Buffy waved at Faith. The brunette, almost shy for once, gave a tentative smile back, but otherwise remained cool in demeanor. She wore denim jeans and a black tank top, with hands tucked into her pockets. Buffy wore similar casual clothing, but with a white vest top and brown heeled boots. Inwardly, she felt amused at their dark and light contrast. Over four months had passed since their interaction in the other world.

Four months went by so fast.

"How's it going in L.A?" Buffy asked. They sat in a local Sunnydale coffee shop, with sunlight filtering through the closed windows. A breeze ruffled the tree leaves outside.

"Good. Tough." Faith sipped at her iced coffee through a blue and white straw. Buffy, ever the sweet tooth, went for a strawberry milkshake, and was contemplating just how many calories she'd be downing if she finished the whole thing.

After deciding it didn't really matter, she slurped at the shake, making eye contact with Faith again. "And Voirrey?"

At this, Faith's eyes went flat. "S'okay."

Buffy grinned impishly. "Good."

"Still pissed off with you 'bout it."

"But she works well with you, yes?"

Faith gave a non-committal shrug. "Spose." Then her jaw clenched, as if debating something internally. Finally, she leant over, speaking over the murmur of the other customers, "She took me out shopping the other day. Said my style of clothing was 'atrocious', or some British shit like that. Who says that kinda stuff?"

Buffy threw back her head and laughed. Faith couldn't help but laugh back. Her hand sprawled on the table, towards Buffy, fingers curled.

"Guess things came out five by five in the end."

"Yeah," Buffy replied, her laughter subsiding. Both Slayers stared at each other for a long moment. Then, very slowly, Buffy edged her own hand until it rested on Faith's fist.

"I hope things work out better between us this time around."

Faith swallowed, her eyes fixed on Buffy's knuckles. Regaining eye contact with the blonde, she smiled, a beautiful warm one that made Buffy shiver. "Me too, B. Me too."

Just one more chapter, after this! And THEN IT WILL ALL BE OVER. FOR REAL. Who knows if you guys can guess what will happen. :D