Title: Redemption
Author: Anne & WWIII
Feedback: Can be sent to me(Princesstogoddes@aol.com) if you feel the urge or 
(wboppatja@hotmail.com) if you want to.
Disclaimer: Not mine. All Hail to Joss and everyone else with rights.
Spoilers: None I don't think.
Dedication: This part and the next are for Tera Hourie. She has given me 
feedback after every part of every story I've ever written so Thanx :-)
Notes: This part and the next are pretty crappy. I had to hurry up and finish 
it so I can work on a certain sequel for a certain person. (Blame Kimmie 
*grin*)

*******************
Part One
*******************

Detective Kate Lockley sat at her desk flipping through her paperwork. She 
knew she wasn't gonna get anything done. She couldn't get that girl out of 
her mind. She had just come from a  meeting with Faith. Angel had asked her 
to check up on her. Even though, she still had issues with the Vampire, she 
couldn't say no. She was drawn to Faith. She wanted to know why a teenage 
girl would kill. She wanted to know why Faith was so jaded. Her eyes were 
haunted and weary. Kate didn't know why she cared so much, but she did. Kate 
went to see Faith, to tell her she was being released. They had no evidence 
to hold her and her confession wasn't enough to keep her there. Kate didn't 
know what to expect when she told her, but she thought the news would make 
the younger girl happy. It didn't. Instead, it was the exact opposite. The 
girl was pissed off over the news. That surprised Kate. You would think one 
would be happy to have their freedom back. Not this girl and that just made 
Kate even more curious. Kate was so lost in thought that she didn't even 
realize the presence behind her. 

"Kate, Kate are you ok?" 

Kate jumped at the voice. She turned around to see Angel staring down at her. 
Concern etched on his features. Kate gave a grim smile. 

"I'm fine. What do you want?" She tossed her file on her desk as she gave her 
attention to the vampire in front of her. 

Angel sighed deeply as he sat down. He caught the chilly tone of her voice. 
"I have something to ask you." 

Kate raised her eyebrows in response, waiting for him to continue. 

"Can you pick up Faith for me? She's being released in the daytime and you 
know me & the sunlight don't mix too well." Angel attempted a small joke. 
Kate shook her head. 

"Why would you ask me?" Kate wanted to, but she wasn't gonna admit that to 
him. It would give her a chance to find out more about Faith. Find out why 
the younger girl wanted to stay in jail. 

Angel shrugged. "She kinda likes you." He decided to leave out the little 
sexual comments Faith had made when he had asked her about her meeting with 
Kate. He gave a wan grin as he thought about it though. At least Faith was 
still Faith. "And Wesley & Cordelia aren't willing and Faith doesn't know 
Gunn. So that leaves you. I don't want her to run Kate." 

Kate met his gaze and raised her eyebrows. "Run? From what? She has no reason 
to run." 

Angel looked at Kate and gave a dry smile. "You don't know Faith. She wants 
redemption. She thinks that jail is the way to go and if they release her 
she's gonna look for another way to punish herself. To make sure that she 
rights her wrongs. That's what she wants." 

Kate sighed. "Alright I'll pick her up." She turned back to her desk 
officially ending their conversation. 

Angel stood up and turned to walk away. He turned back around to face the 
detective once again. "Thanks Kate. I do appreciate it." With that he turned 
and walked out of the police station. 

Kate watched him go and than turned her attention back to her desk. She tried 
to work but she found that her thoughts were drawn to Faith. Every time she 
asked Angel about the evil that covered the streets and sewers in LA, he 
refused to tell her anything. Well anything helpful. He kept saying he was 
protecting her. How was he protecting her if he kept her in the darkness 
about the evil that lurks in the city. Wouldn't she be safer if she knew what 
she was fighting? She thought so. Kate glanced at her watch and threw her 
case file down once again. She stood up and grabbed her coat. She couldn't 
stay here. She had to get out. 

Saying that Faith was an unhappy Slayer was an understatement. Royally 
pissed off would be more accurate. Mostly because the blonde cop in the 
driver's seat checked her out of jail.  But also, because she expected Faith 
to like it. How was she supposed to like her one and only chance for 
redemption thrown out of the window? The cop didn't budge under her glare, 
though. And that was strange because even the boys who worked for the Boss 
couldn't meet her eyes without being stared down. 

But this tiny blonde just coolly returned her glare with an even gaze. She 
reminded the brunette of someone else. Just with less goody-goodness in her 
system. And less physical strength of course. 

Faith shook her head abruptly to get rid of the image of Buffy. No point in 
reliving that agony on purpose. B had made it very clear. Whatever they'd 
had, it was over. She was on B's to-kill list. Now and forever. 

Suddenly she caught the cop glancing at her from the corner of her eye. The 
brunette Slayer immediately stopped brooding. No way that this blonde would 
ever see that weak side of her. Time to go on the offensive. 

"So.", Faith drawled, "Where ya taking me?" The smirk and her husky voice 
made the seemingly innocent question ooze with sexual suggestions. 

The cop ignored the innuendo and stared straight ahead. Just when Faith gave 
up on getting a response, she got one. 

"I know you have supernatural abilities. You're not a vampire, so what are 
you? A good demon of some kind?" 

Faith nearly laughed out loud. She settled for a chuckle instead. The cop 
gave her a curious look. Followed by a hard one, which didn't impress the 
Slayer in the slightest. 

"Is it that funny?" 

"Sorry. Couldn't help myself.", Faith apologized. She was getting better and 
better at it too. "But, no. I'm not a demon. Though there was a time when 
virtually everyone in the world would have said I was. Angel included." 

"What do you mean? Why would Angel, anyone for that matter, think you're a 
demon, if you're not?", the cop asked. 

"Commit an incidental homicide or three, terrorize everyone you know, worship 
a real-life Demon-wannabe who's even more psychotic than you are, and try to 
destroy the world. If somebody doesn't think you're a demon by then, they're 
even more insane than I was.", came the dead-serious reply. 

"Oh." Silence. "What are you then?" 

Faith blinked at the sudden change of topic. 

"Huh?", was her intelligent reply. 

"What are you? All your victims say that you kicked their asses without even 
breaking a sweat. Some of those guys were fighters in illicit competitions 
and they told me that you somehow managed to throw them across streets and 
rooms. If you're not a vampire, or a demon, then what are you?" 

"Vampires are demons.", Faith corrected her without thinking. 

"What?" 

"Vampires are demons. You think it's the human inside them who just gets up 
and starts sucking blood? A vamp turns a person, some demon from Hell takes 
over the body and personality - with the necessary alterations ofcourse - and 
voila; one new evil bloodsucking fiend.", Faith elaborated. 

"Oh." There was something in the blonde's voice that told the Slayer that she 
was busily rethinking some things. "I didn't know that." 

There was some more silence, while the car just seemed to drive itself. Faith 
looked out the window and didn't recognize her surroundings. Wasn't that a 
cemetery in the distance? 

"You still didn't answer my question. What are you?" 

Faith considered her answer for a while. Finally she decided to come clean. 
Completely. Who knew? Might actually do some good. Cleansing the wounds and 
all that crap. 

The brunette Slayer took a deep breath before she started. "Once in every 
generation there is a Chosen One. She alone stands against the vampires, 
demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.", pausing for a moment 
to let that sink in, then continued, "That's who I am. I am a Vampire Slayer. 
One of the Chosen Two." 

Kate looked confused. And with good reason. She studied the brunette girl for 
a few moments before broaching the subject laid out in front of her. "You're 
one of the chosen two? You just said one for every generation." 

Faith shrugged her shoulders. "Yeah well this generation got screwed. They 
got 2. A sane one and me." The detective heard the self-comptempt in the 
young girl's voice. She wanted to know more but considering the shorted 
answers she was already getting, she doubted she was gonna get anymore than 
what this girl wanted to give. 

Kate shot the brunette another quick look before deciding on a simple 
question. 
"A sane one?" 

Faith looked at the detective closely before answering. "B. She's the sane 
one. The O so perfect one." 

Kate was lost once again. "B?" 

"Buffy." Came the short answer. 

"Buffy?" Was Kate's dry response. "She's a slayer too?" 

Faith nodded her head. When she didn't say anything else Kate figured that 
the conversation was over for awhile. When they reached Angel's place Kate 
stopped the car and said good-bye to Faith. 

Faith grinned as she looked the Detective up and down. "Thanks for the ride. 
You never did tell me why you picked me up though." Faith's voice was soft 
and daring and Kate didn't know her too well but she had a feeling no matter 
how she answered, she was gonna be uncomfortable with the brunette's response. 

Kate pinned the brunette with a hard gaze. "Angel asked me to do him a favor." 

Faith smirked once again as she laughed a little. "A favor huh? So what are 
you getting in return? From Angel? Another favor?" She wiggled her hips a 
little and raised her eyebrows up & down suggestively. 

Kate burst out laughing. It was so funny watching her that Kate couldn't help 
but laugh. At the young girl and at the absurdity of her suggestion. "No not 
like that Faith. Me and Angel aren't ... umm... friends." 

Faith turned to slide out of the car as she answered the detective. "If 
you're not friends, why did you do the favor?" Faith faced Kate once again as 
she waited for her answer. 

"Why don't you want to be out of jail?" Kate asked. She felt that this was 
her only chance to get answers from the young girl. 

Faith raised her eyebrows. "I asked first Detective." 

Kate rolled her eyes. "So if I answer, then will you answer?" 

Faith seemed to debate that for a moment before shaking her head. "Can't. 
Mine will take a lot longer than yours." 

Kate sat there in silence for a moment before asking her next question. "Will 
you have lunch with me tomorrow?" 

Faith looked at Kate suspiciously. "What?" 

Kate shook her head. "You deaf all of a sudden?" 

Faith smirked at the insult as she bit down one of her own. "No I mean, 
what's in it for you?" 

"Nothing" Kate answered honestly. 

"Bullshit. Everyone wants something. What do you want Detective?" Faith was 
standing outside of the car with her arms crossed and her "bad girl" look on 
her face. 

Kate met the Slayer's gaze with her own. "Nothing." As Faith shot her another 
'bullshit' look, the detective continued. "I don't want anything from you 
Faith." Faith still had a disbelieving look on her pretty face so Kate went 
on."If you're not willing to give it to me then I don't want it." 

The two women were silent for a moment until Faith snorted. Kate gave her a 
look. 
Faith shrugged. "If you say so." She still had a disbelieving tone but she 
agreed nonetheless. Kate made arrangements to pick her up around one and left 
the brunette on her own. 

Faith stood there in the lot watching as Kate drove away. She debated asking 
Angel about her but it seemed like a touchy subject. Faith turned and walked 
into Angel Investigations. Cordelia looked up as she entered but didn't say 
anything. Faith shook her head.She didn't really want to talk to her either. 
Angel wanted her to apologize. Faith walked right past Cordy's desk and up 
the stairs to Angel's room. Faith stopped outside the door. Deciding that 
knocking would be polite, that's what she did. 

"Come in Faith." She heard Angel move around but when he didn't open the 
door, she walked in and sat down. She looked down at the floor, waiting for 
him to start the lecturing. 

And he didn't disappoint her. "How are you feeling Faith?" 

She wanted to snap at him and yell but she knew it wasn't his fault. "I'm 
peachy. How about you?" 

Angel gave her a look. Whatever it was supposed to be, it wasn't. Faith 
almost laughed but she didn't. Laughing means you're happy and happy she 
wasn't. She rolled her eyes as Angel stared at her, waiting for an answer. 

"Fine I'm not peachy or good or whatever else I should be." She threw her 
hands up and made herself more comfy. She knew her and Angel were gonna be 
talking. She briefly wondered if that was a Sunnydale thing. She never met a 
bunch of people that talked everything to death, except for B and her 
friends. She immediately pushed that thought from her mind as she turned her 
attention back to Angel. 

Angel sat on the corner of his desk watching her. "Faith it's ok for you to 
not be ok. You aren't expected to be happy or anything else that you think 
you should be. All that's expected from you now is to be your self only a 
little more...." Angel searched for a word. 

"Sane?" Faith smirked. 

