Younger Years
by Faithful_14
Rating: R
Willow was hiding behind a wall, a room away from where the vampires were. Spell book open and chanting an incantation in Latin. Suddenly the group was free from their invisible bonds and ran at the demons. Mr. Daniels and Giles pulled out hidden stakes and began fighting with the guard vamps; they were not so easily dusted though. Giles was thrown into a stone wall with a sick crack.
Mr. Daniels was brutally beaten but not before he was able to stake two of the five vamps. Buffy was busy with Darla, throwing wicked hard punches and kicks. Fast blocks and fakes. Kendra was busy with Spike. Dru just stood there, swaying and babbling something. Spike yelled, "Dru get out, quick!"
"No you don't," Kendra yelled and turns her attention away from Spike for a split second to catch Dru, which was her fatal mistake.
He grabbed her from behind, arm around her throat, choking her. "Hello love, you're number three," with that he snapped her neck. He let her fall to the floor before high taleing it outta Dodge. Leaving Darla to fight Buffy on her own.
But Darla didnt have time to notice what else was going on. Buffy had picked up a chair and smashed her over the head with it. She fell and swiftly got back up. She glanced to the urn on the pedastal, Buffy saw too and immediatley kicked it over and it fell into the fire. A huge white light flashed and suddenly a portal opened in front of the fire place.
"Thanks for that slayer, couldnt have done it better myself," Darla laughed.
"Oh shit..." was Buffy's only thought. Giles had dusted the final guard vampire and stood watching the portal, cradling his arm. Mr. Daniels was huddled over Kendra's body. And Buffy had to decide what to do, and quick. Soon unspeakable hell spawn would crawl outta that portal and they'd all be doomed.
So Buffy did the only thing she could think of, she pushed Darla into the portal. She screamed as it sucked her in and slowly began to close. But not before a lizard like demon pulled its way out. Buffy quickly snapped its neck with her boot and fell back, breathing heavily.
A tear traveled down Mr. Daniels face as he picked up Kendra's body and began to leave, without a word to Giles or Buffy. But they understood. Willow came out from hiding behind the wall and closed her book. "We did it..." she mused.
"That we did..." Buffy said as she went to help Giles up. She helped him along to his flat, he'd injured his arm so they put it in a sling and Willow got to patching them both up. They saved the world that night, but not without loss. They lost Kendra, were wounded, and they lost Dru and Spike out a side door. But the world was safe once again.
In Chicago, Faith was sitting in her room with her headphones on. Listening to some heavy metal band. And suddenly something went through her, it was like a wave of energy. She couldnt explain it. The window wasn't opened, there was no draft that strong, but she felt powerful now. She felt stronger. She just attributed it to something she ate. But what it really was would change the course of her life forever.
Soon the school year ended and Buffy was now a senior. Life had this funny way of going so slowly when you're a little kid and as you get older life speeds up. And for Buffy it wasnt a good thing, life went by quickly leaving her no time for things a normal teenage girl would do.
But she luckily had Willow, Xander, and Giles to help her through. Occasionally Cordelia as well, and now Willow's new friend Oz. Most of all though she wanted to be with Faith. She didnt have the cash to go to Chicago and find her, that would be near impossible anyway. She was helpless, no letters, no phones calls...nothing. It was heart breaking.
Unbeknownst to her though Faith had gone through a drastic change. Faith didnt know it yet but she was the new slayer. She noticed her strength, endurance, and agility. She couldnt explain it but she wasnt going to complain.
Though one night after coming home from Damon's house, wearing only a wife beater and shorts since it was so hot out, she entered and called for her uncle.
"Uncle Ray? You home?" She called out to him but she got no answer. He was usually home by now, so she looked around the small house for him.
When she walked into the living room the sight before her made her hit the floor on her knees hard. "Oh my god..." she covered her mouth with her hand as she looked at the dead body of her uncle. There were two holes in the side of his neck and blood all over.
A tall figure walked out of the shadowy corner, a huge, ugly vampire. His hands and feet were cloven, Faith had no idea why. She backed up slowly, looking for something to defend herself with. "Well well well, so you're the new slayer," he mocked her.
"What? Im not a slayer," Faith returned.
"Oh but you are," he chuckled.
*That would explain the change...but that would mean Buffy's dead...oh god...* she thought as the vampire moved toward her, but she ducked and missed him.
"But...but how...how did you get in?" she stuttered out loud.
"Your uncle was good enough to invite me in," he grinned vicously. "And if you were wondering about your Watcher, here she is," he opened a closet door and a woman spilled out. She was in more pieces than anyone would care to count.
