Will's gotten her way: I agreed to go on a double date with her and Oz.

She was so excited when I said yes but she has to agree this doesn't feel any different than when we just "hang out". We're only at the Bronze like we are all the time and it can't even be called an official double date yet. Faith's not here so right now it's just like it was before. Willow and Oz are all couple-y and I'm sitting here alone being the third wheel.

I wanted to meet Faith at the bar so we could show up together like an actual couple but since I hated being there last time she said she'd meet here. She's about an hour late at this point.

"Faith knew the time, right?" Willow asks above the music, which unfortunately is not something you can dance to. Faith'll hate it.

"Yeah," I say, nodding. "She probably just got held up at work."

"I think she's at the bar," Oz says and points in that direction.

I look and smile when I notice her. She's wearing her black leathers and a tight red sleeveless top that I'm sure got her a lot of tips at the bar. There's a part of me that wants to tell her she shouldn't wear something like that to work but that's only because I don't want all those guys drooling over her. I should be the only one who does that.

Willow and Oz are quickly forgotten quickly and I don't say anything when I get up and walk over to the bar. Some guy is talking to her as she waits for the bartender and it's pretty easy to see he's flirting with her. I can't see her face so I don't know how serious she's taking him.

I put my arm around her waist once I get to her and I don't feel her tense when I do so I know she knows it's me. "Hey."

She turns to me and away from the guy instantly, who scowls then turns to start up a conversation with the woman on the other side of him. "Hey, yourself."

"We've been waiting for you."

The bartender gets her drink and she pays him quickly before turning back to me, putting an arm around my shoulders in the process. "Thought I'd get a drink first and attempt to enjoy this crappy music before I walked over."

I smile at the comment and it amazes me how happy I am to see her. I think I'm finally starting to realize just how much I've fallen for her. My heart wants me to say what I know Faith wants to hear but my brain stops me, probably because it doesn't feel right yet. Instead, I close the distance between us and give her a light kiss. It only lasts a second but there's a huge grin on Faith's face when I move away.

She leans in close, putting her lips to my ear. "I didn't think you'd be big on PDA."

I smirk at that. "I guess I'm just full of surprises."

"I guess so," Faith laughs quietly and leads us away from the bar, an arm around me while carrying her drink in her other hand.

Being this close to Faith automatically seems to put a smile on my face that it feels like we're the only two people here. It looks like Willow and Oz have been watching us from the booth though because my best friend has a very amused look on her face. I guess she's not used to seeing how I act with Faith but I guess that's understandable.

It's been a week since our day at the beach and I've slept over at her place twice since then. We're both used to the closeness but normally we're only at my house or her apartment. I think it's time we show that we're a couple more and I'm sure Faith will agree.

"Don't the two of you look so cute together?" Willow teases one we make it to the booth.

"I think we look pretty hot," Faith says as we slide into the other side of the booth. "What's with the music tonight? I was hoping to show B some moves."

I know I'm blushing as Faith puts an arm around my shoulders. "Maybe we could go somewhere else."

"Not a whole lot of other places in Sunnydale," Willow points out.

"The owner said he wanted to try a couple new bands," Oz says easily. "I don't think he ever heard them."

"Doesn't sound like it."

Faith and Oz start talking music and goings on at the Bronze and my mind drifts a little. Mostly, it drifts to two nights ago when I stayed with Faith. Our hands wandered a little more than they have before but I think Faith could tell when I started to get a little nervous because she stopped before anything could happen.

There's a part of me that figured Faith would have been a little more persistent in moving our relationship along. I know she said that I was calling the shots but I also know how slaying works her up. From the way she looks at me after I know she wants me.

What I don't understand is why I'm so afraid to take that next step?

When I'm with Faith she's different from the person I met almost a year ago. She's not guarded or closed off. She's funny and sweet and I can tell she means what she says . . . that she loves me.

"Spacing out on me, B?" Faith whispers in my ear as she pulls me a little closer to her. "Once the band stops and the music starts up I'm thinking we need to let loose a little."

When I turn to look at her she's got a grin on her face. "I guess we'll have to wait to see if they actually play anything decent."

"Faith?" Willow says, causing both of us to look away from each other and at her and Oz. "Why are you working at that bar anyway? Both of you get paid by the Council now so why bother with working? Especially where you work."

Faith shrugs. "I don't want the Council to approve of everything I do. Where's the fun in that?"

"So you're rebelling by getting a job?" Oz asks with a hint of a smile on his face. "I like it."

