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.

Awakening
By Kristjan Brezovnik

After Faith changed into her hospital uniform, she checked herself in the mirror and made a face. Cutesy hospital uniforms were so not her style, but hey, at least she didn't have to be in jail anymore. And if staying out meant wearing a cutesy hospital uniform, well, she didn't have a problem with it, especially since most of the patients she helped take care of were comatose.

When she'd first learned of the special correctional program she rejected it at first, but the more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea of being out of jail and do what she was called to do, slay. So she reviewed the available options for a job and finally decided on hospital work, especially when she found out she could work at the coma ward. She knew well what it was like to be in coma and she was glad that she could help the comatose patients, even though it meant that she had to wear a cutesy uniform.

She sighed and went to work.

She just finished washing the patients when a new patient was brought in. Faith suddenly got a strange feeling, one she hadn't felt in a while. And when she saw a tuft of blond hair under the bandages, she got a really bad feeling. She quickly approached the doctors.

"Who is she?" she asked.

One of the doctors looked at her.

"Jane Doe," he said, which meant that he had no idea.

Faith stared at the bandaged person, noticing that it was a woman.

"Do you have a picture of her or something? Some personal belongings?"

"Why?"

"'Cause I have a feeling I know who she is."

The doctor stared at her for a few moments, thinking.

"Hold on, let us finish here first."

"Okay," Faith said and backed off.

When the doctors were finished, one of them took her to the security office.

"That's all she had on her," he said and showed her some dirty clothes, some jewelry and a wooden stake.

Faith paled.

"Do… Do you have a photo or something?"

"Yes. It was made prior to surgery. Come."

When they got to the doctor's office, the doctor located the appropriate folder and leafed through the pages.

"Here," he said and when found the photo.

"Buffy," Faith said, staring at the bloody face.

"You know her?" the doctor asked.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah. Buffy Summers. She's from Sunnydale."

"Do you know her address or her phone number?"

"1630 Revello Drive. I don't know her phone number." She paused. "But I know someone who does. I'll call him right away and tell him to notify her sister."

The doctor nodded.

"Here, use my phone."

Faith raised an eyebrow, but she didn't comment. She went to the phone and dialed Angel's number.

"Angel Investigations. We help…" Cordelia started cheerfully.

"Cordelia," Faith interrupted her.

There was a slight pause.

"Faith?"

"Yeah. I need to talk to Angel, it's urgent."

"Hold on."

Cordelia called the receiver with her hand, but Faith could still make out her calling Angel. A few moments passed and then Angel answered.

"Faith?"

"Yeah. Listen, was Buffy in LA lately?"

"Yes, I think so, but I haven't seen her. Dawn says she's been missing for a week."

"What?! Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to worry."

Faith sighed.

"Anyway, she's in the hospital, in the coma ward."

"What?! What happened?

"I don't know. Can you call Dawn? I think she'll have to come over to ID her," she said and glanced at the doctor, who nodded.

"I will."

"Okay. Just don't tell her I told you."

"I won't."

"I'll see you around then."

"Yes."

"Bye." Faith hung up and looked at the doctor. "I think her sister will come later today."

The doctor nodded.

"Good."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"What happened to her?"

"I don't know. I'm surprised she's still alive with all the damage to her body. And what's more surprising is how fast she's recovering. She's only been in ICU for a week."

"When will she wake up?"

The doctor shrugged.

"I have no idea, but definitely not before the weekend."

"Oh." Faith sighed. "I'll go see what I'm supposed to do with her."

The doctor nodded and Faith left.

After getting her instructions from the supervising nurse, Faith went to Buffy's bed. She stared at her, feeling strange.

"Don't worry, Buffy, I'll take care of you," she said.

She hesitated for a moment and then took her hand and squeezed it gently.

After her shift ended, Faith called Angel to find out if Dawn was coming. She was, so Faith decided to wait for her, even though she didn't want to confront her. She also knew the Scooby Gang would come as well.

When Dawn and the Scoobs finally arrived, Faith hid and watched as they all went to the coma ward. Angel noticed her and nodded at her. Faith nodded back at him and then waited until he returned from the coma ward.

"Hey," Faith said.

"Faith. Do you know what happened?"

"No. But I saw a pre-op photo of her. Whatever beat her up did one hell of a job."

"Oh."

"They don't know when she'll wake up," she said, and Angel sighed. "You should go back before they miss you. I'll take care of her."

Angel raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

Angel nodded.

"Okay. Call me as usual then."

Faith nodded as well.

"I will."

Angel left and Faith stared after him for a few moments before going home.

During the next couple of weeks, Faith took care of Buffy like she was the most precious thing in the world. And to her she was. She felt a bit strange seeing Buffy completely naked for the first time, but she was relieved that she wasn't getting any horny thoughts. It also felt strange to have Buffy completely at her mercy. But she was glad that she wasn't thinking about revenge anymore, only making up for what she'd done. Unfortunately, her old feelings for Buffy resurfaced and she felt uncomfortable thinking about her and Buffy being together when she knew she didn't deserve her.

On one hand, she was relieved that Buffy's wounds were healing nicely and that she was out of bandages within a week, but the fact that Buffy didn't wake up from coma worried her. She hoped Buffy wouldn't waste eight months of her life like she had.

Then one day, while she was bathing one of the coma patients, another coma patient suddenly started to wake up. He started spasming and Faith ran to him.

"What's going on?" Nurse Glau, her boss, asked as she came in.

"I think he's waking up. What do I do?"

"Hug him. I'll get the doctor."

"What?" Faith said, puzzled.

"Hug him. He needs human contact."

Faith looked at the patient and hugged him after a few moments of hesitating. She froze for a moment when the patient hugged her back, but she quickly relaxed when she felt that his spasming was receding. She held him until he stopped shaking and then she let him go.

"What… Who… Where…" the man started, confused.

"Shh, it's okay," Faith interrupted him. "You're in a hospital, Mr Harelik."

"Hospital?"

"Yes, you had an accident. I think."

Mr Harelik frowned.

"Accident. Yes, I remember."

"The doctor will be here any moment."

Mr Harelik looked at her thoughtfully.

"Have we met?" he asked.

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"No."

Mr Harelik frowned.

"Your voice sounds familiar."

"Really?" Faith said, surprised, and glanced at Buffy.

"Yes. I could swear…"

"Hello, Mr… Harelik," the doctor said as he arrived with several nurses in tow. "I'm Doctor Lucas."

Faith backed off and thought about what Mr Harelik had said. Could he have heard her while she was reading to him? Could Buffy hear her?

"Faith, come here," Nurse Glau called her.

After that short excitement when Mr Harelik woke up from coma after two years, Faith thought she was lucky that she was only out for eight months. But at least Mr Harelik had someone to wake up to and he had a family. She now read even more to the patients, especially to Buffy, hoping that she heard her.

Then one day, Buffy finally woke up. Faith was just doing a checkup on the machines when Buffy started to spasm. She quickly ran to her and hugged her.

"Nurse Glau!" she called.

"I'll get the doctor," Nurse Glau said after having seen that Buffy was waking up, and left.

Buffy quickly stopped shaking, and Faith let her go.

"Buffy?" Faith asked nervously.

Buffy slowly opened her eyes. She quickly closed them as the lights were too bright, and then reopened them even more slowly.

"Buffy?" Faith said again, and Buffy looked at her.

"Where am I?"

"Hospital. Someone beat the shit out of you."

Buffy frowned.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'll call Angel and tell him you're awake."

Buffy frowned.

"Who?"

Faith frowned as well.

"Your ex-boyfriend. You know, tall, handsome and broody?"

Buffy thought.

"I… I don't remember."

Faith had a bad feeling.

"Do you know who you are?"

Buffy opened her mouth to respond, but she realized that she didn't know.

"I don't know," she said and looked at Faith with the deer-caught-in-the-headlights look. "I don't remember anything."

Faith gulped.

"It's gonna be okay, you'll remember."

"When?"

"I don't know, that's up to the doctors to tell."

"Oh." She thought for a moment. "Who am I?"

"You're Buffy Summers. You're from Sunnydale."

"Oh."

Buffy was quiet for a few moments as she concentrated.

"Buffy?" Faith asked, worried, when she saw the look of panic slowly spread itself across Buffy's face.

"I can't move," Buffy said. "Only my head."

Faith's eyes went wide. She hesitated for a moment and then touched Buffy's hand. Buffy looked and shook her head.

"I can't feel that."

Faith touched other parts of her body and Buffy almost started to cry.

"I can't feel anything."

Faith gulped.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine. I promise."

Buffy looked at her and saw that Faith meant it. She smiled a bit.

"Thanks," she said, teary eyed

"Ah, Miss Summers," the doctor said, smiling, as he arrived with several nurses in tow.

"She has amnesia and she can't feel or move anything below her neck," Faith quickly reported.

The doctor's face became serious.

"Okay," he said slowly.

After the doctor ran all the tests he could think off, Buffy had been relocated to a private room. Faith then went to Nurse Glau.

"Nurse Glau."

"Yes, Faith?"

Faith hesitated for a moment, nervous.

"Em, I was wondering if I could be assigned to keep on taking care of Buffy?"

Nurse Glau considered her for a few moments.

"You know her, don't you?"

Faith sighed.

"Yeah." She hesitated for a moment. "She's one of the people I hurt."

"I see."

"I wanna make it up to her. I mean, I know she doesn't remember me, but she will eventually." She frowned. "I mean, I'd like to ask her first."

"Will you tell her who you are?"

Faith gulped nervously.

"No, I-I don't want her to be afraid of me."

"And you won't hurt her?"

Faith's eyes went wide.

"No! Of course not. I mean, if I wanted to hurt her, I had plenty of chances while she was in coma."

Nurse Glau nodded.

"Go ask her. I'll check your schedule in the meantime."

Faith smiled.

"Thanks," she said and turned to leave. "Oh, can I use your phone? I need to let her sister know that she's awake."

"Yes, of course."

Faith went to the phone and dialed Angel.

"Angel Investigations. We help…" Cordelia started.

"It's me," Faith interrupted her.

"Oh," Cordelia said, disappointed.

"I need to talk to Angel."

"Hold on."

There was a pause and then Angel answered.

"Faith?"