Faith screamed before running out through the back door and vanished into the night. The vampire named Kakistos, chuckled and shook his head. He could find her easily, no matter where she ran.
As Faith ran through the night tears rushed down her face...she'd still loved Buffy. And now she was dead. She couldnt bear the thought as she ran to the bus station and bought a ticket out of Chicago. Boston was the only thing she could get at the time so she took it. It was all the money she had and she was not going back to the house. All she could do now was run.
When the bus let off in Boston she got off and wandered around the city. She knew nothing of it so she headed for the nearest phone. But when she reached it she realized she had no one to call. Buffy was dead and she was certainly not going to call Joyce and bother her.
Later that night she curled up on the porch of an abandoned house. But she unfortunatley got picked up by the cops. Though it was lodging, a shower, and a hot meal. The next morning she was awakened and told to get changed. Someone had come to get her out.
She was totally clueless as to who would bail her out. She didnt know anybody, she'd just got in the previous day. As she exited the jail into the waiting room though she was greeted with the sight of a tall, slender woman. "Hello Faith, Im Mrs. Kennsington. Your new Watcher," she held out her hand. She was obviously British, as probably all Watchers were.
Faith hesitantly shook her hand. "Why are you here?"
"To train you. Why else?" a small smiled played at her lips.
"You've got the wrong girl, I'm not the slayer, Buffy's the...was..." she trailed off sadly.
"Buffy Summers you mean? She's alive. In Sunnydale still. Last I heard averted an apocolypse."
Faith's eyes lit up, and tears began to form. She hugged her Watcher, she couldnt help herself, she was just so relieved. "Thank god..." she whispered to herself. Mrs. Kennsington hugged back and smiled. She didnt know what was going on but she figured this was a good a start as any.
When they broke away she said, "Let's get back to my apartment, I think there's room enough for you," she smiled and led the way to her car. Her apartment was small but enough for two women to share. She showed Faith her room, simply white, a bed, and a closet. It was all she needed.
Mrs. Kennsington showed her the tiny kitchen, bathroom, and her room. Then she pushed open a door to a large room, what she have been the master bedroom, filled with weight equipment, a punching bag, mirrors, and a stereo. "Oh wow, is this all for me?" she wandered inside, touching the equipment lightly, not believing.
"Yes, for your training. The Counsil would like us to stay here in Boston for the time being, there isn't much of a super natural threat but it will give you something to take care of over the summer. I suppose you'll want to go back to Chicago for school again?"
"I can't, I'm wanted there by child services...Wait how do you know that?"
"We have contacts everywhere my dear, when your first Watcher didn't report back promptly we sent someone out. We found out the vampire Kakistos had killed her and your uncle. Also that you were on your way to Boston. Where they sent me to intercept you."
"Kakistos?"
"Yes, he was the vampire that killed your Watcher and your uncle. He's very old. As vampires get older their true demon forms begin to show. That's why his features are a bit different and his hands and feet are cloven."
"But won't he find us here? We've gotta leave, run, somewhere!" Faith began to panic.
"Whoa, Faith, calm down dear," Mrs. Kennsington wrapped her in a hug. "It's alright, you left him behind in Chicago. He's not gonna get you, I promise."
Faith slowly began to calm down, taking deep breathes, and pulled herself away from her Watcher. The past forty eight hours had been overwhelming and Faith needed to rest.
"Faith are you alright?" Mrs. Kennsington put a hand on her shoulder.
"Um yeah...just kinda tired. Would you mind if I showered and slept a while?"
"Of course not, go right ahead," she turned to leave, "And Faith, I am here as your friend not just as your Watcher. The Counsil greatly frowns upon that but I've never been one to follow rules," she winked as she left the brunette slayer alone in the room.
She left the frightened girl alone, knowing she needed time to figure everything out. Not that time would help much, things were way too complicated. But Faith needed to collect her thoughts before they could begin training to fulfill her destiny.
Back in Sunnydale Buffy was slightly enjoying her summer vacation. She patrolled every night but during the summers there wasn't very much demon activity. Probably because the days were longer. Otherwise she really had no clue why evil wasn't as busy during the summer. Did evil take vacations too? Buffy chucked.
"Buff? What's the funny?" Xander asked leaning over the table in the Bronze.
"Huh? Oh, nothing, just off in my own little world s'all." Buffy replied. She'd been in her own little world a lot lately. She still trained with Giles and hung out with the gang but she seemed lost. She slept a lot. She just didn't know what to do. Neither did Joyce. She was worried about her daughter, but there didn't seem to be anything she could do.
