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. There is some subtext in this story. If this kind of stuff is not legal where you live, if you're under 18 or if you don't like the notion of two women being in love, then you should read no further. This story is a sequel to Help Me.

Here We Go Again
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"Hey, guys," Faith greeted Monique and Renee and yawned.

"Late night?" Renee asked.

"Busy night," Faith corrected her. Then she frowned as she saw something. "Who are they? The Holy Trinity?"

Monique and Renee turned around and laughed when they saw whom she meant.

"Yes," Monique said.

"What?" Faith said, confused.

"That's what they're called."

"The Holy Trinity?"

"No, just the Trinity."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"How come?"

"Because they're always together and unlike the bitch club, they actually help the nerds."

"Yeah?"

"Aha. I mean, we were bitching around, bossing everyone, making fun of the nerds, thinking how powerful and popular we were, but they were probably more popular, although they never abused their power. I remember when we had to vote on some issue back in grade school and we were trying to get people to vote like we did. At the end, the majority voted like they did."

"We used to hate their guts," Renee added.

"Yeah. Especially because they had this…"

"Air of quiet dignity?" Renee helped her out.

"They look kinda haughty to me," Faith observed.

"Yeah, they do," Monique agreed, "but they're not. They keep mostly to themselves, but if you ask them for help, they'll help you, if they can."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Hey, Monique, look who's also a freshman," Renee said and pointed at two sexily-clad girls.

"The Whores," Monique said, grinning.

"The Whores?" Faith asked.

"Yeah. Sara and Daisy."

"Why do you call them whores?"

"For obvious reasons."

"Them being whores?" Faith ventured.

"Yes."

"They probably slept with half the people in the school," Renee explained. "And not only the boys. Or only the students, for that matter."

"What?"

"Rumor has it that they had also slept with the Principal," Monique added. "A woman of fifty."

"You're kidding," Faith said, grinning.

"No."

Faith looked at the two girls again.

"Well, they do look hot."

"Yeah. Sara, the blackhead, even tried to get me in bed," Renee said.

Faith laughed.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I guess she failed."

"You guess correctly."

"Hey, who are those four?" Monique asked and pointed at four girls who looked like they were sisters?"

"I don't know," Renee said. "They must be new to Sunnydale."

"I guess we better find out more about them."

"Yes." Renee frowned. "I've never seen her before."

Faith and Monique looked.

"Must be new in town," Monique said.

"Probably."

"Em, guys, have you seen Raelee and Lara?" Faith asked.

"No, not yet," Renee said.

"I saw them about five minutes ago," Monique said. "I think they were with some guy, but I'm not sure. They went inside."

"Oh. Well, I guess I'll see them later." She nodded at the four sisters. "You gonna go check them out?"

"No, we'll wait and see how they react to the bitch club," Renee said and pointed at Cassandra and her two proxies.

Faith and Monique laughed.

"Okay. I'll see you later then," Faith said.

"Okay."

Faith left and Renee and Monique observed Cassandra as she talked to the sisters.

After the first period of the new school year was over, Rochelle came to Raelee and Lara.

"Em, can I talk to you for a moment?" she asked, nervous, looking around to make sure Cassandra and Denise were nowhere near.

Raelee and Lara glanced at each other, surprised.

"Sure," Raelee said.

Rochelle hesitated for a moment.

"Em, I… I saw how Lara… healed that girl."

Raelee and Lara glanced at each other, worried.

"Which one?" Raelee pretended she didn't know.

"The one the cops were after. She had a gun."

"Oh. And?"

Rochelle hesitated and looked at Lara.

"I have a twin brother, Eddie, and, well, I was wondering if you can help him."

Raelee and Lara glanced at each other, surprised.

"What is wrong with him?" Lara asked.

"He's completely apathetic, almost like a vegetable."

"Do you know why?"

Rochelle shrugged, helplessly.

"No. He's been like that ever since we were ten."

"What happened then?"

"Well, there was a fire. Mom and I were at the hospital then, but Dad and Eddie were home. Neither was hurt, but Eddie hasn't moved since then. It's like he just shut down or something."

Lara thought for a moment.

"Did many people die?" she asked.

Rochelle thought for a moment.

"Yes, I think so."

Lara nodded.

"Bring him to the park in the afternoon."

"Can you help him?" Rochelle asked hopefully.

"I don't know," Lara said. "I will see."

"Thank you."

Rochelle hesitated for a moment and then left.

"Are you sure?" Raelee asked Lara when Rochelle was gone.

Lara nodded.

"Yes." She hesitated for a moment. "She's an empath," she then quietly added.

"A what?"

"An empath."

"Empath… Oh! Really?"

Lara nodded.

"Yes."

"Can you help him?"

"I probably can't, but Hope might be able to."

"Hope?" Raelee said, surprised. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Do you think Renee would agree?"

"I will ask her."

"Where have you been?" Cassandra demanded when Rochelle showed up.

"Business," Rochelle said.

"Whatever," Cassandra said, not really caring. "Look at that guy. He's new to Sunnydale. He looks retarded. Let's go find out who he is."

"Does it matter?" Rochelle asked, not really feeling it was right to insult others anymore.

Cassandra glared at her.

"Of course it matters. Come on," she said and led the way to the boy, who was looking a bit lost. "And who might you be?"

The boy looked at her, startled.

"A-A-Amir."

