I Must Be Dreaming
by helenakyle2002
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Author's Notes: This is an AU fic.
This is my first BTVS fic, so be kind please.
Thanks to my grammar nazi Stacie and to my inspirational buddy
Norwalker.
Feedback: Please feed the feedback junkie.
AT SUNNYDALE LONG TERM CARE HEALTH FACILITY
Buffy walked into her fellow Slayer's room. *God she looks so young and peaceful. DAMN! I put her here.* "I don't know if you can hear me Faith, but I'm soooo sorry for what I did to you. I do know that what happened was an accident and if I had been there for you, like I should have been...none of the other stuff would ever have happened."
Buffy thought she was all cried out. She was wrong. Hot tears fell down her cheeks and she felt the thrust of a knife in her own heart. *Guess it serves me right, after what I did to her.* Buffy wrung her hands.
"I know you will wake up soon, you probably had the same 'Slayer dream' that I did. I will protect you this time, I promise."
Buffy pulled the new clothes she had bought for Faith out of the knapsack she had brought. She was concentrating on getting the leather pants on the still comatose Faith and she didn't hear the doctor come into the room.
"What are you doing Miss Summers?" The doctor knew that both women were Slayers.
"She's gonna wake up in a little while. I don't expect you to believe me, but I know it's true."
"Did you have a 'Slayer dream'?" The doctor's understanding statement floored Buffy.
Buffy's mouth dropped open in surprise. No sound came out when she tried to speak.
"Rupert is an old friend, so I know that you are both Vampire Slayers. I have learned to trust Rupert over the years and he says that if you say something, then it must be true."
Buffy saw the concern written all over the redheaded doctor's face. Buffy also noticed the weariness deeply etched there.
"Uhhhh, yeah I did see her wake up in a dream. But she will be attacked first and I mean to see that it doesn't happen. She has been hurt enough." *Especially by me.*
"Would you like me to help you dress her?" She held out her hands hoping that the blonde slayer would allow her to help.
"Okay, she loves leather. So I got her black leather pants, white t- shirt and a black leather vest." *God, she looks so sexy...where the hell did that come from?*
Faith was properly dressed in minutes. The doctor checked the readings on the machines. "I will tell security that under no circumstances are they to enter this room...no matter what they hear. You do realize that, even when she wakes up, there is no guarantee that she will remember you or anything from her past?"
"I know that, but I will be here to help her in any way I can." Buffy looked down at her feet, the guilt was written all over her tear-stained face.
"You didn't have a choice Miss Summers, she had to be stopped. You could have killed her, you didn't." *Both of these women are going to need help in dealing with their guilt.*
"I wasn't there for her when she needed me. I am as much to blame for what she did, maybe more so."
"When you say she will be attacked just before she wakes up, do you mean by vampires?" The fear shone clearly in her eyes.
"Yes, I don't know how they know where she is, but I will dust them before they get to her." Buffy pulled out two wooden stakes, hefted them, and took a few practice swings. "You need to leave now Doctor, I'll press the call button when it's over and she's awake."
Buffy's Slayer Sense was off the wall, she knew vamps were close by. She shoved the doctor out of the room quickly and turned to the open window just in time to see three vamps. She dusted the first two, but the third surprised her and smashed her in the mouth. She could taste the copper from her bleeding lip and it pissed her off no end.
IN FAITH'S MIND
*B needs me, I have to wake up.* Faith moaned softly and opened her eyes. Faith saw her fellow Slayer being held against the wall before Buffy managed to kick him. *Guess a good swift kick to big Jim and the twins works on the undead too.*
Buffy was gasping for breath when Poof, he turned to dust. She saw Faith standing there with a stake in her hand.
"Faith? Oh thank god, are you alright? How do you feel? Thanks for the assist." Buffy was babbling and she knew it, but she couldn't help it. They were the Chosen Two again and it felt right, like the missing piece of her was finally back.
"Whoa B, slow down. One question at a time." Faith shook her head and grabbed the bed. Her knees felt weak and were about to give out on her.
Buffy helped the brunette Slayer to sit on the bed. She pressed the call button and the doctor rushed in, closing the door behind her.
"Welcome back Faith." She pulled out her stethoscope and listened intently before checking her patient's pulse. She flashed a penlight into the brunette's brown eyes. Faith blinked and pulled back. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm starved, can I have real food?" Faith knew she had been out of commission for awhile and thought pizza would be good right now.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea just yet. You haven't had 'real food', as you put it, in almost two years. I think you should start with soup and jello." The doctor laughed at the pouting expression on Faith's face.
"Two years? No wonder I'm so hungry. How about mashing a pizza...please?"
Buffy laughed, "Give yourself some time Faith. I promise to bring you the biggest pizza that can be made when the doctor says it's okay." *She's so cute when she pouts. HUH? What's wrong with me? I don't...I mean...she's a girl...Faith, what are you doing to me?*
Faith didn't miss the myrid of emotions crossing Buffy's face. *Whoa, I think she likes me...as more than a friend, and it's weirding her out. If she knew what the majority of my dreams were about, she would run screaming from the room.*
"Come on doc...how about a sandwich at least...pleeeease?" Faith begged.
"Okay Faith, I'll see what I can do. Is tuna okay with you?"
"Better than soup or jello." Faith smiled.
"I don't know Faith, jello is pretty good with Cool Whip." Buffy winked at her fellow Slayer.
"Umm doc? Can we have red jello with Cool Whip?" Faith licked her lips in anticipation.
"I'll be back in a few minutes. You take it easy young lady, your legs will still be a little weak from lack of use." *Why do I have the feeling that she will take that as a challenge?* "Rupert warned me about your stubborness. He seemed to think it is a Slayer trait." The Doctor gave Buffy a strange look.
*Oh oh B. I wonder what G-Man has been telling her?* "Don't under estimate Slayer Strength or recouperation abilities." Faith grinned and stuck her tongue out at the doctor who just laughed.
"I won't, as long as you don't over estimate them." *I just know as soon as I leave, she will get up and try walking around.*
After the doctor left the room, Faith turned to Buffy wondering how to say what she felt. "B, how come you aren't beating the hell outta me?"
"I think I've done enough damage to you to last a lifetime, don't you?" Buffy's guilt overwhelmed her and a tear rolled down her cheek. Faith brought her into her arms and just held the blonde until she stopped shaking. The brunette pulled back and looked into watery blue eyes, "I deserved it B, you know I did. What I did...it was way out of line and you did what you had to do to protect everyone from the psycho bitch."
"Is that who you are now Faith?" *Please say no...please say no.*
"I don't think so, but that part of me will always exist." Faith was ashamed of her past behavior and wasn't sure how to explain why she did what she did. She stood up and started pacing. Buffy was right beside her in seconds in case her legs gave out again. Good thing she was, Faith almost collapsed and was caught by Buffy.
"You need to stay in bed for now Faith. I promise to help you get back on your feet."
"I've been in bed too fucking long as it is. Please B, I just wanna look out the window...see the stars, feel the fresh air." The last words were spoken so softly that only another Slayer could hear them.
"Okay, the Doc will kill me but...Give me your arm, and lean on me." Buffy slowly walked the younger Slayer over to the window. The smile Faith gave her made her heart pound rapidly.
"B, what's the date?"
"December 20th, it's almost Christmas. I got what I wanted, you woke up and are gonna be fine in time. What do you want for Christmas Faith?"
"Your forgiveness and maybe we can try to become friends...real friends this time around." Faith looked a lot younger than she was as she sucked in her bottom lip wondering just what Buffy wanted or needed from her.
"You have that Faith, I meant what kind of presents do you want?"
Faith's eyes watered and she didn't know what to say.
"Shhh, Faith...it's okay. I guess I shouldn't push you so hard. Would you like to come to Christmas dinner at my place, if the Doctor releases you in time?"
"I don't think your friends or family would appreciate that B. I mean I did try to kill all of them. Your mom would probably have me arrested and Dawn and the Scoobies would...would..." Faith broke down crying. Hugh sobs came from deep within her soul.
Buffy pulled the girl into her arms to comfort her. "I can handle Dawn and the Scoobies."
Faith didn't miss the fact that Buffy had failed to mention her mother. "B? What about your mom?"
"She...she died six months ago." Buffy tried to contain her tears and was gratified to feel Faith hug her tightly.
"I'm so sorry B, believe it or not...I liked your mom."
"She cared about you too Faith. She told me I should forgive you because it was the right thing to do. I wasn't sure I could, but I promised her I would...would try. After she died, I started coming to see you occasionally. I realized that I had forgiven you, I'm not sure I can forgive myself."
"What the fuck! Why not B? You did what you had to do."
"If I had been there for you when you accidentally staked that guy, you would never have gone off the deep end. You turned yourself in to the Mayor, not knowing he was a high level demon. He used your insecurities and tried to make you as evil as he was. But he didn't succeed Faith. In the end it was you who helped defeat him." Buffy knew it would take time and patience to bring Faith around.
"I had to," Faith said quietly. "He was gonna kill you and I was still furious at you and wanted to do that myself. That's why I attacked you on the roof. I wanted to make you feel the same pain I felt every day."
Buffy was shocked at the truth coming out of Faith. "Do you still want to kill me?" The older slayer gulped and prayed for a negative answer.
"No. I want, even though I don't deserve it, I want a second chance B." Faith looked like she was just waiting to be slapped down again and it hurt Buffy to see it.
"I think we both need a second chance. This time I think we should take the time to really get to know each other." Buffy blushed, hoping she wasn't pushing her fellow Slayer too hard.
*This has to be some kind of game, Buffy doesn't give a rat's ass about me. What is she up to?* "Why B?"
"Why what Faith?" *She's skittish, I have to go slow.*
"Why are you willing to give me a second chance? I mean I wouldn't blame you if this is some kind of setup...ya know?" *I won't cry, I won't cry...shit!*
"Faith I promise you, this is not a game, a psyche or anything else. It's just me trying to do the right thing, and it's something I want to do. You said you wanted a second chance...so I'm giving it to you. Will you give me the same?" Buffy gently wiped the dark girl's tears away.
Faith just nodded, speaking was impossible right now. Buffy assisted Faith back over to the bed. Faith leaned against the backboard and patted the bed beside her. Buffy smiled and sat down beside her.
The Doctor came back in with a tray. It contained a small portion of lasanga, a tuna sandwich and two bowls of cherry jello with whip cream. "I want you to eat this slowly Faith, not inhale it."
"Yes M'am. Gimme, I'm starved." Faith reached for the tray and set it across her legs. "After I eat, can I leave here?"
"Not at least til tomorrow Faith. I want to run some tests to make sure you are alright. Here, I also want you to take these mutli- vitamins for a little while."
"Vitamins? You're kidding right Doc?" Faith looked like a kid that had been given broccoli.
*She's cute when she pouts, who am I kidding? She's always cute. Whoa there girl, chill out now.* Buffy smiled at her counterpart and said, "Just think of them as space food Faith." Buffy giggled.
Faith's eyebrow flew up and her mouth dropped open. *She's cute when she giggles, aw hell...she's always cute. Stop right there Faith, she is offering friendship, don't push it.* "Space food B? Nice try. Here you take em." Faith handed the blonde two pills large enough to choke a horse.
"Faith! You have to take them or I will take the tray away right now."
Faith recognized the serious tone in the Doctor's voice, so she swallowed one of the pills. She gagged and made a face.
"Poor Faith," Buffy laughed out loud.
Faith handed the other one to Buffy, crossed her arms and gave her a look that said, 'Your turn.'
Buffy looked at the Doctor and shrugged. She took the vitamin and gagged herself. "UGHHHHH." Buffy saw the genuine smile on Faith's face.
"Faith, Buffy didn't need that. I will be back and you WILL take the second one."
As soon as the Doctor left Faith turned to Buffy, "Get me outta here B...please."
"I will bring you home tomorrow Faith, I promise. I need to get your room ready at the house. You will be using Dawn's old room and I don't think you want toy boy band posters on your wall, or pink paint."
"Dawn isn't gonna like losing her room B."
"She is away at college in New York. She was accepted to the school of Drama and Arts a year ago. She left four months ago, swearing she was never coming back to the Hellmouth. She is spending this Christmas with her boyfriend's parents in Bermuda."
"Dawn, College? Boyfriend?" It was a lot to take in for Faith, who was slowly coming to the conclusion that she had missed a lot during her two year nap.
"She turned eighteen six months ago Faith, she's not the kid you remember. She is a lot like you. She knows what she wants and is going to move heaven and earth to get it." Buffy shook her head, she was still having a hard time accepting Dawn as an adult herself.
The door opened and the girls expected it to be the Doctor with another football sized pill for Faith to take. When Giles walked in, they were totally flabbergasted.
"Uhhhh Giles, why are you here?" Buffy was afraid that the Watcher's Council wanted to take Faith away.
"Hey G-Man, what's the what?"
"Robin called me to inform me that you had woken up Faith. How do you feel?" Giles took off his glasses and cleaned them for lack of anything better to do.
"Only four by four right now. But you know Slayer healing, I will be fine. Are you here to take me back to the Council?" Faith's breathing hitched a little and Buffy unconsciously took her hand.
"No, Faith. I just came to see how you were. The Council has given me the choice of becoming your watcher or sending you back to England. I think you would rather put up with me, wouldn't you?"
"Yeah G-Man, if I have to have a watcher, then you're okay." Faith wondered what her future would bring now that she was almost back in the saddle again. "Look, G...Giles, I know you don't trust me and probably never will...but I will do whatever it takes to prove that I'm not crazy anymore."
"Considering that you just used my name, I wonder." Giles gave the worried Slayer a small smile.
"Giles, you made a joke!" Buffy was stunned, but not as much as Faith was.
"Check his temperature B. He's not setting off my Slayer Sense, but something is really freaky here."
"Har har." Giles threw a punch at Faith. She stopped it and before Giles knew what had happened, Buffy had him up against the wall. He could see the angry flashes in her eyes.
"What the hell was that for Giles? You could have hurt her? She just woke up, are you brain dead or what?" Buffy let go with both barrels. "If you try anything like that again, we will have a big problem...understand?" Buffy let the man down.
"Uh well, she needed to know that she still has it," Giles said weakly, glad to be back on the ground. "Since when are you her protector Buffy?"
"Since...since...I just am. Deal with it." Buffy was still trying to come to terms about what she felt for the younger Slayer.
*Don't read too much into that Faith, she just...just...* Faith ate the lasagna while keeping an eye on Giles and Buffy. She handed Buffy half of the tuna sandwich and they made it vanish quickly.
"Yes...well umm, Faith please contact me when you are ready to start training again. I assume that I will see you at Buffy's house for Christmas dinner?"
"Yes Giles you will. When the Doctor releases her, I'm taking her home...with me." The look on Buffy's face brooked no argument and Giles knew this.
"How did the vamps know where I am?" Faith hadn't forgotten the earlier attack, the one that woke her up to help Buffy.
"What vamps Faith? Bloody hell, if they know you're here now, you aren't safe. Let me talk to Robin, I will see if it's plausible for you to be released tonight." Giles walked out of the room.
"B?"
"Yeah Faith?"
"How many times have you protected me from vamps or other butt uglies?"
"Tonight was the first time." Buffy got up off of the bed and started pacing.
"B, you need to relax. Here, have your jello. Faith spooned the whip cream off of hers and added it Buffy's. She blushed as she handed it to the older blonde woman.
Buffy spooned part of the whip cream and fed it to Faith. "We will have to learn to share a lot of things Faith." *Like showers, okay so not what I need to be thinking about now.*
"Are you sure about taking me home B? The Scoobies will give you a hard time, you know they will." Faith was ready to cry again and that was something she hated to do.
"Never been more sure of anything in my life Faith. Leave the Scoobies to me. I will let them know that if they give you a hard time about the past, I will come down on them like a ton of bricks."
Faith took a chance, she pulled Buffy back down on the bed and hugged her. She whispered heartfelt thanks. When they reluctantly pulled apart they were staring into each others eyes. Time stood still as they slowly leaned towards each other. The moment was broken as Giles came in pushing a wheelchair and the Doctor followed him back into Faith's room. The girls pulled apart quickly, blushing as they did so. The Doctor handed Faith another multi-vitamin and a glass of water. Faith didn't fight her. With great difficulty, she swallowed it. The Doctor handed the brunette a bottle of vitamins, "You need to take three a day for the next two weeks. Then I want to see you."
Faith made a face, but knew better than to argue. She got up off of the bed and Buffy was beside her immediately. "Hey B, I can walk that far on my own ya know? But thanks." Faith sat down in the wheelchair as Giles handed her the release papers. She signed and they went out to the parking lot. Buffy helped Faith get into the backseat before joining her.
AT BUFFY'S HOUSE
Buffy put her key in lock of the front door and almost pushed it off its hinges in an effort to get the tired young brunette inside. *She's here, Faith's really here...with me.*
Giles arm snaked around Faith's waist unobtrusively, offering silent assistance. Once Faith was seated on the couch in the living room, Buffy mouth started to run a mile a minute.
"Faith, are you tired? Would you like a snack? Do you need or want anything?"
"I'm fine B, sit...take a load off." Faith knew how the older blonde felt because she was nervous as hell too.
Giles cleared his throat. "Yes...well, I think we need to find out just who is looking for Faith. I believe a full meeting should be called for tomorrow morning. I will call Willow and she will contact the others."
Faith smiled, Giles in geek mode was hilarious. "G-Man, they aren't gonna want to help me. They probably would turn me other to whoever wants me...not that I'd blame them." That last part was said so softly that only Slayer hearing could have picked it up.
"Giles, make sure they all understand that anyone messing with Faith has me to answer to," Buffy huffed.
"I understand Buffy." *The bloody hell I do.* Giles shot a look at Faith that was correctly interpreted as the 'If you hurt her again...'
Faith shook her head and pointed to Buffy behind her back, mouthing the words, 'Tell her.'
For the first time Giles saw uncertainty in Faith's eyes and quickly, but not totally masked,...fear. *She is not in control here. This does not bode well.*
"Maybe I should stay here tonight." Giles suggested timidly.
"Giles...Faith and I made a pac. She doesn't want to kill me and I don't want to kill her. We will be fine. Go home. We'll see you tomorrow afternoon, say around two. Faith could use the extra rest."
"So could you B. You're looking kinda wiped yourself." Faith hadn't missed the tiredness in the older blonde woman. Faith stood up, "So where is my room?"
Giles let himself out as her watched Buffy rush to Faith's side to help her up the stairs.
Buffy showed Faith to her room, apologizing for the decor, all the way.
Buffy was mumbling under her breath, but Faith could hear every word thanks to Slayer hearing. "Pink...Faith hates pink. Way to make her feel welcome."
"B, it's okay. It's better than I've had in years and certainly more than what I deserve." Faith still didn't know why Buffy was being so friendly and it bothered her. *I'll think better after a good night's sleep...I hope.*
Buffy went into her room and grabbed a night shirt for Faith. When she took it back to Faith, she saw that Faith had stripped and gotten into bed naked. She was fast asleep and had already kicked the covers partially off, showing her in all her glory from the waist up. Buffy stared for a minute and shook her head. *God, she is so beautiful and...and I should leave now.* Reluctantly tearing her eyes from Faith, Buffy quietly closed the door behind her and went to her room.
DECEMBER 21
Faith woke up to Buffy knocking on her bedroom door. The brunette Slayer got up and opened the door. Buffy came in carrying a tray with burnt bacon, semi-raw scrambled eggs, dark toast with peanut butter and a glass of mango juice on it. "Get back in bed Faith and I'll hand you your tray. Eat up while I go take a shower, I'll be back soon."
Faith didn't have the heart to tell Buffy what she really thought of her breakfast. She saw the pleased look on the older Slayer's face and just smiled. She figured the toast looked to be the safest edible thing on the tray. As soon as Buffy left, Faith jumped out of bed and tossed the runny eggs down the toilet and flushed. Next she threw the burnt bacon out the window. She just gotten back in bed and was eating the second piece of toast when Buffy walked back in.
When Buffy saw the almost empty plate on the tray, she beamed. She handed Faith a pair of black jeans and a black 'TAZ' sweatshirt.
Faith smiled and set the tray on the dresser.
"Gotta love Taz." Faith took the clothes and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Buffy stared as the nude brunette walked in front of her. *She's hot, I'm getting hot...I should leave.* Buffy stumbled over her own feet as she rushed out of the room.
*I know B was checking me out. I am hot, but B? I didn't think she swung that way. Maybe...Down girl, let whatever is happening... happen.* Faith took a long hot shower, luxuriating in its warmth.
*Damn, Faith saw me checking her out. I hope she doesn't run.* Buffy knew that she would have to get her raging hormones under control before facing Faith again.
The girls ended up in the kitchen together. Faith stuck her head in the fridge and pulled out a drumstick. "Wanna bite B?" Faith said with her mouthful. She grinned at her light counterpart, holding out the leg.
"Uhh...no thanks, enjoy." Buffy shook her head. *Where does she put it all?*
Faith smiled and sat down at the table. Buffy filled their cups and handed Faith the sugar while she grabbed the cream out of the fridge.
The brunette sat back and looked around. *Don't get to used to it, you know you will fuck it up somehow.* Just the thought of leaving caused unbelievable pain deep inside her soul. *Please God, or whoever is in charge...don't let me fuck this up this time.*
Buffy saw the frown and quick flash of fear pass across Faith's features.
"Are you okay Faith?" Buffy leaned forward and took the younger Slayer's hand in hers.
Faith squeezed Buffy's hand before letting go. "You know me B...five by five." *Her hand is so small and soft.*
*Holding her hand felt so right.* Buffy was brought out of her musings when Faith knocked on her forehead.
"Hello? Porch light's on and no one's home." Faith laughed quietly.
Buffy jerked back and saw a smirking Faith. "Hey," the blonde said rubbing her forehead.
"Welcome back B. Looked like a nice place, care to share?"
Buffy took a chance, she reached out and took Faith's hand in hers again. Faith looked confused for a moment and then went with how good it felt to be holding Buffy's hand.
Both girls had closed their eyes, letting their Slayer Bond speak for them. They knew there were a lot of unresolved issues, but they would make it through them together.
"Are you up for a short run Faith?" Buffy knew she had to do something before she babbled out her feelings.
"Uh...run? Yeah, sure B." Faith recognized that Buffy needed to do something with all the stored energy. "Where are we going?"
"The park down the street has a nice runner's path. But if you start getting tired, I expect you to tell me." Buffy said sternly.
"Relax B, I'm fine." *Does she really care, or is she just afraid if I get hurt, she will be blamed?*
*She certainly is.* "Let's go," Buffy grabbed a waist purse that held the house keys. Faith tossed Buffy her coat and put the other on herself. Buffy held the front door open and Faith walked out into the sunshine. Buffy locked the door and looked at Faith. *She really likes being outside in the sunshine. I bet she doesn't even realize that it's snowing.*
Faith smiled and held her tongue out to catch snowflakes. "Ughhh, they taste terrible."
Buffy laughed, she couldn't help it. The look on Faith's face went from childlike glee to totally disgusted in a fraction of a second. Buffy should have know better than to zone out.
SPLAT. Buffy felt the snowball hit between her shoulder blades.
"Faith! Oh you are so gonna get it." Buffy made a quick snowball and nailed the brunette right in the middle of the chest.
Faith threw several snowballs over Buffy's head. Buffy stuck her tongue out, "Missed me...Nyah Nyah." Just as the blonde was about to throw a snowball...WHOMP. All the snow on the branch above her head dropped down on her and buried her good. Faith burst out laughing so hard she fell back on her ass. She was holding her sides, trying to stop laughing. When Buffy came up sputtering, Faith lost it again. "Doesn't look like I missed B." When Faith saw the look in Buffy's eye, she tried to get up. *Oh shit, I'm gonna get it now.* The snow was too slippery and Buffy pounced on the surprised brunette, shoving snow down Faith's front and back.
"Gaaaaaaaa, B! Uncle. Fuck that's cold," Faith said shaking the blonde off and finally managing to her feet under herself. Both girls looked at each other and burst out laughing. Buffy got up and held out her hand. Faith grabbed it and got to her feet. She noticed Buffy had the other hand behind her back. *That's okay, I have a surprise for her too. Come on B, make your move.* Buffy brought the snowball from behind her back and dropped it. Faith was surprised, but she dropped hers too.
"B, look out!" Faith knocked Buffy to the left and was encompassed by the rest of the snow from the low hanging branch.
In between giggles Buffy said, "You're right Faith, it is funny... when it's someone else."
Faith cursed under her breath, but Buffy heard her..."Gonna get you back B, just you fucking wait."
"Hey, you started it...I ended it." Buffy ran back towards the front door, pulling out the key. Faith caught her and shoved a handful of snow down Buffy's pants. The blonde squealed and turned to shove Faith. Faith being the reasonably intelligent person that she was, had run into the house. Buffy followed her inside and closed the door.
"I'm fucking cold and wet, and I haven't had that much fun in... well, never. Thanks B." The younger Slayer blushed and looked away.
"We should get some dry clothes on Faith. I don't want you getting sick because of me." *She really means it, she had fun. So did I. God when she was laughing at me being covered in snow, she was so beautiful.*
"Chill out B. I'm not made of porcelin ya know. Besides, you're wetter than I am."
*How does she know...oh yeah, she means the snow.*
"I need to go to the Mayor's mansion to see if my clothes are still there and other stuff." Faith knew that Buffy would insist on coming along with her, but would it be out of a lack of trust or for her own protection?
"Do you want me to go in with you or just wait outside with the car?" Buffy didn't want to crowd Faith right now because she knew it wouldn't help matters. "For now though you will need some of my clothes." Buffy walked past Faith on the stairs deliberately running the back of her hand across the brunette's thigh. Faith swallowed hard and shivered at the first touch from Buffy. Buffy kept walking up the stairs. She had seen Faith's reaction to being touched and was pleased. "Are you coming Faith?"
*Touch me like that again and I just might.* "Right behind ya B." *And what a hot little behind you have too.*
Buffy handed Faith a pair of black jeans and a pink sweatshirt with a bunny on it.
Faith took the jeans, "I don't do pink, or bunnies B." Faith grumbled as she grabbed a plain white sweatshirt.
"But you'd look cute in it Faith." Buffy smiled when Faith's eyebrow flew up.
"I don't do cute either B." Placing her hands on her hips, Faith glared at Buffy.
Buffy stuck her tongue out and was surprised when the young brunette returned the gesture. Faith walked back to her room and closed the door. She dressed quickly and was wandering around the room mumbling, cursing, throwing her hands in the air when Buffy knocked.
"Faith? Are you alright in there?"
Hearing the concern in her fellow Slayer's voice, Faith answered; "Yeah B, five by five. I'll meet you downstairs in a minute." *Breathe in, breathe out...calm down. I am calm...I am calm. Like shit I am...Damn B, why do you have to be so sexy and hot. FUCK! I need a very long, really cold shower before I face B.*
Faith laid the clothes Buffy had given her on the bed and walked into the bathroom. She turned the shower on cold and stepped in. "AAAAAAAAAAA, coldddddd...need fur...B on a bearskin rug...B's skin rubbing mine. Listen up brain, you aren't helping anything. As for you, body, we aren't getting outta here til you chill out.*
IN BUFFY'S ROOM
Buffy watched as Faith disappeared down the hall. *God, she is all curvy, sexy...I want...I need a cold shower.* She walked into her bathroom, turned on the cold water in the shower and stepped in.
Both girls dressed after their separate showers and met downstairs in the kitchen. Buffy handed Faith the sugar for her coffee and they sat down together, trying very hard not to devour each other with a look. The low down tickle was just something both girls would have to get used to. Both knew that giving into their mutual lust would not help them form a lasting relationship and that was what they both wanted.
