XXXII – Breathing & Everything

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Neither knew how long they stayed kneeling, kissing, on the blanket in the clearing. For them time had come to a standstill, as it had that night so long ago in the back alley of the Magic Shop. It was now, as it had been then, almost as if the gods themselves had stopped the passing of time and had given to them a moment that was purely for the two souls that were Faith and Buffy. It was a merging for them, unlike what they normally felt through their bond, there was an intimacy in their kiss that transcended the physical, transcended the echoes they shared, it was as if they were truly kissing the other's soul, essence, spirit, whatever word they chose to describe the very core of who they were.

Every hidden shield, fear, desire, need, want, secret, both of the light and the dark was revealed; as the walls, old and new, they had built to protect themselves, to protect each other crumbled into dust and blew away on the warm gentle breeze that caressed, surrounded and bathe them in mother earth's own healing embrace as they kissed.

They were exposed, naked to each other, as the bond they shared expanded fully. It encompassed, surrounded, held, cradled and caressed them. The line began to blur as the bond blended in naturally with their souls and thus became them in a wholly new way. As mother earth had, they bathed each other with their essence through their bond as they searched out all the hidden, deeply buried scars that each of them carried with them. They could not erase them; instead, they soothed and embraced the internal scars intimately, with the healing touch of each other. They vanquished the ghosts of the past, his ghost, Glory's ghost, Faith's mother to the far recesses of each of their minds. It was not done consciously, it was a gesture born solely from the deep love they shared with each other. Not truly aware of what was happening or how thoroughly they were immersed in each other while they kissed, they none-the-less felt it to the very depths of their souls.

In those few eternity-like minutes while they kissed so delicately, so reverently, they moved leaps and bounds down the path towards healing, wholeness. Their feet so firmly planted upon the road, that the Creator would not have been able to pull them from the path. They grew stronger within each other's embrace, sharing their own inner strengths and even their greatest weakness' with each other.

When the kiss finally ended, they stared at each other with new eyes. All the veils of illusion had been lifted from their eyes. They saw each other for who they had been, who they were, who they would be. They knew the other intimately. They had no misconceptions of who their soul-mate was. They loved each other for who they truly were and freely accepted each other, all the good, all the bad and did not see the other as some fairytale fantasy lover that lived in their head. Then again that was what truly made them unique since the day Buffy had gone to L.A. to claim Faith as her own and Faith had claimed Buffy in return, their eyes had been wide-open and from that point on they had begun to see the other for who and what they truly were.

All of this knowledge that came to them while they kissed, became innate to them, it was a part of them just like their bond, just like they were a part of each other. They weren't even truly aware of it, not in any real sense. They both knew something had changed, that their bond had deepened, grown stronger, but they would have been hard pressed to put into words what it was that had changed. They were, when all was said and done, still just Faith and Buffy, the Chosen Two, the Chosen of each other. With all the same idiosyncrasies, bad habits, warped sense of humor, insecurities, cocky attitudes, loving natures, and while things had changed on a very deep level, how they were with each other still remained the same.

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She could feel her mouth moving but nothing seemed to be coming out of it. Her mind was reeling, hell, her whole body was in a whirlwind from their kiss.

Faith arched an eyebrow, a slow sensual smile started to grace her face as she watched Buffy pull off a good imitation of a mime. She wasn't about to let Buffy know that the kiss they had just shared had rendered her speechless as well. Buffy shook her head and tried to speak again.

"I... ah... Wow?" Buffy barely managed to stutter out. Talking right now, she decided, was definitely not an option.

Buffy watched as Faith just nodded her head in agreement. Then she started to get a sneaky suspicion that Faith was just as incapable of speech at the moment as she was. She smirked at Faith letting her know with just a look that Faith wasn't fooling her one bit. Faith's eyebrow rose a little higher, her sensual smile turned into a face splitting toothy grin, her eyes twinkled and she winked at Buffy. Buffy's stomach started doing somersaults and her heart did flip-flops at the innocent, joyful grin Faith was giving her. She hoped that she never stopped, no matter how many years they were together, ever having that reaction to Faith. Her own face split into a wide toothy grin.

As Faith watched all the emotions running across Buffy's face, in her eyes, she couldn't help wonder how the hell she had gotten so lucky. And lucky was exactly how she felt despite everything that had happened between them before, all that had happened to them since she had gotten out of jail and even everything that had happened to them in Slayer Hell. She had no idea what, how she had come to deserve Buffy, all of them in her life but she wasn't going to fight against it, wasn't going to question it. She just silently thanked whomever it was that had given her this second... third... whatever chance it was and swore on her own life that nothing and no one could make her fuck it up this time. The world, life, love, it was all there for the asking, all there for the taking and this time she wasn't running from it, this time she was running towards it with arms wide open.

"Wow huh?" Faith said softly when she actually felt able to speak. "It's a good thing we we're kneeling B, cause I know my legs would have given out."

"God you're beautiful..." Buffy uttered below a whisper. She reached up, gently stroked Faith's cheek and smiled as her hand was captured and her palm kissed by Faith's soft lips. Faith's gentle kiss sent her heart fluttering and turned her mind into mush once again.

"Nope B, not beautiful, not me." Faith shook her head in denial feeling the heat creep up her neck and face as she blushed from Buffy's words.

Once again Buffy watched the shyness come over Faith. It amazed her in some ways and thrilled her in others that it was only with her that Faith let out this side of her personality, that Faith trusted her enough to let her see this side at all.

"You are Faith..." Buffy insisted once again, she smiled a little at Faith shaking her head in denial again. "You are and you can't argue with me 'cause we both know... I'm always right." An impish smile floated around her mouth as she teased Faith hoping to bring her out of her shyness.

Faith returned Buffy's impish grin with one of her own, her shyness taking a back seat as her own teasing nature came back up to the surface.

"Really B? Always right... hmmm I don't think so." Faith drawled, "I'm not bea... I'm absolutely fucking adorable is what I am. So ya see B, this time you're wrong." Faith leaned forward and gave Buffy a quick soft kiss on the mouth before she could say anything. Then just as quickly she kissed the tip of Buffy's nose, then laughed as Buffy wrinkled up her face from the kiss. "You look like a rabbit when you do that B..."

"Oh great next you'll be calling me Thumper..." Buffy pouted, pretending to be annoyed.

"Thumper... Has possibilities B, thanks!" Faith leaned forward and kissed Buffy again on the tip of her nose.

"Hey! Cut it out you!" She cried out pretending to be indignant as she rubbed her nose. "That tickles you know!"

"But you look so cute when you scrunch your face up like that B, I just can't help myself." The big toothy grin once more graced Faith's face.

"Yeah... yeah... yeah... Bet you say that to all the girls..." Buffy smiled back, "So you gonna feed me or what?"

"Oh I'm gonna feed you all right B..." Faith purred with a smirked once more back to her cocky self.

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"I'm so full I think I'm going to pop..." Buffy let out a long sigh, cuddled further into Faith's lap and then flopped back against the large soft pillows, pulling the arm Faith had wrapped around her with her.

She smiled up leisurely at Faith, licked her lips and tasted the last remnants of Faith's fingers and the sweet and sour sauce that had been on the last piece of finger food that Faith had been feeding her by hand. There was something about the whole thing that reminded her of the night at the Mansion when they had truly made love for the first time. The night that both of them had stopped fighting against the bond they shared, the night that Faith had for the first time in her life let someone see what lay beyond the walls she had erected. The night that Faith had given Buffy her complete trust. It was a night filled with emotions, trust, love, a night that Buffy had been given a gift by Faith that she would treasure for the rest of her life.

"That was wonderful baby. All of this is wonderful, it kind of reminds me of that night at the Mansion when I cooked..." Buffy let out a little laugh, "...or rather bought Japanese food... This place is, tonight, all of it is beautiful, just like you. Thank you." She tugged on Faith's free arm pulling her down until she lay on her side facing her. She reached up and tucked a few stray pieces of Faith's hair behind her ear, it was Buffy realized, a habit of hers now. Her hand was unable to resist lightly caressing the side of Faith's face. She stared deeply into chocolate-brown eyes, seeing all the little flecks of emerald in them. She loved to watch Faith's eyes as her passion grew and the emerald flecks would expand until it seemed as if Faith's eyes were almost glowing.

"You're welcome Giz... I ah... I wanted tonight to be..." Faith trailed off, she lowered her eyes, her shyness kicking in again with the same force of a wrecking crane.

"To be what Fai?" Buffy asked her, she grasped one of Faith's hands, rubbing her thumb against the back of it encouragingly.

"I ah... wanted it to be special... I... well... I wanted to remind you of that night..." Faith peeked up at Buffy through her lowered lashes; she was mentally kicking herself in the ass over this shyness crap, this was one part of her 'true' personality she could have without question, done without.

Buffy looked at Faith quizzically, her eyebrows scrunched together as she concentrated on trying to solve this little puzzle. There was obviously more to tonight then one of Faith's 'just because' picnics, dinners or midnight rides that she had set up over the time they had spent here to surprise and romance Buffy. Faith had been nervous, almost painfully shy, stuttering, stumbling, fumbling over her words all day and for the life of her Buffy couldn't figure out why. It obviously had something to do with the night at the Mansion, the night they had in Buffy's mind, made their commitment to each other. The night Buffy knew they both realized that they were soul-mates. What was it that she was missing? Something began to drift hazily around the edges of her mind, an odd sort of understanding or rather a feeling came with the hazy thoughts.

"Faith... do you want to tell me why?" Buffy continued to stroke the back of Faith's hand with her thumb, Faith's nervousness contagious.

"It's... well with all the going from dimension to dimension... While it's only been a few months on Earth in Earth's time." She shook her head a little trying to force her babbling jumble thoughts into some sort of coherency. "I kept feeling like it had been, was so much longer than just a few months and then I started to realize why. It's just since that night at the Mansion and then in hell, then here, with how time passes differently in all those places, it's been a year since we've been together if I figured it out correctly. Not sure if today is actually one year or more but I know it's close. And... ah... well I figure it's an anniversary. I've never had one. Never had anyone stick around long enough for a week let alone a year. I know that... Granted, you were forced to be with me for more than half that year... But... And despite that most of this weird, warped year has been anything but good, mostly all bad. Hell it's been downright fucking horrible in so many ways, so much pain and hurt for most of it... but I... I just wanted..." Faith trailed off, lowered her eyes and started to berate herself silently or so she thought.

"Oh that was just fucking beautiful Faith! You sure know how to woo your fucking girl! A regular old Romeo you are! Stupid much?! Good way to tell someone how much you love them by telling them that almost the whole last year you spent with them sucked. Beyond sucked, gonna get a lot of brownie points for that. What was so hard about saying that despite everything... That if God herself came to you and gave you the choice of none of this happening, but it meant that you would lose B, that you would pick going through it all again, a million times over, a million times worse if it meant in the end that you were still with B? Or that you would gladly give B up, go through it all, hell, your childhood, over and over again if you were guaranteed that B would be spared every second of pain or hurt you caused her or was caused because you were a part of her life. Real fucking Shakespeare, you are. Fucking idiot... You're a fucking stupid, uneducated, mouth like a sewer, low-life, white-trash slut who doesn't deserve to be this fucking lucky..."

Buffy's mouth dropped open, her eyes grew wide in amazement, her heart stopped beating and her breath caught in her throat from Faith's words. She had thought she knew the depths of Faith's love for her, but until she heard the sincerity, the truth in the words that Faith was unknowingly mumbling under her breath, she had never really understood it. She did now and it completely humbled and awed her. She knew without a doubt that if whoever was in charge offered one of those deals to Faith, that Faith would take the one that ensured she ended up with her, Buffy, or spared Buffy pain, no matter what the cost to herself.

"Stop it. Stop doing this to yourself. You're not any of those things you are always accusing yourself of," Buffy whispered to Faith, as she gently lifted her face up. She waited patiently for Faith to look at her.

Faith looked up at Buffy, "I said that all out loud didn't I..." Faith mumbled out sheepishly. Christ she really was an idiot!

"Yeah you did... And Faith, this whole night, everything; from the bath, to this beautiful pendant you had made for me, to the dinner, it was... It is all special. And yeah, a lot of what happened to both of this year was of the bad, and I was part of that bad. I treated you like shit when you first came back..." Buffy delicately put her fingers against Faith's mouth to stop her protest, she had been an asshole when Faith first had come back, they both knew it and there was no point in denying it. "...I did. We both know it... Yet you stayed and this isn't coming out right either. I love you Faith. I know you love me, I guess up until this moment I didn't truly know or understand how much, but I do now. And I wouldn't trade one second of this last year I spent with you if it meant that I would lose you in the end. And I sure as hell wouldn't let you go through any of it again so that you could spare me from any of it. I want you in my life, I need you in my life and if that means that I too would have to go through it all again for that to happen I would do it. So stop doubting and putting yourself down. I wouldn't change anything about you, not one thing. I love you for who you are, all the good, all the bad. Just speak from your heart and I will always understand what it is that you're trying to say."

Buffy sat up and pulled a now openmouthed Dark Slayer up with her. She twisted around a little until she was facing Faith fully. She clasped both of Faith's hands in-between her own. She started to lean towards Faith speaking softly, "And today the way you were, shy, cute, loving, all your little quirks, and just now... All that you said just now..."

She whispered the last part against the Dark Slayer's lips before she captured them with her own, "...made me fall even more deeply in love with you... all over again."

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They sat facing each other kissing softly, tenderly. There was passion, desire, want and need in their kisses. But it was the slow building type of passion and the tentative kisses that souls just getting to know each other might share. They slowly explored the taste, the texture of each other as if for the first time. Their hearts beating a frantic cadence, their palms both unaccountably sweaty and their kisses almost hesitant and shy.

In some ways it was like the first time for both of them. They had beaten so many odds this past year. They had beaten their individual pasts, their shared past, their shared illusions and saw beyond the daily façade or masks they had both presented to the world and each other. They had lived through a hell that would have shattered others but only served to make them both stronger, individually and together. They shared an intimacy that went deeper than most people could achieve with their soul-mate's in a lifetime, in many lifetimes together.

They were at a crossroad of sorts. They had found in each other what they both had been looking for most of their lives. There was no turning back for either of them now; they couldn't even if they wanted to. They each were a part of the other in ways that even they themselves couldn't explain. They had made a lifetime commitment to each other during their time here, though neither had ever spoken the words aloud to the other.

While they were kissing, it suddenly dawned on Buffy that she had never been with someone for a whole year. Not even Angel, not in a real way. Their relationship, hers and Angel's, had been different on so many levels that even though they may have technically been together more than a year, how much of it had they truly been a couple? So, for her too this was all new, it was exhilarating, scary and Buffy knew she wouldn't trade one second of it for anything in the world even if she was as nervous as a virgin on her wedding night.

For Faith, now that she knew without a doubt that Buffy wasn't going anywhere, would be by her side until the day she passed from this life into the afterlife and hopefully would be with her there as well, the knowledge, the knowing of this and even more terrified the living shit out of her in a very real way. It was all new, all raw, immeasurable in the intensity of what they shared. It was overwhelming her and making her a nervous wreck, so she fell back on old habits.

The Dark Slayer leaned back from Buffy breaking their kiss and jumped up to her feet. She held out her hand, which Buffy immediately grasped with a perplexed look on her face. Neither Slayer missed the fact that both of their palms were cold, clammy, and sweaty. Faith turned her head and looked at the lake; she looked back at Buffy, raised an elegant eyebrow, and gave Buffy one of her lopsided, cocky, impish smiles.

"Maybe we should go for a swim in the lake B..." Faith smiled again, her eyes twinkling with mischief and Buffy knew she was up to something.

Buffy just smiled back, nodded her head in agreement, feeling not only her own nervousness but also Faith's as well floating around in their bond. Then she just waited for Faith to make her move, silently chuckling to herself, she loved this part of Faith, the young, carefree spirit that had managed to survive despite all that had happened.

"Last one in is a rotten egg!" Faith yelled suddenly, a very uncharacteristic taunt for her. She tried to spin around, only to be stopped by Buffy who hung on tightly to her hand.

"Faith, tell me you so didn't just say that!" Buffy giggled at the Dark Slayer who just lifted an eyebrow at her again. Buffy leaned up, planted a quick kiss on the Dark Slayer's mouth then in a move that surprised Faith, Buffy pushed her on her ass and took off for the lake.

"U don't play fair B!" Faith yelled after her mate from the blanket.

Faith had her clothes off at the speed of light, a smile plastered on her face. She shook her head for the umpteenth time that day and took off after Buffy who was now standing at the edge of the lake struggling to get her shirt off.

Buffy turned her head after she managed to get her shirt off. Her mouth dropped open a little as she saw Faith running full speed towards her, gloriously naked as the day she was born. When she finally managed to drag her eyes back up to Faith's face, she saw an all too familiar look on it. Faith had let out in full force the wild child in her, which only meant one thing. Trouble! She started to struggle with the buttons on her pants, thinking that Faith was going to grab her up and toss her in clothes or no clothes. Instead, at the last second Faith jumped up. Buffy's mouth dropped open even further as she followed Faith with her eyes as she flipped midair over her head and landed in the middle of the lake with a huge splash that left Buffy soaking wet. And not the good kind of soaking wet either!

She stood gaping openmouthed at her mate who was swimming back towards her underwater. Water dripped down her forehead, off the ends of her eyelashes, the tip of her nose, finally to drip from off her chin onto the soft grass. She started sputtering, mumbling incoherently at Faith who even with her Slayer hearing couldn't hear her underwater.

Her eyes grew wide and if it were possible, her jaw would have hit the ground as Faith slowly rose out of the water in front of her. Right then, right this second, Buffy believed with all of her heart and soul that water nymph's were not myths, 'cause Faith surely was one. She couldn't move, couldn't talk, hell she couldn't even think as Faith moved gracefully, slowly, towards her. She wanted with every ounce of her being to lick off each and every single drop of water that was sliding sensually down Faith's body. Goddamn if she wasn't friggin' jealous of all those little drops of water.

Her eyes devoured the vision in front of her and she decided Faith wasn't a water nymph, no... she was a goddess. Her goddess! She watched the play of muscles as Faith moved towards her with that slow, almost predatory, graceful walk of hers. She could almost feel the play of muscles under her hands and mouth. Each little cut in her triceps, across her thighs, her shoulders. Her six-pack stomach where the drops of water pooled and created their own little river, they beckoned to her, called her name, wanted her to come and play. Buffy heard Faith's siren call and every part of her, her soul most of all wanted to answer that call.

She blinked the water out of her eyes and Faith was there, right in front of her, brushing her hands, which were still holding onto the buttons of her pants, out of the way.

"Huh?" Buffy murmured, wondering if she wasn't dreaming after all.

"I said... let me help you with those B..."

Every single hair on Buffy's body stood on end at Faith's low, raspy voice, she just nodded her head dumbly. The feel of Faith's fingertips as they lightly brushed against her skin as she slid her pants down her legs made Buffy's knees weak. Then Faith was slowly gliding her silk underwear down to join her pants on the ground. Buffy grabbed almost desperately onto Faith's shoulders afraid that her knees would truly give out on her.

Faith smiled up softly at Buffy, all the teasing, nervousness in her gone. She felt a wholeness under Buffy's gaze that she just couldn't explain and for her, at this moment, all the insecurities, the fears were completely vanquished. She trailed her hands up Buffy's legs as she stood back up. Her hands slid up to the valley between Buffy's breasts, deftly she unhook the silk bra, then trailed her hands up to Buffy's shoulders and slipped the bra straps from them. She leaned in towards Buffy and kissed her softly, then leaned back and smiled warmly, sweetly at her still mute mate. She grabbed one of Buffy's hands and pulled her towards the lake.

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Faith lost herself in Buffy's eyes as she continued to lead her into the lake. Neither said a word to the other, at the moment they seemed to be unnecessary. When the water was a little higher than her waist, she leaned back half-floating, half-walking, pulling Buffy closer to her to do the same. She kept moving backwards until she could no longer feel the sand of the lakebed beneath her feet. She started to float on her back with Buffy partially on top of her, resting lightly against her. She wasn't quite sure how the hell this was working but she wasn't about to stop to figure it out. The water felt too good, so inviting and Buffy felt so warm, so soft against her skin and that was all that mattered to her.

They floated together letting the lake pull them closer to the waterfall. The water of the lake cradling them in silken sensual warmth, soothing away the earlier nervousness they both had felt. They felt at peace, tranquil, serene, as if the lake itself had the ability to strip away all their fears, nightmares, and pain. Maybe this place, this time, was part of the healing that the Living Scroll spoke of when it said that Mother Nature would teach them how to heal. Somehow showing them the innate knowledge of the gift they shared with each other, showing them together they could, they were, healing each other. That they were stronger for the fact that they had turned towards each other in a time of crisis, that they had learned implicitly to trust the other despite their own insecurities, pain, and fears. They were strong alone, but they were unbeatable together and the thread, the Soul-Thread they shared ensured that neither Slayer, even after death would ever be alone again.

They stopped floating and started to tread water when they came within a foot or two of the waterfall. They held hands as they watched the water cascading down over the side of the cliff. They swam into the waterfall, and Buffy helped to pull Faith up onto the small ledge directly under it. They moved towards each other without a word. They stood facing each other, their hands clasped, entwined with the other's, down by their sides. They leaned towards each other and kissed with the same pounding fury of the water falling on them. They could feel its power, its pure bright energy; its oneness with the lake, with nature, as the crystalline water beat down on them. They felt that same power, energy, oneness within themselves and with each other.

It all rippled under their skin, in their hearts, in their souls, the feeling of somehow being just simply more with each other. Complete, whole as individuals, but more complete, more whole, if that were possible with each other. They kissed with a passion, with a love for each other that would have stunned Aphrodite herself. There was no urgency in their kiss; there was just their deep-seeded need to share this most intimate of touches with the other.

For the Chosen Two, kissing, sharing the other's breath, taste, in the most simplest, most common of human touches was more intimate than making love. For them, when they kissed, it went beyond just mouths, lips and tongues, beyond the physical, for them when they kissed, they touched, held, and caressed each other's souls. It was a gift Buffy had given to Faith with her first morning kiss and a gift that Faith had given back to Buffy when she returned that very first morning kiss. It was a gift that they had only ever given to each other, a gift that they had never shared with another and never would.

They stood kissing under the waterfall until even they couldn't stand against the hammering wrath of the water any longer. They smiled at each other and dove as one back into the sapphire lake, still without any words. They swam towards the other side, towards the hot spring, this time it was Faith who lifted Buffy up onto the ledge. She sat her gently down on the natural seat within the hot spring. She moved close and stood between Buffy's legs. She wrapped her arms around Buffy's waist and lay her head down, ear pressed over Buffy's heart and listened to the steady, even rhythm of its beat.

Buffy leaned down a little and rested her cheek against the top of Faith's head. One hand pressed delicately tracing circles between Faith's shoulder blades, her other hand on Faith's head. She began to stroke, run her fingers through Faith's hair, lovingly, soothingly, luxuriating in the warmth of Faith's skin, her breath caressing her own flesh.

They wallowed in, savored, the feel of the other, the texture of the other's skin, the other's touch. They reveled in the joy, the knowing, the love they held for each other, they surrounded, drowned themselves in it and in this moment. This moment, that for both of them was all they were to each other, all they felt for each other, it was heaven, it was perfection, it was them and who they were to and with each other. They didn't need words, they knew innately the other felt the same and this too humbled and awed them. The bond they shared was a gift, just like the love they shared and it was in the truest sense, a gift that they could only have with and give to each other.

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"Well that's the last of it," Buffy picked up the suitcase and moved it over to the door with the other four. She turned around and saw Faith just sitting on the chaise lounge staring absently at the door and the suitcases. "Okay Clotho you can fade our new wardrobe back home now..." she yelled out into the thin air knowing the Immortal would hear her. Sure enough a few seconds later the five huge suitcases faded right in front of her eyes.

They had said their goodbyes to all the Immortals at breakfast that morning at Mars'. A few tears had escaped despite all their best intentions. It wasn't like they would never see each other again. Still it wouldn't be the same, both she and Faith had gotten used to seeing them all almost every day. In fact, they had seen Lilith, Clotho and Mars every day and they had spent more time with those three then any of the other Immortals combined. It was going to be an adjustment for both of them, especially for Faith, who over time had come to think of Mars as the Father she never had.

"I'm still trying to figure out how the hell we managed to acquire so much stuff since we've been here and there's not even a mall in sight."

Faith smiled wanly at Buffy's attempt at humor. "We've been here four months B. I know it's only been two weeks on Earth. But it's been four months here. Did you realize that?"

"I guess I didn't. Wow... It'll be good to get home."

"Yeah... I guess..." Faith trailed off, the tops of her Doc's suddenly becoming very interesting.

Buffy moved closer to Faith, something was wrong. She had attributed Faith quietness all morning while they were packing to just simple fatigue. They hadn't slept at all the night before at the clearing with the waterfall. She felt her cheeks grow a little hot just thinking about it. She pushed the beautiful memory of their night spent there to the back of her mind for now. She thought Faith would be happy about going home, apparently she was wrong. She sat down next to Faith on the chaise lounge and pulled Faith onto her lap, circling her arms around her waist. She couldn't help the little smile that escaped her when Faith rested her head on her shoulder with a very heavy, dramatic sigh.

"What's wrong baby?" Faith whispered an answer against her neck that was too low for Buffy to hear, even with her Slayer hearing. She couldn't read anything in their bond and that worried her even more. "Talk to me Faith. Tell me what's wrong please..."

"I'm scared..." Faith whispered almost apologetically. The fact was she wasn't just scared, she was terrified and she hated the fact that she was. She felt almost like she was betraying Buffy by being afraid.

"Why are you scared?" Buffy began to lightly stroke Faith's back.

Faith started to nervously play with, pluck at the leg of her pants. She wasn't sure she could even explain what was scaring her. She had already almost convinced herself that whatever came out of her mouth would be fucked up and completely wrong. She had been fine with going home right up until they started to pack.

"Just tell me what's in your heart Faith. Nothing that comes from your heart can ever be wrong. Take your time, I'm not going anywhere. 'K?" Buffy clasped Faith's nervously plucking hand with her own, she gently stroked her thumb along its back.

"'K," Faith sat up so she could face Buffy. "I'm scared everything's going to change. That when we go back all the bad will be there again. Here I don't have a past. I'm worried I'm going to fuck everything up again. Worried about all the temptation. I mean I know I've changed. I know I've conquered that side of myself. But still... it's so much harder there. I don't have a job... Not even a high school diploma and we'll be slaying again. It's everything and nothing at the same time." She felt exposed somehow and needy, and she wasn't telling Buffy all that she was afraid of losing once they went back. She felt silly, but not, at the same time.

Buffy could see the need and the vulnerability in Faith's eyes; she imagined that the same things were showing in her own eyes too. She wasn't worried that Faith would slip over to the dark side again. If anything, she was more worried about herself and the almost uncontrollable rage that was still inside of her. She knew these were real fears for Faith, but Faith wasn't alone anymore, she had her and the rest of their extended family, including the Immortals to help her. As Buffy continued to stare into Faith's eyes, she knew that this wasn't all or even the heart of Faith's fears.

"You're not alone anymore Faith. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right there helping you and loving you. Me, Dawn, the Scoobs, Angel and crew, even the Immortals. You have changed and I would bet my life that no matter what temptation was put in front of you, nothing could get you to cross that line again. As for you not having a diploma, well Willow and Tara were helping you to get your GED before the shit hit the fan and I'm sure that once we get back they'll be more than happy to help you again. We both need to get jobs and if it means that we both have to work at MickeyD's flippin' burgers for a while then we will. At least we'll both smell bad and get to eat for free." The last bit managed to get a small smile from the Dark Slayer, which Buffy eagerly returned. "But that's not all that's got you worried or scared is it Fai?"

"I'm afraid everything is going to change between us B. When we get back, you'll be home with Dawn and I'll be at the Mansion. We haven't been apart for almost a whole year and while I know that most of it was forced... It's just these four months here everything was so perfect almost, you know. We got to see what kind of life we could have if we weren't who we are. I didn't wake up every morning wondering if today was the day I or you or we were going to get killed by some vamp or demon. I, we got to... we built a life together here. I got to hold you in my arms every night while we slept and got to wake up with you every morning. Something I never thought I could have, or deserved. And... and I'm not sure I know how to sleep anymore without you there and... I'm just scared that when we go back it will all be different, gone... I'm sorry... I know I'm being silly... stupid even... I know you love me, know you aren't going anywhere... But this is all still so new to me, it shouldn't be, I know, but it is... I know I shouldn't be scared but I am... Our time here was special and I don't want to lose what we found here together."

