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 explicit 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 read no further. This story is a sequel to I Dream of You.

Forgive and Forget
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Cordelia hated what she was about to do, but she always settled her debts. She grabbed the boy's face and kissed him passionately on the lips. The boy seemed very excited, getting kissed by Cordelia Chase was a major piece of luck, but Cordelia wasn't impressed. In fact, she hated it. She was involved and she knew she shouldn't be kissing other people. She swore never to make such stupid bets again. She hoped she wasn't going to regret it.

When she broke the kiss, she noticed Faith standing near by, shocked and hurt, staring at her.

"Faith, I..." Cordelia started, but Faith left.

Cordelia stared after her, not knowing what to do. She felt guilty and hurt because she had hurt Faith.

"Cordelia," the boy started.

"Get lost," Cordelia angrily interrupted him and left.

"Maria."

"Yes, Cordelia?"

"Has Faith come home yet?"

"No."

Cordelia sighed. She needed to talk to Faith and explain.

Faith was hurt. She felt really stupid for trusting a bitch like Cordelia, she should have known that she wasn't capable of any really feelings and she should have known that a girl who lived for flirting with boys wasn't going to just suddenly fall in love with a girl and most definitely not with someone like her, an orphan with two murders on her hands.

Still, it hurt, she really liked Cordelia and it had taken her a lot to open up to Cordelia. She felt betrayed and used. She would have preferred if Cordelia had simply told her that she didn't love her instead of playing with her. She hated her for doing that.

Cordelia was angry with herself for being so stupid. She knew how hard it was for Faith to open up to her, it was much harder than for her to open up to Faith, and she was afraid of losing her. She still remembered how hurt she had felt when she saw Xander and Willow kissing. She had felt hurt and betrayed and she knew Faith must be feeling the same, if not worse, even though her kiss was nothing more than settling a debt.

Stupid. She should have never agreed to such a stupid bet. She wondered where Faith was and what she was doing. She was worried about her and she missed her. A lot. Faith was the second person she really loved. Sure, she had gotten over Xander, but she wasn't sure if she would ever get over Faith if something happened to her or if she left her. Unlike with Xander, she wasn't afraid of letting other people know that she and Faith were a couple. Well, she was a bit worried about her parents' reaction, but she wasn't going to break up with Faith in case her parents disapproved. Provided, of course, that Faith won't leave her because of what she had done.

When Buffy went slaying that evening, things were pretty standard, a vampire here and there and that was it. But when she came across a deadly looking demon, things changed. The demon was not a good fighter, but it was apparently smarter than others as it quickly realized that it stood no chance against Buffy and ran away. Buffy followed it.

When she found it again, it was fighting Faith. Well, it would if Faith would be fighting back. When the demon attacked Faith, Buffy ran and rammed Faith, pushing her out of danger of being skewered. Buffy quickly got up, but the demon had ran away again. She looked back at Faith, but Faith was just staring at the stars. She hesitated for a moment and then kneeled beside Faith. She was surprised when she saw a couple of tears run down Faith's cheek.

"Faith? What's wrong?" she asked, but Faith didn't respond. "Faith," she said and gently shook her. "What's wrong?" she asked when Faith looked at her. "Faith?"

"Nothing," Faith said and sat up.

"Faith," Buffy said, not believing her.

"I'm fine," Faith said and go up.

Buffy put her hand on Faith's shoulder, stopping her.

"Look, I'm not gonna make the same mistake twice," she said. "Talk to me. Please."

Faith sighed and thought for a few moments.

"Cordelia," she finally said.

"You two broke up?"

Faith nodded.

"Don't worry, I won't go joining any evil forces."

"I hope you won't let yourself be killed."

Faith thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"I won't."

"Good." Buffy thought for a moment. "Em, if you need a place to stay, you can come to me."

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"Thanks," she then said and left.

Buffy stared after her for a while and then moved on, deciding to talk to Cordelia the next day.

Cordelia was worried sick when Faith still didn't come home the next morning. She called around, but no one had seen her. She was about to go out when Buffy came around.

"Buffy, did you see Faith?" Cordelia asked right away.

