DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Buffy The Vampire Slayer stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Warner Brothers. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. There is some subtext in this story. If this kind of stuff is not legal where you live, if you're under 18 or if you don't like the notion of two women being in love, then you should find something else to read. For the purposes of this story, Dawn is a normal girl, not the Key, and she is one year older than in the series. This is an alternate take on Secret Love.

Purifying Love
By Kristjan Brezovnik

"Hello, Joyce," Faith said when Joyce opened the door. Then she knocked her out. "Goodbye, Joyce."

She entered and closed the door.

"Mom, who… Mom!"

Dawn ran down the stairs, worried, and stopped when she saw Faith.

"Faith?" she said, surprised.

Faith just stared at her with anime eyes, shocked.

"Dawnie," she finally breathed.

Dawn came closer.

"Why did you hit my mom?" she asked as she checked on Joyce.

"Your mom?" Faith said, confused, and looked at Joyce. Then she remembered that Dawn's last name was Summers and so was Buffy's. "Oh god," she said when she realized what she had done, and her eyes went wide again.

"Mom?" Dawn asked when Joyce moaned.

Faith suddenly felt sick and she backed off. Dawn looked at her when she saw her move.

"Faith?" She frowned when she realized something. "You're Faith, the one Buffy was talking about, the other Slayer."

Faith suddenly put a hand over her mouth and ran to the kitchen, where she threw up in the sink.

"Mom, are you okay?" Dawn asked Joyce, who opened her eyes.

"Yes," Joyce said and touched the spot where Faith had hit her.

Relieved that her mom was alright, Dawn ran to the kitchen, where Faith had stopped vomiting and had slid to the floor, sobbing. Dawn immediately sat beside her and hugged her.

"Shh, it's okay, Faith, I'm here," she soothed her even though she wasn't quite sure what was going on.

Faith started trembling and her sobs turned into quiet crying. Dawn quietly held her and caressed her, trying to ease her pain.

After Joyce recovered, she got up and followed Dawn to the kitchen. She stopped when she saw Faith crying in Dawn's arms. It was a strange sight, her youngest daughter holding a psychopathic Slayer in her arms. And even though she was not a happy camper at the moment, it still gave her hope that Faith might find her way again.

She sighed and went upstairs to the bathroom to do something about the swelling in her face, leaving the two girls alone.

When Joyce returned downstairs a few minutes later, Faith had stopped crying and was only occasionally sobbing now. She noticed that Dawn was also crying and she realized that they must've known one another, even been friends, but she didn't know when, since Dawn had never mentioned Faith.

She sighed. She was about to leave when Buffy came in.

"Mom?" she asked, looking around warily, feeling Faith.

Joyce put a finger across her mouth, signaling her to be quiet. Buffy approached her and dropped her jaw when she saw Faith crying in Dawn's arms.

"Faith!"

"Buffy," Joyce chided her, but it was too late.

Faith was on her feet in a moment, furiously wiping her tears, embarrassed and worried.

"What are you doing here?" Buffy demanded.

Faith looked at Dawn, who had also gotten up, and sighed.

"I came to switch our bodies," she said quietly and looked down, feeling ashamed in front of Dawn.

"What?" Buffy said surprised and confused.

Faith gulped and took the Mayor's present from her pocket.

"The Boss left me this," she said.

"What is it?" Buffy asked, eyeing the little contraption warily.

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know. He only said what it would do."

She hesitated for a moment and then offered the contraption to Buffy.

"You don't expect me to take it, do you?" Buffy said.

Faith sighed and thought for a moment. Then she dropped the contraption and crushed it with her boot.

Buffy froze, worried, but nothing happened.

"You destroyed it?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Faith shrugged.

"I changed my mind."

"Why?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Because of Dawnie."

Buffy frowned.

"You two know each other?"

"Yeah."

"We met at the summer camp," Dawn said, trying to ease the tension.

There was a brief silence.

"Okay, so you've destroyed that… thing. You expect that everything is okay now?" Buffy asked.

"No," Faith said quietly.

"Hey, leave her alone," Dawn said.

Buffy looked at her, surprised.

"You're on her side?"

"Yes," Dawn said.

"Why? You know what she's done."

"I know."

"And?"

"Because I love her," she said and Faith gasped, her heart doing overtime.

"You what?" Buffy asked, shocked.

"I love her," Dawn said and took Faith's hand.

Buffy and Joyce stared at them, surprised.

"You do know she's a psycho and a murderer, right?"

"So was Angel."

"Because he lost his soul."

"And Faith lost me."

The two Summers sisters glared at one another.

"Girls," Joyce finally intervened.

"Mom, you can't be okay with this," Buffy protested.

