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. This story has been inspired by Tweyelite's If Only.

Home
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"Buffy, I need to talk to you," Joyce said after Buffy came home from school.

"Sure, Mom," Buffy said and followed her mother to the sofa. "What is it?"

Joyce hesitated for a moment.

"Well, I was thinking we could adopt a child. A girl."

"Excuse me?" Buffy said, surprised.

"I was thinking…"

"I heard what you said," Buffy interrupted Joyce. "Are you serious?"

Joyce nodded.

"Yes."

"But why?"

Joyce sighed.

"Well, you're all grown up now and you don't need me taking care of you all the time. And I don't intend to get pregnant again, so I thought we could adopt."

Buffy frowned, thinking.

"How old?" she asked after a few moments.

"Six."

"Hmm, that's kindergarten age."

"Yes."

Buffy thought about it.

"I'd have a little sister," she said, liking the way it sounded. Still, there was the slaying. "Are you sure it's wise? I mean, with all the weird stuff going on around here?"

Joyce shrugged.

"It's as safe as anyplace."

Buffy sighed, hesitating.

"Do you have anyone in mind?"

Joyce smiled.

"I do. Want to meet her?"

"Now?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Sure."

"Eh, okay."

"Let's go."

"This is her," Joyce said and pointed at the little girl who was sitting at a table, drawing.

Buffy smiled a bit.

"She's cute."

Joyce smiled.

"She is. Come." She led the way to the table. "Hi, Hope."

Hope looked at her and smiled.

"Hi."

"This is my daughter, Buffy. Buffy, this is Hope."

"Hey," Buffy said with a smile.

"Hi," Hope said, curiously staring at her.

Buffy sat down opposite of her.

"Looks like we're going to be sisters. Would you like that?"

Hope smiled and nodded.

"Uh-huh."

Buffy smiled as well. Then she looked at the picture Hope was drawing.

"What are you drawing?"

A couple of weeks later, it was finally time for Hope to move to her new home. The social worker had called that they would come in the afternoon, so she and Joyce both waited excitedly. When the bell finally rang, Buffy ran to the door.

"Eh, hi," she said, startled, when she saw an unknown woman and a girl about her age.

"Hello, I'm Jennifer Collins from the Social Services," the woman introduced herself. "I'm substituting for Mrs Dalton."

"Oh," Buffy said.

"Hello," Joyce said as she arrived.

"She came instead of Mrs Dalton," Buffy said.

"Oh." Joyce looked around. "Is there a problem?" she asked when she didn't see Hope.

Mrs Collins frowned.

"Problem? No. Why?"

"Well, you didn't bring Hope."

Mrs Collins blinked.

"Hope?"

"Yes, the girl we wanted to adopt," Joyce said and looked at Faith, who kicked a stone, angry and disappointed.

"Hope?" Mrs Collins repeated and looked at her papers.

"Yes, Hope Spender."

Mrs Collins covered her mouth as she realized her blunder.

"Oh my. How embarrassing."

"What is it?" Buffy asked.

"Well, when Mrs Dalton called in sick, she told me to take care of the papers. It seems I mixed up the names. I prepared the papers for Faith Spencer instead of Hope Spender."

"Oh."

Faith turned and slowly walked back to the car, upset.

Joyce stared after her for a moment and then looked at Mrs Collins.

"Can you excuse us for a moment?"

"Yes, of course," Mrs Collins said and backed off a few steps.

Joyce then looked at Buffy, who was still staring after Faith.

"Buffy?" she said and Buffy looked at her.

"Huh?"

Joyce hesitated for a moment.

"How about we adopt Faith as well."

Buffy frowned.

"Are you kidding?"

"No. We have enough money and you're both old enough to get a part time job if necessary." She glanced at Faith. "You know no one is going to adopt her at her age."

Buffy looked at Faith.

"Well, yes."

"And I think she and Hope could help one another get used to having a home."

Buffy thought for a moment. She had gotten used to the idea of having a baby sister, but now another sister suddenly appeared, one her age. And there was something about Faith.

"Okay," she said slowly, and Joyce smiled.

"Mrs Collins."

"Yes?" Mrs Collins said and looked up.

"We've decided that we would like to adopt Faith as well."

