After a few minutes, Kate started to feel like a lab specimen. She was pretty sure that she would feel slight pokes and prods in a moment from the seers intense stare.

"What?"' She finally asked in an irritated voice.

Cordy met Kate's gaze and smiled. "Nothing." She answered with a small shrug.

"Your staring at me. Like you've been doing for the past few minutes. Why?" Kate was getting annoyed. Very quickly in fact.

Cordy shrugged again. "No reason but..." She trailed off uncertainly.

Cordy was never uncertain. Kate was no longer annoyed. She was sorta worried.

"But what?" She asked carefully. She knew now to never push Cordy. After working here for the summer she was beginning to realize that Cordelia had changed. Alot in fact. She was still the same shallow, tactless, Queen C but she had layers. Kate respected that.

Cordy sighed loudly and way overly dramatic before she answered. "Kate, are you happy here?"

Kate almost burst out laughing. This was their weekly ritual. It had been over the past three months. It always started off the same way and Kate always answered the same way. Honestly, She missed her job. She missed being a cop. It was what she did. It was her whole life and without it she felt she had lost her purpose in life, her direction and her path. But Angel had offered her a job and a new purpose. Cordelia had convinced her that this could be her new path. And Honestly she was happy. She was free to do her job as a cop but in a different way. In a sense, it gave her job a new dimension, without the stares and the restrictions and the barriers that being a cop gave her. She was saving people from more, darker, evil and she liked doing it. She had come to terms with the whole otherworldly creatures and she couldn't get out of it so she did the next best thing. She helped destroy it.

"Yes, I'm happy here." She smiled softly at the brunette. "Thank you for being concerned but I really am happy. Cordy you know me. If I wasn't happy I wouldn't continue working here."

Cordy took a breath and smiled again. "Ok Cool." She pulled her hair up into a ponytail and stood. "Wanna go do lunch? We have other things to discuss as well."

"We do?" Kate asked in surprise. This wasn't part of the ritual.

Cordy nodded. "Of course." She answered in all seriousness. "The new issue of vogue is out." She continued in a serious tone. "We have to go get it."

Kate looked at Cordy for a minute and than she shook her head. "Ok What's up? You can't seriously wanna discuss Vogue over lunch so Spill." Kate demanded.

Cordy gently tugged Kate out of her seat. "Ok I will. Over Lunch. Let's go.' She continued Pulling Kate up and out of her seat. Kate finally yanked her self free and followed the younger girl out of the office.

**************************

Kate sat across from Cordy at the diner and waited. She was trying to wait patiently but it really wasn't one of Kate's virtues. Cordy chattered away about inane things as she ate her food. She was stalling for time and Kate noticed it.

"Ok What's the deal?" Kate asked in frustration. She didn't mind Cordy's company. In fact, over the past few months, the two women had gotten pretty close. They were almost best friends. It was shocking really.

Cordy looked up in surprise. She had a dumbfounded look on her face and it continued to stay there until Kate's gaze zeroed in on her. Cordy smiled sheepishly.

"Well, as you've noticed it's been pretty dead around here. Although not literally. But without any cases and stuff Angel thought you'd be getting bored and well...." She trailed off again and looked away.

"And.?" Kate encouraged her to go on.

"Well, Remember Faith? The crazy girl?" Cordy asked. At Kate's nod she continued. "Well, She's kinda not where she's suppose to be. She's out somewhere. We think she's in Sunnydale and "

Kate held up a hand. "And you want me to go get her? Is that it?" She asked.

Cordy nodded her head. "How'd you know?"

Kate gave a dry laugh. "Well, I used to be a detective."

"So Will you?" Cordy asked, sitting up and leaning over the table.

"Why can't any of the other guys go get her?" Kate asked.

Cordy rolled her eyes. "Well, Duh I ain't going back to Sunnyhell for nothing. Ever." The words came out harsher than she intended and Kate realized that she didn't know all of the layers to Cordelia Chase after all.

She looked up as Cordy continued. "You Know why Angel won't go back and Gunn doesn't know her and Wesley? Hello. You know Wesley right? We wanna bring Faith back not drive her further away."

"Why me?" Kate asked. She was genuinely confused."I don't really know her either."

