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. This is an alternate universe fic.

Unchained Heart
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Faith barely suppressed a scream as she woke up. She was awoken, she realized as she heard footsteps near her hiding place. Like she didn't have enough problems already. She was out of ammo, so she grabbed her sword and her stake.

"There's one!" one of the demons called and Faith knew she had been discovered.

There was no point in hiding, so she got up and attacked. She managed to take out a Polgara demon and a vamp before the others managed to put up a decent defense. Faith did a quick count. There were eleven demons left, four of them vamps. In normal circumstances, she might have had a chance, but her illness had drained her and she knew that she would die soon. As a matter of fact, she probably wouldn't survive the fight. She was sluggish and she could feel it. It was like she was fighting in water.

She managed to take out three more vamps and a demon before everything went black.

"Do we try to save her?" Xander asked Buffy as she and her team observed a group of demons bring in an unconscious prisoner.

"No," Buffy said. "If she's still alive, we'll save her in two days."

"Okay."

When Faith finally awoke, the first thing she registered was the pain. Then came the smell. She quickly curled up and tried not to vomit, she was already too weak. She waited for a few moments for her stomach to calm and then she sat up. The pain was still there and Faith looked at her body. She noticed minor cuts and bruises, which had been taken care of by some prisoner, judging by the makeshift bandages. Her head was another matter, it felt like the Hellmouth had opened up inside it. Or maybe she was Zeus and Athena decided to pop out. She closed her eyes and massaged her temples for a few minutes.

Then she finally looked around. She was in a dirty cell with nine other prisoners. She stared at them and they stared back at her for a while.

"Thanks," she then said and one of the women nodded.

Faith then closed her eyes and rested.

"Is everyone ready?" Buffy asked and looked around. "Let's go," she said when she received nods.

In her cell, Faith felt she was dying. She had a fever. Hopefully, she would die before the demons realized who she was. If they did, she would be better off killing herself. She just wished she could have died protecting someone instead of rotting away in prison. She had so much to atone for and now she wouldn't have the chance to. She sighed and closed her eyes again. But a few moments later, she heard a commotion and she knew that the Resistance had come to rescue the prisoners, including her. She was glad for a moment, but then she remembered that she was dying and that she would only be in the way. She sighed. Better to die without atoning than be responsible for more deaths.

The Resistance fighters quickly overpowered the guards and freed the prisoners.

"Cordelia!" Xander said when he found her.

"Xander!" Cordelia said and they hugged.

"How are you?"

"Hey, no hugging!" Anya said.

Xander looked at her sheepishly.

"It was just a friendly hug," he said, but Anya just glared at him.

"Can we get out now?" Cordelia asked.

"Yes, sure, come on."

The prisoners filed out, but Faith remained behind.

"Hey!" someone said and Faith jerked, opening her eyes. "Why are you still here?"

Faith stared at the blonde beauty, shocked. She had seen her before and she wished she hadn't. She vividly remembered that day, the day when she first realized that what she was doing was wrong. She shook her head.

"I'm dying," she said. "I'd only be in the way."

"Don't worry, we have transports," the blonde, Buffy, said.

Faith thought for a moments. If they had transports, then she wouldn't be in the way and she could still try and make up for what she had done. If she survived, that is. And she could protect the blonde, not matter what it cost her. She sighed and nodded.

"Okay."

She wanted to get up, but she paused when Buffy offered her her hand. She hesitated for a moment and then accepted the help. She was a bit dizzy, but Buffy held her until she regained her equilibrium.

"I'm fine," she then said and shook off Buffy's hands. "Lead the way."

Buffy felt a bit strange when Faith shook off her hands, but she didn't have the time to think about it, she needed to get her people out of there.

"This way," she said and led the way. "I'm Buffy, by the way."

Faith glanced at her.

"Faith."

During the ride, Faith occasionally observed Buffy. She quickly looked away when Buffy looked at her, obviously having felt her gaze. She frowned as she felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She was confused. Why the hell was she blushing? Okay, so Buffy was one hot girl, but who said she was into girls. Hell, even she had only slept with only a couple of girls, and that only when there were no decent men around. Not to mention that she didn't deserve Buffy. Or anyone else for that matter. She sighed and tried to think about something else, but the only thing that came to mind was her crimes, so she tried not to think of anything and observe the terrain instead.

Buffy had felt that someone was watching her and she looked. She noticed Faith move her head and she guessed that Faith had been staring at her. She observed her for a while, wondering who she was. She smiled at her when their gazes accidentally met, but Faith quickly looked away again and Buffy had that strange feeling again, like she was hurt. She shook her head and looked ahead again, wondering what it meant.

When they stopped for the night, Buffy and a team of fighters remained several kilometers behind to act as guards while the other vehicles moved on. When the camp was set, Faith stole a sword, sneaked out and went to Buffy's team. She was a bit disoriented, courtesy of the fever, but she bit her teeth and moved on, determined to protect Buffy. When she saw the perimeter guards, she stopped and went to the other side of the camp and hid, hoping she wouldn't have to fight.

Unfortunately, her wish didn't come true as she soon spotted the approaching demons. She stopped breathing in her hiding place and waited until they passed her. Then she quickly picked up a rock and threw it toward the camp, hitting one of the fighters, whose startled cry woke the others. She quickly threw another rock and the fighters realized they might be under attack. By the time the demons reached the camp, the fighters were ready. By then, Faith was also ready and she was quietly eliminating the demons in the back.

When the main attack began, the demons finally noticed that there was someone in the back and some of them concentrated on finding out who. Faith hid for a moment, until they passed her again, and then attacked. By the time the demons started defending themselves, she killed three. Then the fight was on.

In the camp, Buffy was having a hard time, since the vamp she was fighting used to be her boyfriend. And as much as she hated him now, she still couldn't bring herself to kill him.

When Faith was done with her group, she went to the camp. She was surprised when she saw Buffy losing to a vamp. But what really surprised her was the look in Buffy's eyes as he fought the vamp. She realized that he used to mean something to Buffy and she wondered if Buffy could kill him. She ran closer.

"What's the matter, Buffy? Can't kill me?" Angel taunted her as she scrambled to get up again after Angel knocked her down. "Guess what? I have no such reservations about you."

Faith saw that Angel was closing in for the kill. She quickly picked up a rock and threw it at Angel. Angel felt something flying at him and he turned to intercept the object. He was surprised when he saw it was only a rock. Faith used his confusion and took his head off, causing Angel to turn to dust.

Buffy and Faith stared at one another for a few moments and then Faith returned to the fight. Buffy stared after her, surprised to see her, but she didn't have time to think about it as a demon decided she was an easy target.

Fortunately, the demons got a bit distracted when their leader was gone and the Resistance fighters easily dispatched them. When she saw that all demons were gone, Buffy stopped for a moment to catch her breath. Then she noticed Faith standing still.

"Faith?" she asked and approached her, but Faith didn't respond. "Faith?" she asked again when she came to her.

She put her hand on Faith's shoulder to get Faith's attention, but then Faith's legs gave out and she collapsed. Buffy barely managed to cushion her fall.

"Faith?" she asked, worried, but Faith's eyes were closed.

Buffy checked Faith's pulse. It was there, but it was awfully fast. She touched Faith's forehead and was surprised when she felt that Faith was burning. She looked around.

"Pack up, we're leaving! Jones, go ahead and tell the others."

Jones nodded and quickly left and the rest of the team packed up. Buffy wanted to help them, but she was worried about Faith. She didn't understand what was going on, but there was something about Faith, something… She couldn't quite pinpoint it. She just hoped that Faith would live so that she would have enough time to figure it out. She wondered what Faith was doing there, she thought she was with the freed prisoners. Then again, she was glad Faith was there, because she knew that Angel would have killed her and she seriously doubted she could've killed him. She sighed. She missed Angel and seeing him as a vampire had hurt. But at least he was free now. At least she hoped he was.

She looked at Faith and caressed her. She stopped, confused, when she realized what she was doing.

When Faith woke up, her head hurt like hell. This one didn't feel like just a Hellmouth had opened inside her head, this one felt as if the entire Hell had been crammed inside it.

"She's awake!" someone called and Faith moaned and tried to cover her ears.

This was worse than all the hangovers she had had in her life. Squared. She slowly opened her eyes and then quickly closed them again. It was dim, but her eyes still hurt. She tried to open them again, this time more slowly.

"Hey. How do you feel?"

Faith recognized the voice, but it took her a few moments before she saw the owner.

"I have a headache," she said.

"I'll go tell Willow," Buffy said. "I'll be right back."

Faith stared after Buffy until she disappeared. Then she closed her eyes and tried to relax, but the pounding in her head was making it difficult. Her attempts at resting were interrupted by Buffy's return. Faith opened her eyes and saw that she wasn't alone.

"Faith, this is Tara," Buffy introduced the blonde woman. "She's a witch and she'll help you get rid of the headache."

Faith nodded and Buffy stepped aside and let Tara closer.

"Just close your eyes and try to relax," Tara said.

Faith snorted and was rewarded by an explosion in her head. She moaned and closed her eyes, hoping the witch would be able to help her.

Tara closed her eyes as well and started to chant. Buffy had no idea what she was saying, but she hoped it would work.

"This is it," Tara said when she was finished.

"Faith?" Buffy asked.

"She's asleep," Tara said and touched Faith's forehead. "Her fever is receding."

"Good. Thanks."

Tara smiled shyly and left. Buffy went closer to Faith and took her hand absentmindedly, wondering who she was. Then she realized that she was caressing Faith's hand and she quickly stopped, blushing. She wondered what that was all about. After all, she had just seen her ex, who was a vampire, turn into dust, courtesy of the young woman in front of her. She shook her head, confused.

Faith awoke with a scream and immediately cuddled up. It startled Buffy, but she was immediately by Faith's side.

"Faith? It's okay," she said and hugged her.

Faith relaxed in Buffy's embrace for a few moments, but then she realized what was going on and that Buffy was the one holding her, she immediately sat up and backed off.

"Faith?" Buffy said, worried. "Are you alright?"

Faith nodded, avoiding her eyes. She pulled up her knees and buried her face in her hands, trying to calm down. She found it ironic. First, she had a nightmare about the death of Buffy's family and then Buffy held her in her arms. If it didn't hurt so much, she would have laughed. But she would settle for not sobbing.

Buffy stared at Faith for a few moments, wondering what she had dreamed about. It must've been something horrible, judging by the haunted look in Faith's eyes. She started to move closer, but Faith seemed to grow smaller, so she stopped, confused.

"Are you hungry?" she asked.

Faith looked at her and nodded. Then she looked away again.

Buffy sighed.

"I'll bring you something," she said and left.

"How is she?" Willow asked, having witnessed Faith's reaction, as Buffy passed her.

"I don't know," Buffy said. "I'll get her something to eat."

Willow nodded and Buffy left.

