Title: The Road To Love

Author's Name: SavageLove

Fandom: Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Pairings: Buffy/Faith

Ratings: PG-17

Feedback Email Address: ImNDeepThoughts2@aol.com

Chapter 6: A Study of Faith

Notes: Buffy, Xander and Willow are twenty-four years old. Willow graduated from college with masters in Education and English and is a teacher in the new high school. Xander graduated with a master in Architecture and he works for a construction company. Buffy graduated from a security college and is a security guard at the mall. Dawn is 17 years old and is going to the new high school. Faith is twenty-two.

~~~~~

“One hundred. One hundred and one,” Dawn counted off from her position on Faith’s back, as the slayer did push-ups.

It had been three days since Buffy had, reluctantly, agreed to give Faith a second chance. Faith slept on the floor of Dawn’s room on a make shift bed. Buffy had wanted Faith to sleep on the floor of her room so that she could keep an eye on her but Dawn had protested and said that her room would be better. Buffy, in the end had given in.

Faith and Dawn had gotten close in those three days. Xander may have forgiven her but that didn’t mean he would hang out with her. Willow was avoiding her like a plague. Since Dawn was the only one that would even talk to her, Faith saw no point in making a big deal in the age department, even though only five years separated them. Although Faith was older she acted more like a seventeen year old when she was around Dawn. This was proven when Dawn dragged her out to the mall to make her buy clothes and other items.

“Okay, Day Break, get off,” Faith said, after she completed two hundred push-ups.

Dawn smiled at the nickname as she got off of Faith’s back. At least Faith was original when giving people nicknames. Everyone called her Dawnie. Faith called her either Crack of Dawn or Day Break.

“Can I go running with you?” Dawn asked. She secretly loved running with Faith. They talked about everything. Faith was so open with her. Faith didn’t treat her like she was a kid or like she was glass that would break any second. Not to mention the fact that she had a tiny crush on her. But who wouldn’t have a crush on Faith? She had the whole tall dark and…. well gorgeous suited better than handsome. But same difference.

Faith laughed, shaking her head. “Dawn! You’ve asked that for the last two days and I’ve said yes. The answer hasn’t changed. You don’t need to ask,” Faith said.

“I figured you’d get tired of hanging with me,” Dawn said.

Faith gently patted Dawn’s cheek. “Honey, why would I get tired of hanging out with you? You actually like me. Dawn, you’re my friend and I won’t get tired of you!” Faith said, softly.

Dawn wrapped her arms around Faith and pulled her into a loving hug. Faith hesitated a moment before wrapping her arms around dawn and hugging her back. After a few moments, the let go and pulled back.

“Faith cleared her throat. “Come on, kiddo, let’s go take our run,” Faith said.

“I’m not a kid,” Dawn mumbled, following Faith down the stairs.

Faith laughed, which cause Dawn to smile a little. Faith put her arm around Dawn’s shoulders as she opened the door, but before they could walk out, Buffy stopped them.

“Faith, before you go, I need to tell you something,” Buffy said.

Faith stopped, dropped her arm and looked at Buffy. “Yes?” Faith asked, as she retracted into her shell.

“Tonight, when I get home from work, you’re going to go out and patrol with me,” Buffy said, coldly.

“Okay,” Faith squeaked.

Buffy then walked past Faith and Dawn and out of the house. She got into her car and drove off to work at the mall.

“She’s still mad at you?” Faith asked, though it’s more of a statement.

“Yea. Come on, let’s go,” Dawn said, shrugging it off.

Faith nodded, still retracted into her shell.

Dawn led Faith down the steps after closing the door to the house and locking it. Dawn and Faith made their way down the walkway to the sidewalk and took off on their run. Dawn knew it would take her a while to get Faith to come back out of her shell. Whenever Buffy has been around Faith for even a moment, Faith’s defense walls came up. Dawn shook her head and tried to keep up with the pace Faith had set.

“So, Faith, do you ever thing about going back to school?” Dawn asked.

Faith looked at Dawn like she was crazy. “No, why?” Faith asked.

“Don’t you want to go to college?” Dawn asked.

“Dawn, I’ve already been to college,” Faith said, amused.

“You have?” Dawn asked, amazed.

“Yep. I graduated high school when I was twelve. I graduated college when I was sixteen. A few months before I came here,” Faith said. Faith had never really told anyone this. She didn’t like people to know she was super intelligent.

“What did you study?” Dawn asked.

Faith blushed and seemed to be very embarrassed. “Well… promise you won’t laugh?” Faith asked, seriously.

“I swear I won’t laugh!” Dawn said, wondering what Faith could possible have studied that would make her laugh.

“Child development, social work and education,” Faith said.

Dawn blinked. “You mean you studied everything that had to do with kids? Why?” Dawn asked.

Faith shrugged, her face reddening.

“Faith, come on, you can tell me!” Dawn insists.

“Well, I like kids…. I mean not in that way… But as…. Err…” Faith rambled.

Dawn laughed. “It’s ok. I knew what you meant,” Dawn said.

“Anyway, I think little kids are cool. I’ve always wanted to help kids and keep things like what had happened to me from happening to them. Or, if not that, I could help them deal with it,” Faith said.

Dawn smiled. “You big softly!” Dawn teased.

Faith stuck her tongue out and ran faster.

“HEY! Wait up!” Dawn said, running faster to keep up.

***

Later that night, Faith was walking a few feet behind Buffy, on their patrol. They had been out for about a half an hour without meeting a vampire yet. The silence between the two was deafening. Faith had tried to talk to Buffy at the beginning to apologies but Buffy would have none of it. Buffy had told Faith that if she tried to apologies or make excuses or say how much she has changed that she’d beat the crap out of Faith. So Faith had decided that silence was the best way to go.

Try as she might, Faith could not help but look at Buffy’s back lovingly. Faith knew that she was in love with Buffy from the moment she met her. Faith also knew that Buffy could never love her back after everything she did. Hell, she was lucky that Buffy was even giving her a second chance and that was only because Xander, Dawn and Willow ganged up on her and forced her to do it.

Suddenly two vampires jumped out of nowhere, breaking Faith’s thoughts. One vampire grabbed Buffy and the other vampire hit Faith from behind. Buffy easily dusts the vampire and watched Faith. She was a little surprised. Faith was having some difficulty with the vampire. Buffy scowled when she realized that Faith was allowing the vampire to hurt her. Buffy walked up to the vampire and dusted it.

Buffy turned to Faith and glared. She realized that if Faith had made one little mistake she could have been killed, and, Buffy admitted, her heart would have broken if Faith had died. Buffy became supremely pissed that she cared for weather or not Faith died. “Don’t ever do that again? Do you understand me? Don’t you ever let a vampire or a demon hurt you again! If you made one wrong move or one mistake you could die!” Buffy got up and into Faith’s face. “Never ever do that again.” Buffy growled. “Understand?”

“Yes,” Faith said, sheepishly. She looked down, ashamed that Buffy realized what she was doing.

Faith followed Buffy through the cemetery. Buffy stopped and pointed to a grave. Faith knew what Buffy meant. Buffy meant that there was a new vampire who would arise from the grave.

“You take this one,” Buffy said gruffly. She leaned against a tree and crossed her arms over her chest.

Faith nodded and sat down on the headstone of the grave. Buffy studied Faith while Faith looked down at the grave. The grave started to rise and a hand popped out. The new vampire struggled to get out of its grave. Once it got out of its grave, Faith tapped it on the shoulder. It turned to her and Faith drove the stake into it’s heart. Faith turned to Buffy and saw the look of surprise on her face.

“Come on, let’s finish our patrol,” Buffy said, abruptly.

Faith nodded again like a broken record and followed Buffy.

***

Over the next two weeks, Buffy quietly observed Faith. During Patrol, Faith was quiet. She followed Buffy around and did what she was told without question. Buffy had to admit that Angel had been right about that. Faith fought more like she did. She didn’t draw the fight out anymore or tease them before she slayed them. Faith, either, killed them quickly or she softened them up for Buffy to slay. Hell, she was even holding back. She wouldn’t let herself feel the rush of the kill.

Buffy was watching Faith and Dawn through the window in her room. Faith and Dawn were sunbathing next to the pool that Xander had put in a few years ago. Dawn and Faith were laughing like they were old friends. Dawn picked up a box and threw it at Faith. Faith easily caught it. Faith stopped laughing as she got a look at the box. She paled and looked like a deer in headlights. Dawn pointed to the box and then at the pool. Faith shook her head. Dawn got up and stood in front of Faith, arms crossed as she tried to look stern with Faith.

Willow came into the room and stood quietly behind Buffy.

“What’s with the box?” Buffy asked, knowing that Willow was behind her.

“Their water-wingies,” Willow said.

Buffy looked at Willow. “Huh?” Buffy asked, confused.

“Faith can’t swim. She never learned how or was too afraid to learn. So Dawn decided to try and teach her,” Willow explained.

Buffy laughed as Faith pulled on the water-wingies.

“I’m going down to watch her,” Buffy said.

“No that’ll embarrass her. Just leave them to it,” Willow scolded. Willow hadn’t told Buffy that she had started to remember what had happened in Faith’s mind. She now remembered everything she saw. Although she still didn’t completely trust Faith, she understood her a little more.

“So?” Buffy asked.

“Buffy,” Willow warned.

“Fine,” Buffy said.

Buffy was still looking out the window but not really seeing anything. Willow was studying her. Willow could see that Buffy wanted to forgive Faith and that was what was keeping her from doing it. This confirmed what Willow had thought for a long time. Buffy was in love with Faith.

Willow turned to leave, paused and then turned to Buffy. “Buffy?” Willow asked.

Buffy turned towards Willow. “Yeah?” Buffy replied.

“Try not to lose it this time, because next time you won’t be able to get it back,” Willow said, cryptically.

“What-” Buffy started to say but Willow had left the room.

Buffy looked confused, but turned back to look out the window.

***

Faith pouted. “I don’t wanna learn!” Faith whined, crossing her arms over her chest as best as she could with the water-wingies on her upper arms.

“Sissy,” Dawn muttered.

Faith growled. She hated being called a sissy. “Fine! Teach away,” Faith said.

Dawn smirked. “We’ll start in the shallow end. Come on,” Dawn said, as she walked down the stairs and into the four-foot deep end of the pool.

“How big is this pool?” Faith asked, as she followed Dawn into the pool.

“It’s twenty-four feet long and twenty feet wide. The shallow end is four feet deep, the middle is six feet deep and the end is twelve feet deep. And the hot tub it three feet deep,” Dawn replied. Dawn held out a hand. “Faith, it’s only four feet. You’re five-eight. Come here.”

Faith was clutching the railing next to the stairs. Faith walked over to Dawn, pissed at how scared she was. Faith took Dawn’s hand. Dawn pulled Faith up and into her arms. Dawn was holding her like a baby.

“Dawn! What are you doing? Put me down!” Faith said.

“Teaching you to float. If you know how to float, you won’t be too scared to swim,” Dawn explained.

“Oh,” Faith said.

“Now relax, let the water hold you up,” Dawn said, soothingly.

Faith immediately complied. Dawn placed a hand on Faith’s back and a hand on Faith’s ass.

Faith smirked. “I knew you just wanted to crop a feel!” Fait teased.

“Oh hush! You’re to old for me anyway,” Dawn teased back, as Faith chuckled. “Now, close your eyes. Move your arms out and feel the water under them. Let your body relax and go with the water. Imagine something peaceful, something calm.”

Once Dawn saw that Faith had done as asked, she removed her hands and backed away from Faith. Dawn studied Faith for a few moments. She was smiling and looked at peace. Dawn doubted that Faith knew that she had let go.

“Open your eyes,” Dawn ordered.

Faith opened her eyes and saw that Dawn was not holding her up. Faith immediately panicked. Faith let out a blood-curdling scream. Dawn grabbed Faith and pulled her close to her. Dawn ran soothing hands down Faith’s back.

“Shh…Shh…. It’s okay, you’re okay,” Dawn said soothingly.

Faith was clutching onto her. Faith’s body was shaking something fierce.

Buffy came running out of the house. “What happened?” Buffy asked, stopping at the edge of the pool. Her heart was pounding so fast that it just might pop out of her chest.

“I was teaching her how to float, I let go, she panicked,” Dawn said, Faith’s face still buried in her shoulder.

“For the…” Buffy started irritated. She was more irritated at her self for her reaction than at what happened. “Faith, you’re in the fucking four foot side!” Buffy exclaimed, disgusted.

Faith mumbled something into Dawn’s shoulder, which cause Dawn’s jaw to drop.

“What she say?” Buffy asked, her slayer hearing not having been able to pick up what Faith had said.

“What do you care?” Dawn snapped.

Buffy’s face went red and she turned around and stalked off.

Dawn pulled Faith away from her. “Did you just say ‘Why does the one person I love hurt me so much?” Dawn asked. “You’re in love with Buffy?”

“Yes,” Faith said, truthfully.

“Why?” Dawn asked.

“Because when I’m around her I feel safe. She may hate me but she wouldn’t let anyone hurt me. I feel like I don’t have to be tough girl around her 24/7. That I can be held or I can be…soft,” Faith said.

“You mean the tough girl is all an act?” Dawn asked.

“Yeah,” Faith said.

Dawn lead Faith out of the pool and onto the long chairs. They sat down.

“Why the tough girl act?” Dawn asked, after a moment.

“It’s a defense mode. I figure that if I’m tough then I can’t get hurt. I guess I was wrong,” Faith said, looking at the house longingly.

“You have it bad,” Dawn said.

***

A week and a half later, Faith and Dawn were sitting on the couch watching the movie ’12 Angry Men’. They had finished their swim practice a half an hour earlier. Faith was an extremely fast learner. She had everything down already but she was pretending to learn slower just to make Dawn happy. Dawn was happy to actually be able to do something better than the slayer.

Faith was waiting for Buffy to get back from work so they could go put on patrol.

“I still don’t get it!” Dawn complained halfway through the movie, as Buffy walked into the living room. Buffy stood in the doorway, unnoticed by Faith and Dawn. “And why the hell is it in black and white?”

Buffy stifled a laugh.

Faith sighed. This was her favorite movie. She had thought that Dawn might like it but she forgot that Dawn is the ‘never heard of black and white t.v. only the colored t.v.’ generation.

“Dawn, it’s black and white because there wasn’t any color back then when the movie was first made,” Faith said.

“Ok, okay. Then what the hell is going on?” Dawn asked.

Faith paused the movie.

“Okay,” Faith said, turning to Dawn. Dawn turned to face Faith. Dawn saw Buffy but didn’t say anything. “So, this young boy was accused of murdering his father. Now, all of the evidence pointed to him doing it, in an obvious way. The whole movie revolves around the twelve-jury members, who are trying to decide if the kid is guilty or not. Eleven of the men say he’s guilty while one man says he’s not. So, over the whole movie, the man proves that the evidences are either, not useable because there was some form of a lie in it or that it could be taken from any point of view. So in the end they find out the boy is innocent.”

“Wow,” Dawn said. “Why is this your favorite movie?”

“Well, I like the fact that this one man stands up to everyone of the jury members. He stands by his principals and doesn’t let prejudices rule him like the other jury members did. I like to think that this is what I’m fighting for. The good fight between good and evil. I guess I lost sight of that for a while,” Faith said.

“Wow,” Dawn said again.

Buffy stood in the doorway shocked. She shook it off and walked into the room loudly to draw Faith attention. Faith looked at her and then got up. She handed Dawn the remote.

“Watch it from the beginning. Now that you understand it you might be able to enjoy it more,” Faith said.

“Okay,” Dawn said. She stopped the movie and pressed the rewind button.

“Ready?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah,” Faith said.

Faith followed Buffy out of the house and onto the sidewalk. Faith, as always, walked a few feet behind Buffy. Faith and Buffy went to a cemetery to begin their patrol.

Buffy didn’t say anything. Not that she normally would. For the last three weeks and a half she had barely said a hundred words to Faith, if that many. But for now, she had a lot to think about. Why had she been so concerned when Faith had screamed out? She was even more shocked when she heard about Faith’s love of the movie ’12 Angry Men’.

They were about a quarter way into the cemetery when they saw four vampires taunting a woman. The woman broke free and ran with one vampire chasing her. Buffy ran after them after staking one of the vampires she past while Faith went up to the other two vampires that remained.

Faith walked up to the vampires. “Hey boys,” Faith called.

The two vampires turned to her and attacked. Faith easily dusted the first. She had to fight a little before she could dust the last vampire, but it was more like him falling on a branch and dusting himself.

“That was easy,” Faith said, whipping the dust off of her.

“BITCH!” a male voice yelled out.

Faith turned around just in time to see Riley hit her. Faith flew back and hit a tree. Riley came at her and started to hit her. All she did was block the hits, and kicks as best as she could.

“BUFFY! HELP ME!” Faith screamed out.

Riley grabbed her throat and started to choke her.

“How dare you call Buffy for help, you little slut!” Riley said, angrily.

Faith clutched at his hands, trying to disengage him. If she had allowed her self to be at full strength then she could have easily done it but since she doesn’t allow it she could do nothing as Riley slowly choked her. She was slowly turning purple and was loosing consciousness.

Buffy came out from the trees and bushes after dusting the vampire and making sure that the woman had been all right.

“Hey Faith, how-” Buffy stopped abruptly at the sight before her.

Riley was choking Faith. Buffy did a double take. Riley Finn was choking Faith. Buffy did a third take. Agent Riley Finn was choking Faith. Faith’s face was purple and it looked as though she was loosing consciousness.

“Riley! What they hell are you doing?” Buffy asked, rage bubbling from deep inside her at the sight.

Riley looked at Buffy.

“I’m taking out the trash!” Riley said, angrily.

Faith lost consciousness.

“Riley Finn, you let her go this instant!” Buffy shouted, her heart aching for some strange reason.

Riley looked shocked but complied. He dropped Faith who hit the ground limply. She was gasping for breath now. She face was slowly turning back to its normal not purple color.

“Why? She’s a killer Buffy!” Riley said, as he kicked Faith in the stomach.

Buffy walked up to Riley. “Who the hell are you to judge her? You’ve been gone for five fucking years Riley! She’s been here a little over a month and she hasn’t done one evil thing,” Buffy said, defending Faith but also realizing everything she was saying was true.

“But Buffy. Don’t you remember what she did?” Riley demanded.

“Yes I do. I’ve seen that she’s changed,” Buffy said.

Riley ignored her. “I don’t know how she got out of jail but I’ll make sure she gets back into it. Don’t worry Buffy; I’m here to stay. For good. I’ll protect you from her!” Riley said.

Buffy shook her head sadly. Riley was the same way he had been all those years ago. Always needing to protect her even though she could defend her self. He never treated her like an equal. “What about your wife?” Buffy asked.

“It’s still not working. I’m going to get a divorce,” Riley said. “I want to be with you.”

Buffy shook her head. “No Riley. You had your chance years ago, but you left. You made another life and you have to live with it. I won’t just let you come back like you can just pick up where you left off with me. Besides, you’re still the same man. I don’t need your protection. I’m the slayer. I can protect myself and the entire world. I do it on a regular basis,” Buffy said as she walked up to Riley. “Leave. Me. And. Everyone. I. Care. About. Alone.”

“What about Faith?” Riley asked. “I could take her back to the government. They would find a way to put her back into prison where she belongs.”

“I care about her too. Besides, she had served her time. She did her penance and is doing the redemption thing. Now leave,” Buffy said, turning from Riley.

“But Buffy-“ Riley started.

“Riley, what are you doing here anyway?” Buffy asked. “And don’t give me the crap about your marriage not working. I know for a fact that it is and that your wife is pregnant. So what are you doing here?”

Riley didn’t say anything.

“Go away Riley,” Buffy said.

Buffy picked up Faith and tossed her over her shoulder. Buffy started to walk off, leaving a very stunned Riley behind. As Buffy was walking away, Riley smiled.

“Good luck Buffy,” Riley said, as he slowly disappeared out of thin air.

Buffy walked back to her house. Buffy walked up the stairs to her house. She walked in and up the stairs to her room. Everyone was asleep. Buffy laid Faith on her bed. She got Faith out of her boots, socks and leather pants, leaving her in her underwear and top. Buffy got undressed and got dressed into her shorts and sleeveless shirt. She lay down next to Faith. She propped her self up on an elbow and looked at Faith. She traced the bruises on Faith’s neck that Riley had left there. Faith was taking deep steady breaths now, but she still looked a little purple. Rage bubbled deep down and she forcible pushed it down.

Buffy lay down and looked up at the ceiling, thinking about what had happened in the cemetery. When she had seen Riley choking Faith, she knew then and there that she couldn’t deny it anymore. It had felt as though Riley had been choking her and not Faith. She had been so afraid. Try as she might to deny it during these three and a half weeks Buffy knew what she felt for Faith was real. Even though everything was happening so fast she knew that what she felt in her heart was true. She was truly madly deeply in love with Faith.

Chapter 7: True Love and Loves’ Past Revealed

Author’s Note: The discussion between Buffy and Faith about their past’s was what I wanted. I went along with the T.V. Show on something and also along with the Movie in some ways. If you like it, then please review and if you don’t, please still review and tell me what you think. Also, tell me if you want to see them take the baby in or if you rather that they didn’t…