"Yeah. Buffy woke up."

"Really?" Angel said, excited.

"Yeah. But she has amnesia and she can't move or feel anything below her neck."

"I see."

"You might want to prepare Dawnie."

"I will. She'll come right over."

"Okay. Bye."

Faith hung up and left.

When she got to Buffy's room, she took a deep breath, hesitating, and then knocked. She waited for a moment and then entered.

"Hey," she said with a smile when she saw Buffy.

Buffy smiled back sadly.

"Hey," she said quietly.

"Em, I just came to ask if you want me to continue to take care of you."

Buffy frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"You know, wash you and shave you. Oh, and feed you and, em, take you to the restroom."

Buffy blushed.

"You?"

Faith shrugged.

"I did it before. I mean, except feeding you and taking you to the restroom."

"Oh," Buffy said and her blush deepened. "So… So you're gonna… em, you know… em, wipe my… em…"

Faith smiled, feeling herself blush as well.

"Yeah."

"Oh," Buffy said, guessing she resembled a cooked lobster at the moment.

"Oh, em, I'm… I'm bi," Faith said nervously.

"Bisexual?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Yeah. I-I just wanted you to know, you know, in case you have a problem with that."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a moment. "No, not really."

"So, em, is that a yes?"

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Yes, I guess."

"Okay. Oh, em, I called Angel…"

"My ex-boyfriend?"

"Yeah. Dawn, your sister, has been staying with him ever since you were brought here. He'll have someone bring her over. They should be here in fifteen or so."

"I have a sister?" Buffy asked, curiously.

"Yeah. She's way younger than you. I think she's in high school or something."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a moment. "What about my parents?"

Faith wanted to answer truthfully, but she knew that Buffy would guess that she knew her.

"Never seen them. It's usually just Dawn and an escort."

"Oh," Buffy said, disappointed.

"Oh, em, I also told him that you have amnesia and that you can't move. You know, so he can prepare Dawn."

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"You should also tell her to bring you the stuff you need, like some panties and sweats and sleeping gown and slippers or something."

"I will."

"And also any creams and lotions you might want me to apply."

Buffy blushed a bit.

"I will."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Em, has the doctor mentioned physiotherapy?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll see what your schedule is."

"Will you help me, you know, do the exercises?"

"Yes."

Buffy smiled.

"Okay."

"Em, I'll come by later, okay?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Bye."

Faith quickly left, glad that Buffy wanted her to take care of her.

"Buffy?" Dawn said as she entered the room.

Buffy raised an eyebrow. She didn't remember the girl, but she guessed it was Dawn, her sister. She noticed two men and a young woman about her age with her and she wondered if one of the men was Angel.

"Yes. And no, I don't remember you."

Dawn's face fell.

"Oh. Can you move?"

"No," Buffy said, and Dawn's face fell even more.

"Em, this is Dawn, your sister," Wesley introduced her. "I am Wesley, a… a friend of the family. This is Angel, your, em…"

"Your ex-boyfriend," Cordelia said. "And I'm Cordelia. Wesley and I work for Angel at a detective agency. We used to go to Sunnydale High together."

"Oh." Buffy said, eyeing Wesley suspiciously and Angel curiously.

"So, em, you want me to tell you about yourself?" Dawn asked cheerfully, even though she felt anything but cheerful.

"Sure," Buffy said and smiled.

"Okay," Dawn said, smiling back, and sat beside her on the bed.

After her shift ended, Faith returned to Buffy.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"How did it go with your sister?" Faith asked as she approached the bed.

"Okay, I guess. Dawn told me about me."

"Oh. Like what you hear?"

Buffy tried to shrug and then frowned as she remembered that she couldn't.

"More or less." She hesitated for a moment. "Do you know that guy, Wesley? He came with Dawn."

"Yeah. He's a nice guy."

"Oh," Buffy said, thinking.

"You're worried that he might be humping your sister?" Faith suddenly realized.

Buffy blushed.

"Yeah."

Faith chuckled.

"Nah, he's too British for that."

Buffy smiled.

"Yeah, I guess. And Angel's so cute." She frowned. "I wonder why I broke up with him," she wondered, but Faith didn't respond. "And there was this girl, Cordelia. She sure doesn't beat around the bush."

Faith grinned.

"Gets right to the point, ha?"

Buffy smiled.

"Yes. She embarrassed Wesley a few times."

"I'll bet."

"Oh, what's your name?" Buffy suddenly remembered. She frowned. "I don't think you told me yet."

"Faith."

Buffy smiled.

"Nice name. Better than Buffy, anyway."

"I think it suits you perfectly," Faith said, causing Buffy to blush.

"So, em, you're off duty?" Buffy asked and glanced at Faith's leather outfit.

"Yeah."

"Nice outfit. I think leather suits you."

Faith blushed a bit, not used to hear praise from Buffy.

"Thanks. Oh, you start physiotherapy tomorrow. At three, I think."

"Okay."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Em, tomorrow's Friday." She hesitated for a moment. "I usually shave you and wash you on Fridays."

Buffy blushed.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I mean, just legs and armpits. Though if you want… you know, your pussy."

"I don't shave."

"No, I mean, if you want me to trim it."

"Oh." She frowned. "I don't know."

"We'll see tomorrow. I'll bring the scissors."

"Okay," Buffy said, blushing.

"Em, dinner is in one hour. I can keep you company till then, if you want."

"Okay," Buffy said with a smile. "You can tell me about yourself."

Faith paled a bit.

"Me?"

"Yeah. I mean, you're not a real nurse, are you? You don't wear the same uniform."

Faith gulped, nervously. On one hand, she didn't want to lie to Buffy, and on the other, she didn't want her to tell the truth. At least not the whole truth. She sighed and decided on a compromise.

"I'm not. I'm just doing community duty here."

"Community duty?" Buffy said, surprised. "Were you, like, convicted?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Yeah."

"What for?"

Faith hesitated again.

"Multiple assaults." She paused for a moment. "They didn't have enough evidence for murder."

"Murder?" Buffy asked, surprised.

Faith hesitated again, nervous.

"Two, actually."

"Two?" Buffy asked, her eyes wide.

"Yeah." Faith sighed. "The first one was an accident."

Buffy stared at her for a few moments.

"And the second?"

Faith hesitated again.

"Assassination," she said and shuddered.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments, shocked.

"You… You killed someone because somebody paid you to?"

"I didn't do it for the money."

"Then why?"

Faith sighed.

"It's a long story."

"We have time," Buffy said nervously. "I-I mean, if you want to tell me."

Faith looked at Buffy and stared at her for a few moments.

"Yeah. I want you to know." She took a deep breath, thinking. "I'm from Boston. I never knew my dad and my mom was a drunk, so I didn't hang around home much. I only had one real friend there, an older lady. She was killed and I couldn't do anything about it. I ran away then." She paused for a moment. "Then I came across B."

"B?" Buffy asked, curiously.

"That's what I called her. I knew she was special and for a while I thought I actually stood a chance with her, but then we got into a fight with some… people and I accidentally killed a man." She thought for a moment. "Things were never the same afterwards. I knew she wanted to help me, but she was also distant, you know? And her friends, they treated me like I was some kind of monster. And the thing is that if B had killed him, they would've been supportive."

"They didn't like you?"

"Not really. I mean, they tolerated me, but I never belonged, you know? And they probably thought I was a slut."

Buffy frowned.

"Why?"

Faith sighed.

"I like sex and I try to have it as often as possible." She hesitated for a moment. "I even had sex with one of her friends. And I also dress very… provocatively, as you can see." She sighed. "Anyway, after I killed that man and everyone treated me like I was some monster, that friend came over and tried to talk to me, but he used all the wrong words and I nearly killed him, but B stopped me." She hesitated for a moment, thinking. "After that I went to some crazy guy who wanted to wipe out the town. I wanted to spy on him so I could prove to B that I wasn't… bad. But then the guy treated me like I was family, you know? Like I mattered, like I belonged. I was ready to do anything for him, even commit murder." She sighed. "And I did. After that I poisoned B's boyfriend. I wanted to piss her off so much that she would come after me. And she did. We fought and she stabbed me."

"She stabbed you?" Buffy asked, surprised.

Faith sighed.

"Yeah. I wanted it to end, but I also wanted her to know what it was like to kill someone."

"But she didn't kill you."

"No. I jumped off the roof and landed on a truck. I was in coma for eight months." She thought for a moment. "When I woke up, I found out that I've been forgotten. I spied on B and found out she had a new honey, some macho soldier guy. I was so pissed at her. I fucked her boyfriend and then I took her mom and her sister hostage." She sighed. "Well, she came, we fought, I left. I ended up in LA and some lawyers hired me to kill B's ex-boyfriend, the one I poisoned."

"Why would lawyers want to kill B's ex-boyfriend?" Buffy asked, puzzled.

Faith thought for a moment.

"You know who Hitler is?"

Buffy frowned.

"Yes."

"Well, in some ways, they're worse than Hitler. And B's ex is a pain in their ass." She sighed. "Anyway, I didn't really want to kill him, I wanted to piss him off so he would kill me." She took a deep breath. "I had to torture one of his friends before he came after me and even then he refused to kill me." She stopped for a moment, pulling herself together. "That's when I finally broke. I stayed with him for a couple of days and then I turned myself in. I was released a couple of months ago when they started some special rehabilitation program. I didn't want to apply at first…"

"Why not?" Buffy interrupted, curious.

"Because I didn't think I belonged out yet. But then I thought about it and I realized that I can't make up for anything while I'm in jail, so I applied. I got questioned and I got accepted. I chose to work at the coma ward."

"Because you were also in coma," Buffy guessed.

"Yeah," Faith said. She hesitated for a moment. "And I have to see a shrink twice a month."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a moment. "So, this B, does she know you're out?"

Faith sighed.

"No, only her ex-boyfriend." She took a deep breath, hesitating. "I'm… afraid to confront her."

"You think she'll freak out?"

"I know she'll freak out. And her friends too."

"Oh."

"I just hope she'll forgive me someday." She hesitated for a moment and then looked at Buffy. "So, you still want me to take care of you?" she changed the subject.

Buffy stared at her for a moment. She realized that Faith wanted her to want Faith to take care of her.

