Buffy tried to pull away. Still too weak to demonstrate her full fury, Buffy barely choked out the words, "What the hell are you doing?! You just poisoned me! I hate you! You hurt me! Don't touch me! Get away! I HATE YOU!" She screamed out the last part through tears as she fought off her dizziness.

Faith hushed her, and held her tighter. "Stop it, B. You're too sick right now. Just let me just take care of you. Please."

"You�you got me sick," Buffy sputtered trying to twist around in Faith's arms. The movement sent a jolt through her, as her back slid against the front of Faith's body. Squeezing her eyes tight, the blonde took a breath and tried again. Grunting and cursing as she tried to wiggle away. And each wiggle, to Buffy's chagrin only made the contact between them more intimate.

As Buffy slipped down, her bottom slid between Faith's thighs. *Oh god! Ummm� Nothing left to the imagination there.* Buffy shivered with pleasure, biting her lip to stifle a moan. The blonde swallowed hard, hearing Faith's heavy breathing.

Faith held the small slayer easily but was still panting. The brunette could feel her stomach burning, and her eyes water. *Oh Fuck!� Stop that B!�. Damn, I want you�* Faith reached for the shampoo. *Gotta hurry this up.* She started lathering up Buffy's hair, massaging her scalp gently.

Buffy froze, then relented leaning back against Faith. In a frightened voice she asked, "What was that stuff?"

The dark slayer's voice faltered, "I� I don't know exactly. It's supposed to take away slayer powers�temporarily." She continued nervously as Buffy stiffened in her arms, "Just temporarily B. Don't panic. Please�.I'm sorry."

Buffy paused when she heard Faith's voice crack slightly. *Okay. So she means it.* The blonde tilted her head as Faith lifted her slightly and rinsed out her hair. "Who gave it to you?"

"Can't tell you that yet, B. Sorry." Faith sighed deeply.

"Sorry! Sorry?!! Well if you can't tell me, then stop all of your phony apologizing 'cause I don't want to hear it. People are going to get hurt again because you, aren't they? Now who are you working for?!" Buffy waited angrily. But Faith remained quiet as she now soaped up one of Buffy's arms.

"Faith, while you're holding me here innocent people, �anyone, �my friends, �or mom could get hurt. Don't understand? Faith say something! Damn you! �Arrgh! You sooo need to learn how to care about someone besides yourself!� What is wrong with you?� Do you even hear me, Faith?!!" Tiring, Buffy sat back to fume.

*Hard not to. Lil' harpy!* Faith continued to wash Buffy without speaking. Slowly running her soapy hands over all of Buffy's body� her neck�her chest. Buffy sucked in her breath. The younger slayer revelled in the task. *Washing B�mmm� bratty little Buffy*

Faith's hands moved lightly� down Buffy's stomach. The blonde closed her eyes and swallowed hard. Then Faith's hands moved lightly� between Buffy's thighs. The older slayer moaned pushing herself further back against Faith's body and sliding. *Ahhh �.jeezzz� ummm� Wha�Wait?!!!*

"No!" Buffy panicked. "What the hell are trying to do?! Stop it! I don't like it!.. Faith, I'm not REALLY like that!�and�And I'm still sick."

Faith immediately let go of her and pushed the older slayer off her body. Reaching for the shampoo bottle the brunette turned away and started washing her own hair, ignoring Buffy in the process.

The blonde sat there confused. *Huh?!* She wanted to argue but was unable to find the words as she watched Faith washing her hair. *Dark� thick... luxurious� just wanna tangle my hands in it� pull her by the hair�* Without really thinking Buffy reached out and pulled Faith's hair.

"Ouch!!"

*****
Part 15: Wash My Back

Buffy's tug caused the brunette to slip and land on top of her. Faith's irritation melted into a grin from ear to ear. "B, if you want me on top�"

"Get off me!!!"

"Okay, calm down. Jus' stop pullin' the Sybil act, alright?� Geez! What a schizo!" Faith lifted herself back off of the mortified, little slayer. The brunette glanced at her oddly before reaching for a washcloth to resume her bath.

Buffy scooted further from her, then complained, "I want out!"

"Hold your horses, will ya?!" The dark slayer shook her head in frustration. *Ugh!!!*

Sneaking peeks in the brunette's direction, Buffy could catch glimpses of Faith's nipples. Soon the blonde was staring. Moistening her lips with her tongue, Buffy watched, waiting for Faith to once again reach for the soap.

The brunette did not disappoint the other slayer; she stretched to reach for something on a high shelf making her breasts completely visible. Faith's nipples, now hard, were covered in water droplets that kept catching the light. Buffy gazed, focusing on the rivulets of water. *Sparkly nipples�. if I just lick� noooo�* Blinking hard as if to break a spell, the blonde made an effort to drag her eyes away.

"Wash my back for me, will ya?" The brunette turned her back to Buffy and held up the washcloth. The small slayer reached past Faith for the soap, pretending not to notice the offering. The brunette dropped it in the water and slid back between Buffy's legs.

Buffy meant to object but decided that it would be an easier way to wash Faithy's back, so the little slayer just closed her eyes as Faith's skin slid over her own. The brunette's tight bottom brushed past Buffy's inner thighs and pressed up against her� *Oh god! Oh� I can do this. C'mon Buffy�* Relaxing, she let Faith settle in between her legs to wait.

*****
Part 16: Mmmm�Faith

"C'mon, whaddya waitin' for? I thought you wanted to get out?" Faith bitched as she lifted her hair.

Buffy swallowed hard touching her fingertips slowly to Faith's skin. The blonde sucked her breathe in, surprised at the unmistakable feelings of arousal coursing through her. Her eyes closed as she flattened her hands against Faith's body. Intrigued by the silky texture the little slayer eagerly massaged along the brunette's back. Eventually craving more contact, Buffy leaned in closer and slid her hands around to Faith's very flat stomach, another surprise considering how much the younger slayer could eat. The small blonde smiled at the thought, pressing in closer.

Faith froze the moment Buffy had started to rub up against her. Worried about scaring *little miss goody-two-shoes* off, the dark slayer held perfectly still trying to control her breathing as Buffy's movements unconsciously evolved into, little more than humping. Faith tensed as the little slayer gripped her and ground up against her bottom. *Fuck!� How long do I have to wait�*

Buffy rested her chin on the taller slayer's shoulder using the opportunity to have a peek. The blonde looked down at Faith's breasts. *Mmmm�.Faithy* Buffy's hands came up from Faith's stomach. The blonde ran her fingertips over each nipple, enjoying the sight. She played with them for moment before cupping each breasts and grinding up against Faith with a wiggle.