By the time Buffy returned, Faith had already evaluated the situation. She was definitely in one of Resistance camps, though she didn't know where it was. Yet. In the cave where she was, there were mostly freed prisoners, who were resting. Nobody paid her any attention, except for a redhead, who left soon after they had made eye contact.

"Here," Buffy said and gave her a bowl and some bread. "We're kinda low on food right now, so we make do with what we got."

Faith took the bowl, avoiding Buffy's eyes, and started eating.

"Thanks," she said as an afterthought.

Buffy smiled.

"You're welcome." She hesitated for a moment. "Thanks for killing Angel."

Faith glanced at her.

"You knew him?"

Buffy sighed.

"He was my boyfriend before he was turned."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"Me too. But I'm glad you killed him, because I'm not sure I could." She frowned. "By the way, what were you doing there? You were supposed to be with the other people we rescued."

Faith shrugged.

"I had a bad feeling," she said and continued eating.

"Oh."

"What's gonna happen next?" Faith asked when Buffy wanted to leave.

"We'll take the people to the Free Territories. Though you can join us, if you want."

Faith looked at her.

"Join you?"

"Yes."

"How do you know I'm not a spy?"

Buffy frowned, confused.

"You saved my life."

"Perhaps my mission wasn't to kill you."

"You were sick."

"Perhaps that was also just a trick."

Buffy sighed.

"Look, we have to trust people. Sure, we try to check out as many of them as possible, but we can't check them all. And besides, I trust you, and not just because you saved my life."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, surprised.

"You don't even know me."

"No." Buffy hesitated for a moment. "But I hope I will get to."

Faith stared at her for a few moments and then returned to eating.

"Okay," she said after a few moments.

"Okay what?" Buffy asked, puzzled.

"I'll join you."

"Oh. Good," Buffy said with a smile. She hesitated for a moment. "When you're done, put the plate over there and then tell one of the guards to bring you to me."

Faith nodded and Buffy left. Faith stared after her until she was gone. She was worried because she felt she was attracted to Buffy, which was wrong, because she didn't deserve her.

After she ate, she put the plate where Buffy had told her to and then told one of the guards to take her to Buffy.

"Hi," Buffy said with a smile when the guard brought Faith.

"Hi," Faith said quietly, looking around.

Buffy nodded at the guard and she left.

"So, em, I mean, I know you can fight, but I'd like to test you myself, so I can see just how good you are."

Faith shrugged.

"Okay."

"And tomorrow, we're escorting the people we rescued up north to another base."

"Why?"

"So they'll be taken to the Free Territories in Canada."

"Oh." She nodded at a map. "The Free Territories?"

Buffy looked.

"Yes."

Faith took a closer look.

"So they stick to the warm places?"

"Yes. Though most prefer the temperate zone. Only few live in the deserts or in the rain forests. The islands are also mostly demon-free."

"Good," Faith said absentmindedly.

"So, em, you mind telling me something about yourself?" Buffy then asked hesitatingly.

Faith looked at her for a moment and then looked away, sighing.

"My parents were killed when I was little. The family that raised me was killed a couple of years ago and I've been alone ever since. I usually travel alone, but sometimes I join a group. I've been fighting most of my life."

"Like so many others," Buffy said quietly and sighed. "How about I show you around and then we go practice a bit."

Faith shrugged.

"Okay."

After the tour of the base, they went to the training area and stretched. Then they spared. Faith considered letting Buffy beat her up, but then she realized Buffy would probably send her away if she appeared too weak. So she decided to give her best.

She quickly realized that Buffy was an awesome fighter, better than she was, and the way Buffy was moving, that could only mean one thing.

"You're the Slayer," she said.

"Yes. How did you know?"

"The way you move."

"Oh."

"Are you h…"

She trailed off when Buffy kicked her in the stomach. She was thrown across the room, but she managed to roll in the air and come up standing.

"Oh my god, Faith! Are you okay?" Buffy asked, worried, and ran to her.

"I'm fine," Faith said, keeping her breathing shallow. "A bit windy."

"I'm sorry."

Faith stared at her for a moment, surprised that Buffy was apologizing to her.

"It's okay."

"Nice roll," Buffy said.

"Thanks." She took a deep breath. "Okay, let's continue."

"Are you sure?" Buffy asked uncertainly.

"Yes."

"Okay."

They started circling one another and then Faith attacked. They fought some more, until Riley came in.

"Buffy."

Buffy glanced at him and Faith used the opportunity to do a roundhouse kick in the head. Buffy gasped as she fell down.

"Buffy!" Faith said, worried, and ran to her. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry, I didn't mean…"

"I'm fine," Buffy interrupted her, massaging her face.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"I was distracted. Don't worry." She looked at Riley. "What is it?"

"Mission planning," Riley reminded her.

Buffy's eyes went wide.

"Already? I completely forgot." She looked at Faith. "Come on, let me show you how we plan missions."

During the mission planning, Faith quietly observed the people. They were close, some closer than others. She noticed that Riley was apparently interested in Buffy, but she wasn't sure how Buffy felt about him. She realized she was feeling jealous and it annoyed her, because she knew she had no right to feel what she felt for Buffy. But if she couldn't have her, she would protect her instead. With her life.

"What do you think, Faith?"

Faith jerked, startled.

"What?"

"The plan, what do you think about it?"

"Oh." She thought for a moment. "It's okay," she then approved and Buffy smiled a little.

During the next few months, Faith wanted to be cold, she wanted to keep Buffy at a distance, but somehow Buffy managed to get through to her. She had never had friends before and it was hard for her to trust anyone, yet she slowly started to feel like she could trust Buffy. With everything, that is, but who she really was and what she had done. She knew Riley had the hots for Buffy and she wanted to get them together, so that Buffy would spend less time with her, but it didn't work and even Riley realized that Buffy was not interested in him. Which left Faith in an awkward position. She realized she was falling in love with Buffy and she had a feeling Buffy was falling in love with her, but she also knew that they could never be together.

But Buffy didn't give up and she told her about her parents and her sister, Dawn, who were murdered in a demon attack, and Faith nearly broke down and confessed everything to Buffy. But she managed to pull herself together and be quiet. So she tried to avoid Buffy as much as she could, which proved harder than she thought.

"Do you like her?" Willow asked Buffy one day after seeing her stare at Faith.

Buffy jerked, startled.

"What?"

"Faith, do you like her?"

Buffy glanced at Faith.

"Of course I like her."

"No, I mean, like like her," Willow said with a smile and Buffy blushed.

"Yeah," Buffy admitted quietly and sighed. "But I don't know how she feels about me. I mean, sometimes I get this feeling that she's in love with me, but every time I get close, she seems to become distant."

"Maybe you should ask her."

"You think?" Buffy asked uncertainly.

"Yes. Ask her out on a date."

Buffy's eyes went wide.

"A date?"

"Yes. Tara and I will help you arrange everything, you just have to ask her out."

Buffy gulped and took a deep breath.

"I don't know," she said, uncertain.

"I saw her staring at you the way you stare at her."

"Really?" Buffy asked, excited.

"Yes," Willow said with a smile.

Buffy took another deep breath and looked at Faith.

"Okay, here goes nothing," she said and walked to Faith.

"Buffy…"

"Not now, Riley," Buffy interrupted him and walked past him. "Hey, Faith," Buffy said when she reached Faith.

Faith looked at her.

"Hi."

Buffy took a deep breath, deciding to get straight to the point.

"Em, would you go out with me?"

"Sure," Faith said and started toward the exit.

"No, not out as in outside," Buffy stopped her. "I meant out as in on a… a date."

Faith looked at her, her face serious, and she just stared at Buffy for a few moments. Buffy had a bad feeling.

"Sorry, I can't."

"Is it because I'm a woman?"

"No… Yes! I don't do women. Sorry. I gotta go."

"But…" Buffy started, but Faith was already gone.

She stared after her, feeling confused.

"What happened?" Willow asked, puzzled, when she came up to Buffy.

"I don't know," Buffy said and sighed. "I asked her out and she said that she can't."

"Because you're a woman?"

"That's what I asked her. She said no, but then she changed her mind and said she wasn't into women." She took a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears. "I think she was lying."

"Oh."

"I'll be in my room."

Buffy left and Willow stared after her and then decided to talk to Faith.

After turning down Buffy's proposal, Faith had gone out. She knew she had hurt Buffy and she hated herself for it, but she knew it was better that way. Better Buffy hurt a little now than a lot later. And the sooner Buffy got over her the better. But still, even though she knew she didn't deserve Buffy, she wished that things were different, that they could be together. Unfortunately, that would never happen.

"Faith?"

Faith jerked and glanced at Willow.

"I want to be alone," she said.

"How do you feel about Buffy?" Willow got straight to the point.

Faith sighed.

"It doesn't matter."

"It does. Buffy likes you and…"

"I don't do women," Faith interrupted her.

"You don't have to be gay to be in love with another woman."

"I'm not in love with her."

"Really? You sure had me fooled. And Buffy."

Faith bit her teeth.

"Tough luck," she said quietly.

"What are you afraid of?" Willow asked and raised an eyebrow when she noticed that Faith tensed.

"Nothing," Faith said, still facing away from Willow.

Willow sighed.

"Mission briefing is in two hours," she then said.

"Where are we going?"

"To a depot nearby."

"I'll be there."

Willow hesitated for a moment.

"Buffy doesn't give her heart lightly," she then said, "but when she does, she gives it all. Don't throw that gift away."

Willow left and Faith struggled to stop the tears from escaping her eyes. She knew she needed to make Buffy hate her, which meant that she had to have sex with someone and make sure Buffy knew it.

After the briefing, Faith started to flirt with one of the men. She was trying not to be too conspicuous, but at the same time, she wanted Buffy to notice. And Buffy did notice. She was surprised, but she guessed that Faith was only doing it because of her. So she walked up to her and the man.

"Faith."

"Yeah?" Faith said and looked at her.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Is it important?"

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Eh, no…"

"Then it'll have to wait," Faith said, glancing at the man, "because I have an important meeting," she said, winking at the man.

"But…"

"I'll see you tomorrow," Faith said and led the man away.

Buffy stared after her, speechless.

Willow noticed what had happened and she and Tara came to Buffy.

"Buffy?" Willow said softly.

"She… She's going to bed with him." She looked at Willow, shocked. "Because I asked her out."

"Maybe she's just trying to make you think she's going to bed with him," Tara said,

Buffy frowned for a few moments, thinking, and then went after Faith.

"I don't get it," Willow said when Buffy was gone. "I'm pretty certain Faith is in love with Buffy."

"Me too," Tara agreed.

"Then why is Faith trying so hard to push Buffy away? I mean, I have no doubt that she is going to sleep with Oakley."

Tara sighed.

"I know."

