I'm not ashamed to admit that I spent the rest of the day holed up in my room, curled up with Faith's old leather jacket that I stole. Okay... maybe I'm a little ashamed. I hate how much I like her, and how much she's able to hurt me... and that I can't do anything about it.

Plus, the fact that I stole her favorite leather jacket, just because I love the way it smells like her, and owning it makes me feel like I own a special part of her... I feel pathetic. Oh, and the real pathetic thing - I bought her a new jacket, so she'd forget about the old one and I'd be able to keep it and not feel all guilty and stuff. How twisted is that?

-*FLASHBACK*-
One Year Ago

"Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Faith shouted, scrounging through her closet, tossing everything out.

"What?" Buffy asked, trying to keep the guilty look off of her face.

"My jacket! Where the fuck is it? Goddammit, that was my favorite, where the fuck did it go! Not like it grew arms and fuckin' crawled away or some crap!"

"You must have lost it. When was the last time you wore it?" 'Oh geez Buffy, don't laugh, don't you dare laugh or you're going to be in some serious trouble...' The older girl thought, trying to keep the smile from her face so she wouldn't seem so obvious.

"Over the weekend! When we went to the park, remember? And I let ya borrow it on the way home, 'cause you were all cold and everything." She paused, then turned to look over at her blond friend. "I don't remember if you gave it back or not. Is it at your place?"

"Um... nnnno. No, I definitely remember giving it back." 'Actually, what I remember is keeping it, sleeping in it, and hiding it under my mattress so you won't see it when you come over.' The blond thought sheepishly. "You're sure it isn't in there?"

"Fuck! 'Course I'm sure, I mean, it's not like I got a lotta shit to begin with yunno? If it was in here, I'd fuckin' see it." She stopped and scratched her head, staring at the closet with a look of confusion and anger that the older girl found adorable. "Wonder if I took it to school today... yunno, I don't really remember. I probably took it to school, I usually do."

"Yes, I think I remember you wearing it. You must have left it there." 'Hmm this just might be easier than I thought!' Buffy smiled to herself. 'She'll be mad when she doesn't find it at school later, but hey, her birthday is coming up. I'll buy her a brand new one and she'll be totally over it. It's a fair trade, right? I mean, I'm kinda doing her a favor. Yes. That's how i'll look at it.' "It isn't that cold out right now anyways, you don't need to wear the jacket."

"It's not about warmth B, it's about the image. I got a reputation to uphold, and my jacket is a part of that reputation!"

"Uh huh. I'm sure people won't be any less afraid when you're beating them up without wearing it."

"Yeah, real funny. You keep talkin' to me like that and you're gonna be next."

"I'm soooo scared." The blond taunted, pretending to shiver in fear. She knew there's no way the younger girl would ever cause her harm intentionally, she's always just seen her as a great big teddy bear with an ego.

"What, you think I won't? I so will. You won't be able to sit right for days, i'll kick your ass so hard!"

"Really? Is that a promise, or a threat?" She froze, which made the older girl realize what she'd just said and how dirty it sounded.

"Oh, it's a promise." The brunette grinned - before suddenly tackling her friend to the ground. Buffy let out a girly little squeal and tried to push her away, mortified both at what she'd said and how fast the younger girl was able to get her on the ground. "Who is the master!"

"No, I'm not saying it!" The older girl insisted, even as she began to get tickled. "Stop!"

"Nuh uh, not 'till you say it, blondie. Say it for me! Say who the master is!"

"FINE!" She relented, tears coming out of her eyes, her stomach starting to hurt. "You are, Faith, you're the master! Now get up before I puke!"

"Fair enough." She chuckled, shooting a cocky grin with dimples on full display. "Now don't you forget it, B. I could totally kick your ass anytime I wanted." She said, while getting up and lending a hand to help her up on to her feet.

"Right. You're a real badass at tickling." The blond grumbled, blushing at how worked up she'd gotten, while praying the brunette wouldn't be able to tell.

"Yup. Among other things." She winked. "Now c'mon, let's go to school. I wanna see if I did leave my jacket there."

"Faith... you are aware that the school is closed now, right?"

"So? Little breaking and entering will do us some good."

-*END FLASHBACK*-

I was jostled from my memories by a knock at the window, followed by the sound of Faith calling my name. I shrieked and fell off the bed, quickly shoving the jacket under it before she could see it, before finally being able to collect myself.