"Really?" Mrs Collins said, surprised.

"If she agrees."

"Oh."

"Faith!" Joyce called.

Faith looked at her, startled, and Joyce waved at her to come closer. Faith hesitated for a moment and then came closer.

"Yeah?"

"Buffy and I have decided to adopt you as well."

Faith frowned, surprised.

"Why?"

Joyce shrugged.

"Why not?"

Faith's frown deepened.

"You don't even know me. And I'm fifteen."

"So?"

"So I'm too old."

"Why?"

Faith stared at her for a moment, confused.

"People only adopt babies or little kids."

"You could be an exception," Joyce said.

"If you want," Buffy added.

Faith looked at her and then back at Joyce, not understanding why they would want to adopt her.

"I don't want your pity," she said.

"We don't pity you," Joyce said. "Sure, we feel sympathy, but that's not bad." She smiled softly. "We are offering you a home, but it's your choice in the end."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, thinking. Then she looked at Buffy.

"And you?"

"I'm with Mom," Buffy said and smiled.

"You don't have to decide right away," Joyce said. "You can stay with us for a couple of days first."

"Eh, that's not…" Mrs Collins started, but she trailed off when Joyce raised an eyebrow at her. "Well, I suppose."

Joyce looked back at Faith.

"Hey, who knows, maybe you could like it here," she said encouragingly. "And if not, you can leave next week."

Faith thought about it. On one hand, she was distrustful of them, especially since they had decided to adopt her on the spur of the moment. On the other hand, there was a possibility that this could become her home and that this woman and her daughter might become her family. Plus, it was better than where she was now. She sighed.

"Okay," she finally decided.

Joyce and Buffy both smiled.

"Good," Joyce said and looked at Buffy. "Buffy, why don't you show her…" She trailed off with a frown. "I guess she'll have to sleep in Hope's room tonight, unless we get the spare room ready."

"We'll see," Buffy said and looked at Faith. "Come."

"I'll take care of this," Joyce said.

"Okay, Mom," Buffy said and led Faith upstairs. "You're Faith, right?"

"Yeah," Faith said, looking around curiously.

"I'm Buffy. And Mom's name is Joyce."

"Buffy?" Faith said, startled.

"Yes?" Buffy said, thinking Faith wanted something.

"Eh, nothing."

"So you're fifteen."

"Yeah."

"Ninth grade?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sixteen. Tenth grade."

"And this girl you wanted to adopt, Hope?"

"She's six."

"Oh." Faith thought for a moment. "Why did you agree to adopt me?"

Buffy blushed.

"I don't know, I like you, I guess."

"Oh," Faith said with a frown.

"Here, this will be your room," Buffy said when they reached the spare room.

Faith looked around.

"It needs to be cleaned up a bit," Buffy continued. "Why don't I show you around the house first and then we can clean up your room."

Faith shrugged.

"Okay."

"Oh, are you hungry?"

"No, I ate."

"Oh. Okay."

As soon as Buffy and Faith were done cleaning up Faith's room, Buffy's friends arrived.

"Where is she?" Willow asked excitedly.

"She hasn't come yet," Buffy said, smiling.

"Oh," Willow said, disappointed.

"When is she coming?" Xander asked.

Buffy frowned.

"I don't know, you'd have to ask Mom."

"But you said she'll be here today," Willow said.

"I know, but there was a mix up."

"A mix up?"

"Yes, they sent the wrong girl."

"Really?"

Buffy noticed that Xander was looking past her and she turned.

"Yes," she said, "her. Guys, this is Faith," she introduced her and Faith came closer. "Faith, these are Willow and Xander."

"Hey," Faith said.

"You adopted her too?" Willow asked while Xander's eyes roamed all over Faith's body.

"Yes."

"How come?"

Buffy shrugged.

"We like her," she said with a smile.

"Oh."

"I mean, she hasn't decided to stay yet."

"Oh."

"Oh, hello, Willow. Xander," Joyce said when she came downstairs.

"Hello, Mrs Summers," Willow said. "When is Hope coming?"

"In two days."

"Oh."

"So, you're going to Sunnydale High?" Xander asked Faith.

Faith shrugged.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Cool."

Buffy looked at Faith.

