Disclaimer: Yes, I really do own Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel! I also designed the Taj Mahal and lecture world leaders on Teleology in my spare time. Anyone else see those flying pigs?

Distribution: If you want it, you're more than welcome to take it, just let me know where it's going.

A/N: First off., sorry, sorry, sorry for taking so long to update, and for the shortness of this chapter.

I've had a lot of homework and family stuff lately which is severely cutting into my writing time. Unfortunately this doesn't look like easing up any time soon, but I will try to be quicker with the next one.

Oh, and a big thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter (Arica, Princess of Rivendell, JessAngelus, AlwaysA, pinkyblue-ice, SWChica2005 and kaylea), coz you know, reviews are my favourite drug.

A/N 2: Here's a brief recap in case you have forgotten what's happened so far:

Recap: Angel and Buffy got back together after a human Angel came to see Buffy in Rome. The next morning Willow came over and invited them to a party after which Buffy took Angel to see the sights of day-time Rome. At the Piazza Di Spagna Buffy spotted an unknown person in the crowd 

Part 9 - Faith

Angel turned to see who was eliciting such an ostentatious greeting from his girlfriend. To the right of the Spanish Steps there was a crowd mainly composed of tourists and stall-owners, some of whom were looking amusedly in their direction. Suddenly someone broke free from the tangle of people, and headed rapidly in their direction, long brunette waves flying out in her wake. Buffy jumped down from the bench and ran to meet the other girl a few metres from the fountain.

"B!" the former rogue greeted as she was wrapped in a bone-crushing hug.

"Faith," Buffy smiled in return when she pulled back, "How've you been? How's Woody?"

"Five-by-five, as always. And he's good… very, very good." Faith smiled to herself. Then she removed her sunglasses and regarded her sister slayer curiously for a moment, "What's got you all 'shiny happy'?"

Buffy grinned and tilted her head, drawing Faith's attention to the clearly dumbfounded ex-creature-of-the-night cautiously approaching the pair.

"Angel!" Faith's eyebrows shot up before a bemused expression appeared on her face. "So you got defanged?"

"Basically." Angel agreed.

"Couldn't have happened to a better person." Faith said seriously before hugging him. She then turned back to Buffy and smirked. ""

Buffy blushed violently at that insinuation, choosing to remain silent.

"So you two are… friends?" Angel asked, saving Buffy further embarrassment.

Buffy and Faith glanced at each other then shrugged in agreement.

"When did that happen?" Angel asked, bewildered, "Last time I checked you two couldn't be in the same state without one of you starting a fight!"

"Oh, we still fight." Faith put in.

Buffy nodded, "But now there's less emphasis on the killing and maiming."

"And knives." The brunette slayer said, unconsciously rubbing a spot on her stomach.

"Oh." Angel didn't know what else to say.

"So, how about we go get some caffeine?" Faith suggested, then raising an eyebrow suggestively, "Unless you two have something else you'd rather be doing…?"

Buffy and Angel's eyes met momentarily before they both looked away, blushing brilliantly at Faith's insinuation, and presumably at their own imaginations.

"C-coffee sounds good." Angel stuttered out, inspecting his feet.

"Uh-huh." Buffy agreed quickly, trying very hard not to think… of things.

Faith looked from one to the other and burst out laughing.