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.

Happy
By Kristjan Brezovnik

When Faith woke up, she felt stiff. She opened her eyes and frowned, confused, when she saw she was in some ugly room. She heard the monitors beeping softly and she looked at them, curious. Then she realized she was in a hospital. She became scared, she didn't like hospitals. She decided to go home.

She sat up and hopped off the bed. She suddenly noticed that something wasn't quite right with her body, it seemed so big. She looked at her hands, confused by their size. Then she looked at her feet and saw they were big too. She finally noticed her breasts. Her eyes went wide when she saw how big they were. She hesitated for a moment and then cupped them. They felt real and Faith became even more scared. She finally noticed the IV tubes and electrodes and she quickly ripped them out. Then she quickly left the room.

She walked down the corridor, wondering what kind of hospital it was, since it looked so abandoned. She wondered if her mother had sold her to some mad scientist, who would conduct experiments on her. She shuddered at the thought.

After she successfully sneaked out of the hospital, Faith walked around the town, wondering how to get home. She had no idea where she was, nor how she got there in the first place. She was cold, so she decided to find some place to spend the night.

She walked for several hours until she found a suitable place in some back alley. She huddled behind a dumpster and covered herself with the paper she found there. Scared, hungry and cold, she fell asleep.

When Faith woke up in the morning, she was starving and she was freezing cold. She knew she first had to find some clothes before she could sneak into a store and maybe steal something to eat.

She walked aimlessly around the back alleys, avoiding people. She had no idea where she could get some clothes and she didn't want to go to the police, because she knew her mother would be mad. When she spotted someone lying between some garbage cans, she hoped it was a drunk so she could maybe steal a jacket. She carefully approached the person and saw it was a young man.

"Hello?" she said and frowned when she heard how she sounded. "Eh, hello," she repeated louder, but the man didn't react.

Faith went closer and gently nudged him with her toes, ready to bolt if necessary. But the man didn't move. Faith took a deep breath and kneeled beside him. She shook him and quickly got up, but the man didn't move. She leaned closer, but she couldn't smell any alcohol. She frowned, confused. Then she shrugged and started to take off his jacket. Only then did she notice two puncture wounds in his neck. She gasped and backed off a little, realizing he was probably dead. She stared at him for a few moments and then moved closer again. She hesitated for a few moments, uncertain, and then decided to take his pants and his shoes as well.

When she had what she needed, she quickly ran off to the place where she'd spent the night. There, she quickly put on the man's clothes, leaving on the hospital gown to serve her as a shirt. Then she went to the mall.

After stealing some fruits and some candy bars, Faith quickly left the mall. She wandered around for a while, munching on her spoils. She finally realized she could go home by bus. But then she realized she would need money for the ticket. She searched her pockets, but came up empty. She sighed and continued to walk around.

A week later, Faith was starving. She had managed to steal some more food, but she had seen the security guards eye her suspiciously and she knew she couldn't go back to the mall. She was also scared, she wasn't used to being alone for so long, and she missed her mother, even though she feared her.

"Faith!"

Faith turned, wondering if someone was calling her or just another girl with the same name. She didn't recognize anyone, but then a woman approached her.

"Faith, are you okay?"

Faith stared at her for a few moments and then nodded.

"Uh-huh. Do you know me?"

The woman, Joyce, frowned.

"Of course I do."

"Even though I don't look like me?"

Joyce's frown deepened.

"What do you look like?"

"Like a big girl."

Joyce stared at her for a few moments, confused.

"What should you look like?"

"Like me."

Joyce thought for a few moments.

"How old are you?"

"Five. I'll be six next month."

Joyce stared at her for a few moments.

"How… How did you get here?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know. I woke up in a hospital and I had these needles stuck in my arms and the machines were beeping. It was really scary."

"What's the last thing you remember before that?"

Faith thought for a moment.

"I was being a bad girl and Mommy hit me."

"I see."

"Who are you?"

Joyce blinked, startled.

"Joyce. Joyce Summers."

"Do you know my mommy?"

"Eh, no."

"Oh."

"Come, let's go home."

Faith backed a bit.

"Home?"

"My home."

"Why?"

Joyce gave her a once over.

"I bet you're hungry," she said, deciding to treat Faith like a five-year-old.

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"And you're dirty too. I bet you'd like a hot bath."

Faith nodded again.

"Uh-huh."

"And I bet you'd like to sleep in a warm bed."

Faith smiled a little.

"Uh-huh."

"Then come with me."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"You're not gonna sell me?"

Joyce frowned.

"Sell you?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. To the mad scientists."

"What mad scientists?" Joyce asked, perplexed.

"At the hospital. They stuck needles in me."

"Oh," Joyce said, finally realizing what Faith was talking about. "No, I'm not going to sell you." She smiled. "Come."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

Faith took Joyce's hand and they went home.

"Wow," Faith said as they entered the house. "You live all by yourself here?"

Joyce smiled.

"No, I have a daughter."

"Oh."

"Come, let's go upstairs."

"Okay."

They went upstairs.

"Why don't you take off those dirty clothes," Joyce said when they got to the bathroom. "Just leave them on the floor, I'll get you some fresh ones."

"Okay," Faith said and started to undress.

"Do you want to take a shower or a bath?"

Faith looked from the bathtub to the shower and back.

"Can I take a bath?"

"Sure." Joyce started to prepare the bathtub. "Where did you get the clothes?" she asked.

Faith tensed a little.

"I saw this man and I thought he was drunk, only he was not, he was dead. I was cold, so I took his clothes," she said.

"Oh."

When Faith was naked, she looked at her body.

"Wow," she said. She cupped her breasts. "Why are they so big?"

Joyce blushed, surprised, but then she remembered that Faith thought she was five.

"So babies can feed there."

"But I don't have a baby."

Joyce smiled.

"I know. But when a woman gets older, her breasts grow."

"Oh." Faith looked at the rest of her body. "Why am I so hairy?" she asked and tugged at her pubic hairs.

Joyce blushed.

"Eh, women usually shave every once in a while."

"Shave?" Faith frowned. "I thought only men shaved."

"They shave their beards and moustaches. Women shave their legs and armpits." She hesitated for a moment. "And they trim their, em, bush," she said and nodded at Faith's pussy.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Will you show me how?"

"Eh, yes, of course," Joyce said, not very comfortable with the idea.

Faith smiled.

"Thank you," she said. Then she looked around and noticed the mirror. She went to it and looked herself in it. "I'm pretty," she declared.

Joyce smiled at her and decided to treat her like a five-year-old, in spite of the eighteen-year-old body.

"Come here," she said and Faith came closer. "When the water reaches up to here, turn off the tap. You know how?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Good. I'll go order a pizza, okay?"

Faith's eyes lit up and she nodded excitedly.

"Uh-huh."

"Okay."

"Will you come back?"

"Yes, of course, as soon as I order the pizza. You can get in the tub, if you want."

"Okay."

Joyce left and Faith watched the water for a few moments before getting into the tub. Then she splashed the water and played with the bubbles for a while before turning off the water.

When Joyce returned and saw her play with the bubbles, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of person Faith might have become if she'd had a happier childhood.

"Okay, I'm back," she announced.

Faith looked at her with a smile.

After Faith was clean and shaven, Joyce took her to Buffy's room.

"Wow," Faith said when she saw a photo of Buffy. "Who's this?"

Joyce smiled.

"My daughter, Buffy."

"She's very pretty," she said and looked at Joyce. "Like you."

Joyce's smile widened.

"Thank you. Now come, let's get you something to dress."

Faith went to her and they rummaged through Buffy's wardrobe.

"Can I wear this?" Faith asked and pointed at a long-sleeved dress.

"Sure."

Faith smiled and dropped the towel.

"Whoa, wait," Joyce said when Faith wanted to put on the dress. "Here, panties," she said and quickly gave Faith a pair. "And a bra."

"A bra?" Faith asked as she put on the panties.

"For your breasts."

Faith looked at her breasts.

"Why?"

