I really don't know what's gotten into me. I can't sit still and I can't focus. Willow and Giles brought out these huge piles of books and everyone else is going through them while I pace the floor in the living room like a nutcase. Okay, so not everyone is in the books. I look over to where Dawn is helping Faith dig through her box of Giles-gifted candy, both of them giggling—giggling!—and stuffing their faces with sugary goodness. For some strange reason this new camaraderie of theirs annoys me, though I know it shouldn't. At least Faith and Dawn are getting along.

"What do you think we should do, Buffy?" Willow asks, breaking my pacing routine. Problem is, I don't have a clue what she's asking about.

"About what?" I ask. No sense trying to fake it.

"Don't you mean who?" Kennedy mutters under her breath, laughing as Willow glares over at her.

"Sorry, about who?"

"Falken, B. New pain in our asses. Keep up," Faith says with a mouthful of chocolate.

"Oh. Well, what do we know so far?" I ask, trying to keep my cool. For being the 'leader', I sure suck at it sometimes. "Do we even know where to find him?"

"Underground," Faith mumbles before anyone else can say a word. Everyone just looks at her, and I know I'm not the only one who wants to know how she knows this. Especially since she hasn't opened a book to join us with the researching. Not now and not last night. "Heard it from a couple contacts of mine."

"Shady, demon-like contacts?" Willow asks her.

"Yeah, Red. What else would they be? Humans?" Faith chuckles. "Anyway, I've been told he's keeping a low pro, sticking to the caves underground around here."

"There are caves?" Kennedy asks. She looks kinda shocked, but so does most everyone in the room. Probably including me. "Since when are there caves in Cleveland?"

"Since always,' Faith replies with a shrug. "Doesn't matter. Have an idea of where to start looking for him."

"And just how long have you had this information, Faith?" Giles asks. He clears his throat and then nearly slams his research book shut. "Don't you think information as vital as this should have been shared right away?"

"Sorry, G. Couldn't sleep last night and I went down to that demon bar on the south side of town to get a drink. Thought I'd rough up a few of 'em and see if they could tell me anything. Few drinks later, threw the new big bad's name around and a few of 'em got all scared before they started talking."

Act first, think later. It's always been Faith's motto and it's what usually gets her into trouble, most of the time dragging us all in with her. Fucking...Okay, that's it, I'm going to beat the crap out of her. Or possibly be restrained by Satsu, who just stopped my beat-Faith-senseless lunge. Faith doesn't look all that shocked at how I'm reacting right now, and to top it all off she's got this smug smirk on her face—that's just begging to be wiped off, by the way—as she settles back into the chair she's been sitting in this whole time and casually crosses her arms over her chest.

"Why don't you tell us everything you know, Faith?" I ask. My voice is cold as I step away from Satsu, who then proceeds to gently run her hand over my back. I shoot her a hard look, hoping she gets the message that touching me like that is too intimate in front of everyone else. Turning back to Faith, I wait for her to answer me. "Well?"

"Well apparently he's hiding out underground, right? Only it's not what you think. Couple of 'em told me it's like this whole other world down there."

"As in a literal underworld? That's nothing more than a fable," Giles says, slowly removing his glasses to wipe them on his shirt. "Nobody in recorded history has ever been able to find it."

"Or they have found it and kept the secret to themselves," Faith pointed out. "Whatever, G. You want to know what I know or do you want to stick to what your books tell you?"

Giles shut up then and I can't hold back a smirk as I walk over to the small loveseat by the window and sit down next to Willow. Faith proceeds to tell us all she knows, which surprisingly isn't a whole lot, but it is enough to give us somewhere to start. A couple of the younger Slayers that have been living with us for the last year or so come down just as we're about to brainstorm a plan. I let Willow catch them up on what they've missed while I let my eyes wander across the room to Faith. She, Dawn and Kennedy have all but finished off the candy that Giles brought and now they're giggling—again—as they fight over the last Turkish Delight.