"Yes."

Faith smiled a bit, relieved.

"Okay." She thought for a moment. "So, what did Dawn tell you about yourself?"

Buffy smiled.

"Well, I was born in LA, but after I burned down the gym at the high school…"

Faith laughed.

"You burned down a gym?"

Buffy blushed.

"Yeah. But Dawn said it wasn't my fault."

Faith grinned.

"I'm sure."

"It wasn't!" Buffy protested, and Faith smiled.

"Relax."

Buffy pouted for a moment and then continued.

"Anyway, my parents divorced after I got thrown out of high school and Mom, me and Dawn moved to Sunnydale." She hesitated for a moment, blushing. "There, I apparently blew up the high school on the graduation day."

Faith chuckled.

"You sure have issues with high schools."

Buffy blushed.

"Dawn said it wasn’t my fault."

"I'm sure."

"It wasn’t!" Buffy pouted again.

Faith grinned.

"Relax, I'm just teasing you."

Buffy smiled.

"So what about you?"

"Me?"

"Yeah. Did you go to high school at all?"

Faith shrugged.

"No, I dropped out. But I took the GED while I was in jail and I did some college courses. I'm studying to be a physiotherapist."

Buffy smiled.

"So you get to practice on me."

Faith blushed a bit.

"Yeah. I've been practicing massage on the coma patients, but unfortunately, I don't get any feedback from them."

Buffy chuckled.

"You won't get it from me either."

"Oh," Faith remembered. "Yeah. Damn. I guess I'll have to wait until you can move again."

"The doctor wasn't very optimistic," Buffy said seriously.

"You'll walk," Faith assured her. "After all, with the beating you took, you should be dead, but you survived. And you were in coma only for a few weeks. You'll walk, you'll see."

Buffy smiled a bit.

"Thanks."

Faith smiled back.

"No problem."

They talked some more before dinner and then Faith left to get the food. They both felt awkward at first, but they quickly got used to it. After dinner, Faith stayed with Buffy for a while, keeping her company, and then went to her apartment. She took a quick shower, grabbed something to eat and then went out on patrol.

The first thing Faith did in the morning when she came to work was check up on Buffy. She was surprised when she saw that Buffy was already awake.

"Oh, hi. I didn't mean to wake you," she apologized.

Buffy smiled.

"I've been awake for a while. I couldn't sleep."

"I something wrong?" Faith asked, concerned, as she approached the bed.

Buffy sighed.

"I keep having this nightmare. And the fact that I can't move isn't helping any."

"Oh. Want to sit?"

"Yes."

Faith raised the upper part of the bed so that Buffy was sitting.

"What nightmare?"

Buffy frowned.

"I don't know. I kept seeing myself fight some monsters. It was really freaky."

Faith gulped.

"I see." She thought for a moment. "Want me to turn on the TV?"

Buffy thought about it.

"Yes, please. I'll go crazy otherwise."

Faith turned on the TV.

"Which channel?"

Buffy thought for a moment.

"I don't know, Cartoon Network or something."

Faith smiled.

"You like cartoons?"

Buffy blushed a bit, nervous.

"I don't know. It's just, I want something interesting and cartoons are never the same."

"Yeah," Faith said as she searched for the channel. "Ah, here it is."

"Thanks."

"I could get you a VCR, if you want, and you could watch movies instead," she offered.

"Really? That'd be great, yeah," Buffy agreed.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do." She checked her watch. "I still have a couple of minutes before my shift starts," she said and sat on a chair. "Oh, em, when is Dawn coming today?"

"First thing in the morning. As soon as visiting hours begin, I mean."

"At ten. Okay, I'll wash you then. Do you need to go to the toilet or something?"

"No, not yet." She frowned. "It's funny, I can feel my bowels, but not much else."

Faith smiled encouragingly.

"It's a start."

"Yeah, I guess."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Do you know how long she's staying?" she then asked, not wanting to run into Dawn.

"No. Probably till lunch, I don't know."

"Okay. I'll come to check up on you every hour. Except when you have visitors."

"Why not then?" Buffy asked, puzzled.

"I don't like to intrude. And besides, they can take care of you. And if you need help, one of them can get a nurse."

"Oh. Okay."

Faith checked her watch.

"Gotta go now. I'll see you later. I'll bring you breakfast."

Buffy smiled.

"Okay. Bye."

Faith smiled and left, glad that she and Buffy were friends so far. Well, not exactly friends, but they tolerated one another.

After washing the coma patients and doing some other work, Faith went to check up on Buffy and she also took her breakfast, during which both were more relaxed than they had been during the dinner. It wasn't until nine o'clock that Buffy finally had to go to the toilet. They both felt nervous about it, but Faith decided to handle it professionally, like she did washing the patients, and Buffy quickly relaxed, even when Faith had to wipe her most intimate parts. She was too embarrassed to look at Faith for a few moments after it, but she quickly relaxed when Faith didn't make a big deal out of it. And there was also the fact that Faith carried her around like she was light as a feather that made her think, so she concentrated on that.

Faith left then and came back the next hour. She left just before Dawn and Wesley came and she was relieved that neither saw her. She came the next hour and asked the nurse at Information if Buffy was still having visitors. She was, so she left. The next hour, Buffy's visitors still hadn't left, but by one o'clock they had.

"Hey," she said with a smile as she entered.

Buffy smiled back.

"Hey."

"Good news, you're getting the VCR later on."

"Really?" Buffy said, excited. "That's great."

Faith smiled.

"Yeah. So, did she bring you your stuff?"

"Yes. It's in that bag," Buffy said and nodded at the bag.

Faith looked at it and picked it up. She took everything out and laid it on Buffy's bed.

"Okay, let's see," Faith said as she inspected. "I'll put the clothes in the drawer. You'll only need a sweat suit and your sleeping gown. But I suggest you stick to the hospital gown. It may not be fashionable and not very comfortable, but at least your sister won't have to wash it everyday."

"Why would she wash it?" Buffy asked.

"Massage oil."

"Oh."

"You did get a new one, didn't you?"

"What?"

"Hospital gown."

"Oh. Yes."

"Good." Faith hesitated for a moment. "Do you wanna wear panties?"

"Yes," Buffy quickly said and then thought about it. "On the other hand, it will probably be easier for you if I didn't. Right?"

Faith smiled.

"Right. I'll just leave the sweat suit and the slippers outside for the physical exercises," she said and put the clothes in a drawer. "Okay, I don't think you'll need lipstick or any of your makeup." She checked the larger bottles. "We have shampoo and shower gel, but I can use yours, if you want."

"Yes."

"Okay." She examined the shaving kit. "Okay, this is way better than what they have here." She looked at Buffy. "So, you ready?"

Buffy blushed.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Okay." Faith then cleared everything from Buffy's bed and put a privacy screen between the bed and the door. "Just in case somebody walks in," she explained. Then she removed the sheet. "Okay, I'm gonna undress you now. You ready?"

Buffy blushed a bit.

"Yeah."

Faith hesitated for a moment, suddenly nervous. Then she slowly started to take Buffy's hospital gown off.

"I'll have to turn you," Faith thought for a moment, "four times, I think. Shaving, washing, massage and lotion," she counted. "Yeah, four times."

"Okay."

The gown was off and Buffy blushed nervously, not remembering if any woman had seen her naked before. Except her mother, of course.

"Good. I'll have to lower you now," Faith said.

Buffy nodded as much as she could and Faith lowered the upper part of the bed. Faith then took the shaving kit.

"So, em, want me to trim your… pussy hairs?" Faith then asked, suddenly very nervous.

Buffy thought for a moment, remembering her last toilet experience.

"Yes," she said and blushed again. "But not too much."

"I'll just shorten the hairs and make a triangle, okay?"

Buffy nodded, blushing furiously.

Faith then took the scissors and started to trim Buffy's bush.

"This okay?" she asked when she thought it was down to a reasonable size and not too revealing.

"Yes," Buffy said.

"Okay."

Faith then started to apply the shaving foam on Buffy's legs and shave them. When she was done with the legs, she took care of the armpits. Then she turned her over and shaved the back of Buffy's legs. When she was done with shaving, she put away the shaving kit and started to wash Buffy's back.

"We usually do hair once every two months since it doesn't get very dirty around here," she said. "Your turn is in a couple of weeks."

"We?" Buffy asked.

"I need someone to wash your hair while I hold you."

"Oh."

Faith washed Buffy's back and she also spread Buffy's ass cheeks so as to not miss a spot. When she was done with the back side, she turned Buffy again and washed her front side, which included Buffy's breasts and pussy. Buffy blushed furiously when Faith spread her pussy lips to wash her there. She couldn't feel Faith's touch, but she could feel what it was doing to her body.

Faith heard her make a strangled noise and she looked up. She noticed that Buffy was blushing and she frowned. But then she realized why Buffy was blushing and her eyes went wide.

"Oh! I'm sorry," she quickly apologized, silently cursing herself for being so stupid, and backed off. "I-I wash all patients this thoroughly."

"I-It's okay," Buffy said.

"I won't wash you there again, unless you want me to."

Buffy stared at her for a few moments, realizing that this was not a joke to Faith. Then she thought about Faith washing her intimate parts. On one hand, it was kinda embarrassing to let a strange girl wash her there, but on the other, that strange girl had washed her there numerous times while she was in coma. Hell, she had carried her to the toilet and… She forced herself not to think about that because she knew she would blush.

"No, it's okay," she said.

"You sure?" Faith asked, nervous.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

Faith took a deep breath.

"Okay," she said. "But I want you to tell me if anything is making you uncomfortable, okay?"

"Okay," Buffy said.

Faith then continued to wash Buffy, who quietly observed her.

When Faith was done with washing, she got the massage oil and started to massage Buffy's front. Her massage was rough and would've left bruises on other people, but not on Buffy. And Buffy didn't even feel it. When Faith was done with Buffy's front, she got a towel and then rolled Buffy onto it.

"So the sheets won't get soaked with oil," she explained.

"Okay," Buffy said.

Faith then did Buffy's back side. Just when she was done, someone knocked and entered.

"Who is it?" Faith asked.

"It's me," Nurse Glau said.

"Oh. I'm just giving Buffy a massage. I marked it in my schedule."

