Rebirth
by Lorri
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: All characters are owned by Joss Whedon, UPN, WB, mutant enemy and
other people who are very rich!
Spoilers: All of Buffy season five and Angel season two.
Other: This is the first thing like this I've ever written, and it hasn't been
beta read (so ignore the bad grammar and spellings!). I know it's very sketchy, in places
and a little disjointed. But I thought I'd post it anyway, I wrote it quite a while ago,
and I know another slayer obviously isn't caaled, I just needed it for this.
Faith was walking around one of the cemeteries in Sunnydale. The swagger was no longer there, or her passion for the ‘job’. About three weeks earlier Faith had been released from prison after intervention by Giles and the watchers council. They required Faith to return and kill the demons that had made it through the portal before Buffy had closed it.
Faith knew that none of the scoobie gang wanted her there. They still hated her, but some-one was needed to guard the hellmouth. Angel had visited regularly over the past weeks. He had this pitying look in his eyes. Knowing Faith was isolated again, and considered to be second best to Buffy. Faith also knew it hurt him to return, knowing Buffy had died because he wasn’t there. He had been in a demon dimension, in awe of the fact that he could be in the sun, and had a reflection. He felt a tremendous amount of guilt.
Faith hated being back. Everything reminded her of her one time friend. The girl she kissed during a dream while in a coma. When Angel had come to the prison to tell her about Buffy, she had already known something was desperately wrong. She could feel a part of her newly restored soul was missing. As soon as Angel had uttered the words, Faith had collapsed on the floor her body racked with sobs. Crying oblivious to everything going on around her, to Angel holding her. It had taken an hour for Faith to stop crying, and that was only because she had become numb.
When Giles had told her she was needed, Faith agreed to protect Sunnydale until the new slayer was ready. She couldn’t stay there with the memories.
Faith was staying the apartment the mayor had got for her. She only left its protection to go out on patrol. She lived in her own personal prison.
Today though Faith had received a phone call for Giles asking for her to go to the Magic shop before patrol.
When Faith got there she discovered everybody was there, sitting around the large circular table. Everybody except for Giles and Angel who were standing, having what appeared to be a heated argument.
When Faith walked into the shop it fell silent, and all eyes fell upon her. Some accusing, some concerned and some which were just neutral. What ever this meeting was called for she knew it was major.
Dawn was the only one to say hello as she walked towards the others. Faith turned towards Giles when he cleared his throat because it had made her jump. Everyone was silent, and the lack of noise made Faith nervous.
“Sit down Faith,” was Giles only instruction. He sat down opposite her and took his glasses off to look her in the eye. "We have something to discuss with you."
When Giles had finished explaining what it was the he had called her for, Faith was silent. She had a hundred thoughts swimming around in her head, and she couldn’t separate them. Angel came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to do this. It isn’t necessary.”
Faith stood up and turned around and looked Angel in the eye. “Yes it is.” Faith understood everything that had happened in her life, and why she had been released from prison. “It’s my chance of redemption. My only one.” The sadness was apparent in both pairs of eyes. Faith's however also had a calmness, mixed with steely determination. Angel wrapped his arms around her as they both began to cry. Both knew it was the only choice. Neither had cried since they had found out about Buffy’s death, and now they were crying about her rebirth.
Everyone else was shocked by the outflow of emotion from the pair. Both normally stoic to a strict degree. Both now crying in mutual understanding, that Buffy’s life was worth than Faith's.
Willow and Tara had discovered a spell to bring back the dead slayer. The only way this could be done was by draining Faith's blood as a temporal fold was created, much like Anya had created some years earlier. It would bring Buffy back from just before she died, but still shut the portal.
The gang were shocked when Faith agreed to allow herself to be killed in order to return Buffy to them.
Angel repeated that she didn’t need to do this. He new there was a large chance it wouldn’t work, and he didn’t want to lose Faith as well. Faith however looked at him and spoke softly to him. “You know I have to. Just like you would in my position. For the same reasons that I do.” Angel looked at her. Understanding. Love. They had both loved the charming and generous blonde. Faith felt like she owed this to her, for forgiveness, and to show just how much she loved her.
The scoobies were shocked when they realised just what it was Faith was saying. All except Xander.
“What does that mean?” Xander said a bit too loudly. He looked at Anya for the answer.
“It means she wants to be an orgasm friend of Buffy’s.” Everybody turned to look at Anya. Xander couldn’t believe what was being said, Faith loving something other than herself, not possible.
“Don’t be stupid Anya, like that what it meant.” Xander looked at Faith, Her eyes down cast and sad. “Oh God. She does. How?”
Faith felt very uncomfortable under their stares, and Giles came to her rescue. “I think the ritual can be done tomorrow night. If that suits everybody, that's all we have left to discuss.”
Angel left with Faith. Knowing it was best to get her out of there and try and talk some sense to her. He knew it wouldn’t change anything, but he had to try.
“I can’t believe they know how I feel about Buffy. Now they know I’m pathetic.” Faith sighed. “I’m in love with woman who’s life I tried to ruin continuously. If it wasn’t disgusting it would be funny.”
Angel placed a hand on Faith’s arm and turned her around. “There’s nothing wrong with that Faith. It’s been obvious all along how you feel about Buffy. You’re doing something honourable. But is it sensible? Can it work?”
Faith thought about what Angel was saying.
Once everybody had watched Angel lead out a brooding Faith, the scoobie gang all looked at each other. All eyes finally rested on Giles, who shifted under the gaze and cleared his throat.
“Buffy had an idea about Faith’s um, feelings, but she wasn’t sure. To some degree subconsciously, I feel the pair knew they had a bond, just couldn’t explain it. It probably scared Faith, it just confused Buffy. She came and spoke to me after the dream they shared, which Faith helped us defeat the mayor. Apparently Faith was about to tell Buffy about how she felt. When she thought there was no chance of her seeing Buffy again, but she woke up.”
“So what was with the body switching thing. And the trying to kill Buffy’s mum? A gesture of love?” Xander was more than a little confused. “Faith has never shown any sign that she knows how to love some-one, she incapable.”
“I don’t think we should be discussing this as Faith has agreed to carry out the ritual.” Giles took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. “However you need to remember we know nothing of Faith’s past before she moved here. Also she was an expert in concealing her emotions from all of us. Even Buffy most of the time. Angel however seems to understand her better than anybody.” Replacing his glasses Giles continued. “Now before tomorrow I feel we should go through the ritual again and everybody’s function. We do not want it to go wrong. We might get left with no slayer.”
Everyone grabbed a book as a result of Giles' glare, and went into research mode.
The following night they all meet up at Buffy’s gravestone. Faith had spent her day tying up her loose ends. Something productive the mayor had taught her. She had been the first to get there, and had been staring fixatedly at the head stone.
1981-2001
Beloved sister.
Devoted friend.
She saved the world
alot.’
It was so simple. But it said it all. Buffy was the only hero there had ever been in the history of the world. Faith knew this was something she had to do. She would have died to keep Buffy alive, and now she was dead, she would die to make her alive once more. To give the world back its hero, she could do it easily, she owed this to Buffy.
“How you doing?” Angel approached slowly with his hands in his pockets. A sad expression played across his features, more than just his normal brooding.
“I’m strangely fine, peaceful ya’ know?” Angel gave Faith a knowing nod. Faith looked uncomfortable for a moment, then looked at Angel. Pleading with her eyes, this was the major part of her unfinished business that she had to sort out. “There’s something I need for you to do Angel. I know you’ll do this for me. I wrote a letter to Buffy. Everything I couldn’t say. Look um.... I want you to give this to her.”
Faith brought out an envelope from her jacket pocket. She was very uncomfortable, Angel knew this. He took the letter from her placing it in his coat pocket and pulling her into a tight hug. “You know I’m proud of how you changed things, dealt with everything. I’ll give it to Buffy. I promise.”
“There’s something else Angel. I'm not too sure what will happen, but if there’s a body, I’d like to be buried here. In a warped way this is home. Well, more than Boston ever was. I don’t ever want to go back there.” Faith met her eyes to the 248 year old vampire who had saved her soul. He had a tear running down his cheek. “Don’t go soft on me big guy. You’ll look after B?” All Angel could do was nod as Faith felt the tears begin to trail down her own cheeks. This time she hugged Angel.
When they parted, the rest of the scoobie gang had arrived, and were aware they were intruding in an intimate moment between the once bad duo.
Faith wiped the tears away on the back of her hand, her other hand was tightly grasping Angel's. “OK, let's do this.” Faiths voice was shaky, and she could see the pitying look on all the eyes that looked at her.