Joyce frowned.

"Well, women wear bras," she said.

"Oh." Faith took the bra and looked at it. "How do I put it on?"

"Here, let me help you," Joyce said and helped Faith put on the bra. "Here you go."

"Thank you."

"Now you can put on the dress."

"Okay."

While Faith put on the dress, Joyce quickly fetched a pair of socks and some shoes for Faith.

"Here."

"Thank you."

Faith said on the bed and put on the socks and the shoes. Then she got up.

"You look very pretty," Joyce said, and Faith beamed.

"Really?"

"Oh yes. Come, let's go downstairs and wait for the pizza."

"Okay."

Faith took Joyce's hand and they went downstairs.

"Why don't you watch some…" She trailed off when the bell rang. "Ah, the pizza. Why don't you go ahead to the kitchen. That way."

"Okay," Faith said and went to the kitchen while Joyce got the pizzas.

When she got to the kitchen, she looked around curiously. Her stomach rumbled and she rubbed it with her hand.

"There, sit down," Joyce said as she entered.

Faith said and stared at the pizza, wide-eyed, her mouth watering.

"Here you go," Joyce said as she set the boxes down and opened Faith's. "Enjoy. Want something to drink?"

"Yes, please," Faith said and then dug into the pizza.

When Faith was done with her pizza, Joyce had only eaten half of hers. She smiled when she saw Faith stare at her pizza.

"Still hungry?" she asked.

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"When did you last eat?"

Faith frowned.

"Three days ago."

"Oh." Joyce looked at her pizza and considered taking another slice, but she decided against it. "Here," she said and passed the box to Faith.

Faith's eyes lit up. She grabbed a slice, but then stopped.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

Joyce smiled and nodded.

"Yes, you need it more than I do."

Faith smiled.

"Thank you," she said and then started to devour the pizza.

"Still hungry?" Joyce asked with a smile when Faith was done.

Faith shook her head.

"Uh-uh," she said, her mouth full. She finished off her drink. "Thank you."

Joyce nodded.

"You're welcome." Faith yawned. "Sleepy?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Come, wash your hands and your face first."

Faith got up and went to the sink.

"This is nice," she said as she washed her hands.

"What?"

"This. I don't have to stand on my toes. I'm tall."

Joyce smiled.

"Yes. Here," she said and gave Faith the towel.

Faith dried herself off and Joyce put the towel away. Then she went to the table and closed the boxes.

"That's alright," Joyce said, "I'll clean up."

"I can help you," Faith said.

"It's okay, Faith. You're tired, you should rest."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Okay."

"Come."

They went upstairs to Buffy's room.

"You can sleep here."

"Okay," Faith said and sat on the bed. She bounced a little and then took off her shoes. "Who's that?" she asked when she saw Mr Gordo.

Joyce smiled.

"That's Mr Gordo," she said and picked up the toy. "It's Buffy's, but I don't think she'll mind. Here."

Faith's eyes lit up.

"Thank you," she said and hugged the pig. "It smells nice."

"Yes. Now lay down." Faith lay down, hugging Mr Gordo, and Joyce covered her with a blanket. "I'll be downstairs, okay?"

Faith nodded, already drifting off to sleep.

"Uh-huh."

Joyce hesitated for a moment and then caressed her.

Faith smiled and closed her eyes.

Joyce stared at her for a few moments and then left.

"Hi, Mom, what's the emergency?" Buffy asked when she came home after getting Joyce's message.

"No emergency," Joyce said.

"You sounded kinda urgent."

"Oh. Anyway, Faith is here."

Buffy tensed.

"Where?"

"She's sleeping in your room."

"What?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Wait," Joyce said when Buffy turned to leave. "She has amnesia. She thinks she's five."

Buffy blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"She thinks she's five years old."

Buffy stared at her mother for a few moments, surprised.

"You're kidding, right?"

"No."

"And you're sure she's not pretending?"

"Somehow I don't think a grown-up person could impersonate a five-year-old so well." She smiled. "She's quite adorable, you know."

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"Adorable? Faith?"

"Oh yes."

"How did she get here?"

"I noticed her on the street. She was wearing some dead man's clothes and she looked..."

"She killed someone?" Buffy interrupted.

"No, no, the man was already dead. She said she was cold, so she took his clothes."

"Oh."

"Anyway, I brought her here and gave her a bath. Then she ate a pizza and a half. She's sleeping in your room now."

Buffy stared at her for a few moments.

"And you're sure she's not pretending?" she repeated her earlier question.

"Yes. I hope you'll treat her like a five-year-old, not the old Faith."

Buffy sighed.

"Okay."

When Joyce heard a scream, she hurried upstairs to Buffy's room.

"Faith?" she said softly when she saw Faith hugging her knees, obviously upset. "Are you okay, honey?"

Faith looked at her.

"I had a bad dream."

"Oh." Joyce sat on the bed and caressed her. "It's over now."

Faith nodded and took a deep breath.

"Want to watch cartoons?"

Faith's face brightened.

"Okay."

She gently laid Mr Gordo on the bed and then got up.

When Buffy came home from the store, she saw Faith was watching cartoons. Faith was obviously so engrossed that she didn't even notice her.

"Silly Mojo Jojo," Faith said and giggled.

Buffy raised an eyebrow, surprised. This was not the Faith she was used to, especially not in that dress. She took a deep breath and stepped closer.

"The Powerpuff Girls are so…" Faith started, but then trailed off when she noticed Buffy. She stared at her for a few moments. "Wow, you're even prettier than in the picture."

Buffy blinked, startled.

"Huh?"

Faith smiled.

"Hi," she said. "I'm Faith."

"Eh, Buffy."

Faith nodded.

"I know, your mommy told me." She looked at her dress. "She said I could wear this dress."

"Eh, sure."

"And she said it was okay if I slept with Mr Gordo."

Buffy scratched her head. On one hand, Faith acted like a five-year-old, but on the other, she looked eighteen. It was confusing.

"Sure," she said.

Faith stared at for a few moments.

"Wanna watch Powerpuff Girls with me?"

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Sure," she said and joined Faith on the sofa.

Faith smiled and looked back at the TV.

"Ah, I see you've met," Joyce said when she came into the living room a few moments later.

Faith looked at her and nodded.

"Uh-huh," she said and looked back at the TV.

Joyce smiled at Buffy, who raised her eyebrow at her.

"What's wrong, honey?" Joyce asked Faith in the evening when she saw that something was on her mind.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Can I stay here for a while?" she asked quietly. "I can clean up the house and I can do the shopping and I can cook a little," she then quickly listed her assets.

Joyce smiled.

"Of course you can stay."

Faith smiled back, relieved.

"Thank you," she said and hugged her.

Joyce smiled and ruffled her hair. She looked at Buffy.

"Can she sleep in your room?"

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Okay."

"But where will Buffy sleep?" Faith asked.

"In the dorm," Joyce said.

Faith frowned.

"What's that?"

Joyce thought for a moment.

"It's like a hotel, I guess. Or a motel. Students who go to UC Sunnydale live there."

"But Buffy lives here."

"She moved to the dorm."

"Why?"

"So she's closer to the school."

"Oh."

"I think I'll sleep here tonight," Buffy said.

"With me?" Faith asked, excited.

Buffy frowned at the thought, but then she remembered that Faith thought she was only five.

"Sure."

Faith smiled.

"Cool."

"Why don't you show her what she'll wear for bed," Joyce said.

"Okay."

Faith got up and took Buffy's hand.

Buffy stared at her for a moment, startled, and then led the way upstairs.

"You have a very nice room," Faith said as she sat on the bed.

Buffy glanced at her.

"Thanks."

Faith picked up Mr Gordo and played with it while Buffy got her something to wear.

"Here, you can wear this t-shirt," Buffy said and threw a large t-shirt on the bed. "The panties are in that drawer."

Faith nodded.

"Okay," she said and put Mr Gordo away. "Are you going to bed now?" she asked when Buffy started to undress.

