Title: Leaving You

Author: mythic-lionheart

Rating: PG-13 due to langue and stuff

Pairing: What else? Buffy/Faith...

Summary: I don't want to give it away...Faith notices Buffy acting differently and makes a decision. The two slayers have an argument and things change...but something is about to happen...something that will change everything...

Dedication: well, I think I am going to dedicate this one to the people that feedback me on 'Something New, Something Blue' and to Kim, because she has always supported me and my fic writing, even though some have been bad, lol.

Disclaimer: All characters from Buffy and Angel belong to Joss Whedon. I do not own the people of Buffy or Angel. You know the drill.

Setting/Timeline: just after Season 7 of Buffy and before Angel and Spike head out to see our blonde slayer with the gross Immortal...ewwwwww, lol...you'll get the time/setting once you read it so I won't really go into it.

Feedback: heck yeah! LOL! Hey, I do this for you guys mostly, so I would like your input. Otherwise my writing goes to uber crap! lol. So please review if you would!

Leaving you: Part 4...

Faith stood in the middle of her apartment, looking at the cell phone that was in her hand. After a moment, the dark haired slayer set the phone on a near by stand before sitting down in the arm chair that was next to it.

It had been a week since Faith had been at the old apartment and talked with Buffy. Since that day, the two had gotten together periodically to patrol and/or hang out. They patrolled more then hung out. It wasn't just like everything was forgotten and they were good old buddies again or anything. They hung out a few times at a local café and talked. Nothing too big. Both slayers were simply enjoying their time with each other, and the quite awkwardness seemed to dissipate after a while.

Both slayers were still doing their own respectable jobs and duties as slayers. Neither one would admit it, but both girls were glad to be friends again...or what it seemed they were becoming to be again. Neither slayer ever brought up or talked about The Immortal again, or about the argument they had and the younger slayer leaving. It wasn't forgotten, but not voiced. Neither slayer wanted to ruin what they started to build again.

Faith sighed as she stared out the window, deep in thought. The younger slayer had grown a lot with in the past few years. Even more so in the last month, as oddly as it may seem. The brunette slayer, knew who she was, and took up her duty as a slayer as well as the responsibilities that she now held, helping other slayers and everything. She found some answers in her life to things she had been looking for. She learned to accept herself for who she was and took some pride in it even. She was a fighter and was strong. She knew she was to help and protect others...others that may be just like her...not that it was a total realization, but Faith always felt like something was missing. Well, that many things were missing, but that there was just one big void in herself.

But she felt that if she had a purpose, that that would override everything and nothing else would matter. Accepting herself and who she was, was a big step for Faith...for the brunette used to hate everything about herself. Now that she was over most of that, she was able to accept what and who she was. Allowing herself to find purpose in life and in this world. But not matter how hard she tried, or what she did...she still felt a big hole. A big piece missing. Not to mention the fact that the dark slayer still felt the need to fulfill her redemption. She wanted so badly to make up for all the wrong she had did...and that whole mess was another story...

But...just a few minutes ago... Angel had called her...

Not Giles, not Willow, Not even Buffy...but her...

And he wasn't even going to call Buffy...

Out of any and everyone he could of called and talked to, he called her. And it really meant something to her. She didn't know how he had gotten her cell number, being that no one was aloud to interact with Angel and his gang (something that still puzzled and annoyed the younger slayer), but she didn't care. It was great to talk to him and to even just hear his voice. But the reason why he called still lingered in her mind...

The first thing he said, or rather asked, was how she was. She could tell by the tone of his voice that something was up. But she updated him a little, leaving a few things of unimportance out. She knew that sometimes, Angel wouldn't always jump right into the point of things. And she just was glad to talk to him in the first place.

Angel was on his way to see his son...he was calling her on his way. He said that he just wanted to talk to her to see how she was, to hear her voice, which brought a smile to the brunette slayer's face. He had told her a short version of what has been going on, and how he was going to take on the senior partners. And Faith couldn't help but feel pride for the vampire. She believed in him, she knew, no matter what the others said, that Angel was doing good things.