"Yes, you do Kate." Cordy thought about her words before saying them. "You were her arresting officer and you talked to her. You understood her. You were willing to listen to her before you found out about her slayer stuff."

Kate looked up in surprise. "How did you know I talked to her?" She had talked to the slayer on a few occasions. She had felt bad for her. She was a child who got caught up in the darkness of the big bad demon world and she wasn't the one to blame. At least not entirely. That was Kate's opinion.

Cordy shrugged. "I went to visit her once and she tells Angel everything." Cordy answered offhandedly. "So are you gonna do it?"

Kate paused a moment. "I don't know. We're not exactly friends. We talked a few times."

Cordy grinned. "A few times? It was more than a few times Kate. And That's good enough. You know her now go find her. You can use that. You can bring her back. Like the cops do in the movies, Just differently." Cordy answered simply.

Kate rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll go. But Im not like the cops from the movies Cordy. You know that movies are nothing like real life. And That's call entrapment by the way."

"Huh?" Cordy asked.

Kate rolled her eyes. "You want me to use the fact that I've talked to her a few times to trick her into coming back to jail. That's call Entrapment you know."

"So" Cordy shrugged. "Did you have a point?" She asked with a wrinkled brow.

Kate shook her head. "No not really, just it's kinda unethical."

"Oh Ok. But your gonna do it right?" Cordy double-checked.

Kate paused. "Yeah I guess so." She paused again and waited a beat. "But you have to come with me." She added.

Cordy's reaction was nothing short of disbelief. "I don't think so." She scoffed.

Kate tried to reason with her. "You have to. I don't know my way around Sunnydale. You do. You could be very helpful to me. You were there for all of Faith's ... umm" Kate paused trying to find a word or phrase that would fit. "Recreational activities. You could be useful in finding her and bringing her back."

"Recreational activities?" Cordy asked in an amused tone. "Nice wording. But Nope, No can do Kate. I won't go back. I hate Sunnydale." Her words were filled with venom.

Kate sighed loudly. "I guess I can't do it than."

"Yes, you can." Cordy insisted. "Don't you see. There's not a whole lot of town in Sunnydale. You won't get lost. You can't get lost."

After alot more debating and convincing, Kate finally won Cordy over. They were going to Sunnydale.

*********************

The drive to Sunnydale was awful. In both Cordy and Kate's opinion. Cordy pouted and complained the whole way there and Kate had to listen to it because she didn't think anyone would take to kindly to her killing the seer.

After what seemed liked years to Kate, they pulled up to their hotel. They checked in and went to their separate rooms. Kate had no idea how to start this little search. She didn't know Sunnydale and she couldn't understand why Faith would break out of jail. She had honestly believed that the girl wanted redemption.

She was lost in her own thoughts until a knock at her door pulled her out of them. She got up and was surprised to see Cordy there.

"What's up?" She asked.

Cordy walked into the room and flopped down on the bed. "Well, first, your outfit has to go. Change. We're going to the Bronze. It's the only hotspot in Sunnydale."

Kate did as she was told. Cordy was the native after all. The two girls headed out into the night. They both had their crosses, and stakes and holy water packed away in their purses. They entered the Bronze and Cordy looked around. She snagged them an empty table and sat down. Kate looked around a little before joining her.

"This is Sunnydale's only attraction besides all the churches and graveyards and oh yeah ... the hellmouth." Cordy said sarcastically.

Kate was really starting to regret bringing her. "Do you think Faith is gonna show up here?" Kate decided to ignore the sarcastic comments.

Cordy shrugged. "Most likely. But than again, maybe not. She wouldn't want to run into Buffy or any of the other scoobies."

"Scoobies?" Kate asked in confusion.

"Yeah Buffy's friends."

"Oh Ok." Kate got up and ordered drinks. She walked up to the bar and bumped into a brunette girl. She started to apologize as she looked up and locked eyes with Faith.

"Kate." Faith was surprised. She was more than surprised and than she was angry. "Angel sent you didn't he?"

Kate stepped a little closer to the girl. "Faith what are you doing here?"

"I need to take care of some business." She answered.

Kate paused. "I didn't mean here here as in Sunnydale. I mean what are you doing? I thought you wanted redemption." Kate knew she was treading on thin ice. She barely knew the girl.

