DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Buffy The Vampire Slayer stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Warner Brothers. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer.

Cookie
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"Ah, the memory lane," Faith said as she walked up to Buffy's house with Buffy and Spike.

They entered, and Faith looked around, curious.

"Buffy?"

Faith looked and smiled when she saw Dawn.

"She's staying with us," Buffy said.

"Hey, kiddo," Faith said.

"I'm not a kid," Dawn said, pouting.

Faith gave her a once over.

"No, you're all woman-sized now."

Dawn glared at her.

"Hey!" Buffy said.

"Does she have to stay here?" Dawn asked.

"Yes." Buffy looked at Faith. "Come."

They went upstairs.

"Willow's got all my stuff," Faith said when they got upstairs.

"You can wear my t-shirt and panties."

Faith grinned.

"Gee, if I'd known it was so easy to get into your panties…"

"Quiet," Buffy hissed at her, glaring.

"Why? Some of the Potentials already asleep?"

Buffy sighed.

"No." She hesitated for a moment. "My daughter."

Faith stopped for a moment, surprised.

"Come again?" she asked as she continued after Buffy.

"My daughter," Buffy repeated quietly, avoiding Faith's gaze.

"What, you're married?"

"No?"

"When did you have the time to have a kid? And who's the dad?"

"I didn't really have much of a choice."

"What do you mean?" Faith asked, confused.

"One day, my period was late, so I took the pregnancy test and found out I was pregnant."

"Just like that?"

"Yeah."

"Do you know who the father is?"

Buffy looked at her.

"You tell me."

Faith frowned.

"Me? How the hell should I know? You're the one that had sex, not me?"

"Really?"

Faith's frown deepened.

"Well, yeah."

"Not when you stole my body."

"Oh." Faith suddenly realized who the father was. "Oh."

"Yes, oh. So, who is it?"

Faith looked away, sighing.

"Riley."

Buffy took a deep breath, relieved that it was Riley and not some unknown guy, but also a bit nervous because of it.

"You sure?"

Faith nodded.

"He's the only one I slept with."

"Oh," Buffy said, relieved.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I'm sorry."

Buffy sighed.

"I'm not. I'm not saying it was easy, but I love her and I wouldn't give her up for anything."

Faith nodded.

"I'll help you in any way I can," she said.

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Faith shrugged.

"She's here because of me," she said and looked at the floor, nervous. "I feel responsible." She took a deep breath. "So, what's her name?" she changed the subject.

"Hope."

Faith smiled.

"A suitable name."

"Yeah."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I'm sorry about your mom," she then said. "She was one hell of a lady."

"Yes," Buffy agreed. She sighed. "Come." She led Faith to a room. "You'll sleep here."

Faith looked around.

"Okay. Thanks."

"I'll get you the t-shirt and the panties."

"Yeah, okay."

Buffy left, and Faith went to the window and looked out, thinking. Buffy had a baby because of her. She wasn't quite sure if that was one of her screw-ups or one of her successes. Sure, Buffy said she wasn't mad about it, but Faith wasn't completely sure that Buffy wasn't holding it against her. Like so many other things. She sighed, hoping that she would be able to make up for what she'd done.

Here reverie was interrupted by Buffy, who had returned with a t-shirt and a pair of panties.

"Here," Buffy said.

Faith turned.

"Thanks," she said as Buffy put the panties and the t-shirt on the bed.

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"I'll be downstairs."

"Okay."

Buffy left, and Faith stared after her for a few moments before turning back to the window.

A few minutes later, Faith decided to go downstairs and grab something to eat. As she passed Buffy's room, she stopped and looked at the door. She hesitated for a few moments and then decided to go in. She quietly opened the door and approached Hope's bed. She smiled when she saw her hug Mr Gordo.

She stared at the little girl quietly, feeling strange. She already felt responsible for her, but now that she saw her, she felt something else as well.

As she stared at the sleeping girl for a while, it suddenly dawned on her. In a way, she was Hope's mother, after all, she had conceived her and carried her for the first few hours, when she was just a nondescript bundle of cells. And if Buffy hadn't gotten her body back, then she would have given birth to her.

The mere idea that she was a mother, sort of, scared her. She knew she was no mother material, she had no experience with children, plus she had so much emotional baggage that she didn't know where to start unloading.

She was relieved that she wasn't officially responsible for Hope, she knew that she wouldn't be able to take care of her, or even know how to, but she was determined to help Buffy raise her. She knew Buffy probably won't want her anywhere near Hope, at least at first, but she could still help by earning money and protecting the house. Any maybe someday Buffy would let her babysit Hope or something.

She hesitated for a moment and then gently touched Hope's cheek.

She suddenly felt like crying, but she wasn't sure whether it was for a sad reason or for a happy reason. She bit her teeth and took a deep breath to calm down. Then she quickly left, closing the door quietly behind her.

The next morning, after breakfast, Hope noticed Faith, who was practicing tai ji in the back yard. She went to the back door and one of the Potentials opened it for her.

"Thank you," Hope said and went to Faith.

She fetched her small chair, sat on it, and watched Faith, curious.

Faith noticed Hope and she became nervous, but she forced herself to concentrate and finish her routine.

When she was done, she stretched, and then looked at Hope.

"Hi," Hope said and got up.

"Hi."

"What was that?"

Faith frowned.

"What?"

"That. Was it dancing? You looked like a ballerina."

Faith smiled a little.

"It was tai ji."

Hope frowned.

"What's that?"

"A martial art."

"What's that?"

Faith smirked.

"A style of fighting."

"But you were slow. Mommy and her friends are much faster."

"I know. This routine is slow and it helps me concentrate."

"Oh." Hope thought for a moment. "I'm Hope."

Faith smiled.

"I know, cookie."

"Really?"

"Your mom told me."

"Oh. What's your name?"

"Faith."

"Are you Mommy's friend too?"

Faith sighed.

"Sort of."

"Are you gonna stay here?"

"Yes. At least for a while."

"Oh."

