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.

Safe
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Before going on patrol, Faith decided to check out some of the less savory clubs around Sunnydale. She was on her way to the fourth, when she heard a high pitched scream near by. She immediately ran to help, gripping the stake in her hand.

She soon spotted a vampire playing hide and seek with his dinner, a little girl. He was just getting tired of it and he quickly grabbed the girl to drain her.

"Not so fast!" Faith yelled, and the vampire turned, surprised.

He either recognized her or was simply worried because he saw the stake, because he let go of the girl and faced Faith. Faith grinned and plowed into him. He tried to defend himself, but Faith made short work of him and he was soon dust.

Faith looked around and frowned when she couldn't see the girl anywhere. It took her a moment before she spotted her hiding in the bushes.

The little girl stared at Faith in awe. She knew the monster was strong and fast, but Faith was even stronger and even faster. Of course, just because Faith had saved her, that didn't necessarily mean that she wanted to help her. It was quite possible that Faith was a monster herself.

"Hey there," Faith said as she slowly approached the bushes. "You okay?"

The girl jerked and backed off.

"Don't worry, the vamp's dead," Faith said, pointing behind her back. She took a closer look. "You're bleeding," she noticed.

The girl looked at her left arm and saw a cut there. She covered it with her right hand.

"Where are your parents?" Faith asked and the girl looked back at her.

"I don't have them," she said quietly.

"Oh. Where do you live?"

"On the street."

Faith sighed. She knew what it was like to live on the street, but even she didn't have to do that until she was older.

"What were you doing around so late?"

"Looking for food. They bring it out of restaurants."

Faith frowned and then realized that the girl meant the leftovers which were thrown away.

"Oh." She thought for a moment. "What's your name?"

The girl hesitated for a moment.

"Britney."

"I'm Faith."

"Are you a monster?"

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"No. I kill monsters."

"Oh."

"Listen, Britney, you need to have that wound taken care of or the monsters are gonna smell you a block away," Faith said and Britney looked at her wound again. "Come, I'll take care of it," she then decided and Britney looked back at her. "Look, I won't hurt you, I promise," she said when Britney hesitated.

Britney slowly came closer, but she stopped out of Faith's reach. Faith realized that Britney didn't trust her yet, so she stood up and backed away. When she saw that Britney was getting out, she turned and slowly headed toward her motel. When she glanced back, she saw that Britney was following her.

When they got to Faith's room, Faith entered and then looked at Britney, who had stopped, wary of entering an unknown place.

"I'll get the first aid kit," Faith said. "You can wait outside or you can come in."

Faith went to the bathroom to get the first aid kit and Britney stared at the empty room for a few moments. Then she slowly came closer and looked inside. She saw it was a simple room, so she stepped inside. She jerked when Faith returned, but she relaxed a bit when Faith smiled at her.

"Okay, first we have to clean the wound and disinfect it," Faith said as she put the first aid kit on the bed. "It might hurt a bit, especially when I disinfect it," she said as she opened the first aid kit. "Come."

Britney hesitated for a moment and then slowly approached Faith.

"Okay, this is just water, I'll clean the blood off first," Faith said and slowly reached toward Britney's arm with a wet cloth.

Britney tensed, but she relaxed when Faith slowly removed her hand and started cleaning the blood off.

"Hmm, it's not deep, but it'll probably leave a little scar," Faith said." Fortunately, you don't need any stitches."

Britney looked at the wound, curious.

"Does it hurt?" Faith asked her.

Britney shook her head.

"No, it just… stings a bit."

Faith smiled.

"Yeah, I know. It can be very annoying." She put away the bloody cloth. "Okay, now I'm going to disinfect the wound. It will sting for a few moments, but I'll blow on it, so it won't sting too much."

Faith took another cloth and put on some disinfectant.

"You can blow too," she said as she ran the cloth across Britney's wound.

Britney gasped, startled, but the stinging lessened when Faith started to blow on the wound. Britney quickly joined her.

"That's it," Faith said with a smile. "Okay, keep blowing," she said when she had disinfected the wound. "I'll put some salve on now."

Faith put away the cloth and took the salve tube from the kit. She quickly squirted some on her fingers and then gently applied it to Britney's wounded.

"Does it still sting?" she asked.

Britney shook her head.

"No."

"Good. I'll put on a gauze now."

Faith took out a gauze and then taped it to Britney's arm.

"Okay, all done," she said when she was finished. "Come, let's go to the bathroom and wash our hands."

Faith closed the first aid kit and went to the bathroom. Britney slowly followed her, still not fully trusting her.

"Come," Faith said when she put away the first aid kit.

She turned on the water and started washing her hands.

Britney slowly approached the sink and Faith stepped aside so that Britney could wash her hands as well. Unfortunately, Britney was a bit short and could barely reach the water stream.

"Hold on," Faith said as she wiped her hands in towel. "Come, I'll lift you up," she offered.

Britney quickly stepped back, scared.

"Whoa, relax," Faith said. "I'll just lift you up so you can wash your hands. I won't hurt you."

Britney hesitated for a few moments and then stepped closer.

Faith smiled encouragingly and then very slowly lifted her up. She could feel Britney tense at first, but then Britney relaxed and started washing her hands.

"Don't forget to use the soap," Faith said.

Britney used the soap and she quickly cleaned her hands.

"That's it," Faith said when she figured that Britney's hands were clean enough. "Now wipe them in the towel."

She put Britney down and Britney wiped her hands. Faith thought for a moment.

"You hungry?" she asked.

Britney nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Want some pizza?"

Britney's eyes lit up and she nodded enthusiastically.

"Uh-huh."

Faith smiled.

"Okay, I'll order one. And in the meantime, we can watch TV. That okay with you?"

Britney nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Then come."

While they waited for the pizza to arrive, Faith and Britney watched TV. Britney was very excited about it at first, but by the time the pizza arrived, she could barely keep her eyes open and was leaning heavily on Faith, who felt very awkward about the whole situation.

When the pizza arrived, Britney was very excited, but only after Faith told her to feel free to eat as much as she wanted did she start to stuff herself. Faith slowly ate and quietly observed Britney, thinking.

When they were done, they went to the bathroom to wash their hands. Faith then took out the trash and when she got back in, she saw that Britney had fallen asleep on her bed. She scratched her head.

"Crap," she said quietly.

She wondered for a few moments about what to do and then decided to take a shower and then lie next to Britney.

When Faith woke up in the morning, she was startled when she felt that someone was lying next to her. She opened her eyes and saw Britney comfortably cuddled up to her. She frowned, feeling strange. She stared at her for a few moments and then tried to get up without waking her. She failed and Britney woke up with a start.

"Morning," Faith said.

Britney tensed, confused for a moment, but then she remembered.

"Morning."

"Time to get up."

Britney smiled a bit and let go of Faith.

Faith got up and stretched.

"How's your arm?" she asked Britney.

Britney looked at her arm and touched the gauze.

"Better."

"Good. Come, let's freshen up and change the gauze. Then we'll go to Espresso Pump and get something to eat."

Britney smiled a bit.

"Okay," she said.

She scrambled off the bed and followed Faith to the bathroom.

"So, how old are you, anyway?" Faith asked Britney after they ordered.

"Six," Britney said, looking around curiously. "I'll be seven soon," she said and looked at Faith.

Faith smiled a bit.

"Where are you from?"

Britney frowned, thinking.

"LA. I think."

"What are you doing here then?"

Britney's face became sad.

"We came here with Mommy and Daddy."

"Where are they?"

Britney looked at her hands, ready to cry.

"They're dead," she said quietly.

"Oh. I'm sorry."

Britney sobbed for a moment and then took a deep breath.

"So you've been on your own for… how long?" Faith asked when Britney calmed down.

Britney thought for a moment.

"Almost a year."

"Oh. Wow."

They were quiet for a few moments.

"What was that monster last night?" Britney then asked.

