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 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.

Loving Yourself
By Kristjan Brezovnik

After defeating the First, they all went to LA. They went to Angel's hotel, so they could rest and recover. And mourn.

Although she liked Wood, Faith felt that he wasn't the one for her. In fact, she knew who she wanted, but that person was out of reach. She did take care of Wood though. And when she wasn't, she spent most of her time on the roof, staring over the city, thinking. Angel often joined her after nightfall. They didn't talk much, they just stared over the city, keeping each other company.

One night, about a week after their arrival, Buffy came up to the roof and nearly blew a gasket when she saw them, thinking that Faith was after him. Angel tried to calm her, but Faith didn't say a word, upset that Buffy thought so little of her. She listened to them arguing for a few moments and then went to her room.

She lay on her bed, trying not to think of Buffy, but that didn't seem possible. She thought about the time she'd spent with Buffy and she realized that Buffy had a great influence on her life. Too great an influence, in fact. She almost felt inferior, wanting Buffy's acknowledgement so badly. She realized she needed to pull herself together. She knew that a mere separation from Buffy wouldn't be enough, jail certainly didn't help, she needed to make something of herself. She needed to prove to herself that she was good, that she wasn't a loser. She decided to leave and do just that. Of course, she didn't want anyone to know that she was leaving, because they would try to stop her. So she just walked out of the hotel on the pretense of going to a store.

A couple of days later, when Faith was wandering around San Francisco, Willow suddenly stepped out of nowhere.

"Red," Faith said, surprised. "Ghost roads?"

"Yes," Willow said with a smile.

Faith sighed.

"What do you want?"

"We were worried when you just disappeared."

"It took you long enough to find me."

"I had to find something that belonged to you, before I could locate you."

"Oh."

Faith walked to a nearby bench and sat down.

"Are you okay?" Willow asked, following her.

"Yeah," Faith said, staring into the distance.

Willow followed her gaze. She frowned.

"You want to turn yourself in?" she asked when she saw a police station.

Faith shrugged.

"Maybe."

"Why?"

Faith glanced at her.

"I'm a fugitive, remember? I don't want to keep running."

"Oh, don't worry, I took care of that. You're not wanted anymore."

Faith looked at her, surprised.

"Really?"

Willow smiled a little.

"Yes."

Faith sighed.

"Thanks," she said, suddenly a bit scared, because she had no idea what to do in the future.

Willow hesitated for a moment.

"Eh, I also noticed that your records have been faked."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it said you were 18 when you… You know, when you came to town."

Faith frowned.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I had a fake ID, that's all."

"I think the Mayor took care of that."

"Oh."

Willow hesitated again.

"You were only 13."

Faith looked at her hands and didn't answer.

"You're barely older than Dawn."

"So?" Faith said, and looked at her. "Would it have made any difference to you?"

"I think so."

"Why? Because I was so young?"

"Yes."

"That's why I didn't want you to know. Not that you ever bothered to ask. Or check. I didn't want you to treat me like a kid."

"Maybe it would've made a difference."

Faith snorted.

"It would've made it worse."

Willow sighed.

"Anyway, you shouldn't even go to jail, because you were a minor." She frowned. "You're still a minor."

"Whatever."

"I noticed you took the GED in jail."

Faith shrugged.

"I had plenty of time."

"Yes, but you also got good grades."

"You sound surprised."

Willow smiled.

"Well, you never liked school." She frowned. "At least that's what you said."

"I don't." She thought for a moment. "Does Buffy know?"

"No. She was busy interrogating demons when I located you. She was out most of the time, so I didn't have the chance to tell her about you yet. Plus, I heard she and Angel had an argument over you, so I decided to talk to you first."

"Oh. Don't tell her."

"You don't want her to know?"

"No."

"Why not?"

Faith shook her head.

"Just don't."

Willow thought for a few moments.

"What happened? Angel was pretty upset. Well, I mean, for him. He wouldn't tell what happened, and Buffy said she messed up."

Faith sighed.

"At least she admits it."

"Was it bad?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"It… hurt," she then admitted.

"Oh," Willow said, surprised.

Faith shrugged.

"I got over it."

Willow thought for a few moments.

"What are you going to do now?

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know. Slay, I guess."

"Will you let me know how to contact you? You know, in case we need you."

Faith thought about it.

"Sure. Just don't let Buffy know."

"Okay."

They were quiet for a few moments.

"Um, I don't have any documents," Faith then said. "Can you help me out?"

Willow smiled.

"Sure."

Faith thought for a moment.

"You have a phone?"

"Yes."

"Give me your number, so I can contact you."

"I will. I'll come back tomorrow morning."

"Okay. Oh, and Angel's number too, I need to call him."

"Sure. We can meet here at, say, 11 am?"

"Okay." Faith thought for a moment. "Can you do some sort of blocking spell?"

"Why?"

"Because I don't want Buffy to find me."

Willow thought about it.

"Sure."

"Cool. Thanks."

Willow smiled.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

She got up, looked around to make sure nobody was watching, and then opened a portal to the ghost roads and left.

Faith sighed. On one hand, she was relieved, because she didn't have to run anymore, but on the other, she was a bit scared, because she didn't know what to do next. She decided to go slay and then sleep it over.

A couple of days later, after Willow had brought her her papers and did the blocking spell, Faith decided to go to college. She needed some sort of goal in her life, something more than just roaming around and slaying. She wasn't a big fan of school, but she felt the need to prove to herself that she could do it. Unfortunately, she had no idea how to go about it. After thinking about it for a while, she decided to go to a library and see if they had any books on colleges.

When she entered the building, she was a bit unsure what to do, because she suddenly realized she wasn't a member. She decided to go ask a librarian.

"Can I help you?"

Faith jerked, startled, and looked at the old man. She gave him a once over.

"Eh, are you a librarian?"

"Yes."

"Eh, I'm looking for some sort of book on colleges. You know, what they teach, how much it costs and stuff."

"Oh, there's plenty of literature."

"Oh."

"Come, let's see what we have."

"Eh, I'm not a member."

"That's okay, you'll just leave your ID at the counter."

"Oh. Okay."

After the librarian gave her a couple of books, Faith quickly checked out the tables of contents. There was lots of stuff and there were many colleges, so Faith felt a bit lost. She decided to check out a random college and see what she should expect.

The librarian soon noticed that she was lost, so he came closer.

"Do you need help?"

Faith looked at him. She hesitated for a moment.

"Eh, yeah."

The librarian grabbed a chair and sat next to her.

"You're going to college?"

"I hope so," Faith said.

"Have you applied yet?"

"Eh, no."

"Hmm. Any preferences?"

Faith shrugged.

"As long as it's cheap," she said. "And not in LA or Boston," she quickly added.

The librarian thought for a few moments.

"Hmm, there are a couple I can recommend," he then said. "Let's see what they offer, and then I can show you how to write an application, if you want."

"Okay," Faith said, glad that she was finally getting somewhere.

"Good."

Having chosen several potential colleges and sent the applications, Faith went to Chicago. UIC was just one of several choices and she hoped that she would get accepted there. When she got herself a place to stay, she decided to call Angel. She knew she should've done it sooner, and she felt a bit guilty. Of course, letting him know she was okay wasn't the only reason.

"Yes?" Angel answered the phone.

Faith took a deep breath.

"Hey, big guy."

There was a brief pause.

"Faith?"

"Yeah."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry about Buffy…"

"Don't worry about it, I got over it."

"Where are you?"

"Chicago."

"Chicago?"

"Yeah." She hesitated for a moment. "I want to go to college, and I'm hoping I'll get accepted to UIC."

"Really?" Angel said, surprised. "That's good."

"Yeah. Listen, eh, Willow brought me my papers, and it says that I live at your hotel."

"Really?"

"Yeah. That's why I used your address when I sent out the applications."

"I see."

"So, eh, could you check the mail for me?"

"Yes, sure."

"Thanks. And don't tell anyone, especially not Buffy."

"I won't. And Willow?"

"She doesn't know where I am. She did a blocking spell on me, so I can be located with magic."

"I see."

"Don't worry, I'll call you. Or you can call me."

"Sure."

Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks. I'll talk to you later then."

"Okay. And good luck, Faith."

"Thanks."

Faith hung up and took a deep breath. Now, all she had to do was get a job and wait. And decide what to major in.

When the replies finally came, Faith was relieved that she got accepted to UIC. Fortunately, the old librarian had given her plenty of advice, so she didn't have any major problems getting enrolled. It was a big campus, but Faith had scouted it out before, so she knew her way around. She also applied for a room at the dorm and was relieved when she got it. She quickly packed what little stuff she had and moved in. She knew she had a roommate, but she could live with it, as long as she didn't get too nosy.

One day, when she got back to the dorm after finishing her afternoon self-defense class, she noticed that there were boxes in the room. She realized that her roommate had arrived. She wondered what the girl was like.

She didn't have to wait long.

"Oh, hi," the girl said when she saw Faith. "Are you Faith?" she asked, and put her box on the floor.

"Yeah."

"I'm Jenny, your roommate," Jenny introduced herself. "This is my brother Derek," she introduced the young man who came in after her.

"Hey," Faith said.

"Hi," Derek said.

"We just got two more boxes," Jenny said, "we'll be right back."

Jenny and Derek left and Faith took a deep breath. She thought for a moment, if she had anything to hide. She was relieved when she realized that the only weapon she had was a stake she'd made in San Francisco. She sighed and walked to the window.

"Okay, thanks, Derek," Jenny said when they put down the last two boxes.

"I'll bring the TV next week," Derek said.

"Okay. Thanks."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Derek left, closing the door.

Jenny sat on her bed and took a deep breath.

"Where are you from?"

"Boston," Faith said and sat on her bed.

"I'm from Seattle. I'm taking chemistry as my major. You?"

"Archeology."

"Really? Cool."

Faith took off her shoes and grabbed a book.

"Anything interesting?" Jenny asked her.

Faith showed her the front cover.

"You're studying?"

"No, I just like to be prepared."

"Oh." Jenny got up. "I'll take care of my stuff then."

"Okay," Faith said, and continued reading.

After a while, Faith noticed that Jenny had a laptop. She'd used a computer in jail, but that was about it. But she was in college now and she knew she would probably have to use it. She hesitated for a moment.

"Eh, Jenny?"

Jenny looked at her.

"Yes?"

Faith hesitated again.

"Can you teach me how to use a computer?"

Jenny frowned.

"You never used a computer before?"

"I have, but not much. I'm not really an expert."

Jenny smiled.

"Sure, no problem. And you can use it, if you need to write a paper or do some research. I'll create an account for you."

"Eh, thanks," Faith said, having no idea what Jenny was talking about.

"And you can show me around here."

"Sure. We can go out when you're done."

"Okay. Cool."

A couple of months later, when Faith was just doing some research, there was a knock on the door.

"I'll go," Faith said and got up. She stretched and went to open up. "Yeah?" she said when she saw a strange man.

"Eh, I'm looking for Faith Spencer."

Faith tensed.

"Why?"

"Are you Faith?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Yes."

"You were born December 14, 1984? In Boston?"

"Yes," Faith said, getting slightly nervous.

The man smiled.

"I can't believe I actually found you." He held out his hand. "Hi, I'm Dean Cross. I'm a private detective."

Faith tensed, ready to fight.

"So?"

"Your grandparents hired me to find you."

"Huh?" Faith said, surprised.

"Your father's parents. They've been looking for you for the past couple of years."

"Why?"

"They found out that your mother had died, so they wanted to take you in."

Faith bit her teeth.

"Don't tell them you found me."

"I already have."

"Then tell them that I don't want them to contact me."

"You don't?" Cross said, surprised.

"No."

"Oh." Cross thought for a moment. Then he took a notebook from his pocket and wrote something. "Here," he said and gave her a piece of paper he tore out of his notebook. "It's your grandparents' address and phone number, in case you change your mind."

Faith took the paper and glanced at it.

"Anything else?"

"Eh, no."

"Just don't forget to tell them not to contact me."

"I will."

Faith closed the door in his face. She looked at the piece of paper. Then she crumpled it and threw it in the bin.

Jenny, who had quietly observed the conversation, went to the bin and took out the piece of paper.

"What are you doing?" Faith asked.

"Making sure you won't regret it," Jenny said and straightened the paper.

"I don't want to talk to them."

"Why?"

"Because we don't have anything to talk about. I didn't even know I had grandparents."

Jenny sat on her bed.

"You're not curious why?"

"No."

"They obviously want to talk to you, I mean, they hired a private detective to find you."

"Yeah, and where were they when my mom was still alive?"

Jenny realized what the problem was.

"Your mom was a…"

"A bitch," Faith finished.

"Sorry."

Faith sighed.

"Yeah."

"If you don't contact your grandparents, you'll never know why they stayed away." Jenny got up and went to Faith's desk. "Here, in case you change your mind."

Faith took the paper and looked at it. She knew Jenny had a point, the problem was, with her past, she didn't feel like she deserved grandparents. She sighed and put the paper aside.

Another couple of months later, Faith finally decided to write her grandparents a letter. In it, she wrote about her past, about killing two people and going to jail. She knew they would be shocked, but she wanted them to know all the bad things she'd done, so they could decide if they still wanted to meet her. She did leave out the Slayer stuff. Then she waited.

A week later, she got a reply. She was very nervous, because she hoped that they would still want to meet her.

When she opened the letter and read the first paragraph, she was relieved, they did still want to meet her. They didn't understand why she had killed those people and they wanted to know, but they didn't pressure her. She read on and found out that she also had an aunt, her father's sister, an uncle and two cousins. It made her feel good that she had a family somewhere, even though she felt she didn't deserve it.

After exchanging letters for several months, Faith, after much convincing from Jenny, decided to visit them. She wanted to come for spring break, and her grandparents agreed.

When Faith got to the address the detective had given her, she was nervous. She stared at the house for a few moments and then approached the door. She hesitated for a moment. Then she took a deep breath and rang the bell.

Finally the door opened.

"Eh…" Faith started nervously.

"Faith!" Mrs Spencer said with a smile.

She stepped forward and hugged Faith, who tensed, startled.

"Why didn't you call when you were coming?" Mrs Spencer asked when she stopped hugging Faith. "We would have come to pick you up."

Faith shrugged.

"I wanted to take a look around."

"Oh. Well, come in, come in."

Faith entered, and Mrs Spencer closed the door.

"Alex!" she called. "Alex, Faith is here!"

Mr Spencer came from the living room. He smiled when he saw Faith.

"Hello, Faith," he said. "Welcome home."

"Eh, thanks."

"Come, let me show you to your room," Mrs Spencer said.

Mrs Spencer headed upstairs, and Faith followed her, looking around curiously.

"That is the bathroom, that is our bedroom, that is the guest room, your aunt's room and this is your father's room," Mrs Spencer gave Faith a quick tour.

Faith entered her father's room and looked around. There were no photos of him or other personal belongings, but it made Faith feel strangely well.

"Why don't you freshen up first," Mrs Spencer said. "Are you hungry?"

"Eh, no," Faith said.

"Okay. We'll be downstairs."

"Okay."

Mrs Spencer left.

Faith put her bag down and looked around. She went to the window and looked out. She could see the backyard. She stared out for a few moments, wondering what her life might have been like if her father had still been alive.

She finally shook her head, pushing the useless thoughts away. She went to the bathroom to freshen up, and then she went downstairs. She found her grandparents in the living room. She hesitated for a moment, nervous, and then joined them.

"How long are you staying?" Mr Spencer asked.

Faith shrugged.

"Don't know."

"If you can, you're welcome to stay the entire spring break," Mrs Spencer said.

"Eh, thanks."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then sat down.

They stared at each other for a few moments.

"And, how is college?"

Faith shrugged.

"Okay."

Mr Spencer chuckled.

"This is awkward. Let's show her some pictures of her father and her when she was little."

"Okay," Mrs Spencer and took the photo album from the coffee table. "Come closer."

Faith moved closer, and Mrs Spencer opened the album.

"There a couple of older pictures of your dad," Mrs Spencer said. "Do you want to see them?"

"Sure."

Mrs Spencer showed Faith the photos of her father and told her what the occasion was. When they got to her father meeting her mother, Faith tensed. They both looked so happy in the photos, and her mom actually looked pretty, not the wreck she was later. Then they finally got her. She looked so tiny, and her parents looked so happy.

The photos continued for a few years and then they stopped.

"That's it?" Faith asked.

"That's when your father died," Mrs Spencer said.

"Oh." Faith sighed. "Thanks."

"Do you want us to make you a couple of copies so you can put them on your nightstand?" Mr Spencer offered.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

"Yeah."

"Which ones do you want?"

Faith leafed through the album.

"This one," she then decided and pointed at a photo of her and father posing.

"Just this one?" Mrs Spencer asked, surprised.

"Yeah." Faith thought for a moment. "Can you make two copies?"

"Sure," Mr Spencer said.

"Thanks."

"Oops," Mrs Spencer said when she heard noise from the kitchen. "I forgot I was cooking," she said and quickly left.

Mr Spencer and Faith sat quietly, both feeling a bit awkward.

"Tell you what," Mr Spencer finally said, "this is very awkward. Why don’t you do, I don’t know, what you usually do. And if you need to talk to us, you know where to find us."

"Yeah," Faith said, relieved. She got up, but then she stopped. "Can you show me where Dad’s buried?"

Mr Spencer smiled.

"Sure. We can go after lunch."

"Okay."

After checking out the house, Faith watched some cartoons on TV until lunch. After lunch, she watched some cartoons again and then went to the back yard and practiced. After a couple of minutes, she could feel she was being watched by her grandparents, but she ignored them and finished her routine.

"Was that tai ji?" her grandfather asked when she got back inside.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"It looked like you're very good at it."

"I am."

Mr Spencer smiled.

"Do you teach tai ji?"

"Not really, just self-defense."

"Oh."

"I mean, I use tai ji stuff, but I don’t teach the routines."

"I see. Tom trains karate."

"Yeah, I know."

"I’ll bet he’ll want to spar with her," Mrs Spencer said with a smile as she approached.

"Yes," Mr Spencer agreed.

Faith groaned internally, she really didn’t need that.

"Faith, I’m going shopping," Mrs Spencer said. "Want to come along?"

Faith thought about it. She was a bit nervous about it, but she decided to go along.

"Sure."

"Great. And then we can go visit your father’s grave."

