Title: The Sun Also Rises

Author: Alan Hitchen

Email: darkmere2000@yahoo.co.uk

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: BtVS belongs to Joss Whedon and others

Pairing: Faith/Cordelia

Summary: Sequel to Temporary Secretary, Faith and Cordy have been happy together for some months when...

From the top of the building Faith regarded the glorious sunset in wonderment for some while before speaking.

"I read a story once."

"Oh, yes?" came Cordelia's amused reply.

"Don't sound so surprised. I can read you know," Faith retorted.

"Sorry, do go on."

"It was about a mother and her son at the ending of the world. She looked at a sight very like this and said: "God closes a bright curtain on our play." Now I know what she meant, as it's my world that's ending tonight."

She turned to face Cordelia, who stood there smiling at her pensive girlfriend.

"Faith, what are you talking about? I'm just going to make a film. I'll be gone for a couple of months tops, then I'll be back."

Faith shook her head. "No, you won't," she said sadly. "You think you will, but you won't. And why should you? You're going places. You're going to be a star, going right to the top, where you won't need me."

Cordelia approached Faith, took her hand, and turned her to face the sunset once again.

"Look at that. It's beautiful. That's how you've made me feel every day since we got together, and as for my not needing you, I could no more do without you than I could do without breathing."

She turned to face Faith, taking her other hand.

"I love you, and nothing and no one is ever going to change that. I've already had offers. Sleep with him. Sleep with her. It'll help your career. I wouldn't do it. Because I wanted to make it on my own merits, and because I would never hurt you that way."

She leaned forward to kiss Faith tenderly, then rested her head on Faith's shoulder.

"Sure, I want to be recognised as an actress, be a star if you like, but I'd rather spend my whole life in obscurity and be with you, than be famous and have to live without you."

She pulled back to look at Faith, who was trying, and failing, to blink back the tears from her eyes.

"You mean that?" Faith asked.

"Every word," Cordelia replied sincerely. She kissed Faith again. "You wanna dance?"

Faith gave a smile. "I'd love to."

Cordelia pressed play on the ghetto blaster, held her girlfriend close, and began to sway in time with the beat. For the next few minutes they were as one, dancing in perfect harmony. The music stopped just as the sun finally dropped out of view. Before the next track started Cordelia spoke softly to Faith.

"In the morning I'll be gone, but it's not the end of the world, Faith. Just remember, the sun also rises."

She was right, because, as the months and years ahead would prove, for Cordelia and Faith the sun would always rise.