Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it belongs to that genius guy Joss Whedon and those crazy folks over at Mutant Enemy, etc etc.

Author Note: Second Chapter, here you go. Thanks a bunch for the nice reviews, they make my day. Now if I'm not getting the Whedonesque dialogue right, somebody tell me, and I'll try to improve it. I'm not sure I'm doing it right. Other than that I have nothing to say, other than Thank you and Enjoy!

With a Smile on her Face

Chapter Two

When Faith awoke it was to find a slightly heavy weight resting on her shoulder, which she soon realised was Buffys head. She felt another odd smile coming to her face and pushed it down. She didn't find the fact that Buffy was snuggling up to her cute, not in the slightest, so why should she smile?

Having assured herself of that, Faith cast her mind to what she was going to do now. She was pretty restricted at the moment; with her sister Slayers head currently resting on her shoulder. She'd have to wake her up if she wanted to move, but for some reason she just didn't want too.

Luckily she didn't have to debate over her predicament anymore, because Buffy gave a little moan and turned her head ever so slightly towards the younger Slayer, blinking in confusion for a few seconds before she remembered the night before. A blush came to Buffys face and she sat up, bringing a hand up to her messy bed hair.

"Hey girlfriend," Faith greeted, enjoying the other girls embarrassed look. "Some night huh? I never knew you where such a wild thing in bed, or I'd have had you in it sooner."

Faith blew a kiss at the blushing Buffy, which just made her cheeks redden even further.

"I'm not stupid Faith." Buffy argued, through her embarrassment.

Faith laughed a little. "I know B, I just love seeing you blush."

"Hey," Buffy began. "I do remember last night. My supreme humiliation and you being a great friend…"

Friend?

"I just want to say thank you, really, for not rubbing it in and just helping me through it. It really meant a lot. I've been pretty emotional these last few days and I'm glad you didn't take advantage of that."

"No sweat B, it was no biggie." Faith brushed it off.

"No, it was." Buffy argued. "It was a big biggie. Huge. What you did last night, it really helped. I needed that. I needed to just relax and let someone take care of me. I couldn't go to Giles, not after what he did. My mum wouldn't understand. I just felt so stupid – like I had no one that understood what I was going through. I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't even think of you…some friend I am huh? I'm sorry and I'm embarrassed that I didn't think of you. I don't deserve to have a friend like you, but I'm glad that I do."

Faith was floored, to put it bluntly. No one had ever spoken about her with so much feeling before, and for a moment it rendered her speechless - Only a moment though.

"You big sap!" Faith declared, punching Buffy very (very!) slightly on the arm, smirking.

Not waiting for Buffys reaction, Faith bounded from the bed and practically fled to the bathroom, under the guise of enthusiasm. In doing so she never noticed Buffys smile broaden, nor the amused shake of her head.

Faith closed the door to the bathroom and took a deep breath. Okay, Faith thought. Calm down Faith, it's not like you just found out someone actually cares about you. Oh wait, yes it is. Faith crossed to the sink and started to run the hot (cold) water, splashing generous amounts on her face and then looking at herself in the mirror.

She couldn't believe what Buffy had just said. No one cared about her, that's just the way it was. Buffy never paid her any attention to her, unless they had to patrol, but that was purely professional, work related interest. Nothing more. They never hung out, went dancing together or had girly sleepovers, so what was with the huge display of gratitude and friendship back there? She wasn't going deaf, right? Buffy had actually used the work friend in relevance to her, hadn't she?

Faith took a deep breath. Okay, she told herself. This isn't a big deal. Buffys real emotional right now, so she's just exaggerating.

But secretly, deep down, Faith was excited at the prospect of Buffy considering her a true friend. It would be a big factor in the event of the next few weeks.

(----)

When Faith emerged from the bathroom it was to find Buffy standing by her dresser, looking critically at her ruined clothing from the night before. After Faith had fled to the bathroom Buffy had slowly gotten out the bed, her back still a little sore from her little tumble, but not nearly as bad as she expected. It looked like her Slayer healing was finally kicking in. Buffy had to stop herself from doing a silly little dance of celebration, and settled for a relieved smile. On noticing her mud stained clothing, she had gone over to evaluate the damage, frowning at what she found. Next time you go out to slay after being robbed of your powers by your substitute father, remember not to go wearing some of your favourite clothes, she told herself.

"If you want my opinion," Faith said, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye giving away the obvious sarcastic comment about to leave her mouth. "Those slacks totally kick ass on you."

Buffy looked down at the dull sweat pants she was wearing, noticing how they just about clung to her waist, and that she was flashing quite a bit of provocative Faith underwear. She blushed a little and pulled them up higher, covering up the skimpy pair of panties.

"They look good on you B." Faith teased with a smirk.

Buffy mock scowled at her. "They're stuck right up my ass, how do you stand it?"

"Gotta sacrifice a little to look wicked hot Buff," Faith said with a chuckle.

Buffy shook her head and turned back to her ruined clothing.

"I guess I won't be wearing these home." She mused out loud.

"You can borrow mine, it's no sweat." Faith assured her.

"Thanks." Buffy gave her a warm smile. "You got anything else to cover this top?" She gestured to the slightly baggy tank top she was wearing.

Faith nodded and went to her drawer again, riffling through, trying to find something Buffy suitable. Buffy came over and instantly spotted something she liked. She picked up the leather jacket and held it up. Faith cocked an eyebrow at her.

"You like?" Faith asked.

"Yeah," Buffy admitted. "I stopped wearing mine a while ago."

"Didn't think you'd be a leather girl B," Faith added. "I'm impressed. Maybe your taste in clothes isn't as bad as I thought."

Buffy swatted her arm playfully. "Hey!"

Faith smiled. "You can wear it home if you want. I got loads."

"Thanks." Buffy eased the jacket over her shoulders, smiling at what she saw when she glanced in the Faiths rusty little mirror. She liked how she looked in leather. It was a shame she stopped wearing her old one, but she just couldn't bare to after what happened to Angel. It brought back too many painful memories. But now, looking at herself in the mirror, wearing Faiths leather coat, she didn't feel the pain. Maybe it was because Angel was back…or maybe it was because it was Faiths, and not Angels, that she was wearing. Either way, she loved the feel of the heavy leather and turned to find Faith giving her an appreciative look as well.

"Looks good on you B." Faith complemented her.

"I'd say thanks," Buffy began. "But I think I'm starting to sound like a broken record."

Faith smiled. "How's your back?"

"Not bad," Buffy replied. "I think good ol' Slayer healing is kicking in. I can't wait to get out there and kick some vampire butt… and I can't believe I just said that."

"I knew you loved it B." Faith said, grinning. "You can't fool me."

"Yeah…I never even knew how much until I lost it." Buffy agreed. "Life's funny that way I guess."

"Rib splitting."

Buffy smiled. "Anyway, I better get home. Mum will be worried."

"Okay." Faith crossed the room and opened the door. "See you tonight? Patrol?"

"I think I'll take the night off." Buffy admitted sadly, with her cheeks tinged with a little pink. "Best not risk it. I don't want another night of complete humiliation."

Faith nodded in understanding.

"But…if you want…" Buffy paused; this was king of foreign territory for her and Faith.

"Spill it B."

"Well…if you want to come over…after the Slaying, you know. You can."

Faith smiled. "Okay. I just might do that."

Buffy smiled back. "Great." She crossed to the door as well, lingering just outside the doorway. "And Faith?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"Your welcome."

(----)

Piccolo999