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 find something else to read.

Home Alone
By Kristjan Brezovnik

The seven-year-old Faith curiously watched as the owner of the house input the number of the alarm. She didn't know what he was doing or even what an alarm was, but she did know that those numbers were very important if she wanted to get inside. She didn't know all the numbers yet, so she had to memorize which buttons the man pressed. When the car drove off, she waited for a while and then ran to the door. She took the spare key from under the flower pot and got in. Then she stood on her toes and pressed the buttons. The red light on the box turned to green and she smiled, relieved. She closed the door and then started to explore the house.

She didn't know who her father was, and her mother had died a few weeks ago. Some people had come and took most of the stuff from the apartment. She had managed to salvage most of her own stuff and the money her mother had kept hidden underneath the mattress. She had also packed her stuff and some food, and then left the place.

She had hidden her stuff and then gone on a lookout for a place to stay. She had looked in her own neighborhood first, but when she'd wondered off to the rich neighborhood near the beach, she'd noticed that most of the houses seemed to be empty. So she'd watched the houses that were occupied and noticed that they all entered numbers in the white boxes on the wall before they left the house and also as soon as they came back. She had tried to enter a house once, but then the alarm went off and she ran off, scared. But she'd learned a valuable lesson about alarms.

When she had noticed that the family into whose house she had just broken was packing, she realized this was her chance. She hid in the bushes and watched as they loaded their luggage. She'd seen they had a girl about her age, but she didn't see her face. And then, as the father entered the number, she memorized the buttons. She didn't know how long they would be gone, but she did know that she would probably be safe for a week or so. But when she saw that the refrigerator was empty, she realized that they would probably be gone longer than just a week.

When she had familiarized herself with the house and its surroundings, she armed the alarm and left to get her stuff.

When she came back, she put the food in the fridge and then hid her stuff in the empty boxes in the basement. After that, she made herself something to eat. As she ate, she realized she would need to keep her food in a bag, so she could just grab it if the owners returned. She also realized she would need a place to sleep when the family came back.

A couple of days later, when she was returning from shopping, a car came speeding past her and she fell. She had found a kid bike in the garage and she used it to drive around, especially when she went shopping.

She hit her head on the sidewalk and it started to bleed. She gasped when she touched the wound and then saw the blood on her fingers. She wiped the fingers on the sidewalk and looked around. Her food was still in the bag, mostly, and the bike was okay. She was relieved.

She got on her knees and put the spilled groceries back in the bag. Then she got up, but the world spun and she went down again, moaning.

"Are you okay?"

Faith quickly turned her head and was rewarded with more pain.

"You're bleeding."

When Faith's head stopped spinning, she saw a man kneel beside her.

"My head hurts," she said.

"Let me see." The man took a handkerchief and wiped the blood, making Faith hiss. "Mmm, it doesn't look deep. Where do you live?"

Faith looked around.

"There," she said and pointed at the house where she lived.

"Ah, then we're neighbors."

Faith gulped, nervous.

"Come, let me help you."

The man picked her up and then the bag.

"My bike," Faith said.

"Don't worry, I'll come get it later."

When they got to the front door, the man put Faith down. She unlocked the door and disarmed the alarm. They went to the kitchen and the man put the bag on the table.

"Where are your parents?" he asked.

Faith tensed for a moment.

"At a, eh, a meeting," she lied.

"Oh. Why don't you take me to the bathroom and I'll take care of your head."

"Okay."

They went to the bathroom and the man searched for the first aid kit.

"I'm Henry. Henry Jones," he finally introduced himself.

"I'm Faith," Faith said.

"Nice to meet you, Faith," Henry said with a smile. "This is going to sting."

Faith took a deep breath, nervous.

Henry applied the disinfectant and Faith hissed. Henry quickly started blowing on the wound and the stinging lessened.

"Better?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Good. I'll put some salve on, but I won't bandage your head. You should rest though, watch some cartoons or something."

Faith nodded.

"Okay."

Henry quickly applied the salve.

"There, that should to it."

"Thank you," Faith said.

Henry smiled.

"You're welcome. I'll go get the bike now."

"Okay."

Henry put the first aid kit away and then washed his hands. Then he left.

When he was gone, Faith washed her own hands. Then she went to the kitchen and put the food in the fridge.

She was just done when the bell rang. She tensed for a moment, but then she realized it was probably Henry. She went to the door and saw that it really was him.

"I brought the bike," Henry said. "I put it over there."

Faith looked.

"Thank you."

Henry smiled.

"You're welcome." He thought for a moment. "When do your parents come home?"

Faith tensed for a moment, nervous, and then shrugged.

"I don't know."

Henry frowned.

"Then who cooks for you?"

"I do."

Henry raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Tell you what, why don't you come over to our house for lunch? I mean, you've hurt your head, you really shouldn't have to worry about making lunch."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Okay."

"You can come with me now."

Faith thought about it.

"Okay."

She armed the alarm and locked the door.

"Come," Henry said and offered her his hand.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then took it. Henry smiled at her.

"Martha!" Henry called as he and Faith entered. "Martha!"

Martha, his wife, quickly came.

"Hello, ho…" She trailed off when she saw Faith. "Hello," she said with a smile. Then she frowned when she saw that Faith had hurt her head.

"Honey, this is Faith," Henry introduced her. "She lives next door."

"Oh."

"A car nearly ran her down and she hit her head on the sidewalk. I took care of the wound."

"Oh. Good."

Henry hesitated for a moment.

"Her parents are at a meeting, so I've invited her over for lunch. I mean, it wouldn't be good if she had to do it herself."

"Sure," Martha said with a smile. "Why don't you take her to the living room and let her watch some cartoons."

"Okay." Henry looked at Faith. "Come, honey."

"I'll join you in a few minutes," Martha said and left.

Henry took Faith to the living room and turned on the TV.

Faith sat on the sofa, a bit nervous, and looked around curiously.

"How's your head?" Henry asked as he sat down.

Faith looked at him and shrugged.

"Okay."

"Does it hurt?"

"A bit."

"Are you still dizzy?"

Faith shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

"Good." He thought for a moment. "Are your parents often away?"

Faith thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Uh-huh," she lied. "They always travel."

Henry raised an eyebrow.

"And they leave you all by yourself?"

"I can take care of myself," Faith said, pouting.

Henry chuckled.

"I'm sure you can, honey." He thought for a moment. "How long are they usually gone?"

Faith shrugged.

"A couple of days," she lied. "They usually come for a few hours and then go again. Sometimes they come for longer and sometimes they take me with them."

"I see. And you don't mind being all alone?"

Faith shrugged.

"I'm okay."

"How do you feel, honey?" Martha asked as she came in.

Faith looked at her.

"Okay. I'm not dizzy anymore."

Martha smiled.

"That's good." She sat down. "Looking forward to go to school?"

Faith frowned.

"School?"

"Yes. It starts in a couple of weeks."

"Really?" Faith said, interested.

"Didn't your parents enroll you?"

Faith shrugged.

"I think they forgot."

"When are they coming home?"

"In a couple of days."

Martha thought for a moment.

"Tell you what. You call them when you get home and ask them about it, okay? And if they're too busy, then I'll help you get enrolled, okay?"

Faith smiled a little.

"Okay."

"How do you get along?" Henry asked. "I mean, you have to buy food, and so on."

"They leave me money."

"Oh."

"If you're bored, you can come over, if you want," Martha said.

"Really?"

"Sure. I can teach you how to cook."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

Martha smiled.

"Sure."

"Cool."

"In fact, if you're feeling well enough, you can watch me cook now."

"Okay."

As she cooked, Martha talked to Faith, trying to find out more about her.

Faith liked Martha and she didn't like lying to her, but she knew she would be in trouble if she or Henry found out she didn't actually live there. So she lied.

When Martha found out Faith couldn't read well yet, she offered to teach her, which Faith gladly accepted. So they made a plan. Faith would come over some time in the morning and Martha would teach her how to read and write and then how to cook.

After lunch, which was Faith's first decent hot meal in weeks, Martha showed Faith how to operate the dishwasher, and then Faith went home.

Two days later, Faith told Martha that her parents were too busy and had asked if Martha could enroll Faith. Martha agreed. She found out what documents Faith would need and then took care of the paperwork. When she told Faith that she could go to school now, Faith was very excited.

When Martha came over the next afternoon with some leftovers for Faith, she asked her about the school stuff.

"What will I need?" Faith asked.

"Oh, a school bag, notebooks, books, pens, and so on."

"Oh." Faith thought for a few moments. "I don't think they left me enough money for that."

"Why don't you use the credit card?"

Faith frowned.

"What?"

"The credit card," Martha said and nodded at the VISA card on the counter.

Faith looked.

"Oh." She frowned. "I don't know how to use it."

"It's easy. Whose is it?"

Faith picked it up.

"Mommy's," she lied and made sure Martha didn't see the last name.

"You buy things, and when you have to pay, you just give them the credit card. You get a receipt and you sign your name on it."

"Like you taught me?"

Martha smiled.

"Like that, yes."

"And that's it?"

"Yes. But you have to keep the receipt for your mommy."

"Oh."

"We can go get the school stuff tomorrow, if you want."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

Martha thought for a few moments.

"When are your parents coming back?"

Faith shrugged.

"In a couple of days, I guess. They left again after lunch," she lied.

"I see. Well, I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Okay."

