DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Buffy The Vampire Slayer stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Warner Brothers. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. There is some subtext in this story. If this kind of stuff is not legal where you live, if you're under 18 or if you don't like the notion of two women being in love, then you should read no further. This story is a sequel to Within.

In the Family
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Sara and Daisy were just going home, having decided to spend some time by themselves, do something else beside having sex, when two men approached them.

"Well, well, what have we here," the taller said.

"Looks like we got ourselves a couple of morsels," the smaller drawled and they both grinned.

"Go away, we're not interested," Daisy said.

"But we are," the smaller man said and both men morphed into their game face.

"Shit, vampires," Sara said and they started to back off.

"Help!" Daisy screamed.

"Ain't nobody gonna hear you, sugar," the taller vamp said.

"Wrong."

The vampires turned around, surprised. They grinned when they saw three more girls.

"Looks like we hit ourselves a jackpot."

"What the hell…"

"Call Faith!" Sara called. "She's at the Bronze!"

The vamps looked at each other.

"You get these two and I'll get the other three," the smaller said.

"Dinner time, girls," the taller said and started to approach Sara and Daisy.

"I believe we have wood on the menu tonight. Wooden stakes to be precise."

The vamps looked at the owner of the new voice.

"The Slayer," the taller one said.

"My, you're smart," Faith said and attacked.

She kicked the smaller vamp in the stomach and then the taller one in the knee. When he bent down to massage the knee, Faith kicked him in the head. The she kicked the smaller vamp again and staked the taller one. The smaller vamp tried to run, but Faith was on him and staked him in the back.

"Glad you enjoyed your dinner," Faith said and looked at Sara and Daisy, putting away her stake. "You okay?"

Sara and Daisy nodded.

"Yeah, thanks," Sara said as they came closer.

"Good thing we knew what they were or we'd think they'd forgotten that Haloween is next week," Daisy said.

Faith smiled.

"No problem," she said and looked at the Trinity girls. "You okay?"

"Yes, thank you," the brunette with short hair said.

"Who… What were they?" the blackhead asked.

"Vampires."

"Vampires?"

"Yes."

"They actually exist?"

"Yes. So do a lot of other demons."

"You do this often?" the brunette with long curly hair asked.

"Every night."

"Really?"

"Yes."

The girls looked at each other.

"Is there anything we can do?"

Faith smiled.

"I'll let you know."

The girls nodded.

"Okay."

"Thanks for trying to help us," Sara said.

"Yeah, thanks," Daisy added.

"No problem," the blackhead said. "We'll see you around."

"Okay."

The Trinity left and Faith looked at Sara and Daisy.

"Aren't you going to seduce them?" she asked mischievously.

Sara and Daisy glanced at each other, smiling.

"We already tried in 6th or 7th grade," Sara said.

"We failed," Daisy added.

"You can try again," Faith said with a smirk.

They shook their heads.

"We usually don't, unless we think that we might succeed," Sara explained.

"Yes," Daisy agreed. "And besides we have great respect for them. I mean, we respect you too, but you, well, I don't know."

"You looked like you might be interested," Sara saved her.

"Yes."

"Oh. Yes. Anyway, I told Cordelia and she said she'll think about it."

"Really?"

Sara and Daisy looked at each other, excited.

"Cool."

"Yeah."

Faith grinned.

"Glad you're thrilled."

"Oh, we are."

"Definitely," Daisy agreed.

"You should be more careful about who to date."

"Yes, we know," Sara said. "We weren't trying to date them, we were just going home when they approached us."

"Oh. No dates?"

Sara and Daisy grinned.

"No, just one another," Daisy said.

"Hey, Faith."

Faith turned.

"Buffy, hi. You look beat."

"Yeah. You know how demons sometimes all at once decide to make our lives miserable. Anyway, I heard you caught those five sisters in the act."

"Yeah. The wiccans kicked some serious butt. Anyway, meet Sara and Daisy."

"Sara and… You mean…"

Faith grinned.

"Yep. Guys, this is Buffy. I'm sure you've recognized her."

"Yes," Daisy said. "Hi."

"Hi," Buffy said nervously, blushing.

Faith looked at Sara and Daisy.

"We were just discussing today how cute and sexy her nose is," she told them.

"You told her?" Sara asked and they both blushed.

"Of course," Faith said, grinning.

"Well, we… em…"

"Don't worry, we all agreed that her nose really is cute and sexy," Faith said.

"Faith!" Buffy said and glared at her, which caused Faith to laugh.

"What? It's true. Even Cordelia agrees."

"Very funny."

Faith winked at her.

"So, anything new on the bitch-in-red-dress front?"

Buffy sighed.

"Nothing new," she said, having decided to keep Dawn's real nature a secret.

"Well, if you need help, let me know. I'll keep my eyes open."

"Okay, thanks."

"Oh, by the way, Darla's back."

Buffy frowned.

"Darla?"

"Angel's Sire."

Buffy's eyes went wide.

"Really? But how?"

"Cordelia said Wolfram & Hart had something to do with it."

"The lawyers?"

"Yeah. She's human though."

"Oh." She sighed. "Oh, I alsmot forgot. Tara's birthday is coming up."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. We're throwing a party."

"Alright! We invited?"

"Yes."

"Wicked! I hope Cordelia… Oh, she'll be there. Alice's birthday is also coming up."

"Oh."

"You two going home?"

"Yes," Daisy said.

"Need an escort?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay." She looked at Buffy. "See you around, B."

"Okay. Night. F."

Faith grinned.

"Night."

Buffy left and Faith looked at Sara and Daisy.

"Lead the way."

"This is it," Daisy said when they got to a house.

Faith stared at it for a few moments.

"That's it?"

"Yes."

"That's two houses actually. Right?"

"Yes. Our grandfathers built it in the sixties. They were, like, really big friends."

"You both live here?"

"Yes."

"It's big."

"Oh yes. You should see our bedrooms."

"Yeah, they're huge," Sara agreed.

"They're in the back and they're adjacent, so we can slip into one another's room without our parents noticing."

"Not that they're often at home."

"I know what you mean," Faith said.

"Anyway, thanks for saving us and for escorting us," Sara said.

Faith smiled.

"Sure."

"If there's anything we can do to help you fight vampires and stuff, let us know," Daisy offered.

"I will, thanks. Good night."

"Night, Faith."

"Night."

Faith waited until Sara and Daisy were safely inside and then left.

"Faith."

Faith jerked, tensing, and turned.

"Stacy."

"Why are you avoiding me?"

Faith sighed.

"Sorry. It's nothing personal."

"Is it because I asked you out?"

"No, no."

"Why then?"

Faith sighed again.

"Bad memories."

Stacy frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"It's a long story," Faith said, not wanting to give an explanation.

Stacy thought for a moment.

"Does it have to do with my grandfather?" she asked, remembering their last conversation.

Faith paled. She thought furiously about what to say.

"Yes," she then said. She hesitated for a moment. "A woman who was like a mother to me was murdered in front of my eyes and I couldn't do anything about it."

"I'm sorry," Stacy said.