*That's it!* Faith quickly turned around, covering Buffy's mouth with her own as she grabbed hold of the blonde. Faith broke the kiss, and roughly pulled Buffy's face down to her breast. "Here is this what you want?!" Faith grunted. Panting heavily, "Tell me what you want and I'll give it to you!"

Buffy peered nervously up at Faith, before she closed her eyes and parted her lips. Faith smiled at the older girl's shyness, as she lifted her closer placing her nipple in Buffy's mouth. *Oh fuck!* Faith moaned loudly as soon as Buffy began to suck.

*Mmm�.Faith�* Buffy felt herself being lifted from the tub and laid gently on the carpet. She slipped her arms around Faith holding on tightly. *Oh please� mmm� please Faith� touch me*

"Okay. It's okay B, I gotcha." Faith adjusted the blonde in her arms, freeing up one of her hands to touch her little slayer. *Wet� nude�and willing� no� wanting� she wants this too� as much as I do* Faith grinned as she ran her hand along the soft curves, feeling every inch of Buffy's body. *Look at her spreading her legs� Fuck�Buffy�. you little whore�* Buffy held on still licking and sucking at Faith's nipples.

The brunette stroked gently along the inside of Buffy's thighs groaning as Buffy spread her legs even wider. "Oh jeezuz Buffy!" Faith eagerly slipped her fingers between the swollen lips and rubbed lightly up the glistening trail to Buffy's clitoris, running her fingertips delicately over the top.

"Oh yes, Faith! Right there! Please!" Buffy pleaded before returning her mouth to Faith's breast. That was all the encouragement Faith needed as she moved her fingers against Buffy's wetness, groaning as she imagined her tongue following the same path.

"C'mon B, that's my girl. You want this, don't ya? You want me to fuck you! Don't ya?!"

Buffy whimpered and nodded her mouth still clamped to Faith's breast. *Oh yes� yes,Faith� that's it� Please*

Faith moaned as she slid two fingers into Buffy, feeling them enveloped in absolute softness. *Oh god! Baby� Buffy,fuck I love you!* She moved her hand following Buffy's lead.

The blonde slayer thrust against Faith's hand, digging her nails into the brunette back. *Oh yes! Oh yes!� Oooooh!� Oh god!� Ahhhh! I'm gonna come�. mmm�. Faaaith� Oh Faithy!* Buffy arched against Faith moaning softly as each wave hit her.

Faith held still as she felt the little spasms pass through Buffy, waiting before she kissed Buffy tenderly on the lips. *I love you.* Faith pulled back and looked at Buffy's silly smile, smiling herself as she bent and kissed Buffy again. *Damn, I love you Buffy.*

Faith glanced down at Buffy. "You feelin' alright, B?"

"Uh-huh." Buffy mumbled, her eyes remaining closed. Faith stood up to carry her back to the bedroom.

The brunette stopped and lifted Buffy, "Here. B, grab some towels for us."

The blonde obeyed still dazed. Kicking the door closed, Faith placed Buffy on the bed and took a couple towels from her. She wrapped one around her hair and started drying herself with other.

Buffy leaned up to smile warmly at Faith, before falling back. Her eyes fluttering shut as she fell asleep.

*****
Part 17: Grumpy Pants

Faith looked back at the now sleeping Buffy. *What am I doing anyway?! I'm gonna get myself killed� if not by Buffy� by those fucking lawyers� Wait! No� I'm gonna kill them first. What was with that shit anyway?� they had me inject into my Buffy!� Yeah, they're dead. Definitely, gonna kill 'em�. But I need a little sleep first�*

Faith slipped under the covers and pulled Buffy into her arms, whispering as she kissed her, "I love you, B. No matter what else happens, I love you� And I promise, I won't let anything happen to you, or your mom, or even that little geek squad of yours� got it! I swear!�love you �and with my life, I swear it!" Faith's eyes filled with tears and she kissed her once more, squeezing her tight. "Goodnight B."

����.

*Soft and squishyyy�. * Buffy smiled, happy. *Mmmm� Faithy* Her big green eyes fluttered open and an enormous smile spread across her face. She could feel Faith's arms around her holding her tight. Yawning and stretching a little, Buffy squirmed away and turned to look at Faith who still slept soundly. *Bad, bad Faith� *

Buffy leaned close and kissed her on the lips. *Bad Faith� naughty�* She pushed back the blanket covering them and stared at Faith. *Bad, naughty� sexy� sexy Faith� oh very sexy Faith� oh Faithy� * Buffy pressed up against Faith kissing her deeply and rubbing her body up against her.

"Huh? Wha�What?..Where?!" Faith woke up confused, running her hand roughly through her hair as she tried to quickly work out what was happening. Remembering, she opened one eye. Frowning slightly as she asked, "What time is it?"

"I don't know, grumpy pants? You tell me." Buffy giggled kissing Faith's ear and then her neck.

The brunette squinted at her watch but Buffy grabbed her wrist pulling it away, "Does it matter? You have to take care of me; I'm sick." The blonde pouted.

"B, stop screwing around. I've got other things I have to take care too." Faith tried to look at her watch again, but Buffy batted her hand away.

"More important than me." She pouted in earnest.

"What's got into you? You weren't five when I went into that coma, were you?!"

Buffy growled and kicked her hard.

"Ouch!!! Fuck! BUFFY!" Faith reached for her but then thought better of it and got out of bed to start dressing. *Where are my clothes?�Oh fuck�* Faith walked over to the dresser to pull out some barf free clothing.

"So where are you going?!" Buffy sat on the bed angrily watching. Faith ignored her as she pulled on a pair of red leather pants, then added a black tank top to the ensemble. Buffy continued to complain, "What am I supposed to do? � now that I can't even protect myself!"

True that Buffy's kick didn't exactly tickle Faith, but it didn't hurt her either, and both of them knew it. Buffy's slayer powers were definitely on hiatus now.

Faith grabbed up her leather jacket. "You're safe here, B. Besides I won't be gone long anyway." Faith leaned down to give Buffy a kiss, but the blonde turned away.

"Oh yeah! �and who's gonna protect me from you?!"

Faith sighed and shook her head. *Shit� this is my punishment� falling in love with possibly the most difficult� spoiled� bratty� ugh!� snotty� still beautiful though�. damn� gotta go now!* Faith walked back over to another dresser and pulled open a drawer. "There's some clothes in here for ya."

Buffy stared coldly back at her. Faith continued, "And you can go in the other room and watch tv, okay? But no funny stuff, ya hear me?� Or one of those cartoon pals of yours gets it! Are we clear on this B?! Hmm?"