Buffy listened with her whole heart and soul to everything Faith was telling her. She understood her fear, because she too, for a little while, had those same fears. She knew how hard it was for Faith to tell her all this, for Faith to need anybody, including her and Faith did need her, just like she needed Faith. The fact that Faith was turning to her, told her how far they had come in their relationship and the trust that Faith placed in her hands. For the first time ever, Buffy could see, that while Faith was afraid, none of that fear was because of old insecurities or a knee jerk reaction that Buffy would take advantage of, reject her, or break the trust that she had placed within Buffy's hands. For that, Buffy was grateful. And it just solidified in Buffy's heart the feeling that they would be able to keep and build upon what they had already started to build together here within the Immortals domain.

She idly tucked a few stray locks of hair behind Faith's ear then gently caressed the side of her face. Smiling softly at both her new habit and the way that Faith always leaned into her touch. She had never thought that such simple actions could thrill her whole being, or make her insides dance with such joy, but they did. She smiled softly again at her soul-mate who was looking at her with such vulnerability and trust and prayed silently that she was always worthy of such unconditional trust.

"I'll tell you a secret Faith. I was scared too when I first realized that we would be going home soon. Scared, until I realized that you would be there with me. That we would be going home together. I think, no I know, I was at a point in my life where I had resigned myself to the fact that I could never have a future. Never have the kind of relationship that I always wanted with someone. That for me, being a Slayer meant that I couldn't have a future, I didn't let myself think about the future beyond that minute, that day. But then you came along, came back into my life and I fell head over heels in love with you. You opened my eyes, made me see all the possibilities, showed me, helped me to remember just how beautiful the world can truly be. Now I want that future and I want it with you. You are my future. We can work it all out, the slaying, Dawn, jobs, you and me both going back to school. We aren't going to lose anything that we have here. We built...we have a life together that I will fight tooth and nail to keep. I have every intention of teasing you fifty years from now about how gray your hair is and how slow you're getting in your old age. And I have absolutely no intention of sleeping or waking alone and I'm not giving you that choice either. Not the best way, I guess, to ask someone to live with you... But I want us to live together, I'm sorry I didn't say it sooner, I guess I thought you would just know that it was what I wanted for us when we went home, what I hope you want too."

"You want us to live together B? What about Dawn? Don't you think we should ask her first? And what about the social worker and the school. I mean I was in jail and that won't look so good." Faith blurted out, kicking herself a little, since it sounded almost argumentative. She was still a little stunned over what Buffy said. Stunned that Buffy actually wanted to live with her, stunned even though she had thought, had actually known that Buffy wanted to live with her, had felt in their bond, seen the images there, but she had been afraid despite that knowledge to bring it up. Her own insecurities, fear of rejection once again raising its ugly head and giving those fears a voice. Living with Buffy and Dawn was something Faith wanted with her whole heart and soul. Knowing something in your heart and actually hearing it made all the difference, made it all the more real somehow.

"I'm not worried about all that Faith. We'll work it out together. Because together we can do anything, we're the Chosen One's, the Chosen Two. Remember? And nothing can defeat us, not to mention all the people we have that are willing to help us. And we'll do it in the same house, cause I don't' want to wait until we figure it all out to live together. Because Faith, there is nowhere in any dimension, any realm that I could ever call home without you there... And that's because, just in case you don't already know it... You are my home Faith."

Buffy's words held Faith spellbound. She felt them wrap around her, holding her close, filling up a place inside of her with warmth, with love, that she hadn't realized, until this second, had been empty and cold for the whole of her life. Buffy's words made her feel cherished, special, worthy and loved like never before. This time it was Faith who gave up a silent prayer that she was always worthy of the unconditional love and trust that her soul-mate placed in her.

"You're my home too Buffy... You have been since the first time I held you in my arms."

They just stared at each other with goofy-ass grins on their faces. They felt silly, giddy and a little embarrassed all at once. What they had said to each other was corny, mushy and the kind of shit that all the gothic romance novels gushed, the same novels both Slayers had read on the sly when they were younger. They really didn't care though. Because the thing about the outright corny-trite-mushy-dreamy-romantic-dribble they had both just spouted to each other, was that it made them both feel great! No! It made them feel that downright, fucking wonderfully clichéd, warm fuzzy feeling inside - although they both would have cut out their own tongues before ever admitting it.

They rose from the chaise lounge together. Without thought, they reached for each other's hands and took one last look around at the cottage. They had come so far here together, they had cried, screamed, laughed and found their way back to each other within these four walls.

They made their way slowly over to the front door.

They had come to the cottage that first night broken, tormented, scared, hurting, feeling alone and in pain.

They opened the door and stepped out into the bright morning sun, whole, strong, loved, together, secure in each other, themselves and firmly on the road towards healing.

They softly closed the door behind them; they headed down the path towards the portal, stood in front of it and smiled at each other.

Without a backwards glance, they walked into the portal as one and towards their future together.

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...find me here ~ speak to me ~ i want to feel you ~ i need to hear you ~ you are the light ~ that is leading me ~ to the place ~ where i find peace again ~ you are the strength ~ that keeps me walking ~ you are the hope ~ that keeps me trusting ~ you are the life ~ to my soul ~ you are my purpose ~ you are everything ~ and how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you ~ would you tell me how could it be any better than this...

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Gary made his way carefully through the kitchen and out the sliding glass doors that led to the enclosed garden of the house that he and James shared next door to the Slayers. His steps were slow, even and cautious, he could have made the trip easier by taking a sip or two of his martini before he began his journey to the back yard, but to his way of thinking that would have been just way too easy. He idly wondered where James was, he hadn't mentioned having anything to do today when Gary had run out early this morning on an emergency call. He wasn't worried though, it was, after all, almost Sunday afternoon cocktail hour or rather 'Tea,' so he knew James would be along shortly.

He set down his martini on the glass side table and gave himself an imaginary congratulatory pat on the back for not having spilled a single solitary drop. He made himself comfortable on one of the four plush loungers and once again, carefully picked up his martini. He brought it slowly towards his mouth, licking his lips in anticipation of that first taste. God he loved lazy Sunday afternoons.

"GIZ!"

"FAI!"

"B! B! OH B!"

"FAITH!"

"HURRY! PLEASE B... PLEASE!"

Gary started choking on the one and only sip of his martini he was going to get, because he was wearing the rest. "Son of a bitch!" he snarled wiping at the vodka all over his chest.

"THANK GOD B!"

Gary slammed his glass down on the table and got up, so much for relaxing outside this afternoon. He really needed to talk to James and the Wicca's about some kind of soundproofing spell, especially with the Energizer Slayer-Bunnies as next-door neighbors. He got up from the lounger and started to make his way back over to the sliding doors, then Buffy's voice stopped him dead in his tracks.

"No way Faith. There is no way that is going to fit."

"Yes it will trust me."

"It's too big! What were you thinking? It's huge!"

"No it's not. It'll fit I know it will."

"No!"

"Come on you promised."

"I know I promised. Why the hell did you get such a big one?"

"Cause I liked it. It was the thickest, nicest one. If you had come with me then you could have helped me pick it out. You knew I never had one of these before, unlike you. I know it's a little bit big... but just let me try, please B... Come on just open up just a little more and let me in, at least let me try. I'll be careful, I promise... If it doesn't fit I'll take it back and get a smaller one, I swear! Please Giz..." Faith's voice trailed off and Gary didn't have to see her face to know that she was pouting.

He shudder a little at the visuals he so did not want to be having. He silently cursed the wonderful acoustics in his garden thanks to the walls that surrounded both his garden and the Slayers.

"Faith... baby... you can't bring it back. They don't do returns on this kind of stuff. And... and... it's just so... so huge baby. I know it won't fit!"

"Just let me try B. I'll be careful. Please..."

Gary reached for the sliding door and then stopped dead in his tracks for the second time.

"Come on Buffy let her try. If it doesn't fit maybe I can or we can make it fit, make it smaller. Gary and I had the same problem once, I'm sure we can fix it, make it fit."

"Oh... Don't pout, pouting is so not fair! I can't resist you when you pout, you know that. Damn it, all right you win, please be careful and only if James stays and helps."

"You're the best Giz! Now open up wide..."

Gary spun and started running for the gate that led out of the garden the second he had heard James' voice. He could not believe the thoughts that were going through his head; he ran out of the garden and burst through the gate that led into the Slayers' garden.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ONNOOOHSHIT..." He screamed skidding to a halt and almost falling, totally unprepared for the sight in front of him.

Three pairs of eyes turned towards him, the conversation they all just had flashing through their brains in a millisecond and they burst out laughing when all three of them realized exactly what Gary had thought was happening.

"So..." James drawled, "You going to help us bring inside this Rockefeller size Christmas Tree or are you going to stand there with your mouth hanging open drooling all afternoon?" James started laughing again as Gary just stood there in his vodka soaked t-shirt, mouth hanging open, eyes blinking rapidly.

"I ah... I... oh you wouldn't believe what I was thinking. I don't want to believe what I was thinking. Bad, really bad visuals!" Then Gary's own warped sense of humor kicked in and he started laughing at his own stupidity. He shrugged sheepishly, "What? What was I supposed to think when we live next-door to the Energizer Bunnies?"

They all started laughing again, "Come on G help us get this big bad boy inside will ya..."

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Buffy lay with her head in Faith's lap, purring as Faith idly played with her hair. They were both just relaxing staring at the Christmas Tree, everyone else had long since gone up to bed. The tree was beautiful, huge, but beautiful. They had spent the whole day, three weeks ago decorating it with the gazillion trimmings, ornaments and lights that Faith had bought the same day she had bought the tree. It was Faith's first Christmas Tree and her first real Christmas. Buffy had spent that day watching Faith run around excited a goofy grin permanently plastered on her face. Watching Faith that day as the joy just seemed to radiate off her had alleviated some of the sadness that not only Buffy was feeling but Dawn as well that their Mom would not be there to share this Christmas with them.

Faith hadn't stopped at decorating just the tree though. The whole Mansion, inside and out was decorated with strings of pine, lights and tinsel. There were wreathes on all the doors, including the outside gates, there were cheerful bells and goofy Santa Claus statues, all the reindeers and a sled. And of course Faith's favorite, mistletoe. It was hung over almost every square inch of the Mansion including their bedroom. As if, Faith needed an excuse to kiss her. It was, if nothing else, interesting because Faith made everyone kiss that passed under the mistletoe, regardless of age or sex. Buffy had dearly wished she had a camera the day Xander had to kiss Gary. Xander's face had been priceless. And the downright wicked, evil smile Anya had gotten when she told Xander that the chaste kiss he had given Gary on the cheek just wasn't going to cut it, made them all burst into laughter. Then they had burst into laughter again as both Xander and Gary had backed away from each other shaking their heads no so fast and furiously that everyone was afraid they would give themselves whiplash!

They had set a spending limit on themselves - which Buffy had no intention of following - and on their extended family. When asked what she wanted for Christmas, Faith had surprised each and every one of them with her answer. She had asked them to spend, if not all, then at least half of what they were going to spend on her on gifts for the kids down at the Sunnydale Center for Underprivileged Children, the SCUC, instead of on her. And she wanted them all, Immortals and mortals alike, to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day together here at the Mansion. That was all she wanted, because as far as she was concerned, she already had everything she could ever need, she had them. Then Faith had turned the brightest shade of red Buffy had ever seen.

It was Spike who ended up surprising them the most though when he had shown up tonight for Christmas Eve dinner with a wagon full of brightly wrapped gifts for the kids at the Center. Spike blew off their surprised comments and thanks in his trademark off-handed way. And if vampires could blush he would have when Faith had rained kisses all over his cheeks in thanks for his thoughtfulness. But Spike wasn't the only one who had brought a truckload of gifts for the Center kids, they all had, even the Immortals. By the time, everyone had shown up the pile under the tree for the kids at the Center was twice as large if not more than the rest of all the other gifts put together.

Faith in her own way had reminded them what Christmas was all about. It was about giving, not receiving, it was about family and spending time with those you love.

Today, Christmas Eve, was only the second time since their return that they had spent a whole day together. Buffy missed spending all of her time with Faith like they had during their stay at the Immortals' domain and she knew that Faith felt the same way. She supposed that they, that things, would settle down again sooner or later, it just seemed like there were fifty million things they had to do since they had gotten back.

First and foremost had been finding jobs, they both had far too many bills that were overdue and had been waiting on their return. Buffy had gotten a job the second day of their return waiting tables at the local diner thanks to her previous waitress experience in LA. She had been picking up as many shifts as possible. Silently thanking whomever for Slayer energy or she would have never been able to continue the hours she had, was still working. But she knew no matter how much she worked she wasn't going to be able to pay her bills and go back to school at the same time, at least not this year.

One of the first things she had done was to sell her Mom's car, she couldn't afford the payments and she really didn't need a car. It had helped but it still wasn't enough. Finally after long sleepless nights, she had come to the conclusion that she needed to do something with the house as well, especially since they had decided that the best place for them to all live together and keep social services happy would be at the Mansion. She had sat down with Dawn and they had discussed all the alternatives, one of which had been renting the house out. But they had both decided that considering the amount of work the house needed and the type of people that had a tendency to migrate to SunnyD renting out the house wasn't a good solution to the mortgage payment problem. Not to mention, it would have still cost money to maintain the house even if they did rent it out. So, two weeks after her return home, Buffy, with Dawn's consent had put their house, their Mom's house up for sale.

Faith on the other hand, hadn't had such an easy time finding a job as Buffy had. Even the local MickeyD's wouldn't hire her because of her lack of a high school diploma, though privately Faith believed it had more to do with her whole bad girl persona, then lack of a diploma. She had become increasingly frustrated as one after another place either turned her down or outright refused to even talk to her. Finally, two long weeks after their return home, she had been walking dejectedly in the warehouse district and had seen a help wanted sign at one of the loading docks. She had politely asked to speak with the manager who was doing the hiring. When he came out she had told him she wanted to apply for the job loading and unloading the trucks. She had also told him outright that she didn't have a HS diploma, he had told her in return that didn't matter to him, what mattered to him was what kind of worker she was but... He had tried in an awkward way to tell her that she wasn't quite what they were looking for physically, the work was backbreaking and required a great deal of strength and stamina. She had quickly seen that he was sincere, so instead of arguing with him she simply walked over to one of the trucks and started unloading it. Lifting boxes and crates out of it that had required two large men to unload. After ten minutes of not even breaking into a sweat, the manager, Ron, hired her.

Like Buffy she took every available shift she could get her hands on and unbeknown to Buffy she had taken a second job at one of the sister companies down at the docks doing the same thing seven days a week from three in the morning until eight in the morning. She had a goal and to achieve that goal she needed to make as much money as possible in as short a time as possible. Buffy thought, because it was what Faith had told her, that she was actually working two part time jobs, one in the warehouse district, the other at the Pier and the rest of the time she was absent from the Mansion she was taking a class down at the local adult center to get her GED. She was, in truth, studying for her GED, but with Willow and Tara, whenever she had free time, but she had sworn Willow and Tara to secrecy about the tutoring and the second job. She had taken the test for her GED three weeks ago and had hoped to have the results back before Christmas, but it hadn't happened, she was disappointed, she wanted to surprise Buffy, 'cause she knew she had passed. It was all right though, because what she had really wanted to come in the mail had arrived just last week and that was what was really important to her.

Between all the hours working, Slaying and taking care of the house and Dawn. Running around like chickens without heads to make sure the Mansion looked nice and normal for when Social Services did one of their surprise visits they had spent relatively little time with each other. Most nights they Slayed in shifts with one of the Scoobs, but seldom did they go out Slaying together. So for the most part the only time they spent together was the brief hour between Faith getting home from her job and Buffy heading off for hers and the few hours after Slaying they managed to sleep together. Even their lovemaking had suffered; on a good day, if they were lucky, it was a quickie in the morning or in the shower between jobs and they both were feeling a little unsatisfied and a little bit lonely. But more than anything else they missed sleeping in each other's arms and waking with the other. They missed their morning kisses and spending time in that in-between place in the mornings when they were neither awake nor asleep and the rest of the world ceased to exist.

It wasn't easy, but it was life and a real life. They were together and closer in some ways then they had been before. They were both working towards making a better life, for not only each other, but Dawn as well. They had each other, Dawn, the Scoobs, Angel and crew, the Immortals and together they would all get through the hard times. For once in their lives, both Slayers saw the light at the end of the tunnel and they knew sooner or later all of them would be standing in that light.

Faith smiled down softly at Buffy, it was all going to change after tomorrow. She had quit her second job, she didn't need it anymore. She pulled her thoughts away from that; she didn't want to spoil her surprise for Buffy by letting anything seep into their bond.

Buffy smiled back up at Faith, she raised her hand and gently stroked along the side of her neck. Faith had made tonight, this Christmas season so special, so new once again for Buffy. She had been dreading the coming holiday since it would be the first without her Mom, but somehow Faith had made her feel like her Mom was here with them. It had even been Buffy, who at Faith's gentle urging, that hung up her Mom's stocking after she had found it in the box with hers and Dawn's. And so Joyce's stocking hung on the mantle with all the stockings that Buffy had made to surprise Faith for their entire extended family.

As much as she loved spending this relaxing time alone on the couch with Faith, Buffy had to get her upstairs and to sleep soon. The others, though they had gone to bed, were waiting for them to go up and Buffy's signal. They had all decided covertly to make this a very special first Christmas for Faith indeed. From Lilith making all of Faith's favorite foods and sweets to Buffy finally breaking down and getting something for Faith that she had mentioned she always wanted years ago, despite the context Buffy had been told it in or any misgivings she might have about this particular gift.

"I can't believe that you actually put out chocolate-chip cookies and milk on the mantle."

"Whatda ya think Santa doesn't get hungry delivering all those gifts?" Faith asked Buffy and Buffy's breath caught at the childlike innocent look that Faith was giving her.

"You don't really believe there's a Santa Claus do you Faith?" Buffy smiled again because she had a sneaky suspicion she knew what Faith's answer was going to be.

"Why not B? We spent the last four months in another dimension with Immortals that were up until then only myths. We're friends with the Prince of Darkness. Our family consists of two vampires with souls, an ex-vengeance demon, a sister who was, is a mystical key, need I go on? Not to mention, we're Slayers, we fight vampires and all sorts of demons every night. So why can't there be a Santa Claus too? Why can't there be some mythical being that's a good guy that's real too? Would be nice for a change that one of the good ones is real instead of just the evil ones, don't you think so B?"

"Yeah Fai, it would be nice..." Buffy spoke softly, almost wistfully, remembering when she had believed in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy. When the world had been so much simpler before she knew that the boogieman she thought lived under her bed, was in fact, really real. Even though she wished things could be that simple again, she wouldn't trade anything for that time, if it meant that Faith couldn't be with her.

Buffy sat up and climbed onto Faith's lap straddling her legs. She leaned in and gave her a soft, sweet kiss. It was a simple, chaste kiss, a kiss that spoke of long-ago, childlike innocence and simpler times. It spoke too, of youthfulness, naiveté, and the innocence that Faith had helped her rediscover in the world.

"But you know baby..." Buffy started as she tucked a few strands of hair behind Faith's ear, "...we need to go to bed, 'cause Santa won't come until we're asleep. It's an unwritten rule you know. So let's go to bed. 'K?"

Faith pouted, if given the choice she would just stay up all night. She was full of energy and excited about her first Christmas with her family. Her family, it sounded so good, she could say it over and over again forever. She had a family, she had a woman that loved her and that she loved in return with her whole being and she had a life. A real, bona fide, actual life!

"But it's still early and it's so cozy down here with the lights and the fire and everything... And being all alone with only you..."

Faith sounded like a five-year-old begging their Mom to stay up just five more minutes and Buffy was unable to resist her, she was so damn cute. She leaned in once again and gave her a light as air morning kiss, not caring that it was eleven o'clock at night. Who said they could only share those kisses in the morning anyway?

"Mmmmm... That was nice. More than nice. I miss this B."

"I miss this too. And I miss holding you in my arms every night and waking with you in the morning. Just miss you Fai..."

"Miss you too B..." Faith mumbled before capturing Buffy's lips with her own for a kiss filled with love, longing and pent-up passion. It was slow and sensual, as their mouths and tongues performed an elegant ballet of love and desire with each other.

Buffy leaned back, knowing that Faith would keep her from falling. She began to play with the hair that rested softly against Faith's chest. "That was even nicer. Downright delicious in fact. Just like you. You know Fai..."

"Yeah B."

"If we go upstairs to bed now... Well, there would be plenty of time before we needed to go to sleep in time for Santa to come for me to show you..."

"Show me what B?" Her voice came out low, raspy and husky. She smiled languidly when she saw the goose-bumps appear on Buffy's skin just like they always did when her voice was like this. It made her do the happy dance inside that her voice still had that kind of effect on Buffy.

She watched as Buffy's mouth turned up into a downright wicked, evil smile and that was all the answer Faith needed. She swooped down and captured Buffy's mouth in a ravenous kiss as she stood up from the couch. Her whole body shuddered as she felt Buffy tighten her arms around her neck and her legs around her waist. She stumbled her way over to the stairs, already sweating and trembling with anticipation and felt Buffy trembling against her as well. She took the stairs two at time, never breaking their kiss, and ran down the hallway towards their bedroom with Buffy still wrapped tightly around her.

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"B... OhgodB... You feel so good... right ah... ohgod..." the low, moaned-out words floated softly to them through their open bedroom window on the evening breeze. Without thinking, she waved her hand and caste a soundproof spell around the Slayers' bedroom. She smiled when she heard Willow stifle a giggle into her pillow.

"Quick thinking sweetie!" Willow mumbled against the pillow then giggled again.

"I guess you could say that's our signal that the coast is clear..." Tara started giggling herself.

"Oh that was a signal okay, though I don't think it was meant for us..." Willow started giggling even harder, she took one look at Tara and they both fell into each other's arms in a fit of laughter.

They finally got over their laughing fit and got out of bed. They slipped on their shoes, having changed into sweats and t-shirts earlier and had just been lounging around waiting for Buffy to come get them. They quietly made their way through the Mansion gathering the rest of the 'troops.'

They all spent the next four hours gathering all the hidden gifts, redecorating, stuffing the stockings and enjoying each other's company. Angel and Spike actually went up on the roof and set up a spell the Wicca's had put together for them that would later that day make sled trails and hoof marks. While Wesley, Gunn, Fred and Cordy finished polishing the gift the LA crew and the Scoobs had gotten for Faith together. Lily finished the last of her chanting for one of her gifts that would start the minute Faith began making her way down the stairs in the morning. Mars, Lilith, Zane and Clotho were down in the basement, busy at work setting up their combined presents for both Slayers. While the rest of the Immortals, finished up with theirs. They did this not just for Faith, but Buffy and Dawn too; they wanted this Christmas to be special for all three of them. Those three had a long hard year and all of them wanted to make this a happy, joyful day for the Slayers' and their sister. And they were all glad, though not surprised at the method that Buffy had chosen to ensure that Faith wouldn't wander downstairs, because it ensured that Buffy wouldn't either. As for Dawn, they just neglected to wake her at all.

So, for four hours on Christmas Eve night, Immortals, mortals and vampires alike ran around with large goofy grins on their faces. Humming Christmas Carols under their breaths, happy that they were able to each do their part and make this a special Christmas for all of them.

And of course Buffy did her part, instinctively knowing that the rest of her family was busy downstairs, so she made sure to keep Faith busy and occupied well into the night. A part she didn't mind playing her part in their little surprise which she thought was only for Faith.

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The bed was bouncing and her shoulders were being shaken. She burrowed further under the covers and the pillow over her head. But the bed was still shaking and now there was an insistent finger poking her shoulder. She pretended not to hear her mate telling her to, 'Rise and shine sleepyhead.' So what had happened to that lovely morning ritual of slowly waking and bringing each other to that in-between place with soft kisses and gentle touches? She moaned, grumbled a loud protest into the mattress. Then started to giggle when she heard Faith ask her in an almost childlike voice, 'Don't you want to see what Santa brought you Giz?'

She squirmed around until she was on her back, Faith still sitting on top of her straddling her waist. She no sooner pulled the pillow off her face and Faith was showering her with happy, wet, sloppy kisses all over her face. There was only one thing Buffy could do... Flip Faith over onto her back and return all those beautiful, joyful kisses.

Her half-open sleepy eyes grew wide when she caught sight of the clock. "Faith! It's only six in the morning! It's way too early to be up!"

"No it's not! Come on Giz, it's Christmas!" Faith pouted and gave Buffy puppy dog eyes, but she couldn't hold the pout for too long, the same goofy grin she had the day she brought home the tree broke across her face.

She didn't wait for Buffy to answer her, she jumped off the bed, reached down, picked Buffy up and tossed her over her shoulder.

"Hey! Put me down!" Buffy yelled and lightly smacked Faith on the ass.

She ignored Buffy, started towards the door and then thought better of it for two reasons. One, they were both naked and two, they both reeked of sex. She diverted to the bathroom and set Buffy down next to the tub. She reached out and grabbed Buffy around the waist when she tried to get past her.

"Can't we sleep another hour. Please baby... You wore me out last night I'm tired..."Buffy pouted and fluttered her eyelashes at Faith.

Faith just chuckled under her breath, thinking to herself, the presents could wait another hour until after they showered. "No... But I'll wash your back if you'll wash mine..."

The husky tone of Faith's voice let Buffy know that getting her back washed was the last thing on Faith's mind.

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The shower, or rather the activities in the shower had definitely woken Buffy up. They finished their shower and Faith once again became that over eager five-year-old who wanted to see what Santa had left for them under the tree. She dragged Buffy out of the bathroom and dug out comfortable clothes for both of them, practically throwing Buffy's at her. She was dressed at the speed of light. She rocked from foot to foot impatiently as she waited for Buffy to finish getting dressed. The second Buffy was done she grabbed Buffy by the hand, literally pulled her out of their bedroom and started dragging her down the hall.

Faith's first stop was at Willow and Tara's temporary bedroom. She knocked twice loudly and shouted a warning before she opened the door. She let go of Buffy's hand, sprinted across the room, and dove on top of the witches, shouting at them it was time to get up. The witches glared at Buffy who just shrugged her shoulders at them, then they glared at Faith who was still sitting on top of them.

"I'm Jewish, we don't celebrate Christmas remember...?" Willow grumbled out in feigned anger at Faith.

"Well today you do! And happy belated Hanukah Red!" Faith said in a voice that was way too chipper for seven in the morning even if it was Christmas. Then she just gave both Wicca's' her best silly-ass grin and they couldn't help but smile back. Faith's enthusiasm was, if nothing else, contagious.

"You guys have ten minutes to get ready while I wake up everyone else. Meet me and B at the top of the stairs when you're ready." Faith told them as she climbed off them and the bed, made her way back over to Buffy by the door, and grabbed her hand again. "And don't make me come back to get you..." Faith threatened with a very un-Dark-Slayer-like giggle over her shoulder as she pulled Buffy out the door after her.

Tara and Willow jumped out of bed quickly; they wanted to be ready as fast as possible and waiting for the Slayers before they got back. They called out softly to Clotho and Lilith knowing that they would hear them and warned them that Faith was wide-awake and on her way.

Faith dragged Buffy from room to room, repeating the process of banging on the door, shouting a warning, bursting through the door, then jumping on the occupants of each room, giving them the exact same instructions and threat, then was off again like a little kid on a sugar rush to the next bedroom. Including Gary and James who, at Faith's insistence, had spent the night, even though they lived right next door.

"I swear I'm taking all sugar out of your diet Faith!"

"It's not the sugar B... I'm just happy is all..." Faith turned around, softly kissed Buffy, smiled and then started dragging her down the hall again towards the stairs where she had told everyone to meet them.

Tara and Willow were already there waiting for them. They all stood around waiting for the rest of their extended family to join them. Faith leaned against the wall, tapping her foot impatiently, the same large goofy, silly-ass grin on her face. Her eyes twinkled with delight and joy, she was as excited as a kid let loose in a toy store and she didn't give a shit who knew it or how much damage it did to her bad girl rep.

Lilith and Clotho came rushing around the corner and were greeted by a huffed out, 'Took ya long enough...' from Faith. They both just kissed the Dark Slayer on the forehead and laughed.

"Faith baby would you go get me a sweater while we're waiting for everyone I'm kinda chilly. Please baby."

"Sure B."

Five pairs of eyes watched Faith walk down the hall then into the Slayers' bedroom.

"Now?" The two Immortals and Wiccas' asked at the same time.

"Now!" Buffy told them with a nod and a shit-eating grin.

With a wave of her hand Clotho faded everyone in the Mansion except for Buffy and Faith downstairs to the living room.

"HEY! Where is everyone? Don't even tell me they went back to bed..." Faith started rambling the second she came out of their bedroom and saw only Buffy standing in the hallway.

"I told them to go downstairs rather than wait for us..." Buffy told her softly between clenched teeth so that she could keep biting the inside of her cheek to stop the shit-eating grin from spreading back across her face.

"Damn B. I wanted all of us to go downstairs together. Is everyone down there?"

"Yep."

"Even Angel, 'cause he sure was cranky and he's a worse morning person then even you."

"Look who's talking, Miss-I-don't-wanna-get-up-B-please-just-five-more-minutes-B-I'll-do-anything-anything-you-want-I-swear!"

