14 Days by Elaine

Summary: Faith wakes from her coma and has a confession to make to Buffy.

Buffy was doing her usual sweep of Restfield. She was still troubled by the phone call she had received from the hospital the evening before. Faith was awake. Even more puzzling was that Faith hadn't shown herself all day, and her dark half, Buffy figured was probably hell-bent on revenge. Revenge on her for putting the brunette Slayer in hospital.

Buffy understood. She had felt a blanket of guilt since she'd stabbed Faith eight months ago. She hated the fact that it had gone that far. She only wished that she had tried harder to reach out to Faith before the brunette had gone to the Mayor.

After that Buffy had had to push her feelings aside and become a fighting machine. It hadn't been easy, her heart had been ripping at the loss of her sister Slayer. Buffy still hadn't figured out why she couldn't have just let it go and wasn't even sure she wanted to. Faith had swept into her life and turned it upside-down, and some part of that was dangerously attractive to Buffy.

The pretty blonde shook her head to clear her thoughts. She knew that that road was a one-way path that only led to more confusion and *that* was one distraction she didn't need. She became aware that the presence that had been trailing at a distance was closing in, possibly because Buffy had stopped.

The Slayer's senses kicked into overdrive. What was baffling her was the familiarity of the presence. 'Great,' she thought, 'It's probably Spike. Just what I need.' She spun around to face the latest enemy and immediately went into a fighting stance as she recognized the figure standing before her with some surprise.

"Easy, B. If I came for a fight I would have attacked you already." The brunette had stopped a few feet from Buffy almost as if she was trying to stay out of range.

"So why stalk me instead?" It was so easy to slip back into the verbal warfare. Almost like it was some kind of protection. From what?, Buffy was pretty sure she didn't want to know.

"Y'know me B, I like the stealth thing and I gotta say, I kinda liked the view."

Buffy tried to ignore the implication in the response, even harder to ignore was the flare of excitement that curled deep in her belly at Faith's words.

"Why are you still here? I woulda thought you'd be long gone. I mean, isn't that your thing? Make some trouble, get the hell outta Dodge, and leave everybody else to deal with the fallout?"

Faith tried to hide her nervousness behind a show of bravado. "Normally, yeah. But let's just say that for once I got unfinished business to attend to." She let her eyes travel slowly and suggestively up and down Buffy's body.

"What the hell do you want, Faith?" Buffy snapped while trying not to stammer as she spoke. Faith's eyes were doing tingly things to her insides and she really didn't want to acknowledge it.

"Well... I was going all out for revenge. I mean, after all, you did try to gut me and you stole eight months of my life,"

"But y'know the funny thing, B? I can't do it. What's more, I don't really want to. I'm tired of fighting you. I should hate you but I don't and I don't know why. I can't answer it, and I was hoping... maybe, just maybe you might have an answer." Faith was looking at the ground by this time, her shoulders drooping defeatedly.

Buffy stared hard at her for a long moment, then finally dropped the defensive. The blonde figured maybe now was a good time to let the other Slayer know exactly how bad she felt.

"Faith, I uh. can't answer that but I... uh, look... I... well, the thing is... um... I'm... I'm really sorry,... about... about everything, not being there for you with Allan, fighting you, the stabbing thing, pushing you away," Buffy found that once she had started she couldn't stop. Everything came tumbling out in a rush. All her guilt, the fact that she blamed herself for not trying harder to reach the other Slayer. For pushing her away to start with, then again and again, and that by the time she realized she really did want Faith's friendship it was too late. The brunette had already turned to the Mayor.

During this outpouring Faith just stared at Buffy, agape. She felt her hope rise slightly. Maybe there was some left for her after all. Buffy still cared what happened to her. It was all in that one outburst. Finally Faith couldn't stand much more and had to say something, anything to stop Buffy's tirade against herself.

The use of her full name immediately caught the blonde's attention, and Buffy finally shut up and looked at Faith instead of the patch of ground at her own feet.

"It's okay. I understand why you did it. You did what you had to do, and I guess I sure as hell didn't make it any easier for you. I know I fucked up really badly, and I'm so sorry for that. It's not your fault, whatever you may think. I want to try... to try to fix the mistakes I made," She paused for a moment, looking into Buffy's eyes hoping the blonde would see that she was serious and know that she wasn't trying to bullshit her and that she prayed to god that the blonde wouldn't just turn and walk away from her. "I don't know where to start... with you, with Willow and Xander, or Giles. I know I need help."

"I also need you to know why I did those things. I'm not trying to excuse my actions. I was fucked up and I'm really sorry for letting everything go so far. I hated the fact that you could get to me, that I let you get to me. I was jealous of everything you had that I didn't. I was jealous of everyone else in your life that got your attention too. Willow, Xander, your Mom, Giles, Angel... and well, mostly Angel. I knew you would never look at me the way you looked at him. Your eyes drew me in and I got lost in them whenever you looked at me and when I couldn't have you, I lost it and I just wanted to hurt you. I'm so sorry, Buffy."

"Faith, uh... wh-what are you trying to tell me?" She could have just about kicked herself for asking because she wasn't even sure she wanted an answer but braced herself for it anyway.

"I fell in love with you Buffy, and I couldn't deal. I still am and I can't stop. God knows I've tried to. I've even tried running away from you and I can't even do that. I keep getting drawn back... But if you tell me to leave now, I will. I'd leave and never come back. I'd understand why." She looked down at the ground and kept her eyes there for the fear that if she looked at Buffy all she would see would be the blonde hating her.

Buffy, for her part, was mostly stunned. She had sort of known what Faith had been trying to tell her but had hoped it wasn't because she wasn't sure if it was something she could deal with. But there it was, out in the open air between them, so she would deal. She had to, for both their sakes and her own peace of mind. It would put an end to the uncertainty, one way or another.

She looked at Faith with her emotions running helter-skelter through her. The brunette's chin was resting dejectedly on her chest, her hair falling in soft, velvety waves to cover the shame that was written all over her face. She looked so vulnerable to the Slayer. All Buffy wanted to do was pull Faith into her arms, hold her close and comfort her. Tell her everything would be okay. But *why*? The fog of confusion began to lift in Buffy's mind as her emotions began to fall into place and make some sense. *She loved Faith*. Always had.

That's why it had hurt so much when she'd stabbed the other Slayer in the stomach, and when they'd done all those other horrible things to one another. It had felt almost like she'd been killing a part of herself. She realized too, that it hadn't been Faith she was jealous of when the other Slayer had kissed Angel. It was Angel for being where she wanted to be and just couldn't allow herself to. Angel had confused everything and he had been a smokescreen for her to hide behind so she wouldn't see her true feelings. Or name them.

Well, now she had realized she wasn't letting Faith go again. Faith, taking the extended silence as rejection, turned to leave with tears in her eyes.

"You don't have to go. I-I,... I'd like you to stay, in fact, I want you too and... uh... and I sort of have a confession to make as well."

Buffy closed the distance between them and took Faith's hands into her own. A tingle ran up the blonde's spine at the contact and, finally, she knew it was the right thing for them. Faith raised her eyes from their joined hands to look at Buffy and the blonde Slayer took the opportunity to claim Faith's lips in the tenderest of kisses. Faith's eyes fluttered shut as Buffy's lips touched hers.

The brunette couldn't quite believe what was happening. It was something she had dreamt about and wanted for so long. The kiss only lasted a few moments but to the dark- haired Slayer those few moments seemed to last an eternity and then it was over all too quickly. Buffy pulled her face away from Faith's slightly as they both opened their eyes. Buffy touched her fingers to her lips.

"That was... Wow!" Buffy exclaimed softly. She looked at the brunette who looked sort of shell-shocked. Faith was still trying to recover when Buffy decided to add to the shock by saying, "Faith, I'm kinda in love with you too. Well, not kinda, I *am* in love with you. I have been for a really long time. I only wish I'd realized sooner before we had to see ourselves do all those bad things to each other.."

"You... you... you can't. I'm no good for you B, not like that. I know that now. That's why I'm not jealous or anything anymore. I've let it go." The brunette hesitated a moment then asked softly, "But... when? How long?"

"Probably the very first night. When I saw you dancing at the Bronze. Even then, something about you caught my attention. Even before I found out you were a Slayer. I've never felt anything like this before or since, except when I'm around you... And anyway, who are you to decide what or who isn't good for me? I love *You*, Faith. I'm not letting you go again. Not now that I know how I really feel about you. I *can't*. Losing you before hurt me so bad I thought it would kill me. Even Angel leaving didn't hurt anywhere near as-"

"What?" Faith interrupted her. "He survived." She said gently. "But then *you* must have... oh." Realization dawned. "Then... he left? When?"

"Yeah, I did." The blonde admitted softly. "Then he left. Right after Graduation. It was a dead end road anyway and we both knew it. Anyway, stop sidetracking me. Faith, we can do this... together. Somehow, we'll find a way. I'm sure of it." Something else was bothering the brunette now.

"That's always a good start. Plus, I believe in you and I don't ever give up on people I love, ever."

Faith's heart skipped a beat at the words. To know finally, after all the uncertainty, that Buffy loved *her*, it felt amazing to the dark-haired Slayer. She knew the she couldn't leave even if she tried.

Taking her silence for agreement, Buffy continued, "The Scoobs know you're awake. It's going to be hard at first but they'll deal. A good place for you to start would be apologizing, but one step at a time, I think. Do you have somewhere to stay? No? I guess I'll have to talk to Giles. C'mon, we may as well do this now. I have to report back anyway, let him know how the big bust of a patrol didn't go." Grabbing Faith's hand, the blonde Slayer headed for the gates of the cemetery.

They walked in silence most of the way. They were still hand in hand, but Faith let the petite blonde lead the way 'cause she had no idea where Giles lived. What she did know, at that point in time, was that tonight and next few days, possibly the next couple of weeks were going to be the hardest of her life. She usually didn't do apologies and she didn't know if she was any good at them anyway. There was only one way to find out, she knew it was gonna be hard. But she'd deal, after all, she had Buffy to help her now, didn't she?

"How was patr-" He began to say but stopped as Faith also came into view. Buffy held up her hand.

"Please don't say anything just yet. At least give me the benefit of the doubt and let me explain before you go off at me."

"I suppose." Giles agreed though she could tell it was rather reluctantly. He looked nervously to Faith then back at Buffy. He didn't see any knife at her throat so he guessed, for the most part, definitely not his, all was well.

'The poor man looks more than slightly wigged' Faith thought to herself as she put her hand on Buffy's shoulder to get her attention.

Buffy stared at Faith for a moment and nodded. The brunette Slayer turned her eyes to Giles.

"Giles, uh... look... I just want to say that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for putting you all through so much shit. I know I screwed up pretty bad. I want you to know I don't expect you to forgive me or anything. I just... well, needed you to know that I am... sorry, that is and uh... if there's anything I can do..." She trailed off. Glancing at Buffy she mumbled, "I'll wait outside, I can see you two need to talk." Faith left to wait in the courtyard and Buffy returned her attention to Giles.

"Yes, well... Buffy, I must say an apology was the last thing I expected from Faith. A massacre seems more her style."

"Giles, look... she came to me tonight. She had nowhere else to turn to. She's scared, vulnerable and alone. She's done so much the wrong way and she knows it, and to tell the truth, so have I, all we want is a chance to try and fix things. She has no-one but us, the very people she expects to hate her for what she's done, and she doesn't blame us if we do. She knows this is her last chance to do things right, but she needs help Giles. Our help would be better, but if you and the Gang decide not to, I'll understand and so will Faith and I'll give her my help. I can't turn my back on her... not again. Please tell me, do you understand at all?"

Giles stood there for long minutes, that seemed like an eternity to Buffy, thinking about what Buffy had said. Finally he spoke.

"I do understand Buffy, and I know you. Some might say too well. You can't not help someone who needs it. I also think the fact that she's a Slayer has a lot to do with your decision too. She' the only other person on this earth who truly knows and understands what it's like to be a Slayer and what you have to go through and deal with as a Slayer... If you believe she has truly changed and you wish to help her, I guess I'll trust your judgment, you have my support and you both shall have my help. You do realize, however, that Willow and Xander aren't going to be as easy to convince? She never really did anything to me but I saw them hurt by her. They aren't going to forgive her easily, you know?"

"Yeah... I know and we'll deal with that somehow too. But for now, I have another really big favor to ask. I don't know who else to ask. Mom's definitely outta the question, Faith's not a student plus Willow's more than likely to be there-"

"Can Faith stay here? I can stay for a few days too, if it worries you at all, y'know."

"Buffy, I trust you. As a matter of fact, I happen to have a spare room, as you undoubtedly know, and I could probably do with some company, so I don't see why not?" Though internally, the ex-librarian still had some lingering doubts. Buffy squealed happily and rushed to hug him.

"Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou. You have no idea what this means to me and I know Faith will be grateful."

Giles looked slightly embarrassed and uncomfortable at the display of affection towards him.