"Yes," Buffy confirmed.

Cordelia's eyes brightened.

"When?"

"Yesterday evening around ten."

"Oh. How... How was she?" Cordelia asked anxiously.

"She was hurt," Buffy said and Cordelia bit her teeth, angry with herself. "What happened?"

"I made a bet with someone and I lost. As a result I had to kiss him. Faith saw us."

"I see."

"Do you know where she's staying?"

"No."

Cordelia sighed.

"I was just going to check out the motel and the Mayor's apartment. Do you want to come along?"

"Sure."

They didn't find her that day, but Cordelia didn't give up. She kept searching for her and she only came home to eat and sleep. It worried Maria, but she said nothing, she only hoped that they would come back together again soon.

When she was home, Cordelia often went to Faith's room and stared at Faith's things. After the first day, she spent nights in Faith's empty bed, hoping she was okay and wishing she was there, lying next to her.

Finally, about a week later, Cordelia found Faith. Faith was in a middle of a fight with a group of vampires. Cordelia immediately ran to her and she attacked one of the vampires.

"That's my girlfriend you're messing with," she said angrily as she kicked his ass.

The distraction was enough for Faith and she quickly killed three more vampires. Others decided things got too hot and they retreated.

"Faith!" Cordelia said when the vampires were gone and hugged Faith. "I was so worried," she whispered.

She was so happy she started to cry, but Faith wasn't moved and she didn't hug her back. Cordelia quicky noticed Faith's lack of response. She let go of her and looked her in the eyes, but Faith coldly stared back at her. She gulped.

"I'm so sorry, Faith," she said, teary-eyed.

She tried to caress Faith, but Faith stepped back. Cordelia bit her teeth. She wanted to say more, but Faith turned and left.

"Please don't go," Cordelia said, but Faith ignored her. "Faith," she whispered and started to cry again.

She stared after Faith until she disappeared behind a corner. She had no idea she would be so hurt. She turned and slowly started to walk back home, her head low. Two vampires, an older one and a brand new one, decided she was an easy prey. Cordelia screamed, surprised, and gave the newbie a kick in the groin. She was ready to fight them for a few moments, but then she decided it was beside the point, she had no one to come home to and Faith hated her. She sighed.

"What are you waiting for?" she then asked the vampires.

The newbie looked at his Sire and then attacked her. This time Cordelia didn't defend herself and she let the newbie drink her blood.

As Faith left Cordelia, she kept thinking about her. Was she really sorry or was she merely pretending? Sure, she missed her, but she didn't trust her anymore. Then she heard a scream. She ran back to the corner and saw that it was Cordelia. She saw that she was facing two vampires. She considered helping her, but she was still angry with her. When the vampires attacked again, she was surprised when she realized that Cordelia wasn't defending herself. She frowned, what was she trying to do, die? She bit her teeth when she remembered that she had wanted to do the same. The longer she stared at Cordelia and the vampires, the more afraid for Cordelia she was. Did she still love her? She knew she would never find out if she didn't help her right away.

Cordelia felt as the vampires slowly sucked the life out of her. Soon, nothing would matter anymore. She was surprised when the sucking stopped and she was still alive. She slowly opened her eyes and saw someone standing over her. She blinked to clear her vision and saw that it was Faith.

The two girls stared at each other quietly. Faith bit her teeth when she saw that tears started to run down Cordelia's cheeks.

"I'm sorry," Cordelia whispered.

Faith stared at her and then offered her her hand, but Cordelia was too weak to take it. Faith hesitated for a moment and then picked her up. Cordelia wrapped her arms around Faith's neck and leaned her head on Faith's shoulder. Faith felt strange for a moment, but then she took Cordelia home.

"Faith! Cordelia!" Maria's delight turned into concern when she saw that Cordelia had been bitten in the neck.

"She'll be okay," Faith said, "she just needs to rest. I'll take her to the shower and then to bed."

"Okay," Maria agreed. "Are you hungry?" she remembered to asked.

"No," Faith said and took Cordelia to the bathroom.

