When Lightning Strikes by My Osage

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: The characters of Buffy The Vampire Slayer do not belong to me. Wish they did. That creation credit belongs to Joss Whedon.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse /mysticmuse.net
Feedback: Yes, please
Author's Notes: We're in my world. There are never any men-type romantic relationships for anyone except that one night long ago between Buffy and Angel. Buffy and Faith are naturally and purely F/F.
Dedication: For my Canadian Beta Reader whose keen mind always knows what I mean to say, now matter how I write it.
Pairing: Buffy/Faith

Summary: A young slayer from Boston, unaware of what she is, by chance meets the original Chosen One.

As one vampire exploded into dust, Buffy realized that someone had seriously miscalculated the number of vampires that were supposed to rise in the cemetery tonight. Her information from the morgue had indicated two, not six, evil demons coming alive. 'Damn!' She cursed this ill-advised mission. It was definitely not going to be an easy night.

As she struggled with the remaining five vampires, Buffy was abruptly distracted by a different kind of tingling sensation than vampire detection. Suddenly she was not fighting alone. A blur in black tackled three of the vampires, wrestling them to the ground. The slayer continued fighting while trying to observe the leather-clad woman who had come to her aid. Two vampires were no match for the experienced slayer. She dusted her opponents quickly and turned in time to witness the other three vamps throwing her fellow fighter hard against a tombstone. Knowing the woman would very likely be unconscious, if not dead, she quickly started toward the remaining adversaries. When they saw the slayer approach, they left their prize and ran.

By the time Buffy reached her, the brunette had already scrambled to her feet. The slayer found it hard to believe that the girl was conscious, much less standing. And she was bleeding from a gash across her cheek.

Buffy had no idea what the woman meant. So she stepped closer to appraise her as best she could in the dim cemetery light. Despite the leather, an aura of cockiness and some rough fighting skills, Buffy guessed that she was probably still in her teens.

"You're hurt." Buffy stated the obvious. "I don't live very far. I can help you with that."

"Don't bother. I'm staying close by." The stranger started to walk away from her. "No big."

"Please." The slayer lightly caught the young woman's arm. "It's the least I can do."

The brunette looked down at the hand touching her arm. She gave a small tug and freed herself.

The women walked in silence to an inexpensive motel a few blocks from the cemetery. Buffy followed the stranger inside a room that had absolutely no decor. The furnishings were worn, but somewhat clean. There was a duffel bag in the corner. Nothing in the room revealed anything about the girl. The brunette walked into the bathroom and flipped on the harsh light. "In here," she said over her shoulder.

Buffy followed her into the bathroom. There was an extensive first aid kit already opened on the counter. A quick glance at it and the wastebasket told Buffy that the girl had been hurt often and recently. The young woman sat down on the closed toilet seat. She looked up at the blonde and waited.

When the slayer turned from the kit and got her first good look at the young fighter, she could only stop and stare. Even in the unforgiving glare of the cheap bathroom lights, the young woman looking up at her was gorgeous. There was a deep gash across her cheek and an ugly bruise darkening around the wound, yet she was still absolutely stunning. The brunette had long wavy hair and thick lashes framing eyes the color of semi-sweet chocolate. She had a strong jaw line that ended in a dimpled chin and her mouth was sensuous with a small cleft in the middle of a soft looking lower lip. Buffy thought that most women who were this beautiful would be running to the nearest plastic surgeon for an injury as bad as this. They certainly wouldn't be allowing some stranger to attend to it with some gauze and a bottle of disinfectant.

The young woman waited patiently for Buffy to finish appraising her. She was used to the reaction. Unless the person was some jerk off, she usually just rode out the effect she seemed to have on men and women alike. Wasn't her fault, she mentally pouted. She couldn't help the way she looked.

Buffy shook herself from her stupor and began to clean the wound as best she could. Though she knew attention to the cut must have hurt, the brunette didn't even flinch. A thought occurred to her as she closed the cut with paper strips.

When she finished, she thought what a shame it was that the injury would mar that exquisite face. "I'm afraid that'll leave a scar…"

"No it won't." Faith replied with certainty. She got up and closed the first aid kit. "Thanks."

Buffy walked out of the dingy bathroom to leave. At the door, she hesitated, looking back at the stranger. "Good night, Faith."

The pretty brunette leaning against the doorjamb of the bathroom merely nodded in response.

The next morning, Buffy was drawn back to the motel. She knocked on the door, but got no response. A stronger knock made the door slowly swing open. The room looked even more impersonal and dreary in the morning light. Buffy closed the door and approached the bed.

Looking down at the woman sleeping on the bed, Buffy was once again struck by her beauty. Before she realized what she was doing, she reached out and gently caressed the cheek she had attended to the night before. To her amazement, the bruise had disappeared and the gash was almost completely healed as well. Buffy was confused. 'How could she have healed so fast…'

Before the slayer could contemplate anything else about the sleeping woman, Faith grabbed her and flipped her across the bed. Within seconds, she was straddling Buffy and pinning the blonde's arms above her head with amazing strength.

Buffy was too stunned to respond. Faith was completely nude. The heat of embarrassment and an unexpected jolt of arousal clouded her mind. There was no alternative but to appreciate the powerful arms, shoulders and the lovely breasts that were directly in front of her eyes. She could feel Faith's muscular legs trapping her thighs. And a delicious sensation was permeating her pelvis where Faith sat astride her. She didn't respond. She could barely breathe.

When she was finally able to speak, she answered. "I just wanted to make sure you were all right."

Faith observed her captive for a few moments more before dismounting. She got off the bed and reached for a pair of jeans. Pulling them on and donning a tank top, she sat down on the only chair in the room and frowned at the blonde.

"Giles, is it possible that another slayer's been called?" Buffy asked that afternoon.

"I met someone." Buffy replied, pacing a bit. "She fights in cemeteries, she's amazingly strong and she heals faster than I do."

Giles thought for a moment. "I can check with the Council. But I would think they would tell me if there was another slayer."

In the evening, Buffy, Willow and Tara were watching a movie when Giles came to the house. "I have some rather startling news." He said as he joined them. "Apparently two years ago, after Kendra died, another slayer was called. In Boston. A watcher from that area was on her way to take charge of the girl. However, unbeknownst to the Council, the watcher died in a traffic accident on the way."

"Yes." Giles said in agreement. "Overnight, a potential, with absolutely no training or guidance whatsoever, received her powers and her instinct to fight. The Council has been trying to locate her using reports of unusual vampire activity. But she always moves too fast and too often for them to track her." He hesitated. "And to tell you the truth, without her knowing who and what she is, the Council considers her dangerous."

Buffy shook her head. She couldn't imagine how terrified and lonely Faith must have been. "She's not dangerous." The slayer insisted looking over at her watcher. "And they can't find her because they can't feel her." Then more to herself than to her friends, Buffy murmured, "I can."

When Buffy arrived at the cemetery the next night, she found Faith fighting several vampires. She watched the rogue slayer annihilate the evil beings. Her combat skills were raw and untamed. But she had an almost animalistic sense of survival that Buffy knew she didn't share. When the vampires where all destroyed, she joined the vision in black leather as she was walking away.

The rogue slayer's reaction was so quick that Buffy almost missed it. Faith swung at her and Buffy caught her fist mid-strike. Her super strength and speed were the only things that kept the punch from knocking her senseless.

Faith looked surprised for a moment, then lowered her fist and resumed her guarded expression. "Ok, so there are two of us…." She thought for a moment. "Are there more?....... Like us?"

"No." Buffy replied gently. "There are thousands of potential slayers all over the world. But only one is called at a time."

They started to walk together again, Faith obviously trying to digest this new information.

"I've always had a watcher, a sort of counselor, to help me." Buffy watched the young woman carefully. "I'd really like you to talk to him. He can explain so much more about how and why all this happened to you."

Faith wavered at the pretty blonde's imploring. There were so many questions she had about how her life had changed. As wary as she was, her desire for answers won out.

As they headed out of the cemetery, Faith asked. "If there's only supposed to be one slayer at a time, then what am I doing here?"

At the Summers' home, Faith was introduced to Willow, Tara and Giles. The watcher spent a good portion of the evening explaining the legacy into which Faith had been born. Buffy informed her about the life she'd led since she'd been called, including her momentary death at the hands of the Master. She told Faith about Kendra and how her death had resulted in the next slayer being called. It was a lot of information for Faith to absorb.