"I know, I know," Nurse Glau said, standing behind the privacy screen, "that's why I came here."

"Is there anything you need me for?"

"No, not at the moment, but I want you to come to my office after your shift ends."

"Yes, Ma'am," Faith said, slightly nervous.

"Good. We need to discuss your schedule now that you have more responsibilities," Nurse Glau added, knowing that Faith was probably nervous about being called into her office.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"I'll see you later then," Nurse Glau said and left.

"Was that your boss?" Buffy asked after the door closed.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"What's she like?"

Faith thought for a moment.

"She's okay, I guess. She can be a real bitch, if she wants to. The first month I was here, she was watching me like a hawk. I had a feeling that everywhere I turned, she was there, waiting for me to screw up. I was so nervous I nearly did screw up, but then she walked up to me one day and told me I was doing a great job."

Buffy smiled.

"That's good."

"Yeah. She even said I'd make a good nurse one day. Scared the shit out of me."

"Why?" Buffy asked, puzzled.

"Well, I hate school and if I wanted to be a nurse, I'd have to go back." She hesitated for a moment. "And I wasn't sure I wanted a responsibility like that."

"Oh."

"But she didn't force me anything, she said it was my choice."

"Yes," Buffy agreed.

"So now she's helping me with becoming a physiotherapist."

"I think you'll make a fine nurse," Buffy said, causing Faith to blush.

"Thanks." She took a deep breath. "Okay, now this stuff that Dawn brought. Any special uses?"

"No."

"Okay."

Faith spread the skin creme all over Buffy's back and massaged it into the skin. Then she got another towel and rolled Buffy on it.

"So the sheets won't get all messy," she explained and Buffy nodded.

Faith then did Buffy's front.

"You know, I think this is helping," Buffy said.

"What?" Faith asked.

"This five star treatment. I may not be able to move my body or feel when you touch the skin, but I… feel my body, you know? I know it's there. I can feel the heat and I feel better now."

"Yeah?" Faith said, excited. "You should tell that to the doctor tomorrow."

"I will."

"We'll see how you feel after the exercises today."

"Okay," Buffy said and smiled.

"When is Dawn coming again?"

"At four."

"Okay."

Faith then took the towel on which Buffy had lain during the massage and gently ran it across Buffy's body to wipe any stray moisture.

"Okay, we're done," she said and folded the towel.

Then she fetched Buffy's hospital gown, put it on and removed the second towel, which she folded as well.

"I almost feel like in heaven," Buffy said with a smile, causing Faith to flinch. "You okay?"

Faith nodded.

"Fine." She took a deep breath. "I'll leave this stuff here, no point in taking it to the bathroom."

"Yes," Buffy said, wondering why Faith had flinched at the mention of heaven.

Faith checked the time.

"Okay, seems like I still have a few minutes."

"You know exactly how long it takes to take care of a patient?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah," Faith said. "Want to sit?"

"Yes."

Faith raised the upper part of the bed.

"Comfortable?"

Buffy chuckled.

"As much as I can be."

"Okay. I'll just go wash my hands."

"Okay."

Faith went to the bathroom and washed her hands.

"I'll bring you lunch later," she said when she returned from the bathroom.

"Can you sneak in a pizza?" Buffy asked hopefully.

Faith laughed.

"I can, but Nurse Glau could smell it a floor away," she said, and Buffy smiled.

"Damn."

"They don't allow outside food because they fear food poisoning."

"Oh." She sighed. "I guess I'll have to settle for hospital food then."

"I'll ask her about getting you food from the cafeteria. Or maybe they could make normal food for you or something."

"Thanks," Buffy said with a smile.

Lunch passed even more comfortably than breakfast as Buffy got used to being fed. Later in the afternoon, just as Faith changed Buffy into her sweat suit to take her to physiotherapy, someone brought in a VCR. Faith gave him the go-ahead and drove Buffy out in a wheelchair.

During the exercises, Buffy first felt a bit weird as Faith put her in various positions and did exercises with her under the supervision of a senior nurse, but she soon relaxed.

Faith was gentle with Buffy at first, but then she remembered that Buffy was a Slayer and she used more strength.

"Au!" Buffy suddenly cried.

"You felt that?" Faith asked, excited, and massaged the spot.

"Well, no, not directly. I can't feel you touching me, but something inside definitely felt it."

"That's good, right?" Faith said and glanced questioningly at the senior nurse, who had approached at Buffy's yelp.

The nurse nodded.

"Yes. Try it again a few times, but don't overdo it."

"Yes, Ma'am," Faith said and repeated the exercise. "Feel anything?"

Buffy frowned.

"I'm not sure. I mean, I'm getting sweaty and I have this… feeling, you know, like I can feel my body, but I can't."

"Hmm," Faith said. "Let's do something else now and let your body get used to moving."

"Okay."

"I'll have to wash you again," Faith said when they got back to Buffy's room.

"Okay," Buffy said.

Faith set up the privacy screen and then quickly undressed Buffy. She the washed her front side, then turned her over and washed her back side. When she was done, she turned Buffy on her back and dressed her in the hospital gown.

"Thanks," Buffy said.

Faith looked at her and smiled.

"No problem." She glanced at the VCR. "Now Dawn is gonna have to bring you a couple of tapes every day."

"Yes."

"I'll come and change them every two hours."

"Okay."

"I'll come by later, after Dawn leaves."

"Just how long is your shift?" Buffy asked, curious.

Faith shrugged.

"As long as I want to. I'm obliged to do one shift, but it's not like I have much to do otherwise, so I sometimes pull a double shift. I make more money that way."

"And you can manage two shifts?" Buffy asked.

"Sure, piece of cake. And Nurse Glau allows me to take a longer lunch break."

"Oh."

"I'll wash you after physiotherapy from now on. I made sure you're scheduled for three o'clock every day. And after that, I'll give you a massage and stuff."

"This is better than any hotel," Buffy said and smiled.

Faith smiled back, blushing slightly.

"Thanks." She hesitated for a moment. "Em, if there's anything you want, just let me know, okay?"

"I will."

"I'll come back later."

"Okay."

Faith quickly left, disturbed by how fast her heart was beating. Sure, she had feelings for Buffy, but those feelings didn't matter now, she had screwed up and there was no way that Buffy would ever love her. Her throat tightened when she wondered how Buffy would react once she found out who she was. She hoped she would gather the courage to tell her the truth before Buffy remembered.

Dawn, Wesley and Angel came at four thirty. Dawn and Wesley went straight to Buffy, and Angel looked for Faith.

"Faith," he said when he found her.

Faith turned, surprised.

"Angel. I thought you were going to Buffy."

"I am, I just came to see you first."

"Oh."

"How is everything going?"

Faith sighed.

"I told you last night. Oh, today, during exercises, Buffy felt pain for a moment."

"Pain?" Angel asked, worried.

"Yeah. I was using Slayer strength on her and her body might not be used to it."

"I see." He hesitated for a moment. "And you don't mind taking care of her?"

"No. At least this way I can start to make it up to her." She frowned. "I'm just worried how she'll react when she finds out who I am." She looked at Angel again. "You didn't tell her about me? Or about her being a Slayer?"

Angel shook her head.

"No."

"You should."

"Did you tell her anything about yourself?"

"Most of it, but I didn't mention any names. She knows I'm from Boston, that I hurt someone named B and that I went to jail. And why. She has no idea that she is B."

"Oh."

"You should tell her about me. I mean, not me me, but the Faith from Sunnydale."

Angel thought about it.

"I'll talk to Dawn about it."

"Okay. And you should tell her she's a Slayer, it might give her more determination."

"And how should I prove it?" Angel asked, and Faith gave him a blank look. "Oh," he realized. "I'll talk to Dawn about it."

"Okay. It might also help her understand the nightmares."

"What nightmares?" Angel asked, worried.

"About her fighting monsters."

"Oh. Well, it's Dawn's decision."

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

Angel observed her for a moment.

"And how do you feel?"

Faith took a deep breath.

"Better than I've felt in a long time, now that I can help Buffy."

Angel nodded.

"Good. I'll see you around."

Faith nodded back.

"Okay. Take care."

Angel left and Faith returned to her work.

Next morning, the first thing Faith did when she came to work was check up on Buffy.

"Hey," she said with a smile after she entered.

Buffy smiled back.

"Hey."

"I thought you might be already awake."

"I was."

"I know. Any nightmares?"

Buffy frowned.

"How did you know?"

"I didn't, I just guessed."

"Oh." She sighed. "Yes."

"The same as last night?"

"Yes."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"If you want, I can stay overnight," she offered. "You know, so I can wake you up if you have a nightmare."

Buffy considered the offer, surprised.

"Nah, it's okay, I can manage."

"You sure?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. They're not that scary as they were at first, I mean, I always win."

Faith grinned.

"Looks like you're a natural born winner."

Buffy giggled.

"I hope so," she said and her face became serious. "I'd hate to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair."

"You won't," Faith assured her.

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"You don't know that."

"I do." She smirked. "I have faith in you."

Buffy laughed, and Faith smiled.

"Very funny," Buffy said.

"I thought so too."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Em, I think I'm gonna have to go to the bathroom soon."

"Now?"

Buffy shook her head.

"No, not yet. In an hour, I think."

Faith nodded.

"I'll come back then." She glanced at the TV. "Want me to turn on the TV?"

"Yes," she said, and Faith got the remote. "Dawn said she'll bring me some tapes today, maybe even some family tapes. She said that my best friend is probably coming today."

"Oh," Faith said, slightly worried that Willow might sense her presence somehow. "I hope the family tapes help you get your memory back soon."

Buffy nodded.

"Me too."

Faith smiled.

"I'll see you in one hour then."

Buffy nodded.

"Okay."

Faith left, and Buffy stared after her, having a strange feeling about Faith. It wasn't a bad feeling, on the contrary, it was a very good feeling, one that sent the butterflies in her stomach in a frenzy. She wondered if she was gay or at least bi. Dawn had told her about her various boyfriends and she had actually met one, Angel, but she wondered if she might have secretly had a girlfriend and had just been afraid to tell her family about her. She took a deep breath and concentrated on cartoons, trying to forget Faith's smile.

