The whole gang was in the library reading up on some demon or another. Buffy couldn't remember what they were researching for. Most likely a way to kill this demon before it swallows Sunnydale whole or something. That was the usual scenario except that Buffy was usually paying more attention to her book then the person sitting across from her. Every few minutes she glanced up and stared at the brunette slayer. After realizing what she was doing she'd duck her blonde head down and bury her nose in her book. Faith noticed but thought that it wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Well, until it kept happening. Faith would look up quickly and Buffy would find somewhere else to look.

"What?" Her tone was slightly irritated. It was bad enough that she had to sit in a library and read books that she barely understood but being stared at was just plain annoying. Buffy had the deer caught in headlights look as everyone turned to look at her.

"What, what?" The blonde put on her best confused look hoping beyond hope that no one had noticed her slight flush.

Faith narrowed her eyes slightly but didn't pursue it further. There was something weird going on with Buffy lately. She opened her mouth to question Buffy about what the deal was but Giles spoke up from his office.

"Buffy, Faith ... maybe you two should train for a bit. You both seem rather tense. No doubt the inactivity is wearing on you."

Faith didn't argue with that, she just got up and went to the weapons locker to get her duffel bag. Buffy was two steps behind her trying to remember to breathe.

Faith grabbed the blonde's bag and tossed it at her. Buffy caught it and mumbled a thanks. Her voice was strained and a little shaky. In a few minutes she'd have to change. Which wasn't a bad thing, but she'd have to change in front of Faith. Again not a bad but it meant that Faith would be changing too. Half nekkid Faith two feet from a half nekkid Buffy was a bad.

The brunette was already in the locker room changing when Buffy walked in. The older slayer pointedly kept her gaze on the floor as she started stripping. She could feel the other woman's eyes on her but didn't look up. She didn't dare look up and see more then she could handle. Faith finished dressing then sat on the bench looking at Buffy.

"Ok what's the deal girlfriend?"

"What? What deal?"

"You? What's up with you? I mean first you can't take your eyes off of me and now you're lookin' anywhere but me. Did I do something wrong here or what?"

Buffy's green eyes widened and she slowly turned her gaze to Faith. The other woman was blank faced waiting for an answer. Again the blonde stared down at the floor and finished changing. She was trying not to think about how good Faith looked in her work out clothes.

"N-nothing's wrong with me Faith. Just have a lot on my mind is all. You know demony things and things things."

"Ya know B if I didn't know better I'd say you were crushing."

Buffy's head snapped up and her compact slid from her suddenly nerveless fingers. It clattered to the ground loudly. The blonde's mind was reeling with all kinds of thoughts. She thought she hid it, she thought that no one had noticed, she thought she could ignore it.

"Huh?"

"Yeah so who is it? Xander? Or maybe it's Giles. Cause you know that watcher is kinda hottie material if you get over the tweed factor. I know it isn't wolf boy 'cause he isn't your type. And I'm almost positive that it isn't Brood Boy either. What you feel for him is past the crushy stage. So who is it?"

The shorter Slayer shook her head half in relief and half in dismay. So Faith thought she was crushing on someone was good. It was a little more then a crush that she felt but it wasn't for any of the other Scooby Gang. Her look of tortured relief was replace by disgust at the mention of Giles in non watcher ways.

"Ew. No no no no crushy of the Giles. Ick he's like old and...old. And Xander? no I don't think so as in ever. He's Xander the goof and former hyena that ate a piggie. Bad wrong and no. As for the other's you're right I have no crushy feelings for them. Especially Angel."

Faith didn't miss the soft way that Buffy said his name. The way her eyes darkened with sadness at the thought of him. It was one of those things that just bothered her to see. A sad Buffy just wasn't natural. The dark slayer got a wicked gleam to her eyes and a smirk slid across her face.

"Well that just leaves Red."

