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. Also be warned, there is family violence.

More Than Best Friends
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"Buffy, I need to go pee," Faith said as they walked down the hall toward the Chemistry lab.

"Okay. I'll be in the lab. Let me take your bag."

Faith gave her bag to Buffy and went to the girls' room.

A few minutes later, Faith had just started to wash her hands when suddenly there was an explosion and the whole school shook. She turned off the faucet and ran out.

"What happened?" she asked one of the running students.

"Something exploded."

"Where?"

"Chem lab!"

Faith paled and ran toward the lab. When she turned the corner, she saw that the Chemistry lab was a raging inferno. Two teachers were trying to put out the fire, but they were having little success.

"Is anyone in there?" she asked, her heart racing.

The teachers glanced at her.

"Stay away!" one of them warned her.

"Is anyone inside?" Faith repeated, trying to look through the flames.

"Mrs Dix and a few students."

Faith paled.

"Buffy!" she called. "Buffy, are you there!"

"Stay away, Faith, you can't help her," the other teacher said.

"She's in there?" Faith asked, her eyes wide.

"I think so, yes."

Faith didn't waste any more time. She ran through the fire like it wasn't there.

"Faith!" the teachers called, shocked.

"Buffy?" Faith asked, trying to see through the smoke, ignoring the searing pain the heat was causing.

She looked around and saw three bodies. She didn't have to check to know that they were dead. She quickly ran to the back of the class where she and Buffy usually sat.

"Buffy!"

There was no response and for a few moments, Faith hoped that Buffy wasn't inside after all, but then she saw a tuft of blond hair and then the rest of the body.

"Buffy!" Faith screamed, terrified, and kneeled beside her. "Buffy, can you hear me?" she asked as she checked for the pulse. It was still there, but Buffy didn't respond. Faith picked her up and ran toward the exit, barely avoiding the falling plaster.

The teachers who were trying to put out the fire were startled when Faith suddenly jumped out with Buffy in her hands, slipping on wet floor. Their clothes were burning and their hair was singed.

"Cover your face!" one of them called as they started spraying the over.

Faith quickly closed her eyes and put her arm over it. She put the other arm over Buffy's face.

"Are you okay?" one of the teachers asked when they put out the fire on Faith's and Buffy's burning clothes.

"I'm fine," Faith said and looked at Buffy. "But she's not."

She quickly got up, picked up Buffy and then ran outside, where the firefighters, the police and the ambulances were just arriving. She ran to the nearest.

"Help!" she called.

Two medics immediately approached her and took Buffy from her.

"What happened?" one of them asked.

"Chem lab exploded," Faith said. "There are at least three dead."

"Was she in inside?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes. She was in the back. Will she be…"

She trailed off as she suddenly became sick. She staggered and then collapsed, unconscious.

"Willow. Xander," Joyce said when she and Dawn arrived to the hospital. "What happened?" she asked, worried, when she saw that both Buffy and Faith were bandaged.

"Chem lab exploded," Xander said.

"I saw Faith carry Buffy to an ambulance and then she passed out," Willow added.

"Will they be alright?" Dawn asked.

"The doctors say they're out of danger."

"Thank god," Joyce said. She thought for a moment. "Have Faith's parents come around yet?"

"No," Willow said.

Joyce nodded, having expected that.

When she woke up, Faith had a strange feeling, like something was in her throat.

"No, no, it's okay, Faith," Xander said when Faith started clawing at her own throat. "It's helping you breathe."

Faith looked at him and frowned.

"Where am…" Then her eyes went wide as she remembered. "Buffy! Where's Buffy?" she asked, her voice sounding strange as she talked with tubes down her throat.

"She's right here," Willow said and stepped aside so that Faith could see the other bed.

"How… How is she?" Faith asked, her voice shaking.

"She's fine," Joyce said, and Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"Did she wake up yet?"

"No."

"How… How long…"

"Since yesterday," Willow said.

"Did you really go into the classroom?" Xander asked.

Faith shrugged, feeling uncomfortable.

"There wasn't that much fire."

"Are you kidding? The neighboring classrooms will have to be torn down."

"I got there just after it started," Faith said.

"Thank you," Joyce said, feeling that Faith was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

Faith looked at her.

"No problem," she said quietly. She looked at Buffy. "Do you know when she'll wake up?"

"No. She was in a worse condition that you, it will take longer."

"But she'll be alright?" Faith wanted to be sure.

"Yes."

"Good," Faith said quietly.

Joyce smiled.

"Why don't you rest now? We'll come back later."

Faith nodded and closed her eyes, trembling slightly.

Buffy's first reflex was the same as with Faith when she woke up.

"No, it's okay," Willow calmed her. "It's helping you breathe."

Buffy looked at her.

"Willow."

"Hey. How do you feel?"

"Like there's an elephant sitting on my chest," finding her voice strange because of the tube down her throat.

Willow smiled.

"That bad, ha?"

"Yeah."

"Hi, honey."

"Hey, Mom. How long…" Then her eyes went wide. "Faith. Where's Faith? Was she…"

"She's right there," Dawn said and pointed across Buffy's bed.

Buffy looked.

"Faith! Oh my god, are you alright? What happened? Were you inside the classroom?"

"I'm fine," Faith said, feeling strange being the center of attention.

"What happened? Were you inside?"

"She went into the burning classroom to get you out," Dawn said, and Faith blushed.

Buffy's eyes went wide.

"Really? But you could've been hurt. Well, you've obviously been hurt."

Faith shrugged.

"There wasn't that much fire. I got you out right after it started."

"Oh." Buffy slowly took a deep breath. "Were there any… dead?"