During her morning visit, Dawn brought Buffy some tapes, and Buffy enjoyed watching them, so Faith didn't disturb her for long. Willow hadn't come yet, but she was supposed to come in the afternoon and bring the family tapes.

"Hey," Faith said, smiling, when she came to check up on Buffy after Dawn and company had left.

"Hey," Buffy said absentmindedly.

"Is everything okay?" Faith asked, worried.

Buffy sighed.

"Yes."

"You sure?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. It's just… Dawn told me more about me, some really… weird stuff."

"Oh," Faith said, realizing what Dawn had told Buffy. "Wanna talk about it?"

Buffy shook her head.

"No. You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"I've seen some weird shit in my life."

"Not this weird."

"Oh. Well, if you change your mind."

Buffy shook her head.

"I doubt it."

"Okay."

"I want to tell you," Buffy quickly assured her, "it's just that it's so weird you'd think I'm crazy."

"You don't have to explain, Buffy, I understand."

Buffy smiled.

"Thanks."

"I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay."

Faith smiled and left.

During the afternoon exercises, Faith felt Buffy's arm jerk when she pulled it.

"Did you feel that?" she asked, excited.

"Yes," Buffy said, also excited. "Do it again."

Faith pulled her arm again.

"Anything?"

Buffy frowned.

"I think so, but I'm not sure. Pull at the fingers," she said and Faith did so. "I think I feel you holding them." She closed her eyes. "Touch a random finger," she instructed. "Ring finger," she guessed when Faith touched a finger.

"Yes," Faith said, excited, and Buffy peeked.

"Do another," she said and closed her eyes again. "Little finger."

"Yes," Faith said and touched another.

"Ring finger again. Middle finger. Thumb. Little finger. Middle finger. Index finger." She opened her eyes, excited. "Did I get them right?"

Faith smiled.

"Every single one of them."

"Let's try the other hand."

Faith moved to the other side of Buffy and picked up her hand. Then she pulled.

"Anything?"

Buffy shook her head, disappointed.

"No."

"Hey, don't give up now," Faith encouraged her. "It's a start."

Buffy sighed.

"I guess so."

After the exercises, Faith took Buffy back to her room and washed her.

"I think I felt that," Buffy said when Faith washed her feet.

"What? This?"

Faith ran her fingers along Buffy's feet.

"Yes! I feel it!" Buffy said, excited.

"Yeah?" Faith said and smiled.

"Yes! Okay, stop tickling me."

Faith smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry. Okay, I'm done here. Time for massage."

Faith got the oil and started to massage Buffy's back.

"Oh, I definitely feel that," Buffy said.

"You do?"

"Well, not directly. Inside, I feel the effects."

"Oh. That's good."

"Yeah," Buffy said dreamily.

Faith smirked.

"You like that, don't you?"

"Mmm yeah."

Faith found Buffy's purring very erotic, so she took a deep breath to calm down.

During the next couple of days, Buffy not only regained most of her feeling in the upper part of the body but also some mobility of her arms. She was ecstatic, and so was Faith.

"You could move to Hyperion now that you can move," Dawn suggested during a visit.

Buffy considered the idea.

"No, I think I'll stay here."

"Why?" Dawn asked, disappointed.

"Well, I'd still have to return here everyday for the exercises. And besides, Faith is keeping me company."

Willow smirked.

"Faith, ha?" she said, and Buffy blushed. "So when are you finally going to introduce us to her?" she asked, causing Buffy to blush an even deeper shade of red. "Or are you keeping her all for yourself like I kept Tara?"

"You're in love with her?" Dawn asked, having noticed Buffy's blush.

"I… I…"

"Looks like it," Willow said with a knowing smile.

"I didn't know you were gay," Dawn said.

"I didn't either," Willow said. "Until I met Tara."

"Oh." She looked at Buffy. "So, are you?"

Buffy blushed again.

"I don't know, I guess so. I mean, this is like falling in love for the first time, you know? I don't remember being in love with Angel or Riley or anyone else."

"Are you sure you're not suffering from that, em, Stockholm Syndrome?" Dawn asked.

"Stockholm Syndrome?" Buffy asked, puzzled.

"I think I know what she mans," Willow said with a smile. "She's worried that you might be feeling this way about Faith because you've been so dependent on her and because she takes care of you so well."

"Oh." Buffy thought about it. "Well, maybe it started that way, but now I'm not so dependent on her anymore. And I keep thinking about her, you know, the way she smiles and stuff," she said, blushing.

Willow smiled.

"I know." She hesitated for a moment. "And does she feel the same way about you?"

"I think so," Buffy said uncertainly.

"You think so?" Dawn asked, curious.

"Well, yeah," Buffy said, blushing. "I mean, I see the way she looks at me, you know, like I'm more than just a patient, like I'm special."

Willow smiled.

"Yep, it's definitely love."

"You should ask her," Dawn said.

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

"Just don't scare her," Willow said with a smirk.

"With this tempo, you'll be out of here in no time," Faith told her as she dressed Buffy after massage.

Buffy smiled.

"Yes, I just can't wait," she said.

And while Faith wanted to be close to Buffy, she also wanted her to be well as well.

"And at least now you can switch channels on TV."

Buffy giggled.

"Thank god for small favors," she agreed as she watched Faith put away the various bottles she had been using. There was something she needed to know. "Faith?"

"Yeah?"

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Tell me about B," she said and was surprised to see Faith tense.

"Why?" Faith asked, still facing away from her.

"I'm curious. What is she like?"

"I-I'd rather not talk about her," Faith said.

Buffy realized that this was a painful subject for Faith. She also realized something else.

"You loved her didn't you?" she said, and Faith tensed again. "And you still do," she observed, disappointed.

Faith took a deep breath to calm down.

"It doesn't matter," she said quietly.

"Why?" Buffy asked, puzzled.

"She'll never love me."

"How do you know?"

Faith turned and looked at Buffy.

"Well, for one, I did hurt her."

"But she could forgive you."

Faith smiled sadly.

"I hope so. We might even be friends again, but she doesn't feel the same about me."

"How do you know?"

"Well, she did have a couple of boyfriends while I was around and she never showed any interest in me. Sexual interest, I mean."

"Oh." Buffy hesitated for a few moments, thinking. "Will you ever get over her?"

Faith gulped.

"I don't know," she said, remembering. "She is the first person I ever loved, it's kinda hard to let go, you know."

"But she doesn't love you back."

Faith shrugged.

"It doesn't matter, it's not like anyone else will."

"You don't know that," Buffy said, surprised at how low Faith thought of herself.

"I know. People want to fuck me, not love me."

"That's because they don't know you."

"It's not like they care about that."

"I do," Buffy said and blushed.

Faith's eyes went wide as she realized that Buffy had fallen in love with her.

"No, you don't."

"I do," Buffy said. She reached out and took Faith's hand into her own, startling Faith. "You're a wonderful person, Faith, in spite of…"

"You don't know me, Buffy," Faith said and quickly pulled her hand back, startling Buffy.

"I've had a couple of weeks to get to know you, Faith. Yes, you've done same bad things, but you've obviously changed."

"Buffy…"

"You're a caring woman, Faith," Buffy continued, and Faith felt like crying because she knew that she would have to stop this and tell Buffy the truth. "I know I've never been with a woman before, but with you, I feel special."

"That's because you depended on me," Faith said, trying hard not to cry.

"I know. But you didn't have to be nice to me. And I talked to your boss, Nurse…"

"Buffy, stop," Faith said, trembling. She took a deep breath to gather the courage to say what she needed to say. "You… You're B."

Buffy frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"You're B, the girl I was telling you about. And I'm Faith, the one that Dawn told you about."

"What?" Buffy said, shocked.

"Didn't you think it was strange how our stories were so alike? I'm a Slayer too," Faith said, and Buffy stared at her agape. Faith sighed. "I didn't mean for you to fall in love with me, I just wanted to take care of you, to start making it up to you."

Buffy stared at Faith, desperately wanting to believe that what Faith had said was not true, but she could see it in Faith's eyes that it was. She was confused, she didn't know if she should hate Faith now or what.

"I… I need to think about it."

Faith nodded and started to leave. Then she remembered something.

"Buffy?" she said and Buffy looked at her. "Everything I told you is true. I didn't lie, at least not intentionally, I only left out the context."

Buffy kept staring at her, so she left.

When Faith was gone, Buffy leaned back and just stared at nothing for a few moments. She had wanted to find out more about B so she would know if she had a chance with Faith. She had so not expected to discover that she was B. And if Faith's words were to be believed, then Faith was in love with her, only their relationship wasn't up to Faith anymore, it was up to her. She took a deep breath and thought about what Faith had told her.

It took Nurse Glau ten minutes to locate Faith after she didn't show up for duty after taking care of Buffy. She had been told by the information nurse that Faith had seemed very upset after she came from Buffy's room, and she guessed that Buffy must have found out who Faith was. So she decided to go look for her and talk to her.

When she finally found her on the emergency staircase, she quietly sat beside her.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Faith sighed and wiped her tears.

"She fell in love with me," she then said quietly.

"Buffy?"

Faith nodded.

"And I hurt her again."

"How?"

"I had to tell her who I was."

"I see." She hesitated for a moment and then took Faith's hand into her own, making Faith jerk, startled. "How did she react?" she asked when Faith looked at her.

Faith sighed.

"She was shocked."

"Then give her some time to think it over," Nurse Glau said, and Faith nodded. "You can go home, if you want."

Faith shook her head.

"Don't have anyone to go home to." She sighed. "I just need a little break to calm down."

Nurse Glau nodded.

"No problem. Come to my office when you're ready."

Faith nodded.

"Thanks."

Nurse Glau smiled.

"You're welcome," she said and got up. "I'll see you later."

Faith nodded, and Nurse Glau left.

When it was time for dinner, Faith went to Buffy again.

"Hey," she said quietly as she entered.

"Hey."

Faith approached Buffy's bed, but she stopped a few steps away so that Buffy wouldn't be alarmed.

"Em, I just wanted to ask if you still want me to bring you food and stuff."

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

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll be right back," Faith said and quickly left.

Buffy stared after her until she disappeared. She realized that Faith was afraid and she guessed it was because she felt guilty over hurting her again.

