AN: Thanks for the review :) I feel the need to finish this story, even despite lack of recent reviews ^_^ but I know some of you are reading, & just not reviewing, so again, that pushes me a bit more! Thank you too! This IS the last chapter! I hope everyone who stuck with it enjoyed, I know I had fun writing it, although I know I somewhat slacked off towards the end. :)

~.~.~

A few nights after the incident in the girls' locker room, Buffy, Faith and Willow had planned a girls night in. There was nothing more comforting to her - aside from Spike - then spending time together with the both of them. Faith had been her longest friend, and while they had tried to kill each other in the past, it had only seemed to strengthen their bond in the end. And Willow, she just had a certain way about herself that instantly allowed Buffy's guard to slip. She was the closest thing to a normal friend that Buffy had ever known.

"Everything is my fault..." Willow sobbed, the guilt becoming almost unbearable.

"None of this is your fault Will, believe me, please... Faith and I both knew what we were doing when we did it - we knew the consequences, and we were willing to take the chance. Blaming yourself wouldn't just be wrong, it'd be... immoral," Buffy said with a smile.

"I've never had best friends before... but I'm guessing it would feel like this," she said softly.

"We are your best friends," Buffy said, then glanced towards Faith.

"What? Oh, yeah... best friends, sure."

"Her actions speak louder than her words," Buffy assured.

"I just wish I had something to take my mind off of it, you know? It's all I think about - getting you guys into trouble, and-..."

"I have the perfect idea," Faith interrupted.

"Oh no..." Buffy muttered as she rolled her eyes.

"Relax B - triple date."

"Triple date? Do you really think sending Willow on a date is a good idea after everything that's happened?"

"The girl said herself that she needs something to take her mind off of things - this is perfect. And I know the perfect guy for her."

"This is going to be interesting..."

~.~.~

Buffy, Spike, Faith and Xander sat together at a table in the Bronze, watching as Willow danced with the newly introduced, Oz. At first, the group had seemed a bit nervous about the idea, but after meeting him, it was undeniable the instant connection made between the two.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but... great idea Faith," Buffy said with a smile.

"Surprised myself too."

"Where'd you meet 'im at?" Spike asked, and Faith smirked.

"I've been around - went through a groupie phase, and Oz was in one of the bands. He was never into that scene - more of a quiet loner type. I saw a poster for their band at the Bronze the other night, then when I was thinking of Willow, it just clicked."

"That's a first," Buffy teased.

"Be nice luv," Spike said.

"You're defending her? Another first..." she said with a smile.

"Well, I think we're startin' to see eye to eye now, eh pet?"

Faith nodded. "As long as you stop calling me pet and luv, everything's five by five."

"Look at them, they're so cute together," Buffy said as her gaze drifted to the dancing couple.

"Just call me matchmaker."

"Yeah, with your one percent success rate."

"Do you two always bicker?" Xander asked.

"Always - why, does it make you hot?" Faith teased. "Hey B, you remember that time we had one too many, and we got a little-..."

"You and your damn memory is going to get you killed and I'll be up on murder charges."

"Oh come on, that was one hell of a time and an even better story."

"I want to hear it," Xander added.

"Not if you want to live," Buffy responded with a threatening, yet playful glare.

"For once 'm gonna 'ave to 'gree with those two luv, sounds like an interestin' tale," Spike said, smirking down at her.

Buffy sighed. "Fine, tell away then."

"So, me and B were like fifteen, right? And we hated each other at the time - but you know once tequila is involved shit just hits the fan. It was a party, lots of people and dares going on - somehow me and B got wrapped up into it. A bunch of idiots thought it'd be cool for me and B to kiss - but I don't just kiss. Things got all hot and bothered, and by the end of it me and B were half naked about to-..."

"Okay, I for one think that was a very exaggerated re-tell, but kind of turned boring towards the end. Why don't we discuss something a litle more interesting like... politics?"

"You... and her... her... and you..." Xander stuttered as his gaze shifted between both girls.

"That surprises you?" Faith asked.

"Well, yeah!"

She shrugged. "B's not the first girl I've messed with, and definitely not the last - but she did leave quite the impression."

"Oh God... can we, uh, dance or something, please?"

Spike laughed before standing and taking her hand. "'lright Summers, I'll let you off the hook this time, bu' maybe you can fill me in on the endin' later on?"

Buffy smacked his arm as she sent him a defiant look before smiling as they began to dance.

/ When I look at you,

I see forgiveness,

I see the truth.

You love me for who I am,

Like the stars hold the moon.

Right there where they belong,

And i know I'm not alone.

Yeah when my world is falling apart,

When there's no light,

To break up the dark,

That's when I,

I look at you.

When the waves are flooding the shore,

And I can't find my way home anymore,

That's when I,

I look at you. /

~.~.~

Two weeks later, Buffy recieved a phone call early one morning.

"You're... you're sure? I mean, it's real?" she asked through the line. "Well, thank you. Thank you so much. Yes, of course I'll let her know. Bye." Immediately after ending the call, she began a new one. "Spike, oh my God Spike, you'll n ever guess what just happened! No, no everything's fine. Better than fine, actually. He dropped the charges - Parker, he dropped the charges. Me and Faith, we're... we're free."

~.~.~

It was surreal, to her it felt almost like a dream. In her seventeen years, Faith had seen more pain that any person would even think existed - she had been the cause of more pain than she'd like to remember. There had been plenty occassions where she had stood in a courtroom, eyes defiant as the judge handed her the newest sentence added to her long list from the past - but never had she been cut loose without someone wanting something in return.

When Buffy had told her the news she had laughed, thinking it was just a way of messing with her head - but once she realized Buffy was serious, the whole world had just melted away. For once in her life, if things had gone bad in the courtroom, she had something to lose - Xander. It had scared her to think that she might have to be away from him, knowing from experience that guys didn't care much for girlfriends they could only visit on weekends while supervised by a prison guard. For the first time in her life, she had cared about what happened to herself.

She was happy.

Before she had even understood what was going on, she could feel Buffy's arms wrap around her, pulling her into her as the tears ran steadily down her cheeks. She was crying. Faith Lehane did not cry - not ever. At least, not until now.

~.~.~

"Spike, you're not serious... are you?"

"Why not?"

"We can't."

"Says who?"

"My aunt, your parents, for starters. Do you honestly think they'll agree with this?"

"Who said we were givin' them the choice?"

Buffy shook her head slowly. "Spike, you don't understand... we can't just up and leave - not after everything that's happened..."

"Buffy, luv, the best thing for us to do is get out of town for 'bit, clear our minds and spend some real time together. After wha' you 'ad you go through not jus' in this place, but with your mum an' da', you deserve a break," he said softly, bringing his hand up to cup her cheek. "'m sure they'll understand."

"What if they don't?"

"Well, hell with them."

Buffy smiled up at him. She knew he didn't mean it to be harsh. "Are you sure though? Really sure? I mean, your parents, they didn't leave you the-..."

"They left me the money so tha' I could take care of myself if need be - trust me pet, they left me more than 'nough, more than most people even know 'bout," he said, then sighed. "'ve spent some of tha' money on stupid things Summers, 's 'bout time I did somethin' right with it, somethin' my mum would be proud of. An' tha's you. Let me take you away, let me love you Buffy."

After a brief pause, she nodded. "What are you waiting for? Shouldn't you be packing right about now?"

~.~.~

AN:

Not exactly how I intended to end this, but I've lost my heart for it :( sorry!