Walking into the house, Faith was still debating how she would great the other slayer. It was nearing three years, since they last saw one another. The night Faith turned herself over to the authorities, was one that neither woman would soon forget. Now, that she was retuning to Sunnydale, she had no idea how she should act. Her instinct was to run, avoid the confrontation. But she'd done enough running. There was also too much for her to apologies for, yet. Faith was retuning with the intent of setting things right between herself and Buffy.
Even as the door shut behind her, and she took in the familiar house, Faith was still no closer to knowing what to say. To her left was the family room. Now overflowing with teenaged girls. The dining room was off to her right, where Giles, Dawn, and several others were in full research mode. Giles lifted his head from a large book, and gave the prodigal slayer a nod in greeting. Then, before she could even ask, the aging watcher motioned towards the back of the house.
"She's in the kitchen." Was all the man said before returning to his tome.
With a deep breath, Faith made her way to the epicenter of every home, fully aware of Dawn shadowing her. Willow had already made it to the kitchen. The arms of a young brunette wrapped around the redhead's waist. Said brunette watched on, as Willow filled Buffy in on what was happening in LA. Hovering in the doorway to the cellar was Spike, looking more than bored. Buffy herself was finishing off a yogurt, as she listened to everything, that Wesley had told Faith on the drive from the prison.
"Hey, B." It was a simple greeting, but had the desired effect. Faith had Buffy's attention.
"Faith." The dark-haired slayer stepped closer, with the acknowledgement. Once close enough, the blonde's hand arched out, leaving an angry imprint of itself on Faiths cheek.
Raising her hand to her cheek, Faith nodded. "Okay, I deserved that."
"You shouldn't have ran off that night on the roof." Buffy insisted.
"I couldn't have stayed. You know that."
"Are you staying now?"
"If you want me to."
"In that case, you know were to put your stuff." With that, the taller slayer turned to leave. "Faith." She was called back.
"Yeah, B?" Faith asked, as she spun to face the blonde. "It's good to have you back."
A slow smile made its way to Faiths face. In one quick motion, the brunette had Buffy held close to her. One arm coiled around the petite woman's waist, the other genteelly cupped an alabaster cheek. Before anyone could breath, a satin moth claimed rose lips as their own. All were surprised when, instead of pushing the cocky slayer away, Buffy stayed within the embrace. Seconds ticked by, as the kiss lingered on; a needed something, that had been denied for too long.
Faith's lips tickled along Buffy's jaw, when she finally drew back. It was just far enough for her to murmur into Buffy's ear. Her voice a warm hum of energy through Buffy's system. "It's really good to be back."
With one last nip at Buffy's neck, Faith sauntered towards the foyer, and up the stairs. Hushed exclamations and demands for an explanation hissed after her. She chuckled to herself, slightly sorry, that she left Buffy to fend off her friends. Then again, five years was a bit of a stretch to hide a relationship. Even if it lay in tattered ruins.