"Vampire."

Britney frowned.

"Vampire?"

"Yeah."

"But he looked like a man."

"I know. And he was a man before another vampire made him, well, a vampire."

"Oh," Britney said and looked around warily.

"Don't worry, they avoid sun, so you're not likely to run into them during the day."

"Oh." Britney thought for a moment. "Why did he turn to dust?"

Faith shrugged.

"That's what they do when they're killed."

"Oh. Did he want to kill me?"

"Probably, yeah."

"Why?"

"Well, vampires feed on blood, especially human blood. And once they drink all your blood, you die."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"There are also other monsters."

"Really?" Britney said, and looked around again.

"Yeah. They…" She trailed off when the waitress delivered their breakfast. "Thanks."

The waitress nodded and left.

"Anyway," Faith then resumed and told Britney more about demons.

"Still hungry?" Faith asked after they finished eating.

Britney shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

"Okay." Faith thought for a moment. "Listen, em, I was thinking. Maybe I could take you to a home."

"Home?"

"Yeah, you know, the orphanage. They take care of kids like you there. You'd have food and clothes and shelter and you…"

Britney shook her head.

"Uh-uh. I don't wanna go to the orphanage."

"Look, it's not…"

"I don't wanna go to the orphanage," Britney repeated, shaking her head vehemently.

Faith sighed.

"We'll talk about it outside. I'll go pay now."

She got up, went to the counter and paid for their breakfast. But when she turned, Britney was gone.

"Crap," Faith said and went outside.

After unsuccessfully searching for Britney for about an hour, Faith went to the Sunnydale High library to train.

In the evening, after having staked a trio of vampires, Buffy stopped and frowned.

"What is it?" Faith asked and looked around.

"I have a feeling like we're being followed."

"Yeah, I know. I've been having the same feeling all day."

"How about we catch the stalker."

Faith thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"Nah, it's probably just Britney."

Buffy looked at Faith, confused.

"Who's Britney?"

"A street kid I saved last night. She was cut, so I took her to my place and bandaged her wound. She looked starved, so I ordered a pizza. Then she fell asleep. This morning I took her out to breakfast, but after I mentioned the orphanage, she bailed out on me."

"Oh."

"I'll head to my place now."

"Want me to follow you?"

"Nah, it's okay."

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

"Yeah."

On the way home, Faith bought a couple of burgers and drinks. When she got to her motel room, she put the food away and then went to the window and peered out. It took her a few minutes to spot a small shape moving around. She was impressed by Britney's stealth.

She waited until Britney hid herself in the bushes. Then she sneaked out the back window and went around the building. She sneaked as close to the bushes as she could and then kneeled.

"I'm betting you'd be more comfortable in your hideout than here," she then said.

Britney jerked, surprised, and looked at her, wide eyed.

Faith smiled at her.

"So, you've been following me all day. Gotta say I'm impressed by your stealth."

"I'm not going to the orphanage," Britney said.

"I won't take you there."

"But you said…"

"I suggested the orphanage," Faith said, "I didn't say you have to go there."

"Oh."

Faith took a deep breath.

"Come on, you'll be safer inside."

"You won't take me to the orphanage?"

Faith shook her head.

"No."

"Promise?"

Faith sighed.

"I promise."

Britney hesitated for a moment and then crawled out.

"How's your arm?" Faith then asked her.

Britney glanced at the gauze.

"Okay."

"We'll check it out. Come."

They went inside and Britney immediately noticed the food.

"I'm guessing you're hungry," Faith said, having noticed Britney's stare.

Britney nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Then help yourself. You can eat it all, if you can."

Britney smiled and went to the food.

Britney couldn't eat everything, so Faith finished up.

"Okay, time to get clean. Why don't you undress."

Britney looked at her warily.

"Why?"

"So you'll take a shower. And I'll wash your clothes."

Britney looked at her clothes for a few moments.

"What will I wear?"

"I'll give you one of my t-shirts, it's big enough to be a nightshirt for you."

"Oh. Okay."

"I'll just dump the trash."

Faith took the trash out and when she returned, Britney was naked and stared at her nervously.

"Go on to the bathroom, I'll just undress to my underwear."

Britney went to the bathroom and Faith quickly took off her clothes. Then she followed her.

Faith first took off Britney's gauze and checked the wound. When she saw that it was healing nicely, she helped Britney wash herself. Then she helped her dry herself and finally put a fresh gauze on the wound. Finally, she got her one of her t-shirts and Britney put it on.

When Britney was tuck in bed and watching TV, Faith took a shower and then washed Britney's clothes and hanged them up to dry in the bathroom. When she was done, she joined Britney.

When Faith woke up the next morning, she found Britney cuddled up to her again. She stared at the girl for a while, slightly disturbed because she realized that she cared about her. She didn't want Britney to go living on the street again, but she wasn't sure she could take care of her. Not to mention that she didn't have much money to begin with. She wanted Britney to go to school and make something of herself, but for that she would need money and, she realized, Britney would have to have a legal guardian, even if that person wouldn't take care of her.

"Crap," she murmured, realizing that she really wanted to help Britney.

She sighed and thought about what to do.

Britney woke up an hour later.

"Morning," Faith said with a smile.

Britney opened her eyes and smiled.

"Morning."

Faith took a deep breath, making up her mind.

"Listen, I'm gonna go get us something for breakfast. You stay here and watch TV, okay?"

"Will you be back?" Britney asked, worried a bit.

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Let me take off the gauze now."

Britney sat up and Faith reached over and took the gauze off.

"Not bad. I'll put on some salve. You'll have to roll up the sleeve so it won't get dirty."

Faith got up and went to the bathroom and Britney rolled up the sleeve.

Faith quickly returned and put the salve on Britney's wound.

"There. Your clothes are still wet, so you'll have to wear my t-shirt today."

"Okay."

"Good. I'll dress now and get the breakfast."

When Faith came back with a couple of burgers, they quickly ate them and then Faith took out the trash. When she returned, she sat on the bed and thought for a few moments.

"Listen," she then said. "Em, I've been thinking." She hesitated for a moment. "Em, would you like me to take care of you?"

Britney pouted.

"I can take care of myself," she said.

Faith smiled.

"I know." She sighed. "But living off garbage and sleeping on the street is no way to live. I want you to go to school and learn and get a job some day."

Britney thought about it.

"I can go to school?"

"Yeah, I think. I mean, I still have to ask Giles about it, but first I need to get a job so that we can move some place more decent." She hesitated for a moment. "Do you want me to take care of you?"

Britney thought about it and then smiled.

"Okay."

Faith smiled back.

"Okay. I'll go out now and see if I can find a job. I'll be back by lunch. You stay here and keep quiet. Don't answer the door and make sure the TV's not too loud."

"Can I go pee?"

"Of course you can."

"Okay."

"Oh, I have some old magazines, if you want to look through them," Faith said and took the magazines out of her bag. "Here."

"Thank you."

Faith smiled.

"You're welcome." She got up. "I'll go now."

"Okay."

Faith came back at noon with some food. She hadn't found a job yet, so she went out again after they ate.

She came back in the evening.

"Great news, I got two jobs," she announced.

Britney smiled at her.

"Really?"

"Yeah. One in the morning, shuffling crates in a warehouse, and one in the evening as a security guard." She hesitated for a moment. "And I'll still be going out to kill monsters."

"Do you have to?" Britney asked, worried.

"Yeah, I'm a Slayer." She shrugged. "It's my job."

"Oh."

Faith smiled a bit and then ruffled Britney's hair.

"Well, I still got an hour or so before I have to go out." She frowned. "Damn, I don't have any games." She thought for a moment. "Hey, you could tell me a bit about you and I'll tell you a bit about me, okay?"

Britney smiled.

"Okay."

The next morning, Faith woke Britney up early. They went out for breakfast and then Faith took Britney to Giles.

