The glasses stare back at us -at me. Even at a time like this, my eye for fashion picks up that they're Randolph aviator sunglasses. She always knew what worked for her. And these glasses are no different.

An unfamiliar feeling makes it's way from behind my eyes to the nape of my neck. A slight burning sensation that tingles all the way down my spine and down the length of my arms. All the way to my fingers, causing a slight burning pain in between my index and middle finger.

"Ow!"

Gravis gives me an odd look as I hastily drop my Lucky Strike to the dusty ground and plunge my fingers into my mouth. Terry just chuckles and lets go of my leg.

"I'm Teresa." She says confidently to Gravis, holding her little hand out for him to shake. "Who're you?" A fair question for a six year old.

Gravis gently shakes her hand as Faith makes her way over to us.

"I'm Gravis." He says, "The mechanic."

But I'm not paying them any attention: Faith's usual casual gait has enthralled me into a… well… into a thrall. She's wearing her hair loose, just as I remember, slightly curly, and it tumbles lightly over her strong shoulders. Her lips are set in a thin line, making it impossible for me to know what she's thinking –feeling. She's wearing a black leather jacket, worn at the elbows, over a white shirt. The same white patch covers the left side of her chest: Page's Garage. Her blue jeans are faded and ripped at the knees carelessly; clearly her weekend wear; and her feet are weighed down by a newer pair of black Blundstones.

Saying that she looks good would be an understatement. And true, to any other eye, looking at Faith would drown them in beauty, but to me? I'm drowning in pain.

Quickly, my eyes dart downwards and inspect what I'm wearing. Oh yeah. Old comfy Adidas runners, worn and stained, are bound loosely onto my feet where tan Schuh Zorro's and black knee high Gucci's used to call home. My pants are a bit loose, dating back to when I used to weigh a tad more than I cared to admit. The only thing I could use to compare myself to her would be the navy blue cable zip sweater, slash jacket, from Banana Republic that Andrew and Dawn gave me last year for Christmas.

Between her and me? Not a fair comparison. By far.

Then she gives me no more time to compare ourselves. She's standing right beside Gravis, right in front of Teresa and me, shifting her weight to her right side… Settling her sunglasses in her back pocket... Staring at Teresa, tears welling in her dark brown eyes... Staring at me before stepping forward and engulfing me into her sturdy yet soft arms.

They say that senses can open locked up memories in a heartbeat, and that smell is the most potent one. Well, 'they', whoever they are, are not wrong. The aroma of baked apple pie can remind someone of his or her mothers baking, blossoming flowers can remind someone of a fabulous spring vacation when they were younger, etc.

Involuntarily, as I fall into her clasp, I take a deep breath, a sigh of contentment and all that other crap that escapes my lips as my brain associates her scent to hidden gems. She smells like Faith ought to smell. Like worn leather, Bvlgari and a faint hint of smoke. And don't you know it, those memories just come flooding back in.

Smell.

I can hear her take the same deep breath that I took in, and I just know she's doing the same thing. Screw the Chosen Two relation crap. Anyone would know that.

And I remember... A naturally outspoken girl, suddenly shy, standing on my doorstep on Christmas Eve. Falling in love with me, falling in love with her... I wonder if she remembers too.

I pull my arms tighter around her, bringing her closer, firmer, and she does the same. I feel like Jack must've felt when he huggedEnnis for the first time in four years. Gravis looks on with a sad expression on his face before turning away.

Touch.

And I remember... Shouting at her on the rooftop of Angel's place. Shouting angry, senseless comments at her face before jumping to save her life. Feeling her skin touch mine and know exactly what she was feeling... I wonder if she remembers too.

"I'll go get what you need." He says. "Do you want to see the truck, Teresa?"

Ter just looks from Faith and I to Gravis with a sage look on her face. My maternal instincts are going haywire at the prospect of her going somewhere with a stranger. But at the same time, some alone time with Faith would be good. Finally, Terry scurries along to Gravis and takes a hold of his hand.

"Daisy says her daddy drives the biggest truck in the world." I can hear her say as they walk back to the truck. "She says that no one has a bigger truck."

"Is that right?" Gravis says.

"Yep. But I've seen her daddy's truck. Yours is bigger." Terry says.

Faith finally lets go of me, and stares at me with a crooked smile.

Sight.

And I remember... Tasting her sweat and tears after our first time. Telling her she tasted like ocean water. Lazily tracing the black ink on her arm with my fingers before falling asleep in her embrace... I wonder if she remembers too.

"Who's Daisy?" Faith says.

Sound.

And I remember... Faith grinding my ass as Superstylin' echoed out onto the dance floor. Grinding so hard and fast I thought my jeans were going to burn off from the friction. Whispering in my ear, telling me not to worry: She'd cool me off later... I wonder if she remembers too.

"Her best friend."

She smirks and rocks back on her heels. She turns her head to where Gravis is handing the jack over to Teresa gently, and turns her gaze over back to me.

"She's beautiful." She whispers and a chuckle manages to escape my throat. She looks just like you. Of course she's beautiful.

"Yeah, she kinda is."