"Amir?" Cassandra said, surprised. "What kind of name is that?"

"B-Bosnian."

"Bosnia? You're from Bosnia?"

"Y-Yes."

"And what are you doing here?"

"I-I…"

"Well, Cassandra, I see you have found someone whose IQ equals your own," Renee said as she and Monique came to Amir's rescue.

"You must be so thrilled," Monique added.

"Yeah," Renee agreed. "There are so few people with an IQ that matches your own."

"Why the hell don't you two mind your own business," Cassandra said angrily.

"We do," Monique said seriously.

"So you're Mother Theresa now?"

"No, not quite, but the woman is my hero."

Cassandra snorted.

"Yeah, right." She turned to Rochelle and Denise. "Come on, let's get out of here."

Monique and Renee grinned at each other and then looked at Amir.

"Sorry about insulting you," Renee then apologized, "but, well, it was the first thing that came to mind. I mean, the way you acted and, well… Shit. I'm trying to apologize and I nearly insult him at the same time."

Monique laughed and Renee blushed.

"Anyway," Renee continued, blushing a bit, "I'm Renee and this is Monique. Are you new here?"

"Y-Yes."

"What's your name?"

"A-Amir."

"You look kinda lost," Monique observed.

"Y-Y-Yes. I w-was l-looking for B-B-Biol-logy cl-lass-room."

"We have Biology now," Renee said. "Are you a sophomore?"

"Y-Ye-es."

"Cool. Come on," she said and started to walk. "So, where are you from?"

"B-Bosnia."

"Really? That's, like, Yugoslavia, right?"

"It w-was."

"Oh."

"Your parents moved here?"

"N-Not y-yet."

"So where do you live?"

"W-With a f-friend of m-my father."

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

"You have a nice accent, British. Where did you learn English?"

"In a r-r-refug-ge c-camp."

"Oh. Sorry, I didn't mean to remind you…" She trailed off, embarrassed. "Sorry."

"It's o-ok-key."

Renee smiled.

"Thanks. Anyway, this is it."

"I gotta go to the toilet," Monique said.

"Okay. Oh, you mind if he's my partner?"

Monique smirked.

"No."

"Thanks."

Renee led Amir to class and Monique stared after them, amused.

"Hey, Monique."

Monique turned.

"Hey, guys," she said.

"Em, we were looking for someone," Raelee said, "a boy. He's new in Sunnydale."

Monique raised an eyebrow.

"Is his name Amir by any chance?"

"Yes! You know him?"

"Yes. He's inside. It seems Renee has a crush on him."

"Really?" Raelee said, surprised.

"Yes. How do you know him?"

"He's staying at my house until his parents move to Sunnydale."

"He's staying with you?"

"Yes."

"I'm sure Renee will want the whole story."

"Well, we need to talk to her anyway."

"Okay."

Monique went to the toilet and Raelee and Lara went into the classroom.

"Hey, Amir," Raelee said when they got to him. "I see you got to the right classroom."

"Y-Yes."

"You know him?" Renee asked, surprised.

"Yes. He's staying at our house."

"Really?"

"Yes. Anyway, Lara needs to talk to you."

Renee looked at Lara.

"Sure."

"In private."

Renee looked at Amir and Raelee.

"I'll keep him company," Raelee said.

"Okay," Renee said and went outside with Lara. "So, what do you want to know?"

"Rochelle asked me for help, but I don't think I can help her."

"So?"

"Hope might be able to help."

"Hope?" Renee asked, alarmed.

Lara nodded.

"She saw when I helped Kye and she wondered if I could help her brother."

"Eddie," Renee remembered. "I remember him. I haven't seen him in years."

"He is apathetic."

"Oh. So what can Hope do?"

"She can communicate telepathically. Perhaps she can get into his mind."

Renee thought about it.

"I don't know," she said. "I mean, I don't mind helping Rochelle and Eddie, but Hope is still a baby."

"Will you ask her?"

Renee sighed.

"Yes."

"Thank you."

"Everything okay?" Monique asked, having returned from the toilet.

"Yes," Renee said, staring after Lara, who had gone into the class to get Raelee. "I'll tell you later."

"Okay," Monique said and smirked. "So, I see you have found a new love interest."

"What?" Renee said, surprised, and looked at her.

"Amir. You seem pretty fond of him."

"I… Well… Em…" Renee started, blushing.

"You even sound like him."

Renee mock glared at her.

"Ha, ha, very funny."

"I'm serious. Do you like him?"

Renee looked at him.

"Yes, I guess so. I don't know. I mean, he looks great, but sometimes it seems like he's retarded or something. Not that I mind." She thought for a moment. "I think there's something wrong with his leg."

Monique smiled.

"So, you like him or not?"

Renee looked at her, blushing.

"Yes, I do."

"Good. Come, let's go in."

"Yeah."

"See you later, guys," she said to Raelee and Lara, who were leaving.

In the afternoon, Rochelle brought her brother to the park. She saw that Lara and most of her friends were already there. She was pretty nervous. Ever since Eddie had shut down, he had never been out, except when they took him to the doctor. She had talked to him, read him stories, told him what was going on, but he never responded. She really hoped Lara could help him, even though she had no idea how.

"Hi," she said nervously when she got closer.

"Hi," came a chorused response.

"We just got here," Renee said.

"This is my brother, Eddie," she introduced the boy in the wheelchair.