"We should go meet Giles before the Scoobies get there." Buffy wanted to make sure that Giles understood that Faith would apologize to everyone for her past transgressions and that after that, they would never be mentioned again by anyone.
AT GILES HOUSE
KNOCK KNOCK
"B, I know I have to do this but...a pissed off witch, a former vengeance demon and Xan man...it's all too much. And you know Giles doesn't want me anywhere around 'his Slayer'." Faith's look of defeat was breaking Buffy's heart. Buffy took the younger girl's hand and said, "I'm here for and with you Faith."
Giles opened the door and let the girls in. He could see the fear in Faith's eyes and he thought it would make him feel good, but it didn't. *Faith is still a teenager who has had more than her fair share of problems. Buffy is willing to give her a second chance... can I do any less?*
"How are you feeling today Faith?" Giles asked, showing his concern. He took off his glasses and cleaned them.
"Okay G-Man, let me have it...both barrels and get it out of the way before the rest of gang gets here to put me in my place." Faith said with some of her old fire.
"Yes...well, I..." Giles stuttered.
"Spit it out, if I can't take one person's verbal abuse for my past...then how the hell will I deal with the Scoobies reaction?" Faith just wanted this day to be over with.
"Why did you do all those terrible things to us Faith? We were your friends." Giles knew better than to look at Buffy, he knew he would see sparks of anger in her eyes, but Faith was right. She had to run the gauntlet of everyone's emotional storm before she could ever begin to set things right.
"I couldn't deal with my feelings, so I lashed out at everyone around me. When I killed that man, I expected you all to help me somehow. You weren't there for me then, so I wasn't gonna be there for you to fight the good fight."
"But Faith, you did come around. In our shared Slayer Dream, you told me how to defeat the Mayor. You did the right thing in the end. We weren't there for you...I wasn't there for you and I know what happened was an accident. It just freaked me out so much, I was so afraid that something like could happen to me too. I just couldn't deal with it. I blamed you and that was wrong. You know that the Scoobies rarely argued with me about anything I said or did. I never gave them the chance to help you when I couldn't. I just decided arbitrarily that you had gone bad and needed to be stopped. They just followed what I said. Then when they came after you, you fought back and hurt them all...like they hurt you. It's time to stop the hurting for everyone Faith, especially you." Buffy pulled the upset brunette into her arms and hugged her tightly. For once Buffy's libido stayed out of the equation. Faith needed reassurance, and she would give that to her. Hoping that it wouldn't be a case of too little, too late.
"Faith, when Buffy turned away...why didn't you come to me?" Giles realized he was hurt that Faith didn't ask him what to do.
"You were and are 'her' watcher G-Man. I went to the Mayor to turn myself in...that's what you would have told me to do isn't it?"
"No Faith, I would have made arrangements for you to be assigned somewhere else. You are THE Slayer, the bloodline rests with you. I would have helped you set up shop in any city you wanted."
Faith was surprised by what Giles had said. Silent tears began to fall and Giles handed her his silk handkerchief and looked away. "I need to know G..Giles, why did you agree to become my Watcher again? Was it because you really want to help and work with me, or just to keep me outta the Council's hands?"
"A bit of both actually Faith. The Council's methods leave a lot to be desired. Buffy was right, the only way to get past your past is to stay here with the people you want and need forgiveness from. I think you know it won't be easy. As a matter of fact, it could get very ugly soon enough. But I do believe you want to earn redemption, so I will do everything I can to assist you."
"Thanks, that means a lot to me. The two people I hurt most are willing to help me. I won't ever go back to being that bitch again, I promise. I would like to start training today...after the scream fest which is about to go down."
KNOCK KNOCK
Giles nodded at Faith who went to answer the door. She silently let the Scoobies in.
"What the hell are you doing here Faith? Looking for more torture victims?" Xander was angry and didn't care who knew it.
"No Xander, I'm here to try to make amends and to clean up the mess I left behind. So go ahead, get the rest of it out of your system."
Willow was watching the exchange wondering. *What does she really want?*
"Make amends? Yeah right. I should believe you because?" Xander was clenching his fists tightly against his side. "You will always be psycho slut as far as I'm concerned."
"That's enough Xander." Buffy said in a voice that silenced him immediately. "I believe her, and Giles is her Watcher now. If you can't get beyond the past, then you should leave."
"Since when do you give a rat's ass about her?" Xander liked his anger, it was familiar to him and as comfortable as an old blanket.
"What do expect from us Faith?" Willow asked softly while keeping her distance.
"Expect? Nothing Red. I just want a second chance like most of you have given each other. Xander did some terrible things as 'Bug Boy', and as 'SnakeMan' and was forgiven. You lost it for awhile when you turned to black magic Red. You killed a lot of people and were forgiven almost immediately. I killed one person by accident and it snowballed from there. Why is it so hard for all of you to forgive me?" Faith was determined not to cry in front of the Scoobies.
Willow chewed her bottom lip. *Faith is right, we have all done things we are sorry for.* Willow walked over to Faith and held out her hand. Faith looked at the redhead and seeing nothing but a willingness to try, she shook the offered hand. It felt good.
Buffy turned to Anya, "You've been very quiet during all this."
"Faith never did anything to me personally and I have had twelve hundred years of being what Faith doesn't want to be. I know better than anyone the allure of that kind of power. She beat it by herself. That tells me she is a very strong young woman. I won't interfere with her unless she hurts Xander and I don't think she will do that again."
"I won't Anya, and thank you for understanding what I was going through." *Forgiveness from a Vengeance demon, wow who'd a thunk it.*
"Well, ummm...yes. If we can all agree to work together and not snipe, I think we can deal with this and put it in the past to stay." Everyone put their hands out and piled on top of Faith's. Xander's hand was placed over Willow and capped off by Giles.
"To a new beginning for all of us." Giles hoped this would be the outcome of today's talk. "Okay, we need to find out how the vamps found out where Faith was and who sent them."
"You were attacked already Faith?" Willow frowned.
"Well not exactly, Red. They came for me and B dusted two of them and I nailed the third one. A definite rude awaking, lemme tell ya."
"Doesn't a vampire need to be invited into a room?" Willow asked.
"No Willow, a hospital is a public place and vampires don't need to be invited in." Giles turned to Buffy, "Was there anything different about those vampires Buffy?"
"Different, how? They came in through the open window and we took care of them, right Faith?"
"Yeah B, we did. Open window...did you open it B?"
"No it was open when I got there."
"Who would open a window in a coma patient's room in the middle of winter? Faith, please think hard. I need a list of the Mayor's accomplices. Maybe I can find out who is left now and has a grudge against you." Giles handed Faith a notepad and pen.
"G-Man, I only ever saw two men talking to the Mayor. One was a vamp, as a matter of fact it was the one I dusted in my room. The other man seemed like a rich business man. He had on a very expensive silk suit, Armani loafers and...a large diamond ring on his left pinkie. The diamond was in the mouth of a serpent. I don't know his name or where he is now." Faith looked at a spot on the floor until Buffy took her hand and smiled at her.
"We will find him Faith, I promise you." Buffy said in a no nonsense voice.
"No B, I need to find him and deal with him." Faith saw the look on Giles faces and quickly stated, "Relax G-Man, I mean turn him in to the cops, not kill him."
"Faith, if he's not human then the cops won't be able to deal with him. We need to work together on this." Giles was worried about what Faith would do.
"If he's not human, then he will be worse than I ever was and I won't let him hurt any of you."
Willow looked at Faith, "Do you trust me Faith?"
"Yes, why Red?"
"Then let me find him and see if he is human or not. Then we can decide what to do. Please give me a couple of days."
"Okay Red, but if he shows up...then what?"
"Then WE will deal with him in whatever manner is called for."
"You don't go anywhere without B or me with you, understand Red? That's non-negotiable."
"Are you worried about me or is it a matter of trust?" Willow thought Faith seemed a little afraid and that was unlike her.
"I'm worried about ya Red. I know you have magic powers, but it takes time to say a spell. Time you might not have. So promise me you will let B and me protect you."
"I can locate him using a computer a lot faster than using a locator spell Faith. But I promise I will not go anywhere without a Slayer. Thanks for wanting to protect me. Can you describe him to me?"
"Well built, about forty something years old, dark brown wavy hair, about six feet tall, speaks several languages, and is almost as good as you on a computer. Does that help?"
"Yeah, give me a few minutes to put those perimeters into the data base of my laptop and then see what it finds." Willow typed in everything that Faith had told her.
Giles looked thoughtful for a minute and went into his office off of the living room. When he came back he handed Faith a picture. "Is this him Faith?"
"Holy shit G-Man, yeah that's him. Who is he and why do you have a picture of him?"
Giles handed the picture to Willow to scan into the computer. "Well, he was the youngest head of the council."
"Was? What happened to him?" Faith was no longer surprised that this group could find out anything.
"He went rogue, and as far as I knew he was assassinated five years ago. Let me go make a few calls. I need everyone to stay here for now." The look on Giles face worried Scoobies and Slayers alike.
"Come on Faith, lets go train for awhile. I know standing around isn't exactly something you do well." Buffy led Faith towards training room in Giles basement.
"Buffy as you reminded me so forcefully yesterday, Faith just came out of a two year coma yesterday. So go easy on her until she says otherwise or you can gage her strength and speed. We will need both of you very soon."
"Don't worry about me G-Man, Buffy always could kick my ass but never deliberately hurt me in training." Faith laughed and grinned at her light counterpart.
"Ummmm...guys." Willow spoke out. "There are two death certificates for this guy. It says he died five years ago and then again three months ago. That's weird, how can someone die twice?"
"It's not too hard Will," Buffy said tonelessly.
Buffy grabbed Faith's hand and they went to the training room, leaving the Scoobies to figure out what was going on.
IN THE TRAINING ROOM
"Okay Faith, I want you to come at me." Buffy tensed up and waited for the brunette to make her move.
Faith ran forward, stopped directly in front of Buffy and tried to sweep her legs out from under her. Buffy was waiting for that move and knocked Faith backwards.
"Come on Faith, I know you can do better than that in your sleep."
Faith grinned and threw a punch which Buffy ducked. The blonde Slayer didn't see the other fist which doubled her over and Faith using interlocked fingers on the back of Buffy's neck, dropped her to the floor.
"Shit, B are you okay?" Faith helped the stunned girl back to her feet.
"I'm fine Faith, nice move. Let's see you try that again." Buffy watched Faith, she knew that Faith telegraphed her moves and she needed to break her of that habit.
As Faith was getting up off of the floor she said, "I never even saw that. What did you do to me B?"
"I used your own momentum to knock you off balance and then swept your left leg as I brought my hand around your neck."
"Won't work again B, ya know that right?"
Faith cursed as she got up off the floor again. "Okay, I could be wrong." Both girls laughed and traded punches and kicks for a little while longer. Buffy hooked Faith's hip and came crashing down on top of her.
"Were you planning on getting off...of me any time soon B?" Faith felt a warmth run down her body and she needed to get out from under Buffy before she said or did something wrong.
*Getting off with you...god Faith, you have no idea.* Buffy leaned down and gently kissed Faith on the lips. She felt Faith return it and both girls felt a bolt of electricity run down their spines. Their Slayer bond made it more intense.
"B?" Faith pulled back to look into the greenest eyes she had ever seen.
"I just had to know." Buffy licked her lips and knew she wanted more...much more.
"Know what B?" *Please don't let this be a setup.*
"If your lips were as soft as they looked." Buffy smiled when Faith didn't freak out by being kissed.
"And...?" Faith prayed that Buffy had enjoyed their kiss as much as she had.
"They are the softest, sexiest lips I have ever tasted." *God, she is such a good kisser. How could I have not kissed her before now?*
"News flash for ya B, I've been dreaming of kissing you and the real thing was much better. But where do we go from here?"
Notes: < > denotes the words of a ghost. (not telling ya who)
"Dinner. I mean, will you go out to dinner with me Faith?" Buffy blushed as she looked at her fellow Slayer.
"Like a real date?" Faith couldn't believe her ears, this was what she had wanted for so long.
"Yeah, I mean, it's up to you." *Bad Buffy, you're pushing too hard.*
Faith smiled and Buffy knew it was an honest smile involving real happiness.
*I have a date with B! I have a date with B!* Faith's lost look gave Buffy her opportunity for a little payback. She rapped on Faith's forehead.
"What the fuck?" Faith shook her head and refocused on the beautiful blonde in front of her.
"How did you put it? Oh yeah, porch light's on and no one's home." Buffy giggled and Faith shook her head and laughed too. "You didn't answer my question Faith. Will you go out with me tonight?"
Faith licked her dry lips, "Yeah B, I'll go out with you and I'll even keep my elbows off the table."
"Faith!" Buffy leaned in to gently kissed those ruby red lips.
"MMMMM, B you better stop 'cause I can't." *Don't ever wanna stop kissing B.*
"Ahem," Giles cleared his throat. The girls jumped apart, both absolutely certain they had never blushed so hard in their lives.
"G-Man, I uhhhh..." Faith stammered.
"Giles, what...is something wrong?" Buffy took Faith's hand to let her know she didn't care what Giles saw or thought about what he saw.
"Buffy, I need you to check this warehouse. Willow felt a bad vibration from the building." Giles showed Buffy the address and told Faith that Willow wanted to talk to her.
"Try to be careful B."
"I always TRY...Faith. Don't worry, I'll see you at home later. I'll call the restaurant and make the reservations for seven thirty." Buffy smiled and kissed Faith's hand before walking out of the training room, heading for the shower.
"Ummmm, G-Man?" Faith was worried about Giles reaction even if Buffy wasn't.
"Yes Faith?" Giles knew what was coming.
"Are you okay with me and B dating?" *Please say yes, please say yes.*
"Would it matter if I weren't?"
"Yes, it matters."
"Then, no I don't have a problem with it, as long as the two of you don't let your personal feelings interfere with the job at hand."
Faith knew she was the seeing the 'father' figure right now as well as the Watcher. She gulped and tried to speak, but no words came out.
"And Faith, this had better not be just a fling a la 'get some, get gone'. It has become very obvious that Buffy has real feelings for you and she has for some time. I think you have those same feelings for her too. Am I wrong?"
"No G-Man, you're not wrong. I uh...I..." Faith was cut off by Willow who had entered the room.
"Faith, if you were serious about being my body guard...I need you to go somewhere with me at four o'clock."
"You're still going to the orphanage to help the kids no one wants, aren't you?" Faith remembered this little tidbit of information from when she had stalked her in the past.
"Yes, how did you know?" Willow was surprised and a bit fearful.
"I followed you for a week a long time ago, I saw you go there twice. I can meet you at your place at three thirty and then we will go. I have to go get my things from the mansion, that's if they are still there."
"Okay, thanks Faith. Have Buffy drop you off at my place and I will drive us there and back." Willow was still a little leery about spending time with the dark Slayer. *Even when she was nuts, she never hurt a child.*
"Um...Red?" Faith said softly.
"Yeah?"
"Could I come a bit earlier, I wanna...talk about..." *Grrrr why is this so hard?*
"I'll be home in an hour, come by then." *I bet she wants to talk about Buffy. Damn, Faith is kinda cute when she blushes.*
Buffy came walking back into the living room and everyone noticed her bleeding nose and head.
"B! What the hell happened? I'll beat them within an inch of their lives. Here, sit down and put your head back. GILES! Get a couple of towels and a suture kit. Buffy's hurt."
Giles rushed into the room and took one look at the blonde Slayer and handed Faith the first aid kit.
"No stitches Faith, Slayer healing remember? Just clean it and put a bandaid on it please." Buffy felt a little woozy and was trying to hide it. She knew from the look on Faith's face, she wasn't doing a very good job of it. She used her patented puppy dogs eyes to beg the brunette to keep quiet.
"What am I gonna do with you B?" Faith whispered softly in Buffy's ear as she cleaned the nasty looking gash on the blonde girl's forehead. Faith looked into the greenest, most expressive eyes she had ever seen. *God, I could get lost in there and like it. Damn B, don't look at me that way.* Faith squirmed trying to calm her raging libido and being this close to Buffy wasn't helping at all. "What happened B?" Faith demanded.
"Nothing magical was there, just a bunch of drunken bikers. We had a difference of opinion, that's all. We should go get your stuff Faith, but since I have a really killer headache, you drive and be careful."
"Yes mom." Faith laughed as she helped Buffy up off of the couch. She handed the kit back to Giles and shook her head as if to say, "What do you want me to do?"
"Keep an eye on her Faith, if she shows any symptoms of a concussion, get her to the emergency room immediately... understand?"
"Chill G-Man, personally I would take her there now, but I don't want an unecessary ass kicking...ya know?"
"Hello? Still in the room." Buffy huffed.
"Relax Huffy, I said only if you get worse." Faith back peddeled quickly.
"What did you just call me?" Buffy scowled as she swung a fist in Faith's general direction.
"Uhhh, we should leave now B." Faith reached for Buffy's hand and squeezed it gently, letting her know that she, Faith, would take care of her.
AT THE MANSION
Buffy opened the car door and started to get out.
"B, you don't have to come in. I know this place gives you the heebie jeebies. I'll be right back." Faith pulled out her key and put it in the lock. She felt the older girl's presence behind her.
"It won't be a picnic for you either Faith. Let me be here for you." The blonde ran her fingers across Faith's face and watched as the frown lines disappeared. Faith leaned into the touch and sighed contentedly.
Once inside, Faith pointed to the stairs saying, "My room is the second one on the left, or at least it was." Faith took the stairs two at a time. Buffy followed her silently.
"ALRIGHT! All my stuff is still here. Look B, even my Playstation and all the games." Faith looked like a kid on Christmas morning. Buffy smiled, she loved seeing Faith's smile.
The blonde looked in the closet and found a beautiful leather jumpsuit. "Oh Faith, will you wear this tonight please? It's so soft and will look great on you. *And even better off. Down girl.*
"Huh? I thought you would have wanted me to wear a dress for our first official date." Faith blushed and looked at her feet which she scuffed along the carpet.
"You'd do that for me Faith?" Buffy was flabbergasted.
"Don't you know by now, that I would do anything for you B?" *Shit did I just say that out loud?*
Buffy smiled and brushed her lips across Faith's full, luscious ones.
Faith looked around the room and her memories kicked in. She froze on the spot and started crying. "I'm so sorry Joyce, I didn't mean to hurt you. Oh god, it hurts."
Faith felt Buffy's loving arms wrap around her and she heard, "She forgave you long ago Faith. Don't you think it's about time you forgave yourself?"
Just then both girls Slayer Senses went off the wall. They turned around and let out a shocked scream. There, not five feet away from them, stood the ghostly figure of Joyce Summers.
"Mom?" Buffy said tentatively.
"Mrs. S? Oh god, I'm so sorry for what I did you to you. I never got the chance to apologize." Faith broke down and collapsed on the carpet.
< I know you are Faith, that's not who you are in here. > Joyce put her hand over Faith's rapidly beating heart. The older blonde woman slowly raised Faith up into her arms.
"How is this possible?" Both Slayers said at once.
< The PTB's owe Angel several favors and he called in one so that I could be here for both of you. I don't have a lot of time, so I need you both to listen very carefully to me. >
"You have our undivided attention mom." Buffy reached out to touch the mother she missed so much.
< First Buffy, you did a great job with Dawn. I'm so proud of you. I know going to school, taking care of Dawn, slaying and nursing a broken heart all at the same time wasn't easy for you. >
"It was so hard mom, I don't know how you did it. I messed up, lots. Dawn hated me for a long time."
< She never hated YOU Buffy, just the situation. >
"I miss you so much mom," Buffy hugged her mother, not wanting to ever let her go again.
< I know dear, I miss you too. >
Faith tried to quietly slip out and let the Summers women have some privacy.
< Where do you think you're going Faith? >
Faith had the 'deer caught in the headlight' look on her face.
"I uh...you and B...privacy." That last word was mumbled softly.
< Sit down Faith, please. I know that most of the bad stuff that happened here in Sunnydale was a result of both of you not being able to deal with your feelings for each other. Tell me Faith, do you still love my daughter? > Joyce could feel the dark girl's nervousness and wanted her to know that she was okay with the girls being in a relationship.
Faith nodded, not looking at either of the blondes.
< Buffy, do you still love Faith? > Joyce knew the answer, but needed the girls to admit it to themselves and each other.
Buffy looked at the dark Slayer and nodded, "Yes mom I do, more than ever."
< Good, then stop beating yourselves up over the past. Start with a clean slate. You know you are both stronger and happier together. As the Chosen Two, you need each other. The fact that you love each other is a bonus that should never be taken for granted. Now come here and give me a hug.? >
Both girls flew into Joyce's welcoming arms.
< I always thought of you as my third daughter. I want you to be happy. You deserve to be happy Faith. I now know about your disgusting childhood, and I am sorry you had such a rotten upbringing. They, your parents, were wrong. You are not a useless screwup, and you never were. >
Faith cried like she had never cried before. Both Buffy and Joyce held her while huge wracking sobs continued to come out of her. Joyce whispered in Buffy's ear, < Give her time and all of your love Buffy, but go slow. She is not used to anyone caring, really caring for her. >
"I will mom, I love her and I want her to be happy. I will do everything in my power to do that for her."
Faith had heard the quiet exchange, but was too busy trying to stop the waterworks.
< I don't have much more time here... >
Faith grabbed her stuff and started to walk out of the room.
"Thanks Mrs. S, Buffy really lucked out getting you for a mother. I'll just take my stuff downstairs and put it in the car. Don't waste what few minutes you have together, talking about me please." Faith came back and hugged the older woman and left.
< Talking to or spending time with you isn't a waste of time Faith. I really did enjoy your company. I just wish you wouldn't sell yourself short so much. I love you Faith and I will never stop. I'm here, if you need me. > Joyce placed her hand over Faith's heart again. Faith felt the tears start again, so she walked quickly out of the room.
< She loves you so much Buffy, it scares her. You need to know why she is so closed off and so afraid of love. She spent her whole childhood taking beatings that would have killed anyone but a potential Slayer. She was told over and over that she was a useless piece of shit. The days after the most severe beatings, she was told it was done out of love and for her own good. The fact that she healed quickly only angered her parents more. >
"Oh my god, mom. How could she survive all of that?" Buffy cried for her soon to be girlfriend.
< She is a strong individual Buffy. There's more. She is actually brilliant. Her first Watcher found out her I.Q. was almost off the scale. Faith graduated high school when she was fifteen. Just before she became a slayer. She crammed a two year course in ECE into one year and graduated with honors. >
"What's ECE?" Buffy was shocked that Faith was so smart. *She hides it well, I wonder why?*
< Early childhood education. She is qualified to look after kids with severe emotional problems and physical ones as well. She wanted to prevent other kids from going through the hell she did. She knows better than most what that can do to a child. But then she was called as a Slayer and never had a chance to put her degree to work. You might tell Willow and let her speak to some people. Faith needs to feel like she is making a difference in the world, not just from her Slaying duties. >
"I will talk to Willow mom, but I need to talk to Faith... really talk to her." Buffy could feel the solidness of her mother begin to fade. "I love you mom."
< I will always love all three of my girls, don't you forget it. >
Joyce faded out and was gone. Buffy stayed on the couch for a few minutes, composing herself. She went downstairs and saw Faith waiting in the living room.
"Let's go home Faith." Buffy knew they had both been put through the wringer this day.
"You have to drop me off at Red's place B. Can you just throw my stuff in my room and I will unpack when I get back?"
"Okay, ummm Faith?"
"Yeah B?"
Buffy held out her open arms and Faith came right into them.
"Thanks B, I needed that." Faith ran her fingers through soft spun silky blonde hair.
"Me too Faith. We will be together, and we will be happy." Buffy stomped her foot comically causing them both to laugh.
Faith looked up and yelled, "Ya hear that? We are gonna be happy, so there." Faith stuck out her tongue.
"Do you want me to come with?" Buffy saw that Faith's nervousness had returned as she pulled up in front of Willow's apartment.
"No, it's okay Buffy. I mean, unless you need to talk to Red."
Faith looked over at the beautiful blonde girl and thanked the gods that she had been given a second chance.
"Call me when you're done, or have Willow drop you off at home."
Buffy leaned over and kissed the startled brunette. Faith got out and knocked on the right door. Willow answered immediately and let the dark Slayer in.
"Hi Faith, is everything okay?" Willow could sense something had happened that had unnerved Faith.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told ya." Faith smiled at the redhead.
"Try me, I'm pretty unflappable."
"Okay, well me and B saw...Joyce at the mansion." Faith's eyes teared up again.
"Buffy's mother? What happened? What did she say? If it's not too personal, I mean."
"She forgave me Red, just like you did. She knew how B and I felt about each other even back then, and she's okay with our getting together." Faith shook her head, still surprised that anyone would accept her.
"Is Buffy what you wanted to talk to me about Faith?" Willow asked softly, not wanting to push.
"Yeah Red. She's taking me to dinner tonight and I want...need to know what to talk about, how to act proper. I don't want to embarrass B, ya know? She asked me to wear a leather jumpsuit I have, but I thought maybe...I should wear a...a dress. What do you think?"
"Do you have a dress that you feel comfortable wearing and doesn't look...?"
"I have one green silk dress, but it's kinda tight. The rest, you would say are sluty and we both know B deserves better than that."
"Come with me Faith." Willow took Faith by the arm and led her to the room that still had Tara's clothes. "You're pretty much the same size...as Tara." The last two words were said so softly that only Slayer hearing would have picked them up.
"Red, I can't wear your late girlfriend's clothes. That would make you cry and I've done that enough to you." Faith knew Willow spent a lot of time in this room, her scent was strong.
"It's okay Faith. I think she knew about you and Buffy too. She said the two of you would make a great couple if you didn't kill each other first. Oh my God, Faith...I'm so sorry. I didn't mean, I mean..." Willow covered her face with her hands which Faith pulled away gently before speaking.
"Babbling Red. Got anything in..." Before Faith could finish the sentence, Willow handed her a black silk dress with gold threads running through it.
"Wow! That's beautiful Red. Can I try it on first?"
"Bathroom is right through that door." When Faith came out Willow whistled. "Buffy is gonna love that on you Faith, it looks like it was made for you."
Faith did a little twirl and grinned. "Thanks Red, and I take back all the shit I ever said or thought about you. B was right, I never gave you a chance because smart and powerful people make me nervous."
RING RING
"I'll be right back, check out the long black leather coat. It's in the closet." Willow walked out to the hall and answered the phone.
"Hi Will, don't say my name if Faith is in earshot. My mom told me that Faith is super smart and she has a degree with honors in Early Childhood Education. Do you think you might be able to help her find a job?"
"Faith went to university? Wow. She said smart people make her nervous. I wonder why, since she is one herself."
"Yeah well you know Faith, she prefers to kick ass. But she wouldn't have done so well in that course if she wasn't interested or good at helping troubled kids. I mean she's been there and done that, so she can empathize with them."
"I'll talk to the people at the orphanage we are going to. Maybe she could volunteer for awhile to show them how good she is. Um...Buffy?"
"Yeah Will?"
"I can't believe I'm actually gonna say this but, Faith is kinda nervous about your date tonight. She really wants to make a good impression, so I hope you tell her how good she looks when you see her."
"Will, Faith always looks good." Buffy licked her lips, she could still taste Faith on them and she smiled. "We both want to do this right Will, so we are gonna try to go slow forming this relationship. But considering how sexy she is, it's killing me. I just want to take her in my arms and carry right up to my bedroom and never let her leave."
"Oh yeah, you got it bad." Willow laughed, but loved that Buffy finally admitted her feelings for Faith. "Listen we have to get going soon, so I'll drop her off at your place in a couple of hours."