"So... just think about all those 'anything's' I did for you when you let me have those extra five minutes..." Faith wiggled her eyebrows at Buffy, leaned down, and gave her a hot, wet kiss just in case she missed her meaning.

"You keep kissing me like that S.O. and we won't be going downstairs until tomorrow or maybe not even until after New Year's Eve..."

Faith leaned in close to Buffy; she gently nipped her earlobe and whispered to her, "Mmmmm sounds good to me..." then nipped her earlobe again and ran her tongue along it to soothe the bite. She picked Buffy up and whispered, "Tell me that again later and I'll take you up on that offer..."

She started to head down the stairs quickly, the silly, goofy-ass grin on her face again. Buffy snuggled against Faith tightly, her arms around her neck with the same silly, goofy-ass grin on her face too. Faith rounded the corner and almost tripped on the last two stairs and drop Buffy at the same time as the living room came into sight.

The twenty-five pairs of eyes that belonged to her family stared up at her and Buffy and each pair of eyes had a matching silly, goofy, shit-eating grin on their face. It was a sight and a feeling that Faith would remember 'til the day that she passed from this life into the next.

"Merry Christmas baby," Buffy whispered to her softly, gently detangling herself from Faith and standing next to her. She reached out and grabbed Faith's seeking hand with her own. She squeezed it gently when she felt Faith's hand tremble.

If Faith didn't know better as she took those last two steps and walked into the living room to a chorus of Merry Christmas' she would have sworn she was walking into Santa's Wonderland Village. She was waiting for a few of Mars' dwarf warriors to walk out of the kitchen dressed as elves. Something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye and she spun to the side and stared openmouthed out the wide double glass doors that led to the garden.

"GIZ! Gamin! LOOK!"

"What Faith..." Buffy laughed already knowing what Faith was seeing.

"It's friggin snowin'! Hell it's a damn blizzard outside, well in our garden anyways!" Faith spun around and looked at Buffy and Dawn with wide pleading eyes, "Can we go out and make snow angels?! Please... Pretty please with sugar on top!" She grabbed one of Buffy's hands and one of Dawn's, deciding not to wait for an answer, mumbling under her breath how much she loved the snow as she dragged them towards the garden doors. How the snow had always made everything look better, newer, cleaner, special, how she missed it since she had come to the West Coast.

"Faith stop..." Buffy tried to no avail, Faith just kept muttering under her breath and dragging her and Dawn across the room. "Faith! STOP!" She tried again and ran around in front of Faith, putting her hand on her chest and actually physically stopping her with a little help from Dawn. "First, we don't have on coats and second, we have our family here, who all got up nice and early 'cause of you. So let open some presents and have breakfast, trust me the snow isn't going to disappear... Right Lily?"

"Right Gizi...mbuuu-ffy!" Lily yelled back from across the room.

"Okay. Sorry Giz..." Faith gave Buffy a sheepish look. "I just got all excited. I love the snow. Promise we can go outside later and play in it... Maybe have a snowball fight or something. It's silly I know but..."

Buffy watched over Faith's shoulder as Tara and Willow quietly started to chant as they held hands. She began to babble at Faith to cover up the witches chanting, "It's not silly baby... It's actually cute, yesiree-bob. Cute like really, really cute. Then again, you're cute so it's cute in a cutesy kind of cute way. And we can have a snowball fight or make snow men and women or an igloo 'cause that would be cute too, ya know."

She saw the witches finish chanting at the same time Faith placed her fingers gently against her mouth to stop her inane babble on the attributes of cuteness. She tried to keep her eyes from growing wide as she saw all the gifts appear that Tara and Willow had placed invisibility spells on just in case either Slayer or Dawn had ventured downstairs during the night. Dawn pulled her bottom lip into her mouth to contain her gasp of surprise when everything magically appeared.

Faith smiled at Buffy and kissed the tip of her nose, thinking how cute Buffy was when she babbled and scrunched her face up when she kissed her nose.

"How about we discuss the cuteness of all of this later and open some presents?" Dawn asked both Slayers with a smirk.

"All-righty!" Faith smiled at both of the Summers' sisters. She spun around and once again reached out and grabbed a hand of each of the two people that meant the most to her in the world. The young woman who had been the only light in her otherwise dark life for so long and the other, who had, with the help of her younger sister and the rest of their extended family, had taught her, helped her and now walked side by side with her in the light.

Faith had managed to take only a half-step before she almost tripped again when her mind actually registered what she was seeing. "HOLY SHIT! FUCK ME NO WAY!"

"Faith!"

Both Buffy and Dawn yelled at her.

"WHAT?"

"CURSING!"

They said together again.

In what seemed to be the theme for the day, Faith channeled Willow and started babbling, "But do you see that? That can't be for... No way... That's gotta be for someone else and hey it wasn't there before, how did it get there? I must be seeing things... That can't be for..."

"I'm afraid so Faith. It is for you. Or rather it is yours." Wesley told her with a smile that lit up his whole face. "It's from all of us in LA, all the people here in Sunnydale and Giles of course. You might say it's from the Earth Collective!"

Faith looked at them one by one with a stunned expression on her face, blinking back the tears that were threatening to spill. She looked at Buffy dazed and whispered to her in awe, "B, they got me a Harley. That is a Harley, isn't it B?"

"Yes baby it is... You like?"

"I... I..." Faith started and stopped as she turned back to all their smiling faces. "I don't know what to say... I love it... but it's too expensive... I can't... expensive... I..."

"Actually it wasn't expensive Faith..." Gunn started his own smile threatening to split his face in half.

Fred cut off Gunn, as she rushed out, "It was cheap, real cheap actually, because Wesley he found this beaten, run-down, rusted bike, with dents, no gas tank, flat tires and other broken bike things. And we all wanted to kill him at first but he assured us he could fix it up. We didn't really believe him until he pointed out that he had fixed his own bike up after you had totaled it, and, well, as you can see, he wasn't lying. We even have pictures to show you what it looked like before. And a few of Gunn's friends helped us to get all the parts, tires, and one of them even painted it for really cheap. They said something about parts 'fallin' off the back of a truck.' They did the same thing for... um... for um... nothing else, that's it, you know me I just kind of keep talking until..." Fred finished and everyone looked at her with a little bit of awe, wondering how she had managed to get that all out in one breath. They also wondered if Willow had been giving her babbling lessons.

"You did all that for me Wesley?" Faith asked him, still wondering how this man had ever been able to forgive her. And thanking silently every deity she could name that he had. "Thank you..."

"You're very welcome Faith... After all, it's not like you live at the hotel with us anymore and can just hop on mine. And I couldn't have you coming to LA on the bus just to borrow my bike to just turn around and drive it all the way back here." He smiled again and Faith swore she saw an evil glint come into his eyes behind his wire-rimmed glasses. "Especially not the way you drive," he smirked at her.

"Hey I drive good!" She told him huffily, "Wasn't my fault there was oil on the road... I can't believe you guys got me a Harley. A fucking Harley..." She ended in a thunderstruck, hushed voice.

"FAITH!" Both Buffy and Dawn shouted at her again.

"WHAT?!" She shouted back knowing damn well what.

"CURSING!" They shouted right back.

"CHILDREN ENOUGH!" Giles shouted over them and everyone started laughing.

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They tossed the keys to Buffy with a chipper Merry Christmas and an Early Happy Birthday from the Earth Collective!

"What are these for?"

"Go look out the window."

Buffy flew rather than walked over to the window, "HOLY SHIT!" She had barely finished cursing before Faith and Dawn were besides her peeking out the window over her shoulder. "Don't tell me you fixed this up too Wesley."

"Let me guess... Gunn's friends found some more parts that 'fell off the back of a truck' for this too, right?" Faith asked unable to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

"Yes well... Actually, I didn't do the fixing up this time. It was Gunn and Cordelia that did the fixin' up." Wesley completely ignored Faith's question, he would clear that misconception up later. With the exception of one or two parts for both of the Slayers' gifts, all of the necessary parts were found in LA's numerous junk yards.

"No way. Not Cordy!" Buffy, Faith and Dawn all spun around in disbelief and shouting at the same time. "They're kidding right, Cordy?"

Cordelia shrugged her shoulders. "Who me? Me, the fashion queen of LA and Sunnydale, who knows all the latest do's and don't for clothes, shoes, hair and nails. Me, who has never committed a fashion faux pas' in her entire life. Me, who never has a hair out of place and wouldn't be caught dead in last months, let alone last year's styles. Me, who would never think to get grease under my perfectly French manicured nails. What would I know about a Sixty-five, Black on Black, Mustang convertible? With a two-seventy-one hp High Performance two-hundred-eighty-nine CID V-8 special Shelby engine with a three-hundred-six horsepower at six-thousand rpms, that can be converted to be a street legal R-Model Shelby. A four on the floor Hurst, with a heavy-duty suspension that has a twenty-two to one overall steering ratio, Limited-Slip Differential, Power Brakes, Steering and Top? Me, nah I wouldn't know anything about stuff like that... Now...would I?"

"Wow Queen C... I'm impressed." Faith told Cordelia then mocked bowed to her.

"What can I say Grasshopper. I have many skills." Cordy shot back giving Faith one of her best Queen C smirks.

"I KNEW IT! I so knew you were lying. I knew you were watching Xena on the sly!" Faith shouted at her and Cordy just shrugged her shoulders daintily, refusing to take the bait and tossed a second set of keys at Dawn.

"And this Little Bit is for you from all our two crews, the Watcher and the Slayers' who thought they were chipping in for something else of course..." Spike spoke to Dawn as he wheeled a new Honda Elite SR Scooter, black of course, out of the kitchen for her.

Both Slayers looked at the Scooter, threw murderous looks at everyone, then looked at Dawn and the keys in her hand. They lunged for the keys, a look of terror on both their faces. Dawn was quicker than both Slayers, she had anticipated them going for the keys. She was hiding behind Angel, Mars, Zane, Luc and Atropos before either Slayer had even come close to her.

"Guess all that training paid off, eh Little One?" Luc chuckled.

Angel saw that both Slayers' were about to start arguing with them over the Scooter and their little deception to get them to chip in, so he cut them off. "I have one more gift that is for the two of you. Well, actually for the three of you that is just from me." He moved over next to the Slayers', produced a large envelope seemingly from out of nowhere and handed it to them.

"You open it B." Faith beckoned Dawn to join them; she gave her a soft smile to let her know that they, she and Buffy would drop the subject of the Scooter for the day.

Buffy eagerly tore open the envelope and then Dawn and the Slayers' mouths dropped open. Angel had given them the deed and title to the Mansion. Dawn's third of the Mansion would be held in trust for her until her twenty-first birthday; he had also paid the taxes on the Mansion for this year and the next.

"Angel... I.." Buffy tried but she was in shock, her mind blank.

"Sou... Angel... Hell I don't know what to say either." Faith's was drawing a blank as well.

"I'd settle for a thank you and hugs from the three of you." Before he knew it, the Slayers and the Key were hugging him faster than he could blink. "I never wanted to worry about any of you not having a home again. And as corny as it sounds I wanted to be the first to give you a place you could call your own - for you to call home, Faith."

"You already did that Soul-boy when you brought me to yours after I got released from jail." Faith whispered it so softly that only the four of them heard what she said and this time she didn't try to stop her tears from falling.

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Everyone remained quiet for a few minutes letting the Chosen Two, Dawn and Angel compose themselves.

"Okay you three ready for the rest of your gifts from us mere Immortals?" Mars bellowed out.

Dawn, Buffy and Faith received their own riding saddles, riding boots, chaps and cowboy hats, which all three of them knew they would never wear. They also received a years' worth of riding lesson down at the local stables where it seemed both Obsidian and his now very pregnant mate, Sol were stabled for the time being. They would return to the Immortals domain when it was time for Sol to give birth or when the Slayers visited. Dawn was overjoyed when they told her that while there was a mare at the stables for her to ride, the colt that Sol was going to have would belong to her, just like she would belong to him.

The Slayers' and Dawn also received gear for the Sportster and the Scooter and gas cards from the Immortals. Everything once again all black. Dawn also received some kick-ass leather pants and leather jacket in black, which both Slayers knew Lilith had picked out and that made Faith envious, along with a ton of other clothes. Crow presented Dawn with a sterling silver Egyptian Ankh on a delicate silver chain and a card that she refused to let anyone read.

The Slayers were then led by hand downstairs to the basement, since Mars insisted that they close their eyes. When they reached the bottom step, they opened their eyes and once again, their mouths fell open. The basement was now a mini-version of the training room at Mars' facility. There were weapons of every type, weight lifting equipment and an odd sign, that looked more like it belonged over the doorway to a shop rather than on the wall in their training room. Both Slayers walked over curious to see what it said, Buffy read it aloud.

"Tan T'iens Dojo & Gym, 8 Main Street, SunnyDale?" She looked at Faith, who gave her a puzzled look she never heard of it either. "There's no Dojo on Main Street. Where did you get this sign?"

"Had it made..." Luc answered cryptically.

"Why?" Faith asked him.

"Cause everyplace needs a sign don't you think?" Zane, the Incarnate of Death answered.

"So... that's the name for here? But the address is wrong..." Buffy was confused and by the look on Faith's face she wasn't the only one.

"No and the address isn't wrong, it's right." Lachesis told them with an arched eyebrow.

"But... it's not..." Buffy insisted.

"It's a good thing you two are Slayers 'cause you guys are so dense sometimes... I can't believe you two are going to raise me..." Dawn gave a dramatic sigh and rolled her eyes at the Slayers.

"Please Dawnie, enlighten us..." Buffy told her little sister sarcastically and Faith arched an eyebrow and nodded in agreement with Buffy.

"Thinking that there's a place with that name in downtown Sunnydale now. And maybe the Immortals had something to do with it and you guys are gonna I don't know work there or run it or something like that..." Dawn told her sister and Faith just as sarcastically.

Both Slayers just gave Dawn an evil glare.

"Actually Little One, you're almost right. They're not just going to work there or run it, well actually they are, but they're also going to own it." Lilith told all of them in her own sarcastic husk and then chuckled as both Slayers' mouth dropped open once again. She idly wondered if she should ask them if they wanted bibs just in case they actually started to drool. She thought better of it, forced down her wicked nature and continued. "More over the Dojo is actually owned by Grasshopper, Gizmo and..."

"Hey that's the warehouse that my crew just started renovating! Why didn't you tell me it was for Buffy and Faith?" Xander asked excitedly cutting off Lilith, when the address sunk in.

"As I was saying..." Lilith began again, ignoring Xander's question, "The Dojo is actually owned by Grasshopper, Gizmo, X-Man, Red, hell by all of you here in Sunnydale or the Scoobs as you prefer to be called. And your share Little One will be held in trust until you're twenty-one. We figured you all might as well make a living teaching others what you do best. Maybe help the people that live here on the Hellmouth to survive, live longer, by teaching them how to defend themselves. Who better than two Slayers, four witches, a souled-vampire, an ex-demon, a mystical Key and you of course Xander. A mere mortal man who has on more than one occasion proven that you don't have to be a Slayer, a witch, a key or a vampire to survive against the evil that dwells here in this town. And anyway we needed a bigger space in order to train you all..."

"Now all the renovations are going to take another six months or so. But we've paid the rent on the building, with the option to buy for the first year. The equipment will have the same deal as the building once the renovations are completed. You wouldn't believe how cheap the rent is here in Sunnydale. Can't imagine why. Anyway, besides that, it's up to you all to make the business work and thrive. There won't be any outside influence or help from us, you will fail or succeed all on your own." Clotho finished for Lilith.

"I... shit, I don't know what to say other than thank you..." Buffy squeezed Faith's hand tightly.

"Wow... Oh wow... Wow..." Xander managed, while Anya was already forming a marketing strategy and counting the dollars in her head.

Xander's sentiments were chorused by the rest of the Scoobs.

"Ditto what Xand, the Scoobs and B said..." Faith mumbled out. She had officially hit overload and knew she was going to make a fool out of herself and start crying any second now. She was saved by Mars' stomach growling so loudly; it put both of the Slayers best stomach growls together, to shame.

"Well I don't know about the rest of you but I'm hungry. What say you we eat first and save the rest of the gifts for later? All in favor say aye."

A very loud enthusiastic chorus of 'Aye's' agreed to Mars' suggestion.

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"What?..." Faith asked through a mouthful of food when she felt almost everyone at the table staring at her.

For the most part everyone had finished eating over fifteen minutes ago. Faith was on her sixth helping and showed no signs of slowing down, she had out eaten even Mars' who had an appetite like a bear.

"What?" She asked again, when no one answered her. "Do I have food on my face or something?" She turned towards Buffy who just shook her head no. She didn't have a clue why everyone was staring at Faith either.

Faith looked around the table and saw the smirks that Dawn, Lilith, Clotho, Gary, James, Spike, Willow and Tara were giving her. But it was the knowing look that Anya was giving her that gave away what everyone was thinking. She felt the blush start somewhere around her toes.

"Thank the goddess for soundproof spells." Tara said quietly a wicked glint in her eyes as she looked from one Slayer to the other.

Every pair of eyes turned to look at the blonde Wicca including Willow. Faith's mouth dropped right open; Tara was the last person she would have expected to make an off-color remark or tease them about something like that. Buffy gently closed Faith's mouth for her, then snapped her own shut. This time it was Buffy who felt the blush start somewhere around her toes.

"What?" Tara asked them innocently and shrugged her shoulders.

Anya who was not known for her tact and had an evil streak when it came to teasing the Slayers, especially Faith, decided to play dumb and answer Tara's question. "You see Tara, the only time Faith eats this much is after two things, a good night of Slaying and since we all know that she didn't go out Slaying last night that must mean that she had a good night of laaa...mhprf..."

Anya never got the chance to finish, Xander's hand over her mouth saw to that. He mumbled a silent prayer that his coffee had finally kicked in and woke him up in enough time to realize exactly what Anya was up to.

"You know Tara you need to teach me that spell 'cause I gotta tell ya living next door to the Energ..." Gary started, sometimes he had even less tact than Anya and he too, loved to tease the Slayers. Only instead of getting his mouth covered, his mate just cut him off.

"Why Tan T'iens for the name of the Dojo?" James' asked the Immortals and smirked at Gary's moan of frustration.

"I know why!" Faith had to stop herself from raising her hand and waving it around wildly as if she were in school and trying to get the teacher to pick her to answer the question. She hastily swallowed her last bite of the kick-ass banana pancakes Lilith made before she continued.

"Since T'ien is plural it is referring to what is known as the Three Treasures in Tai Chi. The Chinese names for the Three Treasures are Shen, Chi, and Ching. They're representative of one's true nature in respect to different aspects of our multi-sided being. The Shen, is located in the Upper Tan T'ien or head and means 'spirit,' it symbolizes the higher faculties of the mind, both intellectual and intuitive. The Chi, or 'breath,' is located in the Middle Tan T'ien or heart center and stands for one's connection with worldly activities, like communication and relationships. The Ching, or 'essence,' is located in the Lower Tan T'ien or pelvic center and represents one's basic body center and energy foundation. It is usually with the Ching that one starts to learn Tai Chi and it usually takes years to master." She paused for a second, in her enthusiasm she forgot about being shy or putting on her bad girl mask and attitude.

It was a self-protection thing, the bad girl mask and attitude, she knew. It was nevertheless something she had not been able to stop doing, even around her family, but it had started to lose its firm grip on her psyche the second she had walked into the living room this morning.

"In Chinese culture the definition of the 'superior person' is a person in which all Three Treasures, or Tan T'iens, are healthy, strong and in good relationship with each other. In a very real sense, it describes a person who is strong and healthy in body, emotions, and mind, all of which contribute to a strength of spirit. One definition of a master in Tai Chi is 'the person who thinks, feels, and does the same thing...'" Faith trailed off suddenly embarrassed for absolutely no reason. She saw Angel smiling at her with pride and felt the blush grow hot on her cheeks.

"Very good Grasshopper. I am duly impressed. Seems as though the Fates have aptly nicknamed you." Mars stood and then bowed low to Faith, a twinkle in his eyes, he was teasing her, but he was also truly proud of and impressed with her.

It was official now; she was blushing so hard she was sure her hair was going to catch on fire.

"I'm impressed too baby," Buffy murmured low under her breath for Faith's Slayer hearing only, not wanting to embarrass her any further. She lightly stroked Faith's thigh and gave her a soft smile. And damn if Faith didn't find a new sense of pride in herself and get that warm fuzzy feeling from Buffy.

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Over the next few hours, everyone finished exchanging gifts with the exception of the Slayers and Dawn. Faith sat down on the couch, pulled Dawn down next to her and then Buffy onto her lap a little sideways. She wrapped one of her arms around Buffy's waist and smiled when she felt Buffy entwine their fingers; she reached over and held Dawn's hand with her free hand, then looked over at Willow and Tara and nodded.

"This gift is for you and Gamin, B, from me." Faith stated softly, but loud enough for everyone to hear her. "There is actually two, one for each of you, they're identical."

When Faith finished speaking Tara turned on the TV and hit play on the DVD player. Soft music started playing in the background as a black and white photo slowly appeared on the screen. It was of a young woman holding a newborn. Faith gently squeezed Buffy's hand when she heard the slight gasp that escaped her.

Buffy turned her head and looked at her sister, "Dawnie, that's Grandma holding Mommy when she was just born."

Those were the last words spoken in the room by anyone for the next hour and a half. They watched as one photo faded into the next, sometimes mixed in with 8mm film, then later with camcorder film, to digital pictures and movies. They watched as Joyce grew into a gawky, awkward adolescent then into a beautiful young woman. They went to her prom with her, to her first sorority dance and then watched as she and Hank Summers walked down the aisle on their wedding day.

Then they watched with joy as Joyce was handed her eldest daughter, Elizabeth Summers and held her for the first time. They watched with Joyce as Buffy learned to crawled, to walked, then speak for the first time. Then they watched with a little bit of amazement and joy as Joyce held her second newborn daughter, Dawn Summers for the first time. And with Joyce they once again watched as her second daughter learned to crawl, to walk, then to speak. They watched as not only Buffy and Dawn grew, but as Joyce grew as well, from a simple housewife into the strong, caring, independent, loyal, protective, loving woman and Mother, the Scoobs, with the exception of Gary and James, Giles and the LA crew had all come to know and love. The DVD ended with a slowly fading picture that had been taken a month before Joyce passed away, of Dawn, Buffy and Joyce laughing and hugging each other.

The others retired to the kitchen quietly at the end of the DVD to give the three a chance to be alone. Faith gently wiped away first the tears that were silently falling down Dawn's face, then Buffy's quiet tears. She received a fierce hug from Dawn and ended up with two crying Summers' women in her lap.

"Thank you..." Dawn whispered so softly that if Buffy and Faith weren't Slayers they would have never heard her.

She was overwhelmed by Faith's gift, it was, in her mind, a beautiful tribute to all that her Mom was. Dawn had never even seen a quarter of the pictures before, hadn't even known they existed and something inside of her had broken free when she saw all the pictures of her with her Mom and Buffy. It made all her memories of her life, not just with her Mom and Buffy, but also with all of them somehow just more real. "Thank you Faith," she whispered again, feeling as if words were simply inadequate and could never express what this gift meant to her and made her feel.

"That was... it was just..." Buffy tried, but like her sister she knew words couldn't ever hope to express how this gift made her feel. While they had watched the DVD, Buffy could almost sense her Mom in the room with them. Smiling, laughing and remembering along with her and Dawn, with all of them. She could almost catch the scent of the perfume her Mom always wore and feel her hand resting lightly on her shoulder, brushing her hair back off her face. Whispering how proud she was of her daughters, how much she loved them both.

For Buffy, Faith had brought her Mom's spirit here to share this Christmas with them. The love that Buffy felt for her mate with the bad girl look and attitude knew no bounds. And because, like Dawn, words seemed to escape her, were inadequate, Buffy just whispered softly, "Thank you Faith."

And Faith whispered back just as softly, "You're welcome."

xxxxxxxxxx

Everyone came barreling out of the kitchen at Faith's first screeched shout of 'STOP!' They ran into the living room wondering what the hell could have possible happened, only to stop short causing a twenty-four person collision at the sight that greeted them.

Faith was flat on her back giggling hysterically as the Summers' sisters sat on top of her tickling her without mercy.

"Take it back Fai..." Buffy yelled.

"Gonna pay... Have to pay..." Dawn chimed in.

"Stop... s..to...p... ple...a...se!" Faith managed between giggles.

"Then say it... Say I didn't look like a little red, wrinkled, old dwarf..." Buffy threatened then went for Faith's most ticklish spot right under her ribs.

"B..bb...bu..t... u... ddd..id..."

"Yeah and I didn't look like a little bald monkey either!" Dawn shouted.

"O...k... o...KKAAAYYYY..." Faith gasped out.

Both Buffy and Dawn stopped tickling her, big grins on their faces, they both looked at her and waited.

"Okay..." Faith took a few gasping breaths and thought evilly to herself they should have known better.

"GIZyouDIDlooklikearedwrinkledolddwarfandGaminyouDIDlooklikealittlebaldmonkeywhenyouwereborn!" Faith smirked at them, proud of herself that she had managed to get it all out and clearly to boot. She saw the evil glint in Buffy's eye and thought, 'OH SHIT!'

"That's it! Dawn grab her feet!"

Both Summers' sisters moved quickly. Dawn, grabbed Faith's feet and Buffy was behind Faith's head, reaching under her to grab her by her armpits before Faith even had a chance to try and scramble away from them. Without a word, the sisters both stood up and headed towards the doors that led out to the garden with the over two feet of snow.

"Xander door!" Buffy snapped, now she was the one with the big smirk gracing her face.

"B you wouldn't..." Faith looked up at Buffy and knew she would. She couldn't fight to get loose without worrying about hurting Dawn, so for all intent and purposes, she was stuck between a rock and a hard place, and both Buffy and Dawn knew it.

"Gamin..." Faith implored, giving Dawn her best puppy dog eyes. They didn't work and Dawn just smiled back at her with the same evil twinkle in her eyes as Buffy.

"Ready?" Buffy asked Dawn, who nodded, they started swinging the Dark Slayer from side to side.

"Okay you've had your fun now put me down..." Faith tried again.

I'm not gonna beg... I'm not gonna beg... I'm not!

"On the count of three, Big sis?"

Still not begging! No way, no how!

"On the count of three, Little sis!"

Nope... no begging coming from these lips!

"Okay this isn't funny..."

Gonna bite my lip and take it like a warrior! I AM SO NOT GONNA BEG. I, FAITH, BAD ASS ME DOES NOT BEG!

"One..." Buffy started.

SHIT! SHIT! All RIGHT! I'm gonna beg. I'm so gonna beg! Shit! Me and my big mouth! Shit, shit, shit!

"B... Buffy... honey... sweetheart? Heart o' mine. Light of my life... Please put me down?"

"Two..." Dawn counted.

"D... little sister... Gamin please... Sister of my heart please," Faith was most definitely begging now, she had voluntarily swallowed her pride in one large gulp; she knew that snow was going to be cold. "Anybody? Help me... ? " she squeaked out, then wanted to kick herself in the ass for making that sound. She did not squeak, then again she didn't beg either. Did she?

"What's the matter F? You said you wanted to play in the snow..." Buffy teased her, the smirk growing larger.

"Yeah but... I..."

"THREE!" Buffy shouted cutting Faith off. They sent Faith flying high through the air into the garden.

"SSSHHHIIITTTTTT!" Faith screeched like a girlie-girl as she flew through the air. She landed in the snow sending a shower of it up into the air around her.

She was up on her feet and running at Buffy before she even finished falling. She reached Buffy before she even had a chance to try to run away. She grabbed Buffy around the waist and behind the knees then she tossed Buffy through the air like a caber towards the snow. She twirled around, not worried about Buffy getting hurt, she knew the two feet plus of snow would cushion Buffy's landing. She caught Dawn around the waist before she had a chance to scramble behind Crow for protection. She ran back to the garden and then jumped into the snow with Dawn still in her arms, twisting in mid-air so that she would take the brunt of the impact upon landing.

Luc looked at Mars, who looked right back. Atropos looked at both of them then around the room at the rest of them.

"Snowball fight?" Luc asked Mars politely.

"Yes that certainly seems to be in order," Mars answered Luc just as politely.

Within ten minutes, they had all piled outside into the snow. The teams broke up into the men against the women. And before the men knew it, the girls were kicking their asses, while yelling out their battle cry of 'Girls Rule!'

xxxxxxxxxx

They all made themselves comfortable in the living room again after they changed into dry clothes. Mars' pretended to be grumpy since his team had been totally decimated and out classed in the snowball fight, by a bunch of girls, no less! All their male prides, egos were in the toilet! As Faith watched Mars' huff and puff, she decided that they definitely needed to find someone for him. Not just for him, but for Zane, the Incarnate of Death too. She recognized the loneliness in Zane, she herself, not too long ago, had been all too familiar with it. She imagined it was hard for him to find someone considering his job, she guessed anyone would be a little put off to be dating the living personification of Death.

