Dinner had turned into a rather interesting affair as Thea peppered Faith with questions and to her credit, Faith answered all of them truthfully. Oliver sat there next to Tommy and listened to his sister engage the Slayer, and felt his heart constrict painfully at the clear reality that Faith Wayne would never see him as more than an ally—possibly a good friend.

But that was all.

His Mother, who was sitting adjacent to him at the end of the table, kept glancing his way but to her credit, she remained silent in her observations, although he was fairly certain she'd be asking questions later when they were alone.

While Oliver was lost in his own thoughts, he missed the speculative looks from a few of the people sitting there. One set of hazel eyes were clearly intrigued as she kept shooting glances at the young billionaire, who seemed rather subdued. When Buffy finally looked up fully and caught Spike's gaze, his eyes narrowed at her and she rolled her eyes.

Things with Spike had been unbearable as of late. He was more surly and caustic than usual, and he wouldn't talk to her about what was bothering him. He'd drink, smoke and then shag her...but Buffy was beginning to wonder if that's all there ever would be between she and Spike.

And it left her feeling saddened that as much as she cared for him...the likelihood of the two of them ever progressing to anything more than fuck buddies was just not feasible.

Sighing, she stood up and ignored everyone's looks as she headed out of the dining room...knowing that Spike would follow her.

Which he did.

"Buffy..."

Turning around once she'd reached the sitting room, Buffy folded her arms over her chest and took a wide stance...preparing for the inevitable shit show that was sure to follow.

"Spike."

Blue eyes assessed her, before he sighed and took out a pack of smokes, making to light one. Buffy moved swiftly into his space and ripped it away angrily.

"What have I told you about smoking in Faith's home?! She's pregnant!"

"Yeah whatever...but it's not like she's asked me not to."

"Because she knows what a grumpy ass you are when you don't smoke."

"Nice, really." Spike growled out, as he reached for another fag, but Buffy grabbed the pack and stomped over to the fireplace, throwing them in while Spike yelled out indignantly, "Hey now!"

Turning around so that she was facing him, they stared each other down, but it was Spike who blinked first and finally decided to broach the forbidden topic they'd been skating around for months.

"So, is this what I think it is?"

Rolling her eyes, Buffy just frowned and stomped past Spike, but he gripped her arm hard to halt her progress.

"Remove your hand, Spike."

"Not until we figure this out."

"What am I supposed to figure out? That you're moody all the time? That you never talk to me unless you want to shag?"

"That's not true!"

"Of course it is!" Buffy scoffed. "You know, I've finally figured it out."

"And what's that, Slayer?"

"I used to think that I would be destined to remain alone for my entire life—or at least until I died. I've died twice now and guess what!? Nothing has changed! I'm still the Chosen One! Even with Angel, Riley, the Immortal and now you! Nothing has changed."

"You really believe that?"

"Yeah, sadly I do. The world moves on, but I'm still stuck in the same loop I've always been in. For a few years after the potentials were activated I'd hoped that I would finally be able to have a normal life. Hell, even Faith managed to figure it out..." shaking her head ruefully, Buffy heaved a tired sigh. "This Spike," gesturing between the two of them with her index finger, as she tilted her head and gazed up at the blonde, "isn't ever going to work permanently. For as much as I care about you and you care about me, eventually we're going to kill each other."

Spike glowered, as his chest felt tight and he didn't know why. It wasn't like he needed oxygen.

"I had wondered when this moment would come." He bit out angrily.

Buffy blanched, as she wasn't expecting that response.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," Spike drawled snarkily, "that I had wondered how long after Faith got married and moved on with her happily ever after that you'd finally realize what you were missing out on. You might think and even have convinced yourself you don't want what she has...but deep down Buffy, we both know that's a load of bullocks."

Buffy gaped at him, but she knew she couldn't deny it. It hadn't been immediate, but once she'd found out Faith was pregnant a part of her had started to ache for something more.

Something real.

"You can't deny it, can you?"

Feeling tears welling behind her eyes, Buffy shook her head.

"No."

Spike nodded in resignation.

"I care about you too much Buffy, to see you settle. You deserve the world, and in a way you now have the choice to make your dreams come true. As much as I wish I could be the one to give you those things, we both know that I can't, and I'll never be able to."