Faith smiled briefly.

"Me too." She hesitated for a moment. "And I'm sorry for killing your grandfather."

"Me too," Stacy said, not noticing that Faith had left out two important words, 'the' and 'of'. "So, we're still friends?"

Faith gulped and forced a smile.

"Yeah, sure."

Stacy smiled back.

"Okay." She thought for a moment. "You going to class now?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

Stacy started to walk. Faith shuddered, feeling hypocritical and dirty, and then followed her.

Rochelle and Denise were back with Cassandra again. Even though Cassandra tolerated their presence, she ignored them most of the time. They didn't try to force her to talk to them, knowing that she would just push them away again.

Suddenly Rochelle felt a jumble of emotions from Cassandra.

"Rochelle?" Denise asked, noticing her expression.

Rochelle shook her head and followed Cassandra, who was going toward a crowd. Denise followed as well.

"Okay, everyone, beat it," Cassandra said as she made her way through the crowd. "Now!" she ordered and the crowd slowly started to disperse. Then she turned to the ridiculously dressed girl who had caused the crowd to gather. "What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded.

The girl smiled at her.

"Nici miss Cassie," she said.

"And so you came here? Didn't your parents tell you to stay at home?"

Nici nodded, her smile fading a bit.

"Nici miss Cassie," she repeated.

"Why the hell are you dressed like that?"

Nici beamed again.

"Nici want to be pretty for Cassie," she said.

"You look ridiculous. And what's with these flowers?"

Nici's smile faded again.

"Nici pick flowers for Cassie," she said and offered her the flowers.

Cassandra took them and threw them away, causing Nici's smile to fade altogether.

"They're a bunch of weeds. And you are…"

"Cassandra," Rochelle interrupted her and Cassandra looked at her. "Don't."

Cassandra stared at her for a few moments and then looked back at Nici.

"Come, I'm calling your parents," she said, took her hand and dragged her inside.

Monique, who came closer when Cassandra started yelling at Nici, was about to say something, but Rochelle stopped her, shaking her head.

"She needs to handle this," she said and followed Cassandra.

"Monique?" Faith asked as she arrived a few moments later.

Monique glanced at her.

"I don't know. Rochelle said Cassandra needs to handle it."

"You think she's capable?"

Monique shrugged.

"I don't know, I don't know her too well. And besides, Rochelle is an empath, so I guess she knows how Cassandra feels."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"I hope so."

Inside, Cassandra called Nici's parents. When they said that they would come right away, she turned to Nici, who was sitting on a bench.

"You stay here and don't move until your parents come. Do you understand?"

Nici nodded, subdued.

"Good," Cassandra said and turned to Rochelle and Denise. "Let's go to class."

Rochelle looked at Nici, who was staring after Cassandra, sad. She gave her a smile and then followed Cassandra.

During the next period, Cassandra kept thinking about Nici.

"Miss Norton, you seem to be pensive. Why don't you tell us the answer?"

Cassandra jerked and looked at the teacher.

"What?"

"The answer, Miss Norton."

Cassandra glanced around.

"I don't know, Mrs Scott."

"Then perhaps you should pay attention in the future."

"Yes, Mrs Scott."

When the period was over, Cassandra went to the office where she had left Nici. When the secretary assured her that Nici's parents had picked up their daughter, Cassandra went outside.

"Who is she?" Rochelle asked after a while.

Cassandra glanced at her.

"My neighbor," she said.

"What happened?"

Cassandra didn’t immediately respond.

"She got hit by a car."

"And she's retarded because of that?"

Cassandra threw her an angry glance.

"Yes," she said quietly after a few moments.

"And you feel responsible."

"Stay out of my head!" Cassandra said, furious.

"I am, but I can't help if you're screaming. I can't block it out completely."

"Then go away."

"Look, she's your friend," Denise said. "We both are. We want to help you."

"There's nothing you can do."

"We can listen."

Cassandra stared at them for a few moments and then looked away again.

"Look, I know what it's like when someone you care about is like that," Rochelle said. "Remember my brother, Eddie?"

Cassandra looked at her.

"No."

"I think I do," Denise said.

"When we were ten, there was a fire and he shut himself out. He didn't speak or move for almost seven years. I remember even hating him for a while because I couldn't do anything to make him talk again. But in spite of all, I still love him."

Cassandra stared at her for a few moments and then walked away. Denise wanted to follow her, but Rochelle stopped her.

"No. She needs to be alone for a while."

They stared after their friend until she was gone.

"Shall we talk to Adam?" Denise then asked.

Rochelle shook her head.

"No."

"Why not?"

Rochelle looked at her.

"She likes him, but… I don't know." She thought for a moment. "I think her feelings for Adam pale in comparison to her feelings for Nici."

"You think she's in love with her?" Denise asked, surprised.

Rochelle shrugged.

"I don't know. I'm not very good at reading other people's emotions and I got a whole jumble from her. Not to mention that I've been busy shutting her out of my mind."

"You can do that?"

"Not completely and not with strong emotions. But don't say anything to her, I might be wrong."

Denise nodded.

"Okay."

When Sara and Daisy were going home after doing some shopping, they passed Faith's house.

"Look, there's Faith," Daisy said, noticing the Slayer.

"Who's the girl?" Sara asked.

"I don't know. Probably her sister."

They watched as Faith greeted Mrs Chase and Alice gave her a hug. Faith then noticed them and waved at them to wait. Mrs Chase went into the house and Faith and Alice came to them.

"Hi, guys," she said.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"This is my sister, Alice."

Sara and Daisy smiled at the girl.

"Hi, Alice," Sara said.

"Hello," Alice said, shyly hiding behind Faith.

"It's okay, Alice, they're friends," Faith calmed her and Alice stopped hiding but stayed close to Faith.

"Where are you going?" Sara asked.

"To the park. You?"

"Home."

"Shopping?"

"Yeah."

Faith nodded.

"I'll see you around."

"Yeah."

"Bye."

Faith left with Alice. Sara and Daisy stared after her for a few more moments and then moved on.

"You know, I envy her," Daisy said after a while.

Sara glanced at her.

"For what?"

"For having a real family."

"Oh." Sara thought for a moment. "I miss my parents."

"Me too," Daisy agreed.

"When was the last time they were home for Christmas?"

Daisy thought.

"I don't know. Five years ago?"

"Yeah, probably."

They continued to walk quietly, thinking.

"Perhaps we should confront them," Daisy said after a while.

"What do you mean?" Sara asked.

"I don't know, tell them how we feel about them being absent all the time."

Sara nodded.

"Yes." She thought about it. "I'm scared," she then said.

Daisy glanced at her, confused.

"Of what?"

"Of talking to them. I mean, I don't even remember when was the last time we had a conversation that lasted more than ten seconds. Or one that wasn't about everyday stuff."

Daisy nodded.

"Me neither."

They thought about possible plans for a while.

"Maybe we should get them all together and then talk to them," Sara then suggested.

Daisy thought about it.

"Yes. That way they would know that we both miss them."

Sara nodded.

"Yes. When do your parents come home?"