"Crystal!" Buffy glared before sniping, "I hate you!"

"So ya keep saying." Faith strode out of the room, through the double doors. Buffy braced herself. The outer door slammed hard and then she heard the lock click.

*****
Part 18: Looking Out For the Scoobies

When Faith finished at the docks, Wolfram and Hart had their box. Whatever it was; she didn't care. It was time for her to go and check on B's little geek pals.

��.

"Well if Buffy didn't think it was so important to be patrolling, why do we have to?!" Anya whined turning to Xander for affirmation.

"Anya, we're all trying to be supportive here. Buffy told Giles she needed a few days off." Willow turned back to frown at Xander, before she continued, "Anyway the whole Faith thing has her a little� well� not so much her Buffy self� And I guess she's not exactly ready to tell Riley the whole Faith saga�. After all, there is all that Angel stuff wrapped up in it. So..."

Faith crouched in the bushes watching the scoobies. She had been tailing them for the past hour, and it was beginning to get on her nerves. But now just as their conversation got interesting� *damn, if they weren't jumped by four vampires. Shit!* Faith lifted her crossbow. Poof! One was instantly dusted. She looked back and took in the rest of the scene.

Willow was struggling to pull one of the vampires off of her girlfriend; Xander and his chippy fought off another. While some bleach blonde vampire - *That's a new one!* - stood fighting the remaining vampire. *Dammit! What the hell are they doin' out here anyway?!� without B!!!� Screw it!* Faith sprang into action.

"Red, hit the dirt!"

Willow dropped down; Faith flung a stake at the vampire who was holding her. Then the dark slayer did flip avoiding another vampire and spun around to stake the one fighting Xander. When she turned back Anya and Tara had staked the one Spike was fighting. The brunette slayer looked at all of them, and they stood staring back, mouths open. *Oh shit!* Faith took off running.

"Was tha.. that� ?" Tara began nervously.

"Yeah, that was Faith."

���

Buffy sat and sulked before making her way over to the dresser. She pulled opened each of the drawers and fumbled around looking for underwear. *She can't be serious!* The only panties the blonde managed to locate had cartoon characters on them, the superfriends to be specific. *Arrgh! Faith!* If the joke were from anyone else, she might have found it funny but from Faith, it was just� just irritating. *Fine. She thinks she's so clever.*

Buffy put on the panties and stormed into the other room to watch some television. She sat flicking through the channels bored. *At least she has cable.* The blonde settled on some bad 70's rerun and then watched some cartoons before finally getting up to pace. *Where is she?! She said she wouldn't be gone long. Where'd she go anyway?! Who'd she go to see?! Who is she seeing?!!!*

Buffy stomped back into the bedroom area, and peered out the windows. There were security bars, and it looked like they were on about the third floor. *So there'll be no jumping to escape, at least not since that shot of� of� WHATEVER.* Buffy whipped the hairbrush she had been using across the room, catching a picture frame on one of the tables. It shattered and fell to the floor. *Ha! Good!* She turned to look out the window again. She could see the lights from the downtown area of Sunnydale, but below only the property was visible. It seemed to stretch on for days. *Geez!� some inheritance.*

Bored with staring out the windows, Buffy moved around the room to investigate. *Let's see the rest of my new prison!� Where's Faith?!�. Damn her, just leaving me here�*

The blonde entered the bathroom and dug around for a bit, stopping to check her appearance in the mirror and fuss with some makeup. *Viola! Ready for my zesty little slayer girl to reappear�hmm� Where is she anyway?!!* Slamming the drawers shut, she strode into the bath area next.

*Uck! Sick!* She plucked the dirty clothes from the floor and carried them back to the sink. *Faith! Darn it!* Buffy filled the sink, casting a dubious glance at the leather pants. *Oh well, water cleans everything� right?* The older slayer left the clothing hanging to dry, and washed everything up before closing the door.

Buffy then returned to the TV room and flounced down on the sofa, picking up the remote to channel surf. *Faith! Dog-gone-it! Why'd you leave?!� I wanted to� to� play.* She laid there sprawled out on the couch wearing only panties, and thinking about Faith. *Mmmm� Faithy� Faith's kisses� mmm�*

Buffy slipped her hand into the front of her panties. *Faith's soft skin�. and her lips� kissing me� yum�* Her eyes closed. *Faith's breasts�. oh yes� Faithy's perfect breasts�. sucking on Faith's nipples� ummm� oh god!* Buffy's fingers slipped between her lips and then back and forth. *Mmmm� Faith�*

Buffy could feel she was so very wet now and needed to� just� *Oh Faith� I want you� oh please Faithy�* The little slayer rubbed her clitoris; and she started to moan out loud. "Faith!� oh Faith�mmm� yes� oh god, yes�"

Faith worried, as she fiddled with the lock anxiously. She could've sworn she heard Buffy. *What's wrong?! Buffy?�. This fuckin' key� ugh!* Faith was just about to kick the door in, when she heard it again. *Buffy� moaning?� huh?!* She leaned her ear against the door.

*****
Part 19: Caught

*Oh Jeezuz! Is she? �Nahhh! Not Buffy.* Faith pulled her ear away and stood there stupefied. *No�Buffy?� Masturbating?!� Sure� why not?!� everyone does.* Faith grinned and leaned back up against the door. v"Oh god! Oh Faith! Oh Faith, I want you!�" Buffy's moans could now be heard clearly through the door.

Faith stepped back as if burned. *Holy Fuck! B!* The brunette fumbled with the key, falling through the door as it opened.

�����.

"So what the sam-hill was that about?!� And what does sam-hill mean anyway?" Xander looked around at the rest of the group. They now were all standing in the Magic Box waiting for Giles and Riley to show up.

"I don't know." Willow shook her head anxiously, "But now I'm worried. Something has happened to Buffy, I know it."

"Hey Willow, you don't know that. She could be fine." Tara put a hand on her shoulder and looked up at the others to quiet them.

"You don't understand, Tara. That was Faith� Faith! Just running loose like that." Willow's voice had taken on a tone of panic.

Tara pressed reassuredly on her girlfriend's shoulder. "Willow, in case you didn't notice, she seemed to be protecting us. I don't think Buffy is in any serious danger� at least not from her."

"So we what? We call in the freakin' cavalry?! What do we need Captain Cardboard for anyway? I can take care this, you band of buggered�" Spike scowled.

"Enough!" Giles entered the shoppe.

���..