~~~~~

Faith slowly awoke the next morning. She felt that someone was cuddling to her side and was about to push the person away when she recognized the sent. It was Buffy sent. Buffy sent was vanilla, apples and cherries. Faith opened her eyes and looked down. Sure enough, Buffy was cuddled to her side, well, more like using her as a personal pillow. Buffy’s head was lying on Faith’s ample breast, while one arm was thrown across Faith’s waist and one leg was wrapped around Faith’s legs, which were bare. Faith looked around and noticed that she was in Buffy’s room, on Buffy’s bed with Buffy cuddling her. Faith saw her leather pants on her boots in the corner of the room. What the hell was going on? The last thing Faith remembered was dusting two vampires. Then… oh… Riley choking her to death.

Faith looked back at Buffy, slightly confused. Buffy had barely said a hundred words to her, if that, and here she was cuddling her. What was going on? Maybe Buffy had carried her home and just dumped her onto her bed. No, that wouldn’t explain her leather pants being carefully folded. Buffy could have just dumped her on the couch without a care, yet Buffy brought her up to her room. Why? Buffy hated her and was so angry with her. Why the sudden change? What had happened to make her be all cuddly now?

“You know, staring is rude,” a soft voice said.

Faith practically jumped out of her skin. Buffy chuckled. Buffy cuddled closer and squeezed Faith a little, while making an mmmm sound, which made Faith even more confused.

“Uh, B? What’s going on?” Faith asked, her confusion evident in her voice.

Buffy sighed, cuddled for a moment longer and then slowly opened her eyes. She propped her self up on an elbow and looked Faith in the eye. Faith immediately noticed the difference in Buffy’s eyes. There was no longer hatred or anger. Now, in Buffy’s eyes, were compassion, understanding, forgiveness, lust, and love. Faith did a double take. Lust and love?

Buffy smiled softly. She brought a hand up and slowly traced Faith’s jaw with a finger. Buffy cupped Faith’s jaw with her hand and ran her thumb over Faith’s cheek. Faith closed her eyes and let Buffy touch her. She wanted this so much, but she was scared to believe that this was really happening. Buffy bent down and laid her lips on Faith’s. Faith’s eyes shot open in shock. Buffy raised her head and traced Faith’s lips with a finger.

“Do you remember last night?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah,” Faith replied, completely confused at the change of subject.

“Do you remember Riley trying to choke you to death?” Buffy asked. She continued after Faith’s nod. “Well, it made me realize something.”

Faith gulped. “Oh? And what that be?” Faith asked.

“I’ve realized something that I have been trying to hide since the moment I met you,” Buffy said. “That I am absolutely truly madly deeply in love with you.”

“You are?” Faith squeaked.