"Thanks Will...for everything. But especially for trying to be friends with her. She may not say anything, but it does mean a lot to her."
"I think she tries really hard to hide her heart because she has been hurt so many times by so many people. It's hard for her to trust, but when she does...it's forever."
"Yeah, that's basically what Mom said earlier today. Did Faith tell you that we saw and spoke to her?"
"Yeah, she told me your mom forgave her and accepted the two of you as a couple. It brought tears, that she didn't want me to see, to her eyes."
"Me too Will. I guess I'll see you later. Take care of her for me."
"I will Buffy, bye." *They are gonna be so good together.*
Willow came back into the bedroom and saw Faith holding the leather coat. "Red, this fits perfectly...when I get a job, would you consider letting me buy this? I understand if you won't."
"You don't have to buy it Faith, keep it. It's way too long for me, and I don't do leather. Now, do you have shoes to match the dress?"
"I don't know why, but yeah I do. Black pumps, and I even have a matching purse. Ummm Red, what goes in a purse?" Faith looked shy and embarrassed.
Willow laughed out loud but stopped as she saw Faith pouting. Then both girls laughed together.
"Well you had to have used it before, what did you put in it then?" Willow thought a flustered Faith was just the funniest thing ever, but knew better than to tease...too much.
"Um, just a stake actually. I mean what else do I need?" The clueless look on Faith's face was priceless.
"Okay clueless, come here." Willow patted the bed and Faith pulled back for a moment then sat down waiting. "You put your keys, smokes, lighter, kleenex, makeup and considering your night job, a stake."
"Why do I need to put makeup in there? I will put it on before I go out." *Is she screwing with me?*
"Faith, you might need to touch up your lipstick after locking lips with Buffy." Willow loved that the dark Slayer was capable of blushing.
*Kissing Buffy...MMMMM* "Okay Red, and why the kleenex?"
"They are the universal cleaner upper of messes."
"Right, you think I will make a mess?"
"Faith, why are you so nervous about going out with Buffy. I think you really love her, so what's the problem?"
"I do love her Red and I am so afraid I will screw this up."
Faith chewed her bottom lip until Willow swatted her hand away. "Kissing with a sore lip isn't fun."
Faith smiled shyly at the redhead.
"Stop worrying, just be yourself. She loves you Faith."
"Yeah, I know Red and it still floors me that she does." Faith was showing signs of being uncomfortable so Willow switched gears.
"I need to download and print some pictures of wolves for Peter. I did kinda promise to draw one for him, but I can't even draw stick people." Willow's face matched her hair.
"Gimme a piece of paper and a 4HH pencil Red."
"Paper I can do, what's a 4HH pencil?"
"Show me the pencils you have."
"Okay, here." Willow handed Faith several pencils and Faith explained the difference between each and what each was best used for.
"How do you know all that Faith?"
"Art was the one class I never skipped. I uhhhh...like drawing and if you tell anyone, I will deny it."
Using some of her Slayer speed, Faith sketched a lone wolf howling at the moon in under twenty minutes. Ten minutes more and it was properly shaded. She handed the picture to Willow.
"WOW! Faith, this is amazing. You have real talent," Willow gushed. "You have to give this to Peter yourself."
"Uh uh Red. I scare people, even when I'm not trying. You don't want me anywhere near kids."
"Bullshit!" Willow surprised herself, but didn't back down.
Faith's eyebrows shot up. *Red doesn't swear...often.*
"Faith, I know about your degree and I think you may be the person to help Peter. His father was a bastard who beat his mother while she was pregnant. It caused her to go into premature labour. Peter's twin sister was still born and he was born deaf and possible mute as well. He has been in his own little world for most of his whole life, all seven years of it. He just started learning sign language a few months ago."
Faith was silent as she took in all the Willow had said. "How did you find out about my degree?"
"Uhhh, Joyce told Buffy and she told me. Please don't get mad at either of them Faith, they just want to help you. So do I."
"What happened to Peter's father?"
"He went to jail and was killed in a knife fight and before you ask, his mother turned to heroin and died of an overdose."
Faith scowled for a minute. "Red can you lend me twenty bucks?"
"What for?"
"We can get him a stuffed wolf from the toy store."
"Sounds like a plan, just let me print a few pictures and we can go." Willow printed out three colour pictures of wolves and put them under Faith's drawing. "Let's go." Willow picked up the pictures and grabbed Faith by the arm, dragging her out to the car.
AT THE TOY STORE
Faith went immediately over to the stuffed wolves. "Hey Red, check this one out, it's perfect." A sales clerk over and nodded to Willow.
"Faith that one is more than I have with me. I'm sorry." Willow looked at her feet.
Faith looked at the clerk and said, "Is there anything I can do to earn this toy? It's for a special kid."
"I'll make you a deal. I will cover the difference if you can find someone to change my flat tire."
"Change a flat...that's all you want in exchange for this?"
Faith couldn't believe she would get what she wanted that easily.
"Red give her the twenty bucks and I will go change the tire right now. Then we can go see Peter."
Willow handed over the money and the wolf was put into a box and then in a bag. Faith followed the clerk out to the parking lot and asked where the spare was. It only took her five minutes to change the flat. The clerk was impressed and thanked Faith repeatedly.
"No problem, the smile I hope that toy puts on Peter's face will be worth it."
Unbeknownst to Faith, the clerk slipped the twenty dollar bill into her pocket. Willow came out and asked Faith if she was ready to go.
"Yup, let's hit the road Red."
AT THE ORPHANAGE
Willow parked in a lot across the street. Faith grabbed the pictures, leaving the toy for Willow to bring.
"Are you sure you want me to come in Red?" Faith was uncertain, again.
"Yes, Faith. I think this is where you are meant to be." Willow thought that Faith would be the one to reach Peter, if only she would trust herself.
The girls were greeted at the door by one of the counselors.
"Hi Willow, who's your friend?" He gave an approving look at the brunette.
"Anthony, this is Faith. Where's Peter, we have something for him." Willow looked around and didn't see Peter.
"Hi Faith, any and all help is gratefully accepted. Peter has a bit of a fever today, so he is laying down in his room. Go on up, he's been waiting for you."
"Faith, his room is the third on the left straight up those stairs, I'll join you in a few minutes." Willow pointed to the pictures, "Give those to him."
Faith looked scared for a minute. *Christ, I beat on butt ugly things that go bump in the night, so why does meeting a kid scare the hell outta me?* She found the right room and knocked gently. She hesitated for a moment, then walked in.
Faith made sure to look at Peter and to speak slowly. "Um, hi Peter. Willow will be here in a few minutes. My name is Faith."
Peter looked at Faith and shook his head. His fingers started moving, using the sign language he was learning.
Faith read his question and signed back, "My name is Faith. Willow brought these pictures for you and I drew this one. I hope you like it."
The small boy reached for the pictures. His face lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw the one that Faith had drawn. He pointed to Faith and to the picture. Faith signed, "Yes, I drew that." Peter held out his arms and Faith came forward to sit on the bed. She hugged him and found she liked the feeling.
When Willow came in, she saw Peter and Faith signing back and forth. "I didn't know you knew sign language Faith."
"Yeah, well...my first Watcher called it silent battle language. My telling her that people without Slayer sight, couldn't see what was being said at night didn't faze her. I learned it and never forgot it. You've been coming here forever Red, why didn't you learn it so you could talk to Peter?"
Willow's face matched her hair. "I am trying to learn it Faith, will you practise with me?"
"Sure thing Red, now get over here and at least say hi to this handsome little gentleman." Faith showed Willow that holding the first two fingers sideways, meant the letter 'h' and holding the pinkie upright was the letter 'i'. Together they said 'hi'.
Peter smiled and started signing fast, which confused the redhead. Faith reached over to slow down Peter's fingers and explained to him that Willow was still learning sign language.
Peter looked at Faith and signed a request and pointed to Willow.
"What did he just say Faith?" Willow loved that Faith could communicate with Peter. *I knew I was right. She belongs here with Peter and the rest of the kids.*
"He wants you to go ask the counselor if he can have a frame for the picture I drew." Faith took her coat off and the twenty dollar bill fell out. "Hey Red! The manager slipped this into my pocket." Faith handed the bill to Willow and suggested a pizza run. "How many kids are here Red? Will twenty bucks buy enough pizza for everyone?"
"It will if you use your 'gimme what I want, or I'll mess ya up good' stare." Willow laughed and blushed, not believing she was actually teasing Faith and getting away with it.
"There's hope for ya yet Red. Do you think they would let me take Peter to the Pizza Hut down the street?"
"They might, if his fever is gone."
Faith gently placed her hand on Peter's forehead and cheeks. "Maybe next time, he's still a little warm."
Faith got up off of the bed and Peter reached for her again. She signed, 'I'm just gonna go get some pizza for everyone, I'll be right back.'
Peter got out of bed and swayed until Faith caught him. "Whoa there little dude." Faith noticed right away that Peter had on faux leather pants and smiled. Peter rubbed his hand on his pants and then Faith's. He signed, 'same.'
Faith laughed and signed, 'you have good taste in clothes Petey."
Peter smiled in a way Willow hadn't seen come from him...ever.
"Hey Red, don't you think you should give him his present?" Faith pointed to the bag Willow was absentmindedly carrying.
"Oh yeah, I forgot." The redhead tapped him on the shoulder and handed him the bag. Here Peter." He pulled out the box and opened it. When he saw the stuffed wolf, he hugged it tightly to his chest for a few minutes. He grabbed the small calendar on the desk and pointed to the circled date. Faith looked at it and grinned. She signed, 'me too.' Willow looked and saw that December 24th was circled and it said birthday. Peter decided then and there that Faith was his angel. He carefully set the toy down on his bed, went over to his desk and drew a picture for Faith. When he finished, he handed it to the brunette.
"For me Petey?" Faith took the drawing and almost cried. It depicted her holding his hand and they were blowing out candles on a birthday cake together.
"Faith, your birthday is Christmas Eve too?" Willow realized that in all the time she had known Faith, she never mentioned her birthday.
"Yeah, Red it is. Everyone's got one ya know?" Faith looked everywhere but at Willow.
Holidays weren't something Faith enjoyed too much. They were just days spent hiding and praying not to be found. Being found meant being used as a punching bag or worse.
"Faith, we have to have a party for you at the Bronze. Buffy will go nuts."
"No Red, please don't say anything to anyone. How about we plan a party for my man Petey instead." Faith didn't want a fuss made about her birthday. *Damn, gonna be twenty-one. I Never thought I would live this long.*
"If I tell Buffy, you'll beat me up and if I don't tell Buffy, she'll beat me silly. No fair, caught between two strong Slayers." Willow looked up and whispered, "Take me Lord...now would be good." Peter had been watching and now he squeezed Faith's hand to get her attention. He signed, 'will you come here Friday?'
Faith signed back, 'if they let me, I will.' "Hey Red, can we come here on Friday?"
"I don't see why not. You like Peter, don't you Faith?"
"Yeah Red, I do. Thanks for letting me come along with you." Faith pointed to the board games and asked the little boy which one he wanted to play.
Peter grabbed 'Snakes and Ladders.' Faith's eyebrows went up and she laughed. "Beware little dude, I used to be good at this at Juevie." *Shit, I'm glad I wasn't looking at him when I said that.*
"I know Red, inapropriate behavior." Faith looked ashamed of what she had said, grateful that Peter had, while setting up the game, missed the entire conversation.
"Okay, you two play nice and I'll go order the pizza. I still think you should pick it up Faith. Growl at them and maybe you can get a bottle of pop thrown in for free." Willow blushed, not believing her boldness at asking the brunette to get extra's for free. *It's for the kids.*
When Willow got back she heard laughter coming from both the dark Slayer and the little boy. She walked in and saw Faith running her man down the longest snake on the board. Peter was giggling and pointing to his man which was on the top of the longest ladder.
Faith signed, 'the game ain't over til it's over Little Dude." Faith watched as Peter rolled the exact number he needed to win. She signed, 'Okay, now it's over, but I want a rematch later k?'
Peter nodded vigorously and looked at Faith with dancing eyes. He tried to speak, but all that came out was a mumbled Faaa. But to a Slayer's ears, it said Faith.
Willow squealed and ran for a counselor. Faith gently adjusted Peter's lips and slowly pronounced her name again.
"Faaaa...iiittthhhh," spit flew everywhere. Peter ran and jumped up into the stunned brunette's arms.
Anthony came back in with Willow. "I understand someone is getting chatty now." He saw Peter in the beautiful girl's arms and waited patiently for them to disentangle from each other before asking Peter to repeat what he had tried to say.
"Can you say something else for us Peter?" Anthony had known all along that Peter had the ability to speak, but hadn't used it.
Peter looked at Faith again and said clearly, "Faaa...iitthh...fri..en..." Faith cupped his small lips to add the 'd' to friend. She heartily agreed that she was his friend.
Anthony and Willow clapped loudly. This brought the rest of the kids and workers to the small room.
"What's the ruckus all about Tony?" The director of the facility asked.
"That gorgeous brunette got through to Peter. He spoke her name and called her his friend. It was amazing."
"Who are you and why are you here Miss?" The Director asked Faith.
"Ummm, I came with Willow to see Peter. She told me he was deaf, but only MAYBE mute. I would like to come here more often to help him...if you'll let me."
"Anthony, Faith has a degree in ECE with honors. She would be a great addition here, don't you think?"
"Will! I just wanna help Petey, getting a paying job can wait." Faith knew that since she was the one that had reached Peter, she would have to stay in his life or the small boy would crawl back into his shell again.
"What Univeristy did you graduate from? And what is your name?" The Director was not a man to waste words.
"Boston University and my name is Faith Winters." Faith felt tingly all over and wondered if this meant something good was going to happen or if she was reading too much into it.
"Well Miss Winters, we aren't budgeted for another full time worker, but we can hire you part-time. How does noon until five o'clock, five days a week at twelve dollars an hour sound to you?"
"When can I start? UMMPHHHHH," Faith found herself sandwiched between an excited Willow and an ecstatic Peter.
"Well how about tomorrow? That way you will receive a small cheque in time for Christmas. I need to check out your references first of course, but I don't see a problem. Anthony, get Miss Winters five sweatshirts with our logo on it. Jeans are preferable to leather pants. Will that be a problem?"
"No sir, I have a few pairs of black jeans and I will get some more each week. Thank you for giving me this chance."
"Peter will be your main concern, but not your only one. I think that during dinner, you should speak to some of the other kids too."
"I...I can do that." Faith felt overwhelmed and her nervousness was apparent. *These people really want me here.* She smiled at Willow, who smiled back.
"Do you drive Miss Winters?"
"I have a license, but I don't have a car sir." Faith sucked in her bottom lip. *Please don't let this interfere with the job.*
"Okay, I'll get you some bus tickets for the next three days. We do supply a monthly bus pass, but since it's too late this month, I'll see to it you have the tickets. On Friday, come see me and I will give more for next week. Welcome aboard Miss Winters."
Faith grinned like a loon and it was she could do not do a little happy dance. Not thinking, she kissed the Director on the cheek. "Thanks Boss Man. You won't be sorry."
"Hrumphhh, uhhh yes Miss Winters, see to it that I'm not." He smiled to himself as he walked back to his office. *She's young, but I see an old soul in her eyes.*
"I know Red, kissing the boss...not cool." Faith laughed.
"I don't think he minded Faith, got one for me too?" Anthony pointed to his cheek, grinning expectantly.
"Sure T-Man." Faith leaned over and kissed the offered cheek.
"I'll never wash it again," he said sighing contentently.
Faith swatted him on the arm and Peter poked him in the ribs.
"Hey, no fair. Two against one. I'll fix you junior." Anthony started tickling Peter. Anthony found himself being lifted off the ground. He saw Faith holding him by the shirt and shaking her finger at him. "Don't get him riled up, it's almost dinner time."
"ULP...yes M'am. Can you put me down now?"
"The magic word is?" Faith smirked as Peter and Willow just laughed.
"Please, put me down and I promise not get him all excited again." *Damn, she's a lot stronger than she looks. I better mind my 'p's and q's around her.*
Faith heard the doorbell. "Pizza's here, Red. Where do I bring Petey?"
"Follow me Faith." Willow took the money and went to pay for the pizza's. They had thrown in two large bottles of pop for free. Willow and Faith cut the pizza into square slices. Anthony had rounded up the rest of the kids and workers. Paper plates and napkins were on the table beside the open boxes of pizza. One had pepperoni on it and the other was plain cheese.
"PIZZA!!!" Several kids yelled and lined up. Faith handed out the pepperoni slices and Willow handed out the cheese ones. Once everyone had a slice of each, they all sat down and began eating. Peter, of course sat next to Faith. The hero worship in his eyes was unmistakeable.
Faith signed to Peter that she was going to take a couple of slices to the Director and she would be right back. She asked where his office was and headed off carrying the plate with two slices of pizza on it.
AT THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE
Faith knocked and waited to be told to come in.
"Come in."
Faith walked in and handed the plate to the Director.
"Thank you Faith. I just spoke to one of your instructors from Boston University. She said you have a special way with kids who come from abused families. I need to know that you will stick around for Peter's sake, as well as the rest of these kids. Will you?"
"I'm not going anywhere. I like Petey."
"He obviously cares a great deal about you too Miss Winters. Your name was the first word he has ever spoken. I think you may be just what he needs. I see that one of the courses you gained honors in was speech therapy. Will you be able to work that in with Peter?"
"Already planned Boss Man. He just needs to practise mouthing words and then breathing properly. Do you have flash cards that I can use?" Faith was already three steps ahead.
"I don't know, I will have Anthony look around. Could you use kids books if we don't?"
"Yeah, books work too. I need books about wolves and other animals. Also, I would like to see his medical records. I need to know if his deafness is total and permanant. If there is even a small range of sound he can hear, I can work with that. But I don't want to waste his time with frustrating exercises that won't gain him anything. When was the last time his hearing was actually tested?"
"I will try to find his medical records for you, but for now, just help him to speak. We know of his obsession with wolves and there are a couple of books you can use to start with. I think you will be a great addition to our staff. Now why don't you get back to the kids and make sure they clean up after themselves."
"Okay, Boss Man. Clean up squad in da house." Faith chuckled as she left the office.
When she got back to the dinning room, she saw the Willow and Peter had cleaned up and were just waiting for the brunette to come back. Willow pointed to her watch when Peter wasn't looking.
"Faaa...iitthhh," Peter handed Faith a slim paperback. Faith smiled, took the book and opened it. She patted the floor in front of her and Peter sat down.
"Red, will you call B and tell her we will be a bit longer, please?" Faith started signing the words in the book while showing Peter the pictures.
Willow nodded and went to call Buffy.
AT BUFFY'S HOUSE
RING RING
*That better be Willow or Faith, it's been over three hours.*
"Hello?"
"Hi Buffy, Faith asked me to call to tell you that we will be a little while longer. She's reading a book to Peter right now."
"Isn't that the deaf kid?"
"Yes, why?"
"Well how will he hear what Faith is reading to him?"
"Buffy, Faith knows sign language and she talks to him that way. And you'll never believe what happened."
"Tell me." Buffy felt her stomach doing flip flops.
"He spoke...he said Faith's name. Buffy, you should have seen it, it was like finding the Holy Grail or something. The Director hired her part-time starting tomorrow. She will work with Peter most of the time, but be here for the other kids too. She really is amazing Buffy. I didn't know she could be so compassionate or thoughtful for anyone but you."
"WOW Will, she does good work huh?" Buffy promised herself, nothing Faith did would surprise her again. *Yeah right.*
"She does great work Buffy. She had done more for Peter in the last three hours than anyone has been able to do for years. Don't be surprised if your dinner conversation is full of Peter this and Peter that."
"Thanks for doing this for her Will, I appreciate it." Buffy was glad that her best friend and soon to be girlfriend were getting along so well.
"I didn't do it for you or even for her Buffy. I did it for Peter. Listen, I bet you didn't know that this Friday, Christmas Eve, is her twenty-first birthday...did you?"
"No, I didn't. Oh man, now I need to get her a birthday present and Christmas present. What should I get her?" Buffy's mind pictured exotic things and she shook her head. *Slow down there girl, ya don't wanna scare her away.*
"Well, leather pants are a 'no no' around here. So I would suggest that you get her a pair of blue or black jeans and maybe a pair of running shoes."
"That's a great idea Will. Wanna go shopping with me tomorrow while she goes to work there?" *Faith working and happy...gotta like it.*
"Sounds like a plan to me and I want to hear all about your first date too." Willow knew that both Slayers were nervous as all get out about it.
"We'll see Will. Now as soon as she finishes reading to the kid, bring her home. Our reservation is for seven thirty. I want to have plenty of time to get ready and it's already five thirty."
"Eager much Buffy?" Willow laughed, remembering how long it took for Buffy to get ready for a date. Faith would just shower, dress and be ready in about a half hour.
"You have no idea Will." Buffy wanted to spend as much time with the sexy brunette as possible.
"I'll bring her back in one piece soon Buffy, don't worry."
"Not worried," Willow didn't need to see Buffy to know that she was pouting. *She looks so cute when she pouts. Faith won't be able to resist her.*
"Just anxious." Willow stiffled the giggle this time.
"Yeah...I mean no...Willllll!!!"The blonde exclaimed showing her exaspertion. Buffy blushed from the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes.
Faith came out into the hall and Peter was holding her hand. Willow smiled at both and handed the phone to Faith.
"Hi B, I got a job!" Faith's excitement was contagious.
"Well then, we have even more reason to celebrate tonight."
"Umm, B?"
"Yeah Faith?"
"Hang on for a moment, Petey wants to say hello." Faith handed Peter the phone and signed, 'say hello to Buffy.' Faith put the phone on speaker.
"Hellloooo....Bufff." Peter shouted out loud.
Faith knew that Buffy would have pulled the phone away from her ear.
"Hello Peter, oops...Faith tell him I said hello back at him."
Faith signed Buffy's response and Peter smiled. "Hey B, I gotta get Petey changed for bed. I'll see you soon, you have no idea how much I'm looking forward to our date tonight."
"Me too Faith. See you soon."
Faith took Peter upstairs and ran a bath for him. "I know you are a big boy, so I will wait here while you take your bath."
Peter kissed Faith and grabbed his pj's. He took the quickest bath on record. When he came out, he was already in his pj's. Faith tucked him into bed and signed another story for him. He fell asleep half way through it, so Faith placed a bookmark in it and put it on the nightstand. She leaned down and gently kissed the little boy on the forehead. "See ya tomorrow Little Dude."
Faith went to look for Anthony. When she found him, she asked that he check on Petey a little later. "His fever is down, but keep an eye on him please."
"I will Faith. I need to give him the medication in two hours, so for now, I will let him sleep. You really are good with him."
"He's a great kid, I just wanna help him." Faith was surprised at how quick the kid had gotten under her skin.
"See you tomorrow at lunch time Faith." Anthony went about his business.
"Come on Faith, if I don't get you home soon, Buffy will kill me." Willow loved the look on Faith's face whenever she mentioned the blonde Slayer's name. "We need to stop back at my place to pick up the dress and coat. Consider the coat an early birthday present."
"Really Red?" Faith couldn't believe how much help the redhead had been for her today.
"Yes, really Faith. Let's go."
BACK AT WILLOW'S APARTMENT
Willow ran upstairs and put the dress and coat in a plastic dry cleaner bag and brought both downstairs. She found Faith at the kitchen table drawing another picture for Peter. This one showed three cubs playing with a rolled up armadillo. The curiousity of the cubs was clearly shown in the eyes of the cubs.
"That's...that's, WOW Faith. Peter is gonna love that one too. Could you maybe draw me a unicorn or winged horse that I can frame?"
Faith flipped the page over and started drawing a river. She then drew a unicorn on one side and a winged horse on the other side. She shaded the picture and in ten minutes she handed it to the waiting redhead.
"I can do a better one when I have more time. But I need to go get ready for my date with B. Can you drive there...now?"
"This is perfect Faith, and yes we can go now. Here is your dress and coat." Faith took the plastic bag. Her hands were shaking so Willow gently cupped them saying, "Relax Faith, it will be an evening neither of you will ever forget."
Faith's face fell. Visions of vamps spoiling their date, and of Faith saying the wrong things, ran through her mind.
"I mean in a good way," Willow said quickly.
"Do you want some help with your make-up Faith?"
Faith nodded. "I don't want to...to look...ughhhh."
"Come on nervous girl, let's get you ready." Willow took the dress and followed Faith to the front door which was thrown open by Buffy.
"Faith! You're finally here." Buffy brought the dark girl into her arms and kissed her with a passion she barely recognized.
Willow walked by the lip locked Slayers and sat down on the couch. *They look good together. I hope their nervousness cancels out so that they can enjoy this evening.*
When Faith pulled back out of a need for oxygen, she sighed contentedly...again. *Kissing B is like an addiction. I want more...lots more.*
Buffy felt the cool air where Faith's lip's were and she wanted to feel the warmth again. Willow grabbed Faith's hand, "Which room is yours? Buffy, you need to go get ready and I will help Faith."
Buffy scowled, she wanted to help Faith get dressed and...*Okay mind, see if you can stay out of the gutter for a little while longer.*
Buffy hurried upstairs without a backward glance.
Willow followed Faith up to her room. "Okay, you go shower and I will set out your dress and make-up. Scram," Willow shoved the brunette towards the bathroom. When she heard the shower start, she laid out the dress on the bed and began to take out the make-up she had brought.
Faith went into the bathroom to take a shower. She didn't like feeling nervous. She seriously prayed for the first time in her life, *Please God, don't let me fuck this up.*
Buffy stripped and got in the shower in her room. *I have a date with the most beautiful woman in the world. Now if only I can control myself. I know I have to show Faith that I really love her and don't just wanna jump her gorgeous body.*
Willow could feel the nervous vibes eminating from the bathroom where Faith had disappeared to, and she tried hard not to giggle. She knew that wouldn't help anyone.
When Faith came out, Willow saw that she had somehow made peace with herself.
"I do deserve to be happy with B, don't I Red?" Faith asked softly.
"Yes Faith, you do. Now start getting dressed, I have the make-up ready for you."
"Why are you so willing to help me Red? I really do appreciate it, but I need to know why."
"You really don't remember do you?" Willow looked over at the brunette.
"HUH? Remember what Red?" Faith was putting on pantyhose and hopping around in a comical fashion.
"You were the first to see how Tara and I felt about each other." Willow voice cracked when she mentioned her dead lover's name. "You told me to go for it or I would always wonder what could have happened. I also know you talked to Tara. It was because of you that we...we were so happy, even though it was only for a little while. That's the kind of happiness I want for you and Buffy."
Faith blushed deeply. No one had ever spoke to her like that.
"I can see why B chose you as her best bud. You really are an amazing friend Red." Faith picked up the dress and was about to put it on when Willow handed her a bra.
"UGH...Red. Do I have to?" Faith whined holding out the bra at arms length like a piece of roadkill.
"Yes, now put it on and you better have put underwear on too Faith." This time it was Willow who blushed and looked away.
"I do. Or the pantyhose would drive me nuts." *B is worth it, B is worth it.* This became Faith's new mantra.
Buffy got out of the shower and threw open her closet door. She grabbed a red silk body fitting dress that had silver threads running through it. Needless to say, it was bought at the same time as the dress borrowed from Tara. She quickly dressed and put on a little bit of make-up. Last, she put on the cross that Faith had bought her when she first came to town.
Faith was fidgeting as Willow tried to put on her make-up. Finally an exasperated Willow said, "Hold still Faith or you will look something out of the Creature From The Black Lagoon."
Faith stilled and she gave a shy smile to the redhead. "I'm sorry Red, I'm just...antsy ya know?"
