A/N: Will Faith and Buffy ever move out of this one step forward, two steps back routine? Because Faith is getting tired of it.

This chapter is set in Entropy, though as always that just means some parts of that episode are canon to this story. A lot isn't.

Back to Fairh's POV

Chapter 11: Becoming Clear

Patrolling with Buffy is usually one of Faith's favourite things to do, but right now she can't help but feel tense as they stroll through the graveyard. It's like they've taken three hundred steps back from the wedding and it's got Faith feeling super confused. First she got to kiss Buffy and that was wow, then Buffy was convinced nothing was real and she was really in some mental institution and things became the opposite of wow. It's all just a lot. Faith's tired of everything always being a lot.

She wants to just grab Buffy and kiss her again so they can skip the whole awkward stage they're currently in. But, she still isn't really sure how Buffy feels about her and that's making her a little gun shy. Relationships really aren't her game, but she wants one with Buffy and she doesn't want to settle for anything less. She's not sure how to express that though without sounding wicked corny.

"So this the grave?" Faith asks as they stop in front of a fresh grave. The answer is pretty obvious but she's just sick of the awkward silence.

"Uh huh," Buffy raises her stake slightly, not bothering to look at Faith. "And if it's not then BBQ forks really are more dangerous than I thought."

A hand slowly begins to rise from the ground and Faith smiles. She needs a good slay.

"Looks like you're right, B," she says as they watch a newbie vamp start to stumble out of his grave. "Want to place a bet on who can stake him-"

She slams face first into the dirt.

"Faith!" Buffy yells as she turns around to see another vamp hovering over her. Two new vamps, now that's a party. With a grin she flips herself up and kicks him hard in the face.

"No worries, B. I've got this one covered," she dodges an attempted punch with ease, "lets make some dust."

She can hear Buffy fighting her own vamp as she slams hers to the ground. She loves this feeling, always has ever since she was called. This she feels in control of. It's so much clearer than whatever is going on with Buffy. The vamp flips her and leans towards her neck with a smirk. She fights off her own smirk, letting him think he's winning.

"They say there's nothing sweeter than the blood of a Slayer," he leers, closing in.

She brings her knee up hard between his legs and he rolls off her with a groan.

"Guess you should have stayed away from the sweets," she smirks down at him as she raises her stake and plunges it straight through his heart.

She wipes off the dust from her jeans as she gets up and turns to see Buffy finishing off her own vamp.

Buffy smiles as she moves toward Faith, pocketing her stake and breathing a little hard. Faith notices her own breathing is getting a little shallow. She's not sure if it's because of the fight with the vamp or if it's because B always looks super hot post staking. Probably both.

"I didn't tell you what snapped me out of it the other day, did I?" Buffy asks abruptly as she reaches Faith who just shakes her head.

"You did," Buffy confesses, "I wanted you and what you feel for me to be real. I didn't want to miss out on that."

Well that's not what Faith was expecting. But, fuck it makes her feel good. Like she just won the lottery or killed a thousand vamps. Buffy's staring down at her shoes all cute and shy and Faith really wants to kiss her. But, she doesn't. Because she still can't shake the feeling that she might get jerked around again.

"Still can't believe you thought you made me up, B," she teases, deciding that's the safer option. "You obviously have a real pervy brain if you think it came up with this body."

Faith gestures towards her chest and winks, enjoying the way Buffy blushes as she looks her up and down. She might not be leaping straight into making out again, but that doesn't mean she's not going to flirt as much as she possibly can.


Faith leans against the kitchen counter, coffee in hand as Willow enters the room with a dopey grin.

"If the date with Tara went well enough to have you grinning like that, why are you here and not getting it on in her dorm?"

Faith waggles her eyebrows at Willow who just laughs and slaps her arm. They're never going to be besties, but Faith has to admit she likes how much she's been getting along with all the Scoobs recently. They accept her now-sometimes they even enjoy her company.

"We're taking things slow. It's nice," Willow says with a nod, but Faith can see she's not entirely on board with the slow thing.

"I give you till the end of the week before you're upstairs at it like bunnies," Faith says matter-of-factly, dodging Willow's slap to the arm this time.

"Well at least we're making progress unlike you and my best friend," Willow responds knowingly.

Shit, does everyone know about her and B?

"I'm guessing Tara told you."

There's no point trying to deny it, she doesn't even want to anymore. Plus, Willow might actually talk to Buffy about it and that could only help Faith out.