Daisy thought.

"Today, I think."

"Mine come tomorrow."

"Then maybe we could talk to them tomorrow, if your parents don't leave."

Sara nodded.

"Okay."

"We'll need to think what to say."

Sara nodded again.

"Yes, we will."

"Hi, Rochelle," Faith said when Rochelle brought Eddie to the park after school.

"Hi."

"What's with Cassandra and that girl?"

"I'm not sure, but I know that Cassandra cares about her."

Faith snorted.

"She sure knows how to show her affection."

"She does care about her, she's just afraid to show it. I think. She called her parents."

"Good."

Monique came to Eddie and Rochelle left them alone.

"Hi."

"Hi."

When she got home, Cassandra found that she kept thinking about Nici. She tried to forget her, but the image of her kept popping up in her mind. She looked so sweet and innocent, even though she was dressed ridiculously and the flowers were mostly weeds. But it was the thought that counted. Nici wanted to see her and be pretty for her and she brought her flowers.

She shook her head, again trying to push the image out of her mind. She wasn't sure how she felt about Nici and whether Nici was actually capable of any complex emotions such as love. She frowned at the thought. Love? What did that…

She shook her head as she realized that a part of her wanted to be in love with Nici and Nici to love her back. She groaned, frustrated. How could this be happening to her? She shuddered. She stared out the window for a while, paying close attention to the traffic as she tried to forget. It was useless, the fact that she had insulted Nici for no good reason other than vanity reminding her constantly that Nici was special to her, had always been, whether she liked it or not.

She sighed and returned to her bed. She hesitated for a while and then took a photo of her and Nici out of a night-stand drawer. She stared at it for a while, remembering when it was made so long ago. She sighed. She hated to admit it, but she missed Nici. And she felt guilty for insulting her.

She got up and wanted to put the photo back in the drawer, but she changed her mind and she put it on the night-stand. She smiled at it briefly and then went out.

"Hello, Mr Verkaik."

"Cassandra."

"I… I came to see Nici," Cassandra said nervously.

"She's in her room. Thank you for calling us."

Cassandra smiled briefly.

"Sure."

Cassandra went upstairs, looking around as she remembered the last time she had climbed those stairs. She knocked at Nici's door, but there was no response. She knocked again and when there was not response, she opened the door.

"Nici?" she said as she looked in.

Nici was sitting on her bed, staring at the floor. She looked up as Cassandra entered and Cassandra could see that she was hurt, yet still happy to see her. She hesitated for a moment and then sat beside her on the bed.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi," Nici responded quietly, avoiding her eyes.

Cassandra hesitated for a moment and then took Nici's hand.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you," she said.

Nici looked at her and smiled.

"Okay," she said and Cassandra smiled briefly.

"No, it's not, it wasn't your fault. I was just… I was angry with myself and I let it out on you."

"Nici forgive Cassie."

Cassandra smiled again, but her smile quickly faded.

"And I'm sorry for… for…" she waved her hand around, "this. For what happened to you."

Nici gave her a puzzled look.

"Nici not understand."

"The accident. If I hadn't thrown the ball…"

"Not Cassie's fault," Nici interrupted her. "Nici run and get hit. Boom." She clapped her hands. "Nici's fault."

"No, it wasn't, it…" She sighed. "It was an accident and I should have stayed by your side after that." She paused for a moment. "I missed you too, Nici."

Nici beamed.

"Nici happy," she declared and Cassandra smiled.

"Cassie happy too," she said and hugged her.

"Nici love Cassie," Nici then said and Cassandra broke the hug.

"What?"

"Nici love Cassie," Nici repeated.

Cassandra smiled.

"I love you too."

Nici shook her head.

"No. Nici love Cassie."

"You mean…"

Nici nodded.

"Yes. Nici love Cassie. Nici miss Cassie bad. Life…" she struggled for the correct word, "worthless… without Cassie."

Cassie stared at her, surprised.

"Are… Are you sure… I mean, you're… you're… em…"

"Nici not stupid. Nici know how Nici feel about Cassie," Nici protested vehemently. "Nici love Cassie and… em…" She thought for a moment. "Till death… do… part?" she then said uncertainly.

"Till death do us part," Cassandra corrected her.

Nici nodded.

"Till death do us part," she repeated, nodding.

Cassandra sighed, not quite so certain about her own feelings. As a matter of fact, she wasn't quite so sure about anything anymore. She had cared only about appearances for a long time, ever since the accident. And to suddenly have to come to terms with her own feelings and fears, it scared her. She sighed. She had made fun of the nerds, even though she basically had nothing against them, except that they reminded her of Nici.

"Cassie sad," Nici interrupted her thinking.

Cassandra smiled.

"No, I'm not sad, I'm just thinking."

"Oh."

Cassandra stared into the big brown eyes that stared so innocently and lovingly at her. She sure missed Nici. But back to the question at hand. Did she love Nici? She thought for a few moments, dismissing all her fears. It had been a long time since she had spoken with Nici, but every time she had seen her since the accident, guilt and longing broke through her barrier. Guilt she could understand, but longing had always been a mystery to her. Until now. She smiled.

"I love you too, Nici," she said and Nici beamed at her.

"Nici happy."

"Cassie happy too," Cassandra said.

She hesitated for a moment and then leaned closer for a kiss. Nici was confused for a moment and then her eyes went wide as she realized what Cassandra wanted. She smiled and leaned closer as well. Their lips met and pressed firmly against each other. Nici held her lips closed, but Cassandra risked it and brushed her tongue against her lips. It took Nici a while to realize what Cassandra wanted and then opened her mouth as well and then shyly extended her tongue.

"Nici like to kiss," Nici declared when they stopped.

Cassandra smiled and caressed her.

"Me too. But you have a lot to learn about kissing."

"Nici like to learn. Cassie teach Nici?"

Cassandra nodded.

"I will. But you mustn't tell anyone, especially not your parents, because they might not allow us to see each other again."

Nici nodded.

"Nici not tell."

Cassandra smiled and thought for a moment.

"Would you like to go out?"

"Out?"

"To the park."

"Yes," Nici said and clapped her hands, excited.

"We'll go tomorrow, okay?"

Nici nodded.

"Okay."

"But until then, promise that you will stay at home and won't go wandering around."

Nici nodded.

"Nici promise."

"Good. I'll come tomorrow and make you pretty, okay?"

Nici nodded, excited.

"Yes. Nici want to be pretty for Cassie."

Cassandra smiled.

"You're pretty already."

"Cassie think so?" Nici asked, beaming.

Cassandra nodded.

"Yes."

Nici blushed a bit.

"Thank… you," she said quietly and Cassandra kissed her on the forehead.

"So, how is school?"

"Good. Nici like school."

"Do you need any help?"

Nici thought and then nodded.

"Yes." She went to her table and rummaged through her notebooks. "This," she said as she took one of the notebooks.

"I'll help you."

In the evening, Sara and Daisy decided to confront their parents, but they decided to do it their way.

"Okay, one of them is coming," Daisy said, sitting on the table in the kitchen of Sara's house.

