Once More, With Faith
by SugarVixen
Rating: R

Disclaimer: Okay. Joss wrote the songs for this episode. I took them and changed the words myself. It doesn’t mean that I own them. Just had fun with them ;) Same goes for the song from the Grease Soundtrack.
Author's Notes: This fic will be sooooooooo much better if you actually listen to the songs as you read it. Sing along! You’ll see, I worked hard to make my new lyrics fit the music *giggle* But remember, I’m no musician.
This is actually a reply to Sylvie’s challenge:
What if Faith was in Sunnydale during 'Once more, with feeling'?
So basically I’d like to see a Buffy/Faith pairing (it can also be Faith/Dawn).
They reveal their feelings for each other during the songs. You can use songs that exist or from the show or your own.
Faith already out of jail and trying to make amends, or Faith never did anything bad or anything else you can come up with, even A.U. I'm open for everything.
Feedback: Yes please!

Faith fidgeted in her seat, eager to finally stand up. She’d never been a good traveler. Sitting still for long periods of time wasn’t her thing. Especially when there was a crying baby next to her. All this noise made her question the sanity of her decision to return to Sunnydale. But as soon as she'd been released from prison, she'd felt the Hellmouth calling out to her... Well that and the need to see Buffy Summers again. "The road to redemption is a rocky path…" she thought as she entered the bus station carrying a backpack...

Over by the coffee shop, a group of Krishna worshippers were singing and dancing. “Argh! These guys will do anything to convert people!” she mumbled as she walked by. Outside, she strolled up to a parked cab and got in.

"Where to?"

"The Magic Box, on Main Street. And don't drive around in circles to jack up the fare, I ain't a tourist."

"Welcome home then."

Faith gave him a fake smile, then turned her head and looked out the window. 'Home...' Every building, every street stirred memories within… Her old motel… UCS’ Campus grounds… Restfield cemetery… The High School ruins… They all looked the same, but everything felt different…

Lost in thought, she hadn't noticed the taxi had come to a halt... until the driver jumped on the hood and started singing. Soon, other drivers were joining him.

((Grease Lightning *giggles*))
Oh this traffic, it's really driving me insane
This traffic, damn this traffic!
Oh this traffic, it's really blockin' up the Main
This traffic, goddamn traffic!

Incredulous, the slayer got out of the cab. “Everything ain’t that different after all. This town is still as fucked up as it always was!” Swiftly, she walked away. She wasn't about to pay that John Travolta freaky wannabe. She approached the shop nervously, wondering what would happen once she opened the door...

Taking a deep breath, she took hold of the handle and pushed. The entire Scooby Gang was gathered around a table in the middle of the room, except for Anya… who was in the middle of a rockin’ little number!

((I’ve got a theory))
Anya:
Bunnies aren't just cute
Like everybody supposes!
They got them hoppy legs
And twitchy little noses!
And what's with all the carrots?
What do they need
Such good eyesight for anyway?
Bunnies! Bunnies! It must be bunnies!

Faith:
What’s going on here?

Willow:
I've got a theory,
Faith’s behind all this!
Because it clearly
Could not be some huge coincidence!

Buffy:
I’ve got a theory,
It doesn’t matter.
She’s not staying a minute longer!
I see through her she’s not that clever
Apocalypse? She brought us there.
The same old tricks. How can she dare?

Faith:
What can I do to make up for it?

Willow, Buffy, Xander:
You can leave now or you’ll regret it! ~*~

Faith:
I have to try.
I’ll pay the price.

Buffy:
It’s go or die!

Faith:
You’ll kill me twice?
…..
What can I say to make it clearer?

	Giles:
	What can you say?

	Giles:
	Make it better…

Faith:
except for running…

Faith turned and ran for the door. Giles’ voice stopped her.

“Faith, would you please stay?”

He walked towards her and stopped to shake her hand.

“It’s good to see you again. Angel has contacted me and I’ve given him my word that I’d take care of you until you shall find work and an apartment. You’ll be staying with me until we’ve remedied the situation.”

“Thanks G man.”

He rolled his eyes and hugged her.

“Giles?”

“Yes Buffy?”

“Can we talk? Now!”

She stormed out of the shop and into the training room.

((The mustard song))
Buffy:
You must be freaking out!!!

Giles:
I am not “freaking out”….

“Ugh! This is so disturbing, and on so many levels!” the blonde slayer complained. She shook her head, clearing it and getting back to the object of their impending fight.

“What’s going on here Giles? You knew she was coming back and didn’t at least warn me? And what do you mean she’s staying with you?”

As she rambled on, Giles started to sing again.

