Chicago Loop

Willow and I headed over to Giles's as fast as our feet could carry us. I couldn't handle the fact of Faith leaving without me telling her exactly how I felt. Willow, I could tell, was jealous of this fact. But then again, she's always had a thing against Faith, considering the fact that I had been a little more considerate to her, being my sister Slayer and all. But the jealousy that is hidden beneath her eyes was more than just that. I can almost feel the secretive rage building inside of her the more and more I talk of Faith. Aw well. She'll get over it eventually. I hope.

After we arrived at Giles's and explained everything…well…almost everything, he began to contemplate and flip through some demon manual. He cleared his throat and removed his glasses. "Buffy…you must find Faith before it's too late. This demon is not easy to beat. It's a Jaloers Ketteren…a vengeful beast who feeds off the jealousy and rage of others." Giles wiped his glasses, as he does, and placed them back on his face. "It is imperative you find her before she reaches her destination. If your dreams are true…"

"Then she'll be killed…" I heard myself mumble in a soft voice. I gulped down air, trying to think where Faith could possibly be.

"Y-you should fly to Chicago. It's the halfway mark of the United States…a-at least, it's in the Northern section of the Midwest…a-and she's most likely heading b-back to Boston. Since it's as far as she can get away from California." Willow spoke, confident in her words, but not in wanting me to go.

I smiled and touched Will's face, sighing, watching her heart drop while putting on her "brave face". Giving her a kiss on the forehead, I sighed, "Look, I know you don't think I'm doing this for the right reasons, Will. And you're right. I'm probably not. But you have to let me try. You'll always be my best friend, you know this. When I find Faith and come back here, I promise I won't shove you away. Ok? I won't neglect you." Willow nodded and sighed.

"Yes, well, I will arrange for you to take the next flight out to Chicago, and send you along with extra cash, just to be safe. Please, call when you find her. It's imperative you…"

"Giles, I know. I'm sure I'll be able to find her. Let my Slayer Sense tingle and all that wonderfulness." Buffy gave Giles a reassuring smile and held out her hand. "Now, about that cash…"

**********Faith's POV**********

I hopped a train heading to the Midwest, thankfully, because it kept me out of the cold. Beforehand, though, I had used the $50 bill I had to get some necessities…the carton of smokes, some booze, and some food that I could eat right out of the can, leaving me with five bucks to my name. God, I hate the transient lifestyle, but anything's better than having my heart broken again from the Blonde Bitch. God, what the hell am I saying? I took my head in my hands and rubbed my temples. I know, I know, I KNOW! I felt my heart wrench within my chest and screamed.

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE FUCK YOU DO TO ME! I LOVE YOU! I FUCKING LOVE YOU! AND YOU DON'T HAVE A MOTHERFUCKING CLUE!" Rage and lust and loneliness twisted my heart, as well as my stomach, into one giant knot. And I knew, despite how loud I yell, she'll never hear me. All the sexy and romantic dreams I have will never come to fruition, and it depresses the hell out of me.

**********Buffy's POV**********

The flight was short, so no God-awful airplane movies. However, I did get treated to a God-awful mid-flight meal. So, even though my stomach was already in knots, the food didn't help. I got off the plane and took a deep breath, looking around, wondering if Faith had made it anywhere near Chicago. I miss her so much…and I don't know how to tell her, even if I do find her.

I didn't bring any luggage with me, considering I was planning on making this a short trip, and I should have planned better. Luckily, Giles left me with enough cash to buy a whole new wardrobe designed personally by Gucci if I really desired, so I bought a winter coat and headed out to face the elements, on a mission, to find my sister Slayer…to find the one who's been keeping my heart beating for so long. To find the one that got away…that I won't let get away ever again.

I climbed into a cab and had it take me to the downtown area of Chicago. As we drove down the expressway, the Sears Tower was clearly visible, easily spotted, considering, and I could feel my heart sinking lower. I wonder if Faith can see this scene…how…how picturesque it was…

**********Faith's POV**********

Hmm…wonder where I'm at. I fell asleep riding the train, the rhythmic rocking of the rails comforted me along the way, helping the time fly by. Didn't help that I was depressed. Ah, well. I opened the boxcar's door and peered out, scanning the skyline for any familiar surroundings. Ah…the Sears Tower, the top peering above some low clouds. It's beautiful…I just wish B was here to share the view.

I finally reached the downtown area a little after midnight. I was fucking freezing, to say the least. So, I ducked into one of these warming stations I heard one of the railroad guys talking about, and the same guys from my one dream…oh…oh my God. She's here. B's fucking here. And I knew exactly where I had to go.

**********Buffy's POV**********

I wandered up and down State Street, hoping to catch a glimpse of Faith. It was a little bit after midnight, and I was tired. I stopped at a Kinko's and had some flyers made up, hoping Faith would stop in at one of the bars. I passed by one called J.N. Michael's earlier, and thought that it may have been a place Faith would go to warm up, whether it be alcohol or food. And that's when I distinctively saw my leather jacket. And her dark hair draped over it, turning to glance out the window. She must have seen me, because she turned pale white, and turned back around. Fuck it. I'm going in.

I opened the door to hear "You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate playing on the jukebox. Faith was sitting at the bar, drunk as a skunk, hiding her face from me. Ok, I'll play her little game…no problem.