"No, I'm going out."

Faith tensed.

"Oh."

She stared at Buffy for a few moments and then left.

"Mrs Summers," Faith said quietly when she came to the kitchen.

"Yes?" Joyce said.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Does… Does Buffy… drink?" she then asked, nervous.

Joyce frowned.

"Drink?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. She said she was going out."

"Oh." Joyce smiled. "She does drink, yes, but she's never been drunk before."

"Oh."

Joyce thought for a moment.

"What's wrong?"

Faith sighed and sat down.

"My mommy goes out a lot. She gets drunk and then she's always nasty and she hits me."

Joyce came closer and caressed her.

"Don't worry, Buffy won't hit you," she said and sat down. "She goes out to have fun and relax."

"So does Mommy."

Joyce sighed and thought for a moment.

"Well," she said, hesitating, "she also goes out to hunt monsters."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

Joyce nodded.

"Yes."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I've seen some monsters," she then said confidentially.

"You have?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"While I was sleeping. They woke me up when they were chasing a man."

"What did they look like?"

Faith thought for a moment.

"Like people, only with bumpy faces."

"Vampires."

Faith's eyes went wide again.

"You know them?"

Joyce smiled.

"Yes, I'm afraid. Buffy hunts them."

Faith's eye became even bigger.

"Really?" Then she frowned. "But she's just a girl."

Joyce smiled.

"She's more than just a girl, she's a Slayer."

"What's that?"

"Well, apparently every generation, a girl is born who is called to protect people from monsters."

Faith's eyes went wide again.

"You mean she's a superhero?"

Joyce chuckled.

"Something like that, yes."

Faith got up and ran out. She was half way up the stairs when she saw Buffy coming downstairs.

"Are you really a superhero?" she asked.

"Huh?" Buffy said, startled.

"Your mommy said you were." She thought for a moment. "She said you were a Slayer."

"Oh," Buffy said, surprised that Joyce had told Faith about it. "Yes."

"Do you have any superpowers?"

"Eh, sure."

"Really," Faith said, excited. "What kind?"

"Well, I'm faster than normal people, I heal faster, my senses are sharper and I can sense demons."

"Oh," Faith said, a bit disappointed. "Do you have any cool weapons?"

"Just this," Buffy said and showed her a stake.

Faith frowned.

"What is it?"

"It's wooden stake."

Faith blinked.

"A stake?"

Buffy chuckled, amused.

"Believe me, it gets the job done."

"Oh."

"Mom! I'm going out," Buffy called as they got downstairs.

"Okay, honey!" Joyce called back.

"Be careful," Faith said.

Buffy stared at her for a moment.

"I will."

When Buffy left, Faith went to the kitchen.

"Are there a lot of monsters in Sunnydale?" she asked as she sat down.

Joyce glanced at her.

"Yes."

"Is Buffy gonna be okay?"

Joyce smiled.

"Yes."

Faith sighed, worried.

"Hi, guys," Buffy said when she came to Giles' house.

"Buffy," Willow said.

"How is she?" Giles asked.

"Well, Mom was right, she does seem to have amnesia," Buffy said.

"Are you sure?" Xander asked.

"I watched her through the window for half an hour. She was talking to Mom for a while and then she watched cartoons. She was alone in the room, so if she was acting, she didn't have to act then." She thought for a moment. "And I saw her sleep with Mr Gordo."

"Mr Gordo?" Willow said, surprised.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. And when Mom told her I was a Slayer, she went all hero-worshipper on me." She shook her head. "If she's acting, then she deserves an Oscar." She thought for a moment. "Still, I'd like you and Tara to come over tomorrow morning and check her out."

"Okay."

When Buffy came home, she went to her room. When she saw Faith hugging Mr Gordo, she stared at her for a while, not used to seeing Faith so open. As she started to undress, Faith woke up.

"Buffy," she said and rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Okay."

Faith lay back and closed her eyes.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments and then continued to undress.

After taking a shower, Buffy returned to her room and joined Faith. Faith immediately cuddled up to her.

At first, Buffy thought that Faith wanted to attack her, but she quickly realized that Faith only wanted to cuddle. She slowly pulled her arm free and, after a moment of hesitation, put it around Faith, who made herself comfortable.

Buffy was the first to wake up the next morning. She noticed that Faith was still cuddled up to her, clutching Mr Gordo. She quietly observed her, wondering what Faith's childhood had been like for her to erect so strong walls. She also wondered how this experience would alter Faith. She hoped that for the better.

When Faith woke up and saw Buffy staring at her, she smiled.

"Morning."

"Morning," Buffy said.

Faith yawned.

"Is it time to get up?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

Faith let go of Buffy and sat up. She laid Mr Gordo on the pillow and then stretched her arms. Then she got up and took off her t-shirt.

Buffy stared at her, open-mouthed, but then she realized that Faith thought she was five and she didn't have to worry about modesty yet. She quickly looked away and got up.

"Buffy, can you help me with the bra?" Faith said as she tried to put on the bra.

Buffy looked at her.

"Eh, sure," she said.

She went to Faith and helped her put on the bra.

"Thank you," Faith said and turned around. She cupped her breasts. "These are so big," she said and giggled. Then she reached over and touched Buffy's left breast, making Buffy gasp. "Yours are a little smaller."

"Eh, yes," Buffy said and took a step back.

Faith smiled and picked up her dress.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments and then continued to dress herself.

After breakfast, Faith asked Buffy to tell her about the monsters she'd killed and Buffy told her. Faith listened to her with wide eyes, captivated.

"Wow," she said when Buffy was done. "You're so cool."

Buffy smiled.

"Thank you."

Faith then remembered her mother.

"I wish I was like you," she said quietly.

"You could be," Buffy said.

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Oh no, I could never be a superhero like you."

"Why not? You never know."

"But I'm nothing special, I'm just a little girl." She shrugged, looking at her hands. "And I'm not smart either."

Buffy realized that Faith had a very low opinion of herself, probably because of her mother. She hesitated for a moment and then reached over and touched Faith's cheek.

"I think you're smart," she said.

Faith looked at her.

"Really?"

Buffy smiled.

"Yes. And you're pretty too."

Faith beamed.

"Really?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. And you are special. Every little girl is."

Faith's face fell.

"My mommy says I'm not. She says I'm a worthless little whore."

Buffy gasped.

"She's wrong," she said firmly. She thought for a moment. "You can ask my mom, if you don't believe me."

Faith stared at her for a few moments and then smiled a little.

"You really think I'm special?" she asked, blushing a little.

Buffy smiled.

"You are."

Faith's smile widened and she hugged Buffy.

Buffy sighed and hugged her back.

A couple of hours later Willow and Tara came.

"Hello, girls," Joyce said.

"Hi, Mrs Summers," Willow said. "This is Tara," she introduced her girlfriend.

"Nice to meet you, Tara."

Tara blushed a little.

"Likewise, Mrs S-Summers."

"Come in."

Willow and Tara entered.

"Hey, guys," Buffy said.

"Hi," Willow said.

"Guys, this is Faith. Faith, these are Willow and Tara," Buffy introduced them.

"Hi," Faith said shyly.

"Hi," Tara said with a smile when Willow just stared.

"Are you really witches?"

Tara's smile widened.

"Yes."

Faith frowned.

"You don't look like witches."

Tara smirked, amused.

"What are w-witches supposed to look like?"

"Old. And they're supposed to have brooms and wands and magic potions and stuff."

"We're modern witches."

"Oh. And you can really do magic?"

"Yes."

"Really? Can you show me?"

Tara looked at Willow.

"Let's float something."

"Huh?" Willow said, startled, and looked at her. "Oh, right." She looked around. "How about that TV remote?"

"Okay."

They concentrated and the TV remote came flying over.

Faith squealed, excited, and tried to catch it, but it was always just out of her reach.

"Got it!" she said, excited, when they let her caught it. Then she frowned. "But you didn't use any magic words," she said, puzzled.

"They're not always necessary," Tara explained.

