Warning: Character death in this chapter. Sorry, might upset some people but with the way Angel ended I saw no way around it. Thanks for the review! Much appreciated ;)

They're all dead. I still don't know why they didn't ask us for help. If they explained what was going on we would have been there. The power of the Corp could have helped but Angel kept to himself more now than he ever did.

I'm in LA now. Trying to keep my head clear while we finish with all the legal work. They defeated the partners but it cost them their lives. Angel, Spike, Gunn and Wesley are all dead. The only one who survived was some goddess or something that took over Fred's body. I'm still not sure about her but she seems alright. I guess she bonded with them or something. She was the last one standing when the sun rose that morning and she's the one who told us the tale.

Now I have to deal with the lawyers as they turn over Angel's operation to me. He left me all of it. Big shock there since we haven't even spoken in a year. So now I'm refitting the organization here into a headquarter for the BSC. Seemed like the only thing I could do with it, and I know Angel wouldn't mind. As long as its for the common good he'll be happy with whatever we do.

Its strange, him being gone. It feels permanent and real this time. When I killed him, all those years ago, I couldn't believe it at first. I just had this feeling it was all a bad dream and I'd wake up from it. Which sort of happened when Angel came back. But this time is for good.

That goddess woman told us how it happened. Angel struck the last killing blow and the demon fell dead. He collapsed and a brilliant light shot out from the sky, surrounding Angel. He gasped for air and quickly collapsed onto the street. She rushed over and he was trembling and bleeding all over. That's when she noticed the heartbeat.

"I'm alive!" He gasped out, a little blood trickling out the corner of his mouth.

"Stay still," she had ordered, but Angel wasn't about to listen. He got up and started hobbling down the street until he reached the ocean. He only made it that far because she eventually carried him. She sat him down on the sand and he watched the sun rise. She stood a few feet behind him, figuring he'd want to be alone. As the sun rose higher she heard him call to her and she sat next to him. She said he looked like a child, the smile lighting his face more than the sun. Then he closed his eyes and laid back. He never got back up.

The injuries he got in battle were too fatal for a human to live through. Seems he got his humanity before the vampire blood healed him. At least he got to see the sunrise and feel his heart beat before he died. I know he's at peace now.

We didn't hold a memorial or anything for them. We all were busy and they wouldn't have wanted all of us crying over them. So we mourned in our own way.

Willow meditated, using her mind to reach out and share her goodbyes with them. Dawn cried for days. I can't say I blame her. It's what I wanted to do, but I had to be strong. Even Xander was mopey for a while. Kennedy took it better than any of us. She never really got to know them so she kind of took charge for a few days while we sorted out our feelings.

About a week after we all arrived in LA I was sitting in Angel's office, going over some files. The phone rang and I answered it. There was silence on the other end and I waited for a beat before I went to hang it up. Just as I was about to put it on the cradle I heard a voice, "B?"

Thank God for slayer hearing. I put the phone back to my ear. "Faith?" "Whatcha doing answering Angel's phone?" She suddenly sounded worried. I had no idea she kept it touch with Angel.

I realized she didn't know what had happened. None of us thought to call her, since she really didn't let us know where she was anyway. "Um, I have some bad news."

I could hear her suck in a breath and she stayed quiet as I continued. "He took on the partners. He won too. Got his humanity back and everything. But it was too late, he was badly injured and died later that morning."

There was silence on the other line. I didn't know what else to say. I didn't know how close she was with Angel or how she'd take it. That's when I heard a sniffle. Barely there and I could tell she was trying to hide it, then it happened again. "Faith? You okay?"

"Yeah B." I could almost see her wiping her eyes. "Just wasn't expecting that. What about the others?"

"Dead. Well, except this goddess in Fred's body." I didn't know if she knew about that or not.

Apparently she did. "Yeah, watch out for her. She's wicked strong."

"I will." She must have visited them. I was jealous, even though it was pointless now.

Silence again. I heard her clear her throat and take a deep breath. "Well, thanks for filling me in. I'll let you go."

"You don't have to," I said too quickly. "I mean, you wanna talk about it?"

"Nah. I got things to do anyway. I was just checking in right quick."

She checks in with Angel. That means they kept in touch frequently. "Oh."

She doesn't bother to explain and I have no right to question her about it, not really. It's not the right time to bug her anyway. "Be careful Faith."

"Always am B." And then she's gone. I slowly hang up the phone, lost in my own thoughts.

I try to get back to work but its hopeless. I can't stop thinking about Faith. Why did she keep in touch with Angel and not me? I know they became friends but she never seemed to be the type to handle long distance friendships. She had enough trouble when she was there day to day.

I start digging through Angel's desk but can't find what I'm looking for. I boot up his computer and run a quick search. There it is, his address book. I look through it and find her name. She's living in Boston. The number he has matches the one on the caller ID so I know the address should be current too. Boston surprises me. I know that's where she's from but she never seemed to want to go back. She always gave me the impression that it was all bad memories. I jot the address and phone number down and get back to work, deciding to let it lie for now.