"Faith?!" Buffy's face registered her shock as Faith fell through the door literally. Her hand was still down the front of her panties; she awkwardly pulled it out blushing violently until she caught Faith's expression. Buffy gasped; the brunette slayer's eyes were practically black with passion.

When Faith had fallen through the door she had ended up on her knees, and she didn't bother to get up. The brunette made her way the short distance to Buffy and grabbed hold of the tiny cartoon panties tearing them from Buffy's body.

Faith looked up at the blonde, and gave her a little growl before bringing her face down between Buffy's legs and kissing her.

"Oh my god Faaaaaith!!�Ahhhhhh!�..Oh Fuckkkk!�Yessssss!" Buffy writhed against Faith's mouth tangling her hand's in Faithy's long wavy hair. "Faithy� mmmm� Faithy�ahhh� I'm gonna come� oh yes�"

Buffy arched up. *Faith's lips against me� kissing me�. licking me� sucking�* "Oh yes!� oh yes� right there, Faithy� right there� mmmm�.yes�" Buffy's whole body trembled uncontrollably as she came. *Oh Faith� Faith� my Faithyyy� I love�* Buffy sat up.

*****
Part 20: Giving Faith A Chance

"Faith, I� I," Buffy struggled to sit up, but Faith's mouth didn't slow. The brunette continued to kiss the little slayer hungrily. *Jeepers�* Buffy fell back against the couch and spread her legs wider. "Oh geez� oh Faith� too soon� oh my god� yes� ahhhhh� oh yes�oh yes� yessssss� mmm�"

Faith knelt in front Buffy. *Fuck! She's so sweet� Buffy�* The brunette sucked gently as Buffy came again. *I love you� damn, I love you�* Faith kissed her over and over. *You taste sooo good, Buffy� mmmm� damn�you're so soft� I love you�* The younger slayer licked her lightly picking up the pace as Buffy's hands tangled roughly in her hair and pulled Faith's mouth hard against her.

"Oh Fuckkkk�. oh my god� uhhh Faaaaaith� oh not again� ohhhhh�yesss� oh yes� oh yessss�.oh fuck me� YESSSSSS!"

*Dirty little mouth on my girl�* Faith could feel herself smiling as she continued to kiss her spoiled slayer. She slipped a finger in Buffy reaching in gently, and feeling for that special little spot.

������..

"Okay. Now let's calm down, everyone. What do we know?" Giles removed his glasses to clean them. Willow opened her mouth to speak, but Giles interrupted her, "Other than the fact that Faith is indeed in town, what do we know?"

Xander spoke up, "Nothing, really. Just that insano-girl is back, and is kickin' butt."

"Vampire butt. Lots of vampire butt is being kicked." Anya smiled finishing his thought.

"Okay, then where's the bad here?" Riley asked. He had come in behind Giles. "Because I'm not really seeing it."

"Figures. You bloody�"

"Spike! Enough!" Giles shouted over the din. "Enough already. Willow, call Buffy's mother and find out if she ever made it to her father's house. Spike, get what information you can on any extracurricular vampire activities. Riley�"

"I'll see what kind of demons the initiative has been bagging and how many."

"Good." Giles turned to Xander and Anya, "Let's see what we can find out about Faith's re-awakening. Everyone meet back here tomorrow; ten am should be sufficient. Now get to it."

Riley shifted from one foot to the other. "Do you think that's soon enough? I mean the way everyone's acting, Buffy could be in some real danger here. Who knows what could be happening to her right now! What this Faith character could be doing�"

"Riley, we don't even know that Buffy isn't at her father's house as we speak. So please� no panicking. Let's just meet tomorrow. Okay?"

Willow and Tara walked back to the dorm in relative silence before Willow finally spoke, "You think I'm over-reacting, don't you?"

"A little but�"

"But nothing Tara. You just don't understand� how� how obsessed Faith is with Buffy. I mean, even before she turned evil, there was something� I don't know� disturbing about it."

"Was there?" Tara raised an eyebrow.

Willow paled slightly. "No�no." She shook her head vigorously.

"Think about it Willow." They had stopped walking and Tara had turned to face her girlfriend. "Despite what you want to believe, Faith was helping us out there. Why would she do that?"

"I don't� I don't know. But that doesn't mean anything." Willow stiffened. "I already know; I can feel it. Buffy never made it to her father's house."

"I think you're right about that. But I also think that Buffy's safe right now� And I think you know it too."

Willow's eyes filled with tears as she begrudgingly allowed that, but she still turned away, "Fine. So are we supposed to just be - 'Okay so Faith's back and it's all good.' Is that it?!"

"No. But I think it would be the right thing to do, if we at least gave her a chance to explain." Tara put an arm around Willow's shoulder and waited for Willow to look at her again. When she did she smiled. "Hmm? What do you think, sweetie?"

Willow laughed a bit, "That was some flip and spinning kick, wasn't it?"

"Sure was." Tara hugged her, and then they turned to go into the dorm.

����..

A thin sheen of sweat covered the tiny slayer as she arched up into Faith's mouth and came again, falling back weakly and whimpering, "Oh no more� please Faith� I'm� not up to slayer�strength� please� can't breathe� oh Faith�" Buffy was panting hard, struggling for oxygen.

Faith moved her face away, then looked up at the blonde. Faith rose to lean over the smaller slayer and kiss away the tears that rolled from the corners of Buffy's eyes. "Oh baby, oh Buffy� Oh I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. My poor little B� I'm so sorry. I forgot." Faith lifted Buffy up very gently in her arms and carried her to the bed. "Here. Are you okay? Do you want some water or something?"

Faith looked as if she was going to cry. It struck Buffy as cute. The blonde chuckled, "Faith. I'm fine." Buffy's eyes rolled back as she closed them and laughed. "I'm better then fine� Jus' get in bed and hold me."

"Yeah� sure, " Faith breathed with relief. "Anything you want, B." She leaned over her kissing her face over and over. "Anything for you."

Buffy's green eyes snapped open as she stared into those delicious brown ones. *Mmmm� they look like honey.* The older slayer smiled mesmerized. Faith blinked and backed away suddenly nervous.

"Lemme jus' get my jacket off, B� an' I'll be right there, 'kay?"

*****
Part 21: Faith Faints

Faith winced as she shrugged off her leather jacket. *Must not have cleared that one vamp, after all. Shit!* The sleeve had filled with blood. The brunette let it fall to the floor and turned back giving Buffy a warm smile.

The green eyes widened, "Faith!" Buffy sat up, "Faith, what happened?! You're bleeding!"