"Hope," Buffy said as she came out.

Faith and Hope looked at her.

"Hey," Faith said.

Buffy walked to Hope, who raised her arms for Buffy to pick her up.

"She practiced fighting," Hope said when Buffy picked her up. "But she was slow."

"I know," Buffy said. "It's called tai ji."

"Can you do it too?"

"Sure. Come, let's go inside."

Buffy carried Hope inside, and Faith followed them.

"So, who was it?" she asked when Buffy put Hope down, and Hope left.

Buffy looked at her, startled.

"What?"

"Who warned you about me talking to Hope? Willow or Xander?"

Buffy stared at Faith for a few moments, wondering if it was really that obvious.

"Xander."

Faith nodded and then sighed.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt her."

Buffy stared at her for a few moments.

"You'll excuse me if I'm careful."

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"I'm going out."

"Where?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know," she said and left.

When Faith came back, she went to the back yard and lit a cigarette. She leaned at the wall and watched the Potentials train.

"Whatcha doing?"

Faith looked at Hope, startled.

"Huh?"

"Whatcha doing?" Hope repeated and pointed at the cigarette.

Faith glanced at her cigarette.

"Smoking?"

"Why?"

Faith frowned and shrugged.

"Don't know, a bad habit, I guess."

"Then why don't you stop?"

Faith shrugged.

"Don't know, cookie. Old habits are hard to break, I guess."

"Why?"

"Because they're old, I guess, you get used to doing something."

"Why did you start?"

Faith thought about it.

"I guess I wanted to appear more mature."

"What's that?"

"Mature?"

"Uh-huh."

"Grown-up."

"Oh. Why?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"So people wouldn't know I was afraid."

"Of what?"

Faith shrugged.

"Everything and nothing."

Hope frowned.

"I don't understand."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Let's say you meet a big, mean-looking man. You'd be afraid of him, right?"

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Well, I kinda felt a bit less afraid, it made me feel a bit more ma… grown-up. Of course, it didn't really work, plus it's bad for the health."

"Oh. Can I try?"

Faith chuckled.

"No, cookie. Here, it stinks, see?" she said, letting Hope smell the smoke.

Hope coughed, and Faith waved the smoke away.

"Do you like the smell?" Hope asked as Faith stubbed out the cigarette against the wall.

"Not really."

Hope thought for a moment.

"Does it still make you feel grown-up?"

Faith smiled.

"I don't need cigarettes to feel grown-up anymore."

"Then why do you smoke?"

Faith shrugged.

"Habit, like I said. Plus, it makes it look like I'm doing something, not just leaning against the wall."

"Oh." Hope looked at the practicing Potentials and stared at them for a while. Then she looked back at Faith. "Why don't you practice with them?"

Faith glanced at her.

"They're just repeating the movements at the moment. I'll join them when they start sparing."

"What's that?"

"Sparing?"

"Uh-huh," Hope said, nodding.

"Working in pairs. They'll fight, but not for real."

"Oh."

Hope stared at the Potentials for a while and tried imitating some moves.

When Faith noticed it, she smiled at her.

"Not like that, cookie," she said.

Hope looked at her.

"Can you show me?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I don't think your mom would like it if I did, cookie."

"Why not?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Well, you're only two and a half. Plus, your mom and I aren't…" She hesitated for a moment. "Well, let's just say we're not really friends."

Hope frowned.

"Why not?"

Faith sighed.

"Some really bad things happened between us and we ended hurting one another."

Hope's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Faith shrugged.

"We both had problems and we were both afraid."

"Oh."

Faith ruffled her hair.

"Don't worry, cookie, we're not going to hurt one another, we're past that."

"Oh." Hope thought for a moment. "Why are you calling me cookie?"

Faith smiled, blushing a bit.

"Because you're so sweet."

Hope smiled.

In the evening, after the debacle with Caleb, Faith went home alone. She felt tense, because she still remembered the death of her Watcher. And with three Potentials killed and Xander's eye ruined, the memories and the fears came back. She knew she wasn't the only one afraid, Buffy was also afraid, they all were. Unfortunately, no one was talking, and she really didn't feel like it either.

"Faith," Dawn said when Faith came in.

"Hey," Faith said.

"How did it go?" Dawn asked, anxious.

"Molly and two others are dead and Xander lost an eye. The others got their ass kicked too."

"Oh," Dawn said and her shoulders slumped. "Where's Buffy?"

"She took a walk. She needs to clear her head."

"Oh."

Faith sighed.

"I'll be upstairs."

"Okay."

Faith went upstairs. As she passed Buffy's room, she stopped and stared at the door for a few moments. Then she quietly opened it and went in. She sat beside Buffy's bed, leaning on it, and then stared at the sleeping Hope.

The next day, Faith was reading a comic. She was sitting on a bench at the back of the back yard, facing away from the Potentials, who were practicing again.

"Hi."

Faith looked and smiled, when she saw it was Hope.

"Hey, cookie."

Hope smiled.

"Whatcha reading?"

"A comic," Faith said, and showed her.

"It has pictures!" she said, excited.

"Yeah."

Hope looked closer.

"But where's the story?"

"Right here," Faith said, and showed her the balloons.

Hope frowned.

"Really?"

"Yeah. The dialog's in the balloons and the action is in the pictures."

"Oh. What's it about?"

"About good and evil."

"A fairy-tale?" Hope asked, excited.

Faith chuckled.

"Sort of, yeah."

Hope hesitated for a moment.

"Will you read it to me?"

Faith thought about it for a moment.

"Okay," she then decided.

Hope smiled and tried to climb on the bench.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then put away the comic.

"Come," she said, and picked her up.

She sat Hope between her legs and then picked up the comic. She opened it where she'd stopped, but then decided to start at the beginning.

"Okay, this is a Star Wars comic," she then told Hope.

"What's that?"

"Star Wars?"

"Uh-huh."

Faith shrugged.

"It's a title. Sort of like the Powerpuff Girls. And there are just as many episodes."

"Oh."

