It had been three months. Three months of running and hiding and living on the street. Now she was back in Sunnydale. 'Why the fuck did I come back here?!' She thought.

Faith was sitting by a pond staring at her reflection. 'Do I want to get caught?!?' 'Yes' She answered herself immediately. She couldn't stand being in prison but she couldn't stand being on the run even more. She knew when B found her she'd be punished more by her hate filled eyes then any amount of time in prison could. So she sat. And waited.

The sun begin to set, she could feel the vampires begin to come out and hunt. She knew they wouldn't mess with her. They'd have to have a death wish to do something as dumb as that. Then she felt it. It was B. She knew she was right behind her, but didn't bother to turn around

"I heard you'd busted out, but I didn't think you were stupid enough to come back here." Buffy said.

"I was always the stupid, impulsive one B, you know that."

Buffy laughed ruefully, it was true. "Why are you here?" Buffy asked quietly.

Faith turned around and looked Buffy in the eye. Buffy gasped. Faith’s eyes no longer held that playfully evil, flirty quality that she knew so well. It had been replaced with a look of resignment. Like she knew she'd lost and wasn't even gonna bother trying anymore.

Faith started slowly "You told me before if I ever said I was sorry you'd kill me" Faiths eyes filled with tears but she quickly brushed them away. "I have to say this B. All I ask is that you wait till I'm done to kill me. OK?"

Buffy didn't know what to do. She was supposed to hate Faith but right now her heart was filled with love and sympathy. She realized Faith was waiting for an answer so she said, "OK"

Faith breathed deeply and closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her courage, Then looked Buffy in the eye again. "I'm so sorry for the shit I pulled. You were the first person that ever showed me any love and I didn't know how to handle it. When I killed Fitch.... I snapped. I loved you so much...." Faith started to cry. She took a deep breath to compose herself and started again. "I love you so much and when I thought I'd lost you, I just lost it. There's no excuse for the terrible things I did. I deserve whatever you do to me." Faith closed her eyes and waited for the expected blow.

Buffy stood in shock. A few months ago she would have killed Faith on the spot but now all she wanted to do was go to Faith and wrap her arms around her. Every slayer instinct was telling her to kill her but her heart won.

Faith was confused. She opened her eyes, to her astonishment she saw Buffy walking slowly toward her, a loving smile on her face. "What?" Faith choked out.

"Shhh" Buffy cooed quietly as she pulled Faith into an embrace. Faith started to sob and Buffy pulled her tighter.

"Why?" Faith asked. Calmer but still crying.

"Because. I've known since I first laid eyes on you that I loved you. And everyone, even you, deserves second chance." Buffy pulled back slightly and looked the younger slayer in the eyes "You do want a second chance. Don't you?" Buffy asked, silently pleading her to say yes.

Faith was in shock. Another chance? Was it possible? "Why?" Faith asked again.

Buffy sighed. "I just told you. Because I love you."

Faith didn't know what to do. So, as usual, she did first thing that popped into her head. And for once it was the right thing. She nodded.

Buffy smiled. Looking into Faith's tear filled eyes, she realized she'd never loved anyone so much in her entire life. Slowly she brought her face closer to Faith's, giving her a chance to pull away if she wanted to. When she didn't, Buffy brought her lips up to Faith’s. The kiss started slowly, then deepened. When they pulled apart both were breathing heavily. Faith rested her head against Buffy's shoulder and sighed.

"Do you really think I can do it?" She asked.

"Of course you can. Together, we can do anything. The chosen two. And this time I'm not letting you go."

They both knew it wouldn't be easy, but together they could defeat any monster that got in their way. Real or metaphorical. They walked out of the park hand in hand, to start a bumpy yet wonderful journey that had no specific destination, as long as they were together.