DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Buffy The Vampire Slayer stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Warner Brothers and all Xena and Hercules stuff is the legal property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. 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. This story was inspired by JT Langdon's story Babysitting Buffy.

Love On the Run
By Kristjan Brezovnik

The fifteen-year-old Buffy Summers was beat. She'd been on the road for a week, but it had turned out to be much more difficult than it appeared on TV. Sure, she was rich, but she couldn't use her credit card because it could be traced. And since she didn't want her parents to find her, she hitchhiked a lot and only used her credit card just before she left a town. Hitchhiking, unfortunately, had a couple of downsides. For example, she could hitch a ride from a rapist, or she could end up hitchhiking in the rain, like she had a couple of hours ago. She hadn't waited long, but she was soaking wet. Fortunately, the trucker who had picked her up stopped at a roadhouse. She thanked him and went in. It was already evening and she hoped to be able to find a room at the neighboring motel. She was hungry, wet, tired and she felt like she was having a headache. Unfortunately, the motel was full. She sighed and went to the restaurant.

She found herself an empty table, which was no mean feat, considering that it was rush hour. She sat down, closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"You look like shit."

Buffy opened her eyes, startled.

"Huh?"

"You look like shit," the waitress repeated with a smile. "My name's Faith."

"Em, hi," Buffy said, blushing a bit.

"Why don't you go clean yourself."

Buffy sighed.

"The motel's full."

"Go to the ladies room."

"But the table…"

"I'll make sure the table stays free. You can leave your stuff here, I'll watch out for it."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Thanks."

"Get the stuff you need. I'll get you the key, so you can lock yourself in."

"Thanks," Buffy said with a smile.

"What'll you have?"

Buffy glanced at the menu.

"Whatever's good."

"Okay."

Faith left and Buffy quickly picked out a change of clothes. She got up and went to the bar.

"Here," Faith said and gave her the key. "That way, in the back," she gave her directions.

"Thanks," Buffy said.

After she was done eating, Buffy leaned back and closed her eyes. She wasn't hungry anymore, but she was still tired and she had a headache.

"You okay?"

Buffy opened her eyes, startled.

"Yes," she said, blinking her eyes.

Faith frowned. She leaned closer and touched Buffy's forehead.

"You're hot. Headache?"

"Yes."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"If you want, you can crash at my place for the night," she then offered.

"Your place?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah. I live in the town."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Okay."

"But you'll have to wait an hour, until my shift's over."

"Okay."

Faith thought for a moment.

"I have a bike, which would mean you'd have to leave most of your stuff here."

"Here?"

"Yeah. I can have Dana bring it over later."

Buffy thought about it.

"I… I'll have to think about it."

"Sure. I'll be around, if you need anything."

"Okay. Thanks."

Faith smiled and left.

An hour later, when Faith's shift ended, Buffy was dozing.

"Hey!" Faith said and gently shook her.

Buffy jerked, startled.

"Huh?"

"Time to go."

"Oh."

"If you want."

Buffy thought for a moment and then sighed.

"It's not like I have much of a choice."

Faith smiled.

"Take only what you need."

Buffy got up, picked up her backpack and put it on.

"That's it."

"Okay. Hand me the bags and wait here."

Buffy reached for the bags.

"Here."

"I'll be right back."

"Okay."

Faith left with Buffy's bags, and Buffy leaned on the table and waited.

"Okay, let's go," Faith said when she returned.

They went outside.

"It's still raining a bit," Buffy observed.

"I have a raincoat. It'll be a tight squeeze, but I think we'll be more or less dry."

"Oh. Okay."

"This is it," Faith said when they got to her place. "It's not much, but it's a roof over the head."

"I'm not complaining," Buffy said.

"If you want, you can take a shower."

"No, thanks. I just want to go to sleep."

"Oh." Faith hesitated for a moment. "You can take the bed."

Buffy looked around.

"Where will you sleep?"

"On the sofa."

"Oh."

"I'll take a shower then."

"Okay," Buffy said and took off her backpack. "Oh! My name is Buffy."

Faith smiled a bit.

"Okay. Do you have something to sleep in?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll be in the bathroom."

"Okay."

Faith went to the bathroom, and Buffy got ready for bed.

When Faith woke up next morning, she first checked up on Buffy. She gently touched her forehead and saw that Buffy had a fever. She decided to let her sleep. She put a cold compression on Buffy's forehead and then got dressed. Then went out to get some groceries and some food for breakfast.

When she returned, Buffy was still asleep. She put away the groceries and then gently shook Buffy.

"Buffy."

Buffy moaned.

"Buffy!" Faith called.

"What?" Buffy said and slowly opened her eyes.

"Wake up, it's morning."

Buffy blinked a couple of times.

"Huh?"

"It's morning."

"Already?"

"Yes," Faith said and removed the compression.

Buffy touched her forehead.

"What's that?"

"Cold compression," Faith said. "You have a fever."

"Oh." She groaned. "I have a headache."

"Get up."

"Why?"

"Breakfast."

"Oh." Buffy made a face. "I'm not really hungry."

"You should eat something."

"Don't wanna," Buffy said and pouted.

Faith raised an eyebrow, amused, and Buffy blushed.

"You need to eat something," Faith said.

Buffy sighed.

"Okay."

She slowly sat up and removed the blankets. She groaned when the pain in her head increased. She moved her legs so they were dangling off the bed.

"Here," Faith said and offered her her hand.

Buffy took it and slowly got up.

"I feel sick," she said.

"Come," Faith said and led her to the kitchenette.

Buffy said down and slowly dug into the food.

In the meantime, Faith aired the apartment.

"Feeling better?" Faith asked Buffy when Buffy was done.

"I feel sick," Buffy said.

Faith smiled.

"Come on, back to bed with you."

Buffy got up and followed Faith to the main room.

"Do you want to lie or sit?"

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Neither," she said.

Faith smiled.

"Then something in between," she said and moved the pillow so Buffy would be in a half sitting, half lying position. "Get in."

Buffy crawled on the bed and sat, and Faith covered her.

"Comfortable?"

Buffy moaned.

"I'm sick," she said and closed her eyes.

Faith smiled.

"Just relax." She thought for a moment. "You can stay here until you get better."

Buffy opened her eyes, surprised.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it." She glanced at the TV. "Wanna watch TV?"

Buffy thought about it.

"Okay. Just not too loud."

"Sure," Faith said and turned on the TV. "That okay?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"Okay. Do you need anything?"

"My health," Buffy said. "I seem to have lost it."

Faith chuckled.

"Don't worry, it'll come back in a couple of days."

Buffy groaned.

"I'm gonna die."

Faith smiled.

"Listen, I need to go out again, I'll be back in an hour or so. Will you be okay?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"Okay."

During the day, Buffy mostly rested, so Faith didn't trouble her with questions.

In the evening, before going to work, Faith aired the room again.