"Anyway, there's this thing called the Galactic Republic. It contains many planets and many species."

"Demons?"

Faith smiled.

"No, aliens."

"Oh."

"Anyway, some of them are Jedi. They're sort of witches, good witches."

"Like Auntie Willow?"

"Yes. They protect the Republic and fight the bad guys."

"Like Mommy?"

"Yes. Your mom and the Potentials, they fight the demons and save the world. And then there are the bad guys, the Sith."

"The aliens?"

"No, no. See, the Jedi are humans as well as aliens. And so are the Sith." She thought for a moment. "Actually, most Sith are human, I think. They're like bad witches."

"Oh."

"Anyway…"

When Buffy came home and couldn't find Hope anywhere, she became worried. She searched the house, but she couldn't find Hope.

Willow, who helped her search, went to the back yard.

"Anya, have you seen Hope?" she asked the ex-demon, who was training the Potentials who weren't at the hospital.

Anya frowned, thinking.

"I think I saw her around here a while ago."

"She went to Faith," one of the Potentials said.

"Thanks," Willow said and went to Faith.

But when she came close to the bench, she could hear that Faith was reading something and answering Hope's questions. She stopped, curious, and listened.

"How did he turn into a tree?" Hope was asking.

Faith thought for a moment.

"Well, you know butterflies, right?"

"Uh-huh."

"Well, at first they're caterpillars. Then they change into a chrysalis. And when they come out, they're butterflies and have wings."

"Really?"

"Yes. And the same with this guy. When they're young, they can walk around, and when they get older, they turn into trees."

"Oh. Why didn't he want the Sith to get those things?"

"Because they're symbols, cookie, and if the Sith got them, they would be trophies."

"I don't understand."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Symbols are powerful things. For example a flag. You know what a flag is?"

"Uh-huh."

"It's a symbol of a country and represents us. In a war, when our soldiers staked our flag somewhere, it meant that they've conquered that area. And if they captured the enemy flag, it became their trophy. They could display it and show off."

"Oh. But why did the Sith destroy the planet?"

"Because they're evil. They want to control everything, even if it means destroying it. They can't create, they can only destroy."

"Can't he become a Jedi again?"

"Sure he can, but it's hard."

"Why?"

Faith sighed.

"I told you your mom and I hurt one another, right?"

"Uh-huh."

"Well, it started when I accidentally killed a man."

"Why?"

Faith took a deep breath to calm down.

"It was an accident. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and I wasn't careful."

"Oh."

"Anyway, because your mommy had other things to worry about, she couldn't really help me. She tried, but it wasn't enough. And I resented her that. Plus, I was afraid."

"Of what?"

"Everything. I felt bad because of what I'd done and the police was after me. I didn't know what to do." She paused for a moment. "I didn't know where to go. So I went to the only person who I thought could protect me, the Mayor. But he was bad. So I became more and more bad." She sighed. "When I couldn't take it anymore, I just wanted to die."

"Really?" Hope asked, worried.

"Yes. But fortunately, there was Angel, a friend of your mom…"

"Uncle Angel?"

"Yes. He helped me."

"Are you still bad?"

Faith sighed.

"No. I'm okay now, cookie." She thought for a moment. "It wasn't so much that I was bad, you know, or evil, I was just scared."

"Are you still scared?"

"A bit. But I'm much better now."

"Oh."

Faith took a deep breath.

"Anyway, where were?"

"Here. He turned into a tree."

"Okay."

Willow decided she'd heard enough, and she quickly left.

"Is she there?" Anya asked her.

"Yes. Faith is reading to her."

"Oh."

Willow continued to the house.

"Have you found her?" Buffy asked when they met at the door.

"Yes, she's with Faith."

"What?" Buffy said, surprised and a bit worried, and looked toward Faith.

"Don't worry, she's okay. Faith is reading to her."

"She is?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Yes. And she's really good, you know. Hope keeps asking her questions and she answers them really patiently. And she explains stuff to her." She smiled. "Don't worry, Faith won't hurt her."

Buffy gave her a skeptical look.

"You sure? Faith isn't exactly a good influence."

"I'm not so sure about that. She's much more mature than she used to be. Plus, she much more relaxed when she's alone with Hope, she doesn't pretend to be tough."

"Oh."

Willow smiled.

"She calls Hope cookie."

Buffy frowned.

"Cookie?"

Willow nodded.

"Yes."

"Where did she get that?"

Willow shrugged.

"I don't know. Anyway, don't worry about it, Faith's taking good care of Hope. And I think it's good for her, you know."

"For who? Faith?"

"Yes."

"What? Taking care of Hope?"

"Yes. Hope's the only one not judging her and she can be relaxed around her."

"Oh."

"Come, let's go inside and see about the lunch."

Buffy sighed.

"I'll just say hi to Hope."

"No, don't."

Buffy frowned, surprised.

"Why not?"

"Because Faith is relaxed right now. If she knows that you know she's reading to Hope, she'll become worried and might stop. She doesn't want to piss you off. Plus, she would be nervous."

"Oh." Buffy hesitated for a few moments, staring at Faith's back. Then she sighed. "Okay."

In the afternoon, the Bringers attacked. While everyone rushed to fight them, Faith ran to Hope, who was playing in the living room. She quickly picked her up.

"Why are they fighting?" Hope asked, frightened.

"Because those men are bed and they're trying to hurt everyone," Faith said.

"Why?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know." She noticed a couple of Bringers approach her. "Anyway, hold on tight, we're gonna do a little rollercoaster."

"What's that?"

Faith smiled.

"You'll see. Hold on tight."

Hope hugged Faith tightly and Faith started fighting the Bringers with her legs, doing gymnastics to get Hope out of their reach. She felt that Hope was scared, so she made funny noises, as though they were really on a rollercoaster.

When the Bringers were defeated, Faith stopped, relieved.

"There, we won," she said.

Hope looked at her and smiled.

"That was fun."

Faith smiled at her.

"You bet."

Hope looked around and noticed the dead Bringers.