Buffy secretly followed Faith, who was apparently going through with her plan to sleep with Oakley. She followed them to Faith's quarters and saw them both go in. She waited for a while and when Oakley didn't come out, she went to the door and listened. She heard grunts and moans and she knew that Faith was having sex with Oakley. She felt like she had just been hit in the stomach by a large demon. She took a deep breath and then hurried off to her own quarters, where she lay on the bed and cried.

When Faith arrived to the vehicle pool in the morning, she seemed to glow. She ignored Buffy and concentrated on the weapons. She didn't ignore Buffy because she didn't care about her but because she couldn't bring herself to look into her eyes.

Buffy didn't know that and she was even more hurt by Faith's ignorance. She tried to concentrate on the mission, but her thoughts kept returning to Faith and Oakley.

And then the mission went downhill and people started dying. It had been a trap and she had ordered retreat as soon as she noticed it, but it was too late and soon only she and Faith were still alive. Fortunately, they had also killed most of the demons by then, but she knew that they had reinforcements on their way.

Then she suddenly saw an ugly brownish demon prepare to throw a spear at Faith.

"Faith!" she screamed and jumped.

She felt a pain in her shoulder and she heard Faith scream her name. She looked down and saw a spear protruding from her shoulder. Then all went black.

Faith had heard Buffy scream her name and she saw her jump. She was confused for a moment, but then she saw a spear heading straight for her. The spear hit Buffy in the shoulder and Faith heard herself scream Buffy's name, worried that Buffy might die. She growled and quickly finished off her opponent. Then she threw one of her swords at the brownish demon who had managed to hit Buffy. She hit him in the head just as he was about to finish his work. The demon dropped over Buffy's still body. Faith quickly looked around, only three demons left. If it was just about her, she would've left, but she couldn't, not until she knew for certain that Buffy was dead. She took a deep breath and concentrated on the remaining demons, who were converging on her.

The demons attacked all at once and Faith had to use all her skills to stay alive. She ducked and jumped and tried to make sure that none of them got behind her back. However, she quickly realized that that would not work. These particular demons might be stupid, but they weren't completely clueless about battle tactics. Faith quickly thought of a plan. She let a demon get behind her back and then made sure she made an obvious enough opening, so that the demons in front of her would also attack. And they did, at the same time as the one on the back. Faith made a split and three swords went just above her head. Two demons died, having stabbed one another, the one in the back and one of the two in the front. Faith quickly rolled out from under them, got up and decapitated the last demon, who was staring at his fallen comrades, puzzled.

Faith then took a deep breath, exhausted. She nearly fell to her knees, but then she remembered Buffy. She immediately looked around and then ran to her. She checked her pulse and Buffy jerked.

"Buffy?" Faith said, fighting back the tears.

"Faith?" Buffy whispered, having regained her consciousness.

"Yeah. I'm taking you back to the base."

Buffy murmured something, but Faith didn't understand what. She looked around and checked the pulse of the closest human. He was dead, so she tore off his jacket and shirt. Then she removed the piece of spear from Buffy's shoulder and bandaged the wound with the shirt. Then she stared at Buffy for a few moments, feeling that she had failed her.

She finally pulled herself together and looked around. She got up and went from body to body, checking the human ones for signs of life and stabbing the demon ones just in case. She also picked up the few water gourds that were not destroyed. Then she looked around for a working vehicle. There weren't any, which meant that she would have to carry Buffy. She took a deep breath and thought about a plan.

She didn't come up with any, except for cutting off a large piece of canvass cover from a destroyed truck. It would keep her any Buffy warm at night and maybe protect them from the sun during the day. She went to Buffy and kneeled beside her. Then she threw the cover over her and Buffy, and picked up Buffy. She got up and hoped that the cover would stay on. It did and she started walking away from the battle site, the canvas conveniently dragging behind her, obscuring the tracks.

She walked for hours, only stopped a few times to rest a bit. She had realized that it would be better for them to walk at night. Then the night finally fell and Faith also stopped, exhausted. She was too tired even to check Buffy's wounds. She just lay beside her, making sure that they were both covered.

"'I love you, Buffy," she said quietly. "I'm sorry, for everything." She sighed. "I'll protect you, at any cost. I promise."

A couple of days later, the water was long gone and Faith could feel Buffy's life slipping away. She was in no good shape herself, but she was determined to save Buffy at any cost. So she decided to give her the only liquid she had left, her own blood. She knew it would weaken her, but she could hardly walk anyway, so it didn't really matter. She wasn't sure if it would help Buffy, but if people had drank horse blood, then why not human? After all, blood was life. She took her knife and opened the vein on her left wrist.

"Buffy?"

"Mmm," was all Buffy could say.

"Here, drink. It's cactus water, it may be a bit sour."

She raised her wrist to Buffy's mouth and Buffy drank, way too far gone to realize what she was doing. Faith felt her strength drain away and she felt lightheaded.

"Okay, that's enough," she said and removed the wrist.

She quickly bandaged it with a piece of her shirt and then wiped Buffy's mouth. Then she rested.

Another two days later, she was at the end of her strength and she collapsed before the night was over. She had no idea how much time had passed or where they were. She was even too exhausted to check Buffy's pulse. She just lay, half conscious, half unconscious.

Then, she had no idea if it was the next day or more than one day later, she heard people approaching. At least she thought she heard them. She slowly opened her eyes, but everything was blurry for a few moments. She grabbed her sword and waited, unmoving, until her vision cleared. She tensed when she saw demons approaching fast. She waited until they came closer, gathering her last strength. Then, as they reached to grab her, she moved and slashed at the closest demon.

"Faith!" the man screamed, surprised, as he jumped back after the sword cut though his clothes.

"I think she's delirious," Jones said.

"What do we do?"

"We knock her out. Gently."

"Okay. How?"

"Distract her."

The men taunted Faith and Jones waited for the right moment. Then he moved in, grabbed Faith's sword hand and knocked her out.

"Okay, load them up. Carefully!"

Willow and Tara felt the excitement from the people and they rushed to meet the returning search party.

"Oh my god," she said when she saw the two battered women.

"I'll go get what we need," Tara said and hurried off.

Willow nodded and ran her hands over Buffy and Faith.

"Quickly, take them to Buffy's room."

"How are they?" Xander asked, worried, after Willow and Tara came from Buffy's room over an hour later.

Willow sighed.

"Not good. They've lost a lot of blood."

"Will they live?"

Willow smiled a little.

"Yes."

"When will wake up?"

"In a day or two."

"There should always be someone by their side," Tara said and Willow nodded.

"Okay," Xander said. "I'll take the first watch." He looked at Riley. "Send someone to relieve me after two hours."

Riley nodded.

"I will."

It was Xander's turn again to sit beside Buffy and Faith. He didn't mind doing it, but it usually got boring after an hour or so. Then Faith finally groaned and it wasn't so boring anymore. He looked at her and was relieved when she moved.

"Faith?"

Faith slowly opened her eyes.

"Faith?"

Faith looked at him, but all she saw was a blurry mass and she backed off, scared.

"Whoa, it's just me, Xander."

Faith's eyes finally focused an she relaxed when she saw it was only Xander. Then the memories came back and her eyes went wide.

"Buffy!" she said and looked around. "Where's…"

Then she saw Buffy lying on another bed and she got up.

"I don't think you should…" Xander started, but trailed off when Faith gave him a murderous look. "Never mind. I'll call Willow."

Faith went to Buffy and kneeled beside the bed, taking her hand. She stared at her for a while and tears started to run down her cheeks. She stifled a sob and caressed her. Buffy shifted a little.

"Buffy?" Faith asked hopefully. She gently shook her. "Buffy."

Buffy moaned.

"Buffy!"

Buffy jerked and opened her eyes. She was disoriented for a moment, but then she recognized Faith.

"Faith!" she said and hugged her tightly.

Faith was surprised, but she hugged her back.

Willow and Tara were hurrying to Buffy's room, excited that Faith had woken up. They hoped Buffy would wake up soon as well. When they got to Buffy's room and saw Buffy and Faith hugging and crying, they stopped. They watched them for a few moments and then retreated.

"What? What's wrong?" Xander asked.

"Nothing," Willow said with a smile. "They need some time alone."

"You mean Buffy's awake?" Xander asked, excited.

"Yes."

"Alright!"

"We'll come back in ten minutes," Tara said and Willow nodded.

"You're alive," Buffy finally whispered and let go of Faith.

Faith smiled briefly.

"Yes. You saved my life. Thank you."

Buffy smiled.

"You're welcome."

Faith took a deep breath and returned to her bed. Buffy hesitated for a moment and then followed her. When she sat down on the bed, Faith backed off. Buffy sighed and thought about how to say what she wanted to say.

"I love you, Faith," she said.

Faith looked at her, surprised.

"Buffy…"

"And I know you love me too."

Faith blinked.

"What?"

"I heard you."

"When?" Faith asked, even though she knew when.

"When you thought I had passed out. Want me to quote? 'I love you, Buffy. I'm sorry, for everything. I'll protect you, at any cost. I promise.' Ring any bells?"

"I… I… We can't, Buffy."

"Why?"

"I don't wanna hurt you."

"So you do love me?"

Faith sighed and looked down.

"Yes," she said quietly.

"Then be with me."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

Faith sighed again, hesitating.

"You don't even know me, Buffy."

"Then tell me."

"I can't. I don't wanna hurt you."

"You're hurting me by not being with me."

Faith swallowed and hugged her knees.

"Buffy…"

"How can you hurt me by being with me?"

"You don't know half the things I've done."

"So you're afraid I'll find out one day and then I'll be hurt?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

"So you hurt me now instead of risk hurting me in the future."

"Yes. No. I…" Faith trailed off with a sigh. "I don't know. I don't wanna hurt you."

"Then be with me."

Faith hugged her legs even tighter.

"I… I can't. I don't deserve you."

Buffy touched her face and Faith flinched.

"I'll be the judge of that, Faith. Please, give us a chance."

Faith swallowed hard, her eyes wide and Buffy could see that Faith was scared.

"I… I…"

Buffy spread her arms and Faith's eyes went even wider. She was torn between her fears and desires, and tears started to run down her cheeks. She knew that Buffy would be hurt if she didn't accept and she knew that Buffy might one day find out about her past and then be hurt even more. And betrayed.

"Buffy… I… I… I can't," Faith said and looked away, trying hard to stop the trembling of her body.

Tears started to run down Buffy's cheek. She stared at Faith for a few moments and then returned to her own bed, sad.

When Willow, Tara and Xander returned, they got worried when they saw Faith hugging her legs and crying, and Buffy lying on her bed, apparently also crying.

"Faith?" Willow asked.

"I'm fine," Faith said, not looking at her.

Willow went to Buffy and Tara to Faith.

"May I examine your wounds?" Tara asked.

Faith extended her wounded hand and let Tara examine it.

"Buffy?" Willow asked.

"I'm fine," Buffy said, not moving.

"Then why are you crying?"

Buffy didn't respond.

"It's healed nicely," Tara declared after taking a look at the scar. "It should be gone soon."