"Will you be okay?" she asked Buffy before leaving.

"Yes," Buffy said. "My head doesn’t hurt so much anymore."

"Good. I'll be back same time as last night."

"Okay." Buffy thought for a moment. "Where will you sleep?"

"On the sofa."

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

"Yeah."

"Good night."

"Night."

The next morning, Buffy felt a bit better. She woke up before Faith got back from her morning shopping.

"Hey," Faith said when she got back and saw Buffy was awake.

Buffy smiled.

"Hey."

"How do you feel?"

"Better. My head doesn't hurt anymore. Much."

"Good." Faith approached the bed and touched Buffy's forehead. "No fever."

"Yes. I forgot to take an umbrella with me. Stupid much?"

Faith smiled.

"Hungry?"

"Yes."

"Come on."

Buffy got up and followed Faith to the kitchenette.

"Mmm, that was nice," Buffy said when she was done eating. She hesitated for a moment. "I need to take a shower."

"Sure," Faith said. "Do you feel well enough to stay out of bed?"

Buffy thought about it.

"Yes, I guess."

"Okay. Take your stuff to the bathroom, and I'll air the room and make the bed."

"Okay."

"Feeling better?" Faith asked when Buffy came out of the bathroom.

"Oh yes, much better. I needed that shower." She ran her fingers through her hair. "At least I look presentable now."

"Don't worry, you looked fine before," Faith said.

Buffy blushed a bit.

"Thanks."

She went to the sofa and sat down.

"You should definitely take it easy for a couple of days," Faith said.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"You can call your parents, if you want," Faith said and pointed at the phone.

Buffy looked at it and shook her head.

"No, thanks."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Everything okay?"

Buffy sighed.

"No."

"You ran away," Faith guessed.

Buffy tensed.

"No. I mean, not really."

She sighed.

"They treating you badly?"

Buffy shook her head.

"No." She hesitated for a moment, nervous. "We had a fight." She hesitated again. "They found out I was, em, gay."

"Oh."

"It doesn't bother you, does it?" Buffy asked, worried.

Faith smiled.

"No. I'm gay too."

"Really?" Buffy said, trying to hide her excitement.

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"So, you had a fight and you ran away," Faith said. "You really should let them know where you are. I mean, I'm sure they got over it by now."

Buffy shook her head.

"No."

"Look, they probably called the cops and…"

"The cops?" Buffy said, surprised. "Why?"

"Well, you're a minor and…"

"I'm not a minor," Buffy lied, afraid that Faith would call the police.

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Right."

"I'm not. Where's my purse?"

"There," Faith said and pointed.

Buffy got up and went to the purse. She rummaged through it and finally pulled out a fake ID card.

"See? I'm nineteen," she said and showed the ID card to Faith.

Faith took a good look at it, but she couldn't tell it was a fake.

"Oh. Okay."

Buffy put the ID card away.

"Anyway," she said, "I decided to travel around a bit since it was summer."

"Any particular destination?"

Buffy shrugged.

"No, not really."

"Oh."

"What about you?"

"Me?"

"Yes. How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

"Where are you from?"

"Boston."

"Boston?" Buffy said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Faith shrugged.

"Traveling. I was going to LA, but I needed the money, so I stopped here and got a job at the roadhouse. I was planning on going to LA at the end of the week."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"You're welcome to stay here till then."

Buffy smiled.

"Thanks." She thought for a moment. "What about your parents?"

"They're dead."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

Faith shrugged.

"It's okay."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"What are you going to do in LA?"

Faith shrugged again.

"I don't know. Get a job."

"Oh."

They were quiet for a few moments and then Faith nodded at one of Buffy's bags.

"You need to do your laundry."

Buffy glanced at the bag.

"I know."

"The laundry room's at the end of the building."

"Okay." Buffy hesitated for a moment. "Can you, em, can you show me how to use the machines?" she asked, nervous.

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"You've never used a washing machine before?"

Buffy shook her head.

"No."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Okay. We'll do it later, when you cool off from the shower."

"Okay."

After Faith showed Buffy how to do the laundry, it was time for lunch. Faith cooked them a simple lunch and Buffy curiously observed her. Faith noticed that and she realized Buffy had probably never cooked anything before, except maybe in a microwave. So she showed her what she was doing.

Four days later, Buffy felt better. She could move on, but she kinda grew to like Faith and she didn't want to leave. She knew Faith was going to LA and she decided that she could go with her. The question was whether Faith would want her along or not. There was only one way to find out.

"Faith," she said after dinner.

"Yeah?"

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"You're going to LA, right?"

"Yeah."

"Can I… Eh, can I come with you?"

"To LA?"

"Yes."

Faith frowned.

"I thought you were going east."

Buffy shrugged.

"I don't really have a destination. Plus, you know, safety in numbers."

"Oh."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Plus, I kinda like hanging out with you," she admitted and blushed.

Faith smiled, excited.

"Sure, no problem." She frowned, thinking for a moment. "But we're gonna have to see how we'll get your bags strapped to the bike."

Buffy smiled.

"Okay. Cool."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"What are you gonna do in LA?"

Buffy shrugged.

"I don't know." She thought for a moment. "What are you going to do?"

Faith shrugged.

"Get a job."

"As a waitress?"

"Yeah."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Do you think we could work together?"

"Sure," Faith said and smiled.

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Where are you going to live?"

"I'll get myself an apartment," Faith said, guessing what Buffy wanted. "We could live together, if you want."

Buffy smiled.

"Yes," she said, excited, and immediately blushed.

"Cool. We'll check your bags tomorrow and see how we can strap them to the bike."

"Okay."

When they got to LA, they found themselves an apartment. Since they would each pay half of rent, they got one that had two beds and wasn't in the seediest neighborhood. Then they went on a lookout for a job. With Faith's experience, they quickly found jobs at a bar called Quattro. Buffy had never done any waitressing in her life, so Faith showed her what to do, as well as how to behave around drunk guests.

But waitressing wasn't the only thing that Faith taught Buffy. She also taught her how to do household chores and how to cook. In return, Buffy encouraged her to take the GED. Faith wasn't all too thrilled about going back to school, but she couldn't fault Buffy's reasoning, especially when Buffy offered to help her.

One night, after they came home from work, Faith was sitting on her bed, leafing through one of the books she needed to learn for the GED. She was still wrapped in a towel, having taken a shower, and didn't hear Buffy come from the bathroom.

Buffy was also wrapped in a towel. When she saw Faith was also wrapped in a towel, a thought occurred to her. She hesitated for a moment and then slowly approached Faith's bed and, after another few moments of hesitation, sat next to her.

"Hey," she said and looked at the book.

Faith glanced at her.

"Hey."

"Studying already?"

Faith smiled.

"No, just checking it out."

"Hmm," Buffy said. She hesitated for a moment and then ran her finger up Faith's thigh and hooked it at Faith's towel. "Mmm."