Buffy bit her lip and stared up into Spike's eyes that were filled with sad acceptance. She moved over and kissed his lips briefly, their expressions both filled with pained regret before she turned and left—leaving Spike standing there staring off into the flames crackling behind the grate of the fireplace. He was so caught up in his musings, he didn't hear anyone approach until a timid voice cleared behind him. Turning around, he saw the little bit standing there—her expression concerned.

"You okay?" She said.

"I'm fine, Dawn. I just hope that Buffy can find what it is she's looking for."

Dawn nodded as she moved over and enveloped Spike into a brief hug. "For what it's worth, Spike? I think you did the right thing. I'm not sure Buffy would've ever made the first move."

"She stayed with me out of guilt and obligation."

"No, she stayed because she genuinely cares about you."

"Maybe." Spike shrugged. "I'm going to head back to Gotham. I think I need to be alone for a bit."

"Okay. I'll let everyone know."

Dawn watched Spike leave and she couldn't help but feel bad for both he and Buffy. But if she was honest, the signs were there long before now.

Buffy made the decision to head back into Gotham and go patrolling. Maybe she'd find something to slay as she needed to release this excess energy before she ended up breaking something of Faith's.

She went upstairs to her guest room and put on a pair of red leather pants, black sweater and combat boots...pulled her hair up into a ponytail, reached for a hooded leather jacket that looked just like the one Faith used to wear and grabbed Mr. Pointy from her weapons bag. As she made her way downstairs, she noticed Faith standing with Bruce and their guests as they were walking towards the main living room. She nodded to her sister Slayer, who's brow furrowed in confusion before she moved over to a side table and opened a drawer, grabbing a set of keys and tossing them.

Which Buffy caught effortlessly.

"Where you headed?"

"Gotham cemetery."

Buffy ignored the surprised looks from the Queen's and Tommy Merlyn, not really caring what anyone thought at this precise moment.

"You have everything you need?" Faith smirked and Buffy rolled her eyes as she took out Mr. Pointy out from her jacket.

"You're going to use just that?" Oliver demanded in shock and Buffy nodded, then held her hand out as the Scythe appeared instantly and then vanished just as quickly as it'd come. "I'll be fine. Something tells me even if I die, I'll be back."

The last words were meant to be a joke, but no one was laughing as Buffy nodded in parting to everyone and made her way out to Faith's mustang. No one spoke as the roar of the engine signaled that she had left.

"Was she kidding?" Tommy finally spoke up, and Faith shook her head.

"No." She glanced at her husband and noticed Bruce's mouth flattening in concern. "I'm pretty sure she wasn't."

"Do you want to follow her?" Bruce asked lowly and Faith sighed as she considered the question seriously.

"Will you be upset with me if choose to?"

"No, but I am going to go with you."

"I'd figured that." Faith smiled softly, before turning to her guests. "I'm sorry to cut this night short. Alfred can show you to the guests rooms if you'd like?"

"I think I'll go with you too." Oliver piped in, and at Faith's surprised look he clarified quickly, "if that is alright with the both of you."

"I don't see a problem." Faith glanced up at her husband, who's expression was pinched but he nodded in agreement all the same.

"Cool. I'm going to go change." She grinned and dashed up the stairs, leaving her husband staring after her with an indulgent look upon his face. Bruce then turned to Queen and said, "I'll meet you down in the caverns in fifteen. If you have your gear, bring it down."

"How are we getting back to Gotham?" Oliver inquired.

"You'll see." Bruce smirked as he sauntered away towards the music room, leaving his guests with Alfred who had shown up at the perfect moment.

"I'll show you the guest quarters." The butler said to their guests, while Oliver made his way outside to the car where Diggle was stationed protecting his gear and tech. When he found his employee, Oliver gestured to the back of the limo and Diggle opened it without hesitation, his dark eyes questioning.

"You going somewhere, Mr. Queen?"

"I'm heading into Gotham, Diggle. Stay here and keep an eye on my family. I'll have my tracker on, just in case."

Diggle nodded reluctantly, as he was clearly unhappy with his employer heading out on his own but he knew Mr. Queen well enough to know that the man was going to do what he wanted regardless of safety protocols.

"Will you be going alone?"

"No." Oliver replied, not expounding further as he grabbed his gear and headed back inside towards the music room where Faith was waiting for him, dressed in a very similar outfit that Buffy had on except she had two katanas strapped to her back and a knife slotted inside her boot. She winked at him before hitting the piano keys and watching the bookcase slot open. Leading him into the caverns, Oliver couldn't help but ask, "Is this your normal patrolling outfit?"