Faith tensed.

"Okay."

When they got to her father’s grave, Faith stared at the tombstone for a minute or so.

"Thanks," she then said in a course voice.

Mrs Spencer smiled.

"You’re welcome. Come."

In the evening, Faith went out on patrol. Her grandparents were worried about it, but they didn’t insist that she stay home. She stuck close to her grandparents’ house for a while, wanting to get to know the neighborhood, but then she decided to visit her father’s grave. It was a long walk, so she ran.

When she got to her father’s grave, she stared at it for a while and then sat on her knees. She just stared at the grave, feeling sad and happy at the same time.

When she finally broke out of her reverie, she glanced at her watch. Over an hour had passed, so she decided to go back. She did a quick round around her grandparents’ neighborhood, killing a couple of vamps and a demon she didn’t know and then went home, not wanting to worry her grandparents too much.

A couple of days later, she expanded her patrol route and stayed out longer. She was just on her way back home when she heard sounds of fighting. She didn’t know if it was demon-related or not and she ran to investigate.

As she got closer, her Slayer senses went off and she knew it was demon-related. She got her stake ready. When she finally saw the combatants, she quickly realized that the girl was a Slayer. She noticed that the girl could handle herself, but that she was on the defensive.

They Slayer and the demon soon noticed her and they both kept an eye on her. The demon quickly realized that he was the target and he turned toward Faith, who engaged him as soon as she reached him.

The younger Slayer took a deep breath, relieved, and then helped Faith.

The demon realized he was in trouble and tried to escape, but Faith and the new Slayer didn’t let him, and they quickly killed him.

"Thanks," the younger Slayer said, relieved.

Faith looked at her.

"You’re welcome."

"Kim!"

The Slayer, Kim, and Faith both turned.

"Hey," Kim said with a smile when the younger girl came closer.

"Are you okay?" the girl asked.

"Yeah. She helped me out," Kim said and pointed at Faith.

The girl frowned.

"You’re new here."

"Yeah," Faith said.

"What’s your name?" Kim asked.

"Faith."

"I’m Kim and this is Tallulah."

"Hi," Tallulah said.

Faith stared at them for a moment.

"How old are you?"

"I’m seventeen," Kim said.

"Fourteen," Tallulah said.

Faith sighed.

"You?" Kim asked.

"Eighteen."

"Did you have to take that test?" Tallulah asked.

"Test?" Faith asked.

"Yeah, you know, when Slayers turned eighteen, they were made to pass a test. My Watcher told me about it."

"The Cruciamentum?"

"Yes."

"No."

"Where are you from?" Kim asked.

"Boston."

"Have you moved here or are you just passing through."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I’m visiting."

"How long are you staying?"

"A couple of weeks." Faith thought for a moment. "Do your Watchers know you slay together?"

"Yes. They insist on it. Safety in numbers, you know."

"Oh."

"You slay alone?" Tallulah asked.

"Yeah."

"Cool."

Faith thought for a moment.

"You like being Slayers?"

Kim shrugged.

"It’s okay. I like the adrenaline rush."

"Me too," Tallulah said, excited.

"Just don’t get too cocky or careless."

"Don’t worry, I’m still nervous when I take on more than two vamps."

"Good."

"Wait," Kim said, thinking, "you’re Faith. From Boston."

"Yeah," Faith said, realizing that Kim had figured out who she was.

"You’re the Slayer. I mean, one of the Chosen Two."

"You mean Faith as in ‘Faith and Buffy’ Faith?" Tallulah asked.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"Cool!" Tallulah said, excited. "I can’t believe I get to meet one of the Chosen Two."

"Yeah," Kim agreed. "Do you think you could show us some tricks?"

Faith shrugged.

"Sure."

"Cool."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Do me a favor, will you? Don’t tell your Watchers about me."

"Why not?" Tallulah asked.

"Because I don’t trust Watchers."

"Oh. Okay."

"But where will we practice?" Kim asked.

Faith shrugged an looked around.

"Anywhere."

"Oh."

"Do you have time?" Tallulah asked.

"Sure. Why?"

"We’re going on patrol. Wanna come with us?"

Faith thought about it.

"Okay."

Tallulah smiled, excited.

"Great." She looked at Kim. "Where’s your car?"

"Over there," Kim said and pointed.

"Let’s go."

"You go out in a car?" Faith asked as they walked toward the car.

"Yes," Kim said. "It’s a big city, plus, it comes in handy, if we need to make a quick getaway."

"Oh."

When the spring break was over, Faith went back to Chicago.

"Hey!" Jenny said when she came into their room.

"Hey," Faith said.

"How was your break?"

"Okay."

"And the family?"

"Okay."

"Do you regret going there?"

Faith shook her head.

"No."

Jenny smiled.

"Are you going back?"

"Yeah."

Then Jenny noticed the photo on Faith’s nightstand.

"Your dad?"

Faith glanced at the photo.

"Yeah."

"Nice."

"Yeah." Faith sighed. "And you? Did you have fun?"

"It was okay. No school stuff."

Faith grinned.

"Yeah."

"Wanna go out tonight?"

"Sure."

A couple of weeks later, Faith saved a man and his son from a couple of vamps.

"Daddy!" the boy called when his father fell down after Faith dusted the vamps.

Faith kneeled beside him and checked his pulse. It was week. She covered the wound with her hand to slow down the bleeding.

"Daddy?"

Faith looked at the boy.

"Do you have a handkerchief or something?"

The boy shook his head.

"Uh-uh."

"Damn."

Faith thought for a few moments and then noticed that the man had a t-shirt under his shirt. She ripped open the shirt and tore off a piece of the t-shirt. Then she wrapped the cloth around the neck. She looked around to regain her orientation. Then she looked at the boy.

"There’s a hospital a couple of blocks away. Are you okay?"

The boy nodded.

"Yes."

"Okay, let’s go." Faith picked up the man. "Come."

Then she started running toward the hospital, the boy following her.

When they got to the hospital, the nurses took over, and Faith took the boy to the information, so he could call his mother. Then they waited.

When the boy was safely with his mother, Faith went home. As she walked down a corridor, she noticed a heated argument. A tough looking woman was arguing with a couple of nurses, who were obviously afraid of her. When Faith came closer and saw the look in the woman's eyes, she could understand why. There was fear in them, and Faith knew that the woman was acting on instincts. She went closer, just in case.

Then two security officers came, and Faith realized that something bad was about to happen. She moved quickly, and reached the woman just in time to kick the gun from her hand. The woman looked at her, surprised, and then attacked her. The security officers pulled their guns, but they couldn't use them because Faith was in the way.

Faith quickly realized that the woman was a good fighter, way beyond a street fighter, and strong as well. Still, the look in her eyes told Faith the woman needed help, so she made sure she was between the woman and the security officers.

Because the woman was distracted by her fears, Faith quickly immobilized her.

"Calm down," she then told her.

"Let me go!" the woman screamed, and Faith had to use all her strength to hold her.

"What's wrong?"

The woman looked at her, surprised, and the crazy look in her eyes turned into a lost one.

"They won't let me stay with Caitlin," the woman said, and gulped.

"Caitlin?"

"My… My girlfriend," the woman said quietly.

They stared at one another for a few moments, and then Faith let her go. She got up and offered the woman her hand. The woman looked at her, surprised, and then accepted it. When the woman was up, Faith turned to the nurses.

"Let her stay," she said.

"But…" one of the nurses started to object.

"You're here to help people, right? Heal them and stuff?"

"Eh, yes."

"Then let her stay. She won't be in the way, she just needs to be here."

The nurses looked at one another.

"I… I'll have to ask my superior."

"We'll wait."

The nurses left.

Faith looked at the woman.

"You'll stay out of the way and let the doctors do their stuff."

The woman nodded, suddenly feeling tired.

The security officers came closer, still vary.

"Ma'am…" one of them started.

"She won't be causing any more problems," Faith said.

"The gun," the other one said as he picked it up.

The woman sighed.

"I'm a cop," she said and ran her fingers through her hair. "Detective Juanita Sanchez, Vice." She took a deep breath. "My girlfriend was shot by the people I was investigating."

"You're worried they might come after her?"

Juanita nodded.

"Yes."

"Ma'am, we'll have to report this incident," the first officer said.

Juanita nodded.

"I know."

The second officer hesitated for a moment and then gave her back her gun.

"I would appreciate it if you didn't threaten the personnel with it," he said.

"I won't." She sighed. "I'm sorry."

"We'll keep an eye out for any suspicious persons, and I'll have someone watch this room," the first officer said.

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

The nurses returned with a doctor.

"I'm sorry I flipped out," Juanita told the nurses.

"Are you hurt?" the doctor asked Faith when she saw the bloody t-shirt.

Faith glanced at herself.

"No, it's not my blood."

"Whose is it?"

"Some guy's. He was wounded and I brought him here."

"I see."

"This is Detective Sanchez," the first security officer said when the doctor looked at Juanita. "Apparently her girlfriend was shot by the people she was investigating, and there is danger that they might try to finish their job."

"I see," the doctor said.

"We'll keep an eye on the room, but if Detective Sanchez wants to stay, I see no reason why she can't, provided, of course, that she behaves."

"I see," the doctor said again, closely observing Juanita. "Very well," she finally decided. "But there is one condition, Detective."

Juanita tensed.

"What?"

"After your girlfriend is released, you go see a shrink."

Juanita's eyes went wide.

"But…"

"Take it or leave it."

Juanita gulped. She didn't want to talk to a shrink, but if it meant that they would let her stay with Caitlin, she would do it.

"Fine."

"Good. I'll let your superior know." She smiled. "You're in luck."

Juanita frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm the shrink," the doctor said and left.

"Shit," Juanita murmured, and sighed. She looked at Faith. "Thanks."

Faith smiled softly.

"You're welcome."

Juanita suddenly became aware that people were staring at her.

"I'll, eh, be in that room," she told the security officers and quickly left.

"We'll need your statement," the security officer then told Faith.

Faith sighed.

"Yeah, sure."

When Faith got back to the dorm, Jenny was not there. Faith quickly took off the shirt, folded it up and threw it on the floor. Then she got herself another t-shirt. In that moment, Jenny came in.

"Hey," she said with a smile. "Didn't expect you back yet."

"Yeah. I'm going out again," Faith said, hoping Jenny wouldn't notice the t-shirt.

"Is that blood?"

"Crap," Faith said under her breath. "Yeah."

"What happened? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"What happened?"

Faith shrugged.

"I helped some wounded guy. Got the blood on my shirt."

"Oh. Is he okay?"

"He's in the hospital. The doctor said he'll be okay."

"Oh."

Faith picked up the ruined t-shirt and threw it in the trash bin.

"I'm going out."

"Okay."

The next day, Faith found out that a TA named Caitlin was in the hospital. She guessed that it was Juanita's girlfriend. She decided to go see her. She dropped by a fast food restaurant and bought something to eat, having a feeling that Juanita would rather go hungry than leave her girlfriend's side.

"Hey," she said when she entered.

"Hi," Juanita said with a frown, surprised to see her.

"I brought you something to eat," Faith said as she came closer.

"Eh, thanks," Juanita said as she took the food.

Faith looked at Caitlin.

"It is her," she said, recognizing her.

"You know her?"

"She's a TA in one of my classes."

"Oh."

"I'm Faith, by the way. How is she?"

"She's still out, but the doctors say she'll be okay."

"Good."

Faith grabbed a chair and sat down.

Juanita stared at her for a moment and then started eating.

When Juanita was done with the food, she thought for a while.

"Why did you help me?" she finally asked.

Faith glanced at her and shrugged.

"I recognized the look in your eyes."

"What look?"

"Fear. You were acting on instincts."

Juanita sighed, and looked at Caitlin.

"I've never been so scared before."

Faith didn't respond, she knew how it felt.

"Do you love her?" she asked after a few moments.

Juanita tensed.

"Yes," she said quietly.

"Did you tell her?"

Juanita sighed.

"I'm not good with words."

Faith sighed sadly.

"Me neither."

Juanita glanced at her.

"You got a boyfriend? Or girlfriend?"

Faith shook her head.

"No."

"But there is someone."

Faith nodded.

"Yeah. But we're not together."

"What happened?"

Faith sighed.

"Me."

Juanita frowned, but the she guessed.

"You messed up."

Faith nodded.

"Yeah. I mean, we both had our problems, but I was way too screwed up for her." She thought for a moment. "I think I scared her in a way."

"You hit her?"

Faith looked at her hands.

"Much worse." She sighed. "But she wasn't all that comfortable around me even before I went to the dark side."

"Oh."

Faith thought for a few moments.

"You think those who did this will come after her?" she changed the subject.

"Not those guys."

Faith looked at her.

"You killed them," she said.

Juanita sighed.

"When I got to her house, they were raping her. I killed them, but one of them managed to shoot her."

Faith didn't respond. She remembered witnessing her first Watcher get killed, and she shuddered.

"It wasn't your fault," she then said.

Juanita looked at her.

"Of course it was my fault!" she snapped. "If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have been raped and nearly killed."

"Did you rape her?"

"Eh, no," Juanita said, startled.

"Did you shoot her?"

"No," Juanita said, frowning.

"Then it wasn't your fault."

"But…"

"How many drug dealers have you put behind bars?"

Juanita's frown deepened.

"Don't know. A lot."

"And how many people did you save by doing that?"

Juanita shrugged.

"I don't know."

"A lot."

"But Caitlin got hurt because they wanted to hurt me."

Faith sighed.

"Someone always gets hurt, sometimes those you care about. But if you stop, the bad guys win."

Juanita stared at Faith for a few moments, wondering just who she was.

"Do you know where their friends are?" Faith asked.

Juanita took a deep breath to calm down.

"Yeah."

"Want me to take care of them?"

"You?" Juanita said, surprised.

"Yeah."

"They're dangerous. If they see you, they'll kill you."

Faith smiled.

"Don't worry, I can take care of myself."

Juanita looked at Caitlin, thinking about it.

"I don't want you to get killed."

Faith smiled.

"Me neither. And besides, if they're in jail, they won't be able to hurt Caitlin."

Juanita tensed.

"I need to think about it."

"Okay."

"Come back in a couple of hours, when it gets dark. I'll have someone bring over the file."

"Okay." Faith hesitated for a moment and then got up. "She'll be okay," she said softly.

Juanita smiled.

"Yeah."

Faith smiled back and then left.

Juanita looked back at Caitlin and sighed. What Faith had said had lessened the guilt somewhat, but it was still there. At least she had something to think about now.

After she got back to the dorm, Faith tried to study, but her mind kept going back to Juanita and Caitlin. She didn't know Caitlin very well, she seemed to be the quiet type, but she had felt that there was something strange about her. And Juanita, well, she was a lot like her, and it brought back the memories of her childhood, memories she would rather forget.

When it got dark, she went back to the hospital.

"Hey," she said as she entered.

"Hey," Juanita said, and smiled a little.

"Brought you some more food."

"Thanks."

Juanita took the food and put it on the nightstand.

Faith sat beside her, not mentioning the folder she noticed on the nightstand.

"Did they say when she's gonna wake up?" she asked.

"They're hoping that in a couple of days."

"Will she fully recover?"

"I think so."

"Good."

They were quiet for a few moments.

"You sure you can take them?" Juanita then asked.

Faith looked at her.

"Yes. And don't worry, I'm not gonna kill them."

Juanita sighed. She hesitated for a moment and then took the folder.

When Juanita was done explaining everything, Faith thought for a moment. Unlike a couple of years ago, when she became a Slayer, she wanted a plan, because she wanted to live.

"I'll need your jacket, your gun and your handcuffs."

Juanita frowned.

"Why?"

"They will only see me from afar, so the jacket will make them think I'm you. I'll need the gun to disarm them if necessary."

"Can you shoot?"

"Yeah," Faith lied.

Juanita hesitated for a few moments.

"You're sure you can do this? I don't want you to get killed."

Faith smiled, feeling glad that Juanita was worried about her.

"Yes."

Juanita sighed, still not sure about it.

"Okay," she then decided, wanting to take care of the bad guys as soon as possible. She took off her jacket and gave them it Faith. "Here."

Faith took off her jacket and put on Juanita's. Then she took Juanita's gun, clips and handcuffs.

"I suggest you wait by the door, in case they send someone while I'm away," Faith suggested.

Juanita nodded.

"Yeah."

"I'll knock three times when I return."

"Okay."

"I'll be…" Faith frowned. "You got a car?"

"Yeah."

"Downstairs?"

"Yeah."

"I'll take it. It'll be faster that way."

Juanita took the car keys from her pocket and gave them to Faith.

"I'll be back as fast as I can," Faith said and went to the door.

"Good luck," Juanita said.

Faith smiled at her as she opened the door.

"Thanks," she said and left.

Juanita took a deep breath, worried. She grabbed a chair and went to the door.

When Faith got to the warehouse, she first scouted out the place. There were about ten thugs and four of the men Juanita had shown her. There were also guards outside, but she quickly took care of them. Since the cars were inside and could only get out through the main gate, Faith knew she would have to disable the door. But first, she went to the power generator and disabled it.

She waited for a few moments, listening, and then hid. Four men came to see what was the matter. Faith quickly took care of them. Then she ran to the front of the warehouse and quickly took care of the thug there. She heard the cars revving up, so she quickly shot the control mechanism of the gate, disabling it.

The thugs started shooting at her, so she quickly took cover. Since she was a Slayer, she could easily make them out. She quickly shot the tires of the cars, and then started taking out the men. Since they couldn't see her very well, she could take them out with one powerful blow to the head.

When the thugs were taken care of, Faith realized she had a bit of a problem, namely the bosses, who had locked themselves in their limo. She thought for a moment and then went to one of the cars. She turned it around and started crashing into the limo with all speed. The limo moved, but the material held, until the limo hit the wall. Then the doors started to dent and the windows cracked.

The bosses finally realized that they were facing a crazy cop and that they should surrender.

"We surrender!"

Faith got out of the car and jumped on the roof of the limo.

"Get out, one by one, hands first, facing away from the limo," she said, trying to imitate Juanita's voice. "Slowly."

The three men slowly got out.

"Step away from the car and put your hands behind your head," Faith instructed them.

The men did so.