"What are you doing?" Faith asked, startled.

Buffy blushed.

"Checking you out," she said.

Faith laughed.

"What?" Buffy said. "It's only fair."

"Fair?"

"Yes. You've been checking me out. I've seen you, don't deny it."

Faith grinned, blushing a bit.

"Guilty as charged." She looked at Buffy's finger, which was still moving. "Eh, Buffy?"

"Yes?"

"Your finger?"

"Oh," Buffy said and removed the finger, blushing again.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"You want to have sex with me?" she asked, getting to the point.

Buffy's blush deepened.

"Yes," she said and looked at her hands.

Faith blushed a bit, slightly nervous. She hesitated for a few moments.

"I, eh… I'd like to have sex with you too, just…"

"What?" Buffy asked when Faith hesitated.

Faith's blush deepened.

"Well, em, I, em, I kinda, eh, like you. You know?" she said and looked at her hands, not believing she was so nervous.

Buffy's eyes went wide and she smiled.

"Really?"

"Yeah," Faith said, squirming a bit.

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"I like you too," she admitted.

Faith looked at her.

"Really?"

Buffy nodded.

"Uh-huh."

Faith smiled.

"Cool." She thought for a moment. "Em, do you think we could, you know, get to know one another better first?" she then asked. "I mean, I don't want us to be together just because of sex."

Buffy blushed.

"Okay," she agreed and smiled. She squirmed, excited. "Cool."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"So, em, are we, eh, girlfriends now?" she then asked, a bit nervous.

Buffy's smile widened.

"Yes."

"Cool," Faith said, feeling excited. "I've never had a girlfriend before," she admitted.

Buffy frowned.

"Really?"

"No. I mean, I've slept with girls, but I've never really dated anyone."

Buffy smiled.

"Me neither," she admitted, blushing.

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

Buffy's blush deepened.

"No. I've fooled around, but I haven't dated anyone yet."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then reached over and took hold of Buffy's hand.

Buffy smiled.

"Wanna go out on a date?"

Faith smiled.

"Sure. Although just about everything we've done so far could be called dating. Hell, we're almost like a married couple."

Buffy's smile widened.

"I guess so. But we could pretend."

Faith grinned.

"Pretending is fine with me." She thought for a moment. "Though we can't exactly afford to go to any expensive places."

"That's okay," Buffy said, "we can go to McDonald's."

Faith burst into laughter.

"I think we can afford a little better than that."

Buffy blushed.

"I know. But I wouldn't mind McDonald's."

Faith smiled.

"Me neither," she said, and Buffy smiled. She yawned. "How about we go to sleep now."

Buffy nodded.

"Okay." She hesitated for a moment. "Can I kiss you?"

Faith grinned.

"Any time, baby."

Buffy blushed again. She leaned closer and they kissed.

"Mmm," Faith said, licking her lips, "I could definitely get used to that."

Buffy's blush deepened.

"Me too."

Faith smiled.

"And don't worry too much about the whole dating thing, okay? We'll make things up along the way."

Buffy nodded.

"Okay."

After a couple of weeks of dating, they were both comfortable with being a couple. Buffy had a camera, so they took photos of one another and of themselves. They had one of them, which showed both of them hugging and laughing, blown up and then they hanged it above their bed.

A couple of days later, Faith decided that their relationship was strong enough that they could have sex. So she gathered courage, hardly believing how nervous she was, and asked Buffy.

Buffy smiled.

"Yes!"

Faith blushed a bit and grinned.

"Somebody's horny."

Buffy blushed.

"What? You're the one who proposed it."

"This time," Faith said and winked.

Buffy's blush deepened.

"Are we gonna talk or have sex?" she asked.

Faith burst into laughter.

"You kill me."

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"I'd rather do something else to you."

Faith smirked and sidled up to her.

"Then we better get to it, before you end up like a cooked lobster," she said, and Buffy's blush deepened. Faith winked. "So, you're sure about this?"

Buffy took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

"Yes."

"Then let's get naked."

Buffy licked her lips in anticipation.

"Okay."

"Why don't you undress me and I'll undress you."

Buffy blushed a bit.

"Okay," she agreed.

"Wanna go first?"

Buffy nodded.

"Okay."

She licked her lips and then reached over and slowly started to undress Faith until Faith was in her birthday suit.

"Like?" Faith asked when she saw Buffy was staring at her body.

"Huh?" Buffy said, startled, and looked up. "Oh," she said, blushing. "Yes, I like. A lot."

Faith blushed, a bit.

"Good. My turn."

Faith quickly undressed Buffy.

"Someone's in a hurry," Buffy said, grinning.

Faith looked up.

"You bet. You're one sexy lady."

Buffy blushed.

"Let's go to bed," she said, and Faith grinned.

They went to bed and Buffy half covered them.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Faith asked one last time.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

She ran her hand across Buffy's belly, making Buffy squirm. Then she leaned closer and they kissed.

Then the door crashed open.

"Police! Don't move!"

Buffy screamed, and Faith quickly pulled the blanket up to cover them as a couple of detectives and several uniforms entered, their guns drawn.

"What the fuck…"

"Don't move."

"What the hell is going on?" Faith asked.

"You're under arrest."

The officers pulled the blanket off, grabbed Faith, turned her around and cuffed her.

"Faith!" Buffy screamed.

"Are you okay, missy?" one of the detectives asked.

"What?" Buffy said, confused.

"Did she hurt you?"

"Who?"

"Her," the detective said and nodded at Faith, who was being read her rights by his partner.

"Faith? No!"

Buffy quickly grabbed the blanket and threw it over Faith. Then she grabbed the pillows and covered herself with them.

The detectives picked up Faith, and one of the female uniforms wrapped the blanket around her.

"Thanks," Faith murmured.

"Faith!" Buffy called.

"What's gonna happen to Buffy?" Faith asked the detectives.

"Shut up."

The detectives dragged Faith out, reciting her rights as they went.

"Faith!" Buffy called, scared. She looked at the female uniform who had wrapped a blanket around Faith. "Where are they taking her?"

"To the station."

"Why? What did she do?"

"Apparently she kidnapped you and, eh, sexually molested you."

"What are you talking about?" Buffy said, confused. "She didn't kidnap me. And she didn't molest me either."

"Come on, dress up. We'll take you to the station and you can give your statement there."

"Can I take some clothes for Faith?"

"Yes, of course."

"Can you, em, can you give me some privacy, please?"

"Yes, of course."

When they got to the station, the detectives took Faith to the interrogation room. They left her there and went off to brag a bit before Buffy was brought in. Faith sat quietly, wondering what the hell was going on, worried about Buffy.

When the uniforms brought Buffy in, they took her to Faith's arresting detectives' desk.

"Okay, Miss Summers, I'm Detective Johnson and this is my partner, Detective Hutton. We…"

"Where is Faith?"

