It stood there looming in the semi dark like some huge monument. It had been a lot of things before she was put in a coma. A training ground, a home, a refuge, a toy...now though it wasn't anything more than a lonely looking building with a few lights on. The doorman looked up in surprise when she stepped in to the light of the street lamp.

The dark slayer didn't spare him more than a glance as he shakily opened the door for her. Faith took a deep breath at the familiar surroundings and gave an almost imperceptible shudder. What seemed like last week was actually months past. The Boss had sung 'You Are My Sunshine' in that hallway by the elevator.

He was weird but sweet in that demony kind of way. Funny how the only person that showed her anything other than overt distrust or lust was a demon. He was bad and she knew it but in a way they belonged together. Like a family. He accepted her natural tendency to hurt like she hurt and she accepted his need to eat people.

Faith pushed the up button on the elevator and waited for the usual ding. She remembered how it used to make this heavenly ring to her ears but now it sounded as tired and worn as she felt. The ride up didn't take long and the doors opened leaving a totally unprepared Faith stunned.

No one lived on the top floor but her and it had stayed that way. She guessed the Mayor didn't want anyone there in her place. It was cool though that he thought she'd be back. Even still it looked as if there had been regular maid service because the window was fixed and all her things were neatly in place.

"Home sweet fucking home."

~~~~~~

Her hair glinted like copper under the yellow of the street lamp. It was kind of eerie being in this place again. The first time she'd been there was just after the fight with the mayor. No one had known that Willow had spent the day in Faith's apartment looking through all her stuff.

It wasn't a nosy gesture or anything. More like she didn't know what else to do. Even when Faith hadn't been around she knew she was there. Now that she was in the hospital a part of the witch needed to fill that void. It wasn't like she didn't know what was going on.

Willow just didn't want to admit it. Ever since her encounter with her vampire self she'd been aware of an attraction to certain girls. She wasn't bi per se...more like selectively bi. Right. Willow was selective not like Faith who was not selective. But the attraction there was undeniable.

Faith had a way of getting under he skin and making her tingle. Putting aside all thoughts of Faith she stepped up to the door and slipped in to the building. At first she was shocked that Faith was back but having her around felt familiar and now she was gone again.

The elevator dinged and opened to the top floor. The ride went by so fast that she didn't even realize it. Right in front of her stood a figure that seemed to be made of shadows herself. A pale face turned unsurpised eyes to her and Willow's breath caught.

"Red."

"Uh...Faith...hi. Bye."

Faster than a human could move Faith was at the door to the elevator holding it open. Her lean muscular arms stretched out in the doorway. The slayer had an almost confused look in her eyes as she leaned forward. Willow could feel the heat coming off the other girl's body.

"Okay...Um not bye. I'm n-not scared of you, you know. Buffy can kick your ass if you hurt me."

"If she ever finds your body."

Willow gulped and inched under Faith's arm and in to the apartment trying to put some distance between the two of them. The dark slayer dropped her arms and moved away stepping back in to the shadows again so that only her eyes and figure were discernible.

"What are you doin' here Red?"

"I got lost and was hoping to find a phone?"

She wasn't sure but Willow was almost certain that she saw a grin from the shadow. Of course it was Faith and when she grinned it was a bit to feral to be a happy thing. The redhead took a step back again bumping in to the wall behind her.

"Relax Red...if I wanted to hurt ya you'd be bleedin' right now."

The shadow moved languidly like a large jungle cat. Willow couldn't make out what Faith was doing but she really didn't want to know. What if the dark slayer had a knife? Or a gun? Or sex toys? She blinked. Wrong thought at the wrong time.

"Well then why aren't you? Oh, not that I'm like, inviting you to because I'd like to keep all my teeth. You know until I'm old and need dentures. But by that time they'll probably have surgical implants just like the real thing...only not."

"I mean what I say."

"I know...you can rip me to pieces blah blah blah, you're Faith the badass with cleavage and scary sexual tendencies. You know the intimidation thing is getting a little passe even for you."

Faith let the smile curve her full lips but didn't make a sound. She noticed Willow straighten her back and set her chin in the silence. The Slayer took a step out of the shadows stopping when Willow flinched. Staying true to said badass self she placed a hand on either side of the Wiccan's head trapping her against the wall.

"I'd never let her hurt you. I mean what I say."

Willow blinked the memories flooding in to her skull. Buffy with her serious and calm green eyes mouthing words to reassure her. She was absolutely horrified and confused. Horrified because of all the things she'd said about Faith no knowing that the dark slayer was watching her, listening to every word. Confused because of all that she'd said Faith had still promised to keep Willow safe.

"But...you...tried to hurt Buffy. And me...and tried to kill Xander. Not to mention helping the mayor eat people. And you tried to hurt me."

"If I'd been really tryin' you'd be dead. I just couldn't let ya get away unhurt 'cause then B'd know somethin' was up."

Again with the confusion. Buffy would know what was up? Willow slid down the wall bonelessly. Too many thoughts were crowding her poor head. Faith looked down at the witch pulling away from the too bright white wall. She crossed her arms over her chest and moved to the big bay window looking out over Sunnydale in the moonlight.

"You laughed at me Faith. In the Mayor's office, when I told you...you laughed at me. Why?"

"What was I supposed to do Red? Haul off an' kiss ya? Make you go all weak in the knees an' beg not to leave? Couldn't do that. The Mayor needed me like Buffy needs you. No time for random screwin' just so you can experiment."

Willow opened her mouth to protest but didn't. There weren't feelings there on her side. She knew it and she knew better than to lie to Faith. The slayer turned to regard her for a few minutes before walking away from the window. She pulled her worn green duffel bag out from the closet and started stuffing clothes in to it.

"Soon as the sun rises you'd better get gone. The Scooby Doofs'll be looking for you."

"Where are you going?"

Faith didn't answer her and Willow was almost positive that if Faith told her she'd have to kill her. Swallowing the knot of fear in her throat she nodded quietly as if Faith could see her. Bag full she turned to look at Willow once more then gave her a sickeningly feral smile.

"See ya around Red."

The door to the elevator shut then. Willow blinked in to the darkness realizing that she was alone. It took her a minute to digest what Faith had said. This wasn't over because Faith meant what she said.