There she laid her on the floor and undressed her. She felt a bit weird, she wasn't sure anymore whether she loved her or hated her. Cordelia merely opened her eyes from time to time, blinked a couple of times and then closed them again. Faith considered how to wash Cordelia for a few moments and then undressed herself as well. When she was naked, she slapped Cordelia a couple of times and Cordelia slowly opened her eyes.

"Can you stand up?" Faith asked.

Cordelia tried and with Faith's help she managed to get up. Faith then slowly escorted her into the shower.

"Try to stand while I wash you," Faith told her and Cordelia nodded.

Faith washed her as quickly as she could and then dried her. When Cordelia was dry, she wrapped a towel around her body and helped her to sit. Then Faith washed herself as well, dried herself and wrapped a towel around her body. Then she picked up Cordelia and carried her into her room. There she laid her on the bed and covered her. When she was about to leave, Cordelia caught her hand. She turned back to see what Cordelia wanted.

"Please stay," Cordelia said.

Faith considered the request. On one hand, she was still angry with Cordelia, but on the other, she was slowly starting to believe that Cordelia really was sorry. And if she was, then perhaps she could forgive her.

She lay beside her and Cordelia threw her arm over her belly and cuddled up to her. Faith found all that familiar and then she remembered that she had cuddled up to Cordelia that way when she had first come into the house. She sighed and moved her arm so that Cordelia could lay her head on her shoulder.

Soon she felt wetness on her shoulder. She thought it was from the hair and she wanted to remove it, but there was no hair. Then she heard Cordelia sob in her sleep and she realized that the wetness was Cordelia's tears. She caressed her.

During the night, Faith was often awoken by Cordelia, who was having a nightmare. She soon realized that Cordelia was calling her and that she really was sorry. She decided to forgive her.

She was the first to wake up in the morning and she observed Cordelia, who was still cuddled up to her. She thought about what had happened while she waited for Cordelia to wake up.

When Cordelia finally did wake up, the first thing she did was to check up if Faith really was there and all was not just a dream. Faith stared at her for few moments and then smiled.

"I forgive you," she said and caressed her.

Cordelia hugged her.

"Thank you," she said as tears of happiness started to run down her cheeks.

Faith hugged her back.

"How about we get dressed?" Faith said when Cordelia stopped crying.

Cordelia nodded and they got up.

"Good morning," Maria greeted them with a smile.

"Morning, Maria," the girls said in unison.

"How do you feel, Cordelia?" Maria asked, concerned.

"Better," Cordelia said and rubbed her neck.

"We're starving," Faith said.

"I thought you might be," Maria said with a smile.

"I'll just call Buffy and tell her everything's okay now," Cordelia said and Faith nodded.

"You know," Maria said as she served the breakfast, "she really loves you. When you disappeared, she went out looking for you, she only came home to eat and sleep." She paused. "She is sorry for what she has done."

Faith nodded.

"I know. I forgave her."

"You're a good girl, Faith," Maria said with a smile and Faith blushed a bit.

"Okay," Cordelia said when she returned, "Buffy knows and she'll tell the others."

"Good. Now come here before I eat everything."

During the day, Faith noticed that something was bothering Cordelia. It didn't take her long to figure out what, but she waited until evening to talk to her.

"Cordelia."

"Yeah?"

"I forgave you. You should forgive yourself as well."

Cordelia looked down, ashamed.

"I know," she said. "It's just... well, I hurt you and I nearly lost you."

"And I forgave you. Stop blaming yourself."

Cordelia sighed, nodding.

"I'll try."

"Good."

"Em, Faith?"

"Yeah?"

"If I ever do something stupid like that again, I want you to kick my ass, anything, just don't leave me."

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

"Okay."

"Thanks."

"Good. Listen, I have to go slaying now. I'm meeting with Buffy."

"Be careful."

Faith smiled.

"Of course," she said and caressed her, "I have you to come home to."

Cordelia smiled, blushing a bit, and kissed Faith's palm.

"I'm so proud to be your girlfriend," she said.

"Me too," Faith agreed.

During the next couple of weeks, Faith noticed that Cordelia had apparently forgiven herself. She was glad, especially because their two month anniversary was coming up and they had missed their one month anniversary because of Cordelia. Oh, well, they would make up for it.