"Yes... uh, well... I'll go and make sure the guest room is made up, shall I? You can go and tell her the news. You are welcome to stay, of course," He actually prayed that she would. "If you wish to. I feel that you two have a lot you wish to discuss. But then, I really must get to bed." He looked slightly relieved as he said this, almost like he was grateful to escape another possible interaction with the other Slayer. "Say goodnight to Faith for me, would you? Help yourself to the kitchen. And Buffy?" Giles looked affectionately at the girl he had considered a daughter for so long.

"I have been given to the understanding that uh... sleepovers tend to be rather rowdy. Would it be possible for you to try and keep the noise down, please?"

"Can do. And thank you again, from both of us." Buffy reached up and kissed him on the cheek. "Sleep well."

"You too. Goodnight." The ex-watcher headed for the stairs, picking up his bottle of scotch from the bookshelf as he went.

Faith was sitting on a cold stone bench outside Giles' apartment wondering what was happening inside. She hoped and prayed that Giles would agree to let her stay, and knowing Buffy, she figured the blonde would make it happen somehow. The brunette was still kinda stunned. Buffy loved *her*, Faith.

It was definitely something she never ever would have believed possible in her wildest dreams. And that kiss... there was only one word for that- Wow! She brought her fingers to her lips unconsciously imitating Buffy's earlier gesture. She could still feel the touch of Buffy's lips against her own. She was pulled out of her wonderings by the sound of Giles' door opening as Buffy appeared in the doorway.

"Well my butt's just about stuck to this seat it's that damn cold but other than that... I'm five by five. You know how it is." She paused before forcing herself to ask, "So... uh, how'd it go?"

"Giles said it was okay for you to stay and to say goodnight. I think he's still wigged out slightly but..." She shrugged her shoulders, "Anyway I'm staying too," Faith's eyes lit up in the darkness, "And seeing as we're welcome to the kitchen, I say let's eat."

The blonde shot Faith a dirty look, then she continued with what she had been about to say.

"So I guess it's whatever we can grab and eat cold." Buffy had her head stuck in the fridge checking out the contents.

"Whatever's easy." Faith was looking through the kitchen cupboards and what she came across made her face light up as a cheeky grin spread across her face. "How 'bout a drink to with whatever your rustlin' up there?"

Buffy turned around to find the brunette Slayer holding up a bottle of tequila. She chewed on her bottom lip as she thought for a moment.

"I don't see why not. We *were* told to help ourselves." The blonde figured that she actually had something to celebrate so she may as well, "I won't have more than one or two though, 'cause I am most definitely not a pretty drunk."

"You'd still be gorgeous to me." Faith felt the words slip out of their own volition. She blushed and looked at the floor. Buffy's cheeks also reddened.

"Uh thanks." The blonde accepted the compliment as graciously as she could in her present state of nervous tension before turning her flushed face back to the contents of fridge.

All that had been on her mind since Giles had said yes was what might happen with her and Faith sharing a bed. She was still unsure whether she could cope with laying next to Faith all night the way she was feeling right now.

"Chicken, it is." Faith agreed, happy to be out of the somewhat awkward moment she had put herself in without thinking. She grabbed two glasses from a cupboard and poured them each a shot.

The brunette carried the glasses to the coffee table and sat on the sofa as Buffy followed with the plate of chicken. She sat down next to Faith placing the chicken on the table as she did so.

Suddenly the silence between them now seemed to be hanging in the air rather loudly so she grabbed the remote and switched the TV on. She turned the volume down so if they did talk they could do so easily over the TV.

They sat in silence for a moment longer before the blonde decided she couldn't take the silence or her nerves any longer and grabbed her drink, swallowing it down in one mouthful. She instantly started choking. Faith thumped her a few times on the back as Buffy fought to get her breath back.

"Hey... easy up there, B. You can't just do that without being prepared for it. It kinda burns your throat otherwise, y'know." She looked on as Buffy's eyes leaked a few stray tears.

"Thanks for the warning." Buffy choked out before she finally stopped coughing and felt the warmth from the alcohol spread through her body. She looked at Faith sitting next to her with such a concerned look on her face as she watched Buffy closely that the blonde burst into giggles at the sight.

'Well' thought Faith, 'It obviously hasn't done her any serious damage. It's gone straight to her head though.'

"Are you sure, B? This stuff's pretty strong. How 'bout you wait a minute and eat some chicken first. Plus, you'll give me some time to catch up."

"Okay... but hurry up." She ripped a leg off the chicken. "I wanna 'nother." She giggled again. Faith looked at the elder Slayer sideways but didn't say anything. She grabbed her drink and swallowed it down before returning to the kitchen for the bottle.

Buffy watched her as she walked into the kitchen and felt the first real stirrings of desire curl deep in her belly. She didn't think she could have been more nervous than what she had been before. It turned out she was wrong. Now, contemplating what she *really* wanted to do, she found herself even more nervous.

Faith returned to her seat, passing Buffy pretty closely as she squeezed between the blonde and the coffee table and sat down to pour them each another drink. Buffy didn't know how much longer she could stand the torment of watching Faith walk around in those damn tight denim jeans.

Faith placed the bottle on the floor, grabbed some chicken and began to eat. After a few moment of them eating silently, Buffy turned her head to study more closely this woman she had given her heart to. Faith had swept into her life suddenly, turned it upside-down, then just as suddenly swept out again, stealing the blonde's heart in the process. Now she was back turning it upside-down again. Buffy decided this time she was going along for the ride. With those thoughts, Buffy made her mind up.

"Yeah?" Faith looked up from the piece of chicken she was eating. Buffy closed the small gap between them, taking the chicken from Faith's hand and returned it to the plate. She picked up one of the brunette's hands in her own and lifted the other to caress the younger Slayer's cheek. Buffy thought it felt like rose-petals under her fingertips. She smiled softly as Faith leant into her touch.

"Oh Faith... the times I've wanted to do this and never realized why. I've missed you so much."

Faith swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat as she felt herself becoming wet just from Buffy's touch and the tone of her voice. A look of confusion flitted across the blonde's face as she tried to place the scent, before she realized what it was she could smell. The blonde thought how beautiful Faith looked when she was turned on.

Buffy looked deep into her Slayer's eyes and marveled at their deep chocolatey warmth. She didn't think she had ever seen such jewels. She felt like she could lose herself in them if she just let go and oh, how she wanted to. As she looked deeper she saw more than a touch of lust, and she saw also how the brunette's feelings were showing more clearly than ever before. Faith's heart was calling to her full of so much love that Buffy almost felt tearful. The blonde Slayer leant her head forward until hers touched Faith's and all they could see was each other's eyes.

Faith wondered how Buffy had known exactly what she had been thinking even though she hadn't voiced the thought that had been running continuously through her head since Buffy had touched her cheek.

"And I really want to... want to... uh... make love to you. Y'know... um, if you want to, that is." Buffy was thankful she had finally gotten it out.

Faith was dumbfounded. Buffy just kept surprising her. Then it hit her. Buffy wanted to *make love* to her. She understood then just how much she really did mean to the blonde. Buffy didn't just have sex with people. She didn't sleep with anyone unless she was 100% sure of her feelings for the person she was going to bed with. Faith knew that. Buffy had told her so on one of the many nights when they were bonding on patrol together. The brunette Slayer's heart overflowed with joy and so did her eyes.

"Hey, hey... what's the matter? I haven't upset you, have I? I mean, you'd tell me if I had, right?" Buffy looked at Faith, her eyes full of concern. The blonde felt her nerves begin to flutter even more than they had been at the thought that she might have upset the other Slayer. She reached for her drink to try and calm herself and downed it in one swallow, prepared this time for the burning sensation. She felt the tequila hit her stomach and the warmth spread through her again.

"No, no, no." Faith denied emphatically, though tearily. "I mean, yes I'd tell you but no you haven't upset me. I'm just happy, is all. I don't usually cry either, just so's you know."

"Oh you silly girl." Buffy looked at the girl in front of her adoringly. "Come here." She cupped her hand under Faith's chin and pulled her towards her. She lightly kissed away the brunette's tears, and then claimed her lips for a gentle kiss. The kiss started to heat up and Faith moaned lightly. All she could think about was the taste of Buffy's lips on hers mixed with a slight tang of tequila. She wanted more. She ran her tongue across Buffy's lips in a silent request. Buffy opened her mouth to accept Faith's probing tongue.

All of a sudden, Buffy sprang to her feet, ripping her mouth away from Faith's as she did so. She grabbed the younger Slayer's hand and dragged her up too. Faith had no idea what was happening and the next thing the girl knew she was in Buffy's arms being carried up the stairs to the guest room.

When they reached the room down the hall from Giles', Buffy crossed the threshold and nudged the door shut with her heel. Thankfully Giles had left the light on, so they could see.

"Thank god Giles took his scotch to bed with him. He'll sleep like a baby and we don't have to stress so much about the noise." Buffy finished with a giggle as she headed for the bed, gently placing Faith on it.

"Can't argue with that logic. And I think a certain somebody shouldn't have had that last drink." Faith gazed up lovingly at the blonde from her spot on the bed.

"Oh pssh." Buffy waved it away. "I'm just a little tipsy. Got me some dutch courage I think. It won't ruin my performance. Promise." She grinned at the Slayer below her on the bed. Her face clearly showed how turned on the blonde really was.

"Ohhh... is that so?" Buffy quirked her eyebrow. She pounced, straddling Faith's hips and looking down at the brunette beauty under her.

"It is." Faith placed her hands on Buffy's waist using her fingers to massage the muscles there. The older Slayer bent down to kiss and nibble at Faith's neck. The brunette brought her hand's to the back of Buffy's head as her own head dropped back into the pillow causing her neck to arch. This allowed the blonde more access to her throat.

The younger Slayer began to moan softly. Buffy could feel the vibrations under her lips and this only added to her arousal. She was loving the effect she was having on the dark-haired beauty. She moved up slightly to nibble on Faith's ear.

"Mmmm." Was about all Faith could manage in response. She felt like she was in heaven. Gathering some coherent thought together, Faith decided she wanted to play too. Instead of just allowing Buffy to play havoc with her senses, though that option was probably just as much fun, if not more. She hooked her fingers under the bottom of Buffy's top, dragging it up and over the blonde's head.

The Slayer straightened up and flipped her golden mane back over her shoulders. Faith traced her fingers over the taut, rippling muscles of her partner's abdomen and sides, causing Buffy to arch her back.

This gave Faith the opportunity to sit and she did so, wrapping her arms around her love, pulling her in close. She claimed Buffy's lips pushing her tongue almost forcefully into the blonde's mouth. Their tongues met and danced. Finally Faith had to pull back for some much needed oxygen. Both Slayers were now breathing heavily and erratically.

Faith dropped her head to lap at Buffy's breasts, wetting them through the material that held them bound. Buffy's breathing became even more erratic as the sensations emanating from Faith's tongue wound their way through her body. She forced herself to focus and not just stay lost in Faith's administrations.

She fumbled for the hem of the brunette's shirt. Realizing it was done up with buttons she undid them and slid the shirt off Faith's shoulders before tossing it over the side of the bed to join her own shirt. The blonde reached behind the other Slayer and undid the clasp of her bra. Faith sat up fully and Buffy gasped at the loss of warmth from her breast.

"In a bit of a hurry there, B?" Faith asked as she allowed the blonde to remove her bra.

Buffy gasped at the sight of the perfect golden globes before her. She found herself thinking that the rumors of Faith sun baking sans clothes were obviously true. Buffy realized she wanted more. Wanted to see all of this woman who had come from nowhere and stolen her heart. And wanting nothing separating them.

Reaching between them for Faith's button-fly, she popped open those buttons she could reach before sliding a little further down the brunette's thighs and away from the insidious touch of Faith's hands which had picked up where her mouth had left off. Buffy undid the rest of the snaps and pulled the jeans down, taking them with her as she slid off the end of the double bed. The blonde Slayer was a little surprised to discover that the other girl was not only not wearing underwear but she was hairless too. Faith fell backwards onto the pillows as Buffy stood there awed by the sight before her.

"You are so beautiful." The blonde breathed before shedding the rest of her own clothes and rejoining Faith on the bed.

Faith tried to return the compliment but found that her mouth had gone dry. Buffy lay herself alongside Faith, propping her head in her hand as she flung her leg over Faith's. She lay there for a long moment taking in the magnificence of the woman laying next to her.

Slowly she began to trace circles around one of Faith's nipples. The brunette gasped and arched towards Buffy's hand seeking a more fuller contact. The blonde leant over and took the other nipple into her warm mouth. She flicked her tongue over the already hardened little nub. She began to pull and twist the nipple between her fingers.

"Oh god... Buffy... that feels so good." Faith moaned as her hips began twitching trying to get some friction. Buffy grinned around the flesh in her mouth before letting go and raising her head to look the dark Slayer in the eye.