Only one person approached her. Dawn, The sister Buffy died saving. “I know you have protected me since you got back. I know you did because you knew that's what Buffy would have wanted. You don’t have to do this. I’ll understand. Buffy won’t be angry.”
“I’m doing this for Buffy, and in some way you. You deserve to have her here. She deserves to be here. I know I’ve repaired some of the damage I did before. Not enough. I owe her this. Maybe she’ll forgive me.”
“Of course she will.” With that a crying Dawn reached up and hugged the once younger slayer, now the only slayer. That was soon to change.
When Dawn pulled away from Faith, she received a sad smile. “Time to begin.”
Faith walked over to Giles and Willow, who told her what she had to do. With that the ritual began.
Giles had a minor role in the ritual. Most was performed by Willow and Tara. The couple recited connotations, while Giles waffed around the necessary potions and incenses.
Both Angel and Dawn, who had hung back while the ritual was performed, were shocked to see the beam of light that shot out of the sky, focusing on Faith. The brunette began to convulse in pain, lightning shocking her body. Dawn tried to run out to her, but the ancient vampire was holding her back. It was too late to help Faith now. That’s when everything went dark.
Moments later light returned to the cemetery. It wasn’t a bright light, just the soft light from the moon. It was shining upon the two still figures on the floor. On light, on dark.
Giles knelt down to check on how Buffy was. He held up her wrist and looked for a pulse. He found one and smiled. “She’s alive.”
Angel hadn’t moved. When he did however he went to the other body. Faith’s. He would look after her body. No-one else would. When he picked her up, he heard a faint murmur. Angel nearly dropped his package in fright. Instead he reached round and felt Faith’s jaw line. There he found a pulse, a very weak one, barely there. At least she had a chance to live. If Angel had anything to do with it, she would.
“Faith's alive too, barely.” The rest were shocked by the announcement, most also looked relieved. Especially Dawn, she had liked Faith. “I promised Faith I’d look after Buffy.” Giles looked like he was getting ready to protest. “I want to keep them both at the mansion. You’re all welcome there. It's just,.. I want to keep my promise. I don’t know if she’ll make it, she deserves this from us. After what she did.”
Angel looked around the faces. All seemed to relent and allow him this. “You carry Buffy Giles, and I’ll take Faith.”
With that all set of to the mansion following the strong vampire.
When they reached the mansion, Giles placed Buffy on the couch that Angel found necessary to have. The latter however took Faith to his bedroom. He placed her softly upon his bed and took off her shoes, he also placed a blanket around her and left her there to rest. Angel went back into the living room, where he found everyone around Buffy. She looked as beautiful as she had the first day he had seen her from the protection of his blacked out car. She was still unconscious as Angel approached. He placed the blanket he had retrieved for her while he had got one for Faith on her, carefully wrapping it around her.
“I think everyone should get some rest, there’s some more blankets in the box over there.” Angel's suggestion was met by looks of agreement and exhaustion. All went of and tried to get some sleep on various chairs and parts of the mansion. Angel was the only one that remained up and awake. He watched over both girls all night.
After around five hours, he was sitting looking at Buffy, stroking the hair away which had strayed over her face. He saw Buffy move as if stretching, and her eyes open weakly.
“I didn’t know you could dream when you were dead!” There was irony in her voice. Of all the things she could dream about, she would still be with Angel. Isn’t life cyclical!
“You’re not dreaming sleepyhead. You're alive!”
Buffy looked at the beaming ex lover. Was he serious or was this turning into some weird nightmare. Was she to suffer at long death of torment. Angel saw the confused look on the blonde, she was cute when she looked like that. Focus Angel. “Giles and the others found a ritual.”
Buffy noted some sadness as he mentioned the ritual. “What did it involve? Do you really mean this? I’m alive?”
Angel nodded. He had to tell her sometime. “Can you get up?”
Buffy nodded and got up. As soon as she did she begun to topple backwards. She yelped, and Angel reached out and caught her. They silently agreed he would help her. He led her to his bedroom and over to his bed. When they got there Buffy saw the still body of the brunette. She sat on the side of the bed, and reached up to Faith's cheek and run her hand over the soft skin, “So cold.” She said softly, wondering what Faith's involvement had been.
“She was required for the ritual. She had been in Sunnydale, defending it against what got through the dimensions. Her blood was required. We thought it would kill her.”
“She did this knowing she would die?” Buffy didn’t take her eyes off of Faith, but felt Angel nod. “Is she, I mean did she.”
Angel knew what Buffy was asking, “No she seems to be fighting.” She thought she would die, so she sorted out her affairs, tied up loose ends as she put it.” Angel took the envelope out of his pocket. “She asked me to give you this,” he gave the envelope to Buffy and walked out of the room.
Buffy couldn’t believe what was happening. She had surrendered to death, she had peacefully accepted it. Now she was alive again, and Faith had sacrificed herself for that. She might still live, but Buffy was confused by what Faith had done. She looked at the envelope. All it said on it was B, written in Faith's handwriting, though more carefully than usual. Buffy opened the letter and began to read.
B,
Even now I don’t know what to say to you. Firstly I should say welcome back to the land of the living! There’s a lot of people who have been waiting for you to come back. I’ve done my best while you were away, I tried to look out for Dawn. She’s fine as you know, she got a lot of spunk, what I imagine you were like when you were younger!
However this isn’t really what I want to say, well write. I’m not good at this ya’ know, touchy feely stuff, but I’m gonna try. I want to get this out the way while you can’t beat me to death. I’m sorry. So sorry, I was very stupid, idiotic even.
I pushed you away, I don’t know why. I don’t want to make excuses for what I did, but! When I killed Finch, I felt so alone, I know it was self inflicted. I never really talk about how I feel or about my past. This letter I hope will do both.
Fuck, I’ve been sitting here for an hour thinking what to put next. About when I was a kid. I know I never really talked about the bitch from hell, AKA my mom. Can you tell I didn’t like her much! She was an alcoholic, she beat me when she got drunk, which was 24 hours of the day. I bet you can’t believe it, tough Faith getting beaten up by an alcoholic, pathetic isn’t it. That wasn’t the worst of it, it gets worst. I used to let, well I wouldn’t quite say let, he boyfriends screw me, rape me. I was only about 8 when it started, I didn’t really understand what was happening, it just hurt like hell and was wicked scary. I proved them right, I grew up to be everything they said I’d be. A murderous whore. You didn’t treat me like that B, I don’t know why that scared me, but it did. I have major trust issues, probably because of what happened, and I couldn’t let you see how weak I was Buffy. I just couldn’t, I’m sorry for loading this all on you. Especially as you’ve just returned and all.
Anyway, my mum died when I was 12. After that I was put into an orphanage in Boston. All the stories you hear B, they’re all true. I hated it, I kept running away but I kept being taken back by the cops, that always made it worst. When I was about 15, the council adopted me, and I went to live with my watcher. She was wicked strict. It was great! At least she cared, the first person to. Then she got sliced and diced by Kakistos. That’s when I came to Sunnydale.
I knew we didn’t get along at first. Even then I was jealous of what you had. I don’t know why, you reached out to me when you got used to me being there. You tried to teach me and help me. I was just the bitch I always had been.
I’m so sorry B. I did care when I killed the deputy mayor, I just didn’t want you to see what a failure I was! You see, I love you.
When you’ve stopped rolling around in laughter, I’ll continue.
I always loved you. From the first time I met you. I'm not the sappy type to believe in love at first sight... but with you that's what happened. I know I done all sorts of horrible things to you and all the scoobies. I can’t justify any of it, I was just unhappy and a little insane, (only a little!!).
You probably want to know why I agreed to the ritual. The world deserves to have you in it. Not me, you're the hero, always have been. Saved the world a hundred times. Now it's my turn to do the same. I’ll bring you back, no one could ever replace you Buffy.
I know you Buffy, I bet you're laughing again. I know you have a good heart. And I hope one day you can forgive me. You can’t deny a girl her dying wish can you?
Again with the sappiness. I suppose it’s OK as it’s not as if I have my hard image to protect!!
I will love you always
good luck
Faith.
Buffy was crying when she finished reading the letter, there was weak attempts of humour by Faith in places, but Buffy knew that was the most honest she had been about her feelings to anyone. Buffy looked at the vulnerable looking girl laying on the bed. She was there because of Buffy, because she had been willing to die for Buffy. That told the blonde that Faith had loved her, more than any words. It was the words she would have rather of had however.
As she sat looking at the peaceful brunette, she became aware of how tired she was. She didn’t want to leave Faith’s side however, not until she woke up. With this in mind she decide to lay on the bed. She laid to the side of Faith with her head on her shoulder, and her arm around her waist. With the letter clasped in her hand she fell asleep, holding onto Faith.