Joyce sighed.

"I don't know, honey. But if anyone can help Faith it's Dawn."

"What?"

"You wanted to help her too," Dawn pointed out.

Buffy crossed her arms.

"That was before she went crazy again."

Dawn glared at her and then looked at Joyce.

"Mom, we'll be in my room," she said and dragged Faith out of the kitchen.

"Mom!" Buffy protested.

Joyce sighed.

"Let Dawn talk to her."

"What? But…"

"Faith seems to trust Dawn. I mean, you saw how she let Dawn hold her."

Buffy thought about it.

"Fine," she said, reluctantly. "I'll call Giles and then I'll be in my room in case this is all some sick game Faith is playing."

"Okay, honey."

Buffy sniffed the air.

"What's this smell? Did somebody throw up?"

Joyce went to the sink.

"Looks like it."

Buffy made a face.

"Ugh," she said and left.

When they go to her room, Dawn closed the door and locked it, so that Buffy couldn't come in. Then she looked at Faith, who was staring at her boots, nervous. She saw Faith was a mess, so she fetched some tissues.

"Come, sit down," she said and sat on the bed.

Fait hesitated for a moment and then sat.

"Dawnie…" she started, but Dawn interrupted her.

"Hold still while I clean you up."

Faith swallowed and waited for Dawn to clean her up. Dawn then checked Faith's hands and saw that the back of her right hand was wet, so she cleaned it.

"Okay," she said when she was done. She threw the tissues away and then looked at Faith. "I missed you," she said and caressed her.

Faith jerked at the caress and looked at Dawn, surprised.

"You… did?"

Dawn smiled.

"Yeah. Why didn't you call me?"

Faith frowned.

"I did, but the lady said you didn't live there, so I thought you gave me a fake number."

"But I gave your mom my new number."

"Oh," Faith said and sighed. "She probably forgot all about it the moment she hung up."

"Oh," Dawn said.

Faith thought for a moment.

"But you weren't here… I mean…"

"I lived with my dad," Dawn said. "I only moved in with Mom and Buffy during the summer vacations."

"Oh."

Dawn thought for a few moments.

"I'm glad you're back," she then said.

Faith frowned.

"But, em, you know what… what I did."

Dawn sighed.

"Not all of it, just the highlights."

Faith's frown deepened.

"Then how can you still love me?"

Dawn took Faith's hand into her own.

"I just do. I mean, I don't understand why you did what you did, but I still love you, I can't help myself."

Faith swallowed.

"I'll tell you everything," she said quietly.

Dawn smiled and gently squeezed her hand.

"When you're ready," she said and Faith nodded. "Can I ask you something?"

Faith hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

"Yeah."

"Why did you hit Mom?"

Faith sighed.

"I was angry at Buffy and I wanted to hurt her through your mom."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry."

Dawn smiled softly.

"I know." She hesitated for a moment. "Do you still love me?"

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Of course. I never stopped loving you, even after I thought you'd… dumped me," she finished quietly.

Dawn smiled again.

"I will never dump you," she said and hugged her.

Faith tensed for a moment and then hugged her back.

"Thank you," she whispered and then sobbed for a few moments.

Dawn quietly held her for a while, happy to have her back.

Faith let go of Dawn after a few moments and wiped her tears, embarrassed. Dawn felt Faith was embarrassed and she stopped Faith from wiping her tears. Faith looked at her, confused and nervous, and Dawn smiled softly at her.

"No need to be embarrassed," she said and wiped Faith's tears herself.

Faith smiled a bit.

"Thanks."

"Any time."

Faith took a deep breath.

"Now what?"

Dawn frowned.

"I don't know. I guess it depends on Buffy."

"Which means I'm screwed," Faith mumbled.

"Not necessarily. I mean, she wanted to help you after she found out you woke up."

"That was then. We already fought since then and I beat up two cops and a young woman."

"What?" Dawn said, shocked, and Faith looked at her hands, nervous.

"I was… lost when I woke up," Faith explained. "Then this woman came by searching for some wing. She told me I'd been in coma for eight months and that Sunnydale High and the Mayor were history. It pissed me off, so I beat her up. And I needed her clothes."

"Oh," Dawn said. "And the cops?"

Faith sighed.

"After B and I fought at the campus, a couple of cops came by. I knocked them down when I was running away."

"Oh."

Faith thought for a moment.

"What happened to Angel?"

"He left."

"Left?" Faith said, surprised.

"Yes. Things didn't work out, I guess."

"Oh. So that's why she's got a new boy toy."

"Riley," Dawn said and rolled her eyes.

"You don't like him?"

Dawn shrugged.