Faith got off the limo and took the handcuffs. When she started cuffing the most important boss, the one next to him decided to attack her. Faith quickly kicked him in the head, knocking him out. She pushed the one she was cuffing into the other one and then banged their heads together, knocking them out. Seeing that all of the bad guys were out, she took a deep breath. Now all she had to do was get them all together and tie them up.

When there was a knock on the door, Juanita tensed. But then two more followed, and the door slowly opened.

"It's me."

Juanita breathed a sigh of relief when she recognized Faith's voice.

"How did it go?" she asked as Faith closed the door.

"Got them all," Faith said as she gave Juanita her gun. She took off the jacket. "There were sixteen thugs and four of the bosses. I knocked them out and tied them up. They're all okay. You should go there before they wake up." She gave her the car keys. "Here."

"You took out nineteen guys without harming anyone?" Juanita said, surprised.

"Well, they'll be sore," Faith said and smiled. "There's a generator at the back, but I took it out. I also blocked the main gate, so they couldn't leave with their cars."

"Oh."

"Go, before they wake up. I'll watch Caitlin."

Juanita looked at Caitlin and took a deep breath, reluctant to leave her.

"I'll keep her safe, I promise," Faith said.

Juanita looked at her and nodded.

"Thanks."

"Oh, eh, don't do anything you might regret later."

Juanita stared at her for a moment and then nodded.

"I won't."

A few minutes later, Faith suddenly tensed, feeling something wasn't right. She flattened herself against the wall and waited. A few moments later, the door opened and Faith could see a white coat. The wearer of the coat entered and when his coat opened, Faith could see the gun. The man noticed her as well, but he quickly recovered from his surprise and tried to pull his gun. Faith attacked him, but he managed to avoid the blow. Faith quickly made up for the miss by kicking him in the stomach. He doubled over, but he still tried to use his gun, so Faith kicked him in the head, knocking him out. She kicked the gun away from him and looked at the hall. She saw a security officer was already running over, and talking on his walkie-talkie.

"Call the cops," she told him and went back inside.

When the cops got to the hospital, the assassin was still unconscious. Faith quickly told a detective what happened and then asked him to let Juanita know that Caitlin was okay.

Juanita didn't return until an hour later. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Caitlin was okay.

"Hey," Faith said with a smile.

"Hey," Juanita said and took a deep breath. "What happened?"

Faith shrugged.

"He came, I knocked him out."

Juanita grinned.

"I bet." She shook her head. "Man, I still can't believe you managed to knock out those guys without seriously hurting anyone. Or getting hurt yourself." She shook her head. "My boss gave me hell, because he thought I was crazy."

Faith grinned.

"You are crazy."

Juanita chuckled.

"You're telling me."

"Any more bad guys?"

"A couple, but we're on to them. We found some info in the warehouse and in the limo. I wanted to go after them, but my boss suspended me." She sighed. "I hope they get them soon."

"They will."

Faith went to get her jacket.

"I'll go then."

"Okay. Thanks."

Faith smiled.

"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay. Night."

"Night."

When Faith came over the next day, Caitlin had already woken up.

"Hey," she said with a smile.

"Hey," Juanita said.

Caitlin frowned.

"I know you."

Faith nodded.

"I'm on one of your classes."

Caitlin thought for a moment.

"Yes. I remember." She glanced at Juanita. "I didn't know you two knew each other."

Faith shrugged.

"We’ve met."

"Thanks," Juanita said as she took the food.

Faith sniffed.

"You need a shower."

Juanita blushed.

"She wouldn't leave," Caitlin said.

"I'll stay with her," Faith told Juanita.

Juanita hesitated for a moment and then sighed.

"Okay." She got up and kissed Caitlin. "I'll be back as fast as I can."

"Okay," Caitlin said with a smile, surprised that Faith had no problem convincing Juanita to go take a shower.

Juanita took the food and left.

Faith took off her jacket and sat down.

"How did you manage that?" Caitlin then asked her.

Faith smiled.

"She knows I can protect you, if anything happens."

"Oh."

"How do you feel?"

Caitlin took a deep breath.

"Crappy."

Faith hesitated for a moment, not very comfortable with heart to heart talks.

"And… emotionally?"

Caitlin looked away, shuddering.

"Confused," she said after a while.

Faith frowned.

"Confused?"

Caitlin thought for a few moments.

"A part… A part of me… liked it," she admitted.

"Oh," Faith said, understanding that Caitlin wasn't talking about getting shot.

"Thanks for taking care of Juanita," Caitlin said after a few moments, changing the subject.

Faith smiled a little.

"Didn't do all that much."

"She trusts you enough to leave me alone with you."

Faith shrugged.

"We connected."

"Yeah."

They were quiet for a few moments.

"She loves you, you know," Faith then said.

"She said that?" Caitlin asked.

Faith shook her head.

"She didn't have to."

Caitlin sighed.

"She's not good with words. Neither of us is."

"She's more of an action kind of girl," Faith said.

Caitlin smiled.

"Yes."

Faith thought for a moment.

"She was worried sick when you got shot."

"I know, she told me."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Everything?"

"Yes, including… You stopped her," Caitlin suddenly realized, surprised.

"Yeah."

"That was pretty risky of you. She could’ve seriously hurt you."

"Not really. And besides, I quickly talked some sense into her and she calmed down."

"Thanks."

"No problem."

Caitlin thought for a moment and then chuckled.

"And now she has to see that shrink."

Faith smiled for a moment. She thought about it.

"Maybe it will help her."

Caitlin nodded.

"I hope so. I mean, we talk, but sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone else."

"Yeah," Faith agreed. She thought for a moment. "She feels guilty."

"That I got raped?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"I already talked to her about it."

"One conversation isn’t gonna convince her, no matter what she says."

"I know. I’ll have to show her."

"Yeah."

Caitlin thought for a moment.

"I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention the rape in college, I don’t want them to pity me or anything."

"Nobody even knows I know you and I don’t plan to tell anyone either."

"Thanks."

"When are you getting out?"

"Hopefully in a week. I’ll need to rest though."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"You need any help at home?" she then offered.

Caitlin smiled.

"Thanks, but Juanita’s been suspended, so she’ll have plenty of time."

Faith smiled as well.

"Just don’t let her wallow in guilt."

"I won’t."

A couple of weeks later, Faith was surprised when Juanita came to her dorm room.

"How did you find me?" she asked.

"I'm a cop, I looked you up," Juanita said.

"Oh." Faith glanced at Jenny. "Eh, Jenny, this is Juanita. Juanita, my roommate Jenny."

"Hi," Jenny said with a smile.

"Hi," Juanita said, and looked back at Faith. "Can I talk to you? Alone?"

"Eh, sure," Faith said, noticing that Juanita was upset about something. She looked at Jenny. "I'll be, eh, back."

"Okay," Jenny said.

Faith looked at Juanita.

"Let's go outside."

"Okay," Juanita agreed.

On their way out of the building, Faith could feel that Juanita was very tense, obviously there was something bothering her. But since Juanita was deep in thought, she left her alone.

When they got to a bench, Faith sat down, and Juanita joined her.

"Caitlin is pregnant," Juanita said after a few moments.

"Oh," Faith said, guessing why this could be bothering Juanita.

Juanita sighed.

"I'm not ready to be a mom."

Faith blinked, surprised.

"I thought you were worried about Caitlin," she said, confused.

Juanita looked at her and smiled a little.

"No, Caitlin's okay. She was upset at first, but then she realized it would be our baby and she got over it. Hell, she's actually excited about it."

"Oh," Faith said, and smiled back. "But you're not?"

Juanita sighed.

"I am, I'm just… I'm not mom material and I'm a bad role model. I have no idea how to raise a baby. Not to mention that I'm a cop and could get killed."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Do you want the baby?"

Juanita looked at her, thinking about it for a moment.

"Yeah."

"Then you'll do fine."

"How can you say that? I mean, I'm totally screwed up. The only reason I'm not in jail is because I'm a cop. And the only reason I haven’t lost it yet is Caitlin."

Faith thought for a few moments, not really knowing what to say.

"You can quit Vice and go to Homicide or Robbery or something," she suggested.

Juanita thought about it.

"I guess," she agreed. "But…" She sighed. "I still have so many issues to deal with. I'm better now that I'm with Caitlin, but I'm still pretty screwed up."

Faith thought again.

"You'll probably get better when you become a mom."

Juanita frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"You'll have to focus on the baby, take care of it. You won't have time to be screwed up."

"Oh."

Faith sighed.

"College does that for me," she admitted. "I was a mess before, but now I got a goal, I can focus on something."

"Oh."

"One day at a time," she said thoughtfully, remembering Angel.

Juanita sighed.

"Crap. This is gonna take some getting used to."

Faith looked at her with a smile.

"Yeah. You better start planning."

Juanita groaned.

"Right."

"Do you two live together?"

"No, not really. Each of us has her own apartment, but we spend a lot of time together, especially when I have to take care of her."

"Better move together then."

"Yeah."

"And you'll need a room for the baby."

"We'll probably need a new apartment. Maybe a house."

"Yeah."

"And baby stuff. Fuck. I don't even know what babies need."

"Go to a shop and ask."

"Shop?"

"Where they sell baby stuff."

"Oh."

"Hey, we can go to the library and you can borrow some books on how to raise a baby."

"Shit. This is more complicated than preparing a bust or an undercover op."

Faith smiled.

"Yeah. Come on," she said and got up.

Juanita followed her.

"You really think I'm gonna be a good mom?" she asked as they stared walking toward the library.

Faith looked at her and smiled.

"Yeah. I think every good mom is asking herself that. You know you have issues and you're dealing with them, you want to make sure you won't hurt the baby." She looked away, hesitating. "Some moms don't do that, they just take it out on you."

Juanita looked at her.

"Your mom?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"Sorry."

Faith shrugged.

"She's dead and forgotten." She smiled a little. "I got great grandparents now, though."

Juanita smiled.

"I'm glad."

"Yeah, me too." She sighed. "It feels good to have a decent family."

Juanita sighed.

"I wouldn't know."

Faith glanced at her.

"You're an orphan?"

"Yeah. My mom died during childbirth. She was a junkie and I was a junkie baby."

"Oh."

"I almost became a junkie myself."

"But you didn't."

"No."

"That's good."

"Yeah. But I had other problems."

Faith looked at her.

"You'll be okay."

Juanita looked at her.

"Thanks," she said with a smile.

"Everything okay?" Jenny asked when Faith came back.

Faith smiled.

"Yeah. She was just nervous because she's gonna be a mom."

"She's pregnant?"

"No, her girlfriend is."

"Oh."

"She's not exactly a saint and she was worried she would be a bad mom."

Jenny smiled.

"You convinced her otherwise?"

Faith smiled back.

"For now." She nodded at the laptop. "Can we continue or…"

"Sure," Jenny said.

For the summer, Faith accepted her grandparents' invitation to spend the holidays with them. Sure, they'd written letters and she'd spent the spring break with them, but this time, she would be staying longer and it made her feel nervous. But she went anyway, she wanted to stay with them, get to know them better.

"Faith," Mrs Spencer said, surprised, when Faith showed up at the door.

"Hey," Faith said, nervous.

"Why didn't you tell us when you were coming? We would've come pick you up."

Faith shrugged.

"I didn't know when the bus would arrive here. Plus, I don’t have a phone."

"Oh. Well, come in, come in."

Faith entered, and Mrs Spencer closed the door.

"Hungry?" Mrs Spencer asked.

Faith shook her head.

"No, thanks."

"Well, why don't you take your stuff to your room and freshen up."

"Okay."

Faith went upstairs to her room. She dropped her bag on the bed and sat down. She noticed another copy of the photo she had on her nightstand at the dorm. She hesitated for a moment and then picked it up. She stared at it for a while, wondering what it would've been like if her father hadn't died.

She finally put it back and got up.

"Faith," Mr Spencer said with a smile, when she came downstairs.

"Hey," Faith said. "Thanks for the photo."

Mr Spencer's smile widened.

"You're welcome."

"And, how was college?" Mrs Spencer asked.

Faith shrugged.

"It's not as boring as I thought it would be. I actually like a couple of classes."

Mrs Spencer smiled.

"That's good. And exams?"

"Had some problems, but I passed."

"Good."

"Oh, eh, there's one thing," Mr Spencer remembered. "Would you like to meet your aunt's family?"

Faith tensed.

"Eh… I... eh…"

"You don't have to, if you don't want to."

Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm not ready for that," she said, nervous. "I'd like to get to know you two better first."

Mrs Spencer smiled.

"No problem, honey."

In the evening, Faith went out. She did a quick patrol in her neighborhood, and then went to look for Kim and Tallulah.

"Hey, Faith," Kim said as she pulled over next to Faith.

"Hey, guys."

"When did you come here?"

"Today."

"How long are you staying?"

"For the summer."

"Cool."

"Tell her about the Slayer camp," Tallulah said.

"Slayer camp?" Faith asked.

"Yeah," Kim said. "We're going to England for a couple of weeks. To meet other Slayers and to train. We're leaving in three days."

"Oh. Don't tell them about me, okay?"

"Don't worry. Come on, get in."

"Grandpa," Faith said the next morning after breakfast.

"Yes?" Mr Spencer said.

"Do you have a video camera?"

"Yes. Why?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"A friend of mine is pregnant and I'd like to record the birth."

Mr Spencer smiled.

"Sure. No problem."

"Thanks."

"When is she due?" Mrs Spencer asked.

"December."

"I see."

"I'll show you how to use the camera," Mr Spencer said.

"Okay," Faith said. "Thanks."

"No problem."

"Oh, Faith, do you have a driver's license yet?" Mrs Spencer asked.

"Eh, no."

"Would you like to get one?"

"Why? I don't have a car."

"You could drive ours while you're here."

"Yes," Mr Spencer agreed.

"Eh… Okay," Faith said.

"Have you driven before?"

"Yes."

"If you want, we can go out later, see how you drive, before you apply for the license."

"Yeah, okay," Faith agreed, deciding that having a driver's license might come in useful.

"Good. I have some work to do for an hour or so, and then we can go."

"Okay."

"Hey, Faith," Kim said as she pulled over next to Faith after she and Tallulah got back from England.

Faith quickly got in, and Kim moved on.

"How’d it go?" she asked.

"It was great," Tallulah said, excited. "We met so many Slayers and we met Buffy too."

Faith tensed for a moment.

"How is she?"

"Okay. A bit distanced."

"Probably because we’re new at this and she’s a pro," Kim said.

"What did you do?" Faith asked.

"Lots of stuff," Tallulah said. "We practiced, we spared, we had theory and we learned new fighting techniques. Oh! Xander and Andrew told us stories of you and Buffy."

Faith tensed.

"I see," she said noncommittally.

"It was pretty cool," Kim said. "We’re going next year too."

"Yeah," Tallulah said. "Ooh! When we practiced, Buffy asked if we knew you. But we lied."

"She recognized your style and your tricks," Kim said.

Faith smiled a little.

"Yeah."

"What did you do?"

"I got a driver’s license."

"Cool."

When Caitlin was eight months pregnant, she took the maternity leave. Faith suggested to Juanita to work the afternoon shift, because that way she could be with Caitlin in the morning, and Faith offered to be there in the afternoon, after her classes. Juanita agreed.

When the day finally came, Juanita took Caitlin to the hospital. Faith came after them.

"Hey," she said when she got there. "Did it start yet?"

"She's got contractions," Juanita said. "Her water broke."

"Oh." Faith took off her backpack and took out the camera. "I got a camera," she said.

"Really?" Juanita said, excited. "Will you tape the birth?"

"Sure. If they'll let me be with you."

"I'll make sure they do. And you can also take pictures with my Polaroid," Juanita said and gave the Polaroid to Faith.

"Sure." She looked at Caitlin. "How do you feel?"

"What does it look like?" Caitlin snapped.

"She's been like that since the contractions began," Juanita said with a smile.

Faith smiled back.

"I bet. Any idea when?"

Juanita shrugged.

"When the baby decides to come out."

"That might take a while."

"Yeah."

"Shut up and massage me," Caitlin said.

Faith grinned.

"I should've brought popcorn."

"Fuck off," Caitlin snapped.

"She's got a dirty mouth," Faith told Juanita.

"You should hear her in bed."

Faith chuckled.

"I bet."

Caitlin growled.

"Best not upset her," Juanita said.

"Yeah."

A couple of hours later, the baby finally decided to come out, but it took it another couple of hours. When it did, Faith made sure she recorded every moment. She also took pictures.

Finally, the baby was out. The doctor severed the cord, wiped the baby and gave it to Caitlin.

"Isn't she adorable?" Caitlin gushed.

"Yeah," Juanita croaked, staring at the baby, wide-eyed.

Caitlin played with the baby's hands for a few moments and then looked at Juanita.

"Wanna hold her?"

Juanita's eye widened even more.

"Me?"

"Yes," Caitlin said with a smile.

"Eh… I… I don't know how…"

"Relax. Here."

Juanita swallowed and stepped closer. She hesitated for a moment and then carefully took the baby. She held her awkwardly, staring at her in wonder.

"She's so tiny," she whispered.

Faith noticed tears on Juanita's face, so she backed off a bit, but she kept recording, and she snapped a couple of photos.

When Juanita noticed she was crying, she quickly gave the baby back to Caitlin, and wiped her tears.

Caitlin looked at Faith.

"Wanna hold her, Faith?"

"Me?" Faith said, surprised.

"Yes. Come."

Faith hesitated for a moment, and then came closer.

"Here," she said, and gave the camera and the Polaroid to Juanita.

Then she stepped closer, and carefully took the baby.

Juanita recorded the whole thing, and snapped a couple of photos.

"What are you gonna call her?" Faith asked.

Caitlin glanced at Juanita.

"We were thinking Faith, after you, but we decided on Hope."

"Really?" Faith said, surprised, and glanced at Juanita.

"Yes. You're, like, our best friend."

"Eh, thanks," Faith said, feeling moved.

A nurse approached.

"May I?"

Faith looked at Caitlin questioningly.

"It's okay," Caitlin said, so Faith gave Hope to the nurse.

The nurse took the baby away, and Juanita stopped recording.

"Thanks," she said, and gave the camera to Faith.

Faith smiled.

"No problem."

Juanita stepped closer to the bed and took Caitlin's hand.

"How do you feel?"

"Exhausted," Caitlin said.

Juanita caressed her.

"I'll go see where they're taking the baby," Faith said, deciding to give them some privacy.