"It's only the beginning, Faith, my love. Lay back and enjoy it. I promise, it's gonna be quite a ride. I want to show you what you mean to me. What you've always meant to me so you'll never get any silly ideas in your head about leaving me ever again." Buffy lowered her head and placed tiny kisses up and down Faith's lips before engaging her in a heated, almost searing French kiss.

Faith kept her eyes open and looked deep into the emerald green gems above her, which were dilating and getting darker by the moment, glittering with lust, yet so full of love.

Buffy broke the kiss to ask, "Do you always watch somebody when they're kissing you, especially when they're kissing you like I just was?"

Faith silenced Buffy, placing a finger over the blonde's lips. She shook her head.

"No B, it's not the girl thing. I've had others. Guys, girls, it was pretty much all the same. You... here..., well, it's just different."

Buffy got what Faith was trying to say. The other Slayer had never been with someone she truly cared for.

As the brunette looked up at the woman she loved so much she realized that Buffy did indeed get it. She couldn't believe she had finally found someone who understood her, knew her so well, even the bad stuff, and yet still loved her.

"I love you, Buffy." The words slipped out of their own accord. Buffy didn't think her name had ever sounded so sweet.

"I love you too, Faith." She gathered the girl into her arms and held her tight for a long moment.

Then the blonde's desire began to get the best of her. She slid on top of Faith. She sweetly kissed her on the lips before doing the same to her chin. She worked her way down Faith's body with feather light kisses until she was between Faith's legs. The brunette raised her knees to give the Slayer better access.

"Do you know how yummy you smell?" Buffy asked as she inhaled the sweet, musky scent coming from the brunette. She toyed with the dark-haired girl's swollen lips before gently slipping one finger inside her channel. She started a slow rhythm up as she lowered her head to flick at Faith's clit with her tongue.

Buffy kept the slow pace up for a while. A slow gentle rhythm with the occasional flick with her tongue.

"More... please B." Came the breathy request so Buffy added another finger to the one already pushing gently in and out of Faith's body. Her hips were moving in time with the blonde's fingers as Buffy began to suck on Faith's clit. "Oh god... don't stop."

Buffy had absolutely no intention of stopping any time soon. The dark Slayer's hips started to thrust a little faster as the tension began to build for her so Buffy automatically changed the pace of her fingers to match Faith's thrusts.

Buffy lifted her head to watch the intense pleasure pictured on the brunette's face. She curled her fingers slightly to rub off her g-spot. The younger Slayer's moaning became continuous so she pulled a pillow over her face to muffle them. Buffy smiled to herself, she figured she was obviously doing a good job. Faith's hand dropped beside her and she made grabs at the bedspread. The blonde felt muscles clutching at her fingers and realized Faith was closer to the edge than she thought.

Buffy added a third finger. As she did so she felt Faith's hips speed up another notch. She made sure her fingers kept up. She could faintly hear 'Oh gods' coming from beneath the pillow. Somehow, she felt herself tune into Faith and she seemed to know exactly what the brunette wanted and when. She brought on the pace even more thrusting faster, adding some strength behind her arm.

By now, Buffy herself was turned on beyond all sane thought and she started to squeeze her thighs together as she tried to get some relief. Thrusting her fingers hard and fast into the brunette she felt Faith orgasm start and her tunnel begin to spasm. Curling her fingers one last time to hit Faith's g-spot, she pressed hard on Faith's clit. The dark Slayer's orgasm peaked and she came, gushing all over Buffy's hand. She moaned long and hard into the pillow before throwing it off her face to get some air into her lungs.

By the time Faith had stopped seeing stars and had come back to herself, Buffy was up beside her, cuddling her close and licking the last of Faith's juices from her fingers.

"Mmmm, I gotta say Faith, you taste pretty damn good." The blonde had a smile on her face like the proverbial cat that had gotten the cream.

"Oh wow B,... that was... um..." She looked up at the blonde not quite sure how to continue.

"No... actually. That was pretty... wow. I can't think of a better word right now 'cause I'm kinda having hassles just thinking. I can't believe you just did that. I've never come so hard in my life, B." The brunette was still kinda dazed.

"Really. I gotta say B, you were *really* good for a first timer. You're sure you've never-"

"Uh uh. Never, well not with another person, at least. I've had plenty of solo practice though."

"Please don't shatter my ego too badly." Buffy couldn't believe she'd even asked especially after Faith saying she'd never come so hard.

"On a scale of one to ten, I'd have to say..." She paused even though she didn't really have to think about it. "I'd say you were about a twenty. Definitely the best I've ever had."

"Really? You're not just saying that so I don't feel bad." Buffy's face lit with hope.

"Really really. Being with you was all I'd ever dreamed and more." When the blonde didn't respond she looked closely at her. "God, you're really turned on, huh?"

"I guess I'd better return the favor then, and by the look of you I'd best be starting like, now." She kissed the blonde deeply before climbing atop Buffy to work her magic. After all, Faith was a woman who kept her word.

It was sometime in the pre-dawn hours when Faith woke up needing to use the bathroom. She glanced at the bedside clock. 4:43. It was too early to be awake, but when ya gotta go ya gotta go. She went to move and the arms around her tightened their grip.

'Hang on a minute!... Arms?... Around me?' Memories came flooding back. Buffy. Oh yeah, it had definitely been a night to remember.

She tried to work herself free without waking the blonde. After a minute or two of moving what felt like extremely slowly, Faith had managed to extricate herself.

She wandered into the adjoining bathroom and used the toilet. As she was washing her hands her Slayer hearing picked up mumbling from the next room. Having neglected to turn on the light she fumbled for the door handle and let herself out.

She got back into the room to discover that Buffy was no longer in the bed. She wondered where the blonde had gone. She grabbed the bathrobe she had noticed from behind the bathroom door and headed downstairs to look for the blonde.

She got to the top of the stairs to find that all the downstairs lights were on. She realized they hadn't even remembered to switch the TV off. Faith glanced at the coffee table to find that the chicken and the glasses had been removed and that there were noises coming from the kitchen as well as mumbling.

She crept down the stairs and edged closer to the kitchen listening carefully. She heard snuffling in between the mumbling. As she got closer she could pick up what Buffy was mumbling about.

"I can't believe she left," Sniff, "And after everything we did too," Sniffle, sniffle, "I pour my heart out to her and she just," Sniff, "Up and leaves, just like that."

After that all the brunette could hear was quiet sobbing. Hearing Buffy cry was ripping Faith's heart out and nearly breaking it. She knew then and there she didn't ever want to see Buffy hurt ever again. She resolved that she would kill herself first.

But for now she had to stop the crying and this instant. She walked around the door to see Buffy huddled in the corner with her head on her knees. She padded over to the blonde Slayer and squatted beside her.

"Hey, B..." Faith whispered softly, "What's the matter?" Like she didn't already know. Buffy looked up with some surprise.

"What...? Where were you?... Oh god, I woke up and... and you were gone and... and I thought you had left me again." The blonde flung her arms around Faith's neck and kissed her.

"Hey, hey, B... it's okay. I'm here. I only went to the toilet. I should go more often if I'm going to get greeted like this." She smiled at her lover gently to show she was joking. Buffy mock scowled at her.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again." Her expression turned serious. "Promise me, Faith, if you ever do leave me promise me you'll tell me first... please."

Faith looked at the woman she loved with all her heart. She never wanted to leave her and couldn't see herself doing so. She never wanted to be the cause of as much heartbreak and pain as she had heard in the blonde's voice a few minutes earlier. She realized that this was one promise she was going to make and keep forever.

She must have taken too long to answer 'cause Buffy felt panicky and started to plead with her.

Faith wanted to promise her the world and knew that if it was in her power she would.

Buffy felt immediate relief. "Look... I don't care what you do, even if it turns out that we only ever be friends, I need you. I need you in my life."

The brunette Slayer had to admit, if only ever to herself, she felt the same. She didn't think after tonight, though, that they could ever *just* be friends again, either.

"It's okay B. Now why don't you go back to bed and I'll finish up down here. I'm not really tired, anyway."

Buffy looked up at her from under her lashes. She knew it was a look that drove guys crazy and figured it would have the same effect on Faith. She was right.

Faith rolled her eyes and sighed. Yep, Buffy had her exactly where she wanted her. There was no way in hell she was gonna give the blonde the satisfaction of finding that out.

"Good, glad to hear it." They went upstairs to bed, turning the lights off as they went.

Faith stirred as the early morning sunlight fell across her face. There was a heaviness draped across her thighs and it took her a few moments to realize there was also an arm wrapped tightly around her waist. She tried to clear her sleep addled brain to remember where she was.

Everything that had happened the previous night came flooding back to her and she looked down at the blonde head resting on her shoulder. Buffy. The older girl had told her and shown her so many times last night that she loved her. Faith could still feel the effects of that love in her limbs.

For the first time in her life, the brunette felt loved, really loved. It was a feeling she was already getting used to and it was all thanks to the woman who was sleeping peacefully on her shoulder. Faith decided she liked being in love especially with someone as wonderful as Buffy. The feeling was made even better with the knowledge that the Slayer loved her back. Faith decided too, that she was extremely happy if with that, though she was still having troubles daring herself to believe it. She moved just slightly to bring her arm up to play softly with Buffy's hair and the blonde murmured and shifted.

"Ssh." Faith whispered. Buffy raised her head and looked at her with sleep-filled eyes. She gave Faith one of those beautiful smiles that only she could give and normally would have made Faith feel on top of the world, if she didn't already feel that way. "Good morning Sleepy-head." She continued as she placed a kiss on top of the blonde's head.

"Ugh," Buffy groaned softly. "How can it be morning already? We just went to sleep." She stretched as much as she could, while keeping herself wrapped in Faith's embrace.

"Mmm, if you don't stop that we could be in danger of not getting up at all today, and you have school."

The look of feigned innocence was too much for Faith and she swooped down to kiss Buffy passionately, her tongue sweeping into her mouth and meeting no resistance.

The moment seemed to go on for ever until Buffy broke it gasping for air. "Too much of that, my love, and we'll both be looking at even earlier graves."

"Yeah, but what a way to go, wrapped in your arms. Who would ask for heaven? I've found it right here with you."

Buffy looked at her partner and for the first time ever the blonde felt wholly and utterly complete.

"Are you always this romantic in the morning?" She thought about it for a moment. "I guess not. Faith, I never knew you had a soft side."

"Yeah..." Faith seemed kinda embarrassed now by what she had said. "You should get to know me better, B."

"And we've got the rest of our lives to do it." She threw a cursory glance at the clock. "But for now, we'd better get up. If Giles should walk in... well it doesn't bear thinking about. We're gonna need him around so sending him for an untimely visit to the morgue today is so not a good idea."

"Yeah, you're right. But this just feels... I don't know... I know I really don't want to move."

"I know, me either... but we'd better. As you so kindly pointed out to me I have school today and and we've got things to do and people to see..." Buffy trailed off thinking about the day ahead of them." Faith really didn't feel excited at the prospects but she knew if this was gonna work, these things had to be done.

"I guess, with Will and all. You want to do this and I believe in you, so no quitting just cause it looks too hard, okay?"

"We'd better get started and a good start would be getting up." She didn't move. Faith just held her until about five minutes later Buffy threw back the blankets with a sigh.

She stood up and stretched before grabbing their clothes off the floor. She threw Faith's to her and noticed the Dark Slayer was openly eyeing off her nudity. The blonde's blush started at her neck and worked it way up her face.

Faith went to throw the blankets off and get up but Buffy quickly stopped her, as visions of Faith from the previous night flashed through her mind, saying a little desperately,

"Please... wait. I think I need to be out of the room before you get up or we won't leave at all."

"Alright. Y'know it's not exactly easy for me either with you standing there completely buck." Faith grumbled at her lightly.

Buffy gulped quickly and hurried to finish dressing without looking at the bed. She turned to leave asking on the way out, "Want some coffee or anything? Giles should have some brewed by now."

"Pretty good. Faith and I were up late talking. We sorted a lot of things out." She smirked slightly. Yeah, they had talked, among other things.

"Good, I'm glad you two are working out your differences. Coffee?" He waved the pot in her general direction.

"If that question is for coffee, I say yes please. I take mine with lotsa cream and sugar." Faith practically bounced into the room, obviously in a good mood. Giles was looking at her with some surprise at her taste in coffee, not to mention her good mood. "So what's on the agenda for today?" She asked, smirking at the expression on Giles' face.

"You're exceptionally chirpy for this time of the morning, Faith. I wouldn't have thought you were a morning person at all?"

"Normally, I'm not. The way I figure it, Things are finally starting to go right for me." She shared a knowing glance with Buffy. "For the first time in a long time. Don't get me wrong, Giles, I know it will be a lot of hard work on my part. I'm not saying it won't be 'cause I know it will be. But if I can get the really, really hard unpleasant stuff as quickly as possible, I can focus on making up for my mistakes and keeping things going right as best as I can."