"When you say it like that it doesn't sound like it," Faith says, laughing quietly. "It sounds weird but I like it and the owner pays well to have a slayer on staff."

"Don't forget about the beach," I say.

"Yeah, and he had his own beach."

"That is a bonus." Willow laughs and it makes me happy that she's relaxed around Faith. I know my girlfriend has the tendency to make her nervous at times.

We end up talking and laughing for about an hour before the band takes a break and sure enough, music starts up that we can definitely dance to. Faith looks at me with a huge grin on her face and without saying a word she stands and pulls me up with her. I don't even have time to say anything to Will as I'm dragged to the dance floor, a place that's already starting to fill up.

"Faith!"

Once we're out there, she turns to me. "I think it's time we let loose a little."

I shake my head at her but it only takes a few seconds before I'm moving to the music with her. At first, we're not even dancing together as much as just dancing in the same area. The floor is starting to get crowded and after a minute Faith has a guy trying to get her attention and I scowl at the intrusion. I have the same problem with another guy but I move away and he gets the hint.

The guy trying to get all over my girlfriend doesn't seem to get the hint even though Faith moves toward me and turns her back on him. He smirks and moves with her, putting a hand on her hip in the process which only gets me angry.

It's a shame I can't hit him.

Instead, I make sure that everyone knows that Faith is taken. I close the distance between us and Faith smiles as I do, reaching out and pulling me the rest of the way so we're practically pressed against each other. Before I put an arm around her I use it to push her dance floor stalker away and smirk at him as he moves off to harass another girl.

"Getting a little possessive, huh?" Faith says as she puts her lips to my ear.

"I'm sure you'd do the same."

"Damn right."

I look into her eyes and can't help but grin as I do. She looks like she wants to take me right here, like she's completely turned on. I'd like to think I'm proven right when Faith wiggles her eyebrows and grins back before starting to move with me.

For a few minutes everything else just fades away and all that I can comprehend is Faith and the music. It ends not being overtly sexual but we dance together and I'm sure it's clear to everyone at the Bronze that we're a couple. Not a single guy attempts to dance with us for the rest of the song though I'm not completely sure I'd even notice. All I see is Faith.

"Have I told you how hot you look tonight, B?"

"Not yet," I say, smirking a little.

Faith opens her mouth to say it but then the song ends and something slower starts. She grins for a second then leans in, putting her lips to my ear. "You look really hot."

The only response I have for that is to let out quiet giggle before taking her hand and leading her back to the table. Willow and Oz are off in their own little world, whispering to each other, but they notice us when we sit back down.

"You two looked all . . . together out there," Willow comments.

Faith smirks. "Why weren't you two out there?"

"Oh, I'm not much of a dancer," Oz says. "It's why I'm in a band."

"That's the main reason?" I ask with a smile on my face.

He only nods, causing the rest of us to laugh. Faith offers to get the next round and I smile as she gets up to leave. The night turned out to be a lot of fun so far and it's really just beginning. I can't wait to see if we can get on the dance floor again.

Since I still want to keep my mom in the dark about the fact Faith and I are dating I don't want to stay at Faith's apartment every night. Which is why instead just taking the short walk to Faith's place for the night, I'm walking home. But then again, Faith is with me.

I told her she didn't need to walk me home since it's not like I can't protect myself but she said she wanted to and I didn't argue with that. It's really the first chance all night we got to be alone all night aside from when we were dancing.

I really liked the dancing.

"Thanks for doing this."

"Doing what?" Faith asks. "Walking you home? I knew you wanted a little extra protection."

When I look at her she's smirking, which makes me laugh. "That's not what I meant. Thanks for doing this double date thing Willow wanted."

She shrugs. "It was kinda fun . . . and kinda what we always do when we're at the Bronze."

"I know," I say as I smile at her, "but Will likes that we labeled it that way."

Faith puts an arm around me as we walk up to my front door and I really don't want her to go. We had such a great night and I don't want it to end. At the same time, I also know my mom probably wouldn't want me to stay out all night. Before I left tonight I told her I was coming home and not staying at Faith's so I know if I'm out any later she might panic if she wakes up.

"So . . . I'll see you tomorrow?"

We kiss but it's too short and she starts to turn away but I keep hold of her hand. Faith looks down at her hand then at me with a raised eyebrow and all I can do is smile for a second, not knowing how to say what I want.

"What's up, B?"

"I-I don't want you to go."

"You wanna go back to mine?" Faith asks quietly.