Angel was sitting on the sofa when he heard a noise from behind him. He turned around and saw Giles, he was approaching while rubbing his eyes, he hadn’t slept.
“Where is she?” Giles looked worried, thinking of the possibilities.
“She’s in the room with Faith. I told her what happened.” Angel looked up at the watcher with a sad look. “Faith wrote her a letter, just before, ya’ know? I gave it to Buffy when she came around.”
“Oh, how long she been in there?” Giles was curious as to what Faith would say to Buffy when she thought she would never see her again.
“About an hour, think I should go check on her?” Angel suddenly became worried. What if something had happened while he was brooding. He looked up to Giles to see what his decision was.
“Let's both go, I’d like to see how she is.”
With that both got up and walked pointedly towards what was Angel's bedroom. When they got there, they saw the blonde laying wrapped around the brunette as they slept. Angel went up to both and checked their pulses. Buffy’s was still strong, while although Faith's was still weak, it was getting stronger every minute.
“They’re fine.” Angel confirmed for Giles while reaching for a blanket. Giles however wanted to check his adopted daughter was OK for himself. He walked up to her brushed the hair away from her eyes. Those eyes began to stare up at him and he smiled.
“Hello. How are you? you look OK.” Giles was worried in case Buffy was angry at what they did. He also knew that Faith’s letter may be confusing her.
“Fine, considering.” Buffy wasn’t quite sure how she felt. She had surrendered to death, and now had to get used to living again. Living knowing Faith was still weak, and had made been willing to give everything for Buffy to be here again. Then the other things she couldn’t believe she had forgot about drifted back to her memory. “Where’s Dawn? Faith said she was fine.”
“She’s asleep, as are all the others. We didn’t expect you to wake up this soon. Do you want me to wake her?”
Buffy wasn’t sure what she wanted. She was worried about the unconscious girl lying next to her, and what everyone thought about her decision on top of the tower that night. “No, let her and the others rest. Do you think Faith will be OK? She looks very weak.”
“She seems to be getting stronger. I don’t know how long it will take for her to recover.” Angel was concerned with how distant his ex lover was. “Are you sure you're OK. Is it the letter? I should have waited longer before giving it to you.”
“It's OK Angel. It helped, really. It explains a lot I don’t think she really knew how to say things she didn’t want my pity over.” Buffy brighten a little. “Now that's all out of the way we can move on when she wakes up. It shouldn’t be long.” Buffy was aware of how desperate her own voice was, but she didn’t care.
“We’ll let you rest. We’ll just be outside.” Giles turned and left, with Angel following closely behind. Buffy laid back down and fell back to sleep.
When Giles and Angel were a safe distance away from the room, Angel voiced his concerns over Buffy. “It will just take her time to adjust, let everything settle in. She be OK. She’s a strong young woman.” Giles reassured the vampire with a soul.
The two sat down and tried to get some rest themselves. Now they knew that Buffy was fine and Faith was getting stronger they found it easier to sleep.
When Buffy woke in the morning she was a little disorientated. When she saw her arm draped across the sleeping brunette she remembered what happened. While in thought, looking at the young woman laying there, she noticed that she wasn’t as pale as she was yesterday, the body laying next to her moved.
“Faith!” Buffy was shocked and wasn’t quite sure whether she had imagined it. She resisted the urge to shake the girl. “Faith, are you awake.”
Angel came running into the room as a result of Buffy’s first outburst. “Is everything OK? I heard you shout.” He couldn’t see anything wrong in the room. Both girls also looked fine.
“She moved. I know she did.” The desperation came through in her voice. She looked up at Angel looking close to tears. “I just want her to wake up, we need to talk.”
Angel didn’t like seeing Buffy this. “If she did, that means she getting stronger and will wake up soon. Then you can sort out what you need to.” Angel walked up closer to his ex and placed his arms around her to comfort her while she cried into his chest.
Eventually Buffy cried herself to sleep, and the vampire left her alone.
Some hours later everybody in the mansion woke up and came into the main room. Angel and Giles explained to everyone that Buffy was fine, she was in the room with Faith. They were all warned to be careful about what they say to the blonde about the reformed slayer.
At that point Buffy chose to come into the room. She was greeted by a swarm of people who came up to her and hugged her tightly. The last person to come up to her was Dawn. “I’ve missed you. Faith looked after me. How is she?”
Buffy still looked sad whenever the girl's name was mentioned, but she knew her sister cared, the rest didn’t, well except Angel. Angel looked upon Faith as a sister, and Buffy knew that, and knew he must be hurting a great deal.
“She’s getting better. I’m glad you're OK. That everybody is.”
“Well, we got Faith released from prison so that she could come and look after the hellmouth. She was very thorough, and determined.”
Giles knew that Faith had been very detached when she returned. He also knew that was partly down to them, again they hadn’t let her in. She proved what she felt however, for that Giles was willing to give the girl the chance he knew she had deserved before but was too blind to see. “I hope she gets better quickly. She’ll have a lot to deal with when she does. Us knowing her feelings for you, and being around you again.”
“What do you mean her feelings for me?” How would they know what Faith felt for her. Had they read the letter? “You didn’t read the letter Faith wrote for me did you? It was very personal.”
Everyone was shocked by the pleading in her voice. It made them all very curious to its contents. “No. Of course we didn’t.” Angel hesitated. He didn’t know how Buffy would take them knowing. “When she was to do the ritual, she said she would do it for the same reasons I would. She did the ritual because of her love for you. To show you and everyone, how she’d changed. For forgiveness.”
Buffy knew this was true as Faith had said as much in the letter. She was surprised by how open Faith had become about her feelings. First the letter which told of her abuse as a child, and now telling her friends that she loved her. “I need to think for a while. To get used to what’s happening.” She smiled to reassure them before turning and walking back into the room which was occupied by the sleeping girl.
Willow went to follow her best friend, but found herself being held back by Tara. She was very shocked by the forcefulness of the gesture by the normally timid girl. “I want to check on her. She’s so quiet. It’s not like her.”
“She just needs time to think. She’ll come to you when she’s ready. She confused, I saw it in her aura. She is also very scared and shocked. Please.” Tara looked pleadingly at Willow. She knew her girlfriend didn’t like Faith, and she could tell that Buffy was confused about how she felt. She wanted Faith to have a chance, she hadn’t been around when things had happened before. When Faith had returned upon the request of the council, she had seen someone deeply hurt and sad, she pitied the girl and thought she deserved a chance. Whatever she had done.
Giles approached. “I think she’s right Willow. She just needs to think. When she has adjusted she’ll come to us. Just give her time.” Giles too was worried about the decision Buffy would make about Faith.
As a result of Buffy wanting to be alone, everyone decided to go to their homes for a while to wash and change. Dawn wanted to stay as she didn’t really have a home. She also wanted to be there if Faith woke up, for both Faith and Buffy. So she settled down on the sofa, Angel sat next to her and tried to make small talk.
Buffy sat on the bed. She looked at the defenceless girl, and saw her start to stir.
“Faith! Wake up Faith.” Buffy couldn’t stop herself shaking the brunette now. “Please Faith I need you.” Dark eyes looked up into green ones.
“Is this some really bad dream? Or are we both dead now?” Faith was confused, and more than a little dazed.
“No, we’re both alive, thanks to you. How do you feel? Do you want anything?” Buffy couldn’t help grinning at the girl, it reminded her of when she had come ‘round. They were so similar, but still so different.
Faith opened her eyes and wondered where she was. She must of said something as she heard someone tell her she was alive. She knew the voice, she would be able to hear that voice whether a hundred miles away and deaf. She then saw the blonde looking her over and checking she was unharmed. “That's good, now I need to sleep.” With that Faith rolled over and fell asleep within seconds.
Buffy smiled. That was typical faith. Buffy laid down beside her and curled up to her and fell asleep as well, she was now a lot calmer.
Faith woke about an hour later and felt arms around her. It was an unusual feeling, and she didn’t know who’s arms they were. She gently turned round, and saw the blond hair covering the features she knew well. Faith’s movement had caused the blond to wake up, and now two green eyes were looking up at her.
“She wakes up!” Faith was grinning as she said it. She was still not completely sure what was happening, but at the moment she didn’t care. “Are you OK? And are you going to explain what has happened?”
Buffy smiled, she was glad every thing seemed to be OK. “I’m fine. I’m not sure what happened, I don’t know if anyone does. When I woke up you weren’t dead. I’m very happy about that.” Buffy didn’t want to mention that Angel had given her the letter yet. “Why did you do it Faith?”