"Well, I must say Faith, I think what you're doing is extremely admirable. It's taken a lot of courage to do what you're doing and taking responsibility for yourself and your actions."

"And I gather by really unpleasant stuff you're talking about a round of apologies?"

"Wow, G-man, when did you get so perceptive?" Faith replied jokingly, still uncomfortable with the thought of making apologies. Apologies really hadn't been her thing, till now at least.

Breakfast was over and done with pretty quickly, with Faith doing the little wash-up that remained. Buffy rang Xander, just catching him before he left for work, asking him and Anya to meet at Giles' that afternoon for a Scooby Meeting. Then she had to leave. She was meeting Willow before classes and was already running late.

Buffy said goodbye to Giles and took Faith into the courtyard to have a word with her before she left.

"I have classes until two then I was thinking we might meet up somewhere before this meeting this afternoon. What are you planning for the day while I bore myself to death with school?"

"I might just hang around with G-man today. Keep outta sight, y'know that sort of thing."

"Listen, I gotta go. Promised Will I'd meet her in the school cafe before class. I love you."

Buffy kissed her quickly and Faith watched her leave before turning to go back inside.

Buffy walked into the cafeteria and quickly spotted her redheaded best friend sitting in the corner talking to a pretty blonde girl that she assumed was Tara. Willow had only told her a little about the girl, not much, just that she was a witch and Willow trusted her enough to tell her about the Scoops and what they did. Buffy still wasn't sure that it had been a good idea but she trusted Willow so she figured Tara was probably okay. She headed over to join them.

"Hey Wills. I'm sorry, I'm running late. I had a rather late night. I decided to crash at Giles instead of waking you up at some god unearthly hour this morning coming in." She greeted the redhead as she sat down.

"Cool. I wondered where you where. I figured you were safe, I know you can handle yourself."

"So you've said, Will. It's nice to meet you Tara. I've heard a bit about you, and that mostly in the last week. Don't worry it was all good. It's great that Will has someone to do magic with."

"Look Will, I hate to rush but it's time for my first class. But thought I should let you know there's a Scooby meet this afternoon at five-thirty." She glanced at Tara. "Tara, you're welcome too, well, if you want to. I know Willow's told you about most of it. Adam and all. I figure if she trusts you, so can I."

The blonde Wiccan blushed happily. She hadn't expected Buffy to accept her so quickly, especially after Willow had told her about Buffy's trust issue with the whole Slayer gig. Willow was wearing a huge grin at Buffy's acceptance of the other girl.

"I'm thinking Willow and the rest of us could probably use the extra power back-up too. Listen, I'd love to get to know you some more Tara, but I gotta go. I'm now running late. But we'll meet up for lunch? I'll see you guys later." She left, leaving Willow baffled at her odd behavior. Buffy usually didn't worry if she was running a bit late for class, she'd never blown Willow off so quickly either. And to trust Tara just like that. Something was definitely up and the redhead intended to find out. And definitely before the day was over.

"Bye Buffy." They said to the blonde's now retreating back. She waved over her shoulder at them.

Faith was sitting at a table in the Expresso Pump watching the passersby when Buffy arrived. She kissed Faith on the cheek before sitting down next to her. Faith's eyes lit up at the sight of the blonde.

"Y'know... there, and boring as hell. I've been having not so much fun dodging Willow's questions all day after I told her about the meeting. I'm pretty sure she guessed something was up this morning after I rushed in, said hello and l pretty much left." Faith chuckled. "So, how was your day?"

"Not quite as boring as yours by the sound of it. Man, G-man's actually kinda cool. If he had a life. We had a lo-o-ong, and I mean long, talk over what I'd missed on Passions."

"To the serious now, B. How we gonna play this? They're your friends so you know them better."

"Well... I've been giving it some thought... well not just some, alot actually. I've been thinking about it all day... I've come up with a vague idea that might work. What's really worrying me is how they are going to react. You're not exactly high on their list of favorite people."

"I get that. I don't blame them if they hate me. I deserve it a-a... after what I did. But B, don't lose your friends 'cause of me. I know how much they mean to you."

"Doesn't even enter the game plan. It's probably gonna get a bit bumpy for a little while though. I'm not losing them and I sure as hell, most definitely am not, I repeat *not* losing you. We'll work our way through it. They 're my friends and because of that they'll get over it... eventually. Okay?"

"If you say it'll be fine, I guess it'll be fine." The brunette relaxed back into her chair.

"So anyway, I was gonna get you to wait upstairs. No need to cause earlier fireworks than we need to. There be a small talk on the slayage, and trust me, it'll be small. Absolutely no action in that department lately. Then I was gonna tell them. Kinda build up and then tell them about you. Provided they haven't killed me or stormed out you can come down, say what you need to. After that, I guess we play it by ear and deal with it as it comes, I guess. At least we've got Giles' support."

"Ah... and I'm also having dinner with Mom tonight before we go slaying... I may as well get it done today." Faith suddenly got nervous.

"Just you. Let's keep us under wraps for now and let them deal with one bombshell at a time. They'll take a bit longer with the dealing thing than we did." They both chuckled at that.

"Sounds do-able. How do you think they'll take the news?" Faith was still worried how Willow and Xander were going to react.

"I can't be sure, not really. Anya will probably find it hilarious. She's Xander's girlfriend. She just loves any sort of conflict and-"

"Yeah, for a while now. She's an ex, and I repeat for your hearing, ex-vengeance demon who's now mortal and although she can be a kind of pain in the ass, she does really love Xander. Plus, big bonus, she's like a walking demon encyclopedia."

Faith began to laugh. Buffy looked at her blankly, trying to work out what was so funny. The brunette decided to enlighten her.

"Trust Xander to get messed up with a demon." Faith was still laughing. Buffy started shaking her head, finally catching on as their mochas arrived.

"He would, wouldn't he?" Buffy agreed. "First a Preying Mantis, and an Inca mummy, then you, a Slayer and now an ex-demon." Buffy was laughing herself now.

"Don't forget good ol' Cordy, I still haven't figured out what she was. Other than a mega-bitch, of course. Where's she now, anyway?"

A look of barely hidden, deeply buried hurt crossed Buffy's face before she bit out softly, "L.A. Working with Angel."

"Oh." Faith could tell it was a sensitive subject so she let it drop. "So who else will be there?"

"To finish what I was saying, I also invited Tara. She's a pretty close friend of Willow's and she's also a witch. The way I figure it, she might be able to keep Willow calm, plus from what Will's actually said about her which, mind you, isn't much it seems she's also pretty powerful Wiccan. So if she wants to, I was hoping she could be a big help in taking down Adam."

"That would be the thing that's part demon, computer and human all rolled into one that you told me about in the early hours of this morning, huh?"

"Yeah... and got my ass kicked pretty wickedly both times." The Slayer scowled at the memories.

"Hey B, don't sweat it. He's dealing with both of us now. We're The Chosen Two, remember? We'll kick his ass back into the pieces he started out as." Faith smiled encouragingly to her partner.

"I gotta say girl, I love the way you think." She returned Faith's smile with a huge grin.

Buffy and Faith arrived back at Giles' a little after five. They explained to him their plan on dealing with the Scoobs.

"They were my thoughts." Buffy looked at Faith and then back at Giles as he started speaking again.

"Yeah, I know... but it's not like we have much choice is it? I can't let Faith do this on her own. She needs help and I intend to give her mine. I can't lose her..." The blonde sounded almost panicked as Faith stepped up to Buffy and put her hand on her arm. Giles watched the exchange silently

"It's okay B. I'm not going anywhere, especially not now. I have to try and fix things. This is something I have to see through... no matter what happens. And I can't go far wrong, can I? I have you and G-man to help me, right?"

"Faith's right Buffy. Now, you had better calm down. They will be here soon. Faith, you'd best be getting upstairs otherwise there will be fireworks sooner than we need."

"On it." Faith said and headed for the stairs. Buffy watched her go and Giles watched Buffy.

"There's more to you two, isn't there?" Giles asked once Faith was safely up the stairs. His question caught Buffy by surprise.

"No, no. You will tell me when you are ready. But Buffy, don't lose your friends either. This is going to be a lot of hard work. Not just for Faith. You've decided to stand by her, even after everything, and I by you, and that's what's going to be hard for you. Willow and Xander aren't going to understand at first. You're going to have to make them understand or you may lose them."

"Well, for your sake, and Faith's, I pray you succeed and knowing you, you'll find a way to do that. One other thing, and I hate to ask, but did you happen to see Riley today? He rang and said he had some information for you or something."

"Oh god... Riley. I completely forgot about him. What with Faith and all." Buffy couldn't believe she'd forgotten about Riley. She'd been so wrapped up in Faith. She guessed all she could do was deal with him. As soon as possible!

Buffy was about to respond when the door opened, and Xander and Anya walked in. Effectively putting an end to Buffy and Giles' conversation.

"Yes, ours began and hopefully will end with sex. I like days like that. Xander this is boring. Can we go have sex again?" Xander cleared his throat as Giles took off his glasses and began to clean them.

"An, honey, I already told you, Scooby meeting first, then that's for afterwards." Xander was blushing even as he answered his girlfriend. Anya hmpfed and sat down on the couch, dragging Xander down with her. "So... uh, where's Will? Isn't she usually here by now?" As soon as Xander finished speaking the door opened to reveal Willow and Tara giggling like school girls. "Mention her name and she appears. Will, is this some new magic you're gonna give us the willies with?"

"Hey guys. Guys, this is Tara. Tara, this is Giles, Anya and the guy who thinks he's funny is Xander, and you know Buffy."

"H-hello." The shy blonde dropped her head as she spoke so her hair fell forward to cover her face.

"Hey Tara." Buffy greeted the Wiccan before turning to face everyone. "Now that everyone's here, let's get this underway. We have a lot to cover." She shifted nervously from foot to foot. Willow caught the gesture, but decided not to say anything. Yep, something was definitely up with Buffy. She figured she could talk to her about whatever it was that was bugging her later, back at the dorm. Xander piped up.

"What could there be? Didn't we cover everything yesterday? Or did you find Psycho Slayer and whoop her butt?"

Buffy only just held herself back from hitting him. Fire flashing in her eyes she snapped at him.

"She's not psycho and if you say something like that again Xander, the butt whooping is gonna be you!"

"I'm sorry Xander." The blonde apologized feebly. "I don't know what happened. I just don't think I'm in the mood for jokes."

"Hey, no sweat. I can deal. No jokes, got it." He smiled at Buffy to show her all was forgiven. The Slayer turned backed to the group.

"Right, to business. Will, how's the progress on your access to the Initiative's computer files?"

"Well, not so good, It's a lot of advanced technology. More advanced than I've seen, there are a lot of traps and stuff I gotta get through. I'm working overtime on it but it's gonna take some more time."

"I'm not even sure how much time we have. Adam's planning something big. I just wish I knew what. Demon activity's slowed way down, so slow it's not even a trickle. Patrols are a big fat no go. The one's I do find seem... I don't know, braver, if it's at all possible. I think Adam's controlling them somehow, and the one person who could possibly know found herself skewered and kebabed."

"Yeah, I know. She was our Psyche professor though, and for all that she was, she was good at that. But something big is brewing, guys, so big I can almost feel it, and I really wish to god I knew what it was." Buffy stood there for a moment with a thoughtful look on her face.

"So... I guess you find Army boy and see what he's found out." Xander stated. Buffy blanched a little at the mention of Riley.

"An, we discussed this already." Xander had the grace to look embarrassed at his girlfriend's forthrightness.

"Oh. Right. Continue." Anya waved her hand at Buffy. Xander returned his attention to the Slayer.

"Buff, you mentioned on the phone this morning that you wanted to discuss Faith. So... 'sup? Did you find her? Personally, I'm kinda hoping she's skedaddled outta town, if she knows what's good for her, then we don't have to worry about staying alive. She can be someone else's problem for a change." The hatred was easily recognizable in his eyes.

"Yeah what? Yeah, she's skipped town, which I'm really hoping, or yeah, you found her?" Xander had to ask.

"Uh yeah... I, uh... found her." Buffy looked nervously around the room, trying to avoid the other's gazes as she again shifted from foot to foot.

"Uh... W-who's F-f-faith?" Tara tried to ask Willow but got no response as the redhead had her attention fully focused on Buffy.

"Well, er... she came to me actually," Buffy almost wished a hole would open at her feet and swallow her up as she felt the looks she was getting off Xander and Willow boring into her. "And... and she wants help. To change her-"

"And you fell for it, didn't you?" Xander burst out, interrupting her. "She's evil, sick and twisted. Oh, and did I forget to mention psycho? She's lying. She's saying that just to fool you." His voice rose an octave or two and he began yelling. "She can't be trusted, Buffy. She's tried to kill you I don't know how many times, tried to stab Willow, not to mention trying to strangle me. Where is she? Buffy, what the hell are you thinking?" Xander had risen from the couch in the middle of his tirade.