Faith looked like she was gonna yell or maybe run. Or both but she didn't. "I do want redemption." She answered honestly. "I really do Kate but there's something I gotta do."

"What could you possibly have to do that's worth risking your redemption for?" Kate asked.

Faith shrugged. "Something. Something important."

Kate wanted to be pissed. She wanted to know why the younger girl was doing something so foolish. But it really wasn't her place to demand answers. And she couldn't be pissed because there was something about Faith that wouldn't let her be pissed. Kate couldn't explain it but she knew that she was drawn to Faith. From the first time she had met her, she had been, well taken with her, if you will.

Kate was about to say something until Cordy walked up and asked what was taking so long. She than glanced up at Faith.

"Faith." Cordy was surprised to see her here.

"Queen C." Faith gave a smirk in the seer's direction. "So where's the rest of the group? "

"Not here." Kate answered. She wasn't in the mood for them to go at it.

"Well, it's been fun but I gotta split.' Faith grabbed her drink from the bartender and strolled on out.

Cordy turned to Kate. "Go after her." She demanded.

Kate gave Cordy a look and than she did exactly that. She followed the brunette Slayer with her eyes as she pushed her way through the bodies filling the dance floor.

Kate watched as Faith downed her drink and placed the glass on the table. Faith than moved on the dance floor. Kate was momentarily distracted by the sight of Faith swaying to the music but than she got back on track. She moved towards Faith and than stopped once again as the slayers dark eyes met hers. Faith said something to the person she was dancing with and than turned and moved out of the crowd.

Kate chased her outside and down the block before turning into an alley.

"Didn't anyone tell you that Sunnydale alley's are worse than LA's?" A voice spoke up behind her.

Kate spun around in time to see Faith hop down off of a fire escape and stand in front of her.

"I told you Im not going back yet." Faith placed her hands of her hips defiantly.

Kate sighed. "Faith whatever it is. it's not worth it."

"How do know?"

"Well, I don't." Kate answered truthfully "Because I don't know exactly what it is that your doing but I know that your taking a very big risk."

Faith shrugged. "Not really. They don't know Im missing. I faked my own death and the only reason Angel knows I'm here is because I told him."

Kate looked at the girl in shock. "You faked your own death, broke out of jail, ran away to Sunnydale and than told Angel?"

Faith let out a small laugh. "No. I told Angel first and Than I did the rest."

Kate shook her head. "Why?" She asked.

Faith shrugged. She didn't trust Kate completely yet, But she did trust her a little. "Cause I trust him. And I didn't want him to think I was dead really." She stuck as close to the truth as possible.

Kate blinked a few times. From all the times she had talked to the slayer and all that she heard, hearing the words 'i trust him' coming from Faith sounded kinda funny. She had tried to kill him quite a few times but she trusted him. She couldn't quite wrap her mind around Angel and Faith's relationship.

Kate didn't know what to do. She was confused. Her heart was telling her to trust the slayer and let her do her "business" But her head was telling her to take her back to Angel.

Kate ran a hand through her hair and blew out a breath. "Ok Faith, here's the deal. If you promise to go back to LA after your business, I'll leave you alone for the rest of my stay in Sunnydale."

"What if I don't wanna be alone?" Faith asked. She smiled seductively and stepped a little closer to the blonde. Those 10 drinks were kicking in quite fast now.

"Well, that's just too bad isn't it?" Kate answered. She had to get out of here.

She turned and walked away from the younger girl but she heard the soft reply of 'I promise' fall from Faith's lips. Kate let a small smile grace her lips before frowning. What was she gonna tell Cordelia?

*************************

After explaining to Cordelia and convincing her that she wasn't drunk and that Faith didn't beat her up, Kate entered her room, tired and exhausted. and A little confused. She barely knew Faith and what she did know of her wasn't exactly the run home and tell Mom type of stuff, and yet she couldn't get her out of her mind. Everytime she had talked to Faith in jail, it tugged at her heartstrings. The girl was wrong and she was sorry for her crimes. It was so obvious, and She was paying for her mistakes. Kate felt for the girl.