The elevator halted, and Oliver opened the grate, gesturing for Faith to proceed him which she did as she replied, "Yes."

They walked the rest of the way in silence and once they'd cleared the last turn leading into the main cavern, Oliver's eyes widened as he took in the full scope of Wayne's gadgets, that were now prominently on display. There was an armored vehicle, a different kind of helicopter, several motorcycles, one of which he'd never seen before and then the man himself appeared out of the shadows dressed up in his bat costume.

And Oliver had to admit, Bruce Wayne radiated menace like a veiled shroud of dread.

"Nice get up." Oliver grinned, as Wayne's lips twitched in response but all he did was wave his hand to his right, indicating where Oliver could change into his Green Arrow gear.

Which he did.

When he finally emerged about ten minutes later, both Wayne's were taking in his outfit and Faith had a wide smile on her face.

"Nice leather."

"Thanks."

"We can take the bat into Gotham, however it only seats two."

"That's fine," Faith quipped as she reached for the key to her motorcycle. "I can take my bike into Gotham."

"You have a bike?" Oliver asked, intrigued.

"Yes, a Ducati Streetfighter."

"How appropriate."

"Thanks!" Faith winked again as she walked back towards the elevator, but before she got out of sight, she turned and said, "you going to park your toy, where?"

"The Wayne Docks are only a half mile from the cemetery through the sewers. I'll meet you there."

"Okay. Play nice you two."

Both men shook their heads at the Slayer as she disappeared out of sight. After a moment Oliver glanced back over at Wayne, who's dark gaze was fixated on where his wife had just been.

"You really don't like her putting herself in harms way, do you?"

"No. But I know my wife well enough to know that if anyone can take care of themself, it's her."

Oliver followed Bruce over to the bat and climbed into the back seat. "Faith seems to have a good team surrounding her."

Bruce didn't immediately reply as he revved up the engine and once the copter was vertical, he tore through the waterfall and into the air—heading for Gotham City. It was only when they'd landed and started walking through the sewers that he responded.

"Actually Queen, those you've met have historically worked with Buffy, not Faith. Faith spent most of her formative years working alone. Slayers have Watchers—kind of like a supernatural sensei of sorts. You'll probably meet Rupert Giles at some point, but he was and still is, Buffy's watcher."

"And Faith's?"

Oliver watched Wayne's mouth frown heavily as he growled out, "Faith's watcher was murdered in front of her when she was sixteen and living in Boston."

"Shit." Oliver replied stunned, as he couldn't fathom what that must've done to Faith. It was even more impressive that she'd managed to survive all these years fighting on her own. Deciding a change of subject was probably for the best, Oliver asked, "What can you tell me about Buffy?"

Bruce paused, as he side-eyed Queen—who's expression was stoic and unemotional.

"Buffy was called at fifteen. She lived with her mom, who died when Buffy was twenty. Dawn is Buffy's younger sister, but that story is rather complicated. From what Faith has also shared, Dawn was once known as the key. A supernatural force that unlocked the dimensions between our world, and a hell dimension. A hell god, named Glory was banished here, but actively sought the key—hoping to unleash her reality onto our world as she returned to hers. I don't know the exact particulars, but somehow Dawn was fashioned from Buffy's blood and given to her to protect. A battle took place in Sunnydale on May 21, 2001 between Buffy and Glory. Buffy defeated the hell god, but unfortunately the portal had been opened with Dawn's blood. Buffy jumped through the portal and sacrificed herself, her blood closing it permanently."

"Are you serious?"

"Completely." Bruce chuckled deeply. "One thing I've come to understand being married to Faith, is that the world in which she comes from is so much more complex and scary than anything I've ever had to comprehend. Vampires, demons, magic, gods..."

"It's a bit much."

"Did you know that Ra's is also known as the Demon's Head?"

Oliver halted as he stared at Bruce in disbelief.

"Excuse me?"

"It's true. One of Faith's contacts confirmed it. Ra's, Talia...have been using the Lazarus Pits to stay alive for 600 years."

"Fucking hell..."

"That's one way to look at it."

"Do you really think he's going to come back to Gotham?"

Bruce finally reached the grate that led up to Gotham's main cemetery, the same one where he saw Faith patrolling for the first time and replied deeply, "I think we'll know soon enough."