Graveyard…

Kennedy figured that Faith might be at a graveyard somewhere. But so far she was coming up with nothing. She wasn't going to give up on Faith. Faith needed someone and Kennedy was going to be there.

And if Buffy even liked Faith that way at all, she was going to have one hell of a competition.

Kennedy expanded her senses and tried to reach out for the dark slayer. But what she found instead was two vamps leaning over a body by the park in the bushes.

"Starting the party with out me?" Kennedy asked delivering a high kick to one vampire’s head. He stumbled backwards falling on his butt as his friend took a swing at Kennedy. Kennedy blocked it and took out her stake dusting him quickly.

A rush went through Kennedy…she could get used to this.

The vamp on the ground was panicking and pushing himself backwards trying to get up. Kennedy threw her stake with such force and nailed him in the heart.

That was something Faith was also teaching her. A smile spread on her face.

Then she remembered the poor person they were leering over. Kennedy dusted herself off and turned towards the bushes.

"FAITH!!!"

Buffy's Room…

Buffy woke with a start. She didn't know where she was a first. Then everything came flooding back to her. Faith, her past, her feelings, how she felt about her, everything. Buffy also remembered Willow sending her there. She jumped up and stormed downstairs.

"Willow!" Buffy yelled waking the sleeping Wicca. The redhead opened her eyes to find a very spooked slayer in front of her. Willow rubbed her eyes.

"Ok, now explain!" Buffy yelled and the Wicca sighed.

Park…

Kennedy rushed over to the fallen slayer, hoping to God that Faith was alright. Kennedy knelt down and cradled the dark slayers head in her lap. She stroked Faith's face while tears started to stream down her face.

She did this. It was her fault that Faith ran out in the first place. Faith's eyes fluttered open from her deep nightmare. She saw Kennedy crying before her. Faith had made a little groaning noise and Kennedy looked at her to see her awake.

"Oh thank God!" Kennedy sobbed holding Faith to her. Kennedy was just glad that she was ok.

"Hey hey, it's ok. I'm ok. Where am I?" Faith asked. She couldn't remember a thing. All she remembered was being in the backyard with Kennedy.

Kennedy smiled with tears coming down her face. She started to kiss Faith all over her face.

"Hey hey hey now," Faith said laughing. It felt nice to be in Kennedy's arms again. Faith could get used to this.

 Summer's house…

Buffy stared at Willow wide eyed. Willow had just told her their conversation that her and Faith had in the car on the way back to Sunnydale.

"So I'm sorry Buffy but, I felt that I had to do something. I felt so bad for her. She had been through so much. I just wanted you to better understand her," Willow explained.

Buffy sighed. She better understood her alright.

Willow and Buffy sat in silence for a while. Buffy was thinking about all she had seen and heard. Her thoughts clouded her mind. She felt horrible about Faith. Was all she saw true? Did Faith really feel that way about her?

Park….

Faith could feel just how much Kennedy did indeed care about her. Faith's heart jumped at the idea of someone actually caring about her. She had to listen to what Spike said. Faith loved Buffy very much, but could do nothing about it.

 "I'm so sorry Faith. I was so worried about you." Kennedy sobbed.

"I don't know what you're talking about, K." Faith replied confused. Kennedy smiled at the new nickname Faith had given her. Some how Faith didn’t remember what had happened…and to be honest, Kennedy was a little glad for that.

"It doesn't matter. All that matters now is that I'm with you." Kennedy explained leaning into Faith. Faith was overcome by her emotions. The passion and care in Kennedy's eyes struck her. Kennedy was better than nothing and better than being alone. Faith couldn't wait around for Buffy or beat herself up over her. Buffy was a main source of her pain and it was time to get past that.

Faith didn't want to ruin the friendship she had just rebuilt with the other slayer. It was time to move on. Faith leaned right into Kennedy and kissed her passionately. Faith never felt so good in a long time. Kennedy tangled her hands in Faith's hair and pulled her closer needing more of her.

Faith had pulled Kennedy into her lap, wrapping her arms around her. Kennedy felt as though she was dreaming. She was filled with so much passion that she was about frantic.

Tears started to run down Kennedy's face. Faith noticed and stopped, caressing her face, wiping away her tears.

 "What's wrong?" Faith asked looking into her eyes.

 "I love you," Kennedy confessed holding Faith tight.

Summer's house…

Buffy and Willow sat and talked about Faith and what Buffy saw. Buffy was doing some serious thinking. She decided that when Faith came back, she was going to have a long talk with her.

"So are you going to tell her how you feel?" Willow asked.

Buffy shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Buffy knew it was ok to talk to Willow about these things but it still made her uncomfortable. Plus the fact that Buffy just finally admitted how she felt herself.

Willow tried to give Buffy a reassuring smile.

Graveyard…

Faith and Kennedy walked through the graveyard and Kennedy grasped Faith’s hand, holding it in her own. Kennedy left Faith alone to her thoughts. The brunette slayer was thinking long and hard. She didn't know what to say to Kennedy after she told her that Kennedy loved her. Faith never really believed in love.