Angel gave a dry laugh. "Not the word I was going to use but yes now that you 
mention it. You are expected to be sane. Nothing else, Faith." 

When Faith didn't say anything Angel continued. "Faith are you planning on 
going to the dark side again?" 

Faith's head snapped up and her eyes flashed. "Hell no. Why? Is that what you 
think? I'm gonna go evil again and all psycho?" 

Angel stood up and walked over to the couch. He placed his hand on her 
shoulder as he tried to calm her. "Faith you know that is not what I meant. 
You also know that I believe in you. What I want from you is whatever your 
willing to give." 

Faith's head snapped up once again. "What? Is that written down somewhere? 
Did I miss something?" 

Angel looked at her in confusion. Faith didn't answer. Instead she shook her 
head and waved her hand. "Never mind, Soul Boy. So tell me about the cop. Why 
did she pick me up?" 

Angel grinned. He didn't say anything about the subject change. He wasn't to 
sure he even wanted to know. "I thought you liked Kate." 

Faith raised her eyebrows. "Oh I like Kate. I like her alot." She smirked as 
she made her point. 

Angel shook his head. "Be careful with Kate. She won't take your shit, Faith." 

Faith grinned. "I know. That's part of why I like her. She's fun and 
smart-assed. We're having lunch tomorrow." 

Angel looked shocked. "What?" He choked out. 

Faith smirked again. "Mad cause I'm moving in on your territory?" 

Angel gave an exasperated sigh and he faced the slayer again. Everything was 
sex related to this girl. And she was sexy. You'd have to be dead not to 
notice. Hell you'd even notice if you were dead. "Kate is not my territory, 
Faith. Right now, I don't even think we're friends." 

Faith was interested. They weren't talking about her now. "What do you mean? 
She did you a favor." 

Angel took a breath of unneeded air as he stalled.

*******************
Part Two
*******************

Cordy beat her to it, however. Faith silently cursed the invention of the 
phone as she heard the May Queen's voice over the receiver with her enhanced 
Slayer hearing.

"I'm telling you, Angel, Faith had some serious fun with cop lady. And I do 
mean FUN! She was almost grinning like an idiot when she came in. And she 
called her Kate. KATE! I mean, she has a couple of nicknames for you, I'm 
Queen C. Hell, even Wesley has made it in her book as Tweedy Bird. I wonder 
what she'll name Gunn.."

"Cordelia." Angel sighed in frustration. Once the gossip got rolling, it 
never stopped. "Is there a point to all this, or can I go talk to Faith, who 
has just entered my room and probably heard everything you said?"

"Heard? Umm... Oh, look at that. Call on line 2. I have to take that. It's 
probably for me. Bye Angel." And then her voice was gone.

Angel put the phone down and turned around. Faith was very surprised to see a 
faint smirk on his face. "So. Had fun?" She knew she wasn't ever gonna live 
this down.

"Want me to wipe the smirk off your face, Soul Butt?" She said threateningly.

"My, a little defensive, aren't we? I'll take that as a yes." Angel's smirk 
grew.

"Aren't you supposed to be the brooding, tortured vampire with a soul?" Faith 
asked sourly.

Angel's smile faltered just a little and something flashed through his eyes. 
"This guy I knew told me to get back in touch with humanity. I think this 
situation requires me to follow his advice. The human I once was probably 
would have laughed his ass off." He replied. A grin went up and concealed 
whatever part of him was certain to be brooding.

"And then I would have kicked it all the way back to Ireland." Faith 
threatened some more, but it lacked the necessary force. They both knew she'd 
never hit him again for as long as she lived. And for as long as his soul 
would be in control of the demon. So Angel was safe from her. Probably 
forever, the brunette ruefully reflected. She really wanted to kick his ass 
for laughing at her.

Eventually, after a whole lot of teasing, Angel let the smirk slide off his 
face. "Want to talk?" He simply asked. What she wanted to do was to throw him 
in a tub of holy water and hold him there for a while, but for some reason 
she just sat down on his couch and said. "Yeah."

Angel sat down too. "Then let's talk."

Faith told him about the meeting; she absolutely refused to call it a date. 
She was a tough, kick-ass Slayer and the term 'date' wasn't in her 
vocabulary. Or so she kept repeating to herself. But she didn't tell Angel 
that, instead she described the classy restaurant -which had obviously been a 
mistake-, the lousy meal, the jabs and jibes during the sparse conversation. 
Then, finally, she told him about breaking down.She left out the tears, hell 
she wouldn't even admit crying to Katie and she was there, but she did tell 
him how she just lowered all her defenses for some weird reason and spilled 
her guts.

Angel sat there all stoic-faced throughout the monologue, but when she 
mentioned breaking down and then spilling her guts his expression became 
worried and then relieved.

"So, basically you flirted like crazy. Then you couldn't keep up the walls 
anymore, cried your eyes out and told her everything she wanted to know and 
you needed to let out." He summed it up.

Her first response was one of indignation. In a fake display of outrage she 
jumped up and yelled. "I didn't cry my eyes out!" The vampire didn't blink 
and just sat there, unmovingly. His stare became a little oppressive and she 
started fidgeting. "I didn't." The brunette Slayer insisted. "I don't cry." 
She tried again.

He didn't budge, but a corner of his mouth went up just a little to create a 
tiny smirk. "If you say so." He mocked her friendly.

"Alright, fine. I cried. That's what you wanna hear? I cried like a baby and 
she held me in her arms and comforted me. Happy now?" She said flatly. 
Pretending to be injured.

This time he did blink. "You like her." He concluded.

"As C would say: Du-uh! I thought I got that across already." Faith replied 
in exasperation.

Angel leaned forward and met her eyes. " No, you more than like her. I kinda 
know you, Faith. I've been there. You're in pain and scared as hell that 
everyone in the world will judge you if they find out about you. But for some 
reason you were willing to risk anything, anything at all, for some comfort 
from her. A little sign she cared. That's all you really wanted."

Faith snorted and walked to the other side of the table. Angel stood up. 
"You're getting delusional, Soul Boy." The Slayer finally retorted.

"I'll make an appoinment with the shrink first thing come sunset." He 
promised. "But fact remains that you want her to care. You're falling for 
her. Hard." He stated.

Faith whirled around and glared at him. "I'm not falling." She shot back. But 
something in the tone of her voice gave it an uncertain sound. She shook it 
off. "What would you know about that, anyway." She asked angrily.

"I know about it, because I've been there. And so have you, you'll have to 
admit if you're honest with yourself." He answered calmly.

The Slayer paled at his implication. "You knew?" She whispered. Angel nodded 
seriously, his face still calm. Faith sought support against the table.

"Did you tell her?" She asked desperately.

Angel shook his head. "That's up to you. You'll have to, sooner or later, but 
I won't be the one to betray your trust."

Faith straightened her back. "Thanks. But I'm still not falling." With that 
she turned around and left the room.

Angel's voice stopped her. "Oh yes, you are. Falling hard."

A glance over her shoulder told her he was smirking again. "Shut up, Soul 
Butt." She replied irritatedly. His laugh followed her to her room.


Later that night, they were patrolling together for the first time. Cordelia 
had joined them, much to Faith's surprise. "Wesley's not here and if Angel 
doesn't get back-up he might just not come back to sign my next paycheck." 
The secretary had explained casually.

"Thanks for caring, Cordelia." Angel said semi-sarcastically.

Cordelia didn't reply, but professionally loaded the crossbow. The sound of 
the bolt sliding into place, had the same effect as a gun being loaded. It 
scared them.

So now they were here in a back alley right behind a club of some kind. Faith 
was about to ask what they were doing there, when a woman walked out of the 
club with two guys following her like cheery little puppies. Two more guys 
came out and both had their arms around girls who were obviously underage.

As soon as they cleared the immediate surrounding of the back door, the woman 
went fang as Faith liked to call it. The guys with the underage girl weren't 
very far behind. Three of their victims screamed upon seeing their distorted 
faces. The last girl just seemed in shock from the sight.

Angel leapt out of the shadows and tackled one of the male vampires. They 
went down in a heap of garbage nearby. Both were struggling to gain the 
upperhand. Faith wasn't far behind and made a jump kick into the face of the 
other male vamp. Cordelia remained hidden untill she could get a clear shot.

The vamp was strong and recovered from her initial kick quickly. He punched 
her hard in the face and she laughed at him. Vamps! They were all so dumb. A 
hit in her face was one the things she barely felt. All his hit got him was 
pain. She grabbed his wrist before he could withdraw his arm and let herself 
fall back into a roll. The vamp went neatly flying over her and into the wall 
of the alley. The female vamp saw an opening and jumped to dispatch the 
Slayer, but Cordelia then seized her chance and the female turned into dust 
in mid-air.

Angel, in the mean time, stood up and yanked the other vamp with him. Then a 
hard punch in the gut sent the poor male back into the heap. By the time, it 
had recovered a stake had found its way into the heart. Faith was already 
pummeling the remaining one and it could do little against the barrage of 
punches, kicks and dirty tricks that was raining down upon him. When the 
Slayer had him backed up against the wall again, he tried to lunge again, but 
failed to see Faith's stake untill it was too late.

The two guys that had been on the menu had already taken off. One of the 
girls was sitting dazed on the floor, where she had been knocked when Angel 
barreled into her attacker. The other was still standing and staring. She 
looked at Angel, who was getting ready to make his 'It was nothing, go 
home'-speech.

Then she went game-face as well. "Four of my Childer. You will die for that, 
all of you!" The Sire reached in her coat and yanked out a gun. She aimed it 
at Cordelia first, but then changed her mind. The barrel went in Faith's 
direction.

Faith froze and couldn't help thinking. 'Great! First night on the road back 
to redemption and this is where I kick the bucket. Wonderful sense of timing 
these PTB have.' She closed her eyes.

A shot sounded. Then another and another. Strangely enough, the slayer didn't 
feel anything. Then she heard Cordelia's crossbow twang and she slowly opened 
her eyes. The vamp was still there, but there was a crossbow bolt in her 
chest. The gun was beside her on the floor. Angel did a roundhouse kick from 
the side and shoved the bolt all the way into the heart. Seconds later, all 
there was left of the vampire was dust. 

In the entrance of the alley stood a figure holding a gun. Then she slowly 
emerged into the dim lighting. It was Kate.

Angel glanced at Kate and smiled his Thanks. He than turned to Faith telling 
her to be careful and he'd see her at home later. Angel started to walk away 
when he realized his seer wasn't following. He gentely grabbed Cordy's arm 
and started to dragged her away. Faith and Kate both wore matching smirks 
when they heard Cordy complaining to Angel. "You never let me have any fun, 
That could be major gossip you dragged me away from."

Kate's smirk got wider as she walked towards Faith. "So we're gossip 
material?" She looked Faith up and down, checking for injuries.

Faith rolled her eyes. "Anything is gossip material to Cordy, as long as she 
gets to spread the word first." She was starting to get fidgety under Kate's 
intense gaze. It's like she was trying to see into her soul. Faith rolled her 
eyes again, Her thoughts were too wiggy lately.

Not finding any on the outside, Kate met Faith's gaze. "Are you ok? Are you 
hurt?"

Faith shook her head. "I'm good. Life of the slayer, amazing healing powers." 
She grinned. "So Katie, Thought our date was tomorrow? or did you just feel 
the urge to come and see me?"

Kate grinned. "You wish. I was working and heard noises. Decided to be a cop 
for a few minutes." She smirked again. "Besides our Date is tomorrow. Why are 
you out so late?"

Faith waved her arms around. "Patrolling. Looking for baddies." 

Kate nodded and the two women starting walking. The ally really wasn't the 
best place to be. Even for a cop and a slayer. They walked in silence for a 
few moments and than Faith decided to get right to the point.

"Why do you care?"

Kate stopped and Faced Faith. "Why do I care? about what? I need a little 
more than that Faith."

Faith locked her brown gaze on Kate's blue one. "About me. About what happens 
to me? Why?"

Kate smiled softly. "Because I told you, I think your worth it. Honestly, I 
think your a young girl who had a lot of bad breaks and made a few bad 
choices. But your trying to make up for the past and your trying to right 
your wrongs and in my book, That makes you a good person and it makes you 
worthwhile to me. Even if you don't believe it yourself."