I spend most of the rest of the morning discussing the plan to go down and figure out just what we're dealing with, preferably without drawing attention to ourselves. It should be just a simple stakeout mission, but with Faith in the mix things aren't likely to go to plan and talking out all the 'what ifs' isn't a bad idea. I shake my head at that train of thought. I know I need to stop putting Faith down like that, even if it is just in my head. She's not that reckless anymore, she's a vital part of the team, and most of all she's certainly not the only one whose plans go kerflooey. I do know we need her, too: She's one of the best Slayers we have. Satsu is the only other Slayer who is on a par with her and I have this gut feeling that's telling me we're going to need all of our best fighters on this thing. If nothing else that's the smart way to approach it until we know something more about Falken.

So we finally settle on a plan. Caves tonight just before sunset. Giles suggests us Slayers get in some sparring, so while everybody else goes off to do their own thing I find myself down in the basement with Satsu, Kennedy, Faith, and two of the younger Slayers, Veronica and Allison. I pair off with Satsu and we begin our usual workout, but I'm just not feeling it today. She's a great fighter, quick and skilled, but we spar all the time and she just doesn't challenge me the way Faith does. After a few minutes I call a halt and switch up partners. I watch Satsu and Kennedy for a moment as they engage each other before I turn and walk over to Faith, who's smirking as she drops into a fighting stance, her entire body coiled and ready for whatever I'm about to throw her way.

"Been a long time, B."

"Too long."

"Well, whatcha waiting for? Why don't you give us a kiss?" Faith asks, smirk still firmly in place as we begin to circle one another slowly.

I wait for her to throw the first punch and I block it with ease, sweeping a leg around and sending a swift side kick that sends her tumbling down to the floor. She blinks, looking shocked for a split second that I got to the better of her before she flips up onto her feet and tries again. Her moves might be a little predictable, but they challenge both her and I to do something different. After we trade a few jabs I realize the others have stopped and are now watching us. We're not even close to going all out but it's different than before and it's definitely different from all those times we've fought each other for real. I'm holding myself back and I know she is too. I'm just waiting for her to throw her all into it so I can really show her what it's like to get her ass handed to her.

She stops suddenly and I'm gasping for breath. I can feel the small beads of sweat rolling down my back as I try to figure out her next move before she even makes it. Faith spins around with a strong roundhouse kick that sends me flying halfway across the basement. Yeah, she's done holding back. Ouch. As I get up from the floor, I see the others moving to sit on the stairs, getting out of the way and grabbing some ringside seats to watch Faith and I go all out. Satsu doesn't look very happy about this whole scene, but right now I don't care. I need this and I know Faith does too. That telltale smirk she has on her face says that much.

"That all you got?" I ask as I slowly approach her.

"Got plenty more where that came from, B."

"You two better be careful," Satsu warns. "We can't go out on patrol if you two end up nearly killing each other."

"Relax, Sats. I ain't gonna hurt your precious girlfriend," Faith quips and it catches me off guard slightly. "Well, B? Whatcha waiting for?"

She blows me a kiss as she settles back into a fight stance, ready and waiting. I feel a surge of adrenaline, excitement, anticipation, and a little bit of arousal as I suck in a deep breath. Then I send a combination of kicks and punches her way. We've sparred over the years a handful of times and only once did we ever go all out, no holds barred, but it's never felt like this before. It's never felt so raw or sexual, at least it hasn't for me. I can't speak for her. Everything is sexual for Faith. Breathing is sexual...

"Oof..."

Of course I had to go and let my thoughts consume me enough to distract me. I should know better than that but my mind is a mess lately and the lack of sleep doesn't help. Neither did Faith's little quip about my girlfriend. Two seconds later and I'm pinned to the floor. I'm feeling a little dazed as I stare into her eyes and feel short, sharp gusts blowing over my lips as she breathes heavily.

