DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Buffy The Vampire Slayer stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Warner Brothers. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. There is some subtext in this story. If this kind of stuff is not legal where you live, if you're under 18 or if you don't like the notion of two women being in love, then you should find something else to read.

Somebody Else, Not Me
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"I'm so excited about being back," Willow said to Tara as they walked down the campus. "I just hope that this year there won't be any Frankenstein's monsters."

Tara smiled.

"Me too."

Willow leaned over to kiss Tara, but she bumped into someone.

"Oh. Damn. Sorry, I wasn't looking."

Willow turned, surprised, recognizing the voice.

"Faith?"

Faith, who was picking up her stuff, looked up.

"Yeah?"

"Wh-What are you doing here?"

Faith frowned and glanced around.

"Same as everyone else."

Willow frowned.

"You go to UC Sunnydale?"

"Yes," Faith said, excited, and got up. "My first year. You?"

Willow just stared at her.

"Second," Tara said.

"Oh." Faith then frowned as she realized something. "Wait, you know my name. Have we met?"

"Of course we've met," Willow said angrily.

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Where?"

"Okay, what do you think you're doing? You know damn well where."

Faith raised the other eyebrow.

"Sorry, I don't." She looked both of them up and down. "And believe me, I would remember you two."

"Where are you from, Faith?" Tara asked, realizing that Faith might be telling the truth.

"Boston. But I've lived in LA for a while."

"Have you ever been here?" Tara asked and Willow looked at her, startled.

"No," Faith said and looked around. "Actually, I thought it would be more backwater." She smiled. "But it looks okay, I guess. Are there any places worth going to?"

"The Bronze. It's about the only decent place."

"Okay." Faith glanced at her watch. "Listen, I gotta go now. It was nice meeting you."

"You too," Tara said with a smile.

"Oh, what's your name?" Faith remembered.

"I'm Tara and this is Willow."

Faith smiled.

"Okay. I'll see you around."

Faith hurried away and Willow looked at Tara.

"Okay, what just happened?"

"I think she lost her memory," Tara explained.

"What?" Willow said and looked at Faith. "But it is Faith?"

"Yes," Tara said with a nod.

"We better tell Buffy."

When Buffy came to her dorm room with a bag, she got a funny feeling, one she hadn't felt in a while. And when she saw a brunette girl rummage around a closet, she got a bad feeling.

"Faith?"

Faith turned.

"Oh, you must be Buffy," she said with a smile. "I'm…"

She never finished because Buffy hit her in the face. She went down, holding her cheek, shocked.

"What's your malfunction?" she said.

"Where the hell have you been?" Buffy demanded.

Faith frowned.

"Excuse me?"

"Angel almost got burned because of you. He said you've changed, he believed you, but you let him down."

Faith's frown deepened.

"What the hell are you talking about?" she asked as she got up. "And who the hell is Angel?"

Buffy wanted to hit her again, but Faith barely managed to duck.

"Hey! Cut it out! What's the matter with you?" Faith asked, scared.

"Me? I'm not the psycho around here."

"Well, from where I'm standing you sure are."

She tried to move toward the door, but Buffy blocked her path.

"Where do you think you're going?" Buffy demanded.

"Find a roommate who's not totally demented," Faith shot back. "Now back off or I'll scream."

Buffy was startled, she had expected an attack.

"Oh, Buffy… Faith?" Willow said, surprised, when she and Tara came in.

Faith looked at them.

"Hey. You know this psycho?"

Willow frowned.

"What?"

"Her," Faith said and pointed at Buffy.

"Eh, yes," Willow said, puzzled. "She's my best friend."

"Then get her committed or something so she won't go around hitting people."

Willow looked from one girl to the other.

"Eh, what are you doing here?" she then asked Faith.

"I live here." She looked at Buffy. "Sorry, past tense. Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta find myself a normal roommate."

Faith stormed out and Buffy just stared after her.

"Okay, what's going on?" she then demanded. "You knew she was back?"

Willow nodded.

"Yes, we met her outside."

"She lost her memory," Tara said.

"What?" Buffy said with disbelief, and looked at her.

"She was sincere, she doesn't remember any of us."

"Great. Just great. And now we're roomies." She frowned. "Well, not any more."

"I'll see what I can find out about her," Willow said.

"Okay," Buffy agreed. "Now stand guard, I'm going to search her stuff."

"Okay."

Willow went to the door and Tara joined her while Buff quicky did a search of Faith's belongings.

"Nothing," Buffy declared a few minutes later.

"Not even a stake?" Willow asked, glancing at her.

"No. Just some pretty decent outfits, some books and notebooks and some cosmetics."

"What are you going to do?" Tara asked.

Buffy sighed.

"I don't know. I mean, I could've kept an eye on her here, but I scared her away. Damn."

"She's coming," Willow said and backed into the room.

Buffy quickly went to her side of the room.

"Well, I was right about you," Faith said as she entered the room, "you are crazy."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Buffy said, crossing her arms.

"Everybody says so. Seems no one wanted to share with you. Just my luck. Now I'm stuck with you until I find something off campus." She thought for a moment and then looked at Willow and Tara. "You guys know anyplace off campus where I could stay?"

"No, I'm not from Sunnydale," Tara said.

"I don't either," Willow said.

"Oh," Faith said and sighed. She looked at Buffy. "You stay on your side of the room."

"Ugh!" Buffy said, angry, and stormed out.

"Buffy!" Willow called and ran after her.

"I'll see you around," Tara said with a smile.

Faith smiled.

"Yeah."

Tara left and Faith looked around.

"Crazy bitch," she murmured.

"Buffy!" Willow said as she caught up with her.

"She's playing with us again," Buffy said.

"Not according to Tara."

"But…"

"Let's go to our room and I'll see what I can find out about her."

Buffy sighed.

"Okay."

"Faith Hutchinson," Willow said when she hacked into Faith's records.

Buffy frowned.

"Hutchinson? I thought her last name was Spencer." She shook her head. "What else?"

"Well, she's from Boston. She dropped out of school for a while and then moved to LA, where she took the GED." Willow frowned. "She did pretty well."

"Really?" Buffy said, curious, and looked at the screen.

"Yes."

"Does she have any relatives?" Tara asked.

Willow checked.

"No."

"I gotta talk to Giles," Buffy said.

"Hutchinson?" Giles said with a frown after Buffy told him what she knew.

"Yes."

"That was her Watcher's name."

Buffy frowned.

"The one who was killed by Kakistos?"

"Yes."

"Interesting. And you're sure this is our Faith?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes, I could feel it. And Tara saw her aura or something."

"I see. And you're roommates?"

