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

Old Wounds Are Hard to Heal
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"Okay, spill it out," Cassandra said when she and her two friends came to the girls' room. "What's wrong?"

"I'm pregnant," Renee said, embarrassed.

"What?! Who's the father?"

"James," Renee said and looked down.

"The guy who raped you?"

Renee nodded.

"Yes."

"You gotta have an abortion."

"No," Monique objected.

"What do you mean?" Cassandra said. "She can't have a bastard child. Not to mention that the baby's father is a rapist."

"It's not the baby's fault its father is a worthless son of a bitch."

"But imagine what everyone's gonna say."

"So what? Anyone has a problem with Renee having a baby, I'm gonna take care of them."

Cassandra looked at Renee.

"Renee, you can't have that baby," she said.

"And who's gonna ask the baby if it wants to be born or not?" Monique asked. "Renee, this is your baby, your flesh and blood. Its father may be worthless, but its mother is not. Look, I'll help you take care of the baby."

Renee looked at her gratefully.

"Thanks," she said quietly.

"You're keeping the baby?" Cassandra asked, outraged.

Renee nodded.

"Yes."

"But think about what the people will say!"

"The hell with the people!" Renee said, upset. "This is my baby and I'm not giving her up."

"You're crazy," Cassandra said and stormed out.

"Never mind her," Monique said.

"I don't."

"Do your parents know?"

"No, not yet."

"You want me to be there when you tell them?"

Renee thought about the offer.

"I don't know. I don't want you to get involved in this."

"How do you think they'll react?"

"I'm not sure. Dad will probably want me to have an abortion, but my mom might support me."

"If you need help persuading them, let me know. And if they throw you out of the house, you can come live with me."

"Thanks," Renee said, relieved.

Then someone flushed the toilet and both girls looked around, alarmed. It was Faith.

"You can count on my help," she said, looking at them in the mirror as she washed her hands.

When she left, both girls stared after her, speechless.

"You know, I think she's pretty cool," Renee said after a while.

Monique nodded.

"Yeah."

"And guess what," Renee whispered. "She can talk to me and I can talk to her."

Monique looked at her, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"She can talk to me. Not in words, of course, but I get images from her. And if I concentrate, I can send images back to her."

"Really?"

Renee nodded.

"Yes."

"How do you know it's a girl?"

Renee shrugged.

"I wasn't sure before, but I've had an ultrasound."

"Oh."

"Come, let's go back to class."

"Okay."

When both her parents were finally home, Monique decided to tell them about Renee's situation and ask them if Renee could stay.

"Mom, Dad, I need to talk to you," she said, hoping that they were in a good mood.

Her parents looked at her, glanced at each other and then looked at her again.

"Sure, honey, what is it?" Mr Dion asked.

Monique hesitated for a moment.

"Well, Renee is pregnant," she said and her parents looked at each other, surprised.

"Pregnant?" her mother said.

Monique nodded.

"Yes." She sighed. "Well, she's been raped about two months ago."

"What?" both parents said in unison, surprised.

"Don't worry, the guy turned himself in," Monique shortened the explanation. "Anyway, Renee wants to keep the baby, but she fears that her parents would want her to have an abortion and since she wants to keep the baby, that they'll throw her out. What I want to know is whether she can stay here if they actually throw her out."

Her parents looked at each other, surprised.

"No," her mother then said.

"But…"

"You heard your mother," Mr Dion said. "We cannot afford to take in just anyone."

"But she's my best friend, Dad, and she's pregnant. She will need some place to stay and…"

"There are institutions for that," her mother said.

"What?!" Monique said, outraged. "And if I had been raped and pregnant, would you also send me to an institution?"

"That's different, honey."

"Is it? And what if you had been in her position, wouldn't you like to have someone take you in if your parents threw you out just because you wanted to keep your baby? Or would you have an abortion if my father had been a rapist and not Dad?"

Her parents looked at each other, surprised and feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"Honey…"

"Don't honey me, answer the question," Monique demanded, upset.

