I do not own the characters.

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"What now?" asked Buffy to Faith.

Faith didn't answer as she went to various boxes. She lifted one and carried it to a different part of the room. Buffy recognized the place. It was Faith's loft from the where they had fought in. Everything was the same, except the bed was different and there were moving boxes scattered everywhere. Strangely, the loft looked vast with all these boxes littered about. She looked at the boxes wondering what this was about?

"Faith is this my dream or is this yours?" finally asked Buffy to Faith.

Faith stopped when she heard her name being called out and looked about.

"Who can tell nowadays?"

She resumed what she was doing and moved boxes around as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

"Faith I need your help on this," began Buffy. "I can't do this alone."

However, Faith continued her carrying a box to the other side of the room. Buffy didn't think that Faith had so many possessions as she followed Faith.

"How do I deal with this?"

Again Faith was immersed in her chores. She finished taping up a box and started to lift it. Buffy came up to Faith and held her still, and set aside the moving box.

"Please Faith . . . I'm at loss. Is there anything I can do? Tell me?"

"Hold this," said Faith, as she gave Buffy the tape dispenser.

She looked at it for moment and put it aside. Buffy wasn't sure how Faith would react but she cautiously held her hands.

"What are your feelings on this?"

"Take anything you want," said Faith, with a faraway look.

"How do I stop him," continued Buffy.

Faith began to fidget uncomfortably and finally hung her head down. Buffy lifted Faith's chin up.

"Faith, we have to stop the bloodshed. More people will be hurt if we don't prevent this."

Faith shook her head mournfully. "It's too late . . . we're lifelong members," faltered Faith. "Remember we belong to the same club?"

"Faith please talk to me," pleaded Buffy.

After a few moments Faith looked at Buffy with tears.

"Love," said Faith as she sobbed.

"Love?"

"Buffy you must leave now. Please go."

"Love is the answer?"

"Please Buffy . . . you have to go now."

"Yes, love is the answer," said Buffy with affirmation and realization. "Faith come with me, we can do this together. You and I."

"I can't," whispered Faith and then she shook her head no.

"Really, I can't," wavered Faith and she began to sob again. "You see . . . I have these moving boxes . . . they have go somewhere . . . I-I have to finish."

"Sshh it's alright Faith," said Buffy, softly. "I understand."

She gently held Faith in her arms and comforted her.

"Is there something I can do to help?" asked Buffy as she studied Faith's brown eyes.

"B Thanks . . . but no . . . when I'm done . . . I'll catch up with you later," said Faith faintly.

"Faith, I want you to know this, I forgive you."

Faith disengaged herself from Buffy, and went back to the moving boxes.

Buffy opened her eyes with a start and squinted under the harsh hospital lights. She was groggy as she slowly sat up on her bed. She touched her sore neck and remembered how she had ended up here in the first place. Angel had carried her to the hospital. She turned her head sideways. Nearby to her was another hospital bed with a young woman. Buffy could see it was Faith.

She went to Faith and bent down, and kissed her. "Thank you my friend," whispered Buffy. "When this is over, Faith I'll come back to see you. I won't abandon you."

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Thank you for reading this story.