"I don't know. He's nice and all and I guess he could be a good friend, but I can't imagine him being Buffy's type."

"Oh." Faith sighed. "It pissed me off, you know."

"Buffy being with Riley?"

"Yeah. I mean, she stabbed me because of Angel and now Angel is out of the picture."

"Oh."

"I guess I should talk to her."

Dawn smiled.

"Yeah."

Faith took a deep breath.

"Thanks, Dawnie," she said and caressed her. "For everything."

Dawn smiled.

"That's what girlfriends are for," she said and Faith chuckled.

"Yeah, I guess."

"So, ready to go face the mob?"

Faith grinned.

"No, but let's do it anyway."

Outside the door, Buffy, who, instead of going to her room, had been eavesdropping, quickly went to her room. She had overheard most of the conversation and it surprised her how open Faith was with Dawn. And sincere, not at all afraid of making herself vulnerable, which meant that she trusted Dawn. It confused her, she couldn't imagine Faith being honest with anyone, yet with Dawn she was. At least now she had a chance to help Faith like she wanted to when she'd found out that Faith had woken up. The question was whether she trusted Faith. She thought about it and realized that she did. After all, Faith had had her mother and Dawn at her mercy and hadn't done anything after she met Dawn. Not to mention that she had obviously broken down, judging by the tears and the vomit. She sighed and decided to go downstairs and see what would happen.

"Where's Buffy?" Dawn asked when she and Faith came downstairs.

"In her room," Joyce said.

"Buffy!" Dawn yelled.

"Dawn," Joyce chided her.

"Coming!" Buffy called as she reached the stairs.

Dawn noticed Faith was nervous and she gently squeezed Faith's hand. Faith looked at her and she smiled softly. Faith smiled back in gratitude.

"What's gonna happen to Faith?" Dawn got straight to the point when Buffy came downstairs.

"Uh," Buffy said and glanced at her mother, "I don't know." She looked at Faith. "What do you think?"

Faith raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"I'm a murderer, B, I think it's pretty obvious," she said.

Buffy sighed, noticing that Faith was on the defensive.

"Okay, suppose we give you another chance, then what?"

Faith stared at her for a moment, wondering if Buffy was playing her.

"I'll try to make up for what I've done."

"And I'm just supposed to take your word for it?"

"Take Dawnie's."

Buffy frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Faith gulped, nervous.

"There are two things I would never do, B, lie to Dawnie or hurt her," she said determinedly. She frowned as she realized something. "On purpose," she quickly added.

Buffy stared at her, surprised, and Dawn smiled at Faith, proud, and gently squeezed her hand. Faith looked at her and smiled a bit.

"Okay, fine," Buffy said and stepped closer. "But if you hurt Dawn…"

She trailed off, but Faith understood.

"I know," she said.

"Good," Buffy said and backed off. "I'll call Giles and the guys."

"Does that mean you'll take care of the cops?" Dawn asked.

Buffy thought for a moment.

"I think Willow can make everything disappear, except those two cops you beat up and the woman," she then told Faith.

Faith nodded.

"Thanks."

Buffy stared at her for a moment.

"Right," she then said and went to the phone.

"Mom, can Faith stay here?" Dawn then asked.

"What?" Buffy and Faith said in unison.

"We can't let her go to a motel," Dawn said. "I mean, the Council is probably gonna send someone after her."

"I'll be fine, Dawnie," Faith said and looked at Buffy, who came back.

"Look, Faith, you have nothing, no money and barely any clothes."

"I'll get a job."

"I know, but you won't be safe until the cops and the Council are taken care of. We have a spare room and you'll be safe here. Plus it'll be free, all you'd have to do is clean up and maybe cook." She looked at Joyce. "Right, Mom?"

Joyce looked from one girl to the other, thinking. Sure, Faith had hit her, but that was before she had met Dawn. Again. She wondered how the two girls had come together. In any case, it looked as if Dawn had some serious influence over Faith and that meant that Faith would behave. Not to mention that she liked Faith and felt a bit guilty for not having invited her to stay with them before.

"Yes, honey," she said.

"Huh?" Faith said, clearly surprised.

"What?" Buffy said. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," Joyce said.

Buffy thought it over.

"Fine, I guess," she then agreed. She thought for a moment and then looked at Faith. "I'll call the guys now, but they might not be as forgiving as I am."

"I know," Faith said and sighed. She hesitated for a moment. "Thanks."

Buffy nodded and went to the phone.

"Thanks, Mom," Dawn said and then looked at Faith. "Come on, let's go make your room ready," she said and dragged her upstairs.