I headed to the bar, and stood right next to Faith, and handed a flyer to the bartender, asking if he had seen the missing person. I glanced over at Faith, sighed, and frowned.

"Faith?" A disappointed tone laced my voice.

"B?" she said. Oh she was drunk. She's already slurring.

"I've been looking all over for you…God…I was worried. Why the hell are you running?" I had a feeling I already knew the answer, but I tried my best to be Miss Scolding Teacher.

"Because…I…you…shut the fuck up, B…I'm tired of the whole Goody-Two-Shoes thing. I gotta be bad…you know I'm evil. I can't be a part of the whole Scooby-thing." Faith swigged her beer, and slammed in back down on the bar.

In a softer voice, I asked, prodding slightly. "What are you running from, Faith?" She didn't say anything, she only stared at me, as if to shove me away. "Faith, c'mon. Come back. I…we need you. I…we can't do this alone."

"Come on, B! You're the Big Wonderful. You and your little group of Goody-Goodies can handle anything that comes around." Faith got up from her seat and swerved a little bit. This may be easier than it looks. I took her hand and tried to pull her outside.

"Look, let's talk about this. We'll work out some sort of…compromise…or something." I felt hurt. Why wouldn't she talk to me? She just has to tell me how she feels! And before I knew it, she smashed one of her empty beer bottles against the bar, and gave me a dirty look.

"No…B, you don't understand. I can't! I just fucking can't! I…I'm not good for you. And you ain't taking me outta here unless its in a fucking body bag." I couldn't let Faith scare the hell out of civilians, and try to shove me away. I love her, damn it. I can't let her go to her death! I grabbed her wrist and flipped her to her back, snatching the jagged bottle from her hand.

"Sir, I'm so sorry for the disturbance. I'll take her out of here. I'm an undercover police officer, and she's on death row. So I thought it'd be nice if she was allowed one last hurrah." I handed the bartender about $1000, and he smiled lecherously at me.

"No problem, sweetheart. Come back anytime." He put the money in his pocket and turned away. I pulled Faith back up to her feet, dragging her out, trying to keep her quiet.

She swaggered to her feet and pointed at me, angry. "I don't need your help. Leave me alone."

"Bullshit Faith. You and I need to talk." I folded my arms. "And if I can't talk to you like a civilized person, I'm prepared to take any measure necessary." I meant it too. Anything to save Faith's life.

"Y'know…I'm not one for talking. I'm more for action. So, what? I won't talk, and you'll kick my ass and kidnap me? I'm a big girl, B. I can handle myself." She started to walk away from me, and that pissed me off. Everyone I've ever loved has walked out of my life. No more. I've fucking had it.

"Wait…Faith…come on. I…you know what. Forget it. I don't even know why I bother. You're a selfish, spoiled bitch. You know, just because you don't get what, or for that matter, who you want, doesn't mean you have to throw a temper tantrum and run away. You call yourself a big girl. But all I see is a fucking whiny child." Wow. Where the hell did that come from? I hope I didn't hurt her feelings.

She turned and glared at her. "What the fuck did you just say to me?" She then rushed up and grabbed me by my shoulders, hurting me slightly "No-fucking-body talks to me like that…EVER!"

I looked into her eyes. She didn't mean a word she said. I decided to press it. "Oh come off of it, Faith. We've all had shitty lives. So your mom was an alcoholic whore. So your father beat you. So everyone you've ever felt had an impression on your life thought you were no good, you'd either be in jail or dead by the time you're 24. Wasn't it you that says that you don't care? Well, start fucking proving it." I kept my eyes locked with hers, the snow falling and catching on my eyelashes. I felt really bad for doing this to her, fucking with her emotions to get her to come home. Come home to me. Faith's eyes soften in defeat, and released her squeeze and fell to her knees. I dropped next to her and took Faith's face into my hands. I wanted to lose myself in her eyes, I want her to see that what I was about to say was 100% the truth, and I couldn't take it anymore.

"I…I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to…I just…damn it, Faith. Why can't you see that I love you?" I turned my look away, kind of embarrassed that all that raw emotion came out so smoothly, so quickly, when it had been so hard to say it before.

"Hey…B…I…it's just…I…look…you're the only one, despite all that we've been through, who felt…well…trusted me. I…God, B." Faith's voice turned weak and husky, soft and sexy, defeated. I knew it! I knew it! She does love me. I leaned in closer, just to smell her, just to be near her. A sexy smirk crossed her face as she leaned closer, as she licked her lips.

I could just feel myself getting more and more excited. I had to know…if it is true, "Just…please…kiss me," I breathily begged. I could tell that she couldn't hold on any longer. Our lips met in a frenzied passion, the final connection we had both been waiting for, knowing that this was closure, this was something that was needed by both of us. We were now one, and I couldn't be any happier.

"Come on, B. Let's go." She smiled as we broke the kiss. I was a little disappointed. Her kisses are like nicotine, addictive and smooth, and I wanted more.

"Where are we going?" I asked, in a hushed tone. I took her hand in mine.

"To Boston, baby. I want you to know me, see my background." Faith smiled…actually gave a happy, not maniacal, smile. "You know B, I…I've always loved you…from the moment we met outside the Bronze."

"I…I know." I smirked. "You're a showoff". Faith laughed and smacked my ass.

"Come on. Let's take the Metra. I'm sure it will take us to Boston…"