"Yes. Can you believe it?"

"An interesting coincidence."

"If it is a coincidence."

"You think it's not?"

Buffy frowned.

"I don't know. After I hit her, she wanted to go find another roommate."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"What are you doing?" Buffy asked when she returned to the dorm in the evening and saw Faith lying on the bed, obviously doing some research.

Faith glanced at her warily.

"Trying to find some place where I could afford to stay," she said.

"Oh."

Buffy stared at her for a few moments and then went to her side to change for the evening. Faith occasionally glanced at her, finding Buffy attractive in spite of her attitude.

After a brief patrol, Buffy joined her friends at the Bronze. Willow and Tara had filled them in already and they discussed what might have happened to Faith. They couldn't find a reason, so Buffy returned to the dorm.

She entered quietly and saw that Faith was asleep, a glow lamp illuminating her face. Buffy stared at her for a few moments, finding the sight of sleeping Faith cute. She shook her head, upset, when she realized what she was thinking. She quietly approached Faith's bed and turned the glow lamp off. Then she went to her side to change for the night.

When Faith woke up the next day and saw that her glow lamp had been turned off, she was upset.

"Did you turn off my glow lamp?" she demanded of Buffy.

Buffy looked at her.

"Yes, you forgot to turn it off."

"I left it on on purpose," Faith said. "Next time, leave it on."

Buffy frowned.

"Why?"

"Because I said so," Faith said, refusing to divulge the reason.

She got up and headed for the bathroom, leaving a confused Buffy behind.

During the lunch break, Faith headed to the cafeteria. After picking up the food, she looked around for a place to sit. She noticed Tara waving at her, but she also saw that Buffy and Willow were with her. So she waved back and got herself an empty table.

"What are you doing?" Buffy asked when Tara waved at Faith.

"Trying to make her feel comfortable," Tara said.

Buffy glanced at Faith, who was looking at them.

"Thank god," she said when Faith went off to find herself an empty table.

"Look, I know you hate Faith, but right now she's not Faith the Slayer, she's Faith a normal person. She doesn't even know why you hate her," Tara said.

Buffy thought about it for a few moments.

"I guess." She thought for a moment. "She seems to like you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Willow asked as Tara blushed.

"That she likes her. I mean, Tara's the only one here that was always nice to her. As far as she knows."

"Oh. I guess."

"Maybe you should talk to her," Buffy told Tara.

"You want me to spy on her?" Tara asked.

"Well, yes."

Tara looked at Faith, who was eating and ignoring them.

"Okay. I'll befriend her, but not because I want to spy on her."

"Hey," Tara said when she came to the cafeteria in the afternoon and found Faith there studying some booklet.

Faith looked at her.

"Hey." She looked around. "Where's your girl?"

"She's off with Buffy somewhere."

"Oh."

"May I join you?"

Faith was startled for a moment and then nodded.

"Sure."

Tara put her yogurt down and then sat.

"What are you reading?"

Faith glanced at the booklet.

"Some legal crap I have to know."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"So, they sent you to spy on me?"

Tara smiled.

"Yes. But that's not why I'm here."

Faith raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"Then why are you here?"

"Because I like you and I'd like to get to know you better."

Faith smirked.

"I don't think your girlfriend would approve."

"Willow doesn't choose my friends for me," Tara said seriously.

Faith raised an eyebrow. Then she thought for a moment.

"So, can you tell me why the hell Buffy tried to kick the shit out of me?"

Tara thought for a moment.

"Well, you look just like another girl. Her name was also Faith." She frowned. "And I think she was from Boston as well."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah? What'd she do?"

"Well, I wasn't there then, but I was told that she killed a man," Tara said. Then she frowned. "Actually, I think there were two. And she poisoned Buffy's boyfriend, tried to kill her friend and held Willow hostage."

"Yeah?" Faith said.

Tara nodded.

"Buffy went after her and she stabbed her."

"Who stabbed who?" Faith asked, puzzled.

"Buffy stabbed Faith. After a fight. Faith spent eight months in coma and when she woke up, she… had sex with Buffy's new boyfriend and she took her mother hostage," Tara said, omitting the supernatural details.

"Shit."

"And then she went to LA to Buffy's ex-boyfriend."

Faith frowned.

"Why would she go to him?"

Tara thought for a moment.

"Actually, I think she just went to LA and then somebody hired her to kill Angel."

Faith frowned, thinking.

"Her… ex-boyfriend?"

Tara nodded.

"Yes. I was told she actually wanted to Angel to kill her, but he didn’t. And when she was supposed to turn herself in, she disappeared."

Faith was quiet for a few moments.

"Man, sounds like she was a total bitch." She thought for a few moments. "So why did she do it?"

Tara frowned.

"Do what?"

Faith shrugged.

"Everything. I mean, there must've been a reason why she went after Buffy."

Tara thought for a few moments.

"I don't know. But I think they were friends at first."

"So what changed?"

Tara frowned.

"I don't know. I think everything changed when Faith kill the first man."

"Why'd she do it?"

"I think it was an accident."

"Okay, so? I mean, shit happens."

Tara smiled.

"Like I said, I wasn't here back then."

"Oh." Faith sighed. "Can you please tell her that that was somebody else, not me?"

Tara nodded.

"I will."

"Thanks." Faith thought for a moment. "Em, do you know where I could get a job?"

"A job?"

"Yeah, you know, waitressing or something."

"I don't… No, wait, I think the Espresso Pump had a sign out for help."

"Espresso Pump?"

"Yes. It's a decent place."

"Can you show me where it is? I'd like to take a look."

Tara smiled.

"Sure, just let me finish my yogurt."

Faith grinned.

"Sure."

"So, how'd it go?" Buffy asked when Tara came to the Magic Box after showing Faith to the Espresso Pump.

Tara smiled.

"Okay. She was curious as to why you attacked her. And then she wanted to know why Faith, the other Faith, did what she did."

"What did you tell her?"

"The truth. As far as I know it. Oh, I did leave out the supernatural stuff."

"And she pretended she didn't know."

"She didn't. Know, I mean. At least as far as she was aware of. And her aura was… calm, more or less, and clean. Oh, she got a job at the Espresso Pump."

"Really?" Willow said, surprised.

"Yes. She seems very… responsible."

Buffy snorted.

"Faith and responsibility can't be used in the same sentence."

Tara frowned at her.

"She's not the same Faith. I mean, she may be the same person, but she doesn't have the memories. It's like she's someone else."

Buffy snorted again.

"Right."

Tara sighed, shaking her head.

When Dawn and Janice came to the Espresso Pump, they didn't notice the waitress until she was beside them.