Lara came closer and Rochelle anxiously observed as she touched Eddie's head and concentrated.

"He is in pain and lost, but the pain isn't his. I can't help him," Lara declared a few moments later and Rochelle's heart sank.

"Why don't you park him over here," Renee said, holding Hope. "Perhaps a new surrounding will help him."

Rochelle nodded, subdued, and parked Eddie beside Hope's carriage.

"Your daughter?" she asked and nodded at Hope.

Renee smiled.

"Yes. Her name is Hope."

Rochelle smiled when Hope giggled.

"Faith."

Faith turned and kneeled when she saw that Alice had cut her finger.

"What happened?"

"I cut my finger."

"On what?"

Alice shrugged.

"I don't know."

"Here, let me clean that up," Faith said, took a handkerchief and wiped the blood. "Keep your finger in the mouth for a while and wipe it in this handkerchief," she then said and gave her the handkerchief.

"Who is she?" Rochelle asked, curious.

"My sister," Faith said.

"Oh."

"What is wrong with him?" Alice asked and pointed at Eddie.

"I don't know."

"Can't he move?"

"He can, but he doesn't."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"Can I talk to him?"

Faith smiled.

"Sure."

She got up and watched as Alice went to Eddie.

"Hello," Alice said when she got to the wheelchair. "My name is Alice. I'm three years old." She thought for a moment. "What is your name?" She waited for a few moments, but Eddie didn't respond. "Can you hear me?"

There was no response. Alice considered what to do, but she couldn't think of anything, so she went back to Faith.

"Will he be okay?" she asked.

"I hope so," Faith said, smiling.

Hope cried and touched Renee's face.

"Hunger strikes again," Renee said, smiling.

"Okay, everyone, back off, give her some privacy," Monique said.

"You still breastfeed her?" Faith asked.

"Occasionally," Renee said with a grin and cupped her left breast. "Why do you think I'm so busty?"

Everyone laughed at that.

"Good to know," Faith said.

"Okay, move it," Monique said. "You can leave Eddie where he is," she told Rochelle.

"Alice, do you want to watch?" Renee asked Alice.

Alice looked at Faith.

"If you want," Faith said.

Alice nodded and went to Renee. Everyone else then turned away.

Renee then breastfed Hope and Alice observed them curiously.

"There," Renee said when Hope stopped sucking. "Are you still hungry?" she asked and Hope touched her face and babbled something. "Okay," Renee said, smiling. Then she looked at Alice. "Do you want to know a secret?" she then asked her and Alice nodded, wide-eyed. "Hope can talk."

Alice knitted her eyebrows.

"But she is still a baby," she said.

"Yes. But she doesn't talk like you and me. Do you want to see how she talks?" she asked and Alice nodded, excited and curious. "Okay." She looked at Hope and pressed Hope's hand to her cheek. "Talk to her, baby," she said and looked back at Alice. "Come closer so she can touch you. And don't be afraid, she won't hurt you."

Alice nodded and came closer. Hope then touched her and Alice jerked, surprised, but she didn't back off. Then she giggled.

"Do you understand now?" Renee asked when Hope stopped touching Alice.

Alice nodded.

"She is very important," she said.

"Yes and that's why you mustn't tell anyone about this."

Alice nodded seriously.

"I won't because bad people would hurt her if they knew."

Renee smiled.

"Yes."

She looked at Monique and nodded at her. Monique nodded back and distracted Rochelle. Renee then looked at Hope and pressed Hope's hand against her cheek.

"Okay, baby, time to help Eddie," she said and Hope babbled something. Renee smiled. "Yes."

She moved closer to Eddie and let Hope touch him. Hope giggled and babbled for a while and then let go. Renee quickly moved away. Hope then touched her and babbled something. Renee smiled.

"Thank you, baby." She looked at Monique. "Okay, the baby is fed," she said and the four girls returned.

"Come, Alice, show me where you cut your finger," Faith said.

Alice took her hand and led her away.

Hope chose that moment to cry.

"Hey, look, it's those four sisters," Monique said and pointed at the sisters.

"Looks like five of them," Renee observed.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Lara?" Raelee asked, seeing Lara's expression.

"Something is not right about them," Lara said.

"Hope says they're evil," Renee reported.

Rochelle gave her a curious look but didn't question. Not that she had the time, because Eddie moaned.

"Eddie?"

Eddie's eyes moved and his vision slowly focused. Then he smiled weakly and opened his mouth.

"R… Ro… Roxy."

Rochelle hugged him, happy.

"Oh, Eddie," she said, tears running down her cheeks.

"Looks like nature works miracles," Renee said, smirking.

"So does hope," Monique added with a grin and Renee shot a warning glance at her, but Rochelle didn't notice.

"How do you feel?" Rochelle asked Eddie.

"My… head… hurts," Eddie said quietly.

"Can you move?"

Eddie looked at his hand and tried to move it.

"Yes, but I have no… strength."

"Looks like exercise for you," Monique said and Eddie smiled at her, causing her to blush.

"Yes."

"What happened, Eddie, why did you shut down?" Rochelle asked and Eddie looked back at her, thinking.

"When Mom took you to the hospital, a… fire broke out. Dad and I got to safety, but… many people died. I… I could feel their pain. It hurt and I… got lost, I didn't know what was real."

"He's an empath," Lara told her.

"What?" Rochelle asked, confused, and looked at her.

"He's an empath," Lara repeated.