Now all she wanted to do was yell, "I told you so" But she couldn't...

In a way, Angel was calling to say goodbye...

And that gripped her heart. Out of everyone and anyone Faith had ever known, Angel was the only one who never gave up on her, who was there for her no matter what, who believed in her, who cared when no one else did...

Again, the thought crossed her mind how he had called her and no one else...so no one knew, and the vampire had told her not to say anything of it. He didn't flat out say that but said it in a subtle way that Faith got the message with out actually saying the words. The vampire had also forbidden her to have any rash ideas of jumping on the next plane down to LA to help, or to get and/or alert anyone to help. It was his own battle and it had to be done carefully with out anyone suspecting anything till the last moment. Faith had objected, of course (causing the vampire to tell her not to come in the first place), but Angel had turned her down, saying that what she had going for her now was a good thing, and that she needed to stick to that.

Many thoughts were going through the younger slayer's mind at the moment, as well as bits and pieces of their conversation. Memories of their time together and moments also slowly crept into her mind, mixing with her thoughts. They had talked about a few other things. And the conversation seemed to have lasted forever when it was really only a short time. The vampire had then wished her well, said a few words of encouragement, and said that he would call her again soon...
She could almost hear the small smile in his voice as he said it... But she couldn't get the last thing he said out of her mind:

"Oh, and Faith? I'm proud of you...don't you forget that. I am proud of how far you have come and who you are. You're a strong person and have overcome some great things to get to where you are now. Just always remember that redemption isn't a destination...it's a journey...and I think that you have done great. You'll do many great things, you're never alone."

Faith couldn't help but feel like she had to do something. Angel never once gave up on her. The vampire had done so much for her and helped her to get to where she was now. She felt that she had him to thank for everything. After everything Angel had done for her...she wasn't just going to give up on him...he never did that to her, and he never would. She wasn't just going to let it all pass by.

Faith then felt something...she felt a little different as a feeling slowly rose with in her...it was almost like something inside her was filling up a little bit...

Then she realized...
This was it...

This was what she needed to do. This is what she was meant to do. After all the wrong she had done...maybe helping Angel would make up for some of it...
She couldn't just let it happen, and do nothing. Even though it was against the vampire's wishes...she knew she had to help...

She knew it was his battle and understood his reasons, but she was going to help him anyway. He would never abandon her, and she would never abandon him. He had done so much for her...made her see things differently...and she knew that she had to be there for him, like he was for her...

She felt determination and reason. Faith knew that helping Angel wouldn't make up for all the wrong she had caused in her life, nor would it change how things were now and how the brunette slayer felt, but it was something she had to do. This was what she did, what she was. Something big was going to go down in LA, and people she knew and even cared for (though she would never fully outright admit it) may very well be hurt or even killed...and she couldn't have that, wouldn't have that.

Faith was a slayer. One born in every generation...or well...maybe not just one anymore, but this was her job, her calling.
And even though the vampire didn't ask her, or say it, and even forbid her to come...he needed her. And she wasn't going to stand by while Angel fought with his life... This was something that she owed him, maybe even owed herself in a way...but regardless, this was something she knew she needed to do...

And she knew...deep down inside...that she very well may not come out of it alive...
And there was only one thing...one person...that the brunette slayer could think of, at that moment, that she wanted to see before she left...
But she had to hurry, for time was running out...

TBC...thank you for the reviews everyone. Because some of you wanted me to, I continued it. Sorry it is taking me a while to update, things are hetic here. So bear with me for the moment. Thanks for reading though. I will update again when I can. I had a little bit of trouble writing this part and I am sorry if it kind of stinks. This isn't one of my best fics...

anyway, thank you for sticking with this little fic of mine and as I said, I will try to update again when I can! ;)