Disclaimer: Not mine. *sigh*

Feedback: Yup, that would be sweet!

Spoilers: takes place after season 3 Angel

Rating: R, strong R in some places. Run away if your underage!

Written By: Amber

Pairings: Wes/Faith

A/N: Thank you everyone who has been leaving feedback. I hope that you are enjoying the story.

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The wind had been surprisingly cool that evening as the salt water sprayed into her face. The fishing boat that they had rented smelled of sea salt and rotting fish that made Faith crinkle her nose. The boat filled with an awkward silence as the group of former friends waited for instruction from Connor and avoided each others eyes. Fred and Gunn sat quietly away from the group in control of the steering of the big boat. Fred had been polite with her big smile and outstretched hand to Faith when they met. Gunn on the other hand had avoided them all together. Faith's protectiveness over Wesley left her wanting to punch them both though for the pain that they caused her lover.

There was no moon to fill the sky that evening and the blackness settled around them. Faith and Connor were the only ones able to partially see through the darkness with there enhanced senses. It was only about two miles off shore that Connor claimed had been where he had shoved the box into the sea. He closed his eyes as if he were envisioning the evening again as he waited for the right time to tell them to stop. Wesley had found a spell to help them to locate the metal of the box beneath the water.

"A mystical metal detector, hmm, and handy for finding sunken treasure too?" asked Faith, with a little glimmer in her eye.

"This is not for personal gain, dearest." had been Wesley's only reply, which was followed by a pout brought to Faith's face, only half joking.

Wesley readied the ingredients for the spell as Connor's eyes suddenly snapped open and he shouted over the engines, "Here! Stop the boat here." Gunn cut the engines and they bobbed randomly about the water waiting for the spell to begin.

"It's a good thing you have a more than normal human senses kid, or we never would have found this spot." Said Faith to Connor with a smile.

"Yes, it's a good thing." He said with a far off look in his eyes.

"Are you scared?" She asked.

"Yes. Wouldn't you be?" he shrugged.

"Yeah, well you should be scared, cuz I know what I'd be doing to you if I'd been the one in that box all summer." replied Gunn throwing Connor a glare.

"Is that really necessary?" Faith asked with eyebrows raised standing to assert her authority. "Don't you think he feels bad enough already?"

"I really don't care how he feels, I'm more worried about how Angel feels starving at the bottom of the ocean!" He boomed out at her. She grew more angry at the man standing in front of her now, and she dug her fingernails into the palm of her hands to keep herself from lashing out at him and doing something she may later regret. Images of him standing before her with a broken nose, spurting blood and then worse, swam before her eyes. She bit her lip and felt a little drop of blood spilling over onto he tongue. Wesley, sensing her stress, walked up behind her gently pulling her back, and he whispers into her ear.

"He's not worth it. The man is as stubborn as a mule and it won't make any difference anyway, or I would have done it a long time ago." She smiled at the thought of Wesley punching out Gunn. Nothing would give her more pleasure. She just really hated that man.

"The spell is ready." Wes announced to change the subject as he lit the candles that blew furiously in the wind. They looked as though they would go out at any moment, but they didn't. Faith just stared into the light until she felt lost in it's warm glow.

"Guess it's now or never," she gave Wes's shoulder a reassuring squeeze as he moved to sit at the middle of the circle and then began his Latin chant. Within a minute there was a warm glow radiating from the water. "Is that it?" she asked as Wes opened his eyes to see what she was looking at.

"Yes, that is the place. He should be directly below." Wes answered.

"Let's do this." said Gunn as Faith shot him a dirty look as she really regretted that he had been invited along.

"You going down to get him?" she asked the broad chested male in front of her with her eyes narrowed. When he didn't answer she replied, "I didn't think so. You'll wait until I'm ready." She could see him clenching his jaw and smiled that she had managed to piss him off again.

She suited up into her scuba gear. Since they weren't exactly sure how deep they had to go, Wes had said she was there best bet at getting through the deep water. She happily agreed. She really just wanted off the boat for awhile, but she also felt as though she owed Angel for helping her just a few years earlier. Angel was still a dear friend, no matter what had happened between him and Wesley. She just reminded herself that once this was all over, and they had Angel back safe and sound, that she was going to give him at least one good punch for the suffocation thing.

She looked up and was surprised as she saw Wesley's eyes hungrily looking her over. She hadn't saw that look on him since they were first together and she was suddenly turned on. Apparently he enjoyed the black rubber suit fitted to her curves. He ran his tongue over his lower lip and she casually sauntered up to him, throwing a little extra shake in her hips.

