Faith walked out of the jail, into the sun. I can't believe I'm free. Thanks to Kate. Faith thought about Kate, The beautiful blonde detective who had befriended her. She was a friend of Angel's and now she was a friend of Faith's. Kate saw Faith as a girl who had made a mistake and wanted to fix it not as a crazy psycho bitch that everyone else saw. Kate could match every smart ass remark that Faith threw at her with her own smart ass retort and the dark slayer respected that. Faith also knew that Kate could mask her emotions as well as Faith. Faith continued thinking about Kate as she walked out to freedom. She didn't care that she had no place to go as long as she was free that's all that mattered. The first thing she saw when she got past the open gates was Kate leaning against her car.

"Well, it took you long enough I've been waiting forever" Kate's smile was teasing but Faith only saw the beauty of it. She ran over to Kate and hugged her tightly. She couldn't resist.

Kate returned the embrace for a moment and then pulled away to look at Faith. "How are you doing?" She asked.

Faith smiled "5x5 Kate. hell, I'm better than 5x5 I'm free!"

Kate laughed softly "I've missed the Faithisms."

Kate took her bag and tossed it in the car and waited for Faith to get in. When she didn't Kate looked at her questionably. "What's wrong Faith?"

Faith shook her head "Nothing just wondering where you've been for the last week."

Kate smiled softly. Why? Did ya miss me?"

Faith missed her like crazy but she wasn't used to needing someone or missing someone so she smile slightly and said "Nah. I missed the candy you brought me thats all"

Kate looked away and Faith saw the flicker of hurt but it was gone before it was there. Faith laughed softly again "Of course I missed you. I missed the candy too though."

Kate laughed out loud at that. "Anyway I was outta town on a case but I'm back now and there's candy in the glove compartment." Kate started the car as Faith started digging through the glove compartment. Finding what she wanted she popped the candy in her mouth.

"So where we going Katie?" She asked. Kate looked a little funny at hearing her call her Katie but she didn't think anything of it.

"We're going to my place." Kate continued driving until Faith broke the silence again."Why?"

Kate looked confused "Why what?"

Faith looked her straight in the eyes "Why are you gonna let someone like me, a crazy psycho bitch, and a slayer in to your house and your life? I'm nothing but trouble with a capital T. Why Kate?" Faith really wanted to know why. She didn't believe that something good could come to her.

Kate Smiled "Well for one thing I don't think your a crazy psycho bitch anymore and truthfully I don't think you ever were. But We know that you don't care what I think about that so Anyway The fact of the matter is I kinda like you what can I say you grew on me. I'd rather have you stay with me then worry about you every night and besides have you got someplace better to be? With better candy?" Kate smirked at her waiting for her to answer. She knew the candy thing would get a smile. And she was right Faith laughed softly.

"Did anybody ever tell you your one hell of a woman, Detective Lockley?" Faith asked. They drove in silence for a while until Faith spoke up "Can you swing by Angel's real fast?"

Faith saw that Kate was gonna protest so She pouted and gave her puppy dog eyes "Please Katie Please?"

Kate laughed "Sure I have to ask him about a case anyway. When they walked into Angel's office they saw Cordelia sitting at her desk reading a magazine. She barely glanced up as they entered.

Kate smiled and rolled her eyes "Hello Cordy" Cordelia looked up and nodded at her.

"Detective." Her voice was tense and curt. Faith looked between the 2 women and started laughing. She tried to hold it in but she couldn't. Queen C and Her detective, Man She was still laughing. Cordelia looked slightly annoyed and Kate just looked confused. Faith took a deep breath and tried to clear her head.

"So umm.. Where's Angel?" Faith was slightly stuttering but it was only because of the tension between the 2 girls. Cordelia pointed down and said "he's in his room" Faith winked at Kate knowingly as she turned to leave "I'll just leave you to alone" She walked away laughing uncontrollably. Kate laughed softly. Damn Faith was good. She couldn't believe it but Faith had her and Cordy pegged.

Cordelia looked up at Kate "So are you gonna share or is it some sort of psycho private joke?" Cordelia was just pissy about not getting the joke so Kate decided to let the Psycho remark go. Kate took a deep breath and stopped laughing "Faith knows about us----"

Cordelia cut her off "Their is no us " She stated coldly.

Kate gave her a look that screamed DUH! But this was Cordelia so she knew she would have to explain it in laymen's terms. " Well if you could lose the bitch factor for just a moment I could finish my sentence. What I planned to say was So we had a few drinks and it led to sex big deal. So what. I mean we are adults we had to much to drink and shit happened and it doesn't change a goddamn thing so I don't see why we have to slip into bitch mode every time we're together when we could be friends." Kate finished and watched Cordelia as she complempated it.

She looked at Kate "We could be friends?" When Kate nodded, Cordelia smiled "Ok" Kate smiled as well. She was relieved that the weirdness would be gone.