"Giles!" she called as they entered the Sunnydale High library.

Giles came from his office. "Hello, Faith, you're…" He trailed off when he saw Britney, who was holding Faith's hand. "Eh, hello."

"Giles, this is Britney. Britney, this is Giles," she introduced them. "Giles, can you watch her, I gotta go to work?"

"Watch her? Work?" Giles said, surprised. "You work?"

"Yeah. I'll tell you everything later."

"Eh, alright."

Faith looked at Britney and kneeled.

"Britney, you stay here with Giles, okay? He'll keep you company. And later Buffy will come, you probably saw her two nights ago when we were slaying monsters."

Britney nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"And if you need anything, just asked Giles, okay?"

"Okay."

Faith nodded and caressed her. She frowned as she realized what she was doing, and quickly pulled her hand back. She looked at Giles, nervous because she wasn't used to being affectionate to others, especially not in front of other people.

"I'll be back by the end of school," she then told Giles.

"Eh, okay."

Faith smiled at Britney one final time and then left.

Britney then looked at Giles and they stared at one another, both a bit nervous.

"So, em, hello, Britney," Giles finally said.

"Hello," Britney said timidly.

"Em, why don't you sit down."

Britney slowly approached the tables and then climbed up on a chair.

Giles thought for a moment.

"Would you like something to read?"

"I can't read."

"Oh." Giles frowned, thinking. "Well, perhaps I can teach you."

Britney's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"Eh, yes. Would you like me to?"

Britney nodded eagerly.

"Uh-huh."

"Very well then. Let me see if I can find an interesting book."

When the Scoobs arrived before their first class, they broke off their chatter when they saw Giles tutoring a little girl.

"Hey, Giles," Buffy said as they approached the tables.

"Who's the girl?" Willow asked.

"Eh, this is Britney," Giles introduced her.

"Britney?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Yes. Faith, eh, she dropped her off here."

"She's Faith's?" Cordelia asked with a frown.

"Eh, no, I don't think so. She said she'll explain when she returns from work."

"Faith has a job?" Buffy asked, surprised.

"Apparently so." Giles looked at Britney. "Britney, these are Willow, Oz, Buffy, Cordelia and Xander," he introduced them.

Buffy smiled at the girl.

"Hey. So, you've been following us two nights ago."

Britney nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"You know her?" Willow asked, surprised.

Buffy looked at her.

"No. Faith mentioned her when we were on patrol two nights ago. She said she's a street kid she'd saved from a vamp. She said she was cut, so she took her to her place and bandaged her wound. Britney then spent the night with Faith, but in the morning, she ran away after Faith mentioned the orphanage."

"Oh."

"You were hurt?" Giles asked Britney.

Britney looked at him and nodded.

"Uh-huh," she said. "Faith took care of it."

"I see."

"You're teaching her to read?" Xander asked, looking at the papers.

"Eh, yes."

"How's it going?" Willow asked with a smile.

"Quite well, I must say, she's eager to learn."

"If you need help, let me know."

"I will."

The bell rang.

"We have to go," Buffy said. "We'll be back later."

"I wonder what Faith's story is," Xander said as they left.

"Hey," Faith said when she returned from work.

"Faith!" Britney said, excited.

She slid off the chair, ran to Faith and hugged her legs.

"Hey, Little B," Faith said, surprised by Britney's excitement. She ruffled her hair and when Britney let go of her, she picked her up. "You've been good?" she asked as she headed to the tables.

Britney nodded.

"Uh-huh. Giles taught me how to read."

Faith looked at Giles, surprised.

"Yeah?"

"Eh, yes," Giles said. "She's a very fast learner."

Faith smiled.

"Yeah." She put Britney back on the chair and sat next to her. She looked at Giles. "I'll tell you everything when Buffy comes."

Giles nodded.

"Okay."

Faith looked at Britney.

"Hungry?"

Britney shook her head.

"Uh-uh. Giles brought me lunch."

"Oh," Faith said, surprised. She looked at Giles. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Faith took a deep breath and then looked at the book Britney had apparently been reading.

"You've been reading that?"

Britney nodded, excited.

"Uh-huh. I don't know what all the words mean, but I can read them."

Faith smiled.

"I know. Why don't you practice and I'll correct you."

Britney smiled.

"Okay."

When the Scoobs came during the next break, Faith looked at them, nervous.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey," Buffy said.

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

"Hi," Britney said and smiled back.

Buffy sat on the table close to Faith.

"So, spill."

Faith gulped, nervous. She shrugged.

"She did follow us. Well, she followed me. I found her in the bushes outside, so I took her in." She hesitated for a moment. "I decided to help her, so I got myself a job."

Buffy smiled.

"Really? What kind of job?"

"I work in a warehouse in the morning and I'm a security guard at night."

"You have two jobs?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Yeah."

Buffy looked at Britney and then back at Faith.

"You really do like her."

Faith blushed, nervous.

"Yeah," she said and smiled at Britney. Then she took a deep breath. "Anyway, I need some help. With the money I'll be making, we'll soon be able to move someplace more decent and I'll be able to buy her clothes and stuff…"

"Hey, I can give you mine," Buffy interrupted her. "I think Mom still has them stored somewhere."

"And mine," Willow said.

Cordelia looked at her.

"Somehow she doesn't strike me as a Sears girl."

Willow glared at her.

"She's a kid, she doesn't have to be a supermodel like you."

Cordelia smiled at the unintentional compliment.

"Thank you." She looked at Xander. "You could learn from her."

Xander groaned quietly.

"Do you have any clothes, Cordelia?" Buffy asked.

"Yes, I suppose. I'll have to check."

Buffy smiled at Faith.

"Clothes problem settled."

"Thanks," Faith said. She wasn't very fond of taking charity, but this was for Britney, so she decided to make an exception. Not to mention that it would save money. "Anyway, Britney will be seven in a couple of months and I'd like her to go to school next year. The problem is, they'll ask questions. I'm not exactly fit to take care of her, I'm a minor and she's not mine." She looked at Giles, hesitating. "Do you think the Council could help?"

Giles took off his glasses.

"I suppose."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Em, I know I'm not exactly a great role model and stuff, but I'd really like to take care of Britney." She hesitated again. "The problem is, I'm a minor and they're not gonna let me adopt her. So, em, I was wondering if you'd become, like, her legal guardian or something."

Giles stopped cleaning his glasses.

"Me?" he asked, surprised.

"Yes. I mean, I'll take care of everything, you just have to fill out the paperwork and go see the Principal. She doesn't even have to live with you."

Everyone stared at Faith, surprised.

"Wow," Buffy finally said.

"Well, em, I'll have to think about it," Giles said and put his glasses back on.

"Thanks," Faith said.

"You do realize that means giving up partying, drinking, smoking and sex?" Buffy said. "Oh yeah, and going back to school?"

Faith frowned.

"Oh." She thought for a few moments and then sighed, realizing that she wanted to help Britney, even if it meant less parties and sex and more school. "Yeah."

"Does she have any family?" Oz asked and everyone looked at him.

"Does she?" Buffy asked Faith.

Faith shrugged.

"I don't think so. She said her parents are dead."

"Oh."

"I'll see what I can find out about her on the net," Willow said. "What's her last name?"

Faith looked at Britney.

"What's your last name?"

Britney frowned.

"Last name?"

"Yeah. I'm Faith Spencer, this is Buffy Summers and you're Britney…"

Britney thought for a few moments.

"Ooh! Daniels. I'm Britney Daniels."

Faith smiled at her.

"Okay," she said and Britney smiled back. "Oh, can you show Willow your medallion."

Britney covered her chest where the medallion lay hidden under the clothes.

"Why?"

"So she can see what your parents look like."

"Oh."

Britney hesitated for a moment and then pulled the medallion from behind her clothes and opened it. Willow came closer and took a closer look at the small pictures.