"Faith, you could be wearing a burlap bag and Buffy wouldn't care. She loves you and you love her. So chill out, everything will be fine as long as you both get over this nervous thing you got going."
"B...nervous? Not bloody likely Red. She is so together."
"Wanna bet? I can feel the vibes coming from down the hall, she is just as nervous and afraid of screwing up tonight as you are."
"I think you have been smelling your potions again Red. Buffy doesn't do nervous."
"Neither do you Faith." Willow put the finishing touches on Faith's make-up. "Well? How do you like it?"
Faith slowly turned to look at herself in the mirror. "WOW! That's me?"
"Yes Faith, that's you," Willow said in a parental tone of voice. Now you stay here and I will go check on Buffy."
"Tell her...I..uh." Faith stuttered and then blushed.
"She knows that you love her Faith, but you can tell her later. Those three magic words never lose their power. I'll be right back."
Willow went down to Buffy's room and knocked gently. "Buffy? Can I come in?"
"Sure Will, come in."
Willow walked in and stared at the dress Buffy was wearing. She remembered the day that she, Buffy and Tara had gone shopping to buy the dress. "Faith is gonna love that dress on you Buffy."
"I hope so Will, I just want everything to be perfect for Faith. She means everything to me and I am so afraid that I will scare her away."
"You won't, the two of you belong together Buffy. So just chill and let things happen naturally. She loves you so much Buffy. It scares her, she doesn't think she deserves to be loved. You already know to go slow, even if it is driving you nuts."
"God Will, she is so beautiful inside and out. She really is a compassionate person. I never took the time to see her...really see HER. When she smiles at me, a real smile...it lights up her whole face and I just wanna take her in my arms and never let her go."
"Yup, you got it bad Buffy...as bad as she does." Willow laughed.
"We need to get you two on your merry way before you both chicken out. Let's go Buffy." Willow walked out and back to Faith's room.
Faith saw the redhead and smiled, "Is she ready?"
"Yes Faith, let's go."
Faith followed Willow out into the hall and what she saw caused her to freeze. Buffy was standing there playing with a piece of her hair.
When Buffy looked up, she saw Faith.
Both woman growled deeply in appreciation of how the other looked. The smoldering looks being given caught Willow by surprise. The intensity was off scale.
"Whoa, down girls. You almost turned me to ashes with the way you are looking...did I say looking? What I meant to say was devouring each other. Fresh air...cool air. The kind you get going to dinner. Food is good and I'm gonna stop talking now."
"Babbling Will." Buffy smiled.
"Babbling Red." Faith poked her in the ribs.
"Ummm, ya right. You two need to get going, or you'll never leave." Seeing the looks the Slayers were giving each other, Willow said, "And not leaving is not an option."
"Coming mother." Faith said happily.
Willow scowled and took both girls by the arms and led them downstairs and out to her car. "I'll drop you off at the restaurant and I'm sure you can make you way home later."
"Later...yeah," Faith grinned lasciviously at her soon to be mate.
Buffy returned the grin and reached for the brunette's hand.
*Man they are so hot for each other, I wonder if they will be able to sit through dinner.* Willow's musings were cut short as she pulled up in front of the fancy restaurant that Buffy had made reservations at.
"Faith, don't forget you have to be at work tomorrow by noon. Do you want me to drive you?"
"No, it's okay Red. The director gave me car tickets and I wouldn't dare be late, especially on the first day. Besides, I'm looking forward to seeing Petey."
"Okay Faith, he will be waiting for you."
"You might wanna call me around eleven, just to make sure I'm upwardly mobile." Faith grinned, thinking about what she hoped would happen later.
"I will Faith. Have fun you two." Willow took one last look at the Slayers and smiled at them, giving them the universal shooing gesture.
Faith and Buffy walked hand in hand into the restaurant. Buffy told the maitre de their names and they were shown to a small table lit with candles. After being seated, they were handed menu's. "I will send a waiter over in a few minutes."
"Thank you." Buffy opened the menu and peeked over the top of it. She saw Faith doing the same and both cracked up. When the waiter came by, they both ordered the surf and turf special.
Buffy reached over to run her finger gently across Faith's jawline. Faith leaned into the soft touch and sighed. They only had eyes for each other until their dinner arrived. When they finished the waiter brought dessert menu's.
"B ya gotta try Cherries Jubilee. Don't freak out, it is supposed to be on fire to start with."
"Okay, I'll trust you. How do you know about it?" Buffy wondered how, where and when Faith had tasted such a rich dessert.
"My first Watcher took me out to dinner for my sixteenth birthday and she ordered it. It was fantastic. Unless you don't like cherries and brandy that is."
"I'm game, order it for me. I need to go to the little girls room, I'll be right back." Buffy gave the brunette a whisper of a kiss on the cheek as she passed by. Faith smiled and put her hand up to catch the waiter's attention. She ordered two large Cherries Jubilee.
"*B will love this...I hope. God she is so beautiful tonight, well always, but tonight...WOW.* Faith pleasant musings were interrupted when a large shadow came over the table. Faith looked up and blanched. Her breath caught in her throat. She was frozen in fear. *Can't show how scared I am. Breathe Faith, breath Faith. Gotta get rid of him before B gets back.*
"Well Faith, you are a hard lady to track down." He started playing with his snake ring as he sat down across from Faith.
"Whatever you have to say, I'm not interested. We will bring you and your friends down. You should leave...NOW!" Faith was reaching into her purse to grab her stake. For the split second when she turned from the man, he grabbed her right hand and held it over the candle until both could smell burning flesh. Faith wouldn't give him the satisfaction of crying out or showing her pain. Her lips were pressed tightly together as she finally managed to pull her hand back out of the flame.
"You will come back to the fold or the redhead, your girlfriend and that deaf kid will pay the price. You have twenty-fours to present yourself to me. You know where, I will be expecting you. Oh and Faith, I have an undead army to help persuade you."
Faith growled more in anger than pain. She curled her injured right hand and tried to find her centre. *There is no pain, there is no pain. Like hell there isn't. Damn him, what the hell do I do now?*
The manager of the restaurant came over as soon as the man left. "Security tossed him out and he will not be allowed back in. Would you like me to call the paramedics to look at your hand?"
"No, I will have it checked out by my doctor as soon as my date gets back. I could use a phone though."
"Right away." The manager hurried away and brought back a phone for Faith to use.
Faith thanked the manager and carefully holding the phone in her left hand, she used the fingernail on the first finger of her burned hand to dial. *Come on, come on pick up.*
"Hello?"
"RED! I need you to perform the best mojo of your life. 'He' was here, he threatened you, B and Petey. I need you to make with the protection spell right fucking now."
"Faith? What happened? Where is Buffy?" Willow's fear could be heard in her voice.
"He was here, he made me an offer and I refused. I only have one day to...to protect the three of you before this bastard goes off side. Do you still need a personal item from people you want to put the protection spell on?"
"Yes, Faith I do. I'm sorry your date was so rudely interrupted. But you still didn't answer where Buffy is."
"She is in the ladies room. She is unhurt Will. I won't let him hurt her, you or Petey...I promise. As soon as B gets back to the table, I'll send her to you. I can go get something of Petey's and get out quick. I'll meet you at your place. Take care of B for me." Faith hung up just as Buffy walked past her.
Buffy sat back down and she wasn't happy. She had heard the last part of the conversation.
"Faith what is going on?" Buffy noticed that Faith was keeping her right hand hidden. She reached out to take the brunette's hand...and said, "OH MY GOD! Faith! What happened to your hand?"
"You need to go to Red's place while I go get something from Petey. Red will explain. Come on, we need to leave now."
The manager came back and asked if they would prefer their desserts to be takeout.
"Yes, but make it three please." Faith waved him off after thanking him. Looking at Buffy, Faith said, "I think Red will need a sugar rush to do what I asked her to do."
"Faith, why didn't you ask her to protect you too?" Buffy was both angry that Faith had been hurt and threatened and scared of what would happen next.
"Red will protect me....after the people who are most important to me. Again everything gets fucked up because of me. B, I'm so sorry. I wanted tonight to be special and..." Faith was almost in tears, but still had enough 'tough girl' in her to prevent the tears from falling. It wouldn't do to be seen crying in public.
When the manager brought back their desserts to go he said, "You bill has been taken care of and we would like to offer you both a raincheck." He held out the paper and Faith smiled and took it.
Grabbing their coats and juggling the desserts, the girls left the restaurant.
Faith hailed two cabs, "B go home and grab our patrolling clothes and I will meet you at Red's place in a little while. Be careful B, I don't want anything to happen to you."
"You be careful too Faith." Buffy knew better than to argue with the brunette at this point. But they would have words later.
AT THE OPHANAGE
Faith quietly climbed the tree next to Peter's room and slipped in soundlessly. She went into the bathroom and took a few hairs out of his brush. She also grabbed his blue crayon on the table. She took a minute to check on the small boy. *Damn, he still had a fever.* She went back into the bathroom and got a cold washcloth. She placed it gently on his forehead before kissing him on the top of the head. She whispered, "See ya tomorrow little dude, I hope you are feeling better then." Faith left the same way she came in. Once down on the street again, she realized she had no money for a cab to get to Willow's.
A well placed smack on the side of a payphone and voila.
RING RING
"Hello?"
"Hi Red, it's me. Did B make it there safely?"
"She is just driving in now. Where are you? Are you okay?"
"If you have some magic cream to take the sting out of a burn, I wouldn't say no. I'm down the street from the Orphanage. I uhhh...don't have any money to take a cab to your place. B gave me the money to get here. It will take me about thirty minutes to walk there. Hang on to B, no matter what you have to do."
"Uhhh Faith, Buffy heard our conversation and she...she is on her way to pick you up. Go back to the front entrance and she will be there soon."
"Fuck...Red, it's not safe out here. Did you do the protection thing for her yet?"
"Just finishing it now and I did it for you first because I knew you would be out there trying to protect all of us. So you two should be safe until you get back here. And Faith?"
"Yeah Red?"
"I do have burn ointment waiting for you. Please be careful, you are important to more than just Buffy. You're my friend now too, don't make me turn you into a frog." Willow laughed but Faith didn't.
"Gulp, being careful Red. I promise." Faith smiled, she wasn't used to people caring, really caring about her.
"Red?"
"Yes Faith?"
"Do you blame me or will Buffy blame me for what's gonna happen?" Faith was learning to like being part of a group and she didn't want to lose that feeling.
"Of course not Faith. Contrary to your belief, you are not responsible for everything bad that happens here. What ever happens, IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. Repeat after me, it's not my fault."
"But Red, it is my fault. He wants me to work for or with him and my saying no is what pissed him off. Fuck! if he hurts any of you..."
"Faith, do you honestly believe that if you had said yes to his offer, that he wouldn't track us down and do whatever he pleases anyway?"
"FUCK!!!!" Faith slid down the glass wall of the phone booth. Her hands covering her face as the tears of anger, fear and uncertainty took over.
TAP TAP
Faith looked up and saw the most beautiful site. Buffy was there and she was holding out her hand.
"Red, B is here now. We will see you soon. Bye." Faith got up and opened the booth. Buffy pulled the upset brunette into her arms and hugged her tightly.
"It's gonna be okay Faith. I'm here." Buffy hated seeing Faith in so much pain. *Christ, when does she get a break? When do WE get a break?*
Faith loved the warmth of being in Buffy's arms. For the first time in her short life, she felt safe and loved.
Buffy walked Faith over to the car and put her in. She put the seatbelt on her and kissed her gently on the lips. Shuting the door, she ran around and got in the driver's side and put her seatbelt on. Faith still clutched the hairs and crayon in her left hand.
BACK AT WILLOW'S APARTMENT
Willow was pacing back and forth. She hated waiting...waiting for what she wasn't sure. "Please Goddess, protect them both and lead them back here safely."
A few minutes later the redhead heard a car pull in the parking lot out back. She raced to her door and swung it open. Buffy had her arm around Faith's waist and they looked scared, each for the same reason.
*God, don't let Faith be hurt anymore...please.* Buffy wanted to hurt the man that had burned Faith.
*If you exist God, protect B. She's one of the good guys.* Faith didn't want Buffy involved in this problem but knew she would get several severe ass kickings if she tried to keep the blonde out of the loop.
Willow went into 'mother-hen' mode as soon as she saw Faith's hand. "Sit down Faith, let me take care of your hand."
Buffy snatched the ointment from Willow's hand. "I can do that Will, you need to cast the protection spell on the kid," Buffy said in a jealous voice that even she was ashamed of. "Sorry Will, didn't mean that the way it sounded."
"B! It can wait, Slayer Healing remember?" Faith watched in fascination as the witch cast the spell of protection on Peter.
"Done," the tired redhead said. "I put the strongest spell I could do on all of us."
"B, since I have to go to work tomorrow, I can keep an eye on Petey. I really need you to shadow Red. Now, where are my clothes?"
"Here Faith, you know I can patrol by myself. You can't hold a stake in that hand. Maybe you should stay..." Buffy's words were cut off by Faith shushing her.
"Don't go there B. We will patrol together and that's final. Just give me a minute to change. Faith grabbed her leather pants and black turtle neck and went into the bathroom to change. After hanging up the dress and changing, Faith slipped quietly out the window. *I won't let that bastard hurt the people I lo...care about.*
"Will, she thinks this is all her fault. How do I convince her that it's not?" Buffy felt guilty about not knowing how to help the woman she loved.
"Just keep telling her that. This isn't just Faith believing she is a screwup, which she isn't," Willow added hastily. "Her heart is involved now and she will do anything to protect you, me and Peter. Even if it means losing herself again."
"I won't let that happen Will. I just got her back." The possessiveness in Buffy's voice silenced anything the witch may have wanted to say.
"Come on Faith, get a move on. Let's go." Buffy yelled in the general direction of the bathroom.
Willow looked over at the bathroom door, "Buffy?"
"She's gone, isn't she?" Buffy ran to the door and pounded on it. "FAITH!" The blonde stepped back and shouldered the door open. She saw the open window and knew Faith had gone to try to deal with the problem on her own. *Shit and she got pissed when I wanted to go alone. Just you wait til I get my hands on you Faith.*
"Will, can you do a locator spell?"
"On it Buffy." Willow was chanting some long dead language and looking into a bowl of coloured water. She went into the bathroom and saw the dress, she pulled a hair off the shoulder and put it into the blue water in the bowl on the table. She saw a fuzzy Faith and it took a moment to clearify. "Buffy, she's at the mansion and she's gonna make a deal to protect all of us. You better hurry."
SLAM! Willow felt the front door close and she began praying for the safety of both Slayers.
Buffy peeled outta the parking lot and drove like a woman possessed. She arrived at the mansion in ten minutes. She was outta the car and running before the engine stopped.
IN THE MAIN OFFICE AT THE MANSION
"Well Faith, I think we both know why you're here."
"You and your fucking army leave my friends alone in perpituity and will do whatever you want."
"Like Hell you will Faith." Buffy said as she rushed in.
"B, Damn how did?...Red. You have to leave now."
"I'm afraid it's too late for that now Faith. Will you be on the winning side or the dying?"
Both girls Slayer senses went off the wall. They automatically turned back to back in a classic fighting position.
"The Chosen Two will win asshole, it's what we do, right Faith?"
"Damn B! Fasten your seatbelt, it's gonna be a bumpy ride."
"When this is over, we are going to have a long talk about this death wish of yours Faith." Buffy staked a vamp and he exploded into dust.
"I don't have a death wish B, but if someone has to die...better me than you." Faith dropped kicked a vamp and staked him.
"Neither of us has to die Faith. These vamps are of the stupid variety." Buffy threw two fangboys into the wall. Faith dusted them both.
*Fuck, there are too many of them. Gotta get B outta here.* Faith turned and grabbed Buffy around the waist and headed for the window. "GO! protect Red and Peter for me." Faith shoved the smaller blonde out the window just as she felt a bullet go through her left thigh.
"FUCK!" Faith watched as Buffy fell to the ground before turning to fight.
Vamp dust was flying, Faith had never felt so powerful. She staked a half dozen in minutes. She lost sight of the bastard that shot her but was kinda busy dusting the hired help. She knew the adrenaline would wear off soon and she would be helpless. *Gonna take as many of these fucks with me as I can. Sorry we won't get to finish our date B.*
Buffy had landed on her tailbone and wasn't happy. "FAITH! Buffy felt the hairs on her neck stand up. She looked around and saw her mother float up to the window and disappear.
Faith felt a new surge of energy and dusted the last five vampires before collasping on the floor.
< Easy Faith. >
"Mrs S?" Faith turned to look, but her leg reminded her that moving that way was a mistake. She groaned. "Is B safe? Is Red and Petey?"
< Yes dear, they are all fine for now. My daughter will probably ream you a new one, but I am grateful that you put her safety first. >
"Can't let B be hurt because of me...again," Faith said between gasps of pain. "Where is snake-ring guy?"
< He got away Faith, but at least my girls are safe. >
"Not for long, he hates losing. He's gonna be even more pissed now. Can you help me up?"
< Actually, > Joyce put her hand on the bullet wound and Faith felt a rush of warmth and electricity run through her. When she looked down at the wound, she saw it was almost healed.
"Thanks Mrs. S....uh Joyce."
< Faith listen to me, you are the key to defeating him. Like you knew the Mayor's weakness, you also know his. That is why it's so important for him to either get you on his side, control you or kill you. >
"His only weakness is diamonds. So unless you know of a cursed diamond..." Faith said as she stood up slowly.
< Talk to Giles, say these exact words Faith. Ireland 1438, and then contact Angel. He will know where to look. >
Joyce started to fade, but not before hugging Faith and telling her how much Buffy loves her. < I'll be here when either of you need me. Take care of yourself as well as everyone else close to you Faith. I love you. >
Faith went over to the phone and called Giles.
"Hey G-Man, I need you research something Joyce told me."
"Joyce?...Buffy's mother?" Giles was understandably confused.
"Yes, G-Man. She wanted me to repeat these words exactly... Ireland 1438. When you figure out what that means, I'm suppossed to call Angel."
"Do you have any idea what this is about Faith?"
"Yeah, kinda. I think it's about a cursed diamond of some kind. Diamonds are his only weakness. I'll drop by on my way to work tomorrow, if that's okay with you?"
"Of course it is. I will have something by then. Are you alright Faith? Are you injured?" Giles had visions of a badly hurt Faith run through his mind and he didn't like that one bit.
"I'll be fine G-Man. Joyce healed most of the damage for me. I told B to get back to Willow. Can you call there and let them know I'm on my way back to them?"
"Where are you Faith, I will come and get you."
"Naw, it's okay G-Man. I need to walk the stiffness out anyway, but thanks."
"Stiffness? What exactly did Joyce heal?"
"Relax, the bullet went right through."
"Bullet?" Giles put on his worried face.
"Ruined my favorite pair of pants too."
"Faith please, I'll get you a new pair of pants. Now how badly were you shot?"
"It went through my upper left thigh and now it's just itchy. One night of Slayer healing and I will be fine. Thanks for worrying about me. I'll see you tomorrow morning about 11:30am if that's okay? Oh and G-Man...I take size six."
"I would think that size six would be tighter than your skin. You'll see me in a few minutes missy. Stay there."
"Zig Hiel LP, and that's the whole point of leather pants." Faith smirked. She knew Giles would, against his better judgement, ask what that stood for.
"LP? Do I want to know what that stands for?" Giles gritted his teeth. *Why do I bother?*
"Limey Peeper." Faith laughed. She could picture Giles scrunching up his face, and shaking his head.
"Hrumphhhh, as annoying as G-Man is...it is preferable to that, thank you very much," Giles said as his stiff upper lip trembled and his eyes flashed, showing a bit of the old 'Ripper'.
"Okay G-Man. Hurry up, I need to see that B and Red are okay."
"Yes well, you still haven't told me where you are."
"Ooops, me bad. I'm at the mansion. I'll be waiting outside for you."
Giles pulled up in front of the mansion and looked around for the dark Slayer. He found her asleep on the porch. Gently shaking her, hoping not to get a shot upside the head for his trouble, Giles leaned down and spoke softly, "Faith?"
"G'way...sleeping." Faith grumbled.
Giles leaned down and noticing the dried blood on young girl's leg, carefully picked her up and carried her to his car.
"Huh?, whazzhappening?" Faith opened her eyes and looked around. She grabbed the arm in front of her, ready to do dammage.
"Faith, please. I will need that arm to drive you back to Willow's."
Faith blinked, and let go. "Sorry G-Man, I thought..."
"It's okay Faith. My god, what happened to you?" Giles was not amused when one of his Slayers was injured.
"He didn't like me saying no. He burned my hand and threatened B, Red and Petey. So I was gonna make a deal to protect everyone and B crashed the party. I kinda tossed her out of a window, got shot, ummm...dusted the rest of the hired help, and Joyce came and healed me. She gave me the message to give you and she left again. Oh FUCK!!! Did B get back to Red's place safely?" Faith began to panic, thinking about what could have happened to her blonde counterpart.
"Yes Faith, she is with Willow and they are both worried about you, as am I. If possible, I want you to start training with Buffy tomorrow. Allistar has a bit of a temper problem and unfortunately a way with weak minded fools. He will strike again, as soon as possible. He wants to keep you off balance. He's afraid of you Faith."
"That's what Joyce said too. But the only thing I know is he loves diamonds. Do you have any idea what Joyce meant by Ireland 1438?"
"Yes, I have a vague memory of something about the Slayer at that time. I will of course have to do some research..."
"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ."
Giles looked over at the sleeping Slayer, *She lookes so young.* He started the car and drove to Willow's apartment. When he arrived he opened the door and gently lifted the dark girl up into his arms and walked to Willow's apartment. Using one knuckle, he knocked and was let in by Willow. He went over to the couch and laid the still sleeping Faith down.
"FAITH!" Buffy came running over.
"SHHHHH, Buffy. She's exausted, let her sleep." Giles admonished the blonde girl.
Buffy got a good look at Faith and cringed. "I knew that was a gunshot I heard. Damn you Faith, why didn't you trust me enough to let me help you fight them?"
Faith rubbed her eyes and sat up. "B, I do trust you. I wanted you to protect Red and Petey. I don't trust anyone else to do that."
Faith bit her bottom lip and looked at Buffy out of the corner of her eye.
"You need protection too Faith. Wait a minute...Willow, you said you put the protection spell on Faith...so how come she got hurt?" Buffy's protective streak was out in spades.
Willow looked away. She knew it wasn't her fault that Faith was hurt, but Buffy's words hurt too.
Faith saw the pain in Willow's eyes and didn't like seeing it.
"B, give Red a break. A gun isn't a magical device. You know anything can happen when we are Slaying. This isn't Red's fault...or yours."
"But...but, you got hurt twice tonight and I couldn't do anything about it either time. I'm so sorry Faith." Buffy, through sheer willpower alone, contained the tears threatening to fall.
"The only thing I'm sorry about is that we didn't get to finish our date. In case I forget to tell ya, you looked beautiful tonight B." Faith blushed and looked shy all of a sudden.
Buffy couldn't help herself, she pulled the dark girl into her arms and kissed her. Unknowingly, Buffy had put her hand down on Faith's thigh and the brunette was feeling the heat. She moaned into the kiss and Buffy growled.
Giles swallowed hard and looked at Willow who was smiling. She explained to Giles, "PSH in action."
As Giles was still confused, Willow whispered. "Post Slaying..."
"WILLOW!" Buffy yelled.
"RED!" Faith said loudly.
Both Slayers went beet red.
Giles remembered Faith's second favorite saying and he cleared his throat. "Well...umm, yes. I think everyone should get a good nights sleep. Buffy, I will assume you can drive yourself and Faith home? Faith please take care of yourself and I will see you in the morning."
"Of course Giles, I will see that she does take it easy."
"Hey, not made of porcelin, ya know?" Faith got up and swayed a bit.
Willow sat her back down. "Buffy, why don't you bring the car around front and I will help Faith."
"Hello? I can walk, it's only a little stiff now." Faith's protests were ignored.
"Wanna live in a pond Faith?" Willow smiled at the brunette to let her know she was joking.
Faith scowled, but decided this was one battle she wasn't going to win. She gave in, somewhat gracefully...muttering under her breath all the while. "I could use a shower, this vamp dust is itching like crazy." Faith scratched her head and dust fell out. She got up slowly this time and leaned on Giles, who picked her up again.
"Hey!" Faith yelped.
"Stop fighting me Faith, let me help you." Giles carried the brunette out to Buffy's car. "Make sure you clean that wound, I know it's mostly healed, but still."
Willow rushed out and handed Faith a tube of burn ointment for her hand.
"Thanks Red, G-Man." Looking over at Buffy, Faith smirked and said; "Home James and don't spare the horses."
"What am I gonna do with you?" Buffy laughed and started the car. She didn't hear the whispered reply of her fellow Slayer.
"Love me." Faith leaned her head against the window and promptly fell asleep. The next she knew Buffy was shaking her gently.
"We're home." Buffy's addrenalin rush was wearing off and she was almost as exausted as Faith.
Both girls walked into the house and upstair to their rooms. Just outside Faith's room, Buffy kissed Faith softly at first. Then harder as she plundered the dark girl's mouth. Faith pulled back. "B, not like this."
"Wha...Don't you want to be with me?" Buffy said in a hurt voice.
"Oh god yes, but I want our first time to be special. I want us to make love because that's what we want to do...not just satisfying horny Slayer needs. Please B, let me for once in my life do something right...for you." Faith's shy look was back.
Buffy cupped Faith's face and she smiled. "For us...Faith. You're right, not like this...at least not for our first time." Buffy winked.
Both girls turned and walked into their separate rooms.
(Faith's body) We need to get off and she was sooo willing. Are you outta your mind walking away from a sure thing?
(Faith's mind) Leave me outta this.
*Both of you just shut the fuck up.* Faith knew a cold shower wouldn't be enough...not tonight. She took her clothes off and went into the shower. As soon as she got in, her hand wandered down. "Beeeeeeeeeeeee...."
Buffy had never been so sexually frustrated before and she didn't like it. *Faith is right, but she is just so damn hot, I need...something.* Buffy stripped and turned the shower on. Her fingers were inside before she was even aware of it. "MMMMMFaithhhhhhh..."
Slayer hearing could be a boon or a pain. Right now Faith wasn't sure which. Hearing Buffy scream out her name as she came sent Faith carrening over the edge screaming out B's name. As if her orgasm wasn't powerful enough, she had felt B cum as well.
Buffy slid down the wall panting. Feeling Faith's orgasm through their Slayer bond had increased her own. *God when we do finally make love, we better not have any plans for the next several days 'cause I don't think I'll let her out of my bed.*
Faith got up and shook her head. *WOW B, when you cum...you really cum. I swear that when we do finally get together, I won't be letting you outta my arms ever.*
Both girls changed quickly and hopped into bed. They both fell asleep within minutes with huge smiles on their faces.
"I love you Faith. ZZZZZZZ."
"I love you B. ZZZZZ."
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22 6:15am
Faith knew she was dreaming but couldn't do anything about it. Buffy came up to her in the dreamscape. "Faith, what's going on? Is this a Slayer Dream?"
"Since you're here, it must be."
Joyce appeared and was looking very angry and worried.
"Joyce, what's wrong? Is B okay?" Faith's blood pressure shot through the roof.
< Yes Faith...Buffy is okay. But I'm sorry to say that bastard sent a vampire to get Peter. He has him now. >
GRRRROWWWWWWWWWLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! Faith was incensed. "Petey!"
Joyce took Faith's arm gently, < Faith, listen to me. >
"Gotta find Petey...this is my fault. I should know better than to let people in...this always happens...I'm such a shit." Faith stomped around. "I wanna wake up now!"
