Buffy yawned as she entered Faith's room later that morning with a cup of tea and some toast she had snagged from the kitchen. As she looked around, Buffy marveled at how simple the room was. A full sized bed, dresser, vanity, a wardrobe, night stand and a large comfortable blue saucer-chair made up the furniture. It was also cleaner than she had expected. Although Buffy had seen Faith's room from the door a number of times, this was really the first time she had actually been inside. The room was painted a light blue with white trim. The rest of the room was done in light blue and gray tones with lots of black and white accents. Faith had decided to use weaponry to decorate the walls. A pair of swords and a large crossbow were mounted above the headboard.

Afraid she wouldn't be able to get out of the big round chair without hurting herself, Buffy opted for a seat on the edge of the bed, "So what's up?"

"I need date night help."

"Show me what we have to work with."

Faith opened her wardrobe revealing a variety of tops and only one very plain black dress, suitable for a funeral. "What you see is pretty much it. The dresser is pretty much just jeans and workout gear. Practical stuff."

"Ok… so it's a lot less 'Joan Jett' than I was expecting but I'm sure there's something here," Buffy started shifting hangers, "Faith, I don't really see the problem. You have at least five tops here that would be perfect for first date drinks. He's taking you to a local pub not a five-star restaurant," Buffy pulled out a fitted black top with lace sleeves and lace running across the shoulders, "This one is perfect, just add the right necklace and you'll be all set."

"I don't really have any."

"Not a problem, I didn't bring much with me, but you can take a look. If you don't see anything then we can join the shopping trip into town. It's no big."

Faith waited in her room as Buffy went back into her own to gather up the little jewelry she had. Spike made an odd sound in his sleep and Buffy watched him for a moment. They had been through so much together, and yet it wasn't enough. She could handle ten more apocalypses if he was by her side, she thought as she watched him. As strong as she was, he still managed to give her more when she needed it most.

Back in faith's room, they looked over the jewelry options Buffy brought over. "No offence but I'm not sure about any of these, B."

"Nah, you're right. I'm sure I probably have the perfect thing back in Rome. Looks like shopping for us today."

Faith sighed, "These girls are great and all, but I was really looking forward to having a day off. Not like they all go on these little outings anyway but it's still a break."

"So we don't stick with the group. Giles will understand. It'll be the first time we've been shopping since…"

"Before everything got so screwed up…"

"Come full circle haven't we?"

"Does that mean we're friends?"

"I've been thinking about that lately. We definitely still have our issues. But at the same time we've managed to work past a lot of that. I really think you've found your calling here. I don't know about friends, Faith, but we're definitely vital to each other and you definitely belong here. We're in this together and in my book I guess that sort of makes us family. Pretend cousin thing notwithstanding," Buffy shrugged.

"Really?"

"Unless you don't feel the same."

"I… is that freaky or what? I mean the cousin thing felt sort of… weirdly natural."

"Yeah… it's weird, but somehow it fits, right? They say you don't get to choose your family, but that's never really been the case for me. I say family is what you make it."

"I never had that, made up or otherwise. I think I kinda like it. Thanks, B," she cleared her throat, "Well I guess that means we better get a move on. Giles is gonna wanna leave soon, he promised the girls lunch in town."

"Yeah, you know I'm totally avoiding that," Buffy said frankly.

"We'll hitch a ride with them there, hit a few shops, and walk home."

"Perfect, I'm starting to feel a little cooped-up, it's been so nice since July hit."

Giles parked the van and the girls filed out. They had done this enough times that the novelty had worn off for most of them. Faith and Buffy hung back as the girls split up into small groups for their shopping day. Buffy wanted to make sure Giles wouldn't be waiting for them when it was time to go.

"I dare say, I'm very glad to see you two getting along so well."

"Yeah, we figured it was about time."

"Wonderful! Well ladies, if you decide you need a ride, we leave at 4:00. If you are not here I'll assume I'll see you later. Who's on patrol this evening?"

"Addison and Ursula. Since they came back from their vision quest I'm planning on starting the level 4 girls on solo patrols. Tonight is their first."