"Xander, it's not like that. Please let me explain." The blonde pleaded with him a little desperately. She should have known he would react like this.

Faith appeared at the top of the stairs, Xander's yelling bringing her from the sanctuary of her room. Giles and Willow looked up at the same time. The redhead's face turned ashen, causing Xander to turn and look too.

"She's *here*!!! Giles, don't tell me she got to you too. Have you both lost your friggin' minds?"

"*NO!!!* Most emphatically not! I think I've heard enough already. Anya, come on, we're leaving!"

"Xander... please wait." Faith finally spoke from her position at the top of the stairs.

"Why?? What could you possibly say to change anything? I think you made yourself perfectly clear the last time we met. Anya, let's go. And Buffy... when you decide to come to your senses, come and see me. Until then, Good. Bye." He dragged a grumbling and complaining Anya from the couch and they left, Xander slamming the door behind him.

Buffy turned to her best friend. Willow looked like she was about to explode and she had hold of Tara's hand in an almost vice-like grip. She calmly said, though,

"Explain." Buffy was surprised Willow was so calm because she could see how angry the Wiccan was.

When she reached the bottom, she stopped and looked at Willow before looking at the floor to give herself time to put the thoughts in her head in order.

Faith finally looked up at the redhead, who was stunned to see so much pain and regret in the Slayer's eyes. Faith took a deep breath and began.

"First of all, I'd like to say I'm sorry for everything I ever said or did wrong to you Willow."

The Wiccan's jaw just about hit the floor. Or at least it felt that way to her. The very last thing she'd been expecting was Faith to say sorry.

"I was pretty screwed up back the and I did some pretty screwed up things. I can't even begin to tell you how awful it feels to have that on my hands and it's something I know will never go away. I know I can't undo what I've done and what happened, as much as I would like to take it all back. I can't even begin to explain why I did those things. I don't blame you if you hate me. I probably would if I were you. And I know I have no right to be asking anything of you but I am. All I'm asking is a chance to prove to you how sorry I am. I'm not asking you to trust me or anything, and well... I guess that's it." She dropped her head feeling emotionally drained. Sharing wasn't something she was used to. Nor was apologizing.

She went and sat on the chair at the other side of the room from Willow, near Giles. Willow just sat there, half stunned, as her 'thinking face' slipped into place. Buffy and Giles left her to it, knowing she needed time to process it all.

Giles motioned to Faith to follow him and they moved to the kitchen to make tea.

"A little better after apologizing. It's still a hard thing to do but." Faith kept her voice low. The ex-watcher nodded in understanding.

"I'm glad. I know this is something you feel you have to do and see through. Now would you like some tea?"

"G-man, that would be great. It may even settle the butterflies that are doing jigs in my stomach right about now. And thank you. Not just for the tea, but for everything."

"You're welcome, Faith and it's my pleasure." He smiled benevolently at her, glad that the girl in front of him was finally allowing her true self to come through and be seen. He raised his voice a little, enough for his guests to hear. "Tea, anyone?"

Willow hadn't even heard. Tara turned back to the redhead who twisted to look at her.

Faith returned to the living room, sitting on the arm of Buffy's chair and reached for the elder Slayer's hand. She turned her attention to Willow. Awaiting judgment. Buffy could sense how nervous Faith was and gave her hand a gentle squeeze as she said in a low voice, meant only for Faith's Slayer hearing.

Giles came out carrying a tray of tea and sat it on the coffee table, before returning to his chair. He poured for Tara, Faith and himself then sat back with his cup to watch the proceedings. Faith watching the two Wiccans got this very real feeling that the two girls were talking, though she couldn't hear it. It might have had something to do with her tingling Slayer senses when she looked at them. They were and it was going something like this...

<Tara, how can you be asking me to do this? She's probably acting. She's a good liar.>

...Twenty minutes later, Tara noticed her untouched cup and Willow showed she was through thinking. She turned to face the Slayers. Buffy was a little surprised it was so quick. The redhead was usually pretty indecisive.

"Alright, I've given it some thought. Faith, I don't know why but I believe you when you say you are sorry. This doesn't mean I forgive you or trust you in any way, but I am willing to give you a chance to prove yourself. Buffy seems to think you've changed and that it's worth it to help you, as it seems does Giles. Because they are my friends I trust them and want to help them so I guess I have to help you. But I warn you now, don't cross me or my friends again or you may find yourself somewhere really unpleasant. Say... like a hell dimension."

Faith looked at Willow and suddenly felt very scared. She just nodded, the fear showing plainly in her eyes.

"Uh... yeah, there is one thing, Will. Is there any possible way you can fix Faith's record with the cops to keep them off her tail? A Slayer would be no help behind bars. I just need to make sure... you know?"

"Listen, Tara and I have to go. We have a test tomorrow and Tara needs some study help. Will I see you tonight at the dorm or do you wanna catch up before class tomorrow?"

"I'll crash here again tonight. Tell you what, you be in the cafe, I'll bring the mochas and we can talk. We need to."

"You said it." Buffy acknowledged with a half smile. "I hate to say this, but I have to go too, or I'll be late for dinner with my Mom. I'm sorry Faith, I know you were hoping to talk."

"See you later Buffy." Giles turned to the Slayer beside him. "Let's order take-out. I don't much feel like cooking."

As Faith approached the house in Revello Drive she checked he watch. 8:15. She was early. 'God, Faith,' she thought to herself. 'Eager much?' She got to the front walk and noticed Buffy sitting on the steps, head buried in her arms.

"Hey, B." She said softly so as not to startle the blonde. Faith knew better than anybody not to sneak up on a Slayer. Buffy raised her head, she had been crying.

"Hey you." She attempted a smile. She stood up, linked her arm through Faith's and said, "Let's get out of here."

"That would be a hell of an understatement." The blonde answered Faith's question.

"Okay, but just so you know, I'm here if you need me and I believe things will sort themselves out eventually. We've just got a few hurdles is all."

"Thank you. That means alot." Faith dropped her arm to wrap it around Buffy's waist. She gave a quick squeeze in response.

After a quick sweep of a few cemeteries and coming up empty they decided to head for Breaker's Woods.

They approached the edge of the woods and entered. They both automatically slipped into slay mode and separated but still walked close together.

Faith had a concern on her mind and was trying to find the best way to broach it.

"So B, Where do you think Adam's hiding out?" 'Not the best start," she thought, 'But it'll have to do.' "Everything seems okay but... uh I don't fancy going up against this thing with no kinda backup." Adam sure as hell wasn't what she wanted to discuss.

"We're just going for a look-see. We see demons, we fight. We see Adam, we run. Besides, it's not like we can get lost, the woods are only a couple of miles wide." The blonde headed further into the woods with the brunette trailing.

"Yeah?" If Buffy had been paying full attention to the Dark Slayer she would have caught the use of her full name, which Faith only used when she was being serious about anything.

"Well, provided we don't get attacked and die, I was planning on going back to Giles' and ravishing you. Every time I looked at you today it was all I wanted to do."

"Oh... well, as long as it's okay with you, I kinda wanted to do the relationshippy thing."

"No, I just wanna screw your brains out. Of course, really." Buffy looked at the younger Slayer closely, scrutinizing her in the dark. "What are you thinking, Faith?"

"Well... um... you see, the thing is... um..." She stopped, sighing in exasperation at her inability to express what it was she felt. Buffy closed the distance between them, placing her hands on Faith's hips, turning the girl to face her properly.

Suddenly Faith started crying. Buffy opened herself up to their connection and sensed Faith's insecurities. She cupped Faith's cheek, feeling the girl lean into her touch.

"Faith, I want to tell you something. Before you came into my life and turned it upside down there was a hole in me. I felt empty. My life was boring, slaying was a job that had to be done. You changed all that. You changed me. You filled that hole and made me feel complete. You taught me slaying was fun, not a job. You taught me to live life a little dangerously. Yeah, it scared me a little and excited me a lot, though I refused to admit it." She paused to see what effect this was having on Faith before continuing. "You kept me on my toes, I never knew what to expect from you. You taught me all that. But the feelings you evoked in me then terrified me... I'd never felt anything so powerful, even my feelings for Angel paled in comparison... So I pushed you away and kept you at arm's length 'cause I couldn't deal... I guess I pushed you too far and by the time I realized I couldn't lose you, I had. And my life became empty again. I missed you terribly and hoped like hell for you to wake up so we could sort everything out and then I could get you back. I never saw it as love, though that's what it was. That scared me too. So I refused to see it and I lost you. I don't wanna lose you again. Whatever's scaring you and you're trying to run from, your past, you, whatever, we'll face it together and we'll get through it... together. Trust me Faith, please. Let me in." Buffy hoped she had got through to her slaying partner and, hopefully, girlfriend.

"I want to... it's just... welll, for once in my life everything is getting really good... and I don't want to fuck it up... I don't feel... good enough... don't feel like... I deserve... a second chance... with you, with the Scoobs... I've fucked up so badly... I've killed... so much blood," She looked down at her hands, "So much blood on my hands... I guess I don't... I don't feel... well, feel good enough for you. How can you love me after... well, after everything? How can I reach any of your standards?" She breathed in deeply, grateful at least that she'd gotten it out, even if it all came out disjointed. The brunette's lack of self-confidence was coming through to Buffy loud and clear.

"Oh Faith... what I wanted, operative word wanted, doesn't dictate who my heart gives itself to. Push all the bullshit aside and you *are* perfect. So perfect for me. Who else in this whole world can understand me, who I *am*, like you do? The Chosen Two, remember? I love you for *You*, who you are, not what you've done, admittedly under extreme circumstances. I love you for the good, the bad, what's in you. I know all of it and I still love you. Didn't I prove that to you enough last night? Look at how good you've been for me, Mayor time aside. *I* love *you*."

"Oh B. I love you too. So much it scares me the hell outta me sometimes. Makes me do stupid things." The last part she half mumbled to herself, self-deprecatingly.

"It's okay. Me too. But we'll deal, we have each other now. Now please, let it go for now and let's try to find some vamps to have some fun with." Buffy finished with a long, sweet kiss that literally rocked both their worlds, and banished all the doubts from Faith's mind. Banished all thought too.

Suddenly there was a rustling from not far away. The Slayers jumped apart and instantly went on alert.

A team of commandoes burst into the little clearing the girls were in, causing them to jump back a little. The commandoes ran past and kept going. All but the last one. As he came trough he glanced at them and stopped.

"Buffy?" Riley's voice came from behind the mask he was wearing. "What are you doing here? I've been trying to reach you."

The blonde had paled but in the darkness it went unnoticed. Riley lifted his mask.

"Riley... uh, hi... I'm patrolling, you know, what I do... uh, things have been kinda busy the last couple of days. But we do need to talk."

Faith just stood there, watching the exchange between Buffy and her soon-to-be ex, in silence.

"Uh... actually I'm not staying at the dorms tonight. I could come by yours instead... after you get off. I can't stay long but what I have to tell you can't wait."

"Yeah. So, uh... I'll see you then." She turned to go and hurried off in the opposite direction, leaving Faith to follow and Riley standing there even more puzzled at his girlfriend's odd behavior.

"Can I hazard a guess," Faith started as she drew alongside Buffy. "Y'know just a shot in the dark here, that Beefstick back there would be the current squeeze that you're about to dump for me, but didn't want to tell me about."

"That assessment would be both right and wrong. Yes, I'm about to dump him but it wasn't that I didn't want to tell you. I've been so wrapped up in you, he was *the* furtherest thing from my mind."

"Yeah. I've never had anyone choose me over someone else. Well, it's not like I made it easy for them with the not being there the next day and all, but still... it's wicked cool."

"Yeah, or fate or destiny or whatever. I do know that you and I feels just right..." Faith slipped her hand into Buffy's. "Girlfriend?"

"How 'bout I walk you back to Giles', just in case a big bad nasty jumps out at you," She grinned at Faith to show she was kidding. "Before I go and do the big break-up scene." The blonde suggested.

"Hey." He answered before going up to her and trying to pull her into an embrace but Buffy dodged him and went to sit at his desk. "Buffy... what's wrong?" He was now even more puzzled over her odd behavior, and not mention a little hurt that she'd dodged him.

"Look, uh... I really don't want to have to do this, 'cause I know what it's gonna do and I really hate the thought of hurting you..." She trailed off. Riley now started to feel more unnerved than puzzled by her demeanor.

"What is it? What don't you want to do and how is it going to hurt me? Unless... Oh... You want to break up with me. Why? I thought things were good between us Buffy." The commando looked rather distressed.

"Oh Riley. They were, and you've been wonderful and so sweet and nice. I really care about you, I do. But I don't love you and I'll never be able to. I'm sorry. My heart belongs to someone else and has for a really long time. I just didn't see it till now. You deserve better than this. You deserve someone who will love you for the wonderful man that you are. This is why I'm doing this." Buffy watched is jaw clench and unclench.