Faith looked down at the ground. What was she suppose to say to that? Inside 
she wanted to jump up and down. Kate cared for her. That was a revelation 
that she was enjoying. Very much so. But how did Faith find out if Kate cared 
for her more than plantonically? This was new territory for her. She didn't 
do love and realationships. The last time she fell in love, look what 
happened. It didn't turn out so great. She raised her eyes to meet Kate's and 
she smiled softly.

"So Detective, Are you still on duty? Wanna go dancing?" Faith waited for 
Kate's response. Dancing was something she could do well. It's reguired no 
thinking.

Kate grinned. "As appealing as that sounds, I can't. I have to get home. Some 
of us have to work in the morning."

Faith's face fell for a moment. She was dissapointed that Kate said no. Kate 
saw her reaction, even though Faith covered it quickley. She smiled at Faith. 
"Walk me home? I promise we can go dancing this weekend or another time. I do 
have to work early Faith."

Her tone was sincere and apologetic and Faith nodded her head. "Come on 
Katie. Let's go. I'll protect you from the baddies out there."

Kate giggled. A little girly sound and it was so cute. "I feel so much safer 
now." Her tone was teasing but she meant it. Having a slayer was probably 
alot safer than her gun. 

They started walking in the direction of Kate's place and of course it was 
silent. But it was a comfortable silence.They made small talk but both women 
were to busy with their own thoughts to talk really.

Kate kept stealing glances at Faith as they walked. She got through to her 
and they were friends. She knew that Faith trusted her and obvisiously Faith 
didn't trust very easily. She was glad that Faith considered her a friend. 
Truthfully, She was honored that Faith trusted her and considered her a 
friend. But as Kate looked at Faith again, She found herself wondering if 
that's all they were. I mean Faith came on to everyone and she gave 
everything a sexual overtone but did Faith really like her that way? Did she 
like Faith that way? Faith was a woman, and Dectective Lockley was not 
attracted to women. Kate rubbed her forehead as she tried to clear the 
thoughts from her head. She already had a headache and she really didn't want 
another one.

Faith's thoughts were pretty much on the same page as Kate's as she noticed 
the Detective watching her. They reached Kate's apartment building and Faith 
walked her up to her apartment.They stood outside the door for a few moments 
before Kate opened the lock and invited her in. Faith grinned. If it was 
anyone else, Faith knew she could of went in and got exactley what she 
wanted. But it wasn't anyone else, It was Kate. She trusted Kate and she 
liked Kate. So Faith just smiled and shook her head.

"You need your sleep, Katie. And I have engery to burn. Slaying does that." 
Faith leaned over and placed a feather light kiss on her forehead and than 
turned to leave.

Kate grabbed her arm and turned her back around. Faith was surprised to see a 
worried look on Kate's face. "Slaying does what to you?" Her tone was worried 
too.

Faith laughed a little. She gentley removed her arm from Kate's grip. 
"Nothing.I should go. You need sleep." She didn't want to worry Kate and She 
knew she couldn't stay any longer or she really wouldn't be leaving.

Kate let her go and walked all the way into her apartment. She reached out 
and pulled Faith in with her and shut the door. She then moved in between 
Faith and the door, so Faith couldn't leave. "No, Tell me what slaying does 
to you and than you can go."

Faith laughed. "Relax Katie. Nothing bad." She liked the fact that Kate was 
worried for her. It was a new thing. "Slaying makes me hungry and horny, so I 
have to go."

Kate burst out laughing. "That's it? So your leaving to go eat?" There was 
something in her voice that even Kate herself couldn't place.

Faith didn't want to make her upset so she nodded her head and once again 
tried to leave. Kate wouldn't move. Faith gave her a look. "What Katie? I 
told you but now I have to leave."

Kate looked at Faith closely. The girl was just itching to get out of her 
place.She raised her eyes to Faith's and "Why?" Was her reply.

Faith looked at Kate for a minute before pulling away and moving around Kate 
to the door. "I have to go." She said each word slowly, making sure Kate was 
getting it.

Kate wasn't sure why she was pushing but she didn't want Faith to leave. "But 
why?" Kate cringed. She was starting to sound like a broken record.

Faith smiled. "Katie, If I stay, stuff will happen. Stuff that I don't want 
to happen yet."

Kate was lost in the conversation. That much was apparent to Faith, and just 
as she was about to explained, realization dawned on the cop. She blushed 
slightly as she looked down. Kate wasn't sure if that was what she wanted 
yet. She finally looked up and met Faith's gaze. She smiled as she moved 
aside so Faith could leave. "See you tomorrow at lunch?"

Faith smiled and nodded as she said good-bye. Now when Kate figured out the 
horny thing, she had let her leave. So what did that mean? But she made sure 
to remind Faith about lunch tomorrow. So what did that mean? Of all the 
things considered, the one that stuck out the most was Kate cared. For her 
and about her. Faith walked down the street with a smile on her face as she 
continued thinking about the blonde cop. 

*******************
Part Three
*******************

She decided to do another round. Couldn't really hurt. Well, the vampires 
maybe, but that was a given. But she was new in town and didn't know the 
slaying hotspots like Angel and Cordelia obviously did, so she went to all 
the wrong places. Finally Faith gave up and went home. It was 4 in the 
morning by then.

So she didn't really expect a grinning Cordelia to be waiting for her. Faith 
groaned as the ex-cheerleader pounced on her and immediately started yapping 
her ears off. Was the girl ever gonna stop hunting for gossip? 

"Where's Angel?" The Slayer tried to distract Cordy. But Gossip Queen 
wouldn't have any of it.

"He's off brooding somewhere. So, what did you do after we left? Did you walk 
cop lady home or something?"

Faith lanced her with a glare. "Her name is Kate. And it's none of your 
business."

Cordelia grinned. "Oh yeah, you walked her home. And then what?"

Faith tried to walk on in stony silence. If anything, that only made Cordy 
more persistent. "A little silence at the door, an invitation in, a soft kiss 
and then... How did you put it once? Some UNGH!" The Seer narrated.

Faith froze. "Do the words 'None of your business' have any meaning to you at 
all?" She waspishly said. Cordelia grinned and shook her head.

"Uh-uh. Well? Was there a little fem to fem action, or what?" She pushed.

The old Faith would have ripped Cordelia's head off after the first blunt 
question. Hell, she had done it before to some smarter-than-average vamp, 
when she worked for the Boss. The SOB had taken one look at the two Slayers 
and their interaction once, then later made a crude remark about what was 
obvious to anyone but B and the Scooby Gang. She had enjoyed his screams of 
pain immensely. But that was the old Faith. The new one didn't like that 
idea. Maybe if Cordelia were a vampire...

She quickly dismissed that thought, no matter how tempting, and turned to 
Queen C. "If I tell you what happened, will you leave me alone then?" 
Cordelia beamed at her and nodded.

"In short words, so you can understand, this is what happened. Walked her 
home, had a little chat about Slaying and me. She got me to come in too. We 
talked some more and then I left to do another patrol. Which turned out to be 
a bust, by the way. Then I came home." Faith gave the secretary an edited 
version of the events. She noticed Cordelia's disappointed face with some 
satisfaction.

The brunette looked at the Slayer with something akin to desperation. "No 
gossip?" She almost whined. Faith shook her head. 

"Sorry, C. Wish I could help you out." She drawled. "But no. No gossip 
material. Better luck next time."  Faith mocked with a grin. This was even 
better than ripping her head off.

Cordelia walked off sulking. Faith looked at her sagged shoulders and filed 
the knowledge away for later use. No better punishment for Queen C than 
gossip-deprivation. Her grin grew. She went to her own room and was about to 
turn in when she realized that Angel would probably like to know she was home.

She quickly put some decent nightclothes on. The big guy would freak if she 
paid him a visit in her usual night attire. The Slayer stopped to think when 
exactly she had become so thoughtful to others. She couldn't really pin it 
down, but it had to be somewhere between Angel and her fighting and her going 
to jail. She shrugged and went to find Angel.

She found him on a balcony, looking out into the city.

"Geez. When Cordelia says you're brooding, you really are brooding, ain't 
ya?" Faith approached him.

"You're home Faith?" Was all she got out of him.

Faith walked over to stand next to him to look out into the city as well. It 
was very pretty at night. You couldn't see all the evil that was out there 
waiting for the innocents.

"Yeah I'm home. Just wanted to let you know so you didn't worry and go into 
shrink mode again." She smirked a little at the thought of Angel going all 
shrinky again.

Angel turned to face her. "Have a good time with Kate?" He asked. His mouth 
turned up into a smirk to match hers.

She turned to face him. "First Queen C and now you? What's next? Wesley 
digging for gossip?" She threw her hands up in disgust.

Angel grinned again as he watched her pace. "Relax Faith, I'm not digging for 
gossip. I already know you love Kate." Angel smiled softly as he spoke of his 
seer. "Cordy on the other hand, needs gossip. She thrives on it and right now 
you and Kate are gossip material fit for a queen. A Queen C as a matter of 
fact."

Faith quit her pacing to face Angel again and just as she was about to yell 
at him, she burst out laughing. "Man you got it bad." She burst into a 
renewed fit of giggles as Angel watched her in confusion.

He waited until she stopped giggling and asked her "What are you talking 
about? I got what bad?"

Faith locked her dark brown gaze on his and continued laughing as she 
answered. "You and Queen C. You got it bad. You really got it bad." She 
repeated in a sing song voice.

Angel rolled his eyes at her display. "Yeah right. You're nuts."

Faith smirked as she shook her head. "Not gonna work, Soul Boy. You nailed me 
on the Kate thing and I'm calling you on the Queen CC thing. So there." She 
stuck her tongue out at him as he shook his head.

Angel refused to meet her gaze for a moment and when he did, he was laughing. 
Angel was laughing. "I nailed you on the Kate thing, huh? Like it or not 
Faith, you just admitted you're in love."

Faith shot him a disgusted look. "Yeah well whatever. You're in love with 
Queen C. That's just sick."

Angel crossed his arms. Faith could actually see him debating telling her or 
denying it. From the look n his face, he was gonna deny it some more. Faith 
crossed her arms and started speaking before he had the chance to deny it 
anymore. "It doesn't matter what you say, Hair Boy. You got it bad. I can see 
it and Queen C's got it bad too."

Angel was about to protest when he raised his eyebrows in that questioning 
way. "How do you know? You and Delia talk now?"

Faith smirked. "Delia? Your very own pet name. You do have it bad." Her smirk 
got wider as she shook her head once again. "No, unlike you I have eyes. I 
see the way she moons over you when you have a little scratch and the way she 
watches you when she thinks no one's looking. It's pathetic really."

It was Angel's turn to grin again. "Pathetic? But not unlike you and Kate, 
denying your feelings for each other and pushing them away ain't gonna 
resolve anything Faith. You fell in love before and refused to act on it in 
the right way and look what happened."

Faith looked away, her smirk gone now. She knew he was talking about Buffy 
and that was one conversation that they weren't gonna have. So she did the 
Faith thing and changed the subject. "Imagine this, a vampire and a slayer 
swapping love advice. Who would have thought?"

Angel noticed the subject change but didn't say anything. Buffy was a painful 
topic for both of them.He met Faith's gaze and smiled. "How about a deal 
Faith? I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours?"

Faith smirked again. "Now Angel if I was my old self I could turn that into 
something so sexual it's not even funny."

Angel gave a dry laugh. "Well it's a good thing your not your old self. And I 
don't mean that in a bad way."

Faith smiled and her eyes twinkled. "I know Big Guy. So Deal. How about you 
go first?"

Angel shook his head and was about to protest when Faith pouted. "That's low 
Faith. No guy, dead or alive, vampire or human can say no to a pout."

Faith grinned. "I know. Even Kate can't say no to it either." Her eyes 
twinkled mischievously.

Angel laughed again. "A whole 5 seconds without mentioning Kate. Must be a 
record for you."

Faith stuck her tongue out again and made herself comfortable. Angel was 
going first. She made it clear.