"I also want to try some group patrols with the older girls in charge, but let's give the solos a try first," Buffy interjected.

Giles nodded, "Ahh that is an idea. Well since those two are on duty tonight I suppose that explains why they didn't come today."

"That and they probably want some serious alone time."

"Right then, if you ladies will excuse me, I really must be off," Giles said briskly.

"You got a hot date?"

Giles removed his glasses, "Tea with a good friend."

"This friend a girl?"

"She owns one of the shops I frequent if you must know."

"Just as long as she's not a demon, have fun!"

Buffy and Faith made their way through the people on the sidewalk. This section of town was full of small shops Buffy was excited to check out. She hadn't been shopping since she got Spike his new hooded motorcycle jacket in Paris. He said he liked it but she had really only seen him wear it once. Although to be fair he really hadn't been out much since they arrived.

"I got a question for ya."

"What's that?" Buffy asked absentmindedly as they walked into one of the shops. They had already been to a few but hadn't had much luck yet. This shop was different from the others. It reminded Buffy of The Magic Box only with clothing and jewelry instead of the extensive collection of occult books Giles had kept. Otherwise it was very similar.

A middle aged woman with black hair streaked with gray and bright blue eyes greeted them, "Good day, ladies. Is there anything I can help you find?"

"I think jewelry mainly. She has a big date tonight and nothing to go with the outfit," Buffy explained.

"We'll probably just take a look around," Faith dismissed.

"We have plenty of unique jewelry. Most of it is here on the display. Just take a look around, let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks," Buffy said as she started to browse.

Faith turned to the jewelry display and picked up a silver necklace with a delicate stylized dagger hanging from it. She took it over to show Buffy. "That's surprisingly pretty, it would go great with that top."

"I think I'm going to get it…" she paused looking at the necklace, "Do you think I'm wasting my time?" she asked Buffy.

Buffy looked up from the dress he was looking at, "Shopping?"

"Well that, but…"

"Callum?"

"Yeah… I don't know…"

Buffy followed Faith over to another clothing rack, "Look Faith. Here's what I think, honest opinion: You got burned on Robin and I think Spike was right."

"Figured you'd side with him," she said as she held up an interesting semi-sheer black tunic top with silver threads woven into the fabric.

"I happen to agree with him on this. You know I don't agree with him on everything just because he's my boyfriend, right? And if you don't get that top I will, that's super cute," she said as she continued looking through the clothing rack. Buffy pulled out a dark purple top with black laces up the front and down the short sleeves, "What do you think about this one?"

"Here, let's trade."

"In case there's a second date?"

"I can't help but feel like I'm not cut out for this, Buffy. What happens when I tell him about, you know, everything?"

"Everything? Slayer stuff and all? You really like this guy huh?"

Faith glanced up at the shopkeeper who had suddenly paused as she rearranged the display case. The woman picked something up off the floor and quickly resumed working. Faith dropped her voice, "Yeah… What if it all sends him screaming? What if it doesn't and it gets him hurt or worse? I can't…. Buffy I can't let Callum get hurt because of me. I just can't…" Faith turned around looking at a display of herbs, "We should probably restock after last night."

"You're probably right. About the supplies… As for Callum, we would never let that happen, Faith. You know that right? You, me, Spike, the rest of the gang, it's our job to protect people and we're damn good at it. Besides, look at Xander, he's been in at least as many scrapes with me as Spike, maybe more, and he's still in one piece, mostly… ok maybe not the best example."

"Eyepatch says a lot, but I guess you sort of have a point. I really like this guy, Buff."

"Come on, let's keep looking," they moved over to another rack of jewelry. A silver man's necklace with a large round black stone caught Buffy's eye.

"You looking for anything special, B?"

"I don't know. I was thinking about something for Spike."

"He wear much jewelry?"

"Not as much as he used to but yeah, the occasional necklace, rings that kind of stuff."

"It's nice. Any special occasion? Birthday or… well whatever."