"Nothing B. I'm five by five. Ya know, a little accident with a vamp. Hell, I may be bleeding but he's dust." The blonde's brow furrowed still unconvinced. "I jus' got cut up a bit� That's all. No biggy. Fuck! Who ever heard of a vampire needing a knife anyway?!" Faith laughed but swayed as she did so, now feeling slightly dizzy. "I think I'll sit for a sec'. Yeah, jus' give me minute and then we can do that snuggling thing, okay B?"

The brunette looked up at a very worried little slayer who was crouched over her. "Whassup B? Why are ya lookin' like that?"

"Faith, you fainted."

"Nah-uh. No way babe. I don't faint." The dark slayer grimaced as she tried to get up.

"Here just lay back." Buffy kissed Faith on the forehead and pulled her tight in her arms. The blonde was holding a wet towel against the younger slayer's shoulder. "Where were you tonight?.. Faith, please� What happened? Were you out patrolling?"

"Sort of B� Sorta happened like that."

"Faith, you need stitches. We have to take you to the hospital."

"Please B� We can't. Not yet. It's too soon. Please. Jus' one more day and I can let you go. I promise� 'sides I was fine until I stood up." Faith grinned wickedly at Buffy.

The blonde blushed, then smiled and kissed Faith tenderly on the lips. "Okay, if we can get the bleeding to stop, but otherwise�" Her voice became serious, "Alright?� Faith?"

"Yeah, B." Faith's laugh turned into a cough, "You're so funny. It's just a scratch." Buffy frowned and pulled Faith up to take off her shirt. "Geez� What am I? A piece of meat now?� not that I mind." The brunette winked at her.

"Faith, stop screwing around and sit up a little. I want to make sure that you're not hurt anywhere else� and I'm going to check for myself." Buffy hovered next to Faith yanking her boots off, then she pushed her back and pulled on the red leather pants.

"Hey, whatever you say B. I'm all yours." Faith smirked at Buffy's annoyance. "Just be gentle. I have some traveling to do in the morning."

"No. No, you're not going anywhere." The blonde rolled Faith on her stomach and went to find some bandages.

*Oh shit! I didn't lock the door.* Faith tried to stand but fell back on the bed. She closed her eyes against the tears that now stung them. "B� please don't leave.. B�don't leave me� Buffy� Buffy�" The brunette was sobbing into a pillow when Buffy finally returned.

"Faith?! Sweetie, what's wrong?"

"Nothin'." Faith turned her face away embarrassed. "I thought� I thought you left."

"Shhh� I'm not leaving." Buffy leaned down and kissed her cheek, "Faith, I� I�" Buffy paused to smooth back the dark tresses from Faith's face. "I'm not going to leave. I promise. No more crying now, okay?"

"Shit� my shoulder hurts that's all." Faith closed her eyes and Buffy let it drop.

*****
Part 22: Sleepy Head

After Buffy had finished bandaging the younger slayer, she slipped under the covers with her and gave her a kiss. "All better now, Faithy?"

"Uh-huh." Faith mumbled, nearly asleep.

Buffy leaned up close to whisper in the brunette's ear, "Nighty-nite, sleepy head." She smiled, running a hand through Faith's hair. *Faith is sooo cute� little Faithy� my Faith� naked Faithy� hot Faithy� she's sooooo� ohhhh� yeah, she is� all that and a bag of chips� ummm�*

Buffy rubbed her body against the taller slayer as she nibbled on Faith's earlob. "Mmmm� Faithyyy� I feel frisky again� hmmm� do you want to� you know�"

"B, I jus' wanna sleep for a minute. 'kay?" The brunette's voice trailed off. "I gotta go to L.A. tomorrow� ya know."

"No. I don't know because you're not going to L.A. tomorrow. Faith, I told you that before." The little slayer pushed back the blanket and slapped Faith hard on the behind.

"Oww!" Faith rolled onto her back. A sharp pain shot through her shoulder. "Fuck�" She whimpered.

Buffy reached for her, instantly regretful. "Faithy? Sweetie, I'm sorry."

Faith was still half asleep, but crying slightly. The dark slayer thought she was dreaming, and grumbled, "Damn, I love you� and all you ever do is hurt me..."

"What?" Buffy gazed down at the younger slayer. "Faith, wake up. What did you say? Honey, wake up." The blonde gently shook her.

"Whassa hmp� yip non 'day� erhh." Faith rolled away from her.

"What?!" Buffy laughed as she leaned close to the brunette. "Faith, you silly-willy, what did you just say?"

There was no response; Faith was sound asleep. Buffy stretched out next to the brunette to watch her sleep.

When Faith woke up the next morning the first thing she saw was Buffy's big green eyes looking back at her. She blinked a few times, perplexed, before turning away to yawn and stretch.

"Morning, sleepy head." The blonde reached over to play with Faith's hair.

"Hey." Faith peered at Buffy curiously then asked, "Why are you up so early?"

"Just an early riser, I guess." The blonde almost choked on the lie, but could think of no good excuse to give.

"Oh." Faith stretched again, then started to get up.

"Wait a minute, where are you going?"

The younger slayer threw Buffy an odd look before answering, "To take a leak. What's with you?"

"Sorry. Go ahead." The blonde let go of her arm, blushing slightly.

Faith spoke as she made her way toward the bathroom. "I'm gonna take a shower too. I gotta go to L.A. today� some unfinished business."

Buffy could feel her anger rising, but she had promised herself last night, no more hitting her little Faithy, not unless it was absolutely necessary, of course. The blonde took a few deep breaths and made her way down the hall; she stepped in the shower with Faith.

"Hey." The brunette turned around giving her an enormous smile.

"Hey yourself." Buffy smiled back and grabbed up the shampoo bottle to start washing Faith's hair.

"You know that it's pretty much all healed now,� don't ya?"

Buffy reached up and pulled the bandage loose. Sure enough, the gashes were now barely more than pink lines on Faith's skin. Buffy ran her fingers over the marks then kissed them lightly. *Yikes� Oh my god, I think I'm in love with her.*

"B, wash my back for me, will ya?"

The blonde smiled. *No!� I'm totallyyy in love with her. Wow!� I love her. Yippee� I'm in love. Wahoo� in love!*

"Hey, I think my grandma moves faster than you. What's the deal, B?"

"Here's one for you, Faith - Hold your horses." Buffy swatted the brunette on her bottom.

Faith turned around to look at Buffy, completely confused by the blonde's playful attitude. *Guess, I shouldn't look a gift horse � or something�. in the mouth� or face.. or somewhere like that* Faith shook her head and went back to washing, practically fighting off Buffy's hands to do so.

