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. A snippet.

Looking Forward
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"You have a visitor, Faith," the guard said.

Faith looked at her, surprised. A visitor? It's been a long time since she'd had a visitor. She sighed and followed the guard to the visitors' room.

She frowned, surprised, when she saw Dawn there. She sat down and picked up the receiver.

"Hey, Dawnie," she said carefully.

"Hi, Faith."

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you."

"Me?" Faith said, surprised. She frowned. "Why?"

Dawn hesitated for a moment.

"I've missed you."

"You have?"

"Yes. I mean, I know everyone's against you because of what you did, but I still missed you."

"And Buffy let you come?"

Dawn sighed.

"Buffy's dead."

Faith felt herself go pale.

"D-Dead?"

"Yeah. She died saving me."

Faith stared at Dawn, shocked.

"I… I'm sorry," she said and blinked away the tears that started to gather in her eyes. "When?"

"Last month."

Faith took a deep breath to calm herself.

"How's your mom taking it?"

Dawn sighed.

"She's also dead."

Faith stared at her, shocked.

"H-How?" she finally asked.

"Tumor."

"Oh god. I'm so sorry, Dawnie. I wish I could've been there for you and Buffy."

"I know," Dawn said and Faith raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

"So your dad's back?"

"No."

Faith frowned.

"Then who's taking care of you?"

"Willow and Tara are babysitting. They brought me here."

"But shouldn't he take care of you?" Faith asked, puzzled.

"He doesn't know."

Faith frowned.

"What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled.

"He thinks Buffy is still alive."

Faith frowned.

"What do you mean? I mean, there must've been a funeral."

Dawn nodded.

"There was. But Spike had a robot made that looked just like Buffy. Willow reprogrammed it and it goes to school instead of Buffy. It even goes on patrols instead of her."

Faith raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"You're kidding."

Dawn smiled sadly.

"No."

"What's it like?"

"The robot?"

"Yes."

"Looks much better than that Data guy from Star Trek. Though her personality is a bit off at times."

Faith smiled. Then she took a deep breath.

"How are you, Dawnie?"

Dawn sighed.

"I miss them. I mean, I know Buffy and I were constantly at one another's throats, but I know she cared about me and I cared about her."

"I know," Faith said. She hesitated for a moment. "I know there's not much I can do right now, but if there's anything that I can do…"

"Just talk to me."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"About?"

Dawn shrugged.

"I don't know, you."

"Me?"

"Yes." She hesitated for a moment. "I know everyone thought you were a slut, but I wished Buffy would be a bit more like you."

"Really?" Faith said, surprised. Then she frowned. "Like me? What's there to like?"

"You're more relaxed than Buffy and…"

"And look where it got me," Faith interrupted her.

"Well, I know, but…" She sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Not your fault, Dawnie." She hesitated for a moment. "You know, you… em, I mean…" She took a deep breath, not used to being this open. "If I had a kid sister, I'd wish her to be like you," she then said.

"Really?" Dawn said, surprised.

"Yeah," Faith said, nervously fidgeting with her hands.

Dawn thought about it for a few moments.

"So, em, how are you?" she then asked.

Faith sighed.

"Okay, I guess." She hesitated for a moment. "I don't… I don't… I feel better." She sighed again. "I'm coming to terms with what I've done and I'm starting to deal. So hopefully, when I get out, I'll be ready to make it up to the gang." She paused for a moment. "I just wish I could make it up to Buffy and your mom. Or at least tell them I'm sorry."

Dawn smiled softly.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they heard you."

Faith smiled back.

"That would be nice," she agreed

Then her smile disappeared as she realized that if they could hear that she was sorry, they, especially Buffy, could hear the feelings she had for her. She sighed, wishing things had turned out differently.

"So, how's the gang?"

"They're okay."

"Willow and that blondie, Tara, they still together?"

"Yes. And Xander and Anya too."

Faith shook her head.

"Talk about a weird couple."

Dawn smiled.

"Yeah." She hesitated for a moment. "Listen, I think I should be going. I mean, I'd like to stay, but I don't want Willow to throw a fit and come marching in here."

Faith grinned.

"Yeah."

"But I can come again."

Faith's eyes brightened.

"Would you? I mean, if you want to."

"Yes."

Faith smiled.

"Okay, cool."

Dawn smiled back.

"Okay then. Do you want me to bring you anything?"

Faith shook her head.

"No, thanks."

"Okay. I'll see you around then."

"Okay, kiddo."