"Oh." Faith smiled. "Cool."

"Why don't you take Faith to the park," Joyce suggested.

Faith looked at Buffy.

"Yes," she said, excited. "Can we go to the park?"

"Eh, sure, why not," Buffy agreed.

"Why don't you two go find a jacket for Faith."

"Okay." She looked at Faith. "Come."

Buffy headed upstairs and Faith hurried after her, taking her hand when she caught up with her.

"Wow," Willow said when they were gone.

Joyce smiled.

"An unusual sight, isn't it?"

Willow looked at her.

"Yes."

"She's adorable," Tara said, smiling.

Joyce chuckled.

"Yes, she is."

"Swings!" Faith said, excited, when she saw the swings. She looked at Buffy. "Can I go? Please?"

"Sure," Buffy said.

Faith smiled widely and ran to the swings.

Buffy, Willow and Tara followed her.

"Push me!" Faith said, excited.

Buffy obliged her.

"Higher! Higher!" Faith said.

Willow looked at Tara with a smile.

"Want me to push you?"

Tara smiled.

"Okay," she said and sat on the swing next to Faith's.

Faith squealed, excited.

"Higher!"

After five minutes, Faith had enough and Buffy slowly stopped her.

"Can I go play in the sandbox?" Faith asked when she got off the swing.

"Sure," Buffy said.

Faith smiled and ran off.

Buffy looked at Willow.

"What do you think?"

"She's not p-pretending," Tara said. She smiled. "And she's really ha-happy."

"Are you sure?"

Tara nodded.

"Yes. There is s-some darkness in h-her, but she h-has the i-innocence of a ch-child."

"Oh."

"She's completely different from the old Faith," Willow said.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. Makes you wonder how she would've turned out if she'd had a happier childhood."

"I guess."

"Let's go join her," Tara suggested.

"Hello, girls," Joyce said when Buffy and Faith came back. "How was the park?"

"It was great!" Faith said, excited. "We went to the swings and Buffy pushed me really high. And then we played in the sandbox and we built castles and Willow and Tara used magic to make really tiny people. And then we went for an ice cream."

Joyce smiled.

"Sounds like you had fun."

Faith smiled and nodded.

"Uh-huh." She looked at Buffy. "Can we go there again?"

"Sure," Buffy said. "Just not today."

"Okay."

"Lunch will be in half an hour," Joyce said. "You can watch TV till then."

"Okay," Faith said and went to the living room.

Joyce looked at Buffy.

"And?"

"Tara says she's not pretending." She hesitated for a moment. "She says she's really happy."

Joyce smiled.

"Good. She deserves a little happiness."

"Yes."

In the afternoon, the Scoobs came.

"Guys, this is Faith. Faith, these are my friends. That's Giles, Xander, Anya, you know Willow and Tara, and this is my boyfriend Riley," Buffy introduced them.

"Hi," Faith said shyly.

"Eh, hello," Giles said.

Faith stared, wide-eyed, as Buffy sat into Riley's lap and hugged him. When they kissed, Faith got up and ran to the kitchen.

"Faith?" Buffy said, surprised.

"She's upset," Tara said.

Buffy looked at her, confused.

"About what?"

Tara shrugged.

"I d-don't know."

Buffy considered going after her, but she decided against it.

"Aren't you going after her?" Xander asked.

Buffy shook her head.

"She probably went to talk to Mom."

"Oh."

"What should we talk to her about?" Giles asked.

Buffy thought for a moment.

"She likes superheroes."

"Superheroes?" Xander said, interested.

"Yes."

"Then we have something to talk about."

In the kitchen, Joyce was going through some papers.

"Mrs Summers," she said quietly.

Joyce looked at her with a smile, but it quickly disappeared when she saw Faith's worried face.

"Come here," she said and moved her chair back a bit.

Faith went to her and sat in her lap.

Joyce caressed her.

"What's wrong, honey?"

Faith looked at her hands, nervous.

"Nothing," she said quietly.

Joyce sighed.

"Faith, look at me."

Faith hesitated for a few moments and then looked at Mrs Summers.

"You know you can talk to me about anything, Faith, right?"

Faith nodded.

"I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."

Faith sighed and looked at her hands, hesitating.

"Does Riley put his thing into Buffy's pee-pee?" she asked quietly.

Joyce frowned.

"I suppose."

Faith frowned.

"Why does she let him? I mean, she's a superhero."

Joyce realized that to Faith, sex meant something bad, and she had a bad feeling why.

"Because she wants him to."

Faith's frown deepened.

"Why?"

Joyce smiled a little.

"Because they love one another."

"I don't understand."

Joyce thought for a moment.

"It's called sex. When two people love one another, they usually have sex."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"You have sex with Buffy?"

Joyce chuckled.

"No, no. I didn't mean love like in a family, I meant sexually."

"Oh." Faith thought for a moment. "And it doesn’t hurt her?"

Joyce shook her head.

"No."

"Oh."

Joyce hesitated for a moment.

"Do you have experience with sex?" she asked.

Faith tensed for a few moments and then shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

"But you've seen people have sex?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Your mother?"

Faith nodded again.

"Uh-huh." She thought for a moment. "Did she love all her boyfriends?"

Joyce shook her head.

"No. She probably had sex for fun."

Faith frowned.

"Fun?"

Joyce nodded.

"Yes. Sometimes people have sex for fun."

"Then why was she screaming?" Faith asked, confused.

"Well, unless her boyfriends were really rough on her, she was screaming from pleasure."

"Oh."

Joyce thought for a moment.

"Did her boyfriends ever, eh, touch you?" she then asked.

Faith tensed and then nodded.

"Uh-huh," she said quietly, and looked at her hands.

"What did they do?"

Faith hesitated for a few moments.

"They made me take off my clothes and then they touched me," she said quietly.

"Between your legs?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"What else did they do?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"They put fingers in my pee-pee and…"

"And?" Joyce prompted softly when Faith trailed off.

"They… They made me put their things in my mouth and suck them off until some white stuff came out." She hesitated for a moment, tears appearing in her eyes. "Sometimes they made me eat it and sometimes they let it squirt over my face and my body."

Joyce caressed her.

"Did your mother know?"

Faith nodded.

"When she caught them, she threw them out and then she beat me."

Faith burst into tears and Joyce quickly hugged her.

"Shh, it's okay, Faith. You're safe here. Riley won't touch you and neither will Xander and Mr Giles."

Faith let go of her and looked at her.

"Promise?" she asked, wide-eyed.

Joyce smiled softly.

"I promise," she said and wiped Faith's tears with her fingers.

Faith hugged her again, and Joyce quietly held her.

"Will you go with me to the living room?" Faith finally asked, and let go of Joyce.

Joyce smiled.

"Sure. Let's just clean up your face a bit first."

"Okay."

When Faith and Joyce finally came back to the living room, Faith holding Joyce's hand, everyone looked at them.

"Everything okay?" Buffy asked, worried.

Joyce nodded.

"Yes."

She sat on the sofa, and Faith sat in her lap.

The Scoobs stared at her, surprised.

"Why are they staring at me?" Faith asked Joyce quietly, nervous.

"They are being rude," Joyce said and looked around pointedly.

Everyone quickly looked away.

"So, em, Faith," Xander then spoke up, "Buffy says you like superheroes."

Faith looked at him and nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"What's your favorite?"

"Buffy."

Xander blinked, surprised, and then smiled.

"Well, of course she is. What about the ones from the comics or TV?"

"Wonder Woman."

Xander blinked.

"Wow, that's old."

"But Buffy is way cooler. And prettier too."

Everyone smiled at that.

"Yes, she is," Xander agreed, earning an elbow to the ribs from Anya.

"But I like Powerpuff Girls too," Faith said, relaxing a bit.

"Oh yeah, they're funny."

Faith smiled.

"Uh-huh," she said, nodding.

"Hey, if you want, I can bring you some of my old comics and you can read them."

Faith's smile disappeared.

"I can't read."