"I don't know, I just thought he'd like it… maybe I'll just think about it," she said putting it back.

"It does have a certain rock n' roll kind of feel to it huhh?"

"Speaking of which, I think Spike wants to take me out soon. There's a few underground clubs he has been talking about."

"Yeah, he was asking me about a couple of them. At least one of them closed down since he was here last."

"No surprise."

"There's a newer one I've been to a few times, he didn't know about. Not sure if it's as punk rock as he'd like."

"I'm good as long as I can dance to it. Some of the stuff he listens to isn't that bad," Buffy shrugged, "Now this club you're talking about, is this more of a blowing off steam with a band and happy hour kind of place or a shaking down bad guys kind of place?"

"You know how these demon places can be. Little of both, more fun that way," Faith pulled out a silky green halter top with a raven printed on it and handed it to her, "Here's a sexy little thing."

"Oh I like that, give me," she smiled, "Now see, that's what I mean. I'm just not sure I want to deal with all that tonight. Ribs are still a little on the tender side. Kinda just want to stay in again tonight. Maybe try out that massive bathtub."

"Just remember that I use that tub too."

"What do you think I'm going to do in there?"

Faith gave her a knowing look, "I'm not worried about what you'd do solo. It's more like what would happen if your boy-toy is involved" she smirked.

"Dirty… like you'd never try it out if Callum was a willing participant."

"Sure I would… I'd also remember the cleaner is under the sink."

Buffy laughed, "Thanks for the tip."

"What do you think of this?" Faith asked, holding up a simple little black sleeveless dress.

"You need it. In fact I definitely think you should get more skirts and dresses. As long as they're not too tight or there's a slit they're easier to fight in than you would think."

"I've worn dresses, B."

"You have one super professional dress and that's it. You need a little hot in your wardrobe."

"Fine, I'll keep an eye out."

They left the shop almost a half hour later. Buffy found a short skirt with thistles screen printed on the thigh for herself and talked Faith into a skirt and a second dress. They each picked out a few new tops and restocked the herbs they had used along with some Berber-weed for Spike to mix into his blood. This had been Buffy's favorite shop so far.

After that they grabbed a quick bite to eat and hit a few more shops. Buffy grinned broadly as they exited a lingerie shop. She had been wearing sexy underwear for years, but this was the first time she had really got anything that was purely intended for a fun time and not to be worn under clothing.

"Let's check out the music store and head back, I think I'm about done," Faith said, pointing across the street.

"Sure, why not."

The bell over the door tinkled as they walked in. The store was deserted and there was a slight scuffling sound and a woman's Scottish accent saying, "Sorry, customers. Won't be a moment…" in a hushed tone before a very pretty middle aged woman with Asian features came out from behind a heavy beaded curtain. Her sleek black hair had a dyed streak of bright blue and was tied back in a messy bun. She also wore a tiny diamond stud in her nose. "Hello there, anything I can help you find?"

"Oh hello," Buffy managed to say as she was trying to take in the scope of the store. She redirected her attention to the woman behind the counter, taking in her funky handmade name tag, "I don't even know where to begin, Zara."

"Nostalgia, man…" Faith breathed as she looked around the shop. It was full of records, tables of cassettes, CDs, and players of all kinds.

"No kidding, Spike and Giles would both get totally lost in here," Buffy said as she picked up an album with Jim Morrison's picture on the cover. She flipped it over and set it back down.

"Rupert Giles?" Zara interjected.

Buffy was taken aback, "Ah yeah, how do you know him?"

"Comes in sometimes. You seem a touch old to go to his school."

"Actually we run the school with him," Buffy gestured to herself and Faith.

"Oh my God, you must be the daughter and niece he always goes on about! So nice to meet you!" She said enthusiastically as she offered to shake Buffy's hand.

"Stepdaughter."

"Not the way he tells it. He's really proud of you, both of you. I hope he tells you that," she nodded to Faith as she sauntered over to them.

"He does," Buffy said a little awkwardly.

"So what brings you in today?"

"Her really," Buffy pointed to Faith.