"What can I get you?"

They looked at her and Dawn gasped.

"Faith."

Faith looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, that's my name," she said, glancing at her nametag.

"What are you doing here?"

Faith rolled her eyes.

"Great. Let me guess, you're a friend of Buffy's, right?"

Dawn frowned, puzzled.

"I'm her sister."

"Oh. Whatever. Anyway, I'm not that psycho Faith you think I am, okay?"

"But you look just like her."

Faith rubbed her jaw.

"Believe me, I found that out the hard way. Now, what can I get you?"

"Chocolate sundae."

"Me too," Janice said.

"With lots of cream."

"You too?" Faith asked Janice.

Janice thought for a moment.

"Yes."

"Okay," Faith said and left.

Dawn stared at her.

"This is really freaky," she said.

"What?" Janice asked.

"She looks just like some other Faith. And her name is also Faith, can you believe it?"

"Hi," Dawn said when she got to the Magic Box.

"Hello, Dawn," Giles said.

"Is Buffy here?"

"In the back."

Dawn walked to the gym, where Buffy was training.

"Buffy."

Buffy glanced at her and stopped.

"Yes?"

"I saw Faith."

"What? Where?" Buffy asked, worried.

"At the Espresso Pump. She's a waitress there."

"I know. What did she do?"

Dawn shrugged.

"Nothing, she served us the sundaes." She frowned. "She acted so weird and she didn't even know who I was. Are you sure she's our Faith?"

"Yes," Buffy said. "I want you to stay away from her."

"Why?"

"Because I don't trust her."

"Oh."

After work, Faith went back to the dorm. She was startled to find Buffy there.

"Hey," she said and went to her side of the room.

"Stay away from Dawn," Buffy said.

Faith looked at her, surprised.

"What?"

"Stay away from Dawn."

Faith frowned.

"Who's Dawn?"

"Don't play games with me, Faith," Buffy said angrily.

"I'm playing games? Well, excuse me, but I'm not the one beating up innocent people just because they look like somebody else. Now, perhaps if you can tell me who this Dawn is, I can maybe assure you that I'll stay away from her."

"She's my sister."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Brunette, long hair, pretty?"

"Yes. She was a the Espresso Pump today."

"Okay, let's get a few things straight, blondie. One, I'm not that psycho Faith who you stabbed. Two, I'm not quitting my job nor will I be staying here all the time, so if you don't want your sister to meet me, lock her up or something. I won't let you ruin my life just because you can't accept that I'm somebody else."

"That's just it, you're not somebody else, you're Faith."

"Of course I'm Faith, just not your Faith, blondie."

"Stop calling me blondie," Buffy snapped, annoyed.

"Then grow a brain and leave me alone," Faith said, equally annoyed. She shook her head. "Jeez, no wonder nobody wanted to share the room with you," she said and rummaged through her clothes.

Buffy glared at her for a few moments and then left.

"Hey," Faith said when Tara came over.

Tara smiled.

"Hey. Ready to go?"

"Yeah."

They left the room and Faith locked up.

"I hear you've had another fight with Buffy," Tara said as they walked down the hall.

Faith sighed.

"Yeah. She told me to stay away from Dawn and I had no idea who Dawn was. Well, she told me and we ended up yelling at each other." She sighed. "I really have to get a place off campus or she's gonna end up beating me up someday." She glanced at Tara. "Is she always this crazy?"

Tara smiled.

"No. It's just Faith got to her really bad."

"Tell me about it." She looked at Tara. "You sure Willow doesn't mind you going out with me?"

Tara smiled.

"She does, but I have a good excuse."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"You do?"

Tara nodded.

"I'm spying on you."

Faith grinned.

"I guess." She thought for a moment. "I hope Buffy doesn't come to the Bronze, I really don't feel like having a fight in front of an audience."

"She is," Tara said. "Later."

Faith made a face.

"Great, just what I need."

After patrol, when Buffy and Willow got to the Bronze, they immediately looked for Faith and Tara.

"There," Buffy said and pointed.

Willow looked and immediately got jealous when she saw Faith and Tara laugh at something. She quickly started to walk toward them and Buffy followed her.

Faith was having a good time, but then she suddenly got the strange feeling in the stomach, the one she always got when Buffy was around. She looked and stopped laughing when she saw her.

"Here comes trouble," she said.

Tara looked and smiled when she saw Willow.

"Hi, honey."

Willow forced a smile.

"Hey," she said and they kissed.

"I'll see you around, Tara," Faith said and got up.

"You're leaving?" Tara asked.

Faith glanced at Buffy.

"Yeah, I don't want blondie here to throw another fit," she said and Buffy glared at her. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay. Good night."

"Night," Faith said and left.

"Can you believe the nerve," Buffy said.

"What were you two talking about?" Willow asked.

"Nothing much. School, her work."

"What, now you're covering for her?" Buffy asked, upset.

Tara sighed.

"No. Look, Buffy, I know you hate Faith, but this isn't the same Faith. I mean, she's in the same body, but she doesn't know that. She doesn't remember any of the things she's done."

"Great, now she's an innocent little lamb."

She sighed and got up.

"Where are you going?" Willow asked.

"After her."

"I hope you're not…" Tara started.

"No, I'm not gonna attack her or anything, just follow her," Buffy said.

"Okay."

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," Buffy said and left.

Buffy quickly caught up with Faith, but she kept her distance, knowing that Faith could feel her just like she could feel her. She followed her and observed her. She was surprised to notice that Faith seemed to be avoiding dark spots and kept looking around nervously. She even avoided a group of football players. Buffy frowned. This was so unlike the old, self-assured Faith who wasn't afraid of anything and who was flirting with everyone.

Buffy realized that perhaps Faith wasn't playing a game and had really forgotten everything. And this Faith was going to school, to college even, while the old one didn't even like to enter the high school building, much less attend classes. She wondered if she could like this Faith.

They reached the campus and Buffy decided to do a quick patrol around the closest buildings and then head in.

When Buffy got in twenty minutes later, Faith was already asleep. She noticed that Faith had left the glow lamp on again and she wondered why. She stared at her for a while and then went to her bed and undressed.

"Morning," Tara greeted Faith with a smile when she met her in the cafeteria.

Faith looked up.

"Hey."

"Mind if I join you?"

Faith looked around.

"Sure. Just, won't Willow mind you spend so much time with me?"

Tara smiled.

"Like I said, I have a good excuse."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Are things okay between you two?" she asked.

Tara was surprised.

"Yes, why?"

"Well, you seem to like hanging out with me."

"I do."

"Even thought Willow doesn't."