"In the interrogation room."

"I'd like to see her."

"I'm afraid that's not possible."

"I want to see her! Now!" Buffy screamed.

"Look, Miss Summers…"

"Don't Miss Summers me! I want to see Faith! Now!" Buffy demanded and stomped her foot.

"Look…"

"Buffy, right?"

Buffy looked at the newcomer.

"I know you."

"Yes, from Quattro. I'm Detective Kate Lockley."

"Yes!"

"What's going on?"

"These two morons broke into our apartment and took Faith."

Kate thought for a moment.

"Your girlfriend? The brunette?"

"Yes. They didn't even let her dress."

"You know them?" Johnson asked.

Kate looked at him.

"Yes, from Quattro. They work there. What's going on?"

"That's our case, Lockley," Hutton said.

Kate looked at Buffy.

"Do you know why they took Faith?"

"One of the cops said Faith was supposed to kidnap me and molest me."

"Molest?"

Buffy shrugged.

"I don't know."

"She's a minor," Johnson said.

"Oh," Kate said.

"She didn't know that," Buffy said.

"She could've asked," Hutton said.

"She did. I showed her my fake ID." Buffy reached into her purse and pulled out the ID card. "Here," she said and gave it to Kate.

"Hmm," Kate said. "Looks pretty real."

"I know," Buffy said, "I paid good money for it."

Kate showed the fake ID card to Johnson and Hutton.

"Can I see Faith?" Buffy asked.

"Not yet," Kate said. "Tell me, how did you two meet?"

"At a roadhouse, a couple of miles east of Las Vegas. She was working there. It was raining and I got soaking wet. I couldn't find a room in the motel, so Faith said I could spend the night at her place." She looked at Johnson and Hutton. "She slept on the sofa." She looked back at Kate. "Anyway, the next day, I had a fever, so she let me stay until I got better. When I got better, she was planning on going to LA, so I asked her if I could go with her. She said okay. We got us a place to stay and Faith found us a job at Quattro." She blushed a bit. "We fell in love and that was it." She glared at Johnson and Hutton. "We were about to have sex for the first time when those two broke in and dragged Faith away."

Kate looked at the two detectives.

"What made you think she was kidnapped?"

"She was seen leaving with a woman matching Miss Spencer's description," Johnson said and gave her back the fake ID.

"I was hitchhiking," Buffy said and took the fake ID from Kate. "The woman was twenty years older than Faith and she had a car. Faith has a bike and she's never been to Sunnydale."

"She still slept with you."

"First of all, tonight was to be our first time. Second, I wanted to sleep with her. And third, she didn't know I'm a minor and she had no reason to suspect that."

"You messed up big time, guys," Kate said, shaking her head.

"Can I see Faith now?" Buffy asked.

"Later," Kate said. "I need to interrogate her first."

"This is our case, Lockley," Hutton said.

"And you're handling it like a bunch of newbies. First, you make the wrong assumption that she had been kidnapped. Then you use excessive force. Then you can't get the supposed victim to cooperate because she's too worried about the supposed felon. Do I need to go on?"

Hutton grunted, angry.

"I know Faith," Kate continued. "Not personally, but we've met at Quattro. I'll interrogate her. You two can watch from outside."

"Can you take these clothes to her?" Buffy asked and picked up the bag she'd brought.

"I'll have to check them out first."

"Okay."

Kate took the bag. Then she moved closer to the desk and picked up a couple of empty sheets of papers and a ball-pen.

"Here, write down everything. From the time you left home to now."

"For the whole month?"

"If something important happened, yes."

"Okay."

Kate picked up some more sheets of paper and another ball-pen.

"I'll be back," she said and headed for the interrogation room, the two male detectives following her angrily.

"Can you pl…" Faith started but trailed off when she saw Kate. She frowned. "I know you."

Kate nodded.

"From Quattro."

"Right."

"I'm detective Kate Lockley."

"Can you tell me what the fuck is going on? Is Buffy alright?"

"Yes. She's sending you these clothes."

"Oh."

"I'll have to check them out before you can put them on."

"Yeah, okay."

Kate opened the bag and emptied it on the table.

"Anyway," she said as she examined the pockets, "seems the two arresting detectives thought you'd kidnapped Buffy."

Faith frowned.

"Kidnap? Why would I do that?"

Kate shrugged.

"I don't know. Tell me, how did you two meet?"

Faith sighed.

"At a roadhouse a couple of miles east of Vegas. I was working there. It was raining that night and she was soaking wet. She couldn't find a room, so I told her she could crash at my place for the night. Next morning, she had a fever, so I let her stay. When she got better a couple of days later, I went to LA, and she asked if she could come along."

"Why did you go to LA?"

"I was headed here anyway, but I needed the money, so I got myself a job at the roadhouse. I'd been planning to go to LA at the end of that week anyway."

"I see. Go on."

Faith shrugged.

"We went to LA, found us a place to stay and I got us a job at Quattro. That's about it."

"And you became girlfriends?"

"Yeah."

"Did you sleep with her?"

Faith blushed a bit.

"Tonight was to be our first time."

"I see. The clothes are okay." She looked toward the one way window. "I'm going to take off her handcuffs so she can dress," she told the two detectives.

Faith got up, and Kate took off her handcuffs.

"Eh…"

"I'll hold the blanket so they won't see you."

"Thanks."

Faith unwrapped the blanket, and Kate held it spread so the two detectives couldn't see Faith. Faith quickly dressed, and Kate folded the blanket and put it in Buffy's bag. Faith then held out her hands so Kate could cuff her.

"I don't think there's any need for them, right?"

"No, Ma'am," Faith said and sat down.

Kate leaned on the table.

"So, do you know why Buffy was traveling around?"

"Yeah. She said she'd had a fight with her parents after they found out she was gay. I thought she was a minor and I told her she should call her parents, but she showed me her ID, so I figured she was old enough. And besides, she said she'd decided to travel around for a while since it was summer."

"I see."

"Why did they think I'd kidnapped Buffy?" Faith asked.

Kate shrugged.

"They messed up and mixed some facts."

Faith thought for a moment.

"They called me a perv. Do you know why?"

Kate hesitated for a moment.

"Well, Buffy is a minor."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"What do you mean? I saw her ID."

"It's a fake."

"What? But…"

"Buffy admitted it."

"Oh," Faith said and swallowed hard. "I didn't know. I swear, I didn't know," she said, scared, knowing she could be in big trouble.

"I know."

"What… What's gonna happen to me?"

"Why don't you write down everything that happened to you since you met Buffy, okay? I'll go talk to your arresting detectives and then you'll probably be free."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"Can you please tell Buffy I'm okay?"

Kate smiled.

"I will."

"Thanks."

Kate nodded.

"I'll be back," she said and left. She went to the two detectives in the observation room. "Questions?"