Faith searched for a suitable gift. She found it, but unfortunately, she didn't have enough money to buy it whole. Fortunately, she could buy half of it.

And finally the day came. Faith got her gift and went to Cordelia's room.

"Hey," she said with a smile. "Happy anniversary," she said, kissing Cordelia, and gave her a little box.

Cordelia opened it and started laughing. Faith frowned, confused and hurt.

"Wait," Cordelia said, noticing Faith's expression, opened her nightstand drawer and took out a similar small box. "Happy anniversary," she said and gave it to Faith.

Faith opened it and suddenly understood why Cordelia was laughing and she too started to laugh.

"So you were the one," she said.

"Yeah," Cordelia said with a grin.

In the two boxes were two identical rings which, when interlaced, formed a whole.

Faith took the ring she gave to Cordelia and put it on Cordelia's finger.

"With this ring I swear I will love you for better or for worse until death do us part," she said.

Cordelia was surprised, but she liked it. She took the ring she gave to Faith and put it on Faith's finger.

"With this ring I swear I will love you for better or for worse until death do us part," she repeated Faith's words.

"I now pronounce us wife and wife," Faith then said with a mischievous grin.

Cordelia smiled.

"Bride, you may kiss the bride," she said and Faith laughed.

"With pleasure," she said and they kissed.

"Cordelia!"

The girls broke the kiss, startled.

"Mom," Cordelia said, mildly annoyed.

"What were you two doing?"

Cordelia glanced at Faith.

"We were kissing, Mom."

"Why?" Mrs Chase demanded.

Cordelia took Faith's hand into her own.

"Because we love each other," she said.

Mrs Chase stared at the two girls, surprised.

"What do you mean, you're in love?" she then demanded. "You're in love with a girl?"

"Yes, Mom. And no, I'm not a lesbian, I like boys, but I just happen to be in love with Faith."

"So you two... sleep together?"

"Occasionally, but we haven't made love yet, if that's what you want to know."

Mrs Chase thought for a moment.

"Faith, I'm afraid you will have to leave," she then said.

"No, Mom," Cordelia said.

"Cordelia..." Faith started, but Cordelia interrupted her.

"No, Faith. I nearly lost you once, I don't want to lose you again." She looked at her mother. "Please don't make me chose between you and Faith, you won't win. If Faith goes, I go."

Mrs Chase stared at her daughter, astonished, and then left.

"Cordelia..." Faith started again when Mrs Chase was gone, but Cordelia stopped her with a kiss. Faith was surprised, but she quickly responded and they continued where they were interrupted.

"There, that's much better," Cordelia said when they stopped kissing.

"Definitely," Faith agreed with a smile. "Em, what about your mom?"

"Don't worry, she'll get over it. She knows that I mean what I said, she won't bother you again."

"Still, I don't want to be the reason..."

"You're not," Cordelia interrupted her. "Now, how about we go out to celebrate?"

"Sounds great. So, where do you want to spend your honeymoon?"

Cordelia looked at her with a smile.

"I'm on a honeymoon every time I'm with you," she said.

"You sure know how to make a girl feel good about herself," Faith said with a smile and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

"That's it?" Cordelia asked, pretending to be pouting.

"Don't worry, there's more when that came from," Faith calmed her. "But as I recall, you were talking about a celebration?"

Cordelia smiled.

"Let's go."

When Mrs Chase left her daughter's room, she was angry and confused, but also proud that Cordelia had stood up to her, it meant that she really loved Faith. She was confused though, Cordelia had often dated boys, how come she suddenly fell in love with a girl? Sure, Faith seemed a nice girl, but still, she was girl. She decided to find out more about her. She noticed Maria and wondered if she knew.

"Maria."

"Yes, Mrs Chase?"

"Are you aware that... em, that Cordelia and Faith are... a couple?"

Maria hesitated for a moment.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"How long have you known?"

"I suspected it when Faith first came here, but then they told me."

"They told you?" Mrs Chase asked, surprised.

"Yes, Ma'am."

Mrs Chase was a bit hurt that they had told a maid and not her, but she said nothing.