A few weeks go by and things are running smoothly in LA now. Willow and Xander came to town last week and its fun having the group together again. Kennedy stayed in London, having some classes to teach at the Corp. Claire stayed behind, being in said classes. So it was just the three of us, and Dawn. Can't forget her, she'd kill me.

We're all sitting around the living room, watching a movie. Urban Legend again. I don't know why Dawn is always picking scary movies. You'd think she gets enough fright out of her own life. I'm not really watching anyway. I'm thinking about Faith. I'm thinking about going to see her and I'm not sure if that's a smart idea. I feel someone swat my leg and I look at the floor, seeing Dawn staring up at me.

"Whatcha thinking Buffy? The movie has been over for 5 minutes and you're still staring at the blank screen."

I rub my eyes and notice she's right. The screen is back to that odd blue it turns when the dvd player switches to standby mode. Willow and Xander are both looking at me too. "I was thinking about a vacation."

"Oh! Great, where we going?" Dawn looks so excited.

"Maybe out to the East Coast, see a few of the sights. Go someplace new." I answer, trying sound casual.

"New York is pretty this time of year. And you can go see the big tree and all the lights and go ice skating in Central Park." Xander chimes in.

Willow thinks for a minute. "Or, you could go up to Maine, hit the slopes, enjoy the fresh air. Getting out of the city has its advantages too Xander."

I watch Willow and Xander argue the merits of a mountain retreat and the big city. Dawn keeps her eyes focused on me, a little smile creeping over her face. Dammit, I'm busted. "How about Boston?"

"Nah, Boston isn't all its cracked up to be. Mostly just colonial monuments. Great if you're into history but I'm sure Buffy wants to cut loose for a while," Xander replies.

Willow looks like she's been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "What Willow?" I ask, wondering why she's looking guilty.

"Well…" she begins but Dawn cuts her off.

"Faith's in Boston."

Willow looks at Dawn surprised and that's when I realize why Willow looked guilty. She knew Faith was staying in Boston. "You knew?"

Willow nods slowly. "I'm sorry. She made me swear not to tell you."

"You talked to her?" I asked, my voice growing a little angry. She knew I was worried about Faith and she let me believe she didn't know where she was. I'd tried to track her down in New York but it turns out they were just visiting friends for the night before moving on. After that I had no leads and couldn't track her down.

"She talks to Kennedy. They're friends you know." Willow immediately realizes she shouldn't have put it like that. Faith and I are supposed to be friends but I don't get updates as to where she's staying.

"So Boston then?" Dawn continues.

Buffy shrugs her shoulders, letting it be like Dawn's decision. "If that's where you want to go Dawn, we'll go to Boston."

Xander just watches us confused. That boy is as slow as always. Willow pats his arm and leans over, "I'll explain it to you later sweetie." He nods and just like that the topic is settled.

Two days later the four of us board Angel's private jet, or should I say my private jet. That has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? I didn't invite Willow and Xander, they just invited themselves. The flight went smooth, I slept most of the way. I don't really like flying all that much. I prefer to keep my feet firmly on the ground.

We're staying at the Ritz. We've got a penthouse suite with a bedroom for each of us. Another perk from Angel. Turns out Wolfram and Heart own numerous businesses around the world, including this hotel. Now we own it, so we get to live in style.

We arrived in time for dinner, which we had downstairs in the hotel restaurant. Dawn starts flirting with the waiter and soon has a date for the evening. Xander and Willow had already decided to go see a movie so that left me. Alone on my first night of vacation. I'm finding the fun aren't I.

I sit in my room and flip through the channels, nothing good coming on. I fiddle with the piece of paper in my hand. it's the one with Faith's address on it. I've come this far, now I just have to go over. Shouldn't be too hard. Just tell her I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by to catch up. She'll buy that, right?

Wrong. So I decide to go out and try to have some fun. I take a shower, fixing my hair with a little gel and the curling iron so its wavy, falling off my shoulders. I put on a tight red halter top and a pair of leather pants. I grab my jacket and take the elevator down to the lobby. I hail a cab and tell him to take me to the hottest club in town.

Fifteen minutes later he pulls up to the curb and I pay him, getting out. He's dropped me off around the corner from the entrance, because that's where the line of people start. This place really is popular. I walk over and stand in line. We actually move along fairly quickly and within half an hour I'm almost at the door. That's when I see the sign. The Bronze.

What the fuck? I'm on the other side of the country and the hottest place to be is the Bronze? The bouncer lets me in and I check my jacket near the door. I walk in and its like I remember, except bigger. The music is a little darker too, but the beat is good. The place is packed and I have to squeeze my way to the bar. I order a drink and look around. There are several pool tables in one corner, a large dance floor in front of a stage, where a band is setting up. The rest of the bar is a mix of tables and couches. It's a very comfortable atmosphere.