"We're going out, want to come?"

Faith thought for a moment and then shrugged.

"Okay," she decided, not having anything better to do and wanting to find out more about Buffy and her friends.

The conversation was a bit tense and Faith could feel that Buffy, Willow and Xander were really close friends. She wanted to fit in, but she didn't want to appear too desperate. It seemed that Buffy wanted to include her the most, while Willow seemed indifferent and Xander kept ogling her. Still, if she could get on with Buffy, whom she was living with, she would be satisfied.

In the evening they went to the Bronze. When the music was good, Faith danced, and Xander stared at her. Buffy occasionally joined her, but mostly Faith danced on her own.

After an hour passed, Faith had to go to the toilet.

"Man, that girl has energy."

Faith recognized Buffy's voice.

"Are you tired?" Willow asked.

"No."

"Are you going out tonight?"

"Yes."

"Will you take Faith home first?"

"Somehow I don't think Faith would appreciate me playing a babysitter."

"Are you gonna tell her?"

Buffy sighed.

"I don't know. I mean, if I don't tell her, she might end up dead and if I do tell her, she'll probably leave first thing in the morning."

"You want her to stay?"

"Of course I do." Buffy sighed again. "This is such a mess."

"So what are you gonna do?"

There was a brief pause.

"I'll show her, I guess. I don't want to see her dead. And that way she can decide if she still wants to stay."

"Oh."

Faith frowned, wondering what the hell they were talking about. On one hand, she was glad to know that Buffy wanted her to stay, but on the other, she wondered what kind of secret she had.

When Buffy and Willow entered their stalls, Faith quietly left.

"Buffy," Willow said half an hour later.

Buffy followed Willow's gaze and nodded.

"Yes."

Faith looked as well, but she could see nothing out of the ordinary.

"Faith, I'm going out now. Why don't you come with me?" Buffy said.

Faith wanted to ask where they were going, but she remembered the conversation between Buffy and Willow and decided not to ask.

"Sure."

Buffy looked at her friends.

"We'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay," Willow said. "Be careful."

"We will."

Faith followed Buffy outside.

"Why are we following them?" she asked when she noticed that they were following a couple.

"You'll see," Buffy said mysteriously.

Faith raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask further.

After a couple of minutes, they saw the couple stop and the girl started kissing the boy. Suddenly the boy screamed and Buffy started running. Faith ran after her, confused.

When Buffy reached the couple, she grabbed the girl and pushed her aside. The girl immediately attacked Buffy. Faith could see that the girl's face was weird and when she saw the boy clutch his neck, she guessed that the girl must have bitten him. Then she noticed that Buffy was holding something, a wooden stake, and she wondered what Buffy would do with it. The boy ran away, but Faith ignored him.

Then Buffy suddenly stabbed the girl with the stake and the girl exploded into dust. Faith stared at the pile of dust, wide eyed.

"What the fuck just happened?" she asked when she finally pulled herself together.

Buffy looked at her and sighed.

"That was a vampire," she said.

"Huh?" Faith said, startled.

"A vampire."

Faith frowned.

"As in Dracula?"

"Sort of, yes."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Is that your big secret?"

"What?" Buffy asked, startled.

"I overheard you and Willow in the girls room."

"Oh." Buffy sighed. "Yes."

Faith looked at the pile of dust again.

"So vampires are real."

"And other demons."

Faith looked up, startled.

"Other demons?"

"Yes. Vampires are just one kind."

"Oh."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Come, I'll show you other demons."

"Now?"

"Sure."

Faith followed Buffy.

"How did you know the girl was a vampire?" she asked after a while.

Buffy looked at her.

"Experience."

Faith frowned.

"Experience?"

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Yes. I'm a Slayer."

"A what?"

"A Slayer. I was called to kill demons."

"By whom?"

Buffy shrugged.

"I don't know."

Faith thought for a moment.

"So you're, like, a superhero?"

Buffy blushed.

"Sort of, I guess."

"Does your mom know?"

"No."

Faith frowned.

"Then why are you telling me?"

"Mom doesn't go out at night, you do." She hesitated for a moment. "And I want you to be aware of the dangers."

"Oh."