Juanita and Caitlin looked at her.

"Thanks," Juanita said.

Faith smiled and left.

Ten minutes later, Juanita joined Faith in the nursery.

"Hey."

Faith glanced at her.

"Hey. How's Caitlin?"

"Resting." Juanita needed at the babies in the nursery. "Which one is Hope?"

"That one," Faith said, and pointed at Hope.

Juanita smiled.

"She's so cute. Is she asleep?"

"Yeah."

Juanita sighed.

"I just can't wait till we can go home."

Faith smiled.

"Looking forward to getting up in the middle of the night, changing diapers and messy feeding?"

Juanita groaned.

"Don't remind me." She took a deep breath. "I'm so nervous."

"You'll be okay."

"I hope so."

Faith grinned.

"You do realize this means no sex."

"Oh, we're not giving up sex, just the kinky variety of it." She thought for a moment. "Well, not everything kinky, just the most kinky stuff."

Faith chuckled.

"Horny much."

Juanita smiled.

"We're dealing with our issues through sex, I guess."

Faith nodded, her face serious.

"I know what you mean." She sighed. "You gonna stay here?"

"Yeah."

"I'll come back tomorrow. Call me, if you need me to replace you."

"I will. Thanks."

Faith smiled.

"You're welcome."

When Faith came back to the dorm, Jenny was just going out.

"Hey! Is it over yet?" Jenny asked, excited.

Faith smiled.

"Yeah."

"And?"

"It's a girl. They named her Hope."

Jenny smiled.

"What is she like?"

Faith shrugged.

"Cute. Chubby."

"I just love babies," Jenny gushed.

Faith smiled a little.

"Eh, I recorded the birth. Can you burn it on a CD?"

"Sure. Are you in a hurry?"

"No."

"I'll do it tomorrow then."

"Okay. How long will it take?"

"Not long. You'll be able to take it to them tomorrow. I'll buy a couple of CDs."

"Cool. Thanks."

"Hey," Faith said when she came to the hospital the next day.

"Hey," Caitlin said with a smile, breastfeeding Hope.

"How do you feel?"

"Better. Come, say hello to Hope."

Faith came closer.

"Hey, little one," she said, and gently caressed her. She looked at Juanita. "I had my roommate burn the recording to a CD. Here."

"Thanks," Juanita said.

"She says you can watch it on a computer or on a DVD player."

"We don't have a DVD player."

"Yet, anyway," Caitlin said.

"Yeah."

"Oh," Faith said. "Anyway, I didn't let her watch it, since it's private."

"You can show it to her, if you want," Caitlin said.

Faith looked at her.

"You sure? I mean, it's private."

"I'm sure. You can make a copy for yourself, and you can show it to your family too."

Faith frowned.

"Why? I mean, okay, we're friends, and I sort of understand you let Jenny see it, but why would you let me have a copy, or let me show it to my family?"

Juanita stepped closer, and took Caitlin's hand, smiling.

"Because we'd like you to be Hope's godmother."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Me?"

Caitlin nodded.

"Yes."

"But… But… I… Eh…"

"It's okay, Faith," Juanita said, "we know about your record."

Faith tensed.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm a cop, remember? When I looked you up, when I wanted to talk to you, I found out you had a record."

"Oh."

"I didn't tell anyone about it, not even Caitlin. At least until when she suggested that you be Hope's godmother. I felt she needed to know about your past. And she's okay with it."

Faith glanced at Caitlin.

"You never said anything."

"Because it didn't matter. If you wanted to talk to me about your past, I would have told you, but you never did."

"Oh." Faith took a deep breath, slightly overwhelmed. She thought about it. "I… I want to be her godmother, but I… I… Eh…"

Juanita smiled.

"It's okay, Faith. Remember what you told me? It goes for you too."

Faith smiled a little.

"I know." She sighed. "But that's not what I mean."

"What then?" Caitlin asked.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I… I need to think about it," she said, and left.

Juanita and Caitlin looked at one another, puzzled.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Caitlin asked.

Juanita shrugged.

"I'm as confused as you are." She thought for a moment. "Maybe I should go talk to her."

"No, let her think it over first."

Juanita sighed.

"Okay."

When Faith got out of the hospital, she sat on a bench. She was torn. On one hand, she wanted to be Hope's godmother, feeling it would be good for her, as it would give her more focus and also another reason to live. But on the other hand, she was a Slayer. It was bad enough that her family was in danger because of her, she didn't want to endanger Hope as well. She sighed. She wished she could talk to Buffy about it, since Buffy had the same problem, but she wasn't ready to face Buffy yet. Then again, Buffy didn't have much of a choice, Dawn was her family, just like Faith's grandparents were hers. She didn't really want to tell Juanita and Caitlin about Slayers and demons, but she was worried about what would happen to Hope if Juanita and Caitlin both died. It was a crappy situation, and she wasn't sure what to do. She was also a bit worried if she would make a good godmother, she wasn't really mother material. She smiled, remembering what she had told Juanita. It was one thing to tell that to someone else, but another when it applied to you.

After an hour or so, she finally reached a decision.

"Hey," she said when she got back to Caitlin's room.

"Hey," Juanita said.

"You okay?" Caitlin asked.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"And?"

Faith took a deep breath, hesitating.

"Before I accept, there's something I need to show you."

"Show us?" Juanita asked.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah. You wouldn't believe me if I just told you."

"Oh. When?"

Faith looked at Caitlin.

"When do you go home?"

"By the end of the week."

"Okay. We'll go out on Saturday, at nine."

"Nine? Evening or morning?"

"Evening."

"What about Hope?"

"Jenny can babysit her."

"How long will it take?" Juanita asked.

Faith shrugged.

"Probably not more than an hour."

"Can you give us some idea what you're going to show us?" Caitlin asked.

Faith smiled a little.

"I'd rather not." She took a deep breath. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"You're leaving?"

"I need to think about it."

"Oh."

"I'll see you."

"Okay."

"Bye," Juanita said.

After Faith left, Caitlin looked at Juanita.

"Any idea what she's talking about?"

Juanita shrugged.

"Beats me." She thought for a moment. "There were some details in her records that were a bit weird, but nothing that would tell me what she's worried about."

"Oh."

On Saturday, Faith took Jenny to Juanita's and Caitlin's apartment.

"Hi," Jenny said.

"Hey," Juanita said. "Come in."

Faith and Jenny entered, and Juanita closed the door. Then they went to Hope.

"Hey," Caitlin said with a smile.

"Hi," Jenny said. "I'm Jenny."

"Caitlin."

Jenny went to the crib.

"And this is Hope. Aw, she's adorable," she gushed.

"She's been fed and I changed her diaper. She'll fall asleep any minute now, and I doubt she'll wake up by the time we get back."

"Okay."

"If anything happens, our cell phone numbers are by the phone."

"Got it. I got some studying to do, can I use your desk?"

"Sure."

"Thanks."

"And thank you for babysitting."

"No problem."

"Let's go," Juanita said.

"We're going to a cemetery?" Caitlin said, surprised, when they reached their destination.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"What the hell do you want to show us here?" Juanita said.

"You'll see," Faith said and got out of the car.

Juanita and Caitlin got out as well. Then they followed Faith.

"Are we going some place or are we just walking around?" Juanita asked after a while.

"Walking around," Faith said.

"I thought you wanted to show us something."

"I do, I just need to find it first."

"And you're sure it's here?"

"No, but it's a…" she trailed off.

"Faith?" Caitlin asked, nervous.

"Shh," Faith said, listening. Then she smiled. "Got it. Come on."

"What did you hear?" Juanita asked. She frowned. "Should I have brought my gun?"

Faith glanced at her.

"It would do you no good."

"Now you got me worried."

"Good. Just don't panic and it'll…" She trailed off, listening again. "Crap."

"What is it?" Caitlin asked.

"Another one." She hesitated for a moment. "Come on."

She started running, and Juanita and Caitlin ran after her.

"This is it?" Caitlin asked, when they reached a grave.

"Yeah."

"But there's…" She trailed off when she heard noise coming from a graveyard. "What's that?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"Something you'd never believe me if I just told you about it," Faith said.

"How did you hear it?" Juanita asked.

"Later," Faith said.

A hand broke out of the ground, and Caitlin shrieked.

"What the hell?" Juanita said.

Faith grabbed the hand, and helped the newbie vamp out.

"Thanks," the vamp said.

"You're welcome," Faith said, and dusted it.

"What the fuck?" Juanita said, surprised.

"Come on," Faith said, and started running again.

"I don't like this," Caitlin said, as she and Juanita ran after Faith.

"Me neither," Juanita agreed. "But I want an explanation."

"What is that?" Caitlin said when she saw a four-legged monster with wings, which looked like it was a cross between several different species.

"Fuck if I know," Juanita said, staring at Faith, who was kicking the monster's ass.

"That's gotta hurt," Caitlin winced when the monster's tail hit Faith, sending her flying into a crypt wall.

"Apparently not," Juanita said when Faith just got up and attacked the monster again.

"But… Look, she made a dent in the wall," Caitlin said, amazed.

"Yeah," Juanita said, hoping that Faith could kill the monster, because she had serious doubts she could.

But Faith finally managed to stab the monster in the eye. The monster roared, the blood from its destroyed eye blinding it. Faith got behind it and snapped its neck. Then she wiped her stake and put it away. She looked at Juanita and Caitlin.

"Come, it's dead."

Juanita and Caitlin came closer.

"What is that?" Caitlin asked, curious.

Faith looked at the monster, frowning.

"I don't know. It might be a gryphon."

"A gryphon?"

"Like, from Greek mythology?" Juanita asked.

Faith looked at her, amused.

"You've heard about that?"

"I'm not a complete idiot."

Faith grinned.

"What was that… man?" Caitlin asked. "And why did he turn into dust?"

Faith looked at her.

"That was a vampire."

Caitlin frowned.

"Like Dracula?"

"Yeah."

"Oh."

Faith grabbed the gryphon's tail and started dragging it.

"What are you gonna do with it?" Juanita asked.

"Throw it in a trash container."

"Why?"

"So people won't freak out."

"Oh." Juanita thought for a moment. "Okay, so vampires and gryphons are real. Is that what you wanted to show us?"

Faith glanced at her.

"Yeah."

"You made a dent in the wall," Caitlin said. "Doesn't it hurt?"

"A bit."

"A bit? I thought you broke a couple of bones."

Faith sighed.

"I'm a Slayer."

Caitlin frowned.

"A Slayer?"

"Yeah."

"What's that?"

"I kill demons. At least the evil ones."

"Demons?"

"Yeah. Vamps and gryphons are demons."

"Oh. There are other kinds?"

"There's plenty of kinds."

"How did you become a Slayer?" Juanita asked.

"I was called."

"Called?"

"Yeah."

"By who?"

Faith thought for a moment.

"Well, thousands of years ago, a couple of shamans… made the first Slayer to fight demons."

"Made?" Caitlin asked.

"They… infused her with the essence of a demon."

"Infused?"

Faith shrugged.

"Don't ask. Anyway, she wasn't the first girl they tried it with, but she was the first one suitable."

"What happened to the others?"

"They died."

"Oh."

"Anyway, there were other girls also suitable, they were called Potentials. At least we called them that. So, basically, when a Slayer was killed, her power was transferred to one of the Potentials, and she became the next Slayer. And so on."

"So you're the current Slayer?" Juanita asked.

"Not anymore. We had to make all Potentials Slayers if we wanted to stop an apocalypse."

"How many Slayers are there?"

Faith shrugged.

"I have no idea. A lot."

"Do you do this every day?" Caitlin asked. "Kill demons, I mean."

"More or less."

"Wow."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I didn't want you to know about all this, but since you wanted me to be Hope's godmother, I thought you should know. Being a Slayer makes me a target, plus, it's a dangerous job, and I don't want to endanger Hope, but I want her to be taken care of, if something happens to you. So, um, think it over and then let me know if you still want me to be her godmother."

Caitlin smiled a little.

"We will."

"There's a container," Juanita said, and pointed.

"Okay."

"You're back already?" Jenny said when they got back.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"Everything went okay?"

"Yeah."

"Good." Jenny looked at Caitlin and Juanita. "Hope didn't wake up."

"Okay," Caitlin said with a smile. "Thank you."

"No problem."

"Come," Faith said.

"Bye."

"Bye," Caitlin said.

When Faith came over the next day, she was nervous.

"Hi," Caitlin said with a smile.

"Hey."

"Come in."

Faith entered, and Caitlin closed the door.

"Hey," Juanita said, carrying Hope, as she came to greet Faith.

"Hi," Faith said, and smiled. "How is she?"

"She's fine," Juanita said.

"Getting more comfortable with holding her?"

"Yeah."

Faith came closer and let Hope take hold of her index finger.

"Hey, little one," she greeted her, and then gently extracted her finger from Hope's grip. She glanced at Caitlin, nervous. "So, eh, what did you decide?"

Caitlin came closer.

"We'd still like you to be her godmother. Not only because there's no one else, but because we trust you to protect her. And besides, you care about her too."

Faith smiled a little.

"Thanks."

"Here, why don't you hold her a little," Juanita said.

"Eh…" Faith said, nervous.

"You better get used to it," Caitlin said. "For when you have to babysit her."

Faith smiled.

"Right." Juanita gave her Hope, and Faith carefully held her. "Hey." She looked at Caitlin and Juanita. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Faith!" Mr Spencer called when Faith came over for Christmas vacation.

Faith smiled.

"Hi, Grandpa."

"How was the bus ride?"

Faith shrugged.

"Okay."

"Good. Come. I parked over there."

"Hello, Faith," Mrs Spencer said with a smile, when Mr Spencer brought Faith home.

"Hi," Faith said.

"Did you travel okay?"

"Yes."

"Good. Your aunt and her family are coming tomorrow. You're okay with this?"

"Yeah."

"Okay." She smiled. "Sharon is looking forward to meeting you."

"Oh."

"Why don't you go freshen up?"

"Okay."

"Grandpa?" Faith said when she got back downstairs. "Your camera."

"Ah. Was it useful?" Mr Spencer asked as he took the camera.

"Yeah. Oh! I'm a godmother now," Faith said proudly.

"You are?" Mrs Spencer asked.

"Yeah," Faith said, and smiled.

"Of that baby?"

"Yeah. They named her Hope."

Mrs Spencer smiled.

"That's nice."

"Yeah. I got some pictures. And the recording, but you don't have a DVD or a computer."

"You can show us the pictures."

"I'll go get them."

The next day, when her aunt's family arrived, Faith was just on the phone with Angel. She said goodbye and went downstairs.

"Hi," she said, nervous, when Sharon noticed her.

The conversation stopped.

"Ah, Faith," Mrs Spencer said. "Come." Faith came closer. "Faith, this is your aunt Kelly, her husband Dan, and your cousins Tom and Sharon."

"Hey," Faith said.

"Hi," Sharon said with a smile.

"This is Robert's daughter Faith," Mrs Spencer introduced her.

"Nice to finally meet you again," Kelly said with a smile.

"Thanks," Faith said, not sure what to do.

"Are you staying till New Year?" Sharon asked.

"Yeah."

"Cool. Can I sleep with you?"

"Huh?" Faith said, startled.

"Sharon," Kelly chided her.

"Mom and Dad are sleeping in Mom's old room, Tom slept in Uncle Robert's and I slept in the guest room," Sharon said, "but now that you're here, I was supposed to sleep with Tom, but I really don't wanna, so can I sleep with you?"

Faith grinned. In a way, Sharon reminded her of Dawn when she was little. But her grin quickly disappeared as she realized she would have to not only share her room, but her bed as well. She sighed. She didn't really want to, but she wanted to make a good first impression.

"Sure."

Sharon smiled widely.

"Cool!" she said, excited.

"Oh, Faith is a godmother," Mrs Spencer said proudly.

"Really?" Sharon said, wide-eyed.

"Yeah," Faith said, a bit nervous.

"Do you have any pictures of the baby?"

"Yeah."

"Can I see them?"

"After you take your bags in," Kelly said.

"Okay," Sharon said, and ran outside to get her bags.

"And, how is college?" Dan asked.

Faith shrugged.

"It's okay."

"You're majoring in archeology?" Tom asked.

"Yeah."

Tom frowned.

"How the hell did you end up taking that?"

Faith shrugged.

"I find it interesting."

"So you dig through dirt to get old pottery?"

"Not yet," Faith said, wondering why he sounded so hostile.

"Tom, why don't you get your stuff," Kelly said.

Tom left.

"What's wrong with him?" Dan asked, confused.

"Trying to impress a girl," Kelly said.

Faith grinned.

"He's trying to impress the wrong girl."

Kelly smiled.

"He'll get over it," she said. "He's probably just upset he's not the oldest kid in the family anymore."

"Sharon seems okay with it."

"Oh yes. She finally has a sort of older sister. She was really excited to meet you, so be prepared."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

"We'll go get our stuff now."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Need a hand?" she offered.

"Sure."

When the bags and the packages were all inside, Faith fetched the photo album and showed the rest of her family the photos and explained how she became a godmother. Sharon gushed over how cute the baby was and she kept asking questions about her.

When she was done, Faith took the photos back to her room, relieved that no one had asked her about her past, but she knew that would change. Probably sooner than later, she realized when Sharon came after her. She put away the photos, and then looked at Sharon, who had sat on the bed and was watching her.

"What?" she asked.

"Did you really kill those people?" Sharon blurted, curious.

Faith sighed.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"And you went to jail?"

"Yeah."

"How come? I mean, you were a minor, right?"

"Yeah. Boss faked my records."

"Boss?" Sharon asked, curious.

"Long story."

"I got time," Sharon said, excited.

"I don't want to tell it."

"Oh," Sharon said, disappointed. "Grandma says you were in coma," she changed the topic.

"Yeah."

"What was it like?"

Faith shrugged.

"I went into coma and when I woke up, eight months had passed."

"You don't remember anything?"

"I was in coma," Faith pointed out. "It's like sleep, only with no dreams."

"Oh." Sharon thought for a moment. "How come you went back to school? I mean, school sucks."

Faith grinned.

"Yeah. But I needed something to focus on, wanted to make something of myself."

"Why did you choose archeology?"

Faith shrugged.

"I like mysteries."

"Oh."

"And how are you doing in school?" Faith changed the subject.

Sharon shrugged.

