The following weeks saw Tara and Faith getting even closer, at everybody’s amusement and surprise. After the cemetery’s incident, Faith had spent a few days feeling disturbed. She was torn between the disgust she inspired in herself and the desire that Tara inspired in her to fight to be someone whom the others could consider as respectable.

Faith drew strength from the immovable trust the witch had expressed in her.  It gave her the sufficient energy to face her fears and to face Morris.

As Angel had foreseen, this one had kept silent about the incident after having discussed it at first with Faith, then with Angel and Tara, who then accompanied the Slayer and the vampire to all of Faith's sessions with Morris.

After a few days of talking about the event, things slowly went back to normal.  Faith had started to patrol again, although she was a little bit anxious about losing control of herself again.  With the encouragement of Angel and Tara in particular, she was finally convinced. Angel couldn't refrain from watching her more than previously, but was satisfied to see the quiet influence Tara’s presence had on the Slayer.

Faith and Tara were almost inseparable.  Patrols were the only moment of the day that the girls didn't spend together.  From the very beginning of the morning till the departure in patrol, they didn't leave each other.  Faith had continued to keep Tara company in the kitchen.  She also accompanied her when she went shopping and stayed with her when the witch worked in the library, telling her events of the previous night’s patrol.

Sometimes, both spent the afternoon roaming in Los Angeles, discovering just a little more of the city in every occasion. Faith had even once accompanied Cordelia, Fred and Tara into the city center for an afternoon between girls, which she and Cordelia had mainly occupied by bitching at each other to Fred's and Tara’s enjoyment.

In the evening, if she didn't come back too late from hunting monsters, Faith slid into the witch’s room, who had waited for her, often with a book in her hand. Both friends then spent the rest of the evening watching a movie or talking about everything and nothing. It wasn't rare that Faith eventually fell asleep there and spent the night.

Sometimes she stayed, even when she didn't fall asleep. She would lay near Tara and watch the witch while she slept. Most times, the blonde grumbled, moved and moaned with fear in her sleep. When it happened, Faith stayed motionless beside her, having no idea of what she could do to relieve her friend.  Tara’s nightmares had been one of the first reasons, which had urged her to stay with Tara after she fell asleep. Even if Faith knew nothing about the comfort she could offer, she preferred to be there, just in case …
She started to wonder if stroking Tara’s hair, as the blonde had done for her that night in cemetery, could reassure the witch. She had never dared to look within herself for an answer.

The mornings that followed were always the same. Sometimes, Faith woke up alone in Tara’s bed and found the witch in the kitchen deep in conversation with Fred, cooking breakfast. Other times, Faith woke up before her and tried to make breakfast herself. She had however stopped, since one morning Cordelia had roared that her coffee was as burnt as her toast and had ordered her to stay far away from furnaces. Faith had claimed not to understand her protests but had discreetly emptied her cup in the kitchen sink when Tara had suggested redoing some coffee.

Then there were times that they woke up almost simultaneously. They looked at one another with a little bit of embarrassment before laughing about their sleepy attitudes and their wild hair. It was these mornings that Faith preferred. There was also the time that Tara had come to wake her, with a tray of breakfast. Even in her craziest dreams, Faith had never imagined that somebody could one day bring her breakfast in bed.  Apparently, Tara would never stop surprising her.

And Faith ignored that it was exactly what Tara thought about her too.  Underneath her abrupt exterior, Faith showed an attention and tenderness that Tara hoped that she would see a little more of every day.  And she managed to. Without forcing anything, without asking for anything, Faith had become more and more comfortable with her and had slowly dropped the mask of arrogance.   She showed a protective and obliging behavior, which cut incredibly into the free-and-easy and indifferent one that she wore everywhere else except between the four walls of Tara’s room.

It was an evening as they had already shared so much. Both sat on Tara’s bed, their back rested against the bedhead, their legs spread in front of them, and an enormous bowl of popcorn between them. The TV was switched on and played a movie to which none of both girls paid attention while Faith told Tara in detail about the patrol she had just come back from. The witch smiled in amusement to the Slayer’s gusto, happy to hear the pride in Faith’s voice, when she told her about when Angel had congratulated her on her control and her behavoir all evening long.