"What's that?"

"He can feel other people's feelings."

"Oh."

"I think you are also an empath."

"Me? But I…" She trailed off, remembering the several times that she thought she felt other people's feelings. "Yes."

"Thank you," Eddie said to Hope, who giggled and babbled something, touching her mother's face.

"She says you're welcome," Renee reported and Eddie smiled.

"Let's go home," Rochelle said. "Mom and Dad will be thrilled."

Eddie nodded, smiling.

"Yes."

"See you tomorrow," Rochelle said. "And thanks."

"We didn't do anything," Monique said.

"It doesn't matter. Thanks."

Then she took Eddie home.

"Looks like I'm not the only one with a love interest," Renee said and grinned at Monique.

"What?" Monique said innocently.

"You like him."

"Yeah, so?" she said and smiled.

"Oh, nothing. But I think he knows it," Renee said and Monique blushed.

"You think?"

"He's an empath," Renee explained and Monique blushed even deeper.

"Lucky me, then."

"Hi, Renee," Jesse said as he and Aysha came along.

"Hi, Jesse. Hi, Aysha."

"Hello, Renee," Aysha said and bent to caress Hope. "Hey, girl," she said, smiling. "You should come over more often," she told Renee.

"I… Well…"

"As a matter of fact," Monique spoke up, "my parents are planning to visit my grandparents in six weeks. You could and Hope stay with Jesse and Aysha," she suggested and looked at them.

"Yes," Aysha agreed excitedly and looked at Jesse. "Can they?"

Jesse smiled.

"Sure."

"Yes." She looked at Monique. "When are you leaving?"

"Next Friday. We're coming back on Sunday evening, so I guess they'll have to stay with you till Monday afternoon."

"No problem," Aysha said and looked at Renee. "Do you need help packing?"

Renee shook her head.

"No, thanks."

"We'll drop her off before we leave," Monique said.

"Okay," Aysha agreed.

"We will have to do a protection spell," Lara said.

"Yes," Renee agreed.

"A what?" Aysha asked, confused.

"A protection spell," Renee said. "It's a long story, but Hope is a very special baby and basically the entire Hell is after her."

"Oh," Aysha said, clearly not having a clue about what Renee was talking about.

"Will four o'clock on Friday be okay?" Lara asked Renee, who looked at Monique questioningly.

"Monique?"

"Probably. Dad said we'll be going early."

"Okay, looks like four o'clock will do."

Lara nodded.

"I will tell Willow and Tara."

"Okay."

Hope touched Renee's face and babbled something.

"Of course, baby," Renee said and put her in the carriage. "She needs a nap," she explained and covered Hope. "There. Sweet dreams, baby," she said and caressed her.

"Faith?" Raelee said when Faith returned, noticing Faith's bad mood.

"They've been fixing the carrousel and some moron left three sharp screws sticking out like some Goddamn knives." She looked up. "Sorry," she murmured.

"You took care of the problem?" Renee asked.

"Yeah, I nearly pulverized them," Faith said with a grin.

"Good."

"Em, Renee, we have to go now," Jesse said. "We'll see you on Friday then."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye," Aysha said and they left.

"Friday?" Faith asked.

"Yes," Renee said. "Monique and her parents are visiting her grandparents next weekend and I'll be staying with Jesse and Aysha till Monday."

"Oh." She glanced at Hope. "Napping?"

"Yes."

Faith stretched and sat beside Renee.

"So, what did you find out about those sisters?"

"Nothing, except they're really bitchy," Monique said.

"And a bit scary too," Renee said.

"Yes," Monique agreed. "Have they gone?"

Everyone looked around.

"Looks like it," Faith said.

"Good, I don't want them near Hope," Renee said.

"And that new girl?"

"Stacy. She's from San Francisco."

"Mhm. And who's this Amir I keep hearing about?" Faith asked and Renee blushed a bit.

"He's from Bosnia," Raelee said. "His dad knows mine and Dad agreed to let him and his sister, Ana, stay with us until their parents move in."

"What's with his leg?" Monique asked.

"He lost it on a landmine. He wears a prosthesis." She paused for a moment. "His sister lost both legs and she's in a wheelchair. And she's autistic."

"That's so sad," Lara said.

"Yes," Renee agreed.

"He's not retarded, is he?" Monique asked and Renee glared at her.

"No, why?" Raelee said, confused.

Monique shrugged.

"Just an impression I got. He's pretty good looking, though," she said and looked at Renee with a smirk. "Right, Renee?"

Renee blushed.

"Yes, so?"

"She's in love with him?" Faith asked, surprised.

"Yes," Monique said and Renee blushed even deeper.

Raelee smiled.

"I think he likes you too," she told Renee.

"He does?" Renee asked excitedly.

"Yes, he asked me about you."

"Is he a Muslim?" Renee asked.

"No, but I don't think he's a Catholic either."

"Oh. Not that I mind," she quickly added.

"Why don't you tell him to come to the park and maybe bring his sister out," Monique asked. "Fresh air seemed to help Eddie," she added with a grin.

"Speaking of Eddie," Renee said, "are you going to ask Rochelle to bring him here more often?"

Monique blushed a bit.

"Yes. You mind?"

"Me? No."

"Good."

"Hey, guys," Dennis said as he and Heidi came around.

"Hey, you two," Faith said.