"So, where did you get the money for the ring?" Cordelia asked when they got their ice cream. "I mean, it took me a while to save enough money and I work."

"I sold my PlayStation."

"What?!"

Faith shrugged.

"I didn't play it anymore since we're together. And besides, it was worth it," she added with a smile.

Cordelia smiled back.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the two love birds."

The two girls looked at the intruder.

"Harmony," Cordelia said.

"Life must really be hard on you, Cordelia. First you date a loser and now a girl."

Cordelia stared at her for a few moments and then looked at Faith.

"I must've been really desperate to hang out with an airhead like her," she said.

"Yeah," Faith agreed with a grin and looked at Harmony. "Em, Harmony," she said, pretending to be observing her face, "you really should look in a mirror."

"Why?" Harmony asked in panic and ran her fingers over her face.

Cordelia glanced at Harmony and then looked at Faith, confused. She noticed a mischievous look in her eyes and understood. She looked back at Harmony, deciding to play along, and pretended to be observing her face.

"Oh god! Definitely. You should look in a mirror," she said.

Harmony left, nervous, and Faith laughed. Cordelia gave her a questioning look.

"It's gonna drive her crazy when she tries to find out what we saw."

"Yeah," Cordelia agreed and laughed. "I wonder how many times she can fall for that one," she said when she stopped laughing.

"Who cares."

They stared at each other for a few moments.

"Shall we kiss?" Cordelia asked.

"In public?"

"Yeah. Who cares what they think. If boys can kiss their girlfriends, so can I."

Faith smiled.

"Me too," she agreed and they kissed.

When they stopped, they looked around, but not many people were looking at them.

"I guess that went better than expected," Cordelia said.

"Yeah," Faith agreed.

They returned to their ice cream.

"Faith," Cordelia spoke after a while.

"Yeah?"

Cordelia hesitated for a moment.

"Em, I just want you to know that I'm ready to... em... to make love to you," she said, blushing. "So, when you're ready..."

She trailed off, hoping she wasn't pushing it. Faith thought about it.

"I'm ready," she said. "Tonight?"

Cordelia's eyes brightened.

"Okay."

"We can always stop if you change your mind."

"Or you," Cordelia agreed.

Faith smiled and gently squeezed Cordelia's hand.

"I love you," she said.

"And I love you," Cordelia said.

When they returned home, Faith noticed that Mrs Chase was observing her. She felt a bit uncomfortable and she hoped that Mrs Chase would accept them as a couple.

When Cordelia took a shower in the evening, Mrs Chase came to Faith. Faith looked at her, anxious.

"Do you love Cordelia?" Mrs Chase asked.

"Yes," Faith said without hesitation.

Mrs Chase thought.

"Do you prefer... girls?"

"No, not really. I like boys."

"How did you two come together?"

Faith hesitated for a moment, reluctant to disclose something so personal.

"It's personal," she said. "I have to talk to Cordelia about it first."

Mrs Chase didn't ask further. She thought for a few moments and then left.

Faith wondered what she was thinking. She decided to talk to Cordelia about telling her mother about how they came together.

After she had taken a shower, she and Cordelia watched TV until Mrs Chase went to bed. They waited for another half hour and then went to Cordelia's room. They were both a bit nervous, Cordelia more than Faith.

"If you change your mind, say so," Faith said and Cordelia nodded.

Faith took a deep breath, stepped closer to Cordelia, hugged her and kissed her. Cordelia hugged her back and they kissed for a full minute. Then Faith slowly started to lift Cordelia's shirt. Cordelia didn't object and Faith pulled it off. Then she caressed her and ran her hand down Cordelia's body, between her breasts and across her belly. She carefully observed Cordelia's reactions, but Cordelia was apparently enjoying it.

Faith continued and slipped a finger into Cordelia's panties. Cordelia jerked a bit and Faith backed off. Cordelia looked at her, surprised, but she quickly realized that Faith must have thought she had changed her mind. She was glad this happened because now she knew that Faith would stop if need be.

"No, don't stop," she said with a smile.

Faith smiled back, relieved.

"Then why don't you take off my shirt?" she said.

