“Faith,” Cordelia began after a long pause in the conversation, doing her best to look serious. “I’m going to try to be honest with you.”

Faith gave her a guarded look but didn’t stop her, leaning back and taking her glass once again to let the last of the whiskey slide down her throat.

“Go ahead, princess,” Faith said once she’d swallowed. “But are ya sure you’d rather be talking than. . .”

“See, that’s the thing,” Cordelia interrupted. “This whole girl on girl thing is. . .”

“Hot?” Faith said with a smirk when Cordelia paused to attempt to find the right words.

“No. . .well, yes, but that’s not the point. I didn’t come here to. . .”

“Fuck?” Faith once again cut in as Cordelia paused.

“No, I didn’t. . .” Cordelia stuttered, questioning herself. “That’s not why. . .will you stop interrupting and putting me off?”

“Have a drink with me and I’ll totally just sit here and listen, I promise,” Faith said, her little puppy-dog expression making Cordelia even more confused about Faith than ever.

Rolling her eyes and getting up from the sofa, Cordelia marched her way into the kitchen, grabbing the glass Faith had poured for her.

“Bring the bottle,” Faith requested as she lounged back on the cushions.

Cordelia brought both the glass and bottle back into the living area, placing the bottle on the small table beside them, and sitting down with her drink. She pulled a yuck-face before swallowing half the contents of her glass and shuddering.

“That’s gross,” she complained, but Faith just laughed, encouraging her to down the rest.

Once Cordelia had finished her glassful, Faith topped it up again, along with her own.

“So, can I talk now?” Cordelia asked as she slowly sipped at the silky liquid.

“Knock yourself out,” Faith replied with a shrug.

Her nonchalance was slightly unnerving but Cordelia continued anyway.

“The thing is. . .this whole situation is a little strange,” Cordelia said, suddenly feeling light-headed due to the whiskey. “I mean, I didn’t know you were on team Ellen for one, and even if I had I didn’t know you thought of me that way – though, I get it, I’m a cheerleader and hot so yeah – but the thing is. . .where was I?”

Faith raised an eyebrow and Cordelia looked at the already half empty glass in her hand.

“Ok, this stuff is a little strong,” she noted, finishing the rest of it anyway.

“More?” Faith asked, shaking the bottle.

“Maybe just a drop,” Cordelia answered, holding her glass out at Faith.

Once it was topped up again she continued.

“So anyway, I didn’t come here because I thought we’d get all hot ‘n’ naked on your silk sheets, though that. . .doesn’t exactly sound totally suck-y right now,” she murmured, getting quickly sidetracked. “I don’t know exactly why I came here, but I think you need a friend more than you need anything else, and the last thing I want to do is take advantage.”

“Wait a minute,” Faith said, putting her glass down and leaning forward. “You think you’d be taking advantage?”

Faith’s laugh made the small hairs on the back of Cordelia’s neck stand on end and she wasn’t certain why exactly.

“I know you’re not any kinda rocket scientist, but even you should get that I bought you here so I could take advantage of you, right?” Faith questioned, still chuckling.

“Keep telling yourself that, Faith,” Cordelia answered, calling Faith’s bluff. “You didn’t really think I’d let you get that far. In fact, I bet you’re shocked I even got into the car with you.”

“Cor, it was a limo,” Faith pointed out. “No way were you not gonna get in.”

She wasn’t sure she was happy about Faith’s presumption, but in a way she was probably right.

“Ok, so maybe,” Cordelia reluctantly agreed. “But I doubt you thought I’d come here to your apartment. You were ready to take me home until I said I couldn’t go there with all those bags.”

That seemed to put Faith on the back foot for a second and she appeared to be unsure of her own motives. It gave Cordelia ample time to see more to Faith than normal; her defences sagging under the weight of Cordelia’s guesses.

“Look, Faith,” Cordelia began, sighing as she prepared to be truthful with herself as much as the other girl. “I won’t lie, you. . .are attractive, and somewhere along the way I started noticing that and wishing I could stop. I did stop, or at least I successfully denied it, and then my life went into a downwards spiral and I didn’t have time to think about it anymore.”