"At least three," Faith said. "I saw Mrs Dix, Danny and Belinda."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Yes, they were up front. I was just getting my books ready when something exploded. Then I was slammed into the back wall and I passed out." She looked at Joyce. "How long was I out?"

"Two days."

"Oh."

"School's been canceled till the end of the week," Xander said.

"Thank god for small things," Faith said, and Buffy smiled at her.

"Yeah."

"I brought you some clothes," Joyce said. "The old ones were burned."

"Thanks. When will we be released?"

"In a few days. They need to make sure that your lungs have been purged and your skin is healing."

Buffy groaned.

"Great."

"Listen, Dawn and I will go home now," Joyce said. "We'll come back after lunch."

"Okay, Mom."

"I think I'll go too," Willow said.

Xander shrugged.

"Me too."

"How come?" Buffy asked, puzzled.

Willow shrugged.

"I was planning to go anyway, but then you woke up."

"Oh."

"I'll come back later."

"Me too," Xander added.

"Okay."

"We'll see you later," Joyce said.

"Okay, Mom."

Joyce, Dawn, Willow and Xander filed out, and Buffy then looked at Faith.

"Faith?"

"Yeah? Faith said, looking at Buffy.

"Thanks," Buffy said and smiled.

Faith blushed and then smiled back a bit.

"No problem."

"Look, there's Mr Corlett," Xander said and pointed at the man.

"Who?" Joyce asked as she looked.

"One of the teachers who was putting out the fire. I think he's being treated for smoke inhalation or something."

"I see," Joyce said and thought for a moment. "Hold on a moment," she then said and went to the man. "Mr Corlett?"

The man looked at her.

"Yes?"

"I'm Joyce Summers, Buffy's mom."

"Ah, yes. How is she?"

"She's recovering."

"And Faith?"

"Also. They've both woken up."

Mr Corlett nodded.

"That's good."

Joyce hesitated for a moment.

"I was wondering, can you tell me what happened?"

Mr Corlett shook his head.

"I don't know, the police are still investigating."

Joyce nodded.

"I know. I meant, what happened after the explosion."

"Oh." Mr Corlett thought for a moment. "Well, I grabbed the fire extinguisher and started putting out the fire. Mr Jones joined me a few moments later. We knew we couldn't put out the fire, but we were trying to stop it from spreading so that the students could evacuate the building." He shook his head. "Then Faith came and asked for Buffy. I'd seen her go in a minute ago, but I wasn't sure if she was inside. Faith then went through the fire and brought her out."

"Was the fire bad?" Joyce asked.

Mr Corlett shook his head.

"I don't think I would've gone in, even if my children were inside. It was hot where I was, inside, it must've been hell."

Joyce nodded.

"Thank you."

Mr Corlett nodded.

"No problem," he said and left.

"So Faith was lying?" Dawn then asked.

Joyce looked at her and nodded.

"Yes."

"But why?" Dawn asked, puzzled.

Joyce smiled.

"She doesn't like to be the center of attention."

"Oh."

When they were finally released a few days later, Faith went home.

"Where've you been, bitch?!" her mother assaulted her the moment she came in.

"I was in the hospital," Faith said and started to take off her jacket to show her the bandages.

"Don't lie to me, bitch!" Mrs Spencer said and slapped her.

"But I was. I can show…"

"Don't talk back to your mother," Mr Spencer said.

"But Dad, I really…"

"Shut up. I've had enough of your excuses," he said and hit her in the head.

Faith swayed for a moment and then collapsed, unconscious.

"Hey, Faith," Buffy said the next day when they met in school.

"Hey," Faith said.

"Why didn't you call me when you got home?"

Faith shrugged, avoiding Buffy's eyes.

"Didn't have time. Mom and Dad needed help with redecorating," she lied.

"Oh. Are you feeling okay?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"Good. Feel like going to the Bronze tonight?"

Faith thought for a moment.

"Okay."

Buffy smiled.

"Great. I missed dancing."

"Me too," Faith agreed.

In the afternoon, as they walked home, Buffy was chatting excitedly, but Faith wasn't really listening, she was too busy thinking about what awaited her at home. She really didn't want to go home.

"Faith, watch out!" Buffy suddenly called when Faith started to cross the road.

"Huh?" was all Faith managed before Buffy pulled her off the road and was hit by a car instead. "Buffy!" Faith quickly crawled to Buffy. "Buffy, are you okay?" But Buffy didn't answer. Then Faith noticed that Buffy was bleeding from her head. She looked around. "Somebody call 911!"

When Joyce and Dawn arrived to the hospital after Faith's frantic call, they found Faith pacing in front of OR.

"Faith?" Joyce asked.

Faith stopped abruptly and stared at her with wide eyes. Joyce could see that she was on the verge of tears. She hesitated for a moment and then slowly approached Faith, whose eyes seemed to grow bigger and bigger. When she reached her, she slowly hugged her. Faith tensed for a moment and then burst into tears. Joyce quietly held her and caressed her as Dawn quietly watched them, worried.

When Faith finally calmed down, she let go of Joyce and backed off.

"Sorry," she said quietly as she wiped her tears, avoiding Joyce's eyes.

"What happened?" Joyce asked.

"It's all my fault," Faith said quietly and sobbed for a moment. "I wasn't w-watching and I nearly got run over by a c-car. Buffy pu-pushed me away and got hit instead."

"It's okay, Faith," Joyce said softly, "it was an accident."

"But if I…"

"Stop blaming yourself, Faith," Joyce interrupted her. She smiled softly. "And besides, you would've done the same for her."

Faith shrugged.

"Yeah," she said quietly.

"Come," Joyce said and offered her her hand, "why don't we sit down and wait?"

