Xander blinked rapidly for a few moments before shutting the passenger door. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the car, breathing dramatically.

"Please, please tell me I did not just see what I think I just saw" Xander mumbled to himself.

He opened the car door again and bent his head to glance inside the vehicle. Sure enough, Faith was still there. Xander felt like he was going to throw up. He clenched his jaw and stepped away from the car. Willow noticed her friend�s disposition.

"Xander, what�s�" Willow began and then trailed off as she saw Faith emerge from the vehicle and slam the door shut, walking to stand next to Buffy. The red-head�s eyes widened and looked over at her best friend.

Buffy�s frightened composure quickly changed into that of confidence. She shrugged and stared at Willow.

"She�s back, and we made up." Buffy said. Faith grinned when she heard Buffy say they "made up", but wiped it off her face quickly, not wanting to make the situation go from worse to unbearable. She had always liked Buffy�s friends; they were accepting, funny�but she regretted using them to lure Buffy. However, she promised her lover that the bad girl was back, so Faith stood by her counterpart and placed her hands on her hips, eyeing them all carefully while licking her lips.

Xander�s head snapped up. He glared at the both of them and took a few angry steps forward.

"You made up? So, she decided to take a break from her killing spree so you two could talk over coffee?! I�d say the phase of �making up� is way passed due."

"Well it already happened so deal with it." Buffy stated firmly. Willow knit her brow and hesitantly advanced toward her friend. She knew her Buffy wouldn�t be acting like this, and unlike Xander she preferred to keep her voice down.

"Buffy what�s wrong with you? You�ve been acting different ever since�I mean why aren�t you kicking her ass?" She finished, her anger getting the better of her. All she had to do was look at Faith and her blood began to seethe with hatred.

"Watch it Red. Member the last time you tested me?" Faith asked in a taunting voice.

Now Xander took a giant step forward so he was standing directly in front of the slayers. He pointing his finger at Faith.

"Don�t you dare threaten her! What makes you think you can just come back here and do what you want? " He turned to Buffy. "Has she got you brain washed Buff? Is that it? That�s why you�re not killing her right now�"

Buffy scoffed and crossed her arms. "Oh please Xander, listen to yourself. You�re ridiculous."

Xander widened his eyes as ferocity overtook him.

"*I�m* being ridiculous? *Me*? Buffy a few months ago this bitch came here and tried to run off with your body, not to mention almost killing us before that�what�s up with the Faith�s-cool-now attitude??"

"She�s not a bitch." Buffy said in a threatening tone, choosing to ignore the question.

"I beg to differ" Anya said quietly. Buffy shot her a piercing glare and the ex-demon shrank back behind an already frightened Tara.

"Buffy why didn�t you tell us she was here?" Willow began. "First Angel now her. What, you can�t trust us anymore, is that it? Seems like every time there�s a psycho killer on the loose your the one to hide them."

Buffy uncrossed her arms and turned her attention to her friend.

"Don�t even compare her to Angelus. She�s not like that anymore Wil�she�s changed�"

Xander cut her off.

"For how long Buffy? How long do you think she�ll stay reformed, if she is at all. You can�t know that."

"Yeah well that�s a risk I�m willing to take. I won�t leave her again." Buffy said the last part softly.

"What?" Willow asked.

"Nothing. Look, all I�m asking is that you guys trust me on this. She�s changed and she�ll stay that way. Can�t you guys get over yourselves and try to forget about everything."

"Forget?? Forget that she held a knife to my throat?!" Willow yelled, not believing that the blonde had the nerve to even suggest it.

"And forget that she got off while almost choking me to death? Gee Buff, I�d love to forget, but unfortunately lying whores don�t fall into the forgiveness category...and I think that can go for both of you right now." Xander said lightly with a hard stare. He regretted it before he had a chance to get it all out. "Oh wow, I mean� Buffy I�m sorry�"

The offensive became silent as they noticed Faith advancing towards him.

Buffy glanced back at her partner and held out her arm, stopping the brunette from beating the hell out of the boy.

"No! Faith don�t!"

Xander seemed to release the breath he unconsciously held when he noticed that Buffy decided to come back to her senses and intervene.

"He doesn�t deserve it from you�allow me." Buffy slowly said in a threatening voice.