"No, I didn't even know Tara knew," Willow frowns a little, "how come she knew and I didn't? No, don't answer that it's not important. But, honestly Faith I think I always knew you and Buffy had something that hinted at more than just friends. I think it's why I was so jealous of you and Buffy when you first turned up."

Faith's eyebrows shoot up, she had always thought Willow was really weird with her that first time she was in Sunnydale and jealousy would make sense. But, did that mean that-

"Wait were you into B back then?" she asks and Willow's eyes go wide, "not that I'd blame ya, Red, but maybe keep that on the down low around Tara."

"Oh no never…well I mean Buffy is very attractive and I'm sure I've noticed on some level…but no that's not what I meant," Willow stutters, her face bright red. Faith just laughs, enjoying watching Red get all flustered.

"I just thought you'd take her away from me," Willow adds, looking more composed. "At the time I thought that was just because you were so much cooler than me and you guys were bonding so much over slayer stuff. But, now I think it's because I could see that it was about more than that. If you could offer her everything then she'd have no time for me."

"Pretty sure she didn't want anything I was offering back then."

Back then Buffy had been all about Angel and Faith isn't going to rewrite history. Sure, maybe on some level Buffy thought she was hot, but she definitely hadn't wanted anything beyond friendship from Faith back then. Hell, Faith still isn't entirely convinced Buffy is into more than that now. She's just so damn confusing.

"Maybe not, I can't say we really talked about it back then," Willow concedes, "but, Faith she does want what you're offering now. You make her happy."

She really hopes that's true. Corny as it is, all she wants is to make B happy.

"Maybe," she offers Willow a small smile, "though I'm not sure this house will survive if we all start going at it like bunnies."

Willow rolls her eyes, slapping Faith's arm again. If Willow didn't slap like such a girl, Faith would not be putting up with all this violence.

"Oh my god, thank god you're here!"

Dawn bursts into the room, ending their bonding moment as she runs straight to Faith.

"Buffy wants to take me shopping and you one hundred percent need to come with us," Dawn demands as she grabs Faith's arms

"Uh why?" Faith asks, shooting a confused look at Willow who just smiles and shrugs. Great big freaking help Red is.

"To keep her distracted so I can find some actual cool outfits, duh."

Faith doesn't buy that that's the only reason so she crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow at Dawn who just sighs and rolls her eyes.

"Okay so I also need you to run interference so I don't get another lecture on shop lifting. I get it. Stealing is bad. And Buffy always seems way more into laughing and smiling and less into lecturing when you're around."

"She does, doesn't she," Willow says, this time waggling her eyebrows at Faith.

"Fine, I'll go," Faith relents, raising her hands in surrender, "but I make no promises about controlling your sis, Dawnie."

Dawn squeals and wraps Faith up in a quick hug before she practically bounces out of the room.

Faith's left behind with a smirking Willow. Weirdly though she doesn't mind the teasing. Sure, she's over the way it makes her go red in the face, but it's nice that they all feel comfortable joking around. It's feels like being part of a family.


Faith sighs loudly as she watches Dawn and Buffy exit yet another shop. She likes shopping, but damn it's been three hours already. And none of them really have the money to splurge on too much.

"You Summers' gals really take this shopping stuff seriously," she comments as the two girls reach her, "we almost done?"

"Maybe," Buffy answers with a sly grin and Faith just groans. It's unfair that Buffy's so cute that Faith knows she'll keep walking around with her no matter how much longer it takes.

"Quit complaining and start joining in the shopping fun," Dawn says, practically skipping ahead of Faith and Buffy. Things have been so tense for as long as Faith's been back that it's nice seeing Dawnie just act like a teenager again.

"So Red looking into the whereabouts of the nerd squad while we're out?" Faith asks Buffy as they continue to follow Dawn.

She wishes they could just focus on the shopping trip, but the Trio or whatever it is they call themselves have been able to avoid them for far too long and they've got to get to the bottom of it all.

"Yeah Willow's being research girl. Though I told her she's allowed to have a Tara break when she needs it."

"Oh I'm sure she'll be needing it," Faith smirks, thinking about how Tara and Willow are probably awkwardly flirting with each other right this very moment. Or, hopefully, actually banging like they want to. Someone in the house should be getting some action.

"They're sweet together," Buffy says with a wistful sigh and Faith looks over at her. She looks so peaceful, just strolling along in the sun and thinking about her friends. Faith doesn't think she's ever seen Buffy look so at peace before and her heart skips a beat at how beautiful the sight is.