Faith stared at her hand for a few moment and then hesitantly took it. Joyce smiled a little and then led Faith to the bench. She sat down, and Faith sat beside her. Joyce hesitated for a moment and then slowly put her hand around Faith's shoulder. Faith tensed for a moment, but then she relaxed and slowly leaned on Joyce' shoulder.

Dawn sat on the other side of Joyce and also leaned on her.

When Buffy was finally brought from the OR, Faith was immediately on her feet.

"How is she?" she asked, worried. "Will she be alright?"

The surgeon looked at her.

"She'll be fine. She had a minor concussion, some cracked ribs, a broken leg and a broken arm."

"When will she wake up?"

"Tomorrow. She's under sedatives right now."

"When will I be able to see her?"

"As soon as they put her into a room. But make it short, okay?"

Faith nodded.

"Thank you, doctor," Joyce said.

The surgeon nodded and left.

Faith then hurried after the nurses, and Joyce and Dawn went after her. She stopped outside the room and nervously waited. Joyce approached her from behind and gently put her hand on Faith's shoulder. Faith jerked, startled, but she quickly calmed down. Dawn stopped beside Faith and leaned on her. Faith was surprised by that. She felt strange at first, but then she put her arm around Dawn's shoulder, realizing that she wasn't the only one who was scared. Behind them, Joyce smiled.

When the nurses finally left a few minutes later, Faith slowly approached Buffy's bed. She still felt guilty over what had happened. She stopped beside the bed and stared at her best friend for a while. Then she slowly took Buffy's hand into her own, worried that if she squeezed to much, she might break it. A few tears slid down her cheeks, but she didn't even notice them. She slowly reached over and removed a strand of hair from Buffy's face.

"Come, honey, let's go."

Faith jerked, startled, and looked at Joyce.

"What?"

"Let's go."

Faith frowned.

"But we just got here."

"We got here ten minutes ago," Joyce said.

Faith looked at her watch, but since she didn't know what time it was when they arrived, she couldn't tell how long they'd been there.

"Can't we stay a little longer?" she asked, a pleading look in her eyes.

Joyce smiled softly.

"Not today," she said. "The doctor said to make it short. You can come back tomorrow."

Faith looked at Buffy and sighed.

"Okay," she finally said.

"Come."

Faith reluctantly let go of Buffy's hand and followed Joyce out.

"Can… Can I stay here tonight?" Faith asked when they arrived to the Summers' house.

"Of course, honey," Joyce said.

"Thanks," Faith said and went upstairs to Buffy's room, which was, in a way, also her room, since she spent more time with Buffy than at home. She sat on the bed and looked around. She saw the photos of her and Buffy and she felt like crying. Buffy was not only her first and best friend, she was also her first love. Of course, Buffy didn't know that and she was in no hurry to tell her for fear that Buffy might not want to be her friend anymore. Tears started to well up in her eyes again and she kicked off her shoes and lay on the bed. She curled up like a fetus and started to sob. Then she noticed Mr Gordo, Buffy's stuffed pig. She reached for it and hugged it tightly as tears started to run down her cheeks.

When Joyce came to check up on Faith a few hours later, she first gently knocked on the door. There was no response, so she slowly opened the door and peeked in. She saw that Faith was lying on the bed curled up like a fetus, clutching Mr Gordo. She smiled and quietly approached the bed. She noticed that Faith had been crying. No matter how hard Faith tried to pass herself for a tough girl, Joyce knew she was a gentle soul. She also knew that Faith cared deeply about Buffy and had proven that over and over again. Sometimes she even suspected that there was more than just friendship between the two girls, but she couldn't confirm it.

She looked around and smiled when she saw a hole bunch of pictures of Buffy and Faith, always together. She sighed and went to one of the closets. She took out a spare blanket and covered Faith with it. She hesitated for a moment and then caressed her. In a way, she felt like Faith's mother and she wanted her to be happy.

When she woke up in the morning, Faith realized she had fallen asleep dressed up. She noticed that someone had covered her with a blanket. She uncovered herself and sat up. She glanced at the clock and saw that she had slept for fifteen hours straight. She got up and stretched. Then she undressed and went to the bathroom to take a shower.

"Morning, honey," Joyce greeted Faith with a smile when she came downstairs.

"Morning," Faith said.

"Hungry?"

"Starving."

"Thought so. Come."

Faith sat down and started to eat.

"I… I'd like to go visit Buffy," she said after a while.

Joyce looked at her.

"Now?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"She won't wake up for a while. Tell you what. Why don't you go to school and I'll come pick you right after it and take you to Buffy."

Faith stared at her for a few moments. She wanted to be beside Buffy, but she knew that Joyce was right. She sighed.

"Okay," she agreed and Joyce smiled.

"She'll be okay, Faith."

Faith looked at her with big eyes, and Joyce could see that she was scared. She reached over and took Faith's hand into her own.

"She'll be okay."

Faith nodded and blinked away the tears.

"Buffy!" Faith said when Joyce brought her to the hospital after school.

Buffy looked at her.

"Faith! Are you alright?"

Faith nodded.

"I-I'm so sorry," she said as she stopped by the bed.

Buffy frowned.

"Why?" she asked as she took Faith's hand into her own.

"I wasn't watching and you got hurt because…"

"Nonsense," Buffy said. "It was an accident, it could happen to me too. And then you'd do what I did."

"Well, yeah…"

"And I don't think you'd want me to feel guilty, would you?"

Faith squirmed a bit.

"No."

Buffy smiled and gently squeezed Faith's hand.

"I'll be okay."

Faith sighed.

"When are they letting you go home?"

"Tomorrow morning."