The next day, Martha took Faith shopping and they bought everything Faith would need for school. When it was time to pay, Faith gave the credit card to the cashier, making sure Martha didn't see the last name. The cashier assumed Martha was Faith's mother, and didn't cause problems.

When they got home, Martha helped Faith sort the books and the notebooks and label them. Then she left.

On the first school day, Martha took Faith to school. In order to keep up the charade, Faith told her that her parents were asleep because they came late, and that they would leave again in the morning.

When they got to school, Martha escorted Faith inside and then left.

As other children came into the classroom, Faith curiously watched them.

"Hi," she said when a shy redhead sat next to her and their eyes met.

"Hi," the redhead said, startled, and blushed.

Faith smiled.

"I'm Faith."

"I'm Willow," Willow said. "And this is my friend Xander," she introduced the boy next to her.

"Hi," Faith said.

"Hey," Xander said.

Willow smiled.

"I just can't wait," she said, excited.

Faith smiled.

"Me neither."

"Can you read yet?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. And write too. And I can tell the time."

Willow smiled again.

"Me too."

Then the teacher came in and everyone became quiet.

"Faith!" Martha said, surprised, when Faith came over after school.

"Hi," Faith said.

"Come in. How was your first day?"

Faith smiled.

"It was great!" Faith said, excited, as Martha closed the door. "I made new friends."

Martha smiled.

"Really?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh, Willow and Xander. Willow's really smart."

Martha ruffled her hair affectionately.

"So you had fun?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Oh, hello, Faith," Henry said, surprised, when he saw her.

"Hi," Faith said.

"How was your first day?"

"Great! I made new friends, Willow and Xander. And we learned new things."

"Do you have homework?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Let me know if you need help, okay?"

"Okay."

"Are you hungry?"

Faith shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

"How will you go to school tomorrow?" Henry asked.

Faith thought for a moment.

"With my bike."

Henry raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Well, okay. But if it rains, come here, okay? If your parents can't take you."

"Okay."

During the next four months, Faith learned many new things. She learned that she could arm the alarm even when she was in the house, but that she couldn't open doors or windows then. She then always armed the alarm when she was in, so she wouldn't have to worry about it if the owners showed up. She also learned how to cook some simple dishes, as well as how to operate the washing machine. She also got more comfortable about using the credit card. She kept all of the receipts and also started making a detailed list, because she knew that the money wasn't hers and she wanted to pay everything back.

When Christmas came, Faith told Henry and Martha that she and her parents were going away. She knew she would have to stay alone, but she needed to keep up the pretense. She was worried that the owners might come, but they didn't. That was when she realized that they probably only came for the summer.

When her birthday came in February, she made up another lie.

"Hello, Faith," Henry said when Faith came over on Monday after school.

"Hi," Faith said with a smile.

"And where've you been?"

"Disneyland," Faith lied, excited. She'd never been to Disneyland, but she'd seen a documentary on Discovery Channel. "I have my birthday on Wednesday, so Mommy and Daddy took me there."

"Really?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. It was fun. I met Mickey and Minnie and Pluto."

Henry smiled.

"I'm glad you had a fun time."

"Where?" Martha asked as she came in.

"Disneyland," Faith said.

"Really?" Martha said, surprised.

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. I have my birthday on Wednesday, so Mommy and Daddy took me there."

"A birthday?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. I'll be eight years old."

Martha smiled.

"You'll be grown up in no time," she said, and Faith's smile widened. "Have lots of homework?"

Faith shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

When Faith came over on Wednesday afternoon, Henry let her in and then escorted her to the living room.

"Surprise!" he and Martha said in unison when Faith saw the cake.

Faith's eyes went wide and she squealed.

"A cake!" she said, excited.

Martha and Henry smiled.

"Yes," Henry said.

"Happy birthday, Faith," Martha said.

Faith ran to her and hugged her.

"Thank you."

Martha ruffled her hair affectionately.

"You're welcome, honey."

"How about you open your presents now and then we can eat the cake," Henry said.

"Presents!" Faith said, excited.

"Yes," Martha said. She went to the sofa and picked up her present. "Here you go, honey, happy birthday."

Faith's eyes lit up.

"Thank you."

She unwrapped the paper and smiled.

"He's so cute," she said when she saw a stuffed dog. She looked at Martha. "What's his name?"

"Whatever you want to call him."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Mr Grumpy," she then decided. "Because he looks so grumpy."

Martha smiled.

"Mr Grumpy it is. I bought him so you won't be quite so lonely in that big house of yours, and so he could protect you."

Faith smiled.

"Thank you," she said and hugged her.

"You're welcome, honey."

"Okay, my turn," Henry said and picked up his gift. "Here you go, Faith, happy birthday."

"Thank you," Faith said, excited, and unwrapped the present. "Wow. It's pretty," she said when she saw the dress.

Henry smiled.

"Well, you always wear those… worn clothes and I thought you could use something new."

Faith smiled.

"Thank you."

Henry glanced at Martha, hesitating.

"How come you always wear worn clothes?" he then asked.

Faith tensed for a moment, thinking.

"So I don't get the pretty clothes dirty."

"Oh."

"Can I get the cake now?"

Martha smiled.

"Sure. Come, you can cut the first piece."

Faith moved closer, excited, and Martha gave her the knife.

"Eh…" Faith said, uncertain what to do.

"Here, let me help you," Martha said and guided Faith's hand. "There you go. I'll cut the rest now."

"Okay."

Martha then gave Faith her slice.

"Here you go."

"Thank you," Faith said with a smile.

"Do you like it?" Henry asked when Faith started wolfing down the cake.

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh," she said, her mouth full.

"Not so fast, honey," Martha said, and Faith slowed down a bit. "Want some more?"

Faith nodded again.

"Uh-huh." She swallowed. "Yes, please."

Martha smiled.

"Here you go," she said and gave her her own plate.

"Thank you," Faith said as they switched the plates.

"You're welcome, honey," Martha said and cut another piece for herself.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Em, can I sleep here tonight?" she then asked, nervous.

"What about your parents?"

"They won't be back for two more days."

"Oh." Martha glanced at Henry. "Okay, sure."

Faith smiled, excited.

"Cool. I'll go get my pajamas later."

"Okay, honey."

"Okay, honey, time to go to bed," Martha said in the evening.

"Can't I stay up longer?" Faith asked.

"Not on a school night."

"Oh." Faith sighed. "Okay."

Martha smiled.

"Come, let's go to the bathroom."

"Okay."

Faith took Martha's hand and they went upstairs.

When Faith was ready for bed, Martha and Henry tucked her in.

"Sweet dreams, honey," Martha said and caressed her.

"Sleep tight, birthday girl," Henry said.

Faith smiled.

"Night, Nonnie. Night, Poppie," she said and hugged Mr Grumpy tighter.

Martha and Henry smiled and left.

"Everything okay?" Henry asked Martha outside when he saw the thoughtful expression on her face.

Martha looked at him and sighed.

"I just… Well…"

"Feels like family," Henry finished.

Martha nodded, smiling a bit.

"Yes. I kinda wish we had decided to have children."

Henry nodded.

"Yes," he agreed.

He put his arm around her shoulders and they went downstairs.

At the end of the school year, Faith had a feeling that the owners of the house might come back. She made sure everything was the same as it had been when she moved in. She packed the things she needed so that she could grab them and leave if need be, and she always took them with her when she left the house. Since Henry and Martha had left for the summer, she used their tool shed to store her things. She also ate lunch at McDonalds so she didn't have to cook and use the dishes. She spent most of the time outside and only came to the house to sleep.

One evening, when she came to the house, she noticed that the owners had returned. She went to the Jones' tool shed and slept there.

A couple of days later, Willow introduced a girl to her when they met on the beach.

"Faith, this is Buffy. Buffy, this is my best friend Faith."

"Hi," Buffy said with a smile.

"Eh, hi," Faith said, staring at her.

"Buffy only comes here for the summer," Willow explained.

"Oh." Faith thought for a moment. "Where are you from?"

"LA," Buffy said.

"Oh. How long are you staying?"

"The whole summer. We usually go back home a week or so before school starts."

"Cool," Faith said, looking forward to getting to know Buffy better. She looked at Willow. "Where's Xander?"

"He's coming later."

"Oh."

"Let's go build a sand castle," Willow suggested.

"Okay," Buffy agreed.

As time went by, Faith slowly realized that she would need a job in order to pay off her debt. The problem, however, was that she didn't have any skills. Plus, she was just a little girl. But one day, when she wandered around the mall, she saw a customer at a very expensive clothes store try on clothes. That, and the fact that the woman's daughter was curiously watching her mother, gave Faith an idea. She had seen models on Fashion TV model clothes, and she had seen ads for children's clothing. She decided she could do that and she decided to ask the manager of the store. She gulped, nervous, and went to the store.

"Can I help you, honey?" the manager asked, glancing at her while she watched the customer.

"Eh, do you need a model?" Faith asked.

The manager looked at her, surprised.

"A model?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

The manager raised an eyebrow.

"You?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. I could model clothes for her," she said and pointed at the girl.

The manager glanced at the girl.

"We only sell clothes for grown-ups."

"Oh," Faith said, disappointed. She thought for a moment, not quite ready to give up. "But you could also sell clothes for children," she said. "I bet she would buy her daughter something, if you had it," she said and pointed at the customer.

"She's right," the woman said, and the manager looked at her. "Designer clothes for children are so hard to come by in this town."

