I agree that Faith's story isn't ready for her to have any long-term relationship a la Anya-Xander or Willow-Tara, but don't you think the writers can give her a sort of "stepping stone" relationship?
Like, Maybe in season 11 Faith and Gunn (for example) hook up, and they get into a relationship, but Faith quickly messes it up because of her lack of experience with relationships, and they break up. And the whole thing can take place over 5 to 10 issues. I think that kind of story could be really interesting, if done right. I mean, we NEVER saw Faith in a romantic relationship, with anyone. I'm really curious to see how she would behave in that kind of story.
You're basically right. It's not that I don't want Faith to be happy or that it wouldn't be interesting to see her in a relationship. When I look at the context of her story, the place she is right now, with just having developed a security system (her "family" with Angel, Fred, Koh, Nadira and Giles' aunties), I don't think she is ready yet. As in I don't think
Faith would be interested or
brave enough, making this huge leap of trust, her biggest issue.
Of course, you never know.... For one, there's love (scratch that... emotional attraction) at first sight (in the case of a new character). Faith doesn't really strike me that way. Secondly, an established or new character falls in love with her and woos her. I think he or she would have a hard time with approaching her but it might lead to your scenario with attempting but eventually screwing up. Faith being the one who falls in love first is the most unlikely imo. Or Faith making the first step.
I think my biggest worry is that the writers would rush it just for the sake of having a romance. I'm a bit biased because they did that frequently with Willow's love interests (Kennedy never got really fleshed out, Aluwyn lacked attachment to the superordinated story and the other characters, Lake is a joke).
I apply that to my fave ship (Willow/Faith) as well btw. If Willow would swap over to A&F and she and Faith would be deeply in love after half the season it would be at best unconvincing, mildly spoken.
First of all, Faith needs to get laid in the comics.
This is a different matter btw. I've got no problem if Faith has a bit fun or "releases" some pressure. It wouldn't be OOC for her and as long it's mutual and respectful (letting him/her dress before kicking out

), I don't see any immorality in an ONS or an affair with whoever.