Well, this is it guys, last chapter! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing this, I never would've finished this if it hadn't been for you! And I'm horribly sorry for waiting so long to update, I thought I'd posted this weeks ago!

Part 10

Faith ran a hand through her dark hair and heaved a sigh. Glancing around once again she groaned and walked back out of the lunch room into the hallway. She hadn't been able to find Ren anywhere; they didn't have any classes together today until after lunch and due to an unlucky OJ accident this morning during breakfast Faith had missed homeroom. To her luck she actually ran into Ren's little blonde friend, the one that Faith couldn't stand at all. But it was worth talking to her to find the other brunette.

"Hey uh…Ruby, right? Do you know where Ren is?" the tall brunette asked, looking at the girl standing a couple of inches shorter than her.

The girl gave her an incredulous look and then answered in her awful NY accent, "Yeah well, how am I supposed to know? Go check in the library or something!"

Faith raised an eyebrow and watched as the girl walked away, shaking her head. Sighing again, the brunette decided it couldn't hurt to at least check the library and she walked out the hallway and into the library building. There was a spot she knew Ren liked better than the others cause it was sort of out of reach and a lot quieter than the other places in the building. Walking around the various shelves of books she finally spotted her friend and walked up to the table in the back of the building, sitting down in a chair across from Ren.

"Hey," she smiled softly, looking at the brunette girl expectantly who was intently staring down at the schoolbook on the table.

"I take it Ruby spilled?" Ren asked, never looking up and her voice really held nothing of what she was feeling. She felt betrayed, hurt and disappointed, but she wasn't going to let Faith know that.

"Uh, yeah…more or less," Faith mumbled, still looking at her friend and wondering why the girl wasn't even looking up to meet her gaze. Ren had always been someone to make eye contact when they were having conversations, something that the older brunette enjoyed to no end. She couldn't help but love the other girl's eyes, the way they seemed to speak volumes even when Ren herself was reluctant to.

"What's wrong?" she finally asked, trying to get the other girl to look up, with no success.

"Nothing…just trying to catch up on Lit," Ren mumbled, turning a page and brushing some hair behind her ear, then after a short pause and without looking up she continued, "So…how's the 'being grounded' thing going? Must suck not to be able to go out, huh?"

Faith narrowed her eyes, cocked her head and looked at her friend in confusion, "Huh?" She wasn't stupid, she could tell sarcasm apart from curiosity.

And finally Ren looked up, staring right into the older brunette's brown eyes and sighed, "I saw you and Buffy together last night, while I was out with Ruby. I mean, if you didn't want to go out with me you could've just said so…you didn't have to make up a lie about being grounded."

Her mouth almost dropped open and the words were stuck in her throat. Ren actually believed she'd lied about being grounded? Faith shook her head and tried to find her brain somewhere in the jumbled mess of confused mind that was currently located in her head. She saw the younger girl look back down at her book, an almost inaudible scoff coming from her lips and Faith leaned forward, tipping Ren's chin up with her fingers.

"Hey…I would never lie to you. True, Buffy and I went out to dinner, but only 'cause mom went away overnight and didn't want us to starve. We only went out to dinner and headed right back home…trust me. Don't you think that if I hadn't been on house arrest I would've come by to nag you?"

The last statement brought a small smile to Ren's lips and Faith smiled at her, standing up and walking around the table to stand behind the younger girl. She wanted to make sure the girl couldn't just ignore her or run away when she made her request and she also didn't want the girl to think she was just being polite or something by asking. Faith leaned down, wrapping her arms around Ren's shoulders from behind and leaned her face so close that she could feel the other girl's nervousness.

"And I've got to ask you to do something for me…," Faith whispered into the brunette's ear, making her shiver slightly.

"Y…yeah?" Ren breathed out, cursing herself for not even getting her voice to function right. No matter how pissed or hurt she'd been, one smile and touch from Faith and she was butter that had met California sun.

"Well…my mom…she really wants to meet you, so she'll feel a lot better about me hanging out with you. So she asked me if you wanted to come over to dinner, tomorrow night?" Faith asked softly, hoping that Ren wasn't as terrified as she knew she would be in that position. A few seconds passed, silence surrounding them, and Faith tightened her hold on the girl, hoping to convince her eventually.

But then the younger brunette nodded slowly, mumbling a soft 'yeah' and Faith couldn't help but grin. She pressed her lips quickly against Ren's cheek and stood up, smiling at the brunette. Faith held out her hand, waiting for the other girl to take it so she could finally go eat.

"Come on, I'm starved! Not everyone can be satisfied by little words, like you."

