TITLE : Thoughts AUTHOR : Vincent Fretin FEEDBACK : vincef2001@yahoo.fr SPOILERS : None. RATING : G DISCLAIMER : Faith, Buffy and all other characters belong to Joss Whedon, WB, etc. NOTE : This fic was written for the Eliza Lover's birthday challenge. SUMMARY : Buffy and Faith get married.

Willow

OK, now she wears her dress... Thank God, that’s a big step forward... I’ve never seen her like that. She is so nervous... well, actually, it’s normal, she has never done that before... getting married and all the stuff that follows... OK, now what? She has her "I’ve just thought about something" look in her eyes.

"Will, you have the rings, right?"

"Relax, Buffy... Xander picked them up before coming."

Wow... That was weird... She is looking at me as if I’ve just arrived from Mars.

"You... you let Xander take care of the rings... the day of my wedding? Are you..."

"Again... Relax, Buffy! I’ve checked! The rings are in his pocket."

Feeewww... Now she seems more relax... Oh oh... Panic look again... What now?

"Did you lock it?"

"Lock what?"

"His pocket!"

OK! Time to calm her down.

"Buffy. There is nothing to worry about. Xander might be clumsy or distracted sometimes but, not today... It’s your big day... Buffy and Faith big day."

"Yes... yes... Where the hell are my gloves... Have you seen my gloves?"

OK, note to self... When it will be my wedding, take some tranquilliser with me. It seems to be a very big deal.

"I will look for them. Why don’t you go back to the bathroom and put your make up?"

"Yes, you’re right. Oh my God, what time is it? Ow, I will be late... I’m sure I will be late..."

OK, now, she is back in the bathroom. A few minutes of tranquility. So, where are the gloves?... Pretty little white gloves... Not here, not here... He, what is this? Oh, yeah, the letter. Buffy must have read it again. How cute, she has plasticized it to be sure it won’t be damaged... Yes, that’s the letter... the letter that is the reason why we’re all here today. Hey, I’m affected by the emotion, come on, Will, it’s just a letter... Yes, but it is the letter.

Hey B,

Please do not throw my letter away even if I can’t blame you if you do so.

You must wonder why I write this letter after so much time. Well, I’ve had plenty of time to think about me, about you and other stuff... In fact, I haven’t anything else to do here... kinda a boring place.

I know now why I screwed everything up last time. I knew it then but didn’t want to accept it. See, I decided long ago that feelings were weaknesses and had succeeded in pushing them away until I met you. Yes, you’re not dumb or something, I’m telling you that I was and probably still am in love with you. It was a new thing for me and when I realised that you could never love me after I killed Finch, well, I went completely mad and... well, you know the rest.

I don’t expect anything from you, B. But I needed to tell you this and tell you I’m sorry for all the shit I brought with me. I’ll be out of jail soon and try to fight the good fight.

With all my love (sounds silly, I know)

Faith

Yep, that’s the letter... Faith had to swallow her pride to write this, she opened herself completely with Buffy and...

"Willow, have you found the gloves and where is my necklace, you know, the one Faith gave me for my birthday?"

OK, not the time to remember. Who said that apocalypses were bad things?

Cordelia

"FUCK!"

Here we go again. 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...

"C., could you come in, please?"

Ok, what do we have now? She wears her dress... Faith in a dress, never thought I would see it one day. I have to admit that she looks gorgeous in this beige dress. Buffy will be amazed.

"What’s up, Faith?"

"The zipper is blocked. Why do I agree to wear this fucking dress? Who wanted it?"

"You."

"Huh?"

"You said that Buffy would like to see you in a dress for your wedding and you asked me to help you to choose the good one."

OK, now we have the grin, the one she always does when she doesn’t know what to say. It’s now or never, where is the zipper, on her back, yeah, find it and here we go; yes, zipper menace ended. I’m great.

"Thanks."

"You’re welcome."

She seems so lost. Must be the wedding.

"Faith, can you hear me?"

"What? sorry C. I’m just..."

"Just sit down, relax, I’ll brush your hair."

She did it! It has to be the first time Faith obeyed me. Where is the brush, found it and now, let’s do it. I wonder if Buffy is as nervous as her fiancée is, knowing her, it has to be worse. Poor Willow.

It’s strange. I knew it would end that way, call it a premonition or whatever but I've known it since that day, when Angel and I came to pick Faith up after she exited the jail. She was wearing her usual leather outfits when she saw us.

"Hey, guys!"

Angel hugged her, I just nodded. Faith and I had some issues at that time. After the hug, I noticed that she was looking right behind us as if she was looking for someone. We were ready to leave when a roadhog almost hit Angel’s car. I should have recognised Buffy’s driving.