The manager thought for a moment.

"Designer clothes for children, huh?" She looked out of the store, across the hall, where there were two empty spaces. "You'd be interested in buying them?"

"Oh yes," the woman said.

The manager glanced at Faith.

"And you'd want a model?"

"Oh yes. I mean, you have a model here," she said and pointed at a young woman who had modeled clothes for her before she tried one on.

The manager thought about it.

"I need to talk to my boss about it and do some research." She looked at Faith. "Why don't you come back in a week or so, okay?"

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

She left and the manager concentrated on her customer again.

Ten days later, Faith went back to the manager and was told that she was hired and that she could start working as soon as the shop was opened. Faith immediately went to Henry and Martha to tell them the good news.

"A what?" Henry said, surprised, when Faith told them.

"A job," Faith said, excited.

"What kind of job?" Martha asked.

"I'm a model," Faith said proudly.

"Where?"

"At Macy's."

Martha frowned.

"They don't sell children's clothes there."

"No, but they're opening up another shop."

"Really?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. And I get to model the clothes for them."

"I see."

"You should bring the contract to us before you sign it," Henry said.

Faith frowned.

"What contract?"

"Employment contract."

"Oh."

Martha realized that Faith had no idea what she was talking about.

"Tell you what, I'll do some research to find out how much models your age are paid and then we'll go to Macy's and talk to the manager about it, okay?"

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

"Faith, do you have a moment?" the manager asked Faith during a break a couple of months later.

"Uh-huh," Faith said.

"Listen, we have a sort of fashion show this Saturday, and we need some models. Do you know any girls who might be interested?"

Faith smiled and nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"How many?"

Faith thought for a moment.

"A few, but I don't know if they will want to model clothes. How many do you need?"

The manager thought for a moment.

"About six. Can you find out by tomorrow?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Good. And tell them there will be free clothes."

"Really?" Faith said, excited.

"Yes."

"Cool."

"Nonnie! Guess what! They're having a fashion show at Macy's this Saturday," Faith said, excited, when she came to Martha and Henry.

"A fashion show?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. Will you and Poppie come and watch?"

Martha smiled.

"You bet."

Faith smiled.

"Cool. I'll ask Willow and Cordelia tomorrow, if they want to model clothes."

"Why?"

"Miss Evans said they need models. And she said that there will be free clothes."

"Oh."

Faith looked around.

"Where's Poppie?"

"Work."

"Oh. Do you have Fashion TV?"

Martha frowned.

"I think so. Why?"

"I need to prepare," Faith said and went to the living room.

Martha chuckled, shaking her head, and followed her.

"Willow!" Faith called her best friend the next morning.

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

"Do you wanna be a model?"

Willow blinked, surprised.

"A model?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. They're having a fashion show at Macy's this Saturday and Miss Evans said they need models."

"A model?" Willow said, still surprised.

"Yes."

"Me?"

"Yes. Miss Evans said there'll be free clothes."

"Really?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"But… A model? Me?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Me?" Willow almost squeaked, her eyes wide.

"Yes. Will you do it?"

"Eh… I don't know. I mean, a model?"

Faith smiled.

"It's no big deal. You just wear the clothes and walk funny. I can teach you."

"Eh… I don't know," Willow said, blushing.

"Come on, it'll be fun."

Willow smiled. She thought for a moment.

"I'll have to ask Mommy."

"Can you let me know today?"

"Okay."

"Cool. I'll go ask Cordelia now. Have you seen her?"

Willow looked around.

"Over there."

"I'll be right back," Faith said and ran over to Cordelia. "Hey, Cordelia!" she called.

Cordelia stopped and looked at her.

"Faith."

"Hey. They're having a fashion show at Macy's this Saturday. Wanna model?"

Cordelia raised an eyebrow.

"Model?"

"Yes. They need four more girls and I thought you might want to do it."

"I don't model clothes for people, I have others model them for me."

"Miss Evans said there'll be free clothes."

"Free?" Cordelia said, her interest perked.

"Yes. Will you do it?"

Cordelia thought about it. She was a snob, but she liked wearing pretty clothes and if she could take some of them home…

"Okay."

"Cool. Can you ask some of your friends? We need three more."

"Okay."

"Cool! I'll see you later," Faith said and went back to Willow.

"Will she do it?" Willow asked.

"Yes."

"Wow. I'm gonna be modeling clothes with Cordelia Chase. Who would've thought."

Faith smiled.

"Let's go inside."

"Okay. Ooh! There's Xander. Let's go tell him."

When Saturday finally came, Willow was very nervous. She wasn't sure she really wanted to do it. Sure, her mother had approved, but then again she wasn't paying attention, or she would never had agreed, Willow was sure. She looked at Cordelia and her friends. Cordelia was supremely confidant, as always, and her friends weren't all that worried either. To Faith it was just another day on the job.

"Wow, you look very pretty," Faith told her when she had put on her first dress.

Willow blushed.

"Really?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes. Just remember not to look at anyone and you'll be okay."

"I don't know…"

"You can do it, Willow," Faith said with a smile. "Just watch how I do it. Or Cordelia. Pretend that you're a queen."

Willow giggled.

"A queen?"

"Yes. You know, like Cordelia."

Willow giggled again.

"But I'm not as pretty as her."

"Sure you are. And besides, they'll be interested in clothes, not you."

"Faith!" Miss Evans called.

Faith glanced at her.

"Okay, watch how I do it."

Faith went to Miss Evans.

"Go," Miss Evans said.

Faith did her walk, let the customers check out the clothes from up close, and then came back.

"See?" she told Willow. "No problem. Look at Cordelia."

They watched as Cordelia took her turn.

"Willow, you're next," Miss Evans said.

"Me?" Willow squeaked.

"Yes," Miss Evans said with a smile. "Don't worry, it's a piece of cake."

Willow blushed.

"She's right," Faith said.

Willow took a deep breath.

"I hope I don't throw up."

"Ooh!" Faith got an idea. "Just pretend they're some bugs and you have to study their behavior for a biology experiment."

Willow frowned as she thought about it. Then she looked at the crowd.

"I can do that," she said.

The Cordelia came back.

"Willow? Are you ready?" Miss Evans asked.

Willow nodded.

"Uh-huh."

Miss Evans waited for the sign.

"Okay, go."

Willow took a deep breath and then walked up to the crowd liked she'd seen Faith and Cordelia.

When she came back, she squealed.

"I did it!" she said, excited, and hugged Faith.

"See? It was easy," Faith said.

"Yes."

"Let's go change."

"Okay."

When the show was over, Miss Evans let the girls chose some of the dresses they'd modeled and she paid them.

"You were great, Faith," Martha said when Faith and Willow came to her and Henry. "You too, Willow."

"Thanks," Faith said, while Willow blushed.

"I got it all on camera," Henry said.

"And I took some photos," Martha added.

"Cool!" Faith said, excited.

"Here, let me take the bags," Henry said and took Faith's bags.

"Willow, do you need a ride home?" Martha asked.

Willow thought about it. It was a bit late and she didn't want to walk around alone when it got dark. Plus, the bags were kinda heavy.

"Yes, please," she said.

"Here, let me take those," Henry said and took her bags as well.

"Thank you," Willow said.

After they dropped Willow off at home, Henry and Martha took Faith home.

"Thank you," Faith said after Henry gave her her bags.

"You want me to carry them for you?" Henry offered.

"No, I can manage."

"Okay."

"Good night, Faith," Martha said.

"Night, Nonnie. Night, Poppie."

"Good night, Faith," Henry said.

Faith smiled and left.

Henry took Martha's hand and they stared after her quietly.

When she was gone, Martha sighed.

"That was nice," she said.

"Yes," Henry agreed.

Two years later, during the summer holidays, Joyce visited Macy's.

"Want me to model them for you?" Faith asked her when she saw that Joyce couldn't quite decide what to buy.

Joyce looked at her, startled.

"You?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes. I'm a model," she said proudly.

Joyce smiled.

"Okay. Please."

"Which do you want me to try?"

Joyce picked a couple.

"These."

"Okay."

"I'll take them," the salesgirl said.

Joyce gave them to her and the salesgirl took them to changing booth.

Faith followed her and then changed into the first dress.

"What is she like?" Faith asked as she spun around to show off the dress.

"Who?" Joyce asked, startled.

"Your daughter."

"Oh! Well, she's about your age."

"What color is her hair?"

"Blonde."

Faith looked herself in the mirror and cocked her head.

"This one would look nice on her," she then declared. She spread her legs a bit. "But it won't be comfortable for running."

Joyce smiled.

"I don't think she'll be running in that dress."

"Oh. Then it's okay, and comfortable." She looked at Joyce. "Want me to try on another?"

"Yes, please."

"I'll be right back," Faith said and went back to the changing booth.

At the end, Faith managed to convince Joyce to buy three dresses and she got a generous tip for the good advice.

"Jeez, girl, you sure know how to do business," the sales girl said admiringly after Joyce left.

Faith smiled at her proudly, blushing a bit.

Three years later, Buffy brought her little sister Dawn to the beach.

"Faith! Willow!" she called when she saw her friends.

Faith and Willow looked and smiled when they saw her.

"Hey!" Faith called and waved at her.

Buffy and Dawn came closer.

"Hey," Buffy then said.

"Hey," Willow said.

"Guys, this is my sister Dawn."

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

Dawn hid behind Buffy and peeked from behind her, smiling shyly.