Satsu suddenly storms upstairs and that brings our short sparring session to an end. I shove Faith off of me roughly and leave the basement but decide to get a glass of water in the kitchen, which gives Satsu a couple of minutes to settle down. I don't even care how it looks with me going after her like this. Our relationship-what's left of it-is barely hanging on by a thread right now. I gulp the last of my water and continue upstairs where I find her in her room, sitting on her bed and looking like she's trying so hard not to cry. Apparently Faith split my lip, because I can feel it starting to sting and swell just a little as I sit down on the edge of the bed and reach for her hand. My whole body is still charged up from the sparring session with Faith and I try to shake it off as Satsu jerks her hand away from mine.

"Don't, Buffy."

"What's wrong, Satsu?"

"Seeing you and her..." she starts, then lowers her head and scoffs. "I'm sorry, Buffy. I just don't know what it is, but I don't like it when she's around. The way she looks at you..."

"I don't care how she looks at me, Satsu."

"I care."

I sigh, knowing that no matter what I say right now this conversation is not going to end well. "Why are you acting like this? Is this because of how far Faith and I went while we were sparring?"

"I don't know, Buffy! Seeing you and her together like that, seeing how...excited you were sparring with her like that, I got a little..."

"Jealous?" I offer, trying not to smile when she shrugs her shoulders. "You are jealous of the way Faith and I were sparring together?"

She just shrugs, and I rub my forehead as she then closes her eyes and flops back on the bed. I've never seen this jealous side of her before and I don't like it. It sends pangs to my heart that I really can't take at the moment. I'm trying to figure out just where she's at right now, but it's hard to make my brain work because I still feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins and the throbbing between my legs is becoming unbearable. I lie down next to her and turn on my side, my fingers practically itching to reach out and touch her. She opens her eyes and looks over at me, then releases a sigh before turning on her side. I feel her hand clasp mine, slowly intertwining our fingers as she offers me a small smile.

"I have every right to be jealous, Buffy. You and Faith have this history together and when you two are sparring, there's this energy between you two that nobody else can ever touch. I just hate seeing the way she looks at you. You're with me, Buffy, and she should know that."

"What, do you want me to tell her that we're together?"

"I want you to tell everyone," she whispers. "Too much to ask though, isn't it?"

"Right now it is."

"You don't seem to care about the way she looks at you."

"Why should I? She's just looking at me, Satsu..."

"She looks at you like she wants you, Buffy."

"In case you haven't noticed," I can't help but laugh before leaning in to give her a quick kiss. "Faith looks at everyone like that. It's just how she is."

"It's different with you."

"Always is."

"Have you two ever-"

"No!" I laugh and poke her in the side, watching as she lets out a small smile. "I've never slept with Faith and I don't plan on ever sleeping with her!"

"You aren't even curious about what it'd be like?"

I shake my head no, even though I have a split second thought about saying yes. The Buffy from four years ago would have mentally kicked my ass for even thinking that way about Faith, but strangely it feels okay to think that way about her. There's no doubt that Faith oozes sexuality in every single thing she does. Her confidence is sky high, most days, and even when it's not the mask she wears makes everyone believe that even on her bad days she's still the same old Faith. Not the 'old' Faith, but...damn, even my thoughts are going on a rambling spree right now and I need to stop thinking like this when I should be trying to deal with Satsu and saving whatever is left of our relationship right now.

"It's okay if you are," she says, just before laying a gentle kiss upon my lips. "I have to admit that when I first met her I kind of wondered what it'd be like with her."

"Satsu!" I laugh as I poke her again. "How come you've never told me this before?"

"It hasn't come up before."

"Are you just saying this because you want me to admit I want to sleep with Faith?"

"So you do want to-"

"I don't," I say firmly and as seriously as I can manage right now. "There's only one person I want to be with right now and that's you."