Joyce stared after them, wondering how everything would turn out. The fact that her littlest was in love with another girl still surprised her, she had never suspected Dawn might be gay. Of course, that she was in love with Faith didn't necessarily mean she was gay, it just meant that she was in love. She wondered why Dawn had never mentioned Faith before. She sighed and went to Buffy, who was on the phone with Giles.

"They're coming over," Buffy said after she hung up.

"Do they know?" Joyce asked.

"No. I just told them to come over and that everything is alright as far as Faith is concerned."

"How do you think they'll react?"

Buffy thought about it.

"Xander will freak out and Willow will panic."

Joyce smiled.

"You know them that well?"

Buffy smiled back.

"That's how they reacted when they found out that Faith woke up and left the hospital."

"Oh. And Mr Giles?"

"I don't know, I think he's willing to give her a chance."

"This is your room," Dawn said when they reached the spare room. "I know, it's a mess, but we'll clean it up." When Faith didn't respond, she looked at her. "You okay?" she asked, when she saw Faith's thoughtful look.

Faith looked at her and smiled.

"Yeah." She took a deep breath. "That went well, considering I hit your mom not so long ago."

Dawn smiled.

"You were angry."

"Yes, I know." She sighed. "At least I now have one problem less."

Dawn gently squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine. I promise."

Faith smiled again.

"I know." She thought for a moment. "Dawnie?"

"Yes?"

"Please don't argue with Buffy and your mom because of me."

"Faith, I'm your girlfriend, it's my duty to stand by your side."

Faith smiled, moved.

"I know, but don't piss them off, they're your family."

Dawn smiled, understanding what Faith was worried about.

"You're my family too, Faith."

A tear rolled down Faith's cheek and she wiped it.

"Thanks," she said quietly.

Dawn smiled softly.

"Come on, let's clean up this dump."

The Scoobs arrived twenty minutes later.

"What's going on, Buffy?" Xander asked as he entered.

"Where is she?" Willow asked.

"Upstairs," Buffy said.

"She's here?" Xander asked, surprised.

"Should we get our weapons?" Willow asked.

"No."

"How is she?" Giles asked.

"She's okay," Buffy said and greeted Riley with a quick kiss.

"Okay?" Xander asked. "You mean as in chained up and drugged, right?"

Buffy sighed.

"No, as in okay. You know, as in not psychopathic anymore."

"How do you know?" Willow asked.

"Hi, guys," Dawn said cheerfully as she and Faith came downstairs, holding hands.

The Scoobs stared at Faith for a few moments and then Xander noticed they were holding hands.

"Eh, why are you holding hands?" he asked.

Dawn flashed him a big smile.

"Because we're in love."

Xander blinked. Then he mock cleaned his ears.

"Come again?"

Dawn rolled her eyes.

"We're in love," she repeated. "Faith is my girlfriend," she said proudly.

"What?" Willow said, surprised.

"You're gay?" Xander asked. He looked at Buffy. "Dawnie's gay?"

Dawn, Faith and Willow glared at him.

"No, I'm not gay," Dawn said.

"But… But…"

"But what? I'm in love with Faith, that's it."

"But… But she's, you know…"

"Yes, I know, Xander," Dawn said, glaring daggers at him.

"But you barely know her, Dawnie," Willow said, confused.

"I know her just fine," Dawn said.

"But you only met her, what, today?"

Dawn sighed, glad that Willow wasn't hostile.

"No, I met a couple of years ago when I was at a summer camp. We kinda lost touch because we moved and Faith's mom's a bad secretary."

"Oh."

"If we're through questioning my choice of girlfriends, you have to, like, decide Faith's fate now or something."

"Buffy?" Giles asked.

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Well, I decided I'd give her a second chance," she said.

"What?" Xander said, surprised.

"Are you sure?" Giles asked.

Buffy glanced at Faith.

"Yes."

"But she's…"

"Stop slandering my girl, Xander," Dawn interrupted her him, glaring at him.

"Dawnie…"

"Don't Dawnie me. I know what Faith did and I'd appreciate it if you stopped throwing it in her face," Dawn said and pouted as everyone, including Faith, stared at her, surprised.

"Dawn…"

"How would you feel if I started slandering Anya," Dawn interrupted him again. "After all, she was a vengeance demon."

Xander opened his mouth and then closed it again, realizing Dawn had a point.

"So, eh, Faith," Giles spoke up, "how do you feel?"

Faith looked at him, nervous. She shrugged.

"Better than I did this morning."

"I see. And you're, eh, on our side again?"

Faith gulped.

"Yeah."

"I see."

"Willow, can you take care of the cops?" Dawn asked.

"The cops?" Willow asked, glancing at Buffy.

"You know, the evidence and stuff. I mean, she can't make up for what she's done if she's in jail."

