Summers' House a.k.a. 'Command Central'

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Buffy and Faith are in Buffy's room. A little moment of Slayer private time.

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Faith's eyes are closed, she is holding the scythe with both hands.

"You feel it too, don't you?", Buffy says confidently.

"Damn. And damn, that's something.", Faith's voice is filled with awe.

"I know."

"It's old. It's strong, and it feels like... like it's mine." Faith places it on the bed beside her, looking at the older slayer. " I guess that means it's yours.", the resignation evident in her voice.

"It belongs to the slayer.", Buffy says as she picks up the scythe.

"Slayer in charge, which, I'm guessing, is you."

Buffy sat on the edge of the bed, looking at Faith. "I honestly don't know. Does it matter?", she asked curiously.

"It never mattered to me." Faith replied, " Somebody has to lead. Let's vote for Chao-Ahn. It's harder to lead people into a deathtrap if you don't speak English."

"It wasn't your fault.", Buffy reminded her.

Faith looks away from her, guilt in her eyes, "I'm really not looking for forgiveness."

"You're not?", Buffy asks with surprise.

"What do you want me to say? I blew it."

"You didn't blow it.", Buffy said, placing a reassuring hand on her arm.

"Tell that to..."

"People die. You lead them into battle, they're gonna die. It doesn't matter how ready you are or how smart you are. War is about death. Needless, stupid death."

Faith absorbs this a moment before speaking. "So, here's the laugh riot. My whole life I've been a loner."

"That's the funny part? Did I miss something?", Buffy asks, confused.

"I'm trying to.."

"Sorry. Sorry. Go.", she waves her hand for Faith to continue.

"No ties, no buddies, no relationships that lasted longer than... well, Robin lasted pretty long.", Faith grins at the memory, "Boy's got stamina."

"Principal Wood? And you? And in my...", the realization causes Buffy to stand and pace.

"Don't tell me you two got wriggly.", Faith comments, a look of surprise on her face.

"No. No. No, no. We're just good friends. Or mortal enemies, depending on which day of the...", Buffy stops herself, getting back on track. "Was that the funny part?"

Faith decides to cut to the chase, "OK. The point. Me, by myself all the time. I'm looking at you, everything you have, and, I don't know, jealous.", the admission surprises Buffy, but Faith fails to notice and continues, "Then there I am. Everybody's looking to me, trusting me to lead them, and I've never felt so alone in my entire life."

"Yeah.", Buffy agrees, her thoughts downcast.

"And that's you every day, isn't it?", Faith asks, looking at Buffy for confirmation.

Buffy is mildly surprised to find out how well Faith understands her now. She pauses, composing her thoughts on the matter before speaking, "I love my friends. I'm very grateful for them... but that's the price. Being a slayer."

"There's only supposed to be one. Maybe that's why you and I can never get along. We're not supposed to exist together.", Faith says as she looks at her fellow slayer, expecting a serious response.

However, Buffy couldn't resist giving Faith a good natured verbal jab, "Also, you went evil and were killing people."

"Good point. Also a factor.", she nods, accepting the truth of Buffy's comment.

"But you're right." Buffy hesitated before continuing, "I mean, I... I guess everyone's alone. But being a slayer? There's a burden we can't share.", Buffy admitted, looking over at Faith.

"And no one else can feel it.", Faith paused, considering that fact. She quickly decided to lighten the mood, "Thank God we're hot chicks with superpowers."

"Takes the edge off.", Buffy replied, a touch of humor in her voice.

"Comforting.", Faith concluded.

"Mm-hmm."

In the brief silence that followed, both slayers were contemplating this new understanding of each other, and what it meant to their renewed relationship. However, Faith quickly grew uncomfortable with the silence, and decided to speak.

"I had a little talk with The First...", she said with hesitation.

TBC...