Ren shook her head with a smile and took the girl's hand, following her wherever Faith would lead her. 'Cause she really couldn't have cared less about where they were going, as long as who she was going with would still be there.

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She smiled at the woman and tried not to let her discomfort show through. They were only half way through dinner and Ren felt like a Nazi War General at the Nuremberg Trials. As soon as she had set foot into Faith's house Buffy had acted just between the borders of hostile and scrutinizing. The blonde's eyes had been on her ever since they had sat down for dinner and the brunette girl felt that the way she held her fork would probably be noted in Buffy's mind to later bring up against her.

Ms. Summer's on the other hand was extremely nice, but the woman's constant asking questions about Ren's life made her fear of saying something wrong. Sure, her life usually seemed to the like of any parent she'd ever encountered, but this was different. This was Faith seeking approval from her mom of her friend and Ren didn't want the other girl to be scrutinized because of something she'd said. So far, however, the older woman had been nothing but delighted about anything Ren had told her and the brunette girl wasn't really afraid of messing up with Faith's mom anymore.

It just seemed that the woman was completely oblivious to Buffy, who was glaring daggers at Ren and to Faith who was so nervous she wasn't actually eating but pushing the food around on her plate. Holding back a sigh, the younger brunette was more than relieved when Ms. Summers stood up and picked up the plates. Ren wanted nothing more than to escape Buffy's harsh stare and got up as well, offering to help the woman.

"Oh no, you sit down. Buffy can help me with the dishes. Faith, you two can go if you want," Joyce smiled, ignoring a grumbling Buffy as the two brunettes stood up and went to Faith's room.

Buffy couldn't help but be completely pissed at her mom. Not only was she stuck doing dishes when it wasn't really her turn, but she also couldn't keep an eye on Faith and Ren. There was no way she was going to lose Faith.

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"Man, I thought we were never gonna get out of there," the girl exhaled and let herself fall down onto her bed.

"It wasn't THAT bad," the other girl replied, shrugging and tentatively sat down on the edge of the bed. Sure, it wasn't exactly the whole truth, it hadn't been bad, it had been one of the most nerve-wracking experiences in her life, but she wasn't going to share that.

"Come on, you can't tell me you didn't feel like a college applicant with my mom being the admission coordinator…not to mention Buffy, who should've won the Oscar for Best Ability to Look Completely Miserable," Faith turned onto her stomach and looked at her friend intently. She was more than glad to have dinner be over with, to finally get a chance to talk to Ren in private. The past week hadn't exactly been fun, being stuck inside the house with nothing to do. Sure, Buffy had been there most of the time, intent on making them spend quality time together, but Faith couldn't help feeling relieved that she wasn't grounded anymore.

"Uh…maybe. But still…," Ren trailed off, not knowing what she really meant to say. There was something she'd been thinking ever since Ruby and she had seen Buffy and Faith together at the restaurant. Something her mind had been telling her ever since and it had made her think.

"But still what?" the older girl asked, sitting up next to her friend and looking into the other girl's eyes questioningly.

Shaking her head, Ren brushed some strands of hair out of her eyes and sighed. Could she help that no matter how much she told herself that she had a chance with Faith, that her insecurities still kept telling her otherwise? She just wasn't used to this emotional mumbo-jumbo, playing mind games to win over someone's heart and such things. Not to mention that Ren really didn't want to play games with Faith, or anyone else for that matter. If the brunette wanted to be with here it'd have to be on her own free will, knowing all the consequences, all the facts, and most importantly, everything she would lose.

"Faith, I…," she started, closing her eyes for a second and taking a deep breath, "I think you should know something."

Nodding, the older girl moved closer, urging her on, but Ren wasn't so sure she wanted to do this. It hurt to think about it, it hurt to think about Buffy and Faith together. She'd never experienced much in the department of jealousy, but it had developed full-blown once she'd fallen for Faith. As much as it hurt, though, she didn't want to make her friend feel unhappy by possibly forcing her into anything.

"It's just that…ever since I saw you and Buffy together, at the restaurant…I've been thinking," she held up her hand, stopping Faith from saying anything and continued, "I mean, you two looked good together. You seemed so…happy. And thinking back, the times I saw you two together before I really knew you…every fool could see you were madly in love with her, Faith. I've never loved anyone like that, but…I'm pretty sure something like that doesn't fade from one moment to the other. I can tell she makes you happy, she makes you complete…Faith don't give happiness up to please me. Don't give that up to follow a whim that you might have. Don't lose something great just to be with me."

She looked away, not daring to even take a breath in fear of having the tears she could feel in the back of her throat spill over. Sure, everything she'd said had been the truth, but it didn't mean she wasn't hurting. But she also knew it was the right thing to do, to let Faith know what she would possibly lose if she decided to be with her. Not to mention that ancient saying "If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you it's yours. If it doesn't, it never was", that her mom had somehow mentioned to her this morning.

