OT FIC: Letting Love In (1-4/?)

[sailortenoh@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Well since a few people have told me to go ahead and post it here 
don't like kill me for posting an off topic fic.. It's still got a 
long way to go but here's the first four parts of it..

Title: Letting Love In
Author: Sarah Dominik
Spoilers: Anything with Faith is fair game in this
Pairings: B/F and W/T 
Summary: Buffy finds out that she was wrong about Faith leaving town 
and finally the two meet up again.
*******

"Do you ever miss her?" Willow asked Buffy as they were doing 
their nightly sweep through the graveyards. Buffy looked over at her 
best friend curiously and immediatly noticed th pain reflected in her 
eyes. She took Willows hand into her own as they continued to walk in 
silence for a minute. "I'm sorry Buffy. I probably shouldn't have 
asked."

"No it's okay Will. It's just hard sometimes, to remember all 
that we went through. I do miss her but sometimes I wonder if it's 
wrong of me to miss her. After all she did to everyone." Buffy paused 
for a minute and looked at her best friend. "She hurt you Will and 
I'm supposed to protect you. She went after all the people I love 
most and hurt them."

"So you think that it's wrong that you've forgiven her?" 
Willow asked curiously.

"I suppose. I mean, I haven't forgiven her really for hurting 
all of you. I just miss her so much sometimes." Buffy stopped as she 
felt her eyes tear up. It had been a year since it all happened but 
it still hurt. Buffy would never be able to forgive herself for 
stabbing Faith, for pushing Faith away when she needed her the most.

"You know this isn't really the place to be having heart to 
heart talks," a male voice called out from behind the two girls. 
Buffy spun around immediatly ready to fight.

"If you wanna live for another day I suggest you get out of 
here because I'm really not in the mood right now." 

The vampire stopped and looked at Buffy, then her 
companion. "She's not the other slayer," he said flatly.

"Ya think?" Buffy asked loosing her patience with the 
vamp. "Seeing as that Faith split town it would be kinda hard for her 
to be here," Buffy said as she charged the vamp. She landed a hard 
blow on his jaw and he fell to the ground but was quickly on his feet 
again.

"Might be what you think but that bitch is still here. She 
probably works harder than you do," he growled at her. Buffy quickly 
ran at him and punched him again. She grabbed him by the neck and 
lifted him to the air. The vampire just laughed. "You know choking me 
might actually do some damage if I actually breathed." With that he 
kicked her in the stomach and she lost her grip on him as she fell.

As soon as she hit the ground she was back up again. She ran 
at the vampire and kicked his feet out from under him. When he landed 
on his back she was fast on top of him, stake poised right above his 
heart.

"And just what the hell makes you think Faith is still 
around?" The vampire didn't answer but continued to struggle under 
Buffys firm grasp. When more vamps started approaching she realized 
she didn't have time to play his games and quickly staked him.
It didn't take her long to finish off the other vamps due to the fact 
that the first one pissed her off.

**********

The walk back home was too quiet for Buffy to stand. She knew 
the news of Faith being in town most likely shook Willow up. Faith 
did hold a knife to her throat after all. There was no way the 
redhead could move past that like Buffy. But what really troubled 
Buffy was the fact that she could move past it so easily. Maybe it 
was because of the fact that they were both slayers. After all, as 
screwed up as Faith may have been, she was the only to truely ever 
understand Buffy. Maybe it was simply guilt from what she had done to 
her fellow slayer.

"Will?" Buffy said her friends name so softly the redhead 
almost didn't hear her. Willow took Buffy's hand in her own already 
knowing what the other girl was thinking. She had spent many nights 
holding Buffy while she cried over what she did to Faith. She tried 
to convince Buffy that it wasn't her fault Faith joined the mayor and 
went psycho. "Do you think it's true?"

