**I'M NOT IN LOVE**

Started February 2006

Buffy/Faith, Buffy/Angel, (Buffy/Riley probably). Adult Content

The story: Starts during “Bad Girls”.

Beta Reader: Dead Man's Party (Part 14 to end)

PART 1

Angel walked into the bronze on a determined pace, eyes everywhere but not really seeing anyone until he spotted her. He was here on a mission. Searching for Buffy and there she was, on the dance floor.  

The slayers were dancing together, in close contact with each other and some boys lusting over them. Very close... too close. He couldn't help observing them for a short while; the way they looked oblivious of anything else but the rhythm and each other.  

Faith took Buffy's hand again and the blonde girl followed, exposing herself, her curves even more to the boys around... and to the slayer in front of her.

Yes she followed; Angel had the impression that he wasn't looking at Buffy but at Faith's reflection in Buffy... As much as he didn’t like that, it was still the best version to him.

 He didn't like when Buffy followed Faith in her world because the Buffy she then became kept getting always farther from him... Farther from the young woman he fell in love with....

 Not that he didn't like to see her wild and sexy side, but that called on a part of him he couldn't allow to even just surface.

 He almost looked like he was about to go when she noticed him, she headed straight to him and jumped on him, wrapping her legs around him and her arms around his neck teasingly.

 “Hey! You're not leaving, are you?”

He glanced over at Faith and the boys, “I saw you making friends.”

 Buffy glanced dismissingly, “Them.”

 She faced him again with a smile, “Boys. I like you.” She said, kissing him in the neck, it took him all of his will to not let his body react at this; instead it just turned in some somber look. Buffy finally hopped down off of him.

 “What's the matter? You're not afraid of little me, are ya?” She coyly teased.

“We better sit down. Come on.” Was his serious reply.

 He led her away to a small alcove behind the stairs.

 “I can sense this is a business trip.”

 Angel sat and Buffy immediately plopped down next to him.

 He frowned, “Did you drink, Buffy?” 

 “No. Ok, just a bit. I mean... you know Faith; she managed to get two beers... I told her no but... you know her.” 

 “I think I do yes.”

 “Come on it's not that bad, besides I'm 18, don't make it such a big deal.” 

 “Fine.” He didn't look please.

 “What's the what?” She changed the subject

 “Balthazar.”

 She snuggled close to him, putting her hand on his thigh, “Dead demon.”

 “Not as dead as you think.”

 Angel got up to sit across from her, putting some distance between them.

 Faith was still dancing in frenzy on the dance floor, she hadn’t missed the vampire’s arrival though, nor Wesley’s, as the watcher came in shortly after, and she wasn’t surprised when her counterpart took her out of a good time of fun to go out on a mission... Though she didn’t mind that much, she managed to have fun pretty much with everything she did so...

 They headed to the warehouse; their breathing was still heavy from the dancing and the running. They were very high that night, very excited, in good shape and before the mission, they were having a blast. Faith still was...

Dancing, slaying, another thing in *ing* as Buffy thought; all this was a blast to the brunette slayer.

She wondered what wasn’t in fact. But then she realized that so far, the night was still a blast for her too.

 They slowed down as they approached the warehouse Balthazar was supposedly in. They looked in through a small hole in the wall.

 “Okay, we got ten, maybe twelve bad guys and one big demon in desperate need of a Stairmaster.”

 “I say we take 'em all, hard and fast and now.”

 “We need a little more firepower than none. We should head back to the library.”

 “Well, I guess Jacuzzi Boy isn't going anywhere.” She looked around, “I just... wish we had...”

She put her arm around Buffy’s head and pointed her towards the street, “Ah. That is too good.”

 Faith headed towards a gunsmith there, Buffy followed her.

 “Faith, come on.”

 “Battling evil, B. No time to think. Gotta act fast.” She kicked the door opened.

 Buffy couldn't help but smile at Faith's pretext while this one heavily kicked the door aside and stepped in.

 “Score.” 

 “Think they're insured?” Buffy was surprised herself by the lack of real concern in her own voice.

 “Strangely, not my priority. When are ya gonna get this, B? Life for a slayer can be very simple.”

Faith walked to a vertical case, “Want,” she broke it, “Take,” she reached for a set of nun-chucks, “Have.” She finished as she put them into her pants.

 Buffy seemed a bit unsure, but quickly changed her mind as she spied a case of hunting knives.

 “Want...” She walked to the case, “take...” she stopped in front of it, “Have.”

She punched the glass with her fist. As it broke, it disturbed a dagger that she caught as it fell.

 She turned the blade over in her hand, smiling, “I'm gettin' it.”

 A wicked smile formed on her lips at how easy it had been and how far away guilt was for now.

 They heard a slight noise.

 “It's a car?!” Panic slightly took hold of Buffy at that moment.

 “Cops. Come on.” Faith very fast dragged Buffy in the back, she broke the doorknob and they went out by the escape exit. They ran away and turned around the block to go back close to the warehouse. Faith was slightly laughing; Buffy looked less bold this time though.

 “That was a close one.” 

 “You think they saw us?” 

 “They weren't even out of their car, B.”

 “What if there was a surveillance tape?” 

 “I checked that, there was none, don't worry like that. We're five by five and NOW we have firepower.” 

 Buffy looked slightly hesitant but that little illicit adventure far from decreased her excitement and she was still too much in the action to stop now.

 They slowly walked into the warehouse. The Eliminatis were all in line in front of Balthazar’s vat.

 “Hey boys.”

 They all turned around and Faith threw a huge spear she'd taken as well with a bow from the gunsmith. It dusted three of them at the same time before they even understood what was going on.

 The slayers launched at them. Balthazar was screaming his indignation but despite this, his loyal cult kept decreasing second by second so much the slayers worked efficiently and n sync.

 And soon he found himself alone with them, he did try a little magnetism on Faith but the knife Buffy stuck in his brain worked on that, and they finished him like that, with knives.

Faith withdrew her knife, and wiped it with a handkerchief. She was barely catching a breath, “That was some fun.”

 Buffy cleaned her hands; her breathing was as heavy as Faith's.

 “I think this time; he's definitely dead.”

 Faith exhaled as she laughed a little, “Do you think Wesley'll believe he was ever still alive.”

 “Frankly, I don't care.” 

 “Hey, that's my line B.”

 Buffy smiled.

 “So tell me, B. Wasn't that fun? Did we need back up?”

 Buffy just steadied her clothes and put her knife on the side, but her face showed an implicit agreement.

 “Cause you and me, girlfriend; we totally rock.” 

 Buffy kept smiling at her.

 “I'm so juiced.”

They both exhaled loudly as to let out some excitement.

 They stared at each other, suddenly very silent, and Buffy looked the other way, “I guess we should probably go report to Giles, or, go home, and report tomorrow.” 

 “Go home if you want; I'm gonna finish the evening the only way possible.”

 Buffy couldn't help shivering at Faith's husky tone.

 She could feel the heat radiate from the brunette slayer as she was so close now. Buffy turned around, towards the exit to hide her flushed cheeks.

 “Alright, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then.” She started opening the door but Faith walked behind her and closed it as soon, “Come on, B.” 

 Buffy turned around and was way too close to Faith to even breathe, “Faith, I really should go home.” She couldn't help the low breathing.

 Faith put her hand on her waist, “I'm so horny, B.”

 Buffy's heart rose in her chest, she started to think her brain had definitely gave up on her tonight as she couldn't even form a coherent negative answer, all she could feel was that tingling sensation down low, and the uncomfortable feeling of a wet panties.

 And Faith's hand moving on her stomach made it even harder for her to pull herself together.

 “I'll never make it to the bronze.” Faith leaned in closer and kissed her neck savagely. Buffy slightly gasped at the contradiction in her mind; wanting to stop it, and needing it, desiring it SO much.

She couldn't remember having ever felt so horny.

 It happened a lot, to get worked up, mostly whenever she followed Faith in one of her frenzy hunt but tonight....

 **It's the beer... it's only the beer **she kept repeating herslef while Faith moved her hand up to her breasts.

 “God, Faith, what are you doing?” She said in a very low voice.

 “Come on B, you need it too.” 

 Buffy moaned when Faith massaged her breasts but then she pulled slightly away.

 “Come on, we have to hold back, I'm gonna go home now and you'll go to the bronze, ok? We can’t... act on that, it's, it's-” Buffy tried to look elsewhere but at Faith's pressing body on hers as the brunette attacked her neck again.

 “It's too much, Buffy. I'm about to pop. And you're burning too.”

 Buffy remained caught in the brunette’s eyes and Faith pinned her against the wall again, kissing and licking on her collarbone, neck, earlobe, everywhere.

 Buffy was having a hard time to breathe so much desire was overwhelming her.

 She wouldn't have been able to remember her own name at that moment while Faith unbuttoned her pants.

 Buffy moaned strongly at the first contact of Faith's fingers on her clit, she clutched at the brunette's shoulders and Faith started rubbing her sensitive spot strongly, easily spreading the already heavy wetness of her fellow slayer.

 Buffy kept spreading her legs automatically, as much as she could.

 She gasped as Faith slid a finger inside of her; she started moving her pelvis to match the brunette's hand.

 “Yes, that's it, babe.”

Buffy shivered again at Faith's husky whisper in her neck and the brunette kept licking on it while thrusting as hard as she could.

 It didn't take long for Buffy to reach climax so much she was worked up.

 She felt Faith pull apart ever so lightly while she was trying to steady her breathing. The brunette's one was so heavy it overcame hers.

 Buffy heard a zipper and opened her eyes only to be slightly pinned against the wall again. Faith took her hand and guided it under her panties, to her core,

“That's it, yes B, right here. God.”

 Faith started moving herself against Buffy's hand. The blonde took over, installing a slow rhythm.

 Faith had pulled her pants to her knees and she slightly raised her legs up to Buffy’s hipbone, “Come on B, fuck me, fuck me now.”

 She pushed Buffy's hand further down and Buffy finally slid her finger inside of Faith's wetness, “More, I need more.”

 Buffy felt like an automat, she didn't know what was happening but it was happening, she didn’t know what she was doing, but she sure was doing it and she felt so aroused by it.

 Faith's groans started getting heavier in Buffy’s neck. The brunette gripped her shoulders tightly while Buffy sped up the pace on her own choice.

 “God yes, B. Yes!”

 Faith thrust herself hard on Buffy's hand a few more times and she came in a loud sigh.

 She was breathing heavily against Buffy's cheek. Buffy's breathing was barely less loud.

 She removed her hand from Faith's panties and looked slightly stunned. She remained still while Faith pulled away and put up her pants very fast.

 She zipped it back calmly and looked at Buffy. The blonde girl still didn't know how to react to what they'd done.

 Faith moved closer and buttoned the blonde’s pants back.

 “It's cool, B.”

 Buffy seemed to finally get out of her torpor, “How? How could this be cool?” 

 “Listen, it is, really.” Faith's tone was somewhat soothing, unusually calm.

 “I can't believe we did that? I can't believe I did that.” 

 “Listen B, what happened doesn't matter. It doesn't have any meaning other than just letting steam off. Clearly, you needed it.” 

 “But it doesn't make it right to act on that.” 

 “Buffy chill out; it's me ok? I won't tell anyone, you know that. Let's just take this for what it was and not make a big deal out of it. Come on, we had a great night and got a little carried along.” 

 Buffy lowered her head but Faith made her look at her, “You were about to pop, B. One way or another, and you know there's no problem, it's just me. I know how it feels and you don't have to explain.” 

 “But Angel...”

 “You don't even need to think about that. Like I said, what we did doesn't have a specific meaning. No one will know.”

 “I will.”

 “And you'll see it's not so much of a big deal in the end. Come on, B; honestly you needed it; aren't you tired of being frustrated all the time?”

 Buffy remained silent but her situation with Angel wasn't anything else but frustration these days.

 Faith gave her a knowing smile, “It'll be our little secret. It'll stay between you and me so just chill. Go home, relax and... well, relax.” 

 Buffy slightly responded to the smile.

 “So we're good?” 

 “Ok.” Buffy nodded, “You're right I guess, it was just this once anyway, won't ever happen again, ok?” 

 “Yeah, sure, whatever. We should go home now.”

 “Ok. Night Faith.” 

 “Night B.”

 They both went their separate ways.

PART 2

Buffy was very thoughtful on her way home but strangely, to her opinion, she wasn't so much thinking of the guilt over that whole night, but mostly of that sentence 'aren't you tired of being frustrated all the time?', she couldn't get it out of her mind.

 She went directly to the bathroom once she got home, she showered and erased the last trace of desire in between her legs and on her skin; it felt like she could still feel Faith's mouth on her collarbone, in her neck, she shook her head out of these thoughts and focused on Angel instead. She headed to her room.

 She reluctantly went to bed, she told herself that this night was going be a very long one so much she wouldn't be able to find sleep with the whole cheating on Angel thing but strangely again, sleep found her pretty easily and she slept deeply till her alarm clock resounded.

 She had a strange taste in her mouth; she didn't understand how she could feel so relaxed that morning with the events that happened last night.

 But at least, it felt good to feel that way for once.

 Maybe Faith was right, she really needed to let steam off, and maybe it would even help with her and Angel's relationship, if she was less tensed, less worked up close to him, maybe things would not seem so heavy on them...

 Maybe...

Buffy finally smiled and decided to go on for now...

She'll see how it changes her life in time, if it changes her life.

 She went to school; she had this impression of being different but everything remained the same. She had the impression to be looking at the world from an outside spot. Same places, same jokes with her friends, same smiles, same talks, same mission reports with Giles and Wesley...

And by the end of the day she’d forgotten about that different feeling she had at the beginning of the day.

 She didn't actually see Faith that day but she understood what she'd meant.

 She kept acting very casually and felt good. She saw Angel the next day and was highly tensed the first 5 minutes but then she relaxed again as he didn't yell or repudiate her.

Weren't vampires supposed to feel these things?

 She’d been so sure he would notice, say something, know it, but no. He acted exactly as usually, asked her how she was, she might have seem a little more tense than usual but he was so used to see her that way that it didn't trigger anything in his mind.

 Buffy felt glad about it, then she felt bad about it because then it probably meant he trusted her too much to even imagine something like that. Or then she thought, maybe it wasn't noticeable because, like Faith had said; it had no other meaning than to ease some pent up frustration. Then her head started to spin a little so she thought she should just simply stop thinking, period.

 And so she finally spent a nice evening with her honey. Nice and busy though as they patrolled for a while.

Faith came in the next day, Buffy didn't really know how to act at first but she very fast followed the brunette's casual ways.

She'd said it, it would stay between them and no one would know and so far there was no way people could tell anything from the way the brunette acted, and Buffy found it strangely easy to also act like nothing had happened.

 The week went by and Buffy told herself that, in the end, nothing really happened since it really had no specific meaning...

 It couldn't mean anything definite anyway because it was Faith and it was her, and besides, she was in love with Angel...

 And as the days passed by she even found it hard to keep this slight feeling of guilt towards him.

 A whole month went by, they were all pretty focused on finding out what Mayor Wilkins was up to as a couple of nights after Faith and Buffy's wild night, deputy Mayor Allan Finch came to find them to warn them about the Mayor being involved in the occult, in something bad.

 Deputy Mayor was since then missing. The girls didn't know if someone made him disappear or if he'd left by fear of reprisals.

So they were all in research mode, spending most of their free times at the library, the core of the gang at least, like usual. Faith wasn't so much a research type of girl. So Buffy spent times with her friends which was great because she wasn't patrolling with them much anymore, that territory was left to Faith and Angel. Buffy shared her nights patrolling with the two of them, rarely all three together as there was a slight unease then.

Buffy didn't put that on the count of that night with Faith since the unease was already noticeable before that. She just put it on the account that Angel was, despite it all, still a vampire and Faith was a vampire slayer NOT in love with him so...

 So she shared her slaying nights.