"Got it," she said after a few moments.

Britney closed the medallion and put it behind her shirt again.

"How soon will you know?" Faith asked.

"I can start right away," Willow said. "If Giles will let me use his computer."

"Yes, go ahead," Giles said.

"Thanks," Willow said and went to the computer.

"Got it!" Willow finally announced.

"And?" Buffy asked.

"She has a grandpa on her mom's side and both grandparents on her dad's side."

"That's great!"

Faith sighed, realizing she would not be taking care of Britney after all. Then again, it was a good news for Britney. She looked at the girl and put on a smile.

"Looks like you still have a family."

"I do?"

"Yes, your grandparents. Your mommy's and daddy's parents. They will take care of you now."

Britney's face fell.

"What about you?"

Faith blinked, startled.

"Me?"

"Will you stay with me?"

Faith glanced around.

"Eh, probably not."

"Then I don't want them to take care of me," Britney said and hugged Faith tightly.

Faith stared at her for a few moments, startled, and then slowly hugged her. She looked around, nervous.

"Look, we'll ask them, okay?" she said.

Britney let go of her and look at her.

"I want to stay with you."

Faith sighed.

"I know. We'll see what your grandparents say." She looked at Willow. "Did you find out how jer parents died?"

Willow glanced at Britney, hesitating.

"It says they were killed. They think it was an assassination."

"Oh."

"The grandparents are still searching for her. Do you want me to e-mail her grandfather? He lives in LA."

"Okay."

"Where do you want to meet him?"

Faith shrugged.

"Don't know. Here?"

"Okay." Faith thought for a few moments and then looked at Britney. "How about we go get your stuff now?"

"Okay," Britney said and slid off the chair.

Faith got up and looked at Buffy.

"I'll meet you tonight at eight at the Bronze and you'll tell me about when her grandparents are coming."

"Okay," Buffy said.

Faith looked at Britney.

"Let's go."

Britney took her hand, and Faith looked around, nervous. But since nobody made a comment, she relaxed a bit and then she and Britney left.

When they got to a pile of boxes in an alley behind a bar, Faith couldn't help but wonder how Britney could survive on her own. She had to admire her for that.

Britney quickly packed the few knickknacks that were her belongings.

"No, no, you don't need to take that," Faith said when Britney wanted to take the food she had collected.

"But it's food," Britney said, confused.

"I know, but it's rotten. It's not healthy. I'll buy you decent food."

Britney hesitated for a few moments and then left the food where it was, carefully hidden in case she had to come back some day.

"Is that it?" Faith then asked.

Britney nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Then let's go back to the motel."

"Faith!" Buffy called when she walked up to Faith, who was dancing on the dance floor.

Faith stopped dancing and turned.

"Hey, B! You ready to patrol?!"

"Yes!"

"Then let's motorvate."

They pushed through the crowd and went outside.

"Willow set up a meeting for tomorrow afternoon at five," Buffy said when they were outside.

Faith sighed.

"At the library?"

"Yes. All three grandparents will be there."

"Okay."

"Oh yes, Willow discovered that they're rich. In fact, so were Britney's parents."

"Oh," Faith said, having a sinking feeling that she would lose Britney.

"You're not happy about it?" Buffy asked.

"They're rich, I'm just a street kid. I hardly think they'll look kindly to me being around Britney."

"But you found her."

"So? They're rich, it would kinda ruin their image if I was around."

"Oh," Buffy said and frowned. She sighed. "I guess we'll see."

The next day, after Faith came home from work, she and Britney went for a walk. They were both nervous. Faith tried to cheer Britney up, but she wasn't particularly successful. They stopped by the swings and Britney relaxed for a while, but when they moved on, she became anxious again.

Willow and Oz waited outside the school for Britney's grandparents to arrive. Willow had volunteered and Oz went along to keep her company. When the limousine finally arrived, Willow's eyes went wide.

"Wow," she said, staring at the limo.

"Good silencers," Oz commented.

Three people got out of the limo, two men and a woman.

"That's them," Willow said and they approached them. "Hi, are you Britney's grandparents?"

"Eh, yes," the woman said, startled.

"Hi, I'm Willow. Britney should be here any minute now. Come, this way."

"Where is she?" one of the men asked as they followed her.

"She and Faith took a walk."

"Who's Faith?" the woman asked.

"She's the one who found Britney."

"Oh."

"How did you know who to contact?" the other man asked.

Willow smiled sheepishly.

"I did some research on the net and then some hacking. It wasn't that hard."

"I see."

"How come you chose the school as the meeting place?" the first man asked.

Willow shrugged.

"We all go here and we hang out here. It was the most convenient."

"I see."

They reached the library.

"They're here," Willow announced as they filed in.

The Scoobs looked at them and Giles came closer.

"Hello, I'm Rupert Giles. Welcome to Sunnydale."

"Hello," the first man said. "I am Richard and this is my wife Jennifer. And this is William."

"Nice to meet you. Eh, I'm afraid Britney is not here yet."

"And you're sure she's our granddaughter?" William asked.

"Yes, quite positive. She had a medallion with her parents' photos and what little Faith could get out of her matches what the police had found out."

"I see."

"They just went out for a walk, they should be back any minute now."

"I forgot my camera," Jennifer said, rummaging through her purse. "I'll be right back."

As the hour of the meeting approached, Faith and Britney headed back toward Sunnydale High. They walked slowly, hand in hand, and Britney asked Faith various questions in order to keep her mind off her grandparents. When they got close to the school, they saw a limo there.

"What kind of car is that?" Britney asked and pointed.

"That's a limo. Rich people usually hire them to drive around more comfortably." She hesitated for a moment. "That's probably your grandparents'."

"Oh."

Then a woman came out of the limo and noticed them.

"That's probably your grandma," Faith said.

Britney gripped Faith's hand more tightly and moved closer to her, almost hiding behind her.

"Hey, it's…"

Faith trailed off when she felt something was not right. She looked around and saw the bushes across the street move. She squinted and saw the business end of a silencer. She immediately pulled Britney away from the road and put herself between Britney and the shooter, grabbing her stake as she turned. She felt something hit her arm, but she ignored it and threw the stake. She heard a groan and she considered going after the shooter, but then she felt Britney tug at her hand and she turned. Her eyes went wide when she saw Britney fall down, bleeding from her chest.

She quickly kneeled and tore Britney's clothes away from the wound, which was below Britney's right shoulder. She lifted her up to see if the bullet had passed through. It had, so Faith quickly tore off the bottom of her t-shirt and made two pads.

For Jennifer, who had been excited when she saw Britney, time seemed to slow down. She had seen Britney move closer to the brown-haired girl, presumably Faith. Then Faith stopped, looked around, and suddenly pulled Britney away from the road, and put herself between Britney and whatever danger she had seen. She saw Faith throw something toward the bushes and she heard a groan. Then Britney suddenly went down and Jennifer could see blood.

Time finally returned to normal and she ran to them.

"What happened?" she asked as she kneeled beside Britney.

Faith looked at her, startled, and Jennifer could see a couple of tears running down her cheeks.

"Shooter," Faith said, giving her a once over. "Give me your sweater."

"What?" Jennifer said, startled.

"Your sweater," Faith nearly screamed. "I need to bandage her wound," she said, trying not to panic.

Jennifer hesitated for a moment and then took off her jacket and her sweater.

Faith grabbed the sweater and quickly tied it around Britney's chest, covering the wound. Then she picked Britney up and went to the middle of the road. A car screeched to a halt and Faith went to the back and got in.

"Drive!"

"What the…" the driver started, confused.

"She's dying! Take us to the hospital."

The driver looked in the rear-view mirror.

"Oh my god," she said when she saw the blood.

She immediately drove off.

Jennifer stared after the car for a few moments, surprised by Faith's action, and then quickly ran to the library.

"Britney's been shot," she said as she burst in.

"What?" William said.