"I'm not a kid," Dawn protested.

Faith smiled.

"I know. Bye, Dawnie."

"Bye, Faith."

They hung up. Dawn left and the guard took Faith back to her cell.

When the door closed, Faith curled up on the bed and started crying.

"You have a visitor, Faith," the guard said.

Faith looked at her, excited. A visitor. Dawn. Even though it wasn't Dawn's first visit, she still couldn't believe that she and Dawn had become close. Not close like friends or lovers, but close like family.

But then she came to the visitors' room and her eyes went wide when she saw Buffy. Her jaw dropped. She wanted to say something, but no sound came out of her mouth. The guard nudged her to sit down. Faith jerked and slowly approached the table.

When she sat, they stared at one another for a while. Finally Buffy picked up the receiver and motioned Faith to do the same. Faith jerked. She looked at the receiver and picked it up.

"Hello, Faith," Buffy spoke.

"Bu… Bu… Buffy," Faith said. "How… Why… I mean…"

"It's a long story. "

"Are you that robot?"

Buffy shook her head.

"No."

"So you're alive," Faith said.

"Yes, I'm back."

Faith stared at her.

"But you… I mean… How?"

Buffy sighed.

"The gang brought me back."

"Oh," Faith said. She hesitated for a moment. "I'm glad," she then said and looked down.

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"Are you?"

Faith looked at her.

"Of course." She thought for a moment. "I… I'm sorry about your mom. She was a great woman."

Buffy raised an eyebrow again, surprised, and sighed.

"Yes, she was."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Why are you here?"

Buffy smiled sadly.

"Dying kinda gives you a new perspective on life. It made me think." She sighed. "I know our relationship was really messy, but I was hoping we could start over. I'm tired of all these… misunderstandings between us."

Faith blinked, surprised.

"Really?"

"Yes. You asked me how to make it better. Well, you can make it better by telling me the truth."

Faith gulped and looked away, nervous. She wanted to make it better, but she wasn't sure whether she could tell the truth. After so many lies, she wasn't quite sure what the truth was herself. And it was doubtful whether Buffy would believe her. Then again, Buffy had come to see her, which meant she was probably ready to believe her. But was she herself ready to tell the truth?

She looked back at Buffy, who was observing her, waiting patiently for her response. She blushed, nervous, and looked away again. Should she tell the truth or should she lie? On one hand, she might make things better by lying, and on the other, she might make things worse by telling the truth. If things could get worse at all. Not to mention that she would feel bad if she lied. She looked back at Buffy. She still couldn't believe that Buffy had come to see her. She didn't want to screw up her chance, even if it meant that Buffy might not like what she would say. Faith felt that Buffy deserved the truth and whatever their relationship might be in the future, she didn't want it to be based on lies. She sighed, feeling very nervous.

"Okay," she said and was surprised when Buffy smiled slightly. She hesitated for a moment. "Do I have to tell it all now? Because we don't have much time left and… and I'm not… ready."

Buffy smiled.

"I'll come back. If you want."

"Yes," Faith quickly said and blushed, surprised by her response. "I mean, that'd be cool, yeah."

Buffy's smile widened.

"Okay." She thought for a moment. "You can start now or we can talk about how things are in Sunnydale and how you are."

"Me?"

"Yes. I mean, I know you went to jail because of me and I haven't even checked on how you were doing."

Faith frowned.

"Why should you check? Like you said, I made you a victim."

Buffy sighed.

"Yeah. So, how are you?"

"Five…" Faith started automatically, but then trailed off. "I'm… better. I've been working out, reading some books and I've been seeing the shrink. She says I'm making progress."

"That's good."

"Yeah. How's Dawnie?"

Buffy smiled.

"She's okay. She encouraged me to visit you."

"Oh. And how are you two… em… handling…"

Buffy bit her teeth. She sighed.

"Fine, I guess. Willow and Tara took care of Dawn while I was dead."

"Yeah, I know, Dawnie told me."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"You know, Dawn isn't really my sister," she then said.

Faith frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Buffy hesitated again.

"She's something called the Key. Some monks turned her into a human and changed reality so that she was my sister. Some goddess from Hell wanted to kill her, that's why I died."

"Shit," Faith said, surprised. Then she frowned. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I want you to know that I trust you and I want you to trust me."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, surprised.

"Thanks," she then said. She sighed as a thought occurred. "I guess I should've trusted you more back then."

Buffy nodded, surprised by Faith's admission.

"There's a lot of things both of us could've done. Or shouldn't have."

