BtVS FIC: If Strangers Meet (Anne Steele/Justine Cooper) FRT-13/PG-13

[snogged]

I never thought for one second that I would write an Anne/Justine fic. But here we are thanks to femslash_minis and the lovely beer_good_foamy. She prompted me to write this pairing and include the following elements: doors, memories, and mentions of vampires. I do hope you like it. :)

Title: If Strangers Meet
Author: snogged
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and many other corporations own the characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel the Series. I don’t. Please don't sue.
Pairing: Anne Steele/Justine Cooper
Rating/Warnings: FRT-13/PG-13
Word Count: 591 Words
Setting: Set somewhere during AtS Season 4
Summary: What would happen if Anne Steele and Justine Cooper crossed paths?

Beta: The always delightful angelskuuipo. All other mistakes are mine.

A/N: The poem in italics is “If Strangers Meet” by e.e. cummings. I felt it fit the mood of the story. I do not own this poem nor did I write it. No copyright infringement is intended.



If strangers meet
life begins-

They passed each other on the sidewalk. Two strangers oblivious to the fact that they shared the same secrets, that they knew the same demons.

One was a vampire hunter (not Slayer, just drunker). The other was an identity crisis (one name after another.)

not poor not rich
(only aware)

Anne's eyes darted across the darkened street, searching out the shadows for feral yellow eyes and sharp white fangs. She knew that most of the Lonely Ones (funny how she still thought of them like that) weren't that obvious. Most were wolves in sheep's clothing. But others were stupid, new fledgings that waited in the parks and cemeteries that stood between her apartment and the East Hill Teen Center.

Justine's eyes shifted, barely noticeable under the street lamps. She had learned the skill for Holtz. It made her aware of her surroundings without drawing obvious attention to herself. She chuckled softly when she spotted the blonde on the other side of the street. There was something about her that just screamed (vampire bait) and that triggered the desire to follow closely. She was itching for a fight tonight. Perhaps this woman would lead her to one.

kind neither nor cruel
(only complete)

"Hey Sister Sunshine."

Anne turned slowly, her heart clenching inside of her chest as she came face to face with the stranger. That name was a memory (an identity shed like a snake's skin, a dried husk in the back of her mind). "How do you know that name?"

"Didn't. Just thought it suited you," Justine shrugged. "Is there a story I should know?"

Anne shook her head and her blonde hair glided over her shoulders. Justine's eyes softened the tiniest bit (almost carefree, but not quite.) She could see the pain of Anne's past etched in the shadows of her skin; see the ghosts that were not-quite-yet-completely-the-same as her own.

"You know, these streets could use more sunshine. Maybe we'd burn up the rats."

Anne caught the wink, understanding the layer of meaning behind it.

"You mean the vampires?"

Justine grinned, baring her blunt teeth. "Smart girl. Glad to know you get it."

i not you
not possible;
only truthful
-truthfully

They walked together, silent and staring, processing the secrets and truths that had been revealed in just a moment's flash. They had shared so little of themselves, but had shared enough to know that they were almost-not-quite-walking-the-same-path.

A vampire hunter.

A girl with an identity crisis.

Not exactly a recipe for a tale of destiny and fate, but there was no one else around to decide the ending for them.

"Here's my stop."

Anne paused, resting her hand against the door-knob and sucking on her bottom lip. Truthfully, she wanted to ask Justine inside, invite her for a drink, perhaps dessert. It would be equally as tempting to kiss her, as if this first meeting had been a first date.

Justine answered her thoughts without a word. She moved into the space between them, closing her hand on top of Anne's and helping her guide the door open.

Together, they fell into the dark of the room, two strangers wrapped in each other's arms (never letting go).

once
if strangers(who
deep our most are
selves) touch:
forever (and so to dark)

Comments

[dragonydreams.livejournal.com]

Very nice coming together of these characters.

You had me confused at first because I don't think I knew their last names. :)

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed it!
Sorry to confuse you. I had to use Buffy/Angel Wiki to figure out the last names.