"Why are they lying?"

"That's what happens when you don't hang on, cookie. Plus, they were bad." She looked around. "Look, there's your mom."

Hope looked, and smiled when she saw Buffy coming closer.

"Everything okay, sweetie?" Buffy asked Hope when she came to her.

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh. We did the rollercoaster."

"Huh?" Buffy said, puzzled, and looked at Faith.

"Just some fancy gymnastics to avoid getting killed," Faith explained as she gave Hope to Buffy.

"Oh."

"Why don't you take her upstairs until we clean up the mess."

Buffy nodded.

"I will." She looked at Hope. "Come, sweetie, let's go upstairs until the mess is cleaned up."

"Okay," Hope said.

"She's calling you cookie?" Buffy asked Hope as they walked up the stairs.

Hope nodded with a smile.

"Uh-huh."

"Do you know why?"

"Because I'm sweet."

"Oh," Buffy said, surprised. She smiled. "You are."

Faith quietly watched them as they went upstairs. Then she looked around.

"Red?"

Willow came closer.

"Yes?"

"Can you stitch my wound?"

Willow gave her a once over.

"Where are you cut?"

"Here," Faith said and showed her the right armpit.

"Oh. Sure." Willow looked around. "If anyone else is hurt, come upstairs."

After she made sure that Hope wasn't hurt, Buffy left her in her room. As she passed the bathroom, she was surprised to see that Faith was hurt.

"You got cut?" she asked Faith.

"Stabbed."

"Oh." She hesitated for a moment. "Thanks."

"Any time."

"Mommy, can Faith read me the story?" Hope asked in the evening when Buffy tucked her in.

"Story?" Buffy said, startled.

"Uh-huh," Hope said, nodding, "from the comic. About Jedi and Sith."

"Oh. Eh, sure. Hold on."

Buffy went downstairs.

"Eh, Faith?"

Faith looked at her.

"Yeah?"

"Hope wants you to read her your story."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

Faith got up and left, feeling a bit nervous, because everyone was looking at her.

Buffy considered following her, but she decided against it.

Upstairs, Faith first fetched her comic and then went to Hope.

"Hey," she said with a smile.

"Hi," Hope said, smiling. "Will you read me the story?"

"You're not sleepy?"

"Uh-huh," Hope said, nodding, "but I want to hear the story."

"Okay, but only a few pages, okay? You need your beauty sleep."

"Okay."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then sat beside her.

Hope sat straight and leaned on her.

Faith looked at her, startled, and then slowly put her arm around her. Then she opened the comic.

"So, where were we?"

Ten minutes later, Faith noticed that Hope was almost asleep.

"We'll continue tomorrow, cookie."

"Mhm," Hope said.

Faith smiled and gently laid her down. Then she got up and covered her.

"Sweet dreams, cookie."

"Night," Hope said.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then kissed her on the top of the head. She stared at her for a few moments and then sighed. When she turned, she tensed when she saw Buffy enter.

"Eh, we're done," she said, hoping that Buffy hadn't seen her kiss Hope.

"Yes," Buffy said. She went to the bed. "Good night, sweetie," she said and kissed Hope on the top of the head.

"Night, Mommy," Hope said.

Buffy made sure that Hope was covered up alright, and then left.

"Faith," she called after Faith, who had reached the stairs.

Faith stopped.

"Yeah?"

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"You're calling her cookie?"

Faith blushed.

"Yeah."

"That's a weird nickname. Where did you pick it up?"

Faith stared at Buffy for a couple of moments, but then she decided that Buffy wasn't mocking her.

"I saw this movie once. The mom was calling her kid cookie. I kinda liked it."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then went downstairs.

After Buffy had gone out, and Spike and Andrew left on their mission, Faith took the potentials to the Bronze to cheer them up. When Buffy got to the Bronze, after having been beaten up by Caleb, she was upset. She helped them against the bad cops and then they went home. Buffy wanted to go to the vinyard and attack Caleb, but the Potentials mutinied, and Dawn told her to leave. So she did.

"B!" Faith called as she ran after her.

Buffy sighed and turned.

"I need some time alone."

"When are you coming back?"

"I don't know. Take care of them. Especially Hope."

"I will.

Buffy sighed again.

"Thanks."

Then she turned and left.

Faith quietly stared after her for a few moments and then went back in.

In the morning, Faith went to wake up Hope.

"Wake up, cookie," she said, gently shaking her.

Hope opened her eyes and smiled.

"Hi," she said and rubbed her eyes, yawning.

"Time to get up."

Hope uncovered herself and sat up.

"Where's Mommy?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"She's out. She needs to clear her head."

"When will she be back?"

"I don't know. Soon."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then ruffled her hair.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of you."

Hope smiled.

"Okay."

"But I'm gonna need your help."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, I don't know what you do now. Do you get dressed, or do you go to the bathroom first."

"Bathroom."

"Okay. Come."

Faith gave Hope her hand and Hope slid off the bed. Then they went to the bathroom.

Just before lunch, during another Bringer attack, Hope got cut on the cheek.

"You okay, cookie?" Faith asked her after the Bringers were dead.

"It hurts," Hope said, teary-eyed, covering the cut with her hand.

"Let me see." Hope removed her hand and Faith inspected the cut. "Don't worry, it'll be okay. Let's go upstairs."

Faith carried her upstairs to the bathroom. There, she sat her on the toilet and fetched the first aid kit.

"This is gonna sting a bit," she then told Hope as she prepared to disinfect the wound. "Okay, remove your hand."

Hope removed her hand and Faith cleaned the wound.

"It stings," Hope said.

"I know," Faith said and blew on the cut to ease the stinging. "It's gonna stop soon," she said as she prepared to put the plaster on the wound. "There. Now let's wash your hands." She picked up Hope and carried her to the washbasin. "Wash your hands now."

"Is she okay?" Willow asked as she came up with the wounded Potentials.

Faith glanced at her.

"Just a cut to the cheek."

"Oh."

"We need to get a Bringer."

"We did."