After Giles left, Buffy turned to the silent young woman. She had asked no questions nor made any comments during the dissertation. She looked somewhat dazed. "It's late, Faith. Why don't you stay here tonight? There's an extra bed set up in the basement." Buffy sat down next to Faith. "Maybe this will all seem less overwhelming in the light of day."

The next morning Tara looked up from putting the dishes away to see a sleepy slayer standing in the doorway.

"Sorry I missed breakfast." In the soft morning light, Tara thought she looked so young. "I'm kind of a late sleeper."

The witch smiled at her. "It's ok. Buffy and Willow had an early class. Are you hungry?"

Setting the mug of coffee down in front of her, Tara smiled at the slayer. "How about pancakes?"

The slayer watched Tara whip up the batter for pancakes. Faith liked her. She was pretty, kind and gentle. And she got the feeling that Tara had made no judgments about her like people usually did.

"No." Tara set a big plate of pancakes down in front of the slayer. "She's completely available."

Tara wasn't sure if Faith's expression lit up because of the pancakes or the news that Buffy was single. Either way, Tara was completely enchanted by the first grin she'd seen grace the younger woman's beautiful face since she'd arrived.

That evening Buffy managed to talk the rogue slayer into staying with them. Getting to know the young woman was not going to be an easy task. She was not very forthcoming with any information about her past. But after being in the friendly household for a few days, Faith agreed to move out of the dilapidated hotel permanently. She moved into the basement room at the Summers' home with the understanding that she would only stay there for as long as she was in town. And she didn't indicate how long that would be.

After two weeks of being with the three women, Faith thought she had figured them out. Tara was warm, encouraging, and easy to talk to. Willow was really smart and funny. Buffy was just plain hot. She was an incredible woman, irresistible and so fucking hot.

But she had a lot of questions about Buffy. So many things she wanted to know but couldn't bring herself to ask the blonde beauty. So she confided in Tara. Whenever she was unsure, the Wiccan often soothed away many of the uncertainties that she had about being a part of the slayer's life. She appreciated the comforting effect Tara had on her.

One afternoon in the dining room, Tara and Faith had just finished yet another quiet chat about Buffy. "Thanks T." Faith got up from the table. Leaning down she gave the witch a chaste kiss of gratitude.

Buffy walked into the room just in time to see the seemingly intimate display. The sick feeling that immediately took up residence in her stomach was unfamiliar. But anger overtook her almost as fast and she didn't have the opportunity to recognize the strange emotion. Jealousy.

The dark slayer looked up and smiled. "Hey, B." Almost immediately her smile faded. She sensed intense negativity coming from her counterpart, though she had no idea why.

Faith followed the irritated slayer to the basement where Buffy turned on her suddenly.

"It was nothin'!" exclaimed Faith finally shouting back. "Why are you yellin' at me?"

For that Buffy had no answer. At least not one that she was willing to voice. But then Faith finally recognized what she was seeing in Buffy's eyes. She had been the reason fueling people's jealous rants practically all her life.

"Oh... I get it." The gorgeous brunette purred, calming considerably. "Why didn't ya just say so?"

Before Buffy could even react, Faith reached out and pulled her close. Her lips descended on the blonde's while their bodies were caught in a crushing embrace. Buffy's mind was backpedaling as fast as it could, urging her to break away. But her body had taken charge and all it wanted was to be intimately entwined with Faith's. The kiss was intense and invasive. The extreme pleasure of the exchange was coupled with intimate feelings being revealed. Buffy knew if she didn't stop, Faith would know everything she couldn't yet express, even to herself. Buffy panicked. With a great force of will she broke off the kiss, pushed Faith away and slapped her hard across the face.

Faith was momentarily stunned at the open-handed blow. She had clearly seen jealousy in the smaller slayer's eyes and felt desire evident in her body's response. So she didn't understand why Buffy had hit her. No one had dared to slap her in years. Anger rose in her eyes and set itself in her expression. But she did nothing as Buffy turned and escaped up the stairs.

A little while later, a white napkin waved around the open door to Buffy's bedroom. It was followed by Willow leaning in around the doorjamb. "Is it safe to come in?"

"Yeah." Buffy was on her bed, sitting up against her headboard, looking dejected.

"You know that whatever happened, it was innocent." The witch assured her. "Tara's been trying to gain Faith's confidence and get her to open up. She's comfortable with Tara."

"I know that. But when I saw them together, I just lost it." Buffy was still rocked by her reactions. "I've never felt like that before. Not even with Angel." Buffy tried to explain to her always-sympathetic friend. "I feel a pull toward her that I never felt with Kendra." Buffy stared at her hands while she struggled with her emotions. "It's more than wanting to be with her, Wil. I'm beginning to feel like I need her." Buffy looked up into the Wiccan's eyes. "And that scares me."

Faith didn't look up when she heard Buffy come down the stairs. Buffy saw immediately that Faith was stuffing her few possessions into her duffel bag.

"Faith, look, I'm sorry. I overreacted." Buffy implored. "When I saw you and Tara together....."

"I wouldn't do nothin' to hurt them." Faith turned and indicated the witches with a toss of her head.

"I know what it was about." Faith snapped. Returning to her packing she added. "And I don't need that shit either."

The rogue slayer was obviously still angry. Buffy could feel it. But she was also hurt. And that was something Buffy hadn't expected. Her voice softened.

Faith stopped packing again. She seemed to have no defense against Buffy's pleading. And she really didn't want to leave. This was as close as she'd ever felt to actually belonging somewhere. But her fellow slayer's behavior had upset and confused her.

Buffy put her hand gently on Faith's arm, turning her so that she could see her face.

The blonde sighed, reached up and softly brushed her fingers though a lock of silky brown hair. If she wanted Faith to stay, Buffy would have to be honest with her.

"I've been on my own since I was 14." Faith confided. "I got tired of the beat…" She hesitated, stealing a quick glance at Buffy. "I mean, things just didn't work out where my mom was staying. So I took off. Worked odd jobs and crashed wherever I could."

"Then one night when I was 16, I'm walking down the street after work and I suddenly feel kinda strange. I lean up against a wall and some guy comes along thinkin' he's maybe gonna take advantage, ya know?" Buffy put her hand gently on Faith's thigh. "I went to push him off me." Faith grinned at the memory. "And I wound up throwing him clear across the street…"

"After a few days of like breakin' everything I touched, I started having this really strong urge to fight. I mean stronger than the one I usually had." Faith looked at Buffy's hand on her thigh but made no move to touch her in return. "I started going to cemeteries at night and running up against these really ugly types." Faith thought a moment. "I didn't know exactly what they were, but yet I must have known. I've been killing vampires and demons across this country for over two years. Never quite belonging anywhere, I guess. But always headin' west. Maybe I was supposed to come here all along."

Faith had never had the opportunity to talk to anyone about her life. She'd never had friends, never had anyone in her life who'd meant anything to her. She felt out of place being with people who cared so much about each other. But even though she was unfamiliar with these unusual family ties, she desperately wanted to fit in.

After having patrolled together for several more weeks, Buffy had learned Faith's fighting methods. She fought with absolute rage against the evil undead who dared to rise in her world and prey on the innocent. She was brutal and careless. She really was an animal when it came to slaying, truly a hunter of the night with no regard for her own safety. The Chosen One could see why Faith's first aid kit had been used so much. It seemed to her that Faith thought she was invincible. She was surprised that Faith had survived so long on her own. Buffy hoped that Faith would be willing to work with her so that she might teach her the skills that she'd been taught. She desperately wanted the young woman to be hurt less often and live longer.

One night, after a particularly busy patrol, Buffy went down to the basement to see Faith. The brunette was tending to several wounds she'd sustained during the night's encounters. Buffy watched the young beauty clean and bandage her injuries with efficient nonchalance.

"Ya know, Faith, just because you heal fast," Buffy hesitated, "really, really fast in fact, doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful."

Faith gave her a puzzled look as the older slayer crossed the room and sat beside her on her bed. She took both of Faith's hands in hers before looking up into the expressive brown eyes of her counterpart.

"Faith, you're fearless... and you're reckless." Buffy admonished gently. "And that makes you vulnerable." The brunette watched Buffy with interest. "I don't want to lose you." Buffy continued. "So I was thinking that maybe we could start training together. Then we can learn from each other how to be the strongest and most prepared slayers that ever lived. Would that be ok with you?"