"You won't believe what happened to me today," Dennis said. "This might seem like I'm making it up, but I swear it's the truth." He glanced at Heidi. "Two hot babes, freshmen, tried to get me to bed. In the middle of the day!"

"One was a blackhead and the other a brunette?" Monique asked.

"Yes! You know them?"

Monique glanced at Renee, Raelee and Lara.

"The Whores."

"The what?" Dennis asked, surprised, and laughed.

"The Whores. The slept with half of grade schol, boys, girls, students, teachers, even the janitor."

"You're serious?" Heidi asked.

"Absolutely. They need sex like Sahara needs water."

Everyone laughed at that.

"They're quite okay, except for their constant search for someone to lay," Raelee said.

"Too bad I didn't go to grade school here," Faith said.

"Yeah, it would have been a competition as to who lays more people," Dennis said and Faith laughed.

"You bet," she agreed.

"Anything new on the front?" Heidi asked, changing the subject.

"No, not really," Faith said. "Except maybe those creepy sisters."

"I think I know which ones you mean," Dennis said. "We saw them on our way here. There are five of them, right?"

"Looks that way."

"Who cares," Monique said.

"Alice, be careful!" Faith called, noticing that Alice might get hurt.

Alice stopped, looked at her and nodded.

"That's waiting for you," Monique told Renee.

"I just can't wait," Renee said with a big smile, leaned into the carriage and kissed Hope. "Right, baby?"

Hope babbled something, already half asleep.

"See?"

"I wonder which of you two's the boss," Monique said with a smirk.

"Very funny," Renee said and smiled.

"I thought so too."

"Yeah, right."

"Looks like the brunette's been busy," Dennis said and nodded at Daisy, who was hanging on to a boy.

Everyone looked.

"I don't envy her," Heidi said.

"Why not?" Renee asked.

"Because she'll probably end up alone."

"You think?"

Heidi nodded.

"Are you going to take Hope home?" Monique asked.

Renee looked at Lara and Raelee.

"Do you mind staying for a while longer?"

"No," Lara said.

"No," Raelee joined her.

"Then I guess we're staying for a while."

"Okay."

In the evening, Faith was sitting alone, watching Raelee and Lara and Dennis and Heidi dance. She wished Cordelia was there.

"Hi."

Faith looked, startled, and saw that it was the Whores. She frowned, she didn't want to think of them like that.

"Hi," she said.

"Need company?" the blackhead, Sara, asked.

"For the night?" the brunette, Daisy, asked and they both came closer, moving sensuously like two cats.

"We saw you looking at us," Sara said.

Faith smiled.

"I was, but not for the reason you think," she said.

"You don't like girls?" Daisy asked, batting her eyelashes seductively.

"I do, I have a girlfriend."

"There, you see."

"We can have a good time," Sara purred.

"Perhaps you should bring your girlfriend along," Daisy suggested.

"She's not home."

"Then she doesn't need to know."

"She does."

"You don't have to tell her," Daisy said, running a finger down Faith's chest.

Faith stopped her.

"I do. I don't keep any secrets from her. Not that I could or want to." She thought for a moment. "Before I met her, I was a lot like you two," she then said.

"What do you mean?" Sara asked.

"I was screwing around like I was a fucking rabbit. I had sex every day, sometimes several times a day, with boys, girls, grownups. I never cared about any of them and none of them cared about me, all we wanted was sex. My girlfriend was the first that cared about me, beside my friends, and I didn't even lay her." She paused. "You should be careful or you'll end up alone or with someone who will only want your body, not you."

Sara and Daisy looked at each other seriously.

"You should also be careful about who you're trying to seduce," Faith continued.

"What do you mean?" Daisy asked.

"Well, there are… Dawn!" she called, spotting the vampire.

"Yes?" Dawn said when she got closer.

"I need a favor."

"What?"

"No big deal." She looked at Sara and Daisy. "Touch my hands," she said and extended her hands.

The girls did so.

"Yeah?" Daisy asked.

"Now touch hers," Faith said and nodded at Dawn.

Dawn extended her hands and the girls touched them.

"They're…"

"Cold," Daisy finished Sara's thought.

"Yeah."

"That's because she's a vampire," Faith explained.

"A what?"

"Vampires don't exist," Daisy objected.

"I wish," Faith said and looked at Daisy. "Show them your other face."

"Right here?"

Faith looked around.

"No, it's too crowded. Let's go to the hall," she said and led the way. When she was sure that no one would disturb them, she nodded at Dawn. "Okay, it's safe."

Dawn looked at Sara and Daisy and morphed into her game face. The two girls gasped and stepped back, surprised and a bit scared.

"Okay, Dawn, that would do," Faith said and Dawn morphed back to her normal face. "Thanks. Anything new?"

"There are rumors that someone is using a whole lot of magic."

"Undead or alive?"

"I'm not sure."

"Thanks, I'll check it out."

Dawn nodded and left.

"She… She's a real vampire?" Daisy finally asked.

"Yes."

"Are they all cold?" Sara asked.

"Yes. And don't believe them if they say that they're merely cold." She looked at the two speechless girls. "Be careful, okay?"

They nodded and she left.

"Let's go back in," Sara finally said and took Daisy's hand.

Daisy nodded and followed her in.

"I don't feel like having sex anymore," she said.

"Me neither," Sara agreed.

"Hi," Faith said when they met in their dreams and kissed Cordelia. "Missed you."

"Missed you too," Cordelia said and smiled.