Buffy spun the brunette around, "You are not a shit, this is not your fault Faith. We will get Peter back." Faith melted in the young blonde's arms.
< Listen to my daughter Faith. You are a beautiful, caring woman that anyone would be lucky to have in their lives. >
"What she said." Buffy pushed some hair behind Faith's ear and smiled at her.
< Faith, you and Willow with have to accompany Angel to Ireland tonight to retrieve the 'Demon Diamond'. >
"With all due respect Joyce...you're nuts if you think I'm gonna leave B all alone. I have walked away too many damn times and I'm not gonna do it again." Faith's stubborn streak was out in full force.
< If you don't, everyone you care about will die. You are the only one who can use the gemstone. You know that sun shining through a diamond creates a prism right? >
"Yeah...so? Vamps aren't out during the daytime, so what good does that do?" Faith didn't like speaking to Joyce that way, but she wanted to start looking for Peter.
< Patience Faith, I was getting to it. This diamond creates a prison...not a prism. Part of the prophecy was about the redeemed Slayer conquering the Dark One's minion. >
"That can wait, where the hell is he keeping Petey?"
< I swear Faith, I don't know where Peter is now. But he will be in Galway tonight. The ritual must be performed at midnight. If this is completed...he will mirror the Dark Lord's power...all of it. No man, mortal or imortal was ever meant to have that much power. Especially power based in pure evil. You need to be there with Angel and Willow. Angel will know how to find the gem. Willow will read the containment spell and you...you will trap him. >
"Sounds to me like you're setting Faith up as bait." Buffy was definitely not liking what her mother was saying or where the conversation was headed.
Ignoring her daughter's outburst, Joyce continued on. < Buffy needs to stay here and patrol like usual. There will still be vampires and other butt uglies that go bump in the night that need to be taken care of. I promise you Faith, you will be back by tomorrow if all goes well. >
"News flash for ya Joyce. Other than B not hating me still, nothing ever goes well for me." Faith looked away, she didn't want Joyce to see her pain...again.
< Faith, you have turned your life around. Buffy loves you, you are back to being a good Slayer, and you have friends and family that love you. >
"For now." Faith mumbled under her breath.
< Take my hand Faith. > Joyce held out her hand and Faith moved slowly, uncertain of what Joyce was offering her.
When Faith took the older woman's hand she felt a rush of love, trust, understanding and strength pour into her. She had never felt anything like it. Seeing her future with Buffy and their children running around, she started to cry.
< You won't remember the details Sweetie, but that is your life and it will be a long and happy one. You both need to wake up now. Contact Willow and Angel. I will meet you at Giles' home in one hour. I love you both, don't ever doubt or forget it. >
Faith sat up in bed. She was sweating bullets.
Buffy sat up in bed. The early morning sun showed the light sheen of sweat on her body.
Both girls met in the hall.
"B, we gotta..."
"Faith, we have to..."
"I'll call Angel, you call Red." Faith looked at them both still covered in sweat. "I think maybe we should shower and get dressed first." Faith headed back to her room and took the quickest shower on record. She pulled on a pair of black jeans and a plain red hooded sweatshirt.
Buffy took a quick shower and dressed in blue jeans and a dark blue turtleneck sweater. When she got downstairs she saw that Faith was talking to Angel. She picked up her cell and was about to call Willow when it rang.
"Hello?"
"Oh Buffy, it's awful. Faith is gonna freak and...and people are maybe gonna get hurt."
"Slow down Will. Take a deep breathe. Now without babbling...what happened?"
"Peter was kidnapped this morning and the kids all say it was a monster that did it. A note was left for Faith, so the cops are looking for her. Can I speak to her please?"
"She is talking to Angel right now Will, and we know what happened to Peter."
"How?"
"Slayer Dream Will. And my mom gave us more information. Be at Giles' house in thirty minutes, she will tell us the rest of what we need to know. You should pack an over night bag, since you will be going to Ireland with Faith and Angel."
"Ireland? Me? What for?" Willow was understandably concerned.
"I'll explain when I see you. Get packing and met us at Giles'."
"Yes M'am." Willow saluted and then blushed realizing Buffy couldn't see it.
"Sorry Will, I didn't mean it the way it sounded, it's just Faith is really pissed and blaming herself for this. I need you to keep her out of trouble. We both know that a pissed off Faith can be dangerous. If it is vamps or demons, let her go offside on them, but if it's not supernatural then you will need to calm her down. She trusted you to take care of me last night...can I trust you to take care of her?"
"Of course Buffy, I would protect her from anything, including herself, and not just for you. She is becoming my friend too and I kinda like it."
"Thanks Will, I appreciate it. See you soon. Bye."
Buffy quietly slipped up on the brunette who was lost in thought. Wrapping her arms around her from behind, Buffy whispered in Faith's ear; "I love you and we will find Petey, get rid of the bad guy, and then we will finish our date."
"That's everything I want B." Faith placed her hands on Buffy's and leaned back into the blonde Slayer for a few minutes, just enjoying being in Buffy's arms.
"Okay, grab a couple of travel mugs, fill em with coffee. and let's get going." Buffy pointed to the cupboard and Faith handed her the cups. Faith looked at the beautiful blonde Slayer and knew that for the first time in her life, she was loved... for herself. The brunette kissed the blonde softly on the lips.
"Faith?"
"Yeah?"
"Ummm...there was a note..."
"Huh? What note? Where? What did it say?" Faith's fears were coming out to the fore front.
"The vamp that took Peter left a note for you. Will told me that the cops wanna talk to you. So they will probably be at the Orphanage when you get there. Do you want me and Giles to come with you?"
"I didn't do anything wrong B, they shouldn't give me a hard time." Faith hated cops in general, but when they wanted to talk to her, she knew she was basically screwed. And she didn't want B involved.
"I know you didn't do anything, I just want to be there to make sure they don't...."
"You gonna protect me B?" *She really means it, this being in love thing really is great.*
"Damn right I am." Buffy scrunched up her face and Faith laughed.
"God, B...you're really cute when you're not absolutely fucking gorgeous."
"We should leave now," Faith said grabbing Buffy's car keys and heading for the door.
AT GILES' HOUSE
Faith almost put her fist through the door when she knocked. The wood cracked and Willow yanked it open quickly. When the Slayers walked into the living room they saw Angel standing there waiting for them.
"Angel...how did you get her so fast?" Buffy knew Faith was just talking to him about thirty minutes ago.
"Wolfram and Hart have a couple of private jets. I borrowed the fastest. Besides I was in the air when I spoke to Faith. Cordy had a vision and the 'Powers That Be' granted me the ability to walk in the sun for the next twenty-four hours. I'm still having a hard time wrapping myself around the fact that the diamond, my family has held for generations, is what you need to destroy the Mayor's buddy."
< So you know where the diamond is then Angel? >
Everyone turned when they heard Joyce Summers voice.
"Yes, I do. I stole it from my father the night before I was turned. I hid it and then afterwards I forgot about it...til now."
"What if it's not there...like someone found it a long time ago or something?" Willow hated to put a damper on the mood, but knew finding it was still a long shot.
"Unlikely Willow, I would have heard about it. The diamond...it has special properties. Other than my family the only person capable of touching it is the 'Handler'."
"Who or what is the Handler?" Giles asked earnestly.
"The person who is able to use it to trap immortal demons." Angel shook his head, he remembered scoffing at the stories about what the gem had been used for.
< That would be Faith. >
"You still haven't told me why me or more importantly...where Petey is being held? Galway is a pretty big city. You have to give me more Joyce." Faith begged the older woman.
< A Mystical Glen, near a three forked river. It was a place of power a long time ago. The land has been in the Liam family for over one thousand years. It is possible that the present land owner knows more. Willow, you should talk to him. >
Faith was pacing and not paying much attention to what was being said. She had tuned out when Joyce said she didn't know exactly where Petey was.
Buffy got up and went over to Faith, she knew all this talk and no action was getting to her soon to be girlfriend.
"This isn't getting us anywhere. Willow can't you do a locator spell on Petey? Ghosty over there said he will be in Galway tonight, maybe he is still here now."
"Faith, we have bigger problems than the whereabouts of one child," Giles gently chided.
"Everyone here seems more concerned about a damn diamond and an asshole. Petey's disappearance seems to have slipped everyone's mind. Finding him is my priority and fuck you all if you can't understand that. I'll find him on my own." Faith grabbed her coat and started to leave when Joyce raised her voice.
< SIT DOWN FAITH...NOW. >
Faith felt a force sit her down against her will. She then scowled at the ghostly Joyce.
"What the fuck was that?"
"Mom?" Buffy looked as spooked as Faith.
< Listen to me Faith. If you don't do what you are meant to do, then Peter will only be the first in billions to die. >
"Billions?" Faith mouthed.
"Billions?" Buffy croaked.
< Yes...billions. This Allistar will recreate Hell on Earth, literally. He would start by sending the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. The survivors would face demonic creatures that haven't been seen in over a deca-millennium. >
"Umm Mrs. Summers?" Willow asked softly.
< Yes Willow? >
"What is the rest of this prophecy?"
"Is it dangerous to Faith Mom?"
Joyce was unable to look either girl in the eye.
*How bad can it be?* Faith stared out of hooded eyes.
Joyce could tell by the look on the young brunette's face that the enormity of situation was finally starting to sink in.
< I know you love that little boy Faith, but it's your turn to save the whole world. His world...Buffy's world. > Joyce hated playing that card, but she knew it was the only thing she could do to get Faith to go to Ireland before knowing Peter was safe.
"Buffy." Faith said softly as she looked at the young blonde woman with tears in her eyes. *I can't let anything happen to her. I won't lose her...not now...not when I am so close to getting what I always wanted.*
"Below the belt mom!" Buffy fumed as she watched her mother fade away.
"Faith, I did try a locator spell...Peter is not registering anywhere in Sunnydale. They must be on their way to the Emerald Isle."
"Airport now!" Faith said as she quickly kissed Buffy goodbye, grabbed the redhead, who managed to snag her laptop, and pushed Angel out the door. Once in the car, Faith asked Willow to hack into the Police Database. "Show me the letter that was left for me Red."
"Working on it Faith. Here it is. Oh shit!" Willow frowned.
Both Faith and Angel turned around, they knew the redhead didn't swear often.
"What is it Red?"
Willow turned the laptop around so Faith and Angel could see what was on it.
"FAITH...by the time you see this...the brat will be mine. You had your chance to join me. This is just the start of what I'm gonna do to you and everyone you care about. The witch is on borrowed time now. Hell on Earth is coming and there is not a damn thing you can do about it."
"Red, do a healing spell on yourself right fucking now." Faith was more worried about her new friend than losing the witch.
"Done. How did he...?"
"What, are you okay Willow?" Angel said in a concerned voice.
"I am now Angel. Somehow a poison was introduced into me. I changed the properties so it won't kill me now. I need to sleep, wake me when we get to the airport k?"
"Are you sure you're alright Red?" Faith was worried and didn't care who knew.
"Yes Faith, I'm fine...just tired." Willow closed her eyes and Faith took off her coat, balled it up and placed it under Willow's head.
"You really care about her don't you Faith?" Angel saw the tenderness the dark girl was using with the witch.
"Yeah Angel, I do. She is my first real friend, other than you."
"Tell me about this kid you're so fond of."
Faith smiled and told Angel all about Petey.
"We will save him Faith. Look around, we have a witch, a daywalking vampire and a Slayer. Sounds like a pretty good triad of trouble to me."
"Thanks for coming and helping us Angel. I hope you get the chance to just enjoy the sunshine. I make sure Red takes a few pictures of you so you will always remember it."
"I forgot how good the sun felt on my face. It's almost like being reborn. I know it's only for a day, but..." Angel turned towards the sun, soaking it up while he could.
"Enjoy it deadboy."
AT GILES' HOUSE
Buffy sighed heavily. "Giles, am I the only one worried about Faith?"
"No, Buffy you're not. But you must admit that the two of you do have quite a success rate when it comes to making or breaking prophecies."
"You mean we have the best survival rate," Buffy said bitchily. "So what is going to happen tonight?"
"I am waiting on a call from a friend who does translations. The last paragraph of ritual is very detailed. I believe is requires a sacrifice to complete. That could be where Peter comes in. Also the Handler, Faith, her blood will seal the prison."
"Her blood? FAITH!" Buffy ran to the door and saw the car drive down the street.
Giles caught Buffy's arm and he pulled her back into the living room. "Knowing that won't help them in any way, and it could hinder them."
"You want Faith to die..don't you? You think she is a bad influence on me. Together we are a real pain to the Council. You son of a bitch." Buffy started towards him with a dangerous look in her eyes.
"Buffy Anne Summers! I most certainly do not want Faith to die." Giles was having a hard time avoiding the pissed off blonde Slayer. Giles found himself backed up against a wall. Feeling somewhat unnerved, he watched as Buffy stared him down.
Her eyes went ice cold and her voice sent shivers up and down the Watcher's back.
"If Faith doesn't come back...I will make you wish you had never been born."
Giles knew it wasn't an empty threat. *Bloody hell, she really means it.* Giles had never seen, heard or felt so much anger from Faith, let alone Buffy. *Let them all come back safe and sound Lord.*
AT THE AIRPORT
Faith gently tapped Willow on the shoulder to wake her up.
"How are you feeling Red?"
Willow blinked a few times, getting her bearings.
"Car...airport...Ireland?"
"Yup, that's where we are headed Red. You didn't answer me, how do you feel?"
"Tired." Willow yawned.
"You can sleep on the plane, come on let's go. Angel?"
"This way ladies, your winged chariot awaits." Angel made a dramatic bow and smiled at the women.
"Ummm, Deadboy?"
Angel looked at the dark Slayer as if to say, 'don't call me that and what do you want?'
"I don't have a passport. Willow did you bring yours?"
"Yeah Faith, it's in my back pocket."
Angel handed Faith a passport. When she checked the name, she saw Faith Liam. "Angel?"
"You are my sister, go with it. We are distant cousins of the present landowners. Actually they are descendants of my older sister. She was the only family member I didn't kill when I was first turned. She was in England at the time. It was assumed that I was dead too. So she inherited everything." Angel knew revisiting memories and the places would be hard.
"You killed your family?" Faith knew she had the missing piece to the puzzle that was her friend Angel.
"Yes." Angel looked away, his shame written all over his face.
"It's in the past Deadboy. We all have skeletons in our closet. Besides it was Angelus who did all of that. You're Angel, a different person. I know Angelus is still a part of you, but you control him. It's like am I pyscho now? NO, but that part of me will always be deep down inside of me. Just like Willow's greatest fear is losing control and turning to Black Magic again. We control our own actions and all of us chose to be better people than what we once were." Faith was twisting her ring around her pinkie as she spoke. *Reign it in there Faith, they don't need 'Shrinkology 101 from you.*
"Okay, who are you and where is Faith?" Angel was happy about the growth and change in Faith.
Faith swatted him on the arm, looked at the redhead witch, pointed to Angel and said, "Ribbit ribbit." Faith put her hands together in the universal prayer position. Willow giggled and shook her head. Angel let out the breath he didn't know he was holding. He looked from one woman to the other, "Damn. The plane is over here."
Willow and Faith both laughed so hard they had to hold each other up for a moment. "Oh oh Faith, I bet he turns into Broody Boy again."
"I don't suppose you could put a happy spell on him?"
"Faith! You are so bad." Willow giggled.
Faith's grin reached from ear to ear. She nodded vigorously knowing that Willow knew she was only joking.
When they turned the corner they saw a Lear Jet. Angel's head was sticking out of the doorway. "Come on, time's a wasting."
AT GILES HOUSE
Buffy had been pacing for over an hour. "Why hasn't your friend called back?"
"He will when he has the complete translation. Sit down Buffy, before you wear a hole in my rug." Giles was rather testy considering he was still reeling from Buffy's earlier threat. He knew with absolute certainty that if something were to happen to Faith, he would pay the price. He also knew that even without the full translation, that the Handler could die. *May her love for Buffy be real, it's all the protection she will have.*
RING RING
Giles grabbed the phone before Buffy could. "Hello?" Giles went into full Watcher mode as he listened to what his friend had to say about the prophecy. "Is there any chance that you misread it?" He could feel Buffy's eyes on him and his heart began to do the Mamba. "Thank you Charles. Goodbye."
"WELL! It's not good, I know it. Faith is in more danger than she knows...isn't she?" Buffy lifted Giles up by the front of his shirt.
"Put me down Buffy and I will tell you everything." Giles felt a single drop of sweat fall between his shoulder blades.
"Start talking." Buffy lowered Giles back to the ground. "Tell me what Faith's blood is for? Is she gonna die?"
The pleading in Buffy's voice sent a dagger through the Watcher's heart. *I may not understand Buffy being in love with Faith, but I can certainly see it.* Giles took a deep breathe before speaking.
"The Handler's blood will seal and destroy the diamond. The gem will heal her. The final bit of magic in it will be transferred to Faith. She will be fine Buffy. Trust her."
"This has nothing to do with trust Giles. I just have a bad feeling about all of this. It's like I'm missing something important."
"The rest of the prophecy says that if the Handler has one pure emotion, that will protect her. The one untainted emotion she has is her love for you and that will protect her."
"It better." Buffy couldn't help the smile that crossed her face when Giles said that Faith loved her.
"I believe Xander would say; 'Use the force Slayer', or some such nonsense."
Buffy concentrated, her brows pinched and eyes closed tightly. Buffy tried using the bond between herself and Faith. She felt something and tried to grab onto it. She saw Willow buying Girl Scout cookies and eating several. There was a shadow hanging over everything. Buffy snapped out of it.
"WILLOW! Giles, she had been poisoned." Buffy pulled out her cell phone and called Faith...no answer. "Damn she has it turned off."
Buffy called Wolfram and Hart and after several threats was given Angel's cell phone number. She dialed it quickly and prayed Angel had his turned on.
Giles told Buffy that he would be back shortly. Seeing that he was being ignored, he wrote a quick note and left.
RING RING
"Hello?"
"Angel? Thank god. You need to get Willow to a hospital as soon as possible. I think she ate poison cookies."
"Cookies, so that's what it was. Relax Buffy, after Faith saw the note left for her, she ordered Willow to do a healing spell on herself. It worked and she is sleeping now, watched over by a very protective Faith."
"Can I speak to Faith, please."
"Sure, hang on." Angel waved the phone at Faith and tossed it to her.
"Hi B, I miss you and I love you." Faith blushed, she still wasn't used to admiting her feelings in front of anyone. But she knew Red and Angel had no problems with her and Buffy as a couple.
"I miss you like crazy too, and I love you. Is Willow really okay Faith? She is just as stubborn as us when we are hurt."
"Yes B, Red is okay. I promised you I would take care of her and I am. Now tell me...what else is wrong and don't say nothing." Faith walked away from the sleeping redhead.
"UHHH..."
"Just fucking tell me B!"
"Your blood will be needed to close the prison/ prism whatever. It will destroy the gem, but you will be hurt. Giles' friend said that only a true emotion would protect the Handler."
"I love you B and that is the purest thing I have ever experienced."
"Giles said your love for me will protect you. He better be right. I want my girlfriend back safe and sound."
Faith smiled, "Your girlfriend huh? I love the sound of that B."
"Are you on the plane now?" Buffy licked her suddenly dry lips.
"Yeah, why?" Faith shivered when she felt a phantom touch on her lips.
"Go into the bathroom." Buffy's heartrate increased.
Faith's eyes flew open, "Uhhh...okay B." Confused, but trusting, she walked down the aisle to bathroom.
Faith locked the door behind her. "Okay B, I'm in the bathroom...now what?" Faith was beginning to get an idea about what was about to happen when she heard Buffy whisper; "Close your eyes."
"K." Faith was all for relieving the tension building by listening to her sexy girlfriend's voice. *God B, I'm wound so tight, this won't take long.*
"I'm standing in front of you now, looking into love filled eyes and tasting your breath. MMMM, god you taste so good Faith. Open up, let me in."
Faith's breathing sped up. She could feel Buffy's lips on hers and she was getting very hot and wet. The Slayer bond sent Buffy's feelings straight to Faith. Faith moaned and squirmed.
"Okay baby, I'm taking off your top...cool no bra. Yum, Faithy's nipples...slurp...so good."
"Oh fuck B. You're making me so wet. I don't think the Council would approve of this use of our bond."
"Fuck em." Buffy was panting.
"EWWWWWWWWW, not in my lifetime." Faith shuddered. *Mood broken.*
"Better not, I'm the jealous type. You're mine." Buffy said in the most seductive voice that Faith had ever heard.
*Mood repaired.* "Yours B, always have been and always will be."
"Good, now I'm unzipping your pants...slowly, breathing on your soft skin. OOOO looky...goosebumps." Buffy giggled. Faith smirked, she love the sound of Buffy giggling.
A jolt of pure pleasure rushed through the turned on young woman. Faith upzipped herself quickly as Buffy kept talking. Her hand went between her legs and she wasn't surprised at the wetness.
"One hand is going inside and the other is twisting your left nipple, then your right. OOOO baby, you are so wet...I wanna touch, I wanna taste."
"BEEEEEE, oh fuck me." Faith could feel herself getting closer as her girlfriend kept talking.
"I will baby, right now. I'm slipping two fingers inside you, oh god you are so wet, soft and we fit just right."
Faith shoved her fingers inside and matched Buffy's words.
"B, I wanna do you too. Your ass looks so good in leather, and even better out of it. I'm squeezing it as I run one hand down between your legs. MMMM, I'm not the only wet one."
"Oh god Faith, I love your long slim fingers. IN...NOW!" Buffy was so caught up in her desires that she could almost feels Faith's fingers rubbing her. She increased the speed of her own fingers.
"Yeah baby, I better get them inside you. I can barely think straight as it is." Faith wanted to make her girlfriend feel as good as she herself did.
"There it is, your happy spot. I am rubbing it baby, can you feel it?" Buffy was panting along with Faith.
Faith's answer was a moan. "I'm moving in and out of you as fast as you can take it. Tell me B...how does it feel?"
"F...F...Faithhhhhhh, soooo good." Buffy's fingers were a blur, Faith's voice was egging her on.
Both girls were moaning and getting closer to the edge and they knew it.
"Oh fuck B...I'm gonna...BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!"
"Faithhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Both girls dropped their phones as they screamed out their release.
Willow sat up quickly, "Buffy?"
Angel came over to her, "Faith is...talking to her."
As Willow's sleep clogged brain began to clear, she realized exactly what she had just heard...her face went redder than her hair.
AT GILES' HOUSE
When Buffy came back to her senses, she saw a note on the table.
Gone to look for a book at the library. Be back soon.
Giles
Buffy blushed wondering just when her Watcher had left. *Oh shit, Faith!* Buffy saw the phone and picked it up. "Faith?"
ON THE PLANE
"The number you have dialed has just been serviced." Faith laughed. "Fuck B, that was intense. I'm still shaking. Baby when I finally get you in my arms, I'm never gonna let you go. Shit the battery is dying...B, I love you."
The battery gave out just as Faith heard Buffy say, "I love you too."
Faith sat still for a few more minutes, gathering herself and then pulled her pants up. She checked herself in the mirror. The grin she saw would make it obvious to anyone who saw her, to know just what had happened.
She walked out of the bathroom and tossed the phone to Angel.
"Battery is dead...Deadboy."
Angel caught the phone and gave Faith his best death stare. But the happiness radiating off of the young brunette stalled the souled Vampire.
Willow was still blushing, but decided to have a little fun with Faith. "Man when you two finally get together, we won't see you for a month." Willow clapped both hands over her mouth in surprise. *I actually said that...oh goddess.*
Faith's mouth dropped open and she looked at the redhead. She smirked and said, "More like a year Red."
"Only one?" Angel added his two cents.
"Okay, now that everyone has had their fun at my expense, shouldn't we be making some kind of game plan?" Faith grumbled.
"Willow will check out the glen and we will talk to the present owners. Faith, you have gotten close to the kid, maybe you will be able to sense him." Angel knew that Faith would put finding the little boy ahead of destroying the bastard who kidnapped him.
"I just want him to be okay. He's just a little kid and he is probably scared shitless right now." Faith growled and started pacing again.
< Faith, relax. Peter is alright for the moment. >
"Joyce! Where the hell is he?" Faith shouted.
< You will find him after you destroy the gem and he will be fine. As soon as he sees you, he will run into your arms. You are his whole world Faith. Because of what you will do here, his life will improve immeasureably. >
"Improve...how?"
< All in due time. Angel are you sure you remember where you put the diamond? >
"Yes Mrs. Summers, I know exactly where I left it. As soon as we land, I will go get it and give it to Faith."
< Willow, have you regained your strength? >
"Yes, I have. It was just...I did a lot of magic in a short period of time. Four heavy duty protection spells, a locator spell that was useless and then a healing spell for myself. Thanks to Faith, I'm fine."
"Me? You healed yourself Red. I didn't do anything, other than get you involved in this mess." Faith's guilt was visible to all.
"Actually Faith, I introduced you to Peter and then..." Willow looked away.
"Yeah, you did. You gave me a chance to do some good in this world other than killing things and I never thanked you did I?"
"Okay, this meeting of the mutual admiration society is called to order. We all are here to rescue the kid, take out the bad and maybe learn a few things about each other." Angel used his stern voice.
< Faith come with me. >
Faith followed Joyce to the back of the plane. "Is B okay?"
< She's fine Faith. I wanted to tell you something not connected to this adventure. >
"Okay, shoot."
< You will find something that Angel will want. You will know it when you see it. Remember how you got the toy for Peter? >
"Yeah, I changed a flat for the salesman. Soooo?"
< Your Slayer strength is a good trade off for when you want something. Keep that in mind. >
"You been hanging out with Confuscious and Yoda up there huh?" Faith pointed upwards.
< Actually Faith, I have been talking to your first Watcher. She is very proud of the woman you have become. >
A very stunned Faith wiped at the tears that began to fall. Joyce pulled her in for a hug that was returned.
< Don't you think it's about time you started believing in yourself Faith? >
"Not a good idea Joyce, whenever I do...the shit hits the fan. I thought I could help Peter and what happens? He gets kidnapped just because he is someone I care about. Red got poisoned for the same reason. I guess it's a good thing you are already dead, or..."
< Now you stop right there Faith. None of this is your fault...NONE! Lay the blame where it belongs, with that rogue immortal Watcher. Standing up to him and refusing his demands was the right thing to do and you know it. Do you trust me Faith? >
Faith whispered, "Yes."
< Then do so now sweetie. I promise everyone will be alright, in fact you will be more than alright. >
"What's that mean?" An anxious Faith demanded.
Joyce smiled mysteriously and vanished.
"Faith come put your seatbelt on, we will be landing in a few minutes at Galway Airport." Angel pointed out the window.
"About freaking time Deadboy. How long will it take you to get the diamond? And where exactly is Willow going?"
"A half hour, take a cab and ask to be dropped off at the Liam estate. And stop calling me Deadboy." Angel actually pouted and both girls wore an identical sillyassed grins.
Walking through the airport, Faith shivered. Willow caught her as she stumbled. "Faith?"
"It's Petey, he's terrified. I'm gonna kill that bastard, I swear it." Faith steadied herself, sucked in a huge breathe and began walking alongside the worried redhead.
"Can you see anything where he is? A landmark, trees, rocks...anything Faith?" Willow started to look through her knapsack for the ingredients for a locator spell.
"I saw...a big wooden wheel. Like on the back of those casino boats on the Mississippi."
"Faith, was the wheel up against a stone building?" Angel asked.
"I...I don't know." Faith was getting frantic again. Red can't you get into my head?"
"No Faith, and I wouldn't. But I can increase your sensitivity to Peter, maybe you will be able to see more. Are you willing? I won't do it without your permission."