Sara grinned and they kissed.

"Sara!"

The girls stopped kissing, pretending to be surprised.

"Mom," Sara said.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"We were kissing, Mom," Sara said and stepped aside so that Daisy could get off the table.

"What's going on?" Sara's father asked.

"They were kissing, Pete," Sara's mother said.

"What?!"

"They were what?" Daisy's father asked as he and his wife came closer, curious.

A quarrel ensued as they blamed one another for it, the girls already forgotten.

"Stop it!" Daisy screamed and the parents stopped, surprised, and looked at her. "Stop it," she repeated. "It's not your fault. Or perhaps it's all your fault. You are never at home. You're off to work before we wake up and when you get home, you're either too busy or too tired to even ask how we're doing. If you come home at all. We don't even remember when was the last time we ate a meal together."

"Or when we spent a Christmas together," Sara said. "Last year, we had no tree and you didn't even notice. For a while, you at least remembered to bring us presents when you came home from a trip, but you keep forgetting our birthdays."

"Yes. We miss you," Daisy continued. "We wish you could spend at least a couple of lousy minutes every now and then to ask how we're doing."

"And as far as the kissing is concerned, I'm allowed to kiss my girlfriend, aren't I? And no, we're not gay, we're bi."

The parents stared at them, speechless.

"Do you… sleep together?" Daisy's mom finally asked.

"Yes," Daisy said.

"How… How long?"

The girls glanced at each other.

"I don't know," Daisy said, shrugging. "Since we were ten or eleven."

"What?!" Sara's father said.

"Hey, you weren't there to tell us about the birds and the bees, so we decided to find that out for ourselves," Sara said.

"We probably know more about the subject than you ever will," Daisy added. "And besides, it's not like we have some sort of disease or something."

"Yeah. But that's beside the point. It's not like we're the only gay couple in Sunnydale. The point is that you're never home and that we miss you. We've been one another's family and you were just occasional strangers dropping by to see how we were but not really caring. We hardly know you and you don't know us at all."

Sara took Daisy's hand and they started to leave.

"Where do you think you're going?" Daisy's mother demanded.

"To my room," Sara said. "And before you start yelling at us, at least think about what we said."

"Please," Daisy added.

They stared at their parents for a few more moments and then left.

"What do you think happens now?" Sara asked as they climbed the stairs.

"I don't know. They haven't started yelling yet."

"You think they'll change?"

Daisy shrugged.

"I don't know. I hope so."

"You realize we'll have to cut down on sex if they do."

Daisy grinned.

"Yes," she said and entered the code for Sara's room. "I wouldn't mind, I'd like to spend some time with them."

"Yeah, me too."

Daisy lay on Sara's bed and Sara cuddled up to her.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

After the third period, Rochelle finally decided to talk to Cassandra.

"Cassandra."

"What?"

"Are you okay?"

Cassandra looked at her.

"Yes. Why?"

"Well, you seem… different. You're not so bitchy as usual and you haven't insulted anyone yet."

"That may change in the near future," Cassandra threatened.

Rochelle smiled.

"I meant the nerds. You haven't insulted any of them yet."

"I can go do it right now."

"No, no, I'm just curious as to why."

Cassandra sighed.

"I… I had an… interesting day yesterday."

"Nici?" Denise asked.

Cassandra nodded.

"I kept thinking about her. Then I went to apologize."

"That's good," Denise said, smiling, relieving some of the embarrassment Cassandra was feeling.

"Yes." She hesitated for a moment, not quite sure if she trusted them enough, and then decided to tell them the truth. "We… We…" She gulped. "We're a… a couple… now," she said in a quiet voice, avoiding their eyes.

"That's great!" Rochelle said.

"Yeah," Denise agreed. She smirked. "Now that you're so cool, I'm gonna go ask Mike out."

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

Rochelle and Denise laughed at the sight.

"I'm gonna go ask Mike out."

"Mike? The nerd?"

"Yes."

Cassandra stared at her for a few moments, considering the idea. Then she sighed.

"Fine with me," she then declared.

"Okay. See you later."

Denise left and they stared after her for a few moments.

"Feeling okay?" Rochelle then asked, feeling Cassandra's tension.

Cassandra nodded.

"I just have to get used to it." She paused for a moment. "And I'm so not looking to being teased about being friends with the nerds."

"By guys like Paul and Dan?"

"Yeah."

"Ignore them, they're a bunch of assholes."

Cassandra thought about that.

"Yes, they are," she then agreed. "Screw them." She thought for a moment. "I wonder if that's how Monique and Renee felt."

"Ask them."

Cassandra shuddered.

"Maybe later."

Rochelle smiled.

"There's no hurry."

Renee and Monique were sitting on a bench, when Renee spotted Zoe, the youngest of the five sisters, approaching. Monique noticed her discomfort and she looked. She was weary at first, but Zoe didn't look as though she wanted to attack them.

"Em, hi," Zoe said nervously, gulping. "I just came to apologize for what me and my sisters have done," she said, trying to look them in the eyes.

Renee and Monique looked at one another, surprised.

"Just don't do it again and it's okay," Renee said.

Zoe looked at her, surprised, and then nodded.

"Don't worry, we've learned our lesson," she said.

"Good."

Zoe hesitated for a moment and then left.

"You think they'll be okay?" Monique asked after a few moments.

"I hope so," Renee said after a moment of thinking. "Oh, Amir is moving into his new house in two days."

"Really?"

"Yes. His parents arrived yesterday."

"Will they need help?"

"I don't know. I'll ask him."

"Okay."

It didn't take long for Denise to find Mike, he was hanging out with his nerd friends. No, she corrected herself, scratch nerd. She found it strange that she felt so nervous. Then again, she was obviously the one being asked out.

Mike noticed her as well, but he refused to believe that she was coming to him, or one of his friends, especially since she was alone. But the closer she got, the more nervous he became, as it was becoming obvious that she was coming to him.

"Em, hi, Mike," Denise said when she got to him.

Mike did a double take and then looked around to see if there was any other Mike around.

"Are you talking to me?" he then asked.

"Yes. Em, I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me sometime," Denise said blushing.

Mike dropped his jaw and so did his friends.

"Are… Are you serious?" he finally asked.

"Yes."

Mike frowned, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Is this another one of your games?" he asked.

Denise shook her head.

"No, I'm serious."

"Okay, let's see if I got this straight. You want to go out with me?"

"Yes," Denise said, slightly nervous.

"Why? I mean, not so long ago, you and your friends were making fun of me."

Denise blushed again, this time from embarrassment.

"I'm sorry about that." She hesitated for a moment. "That was when we were still more worried about what others thought of us than what we thought of ourselves. I mean, I liked you before, I was just… I don't know, afraid, to ask you out."

The nerds stared at her, surprised.

"You are Denise, right? You're not her clone or something?" Mike finally asked.

Denise blushed.

"It's me."

"Just making sure," Mike said and glanced at his friends, who were staring at him and Denise curiously. "I'll… I'll have to think about it."

Denise let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, slightly disappointed.