"Really?" Faith said, surprised.

"Yes. Kennedy and Rona captured one."

"Good."

"Clean," Hope then said and showed Faith her hands.

Faith checked.

"Okay. Dry your hands now."

Hope dried her hands and Faith then put her down.

"Come, let's go to your room now."

"Okay," Hope said and took Faith's hand.

They went to Buffy's room.

When they got there, Hope ran to the bed and took Mr Gordo.

"You okay, cookie?" Faith asked.

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Okay. I'll go see what's going on downstairs," Faith said and turned to leave.

Then Hope ran to her and hugged her legs tightly, scared.

Faith looked at her and sighed.

"Come here, cookie," she said and picked her up.

Hope hugged her tightly.

"Hey, it's okay, cookie. It's okay," Faith said and sighed. "I'll see if I can find your mom."

Hope nodded.

"You want to play or come with me?"

Hope thought about it.

"Play."

"Okay," Faith said and put her down. "You gonna be okay?"

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Good. If you need me, call me. I'll be in the basement, trying to find out more about our enemy."

"Okay."

Faith ruffled her hair and left.

After lunch, Faith took Hope upstairs to take a nap.

"Don't go," Hope said when Faith started to leave.

Faith looked at her.

"You okay, cookie?"

"I'm scared."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Want me to stay with you?"

Hope nodded, clutching at Mr Gordo.

"Uh-huh."

Faith sighed.

"Okay." She thought for a moment and then decided to lie next do Hope. "Move over," she said and sat on the bed.

She took off her shoes and lay down.

Hope smiled. She cuddled up to Faith and took hold of her right thumb.

Faith put her arm around her, feeling strange, not used to cuddling. But she quickly got over it, after all, Hope was sort of her daughter. She smiled a bit at the thought, and looked at Hope, who was already half asleep.

When Willow came upstairs ten minutes later to see where Faith was, she was surprised to see her lying next to Hope, apparently asleep as well. She couldn't help but smile at the sight, after all, she'd never seen Faith in such a position before, with her walls down. She decided to take a photo. She knew Faith would probably freak when she told her, so she decided to give the photo to Faith without showing it to anyone. She quietly left to get a camera.

When Hope woke up, her movements woke up Faith as well.

"Hey, cookie," Faith said and smiled at Hope.

"Hi," Hope said, smiling.

"Ready to get up?"

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Ready for take-off?"

"What?"

"This," Faith said and quickly got up, making noises as if a rocket was taking up. "And we have take-off!"

Hope giggled.

"I need to pee," she then said.

"Then let's go to the bathroom before we make a puddle," Faith said and put her down. "I don't think your mom would appreciate it."

Hope smiled.

After taking care of Hope, Faith went downstairs.

"They're back?" she asked Kennedy when she saw Spike and Andrew.

"Yeah."

"Did they find out anything?"

"Not much."

"Oh." She thought for a moment. "Where's your girl?"

"In the kitchen."

Faith went to the kitchen.

"Willow," she said when she saw the witch.

"Oh, hi. Spike and Andrew are back."

"I know. Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure."

Faith looked at the two Potentials who were also in the kitchen.

"Guys, would you excuse us for a minute?"

The Potentials looked at her and then left.

"What's wrong?" Willow asked.

"Nothing," Faith said. She hesitated for a moment. "I, em… I was thinking about going back to school."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, not actually going there, I thought about taking the GED."

"Oh. That's a good idea, yes."

Faith hesitated again.

"Em, I have no idea what to learn, or when the exams are."

Willow smiled.

"Don't worry, I'll help you."

"Thanks," Faith said, relieved.

"After we beat the First."

"Yeah."

"Ooh!" Willow reached into her pocket and carefully pulled out a polaroid photo. "Here," she said and gave it to Faith.

Faith took it, confused. When she saw that it was her and Hope, she tensed.

"You took a photo of me?"

"Yes. It was a precious moment and I thought you might want it preserved." Willow smiled. "Don't worry, no one has seen it. It's yours."

Faith stared at the photo for a few moments, not sure if she should be angry or grateful. She decided on grateful.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then left. She went upstairs to put away the photo, she didn't want it to get all wrinkled in her wallet.

As she passed Buffy's room, she heard Hope talking. She frowned, confused, and entered.

"B?" she said, surprised.

"Hi, Faith."

Faith frowned, this didn't feel like Buffy. She went to her and tried to touch her, but her hand passed through.

"The First," she said.

She quickly went to Hope and picked her up.

"Aww, look at you, all maternal," the First mocked her.

"Stay away from her."

Hope, who had seen Faith's hand pass through what she thought was her mommy, leaned forward and tried to touch her, but her hand passed through as well. She quickly pulled it back.

"Why can't I touch Mommy?" she asked Faith.

"This isn't your mom," Faith said, "this is the enemy."

"But it looks just like Mommy," Hope said, confused.

"I know." She thought for a moment. "This is the First. It can only appear as dead people."

Hope's eyes went wide.

"Mommy's dead?"

"Now look what you've done," the First mocked her. "Bad Faithy."

"Shut up," Faith said, glaring at it. Then she looked back at Hope. "No, she's alive, but a while ago, she died."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Is she a ghost?"

"No, no, Willow brought her back. She's alive, don't worry."

"Not for long," the First said as it changed into the Mayor.

Faith tensed.

"Boss."

The First smiled.

"You remember! How nice." It shook its head. "I must say you disappoint me, Faith. You had such potential."

"Shut up. You're…" She took a deep breath to calm down. "You're not him. And for your information, my potential is my own, not yours or the Mayor's. Now scram."

Faith walked straight through the first, who vanished, laughing.

Hope hugged Faith tightly, confused and frightened.

"Where is Mommy?"

"Don't worry, I'll go look for her later."

She carried Hope downstairs.

"What's wrong?" Giles asked Faith when he saw that Hope was hugging her tightly, obviously scared.

"The First showed up looking like Buffy," Faith explained.

"I see."

"Hope's confused about it. We should find Buffy." She looked around. "Willow!"