Later that night when Buffy was walking out of the Bronze to patrol, Willow caught up to her. "Buffy...ya wanna tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong Will."
"I know you well enough to know when something is wrong Buffy. You seem so sad all the time..."
"Honestly? I miss Faith... I haven't heard anything from her in months. I'm worried Wills..."
The redhead frowned and wrapped her arm around Buffy's shoulder. "I'm sure she's fine Buffy."
With that the blonde slayer broke down and cried. Willow held her close, but this wasn't the place to be doing this. So she helped Buffy walk back to her house and went upstairs. Willow knew there was something more between her and Faith that she let people know. That was obvious by her reaction.
She comforted her friend as best she could. But she knew that the only thing that would get Buffy back to normal was being with Faith again. "Will, is there any way to find out if she's where she is?"
"I suppose I could try a locator spell. But you know most of my spells backfire... Ill try for you though Buffy, I will."
That night Willow stayed at Buffy's house, trying to console her best friend.
The next day Willow tried a locator spell, using a piece of Faith's clothing Buffy had kept. It would not reveal where she was but her essense was shown to be somewhere on the East coast. The blonde slayer cried tears of relief. Faith was alive, it wasnt much but it was a load off.
The summer was going by very slowly for both slayers. There wasn't much slaying to do, training got boring real fast, and they were restless. Faith in particular because she had no friends. Mrs. Kennsington was the only one she knew in the entire town and as sweet as she was, she wasn't the kind of person you went shopping with.
Eventually they both got day jobs, Faith as a movie ticket taker, and Buffy as a waitress in one of Sunny D's small diners. Not exactly glamourous but it was something to do and extra pocket money. Though Faith had to live on it, she didnt wanna keep borrowing money from Mrs. Kennsington, it was rude.
Faith's plan was to go to Detroit at the end of the summer to finish up high school. The Counsil said they wanted her there. Hopefully she would be able to get a place of her own away from her Watcher. After that, she'd go where ever else the Counsil said they needed a slayer. *Not much of a life huh?* she asked herself. She wanted her life to be with Buffy, but she'd betrayed her.
As the summer wore on Buffy and Faith began getting depressed more and more. Their lives felt empty, lonely... Though there wasn't much either of them could do.
At the very end of the summer Faith quit her dead end job and began packing what little she had with Mrs. Kennsington. As she was putting thing into a bag she heard a knock at the door. "Ill get it!" she called. She looked through the peep hole but couldn't see the person's face. It was a man, a tall one at that. She looked out the window and saw that the sun had just set. She had to be careful, but vampire didn't usually come knocking at your door. As she opened it, a huge cloven hand pushed her against the wall, stiffling a scream. Kakistos stood there, holding her by the throat and grinning.
Mrs. Kennsington comes out of her room folding some clothes, "Faith who was...." she stops midsentence as she sees Kakistos. She drops the shirt and dashes into the bedroom for a stake. Kakistos throws Faith across the room and into the wall. She was out cold.
Mrs. Kennsington came running back in with a stake, and planted it in his chest. He stood there laughing at her. "I do believe you're in need of a bigger stake Watcher," he quickly punched her out as well. While both women were unconscious he tied Faith to a chair and threw Mrs. Kennsington on the couch.
Faith slowly began to wake up, just in time to see her Watcher scream as Kakistos brought down an ax on her hard. She held an arm up to block but it was no use, her forearm was cut in two. She screamed and held her arm close to her body. Kakistos laughed, "You're next Faith."
The ancient vampire proceeded to chop Mrs. Kennsington in smaller pieces. When he was done her body was in at least fifteen different pieces scattered over the rented apartment. He threw the ax down on the floor and went into the other room to find another weapon. He wanted to have some fun with Faith.
When he came back, Faith was gone. The ropes that held her weren't tight enough for a slayer, he didnt know where she went, the door wasn't open. So he decided to play her little game, "Come out come out where ever you are..." he sing songed.
Faith ran out from behind a door, yelling, ax held high. She brought it down hard in his face, right into his left eye. Cutting a gash from his forehead to his mouth. He screamed in pain as she pulled it out and ran like hell from the apartment.
She sprinted to the bus station asked to buy a ticket out. When she pulled out her wallet she found it empty. "Fuck," she groaned. She'd have to go back to the apartment. She kept her money stuffed in a dirty sock inside her boot. On her way back she walked as slow as she possibly could.
When she got there it was close to one a.m. Nobody would notice her and she just hoped the cops weren't there already. It didnt look like it from outside. So she carefully snuck her way into the building and used her key. When she opened the door she was greeted with a disgusting smell. She saw her Watcher in pieces all over the floor. She threw up in a corner.