"It could be true but it doesn't make much sense. Why would 
she still be here when the cops have been looking for her? And if the 
vampire knew about her it meant she had to have been slaying and it 
would be pretty hard for you not to notice if someone else was 
slaying don't you think?"

"I guess there's only one way to know for sure then isn't 
there?" 

"Your not gonna..." Willow trailed off knowing exactly what 
Buffy was thinking. She looked over at Buffy and saw the look of pure 
determination in the blonde's eyes. "Be carefull Buffy."

"Always," Buffy shot Willow a confident smile. She gave her 
friend a brief hug and took a deep breath. As she turned around to 
walk towards Faith's old appartment she was so lost in thought she 
hardly noticed her hands shaking. "Please be there Faith," Buffy 
whispered as softly as she could.

When Buffy reached Faith's old appartment building she 
realized she had no clue what she was doing. Painful memories flooded 
her as she stared at the building and she found herself crying. 'What 
if she is here? What can I possibly say to her?' Buffy found herself 
more confused than ever as she walked into the building heading for 
Faiths appartment. 

"Get it together Buffy," she softly said when she reached 
Faith's door. Her slayer hearing picked up on some noise coming from 
the other side of the door and taking a deep breath she lifted her 
hand up and knocked on it softly. 

It seemed to her that time stood still in that moment. She 
heard someone walking to the door but it felt like it took forever 
for them to answer it. When it opened and she saw the brunette 
standing on the other side, she lost it. "Faith..?" she whispered 
almost inaudibly as tears flowed from her eyes.

"It's about time you figured out I was still here B. Guess 
you've been to busy with your boy toy to notice someones been helping 
with the slayage." Faiths voice was cold but her eyes betrayed 
her. "What do you want with me anyways? Come back to finish the job?"

Buffy looked at her puzzled. "What job?" she asked as she 
wiped the last of her tears from her eyes. Faith lifted her shirt up 
slightly so Buffy could see the scar on her stomach. When the 
realization hit Buffy a shaking hand reached out to touch the 
scar. "I'm so sorry Faith...I'm so sorry."

"Well it's not your fault I went all psycho bitch and joined 
up with the mayor." Faith walked back into her appartment and sat 
down on her bed. "But if you came here expecting an apology you 
aren't getting one so you should just leave."

"Thats where your wrong Faith," Buffy said as she walked over 
to the younger slayer. "I'm the one who needs to apologize. If I were 
a better friend none of this would have happened. I've wanted to tell 
you for so long but I thought you left."

For the first time she could think of, Faith was speechless. 
All this time Buffy had blamed herself for what happened? For the 
first time Faith finally felt remorse for what she did. As much as 
she hated to admit it and wanted to say 'serves you right' she really 
cared about Buffy. Hell, she's always loved Buffy and that's why she 
was still around. 

"It's not your fault B, there was nothing you could have 
done." Faith reached up to let her fingers softly trace the outline 
of Buffy's jaw. "I missed you though," Faith said so low that Buffy 
almost didn't hear it. She could tell Buffy tensed when she did and 
turned away laughing to herself. "Sorry B. I guess being alone all 
this time made me soft or something."

"Why did you do it Faith?" Buffy asked as she sat down on the 
bed next to the brunette.

"Do what? Tell you I missed you?" Faith knew what the older 
slayer meant but she was trying to avoid the real question.

"You know what I mean Faith," Buffy stopped and put her hand 
on Faith's. "But I have missed you too. But I meant the mayor, then 
making us all think you took off while you've been here the whole 
time." She saw the pain in Faith's eyes and squeezed her hand 
softly. "I guess this isn't really the kind of reunion either of us 
had in mind is it?"

"Well it's much better than what I had in mind. I don't get 
it B, why don't you hate me? How can you blame yourself? I did this 
all on my own. I joined the mayor because I wanted a challenge. I 
never meant to go against you guys but you know what they say, you 
play with fire your bound to get burned. I got so lost in it all and 
I lost myself. Story of my life really.