"They were coming toward the school when someone shot at them. Britney's been hit."

"Call 911," Giles told Willow.

"Faith already took her to the hospital," Jennifer said.

"How?" Giles asked, startled.

"She stopped a passing car."

"Oh."

"And the shooter?" Buffy asked.

"Faith threw something at him and hit him."

"Where was he?"

"In the bushes across the street."

Buffy looked at Willow.

"Call the cops," she said and ran out.

Xander, Oz and Cordelia followed her.

"Let's go to the hospital," Richard said.

When they arrived to the hospital, Faith got out and carried Britney to the ER.

"Help!" she called. "My… My sister's been shot!"

A couple of doctors and nurses immediately came and took Britney on a stretcher.

"When?" a doctor asked her.

Faith blinked, startled.

"Eh, about five minutes ago. The bullet went through."

"Okay."

"Please step aside," a nurse told Faith.

"But…"

"They need to take care of her and you'll just be in the way."

Faith bit her teeth.

"Okay," she said and stepped aside.

The doctors took Britney to one of the ER rooms and started examining her. Faith hugged herself and watched them, worried.

"There's Faith," Jennifer said when she saw Faith standing next to a wall, staring at one of the ER rooms. "Faith," she said when they reached her.

Faith jerked, startled, and looked at her. Then she realized she was crying and she quickly wiped her tears with the backs of her hands.

"She's still in there," she then said and nodded at the ER room.

The grandparents looked.

"Did they say anything?" William asked.

Faith shook her head.

"No."

"Thank you," Jennifer said and put her hand on Faith's shoulder, making Faith wince. "You're hurt."

Faith checked her arm and saw that she was indeed wounded.

"Oh."

"Nurse!" Jennifer called. "She's been shot."

A nurse came closer.

"It went through," Faith said. "I just need a couple of stitches."

"Come," the nurse said.

After the nurse stitched the wound, Faith returned to Britney's grandparents.

"Doesn't it hurt?" Jennifer asked, having seen that the nurse didn't give Faith any painkillers or anesthesia.

Faith shrugged.

"No."

Jennifer raised an eyebrow, but she didn't comment.

"How did you find her?" she asked instead.

William and Richard both looked at Faith, curious.

Faith took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

"I saved her from a… a freak. She was wounded, so I took her to my place. She fell asleep. In the morning, I took her out to breakfast, but she ran away when I mentioned the orphanage. She followed me around all day and in the evening, I found her under the bushes outside my motel room." She shrugged. "When I wanted to find out more about her, Willow found out about you."

"I see." Jennifer thought for a moment. "How did you know about the shooter?"

Faith shrugged.

"I saw his gun."

Jennifer raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"You did?"

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"You live in a motel?" Richard asked.

Faith looked at him.

"Yeah."

"What about your parents?"

Faith shrugged.

"They're dead."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"I'm not."

Richard and William glanced at one another, surprised, but they didn't comment.

A couple of minutes later, they finally brought Britney out.

"How is she?" Faith asked as she approached the stretcher.

"Don't worry, your sister is fine," a doctor said, causing the grandparents to look one another, surprised by the doctor calling Britney Faith's sister. "You saved her life when you bandaged her wound like that. She'll probably wake up tomorrow or maybe the day after."

"Can I see her?"

"In a few minutes when they're done attaching her to the monitors. But only briefly."

Faith sighed.

"Thanks."

The doctor smiled.

"You're welcome," she said and left.

Faith followed the stretcher, and Britney's grandparents followed her.

When Britney was finally attached to the monitors, Faith was allowed to go in. She slowly approached the bed and then gently took Britney's hand into her own. Britney looked so fragile and Faith shuddered at the thought that she had been so close to losing her. She wondered if she had made the right choice in deciding to take care of her, she didn't want to lose someone she cared about again, someone who cared about her.

The grandparents came closer, but they stopped a few steps behind Faith, deciding by quiet consent to give Faith some privacy.

"Oh, there you…" Buffy started and then trailed off when she saw Faith standing beside Britney's bed and Britney's grandparents standing behind her. "Oh. Hey," she said when everyone turned and looked at her. "Em, the cops arrested the shooter," she reported.

"They did?" William said, surprised.

"Yes." She nodded at Britney. "How is she?" she asked Faith.

"The doctor said she'll be fine," Faith said.

"Good. Oh, the police officers said they'll want to talk to you and, eh, you," she said and looked at Jennifer. "They want your statements."

Jennifer nodded.

"I thought they might."

Faith looked back at Britney for a few moments. Then she gently squeezed her hand and left the room.

"Is she okay?" Richard asked, having see the serious expression on Faith's face.

"She's afraid of losing her," Buffy said. She thought for a moment. "And I think she feels guilty."

"Of what?"

"Of not being able to protect her." Buffy looked at Giles. "I'll go after her."

Giles nodded and Buffy left.

Faith was half way down the hall before Buffy caught up with her.

"Hey," she said, but Faith didn't stop.

Buffy took Faith's hand and Faith stopped abruptly and pulled her hand free, glaring at Buffy.

"What?"

Buffy stared at her for a few moments.

"How do you feel?"

"Five by five."

"You don't look five by five."

"Then why are you asking?" Faith snapped. Then she sighed. "Sorry."

Buffy smiled softly.

"Don't worry, she'll be okay."

"Yeah, I know," Faith said and looked away.

"It wasn't your fault," Buffy said after a few moments.

"Wasn't it?"

"No. You saved her life."

"But if I hadn't… helped her, she wouldn't have gotten shot."

"Perhaps, but she'd still be eating trash. And besides, you couldn't have known that someone would try to kill her. Look, you care enough about her that you're willing to change your habits, and she cares about you."

"What does it matter how much I care about her if I can't protect her?" Faith said and bit her teeth.

"But you did. If she had been with anyone else, she'd be dead now. Sure, she got hurt, but you saved her life. Now she has a family, a future, and she has you."

Faith sighed.

"I doubt that."

Buffy frowned.

"What?"

"They'll probably take her away."

"Perhaps, but I think they'll let you stay in touch."

Faith snorted.

"I'm a street kid, she's a rich kid."

"You saved her life and she cares about you. I think they'll do the right thing."

"But you don't know."

Buffy sighed.

"No, I don't. But you and Britney need to talk about it with them."

Faith took a deep breath.

"I need to think."

"Want some company?" Buffy offered.

Faith stared at her for a few moments and then shook her head.

"No."

"Well, if you need someone to talk to…"

Faith nodded.

"Thanks."

Buffy smiled a bit and Faith left.

Buffy went back to Britney's room. She arrived just as everyone was leaving.

"How is she?" Giles asked.

"Scared."

"Oh."

"She said she needs to think."

"I see."

"Can you tell us about Faith?" Jennifer asked.

"Eh, yes, of course. Why don't we go to, em, back to the library."

"The library?" Richard said, surprised.

"Eh, yes. It's a sort of home away from home. So to speak."

"I see."

"Tea anyone?" Giles asked after they were all seated at the Sunnydale High library.

"No, thank you," Richard said.

"Just some water, please," Jennifer said.

"Nothing, thank you," William said.

Giles went to his officer and returned with a glass of water.

"Here you go."

"Thank you," Jennifer said.

Giles started pacing.

"Well, em, Faith… she's from Boston."

"Want me to tell them?" Buffy asked when Giles apparently trailed off.

"Eh, yes, please."