Angel and I were surprised to see her there. Faith wasn’t. She had the widest smile I had seen on her. She has never lost it by the way. During two minutes, I could have sworn it, they stared at each other as if we weren’t present. Then, they hugged and began another staring time so I coughed, I’m not used to be ignored, it’s bad for my ego. So, Angel welcomed Buffy and asked what she was doing there and she answered that she came to bring Faith back to Sunnydale. It seemed that the two of them had been corresponding for months and had organised everything. Angel was not very pro for the idea but they finally convinced him and left. It was kinda rude but I knew at that time that something had happened between the two of them.

"I think, my hair is perfect, C, thanks."

"Huh? Oh, yeah... Show me the make up... Not so bad, but it can be better. You want to hypnotise Buffy, don’t you?"

"You bet !"

Dawn

I can’t believe it. It’s my sister’s wedding. That’s so cool and Faith will become my sis in law... That’s cool too. They are both cool, yes, definitely.

Maybe, I should go and see if everything is alright... nah... bad idea, Willow and Cordelia are in charge of the Slayers, Xander is in charge of the organisation... with Anya of course, she is the planer.

It’s incredible. Who would have guessed? Besides me, of course. I remember perfectly the day Faith moved in.

Buffy was back with Faith who had just been released. They entered the house and I jumped in Faith’s arms. Always liked the girl, she was my hero when I was a kid. Someone free who never hesitated to speak her mind... Well I thought she was like that, I’ve discovered the girl behind that mask later and I liked her more after that.

I knew that Buffy and Faith had exchanged letters and it has helped Buffy a lot. She had to deal with her resurrection and wasn’t very successful. Faith’s letters helped her, the month before Faith’s release she checked the mail box every morning. It was the first thing she did when she woke up and if there was nothing, she seemed so disappointed.

Anyway, I remember that night. Willow and Tara were away, attending some wicca ceremonial. Buffy had told them to go there. She wanted to spend some time with Faith, without having Willow around. She didn’t know about the letters at that time and she kinda exploded when she heard about it.

After a good dinner and lots of talk, I went to bed or pretended to. I came back silently to see them speaking about the past, about the letters, about the last letters they had written in fact. I still remember their words.

"B, about what you said in your letter... I..."

"I mean it, Faith. When I received your first letter. I was looking for something to feel and I did feel something when I read it but, I was surprised to see that it wasn’t anger or hatred... I was happy to receive it, no, happy isn’t the right word, I was overjoyed. And during our correspondence, I noticed that the feelings I had for you at that time were back. Yes, Faith, as I told you in my last letter... I’m in love with you too, was in love with you but couldn’t face it then. And..."

And then I saw them kissing and it didn’t feel wrong as if my subconscious had known it would happen. I went to my room, happy for them and slept well, not directly because of the noise they made afterwards... Guess they had time to catch. OK, it’s getting hot, in here, I’m gonna open a window... haaa, much better.

Ha, Xander has the rings in his hands. Won’t be long before the ceremony.

Xander

I’m Faith’s best man. That’s a really important mission, isn’t it? Yes, I’m the man of the situation. Where is Anya? Oh yeah, she is protecting the food against all those scroungers. Look at her, guarding the door, well, she is beautiful in her dress... mmm.

OK, not the time to think about it. Later maybe... later surely. So, what are they doing? What time is it? 15 minutes to wait. That’s too long. I wonder what Faith will wear. A leather wedding dress? No, just kidding.

If someone had told me I would be friend with Faith three years ago, I would have laughed at them. We had nothing in common after all, except our obsession for Angelina Jolie. Yes, that babe is hot. OK, back to Faith. When did I forgive her? Oh, yeah, it was that night at the Bronze.

Things weren’t cool at this time. Faith and Buffy were parading everywhere, showing their new love while Willow and I weren’t that cool with it because Buffy never told us about Faith’s return and well, the other point was Faith’s past. That night, the atmosphere was electric and the Slayers were on the dance floor while Willow, Anya, Tara and I were sitting at our usual place. Then, I saw them dancing on. I think it was a song from No Doubt, I’m not sure of it anymore.

"There’s times when I want something more
Someone more like me
There’s times when this dress rehearsal
Seems incomplete

But you see the colors in me
Like no one else
And behind your dark glasses
You’re something else"

They were dancing and, even from my seat, I could see it. They were dancing as if they were the only persons on earth. They didn’t seem to be conscious of their surroundings. In Buffy’s eyes, there was only Faith... In Faith’s eyes, there was only Buffy, their love was so obvious, it was magnetic. Even if you didn’t want to watch them, you couldn’t escape the sight. I remember looking at Willow and we both nodded. There was no word needed, it was so clear. They were so good together and as friends, we had to admit it and approve them and so we did.