"Okay. Math sucks."

Faith grinned.

"Yeah."

After lunch, Faith went to the backyard to practice. Soon after, Sharon came after her and watched her. Faith ignored her and focused on her movements, moving slower than normally. She got a bit nervous when Tom came, but she forced herself to ignore him.

When she was done an hour later, she stretched a bit.

"Why did you move so slow?" Sharon asked her, curious.

"I was focusing on my movements," Faith said.

"Oh."

"Grandma says you're a self-defense instructor," Tom said.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"You any good?"

Faith grinned.

"You bet."

"Tom has black belt," Sharon said.

"I know."

"Wanna spar?" Tom asked.

"Sure," Faith said.

"I'll go change."

Tom left.

"He's good," Sharon said. "He won a couple of competitions."

"Good for him," Faith said, not impressed.

"He showed me some moves, but he's all serious about it."

"When you're in a fight, you have to be serious about it."

"I know. Still, it's kinda boring."

Faith grinned.

"Don't like getting your ass kicked?"

Sharon smiled.

"No."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I can show you some tricks, if you want."

"Cool," Sharon said, excited.

"Go change."

"Okay," Sharon said, and ran off.

Faith went inside as well, needing a drink.

"You're going to show Sharon how to fight?" Kelly asked as Faith got herself a drink

Faith looked at her.

"No, just some basic self-defense stuff. Stuff that can save her ass if she gets attacked or something."

"Oh. And Tom? I hear you're going to spar with him."

"Yeah. I think he's been wanting it ever since he found out I was a self-defense instructor."

Kelly smiled.

"Probably. But be careful, he can get a little carried away sometimes."

"Don't worry, he can't hurt me."

"He has a black belt."

"I know. But that doesn't mean anything until you have to fight for your life, and he's never done that."

"And you have?" Kelly asked seriously.

"Yeah."

"Oh."

Faith grinned.

"I won't be too hard on him."

Kelly smiled.

"Okay."

After Tom stretched, he and Faith spared. Tom thought he was better, but Faith quickly showed him that he didn't stand a chance against her. He soon got upset about it and he attacked more furiously, so Faith quickly stopped him.

"I think you've had enough for today," she said and released him.

Tom turned, upset.

"You were just lucky."

"Actually, I was holding back," Faith said.

"Right."

Tom tried to hit her, but Faith grabbed his fist and squeezed it a bit, making him moan.

"That's enough," she said.

He tried to hit her with the other hand, but Faith merely flicked her wrist, throwing him on the ground. He quickly got up and rubbed his wrist, staring at her hostilely.

"Tom, I've fought opponents that would make you piss your pants if you knew they existed," Faith told him seriously. "I can kick your ass with my eyes closed and my arms tied behind my back. Knock it off before I hurt you."

Tom grumbled something and then left.

"Wow, you kicked his ass!" Sharon said, excited.

Faith smiled at her.

"Your turn."

Sharon backed off a bit.

"We're not gonna fight, are we?"

"No, I'll just show you what you can do if you're in danger."

"Oh. Okay."

"Now, there are two rules to fighting. The first is: 'Never get into a fight'."

Sharon frowned.

"Then what's the use of knowing how to fight?"

Faith smiled.

"Rules are meant to be broken, right? So when that rule gets broken, it's nice if you know what to do."

"Oh. And the second?"

"'Get out of the fight as fast as possible'."

"Okay, I get that."

"Good. We'll go through a couple of situations and I'll show you what you can do."

"Okay."

An hour later, Faith decided that Sharon had enough practice for the day. Sharon didn't protest. After Sharon had ran off inside, Faith practiced some more.

"Hey," Faith said when she got inside after practice and saw Dan.

"Hey," Dan said with a smile. "I hear you beat Tom."

"Yeah."

"He didn't look too bruised."

"I was gentle. I only bruised his ego."

Dan chuckled.

"You sure did." He smiled. "He'll get over it."

"Yeah."

"Sharon was pretty excited about the lesson you gave her."

Faith smiled.

"Yes. She won't win any fights, but she'll be able to run away from them."

Dan smiled.

"Thank you."

Faith shrugged.

"No problem," she said, feeling a bit strange. "I'll, eh, go freshen up."

"Okay."

"You’re going out?" Mr Spencer asked in the evening when Faith picked up the car keys.

Faith looked at him.

"Can I go with you?" Sharon asked.

Faith smiled at her.

"You’re a little too young."

"But it’s holidays."

"I know. When you’re older."

Sharon pouted.

"Tom could go out with you," Mr Spencer said.

Faith glanced at Tom.

"I doubt he’d like the company."

"Well, be careful."

"I will." Faith hesitate for a moment and then looked at Sharon. "I’ll be back soon and then we can watch a movie or something."

"Okay," Sharon said.

The next morning, Faith got a cell phone as a present.

"So you can call us from anywhere," Mrs Spencer said with a smile when Faith looked at her, surprised.

"Thanks," Faith said.

She opened the box, glancing at Sharon a couple of time as the girl opened her presents excitedly. She took the phone and everything else out of the box and stared at it, not quite sure what to do. She took the booklets and found the manual.

"You need to put the card in first and then the battery," Sharon explained when she saw Faith leaf through the manual.

Faith looked at the battery and picked it up.

"Let me help you," Sharon said and came closer.

Faith gave her the phone, and Sharon quickly inserted the card and the battery.

"Now you have to let it fill for several hours," Sharon then said. "With this cable. You put this end here and then just plug it in. Then you have to type in your code."

"Code?"

Sharon looked at the papers. She found the envelope with the code and tore it open.

"This. You have to enter this every time you turn on the phone."

"I have to turn it off?"

"No, but in case the battery runs out or something."

"Oh. Thanks."

Before lunch, Faith gave Sharon another lesson. After a while, Tom came out and watched them. When Faith told Sharon to take a break and get something to drink, Tom slowly approached Faith, who was stretching a little.

"Hey."

Faith stopped and looked at him.

"Hey."

Tom hesitated for a moment.

"Sorry about being an ass."

Faith smiled.

"I know the feeling."

"Eh, can you show me some moves?"

"Sure. Stretch a little. Then you’re gonna be the attacker and I’ll show Sharon how to defend herself."

"You want me to be the test dummy?"

Faith grinned.

"Sharon is gonna love kicking her big brother’s ass."

Tom rolled his eyes.

"Right."

In the evening, after Sharon showed her how to use the phone, Faith called Willow.

"Hey, Willow."

"Faith?" Willow said, surprised.

"Yeah."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. I just wanted you to know I got a cell phone."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Got anything to write with?"

"Just a sec." There was a brief pause. "Okay."

Faith gave her the number.

"Got it?"

"Got it."

"Okay."

There was a brief pause.

"How are you?"

"Okay. Getting a grip."

"Good."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"And Buffy?"

"She’s okay." She hesitated for a moment. "A bit lonely for some reason, I guess."

"Oh." Faith sighed. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you too, Faith."

"Bye."

"Bye, Faith."

A couple of months later, Faith got a rash from a demon. She didn’t even notice it at first, but then the area got bigger and bigger. She didn’t want to call the Council, and she knew she couldn’t go to a doctor either, because it was demon-related. And then Jenny noticed it too when she caught Faith checking it out one day.

"That’s a rash."

Faith glanced at her, annoyed.

"Yeah," she said and pulled down her sleeve.

"You should have it treated."

"It’ll go away."

"I don’t think so. That looked like a big area and you’ve been scratching there for a week now."

"It’s okay."

"No, it’s not. You should go see a doctor."

Faith made a face.

"I don’t like doctors."

"Then at least let me have a look at it."

"You’re not a doctor."

"No, but I am a toxicologist and I know a little bit about bacteria too. And if you let me take a sample, I may even figure out what’s causing it and perhaps find a cure."

Faith thought about it. She knew Jenny was good at her stuff and she knew she could probably find a cure, but on the other hand, she would also figure out that whatever was causing the rash was very unusual, and Faith knew Jenny would want answers. Then again, the rash was getting on her nerves, she couldn’t go visit Hope because of it.

"Fine," she finally agreed. "But don’t tell anyone about it, okay?"

"Okay," Jenny said with a smile.

"Promise."

Jenny raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"Okay, I promise."

"Good." Faith rolled up her sleeve. "How long will it take you?"

"A couple of hours to a week," Jenny said and went to get her kit.

Faith groaned.

"That long?"

"I don’t know what’s causing the rash yet."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"It’s nothing you’ve ever seen before."

Jenny glanced at her.

"How do you know?"

"I know. Trust me."

"You know what’s causing it?"

"No. I can tell you where I got it, but you wouldn’t believe me anyway."

"Oh." Jenny thought for a moment. "Can you get me a sample?"

Faith made a face.

"Do I have to?"

"It would be easier if I got it in pure form. I’ll give you a pair of latex gloves."

Faith sighed.

"Okay." She thought for a moment. "Got a scalpel?"

"Sure. Oh, you’ll need it, right." Jenny came back with her kit. "Roll up your sleeve."

Faith did so and Jenny quickly took a sample.

"That’s it?" Faith asked.

"I’d also like a sample of your blood, but I don’t have a syringe. I’ll go to the lab later, so drop by when you’re going out."

"Okay."

"And avoid physical contact with people."

"I know."

In the evening, Faith first dropped by the lab.

"Okay, what the hell is this?" Jenny asked her, pointing at the Petrie dish with Faith’s sample.

"My rash sample?" Faith guessed.

"Yes, only it’s not… Damn, I don’t even know what word to use. It’s nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s a whole new world!"

Faith smiled.

"Told you."

"What is?"

Faith sighed.

"Don’t know."

"You don’t know."

"No, never seen it before. I’m not even sure I’ll find another one."

"Another what?"

"Trust me, you don’t want to know."

"Oh yes I do. This is Nobel Prize material, Faith."

"Then I’m definitely not showing you."

Jenny frowned.

"Why not?"

"Because the world is so not ready to know."

"Okay, now you definitely got my interest."

"I’m sure. I’m taking the sample."

"What? Why?" Jenny said, surprised.

"Because I don’t want the whole world to know about this," Faith said and took the sample.

"Okay, okay! I won’t tell anyone, okay? I did promise, remember? And don’t forget your rash."

Faith sighed. She didn’t know whether she could trust Jenny with this.

"Look, I’m serious, no one must know about this."

"Are there people who do know about this?"

"Yes."

"How many?"

Faith frowned.

"I don’t know," she said with a shrugged. "A lot."

"But they’re not telling."

"No."

Jenny thought for a moment.

"Look, this is so unusual that I’d really like to see the source of this. I mean, I’ve done a couple of tests, but this sample just doesn’t react the way it was supposed to. I thought I identified a couple of compounds, but when I ran the tests, the tests came out all weird."

Faith scratched her rash, which was driving her crazy. She wasn’t thrilled about telling Jenny about demons and Slayers.

"It will turn your world upside down."

Jenny smiled.

"The weirder the better. This sample of yours was driving me nuts." She grinned. "I loved it."

Faith smiled.

"Okay. But I want you to do exactly as I tell you."

"Okay," Jenny said, excited.

"And lock up the sample, I don’t want someone accidentally finding it."

"I’ll take it with me."

"Okay."

Jenny quickly packed a bag with everything she thought she might need.

"I’m ready," she then said, excited.

Faith smiled.

"You sure you have everything?"

Jenny smiled.

"I think so," she said and headed for the door. "Where are we going?"

"To where I killed the last one."

"Killed? The last what?"

"You’ll see."

"You’re so mysterious."

"You’ll understand why when we find another one. You wouldn’t believe me anyway."

"Okay. Oh! I still have to take your blood sample when we get back."

"Okay."

"How long is this gonna take?" Jenny asked after a while.

Faith smiled at her.

"It might take all night. And we may not find another one."

"You’re driving me nuts. Another what?"

Faith grinned.

"You’ll see."

"Can’t you at least give me a clue? At least I’ll be prepared."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Demon."

Jenny frowned.

"Demon?"

"We’re hunting a demon."

"A demon," Jenny said, not sure whether Faith was joking or what. "You’re serious?"

"Yeah."

"What kind of demon?"

Faith shrugged.

"Never seen their kind before."

"How many kinds are there?"

"Don’t know. Lots. Some demons are actually okay."

"They are?"

"Yeah."

Jenny thought for a few moments.

"You’re not making fun of me, are you?"

Faith smiled at her.

"I told you you wouldn’t believe me."

Jenny sighed.

"Okay, a demon, got it."

Faith stopped and listened.

"What is it?" Jenny asked.

"Seems you’re gonna meet a demon sooner than expected, though not the kind we're looking for."

"How do you know?"

"I know. Come."

Faith started running as fast as she could, her stake ready.

Jenny followed Faith through the park, a bit nervous, wondering what kind of demon she would see. She was surprised by Faith’s speed, it seemed… inhuman. Finally, she saw two people struggling in the distance, and it seemed that Faith was headed toward them. She heard Faith yell something, and then one of the people brutally pushed the other one aside and headed toward Faith. She couldn’t see very well in the semi-darkness, but the attacker seemed Human to her. When he and Faith started to fight, their movements seemed blurry, they were so fast. Jenny went around them to check on the person the attacker had pushed aside.

"You okay?" she asked the man.

The man nodded, holding his neck.

"You’re wounded."

"It bit me."

"It?"

"That… monster."

Jenny glanced toward the fight.

"What was it?" she asked.

"I don’t know."

"Let me take care of the wound," she offered.

"Okay."

Jenny positions herself so that she could also observe the fight. She took a gauze out of her bag and examined the wound. It looked like two puncture wounds, like from a bite. She thought for a moment and then decided to take a sample from the wound, she had a feeling it would be interesting. She put the gauze on the man’s neck.

"Hold this." She quickly took her kit out and then took a sample from the wound. Then she fastened the gauze to the man’s neck. "I suggest…" She trailed off, startled, when she saw Faith stab her opponent and opponent then exploded in a could of dust. "Eh, go see a doctor, and make sure you get a tetanus shot," she told the man.

"Okay. Thanks."

The man got up and quickly left.

Jenny put her stuff away and then went to Faith, who was coming to her.

"What was that?" she asked.

"A vampire," Faith said.

Jenny frowned.

"A vampire? You mean like Dracula?"

"Yeah."

Jenny thought for a moment.

"Are vampires demons?"

"Yes."

"Why did it explode?"

Faith shrugged.

"That’s how they die."

"Oh."

Faith nodded at the man.

"Was he okay?"

"Yeah." Jenny thought for a moment. "The vampire wanted to drink his blood?"

"Yes."

"Oh. I took a sample from his wound, I’m curious if it’s just a puncture or is there some other substance."

"I’m serious, Jenny, you can’t tell anyone about this."

"Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. I’ll lock my experiments and I’ll encrypt my data."

"Okay. Come on."

They moved on.

"You’re fast," Jenny said after a few moments.

"Yeah."

"No, I mean, you’re really fast. I think you’re the fastest person I’ve ever seen. And when you fought the vampire, you were, like, a blur."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I’m a Slayer."

Jenny looked at her, curious.

"Slayer?" She frowned. "You’re a demon?"

Faith grinned at her.

"No, I’m Human, I just have… well, demonic powers."

"Really? How come?"

Faith sighed.

"Thousands of years, some shamans infused some girl with the essence of a powerful demon. She was the first Slayer. When she died, that essence was automatically transferred to another girl, and then she became the Slayer."

"And now you’re the Slayer?"

"One of."

Jenny frowned.

"I thought there was only one."

"There was, but during the last apocalypse, we had to turn all Potentials into Slayers to save them."

"Potentials? Wait! The last apocalypse?"

Faith grinned at her.

"Yeah."

"So you, like, saved the world or something."

"Or something."

"Oh."

"Potentials are the girls who have the potential to become the next Slayer. But now there aren’t any more Potentials, just Slayers."

"Oh." Jenny thought for a moment. "When did you become a Slayer?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"When I was thirteen."

"Really?" Jenny said, surprised.

Faith shrugged.

"There are younger Slayers."

"Oh. How did you know?"

"My Watcher told me."

"Watcher?"

"A group of people who watch demonic activities and help Slayers."

"Oh." Jenny thought for a moment. "So what does that mean for you? I mean, do you have any super powers or what?"

Faith smiled.

"I’m faster, stronger, I heal faster, my senses are sharper and I can feel the presence of demons. And other Slayers."

"Oh. Cool."

Faith chuckled.

"Yeah."

Jenny thought for a few moments.

"So when you go out at night, you go hunting demons?"

"Yes."

"Oh." She frowned. "So you got the rash from a demon?"

"Yes."

"Cool."

Faith burst into laughter.

"Cool? It itches like hell."

"No, I mean it’s cool that I’ll get to examine a demon up close."

"Oh. We have to find one first."

Just when Faith thought about giving up and going home, they came across one of the demons who gave her the rash. Jenny watched, fascinated, as Faith attacked it and killed it.

"Wow," she said, impressed, when the demon fell down, dead. "Is it dead?"

"As a rock," Faith said. "You can take a sample now. Or whatever you’re gonna do."

"Okay." Jenny carefully approached the demon. "You sure it’s dead?

"Yeah," Faith said with a smile.

Jenny hesitated for a moment and then kneeled beside it. She opened her bag and got ready to take samples.

Faith quietly observed her, a bit curious and worried that Jenny might also get a rash herself, but she also kept an eye on the surrounding area.

"Okay, done," Jenny said a couple of minutes later.

Faith grinned.

"You sure you got enough samples?"

Jenny smiled.

"Yes."

"We can take the whole corpse."

"No, I got enough."

"Okay."

Faith grabbed the corpse.

"What are you doing?" Jenny asked, confused.

"I need to get rid of the corpse."

"Oh. What are you gonna do with it?"

"Throw it in a trash container."

"Just like that?"

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"Come on."

When they got back to the campus, Jenny headed for the lab.

"You’re going to the lab?" Faith asked.

"Yes."

"Isn’t it a bit late?"

"Yeah, but I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep otherwise."

Faith grinned.

"You got early classes tomorrow," she reminded her.

Jenny frowned.

"Damn."

"Don’t worry, I can wait another day."

Jenny hesitated for a moment.

"Okay."

"How long is it gonna take you to find a cure?"

Jenny shrugged.

"Might be an hour or a year."

Faith groaned.

"I’m gonna die of a rash. How embarrassing."