"Okay." Buffy looked at the grandparents. "She's from Boston and she had a lousy childhood. I don't know about her dad, but her mom is dead. She's been a street kid for a while and she had dropped out of school. She came here after, eh, after the woman who, eh, took care of her was killed. She had to watch how the woman was tortured and killed and she felt guilty because she couldn't protect her and because she'd ran away." She thought for a moment. "She may seem tough, but I think that's just the front she puts up so she doesn't get hurt." She sighed. "She hasn't really opened up since she came here, until she met Britney." She thought for a moment. "Right now, she's afraid of losing her. She'll probably start acting tough again, because she'll want to distance herself so she wouldn't get hurt by losing Britney. And she feels guilty because she couldn't protect Britney. I told her she saved her life, but I don't know if it got through." She paused. "She has a lot of issues, but I think she's good for Britney, she makes her feel safe. And I think Britney has a good influence on Faith, I mean, Faith was willing to stop partying and go back to school. Not to mention that she got two jobs so she could support them." She thought for a moment. "That's about it, I think."

She looked at Giles, who nodded.

"Yes, I think so too," he agreed.

"An interesting girl," Jennifer finally said.

"Yes, quite," Giles agreed.

"Why don't we go back to our hotel now," Richard said. "We'll go visit Britney tomorrow."

"Yes," William agreed.

"Thank you," Jennifer said, "for finding Britney."

"No problem," Buffy said.

"We'll see you around then."

The grandparents left and Buffy then looked at Giles.

"I'll go see if I can find Faith. She seemed pretty upset and I wanna make sure some vamp doesn't take advantage of her."

"Yes, good," Giles said and Buffy left.

"I've been thinking," Jennifer said as they drove back to their hotel.

"About?" Richard asked.

"Faith."

"Faith?" Richard said, surprised.

Jennifer nodded.

"Yes. We might have to consider taking her as well."

"Why?"

Jennifer hesitated for a moment.

"Well, if Britney cares about her as much as she does for Britney, then Britney won't want to be separated from her. And if we do separate them, Britney's likely to run away."

"What makes you say that?" William asked.

"Faith said that Britney ran off at the mere mention of the orphanage. I have a feeling that she would run away if we tried to take her away from Faith."

William and Richard looked at one another.

"We'll see when Britney wakes up, I suppose."

Faith walked around for a while, not really paying attention to where she was going. She was in turmoil. On one hand, she cared about Britney and she was worried about her, but on the other, she knew she would probably lose her soon. She wanted to make herself stop caring, but she couldn't and it made her feel strange.

There'd only been one person she'd cared about before, her first Watcher. She had been reluctant to get close to anyone after seeing her get killed. But then she'd met Buffy and she liked her. A lot. And she also liked Buffy's mom and Giles, although not as much as Buffy. Then Britney suddenly dropped into her life and turned it upside down, made her care again. And now she was about to lose her. Yet she still cared.

When she finally stopped to look around, it was dark already and she realized she was heading back to the hospital. She stood still for a few moments, hesitating, and then sighed.

When she got to the hospital, she slipped into Britney's room. She slowly approached the bed and then stared at Britney for a while. Her chest tightened at the thought that Britney could have been killed. She hoped that she would be able to stop caring once Britney was gone. But now she still did, so she got herself a chair and took it to the other side of the bed. She sat down, took Britney's hand and then laid her head on the bed and fell asleep.

When she couldn't find Faith anywhere, Buffy became worried. She was afraid that Faith might have been too distracted to notice an attack. She was about to go to Faith's apartment, when she realized that Faith might have gone to the hospital to check up on Britney. She decided to go there first.

When she got to the hospital, she slipped to Britney's room. When she saw Faith sleeping beside Britney's bed, she smiled, relieved that she was okay. She stared at her for a few moments and then went home.

When Britney's grandparents arrived to the hospital in the morning, they were surprised to find Faith there.

"Good morning," Jennifer said with a smile.

"Morning," Faith said, eyeing them nervously.

Jennifer frowned, noticing Faith's disheveled looked.

"Have you been here all night?"

"No," Faith said, figuring she wasn't exactly lying since she had come after sunset. "I'll, eh, I'll go get some breakfast," she said and got up.

Jennifer smiled.

"Okay. Oh, have you been to the police yet?"

"Eh, no," Faith said, nervous.

"Oh. Okay."

Faith quickly left.

The grandparents looked at one another meaningfully.

After grabbing a burger for breakfast, Faith wanted to go right back to Britney, but her grandparents made her feel nervous. Then she realized that she had missed work. Twice. She decided to go talk to her employers, both of them, and then, maybe, to the police.

When Faith got back to Britney's room after a couple of hours, she found that Britney's grandparents were still there.

"Come in," William said when Faith wanted to leave.

Faith hesitated and then went in.

"I gave my statement," she said, nervous.

"Good."

"Oh, you might be interested to know why Britney was shot," Jennifer said and Faith winced, still feeling guilty for not reacting fast enough.

"You know?" she said, surprised, trying to hide her nervousness.

Jennifer nodded.

"Yes. The police have questioned the shooter and he told them he'd been hired by one of the managers in our son's company. He had killed Britney's parents and now he was told to kill Britney as well so she couldn't identify him."

"Oh," was all Faith had said. "But now it's over?"

"Yes, the manager has been arrested."

Faith relaxed a bit. She hesitated for a moment and then went to the other side of the bed and sat in her chair. She hesitated again and then slowly reached up and took Britney's hand into her own. She looked at the grandparents, nervously, but they merely smiled at her, apparently okay with the situation.

Faith stayed with Britney for the rest of the day, except when she left to get something to eat. Britney's grandparents had gone for lunch and then came back in the afternoon. The Scoobs had visited as well.

In the evening, Faith was told to leave, but she sneaked back in and slept with her head on Britney's bed again.

Britney finally woke up late next morning.

"Britney?" Faith said, excited, when Britney moaned and moved a bit.

Britney slowly opened her eyes.

"Faith?" she asked groggily. "Faith!" she said, almost in panic, when she remembered what had happened.

"Shh, it's okay, I'm here," Faith said and leaned closer.

Britney looked at her and blinked her eyes a couple of times to focus them.

"Faith," she said and smiled, relieved.

She reached out with her arms and Faith immediately hugged her tightly, forgetting for a moment that Britney's grandparents were there.

"How do you feel?" Faith asked when she let go of Britney.

"A bit dizzy." She looked around. "Where am I?"

"In the hospital."

Britney frowned.

"Why?"

"You were shot," Faith said and Britney's eyes went wide.

"I was?"

"Yes. But the doctors took care of you. You've been shot two days ago."

"Oh."

Britney looked at her grandparents, whom she had noticed before.

"These are your grandparents," Faith said.

Britney's eyes went wide and she looked at Faith in panic.

"They're not taking me away, are they?"

"Eh…" Faith started, nervous.

"I don't wanna leave you," Britney said on the verge of tears, and gripped Faith's hand tightly.

"Shh, calm down."

"I don't wanna leave you," Britney insisted and a couple of tears ran down her cheeks.

"I know," Faith said softly and hugged her.

The grandparents looked at one another, communicating with their eyes.

"We won't take you away," Jennifer then said.

Faith let go of Britney and they both looked at them, surprised.

Jennifer smiled.

"We still need to discuss the arrangement, but we've decided not to separate you."

"Really?" Britney said, blinking her tears away.

"Yes. We know Faith loves you and now we know you love her too," Jennifer said and smiled.

Britney smiled back, relieved.

"Eh…" Faith started, speechless. She finally took a deep breath. "I can't leave Sunnydale," she said.

Jennifer frowned.

"Why not?"

Faith glanced at Britney, hesitating.

"I have, eh, obligations here."

"Your work?" William asked.

Faith shook her head.

"Other… things."

"Oh." He thought for a few moments and then nodded. "We'll take that into account," he agreed. Then he smiled at Britney. "Hi, Britney, I'm William, I'm your mommy's daddy."

"Hi," Britney said shyly.

"And these are Jennifer and Richard, your daddy's parents."

"Hello," Jennifer said with a smile.

"Hi," Britney said.

"I'll go get a doctor," William said and left.

Britney looked at Faith.

"When can I go home?"

Faith glanced at Jennifer and Richard nervously.

"Eh, that's up to the doctors to decide. But you'll probably have to stay here a couple of days."