The brunette got the hint soon enough, and they ended up on the carpet outside the shower. The sounds filling the room soon featured heavy breathing, dirty talk, and lots of moaning.

"Oh Faithy! " Buffy's ears were ringing, and her body was trembling uncontrollably.

Faith carried her to the bed and laid down next to her. The brunette just held her for a moment, stroking her back. "Buffy, I�" She stopped mid sentence, then reached past Buffy grabbing her watch from the nightstand. "I have to go."

"Noooo� Wait. Not yet." Buffy jumped on her knocking the air from her lungs.

"Jeezuz! I guess not if ya kill me." Faith chuckled, still gasping for breath.

"No. We're not done�" Buffy leered at the brunette, running her hand down between Faith's legs. "I haven't gotten a taste yet."

"Huh?!" Faith's face burned. "Aye... uh� ah� 'kay."

"What? Are you British now?!" Buffy teased her. The brunette fumbled with her words again, but Buffy just put a finger to Faith's lips and then leaned in and kissed her.

*I love you� Faithy� mmmm� my Faithy* The blonde's mouth moved along Faith's body with a natural skill.

"Oh fuck yeah!" Faith leaned back as Buffy's lips found their mark. *Ooooh yes� shit! Buffy� omigod� cripes� I'm think I'm gonna come�right now* The brunette tensed up. "God Buffy� omigod� B� damnnn� ahhhh� you're good at that� ooooh yesss� Buffy I� I� oh jezuz� love you.." Faith moaned out the last part as she came.

Buffy kissed Faith a few more times, running her tongue between the lips and over Faith's clitoris. Then one more little kiss and she lifted her head smiling. "What was that, sweetie? Hmmm? Faithy, did you say - Jesus loves you?"

"Wha� What?" Faith was out of breath.

Buffy leaned over her to kiss her gently and tease her some more. "What was that you said, right at the end. Was it, Jesus loves you?" She laughed at Faith's completely lost expression.

"Huh?"

"Nothing, Faithy." Buffy leaned close and kissed away the little tears that ran down Faith's cheeks. "Sweetie?"

"Yep?" Faith still felt brain dead.

Buffy waited until Faith's brown eyes met her green ones. She held Faith's stare as she spoke, and her voice became very serious. "Faith� I love you."

"I�" Faith struggled. "I�"

"Faith sweetie, you just said it a minute ago. Unless you really were trying to tell me that Jesus loves me." Buffy laughed and kissed her.

Faith's eyes filled with tears. "Buffy, I love you."

*****
Part 23: Trace The Money

Everyone's face fell when Willow entered the Magic Box and they saw her expression. But Xander was the one to ask the question, "Buffy never made it to her father's house, did she?"

"No. She's officially missing. The last anyone has seen her was over two days ago." Willow said confirming their fears.

"Well then that's it, let's go." Spike stood up.

"Sit down! First of all Spike it's ten in the morning, in case you forgot, and second of all we haven't got a clue where to start looking. However�"

Anya interrupted him, "We did find out that Faith went to see some lawyers in L.A."

"Thank you Anya." She smiled brightly back at Giles missing his sarcasm. "As I was saying," He looked pointedly in Anya's direction. "Faith apparently has come into quite an inheritance. Now if she has Buffy�"

Riley interrupted this time, "Great, let's trace the money. I can get some people right on that."

"Yes. That would be helpful." Giles voice held a tinge of annoyance, but Riley seemed unaware as he pulled a cell phone from his pocket. He pressed a button, and then walked off to pace while waiting.

Giles turned back to the group. Spike sat glaring jealously at Riley before turning to Giles, and saying, "Look mate, we don't need that� that tin soldier nancying about. I can�"

"Spike!" Giles's tone stopped his griping mid-complaint. "Unless you want to be asked to leave, I suggest you hold your thoughts."

"Fine!" Spike looked away in disgust.

"Good. Now let's prepare for the possibility that Faith doesn't have Buffy. If�" Giles was once again interrupted.

"No. There is no possibility. If Faith's out there and Buffy's missing, then Faith has Buffy." Willow said emphatically.

Tara cleared her throat nervously before speaking, "Maybe we should prepare for the possibility that Buffy is with Faith willingly."

Xander stared at Tara as if she had just morphed into an alien. Willow only looked down familiar with this argument. Spike snickered and Giles shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Anya, however, had no reaction what-so-ever.

"No. No way. If Buffy is with Faith it has to be against her will." Riley snapped his phone closed as he rejoined the discussion. "I know my girlfriend."

"Well yippee-doo for you! You insipid ..." Spike couldn't resist taunting his least favorite of the group.

Riley dove at him, grabbing him by collar. Spike snorted, "Yeah, you think you know her. My money is on this Faith girl."

Xander stood up trying to pull them apart.

"THAT'S IT!!!" Giles frustration boiled over. The group's attention turned full on him. He continued a little calmer, "If any of you would let me finish a thought! Please!"

��������

Wolfram & Hart, Los Angelos, CA

Faith stormed into the office, interrupting a meeting that Lilah and Lindsey were having regarding their new possession; that being a large box fresh from Sunnydale. Lindsey immediately waved off the guard who had trailed Faith into the room.

"Faith, how good of you to make it to our meeting."

"Yeah, it looks like a real party!" Faith planted her boot right on Lindsey's desk and reached in it pulling out her knife. "So which one of you should I do first?!!"

*****
Part 24: A Clean Record

"What seems to be the problem? Everything appears to be going quite smoothly; except for a few more colleagues getting staked last night�" Lindsey coughed a little, trying to hide his laugh.

"I'll tell you what the problem is! Whatever the fuck you had me shoot into Buffy! That's what the problem is!" Faith shouted at him leaning over the desk and waving the knife. "It made her as sick as hell."

"Well sunshine, what'd you think it would do?! It was designed to take away her slayer powers. Did you think she'd feel like having a picnic afterwards?" Lilah commented dryly.

Faith growled turning to face Lilah. Lindsey spoke quickly trying to draw Faith's attention back to himself. "Look Faith everything has come off perfectly. So�"

Lilah interrupted, "We don't appreciate you staking those vampires last night; one of them was a close associate of mine."

"Ha! Well then they shouldn't be trying to make happy meals out of my friends."

Desperate to diffuse the situation, Lindsey spoke up, "That's actually neither here nor there at this point, Faith. We're done with that portion of our project. Our people," He cleared his throat. "Our remaining people left Sunnydale late last night and won't need to return so as I was saying. The bargain still stands. We have our box so�"

Faith's eyes narrowed, "What was in that box?"