"Willow?" Buffy asked when Willow hesitated.

"Giles?" Willow asked, uncertain.

"Eh, I suppose so," Giles said. He looked at Buffy and Dawn. "Are you certain?"

"Yes," Dawn said firmly.

"Okay," Willow said.

Xander looked like he had objections, but he decided to keep his mouth shut.

"Great," Dawn said and smiled, excited.

"What about the Council?" Buffy asked Giles.

"I don't know."

"Do you think they know she's waken up?"

"Probably, yes. I'll see what I can find out."

"Thanks."

Giles looked at Faith.

"I suggest you stay inside until we know what the Council's intentions are."

Faith nodded.

"I will." She hesitated for a moment. "Thanks," she then said and looked at Willow as well.

Everyone was quiet for a few moments.

"Now what?" Anya then asked, curious.

"I guess you can go home now and I'll go on patrol," Buffy said.

"Are you sure?" Xander asked, glancing at Faith.

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Yes," she then said.

"Okay. We'll see you tomorrow then."

"And keep an eye out for the Council."

"We will," Willow said. "I'll take care of the cops tomorrow."

The Scoobs then started to leave and Buffy looked at Joyce.

"I'll make it short," she said.

"Okay, honey," Joyce said. "And be careful."

"I'm always careful, Mom."

Buffy followed her friends and closed the door.

"That went well," Dawn said.

"Yeah," Faith said, relieved.

Dawn looked at Faith.

"How do you feel?"

Faith took a deep breath.

"Tired."

"Tired?" Dawn said, surprised.

"Yeah, this day's been a real emotional rollercoaster."

"Oh," Dawn said and smiled. "Then let's get you fed up first and then you can go to bed."

Faith smiled back lovingly.

"Okay," she said and let Dawn drag her to the kitchen.

Joyce stared after them, having a feeling that everything just might turn out okay for Faith.

At night, Faith had a nightmare. Dawn, who had been sleeping lightly because she had expected it, woke up immediately and quietly went to Faith's room.

"Shh, it's okay," she said soothingly as she sat beside her. "I'm here, Faith, everything's okay now," she said and tried to put Faith's head into her head, but this woke Faith.

"Dawnie?" Faith said in a small voice, half asleep.

"Yes, Faith, it's me," Dawn said and caressed her. "Everything's okay now, you're safe. It was just a dream."

Faith sobbed for a moment and then hugged Dawn tightly.

"It's okay, Faith, you can go back to sleep, I'll stay here with you."

"Dawnie," Faith whispered and went back to sleep.

Dawn smiled a bit and caressed Faith again. She made herself comfortable and then went back to sleep.

When Joyce passed Dawn's room in the morning, she saw that the door was open. She looked in and was surprised to find that Dawn was not in bed. She listened, but she could hear no noise that would indicate that Dawn was up yet. She thought for a moment and then looked at Faith's door. She saw that it wasn't closed, so she decided to check up on Faith. She quietly pushed the door open and saw Dawn half sitting on the bed, holding Faith, whose head was in her lap, protectively. She stared at them for a few moments, contemplating the sight, and then quietly closed the door.

An hour later, Joyce went to wake up Dawn for school. She quietly entered the room and approached the bed. She hesitated for a moment when she saw that Faith was apparently having a nightmare, and then gently shook Dawn.

"Dawn, wake up," she said quietly.

Dawn moaned and opened her eyes.

"Mom?"

"Time for school."

"Oh," Dawn said and yawned. Then she looked at Faith and saw that she was having a nightmare. "Faith, it's okay," she said quietly, caressing her gently, "I'm here, you're safe."

Faith hugged Dawn tighter and calmed down. Dawn smiled and caressed her again.

"I'll be quick," she told Joyce, who was watching her with a raised eyebrow, "I just have to wake up Faith."

"Okay," Joyce said and left.

Dawn then gently shook Faith.

"Faith. Faith, wake up."

"What? I didn't do it."

"I know," Dawn said and caressed her. "You're safe."

Faith blinked a couple of times.

"Dawnie?"

Dawn smiled.

"Yes."

"I thought I was dreaming."

Dawn pinched her.

"Hey!"

"Just checking," Dawn said with a smirk and Faith smiled.

Faith laid her head back in Dawn's lap.

"I missed you," she said.

"I missed you too, Faith," Dawn said and caressed her. "I have to go to school now."

Faith groaned.

"Do you have to?" she asked and looked up at Dawn. "I could stay like this forever."

Dawn smiled.

"You know I do. You should too, you know."

Faith frowned.

"What?"

"Go to school."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"Me and school don't exactly mix well."

"I know, but you need an education."