 Nights with Angel were little less busy, or not the same type of busy, they alternated between slaying, kissing and getting frustrated at some point.

Nights with Faith were always busy with slaying. And they were never uncomfortable about what had happened. Buffy cut shorts a couple slaying nights though when she felt that low tickle a little too much and then headed home so as to not think about what had happened between them too much.

And that way it was always fun.

 It was Saturday, Buffy was supposed to go see Angel and spend the evening patrolling with him.

 They had argued the night before; she admitted she was bad moody so she said she'd spent most of the afternoon and night with him to make up for it. She was looking forward to it, even if, every time they stayed for most part of the night together at the mansion, they always ended up frustrated a little bit, but she wanted to be with him so, she would get over that feeling once again as she told herself.

 She was on her way there when Faith arrived running.

 “What's the matter?”

 “Giles was attacked!” 

 “What?!” 

 “He's fine, don't worry, Xander and Willow took care of that. He just got knocked out.” 

 “Again?” Buffy shook her head, “I mean, who did this?!” 

 “Remember the sisterhood of Jhe?” 

 “How could I ever forget?” 

 “Well, two of these bitches came back after some pendant Giles had the replica of at home. He got lucky they only knocked him out. They turned his place upside down. Giles said they will go to some down Lander’s crypt cause now they know the real pendant is there.”

 “They're trying to open the Hellmouth again?!” 

 “No, I mean, Giles said no, he said they can't but the pendant might help them gathering more of them here, like revive the dead ones, you know. And frankly, I don’t want that to happen, they were wicked strong. Don't need an army of them here, got enough trash already.”

 “Ok. So you know where the place is.”

 “I think I got it right..”

 “Alright let's go.” They started walking but Buffy stopped in her track, “Angel?” 

 “What?” 

 “I need to warn him. We were supposed to meet right now.” 

 “We don't have time, B. Can’t let them use that pendant.” 

 “But he could help us fight them?” 

 “Day light, B? No time, you'll call him later now come on!”

 They started running again.

 They searched a little while for the right crypt as Faith hadn’t really quite caught the name of it. Night was barely just falling when they stepped inside.

 They didn't hear anything at first then some chanting coming from their right, they headed there. There were three off them.

 “You ready, B?”

 “Like I have a choice.”

 Faith gave her a wicked smile, “Come on, you always have even more fun than I do.”

And she launched at the demons.

A mischievous gleam in the eye, Buffy followed immediately.

 The fight was hard as they were, indeed, very strong, but the slayers had the advantage despite being outnumbered because first, they'd already fought them and defeat them once, and secondly, every time they were in a big fight together, they seemed enthused by each other, carried by each other's strength and rage and they made for a redoubtable team every time.

 The harder the fight was, the stronger, the most accurate they were in their punches or kicks.

 So they took bad ones but kept unleashing efficient kicks and punches, and blow after blow the sisterhood's tenacity decreased until it was just a one way fight.

But that wasn't until a good long while.

The last of the demons finally gave her last breath.

 Buffy inhaled deeply to try and catch her breath back, she searched for her sister slayer and saw her lying on the floor, staring at her while trying hard to catch her breath back. They stared at each other and started laughing.

 Buffy exhaled loudly, “Wow, that was something.” And she sat on the ground just beside Faith. She frowned, “You're hurt?!” She checked on Faith's waist, slightly lifting her shirt to uncover a large cut above her pelvis.

 “T's ok, B.” 

 “No seriously, you should put something on.”

 Faith shivered at Buffy's fingers on her skin. The blonde girl finally noticed the look in Faith's eyes and she realized, after a fight like that, it probably wasn't the best moment to lay her hands on her. They stared at each other and Buffy decided to get up as she could now really feel the aftermath of such a fight, she felt her nipples harden under Faith's gaze.

 “Alright, I should probably go now. Angel must be waiting for me.” Buffy had no idea how long they'd been in there, she didn't think it had taken as much time as it actually had.

 “Yeah, guess so.” 

 Buffy shivered at Faith's tone. The brunette hadn't meant to but her desire showed even in her voice.

 She got up too; Buffy turned her head the other way and headed towards the exit.

 They walked silently one behind the other to reach the first room of the cave. Their loud breathing was the only sound resounding in it.

 Buffy slightly twisted her ankle in a hole and Faith caught her back.

 “Thanks.” The blonde girl said as she turned around and they stared at each other, unable to look somewhere else. Buffy swallowed as Faith stepped forward predatorily.

 “Faith.” Was Buffy's only word. She could feel the need overcome her as well. She tried hard to let the little voice screaming in her head stop that now, are you crazy Buffy? echoed everywhere, but the only thing she could really hear was Faith's ragged breaths. It almost seemed like breathing was painful to her.

 Buffy swallowed and took a deep breath as Faith put her hands on the hem of her pants.

 “Faith.” Buffy repeated but once again, nothing else came after the brunette's name.

 Faith moved forward just once step and Buffy was back against the wall. Faith tugged on her shirt, she slid her hands under and moved them up to the blonde girls' breasts that she grasped generously. Buffy slightly trembled at the new wave of desire that coursed her body.

Faith leaned in forward and sucked on her earlobe.

 Buffy felt electricity run through her this time. Her head started to spin, as much by desire as by wondering how such simple acts could have such huge impacts on her body.

Faith lifted her shirt and bent forward, putting the blonde slayer's bra up she started sucking on her breasts. Buffy moaned.

 “Faith, we can't...”  

 Hey she'd said two more words! Soon, soon she'll be able to stop that because it's wrong, it shouldn’t be happening. She shouldn’t feel Faith's hands unbuttoning her pants right now. And soon she will tell her to stop. She'll make her stop licking her way down on her stomach because she absolutely didn't want that. Soon she'll tell her.

Soon.

 Buffy gasped at the first contact of Faith's mouth on her center.

She immediately put her hands in the brunette’s hair.

 “God.” She had trouble to breath already.

 “Oh God.”

 Faith was kneeling in front of her and holding her thighs firmly in place while eating her out. Buffy really did understand that expression now with Faith’s eagerness. She'd never been done that and wondered why now as it felt the most exquisite feeling.

 She had to hold herself on Faith’s head and shoulders so much the pleasure kept shaking her balance.

 It seemed to her that Faith's tongue, Faith's mouth, Faith's desire was inside of her. She felt totally possessed by the brunette slayer. Possessed by her tongue; that, she was for sure.

 She gave soft cries out, she tried hard to hold back her moans but the pleasure was too much.

 She started pushing herself hard onto Faith's mouth and her body jerked every time.

 She cried out loudly as the white cloud finally took hold of her.

 She found herself on her back. Faith had lied her down there when her legs had collapsed under her. Buffy didn't remember that happening though.

She'd barely started to recover that Faith roughly slid two fingers inside of her. Buffy gasped and clutched at Faith's back since the brunette was partly on top of her now, rubbing her crotch on Buffy's thigh over their pants.

 “Faith.”

 Buffy's breathing started speeding up again in sync with Faith's rough thrusts.

 The brunette felt Buffy's walls clench already, she slightly rubbed her clit with her thumb at one deep thrust and Buffy cried out again while her juices spread on Faith's hand.

 She was staring at the ceiling, trying hard to remember how to breathe while Faith sucked on her breasts again then looked at her.

Buffy didn't know where that came from but she slid her hand between their bodies and started unbuttoning the brunette's pants. Faith moved completely on top of her this time and helped the blonde girl to move her pants slightly down, just under her butt and she spread her legs as much as she could when Buffy focused on her crotch again and finally found the right spot.

 Faith moaned and they started a slow motion at first. Buffy could feel the brunette's fluid slightly running on her hand so much she was wet down there. Once again, without knowing were it came from Buffy slightly lifted her head to lick on the brunette's nape. Faith moaned again and Buffy bit on her earlobe.

 “God.”

 Faith started rubbing herself even more on Buffy's hand which let her know it was highly time for more.

 Faith bit on Buffy's shoulder when the blonde slid two fingers at the same time, just like Faith did to her and by her groan, she guessed she liked it as much as she, admittedly, did.

 Faith slightly sat up on her tibias and started riding Buffy's hand; she even put her own above hers to increase the pleasure while her sighs of pleasure kept echoing louder in the crypt.

 “God, B.”

 “I'm coming. I'm coming!”

 She leaned over closer again to Buffy who sped up the thrusting at the highest pace she could and Faith squeezed her shoulders very hard when she climaxed.

 She lied down on top of Buffy's body, completely limp, and Buffy wasn't moving either, her breathing was still heavy.

 Faith started moving after a while, she just slightly pulled her face away and they stared at each other.

Buffy tentatively raised her hand to the brunette's face and put some hair behind her ear.

Buffy looked amazed; she could still feel the brunette's walls slight spasms around her fingers. She couldn't understand the process of all of this, and most importantly, she felt stunned by the reaction she’d provoked in her counterpart, and the way her own body reacted to the brunette's touches and even simple gazes. How it could set her on fire like it did once again today.

 She slightly brushed against Faith's cheek and the brunette shivered, she lowered her head; their lips were about to touch.

 “Buffy?! Buffy?!” 

 The slayers pulled apart as the door of the crypt broke open at Angel's anxious entrance.

 He stood still. They'd been too caught up into each other to even hear him approach outside. They'd pulled apart fast but he still got a clear sight of their bodies pressed together, and Buffy's hand slipping out from Faith's panties and the smell... There was no way they would have been able to hide this.

 Buffy pulled up her pants and panties as they were still down her thighs. Faith was already up and all buttoned. Buffy was having trouble buttoning her pants back because her hands were trembling.

 “Angel.” Was all she could utter.

 From shock, the expression on his face changed to anger, then disgust, and now was back on anger. Faith remained silent on the side.

 “Angel, it's, it's not-” 

 The vampire turned around and walked away.

 “Angel! Angel?!”

 Buffy gave a quick glance at Faith, slight despair more than angriness in her eyes and she left after him.

 Faith sighed, really upset.

“Angel, wait! Please.”

 She caught up with him and grabbed his arm, he shoved her off brutally.

 “Please, let me explain...”

 “Explain what?! Buffy? When I didn't see you I thought I'd call Giles in case something had happened, and I didn't understand why you would go after these demons by yourself knowing how strong they are, but now I do. Took me long enough to figure out, didn’t it?!”

 “No, no, it's not that. I swear, it was still day light, we went in because of the ritual; we couldn't let them perform it. We found them and, and-”

 “And what?! The fight went faster than you thought so you fucked because you had time to kill?!”

 “No,”

 He turned around again, “Please Angel!”

 He stopped at her crying. He looked really mad and made her feel ashamed by his look on her.

 “What?! What do you want to explain now?” 

 “It's really not what you think. I didn’t mean for it to happen.” 

 He remained silent.

 “Angel I love you.” 

 “Don't say that!”  He said while shaking her strongly by the shoulders until Faith arrived and pushed him away, “Hey!” She exclaimed.

 “You! Get out of my way, you got it?!”  He harshly told her.

 “What? You wanna fight?!” She replied daring, swinging her stake through her fingers.

 “Bring in on.” He said, stepping forward until Buffy separated them both, pushing them apart.

 “Stop now!”

 The two brunettes stared threateningly at each other.

 Buffy pushed Faith aside one more time, “Faith, go away, now!”

 “Did you hear what she said?!”

Buffy had to hold him back again.

 Faith clenched her fists but reluctantly stepped back.

 “And you don't come near her ever again, got it?!”

 Faith sighed and walked away.

 “Angel, it's-”

 “You're not seeing her ever again, Buffy, understood?”

 “Angel it's, she's a slayer too.” 

 “I don't care!” 

 “It didn't mean anything Angel, it was just-”

 He raised his hands, “I don't care. I don’t... even want to hear about it. Just go home, Buffy... I don't want to see you right now.”

 “Angel!”

 He didn’t turn around this time and left her standing there, crying.

PART 3

 Buffy wandered in the streets for the most part of the night and finally got home in the early hours of the morning.

 She took a shower, cried some more and went to bed.

 Despite Joyce's attempts she refused to get out of her room all day long. She remained in bed. She refused to take a call from Willow either, one from Giles as well.

 Faith, in the meantime, had checked on Giles and reported to him and Wesley that the sisterhood of Jhe were taking care of, she then went back to her motel room and pretty much did the same thing as Buffy, without the crying though. She was more upset for her friend than for herself.

 She wondered why she’d even intervened, it wasn't the first time she was caught in between a cheating man and his girlfriend, or a cheating girl and her boyfriend and she usually stepped aside as fast as she could; this was never her problem.

But this time, she knew it was more important, by the relationships involved, Buffy and Angel's, vampire slayer and a vampire; could only be more intense than ordinary people’s relationship but most of all, her and Buffy's relationship.

 That was what upset her the most; she usually wasn't friend with the cheating person. She wasn't actually friends with lots of people. If she thought hard about it; she could even say that Buffy was probably the only person she could categorize as friend.

 They were slayers and the relationship was probably more complicated than that but Faith wasn’t Buffy; if she could make it simpler she would, not the other way around, so anyway, she was highly bothered because for once, something she cared about was at stakes; her relationship with Buffy.

For once she had something to lose.

 She reluctantly admitted she didn't want it to end, she didn't want to screw it and so she was upset at the idea that it probably was now.

 ~

 Buffy finally pulled herself together and gathered the courage to get up and out of the house.

 Night had just fallen, she headed to the Mansion.

 “Angel?” She softly asked. She walked further in until she saw him, sitting beside the chimney, reading a book.

 He looked up at her but didn't say anything. The expression on his face was far less angry than when last night though. He looked rather sad now.

It added to Buffy's guilt and pain to see him like that.

 “I'm sorry.” She said very low.

 He got up, and looked more composed then.

 “Are you in love with her?”

 “No, no I'm not.” Was Buffy's instant response, “I love you, and I'm really sorry.”

 Angel looked very sorry too.

 Buffy didn't know what to say.

 “I've thought a lot today.”

 As if that wasn’t what he usually did all day long already? But anyway, with what happened it seemed obvious to Buffy that he would have, just like she did.

 She swallowed but remained silent, waiting expectantly.

 He walked closer, “I realize, with your duty and your watchers being Faith's as well, it would be hard for you to avoid her.”

 Buffy listened attentively.

 “I don't want you patrolling alone with her though, either I'm here, or you don't. Except if there's a specific mission from Giles. Otherwise you don't have anything to do with her.”

 Buffy slightly lowered her head.

It had been hard after the Gwendolyn Post incident to get back to the brunette slayer. Things had been strained for a while but they’d worked around that and they’d developed a nice friendship ever since. Buffy felt sad at the idea of stopping this she would do anything right now, “Yes.”

 “How long?”

 She looked up at him, “What?”

 “How long has it been going on?” He calmly asked.

 “It's not, it wasn't like that. We just, it just happened... it was...”

 “How many times then?”

 “I,” she looked down then back at him, “Twice.” She told him and swallowed again.

 He nodded to himself.

 “But it wasn't... I mean like I said it wasn't, it was a while ago and it just happened and-and last night, it-it was...”

 “I know what it was, Buffy. I do understand. I mean, as much as I can.” he honestly told her and walked closer, “I know how worked up you can get because I get like that too. I know our situation is not easy but I... I’d let myself believe love was enough, I guess-”

 “It is.” she said while reaching to him, putting her hands on his arms, “It is Angel, I love you. I only want to be with you.”

 He slightly looked aside.

 “I'm sorry, Angel. It won't happen ever again. I promise. You know I love you.”

 “I know. I just wish it wasn't so-”

 “It's alright, we're fine. It's perfect that way. I love you and that's all that matters, Angel, I promise, please...” she moved forward and he let her kiss him.

 She stayed with him all night long.

 The atmosphere remained strained between them though she tried her best to be the best girlfriend ever.

 A couple days went by. Faith came to the library to see the watchers, but she'd chosen class time and was gone before Buffy was in.

When she arrived that Wednesday afternoon though, they were all here, researching on the Mayor, she took a seat, acting relaxed.