Cordelia looked at her empty glass and then at the bottle beside Faith. She was beginning to enjoy the slight buzz it was giving her, and even though she knew it was a bad idea to drink more, it was helping her get this out. This had been secretly inside her for too long now, and hell. . .it wasn’t as if Faith was going to judge her for it. Leaning forward over Faith, Cordelia grabbed the bottle and poured herself another drink. Using Faith’s thigh to push herself upright again once it was full, she couldn’t miss the small shudder her touch sent through the other girl. It felt kind of nice. Kind of. . .a delicious, secret, naughty turn on.

She stayed closer to Faith, leaving her hand on her strong thigh, feeling her own pulse fluttering as she somehow sensed the desire oozing from Faith. It was a little bit intoxicating, and clouding Cordelia’s judgment all over again.

“Yunno, you have really pretty lips,” Cordelia told Faith, slurring slightly as she stared at them. “And they were soft, and nice, and. . .”

“Lean any closer and I’m gonna kiss you again,” Faith warned, though it sounded less like a warning to Cordelia and more like something she was quite happy to try out.

“But that would be bad,” Cordelia said, mostly to herself. “I wouldn’t be able to pretend I didn’t like you if you did that.”

One of Faith’s eyebrow’s quirked upwards as she gave Cordelia an amused look, which was cute as hell to Cordelia and really not helping.

“Want me to test that theory?” Faith asked, glancing down at Cordelia’s slightly parted lips.

She was so tempted, but she had to remain in control. Faith was volatile, not to mention dangerous. She was on Buffy’s wanted list and if anybody knew Cordelia was there, ready to throw caution to the wind with Faith, then all hell would break loose. Cordelia had to remember that, and she also had to remember that she was meant to be straight and not into this in the slightest.

Oh, who was she kidding? She wanted Faith in the biggest way right now, and only her desperation to keep from admitting that to herself was stopping her from leaning forward the rest of the way and kissing the hell out of her.

She needed to slow herself down. She needed to find her footing and stop flailing around in fear and confusion, which was scary and perplexing.

“Ok, so. . .you like me,” Cordelia stated, forcing herself to sit back again, taking a big gulp of whiskey before she continued. “And I like you.”

Faith smiled at that and Cordelia swooned at the adorable dimples that struck down her face. It hadn’t been the first time, despite the fact she’d always pretended she didn’t even notice Faith’s dimples before.

“And I like your nipples,” Cordelia added, gasping as she realised just what she’d said. “I mean dimples. I like your dimples!” she corrected. “Oh God, am I drunk?”

The giggles that emanated from Faith quickly became infectious and Cordelia had to hold her sides in order to try to stop. But the giggling continued for at least another three minutes and she had to accept that it was nice hearing Faith laugh in that way. Hell, it was nice laughing like that for herself; it’d been a long time since Cordelia had felt able to laugh so freely. These days she didn’t exactly have much to laugh about.

“Jesus, Cor, you’re cracking me up here,” Faith spluttered, wiping tears from her eyes. “And you’re definitely drunk.”

“Damnit,” Cordelia groaned, putting down her glass – which was empty yet again. “That really isn’t good; my mom is gonna freak out and start comparing me to Aunt Sadie, who hasn’t been sober for twenty years and smells like cabbage.”

She held her head in her hands and wished the day would roll backwards, or some of it at least. Bumping into Faith hadn’t been all that bad; she’d gotten some great outfits, and working out that she was into Faith could have advantages she’d yet to discover. No, she didn’t want to roll it all back; she just wished the world hadn’t gone all fuzzy and her receding inhibitions weren’t ready to have her doing something stupid.

“Well, you don’t smell like cabbage at least,” Faith offered, trying to hide her mirth.

Cordelia gave Faith a look out of the corner of her eye that clearly demonstrated her displeasure with the situation.

“No need to be so smug, Faith,” she told her. “There’s even less chance of me sleeping with you now; I’m too drunk.”

“There’s no such thing as too drink, C,” Faith insisted.

But she didn’t make a move on Cordelia, and that was a little surprising given the circumstances. There was no way Cordelia could have fought off her advances if she’d tried it on now; the alcohol had numbed her desire to keep from making a massive mistake, and really. . .she’d have been all too happy to be thrown onto the bed by Faith and devoured. It was a bit of disappointment to realise that Faith wasn’t really going to take advantage.

“My head hurts,” Cordelia whined, dramatically slumping back into the couch cushions.

“Already?” Faith asked with a snort.

