The dance should have been everything Buffy dreamed about. Faith, however, wasn't cooperating. Standing stiffly, she resisted all of Buffy's attempts to actually dance. Instead, they bobbed and swayed in place like a buoy. Tilting her head back, Buffy saw the lines of strain on Faith's face. "Hey, what's with the frown? We're here, together." She brushed a few strands of hair out of Faith's eyes. "There's music and not much light. We should be doing things that would make Giles' clean his glasses."

"What the hell is this, B?" Faith sounded angry, though her eyes showed fear.

Taking Faith's hand, Buffy led them away from the dance floor to a semi-secluded spot behind a speaker. Once clear of the dancers, Faith wrenched away. "Don't, please," Buffy begged. Her heart pounded. She had to keep the other girl from running. "Is it so hard to believe I'd want to be your date?" The words were out before she could censor them.

Faith froze, hands clenching into fists against her stomach.

Voice shaking, just loud enough to be heard over the band, Buffy tried to smooth things over. "I do, you know. Want to be your date." She forced herself to look directly into Faith's eyes. "All this time, I never realized…" she trailed off. Despite the heat from the crowd in the gym, she shivered, suddenly cold.

Buffy jumped when Faith stepped closer and a warm hand cupped her cheek. "Never realized what, Buffy?"

"How much I've wanted to do this." Buffy stopped listening to the tiny inner voice screaming about caution and social suicide. Going up on tiptoes, she pressed her mouth against Faith's lips. They were soft and warm against her own. Buffy's heart pounded, fear and arousal mixing. She had no idea where to go from there. Instinct kicked in. Her hands slid into Faith's hair.

Faith stiffened for a minute, and Buffy felt a flicker of panic. Didn't Faith...? The other girl relaxed, tilting her head and sliding her tongue out to duel with Buffy's. Panic receded, replaced by another shiver. This time, though, it had nothing at all to do with a chill. In fact, Buffy thought she might burst into flames. A whimper sounded deep in her throat.

It was answered by Faith's moan. They pulled apart, panting. "Fuck," Faith whispered hoarsely.

Buffy tried to hold back; the giggles erupted anyway. "Not here. Maybe later, though."

Brown eyes narrowed for an instant, and Buffy tensed, afraid she'd ruined everything by laughing. She sagged in relief when dimples sprang to life. "Damn, B, mind in the gutter or what?"

"Just telling it like I see it, F." Buffy pressed into Faith, placing her hands in the pockets of Faith's borrowed jacket. "Have we taken care of your mini-freak? 'Cause I still haven't gotten my dance."

"Well, gee, Buffy. We can't forget about that dance." Faith's voice was harsh, and Buffy panicked again until she caught the laughter in the brown eyes looking down at her.

Buffy smiled delightedly. "I've got your number now." She linked their fingers, starting to pull Faith back around the speakers. "You talk tough; your eyes, though…they say what you don't." She might have continued if she hadn't bumped into someone as she ducked around the tall equipment. "Oh, sorry," she said automatically. Then her eyes widened. "Mr. Haines!" Her voice went up in surprise as the drama teacher hastily straightened his clothing.

"Ms. Summers." Even in the dark, she could see his blush. It got worse when a second figure emerged from the shadows.

"Scott? Why'd you stop?" A blonde head peered around Mr. Haines' shoulder. "Oh, it's you. Thank God you're graduating soon." A slender hand gripped the stunned drama teacher by the arm and pulled him back into the relative privacy behind the speaker.

Leaning her chin on Buffy's shoulder, Faith smirked. "Looks like you made quite an impression on her, B."

"Yeah. Evil bitch." Buffy glared after the two chaperones. "Ms. Brennan, the history teacher. I made the mistake of actually listening to one of Giles' lectures. She didn't appreciate me correcting her about the names of Henry VIII's wives."

Faith's warm breath tickled Buffy's neck. "Damn. I'm dating a brain." She kissed Buffy just below her ear. "It's so very sexy."

Buffy shuddered at the soft caress. "Ooh, Faith. Hold that thought. We're dancing, remember?"

"Do we gotta?" Strong arms wrapped around Buffy from behind. "I'm sure there are other quiet spots we could hang out in."

Responding to the embrace, Buffy fanned herself with both hands. "Is it hot in here? I think the air conditioning's broken." She tried to ignore the breath wafting over her neck and ear and the two hard points rubbing her back. "Faith. God."

"Is that a yes for the janitor's closet?" Faith asked, just before running her tongue over Buffy's shoulder.

"No. No closets." Buffy closed her eyes and held onto her resolve. She was not having sex with Faith in a broom closet or anywhere else on school property. Tonight was a dance. She was dancing, period. Well, maybe a little kissing. Faith's tongue kept moving wetly along her skin. Some making out would be alright, too.

Faith's lips tickled her neck as she asked, "OK, no closets. Where do you want to go, then?"

Her voice a hoarse cross between a groan and a mumble, Buffy choked out, "This is a dance. Two people moving to music. That's what we're going to do."

"Fine, B." Faith gave in, pouting slightly. "Just don't be whining later on when we don't get to finish what we started. Once Red sees us on the floor together, I'll be a frog so fast your head'll spin."