"It's that vamp in L.A., isn't it? Angel?" He ground out through his clenched teeth, trying to mentally prepare himself for the answer.

She nodded at him, sad to have to hurt him like this but anything else would have been worse for him.

"Can I know? Know who it is? I think I have a right to know who has stolen you from me."

"Well, before you tell me, here." He tossed a manila folder in front of her. Written across the front in big red letters were the word 'TOP SECRET' and 'HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL'.

She picked it up and glanced through it. She didn't understand a word. She looked up to thank him.

"It's all I could find on Adam. No, don't thank me. I don't want it or need it. If you want to take out Adam you will still need my help. When I have some information I will ring Giles and he can send one of the others to come to get it. I know I really don't want to see you right now. But before you leave, please answer my question."

"Yeah." She sighed. "Her name is Faith." She could see his mind ticking away behind his eyes.

"She's the girl you put in hospital last year, isn't she? The other Slayer. I thought you hated her."

"We did a lot of horrible things to each other. Hurt each other badly. We were both young, well younger, and really confused. But I could never hate her, Riley."

"Then why?... Actually, don't answer that. Buffy, I think you had better leave." It was ripping him apart inside and he refused to let her see that so he turned away from her. The blonde could almost feel the pain coming from him, she didn't need him to tell her how badly she had hurt him.

"Riley..." She was meaning to tell him how sorry she was that he was hurting as bad as he was. He spun on her and back-handed her across the room.

She stood there with her hand on her face, stunned for a moment that he had actually hit her. Then the tears started and she went to leave pausing by the door to look at him.

He turned away from her and she fled, unable to look at him for a moment longer.

Buffy wandered the campus. She didn't feel like going back to Giles' just yet. Faith would want to know why she was crying and there was a very real possibility of Faith going after Riley for hitting her.

She found herself in front of her own door. Of course, she would talk to Willow. The redhead always seemed to know what to say or do. She turned the handle and walked inside.

The witch was sitting on her bed studying, and looked up when she heard Buffy come into the small room. Seeing the tears on her best friend's face she was immediately concerned.

"Buffy," Willow's worry came through on that one word. "What is it? Are you okay? If she's hurt you, I swear I'll-"

"Riley...," The Slayer paused and took a deep calming breath. Willow moved over next to the other girl and wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a comforting gesture. "He... he hit me after I broke it off with him."

"Why would Riley hit you? He loves you." She paused for a moment. "Hang on a minute. You broke it off? When? Why?"

"Yes. Just now and I don't love him, in that order. He deserves someone who will love him." Buffy was happy that she had successfully dodged the hitting question.

"Don't be." Buffy sniffled. Her tears were drying now. "It's for the best. He's still willing to help us take down Adam though."

"That's understandable, but sometimes these things can't be helped." Willow commiserated. Buffy switched topics, feeling slightly better. She handed the hacker the files Riley had given her.

"This could help with Adam. I looked at it but it's all gibberish to me. Think you can translate?"

"Sounds like a plan. Do you think Tara will be willing to help us with Adam?" Buffy asked.

"Honestly... I don't know. All we can do is ask. I will if you want." Much as Willow didn't like the idea of putting Tara in danger she knew that decision could only be made by Tara herself. And obviously if Buffy was asking, they'd probably end up needing her.

"Yeah, a dose of Willow always cheers me up." Buffy smiled at her best friend to show she was fine.

"Good to know. But right now," Willow stifled a yawn. "Unlike you, my insomniac friend who can run on only a few hours sleep, I'm feeling a need for the land of z's." She began clearing the books off her bed.

"Well, I'll let you get to bed the, I have to get back to Giles' before they both start to worry. Just one thing though?"

"Buff, you know Xander, he'll calm down in a day or two. He always reacts like this. He's so stubborn and pig-headed." She shrugged. "If he wasn't he wouldn't be Xander. But I know how you feel about helping Faith. Plus, big bonus, she wants to change. I'll talk to him and try to get him to understand."

"Oh Will, thank you. For understanding today, as well. You're the greatest. The bestest friend ever." She hugged the redhead.

Faith was channel surfing when Buffy got back to Giles'. The brunette looked around at her before hitting the power button on the remote.

"Well, I have one very hurt and pissed ex-boyfriend. I think I kinda dented his ego too." She sat down next to Faith, who wrapped her arm around the blonde Slayer.

"Uh yeah. He wanted to know why. I sorta felt he had a right to know why I didn't love him, you know, after everything. He's a good man and he was good to me. You're not pissed, are you?"

"Nah B, I'm five by five. It's okay. People are gonna have to be told eventually. He makes a good start."

"Anyway, I stopped by the dorm to see Wills after. I was kinda upset 'cause I know how badly I'd hurt him."

"Gotta say, I don't blame him. I know what it's like to be in love with you and not have you."

Buffy's eyebrow rose. "I'm so glad you sympathize." The sarcasm was just dripping off her lips, but there was a give-away twinkle in her green eyes.

"Really? Red'll do that for us?" Faith was surprised. She didn't think Willow would've gone that far to help.

"Yeah, I think she's starting to realize how important this is for us, for you."

"I'm gonna hate-" This earned her a poke in the ribs and a playful slap on the arm.

"You might also wanna know B, Giles and I had a D and M when I got in. Gotta say it really cleared the air."

"Yeah, five by five actually. I asked him to be my watcher again and stuff. I promised him I'd listen to him and you. I need to train and everything. I really want to do things right this time."

"It's great, isn't it? Switching gears again, I have a question to ask that I was wondering about. It's gonna sound like it's outta left field, but it's sorta related to what I gotta tell ya."

"He left Willow and left town. It hit her really hard. I don't think she's quite over what he did but she seems happier lately. Especially since she's met Tara, I think it's the Wicca thing."

"What'd he do? Run off with a she-wolf? Animal attraction seemed like the only possible thing that would've torn Wolf-boy away from humping Red's leg."

"Let that one go. Life's too short for long stories. It's why I like comic books. But speaking of Red, I think Tara influenced her decision today. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, it's just what I think."

"What?! The poor girl's so shy she barely said two words the whole time she was here."

"Yeah, and they're like totally into each other, but I don't think Willow's caught on."

"Well... I was watching them today while we were waiting for Willow to work things out. It was written all over Tara's face."

"Oh yeah, I'm dead serious, B. I think it would explain her lifting mood lately. I'm also pretty sure Red's throwing a you though."

"No, the boogeyman and the devil. Of course, Red and Blondie." Faith rolled her eyes at the blonde.

"Smartass. If they are, well, I'll be happy for them. God knows, Tara's been good for Will, especially after... It was what she needed after Oz. But somehow I doubt Willow is... and I don't know Tara well enough to say. If so though, well, who am I to judge? Look where I am." She snuggled further into Faith's side.

"Let's forget it for now and go to bed. I still have plans for that delectable body of yours." She lightly tickled the younger girl's side.

"Oh, really..." They got up to go to bed. "If I remember correctly, you're so stubborn you'd argue over just about anything."

Buffy snorted with laughter, grabbing Faith by the hand and leading her upstairs to bed.

The sound of skin hitting leather echoed around the college gym. Buffy and Faith were training. Buffy held the boxing bag while the brunette was working up a sweat punching and kicking it. Willow and Tara were sitting in the bleachers, lost in conversation, completely oblivious to anyone else but each other, including the two training Slayers.

"Hey B," Faith paused in the middle of a series of left and right punches. "Check that out and tell me if I'm not right." She flipped her thumb over her shoulder, indicating to the two Wiccans.

Buffy looked over and finally seen what Faith had tried to tell her the night before. Faith was smirking, satisfied with herself for being proven right. Buffy's face froze into the 'Why didn't I see that before' look.

"Yo, hey B?" Faith said. "Why the impression of a stunned mullet? I did tell you last night." Faith's words brought Buffy out of her daze.

The witches were still so wrapped up in each other they hadn't even realized that the Slayers had stopped training.

"So what you're saying Faith, is basically I needed to know what it looked like to me before I could see it somewhere else."

They resumed their training, hand to hand this time. They were a blur of flying feet and hands as they each tried to get the advantage over the other. Finally some fifteen minutes later Buffy dropped to the floor in an unexpected move, striking out with her foot and swept Faith of her feet and onto her back. Buffy straddled her chest intent on keeping the Dark Slayer down for as long as possible. She looked deep into the warm chocolatey eyes below her.

"I must say B, that's one hell of a view." The brunette's voice came out low and sultry, laced with desire. But she knew even as she said it that if she didn't get out of her current position under Buffy, Willow was gonna find out about the Slayers' relationship a lot sooner than they wanted her to. Faith could already feel her juices slicking her thighs, mainly from the workout they'd just had but also from what she could see from where she was at that present point in time.

Her comment made Buffy pause for a moment and her eyes dilated and darkened with lust. The blonde felt herself become wet and could tell by the look on Faith's face that the brunette's Slayer sense of smell had picked it up. The pause gave Faith the opportunity to flip them over, slamming Buffy into the ground. She jumped up quickly, declaring,

Buffy stayed on her back, trying to calm her breathing back to something remotely resembling normal. She couldn't believe Faith had actually said that, let alone how instantly her body had reacted.

"Hey Buffy?" Willow's voice brought the blonde Slayer out of her thoughts. she rolled onto her side and propped herself up on her elbow and looked over at the Wiccan.

"Do you and Faith wanna come Bronzing tonight? Tara was just saying she's never been. I think we should take her out and show her the fun she's been missing." Buffy looked over at Faith, who shrugged.

"Why not? I've got some left over energy and dancing sounds like just the cure. It's been a while."

"Great. Sounds like fun. What time do you guys wanna meet?" The blonde looked at the Wiccans.

"Well, how's eight sound, usual booth? Tara and I have a couple of things to do after our last class, and Faith has to go back to Giles', right? So we should meet at the Bronze."

"Sounds like a plan. What stuff Faith owns is at Giles' and I need to see him anyway. So I guess we'll see you then."

"Oh... I see. And how long is this," She made bracket signs with her fingers. "Affair with you and G-man going to continue?"

Buffy had gone to her final class for the day so Faith had headed back to Giles' when they had finished training. Now that class was over Buffy decided she would go buy something new to wear for the evening before heading over to Giles' to see Faith. She felt like something different from her usual wardrobe. Plus she wanted to impress Faith, to look good for her new girlfriend.

As the petite blonde headed down Main Street she window shopped. She came to a shop she couldn't see into so she checked out the window display. A mischievous grin lit the Slayer's face and she entered the store. She decided she'd buy something for Faith, before she went shopping for herself.

"Hey. Is there somewhere I can stash these bags?" She held up her hands in which she was carrying about four bags. 'If Giles knew what he is gonna help me hide from Faith he'd have a fit.' The blonde thought to herself.

"Been shopping, I see? I suppose the hall closet will do? I hear that you are going out dancing?"

"Thanks and yeah. I thought we could have some fun for a change instead of patrolling. We could do a quick sweep on the way home though, I guess." She put all but one of the bags into the hall closet.

"No, I think you both could do with a night off. Don't worry about it. So what did you buy?"

"I bought some new clothes for tonight." She waved the bag she still had in her hand at him. "Plus a few other bits and pieces."

"So I see from all the bags. The downstairs bathroom is free if you wish to change. Faith's upstairs getting ready. She said she wouldn't be long."

Ten minutes later, the blonde was looking herself over in the mirror with approval of what she saw there.

"Mmm, not bad." She said to herself. Her face was lightly made up and the new red leather pants clung tightly to her thighs. She was loving the feel of the leather against her as she moved. Her chest was covered in a black midriff top that was tied behind her neck.

To be quite honest, Buffy thought she looked damn hot and couldn't wait to see the look on Faith's face. Especially later, when the brunette would find out what she was wearing under the leather, or rather not wearing.

She turned and walked out of the bathroom only to be greeted by a low wolf-whistle from the other Slayer.

"Well... I'm impressed. And I gotta say I like the change. Better than those damn pastels you insist on wearing most of the time."

Buffy lowered her voice to a whisper. "Yeah, in that case wait 'til you see what's under it."

"I might just have to do that now instead of later then." She had a devilish glint in her eyes.

"Oh no you don't. You can just wait. Besides what about Giles? I don't fancy him catching us in the act."

"Oh... G-man said he had to be somewhere and asked us not to be too noisy coming in. I think he assumed you were staying. You are staying?" Faith looked at the older Slayer hopefully.

"Well, I can't just leave you to entertain yourself after you get yourself all worked up with the dancing, can I?"

"You could, but it'd be more fun if you were here. And seeing as G-man's not here..." She bent her head and began to place light kisses up and down Buffy's neck. Buffy's head tilted backwards. "I say we have some fun now, because I intend on finding out what's under that leather before we leave."