"Huh?" Xander said, startled, but then he realized that Faith thought she was five. "Oh, right. Well, there are pictures inside."

"Oh."

"We can teach you how to read," Willow offered.

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

Willow nodded, smiling.

"Yes."

"Cool," Faith said, excited. She looked at Joyce. "Can they?"

Joyce smiled.

"Yes, of course."

"Cool." She squirmed a bit. "I need to pee."

"Go ahead then. Can you do it by yourself?"

Faith nodded as she got up.

"Uh-huh." She smiled. "I'm big now."

Joyce smiled again.

"Yes. Go then."

Faith ran upstairs.

"Wow, that was… interesting," Xander said when she was gone.

"Indeed," Giles agreed.

"And you're sure she's not acting?" Riley asked.

"Yes," Tara said.

"What did you two talk about?" Buffy asked Joyce.

Joyce hesitated for a moment.

"Sex."

Buffy frowned.

"Sex?"

Joyce nodded.

"She was worried Riley might be hurting you."

Buffy's frown deepened.

"How?"

Joyce blushed a bit.

"Well, with sex."

Buffy thought for a moment and then her eyes went wide.

"You mean, she, eh, she…"

Joyce nodded.

"Yes."

"Oh my god."

"She wasn't exactly raped, but she was forced to, eh, please orally," Joyce said, her blush deepening.

"Oh."

"Poor Faith," Willow said.

"Don't let her know you know," Joyce said, "or she'll feel uncomfortable."

Willow nodded.

"Okay." She thought for a moment. "When do you want us to come here?"

Joyce frowned.

"Come here?"

"So we can teach Faith to read."

"Oh. In the afternoon."

"Where will she be staying during the week?" Giles asked. "I mean, you can't exactly leave her on her own."

Joyce thought for a moment.

"I could take her with me to work."

"To the gallery?" Buffy asked.

"Yes." She looked at Xander. "If you can bring the comics over tonight, Faith can go through them while I'm working."

"Okay," Xander said.

"What will happen when she remembers?" Riley asked.

Everyone thought about it.

"I guess we'll see how she behaves," Buffy finally said.

There was a shriek from upstairs.

"Mrs Summers! Mrs Summers! Mrs Summers!"

Joyce got up and quickly went upstairs, Buffy and the rest of the Scoobs following her.

"What is it, honey?" Joyce asked as she entered the bathroom.

"I'm bleeding," Faith said, teary-eyed, and pointed at her panties.

Joyce looked.

"Oh," she said when she saw they were bloody. "Does it hurt?"

Faith shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

"What's wrong, Mom?" Buffy asked.

Joyce turned around.

"She has her period," she said. "Okay, everyone out. Out." She waited until the Scoobs were out and then looked at Buffy. "Get her a fresh pair of panties and a box of pantyliners."

"Okay," Buffy said and hurried away.

Joyce turned to Faith.

"Okay, take your panties off and put them in the sink."

"Okay," Faith said and sniffed.

Joyce quickly fetched a soft cloth.

"Here," she said and gave it to Faith. "Why don't you clean yourself."

"Okay," Faith said and took the cloth. "Why am I bleeding?" she asked as she wetted the cloth.

"Because you have your period."

"What's that?"

"When girls get old enough to have babies, their bodies start to produce little eggs."

"Like chicken?" Faith asked as she cleaned herself.

"Not exactly," Joyce said and glanced at Buffy, who had returned with the panties and the pantyliners. "We don't lay eggs. Anyway, if that egg isn't fertilized by sperm," she hesitated for a moment, "that's the sticky white stuff you were forced to eat," she explained, "then the body flushes the egg out with some fluids and some blood. That happens once a month and is called menstruation. Or period for short."

"Oh." Faith thought for a moment. "I can have a baby?" she then asked, interested.

Joyce smiled.

"You could, yes."

"Wow."

"Eh, the panties and the pantyliners," Buffy then said.

"Thank you."

Buffy, who had been looking away to give Faith, who obviously wasn't familiar with modesty yet, some privacy, quickly left.

"I'm clean," Faith then declared.

"Okay. Here, put these panties on, but don't pull them up yet."

"Okay," Faith said.

She took the panties, put them on, but left them at her knees.

Joyce then took a pantyliner.

"This is a pantyliner, it will absorb the blood and the fluids," she said. "You put it in your panties, like this, see? And you fasten it like this. Okay, you can pull the panties up now."

Faith did so and then ran her hand across her crotch.

"This is so soft," she said.

Joyce smiled.

"Yes. You have to change it every day until you stop bleeding."

"Okay." Faith looked at Joyce and smiled. "Thank you."

Joyce gently touched her cheek.

"You're welcome, honey. Come, let's go downstairs now."

"Okay."

Faith took Joyce's hand and they went downstairs.

"Everything okay now?" Buffy asked when Joyce and Faith came downstairs.

"Yes," Joyce said.

"Good," Buffy said with a smile.

Joyce went to the sofa and sat down, and Faith sat in her lap.

"Oh, Faith," Joyce then said, "you'll go with me tomorrow."

"Where?" Faith asked.

"To the art gallery where I work. Buffy will be in school and I have to work, so you'll come with me."

"Okay."

"Xander will bring his comics later and you can take them with you and go through them while I work."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

"And Tara and I will come over in the afternoon and teach you how to read," Willow said.

Faith looked at her.

"Cool," she said, excited.

"Mom, I'm going now," Buffy said in the evening as she put on her jacket.

"Okay, honey," Joyce said.

"Are you going hunting monsters?" Faith asked.

"Yes," Buffy said.

"Be careful."

Buffy could see it in Faith's eyes that she was worried, so she smiled encouragingly.

"I'm always careful."

Faith smiled back.

"Okay," she said as Joyce put her arm around her shoulder.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

The next day, Joyce took Faith to the gallery.

"Wow," Faith said as she looked around curiously, holding Joyce's hand.

Joyce smiled at her.

"I can show you around later, if you want."

Faith nodded, still looking around.

"Uh-huh."

"But in the meantime, you'll have to wait in my office, okay?"

Faith looked at her.

"Okay."

Joyce smiled.

"Good." She opened the door to her office. "Here we are. Why don't you make yourself comfortable, okay? You can sit on the sofa and use that little table."

"Okay," Faith said and took off her school bag.

"I'll be right back."

"Okay."

Joyce left and Faith made herself comfortable.

"Who's the girl?" Suzie, Joyce's colleague, asked when Joyce came out of her office.

"Faith. She's a friend of Buffy's but she has amnesia." She smiled. "She thinks she's five."

"Really?" Suzie said, surprised.

"Yes. If you meet her, treat her like a five-year-old, okay?"

"Okay." Suzie thought for a moment. "What about her parents?"

"She doesn't have a family. She's staying at my place."

"Oh."

"I'll show her around later. Could you warn the others about her?"

"Sure."

"Thanks."

That night, when Joyce just covered herself in bed, she heard a quiet shriek from Buffy's room. She got up and quickly went to investigate. She knocked on the door and then entered.

"I wasn't a bad girl, I wasn't a bad girl," Faith said, sitting and hugging her knees, obviously scared.

"Of course not," Joyce said and came closer.

"I wasn't," Faith insisted.

Joyce sat on the bed. She reached up and caressed Faith, and noticed she was crying.

"Come here," she said.

Faith quickly leaned on her and Joyce caressed her.

"I know you weren't a bad girl."

"Then why is god mad at me?" Faith asked in a small voice.

"What?" Joyce said, confused.

There was a lightning, immediately followed by lightning and Faith shrieked and shuddered.

"See?" Faith said very quietly as if afraid to incur further wrath of god.

"No, no, god is not mad at you," Joyce said and caressed her again.

"Then why is he making noise?"

Joyce sighed.

"That's just a storm, honey, with thunder and lightning. It doesn't mean that god is mad at you."

"But Mommy said that if I'm a bad girl, god will make loud noise."

Joyce sighed again.