« Just try to imagine » Faith was saying. « Vampires trying to do magic? »

« A little frightening, wasn’t it? »

« My God, a little I thnik. They weren't really gifted and we didn't really know what to expect with their magic tricks. Explosions, stuff flying everywhere. Sure, they didn't have you as a teacher! »

Tara let escape a small bitter laughter and a "better like that"  Faith didn't even notice as she was absorbed in her story.

« Then, finally, I dust the last one and you should have seen the mess in that crypt! Books and magic stuff everywhere. We brought back everything to the hotel but Angel said that there was nothing really interesting, except for a couple of crystals… »

« Crystals? » Asked the witch, highly interested.

Faith nodded her head and her eyes started to shine with a light that Tara didn't know how to explain.

« What did you do with them? »

« Angel destroyed them » explained Faith. « Dangerous according to him … »

"Oh" Tara said,  a little disappointed.

Faith smiled at her and leant over to her side of the bed where she took out a paper package and brought it towards Tara. The Slayer delicately unfolded the corners, under Tara’s curious glance.

« Except one » said Faith looking at Tara

She finished opening the paper and a purple dark, slightly brilliant crystal, appeared under the witch’s eyes. Tara wasn't able to refrain an exclamation of admiration.

« I asked Angel if you could have it » resumed Faith. « As I know you like crystals and all…»

Tara looked at Faith, who was suddenly embarrassed and handed her the magnificent crystal.  The witch smiled from ear to ear while seizing the object and examined it closer.

« It’s a very rare crystal » she finally said.

Faith nodded her head

« That's what Angel said. » she admitted. « I had to insist a little to have it! Do you like it? »

The last question had an almost worried tone and in the back of her mind, Tara couldn't help but notice that Faith was different from all that she had imagined during their first meeting or from all that she had been told about her.

« Faith, that’s so sweet of you » she said to her sincerely, a light of rare enjoyment in her eyes.

Tara then leant towards the Slayer, put one of her arms around her shoulders and placed a kiss on her cheek with tenderness. Faith, who didn’t expect it, cringed away forcefully and looked at her with confusion, her eyebrows furrowed. At once, an expression of excuse appeared on Tara’s face.

« Faith, I…I’m sor… sorry » she stuttered to the Slayer, who kept herself at a distance away from her . « I…I sometimes forget that the fact I’m gay can can be em… embarrassing for the others … But I guarantee you, no… no mixed messages here, I… I wasn’t trying to… »

Faith looked at her with atonishment, surprised that Tara could think her homosexuality was the reason of her backward step, but not sure to know why she had reacted so nevertheless.

« No, no Tara » she faltered in her turn. « It isn't that, you can believe me … I have no problem with that … »

Tara looked at her nervously and Faith’s uneasiness grew more and more with still by seeing the sadness on her face.

« So … Sorry » repeated Tara.

« Nothing to do with that, Tara » Faith repeated, while trying to find an explanation to her behavior. « It’s just that I’m not really used to that kind of thing. »

She pointed to her cheek while saying this and was able to notice that her words didn't seem to calm the fear on Tara’s face.

« I’m sorry » repeated Tara once again. « I didn't want to put you ill-at-ease. »

Faith nodded awkwardly but suddenly felt a big need for air, while her eyes settled into Tara’s big blue worried eyes.

« I … I’ve gotta go. »

And without adding anything more, the Slayer jumped up from the bed and left the room. Tara sighed for a long time after watching the dark-haired Slayer’s retreat..

« You are such a dork! » She murmured for herself to the empty room.
***
Faith closed the door a little more brutally than she had intended to, and stopped on the doorstep. She leaned against the wooden post behind her and closed her eyes, trying to find a rational explanation to her sudden nervousness and to calm her panting breath.

Seeing that she didn't succeed, she eventually went down the stairs four at a time to the lobby and went into the training  room. In three steps, she was in front of the weapons closet and she opened it with a crash before considering the arsenal in front of her.

« What are you doing? »

Faith jumped and turned around to see Angel. She shrugged, presented him with an annoyed grin and turned towards the opened cupboard.

« I'm going out to patrol. »

Angel got closer and leaned against the closet, his arms crossed and his eyes riveted on the Slayer.

« Faith, we came back from patrol an hour ago » pointed out the vampire.