"Monique," her father said threateningly, but she gave him a defiant look.

"She… She does have a point," Mrs Dion said hesitantly.

Her husband looked at her, surprised.

"But what would the neighbors say?" he protested.

Mrs Dion shrugged.

"It doesn't matter, they're mostly a bunch of snobs."

"What?" Mr Dion said, surprised, and Monique laughed.

"It's not like we're close to any of them. They let us be, we let them be. If they have a problem with us taking in Renee, well, tough. They can't do anything about it."

Mr Dion skeptically raised an eyebrow.

"So can we take her in if they throw her out?" Monique asked hopefully.

Mrs Dion flashed a brief smile.

"Yes, I guess so."

"Thanks, Mom," Monique said and hugged her. "I'll go call her.

Having heard the good news, Renee confronted her parents. She was nervous and scared like hell, but she gathered her courage.

"I'm… pregnant," she then said.

Her parents looked at her, surprised.

"What?" her mother said and her father put away the newspaper.

"I'm pregnant," Renee quickly repeated before she could lose her courage.

"How long?" her father asked.

"Six weeks."

"The father, is it the rapist?" Mr Jones asked.

Renee nodded and looked down.

"Yes," she said quietly.

"A friend of mine is a doctor," Mr Jones said, "I'm sure he can recommend someone who can perform an abortion."

"How soon, honey?" Mrs Jones asked him.

"Well, if I…"

Renee stared at her parents, shocked. She had expected that they would want an abortion, but the matter-of-factness with which they discussed it, without even asking for her opinion, disturbed her.

"No," she said.

"What?" her mother asked.

"I'm keeping the baby."

"Now honey, you know we can't afford a scandal. Think what people would say."

"I don't care, I'm not going to kill my baby."

"But it's not alive."

"Yes, she is, I can feel her."

"You're having an abortion and that's that," her father said sternly.

"No, I…"

"No daughter of mine is going to have a bastard child."

Renee was on the verge of tears.

"No, I'm keeping my baby," she insisted.

"Honey…" her mother started.

Renee gave her an angry look.

"So if my father had been a rapist, you would have killed me?" she asked and her mother slapped her.

"You will have an abortion or you can get out of this house," she said.

Renee put her hand over the spot where her mother had slapped her.

"Fine," she said and went to her room.

She sat on the bed and cried for a while. Then she called Monique, told her what had happened and started to pack all her belongings.

When she rang the bell, Monique opened the door.

"Renee," she said and hugged her.

Renee sobbed for a few moments and then wiped her tears.

"Thanks," she said.

Monique smiled.

"Hey, we're friends. Come in."

Renee picked up her bags and carried them inside.

"Thank you for taking me in," she said when Monique's parents came.

Mrs Dion smiled.

"Monique could be very persuasive."

"Come, I'll show you to your room," Monique said and picked half of Renee's bags.

Renee took the other half and followed Monique upstairs to her new room.

In the evening, Faith and Buffy encountered a large demon. And not only it was large, it had the muscles to go along and also the appropriate lack of manners. Not to mention the stamina. Fortunately for the two Slayers, the demon wasn't very fast. After fighting it for ten minutes, both Slayers were nearing exhaustion while the demon didn't seem to be tired at all, even though they had both stabbed it several times with their stakes.

"You know, B, I'm getting tired of this," Faith said, breathing heavily.

"Yeah, me too," Buffy agreed, breathing heavily as well.

"You think it'll take a nap if we leave?"

"I don't know. I sure hope… Watch out!"

Faith quickly dropped to the ground, successfully avoiding the demon's long and powerful arms, but not its feet. She screamed when the demon brought one of its large feet down on her back. Buffy quickly attacked the demon and the demon moved back a bit.

"Get up!" Buffy urged Faith as she occupied the demon.

Faith tried, but she couldn't move.

"I can't!" she called back.

"What?!"

"I can't! My legs won't move!"