The blond slayer quickly turned back toward her soon to be ex-friend. With a curl of the lip and fire in her eyes, she swung a hard, clenched fist at Xander before the boy could react. The sound of the impact sounded as if an ax had been dug into a wet log. It echoed through everyone�s mind as they watched Xander, with helpless stares, cry out and fall to the ground.

"XANDER!" Anya yelped as she pushed passed Tara. She crouched down and took the bleeding boy�s head gently in her hands.

Willow also moved quickly toward her injured friend. Tara just stood there, too shocked to really do anything. Her mouth sputtered but now words were formed.

Willow looked up at Buffy, an equal fire spinning wildly out of control in her blue eyes; but the contempt masked the true pity the red-head felt for her friend�this was not Buffy.

"Buffy, how could you?" Willow seethed.

Buffy swallowed hard and blinked rapidly, not quite getting a grip on what she had just done. The shock and minor regret lasted for only a few moments as Willow�s voice snapped her out of it. The blonde knit her brow and looked around, somewhat embarrassed.

Just then Faith came up behind her and rested a hand her shoulder. When Buffy looked back she noticed that Faith was giving her a slight smile. The brunette barely nodded her head and looked deep into Buffy�s eyes. The look brought with it the confidence and assurance Buffy had lost in those few uncontrollably horrid moments, and her regret was gone instantly.

She slowly turned back to Willow and shrugged apathetically.

"Easy Wil. Just cock your arm back and follow threw." Buffy said casually. She turned back to Faith. "Nothing more can happen here. Let�s go"

Faith nodded again and took Buffy�s hand. The two slayers walked off, leaving behind a moaning Xander and three very distraught girls.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy took a distracted sip from her Shirley Temple. She seemed to be staring at the middle of the table, thinking hard while the rest of the Bronze danced their tails off. Ten minutes of staring at the blonde passed before Faith decided to speak up.

"Yo, earth to Buffy."

"Hhmmm?" Buffy mumbled

"What are we thinking?" Faith asked hesitantly, already knowing the answer.

"I hit Xander!" Buffy said in a tone implying she was still trying to believe her course of action.

"And?" Faith asked, raising her eyebrows.

"*And* he�s�Xander. I mean I would never dream of doing that to him, and now I think I broke his nose back there."

"Hey, he hurts you, you hurt him right?" Faith shrugged, leaning back in her seat to prop her boots up on the table.

"I don�t know. He just pissed me off so badly that I reacted without thinking." Buffy�s lips curled into a half smile, "I can�t deny that it felt good to just let go�to just let it out�but not on him! He�s been my best friend for a long time."

Faith scoffed, "Yeah some friend calling you a lying whore."

Buffy winced slightly at the remark. She took up her drink again and rested her eyes on the same spot she had been looking at ever since they sat down in the booth. Faith sighed and looked around the room. She knew what Buffy had done was out of character for the blonde, but decided to shrug it off. Faith knew Buffy would get over it.

The fast motion taking place on the dance floor slowed to a gentle, coupled pace as the song "Lucky" by Bif Naked started flowing through the speakers.

"OK time to slow it down" The DJ purred into the microphone.

Faith rolled her eyes and blew some hair out of her face. She looked over at Buffy and then back up at the ceiling. A few moments later she glanced yet again at the blonde who was still absent-mindedly sipping her drink and staring at the table.

*She looks stoned* Faith thought with an amused smile. She managed to bite her lip and hold in her laughter at the thought of Buffy Summers tripping out while drinking a Shirley Temple.

The brunette looked around shyly before glancing to her counterpart yet again. She had never been one for a mushy dance, but somehow the vulnerable look on the blonde�s face allowed Faith to recognize her soft side. She slid her boots off the table and stood up. She walked over to Buffy�s end of the table and held out her hand confidently, smiling down at her partner.

"Ms. Summers, may I have this dance?" She asked, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.

Buffy looked up from her drink and her eyes fell upon the brunette�s outstretched hand. She let her eyes scan all the way up Faith�s arm, to her neck, her lips and finally her eyes glistening in the darkness. She warmly smiled up at Faith.

