

"I don't know, some romantic flick." She smiled sheepishly. "I wasn't paying much attention and I don't think Faith was either."

Willow blushed again.

"That good, ha?"

"Yes. We're going out again tonight."

"You are?"

"You're going out?" Xander asked as he joined them. "With whom?"

Buffy and Willow glanced at one another and Buffy smirked mischievously.

"With Faith," she said and left.

Willow quickly followed her and Xander stared after them agape.

"Wait!" he finally called and ran after them. "Did I hear you say you were going out with Faith? The Slayer numero dos?"

"Yes."

"Huh boy," Xander said, stopping for a moment. "Wait! How long has this been going on? And how come Willow knows about this and I don't?"

"Hey," Faith said when she walked into the library.

"Hey," Buffy said and smiled at her.

"Hey, Red."

"Hi," Willow said, blushing.

"X." She raised an eyebrow when she noticed that he was staring at her. "Is there a problem?"

"Yeah, my hormones are having a party," he said and Faith chuckled.

"Oh, Faith, I have good news," Buffy suddenly remembered and took Faith away from the two Slayerettes. "Mom saw us kissing yesterday."

Faith gulped.

"And that's a good news?"

"She doesn't mind," Buffy quickly explained.

"She doesn't?" Faith asked, raising her eyebrow.

"No. In fact, she wanted me to ask you if you want to move in with us."

Faith blinked.

"She asked that?"

"Yes. And it's a great idea. Hell, I should've remembered that."

"We weren't dating before," Faith pointed out.

Buffy shrugged.

"It doesn't matter. The reasons she gave me had nothing to do with dating."

"Oh."

"So, do you wanna? No more paying rent and you'll have to help me do household chores."

Faith chuckled.

"You sure know how to convince a girl."

Buffy smiled.

"That a yes?"

"Yes."

"Great."

"I guess that means that you won't have to come pick me up tonight. I do move in today, right?"

Buffy smiled.

"Yes. I'll come by your place as soon as school's over."

"Okay." Faith frowned. "Em, B, now that your mom knows, we'll have to tell Giles."

Buffy made a face.

"Right. Any ideas?"

"We let Xander do it?"

Buffy laughed.

"Now that's an idea."

"You two wanna fill us in?" Xander called from across the library and they glanced at him.

"How about we just tell him and hope he doesn't go in shock," Faith suggested.

Buffy sighed.

"Do you wanna do it?"

Faith grinned.

"Okay. Come on."

She took Buffy's hand and they returned to the table.

"Well?" Xander asked expectantly.

"Faith's moving in with me," Buffy said.

Xander dropped his jaw.

"You're kidding!"

The two Slayers grinned.

"No. Actually, Mom suggested it."

Xander glared at her.

"You two are so lucky."

Buffy and Faith laughed.

"It's a good idea, actually," Giles said, sipping his tea, as he approached them, reading something in one of his books.

"Good idea!" Xander said. "If it were a good idea, all couples would move together after their first date."

"Xander!" Buffy, Faith and Willow said unison and glared at him.

Xander looked at them, puzzled, and then smiled sheepishly.

"Oops."

"Couples?" Giles asked, looking at them.

Buffy and Faith glanced at one another and then looked at Giles.

"Em, yeah," Faith said. "B and I are kinda dating."

Giles looked from one Slayer to another.

"I see," he said and returned to his book.

The Slayers blinked and glanced at one another again, puzzled.

"That's it?" Buffy asked.

Giles looked at her, confused.

"Were you expecting yelling?"

"Well, not exactly."

"A sermon?" Faith suggested.

"Oh," Giles said and frowned. "On what, exactly?"

"You know, gay stuff?"

"Oh." He sighed. "Faith, this is the Hellmouth we're living on. I would say being aware of it gives a great perspective on what's important and love obviously is important."

The Slayers blinked and glanced at one another.

"Wow," Buffy said.

Giles looked at Willow.

"Willow, I need your help with that infernal machine."

Willow smiled.

"Okay," she said and got up.

"That went smooth," Faith said.

"Yeah," Buffy agreed.

Faith then grinned and whispered something in Buffy's ear. Buffy chuckled. They looked at Xander, who immediately got a bad feeling. Then the Slayers kissed and Xander's eyes went wide.

"Okay, this is definitely not good for my health," he said and quickly left the library.

The Slayers ignored him.

The End