"She lied. That noise is just thunder and the light is lightning. That usually happens during a storm, it has nothing to do with you."

Faith looked at Joyce with wide eyes.

"Really?"

Joyce smiled.

"Really."

There was another thunder and lightning and Faith jerked, scared.

"Do you want me to sleep with you tonight?" Joyce offered.

Faith quickly nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Okay," Joyce said and let go of Faith. "Move over."

Faith moved over and Joyce got in the bed and covered herself. Faith quickly cuddled up to her and Joyce put her arm around her protectively. Another thunder and lightning followed and Faith shuddered.

"Shh, it's okay, Faith, you're safe," Joyce said and caressed her.

"Mom, I'm home!" Buffy called when she came home the next day.

"Okay!" Joyce called.

A few moments later, Buffy came to the kitchen.

"Hi, Faith."

Faith smiled widely at her.

"Hi, Buffy. Look, there are letters in my soup."

Buffy smiled back.

"And soon, you'll be able to make words from those letters."

Faith's smile widened.

"Uh-huh. When are Willow and Tara coming?"

"In an hour or so."

"Okay."

"Do you want something to eat, Buffy?" Joyce asked.

"No, thanks."

Buffy sat down, and Faith looked at her.

"Did you go hunting monsters last night?" Faith asked her.

Buffy shook her head.

"No. They usually don't come out in a storm," she smiled, "they don't like to get wet."

"Oh."

Buffy raised an eyebrow when Faith stirred her soup with a sad face.

"Is everything okay?" she asked her, glancing at Joyce.

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh," she said, staring at her soup.

"Her mother told her that when there was thunder and lightning, god was mad at her because she'd been a bad girl," Joyce explained.

"What?" Buffy said, surprised. She looked at Faith. "That's not true."

Faith nodded.

"I know, your mommy told me."

Buffy smiled.

"So you're not afraid of a storm anymore?"

Faith thought about it.

"I don't like the noise," she said.

Buffy reached over and ruffled her hair.

"That's okay, I didn't like it either when I was little."

Faith looked at her and smiled a little. Then she continued to eat her soup.

"Mrs Summers?" Faith said the next afternoon when she walked into the kitchen.

"Yes, honey?"

"Where is Buffy? Shouldn't she be home by now?"

Joyce thought for a moment.

"No, she has late classes today."

"Oh."

Joyce smiled.

"Don't worry, she'll be home soon."

"Okay," Faith said and left.

"Mom! I'm home!" Buffy called a couple of hours later when she arrived.

"Buffy!" Faith said, excited, and ran to her. "You're okay," she said as she hugged her, relieved.

"Eh, yes," Buffy said, surprised, as she hugged her back.

Faith let go of her and smiled.

"Hello, honey," Joyce said as she came.

"Hi, Mom. Everything okay?"

Joyce smiled.

"Faith was just worried because you were late," she explained.

"Oh." Buffy looked at Faith. "Willow and Tara will come in half an hour."

"Okay," Faith said. She took Buffy's hand. "Let's go watch cartoons," she said, excited, and dragged Buffy to the living room.

Three days later, when Joyce and Faith were leaving the gallery, they were suddenly attacked by three men. One of them shot Faith with a tranquilizer dart.

"Faith!" Joyce said, worried, when Faith yelped and then staggered.

She caught her, but then two men came and pushed her away.

"Hey!" Joyce protested.

The men picked up Faith and carried her to the van, which had followed them.

"Hey! Let go of her!" Joyce said and quickly got up.

The van drove away, and Joyce ran after it for a few meters, but then stopped when she realized that she would never catch up with it. She took her cell phone and quickly called Buffy.

When Buffy got Joyce's message, she quickly went to Willow and Tara.

"Hi, Buffy," Willow said as Buffy entered.

"Faith's been kidnapped," Buffy said.

"What?"

"She and Mom were attacked when they were leaving the gallery."

"Is your mom okay?"

"Yes, but they shot Faith with something, probably a tranquilizer dart."

"Oh."

"Can you use magic to locate her?"

Willow looked at Tara.

"Yes, but we'd need something of hers."

"Like what?"

Willow shrugged.

"Anything."

"Let's go to my house."

"Mom!" Buffy called when they got home.

"Buffy!" Joyce quickly came from the kitchen. "Did you get my message?"

"Yes. We're here to get something of Faith's."

"Like what?"

Buffy looked at Willow questioningly.

"I don't know, a hair or something," Willow said.

"Faith's brush. Come."

They quickly went upstairs to the bathroom, and Joyce looked at Faith's brush.

"Yes, there is some of her hair," she said and gave the brush to Willow.

"Let's go to Buffy's room," Willow said.

"Here," Willow said when she and Tara were done. She pointed at the map of Sunnydale. "She's here."

Buffy looked at Joyce.

"Mom, can we take your car?"

"Yes, of course."

When they got to the warehouse where the Council men were holding Faith, Buffy quickly scouted out the situation.

"There's only three of them," she reported. "I couldn't see Faith, but I think she's in the van." She thought for a moment. "They're armed. Can you use magic to get their guns?"

Willow and Tara looked at one another.

"Y-Yes," Tara said.

"Okay. Ready?"

The witches nodded.

"Then let's do it."

Buffy barged in, Willow and Tara following her. Two of the men drew their weapons, but Willow and Tara used magic to disarm them. Buffy then made short work of them. She searched the men and quickly found the keys. Then she went to the van and unlocked it.

"Faith?"

"Buffy!" Faith said, relieved.

Buffy got in, and Faith hugged her.

"Come, we have to get out of here," Buffy said.

Faith let go of her, and Buffy quickly unchained her.

"Come." Buffy took Faith's hand and they got out. "Willow, you drive," she said.

"Okay."

They left the warehouse and went to Joyce's car. Willow got in the driver's seat, and Tara joined Buffy and Faith in the back. As soon as they were all in, Willow drove off.

Faith leaned on Buffy and started sobbing.

"It's okay, Faith, you're safe now," Buffy said as she put her arm around her.

"They… They said I was a b-bad girl," Faith said, teary-eyed.

"No, no," Buffy soothed her.

"They… They said I… I… I killed someone," Faith said quietly.

Buffy sighed.

"Faith…"

"Did I?" Faith asked even more quietly and looked at her.

Buffy looked at Tara for help.

"She'll kn-know if you l-lie," Tara said.

Buffy sighed.

"Thought so." She looked at Faith. "Yes."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"But… But… I don't understand."

Buffy sighed again.

"You… You're not really five years old, you're eighteen."

Faith frowned, confused.

"But I don't remember."

"That's because you have amnesia."

"What's that?"

"It means that you forgot everything."

"Why?"

Buffy took a deep breath.

"It could be psychological or physiological."

"Huh?" Faith said, not understanding.

"It could be because you wanted to forget or because your brain was hurt and you forgot."

"Oh."

"W-Why d-don't you t-tell her what you kn-know about her," Tara suggested. "I-It might h-help her remember. O-Or at least understand."

Buffy sighed.

"Okay." She thought for a few moments. "Okay, this might be a little confusing, Faith," she said. She hesitated for a moment. "You know you're from Boston, right?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Well, you had a bad childhood and when you were old enough, you spent most of the time away from home. Oh, eh, your mom is dead."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

"Yes." She thought for a moment. "Anyway, a couple of years ago, you became a Slayer."

Faith's eyes widened even more.

"Like you?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"I'm a superhero?"

Buffy smiled.

"Yes."

Faith frowned.

"But I'm nothing special."

"Of course you're special, you're just not aware of it."

"Oh."

"Anyway, you had a Watcher, a woman, I don't know her name."

"Like Mr Giles?"

"Yes, like Giles. But she was killed by a vampire and you couldn't help her. You were scared and you came to Sunnydale. I helped you kill that vampire who killed your Watcher." She thought for a moment. "We were friends, but then one night, we were fighting some dangerous vampires. We finished them off, but then a man showed up out of nowhere. I grabbed him and threw him to you and you stabbed him just when I noticed that he wasn't a vampire."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"They were right, I am a bad girl," she said and her eyes watered up.