"Well, let me know," she said, forcing a smile. "You know where you can find me."

"You mean I can come to you? In public?"

Denise blushed, embarrassed.

"That's the whole point of dating, isn't it?"

"Yes. Okay. I'll… see you later."

"Okay," Denise said and left.

"Are you actually gonna go out with her?" Max asked.

Mike shrugged.

"I don't know… Maybe. I'll see how she behaves."

"You think she's serious?"

"I don't know." He thought for a moment. "I hope so."

Max grinned.

"You have a crush on her."

Mike blushed.

"Yeah, so?"

In the afternoon, Cassandra went to Nici and she dressed her up.

"Nici pretty?" Nici asked, looking at Cassandra in the mirror.

Cassandra nodded, smiling.

"Nici very pretty."

"Good. Nici like be pretty for Cassie."

Cassandra smiled again and kissed her on the temple.

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

As they walked through the park, Cassandra felt a bit uncomfortable about being seen holding hands with Nici, but the fact that it was Nici she was holding hands with eased the feeling of discomfort.

"Look, child… children," Nici suddenly said, excited. "Nici want to play with children."

"Okay. Let's…"

She trailed of when she saw several all too familiar faces and she wasn't sure whether they were friendly or not.

"Cassie worried?" Nici asked.

Cassandra looked at her and smiled.

"No, just… I don't know." She thought for a moment. "Never mind. Let's go there."

Nici smiled and led the way. Then she noticed Renee holding Hope.

"Look, a baby," she said, her eyes wide. "Nici want to see the baby."

Cassandra hesitated, nervous, she wasn't ready to face Renee and Monique and the rest of their friends yet. But then, Nici was so excited. She sighed.

"Okay."

Nici almost started to run, but when Cassandra didn't go faster, she slowed down as well. When they got closer and everybody looked at them, Nici got a bit nervous.

"Hi," Cassandra said nervously when they got close enough.

"Hi," Renee, Monique and Faith said in unison.

"This is Nici."

"Hello, Nici," Renee said and smiled at her.

Nici smiled back.

"Hello. This your baby?"

"Yes. Her name is Hope."

"Hope," Nici repeated. "Nice name." She hesitated for a moment. "Nici touch Hope?"

Renee smiled.

"Sure."

Nici stepped closer and gently touched Hope, who giggled and babbled something.

"She likes you," Renee said.

Nici smiled.

"Nici like Hope too," she said. Then she looked around. "Why she have no legs?" she asked curiously and pointed at Ana.

"She lost them," Cassandra said.

"She have accident? Like Nici?"

Cassandra looked at Renee for help.

"Yes," Renee said, smiling. "She stepped on a mine."

"That hurt."

"Yes, it did."

Nici then looked around and noticed Eddie.

"Why he in… in…"

"A wheelchair?" Cassandra helped her out.

"Yes, wheelchair. Why he in a wheelchair?"

"He was hurt and couldn't move for a long time," Rochelle explained.

"But now he move again?"

"Yes."

"That good."

"Yes."

"Do you want to go play now?" Cassandra asked.

Nici turned to her, smiling.

"Yes."

"She wants to play?" Faith asked. "With the children?"

"Yes," Cassandra said, suddenly feeling very protective of Nici.

But Faith didn't mean to make fun of her.

"Alice!" she called. "Come here a moment, please!"

The girl came running.

"Alice, this is Nici. Nici, this is my sister Alice."

"Hello," Nici said, smiling.

"Why don't you show her how you play," Faith said and leaned closer. "And make sure she's safe. Can you do that?"

Alice nodded.

"Good."

"Come," Alice said and offered Nici her hand.

Nici took it and they left.

"She'll be okay," Faith said, noticing Cassandra's discomfort.

Cassandra bit her teeth, a bit nervous.

"Thanks."

"For what?" Faith asked, confused.

"For not making fun of her."

Faith frowned.

"You should know me better than that."

"Yes, I know, I… Well, I'm not used to that and I'm constantly expecting people to make fun of her."

"I know."

Cassandra looked at Renee.

"Em, Renee?" she said nervously.

Renee looked at her.

"Yes?"

"I'm… sorry. I was wrong about abortion and I should've stayed by your side."

Renee smiled.

"That's okay, I understand."

"Thanks."

"Why don't we leave the lovebirds alone?" Faith said and slowly started to walk toward Alice. "Looks like the kids need an engine."

Rochelle and Cassandra followed her.

"You know, I'm starting to wonder whether the Hellmouth attracts lesbians," Faith said thoughtfully.

"What?" Rochelle asked.

"What do you mean?" Cassandra asked, blushing a bit.

"Well, there's me and Cordelia. Then we have Willow and Tara, Raelee and Lara, Daisy and Sara and now you and Nici."

"What?" Cassandra blushed deeply. "What do you mean?"

Faith smiled.

"You're a couple, aren't you?"

"I… We… Em…"

"I'd know that look anywhere, I've seen it often on my own face. And besides, you know everyone here's cool about it."

Cassandra gulped.

"Yes," she said quietly.

"Faith, push!" Alice called, excited.

Faith grinned.

"Okay, kids, hang on real tight."

"Em, are you sure…" Cassandra started.

"Don't worry," Faith said and spun the carrousel.

The kids screamed, excited, as the carrousel started to spin fast. When Faith noticed that some were starting to lose their grip, she started to slow it down. When the carrousel stopped, the kids fell down, all dizzy. Faith managed to catch Alice and she picked her up. Cassandra tried to catch Nici, but Nici being heavy as she was, they both went sprawling to the ground, laughing.

"This fun," Nici declared and tried to sit. "Ooh, Nici dizzy."

She giggled.

"That happens, yes," Cassandra said with a smile and helped her sit.

Then she hugged her from behind and kissed her on the temple.

"Nici want to do that again."

"Later," Faith said, smiling. "You don't want to throw up, do you?"

Nici shook her head.

"No."

"Feeling better?" Cassandra asked her.

Nici nodded.

"Better."

"Let's get up."

Nici shook her head.

"No. Nici like it."

Cassandra smiled, blushing.

"We can do that at home. Here, you can play."

Nici considered that.

"Okay. Help."

Faith gave her a hand and helped her up.

"Ooh, Nici still dizzy," she said and staggered, but Cassandra caught her and steadied her.

"Steady."

Nici nodded and stood still for a while, holding Cassandra's hands.

"Okay, Nici fine now," she then declared.

"You sure?"

Nici nodded.

"Sure."

"Okay," Cassandra said and let her go.

Nici slowly turned.

"Nici not dizzy anymore."

"How about you? Feeling better?" Faith asked Alice, who nodded. "Do you want to get down?"

Alice nodded again and Faith put her down.

"We go play now?" Nici asked Alice.

"Okay."

They left and Faith, Cassandra and Rochelle stared after them. Then Cassandra looked at Rochelle.

"How come you're here?

"My brother, Eddie, remember?"

Cassandra looked.

"He's the guy in the wheelchair?"

"Yes. He's recovering and I bring him here everyday so he's not bored at home. And besides, I'm sure you've noticed that he and Monique have a thing for each other."