Meanwhile Faith walked into Angel's room, knowing he would sense her before she said anything. He turned around and gave her a hug. Faith returned the embrace. She chuckled softly she was turning into one of those hugging people and she didn't even mind it. Anyway they talked for a little bit about this and that, nothing to important cause Angel did write to her when she was in jail. Angel offered her a job what she greatly appreciated. A few seconds later they heard a scream. they ran upstairs and Angel went to cordelia's sides immediately

"What did you see?" He asked. Cordelia looked straight at Faith "Buffy. I saw Buffy and she's coming to LA" Faith wanted to run but Kate placed a hand on her shoulder and wouldn't let her go. Faith looked at Cordelia and waited for the rest of it.

Cordelia looked at her "What" She snapped.

Faith shook her head. Damn Cordy was dense. "Why? Why is Buffy coming to LA?"

Cordelia laughed at her "How should I know? The only thing that the PTB's tell me is who and where. i don't get a why. Oh yeah I also get these lovely little migraine headaches as well." Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Kate and Angel looked at each other and they seemed to be having a silent conversation. Angel finally nodded and Kate began to lead Faith out of Angel's office. Cordelia and Angel were having a discussion about her vision while Kate lead Faith to the car.

"Are you Ok? " Kate asked. She was really worried.

Faith smiled but it looked forced. "Yeah I'm good."

Kate didn't push and Faith was glad. She wasn't quite ready to rehash the old pain and memories quite yet. She knew that she couldn't stall it forever. When they reached Kate's place Faith just sat there. She was kinda unsure about this whole Kate thing. She had feelings for Kate this much she knew. But with B back in the picture she knew that something was gonna happen. Faith also knew that Buffy could never have feelings for her so that wasn't the problem. It was just that Buffy seemed to bring out the worst in her.

She was still deep in thought when Kate came over to her side of the car and opened the door."Just because your my guest doesn't mean I'm gonna do everything. I'll carry your bags but I won't carry you so get off your ass and come on." Kate was smiling and that made Faith feel so much better. She shot Kate an Eat Shit Look and got out of the car. They walked into Kate's place and Faith looked around.

Kate looked at her in confusion "what?"

Faith laughed slightly "Nothing I just thought it would be cleaner that's all."

Kate shot her a look. "bite me." was all she said. Kate walked into the kitchen to start dinner. The two women ate, cleaned, watched TV and right before Kate went to bed. Faith explained everything to Kate the best she could. All of it, the slaying, the Buffy body deal, Her feelings for Buffy. When she was done Kate was stunned into silence, literally. Faith was waiting for Kate to blow up and tell her to leave but it never came.

Kate just took it all in and then yawned. "Wow! Ok I'm going to bed early day tomorrow." With that she got up and walked towards her room. Faith laid down on the couch. "Faith?" Faith turned around "I don't think anything less of you. If you ever want to talk I'm here" Kate smiled showing her that she meant it.

Faith smiled back "I know Katie. Thanks. Night."

With that both women went to sleep. Faith woke up to breakfast cooking on the stove. She opened her eyes to see Kate dressed in a very sexy but very business like suit cooking. She got up and walked into the kitchen.

" good morning Faith. I wasn't quite sure what you'd want for breakfast so i just made a bunch of food."

Faith smiled "Don't worry Kate I'll eat it all. You've never seen my appetite."

Faith started wolfing down food as Kate watched amazed. Faith saw Kate looking at her and smiled softly." It's part of being a slayer I guess. Everything I do makes me hungry and horny." Faith offered as part of her explanation. Kate shook her head and laughed. Faith had a way to responding to things that made her want to gasp in shock and laugh her ass off at the same time.

"Well, Anyway Miss human vacuum I'm off to work. Be home at 5 but you wanna do lunch around 1?" Kate wanted her to say yes.

Faith looked at her. "your gonna leave me here? alone?"

Kate laughed "Well yeah i planned on it unless you wanna come to work with me? Somehow I dont see that happening."

Faith laughed at her. Damn this was her Kate. Wait a minute had she thought that? Oh yeah she was falling for her. Well, they finished breakfast and Kate got her coat and walked out the door.

"See you at one? "

Faith nodded her head "Yeah and Kate Thanks again. Have a good day chasing the perps."

After Kate left Faith finished eating. Then she watched TV, Then she showered, then she cleaned. Then she was bored again. She went to Angel's to see if she could help somehow. Faith walked over too Angel's which wasn't very far from Kate's place. When she got there what no who she saw could have shocked her into a different timeline. Buffy was sitting on the corner of Cordelia's desk talking to her but she looked up as Faith entered the room.

Buffy put up her hands in surrender. "Despite what you may think I'm not here to fight. I just wanna talk and try to work things out between us."

Faith was disbelieving. Cordelia excused herself and left. Buffy and Faith just stood there until Faith decided to break the silence. "Why B? Why? "

Buffy looked hurt but she quickly covered it up. "Look, Faith, I know we left things undone and we both did things that we shouldn't have but the point is your a slayer, just as much as me and I feel tied to you, a slayer bond or something but I was hoping we could have a fresh start, a clean slate. And this time I'll be the friend that you need. I don't wanna fight with you Faith. I've missed you and I don't like us being on opposite sides." Buffy finished up and watched Faith for her reaction.

