Buffy was fast asleep in her arms. She couldn't believe it. She would have pinched herself to make sure she was awake, but she knew no dream could be as beautiful as Buffy Summers. She trailed a fingertip from her knee to the side of her breast, lightly enough not to wake her. She wanted to remember the feel of her skin under her hands. Buffy smiled in her sleep and Faith leaned down to kiss the damp strands of hair on her forehead.

This was too hard. She knew it would be hard which was why she didn't want to go there, but this was just way harder than she'd ever thought anything could ever be. How was she supposed to get up in, she glanced at the watch she'd put on the night stand, two hours and leave this bed to go back to a dirty, lifeless, cold cell? She couldn't. She just couldn't. She felt the tears spill down her cheeks and shifted slightly so they wouldn't disturb B.

'It might not be so bad. If what Wes said about Wolfram and Hart's influence is true, there might be something they can do. Either way it's got to do me more good to have a fancy lawyer than a two bit city hall slacker,' she thought, trying to stay positive. 'And I've still got', quick glance at the clock, 'one hour, forty-nine minutes left.' She wiped her eyes on her free arm before wrapping it around the naked blonde in her arms and snuggling back down.

It's day break, and you are asleep
I can hear you breathe now, your breath is deep

Faith sat on the window sill, looking out of the open window at the street below. She watched Wes bring the car around, get out and walk back into the building. She took one last long drag on her cigarette and pitched it out across the side walk. It glowed faintly in the early morning light.

But before I go, I look at you one last time
I can hear a heartbeat, is it yours, or is it mine?

This was it, time to find out how strong she really was. Time to find out if she really was just talk. Time to walk away from the best thing that had ever happened to her. She slipped off the window sill, careful that her booted feet didn't make any noise on the wooden floor. She couldn't dawdle any longer. They'd be ready for her downstairs. She'd said 5.30 on the dot and she didn't want to keep them waiting. She still couldn't make her feet move to the door. She leaned against the wall, staring down at her sleeping beauty as she scratched the tip of her nose in her sleep.

I look at your lips, I know all the stuff they can be
Did they know what they wanted, the times they kissed me?

Unable to take it any more, she had to rip the band aid off quick. She leant over Buffy and dropped a soft kiss on her temple. She quickly pushed a piece of note paper under the blonde's pillow, leaving just a corner poking out. She brushed some strands of hair away from Buffy's forehead and planted another kiss there. She knew she was lingering too long. If Buffy woke up, there was no way she would be able to go through with it. Her only hope was to get out before she looked into those green eyes again or she'd be a lost cause.

And your hands, that I held in mine
And all the ripples upon the pillow, will they ever miss me, sometime

Faith snapped herself together and walked softly to the door. Opening it as quietly as she could, she turned back before leaving. Her eyes grazing the blonde's face, taking the few seconds she had left to burn it into her memory; of how she looked laying there, of what it had felt like to kiss her lips and run her fingers down her face and through her hair, to look into her eyes and see something she'd never dared dream of: her feelings returned. She wiped away the tear that was making its way down her cheek, but more followed and she let them be.

"Love you, B," she whispered before she turned away and closed the door.

I remember you,
You will be there in my heart
And I'll remember you
And that is all that I can do,
But I'll remember

Downstairs, Angel surprised her by pulling her into a big hug. Normally she would have pushed him away and laughed at the big, soft vampire, but this morning she clung on, letting his strength calm her down.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" He asked.

She gave a big sniff and pulled away. Mustering a grin, she replied. "Nah, I don't want to risk you getting any freckles."

He smiled. "Take care of yourself, we'll see what we can do from our new position. I'll be in to visit you as soon as I can."

"Cool." She lowered her voice slightly. "Look after B for me."

He nodded. "Always."

"Okay," she said, turning to walk up to Giles and Wesley who were waiting by the door. "Let's do this."

Buffy's eyes fluttered open and she groaned as the early morning sunshine nearly blinded her. Closing her eyes again, she rolled over to the middle of the bed, her arms outstretched, seeking the warm body that should have been asleep next to her.

"Faith," she moaned, her arms patting the bed next to her and feeling only cold sheets.

Snapping her eyes open, she scanned first the bed, then the room. "Faith."

There was no Faith and nothing of Faith's was left in the room.

Feeling the queasiness start to well in her gut, she sat up fast. "FAITH!"