She was rewarded by the abject look of horror on the other's girl's face. Buffy shuddered at the thought of Willow in a crushy way. Talk about Bad Wrong and No. Buffy bent to pick up her compact and sat on the bench next to Faith. She faced the taller woman and grinned.

"Will is a no. That's just violating."

"Why? 'Cause she's a girl?"

"No. 'Cause she's a Willow. My Willow. Willow who is my family." She shuddered again at the thought of the redhead in more then a friend way. Disturbing thoughts. Faith raised an eyebrow as she studied the other slayer. She didn't dare think too hard on what Buffy had said.

"So then who is it? Some school boy?" Faith had this need to know but she wasn't sure that she really wanted to know. She knew that Buffy had people falling all over themselves to be near her. Buffy looked at Faith hoping to see something in the other woman's face. Something like mutual crushy feelings. All she got was Faith's usual mask of indifference.

"It's not. A boy that is. We should get back or the other's are gonna wonder what we're up to. Xander will come running in here stake in hand and jaw on the floor." She stood and tossed the rest of her stuff in to her bag. Faith stood and headed toward the library. She was beyond curious now and Buffy didn't seem to want to talk.

"Please tell me it isn't Cordy... 'cause you'd lose major cool points with me."

Buffy just laughed and shook her head no. Faith let out an exaggerated sigh of relief and Buffy laughed harder. They walked in to the library together and stretched their muscles. Action was so much easier then talking.

Buffy and Faith had been sparing for nearly an hour. Each girl refusing to be the first one to call it quits. Both slayer's were sweating and breathing heavily. The only sound was the rhythmic thump of contact and the occasional grunt of pain or effort. Willow had drifted off to sleep snuggled against a sleeping Oz's shoulder. Giles was in his office totally unaware of anything other then his books. The only other person aware of the slayers was Xander.

He just sat there gaping at the two most beautiful women that he had ever seen. It didn't even look like they were fighting, to him it looked more like dancing. The heavy book in his lap fell to the floor with a loud thud. It broke Faith's concentration and Buffy was able to land a hard right to the brunette's jaw. The taller woman fell back and hit the ground hard.

Buffy's eyes went wide and she scrambled to the floor where Faith was sprawled. The dark slayer sat up and rubbed her sore jaw. Both slayers turned to glare at Xander who smiled sheepishly and made some excuse to use the bathroom. Buffy turned her attention back to Faith and inspected her friend's face.

She was chewing her bottom lip meditatively her green eyes intent on her task. Faith suppressed a small shiver as Buffy's delicate fingers traced her jaw. The blonde was holding her breath and willing herself not to do more then look. Faith pulled back suddenly and stood leaving Buffy more than a little disappointed.

"Faith, I'm sorry... about the hit and all."

"No bigs, I'll live. Besides we were sparring... it happens"

Giles came out of his office glasses in hand and rubbing his eyes. Willow opened her eyes at the sudden silence and sat herself upright. Oz groaned and opened his eyes as well. Faith and Buffy quickly separated, each reaching for a bottle of water and a towel. Giles cleared his throat and locked his office door behind him.

"Well, then. There isn't anything more we can do here tonight. Oz, you'll see that Willow and Xander get home correct?"

Oz nodded and reached for his keys just as Xander walked in. He started to protest about going home but ended up yawning instead. Willow grinned at him then gathered up she belongings. The three teens said their good byes as Giles put away a few more books. Buffy scooted herself closer to Faith and tried to peek at her through the corner of her eye.

"What?"

"What, what?"

"You're lookin' at me like I'm broke or somethin'. Geez B... what is it with you tonight? Or for that matter for the last month?"

Giles poked his head out from the stacks and placed his glasses on his face.

"You two can lock up here yes? I have some books at home that I need so I'm going. I don't think I need to remind you two to be cautious on the way home."

Buffy and Faith both waved to the watcher as he left the library. The shorter slayer thought that Faith would drop the conversation but was wrong. Instead the brunette turned back to Buffy and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Well?"