 The slayers said hi to each other but acted casually. Buffy was glad Faith really wasn't making any scene or innuendos, nor giving her glances or anything. She knew they probably had to talk though. And she admitted she'd rather not do it though. If Faith didn't ask her anything, then she wouldn't tell her anything.

It was probably coward from her but telling her what happened with Angel would include telling her they couldn't keep seeing each other, even just as friends, like they'd been doing. And that part of the deal really wasn't to please her. She wanted to avoid it as much as she could.

 Faith went out of the library at some point. About ten minutes passed by. Buffy thought the brunette had probably left, or went out to smoke. Then she didn't think about it and later she headed to the restrooms.

 She headed out of it and came across Faith in the corridor.

 “Oh err,” Buffy looked around in reflex.

 Faith sighed, “So that's how it's gonna be now? Gonna have you freaking out every time you see me?”

 “No, Faith it's-”

 “It's ok, I guess. So, he got over it then.”

 “He just... he just needs a little time. For now, I can't really be with you, I mean, alone with you... or... patrol with you. But he knows we work together and... given a little time it will cool down and we'll be like before, I mean, before we ever... you know.”

 “Yeah.”

 They looked aside, “Well, we'd rather go back. Wouldn't want your honey seeing us talking. Imagine that.” Faith sarcastically said and left to the library.

 Buffy seemed bothered.

 They researched till night falls.

 Buffy was sitting close to Xander and Giles at the table; Faith was sitting on the stairs, and Willow, Oz and Wesley were around the computer.

 The library's door opened and the vampire stepped in.

 “Angel?” Buffy got up.

 “I came to pick you up, for patrol.” He told Buffy directly.

 Giles looked at his watch with a frown, “Isn't it a little early?”

 Faith hadn't looked up yet. She looked completely disinterested.

 The blonde slayer was already gathering her stuff. No one had bothered replying to Giles yet so the others frowned.

 “We're just... We found a nest the other day... That's why we're going earlier.” She tried, to ease the raising frowns at Angel's seriousness.

 They all looked at Faith.

 “Shouldn't you be going with them? If they found a nest.”

 Buffy tensed at Wesley's question.

 “They can handle it.” Faith simply replied, without looking up from her book.

 Buffy started walking but Angel turned around, “What are you doing here anyway, Faith? I thought you weren't one for research?”

 Buffy tensed even more as the two brunettes stared at each other.

 “Well, thought I'd give a hand with this whole mayor thing.”

 “Yeah, you're very generous when it comes to this, aren’t you? Careful who you give it to, though.” He turned around and walked away with Buffy.

 The others frowned suspiciously at the coldness in his tone and the tension in the room.

 Faith was already head back into her book; she clearly wasn't one to be asked anything.

 Less than an hour later, she left the library to patrol. She spent the night unleashing her frustration on the undead... Staking vamps a little more happily than usually.

 A couple weeks went by.

 There wasn't much contact between Faith and the couple. The others didn't wonder more about it though. Angel was known for his broodiness and Faith for her loner side, so they didn't notice more than usually the avoidance of both of them.

 Buffy was the only one to know and notice.

 She tried her best to make Angel forget about this but in the meantime, when Faith happened to be there with them and Angel wasn’t, she was very nice to her too. Not avoiding her, letting her know she still was her friend as she thought about it that way. She didn't want to lose that and she was sure with time she'd be able to hang out with her at night, now that she was sure *it* would never happen again. Because she loved Angel and love was all they needed.

So when the vampire wasn't here, she acted exactly like she wanted with Faith.

 And the brunette slayer, who didn't care that much after all, just let it be that way. So the atmosphere was alright between the slayers.

 They even trained together one afternoon during Buffy's free period. They liked it a lot. They both missed slaying together. Now that they knew how patrolling and hunting together felt, doing it alone really wasn't the same, but they didn't say anything.

 So they really enjoyed that sparring time together. Buffy realized she still felt the same rush she used to, but it was only due to the fact she was a slayer, that's how she was made, and she used to fight the urges pretty well before, so she would do so now.

It wasn't about Faith at all....

 Faith, for her part, had plenty other possibilities to work on that extra energy so she told herself she didn't mind. She was inwardly glad that this little incident hadn't stopped their newfound friendship.

It was harder now but she could understand Buffy's will to make it work. She couldn't understand at all why she would want to make it work with a vampire, but she could understand the rest, so she respected her decision and took whatever she could take.

 Several weeks passed by. The tension fell between Buffy and Angel.

 ~

 They were at the bronze.

The others weren't so surprised to see the vampire hanging with them once more as he was doing that a lot lately.

Before, he would rarely show when they were all there. It was just like Faith. The others weren’t stupid; both he and Faith didn't have much interest in them. The only one they hung with was Buffy.

 Willow and Oz were cuddled in a corner. Xander was slightly brooding in the middle of the two couples as Angel and Buffy were cozy too. Buffy kissed him. He didn’t like that much being too cozy in front of all of them but he couldn’t spend entire evenings with all of them and NOT kiss her.

 “Hey guys what's up?” Faith said as she sat up between Willow and Xander.

 Buffy felt Angel's grasp on her immediately tighten.

 “Well, as you can see, they're all making out on the couch and I'm playing gooseberry.”

 “Sorry Xander, we didn't mean to abandon you like that.”

 “T’s ok, I'm getting used to it now, Will.”

 “Why don't you go dance with Faith?” The vampire asked.

 Faith and Angel stared at each other but she smiled as she looked at Xander, “You know what, that's a very good idea.” She took him by the hand and dragged him to the dance floor.

 Xander had once found Buffy’s dancing with him teasing when she'd come back from LA after the master's death; now he just had to reconsider the word teasing. He had a hard time hiding his erection at the brunette's constant rubbing and touching while she danced with him.

 “That should make up for everything.” Oz spoke with a slight perplex frown while Willow kept glancing at them, mouth wide opened at Faith's explicitness.

 Angel and Buffy looked at them too. Buffy's mood had slightly decreased already.

 She knew the brunette’s games, the brunette's teasing, she was always teasing in everything she was doing anyway... Not with her though, not anymore... She knew they couldn't afford it but seeing her dance with Xander like that made her feel slightly down, remembering everything that had happened and everything she couldn't do anymore. Not thinking of *this*though, because *this* was wrong. She knew that, didn't she?

 Xander joined them after a while, he was flushed, and he took a deep breath.

 “So, happy?” Willow asked in a teasing voice.

 “I'm ok. I'm just... gonna go home... and sleep in the freezer.”

 They couldn't help but smile. Faith was still on the dance floor, turning on every boy she could. Buffy tried to cheer up but it was hard, Angel could sense it and he didn't look particularly happy either.

 Faith came back to them after a while and took Buffy's drink. She drank a mouthful of it and put it back.

 “So, how's the brooding over here?”

 “Who's brooding?!” Xander said with a cheer.

 “Well, I'm gonna get going now.”

 Xander tentatively tried, “Well, I was about to go home too... if you need a ride?”

 She smiled wickedly, “Looks like you do.”

 He turned red at the slayer’s comment.

 “I was just asking, you know. Just like that.” He tied to make up; he didn't really want the others to know about their little session on apocalypse night.

 “Sorry Xan man, already taken for tonight.” She glanced at a red head in the corner, the guy winked at her.

 “But one of these days, just come by, you already know the address.” And she got up.

 Xander didn’t dare to look at the others.

 Angel seemed even less happy at the way Buffy had tensed at that.

 “Well, leaving now. I’ll probably be at Restfield a little later tonight.” She looked directly at the brooding couple.

 “And you’re telling us this because?” Angel asked pretty sharply.

 “You guys are going on patrol later, right? So I'm just helping you, telling you so you guys can NOT be there.” She walked away backwards, “Have fun with the brooding.”

 Willow was happy to understand that she wasn't the only one jealous of the time Buffy spent with Faith as she understood now were the tension had come from. It seemed clear to her that Angel had probably told Buffy something, like to not go with her that often. And that's why those last weeks she'd spent more times with Angel or them. It had to be the reason anyway, what else could it be?

So that thought made Willow happy but the Xander/Faith one, not so much.

They were all staring at the brunette boy.

 “I just drove her home, that night with the sisterhood of Jhe, gave her a hand with one of them and drove her home, that's all, besides; you all know Faith's address, so why are you looking at me like that?” He sounded almost paranoid. He was mostly embarrassed.

 They all looked aside, wondering if they'd done it or not. All pretty much thinking they had.

 And there started the real brooding night since even Willow was brooding now.

 Xander left pretty soon after that. Angel and Buffy too, they patrolled and said goodnight. She hadn't felt in a long time that boredom while patrolling, plus Angel had been really silent and she was tired of doing all the making up. Alright, alright, she was the one who’d done wrong, but it was an accident, she'd made up for it already, she’d proved she loved him. She knew it wasn’t going to happen again.

She knew she loved him, she wanted him to trust her again and not get all broody and silent whenever Faith was around.

 Faith had been quite explicit and provoking in a way tonight. She had the right to have bad days too, didn't she?

But at least, the brunette had a decent slaying night to make up for it after that, Buffy couldn't even say that.

She walked home and felt really tired. That evening was a total flop. And it was far more tiring to her than a good and busy slaying night.

PART 4

Buffy saw Angel again that week end. He seemed better moody. She didn't spend the whole nights with him though as Joyce started to worry about these nights.

 Buffy was getting tired of explaining that it was not like before to her mother. It was hard for her to keep saying this when she was the first one to realize and suffer from the fact it really WASN’T like before. Nothing would ever be like before, and how she missed those times when life felt so beautiful in her Angel's arms... Times when she thought she could overcome everything. And how tired she felt now.

 Tired of pretending it was alright when she missed what they had so much.

How she loved him but how she felt guilty of doing so. How she even felt awful for doing so.

 And now with what happened between Faith and her she felt even worse, because she'd felt something else than sorrow and frustration. Not that she hadn't felt bad about it at all, mostly because of Angel...  But she was just tired of feeling bad all the time.

 She pulled herself together again this morning, a new school week was starting, she was going to see her friends and have a good time with them. Angel's mood was getting better, soon it will really be behind them and she could hopefully at least, have fun during patrol again. Slaying kind of fun. She knew she couldn't afford anything else. She wasn't going to lose Angel for something that meant nothing, was she?

 But she missed Faith; she missed slaying with her and listening to her brag about her latest conquests and talk about the wildness of her ways.

It wasn’t about the sex, she hadn't felt the tiniest bit uncomfortable with her after what had happened, so she knew Faith was a friend to her; she mattered and it wasn't for what happened those two nights, it was for all the rest, all that she couldn't tell her friends, all that she didn't need to tell Faith because she could see it in the other slayer's eyes already.

There was an implicit understanding between the two slayers. A communion of some sort and she missed that.

Buffy was slightly daydreaming this morning, she was thinking about Faith and realized she'd thought about her all week end long, about Faith and Xander more precisely. She didn't know why it kept bugging her so much. She couldn't take her gaze off of Xander in the classroom.

 Faith joined them for lunch.

 She hadn't showed up like that with them since the incident.

 But the brunette slayer was tired of being punished too. She'd clearly showed it at the bronze. Now if they wanted to brood, mostly Angel, it was their problem. She wasn't going to stop having fun.

 But admittedly, the best times she’d had were always with Buffy so eventually she knew she would have come back here with them.

 She wasn't going to look for any other kind of fun; she could have that anywhere else since it was just sex after all. But the way she felt in the blonde girls' presence was something she couldn’t find anywhere else. Again, she didn't like that, but it was enough separation as she thought about it like that.

She had someone who was like her, someone who, despite her denial, understood what it was that this rush of power inside...

 And she needed to share, in her own way.

 So there she was, stealing food in Xander's plate and making Willow blush as much as she could with explicit comment on Oz and her... and sex.

 Buffy was rather silent, now she didn't have the thought of Faith and Xander, she had the image in front of her as Faith kept teasing him and joking with him.

 Buffy was somewhat introspective, she didn't understand why she thought about that so much.

It was almost time to go back to their classes. Buffy went to the restrooms; Faith was waiting for her there.

 Buffy looked aside at a sink to which she headed.

 Faith slightly sighed, “Great. If I'd known you would not talk to me I'd have stayed home.”

 “What are you talking about?” Buffy looked at her.

 “I thought things were good between us. I thought it was only Angel who was mad at me. And this, I really don't care.” 

 “I'm not mad at you.”

 “Yeah right. I shouldn't have come. I thought you would...” 

 “No seriously, really,” Buffy moved closer and put her hand on Faith's arm to prevent her form leaving, “I swear, I'm not mad at you.” 

 “You barely talked to me today.” 

 “I'm- I'm sorry. I have some things on my mind, but really, I'm... I'm really glad you're back. I've missed you, I mean...” Buffy let go of the brunette's arm and slightly looked aside.

 “Ok, then, what's wrong?”

 “Err,” Buffy turned around to the sink then back at the brunette, “Did you, err,” she looked really hesitant.

 Faith furrowed her brows, trying hard to understand what could possibly be on the blonde girl's mind but she couldn't see. If it wasn't her/Angel and the whole finding out thing, then she didn't know what could be such a big deal.

 “Did you sleep with Xander?”

 “Oh. So it's that.” Faith said while slightly stepping aside.

 “Did you?”

 “Yeah. Sleep, kind of a big word though.” 

 Buffy looked aside, she didn't know how to react. She didn't know why she was even reacting but she did look aside.

 “I didn't mean to spread the thing the other night, I was just a bit pissed off I guess. Hope he didn't take it bad.”

 “When? How many times?”

 “Why do you want to know?” 

 Faith sighed as Buffy didn't reply.

 “It was on the apocalypse night, he gave me a hand and we did it. I don't see what the big deal is.” 

 “Of course not.” 

 “What bothers you so much?”

 “Nothing; I would just appreciate if you wouldn’t sleep with my friends.”

 “It was hardly my plan, B. He was there, it was just...”   

 “Yeah, it was just... I know the thing; been there.” 

 “Is it what bugs you so much, B?” 

 Buffy stared at her questioningly.

 “That it wasn't more than just this with you too? Cause I thought we were clear on that.”

 Buffy looked aside, she looked upset but so did Faith.

 They remained silent for a while and Buffy looked at her.

 “It was. I mean, we were clear, I'm sorry. I don't know why I even asked you. Forget about it.” 

 This time it's Faith who grabbed Buffy’s arm to hold her back. They were very close, “No,” Faith lowered her gaze then but still wouldn’t let her go.

 Buffy slightly swallowed.

 “Listen, err, it was different.”

 Buffy looked up at her.

 “I don't know if I should say this but... maybe that's what you wanted to hear so... yes, you and me it was different. I did it with him because he was there, and it could have been anyone else on the planet. With you it was... just you... I mean, I never get worked up with anyone else the way I do with you, and it couldn't have been anyone else at that moment. It was different.” 

 Buffy slightly smiled, “Thank you.”

 “Buffy it doesn't...” 

 “I know, it doesn't mean anything.” 

 Faith slightly hesitated, “I guess it does but, well, it is different but it doesn't mean it matters more. We have to be clear there, B.”

 “We are, I'm clear. I'm sorry I even brought the topic. It's none of my business in fact.”

 Faith nodded silently, she let go of the blonde girl's arms.

 “We're good then?” 

 “Yes. Yes we are.”

 Faith gave her a smile, “Alright let's go.” 

 They headed to the door but Buffy stopped, “Err Faith, I got what you said and I agree and-”

 Faith listened carefully.

 “But, would I be out of line if I asked you to, err, not-”

 “Sleep with your friends?” 

 Buffy looked embarrassed but Faith smiled, “Wasn't planning on, B, so it's a deal. We good this time?”

 Buffy smiled, “Yes.” 

 They went out and Faith stopped abruptly, “Dammit, forgot Giles?! I’m gonna have to cancel tonight.”

 “What?!” 