"We still need to check out their statements," Hutton said. "They could've made it up."

"First of all, they didn't have the time to make up anything and they had no reason to do it before you arrested Faith. Second, Buffy most definitely wasn't kidnapped. I've been seeing them for a couple of weeks now and she didn't act like someone who's on the run. To me, they looked like a couple. Third, they both claim that tonight was to be their first time. And even if it wasn't, it doesn't matter, Buffy had a fake ID and she showed it to Faith. That leaves Faith blameless. You'll be lucky if they don't press charges."

The two detectives glared at her.

"Fine," Johnson then said.

Kate nodded.

"Good," she said and left.

"Crap," Hutton murmured.

"Bitch," Johnson said.

"Come on."

"Buffy," Kate said when she came to Buffy.

"Have you seen Faith?" Buffy asked.

"Yes. She's okay. She dressed and now she's writing her statement."

"Oh. Is she in trouble?"

"No."

"Does that mean we can leave when we're done?"

"No," Hutton said.

Buffy and Kate looked at him.

"Why not?" Buffy asked.

"Because you're a minor and you ran away from home. I've already called your parents, they're on their way."

"Oh."

"You'll have to wait here until they arrive," Kate said.

Buffy sighed.

"Okay."

When she was done with her statement, Faith was released. Kate took her to Buffy, who was anxiously waiting for her.

"Faith!" Buffy said, relieved, when she saw Faith.

She wanted to hug Faith, but Faith took a step back, not wanting to give the cops any excuse to arrest her. Buffy frowned, confused.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Why can't I hug you?"

"You're a minor."

"Oh." Buffy sighed. "Sorry I didn't tell you, I didn't want you to call the cops. Or my parents."

"How old are you?"

"Fifteen."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Fifteen!"

"Yes."

Faith gulped.

"Anything else I should know?"

Buffy shrugged.

"No."

Faith took a deep breath, thinking.

Buffy realized that their relationship might be over.

"Do you… Do you still… love me?" she then asked anxiously.

Faith opened her mouth and then closed it again. She thought about it. She decided that she did still love Buffy, but the question was whether she should tell her. She knew they couldn't be together or she would end up in jail. Still, she decided to tell Buffy the truth.

"Yes."

Buffy's face brightened.

"I love you too."

"But we can' t be together."

Buffy's face fell.

"Why not?"

"You're a minor."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a few moments. "We could still be together, we just can't sleep together."

Faith thought about it.

"What about you parents?"

Buffy made a face.

"They're on their way."

"Oh."

"I have to wait here until they arrive."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Can I wait with you?"

Buffy smiled.

"Sure." Buffy looked at Kate. "Can we wait over at the benches?"

"Sure," Kate said with a smile.

"Thanks. For everything."

Kate nodded.

"You're welcome."

Buffy took Faith's hand and they went to the benches. They sat down and Faith put the bag next to her.

"I'm sorry I lied to you," Buffy then said.

Faith sighed.

"It's okay, I understand."

"You're not mad?"

Faith smiled a bit.

"No."

Buffy smiled back.

"Okay." She thought for a moment. "Will you go with me to Sunnydale?"

Faith took a deep breath. She thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay."

Buffy smiled again.

"Cool."

Faith thought for a moment.

"We'll have to quit our jobs."

Buffy nodded.

"Okay." She hesitated for a moment. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"

Faith shook her head.

"No."

"Good." She sighed. "I was so worried when they just dragged you out."

Faith gently squeezed her hand.

"And I was worried about you," she said, and Buffy smiled. She thought for a moment. "How will your parents react?"

Buffy shrugged.

"I don't know." She yawned. "I'm beat."

"How long does it take to get here from Sunnydale?"

Buffy shrugged.

"About two hours."

"Then let's make ourselves comfortable."

When Buffy's parents arrived more than an hour later, Buffy and Faith were asleep. They were on the bench. Faith had put the bag behind her back and then put her arms around Buffy, who was sitting between her legs, leaning on her.

"There she is," Joyce Summers, Buffy's mom, said when she saw them. She ran to them, her husband Hank following her. "Buffy," she said and shook her daughter.

"Mmm, what?" Buffy said and slowly opened her eyes.

"Buffy!" Joyce repeated.

Buffy's brain finally recognized her mother's voice and her eyes shot open.

"Mom!"

She abruptly sat up, which woke Faith.

Joyce hugged Buffy.

"Oh honey, we were so worried about you."

Buffy hugged her back.

"I'm fine, Mom."

Joyce let go of her, and then Hank hugged her.

"What were you thinking, honey?" he said when he let go of Buffy.

Buffy crossed her arms.

"What was I thinking? What were you thinking?" she said and pouted.

"Honey…" Joyce started.

"Don't honey me. I can't help it if I'm gay, okay? And it's not like it's some kind of disease. It's just the way I am."

Joyce sighed.

"I know. I'm sorry."

Buffy looked at Kate, who had approached when she saw Buffy's parents.

"Can we go now?" she asked.

"In a moment," Kate said. "I need one of your parents to sign some papers." She looked at Joyce and Hank. "I'm Detective Kate Lockley."

"Hello," Joyce said.

"Do you know why the kidnapper didn't send any ransom notes?" Hank asked.

"I'm afraid there's been some misunderstanding on the part of the arresting detectives."

"This isn't your case?"

Kate shook her head.

"Not officially, but I'm handling it because I've met Buffy and Faith."

"Faith?" Joyce asked.

"My girlfriend," Buffy said.

Everyone looked at her and then at Faith.

"You're Faith?"

"Yeah," Faith said, a bit nervous.

"Anyway, all charges against Faith have been dropped," Kate said.

Joyce looked at her.

"She's the kidnapper?"

"No, she's not. And she didn't sexually molest Buffy either."

Joyce's eyes went wide.

"Molest?"

"She's nineteen," Buffy said.

"Nineteen?" Joyce said and looked at her.

"She didn't know I'm fifteen, I have a fake ID."

"Fake?"

"Yes. It says I'm nineteen."

"Oh."

"Can you please sign the papers, I want go home."

"I'll take care of it," Hank said.

"This way," Kate said and led the way.

Joyce hesitated for a few moments and then sat beside Buffy, who was still sitting between Faith's legs.

"Where've you been, honey?" she asked as she took Buffy's hand into her own.

"I'll tell you when Dad gets here," Buffy said and leaned back on Faith, who put her arms around her again.

"Oh. Okay. But you've been okay?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Joyce hesitated for a moment and then looked at Faith, who gulped, nervous.

"You're gay too?"

"Yes," Faith said.

"Mom!" Buffy said, rolling her eyes. "Of course she's gay, she's my girlfriend."

"Oh."

"Can we go now, Dad?" Buffy asked when Hank returned a few minutes later.

"Yes."

"Finally."

Buffy let go of her mother's hand and got up.