Cassandra looked again.

"Yes, looks that way."

"Why don't you bring Nici here more often? She seems to like it."

Cassandra nodded, looking lovingly at Nici.

"I will." Then she looked at Rochelle. "This is so weird."

"What?"

"Well, I was a bitch for so long and now I have a retard for a girlfriend."

Rochelle and Faith smiled.

"Don't worry," Faith said, "I've been a bitch myself and so has my girlfriend. And so have Rochelle, Monique and Renee. So none of us is in any position to comment and I'm sure the others won't either. And besides, we've seen too many weird things to care about that." She thought for a moment. "Actually, I think it's pretty cool of you to have the courage to admit that you love her. To yourself and to us."

"Yes," Rochelle agreed.

Cassandra blushed.

"Thanks," she said, feeling strangely warm. "Em, who's the girl without legs?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Ana. She's Amir's sister."

"What happened?"

"A landmine."

"Oh." She didn't know what to say, but then she noticed Renee and Amir. "What's with Renee and Amir?"

Faith smiled.

"They have the hots for each other."

"Oh." She thought for a moment. "Do you come here every day?"

"Mostly during the week. We're usually stay home for the weekend, at least Alice and me."

"Hey, you can bring her to the Bronze," Rochelle suggested.

Cassandra shook her head.

"I don't think she's ready for that yet. Or me. I need to find out what she had been doing for the past couple of years and I need to tell her what I have been doing."

Faith nodded.

"Take your time with it."

Cassandra nodded.

"I will."

They quietly observed the children, especially Cassandra, who often glanced at Nici.

"Why don't you go play with her?" Faith suggested, noticing Nici's inviting glances and Cassandra's longing look.

"What?" Cassandra said and gave her a startled look.

"Go play with her. She obviously wants you there and you obviously want to be with her. No one is gonna make fun of you, if that's what you're worried about," she said when Cassandra hesitated. "I've played with Alice often myself. Not to mention with Cordelia," she added with a grin.

Cassandra hesitated for a few more moments and then went to Nici, whose eyes went wide with excitement when she saw that Cassandra was joining her.

"They're a very unusual couple," Rochelle commented.

"I've seen stranger," Faith said, remembering Buffy and Angel, Willow and Oz and Xander and Anya.

Rochelle raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment.

Finally Friday afternoon came.

"Hi, guys," Renee greeted Lara, Willow and Tara when she got out of the car.

"Hi."

"Can someone take the bags?"

"Sure," Willow said and she and Tara took the bags, which Monique took out of the car.

"I'll see you on Monday," Monique said.

"Okay," Renee said.

"Bye, Hope," Monique said and caressed Hope, who giggled. "Bye, guys."

"Bye, Monique."

Monique got back in the car and then they drove away.

"Let's go into the house," Renee said.

Lara rang the bell and a few moments later Aysha opened.

"Hi, Renee. Hello, Hope."

Hope giggled and Aysha smiled.

"Aysha, these are my friends. You've met Lara. The other two are Willow and Tara."

"Hi," Willow said.

"Hi. Come on in."

"Where's Jesse?" Renee asked.

"He just went to the store. He should be back any moment."

"Okay. Where will we sleep?"

"I'll show you, come."

The four girls and the baby followed Aysha to a room.

"Looks like you two have already been planning," Renee said with a smirk when she saw how the room was decorated. "Any idea as to when Hope will get a cousin?"

Aysha blushed a bit.

"No, not yet."

"Oh well. It's nice though." She looked at the three witches. "I'll put the baby in bed and you three prepare for the spell."

"Okay," Willow said.

"A spell?" Aysha asked. "Like a magic spell?"

"Yes. It will keep the demons out of the house."

Aysha raised an eyebrow.

"Hi, guys," Jesse said as he entered the room. "I just went to the store." He looked at Renee. "You like the room?"

"She was wondering when Hope will get a cousin," Aysha said playfully.

"Really?" Jesse said, smiling. "Well, I guess we'll have to do something about it," he said and Aysha blushed.

"Don't go all mushy on us," Renee said with a smirk. "We're still teenagers."

Jesse raised an eyebrow.

"Sometimes I wonder about that," he said and Renee laughed.

"We're ready," Willow announced.

Renee glanced at her.

"Okay."

"They're gonna do a magic spell?" Aysha asked.

"Yes." She looked at Jesse. "Why don't you fill her in?"

Jesse nodded.

"I will."

"Fill me in? You already told me…"

"That was only a part of the whole truth. I'll tell you some of the details, especially the ones concerning Hope."

Aysha stared at him for a moment.

"Okay."

Jesse and Aysha left and Renee stepped aside to let the three wiccans do their stuff.

"You want us to stay and answer the questions?" Willow asked when they finished the spell and they started to clean up.

"That'd be great, yes," Renee said.

"Okay."

Renee listened for a moment.

"Well, no screams yet. I'll take that as a good sign."

Willow and Tara chuckled.

"You expected screams?" Willow asked.

"I always expect screams when I know someone's about to learn the truth."

"You done yet?" Jesse asked as he and Aysha returned.

"Yes," Willow said.

"You told he everything already?" Renee asked.

"No, not yet, just the basics."

"So you three are, like, real witches?" Aysha asked.

"Well, actually, we're wiccans," Willow said, "but, yes, we can do magic."

"Do you want a demonstration?" Lara asked.

Aysha frowned.

"Like what?" she asked and suddenly found herself floating in the air. "Hey!"

"Like that," Lara said and put her down again.

"That was you?"

"Yes."

"What, no chants?"

"We can do some things without chants," Willow said.

"Wow."

"Convinced that they're for real?" Renee asked.

"Yes, I guess so." She hesitated for a moment. "So I take it all those demons and vampires are for real too."

"Yes."

"And this spell will keep them out?"

"Yes."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Okay."

"Any more questions?"

"Too many. I'll let you and Jesse explain."

"Will you take Hope out?" Lara asked Renee.

"I don't know. Maybe later. I'll call you, okay?"

"Okay. Oh," she remembered. "Amir is moving into his new house tomorrow and I'll go help."

"You can call us," Tara volunteered.

"Yes," Willow agreed.

Renee smiled.

"Thanks."

"We'll go now," Willow said.

"Okay, I'll be seeing you," Renee said and escorted them to the door. "Bye."

"Bye."

Then she returned to Jesse and Aysha.

"Okay, Jesse, you want to tell her the rest?"

"Why don't you do it? You know much better what is going on."

"Okay."

When Cordelia got home, she and Faith embraced and kissed.

"Cordy!" Alice interrupted their kiss.

Cordelia smiled and picked up the girl.

"Hey, little lady," she said, smiling, and Alice giggled. She looked at Faith. "Mom home yet?"

"No. She said she'll be late."

"Oh."

"And speaking of late, you're late yourself."

"Yeah, well, you know demons, no sense of timing."

Faith grinned.

"Yeah."

"And Dennis insisted on helping me pack. Well, ghosts and packing don't mix."

Faith laughed.

"I bet. How's your arm?"