She just held Kennedy and kissed her. Faith had a tornado going 100 miles per hour in her head. She thought about Buffy and what Spike had told her and Kennedy. Faith squeezed Kennedy's hand as they approached the Summer's house.

Kennedy turned and looked at Faith and the brunette smiled at her, bringing a smile to Kennedy's face. The potential now had Faith and that was all that mattered. She was a little worried about what happened back at the park but she didn't let that get to her. She was happy and wanted to keep it that way.

Summer's house - living room…

Buffy sat with her head in her hands for she was frustrated. Then Buffy and Willow heard the front door open and Buffy flew out of her seat. Willow was right behind her.

Buffy rounded the corner to find Faith hugging Kennedy.

Kennedy saw Willow and Buffy and pulled away guilty.

"Sorry Willow but I had to find her," Kennedy stated looking at Buffy. The blonde had a pained expression on her face. Willow stepped in front of Buffy to cover it up.

"She doesn't remember anything in the backyard," Kennedy announced. She tried to see Buffy's expression but Willow was in the way. Faith then stepped away from Kennedy noticing Willow trying to hide Buffy. But the blonde stepped around Willow expressionless.

 Kennedy was actually hopping to see hurt on the older slayer’s face but she didn't.

"I have no idea how I got in the park. Sorry if I worried ya, B." Faith said smiling at Buffy. Buffy just looked at her blankly.

"Buffy?" Willow asked. There was still no reply. Faith opened her mouth to speak again but was cut off.

"Good, that solves that problem. Now I can go to bed," Buffy announced turning around. Kennedy smirked and Faith gave her a look and then looked at Willow raising an eyebrow.

The redhead stood frozen. Faith looked back at Buffy.

"B?" Faith asked. Buffy sighed and turned around.

"Faith, I am very tired and am going to go to bed. Don't stay up too late with your girlfriend." Buffy said going up the stairs.

Faith turned to look at Willow to ask what was up but the red head was gone. Girlfriend? Who said anything about Kennedy being her girlfriend?

A week later…

Buffy hadn't spoke to Willow, Faith, or Kennedy, let alone anyone in a week. Willow tried but met no success. Faith was beginning to worry but she had no idea what was going on. Buffy spent a lot of her time in her room when she wasn't training the SITs.

The SITs knew better to leave the slayer alone. Buffy just wanted to be alone. Since the night that she saw Faith's mind, things were different. She was going to tell Faith how she felt, but then she saw her with Kennedy.

So again, it was easy to hate and ignore Faith. Just as always. Even though deep down, Buffy knew that Faith loved her. But maybe she gave up. Maybe she just liked Kennedy more. Buffy acted like she didn't care and tried not to think about it.

As for Faith and Kennedy, things were going slow. Kennedy actually didn't know what they were. Things have been awkward lately. That and she never had time to spend with her. Kennedy would be exhausted by the end of the day and Faith would be patrolling.

So she was out cold at night. But she tried to get up to watch the sunrise with Faith. It became like a little tradition. Faith would hold her as they sat in silence. Kennedy was giving Faith her space but now it was getting out of hand. She wanted more.

Faith on the other hand was still adjusting. She liked Kennedy but Buffy was being so weird. Kennedy was afraid that she was losing her.

And Buffy? She thought she already had lost her.

All of the SITs were gathered in the living room waiting for Buffy. She was running way late. They were becoming relentless. Faith sat among them next to Kennedy. They were all talking bad about Buffy and Faith had finally had enough.

"Look," Faith said getting up and addressing everyone.

"Buffy has saved the world more times than any of us will. The only reason we are alive now is because of her. She doesn't get to go out to the movies and giggle and talk about boys. No, she had to grow up fast with the weight of the world on her shoulders." Faith was saying.

"What about you? You're a slayer. And you seem just..." a SIT started.

Faith interrupted, "Yeah I am a slayer. I couldn't handle it like Buffy could. I killed a guy and went to the dark side. You've got a great leader. You should be thankful for that. She's there for you. No one was ever there for me. I have seen Her do some great things. She's stopped everything that's ever come up against her. She's laid down her life, literally, to protect the people around her. This girl has died two times, and she's still standing. I'm telling you, right now, she cares more about your lives than you will ever know. You gotta trust her. She's earned it. She's the kind of person I want to be..." Faith was explaining.

Kennedy got up and left.

Faith didn't notice as the potential slipped out the front door.

Buffy was seated on the steps. She was on her way downstairs till she heard Faith get up and start talking about her. Buffy noticed Kennedy leave but she didn't care.

A smile was on Buffy's face. She hadn't smiled in long time and she continued to listen to Faith talk.

"You should be honored to have her as a leader. She's not just a leader but a hero as well. So why don't you just cut the girl some slack. She never gets to rest or just stop. Slaying has become her life, not just a job. I say if she wants to take a breather, let her take a breather. All this pressure must be hard on her," Faith said sighing. All the girls were listening to her.