"Look I told you. I have things on my mind. I've been distracted and so I'm kinda wiggy."

Faith seemed to accept that answer and let her arms drop back to her sides. Buffy still hadn't looked up at the other woman. She was deathly afraid of getting lost in the brown eyes of the other slayer. True to form Faith didn't give up like expected.

"So you gonna tell me who the mystery crush is?"

Buffy rolled her eyes and started for the locker room. Faith grinned and followed her but kept her mouth shut. It'd be time enough later for questions. They had showered and dressed quickly. Buffy was stowing the bags in the cage when Faith got an evil look on her face and closed the cage door behind her. The blonde jumped and turned quickly.

"What are you doi..."

"Ok so the way I see it is, you owe me an answer. You probably weren't gonna tell me on your own so I figured I'd lock you up until you tell."

Faith grabbed a wooden chair and sat down near the cage. Her leather clad legs propped up on a small table near by. Buffy tried yelling, pleading, threatening, and even begging to no avail. Faith just sat there smirking her smirk and waiting.

"Why is this so damn important to you Faith? I mean why the hell do you care who I'm crushing on?"

The younger slayer got up and unlocked the cage without a word. She didn't have an answer for Buffy. Not one that she was ready to admit to anyway. The blonde blinked with relief at being released and watched as Faith shrugged on her jacket. Somehow facing down all the demons of hell seemed easier then this. She closed the distance between them and stood right behind Faith.

"You ok slayer?"

"Five by five B."

"You."

Faith whirled around and stared down at Buffy. She seemed a lot smaller at that moment. The brunette's face was contorted in confusion and irritation. What now? What was she going to have to endure from Buffy now?

"Me what?"

The blonde finally looked up at the other woman. She didn't answer she just looked. Faith stood there for a few minutes before blinking back surprise. Faith didn't know what to do or say. Buffy tentatively raised her hand to Faith's face and cupped the other woman's chin. They just stood there breathing slowly before Buffy worked up the nerve to lean in and kiss Faith.

The taller slayer was taken back by the gesture but made no move to stop it. Lips brushed gently against lips. Faith snaked her arms around Buffy's waist and deepened the kiss. The two slayers were well on their way to major gropies when Faith pulled away.

"What's wrong?"

"You sure you know what you're doing here B. uh Buffy?"

"Oh. Well yeah I think I do but if you aren't ya know we don't have to well, you know."

Faith smiled down at Buffy and brought her hands up to the other woman's face. She kissed her with a gentleness that surprised even Faith. Pulling back she straightened her jacket and handed Buffy her sweatshirt. Buffy stared at her confused for a few minutes.

"Let's go home Buffy."

Buffy had never walked so fast in her life. As usual Faith strode with her casual gait. Her longer legs making it easy to keep up with the blonde. Although her face didn't show it, a million thoughts raced through the dark slayer's mind.

She could hardly believe what had happened. Or for that matter what was going to happen. It wasn't the thought that she was going to be intimate with a woman that made her nervous. It was the thought that she was going to be intimate with Buffy. The Buffy that was adored by all. Even loved by a vampire. Mary Sunshine herself.

Buffy kept looking at the other woman. She was trying to figure out what was going on in Faith's head. If it was anything like what was going on in her own mind then it was all very confusing. Buffy had always known that she had no sexual preference, that wasn't the confusing part. The confusing part was Faith. The same Faith that wore leather, cursed like a sailor and did everything in her power to make herself unlovable.

Faith felt eyes on her and turned to face Buffy. The shorter slayer grinned sheepishly and faced forward again. Unable to take it anymore Faith sighed heavily and stopped in the middle of the street. She stared at the back of the blonde's head until she stopped too. "Why me?"

Buffy turned slowly and looked at Faith for a few minutes before responding. It was hard to explain when she herself wasn't sure. True they were exact opposites and the least likely pair, still there was something there that Buffy couldn't ignore. Didn't want to ignore.

"I...You...uh... look Faith, I care about you."