“Not in that way,” Cordelia pointed out, slapping Faith’s hand away as Faith went to prod her in the side of the head. “I mean from thinking too much.”

“That’s gotta be a first.”

“Oh you’re just full of the funnies,” Cordelia snapped, pushing herself up from the couch and attempting to pace in a straight line. “Bringing me here under false pretences, and not having your wicked way with me,” she mumbled.

Her words weren’t coming out quite as clear as she’d hoped, but from the look on Faith’s face it was obvious she was making at least some sense.

“I was just fine as I was,” Cordelia continued. “Fine forgetting that you were even here in Sunnydale; all sex and leather and bouncy hair. It was easy ignoring you when you weren’t around but no. . .you couldn’t stay away. You had to show up out of nowhere and make me think. And make me want you. And. . .and. . .”

Cordelia stopped abruptly when Faith got up and stood in front of her, a frown creasing her brow and making Cordelia want to reach out and brush her fingers over it, just to touch Faith. Just to touch her and never stop.

“I didn’t make you want me,” Faith stated, her voice softer than Cordelia had expected. “And I sure as hell didn’t make me want you either.”

Cordelia hadn’t thought about that. Hadn’t thought about the fact Faith might be just as confused, or just as wary. They were both in new places in their lives; caught on the outside looking in. They were both alone. Both wanting to reach out and find something - anything – that would give their lives meaning and hope.

“I coulda fucked off outta here after. . .after Finch,” Faith said sullenly, “but I didn’t. Not ‘cause of Buffy. Not ‘cause I’m a slayer.”

Faith stepped closer and Cordelia could practically feel the tension coming from her; the reluctance to let go. The reluctance to be weak.

“You stayed because of me?” Cordelia asked, the words sounding silly as she said them. They barely knew each other.

It took a moment for Faith to answer as she looked down at her feet and ran a hand through her long, loose curls.

“I saw ya one day on your own, after Xander fucked you over, and after. . .” Faith sighed and looked back into Cordelia’s eyes. “You looked so fucking sad.”

Feeling a little embarrassed at being found out, Cordelia felt the need to deny she was ever sad. She hated the fact anybody could see so far past her façade to pick that up and needed to set Faith straight, but Faith didn’t let her speak.

“I’m not takin’ pity on you,” Faith explained. “It just made me see you. I mean really see you, and not just the fact you’re all kindsa hot and make me horny as fuck.”

A chuckle broke the tension a little as Cordelia appreciated Faith’s honesty. She wasn’t sure she really wanted to hear this from Faith as it would only serve to make it even more impossible to ignore the desire to find out what girls could do with each other in bed, but she didn’t seem to be stopping Faith either.

“I know this is crazy,” Faith continued, sounding much less confident and assured than normal, “but seeing you again today. . .it made me realise something.”

“That you wanted to trick me into bed with you by buying me lots of clothes?” Cordelia interrupted, asking her question with a knowing grin so Faith knew she was just joking. Things were getting a little serious and making Cordelia feel somewhat uncomfortable.

“Not just that,” Faith answered with a wink. “I don’t wanna be here.”

For a second or two Cordelia didn’t understand. She waited for Faith to continue and wondered if alcohol often made it seem like time had slowed to a standstill.

“You mean here in this apartment?” Cordelia pressed. “But it’s a really great apartment.”

With a roll of her eyes Faith shook her head no.

“I mean here, in the sitch I’m in,” Faith elaborated quietly as if she were afraid that somebody might overhear. “In this whole fucked up thing I’m in.”

“Oh.”

“Exactly.”

“So you’re not happy being a minion of evil?” Cordelia questioned further.

Faith dropped her gaze to the floor and shrugged. She didn’t seem sure, but Cordelia wasn’t completely stupid. Obviously Faith was having second thoughts, but she was scared. Scared about what the reception would be like if she turned up at Buffy’s doorstep to hand herself in, and scared about what the Mayor would do once he found out.

“And you want me to help,” Cordelia suddenly realised. “Because you could tell that I liked you and wouldn’t say no.”

“Seemed like a good idea at the time,” Faith confessed. “Not so sure now.”

Turning from Cordelia, Faith walked over to the large window that looked out over the rooftops beyond. She stood and stared into the distance and Cordelia wasn’t sure what she was meant to say or do. Here Faith was, basically telling her she wanted out of the Mayor’s plans, the Mayor’s grasp, and Cordelia had no idea how to help. She wasn’t a slayer, or even a scoobie anymore. She wasn’t connected to that world now, but Faith was putting her trust in her in a way that completely surprised Cordelia.