Cordelia did and they stood in panties and socks and observed each other. Faith then raised her hand and cupped Cordelia's breasts. Cordelia followed her example and cupped Faith's breasts. Faith kissed her then started to kiss her way south. She traveled down Cordelia's neck and to the breasts. She gave each of the nipples a lick and when Cordelia didn't object, she sucked and rubbed each of them for a while, alternating between the left and the right.

Then she continued further south, gave Cordelia's navel a couple of playful licks, and finally arrived to the panties. She kissed them and then slowly started to tug them down. Cordelia didn't protest and she cupped her breasts and started to rub her nipples. Faith pulled the panties down, taking off Cordelia's socks while she lifted her feet to step out of the panties. Then she gently ran her fingers up Cordelia's inner thighs and then along the slit of Cordelia's sex, making Cordelia squirm from pleasure.

Seeing that Cordelia liked it, Faith took a quick lick at Cordelia's pussy. When Cordelia still didn't object, she buried her face in Cordelia's bush. She inhaled deeply, savoring the smell of Cordelia's womanhood. Then she started to lick her. First just the outside, but then she parted Cordelia's pussy lips with her fingers and pushed her tongue deep into Cordelia. Cordelia groaned and pressed Faith's head even closer to her body. Faith licked her for a few minutes and then suddenly stopped. Cordelia groaned in protest.

"My, aren't you hot," Faith said with a grin. "Wanna know how you taste?"

"Yeah," Cordelia said, a bit uncertain.

Faith kissed her.

"Like?" she asked and ran a finger along Cordelia's pussy, scooping up some of Cordelia's love juices.

"Yeah."

"Here, some more," Faith said, offering her the finger to lick and Cordelia quickly licked it dry. "Okay, girlfriend, you're next."

Cordelia's eyes widened and she licked her lips in anticipation of the tastes she was about to savor. She started with Cordelia's lips, continued over the cheeks and the neck, down to the breasts. She rubbed the nipples and then started to suck on them. She heard Faith moan and felt her hug, so she wasn't worried that Faith might change her mind. As she then kissed her way south over her belly, she ran her palms over Faith's hips, feeling the soft skin. When she got to the panties, she glanced at Faith, but Faith was busy rubbing her nipples. She smiled and pulled down Faith's panties and socks.

Then she focused her attention on Faith's pussy. She ran a finger along the slit and noticed that Faith was already wet. She licked the finger and noticed that Faith's juices tasted different from hers. She liked it. She then inhaled Faith's scent and then slowly started to lick Faith's pussy. Faith moaned and moaned and then groaned when Cordelia stopped.

"Why did you stop?" she asked, afraid that Cordelia might have changed her mind.

"Just following your example, oh great teacher," Cordelia said, grinning.

Faith grinned back, relieved.

"So, what you give is what you get, hmm?"

"Oh yeah."

"Well, I guess it's only fair. My turn then," she said, picked up the surprised Cordelia and laid her on the bed. "We're gonna go over the basics tonight," she told her. "We'll go more in depth when your mom won't be home. And by in depth I mean literally."

"Yes, oh great teacher," Cordelia agreed with a grin.

"Then let me show you what I want you to do to me when I'm done with you."

And she did. Cordelia loved every too short a moment of it. When she came and it was her turn to please Faith, she did her very best and was rewarded with Faith's blissful expression when Faith reached orgasm.

"I'm looking forward to teaching you some more," Faith said when they hugged.

"And I look forward to learning some more."

They kissed and then slowly drifted off to sleep.

When Cordelia woke up, she and Faith were still hugging. She smiled at the sleeping Faith. She caressed her and gave her a kiss. Faith's eyes fluttered open.

"Morning, love," Cordelia greeted her with a smile.

Faith smiled back.

"Morning." Her smile turned into mischievous grin. "Em, I need a cold shower," she said. "You make me very horny."

Cordelia laughed.

"Good. You can take a cold shower, but first, I want you to just lie here with me."

"Happy to oblige," Faith said and kissed Cordelia.

"You know, I was thinking," Faith said at breakfast.

"About... em, you know," Cordelia asked with a mischievous look.

Faith rolled her eyes.