Willow came closer.

"Yes?"

"We need to find Buffy. The First showed up looking like her and Hope's confused."

"Okay."

Faith looked at Giles.

"Giles, you'll watch Hope."

"Me?" Giles said, startled.

"Yes." She looked at Willow. "You and the rest of non-Potentials will go find Buffy and I'm taking the Potentials."

"Okay. I'll tell them."

"Yeah." Faith looked at Hope. "Cookie?"

Hope looked at her.

"I want my mommy."

"I know. We'll go look for her later, when it gets dark."

"Why?"

"Because she'll be easier to find then."

"Oh."

"Don't worry, I'll stay with you until then, and when I go out, Giles will watch you. Okay?"

"Okay. Will you read me the story now?"

Faith smiled.

"Sure."

In the evening, Dawn and Buffy's friends went to look for Buffy, and Faith took out the Potentials. Buffy had more luck, because she found the scythe, while Faith nearly got killed by a bomb. The Potentials got Faith out, but she was unconscious. And as if that wasn't enough, there were three Turok Han after them. Fortunately, Buffy reached them in time and killed the Turok Han. Then they went home.

"Mommy!" Hope said, excited, when she saw her.

"Hey, sweetie," Buffy said with a smile.

Hope went to her, but she stopped just out of reach and carefully touched Buffy. When she made sure she was solid, she hugged her.

Buffy looked at Giles, confused.

"The First appeared to her as you," he explained.

"Oh."

"I missed you, Mommy," Hope said and looked up at her.

Buffy smiled at her.

"I missed you too, sweetie," Buffy said.

She wanted to pick her up, but then Hope noticed Faith, and ran to her, her eyes wide.

"Is she okay?" she asked Kennedy, who was supporting Faith.

"She's unconscious," Kennedy said.

"Sweetie, step aside so they can take her upstairs," Buffy said.

Hope stepped aside, and the Potentials took Faith upstairs. Hope followed them.

"Willow," Buffy said when the wounded Potentials went upstairs.

"Yes?"

"How did it go? With Hope, I mean?"

Willow thought for a moment.

"Well, she used to come to Dawn or me when you were away, but now she goes to Faith."

"Really?"

"Yes. And for some reason Faith cares about Hope." She smiled. "When Hope was afraid to take a nap alone after another Bringer attack, Faith slept with her. You should've seen them, it was so sweet. I took a photo for Faith."

Buffy smiled a little.

"Good."

"Faith also asked me to help her with the GED."

"Really? She wants to go back to school?"

"Yes. I mean, she at least wants to finish high school, I don't know about college yet." She smiled. "I think she wants to be a good role model for Hope."

Buffy nodded.

"Yes." She sighed. "Go take care of Faith, I'll help the Potentials."

"Okay."

After everyone was taken care of, Buffy went to Faith's room to check up on her. She was surprised to see Hope cuddled up to Faith, already asleep. She considered waking her, but decided to let her sleep. She went closer and covered them. She stared at them for a few moments, finding it strange to see Faith so peaceful. Then she left.

When Faith woke up, she was surprised to find Hope there. She smiled at her and then tried to quietly extricate herself.

But Hope woke up anyway. Her eyes went wide when she saw Faith was awake.

"Are you okay?" she asked, worried.

Faith smiled.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Auntie Kennedy said you were uncons… uncon… eh…"

"Unconscious," Faith helped her.

"Uh-huh," Hope said, nodding.

"I'm fine, just a bit sore."

"Oh."

"Is your mom back?"

"Uh-huh."

"Is she okay?"

"Uh-huh."

Hope yawned, and Faith smiled.

"Looks like it's way past someone's bedtime."

"Can I sleep with you?"

"Sure, cookie."

"Can Mommy sleep with us too?"

"Eh…" Faith said, surprised. "I guess. Let's go find her so she can wash you. I'll take a shower then."

"Okay."

Faith got up, and Hope reached out with her hands, so Faith picked her up.

"Where's B?" Faith asked a Potential when they got downstairs.

"Kitchen."

"Thanks."

Faith took Hope to the kitchen.

"Faith, you're awake," Willow said when she saw her.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"Hey, sweetie," Buffy said and took her from Faith.

Hope rubbed her eyes.

"She wants to sleep with me tonight," Faith said, a bit nervous.

"Oh," Buffy said, surprised. She thought about the seeing Hope cuddled up to Faith. "Okay."

Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then wash her up. I'll take a shower afterwards."

"Okay."

"Are you gonna sleep with us too?" Hope asked Buffy.

"Me?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Uh-huh," Hope said, nodding. "She said you could."

"Oh." Buffy sighed. "But I'll be late. I have one more thing to take care off."

"Oh," Hope said, disappointed.

Buffy kissed her on the cheek.

"I know, sweetie, I hate this too. I'd much rather be with you than chase some monsters, but if I don't chase them, they will hurt other people and they might hurt you." She smiled. "Don't worry, as soon as we defeat this monster, I'm taking a break."

"Okay."

Buffy ruffled her hair.

"Come, let's go wash up."

Buffy and Hope left, and Faith looked at Willow.

"How many were killed?"

"A couple."

Faith sighed.

"Damn," she said, feeling guilty.

"It's not your fault," Willow said.

"I led them there."

"But it's not you who set up the bomb."

"Still, I…"

"You what? You couldn't have known. You were lucky you got out as fast as you could."

Faith sighed.

"Now I finally kinda understand B."

Willow smiled.

"You grew up."

"Yeah."

"Anyway, you'll be happy to know that we apologized and that Buffy is back in charge."

Faith nodded.

"Good."

"Oh, she got the scythe."

"Scythe?"

"Yes. Apparently it was made especially for the Slayer. Come, let me show you."

Willow took Faith to the living room, where the Potentials who were still awake quietly conversed.

As soon as Faith saw the scythe, she could feel it was special.

"There it is," Willow said.