"So thats why I stuck around here. Tricked everyone into 
thinking I left and eventually the cops figured the same. They forgot 
all about me so I fixed this place up and started over. I wanted to 
make up for what I did so I guess I've been kinda watching out for 
you all this time." 

Faith had no clue why she was opening up to Buffy so much. 
She had never planned on talking to the blonde again and now within 
minutes it was all flooding out and she was helpless to stop it. Just 
one more chance was all she needed and she swore she'd never screw it 
up again. She looked over at Buffy and saw that she was crying once 
again.

"Turn off the water works B. Your already ruining my rep by 
coming here and making me get all soft."

"I still don't get it though. Why didn't you tell me you were 
here?"	

"You stuck a knife in my gut! How the hell was I supposed to 
know you'd want to see me again? That you blamed yourself for 
something that was completly my doing..." Faith felt herself on the 
verge of tears so she stopped to try to hold on to what little 
dignity she thought she had left. "I couldn't tell you anyways. Even 
if you wanted me around because there's no way of knowing I won't 
fuck up again and..." she stopped to turn away from Buffy as she felt 
a stray tear fall from her eye. "I'd rather kill myself than ever 
hurt you again B."

That's when Buffy realized it. The reason she felt guilty for 
what she had done to Faith. The reason she was there now sitting with 
the girl that once tried to take everything she loved from her. She 
loved Faith. She walked up behind Faith and gently placed her hand on 
her back. "We both messed up before Faith. More times than either of 
us can count probably. But we can still start over and do things the 
right way this time."

"But I'll mess it all up B. There's a dark side in me and 
I'll only screw things back up. And even if you want to be my friend 
again think about what I did to your friends. To Giles and your 
mother. I'll never be able to make that up. I've spent all this time 
alone thinking about things and I realized it's best if I just stay 
alone. It's what I deserve."

"You don't deserve to be alone. No one deserves that. All you 
have to do is one thing."

"What's that?" Faith asked as she turned around to face Buffy.

"Just trust me. Let me be your friend again and I won't let 
you fall."

"That simple huh? Trust you and all is forgiven? We'll just 
magically be friends and all our grudges against each other will be 
gone? Why the hell should I trust you? Your probably only doing this 
out of guilt and as soon as its gone you'll ditch me again." Buffy 
winced and Faith caught it. "Damn B, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for 
that to come out like that."

"I know it's not easy Faith. Not for either of us but I want 
you back. I want us to be friends again." 

Faith just nodded. After a few seconds she finally said she'd 
be willing to give the friends thing a shot. She knew it would be 
hard to be so close to Buffy again without letting the other slayer 
know her feelings but she was willing to settle for friends. "So 
uh... What is it that friends do B?" 

"Well they could start by going slaying together tommorow 
night."

"I don't know about that B. If they all started going slaying 
the graveyards might get to full for us."

"I didn't mean all the friends in the world, I meant us. I 
was trying that humor thing but obviously it doesn't work this late 
at night."

"So that means I'm supposed to laugh right?" Faith smirked 
when Buffy swatted her arm playfully.

"I gotta get out of here or Willows going to get worried 
about me. See you tommorow?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Faith replied and she sure 
as hell meant it. "And tell Red that...I'm sorry about what I did to 
her before and all." 

"Not a problem," Buffy gave Faith a quick hug and headed 
towards the door. "I'm really glad I have you back Faith." Then under 
her breath she added, "you don't even know how much."
*********

On her way back to her dorm Buffy's mind was going crazy. She 
was still trying to make her heart slow down since it still felt like 
it was about to beat out of her chest. To say she was confused would 
have been the understatement of the year. Here she was, walking home 
after just visiting Faith for the first time in what seemed like 
years. A part of her had always wanted to see Faith again to make 
amends, but she figured that was just a dream. 

