I should ask her.

With my hands firmly on the wheel, I glance over at Faith next to me in the car as we head back home.

It was bugging me the whole time that they were together. It's best to just ask and then I'll actually know one way or the other.

She doesn't even seem to notice as I keep glancing over in her direction.

They were punning back and forth like there was no tomorrow. Not to mention making eyes at each other.

Faith readjusts her position in the passenger seat and I can't help but watch her for a few seconds.

She does have nice eyes.

I go back to watching the road.

I can see why Pike would be interested in them. But it's way too complicated. He and I had a thing back at Hemry. The idea that they could have a thing together weirds me out. I don't know anything for sure though. Faith can be flirty with people she just met. I was on the receiving end of that when we met and I don't think I've ever been able to introduce her to anyone without her making some kind of sexual comment. She even went there with my mom and... well, my sister. Which is why it's so hard to tell whether Faith is into someone or not. She flirted with my sister when they first met years ago and up until 3 months ago they were in a year long relationship. Not to mention how she flirted with my other boyfriends, one of which she actually did sleep with. So I can't be certain what kind of flirting was going on.

And it's not like asking Pike is an option. He may be coming back to town with us to help us deal with this serial killing demon, but I don't want to open up a whole new can of worms by implying that I might be jealous of whatever might be going on between them. Faith and I may have a history too, but it's because of the history that involves my sister that she won't jump to the wrong conclusion about why I'm asking. It's not jealousy, it's curiosity. Curiosity and weirdness.

The car passes a hitchhiker on the road but I don't stop.

Of course, maybe I shouldn't even bother worrying about what might be going on between them. What with the looming serial killing demon out there somewhere. Seems like that is probably better for first position in my list of things to do/talk about. Particularly since whatever it is probably wants to kill me.

I look over at Faith again.

"Something on your mind B?"

"What?"

"You just seem awfully interested in what I'm doing all of the sudden."

"It's... nothing."

"Good, cause I'd rather you keep your attention on the road so we don't swerve into a ditch or something."

"I'm paying attention, don't worry."

"I would hope so. You're the one with the habit of rising from the dead, not me, and I'm not exactly in the mood for picking up that particular habit of yours."

"I'll be sure to keep that one all to myself. Besides, if this demon serial killing thing has its way, I'll have plenty of opportunity to test out that one anyway."

"Well hopefully Pike can help keep that from happening."

There we go, the door is open.

"Let's hope."

Just bring it up already.

"So... what do you think of him?"

"Who?"

"Pike..."

There's a smile on her face at the mention of Pike's name.

Did I just get my answer?

The smile disappears quickly.

"Seems okay. Not sure how well he can handle himself yet though."

"You don't think he can do the job?"

"I mean, he handled those two vamps well enough but this seems out of his league."

"Which is why he came to us."

"To you."

"Oh come on, he said he'd heard of you by reputation."

"Yeah but you're the reason he even knew about me in the first place. On account of your history."

I'm not sure what to say to that.

"Speaking of your history, you didn't really get into it and neither did he."

"Yeah, it's not something that I like to get into. Not even Willow and Xander know about Pike."

"Things ended badly?"

"Not exactly, they just kind of... fizzled."

"Fizzled how?"

"We met before Sunnydale, back at Emry. Right around the same time that I found out I was a slayer."

"And you two were lust bunnies?"

"Not exactly."

"Really?"

"He was interested, but I wasn't in any shape to get involved with anyone. Not only did I just find out I was a slayer, but my parents were in the process of splitting up. It really messed with my head."

"Harsh."

A silent moment passes as we drive along.

"So the two of you never..."

She doesn't finish.

Not that I need her to.

"Nope, we went on an adventure or two together and then he left."

We fall into silence together, continuing to drive.

I might as well ask.

"Why? Are you interested?"

"In Pike?"

"You two were punning up a storm last night. It was hard not to notice."

Another long pause happens between us.

"Would that be weird?"

In many ways.

"I guess, a little."

"Too weird?"

"That depends."

"On what?"

"Are you thinking long term or short term?"

"I just met him B."

"Never stopped you before."

Crap, I shouldn't have said that.

Silence hangs between us for a long moment.

"I'm sorry, that was stupid of me."

Another shorter moment passes.

"It's cool, I get it. Truth is? I'm not in any condition to think long term for a while. I just need something to get my mind off of..."

Faith doesn't finish the sentence.

She still hasn't said my sister's name. I don't think I've heard her say it once since she left for college.

"So, is it?"

"Is it what?"

"Too weird if something happened between me and Pike. Even just for a while."

"Oh..."

As weird as it will be for me, I can't get in the way of her trying to move on. It would be bad for her, and for Dawn. The whole point of this trip was for her to have something other than my sister to focus on, and she got that. She worked through enough of her issues that she's actually considering moving on. And I have to let her.

"I'll be fine. It won't be the most comfortable, and I might have a problem if it becomes more than just a short term thing, but... I think I can handle it."

"You're sure?"

I have to be.

"Yeah."

I notice out of the corner of my eye that she's watching me for a while.

She needs a little more.

"If you think there's something between you and Pike, then I think you should go find out what it is."

Again she just watches me for a few more moments.

"You have my blessing."

More silence before she responds.

"Thanks B."

She goes back to staring out the window as we drive back home. I look over at her.

I'm glad that she's moving on. I'm happy for her. I have to be.