Angel sat down next to her and took a breath of unneeded air. He did that a 
lot, Faith noticed.

"Umm... Ok, I love Cordelia. I don't know why. Because she's just Cordy. When 
she tries to help and she ends up making it worse. Or when she tries to give 
advice and she hurts your feelings. I love that stuff. Or when she gets the 
visions, she bitches about the pain and then jumps up to help the hopeless. I 
love everything about her, even the bad stuff." He waited a beat and 
continued. "And she knows what I am and she cares about me, even in that 
annoying way of hers she likes to try and protect me and she can put up with 
my singing."

Faith grinned. "As I recall, you owe me some Barry Manilow, Big guy."

Angel cringed. "Oh no, never again. I'd stake myself first. Ok Faith. Fair is 
fair, it's your turn to spill."

Faith yawned deeply as she glanced at her bare wrist."Look at the time. I'm 
so tired, off to bed for this slayer." 

Angel placed a hand on her arm and pulled her back down. "Don't think so, 
Slayer."

Faith sat back down. "What do you want to know? You already think you know 
everything."

Angel shrugged. "So tell me what I don't know. Or just tell me what you want."

Faith grinned. "How about we talk about you and C?" She looked up with a 
hopeful expression.

Angel just shook his head and waited.

"Ok Fine I love her. Is that what you wanted to hear?" Faith threw her hands 
up in defeat and sulked.

Angel smiled. "If that's the truth, then yes that's what I wanna hear. But 
don't you feel better."

Faith pouted. She did feel a little better. "Yes it's the truth. I love her 
and I'm scared to death. Geez look at this Angel, you're turning me into a 
sappy person." She grimaced at the thought.

Angel just grinned in reply, waiting for her to continue. 

When she didn't say anything else, they both stood up and looked out into the 
city again. It was close to sunrise and Angel had to be getting indoors soon. 
They watched in silence for a few moments and than Faith spoke again.

"I'm so scared Angel. What if I do screw this up?" Faith wouldn't meet his 
gaze because she knew if she did, she might cry. And sappy she could do 
briefly, but crying 2 times in the span of 2 days? No way. She was Faith, a 
rough and tough slayer. Crying was not her thing.

Angel wrapped an arm around her waist and led her indoors. "You'll be fine 
Faith. Just tell her how you feel and take it slow. Aren't you guys having 
lunch today?"

Faith nodded her head as she smirked. "That's good advice Soul Boy. Why don't 
you try taking some of your own advice sometime? You know, you and C would 
make a wicked couple." She reached up and pecked him on the cheek and tossed 
a good night over her shoulders as she went to her own room. She was meeting 
Kate in a few hours and she did need some kind of sleep.

Angel stared after her and then went to his own room, to get some sleep and 
then for some serious brooding. Neither the vampire or the Slayer ever saw 
the figure in the corner. The figure waited until they were gone and then 
emerged from the shadows.

A disbelieving look was on Cordelia's face. "Angel loves me?" She whispered 
to the empty room. Then a smile slowly crept up. "Angel loves me." She smiled 
broadly now. "I knew that gossip-hunting was a good thing."  The Seer felt 
justified in her never-ending quest for the latest dirt. "And Faith loves 
Kate. Oh, I can't wait to share. Wait, who am I going to share this with? I 
can't tell Angel and Wesley would freak. Gunn? Nah, he's not into gossip. Oh, 
this is SO unfair. I've got great gossip, but I can't share it with anyone."

Cordelia walked downstairs and went to her car. Better go home now. Then her 
eyes lit up. Phantom-Dennis. She could gossip with him. Feeling much better, 
she got into her car and raced home.

Cordelia walked into her apartment and flicked on the lights. "Dennis, guess 
what?" She called out. She wandered around the apartment, not continuing 
until she saw the dryboard float up. WHAT? Was scrawled on it in black 
marker. She grinned broadly as she flopped down on the couch. "Angel loves 
me. I found out tonight and Faith loves Kate and oohh damn that's all my 
gossip. But it's really good gossip. Oh where's my laptop? I can e-mail 
Willow. Ohh Fun."

Out of nowhere her laptop floated over to her. "Thanks Dennis." Then she 
noticed the dryboard had new writing. She grinned as she looked at it. "Of 
course I love Angel. Duh! Why do you think I'm so happy?" She opened her 
laptop and switched it on and started typing excitedly away. After a few 
minutes she stopped. "Dennis, should I send this to Willow?" The dryboard 
floated up with a WHY NOT? on it. Cordy shrugged. "Well cause we know Willow 
will tell everyone there and I don't want Buffy coming down here to fight 
with Faith and then Angel might remember that he loves a Slayer not a Seer." 
Cordy pouted. This gossip thing was a double-edged sword here. She had great 
gossip and no one, absolutely no one to share it with. She leaned forward and 
deleted the E-mail. She couldn't risk Buffy coming to LA and starting 
trouble. Now Cordy started to wonder when she actually began caring about 
that. The old her would of relished in the fact that Buffy was gonna start 
trouble. It would of been way overdramatic and more gossip and it would give 
her some non-demon related excitement.She turned her laptop off and leaned 
back on the couch. Suddenly she grinned. "I'm telling Wesley and I don't care 
about his stuffiness, he's gonna listen." And that was that and the seer was 
happy. She went to bed, planning on telling Wesley tomorrow. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*******************
Part Four
*******************

    The next afternoon Faith woke up, feeling a little better. She could have 
used some more sleep but she had to meet Kate in a few hours. Enough time for 
her to train and shower and change. She walked down the hall to the bathroom 
when she walked right into Angel. She smirked at him. "So tell Queen C yet?" 
Angel didn't say anything for a moment and then he smirked as well.

"Tell Kate yet?" He retorted.

Faith crossed her arms and shook her head. "Nope but I will. Right after 
lunch."

Angel gave her a disbelieving look. "Really?" He raised his eyebrows and it 
was clear that he didn't believe her.

Faith wasn't too sure herself but oh well. She wasn't backing out now. "Yes 
really. And you have to tell C. Why don't you? And it just occurs to me that 
I have to pee. Meet me in the training room in 10? We can talk and train."

Angel nodded and left Faith to do her bathroom ritual as he walked 
downstairs. He smiled as he saw his seer sitting there at the desk reading a 
magazine. She smiled at him as he entered and she pointed towards the coffee.

"Fresh brewed."

Angel raised his eyebrows. "How many days off to you want?"

Cordelia looked hurt for a moment. "I don't want any days off, I just know 
you like fresh coffee."

Angel kept shooting her suspicious looks though as he drank his coffee. He 
knew something was up with his seer. She was grinning like an idiot and all 
of a sudden. It hit him like a rock. "Cordy, did you talk to Faith today?" He 
questioned her.

Cordy looked all innocent as she shook her head. She bit back a bitch comment 
and decided if Angel was ever gonna tell her, she was gonna have to be nice. 
Well at least sorta nice. After all he fell for Buffy.  And Cordy was nothing 
like Buffy. "No, but I think I should. I probably owe her an apology after 
jumping on her ass, though not in a literal sense, over Cop Lady."

Angel choked on his coffee. "You want to apologize for fishing for gossip? 
Ok, who are you and where is my seer?"

Cordelia just smiled brightly. "I'm still me, please I can't wait for Wes to 
come in. I'm gonna make him listen to all my gossip, but I probably made 
Faith think I only like her for gossip and that's not true. I do like her but 
I'm not good at being a friend and I want her to be my friend Angel."

Angel looked shocked once again that morning but he concealed it well. 
Cordelia wanted to be Faith's friend. Angel wondered if she had an ulterior 
motive but instantly felt bad. This was his seer, the woman he loved and he 
was questioning her actions. He found himself grinning. She was after all 
Cordelia Chase, someone had to question her actions.

'Well Delia, first off, lay off the gossip mill and then avoid subjects like 
shoe sales or hour long shopping trips and I'm sure you and Faith will get on 
just fine. Who knows maybe she wants to be your friend too Cordy. After all, 
you both could use some good friends." He grinned as he finished his coffee 
and stood up to leave. He had promised to train with Faith afterall.

Cordy sat there with an unreadable expression on her face. She was busy 
rethinking some things now. She did want to be friends with Faith. She had 
always liked Faith better than Buffy anyways. Faith was an ok person to be 
around when she wasn't hitting you or hitting on you. Cordy grinned again as 
she sat at her desk reading her magazine. Not only would being friends with 
Faith be kinda nice, but Faith could give her Angel gossip. She smiled at her 
own brilliance as she waited for Wesley to get there.

Meanwhile, in the training room, Angel and Faith were throwing punches and 
kicks like there was no tomorrow. Faith was all out of breath and the 
training was taking its toll on Angel as well. The two broke apart for a 
moment and sat down on the bench. Faith opened up her water bottle and downed 
half of it in one gulp. She smiled and handed the bottle to Angel. He went to 
reach for it and she jumped away.

"Talking time first Big Guy. You promised." She smirked as she held the 
bottle up teasingly.

Angel gave her a mock dirty look but agreed. She handed the bottle over and 
smirked as she made herself comfortable once again.

"Cordy wants to be your friend Faith." 

Faith looked dumbfounded. "Huh?" Came her reply.

Angel smirked once again. Faith was having a pretty good effect on him. "I 
said she wants to be your friend." He said each word carefully.

"I heard you smart ass but what I meant was why?" Faith rolled her eyes. This 
Angel was definitely better than the Angel that was all goo-goo over Buffy.

"Well, why not?" The vampire asked.

Faith couldn't think of a reason why not so she shrugged. "Ok, so me and the 
Queen will be friends. Happy now? So when are you gonna tell her?"

Angel looked deadpan. "You just don't give up do you?"

"Do you?" She retorted.

She had a point. "I don't know. Maybe later. There's reasons not to tell her 
you know."

Faith gave him a daring look. "Like?"

Angel sighed. "Well Vampire, Human. That's one. Let's see, oh yeah all the 
ties in Sunnydale is another."

Faith interrupted him before he could go on. "Ok Soul Butt, first of all, she 
loves you. I know this and so do you. She doesn't care what you are or were 
or whatever, that's what love is. Second of all, ties in Sunnydale? It's not 
about them. They're there and you guys are here. So they shouldn't matter all 
that much. B and X-man have both moved on and I think you and C should too. 
Next?" She smirked. She knew she was right.

Angel knew it too. Faith had a point. "When did you get so smart?"

Faith grinned. "I've always been smart but I just started wising up a little 
more lately."

Angel smirked too. "Wising up huh? So does that mean your gonna tell Kate?"

Faith glanced at the clock on the wall. "Shit I gotta shower. Yes I'm gonna 
tell her."

Faith jumped up and ran upstairs and left Angel there, brooding of course.

While Faith was in the shower, Angel straightened up their mess and then went 
upstairs. Kate was picking Faith up he thought and he didn't want Cordy 
jumping all over Kate. He walked back into the office to find his seer in the 
same spot with the same magazine but this time she was tapping her foot 
impatiently and glancing at the clock with an annoyed expression.

Angel smiled when he saw the Classic Cordy pose. "Waiting for something 
Cordy?"

She jumped when he spoke. "Jesus Angel, You scared the hell outta me. Don't 
do that. Make noise or something. I'm waiting for Wesley. He's late" She 
pointed out.

Angel breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn't waiting for Kate to pounce 
on. He glanced at the clock as well and shrugged. "Maybe he's still upset 
over the whole Virginia thing you know and he might not want to work."

Cordy gaped at him. "Wesley not wanting to work? That's like you not wanting 
blood."

Angel had to smile at her analogy. It was cute. Faith walked into the room a 
moment later. Her eyes met Angel's and they exchanged a look. He shook his 
head slightly and she smirked and rolled her eyes. She walked into the middle 
of the room and twirled around showing off her outfit.

"How do I look?" She had on tight gray-black pants with a snake skin print 
with a tight white baby Tee and a small black jacket over it. And of course 
her black boots. She looked dead sexy. Angel grinned his approval.

"You look hot." 

Both Angel and Faith turned to stare at Cordy. She smiled. "What? I can't 
compliment someone else?"

Angel shot Faith an 'I told you so' look and grinned. Faith smiled as well.