Relax, she didn't see a thing! Now get it together or she'll know something is up! Well... oh crap, I didn't let her walk me home today, so she already knows something is up. This isn't going to be fun.

As I hesitated, I could see a look of hurt on her face. It was quickly replaced by one of determination as she fogged up the window and drew a little heart on it with her finger, completing the adorable gesture with a heartbreaking pout. There's no way I could say no to that.

So I got up and walked over to the window, opening it up and stepping back so she could come in. She shot me a thankful grin as she crawled in, then got serious. It's obvious she means business.

"What's up?" I asked, trying to seem casual, hoping I could get out of it.

"Was just gonna ask you."

"... Nothing's up."

"Bullshit." She snickered. "C'mon B, I've been your best bud for like, forever. I can always tell when something's up. Whether you're havin' a bad hair day, or cramps, or are just pissed at somethin' somebody did, I can always tell."

"If you can always tell, then why are you asking?" That seemed to stump her, as she just froze with her mouth hanging open like she has no clue what to say next. I'm actually feeling pretty proud, it's almost impossible to stump her.

"I... Just... I'm... I'm havin' a hard time figurin' you out recently. And it bugs the crap outta me." She finally admitted, looking frustrated as hell so I know she's telling the truth. "It's like I don't know what you're thinkin' anymore, or what it is I'm gonna do next that'll piss you off."

"You don't piss me off..." I frowned, confused by the sudden revelation. Maybe you hurt me sometimes, but there's no way I'm saying that because you'll just pester me until I tell you why and there's no way I'm admitting it.

"You sure? I piss off most people. Most of 'em get more than pissed actually... Or other crap that isn't good." She shrugged. I don't like the way she looks now. All bitter and sad. I wish everyone else could see her the way I do, and not as just the rebellious, immature, spoiled police chief's daughter. She may be some of those things some of the time, but there's so much more to her, so much good that she never lets anyone else see.

"I'm positive, Faith. You never piss me off. Well.. not never." I smirked, nudging her a little, trying to get her to smile. "You do bug me sometimes. But it's nothing I can't handle, and to be honest I usually like it."

"You like that I bug you?" She grinned, looking oddly excited by my admission. "When I fuck with you, try and piss you off and crap?"

"I don't know..." I blushed, shrugging. I was really hoping she wouldn't latch to my comment like this, I just wanted to try and cheer her up.

"Oh hell no B, you're not gettin' outta it! C'mon, like I'd just forget you said anything?"

"That's what I was hoping for, yes."

"Tough break, blondie." She grinned, pointing to her head. "Photographic memory. Not gonna forget nothin' you've ever said."

"Photographic memory, huh? Then how did you lose your last jacket?" I blushed, trying not to be obvious with my prodding. I never knew if she found out that I took it or not, but she probably has a good idea that I did.

"You tell me." Okay, maybe she does know! But then why would she let me keep it? Is she just humoring me? Does she know how I feel about her, and hope it will just keep me happy and stuff? Or that she thinks I'm doing something gross with it then and she wouldn't want it back anyways? "Or not..." She laughed. It sounded kind of nervous, or embarrassed, not her usual chuckle that I love. She actually seems... awkward? "Didn't think it would be such a stumper for ya."

"It's not! I mean, not... I don't know." I shrugged, the blush growing darker for sure. Yeah, it must be the second theory. She must know I have it, and she's all grossed out and uncomfortable now. I'm such a dummy!

"Forget it." She nodded. "I got a brand new one now, thanks to my best bud, and I love it." She tugged the sleeves of said jacket, which she happened to be wearing now. Come to think of it, I think she always wears it... even when she makes her late night visits, she just has on sweats, a white wifebeater and the jacket... Okay so maybe I pay pretty close attention to whatever she's wearing, so what? Everything just fits her so well!

"I'm glad you like it." I smiled. "Figured you would. Makes you look badass."

"So we're cool then?"

"Of course. We always are."

She simply nodded, and leaned in to give me an awkward hug. In all the time we've known each other, I think I've only gotten about 10 or so hugs from her, so I'm considering this to be a bit of a surprise. I'm usually the one that hugs her. And it's not too often, because it always seems to make her real uncomfortable. She must have really thought I was upset with her?

"Sweet." She grinned, looking a little bashful. She's really not much of a hugger. "Guess I'll head out then, got some shit to do."

"Anything illegal?"

"Probably." Her grin got bigger at that. "Let's see if I make the papers. Later, B!"

And with that she was out the window, leaving me curious and suspicious behind her.