"You may." She said taking her partner�s hand. Faith turned around and led Buffy to the dance floor with both her hands covering the blonde�s. She turned around and smiled once more at the slayer before gently grabbing Buffy�s waste and pulling her into a tight embrace. Buffy rested her head on Faith�s shoulder and closed her eyes as the song played.

//It was a Monday when my lover told me, never be
the reaper of love only. What could
I say to you, except I love you. And
I�d give my life for yours�//

Faith nuzzled her nose in Buffy�s hair and closed her eyes as well. She took in the sweet yet delicate aroma that her counterpart often gave off and tightened her grip around the slayer�s waist, never wanting to let go. Faith kissed the top of Buffy�s head and then rested her cheek against the soft strands of golden hair.

//I know, we are, we are the lucky ones.
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones.
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones dear//

Buffy ran her hands down Faith�s back and clasped them together behind the brunette�s waist. She smiled as the couple swayed to the music. Emotions invaded Buffy in waves, hitting her hard and fast. Her knees felt week and her head was clouded with nothing but Faith. Right here, right now Buffy felt safe in the Faith�s arms. She never wanted this feeling to go away�the feeling of her soul�s completion. She didn�t know how much longer she could stand being around Faith and *not* telling her how she felt.

Buffy brought her head up from Faith�s shoulder and leaned back, looking the brunette in the eye.

Faith smiled and brought her hand from her partner�s waste to caress the blonde�s cheek.

"Do you know how lucky we are to have found each other Buffy�how lucky we are to have a connection nobody else has?"

"I do." Buffy answer softly.

//�How can I ever get over you, when
I�d give my life for yours�//

Faith leaned in and gave Buffy a kiss with such tenderness that surprised even herself. With eyes still close, the brunette broke the sweet contact only to rest her forehead against Buffy�s.

//I know, we are, we are the lucky ones
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones�//

With her head rested against Faith�s, she watched as the brunette reached into her pocket only to produce a small black box. The other slayer handed it to Buffy with a shy smile.

"I uh, I got you something." Faith said softly.

Buffy looked at Faith and then back down at the gift. She took the box carefully from the brunette�s hands and opened it.

Rested on a small platform within the box was a delicate, sliver heart hooked to a thin chain.

// I know, we are, we are the lucky ones
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones dear�
My dear//

"It�s lame I know, but I saw it and thought of you." Faith said.

Buffy touched the cool metal with the tips of her fingers and lifted it slightly in her hand.

"Where�d you get this?" She asked, still examining the gift. Faith shrugged slightly.

"From when we went to the fair. You were in the porta-pottie." Faith grinned.

Buffy laughed softly at the way Faith managed avoid a complete Kodak moment.

"Thank you. It�s beautiful." She whispered, kissing the brunette.

"Here.." Faith said, taking the necklace out of the box and breaking the contact of their bodies so she could put it on Buffy. The blonde stopped as well to lift her hair from her shoulders.

//It�s time to say, thank god for you
Thank god for you�
In each and every single way//

The electricity between the two slayers was enough to light up the Bronze. Faith cautiously leaned forward to glance behind Buffy�s neck in order to finish putting on the necklace. Buffy stared down at Faith�s body as she felt the other slayer�s breath on her own neck.

//I know (I know),
I know (I know)
I know (I know)�//

Faith finished clasping the necklace and then looked back at Buffy as their eye contact seemed to paralyze further movement. They stared at each other, their breaths increasing with every intake of air.

//It�s time to let you know
Time to let you know
Time to let you know
Time to sit here and say�//

Buffy brought the brunette back to her body as she finally found the power of speech.

"Faith, there�s something I have to tell you."

The blonde took a deep breath before continuing, "See the thing is�I lo�"

"Well, well. Who could�ve guessed that two hours ago you were busy bruising the hell out of your friend�s face?"

The slayers spun around and found a confident Spike grinning at them. The glares that both the girls were giving him was enough to melt the heart out of any enemy. The bleach-blonde vampire held up his hands in protest.

"Now slayers, don�t get your panties in a huff."

"That�s kinda hard to do if you keep stealing them." Buffy spat.

She looked regretfully back at a disappointed Faith when she realized the song was over and the gyrations of the previous hour were once again reunited with the dance floor. She took Faith�s hand and led her back to their booth. She pulled Faith into the seat next to her and held her tightly around the waist while Spike followed closely behind and took a seat across from them.