"She's adorable," Faith gushed.

Buffy smiled.

"Thanks." She looked at Dawn. "Move aside, Dawn, so I can spread the towel."

Dawn backed off, and Buffy spread the towel. Then they sat down.

"How old is she?" Faith asked.

"Five."

Faith smiled.

"I've always wanted a little sister," she said. "And an older one too."

Buffy smiled.

"One to watch over and one to watch over you?"

Faith blushed.

"Yeah," she said quietly.

"You can help me watch Dawn," Buffy said, and Faith beamed, excited.

"Thanks."

"I don't need to be watched," Dawn protested with a pout. "I'm not a baby."

The older girls smiled at her.

"I know you're not a baby, Dawn," Faith said, "but you're still too little to run around on your own."

"But I'm five."

"I know." Faith looked around. "See that man?"

Everyone looked.

"Uh-huh," Dawn said.

"He's, like, thirty, and he could pick you up and carry you away and you couldn't do anything about it. That's why Buffy and Willow and me have to watch over you."

"Oh," Dawn said and moved closer to Buffy, who put her arm around her.

"Don't worry, no one is trying to take you away," Buffy said and caressed her.

"Can you swim?" Faith asked Dawn.

Dawn shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

"Maybe we could teach you," Faith said and looked at Buffy.

"That's a good idea," Buffy agreed with a smile.

"She should get used to water first," Willow said.

"Yes," Faith agreed.

"We'll go in later," Buffy said.

"Okay."

Two years later, a couple of days after Buffy had arrived, Faith sat with Willow on the beach after Buffy and Dawn had gone home.

"Okay, what's wrong?" Willow asked her after Xander had also gone home.

Faith sighed.

"Nothing's wrong."

"You don't look very happy to me."

Faith blushed.

"I… I think I'm in love," she finally admitted.

Willow squealed.

"Really? With who?"

Faith's blush deepened.

"Promise not to tell her."

Willow's eyes went wide.

"I know her?"

Faith blushed, nervous.

"Yes."

"Who is she?"

Faith hesitated.

"Promise not to tell her. Or even Xander."

"I promise. Now who is she?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Buffy."

Willow's eyes went wide again.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Wow. Since when?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know. I mean, I've liked her since the moment I met her. And I probably fell in love with her a couple of years ago, but I didn't admit it to myself till last night."

Willow smiled.

"Are you gonna tell her?"

Faith's eyes went wide.

"No!"

"Why not?"

"What if she's not gay? And what if she doesn't like me anymore."

Willow frowned.

"Why wouldn't she?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know. I mean, she might have a problem with it."

"But what if she's not?"

Faith thought about it.

"I'll wait and see. Just don't tell her, okay? I don't want to freak her out."

Willow smiled.

"Okay."

One year later, while Xander was getting them tickets for the movies, Willow and Buffy were waiting outside for Faith to arrive.

"Why did you tell Xander not to tell your parents about the movie?" Buffy asked after Xander had gone inside.

Willow blushed a bit.

"There's a scene where two girls kiss. If my parents find that out, they'll freak."

"Oh."

Willow hesitated for a moment.

"Did you ever kiss a girl?"

Buffy blushed.

"No. You?"

Willow blushed as well.

"No."

"But I wouldn't mind," Buffy said thoughtfully.

Willow's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

Buffy blushed as she realized she'd spoken aloud.

"Yes," she admitted.

"Are you gay?"

"No." Buffy frowned. "At least I don't think so."

"Faith is."

"Really?" Buffy said, surprised.

Willow nodded.

"Yes. She dated two girls before you."

"Really?" Then she frowned. "We're not dating."

Willow realized her blunder.

"Oh, I know that," she said, blushing, and looked where Xander was.

But then Buffy realized something.

"Faith wants to date me?"

Willow looked at her, blushing again.

"No!" she said and looked away.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments, surprised.

"She wants to date me?"

Willow glanced at her.

"No."

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"Willow?"

Willow looked at her feet, nervous.

"I promised not to tell."

"So she does?"

"I'm not telling."

Buffy smiled.

"She does."

"Don't tell her."

"What?" Buffy said, amused. "That I know or that you slipped."

Willow blushed.

"That I… Em… Nothing."

"Right. So…"

"Hi, Faith," Willow said, relieved when Faith arrived.

"Hey, guys," Faith said.

"Hi, Faith," Buffy said, studying her.

Faith looked around.

"Where's Xander?"

"Getting the tickets."

"Oh."

"Let's go inside."

"Okay."

The next year, Henry and Martha came home from their vacation earlier. When Faith came to their estate and saw their car, she quickly ran to the tool shed and made sure everything was packed and hidden. Then she went to the house.

"Hi, Poppie," she said with a smile. "You're back early."

Henry smiled a bit.

"Hello, Faith."

"Is something wrong?" Faith asked, worried.

"Martha got hit by a car."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"What? Is she okay?"

"Yes, she's fine, but she'll have to stay in bed for a while."

"Oh. Is she upstairs?"

"Yes."

Faith ran upstairs. When she got to the master bedroom, she knocked and then entered.

"Nonnie?" she said quietly.

Martha looked at her and smiled.

"Hello, Faith."

"Are you okay?" Faith asked. "Poppie said you got hit by a car."

"Yes."

Faith sat down.

"Did you break anything?"

"A couple of bones, yes."

"Are you in pain?"

"No, not really. The doctors prescribed painkillers."

"Oh. Can you move?"

"I try not to."

"Then how do you go to the bathroom?"

Martha smiled.

"Very carefully."

Faith laughed. Then she thought for a moment.

"Ooh! I could move in with you. That way Poppie won't have to be at home all the time."

Martha raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

"What about your parents?"

Faith shrugged.

"They're always on some trip. And besides, I call them every evening."

"Oh." Martha thought about it. "Well, if they're okay with it."

"Cool!" Faith said with a smile. "Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Okay. I'll go tell Poppie. When do you want lunch?"

Martha chuckled, but she immediately regretted it.

"Are you okay?" Faith asked, worried.

Martha nodded.

"Yes."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Oh."

Martha thought for a moment.

"At one?"

"What?" Faith said, startled.

"Lunch. At one."

"Oh. Okay. Any preferences?"

Martha smiled.

"I'll let you decide."

Faith smiled as well.

"Okay."

"If you have any questions, let me know."

"Okay. I'll come back later." She looked around. "I'll tell Poppie to get you a bell."

Martha frowned.

"A bell?"

"So you don't have to yell every time you need something."

"Oh. Okay."

Faith got up and left.

"Poppie!" she called when she came downstairs.

"Yes?"

Faith went to the kitchen.

"Hey. Nonnie said I can move in with you until she gets better."

Henry raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes. You know, so you don't have to stay home all the time."

"Oh."

"Oh! You have to get her a bell."

Henry frowned.

"A bell?"

"Yes. You know, a cowbell or something. So she won't have to yell every time she needs something."

"Oh. Okay."

Faith went to the fridge and looked in.

"Have you any idea what I should make for lunch?"

Henry raised an eyebrow.

"I was just thinking the same thing. Spaghetti?"

"Okay. Do we have any?"

"Yes, but we'll need a sauce. I was just going shopping."

"Oh. Okay."

A couple of days later, Henry was just going out on his bike when he saw a car come out of from Faith's estate.

"Excuse me!" he called and waved.

The driver noticed him, stopped and opened the window.

"Can I help you?"

"Eh, well, I hope so," Henry said. "I'm Henry Jones, your neighbor. I'm so glad I finally meet you."

"Me? Why?"

"Well, you're always travelling."

The driver frowned.

"I rarely travel."

Henry frowned, confused.

"But you're never here."

"Well, of course. Me and my family only come here for the summer vacations."

Henry's frown deepened.

"Your family?"

"Yes."

"You're not John Spencer?"

"No. I'm Hank Summers."

"Oh."

"Is everything alright?" Hank asked when he saw Henry was confused.

"Well, I'm not sure," Henry said. "Does anyone else live here?"

Hank frowned.

"No. Why?"

Henry scratched his helmet, confused.

"Well, em… Do you know a girl named Faith?"

Hank thought about it.

"I think a friend of Buffy's is named Faith."

"Buffy?" Henry said, surprised.

"My older daughter."

"And your younger daughter is Dawn?"

Hank nodded, wondering what this was all about.

"Yes. What's going on?"

Henry hesitated for a few moments.

"Well, I'm not sure. I know a girl named Faith who has been living here for the past nine years."

"What?" Hank said, surprised.

"That's why I thought you were her father."

Hank stared at him for a few moments.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I've even been in the house a couple of times."

"What? How?"

"She let me in."

"How did she get in?"

"She has a key and knows the alarm code."

"What?"

Henry's phone rang.

"Excuse me." He took the phone. "Yes?"

"Poppie? You gotta come quick, Nonnie's sick!"

"What?"

"She's sick! She threw up and she's coughing blood!"

"Calm down, Faith. Did you call 911?"

"Yes, they're on their way."

"Okay. Hold on, I'll be right back."

"Okay. Hurry."

Henry put his phone away and sighed.

"Excuse me, I have to go back home, my wife is sick."

"Was that the Faith we were talking about?" Hank asked.

"Yes. She moved in with us so she could help me take care of my wife."

"Oh."

Henry then quickly returned home.

Hank too turned around. He parked in front of the house and checked for the spare key. It was not there.

"Joyce!" he called as he entered the house.