She didn't even want to remember the dreams she had. The 
nights she spent crying in Willow's arms wondering why she let 
herself loose Faith. Willow never understood, but like any good 
friend she was there for Buffy. All the anger, resentment, guilt, 
longing... Every emotion in the slayer seemed to combine and somehow 
lead her to one, stronger more absolute feeling for her companion. 
Somewhere along the way she came to love Faith and this time she 
wouldn't let her go.

Finally her slayer sense kicked in telling her that someone 
was following her. "I'm still not in the mood," she called out to 
whatever it was that was behind her as she continued walking. When 
she made it to the next block she was more than slightly peeved that 
whatever was following her hadn't stopped. When she turned around she 
was taken aback by her new found friend standing in front of her.

"Hey B," Faith smiled lopsidedly. 

"What are you... I just left and..." Buffy's eyes looked 
confused as her words had come out.

"Well I figured I've spent all these months doing this. The 
watching over you all the time thing. And I got so good at it I 
didn't want to stop." Faith flashed Buffy her best smile as the two 
began walking again. 

"You know you could have just offered to walk me home like a 
normal girl right?" 

"And since when am I normal?" Faith raised an eyebrow as she 
looked at Buffy. She couldn't believe her luck. After all she had 
done to the blonde she was still given another chance. She spent so 
many nights dreaming of this day. "B?" 

"Hmm?" The shorter girl looked at her friend curiously.

"This isn't a dream or anything is it?" Faith tried not to 
let her words get stuck in her throat. She felt her voice crack but 
she was hoping Buffy hadn't noticed it. She knew she didn't want to 
go back to being the hard ass, playing it tough all the time girl she 
was before but she wasn't used to showing any emotion to anyone. 

Buffy stopped once more and pinched her friend softly, just 
for good measure. "Nope, seems real to me. Besides my dreams were 
never as good as this," she linked her arm around the brunette's and 
led her back to campus.

"So you dream about me huh?" Faith smirked trying not to 
sound too cocky.

"Yeah well nothing major. Just about the past really. I 
figure there's a lot we'll have to talk about eventually but I know 
your not the type to open up and stuff. Besides I'm in no rush to 
bring all that up again and I really just..." she trailed off 
wondering what was happening to her. She knew it was probably wrong 
to let herself suddenly realize she loved the brunette but she'd 
spent months in agony over what happened. Waiting for this one 
chance. 'To hell with it,' she thought to herself. "I really missed 
you Faith and you better never leave me again."

"I haven't gone anywhere yet, and I'm not planning on it 
either. Way I see it is, I've got a lifetime of mistakes to make up 
for around this place." Faith stopped when she saw Buffy shiver from 
the cool night breeze. She wrapped her arm around the blonde's 
shoulder and continued. "And there's this one girl you see. I did a 
lot of really mean things to her when all I wanted was be her friend 
and I gotta make it up to her."

"You already have," Buffy leaned in closer to Faith and 
wrapped her arm around the taller girls waist. 

"So then what are you thinking right now?"

"Really wanna know?" Buffy saw Faith nod in response and 
figured that was answer enough. "I was wondering how you managed to 
be following me all this time without me ever noticing. Your even 
better than Angel was at it."

"I wouldn't say I'm better than he was. He had the vamp thing 
going on and that automatically gave him away, souled or not. I 
suppose practice makes perfect though. But speaking of the big guy, I 
bet I could beat him in a brooding contest hands down now," Faith 
practically beamed.

"And your proud of that?" Buffy teased.

"Damn straight," Faith squeezed Buffy closer to her as they 
walked the last few feet to Buffy's door. "Looks like we're here so 
now that I've seen you home safely I'll catch you tommorow." Faith 
turned to walk away but stopped when she felt Buffy's hand on her 
shoulder. 

"It's pretty late and I was thinking maybe..." Buffy paused 
as Faith turned around to face her. When she looked into those brown 
eyes her heart automatically picked up its pace. "Well you went 
through all that trouble of walking me home and if you wanted to stay 
here tonight you know I wouldn't mind."