Faith looked at Joyce.

"Can I stay home tomorrow? So I can help Buffy settle in?" she pleaded, her eyes wide.

Joyce realized that it was very important to Faith and she nodded.

"Okay."

Faith smiled a bit.

"Thanks."

"Can I stay home too?" Dawn tried her luck.

Joyce thought for a moment. She wanted Dawn to go to school, but then again she had allowed Faith to stay.

"Okay," she allowed. "But make sure you get the notes. You too, Faith."

"Yes, Mom," Dawn said, excited.

"Yes, Mrs S," Faith said.

When they got to the Summers house, Faith immediately started to prepare everything so Buffy could move more easily. She made sure the clothes and the makeup were easily accessible and also that she could help Buffy up and down the stairs if need be. She also checked if the spare mattress under Buffy's bed was still okay.

When she got up in the morning, Faith was nervous as hell. She wanted to go to Buffy right away, but Joyce convinced her to eat something first and then wait for Buffy's call. Faith reluctantly agreed and then watched cartoons. Dawn woke up an hour later and joined her after eating her breakfast. When Joyce saw them, she couldn't help but smile, especially at Faith, who was staring at various superheroes wide eyed. She knew Faith wanted to appear as an adult, but she also knew that Faith was anything but.

When the phone finally rang, Faith picked up the receiver before Joyce even came from the kitchen.

"Buffy?"

"Yeah, it's me."

"Can we come pick you up now?"

"Yes."

"Okay, we're on our way. See you in a few.

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye." Faith hung up and looked at an amused Joyce. "We can go pick her up," she said.

"Then let's go," Joyce said.

"Hey," Faith said as she entered Buffy's room, followed by Joyce and Dawn.

Buffy smiled.

"Hey."

"Everything okay?" Faith asked, worried.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes, I just need to take it easy for a while."

"That shouldn't be a problem."

Buffy hesitated for a few moments.

"Can you help me get dressed? I can't exactly bow or stretch."

"Sure, no problem," Faith said, blushing.

"Dawn and I will go take care of the paperwork," Joyce said.

Dawn glanced at her mother, startled, but she didn't object.

When they were gone, Buffy removed the blanket.

"Mom brought some clothes yesterday morning," Buffy said and pointed at a chair.

Faith went to it and checked the clothes. Then she took the panties and looked at Buffy, who was blushing.

"Okay," Buffy said.

Faith took a deep breath to calm down and then approached the bed. She hesitated for a moment and then carefully slid the panties past the cast. When she reached the medical gown, she paused and looked at Buffy. Buffy lifted her hips a bit, supporting herself with one hand, and Faith quickly slid the panties on.

"I'll have to fix them later," Buffy said.

"Yeah," Faith agreed.

"Help me get up."

Faith offered Buffy her hand and she sat. Then Buffy slowly slid off the bed and stood, Faith supporting her just in case.

"Okay, I'm fine," she said and started to fix her panties. "Much better. Can you untie the gown, please," Buffy then requested.

Faith untied it and Buffy held it to her chest.

"Are you gonna use the bra?" Faith then asked.

Buffy thought for a moment, gently rubbing her ribs.

"No, I don't think so."

Faith put it aside and took Buffy's shirt instead. Buffy dropped the gown and blushed. Faith blushed as well when she saw Buffy's breasts. She quickly helped her put the shirt on and then took the skirt.

"I could get used to this," Buffy said with a smile.

Faith looked up and smiled back.

"I bet."

There was a knock on the door.

"Come," Buffy called, and Dawn entered with a wheelchair, followed by a doctor and Joyce. Buffy groaned when she saw the wheelchair. "I don't have to ride in that, do I?"

The doctor smiled.

"Hospital policy, I'm afraid."

Buffy rolled her eyes.

"I'll push you," Dawn volunteered.

"No, you're not," Buffy immediately objected.

"Yes, I am. I'll be careful, I promise," Dawn begged. "Mom?"

"As long as you don't run," Joyce said, and Dawn beamed.

"Okay."

"You should take it easy for a few days," the doctor spoke.

"I'll make sure she does," Faith assured him. She looked at Buffy. "Looks like your ride is here," she said and smiled.

Buffy groaned, rolling her eyes. Faith let her lean on her and then helped her to the wheelchair.

"Thanks," Buffy said and sat down.

"Can we go now?" Dawn asked.

"Yes," Joyce said.

"And don't run," Buffy said.

"I won't."

"Dawn," Faith said.

Dawn looked at her and rolled her eyes.

"I won't, I promise," she said.

"Okay," Faith said.

Dawn drove Buffy outside, and Faith quickly followed her, wary of Dawn's excitement.

When they got to the car, Faith helped Buffy get in and then sat beside her.

"Can I drive in front?" Dawn asked Joyce.

Joyce smiled.

"Sure, honey."

"Yes!" Dawn said, excited, and went to the front.

They quickly arrived home, and Faith helped Buffy out and into the house.

"I think I'm gonna need a crutch," Buffy said when she sat on the sofa.

"You got me," Faith pointed out.

Buffy smiled.

"I know, but you won't be able to take care of me all the time."

"Sure I can," Faith said. She frowned. "Except when I'm in school." She looked at Joyce. "When is she going back?"

"Probably next week. We have to go see the doctor on Saturday morning."

"Oh." She looked at Buffy. "Can you get around the house without crutches?"

Buffy thought for a moment, mentally going through the house plan.

"Sure, I think so."

"I can help you get around the rest of the time."

"All the time?" Joyce asked.

Faith shrugged.

"Of course," she said like it was self-evident.

Joyce thought about it.

"I think I'll get you a crutch anyway, just in case."