She had to think. She had to help, even if helping meant. . .telling Buffy.

Feeling much more sober now and a little bad for having ignored the obvious undercurrent of sadness within Faith, Cordelia approached the other girl. She stood close by behind her, wanting to reach out but holding back.

“You’re not going to like this, but if you really want out of this,” Cordelia began, glancing around Faith’s apartment, “then we have to tell Buffy.”

Faith took a deep breath and crossed her arms, and Cordelia could clearly see the tension in her shoulders.

“Thought you’d say that,” Faith responded grimly.

Stepping even closer until she was almost pressed against Faith, Cordelia took a second just to look at her; taking in her profile and the strong set of her jaw. Maybe Cordelia was still feeling somewhat drunk because she had the urge to wrap her arms around Faith and pull her against her. She didn’t know why, and wasn’t stupid enough to think Faith would just let her, but the feeling was still there.

“Yunno, as much as Buffy is an annoying little runt, she generally does the right thing,” Cordelia said after a few moments.

“I don’t trust her.”

Faith’s biceps flexed and released and Cordelia knew she shouldn’t press the Buffy issue, but Faith had to turn to somebody. Cordelia couldn’t get her out of this situation on her own.

“Ok, what about Giles?” Cordelia asked, lifting her hand to rest on Faith’s arm and feeling good when Faith didn’t flinch away.

Turning her head slightly to see Cordelia out of the corner of her eye as she stood behind her, Faith shrugged. Her gaze travelled down to the hand Cordelia had loosely positioned on her bicep, but she didn’t ask Cordelia to remove it.

“Not sure I trust him either,” Faith muttered. “In case ya didn’t know, the council doesn’t exactly wanna keep me around.”

“I heard rumours.”

“Don’t much feel like being taken in an’ brainwashed, or worse,” Faith said, sounding scared even though she was most definitely trying not to.

“Do you really think Giles had anything to do with that? I’m thinking Wesley’s more the type to turn on his own slayer,” Cordelia pointed out, feeling angry at him for being such an ass. “He always seemed a little. . .”

“Slimy?”

“Amongst other things,” Cordelia said with a nod, rubbing her fingers over Faith’s skin.

“So I guess I have to talk to Giles huh?” Faith asked, turning slowly to face Cordelia and bringing much more attention to their close proximity.

“I’ll come with you,” Cordelia offered. “I can still be scary when I need, and Giles always crumbles when I get all demand-y.”

“I bet,” Faith said with half a grin.

Her gaze swept over Cordelia and Cordelia shuddered on instinct, unable to hide how Faith affected her now. It was pointless trying to deny it. Faith could tell, Cordelia could tell, and really. . .was it so bad? Cordelia’s life had changed so much over the last few months, what would one more change matter? Just something else to get used to and adjust to. At least being into Faith and knowing Faith wanted in her pants was less harrowing than losing her home, car, and large monthly allowance.

She could deal with this.

“Do you want me to stay tonight?” Cordelia asked, feeling Faith’s body heat radiating from her as they stood by the window.

“So I can have my wicked way with ya?” Faith joked, smirking up at Cordelia.

“So you don’t have to be alone,” Cordelia corrected, continuing before Faith started wigging out. “And unless you ask me out on a date, there will be no wicked having with me.”

“That so?”

“Yes,” Cordelia asserted, rubbing her hand one last time over Faith’s arm before turning to go and pick up the phone she’d seen perched near the bed. “Now I’m gonna call my mom and tell her I’m staying at a friend’s house. And you should probably make me something to eat ‘cause that Glen’s orangey, whiskey stuff is making me feel dizzy again.”

Faith opened her mouth to protest, but one look from Cordelia had her shaking her head with a chuckle and heading towards the kitchen. Cordelia still had it. And apparently Faith was happy to let down the tough-girl act long enough for it to be known.

Some time later, after Cordelia had called home and then eaten pancakes, and Faith had packed some of her clothes in a bag ready for her great escape, the two girls realised just how late it had become. They’d talked about how life had treated them both over the last couple of months, finding they had more things in common than would appear on the surface, but all the shopping and self-realisation, and alcohol had left Cordelia feeling worn out. She wanted to sleep, and she really hoped Faith would offer her the bed so she could curl up in delicious silk sheets.