Faith tried not to smile but knew it was pointless. But then 
suddenly she remembered Buffy shared the room with Willow. "Uhh, I 
don't think Red would like that too much B." 

"You told me to tell her you were sorry, so if you just tell 
her yourself I don't see a problem with it."

"Your serious aren't you?" Buffy just nodded in response. "I 
guess redemption is never easy is it?" With that Faith felt Buffy 
take hold of her hand and drag her into the small dorm room feeling 
totally unprepared for making amends with the redhead.

"Buffy!" Willow exclaimed as she hopped off her bed. "How did 
things with..." Willows eyes darkened as soon as she saw who Buffy 
had drug in behind her. "I suppose she was there," the redhead 
laughed nervously. 

"Hey Red," Faith gave Willow her most brilliant smile. The 
slayer noticed Willow's nervousness right away and it made her feel 
awkward immediatly. "I guess now's as good of a time as any to 
apologise for everything I did huh? I am sorry about everything 
before Red and I can tell your obviously really uncomfortable with me 
being here so suddenly so I'll just," she stopped and pointed at the 
door but before she could get anywhere she felt Buffy's hand firmly 
holding on to her own. When she glanced at the older slayer there was 
a look in her eyes that basically said, 'I'll kick your ass if you 
don't stay.'

"No, you can stay. I'll just go out. Yeah out is good and I 
can go to Tara's and maybe her and I can go out because that's what 
people do at night right?" Willow grabbed her bookbag and shoved some 
clothes in it while she babbled. When she finished she smiled at 
Faith who was just nodding, unaccustomed to the redheads babble. 

"You know you don't have to go anywhere right Willow? I was 
kinda hoping maybe we could all stay and work things out. I know it's 
kind of sudden and all but I was still hoping." Buffy's 
dissapointment was written all over her face and Faith, who was still 
holding her hand, gave her hand a soft squeeze.

"I feel like I'm kinda ruining the mood around here," Faith 
said softly, almost regretting letting Buffy know it was her that had 
been following the slayer earlier. "Are you sure you don't want me to 
leave?" When both Willow and Buffy let out a harsh 'yes' in response 
she just put her arms up in defeat and sat down on what she assumed 
to be Buffy's bed. She looked at the clock that read 12:38am and she 
knew there was no way Willow had plans with Tara. She knew her being 
there wasn't the best idea but obviously she didn't have much choice 
in the matter.

"Look I just gotta go," Willow said as she headed out the 
door without even taking one last look at Faith. Buffy looked at 
Faith who was sitting on the edge of her bed nervously. The look in 
the brunettes eyes was purely apologetic and Buffy winced, and 
regretted forcing Faith to come in.

"I'll be right back," Buffy said softly as she headed towards 
the door. "Don't you dare go anywhere." Faith just laid back on the 
bed figuring Buffy went to apologize to Willow. Faith couldn't 
believe that this was anything more than a dream. If she hadn't been 
such a troublemaker she might have even thought she was somehow in 
heaven. Here she was with everything she's wanted since she first 
came to Sunnydale. Well, almost everything...

'Don't even start thinking crap like that,' she told herself. 
Buffy's friendship was more than enough. Definatly more than she 
deserved. And not only had Buffy become her friend again but she was 
trusting her to be alone in her dorm room. Sure she was probably only 
a few feet down the hall, but it was trust. She rolled over on her 
side so she was facing the small night stand between the two girls 
beds. Much to her suprise she found a small framed picture of herself 
staring back at her. 

She would have spent more time wondering why it was there if 
the sudden realization that she was laying in Buffy's bed hadn't hit 
her. She buried her face in the pillow and took in Buffy's 
scent. 'I've defniatly missed this,' she couldn't help but laugh at 
herself. 'Not such a tough ass at all anymore are you?' she silently 
asked. She let her eyes scan the room and she noticed several candles 
scattered throughout it. She knew they were probably Willows because 
of the whole wicca thing, but she needed a distraction so she 
searched around for some matches. "Play with fire, your bound to get 
burned. Story of my life really," Faith repeated her earlier words to 
Buffy to herself as she lit the candles. Only this time she had no 
intention of getting burned, because she spent too long trying to 
make things right.