Buffy chuckled and nuzzled Faith’s nose with hers. “Yes, I am. I guess that’s why it was so hard for me to forgive you,” Buffy admitted.

“I love you too,” Faith said.

Faith cupped Buffy’s face with both of her hands. Faith pulled Buffy down to her and kissed her slowly, gently. Buffy licked at Faith’s lower lip, asking for entrance. Faith opened her mouth, gladly letting Buffy enter her mouth. Faith and Buffy moaned as their tongues touched for the first time. They slowly explored each other’s mouths. They only broke apart when the need for oxygen was greater than the need to keep the lip lock.

Buffy and Faith were panting, trying to regain their composure.

“So, what does this mean?” Faith asked, no longer confused.

Buffy dropped a quick kiss on Faith’s lips.

“That I forgive you. And that I was hopping that you would forgive me,” Buffy said.

Faith looked confused again.

“For that night when I yelled at you about killing the deputy mayor,” Buffy said. She continued when Faith said nothing. “I was wrong. It was an accident. I was scared. I went home and told everyone about it. My mom nearly skinned me alive when I told her what I had said. My mom, Giles, Willow, Xander, Angel and I were going to go and get you before you did something stupid but you already had. But that is no excuse. I should have tried harder to help you. Instead I gave up. Can you forgive me?”

Faith smiled and threw her arms around Buffy’s shoulders and pulled her down into a hug. Faith kissed Buffy all over her face. Buffy laughed and pushed herself up.

“Is that a yes?” Buffy asked.

Faith nodded shyly. Buffy smiled widely and lay back down on Faith, like she had been before Faith had started the talk. Faith wrapped her arms around Buffy and rested her cheek on Buffy’s forehead. Faith was so happy; she thought that she was going to burst from happiness. She couldn’t believe that this was happening. All her dreams were coming true.

“This is real, right? I’m not dreaming?” Faith asked, a little afraid that Buffy was just playing with her.

Buffy looked up and saw the fear in Faith’s eyes. “No, baby, you’re not dreaming,” Buffy said.

Faith smirked. “Baby?” Faith asked, raising a brow.

“Yeah, you’re my baby,” Buffy said. Buffy laid her head back down on Faith’s breast. “Now, shh… let’s try to get some more sleep before Dawn wakes up and realizes you’re not in her room.”

“Mmm… ‘K,” Faith said, cuddling closer to Buffy.

“FAITH?” Dawn suddenly screamed out.

Buffy huffed out a breath. “Or not,” Buffy said, annoyed. Knowing full well that Dawn would immediately come to her room in three…two…one…

Dawn burst into Buffy’s room.

“Buffy, where’s…” Dawn started to say but stopped when she saw Faith in bed with Buffy. With Buffy all wrapped around her, loving like.

Dawn’s jaw dropped.

“Dawnie, what’s going on? What’s with all the yelling?” Willow asked coming up behind her. Willow did a double take when she saw Faith and Buffy.

Willow and Dawn blushed.

“Well, Faith and I were getting some sleep but some people were yelling out and some other people are very nosey,” Buffy said.

“Well, what the hell is going on?” Willow demanded.

Buffy sighed when she realized that she and Faith would get no sleep until they explained what had happened the night before. Buffy reluctantly got up and motioned for everyone to go down stairs.

“Go down stairs and wait in the living room. Faith and I will be down in a minute. And get Xander. I don’t want to have to explain this more than once,” Buffy said.

Willow and Dawn quickly did what Buffy said.

Buffy got up and closed the door. She then opened a draw and took out her favorite pair of shorts. Shorts, she knew, would show off a lot of Faith legs. She threw them to Faith. “Here, put these on,” Buffy said.

Faith raised a brow. “Marking your territory?” Faith asked, slightly amused.

Buffy looked taken aback. “What?” Buffy asked, confused.

“These are your favorite shorts. You want me to wear them while talking to your friends. Hence, marking your territory,” Faith said, smirking.

Buffy smiled shyly. Faith got up and slipped on the shorts. Faith walked up to Buffy and pulled her into her arms. Buffy wrapped her arms around Faith’s shoulders as Faith’s arms went around Buffy’s waist. Buffy laid her head on Faith’s shoulder.

“I want to go slow,” Faith said, softly.

“You do?” Buffy asked, surprised.

“Look, let’s go down there and talk to your friends and then we will talk. This is going a little fast. Maybe if we talk to your friends first, some of this will make some sense,” Faith said.

“What do you mean to make some sense of this?” Buffy asked, sharply.

“Well, you went from hating me to loving me in a moment. We need to think this through and take things slow,” Faith said.

Buffy sighed. “Come on, let’s go down stairs and face the fire,” Buffy said.

Faith chuckled lightly as she followed Buffy down the stairs and into the living room. Faith sat down on a chair and Buffy sat down on the arm of the chair.

“So? What happened?” Willow asked.

“Well, last night we were patrolling. We found four vampires taunting a woman. The woman took off running and a vampire chased after her. I went after them to save the woman, staking a vampire on my way,” Buffy said.

“Then I staked the two remaining vampires. Suddenly someone behind me shouted out ‘bitch’. I turned around and it was Riley. He hit me; I flew and hit a tree. He started hitting me. I yelled out ‘Buffy! Help me!’ He grabbed my throat and started to choke me,” Faith said.

“I came back from dusting the vampire and making sure that the woman was okay and saw Riley choking Faith. I told him to stop, and then told him off. I brought Faith back here. She was still unconscious,” Buffy said, angrily. She looked at Faith and her voice grew soft. “I realized that I couldn’t hide from my emotions any more. I’m in love with Faith. I have always been in love with her. I guess I needed something to make me realize it.”

 Faith was smiling widely. She pulled Buffy down and onto her lap and hugged the small blonde, who hugged her back.

They looked at the three people sitting before them. Dawn looked a little disappointed, Willow looked happy and Xander looked… uncomfortable?

“Xander? What’s wrong?” Buffy asked.

“It couldn’t have been Riley,” Xander said, paling even more.

“Oh? And why not?” Willow asked, intrigued.

“Because he’s dead,” Xander blurted.

There was a stunned silence that filled the room.

“WHAT!?” Buffy demanded.

“Riley’s dead. He died on a mission twelve days ago. His wife died in labor six days ago of complications. Their daughter is fine. And she’s on her way here,” Xander said.

“Did you just say their daughter is on her way here?” Faith asked.

“Yes. Riley and his wife named Buffy their daughter’s guardian. Riley trusted you more than anyone Buffy. He knew that if anything happened to him or his wife, you’d take care of their daughter,” Xander said.

“And how the hell do you know this?” Dawn demanded.

“Well, his wife called here a few days before she went into labor. She told me what had happened to Riley and that if anything were to happen to her, their child would be sent to Buffy,” Xander said.

“How come you didn’t tell us before?” Willow asked.

“She asked me not to. I got a call a day after she died. The baby has to stay in the hospital for a few more days but she should be coming in less than a week,” Xander said.

“And why are you only tell me this now?” Buffy growled out.

“I didn’t know how to tell you! I was going to tell you!” Xander said.

“When? When the baby was here on the damn door step?” Buffy shot back. Buffy got off of Faith’s lap and started to pace. Riley was dead. His wife was dead. Their daughter was on her way to Sunnydale. Wait. If Riley is dead, then what the hell happened last night? “Wait a minute. If Riley is dead, then what the hell happened last night?”

Everyone but Willow shrugged.

“I think it was Riley,” Willow said, thoughtfully.

“What do ya mean?” Faith asked.

“We’ve seen stranger things, right? The time when Angel tried to kill him self and it snowed to stop him from doing it?” Willow said.

“True,” everyone admitted.

“Cordy has a ghost,” Faith said suddenly.

“What?”

“At Cordy’s house, there’s this ghost that kinda haunts it. He’s friendly, and only harms those who try to hurt Cordy or Fred. Anyway, I guess him being a ghost isn’t a stretch. Maybe he had to come back and finish some unfinished business,” Faith said.

“What would he have to finish? Killing you?” Buffy asked confused.

Dawn suddenly brightened. “Oh! Oh! I know!” Dawn said excitedly.

Everyone looked at her.

“Buffy, you said that seeing Riley do that to Faith caused you to realize your true feelings right?” Dawn said.

“Yeah,” Buffy said slowly.

“Maybe that’s what he was trying to do!” Dawn said.

“I dunno Dawn. He seemed intent on killing me,” Faith said, rubbing her neck.

Buffy sat down on Faith’s lap and kisses her neck lovingly. “I dunno what he was up to but thinking about it will only make us more frustrated. We have more important things to think about. Like how are we going to raise a baby,” Buffy said.

“Oh, no need to worry about that. Faith is the expert with kids,” Dawn said before thinking.

“DAWN!” Faith shouted.

“Oops,” Dawn said, blushing.

“What is Dawn talking about?” Buffy asked.

“Well, see, I graduated college when I was sixteen,” Faith said.

“What?” Buffy asked, shocked.

“I got a masters in Child Development, Social Work and Education,” Faith admitted.

Everyone was stunned into silence.

“See, B, this is what I meant. We hardly know each other,” Faith said. She continued after Buffy nodded. “Why don’t we go somewhere, just the two of us and talk?”

“Well, what about the baby?” Xander asked.

Buffy and Faith looked at each other. Taking in a baby was a huge responsibility. It would change their lives forever.

“It’s your choice B,” Faith said.

“How long until she gets here?” Buffy asked.

“Well, she’s been in the hospital for six days already. I would say, she’ll be here in another four, maybe five days,” Xander said.

“Do you have the number of the hospital?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah,” Xander said.

“Okay, call them and find out when she’ll be arriving, I mean, we wouldn’t want her to not have stuff when she arrived, right?” Buffy asked.

Faith smiled.

“Okay,” Xander said.

“Well, why don’t you and I take a walk?” Buffy asked Faith.

“Okay,” Faith agreed. “But I think we need to get dressed first.”

Buffy got up and held out a hand to Faith. Faith took the hand. They went up stairs to get dressed.

***

Buffy and Faith were walking down the sidewalk to the park, holding hands. They had left the house after showering-separately- and getting dressed. They had told everyone that they would be back after dinner and that they were going to the park then to eat dinner. They hadn’t said anything yet, just content to be near each other. They walked into the park and headed for a huge tree that would offer them some shade. The park was empty, aside from a few toddlers and their mother or fathers.

Faith sat down with her back against the tree. Buffy sat down between Faith’s legs, her back pressed against Faith’s chest. Faith wrapped her arms around Buffy, who wrapped her arms around Faith’s arms. Faith lightly kissed Buffy’s head.

“I was an accident,” Faith said, softly.

Buffy turned to Faith. “What?” Buffy asked, shocked.

“I’m going to start and tell you about me, my life. A lot of it isn’t pretty. But it is all in the past. I can’t let it rule me anymore,” Faith said.

Buffy nodded and motioned for her to continue.

“I was an accident. My mom was sixteen and my dad was nineteen. My dad offered to marry my mom. My mom’s father forced her into the marriage. My grandparents on my dad’s side died before I was born. I never knew my other grandparents. They didn’t want anything to do with me. Apparently, my mom’s parents were filthy rich. They cut her out of the share of the money. So, she became resentful towards my dad and me. My dad loved and cherished me, my mom didn’t. When I was five, he had left because he couldn’t take it anymore. Because he wasn’t there, she could beat me. She made me feel like I was nothing, that I was worthless,” Faith said.

She was slowly stroking Buffy’s hair. She could feel that the older girl had tensed. Faith kissed Buffy’s shoulder and went on.

“The state wouldn’t let my dad have me because he was a gang banger. I had just turned eight when he came to get me. He had turned his life around. He was clean. He had a job in an office. He had bought a nice apartment, nice clothes, a nice car and nice toys. He took me away from my mother, finally. But she had done permanent damage. It wasn’t physical, it was emotional. She got me down to the point where I thought I was nothing but dirt. My dad saw this and tried to fix it by showing me love. I had been with him for almost a year. It was about two and a half months before my ninth birthday when my dad died,” Faith said, she choked on the last two words. She took a few breaths and continued on. “I saw it happen. My dad and this man were talking. The man pulled a gun and shot my dad. I went to my dad and he died in my arms.”

