Chapter 16

"So, I hear you slept with Spike." Buffy said to Cordelia after school and she looked at Buffy, with a surprised expression on her face.

"Bastard, I can't believe he told you about that." She stated and Buffy shrugged.

"I kinda bugged him about it. I could tell that something happened. It's not a big deal." Cordy raised her eyebrows.

"Not a big deal? It's Spike for crying out loud. He's so repulsive; I don't want anyone to know about that. You haven't said anything to Xander, have you?" Buffy noticed the fear on the other girl's face and shook her head.

"Of course I didn't, it's not my place to say anything. I just wanted to tell you that I know. I swear I won't tell anyone." She said and Cordelia sighed in relief.

"Thanks, that's the last thing I need." Buffy nodded in understanding.

"Don't mention it." She said as Cordelia got what she needed from her locker and after giving Buffy a smile, she walked out of the school. Buffy watched her go, when she heard a voice behind her.

"So, Spike and Cordy? Have to admit I never would have guessed." Buffy turned to see Faith standing there. "I think I just lost all respect for him." Faith said and Buffy let out a sigh.

"She's not so bad. Don't say anything, they're weird about that." Faith nodded as she moved closer to Buffy.

"I won't say anything; I have my own problems to deal with." Buffy was confused at the look she saw on Faith's face and wondered what problems she could be talking about. She was about to say something else, when Tara walked by them and Buffy noticed Faith giving the other girl a look. Tara saw the look and turned away as she kept walking. "I'll talk to you later." Faith said to Buffy as she went after Tara. Buffy wondered what was going on. She wasn't normally a nosy person, but she followed after Faith anyway.

Faith caught up to Tara outside and they seemed to be having a conversation. Buffy couldn't tell what they were saying, but she noticed that Tara had tears in her eyes. Faith then moved closer and kissed Tara on the lips and the other girl kissed her back. Buffy was surprised and had no idea about that. They pulled away from each other after a few seconds and Faith turned to see Buffy there looking at them. "Well, I guess the secret's out." She said and Buffy took a few seconds before she spoke.

"Sorry, I was curious. So, you two are together?" Faith nodded and looked at Tara, who was staring at the ground. She then looked back at Buffy and took a deep breath.

"Yeah, for a few months now." Faith looked at her girlfriend and raised her head up, so she wasn't staring at the ground anymore. "Hey, no need to be shy. We can trust her." She said to Tara and then turned back to Buffy. "No one knows about us." Faith explained. "They probably wouldn't understand. I already get treated like a freak as it is and I won't have Tara go through that. No matter how much we love each other." She said as she wrapped her arms around the other girl and kissed the top of her head. Buffy could tell how much they really cared about each other. She has never seen this side of Faith before.

"You guys shouldn't have to hide your relationship." Buffy told them and Faith nodded.

"We don't plan on it for long. It's not fair to her. She wants to tell people, I was the one that decided against it. I realize that I don't care anymore. I don't care what anyone thinks." Faith explained and Buffy had a smile on her face.

"That's good; you shouldn't care what anyone thinks. I gave up on caring a long time ago." Buffy then looked at Tara, who has remained quiet the whole time. "Have you told Xander about this?" She asked and Tara shook her head.

"He...He doesn't know. I was too scared to tell him." She said finally speaking up.

"Xander's your brother; he'll love you no matter what." Buffy stated and Tara gave her a small smile.

"I know he will. I'm not afraid to tell him anymore." Faith smiled also and put her arm around Tara.

"Yeah, at least I know my family could care less. Dawny already knows and she's cool with it, I tell that kid everything. She practically worships me, so it's all good." Buffy smiled again and wished she could have a little sister to share things with. "Thanks for being so cool about this, Buffy. I know that it would be easier to tell our friends now and if they can't accept it, then they're not good friends to begin with." Buffy nodded and Faith gave her another smile. "I'm really glad that you're with Spike. I think you've been really good for him and I can't tell you how much I'm grateful he's not with that psycho anymore." Buffy laughed.

"Tell me about it. What the hell did he ever see in her?" Buffy still wondered and Faith shrugged.

"Probably a nice rack." Buffy laughed again and then looked at her chest, which she never thought was that big.

"Yeah, well at least I don't have that." Faith looked Buffy up and down and let another smile form on her face.

"I don't know, B. It's pretty nice from where I'm standing." Buffy blushed at Faith's comment and Tara playfully smacked her on the arm. Faith held up her hands in surrender like Spike did earlier. They were more alike than they thought. "I'm just saying. You know I only wanna look at you, baby." Faith stated as she gave Tara a kiss on the lips and Tara smiled when she pulled away.

"I would hope so." She replied and Buffy had to smile at how cute they were together. They started kissing again and Buffy took that as her cue to leave. She decided to give the couple some privacy as she went back into the school to meet up with Spike.