The thought of spending more time with the blonde, sparring with her, touching her, was all good in Faith's book. "Sure, B." The rogue slayer smiled. She was not above learning a few more fighting skills. But it was the thought of being close to Buffy that filled her mind. They'd never talked about that "hungry and horny" thing that always affected Faith so strongly after she fought. But maybe they could help each other out in that department too.

A few days later, after a particularly intense sparring session, the slayers were resting against the cool cement surface of the basement floor. Buffy seemed merely out of breath after the workout. But Faith felt the lustfulness that she always felt after throwing her body into the fray.

Buffy watched her counterpart thinking. She could tell there was more she wanted to know. "What?"

"Do you also get...." Faith faltered briefly. "Ya know…hot?" She looked at her hands for a moment before looking back up at Buffy. "I mean.... do ya need to.... you know.... get off.... ?" Damn… B. would think she was such a moron.

Buffy blushed slightly as the question sunk in. Faith wanted to know if slaying turned her on. She should have known the sexy young slayer would eventually ask her that.

Taking a deep breath, she faced Faith. "Yes, slaying….excites me." She smiled at the young slayer. "I guess hungry and horny go with the territory."

Faith nodded in agreement. But she wasn't finished. "So, what do you do about it?"

Again Buffy hadn't expected Faith to ask for such intimate details. Wanting to know how she got her sexual release seemed so, well, so personal. "Well, I don't have a girlfriend," Buffy confided, "so that makes it difficult."

"Oh…not much." Faith answered without looking at Buffy. The blonde knew she was lying.

"Faith." Buffy brought her fingers up to Faith's chin and gently made her face her. "Whatever you do, it's all right."

The young slayer avoided Buffy's eyes again. "I'd go to bars, find a chick that I liked the looks of and go home with her. I did a couple of guys at first. But that really wasn't my thing."

"And the women…they'd just go with you?" Buffy was slightly shocked. "Always?"

Faith nodded. "Yeah, pretty much." Looking back up at Buffy, she added. "It's probably a slayer thing, huh?"

Buffy laughed softly. Smiling at her stunning companion, she answered. "No. I think it's probably a Faith thing."

The next evening was busy and involved a large amount of slaying prowess. The two slayers were completely wired by the time they arrived back at Buffy's home. That accounted for the massive pizza delivery at such a late hour. Faith alone had devoured two large pies. Buffy marveled at her ability to eat. As she ate a whole pizza by herself, she wondered how Faith had survived for so long with such a voracious appetite and practically no money. She watched the brunette finish her post slaying feast. Particularly watching her mouth move, her lips…

Faith looked up suddenly from her slice of pizza. She caught Buffy's stare. She could feel the heat generating between them. The mere idea of getting her post slaying release with the knockout blonde sent her already overactive sex drive into turbo charge. She put the food down and started to stand up.

'Oh god…What am I doing?' Buffy practically knocked her chair over in her haste to put some distance between her and Faith. She could feel her own needs pushing her toward the luscious brunette. Suddenly she could understand what all those women must have felt when Faith walked into a bar after she'd been slaying. Never in her life had she felt a sexual pull so strong. No relationship in her experience had ever been fraught with this kind of craving. No other woman that she'd had the slightest interest in had been this addicting.

"I'm tired. See you in the morning." Buffy managed to say before fleeing to her room.

Faith sat back down at the table, trying to figure out what had just happened. Here she was, wicked horny, and so was Buffy. She could feel it. Fuck, she could practically taste the passion radiating from the petite slayer. So why weren't they hitting the sheets about now, taking care of business?

Faith cleaned up the remnants of their snack and headed downstairs. She dropped her clothes quickly and lay down on her cot. Damn, it would have been so hot to have Buffy under her right now. But it looked like it was gonna be another night with her own hand and thoughts of that sexy slayer sleeping upstairs. She closed her eyes and let her fingertips start their familiar path over her nipples. Gently stroking and pinching, she felt them begin to harden. Damn, that felt so good. Even better if Buffy's fingers were doin' it. She thought back to the way she'd felt after all the vampires were dusted tonight. Her breathing heavy, her heart racing, her whole body still aching for action. She remembered the way Buffy had been watching her mouth earlier. She envisioned that pretty blonde's head buried between her legs. She bent her right knee, propping it up against the wall. Spreading her left leg, she braced her foot on the floor. Still teasing her nipples with her right hand, her left hand traveled to where her imaginings were creating the most delicious torture.

Buffy returned to the kitchen. She felt bad about rushing off and leaving Faith to clean up after them. How long had it been since she'd acted like such an adolescent? Looking around, she realized that Faith had already cleared away the remnants of their meal. She was about to go back upstairs when she heard a low moaning sound coming from the basement. Her conscious rationale told her that Faith might be hurt or having a bad dream. But her subconscious libido knew exactly what she was hearing. She quietly descended a few steps into the basement just enough to see into the room. The moonlight coming through the windows high on the wall illuminated Faith quite clearly. One look told Buffy that she should go and let Faith have some privacy. Yes, she should go…right now…before Faith realized she was there…Yes, she was leaving…any minute…

The blonde froze, thinking at first that Faith had discovered her. But then she sank down onto the steps in comprehension. Faith was calling out her name not because she was aware of her watching, but because she was on the slayer's mind as she touched herself. Buffy's already tingling crotch took a giant leap toward carnality.

'Fuck…so hot…' Faith had slipped her fingers inside her soaked center to gather all that slippery goodness up over her clit. Bringing her right hand down between her legs as well, she spread herself open as her fingers teased her hungry node. She was unaware that since she'd been here she often called out Buffy's name when she masturbated. And when she was hot like this, the blonde was all she could think about.

Buffy avidly watched the ardent exhibition because she literally could not turn away. She was mesmerized by Faith's sensuous body, the uninhibited demonstration of her desires and Buffy's barely controlled yearning to join the lustful slayer. She longed to take Faith's hands away, replace them with her own and make Faith call out her name for real. Buffy pressed her hand between her legs trying to stop her own throbbing.

The stroking was paying off now. Faith's hips were moving and she had plunged two fingers into her vagina. She continued rubbing her clit faster while she fucked herself with her fingers. "Oh god…" she cried out loud as her impending orgasm gathered strength. "Oh god, B…please…" Faith was begging and panting now, her fingers flying over her sensitive places. "Fuck, baby!… need it…oh god…B…fuck…so good...... B…fuck!"

The moaning and calling out to Buffy reached a crescendo and the beautiful slayer climaxed. Collapsing down onto the bed afterward Faith stopped all movement but left her fingers buried deep inside her. As Buffy silently made her way back up the stairs she heard Faith whisper. "Want you, B…want you so bad…."

It was always ominous when vampire activity came to a standstill. Several nights before, it had been busy. But since then the slayers had encountered none of the undead. Willow and Tara had joined Buffy and Faith to see if their Wiccan powers could detect what might be coming. By the time they reached the last cemetery, clouds had begun to gather quickly. Rain threatened and the air felt charged. As soon as they stepped inside the gates, the group noticed a lone vampire standing on top of a distant mausoleum. As they approached it, the skies opened up and it started to rain. The downpour distracted the slaying party from the currents in the sky. Suddenly there was a loud clap of thunder that got everyone's attention as lightning crashed down, breaking off a nearby tree limb. Willow looked up and saw the vampire's eyes glow as another bolt of current descended from the sky. The vampire held out its hand and instead of the streak of electricity hitting the ground, it changed its course, aiming directly at Buffy. Willow screamed Buffy's name, but that only caused the slayer to turn toward her best friend's voice. Faith saw the flash and where it was heading. She launched herself at Buffy with speed she didn't even know she possessed. Buffy was knocked out of the way and the bolt connected with Faith's right shoulder. The force threw the brunette clear across four rows of graves. She rolled to a stop and was still. When Buffy looked back at the mausoleum, the vampire was gone. She rushed to Faith's side, but Tara and Willow were already there.

"Oh god…please, Wil." Buffy was so frightened. "Please tell me she's not dead…."

"No, she's not. But getting hit by lightning, even a glancing blow, can't be good. Even for a slayer." Willow answered. "She's out cold. Can you carry her home?"

As they started back, the rain stopped just as suddenly as it had started. Tara voiced all of their concerns. "Since when does a vampire have the power to direct lightning bolts?"