Feeling a hand on her shoulder she reluctantly turned her head, looking at Faith with tears in her eyes. Soft fingers brushed away the tears, reminding Ren of the scene in her bedroom after the party, and then two strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. She moved so she was facing the older girl, wrapping her own arms around Faith's waist and rested her head on the girl's shoulder. The taller girl didn't speak, didn't know if there were any words to say after this…anything she should know about but didn't. So instead she wrapped her arms around Ren tighter and leaned back, letting them both fall onto the bed.

Faith could only sigh at the prospect of having to choose one of the two girls. She wasn't even sure if she could, she didn't know if she liked one more than the other. Sure, she did still have feelings for Buffy, that was undeniable, but there were also things she disliked very much about the blonde. And she also liked Ren, a lot. It was a new kind of feeling, nothing like she'd had with Buffy, and if Faith had to put a word on it she'd have to say it was innocent. The same history didn't exist between them that did between her and Buffy. Although Faith knew she might be able to forgive Buffy for cheating, she knew she'd never be able to forget and that made all the difference. Each of them would always fear something from the other, maybe a repeat performance, maybe not receiving that forgiveness…their love would be tainted.

Sighing, the brunette girl closed her eyes, never loosening her hold on the other girl. Why did love have to be so complicated? How was it possible for someone to love two people at once? Faith couldn't help but feel totally and utterly confused about the situation. Deciding that maybe she should go talk to Buffy later, Faith let all thoughts about the messed up circumstances slip from her mind and concentrated entirely on the girl in her arms.

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She cautiously set foot inside the dimly lit room, stepping around a pile of dirty laundry and stopped in the middle of the room to look at the girl lying on the bed. The blonde was lying on her stomach, clad in pastel colored pajamas, studying a fashion magazine. Upon hearing Faith enter her room she turned her head, moving her lips to what could've either been interpreted as a smile or a scowl. Sighing, the brunette walked up to the bed and looked down at her ex-girlfriend with an almost pleading look. She didn't want hostility, she just wanted some questions answered.

"Is she gone?" Buffy asked, her tone holding no interest at all and she turned her attention back to the magazine in front of her.

"Buffy…," Faith sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed, her back resting against the blonde's hip accidentally.

Closing her magazine with a sigh herself, Buffy craned her neck to look at the brunette. She moved closer just an inch, but it was definitely enough to make Faith's back press into her body comfortably. She wanted that body back, wanted it to be hers…but Buffy also knew that little slut had touched that body and she wanted nothing more than to scorch those touches from Faith's body with the heat of passion.

"Yes Faith?" she asked, trying to get the desire under control and not pounce on the girl right away.

"I just want to ask you something," the brunette mumbled, looking down at her hands that were entwined in her lap.

"Well, if it's got anything to do with who you should choose…don't bother. You know what I think of that girl…I just don't think you would be happy with her, Faith. Come on," Buffy scoffed, sitting up next to the brunette, "she's nowhere near your type. I know what you want babe…and it's not pure goodness. She doesn't look like the type that'd put out anytime soon, how ya gonna survive that Faith?"

When the brunette didn't respond, Buffy figured she'd had her hooked and moved in front of Faith, sitting on her lap with her legs on either side of Faith. Wrapping her arms around the younger girl's neck, she smiled. But it wasn't a smile of happiness or love, it was purely seductive and Faith knew that. Yet she didn't move or say anything, somehow feeling too confused and scared to do anything but sit and stare.

"Faith honey…you know we were made for each other. Don't tell me you've forgotten how I make you feel, how we feel with each other. This is perfection Faith…there's nothing that girl could ever have on me, nothing she could offer you that I haven't already given you."

Scoffing the brunette leaned away from Buffy as the blonde tried to kiss her, stopping the girl by pushing her farther away, "Buffy…I can't do this now. I told you I need time to think about things, time to choose. And I think you've made your point."

Faith stood up, slowly which surprised Buffy as she was put down gently and the brunette walked towards the door. The blonde bit her lip, hoping she hadn't actually made things worse for herself by what she had just done.

"What'd you wanna ask me?" she asked softly, watching intently as Faith turning around and smiled painfully.

"Doesn't matter now. 'Night Buffy."

And with that Faith left the room, leaving a worried and kind of pissed blonde behind.

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Music was playing softly in the background, and for once it was one of her mind-numbing Rock albums, but some R&B stuff Ren had told her to listen to. It was definitely nice for soul-searching and thinking about emotional turmoil. But that didn't mean Faith wouldn't have appreciated some loud music that sent the picture frames on her dresser falling over.