As she lay in bed that night, Faith thought about what Buffy had told her. It seemed like Sunnydale was a whole different world. Sure, there were demons elsewhere, according to Buffy, but Sunnydale was apparently demon central. And even though Joyce seemed nice and Buffy wanted her to stay, Faith wasn't sure she wanted to, she didn't feel like having to watch her back every time she went out at night. On the other hand, Willow and Xander helped Buffy out and they were just ordinary kids. Then again, Buffy and her mother liked her and there weren't many people who did. She decided to wait a few days before she made her decision.

"Morning," Buffy said when she came across Faith in the morning on her way to the bathroom.

"Morning."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"So, em, are you staying?"

Faith stared at her for a moment.

"For now."

Buffy smiled a bit.

"Okay. Ready to face the devil?"

Faith frowned.

"Devil?"

"The new Principal."

"Oh. Is he bad?"

"He's a real bastard."

"Oh."

Buffy smiled.

"Don't worry, Mom can handle him. I'll see you downstairs."

"How was is?" Buffy asked Faith when she met her during the first break.

"He's a bastard," Faith said and Buffy smiled.

"Told you. Come, let me show you around the school first and we'll go see Giles during the next break."

"Okay."

"Hey, Giles," Buffy said as she and Faith came into the library during the second break. "Hi, guys."

"Hello, Buffy," Giles said and then looked at Faith. "Is this Faith?"

"Yes."

"Hey," Faith said.

"Did you tell her?" Xander asked.

"Yes."

"Everything?" Willow asked.

"Yes."

"Everything?" Giles asked.

"About demons and Slayers," Buffy explained.

"Really?" Giles said, surprised, and then frowned disapprovingly. "You know…"

"I know," Buffy interrupted him. "But if she decides to stay, she needs to know."

"You haven't decided yet?" Xander asked Faith.

"No," Faith said.

"Oh."

There was a brief pause.

"The Principal's a real bastard," Faith then said.

"That's an understatement," Xander said with a grin.

"How do you like the classes?" Willow asked.

Faith shrugged.

"They're classes, what's there to like?"

"Oh," Willow said, a bit disappointed.

"Not everybody likes to study the way you do, Willow," Buffy said with a smile.

Willow smiled back.

"I know."

Buffy looked at Giles.

"Any new evil?"

"Not that I'm aware of."

"Good."

"Em, I need to go to the girls room," Faith said.

"Want me to come with?" Buffy asked.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then shrugged.

"Okay."

Buffy smiled and they left.

"So, how was your first day in Sunnydale High, Faith?" Joyce asked when she came home.

Faith shrugged.

"Okay."

Joyce smiled.

"Good. You two girls hungry?"

"Starving," Buffy said.

"Okay, I'll make us some lunch then."

"Okay."

At night, before she fell asleep, Faith thought about the day in her would-be new home. She had started to get along with Buffy's friends and Buffy and her mother made her feel welcome and wanted. She wanted to stay, but a part of her was still afraid that this was just a dream or some bad joke. She knew Hope was coming the next day and she wondered what that would mean for her. Would she still be welcome or would she be forgotten? As sleep took over, she found herself hoping that she would still be welcome.

The next afternoon, Buffy, Faith and Joyce waited for Hope to arrive, Buffy and Joyce excitedly, Faith anxiously. Finally, the bell rang and all three went to the door.

"Mrs Collins," Joyce said.

"Hello."

"Mommy!" Hope said, excited, and ran to her.

Joyce picked her up and hugged her.

"Hey, sweetie."

"I take it she's the right girl," Mrs Collins said with a smile.

"Oh yes," Joyce said. "Come in."

Mrs Collins entered and Buffy closed the door.

"Hi, Hope," Buffy said and Hope looked at her.

"Hi," Hope said with a smile. Then she noticed Faith. "Hi," she said, curiously.

"Hey," Faith said.

"This is Faith," Buffy introduced her. "She'll be our sister, if she wants."

"Really?" Hope asked, her eyes wide.

"Yes."

"Wow."

"Buffy, why don't you take Hope to her room while I take care of the paperwork."

"Okay."

Joyce put Hope down.

"Go with Buffy and Faith, okay?"

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

"Come," Buffy said.