***********

"Willow will you just stop for one minute?" Buffy asked as 
she grabbed her friends arm. "Why won't you stay and let her 
apologize to you?" Buffy sounded almost desperate.

Willow was amazed that Buffy didn't get it. "Have you 
forgotten what she did to me? I can be there for you through the 
nightmares Buffy, but those are fake and this is real. She's been 
gone and now within a few hours you act like everythings just 
forgotten. I'm sorry but I can't do that. I need time to process this 
stuff. To get used to the idea of Faith being around again."

"I'm sorry Will," Buffy lowered her head slightly. "I guess I 
just got too caught up in it and I wasn't thinking about everyone 
else. "Forgive me?" 

"Of course," Willow said giving her friend a hug. "You should 
probably get back to her before she gets all fidgety and stuff." 

"Thanks Will. I'll see you tommorow," she hugged her friend 
one last time. "Tell Tara I said hi, and don't do anything I wouldn't 
do," she said with a wink and laughed when she saw the blush creep 
over Willows face. She quickly spun around and headed back to her 
room, trying not to let her smile grow any wider than it already was. 
She couldn't help but be a little excited that she got more alone 
time with Faith. 'Probably a little too excited,' she thought to 
heself as she came to stand back outside her door. Taking a deep 
breath to calm her beating heart she went opened the door and stepped 
back in. 

"Hey B, hope you don't mind but I kinda made myself at home." 
Faith flashed the blonde a classic smile.

"I can see that," Buffy smiled as she looked around the room. 
All of Willow's candles were lit and all the other lights were turned 
off. After making a brief mental note to get the wicca more later she 
couldn't help but melt a little at the romantic atmosphere. She knew 
what was happening, and she knew it was happening *way* too fast but 
at the same time she stood helpless, not wanting it to ever stop. 
Maybe in reality this hadn't happened fast enough. 

The older slayer walked over to her bed where Faith was 
sitting but before she could sit next to her friend she felt Faiths 
hand in her own. "Dance with me?" the taller girl asked as she stood 
next to Buffy. 

Buffy noticed the vunerability in Faith's voice and found 
that words of her own were impossible. When she looked in the 
brunette's eyes she saw the unshed tears, the regret and love that 
were in her own eyes. When she noticed that speech would remain 
temporarily impossible she just nodded her head softly as she wrapped 
her arms around Faith's neck. At first she hadn't noticed the soft 
music playing in the background and for a few minutes she wasn't sure 
if she was even standing on the ground.

After she turned the music up a little Faith wrapped her arms 
around Buffy's waist and gently pulled her closer. "I've been waiting 
for this all my life," she whispered softly in Buffy's ear. She tried 
her best to hold back the tears threatening to overtake her but it 
seemed impossible as she softly sang the song playing on the stereo 
to Buffy.

||There's a ship out, on the ocean 
At the mercy of the sea 
It's been tossed about, lost and broken 
Wandering aimlessly 
And God somehow you know that ship is me 

'Cause there's a lighthouse, in the harbor 
Shining faithfully 
Pouring its light out, across the water 
For this sinking soul to see 
That someone out there still believes in me 

On a prayer, in a song 
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on 
Raining down, against the wind 
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end 
When you come back to me again|| 

Buffy couldn't help but smile as she looked at Faith through 
her tears. "This is really happening right?" she managed to choke out 
as she rested her head on Faith's shoulder.