 Faith held back a laugh, “You're really too funny, B.”

 Buffy released her breath and then smiled at herself for even stumbling in Faith’s joke while the brunette walked in the library with a huge smile on her lips.

 She'd missed that. Buffy frowned all of a sudden, how come she would miss Faith making a fool out of her once more.

But yes, she had missed even that. And she really was glad the brunette slayer was back here.

 She just hoped it would be ok with Angel.

She really wanted to go back on patrol with the brunette slayer but that would be another step...

 2 more weeks went by; Angel didn't say anything to the fact Faith was sometimes present at the high school during day light. It wasn’t every day anyway.

 And when she was, Buffy made sure she had free time to train with her. As long as they couldn't patrol together they would try to have at least 1 decent session of training per week. That's what they'd settled.

 It also helped them work out the edginess everyone could feel growing in them.

 Faith still had good hunting nights and Buffy patrolled a lot with Angel but they couldn't help this feeling of missing something.

As much as they unleashed, it seemed to never be enough anymore and they only cooled down after a long sparring session with each other.

 They didn't know why but that's how it was.

Patrolling was not as relieving as it used to be. Sometimes it only added to their frustration.

Buffy wondered about it, it wasn't normal to her.

She ended up thinking it was the fact of being deprived of each other's company during patrols on purpose that was getting to her.

 If she didn't have any brooding eyes on her she would enjoy slaying with Angel or the gang just as much as she did with Faith. She couldn't explain it any other way.

 ~

 They were in the library. Still researching on the Mayor. His intentions were now clearer to them but they still hadn't found anything to stop him.

 Buffy was talking to Faith about the demon she and Angel had fought the night before. The vampire was supposed to find out if there were any more as he’d told her this kind of demon wasn’t usually traveling alone, and then get back to her with the information.

 Faith told her about the vamps she staked. She was demonstrating and Buffy smiling at that when Angel stepped in.

 The girls immediately pulled away.

 “Angel.” Buffy just said as she got up. She took her jacket, “Did you find anything?”  She tried to divert.

 “Found their nest.” 

 “Alright, we should go then.” 

 The vampire didn't move, Buffy slightly tensed, **we were just talking** she thought to herself. But Angel didn't look at Faith but at the watchers.

 “Will you need Faith for tonight?” 

 The watchers looked at each other, “We're only just researching so... if you think you might have some trouble.”

 He looked at the brunette slayer, “Hope you didn't have any plans for tonight?”

 “Well, if yours’ about kicking demons’ asses, then it could match mine.”

She said while already getting up.

 He nodded, “Good. Cause our friend definitely wasn't alone.” He said, looking at Buffy.

 “How many?”

 “About ten.”

 “Wow, one wasn't easy already.” 

 A wicked smile spread on Faith's lips at that, “Finally some fun.” 

 She started walking to the door, “So, you're coming or what?”

 The couple followed.

Buffy tried to focus on the mission and not on the awkward silence as they were heading to the demon's nest.

 They found the demons, Angel wanted to try and spread them, attack them discreetly, off them one by one as much as they could before the others see them, but Faith launching at them pretty much ruined his plans.

 Sometimes he wondered how she was still alive. He didn’t have time to give it more thoughts though as the battle looked about to be fierce. Buffy was already in, with an eagerness he'd rarely seen.

 They kicked, they hit. They took blows, were thrown against the wall.

 A demon's head rolled to Angel's feet and he could tell this one really should have spared Faith's leather pants.

 Angel felt weird at the thoughts that crossed his minds. Even while fighting the demons he had his eyes on the girls, both of them and he saw them give blows he’d never seen. Punch harder he'd ever seen them do. And he didn't know if it was because he was taking blows and fighting for his life but sometimes he even wasn't sure who was who... If it wasn't for brunette's or blonde’s hair flying in the air... They fought like one.

 They offed several demons using the other’s run up, or hand, or anything else... and without any words, as if, even fighting separately they were still connected.

He'd never seen them in a heavy fight before, but then, he'd always avoided patrolling with Buffy when she was with Faith.

He sort of understood why now.

More than the sex thing; it was seeing them connect at such level that hurt him in some way...

 The Slayers. Chosen two. Two of a kind and he really had to acknowledge this really meant something.

 Buffy killed the last one.

 Angel rushed to her to check on her cuts.

 “It's ok I'm fine.”

 “You need to put something on that.”

 “It's alright, I'm alright, really.” Buffy could barely talk, she was still catching her breath, she glanced at Faith so Angel turned around, “Are you ok?”

 “5 by 5.”

 The brunette slayer slightly moved closer, both slayers looked aside when their gaze met.

 They walked out of the crypt.

Despite the minutes passing by, none of the girls’ breathing came back to normal.

 They were heavy and unsteady mostly. Both of them tried to take deep breath once in a while but it wasn't working.

 “I think you should go back now, Faith. Take care of your cuts and rest.”

 “I'm not tir-” She stopped as she looked at Buffy who HAD to look aside again, “Yes, probably.” 

 Buffy tried hard to block the thoughts invading her mind right now. So what? She had to revise her whole theory that things would be normal if they could patrol again together like before. She had to reconsider many things in fact. She hadn't been turned on like that since... the night Angel caught them. It was really her then? Faith. What was it about the brunette that did that to her? And mostly, how to stop it, cause right now she doubted she would ever be able to patrol with her again, alone, if she kept getting in that state.

She really started wondering what they would be doing if Angel wasn’t here. And that lack of control, that lack of knowledge of her own reactions slightly scared her somehow.

 “I'm gonna go home too Angel, we've done enough for one night I think.” She needed to clear her mind. Maybe it was just that it had been a long time, it had been a huge fight... And she hadn't... satisfied herself at night in a good long while. She would try that next time prior to a patrol with any of them.

She shook these thoughts out of her head; she never even used to even have thoughts like that ‘before’.

 “That's what I was about to suggest, I'll walk you home.”

 “It's ok, you don't have to... The mansion isn't far, you can go home.”

 “I insist, Buffy.”

 “Alright.” 

 “Good night Faith.” He said, trying not to sound too firm.

 “Yeah, see you.”

 And she took off.

 Buffy leaned closer into Angel's arms, he put his arms around her shoulder and they headed to her house.

 Faith walked a few steps but stopped, she sat against a tree for a while, staring in front of her, trying to steady her breathing but it definitely wouldn’t work. Her mind was crowed, she couldn't get herself to touch herself, she couldn’t get herself to get up and go to the bronze, and she couldn’t get herself to even get up at that moment because she knew where she wanted to go.

 She remained a while like that; trying to find it in her to head elsewhere but it didn't work...

PART 5

Angel pulled Buffy in his arms and kissed her deeply. She held him tight, caressing his hair.

 They broke for air at some point. The heat emanating form them both was almost burning. Buffy's breathing was still as heavy as it was after the fight.

 Angel slightly pulled away, “Well, I guess... that's good night then.”

 **What else could it be?** Was the sad thought that crossed Buffy’s mind. Yes, what else? She wanted him to come in, she wanted to... She shook those thoughts away again to smile at him, “Good night.” 

 He planted a soft kiss on her lips and walked away.

 She gave a long exhale and shook her hands, trying to let some heat out then she walked inside.

 She took a shower, more or less cold, but she still felt pretty much the same.

 She crept under the sheets and tried not to think about it.

 It was awful; she realized how much her entire body seemed to be on fire. Her nipples were hard and even after the shower, her wetness was coming back.

 She only had one solution now. She started caressing her breasts but she was past this point, she very fast lowered her hand along her night dress and started rubbing her clit.

 Her breathing was heavier, if heavier was possible than what it had been all night long.

 She moaned but then gave a jump as a thump resounded in her room. She looked aside, cheeks flushed, and there stood the brunette slayer, gaze betraying her thoughts.

 “Faith? What are you doing here? Go away?! You can’t be here?! Go!”

 Faith looked by the window from which she'd just come in and back at the slayer in bed.

 She'd tired hard to tell herself to back-pedal but seeing the blonde girl masturbate took the last of her will away and she'd opened that window... She'd crossed that line.

 “I'm serious Faith,” Buffy felt her nipples harden even more at the brunette’s gaze on her and the memory it evoked, “You HAVE to get out of here NOW.”

 “Please, it's too much.”

 Buffy couldn't say differently but she had to try, “Go, do something, go to the bronze, please Faith you can’t.” Buffy stopped so much she felt she would choke in her desire as the brunette girl moved forward, “I can’t, it's different, I can't go back now... I'm gonna blow up, Buffy.”

 She knelt on Buffy's side and slid her hand under the cover. Buffy bit her lips and clutched at the cover as Faith started stroking her sensitive spot.

 “God.”

 The brunette pulled the cover to the bottom of the bed and lifted Buffy's night shirt. She started sucking on her painfully erected nipples. Buffy exhaled loudly, trying hard to remember how to breathe. But then Faith spinned her across the bed and spread her legs.

 “Faith!” Buffy slightly exclaimed at the first contact of Faith's tongue on her clit.

 She put her hands to her mouth and bit on it while making hard movements with her pelvis.

 Faith unbuttoned her pants and slid one hand inside, starting to caress herself. A wave of electricity ran through Buffy at that sight.

 Faith slid a finger inside of Buffy and started pumping inside of her as fast as inside of herself, but Buffy's hips movement were too strong; the brunette slayer withdrew her hand from her pants to maintain the blonde girl on the bed. Buffy couldn't help but giving slight cries out as she was nearing climax.

 Faith took her clit between her teeth and sucked hard on it and Buffy cried out her release. Faith kept thrusting while kissing her way up the blonde girl's body.

 Buffy, out of breath, slowly took her prior position on the bed; she gasped as Faith kept thrusting harder and harder and started sucking on her breasts again.

 Buffy pulled on Faith’s hair and clutched at the sheets, another orgasm crashed through her and sent her on Saturn for a little while, but as soon as she recovered she turned to look at the brunette girl. Faith was still licking on Buffy's navel while her hand was back into her pants.

 It didn't even take Buffy a second to take it out and replace it by her own hand. Faith gasped and grabbed the sheets with one hand and Buffy's thigh with the other.

 She was still kneeling on the side of the bed. Buffy was on the very edge of it, arm stretched, stroking Faith’s clit as hard as she could in that position.

 Faith kept sucking on Buffy's navel until the pleasure was too much and she started struggling with Buffy's numerous attempts to sit up on the bed.

 Faith put her hand on her mouth after a slightly louder cry but then put it back on Buffy while the blonde girl finally managed to sit up on the bed, swinging the brunette backwards until there was no solution for her than being on her back, on the bed, on Buffy's lap. Buffy kept thrusting harder and harder and Faith’s breathing increased second by second.

 She held Buffy's arms tightly while the blonde girl kept staring at her now that she had her face right under her.

 Faith tried to move from that position but the pleasure was too much and she only held Buffy even tighter until she came in her turn.

 Buffy left her finger buried inside of her, she wasn’t moving, just looking at Faith's chest rising, looking at the sweats pearling from her forehead, feeling the last tremors of her orgasm around her finger. Just taking in that she was holding her right now and that it was a feeling she’d never felt.  And something very intense...

 Faith finally opened her eyes again. Buffy felt her breath taken away by the uncertainty and the somewhat lost gaze she found there.

 They stared at each other until Faith moved all of a sudden, “I gotta go.”

 “No Faith, wait,”

 But the brunette was already out by the window.

 Buffy couldn't find sleep at all that night. She was too preoccupied by what she kept feeling every time this was happening. And she thought about Angel, she thought about everything.

She didn't understand why or how it could be so intense... She was not in love... So how was that possible?

 Faith didn't show up for several days. Buffy didn't call; she realized she needed time to clear her mind.

 It was Wednesday when Faith finally came back, everyone asked her where she'd been since she hadn't reply to any phone calls.

 She said she was out of town, hunting a group of vampires that escaped.

 When Buffy went to the restrooms she clearly let it know.

 And there she was, waiting for the brunette girl to come in as she knew she would.

 Faith walked in, gaze slightly low, she remained silent and they stared at each other.

 “Something's wrong.”

 “Look, I'm sorry. I won’t do it again, I just... But it won't happen again.”

 Buffy swallowed, “No it won't.” She moved closer, “Because we won't patrol again. We can’t patrol together, Faith.”

 Faith looked down at the floor for a short while.

 Buffy swallowed again, “I don't know what’s happening to me, or you, or us, but whatever it is, I can’t afford it no more. I have to make it work with Angel and so I need to stay away from you. If I'm not able to control that thing that's going on between us, if WE're not able to control it, then we just need to avoid it.”

 Faith swallowed too, and looked aside.

 “Till I figure out what's wrong with me. Maybe the hormones or something, anything; I have to keep it in check as much as I can. And obviously I can’t do that when you're close... I mean, at night at least. I'm sorry.” 

 Faith slightly moved away with a sudden casual look on her face, “T's ok, B. Not the end of the world, I patrolled alone for a while before you. It's fine by me, you know.”

 “Are you sure?” 

 “Yeah, just came here today to tell you I went a little wild the other night and all, and it was just closer to go to your place, you know, plus with the patrol and the fight together that night, but nothing has changed, you know. It's cool. I'm cool.”

 “I don't want it to be an unease between us, I-”

 “Listen; it's cool, told you. Don't worry about soul boy. I'll keep it low. It ain't gonna happen anymore so he doesn’t need to know about that.”

 Buffy could see the tension on Faith’s face as this one tried to sound casual. Buffy realized she knew her very well, better than she thought she did.

But she couldn't go there. She had to let it go, let it be like she wanted it to be.

 Her + Angel= like before. Alright, she couldn't have that, but as close as before as she could.

And Faith disturbed that concept so she had to be removed; it was just too much for Buffy to think about. Too much things she didn't understand.

 She needed to make them simpler.

Faith was usually the one doing this, this time, she had to be.

 “So, we're cool?”

 “Yeah, of course. You should go back; I think Red found something on the Mayor.” 

 “Ok.” Buffy headed to the door, “you're not coming?”

 “I gotta pee.” 

 “Ok.”

 Buffy left the restrooms and Faith took a deep breath, she put her hands on the basin and stayed a while in that position, trying to calm herself down. She didn't know why but she felt like kicking and, well, kicking mostly so she refrained herself. She didn’t know why she felt so mad, she didn’t understand what she really felt but it twisted her insides, that, she knew and she didn’t like it.

She put some water on her face and looked at herself in the mirror. She was about to punch it when a bunch of girls stormed in so she just headed out. She didn’t walk back in the library though. She couldn't right now.

 She went home. The others wondered so Buffy told them Faith had an errand to run.

 Buffy felt bad, really bad, but she told herself that she was being strong; she had to draw the line again. She couldn’t do things like that; it wasn't right therefore it shouldn’t be.

 She was in love with Angel and with Angel only she should share herself like that. Even if she could not actually share this with him but it was only a detail now, wasn't it?

 Love, love is all that matters....

 She held on strongly to this.

 A couple of days went by; Faith acted casually with all of them even if she didn't actually spend much time at the library.

 She was a little colder than usual with Buffy. She just had a hard time adjusting. She found it hard to know how to react now.

Things with Buffy had started to come very naturally, but she knew she couldn't let the natural be anymore because even she had realized that it always led to *this*... And this, she reluctantly admitted had led to more.

She'd always thought what they'd done was just a detail and went along with their beings, with their relationship as slayers and that it didn't change anything but she knew, just like Buffy, that it did.

 So she understood the blonde girl's reaction. She understood that she had to draw that line.

 Faith herself felt bad for crossing it. She felt bad that she'd crossed it in the first place. This wasn't what she'd ever meant. She didn't want to need this from Buffy; she didn't want to need anything from anyone actually but Buffy's friendship, she knew, was already an exception to that rule, long before what they’d done.

Faith didn't want any more exceptions so she'd understood and somehow welcomed the blonde girl’s decision. She'd pulled herself together thinking it was time to put things back in order.