She wiped her mouth on her sleeve and quickly ran into her room and grabbed the duffel she'd packed earlier and her money. She shut the door behind her and ran outta there quickly. She didn't wanna deal with the police or anything else. She just wanted out.
She got back to the bus station and got a bus ride out the next morning for Sunnydale. She missed the last one so she'd have to wait. Though waiting was extremely hard, she knew that if he could find her in Boston, he could find her anywhere. This was not comforting, she didn't sleep at all that night, just stayed awake, staring at the wall of the bus station until she could get the hell outta Dodge.
On the way to Sunny D Faith tried to figure out what to say to Buffy. Sooner or later the Counsil would find out. Everything was such a mess. She rested her head against the glass window.
*Wait, why the hell am I even going back to Sunnydale? School's going to begin in a few days... Fuck Im better off going where nobody knows me...Alright, I'll go to Sunnydale, when Kakistos comes after me Buffy will kill him for me, and I'll run. Again...* She sighed and tried to get some sleep. It was gonna be a while.
Upon entering her old home town she checked her watch. It was almost a week later and around six p.m. She made her way from the bus station to Buffy's house. Looking at her old house next door was creepy, all closed down. Possibly a vamp nest now. She shook the feeling off.
*Now what? Knock on the door and say I'm in trouble? Fuckin hell, all that time on the bus and I couldn't think of something...*
She chastised herself and ran off, figuring she'd probably see Buffy later that night in one of the cemetaries, for now she'd just have to wait it out. She made her way to Restfield and threw her stuff down. She perched herself on a tomb stone and waited. She'd done a lot of waiting, all her life... She shook her head, she didn't wanna get into that now.
A few hours later she slumped down on the tombstone and rested her eyes. She soon fell asleep.
Some time later she was awoken by the other slayer. "Faith?! Faith?! Faith wake up!"
"Who...huh...what?" she slowly began to wake up. As she saw Buffy she jumped up and straightened her clothes out. "Ah...Hey Buffy..." she mumbled and looked down at her feet.
"Faith what are you doing here? You know it isn't safe..." she began to lead Faith away from the grave yard back to her house. But the brunette pulled away. "Faith...?"
"Buffy...there's some things I need to tell you. We need to talk and here's a good a place as any," she sat on a grave. Buffy took a seat on the grave next to her, they faced each other. Only Faith wouldn't look at Buffy. "I know...you and Angel are still together...that you cheated on me..." she began softly.
"What? Faith I admit I led you on but I broke up with him two days after you left. I swear. Where did you get the idea that I was cheating on you?" Buffy got up and moved closer to Faith. She pushed away though.
"Your mom, I called, she said you were out with that boy Angel," she said resentfully.
"Faith we were going over plans to stop Darla, Spike, and Dru from bringing hell to earth, we weren't doing anything but that, I was with Giles, Willow, and Xander as well. I swear. Besides, Angel's dead now..." she trailed off softly.
Faith's facial expression softened, "Really? Er...I mean I'm sorry."
"Yes," Buffy smiled a little. She went to hug Faith but she was once again pushed away. She frowned deeply. "Whats wrong?"
"B...uffy... Things have changed. I've changed. Bringing me back to my point. I'm a slayer..."
"You're what? That's impossible, Kendra...died...Oh my god...but how?"
"Not sure, I think it's a destiny thing..."
"Wow...but why are you here? I'm sorry if that sounded rude..."
"Well...um...truth be told I'm running. As usual..."
"From what?"
"Vampire."
"A vampire?" Buffy asked skeptically.
"Look I wouldn't be here if it wasn't a problem! A big one!" she got defensive.
"Alright, I believe you. What's the problem though?"
"He a...killed my first Watcher and my uncle...Then I ran to Boston where I met my second Watcher. She's on some retreat in England. Kakistos, the vampire, came after me again. I sorta freaked and ran...Figured you could help me..." she kept her eyes on the ground. *Way to be honest Faith...*
"Where have you been staying?"
"With my Watcher, in Boston. I guess child welfare services couldn't keep track of me. They didn't think to search in Boston so in Chicago I'm wanted. Originally I figured after Kakistos was taken care of I'd just take off..."
"What about us Faith?"
"I don't know Buffy...I'm gonna stay in the SunnyHell Motel for now. Please don't tell your mom I'm here? I don't want child services getting in the way..."
"Faith, baby, please, this is me. I didn't cheat on you."
"I know, I just wanna take it slow."
"Okay, you're worth the wait," Buffy replied.