Buffy was getting worried, she couldn't take care of the demon herself.

"Then crawl away!" she called to Faith as she tried to lure the demon away from her.

"I can't!" Faith called back, worry evident in her voice.

Things were definitely not going too well, but fortunately the demon didn't seem to be interested in Faith anymore and it concentrated on Buffy. Buffy used that and led the demon away from Faith. She fought it for several more minutes until they were far enough from Faith. Buffy then stopped and ran away from the demon, leading it further away from Faith. The demon followed her, but she quickly lost it and returned back to Faith, who was fighting off two vampires, who thought a downed Slayer was an easy target.

The vampires noticed Buffy when it was almost too late. Buffy quickly stabbed one, but the other was quick enough to avoid the stake and also smart enough to know that she stood no chance against a fully capable Slayer. When the vampire was gone, Buffy looked around to see if any other dangers were lurking in the darkness. She couldn't sense anything, so she kneeled beside Faith.

"Faith?" she asked, concerned.

"I can't feel my legs," Faith said.

"What?"

Buffy touched Faith's legs, but Faith shook her head.

"I can't feel it."

"I'll call an ambulance," Buffy said.

Faith nodded.

"Hurry up, I don't feel like fighting any more vampires right now."

"I'll be back in no time," Buffy said and quickly ran to the nearest restaurant.

"Buffy?" Mrs Chase said when she arrived to the hospital.

"The doctors are still examining her," Buffy said. "Come."

"What happened?"

Buffy hesitated for a moment, not quite sure what to say.

"We were attacked and she hit a tree," she lied.

"How is she?" Mrs Chase asked, worried.

"She couldn't feel her legs."

Mrs Chase didn't ask further, fearing the worst, hoping for the best. She was angry at Faith for being out so late without telling her, but she was also worried at the same time.

"Faith!" Mrs Chase called when she saw Faith.

"Mrs Chase," Faith said nervously.

"Doctor?" Mrs Chase asked.

"Are you a relative?" the doctor asked.

"I'm her legal guardian."

"I see," the doctor said and glanced at Faith. "Her spine has been damaged."

"What does that mean?" Mrs Chase asked anxiously.

The doctor hesitated for moment.

"She might never walk again," he finally admitted. "But we'll know more in a couple of days," he quickly added.

"I see, "Mrs Chase said, worried, and looked at Faith.

Faith bit her teeth. If she never walked again, she was useless, she might as well kill herself and let a new Slayer take over. But then she thought of Cordelia. She knew Cordelia loved her that she would miss her and she knew that she would never get over her, she had no illusions about that. She didn't want to be a burden to Cordelia and to her family.

"I'll go call Giles," Buffy said and left, not wanting to get involved.

The doctor had also gone and Faith was left alone with Mrs Chase. She avoided looking at her, afraid of what Mrs Chase would say.

Mrs Chase observed Faith for a while, considering whether she should yell at her or be sympathetic. She sighed, regretting that she hadn't spent more time with Cordelia and be more prepared for occasions such as this.

"How do you feel?" she finally asked.

"Depressed," Faith admitted.

Mrs Chase hesitated for a while, not quite sure how to continue.

"What were you doing out so late?" she asked.

Now it was Faith's turn to hesitate. She didn't want to lie to Mrs Chase, but she wasn't sure whether she should tell her the truth. Then again, she would have to tell her the truth some day. She sighed.

"I… I was fighting a demon," she finally said, hoping Mrs Chase won't freak out.

"You were what?" Mrs Chase demanded, surprised.

"Fighting a demon," Faith repeated.

"That's it," Mrs Chase said angrily. "I've accepted that you live in my house, eat my food and date my daughter, but I won't accept your lies. You're grounded."

"But Mom, I wasn't…" Faith started to object, worried, but Mrs Chase interrupted her.

"What did you call me?" she asked, surprised.

"What?" Faith asked, confused.

"What did you call me?"

Faith stared at her, confused.

"What did I call you?"