Faith got up as well and picked up the bag.

Buffy took Faith's hand and then looked at her parents.

"This way," Hank said and led the way.

Buffy and Faith followed him, Joyce bringing up the rear.

"We need to go to Quattro first," Buffy said when Hank started the car.

"Quattro?"

"We need to quit our jobs."

"You have a job?" Joyce asked, surprised.

"Yes. We waitress."

"Oh. Can you tell us now what you've been doing?"

"Sure." Buffy thought for a moment. "I was just hitchhiking at random for a week. I ended up at a roadhouse outside Las Vegas where Faith was working. It was raining that day and I was soaking wet. I'd forgotten my umbrella. Anyway, I couldn't find a room, so Faith said I could spend the night at her place. The next morning, I had a fever, so Faith let me stay longer. At the end of the week, she went to LA and I went with her. We found us a place to stay and Faith found us a job at Quattro." She hesitated for a moment, smiling briefly at Faith. "We fell in love and that was it."

"I see." Joyce thought for a moment. "Did you… Em, did you, well…"

"No, Mom," Buffy said, guessing what Joyce wanted to ask. She blushed a bit. "Tonight was to be our first time."

"Oh."

"But then those stupid cops broke in and dragged Faith away. They didn't even let her dress."

"You mean she was naked?" Joyce asked, surprised.

"No, she had a blanket."

"Oh."

"Fortunately, Detective Lockley showed up and helped us."

"I see."

"Go left, Dad," Buffy instructed.

Hank made a turn.

"What about you, Faith?" Joyce asked. "Where are you from?"

"Boston."

"Boston? And what are you doing in LA?"

Faith shrugged.

"Working."

"Working? What about your parents?"

"They're dead."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"She's studying for GED," Buffy said proudly.

"I see."

"But we don't have all the stuff yet."

"Stuff?"

"Books."

"Oh."

After quitting their jobs, they went to their apartment. Faith was relieved that her bike was okay.

"This is where you live?" Hank asked, making a face, when they entered their apartment.

"Yes," Buffy said.

Hank and Joyce glanced at one another, surprised.

"Are we going straight back to Sunnydale?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm driving with Faith."

"With Faith?"

"Yes."

"She's coming with us?"

"Yes. I want her to live with us."

"Honey…"

Buffy crossed her arms.

"She's staying with us."

"Buffy…" Faith started.

"No, you're staying with us." Her face softened a bit. "I don't want to lose you."

Faith smiled a little.

"You're not."

"Still, you're staying with us."

Joyce and Hank looked at one another.

"Okay," Hank said, worried that Buffy might run away again.

Buffy smiled.

"Thanks, Dad." She looked at Joyce. "I'm driving with her."

"How?" Joyce asked.

"On her bike."

"Bike?"

"Yes, she has a bike."

"Oh."

"Why don't you sit down while we pack."

Joyce looked at Hank, who shrugged.

"Okay."

Joyce and Hank sat down and Buffy and Faith started to pack. Joyce noticed the framed photo above their bed. She gently elbowed Hank and pointed at the photo. Hank looked and raised an eyebrow. He looked back at Joyce, who took his hand. He squeezed it gently and then they waited for the girls to pack.

When they were done, the Summers family took the bags to the car, and Faith checked her and Buffy out.

"Are you sure you don't want to drive with us?" Joyce asked as Buffy put on her helmet.

"Yes, Mom. I'll be okay. We'll be right behind you."

Joyce sighed.

"Okay."

When Faith pulled over next to Hank's car, she just stared at the house for a few moments.

"Man, this is big," she said.

"Huh? What?" Buffy said.

Faith looked back.

"Are you asleep?"

"No," Buffy said and yawned.

Faith chuckled.

"Right."

She took off her helmet.

"Are we home yet?" Buffy asked.

"Yes."

"Good," Buffy said and took of her helmet.

"You forgot to mention that you were rich," Faith said.

"Oh." Buffy smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I kinda forgot about it."

Faith smiled back.

"Anything else you forgot to tell me?"

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Em, no, I don't think so," she said and took off her helmet.

Faith looked at Joyce.

"Can I leave the bike here?"

"Yes, of course."

Buffy got off the bike and Faith did the same.

"Let's take this inside," Hank said.

They went to the car and took their bags.

"This is my room," Buffy said when they got upstairs.

"Wow," Faith said and put down Buffy's bags.

"You'll sleep in this room," Joyce said.

Faith turned and followed Joyce to her room.

"Wow," she said.

"You like?" Buffy asked.

"Hell yeah. This is, like, a five star hotel."

Buffy smiled.

"The bathroom is over there," Buffy said and pointed at a door.

"Bathroom?" Faith said, surprised. "You mean I have my own bathroom?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"Shit."

"Is that all you have?" Joyce asked Faith and nodded at her bag.

Faith looked at her and then at her bag.

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"Mom, I'm going to take a shower and then I'm going to bed," Buffy said and yawned.

"Okay, honey."

"Yeah, me too," Faith said. She looked at Joyce. "Are the towels and stuff in the bathroom?"

"Yes," Joyce said.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Can I use them?"

"Yes, of course, it's your bathroom."

"Oh. Okay."

Joyce smiled and left.

"Relax," Buffy said when Joyce was gone, "this is your home now."

Faith looked at her and smiled a bit.

"But for how long?"

"For as long as you want." Buffy hesitated for a moment. "And even if things don't work out between us, I still want you to stay here. As my friend."

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

"Okay."

Buffy smiled.

"I'll take that shower now," she said and left.

When she was gone, Faith looked around the room. It was almost an apartment, but much more expensive than anything she had ever lived in. She took a deep breath and then put her bag on the bed. Then she went to the bathroom.

After she was done, Buffy dressed for bed and went to Faith's room. She knocked on the door and entered when there was no reply. She went to the bathroom door and knocked.

"Faith?"

"Yeah?!" Faith called.

"Are you decent?"

"Hold on!" There was a brief pause. "Okay!"

Buffy opened the door and then peeked in. She smiled when she saw that Faith was wrapped in a towel.

"Hey. Can you dry my hair?"

Faith smiled.

"Sure. And you can dry mine."

"Okay," Buffy said. She fetched the blow dryer and gave it to Faith. "Here."

"Sit down."

When Joyce passed Buffy's room and saw the light, she entered to check up on Buffy.

"Buffy?" she said and went to the bathroom.

When she saw that Buffy was not there, she turned off the lights and went to Faith's room. She heard the blow dryer and she heard Buffy and Faith laugh about something. She quietly approached the door to the bathroom and peeked in. She raised an eyebrow, when she saw that Buffy was drying Faith's hair. She observed them for a few moments and then quietly left.

When they were done drying their hair, Buffy went to her room so Faith could get dressed. Sure, she had seen her naked, but she was a bit nervous because of the way the LA cops had disturbed their first time.