"Thanx C Your pretty hot yourself." She wiggled her eyebrows.

Cordy rolled her eyes. "And you're still Faith!" 

Faith snorted aloud. "Did you think I was anyone else?"

Cordy grinned. "Whatevers. I was just wondering if you could go a day, a 
whole day without turning everything into a sexual thing, but I guess not."

Faith's jaw dropped in surprise. She seemed to consider this as she composed 
herself. She shrugged indifferently. "I don't know if I could." She answered 
in a dead serious tone. "I've never thought about it."

Angel shook his head and wished Kate would hurry up. This conversation was 
getting a little too strange for him. And if his prayers had been answered, 
the blonde cop walked in. Faith's face lit up when she saw her. Cordy shook 
her head as she watched the exchange with a smirk.

Kate walked over to Faith and said Hi to both Angel and Cordy, than she 
turned her attention back to Faith. She held out her hand and raised her 
eyebrows. "Ready?" She asked.

Faith grinned and nodded. She slipped her hand in Kate's and turned to kiss 
Angel good-bye. This kissing Angel was becoming a habit. They were like 
brother and sister lately. She stood on her tip toes and placed a kiss on his 
cheek and whispered "Tell her or I will" in his ear.

Angel gave her a look and said good-bye. Cordy watched this exchange with 
peaked interest. With Faith leaving and Wesley being late, her and Angel were 
gonna be here alone. She briefly wondered if Angel was gonna tell her. It's 
not like she could tell him she was spying and overheard stuff.

Faith and Kate walked out of the office holding hands and Cordy decided on a 
course of action. 

"Aren't they cute?"

Angel raised his eyebrows, waiting for the insult to come. When it didn't he 
gave her a worried look. "Are you sure you're ok Delia?"

Cordy grinned. "Why wouldn't I be ok? I'm fine. I just think they're cute."

Again, Angel gave her a disbelieving look, but didn't say anything else. He 
sat down on the corner of her desk and started picking stuff up and putting 
it back down again. After 5 minutes of this, Cordy got pissed.

"Ok. What's up? Or dead or down or whatever?" She questioned.

Angel snapped out of his daze to look at his seer. "Huh?"

Cordy took an exsaperated breath and pointed out that Angel was acting 
nervous.

He denied it. And then stood up and took a deep breath. Just as he was about 
to speak the phone rang. Both Cordy and Angel stared at it for the first 3 
rings and than finally Cordy picked it up.

"Angel Investigations, we help the hopeless."

Angel couldn't help but smile at that. No matter how serious the problem was 
that they were dealing with, Cordy was still happy and perky over the idea of 
paying clients. He noticed a look of pain and horror on his seer's face and 
immediately walked behind her in case of a vision.

Cordy didn't have the sick look on her face because of a vision though. She 
took a breath and spoke finally. "Hang on a second Buffy and I'll get him for 
you." She turned around and handed the phone to Angel. He took the phone from 
her and watched as she grabbed her stuff.

"I'm going to find Wesley. I'll be back." Cordy may be the gossip Queen but 
she really didn't want to stick around for a Buffy conversation.

Angel watched his seer leave helplessly. There was nothing he could do at the 
moment but he made a vow to himself that as soon as he got off the phone, he 
was gonna find her and tell her. He put the receiver to his ear and said a 
quiet hello, briefly wondering if Faith was fairing any better.

Meanwhile Faith and Kate were having a great time, sitting in this really 
cute little diner, laughing their asses off. Kate thought that she would be 
uncomfortable around Faith after last night but she wasn't. She loved Faith. 
She realized it last night when she let her leave.Kate wanted to tell her but 
she wasn't too sure on Faith's feelings. She got hungry and horny after 
slaying. Being horny was not love and Kate wouldn't settle for anything else.

Faith sat there watching Kate, wondering what was going through her head. She 
was also wondering how she was gonna tell Kate she loved her. They spent a 
few days together and Faith was in love. She barely believed it herself so 
was Kate gonna believe it? She knew she had to tell her. She told Angel she 
would and she wasn't gonna back out. Plus she knew that Angel would tell Kate 
for her if she didn't. Cause of the Cordy thing.

Faith looked at Kate and their gazes locked. Neither one turned away and it 
was becoming pretty intense, when Kate looked down. After a beat she met 
Faith's gaze again and smiled.

"Wanna go somewhere else? I'm kinda bored here." She waited for Faith to 
agree and they both stood up. Kate reached for their bill but Faith snatched 
it away.

"My treat. Whatever we do for a long while is gonna be my treat to make up 
for that snobby eat-a-thon place you took me to." Faith smirked at Kate as 
she tried to grab the bill and Faith held it out of her reach.

Kate finally relented and let her pay and they both walked out into the 
bright afternoon sunshine. They walked along the sidewalk in silence coming 
to the park they looked at each other and shrugged and walked through it. 
When they came to an area surrounded with trees and a few benches they both 
sat down.

Faith prepared herself mentally for what she could say. She noticed that Kate 
was watching her and she smiled. She took a deep breath and turned to face 
Kate. She opened her mouth to speak and then she chickened out and stood up.

"Wanna get ice cream?" She turned to face the ice cream stand over way across 
the park just because it was opposite to where Kate was sitting.

Kate stood up and walked up behind Faith. She rested her chin on Faith's 
shoulder as she started talking to her.

"We're friends right?" She asked.

Faith spun around to face Kate. "Yeah we are. I told you stuff, that I've 
never told anyone, not even Angel. I'm in lo...." Faith trailed off. This was 
not gonna work. She could already see that Kate didn't feel the same way. All 
these little things here and there, all the touches, they equaled friendship 
and Faith wanted more but she couldn't, wouldn't risk Kate's feelings for 
that. She respected her too much.

Kate didn't hear what she just heard. She could have sworn that Faith was 
about to say she was in love with... Her? No, that couldn't be right. Then 
she realized that Faith had shut up and was now gazing at her face. No, not 
her face. Her mouth. Could it be? Was the brunette thinking the same thing? 
Only one way to find out.

"Faith? Faith, are you listening to me. Faith, do you hear even one word that 
I'm saying? Faith, yoohoo! Want some ice-cream? Want to go home? Want to sit 
down? Want a kiss?"  She added when the brunette didn't respond to a single 
thing she said. Her heart was in her throat and her knees were trembling. 
What would the Slayer's response be?

It was a very slow one. Faith blinked several times, then shook her head 
slightly to get rid of the daze. "What?" She whispered, part shocked, part 
thinking her fantasy wasn't quite over yet. She'd been about to make a joking 
flirtatious remark, when the blonde cop's lips caught her attention. From 
there it was from one fantasy to the next and all involved those lips.

Those soft, undoubtedly sweet, luscious lips. They'd been moving and sounds 
had reached her ears, but she barely noticed them let alone discerned the 
words. Until the last one. Kiss. It still resounded in her head like a 
thunderclap.

Seeing that Faith was still partly dazed, Kate decided to take a chance. 
Quickly and without thought, she grabbed the revers of the brunette's jacket, 
yanked the girl towards her and let her mouth take the full impact of the 
brunette's. Then the world seemed to disappear.

Bliss, nothing but bliss. How else would you describe that feeling that you 
get when someone you secretly love is kissing you like there is no tomorrow? 
When she's pouring all her feelings, all her thoughts, all her deepest, 
innermost yearnings into such a gentle yet ferocious touch of the lips and 
tongue.

Faith had thought that she'd take the lead in this relationship, if it ever 
came to that. She'd thought that her  broad experience with life and sex and 
her Slayer-strength would make her the butch one. She quickly found out she'd 
been mistaken. Kate was turning her into a puddle of goo and all the brunette 
could even remotely do about it was silently plead for more. She whimpered 
into the kiss and took the blonde in her arms, accepting everything Kate 
offered her and meeting her demands in return.

Whistles and rude catcalls eventually broke into their private little world. 
Kate stopped the kiss and turned into the direction of the shouted remarks 
with a growl. It was so lifelike and infinitely scary that Faith for one 
second thought she was holding a vampire. Her world was still spinning and 
she didn't think it would ever stop. Then a particularly crude call about 
Kate caught her attention and the spinning stopped.

Without thinking she broke out of  Kate's embrace and pounced on the guy. Two 
hard punches knocked him out cold. In the back of her mind, Faith had worried 
that this explosion of violence would send her over the edge again, but it 
didn't. As soon as the ice-cream salesman was silenced the roar in her head 
stopped and she was in full control of herself again. The Slayer slowly stood 
up and backed off. The other guys in the vicinity had stopped whistling and 
howling as well.

Faith didn't move as she felt Kate approach her from behind. Two soft hands 
touched her back, then wrapped themselves around her waist and pulled the 
brunette closer. Faith shivered as Kate's cheek touched her ear, when the cop 
softly kissed her cheek.

"You shouldn't have done that, you know?" Kate whispered. Faith nodded, 
unable to speak. "I'm still kinda glad you did, though." She went on, making 
sure to let the girl know she wasn't being judged or condemned.

The Slayer's reaction was immediate. She relaxed and let herself rest a 
little deeper into the embrace.

Kate's voice broke into her thoughtless bliss once again. "So, you were 
saying before?"

"I love you." Faith replied without hesitation.

The blonde laughed huskily into her ear. "I sorta got that already. I hope 
you know the feeling is mutual." The tough cop nuzzled Faith's ear to 
punctuate her statement. It sent a pleasant shiver through the dark-haired 
Slayer.

Finally she recovered her wits. "Still in the mood for some ice cream?" She 
quietly said, sexual overtones back in full force. The blonde holding her 
made a soft, snickering sound.

"Nah, I think I'm feeling more like something hot." Was her response. A 
slight squeeze of her arms left no room for misunderstanding about what Kate 
really meant.

"Then let's blow this popsicle stand, Katie. Hotel's nearest." Faith took 
semi-control. Both women smiled as they walked out of the park. Holding each 
other's hands.

*******************
Part Five
*******************

Angel stood in his office trying to reassure Buffy as fast as possible 
about Faith so he could find Cordy, but it really wasn't working. Buffy was 
being difficult. Angel told Buffy that Faith was better now, she was sane and 
in love and in no way going back to the dark Faith. Finally after what felt 
like forever, Angel hung up the phone and took off to the garage to find 
Cordy. He got in the car and started it and then he realized he had no idea 
where his seer was. Deciding that her apartment would be the best place to 
start, that's where he went. As soon as he reached her apartment building he 
ran up the stairs and was about to knock on her door when he heard talking 
inside.

"...and now he's just gonna forget that he loves me, just cause Buffy called 
and reminded him that she's still the one he really loves. Geez Dennis, you 
would think that my eavesdropping the other night paid off when now I bet 
he's at the office brooding over Buffy just like always and..." Cordelia's 
voice trailed off and Angel figure that she must have walked into another 
room or something.

He grinned at the visual in his mind of his seer walking around talking to 
thin air and waving her arms all around to stress her point. He knew that was 
exactly what she was doing just because that's what Cordy did when she was 
all worked up and at the moment, Cordy was really worked up. Angel's grin 
faded as he remembered the problem at hand. He decided that it would probably 
be best if he waited a few minutes before knocking on her door. So that's 
what he did. He stood and waited.

After a few minutes, he gathered up his courage and knocked on her door. He 
dazed out for a moment thinking or brooding and when he snapped back to the 
present he found Cordy staring at him strangely.

She gave him a hard look and "Are you all Grr? Cause I do have a few stakes 
in there." She pointed behind her and waited for an answer.

Angel started laughing. "Cordy if I was Angelus, do you really think I would 
have knocked?"

Cordy raised her eyebrows for a moment and than she nodded. "Yes, you would 
because Angelus is smart. Duh!! Plus you laughed, Angel doesn't laugh."

Angel shook his head, a smirk still on his face. "Delia don't be silly. I 
have to tell you something anyway so come on, let me in, please?" He mock 
pleaded and gave her the puppy dog look and she caved.

"Fine come in. But if you go all grr I swear I'll stake you." She moved aside 
to let him in and went to sit down.

Angel stood there silently, watching her with an unreadable expression. Their 
gazes locked and neither one said anything for a moment.