"Yes."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Well, as long as she doesn't come after me for trying to steal her girlfriend," she said and smiled.

Tara smiled as well, blushing.

"So, em, do you want me to show you around Sunnydale?" she changed the subject.

"Are you sure everything's alright? I mean, I know you're supposed to be spying and stuff, but I know I'd rather be spending time with your girlfriend than be spying on someone."

Tara smiled.

"It's okay, Faith. I'll let you know if we have problems."

Faith raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"You will?"

"Sure, you're my friend."

Faith's other eyebrow went up.

"I am?"

Tara smiled.

"Of course."

Faith thought about for a moment.

"Okay, but wouldn't you rather be talking to your other friends? Like Buffy?"

Tara smiled.

"If we had problems, Willow would go to Buffy and when it comes to talking about love problems, well, none of my other friends would be… I don't know, I mean, they're all close friends with Buffy and only Buffy's boyfriend and me are sort of outsiders. Well, and Xander's girlfriend, but that's another story. Not that I'm that close to any of them. So that kinda leaves you."

Faith smiled.

"You're cute when you babble," she said and Tara blushed.

"So, do you want me to show you around town or not?" she quickly changed the subject.

Faith chuckled.

"Sure, why not. When?"

Tara thought for a moment.

"When do you have time?"

"Saturday. And Sunday. I have the weekends off."

"Okay. Saturday then?"

"Sure. At, say, ten?"

"Okay."

"You're what?" Willow said, surprised, when Tara told her that she would give Faith a tour of Sunnydale on Saturday.

"What better way to see how she reacts to Sunnydale High?"

Willow frowned.

"I don't like it," she declared and pouted.

Tara smiled and gave her a quick peck on the nose.

"Don't worry, she won't hurt me."

"You don't know that."

"I do know that. Look, Willow, she really doesn't remember. You can be nasty to her when she does."

Willow sighed.

"Okay, I won't go bitching at her, but I want you to watch your back."

Tara sighed.

"I will."

When Saturday finally came, Faith and Tara met at the cafeteria for their morning coffee. After that, Tara took Faith on a tour of Sunnydale.

"And that's the Magic Box," Tara said as they approached the shop. "A friend of mine owns it and we hang out in there a lot. And Buffy trains in there."

"In a magic shop?" Faith said, puzzled.

"She has a gym in the back."

"A dojo in a magic shop? Now that's new."

Tara smiled.

"It's private."

"Oh."

"Listen, I just need to pick up a book. Do you want to come in?"

Faith raised her hands.

"No way, I don't want to meet any more of Buffy's friends than absolutely necessary. I'd start feeling guilty just from them staring at me."

Tara smiled.

"Okay, wait for me then."

"Okay," Faith said and looked around. "I'll sit on the bench over there."

"Okay," Tara said and went to the Magic Box.

Faith stared after her for a moment and then went to the bench to wait.

"Hi," Tara said as she entered.

"Tara!" Willow said and approached her. "Where's Faith?"

"She's waiting outside. I just came by to pick that book," she said and looked at Giles.

"Oh, yes, of course," Giles said and quickly fetched the book. "Here."

"Thanks." Tara looked at Willow. "I'll see you later," she said and they kissed.

"Okay," Willow said.

"That was quick," Faith said when Tara returned.

Tara smiled.

"Yes."

"Don't tell me, it's a magic book," Faith said as they started walking again.

Tara smiled.

"Yes."

"What does it say in it?" Faith asked, curious.

Tara hesitated for a moment.

"Mostly spells and stuff."

"Spells? Like magic?"

"Yes."

"Not that illusionist stuff?"

"No."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"So you're, like, a witch or something?"

Tara smiled.

"Yes."

"And you can do real magic?"

Tara nodded.

"Yes."

"Can you show me?"

"Well, I'm not that good. I mean, I can do some stuff, but not right here."

"Oh." Faith grinned. "Wouldn't want people to burn you on the stake."

Tara chuckled.

"Definitely not."

When Buffy came to the dorm that night, she saw that Faith was tossing and turning in her bed, obviously having a nightmare. From what she was saying in her sleep, Buffy realized that Faith was dreaming about what she had done. She hesitated for a moment and then went to her and gently shook her.

"Faith."

Faith woke up with a scream. She backed into a corner and looked around, scared.

"You had a nightmare," Buffy said.

Faith looked at her and quietly stared for a few moments, trembling slightly.

"Thanks," she then mumbled and lay back.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments and then went to her side of the room. Faith lay with her eyes open for a few moments and then closed them and tried to go back to sleep.

A few days later, Tara was escorting Faith to the Espresso Pump before going to the Magic Box. They were just crossing the street in front of the Espresso Pump when a truck suddenly came from around the corner with high speed. Faith, who was a bit ahead, grabbed Tara and tried to pull her to safety, but the truck still hit her. Faith screamed as the truck drove over her foot and hit her right arm. She went down next to Tara, who was barely conscious from the hit. The truck driver sped away, leaving them.

Faith bit her teeth and ignored the gathering crowd. She crawled over to Tara.

"Tara? You okay?"

Tara moaned.

"Somebody call 911," Faith told the crowd.

"Oh my god, Faith!"

Faith looked.

"Cindy," she said when she saw the fellow waitress. "Call 911."

Cindy immediately ran inside.

When her leg and her arm were taken care of, Faith went to Tara to check up on her.

"She's sedated," the nurse said.

"Is she okay?" Faith asked, worried, when she saw how bandaged Tara was.

"Yes. A few bruised bones and a few cracked ribs. She should be okay."

"How long does she have to stay here?"

"Well, at least until tomorrow. The doctor will need to examine her again."

"Oh."

Faith stared at Tara for a few moments and then left, limping.

When she got to the Magic Shop, Faith took a deep breath. She didn't really want to go in and meet the rest of Buffy's friends, but she needed to tell Willow about Tara. When she entered, she saw several people stare at her and she guessed they apparently knew the psycho Faith. She gulped and went to the girl at the counter.

"Em, I'm looking for Willow. Is she here?"

"Willow!" the girl, Anya, called.

Willow came from the gym a few moments later.

"Faith," she said, surprised.

"Em, hi," Faith said, nervous.

Then Buffy came from the gym.

"Faith."

"Hey," Faith said and looked at Willow. "Em, Tara's in the hospital."

"What?" Willow said, worried.

"A truck hit her."

Willow ran to the door, followed by Buffy.

"Room 418!" Faith called after them.

When Willow and Buffy were gone, Faith looked around and saw that everyone was staring at her.

"Hey," she said and left.

"Was she limping?" Xander asked after she was gone.