*********************

Faith entered her old apartment from the mayor and went straight to the cabinet in the bathroom. She grabbed the bottle of aspirin and downed a few. Even with slayer metabolism she was still gonna be a little hung over in the morning.

She was in Sunnydale for a reason. She had a mission to do and than she was going to go back to LA and finish her stroll on the path of redemption. And Than Kate showed up. Faith trusted Kate. Not like she trusted Angel but she trusted her enough. That's why she told her the truth. Kate was the only person, besides Angel that didn't treat her like a killer. Kate listened to her. She had come to visit her in jail to talk to her. Kate's first intention was to find out about slayers and vampires and other demons but as time passed, Faith had begun to trust her and Kate had never once taken advantage of that.

Faith groaned aloud as she flopped down on her bed. She closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep. She pushed all thoughts of Kate from her head and ignored everything else. She finally fell into a restless sleep.

The next morning she woke up with a slight headache. She knew she'd have once so she went straight for the aspirin once again. She than showered and dressed. She was gonna try to finish her business today. And Than she was gonna find Kate and tell her to take her back.

***********************

A blank Canvas. I could paint your potrait directly on you, or maybe not.~Theo

Are you really an artist? I surely am. What have you painted? Pictures.

[This message contained attachments]

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Message: 2 Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 06:04:31 EDT From: princesstogoddes@aol.com Subject: Fic: Entrapment 2/2

Kate watched as the brunette girl left the apartment. Cordelia had pointed it out to her an hour earlier and than she had left Kate to do her 'Cop Thing" as she went back to the hotel.

Kate felt bad. She felt like she was being pulled in two totally different directions. She had told Faith that she would let her be and here she was, spying and betraying the younger girl's trust.

She was spying for two reasons. One was to protect the slayer. Kate knew that when it came right down to it, Faith was stronger than her but she still felt the need to watch out for her and the second reason was to make sure that Faith's 'Business' wasn't of the illegal kind.

She watched as the brunette slayer walked out of the apartment and down the street. Kate started to follow her and than thought better of the idea. She waited until Faith was about a block ahead and than she started following her again.

Kate was surprised to see Faith walk into a park and take a seat on the swings. Faith glanced at her watch and than started to swing. Kate watched in something close to wonderment. Faith looked so carefree and young. She was absolutely beautiful and Kate couldn't stop staring.

Kate continued to watch Faith swing for a few more moment's from her spot across the street, She was carefully hidden from the slayer's view by a few trees. Kate's interest perked up as she saw a teenager walk over towards Faith. Kate didn't recognize the girl but she knew she was much younger than Faith. By a few years at least.

The younger teenager joined Faith on the swings after a hello hug. They talked for a while and than the girl jumped off her swing and hugged Faith once again. She than smiled and waved good-bye. Faith waited until the younger girl disappeared and than she started heading in Kate's direction.

Kate started to get up but looking around she knew that she wasn't gonna get away without Faith spotting her. She sat back down and pretended to be doing something. Faith sat beside her and smirked.

"Following me now Kate?" Faith wasn't mad.

Kate looked up in surprise. "No umm I was doing something." She answered lamely.

"Really?" Faith quirked an eyebrow, the smirk never leaving her face.

Kate nodded. "Yeah." She looked down, ashamed. "I was following you."

Faith burst out laughing. "You know Kate, Cracking under pressure is a serious job hazard." She kidded.

Kate gave her a look. "Shut up." She answered. "Who's the girl?" She asked, changing the subject.

"Why?" Faith asked with a grin. "Jealous?"

"No." Kate Lied. "Just curious."

Faith waited a moment before answering. "Buffy's little sister, Dawn."

Kate didn't say anything. She knew who Buffy was and she didn't really want to talk about her to be honest.

Faith pinned her gaze on Kate and studied her. Kate sat still and let her. Faith was obviously debating something.

"Dawn's the reason I'm here. Well, Part of the reason Im here." Faith looked at Kate and waited for a response of some kind.

"Oh?" Kate asked.

Faith trusted her. She knew that as did Faith.

"Yes, Buffy and Dawn are in trouble and I fucked up big time before. But There's a God after them and Buffy can destroy her, but only with the strength of two slayers. I figured helping her out would sorta make apologizing a little easier." Faith shrugged. "And I can't let her die." She added.