Tapping a finger on Faith's outthrust lower lip, Buffy urged her toward the dance floor. "Oh, Wills won't turn you into a frog. She's afraid of them." Grinning hugely, she teased, "Maybe a hamster, though. Or a rat. Amy needs a friend."

Faith couldn't help her response to Buffy's smile. She grinned back. "As long as you promise to rub my fur, I'm cool with being a hamster."

She could almost feel the heat from Buffy's blush. "I…ah…" the blonde stammered.

Sorry that she'd made Buffy uncomfortable, Faith hunched her shoulders and dropped her chin. "Sorry. Didn't mean anything by that." She glared at the floor, angry at herself for ruining the teasing and the laughing.

"Hey, don't start frowning again." Buffy poked Faith in the shoulder. "I'm not going back into that corner. Ms. Brennan might find a way to get even for me making her look bad."

Biting her lip, Faith slowly raised her head. "Alright, B. No frowning." The opening strains of a slow song poured over the crowded floor. "Looks like it's time for that dance." Body tense, Faith hesitantly wrapped her arms around Buffy, keeping her hands well away from any possible "No Zones." It felt so good. Too good. Afraid of the sudden tightness in her throat and the overwhelming need to pull Buffy closer into her own body, Faith kept distance between them.

She felt, more than heard, Buffy's sigh. "I'm not going to hit you, Faith. This is a slow dance. Body contact is not only expected, it's required."

"Right." Faith cleared her throat and gritted her teeth. "Sorry." Giving in to Buffy's demands, she moved in close, pressing her body completely against the shorter girl. "This what you were looking for?"

"Nope," Buffy answered. Small hands worked their way under Faith's jacket and slipped beneath the waistband of her jeans. "We're getting there, though."

Faith's eyes drifted closed as they moved to the music. She finally relaxed, Buffy's body heat chasing the lingering chill of fear away. Listening to the husky voice of the singer, Faith blinked back tears. The words described her feelings exactly. She only hoped Buffy felt it, too.

I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
Every prayer has been answered
Every dream I have's come true
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me

Opening her eyes, Faith let her guard down. Brown eyes met hazel, inviting them inside the walls she'd so zealously raised years before. "Tell me this isn't a dream, B. Tell me I'm not going to wake up back in the apartment with the Mayor calling the shots," she pleaded.

"It's no dream, Faith." Buffy's hands stroked over her lower back soothingly. "We're really here, together, and the Mayor isn't part of your life anymore. You're back where you belong. With me, with your family."

A single tear traced a path down Faith's cheek. "All I've ever wanted was to be a part of your world, B."

Warm lips pressed against her throat as she swallowed hard. "You are, Faith, a very big part." Buffy smiled up at her. "I'm so hoping that part will keep on growing."

"Me, too," Faith agreed softly, a slow, genuine smile appearing.

They both jumped when Willow's sharp voice interrupted, "The song's been over for a while now. Don't you think you can put some space between you?"

Buffy started to pull away, eyes angry. Faith refused to release her hold, though. "Don't, B. Her problem is with me. I ain't important enough to lose a friend over." The warmth and peace she'd experience during the dance ebbed. "I'll just head on out."

"No!" Buffy growled. "No way in hell are you leaving because of Willow." She writhed impotently against Faith's arms.

"Hold still, B. I'm not letting you go until you've calmed down." She felt Buffy's muscles tighten. The blonde was ready for action. Faith couldn't let that happen. Her hands caressed Buffy's lower back, trying to soothe and calm. "Please, B," Faith pleaded. The dream was over. Vowing to remember that brief moment of belonging, Faith knew she had to keep the Scoobies together. Looking over Buffy's shoulder, she met Willow's green eyes.

Her action just infuriated Willow more. "Haven't you done enough? I mean, the help with the Ascension was good. Thanks. Like I told you before, though, it's too little, too late. We don't want or need you around."

Ignoring the burning ache in her throat, Faith refused to run. "Yeah, I remember that. I don't think you're all caught up with the news, though. I'm back, and I'm staying." She heard Buffy's gasp at her statement, and two arms tightened around her. Feeling better by the minute, she went on, "You don't make the decisions, Red. Did you miss B's big thank you speech? We're all part of her support crew. You do the research and act as the Head Slayerette. Great. Whoo fucking hoo." Willow was ghostly pale now, hanging on Faith's words. "It's B calling the shots. B wants me to stay. That's good enough for me."

The green eyes narrowed, and Faith braced for the worst. Oz, however, beat Willow to the punch. Looking very close to a real expression, he commented smoothly, "Cool." He wrapped an arm around Willow's waist. "Welcome back."

Eyes bouncing between werewolf and witch, Faith realized she might avoid becoming a rat. "Thanks." She waited another minute, chin resting lightly on Buffy's shoulder. "Red? I ain't expecting a big group hug. We've never been friends; you and B are, though. You going to be OK with things?"

"You hurt her," Willow murmured in a cold tone, "and you'll spend the rest of your life in a cage."

Faith released a slow breath. "Fair enough." She felt lightheaded with relief. Grinning at Willow, Faith dared to tease, "B said you'd probably turn me into a rat. I can go for that as long as this Amy chick she mentioned is hot. I only hang with hot girls."

Her eyes widened when Willow actually giggled. "I'll introduce you two sometime."

A/N: Song lyrics are from Edwin McCain's "I Could Not Ask for More."