"Why would a wheel be against an old building Dead...uhh Angel?"
"It sounds like it could be an old mill. There are several mill ruins around the edge of the Liam estate. I used to hide whiskey in a few of them. They were all linked to an underground tunnel system, most of which have probably collapsed by now." Angel looked thoughtful for a moment.
It was three very worried people who exited the airport and hailed a cab. "Hey come on everyone, like Angel said, a very powerful witch, a daywalking vampire and a pissed off Slayer...we are a triad of trouble. WE WILL SUCCEED." Faith said with more determination in her voice than either of her friends had ever heard before.
"Of course we will Faith." Angel agreed with the brunette.
"Absolutely, we will cause we are...well, I mean we will...I know babbling again. Shut up Willow." The redhead smiled shyly at her friends who where trying hard to keep from laughing out loud.
"S'okay Red, it's kinda cute and what we expect from you. Hey, I could start calling you 'Brook'." Angel grinned and looked away.
"And I can call you late for dinner." Willow stuck her tongue out at the surprised Slayer.
Faith went down on bended knees, "Forgive me oh provider of sustanence."
"Ladies, let's go." Angel held open the door to a beat up old cab.
"And where would you be going on this fine day?" The driver's breath was enough to give Faith a buzz as she answered, "To the Liam estate."
Faith gave Angel a look that said, 'This was the best you could do?'
Angel just shrugged his shoulders and turned his face towards the sun. The trip didn't take long. As they were getting out of the cab, the driver came around beside Willow and tried to take her bag.
"I'll be taking that little lady." He reached for the bag.
Faith spun around quickly and growled at the stupid man.
"You think so, do ya?" Faith squared off into a fighting stance.
"You really don't want to piss Faith off Sir. You don't want to know what she did to the last idiot that tried to rip us off. I think they are still pulling pieces of him out of the radiator. Faith me darling," Willow said in an exagerated Irish accent, "Why don't you show him just how strong you are. I believe he could use a bit of sobbering up, don't you." Willow's eyes travelled from the man to the small duck pond about twenty feet away.
"Wicked cool idea Red." The brunette Slayer grinned evilly at the idiot. She grabbed the man around the back of the neck and by balls, which she squeezed for good measure, and tossed him towards the pond.
SPLASH
Creative cursing was heard for several minutes as they walked away and up to the main house. Faith used the knocker and waited. A woman older than dirt answered.
"Yes, can I help you? She saw Angel and shrieked. "Liam, you've come back." She grabbed the surprised vampire and hugged him hard enough to make him wince.
Faith and Willow both shifted their weight from foot to foot, not knowing what to say or do.
"I wondered if I would live to see the prophecy come true." She pointed to Faith, "the witch," she pointed to Willow, "the killer of beasts, and the daywalking vampire. A young boy's life hangs in the balance."
"Actually M'am, I'm the Slayer and Willow is the witch." Faith smiled at the old woman. "Do you know where Petey is?" Faith asked anxiously.
The old woman stared at Faith for several long moments, long enough for Faith to begin to feel uncomfortable.
"Come in, all of you. We have much to discuss and I'm not getting any younger."
They followed her into the library. The first thing Faith saw was a portrait of Angel...as he was when he was mortal. *Damn, the artist really caught the 'so what' attitude in his eyes. This is what Joyce meant. I have to talk to the old lady and see if I can do some work around here in trade for that painting.*
Angel was drawn to the painting as well. The signature had almost faded, but with Vampiric and Slayer eyesight it could be read.
"What the hell?" Faith said surprised to see her name in the corner of the painting.
"His sister was the artist. Her name was Faith."
Faith looked at Angel, she could feel his pain. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Angel knew what she was asking and for a moment considered ignoring her question. "I tried to forget everything and everyone. She tried to change me from a drunken sot to a gentleman...didn't work. When she got married, she went to live in London. I never saw again. She was a local celebrity as an artist. She did portraits and landscapes."
Willow was busy looking at the enormous amount of books on Wicca's.
"I do beg your apologies for my rudeness. My name is Breanna Faith Liam. I was told that my middle name came from an ancestor that was a great artist. Too bad I didn't inherit the talent to draw as well."
"Well you know who I was Breanna, I am now called Angel."
"The redhead with her head in a book is Willow...and my name is Faith."
"I see I'm not the only member of this family named Faith. Can you draw young lady?"
"Angel, I can't do this. M'am, I'm not part of this family...wish I were, but I'm not. It's just a name on a passport. We thought that if you believed Angel and I were distant relatives, you might be more willing to help us. I'm sorry for deceiving you."
"She draws very well," Willow informed their host as Faith scowled at the redhead.
"Maybe you can show me later. Is your name really Faith?"
"Yes, Faith Winters." Faith felt bad about lying to the woman.
Both Angel and Willow's heads shot up at that admission from the dark Slayer.
"Your friends look surprised, why is that?"
"Probably because they didn't know my last name. I haven't used it years. But, I couldn't lie to you any longer. I hope you will forgive me and still help us."
"Of course I will child. Now tell me what I can do to help."
"I need to go get something, I will be back in a hour. Willow, I think you should check out the glen while it's still light out." Angel suggested as he walked out of the den.
"I'll go with Red." Faith came over to the witch smiling. "Good book ya got there?"
"I will be fine Faith, don't be such a worry wort. The book is old, real old and has ancient Wicca spells in it. I think I can read some of it."
"Uh uh Red. I promised B that I would take care of you and I will. So deal with it. Where are we going?" Faith leaned lazily back against the large desk and waited. She knew Willow would let her accompany her, but only because of the promise made to Buffy.
Breanna handed Willow a talisman on a silver chain. "This will detect black magic and you will be forewarned. Be back here for dinner at seven o'clock...all of you. You will need a good meal under your belts beforing dealing with the forces of evil."
"I do like the way you think M'am. What's for dinner?" Faith's stomach chose this minute to make itself known. Faith looked embarrassed and Willow laughed.
"You might want to tell the cook, that Faith can eat as much as the rest of us combined...well not Angel of course."
"RED!!!" Faith blushed deeply.
"Don't pay any attention to her M'am." Faith realized that the woman had disappeared. "Huh? Where'd she go?"
The woman came back in and handed Faith a large drumstick, and a small Tupperwear dish containing a hunk of cheese, several slices of homemade bread and a can of ginger ale. "Gnaw on this while the witch checks out the lay of the land."
"May whatever God you believe in, bless your entire bloodline M'am," Faith said around the mouthful of turkey.
"As for dinner, it will include roast pork, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and homemade chocolate cake or blueberry pie with ice cream for dessert. Does that meet with your approval Faith?"
Faith licked her lips in anticipation of the dinner to come. "Oh yes M'am. Wanna adopt me?" Faith's eyes were a big as dinner plates and the grin was ear to ear.
"How are you with heavy lifting?"
"You'd be surprised. After we come back, I would be happy to move or lift anything you want. I kinda want to talk to you too."
"I will take it under immediate advisement then, dear." Breanna laughed. "Oh my son, the Doctor will be joining us tonight."
Willow laughed and shook her head. "Come on Faith, we should go."
"Coming mother." Faith was too busy feeding her face to notice the look on the redhead's face.
Willow chanted for a second and Faith's drumstick disappeared.
"HEY!!! Give that back Red." Faith whined. The drumstick reappeared two minutes later. They heard a noise coming from the entry way.
Faith handed Willow her food, "Don't make it disappear, please Red." She ran out to the front door in time to see their 'cab driver' shake himself off.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Faith was oh so ready to kick his ass.
"How do you know my grandson Faith?"
"Grandson?" *Oh shit.* "He tried to steal Willow's bag."
Breanna looked at the still dripping man standing there.
"She threw me into the pond Grandma."
"William Andrew Liam the third, you will apologize to Willow right now."
"Yes M'am."
Faith brought Willow out. "Relax Red, the book will be there when we get back."
"I'm sorry I tried to steal your laptop...uh Willow?"
"Why my laptop?" Willow knew it would bring a tidy amount on the blackmarket.
"I could get drinks for a month at the tavern for that," he said defiantly.
"William!"
"But Gran, she asked."
"Go clean out the barn...move it," the old woman said in a voice that brooked no disobediance.
"Yes M'am," he looked daggers at Willow and saw Faith give him a dirty look.
"Don't go there...barnboy. You even think of bothering Red again and I will hunt you down and beat your ass. Clear?"
"Crystal." William stomped out of the house.
"I know you can pretty much take care of yourself Red, but I don't think it's a good idea for too many people to know what you are capable of. I mean Deadboy and I are kinda obvious, but you are our surprise ace in the hole. You're not mad are ya Red?"
"No Faith I'm not mad. I just think you are being a little over protective...and...that's a good thing...sorta...kinda....I guess."
"Okay Red, let's go check out Magic Central and make sure there is a safe hiding spot for you to do your thing from. Angel and I will confront the son of a bitch while you start chanting or whatever. After, would you help me check out some of those mill ruins Angel told us about?" Faith hoped she could find Peter before the battle with Allistar.
"If Peter is to be the sacrifice, then they won't hurt him."
"Red, he's been kidnapped and doesn't know why. I can feel his fear, why can't I see where he is?"
"Concentrate Faith, can you see anything else close to him?"
Faith closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. "Damn, nothing Red."
"Remember Joyce did say we would all be okay. So try not to worry. Here," Willow handed Faith her cell phone. "Call Buffy and let her know we got her safe and sound. And Faith?"
"I know, talk only...no happy scream." Faith blushed and walked a few feet behind Willow.
NEAR AN OLD MILL AT THE EAST END OF THE PROPERTY
Angel walked slowly with his head down, he knew exactly where he was going. He found his old hideaway and pulled out the dark blue handkerchief. Opening it, he breathed a sigh of relief. *I hope Faith really is the Handler and that she can use this safely. Buffy will stake me if anything happens to Faith.*
NEAR AN OLD MILL AT THE WEST END OF THE PROPERTY
Willow smiled as she handed Faith her cell phone. She wisely walked a few feet in front of the brunette.
Faith dialed Buffy's number and there was no answer. "Red, what's Giles' phone number?" She dialed in the number Willow supplied.
"Hello?" Giles answered, expecting it to be his friend with more information. He was therefore surprised to hear Faith's voice.
"Hi G-Man, is B still there?"
"Yes Faith, hang on." Giles started to hand the phone to Buffy when she grabbed it like a life line.
"Faith? Are you okay?" Buffy needed to hear Faith's voice and didn't mind showing her concerns.
"Yeah B, I just called to let you know we all got here safe and sound. The present owner of the land is a woman older than dirt, but she is wicked cool. She knows about the prophecy and is letting all of us stay with her until we face off with the bastard that grabbed Petey."
"Is Willow okay now?"
"Yep, hang on," Faith handed the phone to the redhead.
"Hi Buffy, I'm fine now. Faith is pretty protective of me." Willow smiled to herself thinking that Faith made a much better friend than an enemy.
"Good, you can watch each other's backs. Where is Angel?"
"He went to get the diamond and will meet us soon. Faith thought I should look over the place where the battle will happen. She wants to make sure there is a safe place for me to do the spell."
Faith started swaying and growling again.
"Buffy hang on," Willow put the phone to her chest to muffle the conversion, "Faith what's wrong? Is it Petey?"
Faith nodded before collapsing to the ground. "If you do a locator spell now, will you have enough magic for tonight?"
"There is too much magic here Faith, I wouldn't be able to find him. I'm sorry." The redhead knew how badly Faith wanted to find the little boy and hated to say no to her.
"FUCK! If I have to tear every mill apart, I will find him." Faith took off running at Slayer speed towards the brick ruins in the distance.
The determination in her voice left Willow almost feeling sorry for the bad guy...almost.
"Uh Buffy, I need to catch up to Faith. I'll have her call you later." Willow didn't want Faith to be alone right now. She knew that if Peter was hurt, Faith would go offside. More demons could be waiting and with Faith so locked into finding the boy, she might not be able to defend herself immediately as needed.
"Okay, Giles wants to talk to you before the battle. Take care of her for me Will...please." Buffy hated being left out of whatever was happening. She knew that Angel and Willow would back up Faith and she hoped it would be enough. Not being able to help the woman she loved was not something she was handling very well.
"You know I will Buffy. We'll talk later. Bye." *She loves Faith so much. Angel and I had better be able to get Faith back to Buffy safely or Buffy will lose it.*
"Bye Will." Buffy didn't want to lose the connection, but she knew she had no choice in the matter.
Willow ran after the dark Slayer. When she caught up with her, Faith was tearing apart a stone wall with her bare hands which were now dripping blood from the cuts and scratches.
"Faith?...FAITH! The door is over here." Willow grabbed the rusted door handle but it wouldn't budge.
Faith ripped the door right off its hinges. "Petey? Are you here little dude?" Faith frantically tossed piles of rags and cinderblocks around.
Silence greeted the women. Willow dragged Faith out and over to one of the streams. She gently washed the blood off of Faith's hands, "Injuring yourself won't help Peter Faith. Please calm down, I know I'm asking a lot."
Faith felt the warmth of a healing spell eminating from Willow. She jerked her hands back. "Don't waste your magic on me Red, save it for Petey and our upcoming battle."
"It's not a waste Faith."
Faith's Slayer sense went off and she quickly turned around, only to see Angel standing there. "I'm gonna put a fucking bell around you Deadboy."
"Stop calling me that Faith!" Angel growled at her.
"Okay, both of you...chill out." Willow didn't realize she would be the referee between her friends. "Angel how many more mills are on this property?"
"Too many to check all of them." Seeing the look on Faith's face, he said..."But we will check as many as we can." Angel leaned down and drew a rough sketch of the property and the placement of the mills. "Faith you and I can move a lot quicker than Willow, so she should check these three that are the closest to here. You go check out these six on the west end of the property and I will check out these five on the east end. We will meet back here in one hour."
"Red, if you see anything suspicious, yell out and we will come running." Faith wanted to protect Willow but knew they would cover more ground this way.
"I may not have your fighting skills Faith, but I can take care of myself, if necessary." Seeing the worried look on the brunette's face, she added..."I promise to yell good and loud if I find anything."
"Thanks Red. Let's go." Faith was torn between staying with Willow to protect her and going to search her assigned area. Finding Petey won out.
Both Faith and Angel ran so fast that they were nothing more than a blur. Willow ran over to the next closed ruin and looked around. The hackles on the back of her neck raised. She found a child size winter coat with blood on one sleeve. *Shit, Faith is gonna freak.*
Willow drew a big breath and yelled, "FAITH! I found something."
Within seconds the dark girl was at her side and Angel came running up too.
"What did you find Red?"
Willow handed Faith the bloodstained coat. "I don't know if this belongs to Peter or not."
Faith took the coat from Willow's trembling hands and searched it and found a faded name tag in the collar. She growled loudly and clenched the coat tightly. The tag said Peter Hamilton.
"I guess that answers my question. The blood is still damp, that means he was here not too long ago. They must have moved him when they saw us coming." No sooner were the words out of her mouth when both Faith and Angel went into fighting mode.
Several demons jumped down from the trees and started swinging large bastard swords. One sword had a jewel encrusted hilt and seemed to sing as it moved through the air. Faith pushed Willow to the ground and so doing took a hit across the upper left thigh.
"ARGGGGGHHH," Faith relieved the ugly of its weapon after punching it in the face a few times, just to get its attention, and beheaded it. Meanwhile Angel had taken out two more, leaving just three which Faith dispatched quickly.
Angel leaned down to check on Willow, who had a split lip from hitting the ground when Faith pushed her.
"Uhhh, Angel? I'm as concerned about Red as you, but we are not finished. There is something else here and it's nasty, I can feel it."
"Help her, I'll be fine." Willow knew enough to stay down. "FAITH! behind you."
"HUH, what?" Faith didn't see anything, but she could sense it. She ducked and swung the sword, she felt it bite into something and then she saw the demon materalize, minus one arm. Angel broke its neck and it vanished.
"YEAH! The triad of trouble rules." Faith looked down at her bleeding leg and blanched.
Willow reached out, with glowing hands, for Faith and the brunette swatted her hand away. "Save the magic for tonight Red, this will heal in a few hours. Gotta love Slayer healing."
Angel scooped the injured Slayer up into his arms. "Let's head back to the main house. I think Breanna will have a first aid kit there."
"Angel, I can walk ya know." Faith didn't like showing weakness to anyone.
"Maybe I like having you in my arms Faith," Angel smiled.
"OOOO Angel, I'm gonna tell Buffy you were flirting with her girlfriend." Willow laughed.
Angel looked worried. "I think I prefer 'Ribbit Ribbit'."
All three shared a laugh as they walked back to the house. Once inside, Breanna took charge of Faith. "Put her down gently on the couch Angel. Willow, the first aid kit is in the next room in the top drawer on the right hand side of the desk. Please go get it for me."
Willow went to get it and came back quickly. "Here Breanna, help her please." Willow knew that Faith's wound was causing her a lot more pain than she was willing to admit.
"Guys, chill out please. I will be fine...in a little while." Faith hated to bother anybody, especially with something that would heal soon enough on its own.
"You know Faith, you could put the sword down now." Angel cracked.
"I'm keeping this, it's wicked cool."
"It belongs to you Faith, it's meant for the Handler. How did you find it? It's been lost for centuries?" Breanna kept the young woman talking as she cleaned and dressed the leg wound.
"It kinda found me Breanna. A demon had it and I took it back and used it on him and on an invisible one too. It just feels right in my hand."
"Only you or Angel can use it. It's a family weapon."
"But I'm not family Bre...not by blood anyway."
"Faith, does the name Jason Winters or Samuel Winters mean anything to you?" Breanna smiled mysteriously at the dark girl.
Angel's eyes shot open, he was putting two and two together and getting four. *Now I know why I felt an affinity for her, she is family...real family, by blood not just choice.*
"Jason was a sea captain and Sam was his son. My grandmother used to tell me stories about them. Why? And how did you know their names?"
"Because dearheart, Jason Winters was Faith Liam's husband and Sam was the son that went to the American colonies. You ARE part of this family."
Faith's mouth dropped open in surprise. She looked at Angel and said, "Wicked cool, my gramp's a vamp."
Willow burst out laughing and Angel did a double take.
"I am not your grandfather Faith, I would be your several greats uncle."
"Yeah but that doesn't rhyme." Faith smiled at the vampire.
*Wow, Faith and Angel are related.* Willow's thoughts were transparent.
"Would you consider calling me Gran, Faith?" Breanna's heart swelled with love for this amazing young woman.
Faith nodded, "I would be honored...Gran."
"Angel would you pick her up and follow me please."
"Hey, I can walk ya know." Faith said softly as she stood up.
Breanna swung around and just stared at Faith.
"Wow Gran, that's one hell of an evil eye ya got there."
"And don't you forget young lady. Angel, if you please."
Angel carefully picked up Faith and followed the old woman with Willow trailing behind them all.
Breanna led them into a small artist's studio filled with all kinds of art supplies from paper, canvas, paints, chalks, pens, inks, pencils, a caligraphy set and a host of other things.
"Consider all this yours Faith. You are the artist in this family for this generation."
Faith was staring at the large white sheet of paper and Breanna could see the wheels turning. "Willow dear, would you bring that wheeled chair over here for Faith please?"
"Sure thing Breanna." Willow pushed the chair over in front of the easel and Angel put Faith in it.
"We should leave the artist to her work now. Faith, I will send Willow to come to get you when dinner is ready."
Faith waved her hand absentmindedly. "Okay Gran."
Breanna smiled and led Angel and Willow back to the library. She handed Willow the Wicca book she had been so interested in earlier.
Going over to the bookcase, she pulled one back and the bookcase moved forward. Inside were a lot of oil paintings and sketches.
"These were done by your sister, Angel. I thought you might like to look through them."
"Thank you." Angel started with a pile of dusty sketches. It was like a time warp had taken possession of him. He recognized several landscapes of the family property.
Willow was lost in the book and when she went to sit down, she missed the couch. "Ow!" she looked chagrined and then sat down on the couch.
Faith got up and grabbed several pencils, the caligraphy nibs and the oil pastels. She quickly sketched an outline, stood back, erased a part of it and redid it. She did this several times until she was satisfied. She was whistling while she worked. By the time she had outlined, shaded and coloured the picture, she could hear Willow coming to get her. She quickly covered her masterpiece and sat back down.
"Hi Faith, dinner is almost ready. You look at home in this room, you really do." Willow reached out to look under the tarp that Faith had thrown over what she had done.
"Red, please...don't look." Faith wanted to give it to the redheaded witch as a Christmas present and therefore didn't want Willow to see it just yet.
"Okay. How's your leg now? Can you walk?...cause I can go get Angel to carry you if you want." Willow looked at Faith wondering if the brunette would in fact be able to fight tonight. She knew Faith would fight no matter what condition she was in and the redhead was a little worried.
"Almost good as new Red." Faith jumped to her feet and followed Willow to the dinning room. The scents coming from the dinning room, of all the wonderful things that were on the table, made Faith's mouth water. She licked her lips and smiled. *Fuck me, a real family dinner. If it weren't for B being in Sunnydale, I would never leave here.*
Breanna pointed to the head of the table and insisted that Angel sit there and do the carving of the roast. Willow and Faith sat on his left and Breanna sat on his right. The grandson came in, his hair still dripping from the shower he had taken out of necessity. Cleaning out a barn was dirty work. He didn't even look at the guests as he sat down beside his grandmother. Angel had carved several nice thick slices of roast and put them on plates that were handed to him. He 'himself' was happy with the red wine placed at his elbow.
"Hey Gran, I thought you said your son was gonna join us for dinner." Faith asked as she reached for the pototoes after having helped herself to the corn on the cob.
"He was called to the next county to help deliver triplets. Even though he is an ear specialist, he can still deliver babies."
Faith's head jerked up and the forkful of meat stopped in mid air. "He's an ear specialist? Wait a minute, is his name Dr. Brian Liam?"
"Yes it is, why dear?"
"Petey...he is deaf. I saw an article that mentioned your son. It said something about the most comprehensive tests than can be done costing $2500.00. If anything can be done, your son can do it. Do you have one of his business cards Gran? It will take me a while to come up with that kind of money."
"I'm sure there is one around here somewhere. You care a great deal about this little boy whom you will prevent from becoming the sacrifice. Is he your son?"
Faith's eyes flew open and she shook her head left to right. "No, he is a friend. One who is scared to death right now...all because of me. You can bet your sweet ass I won't let this bastard hurt him...again." Faith remembered the bloody sleeve of the coat.
"Faith, this isn't your fault...you have to believe that." Willow reached out for the dark girl who pulled away.
"I think you'll find that your money is no good here Faith, you're family and this boy is important to you. Enough said," Breanna said in no nonsense voice.
Faith choked up and covered by saying. "I'm gonna go check out those other mills. Angel?" Faith left the obvious request unspoken.
"On it Faith, meet you at the fork in the rivers in a hour." Angel grabbed his coat and headed for the door.
Faith grabbed the sword and headed out.
"I think I found the right containment spell, I'm gonna read it and make sure." Willow headed off to the library.
"I'm going into town Gran," the young man said sourly.
"Of course you are. Be gone with ya." Breanna walked away disgusted, knowing her grandson would be pub crawling and come stumbling home in the wee hours of the morning. *Well at least it will keep him from interferring in what must be done tonight.*
Breanna walked back to the studio thinking about the newest member of the family. *She is so beautiful and talented, but she seems to have a low opinion of herself. Well, we will fix that.* When she walked into the room she saw the cover over the drawing. *Should I peek? Of course I should, it's one of the advantages of old age. I can do things others can't and get away with it.* Lifting the cover, Breanna drew in a sharp breath. "Saints perserve us, that is amazing. How did she...wow, she may be even more talented than the original Faith. I hope Willow will appreciate this." Breanna recovered the picture and went back to the library.
AT THE EAST END OF THE PROPERTY
Angel had checked all the mills and found noting showing that Peter had been in any of them. *Faith is not gonna be happy, and a not happy Faith is not a good thing.*
AT THE WEST END OF THE PROPERTY
Faith had torn apart more rock walls and pulled rusted doors off their hinges looking for Peter. *Dammit, I have to find him.* Her Slayer sense went off, she turned around expecting to see Angel, but but instead she saw trouble. Barely getting the sword up in time to block the axe headed for her midsection, she stepped back and began taunting the demon.
"Whatza matter ugly, your aim off today? Now I can kill ya quick and painless if you tell me where the boy is OR...I can chop you to pieces slowly. Your choice."
If the demon had a brain, he would have recognized that the smile on Faith's face meant she was at her most dangerous. But since he was a few fries short a happy meal...
The axe whistled past her right ear, "Okay dickwad...let's boogie." Faith grinned and came at the demon. Two slashes later, PLOP...PLOP, "Consider yourself disarmed asshole," Faith laughed as she chopped the demon's arms off. "Last chance ugly...where is the boy?"
The demon smirked and drooled, "Tasted real good he did." The sword sung as his head hit the ground. With the prior knowledge that Petey was to be used as the sacrifice later tonight, she knew the demon had been lying. *Petey is alive and I will find him.* Faith shouted for Angel and he was at her side in minutes.
"Faith! are you alright?" Angel saw the green goo on Faith's pants.
"Yes, he wasn't interested in talking. But since he was here..."
"We should look around carefully, together." Angel stated.
An old druid ruin was in sight and the enormous amount of magic could be felt.
Both Faith and Angel felt the hairs on the back of their necks stand up. Faith raised the sword and Angel motioned he would go around the long way. As soon as Angel got more than one hundred feet away, vampires and demons surrounded Faith.
"Yo, Deadboy...a little help." Faith swung the sword and as it began to sing, dust piles began to grow.
Angel broke several vampires necks trying to get back to Faith. The souled vampire felt the trident enter his shoulder and he screamed.
"Angel!" Faith smashed her way through the rest of the vampires and saw a demon ready to snap Angel's neck.
"Angel, DUCK!" The Slayer threw her sword like a javalin and nailed it in the throat, effectively slowing it down. Pulling the sword out, she removed its head with one stroke. The smell made both vampire and Slayer gag. Angel growled loudly and ran around to one of the larger stones...a sacrificial table so to speak. Angel reached out to touch the cold stone surface. A blue bolt of lightning shot out hitting Angel in the chest. It did however prove useful in caterizing Angel's wound. Faith quickly grabbed the stricken vampire and pulled his hand off of the stone slab. The electricity danced over Faith, but SHE felt no pain. *Something to think about later girl. For now, get Angel back to the house.*
Faith picked up the wobbly vampire and started walking back to the house.
"Hey I can walk ya know!" Angel squirmed and Faith dropped him on his ass.
"Ouch! Hey!" Angel got up and prompty started swaying and would have kissed the ground if Faith hadn't caught him.
"You were saying," Faith laughed as she picked him back up.
"Son of a bitch," Angel said softly.
"Slayer hearing 'gramps', knowing that your friends will help when needed is cool...but needing it isn't, huh?"
"Point taken and not at the end of a stake," Angel grinned.
"Making jokes, hmmmm there is hope for you yet Angel."
BACK AT THE HOUSE IN THE LIBRARY
Willow studied the text and went back and forth between it and her laptop. *Goddess, what does this mean?* Willow read and reread the passage several times: THE SMOOTHNESS OF THE TRANSFORMATION FROM HANDLER TO HEALER WILL DEPEND UPON THE ADVICE GIVEN BY THE WITCH.
Breanna glided back into the room quietly and sat down on the opposite side of the couch to Willow. "Is something wrong Willow?"
"AAAAAAA, I didn't hear you come in Breanna. I'm sorry. What more can you tell me about this prophecy?"
