I was listening to a piece of music when this idea popped into my head. Takes place in the final rooftop fight between Buffy and Faith in Graduation part 1. Listen to Beethoven's moonlight sonata for the full effect.

As always all characters belong to Joss, I'm just adding a little extra.

It's Better This Way

I never wanted it to be this way, Faith and I. It was never meant to be this way. We square off again, and again, and again, both of us giving it our all. Blows meeting blows in flawless symmetry. We are cut, bruised and gasping, muscles already tensed for the next battle. But it never comes. I bring my gaze up from her clenched fists to rest on her face while her eyes flick from the knife clutched in my shaking hand to my wide eyed expression and in that single moment, I know we understand each other perfectly. She comes in close to me, embracing me with her arms, fingers tangling themselves in my hair. I bury my face into her warm neck and she turns to whisper in my ear, her breath hot on my skin. "I'm sorry B." Her fingers glide over my back, tracing my shoulder blades, moving down my arms to my wrists. She covers my hands with her own, squeezing them tightly before bringing her head back to face me. I can see myself reflected in those over-bright eyes. They never leave mine as she wrenches our shaking hands forward, the knife plunging deep into her abdomen. "It's better this way..." Her husky voice falters. "Buffy?" She falls backwards, gravity pulling her from my sight. I cannot move, stunned by the actions of the blade, blood dripping down it's cruel edge. It falls from my hand, clanging on the cold stone. The tears begin to fall as I raise my hands, letting her blood mingle with my own. The chosen two. Her words echo in my head. It's better this way. Better this way. My vision blurs and suddenly I'm on the ground, sobs tearing my lungs, fingernails digging into the earth, broken in every possible way. How can this be better?...