"Healed nicely."

"Good. I'm gonna show you the training room at the Magic Box tomorrow."

"Okay. How are Riley and Mrs Summers?"

"Okay, I think. Riley's had a surgery."

"Good."

"Come on, let's…"

"Hey, there's… Dad!"

Faith looked.

"Dad!"

By the time Mrs Chase stopped the car, the three girls had already opened the door.

"Daddy," Alice said and Cordelia had to let her father take hold of her.

"Hey, little lady," he said and got out of the car.

"Dad? Mom?" Faith asked, astonished.

Both parents smiled.

"I was released for the weekend," Mr Chase explained.

Faith and Cordelia hugged him.

"That's what I call a good sense of timing," Cordelia said and Faith grinned at her.

"Yes," she agreed. "Too bad they probably won't let you out again for the Thanksgiving."

"Can't have everything," Mr Chase said with a smile.

Let's…"

"Faith?" Cordelia asked, feeling Faith's tension.

Faith shook her head.

"I'll tell you later. Let's go inside," she said and ran inside.

Across the street, Mrs Spencer, hiding behind a tree, observed the family reunion and a sob escaped her as she wished it was her they were hugging. She sighed. She knew she had screwed up and now her girls had found a new family. She was happy for them.

When they disappeared into the house, she turned to leave.

"What are you doing here?"

She stopped, astonished.

"Faith," she said and smiled.

"What are you doing here?" Faith demanded again.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"Leave us alone. You had your chance and you blew it. I don't want you anywhere near Alice, is that clear?"

Mrs Spencer nodded.

"I didn't want you to see me, I just wanted to see that you were all right."

Faith snorted.

"Like you care," she said.

"I do." She hesitated for a moment. "I know I was a lousy mother and although I miss you now, I'm glad that you left and that you took Alice away." She paused. "I… I started to think after you left with Alice and I decided to change. It was hard, but I'm clean now. I moved and I'm taking classes. I even have a steady job."

"I don't care," Faith said. "It's too late."

"I know and I'm sorry. For everything." She hesitated for a moment. "I'm proud of you, Faith, and I love you and Alice, even though I never showed it. I'm glad you've found a new home." She rummaged through her purse, took out a piece of paper and wrote something on it. "My new address and phone number," she said and offered the paper to Faith.

"I don't want to know. I never want to see you again."

Mrs Spencer bit her teeth.

"Take it, please. I won't contact you again, but I would like you to have a way to contact me, in case you wanted to talk or something. Or if Alice…"

"Keep her out of this."

"Perhaps she will want to know me when she grows up. Please."

Faith stared at her mother for a few moments and then took the paper. Mrs Spencer smiled. She wanted to caress Faith, but she decided against it.

"Good bye, Faith," she said and left.

Faith stared after her. She wanted to scream. She was angry with her mother, but the fact that she had changed gave her hope. She hated her, but she still wanted to get to know her better. And, of course, there was her new family to consider, she didn't want to hurt Mr and Mrs Chase and she didn't want to risk them not liking her anymore.

She groaned and returned to the house.

"What's wrong?" Cordelia asked when she came to their room, feeling Faith's turmoil.

"Mom."

"Mom?"

"My mom. Spencer."

"What about her?"

Faith took a deep breath.

"She was here."

"Where?" Cordelia asked, confused.

"Across the street. She was watching us."

"Oh. And you went to talk to her?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

"And?"

Faith sighed.

"She… She said she was proud of me."

Cordelia put her arm around Faith.

"And?"

"And that she loved me and Alice." She paused for a moment. "She said she's changed and that she was clean. And she gave me her new address and phone number."

Cordelia glanced at the paper.

"But?"

Faith sighed again.

"I don't know. I love her and I hate her. I mean, I love Mom, your mom, but I love her too and I want to get to know her better." She paused. "But I love your mom and dad too."

"And you don't want to lose them."

Faith nodded.

"I don't know what to do," she said quietly.

Cordelia kissed her on the temple.

"Everything will be okay. I promise."

Faith nodded.

"Love you."

"Love you too," Cordelia said and took her hand. "Come, let's go downstairs."

Faith nodded and followed Cordelia downstairs.

"Mom, Dad, I need to talk to you," Cordelia said when they got to the living room. "Faith, take Alice."

Faith gulped and took Alice from Mr Chase. Mr and Mrs Chase then followed Cordelia into the kitchen. Faith hugged Alice tightly, sat on the sofa and waited.

"Cordelia?" Mrs Chase said when they got into the kitchen.

"Faith's mom, Mrs Spencer was here."

"Where?"

"Across the street. Faith saw her and talked to her. She says she's changed. And now she's confused. She loves you two, but she obviously still loves her mother. She's afraid that if she starts caring about her, you won't like her anymore. She doesn't want to lose a home."

Mr and Mrs Chase looked at each other, surprised.

"We better clear this," Mrs Chase said and Mr Chase nodded.

"Yes," he agreed and they went back to the living room.

Faith froze when they returned. He eyes were glued to Cordelia when she came to her, took Alice and left. Mr and Mrs Chase sat on either side of Faith and Mrs Chase took her hand. Faith looked at her, nervous, and Mrs Chase smiled.

"It's okay, Faith," she spoke. "We don't mind you loving your mother. We won't love you any less if you do."

"And we won't throw you out because of it," Mr Chase added. "You're a part of our family now, but we are aware that your biological mother is still alive and that you might want to get to know her better, if she had really changed. We won't stop you."

Faith hugged him.

"Thanks," she said hoarsely, a couple of tears slipping down her cheek.

Mrs Chase wiped the tears when they stopped hugging and caressed her.

"Now," Mr Chase said, "your mother mentioned something about a birthday party for Alice."

"My mother?" Faith asked, confused, thinking he meant Mrs Spencer. "Oh," she said when she realized that he meant Mrs Chase. "Yes. We ordered a cake and Cordelia and I are picking it up at six. We already bought her presents. Mom?"

"I bought her one as well," Mrs Chase said.

"Then I guess you'll have to be her present," Faith said to Mr Chase, who smiled.

"I guess so."

"Go check of everything is ready," Faith said when she and Cordelia came back with the cake.

Cordelia nodded and went inside.

She returned a few moments later.

"All clear," she said and Faith entered.

They went to the living room and prepared the cake.

"Where are the presents?" Faith then asked.

"In the kitchen. I'll get them, you get Mom and Dad and Alice."

"Okay," Faith said and went upstairs.

She found them in Alice's room, where Alice was showing Mr Chase around. Mrs Chase noticed her and Faith nodded at her. Then she felt.

Downstairs, Cordelia hid the presents behind the sofa.

"Are they coming?" she asked when Faith came downstairs.

"Yes. Alice is just showing Dad her room and it might take a couple of minutes."

"Oh."

"Where are the presents?"

"Behind the sofa."

"Good. The plates?"

"Ready."

"Okay."

They were about to sit on the sofa when they heard noise upstairs.

"They're coming," Cordelia said.

"Yes," Faith agreed and they stepped in front of the cake.