Then there was Giles and she hadn't a clue as to what kind of woman he would like. She knew he had, had a one-time only thing with Joyce that they both had tried to play off and blame on, the candy and the Hellmouth. But she couldn't help thinking that if things had been different for them all, that Joyce and Giles would have eventually gotten together again. As for Wesley, Gunn, Lily and Fred she hadn't a clue what was going on between the four of them, she didn't think they did either. There was something there though and she figured they would figure it out on their own sooner or later.

"Before you three finish exchanging gifts, there is one last gift for the two of you from just us Fates'." Atropos waved her hand and a very large needlepoint tapestry was suddenly hanging over the mantle of the fireplace. Everyone shot her a look, "What? So, I'm lazy and anyway that thing is heavy, so don't say a word. Any of you! Now where was I? Ah yes, Clotho spun the threads 'specially for this, while Lachesis wove in the background and I did the needlepoint for the finer details."

The tapestry was another of Atropos elaborate life-like creations. It depicted the lush greenery of the combined Immortals domains. You could almost smell the sweet fragrance of the honeysuckle, orchids, and the roses in the tapestry. Smell the musky scent of the earth and deep green grass, see, feel each blade in the thick carpet that covered the ground. Almost feel the breeze that was blowing through the mighty oaks and smaller pines that dotted the forest on the edge of the tapestry, almost hear the leaves rustling. The crystal-clear sapphire lake seemed to be gently undulating, the light from the sun and the moons shimmering across its length. The sun was just beginning to blaze a path into the morning sky over the lake, while the two moons were slowly sinking into it. It was breathtaking, though there seemed to be parts of it that were blurred on the thick green grass around the edge of the lake.

"It's beautiful... Isn't it Faith?" Buffy turned to look at her mate and saw that Faith was staring hard at the tapestry, a puzzled look on her face. "What's wrong Faith?"

Something was tickling the edges of Faith's mind. The tapestry looked so familiar and not because it was the Immortals' domain, it was as if she had seen it before.

"It looks familiar..." Faith mumbled under her breath.

"Well it is the lake within our domain Child," Atropos teased her.

"I know that Elder... I mean, meant, familiar like I've seen this tapestry before but somewhere else." Faith spoke more to herself than to anyone else in the room.

"Really?" Atropos queried, a small smile playing around the corners of her mouth.

"Yes really and... and I know I've seen it before and the only place could have been at your house in the sitting room. And there's stuff missing from it. I know it... I can almost see it in my head..."

"Indeed." Atropos smiled and placed her hands behind her back, standing in military at-ease.

Atropos smiled a small secretive smile; Faith had seen the tapestry before. It was the night she had appeared on her own within the Fates' domain and had surprised Atropos for the first time in eons. Only Atropos had cast a spell that night that had made Faith forget. What Atropos hadn't realized at the time, was that even she hadn't known what the finished tapestry was to depict, she had thought she did, but in the end she hadn't. It wasn't until the night the Slayers' had spent at the enchanted clearing that the vision of what might be, the possible future for them all, had been revealed to her and that was what was hidden within the tapestry from everyone's eyes but hers.

Faith tore her eyes away from the tapestry and looked at Atropos, who just cocked an elegant eyebrow at her and tilted her head slightly to the side. Faith smiled back at her, raising her own eyebrow.

"You can't fool me. I know I'm right and sooner or later I'll remember. And further, you've been dimension hopping and sneaking here to watch Voyager reruns again, haven't you Elder? I know you have, 'cause you're doin' your bad imitation of Seven of Nine right now!"

Atropos' eyebrow went up another notch; she tilted her head a little further to the side and gave Faith a small smile. Then her smile grew a little bit wicked and everyone knew that she was going to give Faith an answer that really wasn't an answer at all.

"Indeed, Child. It is as you say and yet all I can tell you is that all will be revealed when the time is right."

All in the room gave a collective groan, their curiosity having been piqued. They all knew better however then to try to get a real answer out of the Fate known as the Crone, knew that it would be a futile endeavor indeed.

xxxxxxxxxx

"These are for you two." Dawn handed an identical box to both Buffy and Faith almost shyly. She tried to walk away but both Buffy and Faith grabbed her and pulled her down onto the couch between them.

Faith once again had that big silly-ass grin on her face; it wasn't because of the gifts though. It was all of it, the warmth, the love that was in the room. It was because they were a family, because 'she' had a family and to her that was the greatest gift anyone could have ever given her.

It was, if nothing else, amusing to watch not just the Slayers, but the vampires and Immortals open gifts. With their strength and speed, it was nothing more than a blur of shredded, flying colorful wrapping paper. Buffy got her box opened first, quickly followed by Faith. They each lifted identical gifts out of the boxes. Dawn had given both Slayers sterling silver Gothic Vampire Cross necklaces. The crosses were about four to five inches long by three to four inches wide and the silver linked chain welded to it was very heavy and thick.

The design of the crosses was elaborate, intricate, with the etched lines burned to black. The top and the horizontal or arms of the crosses flared out almost diamond like. The bottom of the crosses came down into a point and could be used if need be as daggers. In fact, as the Slayers looked closer at the crosses they could see that dark wood had been inserted into the middle of the vertical line or body of the crosses while the silver was still liquid, and just the sharp point of wood showed through at the bottom. So in fact, the crosses could be used as impromptu stakes and daggers. What made the crosses, 'vampire crosses' were the two fang-like points that dropped down, and curved in off the edge of each side of the horizontal line, or arms of the cross. The crosses the Slayers saw as they followed the intricate lines and detail, weren't just jewelry, they really were designed to be weapons or rather stakes.

"You guys like?" Dawn asked not quite looking up at either Slayer. "I figured you know with what you guys do at night... um when you're patrolling that is, they would... well you know..."

"It's beautiful, Gamin. Thank you." Faith caught Dawn up in a tight hug, which she eagerly returned.

Dawn sent up a silent prayer again, that she had not destroyed her relationship with Faith after all the horrible things she had said to the Dark Slayer while they were in the Immortals' domain. She felt Buffy's arms come around and hold both her and Faith tightly as well.

"Dawnie it's beautiful and totally kick-ass. Thank you." Buffy whispered to her little sister.

"They have a snap chain too, so you can pull them from around your neck to use them as stakes without breaking the chain." Dawn's muffled voice came to them from between the Slayer sandwich she was in. "Can't breathe here..."

Once they let her loose, Dawn jumped over to the other side of her sister so that the Slayers could sit next to each other when they exchanged their gifts. "Okay... your turn to exchange gifts now!"

Faith's palms started to sweat. What if Buffy didn't like what she had gotten, had done for her? She decided to be brave and take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and rose from the couch. She picked up two boxes, returned to the couch and with trembling hands, gave them to Buffy. Buffy reached out and pulled her nervous mate down next to her, she leaned close and whispered for Faith's ears only, "Don't worry baby, I'll love anything you give me. Simply because it's from you. You've already given me the best gifts I've ever gotten. You and your love..."

Buffy didn't give Faith a chance to reply as she tore open the first gift with a vengeance. She opened the box and moved the tissue paper aside. Inside of the box lay a fairly large, black wrought iron frame with a picture of she, Dawn and Faith on one of the many picnics they had while they were staying within the Immortals' domain. In the picture, Faith was leaning back against a large oak tree; Buffy was sprawled out on her side, her head in Faith's lap. Dawn was sprawled out on the other side of Faith, facing them. One of Faith's hands was on Buffy's waist, the other was stroking Dawn's hair, all three were smiling.

"Look Dawn..." Buffy handed the large framed picture to Dawn, "It's beautiful Faith. I'm gonna put it right next to our bed, so I can see it every day. Thank you baby, but when, how, who..."

"Zane took it at the BBQ Mars' had the night before Gamin left. It seems the Incarnate of Death is a hell of a photographer." Faith looked at Buffy who was just staring at her with a sort of dazed look in her eyes. Neither looked away or said anything for long minutes, the rest of the crew thankfully remained quiet, then Faith finally broke the spell, "You gonna open the other one B?" She was back to being nervous again, she began gnawing on her lower lip worriedly.

"Stop that S.O.," Buffy ran her finger along Faith's bottom lip gently extracting it from between her teeth, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "I wouldn't want you to damage that there lip, I've got plans for it and you later." Buffy whispered low, throatily to Faith.

"Do you now?" Faith whispered back.

"You bet your sweet little ass I do!" Buffy answered low, her now trademark wicked, downright fucking evil smile gracing her face.

"Enough already! You two act like you're still dating instead of living together! Stop with the flirting, open the second gift!" Queen C commanded them.

Buffy tore open the second gift at the speed of light. Snuggled inside the box were two pieces of paper. She quickly scanned the first one and turned confused eyes up to Faith, "I don't understand. I got a rejection letter a few weeks ago."

"I know. Willow hacked me an appointment with the Dean. I told her what happened this year, she didn't know all the circumstances and I sort of convinced her to give you a chance. She said you would need time to adjust to taking care of Dawn and working and stuff so the best she was willin' to do was give you part-time matree..."

"Matriculation." Willow interjected softly.

"That's right, part-time matriculation with academic probation. The Dean said once you complete two full part-time semesters she'll review your status. If you do well she said she'll return you to full time status, matriculation. However that works. It was weird though, she kept lookin' at me funny the whole time I was there. I guess she thought it was odd that I was there instead of you, I'm just glad I brought Willow and Tara with me, otherwise I'm not sure if she would have changed her mind. I'm just sorry I couldn't talk her into letting you go back full-time, B."

"I can't believe you did this. I thought I was going to have to wait another year. I'd better start saving my pennies though. Hopefully I'll have enough saved by summer for a few classes..." Buffy rambled out.

"Look at the second letter B," Faith told her softly.

Buffy quickly read the second letter, too stunned to say anything. Faith started babbling again, anything to break the silence, "And... and the Dean will even let you in the Winter Semester session if you want. You can do late registration for classes, for ah... what's still available. Only you have to do it within the next two weeks."

Buffy looked up at Faith with confused eyes, her thoughts still focused on the second letter, "But... but... Faith how?"

Faith wasn't given the chance to answer, Willow answered for her.

"She's hasn't been working two-part time jobs Buffy. Faith's been working two full-time jobs and picking up every single extra shift that she could get her hands on, she worked so much it was almost like she had three jobs. Not to mention that she was studying with Tara or me, every free minute she had to prepare for her GED. AND Slaying every night too. I don't know how she did it, she hardly ever got more than two hours sleep a night. She was either working or studying while you were at work, not sleeping like she told you. I know I couldn't have done it. But she did, happily, with a smile on her face and she managed to save enough money to pay for a full year's worth of classes and had enough left over for your books and stuff too. She was determined that you would go back to school and nothing was going to stop her. She knew you couldn't afford it this year and she knew how much you really wanted to go back despite what you said. That and she knew that it was what your Mom wanted for you as well. And she made us all swear not to tell you about the second job and the extra, extra, extra shifts she was working." Willow finished her babble and then looked at Faith who was glaring at her in a sort of embarrassed, angry way.

Tough shit, Willow thought to herself, she knew Faith would have played the whole thing down and Willow was just as determined that Buffy knew how hard Faith had worked to accomplish this for her. Willow was just glad that the tuition was reduced for Sunnydale residents or Faith might have actually worked herself to death.

"Sorry Faith," Willow gave Faith an impish smile that let Faith know, in no uncertain terms, that she wasn't sorry for telling Buffy at all.

"I can't believe you did this for me Faith. I really wanted to go back to school, I was disappointed when my request for re-admittance was rejected."

"I know B," Faith mumbled, she was blushing from the tips of her toes to the top of her head and she was uncomfortable under the intense gaze of her family.

"I can't even begin to tell you how much this means to me Faith. Thank you so much." Buffy captured Faith's mouth in a soft, sweet, but short kiss.

"It wasn't... I was happy to do it for you B..." Faith mumbled again, she had definitely trashed her bad girl rep today without a doubt. There was no way that any of them would ever not see through it again. Somehow though it didn't seem to matter to her much anymore, at least not with Buffy and not with the people here in the room with them, who were now and forever her family.

Buffy gave Faith another quick kiss and whispered another thank-you against Faith's mouth as she rose from the couch. She retrieved the one large gift that she had for Faith from underneath the tree. Now it was her turn to be nervous. She handed the box to Faith with shaky hands then sat down next to her again.

This time it was Faith who leaned close to Buffy and whispered for her ears only, "I already have everything I could ever want B. I have you, Gamin and the rest of our family. You loving me is the greatest gift anyone has ever given me..." she paused for a second and though Buffy couldn't see her, she knew Faith eyes were sparkling impishly. "But I still can't wait to see what's in the box, B."

Faith tore open the wrapping paper. It flew in every direction possible, covering both her and Buffy in almost confetti size pieces of festive colored paper. She stuck the big silver bow on the top of Buffy's head with a smirk and kissed her quickly on the cheek. The top of the box went sailing across the room; she delicately moved the tissue paper to the side so she could see what lay inside the box.

There were five smaller wrapped gifts inside of the large box, "Does it matter which I start with B?"

"Open them from left to right." Buffy's voice trembled a little with nervousness, maybe these gifts hadn't been such a good idea after all.

Faith picked up the medium sized square flat gift first, she knew it was a picture frame the second she touched it. With care she unwrapped the gift and much to her delight, it was her missing GED certificate in a simple black frame and the letter congratulating her on passing her GED.

"You know you can go to jail for stealing and opening other peoples mail B." Faith smiled at Buffy and Buffy smiled back with a secretive smile. She knew Faith had only noticed that she had passed her GED and had missed the second most important thing about the gift. That would be rectified soon enough.

The second gift in the box was a letter from Sunnydale U congratulating Faith on her acceptance for the fall semester of Two-thousand-two as a full-time matriculated student, majoring in Psychology, with a minor in Child Development.

"Well now I know why the Dean was giving me a funny look. Looks like I wasn't the only one Willow hacked an appointment for. Was I?" Faith managed to get out, her mind reeling over the fact that she was actually going to go to college and with Buffy, Willow and Tara, no less. She had realized when she was studying for her GED just how much she actually liked learning. She had always thought she was too stupid for even kindergarten, let alone college.

Slowly but surely, over the time that Willow and Tara had tutored her, both before their trip to hell and then after, they had managed to convince and show Faith that she wasn't stupid at all. They had even started teasingly to call her 'The Sponge' during their study sessions. She could never thank either Wicca enough for all they had done for, and still did for her; with their encouragement, they had helped her to find a newfound confidence in herself that she had never possessed before.

"Nope... The Dean must think we're both nuts. First I had to convince her to let 'you' put in your application for admittance after the deadline, since you still had to take your GED. But it was Willow, Miss Number-One-On-The-Dean's-List herself, who really got the Dean to say yes. She told the Dean that she was tutoring you and all about how smart you are. By the end of the conversation she had the Dean convinced that you were a Mini-Me-Willow."

Buffy's last remark garnered a chuckle out of everyone in the room, including Faith who was feeling a little overwhelmed. Willow and Tara exchanged a secretive glance. They had made a solemn vow to each other never to tell either Slayer that they had cast a little spell on the Dean of the college to make her more amenable to talking with both of them about the other and allowing Buffy to return to college and Faith apply late. Considering how much it meant to both Slayers to do this for the other, there was no way the Wicca's could have left it up to simple fate or chance. So they had agreed between them to lend a magical helping hand.

"There's a little more and, well, it will mean that you have to quit your jobs. I mean that is if you want to... I sort of... Remember when we went on our first date and you said you wanted to work with underprivileged kids? I sort of, well... not sort of... I did... I went down to the center and talked to the lady, Sharon who runs the place and I kinda told her all about you and how you are with kids and how you've been with Dawn. She's been looking for someone to help her out down there, especially with the teens. Someone who can relate to them and she wants to meet you, she said if you're half as good as I made you out to be, the job is yours..." Buffy decided to stop rambling at her feet and looked up at Faith. She was greeted by the biggest smile she had ever seen on the Dark Slayer's face.

"Thank you... you just made two more of my secret wishes come true B." The words were spoken softly, but Buffy heard them loud and clear, they made her heart leap with joy.

"Open the rest of your gifts S.O.," Buffy urged Faith, hoping she liked the rest of them as much as the first two.

Faith opened the third gift, which held a yellow legal sized envelope. Inside was a document from the state of California declaring that Faith's last name had been legally changed to Liam. There was also a new driver's license and social security card with her new last name inside of the envelope. Her eyes flew to the admittance letter from the college and her GED certificate and she saw that both documents reflected her new last name too. She flashed back for a second to the argument she had with the man at the testing center when he refused to let her just use her first name only or Liam as her last. She had been pissed at the idea of her GED certificate showing the last name of the scum who had adopted her, but her determination and desire to get her GED overrode her anger, so she had relented and written down his last name for the first time in over five years. Hell, she hadn't even used his last name while she was in jail, she had used Smith, not even the courts could find out her real identity and she had absolutely refused to tell them.

Buffy took a deep breath and started another Willow-like babble. "I know how much you hated having his last name, Faith. And I saw how honored you were that Angel had given you his real first name for your last name on your gravestone. That made sense didn't it? Which reminds me that we really need to knock them down 'cause we're not dead! Anyway, I went to Wesley, then Giles but neither of them knew your last name... so then I asked Angel and he knew it. He helped me to get a lawyer and the lawyer got everything changed, and I mean everything. From your birth certificate to all your school records, even kindergarten. Which was why I took your GED out of the mail, I wanted to make sure that it got changed too. And before you ask, I still don't know what your old last name was, Angel only told the lawyer, not me. But... Idoknowyourmiddlenamenow NI..."

"Don't say it B!" Faith's hand was over Buffy's mouth in a flash stopping her from telling everyone her middle name. She ignored the puppy dog eyes that Buffy was giving her and turned her head to glare at Angel. "You promised Soul-boy!"

"I didn't tell her I swear!" Angel shot back moving a little closer to Cordelia as if she could protect him from the Dark Slayer. Hell, he knew better than to try to call Faith by her middle name. Personally, he thought it was a pretty name, so he was puzzled why Faith loathed it so much, she had never told him and he had never pushed her to tell him.

Faith was just about to say she didn't believe him when she noticed that Tara was suddenly finding the ceiling of living room very interesting.

"Blondie..." She snarled.

"What?" Tara asked, giving Faith her all-time best shy, innocent look. It failed miserably. This time it was Tara not Buffy who decided to channel Willow, "It's on your SSN card and I was the one who got it in the mail, I kinda opened the letter and accidentally saw it? I told Buffy that I thought that your name was really cute now, has a nice ring to it... You know, Faith Nic..."

"OKAY! OKAY! I get it! You're forgiven... Okay!" Faith shouted, cutting Tara off, she knew sooner or later someone would slip and everyone would find out her middle name. It was inevitable with her family. "I'm gonna open the rest of my presents now... Okay?"

The fourth gift was a leather travel pouch, inside of which were two passports, one for Buffy and one for her. There were brochures for Ibiza, Spain and a vacation club bankbook. She didn't say anything she just looked at Buffy in amazement and waited for her to start babbling again.

"We don't have to go there, we can go wherever you want S.O. We still have a few months to decide. I haven't finished with the club payments yet, but I should be done by the end of the summer. They say late May or September is the best time to go there before it gets too crowded. So either, before you, we, start school in the fall or next May we can go or whenever you want. And like I said we can go wherever you want if you don't want to go there. I just... with Willow's help I found out that the author who wrote that poem you gave me with my pendant, wrote it when she was watching, what she said was the most beautiful sunset she had ever seen." Buffy paused and took in a big gulp of air before she continued.

"She had been sitting on the beach in the Cala D'Hort part of Ibiza watching the sun go down behind another smaller island that rose out of the water only a few hundred feet from her. The smaller island is called Es Vedra and it's surrounded by mystery and legend and as far as anyone knows the island supports no living thing, never has. Not animals and not plants. In the tenth century, a Carmelite priest recorded mystical revelations and meetings with unearthly beings that had been surrounded by light. To this day, fishermen refuse to fish there, saying they see gigantic circles of light emerging from the water surrounding the island. I figured it would be cool to go and see it 'cause of us being Slayers and all. But mostly I thought that you would like to see where she wrote the poem. See if we couldn't make all those things in the poem come true for you..." Buffy whispered the last part, intending for only Faith to hear her. She was grateful too that she had remembered the name of the beach and the mysterious island of Es Vedra and its history.

"You already have B... And I would love to go there with you and try to make them come true for you." Faith dipped her head down and softly kissed Buffy.

"You already have Faith..." Buffy voice held so much love for Faith in it that it was almost a physical caress in and of itself, "You have one more gift S.O.," she whispered softly.

Faith unwrapped the last small thin box with shaking hands, she had truly hit overload and was positive she was about to make a total ass out of herself when she burst out crying any second now. Her crying binge was stopped dead in its tracks when she pulled out a wide, studded, black leather collar. She lifted her head up and turned towards Buffy so fast that had anyone blinked they would have missed her moving. A wicked gleam was in her eyes and a small almost sultry smile played around her lips.

"Gettin' kinky on me B?" She had barely finished speaking, when she heard a low growl coming from the other side of her. Before she had a chance to turn her head she was hit from the side by a fast-moving, small, black, furball. A long, cold, wet tongue began to bathe her face sloppily. Then her lap was full of a six-week old bundle of joy in the form of a midnight-black, piercing blue-eyed, Siberian Husky furball known as Dusk.

"YOU GOT ME A PUPPY!" Faith shouted, bouncing up and down on the couch, Dusk decided it was a game and started to play tug-of-war with her shirt. She lifted the squirming furball up, buried her face in his thick fur and was rewarded again by sloppy wet kisses.

Faith turned a brilliant smile Buffy's way and then, as if they had read each other's minds, both Faith and Dusk decided to reward Buffy with sloppy wet kisses too. It was Buffy's turn to have a lap full of both the Dark Slayer and the Dark Furball, as Dusk was to become known as.

"Enough! Enough you two..." Buffy giggled, "I guess this means you like this present too S.O."

"I loved them all B! But how did you know I alwa..." Faith trailed off and for a timeless minute, she journeyed to hers, Buffy's and Angel's shared past and heard and saw their ghosts there.

Faith wasn't alone though, both Buffy and Angel took the trip with her.

'Angel?'

'Morning, sleepyhead. You know what I just can't believe? All our time together, and we never tried chains. But you can't dwell on the past. Especially with the future we have ahead.'

'Bondage looks good on you, B. The outfit's all wrong, but hey.'

'Faith, you don't know what you're doing.'

'Really? Weird. 'Cause something about all this just feels so right. Maybe it's one of those unhappy childhood things. See, when I was a kid, I used to beg my mom for a dog. Didn't matter what kind, I just wanted, you know, something to love. A dog's all I wanted. Well, that and toys. But Mom was so busy, you know, enjoying the drinking and passing out parts of life, that I never really got what I wanted. Until today.'

"Faith baby?" Buffy questioned softly.

"It's okay B, it's all good. Funny thing is, I wasn't lying. I really did want a dog. But I was wrong about one thing. I didn't get what I really wanted that day. I didn't get that until the day you, 'til all of you let me back into your lives and showed me what it was to love and be loved." Faith's words touched Buffy like a loving caress.

The Chosen One's slowly leaned towards each other. Their mouths met in a delicate, loving embrace. The world for them narrowed down to just the two of them while they kissed. They forgot it was Christmas, forgot about presents, forgot about their family who was watching them and smiling indulgently. They kissed until a discreet cough finally broke into the private world they created for each other. They broke apart and saw that someone had poured champagne into the oddest assortment of mismatched flute glass any of them had ever seen and had passed them out to everyone. Mars' handed a glass to Buffy first, then Faith.

"I'd like to make a toast..." Mars' stopped, cleared his throat and Faith couldn't help but notice the slight blush that was coloring his cheeks. She decided not to tease him, she knew he was searching to find the words he wanted to say, it was something she often struggled with herself. It was funny how they were so much alike when it came to dealing with others, speaking their minds, even showing emotions, it was almost as if they truly were Father and Daughter. Mars' cleared his throat again then straightened his shoulders and began to speak.

"To all of my family, both old and new, I want to thank you for sharing this day with me. And thank you for helping me to open my eyes and see what has always been right in front of me waiting patiently all these years. For that, you all have my eternal gratitude; because of you, my life has been enriched in so many ways. I can never hope to thank you enough for this. Because of you all, I have been given a precious gift I never thought I wanted, needed or would have, the love of a family and the love of a young woman I am proud to call my daughter. Thank you all. May every holiday or special occasion... Nay... May every day for all of us, be as full of warmth, laughter, joy and love as today has been."

His toast was greeted with loud 'We love you too' from all, and no one ever mentioned the few tears that escaped from all of their eyes that every single one of them tried to hide.

xxxxxxxxxx

"This must be my lucky night!"

Faith turned around slowly to face the vampire who was stupid enough to think that he had actually snuck up behind her. She had known he was there, following her through the cemetery, sneaking from tombstone to tombstone since she had walked through the cemetery gates. She also knew that four of his cronies flanked her, two on each side. She sensed these things, after all she was a Slayer.

She let her 'Slaying bag' slide off her shoulder to the ground and then folded her arms casually across her chest. She ignored the tall well-muscled, sandy-haired, boyishly handsome, though poorly dressed vampire in front of her and looked at her Slaying partner with a cocky grin.

"So..." she drawled out in a hush. "What do you think, should I tell him I already know what he's flapping his gums about and spoil his fun? Or should I humor him and let him tell me what he's talkin' 'bout and get his last jollies before I turn him into dust? What'da ya think Furball?"

Dusk looked up at 'his' Dark Slayer, he cocked his head to one side as if he actually understood what she was saying and was considering how he should answer her. Like Faith, he too ignored the vampire and his undead friends, and just like Faith, he had known the vampires were tracking them. The Slayers with the help of Lily had trained him well. He may only be a puppy still, but he knew better than to make a move on the evil creatures that roamed the night or attack them unless one of the Slayers gave him a signal or they were attacked first. He stared up at his Dark Slayer for a few seconds longer then turned towards the vampire. He sprawled out on the ground, crossed his front paws and waited; he knew his Dark Slayer would understand what his answer was.

Faith chuckled at Dusk's actions; it looked like he was in the mood to play too. She needed it, she had been feeling a little frustrated the past two weeks. She finally looked at the vampire, who was staring back at her arrogantly, his stance also casual. Then again, it was easy to appear confident and cocky when you thought you had the upper hand.

"Wanna tell me what you're talkin' 'bout or are ya gonna try and stare me and Furball here to death?"

Come on, come on. Surprise me! Doubt it's gonna happen, but you never know... Let's see, my guess is... it's his lucky night 'cause once you've...

"Rumor has it... once you've tasted a Slayer, you never wanna go back. And tonight's my lucky night 'cause I'm gonna find out if the rumor is true," the vampire boasted.

I knew it! Score one for me! Yay me! And another stupid one is gonna bite the dust! Just once, it would be nice to hear an original line. I'd pay big to hear one. I would! Friggin' idiot! I hate stupid vampires, no challenge with the stupid ones!

"There's just one problem with that. My girlfriend, well... she's kinda a little picky about other people or in your case non-people-demony-vampire types tasting me. She likes to be the only one. Ya know? She's kinda possessive like that, if you know what I mean. If you want though I can call her on my cell and you could ask her if the rumor is true." Faith just stared at the vampire and waited for him to make his move.

The vampire looked the Dark Slayer up and down. She was hot, and she was cocky, he liked that. Maybe he wouldn't kill her so fast, maybe he would play with her for a little while first. It certainly would help his rep to be able to brag that he not only drained the Slayer dry but he had also fucked her as well. The plans he had for the Slayer took a completely new turn. Besides he had heard rumors about the Slayer, heard that at one time she had been Angelus' fuck-toy, that she wore his mark, so fucking a vampire wouldn't be new to her.

He was too stupid to know that he had the wrong Slayer or for that matter that there were two Slayers, not one, he thought it was just a rumor put out by the Watchers Council to scare vampires. It would of course, definitely make his undead life easier if she went along with his plans for her and maybe if she were any good, he would keep her around for a while before draining her. His facial features changed slightly, his mouth curving up slightly, flirtatiously, it was a look that when he was alive had gotten plenty of women into his bed. Then again, when he was alive he hadn't really cared whether they wanted to join him in bed or not and that was one thing about him that hadn't changed.

"You know you're kind of cute for a Slayer." His tone was flirtatious, he smiled turning on what in his mind, was the charm. "This is going to be more fun then I first thought."

"Funny, I was just thinkin' the same thing myself." Faith flirted right back and watched as the vampire smiled again at her. The idiot vamp actually thought he was charming her with his phony smile. She was only playing along with him in order to buy herself some time. Her senses more focused on the vampires hiding, trying to get a fix on exactly where they were so she would be ready for them when they came at her. The vamp winked at her and she almost choked on the laughter that tried to escape from his sad attempt at charming her.

Yep, bona-fide idiot... Like I'd ever with someone wearing an 'I'm so sexy' t-shirt... Eww! Idiot, idiot, idiot! What a pathetic loser!