"Since when?"

"Since kinda the first day you showed up. I got fuzzies and everything even."

"But I'm not Angel. You love him."

"No, you aren't and yes I did. You aren't a replacement for him if that's what you think."

Faith started walking again with Buffy matching her stride for stride. The brunette had kept her feelings hidden for so long. Trying not to hope that maybe Buffy would want her. It had seemed impossible to her. Now even with Buffy telling her that there was something there she didn't believe. Who could ever love Faith Ryan?

"I could."

Faith jumped a little and faced her sister in arms. She hadn't realized that she had said the last part out loud. Buffy was half amused and half broken hearted. Faith looked at Buffy with a mix of distrust and hope. Falling back on her old reliable friend, she cracked a magnificent smile for the blonde.

"It was the sexy dance we did at the Bronze wasn't it? It gets 'em all the time. Don't try to deny it... I saw you looking at me"

"Yes, Faith I was staring at your boobs the whole time we were dancing. What with the bouncing and the jiggling I couldn't help myself."

"I knew it."

Buffy took one look at Faith's smug face and burst in to laughter. They had reached the front door of the blonde's house. She nearly forgot that her mom was in LA and started for the side of the house to climb the tree. Faith put a hand on her shoulder and nodded in the direction of the door again.

"Oh. Right. Door."

The shorter woman unlocked the door with slightly shaking hands. She hadn't been this nervous around Faith since...well since they were at the library. Still it was worse now that she knew what was going to happen. Buffy had a sudden horrifying thought. She didn't know what she was doing. Or rather she knew the mechanics of it but she didn't have any practical knowledge.

They stepped inside the house silently. Even though no one was home there was still something wrong with disturbing the silence. Buffy locked the door behind them and led Faith upstairs. The dark slayer winced a little when Buffy took her hand but she didn't let go. Both women swallowed hard trying to fight the buzzing feeling of nervousness.

Buffy's room had the usual girly stuff. Frilly things and pastel colors . Faith shrugged off her jacket and tossed it to the side where it landed in the corner. Buffy was taking off her own sweatshirt and didn't notice the other woman staring at her openly. Faith took the three steps to Buffy's side and leaned down. Her lips were lightly brushing the blonde's. "Want you."

The shorter slayer wasted no words on her response. She wrapped her arms tightly around Faith's waist pulling her impossibly close. With a slight smirk she kissed the brunette hard. Every though of not knowing flew out of her ears and instinct took over. The kiss became heated as tongues dueled for dominance. Hands roamed over skin and fabric causing friction and warmth. Breathing heavily Buffy grabbed Faith by the shoulders and pushed her down on the bed. The taller woman grinned widely and leaned back.

"I didn't know you were so butch B."

"Guess that makes you my bitch F."

For a second Faith was taken back by the comment. Just for a second. She snarled softly and yanked the blonde down on the bed with her. Buffy's hands found the hem of Faith's tank top and yanked it up over and off. She wasn't surprised at Faith's lack of bra but the sight of the woman's bare breasts took her breath away nonetheless. The dull throbbing between her legs that had started when they were sparring flared anew.

Faith's breasts were nearly perfect. Creamy smooth skin gave way to perfectly hardened nipples. Buffy ducked her head to the woman's chest suckling the nub between her lips. Faith sighed in pleasure her dark hair cascading down her shoulders as she tipped her head back.

It was the most natural thing in the world for Buffy. Her body just fit along side Faith's like it was built specifically for that. They spent that night exploring each other's bodies. Pleasing and being pleased. Things for Faith just clicked that night. It was as if her body's rhythm matched Buffy's perfectly. Two hearts racing to the same beat.

They hadn't spoken words of foreverness to each other. Hadn't exchanged I love yous. Or even so much as said see you in the morning. There wasn't a need to. Buffy knew what Faith was feeling when the brunette fell asleep in her arms. She had only a second to process the fact that Faith stayed before she too fell into oblivion.