As they passed Faith, Hope took her hand and Faith looked at her, surprised.

Buffy smiled, glad that Hope was accepting Faith.

Faith felt a bit strange, but she didn't pull away.

They went upstairs to Hope's room.

"This is your room, Hope," Buffy said.

"It's so pretty," Hope said, excited. She ran to the bed, climbed on it and then bounced a couple of times, giggling. "Who's this?" she asked, curious, when she noticed a stuffed pig.

"This is Mr Gordo," Buffy said as she sat beside Hope. "He kept me company when I was little and now he can keep you company."

Hope beamed.

"Wow." She took Mr Gordo and took a closer look. "He's cute," she declared and Buffy smiled.

"Yes."

Hope looked around.

"This is my room?"

"Yes."

"Where do you sleep?"

"We have our own rooms."

"Really?" Hope said, her eyes wide. "Wow."

Buffy smiled and ruffled her hair affectionately.

Hope yawned.

"Sleepy?" Buffy asked her.

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Why don't you lie down then?"

Hope shook her head.

"No, it's not nap time."

Buffy smiled.

"I know. But this is your home and you can lie down, if you want."

"Really?"

"Yes. You can lie down any time you want."

Hope hesitated for a moment.

"Okay."

Buffy kneeled beside the bed and took off Hope's shoes. Hope then lay down, hugging Mr Gordo, and Buffy kissed her on the temple.

"Sweet dreams."

Hope took her hand.

"Can you stay?"

Buffy smiled.

"Of course," she said and caressed her.

Faith, who had been quietly observing the interaction, decided to leave.

"I'll, eh, get her bags," she said.

"Okay," Buffy said and Faith left.

"Hey, Faith," Joyce said when she came to the living room after Mrs Collins had left. "Where are Buffy and Hope?"

"In Hope's room. Hope's asleep and she wanted Buffy to stay with her."

"Oh."

"I already took Hope's bags upstairs."

"Good."

Joyce went upstairs and Faith looked back at the TV, wondering how she would get along with Hope.

A few minutes later, Buffy came downstairs.

"Aren't you staying with Hope?" Faith asked, surprised.

"Mom took over," Buffy explained.

"Oh."

Buffy smiled.

"Isn't she sweet?"

Faith shrugged.

"Yeah."

Buffy frowned at Faith's indifferent tone.

"What's wrong?"

Faith sighed.

"Nothing," she said.

Buffy realized that something was wrong. She hesitated for a moment and then took Faith's hand into hers, making Faith look at her.

"It's obvious that something's bothering you, Faith."

Faith stared at her for a moment and then shrugged.

"It's nothing."

Buffy sighed.

"Faith, I can see something's bothering you, but I can't help you unless you tell me what's bothering you."

Faith stared at her for a moment.

"What do you care?" she then asked and Buffy realized that Faith honestly couldn't understand.

"Honestly? I don't know," Buffy admitted. "I mean, I like you and I'd like to get to know you better. I mean, that's how all friendships start, right?"

Faith stared at her for a couple of moments.

"Right," she said and looked away.

"So, wanna talk about it?"

Faith took a deep breath, hesitating.

"I just… I… I wondered what things are gonna be like with Hope around."

"Oh," Buffy said.

"I mean," Faith continued, "am I gonna be, like, the spare wheel or something?"

"No, of course not," Buffy said. "I mean, Hope is the baby here, so of course she'll have most of our attention, but that doesn't mean that you don't matter. I mean, we're teenagers, almost grown up, so we don't need as much attention from Mom as Hope does, but she'll be there for us if we need her." She paused for a moment. "I know you haven't decided yet whether you're gonna stay or not, but until you leave, you're a part or our family," she finished.

Faith looked at her with a frown.

"I… Em… I need to think about it."

Buffy smiled.

"I'll leave you alone then," she said and got up. "Unless you want me to stay."

Faith shook her head.

"No."

"Okay."

When Buffy left. Faith took a deep breath. She leaned back and thought about what Buffy had said.

An hour later, Hope woke up.

"Hey, honey," Joyce said with a smile.

Hope was immediately awake.

"Mommy!" she said, excited, and hugged her.

"Hey," Joyce said, hugging her back. "Had a nice nap?"