With a stretch and a yawn, Cordelia glanced over at the bed, hoping Faith would pick up on the hint.

“If you were aiming for subtle you missed it by a mile,” Faith told her.

“Well it’s a good job I wasn’t aiming for subtle then.”

“Wanna go to bed?”

“Was that a loaded question?” Cordelia asked, eyeing Faith suspiciously.

“Do you want it to be?”

“Ok, this isn’t making me any less tired,” Cordelia pointed out. “Are we sharing the bed?”

Her voice quivered a little as she asked, and this time she hoped Faith didn’t pick up on it. It would be a very bad idea to share, not that she didn’t trust Faith now – mostly – but she didn’t know if she quite trusted herself. Cordelia had found it very difficult not to gravitate closer to Faith as they chatted on the sofa. Something about her made it almost impossible to stay away, and now that Cordelia had come to terms with being attracted to another girl, she was caught up in thinking about all the new experiences she could get out of it. Namely sex. Good sex that had her tingling in anticipation. Faith was one hell of a hottie, and Cordelia kept having lascivious thoughts that she now apparently had no control over.

“You don’t mind sharing?” Faith asked.

“Just as long as you keep your hands to yourself,” Cordelia replied, standing and stretching out her long legs.

“Not sure you’d complain if I didn’t but whatever ya say,” Faith agreed, making her way over to the bedroom area. She tugged out a tee shirt from her bag and threw it in Cordelia’s direction. “I’ll even let you wear something, though you’re probably gonna find everything I have is too tight for ya.”

Faith’s wiggling eyebrows clearly indicated that she wouldn’t find that a bad thing, and Cordelia thought it pointless to complain. Whatever this thing with Faith was, and wherever it was headed, she didn’t want to spoil it by being a bitch. The last thing Faith needed was a dose of cruel, Cordelia style.

She picked up the small, sleeveless tee shirt from where it had landed on the back of the chair and thanked Faith. There was no point asking if Faith had anything she could wear for her bottom half, she knew the answer would be no. It wasn’t so bad; at least she’d get to feel the silk against her skin this way.

“You can change in the bathroom,” Faith indicated, grabbing the bottom of her top and pulling it off before Cordelia had turned away.

Of course Faith wasn’t shy about who saw her getting undressed; she was Faith. Cordelia knew enough stories about her to know the girl had no modesty, and she couldn’t help but stare just a little. Just until Faith started tugging down her jeans, which would have left her standing there in nothing but her bra and panties. They were a really nice matching pair of bra and panties – black and sleek – but it was rude to stare so Cordelia eventually looked away and made her way quickly into the bathroom, her stomach fluttering once again.

“I just know I’m not leaving here with my lesbian chastity intact,” Cordelia muttered to herself as she closed the door behind her.

A few minutes later she emerged, doing her best not to feel self-conscious as she headed towards the bed Faith was already lying in. The tee shirt didn’t come down far enough to cover her ass, and Cordelia wasn’t exactly used to strutting around in her panties for everybody to see. She guessed she’d probably have to get used to that if things went further with Faith.

As she got closer to the bed, brushing her fingers through her long dark hair and trying not to trip over her tongue as she noticed Faith’s bare thigh resting lazily out of the covers, Faith gave Cordelia a wolf whistle.

“Oh that’s classy,” Cordelia pointed out.

“Hey, ya can’t blame me, I got a hot cheerleader walking through my apartment half naked,” Faith pointed out. “You’re lucky I don’t have a video camera.”

“Oh God, you’d better not have one,” Cordelia warned, peering around just to make sure.

“Scared people might find out you’re all hot for a girl?”

Faith laughed as she asked, but Cordelia failed to see the funny side.

“Let’s get this straight – no pun intended – I’m not comfortable enough with this yet to find the funny, so shut it ex-evil-girl or I’ll kick your ass,” Cordelia told her with her most serious expression.

“You’re gonna kick my ass huh?” Faith asked, pulling the covers back so Cordelia could climb in.

Temporarily losing control of her motor functions as Cordelia gazed at far too much of Faith’s flesh, she stumbled onto the bed and refused to get into another back and forth with Faith that would lead nowhere.