“I thought anything possible to get you back was worth a go. The price was a pretty cheap one!”
“You're needed as much as I am.” Buffy didn’t like the calm Faith felt over allowing herself to be killed for the ritual. She had known it, just before she had jumped. It was an easy way out, she hadn’t been able to continued. Her mind drifted back to when she asked Spike how he had killed the other slayers, he had told her that part of them had wanted to die, she had felt that.
“Well, I think that's unlikely, but wicked cool not to be dead an’ all. So what’s to do. I’ve spent enough time in bed one way or another!” Faith knew that was the old Faith coming through. The one she thought she had buried when she confessed. She didn’t want to go back to that, so she smiled apologetically. “Come on let's motor!?”
“OK, but nothing too strenuous. We’re both still weak.” Buffy liked the enthusiasm that was back. The chosen two back and nearly ready for duty. That thought brought up something Buffy had forgotten. “Hey. Does that means there’s two new slayers walking around?”
Faith thought for a moment, she didn’t know whether she liked the idea. “I don’t know, I was told that another slayer was called after, ya’ know, but wasn’t ready. I don’t know whether another one will be called for me. Maybe you can ask Giles.”
Faith wasn’t quite sure what they had told Buffy, and that made her very nervous around her. She also didn’t know whether Angel had given Buffy the letter she had written. She hoped he hadn’t as she had told Buffy those things to answer some questions, as she didn’t think she would see her again. She followed the blond out of the bedroom, and saw Angel and Dawn sitting on the sofa having an excited conversation. Both slayers turned and looked at each other, shocked by how relaxed the pair were.
“We might have to watch those two!” Faith joked quietly to Buffy. She was rewarded with a smile.
“Scrappy is so much cuter than scoobie.”
“NO, Dawn you’ve got to face it, scoobies better, he’s intelligent. Plus he’s afraid of everything!”
Both slayers turned and looked at each other, horrified by what they heard. “That’s just too freaky.” Buffy couldn’t keep the horrified expression of her face as she spoke.
“I hear ya. I’ve seen some wicked scary stuff, but this is the worst.”
The two occupants of the sofa turned and looked at the two girls. Angel was blushing at being overheard talking about cartoons, Dawn however ran up to both slayers, and hugged them both. “Back to normal!”
Buffy and Angel were getting something to eat as Faith had declared herself hungry enough to eat a horse! That left Dawn and Faith at Angel's mansion, the pair were talking about how long Faith had taken to come around. “Hey at least it wasn’t eight months, and you did wake up.” Dawn was trying to relax Faith.
“Did you guys tell Buffy ‘bout how I feel about her?” The issue had been dwelling on her mind. She was very confused as Buffy wasn’t giving anything away if they had.
Dawn wasn’t sure whether to tell or not. She thought Faith deserved to know. “Giles told her, in the way that he was talking about how’d you react when you came back to us, it sorta slipped out that we all knew.” Dawn saw Faith pale at the prospect, she wanted to reassure her. “It’s OK, Buffy didn’t go mental or anything, she was a little angry in case we had read the letter you wrote or something. Angel told her we hadn’t and she seemed fine. She went back to Angel’s room to be with you.”
Faith couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It was bad enough that Buffy knew how she felt about her, added to that that she had read the letter as well! Faith was angry at Buffy for not telling her, but more angry at herself for creating the situation.
Faith wanted to be alone to think. “I think I’ll go and lie down. I don’t feel that good, must still need time to recover.” Faith saw Dawn’s guilty look, and instantly felt guilty herself. “It’s OK you haven’t done anything wrong, or caused a problem for Buffy and me, I’m just tired. When they’re back just wake me up, I’ll be fine. Please don’t tell Buffy about this conversation?” Dawn just nodded and watched as Faith turned and left the room.
Buffy had been quiet the entire journey. Angel had grown tired of waiting for Buffy to tell him what was wrong so he asked. They were nearly back at the mansion, and he wanted to get it out of the way before they got back. “What’s wrong, you’ve been really distant.”
Buffy was barely paying attention to what Angel was saying, but soon realised she was being spoken to. “I’m fine, really.” Angel gave a look to show he wasn’t convinced. “It’s just,... I have a lot to think about. Faith, being back, how everyone’s going to react. It’s just so difficult.”
“There nothing to worry about, everyone’s just glad to have you back. No-one hates you for the decision you made. It was the only one you felt you could make.” He knew this was the easy problem to solve. Faith however was a little trickier. “You’ll just have to give the Faith situation time. She’s just as confused as you. Do you know how you feel about her?”
“I don’t know. Things were so much easier when she went to the mayor. I could just fight her and not have to think about everything else. Before that I had been confused, Faith would flirt, but not commit to it, so I was never sure how she felt. I’ve thought so much about her since she came into my dream, when we were in the hospital.”
They arrived at the mansion and were entering the main room and saw Dawn sitting on the sofa alone. They must have looked worried or something because Dawn smiled and explained the situation, as much as she could anyway. “Faith was tired, so when to lie down and rest. She said to wake her when you got back. We know Faith will never miss a meal!”
“I’ll go and wake her” Said Buffy heading towards the bedroom.
Faith was laying on the bed thinking. It was one of her least favourite past-times. At that point, after she had been laying there for about 45 minutes, Buffy entered the room. The blonde laid beside her on the bed, and asked her what she was thinking about.
“I remember you telling me I can trust you. How comes you didn’t tell me?”
Buffy grimaced as she realised straight away what Faith meant. She was shocked not to hear any anger in the other girl's voice though. “I didn’t know what to say. Do you expect me to have come up to you and said ‘gee, thanks for loving me an’ all’” Buffy looked over and instantly saw the hurt in the dark eyes trying to escape her gaze. “I didn’t mean that to sound so flippant. It’s just I’m confused, I wanted time to think. I also didn’t know how you’d feel about me knowing. We’ve finally got everything out of the way and can move on. I didn’t want to cause another problem.”
Faith thought for a moment. Buffy not being truthful had hurt her, but what she had just said had made a lot of sense. “So where do we stand now?”
“I hope we can be friends as we once were. We give the other stuff time, so we can see how we feel?” Buffy wanted desperately for everything to be okay between the one time infamous chosen two. Buffy smiled at the brunette, and was rewarded with a grin. “How about we go and cook that horse!”
The rest of the evening had been undramatic. The four of them had eaten dinner, and talked about what had gone on over the past few months. Later the gang had all returned and were keen to get things to return to normal, how they were before. It was decided Faith would go and stay at Buffy’s house for a week or so with Buffy and Dawn, and then she wanted to go to L.A. Angel was needed in L.A so he was to return soon so he could get back before the sun rose in the morning.
When the Summers and Faith got to the house Dawn went to sleep straight away, and slept soundly for the first time in weeks. Buffy and Faith however decided to stay up and watch some TV, neither of them were tired. After about half an hour of watching a gory horror film Buffy turned to Faith. “How come you never told me before,.. about your home life? I know it must have been difficult to talk about, but I would have listened.”
Faith looked at her hands, she knew they would have to talk about it at some point. “I don’t know, it just never came up in conversation. I think mainly I tried to forget about it. But I just couldn’t, it would always be there, mocking me. How pathetic I was to allow all this to happen.” Buffy looked at her about to reassure her, but Faith put up her hand to show she wanted to continue. “I told the mayor once, that I used to jump of this rock. Forty feet up into this quarry, I told him I did it as I was the only one who wasn’t scared. I wasn’t B, I hoped it would kill me. Take me away from my crappy life.”
Buffy just moved up to Faith’s side of the sofa and wrapped her arms around her. Showing that she was there for her, she didn’t have to feel like that any more. Faith just lent into the hug and allowed herself to be comforted. They sat like that until both fell asleep.
When Buffy woke up in the morning she heard someone singing in the kitchen. She recognised it to be Dawn and was about to go out there and find out what her sister was doing when she felt a great deal of stiffness in her shoulder. Faith was still laying on it and was asleep. Buffy smiled and gently moved the sleeping slayer and went out into the kitchen.
“What are you so cheerful about?”
Dawn looked at her sister with a grin on her face. “Well, you looked so cute there laying there dribbling, that I thought I’d make breakfast, for my favourite slayer duo!”
Buffy was blushing madly, which only made Dawn laugh more. Faith chose that moment to walk into the kitchen to see what all the noise was about, she was brushing the hair out of her eyes with her hand and stretching out her tense muscles. When she saw Dawn laughing and Buffy blushing, she wondered what she had walked into. “Are you all right this morning?” Dawn asked her.