"No, I told my mom that I'd be here tonight," I answer but still smile at her. "You could, I don't know, stay here tonight?"

Faith furrows her brow for a second and run a hand through her hair. "I don't know, B. You think your mom will be okay with that?"

I shrug. "I stay with you. Why can't you stay here?"

She looks like she's thinking it over but I don't think my mom with care. She likes Faith and it's not like she's gonna find us in some sort of naked situation. I only want to sleep next to Faith tonight. It's a closeness I've gotten used to.

"I guess so." Faith still looks a little hesitant though. "This isn't like my place though. I kinda don't have any clothes to sleep in and I'm not about to test out your mom's hearing by fooling around."

I don't say anything in response, only keep hold of her hand as I unlock the front door and get us inside. The house is dark, which I appreciate because that means my mom didn't worry and wait up for me. It's also late and I'm not sure if I could come up with a quick excuse as to why Faith would be spending the night.

We walk up the stairs quietly and I keep hold of her hand, trying to push down any nervousness. I don't know why I'm still nervous about situations like this. I don't want to be but I'm pretty sure by the time we reach my room I'm gripping Faith's hand pretty hard.

Faith closes the door behind us and I go about trying to find something for Faith to sleep in when I feel her wrap her arms around me from behind. "I can sleep in my clothes if you can't find anything."

"I can find something," I whisper as I pull out a t-shirt and shorts. "Leather pants can't be comfortable to sleep in."

I hand her the clothes and pull pajamas out for me and now there's a little awkwardness. When we're at Faith's there is a bathroom to run off to. Outside of that first day when I accidentally saw Faith's naked reflection there hasn't been a situation where I've had the chance again.

"I'll turn around, B," Faith says and smiles at me.

The only thing I can do is smile back and turn around, too. We change without saying anything even I have to fight to keep from turning around. There's a part of me that wants nothing more than to fall into bed with her and really explore her body and have her explore mine.

Of course, the other part is absolutely terrified of that happening.

I get dressed as quickly as I can but by the time my shirt's on Faith has her arms around me again and her lips press against my neck. The only response I can even think of is to lean against her as she moves her hands over my stomach. I can't help but wonder if she's thinking about how far I'll go with the kissing and the touching.

It takes some effort but I move away and turn to face her. She seems to know what I'm thinking and we silently get into bed, Faith leading the way. I'd give anything to know what's going through her mind. Normally, she'd be making some comment about whatever she notices in my room but I haven't gotten any of that from her.

Once we're lying down we look at each other and Faith reaches out, running a hand down my arm. "We have a connection, you know that, right?"

"I think I do," I say. "It's why we fight so well together."

She nods. "We're the Chosen Two. You're the only one who's supposed to get me." She pauses. "Why are you so nervous? It's coming off you in waves."

"I don't know," I admit. "I don't want to be nervous."

Faith moves a little closer. "Is it because of what happened with Angel? Are you afraid because of what happened?"

This conversation is embarrassing and even though it's dark I'm sure Faith knows I'm blushing. "It's just . . . what happened after . . ."

"I'm not gonna turn evil, Buffy. You're not gonna wake up alone and I'm not gonna up and leave you. That much I can guarantee."

That is something that worries me and I'm not going to lie by saying it isn't. That's only part of it though and I'm not sure how to talk about the rest. "That's not everything."

Faith looks away from me for a second, like she's trying to figure out exactly what's going on in my head. When she looks back at me again she also pulls me to her so we're only a couple inches apart. "You are the first person I actually care about. You think that doesn't freak me the fuck out?"

"I guess I didn't think about that."

"Next time you're over-thinking what we have going on just think about that." She pauses. "This is new for me, too . . . just for different reasons."

It feels a little ridiculous that I haven't thought about that much. When I date someone, there's feeling behind it and if there's not I don't think I'd pursue it. If I didn't have feelings for Faith I wouldn't have been with her this long. With that, I wouldn't even think about sex with someone just to get off. I've never even thought about it.

When I first met Faith she practically oozed sex and it was one of the main reasons why I didn't think I had anything in common with her. She talked about hooking up after slaying, the whole "get some, get gone" attitude, and thought I was weird that I didn't do that. This whole time part of me thought Faith was thinking about getting me naked.

I definitely didn't think she'd be nervous because of what she feels for me.

When I look into her eyes I see so much and I can't help but smile. Now that Faith's let her walls down those big brown eyes are so expressive. "I like that you're here."