Sliding down into the sheets and enjoying the soft silk against her skin, Cordelia had never felt so far out of her comfort zone. She was in bed with a girl. With a girl who wanted her, sexually. A girl she wanted back just as sexually, which was all kinds of new and interesting, and probably a whole load of traumatic that hadn’t hit her yet.

“I’m so far out of my comfort zone,” Cordelia muttered as she tried her hardest not to get too close to Faith.

She could feel how warm Faith was without even touching her. She could smell the subtle scent of her skin and the soaps she used. Her senses were on high alert and though she was more terrified than she’d ever care to admit, Cordelia wished it would be easy just to reach out and touch Faith and feel her heat right against her.

“Is Queen C a little intimidated?” Faith mocked, rolling to her side so she could look at Cordelia, a hand resting against her head to prop herself up.

“I’m never intimidated,” Cordelia corrected. “But I’m in your bed, Faith. When I got up this morning this scenario was not on the list of possible outcomes to the day. It’s all a little. . .strange.”

“Tell me about it,” Faith agreed.

Cordelia turned her head to look at Faith, instantly feeling more relaxed with the soft smile she was being given. Those dimples were having more of an effect every time.

“But it’s a good thing, right?” Cordelia asked, hoping Faith was doing the right thing by coming back to the good guys, and hoping she was doing the right thing by being there. “It’s good that we. . .talked.”

Her voice shuddered slightly as she felt Faith’s leg press up against her own under the covers.

“Know what else is good?” Faith questioned, a hand slowly creeping towards Cordelia’s leg and stroking over her; just the whisper of a touch.

“I. . .I. . .” Cordelia couldn’t form thoughts let alone words as Faith’s fingertips trailed to the inside of her thigh.

She felt the bed shift and realised it was because she’d subconsciously opened her legs a little wider, which wasn’t really conducive to telling Faith to stop. Her lips suddenly felt very dry so she licked them slowly, watching Faith’s eyes dilate until they were so dark it made Cordelia want to dive into them.

Faith leaned closer, fingers making small circles over Cordelia’s skin as they gazed at each other. It became very obvious that Faith was planning to kiss her, and that wasn’t exactly a bad thing – Cordelia had enjoyed their first kiss earlier – but she doubted it would stop at kissing, and she doubted she was ready for whatever came next.

“I don’t think I’m ready for this yet,” Cordelia confessed as Faith’s breathing became a little more ragged to match her own.

“Yeah?” Faith pressed, her fingers inching closer to Cordelia’s small panties, just skimming over the hem as Cordelia held herself stiff trying not to react.

“Yeah,” Cordelia responded, not sure who she was trying to convince. “I’ve had sex before I just. . .not like this. And never lying down.”

Faith nodded and Cordelia became completely distracted by her lips as she ran her tongue over the bottom one, dipping into the deep cleft that Cordelia suddenly really, really wanted to suck on.

“Then it’s totally understandable that you’d be kinda scared,” Faith said softly, leaning down further so Cordelia could feel her warm breath blowing across her ear. “But I bet you’re wet for me, C. Wet an’ waiting for me to finger you.”

Cordelia gasped as Faith’s fingers passed quickly over the material of her panties, right over her pussy, which was indeed very much wet.

“This. . .this is a little quick,” Cordelia forced out, failing to focus on getting her breathing to obey and stop giving her away.

Faith moved her touch back to the hem of Cordelia’s panties but her whole body was much closer now. There were soft boobs pressing against Cordelia and she’d never imagined that such a thing could have her almost palpitating into a coma of need, but she was, and she really did like the way Faith smelled.

“Oh what the hell,” Cordelia breathed, running her hand up into Faith’s hair at the back of her neck, “kiss me.”

Giving Cordelia a wicked grin first, Faith obeyed without question, snatching Cordelia’s lips with her own in a kiss that had Cordelia vibrating from the inside out. She let Faith’s tongue search out her own, moaning as they came into full body contact when Faith moved over her so she could kiss Cordelia more freely.

Now that they were kissing it wasn’t so scary. It was hot, and it was quickly unravelling Cordelia’s inhibitions even more than the alcohol had done earlier. She let her hands start to roam over Faith, skimming over her firm butt and her slender back, delighting in the way it made Faith move against her. She knew this was fast. She knew this was out of character, but Faith seemed to need this, and Cordelia was surprised that she cared enough to want to give her this. Not just that, she wanted it herself. So much heartache to patch up. So much hurt to mend. They both needed this.