 She'd never meant to lose control on herself either, so she’d understood.

But now she found her place around Buffy difficult to find.

Somehow, inwardly, Buffy could feel and understand that so she didn't force anything; she didn't comment on Faith's coldness or ask anything.

And the situation slightly came back to normal between them.

 They first went back shortly to how things were after the Gwen Post incident and now it was back to how it was when they started reconnecting after that.

 It was their will now to not let it go to where it slipped.

 So they kept talking, they even started to begin their evenings at the espresso pump in front of a cup of coffee before going on patrol separately when that time of the night arrived.

Buffy tried to patrol with Angel the most she can and Faith was on her own.

 Buffy didn't really like that idea but even Faith insisted that she liked it better that way now.

That it was better that way.

 Angel's mood was like a rollercoaster to Buffy's surprise. He could see Buffy willingly didn't patrol with Faith, that she very willingly wanted to be with him and part of him rejoiced then but sometimes he would ask her about Faith, inquisitively, and what they'd done during the day accusingly. What they were talking about as if they could not have anything to talk about.

 Sometimes things were going smoothly and other times Angel acted like Buffy shouldn't even talk to Faith.

 He had a hard time really understanding or knowing what really bothered him. She kept saying they were not together, that they were never going to do this again but it was as if their mere relationship, the mere fact that they existed together bothered him. As if he couldn't get them out of his mind despite what she kept saying even if he knew she meant it. But it felt to Buffy that it was never enough and they argued about it sometimes because Buffy was tired of apologizing now, mostly when he couldn't even tell her what put him in that mood.

 ~

They were at the library, supposedly researching about the Mayor, again, but most accurately debating about Buffy’s dress for The Prom.

 At least, Willow, Xander and Buffy were. Oz was listening calmly and Faith hadn’t left her face from her book.

 “What do you think, Faith?”

 The brunette looked up at Buffy with a puzzled look.

 Buffy sighed, “The dress? Did you even listen?”

 “Well, no.” She looked at her book again.

 “Hey Faith what are you going to wear?”

 Same puzzled look at the redhead who raised her brows, “For the Prom?”

 Faith slightly smirked but didn’t reply.

 Buffy looked a little sad, “Faith, you have to come.”

 “Not my school, B.”

 “It doesn’t matter.”

 “Yes it does, it’s your school, your night, your thing, B. Besides, I’m not invited.”

 Willow’s eyes widened, “You could go with Xander!”

 “Willow.” Xander tried.

 “No, but yes, seriously, he’s going with Anya?!” That fact was even harder for Willow to accept than him sleeping with Faith.

 “Willow.” Xander tried again. She looked at him hopefully and back at her, “So you could come, that’d be-”

 “Willow.” He said, louder, she stared at him.

 “I... tried this already.”

 “Oh.” Willow looked almost disappointed.

 Buffy caught Faith glancing at her but very fast dipping her head in the book.

 Buffy felt bad, thinking maybe it was her fault if Faith had said no to Xander’s invitation.

She started to think she didn’t have the right to tell her who to see, or rather, to not see.

 Faith looked at her, almost sensing her thoughts.

 Buffy was about to speak when Giles came back from his office.

 “If you kids are done with the futile talk, maybe we can come back to the impending apocalypse.”

 “Gladly.” Faith simply said while looking at her book again.

PART 6

They walked outside of the school building.

 “See you.” Faith took off.

 Buffy looked at her friends, “Gotta see something with Faith for, err, patrol. Later.”

 “Buffy.” Willow called but the slayer was already running after Faith.

 “Faith, hey, wait!” 

 “What's up, B?”

 Faith kept walking. Buffy walked beside her.

 “Err, I was thinking, look, I think it'd be great if you came to the Prom with Xander.” 

 “You think?” 

 “Yes, of course and-” Buffy stopped as she finally noticed the irony in Faith's voice and her gaze.

 “What I mean is; if you want to, I'm really ok with this.” 

 “Oh, really I thank you, B.” Faith turned around, pretending to search around, “Where is he? Where's my date?” 

 Buffy sighed, “Come on, be serious.” 

 Faith stopped and stared at her, “I am. Thanks for your approval, B, but I don't need it.” 

 “I just meant... I didn't want you to think you couldn't come you know, and-”

 “I got it, B. But seriously, I'm not interested.”

 “Why?”

 “It's simply not my thing.”

 “But it's the Prom, it's the night of the year and, I mean, it'd be great if you could come.” 

 “I'd be bored to death, B. It's not my night of the year, it's yours, it's your thing. So don't worry about me. I'll have fun on my own.” 

 Buffy remained silent, not knowing what to say.

 “Ok, gotta go now. See you.” 

 Faith headed on the right, leaving Buffy thoughtful.

 ~~

 They discovered the next day, thanks to Cordelia and her fashion sense, or to Xander and his lack of, that someone was planning on unleashing Hell Hounds, raised to attack neatly dressed people during the Prom.

It darkened the Scooby’s mood but they started researching.

 They came back with disappointed looks.

 “Nothing, nada, total waste of time.”

 Willow sighed.

 “Do you think they'll take my suit back, Will?” 

 “No one's taking their outfits back.”  Buffy said as she walked in, “We'll find a solution.”

 “Found it already.”

 They all turned to look at Faith as she arrived in her turn, “Got the addy.” 

 “Great we can go now.” Xander said as he got up cheerfully.

 “Wait, wait a minute.” 

 The others stopped and stared at Buffy who now looked thoughtful but finally smiled at them,

“No ok, you guys go. I'll meet you there once we've found him.”

 Xander, Willow and Oz left the library. Buffy headed to the weapons but Faith blocked her way,

“I've got it, B.” 

 “I'm not letting you do this alone.”

 “Yes you are. You're gonna be the nice little school girl for one night, B. Hop in your pretty dress and your pretty shoes, give your pretty smile and go to that little dance of yours. I've got it.” 

 “No matter what you say I'm not-”

 “You can't have everything, Buffy.” 

 “What is that supposed to mean?” 

 “It means you go to your Prom, you have your dream night in your dream lover and you forget about the rest. Darkness is mine tonight.”

 She took a crossbow and two knives that she put in her waistband.

 “Have fun, B.” 

 She left without any more words.

 Buffy sat on the stairs for a little while, thoughtful.

She should be happy, she could be what she always wanted to be, a normal girl, going to The Prom with her boyfriend, not worrying about anything else, someone else taking care of the outside for her.

She should be happy, but she felt somewhat sad.

 You can't have everything Buffy. Why had Faith said that and mostly, why was it making sense now? Why was she not already running home to get ready? Buffy shook these questions out of her head.

She got up, determined, “Fine, I'll have the best night of my life then.”

 She headed home to prepare herself and get in the mood for a memorable night as she intended it to be.

 Buffy met Willow and Oz at the party. Angel was supposed to come later, once darkness would have fallen.

 The slayer then moved closer to the watchers while her friends headed to the dance floor.

 She kept looking at her watch and looked restless.

 “She'll be alright, Buffy.” Giles told her reassuringly.

 Buffy felt guilty for not being out there, chasing the Hell Hounds with Faith.

She gave a slight jump when Angel put his hands on her waist from behind.

She turned around and smiled at him. He kissed her.

 “Finally. She'll be less edgy now.”

 Angel frowned at Wesley's comment.

 Giles moved forward, “Faith will be fine, Buffy. My guess, she’s probably killed them by now, or she would have called us if she’d run into any trouble.”

 Angel looked at Buffy deeply. She swallowed, “It's against Hell Hounds, Giles said they were pretty vicious. So I worry, it's normal.”

 Angel simply nodded and took Buffy's hand, “She's a big girl. She can handle it.”

 He dragged her to the dance floor.

 After a little while, prizes were awarded, and a last prize was added this year when they called up Buffy to give her the first «Class Protector» award of the history of Sunnydale. Buffy walked on stage, looking shy. Jonathan gave her the award. Everyone, Buffy’s friends first, started shouting “Speech, speech, speech, speech.” So Buffy took the mike.

 “I-, well, I thank you. I wasn't expecting that,” She said with a smile, clearly confused, she cleared her throat then and stared at the crowd, “I just want to say that... I'm not alone. There are people out there protecting you too, tonight as a matter of fact. There's someone deserving this award as much as I do. And I just want to say that-”

Buffy stopped as she noticed the brunette slayer in the back, barely in the room, staring at her.

“They're not forgotten, I don't forget. I accept this award in their name.” she ended.

 The slayers stared at each other from across the room and Faith finally left.

 Buffy walked out of the stage under the applause of the room.

 She walked back to her friends who smiled hugely at her. Angel was a little less smiley though.

 “Alright, let's party now.” 

Xander said as he headed back to the dance floor. Oz and Willow followed.

 Buffy smiled at Angel and they headed to the dance floor. He still looked a little stern.

 “What's wrong?”

 “Nothing. I understand. Given my past I probably didn't deserve to be included in your beautiful speech.” He said with a hint of sarcasm.

 “I said they, and in their name; who do you think I was talking about?” 

 “What about tonight? You were mostly talking about Faith, don't deny it.”

 Buffy sighed, “And so what? Isn't she out there battling evil tonight so that we can't have a great night? So to you she doesn't deserve any appreciations just because...” she trailed off remembering how all this mess started.

Angel looked upset, he pulled Buffy closer against his chest and she exhaled, letting go of the frustration Angel's jealousy created in her every time.

 They remained silent.

 They danced for a little while. Buffy kept discreetly checking out the door, hoping to see the brunette decide to finally join them. She didn't know why but she felt like this night should be hers too, and not only in the dark part of it, she should have this too.

 She looked concerned. Angel sighed.

 Buffy frowned when she saw the look Angel was giving her.

 “What? What's wrong again?”

 “You tell me? Do you really want to be here, Buffy?”

 “What do you mean?” 

 “No because, you keep waiting for her, you can go find her if you want and you two can have one of your private parties without me.” 

 Buffy exhaled, clearly irritated, she simply headed to the bar without any words.

Angel went to the restrooms and came back to her, apologizing. They didn't talk about it or Faith.

The atmosphere remained tensed for a little while; it got better towards the end of the evening.

 They headed to the mansion together as Buffy was supposed to spend the night there. The perfect ending to a perfect night. Or so it was supposed to be. So far, it hadn't exactly unfolded like that. But she snuggled up into him and he squeezed her tightly.

It could still be; she was with the man of her life after all. It could only be wonderful... Couldn't it? That's how it used to be in Buffy's mind, now she couldn't help a bitter taste as she tried to remember the time she used to think like that, and the time it used to work. That time was far far away now.

 Angel went to change into some more comfortable clothes while Buffy put her nightdress in another room.

 They headed to the bed and crept under it.

 They kissed and snuggled up closer to each other. Buffy was slightly shaking.

 “Are you cold?” 

 “Just a little bit.”

 Angel took a cover and put it over the sheets. She lied closer to him and wondered why she'd never paid attention to the coldness of his body. It was the first time it actually hit her.

She couldn't get warmer no matter how close they were.

 He kissed her languorously, deepening the kiss while caressing her face. She felt immediately warmer though. He had his own heating way after all.

 He started running his hand down on her body, on her neck first, shoulders, collarbone and lower until he reached her breasts which he started massaging.

 She moaned but pulled away.

 “Angel?”

 He pulled her into a kiss while teasing her nipples.

She moaned again, he kissed her neck.

 “Angel? What are you doing?” 

 “It's ok,” he just whispered and she felt his hand, his cold hand under her nightdress moving up to her breasts.

 She shivered, “Angel?” 

 “Shh,” he kissed her again and started massaging her breasts again while lying her down on her back.

 He ran his hand on her stomach.

 “I don't think we should be doing this, Angel.”

 He looked at her and caressed her face, “I just want to give you this. I want to make this night unique for you, Buffy.” 

He kissed her again and started caressing her thigh, moving his hand up until he reached her inner thigh and started parting her legs.

 “Angel, I don't-”

 “It's ok.” He could hear the anxiousness in her voice and tried to sound as reassuring as he could, “We can do that, I can do that to you, nothing bad is going to happen.”

 He kissed her and she gasped in his mouth when his fingers reached her core. He gently made his way through her curls until he reached her sensitive spot and started rubbing it. Buffy moaned.

 He kissed her neck and whispered, “This is your special night, Buffy.”

 A rush of images and thoughts came to her mind and she sat up straight, removing his hand.

 He sighed, upset, “I told you we can. Nothing is going to happen.”

 “It's a bad idea.” 

 “Why?” 

 “I don't know. I just don't think we should be doing this.” 

 “It's alright. You just need to relax and let me do. I just want to make you feel good.” 

He said, moving his hand on her stomach again.

 “Well I don’t, I 'm sorry. I just don't feel it.”

 Angel sighed, “What? Am I doing it the wrong way? Maybe I should call Faith and asked her for advices then?” 

 Buffy put her hands on her face.

 Angel sighed. He meant to reach for her but she got up. She took her pants.

 “What are you doing?” 

 “Going home.”

 “Buffy, Buffy listen to me-”

 “No, Angel; I'm done listening to you and I'm done apologizing for what happened. Maybe if you would stop making me feel bad about it, you could've actually made me feel good. If you would just let go; this is all I asked of you. I didn’t need this. I don’t. I needed you, just you cause guess what, I'm in love with you, but really times like this; I wonder why.”

 “Buffy?!” He called but she left.

 He sighed and lied down on the bed. He would try and apologize tomorrow, letting her some time to calm down and for him to think. He knew she was right; he'd never stopped making her feel bad. He couldn't hope to get her in the mood for what he had planned tonight with the way the evening had gone so far, and with what he'd just told her.

He sighed, mad at himself.

 ~~

 Buffy walked home crying. She couldn't believe how things had turned out between her and Angel. She didn't understand why she was so confused. She tried to understand why she hadn't let him do. They could do this, they really could but somehow it felt wrong.

Maybe it was the habit of not doing anything, or the memory and guilt over what happened when they did *it* but whatever it was; it had simply felt wrong tonight and mostly; Buffy knew she wasn't in the mood at all.

Which she didn't understand, she was so often frustrated because she wanted more with him. She felt turned on so often and now that she could have actually gotten some release, she’d backed up. She wondered. Angel did kill the mood though with his constant allusion to Faith, this, Buffy was sure of. It wasn’t all her fault. She was tired of taking the blame. So she'd taken the best decision at the time; leaving.

But right decision or not, she was still crying when she got back home. She walked slowly in as to not wake her mother up. She went to take a shower and pull herself together.

She went back to her room and sat on her bed, in a nightdress. She sighed and looked around at her little room, she was alone, in the dark, not tired and exhausted at the same time.

This was the ending to what was supposed to be a perfect night.

Well, the ending was just like the night itself, disappointing, unfulfilled.

PART 7

Buffy crept under her sheets, trying hard to forget about this evening.

Tomorrow she'll try again, she'll get up and wear a smile on her lips to face a new happy day, but for now she could close her eyes and not smile in her sleep.

 She kept turning around in her bed. She couldn't find sleep. Suddenly she felt something inside, deep down, she couldn't describe that feeling but she turned around immediately and saw her; looking through the window, silently.

 They stared at each other. Faith was settled, she had been here for a little while.

 “Do you want-”

Faith shook her head at Buffy’s words she could read on her mouth, she wanted to stay out, she had to stay out.

She'd killed the hell hounds a long while ago. She hadn't patrolled afterwards, she'd felt slightly down and she'd headed to the Prom. She’d felt this huge pride inside at Buffy’s speech but also this huge confusion so she'd left again. She'd wandered in town but still did no slaying.

Without thinking she’d found herself here, at Buffy’s house, but there was no post slayage horniness, no urgent need, nothing allowing her to step in. She couldn't, she shouldn’t....

 They stared at each other for a long while. They couldn't look elsewhere and yet couldn't decide anything until Buffy slightly moved backward on her bed, spreading the sheets opened, still staring at Faith who swallowed.