"Do you want me to bring it home with me? I'm sure we could play later...Captain." she said with a devilish grin as she gently licked his ear and "accicentally" brushed her hand past his hardening cock. He grabbed her by the shoulders hard, and crushed his mouth over hers. He knotted her hair into his fist and claimed her mouth as his, as he hungrily pushed his tongue into her mouth to dominate hers. She wanted to rip off every last thread of his clothes and take him right there on the map table, but she could already feel the eyes of others settling on to them. He casually let her go.

"You be damn careful down there." he whispered into her ear. "You are the priority, not Angel. Your safety comes first." He said sternly looking deep into the black pools of her eyes to let her know he was dead serious.

"I'll be careful, I promise. You know I wouldn't do anything that would prevent me from finishing what you just started." she whispered back with the ache in her belly and heat between her legs still with her, she was quite serious also.

"Good luck." he said placing a more gentle kiss onto her forehead, then smacking her hard on the ass, he smiled. He knew she'd like that, and her eyes told him he was right. He couldn't wait to get home, but everyone just looked at Wes, wide eyed. "What?" he asked innocently.

They began their way to the edge of the boat. The other's wished her luck as well and she put the oxygen into her mouth, grabbed the large hook that was meant for crab baskets and plunged down below the light to find herself a metal box.

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It was cold as hell down there and she shivered slightly. The sea was black even with the gentle light that was guiding her to where she needed to be. As she followed the light she felt the life surging all around her, even if she couldn't see it. She tried to guess what it was that had just brushed her leg. Her ears ached more and more every foot deeper she swam. The pressure that built in her chest made her heart feel like someone's fist was around it, choking the life out of her.

She slowed down a little and took a few deep breaths. *I can do this* she thought. *I can't let them down.* The light stopped about 40 ft. beneath her. *That must be it.* She felt a new surge of energy drive through her as she sunk deeper into the cold darkness. She shuddered when she really thought about being down here for months. Her hands soon ran over the cold and already rusted metal. Relief swept over her when she realized that she had done it. She searched through the minimal light with her hands to find a place to fasten the hook to the box. Her hands excitedly ran over the box until she caught a sharp edge. She cried out in pain through the plastic mouthpiece as she realized that she had just sliced her finger wide open. She held it close to her face to see if she could tell how bad it was and fleetingly worried about sharks. She snapped alert when she heard an odd noise. A muffled growl. She whipped around and saw the amber eyes glowing at her. Her heart skipped a beat. His lungs were so filled with water that his growl was muffled through it. She realized how hungry he must be and felt horrible that she scenting all the water around him with her blood. She went back to searching the box and finally hooked onto it. The whole time he never took his eyes off her and her bleeding finger. She slowly made her way to the top of the ocean without the light to guide her this time she used the line she had latched to Angel to find her way back to the boat. She soon broke the surface and saw Wes nervously watching over the edge. She smiled

"Got him!" she yelled as Wes helped her back onto the fishing boat. A proud smile on her face. "Better get some blood warmed up. He's hungry!" Wes gave her a questioning look and then saw the gashed finger. When she saw his concerned face she assured him "Accident." and he felt relieved. He was a little jealous of Angel and Faith together, and he was really jealous of the thought of him feeding on her. He pushed those thoughts aside though as he made ready the equipment to pull up Angel, and assigned Fred and Gunn to handle the blood.

Wes pushed the winch switch and it sprung to life in a wail of grinding and creaking. It seemed to go on forever before the sound of the coffin broke through the air with a loud whoosh. Faith stood eagerly by, waiting to help get the big box in and open it. Connor was sitting in the farthest corner of the boat, afraid to face what he had done to his father, and Fred and Gunn were standing nearby exchanging worried looks. Wes and Faith eased the box into position and lowered it onto the deck. Angel's eyes were still glowing an ominous amber color and Wes suddenly had second thoughts about opening the box. He quickly suppressed those thoughts though.

"Get the blood over here." Wes called out and it was in his hands within seconds. He set it next to the box while they cut it open, and everyone but Faith and Wes backed away. A growling was once again coming from Angel, and Faith ran her fingers over her stake reassuring herself. She took a deep breath and pulled the lid from the box. Angel just sat there staring at Faith. Silent now, and unmoving. She held his deadly glare until Wesley brought the bags of blood to Angel's lips and his eyes slowly slipped closed. He finished all five bags of blood before finally opening his eyes again.

"It's good to be back." Angel rasped. "How long was I in that hell?"