Buffy and Faith walked into the Bronze and saw that the two Wiccans were already at the Scooby booth. That wasn't surprising really, the Slayers were running twenty minutes late after Faith had delayed them at Giles'. Even this early in the night the Bronze was already rocking around them as they dodged and weaved their way to the back to meet Willow and Tara.

"Hey guys." Buffy slid into the other side of the booth to where Willow and Tara were seated. Faith remained standing.

Buffy watched her walk away, mentally undressing her as she went. She caught herself staring and turned back to the others. She noticed Tara looking at her with a knowing smile.

"So..." Buffy trying not to stammer with embarrassment, knowing she'd been busted by the other blonde, said the first thing that popped into her head. "Have you spoken to Xander yet, Will?"

"I rang but his parents said he wasn't home so I'm gonna go see him tomorrow after class. I'm just hoping he won't throw me out when I tell him why I'm there."

"Let's hope he's calmed down then." Buffy shook away the last of her feelings of embarrassment over being caught staring by Tara. "But enough of that, we're here for fun right? So let's have some fun."

The blonde nodded. Willow grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor, just as Faith was returning with the drinks.

"Thanks." Buffy took a sip and was surprised by the unusual flavor of what she had assumed was coke. "Can I ask what it is exactly you are trying to feed me here?"

Faith grinned. "That would be a JD and coke. I'm guessin' you haven't had much experience with the old turps?

"Nah... I just sorta guessed." Faith smiled at her and slipped her hand into the other girl's. Buffy felt herself melt under that smile. "You'll have to tell me about the pre- historic beer sometime."

They sat in silence for a while just watching the Wiccans dance content in each other's company for the moment.

"Guys, you really should be up dancing." Willow said in her best 'That's an order' voice and looked pointedly at the Slayers.

"Okay, okay. C'mon Faith, we've just been told. Let's do as she says before she goes all 'resolve face'."

"Great, I love this one." Buffy said as she grabbed Faith's hand, dragging her from the booth to the floor.

Willow and Tara sank gratefully into the seat, happy to be off their feet for the moment, knowing that they would be even sorer by the time they left. They wanted to catch their breath before they began the cycle again of getting up and dancing, then sitting and dancing again. They were happy to watch everybody else for a little while.

Faith and Buffy were completely lost in each other's eyes as they danced away. The world had narrowed for them both to just the two of them. When the song finished, the tempo for the next slowed way down and they automatically changed their pace to match.

They swayed closer until they were in each other's arms, and as far as they were concerned there was nobody else on the floor but them. They had completely forgotten that Willow was there and could probably see everything and honestly, they didn't care at that point.

After the song had been playing for about a minute Willow realized that the girls hadn't returned to the table. She moved her attention from Tara to scan the crowd for them. She spotted them still on the dance floor and found herself blinking a few times to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.

There was her best friend quite happily slow-dancing in the arms of another girl, Faith of course, and both looking for all the world like they were deeply in love. For a moment the redhead was literally speechless. She didn't know what to think. After a few seconds she turned to Tara.

"Do you think there's something going on there?" She returned her gaze to the two Slayers, completely amazed at the scene before her eyes.

"Huh?" Tara had no idea what Willow was talking about until she followed the girl's line of vision to find the Slayers dancing, wrapped in each other's arms. She smiled to herself, happy that the sight confirmed to her what she had suspected the day before at Giles', and the very reason she had convinced Willow to calm down and give Faith a chance to prove her self.

What she hadn't known at the time was how long it would take them to get together, but obvious to her now, they were already together then.

"Uh... I really don't know Willow. M-maybe you should ask Buffy." The witch didn't think it would be a wise move to let Willow know that she had suspected it already, because it would lead to questions she'd rather not answer and the possibility of her revealing her own feeling for the redhead.

"Can I talk to you please?" The redhead looked slightly off color. She didn't know how to deal with this but figured she had to find out for sure, and then deal with it. She still had no idea what to think of it, or how she even felt about the Slayers being in a relationship.

"I don't think so." She jumped up, pulling Buffy from the booth and led her away to a quiet corner.

Tara shrugged her shoulders at Faith's question. 'Nope' she thought to herself. 'Definitely not getting involved with this one.' What she didn't realize was Faith already knew how she felt about Willow.

Buffy faced Willow. The Wiccan looked almost green in the flashing strobe lights from the dance floor. Willow wasn't sure how to ask but she started anyway.

"And I won't judge or anything, just be there for you. I have a question to ask but I don't want you to get mad at me or anything. It may not have been what it looked like and it's probably none of my business but I have to ask 'cause that's what it looked like and-" The redhead was babbling so Buffy decided to stop it.

"Will, would you just ask me, for crissakes." The blonde wondered what her best friend had running through her head.

"Uh... I guess there's no easy way to ask this so I'll just go ahead and say it."

The blonde was starting to get slightly irritated and wished the redhead would make her point. She wanted to get back to Faith.

"IstheresomethinggoingonbetweenyouandFaith?" Willow looked at the blonde nervously, half hoping the Slayer wasn't pissed at her and half hoping she would laugh and tell her what a ridiculous though that was.

Instead, Buffy was glancing around nervously. She gathered her courage and finally looked back at Willow.

"I thought so." Willow was nodding slowly. She was telling herself that she could deal and not over-react and make a big scene. And for Buffy, try and make some sense of it in her head. "So I guess now I know why you broke it off with Riley."

Buffy nodded. She seriously hadn't expected Willow to be be taking the bombshell so calmly. Maybe Tara was having an effect on her after all.

"I love her more than I ever thought possible, Will. I have for a very long time. It just took me all that time to realize it, I guess. It feels right to me. Please don't be mad."

"I'm not mad Buffy, don't worry about that. You guys looked good together. She loves you, I can see that. Why else would she put herself through hell trying to gain our forgiveness instead of just leaving like she could have. And now, a lot of the stuff that happened last year with her is starting to make sense. I can't say I completely understand it, but as long as you're happy, I'm happy for you."

"Will, you wouldn't believe how happy I am. How happy she makes me. Now I have an even bigger case of the happies. I hated keeping this from you. I just wasn't sure how you'd take it. I know you aren't exactly her number one fan."

"It's okay Buff, I get that. Listen, we'd better get back over there before they send out a search party. But just a suggestion, Don't tell Xander just yet."

"Wasn't planning to. After yesterday, could you just imagine his reaction considering how he feels about her."

"I know only too well. But if she hurts you or goes all rogue again I'll probably be *really* tempted to send her to a hell dimension or something."

"She won't. I'll kick her ass first before I let that happen. And thank you for being so understanding." She pulled her best friend into a tight bear-hug.

"Hey, what sort of best friend would I be if I didn't? But seriously now, oxygen's becoming a major issue." She squeaked the last part out. Buffy quickly released her.

"Oh. Sorry." The blonde apologized quickly. "I forget my own strength sometimes."

"Well, it's not likely to be a problem for Faith now, is it?" Willow cracked a huge grin at her own joke and walked off back to their friends.

Leaving Buffy blushing and shocked at the fact Willow had made an off-color remark like that.

"So..." Faith began as Buffy slipped in beside her. "What was all that about or dare I ask?"

"Oh... wow... I didn't realize we were that obvious... How'd she take it?" The Dark Slayer looked apprehensive.

"For Willow? Amazingly well. I think, too, it sort of explained some of your previous uh, behavior to her, if you know what I mean?"

"Anyway it also means we don't have to hide anything from her. Like this." Buffy reached up and passionately kissed the brunette beauty.

When Willow and Tara returned the Slayers were still lip-locked and hadn't even realized they were back. Willow cleared her throat.

"Ahem. Are you two going to come up for air sometime soon or are you going to leave poor Tara and I to amuse ourselves?"

Buffy and Faith broke their kiss, giggling and the younger Slayer grinned cheekily up at Willow.

"Y'know Red, that actually doesn't sound like a bad idea. I'm sure you and Blondie here could find something to occupy yourselves." She burst out laughing at the look on Tara's face, knowing the blonde was the only one of the two Wiccans to catch the hidden innuendo behind her joke.

"Faith!" Buffy tried to scowl disapprovingly at her girlfriend but her humor got the best of her and she started laughing herself, having caught the unsaid meaning behind Faith's seemingly innocent joke, as well.

"Thanks Faith, but I think the invitation to hang out did include you both, even if your unsavory appetite has to be put on hold 'til later." Willow smirked at the brunette. Faith was amazed at how far out of her shell the witch had come since the previous year.

"You got me there Red. I'll behave. Wicked comeback though. What happened to the shy little Red I remember from high school?"

"Faith, I think your horizons have been broadened enough, don't you? I'm not saying don't go to college but I think I'd like to be the only one on your horizon here, thanks." The blonde eyed Faith off lustfully.

Willow looked back and forth between the Slayers. She watched the tension between them start to rise again as they got lost in each other's eyes, and began to inch towards each other again.

"Hey guys," She broke the spell between the Slayers. "Remember... Hanging out thing now, satisfaction of unsavory appetites later."

"No. I'm starting to feel like I'm hanging out with two Anya's and she's not even here to annoy me." She smiled to show she was joking. Buffy decided it was time for her to have a poke at the redhead now, after all, she'd given her such a good opening.

"Aaaahhhh... My goddess, now she's channeling Anya too." Buffy's mask dropped and she started laughing hard.

"Gotcha Will." Buffy started laughing even harder as Willow's expression went from pure amazement to amusement and the redhead began to laugh herself. Within seconds all four of the were giggling.

They talked, danced, laughed some more, Buffy and Willow got to know Tara and Faith better and they just generally enjoyed each other's company. Just four friends having a good time together.

Yeah, they still had the problem of Xander to deal with and the even bigger worry of Adam looming over their shoulders but for this one night they allowed themselves to let go. Just be the teenagers they actually were instead of fighters against all that was evil in the world.

After about four or five hours they decided to call it a night. Buffy and Faith escorted Tara and Willow back to the college. Willow told them she was staying at Tara's and they headed for her room.

Once they said goodbye to the witches and the door had shut behind them Faith turned to Buffy. They were both fairly drunk and Faith wanted to get down and dirty as soon as possible.

"So B... Where's your room. Buffy took one look at Faith's face and got it straight away. She took off, heading for her room, dragging the dark Slayer behind her.

Buffy awoke to the sound of the phone ringing on the table that separated her bed from Willow's. Faith was curled up behind her, spooning the blonde. She began mumbling and buried her head in Buffy's back obviously annoyed by the shrill ringing. Buffy picked up the handset to find her mother on the other end of the line.

"Yeah. Hi…Mom." The blonde answered tentatively, stifling a yawn. She felt her girlfriend stir and wake at her words.

-Listen Buffy, I think maybe…I was a little hasty in flying off the handle the other night.-

-I hate it when we fight. Maybe I could give her a second chance and you seem to believe she's changed...- Joyce paused, giving Buffy an opportunity to speak up.

-Yes, well. I'd like to talk to her first. Is there somewhere the three of us could get together? Sometime today, maybe.-

"I guess it would be okay. I'd have to talk to Faith first though. Let's say for now, The Pump at around four."

"Okay. I'll see you then. I gotta go, I've got the morning shift at the Gallery. I love you, honey."

"Yeah, me too. Bye Mom." Buffy replaced the receiver and rolled over to face her Slayer who was now wide awake.

"So…what did your Mom want?" Faith wasn't positive she really wanted to know but asked anyway.

"She wants to meet us today. To talk. To you as well. I think she's dealing which would be a…uh good thing."

"See B…I told you she'd come 'round. I can't say I'm looking forward to the 'Talk' though." She grinned wryly at the thought. Buffy kissed her gently.

"Yeah, but I also remember what your Mom is like when she's not happy." She winced at the memory. "It's so not a nice thing. Pretty scary actually. Buffy started chuckling. "What?…What'd I say that was so funny, B?"

"You, a big bad Slayer, scared of my lil ol' Mom. Hang on…then again, you're right. She can be pretty scary." The blonde put on a mock scared face.

"Oh…you..." Faith pulled Buffy's face close kissed her hard as she began to run her hand and nails lightly up and down the blonde's bare hip and side.

They were on their way for a repeat of the previous night's performance when Willow chose that moment to walk in the dorm door. Buffy and Faith jumped apart instantly and Buffy nearly toppled backwards out of the bed.

The red head immediately started sputtering with embarrassment and her face turned almost the same shade as her hair. She started backing out of the room and somewhere amongst the sputtering the Slayers caught the words: "Okay, turning back around now. Gonna wait outside. Tell me when it's safe to come back in." Willow was flustered by what she had walked in on and pretty embarrassed too. She closed the door behind her.

Buffy had gone red herself. But it didn't prevent both Slayers from cracking up laughing. They were, however, grateful for the fact that they were for the most part decently covered.

"Oh god. Did that really just happen? Did my best friend just walk in on me about to have sex with my girlfriend?" She buried her head in Faith's shoulder, still chuckling.