"No, no…"

"I'm not a superhero, I'm a… a super villain," Faith said and tears started to run down her cheeks.

"It was an accident, Faith," Buffy said. She sighed. "I was there, remember? It was as much my fault as it was yours."

Faith sniffed a couple of times and calmed down a little. She wiped her tears.

Buffy hesitated for a few moments.

"Anyway, you… you became scared after that. You were reluctant to open up before, but after that, you closed up even more. I wanted to help you, but your new Watcher messed up and you didn't trust me anymore." She thought for a moment. "After that you went to the Mayor." She hesitated. "He was a bad guy, but you felt you were a bad, eh, girl and that only he could protect you." She thought for a few moments. "He… I think he was like a father to you and you, em, were ready to do anything for him." She glanced at Tara, hesitating. "You… You killed another man for him."

Faith's eyes went wide and she started crying.

"They were right, I am a bad girl."

Buffy caressed her, feeling bad.

"You were just scared, Faith," Tara said.

Faith looked at her.

"But… But… But I… I killed a man. Buffy said I did."

"I know, but you d-desperately wanted to p-please the M-Mayor, you wanted s-someone to love you." Tara smiled. "That doesn't m-make you a b-bad girl, you didn't kill that man b-because you were evil."

Faith sniffed.

"She's right," Buffy agreed, and Faith looked at her. "And you did realize your mistake."

"I did?"

Buffy nodded. She hesitated for a moment.

"After you poisoned Angel, a friend of mine, I went after you. You see, the only cure for the poison was the blood of a Slayer, and since you were a Slayer, I wanted your blood. We fought and I stabbed you," Buffy said, and Faith's eyes went wide. "You threw yourself off the roof and you ended up in coma. It's possible you hit your head so hard that you got amnesia." She sighed. "Anyway, I gave Angel my own blood and he survived. But while I was unconscious, we shared a dream and you told me how to kill the Mayor."

"Really?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes, you helped us win."

"Oh."

Faith sniffed, and Buffy gently pressed her to herself.

When they got to the Summers house, they went in.

"Mom!" Buffy called.

Joyce quickly came from the kitchen.

"Faith!" she said, relieved. She went to her and hugged her. "I was so worried." She let go of her and cupped her face. "Are you okay?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh," she said and looked down.

Joyce noticed that something was bothering Faith.

"What's wrong, honey?" she asked and caressed her.

"I told her what she's done," Buffy said.

"What?" Joyce said, surprised. "Why?"

"The Council men told her she killed someone, so I explained it to her."

"All of it?"

"The relevant things."

"Oh."

Joyce looked at Faith and caressed her again.

"She thinks she's a bad girl," Buffy said. "A super villain."

"Oh no, she's not," Joyce said. She caressed Faith again. "You're not a bad girl, Faith," she said.

Faith looked at her with wide eyes and sniffed.

"Shh, it's okay," Joyce said. "Come here," she said and hugged her.

Faith hugged her back and burst into tears.

Buffy looked at Willow and Tara and nodded to them to go outside.

"Do you think she'll be alright?" she asked outside.

"I hope so," Tara said.

Buffy sighed.

"This is all so weird." She thought for a moment. "Could you two go to Giles and tell him to tell the Council to leave Faith to us?"

"Sure," Willow said.

"Thanks. I'll see you later."

"Okay."

Willow and Tara left and Buffy went back inside.

She saw that Joyce had taken Faith to the sofa, and that Faith was lying with her head in Joyce's lap, and that Joyce was caressing her gently. She stared at them for a few moments, remembering how Joyce had held her like that after she had sent Angel to hell. Then she sighed and went upstairs, giving them some privacy.

In the evening, Faith was afraid to fall asleep. She tossed and turned until she heard that Joyce had gone to bed. She hesitated for a while, but then she finally got up and went to Joyce's room, taking Mr Gordo with her. When she reached the door, she hesitated for a few moments and then gently knocked.

"Yes?" Joyce said.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then entered.

"Faith?" Joyce asked when Faith stopped, uncertain. "Do you want to sleep with me?" she asked.

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Come."

Joyce removed the cover and moved back a bit, and Faith quickly joined her. Joyce then covered them and put her arm around Faith, who cuddled up to her. She caressed her and gave her a kiss on the temple.

"I wish you were my mommy," Faith whispered.

Joyce smiled, touched.

"Me too, honey."

Faith raised her head and looked at her, surprised.

"Really?"

Joyce nodded.

"Yes."

"But… But…"

"You're not a bad girl, Faith," Joyce said and caressed her.

"But…"

"You're not," Joyce assured her.

Faith stared at her.

"You really mean that?"

Joyce smiled and caressed her again.

"Of course I do."

Faith hugged her and sobbed for a few moments.

"Shh, it's okay, honey, it's okay," Joyce soothed her. "You're safe here."

Two days later, when she woke up, Faith remembered. She tensed and shivered for a few moments. When she calmed down a bit, she lay still for a while, confused. She wanted to forget her past, she felt angry, but also happy, because the past week had been the happiest time of her life. She didn't know how to feel.

She finally sat up, hugged her knees and thought.

When Buffy came upstairs to wake up Faith and saw her sitting on the bed, hugging her knees, she felt that something was wrong.

"Faith?" Buffy asked. She went to her and sat on the bed. "Is everything okay?" she asked as she gently touched her cheek.

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"I remember," she then said.

"Oh," Buffy said and removed her hand. "How do you feel?"

Faith sighed.

"Confused." She looked at her toes. "So much has changed." She hesitated for a moment. "Including me." She looked at Buffy. "Thanks for letting me be happy."

Buffy smiled.

"You're welcome."

Faith thought for a moment.

"What now?"

Buffy shrugged.

"I don't know, that's pretty much up to you."

Faith sighed.

"I… I need to think first."

Buffy nodded.

"Okay," she said and got up. She walked to the door and then stopped. "Faith?"

Faith looked at her.

"Yeah?"

"If you want to talk, to me or Mom, we'll be downstairs."

Faith stared at her for a moment and then nodded.

"Thanks."

Buffy smiled a little and then left.

Faith stared at the door for a few moments and then looked at Mr Gordo, who was lying beside her. She picked him up and stared at him for a few moments. Then she leaned back and hugged him.

An hour later, Faith finally cleared her thoughts, more or less. She took a deep breath and got up, ready to face the world. She looked at the dress she had been wearing and frowned. She stared at it for a few moments and then picked it up. It wasn't her style, but she remembered how she looked wearing it. She decided that after a week of wearing dresses she really didn't have to feel embarrassed. She sighed and started to dress.

When Faith came downstairs, she glanced at Buffy, who was watching TV, and then went to the kitchen.

"Mrs Summers," she said, nervous, as she entered.

Joyce looked at her.

"Ah, Faith. Buffy said your remembered."

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"How do you feel?"

Faith sighed and sat down. She looked at her hands, hesitating.

"Confused." She looked at Joyce, who also sat down. "Thanks for taking care of me."

Joyce smiled.

"It was a pleasure."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Why… Why did you take care of me?"

"You were five years old."

"I know. I mean…"

"Who else could?" Joyce smiled. "And besides, I like you and I wanted to help you. And it did help us to understand you better. We've found more about you in this past week than ever before," she said and Faith looked at her feet, embarrassed. "There's no need to be embarrassed, Faith. You were a wonderful child, what happened to you wasn't your fault."

Faith looked up and sighed.

"What… What should I do now?"

Joyce studied her for a few moments.

"What do you think you should do?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know." She hesitated for a moment. "I want to make up for what I've done." She took a deep breath. "I should go to jail, I guess," she said and looked at her hands.

"Do you think that's the best way to make up?"

Faith frowned.

"What do you mean? I killed three people."

"I know, but you're also a Slayer."

"That doesn't mean I'm…" She trailed off as she remembered what she told to Buffy on the night when she killed Finch. She sighed. "That doesn't mean I'm above the law."