"Yes."

"I…"

The discussion was interrupted by two vampires, who had heard that a Slayer was in the hospital and decided to take care of her once and for all. Mrs Chase screamed, surprised and scared, when she saw the vampires' demonic faces. Faith managed to grab one around his neck and hold him tightly. She hoped the other wouldn't go after Mrs Chase, but he did.

"Mom!" she screamed, afraid for Mrs Chase's life.

Fortunately Buffy came back. She immediately took Mr Pointy and dusted the vampire that was attacking Mrs Chase. Then she dusted the one Faith was holding.

"Everything okay?" she asked, looking from Faith to Mrs Chase and back.

"Mom?" Faith asked, worried, and Buffy looked at her, confused.

"What… What were those things?" Mrs Chase asked after a few moments, when she regained her composure.

"Vampires," Faith said.

"What?" Mrs Chase asked, surprised.

"Vampires. A sub species of demons," Faith explained.

"Demons?" Mrs Chase asked, remembering their previous conversation.

"Yes."

Mrs Chase thought about their conversation. She remembered that Faith had said that she was fighting a demon and that she hadn't believed her. Now, however, she had just seen a live example of a demon and it scared the hell out of her.

"Like the one you said you fought?" she asked, uncertain.

"No, that one was way bigger and way stronger."

"And way harder to kill," Buffy added, feeling that Faith might need some support.

"You know about this?" Mrs Chase asked, surprised.

"Yes, I'm also… Yes," Buffy stopped herself, not knowing how much Mrs Chase already knew.

Mrs Chase looked at Faith and stared at her for a few moments.

"We need to talk, young lady," she then said.

Faith gulped.

"Yes, Mom… I mean, Mrs Chase," Faith quickly corrected herself, embarrassed. "I'll tell you everything, as soon as I get home. I promise."

Mrs Chase raised an eyebrow, but she decided not to comment, at least not yet.

"Good," Mrs Chase said.

Faith looked at Buffy.

"B, would you mind escorting Mrs Chase home?" she asked.

"Sure, no problem," Buffy said.

"You don't want me to stay?" Mrs Chase asked, surprised, and Faith thought she could hear hurt in her voice.

"No, thank you," Faith said, surprised that Mrs Chase had offered to stay. "I need to talk to Cordelia."

"I will call her first thing in the morning."

Faith smiled.

"By then she'll be half way to Sunnydale."

"What do you mean?" Mrs Chase asked, confused.

Faith pointed at her head.

"Dreams."

"Oh," Mrs Chase remembered, but Buffy was still puzzled.

"Dreams?" she asked.

"It's a long story," Faith said and Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Oh, could you leave Mr Pointy? They took my stake and I'm defenseless right now."

"Sure. Here," Buffy said and gave her Mr Pointy.

"Thanks."

Mrs Chase stared at Faith for a few moments, wondering what she would tell her when she got home.

"Good night, Faith," she finally said. "I'll come visit you tomorrow."

"Okay. Good night. Night, B."

"Night, Faith."

Mrs Chase and Buffy left. Mrs Chase wanted to ask Buffy about the vampires, but she decided to wait for Faith's version before asking anyone else.

Faith was nervous after Mrs Chase and Buffy had left, she wasn't looking forward to talking to Cordelia. Not because she had something against Cordelia, but because she didn't want to worry her. Finally, however, she calmed down enough to fall asleep.

"What's wrong?" Cordelia asked, immediately noticing that something wasn't right.

Faith sighed.

"I can't walk."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't walk," Faith repeated, slightly upset. "Buffy and I were fighting a demon and it stepped on me. The doctor said I might never walk again."

"Oh."

Cordelia stepped closer and wanted to hug her, but Faith stepped back.

"I don't need your pity," she said angrily and immediately regretted, seeing the hurt in Cordelia's eyes.

"You know me better than that," Cordelia said.