They seemed to understand and accept what she was saying. They all mumbled among themselves. Faith smiled as she watched them all. Buffy did need a break.

Buffy then decided that this was the best time to come in. She got up, off the stairs, and stepped into the room as if she just got there.

"Hey guys."

Outside…

Kennedy sat on the ground with her head in her hands. She was thinking about Faith and Buffy and herself. She kept seeing Faith's face as she talked about Buffy or just when Buffy merely walked into a room. How her attention went right to her and everything.

 As much as it hurt her to admit, Faith didn't love her. Just then, Faith came through the door and sat next to her.

"Why did you come out here?" Faith asked. Kennedy sighed. Faith could tell that something was really bothering her.

"I know that you love her Faith..." Kennedy started. Faith opened her mouth to interrupt but Kennedy stopped her.

"No, let me finish. It's ok. I knew it before. But I thought I could change that. Well that and I chose to ignore it. I can tell how much you love her by the look on your face when she enters a room or when you talk about her. I realize now that I would never have the place in your heart like Buffy does. You don't have to say any thing. I understand. It hurts, but I care about you and want you happy," Kennedy said getting up.

Kennedy leaned over and gave Faith a quick kiss.

"Goodbye, Faith," she said going back inside.

Faith felt bad. But it wasn't fair to Kennedy when Faith loved someone else. Kennedy was right about everything she said. Faith stayed outside thinking.

Buffy had finished inside and walked out to find Faith sitting with her head in her hands. Buffy sat down next to her sister slayer and rubbed her back. She could tell that something was wrong.

A smile then went across Faith's face. This puzzled Buffy.

"What's going on?" Buffy asked looking at Faith. Faith looked sideways at the blonde and sighed.

"Well…Kennedy and I aren't…you know…a couple. It's been an on going thing," Faith explained. Buffy couldn't help but smile at this. Faith noticed and raised an eyebrow.

"What are you smiling about?" Faith asked.

"Nothing," Buffy laughed.

"Oh nothing really?" Faith asked as she started tickling the blonde. Buffy doubled over giggling.

"Sto…stop," Buffy laughed trying to control her laughter. They fell off the porch and Faith fell on top of Buffy.

All tickling and laughter stopped as the two slayers gazed at one another. Faith had to tell her. She had to get it out. If she didn't…it was going to drive her mad.

Faith got up and Buffy frowned misunderstanding her motions. Faith extended a hand and helped Buffy up.

"Buffy, we need to talk," Faith stated.

Oh no, full name usage. Must be important.

Faith and Buffy went up to Buffy's room for some privacy. Buffy sat on her bed and Faith walked over to the window looking out.

"I'm glad that we had our talk before Buffy. But there is one thing I didn't tell you. Since day one, I knew there was something about you. You brought this light wherever you went. And when you were gone, it was dark. A little cold," Faith said glancing really quick at Buffy then looking out the window again. Buffy's heart speed up.

"I guess there was something in that light that drew me in. I liked that light. More then I should have and it scared me. The thing is Buffy…I found myself loving everything about that light and its owner. How she walked, the way she spoke, The cute half smiles she gives, everything. And it scared me. But now that I have dealt and pushed all of it away, what do I do now? I am around this amazing person and she takes my breath away. I feel as though I want to choke half the time I'm with her because she's life itself. But I am afraid of rejection. I know I wouldn't be able to handle it. So I ask you Buffy Anne Summers, How do I tell the owner of my light, that brought me out of the darkness, that I am in love with her?" Faith said all of this looking out the window afraid of looking at Buffy.

Faith sighed and leaned her head against the windowpane. Silence overcame the room. Faith felt a pair of arms slip around her waist. They startled her at first and her body tensed.

"That is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me," Buffy whispered into Faiths ear causing the younger slayer to shiver. Buffy kissed Faith's cheek and slowly turned Faith to her cupping her cheek.

Tears began to run down Faith's face and Buffy's heart ached for her. She kissed Faith softly on the lips and wiped her tears away. Brown eyes bore into green eyes. The passion and emotion between the two was building. They didn't even have to say anything. Emotions were read like a book.

Buffy started to lean in very slowly and hesitantly into Faith. As she did this she whispered very very low," I think I'm in love with you."

Their lips met in the most softest delicate kiss that either one of them had ever experienced. Faith's heart was about ready to beat out of her chest. They kissed passionately and Faith’s hands slid up Buffy's waist as Buffy pulled Faith more into her.

They broke apart very slowly with their eyes both still closed. Buffy opened hers and lent her forehead against Faith's as she opened hers. Faith was breathing very hard and Buffy could practically hear her heart beat.

Faith's hands found Buffy's and intertwined their fingers together. Faith’s thumb slowly rubbed against the top of Buffy’s soft hands in slow circles. Buffy smiled and kissed Faith again.

"Now you'll never be in the dark. For you'll always be with me in my light," Buffy said passionately kissing Faith.

The End.