"Tara!" Willow said when she and Buffy got to Tara's room.

Tara was still sedated.

"Could Faith have done it?" Buffy asked.

"I don't know," Willow said, caressing Tara's hand.

"I'll go ask what happened," Buffy said and left.

"Yeah," Willow said, staring at Willow, worried.

"Faith!" Cindy said when Faith came to the Espresso Pump.

"Hey," Faith said and smiled as Cindy rushed to her.

"How are you?"

"A bit bruised. My foot hurts like hell."

Cindy glanced at the foot in question.

"You didn't come to work, did you?"

"No. I'd like to take a couple of days off."

"Yeah, sure, no problem."

"Can you get me a pie?"

"Sure, sit down."

"It was a hit and run," Buffy said when she got back.

"What?" Willow said, startled, and looked at her.

"A hit and run. Tara."

"Oh."

"The nurse said she'll wake up soon."

"Good."

"I'll go call Giles."

"Okay."

When Buffy got to the dorm, Faith was just getting ready to go to bed. She noticed the bandages on Faith's foot and frowned.

"What happened?"

"None of your business," Faith said and turned away, covering herself.

The next morning, Faith was drinking her usual morning coffee in the cafeteria. She had removed the bandages from arm, but she had left those on her foot.

"Hey."

Faith looked up, startled.

"Hey," she said when she saw Willow.

"I, em, wanted to thank you for saving Tara."

"Is she awake?"

"Yes, she woke up in the evening."

"When will she be released?"

"Today."

"Good."

"Thanks."

Faith nodded.

"No sweat."

Willow hesitated for a moment and then left, not quite sure what to talk to Faith about.

In the afternoon, Faith was studying when Willow and Tara came over.

"Oh, hi," Faith said when she opened the door. "How are you?"

Tara smiled.

"A bit bruised and I have to take painkillers, but otherwise I'm fine."

Faith looked at Willow.

"Buffy's not here."

"I know," Willow said. "Tara wanted to see you."

"Oh. Come on in."

The two Wiccans entered and Faith closed the door.

"Are you okay, Faith?" Tara then asked.

Faith shrugged.

"Yeah, five by five."

Willow and Tara glanced at one another at the phrase.

"The doctor told me that you got hit too."

"Oh, no big deal. My shoulder's fine, but my foot still hurts a bit. It should be okay by tomorrow."

"Good," Tara said and smiled. "Thank you."

Faith shrugged, nervous.

"It's okay."

Tara thought for a moment.

"Em, do you want to go to the movies tonight?"

Faith glanced at Willow.

"No, you two go by yourselves."

"No, I mean just you and me."

"Huh?" Faith said, surprised.

"Tara?" Willow asked, equally surprised.

Tara looked at Willow.

"I want to go to the movies with my best friend," she explained.

Willow blinked.

"Oh."

She wanted to say more, but she decided to do it later.

"So?" Tara asked Faith.

Faith glanced at Willow, nervous.

"Eh, okay."

"The movie's at eight. Why don't you come pick me up at the Magic Box."

"Okay."

Tara smiled.

"Good. I'll see you later."

"Yeah."

Tara and Willow left and Faith stared at the door for a few moments, not quite sure what to make of it.

"What was that all about?" Willow asked outside.

"Me asking her to the movies?"

"Yes."

"Willow, she's my best friend. It's like when you and Buffy and Xander sometimes go out, just the three of you."

Willow calmed down a bit.

"I guess. But are you sure? I mean, she's Faith."

Tara smiled.

"I'm sure."

"Okay," Willow said, still not liking the idea.

In the evening, Faith picked up Tara at the Magic Box and then they went to the movies. Faith enjoyed the movie, but then suddenly the power went out and everyone was stuck in absolute darkness. Faith gasped and gripped the chair handles, scared.

"Faith?" Tara said when she heard Faith's breathing quicken. "Faith, are you okay?" she asked again, worried, when Faith didn't respond.

Faith finally couldn't take the darkness anymore and she ran out. Tara was surprised, but then she went after her.

When she got out of the building, Tara looked around and saw Faith leaning against a wall, breathing deeply.

"Faith, are you alright?" she asked, worried.

Faith jerked, startled. She looked at Tara for a moment and then away.

"Faith?" Tara asked, but Faith didn't respond. Tara thought for a moment. "You're afraid of the dark," she suddenly realized and Faith froze. "It's okay, I won't tell anyone." She hesitated for a moment and then took Faith's hand, causing Faith to look at her. "It's okay, Faith."

Faiths stared at her for a few moments and then took a deep breath.

"It just… freaks me out," she said quietly.

"That's why you sleep with the glow lamp on," Tara guessed. "Buffy told me," she explained when Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Oh. Yeah."

Tara looked at the cinema entrance and saw that the power was back on.

"The power's back on. Do you want to go back in?"

Faith glanced at the entrance and sighed, thinking.

"Yeah, why not?" she said.

Tara smiled.

"Then let's go," she said and led the way, not letting go of Faith's hand.

Faith quietly followed her, still nervous, but Tara's presence seemed to have a calming effect on her.

After the movie, they went to the Bronze. Tara went to her friends and Faith got herself a seat at the bar. She got herself a drink, drank it and then went to the ladies room.

"So you think we should invite Faith over to our table?" Willow asked as she and Tara entered the ladies room.

"Yes. It might help her remember."

“I hope she doesn’t go psycho again.”

“She won’t. At least not if we treat her like a normal person.”

“I’ll tell Xander to keep quiet and not provoke her.”

“Okay. And you… Faith.”

Both witches turned.

Faith, who had just opened the door and wanted to say hi to them, had stopped when she heard them talk about her being the psycho Faith. She felt betrayed that even Tara, whom she considered her best friend, thought she was the psycho Faith. When the witches looked at her, she bit her teeth and quickly stormed out, hurt, fighting back the tears.

“Faith!” Tara called, and ran after her. “Faith.”

She touched Faith’s shoulder and Faith turned.

“Fuck you,” Faith snapped at her and then ran out.

Tara considered running after her, but she decided to give her some time.

Buffy was on her way to the Bronze after her patrol when she saw Faith come running out. She thought that Faith was running away from something, so she followed her, wanting to see what Faith would do. She figured she was already too late to stop Faith from doing whatever she had done, but she was not too late for capturing her.

She followed her for a few minutes when a vampire suddenly approached Faith. But instead of fighting and dusting him, Faith seemed to be confused at first and then, when the vamp morphed into his game face, she screamed, scared. The vampire wanted to drink her blood, but she pushed him away and started running and screaming for help. The vamp ran after her and Buffy then realized that Faith really had no idea who she was. She ran after her.