Faith was openly crying. Buffy got up and pushed Faith forward. Buffy sat down and put her back to the tree. She pulled Faith onto her lap and gently rocked her. Holding her like a baby. Buffy wiped the tears away and murmured nonsense words to calm Faith down.

“It’s okay, baby, take as long as you need to continue,” Buffy said, soothingly.

Faith nodded. Faith took a deep breath and got her emotions under control.

“So, I guess a neighbor called the cops, cause these two cops came up to me. A young guy and an old guy. The old guy took care of me. I guess he was a social worker before he became a cop because he decided to handle my case. Well, after my dad died, I retracted into myself. I went from home to home for two years before I came to be in the hands of my watcher. I had wanted the cop, Officer Bart O’Connor, to adopt me. I felt safe with him, like he could be a father to me. But he wouldn’t have me. It made me think that I was worthless in a different way. Like no one could ever want me,” Faith said.

Faith took a deep breath.

“So, I finally came to be in the care of my watcher. I realize now that she didn’t love me, to her it had just been a job. As I look back on it, all the things she did were calculated. She got me presents and stuff but she stopped once I turned thirteen. She trained me a little during the first three years but she trained me more in the books than how to fight. Once I turned thirteen that changed. She trained me to fight more but kept up with the books. When I was fourteen to fifteen, she would knock me out and take me somewhere, dump me and expect me to find my way back,” Faith said.

Buffy looked horrified at the thought.

“You know that when I was almost sixteen my watcher was killed by that vampire. Well, what you don’t know is that it took me a whole year to get to Sunnydale. On the way, I sold my body for money and for drugs. I still slayed but for a while I lost my self. But then after I got pregnant and had an abortion, I realized what I was doing. I was being my mother, so I came to Sunnydale as fast as I could,” Faith said.

“Ohmigod!” Buffy whispered.

“Well, you know what had happened in Sunnydale. Mostly. I was so envious of you. You had like the perfect life. You had a mom who loved you. I loved being around you, yet I hated it at the same time. I remember that time we were dancing at the Bronze. How close you were to me, yet how far out of reach you were. I remember killing that man. How scared I was. I had thought that because we were friends that you would stand by me, but when you didn’t, it hurt so much. I had packed to leave town but I had ended up at the mayor’s office. I don’t even now how it had happened. I remember walking into his office and decided that I don’t want to run anymore. I was going to tell the truth. So I told him and he seemed to know it was me who did it. Then the next thing I know, I’m at his house on a bed, waking up. I don’t really remember what had happened in his office,” Faith said.

Buffy waited for Faith to continue but when she remained silent, Buffy said, “Is that it?”

Faith nodded.

“What about the high school and college part?” Buffy asked.

“Oh, that. I got my GED for high school when I was twelve. I graduated College when I was fifteen. My watcher had insisted that I do it. So I picked those subjects. She was just as surprised,” Faith said.

“So, are you like a genius?” Buffy asked.

“Yep. I’m a mathematical genius. I’m also a genius in science, literature and language. I can pick up on any language in a few hours,” Faith said, shrugging.

“Even demonic?” Buffy asked.

“Yes,” Faith said.

“So, you could read all of those books and have saved Willow all that time from looking it up in translations?” Buffy asked, slightly ticked.

“Yep,” Faith said.

“Why didn’t you?” Buffy asked, anger in her voice.

“You didn’t ask. You all assumed that I was a brainless slut. Besides, would you have believed me?” Faith asked, anger entering her own voice.

“I guess not,” Buffy admitted.

Faith laid her head on Buffy’s shoulder and snuggled closer to the older slayer. Buffy chuckled and raised a brow.

“Comfy?” Buffy asked, amused.

“Yep. I could stay here for ever,” Faith said with a contented sigh.

Buffy and Faith stayed silent for a while, just content for the moment.

“So, I guess it’s my turn to be all telling you my life?” Buffy asked.

“Fair is fair,” Faith said.

“Well, there’s not much to tell. I found out I was the slayer while I was in L.A. I was like Cordy. The head cheerleader that everyone wanted. I was a snob and a supreme bitch. Hell, I put Cordy to shame. But that all changed when I became the slayer. I got into a lot of trouble trying to do my job. I lost my cheerleading status, my friends and my boyfriend. There was this guy for a while, named Pike. He became almost like my second. We slayed together. My first watcher was killed by this old vampire, before I blew up my high school’s gym,” Buffy said.

“You blew up your high school’s gym? So, this is a trend of blowing up your school?” Faith asked, highly amused.

“Faith!” Buffy said, swatting Faith.

Faith laughed and Buffy chuckled a little. They were silent for a few moments before Buffy continued.

“Well, after that, I was in deep trouble. They couldn’t prove I blew up the gym but they just said I did. I couldn’t get arrested. So I went on with my slaying. Pike was… Pike was killed during a fight. We were way out numbered. Well, we always were but this time it was different. There were ten vampires, but they were trained in the martial arts. Pike wasn’t the greatest fighter. He thought he was but he wasn’t. He killed about four and got cocky. I had killed three. I was dealing with two of them and the other went after him. Killed him and turned him. I killed off the last three vampires. I had Pike buried and waited for him to turn. I staked him the moment he raised from his grave. I guess knowing that it wasn’t really him and that it was a demon possessing him, I was able to do it and move on,” Buffy said, tears falling.

Faith looked at Buffy. She doubted that the girl knew she had been crying for the past five minutes. She also doubted what she had said was true. She knew her too well. Whenever one of her friends got hurt, she blamed herself. So Faith knew that because this Pike guy was killed and turned, she knew that Buffy would always blame her self. Faith wiped away the tears from Buffy’s face with her thumbs. Faith got up, picked up Buffy in her arms and settled back down so she was holding Buffy like Buffy had held her. She gently rocked her as Buffy cried. Buffy buried her face in Faith’s hair and let it all go. All the pain she had to hold in because she was the slayer and the slayer was supposed to be strong.

Slowly Buffy’s cries subsided. Faith wiped away the remaining tears, offering the girl her strength and waited for Buffy to continue.

“A few months later things began to get back to normal…well as normal as it could be. My parents’ relationship was wearing thin. My dad was constantly gone on business trips for months at a time. So, finally, my parents got divorced and my mom moved us out here. I met my new water, Giles. I met up with Cordy and we sorta became friends. Before I would have thought nothing of it, but when Cordy was making fun of Willow, I just couldn’t take it. So, I met Willow, Xander and their friend Jessie. We became friends. Jessie was turned into a vampire and I was forced to kill him. Willow, Xander and I became fast friends and Cordy and her Corrdetts dubbed me a loser freak. The Cordy got with Xander and such and came into our group,” Buffy said.

Buffy took a deep breath and continued.

“Then you arrived. You know what had happened during all that time. But what you don’t know is, that the whole time I was with Angel, the true person I wanted to be with was you. You were like this force of ‘have fun’, ‘get some get gone’, and ‘you got to live, yo’. I was so envious of you and how you were so lose. That you could just do things on the spur of the moment. Well, after you felt things with Riley were okay. But something went wrong, I don’t know what. He started to let female vampires feed off of him. We had a fight and he took off. He came back a few months later married. Then he left again. I don’t know what had happened,” Buffy said. Then she paused.

Faith looked shocked but didn’t say anything.

“Oh, well it turned out that Dawn was a key of some sort. This Goddess wanted her so we had to fight her. For a while there, I thought that we were going to lose. But to defeat her I had to die,” Buffy said.

Faith felt her heart stop. “You died?” Faith asked.

“Yeah, but Willow brought me back. I wasn’t so happy when she did that. I had been in heaven and I was ripped out of it. But after awhile I accepted it, though sometimes I want to go back. I don’t feel as if I belong here,” Buffy said. “Then something very strange happened. Spike came back to Sunnydale but with out Dru. I sorta got with him. He claimed to be in love with me but he wasn’t really in love with me. He had no soul. Then the stupid idiot went out and got a soul. It drove him insane. He couldn’t take it. Yes, Angelus may have done all those bad things, but he was only around for a little bit of time. Spike, with no soul, was around for two hundred years. So all the things he did, the guilt drove him nuts. Dawn put him out of his misery one day. Dawn really cared for him and I think in some weird way, Spike truly cared for her too.”

“Wow,” Faith said.

“Well, Tara died, Willow turned evil and tried to destroy the world. This was about three years ago. Giles got invited to join the watchers council again. So he went off to England to do that. Giles took Willow with him so that he could help her control her magic again. She came back after a year and has only done magic when it was absolutely necessary. Not much as happened after that. Anya, Xander’s ex-girl friend died of cancer. Even though they weren’t together anymore, he still loved her and he was heart broken. He slowly got over it and moved on,” Buffy said.

“Willow evil? That’s kind of hard to picture,” Faith commented.

“Yeah. She just lost it after Tara died. Xander saved the entire world that day. He some how got through to Willow. They never said what happened and I never asked. I think it had to do with the fact that they were bestfriends forever and Xander showed Willow that she had someone who wasn’t going to leave her. Well, at least that’s what I think that had happened. Then she went to England to get control of her magic. When she came back she was like the old Willow, but more mature and understanding,” Buffy said.

Buffy paused.

“Not much has happened since then. Willow has gone out on a few dates but no lasting relationships. Xander had a few girlfriends but he hasn’t found anyone yet. Dawn hasn’t even been on a date yet. Then I’ve had a few relationship but they all turned sour. I don’t know why. At the beginning they were great but in the end they went bad,” Buffy said, then paused and thought for a minute. “You know, maybe I do know what went wrong. Every relationship I had went wrong because they weren’t the one for me. They weren’t my one true love, my soul mate, my other half. I think that’s why we got along so well, yet didn’t. I think we were meant to be. There has never been a case where there have been two slayers co-existing. I had died for a minute, maybe two. But then I came back. That wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“I’m glad it did happen. Not the you dying part. The you coming back part,” Faith said, blushing slightly.

Buffy chuckled. “I know what you meant, baby,” Buffy said.

“So, do you think we know each other now?” Faith asked.

Buffy paused to consider. “I think that we do know each other better, but I don’t think that we will ever know each other completely. That’s where the surprise comes in. I think we have to take it a day at a time and get to know each other over time. If we know everything about each other, where’s the excitement?” Buffy asked. “To discover something new about each other and to get closer and become one, that’s what love is about. Not know each other completely where it gets to be a routine, that would be boring and love isn’t boring.”

Faith nodded. “I guess so, but I just don’t want to keep secrets anymore,” Faith said.

“Sometimes, having a secret that you keep to your self and that no one knows is a good thing. You have to be able to be alone to think. To have something that’s just yours,” Buffy said.

Faith nodded. Faith smiled evilly and stood up, Buffy still in her arms. Buffy shrieked and threw her arms around Faith’s neck. Faith laughed at the look on Buffy’s face.

“Faith! What are you doing?” Buffy asked.

“Holding my woman in my arms,” Faith said innocently.

“Uh-hu,” Buffy said.

“Want to go and get something to eat before we head back to the house?” Faith asked.

“Okay. What time is it?” Buffy asked, as Faith set her down on her feet.

Faith looked at her watch. “Five o’clock,” Faith answered.

“Okay, let’s go get something to eat then,” Buffy said.

Faith and Buffy walked out of the park. Faith’s arm around Buffy’s shoulders, while Buffy had her arm around Faith’s waist. What they didn’t see was a man and a woman standing next to the tree where they had been sitting.

“So, they’re soul mates?” the woman asked.

“Yes, and it took them long enough to realize it!” the man said.

“Do you think our daughter will be safe with them?” the woman asked.

Riley looked down at his wife and smiled. “Yes,” Riley said.

“Good,” Riley’s wife said.

Riley and his wife slowly disappeared.