"So, you two are all with the PDA thing now huh? That�s fine by me, although the looks you were getting from some of the crowd could beg to differ. Some people�so close-minded" Spike said shaking his head mockingly.

"Why do you always do that?" Faith asked through clenched teeth.

"Do what?" Spike asked

"Interrupt a good thing!!" Buffy hissed.

"It�s not like a mean to, I guess my timing�s just good. So�how�d it feel to pummel your friend?"

"How do you know about that?" Buffy asked

"Well, I was watching. You know, just was walking by and heard a tiff so decided to catch the action while it was still hot." Spike said. He lifted his legs to slam his feet on top of the table while resting his hands behind his head. Faith glared at him and pushed his legs off the table roughly. She grinned as she replaced Spike�s feet on the table with her own pair of boots, putting her arm around Buffy and daring to argue. He didn�t except the challenge.

"I don�t want to talk about it" Buffy said quickly. The vampire shrugged, willing to change the subject.

"So, have you gone completely automatic or are you still hauling stick with Riley?" Spike asked, motioned to Faith.

Buffy�s eyes went wide for a minute as she realized she still had Riley to deal with. She shook it off and decided dueling banter with Spike was more fun at the moment.

"Doesn�t matter, because whatever I ride it won�t be you."

"Oh touch� slayer, but are you sure about that?" Spike said with a nasty grin, "You shouldn�t knock it until you try it."

Faith narrowed her eyes and slowly took her boots off the table, leaning forward and resting her elbows on the counter while folding her hands. She stared warningly at he crude vamp.

In the meantime, Buffy was slightly grinning. She didn�t know why, but the thought of fucking Spike was somewhat enticing. Maybe it was the way she always caught the vampire looking at her, or the danger behind the fun�but something about the idea made her squirm in her seat.

Spike noticed the lack of protest and continued.

"Because you know, Buffy, this engine will never die on you. I could give you the smoothest ride I�d bet you haven�t had in ages" He whispered.

Faith curled her lips and glared at Spike. She looked over at Buffy and was shocked to find a wide grin spread out across the blonde�s face. She didn�t know what to do, so she did what popped into her head first.

"So Buffy, that gift I got you�you really liked it?"

Buffy broke the stare she was giving Spike and looked at Faith.

"No, I didn�t like it�I loved it." She smiled. Buffy leaned in for a quick kiss. When she broke, she looked over to see Spike�s jaw gaping open. A wicked idea popped into her own head and she smiled seductively while leaning her body over the edge of the table.

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like with *two* slayers Spike?"

Faith looked at Buffy and the blonde merely grinned at her. The brunette knew what she was hinting at, and as much as she wasn�t thrilled with the idea, she was willing to go through with it if it were to make Buffy happy. So, Faith played along.

"How do you mean?" Spike asked suspiciously.

"She means�two slayers�girls�making love to each other with you in the middle. Two girls grinding up against either side of you. Two voices screaming out your name as two slayers came. Both kissing, nipping, sucking on every inch of your skin until you beg for us to stop�" Faith purred.

Both Spike and Buffy looked at Faith with such desire in their eyes that Faith thought they would both pop right there. Without hesitation, Buffy grabbed the brunette and deftly swept her tongue in-between Faith�s lips, kissing the other slayer deeply. This only made Spike want the girls more.

"Um�yeah, I can�t deny that I have" He gulped.

Buffy broke the kiss and gasped. "So, wanna make a Willy sandwich?" She asked Faith

The brunette shrugged, wanting to go in for another kiss instead but Buffy placed a finger on her lips. "In a sec, we have to see if he wants to"

"That-that sounds like a plan pet" Spike sputtered.

"All right, let�s go then" Buffy said

"Where?" Faith breathed, still recovering from their kiss. She made a mental note to talk dirty to B more often.

"Spike�s crypt, where else? We can�t go back to my house, my mom�s their and you�re staying with me. So it�s either his car or crypt."

"Are we seriously gonna do this?" Faith asked with some trepidation.

"You bet your ass we are." Buffy said.

Spike and Faith groaned as the blonde slayer took each by the hand and quickly led them out of the bronze.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow fiddled with the door knob for a few moments before managing to get it open while stepping aside. With Xander slumped on her shoulder, Anya pushed her way into the room and led him to the table.