"Honey?" Joyce said, surprised. "I thought…"

"Change of plans. I just found out we have a squatter."

Joyce frowned.

"A squatter?"

Hank nodded.

"Yes. Apparently a girl named Faith has been living here for the past nine years."

"What?" Joyce said, surprised. "How is that possible?"

"I don't know."

"How do you know?"

"Our neighbor, Mr Jones, he thought I was her father."

"Oh."

"Let's search the house."

"Faith!" Henry called as he ran up the stairs.

"Here!" Faith called.

Henry went to the master bedroom.

"Martha?" he said, worried, when he saw the bloody vomit in the washbasin and the messy sheets.

"She just started throwing up," Faith said, teary eyed, as she cleaned up Martha's face.

Henry stared at her for a few moment, for the first time doubting Faith's intentions.

"Can you open the window and empty the washbasin, please?"

Henry snapped out of his thoughts. He went the window and opened it, and then took the washbasin to the bathroom.

"Poppie!" Faith called when Martha started throwing up again.

Henry quickly returned with the washbasin.

"Can you bring me a fresh wet towel?" Faith said when Martha was done throwing up.

"How do you feel, honey?" Henry asked Martha.

"Like I'm trying to throw up my insides," Martha said and coughed.

"The paramedics should be here any moment."

"I know."

Henry left again.

When the paramedics arrived a few minutes later, Henry and Faith quietly watched as they examined Martha, who had passed out.

"She'll need to be operated," one of them finally declared.

"Will she be okay?" Faith asked, worried.

"Probably," the paramedic said with a smile. "We'll take her to the hospital now."

"Can I come with you?"

"Well…" the paramedic started, glancing at Henry.

"Can I, Poppie?" Faith asked him.

Henry looked at her, hesitating.

"She won't be in the way?" he asked the paramedic.

"Not really."

Henry hesitated for a moment and then sighed.

"Okay. I'll take the car."

Faith smiled and then followed the paramedics.

After a thorough search of the house, Hank and Joyce discovered Faith's things in the basement.

"Clothes," Joyce said when she opened two boxes.

"School stuff," Hank said. He took out a notebook and leafed through it. "Math," he said and put it back in.

"What's this?" Joyce said when she opened the box in which Faith kept the receipts. She picked up a folder and saw there were numbers on the paper sheets inside, but she didn't know what they meant. Then she picked up a bundle of receipts and frowned. "Receipts. For my VISA card," she said, surprised. "And my VISA card."

"What?" Hanks said, equally surprised. "I thought you'd lost it."

"So did I. She must've found it," Joyce said and took the paper sheets from the folder.

"And you didn't notice she was stealing your money?"

"I didn't look at the mail because I thought I'd lost the card." She looked at the paper sheets. "But I don't think she stole it."

"And what are those?" Hank said and pointed at the receipts.

"Well, she did withdraw money from my account, but apparently she also deposited it."

"What?"

"Look, here. This was nine years ago. This is how much she withdrew that year." She moved to the next sheet. "See, the next year. She started earning money. This, she returned, this went to her college fund and this was for everyday use."

"Where did she earn that much money?"

"I don't know, but the point is, she started paying back." She leafed through the sheets. "See how detailed she is? She made a note of every withdrawal. See? How much, where and for what. And look how her debt decreases. And she doesn't use the card anymore." She glanced at the card. "Well, it's expired."

"Still, what she did was illegal."

"True, but I'd like to meet her and find out more about her. I mean, she seems like a smart girl and I'm sure she didn't mean to do us any harm."

Hank thought about it.

"I guess." He shook his head. "Still, it's a bit creepy to find out she'd been living here for nine years and we haven't noticed."

Joyce smiled.

"Just shows how smart she is." She nodded at the boxes. "Let's put this back."

When Henry came to the hospital, Faith was pacing in front of the OR, worried sick. He noticed she was crying. He stared at her for a few moments, thinking. He wasn't completely sure yet, but he thought that Faith probably did care about him and Martha. He sighed and went to her.

"Faith."

Faith looked at him, startled. She realized she was crying and she quickly wiped her tears.

"She's in surgery," she said.

She hesitated for a moment and then hugged Henry.

Henry looked at her, startled, and then put her arm around her shoulder.

"Come on, let's sit down," he then said.

Faith let go of him and they went to the chairs. They sat down, and Faith leaned on Henry. Henry put his arm around her, hoping his wife would be okay.

An hour later, they finally brought Martha from the OR. Faith immediately got up and went to the doctor.

"How is she? Is she gonna be okay?"

The doctor smiled.

"Yes, she is, but she needs to stay here for about two weeks."

"Oh. Can we see her?"

"Wait a bit. And then only for a few moments, okay? She's still out."

Faith nodded.

"Okay."

"When will she wake up?" Henry asked.

"Perhaps in the evening. But she should rest. Come back tomorrow."

"We will. Thank you."

The doctor nodded and left.

Faith quickly ran after the stretcher, and Henry slowly followed her. When they got to Martha's room, they waited outside until the doctors and the nurses were done.

"You can go in now," one of the nurses said when they were done, "but be short."

"We will," Henry said as Faith entered.

When Faith got the bed, she stared at Martha for a few moments and then took her hand.

"She looks so…" Faith started quietly but trailed off with a sigh.

Henry put his arm around her shoulder and she leaned her head on him.

They stood quietly for a few minutes.

"Come, let's go," Henry then said.

Faith sighed and let go of Martha.

"When do the visiting hours start?" she asked as she looked at him.

"I don't know. Eight, nine. We'll see."

Faith took a deep breath and nodded.

"Come."

They went outside.

Faith quietly watched as Henry got in the car.

"I'm going to the beach," she said.

Henry looked at her. He thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay."

Faith sighed and left.

Henry stared after her for a few moments and then drove off.

When Buffy came to the beach in the afternoon, Faith wasn't there. She looked around to see if Willow and Xander were there, but they weren't either. So she spread her towel and sunbathed for a while before going for a swim.

When she came out and dried herself, she finally noticed Faith. She stared at her for a few moments and then realized that Faith was probably crying. She packed her stuff and went to her.

"Faith."

Faith looked at her, startled, and then quickly wiped her tears.

"What's wrong?" Buffy asked as she sat beside her.

Faith sighed.

"Nonnie's in the hospital."

"What happened?"

"I don't know, she just started throwing up and they took her to the hospital. I think it had to do with the accident."

"Oh. I'm sorry," Buffy said and put her arm around Faith.

Faith leaned her head on Buffy's shoulder.

"She looked really bad," she said. "She vomited blood and then she passed out."

"Is she going to be okay?"

"I think so. But she has to stay in the hospital for two weeks or so."

"Oh."

Faith took a deep breath.

"I thought she was gonna die," she said quietly.

Buffy quietly held her.

"Oh, hello, Mr Summers," Henry said when Hank and Joyce came over. "Eh, Mrs Summers."

"Hello," Hank said. "We'd like to meet this Faith girl."

Henry sighed.

"Can it wait?"

"Wait? For what?"

"My wife is in the hospital right now and Faith is pretty shaken up. And I'd also like for Martha to be there when we talk to her."

"Oh."

"I'll let you know when she's released."

"Okay."

"Where is Faith staying?" Joyce asked.

"Here, for the moment. She was taking care of Martha," Henry said. Then he frowned. "But I don't know where she usually stayed. I mean, I'd thought your house was her home, but since you come here for the summer, she probably had to move. I guess."

"I see."

"Please don't try to find her. I'll call you when Martha comes home. Faith will be here."

Hank nodded.

"Okay."

"Is something wrong, honey?" Joyce asked when Buffy came home, looking serious.

Buffy looked at her.

"Faith's mom is in the hospital."

Joyce frowned.

"Her mother?"

"Yes. Something was wrong and they had to take her to the hospital. Faith is pretty scared."

"Oh," Joyce said, confused that Buffy thought Martha was Faith's mother.

"I'll be upstairs."

When Henry got to the kitchen the next morning, Faith was already finishing her breakfast. He noticed that her face was wet from tears and that she looked tired.

"Morning," he said.

Faith looked at him, startled.

"Morning," she said.

"You look tired."

Faith sighed.

"Couldn't sleep." She looked away for a moment. "Are we going to see Nonnie?"

Henry smiled a bit.

"Visiting hours haven't started yet."

Faith looked at the clock.

"Oh."

She sighed again. She got up and took her plate to the sink.

Henry quietly watched her. When she sobbed, he went to her and put his arm around her.

"She'll be okay," he said.

Faith hugged him and sobbed.

Henry realized that Faith loved him and Martha and that she probably had her reasons for not telling the truth about herself. He decided to give her a chance. He kissed her on the top of the head and she started to sob more vigorously.

When they came to the hospital, Martha was already awake.

"Nonnie!" Faith said, excited, and ran to her. She hugged her, but when Martha groaned, she quickly let go of her. "Sorry! I didn't mean… How are you? Are you in pain?"

Martha shook her head. She couldn't speak because of the tubes.

"The doctor said you have to stay here for a couple of weeks," Faith continued.

Martha nodded.

"Hi, honey," Henry said with a smile.

Martha smiled back.

"Are you bored?" Faith asked. "Must be boring, lying around for hours without having anything to do."

Martha looked at her, smiling.

"Want me to get you a newspaper and read?" Faith offered. "Or a book?"

Martha shook her head.

"She's supposed to be resting," Henry reminded Faith.