Finally Cordy got bored or nosy. "What?"

Angel released his hold on her eyes. "Would you really stake me?"

Cordy averted her eyes and than after a long while she shrugged. "I like to 
think so, but probably not."

Angel let out the breath that he didn't even notice he was holding. He 
decided to press her a little further. "Well, why not?"

She raised her eyebrows and looked at him. "What?"

"I said why not? If I ever go evil you'd have to stake me Delia. You'd be the 
first one Angelus would come for."

Cordy snorted. "Gee thanks." She said sarcastically.

Angel went to sit down beside her and took her hand. With his free hand he 
raised her face to meet his gaze. "Do you know why Angelus would come after 
you first?"

Cordy shook her head and waited.

“If Angelus was released now, he would come after you for the same reason he 
went after Buffy the last time he was free.” Angel quietly said.

Cordelia didn’t understand him. Typical Angel. Cryptic Guy, as Buffy had 
described him once. “Angel, you’re not making any sense. I’m not the Slayer. 
I couldn't kill you even if I tried.”

Angel sighed. “That's not why Angelus went after Buffy, Delia.  It’s not why 
he'd go after you either.” He explained patiently, as if he were talking to a 
child. It irritated Cordelia to no end. 

“Get to the point, Angel. What do you mean?” She snapped, while standing up 
and created some distance between them. She needed that. His proximity and 
touch were wreaking havoc on her hormones. She hadn't felt this lightheaded 
and giddy in a long time. That annoyed her even more. She was Cordelia Chase. 
Guys were supposed to get all lightheaded and giddy over her, not the other 
way round.

He stood up too. Closing the distance, he spoke. “Angelus went after Buffy 
because she made him feel human again. He'd come after you for the exact same 
reason this time.”

The former cheerleader had to struggle not to gawk at him. Inside her 
everything was going haywire. Had he just said... That he loved her more than 
Buffy now? She managed to keep her composure, a tiny part of her proud of 
that fact. The rest of her was torn between fainting and jumping his bones. 
His body was no more than a foot away from hers now. The fluttering in her 
stomach kicked into overdrive. Fainting seemed like a good option. He'd catch 
her and pick her up, press her against his heavenly muscled body no doubt, 
then probably carry her to the bedroom... Then again, she could accomplish 
the same effect by jumping his bones. Decisions, decisions.

Then Angel stumbled forward as if shoved. Cordelia reached out without 
thought to steady him. Against her. She was gonna faint. She just knew she 
was gonna faint. Then a movement behind Angel caught her attention.

Dennis’ dryboard was floating in the air. On it the words “For God’s sake, 
KISS HIM ALREADY!!!” were written. Her ghostly roommate was usually right on 
this sort of thing, so she followed his advice.

Suddenly Angel found himself under a relentless, dizzying assault by Cordy. 
Her mouth gave his no chance to protest. Her lips left his own no option but 
to yield. Her tongue was teaching him things the souled vampire had never 
even dreamt of. She hoped. Her fingers gripped his hair and pulled his head 
tightly to her. Her body writhed against his. From the feel of it, that was 
definitely having some effect. His arms went around her and gripped her 
tightly, pulling her close to him. 

Cordelia absently wondered if it was at all possible to have sex with all 
your clothes in their proper place. Because that was what this was feeling 
like. She needed him, she needed his touch, she needed to feel his skin 
against hers, she needed him to be as close to her as they could possibly 
get, she needed..... To break away before she died of asphyxiation. With a 
guttural, longing moan she relaxed her deathgrip on his hair and reluctantly 
pulled her head away slowly. She was breathing very hard when their lips 
finally broke contact. Angel would have a fun time watching her breasts for 
the next half hour or so.

In reality, Angel was acting very much like he was hyperventilating, sucking 
large gasps  of air in. His eyes were slightly glazed over. Cordelia became 
worried. “Angel? Are you alright?” She panted.

“Air. Need... Air.” Was all he could get out, still gasping for unneeded 
air. She could see his eyes attempting to focus on her face, desire burning 
strongly in them.

Movement caught her eye again. The dryboard floated up again. “NICE WORK!!!” 
It said. She shooed Dennis away with one hand, behind Angel’s back.

Then she focused back to the task at hand. Her fingers strangled Angel’s hair 
again and she gave him no possibility to recover and retreat. Her voice was 
raw, husky and low with desire. “You don’t need air. Here, let me show you.” 
Then her lips melded with his again.

Angel desperately tried to get his brain to work again. All he knew was that 
someone pushed him and then... Nothing. He knew nothing, thought nothing, 
noticed nothing. Nothing but the feeling of this beauty in his arms and what 
she was doing to him. She released him for a bit and he tried to breathe, but 
she wouldn't let him. Her mouth demanded and he was helpless not to give in 
to her. He stopped trying to listen to the tiny voice far away in the back of 
his head, that screamed at him to take his time, build this up nice and slow 
and savor each and every moment. With his last reserves he yelled at it once, 
telling it to shut up. Then his mind ceased functioning and he let himself 
drown in the ocean of sensations and feelings that was Cordelia kissing him.

In the doorway the ghostly Dennis stood and silently applauded his roommate. 
They both deserved this. He grinned from ear to ear while he cheered her on.

Meanwhile Faith and Kate didn't go to any hotel. The two women ended up at 
Kate's place. Falling through the door in a heated embrace, all the while 
kissing passionately. They both refused to release each other's lips except 
for when the need for oxygen became a problem. Somehow they both made it to 
the couch. Faith pulled away from Kate and almost immediately Kate was 
concerned.

"What's wrong?"

Faith had her trademark smirk in place as she answered. "Right now, there's 
nothing more I want than to take you into that bedroom and make you scream my 
name for a really long time."

Kate raised her eyebrows and laughed a little."But?"

Faith grimaced and made a really distasteful face. "But I think we should 
wait and I really can't believe those words left my mouth willingly." Faith 
put her head in her hands and muttered softly to herself. "What the hell is 
wrong with me?''

Kate grinned as she watched. She found the entire display thoughtful and 
utterly adorable. She wrapped her arms around Faith and pulled her to 
herself. Kate than proceeded to give Faith a breathtaking, heart-stopping 
kiss.

When they both parted, Faith grinned. "Geez, kiss me like that anymore and my 
whole resolve goes out the window." As an afterthought, she added "Since when 
do I use words like resolve. Your fault, Katie."

Kate ignored her remark and smiled hopefully. "Wanna stay for a while? I got 
the rest of the day off."

Faith shook her head and smirked. "No offense, Katie, but if I stay, I really 
don't think I could restrain myself from jumping your bones."

Faith looked so serious that Kate burst into a fit of giggles. Faith had a 
way of expressing herself that made you want to either gasp in shock and 
disbelief or burst into hysterical laughter.

"Is this your way of sweet-talking me?" Kate asked, as she composed herself 
once again.

Faith smiled wickedly "Hey if it works, than oh hell yeah."

Kate shook her head a little and smiled softly. "In some bizarre way, I think 
it is working."

Faith grinned and stood up. She leaned over and brushed her lips against 
Kate's forehead. "ok I gotta motor. You, Me, Dinner & a Movie later?"

Kate looked at Faith strangely. "Are you asking me out?"

Faith pondered that one for a moment and than shrugged. "Yep I think I am. So 
yes?"

Kate smirked and got a glint in her eyes. "Well, let me check my schedule and 
I'll get back to you later K?"

Faith picked up a couch pillow and held it over Kate's head threateningly.

Kate jumped up and moved away, still smirking. "I'm sorry I have to pass. It 
seems that I have plans with a cocky brunette slayer for a long while to 
come. Maybe next time"

Faith looked at Kate and dropped the pillow in surprise. The childlike 
display was over and gone was the humor that was just there. Kate immediately 
lost the smirk and moved to Faith's side.

"OK, what happened there? What did I say?" Kate's voice was laced with 
concern as she waited for her answer. It was so sincere and sweet, that Faith 
dismissed that urge inside telling her to bail.

"A long while. You said 'a long while'." Faith's voice was filled with 
disbelief and her eyes were wide and a flicker of horror passed through them 
quickly.

Kate looked confused for a minute as she replayed the whole conversation 
through her mind. Trying to pinpoint Faith's wig-out-a-thon and than it 
dawned on her. "Yeah, that's what I said and that's what I meant. I'm in this 
for the long run Faith. No games, no lies and no bullshit. I said I loved you 
and I meant it.

Faith stood there for a moment. Looking dazed as her brain tried to register 
exactly what Kate was saying to her. "I love you too Katie. I didn't lie." 
She smiled thinly, showing her sincerity of the statement. She hesitated for 
a moment and the smile faded. "But I've never ever done the long-term thing 
before."

Kate slipped her arms around the younger girl and pulled her close. Kate 
nuzzled her neck as she trailed her lips up to her ear. Whispering softly 
"Well I guess we'll have to learn the long-term thing together."

Faith didn't say anything but she tightened her hold on Kate and turned her 
head to capture Kate's lips with her own. And Faith didn't need to say 
anything because Kate got it all. With every tender brush of her tongue and 
the soft pressure of her lips she told Kate everything that she needed to 
know. Finally the two women separated and Faith pulled out of the embrace.

"I'm serious now Kate. I'm leaving." Her voice was playfully stern and Kate 
grinned at it. 

They walked to the door and Faith brushed her lips over Kate's one last time. 
"Pick you up at 7?"

Kate nodded and Faith grinned her victory and left. Faith headed back to the 
office in search of Angel. She walked into the office expecting to find Angel 
and Cordy but instead she found one of the last people she ever wanted to see.

*******************
Part Six
*******************

Back at Cordy's, Dennis watched as the two on the couch finally 
separated. Cordy smiled brightly. "See, told you that you didn't need 
air."

Angel didn't argue as he moved closer and took her hand. He wanted to 
take this thing slow. Just because he had the curse forever and there 
was no chance of losing his soul he still wanted to be careful just 
in case of an epiphany. They sat in silence for a few moments and 
then out of nowhere Angel asked Cordy out.

She looked at him like he had 3 heads "What?" She was shocked.

Angel raised his gaze to hers. "Can I take you to dinner tonight or 
something? Anything you want. Your choice."

Cordy smirked. "Don't you think we're a little past the getting to 
know you dates?"

Angel looked at her in disbelief "Umm, no. Don't you want romance? I 
said anywhere, anything, your choice."

Cordy had to agree with his logic. In other words he was saying that 
he would do anything that she wanted. For one time only she could 
drag him to any club, any party, anything at all and he wouldn't 
utter one word of complaint.

Finally she nodded. "Ok I'll think about it during the day. Shouldn't 
we get back to work? Or something?" She raised her eyebrows.

Angel grinned. They just started talking and becoming a thing and it 
was so comfortable, like they've been doing it forever. Angel mused 
over this silently. Maybe it was meant to be. Cordy shows up in LA 
where Angel happens to be and ends up working for him. 250 years he's 
been around and he never saw that one coming. Cordy is his seer. 
Whether they like it or not, they are linked. Angel can't be Angel 
without his Seer, his link to the PTB. Angel dismissed all of this 
from his head. Because, it just didn't matter. He loved her, and 
debating over whether it was meant to be or not was making him ignore 
Cordy and she was not appreciating that.

Angel looked up and smiled softly. "I'm sorry. You're right though, 
we should get back to the office, just in case."

Cordy shook her head muttering under her breath and Angel kissed her 
softly. Partly to shut her up and partly cause he couldn't resist.

They left Cordy's and drove back to the office. Angel wanted to see 
if Faith told Kate and he also wanted to tell her that he told Cordy 
so she wouldn't have to tattle. Cordy was just waiting to get back to 
her desk so she could plan a night of fun.

They walked into the office and Angel immediately called out to 
Faith. They walked into the main room and saw Faith sitting on 
Cordy's desk all tensed up and Angel looked over and saw the reason 
for Faith's defensive posture. Sitting on the couch across from her 
was Xander.

Angel went over to Faith and asked her if she was ok. He then shot a 
dirty look at Xander and demanded to know why he was there.

Xander stood up and crossed his arms. "None of your business, Dead 
Boy."