When Faith was dressed, she went to bed. She was about to turn off the light when Buffy returned.

"Can I lie with you for a few minutes?" Buffy asked.

"Sure."

Buffy lay on the bed, on top of the cover, and cuddled up to Faith.

"You okay?" Faith asked her.

Buffy sighed.

"Just a bit nervous."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Because of the cops?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

Faith kissed her on the top of the head and Buffy smiled a little.

Buffy looked up and then ran her hand across Faith's breasts, making Faith gasp.

"Like?"

"Hell yeah," Faith said, "but we shouldn't do this."

Buffy made a face.

"This so sucks. I mean, couldn't they have waited until after we had sex?"

Faith smiled.

"Poor baby."

"Like you're not horny as hell."

Faith grinned.

"Took care of that in the shower," she said, and Buffy blushed. "Mostly."

"Me too," Buffy admitted. "But I'd rather you took care of it."

Faith chuckled.

"Me too."

Buffy pinched Faith's left nipple.

"We can…"

"Oh no," Faith said and quickly removed Buffy's hand. "We'll be in deep shit if your parents catch us and I really don't want to lose you."

Buffy smiled a little.

"I don't want to lose you either."

Faith caressed her.

"You know what that means?"

"What?"

"No sex for us until you're eighteen."

Buffy groaned.

"That's not fair."

"Yeah, it kinda sucks."

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"Kinda?"

"Well, you are fifteen."

"So? You didn't have a problem about it a couple of hours ago."

"I didn't know you were fifteen then."

"So? Does that make such a difference?"

Faith thought about it.

"I guess not. I mean, you didn't exactly behave like a fifteen-year-old, I think," she smiled a little, "although you did act like a spoiled brat at first."

"Hey!" Buffy said, blushing, and swatted Faith on the arm.

"What? It's true," Faith said, smiling.

Buffy smiled as well.

"I guess. But you took care of that." She gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you."

Faith kissed her back.

"That's what girlfriends are for."

Buffy sighed contently and made herself comfortable.

"Yes."

They lay quietly for a while.

"Buffy?" Faith asked when she noticed that Buffy's breathing had become even. "Buffy?" she asked louder when there was no response.

She looked and saw that Buffy was asleep. She thought for a moment and then uncovered herself and covered Buffy. She tried to turn off the light, but couldn't reach the lamp.

Just then Joyce peeked in, and Faith's eyes went wide.

Joyce was just going to bed when she saw that the light was still on in the girls' rooms. She checked Buffy's room, but Buffy wasn't in. She turned off the lights and then went to Faith's room. She could see Buffy cuddled up to Faith, covered with Faith's cover, while Faith was trying to turn off the light. Just then Faith noticed her and was apparently scared of her reaction. Joyce stared at them for a few moments and then went to Buffy's room to get her cover.

When Joyce returned and Faith saw she had a cover, she relaxed a bit. She uncovered Buffy and covered herself. Then she helped Joyce cover Buffy.

"Faith," Buffy murmured as she cuddled herself even closer to Faith.

Faith smiled and removed a curl of Buffy's hair from her face. Then she realized Joyce was watching her and she blushed.

Joyce smiled a little.

"Don't hurt her, okay?"

Faith blinked, startled.

"I won't."

Joyce's smile widened.

"Good night," she said and turned off the light.

"Night."

Joyce left and closed the door, and Faith pressed Buffy closed to herself.

When Buffy woke up the next day and found herself cuddled up against Faith, she smiled. She stared at her for a while and then checked the time. It was past the time they usually got up, so she gently shook Faith up.

"Faith," she said softly.

"Em, what?" Faith asked and slowly opened up her eyes, yawning.

"Time to get up."

"Oh," Faith said and glanced at the clock.

Buffy smiled.

"Morning."

Faith smiled back.

"Morning."

Buffy hesitated for a moment, and then leaned closer and kissed Faith.

Faith immediately responded, but she kept it short.

"Let's not overdo it," she said.

Buffy blushed.

"Okay." She sat up. "Let's get dressed."

"Okay. Don't forget your cover."

"My cover?" Buffy said, confused, and looked at the cover.

"Yes. Your mom brought it in last night."

"She saw us?" Buffy asked, worried.

"Yes."

"How did she react?"

Faith shrugged.

"She brought the cover."

"Oh." Buffy thought about it for a moment. "I'll see you at breakfast."

"Okay."

At breakfast, Faith quietly observed the Summers family banter. She envied Buffy the loving family that she had. But Buffy and Joyce tried to include her in the banter, so Faith soon relaxed and didn't feel so awkward anymore.

When Buffy and Faith put away the dishes after the breakfast, Joyce and Hank looked at one another, surprised, Buffy had never put away the dishes before.

"Mom, I'm going to call my friends," Buffy said when they were done.

"Okay, honey."

Buffy hurried away, and Faith was left alone with Joyce and Hank.

"Eh…" Faith hesitated for a moment. "What's the, eh, rent?" she then asked, nervous.

"Rent?" Joyce said, startled.

"Yeah."

Joyce stared at her for a few moments and then smiled.

"There is no rent."

Faith frowned.

"But…"

"No rent. Buffy would be extremely angry if you had to pay rent."

Faith thought about it.

"Can I do anything else? Like, some chores? I mean, I don't wanna live here for free."

Joyce smiled again.

"We'll work something out."

Faith nodded.

"Okay. And you're okay with it?" she asked. "I mean, with me living here?"

"I suppose. You seem like a nice girl," Joyce said, making Faith blush.

Faith thought for a moment.

"Em, how far can we go? Buffy and I, I mean. With the, you know, kissing and stuff?" she asked, blushing a bit.

Joyce and Hank looked at one another.

"I suppose kissing is okay," Hank said.

"Just a simple kiss or can we make out?"

"Make out?"

Faith's blush deepened.

"Yes. You know, have a make-out session or something."

"Oh."

"That's okay," Joyce said.

"And we can hug and, eh, cuddle and stuff?" Faith asked, her blush deepening.

Joyce smiled.

"Yes."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Can we sleep together?" she asked and her eyes went wide. "I mean, not sleep as in have sex, just, you know, sleep. Like last night."

Joyce's smile widened.

"Sure."

"Okay." Faith took a deep breath. "So basically we can do anything as long as it's not X-rated."

Joyce chuckled.

"You could say that."

Faith nodded.

"Okay." She thought for a moment. "Em, where can I keep my bike?"

"In the garage," Hank said and got up. "I'll show you."

"Oh! Wait!" Joyce said. "Eh, Buffy said you're studying for your GED."

"Yeah," Faith said.

"Which was the last grade you finished?"

Faith frowned, thinking.

"Tenth."

"I see." Joyce hesitated for a moment. "You could go back to school," she then suggested.

Faith frowned.

"Back to school?"

"Yes, you only have two years. I think it would be easier if you did it test by test instead of everything at once."