"I don't know." Buffy muttered through gritted teeth. "But I'm damn sure gonna find out."

"How is she?" Willow asked as she came into Buffy's room later. The slayer was sitting on the bed in her robe watching Faith.

Willow came over and looked down at the brave, young slayer. "You know Buffy, that lightning bolt," the witch frowned. "I saw it. It was meant for you."

"That vampire was aiming that lightning bolt at you." She said gently. "That's why I yelled at you. If that bolt had hit you directly in the chest, my guess is that it would have stopped even your heart cold." Willow put her hand on Buffy's shoulder. Nodding to the unconscious slayer on the bed, she said. "That girl just saved your life."

Pain finally woke Faith. Buffy was still sitting by her side in a robe, her hair damp. There was an icepack on Faith's shoulder. "Hey," Buffy whispered. "How do you feel?"

Faith tried to do a quick inventory of her body. The first thing she noticed was that she was in Buffy's bed dressed only in boxers under the covers. She also noticed that her nerves were still tingling and her shoulder hurt. "Like someone cranked up the wattage on a stun gun." When Buffy frowned, Faith clarified. "I know what that feels like…" then added, "don't ask."

Buffy explained to Faith what little they knew so far. Faith listened intently and then commented somewhat sheepishly. "I seem to have lost my clothes."

The blonde blushed slightly. "You were soaking wet," she explained. "The leather pants may recover," she smiled down at Faith. "But I'm afraid the jacket is toast." Faith groaned. She didn't mention that Faith's tank top was fine, as was the red lace bra she'd also carefully removed. Despite her worry, Buffy was not about to confess how pleasurable it was to undress Faith. Especially after she'd witnessed such an intimate Faith moment a few nights before. And she certainly wasn't about to admit her chagrin when she found that Faith didn't wear anything under her leathers.

"You need to rest." Buffy announced, distracted by the memory of Faith's delicious body. Then the idea of losing Faith flashed across her mind and she involuntarily shuddered. "I thought you'd be more comfortable in a real bed." She got up to leave, but Faith caught her hand. "What is it?"

Buffy sat back down on the bed. "You saved my life tonight." Buffy acknowledged trying to keep her voice even. "But you could've just as easily been killed."

Faith watched the emotions play across Buffy's face. Yes, she would have without a doubt given her life for Buffy. She took Buffy's hand, lightly caressing it with her thumb. Faith wanted Buffy to stay with her. She wanted Buffy to lie down beside her so that she could try to convince herself that she had a real place in this incredible woman's life.

Faith searched the hazel eyes of the woman who'd already come to mean so much to her.

"I don't wanna be alone anymore." She said softly. "And I don't wanna do…this…" indicating the life she'd been chosen to lead, "without you."

The subtle, revealing admission made Buffy feel as though her heart might break from wanting to protect her fellow slayer. She wanted nothing more than to lock the bedroom door, take Faith in her arms and keep her safe. Instead, she leaned down and kissed Faith's cheek. "It's true that in the past slayers have led notoriously short lives, Faith. But you and I are gonna change all that. You're not going be alone anymore."

Early the next morning, Willow answered a knock at the front door. She opened it to a very pretty young woman. Not your typical southern California girl. Her hair was probably naturally platinum because her skin was so fair that it was practically transparent. The most colorful thing about the girl was her brilliantly bright blue eyes. But her serious expression and her words contradicted her benign appearance.

"I was at the cemetery last night. I think the Slayer may want to hear what I have to say."

Buffy, Willow and Tara sat in the living room listening to the young woman who had said her name was Jenny. She told them it was her brother, Michael, who had attacked them the previous night.

"Yes, I know." Jenny confirmed. She explained how over the last five years her brother had become obsessed with lightning. "He studied and researched meteorology, metaphysics, and even certain black magic trying to understand and control it. He spent practically every night at that cemetery trying to harness that aspect of nature's power. I never believed he'd be able to do it. But he practiced for years until he had perfected his abilities."

"I'm surprised vampires didn't kill him during all those nights he spent at the cemetery." Willow commented.

"That's how he became acquainted with the vampire world." Jenny conceded. "They may have found him amusing at first. But once he convinced them that he could actually possess such a deadly weapon, he was able to offer the vampires a deal."

Jenny dropped her eyes for a moment before speaking. "If the vampires would agree to turn him, he'd use his power over lightning to kill the slayer."

Suddenly Buffy felt the now familiar tingling sensation and turned her head toward the stairs. As she did so, the other three women followed her eyes and focused on Faith silently coming down the stairs. She was still dressed in the light gray boxers and had donned one of Buffy's tight white tank tops. Her smooth, muscular legs flexed with every slow step and her breasts strained at the thin white cotton. Her only imperfection was the fading bruise on her right shoulder. Unbeknownst to Faith, the entire ensemble brilliantly displayed her tantalizing aura of sexual magnetism.

The young woman was the first to break the silence as Faith reached the bottom of the stairs. "I thought you were dead."

"Yeah? I get that a lot." Faith grinned as she crossed the room and perched on the armrest of Tara's chair.

Faith did a quick assessment of the stranger. It took only a moment for her to decide that the sweet young thing on the couch was about her age, very pretty, and had that sexy virgin thing goin' on. Definitely do-able.

Then her gaze shifted to Buffy. Their eyes locked as Faith ticked off the items on the mental list she had of her:

Looking back at the young woman seated between Willow and Buffy she asked. "So who are you?"

The young blonde just continued to stare at Faith, so Willow answered for her. "This is Jenny. She was telling us that the vampire who attacked us last night was once her brother. His intent is to kill the slayer."

Buffy turned her attention back to Jenny again. "Why is it so important to kill me? Another slayer will just be called to take my place."

"But.." Faith started to add that another slayer had already been called. Buffy shot her a look and Faith frowned at her, but fell silent. Buffy didn't trust this girl yet. If Jenny didn't know that Faith was a slayer too, then she wanted to keep it that way.

Jenny finally tore her eyes away from Faith and looked at Buffy. "Well, the vampires told Michael that the current slayer had proven to be quite…resilient and effective. Apparently you're the most successful slayer the vampire world has seen in years. They believe that they'd fare better with a new, inexperienced slayer. And if Michael can kill you, they also think he'll be able to kill any other slayer that comes after you."

The statement riled Faith. She was the slayer that came after. And she was no slouch in that department. Ok, so she'd not had the advantages that Buffy had. But she was still damn good at what she did. And she had a string of demon and vampire deaths across the country to prove it. This "Buffy's the only worthy slayer" crap was pissing her off.

"Even if you have help from your friends and your…" Jenny paused to sweep her eyes over Faith again, "athletic girlfriend, they still believe he can make good on his promise."

"She's not my girlfriend." Buffy mused absentmindedly as she considered the threat. Then she noticed that Jenny continued to observe Faith way too closely. "Faith, why don't you go get dressed."

"Sure B." Faith practically smirked. "If you'll tell me where you put my clothes."

Tara tried to hide her smile and Willow snorted out a laugh before she could stop herself.

Faith gave Jenny a sly wink and got up off the chair's armrest. Both blondes stared after her as she walked out of the room.

When Buffy excused herself to call Giles, Tara and Willow took Jenny into the kitchen for coffee. Once she thought that Buffy was out of earshot, Jenny asked. "So, are they involved or not?"

"I've never met anyone like her." Jenny confessed, obviously referring to the dark seductress without having to say so.

Looking over her shoulder as she picked up the coffee carafe, Willow stated. "That's because there isn't anyone like her."

"She's just so…" Jenny faltered trying to come up with a word to describe Faith.

Setting the steaming cup down in front of the clearly smitten young woman, Tara smiled gently. "Yeah, we know."

After Jenny had given Buffy her phone number and left, the three women gathered around the dining table. Tara was already consulting their spell books. Willow was at her computer researching meteorological anomalies. Buffy was going over the layout of the cemetery that Michael had chosen for his assassination attempt.

Faith came up the stairs to see that everyone was working on something. "What do you want me to do, B?" Faith asked, eager to assist.

"I want you to keep Jenny occupied for now." Buffy replied without looking up from the map. "I don't want her to have a chance to contact her brother before we come up with a plan."

The comment stung the young slayer. Just when she'd started to feel like part of the team, they cut her out. Her quick temper flared. "Oh, I see. All I'm good for is fightin' 'em and fuckin' 'em, right? Shit." She abruptly turned and disappeared back into the basement.