Chapter 8: Lives Coming Together

Notes: This was a long chapter. I could have spilt it into two chapters but decided against it. I wanted everyone to see that their lives were going together and how each event brought them all closer. As for Buffy and Faith making love, that was my first time writing something like that, so if it offends you or anything, I do apologize. Please review. I want to know if you liked it or not. All comments are welcome… The song in this chapter is ‘A Kiss From A Rose,’ by Seal.

~~~~~

Faith and Buffy were sitting down and eating their dinner at a restaurant called ‘Millies’. Their food had arrived a few minutes before and they were quietly eating. Faith had ordered a steak, medium rare, a baked potato, beans, and a salad. Buffy had ordered a chicken sandwich and a salad.

Faith and Buffy were making small talk about this and that, not really discussion anything of importance.

“What about the baby?” Faith asked, suddenly. “Are you sure you want her? Having a baby is a big responsibility. You have to think about this B. Everything we do will have to be scheduled around her. And it is pretty expensive to raise a baby. Not to mention how tiring it is to take care of a baby.”

“How do you know all of this?” Buffy asked.

“One of the homes I was in had an infant baby. I shared a room with the baby. I lived with them for four months and saw how hard it had been on the parents. Late night feedings, dippers by the zillions, crying, short naps and so much more,” Faith said. Faith took Buffy’s hand in her own and brought it to her lips. She brushed her lips across Buffy’s knuckles. Buffy was slightly shocked at the romantic gesture that Faith did. It was a little un-Faith like. Granted, being in love was also a un-Faith like thing too. Buffy guessed that love was truly blind, however, instead of not seeing the faults that Faith had, the faults had been the only thing she could see.

“What ever you decide, I will back you one hundred percent,” Faith continued.

“One can never be to sure that their ready to have a child. I think we could make this work. I think we can provide her with a loving home,” Buffy said, paused and then continued. “Besides, I don’t want to give her to someone else, to someone we don’t know. I don’t want her to go through what you went through. Yes, she is a baby, but not knowing what would happen to her, would drive me insane. At least with us, I’ll always know that she is safe.”

Faith nodded. “Well, all those homes I had gotten kicked out of, it wasn’t the people’s fault. It was my own fault. I was retracted into myself and didn’t take anyone up on his or her offer to help me. But if this is what you want, then we’ll take the baby in,” Faith said.

“I do want this,” Buffy said. She leans over and kissed Faith softly. She broke the kiss and started to eat again. “Do you know what to buy for a new born baby?”

Faith nodded. “Yes, I do,” Faith said. Then something dawned on her. “You know, one of us should breast feed the baby. There’s this new thing that I read about where a doctor can inject something into the breasts and make them produce milk. Breast feeding a baby is a great way to make a lasting bond to the baby.”

“Uh…” Buffy said. “What exactly happens with the injection?”

“Well, the doctor would have to first run some tests to make sure that you have no diseases. Then he makes sure that you are not allergic to anything in the injection. They inject you once every four hours for twenty-four hours. Then you have to stay for observations to make sure you are responding okay to the injection. So you would have to stay in the hospital,” Faith said, seriously but with laughter in her eyes.

Buffy paled a little at the mention of staying in a hospital but stopped and narrowed her eyes when Faith started to laugh.

“You were joking, weren’t you?” Buffy asked.

“Yes, B, I was. You get one injection and then go home. Then you come back the next day to see if it worked,” Faith said. “Although you still have to have the tests done.”

Buffy swatted at Faith who dodged it the best she could in the confines of the booth.

“How do they test it to see if it worked?” Buffy asked.

“That, I don’t know,” Faith admitted. “So? What do you think?”

Buffy considered. Buffy had always wanted to have a baby, but when she had found out that she couldn’t because her ovaries had been crushed, she had given up hope. It was just enough that there would be a baby in her life.

“I think it should be you,” Buffy decided. Buffy smirked. “You’re way more endowed than I am. I would like to see a child at your breast. I think it would be better that way. I have a job and you don’t. You would be home with her during the afternoon.”

Faith nodded, blushing a little.

She looks so cute when she blushed, Buffy thought.

They finished their meal, paid for it and walked home hand in hand. Buffy, wearing a sleeveless shirt shivered. Faith took off her trademark leather jacket and put it around Buffy’s shoulders. Buffy hugged the leather jacket around her. She bent her head down and smelt it. It smelt of leather, obviously and of Faith.

“Thank you,” Buffy said.

“Well, I did it for purely selfish reasons. I don’t want you to get sick ‘cause then I can’t make out with you,” Faith said, flashing a smile.

Buffy laughed as Faith put an arm around her and brought her colder to her side. Buffy leaned in and put her head on the younger slayer’s shoulder. Faith kissed the blonde’s head as they reached the Summer Household. They walked up and into the house to find…boxes. The living room and hallway had boxes everywhere.

“Willow? Xander? Dawn?” Buffy called out. Willow and Xander came out of the kitchen while Dawn came out of Willow’s room and down the stairs. “What’s going on?”

“Well, since there will be a baby arriving, I decided to turn your room into a nursery. You and Faith will move into your mother’s old room. I’m going to split the basement in half and Willow will move down there with me,” Xander explained. The paused. “Not in that way. As roommates.”

“And you guys came to this decision how?” Faith asked.

“I had moved into Buffy’s mom’s room when I was with Tara. Now because you two are together, you need more space,” Willow said.

“Why don’t we sit down and explain everything?” Dawn suggested.

Faith cocked a brow. “Sit where?” Faith asked.

Everyone looked around and realized that there was nowhere to sit in the living room.

“Kitchen,” everyone said.

They all sat around the kitchen table.

“So, I called the hospital and found out that the baby will be here in five days. All of her medical things will be transferred to Sunnydale Hospital. Tomorrow, sometime, you two have to go down there and tell them your names to go down on the birth certificate and the name of the baby,” Xander said.

“She hasn’t been named yet?” Dawn asked.

“Nope,” Xander said. “Her mother died a few minutes after she was born. She only lived long enough to get a look at her daughter before she died.”

There was silence and Xander continued. “I was informed by a lawyer that the Finn’s will was sealed so tight that no one would ever be able to take the baby from you. Anyway, I was talking to the lawyer when he asked who else lived her and how much room was here. I told him and he suggested that we make room for the baby. That’s what we’re doing. I know for the most part you two might want to baby to sleep in your room, but as she grows older, you might want her to have her own room. The basement is big enough to make into two apartments. One for me and one for Willow. I can take as long as I want making the apartments for us. But the baby’s room needs to be done in four days,” Xander explained.

“When did you get this smart?” Buffy asked, suddenly.

Xander smirked. “Working in a construction company has its advantages. Now, I suggest that tomorrow, Buffy and Faith, you two pack your things to move,” Xander said.

“I’m stuff less, so what do I do?” Faith asked.

“Go by stuff,” Dawn said.

Faith glared but Buffy smiled. “I’ll go with you. Total shopping day!” Buffy said.

“Damn, I hate shopping!” Faith muttered as everyone laughed.

Buffy looked at the clock and saw that it was nine. Buffy stood up and held out her hand. “Come on, let’s get some sleep. We have a long five days ahead of us,” Buffy said.

Faith took Buffy’s hand. They went up stairs and into Buffy’s room, after Buffy said, “Dawn, you in bed in two hours!”

Buffy closed the door and looked at Faith. She was tempted to jump her, tear her clothes off and make love to her but Faith looked a little nervous. Buffy leaned against the door and waited for Faith to say something.

“I’m not ready,” Faith blurted.

“Ready for what?” Buffy asked, confused.

“To… To… To, you know,” Faith said, blushing.

Buffy did a double take. Faith stuttering because of the subject of sex? She was even blushing! What the hell was going on?

“Why?” Buffy simply asked.

“Because I love you and I don’t want to mess this up with jumping into the sack so soon. We’ve been together for a day. I… I want to take things slow. Go out on dates; court you and everything else before we make love. I don’t want to have sex with you, or fuck you. I want to make love to… no… not to… with. I want to make love with you,” Faith said.

Buffy’s jaw dropped at Faith declaration. She thought for a moment. From what she knew, every relationship that Faith had been in had more to do with sex than anything else. Faith was the ‘get some, get gone’. So if she wanted to take things slow, then Buffy knew that it was much, much more. Buffy slowly nodded. She walked up to Faith and caressed her cheek with a hand.

“Alright, I can live with just dating you. Is kissing, hugging and cuddling still okay?” Buffy asked, hopeful.

“Of course!” Faith exclaimed. Faith suddenly got an idea. “I’ll be right back.”

Faith ran from to room and into Dawn’s room before Buffy could say a word. Faith searched through her bag and quickly found her c.d. case. She looked through it and found a c.d. She got it out and ran back into Buffy’s room. She went over to Buffy’s c.d. player and put the c.d. into the player. She pushed play and put it onto number four. The song was called. ‘A Kiss From A Rose’ by Seal. Faith turned back to a confused Buffy. Faith walked to the center of the room and held out a hand.

“May I have this dance?” Faith asked, as the song started.

Buffy smiled shyly and nodded. She took Faith’s hand that drew her in close. Faith put her hands on Buffy’s waist and Buffy’s hands went around Faith’s neck. They slowly swayed to the music.

There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea
You became the light on the dark side of me
Love remained a drug that’s the high and not the pill
But did you know, that when it snows,
The light that you shine can be seen
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
The more I get of you,
Stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
There is so much a man ca tell you
There…so much he can say, there’s so much inside

*

Buffy laid her head down on Faith’s shoulders as the continued to sway to the music. Faith held Buffy tightly to her as if she were afraid to ever let go.

*

You remain,
My power, my pleasure my pain, baby
To me you’re like a growing addiction that I can’t deny… yeah
Won’t you tell me is that healthy baby?
But did you know, that when it snows,
The light that you shine can be seen
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
The more I get of you,
Stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grey
I’ve been… I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grey

*

Buffy lifted her head from Faith’s shoulder and pressed her lips to Faith’s in a searing kiss. Faith moaned as Buffy’s tongue met hers eagerly.

*

I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grey
I’ve been… I’ve been kissed by a rose on the grey
There is so much a man can tell you
There’s so much he can say
There’s so much inside
You remain,
My power, my pleasure my pain, baby
To me you’re like a growing addiction that I can’t deny… yeah
Won’t you tell me is that healthy baby?

*

They broke the kiss only when air was needed more. Panting heavily, they leaned towards each other and rested their foreheads together.

*

But did you know, that when it snows,
The light that you shine can be seen
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
The more I get of you,
Stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Yes, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
I’ve… been kissed by a rose from the grey
The more I get of you,
Stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey….

They continued to sway to music only they could hear as the c.d. stopped after finishing the song. They slowly stopped swaying to the music and just stayed in each other’s arms. They looked into each other’s eyes and saw love. The smiled at each other and got ready for bed. They got into Buffy’s bed, Buffy cuddling close to Faith as they drifted off to sleep.

***

 “OW! Son of a bitch,” Faith cursed as a box fell onto her foot. Faith pushed the box away and hopped around on one foot, while rubbing her other foot with a hand. Bare feet plus heavy box falling equals pain.

“Faith? Are you okay?” Buffy called from across the hall in her and Faith’s new room.

“Yeah, just dropped a damn box on my foot,” Faith called back.