"I'm just looking. Maybe get something for Gi- ah, Uncle Rupert's record collection."

"I happen to know his wish list," she winked.

Buffy had the sudden sinking feeling that it was Giles behind the beaded curtain. Faith must have had the same thought because she caught Buffy's eye and turned back to the shop owner quickly, saying, "Yeah, sure. I'll take something off his list, surprise him. What about you Buffy? Getting anything?"

"Oh ah…" she hesitated. She had thought about going back for the necklace for Spike, but now she thought about it, she had already said something to him about getting an MP3 player, "Now you mention it, do you carry MP3 players?"

"Sure do, right over here in the case."

Buffy followed her over to take a look, there were only five options, "Which one holds the most?"

"That would be this one here," she said pointing to a white MP3 player and going over the specs.

Buffy looked at the price then pointed to the one next to it, "How's this one compare?"

"I actually like that one better myself, holds a little less but I think it's easier to use."

"Cool, I'll take it. It'll be good for traveling."

"Need it wrapped?"

"Nah, that's alright. Bag is fine."

Zara took a box out of the case below the display and walked over to the record albums. She pulled one out and handed it to Faith, "Here's one Rup wants."

"Works for me, thanks! I'm going to take a look at the CDs."

Buffy went over to the register. As Zara checked her out, Buffy heard Giles's Unmistakable voice coming from behind the curtain.

"Zara, darling, I—" he said distractedly as he removed headphones from his ears. He looked up, startled to see Buffy, "Buffy, why hello, I hum… you've met my friend Zara then? Ah, Zara, this is Buffy and—"

"Ah yeah we met, she was super helpful…" Buffy said, and then wished she hadn't sounded so dumb.

Zara covered the awkward moment that followed with a laugh, "I was nosie I'm afraid. They had said something about your music collection and I interjected. We sort of handled introductions on our own."

"Don't worry about it, it's fine," Buffy said.

Giles stammered slightly, "We were just having tea. The shop is normally rather quiet this time of day…"

"We sort of picked up on that."

"Yes well, how is the shopping going?" He asked, trying to change the subject while he looked around until he finally spotted Faith by the CDs, "Oh there's Faith, over there—"

"Cool it, Rup," Zara soothed as she scrunched her face a little then gave him a smile.

"Shopping has been great, this is our last stop then we're heading back," Buffy answered, holding up her shopping bags realizing a moment too late that her lingerie bag, clearly marked with the shop's rather evocative name, was front and center.

Giles cleared his throat trying to pretend he hadn't noticed, "The girls only have another hour and a half before I'm set to meet them; are you sure you don't want to get a ride back with us?"

"Nah, as soon as Faith is done we're heading back."

"Very well then"

Zara handed Buffy her change and turned to Giles, "Oh, let the girls be, Rup."

"I fully intend to."

"Faith, you ready?" Buffy asked.

"Oh Rupert, would you mind making a fresh pot of tea?"

"As you wish. Oh Buffy, I'll see you at home, yes?"

"Sure thing," she cleared her throat, "See you later!"

Giles nodded and waved as he stepped back behind the beaded curtain. The moment he was out of sight, Faith came back over to the counter to check out.

Faith gave Zara a nod, "Thanks for the diversion."

"Not a problem, it's nice of you to get it for your uncle. He'll appreciate the gesture."

"Nice to meet you, Zara."

"Yeah, thanks for the help," Buffy added.

"It was a pleasure meeting you girls. Come again soon!"

"At least we made good time taking the shortcut from town. We probably have at least an hour before Giles gets back with the girls," Buffy commented as she and Faith made their way into the entrance hall.

Faith started to make her way upstairs before she noticed Buffy going in the opposite direction, "Aren't you taking your stuff up?"

Buffy turned back towards her, "TV's on, thought I'd see if Spike is in there."

Faith shrugged, "Eh, what the hell…" she said, turning to follow Buffy.

Spike wasn't in the living room, in fact no one was. Except for Addison and Ursula, who were in the middle of a very heavy make-out session.