The vamp quickly caught up with Faith and knocked her down. He was just kneeling over her when Buffy came and staked him. Faith shrieked, startled. Then she looked around, her eyes wide.

“Where’d he go?” she asked, puzzled.

“He’s all over you,” Buffy said and Faith looked at herself, confused. “He turned to dust when I staked him,” Buffy explained and frowned when she noticed a couple of tears on Faith's face.

Faith looked at her.

“What are you talking about?” she asked, confused.

Buffy showed her her stake.

“I staked him.”

Faith frowned.

“You killed him?”

“He was already dead. He was a vampire.”

“Huh?” Faith said, surprised.

“A vampire. You know, as in Dracula and stuff?”

“I know what a vampire is,” Faith said and got up. “But they ain’t real.”

“I’m afraid they are. And you and me were called to slay them.”

Faith blinked her eyes.

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“We’re Slayers,” Buffy said. “We were called to kill vamps and other demons.”

“You’re crazy. Nobody called me.”

Buffy sighed.

“Come, I’ll show you.”

Faith frowned, wary.

“Where?”

“To a cemetery.”

“A cemetery? At night? Are you nuts?”

“No. Come.”

Faith hesitated for a moment and then followed Buffy, curious.

After ten minutes of wandering around a cemetery, Faith had enough. She was about to leave when Buffy suddenly stopped.

“Buffy?” Faith asked.

“Come,” Buffy said and started running.

Faith quickly followed her, not wanting to be left alone.

“Where are we going?” she asked quietly.

“To a grave,” Buffy said.

“A grave?”

“Yes. Quiet.”

Faith quietly followed her and they quickly reached a grave.

“What the hell?” Faith said when she saw the earth start to move.

Then a hand shot out and she shrieked, terrified.

“Relax,” Buffy said. “Here.”

Faith stared at the offered stake.

“What?”

“Take it. Stake the vamp.”

“Are you crazy? I ain’t killing no one,” Faith said, her eyes wide, and backed off.

“Wait,” Buffy said.

She waited until the vamp’s heart was above the ground and then staked her. Faith gasped, her eyes wide, when she saw the vamp explode into a dust cloud. Buffy then turned to her.

“Do you remember now?”

Faith looked at her with a frown.

“Remember what?”

“That you’re the psycho Faith.”

“Fuck you,” Faith said, upset. “I’m changing colleges,” she said, “there are too many crazy people around here.”

Faith left. Buffy stared after her for a few moments and then slowly followed her.

When she got back to the dorm, Faith sat on the bed and buried her head into her palms. She was upset that everyone still thought she was the psycho Faith and she felt betrayed by Tara. She had thought of her as her best friend, but she was just like the others. She took a deep breath and decided to take a shower and then go to bed.

Faith woke up in the middle of the night with a scream. Buffy woke up as well.

"Faith?" she asked and turned off her lamp.

Faith was sitting, trembling, as the memories rushed back to her.

"Faith, are you okay?"

Faith suddenly leaned over the edge of the bed and threw up violently.

"Faith!" Buffy said, worried, and rushed across the room.

She hugged Faith and held her until she stopped throwing up. Then she pressed her to herself.

"I hate you," Faith whispered, trembling. "I hate you. I hate you. I hate you," she whispered more and more quietly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Buffy bit her teeth, realizing that Faith had remembered. She had wanted Faith to remember, but not like that, and she regretted pushing her. She sighed and held her until Faith fell asleep again. Then she gently laid her back down, covered her and wiped her mouth with her hand. Then she opened the window and went to the bathroom to get some paper towels to clean up the vomit.

When Faith woke up in the morning, she was a bit confused for a moment, but then she remembered and she felt sick again. She sat up and looked at Buffy, who was sleeping. She thought she had imagined everything, but when she looked at the floor, she saw a stain from her vomit and she realized that she really had thrown up at night. She sighed and got up.

Her movement woke up Buffy, who immediately sat up.

"Faith?"

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"I hope you're happy now, B, I remember."

Buffy sighed.

"I know. I'm sorry."

Faith frowned, surprised.

"Sorry? Didn't you want me to remember?"

"Yeah, but not like that."

"Like what, B?" Faith asked, upset. "By doing to me what I've done to you? I had a good life, B. For the first time in my life I was really happy, and you took that away from me! I hope you're happy. As far as I'm concerned, we're even, I won't be feeling sorry anymore for what I've done to you."

Faith got up and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Buffy asked, worried.

Faith glanced at her.

"To the bathroom."

"Oh."

Faith left and Buffy sat still for a while, feeling guilty. She had wanted Faith to remember, but she regretted pushing her. The new Faith had been so different from the old one, but she hadn't trusted her, she had been a real bitch to her and she hadn't given her a chance. And now it was too late and Faith hated her again. She sighed.

She slowly got up and went to the bathroom herself.

When she got back, Faith was already dressed and heading out.

"Where are you going?" she asked her.

Faith gave her a cold look.

"None of your business."

"Look, I'd really like to talk, Faith."

"What's there to talk about, B? I screwed you and you screwed me back."

Buffy sighed.

"I know, but I want to know why you did what you did and I'd like to tell you why I did what I did."

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"Not now," she said and left.

Buffy stared at the door for a few moments and then got dressed.

"Hi, guys," she said when she got to the Magic Box.

"Hi, Buffy," Willow said. The she frowned when she saw the look on Buffy's face. "What's wrong?"

"Faith remembered."

There was a brief silence as everyone contemplated the thought.

"So the psycho Faith is back?" Xander asked.

Buffy glared at him.

"I don't know," she said. "She seemed so… I don't know, defeated."

"Defeated? Faith?"

"Yes. She said we're even now."

"How can you be even after all the things she's done?" Willow asked.

Buffy sighed.

"Last night, I saved her from a vamp and I realized that she wasn't lying, she really didn't remember and the vamp really scared her. She didn't believe me about vamps, so I took her with me and showed her another one. She didn't want to kill it. I killed it and then I told her that she really was our Faith. She believed me about vamps, but she didn't believe me about herself and she left. She woke up in the middle of the night and threw up. I think that's when she remembered."

"Where is she now?" Tara asked.

"I don't know, she left."

"Left?" Xander asked, worried.

"I think she needs to think about it. I hope we'll be able to talk."

"About what?"

"About why she did what she did."

"What's there to talk about? She's a psycho."

Buffy glared at him.

"That didn't stop you from going to bed with her, did it?" she snapped and Xander blushed. "Thought so." She sighed. "I'm worried about her."