Buffy sighed. She hadn't meant to sound like she was excluding the new slayer. She had a very specific and crucial goal in mind for her. But obviously Faith had no idea how important her role would be.

Descending the stairs, Buffy could hear Faith pounding on the workout bag. Buffy watched her for a moment. Sleek and powerful, her fellow slayer was angry and unhappy. Buffy came up behind her and stopped her attack by gently encircling her arms and waist.

"Hey." She said softly. "I didn't mean to shut you out, Faith. But we all have our strong points."

"Well, I'm sure you don't want me to fight Jenny." Faith countered. "So I guess that means you want me to 'distract' her in another way."

"It's ok B. She's got that sexy virgin thing goin' on." Faith's tone dripped sarcasm. "That's always fun."

"Yeah, right." This time Faith did break away from Buffy's hold. "You tell yourself that next time you watch me gettin' myself off."

Sometime later, Buffy went to Tara's room where she found the witch sitting on her bed speaking softly to Faith. The rogue slayer was listening intently and nodding intermittently. They both looked up when they noticed Buffy at the door.

"Ok, so what am I supposed to do, dazzle her with my conversation?" Faith sounded resigned.

"I can't be just another conquest, Faith." Buffy sat down on the bed next to the dark beauty. "I can't be just the means to a release of post slaying lust." She held Faith's eyes. "I need more."

There was a moment of silence before Faith got up and put the length of the room between them. Buffy heard her quietly admit. "I don't know how to do…more."

Buffy followed her and drew her into a warm embrace. "Then I'll show you." She murmured, holding Faith securely in her arms. "I'll show you how."

Jenny was waiting at the coffee house where Faith had suggested they meet. She'd left her apartment the instant after Faith had called. She knew in light of all that was happening she shouldn't be so excited. But for the moment, seeing Faith again was all she could think about.

When the slayer walked in, Jenny literally held her breath. As did quite a few of the café's other patrons. But Faith ignored all of them, focusing only on the lovely fair-haired woman at the corner table.

Faith had hardly sat down when the waitress was leaning over her asking what she could get for her. As a mocha was being prepared, Jenny finally found her voice. "What did you want to see me about? Does the Slayer have more questions?"

The night was still warm as Faith walked Jenny home. They'd spent several hours talking at the café. Jenny told Faith about her privileged upbringing. It all sounded like such a fairytale to Faith. Loving parents, a doting brother, wealth, safety and security. But that had all changed five years earlier when lightning had struck the car her parents and brother were driving in. There followed a horrific crash of which only her brother had somehow miraculously survived. That's when she'd started to lose Michael, little by little, day by day.

Faith couldn't sympathize with losing such a wonderful life filled with love. She'd had no such existence. But she did know what it was like to feel like you were all alone in this world. Jenny listened as Faith talked about her abusive alcoholic mother, her absentee father and the precarious life she'd led on her own. Though their paths couldn't have been more different, the two women had still arrived at the same place. Loneliness.

Arriving at Jenny's apartment door, the slayer touched the blonde's arm as she unlocked her door. "Jenny, I don't want you to go to the cemetery for a while. Things may happen soon and I don't want you to get hurt."

Jenny could feel the sincerity in Faith's tone and see it in her eyes. Standing so close to the slayer, she forgot her nervousness and her sense of decorum. Jenny leaned forward slightly. Faith had only a minuscule distance to close in order to kiss her. She didn't.

"But if I wasn't....." Jenny looked back to see Faith flash a blinding smile that the young woman could feel clear down into her groin. "I'd be all over you in a heartbeat."

"I still don't understand why Michael is using that cemetery or that particular mausoleum." Willow complained. "There is no geological, atmospheric, or even magical significance."

"It's because that's where his parents are buried." Faith answered as she came into the dinning room. "It's where he feels the safest and the most powerful."

"Safely tucked in for the night." Faith replied. As she leaned down and softly kissed Buffy's cheek, she whispered. "And not by me."

The women went over their scenario, filling Faith in on the how their intricately designed plan would work. In reality, the scheme was a simple ruse. But the timing would be crucial.

Faith was momentarily shocked by Buffy's calm reply. With all the razzle-dazzle that would be in play tomorrow night, that was the one task she had forgotten about. Someone had to take out that sonofabitch. And Buffy had known all along that it would have to be her. Faith's expression hardened with resolve.

It was a simple statement. But Buffy knew at that moment there was no one else she could trust more with her life than this rogue slayer with the courageous heart.

When the house was quiet, Buffy went to the basement. Faith's light was still on and she was studying the cemetery map. Buffy smiled at her determination to be as prepared as possible. Faith looked up as Buffy reached the bottom of the stairs.

Crossing over to Faith's bed, she sat down, took the map out of Faith's hands and put it on the bedside table. "You should get some sleep tonight."

"I'm restless." Admitted the young slayer. "I'm used to doing. This planning thing sucks."

Leaning down, Buffy lightly kissed Faith's lips. As much as Faith wanted to take hold of the other slayer and deepen the contact, she didn't. She'd never been kissed so gently. Buffy's lips were tantalizingly soft. Faith was afraid of making any overt move, lest Buffy stop the sweet connection.

Separating slowly, Buffy rose up and looked down at the other half of the slaying duo. "Do you want me to stay with you tonight?"

For an answer, Faith pulled back the covers and moved back to make room for her. Buffy knew that Faith slept in the nude. But the lovely sight still momentarily stalled any movement on her part. When she got her bearings again, she stood and let her robe slide off her body; leaving her wearing only panties and soft smile. The young brunette couldn't help letting out a tiny moan as her gaze swept appreciatively up the beautiful body on display before her. Her appraisal ended looking directly into hazel eyes.

Buffy sighed at the not so subtle yearning she saw in those deep brown eyes. From the moment she'd met the rogue slayer, the idea that they might become much more than slaying partners and friends was always in the back of her mind. Climbing into the bed, she drew the blankets over them. She slid her legs and her back up against Faith's chest and thighs. There was a small shudder that Faith couldn't stifle from feeling Buffy's satiny skin pressed up against her own. Buffy turned her head and kissed the brunette again. Then she reached up and turned off the light. Buffy pulled Faith close, effectively making Faith spoon her. Then she let herself be wrapped up in Faith's arms.

Buffy had argued with Willow earlier about sleeping with Faith tonight. Tara sensed that the closer the slayers got, the stronger their connection became. If they were very attuned to each other, then that would help confuse Michael when he tried to zero in on Buffy tomorrow night. But because Buffy wanted so badly to actually spend the night in Faith's embrace, it felt deceptive to know that it was also beneficial to their plan. She couldn't tell Faith that being held by her was anything more than what Buffy was really feeling. She was falling in love with the rebel slayer.

Sex had only fleetingly crossed Faith's mind as she welcomed Buffy into her bed. She'd never thought much about lying with someone to comfort them. She'd never had the opportunity. But holding Buffy like this actually relaxed her. "S'ok, B." She murmured into the blonde hair she was nuzzling. "I've gotcha."

It was late afternoon when the foursome arrived at the cemetery Michael used. The witches began to set up an area for their spell. It required a place hidden from Michael where Buffy could stand in a circle of quartz. A special incantation would reproduce Buffy's exact image wherever the smaller matching crystals were placed. Willow handed Buffy and Faith thirteen of the matching marble-sized pieces.

"Place them randomly around the front of the mausoleum. But not too close." Willow instructed.

The slayers spread the rocks around and ended up at the mausoleum. It was an ornate structure with two names engraved in the marble.

When the sun was close to setting, Faith turned to go to her hiding place behind the mausoleum. Buffy suddenly put her hands on either side of Faith's face, pulled her close and kissed her intensely.

When Buffy let her go, Faith grinned and said. "You makin' sure I come back, B?"

"Do your thing, ladies." Faith addressed Willow and Tara before turning to leave. "And I'll do mine."

When darkness descended on the graveyard, the four women watched as Michael emerged from his parents' tomb. He climbed up on the roof and surveyed the burial ground laid out before him. Something was different tonight. He could feel the slayer. She was here. It was finally time to fulfill his destiny.