"Uh-huh," Hope said, nodding, and let go of Joyce. "Buffy said I could."

Joyce smiled.

"Of course you can, this is your home," she said, and Hope beamed. "Are you hungry?"

Hope shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

"Then why don't I show you around, okay?"

"Okay."

"Faith," Joyce said when she and Hope came downstairs.

Faith looked at them.

"Yeah?"

"Where's Buffy?"

"In the kitchen."

"Okay."

"Cartoons!" Hope said, excited, when she saw what Faith was watching. She looked at Joyce. "Can I watch cartoons?"

Joyce smiled.

"Sure," she said.

Hope let go of her and ran to the sofa. She climbed on it and then sat beside Faith, who was staring at her curiously.

"Powerpuff Girls!" Hope said, excited, and clapped her hands.

Joyce smiled again and then went to the kitchen.

"Mom," Buffy said, surprised. "Is Hope awake yet?"

"Yes, she's watching cartoons with Faith."

"Oh."

Buffy closed the fridge and went to the living room. When she saw Faith and Hope watch cartoons together, she smiled.

"Having fun?" she asked as she walked toward the sofa.

Faith and Hope looked at her and Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh. It's the Powerpuff Girls."

"I see," Buffy said.

She sat beside Hope and caressed her.

Hope smiled and looked back at the TV.

After a while, Hope looked at Faith.

"Faith?" she said, a bit nervous because she didn't know Faith very well.

Faith looked at her.

"Yeah?"

"I'm thirsty."

"So?"

Hope frowned, startled.

"Can I have something to drink?"

Faith shrugged.

"Sure, it's your home."

Hope stared at her for a couple of moments.

"Where can I get something?"

Faith looked around, but Joyce had gone out and Buffy was upstairs. She sighed.

"Come."

She got up and waited for Hope to get off the sofa. Then she started for the kitchen.

Hope hurried after her and took her hand, causing Faith to look at her, startled.

When they got to the kitchen, Faith opened the fridge.

"What do you want? We have… milk, orange juice, sparkling water, apple juice, iced coffee, ice tea… That's it. Or just normal water." She looked at Hope. "So, what's your choice?"

Hope thought for a moment.

"Can I have some apple juice, please?"

"Sure," Faith said and took the apple juice carton out.

She closed the fridge, got a glass and poured some apple juice in.

"Here," she said and gave it to Hope.

"Thank you," Hope said as she took it.

Faith waited for Hope to finish drinking.

"More?" she then asked.

Hope shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

Faith took the glass and put it in the sink. Then she put the apple juice carton back in the fridge and headed back to the living room.

Hope immediately took her hand and followed her.

"Mommy?" Hope said in the evening, after she was ready for bed.

"Yes, honey?"

"Why is Faith so… so… serious? And so sad?"

Joyce caressed her.

"She was an orphan like you, but nobody adopted her."

"You did."

Joyce smiled.

"Not yet. Anyway, she's had a hard life and I think she got hurt a lot. That's why it's hard for her to trust anyone and she rather pushes everyone away than risks getting hurt again."

"Oh," Hope said thoughtfully. "I'm not gonna hurt her."

Joyce smiled again.

"I know, honey," she said and caressed her, "I know."

Hope smiled.

"Where is she?"

"In her room, I think."

Hope ran off and Joyce stood up, startled.

When Hope got to Faith's room, she knocked on the door.

"Come!" Faith called.

Hope opened the door and entered. She ran to Faith and hugged her legs.

"I'll never hurt you, Faith," she said.

Faith frowned, surprised.

"Eh, Hope?" she said, not used to people hugging her.

Hope let go and looked up at her.

"Mommy said you got hurt a lot and that you don't trust anyone," she explained. "You can trust me, I won't hurt you. I promise."

Faith stared at her, emotions playing across her face.

"Faith?" Hope said, worried, when Faith didn't respond. "Are you okay?"

Faith blinked, startled.

"Yeah, fine."

Hope smiled.

"Good. Night, Faith."

"Eh, night, Hope."

Hope ran from the room and Faith stared after her, not sure what to think. She realized she was upset and she took a deep breath. She hated to admit it to herself, but Hope's promise meant a lot to her. And even though she didn't want to get close to anyone, she found herself feeling protective of Hope.