Faith cocks her head as I say this, and does the mind reading thing. You're beautiful. She smiles sadly and sways her head lightly.

"Buffy?" She says in a calculating tone. "I'm sorry."

And then everything that was happy for the past minutes completely dissipate into nothing. You're sorry? What kind of bullshit is that? Sorry for leaving me and our kid? Sorry the visits and calls we never received? Sorry for all the shit you put us through? Sorry for… not being there? You're sorry? You expect one lousy piece of shit word to make everything better?

But if there's one thing I've recently discovered with myself is this. I'm a dope.

"I know."

Holy shit Buffy! What kind of answer is that?

But Faith knows. She knows that one word isn't enough and that my answer is worth fuck all.

She takes a step forward and sinks her head a bit lower so that our eyes are level with each other. Behind her, Gravis and Teresa are having a field trip with the spare tire, giving us time. I've only just met this guy, but I already adore him.

"Can I kiss you?" Faith whispers against the light wind.

Huh?

"Huh?"

That's all the time she leaves me as she leans forward and lays a butterfly kiss on my mouth. My lips slowly part as I answer back and allow her tongue to gently invade my mouth.

Taste.

And I remember... Her birthday party at Riciollis. Faith showing off her pregnant girlfriend to her co workers. Showing me off. Faith dragging her to a secluded corner after doing tequila shots off her stomach. Off my stomach... I wonder if she remembers too.

We pull back immediately and just stare at each other with looks of confusion and denial spread across our faces. She takes a few steps backwards and looks relieved when her mobile starts to ring. She doesn't excuse herself before answering, nor does she politely ask for my permission to answer.

"Yell-o." She says, casting a glance at her feet, and allowing me the time to glance at my nails. "No shit. Again? Awright. Just give me 'bout fifteen minutes, okay? Okay. Yeah. Ciao." She replaces her phone back into her jacket pocket and looks up at the sky.

"You okay?" She asks softly. "I mean, I didn't mean to…"

"It's okay. I'm okay." I say.

And I remember... Faith angrily confronting Spike one week before the delivery, telling him nothing could ever take us apart. Spike nodding knowingly before leaving to cool off. Me pulling her into the living room, jumping up and wrapping my legs around her waist, whispering in her ear, telling her how hot her exchange with Spike made me... I wonder if she remembers too.

Gravis and Ter finally make their way back to us with all the necessary equipment. Terry clutching the jack with all her might, Gravis rolling the spare along the road while clutching a toolbox in his hand.

"Okay! I think we have everything we need." Gravis announces. He puts the toolbox down and relieves Terry of the jack.

"Uncle Andy says that Mommy's car is like the Millennium Falcon." Terry says to him, completely ignoring Faith and I.

"Yeah? How so?" Gravis asks.

"He says that only brave people would ever dare to drive a piece of junk like that." She deadpans.

Gravis allows himself a smile and his eyes twinkle. His eyes, now nude without the protection of his Ray-bans, are a sparkling green. I can see why Faith allowed herself to fall for this guy. I don't want to sound egoistic or anything, but this guy could pass for my brother. If, of course, I had a brother.

Finally Faith does something to catch Terry's attention. She coughs. A little cough. Ter turns around, faces her, and tilts her little head to an odd angle. She narrows her eyes into almonds and smiles brightly.

"You're the person in the picture that hangs in my room." She starts. "You're my mom."

Faith just stands there, like she's star struck. Finally she kneels down to be level with Teresa and brings her hand out to tuck a strand of hair behind Terry's ear. She smiles. A nice, warm smile that I've rarely seen.

And I remember... Faith stripping her clothing till they made a puddle at her feet as I anxiously waited for her in the bath. Feeling the warm water lap on my skin as her feet slipped in. Feeling her bare back gently press onto my naked chest. Slowly resting my chin on her shoulder as my arms held her waist protectively while Teresa moaned softly in her sleep in the next room... I wonder if she remembers too.

"Yeah. I kinda am." Faith says softly.

Teresa suddenly takes on a serious look.

"Are you an' Gravis coming home with us?" She asks, and my heart clenches. I can't imagine how Faith must feel.

Faith swallows hard and tries to smile.

"I dunno, Baby T." She says weakly.

Coward.

She leans in and kisses Ter on her forehead softly before getting to her feet. She doesn't spare me another glance as she makes her way to Gravis.

"Abby just called. Her two-wheeler is on the blink again. I said I'd be there in fifteen. You okay here?" She says.

Gravis looks at Terry and me and shrugs.

"Sure." He says. "I'm sure Buffy can give me a ride to the garage when I'll be done."

I nod and he gives me a wonderful smile. I gotta watch myself. This guy has already captivated Faith and Terry. I'd hate to be his next victim.

"Okay. I'll see you then." Faith says, and leans in to kiss him on the mouth.

It's a quick kiss but it's enough to fill me with a small indication of jealousy. And before I know it, she's giving us a little wave and walking back to the truck. The door to the drivers' side opens up and she disappears inside.

Then the truck comes to life and disappears down the road.

Gravis turns to Terry and me and gives us a warm smile.

"Now, let's patch this beaut up." He says.

And I can't help but think: What the fuck just happened?