"I'm sorry," Faith said. "It's just… I feel helpless. I've already been attacked by vampires and I would be dead if it weren't for Buffy. It's a good thing this didn't happen while Jonathan was the hero of the world or I'd really be depressed." She paused for a moment. "Your mom was there when I was attacked. I promised to tell her the truth."

"How did she react?"

"Quite okay, I guess. It could've been much worse. Oh, and another thing."

"What?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I… I called her… Mom."

"What do you mean?" Cordelia asked, puzzled.

"She asked what I was doing out so late and I told her I was fighting a demon. She grounded me and that's when I called her Mom."

"Oh. What did she say?"

"Nothing. That's when we were attacked by vamps."

"Oh."

Faith sighed.

"I didn't even think," she said.

"About what?"

"About calling her Mom. I mean, I have my mom, but she was never a real mom, you know? Your mom, on the other hand, she… well, she's been like I wish my mom would have been. I even started to think of her as Mom."

Cordelia smiled.

"I don't mind if you call her Mom."

"You don't?"

Cordelia shook her head.

"No. I've noticed the way you act around her, the same way as I did when I was little. And she treats you the way she treated me. And is treating me again, thanks to you."

Faith smiled, relieved.

"You're not jealous?"

"What for? She's still my mom and you're still my girl."

"Thanks."

Cordelia hugged her and this time Faith didn't back off.

"So, how does it feel to be able to speak again?"

Faith smiled.

"It was freaky, I tell you.

"Hey," Cordelia said with a smile when she got to Faith's room the next day.

Faith smiled back, suddenly feeling much better now that Cordelia was there.

"Hey."

They hugged and Cordelia could feel the tension in Faith's body.

"How do you feel?" she asked when they broke the hug.

"That's just it, I don't. It's like my legs aren't there."

Cordelia thought for a moment and the smiled.

"If it's at all possible, you'll walk again," she said.

"And if not?" Faith asked anxiously.

"Then we'll just have to find a way to overcome that problem."

"How?"

Cordelia shrugged.

"I don't know. We'll find a way, I promise."

Faith smiled briefly.

"Thanks."

"Hey, we're one," Cordelia said and she frowned as a thought crossed her mind.

"Cordelia?" Faith asked, worried.

Cordelia looked at her and smiled.

"You know, this merging might have had other side effects beside the fact that we can share dreams."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Like what?" she asked curiously.

"I'm not sure, but lately I seem to be very strong, Slayer-like strong. It doesn't last long, but sometimes I can knock a vamp senseless with a single hit," Cordelia explained and Faith's spirits sank. "What's wrong?" she asked, seeing the change on Faith's face.

"I just feel so… useless," Faith said. "I can't walk and now it looks like you can be a Slayer instead of me. I'm worthless. I might as kill myself and get it over with."

Cordelia stared at her for a moment, shocked, and then slapped her. Faith covered the spot and stared at Cordelia, also shocked.

"You are not worthless," Cordelia said seriously. "You hear me? You are not worthless or useless and don't even think about killing yourself. I may be stronger but you are still a Slayer. And I will not allow you to think like that. Damn it, Faith, I love you, I don't want to lose you just because you can't walk."

Faith stared at her girlfriend, feeling sorry she had said that.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, a tear running down her cheek.

They stared at each other for a few moments and then Cordelia kissed Faith on the lips.

"I love you, Faith," she said and hugged her.

Faith hugged her back.

"I love you too, Cordelia."

"You're studying?" Cordelia asked, surprised, when she came to Faith the next day and saw a bunch of notebooks.

Faith grinned.

"Have to. Raelee and Lara brought their notebooks."

"Good. Oh, I met Buffy. She said she killed that demon."

"Good."

"She said she'll come by later."

Cordelia sat on the bed and put Faith's feet in her lap. Then she started to massage them.

"I don't feel anything," Faith said.

Cordelia smiled softly.

"Not yet," she said. "We need to keep your blood circling. And if you're a good girl, I'll show you another kind of massage."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Another?" she asked.