"Oh." Faith looked at him. "Does that mean we have to go?"

Henry smiled.

"I think we can stay a while longer."

"Okay."

During the next two weeks, Faith spent most of her time with Martha. When Martha could speak again, she told Faith to go back to work, but Faith didn't want to. They finally agreed that Faith would work part time. When Martha was finally released, Faith fussed around her like a mother hen and didn't let her do anything but sit and go to the bathroom. After she made sure that Martha was comfortable, Faith made Henry promise to not let Martha do anything but sit. When he did, she left to get some groceries.

While she was gone, Henry told Martha about his discovery.

"Who do you think she is?" Martha then asked.

Henry shrugged.

"I have no idea."

Martha thought for a moment.

"What are we going to do about it?"

"Well, I told Mr Summers that he can come over when you come out. I thought we'd all question her at the same time."

"She'll probably be scared."

Henry nodded.

"I know. I'm a bit worried about what they'll do."

"The Summers family?"

Henry nodded.

"Yes."

"I hope they won't call the police."

"Me too," Henry agreed. He thought for a moment. "Em, she won't be able to stay at the Summers house anymore, they probably already changed the alarm code."

Martha nodded.

"Yes."

Henry hesitated for a moment.

"You think she could stay here?"

Martha smiled.

"Sure." She thought for a moment. "We'll decide when we find out what she'll tell us."

Henry nodded.

"Okay."

"Why don't you tell them to come over at, say, four?"

"Okay."

When Faith came home, Martha quietly observed her, but she could see no deception in Faith's actions, and she could tell that Faith really cared.

At four o'clock, the Summers family came over. Henry went to the door to let them in, and Faith made sure that everything was tidy and that Martha was okay.

"Faith!" Dawn said, excited, when she saw her.

Faith turned, surprised.

"Dawn?" Then she saw Buffy. "Buffy?"

"Faith?" Buffy said, equally surprised.

Faith frowned when she saw Joyce, she remembered her. Then she saw Hank and her eyes went wide. She suddenly had a very bad feeling.

"I remember you," Joyce said.

Faith gulped, nervous.

"Why don't you sit down," Henry said.

The Summers family sat down.

Faith stood quietly, scared.

"You know Faith?" Henry asked Joyce as he sat down next to Martha.

"Well, not exactly. I met her once, at the mall," Joyce said. She looked at Faith. "What's that store you worked at?"

"Macy's," Faith said.

"Right," Joyce said and looked at Henry. "I was buying a dress for Buffy, and Faith modeled for me."

"Oh," Henry said. "Well, let me make it clear what's going on. This is Faith, she's been living in your house." He looked at Faith. "Faith, this is the Summers family. They own the house in which you lived."

Faith gulped, really scared now.

"Did you know who we were?" Buffy asked.

Faith looked at her and shook her head.

"No. I mean, I've seen all of you, but I didn't know you lived there. I mean, except your dad, but I didn't know he was related to you."

"Oh," Buffy said, slightly confused.

"Who are you, Faith?" Henry asked.

Faith looked at him, feeling like she had been punched in the gut.

"I'm an orphan."

"Oh," Henry said and sighed. "And your parents?"

"Mom died a couple of weeks before I met you. I never knew my dad."

"I see."

"How come the social service didn't take care of you?" Martha asked.

Faith thought for a moment.

"I think they tried. But I've met a couple of kids and they didn't like it. And I've seen the orphanage, it looks like a prison. So I packed my stuff and ran away."

"How did you get into our house?" Hank asked.

Faith looked at him.

"I saw you enter the alarm code and I found the spare key."

Hank frowned.

"Where were you hiding?"

"In the bushes."

"How did you know about the alarm?" Joyce asked, curious.

Faith looked at her.

"I tried to break into another house, but the alarm went off. Then I watched a couple of houses and I saw people enter codes. When I saw you packing, I hid in the bushes and watched."

"Oh."

"And you didn't see me or Mom?" Buffy asked.

Faith shook her head.

"No. I mean, I did see you, but I didn't see your faces."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I didn't mean to stay that long," she said, "but I soon figured out you only came here for the summer." She shrugged. "So I stayed."

"Where did you stay while they were here?" Martha asked.

Faith looked at her, feeling ashamed.

"In your tool shed," she said and looked at her feet, nervous.

"Oh."

Hank looked at Henry.

"And you never suspected that Faith might be lying?"

Henry and Martha glanced at one another.

"Well, no, not really," Henry said. "I mean, we did find some things strange, but she did know the alarm code and she did have the key." He hesitated for a moment. "And we grew to like her and I guess we didn't want to upset the status quo, we didn't want to be forbidden from seeing Faith again," he said and smiled at Faith, who stared at him, feeling strange.

"Oh."

"And my VISA card?" Joyce asked.

Faith gulped and looked at her.

"I'm afraid that's my fault," Martha said. "When I brought Faith some food, I asked her about the school stuff she would need and she said she wasn’t left enough money for that. I noticed the credit card and I suggested she used it, I thought you, well, her mother, left it for her. I didn't see the name on it."

"Oh."

"How much does she owe you?" Henry asked.

"About 3000 dollars. She already paid off the rest."

"Really?" Henry said, surprised.

"Yes. I'm guessing with the money she's earned at Macy's."

"Oh."

Faith gulped.

"I'll pay off the rest," she said.

"No, no, we'll pay it," Henry said.

Faith looked at him, surprised.

"No, I'll pay it off."

"Faith…"

"No, I stole it and I'm gonna pay it off," Faith insisted and looked at her feet.

"No, that's okay, Faith, you'll need your college fund," Joyce said.

Faith looked at her, surprised.

"How do you know about that?"

"We found your boxes and we saw the printouts," Joyce explained.

"Oh."

"College fund?" Martha asked.

"Yes," Joyce said. "She split her earnings in three parts, the college fund, everyday use and what she paid me back."

"Oh." Martha nodded and looked at Faith. "Very good."

"Tell you what, you can pay it off like you used to," Joyce said.

Faith looked at her and nodded. She hesitated for a moment.

"What…" She cleared her throat. "What are you gonna do now?" she asked.

Joyce looked at Hank, who sighed.

"Alright," Hank said.

Joyce looked back at Faith.

"Well, we won't call the police," she said. "We understand why you did what you did and we're quite impressed that you've managed to come this far." She smiled. "I know you're a responsible girl and I know you'll pay off your debt."

"But you'll be moving in with us," Henry said. "If you want," he added, deciding to give Faith a choice.

Faith looked at him, surprised.

"What?"

"Well, I don't think they'll let you stay at their house any longer, so we're offering you to move in with us," Henry said and smiled.

"Yes," Martha agreed with a smile.

Faith stared at them, surprised, tears welling up.

"Are… Are you sure?" she asked in a coarse voice.

Martha nodded.

"Yes."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Even… Even after, eh, after you know who I am and what I did?"

"Honey, like Mrs Summers said, you're a remarkable girl and you did what you had to do to survive. We want to be there for you."

The dam finally broke and tears slid down Faith's cheeks. She ran to them and hugged them. Then she finally reached the breaking point and she burst into tears.

Martha and Henry quietly held her.

"Why is she crying?" Dawn asked Joyce quietly, worried.

"She was worried, but now she's relieved, because everything's okay," Joyce explained.

"Oh."

When Faith finally calmed down, she let go of Martha and Henry and quickly wiped her tears.

"Sorry," she muttered.

Martha smiled softly.

"It's okay, honey," she said and gently caressed Faith's cheek.

Faith looked at her feet, nervous, and took a deep breath.

"Why don't you, Buffy and Dawn go and get your stuff from their house," Henry suggested.

Faith looked at the Summers family.

Buffy looked at Joyce, who nodded.

"Go ahead," Joyce said.

Buffy and Dawn got up and Buffy took Dawn's hand.

"Come," she said and headed to the door.

Faith quickly went after them.

"Thank you," Martha said after they were gone, "for not calling the police or the social services."

Joyce smiled.

"You're welcome. Tell us more about her."

Faith quietly followed Buffy and Dawn, worried that she had just lost them.

"Buffy," she finally said in a quiet voice.

Buffy slowed down and looked at her.

"Yes?"

Faith hesitated for a moment, nervous.

"Are we… Are we still friends?"

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

"Yes, of course. I was just surprised, that's all."

"Oh," Faith said, relieved. "I'm sorry."

Buffy smiled a bit.

"It's okay, I understand."

She reached over and took Faith's hand in her own.

Faith smiled back.

"Why did you live in our house?" Dawn asked.

Faith looked at her past Buffy.

"I'm an orphan, I didn't have a home."

"Oh."

"You're a model?" Buffy asked, curious.

Faith blushed a bit.

"Not really. I mean, I model the clothes for the customers. And sometimes I do a photo shoot. Nothing big."

"Oh." She thought for a moment. "How long will you pay off your debt?"

"About three years."

"Oh. And the college fund?"

"The same."

"Wow, you earned your college fund on your own. Cool."

Faith smiled a bit.

"I wish I could've told you the truth about me."

"That's okay." She hesitated for a moment, suddenly nervous. "So, do you have any other secrets?"

Faith tensed. She did have one last secret. She didn't want to lie to Buffy, but she didn't want to tell her the truth either.

"Yes," she said quietly.

Buffy took a deep breath.

"Wanna share?"

Faith gulped.

"No."