“A little stiff, I must have slept awkwardly or something, but fine.” Faith looked at Buffy in confusion when her younger sister began to laugh uncontrollably again.
“She’s just being silly.” Buffy explained. “So what are you making for breakfast?” Buffy wanted to change the conversation, and at that moment there was a knock at the door. Buffy went to see who it was, and on her way out she wanted to get the last word, so she smiled at her sister and said “I don’t dribble any way!” Leaving behind an even more confused Faith, and a sister who was now really laughing.
When Buffy got to the door she discovered Giles, she let him in and was a little concerned as to why he would pay her an early morning visit. “Nothing wrong is there Giles?”
“Good morning to you too!” Giles tried to look hurt, but still couldn’t help smiling. He was so happy to have the young woman who he view as a daughter back. “I just wanted to check you were both all right. I trust I find it is?” Buffy nodded and smiled.
“Sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion. It’s just I just got back and I’m a little jumpy.”
Giles understood. He knew Buffy had had a lot of questions before she had come back, and now it would be even worst. He took his glasses off and smiled at her. “You seem better this morning?”
Buffy headed towards the kitchen with Giles in tow, who nodded a greeting to the others. “You know, I am. Faith and I chatted yesterday and last night, which sorted out a lot.” Buffy looked shyly at the brunette, who tried to dismiss it with a wave of her hand. “And I’m glad to be back in to the scheme of things, give those evil things a piece of this pent up energy. Dawn's making breakfast, do you want anything? Tea?”
“I’m fine thank-you. How are you enjoying being home Dawn?”
Dawn turned away from the waffles she was making and smiled at the man she had been living with since Buffy had died. “It’s great, not that I didn’t mind being at yours.” Giles nodded that he understood, and Dawn went back to the cooking. “It's nice having both around again. That's why I’m making breakfast, and because they both looked so cute asleep, cuddled up like that!” Buffy growled at her sister, while Faith looked extremely embarrassed, as did Giles.
“That explains all the giggling from you earlier.” The brunette said finally understanding. Dawn continued to say that she didn’t mind how close the pair got because she liked Faith. Embarrassing everyone further. “Don’t worry, it was only a comfort thing as we were talking about the good old days.” The brunette refusing to look at the green eyes that she knew were looking at her as she spoke.
“Any way, I know you're both probably tired and aching, I was just wondering what you intentions were. I don’t want to force either of you to do anything, another slayer was called for you Buffy, so if you don’t want to do this any more you do not need to. Faith I know you said you intend to go to L.A, but understand you don’t have to.”
Both girls thought for a while. “Giles I still want to continue. Maybe on a smaller scale so I can finish college. Faith I know we haven’t talked about it, but I’d like you to stay more permanently. You can stay here, with me and Dawn.”
“Please Faith!”
“I’ll talk to Angel, and see what he has planned. If he isn’t busy I’ll stay for a little longer. Ya’ know see how it goes.” Dawn ran up to her and engulfed her in a hug which rivalled slayer strength.
Giles then discussed training with the pair, while they ate the breakfast Dawn had prepared. The both praised her for it as it was excellent, which made the young girl extremely happy. When Giles left, the trio decided to spent the day together.
When they were all changed and showered, they left with Buffy driving. That turned out to be a bad decision, Buffy wasn’t that great a driver, the two brunettes were hanging on for dear life to the armrests attached to the door. After debating they had decide to travel to L.A for the day, when they had arrived there they dragged Faith around to do some shopping. As a result Faith got to choose what they did next. She took them to get food of course, and afterwards they went to Caritas’ bar. Buffy was worried about taking Dawn in there but Faith convinced her and Dawn did puppy eyes at her older sister who relented.
When they went in they saw Angel in there with Cordelia, Wesley, and another man, who seemed a lot more streetwise than the others. Angel saw them also and waved them over and hugged them.
“What are you doing here?”
“We’re having a day trip, and I remembered this place and thought I’d bring them here.” Explained Faith to the group of shocked people. “Now what are you doing here, didn’t figure you as a visitor of a place like this?”
“We know the management. Rescued his head from a demon dimension, the man kinda owes us!” The ex cheerleader explained. Cordelia was cheerful, and happy to see the pair. Angel had informed them all of what had gone on during the last few days, and she was relieved to have them both back saving the world. Everyone looked up to see a green man with horns walking towards their table.
“Well if it isn’t the chosen two and the little sis. What do I owe this honour? Just to remind all that this is a no fighting zone, the garza strip of L.A.” The host smiled to show he was joking. “So what are you lovely ladies going to sing for us?”
The girls looked at each other, Buffy and Dawn were smiling, but Faith had this horrified look on her face. “There is absolutely no way I am going to get up there and sing. You can, you may even be able to get Angel up there. But me, nowhere near not a chance.”
Half an hour later Faith was sitting in her chair sulking while Cordelia and Gunn were up singing with Coldplay's Yellow, (an odd song she’d never heard off). Previously to that, Dawn and Buffy had physically dragged her up and made her sing Cher’s Shoop Shoop Song, she felt quite justified in her bad mood. Buffy was glancing over towards her with a grin on her face, she was in turn given an icy stare. Buffy decided more drastic measures were needed, she reached over and put her hand on Faith’s knee, and gave her a puppy dog look and pouted. “Forgive me?” Buffy said softly in a pleading tone.
Faith knew she was done for, so she tried to put up at least a half hearted attempt to stand her ground. “What made it worst was you got me up to sing such a crappy song, couldn’t you of chosen something a little more cooler?” Buffy smiled at her and even her last valiant attempt of anger dispersed, she smiled back at Buffy.
When the other two had finished singing, the host walked back up to the table bringing a tray of drinks with him. “Well?” Cordelia was eager to know what the host had seen.
“We are a patient one aren’t we?” Gunn just smirked at him, while the new comers to the club didn’t seem to understand what was going on. “Let's start off with the new comers, they need my help more than you two regulars.” The host turned to the two slayers and began to explain what he could see from their auras and stuff while they were singing, and they were both confused as to how he could see that sort of thing. He was also very ambiguous telling them that their lives had a new direction, and all would become apparent, and that they were on the right path. The host turned away from the two bemused slayers and explained what he saw in Gunn and Cordelia to them.
When the host left the table they all began to drink their drinks, and Angel decide to try and start a conversation. “So when are you going back to Sunnydale, it’s too late to head back tonight.”
The two girls looked at their watches at the same time and were shocked to discover that it was nearly midnight. “Looks like we’ll be staying in L.A for the night, we’ll have to leave in the morning though as we have a training date with Giles at 10:30,” Buffy looked to her travelling companions for conformation, and she was met with two nods. “So Angel you got any room at the inn?” Buffy smiled at him, and Angel couldn’t do anything other than smile back and nod.
When every one was at the hotel that Angel was based at, (i.e., Angel and the Sunnydale people) rooms were discussed. “There’s only two rooms made up, I’ll show you were they are but I’m off to bed as we’re in the middle of a case and have loads of research to do. You can fight in out between you.” Angel lead them off with a glint in his eye, when he got there he pointed to the rooms and walked off to his own.
“I’m not sharing a room with Buffy so I’ll take this one.” With that Dawn rushed into one of the rooms leaving two embarrassed slayers suddenly very interested in their shoes, or boots in Faith's case.
Faith couldn’t take the silence anymore and walked towards the other room and opened the door. When she looked in she saw a room which was pretty empty, in fact all it had was a double bed and a TV against the wall opposite. Faith gulped and never felt as scared in her whole life, and one of the people she had shared a cell with in prison with someone who had murdered 11 people and her calling card had been sicker than Hannibal Lectors, she had understood how Clarisa Starling had felt listening to the stories of a psycho. She didn’t realise when Buffy came up behind her, and jumped when a hand appeared on the small of her back. Buffy looked at her apologetically. “So,... What side do you want?” She knew they couldn’t stay out there forever.
Faith relaxed slightly and walked into the room and sat on the bed. Maybe it wouldn’t be that bad. Hell no it would be worst! Faith flopped back onto the bed. Buffy came and sat beside her. “I’ll take this side then.” Buffy could see the tension in Faith, and knew it was because of the unresolved issue they had. “I could kill Dawn.”
