//There is a little Spike and Faith, but more friendship than anything else. Just a warning. Please review!  Also, a throw out to my past reviewers. Thank you so much gingar369, Spikez_tart and Ami! You guys rock! 

I puffed on my fag as I contemplated Faith’s door, and more importantly, the woman on the other side. I wanted to consult with her before meeting Buffy, but the problem with that was that I had to tell her what happened. I really didn’t want to go dishing out that info to people. I steeled myself and raised my fist. She’d find out sooner or later anyway, might as well draw on her strength to keep from running back and playing lapdog to my adulterating wife.

The door swung open, cutting down my procrastinating by leaps. Faith stood in her doorway, jacket in hand.  “Spike? What the hell happened to you?”

I squinted my eyes in annoyance. “You looked great too, Faith,” I said sarcastically.

“Your hair is blonde and you’re dressed in black and leather. I think it’s fair to say what the hell happened to you? What did you and Buffy fight over this time?”

I took one last draw from the cigarette before dropping to the floor and stubbing it out with the toe of my boot. “And why does there have to be fighting involved, sweetie?” I cocked an eye brow at her.

She clenched her jaw. “I live here, asshole. Pick your goddamn cigarette butt up.”

“Why? Its outside your apartment. Don’t see how it matters.”

She bent over and carefully picked it up. She smiled at me prettily as she flicked in in my face. “I’m gonna kick your ass every time I see that burn mark.”

I curled my tongue behind my teeth and gave her a suggestive grin. “Guess I’ll have to make sure you aren’t focusing on the floor. Any ideas on how I can do that?” I purred seductively.

Faith looked worried. “Fuck, Spike, what happened? What did Buffy do?”

I knew why she was concerned. We joked and snarked, but we didn’t flirt. I loved Buffy, as did she.

I didn’t think I could go through with it. “N- nothing.”

She put her hand on my arm and looked into my eyes with such caring and love that I broke down. Tears came to my eyes and I covered my face with my hand. She wrapped her arms around me, bringing my head to rest in the crook of her neck. I hugged her back, crying into her hair.

“Spike, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong? What happened?” She smoothed her hand over my hair. “Come on Spike, tell me what’s wrong.”

“She—Buffy—She cheated on me.” I could barely force the words to pass my lips.

Faith pushed me back. “What? With who?”

“I….” I didn’t know if I should tell her or not. She had grown somewhat fond of Angel, and I didn’t know how she’d react.

“Who was he, Spike? Tell me.” She growled her words, an edge of danger to her tone.

“Angel,” I whispered. His name left a bitter after taste in my mouth.

She tugged me back into her embrace. “I’m gonna kill him,” she promised.

I smiled despite myself. There was one woman in my life that cared about me more than she did Angel. “Almost did,” I murmured into her shoulder.

She led me into her apartment. She directed me to her couch as she closed the door. “How’d… How did you find out?”

 “The bastard told me. Threw it in my face. Describe it…They… Faith, in my bed. Our bed.  The same bed Buffy and I make…” I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence.

Faith sat next to me. “Spike, I’m so sorry. God. Fuck him. Fuck her.” She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “You deserve better, Spike. How could she…? I mean, you love her so much.”

I started crying again and Faith pulled my head into her lap. “I’m sorry Spike. If there’s anything you need. I’m here for you, Spike, you know that. Do you need a place to stay or something?”

I let Faith run her fingers through my hair. After so much heartache, to have her take care of me felt so good. “No, I’m staying at Andrew’s.”

“Voluntarily?”

I chuckled. “Yeah, I got my jacket from him last night and he offered me his spare room. I didn’t wake up to him taking pictures or trying to molest me, so you know he’s on his best behavior.”

She laughed softly, a sweet sound. A sound that cheered me up a slightly.

“Well, if he tries to kiss you or something you’re welcomed to stay here. I swear I’ll keep my hands to myself. Camera too.”

I sat up and touched her cheek gently. “Please don’t stop touching me.” Somehow our faces got impossibly close.  

“I need you,” I whispered.

Our lips touched tentatively. It was a soft kiss. Something brought on by my hurt and need for affection. It was nice, sweet, her lips taste like strawberries, but it wasn’t right. We ended the kiss and I looked down.

“I’m sorry, Faith. We’re friends, I shouldn’t—“

She put her finger to my lips. “Spike, we are friends, that’s exactly why it’s okay. You needed that, I get it. Hell, after Wood left I went on a binge, a new guy every night. You’re in pain, if that kiss helped at all, I’m glad. But Spike, we can’t go further than that.”

I nodded, still not looking up. “I know.”

She grabbed my chin and forced me to face her. “I love you, Spike, but I love you like I love B. You’re my best friend. I need to keep you under that title. Besides, you’re still in love with Buffy, you’d probably be thinking of her the whole time if we did anything.”

“I’m meeting her tonight, you know. She wants to explain herself.”

Faith brushed her hand over my cheekbone. “Need a little back up, or are you going to be okay?”

I press my face into her hand. “I think… well we’re doing this thing at Andrew’s place. Neutral territory an’ all, and I want you there. But only if you want to. I don’t want to force you or anything.”

She patted my cheek. “I can’t guarantee B will be a hundred percent after I see her, but I want to be with you. Gotta take care of my boy after all. Not like you can do it yourself. You’re weak in the head.”

She grinned toothily at me. “When is this thing going down, anyway?”

I looked at my watch. “An hour. I guess we should go now.”

“Okay.” She jumped up, pulling me up with her. “Did you drive?”

“No, I walked.”

“I’ll give you a lift, then.” She grabbed her keys and was half way out before I could speak.

“Faith!” I jog up to her. “I need the fresh air, I’ll walk. We’ll meet up at Andrew’s.”

She made a face. “I have to be there with him? Alone?”

I rolled my eyes. “He’s not that bad. Besides, with all the lights you’ll have, I’ll get there first.”

She scoffed and started walking again. “Sure, blondie, in your dreams.”

“Will to,” I grumbled under my breath and trailed after her. “Bloody vampire, here.”