"Oh," Buffy said, disappointed. She waited until they entered their estate and then took a deep breath. "I have a secret."

Faith glanced at her.

"Yeah?"

Buffy nodded. She took a deep breath.

"I love you."

Faith looked at her, surprised.

"What?"

Buffy gulped.

"I love you," she repeated.

They stared at one another for a few moments, completely ignoring Dawn, who was watching them, curious.

"Ho… Wh… I mean," Faith stuttered, flustered.

Buffy smiled, blushing a bit.

"Well, last year, Willow kinda slipped that you were in love with me," she admitted, causing Faith to blush.

"So you're in love with me because Willow told you I was in love with you?"

Buffy's blush deepened.

"No, of course not." She took a deep breath, thinking. "I've been in love with you before," she admitted, "but it had always been so… so natural. You know? I'd never really thought about loving you, you know. I mean, it was all so natural and… I'm repeating myself." She sighed. "Look, I guess I just found it so natural to be with you that I never really thought about it. I mean, I have friends and best friends, but it was different with you." She smiled a little, blushing. "I could hardy wait for the summer so I could be with you," she said and blushed. "It was love, I just wasn't consciously aware of it, I guess."

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"You've been here for a month and you haven't said anything," she then said.

Buffy blushed.

"I was, em, scared."

Faith frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I didn't know how to tell you in the first place, and I didn't know how you would react."

"Oh." Faith thought for a moment. "Why tell me now?"

Buffy shrugged.

"You looked like you could use some good news and now it seemed like a good time as any to tell you."

"Oh."

"You okay?" Buffy asked when Faith remained quiet for a while.

Faith blushed and smiled a bit.

"Yeah," she said, nervous. "Just shocked, I guess."

Buffy smiled.

"In a good way, I hope," she said, anxiously.

"Yeah." She took a deep breath, nervous. "I love you too," she admitted and then looked at her feet.

Buffy's smile widened. She let go of Dawn and touched Faith's chin with her fingers, making Faith look at her. She hesitated for a moment and then leaned closer and gently kissed Faith on the lips.

Faith was too stunned to respond.

"You okay?" Buffy asked, worried, when Faith just stared at her.

Faith slowly smiled.

"Can we do that again?" she asked, blushing. "Slowly?"

Buffy blushed as well.

"Sure," she said and leaned closer.

This time Faith was ready and she responded.

Dawn curiously observed them.

"Why are you kissing on the lips?" she asked.

Buffy and Faith looked at her, blushing.

"Because we're in love," Buffy said.

Dawn frowned.

"You mean, like a boy and a girl?"

"Yes."

"But you're both girls," Dawn said, confused.

Buffy's blush deepened.

"So? This isn't about sex, it's about love."

"Oh," Dawn said, still not full understanding. "Okay," she added, deciding that it wasn't that important.

Buffy ruffled her hair and then looked at Faith.

"Come, let's get your stuff."

"Okay," Faith said and then took a deep breath to calm down.

"Where do you keep it?"

"In the basement."

"Oh."

"There was a whole bunch of empty boxes there, so I used a couple of them," Faith explained.

"Oh."

After they moved all of the boxes to Faith's new home, Faith picked up the box with the receipts and went to the living room. Buffy and Dawn followed her.

"Eh," she started and waited for the grownups to look at her. "These are the receipts and the bills," she said.

"Yes, we've seen them," Joyce said.

"Eh, your credit card is also here," Faith said and opened the box.

"No, I already took it."

"Oh."

"Can we see?" Henry asked.

"Sure," Faith said and carried the box over to him.

Henry looked inside and took out the folder.

"Wow," he said when he saw the number of receipts and bills, and how they seemed to be arranged in some order. He looked at Faith. "You've kept all of the bills?"

"Yes." She nodded at the folder. "The last two months are missing from those," she said.

Henry looked at the folder and took out the sheets.

"You made a computer file?" he asked.

"Yeah. Willow taught me."

"Hmm. Very interesting." He showed the printouts to Martha. "Look how detailed this is."

Joyce looked at Buffy.

"Did you get everything?"

"Yes," Buffy said.

"Okay."

"Not quite," Faith said. "I mean, we got everything from your house, I still have some of my stuff in the tool shed," she said and looked at Martha.

"Then go get it," Martha said, smiling softly. "There's no need for it to be there."

Faith smiled back.

"Okay," she said and left.

Buffy followed her.

As Henry and Martha quickly looked over the printouts, Dawn joined her parents on the sofa.

"Everything okay, honey?" Hank asked her as she leaned on him.

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh. Ooh! Buffy and Faith are in love," she said, excited. "They kissed on the lips."

"What?"

All the grownups looked at her.

"Really?" Joyce said.

Dawn nodded again.

"Uh-huh."

Hank looked at Joyce.

"I didn't know Buffy was gay."

Joyce shrugged.

"Me neither."

Henry and Martha merely looked at one another and smiled.

"How come you kept this stuff here?" Buffy asked after they picked up Faith's bags and blanket from the tool shed.

"That's my most important stuff," Faith explained. "I could leave everything else behind, but not this."

"Oh. And you slept on the blanket?"

"Yeah."

They went to the living room.

"This is it," Faith said. She took the key to the tool shed form her pocket and gave it to Martha. "Here."

"Your most valuable possessions?" Martha asked, nodding at the bags.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"So, is there anything you'd like to tell us?" Hank asked and looked at Buffy.

"Like what?" Buffy asked, frowning.

"Dawn told us the good news," Martha said with a smile.

"What good… Oh!" Buffy blushed. She looked at Dawn. "Dawn," she said, annoyed.

"What?" Dawn said, not understanding what she'd done wrong.

Buffy sighed.

"Nothing."

"So it's true?" Joyce asked.

"Yes," Buffy said, suddenly nervous.

Faith, guessing what they were talking about and feeling that she should support Buffy, went to Buffy and took her hand.

Buffy smiled at her, appreciating the gesture.

"I didn't know you were gay," Hank said.

Buffy looked at him.

"Me neither."

"Oh," Hank said, surprised.

"Are you happy, honey?" Joyce asked.

Buffy smiled.

"Yes."

"Good," Joyce said, smiling back.

"Can we go now?"

Joyce chuckled.

"Yes, of course."

Faith looked at Martha, hesitating.

"Can I call Willow and Xander and invite them over?"

Martha smiled.

"Of course. This is your home now, after all."

Faith smiled.

"Thanks." She looked at Buffy. "Let's go upstairs."

"Okay," Buffy said. She looked at Dawn. "Come on, Dawn."

Dawn got up and followed them upstairs.

"Do you need help unpacking?" Buffy asked when they came to Faith's room.

"Sure," Faith said. "Open all the boxes."

While Buffy and Dawn opened the boxes, Faith opened the closets and drawers.

"You got your own linen?" Buffy asked when she opened one of the boxes.

"Yeah," Faith said. "So I didn't have to change your bed."

"You slept in my bed?"

"Yeah, I think so. I mean, I remember when the crib showed up, so I guess that was Dawn's room."

"Oh." Buffy looked through the other boxes. "Wow, those are some really nice clothes."

"Yeah, I got them at Macy."

"Nice." She nodded at another box. "Is that your school stuff?"

"Yeah."

"You kept all of your notebooks?"

"Yeah."

"I threw mine away."

"Oh. Let's put this away."

"Okay."

"Buffy!" Joyce called as she and Hank got ready to leave.

Buffy went to the top of the stairs.

"Yes?"

"We're going now."

"Okay. Hold on." Buffy went back to Faith's room. "Dawn, Mom and Dad are leaving."

"I wanna stay," Dawn said.

"Okay," Buffy said and went back to the top of the stairs. "Dawn said she wants to stay."

"Okay, honey. Have fun."

Buffy smiled.

"We will."

After they put everything away, Faith opened the bag.

"Ooh! He's so cute," Dawn said when Faith took Mr Grumpy out.

Faith smiled.

"That's Mr Grumpy," she said. "Nonnie got it for my eight birthday." She blushed a bit. "To keep me safe."

Buffy smiled.

"I guess he did his job well."

Faith smiled as well.

"Yeah," she said and put Mr Grumpy on the nightstand.

"What's this?" Buffy asked when Faith took out a floppy disk.

"My home assignments from school and my money file," Faith said.

"Oh."

Faith then took out her bag of toiletries, photo album and a change of clothes.

"Your photo album?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah."

"Can I look?"

Faith shrugged.

"Sure."

Buffy opened the photo album, and Dawn sat beside her to get a look.

"You were so cute when you were little," Buffy observed, making Faith blush a bit.

"Thanks."

She quickly put the clothes aside and then sat on the other side of Buffy.

"They taught you how to swim?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah."

"What's this?"

"A fashion show. Willow, Cordelia and me modeled a collection. That's the first time."

"A real fashion show?"

"Sort of. It was for rich moms and their daughters. The only reason Cordelia agreed to do it was because she got a couple of clothes for free."

"Oh."

Buffy quietly leafed through the album.

"Wow, all your birthdays, fashion shows," she smiled when she saw Faith asleep in Martha's lap, "wonderful moments."

"Yeah," Faith smiled, smiling and blushing at the same time.

"They really are your family."

Faith nodded.

"Yeah," she said quietly. She took a deep breath. "Do you need the boxes?" she asked.

Buffy shrugged.

"I don't know. I'll ask Mom. Let's take them apart so they won't take up so much space."

"Okay."