Faith smiled as well.

"Good. Oh, guess what happened to me tonight. Two girls tried to seduce me."

"Really?" Cordelia asked, amused.

"Yeah. They are hot, I tell you."

"But not as hot as me?" Cordelia asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, definitely not," Faith appeased her, smiling.

"Good. And how…"

She trailed off as a vision hit her, five girls surrounding Monique's house, using magic.

"Wow, another one in our dreams," Cordelia said.

"But what the hell does it mean?" Faith asked, confused.

"I don't know. I think they were trying to get Hope."

"Yeah," Faith mumbled, thinking. "I have a bad feeling I know what it means."

"What?"

"Well, there are five sisters that are new to Sunnydale and four of them attend the New Sunnydale High. Lara says they're evil and Hope cried when they were near."

"Looks like they're the ones."

"Yeah. We'll have to watch out for them. So, how's LA?"

"Oh, same as usual. Undead monsters trying to ruin my night."

"I know what you mean," Faith said, grinning, and pulled her into a hug. "Come here."

"Feeling cuddly?" Cordelia asked with a smirk.

Faith laughed.

"Yes. You are my teddy bear."

"I'm honored."

"Good. Now let's go to bed and cuddle," Faith said, picked up Cordelia and carried her to the bed. "Oh, by the way, Buffy kicked the crap out of Dracula."

"Really?"

"Yes. She told me that she drank his blood."

Cordelia made a face.

"Eww," she said.

"I agree. But she then had an interesting experience. We talked about it, it was very interesting."

"Really?"

"Yes. I'll show you later. And how are things in LA?"

"Fine, I guess. Angel finally bought that creepy hotel."

"Really? Are you moving?"

"I don't think so!" Cordelia said and Faith grinned. Cordelia realized that Faith was teasing her and she smiled. "Oh, did I tell you that Angel had to play a knight in shiny armor?"

Faith laughed.

"A knight? Literally or metaphorically?"

"Both. He accidentally killed a demon who was protecting some pregnant woman. And you know how he gets when he screws up."

"Yeah, all guilty."

"Yes. Anyway, he then fought instead of that demon. He said it was like at a medieval tournament."

Faith chuckled.

"Knight Angel."

"As if," Cordelia said and Faith smirked. "Oh, and he had to sing!"

Faith laughed.

"Sing? Angel?"

"Yes. It was awful."

"What did he sing?"

"Barry Manilow."

Faith laughed harder.

"Copa cabana?"

"Mandy."

Faith laughed again.

"I wish I was there to see it."

Cordelia made a face.

"Believe me, it was not an experience I'd like to repeat. Of course, if you feel like sharing, I can show you."

Faith smiled.

"Always."

"Don't tell me I didn't warn you."

"Hey, Amir," Renee greeted the boy when she and Monique met him during a break.

Amir looked up.

"H-Hel-lo," he said and Monique noticed that they were both blushing.

"I need to go somewhere," Monique said.

"Monique," Renee said in a pleading voice, but Monique merely grinned.

"See you later," she said and left.

Renee gulped and looked back at Amir.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"W-W-Writing."

"Writing? What?"

"A s-story."

"A story?" Renee said, excited, and sat beside him. "You're a writer?"

Amir blushed a bit.

"N-No. I j-just w-write sh-short s-stories."

"About what?"

Amir shrugged.

"W-Whatev-ver I can th-think o-of."

"Oh. How many have you written so far?"

Amir shrugged.

"I d-don't kn-know. Ab-bout three h-hund-dred."

"Wow," Renee said, impressed. "Em, did Raelee told you you can bring your sister to the park in the afternoon?"

Amir nodded.

"Y-Yes."

"How old is she?"

"T-Ten."

"Oh."

They were quiet for a few moments.

"H-How old is y-your d-daughter?" Amir then asked.

"Nine months."

The conversation stopped again.

"Hi, guys," Raelee and Lara saved them.

"Hi," Renee said.

"Where's Monique?"

"Somewhere."

Raelee raised an eyebrow.

"That's very specific," she said.

Renee shrugged.

"That's what she said." She turned to Amir. "What do you have next?"

"N-Nothing."

"Lucky you." She checked her watch. "I should be going." She looked back at Amir. "Listen, if Monique comes back, tell her I went to the classroom."

"Ok-kay," Amir said.

"I'll see you later." She looked at Raelee and Lara. "Are you coming?"

"Yes. I'll see you later, Amir," Raelee said.

"O-O-Okay."

The three girls left and Amir stared after them, especially Renee, whom he liked, a lot, until they were gone. Then he went back to writing.

"Hi, guys," Monique said when Amir and Raelee came to the park, Amir pushing a girl in a wheelchair. She looked at Raelee. "I was wondering where you were."

"He hasn't been out much," Raelee said.

"Nada," Ana said and pointed at Hope, but not quite looking at her.

"What did she say?" Monique asked.

"Nada. It m-means H-Hope."

"How did she know?"

"I d-don't kn-know."

"Hi, Amir," Renee said as she came closer with the baby.

"Hel-lo."

"Is this your sister?"

"Y-Yes. A-Ana."

"Hello, Ana," Renee said and smiled at the girl.

"Nada," Ana repeated and pointed at Hope again.

"What did she say?"

"Hope."

"How did she know?"

"I don't kn-know."

"Oh. Well, this is my daughter, Hope," she said.