Faith returned a few minutes later with Buffy's dinner. Just as she put it down, Buffy touched her hand and Faith jerked, startled. She looked at Buffy, and Buffy saw that she was scared.

"I understand why you didn't tell me who you were," Buffy said. "I don't blame you, I would probably do the same." She sighed. "I need some time to think about it."

"Do… Do you still want me to come check up on you and exercise with you?" Faith asked nervously.

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

"Yes."

Faith relaxed.

"Thanks," she said quietly, and Buffy nodded. "I'll come by later to take away the dishes."

The next day went by as usually, except that they didn't talk to one another and Faith spent less time with Buffy than before. Buffy spent most of the time thinking about the Faith she remembered and the Faith she didn't remember. She didn't tell Dawn and Willow about it and she pretended she was happy, even though she suspected that Willow saw through her.

In the afternoon, after the exercises, Faith waited behind the privacy screen until Buffy washed her front, and then she washed her back and her legs. Next was massage, but Faith wasn't sure if Buffy would still want it.

"Do you still want a massage?" she asked quietly.

Buffy looked at her, surprised. Massage had become a habit, one she liked a lot as Faith gave great massages, and she didn't even think about Faith not giving her a massage. She thought about it for a few moments, observing Faith, and then decided to let Faith give her a massage, to show her that she didn't resent her for not telling her the whole truth.

"Yes," she said and noticed that Faith seemed to be relieved.

Next morning, when Buffy woke up, she knew it was Faith she had been dreaming about. It was a nightmare, she had stabbed Faith. She knew that had happened for real and she wondered if she was finally remembering. She was still trying to remember more details when Faith came to check up on her.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Is there anything you need?"

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Come closer," she said, and Faith slowly approached. "I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed that I stabbed you."

Faith gulped.

"You did."

"I know." She hesitated for a moment. "Do… Do you have a scar?"

Faith tensed.

"Yes."

"Can… Can I see it?"

Faith hesitated for a moment and then removed her uniform enough for Buffy to see the scar.

Buffy stared at it for a few moments and then reached over to touch it, but Faith backed off. She looked at her.

"Sorry, I didn't mean… I mean…"

"You want to touch it?" Faith asked.

"Well, yeah, but you don't have to…"

Faith stepped closer and positioned herself so that Buffy could easily touch the wound.

"Are you sure?" Buffy asked.

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

Buffy looked at the wound. She hesitated for a moment and then slowly reached and touched it. Faith flinched a bit, but she didn't back off. Buffy gently ran her fingers the length of the scar twice and then pulled her hand back.

"It's right where I dreamed it was," she said quietly.

Faith glanced at the wound and then started to straighten her uniform.

"What… What did you tell your friends?" Faith asked when she was done with her uniform.

Buffy thought about it.

"Nothing. Yet. I need to think about it."

Faith nodded.

"I'll come by later."

During the next few days, Buffy intensely tried to remember more. She was so intent on trying to remember that she didn't even celebrate the fact that she could move her toes. She had nightmares at night and she believed that they contained her memories, but she didn't remember much in the morning. But four days later, she did. The memories contained her hate towards Faith, but also how she felt about her before she had killed Finch. It was confusing, especially since she had seen another side of Faith, one she had suspected was there but she had never seen before.

"Hey," Faith said when she came in the morning as usually.

Buffy gave her a long look.

"Hey."

Faith observed her for a few moments and then paled.

"You remember."

"Yes."

They stared at one another, Faith wondering what Buffy would do now, Buffy wondering what to do. Finally Buffy took a deep breath.

"I thought things were confusing before," she said and smiled a little. "Now I have to think some more." She observed Faith for a moment. "But I still want you to take care of me and give me massages."

"Are you sure?" Faith asked, uncertain.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'll come back later then."

"Okay," Buffy said.

"Hi," Dawn said as she and Willow came to visit again.

Buffy smiled.

"Hi, guys." She hesitated for a moment. "I remember."

"You do?" Dawn said, excited.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

Dawn hugged her, and Buffy hugged her back.

"Do you remember everything?" Willow asked.

"Yes."

"Including what happened that got you here?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. Tell Wesley and Angel to come in the afternoon so I can tell them."

Willow nodded.

"I will."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"What do you think about Faith?"

"We haven't met her yet, remember?" Willow said with a smirk.

"No, not… her, I mean Faith, the Slayer."

"Oh." Willow thought for a moment. "I don't know, it's been a while since I last thought about her."

"Angel said she's changed," Dawn said.

"So you don't hate her anymore?" Buffy asked her.

Dawn shrugged.

"Not really. I mean, the only bad thing she did to me was hold me hostage after she woke up from coma." She thought for a moment. "She was angry with you." She frowned. "And jealous."

"Jealous?" Buffy asked.

Dawn nodded.

"Yeah. I think she envied you the life you had."

"Oh."

"And she was angry, you know, about how you forgot about her."

Buffy sighed.

"Yes, I know," she said, thinking. Then she looked at Dawn and Willow. "Are you going to give her another chance?"

Dawn and Willow glanced at one another.

"Yes," Dawn said and shrugged, "I guess."

"Willow?"

Willow thought for a moment.

"I guess so. I mean, she tortured Wesley and he said he forgave her."

"He did?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Yes."

Buffy thought for a few moments and then took a deep breath.

"You know the Faith I was telling you about?" she then said.

"Yes."

"Well, she and Faith the Slayer are one and the same person."

"What?" Dawn said, surprised. "You mean you fell in love with Faith?"

Buffy smiled sadly.

"Yes."

"Does she know you know?" Willow asked.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. She was telling me about this girl, B, and I wanted to ask her how she felt about her before I told her I was in love with her. But she stopped me and told me that I was B."

"So you've known that she was Faith for a few days now?" Dawn asked.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you say something?"

Buffy sighed.

"I needed to think."

"Do you still love her?" Willow asked.

Buffy looked at her.

"I think so, but it's all so confusing now. I mean, I've seen the other side of her and it's so unlike the old Faith."

"And it doesn't bother you that she's a girl?" Dawn asked.

Buffy smiled a bit.

"No."

"Let's go see Faith," Dawn said when she and Willow were done with the visit.

Willow looked at her, thoughtfully.

"Okay," she said. "I'll do an invisibility spell so she won't see us."

"Cool," Dawn said, excited.

They went to the coma ward and when they were alone, Willow cast an invisibility spell. They didn't know where Faith was, so they decided to start with the room where Buffy had lain while she was in coma.

Faith was there, washing a coma patient.

"Wow, she looks cute in that uniform," Dawn said quietly.

Willow smiled.

"Yes."

They quietly observed Faith as she gently washed the patient.

"Are you sure she doesn't have a twin?" Dawn asked after a while.

Willow smiled.

"Pretty sure."

"She looks so different. I mean, there's no way the old Faith would be doing something like that."

"Shh," Willow said when Nurse Glau approached.

"Faith," Nurse Glau called.

Faith looked up.

"Yes?"

"Can you come to my office when you're done?"

"Yes, Ma'am, I just have to finish with Mrs Alba."

Nurse Glau nodded and left.

Faith was done a few minutes later and Willow quickly led Dawn away so that Faith wouldn't notice them. They tensed when Faith stopped and looked in their direction, scanning for any supernatural occurrences. But she apparently didn't detect anything and she continued to Nurse Glau's office. Willow wanted to leave then, but Dawn wanted to hear what was going on, so they followed her.

"Ma'am," Faith said as she entered.

Nurse Glau smiled.

"Sit down, Faith," she said, and Faith sat. "I have good news. You can do a tour of duty at the maternity ward and at the psychiatric ward," she said. "Is something wrong?" she asked when she saw Faith tense.

Faith sighed.

"No. It's just that a couple of years ago, I would've been a prime candidate for the psych ward."

Nurse Glau nodded.

"You don't have to do it yet, if you don't want to."

Faith thought about it.

"Nah, I'll do it, just…"

"Yes?" Nurse Glau prodded when Faith trailed off.

"Well, if you could send me there more often, so I get used to it."

Nurse Glau nodded.

"I will."

"Thanks."

"I'll let you know when I have a more detailed schedule. I'll try to get you to do the maternity ward first."

Faith nodded.

"Okay."

"Good. That's it."

"Thanks," Faith said and got up.

Willow then quickly pulled Dawn away. Faith looked into their direction again, but apparently didn't detect them.

"Let's go," Willow said when Faith had left.

"Hello," Wesley said as he and Angel came to visit in the afternoon.

"Hi," Buffy said with a smile.

"Eh, Dawn said you remember now."

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

Wesley hesitated for a moment.

"And she said that your Faith is actually… our Faith."

"Yes."

"Oh."

"How do you feel?" Angel asked.

"Confused."

"I mean physically."

"Oh," Buffy said and blushed. "I can move my toes and I think I can feel the legs now. I'll be out in a week."

Angel nodded.

"Wait," Wesley looked at Angel as he suddenly realized something. "When we were told that Buffy was in the hospital, it was Faith who called you."

"Yes."

"You knew she was out?" Wesley said, surprised.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you say something?"

"Faith asked me not to. She didn’t feel ready to confront you."

"But what if she…"

"I've been observing her," Angel interrupted him. "And she calls me every night."

"Oh." He thought for a moment. "How long has she been out?"

Angel thought for a moment. "Over six months."

Wesley frowned.

"But didn't she get more?"

"She got out on parole."

"They have this correctional program and she applied," Buffy added.

"You knew?" Wesley asked, surprised.

Buffy nodded.

"She told me. I mean, before I knew she was… well, she."

"She did?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. She basically told me her whole story, she just didn't mentioned that I was starring in it."

"Oh."

"She said she got her GED in prison and now she's studying to be a physiotherapist."

"Really?" Wesley said, impressed.

"Yes."

"So, what's with the demon?" Angel changed the subject.

"They know you're out," Buffy told Faith when she come to check up on her after Wesley and Angel left.

Faith tensed.

"They do?"

"Yes. I told them to leave you alone until you're ready to face them."

Faith gave her a surprised look.

"You did?"

"Yes."

"Thanks."

Buffy smiled.

"No problem. Oh, good news, Wesley forgave you."

Faith froze, surprised.

"He did?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. And Dawn and Willow also don't hold a grudge against you."