And now, I’m Faith’s best man... Big responsibility, Xander. Oh yeah.

Faith

"I do."

See, it’s not difficult to say... So why the fuck am I so anxious to say it? Why am I so sure I won’t be able to say it? It’s no big deal... Correction, it’s a damn big deal... I’m getting married... OK, Faith, stop smiling like an idiot... Geez, never told I’d be so nervous... Am I pacing? Yes I am... I’m not the pacing kind of girl... OK, I have to think about something else... Something relaxing. What relaxes me? Hey, what about the day Buffy asked me to marry her? Yes, I like to remember that.

We were patrolling and the night had been cool, only two vamps to play with. So, we were going back home early and I had my arm on B’s shoulder and she had her arm on my waist. I like to feel her so close. Then, I saw Xander running to us, he seemed so worried... Never thought the Xand-man would be such a great actor... Anyway, he told us that Anya and him were walking on the streets when two vamps kidnapped the demon chick. He tried to protect her but they dumped him in a dustbin... I think it’s the reason why I believed him. It was so Xander like. He did remember something though. The vamps were talking about a meeting point on the beach near a stone B and I knew very well, we liked to go there and picnic sometimes. So, we ran to the meeting point.

When we arrived there, it was very dark. We were progressing carefully and, suddenly, a flash blinded me. When I could see again, I saw a table with candles, wine, glasses and some plates with food. I looked at B who was smiling.

"Surprised?"

"Of course I am. Why?"

"Must be a reason?"

She pulled me to her and kissed me. She then told me that Willow and Tara had cast a kind of repulsion spell to the place. So, we’ll be alone for the rest of the night... I have to admit that the first thoughts that came to my mind were rated NC-17 and Buffy had to share them as... OK, not the point.

We ate almost all the food that was on the table. I understood then why she had eaten so little before our patrol then, she presented me another plate that was hidden under the thing that looks like the hat the jockeys wear... I can’t remember the name... Fuck... OK, no more cursing, it doesn’t matter.

Where was I... Oh yeah, the plate. She presented it to me and I pulled the... thing... to see a small box. I looked at B, wondering what could be inside the box... Actually, I’d kinda guessed but... I couldn’t believe it.

"Open it."

And I did, and there was a ring inside. An obsidian ring with a taint of gold forming the number two. I looked at B, she had the same ring in her hand, she was waiting for my answer to put it on her finger.

"Do you want to marry me, Faith?"

She was nervous and... hell, I almost had a heart attack... but my answer came without thinking.

"Yes!"

Buffy

Come on, Giles. Never thought it could be so long? I want to see Faith, to see how she is dressed, to feel her by my side, to hear her say "I do"... Oh yeah I do... I would like to hear her say it. Wait a minute. Is someone opening the door? Yes, the door is open now. Who is it?... Giles, OK, here we go... Yes, he will lead me to the altar Big yeah. I guess Angel is picking Faith up at this time... I’m gonna see Faith...

"Ready, Buffy?"

"Oh yeah."

He presents me his arm and I take it. I’m so happy that it is Giles who leads me there... I had hoped Dad would come but. Guess he still hasn’t digest that I love Faith... Must be somewhere screwing his secretary... OK, Buffy, not a very good thought... but, hell... What had he done for Dawn and I during the last five years? Not much... Go to hell Dad...

OK, that’s the door... Giles opens it and wow... Never thought there would be so many people... That’s good. Hey, I can see Tara at the altar... Hope she is ready for the ceremony... She told me that wiccan weddings are almost the same than normal ones but... Oh... Oh, wait a minute, is it Faith in the beige dress?... Yes, it is... My God... I would never be able to say something to Tara if she wears that... God, she’s gorgeous. Angel is leading her... I can still remember his astonishment when she asked him, he was touched also and I think he is proud to be the one she chose... Well, I’ll be proud... God, I’m marrying the hottest girl on earth... She is near me now... Hep, she is devouring me with her eyes... Guess I’m doing the same. Yes, in fact I’m doing the same. She smiles at me and I know I’m smiling back.

Was it a cough? Oh, yes, Tara.

Tara

OK, they are standing right in front of me. They are smiling. That’s a good point. It was as if their anxiety had disappeared as soon as they saw each other. The Chosen Two have always been able to face anything together... Well, time to go... OK, let’s go for the philosophical lecture... A short one, I don’t think they’d like a long speech. Xander is there and Willow is just behind Buffy wearing her yellow dress... No distraction, Tara, this is the best part. I’ve always been nervous at this time of a marriage. Must have seen too many bad movies though because they both answered to my question by the two most beautiful words of the day:

"I do."

THE END