Hey little sister I heard you went to Mr. So and So, knocking on his door
Again last night, said you needed it bad
You know that ain't right

"Hey B," she greeted the slender blonde moving towards her. "What's up?"

"Hi," Buffy returned, spotting the brunette half reclining on the park bench. "What're you doing in this part of town?"

Faith shrugged. "Same old, same old." She slung her leg off the bench to make room for the other Slayer. "Seen anybody desperately in need of an ashtray?"

Buffy sat down beside her. "Nah, it's been pretty quiet here lately. Even Giles hasn't heard of anything going on." She glanced at the young woman beside her. The streetlamp cast down a dull light on them, illuminating the small bench in a circle of light and driving the darkness just out of hand's reach. She felt like they were on a stage and all the world was watching. "How about you- heard anything of interest?"

Faith tossed a rock into the darkness. It bounced off something metal and made a little ping! "Not much," she answered, sounding a bit bored. "Heard you were at Angel's last night."

"History test," Buffy said smoothly. "He's good at history."

The dark haired woman snorted and shot her a disbelieving glance. "Yeah, whatever."

"It's the truth," she returned easily, knowing that it wasn't the whole truth, knowing the girl beside her realized the same thing.

"I thought you were breakin' that off," Faith said after a moment.

Buffy couldn't tell if she felt more annoyance or guilt at the half-veiled accusation. "I am - we are," she amended, then sighed. "It's not that easy."

Faith laughed shortly. "Whatever you say."

My little sister is a Zombie in a body
With no soul a role she has learned to play
In a world where nothing else matters
But it matters

Buffy turned her face towards the darkness - for a moment it seemed more sympathetic than the person she sat beside on the wooden bench. "Come on, Faith," she said quietly. "Haven't you ever cared, really cared for somebody? I don't mean those little flings you have - I mean really cared. Loved."

Faith was oddly silent until Buffy glanced at her. Then she said quickly, "Nope. You're not suppose to love nobody when you're the Chosen One."

"You haven't always been a Slayer," Buffy argued. She shook her head. "Even I can still remember -"

"I wasn't nothin' before I was called," Faith interrupted shortly. "The reason you're having so much trouble is ‘cause you don't get the rules. See, you can do anythin' you want - be a heartbreaker, a free soul, a wild thing. Just whatever you do, don't get burnt." She flashed a brilliant grin. "Know what I mean?"

Reluctantly Buffy smiled. She didn't really agree with the other Slayer, but Faith could always make her smile. Yet she thought to herself, She thinks it doesn't really matter, but she's wrong - love matters most all.

I wish I could save her from all their delusions
All the confusion

Faith threw another rock into the darkness. This time it didn't hit anything, it just skittered on the ground. Turning back to the blonde beside her, she affectionately cuffed her on the shoulder. "Smile, B, you're startin' to look like that vampire of yours. I just want you to be happy, y'know? Maybe your life's not gonna be all that long, but it should at least be happy."

Buffy nodded. "I know. It's just - things are so confusing. Nothing seems simple anymore. I -it - I don't know. I use to think that as long as I was careful and did my job everything would be okay. I don't know if that's true anymore."

Slanting a look at the Slayer, Faith sighed, shook her head and thought to herself, Ain't nothin' simple in this life - I wish it could be for you, though.

Every day we starve while we eat white bread
And beer instead of a handshake or hug
We spill the pills and sweep them
Under the rug

For a moment the usual grin left Faith's face. Maybe she should tell B that she was right, that things were confusing and messy and maybe even love did count for a little somethin' now and then.

Buffy frowned into the darkness pressing in around the bench. Maybe she should tell Faith that she had a point, that her life had been kinda blah before she was called and maybe she should give Angel some space and save herself a little heartache.

But then Faith snorted and made a face. Look at me, she thought to herself, sittin' here thinking this dumb stuff. B knows I'm behind her - I don't have to say it.

And Buffy grinned lopsidedly and shook her head. Faith knows what she's doing she doesn't need my approval.

"I gotta motor," Faith announced, abruptly standing up.

"Me too," Buffy agreed. "Lots of homework. . ."

They faced each other in silence, all that was not being said filling the air between them.

Hey little sister. . . .

"I should go," Buffy said awkwardly.

Faith nodded easily. "Take care, little sis. Don't think too much - it's bad for the brain."

Buffy laughed. "That's funny - I always think of you as my little sister."

"Me?" Faith echoed, eyebrows raised in surprise. "Whatever."

Almost as one the two Slayers turned and moved into the darkness. There was nothing else to be said.

A few steps and Buffy halted. She should have said more to Faith. She felt like - things were falling apart between them. She blinked and shook her head - for a moment she'd felt as if she were holding a knife with blood covering her hand. Why did that thought make her feel so sad?

Faith, hearing Buffy's footsteps halt, stopped also. She was struck by an odd feeling - for a moment it was if the young blonde had moved back towards her and laid a gentle kiss on her forehead, a gesture of friendship and forgiveness. She shook her head. She didn't need forgiveness for anything, certainly not from B - right?

I should have told her that I understand, both Slayers thought silently.

And then they each moved off in their separate ways and were swallowed by the darkness that divided them.

The End

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