"Will you stay too?"

Faith smiled a bit.

"Sure."

Britney smiled back, relieved.

William quickly returned with a doctor. After examining Britney, the doctor told them that Britney would have to stay for a couple of days for observation. When the doctor left, Faith started interrogating Britney's grandparents, who patiently answered, amused by Faith's protective attitude. When Faith was satisfied, Britney asked them about her parents and they told her about them.

When lunchtime came, the grandparents left.

"You like them?" Faith asked when they were gone.

Britney nodded, smiling.

"Uh-huh. They're nice."

Faith smiled.

"Yeah." She thought for a moment. "I'll go grab a lunch when they come back. Will you be okay alone with them."

Britney thought for a few moments and then nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Good." She took a deep breath. "So, with which of them would you like to live?"

Britney frowned.

"I can't live with all of them?"

"No. William is from LA and Richard and Jennifer are from Miami. I'm guessing that William will probably move here."

"Oh." Britney thought for a few moments. "So we'll live with him?"

"I guess."

"What about Grandpa Richard and Grandma?"

Faith shrugged.

"They'll visit you, I guess. And call you on the phone."

"Oh. Okay."

"So, what do you think?" Richard asked once they ordered.

Jennifer and William looked at one another.

"Well, we can't exactly up and move to Sunnydale," Jennifer said.

"I can move here," William said. "I'd still have to go back to LA to take care of things, but that's no problem."

Jennifer sighed.

"I was kinda hoping we would take her in."

"You can always move here," William said.

"Yes, I suppose."

"I'll go look for a suitable house then."

"Just make sure Faith and Britney will like it."

"I'll take my camera."

"Good."

"And Britney's stuff? And her parents' stuff?" Richard asked.

"I'll have Britney's stuff brought over. But she'll probably need new clothes, she's grown and she's very skinny."

"Faith will also need clothes," Jennifer said.

"How do you know?"

"She's a street child, she probably doesn't have much."

"Oh."

"Do you think she'll accept them?" Richard asked.

"Why wouldn't she?" William asked.

"Just a feeling I have. I don't think she's the type to accept charity."

"Oh."

"Then we'll just have to make it clear to her that she's a part of the family now," Jennifer said.

"I suppose," Richard said.

"And we'll have to ask if they'll be okay with all the old people in the house," William said with a smile.

Richard chuckled.

"Yes."

"Hello," Jennifer said as she and Richard returned.

"Hi," Britney said and smiled.

"Where's, eh, William?" Faith asked.

"He went to look for a suitable house."

"Oh."

They sat down.

"Well, William is going to move from LA, so you'll be living with him," Jennifer said. "But Richard and I have also been thinking of moving here." She smiled. "Will you be okay with all the old people in the house?"

"Eh," Faith said, startled. She shrugged. "I guess." She looked at Britney. "Little B?"

"They'll all be living with us?" Britney asked.

"Yeah."

Britney smiled.

"Cool," she said, excited.

"Looks like that's settled," Richard said with a smile.

Jennifer smiled as well.

"So, Faith, I hear you're going back to school."

Faith looked at her, startled.

"Eh, yeah."

"Do you have all the papers?"

Faith frowned.

"I don't know. I'll have to ask Giles."

"Mr Giles?" Jennifer said, surprised.

"Yeah." Faith thought for a moment. "He's, eh, a family friend."

"Oh."

Faith looked at Britney.

"I'm gonna grab some lunch now."

"Okay," Britney said.

In the afternoon, Buffy and the Scoobs came.

"Hey," Buffy said with a smile as they entered.

"Hi," Britney said.

"How do you feel?"

"Okay. My chest hurts a bit."

"Oh."

"She'll be okay," Faith said.

"Good."

"How long does she have to stay here?" Willow asked.

"Four more days."

"Oh."

Faith looked at Giles.

"Giles, can you help me take care of my papers? I'm gonna need them for school next year."

"Yes, of course," Giles said.

"Thanks."

"Faith's gonna stay with me," Britney said, excited.

"Really?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"That's great."

"Oh, hello," William said as he arrived.

"Any luck?" Richard asked him.

"Yes. I found three suitable houses." He looked at Faith. "I'll let you look at them later."

"Man, these are big," Faith said after she and Britney had looked at the tape. She looked at the grandparents. "You sure you can afford them?"

"Yes," William said.

"But who's gonna clean them? I mean, I like my place clean, but I'm not sure I could keep a house this big clean for a long time. And you don't exactly strike me as house… eh… well, housewives."

Jennifer chuckled.

"The maids, of course."

Faith blinked, startled.

"The maids?"

"Yes."

"Shit," Faith said and chuckled. "I've never thought I'd ever have maids." She thought for a moment. "Are they gonna live with us?"

"No, no, they'll come and go."

"Oh." She looked at Britney. "So, which one did you like?"

Britney thought for a moment.

"The second."

Faith smiled.

"Me too."

"Then the second it is," William said. "I'll go take care of the paperwork right away." He looked at Britney. "I'll have it furnished by the time you're out of here."

When Britney was finally released, they first went to their motel room to pick up their stuff.

"You lived here?" Jennifer said as she looked around the motel room.

"Yeah," Faith said, nervous.

"Oh."

"It's very clean," Richard remarked.

"Thanks," Faith said and quickly started packing.

"We'll go shopping next," Jennifer said.

"Yeah, okay."

"Why don't you two go get some coffee while we girls shop," Jennifer said when they got to the mall.

Richard and William looked at one another, amused.

"Okay," William said and they left.

Jennifer smiled and looked at Faith and Britney.

"So, what do you want to get first? Clothes?"

"Yeah," Faith said.

"Then let's go."

Jennifer led the way and Faith and Britney followed her, hand in hand. Jennifer let Faith take care of Britney's clothes and while she waited, picked out a few clothes for herself.

"Okay, we're done," Faith said after a while.

Jennifer looked at the clothes.

"Those are just Britney's clothes."

Faith glanced at them.

"Eh, yeah?"

"Didn't you pick anything for yourself?"

Faith blinked, surprised.

"For me?"

"Yes. I saw you didn't have all that many clothes."

"Eh," Faith started, not too enthusiastic about taking charity.

Jennifer smiled, guessing what Faith was thinking.

"I know you can take care of yourself, Faith, but you're a part of our family now, let us help you."

Faith stared at her for a few moments and then swallowed hard, feeling emotionally overwhelmed.

"Come, Faith," Britney said, excited, and dragged her back into the store.

Faith took a deep breath and followed her.

After they were done with clothes shopping, they bought some school stuff and finally went home.

"Wow," Britney said, wide-eyed, when she got out of the limo and saw the house.

"Man," Faith said, "it looks bigger than on the camera."

"It's very pretty," Britney said.

Three maids came out.

"Girls, these are Danielle, Sharon and Marla, our maids," William said. "Marla is also a cook."

"Hi," Faith said.

"Ladies, these are Faith and Britney."

"Hello," Danielle said.

Faith looked at the driver.

"Open the trunk."

The driver looked at the grandparents.

"Go ahead," William said.

The driver opened the trunk and Faith took out a couple of light items.

"Come, Little B, you can carry some of our stuff upstairs."

Britney smiled and went to Faith, who gave her the items she had taken out.

"Can you manage?" Faith asked.

Britney nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Okay." Faith grabbed a heavy load of bags and looked at the grandparents. "Where are our rooms?"

Jennifer raised an eyebrow.

"You sure you can carry all that."

Faith shrugged.

"Yeah."

Jennifer shook her head.

"This way," she said and the girls followed her.

William looked at Richard.

"Come, let's take some of the stuff upstairs," he said. Then he looked at the maids and the driver. "Help us, please."

"This is Britney's room and the next one is yours," Jennifer said when they got upstairs.

Britney entered her room and her eyes went wide.

"Wow!" she said, excited.