Buffy cleared her throat loudly, "Ladies!" The two young women looked up, startled. Fear flashed in Addison's eyes as she looked around for her shirt. Ursula couldn't have cared less about being caught. She coolly pulled Addison's shirt off the back of the couch, handing it to her girlfriend.

Buffy continued, "Why don't you two take that upstairs to your room? The other girls will be back in about an hour."

Faith looked at her watch, "Maybe a little less."

With that, the two Level 4 girls rushed past them to the stairs giggling. Buffy rolled her eyes, "I suppose they're going to want to be assigned to the same city," she asked as she turned towards the stairs.

Faith followed, "Yeah, Ursula already brought it up to me the other day, they want to live together."

"That's a little fast isn't it?"

Faith shrugged, "Maybe a little young, but I don't know anything about this stuff. Maybe twenty isn't really that young for cohabitation if it's the right person," she shrugged.

Buffy thought about Willow and Tara and realized they had been about the same age or younger when they first started dating and it wasn't long before they were living together, "What do you think about Pittsburgh for them?" Buffy asked as they continued up the stairs.

"Don't know much about Pittsburgh. New York might be better," she shrugged, "Although, I think Addison is from somewhere pretty close to Pittsburgh originally. I know Ursula was hoping for something in the states, she already has dual citizenship so that's not an issue. I don't think she wants to go back to Germany. I guess her dad is kind of a dick."

"Well the thing is, I don't have anyone in Pittsburgh yet and Giles has been getting reports off and on about it for a while now. I'll talk to them about it, later."

"Yeah, I don't think you want to walk in on all that again," Faith shook her head as they reached their floor.

"Nope, not even a little. I do however want to put these bags down and find my guy."

"After last night I'm seriously thinking, nap."

Buffy placed a hand on her doorknob, "What's a nap?"

"Damn, I hear that," Faith chuckled.

Buffy opened the door to find Spike sitting upside down on the loveseat with his legs hanging over the back. His eyes were closed and he had on Buffy's earphones connected to her laptop listening to music. He was reminding her of Dawn when she was about seven. Buffy set her bags down on the bed and went over to sit down next to him. Spike jumped as he opened his eyes and took off one of the earphones with a start, "What the— bloody— oh, hey Babe. How was the whole bonding experience?"

"It was… actually a pretty good day. I don't think we're ever going to be bestfriends but we're being civil and we're getting along for the most part."

"That's something," he answered and closed his eyes again, tapping the beat on his stomach.

"How was your day?"

"Uneventful unless you count walking in on the lovebirds going at it hard in the living room."

"Ah yeah, I thought you were in there watching TV, boy was I wrong."

"Intended to. Went down to grab a beer and walked in on them. Turned right around and came back up here. Hope you don't mind; I downloaded some tunes onto your computer."

"Nah, it'll go perfectly with your gift."

"A gift for me?" Spike removed the headphones and swung his legs around to sit-up in his seat, "What's the occasion? It's not my birthday, yet."

Buffy frowned, "Funny you should say that. Faith actually brought that up earlier. I didn't think you celebrated your birthday."

"Haven't for years. I was joking about the birthday thing, Love."

"Oh, yeah… right I knew that," she waved a hand, giving a halfhearted laugh.

"Nope… not buying it, what's going on with you?"

"Do vampires typically celebrate birthdays?"

Spike gave her a puzzled look, "Personal preference I suppose. Dru always made a big thing about it."

"So when is it?"

He thought for a moment, "This is important to you, yeah?"

"A little; you know mine, January 19th."

"Yours is easy. I've only ever had two serious relationships and you both have the same birthday. Almost 200 years apart, but still…" he caught her eye, "Yeah alright, August 20th, met Dru 'round the same time. Original member of the 27 Club."

"Joplin, Hendrix and Morrison. Right?"

"Cobain, too. Plenty of others added to the list over the years, but I'm impressed."

Buffy sighed as she relaxed back in her seat, and stretched her legs over Spike's lap, "Makes you a Leo. I can work with that."