Faith got up and left.

"Okay, what's going on?" Xander asked, confused.

Willow and Tara looked at one another and Tara nodded.

"Come," Tara said and left.

Xander glanced at Willow, who nodded, and then followed Tara out of Buffy's room.

"Buffy, talk to me," Willow said when she and Buffy were alone.

Buffy then started to cry openly and Willow caressed her.

"She… She said she loved me, but she still doesn't want to be with me."

"Really?" Willow frowned. "Why not?"

"She says she's afraid of hurting me, but she's already hurting me."

"Did you tell her that?"

"Yes. She still said no."

Willow sighed and caressed Buffy.

After Buffy had fallen asleep again, Willow left to find Faith.

"How is she?" Xander asked her.

"Sleeping." She sighed. "I need to talk to Faith. Where is she?"

"Outside. She wanted to be alone."

Willow nodded and went outside.

It took her a minute to locate Faith, but she finally found her sitting in a small clearance, which was hidden from direct view.

"Faith," she said, but Faith ignored her. Willow went closer and sat on a small rock near Faith. "Faith, what's going on?" she then asked. "You love her, you said so yourself. You even let her drink your blood."

Faith looked at her, surprised.

"How do you know?"

"I saw the cut and there was some blood on Buffy's lips."

"Oh," Faith said and looked away.

"Why can't you be together?"

"She doesn't know the things I've done," Faith said quietly.

"Then tell her, get it over with."

Faith sighed.

"If I do, she'll hate me and she won't trust me anymore and I won't be able to protect her."

"Oh," Willow said, slowly understanding Faith's dilemma. "Is it bad?"

"I don't think there's anything worse."

"Oh." Willow thought for a moment. "She's hurt, you know."

Faith nodded.

"She'll get over it. Better she's hurt a little now than a lot later."

"Maybe she'll never find out your secrets."

Faith sighed.

"I doubt it. Sooner or later the truth will come out and Buffy will be hurt. The sooner she gets over me, the better."

Willow stared at the tears running down Faith's cheeks for a few moments.

"But you do want to be with her?"

Faith smiled a briefly.

"I want nothing more. Except undo my past."

"But maybe she will forgive you."

"No, she won't."

"You don't know that."

Faith glanced at Willow.

"I can't even forgive myself, how can she forgive me? And it wasn't even personal to me."

"And it was to Buffy?"

Faith didn't respond.

"Faith…"

"Just leave me alone, okay."

Willow sighed.

"Okay," she said and left.

"How did it go?" Tara asked when Willow returned.

Willow shook her head.

"Not good. She has secrets, dark secrets, and she doesn't want Buffy to know them. But she is sure that one day Buffy would find out and hate her for it. She's scared, but she still wants to protect Buffy, because she loves her."

"Should we try to find out what her secrets are?"

Willow thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"No. Faith has proven that she is on our side, we'll let her make up for her past even though we don't know much about it. And hope that when the truth does come out, they'll be able to work things out and finally be together."

Tara nodded.

"Okay." She thought for a moment. "What if Buffy demands a punishment?"

Willow thought about it.

"How do you punish someone who's already punishing herself more than you could ever punish her?"

"We could lock her up."

"Or we could kill her. That may prevent her from doing penance, but it would also hurt us at the same time." She took a deep breath. "No, I hope that they would work it out."

"It may not depend just on Buffy, you know," Tara said.

"What do you mean?"

"Whatever Faith had done, it might have hurt others as well. And while Buffy may be able to forgive her, others may not."

Willow frowned.

"Damn," she said and sighed. "Then let's hope that we won't discover Faith's secrets."

Tara nodded in agreement.

During the next few days, Buffy and Faith avoided one another and people noticed that, but no one dared to ask them about it. Buffy started to hang out more with Riley, who didn't mind the company, but he knew that Buffy didn't love him. Faith was hurt by this at first, but then she realized that Buffy was moving on. She knew that Buffy didn't love Riley, but at least it was a start. Riley was quiet at first, but then he decided to ask Buffy about it, especially after he'd seen a tear run down Faith's cheek when she'd seen him and Buffy smooching.

"Buffy?"

"Yes?" Buffy said and looked at him.

"What's with you and Faith?"

Buffy shrugged.

"Nothing."

"Then how come you don't hang out with her any more?"

"Are you complaining?"

"No. It's just that you've been distracted lately. You used to practice mostly with her, but now you're avoiding her."

"Maybe she's avoiding me."

"You're avoiding one another. Why?"

Buffy sighed.

"There's been some… bad blood between us."

"And that's why you broke up?"

Buffy looked at him, surprised.

"Broke up? You have to be together with someone in order to be able to break up."

"You weren't together?" Riley asked, surprised.

"No."

"Oh. But you do love her, don't you?"

Buffy frowned.

"I'm with you, aren't I?"

Riley sighed.

"Buffy, I know I'm just the rebound guy," he said and Buffy looked away. "I think she loves you."

Buffy snorted.

"A fat lot of good does that do. She loves me, I love her, but we still can't be together?"

"Why not?" Riley asked, puzzled.

Buffy sighed.

"I don’t know. She said she doesn't want to hurt me, but she already is hurting me by not being with me."

Riley didn't know what to respond, so he put his arm around her shoulder and just held her.

After Buffy went practicing, Riley looked for Faith. He found her in her room.

"Hey."

"What do you want?" Faith got straight to the point.

Riley hesitated for a moment.

"How come you and Buffy are not together?"

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"What's it to you? Aren't you happy to have her?"

Riley sighed.

"I don't have her. I'm just the rebound guy," he said and Faith looked away. "She's hurting, you know."

"I know," Faith said quietly.

"She loves you. Do you love her?"

"Yes," Faith said even more quietly.

"Then why aren't you with her?"

Faith sighed.

"Because I don't want her to feel betrayed as well as hurt."

"What are you…"

"I don't wanna talk about it, okay?" Faith interrupted him. "Just… leave me alone."

Riley hesitated for a moment and then left, more confused than before.

"Oh, sorry, Willow," he said when he nearly bumped in to the red-headed witch a few moments later.

"Hi, Riley. Is something wrong?" Willow asked, noticing Riley expression.

Riley sighed.

"I don't know. I talked to Buffy and to Faith about why they're not together. Faith's obviously done something in the past and she's afraid Buffy would find out."

Willow nodded.

"I know."

"You do?" Riley asked, surprised.

"Yes."

"Do you know what it is?"

"No. And we're not going to try and find out."

Riley frowned.

"Why not?"

"Because whatever Faith had done, she has changed since then and I want her to have a chance to make up for it."

"And if we do find out?"

Willow sighed.

"Then we'll deal with it then."

Riley thought about it and then nodded.

"Okay." He frowned. "Should we leave them here on Wednesday? I mean, if they're going to be distracted…"

"We'll ask them. If they feel confident…"

"They'll say they do."

Willow sighed.

"Then I guess we'll have to watch out for them."

"I'll assign a few more people."

Willow nodded.

"Yes."

Several days later, during a fight, Faith noticed that Buffy seemed to be distracted, that she wasn't fighting with her heart, like she didn't care whether she killed the demon or the demon killed her. She was about to go and help her when she saw that the two fighters who had been watching out for Buffy had moved in. And also the two who were watching out for her.

The fight was quickly over and Faith wanted to talk to Buffy, but then scouts returned and warned them about the approaching demon reinforcements. They each boarded a different transport and so their conversation was delayed.

When they arrived to the base, Buffy immediately went to her quarters. Faith followed her.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" she asked her after she stopped her.

"Going to my room," Buffy said.

"Don't play dumb! You nearly got yourself killed out there."

"So? What do you care?"

Faith sighed.

"I do care, and you know it. Just because we can't be together doesn't mean that I'm gonna stand by and watch you get killed. You have too much to live for."

"Oh yeah? Name one thing."

"Your friends, people who depend on you," Faith said and Buffy snorted. "Just because you can't always get what you want doesn't mean you have to give up."

Buffy stared at her for a few moments and then left. Faith sighed and kicked the wall, frustrated. It was gonna be one hell of a job trying to protect Buffy now.

During the next two days, Buffy avoided Faith and Faith didn't make any attempts to talk to her either. Then, at the end of the mission briefing for the next mission, she spoke up.

"I think you should stay in," she said.

Everybody went quiet and they looked at her, surprised.

"I don't think you're in any shape to fight right now," Faith continued.

"What?" Buffy said, upset.

"Remember two days ago?"

"I think she's right," Riley supported her.

"You're on her side?" Buffy asked, surprised.

"Well, you have been distracted lately."

"I can't believe it!"

"Buffy…"

"No! I'm going! And that's final."

Buffy left and Faith sighed. She looked at Riley.

"Tell those two that were watching me to watch her instead."

Riley was surprised that she had noticed, but he nodded.

"I will."

"There's a big one among them," the scout reported as the teams converged on the demon camp.

"Intelligent?" Faith asked.

"No."

"Good."

Riley looked around.

"Everyone ready?" he asked and received multiple nods. "Then let's do it."

During the fight, Faith made sure that she was always in Buffy's near. She also saw that the four fighters that were watching over Buffy were doing their job. Buffy seemed to be handling herself well, so Faith concentrated on the demons more, but she still regularly checked on Buffy.

Everything was fine for a while, but then Faith noticed with terror that Buffy was getting careless again and that the four fighters were doing all they could to keep her out of harm's way. She wanted to go help her, but she was occupied for the moment. But then Buffy confronted the big demon and Faith started to panic, especially when she saw the demon knock away the back-up fighters with its tail.

"Help!" she called and pushed the demon she was fighting away. "Help!" she called again as she ran to help Buffy, who was not doing well.

Xander noticed Faith running to help Buffy and he saw that she was being chased. He intercepted the demon that was following Faith and engaged him.

Faith kept running. She was relieved that others were coming to help Buffy and that the four backup fighters were recovering, but then her eyes went wide from terror when the demon swept Buffy off her feet. And when Buffy just stared at the demon as it prepared to strike with its tail like a scorpion, Faith knew that this was her end. She launched herself and landed on Buffy just as the demon's tail started to descend.

"What…" was all Buffy could utter before she felt the demon's tail hit her in the ribs.

For a moment she thought it was all over, but then Riley and the others engaged the demon and she realized that the wound was probably just a scratch. And then she realized that Faith was lying on top of her and that the tail had probably hit her.

"Faith?" she said, but Faith didn't respond. "Faith!"

She rolled so that Faith rolled off her body and her eyes went wide when she saw a hole in Faith's stomach.

"Faith?" she asked as she cradled her head. "Faith, talk to me."

Faith slowly opened her eyes and coughed.

"Buffy," she whispered.

"I'm here," Buffy said, tears running down her cheeks.

"Move on… Buffy," Faith said and then darkness claimed her.