Buffy groaned.

"Okay."

"Do you need anything?" Faith asked.

Buffy thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"No. Let's watch cartoons," she suggested, knowing that was Faith's favorite pastime.

Faith's eyes lit up and she sat beside Buffy.

After dinner, Buffy decided she wanted to get ready for bed. Faith helped her up the stairs to the bathroom.

"Um, you need help, you know, undressing?" Faith asked, nervous.

Buffy looked at herself, thinking.

"Yes," she said. "A-And if you could, um, wash my… my back and my legs," she then asked, blushing.

Faith blushed as well.

"Sure, no problem," she said.

She took Buffy's skirt off and then the shirt. She blushed when she saw Buffy's breasts again, so she quickly stepped around Buffy and took off her panties.

Buffy then walked to the shower, Faith right behind her.

"You're taking a shower?" Faith asked, startled.

"No, no, just so we won't wet the floor."

"Oh. Okay."

Faith got the washing glove, the shower gel, the shampoo and a towel.

"Are you gonna do your hair?" she asked.

"Yes," Buffy said, facing away from Faith. She frowned. "Later. I'll have to be sitting."

"Okay." Faith hesitated for a moment. "So, um, you want me to begin?"

"Sure," Buffy said nervously.

Faith got everything ready and then slowly started to wash Buffy's back.

"Tell me if I'm too hard," she said.

"Okay."

Faith quickly washed the part of Buffy's that wasn't bandaged. Then she hesitated for a moment and quickly washed Buffy's butt. She felt Buffy tense, but Buffy didn't comment, so she continued to wash Buffy's legs.

"Okay, done," she said when she was done. "Hold on, let me get you another washing glove for your front," she said and quickly fetched another washing glove. "Here."

"Can you wash my right arm first," Buffy said.

"Oh," Faith said as she realized that Buffy couldn't wash it. "Sure." She quickly washed the unbroken arm and then gave the washing glove to Buffy. "Here."

"Thanks," Buffy said as she took the glove.

"I'll, eh, I'll wait outside," Faith said and backed off.

"Okay," Buffy said.

"I'll leave the door open. Just in case."

"Okay."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then quickly left. She stopped outside the door and leaned on the wall. She felt warm in the face and she touched her cheeks. She realized she was flushed. She put her hand to her chest and saw that her heart was doing overtime. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down, but the images of Buffy naked kept coming back to her.

"Faith?" Dawn asked when she got out of her room and saw Faith leaning on the wall.

"Hey," Faith said.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah. She's washing her front and then I'll do her hair."

"Oh. Okay."

Dawn hurried downstairs, and Faith stared after her. Then she realized that Buffy didn't have anything to put on. She went to her room and got Buffy a pair of panties and an oversized t-shirt.

"Okay, Faith, I'm done!" Buffy called, just when Faith returned.

Faith took a deep breath and entered. She was relieved that Buffy was still turned away from her. She put the panties and the t-shirt aside. Then she took the washing glove from Buffy and dried her with the towel. Buffy stepped out of the shower, and Faith helped her put on the panties and the t-shirt.

"Thanks," Buffy said.

"Want me to do your hair?" Faith asked.

"Yes."

"Hold on, I'll go get a chair."

"Okay."

Faith ran out and got a chair from Buffy's room.

When Buffy's hair was clean and dry, Faith helped her to bed.

"I'll go take a shower," she said after she tucked her in.

"Okay," Buffy said.

"I'll be right back."

"Buffy?" Faith asked quietly when she got back from the bathroom.

"I'm still awake," Buffy said and turned on the light.

"Good."

Faith started to pull the spare mattress from underneath the bed, and Buffy frowned.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

Faith glanced at her.

"I'm sleeping on the mattress until your ribs heal."

"But there's plenty of space," Buffy protested.

"I know, but I don't want to cause you pain in case I accidentally hit you at night."

"Oh. Okay," Buffy reluctantly agreed.

Faith went to the closet and got two sheets, a blanket and a pillow. She quickly made the mattress and then looked at Buffy.

"If you need anything, wake me up," she said. "I mean it."

Buffy nodded.

"I will," she said and smiled.

"Okay. Good night."

"Night, Faith."

"Faith, can I talk to you?" Dawn asked the next afternoon when she saw Faith was on her way to Buffy's room while Buffy had gone to the bathroom.

"Sure," Faith said and followed her into her room. "What's up?"

Dawn hesitated for a moment.

"How… How do you feel about Buffy?"

Faith frowned. She sat beside Dawn.

"She's my best friend. Hell, she's more or less the only friend I've got, except maybe Willow and Xander, but we're not that close."

Dawn frowned.

"What about me?"

Faith smiled widely.

"You're, like, my little sister," she said and ruffled Dawn's hair.

Dawn beamed.

"Cool." Then her face became serious. "But that's not what I meant." She hesitated again. "Do you… love Buffy?"

Faith frowned, hoping Dawn wasn't getting at what she thought she was getting at.

"Sure I do, she's my best friend."

Dawn shook her head.

"No." She sighed. "I mean, are you in love with Buffy? You know, as in lovers?"

Faith blushed.

"I… I… Uh… We…" She took a deep breath. "Why?"

Dawn shrugged.

"Just curious. I mean, the way you two act around one another, it's as though you were a couple," she said, and Faith blushed.

"Really?"

Dawn nodded.

"Yes. I don't mind if you two are lovers."

Faith's blush deepened.

"We're not," she said, and Dawn could hear that she was sad about it.

"So you are in love with her."

Faith looked down and nodded.

"Yeah," she said quietly and sighed.

"Why don't you tell her?"

Faith looked at her, her eyes wide.