((Standing in the way))
Giles:
You’re not ready to hear her side
Of the story, from which you can’t hide.
I know I said that I’d be always on your side
But I…

Her path’s unbeaten and it’s all uphill
And she can meet it but she never will.
And you’re the reason that she’s standing still.
And I…

I wish I could say the right words
To make you understand
Wish you could give forgiveness
And give her one more chance
She wants to be free
But you don’t understand…
You are standing in the way.

Her cries of despair, you don’t hear at all.
’Cause you know you make her feel so small
So she just lies there when she should be standing tall.
But I…

I wish you could lay your guard down
Then you would see at last:
You can help slay her demons
Before her time has passed.
You can forgive her,
Help her find the right path.
But you’re standing in the way.
You’re just standing in the way.

All the while, Buffy was working her frustration out on a punching bag, giving it her best.

“Did you just say something?”

The watcher sighed and gave his slayer a battle axe and a crossbow.

“You two shall patrol as a team again.”

“But Giles! Do I have to?”

With a stern look, he sent the grumbling little slayer into the store, where Anya was berating Faith.

“He’s mine, Faith! You can’t take him” the ex-demon warned, frowning.

“I… I wouldn’t…”

“Oh! But he said that you already have. And I won’t allow it to happen again! Or you shall know the wrath of my vengeance.”

“Anya honey… you’re not a vengeance demon anymore…” Xander tried to reason with his fiancée while keeping a watchful eye on the dark slayer.

“I wish you wouldn’t remind me of that horrible fact so frequently!”

Anya left the shop in tears, knowing her boyfriend would follow and they’d have a long session of make up sex once back home.

“Hey B… You goin’ on patrol?”

“Yes, and you’re coming with.” She angrily shoved the crossbow into Faith’s arms “And this doesn’t mean I forgive you.”

“Yeah, ok, sure B.”

Faith was nonetheless happy. She’d dreamed of slaying with Buffy every night for so long. If there was one way she could prove to her fellow slayer that she had changed, it’d be by fighting the forces of evil again.

Tara approached Faith shyly.

“F-faith. Um… Good luck out there.” She gently touched her shoulder and gave her a warm smile.

“Thanks”

Once the slayers had left, Willow stared at her girlfriend in shock.

“How can you talk to her like nothing happened?”

“Willow… She’s changed… I think she deserves a second chance.”

“She’s had more than a few! We tried to help her! And how did she repay us? She tried to kill us!”

“I know her past is dark Willow… but her aura… it’s much clearer now.”

“But Tara…”

“No buts. You will give her another chance. Is that clear?”

Willow blushed and bowed her head.

“Yes Mistress Tara.”

“Oh bloody hell!” Giles took his glasses off and cleaned them for the 10th time that day.

The slayers were patrolling their second cemetery, and a word had yet to be uttered. The silence was driving Faith mad.

“So… B… how have you been?”

The blonde didn’t even glance at her. She just kept on walking through the graves as though she was alone. Faith continued to talk, hoping Buffy would eventually give in and have a conversation with her.

“I’ve been doing good. Worked for Angel for a while before coming here.”

Still, Faith seemed to speak to a wall. It irritated her to no end. After a few more minutes of deafening silence, she snapped.

“Oh that’s right, little Buffy Summers doesn’t deal with anything, she just ignores all her problems, thinking they’ll go away!”

“Don’t even talk about my problems! You know what, you’re right! You’re the problem, now I’ll just ignore you until you go away!”

Faith took a deep breath in, trying to control her anger. She knew they were headed for a violent fight, and she wanted to avoid it at all costs. She hopped up on a tombstone and looked at the freshly dug grave below her.

((Going through the motions))
Faith:
Every single fight, the same argument
Do we always have to fight?

Buffy:
I will always feel the same sentiment:
Nothing between us will ever be right.

Faith:
I’ve been trying hard to forget you

Buffy:
I want to forgive you

Buffy and Faith:
But I’ve been hiding my emotions
Even from myself
I can’t seem to speak what’s in my heart…

Faith:
I was always wild, wicked outrageous
I was only pretending
Evil grows on you, it’s real dangerous
But I am changing

Buffy:
I see you’re trying

Faith:
Thanks for noticing.

Buffy:
I

The song was cut short as a live puppet jumped on Buffy. She threw him off, sending him flying into Faith.

“Get off!” she yelled, kicking him. He stumbled backwards and tried to get up, but when he saw Faith’s face, he fell to his knees and bowed to her.

“I am so sorry Miss Wilkins, please forgive me.”

Faith froze, recognizing him at once.

“Miss Wilkins? Faith? What’s going on?”

The demon rose and stood in front of Buffy.

“My master has your sister hostage at the Bronze because she summoned him and at midnight he’s going to take her to the underworld to be his queen.”

With this, he ran off.

Furious, Buffy glared at Faith.

“How could you?”

“What? No, I… B…”

“You want revenge? So you use my sister? Leave her out of this!”