Cordelia nodded, smiling.

"The erotic variety," she said and Faith's eyes lit up for a moment. "Look, I know you feel down right now, useless, perhaps even a burden, but you know that I will love you no matter what and that you will never be a burden to me. And even if you end up in a wheelchair, you can still kick the crap out of the demons. Have faith."

"Very funny," Faith said dryly, but she did smile for a moment.

"That's better," Cordelia said. "Now you be a good girl and let me take care of you so you will walk again and I can show you the other kind of massage."

"Talk about stimulation," Faith said and flashed another smile.

"Only the best for my girl," Cordelia smiled. "Oh, I talked to Willow and asked her to do a healing spell."

Faith nodded.

"That should help," she said.

"Yes. I don't want you to eat hospital food any longer than absolutely necessary."

Faith laughed.

"Thank you."

Cordelia smiled at her.

"You're welcome."

A couple of days later, when Cordelia was massaging her legs, Faith suddenly frowned.

"Faith?" Cordelia asked, noticing that Faith became more rigid, and stopped massaging her for a moment.

"Keep massaging," Faith said and Cordelia continued the massage. "I think I can feel it," Faith said a few moments later, excited. "Yes! I can feel it!"

"You can?" Cordelia asked, equally excited.

"Yes. Keep doing it. Oh yes, I can definitely feel it."

"Can you move you legs?" Cordelia asked.

Faith concentrated and tried, but she couldn't.

"No," she said, her mood becoming gloomy for a moment.

"Try your toes," Cordelia suggested.

Faith tried.

"No, I… I can!" she said when one of her toes moved.

"Yes. Try moving the others."

Faith concentrated and the rest of the toes moved a bit.

"I can do it!" she said, excited.

"I'll go get the doctor," Cordelia said.

"Yes," Faith said.

Cordelia left and Faith continued to move her toes. She felt better already.

Cordelia quickly returned with the doctor, who examined Faith's reflexes.

"Impressive," he said.

"Does this mean she can walk again?" Cordelia asked.

"Very likely, yes," the doctor said. "It looks like a miracle."

"Well, I have been massaging her legs and her feet," Cordelia said.

The doctor nodded.

"Very good," he said. "You keep on doing that." He looked at Faith. "Listen, I'm going home now, but I will have Dr Anderson run a few tests so we will know how your spine is healing."

"Okay, doc."

"Good."

The doctor left and Cordelia sat back on the bed and resumed massaging Faith's feet.

"I can't wait to get home," Faith said. "Hospital food sucks."

Cordelia smiled.

"I'll tell Maria to make some food for you. You're not on a diet or something, are you?"

"No."

"Good." Cordelia smiled again. "If you keep healing so fast, you'll probably be home by the end of the week."

"I wish."

"So do I."

Faith laughed.

"Yeah."

Cordelia smiled.

"It's so good to hear you laugh again," she said.

Faith sighed contendedly.

"Yeah, isn't it?" she agreed.

Faith had been released home after the doctors declared that she had miraculously healed. But they knew better. Though Faith couldn't walk yet, she could move her legs and the doctors allowed her to return home, as long as she came to the hospital every day for exercises.

Now, however, it was time to tell Mrs Chase all about their secret lives and Cordelia could feel that Faith was nervous. Her hand hurt a bit because of Faith's grip, but she didn't complain, she knew that this talk was important. She had noticed that her mother was nervous as well, probably because she had had a glimpse of what Faith's life was like, the part which she didn't know about. Yet, anyway. She decided to tell her the truth about her current employment as well.

Mrs Chase finally came and sat on a chair aside from the sofa on which Cordelia and faith were sitting. She looked at Faith, then at Cordelia and back at Faith.

"So, tell me," she said.

Faith glanced at Cordelia for moral support and Cordelia smiled and squeezed her hand. Faith smiled back and then looked at Mrs Chase.

"Well, what I've told you me is true, but that's not everything. You see, I'm a Slayer. A Vampire Slayer."