Angel stared at him, Pure dislike in his eyes "You're in my office 
and I want to know why. Now!" He growled.

Xander rolled his eyes. "Chill. I came to see Cordy and I wanted to 
make sure that Psycho Slayer over there hasn't killed anyone lately."

Faith jumped up her eyes flashing dangerously. Xander faltered for a 
few moments and took a step backwards.

Angel pulled Faith back down and stepped in front of her. He got in 
Xander's face and growled again. "Talk about her like that in my 
presence again and I swear soul or no soul, I'll make you wish for 
Angelus." His tone was deadly and laced with complete seriousness.

Xander winced. "Well, Buffy asked me to check and make sure she 
really was sane while I was here."

No-one said anything for a moment and than Faith turned to leave. But 
right before she walked through the door she smiled at Angel. "I'll 
be in my room Big Guy oh and by the way, I did mine." She 
smirked. "And I can see you did yours." She winked at Angel and 
grinned at Cordy. "Looks good on you Queen C."

Cordy saw the wink and watched the exchange in amusement. "You know 
Faith because you knew and didn't spill, you're gonna pay."

Faith smiled softly and whistled at Cordy. "You gonna punish me? 
Cause I oh so hope you are. I can almost see it." She closed her eyes 
and grinned wickedly.

Cordy picked up a piece of paper and crumpled it into a ball and 
tossed it at Faith's head. "Get out of here you little nympho. Geez, 
remind me to never take you clothes shopping with me."

Faith caught the paper and tossed it back. "You promise? Please say 
that was a promise."

Angel watched in amusement. Delia wasn't kidding when she said she 
wanted to be Faith's friend. And he could tell these two were gonna 
get along great and probably give him a few migraines in the mean 
time. But as he watched them play he realized he wouldn't give it up 
for anything. Finally, everything was coming together for all of them 
in LA. 

Faith left the room after one last sexual comment to Cordy and Cordy 
responded with something that made Angel, Xander and Faiths jaws all 
drop. Faith turned back around and pleaded "Please say that wasn't a 
joke." And then the 2 girls burst into giggles and Faith did leave.

Cordy moved over next to Angel and both of them faced Xander. Xander 
watched them all in disbelief. Faith had changed, he didn't want to 
admit it but he could see it. It seemed that Faith had a place here. 
Friends and Buffy said she was in love. Xander really did see the 
change but he was a stubborn guy and he wasn't gonna admit it to 
either of the two people standing across from him.

Changing the subject Xander looked at Cordy. "Can I take you to 
dinner tonight?"

Cordy looked at Xander, studying him a moment before answering. "Why 
are you really here Xander?"

Xander gave her a goofy grin and shrugged. "I told you, I came to see 
you."

Angel narrowed his eyes, Something was off here. Cordy felt Angel 
tense up next to her and she turned back to Xander.

"You came to see me? For what? And where's Anya?" She fired out her 
questions one after another.

Xander looked down at the ground. He didn't want to do this with 
Angel here but it didn't look like the Vampire was leaving anytime 
soon. He took a deep breath and spoke. "Anya left me for a doctor. I 
came here to see how you were. I still love you Cordy. I always have 
and I've never stopped."

Angel growled again next to her. Softly enough so Xander couldn't 
hear it but she did. She took a deep breath and placed a hand on her 
head. Right now she'd give anything for a vision. Finally, she locked 
her gaze on Xander's.

"We'll be right back. We have to check on Faith." With that she 
grabbed Angel's hand and dragged him out of the room and shut the 
door.

They turned to face one another and Angel spoke first.

"Do you still have feelings for him?" Angel looked pained as he asked 
the question. He knew he had no right to feel this way, because he 
still loved Buffy. He always would but he wasn't in love with Buffy 
anymore. He was in love with Cordelia but Buffy would always have a 
piece and a place in his heart.

Cordy shook her head. "No, I don't still have feelings for him. I 
might have loved him at one time but I was never in love with Xander."

Angel looked up in surprise. "Can you read minds now?"

Cordy giggled softly. "I wish."

Angel shook his head and took her hand. "Do you wanna talk to him 
alone?"

Cordy pondered that one for a minute. "I don't but I should. Don't 
worry I won't tell him about us."

She turned to walk back into the room Xander was in when Angel 
grabbed her hand. "Why not?"

Cordy gave him her classic `Duh' look. "What do you mean why not? Did 
you hit your head lately?"

Angel gave her a dead serious look, which wasn't that hard to 
achieve. "Are you ashamed."

Cordy immediately shook her head. "No I just figured you know, Buffy, 
Sunnydale and you know lots of problems that it could, no it would 
cause."

Angel smiled at Cordy and brushed his lips over hers. "Buffy's moved 
on and so have I. She didn't hide it and I don't want to hide it 
either."

Cordy went to speak again but Angel placed a finger over her lips to 
silence her. He wasn't done yet.

"When me and Faith were talking the other night, I was worried about 
telling you for some of the same reasons and do you know what Faith 
pointed out?" When Cordy shook her head and waited, he answered 
her. "It's not about them, it's about us and what we want. Not them. 
Us."

Cordy grinned. "So I can tell him?" Her voice held a little bit of 
excitement. If Angel was positive he was over Buffy than this could 
be fun and whoo-hoo, major gossip fest.

Angel grinned at her and nodded. Their lips met halfway and than 
Cordy went to face Xander and Angel went to see how Faith was doing. 
Even though she didn't show it, Angel knew that Xander acting like an 
ass bothered her.

He knocked on Faith's door and waited for her to open it. When she 
did, he could see that she was hurting. He walked into the room and 
took her in his arms. He held her for a few moments and slowly she 
responded to the embrace. She wrapped her arms around his waist and 
started talking softly.

"Xander doesn't bother me, it's just that he was the one I hurt the 
least and look how hateful he is. I have no desire for a loving 
caring sharing mumbo jumbo talk-fest in Sunnyhell but If I ever 
wanted to apologize and try to fix things, I couldn't. And even 
though I know I don't deserve it, they would never let me have 
another chance."

Angel held her trying to soothe her. "Everyone deserves a second 
chance Faith. Xander's just being a jerk. The gang will forgive you. 
Not right away but eventually they will come around."

He released his hold and her and held her at arms length and smiled 
softly. "Besides I got some good advice the other night. Why does it 
have to be about them? Why can't it just be about us and here and 
now? For once."

Faith smiled softly. But she still didn't say anything. She needed a 
lot more convincing.

Angel grinned again. "You're not planning on going to Sunnydale 
anytime soon are you?"

Faith shook her head. "Oh hell no. I want to live thank you!"

Angel smirked "See, you have a life here Faith. And you have Kate 
right? Why go there and open old wounds when you're not ready to deal 
quite yet?" Faith went to speak but Angel continued. "One day, maybe 
you'll all be ready to face it and come to terms with it but right 
now things are going well for you Faith right? You're happy aren't 
you?"

Faith grinned and nodded. "Yeah for the first time I'm happy. I like 
it here and I feel like I belong and your right I do have Kate. Damn 
it Angel, you're doing really good with this shrink thing." She 
raised her eyebrows suspiciously. "Do you have self-help books in 
your office hidden somewhere?"

Angel sighed. "No I don't. It's called being around for 200 years and 
learning some stuff that would eventually come in helpfully. Are you 
ok now?"

Faith nodded. "Yeah I'm 5 x 5 and I mean it. Xander's an ass. Maybe 
one day in the future, the far future I'll swing by Sunnydale and try 
to fix things. But for now I'm gonna just keep doing what I'm doing 
now because it seems to be working."

Angel smiled at Faith. He was glad she was better and wasn't hurting. 
Now it was fun time. "Ok Spill. How did you tell Kate? How did she 
react? Come on I want details."

Faith's jaw dropped. "Jesus, Cordelia much? Ok, maybe I better 
separate you and C, because if you're gonna keep pulling Queen C acts 
on me I'm so out of here." She smirked at Angel. "How about you spill 
first?"

He shook his head. "Nope your turn, I went first last time."

Faith snorted "What are we, 5 here?" Angel just gave her a look and 
went to sit down in the chair. Faith rolled her eyes and sat across 
from him.

"Ok So we're in the park right..." Faith trailed off as they heard a 
noise in the office. Faith and Angel exchanged a look before they 
both stood up and took off running in the direction of Cordy.

Coming to the main office they saw Cordy kneeling over Xander and 
Xander was laying on the floor, out like a light.

"What did you hit him with?" Faith was laughing softly.

Cordy met her gaze and smirked as well. "The truth. Seems it was too 
heavy for him."

Faith burst out laughing "That was good Queen C."

Cordy stood up and walked over to them. She gave Faith a concerned 
look. "Are you ok? I know Xander was acting like a jerk but he's 
Xander, what did you expect?"

Faith shrugged and nodded. "Yeah I'm cool. So seriously what happened 
to X-man here?"

Cordy grinned again. "I told you. I told him the truth. I told him 
that me and Angel were sorta dating and that you were normal and cool 
and in love and he fainted. He couldn't handle the truth I guess." 
Cordy shrugged indifferently.

Faith and Angel both stared at her in shock. She met both they gazes 
and "What? You know he deserved it."

Angel shook his head. "Not that. Did you really tell him that Faith 
was normal and cool?"

Cordy nodded. "Yeah why?"

Angel shook his head. "No reason." Cordy complimenting Faith a bunch 
of times all in one day. She seriously wasn't kidding when she said 
she liked Faith.

Faith grinned. "You're pretty cool yourself C. So how about my 
punishment?" She asked, her wicked grin back in place.

Cordy shook her head and smacked her on the arm. "Geez. A whole day 
is all I ask. Seriously, do you think you can try?"

Faith looked serious for a moment. "I guess if it bothers you C, I 
really could try to stop hitting on you."

Cordy seemed to think for a minute and than she shook her head. "Nah 
that's ok. It wigged me out before but now we're friends right?" 
Faith nodded and Cordy went on. "I don't mind it. It's kinda fun."

Faith smiled and turned to Angel. "You're turning into her and I can 
turn her into me."

Cordy looked at both of them questionably. Angel's face lit up and he 
smirked. "That reminds me, what were you telling me before we were 
interrupted Faith?"

Faith shot him a look. Then she shrugged. "Whatevers. I told Kate and 
she loves me too so there."

Angel grinned and Cordy smiled too. "I'm happy for you. Look we're 
all happy. You were right Angel, it isn't about them, it's about us."

Faioth seemed to think for a moment and then out of nowhere the 
suggestion just popped out. "Me and Kate are going out later, you 
guys want to come?"

Angel gaped at her and Cordy looked interested. "Like a doubledate 
thing?" she asked.

Faith shrugged. "I guess so. I just kinda meant hanging out but if 
you wanna go on a date, I'd be more than willing to take you C." 
Faith smirked at the former cheerleader and winked.

Cordy rolled her eyes. "Yeah I let you know when I feel the need to 
date a slayer. Anyway, where you guys going?"

Faith shrugged again. "Well I didn't get that far. Dinner and a movie 
I guess."

Cordy's eyes lit up. This could be fun. She could plan for all four 
of them.

They brought Xander to one of the free rooms in the hotel, put him to 
bed and then left him alone.

By the time they got back to the office Cordelia had lots of plans 
and both Faith and Angel quietly groaned as they heard them. Of all 
the things Cordelia just had to drag them to a fancy restaurant and a 
chick flick movie. Angel however kept his mouth shut, because he had 
promised not to complain. Faith was just too stunned by Queen C's 
typical tactic of bulldozering over people. She wasn't left with an 
opportunity to protest. And the light in Cordelia's eyes made her 
feel bad about not agreeing, so she kept her mouth shut. Against her 
better judgment.


Four hours later she really regretted that. Kate had a hard time not 
laughing her ass off. Faith mock-scowled at her girlfriend and tried 
to smile to Cordy who was positively glowing at the same time. She 
heard a soft snort and suppressed the urge to turn around and 
throttle her best friend. Instead she turned around and stared 
menacingly at Angel. He was not impressed.