« I'm sure there are other evils to kill in this city »

« A problem? »

« No. »

« Why aren't you spending the evening with Tara? »

« I need to get some air and to let some steam off. » Faith spat, a little irritated.

« A problem then? »

" No problem " denied Faith, while she rocked a crossbow on her shoulder and turned to the exit.

« I'm coming with you »

« No need, I can deal. I promise everything's fine »

Angel grabbed a weapon and followed the Slayer outside.

« I need to let some steam off too. You will just have to bare with me »

Faith sighed heavily and raised her eyes to the sky.

« Ok boss. Seems I have no choice »

« No, not really. »
***
This new visit to the cemetery had been already worth it,as they met with three more vampires.  It ended quickly by Faith planting her stake in their heart. Angel decided to interrogate the Slayer, who walked a little in front of him.

« What's the problem then? »

Faith shrugged and didn't spare a glance to her companion when she answered.

« I said that there was no problem. »

« And it's doubtless the same lack of problem that makes you return to hunting instead of spending the night with Tara as you usually do? »

Faith stopped and turned to the vampire, an expression propped up on her face.

« Ok, is it a crime to change a little of my habits? »

Angel spread his arms in sigh of exasperation.

« No, of course not. I'm not saying it's bad, I'm saying there has to be a reason. »

« I'm a Slayer, I'm doing my job » Faith persisted.

« You don't exactly do it anymore.  Go out this late. »

Faith furrowed her brow towards the vampire, then turned on her heels and continued to walk.

« What do you mean? » She muttered.

Angel increased his speed to catch up with her and to started to walk at her pace.

« I mean that your habits have changed lately and if there's a new change tonight, it has to have a reason. »

« My habits have changed lately? » Faith repeated.

« Come on Faith, you know exactly what I'm talking about »  Angel said, almost amused. « No more patrols all night long, no more random guys here and there. Your habits have changed. »

« Maybe I just want a little return to the past »

« So, what were your plans for tonight? » Angel went on, ignoring Faith's annoyed tone. «Kill some vampires and get laid by some guy in a nasty bar? »

Faith stopped dead in her tracks again and turned around towards the vampire.

« Ok. What do you want? Why is it so disturbing that I return to patrol? »

« Something is bothering you » said Angel sympathetically. « I just thought that you would maybe like to talk about it. »

« Nothing is bothering me » protested Faith.

« Faith, I know you a little more now. And I've been around for so many … »

« Please, save me from the 'I am 243 years old and I know stuff about human soul.' speech »

« What happened with Tara? » Angel asked abruptly.

« What? »

« You went to join her when we came back. Then you came down to the weapons closet to get a weapon and then went on patrol. So, I wonder: what happened with Tara?  Did you get into an argument with her? »

« Please stop that. » Answered Faith, raising her eyes in the sky. « Do you really think you can fight with her? »

« I think so » Angel replied.

Faith winced.  « Maybe » she admitted. « But no, we didn't fight. »

« Then? »

« You won't leave me alone unless I say something, will you? » Asked the Slayer

The vampire wasn't able to stop a small roguish smile from appearing on his face.

«You're right » he confirmed.

Faith raised her eyes in the sky again and resumed her walking.

« It's me » she began. « I'm acting as the queen of idiots. »

Angel chuckled.  « Which means? »

Faith blew out a breath, rolled her eyes, and slightly hesitated before explaining.

« I gave her the crystal that we found earlier, in the vampires and so-called warlocks nest we chased away. She said it was a rare crystal and she was so delighted. And... to thank me, she kissed me there. »  Faith said, while she pointed to her cheek.

Angel had to make an effort not to show his amusement at the Slayer’s uneasiness at the simple gesture.

« And? » He encouraged her.

« And I was surprised, I moved back as if I was shocked and I left. As a result, now, she thinks that I was bothered about the kiss because she's gay. »

« Running away wasn't necessarily the best means to make her understand that it isn't the case. » Pointed out wisely Angel. « It isn't the case? » He added.

« Of course not » growled out Faith. « I'm an idiot » she concluded.

There was a moment of silence before Angel turned to study the pensive face of his Slayer.

« And why did you react like that? » He asked finally.

Faith shrugged.

« Don't know. I'm not really used to that, the nearness, the… »

She looked for the good word and Angel came to her help.

« Tenderness? »

Faith nodded simply without looking at the vampire beside her.

