[San Diego - Torrance's House, Down Stairs]

"But you're Missy, aren't you?" Torrance asked. She was overwhelmed by the bizarre story.

"Not exactly." Faith replied and glanced back and forth between the girls. Buffy was leaning against the front door with her arms crossed and Torrance was sitting on the couch a few feet away.

"But I don't understand...I mean, how? Why?" Torrance looked as if she was having a hard time trying process everything. She furrowed her brow and shook her head. Faith didn't blame the girl for being confused; instead, she wished things would be different.

"And the Mayor did this to you?" Buffy added.

"Yeah..." Faith said softly.

"So what now?" Torrance finally popped the question that Faith had been trying to avoid.

"I don't know..." Faith was starting to feel really guilty over the whole thing. She knew that someone was destined to get hurt and she blamed herself for screwing up again.

"Don't say you don't know, Faith. You're coming home with me and we're going to start things over." Buffy raised her voice a little.

"I'm not going anywhere B." Faith didn't turn to look her in the eyes. Going back home with Buffy would only repeat history and Faith was tired of it. She was tired of the constant frustration that she felt when she was around Buffy. She was tired of wanting her and not being able to do anything about it. But in San Diego, in Torrance's arms, she was given everything she had ever wanted. Faith clasped her hands together and stared at the ground as she continued, "This is gonna sound ridiculous, but a part of me is still Missy. And I'm staying here."

"You're staying because of her, right?" Buffy trembled.

"Yes, that's one reason. But B, you're missing the point. I finally have a chance to live a normal life here. A normal life, you know? People here don't look at me as if I'm some kind of homicidal bitch."

Buffy felt her heart tear as she heard Faith's words. The younger slayer was right. There was no way that Willow and Xander would forgive her.

"That's not true Faith. They just need some time. I'm sure they'll come around." Buffy replied.

"That's right. I'm sure they'd welcome me with open arms." Faith chuckled. "Forget B, I'm not going back with ya. So if there's nothing else to say, I think you better go."

Faith walked over to Torrance and wrapped her arms around her. She rested her chin on Torrance's shoulder and held her possessively as she focused her attention on Buffy.

Faith had made her choice, and it wasn't Buffy.

"If that's what you want, then I guess this is goodbye." Buffy swallowed hard, trying to contain herself.

Faith gazed deep into those greenish eyes of Buffy's one last time and felt her heart break at the sight. She sighed softly, but decided that it was best to let Buffy go.

"I'll miss you..." Buffy said and turned to step out the door. "...And I love you." She whispered, barely loud enough for a slayer's sense of hearing.

Barely audible, but Faith heard it loud and clear. Faith was stunned by the remark. She lost the grip that she had on Torrance and let her arms fall to her sides. She watched as Buffy walked out the door.

"What? And all of a sudden you've got eyes for me?" Faith called out as she came rushing down behind her.

Buffy stopped half way down the path, but didn't turn to face the brunette.

"It's not that easy B, you can't just say that and expect me to love you back. Cuz I don't, you know. I don't love you. I've got Torrance now. And you're just making everything difficult." Faith shouted.

"I'm sorry okay." Buffy half mumbled. She felt tears rolling down her cheeks. She tightened her fist and turned to look at Faith. "I'm sorry," She said, "but I can't help it. I'm in love with you."

"Don't say that, B. Don't tell me you love me. You had your chance. It's too late now." Faith hated herself for saying these words. She watched as the tears came flooding out of the older slayer. Faith wanted to hold her so much, but she couldn't. She had to let her go.

"I get it okay?" Buffy chocked out. Her small-framed body shook uncontrollably. She glanced at Faith one last time before she ran down the street.

Faith stood there, staring at the empty path long after Buffy left.

"You love her, don't you?" Torrance asked. She had been standing by the doorway. She had known from the first time she saw Buffy in the parking lot, that Faith loved her. Torrance had tried so hard to deny that fact until now. Because she finally came to accept that Missy would never leave her, but Faith; it was pointless to stop the inevitable.