Faith started to hyperventilate, so she quickly took a deep breath to calm down.

"Thanks for telling me."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"You'll have to face them sooner or later."

Faith nodded, thinking.

"After you get out."

"From the hospital?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

"Okay, I'll tell them so they'll all be there. At the Hyperion?"

"Yeah."

"Okay."

"I-I'll come back later."

Buffy nodded and Faith quickly left.

Two days later, Buffy could finally stand on her feet. She couldn't walk on her own yet, but she could stand. She had also come to an important conclusion, she loved Faith. She knew she had to tell her, but she was suddenly very nervous about it. She was preparing the whole day and she finally gathered the courage after Faith gave her massage.

Faith was putting away the oil and the towels when Buffy got off the bed. She stood still for a few moments to steady herself and then carefully made a step. She paused and then made another. Fortunately, she didn't have to make any more. She put her hand on Faith's shoulder and Faith turned around, surprised.

"Buffy!" she said, surprised, and Buffy staggered. Faith quickly caught her again and took her back to the bed. "What are you doing? You shouldn't be walking around yet."

Buffy smiled sheepishly.

"Yeah, I get that," she said as she steadied herself.

Then she looked at Faith, who was staring at her, confused. She hesitated for a moment and then slowly reached up and caressed Faith's cheek. Faith gasped, surprised.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her eyes wide because she suspected the answer.

Buffy smiled.

"Well, I was gonna show you, but I guess I'll have to tell you instead." She took a deep breath. "You came into my life at a very bad moment. I had just come back from running away and I just got accepted back to school." She sighed. "I was desperately trying to have a normal life, you know, and a normal boyfriend. Well, the normal boyfriend thing didn't work and my life didn't get any more normal. And then Angel came back and I was feeling guilty all over again." She sighed again. "But in spite of all that, I loved spending time with you. When we went out slaying together, it was just so incredible. And I felt like you were the only person in the whole world who understood me. But, like I said, I had so many other things on my mind and I was so not ready to have a girlfriend." She thought for a moment. "And after you killed Finch, I was scared, because I knew it could've been me." She hesitated for a moment. "And after I stabbed you, I knew I was a lot like you, I just had better control. I tried to forget about you because I didn't want to deal with it." She sighed again. "After you woke up from coma, I wanted to be there for you because I felt responsible. But then you stole my body. I was you for a while and I didn't like what it felt like. I hated you for it and I hated you because you got Angel on your side. And after you went to jail, I just tried to forget about you again." She sighed and then smile. "I'm glad I ended up here, so I got to see the other side of you." She hesitated for a moment and then caressed Faith again. "I love you, Faith, in spite of everything that has happened between us."

Faith just stared at her, shocked.

"Buffy…"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"But… But…" Faith started, panicking.

Buffy cupped her face and slowly leaned closer. Faith's eyes got wider and wider as Buffy's lips approached hers. Then they made contact. It was just a lip kiss for a few moments, but then Buffy started to press forward and after a few moments, Faith gave in.

The kiss slowly became very passionate and when Buffy broke it, Faith staggered. Buffy chuckled.

"I thought I was supposed to be the patient here," she said with a smile.

Faith smiled back, but then she realized what had just happened.

"No, i-it's not right," she said and backed off.

Buffy's face became serious.

"Faith…"

"No, I can't, I don't wanna hurt you again," Faith said, not meeting Buffy's eyes.

"You're not gonna hurt me, Faith."

"You don't know that."

"And you don't know that you will."

Faith gulped.

"I'll screw it up," Faith quietly said.

Buffy sighed and tried to walk toward Faith, but her legs didn't obey her yet and she staggered. Faith quickly caught her and then they stared into one another's eyes.

"Give yourself a chance, Faith," Buffy then said. "You've changed, you're not the wild child you used to be, you grew up. You're a wonderful person, Faith. And this time, I'll be by your side."

Faith stared at Buffy for a few moments and then hugged her and started to sob. Buffy quietly held her, feeling her tears well up.

When Faith regained control of herself, she let go of Buffy and then wiped her tears, embarrassed. Buffy helped her and Faith looked at her, surprised.

"It's okay to cry, Faith," she said and smiled.

Faith took a deep breath.

"I-I'm so not used to this dating thing," she then said.

Buffy flashed a big smile.

"That's okay, we're in no hurry."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Kiss me?" she then asked shyly and Buffy smiled.

"Any time," she said and leaned in.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then leaned in as well. This kiss was less urgent than the first but no less passionate.

"Wow," Faith breathed when they stopped kissing.

Buffy smiled.

"Yeah, wow," she agreed. She staggered and Faith caught her again. "I better get back to bed," she said.

"Yeah," Faith agreed and helped Buffy back to bed.

She covered her and then stared at her for a few moments.

"What?" Buffy asked.

Faith sighed.

"I'm just worried that I'll wake up and find that I've been dreaming."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a moment and then reached on the bed stand and took Mr Gordo. "Here," she said.

Faith frowned, puzzled.

"What?"

"Take Mr Gordo."

"But…"

"Dawn brought it to help me remember and to help me get well, but now I want you to have him, so that when you wake up, you'll know you haven't been dreaming."

Faith stared at her for a few moments and then hugged her. Buffy hugged her back.

"Thanks," Faith said when she broke the hug, and took Buffy's stuffed pig. She hesitated for a moment. "So, em, are you going to tell Dawn?"

Buffy nodded.

"Sure." She frowned. "Unless you don't want me to."

Faith shook her head.

"No, it's okay, I want her to know." She hesitated for a moment. "And the guys."

Buffy smiled.

"Okay."

"I-I'll see you later then."

Buffy nodded, smiling.

"Okay."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then kissed Buffy. She braced for a negative reaction, but Buffy only smiled wider. Faith smiled back and left.

"Faith," Nurse Glau called when she saw Faith walking down the hall. "Faith!" she called again when Faith didn't respond. "Faith!" she called for the third time and touched her shoulder.

Faith turned around, startled.

"Nurse Glau."

"I called you."

Faith frowned.

"When?"

"Just now. You didn't register." She nodded at Mr Gordo. "Buffy's?"

Faith smiled.

"Yeah."

"Are things okay between the two of you?"

Faith's smile widened.

"Yeah. We're… together now."

Nurse Glau raised an eyebrow.

"You are?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"I see," Nurse Glau said with a smile. "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you to come to my office after your shift is over, so we can discuss your new schedule."

"Okay."

Faith left, and Nurse Glau stared after her for a few moments, thinking.

"Hello," Nurse Glau said when she entered Buffy's room.

"Em, hi," Buffy said, surprised to see her.

"I'm Nurse Glau, I'm Faith's boss."

"Yes, I know."

"I just came across Faith. She said you two are together now."

"Yes," Buffy confirmed. Then she frowned. "It's not against hospital policy or anything, is it?" she asked, worried.

"No, no, Faith's sexual preferences are none of my business."

"Oh," Buffy said, relieved.

"I just wanted to ask you if you are sincere."

Buffy frowned.

"About loving Faith? Yes. Why?"

"Because Faith is… She lacks self-esteem when it comes to things of a more personal nature."

"Oh. I'm serious about it. And I know she's scared. Hell, I'm scared too, but we'll take things slow."

Nurse Glau nodded.

"Good." She paused for a moment. "And how do you feel?"

Buffy smiled.

"Great. I can already stand and make a few steps. With help, of course."

"Good. I'll see you tomorrow then."

Nurse Glau left, and Buffy stared after her, surprised. She had so not expected a visit from Faith's boss. She was relieved though that their relationship wouldn't pose any problems for Faith.

"Hi, Buffy," Dawn said as she and Willow came to the hospital in the afternoon.

"Hey," Buffy said with a smile.

"Where's Mr Gordo?" Dawn asked, noticing that the stuffed pig was gone.

"I gave it to Faith."

Dawn frowned.

"Why?"

Buffy's smile widened.

"Well, we're together now," she said and looked at Willow.

"You are?" Willow said, surprised.

"You and Faith?" Dawn asked. "As a couple?"

"Yes," Buffy said.

"Oh." Then she frowned. "What does that have to do with Mr Gordo?"

Buffy smiled.

"Well, she said she was afraid she was gonna wake up and find that this was just a dream, so I gave her Mr Gordo."

"Oh."

"So you forgave her?" Willow asked.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes." She smiled. "You should've seen how scared she was when I told her I loved her."

"Why?" Dawn asked, confused.

"Because she was afraid she would screw it up again and I'd end up hurt."

"Oh." She thought for a moment. "And we're not gonna see her before you get out?"

"You already saw her."

"Well, yeah, but I didn't talk to her."

"Don't worry, I'll be out soon, probably within a week."

"Cool! I'd like to go home again."

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"You don't like it here?"

Dawn shrugged.

"Not really. I mean, Sunnydale may be on the Hellmouth, but it's home."

Buffy smiled.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Hi," Faith said with a smile when she came to Buffy next morning.

Buffy smiled back.

"Hey."

"Thanks for the pig, it worked miracles."

Buffy's smile widened.

"Good. His name's Mr Gordo, by the way."

Faith nodded and sat on the bed. She hesitated for a moment and then kissed Buffy.

"Oh yeah," Buffy said when they stopped kissing, "the room service here is getting better and better."

Faith blushed.

"I'm glad you like," she said and sat beside Buffy. "How are your legs?"

Buffy looked at her toes and wiggled them.

"Better, I think," she said and took Faith's hand into her own. "I kinda feel stronger."

"Good. We'll see how it goes later."

"Okay."

They stared at one another for a few moments until Faith looked away, blushing.

"You're so cute when you're blushing," Buffy said and caressed her with her free hand, causing Faith to blush an even deeper shade of red.

"I'm not cute," she protested halfheartedly.

"Sure you are," Buffy said and smirked. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

Faith smiled.

"Nobody ever said I was cute," she said.

Buffy gently squeezed her hand.

"Well, you are. And beautiful and gorgeous and… Well, you know where I'm going," she said and Faith blushed again. "And I'll be telling you this every day."

"Ditto," Faith said.

Buffy thought for a moment.

"So, em, after I get out of here, are you gonna come with me to Sunnydale?"

Faith thought about it.