“Faith,” Cordelia said, hardly finding breath enough to speak as Faith’s mouth kissed and sucked at hers. “Faith, ask me on a date.”

For a second Faith didn’t stop and Cordelia wondered if she should repeat herself. But then Faith pulled away, looking down in confusion as her hand trailed up and down Cordelia’s side under the small tee shirt she was squeezed into.

“What?” Faith asked, her nostrils flared in desire and making her look so sexy that Cordelia almost toppled her right over to fuck her senseless – even though she didn’t even know if she’d be able to do it right.

“Ask me on a date, Faith,” Cordelia repeated, running a hand through Faith’s hair so it wasn’t hanging in the way of her face. “So we can. . .yunno.”

Realisation seemed to dawn on Faith and she smiled broadly, obviously remembering what Cordelia had said a little earlier about not wanting to have sex unless they went on a date. It was corny and silly, but Cordelia wasn’t about to go further until Faith had at least asked her.

“So go on a date with me,” Faith said half heartedly as she leaned down and tried to kiss Cordelia again.

“Not good enough, ask me properly,” Cordelia insisted. “Ask to take me somewhere. Somewhere good.”

Faith’s eyebrows raised but she didn’t appear to be angry, just slightly amused, and maybe a little apprehensive.

“Are you being serious?”

“Very,” Cordelia assured, keen to have her way, and have Faith despite her complete lack of knowledge in the girly-sexing area. “I want you, Faith. Right now, on these silk sheets until we’re both unbelievably well. . .fucked.”

Cordelia’s words were having a definite affect on Faith and she hoped planning a date would mean more nights together. Cordelia knew right away that she was happy to have that. To have Faith be the one she shared this with, and many more times than just this once.

“Ok,” Faith finally said, looking more serious now. “Let me take you to prom.”

Raising her eyebrows in surprise, Cordelia felt her heart swell at the simple request. She wasn’t sure why exactly; maybe the way Faith had asked, the nervousness in her voice as if she’d wanted to ask it before but had never had the chance. Faith was unbelievably cute in that moment and it made Cordelia beam with unguarded joy.

“You’d really do that?” Cordelia asked, seeing the truth in Faith’s eyes anyway.

“As long as everything’s pretty cool by then, with Buffy and Giles,” Faith said. “Not sure we’d get far if they’re all chasin’ my ass.”

“Then that’s even more reason for us to go to Giles tomorrow,” Cordelia confirmed. “Your ass is mine. Now stop stalling and let’s get out of these totally unnecessary and ridiculously small clothes.”

With an amused shake of her head, Faith complied, pulling off the tee shirt she’d thrown on and then helping Cordelia out of hers. It wasn’t long before Cordelia knew what it felt like to have a girl pressed against her between her legs, all heat and soft skin, Faith’s wetness against her own. Faith’s breasts so tantalisingly supple. Faith’s hands so gentle but sure as she held onto Cordelia and rubbed their pussies together in a delicious rhythm until they were both wrapped in each other, hot skin sticky and kisses hungry.

It felt incredible; a heady mix of sinful naughtiness, and passion that burned through them both. Cordelia had never felt anything so good before. They kissed until their lips felt swollen, and moved against each other until Cordelia was sure she was about to come from the friction alone. But Faith shifted her weight just as Cordelia’s subtle sighs and moans became more unmistakable and loud in her need to climax.

“Not yet, C,” Faith instructed huskily, her voice as sensual and smooth as the silk at Cordelia’s back.

Lifting herself from Cordelia a little way, Faith pushed a hand between them, fingers headed down as she placed kisses over already ultra-sensitive nipples. As she sucked one of Cordelia’s hard nipples into her mouth her fingertips snuck between slippery folds, and Cordelia discovered sex was much better than she’d ever realised.

Faith’s fingertips rolled and slipped, circled and dipped, causing Cordelia to shudder and buck against Faith until her heart was racing. Gasping for air and letting Faith discover her drenched opening until she was deep inside her and fingering her towards orgasm, Cordelia tried hard to focus on giving Faith something back. She didn’t want to just lay there and be fucked; she wanted to do the same to Faith – if she could.

“Faith,” Cordelia moaned, scratching her fingernails down Faith’s back, “I wanna touch you.”