"Faith? Faith! Faith, talk to me!" Buffy pleaded, but Faith didn't respond. "Faith," Buffy whispered, crying, and leaned her head on Faith's.

She sobbed for a few moments and then she became angry. She looked at the demon and saw that it was still fighting. He anger increased and she gently laid Faith's head on the ground. She checked her pulse and was relieved that Faith was still alive. She looked around for Willow or Tara.

"Willow!" she called when she located her friend.

"I'm coming!" Willow said, already on her way.

Buffy looked back at Faith. She kissed her on the forehead and then looked around for her sword, which she had dropped. She picked it up and then attacked the demon with all her skills, determined to make it pay for what it had done to Faith.

After eliminating the demons, Buffy went to Faith.

"How is she?" she asked Willow, anxious.

"Not good," Willow said. "But she'll live."

Buffy released the breath she didn't even know she was holding. She realized her face was wet and she wiped her tears. She took Faith's hand.

"I'm sorry, Faith."

Faith woke up a couple of days later.

"Faith?" Buffy said, excited.

Faith moaned and slowly opened her eyes, blinking at the bright light.

"Buffy?" she said uncertainly.

Buffy smiled.

"Yes, it's me. You're okay," she said and hugged her. "I'm so sorry," she said when Faith moaned in pain, and let go of her. She gulped and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Faith, for getting you in danger."

A tears slid down her cheek and she wiped it.

Faith sighed.

"Did we win?" she asked.

Buffy smiled.

"Yes."

"Good."

Buffy sighed.

"Faith…"

"You should move on," Faith interrupted her.

"I don't know if I can." She took a deep breath. "Look, I know you're afraid that someday I'll find out whatever it is you've done and then be angry with you. I'll be angry anyway, whether we're together or not, but if we're together, I'd at least have the good memories of the time we'd have spend together. Now I only have the memories of you not wanting to be with me."

Faith bit her lips and tried not to cry, but tears still managed to slip out of her eyes.

"I… I…"

"Give us a chance, Faith. We'll deal with your secrets when they're unraveled."

Faith wanted to say something to object, but she changed her mind and thought about what Buffy had said. She was scared, but she wanted to have some good memories too, she wanted to be with Buffy and after almost dying for the third time, she thought that maybe someone upstairs was trying to tell her something. She gulped and took a deep breath.

"Okay," she said quietly.

"Faith… What? Okay?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"Oh Faith," Buffy said and hugged her. "Oh, sorry," she said when Faith moaned. She let go of her and caressed her. "I'll call Willow."

"Okay."

Buffy smiled.

"I'll be right back," she said, kissed her on the forehead and left.

Faith closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she looked up.

"If anyone's listening up there, please don't let her find out."

Naturally, there was no response, not that she had expected any. She sighed and closed her eyes.

A few minutes later, Buffy, Willow and Tara returned.

"Hey," Willow said with a smile.

Faith opened her eyes.

"Hey."

"How do you feel?" Tara asked. "Are you in pain?"

"A bit. A can't take a deep breath."

Tara nodded.

"It will take a couple of days," she said as she helped Willow take the bandage off so they could examine the wound.

"Does it hurt when I press?" Willow asked as she removed the bandage.

"A bit."

"And when I just touch?"

"No. I mean, at least not more than usually."

"Good."

Faith looked at Buffy.

"When's the next mission?"

"Next week."

Faith looked at Willow.

"Will I be ready then?"

"Probably," Willow said, "but I suggest you keep in the back."

Faith nodded.

"Em, I'm hungry," she changed the subject.

"You can have some soup, nothing else," Tara said.

"I'll get it," Buffy said and quickly left.

"Not too hot!" Willow called after her.

"Okay!" Buffy called from the hall.

The two witches then cleaned Faith's wound again and put some salve on.

"So, you two are now together?" Willow asked as she and Tara started to put the bandages on again.

Faith sighed.

"Yeah."

Willow smiled.

"That's good."

"I hope so," Faith said quietly.

Willow glanced at her.

"You're not sure?"

Faith had the urge to take a deep breath, but she sighed instead.

"If she finds out what I've done, she's gonna feel betrayed."

"Then why did you change your mind?" Tara asked.

Faith shrugged.

"This is the third time I've nearly died for her and I thought that maybe someone up there is trying to tell me something."

"Oh," Tara said with a smile.

A few minutes later, Buffy returned with the soup. The witches were already gone.

"Here you go," Buffy said as she entered. "Oh," she said when she saw that Faith was lying.

She put the plate on the chair and helped Faith sit up.

"Em, do you want me to feed you?" she asked as she took up the plate again.

Faith shook her head.

"No, just hold the plate."

"Okay."

Buffy sat on the chair and Faith took the spoon. She hesitated for a moment and then looked at Buffy.

"I didn't sleep with him," she said.

Buffy frowned.

"With who?"

"Oakley. I didn't sleep with him."

"Oh," Buffy said, relieved, but also feeling guilty for having slept with Riley. "I… I…"

"I know you slept with Riley," Faith saved her. "I'm not holding it against you."

Buffy smiled a bit, relieved.

"Thanks."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then smiled back.

During the next few weeks, Faith did everything she could to make Buffy feel happy, even though she herself didn't feel happy, because she knew that she didn't deserve Buffy and she was worried that Buffy would one day found out. But Buffy apparently didn't notice, for which Faith was grateful. The planning for the liberation of humans from a work camp near LA took up most of Buffy's attention and Faith hoped that after the mission was over, Buffy would remain blissfully ignorant of Faith's unhappiness.

"Everyone's in position," Xander reported to Buffy when all fighters were ready.

"The guards?"

"They're about to change."

"Then let's do it," Buffy said and glanced at Faith, who was leading another team.

Xander left and a few moments later, all teams started to approach.

Faith waited for Buffy's and Xander's teams to engage the guards and then ordered the attack. Her fighters entered the compound and split into two-person teams, each with their own objective. Two more teams followed a minute later and headed to the cells to free the prisoners.

When Faith's team completed their objectives, they also went to the cells. Faith was pissed off when she saw that the guards had started executing the prisoners. Fortunately, the prisoners defended themselves when they saw what was going on and only a few of them were killed. The teams whose objective was to free the prisoners had encountered some resistance, but since they were handling it, Faith ordered her team to move on and continue with the rescue.

She and her backup barged into a cell where the prisoners were fighting off a couple of guards, who wanted to execute them. She killed the guards while her backup watched the hall and killed a guard who wanted to leave.

"Okay, everybody out," she said when the guards were dead. "Move."

The prisoners obeyed, except one, who backed off. Faith looked at her and her eyes went wide when she recognized her.

"You're alive," she said, surprised.

"No thanks to you," the young woman said, worried what Faith would do.

"And your parents?"

"They're dead."

Faith sighed.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry?! You killed them!"

"I…" Faith sighed. "I know. Come on, let's get out of here."

"How do I know you won't kill me?" the woman asked, wary.

"If I wanted you dead, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Now come one, your sister's outside."

"Buffy?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

Faith left the cell and Buffy's sister, Dawn, hesitantly followed her, still wary.

"Go with them," Faith said when they caught up with the other prisoners.

Dawn immediately mixed among the other prisoners, feeling a bit safer.

When they got out, Buffy's and Xander's teams were still fighting off the guards and making way for the transports. The prisoners were loaded onto the transports, which then immediately left.

"Where's Buffy?" Dawn asked Faith before she boarded her transport.

Faith looked around.

"Over there," she said and pointed at Buffy. "You'll see her later, when we're safe."

Dawn stared at Buffy for a few moments, holding back the tears, and then boarded the transport.

When all transports were gone, the fighters boarded their own transport and left, leaving behind a couple of grenades to keep the guards occupied.

"How many did they kill?" Buffy asked as they were driving away.

"I counted seventeen," Faith said.

"Damn bastards."

"There would've been more, but the prisoners defended themselves."

"Good. Did you get the data?"

"Yes. And we uploaded the virus."

"Good. Casualties?"

"Two in Riley's team. Riley's wounded."

Buffy sighed and leaned on Faith, who stiffed.

"You okay?" Buffy asked, noticing Faith's reaction.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

Buffy smiled and leaned back. Faith felt she shouldn't be doing this, but she knew that she would be imprisoned when they got back to the base and she wanted to be close to Buffy for the last time. She put her arm around her and tried to enjoy the sensation.

When they got to the base, Faith looked around for Dawn. She found her among the rescued prisoners. She took a deep breath and approached her.

"Come," she said.

"Where?" Dawn asked, wary.

"To Buffy."

Faith left and Dawn followed her at a distance.

When they got to Buffy's and Faith's chamber, Faith took a deep breath and entered.

"Buffy."

Buffy looked at her and smiled.

"Hey. Where did you go?"

"I found someone," Faith said and stepped aside to let Dawn in.

Buffy first frowned, but then her eyes went wide when she recognized her sister.

"Dawn?" she said, uncertain.

Dawn smiled, holding back the tears, and nodded.

"Yes."

"Oh Dawn," Buffy said and approached her sister.

"Buffy," Dawn said when they hugged.

Faith felt like crying when she saw the two sisters hug and cry. On one hand, she was happy that they were together and on the other, she was sad because she was the reason for their separation. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down.

"God, I missed you so much," Buffy said when they stopped hugging, and caressed Dawn. "I thought you were dead."

"And I thought you were dead," Dawn said and wiped her tears.

Buffy wiped her own tears.

"And Mom and Dad?" she asked.

Dawn sobbed for a moment.

"They're dead." She looked at Faith. "She killed them."

"What?" Buffy said, shocked. "What are you talking about?"

"She's Spencer."

Buffy stared at Dawn for a few moments, shocked, and then looked at Faith, who looked guilty.

"Is that true, Faith?" she asked, hoping that the answer would be no.

But Faith nodded.

"Yes," she croaked, avoiding Buffy's eyes.

Buffy stared at her, shocked and hurt.

"Why?" she finally asked.

Faith took a deep breath.

"I… I was a different person then," she said.

Buffy stared at her, thinking.

"Wait, you knew who Dawn was?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

"So you knew you were responsible for my parents' death?"

"Yes."

"And yet you still became my friend. My lover."

Faith took another deep breath.

"I didn't want to," she said. "I know I don't deserve you, but I just couldn't help myself." She hesitated for a moment. "And it made you happy."

"Happy?! You killed my parents!" She hesitated for a moment. "Guards!"

Faith gulped, but she didn't move.

The guards came a few moments later.

"Take her to jail," Buffy ordered and pointed at Faith. "Now," she added when the guards looked at her, puzzled.

The guards pointed their weapons at Faith and Faith left with them.

When they were gone, Buffy went to the bed and cried.

Dawn was a bit confused when she heard that Buffy and Faith were lovers. First, she didn't know that Buffy was gay and second, Buffy was in love with Spencer, of all people! She snapped out of it when Buffy started to cry. She went to her and hugged her, feeling bad that she was responsible for the break up.