Faith watched as several vampires begin to surround Michael's crypt. 'Shit.' She hadn't figured that the vampire would be quite so well protected. This was not going to be as easy as she'd thought. But she was used to diving into the fray. It was how she'd always fought in this life. No plotting, no planning. Just throwing herself in and comin' out on top…

Willow and Tara begin to chant softly as Michael appeared on the rooftop in front of them. Buffy had also seen the gathering of bodyguards. It was an unexpected glitch in their plan that was going to put Faith up against imposing odds. "Now, Buffy." She heard Willow say. "And remember, you have to stay within the circle or the images will disappear." The slayer held her breath and stepped into the magical ring.

As Faith moved up closer behind him, Michael tried to focus on where he was sensing the slayer. At first he thought she was in front of him. But now he seemed to feel her behind him. Looking back over his shoulder, he was trying to figure it out when he heard one of the vampires on the roof with him utter. "What the hell…..."

When Michael turned back toward the front of the cemetery, it looked as though there were slayers everywhere. He was momentarily confused. But then he got angry. It was a trick. The slayer was trying to make a fool of him. "What's going on?" asked one of the vampires. "It doesn't matter," growled Michael. "I'll send bolts through every last one of them until I get her."

When all eyes were distracted by the appearance of Buffy images scattered about the graves, Faith started to run toward the back of the tomb. She had a short sword and several stakes. She beheaded two of the vampires before they became aware of her. She took out the third almost as quickly. She climbed to the roof, stuck her head up and then immediately ducked. A foot shot out where her head should have been. She grabbed the boot and yanked its owner off the roof. By now, the three vampires guarding each of the other sides of the crypt knew there was an intruder. She pulled herself up and staked the vampire who was left on the roof. But the opening between her and Michael closed rapidly as the remaining vampires climbed up from the ground around the mausoleum.

Clouds began to gather in the sky above them. The air was thick with humidity. Michael was unaware of the battle about to be waged behind him. He held out his hand and a flash of lightning came down from the sky. It changed direction at Michael's hand and shot out at a Buffy replica. The witches jumped at the sound of the loud bang as the lightning hit a marker behind the hologram. Willow and Tara watched as a brawl ensued behind Michael. Buffy could see it as well. As Michael fired shot after shot at Buffy's likeness, it was all the slayer could do to remain standing within the circle.

Faith punched, kicked and fought for all she was worth. She managed to stake two more of the evil beings, but the surviving vampires were gaining the advantage. Faith could hear the lightning bursts hitting the various targets. Time was running out. Struggling to get to Michael before he got past the illusions, she refused to give up even as the vampires overwhelmed her.

"Faith!" Buffy screamed as she watched the vampires take Faith down. Despite Willow's warning, she couldn't maintain her position any longer. She broke out of her stance and started to run toward the mausoleum.

"Buffy! No!" shouted Willow. But it was too late. The moment Buffy moved out of the ring of crystals the magical holograms disappeared, leaving one very real image of the slayer running directly into Michael's line of fire. 'There you are…' An evil grin appeared on the vampire's face as he held out his hand and summoned another lightning charge. There was no way he could miss her from this range.

"Noooooo!!" Faith yelled as she saw Buffy running toward them. Faith was still wrestling futilely with the eight vampires trying to keep her away from Michael and kill her in the process. But as she saw an electric bolt descending from the sky, she somehow managed to drag her assailants close enough to Michael. With every ounce of strength left in her being, she freed her left hand and plunged her stake into Michael's back. It penetrated deeply and directly through into his unbeating heart. Time seemed to stand still as the vampire's body disintegrated. The lightning continued on its directed path to the spot where Michael had been standing, exploding into the top of the mausoleum. The roof collapsed sending Faith and the eight vampires plunging to the floor below.

During the struggle, Buffy had continued running toward the fray. Willow and Tara were not far behind. Reaching the crypt, Buffy shattered the door; staking three vampires before they even knew she was there. Faith was on the ground battling the remaining five undead. Two vampires turning to take on Buffy gave Faith the advantage she needed. She satisfied her hunger for vengeance by staking two immediately. The slayers disposed of the last of the undead almost simultaneously. Faith grinned up at her counterpart. She was dirty, beaten, bleeding, and alive. And Buffy thought she'd never seen anything more beautiful in her life.

Buffy grabbed Faith, pulled her up, and encompassed her in a slayer-strengthened hug. Then she let her go just enough to kiss her fiercely. A hundred thoughts had raced through her mind as the vampires appeared to take the young slayer down. She realized now that the possibility of losing Faith terrified her. Why hadn't she just thrown herself into this woman's arms from the moment they'd first met? Knowing how precarious their lives were, why hadn't she made love with Faith every night like she had secretly desired to do? Kissing Faith's lips and her face repeatedly, Buffy was desperate now to show Faith how much she wanted and needed her.

The rogue slayer was overwhelmed by Buffy's ardent display of affection. Faith could feel Buffy's slayer driven lust sizzling in what little air there was between them. She tried to get her words out around the passionate barrage.

"B.... Wait..... Hang on, baby..... B...... B....... Wait a sec.... B..... Buffy!"

At the sound of her full name, Buffy stopped kissing Faith and stared at her. Why was Faith stopping her now? When her need to give herself to Faith was beyond reason.

The result of the battle had had just the opposite effect on Faith. For the first time in her life she'd been fighting scared. She had always depended on her rage to fuel her powers against the undead who dared to rise in her world. And it never particularly mattered to her if she lived or died in the process. As Buffy had pointed out earlier, she didn't know or understand fear. But when it was obvious that Michael was going to get a clear shot at killing Buffy, she'd felt a sudden surge of panic. And what followed was a kind of adrenaline rush that was unlike anything she had ever known. It was then that Faith understood what the Chosen One meant to her. Buffy was more important than her calling, more important than her own life. And the friends she'd made here also mattered to her. But with that acceptance of her commitment to them, she also felt the weight of responsibility. Though Faith really wanted Buffy, there was something she needed to take care of first.

"I want you, B. Believe me, I do." Faith assured Buffy as she held the agitated slayer at arm's length. "But I need to go tell Jenny. She has a right to hear it from me."

Buffy searched her eyes. Faith was right. Jenny's help had enabled them to figure out how to thwart the vampire's agenda. Her information could have put her in danger and meant almost certain death for her brother. Buffy put her hand on Faith's cheek. She would have hardly recognized the young woman she'd first encountered in that cemetery weeks ago. Her heart swelled with the kind of pride that one can only feel from the accomplishments of a soulmate. "You're right. This can wait." She replied. "Come on. We'll drop you off."

With the passing of imminent peril, the role reversal of the two slayers was almost comical. Tara whispered to Willow, "I guess when lightning strikes, anything can happen."

When they got to the posh apartment building that Faith indicated, Willow commented. "Jenny lives here?" Faith hadn't paid much attention to the elegant apartment building Jenny had led her to the night before. As Faith got out of the car, Tara's expression spoke for the rest of them. "Wow…" The doorman admitted Faith without hesitation.

When Jenny opened her door to the late night knock, she found a beaten and disheveled Faith. Though Faith's injuries were already healing quickly, it was obvious that she'd been in a brutal altercation.

Jenny stepped aside to let Faith into the apartment. When she turned to lead the brunette into the living room, a gentle hand on her arm stopped her.

The young blonde faced Faith again, accepting the confirmation in her eyes. "Buffy killed him."

"Jenny, I am the slayer that comes after." Faith stated. "If Michael had killed Buffy, the next slayer he would have tried to kill would've been me." Faith moved closer to Jenny. "I'm sorry it had to be this way."

Jenny hesitated slightly before leaning up and giving Faith a soft, if slightly too long kiss. "Thank you." She whispered.

"My brother died a long time ago. But I've never been able to mourn him." Jenny's hands still rested lightly on Faith's arms. "Until now."

Faith gathered the saddened woman into her arms and allowed her the time to let the finality of her loss sink in.

Several hours later, Faith silently climbed the stairs to the upstairs bathroom. The house was quiet as she turned on the shower and stripped off her clothes. She let the hot water wash away the night's fighting and soothe her aching body. Though she was healing fast, the fatigue of the night remained. After drying herself off, she put on Buffy's robe. Gathering her clothes, she started toward her basement room.

Faith was surprised to find Buffy leaning against the open door to her bedroom dressed in a t-shirt and boxers.

Faith smiled and walked past Buffy into her bedroom, dropping her clothes on the floor. Then she took off Buffy's robe and crawled into bed, pulling the blanket up to her back. Buffy sat on the bed next to Faith. The battle Faith had fought was still evident on her body. Though cuts were closing and bruises were fading, Faith still moved like she was in pain.