 “Come in.” Buffy barely breathed out. Faith took a deep breath. She tried to close her eyes, block any thoughts but she opened them again and once again they fell on the blonde girl's needy eyes.

 She slowly opened the window and stepped in.

 Buffy hesitantly sat up straight on the bed while Faith remained standing, not moving an inch. Buffy sat on the edge of her bed and waited until Faith finally made a few steps closer.

 She was within reach now. Buffy looked up at her and saw the same confusion and hesitation in the brunette's eyes.

 She took a deep breath.

Faith could tell Buffy had cried not long ago, her first impulse at this sight was to reach for her face; she caressed her hair away from her face.

 Buffy shivered and swallowed. She slowly reached the hem of Faith's pants and started unbuttoning it unhurriedly. Faith inhaled deeply.

 Buffy slowly slid the brunette's pants down her thighs, letting her hands heavily brush against the slayer's legs all the way to her feet. She then looked up at her again while Faith kicked her shoes away and stepped out of her pants.

 Buffy took deeper breaths; she ran her hand on Faith's taut stomach, watching, feeling the warmth there.

 She caressed her waist, ran her fingertips along her pelvis. She seemed caught into another space at that moment and Faith didn't seem quite totally there either.

 It was their breathing, getting heavier, that brought them back.

Buffy looked up again, she seemed somewhat lost but Faith seemed found again, she took Buffy's hands that were on her waist and moved forward, still holding them.

 She knelt on the bed and removed her own shirt and bra, she then took care of Buffy's nightdress and pulled her backwards until Buffy was on her back again, and she leaned on top of her.

 Buffy felt suddenly very warm. She'd never felt so warm in her entire life, as she admitted.

It really shocked her compared to the coldness she'd experienced earlier with Angel.

Angel, thoughts of him didn't hurt right now. Thoughts of him didn't really manage to pass through the intensity that was Faith's gaze to even count at that moment.

 Faith settled closer, their legs intermingled and she started moving slowly. Buffy inhaled deeply and held the brunette's arms tighter.

 They were staring at each other until Buffy reached out for Faith's face that she caressed gently.

Faith bent her head forward, to her neck that she kissed, to her earlobe that she nibbled, to her neck again, to her collarbone, to her cheekbones. Desperately moving around and avoiding the place she kept coming back close to; her mouth... And now she understood why she’d avoided it all this time as their lips sealed into a kiss that never ended, or so it seemed.

Soft at first and deepening gradually; tasting, savoring, feeling, integrating the other's taste for very long minutes, breathing by the nose heavily until they finally pulled away, staring even deeper at each other. Unable to understand that feeling but going back at it again as they started devouring each other's mouth once again while their body increased the pace of their rubbing against each other. Thighs hot and wet, carrying the trace of desire, the trace of what they were doing to each other's body, the sensation, the need, the craving they felt towards each other.

 Buffy's moans became louder as Faith slid her hand between their sweating bodies and started rubbing her soft spot.

She clutched tighter at the brunette, her fingers sliding on Faith's sweating back.

Buffy cried out in pleasure as Faith entered her wetness.

 “Faith.” She whispered then moaned again.

 “Faith.” She held her tighter. Faith licked on her neck and Buffy shivered, “Faith.”

 Faith held her tighter every time Buffy called her name, and she rubbed herself on her harder as well. She moaned louder.

 She started thrusting faster and Buffy left soft cries out. She wrapped her legs around the brunette's thighs and it only made Faith thrust harder.

 “Faith.”

 Buffy cried out and dug her nails in the brunette's back as she climaxed.

 Faith thrust slower now a few times, while Buffy's walls relaxed. She kept kissing her neck and moved to her mouth to kiss her passionately again.

 Still kissing her Buffy swapped position, Faith's finger sliding out of her.

Faith didn't break the kiss until she realized she was on her back. She tried to reverse the position But Buffy maintain her on her back by kissing her and moving on top of her. Faith moaned as the blonde girl started moving her pelvis hard against her crotch.

 “B.”

The pleasure was building up at the pit of Faith's stomach, she whimpered and Buffy kissed her again.

Faith's climax was stifled in Buffy's mouth.

 The blonde girl didn't waste any minute she lowered her hand and slid two fingers inside of Faith who cried out at the welcomed intrusion.

 Buffy started pumping in and out of her while staring at her.

 Faith swallowed, images, emotions rushing to her head.

 She started breathing even heavier, almost in a panic and she tried to switch position again but Buffy held her still, “Shh,” and she kissed her again. Faith held her tightly, almost like she was standing on a cliff and would fall otherwise.

 Their kissed lasted forever again and they only broke it when Faith climaxed again in a loud groan.

 And they stared at each other once again.

 Faith was struggling to catch her breath back while trying to understand and process the thoughts in her mind.

 They couldn't keep their gaze off of each other.

 Faith swallowed and tried to look aside, she meant to move but Buffy lied her head down on her chest.

 Faith didn't have the will neither the strength to move her at that instant.

Buffy was just sure of one thing; she didn't want to let her go right now but she couldn't look at her anymore. She couldn't stand these emotions invading her.

That was how she'd imagined the perfect night could end. These emotions, this feeling of goodness, of warmth, there, she'd had her perfect night somehow but it wasn't in the arms of the man she loved and this, she couldn't understand. She could barely stand it so she just clung to Faith and tried to only think of that goodness and not the confusion about it.

 Faith, after a slight hesitation, finally put her arms on the blonde girl's back and decided to let go of the confusion too, to only feel the warmth.

 They fell asleep shortly after.

Joyce took her night robe and walked out of her room to go to the bathroom. It was 5am. She walked slowly in the corridor; she glanced at her daughter's bedroom thoughtfully but shook her head and went to the bathroom. When she went out of it, she hesitated again. What she'd heard last night...

It wasn't the first time and last time she’d just ended up thinking it was only Buffy pleasuring herself, like she, herself, sometimes did. It wasn't the first time and it was a normal fact so she didn't wonder more than this.

Last night though, she really was sure that Buffy wasn't alone this time. A slight panic first took hold of the older Summers at this realization, fearing for her daughter’s life and their safety, but then, thinking deeply, realizing that it probably wasn't the first time, she decided to trust her daughter.

 Buffy had made mistakes but she wasn't fool enough to make twice the same. Plus she knew her daughter, she could tell she wasn't very happy with her and Angel’s situation and they were probably far from being caught up in the moment with the guilt that lied upon them. But now the question was who was she with? Or how did she and Angel manage to do something if it was him?

 Joyce hadn't gotten up when the sounds echoing from her daughter's room had woken her up because she thought it was her private life, but now that she was up, close to Buffy's door room, the curiosity, and also a little fear overcame her and she walked closer.

 She put her hand on the doorknob.

 She hesitated but finally pulled it open very slowly and took a glance inside.

 She inhaled slightly deeper at the sight of her daughter clearly naked, on her side, hands recovering the not less naked body of the brunette slayer, lying on her back, with Buffy's head on her arm.

 Strangely though, Joyce felt that she wasn't so surprised about that.

She thoughtfully closed the door without waking up any of the sleeping girls.

Buffy slowly woke up to the sound of a closing zipper and clothes crumpling, she opened her eyes and saw Faith getting dressed up pretty hastily.

 Buffy put her arms around her pillow and Faith noticed she was awake; she looked back at her boots though.

 “Hey.” Buffy said in a low voice.

 “Hey.” Faith replied, same tone.

 “Err,” Buffy looked hesitant, “You don't have to go, I mean, right now, if you want to sleep later.” 

 “I'm good.” 

 Buffy swallowed, she didn't know what to say. What could she say? She couldn't tell her she wanted her to stay, what would it mean? No, she just had to let her go.

It still couldn't mean more, couldn't be more.

 She needed this comfort yesterday but she had to step back into Buffy the slayer's shoe now. She couldn't be weak. She couldn't fail. She loved Angel.

Besides, Faith wasn't in love either...

 It was just... one more night...

 One last time, Buffy hoped. It had to be.

And when she thought hoped, she mostly hoped to NOT need to be with her like she needed it last night ever again.

She'd needed it and she’d found so much comfort and tenderness. And Faith, of all people was the one who'd given her that...

 How strange was that?

 And she'd felt something else, when Faith looked at her, with such uncertainties and somewhat fragility when Buffy was on top of her, she'd felt that she was giving the brunette something too, or rather, that the brunette was giving her something she'd never give anyone.

 She'd felt the strongest connection ever.

 But it could just be this; a connection, a moment in time. A moment where time would stop and they would step outside of their lives.

 And now, as the sun rises in the sky, they were back into their own skin, into the real world.

 Buffy was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't even notice the brunette opening the window. She snapped out of her thoughts, “Goodbye.” she dumbly said as Faith was already out by the window.

 Buffy sighed and lied down on her back for a couple more hours.

 It was past 9 when Buffy got downstairs. Joyce was in the kitchen doing the dishes.

 “Hi mom.”

Buffy rather tonelessly said.

 “Good morning, Buffy. Do you want something to eat?” 

 “No thanks. I'm not really hungry.” 

 Joyce nodded, she was still turning back to Buffy, “What about Faith?”

 Buffy froze. Joyce turned around, “Will she have breakfast or is she gone already?” 

 Buffy didn't know what to say. She looked embarrassed and really at word's loss.

 Joyce turned around again, “I guess she's gone then.” 

 “Look mom, it's,” Buffy trailed off, she didn't know what her mother really knew, then she realized that she and Faith hadn't been extra silent last night. They hadn't thought about much than the two of them, as if nothing else existed.

 Joyce put the last glass on the strainer and turned around. She didn't look freaked out or mad to Buffy's opinion, but it didn't help the blonde girl finding the right words though.

 “Are you in love with her?”

 “No, no, it's, it's not what you think, I mean...” 

 “I don't really think much about this in fact.”

 Buffy remained silent.

 “It wasn't the first time, was it?”

 Buffy shook her head, “I mean, it only happened once before, I mean, here.” 

 Joyce nodded, Buffy moved forward, “But it doesn't mean anything mom, don't get the wrong idea. Or, don't worry about this, it was just...” She trailed off again.

 “What is it according to you, Buffy?” 

 “Nothing, it doesn’t mean anything. It's just, sometimes, I mean, I can’t explain it but... don't freak out.” 

 “I'm not freaking out, Buffy.” 

 “Actually no, you're not.” Buffy looked suddenly surprised, “How come you’re not freaking out?”

 Joyce couldn't help a slight smile then looked serious again, “Actually I should freak out.”

 Buffy lowered her gaze.

 “I didn't raise my daughter to sleep with people and it being nothing. This, should freak me out.”

 Buffy looked up at her, a little surprised and ashamed, “Mom, it's complicated.”

 “I know. And I'm not freaking out because I doubt you feel nothing for Faith. I know there is this whole part of you that I can't understand, this part of you that is hidden from me because I don't know what it is to be The slayer. Only you do... And she does too. But I do know my daughter, and I trust her. I trust you to do what’s right, Buffy.”

 Buffy felt inwardly very proud but also very confused about all of this.

 “Thank you, mom. I'll try to be the best I can for you.” 

 “Don't be anything for me, Buffy. I want you to be happy. And I know you're not. Your relationship with Angel worries me far more than seeing you in bed with Faith.”

 Buffy slightly looked aside.

 Joyce sighed; the expression on her face showed her many concerns.

 “I just worry about you.” 

 “Don't. I'm alright; I know what I'm doing.” It wasn’t entirely true and Buffy knew it but she couldn't tell otherwise.

 Joyce looked upset, her daughter’s face closing just like every time the talk would go on Angel. This was the one thing she wouldn’t discuss, and this was the one thing that scared Joyce the more.

 “Alright, Buffy. Just tell Faith that she can use the front door next time.”

 “There won't be a next time.” Buffy said while sitting at the table.

 Joyce remained silent, Buffy's tone clearly letting her know she wasn't going to talk more about her relationship with Faith than she would talk about Angel.

 Joyce served her a cup of coffee and Buffy finally ate some pancakes that her mother brought her.

 They talked about the Prom; the PG-13 part of it. The few happy thoughts Buffy kept from it like her Class Protector award...

 Then Buffy went out for a walk.

PART 8

Buffy wandered in town for the most part of the day. She felt a huge sadness inside. She tried to put some order in her thoughts but could absolutely not. She started crying without understanding why. She even had to sit on a bench so much tears clouded her eyes. She pulled herself together and went back home... only to brood some more.

 Joyce observed her silently. The slayer was on the couch, the TV was on and she was apparently looking at it but her gaze was blank. Joyce could easily see her stare in the void.

 Night had fallen and Buffy had still not moved. Joyce walked closer and put a hot chocolate in front of her daughter who snapped out of her thoughts then.

 “Thanks.”

 Joyce sat on the armchair opposite to her daughter who stared at her, “Something wrong?”

 “I hate to see you like that, Buffy.”

 “Mom, I’m fine.”

 “You don’t seem fine. If you would talk to me I-”

 “Mom.”

 “Just a little, like how you got to that point with Faith or-”

 Buffy sighed as she looked aside; she looked more embarrassed than irritated.

 Joyce sighed, upset too, “I’m just trying to understand what happened and-”

 “You can’t mom.”

 “I’ve been 18 too, you know.”

 “It has nothing to do with this.”

 “I’ve never been a slayer sure but maybe I could still understand if you would explain to me wh-”

 “I don’t know. I don’t understand it myself so... how could you?”

 Joyce felt even worse at her daughter’s tone. She would have preferred anger to this despair in it.

 She saw tears in Buffy’s eyes as this one looked aside.

 Joyce tried again, gently, “Maybe this is why you should talk about it. It could help you see clearer.”

 Buffy remained silent while a tear fell on her cheek.

 “How is it going on with Angel?”

 Buffy gave a short nervous laugh out and more tears fell.

 “Maybe you could talk to me about him.”

 Buffy looked at her mother with a slight hopeful gleam despite the emotions clenching her throat.

 “I-I don’t know it’s-”

 A knock resounded at the door. Buffy looked aside but decided to get up to open it before her mother did so. She was surprised and silent at the sight of her lover standing straight in front of her.

 “Can I come in?”

 Buffy stepped aside and he walked in.

 “Good evening Miss Summers.”

 “Good evening Angel.” Joyce politely replied though standing backwards.

 “I hope I’m not bothering you, I needed to see Buffy.”

 Joyce nodded but didn’t comment while he turned to the slayer, “I-, Can I talk to you... alone?” He gently asked.

 She looked at her mother “We’ll be in my room.” She walked the first step of the stairs but turned around abruptly, “Err no, we-we should go to the garden.”

 “Alright.” He didn’t really care as long as he could talk to her privately.

 Buffy had showered this morning and with the day going by there was no way he could smell Faith on her this evening, but her room... the bed wasn’t even made, sheets were still crumpled and Faith’s smell was everywhere, or so it had seemed to Buffy when she’d came back home; this was why she’d remained downstairs.

 They walked to the garden by the kitchen’s door.

 She turned around to him, “Mom worries fast since last year... that’s-that’s why I thought the garden was better.” She justified.

 He nodded.

 She remained silent then. He moved forward and took her hands, “I’m sorry, Buffy.”

 She looked aside.

 “I’m sorry for what I’ve put you through these past months. I’m sorry for I acted like a jerk. I thought I was so over this kind of behaviour, but I guess I’m not and it’s because I love you more than I’ve ever loved in my entire existence.”

 Buffy held back her tears.

 “I’m sorry that I ruined your night last night. I knew this night was special and I ruined it and I feel very sorry for that and-” He didn’t finish as she hid in his arms and he only held her tight while she started sobbing profusely, thinking about... last night, her special night.

 She couldn’t look at him apologizing like that while she had spent such an intense night with Faith.

 He made her pull away and look at him after a while, “But this is over, Buffy. I won’t even mention it. I won’t even think about it. We start clear and I’ll do everything in my power to make you feel good. And when I say good, I mean the simple kind of good like before. I know being together hasn’t been the lightest stuff this year, but I’m going to try harder to make it feel good again because I love you and all I want is to see you happy. I love you and I’ll do anything for you.”