"Maybe your friends might want to come out and join the party too. The more the merrier I always say..." Faith smirked as she saw a little bit of the confidence drain out of the vampire. "Why don't you ask them to join us..." After a second of the vamp staring at her stupidly, she held up her hand to halt him from calling out to them. "Wait! You know what? Why don't ya let me call them? Come out, come out, wherever you are, it's time to play!" She called out in a sing-song voice to the vampires still in hiding.

The vampire, using his own convoluted logic, concluded that she couldn't know about his 'drinking' buddies hiding behind the tombstones. The way he saw it, if she did know about them, why would she have let them follow her and why would she be standing there so casually? It didn't matter anyway, she may be the Slayer but she was just a little slip of a girl and the five of them, he was confident, could take her down with ease. Hell, she was so tiny he had no doubt he could take her down himself. He totally ignored the puppy who was growling low at him, it would be easy enough to do away with.

The vampire's arrogant smile turned into a leer as he ran his tongue vulgarly over his fangs, cutting it on their sharp points. A grimace of pain crossed his face and he snarled low when he saw the raven-haired Slayer smirk at him and stifle a laugh. If he didn't know better he would have sworn that the black puppy with the glowing blue eyes was laughing at him too. The bitch wouldn't be laughing long, he thought, so let her laugh now, soon he would be making her beg, of that he had not a shred of doubt.

"When I'm finished with you, I'll be sure to give your girlfriend a call to let her know just how good all of you taste..." He told her in a deep voice, his leer growing a little larger.

"That won't be necessary," came a new voice from behind him. "'Sides you're never going to find out what she tastes like. She was right; I am very possessive that way. If you know what I mean..."

The vampire spun towards the voice behind him shouting at the same time for his companions to come out of hiding.

"GIZ!"

"S.O.!" Buffy yelled back as she ran towards the talkative vampire. She jumped into the air, doing the Xena move Faith had taught her. She flipped over the top of the vampire, smacking him hard on the back of the head as she passed him. She landed gracefully on her feet behind the surprised vampire. She sprinted quickly over to Faith and stopped right in front of her. "Hi baby..." She leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on Faith lips, acting for all the world as if there weren't five vampires charging towards them, two from each side and one from behind her. She looked down at Dusk, "Hey Furball."

Dusk barked his greeting back at 'his' Light Slayer, wagging his tail. He was overjoyed to see her and he knew his Dark Slayer was too. As far as he was concerned, all was right in his world now.

"What are you doing here B?" Faith asked her as she flicked out her right hand and threw a stake without even looking. Both she and Buffy smiled when they heard the familiar 'poof' as the vampire she had flung the stake at turned to dust.

"Figured I'd keep you company. Esp..." This time it was Buffy who flicked out her right hand, threw a stake without looking and dusted a vamp, annoyed she didn't get to finish what she was saying.

Without a word the Slayers turned around so they were back-to-back and Dusk rose up to his four paws. Buffy faced off against the vampire who had been behind her, Faith against the one to her left and Dusk against the one to Faith's right.

Faith blocked the blow that was coming towards her head. She brought her knee up and caught the vampire in his midsection doubling him over. With her hands clasped together into a fist, she brought them down hitting the vampire with a blow to the back of the neck. Absently she wonder as he fell on his face if he was going to try and bite her Doc's like that other idiot vamp had all those years ago. The thought made her laugh aloud.

"What's so funny Fai?"

"Tell you later B..." Faith caught the vampire under his chin with an uppercut just as he had almost regained his footing. It lifted him all the way up and off his feet, she reached behind her and grabbed a stake out of her waistband and dusted him while he was still in the air. "Woo-fuckin-hoo! Love that sound!"

She twirled around to see how Dusk was faring just in time to see a vampire grab him around the neck. She started laughing again when she heard the vampire howl in pain, as his hand was pierced by the small wooden spiked studs soaked in holy water that were on Dusk's collar. She laughed again when she heard Dusk bark out his own laughter when the vampire dropped him like a hot tamale. She tossed the stake in her hand high up into the air, caught it mid-flight on its way down and sent it sailing at the vampire at the speed-of-light.

"All right! Bulls-eye! That's Slayers' four, vamps zero!"

Dusk trotted back over to his Dark Slayer and they both turned around to watch Buffy in action.

"What ya doin' B?"

The vampire realized belatedly that it wasn't a rumor, there really were two Slayers. He didn't give a shit though, the blonde was even smaller than the other one. He was dimwitted enough to believe, even after he had watched them take out four of his buddies with little or no effort that he could take them both down.

"Figured I'd get in a little sparring, S.O." Buffy answered as she hit the vamp with a right cross. She easily blocked his counter punch, gut punched him back and then hit him with a Knife-Edge-kick that sent him flying a few feet. "Only he's not nearly as good as you baby, then again no one is. Hell, even Furball is better than him."

The vampire was seeing red as he picked himself up from the ground. He'd show this little blonde-haired bitch just how good he was. It was time to stop fooling around and get down to some serious Slayer ass kicking. He was going to take the little blonde-haired Slayer down and then he was going to make her watch as he played with her dark-haired girlfriend. He was going to make both of these bitches beg him to kill them before he was through with them.

If the vampire had been smart, he would have turned tail and run for his un-life all the way back to the East Coast where he had so recently come from. Since he wasn't, he growled, snarled, bared his teeth at Buffy and then charged right at her.

Oh yeah he's got the IQ of a clump of dirt this one! B's so gonna kick his dumb ass!

Buffy waited for the vampire to reach her. She hit him with a series of left and right crosses, most of which he barely managed to block. She was hitting him so hard and so fast, it was actually her punches after the first ten or so that were still keeping him on his feet. She hit him with one last full-out right cross that spun him completely around. Once he was facing her again, he dropped to his knees swaying, totally out of it. Buffy was pretty damn sure at this point he didn't even know he was a vampire anymore.

Buffy moved in close to the stunned vampire. She looked down at him with a smug smile. She leaned down until she was at eye level with him, she waited for him to focus on her and whispered conspiratorially to him, "By the way the rumor is..." Buffy trailed off, smiled again at the vamp, then dusted him. "...true," she told the dust particles floating around her.

"So the rumor is true eh, B?" Faith asked as she walked up to Buffy and faced her.

Dusk just sprawled out on the ground again and made himself comfortable. It was playtime now, he knew, for his Dark and Light Slayers. Though it had been a while since they had played and he knew that it was making his Dark Slayer very cranky and grumpy. Even more so lately than usual, especially since the Light Slayer hadn't been Slaying with them for a long time. She was cranky too, but it was a different kind of cranky then how both his Slayers got when they didn't play after Slaying. Humans were strange. Even so, he really hoped they would play tonight; he didn't like it when his Dark or Light Slayer were like this.

"Why don't you tell me if it's true F..." Buffy ran her fingers down Faith's arm, purring at the feel of Faith's muscles twitching under them.

Faith didn't answer Buffy, instead she pulled Buffy close to her, leaned down and captured the drop of sweat that was slowly making its way down Buffy's throat with her tongue. She followed the column of Buffy's throat up to under her chin, continuing until she reached her mouth. She traced along Buffy's lips, placing soft little kisses and sneaking tastes. Teasing Buffy, teasing herself, she finally whispered against Buffy's mouth, "You're right B, the rumor is true, but then I already knew that."

"Good answer S.O.," Buffy whispered back against Faith's lips then caught those same lips up in a ravenous kiss that left both Slayers' knees weak.

Faith took a step back from Buffy after their kiss ended her whole body trembling.

"You never told me what you were doing here B." Her voice, when she finally managed to find it again after their kiss, was husky, low and shaky. It had been almost two weeks since Buffy had kissed her like that and their kiss had put her on total overload and overdrive. Her pulse was racing and her heart was slamming up against her ribcage trying to get out. Every cell in her body was focused on the throbbing ache between her legs that had been and still was a part of every second of her life the last two weeks. "I thought you'd be home studying for finals."

Buffy, Tara and Willow had been virtual crazed lunatics the last two weeks as they studied for their finals. Faith couldn't imagine, hell she didn't want to imagine what it was going to be like next year when all four of them were in school. She felt sorry for Dawn already. She, Dawn and Dusk had pretty much spent the last two weeks hiding from the blond-haired Slayer and the Wicca's. They had tiptoed around the house, bowing, scraping and catering to every whim and still that hadn't been enough. None of them could seem to do anything right and Dusk had taken to hiding under any piece of furniture he could fit beneath whenever Buffy or the Wicca's entered a room he was in. By the middle of the second week, Faith had considered moving her, Dawn and Dusk into the garage, just to get away from the crazy people that they were suddenly sharing the Mansion with.

Faith had been doing all the Slaying alone the last two weeks. She was one extremely frustrated Slayer, she had found out very early the week before not to even hint at making love. She had also learned to block any lust-filled thoughts, hell, any kind of thoughts that had to do with making love period, from reaching Buffy through their bond too. She was lucky most days if Buffy even gave her a kiss in the morning, let alone anything more. She couldn't count the number of cold showers she had taken and she most definitely took a very long one after getting back from Slaying each night.

While she might be a more controlled, precise, kick-ass wicked Slayer, Buffy's total equal on that front now, one thing still hadn't changed for her. Faith still loved Slaying with every fiber of her being. She still thought that being called was one of the best things to have happened to her in her fucked up past... and Slaying absolutely, positively still made her enormously, incredibly, exceedingly, hungry and horny. And the kiss that Buffy had just given her certainly hadn't done anything to help the two weeks of pent-up desire, passion and outright lust she was feeling.

As crude as it sounded even in her own head, the only thing she could think about right now was how much she just wanted Buffy to slam her up against the nearest tree, crypt, tombstone, whatever and fuck her brains out until she cried uncle or passed out. Slow, passionate, gentle just wasn't going to cut it right now, that would come later after the edge had been taken off. Hard and fast was what she needed after all the Slaying she had been doing alone and most assuredly after sleeping in the same bed with a naked Buffy and not making love once over those two weeks.

And even hard and fast Faith knew was, for them, still making love, because Buffy had been right. They didn't fuck, they made love no matter how fast or slow, because all of it was an expression of their love for each other. And that love was in every touch, whether gentle, rough or hurried, every kiss, whether slow, sensual, hard, demanding or forceful, it was in every sigh, in every word, in every breath. It was impossible for it not to be and Faith wouldn't have it any other way.

Faith didn't say anything though and she kept her thoughts, feelings out of their bond. She was a little afraid of misjudging Buffy's mood, especially after living with the crazy woman that had inhabited her mate's body for the last two weeks. As much as she wanted Buffy to touch her, as much as she wanted to touch Buffy, she wasn't going to risk making another move until after exams were over. She would just let Buffy lead them wherever this playful kissing and touching took them, which if the last two weeks were any indication wouldn't be much further. She would just have to settle for an extra-extra-extra-long, ice-cold shower and then stuffing her face when she got home tonight.

Buffy looked at Faith with a sly grin on her face. She didn't need their bond to know what Faith was feeling. It was coming off her in a tidal-wave of heat and lust. Buffy could feel it with everything she was, it was making her sweat, her knees weak, and she was just about melting into a puddle. They had been together long enough for her to know exactly what Slaying did to Faith and even had they only been together for a day she would still know, because Slaying did the same exact thing to her. Faith, right now, was a volcano, ready to erupt at the slightest touch and Buffy had every intention of stoking, soothing and quenching that fire tonight.

She intended to repay Faith for how horrible she had been to her the last two weeks. Repay Faith for how considerate, thoughtful and understanding she had been. Faith had bent over backwards to help her with everything and anything she could. She had listened when Buffy went on a rampage about how she couldn't do this, should just quit now and spare herself and everyone else from her failure. How she wasn't any good at school, never was, never could be. Faith had just quietly encouraged her, pushed her to study, helped her to study; made sure she ate and slept. Not only had Faith taken care of her, but she had seen to Willow and Tara's needs as well.

"I just needed a small break from all the studying." Buffy shrugged her shoulders, she was being evil she knew. She wanted to surprise Faith and get a feel for when she was going to get home; she had plans for 'her' Dark Slayer tonight. And if things went the way she wanted, those plans would extend into all day tomorrow and hopefully into the day after. "And I, you know, kinda miss you a little..." She smiled impishly at Faith.

"We, me and the Furball kinda miss you too." Faith's response came out slightly above a whisper.

Buffy didn't miss the longing in Faith's eyes, she felt it too. Both their longing was about more than just not making love in the last two weeks. They both missed spending time together talking, holding hands, holding each other, cuddling on the sofa, being silly, goofy, taking those few minutes in the morning to just be together before the rest of the world intruded. What they really both missed the most was the simple, ordinary things that made up their daily life together.

Buffy smiled softly up at the Dark Slayer and clasped her hand with her own, "Come on, walk me back to my car."

Faith just nodded her head, not trusting herself to speak; they began walking in comfortable silence, pausing only long enough for Faith to pick up her Slaying bag. Both were quietly reflecting on the last few months, how things had changed for them, how they had grown, how their relationship had become stronger, how it had become just simply more.

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Buffy had decided, at Faith's gentle urging, though Dawn and the Wicca's had also added their two cents worth, to go back to school for the winter semester, rather than wait for the summer. Willow and Tara had moved into the Mansion the first week of January after the Summers' house had been sold. Their moving in had helped to alleviate some of the financial burden on the two Slayers. The rent had enabled Buffy to change her work schedule to be just a little bit more than part-time and allowed her to concentrate on getting back into the swing of being in school.

Faith after three weeks of Buffy's subtle pushing, along with the added pushes from the rest of the household had finally gone down to the center to meet with Sharon about the job working with the troubled teens. Faith and Sharon had clicked from the start and Sharon had instantly seen beneath Faith's bad girl attitude. Their initial meeting had lasted over two hours and Faith had been as close to totally honest with Sharon as she could be. She had been surprised at how comfortable she was with Sharon immediately and found that it was easy to talk to her. She had told Sharon about her abusive past, her short stint in jail, had given her sketchy details about what had happened to she and Buffy over the last few months and then had told her what it was that she wanted from her life. She told Sharon about her desire to help other young men and women not to make the same mistakes that she had.

By the end of the meeting, Sharon had offered to give Faith a chance on a part-time trial basis for one month. She wanted to make sure that this was what Faith really wanted to do and to see how the kids took to her. On the Monday of the third week of January, Faith began to work three days a week at the center. She kept her fulltime job down at the loading docks, changing her hours to accommodate her schedule at the center. By her second day at the center, Faith knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was what she wanted to do with her life. She had taken to working with the kids like a fish to water.

She loved it, her own abusive and trouble past gave her an insight to the teens as well as an insight into her own self. It was extremely hard work and quite frustrating at times trying to get through the all too familiar walls that the more troubled of the kids had erected - but when she was able to, it made all the hard work and frustration much more than worth the effort. At the end of her trial month, Sharon had offered her a fulltime position as an assistant youth counselor and Faith had taken the job without a second of hesitation.

From the very first day she had started working at the center, Faith had begun to find a new sense of self, her confidence, self-worth had been growing ever since in leaps and bounds, and she, herself, as a person continued to grow in leaps and bounds too. For the first time in her life, Faith felt like if she suddenly stopped being a Slayer tomorrow, she would still have something worthwhile to offer the world in general. Faith had in a sense, with this job, working with the kids, found her true calling.

Before either of them knew it Buffy's twenty-first birthday was upon them. Faith, being the hidden romantic at heart that she was, decided to take Buffy to the 'family' restaurant and club that they had gone to on their first real date. She had even gone so far as to wear the same outfit she had worn that night. They had a nice long romantic dinner together. Faith had arranged for them to sit at the same exact table and have the same waiter as the first time. Buffy had been surprised even further when the familiar strands of the slow song they had first danced to, began, and the DJ dedicated the song; 'To B from F I love you. Thank you for teaching me how to Breathe.' This time it was Faith who gently pulled Buffy out to the dance floor to slow dance.

After they had returned to their table when the music had gone from slow and sensual to fast and hard, Faith handed Buffy a small wrapped box. Inside the box was a wide pewter Celtic Placket Wrist Cuff. The wrist cuff was actually six hand-pierced and engraved panels welded together. The original design of the bracelet dated back to the ninth or tenth century AD. The six engraved panels consisted of a Stag, a Thistle, the Eternal Knot, a Griffin, an Oak Tree, a Plant Abstract, and the final panel was an image that was simply there to balance the Plant Abstract and to signify things of the heart. Together the six panels represented fertility, abundance, regeneration, courage, protection, strength, spiritual growth, wisdom, watchfulness, fidelity and endurance. Buffy had put the wrist cuff on immediately after reading the small card that told of the history of the Celtic Placket, since that night she very rarely, if ever, took it off.

By the end of February, they had settled down into a routine. In between working, school and Slaying they somehow managed to find ways to spend more time together. Both making sure they took the time out of their busy schedules to surprise each other, from Faith showing up on the Sunnydale U campus with a picnic lunch to Buffy serving burnt breakfast to Faith in bed. They made sure to do fun things together, like going to the movies or dancing at the Bronze or doing all night Scooby video and pizza parties. And every Sunday, the only full day both had off, they spent together, doing either something alone or with Dawn and the rest of their family.

On the Slaying front, the Chosen Two had truly become a force to be reckoned with. Their implicit trust in each other, the bond they shared and all they had learned and continued to learn from the Immortals had made them more responsible and conscientious. Made them fiercer warriors and Slayers. But in a very real sense it wasn't what they had learned on the Slaying front that made them better Slayers - it was because of the life they started to build, create for and with each other within the Immortals domain, and that they had continued to build upon when they returned, that made them better Slayers. Nor did they continue to build this life together alone, they included Dawn in it and the rest of their extended family.

They made plans for their future together, they thought beyond just today or tomorrow, they no longer woke up wondering if today was the day either or both of them were going to die. With a passion, they both wanted that future that they never thought they could have and they wanted all their loved ones to have it as well. It was that and their steely determination and strength of will to ensure that they all realized their dreams that made them exceptional at what destiny or fate had chosen as their roles to play in the war against evil. In spite of the fact they were Slayers and that no other Slayer had ever done it, they would have a life, they would beat the odds, they would do more than just survive from day to day and they would do it together and with their very extended family.

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They stopped at the curb in front of Buffy's car, both wondering how they had gotten there so fast. Buffy leaned up against the car and pulled Faith to her. She idly tucked a few stray locks of Faith's hair behind her ear and then ran her hand down the side of Faith's face, both enjoying the familiarity of Buffy's habit.

"Was this the last cemetery for the night?" Buffy asked Faith already knowing that it wasn't.

"I have two more." Faith rested her forehead up against Buffy's. Wanting more than anything just to go home with her, even if it was only to spend time with the crazed-lunatic-student that was currently inhabiting Buffy's body. But neither Faith nor Buffy would shirk their duty as Slayers for their own personal needs.

"I'm glad I took a break to come see you."

"Me too B..."

Buffy leaned up and kissed Faith. It was soft and sweet, but both Slayers would have put it in the top ten list of kisses they had ever shared.

Faith stood at the curb watching until Buffy drove out of sight. She turned and started heading towards her bike, letting out a long heavy sigh, which Dusk echoed a second later.

"You miss her too, eh Furball?" Dusk just whined low in response to her question.

She stopped in front of her bike and just stared vacantly at it for a minute or two, then called over her shoulder, "You can come out now Junior..."

Spike stepped out of the shadows; he had been following her since the beginning of the night at Buffy's request. Or so he told himself that. Deep down he knew that he would have followed either of the Slayers if they were patrolling alone and hadn't asked him to keep them company, it didn't mean he would admit it to them or to himself out loud. He may have a soul now but he was still Spike, after all. But, they were his family now and, like them, he took care of his family.

"Um... well I was just..."

"Following me?"

"As if..."

"Right..." Faith turned around to face Spike.

He looked tired, the last few months since he had gotten his soul back had been hard on him. When the Slayers had returned from the Immortals' domain, Xander had told them that right after the joining ceremony they had found him hiding, curled up into a fetal-ball in his crypt. A delayed reaction to all the guilt, sorrow, remorse, self-disgust and self-loathing over what he had done over the long course of his undead-life as a vampire ripping him apart. He was better now thanks to Angel and to her. They both had been helping Spike through it, she and Angel both understood intimately exactly what it was doing to Spike inside and how it made him feel. She smiled at him. They, she and Spike, were a lot alike. They covered up their internal pain with sarcastic remarks, indifference, bored looks and fake smiles, but just like her, he, neither of them, wanted to hide behind the masks they had worn for so long anymore. And they both knew that sometimes, old habits died hard.

"So Junior... me and Furball have to finish patrolling. You feel like tagging along?"

"Well Infant..." Spike started then smiled at the growl Faith gave him at the nickname he had appropriated for his own use from Mars' for her. "I think a little exercise would do me a right bit of good."

Only in Sunnydale would no one pay any attention to the odd sight of a small raven-haired beauty driving an 'Eighty-Six Sportster, with a bleached blonde sort of Billy Idol look alike on the back and a black Siberian Husky puppy, with piercing blue eyes chasing after them.

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Buffy plopped down on the couch, she had run around the house like a chicken without a head trying to get everything done and then herself showered before Faith got home from Slaying. She had figured she had an hour tops, maybe even less, since Spike would help Faith patrol the last two cemeteries. It seemed so quiet after all the upheaval the last two weeks. Willow and Tara had left a few hours ago for the women's retreat they were spending the next five days at. Crow had picked up Dawn right after dinner; she was going to spend the weekend with his family at their summer home in Laguna Beach.

Dawn and Crow had officially become a couple after Dawn had turned their Happy New Year's kiss into a little bit more than just a chaste peck on the lips. The Slayers' who had been standing by the two teenagers had started laughing out loud at the surprised, comical look on Dawn's face after the kiss. She obviously hadn't planned on it.

Surprising not only themselves but Dawn as well, neither Slayer had a problem with Dawn dating Crow. Oddly enough, they both trusted him. Neither of them would have ever thought that the words trust and seventeen-year-old boy would be in the same sentence. Not to mention in the same sentence with Dawn. The fact still remained that they did trust him. They trusted him not to push Dawn into anything she wasn't ready for, nor did they worry about her safety when she was out with him. While they could both see the wild streak in him, they could also see that he was responsible, gentle, sensitive and that he cared for Dawn a great deal and that Dawn cared a great deal for him as well.

Both Slayers' had a sneaky suspicion that Dawn and Crow were in it for the long haul. They both thought that Dawn had found in Crow the person who fit with her in the same way that they fit together. There was something about Dawn and Crow when they were together that was just simply right.

She was pulled out of her internal musing at the sound of the back door opening. She heard Faith's soft footsteps and the click of Dusk's nails on the marble floor. Before she, Willow and Tara had become the psycho-students-from-hell, Faith would have instinctively found her wherever she was in the house to give her a kiss hello. But Faith had learned the hard way the second night they had started cramming for exams not to even come close to any of them or the living room which had been commandeered as study central when she came in unless one of them called out to her.

For the last two weeks, Faith had gone directly up the back steps as quietly and quickly as possible, Dusk right on her heels. Nor would Faith call out a greeting unless one of them called out to her first. She would make her way to the master bedroom and a few seconds later the sound of the shower would drift down the stairs to Buffy. After what Buffy knew was a very long cold shower, she would then hear Faith's quiet footsteps going down the hall, then down the back stairs again and into the kitchen through the servant's door, to make herself something to eat. And tonight Buffy knew would be no different. Sure enough, Buffy heard Faith's almost silent footsteps climbing up the back staircase. She felt a twinge of guilt for letting Faith think she was still studying and for letting her take another cold shower. She soothed her guilt a little with the knowledge that she planned on making it up to Faith tonight and hopefully for the rest of the weekend too.

"Faith? Is that you?" Buffy called out from the living room. She heard Faith's footsteps stop abruptly on the stairs.

"Yeah, B, it's me." There were a few beats of silence then Faith called out again, "Did you need me to do something for you B?"

"No... ah thanks... I was just checking."

Buffy had pretty much closed down the bond between them over the last two weeks. She had found it extremely distracting while she was trying to study, when all she really wanted to do was spend her free time with Faith. Faith, out of consideration for her, had not tried to force or coax Buffy once into opening it up during that time. Tonight though, Buffy, not wanting to give away the surprise she had planned for Faith, had only partially reopened up the bond between them the second she had heard the motorcycle pull in the driveway. Even only partially opened, the feelings that hit her had felt beyond anything she could describe.

Over the last two weeks, she had still been able to feel Faith through their Soul-Thread, which was part of their bond, but it hadn't been quite the same as when their bond, connection was fully open. She had missed the echoes they shared, missed the feeling of Faith being a part of her deep down inside her soul, she somehow felt not quite complete without the familiar sensation of their shared bond and she had decided at that moment that it was something she would never do again, for any reason.

"Okay, well... I'm gonna take a shower... If you change your mind B, just holler."

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Faith made her way back downstairs into the kitchen. Her twenty-minute cold shower had done nothing but remind her even more why she was taking an ice-cold shower in the first place. Then again, Buffy's unexpected appearance at the cemetery certainly hadn't helped either. Right now, she could feel Buffy's presence intensely; it seemed to be wrapped tightly around her, almost as if Buffy were standing right next to her, holding her. The first ten minutes after she got home she kept looking over her shoulder expecting to see Buffy, feeling Buffy's presence this strongly only usually happened when they were in the same room and always when they were touching. She gave up looking over her shoulder though, chalking it up to her imagination and wishful thinking.

She padded down the hallway and into the kitchen, her bare feet hardly making a sound, Furball right behind her. She first filled up Dusk's water bowl then threw him a new rawhide beef-strip which he caught midair. He planted himself on the floor and happily started to gnaw away. She smiled down at him then headed over to the fridge. She opened the door and saw to her delight her favorite food in the whole wide-world sitting right there on the shelf, just waiting for her. Pizza, with extra-extra-and-a-little-more-extra cheese! She grabbed a slice, tossed it in the toaster oven and set the timer. She reached back into the pizza box and grabbed another slice to munch on while she was waiting for the first to heat up.

Buffy stood silently leaning up against the doorframe to the kitchen watching Faith. She had gotten up from the couch when she heard Faith coming back downstairs. She had quietly made her way over to the other entrance to the kitchen reaching it only a second or two after Faith had entered the kitchen with Dusk. She had given Dusk the hand signal to ignore her presence; it was one they had, until now, only used when they were Slaying. Then she just leaned against the doorframe and let her eyes drink in the sight of her mate.

Faith was wearing a very short cut-off wife beater that with every movement the bottom of her breasts peeked out from under. She also had on her favorite pair of men's black silk boxers with Daffy Duck on them. Faith actually had quite the collection of men's silk boxers, all with some cartoon character or another on them.

Buffy's traced with her eyes the ripple of muscles in Faith's shoulders, arms and legs as she puttered around the kitchen with her back to her. Her eyes lingered on the little indent at the base of Faith's spine, the same one that made Faith's body tremble with desire whenever Buffy touched it.

A knowing smile graced Buffy's face as she watched Faith. She knew exactly what Faith would do once she saw the pizza in the refrigerator that Buffy had picked up on her way home from the cemetery. First, Faith would put a slice in the toaster oven and then she would take another slice from the box to munch on while she waited for the first to heat up. Sure enough, Faith didn't disappoint her. And while Buffy watched Faith do this, she couldn't help wonder how Faith could look so damn adorable, cute, young, sexy, hot and breathtaking all at the same time.

"I don't know Furball, thinkin' even pizza ain't gonna help, don't think twenty pies would help... hell all the food in the world wouldn't help... I just might have to reacquaint myself with my hand again like last week, although that didn't help too much either, was kinda empty, more I don't know..." Faith grumbled under her breath then blushed at what she said, then berated herself for blushing. After all, Furball was just a dog and probably didn't understand what she was saying anyway. Her thoughts drifted back to Buffy as she brought the slice up towards her mouth and she was almost overwhelmed by the desire, the lust, just the thought of Buffy caused to wash over her with the force of a tidal wave.

Dusk might not have understood what the Dark Slayer was saying, but Buffy did. And Buffy, who had been just opening her mouth to let Faith know she was there, found that nothing would come out. In that split second, a few things happened fast and furiously to Buffy. Faith's desires, passion washed over Buffy through their bond and sent her own repressed desire and lust into hyper-drive. Her breathing quickened and the tone of her voice even though she had yet to speak, lowered. And her plans for them for the evening changed as her mind was filled with a billion different images from Faith's words and her thoughts took a decidedly, wicked detour. She decided that a spontaneous appetizer was most definitely in order. Beside as far as Buffy could remember the kitchen was the only room in the Mansion that they hadn't...

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"Faith! What are you doing?"

Faith froze, every single muscle in her body locked at the sound of Buffy's harsh, low voice. At any other time, Faith would have thought that the tone of Buffy's voice was from desire, but not during finals. She stood there not moving, the slice of pizza hanging limply in her hand, the part she had been about to bite resting in her mouth against her teeth and tongue. She was actually afraid to bite the pizza just in case it was the cramming food of choice for the crazed-students from hell tonight.