Buffy climbed onto the bed and sat low astride Faith's back. She leaned up and started to massage Faith; working her way across her shoulder blades and down her ribs and spinal column. She wanted to soothe away her slayer's aches and tell Faith all the feelings she was experiencing.

"You know, Faith," she started, "I feel such a connection with you. More than with anyone I've ever known." Buffy watched her hands roam over the satin skin of Faith's back. "It's like you've been a part of me forever. And tonight everything became really clear to me. During all these recent changes, finding out about you, working with you, living with you, the battle to save my life tonight.... all of it; I finally figured it out." When Faith said nothing, she continued. "I've never in my life been as terrified as I was tonight when I saw the vampires take you down. The thought of losing you......." Buffy shivered briefly and stilled her hands. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that it seems that somewhere along the way, I've fallen in love with you." Still Faith remained silent.

When Buffy peaked around the wavy hair, she saw that Faith was sound asleep. She shook her head smiling, figuring that her speech was good practice for when Faith woke up. She stripped off her clothes and slipped into bed next to Faith. Snuggling close to the rogue slayer, she tried to instill comfort and warmth to her. She would tell Faith that she loved her tomorrow. And the next day, and the next and the next…

Late the next morning, sunlight shining in her face woke Faith. She stretched and opened her eyes. It took a moment to remember where she was. Buffy's room, killer night. Rising up on her elbows, she wondered where Buffy was.

As if on cue, Buffy entered the room with a cup of coffee. "Hey, sleepyhead." She teased as she sat on the bed and handed Faith the cup. "It's about time you woke up." She waited while Faith took a few sips of coffee before asking. "How do you feel? You kinda crashed last night."

"Yeah. Sorry about that." Faith put the cup down on the night stand. "I'm ok. What'd I miss?"

"Oh, nothin' much." Buffy said with her best poker face. "Just me making mad passionate love to you…"

"Aarrgghhhh!" Faith groaned and fell back onto the bed, covering her face with her hands. "Fuck!"

"Exactly what I had in mind....." Buffy answered as she slowly climbed onto the bed. Faith dropped her hands and stared at Buffy. "Willow and Tara went to the Magic Shop." The blonde was on all fours now. "And then they're going to a movie...." She began a seductive crawl toward Faith. "Seems we have this big old empty house all to ourselves."

As Buffy approached her, Faith reacted immediately. The young slayer's eyes got darker if that was even possible. Her desire for the blonde kicked her breathing and heartbeat into high gear. But there was something she wanted Buffy to know. She'd never felt such a mixture of excitement and nervousness before. 'Tell her, you moron,' she chastised herself.

The sexy slayer was almost upon her. She needed to say it now before her brain took a temporary vacation and let her body make all the decisions.

Buffy stopped in her tracks because the declaration was so unexpected. Faith watched her apprehensively. Never in her life had she uttered those three words to anyone. Nor had she ever heard them directed to her.

"I know it makes a difference to you." Faith continued, being the first one to break the silence. "I've never felt this way about anyone. I wanted you to know that... ya know..... before......"

It took Buffy one more move to lean over Faith. She braced her left hand next to the right side of Faith's waist while her right hand set down above Faith's left shoulder. She searched eyes the color of dark, soft leather. The lovely brunette looked so young and so vulnerable. She bent her elbows just enough to lower herself down to give Faith a subtle kiss.

"You..." She gave Faith another gentle kiss. "never....." Faith could feel the warmth of Buffy's breath as she whispered before making each soft connection. "cease to amaze me..."

Then Buffy captured Faith's lips in what started as another sweet kiss that quickly became more intense. She nibbled on the sensuous lower lip before tracing the tip of her tongue across Faith's upper lip. The aroused young slayer wasted no time in capturing the sexy muscle and pulling it into her mouth. Letting Faith suck possessively on her tongue, the Chosen One then teased Faith until she too could play with Faith's in return.

Faith was rapidly losing herself in Buffy. The image of the golden goddess standing before her practically naked the night before the battle flashed in her mind. She couldn't stop herself as her hands immediately cupped Buffy breasts through her t-shirt. She fondled them thoroughly, remembering how beautiful they'd looked. While she continued to kiss Buffy, Faith reached down and slipped her hands under Buffy's shirt. The feel of the silken skin under her fingertips sent erotic shock waves directly down between her legs. She pulled the t-shirt up over Buffy's head, finally caressing the soft pliant flesh that fit so perfectly in her hands.

Buffy could feel the desire heating up in the woman lying below her. She relished tasting her mouth and having Faith's hands stroking her nipples. Being with Faith felt so right.

Breaking away from Faith's lips, Buffy gazed down at her soon-to-be lover. She threw her leg over Faith, lying at Faith's right side. She took hold of the sheet covering Faith and lowered it down to her hips. Her eyes swept over the lovely torso. "My god, Faith…." She had seen the slayer naked several times by now. "Every time I see you like this…" Buffy was at a loss for any words to describe the how Faith made her feel. "The world around me just comes to a stop until I can touch you."

Buffy's hand began to trail over Faith's chest. She leaned down and kissed the strong shoulder. Her lips traveled up the graceful neck while her hand learned all about the intoxicating breasts and easily stimulated nipples. Reaching back up to Faith's ear, she let her mouth trace the sensitive lobe while whispering low. "That night…" Faith's hair smelled so good. "when I watched you touch yourself…" She felt Faith's body twitch. "I wanted it to be me…" Buffy's hand palmed its way down Faith's stomach. "I wanted to take your fingers from inside you…" Lower went her hand until it slid under the sheet. "and replace them with my own…" She toyed with the soft curls she encountered. "And where you were stroking your clit…I wanted to bury my tongue there....." Faith inhaled sharply as Buffy's finger slipped down into her wetness. She knew she was soaked.

Buffy kissed the ear where she'd been verbally torturing Faith. "Just want you to be ready for me, baby."

Pulling the sheet completely off, Buffy climbed on top of Faith, placing her body between powerful legs. Her mouth covered one of Faith's areolas while her hand teased the other. Feeling the flicking of Buffy's tongue hardened her nipples almost painfully. The throbbing between her legs was more than Faith could stand. She uttered the one word, that she herself could never resist coming from Buffy.

Buffy stopped her teasing and looked up at Faith. Her eyes were glazed over with desire. Buffy moved down, spreading Faith's legs to accommodate her. Separating the dark hair covering her prize, she briefly appreciated the deceptively innocuous looking node nestled there. Buffy imagined that Faith's clit was as powerful as the rest of her. She covered it with her mouth as she'd done at Faith's nipples, and let her tongue lavish long licks over it. Faith jumped at the intimate touch. Every fiber of her being focusing on the immediate pleasure.

The taste and the texture of Faith's sex on her tongue, spurred Buffy to want more. She positioned herself so that she could explore the other area she had so wanted to invade that night she'd watched Faith. Her fingers slid easily through the sopping wet entrance. This time Faith's hips thrust off the bed at the feel of Buffy's fingers deep inside her. As Buffy began to stroke Faith everywhere, the experienced lover lost her practiced composure completely. She cried out for Buffy, pleading for the blonde slayer's touch, begging for release.

Buffy relished making Faith feel so intensely. She immersed herself in the magnificent body that was now soaring toward orgasm. She heard Faith crying out for her uncontrollably. She felt when the spasms began, when they ended, and when they started over again. Buffy continued to enjoy Faith until all of her hunger and need were sated.

After Faith collapsed onto the bed for the last time, Buffy crawled up on top of the slayer, resting her head on Faith's chest. She could hear Faith's heart racing. She listened until it returned to a normal steady beat.

Faith lifted her head slightly and kissed the top of Buffy's head. She wrapped her arms around the blonde's back. Being with Buffy was so amazingly different than anything else she'd ever known. She had always really enjoyed sex. But this was…

How could Faith explain to someone who only made love what it was like for her? She'd used sex to release that white hot surge of lust that she got from slaying evil. It was a means to release her pent up energy. She'd had a lot of good sex. She'd had really great sex. But she'd never had sex that connected her to another person. Never had a sexual experience that penetrated deep inside her heart and wrapped itself around her soul.