"What's this about?" He asked her as she kicked off her shoes and they clunked to the floor.

"Nothing, just gathering all the pieces of the Spike-puzzle I'm going to need for this long-term-commitment thing we're going for."

Spike raised his eyebrows, "And birthdays are part of the whole 'normal-heathy-relationship package', that right?"

"Basically, yeah."

"Well I do like presents," he grinned a little as he spotted the bags sitting on the bed, "Am I allowed to see what you got?"

"You get one gimme"

"That fancy looking one there, the gimme?" He smirked as he ran his fingers down her hair, gliding along her shoulder and down her arm.

"Might be," she grinned, catching his hand in hers.

"Does my girl have plans for me tonight?"

Buffy leaned in close teasing him with a kiss that didn't quite connect, "I may have also got some fancy bubble bath."

"You don't say?"

"Blackcurrant and honey,"

"Anything else I should be looking forward to?"

"There might be one or two other little surprises."

Spike let out a low little growl pulling her to him. Buffy responded with a happy sound of her own as she consented to the kiss. She slid easily into his lap as they continued kissing. They stayed like that for several minutes before breaking apart. Spike tapped her on the leg, "I need to eat before I start getting hostile."

"You go, I'm pretty beat from last night, I think I'm going to take a nap."

"I'll probably be back in here before long."

There was a knock at their bedroom door.

"Who goes there?" Spike asked gruffly.

Faith's voice came through the door, "Are you two decent? Kinda filled my quota of interrupting people in the act today,"

"You're good," Buffy laughed.

Faith opened the door, "Right, at least you two are fully clothed."

"Giles might have actually been having tea, we don't know."

"What's this now? Mr. Stiff-upper-lip, got a special friend?"

"Unclear…"

"Don't want to know, it's just too weird," Faith grumbled.

"So what's up, for a girl with a hot date you're awfully bad moody."

"Nah, 5x5, B. Maybe a few butterflies but it's cool. Giles and the girls just got back. Callum called."

Buffy eyed her, "He didn't cancel did he?"

"Huhh… no… kinda the opposite. He finished his day a little earlier than he thought he would and wanted to know if he could pick me up earlier, get something to eat."

"But that's a good thing right?"

"He's going to be here in about an hour."

"You better get ready then."

"I was kinda hoping you might help me with my hair,"

Buffy shrugged, "Sure, how do you want it?" she asked skeptically. Faith never seemed to have any trouble doing her own hair, but Buffy was in a benevolent mood.

"Kinda what I need the help with."

"You go on, get dressed. Is your curling iron in your room?"

"Bathroom, I'll grab it."

"I'll be in."

"See ya in a few."

As Faith left the room, Buffy turned to Spike, "She is really in knots over this guy."

"All been there. Not a guy, I just meant…"

Buffy laughed, "You know I've always kinda wondered if there was ever anything between you and Angel."

"Oh now you're going to get it," he said as he pulled her tightly against him grinning. He wove his fingers firmly into her hair and kissed her roughly until he felt her knees start to give way.

"You were saying?"

"Wow…"

"Run along now, Slayer. You go, make friends."

Buffy took a moment to shake the hormone induced fog from her mind, "Not just yet, I got you something you might want to play with."

He raised an eyebrow, "Present time?"

"One." Buffy walked over to the bed and pulled out the MP3 player she bought him. "Here, I got this for you."

Spike opened the box and held it in his hands, "Buffy… first the jacket, now this. You know I—"

"Call it a belated birthday gift for last year."

"You mean when I was being stored inside some bloody amulet?"

"We really do have weird lives."

"Speak for yourself, my life was totally normal until I died," he grinned, "Thanks for this, Pet," he held the player up in his hand. "I'll need to get some music loaded up."

"You're welcome. I better go help Faith," she said, giving him a kiss, "I love you," she murmured.

"Love you too, Slayer."

They shared one last lingering kiss before Buffy made her way across the hall to Faith's room. When she got there Faith had already changed into the black lace top Buffy had picked out and the new dagger necklace. Buffy pursed her lips at the jeans she still had on, "Are you sure about the jeans?"