Breanna took the book from Willow and she read what was obviously the troubling passage. She took a deep breath before speaking. "Willow, you will have to tell Faith to stop fighting the change...or it could kill her."
"What change?...kill her? This is not good...this is way not good." *Buffy will kill us if anything happens to Faith.* Willow felt fear for Faith and herself deep down in her gut.
"Now that I know she is a Slayer, the rest of what I know makes sense. The leg injury she took earlier today...it was almost totally healed by dinner time, it has something to do with her being a Slayer doesn't it Willow?"
"Yes Breanna it does, and it comes in real handy for her and Buffy more often than either would like." Willow remembered many patch-up sessions with both Slayers in the past.
"Who is Buffy?"
"She is another Slayer and...Faith's girlfriend." Willow hoped that wouldn't turn Breanna against the brunette.
"But there is only suppossed to be one Slayer, I don't understand."
"Well, Buffy died for a minute and Kendra was called. Then Buffy came back. Kendra died in the line of duty and Faith was called. Together they have saved the world a few times...lot's of people owe their lives to one or both of them, including me."
"You know Faith pretty well don't you?"
"No, not really. I'm just learning about the person she is this time around." Willow turned all shades of red. *If all of us had taken the time to get to know her before...*
"Do you have any idea why she has such a low opinion of herself? She is beautiful, smart, funny and does a great service for people who for the most part will never know. It's a thankless job I would imagine."
"I don't know all the details Breanna, but she had abusive parents and her first Watcher died in front of her. Then she came to Sunnydale. She and Buffy clashed at first, then something bad happened...it was an accident, but we all reacted badly. We didn't support or help her. She turned evil for a while, but came back in the end. Buffy had to hurt her...she put Faith in a coma for two years. She just woke up a few days ago and both Buffy and Faith were finally willing to admit their feelings for each other. Then this damn prophecy happened...I'm really getting sick of all the prophecies we have been involved in. Someone always gets hurt...or worse." Against her will, Willow's mind went to Tara's death.
Breanna saw the pain and hugged the redhead tightly to her breast. "What was his or her name sweetie?" Breanna asked softly as she ran her fingers through Willow's hair, trying to comfort the young woman.
"Tara," was the one word answer given by the witch. She hiccuped a few times. She pulled back and looked into very concerned, non-judgemental eyes. "It was Faith who saw what was happening between us, she kinda talked to both of us and gave us a nudge. She was soooo right when she said, if we didn't try, we would have regrets, the 'what if's' later. We only had a short time together, but at least I have good memories and I don't regret anything."
ON THE PATH TO THE HOUSE
"Angel? Are you upset about the fact I am part of your real family?"
Faith asked quietly, afraid of the answer. She always expected the worst.
"Put me down Faith, but keep your arm around my waist for a minute please."
Faith did as asked. Angel took her face in his hands and he spoke softly, "You have always been part of my family Faith. Finding out today that you share the same blood..well... It's one of the memories I will cherish and haul out over the coming centuries, if I live that long. Considering what I am, your acceptance of me...all of me, that was and is very important to me. Breanna and you...are the only family members I care about."
Faith digested what Angel said and replied, "I think you're pretty cool...for a dead dude, and Breanna...she's the grandmother every body with a brain wants. I wish B were here to meet her." Thinking of B never failed to put a smile on the dark Slayer's face and now was no exception.
With Angel only limping slightly as they walked into the house, Willow came running out to greet them. "Angel you're hurt!" Then the witch noticed the drying green goop on Faith's pants as well.
"Faith, are you alright?"
"Yeah Red, I'm fine and 'Gramps' will be too. So, what has my favorite bookworm learned while we were gone?"
RING RING
Willow's cell phone rang and she answered it thinking, 'saved by the bell temporarily'.
"Hello? Oh hi Giles."
"Willow, I have more information for you regarding tonight's activities."
"Does it have to do with a transformation?"
Faith's eyes shot upwards as those words. "What are you talking about Red?"
"Faith, give me a minute and I will try to explain."
The brunette sat down, crossed her legs and pouted...letting all concerned know that patience wasn't one of her strong suits.
"Talk fast and explain faster Giles, Faith is glaring at me now."
"Well umm, yes. When the diamond explodes..."
Willow cut him off, "Explodes?"
Faith sat up and Angel looked at her too.
Giles continued on, "When it explodes a sliver will enter Faith, she needs to use her Slayer healing to absorb it. Under no circumstances must it be removed."
"Why not? That sounds dangerous to her and I won't be a party to that. Nevermind what Buffy would do to me."
"That sliver will pass along the last bit of magic from the gem. It is written that if accepted, it will grant the bearer great healing abilities."
'WILL, DON'T DO IT. PROTECT FAITH...YOU PROMISED." Buffy yelled and grabbed the phone out of Giles' hand.
"Buffy, I can't change what will happen. She will be fine, trust me." Willow prayed to God that it would be true.
"I don't like it Will. She is gonna be hurt...again." Buffy growled and Willow knew better than to lie.
"Yes, she will be. But only for a few minutes until her new healing ability kicks in."
That was the last straw for Faith. She grabbed the redhead and spun her around. "EXPLAIN...NOW!"
Willow swallowed heavily. Faith could be very intimidating when she wished to be. "Asliverofthejewelwillgiveyouhealingpowers," Willow said quickly before babble mode could take over.
"Wha...I'm gonna get a piece of the gem imbedded and get some kind of super healing?" Faith was understandably confused and a little scared as well.
Faith grabbed the phone out of Willow's hand. "B, I trust Red and if she says I will be fine...then I will be fine." *I hope.*
"I can't stand the thought of losing you Faith. Just knowing you are gonna be hurt scares the hell out of me. I wish I were there to help."
"I know B, but you have your duties and I have mine."
"I'm beginning to think you were right when you said 'duty sucks'."
Faith laughed, "Oh oh, B it looks like I have corrupted you."
"Needed it." Buffy said so soft that only another Slayer could hear.
Faith chuckled and silently agreed. "Don't worry so much. Remember your mother said we would be together when we are old and grey, so don't sweat it."
"Easy for her to say," Buffy grumbled.
"B, Red needs to talk mumbo jumbo with Giles. I promise I will call you when everything is over."
"Say hi to Petey for me. I can't wait to meet the 'man' in your life."
"B, there is something else," Faith said hesitantly.
"What?" Buffy wasn't sure she could take any more surprises.
"Well, it seems Angel and I are related by blood."
"What!?"
"His older sister, Faith, was my several greats grandmother." Faith smiled, picturing the incredulous look on her girlfriend's face.
Buffy and Giles were both shocked into silence for more than a few minutes.
Giles finally turned speaker up. "Are you sure about this Faith?"
"Yes, G-Man. Breanna put it all together earlier."
"Who may I ask is Breanna?" Giles took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"She is present land owner and is my grandmother...sorta. I'm part of the American branch of this family and she is head of the Irish branch."
"Indeed, I'm happy for you Faith. I know you have always wanted a family that cared about and for you." He was truly happy for the younger Slayer.
"I got that from friends first and I won't forget that G-Man. But this is wicked cool...ya know?" Faith's excitment was contagious.
Willow, Breanna and Angel smiled at happy brunette.
"Yes well, please try to concentrate on what needs to be done tonight."
"I will G-Man. No matter what it takes, I'm coming back to B...after this is all over."
"Then there is nothing else to say but 'good luck'. Please call us as soon as the deed is done. You know Buffy will be chomping at the bit and I don't relish being put up against the wall again...or worse."
"That's my B. I love ya B, and I will see you tomorrow afternoon... Oh wait G-Man, Willow wants to talk to B." Faith handed the phone to Willow and whispered to Breanna, "I will be in the studio."
"Hi Buffy, what's up...other than your blood pressure?"
Buffy turned the speaker off and put the phone to her ear.
"Not funny Will."
"Sorry, look Buffy why don't you just concentrate on finishing your Christmas shopping and buying Faith's birthday gift. It's not every day your girlfriend turns twenty-one."
"I know Will, it's tomorrow and I really wanna celebrate it with her."
"You will, I need to get back to the spell book now Buffy. We will call as soon as it's all over and everyone is safe here at the house. Bye Buffy."
"Bye Will, tell her I love her please."
"I will. Bye."
Willow turned to Faith, "She wanted me to tell you she loves you Faith." Willow grinned at the smile that produced on Faith's face.
"I think you all might want to take a short nap to replenish your strengths. Willow do you mind sharing a room with Faith?"
"Not at all Breanna. I think a little nap is a good idea. Come on Faith...snoozy time."
"I'm not tired Red, you go ahead."
"Ribbit...ribbit."
Willow had a pretty good evil eye too, Faith thought. "Uhhhh, yeah... a nap sounds good, coming mother." Faith laughed and followed Willow to the room upstairs assigned to them by Breanna.
"Angel, please follow me. You have seen enough of your sisters artwork to know real talent when you see it. You will, of course, say nothing to Willow." Breanna crooked her finger at Angel, inviting him to join in peeking at whatever Faith had done.
Angel nodded and grinned conspiratorily as he followed Breanna to the studio. There she showed him the masterpiece that Faith had created before dinner. The souled vampire stared and reached out to touch it.
"That is the most amazing thing I have every seen Breanna and if my sister were still alive, she would agree. Faith captured the hidden wildness in Willow and making her a Valkyrie was a great idea. It is Willow who holds us all together and heals the broken 'heroes'."
"She is amazing in her own way, just as Faith is and just as you are." Breanna's eyes sparkled and were full of life.
"Breanna, will you tell your son that I will cover all costs for Peter's tests and operation."
"I told Faith that her money is no good here...neither is yours. That boy will receive the best possible care. How long have Faith and Willow know Petey?"
"Willow has known him for about two years...Faith for only one day."
"She bonded with him and it shows. I think she would be that protective of anyone she cares about."
"Yes, she would be. It's only now that people are giving Faith a chance. They are all learning that she is a good person, she just took a wrong turn. She corrected her mistake and paid for it as well. I guess I understand her best because she isn't the only one looking for redemption."
"You don't seem blood-thirsty. Why is that Angel?" Breanna was not being judgmental.
"I have my soul back, that's why I can feel remorse for all the killing and torturing I did for almost two hundred years." Angel's guilt played across his face.
"If you give me Faith's address in the U.S., I will send all of this to her. She should have it."
Angel wrote down Buffy's address and gave it to Breanna. "That's Buffy's address, and Faith lives there now too."
"Willow told me that the two Slayers are a couple. Are they happy?"
"Yes, they are. But their first date was interrupted by the creep that kidnapped Peter. He burned Faith's hand, shot her later that night and generally pushed all of her buttons. I just hope her hatred of him doesn't cloud her judgement when we fight him tonight."
"I think Faith will do whatever is necessary to save that little boy and to defeat the evil that is here." Breanna had her hands on her hips and a look of absolute confidence in her guests.
They walked back to the library and were met by Dr. Brian Liam. After introductions were made, Angel told him about Petey.
"Bring him to the hospital tomorrow morning at eight o'clock and I will do the tests. If there is anything that can be done, I will do it. I have to be in New York next month and Los Angeles the week after that. Would I be able to meet this woman who is so hooked on a deaf kid that she would come all the way here to save him? She sounds like an amazing young woman."
"She is part of our family Bri. Her full name is Faith Winters." Breanna gave a knowing look to her son.
No one heard Faith walk in. "Are you Dr. Brian Liam?"
"Yes, I am and you must be Faith." He held out his hand and Faith shook it. "You bring the boy to me tomorrow morning and I will do the tests. Please come to the third floor, west wing, by eight o'clock."
"We'll be there. I'll find a way to pay you, I promise." Faith was happy that Petey would be tested. She just had a gut feeling that Petey could be helped.
"Listen to me Faith, I go around the world seeking out kids to help. This boy is going to be helped...period. I do this free of charge. It's my way of giving something back. My mother was right, your money is no good with me. Just be there with him and I will take it from there. Understand me though, if there is nothing I can do...I will not sugar coat it."
"Good thing Doc, I prefer the absolute truth. I know bullshit when I hear it. I used to be pretty good at it myself, but I have changed." Faith looked away for a moment until she felt both Breanna and Angel pull her into a hug. Faith was getting used to being hugged and she liked it. "You guys are the best, thank you from me and Petey."
The hairs on the back of Faith's neck stood on end.
< You have done very well Faith. I'm proud of you. >
"Joyce! How bad is Petey hurt and don't say he isn't because we found his coat and the sleeve had blood on it."
Breanna and Brian looked at empty air wondering who Faith was talking to. The look on their faces showed their curiousity.
"Joyce, can't Breanna and Brian see you?"
< No dear, only you and Angel. I can only be seen by people who knew me. But I believe they will be able to hear me, hang on. >
Angel smiled and waited, he knew Joyce would find a way to make her presence known to their hosts.
< Breanna, Brian...my name is Joyce Summers. I was Buffy's mother and a kind of second mother to Faith for a short time. >
The old woman and her son turned around and around. "Ummm, hello. Welcome to our home Joyce." Breanna had remembered her manners.
< Thank you, I can't stay long. I only came to give Faith a message. >
"From Buffy?" Faith's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
< Not this time Faith, sorry. After you all manage to contain the immortal demon, you MUST listen to Willow and do exactly what she tells you. Promise me Faith. >
"Okay Joyce, I know Red wouldn't deliberately hurt me."
Willow walked into the room and upon seeing Joyce, promptly fainted. Brian moved to catch her but was beaten by Angel and Faith.
"Mrs. Summers?" Willow said groggily.
< Yes, Willow. You know what you have to do after the containment. Faith will listen to you, she gave me her word. >
"I will make sure she does Joyce." Willow said in a strong voice.
"So will I Joyce," Angel agreed with the redheaded witch.
"Someone wanna tell me what the fuck is going on? Like, right now!"
Faith knew Willow knew more than she was letting on and that it had to do with a transformation that would take place inside herself.
< When the time is right, you will know Faith. I wouldn't have been able to show you your future with my daughter if you didn't have one. Therefore I know you did listen to Willow when you needed to. >
"Chaneling Yoda again huh Joyce. Neither you or Willow are going to tell me what I want to know, are you?"
< No, dear. But remember...Buffy loves you. I have to get back to her and Giles. I will see you all after you succeed. >
Joyce vanished, and the Sunnydale contingent just shook their heads.
"Is she gone Faith?" Breanna asked softly, not wanting to insult the woman if she was still here.
"Yeah Gran, she's gone...til the next time." Faith gave a forced laugh.
BACK IN SUNNYDALE
Buffy began patrolling, her mind was not totally on the job at hand. Suddenly she felt herself being rudely brought out of her musings and tossed through the air.
*Faith would freak at my lack of concentration...then beat the crap outta them. I could use a good workout. Let's boogie.*
She sprung back from the tombstone she landed on and staked the foolish vamp. Several more came out to play. Buffy needed an outlet, the vamps were it. She beat the holy hell out of each and every one before staking them.
*What a rush, Faith was right. Slaying can be useful for the Slayer not just the innocents we protect. Faith, I love you...are you alright?*
IN BREANNA'S LIBRARY
Faith felt something through the Slayer bond. *Pain...B hurt her shoulder.*
"B!" Faith steadied herself against the wall.
Both Willow and Angel swung around with cell phone in hand. Faith grabbed Willow's and called B on her cell phone, hoping that Buffy would answer so that she didn't have to call Giles.
IN THE CEMETARY IN SUNNYDALE
RING RING
Buffy prayed it wasn't Giles with another problem for Faith.
"Hello?"
"B! What happened to your shoulder? Why are you worried? What's wrong?"
"Faith, slow down. Vamp caught me off guard and my shoulder is only bruised. I'll be fine soon. I'm worried about you and what will be happening very soon. I hate not being there to back you up."
Faith smiled and started to breath easier. "I'm not real happy about not being there to help you patrol. Make sure Giles checks out your shoulder."
"So how is your new family?" Buffy knew Faith would be over the moon if not for Peter's disappearance.
"They're great B. The Doc is gonna test Petey before we come back tomorrow." Faith saw Breanna motion that she would like to speak to Buffy. "B, Gran wants to talk to you."
"Gran?" Buffy was curious about a woman that Faith obviously cared about and in only one day. *Well that's all it took for Petey to get to her.*
"Breanna Liam, our hostess with the mostest." Faith handed the phone to Breanna.
"Hello Buffy, I know Faith is very worried about you...and cares very deeply. I hope you know how lucky you are to have her heart young lady. If you ever make her cry...I will make you cry."
Buffy swallowed, "Yes M'am, I understand." *Faith finally has a family that loves her for her. I'm happy for her, but I better be careful. Gran sounds very protective of my girlfriend.*
Faith growled, "Gran I love you...but if you ever threaten B again..."
"You better let me calm her down Breanna."
The woman handed the phone to Faith.
"It's okay Faith, she just wants to protect you. That's what a real family does. I expected something like that. Don't you remember what my mother said the first time she met you?"
"Yeah, I'm just not used to having a family that cares about me...really cares, ya know?"
"Well get used to it. Now you have your family of friends and blood relatives too. I still can't get over that you are related to Angel." Buffy thought that Angel and Faith were close as friends and wondered if being related would change that.
"Does it bother you B?" Faith asked softly.
"No Faith, after the shock wore off...it kinda made sense. I told you that you and Angel were a lot alike. Now we know why."
"B, we need to get your mother to stop hanging out with Yoda. She keeps popping up and giving me confusing messages about what will happen tonight. I think Red knows a lot more than she is willing to tell me." Faith walked out of the library, out the front door to gain more privacy.
"Are you scared Faith?" Buffy hated not being able to take her girlfriend into her arms to comfort her.
The affirmative reply was said so softly that only another Slayer would have heard it.
"Petey is hurt...and I can't find him. I know he is close by. And the bastard did hurt him. Red found his coat and the sleeve had blood on it." Faith growled.
"He will be fine Faith. You WILL rescue him, deal with the baddie and then come home to me for Christmas." Buffy almost let it slip that she knew the twenty-fourth was Faith's birthday and that a party was planned at Giles' and the later at the Bronze.
"When you say it like that, I almost believe it B." Faith wanted more than anything for things to go like Buffy said they would but was afraid that she would screw things up.
"You listen very carefully to me Faith."
"I always do B."
"Good...I LOVE YOU! And if you don't come back to me, I will drag your gorgeous ass outta heaven, and tie you to my bed and lose the key permanently." Buffy huffed.
"Don't think you would find me there B. I would end up in some nasty limbo because heaven doesn't want me and hell is afraid I'll take over."
"We are really gonna have to work on that self depreciation you have going there. Hang on, something is moving over there." Buffy swung out with her left foot and connected with...Giles.
"Bloody hell, that hurt Buffy. I was worried about you, so I came to look for you." Giles said while rubbing his shin.
"B?...B are you okay?" Faith was getting frantic. She had heard Buffy connect with something.
"Yeah Faith, it was Giles and he is doing a little 'not happy' dance at the moment. My foot kinda connected with his shin." Buffy snickered and tried to put an innocent look on her face.
"Poor G-Man. Ask him if I can have the next dance." Faith laughed.
"K, hang on. Hey Giles, Faith wants to know if she can have the next dance?" Buffy almost lost it when she saw the look on her Watcher's face.
"Har, bloody, har. Give me that." Giles grabbed the phone out of Buffy's hand. "Faith are you sure that you are adequetly prepared for tonight's battle?"
"Yes, G-Man I think so. But it would be a hell of a lot easier if you and Red would tell me what's gonna happen to me. This transformation kinda weirds me out...ya know? I mean will I still be me?"
"Yes Faith, your personality will remain unchanged. I have it on good authority that you will be better than ever after tonight."
"Uh huh, and whose authority would that be?"
"Joyce."
"You don't play fair G-Man." Faith pouted.
"Never said I did Faith. Just do what you feel is right. I trust you." Giles realized that he meant every word and it felt good.
"Thanks G-Man, can I speak to Buffy again before I go?"
"Of course, please remember to call us when this is all over."
"I will."
Giles handed the phone back to Buffy.
"Faith be careful. I love you."
"I love you too B and you can bet I'll be coming home to you as soon as I'm able to. We will be at the airport around noon your time. I will have to return Petey to the orphange and work there for a few hours. It's his birthday tomorrow and I promised him I would be there." *Shit, one day's pay...maybe, won't buy anything good for B, Angel, Red or Petey. I have a drawing for Red, I wonder if B and the rest of my friends would mind if I gave them just a drawing?*
"Okay Faith, be careful tonight and call me as soon as it's over."
"I will, I promise B. Bye."
"Bye."
Buffy turned to Giles who was still limping. "Giles, I'm sorry about that...and everything else. I know I am worried about Faith, but that is no excuse for going postal on you. I don't understand why I am so worried. I mean Faith can take care of herself and she has Willow and Angel for backup. It's just..."
"I think I am beginning to understand Buffy. Did Faith know about you hurting your shoulder?" Giles knew that Buffy would never hurt him deliberately.
"Yes, how did you know she knew about that?" Buffy was beginning to think along the same lines as Giles. *Our bond, it's acting wonky.*
"I believe your Slayer bond is transmitting your emotions to each other and feeding off of it, making it a lot more emotional for each of you. We will need to work on teaching you both to filter out each other when not together."
"But Giles, feeling each other is a good thing. We can, if in the same city, go to each other's aid." Buffy wanted desperately to make their bond work for them, not against them.
"You need to learn how to selectively filter what passes through your Slayer bond.
AT BREANNA'S HOUSE
Faith walked back inside and not watching where she was going, knocked Willow on her ass.
"OW!...again." Willow complained as she jumped back to her feet, rubbing her butt.
"Sorry Red, mind was elsewhere."
"Yeah, listen to me Faith. I think your Slayer bond is messing you up. You feel everything Buffy is going through, which means she feels everything you are. You will need to learn to control your emotions and what you send through the bond. Maybe Giles can help when we get back."
"That never happened before...why now Red?" Faith was genuinely curious. She thought she knew, but needed confirmation.
"Probably because you love each other and you both know it...now. You worry about each other more and being thousands of miles apart and preparing for a battle doesn't make it any easier."
"This love thing is getting really complicated," Faith groused.
"It's worth it Faith, just hang on a little while longer."
"How much time do we have before I have to do whatever it is I'm supposed to do?"
"About three hours, why?"
"I'll be in the studio...knock before coming in." Faith walked away as visions of portraits danced through her head.
Faith walked into the studio, closed the door, went over to the drawing she had created for Willow and gently ripped it off the large pad. She grabbed a long tube, rolled the picture up and put it in the tube and then capped it. She wrote Willow's name on it and put it where she could find it.
Faith knew what she wanted to draw for Angel's gift, but she had to seek out Breanna first. So she started drawing the Summers' family instead. She quickly finished with the Joyce and Dawn part of the portrait and sat back. Feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, she didn't bother to turn around.
"Hello Joyce, more messages that make no sense?"
< No dear. I came to see the artist at work actually. >
"I don't have any money to buy gifts this year, so I thought...maybe people would like...nevermind, it was a stupid idea." Faith reached for the picture she was working on, but her hand was stayed by Joyce.
< Don't you dare do anything to that picture Faith. It's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. But where is Buffy in it? >
"I haven't added her yet. You mean that Joyce? You really like it?"
Faith thought that Joyce would not admit it if she hated it.
< No Faith, I don't like it...I love it. > Joyce smiled at the nervous young woman.
Faith blushed and was drawn into semi solid arms for a needed hug.
< Why didn't you ever draw before? >
"Was too busy being a bitch." Faith tilted her head and gave a quirky smile. "Did you know it's a family trait? Being able to draw I mean?"
< No Faith, I didn't know you are part of this family until now. >
"Family...what a great word." *Never thought I would think or say that.* "Joyce, will you go be with Buffy when the fight goes down. Our Slayer bond is acting kinda wonky and she may feel whatever I do and if Giles is around, he may get hurt."
< Are you sure that's what you want Faith? You know I can't help fight, but I could cause a split second of confusion when needed. >
"I appreciate that Joyce, but please go to B." Faith wanted Joyce as far away from whatever was gonna happen and she knew Giles would need all the help he could get handling Buffy. *This transformation, no one will tell me about will probably hurt like hell and B will feel it. I need to talk to Red.*
Faith quickly added Buffy to the picture and shaded the whole thing.
< Add yourself to that picture Faith, you are part of my family too. >
"I will do one of B and me later. This is just the Summers' family. I did one for Red, wanna see it?" Faith asked smiling.
< Twist my arm. > Joyce laughed.
Faith pulled the picture out of the tube and handed it to Joyce.
< My god Faith, this fantastic. If I were alive, I would make the gallery buy this. >
Faith's stunned look caused Joyce to put her arm around her.
< You have more talent than half of the artists that made most of the artsy fartsy stuff hanging in the gallery. >
*Artsy fartsy?* Faith burst out laughing. "Joyce you really are one in a gazillion. Thank you for your confidence and just for caring about me."
< I promise you Faith, Peter and all members of your 'Triad of Trouble' will be just fine, Now I will go keep an eye on my hyped up daughter. >
"Thanks Joyce."
< One more thing Faith...Yoda says may the farce with you. >
Faith smiled as Joyce faded out. The brunette rolled the new picture up and put it into a tube and labeled it B. She ran back into the main part of the house looking for Breanna.
"GRAN?"
Breanna came out of the kitchen, "Yes dearheart?"
"When you showed Angel his sister's artwork, was there a self portrait?" An idea was beginning to take shape in her head.
"Yes, come with me." Breanna hobbled in the direction of the library. Faith scooped up the old woman and carried her into the room and set her down gently on the sofa.
"Can you describe her to me please, and I will look through this stuff...if you don't mind that is?"
"Not at all dear. She looks a lot like you actually, but she had green eyes."
*Like B. Don't go there now Faith.*
Faith went through the paintings first, and then the sketches. She found a sketch that looked amazing like her. She brought it out and showed it to Breanna. "Is this her?"
"Yes, it is. May I ask what you are going to do with it?"
"I want to create a picture with both of Angel's Faiths. You probably think that's a crazy idea huh?"
"Not at all young lady and this constant putting down of yourself is going to stop...right now!" Breanna took Faith's face in her hands. "I don't know or care what happened in your past. I see a very beautiful, talented young woman. That's all anyone sees now. The past, whatever it was, is the past. Leave it there."
"Where have you been all my life Gran?" Faith loved the feeling of being loved and of being a part of a family.
"Right here dear, waiting for you. You know Faith, when I was a wee child a gypsy woman told me that late in my life a long lost family member would come home. So you see dear I have been waiting for you for almost eighty years."
Faith's mouth dropped open, "Sorry I'm late Gran." Faith cracked.
"Better late than never dear." Breanna hugged the overwhelmed young brunette. "Now bring the rest of those sketches over here and I will point out your ancestress at various ages."
Faith grinned and handed Breanna a stack of drawings. Breanna flipped through them until she found the one she wanted. "This is your great great great great grandmother...Faith Liam."
Faith took the drawing and held it reverently. She drew in a deep breathe and looked at it. "WOW GRAN! I really do look like her kinda."
"Yes dear, she was and you are a beautiful young woman. Now be gone with ya and Faith?"
"Yes Gran?" Faith spun around to give her full undivided attention to Breanna.
"Would you consider doing a portrait of me?"
"I'll get right on it Gran, after I do the one for Angel."
"Thank you dear, I expect you to sign it with your full name and todays's date if you please."
Faith jokingly saluted the old woman and headed back to the studio.
Willow walked into the library and came over to sit beside Breanna. "Did you get through to her? Will she stop doubting herself?"
"I don't know if she will ever totally trust herself, but she is better now. If she comes out of the studio before the battle, give her your phone and let her call her girlfriend. Maybe this Buffy can calm her down some."