She sticks out her bottom lip a little and I take the opportunity to lean in and capture it between my lips. I suck on it softly for a few moments and then I kiss her like I mean it. I need to forget about everything that's been happening lately and it's always so easy to forget when I'm with her. I know I should care that we could get caught, but I just need her right now. I kiss her deeply and our tongues dance and mingle as hands begin to wander. I pull her in closer to me and slip a thigh between her legs, which gets me a soft moan followed by her nails raking down my back over my shirt. I know we don't have much time before someone comes looking for us and I don't want to waste any more time than I already have. The ache between my legs is begging to be sated and I can feel how hot she is through the thin material of my pants.

I ease a hand between our bodies and run my fingers over the button on her jeans before I pop it open. A second later and I'm sliding my hand inside, my fingers instantly coming into contact with her wet pussy. I begin circling her clit as I moan softly into her mouth and she starts to move her hips in time to what my finger is doing to her. As I'm pleasuring her I manoeuvre our position so I'm hovering over her slightly.

"Fuck me," I whisper against her lips. My breath is coming out in desperate gasps as her hand slides down the front of my pants and rubs me hard over my panties. "Please, Satsu..."

I groan as she deepens the kiss and I slide my fingers lower, feeling a flood of wetness as I tease her hole. She eases her pants down which allows me a little more access and I kiss her hard to quiet any cries of pleasure she might make as I plunge two fingers deep inside of her.

Satsu breaks the kiss and mumbles something in Japanese against my lips. I can feel a smile curling over those same lips as I fuck her deeply and as I feel how close she is I start to wonder if she gets off on her jealousy. I suddenly feel a single finger slide deep inside of me as she apparently breaks out of her stupor. Her fingers are strong but small, yet she fills me up in ways that no man ever has before. As I feel my orgasm start to build my mind starts to go deliciously blank and my body goes through a series of tremors, making it a struggle to keep up my rhythm but I want her to come with me. She's close. I can feel it as her pussy spasms against my fingers, her clit throbbing hard against the palm of my hand. My lips find hers again, our tongues dancing frantically as we bring each other tumbling over the edge.

However many moments later I find myself laying with my face buried in her neck, my fingers still deep inside of her, not quite able to move just yet. My whole body feels like it's on fire and I slowly lick over my lips before I kiss her neck softly. I sneak out my tongue for a quick taste, amazed at how delicious her skin tastes. I almost want to say how we should always have sex whenever we're fighting-well I shouldn't say fighting, but disagreeing with one another. It's always hot, quick, and intense, more so than it usually is between us. I lift my head from her neck, managing to place my forehead on hers and smile down at her.

"We okay?" I ask her softly. I already know the answer but I need to hear it from her.

"We're okay."

I laugh, then kiss her lightly as I wriggle my fingers that are still buried inside of her. I'm so far from being finished and satisfied, and all I really want to do right now is get rid of our clothes so I can feel her fully against me. But we don't have time for that right now and we're really risking getting caught the longer we stay up here alone. I know that, and I'm probably being stupid but I just have to kiss her some more. I'm trying to conveniently ignore the fact that I only get quite this worked up when it's Faith I've been sparring with.

I'm really into the kiss when my brain suddenly catches up to the sounds I've been hearing for the last several seconds and I frantically try to get off of Satsu. Unfortunately, my overheated body doesn't seem to want to move like I want it to. When the door flies open I'm still entangled with Satsu, and of course it's Faith who's attached to those boots I'd been just a little too late in hearing.

"Well, guess that answers my question 'bout where you took off to like that," she says, shaking her head before turning to leave. "Answers a lot of questions actually," she mutters so softly that I'm pretty sure she didn't mean for me to hear it, and then she's gone.

"Shit," I sigh out as I finally manage to get my hand out of Satsu's pants. "Shit."

I don't know what to do right now. Do I stay here with Satsu or do I go after Faith with some lame excuse as to why she caught me with my hand down Satsu's pants? I really don't know...