 She tried to stop crying so he wiped her tears away, “It’s going to be alright now. Just tell me that you want it and we can have it; a fresh start?”

 She swallowed.

 “I love you, Buffy.”

 “I love you so much Angel. I’m sorry.”

 He held her tight and kissed the top of her head, “It’s ok. It’s gonna be fine now. I promise.”

 Angel kissed her and she clung to him as tight as she could.

 “I love you, Buffy.” He told her when they pulled away and he wiped her tears away again.

 They sat on the swing seat and remained close in each other's arms for a good part of the night until he told her she should go to bed. She did look really tired. These past few months had been exhausting as much by confusion as by frustration.

 Buffy wanted hard to believe it was finally going to be alright. She had somewhat felt the comfort she’d missed so much from Angel again tonight, she’d found her lover back but she knew there was still a snag; a brunette slayer snag. A snag that she had no idea how to react to, how to react with anymore. A snag she had no control on and no explanation of....

 She went to bed, took an aspirin because she had a huge headache and she managed to fall asleep.

 She got up with difficulty the next day. She wanted to skip the day to be the evening already and go see Angel. She wanted to see him, she was anxious to see her. Anxious to discover if she wanted to see her too. Anxious to know how it would feel to see her again after such the night they spent together.

And even more anxious to see if it would hurt to see the brunette girl acting as though nothing had happened like she knew Faith would. Anxious, and scared that it would indeed hurt. She didn't want it to hurt. It couldn't hurt. It couldn't mean so much.

 But at this point of the day, she had no idea anymore what really meant something.

Willow walked closer to Buffy at lunch, “Are you ok, Buffy?”

 “Yes.” She replied toneless.

 “You seem, well, you look really sad.” 

 “No, I'm not sad. I’m fine. I'm fine now.” 

 “Did you and Angel have a fight?” 

 “No we...” she trailed off.

 Willow sat beside her, “I know we haven't talked a lot these days, but I know there's something going on.” 

 Buffy gave a slight jump.

 “I mean, I know you and Angel seem to have a hard time lately.” 

 “It's ok, Will. It's over now; I mean the argument.” 

 “What was it?”

 Buffy looked aside. Willow looked slightly upset, “Ok, well, what matters is that it's over. I guess it's not easy for you. But you love him and he loves you so much, it shows. And what you have is unique, Buffy. It's even unrealistically unique. And it's strong, it's intense it's... forever.” 

 Buffy stared at her, thoughtfully.

 “No matter what it was, what matters is your love, what could come between this? What could be worth a love like yours?” 

 Buffy looked even more thoughtful at that and Willow smiled, “So I guess what I want to say is that I'm glad the argument is over, cause ever since you and Angel got together, I always felt that nothing, and certainly no one, could come between you and see, not even death did. So, I mean, I know it's difficult but, well, I guess I just want you to be happy. I know everyone's reaction to Angel's return was pretty harsh but, if that can help, I’m glad about it, I mean, he's only Angel to me and I’m glad you’re back together.” 

 Buffy faintly smiled, then smiled more confidently, “Thank you, Will.”

 “You're welcome.” 

“I-it's really important. I. Thank you. You're right. I can't let little things get in the way. He's... Angel.”

 Willow smiled hugely with a nod.

 Buffy tried to relax in the afternoon and told herself that she would really put some order back in her life now. Angel had always been a priority and he would still be.

Plus she had an apocalypse to stop so it was time to stop messing around. She pulled herself together and decided she would be strong face to Faith, but when this one showed, Buffy didn't even have to say anything since the brunette slayer barely looked at her. Buffy kept her head up, thinking hard that it meant even more that she was right to erase this from her mind and her life now. It would never happen again.

‘Get some get gone’ wasn't for her. And Faith's attitude help convinced herself that it was just what it had been.

 The next evening they were at the bronze, still talking about the Mayor though. They were clearly stuck on how to stop him from becoming whatever it was he had decided to ascend to.

 Angel was here, holding Buffy tightly and for once the atmosphere was light. The two couples were cuddly and Xander was good moody too.

 They knew Faith was here too because Oz had seen her but she hadn’t showed up at their table so far.

Buffy didn't even try to look for her. She tried to not think about her at all in fact, with more or less success, but it didn't darken her mood.

 Buffy headed to the restrooms at some point. She headed to one of the cabin when she heard some suspicious sounds. She looked towards the cabin in the back and recognized the brunette slayer's moans as well as those of a boy. She remained stuck for a little while, looking backwards, then forward at the cabin, like she seemed not to know what to do. She could clearly see the door banging hard now and hear it plainly now; the moans escaping getting really louder. It seemed to Buffy as if the sounds came from another planet. As if she wasn’t really in this room right now; she looked aside, with still a confused look on and finally walked backwards to head out of the restrooms.

 She remained a little disturbed for a little while. Angel was very caring with her and, staring straight at him, she told herself that with what she'd just witnessed; it really was the best decision she'd taken.

 This year had been hard but now it was over, she was herself again...

 The week went by and graduation day was only a day from now. They were all really focused on the ascension. The slayers had been together again but both of them focused entirely on the ascension.

 Faith had done some thinking on her own and what she'd felt that night; she’d refused it. She couldn't allow something like that. She couldn't allow herself to open up to this when Buffy wasn't even open to it and mooning over Angel again... forever. Buffy would always be Buffy and she would always be Faith.

So Faith, who’d always tried to make Buffy realize she was just like her, on this one, back-pedalled to make herself believe that they were from different worlds and she could not allow it to be anything else than what she'd always intended it to be; casual sex.

 The murder of a volcanologist, killed by vampires made Giles and Wesley wonder about it so they sent Buffy and Angel to investigate.

As they were going out of the victim’s apartment Angel was shot with an arrow, fortunately, the heart was missed, only just.

 Buffy brought him to the library but to Buffy's worry they discovered the arrow was poisoned when Angel's state started degrading fast.

 Giles helped Buffy carry Angel to the mansion before the rise of the day while Wesley started placing calls to the council to help identifying the poison.

 In the meantime the news spread amongst the Scoobs and they gathered at the library. Faith heard by them and decided to go to the mansion.

 Buffy was pacing down when she arrived so she slowed down; suddenly she wasn't so sure why she'd decided to come here.

 Wesley arrived right behind Faith so it took her mind off of the awkwardness she'd felt.

Unfortunately Wesley didn't have any news Buffy wanted to hear; the council categorically refused to help a vampire.

 Faith saw Buffy's face fumbled first then wore a much resolved look on as she told Wesley she wouldn't follow any orders from now on. She was out of the council.

In her dreams Faith wouldn't have said that to them though she'd thought about it a lot, mostly after Wesley’s arrival. After the Gwen Post debacle, if it hadn't been for Buffy's presence, she would have told them to fuck off, in a far less polite way than Buffy had just done.

 Wesley tried to convince her, “Don't you see what’s happening? Mayor got Angel poisoned to distract you, keep you out of his way. And it’s working, don’t you see that?”

 She moved forward, “All I see is the man I love dying.” 

 Faith lowered her head.

 “You can go back now Wesley. Council is not welcomed here anymore.”

 Knowing he would have no help from Giles, Wesley walked away, offended and mostly hurt.

 Buffy sat on a chair and covered her face by her hands.

 “We'll find another way, Buffy. The others are looking into it. I'm going to head to the library to help them and place a few phone calls, see what I can learn.”

 “What about the Mayor?” 

 Buffy gave Faith a death stare but Faith didn't flinch, “I'm just saying, he's still gonna ascend tomorrow while we're here researching that poison. We still got nothing to stop him.” 

 Buffy moved forward, inches away from her, “Tell you what; you go find Wesley to fight the Mayor, and I'll take care of Angel.”

 “Fine.” Faith walked away with an angry look. Buffy looked aside, she shook her head and headed to be at her lover's bedside.

 The others finally identified the poison; they kept researching all day long for an antidote.

PART 9

Faith walked into the high school. She found them in a classroom. She'd been to Willy’s bar, she'd hit the street trying to find out something either on the Mayor or on that poison though she wouldn't admit it to Buffy.

 “Found anything?” 

 “Nope, still trying to find another cure.” 

 Faith frowned, “What OTHER cure?” 

 “Yeah, we found a cure but, well, can't really use it so...” Xander explained but Faith kept frowning, “What is it?” 

 “Slayer's blood. Yep, Mayor really didn't miss the mark there.”

 “Where's Buffy!” Faith sounded panicky suddenly.

 “She left, said she was gonna see if Giles found anything else.” 

 “Did you tell her about the cure?!”

 Her tone made Willow panicked but Xander tried to remain calm, “Come on, she wouldn't-”

 “Yes, she would.” Faith dryly said while leaving running.

 Xander sighed, “She's just panicking; Buffy's not crazy enough to do something, anything about this.”

 “Yes she is.” 

 “Come on, Will.”

 But Willow looked at Oz and realized, “She's in love; so of course she is. We're just stupid.” Willow got up, “I'll go call her mom see if she came back there first. Maybe I can try to talk to her.”

 They very fast walked out of the room.

 In the meantime Buffy had headed straight to the mansion once she’d learnt about the antidote. She knew they would find no other cure. There was NO other cure. She stared at Angel for a while, his state was deteriorating seconds by seconds, she saw him lose consciousness. She stayed beside him and waited for him to come back again knowing too well next time he might not come back.

 She helped him sitting up and told him she could heal him.

 He refused her solution when she explained to him. She forced him to stay on the bed, he was too weak to argue or even get up.

 She cleared her shoulder but he looked the other way, anywhere but at her. Face to his refusal she hit him, several times until he morphed into his vampire self, she pulled his face into her shoulder and waited anxiously until she felt his bite, tentatively first. She held on to him as he finally started drinking.

She felt herself drawn into the ground, or so it seemed. Her senses, her mind started to spin and she felt like she was melting on the ground though she was still on the bed, sitting close to him. She only just began to feel weak when she heard a big noise and found herself pushed to the ground.

 With the blood loss and the abrupt movement Buffy had to fight hard for her eyes to focus on the person standing in front of her. She looked mad when she recognized the silhouette, “Go away!”

 “Not gonna happen, B. You wicked stupid or what?!” 

 “It's my problem. I won’t let him die.” Buffy’s voice was very low.

 Buffy meant to get up but Faith punched her, Buffy's head spun again and she barely saw Faith took a knife from her pocket. She tried to get up as she saw Faith walked closer to the groggy vampire, “No don't-” but her eyes widened when she saw Faith run the blade on her own wrist and pull the vampire's face to it.

 Buffy's vision was blurry and her head kept spinning hard; she could only witness the scene. Everything looked like it was moving in slow motion around her. She saw her lover clenched hard on Faith's arm. She saw him drink avidly, she saw the brunette's eyes close progressively, she saw her head moving backwards and her body falling after a while, how long, she wouldn’t have been able to say. She saw the vampire still drinking while Faith's body hit the mattress and it gave her the strength to get up, on shaky legs though, “Stop.”

 She walked forward as Angel was still drinking, “Stop that, stop! Angel!” He pulled away at her shout and she pushed him hard while she crawled on the bed, “Faith?! Faith, talk to me, please! Please Faith!” Buffy was holding her shoulders, trying to shake her in panic, holding her tightly while Angel realized what had happened, he seemed completely healed. He looked at the scene for a short while before his instincts kicked in; he pulled Buffy away from Faith and took the brunette slayer in his arms, “She needs a doctor.”

 He saw Buffy was crying but didn't waste any more time.

 Buffy followed him with difficulty; she was still weakened by the blood loss.

 Doctors took care of Faith and it was only because she was still weak that Angel managed to hold Buffy back from going with her.

Then she finally calmed down and another doctor took care of her wound while Angel went to call the others.

They would be there soon.

 Angel headed back to the room he'd left Buffy in with the doctor but there was no one in anymore. He wandered around, heading to where they'd taken Faith as he knew he would find Buffy there. He couldn't help but being sad at that thought.

 Faith was out of danger as they’d told them but she was still unconscious.

 Angel walked slowly, he saw Buffy sitting on the bed next to the comatose brunette. She took her hand, the bandaged one, and turned it to look at her wrist. She took a deep breath and squeezed the brunette's hand.

 “At least I can still put my hair up. How you gonna look now, B?”

 “Faith? Are you ok?” Buffy asked with concern not paying too much attention at the brunette's low teasing words.

 “5 by 5. Though you're squeezing a little tight now.” 

 “Oh, sorry.” Buffy let go of her hands but slightly smiled, they remained silent now.

 Faith looked around, “Get me out of here, B.”

 “No, you need to rest.”

 “I don’t like it here, please.” Faith closed her eyes with this plea. Buffy thought she’d fallen back into sleep as she was under heavy medication but Faith opened her eyes again.

 Faith raised a shaky hand to the blonde's face, to her neck, Buffy let her do and Faith shook her head at the sight of the two little holes, “What got into you, B?” She feebly asked.

 Buffy looked aside, hiding her wound.

 “You're lucky you didn't,” Faith seemed to have trouble to remain awake, “didn't die because, because I'd have kicked your ass real bad for that. And- and him too.” 

The medicine was kicking in real strong.

 “I had too.”

 Faith tried to smirk but her face started to feel numb, “I'ma have to kill him...for that.”

 Buffy held the brunette's hand, “You know I forced him to, he would have let himself die rather than hurt me...” 

 “Yeah that.... that would have... wouldda been good.” Those were Faith’s last words before dozing off again. Buffy squeezed her hand and looked down at the sheets, sad and thoughtful.

 Angel walked out of the room and leaned against the wall for a while, really thoughtful; he left after explaining, ashamedly, what happened to the others.

 Buffy joined them and reassured them. They told her Angel had left and she walked away, telling them to watch over Faith while she was still asleep.

 ~

 She walked inside the Mansion.

 He was sitting there, looking even gloomier than usually.

 “Hey. You left.” She told him, wondering.

 “I thought it was better. Don't think I really had my place there.”

 “Yes you did. I can guess what the others told you but it’s none of their business. I needed you there, you should've have stayed.”

 “No. I should've gone. A long time ago.”

 That sentence slightly cut Buffy's breath.

 “We've, we've been through this already. It's hard, yes, but we'll get through this together.” 

 “No we won't, Buffy, and you know it.”

 She turned around pretending to leave, “I don't want to hear this.” 

But he grabbed her arm and made her turn around.

 “If I stay here one of us will end up dead, Buffy. And if I was sure it was me then maybe I wouldn't say anything about it.”

 “This is nonsense. All of this was because of the Mayor, he poisoned you. And it was just the only way but it won't happen again.”

 “How can you know that, Buffy? Our lives are threatened everyday, who knows what's coming next if we even survive this?” 

 “That's the point; we don't know. We can’t be afraid of things before they're even here, we can't-”

 “You should have never done what you did, Buffy. You laid your life for mine and this is the line we couldn't cross. And we dragged Faith with us.”

 “I did what I had to do and-”

 “So did Faith... to save you. For you. She should have probably staked me or done anything to end this but what she's done. But she did it for you.”

 “So here we are again; Faith. I thought you were over that.”

 “This has nothing to do with this, Buffy. Or maybe yes it does. Maybe I can’t get over it because I probably shouldn't. I don't think I can stand the way she loves you.” 

 “Angel it's not-”

 “And the way you do too.”

 “No, you’re completely wrong.”

 “It doesn't matter, Buffy. It just tells me that I don't have my place in your life anymore. You deserve another kind of life than anything I can give you, you’re eighteen now, you have your whole life in front of you but instead you just stay stuck here with me. You need to move on with your life.” 

 “I can't... I can’t NOT be with you, Angel. How could I ever-”

 “You'll get over it. Just like everyone else.” 

 She stepped backwards at his coldness, he felt like he had to be somewhat harsh.