Letting go of Cordelia’s nipple with a slurp, Faith raised her head and smiled so openly that Cordelia most definitely swooned this time. Faith shifted her weight a little more and pulled her fingers out of Cordelia, making Cordelia groan in a mix of pleasure and disappointment; she’d really liked having Faith’s fingers pushed inside her.

Swiping her tongue up Cordelia’s neck, Faith parted her legs, resting some of her weight on Cordelia’s hip.

“Go for it, C,” Faith offered with the hint of a dare to her tone. “I’ll steer ya round the curves if you start getting lost.”

Feeling nervous again, Cordelia dug deep for her reserves of pride and moved her arm between them in the same way Faith had. She reached down, brushing over Faith’s stomach and then over a small patch of dark pubic hair that was already drenched – a product of both their desire. As she took the final leap and covered her fingers in Faith’s juices, searching for the place that would have Faith moaning and gasping along with her, Cordelia felt the world begin to shake.

She slammed her eyes shut and listened to Faith’s shuddering breaths, her heated words, and the sound of their fingers pleasuring each other as Faith plunged back inside her.

“Oh, God,” Cordelia gasped, every muscle taut and her pussy grasping at Faith’s fingers as they fucked her. “Don’t stop.”

“I’ll fuck you all night long, Cor,” Faith told her, breathlessly speaking into her ear as she took Cordelia’s fingers inside her.

Cordelia sighed in contentment as the room began to sway with her and her fingers drove into Faith, covering them in Faith’s arousal.

“Fuck, yeah! Fuck my pussy, Cordy,” Faith moaned like a porn star as she rode the long fingers inside her.

Every word drove Cordelia closer to the edge, and her brain lost its grip on her surroundings as Faith’s palm brushed against her clit. She did the same to Faith, rejoicing internally as Faith let out a sexy little squeal as she began to come.

“Oh fuck, Faith,” Cordelia gasped loudly, letting go along with her.

Their bodies crashed together, lips meeting lips and fingers pulling out the last of their orgasms as they kissed sloppily and fought for difficult breaths. They shuddered and clung, and swept each other along until Faith finally flopped down onto Cordelia’s body, and Cordelia wrapped her arms and legs around her, just enjoying the contact. Enjoying the way her body was tingling and sated.

“Mmm, that was good,” Cordelia purred as Faith nuzzled into her neck with her nose. “I could get used to that.”

She felt Faith smile against her skin so was sure it hadn’t been the wrong thing to say. Faith wasn’t exactly known for her after-sex-etiquette, but Cordelia strangely wasn’t worried about being kicked out or pushed to the curb right away. Just something about the way Faith had trusted her. The way she’d been and the things she’d said.

This Faith wasn’t the one everybody else had grown to fear, and dislike. This Faith was her secret-Faith. She was more gentle, she was lost and needed help, she was open to being held, and she was all Cordelia’s. . .for as long as she managed to hang on to her.

“You up for another round, Cor?” Faith asked, kissing Cordelia’s neck in a way that was firing Cordelia up again.

It was tempting to say yes – very much yes, yes, yes – but Cordelia didn’t want to give everything to Faith all at once. She was happy to see what tomorrow brought, and then look forward to more times where they’d end up wrapped around each other in warm, wrinkled sheets wearing nothing but contented smiles.

“We need to sleep,” Cordelia responded, surprised at how sensual her own voice sounded now Faith had worked her magic. “Tomorrow is a big day.”

She felt Faith stiffen in her arms and soothed her with tender touches to her back and sides, sweeping her fingertips over Faith in a way Faith had probably never allowed anybody else to do. Cordelia thought Faith was going to protest at first, or change her mind about going to see Giles, but after a small sigh, Faith relaxed again.

“I guess,” Faith mumbled, snuggling into Cordelia and making Cordelia smile from the inside out. “Kinda tired anyway.”

Listening to Faith’s sleepy voice and the yawn that came after, Cordelia could tell just how tired Faith really was – not physically tired maybe, but emotionally so. Faith had been through too much, on her own with nobody to turn to but the bad guys. Cordelia was going to put that right. Nobody was going to treat ‘her’ Faith that way again. Not even Buffy.

She kissed Faith’s head and chuckled as she felt a hand move up to rest on one of her breasts.

Things were about to change, and for the first time in a long time. . .Cordelia wasn’t afraid.