Faith smiled softly and lightly placed a kiss on Buffy's lips before heading to the Motel to check in and catch up on some sleep. The blonde stood there with a goofy smile on her face and knew everything would be alright. They just had to kill this Kakistos guy and they could be together again.
The next day Faith hung around the motel room, school had begun for Buffy so she'd have to wait. If she remembered correctly school got out at 3:15. So she'd wait outside the school, careful not to be seen by teachers. She stood behind a tree and waited, puffing on a cigarette.
When Buffy came out she immediately knew where Faith was waiting, the puffs of smoke giving it away. She said good bye to Willow, Xander, and Oz. She'd later meet up with them at the Bronze and bring Faith as well. She linked arms with Faith and walked to her car. Well, Joyce's car.
They got in the SUV and drove to Giles' apartment so they could talk with him about this Kakistos. Faith just couldnt help a comment on the way though, "Jeez B, who gave you your liscense? The School of Stunt Driving?" she chuckled.
"Hey Im a good driver," Buffy pouted. But she could not help the big grin that creeped across her face. Faith was teasing her again, this was a very good sign. They always teased each other, so this was a signal that things were getting back to normal. And it was going much faster than Buffy had ever hoped. *Maybe she still loves me...* She grinned once again.
Buffy parked next to Giles car, he always left before eighth period began, the libarary was deserted by then unless an English class had reserved the space. Which rarely happened. She knocked on his door, he answered and upon seeing Faith he smiled.
"Hello Faith, it is good to see you again," he ushered the girls inside.
"Thanks G-man, good to see you too," she took a seat with Buffy on the couch.
"Would you girls like some tea?" he asked politely.
"No thanks," came the reply.
He took a seat on the arm chair, "So Faith is there any particular reason you're back with us? I imagine you should be in school back in Chicago."
The brunette looked down at her boots, "Um yeah about that...There's this vampire, Kakistos, and he killed my first Watcher and my uncle. I ran to Boston and I've been staying there with my current Watching, she's on some trip to England, a retreat or something."
"Ah yes, there's camping, horse back riding, it's beautiful...or so I'm told," he finished resentfully. "This Kakistos, he's an ancient one if I recall correctly. I'll get right on this," he smiled a little.
Buffy got up and took Faith by the arm, "Okay well I'll see you tomorrow Giles, we're going out."
"Alright, see you tomorrow then," he said good bye and put on some tea. He'd heard of this Kakistos before, and it made him worry.
The slayers got back in the car. "So where to now? Don't wanna show you to the gang yet, we'll go to the Bronze later," Buffy said.
"It's up to you...show me to the gang?" she chuckled. "B, I haven't been away for that long."
"I know, just feels like it s'all..." Buffy started the car and pulled out. Not sure where to go. "I guess it's back to my house then, nothing's changed, and Mom shouldn't be home for a few hours yet."
Faith nodded and they drove back to Buffy's. She pulled in the drive way and quickly went into the house. They headed upstairs into the blonde's room. "So...." Faith drawled and sat down on the bed.
"Sorry I can't be more entertaining for you..." Buffy frowned.
Smiling a little Faith said, "C'mere."
Buffy sat down beside her what? Girlfriend? She didn't know. "Faith...?"
"Hmmm?"
"Do you still love me?" she asked gently. She knew it wasn't a smart move but she had to know.
Faith thought a moment and felt her heart swell in respone. She smiled, "Yeah Buffy, I love you."
Buffy grinned from ear to ear and wrapped Faith in a bear hug that only another slayer could handle. "Oh I'm so happy Faith, I love you too." The brunette gently pulled back and looked deeply into her girlfriend's eyes. Then leaned in for a soft, sweet kiss.
Buffy now decided to be a little more aggresive as she pushed Faith down on her bed. Gently laying herself on top the blonde stroked Faith's cheek and kissed her more deeply. Their passion built steadily. Hands began to roam now unfamiliar bodies again, sliding beneath clothing.
Shirts came off, then bras and mouths claimed the newly exposed body parts. The two lovers moaned and writhed against each other, their romance had quickly rekindled. They made love all afternoon. Slayer stamina coming in quite handy.
But they were to be interupted when Joyce exited her friend's car outside the house. "Shit! Hide! Something!" Buffy yelped. Faith rolled onto the floor near the windows where she couldn't be seen, sheet wrapped around her naked body.
Buffy quickly pulled on her pants and shirt again just as Joyce knocked and came in.
"Hi Buffy, did you have a good day?" Joyce asked as she walked further into her daughter's room.