"It's always been about comin' down from the kill." She tried to explain to Buffy what had changed. "Don't get me wrong, I love sex." Faith could feel Buffy smile against her chest. "I love to give it and I love gettin' it." She hesitated. "But it never went beyond that, B. I just never connected it with loving someone."

Buffy lifted her head and looked into Faith's eyes as the younger slayer revealed. "I do now."

The adoration in Faith's expression threatened to overwhelm her. The emotional vulnerability in her eyes belied Faith's years of sexual proficiency. Buffy leaned up and kissed her honest lover. They kissed for several minutes before Faith turned them over, laying Buffy on her back and stripping her boxers off. The young slayer knew exactly what she wanted as she began to kiss Buffy with expert intent.

As Faith began to touch her, the extensive experience of her young lover became quite clear to Buffy. She felt Faith's passion wash over her like steam, warming her body and dampening her skin. Faith's expertise was evident in the way her fingertips brushed over her, finding secret sensitive places that Buffy didn't even know existed. It was there in the way Faith's hands intermixed feather-light touches with the moderate tugging on her breasts and nipples. Buffy wondered briefly if it should matter that Faith had had so many nameless sexual encounters over the last few years. But her body quickly decided that she didn't care about the women Faith had been with. As long as she was the woman Faith wanted now.

As Faith's mouth mesmerized Buffy with deep kisses, her left hand traveled down the older slayer's body. It brushed lightly across her chest and her side, down her hip and over her thigh. Buffy instinctively bent her knee for more contact. Faith's hand caressed the firm leg before sweeping up the smoothness of her inner thigh. The backs of her fingers lingered on the sweet delectable skin near the apex of Buffy's legs. Then Faith suddenly swept one finger through Buffy's sweet privacy. Buffy inhaled sharply at the surprise touch and the immediate surge of desire that followed. Faith painted the slippery substance on Buffy's right nipple. She rubbed her finger around and around using the sexy wetness to lubricate her fondling. When she couldn't resist the intoxicating scent of Buffy's arousal any longer, she left her passionate assault on Buffy's mouth to lean down and taste her nipple. Feeling Faith tonguing her so sent the slayer's already fired up libido into overdrive.

Then Faith took complete charge of Buffy's body. Her fingers explored every inch of the slayer's anatomy. She used all her senses to memorize every sexual response. Her eyes watched every rapt expression; her ears heard every gasp and moan. Her fingers touched every inch of luscious skin. Her lips nibbled, her tongue licked and her teeth nipped at every curve, every valley, and every sensuous mound. She turned her over without Buffy even being aware and searched her completely. She covered Buffy's back with her own lustful body; her skin, nipples, and soft pubic hair stimulating the blonde slayer until Buffy thought she would explode.

"No I'm not." Her lover whispered insistently in her ear. "I'm erasing anyone you've ever known from your mind." There was no denying that was exactly what the sexually skilled young woman was doing. Faith possessed her like no one else ever had. Suddenly no other lover who'd been in Buffy's life before now mattered. Faith filled her mind as well as owned her body. So Faith was more earnest than arrogant when Buffy heard her softly murmur, "From now on…I'm all you'll ever want…I'm all you'll ever need…"

The talented slayer turned Buffy again and sat on her knees between Buffy's open legs. She pushed the toned thighs apart with gently stroking hands. Faith waited a moment for her lover to relax, then she bent Buffy's knees and flexed her hips. The position tilted her pelvis up and openly displayed what Faith so wanted to see and touch. Bracing Buffy's feet against her thighs, Faith's fingers separated the dark blonde hair glistening with Buffy's arousal. She stared for a moment at the smooth clit and soft lips. Looking back up at Buffy, she could tell that that slayer had reached her limit. Buffy was so stimulated that she could only stare helplessly back at Faith, unsure of whether she could even move of her own accord.

Reaching down, Faith kissed and nibbled at Buffy's hungry node. The lustful touch released Buffy's impassivity. She began to move and groan as Faith's tongue and fingers worked their magic. Buffy's clit throbbed as Faith lavished attention on it. Two, then three fingers stretched her pleasantly deep inside. All movements were completely in sync as one last entrance was stimulated when Faith unexpectedly slipped her little finger gently through Buffy's tightness. The older slayer could not distinguish all the sensations she was experiencing. As her orgasms began to rule Buffy's body, Faith was relentless. Over and over she brought Buffy to rapturous peaks, only to bring her slowly down and fire her up again. By the time Faith was satisfied, Buffy knew if she had died tonight, she would've died a happy, extremely well-loved woman.

Later Buffy realized that it was not just Faith's expert sexual abilities or her determination that had overwhelmed her so. It was not just the delicious body that had delighted her so much. It was the total raw joy that Faith got out of touching and being touched by her specifically that had been her complete undoing. The obvious and intense elation that Faith experienced during their lovemaking radiated off her like rays from the sun. If sex with a woman was high on Faith's list of most favorite activities, sex with Buffy blew that enjoyment right off the scale. Faith needed only to look at her to make Buffy feel more desired than she'd felt in her entire life.

Several days later, Buffy and Faith returned to the cemetery. There were several of the markers in various states of repair. The paper had reported that a fluke storm had caused the damage. The biggest project was the rebuilding of a mausoleum, yet it was almost completely restored with just some minor roof work to finish. The slayers noticed that in addition to the names of beloved parents, the name of a devoted son had been added. Michael.

Faith had gone back to Jenny's apartment, but the doorman told her that Jenny had moved out. She'd left no forwarding address.

"Mail call." Tara brought in a small stack of letters. Willow was studying at the dining room table. Faith was sprawled on the couch with Buffy lying on top of her watching a movie. As she sorted though the envelopes, she said. "Hey look, Sweetie. Here's one for you."

"For me?" Faith looked up in surprise as Tara handed her a letter. "Who would write to me?"

The envelope was addressed to Faith in care of Buffy Summers. Faith tore it open and a key dropped out. The key was tagged with the name of a small Sunnydale bank and a code number. Faith glanced up at Buffy and shrugged. They were all puzzled.

When Buffy and Faith showed the bank teller the key, she called her manager. A pleasant woman came over and escorted them into a plush office. She explained that the key was to a safety deposit box. Though Buffy Summers was the trustee of the box, she could not open it without Faith being present. After signing a security card, the manager led them to a vault. Using the bank's key and the key that had been sent to Faith, she opened the door and pulled out a long box. She set it on the counter in a private cubicle. "Just ring the buzzer when you're ready to lock it back." She said before leaving them alone.

When Faith opened the box, they could see that it contained stacks and stacks of one hundred dollar bills. A folded sheet of paper lay next to the cash.

"Oh my god, Faith!" Buffy exclaimed, doing some quick calculations. "There must be $500,000 here!"

Faith just stared at the currency. Never in her entire life had she seen so much money in one place. "What is this?" She asked in confusion.

"Maybe this will explain." Buffy answered as she picked up the paper and handed it to Faith.

Faith unfolded the paper. She didn't recognize the writing. But the scent on the paper was familiar.

Buffy watched Faith's face as she read the note. Displays of surprise, understanding and affection played across her face as she read. Then she handed the letter to Buffy. After reading it, Buffy had to contend with her own series of emotions.

"You're rich, Faith." She commented quietly. "You can do anything, go anywhere."

Faith was still staring at the box when Buffy's words finally sunk in. She looked up at her beautiful lover. The vulnerability in her eyes only making her more so.

Faith put her hands on Buffy's shoulders. "Hey, listen to me. Everything I am is yours. Everything I own belongs to us. No amount of money and no other woman can change that."

Buffy had never heard Faith be so eloquent. Even the first time Faith had told her that she loved her had not brought her as close to tears as she was right now. If she didn't do something quick, she was going to cry.

So Buffy reach up and kissed her lover soundly. "I think getting hit by lightning has addled your brain." She declared as she let Faith go. "But I love you anyway."

"We can pay off the bills, get a new water heater, you can go to school full time, we can get you a new car. Oh, and Willow and Tara need one too…."

"Hey slow down there, Moneybags." Buffy laughed at Faith's enthusiasm. "Why don't we go home and figure it all out." It was just like her action girl to want to go and do. Solve all the problems ASAP.

"But," suggested the petite blonde, "there's nothing says we can't stop on the way home and take a look at that Harley you've had your eye on forever…"

The resulting grin on her lover's face was worth far more to Buffy than $500,000.

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When Lightning Strikes

by My Osage

Copyright © 2003

Myosage@aol.com