"Says the biggest fan of education."

Dawn grinned.

"Okay, I know, I don't like school, nobody does," she frowned, "except Willow, but I know it's important. You can't get a decent job without good education."

"It's not like I'll live long enough to need a job. Not that I don't already don't have one already."

"Slaying doesn't pay."

"Which is totally lame."

Dawn chuckled.

"I know. But you gotta be positive. For me?"

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

"And besides, look at the bright side."

Faith frowned.

"There's a bright side?"

Dawn smiled.

"Yes. I'm going to high school this fall and you could go too. That way we could be together all day."

Faith thought about it for a moment.

"Hmm, that has potential," she agreed.

"See?" Dawn said, excited. "I'll help you catch up."

Faith smiled again.

"Okay."

Dawn thought for a moment.

"Have you thought what kind of job you'll get?"

Faith shrugged.

"It's not like have much of a choice." She thought for a moment. "Maybe waitressing. Got any suggestions?"

Dawn thought for a moment.

"I don't know, you could try the Espresso Pump."

"Okay." She thought for a moment. "Do you think Willow will really take care of the cops?"

"Yes. Still, you'll probably have to answer for those two cops and the woman."

Faith nodded.

"I know," she said and sighed.

"Hey, it'll be okay, you'll probably get community service or something," Dawn said and caressed Faith's head.

Faith raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"You think?"

Dawn shrugged.

"I guess, I don't know."

Faith took a deep breath.

"I hope you're right."

Dawn smiled.

"Me too." She thought for a moment and then smiled. "So, do you really get hungry and horny when you go out slaying?"

Faith gasped.

"You know?" she asked, blushing.

Dawn grinned.

"Yeah. So it's true?"

Faith's blush deepened.

"Yeah. Though Buffy won't admit it."

Dawn leaned closer, licking her lips.

"I can help you get rid of your… itch."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Oh no you don't," she said and sat up.

Dawn frowned, confused.

"Why not?"

"I case you've forgotten, I'm of age, you're not. And even if we ignore the legal stuff, there are still Buffy and your mom. And believe me, if they even suspected that I was ravaging their little girl, they'd kill me, Slayer or no Slayer."

"Oh," Dawn said and smiled. "But you'd like to?"

"What?" Faith asked with a frown.

"Ravage me?"

Faith blushed.

"Hell yeah. I mean, you were pretty when I first met you, but now you're the definition of gorgeous."

Dawn blushed.

"Thanks." She thought for a moment. "But petting is okay?"

"Oh no. Your mom would kill me if she knew you even knew the word exists." Faith smirked. "And besides, if we started groping one another, I'm not sure I could stop." She grinned. "Or you."

Dawn blushed again.

"Don't tell me you're not even gonna let me kiss you," she asked, pouting.

Faith smiled.

"No, kissing is okay, we'll just have to make sure we don't overdo it in front of your mom and Buffy."

Dawn giggled.

"Right."

"And besides, I want your first time, our first time, to be special, you know? I don't want you to just satisfy my itch, I want us to make love."

Dawn smiled.

"I know." She raised an eyebrow when she saw that Faith was thinking about something. "What is it?"

Faith blushed.

"I was just thinking… I've never… I've never made love before," she admitted, nervous.

Dawn frowned.

"But you and Xander…"

Faith's went wide.

"You know?"

Dawn nodded.

"I know more or less everything you've done. I mean, I don't know all the details or the reasons, but yes, I know."

Faith looked down, ashamed.

"That… That was just…" She took a deep breath, hesitating. "I was pretty… devastated after I thought you'd dumped me." She hesitated for a moment. "I've had sex before, as you know, but it was just a means for me to get something." She sighed. "But after I became a Slayer, well…"

"Hungry and horny," Dawn said and Faith blushed.

"Yeah. Anyway, I got horny after the fight and Xander was there. I mean, I realize I shouldn't have slept with him, but… I just didn't care." She sighed. "It was just sex, nothing more." She hesitated for a moment. "Hell, it wasn't even that, I just used him to take care of my itch and then I threw him out."

"That was mean."

"Yeah," Faith agreed, feeling ashamed. She took a deep breath. "Anyway, it was just sex, not making love. That's… I don't know, different." She blushed. "You'd have to ask Buffy or your mom."

"Oh." Dawn smiled. "I guess we'll just have to figure it out ourselves," she said, blushing.

"Yeah," Faith said, her blush deepening. She took a deep breath. "So, why did you wake me up?"

"Oh!" Dawn remembered. "I have to go to school."

"Then you better hurry," Faith said with a smile. "Go, I'll meet you downstairs."

"Okay," Dawn said and kissed Faith.