In her cell, Faith silently cried. It had been a long time since she cried so openly, but right now she needed to. It was ironic. She killed Buffy's family and then she changed. And just when she thought she was about to die, she ran into Buffy and they fell in love. And then Buffy found out who she was. She knew she shouldn't have fallen in love with Buffy, but she just couldn't help herself. She sighed, hoping that Buffy would get over her quickly, even though she knew that she wouldn't.

"Buffy…" Willow started when she came to Buffy, but she trailed off when she saw her crying on Dawn's shoulder. "Dawn?" she asked, uncertain.

Dawn looked at her and nodded.

"Willow?"

"Yes. How… Buffy… What is going on?"

Buffy stopped hugging Dawn and wiped her tears.

"Dawn was among the prisoners we rescued," she said.

"Then why are you crying? And why is Faith in jail?"

Buffy sighed.

"She's Spencer."

"What?" Willow said, surprised.

"Dawn recognized her."

Willow looked at Dawn.

"Really?"

Dawn nodded.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry, Buffy. Have you talked to her yet?"

Buffy sighed.

"A bit."

"Go talk to her, let her explain things."

Buffy took a deep breath.

"I don't think I can look at her right now."

"You want me to go talk to her?"

Buffy shook her head.

"No, I'll do it myself. Later."

"Okay. I'll see you later," Willow said and left.

Buffy sighed and looked at Dawn.

"Tell me what happened to you."

After talking to Dawn, Buffy decided it was time to talk to Faith. She peeked through the opening in the door and saw Faith sitting on the bed, staring at the floor. And on her face she could see tears. She was confused by the tears. As a matter of fact, there were a couple of things she was confused about.

She looked at the guard.

"Open."

The guard complied and when Buffy entered, she could see that Faith had wiped her tears. Their eyes met for a moment, but then Faith looked away, ashamed. Buffy hesitated for a moment and then stepped closer. The guard locked up behind her.

"Why?" she asked. "Why, Faith?" she asked again, when Faith didn't answer. "Tell me."

Faith sighed.

"My parents were servants to demons and they were killed during a Resistance attack. I was raised by demons and I believed that Resistance was evil. Hell, I thought anyone who didn't support the demons was evil." She paused for a moment. "That day, we were looking for some Resistance fighters we believed were hiding in your town. Someone had a big mouth and one of the demons killed him. The people immediately retaliated and a fight broke out. I saw you fighting while your parents were standing out of the way with Dawn. But that didn't save them. One of the demons came by and killed them just for fun. They fell over Dawn, they still wanted to protect her, but the demons stabbed their swords through their bodies. I killed them, but I thought Dawn was dead as well." She thought for a moment. "Then Resistance sent reinforcements and we were forced to retreat." She sighed. "That night I started realizing that I might have been wrong. It took me a while to gather the courage, but I finally left." She took a deep breath. "I started killing demons then. I thought about joining the Resistance, but I thought they knew me, so I didn't. When you found me, I was dying and I didn't want to be a burden to you. I knew who you were and I wanted to protect you at all cost. That's why I came back to your camp. And then, when I got better, I… I just couldn't help falling in love with you. I knew it was wrong and I knew I didn't deserve you, but it made you happy." She took a deep breath. "I saved Dawn not only because it was the right thing to do, but because she was your sister. I wanted you to have at least some of the family back, even if that meant I would lose you."

Buffy stared at her for a while, thinking. She understood Faith better now, but she was still angry at her because Faith was responsible for the death of her parents.

"I… I need to think," she said and went to the door. "Open up!" she called to the guard.

The guard opened and then closed behind her. She peeked inside and saw that Faith had cuddled up on the bed and was silently crying. She too felt like crying, so she went to their, her, room and did exactly that. Dawn came by a few minutes later and held her.

"Buffy?" Willow said when she came to Buffy's room an hour later.

Buffy looked at her and smiled weakly, wiping her eyes.

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

Buffy shook her head.

"It's so confusing," she said as Willow came closer. "I know she was responsible for my parents' deaths, but I just can't help loving her. You know? Because I know she's changed. She brought Dawn back, even though she knew what would happen."

Willow hugged her best friend.

"I'm sorry," she said.

Buffy sobbed.

"Me too," she said quietly.

Willow sighed.

"Look, I know this is not really the time, but we got news from Los Angeles. We can go in two days."

Buffy looked at her.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Buffy took a deep breath.

"Then send the messengers. We'll make a preliminary plan as soon as I refresh myself."

Willow nodded and got up.

"Oh, em, does Faith know about Los Angeles?"

Buffy frowned, thinking.

"No, we didn't talk about it."

"Good," Willow said and left.

Buffy took a deep breath and wiped her tears.

Before going to meet the others to make a plan, Buffy went to Faith. She didn't feel like talking to her, but she just wanted to see her. She peeked into the cell and she saw Faith hugging her knees, her face buried in her hands. Thanks to her Slayer hearing, she could also hear that Faith was occasionally sobbing. She wanted to go to her, take her in her arms and soothe her, but she couldn't. The fact that Faith was responsible for the death of her parents held her back. And, of course, this wasn't just about her anymore. The people knew now that Faith was Spencer and Buffy knew that they would want her to pay for what she had done. She sighed and went to the meeting.

"Winters! What are you doing here?" the guard asked when Winters parked the transport.

"Where's Riley?" Winters asked.

"In his room."

"Watch the perimeter, in case I was followed," Winters said and hurried to Riley.

"Riley! Where are you?!" Winters called when he didn't find Riley in his room.

"Here!" Riley called as he approached the man. "What happened? Why are you here?"

"I don't know. Our transport broke down and we were left behind. By the time we got to Los Angeles, the fight was already in progress. We wanted to join, but then we saw that our people were outnumbered. So we split. Me and three others returned here and the rest stayed behind to see what would happen. The other three will arrive later since they're on foot."

"Damn," Riley swore. "Were you followed?"

"I don't think so, but we should evacuate, in case they break one of our people."

Riley nodded.

Faith immediately felt that something big had happened.

"Hey, what's going on?" she asked, the guard, but he ignored her. "Come on, I know something happened. Tell me." She hesitated for a moment. "Please."

The guard looked at her.

"We staged a major attack on LA, but we were ambushed."

"What? What happened? Is… Is Buffy okay?"

The guard hesitated for a moment.

"We don't know yet. We're waiting for the scouts to come back."

Faith took a deep breath, worried.

"Thanks," she said quietly and returned to the bed.

From then on, she listened to every conversation the guards had during the change and she soon found out that Buffy and the majority of the fighters had been captured. She decided to rescue them, rescue Buffy. She lay down and waited for the guard to notice her.

"Faith?" she heard the guard say after a while. "Faith! Are you okay?"

She didn't respond. The guard called for backup and opened the cell, his weapon ready. When he got out, Faith knocked him out with a single hit and then got out.

She avoided the guards and the fighters, who were busy evacuating, and tried to get out.

"Dawn," Faith said, surprised, when she saw Buffy's sister appear in front of her, aiming at her with a gun. They stared at one another for a few moments. "Are you going to kill me?" Faith then asked.

"You killed my parents," Dawn said.

Faith sighed.

"Yes. I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Sorry?!"

"Yes, sorry. And not just because I'm having nightmares about it almost every night. Believe me, if there was anyway I could undo it, I would. But I can't. I can only use my skills for a good cause. And right now that good cause is rescuing your sister and the rest of the prisoners."

"Alone?" Dawn said, surprised.

"I've been there before and I can get in and rescue them, but I will need their help getting out."

Dawn stared at her for a few moments, thinking.

"And just why should I believe you? For all I know you're just saying that so that I wouldn't kill you."

Faith sighed.

"Look, Dawn, I love Buffy. Believe me, I know I don't deserve her, but she loves me too. If she didn't, I wouldn't be here and I wouldn't have stayed in jail. And now she's hurt because of me. I want her to know that I'm sorry and that I do love her." She paused for a moment. "And besides, if you kill me, your sister will die. If you let me go, there's a chance I will save her."

Dawn stared at her for a few moments, thinking.

"And if you do save her?"

Faith took a deep breath.

"I'll go back to jail and let you decide my fate."

"You'll do that?" Dawn asked, surprised.

"Yes."

Dawn stared at her for a while longer and then decided to let Faith go.

"Do you need any weapons?" she asked, lowering her gun.

"I do, but I'll get them there."

Dawn nodded.

"Okay."

Faith started walking again.

"I'll save her, Dawn," she said when she got to her, "whatever it takes."

Dawn stared at her, surprised, and then nodded.

Faith smiled briefly and then moved on.

It took Faith over a day to reach Los Angeles. She thought it would take her longer, but she was lucky and she managed to relieve a demon patrol of their vehicle. She hid the vehicle once she approached the city and then continued on foot. When she reached the city limits, she observed the patrols and waited for the night to fall.

As the night fell, she entered the city. Fortunately for her, there were quite a few vampires in the city and so she didn't have much trouble pretending to be one of them. But after one of them identified her as food, she killed him and avoided the vamps from then on.

Fortunately, she didn't have any problem finding out where the prisoners were held as the majority of the demon population talked about them and the execution of the Slayer. She easily found the prison and then observed it for a while, relieved that the demons hadn't transferred the prisoners to one of the real prisons, like California State for example. The prison was basically one of the old subway stations, which had been walled off so as to block access to the tunnels. And it was heavily guarded.

She finally decided on a course of action. She found a lonely vamp and clubbed her unconscious. Then she bit her in the neck until blood came out. She spit the blood out and wiped her mouth, disgusted. Then she threw the vamp over her shoulder and casually walked up to the main gate.

"What do you want?" one of the demon guards snarled at her.

"Seems you lost one," Faith said, nodding at the vamp.

"What do you mean, lost?"

"Me and my boy found her killing two newbies. The bitch got lucky and killed my boy," she said and threw the vamp on the ground. "Can you believe it? I would've killed her if it weren't for the reward."

"I see you've already helped yourself to your own reward," the guard said, glancing at the vamp.

Faith wiped her mouth.

"I was angry. Now I'm gonna have to get me a new boy."

"Take her in," the guard said.

Faith grabbed the vamp by the hair and dragged her in. She was relieved that the majority of the guards were outside and in the lobby.

"I'm here to collect the reward," she told one of the guards she met in the lobby.

The guard glanced at the vamp.

"Take her downstairs and then come back," she said.

Faith nodded and dragged the vamp downstairs.

She was relieved that there were only two guards and that they were bored.

"Got a prisoner," she said.

The guards got up.

"Get back," the senior guard ordered the prisoners, who obeyed, eyeing Faith angrily. "Open the door," he then told the junior guard.

The junior guard complied while the senior watched the prisoners. Faith waited for the guard to open the door. Then she quickly stabbed the senior guard and slit the junior guard's throat when he turned, surprised. Then she staked the unconscious vamp. She looked at the surprised and suspicious prisoners and put her finger across her mouth, telling them to be quiet. She looked around, but she couldn't find Buffy.