"A what?" Mrs Chase asked, perplexed.

"A Vampire Slayer. Each generation a Slayer is called to fight the vampires and other evil things. There used to be only one Slayer, but when Buffy died for a few moments, another was called and so now there are two."

"Buffy is also a Slayer?" Mrs Chase asked, surprised.

"Yeah. Anyway, when the other Slayer was killed, I was called. And don't ask me how come a Slayer has to be a teenage girl who would much rather be doing something else, I don't know. So, anyway, being a Slayer, I have faster reflexes, superior body coordination, more stamina and I heal quickly."

She paused, hoping that Mrs Chase wouldn't freak out, but Mrs Chase didn't say a word, patiently waiting for Faith to say what she had to say. Faith wasn't quite sure how to continue. She finally decided to tell her the truth, but not all of it, she left out the murders and Cordelia's involvement. She glanced at Cordelia, but Cordelia didn't say anything.

"I see," Mrs Chase said, finally understanding several things.

"That's not all," Cordelia said and both Mrs Chase and Faith looked at her. "Faith let out the parts where I was involved."

"Your involvement?" Mrs Chase asked, not liking the sound of it.

"Yeah. I was involved with this from the time when Buffy came to town. And my current job, I work for a vampire."

"What?" Mrs Chase asked, surprised.

"I'll explain," Cordelia said and told her mother about her secret life.

Mrs Chase had been pretty calm when Faith had told her her story, but finding out that Cordelia was also involved, made her… She didn't know what. Angry? Worried? Proud? Both girls stared at her, worried. Faith glanced at Cordelia. She stared at her for a few moments and then decided to tell Mrs Chase the rest of it.

"There's more," she said and both Mrs Chase and Cordelia looked at her.

"More?" Mrs Chase asked.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah," she said and told her the rest.

Mrs Chase stared at her for a while, shocked. She glanced at Cordelia.

"Is that all or is there more?"

"That's it."

She looked at Faith.

"That's it," Faith said.

Mrs Chase quietly considered the two girls, not quite sure what her reaction should be. Then she recalled that Buffy was also a Slayer.

"Does Buffy's mom know?" she asked.

"Yes," Faith said and glanced at Cordelia.

Mrs Chase thought for a moment.

"I think I need to talk to her first," she said and left.

Faith looked at Cordelia.

"Is that a good sign?" she asked.

"Yes. I think."

"What do you mean?"

"She didn't freak out. I think I better call Buffy so she can let her mom know that my mom… our mom is coming over."

Faith smiled at Cordelia's correction, it made her feel a part of a family again. She nodded.

"Mrs Summers?" Mrs Chase asked when Joyce opened the door.

"Yes."

"I'm Mrs Chase."

"Ah, yes. Buffy said you would come. Come in."

"Thank you."

Mrs Chase entered and Joyce closed the door. They went to the kitchen.

"Coffee?"

"Yes, please," Mrs Chase said, feeling the need. "Black."

Then she quietly waited while Joyce prepared the coffee.

"Here," Joyce said when the coffee was ready and gave her a cup.

"Thank you," Mrs Chase said and took a sip. "Em," she started hesitatingly, "I was told you know about Slayers and vampires."

"Yes," Joyce nodded.

"How long have you know?"

Joyce thought.

"About a year and a half."

"I myself just found out. Faith told me and so did Cordelia." She hesitated. "I'm not quite certain how I should feel or what I should do about it. I was hoping we could talk as a Slayer's mother to a Slayer's…" She hesitated for a moment, not quite sure which word to use. "Mother," she finished.

"Of course."

Faith and Cordelia were both nervous when Mrs Chase didn't come back for a long time. They were both ready to go to bed when Mrs Chase finally came home. Cordelia turned off the TV and they anxiously awaited what Mrs Chase would say.

Mrs Chase noticed the two girls on the sofa and she saw that they were nervous. She knew that they were waiting for her. She went to the toilet first and then came back and sat on a chair. She stared at them for a few moments.