Faith smiled a small smile "sure B. I'd like that. " There was a moment of silence then Faith left to find Angel.After Talking to Angel about some new demon thingie on the loose she started to leave the office until Buffy stopped her. Faith turned around and waited for her to say something.

"Where are you going?" Buffy asked, not quite sure if it was her place to ask.

Faith hesitated and then replied "I have to meet Kate for lunch. I'll be back around later."

With that Faith walked out of the office. Buffy turned around to face Angel "So Faith and Kate? Their like friends? " She was trying to keep the jealous note out of her voice.

"Jealous Much? Not very becoming Buffy" Cordelia had to add her to sense she couldn't help it. Buffy just stood up and started to walk out.

Angel stopped her. "You couldn't understand what she has with Kate." Buffy looked up sharply "Not like that!" Angel assured her. "Kate was her friend because she believed in her and she believed her. They are alike in some ways and they differences draw them to one another. And with Kate, Faith trusts her more than anything or anyone and I'm sorry if that upsets you Buffy but it's the truth." With that Angel released his hold on her shoulder and let her walk out.

Cordelia looked up from her place at the desk "So was I the only one who noticed the little green eyes monster coming out in Buffy?"

Angel closed his eyes and shook his head "no I noticed it too But why? Why is she jealous?"

Cordelia laughed at his confusion. "And they say I'm a few fries short of a happy meal? Please! Open your eyes Angel!! Your little Buffy has the Hots for Faith. Duh!" Cordelia picked up a magazine and began flipping through it obviously ending the conversation for them. Angel shook his head. He refused to believe it.

Faith walked back to Kate's place. That's where Kate was gonna pick her up at. Damn her. Why? Why the fuck does she gotta come here and fuck with me? Faith knew that Buffy was telling the truth when she said she wanted to start over but when Faith was around Buffy all those feelings and desires came to the surface and Faith didn't want that. Faith was falling for Kate and even if Kate didn't return the feelings she was still her friend and faith liked that.. She respected that. That's why she didn't put the moves on her. Faith walked into Kate's place and sat on the couch waiting for her. When

Kate walked in she looked around her place in suprise. "Wow. Faith it looks beautiful. thanks. I never cleaned it this well before."

Faith laughed "Well you know me I was bored out of my damn mind."

They went to a little diner for lunch and Faith was pretty quiet. She barely even ate anything. Kate noticed this and she didn't want to push but she did want to know what was wrong.

"Ok Faith what's wrong? I know something's bugging you. Please tell me." Kate's eyes were pleading and Faith wouldn't say no. Well, Faith couldn't say no.

"Buffy's here. in LA. I saw her today." Kate didn't say anything. She just waited for Faith to finish."I'm not sure how to deal you know.I want to know why she's here." Kate felt a pang of jealousy but quickly pushed it away.

"Well, Why don't you ask her?" trust Kate to think of the logical thing to do.

"I'll figure it out." They finished lunch and then Kate drove her back to Angel's.

"Want me to pick you up at 5 or no?" Kate was waiting for an answer while Faith was debating something in her head. Faith looked up and smiled. She shook her head and opened the car door. Right before she slid out she leaned over and kissed the detective on the lips. Just a soft little kiss but Kate responded by gasping softly then running her tongue along Faith's bottom lip. When the kiss broke apart both women smiled and Faith walked into Angel's office while Kate drove away. Faith walked into Angel's office much happier than when she left and Buffy noticed this. After a while of Demon discussing Faith and Buffy went for a walk to finish sorting things out.

"So Why are you really here B?" Faith decided to take Kate's advice and just ask her straight out. Buffy looked slightly hurt but she wanted Faith to understand why she was there.

"I'm here because we ended things badly and I wanna make them right. I wanna be friends Faith." She took a deep breath and continued "I wanna be more than friends."

Buffy looked Faith straight in the eyes to see her reaction. Faith was about to have a heartattack.All this time she had hoped that Buffy would want to be with her but not now. Now she was over Buffy, well almost plus she had Kate now and she wasn't gonna give her up not even for Buffy. Faith turned around not wanting to look at her. Buffy placed a hand on her shoulder willing her to turn around.Faith turned around too face her.

"Why B? Why now? Because now you can't have me? Because I have Kate and your jealous? Why why the fuck do you have to do this now? Jesus B why?" Faith was yelling now drawing attention from other people. She took a deep breath and calmed down. Buffy looked near tears. Faith felt kinda bad.

"Faith I didn't mean..... I love you and I thought you felt the same way. I thought we could start over and maybe have something."

Faith shook her head. "Man I loved you B I really did. But now you expect me to go in there and break Kate's heart and go running back to sunnydale with you. Well, I can't B. I'm sorry I love you too and a part of me always will but I love Kate too and I wanna be with her. I think you should just leave now B." Faith leaned down and kissed Buffy on the cheek. Then she walked away. Away from her past and she headed for Kate's place. To her future.