Kate looked at the younger girl in sympathy. "How do you know all of this? What made you come to Sunnydale."

Faith smiled softly. "Dawn wrote me a letter. She was the only one that she liked me after everything I did. She wrote to me all the time and even persuaded Angel to sneak in her to visit. She sent me a letter telling me Buffy needed my help, so I came here. To help." Faith told the truth. She just left out all of the feelings for Buffy.

"And after you help?" Kate asked.

"I promised didn't I?" Faith asked. "I'll go back."

Kate was relieved. She was also beating herself up inside. Another one of her job hazards was emotions. She tried to turn them off, keep them inside, buried. Getting emotionally attached to a case always lead to trouble but she knew she was falling for Faith.

"Can I help?" The words came out before Kate could stop them.

"What?" Faith looked up in confusion and surprise. "Why?"

"I don't want you to get hurt." She answered.

"I guess so. But this is a God Kate. You could get hurt." Faith replied.

Kate shrugged. "Job Hazard." She smirked.

"I'm hungry." Faith said, Changing the subject. She was touched that Kate wanted to help and watch out for her but she didn't want Kate to get hurt.

"Me too." Kate answered. Her stomach let out a tiny rumbling sound and Faith laughed.

"Yeah I guess so. Come on. Let's go eat." Faith stood and Kate followed.

************************

The two girls ate, and hung out for the rest of the day. Kate was concerned for the slayer's safety and Faith was glad that Kate was there. She hated hiding in Sunnydale. She just wanted to help and than go back to jail. It was odd but she really did want to go back. She had nothing outside of her cell but inside she had a shot at redemption. Something to look forward too.

Kate left Faith as she went to patrol and went back to the hotel. She entered her room and almost died of a heartattack.

"Jesus, What are you doing here?" Kate took a few breaths to calm her beating heart.

"Where the hell have you been?" Cordy demanded.

"Doing my job." She answered. She took of her coat and slipped out of her shoes.

"And? Can we go home yet?" Cordy asked anxiously.

"Not yet." Kate answered. She flopped down on the bed and braced herself for Cordy's rant.

"Well, why not?" She demanded, Getting up off the bed and beginning to pace. A sure sign of a rant.

Kate sighed. "What do you want me to do? Cuff her and drag her back?"

Cordy spun around on her heel and smiled. "Yes, Hello!! That's exactly what you can do."

Kate rolled her eyes. "No, I can't."

Cordy pouted. "Well, why not? You found her now take her back. It's very simple Kate."

Kate sat up. "If it's that simple than why don't you do it?" Kate retorted.

That stopped Cordy's pacing."Cause Im not you. She doesn't like me. She likes you." Was her answer.

Kate rolled her eyes again and laid back down. "Goodnight Cordelia."

"I don't wanna be here anymore Kate so Please hurry." Cordy said in a soft voice.

Cordelia turned to leave but Kate called out to her. "Cordy why do you hate it here so much?"

Cordy stopped at the door and turned to face Kate. "Cause I just do. I wanna go home." She answered. Cordy like Kate. Yes, she was one of her closest friends but Cordy didn't feel like telling her all about her heartaches and all the pain that Sunnydale had caused her.

Kate knew not to push and she didn't. "If I can't get her to come back tomorrow, you can go and I'll stay. Ok?" Kate answered softly.

Cordy's smile lit up her entire face. She threw her arms around Kate and grinned some more. "Your the best. Night Kate." And Than Cordy was gone.

Kate shook her head and went to bed.

*************************

The next morning Kate met Faith for breakfast and tried to talk the slayer into going back to LA. Faith was stubborn and wouldn't hear of it. Kate gave up and called Cordy. She told her to go home and than she went back to Faith. She insisted Faith take Cordy's room since it was paid for already and this way they could work together better.

Faith agreed and they spent the rest of the day trying to devise a way for Faith to help Buffy without Buffy knowing. Faith found a way. A spell. A very dangerous spell and Kate didn't approve. Faith called Dawn and had her get Tara to meet them.

Kate went along to the little 'spell meeting' but still didn't approve. Faith could die. Tara and Dawn met them in the park just like last time.

"Faith." Dawn ran over to her and hugged her.