Faith turned and looked at Buffy and smiled, at least they could see the funny side. “Do you realise, since we got back we’ve slept together every night!” Both laughed, and laid on the bed as they were tired. It was very hot in the room and Faith was in a pair of leather trousers, at the moment she felt like she was being streamed like a piece of fish. She sighed and decide she couldn’t take it any more. She stood up and saw Buffy looking at her all confused, damn she looked cute like that, Faith suddenly found herself getting a lot hotter in her trousers and blushing. “Sorry, this room is so damn hot I’ve got to take these pants off.” With that Faith unbuttoned them and pulled them down with great difficulty. There were many up sides to leather pants (mainly her arse looks good in them!), but they came with bad sides too. This being that she was having trouble getting them off when she was so hot, she was jumping up and down and pulling but they would only move a couple of inches. “Instead of laying there like you're watching Laurel and fucking Hardy you could give me a hand ya’ know” All this did is making Buffy laugh all the more, when she opened her eyes and regained control of herself she saw Faith standing in the middle of the room with her trouser around her thighs and her hands on her hips, she was not amused.
Buffy stood up and pouted, she knew that would get her back in Faith's good books, if nothing else would. She sauntered over and kneeled in front of the brunette and started to pull her trousers down. She didn’t even realise she was holding her breath until she noticed Faith hadn’t breathed in a while too. When the trouser were around Faith's ankles, Buffy stood up and swallowed. “Done.” She said quietly. Buffy suddenly knew what she wanted, nothing else at that moment mattered. She wanted to touch Faith, and she wanted Faith to touch her. The gap between them was closed by one of them and their bodies were touching, with their breathing ragged. Buffy put her hand up to Faith’s cheek.
Faith couldn’t think straight, her pulse was racing. The woman she loved was standing right in front of her, with her hand on her cheek. ‘Breath Faith, not that difficult’. At that moment though, everything was difficult. Buffy leant in and kissed her. It was everything she hoped it would be, tender, uninvasive, it was amazing.
When Buffy pulled away she saw that Faith still had her eyes closed and giggled. That caused Faith to open her eyes which looked slightly hurt. Buffy looked at her apologetically. “It’s just, for so long I didn’t know what I wanted. But now I know and I’m happy. Are you?” Faith nodded, and reached her hand up to Buffy’s cheek she understood. Buffy reached down and picked up Faith's hand and guided her towards the bed. It was at that point that Faith remembered she had her trouser around her ankles, but her feet weren’t connected to her brain at the moment and they wouldn’t move. Faith fell flat on her nose, and grunted in pain, she rolled over and Buffy was already at her side and had taken the offending item off of Faith’s ankles. Buffy helped Faith to the side of the bed and sat her down and straddled her hips and kissed her again.
Faith couldn’t believe what was happening, it was as if time was moving in slow motion, Buffy was kissing her. At that point Faith’s brain kicked in and she knew she had to stop.
Buffy pulled away when Faith stopped responding. She was confused. “Have I done something wrong.”
Faith saw the hurt look in Buffy’s eyes. She couldn’t believe she was doing this. “Of course you haven’t, the kiss,... well that was great, the best I’ve ever had you're amazing.” Buffy was looking more confused than she was before, Faith didn’t know how to explain it. “I want nothing more than to make love to you, I just want to wait, take things slowly. I want it to be special, a result of where we have got up to. I want a relationship, and work on that first.” Faith looked at her hands, she had never been this open before and she was shocking even herself. She looked up into Buffy’s eyes. “I want to feel that I’ve earned the right to make love to you, no get some, get gone. I want you so much. But not just in that way.”
Faith was cut off at that point by Buffy wrapping her arms around her in a tight affectionate hug. She moved back and looked into the dark expressive eyes that belonged to the brunette, showing complete understanding and acceptance. She moved in and gently kissed Faith. “So,.... time to sleep, we have a long journey in the morning.” Faith smiled and moved up to the other end of the bed and got in, and Buffy got in the other side. Buffy saw the sheepish look on Faith’s face and smiled, which allowed the brunette to move up to the blond and she laid her head on her shoulder and put her arm around her waist. Faith mumbled goodnight before falling asleep totally relaxed.
Early in the morning Angel came into the room the two slayers were sharing bringing coffee with him. He smirked at the sight infront of him. Both girls were laying on their sides facing each other, and each had an arm protectively around the others waist, Faith had nuzzled into the crook of Buffy’s neck. With the light shining in the room from the door way, Faith nuzzled further into Buffy to escape from the light, which woke Buffy up who had a huge goofy grin on her face.
When Buffy looked up she saw Angel smirking and looked embarrassed. He held a hand up to say it was OK. “I knew you had to leave early so I brought you up a cup of coffee each. Dawn’s already up down stairs and is eating breakfast. You’ll want time to wake up before you drive back.”
The voices had woken up Faith and she had heard most of the conversation. “If you think I’m letting you drive all the way back, I’m staying here. Did you ever take the class?!” She was talking quietly as she still wasn’t awake, she had never been a morning person anyway.
Angel could see an argument brewing over the older slayer's driving ability, so he placed the coffees on a small table beside the bed and backed out the room slowly shutting the door behind him. He went downstairs to check on Dawn and carry on with his research. When he got down there he discovered Cordelia sitting next to Dawn discussing clothes. He must of looked at her curiously because she explained that she couldn’t sleep so she may as well as come over and helped with the research.
With little conversation going on, all the attention was immediately diverted to the two laughing slayers who were walking down the stairs. When they reached the table where everyone was sitting Buffy started playing with her sister's hair, while Faith announced that she was going to drive the trio back to Sunnydale. She also thanked Angel for the coffee he had brought up to them earlier.
Soon after that they said their goodbyes and set off back to Sunnydale. The journey was pleasant with mindless conversation and fighting over what radio station to have it on. Buffy in the end won that argument as she was sitting in the passenger seat so she could stop both of the brunettes from altering the station if she used a little slayer strength!!
As they got back quite later than expected it was necessary for them to go straight to the magic box to meet up with Giles.
When they got to the magic shop everybody was there, researching something. Buffy was still a little edgy about slaying stuff and being around her friends so was eager to find out what was wrong. When she asked Giles explained that last night he had received a phone call from England saying that there was a demon called fjord coming to try and open the hellmouth. “I understand if the two of you don’t feel up to this yet, I’m sure we could handle it.”
The two slayers thought for a while and Faith answered first. “I feel back to full strength, I can handle this one solo. You can recover a bit longer B.” Faith had mainly been talking to Buffy the entire time, and was looking at her for a decision.
“We’re in this together, where you go I go.” Buffy smiled at her to show she meant it, and wouldn’t be moved on the matter. Buffy turned to the rest of the group and asked them what they knew about the demon and the ritual it planned to perform to open the hellmouth.
After a rather long and tedious meeting, Giles said that was all they knew at the moment, and that the council had said the demon was not due in Sunnydale for another two weeks as the ritual had to be carried out on the night of the full moon. “How often do things go to plan though?” Buffy asked everybody. “I’ll” she looked over at Faith and smiled. “We’ll go out on patrol and look around the school, it’s not as if I have college to think about.” Even Buffy could hear the disappointment in her own voice, she looked over to Faith and automatically wanted to be near her. She walked over to her and leant against her shoulder and Faith wrapped her arms around her and hugged her. “We’ll sort it out. You can go back.”
Everybody was shocked by the display, well except maybe Giles who always knew the pair were close. Willow however was bitterly jealous, which Tara must have noticed as she put her hand on her girlfriend's arm to calm her. She was glad to see it work and Willow turn to her and smile.
Buffy turned to Dawn to find out what she wanted to do while she and Faith went out on patrol. Giles offered to have her at his apartment till they got back, but told them that it was better if they didn’t go on patrol tonight, as they had missed the training session, and he wanted to check how strong they were first.
With that in mind Dawn pointed out that there was a film on at the cinema that she wanted to see, with Faith going over to her side as it appealed to her more than patrolling did. With two against one Buffy was force to go with Dawn's plans for the evening, she imagined the film would be a gory action film, which both Dawn and Faith would love, she sighed in surrender and allowed herself to be pulled out the shop and waved goodbye.
When they arrived at the cinema, (Buffy had driven as they had the car) Buffy found her assumption had been right, and the prospect of an action film had excited Faith who was bouncing up and down with excitement. “You're as bad as Dawn, just how am I going to cope with two of you!” Buffy smiled to show she was joking. When they got in and sat down it hadn’t been long before Buffy was completely bored, the fighting scenes were unrealistic, and she didn’t think the acting was great either, her sister and Faith were both caught up in the film. Buffy who was sitting with Faith one side and Dawn on the other leaned over to her girlfriend and kissed her. Faith nearly leapt out of her seat and ran away. “Are you crazy, your sister sitting less than a meter away and you want to make out?”