"Yeah," Faith agreed. She thought for a moment. "May… May I… apologize?" she then asked.

Buffy remembered her reaction the last time Faith tried to apologize. She sighed and nodded.

"Yes."

Faith took a deep breath and looked Buffy straight in the eyes.

"I'm sorry, Buffy, for everything. If I could undo the things I've done, I'd do it, but I can't. I only hope someday you'll forgive me," she said and then looked away, nervous.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments, thinking.

"I'm not saying I can just forget the past, but I forgive you, Faith," she then said and Faith looked at her, surprised.

"You do?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

Faith felt like crying from happiness and she felt tears welling up in her eyes.

"Thank you," she said, hoping her voice wasn't shaking.

"I want us to be friends, Faith." She hesitated for a moment. "Maybe more," she added, blushing.

Faith opened her mouth, surprised.

"Me too," she finally said, also blushing.

Buffy smiled and Faith smiled back.

One of the guards tapped Faith on the shoulder.

"Time," she said when Faith looked at her.

Faith nodded.

"Just a moment," she said and looked back at Buffy. "Well, I guess this is it for today."

"Yes."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Tell Dawnie I said hi."

Buffy smiled.

"I will."

"Okay."

Buffy nodded.

"Okay. I'll come again next week." She hesitated for a moment. "And you can call me, if you need anything or if you just want to talk."

Faith smiled.

"Thanks."

Buffy smiled back.

"I'll see you next week."

Faith nodded.

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

They both hung up and got up. They stared at one another until the guard took Faith away. Buffy stared after her until she was gone and then slowly walked out, thinking about their conversation.

Finally the last day came and as the hour of her release approached, Faith became more and more nervous. So far it was just words, but today, the real test would begin and she hoped she wouldn't screw up.

After the paperwork was done, two guards escorted her out. She leaned back her head and closed her eyes…

"Faith!" a voice interrupted her.

She looked and smiled when she saw Dawn running at her full tilt.

"Hey, kiddo," she said when Dawn hugged her. "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

Dawn hesitated for a moment and then stepped aside and let Buffy closer.

"Hi," Buffy said.

"Hi," Faith responded nervously.

Buffy hesitated for a moment and then hugged Faith. Faith was surprised, but she hugged her back. When they stopped hugging, Buffy cupped Faith's face and stared at her for a few moments. Then she leaned in and kissed her. Faith's eyes went wide and Buffy's tongue probed its way into her mouth.

Dawn was also surprised, but then her teen instincts came out to play and she rolled her eyes.

"Do you have to tongue-wrestle in public? And in front of me? I'm still a minor, you know, I could suffer psychological… Ugh!" she stopped herself when the Slayers ignored her, and turned away.

When Buffy finally stopped kissing Faith, Faith suddenly remembered that her body needed oxygen. She started hyperventilating, her eyes wide, and Buffy burst into laughter.

"Oh, no, no, no!" she said when she saw the hurt on Faith's face. "It's just… Your face, you looked so funny," she said and cupped Faith's face again.

"What… Why… I mean…"

Buffy took a deep breath.

"Do you think things would've been different if I'd had the guts to do that before?" she asked, her face serious.

Faith frowned, surprised.

"I… I don't know."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Do you think we could start over?"

Faith stared at Buffy for a few moments.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

Buffy shrugged.

"Does it matter? So, what do you think?"

"Em, yeah, definitely," Faith said and shook her head.

Buffy smiled.

"Good," she said and let go of Faith, who kept staring at her. "We'll see just how… deep our… friendship goes," she added and smiled.

Faith smiled back.

"Yeah."

"Are you done now?" Dawn asked. She frowned. "Actually, are you gay now?" Then she realized something and her eyes went wide. "Oh, that's so cool, I just can't wait to tell Sharon about it," she said excitedly and then frowned again. "I can tell her that, can't I? I mean, that's not some top secret news like you being a Slayer and stuff, is it? Because if it is, I'm just gonna hate you," she finished with a pout, crossing her arms.

Buffy smiled.

"Faith and I are just friends," she looked at Faith. "For now. We'll see how it goes."

Faith nodded in agreement.

"Okay," Dawn said. "Can she sit in the back so I can talk to her?"

Buffy smiled.

"Sure," she said and took Faith's hand.

Faith smiled as well.

"Cool," Dawn said. She looked from one Slayer to the other and back. "Can we go now?"

"Sure," Buffy said and then she and Faith headed to the car and Dawn followed them.

The End