Buffy moved to hug her, "Hi, I had a good day Mom. You? Hey let's go downstairs and we'll cook dinner together?" Buffy began leading her mom out of the room.
"What's gotten into you Buffy...?" was the last thing Faith heard and Buffy shut the door and took her mom downstairs. She got up and sighed a breathe of relief. She picked up her clothes and put them back on. Carefully she climbed out the window and down the tree, making her way back to the motel. A big grin plastered on her face.
Later that night Faith met up with Buffy at the Bronze. The gang hadn't gotten there yet so the blonde slayer went to go wait inside, Faith was restless so she paced outside. It'd been a long time since she'd seen the gang, she wondered if they'd still accept her. She stayed in the alley and tried to phych herself up.
Willow, Oz, and Xander came in the Bronze and found Buffy at the table. "Hey Buff, what's up?" Xander asked as he sat down. Suddenly they heard something bash against the outside wall and things clanging.
"Sounds like a fight," Buffy got up and the rest of the gang followed. They came upon Faith in the alley pummeling a vampire.
"I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say we have a new slayer in town," Oz commented in his usual monotone. Once Faith dusted the vamp she turned around.
"Hey guys," she said, a small smile making its way onto her face.
"Faith?! You're a slayer!?" Willow exclaimed.
"Yep," Faith tucked away her stake.
"Wow, very cool," Xander said, "C'mon let's get back inside, you can tell us what you've been up to."
They all went back in and sat down at a table. There were only four seats so Buffy sat on Faith's lap. "Buff did you know Faith was back in town?" the dark haired boy asked.
"Yes actually I did, I just didn't wanna tell you guys until tonight. I'm sorry," Buffy added.
"It's okay Buffy. Oh wait, Faith you've never met Oz have you?" Faith shook her head. "Faith this is Oz, my boyfriend," Willow beamed brightly. Oz smiled and nodded at the brunette slayer. She did the same back.
"I was actually wonderin' since you both slay vampires, what your position on werewolves is?" Oz asked.
"Oz is a werewolf," Willow added proudly.
"A werewolf huh? How?" Faith wondered.
"Got bit." Oz answered.
"Okay well long as you don't go scratchin at me or humpin my leg we're five by five."
"Fair enough," Oz nodded.
"Five by five?" Buffy tilted her head and asked her counter part.
"Oh just something I picked up in Boston. Means 'okay'."
"So Faith what are you doing back in Sunnydale?" Willow changed the subject.
"Well my Watcher went on this retreat thing to England. Decided to skip out and come here," she smiled. Purposely forgetting to add the part about where she was in trouble because of one lousy vamp. Buffy knew not to say anything.
That night they danced, talked, and had a good time. Faith couldn't remember when the last time she'd had fun was. But it didn't matter now. She was back with Buffy and her old friends, even a new one. She forgot all about Kakistos.
Later that evening Buffy and Faith went patrolling. "Faith how long are you gonna stay?"
Faith was silent. She didn't know. She wanted to stay, she had nowhere else to go. But it was a few months until her 18th birthday so if child services found out she was there she'd be sent somewhere else. Her uncle was dead and so was her Watcher. She just wanted to crawl under a rock with Buffy and never come out.
Buffy took Faith's hand in hers and kissed the back of it, "I could ask Mom if she'd let you stay for the rest of the school year. I dont think she'd mind."
"B, I don't wanna bother your mother any more, she's done enough for me already."
"She wouldn't mind, really Faith, she liked having you aroung the house. Besides it's only one more school year."
"What's child services gonna do? My uncle got killed so I ran to Boston, I don't think they're gonna be wanting to do me any favors."
"It's not a favor Faith, I'll ask mom about it. I'm sure she'll say it's okay."
"Alright..." Faith said as they walked along and finished their patrol. They kissed good night and decided they'd meet back up at Giles apartment tomorrow since it was Saturday. And Buffy would ask her mom about taking Faith in again.
As Buffy got back to the house Joyce was shutting all the lights off and getting ready for bed. "Hey mom?"
"Yeah sweetie?" Joyce came down the stairs in her robe.
"Hypothetical question. If by chance Faith was back, and she was a slayer, and her uncle and first Watcher got killed by chance, and after having run from Chicago to Boston and her Watcher was on a retreat so she came here because the vampire that killed her uncle and watcher was chasing her...." she took a deep breath, "Could you contact child services and sign so Faith can stay here for the rest of the school year?"
"Wait a minute Buffy. I'll take it that everything you just said is true. But Faith's a slayer now? And her uncle's dead? Oh dear..." Joyce said softly.
