The Fireside
By: Sarah
Disclaimer: Joss and his bitches own ‘em. If I did, I sure as hell wouldn’t be writing this stuff for free.
Summary: Three women….Three tales of love and heartache.
Pairings: Buffy/Angel, Faith/Spike, Fred/Wesley. All other pairings, if any, will come later in the fic.
Rating: NC-17. Is there anything else really?
Spoilers: None. It’s an Alternate Universe, as per always. Do I ever write anything else, people?
Credit: I’d like to thank Indie for the name of the local coffee shop, the Book ‘N Bean. It’s catchy, and I just want to credit her for the name, cuz I couldn’t come up with something catchy like that, lol.
Dedication: To Bre, for being the most caring and devoted friend that a gal could ever ask for. Words can’t express how talented she is, and I love her!
Prologue
They say that when you die your whole life flashes before you eyes. You see both the good and bad moments. In that moment, they say, the memory of your true love is the only everlasting moment embedded into your thoughts.
No, this is not a love story. It is, however, a story about love.
Our journey begins in the small town of Sunnydale, California….
Specks of golden hair infiltrated the bustling crowds of the local Book ‘n Bean. Laughter seeped through the walls of the establishment, echoing a sound similar to utter and complete happiness.
Buffy Summers, one of the local patrons, stopped to admire the sound of the bustling crowds. All those cliqued relationships, she knew as she scoured the establishment, would be long dried up in a good five years or so.
Nothing ever lasted. No one was ever meant to be. Bliss was not the local couple in love who everyone had said would be together forever.
No.
Life was full of guilt, lies and betrayal. All of which would tear a person’s soul out, dashing all the dreams one had of a future.
Buffy Summers was well taught in all things about love…and she detested the word with a passion.
Love was merely a chemical imbalance, a flaw in the genetic make-up. Being loved, or rather in love, was a sign of weakness. It somehow would steer a person right off their quest for a career, and cause them to ache for a family, a home, someplace to belong.
Without love, there was stability, an income, a life.
Buffy Summers was not about to throw that all away to become another idealistic breeder.
“Cat got your tongue?” the voice sauntered in Buffy’s ear.
“Sorry, what?” Buffy asked, turning around. “Faith!”
“Hey, B. It’s been a while,” Faith chuckled.
“Almost a year. How’s life in the big city?” She prodded.
“Eh, you know. Fast paced environment, intrusive asshole clientele…Not so much different from the sticks,” The brunette shrugged. “What about you? Who’s the new love interest?”
“There is none.” Buffy gritted through her teeth.
“Ah. Still on the love is destructive path, I see,” Faith rolled her eyes. “You know, your karma is going to come back to bite you in the ass. You’re going to fall in love one day, B.”
“Not if I’m not seeing anyone,” Buffy concluded. “Why are you so adamant about me finding love?”
“Why are you so hellbent on destroying every relationship you’ve ever had with the opposite sex?” Faith countered. “You can’t fight who you are, Buffy. You can’t fight your feelings. One day you’ll know; you’ll see how wonderful love can be, and you won’t understand why you didn’t search for it sooner.”
“Coming from the girl who finds love with a different man every night of the week.” She scoffed.
“At least I’m getting some, which is more than I can say for you,” Faith teased her. “Besides, if you’re so concerned with not having a guy, why are you all so bah-jiggity in my business?”
“I’m not bah-jiggity!”
“You are so bah-jiggity,” Faith concluded. “You gonna tell me who the guy is that has your panties in a twist?”
“What makes you think for one second that someone had any effect on my panties?” Buffy pouted. “Besides, even if there was a guy, which there isn’t, mind you…We’re not seeing each other.”
“Was this a mutual agreement?’ Faith inquired. At her silence, she continued, “Parker?”
“Parker.” Buffy nodded in agreement.
“That boy is bad news, B.” Faith sighed. “Why do you put up with his mind games?”
“Because he’s the only guy who’s ever paid an interest in me,” Buffy sighed. “And he helps me out sometimes.”
“That’s great, Buff. Staying with a guy who practically pays you to be his whore. Real street smart, aren’t ya?” Faith rolled her eyes in disgust.
“Faith, can we just drop it?” Buffy sighed. “You didn’t come here to talk about boys anyway.”
“Maybe not. It doesn’t mean we can’t gush about them, though.” Faith winked. “Who’s the hottie at with that black leather coat and that oh-so-fine platinum hair?”
“Oh, that’s Spike,” Buffy shrugged. “He’s a regular.”
“And I’ll bet he’s all flirty with my favorite waitress. The hag!” Faith mocked.
“We’re not flirty. I barely say two words to the guy apart from, ‘Can I get you anything else, sir?’. It’s just not happening, Faith.” Buffy remarked.
“Well, if you’re not gonna…Then, do you mind if I take a stab at Mr. Leather Coat Guy?” Faith prodded.
“Knock yourself out,” Buffy sighed. “Like it’s ever stopped you before.”
“I heard that!”
“So? You know it’s true.” Buffy smirked proudly. “Skeeze.”
“Heifer.”
“Bitch.”
“Choke.”
“It looks like Leather Coat Guy may be leaving,” Buffy chuckled, changed the subject. “I imagine the Faith special is humping like bunnies tonight?”
“Don’t even.” Faith scoffed. “And yes, there will be humping. Along with a dozen other positions your virgin ears couldn’t take.”
“Be sure to use a condom!” Buffy snapped back. “That girl will never learn.”
* * *
“Hi.” Faith flashed a smile, as she sat down next to Mr. Spike.
“Hello.” Spike nodded.
“Can I buy you a coffee or something?” Faith asked politely.
“No, I’m actually waiting for someone.” Spike declined politely.
“I see,” Faith spoke. “Okay, that blonde over there, the one I know you saw me talking to…She’s off limits, comprehende? She doesn’t wanna date you, or anyone else, for that matter. Her body is not a temple, and especially not a temple you’re ever going to explore.”
“Are you always this protective?” He goaded.
“Are you always a fascist pig?” She countered.
“You certainly have a pair, I’ll give you that.”
“Well, if you’re so inclined to find out…” Faith waggled her brow suggestively.
“Are you trying to seduce me into your bed, ma’am?” Spike gasped dramatically.
“Are you saying no?”
“No.” He shrugged.
“So, you’re saying yes?” She smiled triumphantly.
“No.” Spike gloated.
“Make up your mind, will you?”
“I’m not going to sleep with you.” Spike shrugged. “You’re not my type anyway.”
“Why, because I’m not some airhead bleached blonde who obviously swoons at whatever bullshit you spout?” Faith retorted. “You are a piece of work, you know that?”
“I’ve been told.”
“Look at you, a sly dog.” Faith grunted. “I just want you to know one thing.”
“What’s that?”
Leaning into his ear, Faith whispered, “I’m a definite screamer.”
Feeling his shaft so rock hard within close proximity to her body, Faith licked her lips. Moving her head to the side, she let him cop a feel before sauntering off in temporary triumph.
That self absorbed asshole would never know what hit him.
To Be Continued…
Yes, there is smut, but you kinda have to get to the second chapter to have it. Hello, Buffy isn’t going to sleep with someone she hasn’t even been on a date with.
At least not in this fic, anyway.
I tend to coax into smutty lovin’ because that’s how I’m used to writing it, people!
I tried to include some comedy in there for you. I don’t want everything to be angst central, so you get some witty banter, too.