Tara was walking around Sunnydale, searching for Faith. She had seen her a couple of times since Faith had overheard her conversation with Willow, she had even tried talking to her between classes, but Faith had completely ignored her. But now it was Saturday and she hoped to be able to find Faith and confront her.

She was just passing the park, thinking about what to say to Faith, when she suddenly saw her walking slowly through the park. She ran to her, hoping Faith wouldn't spot her before she reached her.

She didn't.

"Faith," Tara said when she reached Faith, catching her breath.

Faith turned and glared at her.

"Are you stalking me, blondie?" she demanded.

Tara's eyes went wide and she quickly examined Faith's aura.

"You remembered," she then said.

"Oh yeah, the psycho bitch is back."

"I don't think you're a bitch," Tara said, startling Faith.

"Just leave me alone," Faith said, suddenly very tired.

"I can't," Tara said, "you're my friend."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, surprised, and then laughed.

"I'm not your friend, she was."

"She's a part of you," Tara said. "I didn't befriend just that part, I befriended the whole you. And if you remember, I knew who you were and what you've done, but I still befriended you."

Faith snorted.

"Please, you were just spying on me."

"You really think that? You really think I would hang around you so much if I didn't consider you my friend? Don't you think I'd rather be spending my time with Willow?"

Faith just stared at her, not knowing what to say.

"You're still my friend, Faith," Tara continued, "I hope you know that."

"Why?" Faith said after a few moments.

Tara shrugged, blushing.

"Because I like you." Then her eyes went wide as she realized how that sounded and she blushed even deeper. "I-I mean, n-not like that, b-but, you know…"

Faith couldn't help but grin.

Tara took a deep breath to calm down.

"Look, you're, like, my best friend," she said and Faith's face became serious. "So, em, if you want to talk about something…"

Faith stared at her for a while, finding it strange that someone would want to be her friend, much less a best friend, after everything she had done, especially not someone she'd made fun of and whose girlfriend she'd taken hostage. She sighed.

"I need to think first."

Tara nodded.

"Okay. But you will come talk to me then, right?

Faith stared at her, thinking.

"Yeah, I guess."

Tara smiled.

"Okay. And be careful."

Faith stared at her, feeling strangely good because she had a best friend who cared about her. She smiled a little.

"I will. I'll see you around."

Tara smiled back.

"Okay."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then left.

Tara stared at her for a while and then headed to the Magic Box.

"Tara!" Willow said when Tara entered the Magic Shop.

"Hey," Tara said and they kissed. "I met Faith in the park," she then said.

"You did?"

"How is she?" Buffy asked as she came closer.

Tara looked at her.

"Upset. Confused. She said she needs to think."

Buffy nodded.

"That's what she told me."

Faith slowly walked through the park for a while. She felt sick over what she had done and she wondered how she could've let herself fall so deep. It was confusing. She remembered the things she'd done and she remembered what she'd been thinking, bit it still made no sense. But at least Angel had managed to help her and she was ready to make up for what she had done. But then something happened. One moment she was running to the police to turn herself in, like she and Angel had agreed and like Buffy had demanded, but the next, she was Faith Hutchinson, learning to pass the GED so she could get into college.

And as hard as it was to believe, she was in college now. And to make things weirder, she was Buffy's roommate. Then she frowned as she realized something. She had accused Buffy of taking her life away, but now she knew that wasn't true. She was still in college, the only thing that changed was that she now remembered her past. And while she would prefer not to know, a part of her was glad that she did, because now she could start making up. She hoped that Buffy would let her finish college. She shook her head, amazed that she actually wanted to stay in school.

Faith stayed away from the dorm the entire Saturday and most of Sunday. Then she finally decided to go back. It was already evening, so she went to the Magic Box, figuring everyone would be there.

When she reached the Magic Box, she took a deep breath and then entered.

Inside, all conversation stopped when they saw her. Faith gulped, closed the door and then approached them.

"Hey," she said nervously.

Tara was the only one to respond.

"Hey," she said with a smile and Willow glanced at her.

Faith bit her lower lip, nervously thinking about what to say. Then she gulped and looked around.

"Em, I'm sorry," she finally said, trying to meet everyone's eyes. She thought for a moment and then looked at Buffy. "You didn't take my life away," she told her and sighed, "I did." She hesitated for a moment. "If you still want me to turn myself in, I'll do it, but I'd like to finish college first." She flushed. "I'd like to make up for what I've done."

Everyone stared at her, surprised, and Faith felt nervous under their scrutiny.

"I don't want you to go to jail," Buffy finally broke the silence and everyone looked at her.

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"Do you want me to move out of our dorm room?" she asked, deciding not to automatically assume the worst.

Buffy thought about it.

"No."

Faith relaxed a bit.

"I assume you will continue to slay," Giles said.

Faith looked at him.

"Yeah, I guess," she said and looked at Buffy.

"We'll go on patrol later," Buffy said.

Faith nodded.

"Okay."

Tara then approached her.

"Are you okay?"

Faith sighed.

"Better than I've been yesterday." She hesitated for a moment. "You think we could get together tomorrow after classes? I'd like to talk to you." She glanced at Willow. "If you're not doing anything with Willow."

Tara smiled.

"No, I think I have time," she said, glancing at Willow.

"Okay." She looked around. "Em, now what?" she asked, nervous.

"I can show you our gym," Buffy said. "Come."

Faith followed Buffy to the gym and the others gathered to discuss the turn of events.

"Nice," Faith commented as she looked around the gym.

"Xander built it."

"Yeah?" Faith said, surprised.

"Yes."

"Not bad."

"So, what's with you and Tara? It's driving Willow crazy."

Faith looked at her.

"Nothing. She's my best friend," she said, liking the way it sounded.

"Really?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Yes. I'm not trying to steal her from Willow." She frowned. "I think I should tell her that later." She glanced back at the main room. "So you and Riley didn't break up after I, eh, slept with him?"

"No."

"That's good," Faith said, relieved.

Buffy glanced at the main room.

"Maybe," she said quietly and Faith looked at her, surprised.

"What do you mean? I thought you loved him."

Buffy looked at her.

"I don't know. It's just… I don't know, something's missing."

Faith stared at her, surprised.

"So, we gonna spar?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Okay."

After Buffy and Faith went to the gym, Willow took Tara aside.

"Okay, what's going on between you and Faith?" she demanded.

Tara looked at her, surprised.

"Nothing, she's my best friend."

"What? But…"

Tara silenced her with a finger across her mouth.

"You'd forgive Buffy, wouldn't you?"

Willow opened her mouth, but then she realized where Tara was going.

"Yeah."

"And you'd stand by her, because she's your best friend. Well, Faith is my best friend and I'm going to stand by her," Tara said determinedly.