Jenny chuckled.

"Don’t worry. I’ll see if I can find something to ease the itch. Maybe some conventional creams."

"Okay."

For the next week and a half, Faith kept pestering Jenny about the cure. Jenny kept assuring her that she was working on it, but truth be told, she kept getting distracted. This was a whole new science she was discovering and she could barely hide her excitement. She wanted to tell the whole world about it, but she had promised Faith not to. And she understood that Faith had a point. Still, all the new and unknown things kept distracting her, even though she tried not to get distracted.

Finally, a little over two weeks after she had gotten the demon's samples, Jenny found the cure.

"Faith, I’m a genius," she said with a wide smile as she walked into their dorm room.

"So what else is new," Faith said with a smile.

Jenny grinned.

"I got the cure."

That got Faith’s attention.

"You sure?"

Jenny nodded.

"You bet. Here, put this on."

Faith took the small container and opened it. She sniffed at it and made a face.

"It smells."

"I can make it smell nice, but that’s gonna take a while."

Faith thought about it.

"Never mind." She put the container aside and got up. She took off her shirt and then started applying the cream. "How long do I have to apply this stuff?"

"Until the rash is gone."

"And that is?"

Jenny smiled.

"When it’s gone."

Faith rolled her eyes.

"Great." She smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem."

Jenny hesitated for a moment.

"Can I come out with you sometimes? I’d like to see more demons."

Faith grinned.

"And get some samples, huh?"

Jenny smiled.

"Yeah, that too."

"Sure. Just make sure you destroy them when you’re done with them."

"Okay." She thought for a moment. "Damn, too bad I didn’t take a photo."

"Why?"

"For identification purposes. I don’t know the demon’s name. I mean, the name of the species."

"Oh." Faith thought for a moment. "Rash demons?"

Jenny chuckled.

"I’ll go destroy the samples."

"Okay. See you later."

During the next spring break, the fourth day after Faith got to New York, a problem occurred. Kim and Faith just came to pick up Tallulah when they saw a group of vamps attacking Tallulah, who had apparently been talking to her mother as she waited for them. Kim quickly pulled over and they ran to help Tallulah.

"Crap," Faith said after they quickly dusted the vamps.

Kim and Tallulah looked at Tallulah’s mother, who was staring at them agape, apparently not quite sure whether to scream, run away or run to hug her daughter.

"Mom," Tallulah said, nervous, and slowly approached her.

Her mother finally snapped out of it and she approached Tallulah and hugged her tightly.

"What the hell were those… things?" Tallulah’s father asked as he came out.

Tallulah’s mother let go of Tallulah.

"Are you okay, honey?"

"Yes, Mom," Tallulah said.

"Where did you learn how to fight like that? And what were those things?"

Tallulah looked at Faith and Kim questioningly.

"Might as well tell them the truth," Faith said.

"You sure?" Tallulah asked.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"But what about… You know."

"Kim will let him know and then he can come over tomorrow and tell your parents the rest."

"Okay."

"What are you girls talking about?" Tallulah’s father asked, confused.

Tallulah looked at him.

"I think we better talk about this inside," she said. She looked at Faith and Kim. "Looks like I won’t be going anywhere tonight."

"That’s okay," Faith said. "Family’s also important."

Tallulah smiled.

"Yeah."

"Will you be able to explain by yourself or do you need help?" Kim asked.

Tallulah thought for a moment.

"I’ll be okay."

"Okay. Call me later."

"Okay. Be careful."

"We will."

Faith and Kim left, and Tallulah faced her parents, nervous.

"Let’s go inside," Tallulah’s mom said, looking around nervously.

They went back to the house and Tallulah followed her father to the living room.

"What’s going on, honey?" Tallulah’s father asked when they all sat down.

"Well, eh, it’s kinda complicated." She took a deep breath. "I’m a Slayer."

Her parents looked at one another, clueless.

"Slayer?"

"Yeah."

"What’s a Slayer?"

"I’ll get to that. Anyway, those things out there were vampires."

"Vampires?" her mother said.

"Yes."

"You mean like Dracula?"

"Yes."

"You’re kidding, right?" her father said.

"No, Dad, I’m serious. You saw how they turned to dust."

"Well… What did they want?"

"Me."

"You?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I’m a Slayer. Look, I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. I wish it weren’t, but it is."

"Okay," her mother said. "So, what’s a Slayer?"

"Well, before Humans walked the Earth, the demons ruled here. The most powerful demons later moved to other dimensions, but others remained. Then Humans came along. Thousands of years ago, a couple of shamans made a Slayer."

"Made?" her father asked, confused.

"Yeah. They took the essence of a powerful demon and, eh, what’s the word… Oh! They infused a girl with it."

"Infused?"

Tallulah shrugged.

"Don’t ask. Anyway, that girl became the first Slayer. And when she died, that power moved to another girl."

"And now you’re the Slayer?"

"Just one of many. There used to be only one Slayer, but because they had to prevent an apocalypse, they turned all Potentials into Slayers."

"Who’s they?"

"What’s a Potential?" her mother asked.

"Potentials are girls who have the potential to become Slayers, hence… Potentials."

"Oh."

"And who are they?" her father asked.

"They? Oh. Buffy and her friends."

"Buffy?"

"The last solo Slayer."

"Solo?"

"There used to be only one Slayer and when she died, another was called. Until Buffy. She died for a few moments and another was called, but Buffy was still alive, so there were two Slayers. The other got killed and Faith was called."

"Faith? Your friend Faith?"

"Yes. And, like, two years ago, they were fighting the First, who was killing all the Potentials, so they made us all Slayers to save us."

"How many Slayers are there?"

Tallulah shrugged.

"I don’t know. A lot. There were over three hundred at the camp last year."

"Camp? The one in England?" her mother asked.

"Yes."

"That was a Slayer camp?"

"Yes," Tallulah said, nervous.

"What did you do there?"

"We practiced and learned stuff about demons and magic and we listened to stories about Slayers."

"Magic?"

"Yes, magic is real. And witches."

"Witches?"

"Yes."

Tallulah’s parents thought for a few moments.

"You said the shamans infused the girl with demon essence. Are you a demon now?" her father then asked.

Tallulah smiled.

"No."

"But you’re different."

"I’m faster, stronger, I have better senses, I heal faster, I can feel demons…"

"Feel?"

"I can feel when they’re near. And I can feel other Slayers."

"Oh."

"Who were you talking about? Faith said he could come over and explain things," her mother asked.

"Oh, my Watcher."

"Your what?"

"Watcher. Mr Jones."

"What’s a Watcher?"

"They’re a group of people who study demons and help Slayers. Each Slayer has a Watcher."

"Do we know him?"

Tallulah frowned.

"I don’t know. I don’t think so."

"Do Kim and Faith also have a Watcher?"

"Kim has one, I’m not sure about Faith. I know she had one, but I’m not sure if she still has him."

"Why not?"

"A long story."

Her parents thought for a few moments.

"You fight demons?"

"Yes."

"Every night?" her father asked.

"Not every night. Sometimes we just hang out. We went to the movies last Friday." Tallulah thought for a moment. "I always go with Kim, because my Watcher doesn’t let me go out on my own yet."

"Do Kim’s parents know?"

"No."

"And Faith’s?"

Tallulah frowned.

"I don’t think she has a family."

"Oh."

"Do you have to go out?"

"If I don’t, they come to me, like tonight."

"Oh."

Tallulah thought for a moment.

"Want me to call my Watcher? He could explain this better. And he could bring books and stuff."

Her parents looked at one another.

"Okay," her mother said.

Tallulah got up.

"Oh! Eh, please don’t mention Faith."

"Why not?" her father asked.

"She doesn’t want him to know she’s here."

"Why?"

Tallulah shrugged.

"I don’t know. She’s very private."

"I see."

"There’s a nest here somewhere," Faith said, looking around, after she and Kim killed a couple of vamps.

"How do you know?" Kim asked.

"They were very bold." She moved toward an alley. "Keep your eyes open."

"Okay."

They quietly moved through the alley, both ready to fight.

"Faith," Kim suddenly said.

"I know," Faith said. "Keep moving."

"But…"

"Keep moving."

They quietly moved through the alley and jumped over the fence.

"What happened?" Kim asked as they walked on.

"It’s a big nest and they have lookouts. We need a different approach."

"Like what?"

"I think I know where the entrance is, but we’ll need to get rid of the lookouts first."

"I noticed two."

"There were three."

"Oh."

"We’ll come back tomorrow morning. Do you have any binoculars?"

"Yes. Why?"

"So we can watch them from afar and make sure we get all the lookouts."

"Oh."

"We might need Tallulah too."

"You think the nest is that big?"

"Yes."

"I’m not sure her parents will let her out."

"We’ll see. Call me when you find out what the situation is."

"Okay."

The next day, Kim and Faith went to Tallulah.

"Eh, hi, Mrs Franklin," Kim said, a bit nervous, when Tallulah’s mom opened the door.

"Hello," Mrs Franklin said. "Come in."

Faith and Kim entered.

"Hey," Tallulah said with a smile.

"Hey," Kim said.

"My Watcher was here last night," Tallulah told Faith, "but we didn’t tell him about you."

"Thanks," Faith said.

"Are you in trouble, Faith?" Mrs Franklin asked.

Faith shook her head.

"No, I just don’t want them to know where I am."

"Oh." She thought for a moment. "You’re gong out… slaying?"

"Yes."

"In daylight?"

"They can’t run away because of sunlight."

"I see."

"What weapons will you take?" Mr Franklin asked.

"Stakes."

"Just stakes?"

"I got a couple of water bombs," Kim said.

"Water bombs?" Mrs Franklin said, startled.

"They’re filled with holy water. It should distract the vamps."

"I see." Mrs Franklin glanced at her daughter. "And Tallulah has to go with you?"

"Someone has to make sure they don’t escape the way we get in."

"Oh."

"I’ll be okay, Mom," Tallulah said.

"I was her age when I was called," Faith said.

Mrs Franklin looked at her.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Did your parents know?"

"No."

"Do they know now?"

"They’re dead."

"Oh. I’m sorry."

"I’ll be okay, Mom," Tallulah said.

"I’ll keep an eye on her," Faith said.

Mrs Franklin sighed. She glanced at her husband.

"I don’t like this," Mr Franklin said.

"Me neither," she agreed.

"None of us does," Faith said. "And besides, if we don’t go after them, they come after us." She hesitated for a moment. "And those we care about."

Mrs Franklin stared at her for a few moments and then sighed again. She went to Tallulah and hugged her.

"Just be careful, honey."

"I will, Mom," Tallulah said, hugging her back.

"How did it go?" Kim asked Tallulah as they drove off.

"Okay. I think they were too shocked to freak out," Tallulah said. "I think Mr Jones’ books really convinced them that it was serious. We were up till, like, 2 AM. We talked a little after Mr Jones left and then I went to bed, but I think my parents stayed up longer. This morning we talked some more and I think they accepted that I have to go out and slay demons."

"I hope mine react this well."

"You plan to tell them?"

"No! But, you know, if they ever find out."

"Oh."

When they got to the nest, Faith took Kim’s binoculars and examined the place from afar. She only spotted the three lookouts she’d noticed the previous night. They made a plan. They split up and approached the nest from three sides. Faith killed her lookout first and then watched as Kim and Tallulah killed theirs. Tallulah had a bit of a problem, because the vamp had noticed her approach, but she managed to kill him without much fuss. Faith nodded at Tallulah when she looked at her, and then motioned her to move on. They first scouted out the surrounding area and then met at the main entrance.

"No way out," Faith said. "You?"

"No," Kim said.

Tallulah shook her head.

"It’s possible there’s an underground way out, so watch out," Faith said.

"Okay," Tallulah said.

"You stay close to the door. I’ll take point, Kim, you spray them with holy water."

"Got it," Kim said and opened her bag.

"Ready?" Kim and Tallulah nodded. "Be careful."

Faith tried the door. It was unlocked, so she entered. Once inside, she quickly assessed the situation. It looked a big nest and there weren’t many rooms. Then the vampires who weren’t sleeping noticed them and started waking the sleepers.

"Kim, balloons," Faith said as she moved toward the awaking vamps.

Kim started throwing the water balloons at the vampires, distracting them while Faith plowed through them.

Faith tried to kill as many distracted vamps as possible before she reached those that were awake. She also wanted to see what was in the other rooms. Then she noticed that a door was opening. She quickly ran to it to examine what was behind it. A couple of vamps came out, obviously coming to investigate. Faith quickly dispatched them. She looked through the door and saw that there were more vamps down the stairs, many more.

"Shit," she said. She quickly closed the door. "There’s more of them downstairs!" she called. "Hurry up!"

Tallulah stood her ground by the entrance, preventing the vamps from escaping, and Kim moved to kill the other vamps, but she made sure she was close to Tallulah.

The vamps from downstairs started rushing upstairs and Faith had her hands full keeping them at bay. She made sure they got stuck on the stairs, so they couldn’t rush at her. The vamps upstairs tried to get her to move away, but she stood her ground.

A couple of minutes later, the vamps upstairs were almost gone, but Faith had a problem, because most of the vamps concentrated on getting her away from the door.

"Kim! Tallulah!" Faith finally called for help.

The younger Slayers moved to help her. The vampires tried to stop them, but they dusted them. When they reached Faith, they watched her back while she took care of the vamps on the stairs. Soon, the vamps upstairs were gone. Faith stepped aside to rest a little and to let a couple of vamps come up. Then she blocked the others and let Kim and Tallulah take care of those she let pass. When they were done, she repeated the process.

She did it a couple of times, but then the vamps refused to rush past her.

When no vamps came up, Kim ran to get her bag.

"I got a couple bombs left," she said when she got back.

"Follow me," Faith said and started to descent. "Wait till I tell you."

"Okay," Kim said and followed her.

Tallulah followed as well, watching their back.

As they descended, Faith told Kim when to throw the water bombs to distract the vamps. She soon noticed that the room downstairs was much bigger than the one upstairs. Still, there were not that many vamps there. She thought for a moment and then realized that she’d killed a lot of them while they were trying to get upstairs.

"No more bombs," Kim said after the third water bomb.

"They’re escaping!" Tallulah suddenly called. "Over there, behind the crates!"

Faith and Kim looked.

"Let them," Faith said.

She felt slightly tired and she knew that Kim and Tallulah were probably exhausted.

The majority of the remaining vamps realized they were in trouble and decided to escape.

The three Slayers quickly moved to kill as many as they could before they reached the hole in the back wall.

"Are we gonna follow them?" Tallulah asked when the last vamp was gone through the hold.

"No," Faith said.

"Why not?"

"Because we don’t know what’s down there and they see better than us in the darkness. Plus, you two are tired."

"I’m not."

Faith smiled.

"Trust me." She nodded at her. "Look at yourself, you’re both a mess."

Tallulah and Kim looked at one another and then at themselves.

"Damn," Kim said. "How am I gonna explain this to my mom?"

"You can borrow some clothes from me," Tallulah said.

"Thanks."

"Let’s get out of here," Faith said.

They went to the stairs.

"Wow, this was so exciting," Tallulah said as they went upstairs.

Faith smiled.

"Excitement can get you killed," she said.

Tallulah glanced at her.

"Well, I mean, it wasn’t so exciting during the fight, but it is now." She rubbed her stomach. "And I’m hungry."

Kim grinned.

"Hungry and horny, huh?"

Tallulah blushed.

Faith chuckled.

"They told you about that at the camp, or did you find that out by yourselves?" she asked.

Kim smiled at her.

"We found that out by ourselves, we just never gave it a name," she said. "Xander told us."

Faith grinned.

"Who else."

After they dropped Faith off close to her grandparents’ house, Kim and Tallulah went to Tallulah’s house.

"Mom! We’re back!" Tallulah called as they got in.

Mrs Franklin quickly came.

"My god! What happened to you?" she asked, worried, when she saw what Kim and Tallulah looked like. "Are you okay?"

"We’re fine, Mom."

"Where’s Faith? Is she okay?"

"Yes, we dropped her off."

"Oh."

"We wiped out this huge vamp nest," Tallulah said, excitedly. "I’m hungry."

Kim chuckled.

"Let me check out your wounds first," Mrs Franklin said.

"We’re fine, Mom. They’re mostly bruises and the cuts are already healing."

Mrs Franklin looked a closer look.

"Oh. Well, then go clean up, you’re a mess."

"Okay, Mom."

"You too, Kim."

"Yes, Mrs Franklin."

When Faith got home, she quickly went to the bathroom. As she entered she heard her grandmother somewhere behind her and she hoped that she hadn’t seen her.

But Mrs Spencer did see her and she wondered for a moment if she was seeing things. She wasn’t completely sure, but to her it looked as though Faith’s clothes were torn and bloody. She decided to ask Faith about it later.

After the shower, Faith bundled up her torn clothes. She peeked out to make sure no one was around and then she quickly went to her room. But then her grandmother came from the master bedroom.

"Faith…"

Faith tensed and then quickly continued to her room. She closed the door and leaned on it, closing her eyes for a moment. She had a problem. She knew her grandmother would want to know about the bruises and the cuts, but she didn’t want her to know about demons and Slayers and stuff. She sighed. She threw the torn clothes aside and dropped the towel. She went to the closet and took out fresh clothes.

When she was dressed, she stood still for a few moments, hesitating, and then started to pack. Just then there was a knock on the door. Faith tensed for a moment and then continued to pack. There was another knock.

"Faith?"

Faith didn’t respond, so Mrs Spencer opened the door and peeked inside. When she saw Faith was dressed, she went in.

"Faith, are you alright, I saw… What are you doing?" she asked when she saw Faith packing. "Faith?" she asked when Faith didn’t respond. "Honey?" She went closer. "Why are you packing? Are you leaving?"

"Yeah," Faith said without looking at her.

"Why?" She thought for a moment. "Does it have to do with your bruises?" She gently removed a lock of Faith’s hair from her face. "Faith?"

Faith sighed and stopped packing.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"I don’t wanna talk about it."

"Are you okay?"

"I’m fine."

"You sure? You looked full of bruises." She glanced at the ruined clothes. "And I think I saw blood on your clothes."

"I’m fine."

Mrs Spencer thought for a moment.

"I don’t want you to leave, Faith. I mean, you don’t have to tell me what happened."

Faith sighed. She hesitated for a moment and then looked at her.