"What have I done," she said with mock horror, "I've created a monster."

Cordelia laughed.

"And you love it."

"Oh yeah," Faith agreed. "Anyway, I was thinking about something else. I want to go back to school."

"I thought you hate school," Cordelia said, surprised.

"I do. It's just, well, I can't just live here and do nothing. I need a job, one that pays. You know that slaying doesn't pay."

"Yeah."

"Em, you think your mom would help me out?"

"I think so."

"Good. I'll talk to her when she gets home."

"Okay."

"Oh yes, em, she wanted to know how we came together. I told her it was personal and that I needed to talk to you about it first. Shall we tell her?"

Cordelia thought about it.

"Yeah. She deserves to know."

"Okay."

"We'll tell her together when I get home."

"Okay."

Faith was a bit nervous as she waited for Mrs Chase. She even asked Maria about her, to get a clear picture of what to expect.

"Mrs Chase, em, I need to talk to you," she said when Mrs Chase came home.

Mrs Chase was surprised.

"Just let me freshen up first," she said.

Faith nodded and went to the living room. There she sat on the sofa and waited.

Mrs Chase quickly returned. She was a bit uncertain. She knew she wasn't very good at mother/daughter conversations and now she had to talk to her daughter's girlfriend?

"Em, I need your help," Faith started when Mrs Chase sat down.

"With what?"

"Well, I want to go back to school."

"You don't go to school?" Mrs Chase asked, surprised.

Faith shook her head.

"No." She thought for a few moments and then sighed. "I think I better tell you some more about me."

She did and Mrs Chase listened, curious. She found out that Faith's life wasn't exactly covered with roses. But she was glad that she had a sense of responsibility.

"I see," she said when Faith finished her story. "I'll check Cordelia's papers and ask around."

Faith smiled.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," Mrs Chase said, slightly embarrassed, Cordelia had never thanked her.

"Oh," Faith remembered. "I talked to Cordelia. We'll tell you how we came together when she comes home."

Mrs Chase nodded.

"Okay."

"Oh," Faith remembered another thing. She hesitated for a few moments, not quite sure whether she should continue or not. "Em, I think you should spend more time with Cordelia," she then said.

"Why?" Mrs Chase asked, confused.

"Well," Faith hesitated, "you're her mother and she respects you and all, but when she needs emotional support, she goes to Maria. I think she would appreciate if you took some time to listen to her like you're listening to me right now or maybe go somewhere, just the two of you." She paused. "I hate my mom, but I still miss her and all the things we could do together," she admitted.

Mrs Chase stared at her, surprised.

"I'll... I'll think about it," she said, thinking about Faith's words.

"Good," Faith said and got up. "I'll go help Maria now."

"Why?" Mrs Chase asked, confused.

"Because I can't just sit around all day and do nothing. And if I'm allowed to live here, I might as well make myself useful."

Faith left and Mrs Chase leaned back. She was slightly disturbed by what Faith had told her and she needed to think about it.

When Cordelia came home, she and Faith went to her mother and told her how they had come together. Cordelia did most of the talking and Faith only added some details or helped out when Cordelia wasn't quite sure how to continue. Mrs Chase was confused about the whole dream thing, but she accepted the story and didn't ask further.

"I think your mom's all right," Faith said when they lay together in bed that night.

"You mean that?"

"Yeah. I like her."

Cordelia smiled and caressed her.

"Good." She hesitated for a few moments and her face became serious.

"What's wrong?" Faith asked, worried.

"I'm going to LA."

"So?"

"I'm going to work there and I'm gonna live there."

"Oh," Faith said, understanding. "Why?"

"I need to. I'm not leaving you, but I need to learn how to be more independent. You know how to take care of yourself, but I've been taken care of my whole life and it wasn't until Dad messed up with the IRS that I realized I wasn't so independent. And besides, I need money for college."

"I see."

"I'll call you and I'll come home as often as possible."

Faith saw that Cordelia felt guilty and she smiled.

"I understand."

"You don't mind?"

"No. But I'm gonna miss you."

"I'm gonna miss you too."

They kissed and then slowly drifted off to sleep.

The End