Willow sighed.

"I know, you're right, but I'm still worried."

Tara smiled and gave her a quick kiss.

"You're just being a good girlfriend."

Willow smiled.

"Yeah."

After sparing, Faith went to Willow, who was studying a book.

“Em, can I talk to you for a moment?”

Willow looked at her, surprised.

“Okay,” she said.

They went away from the table.

“Look, eh, I’d just like you to know that I’m not trying to steal Tara from you. I mean, she’s a great girl and you’re lucky to have her, but we’re just friends,” Faith said nervously. “Best friends.”

Willow stared at her for a few moments and then nodded.

“I know, she told me.”

Faith relaxed.

“Good.” She hesitated for a moment. “Eh, what’s with Buffy and Riley?”

Willow frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Faith hesitated again.

“I talked to her about it and she seemed… I don’t know, sad.”

“Sad?” Willow said, puzzled.

“I don’t know. She sounded like she regrets being with him or something.”

“Really?” Willow said, surprised.

“She didn’t talk to you about it?”

Willow shook her head.

“No.”

“Oh. I thought she had.” Faith sighed, hesitating. “Will you talk to her?”

Willow raised an eyebrow, surprised.

“I will.”

Faith nodded.

“Thanks.”

She hesitated for a moment and then returned to the table, Willow slowly following her.

After a few minutes, Willow decided to talk to Buffy.

"Buffy, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure," Buffy said and followed Willow to the gym. "What is it?"

"How are things between you and Riley?"

Buffy tensed for a moment.

"What do you mean?"

"Faith said that you seemed sad to her when she talked to you about him."

"Oh," Buffy said and sighed. She hesitated for a moment. "I don't know. I mean, Riley's a great guy, but…" She sighed again. "I don't think I love him."

"Really?" Willow said, surprised.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"You're still in love with Angel?"

Buffy shook her head.

"No, I'm over him." She sighed. "When I first met Riley…" She sighed. "He was just what I needed. But now… I don't know. I just don't feel… Well, I feel like… like the magic's gone, you know." She took a deep breath. "He stood by me when I needed him and I feel bad for not loving him."

"Oh." Willow thought for a moment. "You can't order your heart around."

Buffy smiled a bit.

"I know. It's just…" She took another deep breath. "I've been thinking about breaking up with Riley."

"Then do it quickly, don't let him wonder what's going on."

Buffy nodded.

"I know."

"What is it?" Willow asked when she noticed that Buffy obviously had something else on her mind.

Buffy shook her head.

"Nothing."

"Buffy," Willow said, knowing she was lying.

Buffy sighed.

"It's Faith."

"What about her?"

"So much bad things have happened between us."

"I know."

"But I had a great time with her at first, you know? I mean, I even cut classes to be with her."

Willow smiled.

"Looks like someone had a crush."

Buffy blushed.

"I did not."

"Faith probably did."

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"You think?"

Willow shrugged.

"I don't know, but you're the one she teased the most. And if remember right from the kindergarten, that usually meant that someone liked you. Not that I was teased very often. Or at all."

Buffy blushed a bit.

"You think? But she never said anything."

"Maybe because she was afraid you'd turn her down."

Buffy thought about it.

"Could be."

"But we're only talking hypothetically here. If you want to find out how she feels about you, you'll have to ask her."

Buffy sighed.

"That's easier said than done, especially after I made her remember everything again."

"I know, but it's the only way."

"I know."

"And remember, she might not admit that she loves you, she might feel guilty."

"Oh. Right." Buffy took a deep breath. "I'll talk to her later."

"Okay."

Buffy smiled a bit.

"Thanks."

Willow smiled back.

"That's what best friends are for."

Buffy frowned, thinking.

"You think she and Tara have similar conversations?"

Willow frowned as well.

"I don't know. I guess."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a few moments. "Let's go back," she then said and led the way back to the main room. "Faith."

Faith looked at her, a bit nervous.

"Yeah?"

"Let's go on patrol."

Faith smiled, relieved.

"Okay."

"I'll see you tomorrow, guys," Buffy said and they left.

"Everything okay?" Faith asked an hour later as they checked out the corpse of the demon they had killed.

Buffy glanced at her.

"Yes."

"Good."

Buffy hesitated for a few moments.

"So, em, do you wanna go out with me sometimes?" she then asked, deciding to get it over with. "Like, tomorrow?"

Faith glanced at her.

"Yeah, sure."

Buffy sighed.

"No, I mean, not just out, you know, like now. I mean, out." She hesitated for a moment. "You know, as in on a date."

Faith stopped and looked at her, surprised.

"You're asking me on a date?"

Buffy nodded, nervous.

"Yes."

Faith frowned.

"I thought you were dating Riley."

"I am. I mean, I was." Buffy frowned. "I'll go break up with him first thing t… No, I'll go break up with him when we get back to the dorm."

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"What about Angel?"

Buffy sighed.

"I still love him, but he's history."

"Okay," Faith then said slowly. She thought for a moment. "I thought we were, like, enemies or something. I mean, sure, I apologized and all, but I didn't think we're on friendly terms yet." She hesitated for a moment. "And my memory loss sure doesn't make up for what I've done."

"No, but it did show us that you can be a whole different person," Buffy said. She hesitated for a moment. "And it's not like my feelings came out of nowhere." She hesitated for a moment. "I was pretty down after I had to kill Angel and you made me feel alive again. But I was afraid of my own feelings, of being gay. And then Angel came back and things got complicated." She sighed. "Well, you know what happened then. Riley… He's a bounce guy. I mean, he's nice and all, and sex with him is okay, but I just don't love him."

"Oh."

Buffy hesitated again.

"And I think all those innuendoes weren't just you trying to embarrass me, I think you wanted to tell me that you, em, cared about me."

Faith blushed a bit, suddenly nervous.

"Yeah," she admitted quietly and started walking again.

Buffy quickly hurried after her, smiling a little.

"So, is it a date?" she asked, nervous.

Faith glanced at her and shrugged.

"Yeah, sure," she said and Buffy's smile widened.

"Cool," she said and blushed. "We'll, em, we'll take it slow, okay? I mean, we still have a lot to deal with."

Faith looked at her and smiled a little.

"Sure," she said and Buffy smiled again.

Buffy hesitated for a moment and then took Faith's hand into her own. Faith looked at her, surprised, then at their joined hands and back at Buffy again. Buffy smiled at her and Faith smiled back, blushing a bit.

"Sometimes, it's good to be me," she said.

"And sometimes it's good to be me," Buffy said. "Especially now."

"Yeah," Faith agreed.

The End