Hope babbled something, touching Renee's face, and reached toward Amir.

"H-Hello, Hope."

"Looks like she wants you to hold her."

"N-No, I…"

"Don't worry, relax," Renee said and nearly forced Amir to take Hope.

Amir clumsily held her, but he gradually relaxed. Hope babbled excitedly and touched his face.

"Baby," Renee said, alert, but Hope apparently knew she shouldn't talk to him yet.

"Perhaps Ana should hold her," Monique suggested.

"I don't know," Renee said.

"It's your decision."

"Actually, it's Hope's," Renee said, leaned closer and let Hope touch her face. "She wants to," she said and looked at Amir. "Why don't you let your sister hold her."

"A-Are y-you sure?"

"Yes. It might do her good."

Amir turned to Ana.

"Anice, hočeš li držati Nadicu?" he asked her.

"Nada," Ana said and extended her arms.

Amir carefully gave her the baby. Hope giggled and babbled and touched Ana's face.

"Looks like she likes her," Renee said.

"Oh look, there's Rochelle and Eddie," Raelee said.

Everyone looked at them and Monique waved at them.

"Amire," Ana spoke," ja hoču da hodim."

"Šta?" Amir said, surprised.

"Ja hoču da hodim," Ana repeated.

Hope babbled something and reached for her mother. Renee smiled and took her away from Ana.

"Good work," she whispered, caressing her, and kissed her on the forehead. "What did she say?" she then asked Amir.

"She wants to walk," Amir said.

"Really?"

"Hi," Rochelle said as she and Eddie came to them.

"Hi, "Monique said and looked at Eddie. "How do you feel?" she asked him, blushing a bit.

"Fine."

"Can you move?"

"A bit, but I'm working on it."

"That's good."

"Who is she?" Rochelle asked and nodded at Ana.

"M-My s-sister," Amir said, having concluded his conversation with Ana.

"Oh."

She didn't know what else to say, especially since the last time she was near Amir, Cassandra was insulting him and she didn't do anything about it, even though she had felt his discomfort.

"I want to t-take Ana h-home and let our p-p-parents know sh-she's b-bet-ter," Amir said.

"I'll walk you," Raelee said and looked at Lara.

"Go," Lara said quietly.

"I'll be back," Raelee said, smiling, and they kissed on the lips briefly.

"My, we're getting bolder," Monique teased them, smiling, and they blushed.

"Come, Amir," Raelee said and she, Amir and Ana left.

Hope babbled something and Eddie smiled at her.

"Hello, girl," he said.

"Will you go back to school next year?" Monique asked.

Eddie looked at her.

"I don't think so. Mom said something about the GED."

"Oh," Monique said, slightly disappointed.

"But I will still come to the park," Eddie said and Monique's face brightened.

"That'd be great," she said, excited, and blushed a bit.

"Sorry we're late," Faith said as she and Alice arrived. "Where did Amir and Raelee go?"

"Home. It seems that this park has a wondrous effect on people," Monique said with a smirk.

"Oh." She looked at Alice. "Do you want to go play?"

"Yes," Alice said, nodding.

"Okay, go."

Alice ran away to join the other kids.

Rochelle went to Lara.

"Em, Lara, can you help me and Eddie with… with this… empathy stuff?" she asked.

Lara thought for a moment.

"I don't think so. I'll ask two friends of mine, they might know."

"Oh," Rochelle said, slightly disappointed.

"Ask Faith, she might be able to help."

"Faith?" Rochelle said, surprised, and glanced at Faith. "Is she an empath?"

"No, but she has a special bond with her girlfriend."

"Oh. Thanks." She turned to Faith. "Faith?"

"I don't know. I can feel Cordelia, but I don't try to feel her or anything, I just do." She thought for a moment. "Try opening yourself, but be careful that the experience doesn't overwhelm you like it did Eddie."

Rochelle nodded.

"Thanks."

"Try doing it with us, that way you can get used to it."

"I will, thanks."

"Does anyone mind?" Faith asked the rest of the group.

"What would she do?" Monique asked.

"Just try and feel how we feel."

"Oh. Okay."

"Thanks," Rochelle said. she thought for a moment. "Oh, em, Monique, em, I was wondering. How come you and Renee are not friends with Cassandra anymore?"

Monique and Renee glanced at each other.

"I don't think we ever were," Monique said.

"But…" Rochelle started, confused.

"We weren't even friends ourselves," Renee added. "We were only together because we were the three most desired and outspoken girls," she explained.

"Though Sara and Daisy probably beat us, but they were an easy catch," Monique said. "And the Trinity were probably more respected."

"Yeah," Renee agreed. "We were more into appearances."

"Why did you go apart?"

"Hope," Renee said and cooed the baby, who was lying in the carriage now.

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

"When I found out I was pregnant, Cassandra wanted me to have an abortion and Monique wanted me to keep her. I decided to keep her and Cassandra left. When my parents threw me out, Monique stood by my side and supported me and we became friends. Real friends."

"We also had a couple of sobering experiences and we started to appreciate the people who were different."

"Yes. Last year, I wouldn't even look at Amir and now I'm falling in love with him," Renee said, blushing.

"It's not like we hate Cassandra or anything," Monique said, "it's just that we have become aware of what it's like to be different and how much it hurts when people insult you. That's why we insult her, so she would understand what it feels like."

"Yes," Renee agreed.

