Chapter 8

Author's note: This chapter follows on from the last. Thanks for all the reviews, much appreciated. Glad to know that people haven't forgotten about this fic lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Buffy sat on the bed patiently waiting for Faith to start talking, she had no idea what the other girl was going to say.

"I came to apologise for what happened." Faith started, scratching absently at the tattoo on her arm.

Buffy frowned, "Apologise?"

Faith shrugged, "Wasn't right for you to see that, and I'm sorry I freaked you out."

"Faith you didn't freak me out, sure there was some freaking out, but it was me being clueless as usual. It wasn't your fault." She said gently. "I only freaked out cause I was scared."

"Of me?" Faith asked, her face giving nothing away.

"For you." Buffy replied. "I didn't know what was happening, have to admit it was the first time I'd seen someone have a seizure. That and the fact I didn't know you're epileptic."

Faith sighed. "Yeah about that, sorry for not tellin you before, kinda slipped my mind. Most people round here know, just assumed someone might of blabbed it to ya."

Buffy smiled, "I've heard lots of things about a certain Faith Lehane, good things of course." she added quickly, "But that wasn't one of them."

Faith smiled, "Bet you have, people round here like to gossip." she said coming to sit opposite the blonde on the bed. "So we're cool then?" she asked hesitantly.

"The coolest." Buffy said, reaching over to squeeze Faith's hand.

"Cool." Faith smirked, "I was sorta worried, thought I'd scared you off."

"What why would you think that?"

"You've been acting kinda distant lately. Thought you didn't wanna hang around me anymore, it's happened before." Faith hesitated, "An ex of mine, she was cool with it at first till she saw me actually have a seizure, then she freaked and ran out."

"What a bitch." Buffy spat, seeing the shock on Faith's face she wasn't sure if it was from the fact that this was the first time the other girl had heard her swear, or the fact that she was on her side. "What she was, or is a bitch." she said defensively.

"I know, just never heard you swear before. Think I kinda like it." Faith said, grinning lecherously, causing the blonde to blush.

"Well don't get too used to it. I've filled my monthly quota for swearing."

"You gotta quota? Damn, don't worry any cussing you need done, I'm your girl. Just point me where you need me."

"Might take you up on that offer at cheerleading practice." Buffy groaned. "Anyway, what I was going to say was, you don't have to worry about me freaking out and ditching you. Well the freak out's are part of the Buffy Summers package, but I freak out about most things so don't worry about that, babbling may also be an occasional problem."

"Babbling and occasional freak out's I can handle, used to them with hanging out with Red." Faith said, "Sounds like you're meant to be part of our group." she said laughing.

"Yeah." Buffy grinned. "But I mean it Faith, I'm your friend. That includes the whole package." she said seriously.

"You sure."

"I'm sure."

Faith pulled Buffy into a hug, "Thanks B."

"Your welcome." Buffy replied, enjoying the feel of Faith's arms surrounding her, she momentarily tightened her grip on the other girl, before releasing her.

Faith coughed and tried to compose herself, "Well spose I'd better go, it's getting late." she said gesturing towards the window. "I'll see you at school tomorrow?"

"I'll be there with bells on." Buffy nodded, watching as Faith climbed onto the window sill.

"Kay, night B."

"Night F."

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The next day found Faith and Xander eating their lunch outside, soaking up some rays while they stuffed their faces. Kennedy ruffled Faith's hair as she came over to join them, dumping her bag on the table and sitting opposite her friends.

"So guys, how's tricks?" she asked, removing her food from her bag, and proceeding to shovel it into her mouth. Ignoring the glare Faith was sending her way as she tried to smooth her hair down.

"We're just sitting here watching the world go by." Xander said innocently.

Kennedy snorted, "Yeah that and the cheerleaders just finished practice. Don't think I didn't see you two eyeing them up. Had to wade through a puddle of drool just to get to the table."

"Your jus jealous cause you ain't allowed to eye up the talent." Faith grinned, "Otherwise Red will kill your ass."

"So." Kennedy grumbled. "We all know there's only one cheerleader you're interested in Lehane."

"We do?" Xander piped up, dragging his eyes away from the gaggle of girls passing by their table. "Whose caught Faith's attention this time?" he asked mischievously.

"No one aight." she snapped glaring pointedly at Kennedy.

"Ohh touchy." Kennedy smirked. "Aww Faithy's got a crush."

"Kennedy." Faith growled in warning.

"Okay, okay, you're secrets safe with me." she said taking pity on her friend, especially when she saw the object of her affection heading this way.

"Hi guy's" Buffy chirped, sitting down across from Faith, and stealing one of her cookies. Xander winced and shot a look at Faith, waiting for the inevitable backlash to occur, everybody knew not to take food from the dark haired girl, not if you valued your life.

When he saw that Faith had started blushing, his mouth dropped open in shock as he put two and two together. "Oh my God." he exclaimed, pointing at Buffy. "She's a cheerleader!"

Buffy looked at him in confusion. "Yeah, you know that, you've been to see me cheer Xander." she stated,. "And I'm wearing my cheerleading uniform." she stated slowly, as if explaining it to a small child. She didn't see the look of fear on Faith's face as she realised that Xander now knew about her secret crush.

"Uh Xander remember we've got that thing to do." Faith said, trying to stop him from blurting out anything else.

"What?"

"Yeah the 'thing' don't tell me you've forgotten." Kennedy exclaimed shaking her head in disappointment. "We told you like three times already."

Xander looked mildly panicked, trying to remember what it was he was supposed to have forgotten. "Oh yeah the 'thing' spose I'd better go and do that 'thing' I need to do." he said bluffing. He allowed Faith to drag him away from the table. Leaving a puzzled Buffy in their wake.

Once they where a safe enough distance away Faith spun him round to face her. "Okay I know you know."

"You know I know what?" he asked puzzled.

"I know you know about how I feel about B." Faith said. "An I don't want you sayin anything to her or anyone else about it."

"Okay, okay. I promise I won't tell her." he said. "Even though you probably should."

"Why?"

"She might feel the same way. How will you know if you don't tell her how you feel about her." he said gently.

"Listen Xan you might always look at things in a positive light, but I've learned that ain't always the way shit goes. Chances are I'll tell her how I feel and she goes runnin in the opposite direction. I'd rather have her in my life as a friend than not have her at all, kay. So jus leave things as they are." she said frimly.

"Okay, but for the record I don't like it."

"Tough." Faith said. "Now lets get back, I've still got food to eat and I'm starved."

"Wait, what was that thing I had to do?" he asked.

"Thing? Man that was a cover to get you to stop blabbing shit at the table." Faith exclaimed.

"Oh thank God." he sighed, "Thought I'd forgotten something important."

"Don't worry when you get another girlfriend we'll remind you when it either her birthday or you're anniversary."

Xander glared at her, "I could have done with you reminding me of that, the last two relationships I was in."

"Hey man it's not my fault you didn't learn the first time, I mean how many times you gotta make that mistake." Faith said, the two friends continuing to bicker all the way back to the table.

Tbc.

A/N: sorry it's so short. Please feel free to leave a review.