Faith thought about it.

"Eh, I guess." She scratched her head. "But, em, I don't know how to, em…"

Joyce smiled.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of the paperwork. I'll just need you to write down where you lived and where you went to school."

"Oh. Okay."

"But there's no hurry."

"Okay."

"Come, Faith," Hank said.

A couple of minutes later, Buffy came down.

"They're coming over," she said.

"Okay," Joyce said.

"Where is Faith?"

"Your father is showing her where she can keep her bike."

"Oh. You didn't give her a hard time, did you?"

Joyce smiled.

"No."

"Good."

"You could show her around Sunnydale," Joyce suggested.

Buffy nodded.

"I will, later. We'll go out."

"Okay."

"Hey," Faith said as she and Hank came back.

"Hey," Buffy said with a smile.

"Your dad was just showing me where I can keep my bike."

"I know." She took Faith's hand. "Come on, I want you to try on some of my clothes."

"Your clothes?" Faith asked as Buffy dragged her away.

"Yes."

"They're all pastels," Faith protested.

"You'll look good in them, trust me."

"Buffy," Faith whined.

Joyce looked at Hank, smiling.

"Looks like she has Faith wrapped around her little finger."

"Or the other way around," Hank said. "You saw that Buffy actually put away the dirty dishes."

"True."

"Come on, Buffy," Faith protested.

"Please," Buffy said and gave her the lost puppy look.

"Look… Oh! Your mom said we can kiss and stuff, as long as we don't have sex," Faith changed the subject, hoping Buffy would forget about the clothes.

"Really?"

"Yeah. She said we can even sleep together."

Buffy smiled.

"Cool!"

"As long as we don't do anything X-rated."

Buffy blushed.

"Okay."

Faith smiled.

"Oh yeah, she also said I could go back to school."

"Really?" Buffy said, excited.

"Yeah."

"Which grade?"

"Eleventh."

"This is so cool!"

"Yeah."

"Okay, the clothes."

Faith groaned.

"Come on."

Ten minutes later, Buffy's friends came.

"Buffy!" Buffy's best friend Willow said, excited, when she saw her.

"Willow!" Buffy said.

Willow ran to her and they hugged.

"Where've you been?" Willow asked when she let go of Buffy. "We were so worried about you."

Buffy smiled.

"In LA."

"LA?"

"Yes. Ooh! This is Faith. She's my girlfriend."

"Hey," Faith said, nervous because of the dress she was wearing.

"Faith, these are my friends, Willow, Xander and Cordelia."

"Hi," Willow said.

"Doesn't she look good in that dress?" Buffy said.

Willow nodded.

"Definitely."

"Nice," Cordelia said noncommittally.

Xander just stared.

"You're drooling, Xander," Buffy said.

Xander looked at her, startled, and blushed.

"You're trying my clothes later," Faith told Buffy.

Buffy looked at her with a smile.

"Okay."

"Do your parents know she's your girlfriend?" Willow asked.

Buffy looked at her.

"Yes. And guess what! She's staying here."

"Really?" Willow said, surprised.

"Yes. Come on, let's sit down."

Buffy sat on the bed and Faith joined her, feeling a bit exposed in the dress.

Willow, Xander and Cordelia did the same.

"Are you going to sue them?" Cordelia asked when Buffy was done telling them what she and Fait had been up to.

"Who?" Buffy asked, startled.

"The police."

"Eh…"

"No," Faith said, and everyone looked at her. "It's no big deal and I don't want to complicate things," she explained.

"Oh."

"You're lucky," Xander said. "Your parents didn't ground you for life and you get to live with your girlfriend. I mean, how cool is that?"

Buffy smiled.

"Very."

"Do they let you sleep together?"

"Xander!" Buffy said and threw the pillow at him.

Xander grinned.

"I bet he's just jealous," Faith said. She thought for a moment. "Though the question is of whom."

Buffy blushed.

"Probably of both," Cordelia said, making Xander blush. "You're still drooling," she told him, and Xander quickly wiped his mouth.

Faith grinned at Cordelia.

"Listen, why don't we give Faith the tour of Sunnydale," Buffy said. "We can talk on the way."

"Okay," Willow said.

Buffy got up, and everybody followed her example.

"I'll just change my clothes," Faith said.

"Oh no, come on," Buffy said. "Go in the dress."

"This dress?" Faith asked and looked at herself.

"Yes. You need to get used to it."

Faith looked at her, squinting.

"Why?"

"For school."

Faith frowned.

"School?"

"Yes. You look a bit younger in that dress."

Faith made a face.

"I don't like wearing dresses."

Buffy gave her the puppy eyes.

"Please?"

Faith glanced at Buffy's friends, who were observing the interaction, amused. She blushed.

"Oh come on," she protested.

Buffy looked at her friends.

"Doesn't she look great?" she asked again.

"Yes," Willow said, nodding.

"Definitely," Xander said.

Cordelia merely rolled her eyes.

"See?" Buffy said.

Faith's blush deepened. She crossed her arms.

"Fine. But you're so paying for this."

Buffy smiled.

"Okay."

Faith looked at her feet.

"I'm gonna need some shoes."

"I'll get them," Buffy said and went to her closet.

"No heels."

"No heels." Buffy quickly picked a pair of shoes. "Here."

Faith made a face, but she put them on. Then she looked at herself.

"I don't like this," she said.

Buffy smiled.

"You look great." She took her hand. "Come on."

"Man," Faith murmured.

They went downstairs.

"Mom, Dad, we're taking Faith on the tour of Sunnydale," Buffy said.

"Okay, honey," Joyce said. Then she noticed Faith's dress. "You look great, Faith," she said.

Faith blushed.

"Thanks."

"We'll be back by lunch," Buffy said and dragged Faith out.

Joyce and Hank smiled at one another, amused.

As she lay in bed that night, Faith thought about her day with Buffy and her friends. It was strange. She'd felt nervous because she was an outsider, and intruder, so to speak, plus, she was wearing a dress, a pastel dress no less. But everything had turned out okay. So far.

A smile slowly covered her face as she realized how lucky she was. She had a wonderful girlfriend whose parents and friends liked her, plus, she got to live with the said girlfriend, who also happened to be rich. And, she was going back to school. The only nuisance was the fact that Buffy was still a minor. But she could wait.

She took a deep breath and made herself comfortable. Then she drifted off to sleep, thinking happy thoughts.

In her room, Buffy was thinking similar thoughts. She had a wonderful girlfriend, who was allowed to live with her. And her parents and her friends liked the said girlfriend. The only thing that bothered her was the fact that she was still a minor. But, at least she could make out with Faith, and sleep with her. Of course, without having sex, she didn't want Faith to go to jail.

She smiled and took a deep breath. Then she made herself comfortable and slowly drifted off to sleep, imagining what it would be like to make love to Faith.

The End