"Good lord" Giles said as he quickly made his way from the sales counter over to where Xander and the rest of the group were now situated. "What appened?"

"I believe it was the angry fist of a slayer that broke my face" Xander said angrily.

"You mean to tell me Faith did this?" Giles asked.

"Um, no but she�s another issue" Willow answered, "It was actually�Giles it was Buffy"

"Buffy? Why in god�s name would she do something like this?"

"Funny, I asked myself that same question" Anya said, gently stroking Xander�s back.

"Giles we didn�t know where else to go. Buffy�s gone mad! S-she�s running around in leather acting like she was Faith or something�only the real Faith is here now and now we have two Faithy slayers and�"

Willow started going off into "panic-babble" mode. Tara took her girlfriend�s hand and squeezed it tightly, immediately calming Willow down. "Giles, what do we do?"

The reinstated watcher furrowed his brow while taking off his glasses. He pulled out a white handkerchief and started cleaning them thoroughly before replying.

"I never would have thought Buffy would take it this far," He began while studying Xander, "Although the realization of death scared her into a state of irrationality, she must of needed someone to solidify the feeling of rebellion. This is perhaps where Faith comes in?"

Willow just sat there and nodded sadly. Giles continued.

"The truth is, Willow, I�m not sure what anyone can do. This is not like a typical spell put upon her that can be reversed. Her reaction towards death has forced her to let go of her inhibitions. She alone must make the decision on who she wants to be. I�d say the best thing would be to try and talk to her---let her know she has other options than retreating to a dark side"

"Excuse me? I believe we already tried that and look what happened" Xander said, pointing to his now swollen face.

"Yeah but we didn�t actually talk to her. We kinda yelled, accused and then name called" Willow said shamefully.

"All right, I�ll try to talk to her myself. Maybe I can try to see things from her perspective. In the meantime, Willow, you should care to Xander�I�ll handle Buffy." Giles said with a distant tone.

"*I�ll* care to Xander. Willow you can�can do whatever it is you do with Tara" Anya said with a dismissive gesture. "C�mon Xander. I�ll take you home and give you a nice, long bath"

The ex-demon pulled Xander�s arm over her shoulders and led him out of the room. Willow looked up at a distracted Giles.

"If you do get a chance to be alone with her, be careful. I�m not sure what she�ll do anymore." Willow said while taking Tara�s hand. The red-head stood up and left the Magic Box, stopping at the door to give Giles a saddened look before closing it behind her. She was loosing her best friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The two slayers and a vampire hastily entered Spike�s crypt. Faith looked around and her eyes rested on a concrete coffin.

"Um, not to state the obvious here, but that doesn�t look too comfortable."

"Don�t you worry about that, I�ve got a couch." Spike said, slapping the dank colored cushions. A cloud of dust arose from the pillows and Faith spoke in-between coughs.

"Yeah�that�s much more romantic" She said with a sarcastic thumbs up.

"Why do you care? I�m sure your not one for the Kodak moments" Spike snickered.

Buffy smiled at the comment she herself thought of not too long ago and stepped in-between the bickering couple. She looked in-between the two as she spoke, placing her hands on each of their chests.

"All right you two, we didn�t come here to fight. We came here to love." She said with a sly grin. Spike looked down at her with glazed eyes. *If you only knew slayer* He thought. The bleached blonde had waited for this moment since he could remember. He had always wanted Buffy, just never hand the vampire balls to admit it. And as much as he mentally protested the presence of Faith, he decided to go along with the whole threesome thing if he had that chance to be close to Buffy.

He would do anything for the blonde--lie for her, kill for her�or even die for her.

Spike�s thoughts were broken as he felt two tiny hands slide up his shirt and push him roughly onto the couch.

"Ready or not, here we come" Buffy breathed. She gracefully took Faith�s hand and the two slayers rounded the couch from opposite sides, holding their hands above Spike�s head before sitting down next to him.

The vampire growled low in his throat as he felt Buffy fiddle with his belt. He looked over at Faith who was staring at Buffy, eyes ablaze with desire as she watched the petite blonde slide the vampire�s shirt up to his neck line only to start trailing kisses over his hard chest.