After they were done, Faith grabbed the boxes and took them downstairs.

"Where can I put these?" she asked Martha.

"The boxes?"

"Yes. Buffy said she'll ask her mom if they need them back."

"Just put them outside, behind the bench."

"Okay."

Faith went outside and put the boxes behind the bench.

"Faith!" Willow called as she and Xander arrived.

Faith turned.

"Hey, guys!"

Willow and Xander came closer.

"What's the big news?" Xander asked.

"Come on, let's go inside," Faith said.

"Okay."

They went inside.

"Faith!" Martha called when they reached the stairs. "Come here a moment."

Faith glanced at Willow and Xander.

"Just go upstairs," she said, "Buffy and Dawn are there."

"Okay," Willow said.

She and Xander went upstairs, and Faith went to Martha.

"Yeah?" Faith said and glanced at Henry, who sat down beside Martha and took her hand.

"Well, we've been thinking, honey," Martha said. She hesitated for a moment. "As you probably know, we love you like you were our own daughter and we'd like you to become our daughter."

"Huh?" Faith said, startled.

Martha smiled.

"We'd like to adopt you," she explained.

Faith's eyes went wide and she just stared at her, shocked.

"Wh… Ho… I mean, why?"

Martha smiled softly.

"Like I said, we love you like you were our own daughter, and we know you love us too. We'd like to make it official."

"If you want," Henry added.

"Yes," Martha agreed.

Faith just stared at them, tears welling up.

"I… I… Eh…"

"You don't have to answer right away," Henry said.

"No, I do," Faith said. "I mean, yes, I'd like you to adopt me," she clarified.

Martha and Henry smiled and Martha spread her arms.

Faith ran to her and hugged her, bursting into tears again.

"Thank you," she whispered.

When she calmed down a bit, she let go of Martha, and hugged Henry.

"Thank you," she whispered again.

She hugged Henry for a few moments and then took a deep breath and let go of him.

Henry then moved aside and patted the spot between him and Martha.

"Come, sit down," he said, and Faith sat down, wiping her tears.

Henry and Martha each took one of Faith's hands, and Faith looked from one to the other and back.

"I wish I didn't have to lie to you," she then said quietly.

Martha smiled.

"No need to apologize, Faith, you did what you had to do."

Faith took a deep breath and leaned on Henry, who put his arm around her.

"She's right," Henry said. "And you didn't just steal, you borrowed. I'm not saying it's all proper from the legal point of view, but nobody's holding it against you."

"In fact, we're proud of you," Martha said and gently squeezed Faith's hand.

Faith's eyes went wide.

"You are?"

Martha smiled and nodded.

"Yes. And I think your mother would be proud of you as well."

"And you can be proud of yourself," Henry said.

Faith sighed.

"I miss her."

"I know."

Faith thought for a moment.

"So what do I call you now?"

Martha smiled.

"I think Nonnie and Poppie will do just fine," she said, and Faith smiled.

"Yes," Henry agreed.

"Okay," Faith said.

"And know this, we're not trying to replace your mother, but we hope to be somewhere on the same level of importance as her."

"You are," Faith assured her and blushed a bit. "I mean, you basically raised me."

"I know. We just want to make sure you know we're not trying to replace her."

Faith smiled a little.

"I know."

"Good. Now why don't you go and let your friends know the good news."

Faith's smile widened.

"Thank you," she said and got up. She looked at Henry and then back at Martha. "Thank you."

Henry and Martha both smiled.

"No, thank you," Henry said.

"Yes," Martha agreed. "Now go."

Faith ran off and Martha reached over and took Henry's hand.

"This has most certainly been an emotional day," she said.

Henry smiled.

"Yes."

"They're gonna adopt me!" Faith said as she burst into her room.

"Really?" Buffy said, excited.

"Yes."

Buffy squealed. She got up and hugged Faith.

"Adopt?" Willow said, puzzled. She looked at Xander. "Are we missing something here?"

Xander shrugged.

"I think so."

"I'm so happy for you," Buffy said and kissed Faith on the lips.

"We're definitely missing something here," Xander said, his eyes wide.

"You're together?" Willow asked, excited.

Xander looked at her, surprised.

"You know?"

Willow looked at him.

"I knew Faith was in love with Buffy," she explained.

"Oh." Xander shook his head. "I guess I'm the only one missing something here."

"You're together?" Willow asked again when Buffy and Faith looked at her, both blushing.

"Yes," Buffy said and smiled.

"That's great!"

"Yeah," Faith said, smiling.

"Anyone care to enlighten me?" Xander asked.

"I think I better tell the whole story," Faith said. "Sit down."

She sat on the bed and Buffy joined her. Willow and Xander sat at the foot of the bed and Dawn sat on the floor.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Well," she started nervously, "first of all, I'm an orphan."

Willow frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Nonnie and Poppie aren't my parents. Well, I mean, they will be, but… Anyway, I lived next door, in Buffy's house."

"Really?" Willow said and looked at Buffy.

"I didn't know. We had no idea we had a squatter."

"You broke into Buffy's house?" Xander asked.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"And you lived there?"

"Yeah."

"For, like, nine years?"

"Yeah."

"Wow."

"Did you know it was Buffy's house?" Willow asked.

"No," Faith said.

"Oh."

"Anyway, after Nonnie got hit by a car and they got home early, Poppie met Buffy's dad and they figured it out. They decided to wait until Nonnie got back from the hospital and then confront me. That was today."

"How did it go?" Willow asked.

"Better than I expected."

"Were you scared?" Xander asked.

"Out of my mind. I thought I was gonna have a heart attack."

"And then?" Willow asked.

Faith took a deep breath.

"When Buffy, Dawn and me went to get my stuff from their house, Buffy told me she loved me."

"Just like that?" Xander asked.

"No," Faith said and looked at Willow. "Seems that a certain redhead who can't keep a secret told Buffy that I was in love with her."

Willow smiled sheepishly.

"It was like you were already a couple," she said. "Sorry."

Faith smiled.

"No, it's okay." She thought for a moment. "Oh yeah, before we went to get my stuff, Nonnie and Poppie said I could move in with them."

"That's great!"

"Yeah, and they just told me that they want to adopt me."

Willow's eyes went wide.

"Really? Congratulations!"

She crawled across the bed and gave Faith a hug.

"Way to go, Faith," Xander said with a wide smile.

Faith smiled.

"Thanks."

Willow let go of Faith.

"We have to celebrate this," she said.

"Sure. How about this weekend? We can have a sleepover."

"That's a great idea," Buffy agreed.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Well, I need to clear it with Nonnie and Poppie first, but I'm sure they'll let us have a sleepover."

Buffy smiled.

"Nervous?"

"Yeah. I'm kinda new to this family thing. I mean, they practically raised me, but now they're gonna be my parents officially."

Buffy took her hand.

"Don't worry," she said. "I don't think things will change much."

"I hope so." She took Mr Grumpy from the nightstand, hugged him, and then leaned back. "Man, this has been a weird day."

Buffy smiled. She leaned back as well and Faith put her arm around her.

"In a good way, I hope."

Faith smiled at her.

"Mostly, yeah."

After her friends left, Faith went to the living room.

"How do you feel?" she asked Martha.

"Okay. Though this sitting around is pretty boring."

Faith smiled.

"Yeah, I guess." She hesitated for a moment. "Eh, can we have a sleepover this Friday?"

Martha smiled.

"Yes, of course. Celebrating?"

Faith smiled shyly.

"Yeah."

"Okay."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then joined Martha on the sofa. Martha put her arm around her and Faith leaned on her. Faith pulled up her feet and just enjoyed the closeness.

"You okay?" Martha asked when Faith didn't say anything.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah." She took a deep breath. "Just… It's been a very… emotional day."

"I know."

Faith took a deep breath.

"I was so scared when I realized you knew I'd been lying to you," she said quietly.

"I'm sorry about that, we didn't mean to scare you."

"I know." She smiled a little. "I still can't believe how well it ended. I mean, first I got a home, then I got a girlfriend and finally, I got a family."

Martha smiled.

"You're not the only one who… profited."

Faith looked at her, curious.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Buffy got a girlfriend, and Henry and I got a daughter."

Faith smiled widely.

"Yeah," she said and leaned her head back on Martha's shoulder. She thought for a few moments. "This is so weird," she then said.

"What?"

"This. I mean, I don't have to worry about getting caught anymore."

"Oh."

Faith thought for a few moments.

"I thought I'd lost you," she then said quietly.

"You thought we wouldn't want to have anything to do with you anymore?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

Martha hesitated for a moment.

"Well, we both had our doubts when we first found out. We thought you'd only been using us, but when we saw that you were genuinely worried about me, we realized that you really did care about us."

"I do," Faith quickly said.

"I know. And when we thought about our relationship, we realized that we were just being silly."

Faith smiled a little.

"I thought this would be the worst day of my life, but it turned out to be the best."

Martha smiled.

"Yes." She glanced at Faith when she shuddered. "Everything okay?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah, just… I was so scared and I'm still a bit tense."

Martha caressed her.

"Don't worry, honey, you're safe now."

Faith took a deep breath.

"I know."

Henry came and he smiled when he saw Martha and Faith.

"Everything okay, Faith?" he asked.

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

"Good."

Henry left.

Faith hesitated for a few moments and then slowly slid lower, so her head rested in Martha's lap.

Martha smiled and caressed her while Faith tried to get over her fears.

The End