Faith picked up the box and took it into Mrs…  no their room. Buffy was rushing about the room putting things away in drawers. They had spent the last two hours packing all of Buffy’s things and now they were moving the items into their new room. Buffy had decided to split the room with Faith. Each had their own personal dressers and closet space but they also had some things that they would share. But first, Faith would need to buy things. Faith had called Angel that morning and had told him what had happened. Faith had told Angel that she would send the money that he had given her back to him through the mail but he had insisted that she keep it for herself. She argued that the two grand wasn’t hers and she would feel bad. Angel had said he wouldn’t take the money back and to think of it as the pay she hadn’t gotten for working for him for the six months. At the end, she had decided to let him win, reluctantly. So, she had decided that she would buy some things for her and with the rest they would use to buy the baby’s things.

Faith smiled at the thought of baby things. There was going to be a baby in her life. Faith admitted to her self that there could have been a baby in her life before if she hadn’t gotten that abortion. Faith’s face-hardened at that memory. She regretted that decision most of all. She shook it off and walked into their room.

Faith put the box down. “That’s the last one,” Faith said.

“Good, then after we unpack everything, we can go shopping for stuff for you,” Buffy said, and Faith scowled. “And you will get pants other than leather.”

“Yes, mother,” Faith said and stuck her tongue out.

Buffy pondered for a moment. “And a few skirts and dresses,” Buffy said.

“Oh, hell no,” Faith said.

Buffy laughed, “Well see… well see.”

“Like hell we will,” Faith muttered, kneeling to help Buffy put things away, so that they could go and get the shopping done.

An hour and a half later Faith and Buffy arrived at the mall.

Faith had to admit that she did new some more clothes. Granted she had gone shopping with Dawn, but she hadn’t really gotten that much. All she had at the moment was five pairs of leather pants, six tang tops, a pair of sweat pants, a sweat shirt, some underwears, some bras, some socks, a pair of boots and a pair of pajamas.

The first store that they went to was a leather shop. Faith got four new pairs of leather pants, and a new leather jacket-Buffy had insisted on this one. Then they went to a shoe store where Faith bought one pair of sandals, one pair of boots, and one pair of athletic shoes. After that they went to a beauty department. Then they went into the Gap-Faith didn’t want to but Buffy talked her into it.

Faith was trying to not roll her eyes at a guy standing next to her. She, like the poor guy, had her arms outstretched with clothing hanging from her arms, like she was a personal servant. But instead of the clothing being for her girlfriend, like the guy, the clothes were for her.

“Buffy, come on, I don’t need that much clothes!” Faith protested.

Buffy looked at Faith like she was crazy. “You can never have too much clothes!” Buffy insisted.

Faith and the guy rolled their eyes.

“Jason! I saw that!” the guy’s girlfriend said. The guy grinned a little sheepishly. The guy then followed his woman off to another section of the store.

“Okay, Faith. You have to try on the clothes now,” Buffy said.

“Buffy, I don’t need to try them on. I know my size and I get my clothes two sizes below it,” Faith said, grinning.

Buffy rolled her eyes. “Fine, then let’s pay and head on to the next store,” Buffy said.

“Next store?” Faith asked, horrified. “What next store. We got everything I could ever need! Shoes, leathers, shirts, shorts, jeans, sexy underwear and make-up. What else could there be?”

“Skirts and dresses,” Buffy said.

“Oh, no B. Absolutely not! No way am I going to get stuff like that!” Faith said.

“Please? Let me get you one dress and one skirt outfit. Please?” Buffy asked, as she used her puppy dog eyes.

Faith sighed. “So not fair using the eyes. Fine, let’s go and torture me with girly dress wear,” Faith grumbled.

Buffy beamed.

A half an hour later, Faith was trying to get all of the things that she had bought into the house. She was bringing them into her room while Buffy was putting them away. She had to make a total of five trips to the car to unload everything.

Faith looked around their room, granted it had more of Buffy’s stuff since she was still a little stuff-less. However, that would change over time as she bought things for her self. Faith looked at the closet and smiled at it. A closet, a shared closet with Buffy. She had never shared a closet before or even a room. Her smile turned into a scowl as Buffy put the red dress that she had been forced to get. True, she liked to look like a hot girl but she wasn’t into dresses. They made her feel…vulnerable.

Faith opened to two bags she had brought in and dumped the stuff into a drawer. Buffy scowled and rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything. Buffy stretched and looked at her watch. It was almost eight o’clock. They had gone shopping at one o’clock and had gotten about an hour and a half ago. Her feet were sore but she was extremely happy. At the moment, Xander and three of his friends were fixing up the basement. Putting a wall up and moving things around. They had moved Willow’s furniture down into the basement and Buffy’s furniture into her new room. Everything would be done in two days instead of the five days, which would give everyone time to adjust before the baby came.

Dawn had gone out and bought a few things to fix up the baby’s new room. She had bleached the carpets so they were once again white. Then she cleaned and vacuumed the carpet to death. She had aired out the room to get the smell out. Then she had painted the wall a baby blue with light pink animal prints everywhere. She had also taken the closet doors off and with the help of Willow installed shelves and bars small enough to fit baby things on. While she had been doing this, Willow had gone around the house and baby proofed it, although it wouldn’t need it for a while, it was nice to know that the baby couldn’t get hurt. Also, Willow had informed them that she had used a completely safe, no drawbacks, no hidden loops holes, spell on the room. So, if anything were in the house that shouldn’t be in the house, they wouldn’t be able to get to the baby, or if they did get into the room somehow, an alarm of some kind would go off to warn them.

So, now all they had to do was go shopping for the baby things, set up the room and wait for the baby to get to Sunnydale from Ireland. Well, maybe there was one other thing they had to do. Faith needed to get that injection thing.

Buffy smiled at Faith, who smiled back. For once, things were going their way.

***

Buffy looked at a bouncing Faith. Buffy smiled at that. For the past three hours that they had been shopping, Faith’s excitement over shopping for the baby just seemed to become more pronounced. They had already gotten quite a few things. Luckily, after shopping for Faith’s things they had one thousand-five hundred-twenty dollars to spend on the baby. They had already gotten two baby dressers, a changing post, two baby monitors, a car seat, a baby swing, a rocking chair, a play pin, a few blankets, a few pacifiers, a dipper bag, a couple of bottles, a bassinet, twelve boxes of dippers that contained twenty-four dippers each and a baby carrier that would allow them to carry the baby with out having to use their hands.

Xander had taken the stuff back to the house to drop it off for Willow and Dawn to set up. As soon as he had everything unloaded, he’d come back to get them and the rest of the things.

They were now in a small part of the store that had baby toys and books. They had agreed to get three stuffed animals and a few baby books. They had gotten five baby books, ‘Disney Baby Stories’, ‘Winnie the Pooh Stories’, ‘Fairy Tales’, ‘Mother Goose Stories’, and ‘Other Children Stories’.

Faith, at the moment was looking at stuffed animals. Since Buffy had gotten the books, she was letting Faith get the stuffed toys. Faith had already gotten a baby Mickey Mouse and a baby Pluto. She was trying to decide between an elephant and a bear. Finally she chose the bear.

“Okay, what next?” Faith asked, adding the stuffed animal to the cart.

Buffy, highly amused, said, “Clothes then a crib.”

“Okay, then let’s go,” Faith said, eagerly.

Buffy couldn’t help it she started to laugh. Faith looked at Buffy and pouted. “What?” Faith asked.

“You are so cute,” Buffy said, patting Faith’s cheek gently and then kissing it.

Faith blushed and mumbled something about going to the new born section of the clothing room. Buffy laughed and followed Faith into the clothing room. The room was filled with baby and toddler clothes of various sizes and styles.

“Why don’t you get the clothes? I’m going to go and get some books on babies. You may be an expert in dealing with children, but I am not. I want to be prepared for the little one,” Buffy said.

“Okay. Are you sure you don’t want to help pick out the clothes?” Faith asked.

“Yeah, when you’re done, meet me where the cribs are and we’ll pick one out,” Buffy said.

Faith thought for a moment. “You know, we don’t know how big the baby is. I think we should only get a few out fits and then come back later when we figure out what her size is. Besides, you never want to get their size, you really want to get one or two sizes bigger for them to grow into,” Faith said.

“Okay, if you say so. So, meet you in a few,” Buffy said.

Faith nodded and said, “Okay.”

As Buffy walked away, Faith turned to the baby clothes. She first went to the clothing that had footies, since they were the easiest to put on a baby, take them off and wash. Faith picked out two of them. A pink one that had purple ducks on it and a blue one that had yellow dogs and cats on it. Then Faith got a long t-shirt what was white and had a picture of Mickey Mouse on it. She also got two beanies, a pick and a blue one. Then she got mittens and booties, also pick and blue.

Faith put the clothing items into the cart and sunk over to the toys. She looked like a kid in the candy store. She went over and looked at a few things. She saw a box that had one hand puppet and a few finger puppets. She got it and put it into the cart.

“Why is it that I knew I would find you back in here?” Buffy’s voice asked from behind Faith.

Faith jumped up and turned around quickly. “You scared the crap outta me!” Faith said, trying to look innocent and not succeeding.

Buffy chuckled. She reached into the cart and took out the box of puppets. Buffy cocked a brow. Buffy smiled and said, “If I walk in on you playing with the baby’s toys, I’m so gonna laugh.”

“Hey, can I help it if I’m a little jealous? They get all these neat toys to play with,” Faith muttered.

“We’ll get this, but that’s it for now,” Buffy said, putting the box back into the cart. “Come on, let’s go and get a crib.”

They went off to choose a crib. After a half an hour of looking at all the cribs they finally picked one. It was a white old fashion crib, except that it had a mobile with animals that made noises as it turned. It also had a small c.d. player on it that had lullabies.

They bought the things and loaded them into the car, where Xander was waiting for them. They got home and brought the stuff up and into the baby’s room.

Buffy and Faith were standing in the doorway of their baby’s room. Faith did a little double take. She was already thinking of the baby and hers and Buffy’s. Faith smiled and wrapped her arms around Buffy’s waist, pulling Buffy against her front.

“It’s perfect,” Buffy said and Faith nodded.

***

Two days later Faith and Buffy were sitting in Dr. Marcos’ office, the youngest pediatrician of Grover, Teller, Helperman and Marcos. They were waiting for him to come in and see them so they could sigh the birth certificate and get the injection done.

The door opened and the young doctor entered the room. He walked to Faith and Buffy who stood up.

“Hello, I’m Dr. Brent Marcos,” the doctor said.

“Buffy Summers,” Buffy said, shaking the doctors hand.

“Faith,” Faith said, also, shaking the man’s hand.

“Do you have a last name?” the doctor asked, moving behind his desk and taking a seat.

“Uh, why?” Faith asked, as she and Buffy sat down.

“Well, I need your last name so you can be put onto the certificate as a parent,” Dr. Marcos explained.

“Oh. Well, it’s Winters. I’m Faith Dominique Winters,” Faith said.

“Summers and Winters, you two really are polar opposites aren’t you?” the doctor asked, jokingly. Then he sobered. “Well, your daughter’s medical information arrived yesterday. So, all you have to do is name her and then you’re done.”

“Joyce Dominique Summers-Winters,” Buffy said, without thought.

“What?” Faith asked, shocked.

“Joyce was my mother’s name. And I want our daughter to have both of our names,” Buffy said. Buffy paused. “Do you mind?”

Faith smiled. “No, I’m just shocked that you added my name on there,” Faith said.

“No, I meant about her first name,” Buffy said, worried. They hadn’t really discussed names yet and it sort of just popped out of her mouth before she had thought.

“No, I don’t mind.  Your mom was cool. But, why did you add my middle name to the mix?” Faith asked.

“I think it’s cute,” Buffy cooed.

Faith scowled and looked at the doctor who was barely containing laughter.

“So, is that the child’s name?” the man asked, deciding laughing was not a good thing, from the glare he had gotten from Faith.

“Yes, Joyce Dominique Summers-Winters,” Faith confirmed.

The doctor started to type on his computer. After a few minutes, he turned back to them. “Well, that’s it. You’re done here, unless you have other questions,” Dr. Marcos said.

“Yes. I was wondering about the…err… injection to make breasts lactate,” Faith said, while Buffy blushed.