"I see," Rochelle said quietly, thinking. "Thanks."

"No problem."

"Cassandra, don't," Rochelle said the next day, when Cassandra wanted to go and insult a couple of freshmen nerds.

"What?" Cassandra said, surprised.

"Leave them alone. Please."

"Don't tell me you suddenly like the nerds."

"No, but they've done nothing to deserve us mocking them."

Cassandra stared at her, surprised, and Denise was also looking at her curiously.

"What's wrong with you?" Cassandra asked.

"Nothing. They don't like being insulted and you don't either."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Remember how you feel when Renee and Monique insult you? That's how the nerds feel when you insult them."

"What are you, my shrink?"

"No, I'm your friend."

"Yeah, right. You're only with me so that guys like Jack even look at you."

"I was, at first, but now I don't care much about guys like him anymore, they're pretty shallow. I'm with you because I consider you a friend."

"Me too," Denise said and they both glanced at her, surprised. "What? It's true."

"And I know insulting the nerds doesn't make you feel any better," Rochelle continued. "Guys like Jack might look at you, but none of them respects you, they just want to brag that they've been out with you. And if they want to have sex, they go to the Whores. The problem is that you like their attention so much and you are so concerned with appearances that you ignore the things and people that might actually make you happy."

"Such as?" Cassandra challenged.

"Adam."

"What?!" Cassandra freaked out. "You expect me to go out with a nerd?"

"I don't expect anything, I just want you to be happy. I know you like Adam and I know Adam likes you, in spite of your insults."

"You're crazy."

"No, I'm an empath, I can feel what other people feel."

"What?" Cassandra said, surprised.

"The point is that you could easily be happy with Adam, if only you allowed yourself. Instead, you date guys like Jack and Paul and because you feel miserable and alone, you take it out on the nerds."

"I noticed that too," Denise said and Cassandra glared at her.

"Get lost, both of you," she said, furious.

"Cassandra…" Denise started.

"Beat it!" Cassandra interrupted her and stormed away.

Rochelle and Denise stared after her until she disappeared.

"Did you mean what you said?" Rochelle then asked Denise.

"What?"

"About Cassandra being your friend?"

"Yes. I kinda grew to like her, even though she can be bitchy as hell. And you're right about Jack and Paul, they're a bunch of assholes. As a matter of fact, I wanted to ask Mike out."

"The nerd?"

"Yes. I like him and I think he likes me."

"Why didn't you?"

Denise shrugged.

"I didn't want to piss off Cassandra. I'm gonna wait for a while to see what Cassandra will do."

Rochelle nodded.

"I hope she won't drop us like she did Renee and Monique."

"Why did she?" Denise asked, curious.

"Drop them? Because Renee wanted to keep her baby and Monique supported her."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Denise thought for a moment.

"Maybe we should ask Adam to talk to her," she then suggested.

Rochelle shook her head.

"No, she's too angry. Perhaps later."

Denise nodded and observed Rochelle for a few moments.

"Are you really an empath?"

"Yes," Rochelle said, nodding. "I've just recently found out."

"You didn't know before?"

"No. I mean, I've felt other people's emotions, I just didn't know why. Hell, I wasn't even sure what was going on, sometimes I thought I was going crazy. I'm trying to improve my control over it now."

"How?"

"It's hard to explain. I try to open myself more and I try to completely shut others out."

"Oh. Damn, the break's over."

"Let's go to class."

In the afternoon, Amir and Ana went with Raelee and Lara when they went to Renee to escort her as she took Hope to the park. Just as they arrived to the park, Faith and Alice arrived as well.

"Talk about timing," Faith said. She looked at Amir. "Hey, Amir, you're still staying at Raelee's house?

"Y-Yes," Amir said.

"Well, if you need help moving into your new house, let me know," Faith offered.

"I think we'll all help," Monique said.

"Yes," Lara agreed.

"Th-Thank y-you."

Alice, noticing the absence of Ana's legs, pulled Faith's hand. Faith looked at her.

"Yes?"

When Alice hesitated, Faith leaned closer.

"Why doesn't she have legs?" Alice then asked quietly and pointed at Ana.

"She lost them."

"How?"

"She stepped on a mine. A weapon which is buried in the ground and explodes when someone steps on it. It usually kills people," she explained when Alice looked at her quizzically.

"Does it hurt?"

"When the mine exploded, it did. Now it doesn't."

Alice stared at Ana for a while. Then she looked at Faith.

"Can I go play?"

Faith smiled.

"Sure. Be careful."

Alice nodded and ran away.

"Faith," Lara said.

"Yes?"

"I've seen one of those sisters yesterday. She was at the magic shop."

"Really?"

"Why don't I like the sound of that?" Monique asked.

"Because it might mean trouble," Faith said.

"You think?"

Faith nodded.

"Cordelia had a vision. We think they may be after Hope."

Renee hugged the baby tighter.

"Don't worry, we'll protect her," Lara said, noticing Renee's fear.

Renee nodded and smiled briefly.

"Thanks."

Hope touched her mother's face and babbled something. Renee smiled at her.

"I hope so, baby, I hope so," she said.

"Say, is it true that Giles bought the Magic Box?" Faith asked.

Lara nodded.

"Yes."

Faith shook her head.

"I just can't imagine Giles behind the counter."

"I think Anya will be behind the counter," Lara said.

Faith laughed.

"Oh boy."

The End