"Where's Buffy?" she asked.

"They took her to the Mayor's office. He wanted to torture her before execution," Cordelia said.

Faith bit her teeth.

"Okay, get… Where are Willow and Tara?" she asked when she noticed that the witches were nowhere to be seen.

"Somewhere near," Xander said. "They drugged them."

Faith thought for a moment.

"I think I know where they are," she said, remembering the guarded door upstairs. "Okay, here's the plan. I go back and collect my reward. You wait until you hear an explosion outside and then kill the guards in the first lobby. There are only seven of them. Willow and Tara are on the left, you'll see two guards there. Outside, there are at least twenty guards. I'll try to take out as many as I can, but you'll have to come out and do the rest."

"Why should we trust you?" Anya asked.

"I'm here, aren't I? If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't have bothered. If you don't trust me, you can always stay here."

"Okay, okay," Cordelia said. "And how do we get out of LA?"

"There's a parking lot near the Hyperion. There are enough transports for all of you."

"What about Buffy?" Xander asked.

"I'll go get her, but I'll need a small team to cover my back and another team to make a diversion, like they're trying to save Buffy. We get her and then get out of here."

"That simple?"

"I didn't have time to complicate things," Faith said sarcastically.

"Okay, sorry."

"Good. Be ready."

Xander nodded and Faith went back up.

The guard fussed about the reward a bit, but Faith threatened her and the demon paid up. Faith then left the prison. She left the same way she came, but then turned as soon as she was out of the guards' sight and went to the other side. There, she hot-wired a car and started driving toward the prison. When her speed was high enough and the car was on course, she jammed a stake under the gas pedal and jumped out. The car continued to speed toward the prison and the guards scattered. The car hit the gate and exploded, sending half of the guards back to hell. Faith ran toward the burning inferno and started shooting at the guards.

The guards were confused for a few moments, but then they started shooting back. Faith took cover and took the guards out one by one. By the time the Resistance fighters got out, there were only a handful of guards left and they easily took them out. Faith ran to them.

"Did you get Willow and Tara?" she asked Xander.

"Yes."

"Are they capable of doing magic?"

"No, they're out."

"Then get them out of here. Send a team toward the Mayor's residence and tell them to attract attention. Another will follow me so they will help me get out again."

"You want to go in alone?" Xander asked, surprised.

"Yes. I need to get to Buffy first, then I'll need you to help us get out."

"Okay."

Xander quickly assigned teams and commands and then Faith moved, Xander and his team not far behind her.

They soon arrived to the Mayor's residence and Faith slipped past the guards, who were all staring into the direction where the diversion team was.

Up in the Mayor's office, Buffy was chained to the wall. She had been badly tortured by the Mayor, but she was still alive. The commotion outside stirred her from the semi-consciousness. If she weren't a Slayer, she wouldn't have been able to hear it.

"Ah, I see you are awake," the Mayor rumbled as he walked in. "If you think that your petty friends will be able to save you, you are wrong. They are being slaughtered as we speak. And you, you will be next," he said as he slowly ran his finger across her neck. "I have decided to move your execution to tomorrow. It will be glorious!"

The Mayor was so wrapped up that he didn't notice Faith come in. But Buffy did. She was surprised to see Faith here of all places. She wondered why she was here. Was she here to gloat, as her mind kept telling her, or was she here to rescue her, as her heart kept telling her?

Unfortunately, the Mayor noticed Buffy's stare and he turned. Faith quickly emptied the clip of her gun into the Mayor's bloated body and head. Then she threw the gun at him and ran to the wall, where various weapons were hanging. She thought it pretty stupid of the Mayor to have weapons there. She grabbed a katana and attacked him. The Mayor was still a threat, in spite of the bullets in his body. But fortunately, the bullets slowed him down and Faith was able to inflict some serious wounds before cutting his head off. Then, even before the body collapsed, she cut off his arms and, when the body finally fell down, she cut off his legs and stuck the katana into the corpse. Then she looked at Buffy and she felt like crying when she saw the condition she was in.

"Faith?" Buffy finally spoke, hoping she wasn't dreaming.

Faith tried to smile.

"Yeah," she said and caressed Buffy.

She looked around for the key and noticed it lying on the floor. She picked it up and unchained Buffy. Buffy nearly collapsed, but Faith caught her.

"You… You came," Buffy said.

Faith nodded.

"I'm sorry, Buffy, about your family. And I do love you," she said and caressed her, trying desperately not to cry. She took a deep breath. "Let's get out of here."

She picked up Buffy and carried her out of the room.

They met Xander's team on their way downstairs.

"Buffy," Xander said, worried, when he saw her. "How are you?"

"I've been better," Buffy said, clinging on to Faith, and tried to smile. "How are the others?"

"We got everyone out."

"Good."

"Okay. Let's get out of here." He looked at Faith. "Can you carry her?"

"Yes," Faith said with a nod, avoiding Buffy's eyes.

"Good. Follow me."

By the time they got to the Hyperion, the majority of the Resistance fighters was already gone, only a small team was watching out the perimeter.

"Where's the diversion team?" Xander asked their leader.

"They're retreating."

"Good."

"Incoming!" a guard called and started running toward them.

"Let's go!" Xander ordered.

By the time everyone boarded a transport, the demons were already behind them.

"Give me you weapons," Faith said.

"What?" one of the fighters said, confused.

"The weapons, give them to me. Quickly. I'm gonna stall them."

"Faith?" Buffy asked, worried.

Faith looked at her and smiled.

"Thank you," Faith said and gently caressed Buffy.

"What for?" Buffy asked, puzzled.

"For loving me. And for giving me a chance to love you," she said and took the weapons. "Go now."

"Faith!" Buffy screamed when Faith jumped off the truck.

"Go!" Faith called.

"Faith no!"

The truck drove away and Faith quickly took cover, ignoring the tears that were running down her cheeks. She took one of the guns and started shooting at the approaching demons. There were a lot of them, so she started shooting at the remaining vehicles, causing them to blow up. The demons started retreating and Faith changed her position so she could destroy more vehicles. She managed to take out several more, but then she suddenly felt pain and she knew she was dying.

"I love you," she whispered and then darkness took her.

Buffy tried to get someone to tell the driver to stop the truck, but the rough ride, coupled with the torture, took its toll and she soon lost consciousness. When she woke up, she was already back at the base.

"Buffy!" Dawn said when she saw Buffy was awake, and hugged her.

"Dawn," Buffy said and sobbed for a few moments, happy to see her sister. Then the memories came back. "Faith! Where's Faith?"

Dawn let go of her and looked away.

"She…"

"Dawn?" Buffy said, having a really bad feeling.

"She didn't make it."

Buffy stared at her sister for a few moments. Then she cuddled up and started to cry. Dawn hesitated for a moment and then put Buffy's head into her lap and caressed her.

When Faith finally woke up, she was in some serious pain.

"Ah, you're awake."

Faith opened her eyes, startled, and saw a demon, sitting in a chair. She gulped.

"You know, you're pretty pathetic," she taunted him. "I managed to free all your prisoners."

"And failed to save yourself."

Faith shrugged.

"Shit happens," she said and grinned. "The important thing is that you lost the Slayer and that your leader is dead."

"I'm the leader now."

Faith snorted.

"If you were any leader, you'd have been in charge before. Though if you had been, you'd be dead by now. And quite frankly, the only reason you're still alive is because I'm chained."

The demon smiled.

"Nice try, Spencer. Oh yes, I know who you are," he added when Faith paled a bit. "And guess what. Instead of the Slayer, we'll publicly execute you. After a prolonged public torture session, of course. So you can try and taunt me all you want, I won't kill you." He grinned. "Rest now, you have a long and painful torture session ahead of you."

Several days had passed and Buffy had more or less recovered physically. Her emotional state, however, was quite another thing. In spite of all that happened, or perhaps because of it, she loved Faith. Sure, Faith was responsible for her parents' deaths, and for many other deaths, but she also saved many lives, including Dawn's. And she came to save her and the other Resistance fighters, in spite of the fact that she was in jail. And now she had sacrificed her life to save her and Buffy felt a deep emptiness inside her.

The nonessential personnel had been sent to safety and since they haven't been followed, they were evacuating the base. Dawn stayed behind to be there for Buffy. Willow was worried about her best friend and she hoped Buffy would recover soon, because they really needed to leave the base. So when a messenger came from LA, she thought that the demons were onto them.

"What is it?" Xander asked when the messenger came to him.

"Faith is still alive."

"What?"

"She's scheduled for execution tomorrow."

"Damn."

"How is she?" Willow asked.

The messenger looked at her.

"Not good. They've been torturing her ever since they found her."

"Oh."

"Anything else?" Xander asked.

"No."

"Okay. You'll show me where she is." Xander looked at Willow. "Are you gonna tell Buffy?"

Willow sighed and nodded.

"Yes."

"She'll want to save her."

"I know."

"I'll get a group of volunteers."

Willow nodded and left.

She knocked gently when she got to Buffy's room and a few moments later, Dawn opened.

"Hi," Willow said. "Is she awake?"

Dawn nodded.

"Yes."

"How is she?"

Dawn sighed.

"Not good."

"I have some good news."

Dawn stepped aside and let Willow in. Willow sighed when she saw her best friend, who was withering away.

"Buffy?"

Buffy looked at her.

"Hey," she said quietly.

"Faith is still alive."

That got Buffy's attention.

"What? Are you sure?"

Willow nodded.

"A messenger just came from LA."

Buffy got up.

"We have to save her, Willow, she…"

"I know, Buffy," Willow interrupted her. "Xander is already planning a rescue operation."

"Oh."

"Tell you what. You get something to eat and then get some exercise. And when you're done, come to the control room and we'll go through the plan."

"But…"

"No buts," Willow interrupted her again. "You'll need your strength if you want to save Faith."

Buffy sighed and nodded.

"Okay."

Willow looked at Dawn.

"You make sure she eats and exercises."

Dawn nodded.

"I will."

"Okay." Willow looked at Buffy and smiled. "It'll be okay."

Buffy nodded.

"I know."

When Buffy got to the control room, the command staff was already waiting for her.

"Hey, Buffy," Xander greeted her when she arrived with Dawn in tow. "How do you feel?"

"Better," Buffy said. "What's the plan?"

Xander smiled.

"Well, we know where Faith is being held. We will use this base to bait the demons. They'll probably come running. And when they get inside, we'll collapse the entrances and set off the explosives inside. This will strike a heavy blow and we won't have to face so many when we get to LA. We will strike as soon as the base is destroyed. Two teams will be a distraction and their objective will be to pretend that they want to save Faith. One team will act more openly than the other. Our team will sneak closer and strike when there will be the least opposition. After that, we get the hell out of there and straight to the Free Territories."