« And you're afraid? »

« Afraid? »

Angel stopped and leaned against a grave behind him. Instinctively, Faith did the same.

« You're afraid » repeated Angel. And this time, it wasn't a question.

Faith scowled.

« Afraid? Ok, I reacted stupidly; but saying I'm afraid? Afraid of what? »

« Of what you feel? »

« What? »

Faith looked now at Angel in astonishment and distrust and Angel tried to offer a reassuring smile.

« I understand that Faith. These feelings are frightening when we feel them for the first time.»

Faith shrugged with carelessness.

« What are you talking about? Ok, she's cool and everything … »

« You've become attached to her Faith. » Clarified Angel. « Your loss of control with the grave looters the other time didn't happen by chance. »

« What do you mean? » Asked Faith, while rocking nervously from one foot to the other.

« I don't think you would have reacted that way, if it had been somebody else. »

« Obviously, if it had been somebody as boring as you, I would have let him deal alone» muttered Faith.

« You couldn't bare to see her being hurt » Angel resumed, as if the Slayer hadn't interrupted him. « You let your feelings for her get the upper hand. »

« Ok, Ok » admitted Faith in a piercing tone. « Of course I don't want her to get hurt. I wanted to protect her. And I would have protected Fred or Cordelia TOO »

« Your reaction would have been different if it had been about Cordelia or about Fred. You reacted as violently as your feelings for her are disturbing to you. » asserted Angel.

Faith shrugged again and looked away.

« Anything disturbing in there » She grumbled more for herself than for Angel.

Angel remained silent for a few minutes, observing the Slayer who seemed to look everywhere else except at him.

« It's normal that you're disturbed Faith. And destabilized. I think that's new for you, and you…»

« What are you talking about? » Exclaimed Faith with sharpness, glancing at Angel again.

« You like her » answered Angel, a half-smile on his face.

« Of course, I already said that » muttered Faith.

Angel hesitated for a second then turned again to her.

« I didn't exactly mean that, Faith » he admitted to her. « I meant a little more about it »

« And what? » Interrogated Faith, openly annoyed.

« You are falling in love with her. »

Faith, who was again going to react even before Angel finished his sentence, kept silent when her brain registered what the vampire had just said.
She frowned, prepared a first answer, swallowed, was about to pronounce the second answer that came to her, before finally leaning on the gravestone behind her and shrugging.

"Whatever" she said simply.

Angel stared at the Slayer whose eyes moved around their surroundings, avoiding crossing his. He glanced to her face which showed a stubborn and annoyed look. He looked at her hands which nervously opened and closed around the stake that she held.

« Faith, it's perfectly normal to fall in love and to feel uneasy or … »

« Stop that » ordered Faith on a tone without retort. « There's nothing of the kind, your imagining things … »

« I understand you’re in denial » Angel insisted however. « Sometimes, that’s something more terrible than to fight monsters and … »

Faith raised her eyes to the sky, then stood up abruptly, fixing her eyes to something behind Angel.

« I think we have some company » she said.

Angel turned around and noticed that indeed, two vampires had just extracted their graves just behind him.

« Job is calling me » added Faith by crossing a few meters which separated her from both newcomers, a stake in her hand and a resolute look on her face.

« You know it will last less than two minutes? » Questioned Angel.

« If I get lucky, others are going to show up » retorted the Slayer while putting herself in action.

Angel grimaced and sighed while glancing at her fight.

« See what I was saying? Fighting monsters is so much easier than talking about feelings » he added, to nobody in particular.
***
Faith got up late the following morning and  was reluctantly pulled from bed by the insistent protests of her stomach. She looked at the alarm clock on her night table and noticed that it was just shy of eleven o'clock. She got up, quickly slipped on a tracksuit and went to the kitchen.  She thought she would find empty as it was really late, but she was wrong.

Cordelia, Fred and Tara were still sat around the breakfast table. All three greeted her warmly and Tara sent her an adorable and shy smile as she looked at Faith.

« You got up late this morning. Tired? »

" Late Patrol " answered Faith abruptly, sending hardly a glance to the three young ladies.

Then she opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of milk.  She poured a glass, before coming towards the table to look for what remained from breakfast.

« We saved you some doughnuts. » said Tara with a slightly hesitating voice while handing her the box.

