Hey all! Soooo sorry I haven`t updated sooner. Hope you enjoy, and please please review :P

Disclaimer: The Buffyverse belongs to Joss Whedon! And btw, I got no money, so no sueing!

Buffy POV:

My breath is coming in short, painful gasps. Faith knows that I`m injured, because she touched me and I didn`t know! Oh help, help, help!

Fear clogs my throat. I can`t help it.

He`s standing over me, snarling, and I can hear thin, terrified wails from somewhere. They start up again as Riley drives his fists into my stomach, and pain fills my sences. My thinking slows, stops, and all I know is the agony.

My heart nearly bursts with sadness and pain. There must be some kind of expression on my face that cues Faith in, because she tries to take my hands.

"No! Let go! Let me go, please, no!" And I can`t help but sob.

Faith POV:

Holding Buffy close, I feel awkward, as though I might hurt her. But I can`t let go, can`t abandon her, or I will have let myself down too.

Buffy POV:

The warmth of Faith`s body against my own is comforting, but at the same time, her closeness frightens me. This is Faith, my sort-of-friend who betrayed me. Who went evil. I remember the madness and hatred in her eyes. And she`s HOLDING me. Oh, dear God, why can`t this be easy? I felt an attraction to her from the moment we met, but now it`s starting to pound inside my chest.

Have I started to fall in love? Riley...

With a horrified gasp, I struggle against her embrace. "Let me go! No! Riley`s gonna kill me for being so late. I can`t stay with you, let me go Faith!"

But she hangs on. "B, calm down. Riley will..." Then it hits her. "He`s the one beating you up, isn`t he?"

Her dark brown eyes are warm, soft, and I can`t bear to lie anymore. Willow and Xander and Giles, my best friends, haven`t even noticed. But Faith cares, and I nod, trying to stop crying, choking back the sobs. I feel like I`m being pulled apart inside, hoping that I`ve found a friend in Faith but being unable to trust her again.

Faith POV:

Buffy`s hurting. She`s hurting so badly! "It`s okay, B, cry if `ya feel like it." I encourage as gently as I know how. Oh, how badly she needs the help.

Rocking her from side to side a little bit, I set her down on the bed. B hugs herself, eyes wide, looking at me fearfully, holding back the tears and sobs. My heart aches at the sight, and I pick up the coffees, offering one to her. Shaking slightly, she takes it and sips nervously while staying as far away from me as she can.

"Hey, you hungry?" I ask, showing B the little bag of breakfast foods. Nothing special, just some sandwiches. She says nothing, mutely taking one and munching halfheartedly.

God, what damage has that Riley guy done to her?

Buffy POV:

Munching on my sandwich, I let my emotions overwhelm me. Pain from my injuries, fear - so much fear - and a horrible sickly feeling that makes me feel like I`m gonna throw up. A whimper escapes my mouth, and instantly a strong arm wraps around my waist. Nearly choking, I fling Faith off as fast as I can. Nobody, and I mean nobody, will ever touch me that way again! Not the way Riley used to, before he started beating me.

Faith sighs softly. "Alright then, B. If `ya want me to stop, then I will. Shoo."

I leap up, running to the door and shooting away down the hall as fast as possible.