Joyce smiled.

"I know. But prisons are there to punish the people who do not repent. Well, at least that's supposed to be the reason. But anyway, you are sorry, right?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"Then your conscience will punish you more than any prison."

Faith sighed and looked at her hands, ashamed.

"Yeah," she said quietly. Then she frowned and looked at Joyce. "But why did I get to be five again? I mean, that's, like, a reward."

Joyce smiled.

"Or maybe an encouragement."

Faith thought about it.

"I guess."

"I think you should do what you were called to do, protect people from demons."

Faith frowned.

"But…"

"While you're in jail, innocent people might get killed, people you could save."

Faith stared at Joyce for a few moments and then sighed.

"I need to talk to Buffy."

Joyce smiled and nodded.

Faith got up and looked at her feet, hesitating.

"Did you… Em… Did… Did you mean what you said?" she then asked and looked up. "When I came to you after… after the Council tried to kidnap me?"

Joyce smiled.

"I meant everything I said."

Faith stared at her for a few moments and then sighed.

"Thanks."

She turned and went to the door.

"Faith!" Joyce called.

Faith turned.

"Yeah?"

"If you decide not to go to jail, you can live here."

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"Thanks."

She hesitated for a moment and then left.

When she came to the living room, Buffy looked at her but didn't say anything. Faith joined Buffy on the sofa and they sat quietly for a while. Finally Faith sighed.

"I'm sorry, Buffy," she said.

Buffy looked at her.

"How do you feel?"

Faith looked at her hands.

"Shitty."

Buffy stared at her for a moment.

"What next?"

Faith took a deep breath and looked at Buffy.

"I wanna make up for what I've done." She hesitated for a moment. "I talked to your mom about it. I thought I should go to jail, but she said I should stay out and be a Slayer."

Buffy thought for a moment and then nodded.

"I agree."

Faith sighed.

"And the guys?"

"I can call them."

Faith thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"Later." She hesitated for a moment. "I'd like to know what happened while I was in coma."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Well, we blew up the school and killed the Mayor."

Faith frowned.

"You blew up the school?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. He turned into this giant snake, so I, em, bated him and he followed me into the school building. Giles blew it up and killed him."

"Oh."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"After that, Angel left. He's in LA now, with Cordelia and Wesley. They have a detective agency."

Faith blinked.

"Really? How… I mean…"

Buffy sighed.

"Angel and I, well, we had no future, so he left."

"Oh."

"And Cordelia went to LA to become an actress, I guess. And Wesley, well, he didn't have a Slayer anymore and he got fired, so he left as well. They kinda ended up together."

"Oh."

Buffy smiled and thought for a moment.

"Anyway, the summer was quiet." She hesitated for a moment. "I didn't visit you at the hospital because I tried to forget what I'd done. I'm sorry."

"I deserved it," Faith said.

"Still, it wasn't right." She took a deep breath. "Anyway, I was pretty down after Angel left and I ended up falling for some asshole who only wanted to sleep with me." She paused. "But now I'm with Riley. He's a TA at UC Sunnydale."

"You fell for your teacher?"

Buffy blushed.

"He's not a teacher, not really. I mean, he is, in a way. But anyway, he's a soldier. He works for this secret military organization called the Initiative. They study demons and they created this monster, Adam. He's like, half man, half demon, half machine."

"Oh." Faith thought for a moment. "And Willow's gay?"

"Yes." She frowned. "How did you know?"

Faith shrugged.

"It was pretty obvious."

"Oh." Buffy smiled. "I had no idea until she told me."

"What happened to Oz?"

"He left to find his inner wolf."

"Oh."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"That's about it, I guess. Want me to call the guys now?"

Faith hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay. Just don't tell them I remembered."

"Okay."

"What's the emergency?" Xander asked when he and the rest of the Scoobs, except Riley, arrived.

"No emergency," Buffy said.

They filed in, and Buffy closed the door.

"Hi, Faith," Willow said with a smile.

"Hey," Faith said, nervous.

Tara frowned, noticing that something was different about Faith.

"Faith?" Buffy said when everyone was sitting.

Faith took a deep breath.

"I remember," she said.

"Remember?" Xander asked.

"She regained her m-memory," Tara said.

Faith looked at her and nodded.

"Yeah."

"Oh," Willow said.

"So, the old Faith is back?" Xander asked.

Faith looked at him.

"No." She hesitated for a moment. "This past week, it… it changed me." She looked around. "Thanks for letting me be happy."

Tara smiled.

"You're welcome."

There was a brief pause.

"What next?" Willow asked.

Faith glanced at Buffy and sighed.

"I wanna make up." She hesitated for a moment, glancing at her hands, nervous. "I'm sorry."

"She thinks she should go to jail," Buffy said, "but me and Mom think she should be given a second chance at being a Slayer."

The Scoobs thought about it. They didn't like the old Faith, but they loved the five-year-old Faith. And the new Faith was a mix of both.

"I think it's a-a great idea," Tara said and Faith cast her a grateful look.

"I guess," Willow agreed.

"You're not gonna go around killing people?" Xander asked, and Faith tensed.

"Xander," Buffy chided him.

"No," Faith said.

"And you're sure she's okay?" Xander asked Buffy.

"Yes."

Xander took a deep breath.

"Okay." He looked at Giles. "Giles?"

"Well, I suppose being five again has had some influence on Faith, good influence," Giles said. "I agree. I'll talk to the Council."

"Thanks," Faith said, relieved.

"Will you go on patrol tonight?"

Faith shook her head.

"No. I'd like to train with Buffy for a while to see how good I am."

Giles nodded.

"A good idea. Can you come this afternoon?"

Faith looked at Buffy.

"Sure," Buffy said.

"Good." He looked at Faith, who still felt a bit uncomfortable. "I'll see you later then." He looked around. "I think we should go now."

Tara nodded.

"Yes."

Everybody got up.

"Thanks, guys," Faith said.

Tara smiled at her.

"You're welcome."

As the Scoobs left, Joyce came from the kitchen.

"They're leaving?" she asked.

"Yes," Buffy said.

"And?"

"She gets a second chance."

Joyce smiled.

"Good."

"Thanks, Buffy," Faith said.

Buffy smiled at her.

"You're welcome."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Your mom said I could stay here."

"Sure," Buffy said.

Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"Where do I sleep?"

"You can sleep in my room. I mean, you are wearing my clothes."

"I'll buy me some new ones as soon as I get a job."

"No, it's okay," Buffy said. She smiled. "You look good in pastels."

Faith blushed.

"Not really my style."

"Perhaps, but you look great anyway."

"Thanks." She thought for a moment. "What about you? Where will you sleep?"

"I sleep at the dorm."

"But you're not gonna stay there forever. I mean, you're coming home for the summer vacations, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Where will you sleep then?"

Buffy thought for a moment.

"We'll, we could share, I guess. We'll see."

Faith looked at Mrs Summers.

"I could crash in the spare room."

"We'll make it habitable. And in the meantime, you can sleep in Buffy's room."

"Okay. Thanks." She thought for a moment. "Em, I've been thinking about, eh, going back to school."

"That's a wonderful idea," Joyce agreed with a smile.

"Yes," Buffy said.

"You could take the GED," Joyce suggested.

"GED?"

"Yes. You could learn at home and then take the exam. Then you could go straight to college."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"College?"

"Yes."

"Oh boy," Faith murmured.

Buffy smiled.

"You did say you wanted to go back to school."

"Well yeah, but I was just thinking of finishing high school, not becoming a rocket scientist." She looked at Joyce. "But I don't know what to study."

"I'll see what you need," Joyce said.

"Thanks."

"And you can ask Willow and Tara to help you," Buffy suggested.

Faith thought about it.

"I will."

"Lunch will be in a hour, girls," Joyce said and went back to the kitchen.

"Okay," Buffy said. She looked at Faith. "Wanna watch cartoons?"

Faith shrugged.

"Sure."

The End