Oh fuck! Oh fuck! What'd I do? Too loud? Not supposed to eat the pizza? What?

Buffy walked up slowly behind Faith, losing her silk robe along the way. She saw Faith tense up more the closer she got to her. After the last two weeks, Buffy would have reacted the same way as Faith if their roles had been reversed. She knew Faith was probably wondering if the psycho-student from hell was in the kitchen with her. She motioned to Dusk who had also froze at the sound of her voice, the rawhide hanging out of his mouth. He looked a lot like the Dark Slayer right now. He took off like a bat out of hell once her hand finished signaling him to leave. She almost laughed when she noticed that he hadn't left the rawhide behind.

Oh yeah Furball's definitely just like my Dark Slayer.

"Well?" Buffy asked Faith again and smiled as she saw the goose-bumps rise on Faith's neck where her breath caressed it.

"Um... eating pizza?" Faith mumbled out around the now officially soggy pizza in her mouth, which she couldn't have removed even if she wanted to. Her motor skills had fled right out of the kitchen the second she felt Buffy's breath on her skin.

"I see that. I guess Slaying still makes you..." Buffy reached over Faith's shoulder and plucked the slice of pizza out of her hand, she tossed it onto the counter top. "...hungry," she finished as she let her fingertips run down Faith's sleekly muscled arm. She stepped in closer to Faith and leaned the length of her body into Faith's back, both hands gliding down until they rested lightly on Faith's hips.

Faith just nodded yes, because the part of her brain that enabled her to speak had decided to go join her motor skills in another part of the Mansion the instant she felt Buffy's breasts brush up against her back and shoulder as she reached over her. She couldn't stop the trembling of her limbs or the insistent pounding of her blood roaring through her veins as Buffy's hands lightly caressed her hips and the sides of her buttocks.

Buffy nibbled along the tight muscle of Faith's shoulder, stepping in even closer, pressing herself firmly along the whole length of Faith's back until not even a wisp of air could have come between them. Her mouth continued along its journey, one hand coming up to impatiently push Faith's hair away from her neck and out of the way. She trailed little love bites up the length of Faith's neck, tasting the slight sheen of sweat that was laced with Faith's own unique flavor and desire. She stopped at the Faith's ear and daintily traced its outer shell then just softly breathed into it. She smiled when she felt Faith tremble and then smiled again as Faith's hands reached back to clutch tightly the outside of each of her thighs. Her smile widen as she brushed her lips against Faith's ear and felt another tremor ripple through Faith.

A whimper followed by a ragged sob escaped from between Faith's tightly clenched jaw when it seeped into her brain that Buffy's body pressed up against her from behind was completely devoid of clothing. The sensations from the warmth of Buffy's skin, the soft kisses, nips on her neck, the gentle caresses on her hips, ass and Buffy's hot breath in her ear were all too much and not enough, all at once for her. Faith trembled again as she felt Buffy press into her even tighter. Trembled harder still, as Buffy's breasts slid up against her back when the golden-haired Slayer rose up to bring her mouth right next to her ear.

"...and from what you said to Furball I see that Slaying still makes you..." Buffy slid one hand around to trace along the ripped-cuts in Faith's six-pack stomach, "...horny too." Buffy spread her hand out flat against Faith's stomach. Her other hand stroking and massaging Faith's ass, liking the feel of the soft silk boxers, but not quite as soft as Faith's skin. "...and you've only taken care of that little problem once in the past two weeks... mmmm sorry I missed seeing that. Tell m..."

The ding of the bell on the toaster oven cut off whatever Buffy was about to say. She pulled a little away from Faith and turned her head to look at her, she saw Faith's eyes were closed, her mouth was slightly open and her breathing was fast and shallow. Buffy doubted if Faith even remembered the pizza was in the toaster oven. She started a slow trek up the expanse of Faith's stomach with just the pads of her fingers. She rose up on her toes again so she could continue to whisper in Faith's ear, pausing briefly first to suck on the lobe.

"Tell me Faith are you hungry for the pizza or..." The pads of her fingers slid into the valley between Faith's breasts. She heard Faith's breath catch. Then Faith leaned back fully and let her support her. "...are you hungry for something else?" She started to circle from the base of Faith's left breast with the tips of her fingers, letting her nails occasionally scrape along the sensitive skin as she slowly spiraled towards it peak.

Faith couldn't believe how hypersensitive her skin was. Every little touch of Buffy's fingers on her, every caress of her breath against her skin sent a flood of hot desire careening throughout her body. She was almost afraid of what her body's reaction was going to be when Buffy finally touched the nipple of the breast that she was slowly circling, torturing with her fingers and nails.

"Well...?"Buffy asked her as her hand slipped under the waistband at the back of Faith's silk boxers. Her hand, her whole being in ecstasy from the feel of Faith's satiny firmly muscled ass under her fingertips. She stopped the movement of her fingers on Faith's breast, her fingers less than a hairsbreadth away from Faith's straining nipple as she waited for Faith to answer her.

Well what? What was the question? What the frig was the goddamn question?

She tried to focus on something other than Buffy's hands upon her and the feel of her skin against her own. She opened her eyes, hoping that would help her to remember what the question was. Her eyes fell on the toaster oven and suddenly she remembered. "El...ah e...ls...e," she managed to choke out then her ability to speak fled right back out of the kitchen again, as one by one, Buffy's fingers slowly brushed lightly over just the tip of her oversensitive nipple.

Faith let her head fall back onto Buffy's shoulder exposing her neck. Her breath caught as Buffy's knuckles backtracked and ran almost roughly over her nipple then slid down the side of her breast. They blazed a trail of fire, desire in their wake as they skimmed over the side of her left breast down to the underside of it. She was pretty sure her heart was going to rupture when she felt the pads of Buffy's fingers start the same circling, occasional nail scraping, slow torturous spiraling routine around her right breast, that her left had been treated to only moments before.

"Liken' that choice S.O. Liken' it a lot..." Buffy took advantage of Faith's exposed neck, running her tongue along the length of it, then back down. Biting lightly at Faith's throbbing jugular, pausing to suck and bite at her mate-mark, causing Faith to release an explosive moaned-filled breath. She made her way to Faith's jawbone and gripped it between her lips, her teeth nibbling.

"Baby, look at me..." she whispered as she let go of Faith's sweet, warm flesh.

Buffy captured Faith's mouth the second she turned her head. She flicked her tongue against Faith's oh-so soft lips, running the tip eagerly, delicately along them, relishing their taste. She felt Faith's mouth open under hers and the Chosen Two began a slow erotic dance with their mouths and tongues. A dance that had never failed to leave both Slayers weak-kneed.

As Buffy's fingers reached the summit of Faith's breast, she whispered a nail around her nipple and drank down the low moan from Faith at her touch. Then finally giving into her own need, Buffy took Faith's hard nipple between her thumb and index fingers and rolled it delicately.

Faith tore her mouth away from Buffy's as a white-hot flash of electric heat ran straight from her nipple down to her throbbing center. Her hips bucked uncontrollably into the empty air, then again as Buffy's other hand ran like quicksilver up to her other breast. She could never remember ever being this aroused from so little touching, it didn't seem to matter where Buffy touched her, every part of her body had become an erogenous zone. If she could have released her death grip on Buffy's thighs, she would have dragged Buffy's hand down to the pulse that was pounding in time with the rapid beat of her heart between her thighs.

She opened her mouth to tell Buffy what she wanted, instead what came out was a guttural moan. Then another as Buffy began to play with her breasts with wanton abandon. Rolling the nipples, pinching them, tugging, anything and everything that Buffy's evil mind could come up with and Faith was helpless under the onslaught of Buffy's hands.

Faith's skin was burning hot beneath Buffy's mouth and hands. She was just as caught up in the web of desire and lust as Faith was. Her own senses on fire from the feel of Faith against her own hot skin, mouth, and hands, and from the sounds that Faith was making. Every moan, sigh, gasp, sob, causing an answering pulse deep inside of her. She could feel her own desire sliding slowly down the inside of her thighs.

The back of her hand danced its way down over Faith's ribcage to the waistband of her boxers, which she pushed down a little. Then she reversed her movement climbing back up the expanse of Faith's stomach, over her ribcage, then up and over the slope of her breast. She switched hands and repeated the same path down Faith's body. She continued switching hands, using them as if Faith's body were a canvas and the back of her hands and the pads of her fingers were the fine sable bristles of a painter's brush. Each time she reached Faith's boxers, she pushed them down a little further, until they finally slipped off her hips and slid to the floor to pool around Faith's feet.

She nudged the back of Faith's knee, telling her without words to lift her foot out of the boxers. Then nudged Faith's other knee to repeat the process, then kicked the boxers away. She slid one foot in-between Faith's and gently urged her to widen her stance. She whispered her fingertips up Faith's back grabbing hold of her shirt and lifting it over the top of her head. When Faith made no move to release her death grip on Buffy's thighs, Buffy dusted her fingertips down both of Faith's arms and then clasped Faith's hands with her own prying them loose from their death grip. She pulled Faith's arms in front of her, placing her hands on top of the counter that was little more than a foot in front of them, impatiently she pushed the cut-off shirt down her arms where it hung imprisoned by and imprisoning, Faith's arms.

Buffy took a tiny step back from Faith and then just gave into her own passion. Her own need to touch Faith was strong, urgent and she succumbed to it and gave her hands, mouth and tongue free rein. She explored all of Faith's back, even giving her a small hickey at the hollow at the base of her spine. She ran her hands over Faith's firm buttocks, kneading, massaging, stroking. She kissed, tasted the back of Faith's knees, the inside of her thighs, her calves. Then wrapped herself around Faith and slid up her body to catch the beads of sweat making a slow path down from the valley between Faith's breasts to the soft wiry curls that covered her sex.

She paid homage to each breast, following the same slow path towards their peaks that her fingers had not long before. She relished the salty tang of Faith's sweat, her desire, on her tongue and lips, her own body shuddering in sympathy with each tremor that rippled through Faith. She traversed every valley, hollow, curve and hill, kissing, licking, nipping, tasting all of Faith's silky smooth flesh, with the exception of the hidden treasure that called to her senses with the unique musky scent that was just Faith. Her own chorus of moans, joining with every whimper and moan that came from Faith.

She wrapped herself back around behind Faith to run her tongue from the little indent at the base of Faith's spine all the way up to the nape of her neck. She stepped back in close to Faith, who was trembling from head to toe and pressed herself tightly against Faith's back. Her own stance wide, little moans escaping from her as unconsciously she rocked, grinded her hips, her pelvis against Faith's firm backside. She snaked one arm around Faith's waist and reached up to tease her breasts again. Her other arm curved around to the inside of Faith's thigh. In almost slow motion, she began to drag, scrape her fingers and nails up the inside of Faith's quivering thigh.

Faith was clutching the counter white-knuckled with everything she was worth, way beyond the point of caring whether or not she would break it. She couldn't get enough air into her lungs and her legs had turned into jello, she wasn't quite sure how much longer she could remain standing. Although she was pretty sure that it wouldn't be long. Her senses had long since passed overload and what she had been feeling earlier after Slaying compared to now was like the difference between an arrow and a nuclear missile. She couldn't stop her limbs from trembling or the shudders that rippled through her with every touch, every kiss, every flick of Buffy's tongue. Her ability to speak and her motor skills had not only left the kitchen but had fled to another state.

Mini-shockwaves started to rip through her body the very second Buffy pressed tightly into her back again. When Buffy started to tease her breasts yet again, Faith felt all the blood in her body rush southward to the junction between her legs. Her legs started to give out as Buffy's hand began to trail painfully slow up the inside of her thigh.

She didn't care they were in the kitchen. Didn't care that they lived with three other people who could walk in at any moment. The only thing she cared about right now was Buffy. The way Buffy's body was covering her with warmth. Buffy's breasts pressed against her back. The feel of Buffy's moist nether curls that were grinding, pressing rhythmically into her backside. Buffy's hand on her breasts, her other hand moving slowly up the inside of her thigh. Buffy's hot, wet mouth and tongue on her neck. The sound of Buffy's moans vibrating against her hypersensitive flesh. It was all she cared about right now.

She was vaguely aware of Buffy pulling her back against her, of her hands letting go of the counter, her shirt falling to the floor, and her hands clutching in a death grip the outside of Buffy's thighs again. Her head fell back helplessly against Buffy's shoulder. Faith's whole body convulsed, a ragged sob escaped her and everything she felt for Buffy flowed out, flooded through their bond as she felt Buffy's mouth come down on the mate-mark she had given her, claiming her for her own once again.

Buffy reluctantly let go of the nipple she was teasing to grab Faith tightly around the waist as her body convulsed when she bit down on her mate-mark on Faith's pulse point. She finally opened the bond between them fully, dropping every single block she had put up in the last two weeks as she sucked, bit and soothed her mate-mark on Faith's neck.

Buffy's whole body suddenly began to quiver as unbelievably a not-so-small orgasm streaked through her as the depth of what Faith was feeling echoed and pulsed within their bond and slammed full-force into her. She whimpered Faith's name out and heard an answering whimper of her own name from Faith in return. When she managed to get herself somewhat under control again she tenderly, lovingly ran her mouth up Faith's neck to her ear. She nibbled on the sensitive spot behind it, her own body began shuddering again at the sound of the low whimpering Faith was making deep in her throat that signaled she was on the razor's edge of release.

She lifted her head a little, placing her mouth next to Faith's ear and whispered to her low, throatily, "I'm so in love with you Faith..." Her only response was a hoarse, deep moan that came from the depths of Faith's soul, but it was more than answer enough for Buffy.

She let her fingers trailed up those last few inches on the inside of Faith's thigh and slide into the wet heat of her mate.

Everything but Buffy disappeared as from deep inside of her womb Faith felt a force, a heat as fierce as a star going nova explode at Buffy's touch. Her legs gave out finally and she just let herself fall safely into Buffy's one arm embrace as her body was wracked with spasms and seized by the power of her release. A continuous low, hoarse keening came from deep within her as Buffy continued to touch her and a second climax eclipsed the first, then a third, it felt like a whole constellation had exploded within her and scorched a path through every cell in her body. Until finally her world flashed brightly hot-white one last time and she took a huge breath of air to stave off the darkness that was right behind it.

She was dimly aware of Buffy lifting her up and cradling her in her arms as she was carried from the kitchen. Then Buffy was gently lowering both of them down to the deep-plush rug in front of the fireplace in the living room. She curled up into Buffy, burying her face into Buffy's silky hair and neck, her body still shuddering as aftershocks almost as strong as her orgasms ran through her. She fell into that in-between place as Buffy ran soothing, gentle hands over her back, her arms and stroked her hair while whispering tender, sweet words of nonsense and of love.

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Faith opened heavy eyes to pools of iridescent hazel-gold staring down lovingly at her.

"Hey sleeping beauty..." Buffy said softly, a beautiful smile lighting up her face.

"Hey... Guess I fell asleep..." At this moment, nothing existed for Faith but the eyes of her mate.

"Yeah..." Buffy's smile grew just a little bit more beautiful, "You okay?"

Faith literally felt the blush start at the bottom of her feet and blaze a path up her body. She wondered if her hair had turned red from the force of it. She nodded shyly at Buffy, a little bit of wonder in her eyes. From all the horror stories she had heard through the years and all the horrors, she had seen and lived through, she would have thought by now, that things would have cooled down or fallen apart between them. Instead they just seemed to get more intense, more powerful, the connection between them still growing stronger, deeper. And it wasn't just when they made love, it was all of it, everything, every day and it awed her. She felt alive, was alive, in ways that she dreamed of and had never even imagined were possible.

Buffy gazed down into Faith's dark-chocolate, emerald-flecked eyes with equal intensity, her thoughts almost mirroring Faith's. She had never in her wildest dreams ever thought she could have all this, not even with Angel and every day it just became a little bit better, a little bit more. Her feelings for Faith just continued to grow, to become deeper. They, she and Faith were a part of each other in ways that she just hadn't thought possible.

They filled up all the empty places inside of each other and because of the bond, and the Soul-Thread they shared she, they, could actually feel each other's presence deep down in their souls. It wasn't intrusive or invasive, it was in a way almost like being surrounded in a warm blanket that was made out of the physical manifestation of their love. Even over the last two weeks when she had closed down the bond they shared, she could still feel Faith's presence inside of her, because neither of them could ever shut down or block their Soul-Thread. It was truly a connection that could never be severed between them, not even if for some reason, and Buffy couldn't think of one, they should ever decide to part ways, and from what Atropos had told them it would survive even death.

"I'm sorry about the last two weeks. I guess I, well me, Willow and Tara, all went a little psycho." Buffy propped her head up on her hand, her eyes still locked with Faith's. Her other hand idly tracing the contours of Faith's face.

"It's okay Giz." Faith smiled up at Buffy. "It's funny, you know, not too long ago I would have thought you didn't love me or want me around anymore the way you were acting. But I never even thought that for a second." She leaned up and kissed Buffy softly, then smiled at her again. "Thought about moving me, Gamin and Furball to another state though..." her smile changed into a smirk.

"If I had been you guys, I would have..." Buffy couldn't help but laugh at herself, "And tell me how scary was Tara? I think even Vamp-Willow would have been afraid of her!"

"I know. I was waiting for her to pull out the whips and chains. Who knew that Tara could be so aggressive, or domineering? Maybe she was a dominatrix in another life..."

They both started laughing. Buffy gave an internal sigh of relief that they had been able to fall back effortlessly into the easy, light, loving way they had come to be with each other.

Tara really had terrorized everyone the most out of the three of them. She was the one who had set up the study schedules, had commandeered the living room for cramming sessions. Tara had gotten both Willow and Buffy up in the wee hours of the morning to study before work or classes. Then kept them both up into the wee hours of the night to study some more.

"Where is everyone?" Faith asked as their laughter faded and her surroundings suddenly came into focus.

She had been so lost in Buffy's eyes it hadn't even registered that she and Buffy were sprawled out naked on the rug in front of the fireplace in the living room with just a light fleece blanket covering them both. Nor had she noticed that the only light was from the fire and the many candles that were spread out and lit around the large room. The flickering light of the fire and candles casting dancing shadows and pictures around the room, making the large room seem homey, cozy and warm, like the cottage at the lake had been. Warming on the floor close to the fire were a few different scented massage oils. She turned her head towards the enticing smells coming from the other side of her and saw the low Japanese table piled high with all kinds of mouthwatering foods. She looked back at Buffy with questioning eyes.

"I guess you forget I took my last exam today."

"Actually B, I don't think you ever told me when your last exam was. And I sure as shit wasn't about to ask." Faith gave Buffy a goofy smile, "Did you do all this for me?"

For a second Buffy forgot to breathe as Faith gave her that wide-eyed look of innocent wonder, "All for you, baby. I... well, I wanted to do something nice for you. To make up for how I've been acting. You like?"

"I like..." Faith leaned up and placed a soft, sweet, reverent kiss on Buffy's mouth.

"Hungry?" At Faith's nod, Buffy grabbed a few of the large pillows from beside her and piled them up next to Faith. She scooted out from under the blanket, crawled the few feet over to the table, grabbed it by its edge, and started carefully to drag it towards them.

Faith sat up and made herself comfortable against the pillows, making sure to leave enough room next to her for Buffy. As the blanket slipped down to her waist, she once again became acutely aware that not only she was naked, but Buffy was naked as well.

Faith pulled the blanket up to her neck and held it there in an uncharacteristic show of modesty. She really didn't like the idea of getting caught buck naked in the living room, although she certainly didn't mind the view in front of her.

Faith let her eyes lazily travel over Buffy who was on her knees, bent forward slightly from the waist, her breast swaying gently as she pulled the table towards them. "So ah... where is everyone, B?"

"Tara and Willow went to some Wicca, women's retreat thingy for the next five days and Dawn is spending the weekend with Crow and his family at their beach house, she won't be back 'til Sunday night. Looks like you're stuck with just me and Furball for company for the next two days." Buffy answered over her shoulder. She could feel Faith's eyes traveling over her, it was almost like a physical touch.

Dusk poked his head around the corner when he heard his nickname. He lifted his head and sniffed, smelling the spicy food on the table and his mouth started to water. He wondered if he could run in there, get some food and get out before they could catch him. He crept a little further into the room and then his sensitive nose picked up his Slayers' scent and he recognized it. It was playtime! He could try to sneak some food later, he knew better than to interrupt or join in their playtime. The last time he had tried to play with them when they were playing like this he had almost been staked before his Light Slayer realized it was him that had jumped on her naked back. With one last look of longing at the enticing food, he picked up his rawhide, happy that they were playing again and made his way back upstairs to go play with his light and dark panthers that slept with him and his Slayers on the bed.

When she was satisfied that the table was close enough for both of them to reach, Buffy spun around on her knees to face Faith. She had to choke down her laughter at the sight of Faith sitting there with the blanket clutched to her throat, acting much like a vestal virgin on her wedding night. She balled the corner of the blanket up in her hand and started gently to pull on it as she crawled back towards Faith, her trademark evil, wicked smile playing around her mouth.

"I don't bite you know..." Buffy purred to Faith, "Unless of course you ask me nicely."

Faith watched Buffy crawl towards her mesmerized, not even aware that the blanket was being pulled out of her grasp. She felt her mate-mark throb, then tingle at Buffy's words and the fire in her blood that was only for her mate, a fire that Buffy had so recently put out, came roaring back to life fiercely within her. Only this fire was different, this fire wouldn't be quenched until Faith heard Buffy calling out her name when she took her over the threshold into sweet, delicious release.

Buffy didn't stop crawling until she was face to face with Faith. Their mouths only millimeters away from each other, the blanket now discarded off to the side somewhere. The tickle of the other's warm breath on their faces an erotic caress in and of itself. The desire, the passion, the lust, the love flowed between them by way of their bond, their eyes and the heat coming off their bodies.

As they stared into each other's eyes, the playfulness of the moment slipped away as the extent of what they felt for each other bubbled up to the surface. They were locked in the moment, in the promise in the other's eyes, a promise that encompassed more than just fleeting sexual pleasure. Their eyes conveyed without words the promise of a future with each other, a silent vow of commitment.

They moved towards each other to seal that silent vow with a kiss. Their mouths softly sliding against each other in a gentle, awe-filled, humbling, soulful kiss that promised more than just tomorrow, it was a soul-binding kiss that promised forever.

They looked at each other with wonderment when the kiss ended. Both still astonished that after all this time the simple act of kissing each other could still feel so new, so special, so powerful, so right, turn their minds to mush and their world upside down. They both held the fervent hope that it would always be this way between them.

Their desire for each other changed into a slow burning ember and both wanted to hang onto what they were feeling for a while longer, wanted to burn it into their memories to cherish. Faith put her arms around Buffy, pulling her down to her gently, smiling softly as she felt Buffy snuggle into her, placing her head against her shoulder and putting her arms around her in return. Both were content to stay this way for a time, warm, peaceful, happy, safe, strong, right and loved in each other's arms.

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The soft purr had been rumbling out of her nonstop for almost an hour. She now understood why panthers, why cats in general, purred. Her belly was full from all the spicy Thai food that she and Buffy had fed each other. Her body had not one ache, not one ounce of tension in it, thanks to Buffy who had given her the best massage she had ever gotten in her life. Buffy had worked, kneaded, stroked, and soothed every muscle in her body from the bottom of her feet to the tips of her fingers. She arched her back into the light scratching of Buffy's nails down her spine, her purring deepening and gaining volume.

"I take it you like this tickling-scratching, whatever-ya-wanna-call-it thingy too." Buffy chuckled and received a hummed-purred yes from Faith who was getting into the whole acting like a feline to the max.

She continued to run her fingertips and nails across the expanse of Faith's back, enjoying the sound of Faith purring from deep inside. She was more tickling, rather than scratching and it was something that Buffy actually liked having done to her. The touch wasn't meant to arouse, it was more of a comforting, loving, soothing touch. It was what she knew Faith would have called one of those just because type of touches. The kind of touch that Buffy knew meant more to Faith than any sexual touch ever could. These were the touches that made Faith feel cherished, loved, special. The kind of touches that Faith had seen others share but had never experienced herself, until Buffy. And Buffy had made it her own secret mission to give them to Faith every chance she could.

Over the last few months Buffy had watched Faith learn that just because touches, while different, weren't exclusive to just lovers. They were the friendly arm around her shoulder from Willow, or the spontaneous hugs from Tara. The kisses on the cheek and hugs the Immortals bestowed when they visited. It was Angel's hand upon her shoulder or his arm around her waist, or even Spike's gentle touch upon her arm. It was in one of Anya's impulsive squeeze-the-breath-right-out-of-you hugs. To Dawn who loved to sit behind Faith and braid her hair or jump on her lap to snuggle-hide when they watched a scary movie, which both Slayers found hysterically funny given where they lived. To Cordelia who had discovered she was ticklish, or Gunn's playful punch on the arm and Fred who would always hold Faith's arm when they walked. James and Gary's chic, though clichéd kiss on either cheek greeting. Xander's shy, though tight bear hugs. To Giles and Wesley, much to Buffy's amusement and Faith's chagrin, who liked to stroke Faith's hair or pat her head when they passed by her.

Buffy watched; watched as Faith's face lit up with joy and amazement each time it happened. Watched as she slowly relaxed and began to return the gestures, little by little, over time with other's besides her. Buffy watched with a warmth that suffused her soul as Faith learned what it meant to have a family and people who loved you, just because. Buffy watched and she learned as well.

Her fingers hesitated as she brushed over the scars on Faith's shoulder. Her eyes refocused on Faith's back and she watched as her hand, which seemed to have a mind of its own started to follow the lines of the scars. Normally she avoided the numerous scars Faith had that weren't from Slaying, but tonight she gave into an urge, a need she had deep-down inside since the day she first realized how Faith had gotten the scars. Buffy wished with all that she was, she could just erase the scars and the painful memories they carried with the pads of her fingers. If she couldn't erase them, then she wanted to replace the memories they elicited with a touch, a feeling, a memory of her own. She felt Faith tense as her fingertips traversed them, then relax as if she too wanted Buffy to replace their memory with something of her own, of theirs together.

Her touch became calming, soothing, gentle and light, as if her love for Faith flowed out through the tips of her fingers. She traced each scar with a reverence for the woman who had survived and the spirit that lived within her. She leaned down over Faith and placed delicate, kind, loving small kisses along them. Her touch and kisses speaking of innocence, life, joy, love, all the good things in life, all the things they shared together. She searched out with her Slayer eyes each and every scar and even those from the images that Faith had shared with her through their bond. Praying silently as she found them, that somehow the internal scars that they had created would begin to heal as well.

Faith flinched, then tensed when she first felt Buffy stroking along the scars on her shoulder. Her immediate reaction was to pull away, cover herself and hide in shame. Then it was almost as if she could actually hear, not just feel Buffy through their bond and she understood what Buffy wanted, wished she could do. She relaxed under Buffy's compassionate, caring touch and let herself finally, after all these years, truly begin to heal. She rolled over onto her back at Buffy's tender urging and felt as Buffy began again to search out with her hands and soft kisses all her scars, both external and internal and even the bite marks on the inside of her thigh.

Every touch, every small kiss brought a new sense of wholeness and wellbeing to her. A sense of being loved, cherished, adored, cared for, wanted, clean and whole, in a way that transcended words and even the bond they shared.

It wasn't until Buffy began to touch, kiss the knife scar on her abdomen that Faith felt the wash of tears on her skin. She reached down her hand and tried gently to pull Buffy up to her and away from the knife scar. Buffy's trembling, whispered no floated to her and she stopped trying to move Buffy away, understanding Buffy's need to erase this scar too. The only scar on her body that was from Buffy's own hand. Buffy needed to do this, so she too could truly begin to heal and forgive herself. So, Faith moved her hand, resting it lightly, lovingly on Buffy's back, letting her own tears flow with Buffy's and let her replace the memory associated with this scar with another, one that was of love instead of hate.

When Buffy finally moved up and lay next to Faith, Faith gently rolled her onto her stomach. And then she too sought out and found all the scars both external and internal that Buffy bore. Touching and placing small kisses on Buffy, with the same intent, same emotions as Buffy had on her.

It was, in a way, a cleansing for them both, a final letting go, a replacing of the hate that had been between them, the guilt they both had, from not only their shared past, but their time spent in Glory's hell. And they replaced that hate and guilt with the unconditional, eternal love they now had for each other.