 “How can you say that? You don't, you don't love me anymore?” 

 He didn't reply and looked aside.

 “Angel? I want to spend my life with you.”

 “Well I don't, Buffy.”

 She walked some more steps backwards.

 “I'll go, after graduation, if we survive, I'll leave, there's nothing here for me anymore.” 

 “What about me? Don't I mean nothing anymore?”

 “You mean everything to me, Buffy. This is why I have to go.”

 “But I-”

 “It's over, Buffy. We're over.”

 It took her breath away again. She walked away crying, she couldn't believe it was happening.

 Buffy cried all day long. Out of exhaustion, out of sadness, out of confusion, that good old confusion that wouldn't let her go this year.

Why did it have to be so complicated?

 Willow came by and they talked a little and Buffy admitted he was probably right, in the end. Willow was sad to see her like that. And the eternal romantic in the redhead was even sadder that their love couldn't be enough, but it really couldn't and just like everyone else, she knew it too, deep down.

 Buffy dreamt a lot that night and woke up with the firm intention to kick some Mayor's ass.

 They all met at the library, awkward gazes were exchanged between Faith, Angel and Buffy. The three of them remained pretty far from each other while Buffy stated her plan.

 Despite the uncertainties of it, they all voted for it because as Cordelia stated, it was their only plan. Wesley joined them to try and help and there was indeed lots of work to do.

 The big moment was there; graduation.

An eclipse happened and Mayor's transformation started, he ascended into a giant snake, but they were ready to receive him and the vampires.

A big confusing fight started between the students and the vampires. Buffy took charge of the snake to lead him into a trap they'd set. It wasn’t easy but he fell into it. He's appetite for the slayer took the best on his reasoning and he followed her through the high school corridors which he destroyed one by one until he found himself, or rather his head, in the library, filled with explosives. He realized but only too late that it was the end for him as a big explosion resounded.

 Sunnydale High was only smoke and pieces now.

 Lots of students stayed on the ground, Principal Snyder was killed too. The remaining vampires ran away after their boss's death.

 Buffy tried to find her friends. Oz and Willow were alright. She saw Faith helping Xander off of the ground; he just had a cut on the forehead but would survive, Cordelia was alright too. Giles handed her the graduation diploma he'd rescued from the fire then went to see Wesley as this one was being brought to the hospital, nothing big either.

 Buffy looked around until she felt him, she turned around and there he was, staring at her.

 The smoke between them was slightly thickening as he gave her one last look and finally walked away.

 She swallowed and turned around, Faith was standing there, she turned around and walked away too. Buffy swallowed again but then headed towards her friends and they contemplated together the ruins that had been their personal Hell for three years.

 Then they walked home, all really tired by the fight but glad to be alive.

 Buffy showered and went to her room. She was in her nightdress; she sat on her bed, staring straight in front of her, realizing everything that had happened this year, everything.

She started crying.

 It was gone, high school, the council's direction, Angel.... He was gone, everything was gone. Within a few months, and even more within a few days, she'd lost all her reference points, and suddenly she felt really lost and lonely and felt the need to feel safe again, to feel found again, to feel on known territory. She got up and very fast put panties and a pair of jean, a top, she didn't even put a bra and simply walked out of the house.

 She headed straight to Faith's motel room but she slowed down as she arrived close to it, and she even started to be afraid all of a sudden.

 She didn't know why but she feared to discover what was left of her and the other slayer's relationship. It had been a rocky path this year and what happened did damage their friendship. That it was good or bad Buffy wasn't sure but she knew they weren't friends anymore. So what were they? What will they be now? What did she want it to be and what would Faith want it to be?

So many unanswered questions that created a knot of anxiousness in her stomach.

 And there she was, at the brunette's door at 2 a.m.

She hesitated but she needed to see her, she hadn’t come here to back pedal now.

 She knocked.

PART 10

“Yeah.” Was the blasé response of the brunette slayer.

 Buffy opened the door and saw her, sitting on her bed, arms crossed. She was in her night short but looked far from sleeping either. She was above the covers, back against the headboard. Sleep was the last thing on her mind.

 She gave Buffy a tough gaze, “So he’s really gone then?” It was meant to sound harsh but came out somewhat shakily.

 Buffy nodded.

 Faith tried to remain firm in her look on Buffy, “So, what’re you here for now?” It was hard to keep her cold tone with the knot squeezing her stomach and the emotions clenching her throat.

 “I don't know I... I guess. I just...” Buffy swallowed too, she felt her tears not far.

 “I'm sorry I just... I think I should go home.”

 Buffy turned around but didn't have the time to put her hand on the doorknob that Faith was behind her, putting her arms around her, holding tight, “No don't.” She didn't say more but didn't release her grip. She rested her forehead on the blonde girl's shoulders and remained that way while Buffy inhaled deeply, trying to push back the tears falling down on her cheeks.

 “Please don't.” Faith breathed out again.

 Faith wasn't able to say anymore things nor to explain anything but her tight grip on Buffy spoke for her, letting her know how much she just couldn’t let her go now. She wouldn’t stand seeing her go now.

 Buffy swallowed and turned around, the brunette's face inches away from her and they kissed. Faith moved forward until Buffy's back hit the door.

Faith kissed her neck but went back to her mouth and they kissed passionately, or rather, urgently.

 Faith massaged Buffy's breasts over her top which made her moan. But the brunette didn't dwell too much here, she lowered her hand to Buffy’s pants, she needed to touch her, to feel her.

 Buffy moaned even more and clutched at her shoulders when Faith slid a finger inside of her.

 Buffy was still crying, in fact she was crying even more now and holding at Faith even tighter.

 “Stop that.”

 “Stop crying Buffy I can’t stand that.” Faith told her more firmly this time.

 Buffy couldn't stop.

 “I can’t stand to see you cry.”

 Buffy held her even tighter as the orgasm was building inside of her, images of Angel leaving, images of she and Faith making love, and that intense feeling as she was getting close. The tiredness after such a fight, after such a year... The pain of what she’d lost; the intensity of what she’d lived... All of this kept swirling in her mind. It was too much to handle and she couldn’t stop crying.

 “Faith,” She exhaled through sobs and moans.

 “You don't know... you don’t know what you’re doing to me. Stop doing this to me, Buffy. I can’t see you cry. Just stop!” She almost exclaimed while siding a second finger and grabbing Buffy's waist to carry her. She started pumping in and out of her while burying her face into the blonde slayer's neck as to not focus on her tears and the feelings she couldn’t help inside of her. She wanted to focus on the sex and not to sensation of her heart being torn apart by the blonde girl's distress.

 Buffy wrapped her legs tighter against Faith's waist and let out a heavy moan when she came. She let her head fall on Faith's shoulder, letting the brunette completely hold her.

 “Please, please don't cry.” Faith told her in a soft tone this time, tone betraying her own distress.

 She moved them to the bed and sat on it, Buffy still in her arm. She looked at her and wiped her tears while Buffy tried to pull herself together.

 “Don't cry.”

 Faith moved forward and kissed her again and they started undressing each other completely then crept under the sheets, Faith on top of Buffy.

 Buffy gasped at the first pressure of Faith's pelvis on her crotch and she held her tight once again. Faith was holding her not less tightly and her moans increased as they deepened the kiss. Once again they seemed unable to let go of each other's mouth. It felt like the sweetest, the safest haven there. Every time they kissed, the whole world and its painful ways disappeared.

 They made love for a good while, unable to stop. Buffy switched position and despite her reluctance, Faith was unable to resist her, unable to feel threatened by Buffy taking charge. Unable to feel anything else but goodness.

 They finally pulled apart, exhausted.

 Faith was now staring at the ceiling and Buffy was trying to catch her breath, then she stared at Faith who still wasn’t talking, or looking at her either.

 Buffy propped herself on her elbow and stared at her, she wanted her to talk to her but the brunette slayer remained silent, staring in the void. Even her body felt far as she’d settled at a ‘safe’ distance from any risk of brushing against the blonde girl's body lying next to her. Still and always trying to stay away...

 “Do you... Do you want me to go now?”

 Faith shrugged, still not looking at her.

 “Do you want me to stay? You can just tell me.” 

 “I don't care.” Faith sat up and took her pack of cigarette, turning her back to Buffy. She lit it and lied back down on the bed, still avoiding her, almost like she wasn't here.

 Buffy sat up too and sighed, then after a while she gathered her clothes, got dressed and left without Faith looking at her.

2 weeks went by during which they all spent time apart, Oz and Willow together, Buffy on her own, or with her mother and Faith on her own too.

 They saw one another just once for Xander's departure party, which for the most part consisted in him, Buffy, Willow and Oz watching DVDs at the Summers. Xander then took off for a summer of America's beautiful land exploration.

 Buffy patrolled aimlessly for several nights. It was very quiet, just like every time a big demoniac threat was stopped. Demons and vampires tended to keep it low during these times.

 She met Faith in Restfield cemetery, she'd managed to corner a vamp but he was dust before Buffy even got into the fight.

 “Hey B, what you're doing here?”

 “Patrolling, well, rather walking endlessly in empty streets.” 

 “Yeah, they're not out full force these days huh, kinda suck.” 

 “Yeah. I mean no, it's good, I like it that way.” 

 Faith raised her eyebrows and smiled wickedly at her. Buffy looked aside with a guilty smiled knowing how much she'd been bored on patrol since graduation.

 “So, whaddya wanna do? We could swing by the bronze tonight; have another kind of fun then.” She explicitly told her.

 “Err, I don't know.” Buffy looked aside.

 “Well, I'm going there anyway. If you change your mind....”  

 Faith walked away, “But you probably won’t cause I can see you’re really enjoying your walk there, so, have fun, B.” 

 Faith walked away.

 Buffy sighed blasé at herself, “Faith wait!” And she ran after her while the brunette smiled wickedly.

 They headed to the bronze together.

 Buffy kept trying to remain at a certain distance from the brunette slayer but in order to do so she had to be closer to the boys surrounding them, and as excited as she was getting by the music and the dancing, Buffy didn't feel good rubbing herself on these lustful boys.

 The more she was getting into it, the closest she was to Faith’s body.

 The brunette had one arm completely around her waist while the other was stretched out behind her, teasing the boy pressed against the brunette's back.

 Buffy felt Faith's hand slid under the hem of her pants, touching her buttocks. She looked at her, wondering why she wasn’t already scolding her and pulling away but the look of growing lust in the brunette’s eyes only made her shiver.

 “Faith,” Was all she said.

 Faith pressed herself closer, “Yes, B.” She whispered teasingly in her ear while moving her hand to the front.

 “Come on, Faith.” 

 “Right here, B?” She teased her.

 “Please, stop.” 

Buffy tried while Faith's hand reached her pussy hair.

 “Make me.” Faith gently nibbled at her earlobe and Buffy shivered until she pulled away very fast when she noticed Willow moving closer.

 The redhead arrived with a frown; she'd noticed how close the slayers were though with the people around she couldn't see much.

 “Hey Will,”

 “Hi Buffy. Faith.”  The redhead still looked wondering.

 “So, what’re you doing here? I mean, I thought you were with Oz tonight?” 

 “Yes, he's here too. We decided to stop by. But... what about you? I thought you'd be home.”

 Faith put her hand on Buffy's shoulder, “Yeah cause she surely needs to stay locked up and brood over Soul boy all night long.”

 Buffy pulled away from Faith’s hold and gave the now sulking redhead an embarrassed smile.

 Willow pulled herself together,

“Anyway, we're sitting there, thought you might want to come with us now.”

 “Sure Will, coming right away.” 

 “Ok.” Willow said very low while moving away.

 Buffy exhaled nervously, she felt Faith's hand on her ass again and turned around to her, “Err, so, we should probably join them now.”

 “Invitation was for you, B, not me.” 

 “No, I'm sure it-”

 “I like it here, B. See you,” Faith said as she turned around and wrapped her arms around the first boy in reach.

 Buffy shook her head and walked away to her friends.

 She tried to focus on them and not on the brunette slayer dancing explicitly with that boy.

Oz went to get them some drink.

 “So, you and Faith... you patrolled tonight? You didn't say.” 

 “No we, it wasn't planned. I came across her in Restfield, but you know how it is these days, really quiet out there. She suggested coming here and I thought 'why not?'” 

 “I think it's, it's good that you're getting out I mean. Taking your mind off of Angel.”

 Buffy lowered her face.

 “I guess she’s right about this... And sometimes we need to do crazy stuff to get our minds off of pain.”

 “Crazy stuff?” Buffy asked, almost afraid of what Willow meant.

 “No I meant, a little wild you know, having fun and forgetting a little about your problem, you know. Just having fun, but you know, we can do that too. I mean, I know I've been a little caught up in Oz lately and so it might not be the easiest thing for you, seeing us in couple, but we can hang out just the two of us and do whatever you want.” 

 “Yes, we’ll do that. Sure, I think I'm getting over it anyway. It was the right decision somehow, we couldn't stay together.”

 “Yes, but I know it's hard. I know what he meant to you and I’m your best friend and I wanted you to know that you can count on me. I mean, I know you have fun with Faith and it’s good but she’s...Well, sometimes she's maybe a little too wild and you're not like her.” 

 Buffy frowned and hesitated, not sure about what Willow wanted to tell her.

 “I mean, I guess it must be hard to speak to her.” She said while glancing at the brunette leaning over the boy.

 “Seriously I mean. But you can do that with me. Faith she’s, she’s a little...” Willow trailed off.

 **Yes, a little... And with everyone**

 Buffy realized she was sad at that thought. Faith had swapped from her to the boy in no time. Buffy realized Faith had been close to her tonight because she was there. If she hadn’t followed her at the bronze she would have done that with someone else, anyone else just like she did when Buffy left the dance floor.

At least, that really was the impression the brunette slayer was giving right now.

 Buffy swallowed as she saw her leaving the bronze with the boy.

She looked at the table in front of her, she looked sad and Willow noticed but then frowned, “Is everything ok?”

 “Yes, I guess you’re right, it would be good if we could do something just the two of us.”

 A huge smile spread on Willow's lips. Oz came back and they talked and had a rather good night. Buffy tried to forget about her thoughts of Faith.

It was clear that it could lead nowhere.

 Another week went by.

 Each of the slayers did a great job of patrolling where the other was not.

 Buffy came across a bunch of vampires the following week and Faith wasn't far, they slayed them together and came across a demon later that night. The Hellmouth was progressively getting its status back.

 Faith was breathing heavily, so was Buffy, more by the excitement of slaying together again than by the fight itself.

Faith looked at her, she had this gleam in her eye, “So, what now?” She said in a  husky tone.

 “Well, I think we're done for the night. I'll see you later then.”

 Buffy turned around.

 “B?” 

 “What?” She stopped without turning around to look at Faith.

 “Come on, night's still early we can... hang a little.” She invitingly said.

Buffy turned around.

 “No we can't.”

 “What's wrong now? Soul boy's out of the way, you're not cheating anymore.” 

 “It still doesn't make it right. I'm not a sex doll Faith, and you're not either.” 

 “Come on, you know that's not what it is, B.” 

 “Then what is it, Faith? Tell me cause it really looks like it?” 

 Faith remained silent and slightly looked aside.

 “Whatever it is, it’s still not something right. And not something I like.”

 Buffy turned around and left.

 As turned on as she was, and as much as she craved the other slayer's touch right now, she was glad for once that she hadn't given into it.

She wished she could talk to the brunette about it but there was no way Faith would allow any talking about it.

 Faith didn’t seem to want to make it anything more than sex so Buffy stuck to this and tonight it was not enough for her so she’d told her a little of her thoughts.

 She felt really sad though. She didn't like that feeling because she knew she'd have needed nothing more than Faith telling her it was more, much more, just this and she would have given into it because Faith's touches, Faith's kisses were the only thing making her feel real good in this world lately.

And she was sad, and frustrated. She had never looked for that but she realized she wanted much more, and it started scaring her somehow so tonight she hadn’t allowed it.

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