“Ah, one of you wishes to breast feed the child?” Dr. Marcos asked.

“Yes, but her, not me,” Buffy said, pointing to Faith.

“Well, let me check me schedule,” the doctor said. He pretended to look over it. He had almost nothing. Being the newest member of the practice made it that way. He only had a dozen clients, not including Faith and Buffy’s newest daughter. His next appointment was at three and that was four hours away. He looked back at them and smiled. “Looks like I can fit you in. My next appointment isn’t for a few hours.”

***

Buffy and Faith were walking down the sidewalk holding hands. They had been walking around the town for a little over an hour. Everything they had been doing was finally sinking in. Their lives were changing so fast. Many people would say that they were taking things too fast, that they should date for a few years before being so committed to each other. It had only been two months since Faith had come to Sunnydale and they had only just forgiven each other and confessed their love for each other. They would also say that taking in the baby would be too much responsibility and that they weren’t ready for it. They maybe right, but they may be wrong. The only thing the two women could do was see what would happen.

“Buffy?” Faith asked suddenly.

“Yes?” Buffy asked, wary because Faith used her whole name. Whole name-usage was not a good thing for Faith.

“I…I…I need to go back,” Faith said, nervously.

“Go back?” Buffy asked, confused.

“To the alley,” Faith said. When Buffy still looked a little lost, Faith clarified. “The alley where I killed the deputy.”

Buffy tensed. “Faith I don’t think that is a good idea,” Buffy said.

“Buffy, I need closure. I need to put it behind me so I can move on. If I don’t go back, it will haunt me forever. I need to do this,” Faith said.

Buffy hesitated for a moment. “Are you sure?” Buffy asked.

“Yes,” Faith said.

“Alright,” Buffy said, as they started off.

A few minutes later they arrived at the alley. Buffy stayed a little bit away from Faith as she explored the area. Faith stood in front of the place where the man had died. Memories of that night came flooding back. The look in the man’s eyes as he died. The dread, the guilt, and Buffy’s reaction. She replayed the moment in her mind over and over. She thought for a moment and remembered that there was something she knew but couldn’t remember what.

“Come on, B, let’s go home,” Faith said.

Buffy took Faith’s hand and led her away from the place that had torn them apart.

***

An hour later, Buffy and Faith walked into the house and headed for their room. The got onto the bed and faced each other on their sides. Not really saying anything, just enjoying the quiet of it just being the two of them. They smiled at each other as if they had all the time in the world. Not caring for once about the next big bad or for that matter that they would have a daughter in less than twenty-four hours. All that was there for them at that moment was each other. Desires once held in check, slowly breaking free. Neither knew that making love to each other at the moment might not be a good idea. They’d only gotten together a few days ago, after finally putting their past difference to rest. That they finally got past appearances and saw what was within. Either they didn’t care or they didn’t know, but at that moment there was nothing but them and their love.

After a while they leaned closer and their lips met. They slowly kissed each other, exploring each other’s mouths. Faith put an arm around Buffy and drew her closer. As their bodies pressed together, they moaned in unison. Faith held Buffy’s head in one hand and her ass in the other. The broke the kiss and looked into each other’s eyes. They both saw desire, and lust, but most of all they saw love. The leaned in again and started to kiss again. Faith broke the kiss and got up and off of the bed, pulling Buffy with her. Faith started to slowly remove Buffy’s clothes as she kissed the older slayer. Once Buffy’s clothes were removed, Buffy started to undress Faith. Both, keeping up with their kissing as they undressed each other, neither wanting to break the passionate bond they were entrapped in. Once they were both naked, they broke the kiss and stepped back from each other. Both were looking over the other, not as friends, not as enemies, but as lovers who have finally found each other.

Faith’s gaze traveled over Buffy’s body slowly. Buffy had small breasts, a handful each, but they were firm and her areolas were big, and her pink nipples were hard and erect. Faith’s gaze traveled down as she looked over the taunt hard muscles of Buffy’s stomach. Then down to her womanhood. Light blonde hair covered her pussy. Her hair was wet with arousal. Faith licked her lips as she took in the most stunning sight she had ever seen before. She had never seen or been with anyone who had made her feel like this loved or turned on or scared. Everything she was feeling scared her a little. It was a passion she had never felt before and it scared her. Faith looked up and into Buffy’s eyes and threw out all her hesitation and her feeling of being scared; she knew that she was safe and home.

While Faith was looking over her body, Buffy was going the same to Faith. Buffy gaze was drawn to Faith’s large breasts. They were al least a 42C cup. Although Faith’s breasts were big and heavy, there was no sag to her breasts. Faith nipples here a brownish color and were hard and erect. Faith’s areolas that surrounded the nipples were larger, even larger than her own areolas. Buffy gaze wandered down over a hard and flat stomach that had a hint of a six-pack there. Then her gaze dropped down to Faith’s… bare pussy. Faith, apparently, saved her pussy free of hair; it almost made her body look younger.

Faith walked up to Buffy and pulled Buffy into her arms. Their naked bodies pressed together and they moaned. Faith slowly backed Buffy up to the bed and laid her down. Faith got onto the bed and placed her self on to Buffy, but being careful not to put her whole weight on the smaller woman. Faith bent down and started to kiss Buffy slowly. Faith knew that this was Buffy’s first time being with a woman, so, Faith pushed her needs back and focused on bringing her small love pleasure beyond anything she had ever felt before. Faith trailed kisses down Buffy’s jaw, down her neck and to her breasts. Faith gazed at the perfect breasts and then slowly lowered her head to Buffy’s right breast. Faith licked the nipple slowly, watching as it hardened more. Faith drew the nipple and most of the breast into her mouth and gently sucked. Buffy moaned at the contact and arched her back. Faith lifted her head and gently pushed Buffy back onto the bed. Buffy whimpered at the loss.

“Shh… Let me love you,” Faith said, huskily.

Buffy swallowed and nodded.

Faith bent her head back down, this time to the left breast and took it into her mouth and suckled gently as if it were the greatest treasure of all. Faith played with the other breast, mimicking her tongue’s movement on Buffy’s left breast, on Buffy’s right breast with her fingers. Buffy moaned at the pleasure. Faith slowly let go of the breast and met Buffy’s lips again in a tender loving kiss, before kissing her way down Buffy’s stomach. When she reached the hair on Buffy’s womanhood, she sat back on her haunches and gently spread Buffy’s legs wide apart. She gazed, with something akin to awe, at Buffy’s glistening pussy. She looked at Buffy and smiled as she slowly went down to the treasure of all treasures.

Faith lowered her head and slowly licked from the bottom of Buffy’s slit to the top. Buffy moaned and her hips jerked upward at the simple touch. Faith wrapped her arms under and around Buffy’s legs and onto her pussy to hold her down. Faith then spread Buffy’s pussy lips and gazed at the most beautiful thing she ever seen. Faith smiled and dipped her head into the sweet nectar that was Buffy’s juices. Faith licked all around Buffy’s cunt, carefully avoiding the throbbing clit and aching love tunnel. Buffy groaned in frustration. Faith suddenly sucked the clit into her mouth and gently sucked it. Buffy gasped at the sudden pleasure that flowed through her body. Faith unhooked one of her arms and brought it down. She took one finger and slid it into Buffy’s hole. When there was no resistance, Faith slid in two more. She slowly finger fucked Buffy while sucking on Buffy’s clit. Every time Buffy would get close, Faith would pull back, giving Buffy enough time to slowly back down from an oncoming orgasm before starting her ministrations again.

“Oh… Oh… Ohmigod… Yes, oh Faith please,” Buffy panted out, her hips moving to meet Faith’s fingers.

As Buffy started to reach an orgasm, Faith did everything she could to keep herself going slow, so she draw the orgasm out as long as she could. Buffy finally reached a mind-blowing orgasm. Buffy screamed out her release and promptly passed out from pleasure.

Faith, not knowing Buffy had passed out, slowly took her fingers out and licked the cum seeping out of Buffy’s hole. She looked up and saw that Buffy wasn’t moving.

“Buffy?” Faith asked. “Buffy?” Faith asked a bit more loudly when Buffy didn’t respond.

Faith crawled up next to Buffy and took the smaller girl into her arms and checked her vital signs. Faith sighed a sign of relief. Buffy’s pulse was hard and erratic but that was only from the orgasm.

A few minutes later, Buffy opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was the concerned one’s of Faith. “Hey, you okay?” Faith asked, a little worried, although highly amused.

“Wonderful,” Buffy said. “That was the best orgasm I have ever had.”

Faith grinned. “Well, there’s more where that came from,” Faith said.

She laid Buffy back down and went over to one of her dressers that contained her private stuff like her diaries. She pulled open a drawer and pulled out a black box. She turned back to Buffy and asked her to close her eyes. Buffy looked confused but did as asked. Faith turned around again and took out her strapon. It was ten inches long and two and a half inches thick and came complete with big balls at the base. She quickly strapped it onto herself. Faith walked up to the bed and stood next to it.

“You can open your eyes,” Faith said.

Buffy opened her eyes and looked over at Faith. Buffy’s jaw dropped at what she saw. Faith was wearing a strapon dildo.

“You like?” Faith asked.

“When did you get this? Where did you get it?” Buffy asked, still slightly shocked to see her girlfriend wearing a dildo.

“I got this yesterday when you were at work. There’s this little place just outside of Sunnydale. I got it for you and you only. Well, that is, if you want it,” Faith said. Faith smiled when Buffy hesitated. “Making love with someone with fingers and mouth is great, but sometimes, it feels good to have something close to the real thing slid in and out of you.”

Buffy nodded. And Faith smiled more widely.

Faith got onto the bed. She kissed Buffy deeply, while tweaking her nipples until they were hard nubs. Faith position herself between Buffy’s wide spread legs. Faith looked into Buffy’s eyes and saw… fear.

“Buffy? Are you afraid?” Faith asked, concerned.

“A little, I’ve never really had anything that big in me before. All of them were, not that well endowed,” Buffy said.

Faith nodded in understanding. “Do not worry, love, I will go slow. I won’t hurt you,” Faith said.

“I know you won’t hurt me,” Buffy said, smiling a little.

Faith bent down and kissed Buffy slowly and tenderly as she slowly entered her. Buffy’s muscles slowly gave way to the thick head. Once the head was inside, Faith waited until the muscles relaxed and then moved into Buffy inch by inch. She would pull back when she sensed that Buffy was at any time uncomfortable. Buffy had her eyes closed shut all throughout. Faith was kissing her slowly and tenderly to show love. Faith broke the kiss and looked down at the juncture of their thighs. Buffy still had her eyes closed, but when, after a few minutes, she didn’t feel Faith pressing into her, she opened them. She looked down at what Faith was looking at and saw that the whole thing was in her.

Faith smiled and dropped a quick kiss onto Buffy’s lips. “See? Nothing to worry about,” Faith said.

Buffy nodded.

“Ready?” Faith asked.

Buffy nodded again.

Faith slowly withdrew all but the head from Buffy. Buffy’s eyes rolled back as she felt the pleasure. Strangely, she felt empty. She wanted it back in her. Angel, Parker, Riley nor Spike had made her feel this way. Faith, then, slowly pushed back into Buffy all the way. She made long slow strokes in and out of Buffy. Buffy was trying to get used to all the wonderful sensations she was feeling. In, out, in, out, full, empty.

Leaning on one arm, Faith reached between their bodies and started to stroke Buffy’s engorged clit. While slowly stroking Buffy’s clit, Faith kept up the slow long and deep strokes with the large dildo. Buffy wrapped her legs around Faith’s waist and her arms around Faith’s neck. She met each of Faith’s strokes; stroke for stroke. Soon Buffy’s orgasm was slowly approaching. Faith put both her hands on either side of Buffy’s and started to make short hard strokes into Buffy, while bending down and kissing Buffy.

Buffy came, screaming out Faith’s name. Faith pulled out of her smaller lover and rolled, pulling Buffy with her and held onto her as she slowly came down from her orgasm. Once Buffy came down from her pleasure, she propped her head up onto an elbow and looked at Faith who had a smirk on her face. Buffy bent down over Faith and kissed her softly on the lips, a hand buried into the brunette’s hair.