"No!"

Dawn frowned.

"Why not?"

Faith shook her head.

"No. Promise you won't tell her."

"Faith…"

"Promise."

Dawn sighed.

"Alright, I promise," she said, and Faith breathed a sigh of relief. "Why not?"

"Because I don’t want to lose her," Faith said quietly.

Dawn frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"What if she doesn't love me back? What if she is disgusted by being loved by another girl? I mean, we're practically sisters." She shook her head. "No, she means too much to me."

Dawn stared at her for a few moments.

"But what if she does love you?" she asked.

Faith sighed.

"I doubt it, she likes boys too much. And besides, what would Mom say?"

"I think she'd be happy for you two."

Faith thought about it and then shook her head.

"No, it's okay."

Dawn hesitated for a moment.

"Well, if you change your mind and need my help, let me know."

Faith smiled.

"Thanks, kiddo," she said and hugged her.

Outside, Joyce was just passing by when she heard Dawn ask Faith how she felt about Buffy. She was curious as well and she stopped and listened. She wasn't really surprised that Faith was in love with Buffy, she had often suspected as much. What surprised her was how insecure Faith was about the whole thing. She had often thought of Faith as her own daughter since the girl spent so much time here, but she wasn't against Faith and Buffy being together. She wanted both of them to be happy and she decided to see if she could help things along.

"Buffy, can I talk to you for a moment?" Joyce called Buffy to the kitchen in the evening, making sure first that Faith and Dawn were occupied with Dawn's math homework.

"What is it, Mom?" Buffy asked.

Joyce hesitated for a moment.

"How do you feel about Faith?" she asked, deciding to try the same tactic as Dawn had with Faith.

Buffy frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"How do you feel about her?"

"She's my best friend, Mom, you know that."

Joyce nodded.

"I know. What I meant is, do you love her?"

"Of course I do."

Joyce took her head, amused that Buffy was as clueless as Faith.

"Are you in love with her?"

Buffy frowned for a moment and then her eyes went wide.

"You… You mean is in… in… lovers?"

Joyce nodded.

"Yes."

"I… I…" Buffy trailed off, frowning. "I never thought about it that way. I mean, Faith is always here, I know I can count on her. She was there for me when Dad left after the divorce. We even go to all the dances together and we've been sleeping together since, like, forever. I mean, sure, she makes me feel… special." She thought for a moment. "I never thought about it that way. I need to think about it."

Joyce nodded.

"Okay."

"Would it bother you?"

Joyce shook her head, smiling.

"No. I just want you two to be happy."

Buffy smiled.

"Thanks, Mom," she said and hugged her.

"What's wrong, Buffy?" Faith asked Buffy as they lay in bed at night.

Buffy shook her head.

"Nothing."

"Something's definitely bothering you, you've been acting strange all evening."

Buffy shook her head.

"It's nothing." She hesitated for a moment. "I can't talk about it, it's just something I need to think about on my own."

"Oh," Faith said and gulped. "Did… Did I do something wrong?"

"No!" Buffy said, surprised. She looked at her and saw Faith's wide eyes. "No, you did nothing wrong," she said and caressed her. Then she realized what she was doing and she quickly withdrew her hand. "Sorry."

Faith gulped again.

"It's okay," she said quietly.

Buffy smiled.

"Good night, Faith."

Faith stared at her for a moment.

"Good night, Buffy."

Faith went home the next day. She spent most of her time with Buffy, but every few days, she had to make sure that her parents had food. The only thing her father would buy was booze and smokes and her mom only bought booze and bread. It was early afternoon and she hoped her parents weren't drunk yet.

"Faith! You little slut! Where've you been?" her father demanded angrily when she entered.

Faith gulped.

"In school."

"Don't lie to me, you whore," Mr Spencer said and slapped her violently.

Faith was slammed into the wall and barely stopped herself from falling down.

"Can I go shopping?" she quickly changed the topic, hoping her dad was too drunk to notice.

He wasn't.

"Don't try to get funny with me, bitch," he said and slapped her again. "You've been gone for three days!" he said and grabbed her by the hair, making her scream. "Three days! You worthless whore."

"I… I've been studying with B-Buffy," Faith said, trying to break free of his grip.

"There is no Buffy," Mrs Spencer said as she came by.

"There is. She's my friend."

Mrs Spencer laughed.

"Nobody in their right mind would want to be friends with you, missy."

"And don't talk back," her father said and slammed her head into the wall.

Faith was barely standing now, feeling dizzy.

"But…" she started.

"Shut the fuck up, you slut!" Mr Spencer roared.

He picked her up and threw her against the wall. Faith screamed, but her scream was cut short when she hit the wall. On the way down, she fell on a chair, which broke.

"Look what you've done now, slut!" Mr Spencer said angrily and started kicking her.

Faith cuddled up like a fetus and put her arms protectively in front of her face. She started crying and she soon passed out.

When Faith finally woke up, it was early morning. Her body hurt like hell and she just lay still for a while, staring at nothing. When she finally moved, the pain nearly overwhelmed her. She slowly got up and walked to the bathroom. She undressed and stepped into the shower. She stifled a cry when the cold water cascaded down her bruised body. She stood still, hoping the cold water would ease the swelling.

When she was done, she was shivering. She quickly dried up and cleaned the bathroom. Then she went to her room and dressed up for school. When she was done, she just lay down and covered herself. She didn't go back to sleep.

"Faith, are you okay?" Buffy asked, worried, when they met in school.

"Yeah."

"You look like hell."

"Didn't sleep much last night."

"Oh."

"I'm okay," she lied.

"Okay." Buffy looked around. "Have you seen Willow yet?"

