Buffy was speechless. She kept her features impassive as she contemplated what this meant.
The First had paid a visit to Faith. What was it's game was, Buffy had no clue, but she was going to find out.
"Wow, the First. I guess that must have been interesting.", she waited, expecting Faith to supply details on the encounter. She would not be disappointed by the response.
"It showed up lookin' like the Mayor. Didn't care much for what it had to say.", Faith took a deep breath, preparing for what she was about to say. "The first thing that it did was attack your leadership, then it tried to tell me that you were just looking for an excuse to finish me off."
"You know that I would never really hurt you again Faith, not after all we've been through.", Buffy said, trying her best to reassure Faith, but the younger girl didn't look entirely convinced.
"Yeah, I know B, but the First was trying so damn hard to be serious, and then it started gettin' into my head, bringing up stuff about our past....", the brunette trailed off, trying to avoid being specific about what it had said. However, Buffy's curiosity wanted details.
"What do you mean 'stuff about our past'?"
Faith hesitated, unsure if she should tell Buffy the whole truth. After a bit of internal debating, she decided 'what the hell', and started explaining, "It told me that deep down, I've always wanted you to accept me..., to love me, even." Before Buffy could react, Faith continued, "Then it said that nobody will ever love me..., that they'll always see me as a killer.", Faith finished, looking at the bedspread to avoid Buffy's gaze.
"I don't."
At this comment, Faith glanced up, her expression a mix of confusion and hurt. "Thanks for clearing that up B.", the sarcasm evident in her voice.
Buffy realized what she said, and moved to clarify her answer. "I don't see you as a killer Faith, not anymore, and I'm sorry I never tried to accept you for who you are." She sat on the edge of the bed, next to Faith, and continued. "I'm sorry for all the mistakes of our past, and for what it's worth, I do care about you.", she slowly grabbed Faith's hand, and gently held it to emphasize her point.
Faith was looking at Buffy in stunned silence. 'She cares about me. God, she has no idea how long I've been waiting to hear her say that.', the brunette started to smile internally, as tears of joy welled up in her eyes. She tried to turn away, but Buffy saw the tears, and worried that she had unknowingly upset the brunette slayer.
"Faith? Are you okay?"
The younger girl's answer was halfway between a laugh and a sob, as she was overcome by emotion. "Yeah B, I'm okay. It's just...I never thought I'd hear you admit to caring about me. Actually, up till a few days ago, I thought you still hated me.", she turned to face the blond, waiting for her response.
"Faith..., I stopped hating you a long time ago.", Buffy's serious tone confirming the fact. "I wanted to tell you for a while now, but I just couldn't bring myself to visit you in that..., that place, that prison. I'm sorry."
"You could have called Angel, B. He would have relayed the message for you."
"No, it wouldn't have been right. I should have at least had the courage to tell you directly.", Buffy said, her expression hinting at the shame she felt.
"It's okay B, at least you finally told me.", Faith flashed Buffy her trademark smirk, causing the blond to smile.
"Faith?"
"Yeah B?"
Buffy opened her mouth to speak, but reconsidered, deciding instead on action. Without warning, she enveloped the brunette in an impromptu hug. Faith stiffened at the unexpected touch, but slowly relaxed when she realized that Buffy wasn't going to hurt her. After a few moments she relaxed enough to return Buffy's hug.
The two slayers stayed in their mutual embrace, neither wanting to be the first to let go. Faith was enjoying the moment when she heard Buffy speak, her voice just above a whisper.
"I missed you."
Faith couldn't believe her ears, 'Did she just say that she missed me?', the thought filled the younger girl with feelings of uncertainty and joy. She searched her heart for an appropriate response, and was surprised with the truth she found. After a moments hesitation, she found the courage to speak. "I missed you too.", her response barely a whisper, while her eyes shone with emotion.
Both girls had heard each other, and the mutual honesty was a relief to the two. They released each other from the hug slowly, neither one really wanting to let go. As they separated they instinctively linked hands, the need for contact mutually felt. The bond that they had shared in times past was once again renewed, albeit a little worse for wear.
Faith looked into her fellow slayer's eyes, finding that they too shone with the emotion of the moment. A question formed on her lips, and she hesitated a moment before deciding to speak. "B? I kinda' don't want to be alone. You know, in case the First decides to make a return visit. Would you...would you stay here tonight? ", Faith asked hopefully, trying her best to sound casual about it.
Buffy's expression briefly flashed with uncertainty, but it was quickly replaced with compassion. "I'll stay here Faith. After all, it is my room.", Buffy smiled as she said this. Her expression quickly changed however, as she realized that there was one more thing that she still had to do. "Um, Faith? I know I said that I would stay, but there's something that I have to do first." The brunette looked at her, a mix of confusion and disappointment on her face. Buffy quickly moved to explain, as she reached for the scythe, "There's a place that might have answers about this," she raised the weapon in emphasis before continuing, "I have to check it out as soon as possible, before the First and Caleb get to it."
"You're not planning on going out alone are ya' B?", Faith's voice was tinged with concern.
"I was.", Buffy was touched by Faith's concern over her well being. "You feeling up to a little field trip?"
"You know it. Just let me get outta' this bed and get my boots on, an' we can roll."
Buffy waited as Faith got ready, mentally going over their conversation, smiling as she did. When Faith was ready, the two slayers went downstairs and headed directly for the front door. Buffy opened it and found herself facing Spike.
He looked at the chosen two, surprise evident in his features. "Slayer.", his voice was neutral as he spoke to Buffy.
"Spike.", Buffy too kept her response neutral.
"I see you found the holy grail, or holy hand grenade, whatever that thing is.", he pointed at the weapon as he spoke.
"Right now we're going with scythe."
"I see you're off to somewhere."
"We need info on the scythe. Faith and I are going to check out a lead.", she smiled a little as she mentioned the younger slayer's name. Spike raised an eyebrow at the reaction, but said nothing. Faith witnessed this and spoke up.
"Look vampy, B and I need to get going. Time's a wastin'.", she looked to Buffy for confirmation. Buffy returned the look before turning to Spike.
"We need you to watch the vineyard, let us know if Caleb or the Bringers try anything. We're headed for Restfield cemetery.", Buffy spoke with authority, handing out the order with practiced ease. Spike nodded in confirmation, and headed back out the door. As he was walking away, Buffy called out, "Spike, thanks for the pep talk last night, it really helped."
He spoke without turning around. "No problem slayer, just doing my part.", he waved a hand into the air for emphasis as he walked away, intent on his mission.
The two slayers started off in the opposite direction, linking hands after a moment of walking. Faith didn't want to interrupt the moment, but curiosity got the best of her. "What kind of pep talk B?", her voice containing a hint of jealousy. Buffy smirked at hearing Faith's tone, but quickly answered.
"I'll explain on the way.", she said, her tone reassuring.
Faith patiently listened as Buffy recounted the speech to her.