“I want to make love with you. I want to taste you and bring you pleasure,” Buffy said, softly.

Faith hesitated. “Are you sure you’re ready for that?” Faith asked, knowing that Buffy had only ever been with guys, she didn’t want to push Buffy into something she wasn’t ready for.

“Yes,” Buffy said, as she took the strapon off of Faith. She threw it to the side and got onto her young lover. She smiled and bent down and took one of Faith’s nipples into her mouth and started to suckle. Faith moaned at the touch. She had denied her own needs to satisfy. Now, her needs came crashing back.

Buffy suckled each breast for a few minutes before she pulled back. Buffy kissed her way down Faith’s stomach. Faith, again, moaned at the contact. Buffy made her way down to Faith bare pussy. For some reason, seeing Faith’s pussy with no hair excited her more than anything. Faith spread her legs wide to give Buffy full access to her most private area. Faith’s cunt was seeping with her juices. Buffy smiled and buried her nose in Faith’s pussy and took a deep breath. Faith smelled wonderful. Buffy dove forward and started to lick and suck Faith’s cunt. Buffy moaned at her first taste of another woman as Faith gasped and moaned out in pleasure.

“Oh… mi amor,” Faith cried out.

Buffy drove two fingers into Faith and sucked Faith’s clit into her mouth and sucked it like a tiny cock.

“YES!” Faith screamed out at the pleasure. “Oh, god! Please Buffy, don’t stop!”

Buffy added a finger and started to drive into Faith harder and faster. Faith’s hips were bucking wildly and it was all Buffy could do to hold on and not be bucked off. Faith came quickly. Buffy licked up all of Faith’s juices and pulled her fingers out of Faith’s cunt. She licked them clean and looked up at Faith with a smirk of her own. Faith lay there panting and pulled Buffy up and into her arms. Buffy lay on top of Faith, her head on Faith’s chest.

“I love you, mi amor,” Faith said.

“I love you too,” Buffy said. Buffy wondered what ‘mi amor’ meant, but decided to ask later.

Buffy lifted her head and kissed Faith on the lips, slowly. Exhausted, and both happily spent, they lie in each other’s arms and fell into a dreamless sleep.

***

The then day Buffy slowly awoke to the feeling of total satisfaction. She smiled at that. The day before had been the best of her life. They had made love several times during the night before. Faith had been so gentle with her. Never rushing or pushing her to do something. Buffy loved that Faith had been gentle and willing to do everything slowly. It was a side of Faith that amazed her.

Buffy sighed and snuggled closer to Faith. Buffy felt her pillow shake a little from laughter.

“Comfy, are you?” Faith asked, laughing.

“Yep,” Buffy said.

Buffy felt Faith wrap her arms around her, holding her close and then felt Faith place a light kiss on the top of her head.

“Good morning, mi amor,” Faith whispered.

“Morning,” Buffy replied. “What does ‘mi amor’ mean?”

“Didn’t you take Spanish in high school?” Faith asked.

“No, I took French,” Buffy said.

“Ah. Well, ‘mi amor’ is Spanish for ‘my love’,” Faith said, stroking Buffy’s hair. “’B’ isn’t really an affectionate name. It’s more like your name than anything else. Spanish has always been a primary language to me. I grew up in a Hispanic neighborhood when I was younger. So, I spoke both English and Spanish.”

Buffy propped herself up on an elbow. “Really? How come you don’t have a Spanish accent?” Buffy asked, curious.

“My mom was a bit of a bigot. So, I only ever spoke Spanish with my neighborhood friends,” Faith said.

“What other languages do you speak?” Buffy asked.

“French, German, Danish, Celtic, Gaelic, Russian, and a few others,” Faith said.

Buffy traced Faith’s jaw line, thinking. She knew that deep down she would have doubted that Faith was so smart when she had first met the younger slayer. All she could see was what was on the outside of Faith, the clothes, the sarcasm, and the anger. Buffy also admitted that it had bugged her the way that Faith couldn’t…wouldn’t take or ask for help. She knew how independent Faith was and couldn’t resist the chance to show that Faith needed help. She knew that she could have done things differently. Instead of trying to force help on the girl, she could have offered it and showed that she would be there when Faith needed it and then felt Faith alone, like she wanted.

Faith saw the saddened look in Buffy’s eyes. “B? What’s wrong?” Faith asked, gently.

“I’m sorry for how I handled things back then. You were…are more than right. I pushed my help on you. I didn’t really want to help you, I…I had liked the feeling I got when I pushed you. I’m sorry,” Buffy said, on the verge of tears. “Can you forgive me?”

“Oh, Buffy. It’s okay. That is all in the past. What you said is true, but I made it worse. You were still offering me help, but I just didn’t know how to take it. I’ve never been good at taking help. Whenever someone has offered me help in the past, they either wanted something or never really helped. We both made mistakes. I forgive you. Do you forgive me?” Faith said.

“Of course I do,” Buffy said.

“Then all is forgiven. Don’t dwell on the past too much and forget to live for the future,” Faith said.

Buffy nodded. “What time is it?” Buffy asked.

Faith looked at their bedside clock. “Seven o’clock,” Faith replied.

Suddenly, they both sat up in bed. “SEVEN O’CLOCK!” they shrieked out. “The baby is coming in an hour!”

They jumped out of bed and rushed into their bathroom. They jumped into the shower and quickly took a shower to wash off the smell of sex off of their bodies. After they took their shower, they quickly dried their bodies off and blow-dried their hair. Then, they quickly dressed in outfits that would be considered casual yet a little bit dress too. Buffy dressed in a sunflower dress with sandals. Faith dressed in dark blue jeans and a black collared dress shirt with her new shoes. They quickly cleaned their room and went into the baby’s room to make sure it was ready for the baby’s arrival. Then they rushed down stairs to find everything sparkling clean. Xander, Willow and Dawn were sitting in the living room watching t.v.

“Morning sleepy-heads,” Xander said.

“Hey, how long have you guys been up?” Buffy asked.

“An hour. We cleaned everything up for you. We decided to let you two sleep in since we figured that you didn’t get much sleep last night from the noise you two were making,” Dawn said, smirking.

Faith and Buffy both blushed.

“Uh, thanks. I think,” Faith muttered.

“Would you two like some breakfast?” Willow asked.

“Yes,” Buffy and Faith replied.

“Pancakes ok?” Willow asked.

“Sure,” Buffy and Faith replied.

“You two sit down and relax. I’ll make your breakfast and call you when it’s ready,” Willow said, as Buffy and Faith tried to follow her into the kitchen.

“Are you sure you don’t want some help?” Faith asked.

“Yes,” Willow said. She smiled gently. “Sit and relax. This is probably going to be the last time you two get to relax for a long while.”

“Ok, ok, you win,” Faith said, sitting down on a chair and pulled Buffy onto her lap. Buffy went willingly and laid her head on Faith’s shoulder with a contented sigh.

A few minutes later, they were all sitting around the table eating breakfast.

“So, what did you name the baby?” Xander asked.

“Joyce Dominique Summers-Winters,” Buffy replied.

“Dominique?” Xander asked as Willow and Dawn asked, “Summers-Winters?”

“We named the baby Joyce after Dawn and my mother,” Buffy said.

“Dominique is my middle name and Winters is my last name,” Faith said, offered as an explanation for the middle and last name.

“I want the baby to be both mine and Faith’s, so she’s going to have two last names,” Buffy said.

Xander was looking at Faith. “You have a last name?” he asked, shocked.

“Of course I have a last name. Everyone has a last name. Well, maybe except for Madonna,” Faith said.

Xander, and Willow started at her. “I’m sorry, it’s kind of hard to picture you with a last name, let alone a middle name. How come this is the first time you’ve mentioned it?” Willow asked.

“Well, you never asked. Plus my watcher had me dropped my middle and last name. She said a slayer should only have a first name so that someone couldn’t keep track of her. That the slayer could then take on any fake last name as a cover,” Faith explained.

Buffy looked startled. “Really? Giles never had me do that,” Buffy commented.

“Well, I think my watcher lied to me more than anything. I think she liked to control me. Plus, Giles is more like your father than your watcher,” Faith pointed out.

“True,” Buffy said.

They were cleaning up the dishes when they heard the doorbell ring. Buffy and Faith looked up at each other.

“Go answer the door, we’ll finish cleaning in here,” Willow said and pushed them out of the dinning room.

Buffy and Faith walked up to the front door and opened it. A man about sixty, dressed in an army officer’s outfit stood in front of the door with his hands behind his back. Next to him was a woman about the same age. The woman was holding a tiny bundle in her hands.

“Buffy Summers?” the man asked.

“Yes, I’m Buffy,” Buffy said.

The man held out his hand and Buffy shook it. “I’m Officer Kent O’Brian. I’m the Finn’s lawyer,” the man said. The man then turned to his companion. “And this is my wife, Officer Brenna O’Brian-O’Connor.”

“Please come in,” Buffy said, stepping back from the doorway to allow the man and the woman to walk in.

Buffy and Faith led the man and the woman into the living room.

“Please, have a seat,” Buffy said.

The man and the woman sat down on the couch and Faith and Buffy sat down on different chairs.

“As you know Ms. Summers, as I’m sure Mr. Xander told you, that the Finns are no longer with us and want you to take their daughter,” Officer O’Brian said.

“Yes, we did everything with the birth certificate yesterday,” Buffy said.

“We?” Officer O’Brian-O’Connor asked.

“Yes, my…partner and I,” Buffy said, indicating Faith.

The Officers exchanged a glance. “Anyway, we’re just here to give you the baby and have you sign some papers and then we will leave,” Officer O’Brian said, putting some papers on the coffee table.

“That’s it? Just sign the papers, you had us the baby and you leave?” Faith asked.

“Yes, it’s that simple. The Finns’ will is worded so well that no one could ever take the baby away from you two,” the man said.

Faith picked up the papers. “I’ll be right back, I’m going to make copies of these,” Faith said.

The man tried to protest, but Faith was gone before he could get it out.

The older woman smiled at Buffy. “Would you like to hold her?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Buffy said.

The woman got up and walked over to Buffy. She held the baby out for Buffy to take. Buffy gently took the baby from the older woman. She looked down into the baby’s face and lost her heart to the baby. Buffy unwrapped the blanket. The baby had nothing on but a dipper.

“Why doesn’t she have any clothes on?” Buffy asked.

“It was too hot where we were for her to have any on,” the woman explained.

“Ah,” Buffy said, only half listening to the woman. She looked the baby over and saw how beautiful she was. She had dark red hair, baby blue eyes and mocha skin. Buffy traced the baby’s cheek with a forefinger. Buffy smiled. The baby’s skin was so soft and smooth. The baby gurgled, smiled a toothless grin and waved her arms and legs around. Buffy laughed softly.

“Hey sweetie. How’s my baby?” Buffy cooed as the baby grabbed her finger and held it tightly.

“B?” Faith said, trying not to startle the girl who was so wrapped up in the baby.

“Hmm?” Buffy asked.

“You can sign the papers now. I read them over. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with them,” Faith said.

“Okay,” Buffy said, as she reluctantly handed the baby to Faith. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Faith; it was more like she wanted to keep holding the baby.

Faith took the baby and looked her over as Buffy signed the papers. After Buffy signed the papers she handed them to the man. She led the man and the woman to the front door and pretty much kicked them out of the house. Buffy came back into the living room and saw that Faith was slightly swaying and singing softly.

Faith looked up at Buffy and smiled, only slightly embarrassed to be caught singing. “She’s beautiful,” Faith said.

“Yeah she is. And hungry,” Buffy said, as the baby started to fuss.

Buffy got onto the couch and lay back with her back against the arm of the couch. She motioned for Faith to sit between her legs. Faith walked over to Buffy and sat between her girlfriend’s legs and leaned back against her. Faith opened her shirt and moved her bra out of the way. She adjusted the baby to her breast and the baby eagerly took the nipple into her mouth. Faith held out a finger to the baby and the baby took it and held it tight as she drank.

Faith sighed contently and snuggled into Buffy’s embrace. Buffy kissed the top of faith’s head and nuzzled her neck.

“How does it feel?” Buffy asked.

“What? You nuzzling my neck or the baby drinking my breast milk?” Faith asked.

“The baby drinking from your breast,” Buffy said.

“I…don’t know. It’s kind of soothing,” Faith said.

Buffy smiled and kissed Faith’s cheek. “I love you,” Buffy said.

“I love you too,” Faith replied. Faith sighed. “I have a family.”

“Yes, we’re a family,” Buffy said, her smile nearly going off her face at the way Faith said that completely amazed.

<To Be Continued in ‘The Mayor’>