Mr and Mrs Chase came downstairs, Mr Chase carrying Alice. When they got to the table, Mr Chase put Alice down.

"Surprise!" Faith and Cordelia said in unison and stepped apart, letting Alice see the cake.

Alice smiled when she saw the cake.

"Happy birthday, little lady," Mr Chase said.

Alice looked at him, confused, and then at Faith and Cordelia.

"It's your birthday, Alice," Faith said, "and this is your birthday party. And when you make friends, you can invite them over for a birthday party. This cake is for you. And, of course," she added when Cordelia fetched the presents and spread them around, "these are your presents." She took her gift and shook Alice's hand." Happy birthday, Alice," she said, kissed her on the forehead and gave her the gift.

Cordelia was next and then Mrs Chase.

"Well, I guess I'll have to be the present myself," Mr Chase said when it was his turn and caressed her.

"And now the cake," Cordelia said as she lighted the candles.

"Come, Alice," Faith said and took her closer. "Make a wish and then blow out the candles. And don't tell us the wish."

Alice hesitated for a moment and then thought. When she decided what she wanted, she blew up the candles and everybody cheered.

"Okay, you can open up the presents now," Cordelia said. "I'll get the plates and then you can cut the cake."

Alice carefully started to unwrap the presents.

"You're supposed to tear the paper," Faith said, smiling.

Alice hesitated for a moment and then tore the paper off.

Cordelia returned just in time to see the look of happiness on her face as she examined her first gift.

"Don't you just love it?" she whispered to Faith as they watched Alice unwrap other presents.

Faith flashed a big smile.

"Yeah," she whispered back.

"Okay, cake time," Cordelia said when Alice unwrapped and inspected all the presents. "I'll help you cut the cake and after you eat it, you can go play with your presents."

Alice out the presents aside and went to the cake. Cordelia gave her the knife and then helped her cut the first slice.

"Mom, you wanna take it from here?" Cordelia then asked.

"Sure," Mrs Chase said and took the knife from Alice. She put the first slice in the plate and gave it to Alice. "First slice for the birthday girl."

Alice took the cake and started to eat it.

"Like it?" Faith asked and Alice nodded, her mouth full.

"Faith," Mrs Chase said and gave Faith a slice.

"Thanks."

"Mmm, reminds me of my tonsil examination, Dr Spencer," Cordelia whispered into Faith's ear and Faith nearly choked, blushing.

"Very funny," she hissed back and Cordelia grinned.

"Thought so too."

"Cordelia."

"Thanks," Cordelia said and took her slice.

Mrs Chase then cut a slice for her husband and finally for herself.

"Do you want another slice?" Mrs Chase asked, noticing that Alice had already finished her slice.

Alice hesitated for a moment and the nodded. Mrs Chase put away her plate for a moment and cut her another slice, which Alice devoured with equal delight.

"I'll get it," Renee said when the door bell rang.

"Okay, "Aysha agreed as she was in the middle of changing Hope's diapers.

Renee went to the door, opened it and froze, surprised.

"Mom. Dad," she said, not quite sure what to say, not having seen them since they had thrown her out.

"What are you doing here?" Mrs Jones demanded.

"I'm staying here."

"Did that friend of yours throw you out?"

"No, they're visiting her grandparents for the weekend and Jesse and Aysha said we could come over."

"We?

"Hope and me."

"Hope. The baby?"

"Yes."

"Who is it, Renee?"

"My parents!" Renee hesitated for a moment. "Come in."

Mr and Mrs Jones entered and Renee closed the door. She went to her room and her parents followed her.

"Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad," Jesse said as he came out of his study.

"Hello, Jesse," Mrs Jones said.

"Okay, Renee, she's as good as new," Aysha said and picked up Hope, who giggled. "I think I did everything right."

"Thanks, Aysha," Renee said as she took Hope from her.

"I'll go throw away the diapers."

"Okay."

Aysha took the dirty diapers and left. Hope, feeling her mother's discomfort, touched her face and babbled something. Rene mentally answered her questions until one of them hit a sore spot. She gave Hope to Jesse and ran out, holding back the tears.

"Renee?" Jesse asked, but Renee ignored him. He hesitated for a moment. "Mom, hold her for a moment," he said, giving Hope to the surprised Mrs Jones. "Hope, behave."

Hope babbled her promise and Jesse left to find Renee.

"Jesse," Mrs Jones protested, awkwardly holding the granddaughter she'd rather not have.

"Renee?" Jesse said softly when he found her in the living room, staring out the window, tears streaming down her cheeks. "What did she say?"

Renee sobbed.

"She… She wanted to know why I was feeling so uncomfortable. I told her about Mom and Dad and then she wanted to know about Monique's parents." She paused, sobbing. "And then… then she… she asked… about… him."

It took Jesse a moment to figure out whom she meant.

"The boy who raped you?"

Renee nodded, sobbing.

"I… I thought I had gotten over that, but it… it still hurts."

Jesse hugged her and she hugged him back.

"Perhaps you should tell her."

"But she's just a baby," Renee said, breaking the hug.

"Renee, she has seen what her future might have been like. She can handle it. The question is, can you?"

Renee sighed.

"I don't know." She frowned. "Where's Hope?"

"Mom's holding her."

"What?"

"Well, she and Dad were there and you were upset. I had to give her to someone."

Renee took a deep breath, nodding.

"Yes. Thanks."

Jesse smiled.

"That's what big brothers are for. Now, why don't you go wash your face and calm down a bit."

Renee nodded and left.

"Mrs Jones," Aysha said, surprised, when she returned. "Where are Jesse and Renee?"

"I don't know."

"You want me to take her?"

Mrs Jones hesitated for a moment and then gave Hope to Aysha.

"Hey, girl," Aysha cooed her, smiling.

Hope touched her and babbled something.

"I don't, know, honey. Let's go… Jesse. Where's Renee?"

"In the bathroom. She'll be right back." He looked at his parents. "Let's go to the living room."

He left and his parents followed him. Aysha waited for Renee.

"Renee. You okay?" she asked when Renee came in a few moments later, noticing that Renee had been crying.

Renee nodded.

"Yeah, fine," she said and took Hope.

"You sure?"

"Yes. I need to talk to Hope."

"Okay," Aysha said and left.

Renee sat on the bed and took a deep breath.

"Okay, baby, I'm ready."

Hope touched her face and babbled something.

"No, baby, it's not your fault, I was just… surprised."

She stopped talking and thought to Hope what had happened to her.

"Jesse, what is she doing here?" Mr Jones asked when they were in the living room.

"She's staying for the weekend."

"But think what…"

"I already told you, I don't give a rat's ass about what others say. She's my sister and I'm proud of her. If I had been here before, I would have taken her in instead of Monique."

"But…" Mrs Jones started.

"Mom, it's the end of the 20th century. Illegitimate children are nothing to be ashamed of, especially since it was not her fault to get pregnant in the first place. Hell, you should be proud of her for accepting the responsibility and for being such a wonderful mother. And believe me, she has a greater responsibility than you can imagine. Now, what do you want?"

The End