"Three months." Wes replied quietly, still unsure of how Angel was going to react to him, since last time they had met Angel had tried to kill him.

"And you found me? I should have known old friend." Angel looked at Wes and then suddenly he asked, "What's Faith doing here?"

"It's all a long story we'll have time for later, right now you have other visitors too." Wes said as he stepped aside allowing into Angel's view Fred and Gunn.

"Where's Cordy?" Angel asked as silence fell over the group. Angel struggled to sit up and Faith jumped over to help him. He grabbed her upper arm pulling her into him, and put her ear to his mouth to whisper to her.

"Get away from me until you stop bleeding. I wouldn't want to have to do anything I'd regret." He said with a grin, and Faith shuddered, walking slowly backwards. Fred and Gunn slowly approached Angel, with common small chatter. Faith heard the "How are you feeling", and "Are you ready to come home" and such as she walked towards Wes.

"What was that about?" he asked.

"He told me to stay away..til my finger stops bleeding. It's, um, It's my fault. I'll just go, yeah, go and bandage it." She said, easing away. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She looked up and saw Connor still sitting huddled at the front of the boat. She walked over and sunk down next to him. He hadn't said anything since they got on the boat. She slid her arm around his shoulders but he still hadn't looked up at her.

"It's going to be okay." She said softly to Connor.

"How do you know?" He asked. "Does he even know I'm here? He will probably try to kill me when he finds me here."

"I wouldn't let him hurt you." She replied. Then she smiled, "Hey I tried to kill him a couple of times and he forgave me." She shrugged and Connor finally smiled.

"Thank you Faith. You are a good person to help me." He said to her and boldly kissed her on the cheek. "Will you join me to see my father?"

"Just have one thing I have to take care of first, real quick." Faith got up to get a bandage for her finger. Wes who had been watching joined her now. Already holding the bandage, he bandaged her finger for her.

"What do you think?" she asked Wesley.

"About what?" he asked. "You getting a kiss from another man?" He smiled and winked at her. She gently slugged him in the arm laughing.

"About Angel. Is he okay?" She asked.

"Only time will tell." He replied.

Faith joined Connor in seeing his father and everything seemed to be going smoothly. Angel told Connor that he still loved him, that it wasn't his fault, and that he forgave him. Faith gave him the 'told you so' look. They reached shore and Angel was already strong enough to stand on his own. Fred and Gunn agreed to take Angel and Connor back to the hotel with them, and Wes and Faith went there own way back to their place.

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Wes and Faith discussed the return of Angel further on the way home. They were both hoping for the best. It seemed as though Angel was recovering well though and that he was glad to be able to go home. When they arrived home, Wes made some tea and they talked a bit more while getting warmed up.

"So, did you really bring home that wet suit?" Wes asked Faith after a long tired silence.

"No, I'm sorry, forgot all about it." She looked disappointed.

"Quite all right. I'm just teasing anyway." Wes tried to reassure her. "Are you ready for bed? I'm quite exhausted."

"I am too. I hope you're not too exhausted to finish what you started earlier tonight though." She grinned.

She kissed him and pulled him into the bedroom. They made love slowly, warming both there bodies. The sheets wrapped completely around them as they rolled about in passion. A faint light from the window filtered through the room casting dim shadows across there faces as they stared into each others eyes trying to read each thought in the others head. Kisses were placed everywhere, and fingers roamed freely. They found home in each others arms. They made love until they collapsed from the release. The exhaustion they had both been battling threatened to overtake them in an instant.

"I love you Faith." He whispered gently into her ear stroking her hair.

"What?" she barely breathed the word. She heard him, but she couldn't believe her ears. No one had ever loved her.

"I. Love. You." he said emphasizing each word to make sure she understood. "I've never felt this way with anyone but you."

"I love you too." She said covering his face with kisses. "You're the only one for me Wes. The only one I'll ever need. Never leave me."

"I won't, I promise." He said cuddling into her and relaxing. Everything felt so right and good. He wanted to remember this moment forever. She clung to him suddenly not feeling tired at all, gently brushing kisses across his soft lips until she felt his body relax completely and sleep overtake him. She finally felt safe and at home in his arms. She rolled over and he curled his body around her and she felt his face nuzzled into her hair. His arms wrapped so gently around her, hand over her breast, near her heavily beating heart. Her heart that belonged so completely to him. His fingers unconsciously still stroking her bare skin, comforting her. His soft breath on the back of her neck was a warm comfort. She could spend a lifetime in his company, in his arms, and in his bed. She was in love.