Sighing she brought her arms under her head, staring up at the ceiling as if it held the answers to all her problems. As if anyone could actually help her with this mess she was in. Two wonderful women that both loved her and that she loved back…and she couldn't decide which one she wanted to be with. She knew that between her and Buffy there were many things wrong, but their love would never, ever die. There at least always be a little bit left, but that didn't mean they couldn't be really good friends. People love their friends, there was nothing wrong with that. Faith wasn't sure that if she chose Buffy she could ever feel completely okay again around the blonde. The thing with Donnie had hurt her, more than anything had ever hurt her before. Buffy had broken promises, had lied to her…she had broken Faith's trust and that was something to hurt any relationship, no matter how great the love. There was a history with them that might just come back to haunt them any time someone screwed up. Love shouldn't be about getting even, it should be about the other person.

Which brought her to Ren. She didn't have a history with the other girl. They'd become good friends and out of that more had developed. Something that had been missing with Buffy; with Buffy they'd acted like puppies in heat from the first date on. And someone had once told her that every relationship should develop out of a good friendship…

something Faith had come to appreciate more and more. Not to mention that Ren was fun and smart, she'd even gotten Faith to do her homework and actually enjoy school. Buffy had never once helped her with homework or encouraged her to get good grades; she'd just declared Faith a 'bad girl' and that was all she seemed to expect from her. Though what Buffy had said was probably true, Ren didn't act like a horny teenager on Viagra, but it wasn't like she was a chaste nun or something. And to her own surprise Faith found the thought of working up to that next step in a relationship endearing, it would just make it all the more special. And then there was that part where Ren actually liked all those things about her that Buffy despised. Like the way Faith would know all the words to songs and sing along to them, something Buffy had told her numerous times was annoying as hell, but that Ren found terribly cute.

Faith closed her eyes, imagining what it'd be like with either one of the two girls; to be with them, to love and be loved back. She was hoping for an epiphany, continuously going over the facts in her head. There was no way this could go on any longer, she had to make a decision, had to choose and make the right decision in the process. Sighing again Faith thought about all her arguments once again, there had to be an answer somewhere.

And when Faith finally fell asleep, after a long time of thinking about it, the answer became perfectly clear in her head.

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Nervously she fidgeted in front of the door and took a deep breath. She knew that if she didn't do this now she'd probably chicken out later. As soon as she'd woken up, the answer still making perfect sense in her mind, she'd decided to go tell her that she wanted to be with her. As simple as that, just her stomach wasn't thinking so, making her feel more nauseous than ever before. She'd managed to at least get dressed and brush her teeth before making her move, she'd been way too anxious to eat breakfast or anything else. Not to mention that she was horrible afraid she'd throw up anything she'd eat while in the middle of telling the girl she loved her.

She raised her fist, slowly knocking on the wood of the door and took a deep breath that was meant to calm her. It was kind of early, early for her anyway, but she just couldn't wait with this any longer. A muffled 'come in' snapped her out of her thoughts and Faith opened the door, taking another deep breath as she stepped into the room. Shutting the door behind her she looked up into a set of beautiful eyes and smiled.

Faith walked over to the girl who was looking at her questioningly, stopping any questions by trailing her index finger gently across soft lips and finally took the girl's hand in hers. She smiled again, trying to gather the courage to say what was on her mind.

"I…I…I want to be with you…if…if you want that…," she looked into those deep eyes, hoping that after all she'd gone through she wouldn't be rejected now. During this whole dilemma about choosing she'd made some stupid moves of her own and she hoped they wouldn't impact the outcome of this now.

"Y…yeah…I'd love that, Faith," the girl whispered back, staring into Faith's brown eyes, totally awed at what was going on. She couldn't say she hadn't dreamt of this moment, hadn't wished it to come true. "But…wha…what about…," she started, knowing that it was probably a bad move to bring it up, but she just wanted to be sure she was the one.

"Shh…there's only you," Faith whispered back, her hands moving to cup the girl's face and she smiled softly before leaning in, pressing her lips gently against the other girl's. She opened her eyes and looked back into those eyes, brushing some hair out of her lover's face and said the four words the girl had been wanting to hear for the longest time, "I love you, Ren."

The girl smiled, a laugh escaping her lips as she wrapped her arms around the taller girl's waist, pulling her as close as possible and whispered back, "I love you too, Faith."

And smiling back was all Faith could do not to burst into tears of happiness or something else showing some sign of weakness, so instead she wrapped her arms around the other girl tightly, hoping to never have to let go.

The End