"At this point I'm really not even sure myself B. Could I 
really be lucky enough to have you in my arms after all I did?" Faith 
rested her head on top of Buffy's and resumed singing before the 
blonde could answer her.

||There's a moment we all come to 
In our own time and our own space 
Where all that we've done, we can undo 
If our heart's in the right place 

On a prayer, in a song 
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on 
Raining down, against the wind 
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end 
When you come back to me again 
And again I see my yesterday's in front of me 
Unfolding like a mystery 
You're changing all that is and used to be|| 

"You know I never would have pegged you as the twangy type," 
Buffy said with a smile as she tightened her hold on Faith.

"People change B." Faith kissed the top of Buffy's 
head. "Love changes people," she added softly.

"Love?" Buffy asked silently but Faith just continued singing.

||On a prayer, in a song 
I hear your voice and it keeps me hanging on 
Raining down, against the wind 
I'm reaching out 'til we reach the circle's end 
When you come back to me again 
When you come back to me again||

The song came to an end but neither of the girls noticed. 
They stayed, softly swaying in each others arms letting the emotions 
sink in. Finally Faith was the one to stop and she released her hold 
on the blonde. She thought she heard a small whimper from the shorter 
girl and slid two fingers under Buffy's chin to lift her face 
slightly. When their eyes met, they both knew what the other was 
thinking and words weren't necessary. Pushing all her fears aside, 
Faith took Buffy's hand in her own and placed it over her heart. 

Never breaking eye contact with Buffy, Faith prepared herself 
to give the speech she'd spent months practicing even though she 
never thought the day would come when she'd be able to give it. She 
knew it probably wouldn't come out like she practiced but she at 
least hoped she wouldn't sound like a bumbling idiot.

"I know this is all kind of happening fast considering we 
just made up tonight. You haven't even seen me in so long and now 
here we are," she paused to make sure Buffy was listening to her. "I 
definatly wasn't prepared for this to happen so fast, or for me to 
even be able to open up to you like this but I guess I've changed 
more than I even realized. I don't want to ever hurt you again Buffy. 
I'm sorry for all the wrongs I've done and if you just give me the 
chance I'll make it up to you and your friends. I might fall, but 
with your help I know I'll be able to get back up. Your the reason 
I'm still here. I love you, and I always have. I just want to protect 
you and..." Faith's voice softened considerably. "I just thought you 
should know," she said as she felt a wave of insecurity and panic hit 
her. Opening up to people had never been one of her stong points but 
she knew she'd have to start if she wanted to make things right. 

"Faith..." Buffy whispered so soft that if Faith hadn't been 
a slayer she wouldn't have heard it. She wrapped her arms around 
Faith and held on to her as tightly as she could. "I don't care if 
it's too fast. It should have happened a long time ago. I should have 
told you I loved you a long time ago and I would have never lost you 
but I was to caught up in myself. But I'll never let you go again. 
And I won't let you fall, I promise."

"C-can I kiss you?" Faiths fingers traced the outline of 
Buffy's jaw and at that moment she realized it didn't matter that she 
went soft. She got Buffy and that's all that mattered. Buffy didn't 
say anything in response but she gently titled her head up and 
wrapped an arm around Faith's neck and softly pulled her forward. 
Their lips met in the softest of kisses but in that moment it seemed 
as if the two of them melded into one. Soon the kiss deepened and 
they found thier tongues in a duel. Not one to conquer or dominate, 
but to convey their every emotion and their love for each other. From 
then on the past seemed to wash away, because despite everything that 
happened it led up to this one kiss when everything seemed right. 

When they finally broke for air they still held on to each 
other tightly, both afraid of their legs giving out on them. "Stay 
with me tonight?" Buffy asked as she kissed Faiths neck softly.

"I'd stay with you forever if you'd let me," Faith said in 
response as she led Buffy over to the bed. Faith sat down and pulled 
Buffy into her lap and wrapped her arms around her waist. "I love you 
Buffy."