He grabbed Faith�s face somewhat roughly and grinned.

"Come on vampire, let me see what you got" The brunette taunted.

Spike licked his lips before hitting Faith with a hard kiss, forcing his tongue into her mouth. Faith moaned at the contact and grabbed him by either side of his face wile kissing him back.

Buffy had made her way up to Spike�s nipples and started teasing them with her talented tongue. The vampire surrendered to the pleasure by breaking his passionate kiss with Faith and leaning his head back onto the couch. He tried with all his might to suppress his demonic visage. After all, he didn�t want to scare them off.

Buffy took the opportunity to reach up and slide her own warm tongue into his mouth. She broke this kiss and looked over at Faith who had managed to shed her tank-top and jacket. She smiled as she took the brunette�s hand and led her over to her side of the couch while pushing Spike back into a lying position.

Buffy then rose up and straddled one of Spike�s thigh, while bringing Faith to do the same to the other. She pushed her hips into him hard as she spoke.

"You ready to be fucked by the slayers Spike?"

The vampire became magnificently hard at the spoken words and Buffy merely grinned down at him when she noticed his cock stir beneath her. She started grinding against him while turning to Faith who was also in the process of working his thigh. The blonde reached over and dipped her tongue lovingly into Faith�s mouth while unclasping the brunette�s bra. She trailed kisses down her slender neck, finally coming to Faith�s chest and taking one of the hardened nipples into her mouth. The brunette hissed with pleasure as she reached out to blindly tangle her fingers in Buffy�s hair.

Spike watched with fascination. No matter how tough, how rogue the slayer might have appeared to be, they had become accustomed to always being gentle with each other. The love encompassing there touches couldn�t be denied as Spike looked on, fulling knowing that he had lost his chance a long time ago.

While Buffy worked Faith�s chest with her mouth as she reached down and slipped her hands into Spike�s bulging pants. She started to stroke the vampire�s cock slowly while continuing to apply pressure to her already swollen clit against his thigh. Faith pressed her chest further into Buffy�s mouth as she slipped her hand in-between Spike�s leg and Buffy�s center to start working on the blonde�s clit.

Buffy gasped and whimpered into Faith�s chest. Spike growled and moaned Buffy�s name while starting to pump against her hands and Faith just titled her head towards the ceiling as she felt Buffy�s own hand come in contact with her own wet need. The moans and gyrations of all three powerful beings echoed off the crypt�s walls.

Outside, the clouds started to clear and the full moon was given the chance to light up the night�s sky with its pale touch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A weakened Buffy and Faith entered the Summers� home and immediately headed up the stairs, ready for a good night�s rest.

"Not that I didn�t enjoy our little �ride� with William tonight, but what got into you?" Faith asked.

"What do ya mean?" A contented Buffy asked.

"Well I never pegged ya for a two-girls-one-guy type of girl B"

The blonde chuckled as she ascended the last stair and rounded the post while walking in front of Faith towards her room.

"I�m not. I just�I wanted to try something new tonight that�s all. It�s out of my system now, I�m with you."

"Uh huh, so how are you gonna break that to Willy? I mean the guy�s in love and you just played him" Faith said a little annoyed. If she could do that to Spike, who said she wouldn�t do it to her? But she knew Buffy loved her, so she didn�t give that thought a second chance.

"Faith, Spike won�t care. He�s just happy that he finally got some. I�m with *you*" Buffy said as she turned the knob to her bedroom. She opened the door while listening to Faith�s reply.

"And that�s another thing Buffy. When are you gonna tell Beefstick about us? I mean are you gonna be with me or just have me around for a convenience?"

Buffy turned her head back to look at Faith while she walked into her room and answered her lover.

"I�m gonna be with you, I *am* with you and it�s just a matter of time---"

As Buffy swung her head back around to guide herself into her room, she looked at her bed shocked and horrified.

Riley Finn was sitting on her bedspread, jaw clenched, eyes distant and unknowing. Pain filled his every whim as he looked hard at the blonde and held up an object in his hand.

Buffy heard Faith curse lightly as she squinted her eyes and noticed that Riley had found the pictures of her and Faith at the fair lying on her night stand.

The room was filled with an unbearable silence that neither one of them had the courage to break.

*****