I turn to order another drink and some soft music picks up, immediately followed by a familiar tingle along my spine. I pay and take a sip, wondering what's up when a voice fills the air.

Sometimes I think I'm scared

Sometimes I know

I feel like making love

Sometimes I don't

I recognize the song immediately. It's the one on that mix cd of Faith's. I look up at the stage and there she is, her hands wrapped around the mic as she sings. I had no idea that I was listening to her singing when I was dancing that night. As I feel myself sway to the music I realize I shouldn't be surprised. I've always felt connected to her, its only natural to feel connected to her music.

Her eyes are closed, I'm not sure why. She has to feel me around and maybe she isn't ready to see me. I take my beer to the dance floor and mix in with the crowd of couples. I turn my back to her and just enjoy her singing, letting my body free to dance as it wants.

That's how the first half hour goes. I'm lost in my own little world dancing in the middle of the crowd. She's up on stage singing her heart out. I try not to watch her too much, which is hard. She's got one hell of a presence about her, especially when she's singing. I don't know if she seeks me out in the crowd. Our eyes never meet but she does relax as her set picks up.

Then it's all gone. A hip hop song blares over the speakers as the band starts to leave the stage. I look around but she's no where to be seen. I sigh and go back to the bar, ready to pay my tab and leave. That's when I notice her, leaning against the corner of the bar, ordering a drink. I walk around to the other side and start to close my tab. Last time I left it up to her to talk to me and it worked, couldn't hurt to do it again.

As I'm signing the slip and getting my card back she turns and heads deeper into the club. She didn't even glance my way. I follow her with my eyes and she joins her band members at a couple couches in back. She sits with them and immediately joins in the conversation. I sigh and head towards the door, retrieving my jacket from the coat check girl. So much for the element of surprise. Now she knows I'm in town and I'm not sure what I should do. This all suddenly seems like a very bad idea. I slip my coat over my shoulders and head out the door. I walk over to a waiting cab and open the door.

"Leaving already?" I turn and there she is, looking all kinds of good. "You didn't even tell me how amazing I was!"

She's pouting a little and I can't help but smile. I close the door and walk onto the sidewalk, a few steps in front of her. "You were great Faith. I had no idea you could do that."

"There's lotsa things I can do that you have no idea of…" she wiggles her eyebrows and I'm stunned into silence. This is the old Faith I'm dealing with, the flirty, cocky, walking-sex girl that I met in high school. "Damn B, you're still so easy to shock."

I realize I never made with the comeback and shrug my shoulders. "Some things never change."

"So why you making it an early night? Or do you have plans?" She looks at her watch. "It's only 1 o'clock. Surely you aren't tired yet."

"Nope, not tired. Just didn't realize you would be here." I say, wanting to let her know I was trying to give her the space she seemed to want. I don't think it came out that way.

She nodded slowly and took a step back, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. "Ain't no thing B. But if you aren't looking for me, don't show up at my house."

I look at her oddly then my gaze falls to the building. I recognize the address immediately, her address. The one written down in my pocket. "You live at a club?"

"I own a club," she says, correcting me. "I live upstairs."

So this was the business she started. "You named your club the Bronze?"

She smiles a little and bounces to keep warm, taking a drag from her cigarette. "Well, I had some really good times there. Didn't like to think of it being gone ya know?"

I nodded, kinda glad the Bronze was back too. I nod towards the door. "You seem to be doing fairly well. Congratulations."

"Thanks! I couldn't have done it without Zach though."

At the mention of his name I inwardly cringe. I reach into my own back pocket and pull out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one. She gives me a look and I shrug. "For about a year or so I have to smoke if I'm drinking." It started after that night. I think all the alcohol or something just sparks the memory and makes me crave them. "So how are you two?"

She gives me a little look, waiting for me to clarify I guess. "You and Zach?"

"Oh!" She thinks about it a minute. "He's good. Down in North Carolina opening up another club."

"Wow," I look at her, "I'm impressed. You're turning into a little entrepreneur."

She shakes her head. "No, B. He's backing someone else this time. It's his thing, he's a silent partner in about 10 successful clubs around the country."

She's doing pretty well for herself I guess, dating a guy that successful. I put my cigarette out and move back towards the curb. "I should get going, the others are probably wondering where I am."

"Who else is here?"

She seems surprised I'm not alone. And a little nervous? Or am I reading into the fidgeting? "Wills, Xander and Dawn. We're on a little vacation."

"You guys should come by tomorrow night. I'll set up the VIP table for you." She's smiling at me and there isn't anything else I'd rather see right now.

"That sounds nice." And it does. She's inviting us back. What could be better? She gives me a little wave and walks back into the club. I stand there a second smiling after she leaves, then I climb into the cab and go home.

I can hardly sleep after I crawl into bed, which is why I'm writing to you again. I can't wait until tomorrow night. I'm hoping Faith and I can come to some understanding and get our friendship back on track. I'll let you know how it turns out.