Faith put one in her mouth then took two others, before going to the exit under the stunned eyes of the three young women.

« Looks like the Slayer got up in a bad mood! » Cordelia threw behind her while Faith disappeared from their sight.

Fred and Cordelia exchanged a glance before looking at Tara. She offered them a half-smile.

« I think it's my fault » explained the witch slowly. « I think I made her angry last night»

Cordelia raised her eyes to the sky and shrugged when she saw the sorry look on Tara's face.

« Don't worry, it'll pass. A day for her to be a pain in the ass, a night to kill vampires and you'll have your Faith back, believe me. »

Cordelia punctuated her assertion with a convinced nod of her head before starting again on the tone of conversation:

« Not that I understand how you can be friend with that ass, but we all have our weaknesses after all. »
***
And Cordelia was partly right. Faith spent the major part of the day outside, returned only after dinnertime which she ate quickly only before joining Angel, Gunn and Wesley on patrol. She took care during the day to avoid crossing the girls of the group and returned in the early hours of morning, long after the boys.

Although disappointed not to have seen the Slayer all day, Tara decided to follow Cordelia's advice and wait for the next day when Faith's gloomy humor - whatever her reason was - had passed. The witch thus spent the evening with Fred in the library and enjoyed the company of the young woman.

But the next day did not return to normal as Tara had thought and hoped for it. Faith didn't come to wake her asand she didn't show herself at breakfast, nor even in the morning.

The Slayer made her first appearance of the day at around midday, while the gang - except Wesley because he had a lunch in city - was gathered for the meal. She sat down at an end of the table, showed her most stubborn look so that nobody spoke to her and disappeared as soon as her last piece of food was swallowed under the inquisitive looks of all her companions.

« Looks like Faith came back in a wild mood » pointed out Gunn while turning to Tara. «Something happen? »

Tara had a light smile.

« I … I don't really know … »

Gunn didn't insist and nobody else returned to the subject while the group fussed to arrange the kitchen.

Again, Tara only saw Faith at the following mealtime . This time, the Slayer settled down with Angel and talked about weapons, evils and patrols with animation during all of dinner, never keeping silent long enough for anyone to speak to her.  And at the end of the dinner, Tara moved on her with a smile to ask her if everything was okay, Faith just threw her an evasive " five in five " before pulling Angel after her towards the training room. Tara's wounded and saddened expression escaped none of the occupants of the room.

Just as the prvious night, Faith did not return until the late morning hours. The next day, she avoided contact with the inhabitants of the hotel. Tara, who wanted to understand where she had hurt the Slayer and apologize for it, eventually gave up because Faith's evasions got colder each time and hoped that she would eventually come back simply by herself. And if it wasn't the case, Tara thought with regret, that it wouldn't be the first time that somebody would ignore her.

She thus spent her days, locked in the library, more so than previously, often together with Fred, sometimes with Cordelia who sighed in a significant way at the evident pain of the witch. "After all" Cordelia told herself. « Could a healthy person be sad that Faith doesn't speak to her any more? ». The answer was apparently yes, although the former cheerleader still wasn't convinced completely of Tara's mental health. But it was stronger than her, Faith's attitude irritated her.

She had even spoken to Angel on the matter. She had vaguely explained the incident between Faith and Tara and Cordelia had been only able to roll her eyes and to raise her arms to the sky, wondering what could indeed take place in the Slayer's head. She had then almost ordered Angel to speak to Faith so that she would change her behavior, but the vampire had admitted having already tried and collided with a wall. Cordelia had mumbled something about vampires, Slayers and the way they saw social relations and had left.
***
This had lasted for several days, when on the fifth morning, Cordelia landed without warning in the Slayer's room. Faith had come back at dawn from patrol, was still lazy in her bed, and her face showed an expression far from happy at the young woman's intrusion.

« What are you fucking doing here? » Growled Faith.

But Cordelia paid no attention to the evident aggressiveness of the Slayer and having closed the door behind her, stood, hands on her hips, in front of the bed in which Faith was still half buried.

« What's your problem Faith? » She asked abruptly in a sharp tone.

Faith looked at her without understanding and sent her a murderous glance, which did not have the expected effect on the former cheerleader.

« What problem? » She eventually muttered, seeing that Cordelia didn't stumble.