"It’s just… It’s just… I mean, there’s a part of my life that I really don’t want you to know about."

"You don’t have to talk about it, if you don’t want to, honey."

Faith sighed again.

"I do…"

"You don’t have to explain," Mrs Spencer interrupted her. "Just… Please, don’t leave."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, thinking about it.

"Okay," she finally said.

Mrs Spencer smiled.

"Good." She thought for a moment and then glanced at the ruined clothes. "Want me to get rid of those?"

Faith looked at the clothes.

"Yeah."

"Okay." She went to the clothes and picked them up. Then she looked at Faith. "I’m glad you’re not leaving, Faith."

She smiled and left.

Faith stared after her for a few moments. Then she sighed and sat on the bed. She wanted to tell her grandparents everything, she just didn’t want them to know. She didn’t know if that made sense. She didn’t know what to do. She knew her grandmother would wonder and probably worry, and she might even tell her grandfather. She didn’t want them to worry, but she didn’t want them to know about demons either, because then they would also worry. Either way, they would worry.

"Crap," she murmured when she reached that conclusion.

"Where did you say we were going?" Mr Spencer asked when they approached the nest which Faith, Kim and Tallulah had wiped out. He looked around. "What is this place?"

"A nest."

"A nest? Of what?"

"You’ll see," Faith said, keeping an eye out for new lookouts. "I think."

"You can’t just tell us?" Mrs Spencer asked, looking around curiously.

"You wouldn’t believe me." She glanced at her grandparents. "This is probably gonna be dangerous, so do exactly what I tell you."

"How dangerous?" Mr Spencer asked.

"You could die," Faith said bluntly.

"Oh," Mr Spencer said, startled and suddenly very nervous.

He glanced at his wife, who was looking around, also wondering what Faith wanted to show them.

When they reached the entrance, Faith took a deep breath and entered.

"Stay close to the door," she said when she saw a couple of vamps walking around.

The vamps immediately noticed the intruders and they started to approach, but when they recognized Faith, they stopped, uncertain. But when they realized that the other two people with her weren’t two more slayers but an old couple, they decided to attack. Most of them went after Faith and a couple went after Mr and Mrs Spencer.

Faith quickly engaged the vamps. She dusted a few and then threw her stake at one of the vamps approaching her grandparents. Her grandmother shrieked, startled, when the vamp exploded in a dust cloud. The other vamp realized that having her back turned toward a slayer was a sure way to get killed. She knew that the old couple weren’t a threat, so she decided to get the Slayer out of the way first and then feast on the couple.

"Did he just… explode?" Mrs Spencer asked her husband when the other vamp went after Faith.

"It looked that way," Mr Spencer said.

"What are they?"

"I have no idea. Look at Faith, she’s wiping the floor with them."

A minute later, it was all over. Of the seven vamps, only one had ran away. Faith took a deep breath and looked at her grandparents. They looked okay, so she looked at herself. Her clothes were okay and she didn’t have cuts, only a couple of bruises that were already fading. She hesitated for a moment, nervous, and then approached her grandparents.

"You okay?" she asked.

Her grandmother nodded.

"Yes," Mr Spencer said.

"Let’s go home then."

Faith left the nest and her grandparents quickly followed her.

"What were those… creatures?" Mrs Spencer asked.

"I’ll tell you at home," Faith said.

"Oh. Okay."

When they got home, Faith told her grandparents about demons and Slayers, wondering if Tallulah had had the same conversation with her parents. When she was done, her grandparents thought about it. Finally her grandmother smiled.

"Your father did always say that you were special."

Faith looked at her.

"He did?" she asked uncertainly.

Mrs Spencer nodded.

"Yes."

"He’d be proud of you," Mr Spencer said.

Faith looked at her hands. She’d told them about demons and Slayers, but not really all that much about herself. She hesitated for a few moments and then decided to tell them the rest, including a couple of details on the murders she’d committed. She wasn’t sure they’d still like her after they knew everything, but she suddenly needed them to know, she didn’t want to keep anymore secrets from them.

"That’s not all," she started, nervous, avoiding eye contact.

When she was done, her grandparents thought about it again. She stared at her hands, nervous, half expecting them to yell, half expecting them to just tell her to get out.

Finally her grandmother reached over and covered Faith’s hands with her own hand, making Faith look at her, startled. She smiled softly.

"I don’t think either of us completely understands why you did what you did, but you’re still our granddaughter. And if you ever want somebody to talk to, we’ll listen."

Faith stared at her for a few moments and then looked at her grandfather, who nodded. She gulped and then took a deep breath, relieved.

"Thanks," she said.

"You’re welcome."

A couple of months later, Juanita called Faith over.

"Hey," Faith said when she got there. "What’s the emergency?"

"Come in," Juanita said.

"It’s not Hope, is it?" Faith asked, suddenly worried about her goddaughter.

"Huh?" Juanita said, startled. "Oh. No. Hope’s okay, she’s asleep."

"Caitlin?"

"She’s fine, she’s out."

"What then?"

Juanita hesitated for a moment.

"She asked me to marry her."

Faith smiled.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"And?"

"I said yes, of course, it’s just…"

"You’re having second thoughts?"

"No! I do want to marry her, it’s just… I don’t know. I guess… I mean, I know I’m the more screwed up and I guess it keeps surprising me how much she loves me."

"Yeah, I think I know how you feel. When’s the wedding?"

"We haven’t set the date yet."

"Oh."

Juanita hesitated for a moment.

"Eh, I’d like you to be my maid of honor."

Faith’s eyes went wide.

"Me?"

"Yeah."

"Why not a colleague at work?"

"They all think I’m nuts."

"You are."

Juanita grinned.

"Yeah, but you don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing."

Faith smiled.

"Yeah." She thought for a moment. "I won’t have to wear a dress, will I?" she asked anxiously.

Juanita chuckled.

"No, no dresses. We don’t like dresses either. As long as it’s not one of your sluttier outfits, you’ll do fine."

Faith grinned.

"Okay."

"Thanks."

"What about Hope? Are you taking her to the wedding?"

"Sure. She’ll be our bride’s maid."

Faith smiled.

"Isn’t she a little too young for that?"

Juanita thought about it.

"Ask Jenny if she wants to come. She can keep an eye on Hope and she can be our bride’s maid as well."

"Okay, I will."

"Cool. Thanks."

"No problem. How’s the new apartment?"

"Great. We’re still getting used to it."

"And the job?"

"Okay. Not as exciting as the old one, but not as dangerous either. How’s college?"

Faith rolled her eyes.

"I had that coming."

Juanita grinned.

"You bet."

"It’s okay. Considering I hate school, I’m doing better than I expected."

"That’s nice."

"Yeah."

"I’ll let you know when we plan to marry, so you and Jenny can see if it’s okay with you two."

"Okay." Faith thought for a moment. "Does Caitlin have a maid of honor?"

"Yeah, a colleague from work. They’re good friends."

"Oh. Good."

"You’re still here?" Jenny asked when she came to the dorm room and found Faith there.

"I was waiting for you."

"Yeah?"

"Juanita and Caitlin are getting married."

Jenny smiled.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Juanita wants me to be her maid of honor."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks. Anyway, she wants you to be their bride’s maid."

"Me?" Jenny said, surprised.

"Yeah. You’ll have to keep an eye on Hope, she’ll also be a bride’s maid."

"Ah. Okay. No problem. When’s the wedding?"

"They’ll let us know."

"Okay. Cool. Ask if they need any help with planning."

"I will."

"Good. Are you coming to the party after your patrol?"

"Party?"

"Alpha phi theta."

"Oh! I’ll try."

"Okay."

For the wedding, Caitlin and Juanita chose to marry in one of the Canadian provinces where gay marriage was legal. They knew it wouldn’t be legal back home, but they wanted a piece of paper that actually meant something somewhere, not just a receipt. So they took a weekend trip to Canada. Hope slept most of the way and while she was awake, Faith kept her company.

The ceremony was a simple one, and a friend of Caitlin recorded the whole thing and took photos. Jenny took care of Hope and told her what to do.

During the ceremony, Faith quietly observed Juanita and Caitlin, wondering if she would ever find someone special. Her thoughts automatically went to Buffy. She wondered how she was. There was always something about Buffy, but she doubted she could ever repair the damage. She hoped they could at least be friends.

After the wedding, they went sightseeing a little. In the evening, Caitlin and Juanita left Hope with Faith and Jenny so they could spend a night by themselves.

For Christmas, Faith visited her grandparents again.

"Faith!" Sharon called when she saw Faith got out of the bus.

Faith smiled when she saw Sharon running toward her.

"Hey," she said when Sharon got closer.

"Mom and me came to pick you up."

"Thanks. How’s school?"

Sharon rolled her eyes.

"Sucks. How’s college?"

Faith grinned.

"Interesting."

"Right."

"Hello, Faith," Kelly said.

"Hi," Faith said.

"How’s college? You’re in the third year now, right?"

"Yeah. It’s okay. I kinda like it."

Kelly smiled.

"That’s good. Come, the car’s over there."

"Grandma said you were a maid of honor at a wedding," Sharon said.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"Do you have any pictures?"

"Sure. And a video."

"Cool. Will you show me?"

"Sure. After lunch."

"Okay."

After the video, Faith showed Sharon some tricks on how to defend yourself if you’re sitting. But she quickly noticed that Sharon was distracted by something.

"Okay, what’s on your mind?" she finally asked.

Sharon blushed.

"Eh…" She hesitated for a moment and then stepped closer to Faith. "Boys," she said conspiratorially.

Faith grinned.

"I see."

Sharon’s blush deepened.

"I wanted to talk to Mom, but, you know, you’re closer to my age."

Faith smiled.

"Go freshen up and then I’ll tell you all you need to know about boys."

Sharon smiled, excited.

"Okay," she said and quickly left.

"Tom, do you know where Sharon and Faith are?" Kelly asked a couple of hours later.

"In their room."

"What are they doing?"

Tom shrugged.

"Don’t know. Sharon told me to go away. I think they were talking or something. Sharon sad it was girl stuff."

"Oh," Kelly said with a smile.

"They seem to be getting along," Mr Spencer commented.

"Yes. Sharon could hardly wait to see Faith again."

"I noticed."

"I’m glad they’re getting along."

"Me too. It’s good for Faith. And probably Sharon as well."

"Yes."

"Ah, there you are," Mrs Spencer said when Sharon and Faith came to the kitchen. "We thought you’d gotten lost."

"We were talking."

"Girl stuff?"

Sharon blushed.

"Yeah."

"Boys," Faith mouthed.

"I see," Mrs Spencer said with a smile.

Sharon poured them something to drink.

"Here."

"Thanks," Faith said as she took her drink.

They emptied their glasses.

"Mom!" Sharon then called and ran after her mom.

"You two seem to get along great," Mrs Spencer then said.

Faith looked at her.

"Yeah."

"It’s almost like you were sisters."

Faith smiled.

"She reminds me of someone else’s little sister." She sighed. "It’s kinda nice being the older sister."

Mrs Spencer smiled.

"It’s nice to see you opening up."

Faith blushed a little.

"I’m getting used to this."

"I’m glad."

When Faith graduated, her grandparents were there, and Faith felt proud because of what she had achieved, and happy that she had someone to share it with.

"Congratulations, Faith," Mrs Spencer said when Faith came to them after.

"Thanks," Faith said as they hugged.

"Sharon wants you to call her."

"I know," Faith said with a smile.

"And, how does it feel being a college graduate?" Mr Spencer smile.

"Cool. I can’t believe I actually graduated."

"Any idea where you could get a job?" Mrs Spencer asked.

"I hope with the Council, but I need to make a couple of phone calls first."

"Oh."

"Are you sure?" Mr Spencer asked.

"They usually work where demons are involved. But I need to find out first if they’re okay."

"I see."

"I’m gonna call…" Faith trailed off. "Eh, can you excuse me for a moment, I see a friend."

"Sure."

Faith quickly walked to Angel, who was waiting for her in the shadows.

"Hey, big guy," she said with a smile. "What are you doing here?"

"Watching you graduate," Angel said with a smile.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then hugged him.

"Thanks," she said.

"You’re welcome," Angel said as they stopped hugging. He nodded at her grandparents. "Your grandparents?"

Faith glanced at them.

"Yes."

"How does it feel to be a graduate?"

"Cool. I’m gonna try to get a job with the Council."

"The Council?"

"Yeah. I’ll talk to Giles and Willow first."

"Okay. So I take it you’re coming out of your exile?"

Faith smiled a little.

"Yeah."

"Good. Buffy’s worried sick about you."

Faith sighed.

"How is she?"

"Beside being worried sick about you? Okay, I guess. A bit depressed. She likes to teach the new Slayers at the camp."

"I heard."

Angel glanced at Mr and Mrs Spencer.

"Anyway, it’s nice to see you again."

"You too." She hesitated for a moment. "And thanks."

Angel smiled.

"You’re welcome. I’ll see you around."

"Yeah. Bye."

"Bye."

Faith went back to her grandparents.

"That was Angel," she told them.

"The vampire?" Mr Spencer asked, surprised.

"Yeah."

"I thought vampires couldn’t stand the sunlight," Mrs Spencer said.

"Direct sunlight. He was in the shadows."

"Oh."

"I’m gonna call Sharon now."

"Okay."

Faith took her cell phone and called Sharon.

"Faith?"

"Hey," Faith said.

"Did you graduate yet?"

"Yeah, all done."

"Cool! Congratulations!"

"You too. Freshman."

"Hey!"

Faith grinned.

"Looking forward to going to high school?"

"Not really, I mean, it is still school."

"I know exactly how you feel."

"Are Grandma and Grandpa there?"

"Yeah."

"Tell them I said hi."

"I will."

"Okay. Have fun then."

"You too. Bye."

"Bye."

Faith put away her phone.

"Sharon says hi," she then told her grandparents.

"Thank you," Mrs Spencer said.

"Faith!" Jenny called as she and her family came closer.

"Hey," Faith said with a smile.

"You know Derek."

"Hey."

"And these are my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Faith."

"Hello," Jenny’s dad said.

"Hi," Faith said. "Eh, these are my grandparents. And this is Jenny," Faith introduced them. "And her family."

"Hello," Mrs Spencer said.

"Going home now?" Jenny asked Faith.

"Yeah. I’ll call you."

"Cool! I’d like to stay in touch."

"Me too."

"Look, there’s Caitlin and Juanita."

Everyone looked, and Juanita waved at them.

"Sorry, we’re late, but the crowd is huge," Caitlin said as they came closer.

"I know," Faith said. "Eh, guys, these are my grandparents and this is Jenny’s family. Eh, these are our friends Caitlin and Juanita and their daughter Hope."

"Your goddaughter!" Mrs Spencer said.

"Yeah," Faith said and caressed Hope. "Hey, honey. Sleepy?"

Hope nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"The heat’s got her down," Caitlin said, and caressed Hope. "She did see you two graduate. Didn’t you?"

Hope nodded again.

"Uh-huh. You looked funny."

Everyone smiled.

"I know," Faith said. "You’ll look funny too when you graduate."

"How about we all go out for lunch and celebrate?" Mr Spencer suggested.

"Yeah," Jenny agreed.

"I don’t know," Caitlin said, "Hope…"

"Don’t worry, you got the pram," Faith said.

"Yeah," Jenny said, "she can sleep while we eat."

Caitlin looked at Hope and then at Juanita.

"She’s got a point," Juanita said.

Caitlin hesitated for a moment.

"Okay."

"Cool," Jenny said.

In the evening, Faith called Willow.

"Hi, Faith," Willow said as she answered the phone. "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"Good."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Eh, I graduated today."

"Really?" Willow said, surprised and excited at the same time.

"Yeah."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"What did you major in?"

"Archeology."

There was a brief pause.

"Archeology?" Willow said, surprised.

"Yeah."

Willow giggled.

"I'd never have guessed. Congratulations."

"Thanks." Faith hesitated for a moment. "Eh, are the new Watchers trustworthy?"

"Trustworthy?"

"Yeah."

"Well, most of the old ones are dead. The younger ones are a bit less stuck up. They're okay, I guess, they're not being bossy. And they're not out to get you anymore. I guess you helping save the world changed their minds. They are worried, though, because you'd disappeared." She hesitated for a moment. "Buffy is worried too."

Faith sighed.

"Do you trust them?"

Willow thought about it.

"Yes, I think so. Why?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Because I need a job."

"A job," Willow said, startled.

"Yeah."

Willow chuckled.

"Sorry, it's just, you took me by surprise. First, you finish college and now you want a job. You sure have changed."

"Yeah," Faith said, slightly nervous. "Can you give me Giles' number, so I can ask him, if he can arrange a job interview?"

"Sure. You got something to write?"

"Yes." Willow gave her the number. "Thanks."

"No problem. Good luck."

"Thanks."

Willow hesitated for a moment.

"You do realize that Buffy is going to find out?"

Faith sighed.

"I know."

"You're okay with that?"

"I'll be okay."

"Okay. Take care. I'll probably see you soon then."

"Yeah."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

Faith severed the connection and sighed, wondering how her next encounter with Buffy will go. She looked at the piece of paper and then dialed Giles' number.

"Hello?" Giles answered the phone.

"Hi, Giles, it's me."

There was a brief pause.

"Faith?" Giles said when he recovered from surprise.

"Yeah."

"My god. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Where are you? We were all worried when you just walked out."

"In college."

There was another brief pause.

"College?"

"Yeah. I just graduated."

"Well, congratulations!"

"Thanks."

"What did you major in?"

"Archeology."

"Archeology?" Giles said, wondering what other surprises Faith held in store.

"Yeah." She hesitated for a moment. "I need a job, and I was wondering if the Council had an opening."

"Oh. Eh, I think we could always use a good archeologist."

"Can you get me a job interview?"

"A job interview?" Giles said, startled.

"Yeah. I want to get this job because I'm good enough for it, not because I'm a Slayer, or whatever."

"Oh," Giles said, understanding. "Very well, I'll call you back."

"Okay. Thanks."

"You're welcome." Giles hesitated for a moment. "Eh, Buffy has been looking for you."

Faith sighed.

"I know."

"Oh. Well, I'll call you in a few minutes."

"Okay. Thanks. Bye."

"Bye, Faith."

Faith severed the connection and took a deep breath, slightly nervous.