Faith shrugged as she finished her eye makeup, "You think I should wear slacks?"

"No, I think you should wear that totally hot little skirt you found today."

Faith rummaged through the bags she'd thrown into her big round chair and pulled out a blue skirt with a 3 inch wide panel of black leather on one side that was bordered with little silver studs running along the edge. "Don't think it's too much?"

"Any other guy and you wouldn't even be asking that. No, you'll leave him speechless."

While Buffy plugged in the curling iron, Faith shrugged off the jeans and pulled on the skirt. The skirt hugged her curves well and made her feel a little like a rockstar.

"I think I have an idea for your hair; have a seat."

Faith sat, allowing Buffy to start on her hair. Buffy had just started a small French braid on one side of Faith's head starting at her temple when they heard a faint knock. They both looked up to see Ursula standing in the doorway, "Ehh Hallo, Faith, Buffy, I'm glad I caught you both," she said with a slight German accent.

"Sure, what's up Urs?" Faith asked.

"I just wanted to say Danke eh thank you, both for being so cool earlier. I know we probably shouldn't have gotten carried away downstairs like that."

"Don't worry about it, it's fine. But you're right, privacy is probably the best policy. I know you have to share a room with two other girls but still, do your best alright? Spike spent the day locked in our room so he wouldn't disturb you."

"Spike saw us too?"

"Ohh yeah," Buffy nodded, "He's way too cool to say anything though."

"Please don't tell Addy, she is already really shy about our relationship."

"Course not," Buffy said as she finished the little braid then reached for the curling iron.

"Was ist das? Why the smoking outfit?"

"I got a date. You like?"

"Dude, if I were single… what shoes will you be wearing?" Ursula asked.

Faith pointed over to her regular boots. Ursula made a face, "No, not with that hot number. Size 8 right?"

"How'd you-"

"I have some boots that will be much better, chunky wedge too, so they aren't too bad in a fight either. I'll get them," Ursula ran upstairs and was back down before Buffy had finished the first curl with the curling iron.

Buffy paused, letting Faith pull them on, "Wow, these are surprisingly comfortable."

"Not to mention totally hot, Ja? Who's the lucky one getting the hot-girl special? It's not that handyman guy is it?"

At the stunned look on Faith's face Ursula laughed, "It is isn't it?"

"Can we just keep this quiet?"

"Sure, I owe you one anyway," with that Ursula left to go back upstairs.

Buffy turned back to Faith and continued curling her hair, "Where's he taking you tonight?"

"Some pub in town, 'The White Rabbit' I think he said."

"Didn't we pass it on our way back?"

"Yeah, I told him I could walk but he insisted on picking me up."

"How chivalrous,"

"Is that what it is? Damn…"

Buffy laughed, "As strong as we are, sometimes it's nice to be treated like a lady."

Faith pressed her lips for a second, "Yeah don't know, I mean there's nice and then there's… freaking annoying. I mean where's the line?"

"That's something you really need to work out between you two."

"How'd you and Spike do it?"

"Oh no, do not go looking at us as a relationship model because damn… we've been through a lot… seriously, a lot. We are definitely a unique case."

"Yeah I get that… I just, how do you find the balance? I mean you're both a couple of bad asses and then I don't know… you got this seriously sickening lovey-dovey thing going on. I don't know how to do that. I keep thinking maybe that's what went wrong with Robin. I'm just too— hard."

"I've been there, I get it. Honestly, I don't know. There's definitely respect there that wasn't there before. Not until after he got his soul. That's a huge part of it. I think once I was able to respect him, love came really reasy for me. He's also not afraid to tell me what I need to hear and I don't know... That lovey-dovey stuff just sort of randomly comes out."

"None of which applies to Callum…"

"Not one bit."

Faith sighed as she looked in the mirror, "Damn, B, like the hair."

"Well, go knock'em dead… figuratively."

"Got it…"

A/N: To be continued... Please Read and Review!