"Oh yeah," Faith said. She went to the table and picked it up. "Now this is a thing of…" She trailed off with a shudder, remembering the last time she'd called a weapon a thing of beauty. "I can feel its power."

"I know."

Faith sighed and put it away. She looked at the Potentials.

"Everyone okay?"

The Potentials nodded.

"Yes," one of them said.

"Don't worry, we'll win. I suggest you get some rest, think about something else." Faith looked at Willow. "I'll be upstairs."

"Okay."

"I'll be right with you," Faith told Hope as Buffy took Hope to her room.

"Okay," Hope said sleepily.

"Faith, can you wait a moment?" Buffy said.

"Sure."

Buffy took Hope to Faith's room and tucked her in.

Faith followed her and watched her.

"What is it?" she asked when Buffy came out of the room.

"I talked to Xander," Buffy said. "He's gonna take Dawn and Hope to Angel until this is over."

Faith nodded.

"That's a good idea." She thought for a moment. "I understand now."

"What?" Buffy asked, confused.

Faith waved her hand.

"Everything. What it's like to lead people and be responsible for them."

"Oh."

"I'm glad you're back."

Buffy stared at her for a moment.

"Me too."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"And you're welcome to join us."

Buffy smiled a little.

"Thanks. I'll see. I'm going out now."

"Where?"

"I need to find a crypt and see what I can find out about the scythe. Oh, you haven't seen it yet. I got it…"

"I know, Willow told me," Faith interrupted her.

"Oh."

"You need help?"

"No, I'm not going after Caleb."

"Oh."

"And besides, I'd like you to stay here and keep an eye on everyone, in case the Bringers decide to attack again."

"Oh. Sure," Faith said, feeling dejected.

"No. I mean, I'd like you to come with me, but one of us needs to hold the fort. And besides, you told Hope you'd sleep with her."

Faith sighed.

"Okay." She hesitated for a moment. "Be careful."

Buffy smiled.

"I will."

After Faith took a shower, she dressed for bed and went to her room. She tried to lay down without waking Hope, but she failed.

"Mommy?" Hope asked sleepily.

"No, it's me, cookie," Faith said.

"Oh."

Hope waited until Faith was lying and then she cuddled up to her.

"Night, cookie," Faith said and kissed her on the top of the head.

"Night," Hope mumbled.

As she drifted off to sleep, Faith realized she'd never felt better.

When Buffy told everyone the next day that Caleb was dead and that she had a plan, everyone was relieved and excited. When Buffy told them about the idea that all Potentials should become Slayers, Faith was a bit worried about how those girls who had never heard of demons before will react, but the Potentials were excited. And Faith too felt relieved that she would be able to take a short break every now and then.

"B," Faith said after the Potentials went off to talk about what it would be like when they become Slayers.

"Yes?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Do you have any photos of when Hope was little?"

Buffy smiled.

"Sure. Come."

They went upstairs to Buffy's room, and Buffy fetched Hope's photo album.

"Here," she said and gave the album to Faith.

"Thanks," Faith said and sat down on Buffy's bed.

Buffy considered staying and explaining, but she decided that Faith would prefer looking at the photos herself. And besides, there were explanations besides the photos. She smiled and left.

Faith opened the photo album and started to look at the photos, feeling a bit excited. She slowly leafed through, wishing she could've been there.

A couple of minutes later, Hope came in.

"Hey, cookie," Faith said with a smile.

"Whatcha doing?" Hope asked.

"Looking at photos of you when you were little."

Hope looked at the album, curious.

"Can I watch too?"

"Sure."

Faith put the album aside and then helped sit on the bed. Then she took the album again.

"Want me to start at the beginning?" Faith asked Hope.

"Uh-huh," Hope said.

"Okay."

Faith started at the beginning, reading aloud the notes beside the photos, and Hope curiously watched.

"I looked so funny," Hope commented.

Faith chuckled.

"You looked chubby and cuddly, cookie," she said, and Hope smiled at her. "But don't worry, once you grow up, you'll be a beauty like your mom."

"Really?"

"You bet."

In the afternoon, Buffy told Dawn and Hope that Xander would take them to LA.

"No! I wanna stay!" Dawn protested.

"Dawn…"

"I can fight. You said, I can. And I'm good, you said so yourself."

"I know, Dawn, but someone has to take care of Hope."

"But why me?" Dawn pouted.

"Who else? Cordelia?"

Dawn thought about it and decided that Cordelia didn't seem the maternal type.

"But I'd like to stay."

Buffy smiled.

"I know."

"I wanna stay too, Mommy," Hope said.

Buffy looked at her.

"I know, sweetie. But I want you to be safe, so you'll have to take a trip with Aunt Dawn to Uncle Angel."

Hope hugged her, a bit frightened, and Buffy kissed her on the top of the head. Then Hope looked at Faith.

"Are you gonna fight too?"

"You bet," Faith said.

Hope reached out to her, so Buffy gave her to Faith, and Hope hugged her.

"Don't worry, cookie, I'll watch out for your mom," Faith whispered to Hope.

Hope looked at her.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Hope smiled.

"Okay."

"Come, let's go upstairs and pack," Buffy said.

Buffy headed upstairs, so Faith followed her.

After defeating the First and shutting down the Hellmouth, the survivors went to LA, since Sunnydale was gone.

"Buffy!" Wesley said when she saw her and the others.

"Hi, Wes," Buffy said. "We need some help."

"Yes, of course."

As they started to take care of the wounds, Dawn brought Hope downstairs.

"Mommy!" Hope said, excited, when she saw her.

As soon as she was downstairs, she ran to Buffy, who picked her up.

"Hey, sweetie. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, Mommy." Then she looked around. "Where is…"

She trailed off when she saw Faith, who was taking care of Wood. She squirmed, so Buffy put her down. Then she ran to Faith and hugged her.

Faith looked at her and smiled.

"Hey, cookie."

She freed her right arm and hugged her.

"Are you okay?" Hope then asked, worried, when she saw the blood on Faith's hands.

"Yeah, it's his blood."

"Oh."

"Was everything okay?"