“No, you don’t understand...”

“I understand perfectly Faith. You’re using the ones I love to get to me… again! And just when I was starting to trust you…”

Buffy took off, running towards the Bronze. Crying, Faith followed.

Buffy kicked the door down and entered the club in a storm of flying blonde hair.

“I love a good entrance.” The demon said.

“How are you with death scenes? You got a name?”

“I got a hundred.”

“Well, I oughta know what to call you if you’re going to be my brother-in-law.”

“Buffy, I swear I didn’t do it.” Dawn whined.

“Don’t worry Kid. You’re not going anywhere. I am.”

Everybody turned around to see Faith, standing in the doorway, followed by the rest of the Scoobies.

“That’s right. If I can’t kill you Sweet, I’ll go to Hell in her place.”

“Faithy… Faithy… Interesting proposition.”

Buffy accused Faith. “You’re lying! This is all a trick!”

“It’s not a trick B. I swear I’m not working with him. I just know him because he was a friend of the Mayor’s. You have to believe me. I’m not on his side.

((RIP: Rest in peace))
Faith:
I ran… a couple years ago.
I've come back to deal and redeem myself
I want to ask for forgiveness
For all the things I've done. Hmmmm….

Buffy:
Liar! You shouldn't have come here.
And you can’t tell the ones you hurt,
How sorry you must feel.
I don't believe a word you say,
I know it isn't real.

Faith:
I know... you don't believe in me
But your mistrust is hurting me,
More than I can say.
I have to tell you how I feel
B don't walk away...

I want to make amends.
Let me make it right, put the past to sleep
Let me sooth my soul and free my heart
From all this misery
I can make it up to you
But I can’t if you don't help me.
Can you forgive me?

Buffy:
You know I tried to help before
And you just turned your back to me
And said you didn't care.
But now you do? I’m tellin’ you,
I'll never forgive you!
I want you gone from here!

Faith:
I know I should go
But I'll follow you like a girl possessed.
There’s a tortured heart beneath my breast
And it hurts me more than you’ve ever guessed.
I'm in love with you, I have always been!
But I can see you’re unimpressed...

Don't leave me B!

I wanna be with you!
Let me make it right
You can mend my heart, deliver me
From all this misery.
I can do the same for you
But I can’t if you don't let me.
Let me love you B.
Please won't you let me love you B...

Sweet applauded, reminding everyone of his presence. “That’s great, but if Faith is telling the truth and didn’t summon me, I cannot take her to Hell with me. Looks like the little sister has to be crowned now.”

Dawn started to cry. Faith bowed her head. There was only one way to save the teenager’s life.

“I was lying…” she whispered, tears in her eyes. She held her head up, proudly. “I have summoned Sweet to be the Queen of the Underworld. So let him take me.”

Everybody gasped and Buffy started crying.

((Life’s a show))
Buffy:
I can’t believe
You’ve won again
You made me feel pain
I love you…

So you’ve lied again
Go live in Hell
Because I can’t stand
To love you…
I hate you and I love you...

Both slayers sobbed. Willow held Buffy tight against her as Faith slid to the floor, shaking and crying. B had finally said those magic words… but with such hatred and pain… It was truly over. Everything that might have been between them… after so many years of suffering and violence… would never be.

Faith got up and took Sweet’s hand in hers.

“Wait!”

Xander hurriedly pushed Faith back and stood between her and the demon.

“I was the one who summoned him.”

“Xander!” they all yelled at once.

“Well, I didn’t know what was gonna happen! I just thought there was gonna be dances and songs. I just wanted to make sure we’d work out, get a happy ending.”

The boy looked at Sweet fearfully. “Does this mean that I have to… be your queen?”

“It’s tempting… but I think we’ll waive that clause just this once. Big smiles everyone! You beat the bad guy. See you all in hell!”

The slayers slowly walk towards each other, hope shining in their eyes.

((Where do we go from here))
Buffy:
Where do we go from here?

Faith:
Where do we go from here?

Buffy:
The battle’s done
And we kind of won

Faith:
So we sound our victory cheer.
Where do we go from here?

Buffy:
Why is the path unclear
When we know home is near?

The slayers, now standing face to face, stop singing. The Scoobies pick up the song and continue it.

“You were willing to sacrifice yourself for my sister…”

“Yes, I was… Did you mean it B?”

“I said a lot of things that I regret…”

“No regrets B. But did you mean it when you said you loved me?”

“I… Yes. I did.”

Buffy pulls Faith into a tight embrace and kisses her passionately.

Giles, Xander, Anya, Willow and Tara:
The curtains close on a kiss
God knows we can tell the end is near.

The little slayer breaks the kiss and turns to her friends.

“Guys, stop singing! It’s not the end, just the beginning.”

“I love you Buffy.”

“I love you too.”