Buffy was surprised by Faith’s bashfulness and grinned at her. “She’s not going to notice, she’s totally wrapped up in the film.” Buffy knew Faith was nowhere near convinced so she pouted and looked pleadingly at Faith, and tried a seductive tone. “You wouldn’t want me to sit here bored and lonely would you!” Faith knew she was a gonna as soon as she looked and saw the sparkling green eyes looking at her, Buffy knew the affect they had on her. Faith grinned and showed she relented, and Buffy leant over and wrapped her arms around Faith’s neck and began kissing her slowly. Buffy after was in no rush, there was at least an hour left of the film!!
Willow was sitting in her room playing with Ms Kitty Fantasico, while Tara was laying on the bed reading magic books. She had been listening to Willow complain that Buffy was spending all her spare time with Faith for the last hour and a half. “Willow, she just needs to adjust, so she can decide what she wants. She’s been through a major trauma.”
As soon as she had finished the sentence Willow leapt up from the chair scaring the cat under the bed. Tara soon realised she had said the wrong thing as Willow began to rant. “What do you mean decided what she wants? You don’t think she might, you know with that murderous bitch do you? And that major trauma, that's why she should be spending time with us. The scoobies, we brought her back, she should need us, be spending time with us.”
As much as Tara loved the red head, she was getting annoyed with the way she was acting, she was being selfish and mean. “Willow you should listen to yourself. It’s Buffy’s decision who she dates and spends her time with, and she isn’t ignoring you. Faith did an incredibly unselfish thing, and still you treat her with contempt. If you acted like this before, it’s no wonder she went some where else to fit in and be accepted.” With that Tara swirled ‘round and walked out the door not even telling Willow where she was going.
Willow sat down on the bed and looked at the door her girlfriend had just walked out of. She was shocked by the tone of her voice, and by how vocal Tara had been. Every thing she had said however, made Willow become aware of just how selfish she was being as well as how unfair she had been to Faith.
The next morning the pair walked into the magic shop together as a meeting had been arranged there. Tara had returned after an hour and had gone straight to bed without even looking at the red-head. Things between the couple were still definitely tense, and Willow hated it.
Buffy, Faith and Dawn walked through the door seconds after they had, and they were all talking happily. They all said their hellos and approached the table.
“Hi, Dawnster.” Xander welcomed Buffy’s little sister. “So how’d you enjoy the film last night?”
Dawn smirked and decided she’d have a little fun at her sister’s expense. “Well Buffy seemed to enjoy it. She’s way better at the public speaking than me, so she can explain its plot to you!” When she turned and looked at her sister she saw she had this deer caught in headlights look about her, while Faith had joined her with the smirking. Buffy started stuttering to try and come up with an excuse.
“Come on Buff, tell us whether it's worth seeing!” Xander didn’t seem to notice the blonde high level of uncomfortableness.
Dawn chose that minute to explain a little, to make the others more inquisitive. “Well, Buffy didn’t see much from her vantage point of having her eyes closed and looking in the other direction!”
Buffy shot her sister a dirty look to show she wasn’t appreciating what she was doing, who just shrugged and let her sister continue.
“Don’t tell me you slept through it Buffy, how disgraceful.” Xander didn’t seem to notice the incredible relief that went over Buffy’s face. Willow however did, and became very curious and her mind began to race. Buffy started babbling about sleep being good and the film being bad.
“You were making out in the cinema with Faith weren’t you?” Willow had just came to her conclusion, which happened to be the right one. Buffy looked at her feet, and Faith was looking at every thing in the room except the people. They were both ready for the shouting to start, and Xander was about to erupt at the suggestion. Willow however cut in and stopped him. “If that's what you want Buffy then I’ll support you, and I imagine Tara will as well.”
Willow looked at her girlfriend to see she approved, and their argument from last night was forgotten. Buffy looked up at her best friend and was shocked to see she meant it, and Willow knew she wanted an explanation. “Tara pointed out to me last night that you had the right to choose who you spend your time with, and that Faith has changed. We all saw it, but chose to ignore it, but she’s different. She has been ever since she came back here from prison. I believe she loves you, and I wish you luck and that she can stay fighting on the good side.” Buffy rushed up to Willow and hugged her, silently thanking her for her support, and was rewarded with a grin.
Buffy turned and walked to Faith and wrapped her arms around her waist, hugging her, and whispered quietly that it wasn’t so bad. Faith kissed her on the forehead and smiled at her. Everybody had momentarily forgotten about Xander.
“So that’s it, all is forgiven? Doesn’t any body else see how ridiculous this is.” Xander was looking around all the faces in the room for support. None seemed to be giving it. “Just carry on like Faith did none of the bad things because she spent a few months in prison?”
Giles chose that minute to come into the room from the training room where he had been listening to the conversation. “It’s not an issue of forgetting Xander. It’s about understanding and allowing people to move on. Faith did repent, and now I firmly believe she can be trusted again.” Giles took of his glasses and began cleaning them. “We’ve all made mistakes in the past. You and I included, all right Faith’s may have had larger consequences, but she did the right thing in the end.” Giles put his glasses to show the conversation was over as far as he was concerned. He turned to Buffy and Faith and hugged them both. “I hope you're very happy together. Now can we do some training.”
Both girls followed him into the training room, and Buffy warned Dawn she wasn’t forgiven yet.
A few weeks had past since every body had found out about Faith and Buffy’s new relationship. They had defeated the demon, and stopped the end of the world again. Most people had been fine about them, only Xander was a little funny about it. With Faith still living at Buffy’s house with her and Dawn. They were spending a lot of time together. Today however, Faith was there by herself as both of the Summers girls were at school. Buffy had managed to re-enroll at Sunnydale UC, and Faith was considering it, she had taken her exams after all.
As Faith was in the house she decide to sort a few things out. The first thing was to talk to Angel. “Hi, Angel investigations. We help the helpless how can we help you?”
“Hey C, is the big guy there?” Faith heard some talking in the background, which was apparently Cordelia telling Angel he had a phone call.
“Hello?” Was the apprehensive voice on the end of the phone.
“Hi, Angel. Just felt like a chat! Are you busy?” Faith had so much going on in her life at the moment, she just wanted to talk to someone who had been there for her before.
“Of course I’m always here for you to talk to. How are things going, when do you intend on coming back to L.A?”
“Actually that what I wanted to talk to you about. I think I want to stay here. With Buffy.” Faith said the last bit quietly, she wasn’t quite sure how Angel would react.
“If you're getting along fine. I really don’t mind. I know how much your relationship with Buffy means to you.” Angel was curious as to how much of a relationship the two slayers had. He had seen them cuddled up together in bed after all. “I just want to see the two of you happy.”
“I am happy. I want to be with Buffy” Faith was nervous about telling Angel about her relationship with Buffy as she knew Angel still loved her. “We um,.. have this relationship thing going on, and I want to give it a go.”
Angel smiled, he knew Faith was extremely nervous about the topic, “Well if that's what you want, I hope it works out Faith you both deserve it.” With that all said both had other things to get on with so said their goodbyes. Faith was relieved when she got of the phone as that was something she had put off for a while. Now she just had to go to UC Sunnydale and find out the chances of her enrolling. She was being to find herself a life and a place she wanted to be and she was enjoying it. Buffy was sitting in the uni cafeteria eating lunch with Willow and Tara, they were talking about how quiet things had been, obviously jinxing themselves! Buffy felt a pair of arms circle her neck, and she recognised them immediately. “What’s no campus girl doing here?” She said it with a criticising tone but with a smile on her face to show she was joking. She found herself always missing Faith whenever she wasn’t near her. It had only been three hours since she had left her at the house, she couldn’t believe how things had changed, but she was glad they had.
Faith sat next to her and kissed her gently and quickly and said hello to the other two girls. “Well, you academic snob you, non-campus girl is now campus girl.” Faith informed everyone with a big grin on her face. Buffy smiled broadly and hugged her girlfriend tightly as Willow and Tara congratulated her. “You know that means you're gonna have to find someone else to do the housework honey.” Faith frowned and Buffy laughed.
“Well who would have guessed it. Big bad Faith going to college, and calling her girlfriend honey all in one day.” That only made Faith blush as well. Buffy was finding the entire thing cute, she knew she better not tell Faith that.
Willow had been silently watching the exchange smiling, she couldn’t believe the change in both of them and she was glad to see it. Tara however decided to voice what they had all been thinking. “How cute!” Faith glared at the shy blond, while Buffy and Willow couldn’t help but laugh hysterically. “What’d I say?”
Faith smiled, “It’s OK, I’ll forgive you this time, but in future, don’t use the word cute around me. It ruins the bad girl, hard image.” Faith smiled to show she was joking, and Tara smiled back. “I can’t help that I’ve gone completely sappy, this being in love thing is not good for the image.” Buffy put her arms around her and kissed her that time.