"I've had a long talk with Mrs Summers," she then said and took a deep breath. "My first thought when you told me about your secret lives was to ground you for the rest of your lives. I was angry because you had lied to me. But then I thought it over and I was worried, what if something had happened to you." She looked at Faith. "Like it did to you. I understand why you didn't tell me and a part of me prefers not to know." She paused again. "Then I thought some more and I realized I should be proud of you. I know you, Faith, didn't chose to be a Slayer and I think I understand why you did the things that you did. I won't judge you, but I know you have changed." She looked at Cordelia. "You didn't have to get involved into this slaying business, but you did. I'm proud of you, both of you, because you help people and save the world, not something many people get to do." She paused again. "I'm going to make you the same deal that Mrs Summers made to Buffy. I assume you know what I'm talking about." Both girls nodded. "Good. Faith, from now on, I want you to tell me what is going on and I want you home by eleven. If you're going to be late, call me. Understand?"

"Yes, Mom… I mean, Mrs, Chase," Faith quickly corrected herself, embarrassed.

Mrs Chase didn't comment and she looked at Cordelia.

"I can't control you, but I expect you to be careful."

"Yes, Mom."

Mrs Chase took a deep breath and looked at Faith.

"Now, about this Mom business," she said and Faith bit her lips, avoiding Mrs Chase's eyes. "I don't mind you calling me Mom," she said and Faith looked at her, surprised. "In fact, I sometimes think of you as another daughter. As long as Cordelia doesn't mind, you can call me Mom."

"I don't mind," Cordelia quickly said with a smile and Faith smiled at her.

"Thanks. Mom."

Mrs Chase smiled

"You're welcome. Now, if I'm not mistaken, you are ready to go to bed."

The girls smiled.

"Yes, Mom," they said in unison.

"Good night."

"Night, Mom."

Cordelia got up, picked up Faith and carried her to her room.

"And now you get your reward," Cordelia whispered into Faith's ear.

Faith looked at her, puzzled, and saw the mischievous look in her eyes.

"Reward?"

Cordelia nodded and laid Faith on the bed.

"You remember the other kind of massage?" she asked and Faith's eyes lit up.

"If it's as good as it sounds, you're gonna have to teach me so I can repay the favor."

Cordelia smiled.

"Oh absolutely," she agreed.

"Em, lock the door?"

Cordelia went to the door, locked it, and undressed on her way back to the bed.

"Time for lesson number one," she said and started to undress Faith, who eagerly helped her.

About a week later, Faith was ready to slay again. Cordelia wasn't so sure, but Faith promised she would take it easy. And she did. Luckily, there were not many vampires out that night.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here," Faith said, her stake ready, when she encountered the third vampire that night.

The vampire looked around, slightly nervous.

"You wouldn't happen to need a favor, would you?" she asked, not really looking forward to fighting a Slayer again.

Faith frowned, surprised.

"You're offering to do me a favor?"

The vampire shrugged.

"I want to live. And I'm not one of those psycho types who want Earth to go to Hell."

Faith raised an eyebrow and thought about it.

"Anything particular you have in mind?" she asked.

The vampire thought fervently.

"I could spy for you, let you know when something's about to happen," she suggested.

Faith considered the proposal.

"Under one condition," she said, "you stop attacking people."

"But how am I supposed to feed?" the vampire protested.

"It's not like human blood is the only blood you can drink. Go to the mall, they have blood there from meat."

The vampire considered the idea. She didn't like it, but it was better than being dead.

"Okay," she agreed.

"Good. I'll tell my friends to leave you alone. What's your name, anyway?"

"Dawn."

"Okay, Dawn, you can go. But if I find out you lie, I'll find someone else to do me favors."

Dawn quickly nodded.

"Okay," she said and left, relieved.

Faith stared after her and shook her head, amused. This could be very useful. In the case, however, that Dawn had lied, she could always kill her. She put away the stake and moved on.

The End