« What problem?  The Tara problem » said Cordelia with a tone of exasperation.

« What about Tara? » Muttered Faith, even more aggressively than before.

« What are you doing with her? » Resumed Cordelia as she started pacing the room. « For weeks, you are inseparable, we don't see one of you without the other at almost every hour of day or night.  You became almost sociable, my God, I was almost finding you nice! » The young lady exclaimed as she stood in front of Faith. « And suddenly, you don't talk to her any more, you avoid her in every possible way and then you begin to hang around at night again. So I ask: what’s your problem? »

« None of your business» murmured Faith and turned her back to her intruder, apparently deciding to ignore her presence.

« I think it's my business» protested Cordelia.

Then she approached the bed and pulled the blankets that Faith was rolled up in. The reaction of the Slayer wasn't long in coming. She turned around with fury, a pissed off look on her face.

« Hey! What the hell do you think your doing? »

But Cordelia remained as unmoved at the Slayer's outburst as before.

« Tara's sad » she asserted slowly.

Then seeing that Faith looked at her again and seemed to listen to her, she resumed pacing the room while starting again.

« Well, Ok, I understand, you, the great leather hottie, who screws guy after guy, in love with a small shy witch, that doesn't stick to your image. »

Faith muttered something about image Cordelia didn't quite understand before murmuring a little more loudly.

« I'm not in love with her. For God's sake, where the hell did you get that? » She finished almost roaring

Cordelia stopped again and looked at her with her piercing eyes, as if she had tried to feel the truth of this assertion. Then she made a vague wave of her hand and started again:

« Whatever. Whatever you have in mind or in your heart if you have one, Tara's sad. And you owe her an explanation. At least that. Even if my advice would rather be to say to her how you feel about her and damn your image. Anyway, that wouldn't hurt you to change it. »

A new dark glance from Faith who had leaned on her elbows to look at her, made Cordelia smile, and the former cheerleader added with a grin :

« Or, if you like your image that much, pin her down to a wall and kiss her senseless. Who knows, that could also work. But for God's sake, do SOMETHING, I can't see her being so sad anymore. »

And with that, the former cheerleader left the room, leaving a dumbfounded Faith.
***
The night was about to fall on Los Angeles when Faith came back to the Hyperion after having spent most of the day grinding alone outside. When she entered the lobby, she passed Cordelia who was fussing at the counter. The former cheerleader raised her eyes from what she was doing to see her entering. She glanced at her with a piercing and annoyed glance, but got out of sending her a word. Faith stopped a moment in front of the door and looked in her direction, seemed to hesitate on the direction to be taking, then crossed the lobby to go to the kitchen. She was plunged into darkness and from the good smell, Faith guessed that the meal was almost finished cooking in the oven for the imminent dinner.

She turned on her heels and again crossed the lobby where Cordelia hadn't moved from. As before, the young lady watched the Slayer without saying anything to her.  Faith climbed the stairs four at a time, where she stopped by her room to drop off her jacket.

Then she went to the library and saw that the door was half-opened. Faith stopped on the doorstep. Some meters from her, Tara and Fred were both sat at the table, several books and exercise books opened in front of them, a pencil in hand. Both young ladies discussed calmly and cheerfully. Although Tara had her back three quarters in regard to her, Faith could guess her smile while Fred laughed at what Tara had said to her.  But the laughter of the young lady faded when she raised her head and saw Faith at the doorstep. Tara turned around to follow her glance and she offered Faith the shy smile that the Slayer liked so much.

« Hey Faith » she said simply.

« Hey »  Faith answered quite low, moving into the room.

She sat down at the table across from where Tara was settled and cast a circular glance to the books put in front of both girls.

« So, what are you doing? » She asked in a tone that she forced to be relaxed.

Tara smiled again, more frankly, before answering:

« Actually, we looked at spells and we tried to translate old texts of rites … »

« That seems cool » approved Faith, while nodding her head silly.

An uncomfortable silence followed. None of the three girls seemed really comfortable, or seemed to know what to do or say. After a few moments, Faith decided to get up and to leave but Fred outmoved her when she saw her moving.