"I love you too," Buffy replied giving Faith a quick kiss as 
she stood back up. She heard the soft whimper Faith let slip from her 
lips when she got up. "Don't worry I"m just getting changed. Did you 
want something to sleep in?" 

Faith just smiled at that. "I'm used to sleeping in the buff 
B." Buffy blushed a deep shade of red as Faith had expected. "Don't 
worry I'll leave the panties on just for you." Buffy just nodded 
furiously and turned to get some pj's out of her dresser. She noticed 
it was getting darker in the room so she figured Faith was blowing 
out some of the candles, which she was thankful for. Making sure to 
keep her back to Faith she changed into her pj's as fast as she could 
and was more than a little suprised when she turned around to see 
Faith laying on her bed in nothing but her underwear. "What?" Faith 
asked innocently as a predatory smile formed on her lips. "I told you 
I'd leave the panties on for you."

Buffy's blush was back on her face in a heartbeat as she 
walked back over to her girlfriend. Buffy stopped at that thought. 
Girlfriend? Is that what Faith was now? "Uhh Faith?" Buffy asked as 
she looked the other slayer in the eyes. "Does this all mean your my 
girlfriend now?"

Faith just laughed at that. "Well we admited we loved each 
other, kissed, and now we're spending the night together so I'd 
assume so. I mean that is if you'd want to be my girlfriend," Faith 
felt that sudden shy awkwardness come over her like it always did 
when she was with Buffy. Not that it was a bad thing though.

"I'd like that," Buffy smiled as she sat down on the bed next 
to Faith. "A lot," she added as she let her eyes roam over Faiths 
body appreciatingly. When she saw Faith's underwear however, she 
couldn't help but laugh. "Taz?" she questioned as she looked up at 
Faith.

"You know how I am about my cartoons," Faith said 
defensivly. "I would have worn the sexy stuff but I honestly had no 
clue I'd end up in bed with the girl of my dreams tonight." She 
wrapped her arms around Buffy and pulled her close.

"Well I like it," Buffy added. "It's cute and shows just what 
a softie your becoming." She knew that would get some kind of 
reaction out of Faith. And sure enough, within seconds she found 
herself pinned under Faith who was demanding she take that back.

"I am not cute. I am a big scary tough slayer." Faith stated 
matter of factly. 

"Is that so?" Buffy giggled as she felt Faith tickling her 
sides. "Okay, okay you win," she said when she couldn't take the 
tickling any longer. "So what are the odds of that very big bad 
slayer giving me a kiss and telling me she loves me again?"

Faith leaned down so her face was just inches from 
Buffy's. "I'd say pretty good," she whispered as she bent forward and 
closed the distance between them. This kiss wasn't as cautious as the 
first and became much more passionate in a matter of seconds. Faith 
was the first to pull away and as she pulled Buffy into her arms she 
whispered a soft 'I love you.' Faith knew if she didn't stop then her 
and Buffy would really go too far too fast and as tempting as it was 
to make love to the blonde she had to admit that even she wasn't 
ready for that.

Buffy blew out the rest of the candles that remained lit and 
pulled the blankets up over her and Faith. She gave the younger 
slayer one last kiss before resting her head on Faith's shoulder and 
wrapping an arm loosely around her waist. "I love you Faith," she 
murmered before she let herself fall into a contented sleep. 

Faith didn't get any sleep that night but she didn't mind. 
She watched over Buffy all night feeling their hearts beating as one 
and passed the time absently playing with Buffy's hair. 'Redemption 
may not be easy, but it sure as hell was worth it,' she silently 
mused to herself as she saw the sun begining to shine into the 
room. "Here's to hoping I get to spend many more nights just like 
this," she whispered. She knew Buffy was still asleep but she felt 
Buffy's arm tighten around her waist when she said that and she took 
it as a good sign. A damn good one.

TBC

-
The song used is by Garth Brooks and it's from the movie 
Frequency..It's not mine though I wish it were cuz then I'd have a 
lot of money.. *L*