"Oh…B..." Faith managed to get out between gasps. She wiped away the tears that had leaked from her eyes. "The look on Red's.…face. That would…have to be one of…the funniest things I've ever…seen. Priceless even." The brunette was struggling to regain her breath from laughing so hard.

Buffy was still chuckling softly to herself as she nodded her head in agreement. The blonde didn't think she had ever heard anything as delightful as Faith's laughter. The other Slayer sounded so young and carefree, and Buffy would be eternally grateful that she and Faith had been granted this second chance.

"I think we'd better get up, don't you B? Don't wanna leave Red standin' out in the hall for too long." Faith had another little giggle at why the Wicca was currently standing in the hall as she nudged Buffy to get her to move.

Buffy, instead, cuddled even closer to the brunette, grabbing Faith's lower lip between her teeth. She nibbled for a few seconds before releasing the delectable piece of flesh. "Don't wanna." She pouted.

Faith felt her desire slam through her again at the blonde's nibbling but forced it back down. "C'mon B…Don't make me push you outta bed."

"You wouldn't dare." Buffy tried to glare at her, but there was a give-away twinkle in her eye.

Faith didn't hesitate a second. She flew off the bed and had caught Buffy before she was half way to the closet. Spinning her round and grabbing her up, the brunette planted a hard kiss on her lips.

Buffy was glad that Faith was holding her because she seriously didn't think her legs would be holding her up at this point.

The brunette released her, spun her back around and slapped her lightly on her butt to urge her towards the closet. "Dressed. Now."

Faith spent most of the day just sitting round Giles' waiting for Buffy to finish school for the day. A lot of that time was spent just thinking.

As the day progressed she found herself getting more and more nervous the closer the time got to their meeting with Joyce. She had agreed to it because she, like Buffy, wanted things to work out for them. And that meant having Joyce on side. She really wanted the meeting to go well though it was more for Buffy's sake than her own.

The brunette was hoping that Joyce would realize that she was sincere in wanting to change, but somehow she doubted it. Buffy had told her of her showdown with her mother (and it really couldn't be called anything but). Faith realized the best that would probably happen was Joyce would agree to put up with her.

{They had been laying in bed the previous morning just having a lie-in because Buffy's first class didn't start until 11. There was a comfortable silence even though Faith could tell that Buffy was in deep thought. She, too, had let her mind wander only to be brought out of it by Buffy's voice.

"Yeah, baby?" She looked over at the gorgeous blonde laying next to her. Something was obviously troubling her because she was gnawing at her bottom lip. "What is it B?"

"What about her?" Faith realized that whatever it was about Joyce that was troubling Buffy was obviously pretty serious. And as she realized this she also realized that this conversation was going to be about what had happened the night before.

"I need to tell you what happened last night. But I gotta warn you it was not of the good…Actually it was probably as far removed from good as you could get..." She was still worrying at her lip as she trailed off.

"B, whatever it is, surely it wasn't that bad?" The brunette started to get that horrid deep down feeling that it really was that bad but she really didn't want to listen to the warning.

Buffy sighed heavily. "My mom, she…she said some pretty horrible things about you." She was nervous about telling Faith any of this but she knew she had to. If only for the fact that at least then the brunette would be prepared for whatever was going to happen with her mom.

"Some of the things she said, Faith…I-I couldn't believe it was my mom saying them. It was like a repeat of what had happened with Xander…only…only much worse 'cause it was Mom, y'know? Some of the things she called you I can't even bear to repeat. We ended up having a huge screaming match..." The blonde had started crying again over what had happened.

Faith just pulled her into her arms and held her, waiting for the blonde to continue. She figured Buffy needed to get this out because it was obviously ripping her apart inside.

"I t-told her that if she didn't want to accept you she would just have to deal with it because I wasn't turning my back on you again. And…and she told me………she told me that if I cared more for an evil wh-…I don't even want to think that word, than for her then I obviously shouldn't be there." She paused for a moment and took a few deep breaths. "I told her it didn't have to be like that but, aaarrrggghhhh, she's just so damn stubborn. I swear I was having déjà vu. It was so similar to what happened with Angel when I sent him to hell."

Faith could see that Buffy had passed the upset stage and was heading towards being pissed off. She felt a little twinge at the mention of Angel but decided to let it pass. Buffy needed to get this out more than she needed to be jealous over some damn vamp. Even if it was the same one that Faith assumed was THE love of Buffy's life.

"I have no idea what to do Faith. Why can't she just accept that you're back and that you want to change?" Buffy felt herself getting frustrated and knew she had to calm down.

"B…look, honestly I don't blame her for reacting the way she did. I probably would have done the same in her position."

"Because B, I hurt you. It was you and your friends I went after and hurt. I may not have hurt her directly but she's your mom. If she wasn't reacting like this I'd be wondering exactly what sort of mother she was. It's probably hard for her to understand how after everything I did to you that you could just forgive me so easily. Hell, I'm still having trouble understanding it. But I'm not going to question it. I've been happier with you in the last few days than what I've been in a long time…But that's not the point. The point is Buffy, she loves you and like most mothers would do anything to try and protect their child. And to tell you the truth, if I had a child in the same position I would be reacting the exact same way. It's simply because she doesn't want to see you hurt." She could tell Buffy was thinking over what she had said.

"Okay, I understand that those are all valid points and yes, I have to agree that it's probably what I would do. But I still don't think she had any right to call you all those horrible things."

Buffy looked away for a moment and then brought her gaze back bright with anger. "She's making me choose again, Faith…like last time. And we both know what I did last time."

"That if it's between being a Slayer…or in this case, being WITH my Slayer…then I'm walking out that door."

Faith recalled feeling butterflies in her stomach at that moment for two reasons.

First, the fact that Buffy was willing to go to bat for her and risk her relationship with her mother...

And second, the fact that Buffy was willing to go to bat for her and risk her relationship with her mother.

Faith came out of her musings at the sound of the front door opening. She looked up in hope that it was Buffy returning from school, only to be disappointed by the sight of Giles. He hadn't been home when she'd returned from the campus that morning.

Giles looked over at the brunette Slayer sitting on the couch with some surprise, obviously not expecting her to be home.

"I wasn't either but I had to do some thinking and with all the noise on campus it's kinda of a hard place to think during the day." There was also the fact that she knew if she had stayed at the dorm there was a very high chance of Buffy not making her day's classes at all.

Faith badly wanted to confide in him her worries over the upcoming encounter with Joyce but couldn't bring herself to do it. The Slayers had not yet told anyone other than Willow of their relationship and knew that her anxiety concerning Joyce had more to do with that than convincing her girlfriend's mother that she was changing. She knew if she started talking to Giles about it the whole story would come out and she would rather have Buffy with her when they told Giles of their relationship.

"You do know, Faith, that if you ever need to talk I'm always available to listen."

The ex-watcher was glad now that he had agreed to let her stay. She was showing more and more as each day went past exactly how far she had come from her dark past. It was obvious in the thanks he had just received. She was trying so hard to make amends he couldn't help but admire her for her strength and conviction. And if he admitted it to himself Giles was proud of the woman he saw sitting in front of him and of how far she had come just in the last few days of being on good terms with Buffy. As he thought about it now he also realized he was starting to see her almost as another daughter as well.

Faith walked into the Expresso Pump to be greeted by the sight of Joyce and Buffy tucked into a niche at the back. 'Uh-oh' passed through her head as she registered the apprehensive and slightly fearful expression on Buffy's face, and the hurt, disappointed and slightly pissed look Joyce was wearing. This was so beyond not good it wasn't funny. She contemplated turning around and just walking away, but the thought lasted only a second as Buffy's eyes found hers.

She could see pain, regret, fear but mostly she could see the love blazing for her from the blonde's eyes. Something had gone down, Faith knew that much, and she knew she would be right in the middle of it. But Faith also knew from that one look that whatever it was that she and Buffy would deal with it together. The woman she had dreamed about for so long would fight by her side, where she should be. And not just in the slaying capacity, but in all the ways that counted.

She took a deep breath and headed towards the table, really not looking forward to the ordeal in front of her.

"Mrs. S…" She said by way of greeting to the older woman before sitting down opposite her. The look Joyce turned her way chilled her to the bone and she reached for Buffy's hand under the table.

"Oh Shit!" was the only thought that registered within the brunette. She knew that look. Had seen it many times before. Mostly on mothers that thought she was corrupting their 'innocent little baby girl/boy' with her oh so bad feminine wiles. Little did they know their offspring were long past that stage.

Buffy's hand tightened around Faith's. She was regretting allowing her mother to have a few words with her girlfriend. Both she and her mother had arrived early and Buffy took the opportunity to tell her mother about her and Faith.

Her mother had sat there in silence for long eternal minutes before telling Buffy that she still wanted to talk to Faith. This was all said in a calm, unemotional voice. So Buffy had agreed. And to make matters worse, the brunette knew nothing of this and that told the blonde that there was no way her girlfriend was gonna cope with the venom that was about to pour forth from her mother's mouth. The very threat of it was in her mother's voice and Buffy knew it well. And she knew that now Faith was actually here there was not a thing she could do to prevent it.

The older Summers woman locked her eyes on Faith, murder just about visible in her eyes. "If you even THINK you're going to come near my daughter again, so help me…" She trailed off momentarily, the anger coursing through her almost chocking her. "I was willing to accept you were back…I was even willing to deal with the fact you had 'supposedly' changed. But there is NO WAY in HELL I am going to let you have a relationship with my daughter. I will NOT see her hurt again by the likes of you…" Joyce's voice raised to almost shouting. "SO YOU WILL GET THE FUCK OUT OF HER LIFE FOR GOOD. YOU LOW LIFE PIECE OF TRASH WHO---"

Faith, at the beginning of Joyce's little speech, was all prepared to let the woman say her piece and be done with it. By the time the Summers woman had got to the 'likes of you' she was beyond pissed. By the time Joyce had got to the last word Faith was on her feet.

"Now you just hold on a goddamn minute. You have NO right to call me that." Faith drew in a shaky breath as she tried to calm herself. She couldn't lose it now. If she lost it on B's mum she may as well kiss her girlfriend good-bye too. "Understand this Joyce. Your daughter is over 18. That makes capable of making her OWN decisions. If she wants to be with me that's her choice. We love each other and YOU are just gonna have to deal. The only way I'm leaving B is if SHE makes me. NOT YOU! And as for hurting Buffy, take a look in the mirror cause I ain't the one causing it this time."

Joyce looked at Faith, knowing in that instant, deep within her, that the woman before her had changed. Though she wouldn't admit it on a cold day in hell right now to anyone, let alone herself. It presented itself in the fact that Faith had struck back with words, not violence as she would have done before had someone confronted her like Joyce just had.

Her shoulders slumped. Knowing she was defeated for now. She looked at Faith, throwing the most hurtful thing she could think of at the dark Slayer.

Faith threw her a disdainful look, trying to not be affected by the words. Words that echoed thoughts she'd had over the last few days. She held her hand out to Buffy, who gratefully grabbed it, rising from her seat at the same time.

The blonde looked at her mother, tears shining in her eyes. "I'm sorry you can't accept this. I'm sorry too, that you can't see how much we DO love each other." She paused, waiting for her mother to look at her, which she finally did. "And this time Mom, I'm walking out that door and I'm not coming back till you do accept it, or can at least tolerate it. I'm sorry. I love you but I love Faith too…too much to lose her again."

With those words, she turned and she and Faith walked out of the coffee house hand in hand.

After they had walked a block or two, Buffy surprised Faith by turning and throwing herself into the brunette's arms. She buried her head in Faith's shoulder and let the sobs and the tears come that she had fought so hard against while they were still in front of her mom.

Faith knew why Buffy was crying but knew nothing she could say at this point would ease the pain the diminutive blonde was feeling right now, or ease the way it was crushing her. So she did the only thing she could think of. She wrapped her arms around the other Slayer and pulled her tight against her. Holding her close, murmuring softly to her, just loving her. Giving Buffy the time she needed.

After a time, Buffy's arms unfurled from between them and snaked their way up around Faith's neck. Sending a little shiver shooting down her back. The blonde lifted her head to look at the brunette. She sniffled a few times before saying quietly, "Thank you."

Faith smiled softly at the woman in her arms before leaning in to kiss her gently on the lips. It was a soft, sweet kiss meant to do nothing more than reassure, demanding nothing, but giving everything in return. The brunette felt she could kiss Buffy like this forever but forced herself to pull away, smiling again at the soft whimper of loss her movement caused.

"We should head back to G's. He'd be getting dinner ready soon I reckon. But we don't have to if ya don't want…Whatever you need B…I'm here."

Buffy smiled up at Faith. "I have everything I need right here." She shook off the last of hers tears, resignedly accepting things were gonna be this way for a while with her mom. She tucked her hand into Faith's, marvelling again at how right it felt resting in the brunette's. They both turned and headed for Giles'.

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14 Days

by Elaine aka CrAzY E

Copyright © 2003

faithluvva25@hotmail.com