“I don’t know I think it suits you. When you're blushing you do look cute.” Buffy smirked as she said it. She also decide to change the subject before Faith got angry at her. “So, what subjects are you taking?”
“I’m not telling you. I have to go, chores, things to do people to see. By the way I spoke to Angel this morning, and told him I might stay, I am reconsidering that now!” Buffy smiled at her and kissed her goodbye, and Faith left.
Buffy sat and watched Faith leave with a goofy grin on her face. As she turned ‘round and looked at her friends Willow had her eyebrows raised and a knowing smile on her face. “What?” Buffy asked innocently.
“So everything’s going well, no trouble in paradise.” Willow knew everything was going very well for her friend and she was very happy for her. That didn’t stop her wanting to find out the gossip though. Buffy just smiled at her coyly and told her she’d have to wait to find out.
“Hey, why don’t you and Tara, and even Xander and Anya come around for dinner. To celebrate Faith’s getting into college. She’s a great cook!” Willow and Tara told her that they would love to, and Buffy ran of to phone Xander and inform Faith she would be cooking for them all that evening. Faith hadn’t minded, but she grumbled anyway to make Buffy feel guilty. It had worked as Buffy arranged to come home early and surprise Faith.
Faith after getting off the phone to Buffy went about deciding what to cook. She had already done all the house work and couldn’t believe how domesticated she had become. Faith prepared a salad and prepared some chicken to cook in the oven. It was at that point that she remembered Tara was a vegetarian, and had started cursing profoundly when Buffy walked through the door and declared she could hear Faith swearing from down the street.
“Well if you will invite vegetarians to dinner. As you're here you can come up with something for Tara’s dinner as I do not have a clue what to do.” With that Faith stormed out of the house taking the car keys telling Buffy she was going to pick up Dawn and the chicken is in the oven and will need to be put on at 5:30.
Buffy smiled at the phenomenon that is Faith leaving the house. Although Faith still had that edgy and irrational part to her, since she had moved in she had done all the cooking and cleaning and become someone who also likes to curl up infront of the tv with her of an evening. Buffy wouldn’t have Faith any other way, she loved her as she was.
Buffy looked in the fridge and saw the already prepared salad, and looked at the chicken in the oven and saw that Faith had just left her the task of finding something to cook for Tara. She decide to cheat and phone Willow to find out what to do. After she had sorted that out Faith arrived back with Dawn, and Buffy welcomed both of them. Buffy walked up to Faith and wrapped her arms around her waist and asked if she was forgiven. Faith smiled back and kissed her girlfriend confirming what Buffy already knew.
Dawn cleared her throat to get their attention, and announced that she was going to a friend's for dinner and was staying over there. Buffy said that was fine and Faith could drive her over (if she didn’t mind!) while she finished of the rest of the dinner and waited for everyone to arrive. Faith took Dawn where she needed to go so that she could get back and change before everyone was to arrive, she was quite proud as she had bought a kick dress, and couldn’t wait to see the response. On the drive to Dawn’s friend's house, they talked about computer games, and Faith realised she had left her play station at her apartment and made a mental note to go and get it. When Faith got back she realised she didn’t have long, but at least Buffy was already ready, so she ran straight upstairs saying she wouldn’t be long. Buffy had prepared the rest of the dinner, and had gotten ready while Faith was delivering Dawn, she smiled thinking about how well everything was turning out. Faith was getting along with everybody especially Dawn, the pair were like two little kids when they got together but she didn’t mind, it was one of the things she loved about Faith, she found herself thinking there was many things she loved about Faith.
It was at that moment she was brought out of her thoughts by a knock on the door, and when she opened it she found all her dinner guests out there waiting. “Hey guys, come on in. Faith's just getting ready, she had to take Dawn out.” All of the scoobies came in and sat in the living room waiting for Faith. Buffy had brought them all in a drink, and they were chatting about college, Faith going back and Xander’s new job. (He had become a junior partner in the building company, they were all proud of him.) After about five minutes Faith entered the living room. Buffy stood up but was speechless. Faith just smiled knowing she had shocked them all.
Willow was the first to speak up. “Faith, you're wearing a dress!” Willow was aware how silly she sounded, but it was some dress. It was enough to leave any one speechless.
Buffy looked her girlfriend up and down greedily. She was wearing a figure hugging dark blue dress made of a satiny material, and reached the floor. It was low cut, and hung off her shoulders, and Faith had also done up her hair, and put on natural makeup.
“Wow,” Buffy said finally regaining the power of speech. “You look so hot.” Buffy was aware everyone was there, but she couldn’t help herself. She walked up to Faith and wrapped her arms around her and kissed her passionately for what seemed like hours. “I love you!”
Faith smirked and told Buffy she loved her too, and led her into the dining room for dinner. Once the meal was finished they all went back into the living room, where Faith and Buffy cuddled up on an armchair, while the other four paired off on the couch. The evening was full of easy conversation, and everyone was getting along.
Everyone complimented Faith on the dinner she cooked and praised her for going to college. It was late when the evening ended and Buffy and Faith stood at the front door waving goodbye to their guests.
When they had gone Buffy closed the door and turned to Faith. “You're full of surprises aren’t you!” Buffy kissed her girlfriend gently and wrapped her arms around her. “I think it's time for bed don’t you?” Faith knew what Buffy was asking her. Before she had waited, as she hadn’t wanted to rush to bed and make Buffy think she hadn’t changed at all, but now she was ready.
She nodded gently, and replied. “I want to make love to you Buffy.” That was all Buffy needed and she led Faith upstairs to her bedroom.
The next morning when they woke up, Buffy was wrapped around Faith holding her tightly. She looked into the brown eyes smiling at her, and kissed her lover. “Wow,” was all Buffy said. Faith moved onto her side facing Buffy
“I love you. I want to be with you always.” Buffy smiled at her, as she knew how difficult it must have been for Faith to let her in. “I know I’ve been living with you lately, and I was wondering what we were going to do now?” Faith wanted to know how they were going to carry on, where they were now.
Buffy thought for a moment. “I want you to stay here, I know Dawn won’t mind. She likes you nearly as much as I do! We’re family now.” Buffy looked at Faith and saw she was crying. “What did I say, did I do something wrong?” Faith shook her head and gave a faint smile to show nothing was wrong.
“It just means so much to me!” Faith calmed down and stopped crying as Buffy started to stroke her cheek and kissed her on the forehead. “I’ve never really had a family I love before!” Buffy kissed Faith properly now, and knew they both wanted to feel that closeness they had felt last night.
Some hours later when they emerged from bed they went downstairs and found Dawn sitting in the kitchen reading a magazine and drinking a glass of OJ. “Morning Dawnie, when did you get back?” Faith suddenly then remembered she said she’d pick her up and gave her an apologetic look.
“About an hour a go. It’s OK Faith, I enjoyed behaving like a normal 15 year old who didn’t have to be escorted everywhere.” Dawn then gave them both a grin. “Besides, it sounded as if you two were having a lot of fun!” Dawn left the room and two blushing slayers behind.
When they managed to get over the embarrassment, they followed Dawn into the living room. “We’re going to the magic shop later to train, what do you want to do?” Buffy knew her sister wasn’t in danger anymore, she was no longer the key. She was still very protective however.
“I have no idea, maybe I’ll go hang out with some friends, go shopping, get coffee.” Dawn could see her sister wasn’t liking the idea and looked pleadingly at Faith. Faith knowing what she wanted walked up behind Buffy and whispered in her ear.
Buffy thought about Faith telling her that Dawn needed to spend time with her friends having a normal life, and they would have the house to themselves again! and relented. “OK. Just behave yourself and be careful.” Dawn grinned at Faith and Faith walked up to her and gave her some money and told her to be back by 6pm as that's when dinner would be. Dawn said she would and ran out of the door before Buffy could change her mind.
Buffy told Faith she didn’t have to give Dawn money it wasn’t her job to fund her. “It’s OK the mayor gave me alot of money.” Faith looked guilty about it. Buffy walked upto her and stroked her cheek with the back of her hand to show it was OK. “I’ve been thinking, B. If I’m to stay here, I should sell the apartment the mayor bought for me. It will pay for you and me to go through college, probably Dawn as well?”
“It’s your money, you should have it. I agree you should sell it, too many memories.” Buffy walked up to Faith and put her hand on Faith's stomach where she made stabbed her.
Faith put her hand down to reach for Buffy’s, and with her other she put it on Buffy’s chin to make her look at her. “It’s OK Buffy. You had to do it. I don’t blame you for it.” Faith hugged Buffy to show it was over and done with and they were to move on. “Come on we better get to Giles for training.”