"Hey Kid." Faith smiled at the youngest summer's girl as she looked at Tara.

"Hello Faith." The blonde spoke shyly.

"Hey Tara, Willow doesn't know Im here right?"

Tara nodded. "Yes, But I feel bad for lying to her."

"I know but it's for all of their sakes." Faith replied. She than pulled out the book and showed Tara the spell.

Tara shook her head. "You can't do this." She gasped. "It's too dangerous." She explained.

Faith looked crestfallen. Kate stepped closer to the slayer. She placed a hand on her shoulder and tried to comfort her.

Faith looked up. "What else can I do?" She asked softly. "B need's my help and I can't let her down."

Tara looked at Dawn uncertainly. "Why don't you tell Buffy your here and offer to help." Tara's words came out in a jumbled rush.

"Right." Faith scoffed. "She'd kill me."

"I wouldn't let that happen." Kate's tone came out threatening and once again the words tumbled out before she could stop them. Kate looked down.

Faith smiled. "Thanks Kate. "

"Who are you?" Dawn asked. She could only keep her curiosity in check for so long.

"My own personal bodyguard Kid." Faith answered.

"Seriously?" Dawn asked.

Faith laughed a little. "Nah She's a friend. Kate, this is Dawn and Tara. Guys, Kate."

They all smiled and than Dawn spoke up. "Why don't we just tell Buffy your here to help and that your leaving right away?"

Faith looked doubtful but somehow Tara and Dawn persuaded her to do it. Kate insisted on going. Faith agreed. She was glad that Kate wanted her to go. Even with Tara and Dawn on her side she still didn't feel all that safe going to the magic shop.

They entered the magic shop with Dawn in front. Giles and Buffy both looked up as they entered.

"Hey Guys. Where have you...?" Buffy trailed off as her eyes set on Faith. "What are you doing here?" Her tone was harsh and angry and Faith really wished she wasn't talked into this.

Dawn walked over to Buffy and hopped up on the counter. "I brought her here."

"What?" Buffy turned to face Dawn angrily. "Why? How could you be so stupid? Do you hate me that much?" Buffy asked.

Dawn looked shocked. "I brought her here to help." She answered. She hopped off the counter and took off running.

"Dawn.." Both of the slayer's called to the younger girl but she kept running.

Tara turned to face them. "I'll go after her. Tell Will." At Buffy's nod she turned to leave and than faced the blonde slayer once again. "Buffy?" Buffy turned to the witch questionably. "Trust her." Tara said softly. And Than she was gone.

"B.." Faith started.

Buffy held up a hand. "Don't Faith. Just don't. I don't wanna hear it."

"But B.. Buffy, I'm here to help. Let me explain and if you don't want me here, I'll leave. Deal?"

"Fine." Buffy stood and waited.

Faith took a breath and launched into her story. The whole time Kate stood behind the slayer, occasionally touching her back or her shoulder. Faith was grateful that Kate was there.

After Faith was done, Buffy and Giles both talked quietly for a few moments and than Buffy turned to Faith. "Ok You can help but you promise not to go all evil again?"

Faith nodded. "I swear B. Im truly sorry. I wanna make it better." She replied.

Buffy nodded as did Giles. "Ok. We need a game plan." Buffy began to pace as Faith and Kate took seats at the table. Just as Buffy began to talk, The rest of the gang walked in.

Xander started flipping and yelling as did Willow. Anya just went to the cash register and stood there. Watching with boredom written all over her expression. Kate sat through about 15 minutes of Faith bashing and Faith didn't once say a thing to defend herself. Buffy tried to explain and calm everyone down but it didn't work. Finally Kate stood up and defended Faith. She also found out all about Faith's 'recreational activities'.

After a few minutes of yelling Kate stalked out of the magic shop as did Faith. Faith took a deep breath and tried to explain to Kate. She told her the whole story from beginning to end and Kate stood there listening. In the end she wrapped her arms around Faith and soothed her.

Faith clung to her, but at the same time tried to keep a distance. She couldn't afford to fall for Kate. She was going back to jail if she didn't die. Kate smoothed down Faith's hair and tilted her chin up to face her.

"Your not that person anymore Faith." She looked the younger girl in the eye before continuing. "Your different now. Don't you see. Your here to help someone that hurt you just as bad as you hurt her but your still here. That counts for something Faith."