*Or heat her up. Oh goddess, did I really think that?* Willow blushed several shades of red all at once and Breanna didn't miss it. She just smiled. "I found a book I think you should have."
Breanna handed Willow a very old book. Willow looked questioningly at the old woman.
"This book is over two hundred years old dear. It has several centuries of Wicca knowledge in it."
"I...I can't take this Breanna. It's...it's special to your family." Willow stuttered nervously and played with her hair.
"Listen to me young witch. Faith is part of your family without having the same blood, is she not?"
"Yes, she is...but..."
"But me no buts missy, you are part of this family too. I know you will use what is in there for only good. But you must promise me to give it to Faith's child, if there is one that shows an interest in magic."
"I promise Breanna." Willow carefully opened the book and saw that it contained spells, star charts and celestial observations, as well as lists of ingredients for healing poultices. Most were written in latin, which Willow could translate with a program she designed.
IN THE STUDIO
Faith closed her eyes for a few moments, picturing exactly what she wanted to do before picking up the pencil. She sketched her ancestor first, rubbing out and redoing it several times until she was satisfied. She stood back a few feet and gazed at it critically.
*Not bad, if I do say so myself.* With her ancestor on the far left, she added Angel in the middle and then herself on the right. Both Faiths were in semi-profile and Angel was facing outwards. His hands joined the brunette's across time.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Who is it?"
"It's me Faith," Willow answered. "Can I come in?"
"Yeah Red, I need your honest opinion."
Willow came in and saw the drawing that Faith had just finished.
"WOW Faith, that's beautiful. Is that Angel's sister?" Willow could see the family resemblance between all three people.
"Yeah, we kinda look a bit alike huh? Do you think Angel will like it? I don't have money for Christmas presents this year so I..."
"He will love it Faith. Got one for me too?"
"Of course Red, but you won't see it til Christmas day."
Willow pouted and then smiled, "Okay Faith...I can wait." *It's only two days...it's only two days...*
"Red I need to ask you for a really big favor." Faith chewed her bottom lip.
"Name it Faith."
"Tonight...when we...if I...B..." Faith couldn't even get the words out.
"You are not gonna die tonight Faith, I promise you. Follow me."
Willow took Faith by the hand and led her back to the bedroom they were in earlier.
"I don't need a nap Red. I'm too keyed up to sleep." Waves of nervous energy radiated off the young Slayer.
"I know that, I just thought maybe you would like some privacy to call Buffy." Willow handed the dark girl her cell phone and closed the door on her way out.
Faith grinned as Willow closed the door behind her. *Red seems to know just what I need...before I even know what I need. She really is amazing.*
Faith hit the speed dial and hoped Buffy still had her cell phone on. Being mobile would be necessary for what she had planned.
RING RING
Buffy pulled out her phone, "Hello?"
"Hey B, how's my girl?" Faith said in a sultry voice.
"FAITH! Is everything okay?"
"Yes, I just wanted to talk to you and maybe try something before the big fight. Where are you right now and what are you wearing?"
Faith's voice dripped with desire, something Buffy didn't miss.
"I uh..." Buffy felt Faith's voice play on every erotic nerve she had in her body, from the tip of her toes to the blonde roots on the top of her head. *Where am I, good question.* Buffy shook her head and looked around. "I'm in the guest bedroom at Giles', and since I just got outta the shower...I'm only wearing a towel at the moment."
The Dark Slayer had no problem picturing her beautiful girlfriend naked. After all, it sure as hell wasn't the first time. Faith groaned, "Damn B, I really wish I were there with you." Faith could feel her juices running down her legs already.
"God Faith, I want you so much. I swear, when you get back, you're not leaving my arms." Buffy was panting, her need was beginning to overwhelm her.
"Lemme try something...if it works, it might just help that itch we both have. Are you game?" Faith had stripped her clothes off while talking to Buffy and was ready...oh soooo ready.
"Lay it on me." Buffy thought it would be more phone sex. But Faith had other ideas.
"Okay B, drop the towel and lay down on the bed for me." Faith licked her suddenly dry lips. Picturing the gorgeous blonde was making her very horny and she knew they both needed relief.
"Done, now what?" Buffy was as anxious as her dark counterpart. Her right hand was slapped by her left as it slid down between her spread legs. *Gotta wait...Faith say something, do something...oh god, so wet.*
Faith smirked, sucked on her fingers and started rubbing around her nipples causing them to stand up nicely. *Christ B! Gotta have you.*
Buffy's nipples responded and she gasped out loud. "Faith! what...oh god that feels so real." Buffy squirmed beneath the loving touches she felt coming from Faith.
Faith closed her eyes and imagined that she was kissing Buffy, she licked the blonde girl's bottom lip before sending her tongue in to do battle with Buffy's willing tongue. *God I can almost taste her.*
Both girls moaned. Their Slayer bond was working just as Faith hoped it would. The dark girl put her phone on speaker so she could use both hands to please her girlfriend. *This use of the bond is so not in the Slayer's handbook. I should know, I read the damn thing.*
She slowly slid both hands down her sides and back up to her ample chest. Cupping her breasts, she squeezed lightly and rubbed the now rock hard nipples. *B and I could write a whole new handbook...okay mind, now is not the time to be thinking of any fucking book.* Faith moved her hands down on her body, using her baby fingernail to dig into the skin, leaving a red mark that would disappear in minutes.
Feeling the phantom touches was Buffy's undoing. Her primal Slayer wanted out, and out she came with a growl. "Faithhhhhhhhh."
Faith matched the blonde growling and letting her primal side out.
"Fuck me B, I can't wait." Faith slipped two fingers into herself and went straight for the smooth patch. Buffy came off the bed arching her back. When she came back down, she inserted two fingers into herself. Faith came off the bed this time. "Oh god B, yeah...there...harder..."
Buffy rubbed her hot spot rapidly bringing Faith to the edge in no time. Faith pictured her lover and sent the picture of her licking her girlfriend slowly. Both girls were covered in sweat and gasping for breath. Faith tweaked her nipple and Buffy returned the favor.
"Faithhhhhhhhh...I'm gonna...."
"Right with ya B..."
Both girls were riding fingers, not caring who's they were only that they were pushing them both over the edge together.
"FAITHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Buffy dropped her phone as she came and she came harder than she ever had in her life.
Faith wasn't sure if she lost consciousness or not, but she knew her orgasm was the most powerful she had ever experienced.
DOWNSTAIRS
Willow blushed and Angel smiled when they heard Faith scream out B's name. At first Breanna was worried about Faith, thinking something had happened to the other Slayer. But looking at the embarrassed redhead, she realized what she had heard and she smiled.
"Well I always knew the Winters' clan were aggressively hot, but that was...anyone else need a drink?" Breanna wiped her forehead and went over to the bar.
IN FAITH'S ROOM
When Faith had recovered enough to talk somewhat normally, she took the phone off speaker and said, "Holy shit B, that was amazing, god I want to be there with you so badly baby."
"Amazing doesn't begin to cover what that was," Buffy said still gasping for breath.
"CU of SB." Faith laughed out loud, knowing she would have to clue B in on what that meant.
"HUH? For those of us who are still working on Faithese, I repeat... HUH?"
"Creative use of Slayer Bond, of course." Faith laughed again, but this time she heard her fellow Slayer joining her.
"Figures the Council wouldn't tell us about this usage. Can you see the old fogies if they knew?" Buffy giggled.
Faith wasn't sure which she loved more, Buffy's laugh or hearing her giggle like a little girl.
"Old farts would probably keel over, and then decide we need reprogramming."
"So we don't tell them. But I definitely wanna try that again sometime." Buffy breathed softly and it send shivers up Faith's back.
"Anytime B, I just want you any way I can get you, whenever I can have you." Faith knew she needed to get off the phone and soon. As much as she wanted to go again with her oh so sexy girlfriend, she also knew she needed her strength and stamina for what lay ahead. "B, as much as I hate to do it...I gotta go. I love you." Faith sent a kiss through their bond, a soft but passionate kiss that Buffy reciprocated.
"I love you too Faith. Come back safe."
"I will...bye."
"Bye." Now that their little interlude was over, Buffy's fears came back. She tried desperately to push them down, knowing that they would only hinder what Faith had to do. *This is the only way I can help her.* She quickly got dressed, intending to go downstairs and wait it out with Giles. Then she felt her mother's presence.
< She will be fine Buffy. >
"From your lips to God's ears." Buffy's hand went over her mouth the minute she realized what she had said.
Joyce just laughed. < You should know that she is just as worried about you patrolling alone as you are about her fight tonight. >
"Do you think I'm being over protective of Faith?" Buffy looked down at her feet.
< Yes. > Joyce smiled at her daughter, remembering what it was like to truly love someone and not be able to be with them.
"Mom!" Buffy yelled and tried to swat her mother's arm.
< Buffy, my darling daughter, I love you...you know that, but you know that Faith is a very capable young woman. She can look after herself and she has both Angel and Willow as backup. So yes, I think you are a little out of control worrying about her. But I do understand why. >
"Thanks Mom...I think."
FAITH'S ROOM
Faith stretched and smiled. She didn't remember ever feeling this good about herself or anything in her entire life. *Whatever it takes B, I'm coming back to you.* The dark haired beauty got up, took a quick shower and dressed. She came downstairs and went to the library, knowing that was where everyone was. When she walked in, she still had a silly-assed grin on her face.
Breanna's eyebrows went up and she smiled at Faith. Angel coughed and looked away. Willow blushed all known shades of red and quickly covered her mouth to block the giggles.
Faith caught on quickly and was totally mortified that her friends had heard her. Her face would have given Willow's hair competition. *Fuck me, they know what I was doing...well not know exactly, but...I need air.* Faith sucked in a deep breathe, licked her lips and silently slunk out of the room. "Uhhh, I need some air."
Angel stayed Willow, saying, "Let me." Angel went out to talk to Faith. "Faith, we didn't mean to embarrass you."
"I kinda think I deserved it Gramps. I just...she is...and...and.."
"She's Buffy, you love her. You both want, and need to be with her. What about that wouldn't any of us understand Faith?"
Faith looked up into eyes showing only understanding and caring.
"Thanks Gramps."
Angel reached into his pocket and pulled out the blue silk handkerchief. "You will need this soon...Grandaughter."
Faith took the package from and Angel and unwrapped the gemstone that would cause so many changes. "Looks kinda plain." Faith tossed the diamond up and down repeatedly, catching it with accuracy without looking. "Why don't you tell me what you know Angel, please?"
"I don't know much Faith. I didn't exactly pay much attention. I was too busy being a drunken lech. All I remember is that someday a 'Handler' would be born into our family and she would need this. It was supposedly made by a very powerful warlock. It was designed to imprison an immortal demon. If the demon is not contained and the sacrifice is made successfully, then hell on earth would be a picnic compared to what will happen."
Faith was quiet for a moment, the thoughtful look on her face kept Angel silent as well.
"I won't let you down Gramps, at least I hope I won't," Faith said quietly.
"That thought never entered my head Faith. As soon as I realized that you were the 'Handler', I knew we would be successful. When you want something Faith, you move heaven and earth to get it. You were right when you said everyone else is more worried about the demon and the prophecy. You are really only here for Peter, and taking out this demon is the only way. You would do anything for that kid. Your motives are pure and your anger is, for lack of a better word, righteous."
"Thank you Angel." Faith was not a woman of many words and Angel knew that. "Let's get this show on the road before I loose my nerve."
"I'll get Willow, wait here." Angel went back in the house, looked at Willow and said, "It's time."
Willow blew out a breath, took another deep one, let it go and nodded. "Wish us luck Breanna." The redhead stood up and put on her resolve face. *I can do this. Goddess protect us all.*
"May the family leprechaun rest on your shoulders dear."
Brian came running in to wish them luck also. "Willow, what is Peter's full name? I would like to try to access his medical records, if I can."
"Peter Hamilton. Thanks from me too, for helping Peter." Willow smiled as she followed Angel out to join Faith.
'The Triad of Trouble' was about to go into action. Not even thinking, the three joined hands as they walked towards the sacrificial alter.
Willow felt it first. An enormous amount of power emanating from the top of the hill in front of them. Both Angel and Faith growled, knowing the fight was about to begin. Faith pulled out the sword, and none too soon, as Willow screamed. "They're invisible. Faith at your left knee! Angel by your left shoulder!"
Faith swung her sword and felt it connect. The demon howled as it materialized. She had sliced into the gut, but it wasn't dead. Beheading it in one stroke, she looked for the next..."Red?"
"Behind you, waist level." Faith swung and the two halves of demon appeared before vanishing.
"Angel! Duck and roll." Willow's witch sight was only one of their aces in the hole.
Angel followed Willow's instructions and he felt the demon. He snapped the neck, it appeared and disappeared.
Suddenly an army of vampires came out of nowhere, using their speed to confuse and try to separate the fighters. Faith and Angel moved back to back in a classic fighting stance.
"In for a penny," Angel said.
"In for the pound. Duck!" Faith beheaded two vamps with one swing.
"Nice moves," Angel said as he took out three newbie vamps.
"Not bad yourself Gramps." Faith grunted as one lucky punch winded her temporarily. Angel took immediate offense at that and punched the vamp responsible before grabbing the extra stake inside Faith's coat.
The vamp dust was so thick that it caused both Slayer and Vampires alike to choke on it.
"Red, take cover...NOW!"
"Don't need to tell me twice, " Willow mumbled as she raced for the alter. She saw Peter cuffed to the large stone first, and unfortunately she saw the big bad second. He threw a fireball at Willow. She barely managed to shield herself in time. She could see that Peter been drugged. The distinctive odor of chlorophorm was still in the air.
Both witch and demon started mumbling Latin phrases too quick to be understood by any but the initiated. Red balls of fire formed in the demon's hands. A blue shield appeared around Willow and Peter, now that she was touching his bare arm.
Willow begin repeating what she had read in the book Breanna had given her. The demon shook it head as it fully showed itself for the beast it was. *OH SHIT!* was all Willow could think. "Uh...guys?" Willow croaked out.
"Little busy Red," Faith yelled back as she double dusted a couple of vamps that foolishy came in range. Faith took the split second to look, when her brain caught the sound and scent of fear coming from Willow. "OH FUCK! ANGEL? Can you get to Red?"
"Now is your time Faith...do what you we born to do," Angel grabbed her sword and started spinning it around faster and faster until it sang. Vamps went down by the dozen. "Father, this is for you. I knew this sword was meant for me somehow." Every last vamp went down before the singing sword and Angel's wrath.
"Aye, that it was boyo." Angel saw his father's ghost for a minute.
He saw forgiveness and pride in the old man's eyes. He dropped to his knees, the blood tears flowing freely.
Faith raced up to Willow. "Do your thing Red, I'm ready."
Willow begin chanting again, Faith pulled out the gemstone and the demon howled. He lurched forward to grab the diamond but Faith was quicker. "Faster Voo Do would be good Red," Faith said as she stayed just out of reach of the pissed off demon. Ducking fireballs and keeping the diamond away from it was taking all of her avoidance skills. The Demon managed to swipe across Faith's leg, the same one that was barely healed. It buckled and Faith lost her balance for a second and that was all the demon thought he needed. As Faith landed on her ass, Willow completed the spell.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" The demon was sucked into the gem that Faith still held. "About freaking time...uh, oh oh. I got a bad feeling about this."
Willow dove on Peter and covered him with her own body. She knew the gem was going to explode.
And it did.
KABOOMMMMM
Faith screamed as several shardes invaded her body. She was incompassed in a ball of swirling blue energy. It was as if she were in the eye of a hurricane, the debris from the diamond whipped around her without touching her, which she figured was a good thing. She was in enough pain as it was. She screamed continuously, twisting to the left and right as she was elevated off the ground. Angel came running up in time to see Faith floating just out of reach.
"Angel, break the cuffs on Peter. Let me handle Faith," Willow said in a tone that was meant to be obeyed.
Angel didn't move, he was staring at and trying to think of a way to help Faith.
"ANGEL! Help Peter." The redhead pushed Angel over towards the alter stone. "Faith, listen to me. Remember your promise to Joyce?"
"It hurts Red, make it stop...pleaseeeee...AAAAAA!!!" Faith begged.
"FAITH! DO YOU LOVE BUFFY?"
"Yes," Faith screamed.
"DO YOU WANT TO GET BACK TO HER?"
"Yes," Faith screamed even louder.
"Then do exactly what I tell you."
"Just make it stop...please Red...make it stop." By now Faith was covered in blood from the flying shards. She realized that they were coming out of her body to join the windstorm.
"Only you can do that Faith. You have to accept the one special shard. Let your Slayer Healing absorb it. You need to relax, and don't you curse me either."
"Sliced to shit, bleeding like a stuck pig, stuck in the middle of a windstorm of sharp things...and you want me to fucking relax?"
Willow smiled up at the hovering brunette, "Yes, actually, I do."
Faith stared increduously at the calm young witch.
Angel came back over to the two women. He gently set Peter on the ground and looked at Willow first, then Faith. He shook his head and put on his game face. *Thank god the kid is out cold. Faith, forgive me...this is necessary.* "SLAYER!!!"
Faith's head snapped up and she looked over at...the vamp form of Angel. Once Angel knew he had her attention, he changed back to the human form. He started doing the deep breathing exercises he had taught her. Slowly, he breathed in and out. Willow seeing what he was doing, joined in the deep breathing. Faith closed her eyes and tried to find her centre. She breathed in unison with her friends.
The whirlwind stopped and she came back down to the ground. The blue energy was still present, but didn't seem to hurt the bewildered young woman. All the shards had come out of her body now and fell harmlessly to the ground, except the one just above her right temple. Faith could feel the shard becoming one with her. *At least it doesn't hurt anymore.* She remained calm, as the shard became countsunk but the tip remained visible. At last Faith began to breath easier. She opened her eyes and put her hand on her still bleeding leg. Her eyes glowed with silver specs and the visible part of the magic shard also glowed. A minute later, she moved her hand and her leg was totally healed, as were the rest of the cuts and bruises she had sustained in the fight with the hord of demons and vamps as well as the fight with herself. She teetered and swayed until Angel caught her.
"Willow, pick up Peter and follow me back to the house. I will bring Faith." The souled vampire gently picked up the dark Slayer and headed back towards the house.
Faith whispered, "Did we do it? Did I make you proud?"
"Yes Faith, we did it and I have never been more proud of you than I am this minute."
"Petey? Oh god, is he okay? Where is he?" Faith began to panic.
"He's right here Faith," Willow turned around to show Faith the sleeping boy in her arms. "Don't freak out or anything, he's just asleep. He didn't see or...well he didn't see anything. Are you okay? How do you feel now?"
"Good...tired, so very tired," the dark girl cuddled in closer to Angel and she yawned several times in a row.
"Using your new healing ability has used up the last bit of Slayer strength and stamina you had left. You will be fine after a rest, I promise you Faith."
"M'K," Faith mumbled half asleep.
Angel hugged the obviously exausted girl to his chest and smiled as he watched her smile and fall asleep in his arms.
IN GILES LIVING ROOM
Buffy was wearing a hole in the rug from pacing back and forth. "Why doesn't she call, somethings wrong...I just know it."
Joyce smiled at Giles and they both shook their heads, it hadn't been easy keeping Buffy calm. Giles was now certain that Willow had somehow lessened the effects of the shared Slayer Bond.
< Nothing is wrong Buffy, as a matter of fact...they succeeded. They are all alright. Faith is a little tired, so she probably won't call immediately, that is if Willow can get her take it easy. >
"Go to her Mom, please. Tell her I love her and I'm so proud of her. And tell her to get her gorgeous ass home pronto." Both Giles and Joyce watched as the unseen weight was lifted from Buffy's shoulders.
< I will give her your messages Buffy, as well as your warm regards too right Rupert? > Joyce turned in time to see Gile wipe a tear from his eye. She knew he thought of both Slayers as pseudo-daughters. He had never shown it, but he had been just a scared as Buffy.
"Wha...successful...yes of course Joyce. Please tell Faith how proud of her I am. Is the child alright? The one Faith went after?"
< Yes, Rupert. Peter will be fine as well. He was knocked out, so he didn't see anything. That in itself is a good thing. And we all know that Faith will be there when he wakes up, so he will be a very happy little boy. >
Buffy grabbed the wall and sat down heavily on the couch.
"Buffy?" Giles rushed over to her.
< Her bond with Faith is at full uncontrolled strength again Rupert. She is feeling Faith's exastion. > Buffy closed her eyes and fell asleep on the couch. Giles covered her up with a blanket and gently kissed the top of her head.
"Rest well now Buffy, she will be home tomorrow."
Joyce was gone when Giles turned around.
AT BREANNA'S HOUSE
Breanna was waiting at the front door for her guests return. She saw the redhead first, caring a small child. "Brian, come quickly. The boy seems to be unconscious and Faith may be hurt again also."
When Angel came into view carrying the raven haired beauty, Breanna's breath caught in her throat. Angel saw the fear on the old woman's face and quickly explained that Faith was just asleep. The Sunnydale crew went upstairs and both sleeping people were placed on the same bed. Willow yawned as well and Breanna pointed to the closet and Angel brought out a cot. He put a pillow down for Willow, who thanked him and laid down and then sat back up as Joyce appeared in the room.
< You all did very well, especially Faith. Willow, I thank you for blunting the Slayer bond so that Buffy didn't feel everything. She was worried enough without feeling the pain that I know Faith went through. >
< The Powers that Be, have gifts for all of you. A kind of thank you as it were. >
"What gifts Mrs. Summers?" Willow asked barely awake.
< Well Willow, you gained one thousand years of Wicca knowledge. It will be there when you need it. > Joyce pointed to Willow's head. Joyce turned to Angel. < You Angel, will retain the ability to walk in the sun until your redemption is complete and you become totally human again. >
Angel smiled, being able to be part of the world meant a lot to him and he was grateful. When Joyce turned back to Willow, the only sounds in the room were light snores.
< Angel, it looks like it's up to you to call Rupert and give him the details of what happened tonight. I know Buffy is asleep, she was almost as tired as I'm sure Faith is. I hope they sleep til morning. Oh Angel, please walk downstairs with me. I would like to speak to Breanna and Brian before I go. >
Angel went downstairs and into the library. Breanna and Brian were waiting. "Breanna, Brian, Joyce is here and wanted to speak to you both."
"Welcome back Mrs. Summers." Breanna said. Whereas Brian looked all around.
< Thank you Breanna. Brian, I am in front of your mother. >
Brian smiled sheepishly and placed a wingchair approximately where he hoped the woman was.
< Thank you Brian, god it feels good to sit down. What I wouldn't give for a good stiff drink. >
Brian walked over to the bar, "What would you like?"
< I thank you, but unfortuneatly, I can't. >
"Angel, where are the girls? And that cute little boy?"
"They are all sleeping Breanna, I didn't want to wake them. Peter was drugged, but will be okay. Faith and Willow are exausted. I could go get them if you really want me too."
"No, let them all sleep. They've earned it."
"Joyce?" Breanna said tentively.
< Yes Breanna? >
"Would you please tell me why Faith is so down on herself?"
Angel saw the look that passed across Joyce's face and he nodded.
< She did a lot of bad things in Sunndydale. But, my daughter is partly to blame. A man was killed during a patrol...a human. Faith staked him when Buffy tossed him to her in the middle of a fight with vampires. Buffy freaked and wasn't able to help Faith deal with what happened. She went totally cold towards Faith. So Faith joined the other side...for awhile, but came back in the end and helped Buffy defeat the Mayor. She told Buffy the Mayor's weakness in a Slayer dream. Buffy stabbed Faith to stop her and Faith fell off the roof. She landed on a truck but had a severe head injury that left her in a coma for almost two years. She only woke up a few days ago. And thankfully, Buffy had forgiven Faith by then and they admitted their feelings for each other. Then, this prophecy happened, so they haven't exactly had much time together. >
Breanna sat quietly, absorbing what Joyce had told her. "Now let me get this straight, your daughter threw the man at Faith, but Faith is the one who was blamed by everyone?"
< Yes, Breanna, that is correct. I know that Buffy was as responsible for what happened as Faith, but I didn't know that then. You see, she also tortured me, Giles, Wesley and the Scoobies. The Mayor was evil, but he gave Faith what she needed...love and acceptance. >
"So your daughter is the reason Faith has very little self-esteem and doesn't trust herself or others?"
< Faith had trust issues when she first arrived in Sunndydale. Her family...sorry, her father beat and raped her on a regular basis and told her she was basically a piece of shit and she bought into that for years. But yes, Buffy made it much worse because Faith fell in love with her the first time she saw her. That's why I'm so happy they finally admitted their feelings for each other and I believe they will be happy together. >
"That man should be shot," Brian said angrily.
< He was...by Faith when she was fourteen. She went on the run for a year after that. She lived on the streets and did whatever was necessary to survive. Then her first Watcher found her and started to train her to become a Slayer. She was just a potential then. But her Watcher was killed in front of her and she had to run again. It took Buffy and Faith to kill the ancient vampire that killed the Watcher. The Scoobies started getting jealous of all the time Buffy spend with Faith. Then the Alan Finch thing happened, and you know the rest. >
"So Faith has never really had anyone who gives a damn about her." Breanna's anger was not something an intelligent person wanted to feel directed towards them.
< Believe it or not Breanna, before she went evil...I thought of her as a daughter. And even after what happened, I wanted nothing more for her than to get her act together and be the woman I knew she could be. I even told Buffy on my deathbed to forgive and try to work things out with Faith, if...when she woke up. >
"Why didn't you get to her before she went to that Mayor person?" Breanna stood up, hands on hips and stared at the seemingly empty chair.
< I had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and was trying to deal with Buffy and Dawn's reaction to the possibility that I would...not be there for them. Faith kidnapped and tortured me a few days later. I did try to reach her, but she was just so angry at everything that Buffy had and she didn't. >
"I'm so sorry Joyce, I didn't know." Breanna held out her hand and Joyce took it.
Breanna could swear she could feel a cool, smooth hand in hers.
< Faith is still learning that being happy is okay and sometimes there isn't going to be someone coming along to destroy that. >
"Your Buffy holds the power to make or destroy Faith...again. I hope she realizes how lucky she is to have something Faith has protected her entire life...her heart and trust."
< She does this time Breanna, why do you think she has been off the wall ever since Faith came here to battle the demon. Buffy wants so much to protect Faith from every evil that exists because she knows Faith won't ask for help. But I think that they are finally really getting to know each other and work together as a team. Only time will tell. I have to leave now, take care of Faith until she gets back to Buffy. >
"That goes without saying Joyce. She is family and I love her like a grandaugther."
Brian stood up, "I will help Peter somehow if possible and that will please her."
< Yes Brian, it will. Listen to me, you will give Peter about sixty percent of his hearing back. Faith can, with your help, restore the rest. With her new healing ability comes medical knowledge and being able to see the damage. >
"Can she not heal the boy fully now?" Brian asked.
< No, she doesn't have the experience or understand the knowledge she has...yet. If you explain step by step of what you will do, she will gain the understanding she needs. There is one more thing...it's Faith's twenty-first birthday...today. I really have to go now. Goodbye. >
"Angel, is she...?"
"She's gone Breanna."
"Faith's birthday! Brian go to Mrs. Murphey now, you know she has insomnia, and have her bake one of her famous Black Forrest Cakes. She can bring it here in time for Faith to have after she gets back from the hospital with Peter. Angel, when the stores open, will you pick up a few things?"
"Yes, I will. I feel bad that I didn't know it was her birthday. I never asked. I want to get her something special too."
Angel pulled out his cell phone and he made arrangements for Wesley and Cordy to send a special package to Buffy's address.
...continued in part 11...