Faith tensed for a moment, but then she responded and then kiss lasted a few moments.

"God, I missed that," Dawn said.

Faith smiled, blushing.

"Me too. Now go before your mom comes barging in."

Dawn smiled.

"Okay. I'll see you downstairs," she said and hurried to her room.

After Joyce had left Faith's room, she had left the door open just a bit and then listened. What she heard convinced her that Faith was sincere. It also surprised her, because so far she had only known Faith as a tough, independent girl with a wild streak. Seeing this caring and loving side of Faith with a sense of responsibility surprised her and also assured her that Dawn was in good hands.

When she heard that Dawn was coming out, she quickly hurried to her room.

After breakfast, Joyce took Dawn to school before she went to work and Faith watched cartoons to pass the time. An hour later, Buffy got up. Faith heard her walk around upstairs and she was nervous. Sure, Buffy had behaved when Dawn and Joyce were around, but now they were alone. When she heard her come downstairs, Faith braced herself for the verbal assault.

"Hey," Buffy said.

"Hey," Faith said and got up.

"They left?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

They stared at one another, trying to judge what the other would do.

"Thanks, B," Faith decided to break the silence.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments. Then she sighed.

"I'm just glad you're back."

"Yeah, me too." Faith hesitated for a moment. "I'm sorry, you know, for everything."

Buffy nodded. She thought for a few moments.

"You know, Dawn was very excited when she got home from the summer camp. She didn't tell anyone why, but she kept calling long distance. After two months, she gave up. She was pretty devastated."

Faith gulped.

"Thanks for telling me."

Buffy took a deep breath.

"You really love her?"

"With all my heart," Faith said without hesitation and then blushed.

Buffy sighed.

"Okay."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"You're okay with this?"

Buffy shrugged.

"I don't know, but Dawn looks happy." She paused for a moment. "And so do you."

Faith nodded.

"I am." She hesitated for a moment. "You know why I went to the Mayor?"

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Faith sighed.

"Because I knew he wouldn't judge me. And he treated me like family, you know." She hesitated for a moment. "The only family I had before was Dawnie and I thought I'd lost her. She never judged me either." She sighed. "And now I have her again."

Buffy stared at her, finding this new Faith very likable.

"I'll see if Willow can take care of the evidence tonight and then you can go to the cops tomorrow."

Faith tensed.

"Thanks."

"I'll drop by Giles' after classes and see if he found out anything about the Council."

"Okay."

Buffy nodded.

They stared at one another for a few more moments and then Buffy went to the kitchen. Faith took a deep breath and sat down again, relieved.

"Hey," Dawn said with a smile when she came home and found Faith watching cartoons.

Faith smiled back.

"Hey."

"Had a good day?"

Faith shrugged.

"It was boring. I watched cartoons."

"Come on, let's do my homework."

Faith smirked.

"You're excited about doing homework?"

Dawn smiled.

"No, I'm excited about doing it with you."

"Oh," Faith said and blushed a bit. "Okay."

When Joyce came home, she found Dawn and Faith in Dawn's room, Dawn tutoring Faith.

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

"Eh, hi," Faith said, obviously nervous.

"Hello," Joyce said.

"I'm tutoring Faith," Dawn said.

Joyce smiled.

"Okay. I'll leave you two alone then."

Joyce left and Dawn looked at Faith.

"You okay?"

Faith smiled a bit.

"Yeah, just…" She sighed. "I need to get used to it."

Dawn smiled.

"Okay."

In the evening, the Scoobs gathered again and Willow told them that she had taken care of the police evidence.

"Thanks," Faith said.

"I couldn't do anything about the woman you beat up or the two cops."

Faith nodded.

"I know." She gulped. "I'll go talk to the cops tomorrow."

"I'll go with you," Dawn said.

"Dawn…" Buffy started.

"I'm going," Dawn interrupted her determinedly and glared at her.

They stared at one another for a moment.

"Fine, alright," Buffy then gave in.

Dawn looked at Willow.

"Thanks, Willow," she said and then looked at Buffy again. "We'll be in my room."

Dawn dragged Faith upstairs and the Scoobs stared after them.

"Are you sure this is the right decision?" Xander asked.

Buffy nodded.

"Yes. For some reason Faith is not afraid to open up to Dawn and I'm pretty sure she would do whatever Dawn told her. Not that she needs to."

"Oh."

"You okay?" Dawn asked Faith when they got to her room.

Faith took a deep breath.

"Yeah," she said and gently squeezed Dawn's hand. "I'm just worried about the two cops and the woman I beat up."

"Hey, I'll stand by you," Dawn said. "No matter what."

Faith gulped and then smiled.

"Thank you," she said.