The next day after lunch, Faith and Hope were watching cartoons together, but instead of concentrating on the TV, Faith kept glancing at Hope, trying to imagine how their relationship might evolve through time.

After a while, Hope leaned on Faith. Faith looked at her and saw that Hope could barely keep her eyes open.

"Want me to take you to bed?" she asked.

Hope shook her head.

"Uh-uh," she said, trying to make herself comfortable.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then raised her arm so Hope could cuddle up to her. Hope immediately used the opportunity and Faith then put her arm around her.

Hope was soon asleep and slowly her head slid down into Faith's lap. Faith looked at her and caressed her. Then she frowned at the gesture, startled. Did she really want this?

When Joyce came to the living room a while later and saw Hope sleeping in Faith's lap and Faith staring at her, she smiled, glad that Hope was making Faith more open.

"How long has she been asleep?" she asked quietly.

Faith looked at her, startled, and then blushed, feeling nervous.

"A while," she said.

"Oh. Want me to take her to bed?"

Faith hesitated for a moment and then shook her head.

"No, it's okay."

Joyce smiled again.

"Okay."

Joyce left, and Faith looked back at Hope.

Hope woke up an hour later. She was a bit disoriented at first, but when she saw she was lying in Faith's lap, she smiled.

Faith automatically smiled back.

"Sleep well?"

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh," she said as she sat up. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the TV. "Which cartoon is on now?"

"None yet," Faith said. "Tom and Jerry just ended."

"Oh." Hope yawned. "Where's Mommy?"

"Upstairs."

"Okay."

Faith stared at her for a few moments and then made up her mind.

"I'll be right back," she said and got up.

"Okay," Hope said.

Faith went upstairs. When she got to Joyce's room, she hesitated for a moment and then knocked.

"Come," Joyce said.

Faith took a deep breath and entered.

"Faith," Joyce said with a smile. "What can I do for you?"

Faith hesitated for a moment, nervous.

"Em, I… I'd like to stay," she said. "If you still want me," she added and looked at her feet.

Joyce smiled and approached her.

"Of course I do." She touched Faith's cheek, making her look at her. "Welcome home, Faith."

"Thanks," Faith said. She hesitated for a moment. "So what do I call you?"

"Whatever you want. Even Mom, if you want."

Faith gulped.

"I… I'll think about it."

Joyce smiled.

"Okay. I'll tell Mrs Collins then."

"Okay."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then left.

When Faith got downstairs, Hope looked at her.

"Can we play something, Faith?"

Faith frowned.

"Like what?"

Hope shrugged.

"We can have a tea party."

Faith frowned.

"A tea party?"

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh. With my dolls."

"Oh." Faith thought about it. She didn’t remember ever playing a tea party. "I don't know how."

Hope smiled.

"I'll show you," she said and slid off the sofa.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Okay," she said and Hope beamed.

"Great!"

Faith smiled a bit and then turned off the TV.

"Oh, em, Hope?"

"Yes?"

"I… Eh, I decided to stay."

Hope frowned for a moment and then her eyes went wide.

"You're gonna be my sister?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

Hope smiled widely.

"Cool!"

She ran to Faith and hugged her legs.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then ruffled her hair affectionately.

"Come, let's go have a tea party."

Hope let go and looked at her with a big smile.

"Okay," she said and took Faith's hand. "Come."

A while later, Buffy walked into Hope's room.

"Hey," she said with a smile.

"Hi," Hope said and smiled at her.

Buffy looked at Faith.

"I hear you're staying."

"Yeah," Faith said, feeling a bit nervous, having been caught playing a tea party.

"That's great! I'm so glad."

"Me too," Faith said and glanced at Hope, smiling a bit.

Buffy looked at the tea party set.

"May I join you?"

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

Buffy sat down and Faith stared at her for a few moments, before returning to the game.

Hope gave Buffy a tea pot and explained what they were doing. Faith watched as Buffy intently listened to Hope, taking the game seriously. She realized that she didn't need to feel nervous about being seen playing a tea party. And she felt that it was okay to show Buffy and Joyce that she wasn't as tough as she wanted people to believe. She smiled, realizing that she was finally home.

The End