A/N: I don't feel comfortable writing sex, so we just have to use our imaginations and the rest of this chapter's "subtle hints" for Riley and Buffy's wild ride. Hopefully their thoughts on the subject and the aftermath will be expressive enough. Enjoy the next installment, and please review!

PART 4: Being who you are

Chapter 10:

Her little talk with Joyce had not gone exactly as Faith had planned. Sure, she managed to get a few digs in about how Buffy seemed to have abandoned her mother, but when she then added herself to that category, Joyce had stopped her.

"She didn't abandon you, Faith. She visited you as much as she could."

Those quiet yet firmly spoken words had rocked the Rogue Slayer, and she had merely stared in disbelief, refusing to accept it as truth.

It was a lie, she knew. Buffy didn't give a damn about her; she'd wanted to kill her, so the blonde was probably celebrating her victory, not mourning her loss like Joyce wanted to believe. Wanted her to believe.

Everybody lied. Nobody cared, not about her, not really. The only way she would ever mean anything to anyone, was if she made them care. And she would do just that with the Mayor's gift. She just had to bide her time, and wait for the right time.

Then they'd care. they wouldn't have any other option.

This was it. The ultimate test; the ultimate choice. And the Slayer would submit to her. Finally.

Chapter 11:

Her body felt like it was burning and drowning at the same time.

A drowning in passion's fire.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, in the place that controlled her breathing and the continued beat of her heart perhaps, she acknowledged that she had never wanted to drown in fire before this. She was begging for this particular baptism now.

On her hands and knees she was begging. More, it roared in her ears; More it screamed in her mind. "More!" she finally demanded, snarling like a wild thing, like some previously caged animal finally set free.

And if this was freedom...what utter bliss!

YES her body was rejoicing, thrilled in the way that only Slaying thrills it, and then only Slaying with HER.

YES she felt, approaching the peak of her pleasure, letting go of her fears of, and her doubts about her humanity.

YES it resonated within her, again and again.

I AM THE SLAYER! I AM ALIVE! I AM COMPLETE!

And then she was spent.

Chapter 12:

Faith was running; running as fast as she could away from a Buffy that was free, and wild, and HERS. Undeniably HERS.

She had always known her feelings for the other Slayer were more than friendship. Being so in tune with her inner Slayer (her inner demon) she had felt the pull to her all the time. She had needed the blonde in ways that both scared and excited her, but this? This was not part of the plan, and these feelings had no place now, if they ever did.

She silently cursed herself, her stupid brain, and above all her idiot heart for trusting the Mayor. Because she had realized, while waiting for the spell to finish, what she was about to do. What she had already done.

Riley was on his way back to his dorm after dropping off Willow and Tara, when he'd turned around, opting to check on Buffy instead. he hadn't seen Faith, who despite her frustrating conversation with Joyce, couldn't seem to force herself away from Revello Drive. She had hid in the neighbours' yard when she spotted Buffy, and had spent endless moments telling herself that now was the perfect time to attack, but she had remained hidden, unmoving, until now. The soldier arrived like a gift, and Faith accepted him with glee.

Making Buffy believe the deception wasn't nearly as hard as she'd imagined.

But then she had found herself believing it, with decidedly spectacular consequences.

And now she was running; but with every step away from the woman whoheld her heart, Faith could feel herself breaking. When she finally stopped running, she was in front of the blown up highschool, gasping for breath. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and her sobs forced her to her knees in the rubble. This was not part of the plan, goddammit! She wasn't supposed to fall in love with Buffy! Not again, not ever!

He'd promised her! It wasn't his fault, she knew, but it was easier to blame the Mayor, than facing the truth. As soon as she'd seen the blonde, all thoughts of revenge had fled her mind. The plan was forgotten because Buffy's arms was around her; Buffy's lips was kissing hers; her eyes looking and finally seeing the love in hers.

There had only been Buffy, and wanting to know her as intimately as possible. She hadn't wanted the other Slayer to ever forget her; her touch, her kiss, her love. She wanted Buffy to know who she submitted to, forever.

Chapter 13:

Breakfast wasn't half as awkward as Buffy had feared. For one thing, Joyce Summers had no idea that Riley had even been there, or that her precious daughter had done some decidedly carnal things with him under her very roof. She felt a goofy smile forming on her face at the thought of what exactly had happened under her mother's nose.

She hadn't known what to make of Riley's request, but had submitted to it anyway. he had looked at her with such love, that her protests about not wanting to hurt him by accident had died on her lips.

And boy, was she happy she'd obliged in the end.

Her mother interrupted her daydream, and she quickly jerked her head up to face her.

"Will I see you later?" Joyce asked Buffy, a hopeful look on her face. "I mean, when this whole Faith-thing's over? You could invite the gang over for dinner?"

Buffy shook her head NO. "I'll let you know how it goes, Mom, but don't worry 'bout dinner."

Her mother hid her disappointment well, smiling at her. Must be where I get that look from, Buffy thought, feeling slightly guilty.

"Um, maybe some other time? When we're not facing an Apocalypse, or crazy Slayers?"

"Sure," her mom agreed. "It'll be nice to have you all here together, like old times."

Buffy tried really hard to ignore her mother's wistful tone.

"Yeah. So, um, I'll call if anything comes up. Gotta get to class. And if Faith comes back, call me, okay? I'm not letting her hurt you again."

And with a quick "Bye!" she was gone.