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They had fallen asleep curled up in each other's arms, drained by the emotions their spontaneous ritual had stirred up within them. Faith woke up first and just lay watching Buffy as she slept. All the worries and cares gone from her face in sleep, making her look much younger than her twenty-one years. The lyrics from a song ran through her head as she listened to her soul-mate's even steady breathing;

'I'm finding my way back to sanity again - Though I don't really know what i'm gonna do when i get there - I take a breath and hold on tight - Spin around one more time - And gracefully fall back to the arms of grace - Cause I am hanging on every word you're saying - Even if you don't wanna speak tonight - That's alright, alright with me - Cause I want nothing more than to sit outside heaven's door - And listen to you breathing - Its where i wanna be, yeah - Where I wanna be'

Angel, Cordy, Wesley, Buffy, all of them had helped her to find her way back to sanity. Even Joyce, Buffy and Dawn's Mom had helped her to find her way back. If Joyce hadn't been in the courthouse that day to convince the Judge to call Angel instead of institutionalizing her because of her mental state, she would have ended up in some state-run loony-bin. A loony-bin where the Watcher's Council could have easily gotten to her and eliminated her or alternatively where she would have spent the rest of her life locked up and drugged out of her mind.

Like in the song, she had headed towards sanity blindly with no idea what she was going to do when she got there. It hadn't stopped her from making the trip, she had dug her heels in and planted herself firmly on the road towards her own redemption, her own forgiveness. She had taken a few falls, gotten a few scrapes and had a whole ocean full of doubt, but she had held on tight. Held on and headed towards that light at the end of the dark tunnel that had been her life.

Along the way, she had found that when she fell or needed a helping hand, that the arms of grace for her, had worn many different faces. And she had lucked out in a way that she had only dreamed of, because she didn't need to sit outside heaven's door, because the door had been swung wide-open and she had been welcomed by many wide-open loving arms. Here, with Buffy, here with all of them, was beyond doubt where she wanted to be. Where she intended to be always.

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She watched Buffy sleep for a good half-hour before she decided to wake her. Wake her like she normally woke her in the morning, with soft kisses and slow touches, bringing Buffy to that in-between place where the world only consisted of the two of them. To Faith it felt like forever since either of them had woken the other that way, in reality, it had only been two weeks. She lowered her head, dusting whisper-light kisses over all the contours of Buffy's sleeping, peaceful, beautiful face.

Inevitably, she made her way to Buffy's mouth and just as inevitably, she pulled Buffy's bottom lip between her own. There was just something about Buffy's pouty bottom lip that got to Faith every time. Maybe it was how cute Buffy looked when she pouted, or maybe it was just how sweet it always tasted in her mouth. Whatever it was, Faith had never been able to resist it or Buffy when she pouted. And Buffy knew it. What Faith thought Buffy didn't know was that she knew Buffy had the same little obsession with her bottom lip and pout as she did with Buffy's. She was wrong, Buffy knew that too.

She nibbled, sucked, and flicked feather-like touches with her tongue along the line of Buffy's bottom lip. Making her way eventually to offer up the same sweet caresses to Buffy's upper lip too. It was just as inevitable too, that she would finally seek out and capture both sweet lips with her own. Her kiss just a whisper, her tongue delicate as it traced along between the line that separated Buffy's lips coaxing them to open for her. A small moan escaped her when Buffy's lips parted and allowed her access to the warm cavern of her mouth. Another moan escaped her when she felt Buffy's hands come up around her neck to tangle themselves in her hair.

She moved herself over on top of Buffy, one of her legs slipping in-between Buffy's. She rubbed her body along the length of Buffy's, the oil making her slide much more easier, much more sensual. She deepened their kiss, half moaning, half purring, as she continued to slide, rub against her Light Slayer, acting once again like the cat she was so often compared to. She knew Buffy was awake, when Buffy's mouth began to dance with hers in their own private erotic ballet.

The slow burning embers of her desire began to flare brightly again. Her desire was, always would be Buffy and could only be quenched with Buffy. Her mate sang through her veins in so many different ways that Faith didn't think she would ever have enough time to count them all. It was amazing, awe-inspiring and something she had until recently thought only existed in the fairytale fantasies of the sugar-sweet gothic romances she had read to escape from reality when she was younger. She finally understood that need, that feeling, that want, so often depicted in novels, the need to be closer, to want to crawl underneath their lover's flesh, to become a part of them.

Even though she had desired it, she had always thought that the need for someone to love her, made you weak, and weak was something Faith had never wanted to be. The craving for another, the need to feel that close to someone, the whispered words of nonsense and love; flowers, romantic cards, candlelit dinners, holding hands, just because touches and kisses, spontaneous hugs, all of it made you weak and vulnerable. So, she had pushed people away, kept them at arm's length and pretended not to give a shit. She had been wrong. So wrong. She knew that now. Loving, being loved, and asking for help, needing someone, it didn't make you weak, it made you strong. Strong in ways she hadn't ever thought of, had realized existed. It was a strength that came from deep inside and made her feel like everything and anything was possible.

She wanted all of that with Buffy and in a sudden moment of clarity, she realized that she already did have all of it with Buffy. Every day they gained, experienced and became more with and to each other. She broke their kiss and lifted her head up. She stared down at Buffy, watching as Buffy's tongue peeked out to taste and trace along her own lips, a soft sigh of longing escaping at the same time. Faith watched her and waited for Buffy to open her eyes, waited to see the windows to her mate's soul.

"Like when you wake me this way Fai..." Buffy husked as she slowly opened her eyes.

This time, it was Buffy, who opened heavy eyes to pools of iridescent chocolate-emerald-flecked eyes staring down lovingly at her.

"'S good 'cause I like wakin' you this way B..." Faith husked back.

Buffy felt Faith's fingertips start to roam down over her side and stomach. For a second she had thought it was nothing more than a slight breeze, Faith's touch was so light. But, a breeze had never caused her body to tingle, to heat up, to feel what Faith's touch always made her feel. She relished the weight of Faith's body resting so intimately entwined on top of hers. It was exquisite; it was a feeling that was familiar and new at the same time, every time. A feeling she had never had with another lover, this fitting together like jigsaw puzzle pieces, this rightness.

"And Fai... this is where you're supposed to be." Buffy whispered low, then a bewildered look crossed her face, she hadn't a clue why she had said that, there had just been an almost overwhelming need to say it to Faith. She noticed a stunned look cross Faith's face, "I haven't a clue why I just said that."

"I do," Faith smiled down at Buffy and sensed in an almost surreal way that their bond had expanded or grown in some subtle way tonight. "I was watching you while you slept and listening to you breathe. The sound of your breathing was soothing somehow, and I started to think about how I got here and in my head..."

"You started hearing a song..." Buffy finished for her, the image of Faith watching her sleep and the song started to play in her own head as it drifted to her through their bond. Like Faith, she realized that in some way their bond had changed, had become something more. "You know, you're the one who brought me back to sanity. You were, are, the arms of grace that caught me, gave me shelter and so much more when I stumbled and fell. And you still are and always will be Faith."

Faith moved her arms up so that they were on either side of Buffy's head. She leaned up on her elbows, her hands cupping each side of Buffy's face, her gaze seeing past Buffy's dilated pupils to the heart, the soul of the woman that was her soul-mate. The woman, who was the light to her dark, the dark to her light, her mentor, her pupil, her lover, her best friend, her home and was once again awed, amazed to see all those same emotions reflected back and felt for her in Buffy's eyes.

Just as it was only minutes before, it was inevitable that Faith leaned down to capture Buffy's mouth for a soul-searing kiss.

Just like, it was inevitable that Buffy leaned up to capture Faith's mouth for a soul-searing kiss at the same time.

Just like it was inevitable that their kiss changed from one of a simple expression of love to a kiss of passion, of desire and of love.

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Faith worshipped Buffy with her hands, her mouth. She couldn't seemed to get enough of the silken, creamy texture of Buffy's skin, or the feel of the muscles rippling at her touch. Nor could she get enough of the taste of Buffy in her mouth, on her lips, on her tongue. The small sighs, moans, whimpers Buffy made were music to her ears, food for her soul.

She sat up straddling Buffy's thighs, trapping them in-between her own. A slow, lazy sensual grin, that was innate to Faith herself, spread across her face at Buffy's groan of protest. A shudder screamed through her as Buffy slid her hands along each of her thighs, then she watched as the same slow, innate sensual grin spread across Buffy's face.

In an exaggerated, languid move, Faith bent from the waist, placed a hand on either side of Buffy's chest and unhurriedly lowered herself down towards Buffy. She stopped lowering herself when her nipples brushed against Buffy's. She fixed her eyes on Buffy's face, watching her reaction as she lethargically began to tease herself and Buffy as she circled Buffy's nipples with her own. She slid her legs out straight, then in a graceful move casually slipped both of hers between Buffy's, not once taking her eyes off Buffy's face. Her whole body now brushing lightly in the same teasingly leisurely circles against the whole of Buffy's. A ragged moan escaped her as she felt Buffy's body arch into her to join her in this slow, passionate dance.

Neither had any thought of shutting down the part of their bond that allowed them to feel the ghost-like sensation of how the other was being touched. It was otherworldly in a way, but it also deepened the impact, the feelings that echoed through their bond when they touched.

In the beginning for Buffy, after their return from hell, this shadow-like touch had let her know that Faith did indeed welcome her touch, had guided her on where and how to touch Faith. For Faith, after their return, it had given her the chance to remember without a real touch how it felt to be touched or made love to in a certain way. It had helped both Slayers to acknowledge fears, limits, and to erase, replace little by little his touch. They had not conquered all of Faith's fears, there were still moments, still nightmares, and still a touch not welcomed.

As they moved against each other, drowning in the feel of the other's warm flesh pressed, sliding against the other, they realized that this part of their bond too had changed tonight. They could still feel the ghost-like touches, but it was somehow more merged with the feelings the touch carried rather than the ghost-touch itself. Somehow too, they knew, that the ghost-like, or shadow-like touch had only changed when they were like this, together making love, or a simple just because touch between them. They would still know, still feel the shadow-touch in a different way if another touched one of them.

Their bond was becoming, or truly was inherent, a part of themselves, in no way invasive, or intrusive. They still had the ability to surprise the other, or keep a secret. They didn't know how it worked, they didn't care. Nor were any of these thoughts in their conscious mind right now, they just became a part of their knowledge of each other and their bond, as if they were born knowing it already. Simply put, it just was.

"I love how you feel on me," Buffy ran her hands over the straining muscles in Faith's biceps. She kept her eyes locked with Faith's and smiled. They were both seducing the other right now, the lazy movement of just sliding against the other's fevered flesh, stoking the slow burning embers of their combined desire. She wrapped one leg around Faith's hip, she lifted her other leg to skim her foot along Faith's leg. "I love your weight on me. Your sweat mixing with mine. How warm you feel. The taste of your skin, just the taste of you on my tongue. The way you arch when I scrape my nails down your back. The feel of your breasts against mine..."

Faith's mouth came down on Buffy's in a breath-stealing kiss. Her tongue sought, demanded entrance and received it with a moan of longing from Buffy. They kissed each other with a passion that left them trembling and breathless with desire. Buffy's arms wrapped around Faith's back and pulled her down to her with an almost bone jarring impact. Her hands moving restlessly, lasciviously over all of Faith's flesh within her reach. The pads of one hands fingers and nails tormenting the length of Faith's spine, back, neck and arms. Her touch both loving, gentle and needy at once. The other hand snuck around to burrow its way between their bodies, finding unerringly Faith's rock-hard nipple. Her earlier carnality coming to the surface again as she caressed Faith's breasts with wanton abandon. The slow burning ember of their desire flared up hotly, becoming a bonfire.

Faith slid her mouth away from Buffy's and blazed a trail of hot kisses down to her neck. She nibbled on the sweet-tasting flesh she found there, "You taste so sweet... Like..." She couldn't think of an analogy so she just gave up and continued to taste the flesh beneath her mouth.

Faith made her way to her mate-mark and flicked her tongue against it. Then flicked it again, when she felt Buffy arch up fiercely into her and heard the deep moan that exploded from Buffy at the touch. She daintily bit down on it, then scraped her teeth against it, eliciting the same reaction from Buffy again. She needed to taste all of Buffy's heated flesh and decided that Buffy needed her to taste it all too. Faith began such a slow, torturous exploration of Buffy's sleekly, seductive body, that by the time she made it to the soft line of hair that hid Buffy's sex, both of them were mindless, breathless, shaking and deeply sunk into their bond and what the other was feeling.

She stared enraptured by the sight of Buffy, the sheen of moisture that clung to her soft downy hair, the physical expression of Buffy's desire for her. She could feel the heat coming from her, almost like a caress across her own flushed face. She inhaled deeply the musky scent of Buffy's arousal and her senses reeled, like they had the first time, like they did every time, a teeny, tiny part of her still not believing this wasn't just a dream. She turned her head and softly kissed with adoration the inside of one of Buffy's thighs, then with the same adoration she kissed the other.

Her hands slid along Buffy's thighs of their own volition to Buffy's wet heat and opened Buffy to her gaze. The feel of Buffy beneath her hands like the silken, soft petals of a dew-soaked flower. Her touch was dainty, delicate as she explored as if it were truly the first time that Buffy had granted her the honor of touching her so intimately. She looked up to see Buffy staring down at her with love and the same look of wonder that Faith was feeling inside. As their eyes locked both Slayers realized that for them, the fact that they lived so close to the edge of death every day, made the times when they made love precious, sacred, special, new, exciting in a wholly different way than it did for others. For them it was a celebration that they were alive, together, a way of expressing all that they could never articulate, achieve with just mere words.

Faith kept her now emerald eyes locked with Buffy's now golden-amber eyes as with an exquisitely sensitive touch she slid her fingers into the scorching heat of her mate. A tremor ran through her at the warmth of Buffy surrounding her so intimately and an answering shudder came from Buffy. Like everything before, she started a torturously slow exploration of her Light Slayer. She watched as Buffy's eyes fluttered closed, then she let her own close, letting herself feel with all her other senses.

She nestled down between Buffy's legs, making herself comfortable, making herself at home, she planned on staying here for a good long while. She tortured herself along with Buffy by only allowing herself to taste her golden-haired mate with brief, feather-like flicks of her tongue each time Buffy's hips rose to greet the slow rhythm her fingers had set.

At first Buffy had thought she was going to go insane from the languorous way that Faith was touching and mercilessly teasing her. Then she had allowed herself to relax into the almost dream-like state that Faith was bringing her to. Every part of her body felt alive. Each touch, each kiss was felt with every cell in her body. Her arousal building ever so slowly, lazily, it was different in a wholly new way. Her world encompassed by Faith's eyes watching her, the tenderness in each touch, each kiss. She was being swaddled like an infant by the infinite love that was flowing to her through their bond and in each of Faith's touches and kisses.

She wasn't idle either. Her own hands and mouth sought out Faith's warm skin with equal tenderness and abandon. She sought to bring Faith with her into this dream-like world of scintillating sensations, exotic, erotic warmth of what they both felt for each other, until Faith slipped further down her body and out of her grasp.

She had no words, knew no words that could describe what she felt when Faith touched her so intimately, nor were there any words to convey what it felt like when Faith finally let her mouth and tongue join in the erotic dance. She felt a tightening in her womb, a sense of well-being, anticipation and a shockwave of desire so deep and so fierce Buffy had to remind herself to breathe. The emotions, the sensations, the peak that Faith was carefully, lovingly leading her to was more intense than anything Buffy had ever felt before and she knew only one thing. She did not want to freefall over its edge alone, she wanted her heart, her soul, her Dark Slayer there with her on the fall.

"Faith..." Buffy called out to her softly.

"B..." Faith murmured, hummed out around the swollen nub in her mouth as her fingers found Buffy's sweet spot within her.

Buffy's whole body arched off the floor as Faith's voice vibrated through the very core of her. It was only her sheer will power and determination that Faith experience this new journey with her that kept Buffy from taking the fall alone.

"I need..." Buffy tried again, teetering on the edge of release.

Faith stilled and raised her head hearing the longing for something other than release in Buffy's voice. "Tell me, what you need, B."

"I need you to come up here. I need you..." Buffy paused as Faith slid up her body, letting the feel of Faith's body, her weight on her wash over her again.

"What's wrong? I didn't..."

"No... never... You didn't do anything wrong." She smiled up into Faith's concerned eyes and gently urged her onto her back. "You did, are doing everything right. Always right. I need... Want to share this with you... How you are making me feel... Want you to feel it too..." She watched the relief cross over Faith's face and she leaned down and gently kissed Faith's lips.

It was inevitable too; that this kiss transcended to become more than just an innocent loving kiss to one of barely suppressed molten desire. Buffy smiled softly once again after their kiss before she began to take Faith on the same slow journey to the dream-like place that Faith had built for her with her loving touch.

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"B..." Faith rasped out when she remembered how to breathe, her voice filled with the same longing as Buffy's had been full of.

Buffy couldn't resist one last taste of the nectar that was her Dark Slayer before she began to kiss her way back up Faith's body. Faith sat up to meet her halfway, her whole body suffused with a longing for release that was so different from anything she had ever experienced before and she understood now what Buffy had wanted. She pulled her legs up under her and sat back on her calves, her knees spread wide. She lifted Buffy so that she was straddling her thighs and sitting on her own calves at the same time.

They pressed tightly into each other as they devoured each other in a kiss. They tasted each other's breath, the warmth of the other's mouth, the velvetiness of the other's tongue. They pulled apart, locking their eyes as their hands discovered each other's body again. There was nothing hurried or rushed in their touches and kisses. This was their time; this was the world that they created with and for each other. And here, time held no meaning for them. It was only them and the gentle, but fiercely deep desire they had for the other. They touched and kissed for what was a small eternity and still not long enough at the same time.

Faith took Buffy's hand, slid it down and pressed it impassionedly into her, not once breaking her gaze. She felt herself blush ridiculously enough, at her actions and prayed that her ability to express what she wanted, needed, wouldn't desert her, or that the fear would blindside her once again as it had all the other times since him.

Buffy brought her other hand up and tenderly, soothingly stroked Faith's face. She smiled as she always did when Faith leaned into her touch. She waited for Faith, she knew what she wanted, but this was Faith's dance to lead. They had tried this dance before but each time Faith's whole body had seized up in fear and remembered pain and so they had stopped. It was not a dance Buffy ever initiated and if Buffy never knew again what it felt like to be surrounded intimately by Faith that was perfectly all right with her. For her making love, and she knew this was true for Faith as well, wasn't about what you wanted to do to the other, but about sharing and doing what felt right, felt good, felt more than good to each other.

Making love wasn't about the destination, it was about the journey itself and how you made each other feel on that journey and nothing about making love should ever be forced or unwanted.

"Baby..."

Faith heard more than just an endearment, there was no questioning in that one word. Instead, there was a universe full of compassion, understanding, acceptance of whatever choice she made and of the results of that choice and always, there was always the unconditional love in whatever words Buffy spoke to her. She let go of Buffy's hand and at the same time she let go of the pain and the last of the fear.

She looked at Buffy with absolute love and trust and gave over to her the power to lead this dance with her softly spoken words, "I want... I need you to... I want... need to feel you..." She fumbled, the words not wanting to pass over her lips in any coherent utterance.

"Are you sure Faith?" Buffy asked her just as softly. "'Cause we, I..."

Faith stopped Buffy by placing her fingertips across her mouth, her thumb gently tracing along Buffy's jaw line.

"I want, need to feel you inside of me B..."

Buffy kissed those fingertips laying gently across her mouth, her heart beating a mile a minute at the trust Faith was placing in her. She reverently traversed the center of Faith's desire, until she could feel Faith's arousal become red-hot again in their bond. She carefully, with all the tenderness and love in her soul, slowly allowed her fingertips to enter her beautiful raven-haired mate. She listened with all of her being to what Faith was feeling within their bond, as their eyes remained locked. There was no fear, only desire, passion and love there. With a delicate, gentle touch she began to slowly erase the last of his touches from Faith and let her own joy at the feel of being so intimately embraced by Faith again shine through.

For just a millisecond Faith felt the fear clutch at her when Buffy's fingers first entered her, then it was gone. With Buffy's love cradling her safely, Faith's mind, her heart, soared with unmitigated ecstasy as she reclaimed the last piece of her soul that he had stolen from her.

As she felt Buffy's tender, loving touch within her with wonder and awe, the last tattered pieces of her soul began to heal. The smile Faith bestowed on Buffy was one that Buffy would remember until her dying day and the last tattered pieces of her own soul began to heal with Faith's.

Faith's hands searched out Buffy's body again, wanting, needing to bring her soul-mate on this journey to the highest plateau with her.

They mirrored each other's actions, each other's emotions. They surrounded and cocooned each other on both the physical and the spiritual plane, through their eyes, their touch and their bond. When they reached the final plateau, they reached it together and held each other with their eyes as they plummeted over it.

Freefalling, safe, right, together, different from ever before, sharing their release which was gentle, powerful, intense, extreme, all-consuming and so much more. It started in their souls and spread outward to envelope them and begin the final healing of them both.

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"Ready, B?"

"I'm ready. You ready Fai?"

"I was born ready, B!"

"Incorrigible! You're incorrigible S.O.!"

"That's the pot callin' the kettle black."

"What was that Fai?"

"Nothing B... Just sayin' let's do this so we can get back..."

"Riiiight... So... on the count of three?"

"On the count of three..."

Silence hung in the air between them, they both turned to look at the other.

"You want to st..." they both started together then laughed.

"Why don't you start..."

"No... no you start it... After all this is your first time."

"True enough. That's true enough B. So are you ready?"

"Faaaaiiiith..."

"Okay... okay, just playin' a little with you B..." Faith chuckled, then huskily mumbled under her breath, "Didn't mind when I was p-laying with you earlier..."

"I heard that... Slayer hearin' here remember?" Buffy lifted an eyebrow at Faith, who just winked at her.

"Did you say Slayer hearing? What's that? Don't think I know what that is B..." She smirked at Buffy, then whispered, "Does that mean you can hear this?" Buffy's eyebrow rose a little bit higher, then Faith whispered even lower "Did I ever tell you how friggin' cute you look when you do that? In fact, you look so cute, so sweet... you look good enough to eat B..."

Faith husky voice was far below a whisper, but it still elicited the same response from Buffy it always did. She watched the shudder ripple through Buffy's petite, luscious body as her eyes lazily raked over Buffy from head to toe. When she made her way back up to Buffy's face, she ensnared Buffy's eyes with her own; the tip of her tongue came out provocatively to moisten her lips.

Faith left no doubt in Buffy's mind of the meaning of her words. She was mesmerized by Faith's pink tongue as it left a glistening wet sheen on her appetizing lips.

"One track mind... You have a one track mind Fai..." Buffy was secretly pleased, though her throaty voice gave her secret pleasure away. She absolutely loved this side of Faith; the wild, wicked, seductive, mouthwatering nymph that was her mate.

"Me?" Faith questioned innocently, though she was looking at Buffy with what Lilith and Clotho would have called Bedroom Eyes.

"Yes you..." Buffy laughed, the laugh dying on her lips as she was pulled in by Faith's half-lidded entrancing look of invitation.

"Sure B, 'cause..." Faith moved up close to Buffy, invading her personal space, she along with Buffy dropped the sledgehammers they were holding. She leaned into Buffy dipping her head down. She continued to whisper tantalizingly and sarcastically between tiny love bites along Buffy's neck. "...it was me who kept you in bed naked for the last two days. Me, who padlocked our bedroom door so you couldn't get any clothes so you would stay that way. Me, who paid Spike to patrol last night so you had no excuse to get dressed and leave the Mansion. Me, who made you beg to get more than ten minutes of sleep... Me, who made you cum so many times in the last two days that had you put a notch in the headboard for each orgasm it would be nothing more than sawdust right now..." Faith stopped for a second in thought, "Okay well that was you and me both... but, as I was saying it was Me, who..."

"Okay... okay!" Buffy was clutching at Faith's shoulders; her neck arched giving Faith full access. She felt Faith chuckle against her skin and chuckled herself. She smiled at her Dark Slayer when she lifted her lips from her neck. "I admit it, it was all me. Me, who did all those things! Me, me, me! What can I say? I'm a lust-crazed-nympho, but only when it comes to you baby and I just wanted to make sure we took care of all that pent-up lust you had from Slaying alone the last two weeks before I let you out of the house again. You know, sort of scratch your Slayer Itch..."

"How considerate of you Giz."

"Well you know me S.O., I'm a considerate–sensitive-touchy-feely kinda girl. So did I succeed?"

Instead of answering Buffy, Faith just leaned down and plundered Buffy's mouth. They battled with each other for dominance of the kiss. Their tongues performing an elaborated sword-fight as if they were dueling rather than kissing. Neither backing down from the challenge, neither relinquishing control, neither giving any quarter, not even when both their heads starting spinning from lack of air. They broke the kiss with a silent agreement through their bond, both thinking that passing out in the cemetery after dark wasn't a good idea.

"I'm thinking there is just a little bit of that Slayer Itch that still needs to be scratched, for both of us..." Faith wiggled her eyebrows at Buffy and gave her an exaggerated leer. Then softly said, "Truth be known, I don't need to Slay or have a Slayer Itch to make me feel this way, make me want to be with you. All I need is to see you, to touch you, hell who am I kidding all I need is to just think about you and I want to make love with you, B." Then she blushed brightly, vibrantly red.

Buffy brushed her thumb along Faith's neck and told her just as softly, "Truth be known, I don't need any of that other stuff either. All I need is you, just the thought of you alone is more than enough for me. More than enough for me to want to hold you, kiss you, touch you, make love with you too, Fai." Then Buffy too blushed brightly, vibrantly red.

Their eyes stayed locked with each other's for long moments, then they started to giggle.

"Corny..." Faith started only to be cutoff by Buffy.

"Very corny and bonus points for being sappy too..." They started giggling again; it wasn't that they didn't mean what they said. They did with all of their mushy, sappy, corny, romantic hearts. It was just that they both always felt so silly, so paper-cut-out clichéd any time they did say these type of things to each other. They both knew that the other felt silly and it was why they could laugh about it together. And it was why, because they did say them anyway, despite how silly it made them feel or look, that the words carried so much more meaning, were deeper, more momentous and all the more heartfelt by them both.

"So what do you say we take care of what we came here to do B? Then we can go home and I'll scratch your Slayer Itch if you'll scratch mine."

"Sounds like a really-really-delicious plan to me F. And remind me, will you, to put it in writing that Xander doesn't get to write the epitaph on my headstone next time. Will you please?"

They turned and looked at their headstones, Buffy picked up the two sledgehammers from the ground and handed one to Faith.

Faith peeked at Buffy from under her lashes, "Why B, explain to me what's wrong with, She saved the world A LOT?'"

"Yes, Beeeeee... Do explain."

Both Slayers' spun around at the sound of the unfamiliar male voice. They took in the man with a glance, or rather what they could see of him since he was wearing a flowing full-length dark purple cloak, with a hood that hid most of his face in shadows. He looked like something out of a medieval fantasy movie about Warlocks and Knights in Shining Armor. He was tall, at least six feet and from what they could tell well-muscled. His hands which were clasped in front of him casually, were strong looking, the fingers long and strangely enough his nails were manicured and shone with a coat of clear gloss in the light of the full moon. All they could see of his face was his mouth, which had full, deep red lips, the lower one jutting out slightly in a pout. Before either Slayer could say anything, the man spoke again.

"And I also have to agree that you two are rather sappy and corny." He gave the Slayers' a rakish smile, flashing his teeth at them.

Both Faith and Buffy hissed under their breath when the man smiled at them. They blinked a few times thinking that the light of the moon had played tricks on them, then he smiled widely at them again, his long fangs sparkled bright white in the moonlight as if to mock them.

They exchanged quick glances with each other, confused. How the hell had he snuck up on them and why the fuck wasn't their Slayer Radar going off like crazy with a vampire standing right in front of them? Without thought, they both extended their senses into the night and it was with a shiver of fear they both realized that they couldn't sense anything and that in and of itself was wrong.

A slow-moving eerie chill crept down both their spines, it seemed to linger and cling to them unwilling to let go, dissipate. They both remembered what Dawn had said about the chill that had held her in its grip the night on the tower, 'It had felt like someone had just walked over my grave.' Both Slayers' thought to themselves that it was a good description of what they were feeling and had they not been standing on their own graves, they would have found the situation funny given they were in a cemetery. Neither felt like laughing though, because right now it didn't feel funny at all, right now what it felt like was a premonition, a foreshadowing, an omen of what was to come.

"I can see by your faces that you're confused. You're wondering why it is that you can't sense me. Aren't you?" He spoke softly, and both Slayers' detected a slight, subtle accent in his speech, though neither could tell its origin.

"Don't matter, you're still gonna be dust." Faith snarled as she whipped a stake at the vampire faster than anyone other than another Slayer or an Immortal could have seen. Both Slayers waited to hear the poof they both so loved when a vampire burst into to dust. This poof was a little different than either of them expected.

"Poof!" He whispered to them with a smirk, he wagged the stake Faith had thrown at them in a sarcastic imitation of a 'no-no' gesture. "Has anyone ever told you that you're rude Faith? You should really help her with that, Buffy." He waited for either Slayer to answer him, but all he got was two low growls.