Faith didn't respond, and Buffy looked at her.

"Faith?" She noticed the vacant look in Faith's eyes. "Faith, what's wrong?" she asked, worried.

Faith opened her mouth, but only a groan came out. Then she collapsed.

"Faith!" Buffy screamed, barely catching her. "Faith, what's wrong?" she asked, but Faith didn't respond. Buffy checked her pulse and then looked around. "Somebody call 911!"

"Buffy, what's wrong?" Willow asked as she and Xander arrived.

"Call 911!" Buffy said. "She passed out."

Xander immediately ran off.

"What happened?" Willow asked and kneeled beside Buffy, who was cradling Faith.

"I don't know, she just collapsed."

"What's happened?" Joyce asked when she arrived to the hospital.

Buffy stopped pacing and ran to hug her.

"Oh Mom," she said, bursting into tears.

Joyce hugged her back.

"What happened, honey?"

"She… She just collapsed," Buffy said between the sobs. She let go of Joyce and wiped her tears. "The doctor said she's been beaten."

"Beaten?" Joyce said, worried. "By whom?"

"They… They suspect her parents."

"What?" Joyce said, appalled.

"The police was here. They… They asked questions."

Joyce nodded.

"Where is she now?"

"In the room," Buffy said and pointed at one of the rooms. "They just brought her in."

"Oh. How is she?"

"The doctor said she had cracked ribs and a lot of bruises and cuts. He said that it wasn't the first time she'd been beaten."

Joyce put her arm around Buffy, thinking about what to do to get Faith away from her abusive parents.

"Mrs Spencer?"

Joyce looked at the man.

"No, I'm Mrs Summers."

"Oh," the man said.

"And you are?"

"Mark Kelly, social services."

They shook hands.

"Good, I need to speak with you." She looked at Buffy. "Will you go visit her?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"Wait with her, okay?"

"Okay."

Joyce smiled softly and then led Mr Kelly away.

"What did you want to talk about?" Mr Kelly asked when they stopped.

"About Faith. I'd like to officially become her legal guardian."

"You would?" Mr Kelly said, surprised.

"Yes." She sighed. "I knew Faith's parents were… well, not very parental, but I never thought they were beating her."

"You know her parents?"

"Not really. I only met them a few times. I think they're both alcoholics." She frowned. "I should've realized things were bad."

"How so?"

Joyce sighed.

"Ever since Buffy and Faith became friends, Faith spent most of her time at our house. In fact, sometimes she spent weeks at our house."

"Really?"

Joyce nodded.

"Yes. I didn't mind. I knew Faith was afraid to go home, so I didn't pressure her. And as long as her parents didn't call, I didn't want to cause problems. I thought about notifying the social services, but didn't want to put Faith through hell since she was safe at our house." She sighed. "If I'd know she was being beaten, I would have called you."

Mr Kelly nodded.

"Thank you. I need to talk to Mr and Mrs Spencer first and then we'll see."

"Okay. Thank you."

After the nurses left, Buffy was finally allowed to visit Faith. She ran to the bed and took Faith's hand. Faith looked so fragile. And in spite of the bandages, she was beautiful. She realized that she did love Faith, not just as a best friend, but as a lover. She wanted to share her life with Faith and protect her from harm. She smiled and decided to tell her that as soon as she woke up.

She was so intent on watching Faith that she didn't even hear Joyce come in. So when Joyce put her hand on her shoulder, she jerked, startled.

"Mom?"

"I talked to Mr Kelly."

"And?"

"And I…"

She trailed off when Faith groaned.

"Faith?"

Faith slowly opened her eyes.

"Buffy?" She looked around, puzzled. "What… What happened?"

"You passed out."

"Oh," Faith said, avoiding Buffy's eyes.

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Are your parents beating you?"

"What?" Faith said, looking at her, surprised.

"Are your parents beating you?" Buffy repeated.

"No," Faith said and looked away.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments.

"Please don't lie to me, Faith."

Faith swallowed and looked at Buffy, who was on the verge of tears. She opened and closed her mouth a few times and then looked away. Buffy let go of her hand, and Faith immediately looked at her, afraid that she had just lost Buffy. They stared at one another, and the sight almost made Joyce cry.

"Yes," Faith finally said in a quiet voice, and looked away, ashamed.

Buffy took her hand again and Faith looked at her.

"It wasn't your fault, Faith."

Faith sighed.

"I know."

"There you are, you little slut!"

Everyone looked at the door, Buffy and Joyce surprised, Faith terrified. It was Mr Spencer. He was drunk and he had a bandage on his right hand.

"I knew you were whoring around, you lazy bitch! What did you do this time?" he demanded.

Faith's eyes were as wide as saucers.

Mr Spencer quickly walked over to the bed and backhanded Faith, who nearly fell off the bed.

"Slut."

Faith quickly got off the bed and started backing off, terrified.

"Hey," Buffy said and got in his way. "Leave her alone!"

"Mind your own business, bitch," Mrs Spencer said and slapped her.

"Buffy!" Joyce said, worried, when Buffy went sprawling to the floor.

Buffy touched her cheek, shocked, and stared at Mr Spencer.

"Get out!" Joyce demanded. "Now!"

Mr Spencer looked at her, surprised, and then smiled, obviously amused.

"Wanna have some fun, sugar?"

"Get away from me," Joyce said, disgusted, and backed off when he tried to touch her.

"Bitch!" he said and pushed her.

"Mom!" Buffy said, worried.

Mr Spencer continued to Faith, who was huddled in the corner, scared.

"You can't get away from me, you slut," he said and kicked her.

"Faith!" Buffy screamed, worried.

Joyce quickly got up and went to the hall.