Lilah started to protest, but Lindsey waved off her objection. "I don't see how it matters for her to know. It's a present for someone in town. It doesn't concern Miss Summers. Although I think your little slayer may know her. She goes by the name of Darla." He smirked at Faith's blank expression.

"Yeah. Whatever. Still what's stopping me from gutting both of you right this second?� Jus' for fun� Or maybe� yeah� maybe just cuz it'd be a real public service type of thing to do. Ya know? Good for the community and all that shit!" Faith gave a wicked grin. Then she held up the knife turning it and running her finger down the blade for the effect.

Lindsey recoiled slightly, but Lilah did not hesitate. She found this slayer to be almost as big of a pest as the other. She leaned past Faith dropping a thick file on Lindsey's desk as she bit out the words, "That's what's stopping you, you little bitch!"

Lindsey was instantly on his feet. He jumped in front of Lilah, putting up his hands to ward of Faith. "Now c'mon Faith. Let's not be rash. You're looking at a clean record from this point on. You don't want to spoil that, do you? A future wherever, or with whomever you want?"

Faith stopped at those words, and slipped the knife back in her boot. "I don't want to see any of you ever again, or the next time I'll kill all of you. I hate lawyers!"

"Done. Our business is finished Miss�"

"The name is Faith. You jackass!" The brunette slayer stormed out of the office, passing a demon who was wearing a very well tailored suit. He chuckled to himself, "She's dark; I like that girl."

Faith smiled when she the exited the building. She was on her way back to Sunnydale,� back to Buffy!

*****
Part 25: I'm Home

Riley gestured toward the others, so they crept up slowly. He had made a few calls through the initiative and was able to have the alarm and security systems disengaged. They had just passed the main gate and now stood on Faith's property.

"It doesn't look like there are any guards posted." Riley muttered to the rest of scoobies.

"That's strange I would've figured this place to be crawling with the bad guys." Xander looked back at the others, missing the frown on Tara's face.

"No, I tell ya; she checked out clean. None of the local baddies seem to know her. Don't get me wrong though, they know of her, but jus' none of 'em are running any deals with her." Spike hunkered down in the bushes near them.

"Willow, I don't like this. Someone is going to get hurt. Please hone', let's not do it like this." Tara whispered anxiously as she tugged on Willow's jacket.

"Yeah then. One of us should jus' toddle up to the door and knock an' say - 'Hey there Faith, you nasty dark slayer, do you have our little hero in there?!' Right! Sod off. Will ya?" Spike sniped.

"Hey!" Willow yelled picking up a rock and chucking it at him.

"Watch it!" Spike screeched ducking.

"Shut up, the two of you. Or nobody is getting in." Giles motioned for them to be quiet.

"She started it." Spike glared at Willow.

"Xander, I'm bored." Anya complained.

Riley signaled again. They made their way to the door, but were repelled by something.

"It's a spell." Willow confirmed, lifting her hand to chant.

"See� should of known she'd have some evil mojo going." Xander nodded satisfied.

"Xander, it's a simple protection spell. Nothing evil� And it may even be left over from the Mayor." Tara's voice betrayed her irritation. She was not very happy that even Willow had voted against a more sensible entry.

�����.

Faith looked down at the gift box sitting on the front seat of the passenger side. She had spent nearly an hour picking the necklace out, and now was driving home as fast as she could. The brunette was so excited, she was practically giddy. *Buffy loves me. Buffy loves me.*

Suddenly she wanted to cry. Everything seemed too good. Happy was not something that Faith ever had a chance to learn. So the drive home was spent fluctuating between being elated and terrified. *Please don't let anything bad happen. Not now! Oh please god or whoever, just let me have this. That's all.*

Faith pressed her gate opener without noticing that the alarm light was already out. She pulled in and grabbed the wrapped box, running up the stairs two at a time.

"B! B!"

���.

Having stayed awake all night just to watch Faith sleep, Buffy was tuckered out. She spent the day sleeping.

When the blonde woke up she was starving. Buffy made her way to the dresser to put something on. She grabbed up a pair of the superfriends underwear. *These are so cute. Faith is sooo cute.* She smiled as she pulled them on and headed for the door.

"B!" Faith called out again. "Buffy, I'm home."

"Faithy!" Buffy went running into the other room excited. Wearing only the superfriends panties, she threw open the double doors and stood facing a regretful Willow, an unsurprised Tara, a highly amused Spike, an open mouthed Xander, Anya, an enormously embarrassed Giles, and a very furious Riley.

"Buffy! Baby, I've got a surprise for you." Faith's voice could be heard coming down the hall.

"Oh brother." Spike whistled.

The brunette slayer rushed into the room and found all of them standing as if frozen. Tara and Willow immediately exchanged a worried look.

Faith glanced around the room shocked. Her eyes passed over each of them, stopping briefly on Spike whom she remembered from the night before. *Out fighting with the Scoobies.* She smiled at him. Something seemed off about him but likeable.

Spike grinned back. *Yowza! and Howdy-Ho to you too!* Heck, a brunette bombshell smiling at him suited him just fine. Besides the mental picture he'd just got of her and his blonde slayer together was just� mind numbing.

Faith's gaze shifted; she frowned and motioned toward Riley, "Who the hell is he?"

Pow! Riley had lifted his rifle up and hit Faith square in the jaw with it, knocking her out cold.

*****
Part 26: Please Wake Up

"Oh my god, Faith. Faithy!" Buffy screamed and ran to the brunette. She knelt down to cradle Faith's head in her lap, and looked up glaring through her tears. "Riley, how could you?!!"

Willow felt ashamed; she struggled to raise her head, afraid to meet Tara's eyes and see an 'I told you so' look, but when she glanced over Tara was only motioning for her to get something to cover Buffy. Willow quickly went to the bed and retrieved the blanket, handing it to Tara.

Giles cleared his throat uncomfortably while Tara wrapped the blanket around the half naked slayer. Buffy still crouched on the floor; she was trying to wipe the blood from Faith's face while wiping away the tears from her own eyes.

"C'mon, Buffy. Let me put her on the bed." Spike stepped up and took the unconscious slayer from her.

Xander bent down and picked up the little gift box. He couldn't bring himself to look at Riley, almost feeling betrayed by Riley's behavior. *That was pretty low� Even to do to Faith. She's still a girl� Look at Buffy cry! Man, I think we really screwed up here.*

Everyone trailed behind them as Spike carefully laid the brunette onto the bed. Buffy rushed past him and sat on the bed trying to pull Faith back into her arms.