"It seems however, that my manners aren't much better. I know both of your names but you don't know mine. So if neither of you object I will rectify that." He waited again and was answered by the Slayers growling again, "No? No objections. Then ladies, please allow me to introduce myself I am a man of wealth and taste. I've been around for a long, long year stolen many a man's soul and faith, well blood actually... in either case... My name is Rais. Gilles de Rais, former Advisor and General to Joan of Arc, Marshall of France, Nobleman in the Court of King Charles the VII of France." He mockingly bowed low to the Slayers then rose back up to his full height, "And I can't tell you how pleased I am to finally meet the Chosen Two. Just one little favor if I may ask it of you both, please don't tell the dear old Evil One, the Prince himself that I'm stealing his lines..." Rais stopped to chuckle at his joke, and then laughed a little harder when he saw their eyes start to grow wide when the words he had spoken began to sink in.

He brought his hands up to the hood of his cloak as he began to speak again in the same low sarcastic tone as before. "So will you do that small favor for me and not tell Lucifer?" He slowly began to slide the hood back he looked at Faith first, a malicious gleam in his eyes, "Well, will you 'Baby Girl,'" then looked expectantly at Buffy, "Runt'?'"

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Faith felt the world drop out right from under her feet, then her legs decided to follow as he slid the hood back off his head and she saw his face.

NONONONONO! DEAD! HE'S DEAD! NIGHTMARE! HAS TO BE A NIGHTMARE. I WANT TO WAKE UP NOW! LET ME WAKE UP NOWPLEASEPLEASE!

Her head dropped down to her chest and she squeezed her eyes closed tightly. She was dreaming, having another of her nightmares about him, she had to be! He was dead, they knew that, Luc had killed him, ripped his fucking corrupted, full of hate heart right out of his chest. Ben had told Clotho and Luc that he was suffering in the hell of Glory's realm when they went back and got the antidote.

So why then was he standing in front of her?

Why when her life was so good, was this happening again?

Would the never-ending vicious cycle of physical and mental abuse ever stop for her?

Why did this keep happening to her, to Buffy?

This couldn't be real, could it?

Why then didn't this feel like a dream?

Why did it feel so real?

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Like Faith, Buffy felt the world drop out right from under her feet, then her legs decided to follow too as he slid the hood back off his head and she saw his face. Unlike Faith though, her reaction was anything but fear, it was as far from fear as possible.

Buffy could feel herself becoming feral, primitive, could feel her dark side thrashing wildly for control of her. All the rage inside of her that had been simmering, building up, eating away at her for Glory and Johnny that had no outlet before had one now. It was all being directed at the vampire standing in front of her who looked exactly like Johnny.

From her knees, she stared at Rais, her eyes turning dark amber, instead of light amber gold. Rais and her dark thoughts of inflicting pain, torture on him were the only things that existed for her right now. Her head was spinning out of control with thoughts of ripping him limb from limb slowly. With thoughts of flaying him alive, of taking a knife and peeling his skin from his body. Of dancing with abandon on his blood soaked corpse.

The small part of her that was still her, could feel the bloodlust, it was in a feeding frenzy thrumming through her veins, pounding loudly in her ears and blocking out Faith from their bond.

It was winning and she knew that if it won, that both she and Faith would lose.

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WHY, WHY, WHY?

It crashed around her head in her terror and there was nothing else. The small part of her that was still her, could feel herself, all that she was, slipping away in a sea of remembered pain and fear. The terror, the fear, blocking Buffy out of their bond.

It was winning and she knew that if it won, that both she and Buffy would lose.

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They were alone, isolated as their own inner struggles all but severed their bond with each other. Each left with only their own internal battle to wage. To either win or lose. Losing their inner battle, they both knew on some deep level, would destroy them forever, they would be lost either to death, or to themselves and each other. Losing this inner battle meant they would lose who and what they were both alone and together.

It was a battle both Slayers needed to win on their own, alone, as individuals.

It was a test of all they were, all they had learned, lived through, both alone and together.

And so they waged their own war inside themselves, isolated from each other.

Faith against her inner demons of fear, of terror, of pain, of abuse, of hate, of self-hate and the darkness in her that it had given birth to.

Buffy against the darkness that had been given its first glimpse of life when she had knifed Faith on the rooftop and then given full birth to in Glory's hell. Fought against the miles upon miles wide thick wall of hate, of rage, of anger, of hunger to inflict pain not just for revenge, or vengeance, but for the thrill of holding that power within her hands.

And neither Slayer wanted to lose the fight for their very souls.

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De Rais watched them, a smile playing across his face. A smile anyone would have thought beautiful on such an angelic looking face, until they saw his eyes. They were dark, malevolent, malicious. They spoke of pain and of enjoyment in inflicting pain. They spoke of dark deeds, of a corruption of the soul that was as bottomless as a black hole.

"I can't tell you what it feels like to have the Chosen Two or should I say the Chosen Pets kneeling in supplication at my feet. The fear, the rage, the darkness it is mine. Like you two, you're mine now, I own you." He hissed at them with glee and arrogance, and they both knew that if they lost their internal war, what he said would come true.

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FUCK THIS! FUCK YOU! THE ONLY POWER IS MINE AND YOU CAN'T HAVE IT! I WON'T GIVE IT TO YOU EVER! I WON'T GIVE THAT POWER TO ANYONE EVER AGAIN! I OWN ME AND ONLY ME, NO ONE AND NOTHING ELSE! B AND I DON'T EVEN OWN EACH OTHER, WE ARE PARTNERS, SOUL-MATES, CONNECTED, MORE TOGETHER, BUT I BELONG TO NO ONE BUT ME!

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I DON'T THINK SO! THE ONLY POWER IS MINE! THE DARKNESS DOESN'T OWN ME, NOT THE RAGE, HATE OR ANGER! I OWN IT, IT DOES NOT OWN ME! I OWN ME AND ONLY ME, NO ONE AND NOTHING ELSE! FAITH AND I DON'T EVEN OWN EACH OTHER, WE ARE PARTNERS, SOUL-MATES, CONNECTED, MORE TOGETHER, BUT I BELONG TO NO ONE BUT ME!

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As their thoughts unconsciously reflected the other's, the Chosen Two both rose back up to their feet. As they stood and faced the ancient vampire together, their bond reasserted itself and they were once more fully connected. Each getting in an echo, the war that the other had fought and won. They both knew now, no matter what the outcome tonight, that neither of them could ever be defeated, not even if one should die and not the other. To allow themselves to be defeated would spit in the face of all that they had fought so hard to become, all that they were as individuals, Slayers, Soul-Mates, all that they were to each other, all that they were to their family, and all that they were together.

"Really don't remember signing any ownership papers. How about you B?" Faith looked at Buffy her eyes flashing emerald, full on Slayer mode.

"Nope Fai... can't say I do either. Remember signing papers for school, but don't recall anything about ownership in there." Buffy answered her, her eyes now the light amber-gold they were when they made love or she was in full on Slayer mode.

"'I'm guessing this decrepit old fuck hasn't been keeping up with history and doesn't know that Slavery was made illegal a long time ago."

"He probably hasn't Faith. Probably can't even read, after all he was stupid enough to try and make us think he was the degenerate that we both know is dead and rotting in hell in another realm."

Rais was stunned, he had thought for sure that he had broken them. He listened to them astonished as they bantered back and forth, ignoring, dismissing him. Didn't they realize who he was? The arrogant nobleman in him pushed his way to the forefront of his psyche.

"Do you realize who you are talking about in such a disrespectful manner, you poor excuses for Slayers? I am a nobleman and, as such, you will address and speak to me with respect!" He roared at them, the glamour he had caste on himself failing in his anger.

They watched as the spell faded and saw his true face, which was decidedly unremarkable. He had dirty brown hair, limp and thin. A droopy goatee. He was thinned lipped, with a long, narrow nose. His chin pointy underneath the poor droopy excuse thin-haired thing pretending to be a goatee. His eyes were small, brown and rat-like, neither Slayer would have looked at him twice despite his size or his muscles.

"Hellooooo? Welcome to the year two-thousand-and-two asshole. We're a little more enlightened now! Being born a nobleman don't mean squat. You only get respect now when you earn it. All I see is a little whiny boy with illusions of grandeur that needs to grow up!" Faith quipped, looking right at Rais, a smirk plastered on her face. She couldn't believe this vamp-wizard was actually demanding respect when he was here to kill them. This was one fucked up vamp-wizard, dude.

"Oh that was good Fai... But you forgot pompous-ass, arrogant and unremarkable looking!" Buffy added, smirking at Rais too, her thoughts running side-by-side with Faith's.

"And lest we forget ostentatious, pretentious, egotistical and from what I'm seeing there isn't any reason for it... Like Joan of Arc would ever let you within a foot of her. Please go peddle your shit somewhere else." Faith snickered belligerently.

They weren't stupid, they knew they were baiting him. But they wanted him to lose control, it would give them an advantage. He wasn't the run-of-the-mill type of vampire they usually met up with. He was a sorcerer too, and if he was telling the truth, he was older than any other vampire either had gone up against with maybe the exception of the Master. It was just the two of them out patrolling tonight, they had left even Furball at home. They had wanted to be alone when they smashed their headstones to smithereens. They were hoping against hope that Spike had ignored them as usual and was lurking around somewhere.

"Everything I said is true, but you'll find that out soon enough! I am something neither of you have ever seen before. You can't begin to comprehend what I am, all that I can do." He snarled at them.

Buffy heard rather than saw the stake heading towards Faith. Instinct telling her that it had been thrown with deadly force and with the intent to maim. She didn't even think twice, she dove at Faith, deciding to use her own body as a shield, even if it meant her death.

Faith heard it too and reacted immediately. Her instincts already knowing what Buffy was going to do. The Slayers' caught each other midair, rolling off to the side. The stake that Rais had thrown catching Faith in her upper arm, rather than in the chest, her lung where it had been aimed. She felt a searing streak of pain on her arm and then the warmth of her own blood spilling on her skin. Both Slayers heard the sound of the stake splinter into a million pieces as it hit Faith's headstone.

They jumped up to their feet quickly, intending to run away, this was not a fight they could win. They both knew, something was telling them this thing standing in front of them was neither vampire or warlock but something new altogether. Before they completely gained their feet their Slayer Radar went off with the same impact of an Air-Raid siren.

They were suddenly surrounded by vampires and both Slayers' felt that eerie chill creep its way down their spines, echoing ominously once again, forcing them to remember they were standing on their own graves.

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He was just about to make the killing blow that would defeat his enemy when he felt a foreboding chill run its icy fingers down his spine. He lost his momentum, his aim faltered and for the first time ever, one of his dwarf warriors struck the killing blow against him. He didn't even feel it as the tip of the dwarf's broadsword pierced through his armor and pricked his skin over his heart, drawing blood but going no further. Nor did he hear the dwarf's shout of victory at finally, after all these centuries, defeating the Incarnate of War while they sparred.

The shout died on the dwarf's lips as he took one look at his Commander's face and knew that his win was hollow. He recognized the look on Mars' face; the dwarf had only seen it when something called silently to Mars concerning his job as the Incarnate of War. Never before though, had it distracted Mars to the extent that it had just now. That was when the dwarf noticed that there was something slightly different about this look. He saw pain, and to the dwarf's utter amazement, fear as well.

Then the Incarnate of War was gone.

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They had gone through the ten or so stakes in their Slaying bag in less than five minutes, throwing them with deadly accuracy. They barely made a dent in the endless horde of vampires coming out from the surrounding forest a few hundred or so feet from them. They ignored Rais, who seemed content to stand off to the sidelines laughing at them. They found it odd that he was letting his legion of minions fight this battle for him, his arrogance indicating to them that he would jump into the fray himself. They didn't dwell on it, more concerned with trying to punch a hole through the thick mass of vampires that was forming a ring around them and slowly making their way closer.

They pulled out the bolts for the crossbows next, throwing them by hand, not using the crossbow because it took too long to load and fire. They threw the wooden bolts with the same force and deadly accuracy as the stakes and Buffy almost dusted Spike as he came plunging through the line of slow moving vampires, dusting as many as he could as he ran through their ranks. Buffy would have dusted him too, if it hadn't been for Faith's shouted warning, she quickly redirected the bolt sending it flying with deadly intent at Rais, then turned her attention back to the other vampires. Neither Slayer noticed as Rais snatched the bolt out of the air.

"Thanks Infant," Spike winked at Faith as he took up a position next to both Slayers.

"Welcome Junior and thank you for still being our ever faithful stalker." Faith didn't even glance at Spike, there was something not right about the vampires that were surround them. "Is it me or are these vamps acting more like zombies than vamps?" She asked Spike and Buffy.

"It's like they're under a spell or something. They're not even trying to dodge what we're throwing at them." Buffy puzzled out loud as she reached into the bag, tossing Faith's Labrys at her, then a broadsword to Spike and taking the other Labrys for herself. The Labrys were the Slayers new weapon of choice, ever since Faith's confrontation with Glory's minions the night at the tower. The history of the double-sided axe, and the fact that it just felt right in both Slayers hands was what had made the choice easy.

"They're not acting like any self-respecting vampire I've ever met and I've met a few in my long un-life. The dumb gits just let me bulldoze through them, dusting as I went."

They moved into a wide loose circle of sorts, a few feet away from each other. The Slayers back to back and Spike's back to them protecting one of their exposed sides as the circle around them grew tighter.

"So what's the plan?" Spike asked them, waited and got no answer. "You do have a plan right?"

"Um... that would be a big no. No in the planning department." Buffy answered him, her eyes searching for Rais now, noticing that he was nowhere in sight and not liking it one bit. She felt that eerie chill go down her spine again only this time it wasn't for her, this time it was for Faith.

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Buffy spun around, catching a glimpse of Rais out of the corner of her eye, then another glimpse of something else moving fast.

Buffy saw Faith turn as if she were watching it in a dream, a dream she wanted desperately to wake up from now. She watched as the crossbow bolt headed straight for Faith's heart, faster than the speed of light.

"FAITH!" She screamed, her heart screaming in terror as she dove for Faith, in what felt like slow-motion, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

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Something started to roll and coil in his stomach, some sort of menacing forewarning, but it wasn't for him. It was for Faith. Spike spun towards Faith, watching her turn and put herself in the direct path of her own death.

"FAITH!" He screamed at the same time as Buffy, diving towards her, the same sinking feeling rising up in the back of his throat as Buffy, choking him.

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She felt his eyes on her, Rais, demon, vampire, sorcerer, whatever he was. She turned towards him, her eyes finding his unerringly.

Faith knew before she even saw the bolt coming too fast towards her to stop or get out of the way of;

Knew before she heard Buffy and Spike scream out her name;

Knew as she locked eyes with Gilles de Rais that she had turned towards her own death.

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Neither Buffy nor Spike could actually say what happened next.

They heard three things at once;

A wordless bellow of frustrated rage and anger;

Another wordless bellow of anger and outrage;

And a bellowed, "WHAT TH..."

Then Spike, Buffy and Faith were piled in a tangled heap on the ground, having collided in the air. Faith and Buffy landing on their own graves.

All three looked up to find Mars standing where Faith had been, the crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest, blood seeping out from where it pierced his armor over his heart.

Rais glared daggers at the Incarnate of War, who ignored him and turned his head to look at the three of them sprawled out on the ground.

"Leanaban... Today is not a good day to die." He gave Faith a cocky, impish, half smile, then turned it on the other two.

Without missing a beat, from her position on the ground, Faith quipped back, "I so knew it! You've been sneaking here with Elder and watching Voyager reruns too!"

"Have not," Mars shot back at Faith, still grinning like an idiot and silently thanking the Creator for the thread that linked him to the daughter of his heart.

"So have too!" Faith lifted an eyebrow at Mars and gave up a silent prayer of thanks to whoever was listening. She knew if he had not shown up when he did that she would be dead right now.

Mars and Faith burst out laughing, it was their release valve for what had almost happened.

Buffy and Spike looked back and forth between Mars and Faith with disbelief. Buffy's terror of a second ago changing to relief, then anger that they were joking when Faith had almost just died.

Buffy totally lost it in the few seconds that had passed during Mars and Faith's asinine banter. She jumped up to her feet completely and utterly pissed off. All at once understanding why her Mom had reacted with first tears, then relief, then anger, then back to tears and relief when she had almost been hit by a car when she was seven-years old.

"Oh that's right, laugh it up you two, cause this is really GODDAMN FUNNY!" Buffy screamed, as she bent down grabbed Faith by the wrist and hauled her up to her feet.

Spike jumped up to his feet and put a hand on Buffy's arm, "Now Buffy, ah Slayer calm down..."

"I will NOT CALM DOWN! SHE ALMOST DIED! AND THAT BASTARD IS STILL ALIVE AND STANDING OVER THERE LAUGHING AT US! NOT TO MENTION THE FUCKING BILLION ZOMBIE VAMPIRES STILL COMING TOWARDS US!" Buffy screamed on the top of her lungs, waving her hands around like a lunatic. And just in time for the rest of the Immortals to hear her as they faded into the cemetery, with the LA crew and all the Scoobs in tow.

Faith pulled Buffy to her in a tight hug, whispering over and over to her she was sorry, she loved her, trying to calm the fear she felt scorching to her through their bond. Buffy clung to Faith desperately and hiccupping, choked out to her, "Don't ever do that again!"

The Immortals, the LA crew and the Scoobs formed a protective circle around the Slayers, even Dawn stood with them, Crow and his father flanking either side of her. Mars turned his attention back to Rais, as did Luc who stood next to him.

"So we met again old friend." Rais said crossing his arms over his chest.

"Friends we are not betrayer." Mars snarled, his anger once again in the forefront.

"Leave boy. This is not your battle, you are forbidden to interfere here. None of you can." Rais arrogantly dismissed the Immortals. His knowledge of how things worked within the mortal realm giving him a confidence that he had lacked the last time he had come face to face with the Incarnate of War. "Tell him Crone, and then let what should have come to pass, pass."

Atropos looked at Rais, her lip curling up in distaste at the sight of him. He disgusted her, this defiler of children, murderer and practitioner of the Darkest of all Magicks. "In a word... NO!" Atropos bellowed every bit as loud as Mars.

Dawn glanced around nervously. She started to point at the five vampires that were getting just a little too close for her liking, especially since no one seemed to be paying attention to them and she didn't have a stake or a combat staff. She jumped when Atropos yelled and then looked at her hand in dumbstruck amazement as a white flash of light streaked out from her fingertips. "Whoooa," was all she managed to get out as she watched the five vamps burst into flames, then turn to dust.

"What the fu..." Buffy and Faith both started.

"Key power, way cool..." Lilith said, "We'll explain later."

Everyone but Mars and Luc turned their attention to the horde of Zombie-vamps moving closer to them. Willow and Tara clasped hands, as did Gary and James and started to chant, twigs began to snap off trees and fly towards the vamps. Angel, Gunn, Wesley, and Spike jumped into the fray, stakes in hand, while Fred and Cordelia took shots at the vamps with crossbows. Dawn started waving her hand around, trying to get the white-lightning to fire from her fingertips again, until Lilith told her to stop, especially since she didn't have control of it, and Angel and Spike were in the midst of the Zombie-vamps. The rest of the Immortals re-closed their circle around the Slayers protectively, armed with stakes and crossbows.

"Actually... this is my fight. This is all our fight. You came after two of our own, tried to kill family, my daughter and her mate. So now it becomes mine, all our fight. It is you who doesn't belong here, you who was banished from the mortal realm. You have no power here, other than that which the Slayers had unknowingly given you and that, I can assure you, will never happen again. You're weak like you always were, even your magic is weak, you are no threat. An army of mindless laughable zombie-vampires is all you can control. And though you might not be here in true flesh and blood, I can still cause you pain!" Mars stared down his old enemy and saw with glee Rais' confidence falter as he took a step towards him.

"This isn't over, my day will come, it has been written. I've seen the Dead Scroll, have seen it write my part, my victory. I will return in the flesh, stronger, more powerful than even you. Immortal like you and you will die, along with your precious Slayers. Look for me, old friend, I will be there waiting for you at the 'End of Time.'" Rais hissed, then shimmered out of sight.

Crow and his father exchanged glances at Rais' final words.

The horde of Zombie-vampires woke from their trance, remembering everything that had just passed. Remembering how many of them were only dust now, the smart ones took off running for their undead lives like bats out of hell. The ones who stayed soon joined their comrades as mere dust particles blowing away on the warm, gentle, spring breeze.

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"Gilles de Rais was born a nobleman in the early fourteenth century just like he claimed. He was raised unfortunately like most noblemen back then to believe that he was above the law, above having to follow any moral code, above even plain decency. He took up a military career and he did ride next to and with Joan of Arc. It was when he was with her that we met. I was an advisor and mentor to him, seeing in him the potential for good. He had no idea then who I was, at least not at first, and I had no idea that he had already begun to dabble in the black arts. He deserted and betrayed Joan when she needed him most and even so, her eventual execution led to the end of his military career." Mars rose from the couch and started to pace trying to gather his thoughts; it was a minute or two before he continued.

"After his military career ended, his life of debauchery and decadence truly began. At the same time, he had been disinherited, leaving him one of many pauper noblemen in France. It didn't matter though, he still believed himself above other men and free from having to answer to any laws, neither the Creator's nor man's. He was discovered to be a monstrous sexual predator, a pedophile, and a murderer of mostly children, though he didn't limit himself just to them. He began to get deeper into the practice of the dark arts and eventually became a sorcerer in his own right. It was years before he was finally called to justice, found guilty then sentenced to be hanged by the neck 'til dead, after which his body was to be burned upon a pyre with all the others who had met their maker that day." Mars' paused yet again to catch his breath, revulsion for Rais clearly written across his face.

"Only things didn't quite happen that way. The night before he was to be hung, Rais called upon me. And I in my ultimate arrogance, and my guilt over my failure with him and Joan of Arc, couldn't resist going to him and dragging along Luc with me so I could throw in his face all that he could have been. I dragged Luc along so he could explain in graphic detail to Rais all that would happen to him in hell for the crimes he had committed, especially those against the children. He pleaded with me to save him from his fate, vowing to change his ways. I neither believed him nor cared at that point and in either case, you well know we cannot interfere in anyone's destiny. He had made his choices and now it was time for him to suffer the consequences. He cursed me and vowed vengeance. Luc and I made an enemy that night. If I had known what he was going to do, going to become, I would have killed him myself with my bare hands that night in the cell.

"Using the blackest of dark magicks, the night before he was to hang he opened a rift between this dimension and a hell dimension. From this hell dimension, he pulled into this world a demon of the highest, blackest power. Using some ancient spell he stripped the demon of its powers, its essence and bound it with his own. The next day he was hung by the neck until dead, his body thrown on the funeral pyre. But a Bishop intervened and had his corpse removed before it burned. Then, after giving Rais' presumably dead body the Last Rites, the Bishop buried his body.

"Two days later Rais clawed his way out of his grave, very much alive, heart beating and breathing. The binding of his essence with the hell demon had transformed him into something this world has never seen before and has yet to see again. The hell demon he called forth had been a powerful sorcerer, practitioner of the black arts within his own dimension, but he also was physically the equivalent of a vampire here, with some very major differences. Rais rose from his grave more powerful than any vampire and any sorcerer of the black arts this world has ever seen. He became what is known as a Living Vampire, one who can't be harmed by crosses, holy water, stakes or sunlight.

"For over one hundred years he reined terror upon this world, he was feared by even Vlad himself. Finally, a powerful Wicca of the White Arts created a spell that banished him to another hell dimension. Not unlike what was done to Glory. It was over another hundred years before he was heard from again. He had figured out a way to manifest himself here, though he wasn't quite fully here physically nor could he stay within this dimension for extended periods of time.

"As far as we know there are only three magical feats he can perform here. A glamour to disguise his appearance. A spell to control soulless vampires to do his bidding, though they become like what you saw tonight, more Zombies than vampires and a spell to mask his and the vampires presence from those able to detect them. He cannot physically manipulate or hold anything within this dimension with one exception. Anything or anyone that attacks him or throws something directly at him, he can manhandle, manipulate, use or kill. It was why he was able to use both the stake and the crossbow bolt.

"He, himself cannot be killed in this form and only an Immortal or a Slayer can actually cause him harm. There is only one way to destroy him and that is to unbind him from his stolen immortality and powers. But in order to do that his banishment must be lifted and he needs to be returned to this dimension. We Immortals do not have the power to cast the spell that needs to be used, nor do we even know if such a spell exists. Only a Wicca of the White Arts can cast it, and they have deemed it too risky to try, knowing from the past exactly what would happen should they fail." Mars stopped his pacing and walked back over to the couch and sat next to Faith, he looked at both Slayers.

"I know not why he came after you two, and he seemed to have knowledge of what had happened to you within Glory's hell. Whatever his knowledge, by what he said he did not know that we would interfere. So it is doubtful that he knew of your connection to us.

"This scroll though, this prophesy he spoke of worries me, I've never in my long life ever heard mention of it, somehow he seems to think it will allow him to return here in the flesh and considering that he came after the two of you he must think that you could somehow stop it. Have you ever heard of this?" Mars directed his question at the Fates. He looked at them one by one, but they shook their heads in denial of any knowledge of Rais, the scroll, or why he attacked the Slayers. He started to turn his head to look at the Slayers again, when he saw the look exchanged between Crow and his father, Chris.

Mars rose to his feet and in a blur was across the room holding Crow in one hand and Chris in the other, up in the air by their throats. He snarled at them, ignoring Luc who tried to pull him away.

"What is it that you know and WHY THE FUCK DIDN'T YOU WARN US?"

He continued to ignore the protest of all the others as he held Crow and the retired Father Time dangling off the floor. The other Immortals knew better than to try to pull him away, he could seriously injure any or all of them.

"Mars let them go. They would never let any harm come to any of us. They are family." Faith told him softly, having flown across the room when she realized he would hurt them if he had to. She couldn't let that happen, not for her, not for Buffy, but most of all not for Mars' own sake. She placed her hand lightly on his arm and in the same soft voice asked him, "Please for me, let them go."

Mars turned his head and looked at the Dark Slayer, he saw fear in her eyes. Not for Crow and his father but for him, he blinked once, twice, then let them go, shocked at his own behavior.

"I'm... I'm sorry... I don't know... I just..." He whispered, as he backed away from them, he looked down at his hands as if they belonged to someone else. He was ashamed of his actions, unable to meet the eyes of anyone in the room with him. His eyes stayed on the floor when he felt a hand come down on his shoulder.

"It's all right Mars. I would have reacted the same way had it been my child." Chris told him gently, then smiled as Mars' surprised eyes rose to meet his.

"As would I..." Came Crow's strong, quiet, young voice. "We did not know about Rais. The Scroll he mentioned is the Dark Side's equivalent of the Living Scroll that my Father read to you. He made mention of something in the Scroll that is not written in stone, may never come to pass unless we force it to by the telling of it. If it does come to pass, then all will be revealed. Even we don't know the whole of it."

"Now that you know of Rais' power here within this realm he cannot harm you unless you give him the weapon to do it with. We will begin researching to find the spell to unbind him from the demon and one to break his control over the vampires should he choose to come after the Chosen, or any of you." Lachesis waited for nods of agreement from all gathered.

"And you Little One, will work with me to learn how to control your new power so you don't poof the whole town. I guess now all of us and you know what became of the mystical energy that you were created from." Lily smiled at Dawn's eager expression and then laughed a little at the expressions on the Slayers' faces and she wasn't the only one who started laughing, they all did.

Neither Slayer knew what was worse, the thought of Dawn riding her Scooter or wielding a power during her adolescence that could probably level the whole town. Spoiling the shit out of Dawn became a viable option in both Slayers minds. The Slayers decided they were just going to ignore this whole Dawn thing for now. They had set out to do something tonight and they intended to finish it, especially after those weird fucking premonition-like chills. They looked at each other, smiled, headed outside to the garden, they stopped, looked at each other again then holding hands and talking quietly they started to make their way back to the cemetery.

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"Ready Fai?"

"I was born ready, B!"

"Incorrigible! You're incorrigible S.O.!"

"That I am B! And afterwards I'll take care of that Slayer Itch you were, we were, talking about earlier, if you'll take care of mine..."

"One track mind, you have a one track mind, Fai..."

"That I do and you wouldn't have me any other way Giz..."

"You bet your cute, little, firm, sweet, delicious, dimpled ass you're right about that Fai..."

"And I'm the incorrigible one? Pleaaaassseeee! But I wouldn't have you any other way either Giz... Now let's talk about my favorite cute little ass, yours..."

The Chosen Two decided to ignore their whole family who covertly, but very ineptly, followed them to their grave site as they picked up the sledgehammers. They knew their family had done it out of love and neither Slayer had the heart to fight with them about it. Not to mention it gave both Faith and Buffy that damn corny-mushy-sappy warm fuzzy feeling inside.

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...and how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you ~ would you tell me how could it be any better than this ~ you calm the storms ~ you give me rest ~ you hold me in your hands ~ you won't let me fall ~ you still my heart ~ and you take my breath away ~ would you take me in ~ would you take me deeper now ~ 'cause you're all i want ~ you are all i need ~ you are everything ~ everything – Lifehouse

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to be continued...