"Sounds like a plan," Buffy approved. Then she frowned. "But who will volunteer? I mean, we all know what Faith did and I can't order you to help me rescue her."

"Buffy, she saved our lives, even though we put her in jail. I believe that she has changed."

Buffy smiled.

"Thanks."

"The teams are already assembled."

"Then let's go." She turned to her sister. "Dawn, you will leave with the others."

Dawn nodded.

"Okay."

Buffy hugged her.

"I love you."

"I love you too," Dawn said and hugged her back. "Be careful."

"I will," Buffy said and let go of Dawn.

"Riley, let us know when you're ready."

Riley nodded.

"Good luck."

"The base is history," Xander reported several hours later. "Teams 2 and 3 are moving in."

"Has everyone made it out?" Buffy asked.

"Two died," Xander said.

"Oh," Buffy said and sighed.

"But we got most of the demons."

"Good. Let's move in."

When they got to the place where Faith was kept and Buffy saw Faith, she just stared at her, wanting to cry, but she was too shocked. Faith was strapped between two poles, her hands and her feet nailed to them. She was naked and Buffy could see every single cut and bruise.

"Faith," she whispered as tears started to run down her cheeks.

"Buffy," Willow said, but Buffy ignored her. "Buffy, look at me," she said and turned her head. Buffy's eyes slowly focused on Willow. "I know she's hurt, but you have to forget about that for a moment. We have to save her and you have to be focused. Okay?"

Buffy nodded and sobbed for a moment. She took a deep breath and looked back at Faith.

"I'll save you, Faith," she whispered.

"Okay, watch our backs," Willow said and took Tara's hand. "Ready?" she asked her.

Tara smiled and nodded. They turned to the door and started chanting.

Inside, things started floating and attacking the demons who were torturing Faith.

"Watch our backs," Buffy said and burst in.

She quickly killed the demons and then slowly approached Faith. She slowly touched her cheek and caressed her, tears streaming down her cheek.

"Buffy, focus," Willow said and Buffy looked at her. "Help us get her down. But carefully."

Buffy nodded and helped Willow and Tara get Faith's naked body down. She got a pair of thongs and pulled out the nails. Then she cut the ropes and gently lowered Faith to the ground. Then she stepped aside and let Willow and Tara take care of Faith's wounds.

"Teams 2 and 3 are moving out," Xander reported, but Buffy ignored him as she stared at Faith, worried sick.

Willow and Tara quickly cleaned Faith's wounds, as much as they could in a hurry, and then wrapped her up in bandages. Then they did a quick healing spell.

"We'll have to levitate her," Willow said when they were done.

"Okay," Xander said. "Buffy."

Buffy got up and took the lead.

"Ready?" Willow asked Tara.

Tara nodded. They concentrated and Faith's body slowly rose in the air.

"Okay, Buffy," Xander told Buffy when Faith's body started to float toward him.

Buffy glanced at Faith and then led the way out.

When Faith finally opened up, she realized her body didn't hurt anymore. Well, it still did, but not as much. She slowly opened her eyes and realized she was lying.

"She's awake! Call Buffy!" she heard a familiar voice call.

Buffy? She was confused. Was Buffy captured as well? Was her sacrifice in vain? And why would they be calling Buffy?

Her vision slowly focused and saw she was in another room. She turned her head and saw Dawn smiling at her. She frowned, confused. What was Dawn doing there? Was she also a prisoner? She took a closer look and saw that Dawn wasn't tied or even hurt.

Dawn came closer.

"How do you feel?"

Faith opened her mouth and cleared her throat.

"Better than… the last time I checked."

"Good."

"Where…"

"Faith!" Buffy said when she came in. She ran to Faith and hugged her. "God, I was so worried," she said as tears started to run down her cheeks.

Faith was confused. Buffy was worried? About her?

Buffy let go of Faith and caressed her.

"How do you feel?"

Faith stared at her for a few moments before answering.

"Better."

Buffy smiled.

"Good." She paused for a moment. "I love you."

Faith stared at her, surprised.

"You… do?" she then asked.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"But…" she started.

"You've changed, Faith," Buffy interrupted her. "And I forgive you."

Faith stared at her, surprised.

"You… You do?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"I forgive you too," Dawn added and Faith glanced at her, gulping.

"Thank you," she said in a coarse voice.

Buffy smiled.

"You're welcome."

Faith took a deep breath to calm down.

"Where are we?"

"In the Free Territories. Canada."

"Oh. But…"

"We found out you were still alive and we rescued you."

Faith stared at Buffy for a moment and a tear slid down her cheek.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"You did the same for me," Buffy said and kissed her on the forehead. "I'm proud of you, Faith, and I'm proud to be your girlfriend."

Faith stared at her, moved. Buffy smiled.

"Are you hungry?" she asked and Faith nodded. "Okay, I'll be right back," she said and left to get some food for Faith.

Dawn came closer and smiled.

"Hey. I never got to thank you for saving Buffy."

"It's okay."

"Thanks."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, thinking.

"How long have I been out?"

"Well, you've been missing about a week and after Buffy saved you, you were out for another week."

"Oh."

"Buffy's been worried sick. She spent most of her time here." She paused for a moment. "She really loves you."

Faith nodded.

"I know." She sighed. "I love her too."

Dawn smiled.

"I know." She hesitated for a moment. "I'm glad you've changed, Faith."

Faith smiled sadly.

"Me too. I just wish I'd changed sooner."

"Buffy told me what you told her. And I guess it was hard for you to start questioning everything you believed in," Dawn said. "I know it was hard for me to start believing that you had changed."

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

Dawn hesitated for a moment.

"I guess you're a part of our family now."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, surprised.

"Thank you," she whispered, fighting hard to stop the tears from spilling.

Dawn nodded and they looked at Buffy, who returned with a tray of food.

"What's wrong?" Buffy asked, worried, when she noticed Faith's expression.

Faith smiled.

"Nothing."

"Faith…"

"Nothing," Faith assured her. "I'm just… happy."

Buffy smiled.

"You are?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah," she said and smiled.

"I'll leave you two alone," Dawn said and got up.

"Okay," Faith said and Dawn left.

"Everything okay between the two of you?" Buffy asked, wanting it to be so.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah." She hesitated for a moment. "She said I was a part of your family now."

"She said that?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Yeah," Faith said, worried that Buffy might not be feeling the same.

Buffy smiled.

"She's right," she said and Faith smiled as well, relieved.

"Thanks."

Buffy caressed her.

"No need to thank me, Faith, you earned it." She hesitated for a moment. "I think Mom and Dad would be proud to know you."

Faith stared at her, astonished.

"But… But…"

Buffy put her fingers over Faith's mouth, silencing her.

"Let the past be past, Faith," she said.

Faith stared at her for a few moments and then nodded. She hesitated for a moment.

"Feed me?" she then asked playfully, hoping that she wasn't pushing it.

But Buffy smiled widely.

"You got it," she said and set the tray on Faith's legs.

Several days later, when Faith finally felt she could move around, she went back to jail. Only Buffy didn't know that and she was worried sick until finally one of the fighters told her where she had seen her. Buffy went there and saw, surprised, that Faith was indeed there. She entered.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

Faith sighed, avoiding her eyes.

"I told Dawn that if I saved you, I'd go back to jail and let you decide my fate."

"Oh Faith," Buffy said and hugged Faith, who didn't hug her back. "I've forgiven you."

"You're not the only one I've hurt," Faith said, avoiding Buffy's eyes. "I need it to be okay with the others before I stay here."

"They're okay with it."

"You don't know that. I should stand trial."

"What?" Buffy said, surprised. "But…"

"They have to decide what to do with me."

Buffy stared at her for a few moments and then sighed.

"Okay. I'll tell them to prepare for a tribunal."

"I don't want you to be there."

"What?" Buffy stared at Faith, confused. "Why not?"

"Because I don't want them to let me go just because of you. I want them to do it because they believe that there is a chance for me to make up for what I've done."

Buffy stared at Faith, feeling like crying.

"Okay," she finally said quietly.

She stared at Faith for a few moments and then left.

Dawn come by several minutes later.

"Faith."

Faith glanced at her sighed.

"Hey."

"Why are you here? Buffy said something about a tribunal."

"I told you that if I saved Buffy, I'd go back to jail and let you decide my fate. Well, here I am."

"And the tribunal?"

"I need the rest of the people to decide whether I should be given another chance." She paused for a moment. "I told Buffy that I didn't want her there because I don't want the people to decide to free me just because of her. Will you be there for her?"

Dawn stared at Faith for a few moments and then nodded.

"I will."

"Thanks."

Dawn hesitated for a few moments and then left.

The tribunal was ready within the hour and just about everyone, except Buffy, Dawn and the guards, was present. Xander was presiding.

"I'm not much for ceremonies," he said, "so I'll get right to the point. Does anyone not know who Faith Spencer is and what she is accused of?" he asked and looked around. "Okay then," he said when nobody raised a hand, and looked at Faith. "How do you plead?"

"Guilty," Faith said quietly.

Xander looked at the crowd.

"Would anyone like to say something?" he asked and Willow raised her hand. "Willow."

Willow stepped forward and faced the crowd.

"We all know what she has done, but she has also proven that she has changed. She had been a good fighter ever since she joined us and even after we found out who she really was and we threw her in jail and treated her like trash, she still came and rescued us. Some might say she did it for Buffy, but I'm sure she would've done it anyway. I say we give her another chance."

Xander looked at the crowd.

"Would anyone else like to say something?" he asked, but no one stepped forward. "Then it is the ruling of this tribunal that Faith be given a second chance. Does anyone disagree?" Nobody said anything. "Then this tribunal is adjourned. Faith, you're free to go." He smiled softly. "Welcome back."

Faith stared at him for a few moments and then looked down. The people slowly filed out and Faith kept standing.

Finally Buffy came in, escorted by Dawn. She slowly approached Faith, hoping that Faith wasn't leaving. As she came closer, she noticed tears streaming down Faith's cheeks, but Faith apparently didn't notice them. She stopped right in front of Faith and Faith's eyes slowly focused on her. Buffy saw pain in her eyes and she hugged her. Faith hugged her back and started to sob. Buffy quietly held her and gently caressed her until Faith calmed down. Faith then let go of her and she let go of Faith. They stared at one another for a few moments, Buffy waiting for Faith to speak and Faith trying to calm down.

"Thank you," Faith finally said.

Buffy smiled.

"You're welcome." She thought for a moment. "Are you staying?" she then asked anxiously.

"Do you want me to?" Faith asked.

"Yes," Buffy said without hesitation.

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"Okay," she said and was rewarded by a beautiful smile from Buffy.

Buffy took her hand.

"Then let's get out of here. I feel the need to just hold you for a while."

Faith stared at Buffy for a few moments and then smiled.

"Me too," she said.

Buffy smiled and looked at Dawn.

"Dawn, we'll be outside, if anyone asks."

Dawn nodded and they left.

The End