« I'm going to leave you girls! I have a thing to do … You know, Tara, I have to see Angel, speak to him about spells. He told me to speak to him about it. So, as we learned a little more, I am going to go to speak to him about it. And we shall see each other later. See you later Tara. And see you later Faith »

And with that, the woman got up, closed a book that she put under her arm and hurried towards the exit without leaving any time for the others to react.
Faith and Tara remained alone. One moment, each of them avoided the glance of the other, Faith letting her eyes roam everywhere in the room, Tara's riveted on the book in front of her.

"OK" said Faith finally. « I think I have to say something to you. »

Tara raised her head towards her and noticed the nervousness of the Slayer whose fingers tapped nervously on the edge of the table and who still avoided her glance.

« I wanted to say to you that I am so... » Began Faith

« No, I understand, Faith » interrupted Tara self-assuredly. « I understand very well you know. »

Faith looked at her in astonishment and frowned while Tara continued.

« You are the Slayer. You have your Slayer's things. And to spend time with me is probably not always very fun for you. I understand you need to take a break, to make your own thing, fun things … »

« Tara, no » Faith exclaimed with horror. « It isn't about that, I guarantee you. It's... it's just me … »

« I promise, Faith, I understand, no... no problem. »

« Cordelia said you were sad » said suddenly the Slayer.

Tara lowered her eyes, embarrassed by the remark of her friend.

« It's just... it's just that … I was used to your presence. And then, you know, before, I never had somebody like you in my life. I … »

« Somebody like me? What do you mean here? » Interrogated Faith, opening wide eyes. And she hated the way she felt her throat getting dry and her voice had trembled slightly. Very slightly. But she had trembled. And Faith hated that.

Tara lowered her eyes again and seemed even shier than before, which ended up putting Faith ill-at-ease. Abruptly unable to keep still, the Slayer got up and made the tour of the table to get closer to the blonde witch. Arriving across from her, she remained at first standing, rocking from one foot to the other, hesitating to look at Tara who had raised her eyes towards her and frowned when she had got up. Faith decided finally to perch on the table again, next to Tara this time, but at respectable distance.

« You know » Faith resumed, while Tara was still silent. « I know what I’m going to say is probably stupid, but I... I think I like you »

« Hopefully, it’s not completely stupid »joked Tara, offering to Faith an immense smile.

Faith was unable to repress a small laughter at the blonde's comment.

« I guess it's not » she approved.

Tara smiled to her again and got up. She approached the Slayer and sat down on the table in her turn, being careful to leave a reasonable space between Faith and her. Both girls looked away from each other, each seeming to hesitate on the continuation of this conversation. Faith was particularly nervous and had to make an effort on herself to prevent her fingers from tapping on the edge of the table.  Having turned words over and over again, sentences after sentences, having examined the possibilities offered to her, having remembered Cordelia's words, Angel's ones and the last months which had just passed by, Faith succeeded in collecting enough courage to look at Tara face to face and speak. But as she got ready to do it, the witch started.

« What I wanted to say earlier, about you... » Began Tara.

Faith opened her mouth as she got ready to speak and closed it to let Tara say what she had to say.

« In Sunnydale, I made friends for the first time. You know, Buffy, Xander, Anya. And even Mr Giles »

She laughed lightly at the fact of evoking Giles as a friend and Faith also smiled to her.

« But before anything else, they were all Willow's friends first. They are the Scooby-gang, and even if they like me, I remain nevertheless just Willow's girlfriend. »

Faith nodded her head, the feeling Tara evoked not being unknown to her. She too remembered having had this sensation to be around the group without ever really being a member.

« With you, it's totally different from what I lived there » resumed Tara. « With you, I really had the feeling that what’s between us, it really belonged to me in a sense. »

Faith smiled again, more shyly this time, at the same moment touched, proud and shaken by the words of the blonde.

« I never had a friend to me before. A friend for me » continued Tara.

Faith quivered slightly and frowned.

« A friend? » She repeated, as to be sure.

Tara tilted her head towards her and sent her a shy smile.

« Not only a friend » she confided and Faith had the sensation that her heart stopped beating in her chest.

" The best " finished Tara.

Again, Faith thought her vital functions had stopped working for a moment and her smile fainted on her face. But it lasted only a fleeting second and the Slayer offered a hesitating smile to the blonde witch.

« Best friends then? » She asked, assuring her voice.

« Best friends »  Tara confirmed, while presenting the Slayer her characteristic smile.

And Faith tried simply to force hers a little more in reply.