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh. Did you beat the monsters?"

"You bet, cookie."

Hope smiled.

"Can we go home now?"

Faith glanced at Buffy.

"Well, home is gone."

Hope frowned.

"How?"

"The whole town was destroyed when we destroyed the monsters."

"Why?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know." She thought for a moment. "Remember the Sith?"

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Well, these monsters were sort of like the Sith. They lost, but they wanted to lessen our victory by destroying the town."

"Oh."

"I guess we'll have to find a new home."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Hope looked at Buffy, who had come closer.

"Where are we gonna live?"

Buffy thought for a moment.

"For the next few days here, I guess. Then we'll see."

"Oh."

"Wanna help?" Faith asked Hope.

Hope looked at her.

"How?"

"Why don't you go to the kitchen and see if there's someone there. If there is, ask for a glass of water."

"Okay," Hope said and hurried away.

After the wounded were taken care of and were resting in their rooms, Buffy took Hope to her room.

"You okay, sweetie?" Buffy asked Hope when Hope leaned on her after they sat on the bed.

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh."

Buffy ruffled her hair.

"You were a great help."

Hope looked up.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Hope smiled.

"Will they be okay?"

"Sure. They just need to rest."

"Oh." Hope thought for a few moments. "Mommy, is Faith also my mommy?"

Buffy stared at her for a few moment, surprised.

"Would you like her to be your mommy?"

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh. She's nice, like you."

Buffy smiled.

"Yes, she is. We'll ask her when she come back in."

"Okay," Hope said, excited.

An hour later, when Faith, who had gone out on a walk, came back in, Hope, who was in the kitchen with Buffy, came running to her.

"Hey, cookie," Faith said with a smile.

"Are you my mommy too?" Hope asked, her excited.

"Huh?" Faith said, surprised.

"Are you my mommy too?" Hope repeated.

Faith sighed and kneeled.

"No, cookie, I'm not," she said and caressed her.

"Oh," Hope said, disappointed.

"But I wouldn't mind being."

Hope's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"You bet."

"Mommy! Mommy!" Hope called, excited, and ran to the kitchen.

"Oh crap," Faith said, worried, and followed Hope.

"What is it, honey?" Buffy asked Hope when Hope came running to the kitchen.

"She says she'd like to be my mommy too," Hope said, excited.

"Huh?"

"She said so."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh," Hope said, nodding excitedly.

"Oh," Faith said as she entered and saw that Hope had already told Buffy. "B…"

Faith wanted to apologize, but she thought that Buffy was angry, so she sighed and turned to leave.

"I don't mind," Buffy said.

Faith stopped and turned.

"What?" she said, confused.

"You being Hope's other mom."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, surprised.

"You don't?"

Buffy shook her head.

"I know you care about her and she cares about you too."

"Yeah," Faith said, glancing at Hope.

Buffy thought for a moment.

"And besides, you are her mom in a way."

Faith sighed.

"Yeah."

"She's my mommy too?" Hope asked, looking up at Buffy.

"Yes," Buffy said and picked her up.

Hope smiled, excited.

"Really?"

"Yes." Buffy thought for a moment. "You see, before you were born, we… we swapped bodies."

"How?" Hope asked, curious.

"With some magic device."

"Oh."

"Anyway, Faith had, eh, she had… sex with, eh, your daddy and got pregnant."

"What's sex?" Hope asked.

Buffy blushed.

"Well, em, that's how babies come to be."

"Oh."

"Anyway, she carried you for the first few hours, but then we swapped bodies again and I carried you and then gave birth to you."

"Oh." Hope thought for a moment and then looked at Faith, smiling.

"See? You're my mommy too."

Faith smiled.

"Yeah," she said and swallowed hard.

"You can call her Mama," Buffy told Hope.

"Okay," Hope said, excited. "Can I go tell Grandpa and Aunt Dawn and Auntie Willow and…"

"Sure," Buffy interrupted her with a smile and put her down.

Hope immediately ran off.

"Thanks," Faith said when they were alone.

Buffy smiled a little.

"You're welcome."

Faith took a deep breath.

"Man."

"Everything okay?" Buffy asked.

Faith sighed.

"Yeah. it's just… I'm kinda… scared."

Buffy frowned.

"Scared?"

"Yeah. I mean, you're letting me be her mom too. A mom."

Buffy smiled.

"Don't worry, you'll do a great job. I mean, you're already doing it."

"Thanks," Faith said, a bit nervous. She thought for a moment. "Em, what are my duties?"

"Duties?" Buffy said, startled.

"Well, yeah. I mean, I'd like to, you know, help. You'll need money."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a moment. "We'll need a job."

"You're not going back to college?"

"I can't."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Maybe you can."

"How?"

"Well, em, in the morning, I could watch Hope and you and Dawn could go to school. And in the afternoon, I could go to work and you could watch Hope. And if you have classes in the afternoon, Dawn can watch her. Plus, I can also study for my GED at home."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a moment. "I guess we'll see. I have to get in touch with the insurance company. Hopefully we'll get enough money to rent a place."

"Oh. Yeah." Faith hesitated for a moment. "Do you want me to live with you?"

Buffy stared at Faith for a few moments.

"Yes," she then decided. "I mean, if you'll be helping with the money, you might as well live with us. Plus, it would be cheaper."

"Yeah."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Are you planning to go to college?"

Faith grinned.

"Let's wait till I get my GED first."

Buffy smiled.

"Okay. Let's go answer the questions now."

"Okay."

"Oh, Faith."

"Yeah?"

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"You, em… Well, you're Hope's mom now. Which means you have the same rights as me."

Faith gulped.

"Thanks."

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, we need to plan, you know? So we don't confuse Hope."

"Yeah."

"And if you take her out or something, leave a message."

"Yeah, sure. You do the same."

"I will."

"Okay."

Buffy took a deep breath.

"We'll see about the rest as we go along."

"Yeah." Faith hesitated for a moment. "Thanks."

Buffy smiled.

"You're welcome."

The End