She hesitated for a moment and then hugged Dawn.

"Hey, I'm your girl," Dawn said softly as she hugged her back.

After a few moments Faith let go of Dawn.

"Thanks." She took a deep breath to calm down and then thought for a few moments. "Where are the clothes from the woman I beat up?"

Dawn frowned, thinking.

"Drying, I think."

Faith sighed.

"I'm gonna take them back to her."

Dawn's eyes went wide.

"You are?" she said, surprised.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah." She hesitated for a moment. "I'm gonna apologize."

Dawn smiled, proud.

"You know where she is?"

Faith shrugged.

"The hospital, I guess."

"Oh. We'll go after school, okay?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

Dawn smiled and hugged her.

"I love you, Faith."

Faith hugged her back, moved.

"I love you too, Dawnie."

"Nervous?" Dawn asked as they stood outside the girl's hospital room.

Faith took a deep breath.

"Yeah," she said and gulped.

"You sure you want to do this alone?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah, I have to."

Dawn smiled, proud.

"Okay. I'll wait here."

Faith smile back.

"Okay."

Dawn gave her a quick peck on the lips and then sat down on a chair.

Faith looked at the door, took a deep breath and entered.

The girl looked at her and frowned, finding her familiar. Then her eyes went wide as she recognized her.

"You," she said, worried. "What do you want?"

Faith stopped, nervous.

"Eh, I… I came to apologize," she said. "And, eh, I brought back your clothes."

The girl frowned again, surprised.

"What?"

Faith sighed and slowly approached the bed.

"Your clothes," she said and put them on the chair beside the bed. Then she looked at the girl again, but she quickly looked away again, nervous. "Eh, I'm sorry." She sighed. "I'm sorry," she repeated quietly.

The girl stared at her for a few moments.

"Why did you beat me up?"

Faith glanced at her and shrugged.

"I was messed up. I had just woken from coma." She hesitated for a moment. "You told me I'd been in coma for eight months and that the Mayor was dead. It… It…" She sighed. "The Mayor, he was like a dad to me and finding out he was dead…" She frowned. "Well, I wasn't really that pissed over him, more over the fact that I had lost eight months of my life and that the world moved on without me." She sighed again. "I needed clothes and I needed to vent my anger," she shrugged, nervous, "you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm sorry."

The girl stared at her for a few moments.

"And that's supposed to make it better?" she asked bitterly and Faith flinched.

"No," she said quietly.

The girl stared at her some more.

"The cops are looking for you."

Faith sighed.

"I know, I was just on my way to the station."

The girl raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"You were?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah. I just dropped by to bring you your clothes back and to… apologize." She hesitated for a moment and then looked at the girl. "How… How are you?"

The girl stared at her for a few moments and then sighed.

"My whole body still hurts," she said and Faith flinched.

"Sorry," she said quietly, suddenly feeling really bad about it.

The girl stared at her for a few moments.

"Now what?"

Faith shrugged.

"Nothing, I'm going to the cops now."

"Oh."

Faith thought for a moment.

"How… How long do you have to… stay here?"

"Another week."

"Oh." Faith hesitated for a moment. "Would… Would you like me to visit sometimes?" She frowned. "I mean, if I'm not in jail," she quickly added.

The girl blinked, surprised.

"Why would you?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know. I mean, I don't know if you have anyone and I thought…" She trailed off and sighed. "Being in a hospital really sucks."

The girl stared at her for a few moments.

"What's your name?"

Faith looked at her, startled.

"Huh?"

"Your name."

"Oh. Eh, Faith."

The girl stared at her for a few moments again.

"I'm Trisha."

"Hey."

Trisha hesitated for a moment.

"Yeah, you can come," she then decided and Faith looked at her, surprised. "I mean, if you're not in jail."

"Yeah." Faith hesitated for a moment, swallowing hard. "Thanks."

The girl smiled a bit.

"Yeah."

"I'll, eh, I'll see you around then."

"Okay."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Em, bye."

"Bye."

Faith left the room, feeling relieved.

"How'd it go?" Dawn asked when she got outside.

Faith smiled.

"Okay. She said I could visit her, if I'm not in jail."

Dawn beamed.

"That's great," she said and hugged her.

Faith's smile widened.

"Yeah," she said as she hugged her back.

"So, ready to face the cops?" Dawn then asked and let go of Faith.

Faith took a deep breath.

"With you by my side, I'm ready to face anything," she said and Dawn smiled.

"Let's go then," Dawn said and took Faith's hand.

Faith smiled and followed Dawn out, feeling hopeful for the first time in a very long time, because she knew that even if she was sentenced to jail, Dawn would always be there for her.

The End