Giles turned to the girls, "See if you can find some towels, and bring me some water. Anya go downstairs, find the kitchen and bring us a bowl with some ice in it."

Spike couldn't resist rubbing it in, since he absolutely despised Riley. "Way to score points, mate. Clocking your honey's honey, that'll do it," Spike snickered.

"Why you� I've had it with you!" Riley dove at Spike.

"THAT'S IT! You two!" Giles shouted, while Xander jumped in to pull them apart.

"What?! He started it!" Spike gestured at Riley.

"Buffy, I'm�" Riley moved toward the bed.

"Get away! Do hear me! Stay away from her!!! GET OUT!!!" Buffy screamed nearly hysterical. She sat sobbing as Willow and Tara tried to wiped the blood from Faith's nose and mouth.

Xander looked uncomfortably around the room before stepping toward Riley, "Maybe you should leave." He tilted his head toward the crying Buffy and continued, "You know, just until things settle down."

"Yes, I think that would be for the best right now." Giles chided as he tried prying Faith from Buffy's arms.

Buffy clutched the brunette to her body, rocking her. "Please Faith� wake up� please� please Faith� I love you� please open your eyes sweetie� you have to wake up now� you can't leave me�" She buried her face against Faith's chest crying harder. "I love you� Faithy!"

Faith blinked a few times, smiling up at Buffy. "I love you too." She then reached up to rub her jaw. "Fuck that hurt!", her hand came away covered in blood. "Shit!" The brunette immediately brought her hand back up reaching inside her mouth to feel around.

Buffy watched her nervously, "Faith?"

"Jus' checkin' B,� that I didn't lose any teeth." She grinned at Buffy who started crying anew. The blonde squeezed her in a death grip of a hug.

"Ugh! B� B� I can't breathe." Faith gasped mockingly, laughing as Buffy's lovely green eyes widened. "Jus' joshin' ya."

Buffy leaned in and kissed her; she could taste the blood from Faith's mouth. *Damn Riley! What the devil was he thinking!� Uh-oh!*

*****
Part 27: Anything For You

*What am I going to do about Riley?* But as soon as Buffy thought it; she knew darn well what she was going to do about Riley. There was no question in her mind, except how best to let him down. *Riley's like warm oatmeal�but Faith� Faith is Belgium waffles with strawberries� no blueberries� strawberries and blueberries, and whipped cream with sugar� and syrup� and�*

"B� B. Hey, earth to Buffy." Faith gave her a goofy face. "You back yet."

Buffy just stuck out her tongue.

"Hey wait till we have some privacy." Faith clucked.

Buffy blushed to a bright red hue. Spike chuckled and the rest of the scoobies looked elsewhere in embarrassment.

"Oh c'mon� that was funny. Whaddya all a bunch o' nuns?!" Spike snorted. "Prim an' proper. Ha!"

"Anyway� B, I got ya somethin'." Faith tried to sit up; unsure of where she had dropped the gift she'd brought. Xander smiled sheepishly and held out the neatly wrapped box. "Hey thanks Xan-Man." The brunette took the box from him and handed it to the older slayer.

Buffy unwrapped it carefully. "Oh it's beautiful� thank you." She held up the necklace for the others to see. Tara helped her put it on; then the little slayer leaned down and gave Faith a long kiss.

Giles could be heard clearly his throat. Buffy broke the kiss, but was still beaming.

"Thanks for helping us out last night." Tara spoke so softly, Faith had to strain to hear her.

"Yeah sure. No problem, Blondie." Faith shrugged but returned the smile, immediately liking the shy girl. *Willow's girl� alright Red!*

"She helped you out last night?" Buffy asked turning to the rest of the scoobies.

"Yeah, actually she did." Xander said with some confidence, stepping closer to the bed.

"Oh, you should've seen it." Anya handed the bowl filled with ice to Giles and continued, "She threw a stake at the one holding Willow and then she did this flip over the vamp with the knife� actually I think it was more of a machete� I can't be sure� but than she did a spinning kick and knocked out the one who was hurting my Xander�"

"Yeah, it was something. That flip and spinning kick� pretty Buffy-esque, if you ask me." Willow chimed in, giving an uncertain but friendly smile and a nod to Faith.

Xander added, "And now pretty Faith-esque."

Buffy looked back down at Faith who was blushing pretty hard, "No. It wasn't anything. They're exaggerating. Just a couple of your regular stupid-ass vamps." Faith glanced over at Spike. "Hey, no offense."

Spike held up his hands, "None taken."

Buffy knew better though; it was something. Faith had been hurt trying to protect them and this was how she was repaid. Buffy's temper boiled over, "She helped you out last night, and you guys still stormed her house like a bunch of commandos?! Where the hell do you get off�"

"Buffy, no one knew what had happened to you. You didn't show up at your dad's, you didn't call�" Willow became nervous.

"I couldn't. I�"

"She kidnapped you?" Willow asked, already aware of the answer.

"Yes. I mean no. That's not how it ended up. Didn't you guys notice that I wasn't locked in?!"

"B." Faith interrupted her, "Buffy. Hey, they were jus' worried about ya. They didn't mean nothin' by it. I would've done the same thing. C'mon no harm's been done, right?"

Faith's nose was still bleeding, and she had to sit up to spit out the blood that kept refilling her mouth.

"No. Wrong. Look at you," Buffy's eyes started to tear up again.

"That bad, huh?" Faith tried to make a joke of it, but Buffy wouldn't laugh. "Please B. Just drop it. I swear I'm fine." Then Faith grinned at her. "I'm better than fine� ya know?"

"Yeah, that bloody bastard!" Spike saw his chance, besides the brunette kinda� had a thing about her; and he definitely liked her.

"You shut-up!" Giles chastised him, then he turned back toward Buffy, "You should get dressed now so we can take Faith to the hospital."

"Oh No! No way, man! I'm not going to any hospital! No fuckin' way!"

"Faith! I don't want hear it. You're going." Buffy stated matter of factly. The rest of the scoobies backed up, preparing for all hell to break loose.

Faith frowned and wrinkled her brow, "Fine." She spoke through clenched teeth.

"Ohhh� look at that pout. What a cute pout." Buffy teased her, giving her a soft kiss on the lips. "Who's the brat now� Hmmm?"

"Ha! You! You'll always be the brat!"

Everyone laughed at that one. Faith winked at her.

"HEY!" Buffy paused for second.

"C'mon B, you know you have that one sewed up."

"Yeah, well you're still going to the hospital. Got it, smarty-pants."

"Yeah B, anything you want." Faith leaned close and whispered in the blonde slayer's ear. "Anything for you� always."

The End