Faith pulled away from Kate and shrugged. "I guess."

"No" Kate's tone pulled Faith's gaze back to her. "It does." Kate took a breath and than she took a leap. "I couldn't fall in love with the old faith could I?" She asked with a gentle smile.

"I guess not." Faith answered before her mind actually processed the words. "What?"

"I love you." Kate whispered tentatively.

Faith looked surprised and than she smiled. "Cool."

Kate looked at the younger girl with an indescribable look. "I tell you I love you and you reply with cool?" Her tone got louder and more disbelieving after each word.

Faith smirked. "Yep." And than she claimed Kate's lips with her own stopping all arguments.

After they broke apart, Faith smiled again. "Love you too." She answered.

Kate gave her a slap on the arm and looked towards the magic shop. "Let's get this over with so we can go home."

Faith's smile left her face. "Yeah home. Back to jail. Whoopee." She answered in a dry tone.

"We'll deal with that later." Kate replied. "One catastrophe at a time ok?" She smiled softly at the brunette.

This was the stuck between a rock and a hard place type of situation that Kate hated. Technically, she wasn't a cop anymore so she didn't 'have' to turned Faith in. But she still had all the cop instincts inside and they were telling her that it was the right thing to do. On one hand, Faith was sorry, She had been in jail for well over a year or so and did repentance. She was back on the side of good and LA could use an active slayer. On the other hand, she did kill, and other people would have to pay for that crime with their life. Why was Faith so special? Kate argued within herself that Faith was indeed a special case with special needs and she tried her damnedest to not let her emotions cloud her judgment.

They entered the shop and everyone was quiet and stone faced. They had a plan and they agreed to do it. They set it for later and than Kate and Faith were leaving.

**********************

Kate looked over at the younger girl in the passenger seat of her car and smiled. She was proud of her. She had done what she had came to do. The plan had worked and Faith had saved both Buffy and Dawn and defeated Glory. Than she had made her apologies once again and turned to leave.

Faith looked up and caught her stare. "Whatcha smiling about?" She asked.

"You. Im very proud of you." Kate answered. She leaned over and placed a light kiss on the slayer's lips to punctuate her statement.

Faith grinned. "Yeah I kicked ass huh?" She boasted.

"Yes, you did," Kate agreed.

'And Now back to jail." She turned to face the window.

Kate took a breath. She knew a small part of her was still a little unsure but she didn't care. A bigger part of her, mainly her heart was telling her that this was right. That Faith couldn't redeem herself from a tiny cell all locked up.

"Faith I was thinking that since everyone in jail thinks your dead anyways, why don't you just not go back? I mean you can continue slaying and saving the world and working for redemption from outside. I discussed this with Angel and he agrees that this is a better way to atone for what you've done." Kate stopped and looked at Faith.

Faith shook her head. "I can't Kate. As much as I want to I can't."

Kate wrinkled her eyebrow. "Why now?"

"Kate I killed people."

"Mostly demons."

"Yeah mostly demons plus a few humans. I don't deserve freedom yet. I have to work for it." Faith's tone was remorseful.

"You have worked for it." Kate's tone was getting louder.

"No, I haven't. Not really."

Kate pouted and tried to think of a way to persuade the slayer to see things her way.

Faith turned around in her seat so that she was facing Kate. She placed a hand of Kate's leg and used her other hand to tilt Kate's face up to hers. When Kate met her gaze she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her lips.

"You have to understand. I want redemption Kate but I don't want it handed to me. I want to earn it. I need to earn it. " Faith tried to explain what she was feeling for Kate. "I love you Kate and I'll still love you if and when I get out."

"You will get out." Kate answered determinedly. "And I'll be waiting for you." She added softly.

Faith smiled. "Good to hear." After a little bit of making out and a few more kisses for good luck the two girls drove into LA. They were surrounded by a cloud of depression but they were both content. For in the next year Faith would prove to be quite the model prisoner and she would earn her parole and continue working towards redemption with Kate by her side.

The End

A blank Canvas. I could paint your potrait directly on you, or maybe not.~Theo

Are you really an artist? I surely am. What have you painted? Pictures.