"Well," she started hesitatingly, "em, I'd like to stay here until I graduate. You know, since Mrs Glau is helping me a lot and stuff."

"Oh," Buffy said and nodded. "Okay."

"But I can come if you need my help," Faith quickly added. "And I can come for the weekend and holidays and stuff."

Buffy smiled.

"Or I can come here."

Faith smiled back.

"Yeah," she said, relieved that Buffy didn't hold it against her.

They quietly stared at one another for a few minutes until Faith suddenly realized that she was probably late.

"Oh no," she said and checked the time. "Shit, I'm late." She looked at Buffy. "I'll come back later."

Buffy smiled.

"Okay."

Faith hesitated. Then she gave Buffy a quick kiss and ran off.

"You're late," Nurse Glau pointed out when Faith nearly ran into her.

"Yeah," Faith said nervously. "I'm sorry."

"Have you been to Buffy?"

Faith blushed.

"Yeah," she said, and Nurse Glau smiled.

"Thought so. Go."

"Thanks," Faith said, relieved that she wouldn't be punished or something, and quickly left.

Nurse Glau went after her, shaking her head, amused.

"Hi," Dawn said as she and Willow came to visit her in the morning.

"Hey, guys."

"How are things with Faith?"

Buffy smiled.

"She said Mr Gordo worked miracles."

Dawn frowned.

"She did?"

"Yes." Buffy hesitated for a moment. "Em, Dawn, when Faith comes back to Sunnydale after she graduates, can she move in with us?"

Dawn thought about it for a moment.

"I'd like to talk to her first."

Buffy nodded.

"Okay."

"Oh, we finally took care of that demon that beat you up," Willow said.

"Anyone got hurt?"

"Just the demon."

"Good."

"How are your legs?" Dawn asked.

"Much better. I'll be able to tell you more after the exercises today."

"Okay."

"How'd it go?" Faith asked when she came to see Buffy after the morning rounds two days later.

Buffy smiled.

"I'm getting out in two days."

"Yeah? That's great!" Faith said and hugged Buffy.

"Yes. They want to keep me here one more day for observation and then I'm out."

"Alright," Faith said and let go of Buffy. Then she frowned. "Are you going straight back to Sunnydale?"

Buffy shook her head.

"No. I think I'll stay here for a week or so, you know, so we can train together."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"So, em, when will you come to the Hyperion then?"

Faith tensed a bit as she remembered.

"Oh. Em, I don't know."

"At three?"

"Okay, sure…" She frowned. "No, I got an appointment with the shrink then."

"Oh."

"I can come after it, at four something."

"Okay," Buffy nodded.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then kissed Buffy.

Buffy noticed the hesitation.

"Faith," she said when they stopped kissing.

"Yeah?"

"Don't ever be afraid to kiss me. Or hug me."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, surprised, and then she sighed.

"I'm not used to it, you know? And after all that I've done, I don't really feel like I deserve it." She frowned. "Or something."

"But I do."

Faith smiled a little.

"Well, now that you put it that way."

Buffy smiled as well.

"Come here," she said and leaned forward.

Faith leaned forward again and they kissed.

"I'll see you later," Faith then said.

"Do you have to go yet?" Buffy pouted.

Faith smiled.

"Yeah, duty calls."

"Okay."

Faith blew Buffy a kiss and then left.

"And?" Faith asked two days later when she visited Buffy after the rounds.

Buffy smiled.

"I'm out of here."

Faith smiled.

"Cool," she said and hugged Buffy. "When are they picking you up?"

"They should come any minute now. I told them to come after the rounds."

"Oh. Then I better go."

"Don't wanna meet them yet?"

Faith shrugged.

"Don't wanna feel awkward."

"Oh. Okay. So you're coming after your session with the shrink?"

"Yeah."

Buffy smiled.

"Nervous?"

"Like hell."

"How about a little incentive then," Buffy said and leaned in for a kiss.

Faith grinned.

"Oh yeah," she said and they kissed passionately.

"You know, we should do this more often," Buffy said, breathless, when they stopped kissing.

Faith caressed her.

"We will."

Buffy smiled.

"Yeah."

"I better go now, before they get here."

Buffy nodded.

"Okay. I love you."

Faith smiled.

"I love you too."

"I'll see you later."

"Definitely," Faith said an then quickly left.

When she got to the Hyperion in the afternoon, Faith realized she was very nervous.

"Shit," she murmured and took a few deep breaths to calm down.

Then she walked up to the doors and entered. She almost froze when she saw that the entire Scooby Gang was there. The conversations immediately died out and she got a strange feeling in her stomach.

"Faith," Buffy said, smiling, and approached her.

Faith smiled back a bit and kept her eyes on Buffy as she approached her.

"Hey," Buffy said when she came closer, and kissed Faith.

Faith tensed for a moment, surprised, and then responded. The Scooby Gang stared at them, surprised.

"You okay?" Buffy asked when they stopped kissing.

"Yeah," Faith said, flushed.

Buffy smiled and caressed her.

"Come on," she said and took Faith's hand.

Faith gulped as she looked around, and then followed Buffy. Everyone stared at Faith, and Faith nervously wondered if this was a good idea. When they stopped, Buffy looked at Faith expectantly and Faith took a deep breath and looked around.

"Hey," she said nervously and sighed internally at her own lameness. "Em, I'm sorry for all the shit I pulled back then." She tensed a bit. "I know this doesn't even begin to make up for what I've done, but I hope you'll give me a chance to make up."

She got a really sinking feeling when everyone just stared at her. Buffy felt her unease and she gently squeezed her hand. Faith looked at her, startled, and Buffy smiled at her encouragingly. Faith nervously smiled back for a moment and then looked around.

"Well," Wesley broke the silence, "I feel that I owe you an apology as well, Faith. My actions after you, em, killed Mr Finch were… wrong. I should've let Angel help you. I'm sorry."

Faith stared at him for a few moments, surprised.

"Yeah, well, that still doesn't excuse me torturing you like I did."

Wesley smiled bitterly at the memory.

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, we're even."

"Not even close, but okay. Thanks."

Wesley nodded, and Faith looked around.

"Well, you did help Buffy, so that kinda makes up for you holding me and Mom hostage," Dawn said and shrugged.

Faith looked at her, surprised, and smiled a bit.

"Thanks, Dawn."

There was a brief pause, which was broken by Cordelia.

"Well, as long as you keep your elbows out of my face, we're okay. Beaten-wife look is so not in."

Faith grinned for a moment.

"Gotcha, Cordy."

"You've changed, Faith," Willow said when Faith looked at her. "I won't hold the past against you."

Faith nodded.

"Thanks."

Then she looked at Xander, who sighed.

"Hey, who am I to argue with the majority," he said and smiled. "By the way, would you mind if I came over to see you in that uniform?" he asked and was immediately rewarded by Anya's elbow in the ribs.

Faith shook her head, smiling, and looked at Tara. Tara frowned, puzzled, but then she remembered.

"Oh! No, it's okay," she said and smiled.

"Thanks," Faith said.

"What's okay?" Willow asked, puzzled. "What did she do to you?"

Tara shook her head.

"Nothing. She was just… being nasty."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because it was nothing."

"Oh."

Faith smiled at their interaction.

"Good to have you back, Faith," Giles said when she looked at him.

Faith nodded.

"It's good to be back."

"See, everything's okay," Buffy then said.

Faith smiled.

"Yeah."

"Oh, I don't think you met Gunn and Fred yet," Buffy said, and Faith looked at the two. "Faith, this is Gunn and this is Fred. Guys, this is Faith."

"Hi," Fred said.

"Hey," Gunn said.

"Hey," Faith said.

"It's great to finally meet you," Fred said.

Faith raised an eyebrow at Fred's excitement.

"Thanks."

The conversations started up again and Dawn came closer.

"Hey," she said.

Faith smiled at her.

"Hey, kiddo."

"I'm not a kid anymore," Dawn pouted.

Faith smirked.

"I know."

Dawn glanced at Buffy.

"So, em, do you wanna move in with Buffy and me when you get back to Sunnydale?"

Faith raised an eyebrow, surprised, and glanced at Buffy.

"Move in?"

Dawn shrugged.

"Yeah. I mean, now that you and Buffy are together and all."

Faith looked at Buffy.

"Buffy?"

Buffy smiled.

"Do you?"

"You're serious about this?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

Faith took a deep breath.

"Wow." She smiled. "Yeah, sure. Thanks."

Buffy smiled.

"We can share the master bedroom or you can have your own room until you settle in."

Faith smiled.

"Thanks. We'll see, I guess."

"By the way, you look cute in that uniform," Dawn said, and Faith blushed.

"I don't look cute," she objected.

Dawn grinned.

"Yes, you do."

"Do not."

"Do too."

"Yeah, well, only Buffy's allowed to call me cute."

Dawn grinned.

"How about beautiful then?" she asked with a smirk.

Faith blushed again.

"That's okay." She glanced at Xander. "Just don't tell Xander or Anya's gonna be really pissed at him."

Dawn grinned.

"Okay."

Faith looked at Buffy.

"How do you feel?"

Buffy smiled.

"Great."

"No pain or anything?"

"No."

"Good."

Buffy leaned closer to Faith.

"Though I could use that magical massage of yours," she whispered in her ear.

Faith blushed.

"You're gonna have to work for it," she said with a smirk.

"Work?" Buffy said, surprised. "How?"

"We train first."

"Oh," Buffy said brightly. "Okay." She leaned closer to Faith again. "And then I will hopefully see you naked," she whispered, causing Faith to blush again.

"Why does Faith keep blushing?" Dawn asked, and both Slayers blushed.

"Use you imagination," Faith said with a grin. Then she frowned. "On the other hand, don't."

"Gross," Dawn said, Faith's warning having come too late.

"How have you been raising her?" Faith chided Buffy. "She guessed on the first try."

Buffy blushed.

"I think it's been pretty obvious."

Faith chuckled.

"I guess." She smiled. "So, ready to get you butt kicked? Gently?"

Buffy smiled.

"Yes." She looked at Giles. "Giles, Faith and I will train now."

Giles looked at them.

"Are you sure you're ready?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. We'll go slow."

"Okay," Giles agreed.

Faith took off her jacket.

"Ready?"

Buffy smiled.

"Always."

The End