When Faith got to the address Giles had given her, she was a bit nervous. She took a deep breath and entered. She went to the lifts and went down. She'd been surprised when she'd learned that the New York branch of the Council was in a basement, but then she realized that it made sense, since it was the safest place, plus, they could secretly build a tunnel or something.

When the lift stopped and she got out, she saw that she was in a waiting room of some kind. She looked around, but all she could see were a couple of tables, chairs and only one door.

"May I help you?"

Faith looked around, startled.

"Eh, I'm Faith Spencer," she introduced herself. "I'm here for the job interview."

"Ah, you're Faith. Come in."

Faith went to the door and entered.

"Hi," she said when she saw a woman sitting behind a desk, probably a receptionist.

"Hi," the woman said. "I thought you looked familiar. Room 6, that way," she said and pointed. "They're waiting for you."

"Thanks," Faith said.

She headed toward Room 6. When she reached it, she knocked.

"Come!"

Faith took a deep breath and entered.

"Hi," she said, a bit nervous when she saw that there were four people in the room, two women and two men.

"Hello, Miss Spencer," the younger woman said as she approached her. "Welcome."

"Eh… hi," Faith said as they shook hands.

"I'm Deborah Hayes." She turned around. "And these are my colleagues, Shelly Black, Norman Jameson and Daniel Hutchinson."

"Hutchinson?" Faith said and looked at the man.

"I'm her cousin," Mr Hutchinson said, meaning Faith's first Watcher.

"Oh," Faith said, nervous.

"Come, have a seat," Miss Hayes said.

Faith sat down, and Miss Hayes joined her colleagues. Faith took a deep breath and took a folder from her bag.

"We were quite surprised when we learned that you graduated and that you wanted a job as an archeologist," Miss Hayes then said. She smiled. "I'm glad you're better now. And I apologize for the way the old Council treated you."

"Eh, thanks," Faith said, surprised.

"How come you chose archeology?" Mr Hutchinson asked.

Faith shrugged.

"I felt it would help me with slaying."

"I see."

"Do you have your papers with you?" Miss Black asked.

Faith opened her folder, took out the papers and gave them to Miss Black.

"Do you have your diploma paper?" Mr Jameson asked.

Faith gave him a CD, and he put it into his laptop.

"How come you decided you wanted to work for us?" Miss Hayes asked.

"I figured you worked in places related to demons," Faith said.

"I see."

"An interesting topic," Mr Hutchinson said when Mr Jameson opened the file. "What were your conclusions?"

"There is too much evidence that supports the conclusion that the theory is wrong and the evidence that does support the theory is sometimes false and sometimes faulty."

"Brave of you," Miss Black said.

Faith shrugged.

"I know the theory is crap, but I couldn't cite all the… sources."

"I see."

"Is everything okay?" Mr Hutchinson asked when she tensed.

Faith sighed.

"Buffy's here."

"How do you know?"

"I can feel her."

"How do you know it's her and not some other Slayer?"

Faith shrugged.

"I just know."

"I see."

"Well, let me tell you what we would expect of you," Miss Hayes said. "At first, you'll be working on some texts, helping with translation and so on. Eventually, you'll also go on expeditions and help there." She smiled. "Who knows, someday you might even be in charge of one."

"Your papers are in order," Miss Black said, and gave them to Mr Jameson. "Nice average."

"Thanks," Faith said.

"May we copy your diploma paper?" Mr Hutchinson asked. "We'd like to see the way you think."

"Eh, sure."

"Thank you."

"Well, there doesn't seem to be any reason why you can't work for us," Miss Hayes said. "But are you sure you want to?"

"As long as you don't act like stuck up know-it-alls or try to run my life, I'm okay with it."

Miss Hayes smiled.

"We're a bit more relaxed than the old Council."

"We'll see."

"Here you go," Mr Jameson said, and gave her back the CD. "I'll print a contract. You can take it home, go over it, see if everything is clear. Then give us a call so we can set up a meeting and we'll answer your questions."

"Okay," Faith said, relieved that she wouldn't have to sign anything yet.

"Do you have a place to stay?" Miss Hayes asked as the printer started printing.

"Yeah."

"A decent one?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"With my grandparents."

"Ah. Good. Where?"

"Here, in New York."

"That's great, you won't have to drive long."

"Yeah." She hesitated for a moment. "Do you need a poison expert?"

"Poison expert?"

"Yeah. My roommate at college. She knows about demons and stuff and she helped me when I got a rash from a demon."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Miss Hayes glanced at her colleagues.

"We can always use experts like that."

"I'll call her and ask her."

"Okay."

Mr Jameson stapled the papers.

"Here you go," he said, and gave the contract and Faith's papers to Faith.

"Thanks," Faith said and put everything in her folder.

"Well, that's it for today," Miss Hayes said. "Unless you have some questions?"

"No," Faith said, and put her folder in her bag.

"Okay then," Miss Hayes said, and got up. "We'll see you in a couple of days."

"Yeah," Faith said and shook her hand.

Miss Hayes escorted Faith to the door.

"Faith," Mr Hutchinson said.

Faith turned, nervous.

"Yeah?"

"I don't blame you for her death."

Faith gulped.

"Thanks," she said.

She shuddered at the memory, and she quickly turned away.

"We'll see you in a couple of days then," Miss Hayes said as she opened the door.

"Yeah," Faith said. "Bye."

"Good bye."

Faith took a deep breath and went out, ready to face Buffy.

"Faith," Buffy said when Faith came out.

"Buffy," Faith said, and glanced at the closing door of Room 6.

They stared at one another for a couple of moments.

"How are you?" Buffy finally asked.

"I'm fine."

"Did you get the job?"

"Yeah."

Buffy smiled a little.

"Congratulations."

"Thanks."

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"I'm sorry. I know you didn't have anything with Angel. And I had no right to be jealous either, because we weren't together anymore."

Faith sighed.

"Angel's like an older brother to me."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too, for everything that I've done to you."

Buffy smiled a little.

"Can we start over?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know."

Buffy's smile vanished.

"Can we at least try?" she asked hopefully.

Faith stared at her for a moment and the nodded.

"Yeah."

Buffy smiled.

"Great." She hesitated for a moment. "Wanna get a cup of coffee? So we can tell each other what we've been doing?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Okay."

"Great," Buffy said, relieved. "Dawn's also here. She wanted to meet you too."

"Oh."

"Come."

"Faith!" Dawn said, excited, when Faith and Buffy came to the café across the street from where the Council's offices were.

"Hey," Faith said with a smile.

Dawn came closer and hugged her.

Faith hugged her back, surprised.

"Are you okay?" Dawn then asked. "We were so worried about you."

"I'm fine."

They sat down.

"I heard you finished college."

"Yeah."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"Did you get the job?"

"Yeah."

"Cool."

The waitress came.

"What can I get you?"

"Latte," Buffy said.

"Coffee with milk," Faith said.

"The same," Dawn said.

The waitress left.

"Why did you leave?" Dawn asked. "Was it because of Buffy?"

Faith thought for a moment.

"Partially. I also needed to get a grip, prove to myself that I could make something of myself."

Dawn smiled.

"And you did it."

Faith smiled back.

"Yeah."

"How come you chose archeology?" Buffy asked.

Faith looked at her.

"I thought it would help me with slaying. Plus, it's kinda interesting."

"Oh. Which college did you go to?"

"Chicago."

"Will you move to New York now?"

"Yeah."

"Do you have a place to stay? I'm sure the Council…"

"I got it."

"Oh."

"Not a motel?" Dawn said.

"No." Faith hesitated for a moment. "I live with my grandparents."

"Really?" Dawn said with a smile.

"Yeah."

"I didn't know you had grandparents," Buffy said. "Or any family at all."

"Me neither."

"How did you find them?"

"They found me. They hired a detective and he located me in Chicago."

"Oh."

"What are they like?" Dawn asked.

Faith shrugged.

"They're okay." She hesitated for a moment. "They know I'm a Slayer."

"Really?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Yeah."

"How did they find out?"

"Tallulah, Kim and me took out a nest, but there were more vamps than we thought and we got our asses kicked. When I got home, Grandma saw me and got worried."

"You know Tallulah and Kim?"

"Yeah."

The waitress brought them their drinks.

"Thanks," Dawn said.

"They never mentioned that they knew you," Buffy said when the waitress left.

"I asked them not to," Faith explained.

"Oh."

"How did your grandparents react?" Dawn asked.

"They were a bit shocked, but they got over it."

"Oh."

"You didn’t want me to find you?" Buffy asked, feeling hurt.

"No," Faith said.

"Why not?"

"I needed to prove to myself that I could make something of myself and I didn't need to feel that I needed to prove something to you."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a moment. "And now?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't think I need to prove anything to you. I mean, your opinion still matters, but I'm not gonna be all crushed if we disagree."

"Oh."

Faith's cell phone rang.

"Hey."

"Hi! Did you get the job?" Sharon asked.

"Yeah."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks.

"She got the job!" Faith could hear Sharon yell. "What's it like?"

"I'll be studying some old texts at first and then help out at digs."

"Sounds boring."

Faith smiled.

"It's interesting."

"Oh. When do you start?"

"I need to go over the contract first, so probably in a week or so."

"Cool. Oh no!"

"What?"

"I thought you could go on vacation with us."

"When are you leaving?"

"In two weeks."

"Oh." Faith thought for a moment. "I'll ask. I'm not making any promises though."

"Okay.

"Say hi to your family for me."

"I will."

"Okay. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye." Faith put away her phone. "That was my cousin Sharon," she explained when she saw Buffy and Dawn stare at her curiously.

"You got a cousin?" Dawn said, excited.

"Two, Tom and Sharon. Their mom is my dad's sister."

"Your dad?"

"He's dead."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

Faith smiled a little.

"It's okay." She thought for a moment. "And you two?"

"Buffy graduated last year and I'm graduating next year."

"Congratulations. What's your major?"

"Art."

Faith smiled.

"Like your mom."

"Yeah," Dawn said with a smile.

Faith thought for a few moments. She'd thought that the years of not seeing Buffy would make her immune to Buffy, but she was wrong. And in spite of their past, she wanted to be Buffy's friend, she wanted them to work out their problems.

"How long are you staying here?" she asked.

"I was thinking of going out with Kim and Tallulah," Buffy said. "See what they're like in action."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Wanna come over for dinner?"

Dawn smiled.

"Yes."

"Eh, okay," Buffy said, surprised.

"Good," Faith said. "At seven?"

"Okay."

Faith took a pen from her bag and wrote her address on a napkin.

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

"Thanks."

"I'll let Kim and Tallulah know."

"Okay."

"Ah, you must be Buffy and Dawn," Mrs Spencer said when Buffy and Dawn came over in the evening.

"Yes," Dawn said with a smile.

"Come on in."

Buffy and Dawn entered, and Mrs Spencer closed the door.

"Hey," Faith said, a bit nervous, when she came downstairs.

"Hi," Dawn said with a smile.

"Hey," Buffy said.

"Eh, that's my grandma," Faith introduced Mrs Spencer. She noticed her grandfather. "And that's my grandpa."

"Hi," Dawn said.

"Hello," Mr Spencer said.

"Eh, these are Buffy and Dawn," Faith said.

"You can put your jackets over there," Mrs Spencer pointed.

Buffy and Dawn took off their jackets.

"I'll go check up on the food," Mrs Spencer said. "Why don't you go to the living room."

"Okay."

Mrs Spencer left.

"Would you like anything to drink?" Mr Spencer asked.

"Something non-alcoholic," Dawn said.

"Me too," Buffy said. "Whatever you have."

"Faith?" Mr Spencer asked.

"Nothing, thanks."

"Okay," Mr Spencer said and left.

"Come," Faith said when Buffy and Dawn put away their jackets.

They went to the living room.

"Nice house," Buffy said.

"Yeah."

"Your family?" Dawn asked when she noticed a bunch of photos.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"Yours is also there."

"Yeah."

Dawn smiled at her.

"You finally have a home."

"Yeah."

Faith sat down, and Buffy and Dawn did the same.

"Neat," Dawn said, looking around.

"I'm glad you have a family, Faith," Buffy said.

"Thanks."

Then Mr Spencer came with the drinks.

"Here you go."

"Thanks," Buffy said.

"Thanks," Dawn said.

"Dinner will be in a few minutes," Mr Spencer said.

"Okay," Buffy said.

Mr Spencer sat down.

"Faith tells me you studied in England," he said.

"Just me," Dawn said. "And I'm still studying. I'm graduating next year. Buffy graduated last year."

"Ah, so you're Faith's age. Somehow I thought Buffy was her age."

Dawn frowned.

"I'm 20, Buffy's 27."

"Yes, and Faith is 22."

Buffy and Dawn looked at Faith, surprised.

"You're only 22?"

"Yeah," Faith said, a bit nervous.

"That means you were…"

"Thirteen," Buffy finished, shocked.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"But… You looked older," Dawn said, confused.

"They didn't know you age?" Mr Spencer asked, surprised.

"I guess not," Faith said.

"Oh."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Buffy asked.

"I didn't want you to treat me like a kid," Faith said.

"You were a kid."

Faith smiled sadly.

"I know that now." She hesitated for a moment. "You were kinda my hero, I wanted to be your equal."

"Oh," Buffy said, surprised.

"Don't worry, I got over that."

"Will you come to the camp next year?" Dawn changed the subject.

"I don’t know. How much does it cost?"

"Nothing. All expenses are paid for."

"Oh. Cool." She thought for a moment. "Okay. Just let me know the date in advance, so I can adjust my plans."

"We will." Dawn thought for a moment. "Do you have any photos from your graduation?"

"Sure. I got a video too."

"Cool! Can you show us?"

Faith looked at Mrs Spencer.

"Grandma?"

"You still have time."

"Okay. Come."

They went upstairs.

"Nice room," Dawn said when they got to Faith’s room.

"Thanks," Faith said. "It used to be my dad’s."

"Is that him?" Dawn asked and pointed at the photo on the nightstand.

"Yeah."

"And the baby is you?"

"Yes."

"You were cute."

"Ha, ha."

"Is that your goddaughter?" Dawn asked, noticing another picture.

"Yeah."

"She’s cute."

Faith smiled.

"Yes, she is."

Faith fetched her photo album and sat on the bed. Dawn and Buffy sat on either side of her.

"Those are all from the graduation?" Dawn asked.

"No, these are all the photos I have."

"Can we see?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Okay."

"Thanks," Dawn said, when they were done.

"No problem," Faith said.

"You got the videos too?"

"Yeah."

"Can we see those too?"

"Dawn," Buffy said.

"Tomorrow," Faith said.

"Cool," Dawn said, excited.

"Let’s go see if dinner’s ready."

After dinner, Faith, Buffy and Dawn went out.

"Hi, guys," Dawn said when they came to Kim and Tallulah.

"Hi," Tallulah said.

"Hey," Kim said.

"Buffy wanted to see you in action," Dawn said.

"Dawn," Buffy said, rolling her eyes.

"Are we walking?" Kim asked.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"Okay," Kim said and locked the car.

Dawn immediately took charge of the younger Slayers. Buffy and Faith slowly followed them, both a little nervous.

"I’m glad you got your life back together, Faith," Buffy finally said.

Faith sighed.

"Me too."

"You’ll live with your grandparents now?"

"For a while. I was thinking about getting my own apartment somewhere nearby when I get enough money."

"Oh.

Faith thought for a moment.

"How are you?"

Buffy glanced at her, startled.

"Me? Fine. Why?"

"Willow and Giles said you were… depressed."

Buffy blushed a little.

"Oh." She hesitated for a moment. "I was worried about you. You’d just disappeared and I couldn’t find you." She frowned. "I even got Willow to use magic, but she couldn't locate you."

"She did a blocking spell on me," Faith explained.

"Really?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Yeah. I didn’t want anyone to find me."

"Oh."

"Which reminds me, I need her to take it off."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"How did you end up in Chicago?"

"Some old guy at a library in San Francisco helped me with applications and stuff. I was accepted to UIC, so I went there."

"Oh. But how did you afford it? I mean, you didn’t exactly have much money."

"I worked as a self-defense instructor."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Got plenty of workout."

"I’ll bet," Buffy said with a smile. She thought for a moment. "What about your goddaughter?"

"I’ll go visit her every once in a while, especially for her birthday. Plus, I can call anytime."

"Oh."

Faith thought for a moment.

"I’ll kinda miss seeing her more often," she said thoughtfully. She looked at Buffy. "What about you? Where do you live?"

"At the moment in LA, in our old house."

"Dawn?"

"In England, in Oxford."

"Wow."

Buffy smiled.

"Yeah."

"You got a job?"

"Yes."

"The Council?"

"Not directly. I work as a counselor at a high school."

"My condolences," Faith said with a grin.

"Huh?" Buffy said, startled.

"You need to deal with those little monsters called teenagers."

"Oh," Buffy said and chuckled. "It’s not that bad. After the kids in Sunnydale, the kids in LA seem so… normal."

Faith’s grin widened.

"No emergencies during the day?"

"No, not really."

Faith thought for a moment.

"You’re not working with Angel?"

"No."

"Thought so."

"Why?"

"He never mentioned you."

"Oh."

"I mean, I never asked, but I’m sure he would’ve mentioned if you two worked together."

"Oh."

They were quiet for a while, listening to Dawn and the younger Slayers.

"I missed this," Buffy finally said.

Faith looked at her.

"What?"

"Us, patrolling together."

"Oh."

"I mean, I've patrolled with other Slayers, but it's just not the same."

"Yeah." Faith hesitated for a moment. "You feel different than them."

"You too." She smiled. "It's kinda cool. There may be a thousand Slayers, but we're still the Chosen Two."

Faith smiled a little.

"Yeah."

"I'm glad I finally found you again."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Me too."

"Eh, guys, demon activity up ahead," Dawn called. "And there's a couple of them."

Buffy grinned.

"Let's show these kids how the Chosen Two kick butt."

Faith grinned back.

"Lead the way, girlfriend."

Buffy stared at her for a moment.

"I'd kinda like that."

Faith blinked, startled.

"What?"

"Come on, butt kicking first, talking later," Buffy said, blushing, and ran after Dawn and the younger Slayer.

Faith stared after her for a couple of moments, confused. Then her face slowly turned into one big smile. She ran after Buffy, her heart beating faster as she considered the possibilities.

The End