Instead the souled vampire smirked and looked at Faith's dress. 
Cordelia had lent it to her and it was way classier than the only 
other dress she'd worn to B's Homecoming prom. Faith felt awful in 
it. Kate's own smirk didn't make it any better. Queen C owed her big 
for this one. But the Slayer had to admit that Kate looked delicious 
in an evening gown. 

The cop pulled her aside and sneaked a peek down Faith's cleavage 
before asking what was on her mind. "Why are we in a place like this 
again? Not that I mind seeing you in that" She gestured to the dress, 
sneaking another peek.

The brunette sighed. She slightly jerked her head into Cordy's 
direction. "Not my idea, just couldn't say no to all that bubbly joy. 
C gets a kick out of dressing people up and dragging them to places 
where no-one decent should ever go. Namely here."

Meanwhile, Cordelia leaned over to Angel, who was getting some 
thoughts of his own because of that. "Do you think Faith knows what 
Kate's thinking right now?"

Angel reined his hormones in and glanced at the Slayer and the cop. 
He saw Kate's eyes almost being glued to Faith's chest. He couldn't 
contain the grin. Kate glanced briefly in their direction and saw the 
grin. She took a moment away from admiring Faith's physique to share 
that grin. Then she was all ears for Faith's problems again.

They stayed for the appropriate ammount of time to satisfy Cordelia's 
need for a fancy dinner. Then Angel picked up the bill and they 
trotted to the cars. Both Kate and Angel behind their girlfriends. 
Admiring their grace and their slim forms. Kate leaned over to 
Angel. "Thanks for making me get her out of jail."

Angel blinked. For the first time in months Kate had been friendly to 
him. It shook him out of his lusty thoughts for his seer. "Cease 
fire?" He offered. 

Kate shook her head. "I got a better idea. Peace treaty."

Angel smiled. "Deal."

Angel opened his car door for Cordelia. "Well, it's nice not to jump 
in this thing on the run from bad guys for a change." She commented. 

Angel rolled his eyes and then smiled. Nothing could get him to stop 
smiling tonight, it seemed.

"You made peace with Angel?" Faith asked Kate when the blonde got 
behind the steering wheel. Kate nodded and looked at Faith again.

Immediately she knew that was a bad idea. She just knew she wouldn't 
be able to focus on the road. Faith was so utterly delectable in that 
dress and Kate really, really, really wanted to rip it off the Slayer 
and make passionate love to her in the backseat.

She didn't know how she managed it, but she got them to the theater 
safely. The cop sighed in relief. Well, at least they weren't going 
to a movie that interested her. That meant plenty of time to molest 
Faith in the darkness.

Faith smirked as she exited the vehicle. She had felt Kate's eyes on 
her all night. It didn't bother her in the least though. This night 
wasn't turning out to be all that bad. Except it was really making 
her want to forego her slow policy. She wanted to take Kate back to 
her room and make her scream her name repeatedly instead of going to 
some stuffy restaurant when she seen Kate in her dress. But now they 
were at the movie and Faith grinned again. Movies equaled makeout 
sessions. Her grin got wider. Heavy make out sessions. She knew that 
Angel and Cordy were probably thinking the same thing. 

The group got their tickets and went into the movie. Taking seats 
next to each other, in a funny little pattern. Angel sat on the end 
with Cordy next to him and Faith sat in between Cordy and Kate. Angel 
slipped his arm around Cordy and than turned his attention back to 
the movie. Cordy and Faith were whispering and giggling softly and 
once again Angel remembered how young the two of them actually were. 

Cordy turned her attention to Angel and his lips and he instantly 
forgot all about their youngness as he returned her passionate 
kisses. Faith and Kate were also too busy to notice as the movie 
started, for they were also making out as well. And That is all the 
group proceeded to do through out the entire movie. ANy one watching 
would say this young group had no appreciation for good movies but no 
one could say they weren't having a good time. 

Xander on the other hand wasn't having such a great time. He woke up 
with one hell of a headache and groaned when he remembered where he 
was. Stuck in LA with Angel and his little posse. Xander groaned 
again as he stood up and tried to find his way back to the main 
office. It took him a while but eventually he made it to the front of 
the office and he was about to pick up the phone and call home when 
he noticed he was the only person there. He called out for Cordy and 
started to look around and than the door opened up and he jumped a 
mile.

"Your still here?" Angel asked, his disgust barely disguised. He 
tightened his hold on Cordy and she leaned into his touch.

Xander held down his gag reflex and than he noticed the beautiful 
blonde next to them.  He ran his hands through his hair and smiled as 
he walked over to her. He held out his hand and spoke. "Hi I'm 
Xander."

Faith smirked as she stepped closer to the blonde. "Sorry X-man. 
She's mine. Hands off and better luck next time." Her voice was 
syrupy sweet but anyone there could tell she was far from sympathetic.

Xander's grin faded at Faith's words and he stared in disbelief. He 
was actually speechless for once.

Cordy Smiled softly. "Faith quit teasing Xander and go change. I 
still have plans." Her voice held excitement as Angel tried not to 
groan.

Faith stepped a little closer to Kate and kissed her softly. It was 
supposed to be brief and chaste but it was neither of those things 
because this is Faith afterall. After Faith was positive she shocked 
Xander even more she flounced out of the room and up the stairs to 
change. 

Cordy stood there watching the quiet group for a moment and than she 
gasped softly and took off after Faith. She knew exactly what the 
younger girl would change into and Cordy knew that She had to stop it 
and pick out her outfit once again. Cordy let out a soft sign. Being 
the best dressed worker and a wonderful fashion consultant meant her 
work was never done. She knocked softly on the door and opened it 
only after she heard Faith's muffled voice say come in.

Cordy burst out laughing when she walked into the room. Faith was 
buried in the closet, with clothes strewn all over the place and her 
legs sticking out underneath the pile. It was something Cordy never 
thought she's ever see. Faith pulled herself out and stuck her tongue 
out.

"You think this is funny? Ha I don't. This is all your fault you 
know." She finally got herself untangled and stood up, placing her 
hands on her hips and scowling.

Cordy smirked as she raised her eyebrows. "My fault?" She asked in 
disbelief.

Faith nodded. "Duh! Of course it's your fault. Any other time I can 
just pull out my favorite leather pants and any shirt and look hot 
and even though I can still do that, Now I have to be worried about 
where your dragging us next." Faith took a breath as she ended her 
rant.

Cordy just shook her head and laughed softly as she flopped down on 
the bed. "Ok Start choosing you outift and I'll let you know if it's 
ok or not." She shooed Faith back over to the closet.

Faith made a face but she went back over to her closet and pulled out 
her black leather pants. Cordy shook her head. Faith rolled her eyes 
and tossed them on the floor. She turned back to the closet and 
pulled out red leather pants. Cordy shook her head again. After like 
10 minutes of this, Faith threw her hands in the air and flopped down 
on the bed next to Cordy.

"I give up." Were her words and she rolled her and buried her face in 
her pillow.

Cordy jumped up and walked over to the closet. "I'm picking out your 
outfit." The tone of her voice left no room for arguments and Faith 
was far too tired to argue over clothes anyway. 

A few moments later Faith looked up at Cordy's sudden "Ta Da." She 
raised her eyebrows at the outfit Cordy picked but jumped up 
regardless and started changing.

"Now see, was that so hard?" Cordy grinned.

Faith didn't even give her a response. She slipped on her shirt and 
fixed the pants and turned around showing it off. Cordy grinned her 
approval. She held out her hand to Faith and grinned.

"We better go see what's going on. It's too quiet." 

Faith took Cordy's hand and she thought about how strange her life 
was becoming. Not that it hadn't been pretty strange for the last few 
years. But now she was happy and she was friends with the may Queen. 
Who would of ever guess that one? Sure as hell wasn't her. Faith 
grinned though. She certainly wasn't complaining though. 

The two girls walked into the room to see the 3 other people their in 
the same exact spot and no one was saying anything. Cordy pulled 
Faith towards the door and nodded for Angel and Kate to follow. Which 
they did. But not before Angel turned around to talk to Xander.

"We're leaving now and I don't want you here when we get back. Go 
back to Sunnydale and tell them all to leave Faith alone, Buffy 
included. She's not bothering any of you so there is no need for any 
of you's to bother us. And if Buffy doesn't agree, you can tell her 
to come down here and resolve her own problems but she's far from 
ready." Angel pinned his gaze on Xander making sure that he was 
getting the message and then turned to leave. 

He met the other's at the door and as an afterthought he tossed 
out "Don't forget any of it." And than they left.

Xander was dazed. No he was more than dazed.  And now his reason for 
being in LA had just walked out the door with the person she loved. 
He picked up the phone and made arrangements for leaving LA as soon 
as possible. He compleplated calling Giles but he knew that he was 
gonna have to be the one to spill the beans. He was not looking 
forward to that one.

The group piled back into the car with Cordy driving this time. Faith 
and Angel were both a little worried about where she was dragging 
them this time. Faith let out a breath she didn't even realize she 
was holding when they pulled up in fun of a Club. A club she not only 
recognized but liked. She slid out of the car and tossed the seer a 
smile.

"Good taste C." She grabbed Kate's hand and started dragging her 
towards the entrance.

Angel looked at Cordy doubtfully. "Why a club Delia? I know I 
promised anywhere but I can't dance." He tried to stress his point as 
forcefully as possible without hurting her feelings.

To Angel's surprise, she just smiled softly. "You don't have to 
dance. I picked here because I know Faith hasn't been dancing in a 
while and the girl needs clubs like a fish needs water." She took his 
hand. "And this is a respectable club." She added.

Angel shook his head. His Delia was changing. He just smiled softly 
as he followed her into the club, trying to locate Faith and Kate.

Cordy dragged him towards the table where Kate was sitting. Angel 
looked around for a second before asking Kate "Where's Faith?".

Kate just grinned and pointed out to the dance floor. Angel and Cordy 
both turned to see Faith right in the middle, entrancing pretty much 
everyone. Angel turned back to Kate. "Why aren't you out there with 
her?"

Kate snorted softly. "Me? Yeah Right. I don't dance."

Angel laughed. "Don't feel bad. Me either."

Cordy was watching Faith and the dance floor and Angel could tell she 
really wanted to be out there. He let go of her hand and laughed 
softly. "Delia, Go dance. I'm sure Faith would loved the company."

Cordy grinned. "Really? you don't mind?"She looked at both Angel and 
Kate.

Angel smiled and shook his head. "I don't mind at all. Faith is a 
much better dancer than me."

Kate smiled as well. "Same here. Go dance and we'll stay here and get 
drinks."

Cordy grinned and flounced off to the dance floor. And That's pretty 
much where Faith and Cordy stayed all night. Their partners didn't 
mind though. They talked softly, occasionally tossing fond looks at 
the dance floor. Angel and Kate needed more than a peace treaty. They 
had to talk and work things out and that's exactly what they did. 

Later that night they group went back to Angel's and 3 out of the 4 
were relieved to find Xander gone. Angel and Cordy said their 
goodnights and went up to bed. Kate and Faith stood their for a few 
moments in silence and than Faith grinned.

"I'm going to bed Katie. You coming or going?" Her voice was husky 
and her eyes were twinkling mischievously.

Kate smirked. "Oh I'm coming." Her tone of voice left no room for 
misunderstanding and Faith grinned again.

"Umm Well Not yet but you will be." With that Faith took off running 
up to her room with Kate hot on her tail. 

Cordy and Angel heard the door slam and both grinned. "I'm happy 
Angel. Are you?" Cordy looked up, her hazel eyes soft and vulnerable.

Angel tightened his hold on her as he laid her down on the bed. "Yes, 
I'm Happy Delia. More than happy." He kissed her forehead softly as 
he laid down on top of her, carefully so he didn't crush her.

Cordy wrapped her hands around Angel's neck and smiled. "Good. Your 
happy and I'm happy and Kate and Faith are waaaay more than happy. 
This is good..."

Her rambling probably would have went on much longer if Angel didn't 
cover her mouth with his lips. He than proceeded to show her how 
happy he was all night. In Faith's room, they were also learning how 
happy they were and all through the night the happy moans and screams 
could be heard. And for that one night, LA was good.

                         ~Fin~