"Buffy!" Dawn calls, interrupting the peace and Faith's staring. "There's a shop up here I want to go in so I'll catch up with you two."

"I'll come join you!"

Dawn gives Faith a meaningful look. Oh right she's meant to be stopping Buffy from cramping Dawnie's style.

She slings an arm around Buffy's shoulders, steering her attention away from Dawn.

"C'mon B, how 'bout you buy me an ice-cream instead. I'd say I deserve one after following you two around all day," she gives Buffy her most charming smile and she gives Dawn a thumbs up from behind Buffy's back.

Buffy rolls her eyes, but she also smiles that adorable little half smile that always makes Faith feel embarrassingly close to swooning.

"Okay, greedy," Buffy teases and Faith feels Buffy's arm slide around her waist. "Dawnie we'll be at the ice-cream place."

Dawn shoots Faith a grin and mouths a 'thanks' as she and Buffy pass by, but Faith barely register it. Her cheesy ass brain can't focus on anything but how nice it is to have Buffy tucked up against her.


Faith should have learnt by now that peaceful moments don't last in Sunnydale, but dammit she had been hoping it would last long enough for her to actually have a proper conversation with Buffy about everything that's happened between them. But, no the nerd squad had put an end to that by being the creeps they are and spying on the Summers' house. A camera in a garden gnome is pretty freaking weird, even by 'The Trio's' standards.

Luckily, Willow is great with technology and is currently trying to hack into their surveillance system in the hopes they'll finally find out where these idiots are living. Faith's watching and providing moral support. Her version of moral support is yelling "hurry up, Red" and "put your nerd skills to good work" every few minutes. Maybe it's a little harsh, but she just wants to find these guys so she can give them a serious pounding. Like just enough to make them hurt, not enough to kill them obviously.

"Oh my god. The Doublemeat Palace, The Bronze, my classrooms on campus, Xander's site…" Willow trails off, looking shocked as she lists all the places these creeps have cameras.

"Yeah I get it, they've been stalking us," Faith grumbles, "but how about focusing on getting their location?"

"I'm trying!" Willow bites back, never taking her eyes away from the computer as Faith paces.

This stuff is really not her jam. She's only helping because Buffy is with Dawn doing some inventory at the Magic Box to help out Anya who is still on her honeymoon with Xander. Buffy had insisted that she and Dawn needed some quality sister time so Faith had stayed behind. Waiting for Red to figure out where the 'Trio' is had seemed like at least it would lead to some action. She just had forgotten how slow this part can be. Mostly cause she usually has Buffy as a distraction when all this boring stuff is happening.

"Aww cute," Willow says after a few minutes of silence and Faith stops her pacing to see what on earth would get that reaction at a time like this.

"Wait is that the Magic Box?" Faith asks as she leans in closer, "what's so cute about the-"

She cuts herself off as she sees Buffy at the table of the Magic Box, doodling away. She seems lost in her own little world as she draws something in her notebook, a dreamy smile on her face. Yeah, Red's right it's definitely cute. Faith grins as she gets closer to the screen, enjoying how young and carefree Buffy looks. It reminds her of the time they spent at the ice-cream place the other day. Buffy laughing as Faith messily ate her giant serving of ice-cream, Buffy blushing furiously when Faith wiped some ice-cream off the corner of her mouth and the two of them just soaking up each other's company without worrying about anything bad. Faith had never felt lighter than she had sitting in that ice-cream shop with Buffy.

Something in Buffy's drawing catches her eye, something that looks like a giant 'F' and reminds her of something she saw Buffy doodling years ago.

"Hey, Red, can you zoom in a little?" she asks, completely forgetting that they're meant to be finding the location of the nerds. Her heart's beating fast and she just has to know.

"Uh sure," Willow says, looking confused and unsure. "I'm not sure how that will help us though," she adds as she zooms in.

Faith feels everything click into place as she stares at the blurry image of Buffy's doodle. She had been right, it is just like a doodle she saw Buffy doing years ago. This time though it doesn't make her heart sink. Because this time it's not about a souled vampire, this time it's about her. It might be blurred, but she can see the heart Buffy has drawn and the words inside that read 'Faith + Buffy Forever'. It's a tad childish, sure, but it's the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for Faith and she feels like she's floating. She's not unsure anymore, she knows now that she has a place in Buffy's heart. It's time to stop dancing around each other.