Buffy ushered her mother into the living room and sat down and explained the story in its entirety to her. Even the part about how Faith had nowhere to go, that her second Watcher was also killed. Though nobody else knew. Faith told her earlier that day, crying gently into the blonde's shoulder.
She just happened to leave out the part about how she and Faith were together. She remembered how her mother took it when she told her she was a slayer, but telling her she was bi now? She didn't know if she could handle that quite yet.
"Does child services have any idea where she is right now?"
"I'm guessing not because she's still wanted in Chicago."
"I suppose tomorrow I could call them and try to work something out."
"Oh thank you mom! You're the best!" Buffy threw her arms around her mom and hugged her.
"I try," Joyce smiled and went up to bed. Buffy was so excited. Faith would once again have a home, and with someone she loved at that. Though she didn't know what the Counsil was going to say about that. They'd probably send another Watcher, but would they relocate her? Buffy shook her head, she didn't want to think about that now. She'd let Giles take care of that when the time came.
When Buffy woke the next morning she told her mom to wait to call child services until she had a chance to talk to Faith. She wanted to make it over to Giles' apartment before Faith so she could tell him the truth.
She took the SUV and got inside with Giles. "Hi Giles," she greeted as she entered.
"Hello Buffy," Giles shut the door behind her. They sat down and Buffy took a deep breath, she didn't want to betray Faith's trust but she had to.
"Okay I need to tell you that Faith's second Watcher is dead. She came here to get away from Kakistos, Giles, she's scared."
"Yes Buffy I already know that. I called the Counsil the other night. I'll wait to tell you what I found out about Kakistos though until Faith gets here. I assumed you'd try and get your mother to take Faith in again so the Counsil is sending another Watcher, for the time being, I am to be her Watcher until the new one gets here," Giles smiled a bit.
Buffy let out a deep breath she didn't know she was holding. "Thank god, I didn't wanna have to lie to Faith. But yeah mom's gonna call child services after I talk to Faith about it. They'll want to meet with her."
"Yes I imagine they would." Suddenly a knock came at the door. Giles got up and let Faith in, "Hello Faith," he moved aside.
"Hey Giles, oh hi B, thought you'd meet me outside," Faith came in and took a seat next to her lover.
"Sorry I just needed to tell Giles something," she replied. It got her a suspicous look but luckily Giles stepped in.
"I was just telling Buffy that I called the Counsil and they let me know that Mrs. Kennsington is dead, and you're here running from Kakistos. I perfectly understand," he held up a hand to stop her from commenting. "But they will send a new Watcher for you soon, until then I'm to be your Watcher. And I think Buffy has something to tell you."
"I talked to mom last night and she said she'd call child services and make arrangments for you to stay with us again, I told her not to call yet though to make sure it's okay with you. And they'll probably want to meet with you so after this I'll take you back to my house," Buffy smiled brightly.
Faith grinned widely and hugged Buffy tight, "Thank you so much."
"Other than that, the only thing I found about Kakistos is that he is ancient, he may even predate the written record. In Greek his name means worst of theworst. I contacted the Cousil about him and they don't know where he's at. He's not in Boston any more and not in Chicago. I do suppose that means he's on his way here," Giles said and rubbed his eyes. Faith just nodded solemly.
"We're gonna go Giles, we'll report for training Monday. Hopefully Faith will be re-enrolled in school by then," Buffy smiled and lead Faith out. Giles smiled back and nodded his good bye. He was happy to help them. Buffy had certainly seemed lonely while Faith was gone.
Once outside the two slayers embraced again and kissed deeply. Smiling brightly they went back to Buffy's house and Joyce welcomed Faith back with a hug. "It's good to have you again Faith," she smiled.
"Thank you Mrs. Summers, this means a lot to me," she replied. Joyce nodded and went to call child services. Once arrangments were made for a meeting they went and met Mrs. Dunbar again.
Joyce drove them over there and they entered and went back to Mrs. Dunbar's desk. She stood and greeted them. "Hello again Faith, it's good to know that you're okay. I'm so very sorry about your uncle." The four women sat down. Faith nodded and put her head down, pretending to be sorry.
"Okay Mrs. Summers I have the paperwork all drawn up all you have to do is sign," Mrs. Dunbar handed over the papers to Joyce and she signed them. "Well, thank you again for taking care of Faith. I'll also call the high school and let them know and have them re-enroll Faith. She'll start again Monday. And when she turns eighteen she's legally on her own and we'll erase her from our files. All you'll have to do is call to tell us how she's doing when the time comes. Okay?" Mrs. Dunbar got up and smiled, shaking the girls hands before wishing them well.