"Security! Help!"

Buffy got up and ran to Faith.

"Leave her alone!" she said and pushed him away.

Mr Spencer looked at her furiously.

"Bitch!" he screamed and pushed her away with all his strength.

Buffy hit the wall and slid down, dazed.

"Buffy!" Joyce screamed, worried, when she saw what had happened. She ran to her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm dizzy," Buffy said, blinking her eyes.

Then the security finally arrived. When they saw what was going on, they immediately attacked Mr Spencer and pushed him to the ground. They cuffed him and then dragged him away.

Buffy immediately went to Faith, who was still huddled in the corner, protecting her head with her arms, trembling.

"Faith?" she asked, worried, tears running down her cheeks. "Faith, talk to me," she pleaded. "Please."

Faith didn't respond, so she hugged her.

"What… happened?" Mr Kelly asked when he came to the room.

Joyce looked at him.

"Mr Spencer came in and attacked Faith. We tried to stop him, but he pushed us away. Can you get a doctor, I'm worried about Faith's condition."

Mr Kelly nodded and quickly left.

Buffy quietly held Faith, and the doctor who arrived a few moments later with Mr Kelly decided to wait a bit.

"Faith?" Buffy asked when Faith stopped trembling. "Faith?" She noticed that Faith's eyes were closed and she quickly checked her pulse. "I think she passed out again."

"Help me put her on the bed," the doctor said to Mr Kelly. He looked at Joyce. "You two wait outside."

Joyce nodded and went to Buffy, who reluctantly let go of Faith.

A few hours later, Joyce had to go pick up Dawn, so Buffy was alone with Faith. She quietly held her hand, determined that Faith's parents would never hurt Faith again. Finally, Faith groaned.

"Faith?" Buffy said softly.

Faith groaned and slowly opened her eyes. She looked at Buffy for a moment and then she looked away, ashamed.

"Faith, look at me," Buffy said. "Please."

Faith hesitated for a few moments and then hesitantly looked at Buffy.

"It wasn't your fault. Your dad is a… a bastard and he doesn't deserve you. I promise, he'll never hurt you again."

Faith's eyes started to water up.

"And another thing," Buffy continued. "Remember when I was thinking about something that I couldn't tell you?" she asked, and Faith nodded. "Well, it was about you." She frowned. "Well, actually it was about how I feel about you. And you know what? I love you, Faith. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you," she said and tears started to run down Faith's cheeks. "I never gave it a thought before because I never imagined you not being with me." She gently squeezed Faith's hand. "I love you, Faith." She hesitated for a moment, suddenly nervous. "I… I don't know how… how you feel about me, but if you don't love me, I hope we can still be best friends."

Faith stared at Buffy, shocked. Buffy loved her? Her, of all people. How could she? And she was afraid she didn't love her back?

"Why…" She coughed. "Why me?" she asked.

"Oh Faith, you are the most wonderful person I know. Well, beside Mom. I can't really describe it, you know. It's just this feeling I get when I'm around you or when I think about you. It's so natural that I didn't think about it before."

Tears started to run down Faith's cheeks and Buffy's eyes went wide when she saw that Faith was crying.

"Don't cry, Faith," she said, her own eyes getting wet. "Please don't cry."

Faith swallowed hard. She was scared.

"I… I love you too," she then said so quietly that Buffy almost didn't hear her.

"What?" Buffy said, startled.

Faith gulped.

"I love you too," Faith said, her eyes wide.

"You… You do?" Buffy asked, excited.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"Oh Faith," Buffy said and hugged her.

Faith tensed for a moment, but then she hugged her back.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Buffy asked when they stopped hugging.

Faith looked away, feeling ashamed.

"I didn't think you loved me," she said quietly.

"Oh Faith, I do love you, I always have. And not only that, I'm in love with you." She caressed her. "You're so special."

Faith stared at her, feeling strange. All her life her parents were telling her that she was worthless and only Buffy and her family were glad to see her, but no one had ever told her that she was special. Tears started to run down her cheeks, and Buffy's eyes went wide.

"Faith?" she asked, worried.

Faith shook her head.

"I'm just… happy," she said.

Buffy smiled.

"Good, because you deserve to be."

"Oh my god, Faith, are you alright?" Dawn asked when Joyce brought her to the hospital.

Faith smiled a bit.

"I'm fine now," she said and looked at Buffy, who smiled at her.

"Mom, can Faith move in with us?" Buffy asked. "Permanently, I mean."

Joyce nodded.

"Yes. I already talked to Mr Kelly." She looked at Faith. "You don't have to go back there."

Faith gulped.

"Thank you," she said, trying hard not to cry.

Joyce smiled and nodded.

"You can move into the guest room…"

"Can I stay with Buffy?" Faith interrupted, her eyes wide.

Joyce looked at Buffy.

"If that's okay with you."

Buffy quickly nodded.

"Yes. And besides, she's always been staying there."

Joyce smiled and nodded.

"Yes. Okay then."

Buffy then glanced at Faith.

"Oh, um, Mom, Faith and I, we're together now."

Joyce's smile widened.

"Really?"

"You told her?" Dawn asked Faith, excited.

Faith shook her head.

"No."

"You knew?" Buffy asked.

"Duh," Dawn said. "It was obvious."

Buffy blushed.

"To anyone but us apparently," she said and looked at Joyce, who smiled.

"Apparently."

"When can she go home?"

"Tomorrow. They want to keep her here overnight."

Buffy nodded.

"Can I stay home tomorrow?"

Joyce thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay."

"Can I stay too?" Dawn asked. "Please?"

Joyce smiled.

"Alright."

"Thanks, Mom."

The End