I'd like to thank all of my faithful reviewers. You guys are fucking awsome! I love you all!

Attention, side-effects of reading this chapter may include: nausea, migranes, blurred vision, severe depression, vomiting, a deep desire to commit suicide and/or kill the author. Discontinue use if any of the following symptoms occur while reading: boredom, and/or lack of interest. Discard if any of the following things make an appearance in the story: inacuarate information, people in the story are out of character, misuse of the word "fuck". (I gotta stop writting these stupid things. I bet no one even reads them...apart from masterranger3, who happens to read everything that I post, 'cause she's just awsome like that.)

Chapter 8: Crumbling at theTop of the World

Faith had taken Buffy out to lunch. Most of the time was spent talking...or to be exact, Buffy was talking most of the time. Faith seemed preoccupied by her thoughts, so the blonde told her all about her life. She recounted her parent's divorce, her father's negligence, her sister's annoyance, and their recent money troubles. The brunette listened carefully, but it was evident that there was something bothering her, her eyes kept darting towards the door.

"Faith, do you want to leave? 'cause it's okay with me, I could walk home, it's not too far." The brunette quickly shook her head.

"No...actually yes, but I want you to come with me." Faith said as she dug some money out of her pocket and placed it on the table.

"Where are we going?" The blonde asked with a slight flush to her cheeks.

"You'll see when we get there." The leather clad girl pulled Buffy from her chair and out of the restaurant.

Later that day...

The motorcycle roared as it sped through a dirt road. They were surrounded by trees, but a clearing could be seen at the end of the trail. Faith slowed the bike as they approached the clearing, then they came to a halt. Unmounting the motorcycle the brunette removed her helmet and offered the blonde a hand. Taking the offered hand, Buffy climbed off the bike and removed her own helmet. They were at a tall cliff overlooking the town. The blonde gasped at the sight.

"This is beautiful. It feels like we're at the top of the world." She said in awe.

"How did you know about this place?" She turned her head to face the brunette with wide eyes.

"I noticed the trail when we were coming into town, so I came here while I was out for a drive." Faith shrugged and walked closer to the edge where she sat on a large rock. Buffy followed and sat next to her.

"This place is amazing." The blonde said as she looked up at the sky. The sun was starting to set and the whole town was bathed in an orange glow. The street lights were starting to come on, and cars lined the streets, surely going home from work. The brunette sighed heavily, her eyes glazed over, not really paying any attention to the marvelous sight before her.

"Faith, what's wrong? You've been acting really strange today." The blonde placed a cocerned hand on her shoulder. The brunette turned to face her.

"Do you remember what I told you in the locker room? You know...about the girl." Buffy nodded.

"Well, today would have been our anniversary." The blonde was slightly shocked, but quickly recovered.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Sympathy showing through her eyes.

"Don't be, that doesn't really bother me. What bothers me is that exactly on this day a year ago I almost killed someone. I was so blinded by my anger towards this guy that I almost killed him." Buffy took the brunette's hand in hers and tried to soothe her.

"You did what you thought was right."

"His face plagues my dreams. Every night I wake up, sweatting, his bloody and battered face etched on my mind...the blood on my hands...I see it everyday..." Faith brought her hands up, her eyes staring at them in disgust. She stood from the rock and took a couple of steps towards the edge.

"I can't take it anymore, this lie I'm living... it's exhausting. Pretending that I'm okay, that what I did was okay, doing it alone...I just want it all to end." She was now standing at the brink of the cliff. Seeing that the disturbed girl was about to jump, Buffy ran over to her and pulled her away.

"What are you doing!"

The brunette collapsed to the ground, a single tear making it's way down her face. The blonde immediately kneeled and wrapped her arms around the grieving girl.

"Faith, it'll be okay. Everything will be fine. You're not alone, not anymore, I'm here for you." The brunette wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me." She said as she attempted to stand up. The blonde held her arm and held her so she stayed on the ground.

"Are you okay?" She asked concerned.

"Yes." Faith pulled her hand away from the blonde and stood up. She squared her shoulders and her eyes hardened.

"I meant what I said, Faith. I'm here for you." The brunette looked down into Buffy's concerned eyes and her facade soon faded.

"You promise?" She asked, her voice so soft that it was barely above a whisper. The blonde stood up and hugged her.

"I promise." They stood like that for a long time. The sun had already dissapeared beyond the horizon, but they continued their embrace. The brunette pulled her face back a bit and stared into Buffy's eyes. Faith brought her lips down to meet the smaller girl's. Buffy was shocked at first but soon returned the soft kiss. Reassured by this, the brunette swept her tounge accross Buffy's bottom lip. The blonde girl opened her mouth, and Faith didn't hesitate to bring their tounge's into a duel. When lack of oxygen was becoming an issue their lips separated. Their chests heaved as they panted for air.

Buffy slowly opened her eyes, a smile splayed over her face, but it was soon replaced by a frown as thoughts of what had just occured played across her mind. Taking a quick step back, the blonde stumbled on a small rock. Faith caught her before she fell to the ground and stared at her with questioning eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Faith, I...I can't do this. I have a boyfriend." She stepped back once more, and her hands came up to keep the other girl away. The stubborn brunette took a step forward and attempted to pull Buffy back to her.

"Well dump the fucker. I've heard he's a dickhead anyways." The blonde pushed her back and turned away from her.

"I can't do that." She looked to the ground. A frown marred the brunette's features.

"Why the hell not!"

"Faith...can you just take me back to the school. The game's going to start soon, and I have to be there." The blonde pleaded.

"Okay, I'll take you back, but this isn't over. There's something between us Buffy, and I won't leave it alone." Faith walked over to her motorcycle, her steps heavy making her exhasperation evident. Both girls climbed onto the bike, an unconfortable silence falling over them as they made their way back to the school.

TBC...