Joyce, Buffy, and Faith left and stopped at the Motel to pick up Faith's stuff. They got back home and went upstairs to look at Faith's old room. "Well, I'll have to move the boxes back to the gallery, in the mean time is it okay if you room with Buffy? I'll have this stuff out and your room ready by tomorrow," Joyce said.
"That's fine," Faith tried to hide a smile.
"Okay well I'll leave you two to get settled, dinner is in a few hours," Joyce smiled and left the room, closing the door behind her.
When she was gone the two slayers embraced tightly, happy to be together again. Things had worked out just great, now all they had to do was take care of Kakistos and everything would be the way it should.
Thirty miles outside Sunnydale...
A black limo pulled up to a drive through window. Inside the car sat Kakistos and Mr. Trick- a wealthy black man that helped fund his activities, for a price.
"I want that slayer dead by sunrise tomorrow!" he slammed his fist against the door before pulling the boy from the drive through into the car and savagely ripping his throat out.
Mr. Trick chuckled, "Patience my friend, patience..."
A couple days passed and Faith was back in school. She got caught up with the help of Willow and finally was again part of the group. They all ate together at lunch, patrolled at night sometimes, and hung out at the Bronze.
One evening while they were seated at a table in the Bronze, Cordelia sauntered up to them. "Hi Faith, welcome back to Sunnydale. We've missed you so," she rolled her eyes.
"What do you want Cordy?" Faith asked.
"Nothing, just making sure Xander isn't still telling people we went out," she looked at him as if he were a bug.
"Cordelia, fuck off. Nobody likes you. And we don't want you snotty ass in our faces okay?" Faith sneered.
"Fine then," Cordy huffed and walked off. The whole table began clapping for Faith. She had told Cordelia off they way they had wanted to for so long. Buffy had a long while back, and now it had been Faith's turn.
The brunette slayer bowed and smiled. She grabbed more buffalo wings from the basket and set them on her plate. They'd just gotten back from patrol. "Isn't crazy how slaying makes you hungry and horny?" Faith grinned and winked at Buffy.
Buffy blushed profusley and mumbled, "Sometimes...I...like...non fat yogurt...after..." Faith laughed. She knew Buffy knew it was the truth. They ate a big snack and made love after coming back from slaying.
And Faith just wouldn't be Faith if she didn't tease Buffy.
Later that same week though, Faith's past would come back to haunt her. There seemed to be an uproar in the demon world. Vampires and demons were running scared, an ancient evil had arrived in town. They both knew what that meant.
Kakistos had come to town. And Faith was scared, almost in a panic. Every night when they went to patrol Buffy would have to coax her partner out of the house. Faith never said a word about what happened to her Watcher. Nor would Buffy push her on it.
One night while they were out they heard a russeling in the bushes. A vampire came out of them and another three appeared. They began fighting the slayers viciously, blows being thrown at incredible speed.
Buffy was pinned to the ground and one of the vamps had a knife held high, "For Kakistos we live, for Kakistos you die!" he yelled but he was suddenly dust as Faith killed him. She helped Buffy up and they dusted the last two vampires.
They walked out of the grave yard and onto one of the main streets in Sunnydale. A whole pack of vampires came at them out of an alley, there were too many for them to take. So they ran. Ducking behind trash cans and in between buildings. They thought they'd lost them as they ran into a deserted building.
A foul smell eminated from a corner and as the slayers looked back their gaze fell upon a whole pile of dead bodies. "Oh god...they drove us to his lair," Buffy covered her nose and mouth with a hand.
"How very astute of you slayer," Kakistos came out of the shadows and chuckled. The huge nasty scar Faith had given him last time they met was easily visable. Faith cringed and started walking backward as he came toward them.
He kicked up a pile of wooden at them which caused the girls to fall. He threw Buffy to the side and she hit the brick wall, falling to the ground. "We meet yet again Faith, I'd just like to pay you back for this," he gestured to the scar on his face.
Buffy was able to get up and distract him for a moment. "Hey scar face! Over here!" Buffy taunted as she stood behind him and threw a punch at his face. He grabbed her fist and threw her back again. Once he turned back around Faith had a beam of wood held high and she slammed it into his chest. He fell away and only his skeleton was left on the floor.
Both slayers were breathing heavily as they looked at his bones. "Hungry?" Buffy asked.
Faith replied, "Starved." The slayers walked out of the building to take care of their hunger and later they'd take care of the latter part of that saying. Kakistos was now dead, for good, and Buffy and Faith were again free to love as they should. Things had worked out for the better.
Upon thinking back on her life, Faith smiled and shook her head. She sure was lucky.