Faith followed her, smiling.

"Put your stuff on the bed."

Britney did so and Faith dropped her load on the bed as well. Then Faith picked out her stuff.

"I'll take this to my room," she said and left.

"You like it?" Jennifer asked Britney.

Britney looked at her, smiling widely.

"Uh-huh," she said, nodding.

She ran after Faith and Jennifer followed her.

"Wow," Britney said when she entered Faith's room.

"Do you like it?" Jennifer asked Faith.

Faith looked at her and nodded.

"Yeah."

Jennifer smiled.

"Good. Now, how about I show you around and then we start unpacking."

"Actually," Faith said, "Britney and me need a shower."

"Oh, right. Before or after I show you around?"

Faith thought for a moment.

"After."

"Okay. Come then."

"Come, Little B," Faith said and took her hand.

Jennifer showed the girls around the house and then they took a shower. Faith decided to shower together with Britney to help her clean up.

After an hour of scrubbing, they were both finally clean. Faith found some skin creams and she applied them to Britney and, after a few moments of hesitation, to herself. After drying their hair, she wrapped them both in towels and they went to Britney's room. Faith helped Britney pick fresh clothes and then went to her room to dress. When she got back, Britney was just finishing dressing. She smiled.

"Wow, you look really pretty."

Britney beamed.

"Really?"

"Oh yeah." She kneeled in front of Britney and adjusted her shirt. "There," she said and caressed her. She stared at her for a few moments. "Are you happy, Britney?"

Britney smiled widely.

"Uh-huh," she said and hugged Faith tightly.

"Good," Faith said and hugged her back. "So, you hungry?" she asked when Britney let go of her.

"Yes."

"Then let's see if there's something cooking. Or we'll order a pizza." She got up. "Come."

Britney took her hand and they went downstairs.

"My, you look very pretty," Jennifer said when she saw them. "Both of you."

Faith blushed, nervous, and Britney smiled.

"Eh, Britney's hungry."

"Yes, I thought she might be. Marla's already making lunch."

"Oh." Faith thought for a moment. "How about we start unpacking our stuff?" she asked Britney.

"Okay," Britney agreed.

"Need help?" Jennifer offered.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Eh, yeah, sure."

In the afternoon, the Scoobs came.

"Wow, nice place you got here, Faith," Xander said, staring around.

"Thanks," Faith said.

"Not bad," Cordelia said.

"How many people live here?" Willow asked.

"Three at the moment. Richard and Jennifer will move in later," Faith said.

"Oh."

"And you have maids?" Xander asked.

"Yeah."

"How many?" Cordelia asked.

"Two. And a cook. They don't live here."

"Eh, Faith, I have your papers," Giles said and handed her a folder.

"Thanks."

Buffy looked at Britney, who was holding Faith's hand.

"Wow, you sure look much better," she said and Britney smiled.

"So, em, how about I show you our rooms and then we go to the backyard?" Faith said, nervous because she was new to the whole having a home and being a hostess thing.

"Sure," Buffy said.

"Oh, hello," Richard said as he, Jennifer and William came downstairs.

"Hello," Giles said.

"Eh, we we're just going upstairs to our rooms and then to the backyard," Faith said, nervous.

"Oh, okay," Jennifer said.

"Oh, eh, Giles got my papers."

"Here, I'll look through them," William said and took the folder.

"Thanks."

"I'll tell Marla to prepare some refreshments," Jennifer said.

"Okay." Faith looked at the Scoobs. "Come."

They went upstairs.

"This is Britney's room and the next one is mine."

"Wow, very nice," Willow said when she saw Britney's room.

"Classy," Cordelia commented, trying to hide her envy.

"Yeah," Xander agreed.

"Looks like she won't be needing our clothes after all," Willow said.

"Yours is the next?" Buffy said.

Faith looked at her.

"Yeah."

Buffy went to Faith's room and the others followed her.

"Nice," Buffy said.

"Thanks."

Buffy looked around.

"You don't have any pictures?"

"Not yet."

Buffy glanced at Britney and smiled.

"Oh."

"Wow, you sure hit the jackpot, Faith," Xander said as he looked around her room.

Faith raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

"Neat," Oz said.

Faith glanced at him.

"Let's go to the backyard," she said.

"Okay," Buffy said.

They went downstairs.

"Oh, Mrs, eh, Daniels," Giles said when he saw Jennifer.

"Yes?"

"I would, eh, like to talk to you."

"Yes, of course. Tea?"

"Eh, yes," Giles said, surprised by being offered tea.

"Come." She looked at Faith. "The refreshments are ready."

"Thanks," Faith said.

Giles followed Jennifer and the Scoobs went to the backyard.

"You have a pool?" Xander said, impressed.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"Wow."

Faith went to the table and helped Britney sit on a chair.

"You going on patrol tonight?" Buffy asked Faith as she sat down.

Faith glanced at Britney, who was staring at the pastry, and shrugged.

"Don't know yet."

"Oh."

"I'll meet you at the Bronze at nine, if I go out."

"Okay."

"You can take anything you want, Little B, just don't stuff yourself or you'll be sick."

Britney smiled at Faith and took a cookie.

"You're calling her Little B?" Buffy asked with a smile.

Faith blushed a but.

"Yeah."

"Nice."

"Thanks," Faith said, suddenly feeling hot.

"Are you going out to hunt monsters?" Britney asked when Faith tucked her in.

Faith smiled.

"I don't know. Will you be okay by yourself?"

Britney hesitated for a few moments and then nodded.

"Uh-huh," she said, but Faith could see the fear in her eyes.

"Tell you what, I'll stay here until you fall asleep, okay?"

Britney smiled, relieved.

"Okay."

Faith smiled back.

"Good. And remember, if you're scared, you can come to my room any time, okay? Just knock first. Or, if I'm not home, you can go to Grandpa William. Okay?"

Britney nodded.

"Okay."

"Good. Now let me just turn off the light." Faith got up to turn off the lights and was startled to see Jennifer there. "Oh, em, hi," she said, wondering if she'd heard about the monsters.

Jennifer smiled.

"I just wanted to say good night to Britney."

"Oh. Eh, sure."

Faith stepped aside and Jennifer went to the bed.

"Good night, Britney," she said and kissed her on the forehead.

"Night, Grandma."

Jennifer caressed her, smiling, and then left.

When she was gone, Faith turned off the light and returned to Britney's bed. She kneeled beside it and took Britney's hand into her own.

"Good night, Little B," she said.

"Night, Faith," Britney mumbled, already half asleep.

Faith hesitated for a few moments and then leaned over and kissed Britney on the forehead. She stared at her for a while and then gently caressed her cheek. She finally took a deep breath and sat down, thinking how much she cared about Britney.

"You're going out?" Jennifer asked when Faith was checking herself in the mirror near the door half an hour later.

Faith looked at her.

"Yeah."

Jennifer thought for a moment, remembering what Britney had said about Faith going out to hunt monsters. She had no idea what she was talking about, but she guessed that it was something dangerous.

"Be careful."

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"I will."

Jennifer smiled and left.

Faith stared after her for a moment, confused, and then went out.

"So, how does it feel?" Buffy asked as she and Faith walked through the park.

"Huh?" Faith said, startled.

"How does it feel? To have a home and a family."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, thinking, and then smiled.

"Pretty fucking awesome," she said.

Buffy smiled.

"I'm happy for you."

"Thanks. Though it's still sinking in, you know? I keep expecting that I'm gonna wake up or something." Buffy pinched her, and she yelped, startled. "Hey!" she protested, rubbing her arm.

"Looks like you're awake," Buffy said with a smile.

Faith smiled a bit.

"I know I'm awake. It's just… It's kinda hard to believe, you know? I mean, a weak ago I was living in a shitty motel all by my lonesome and now I live in a large house with a sister, three grandparents and a bunch of maids. How weird is that?"

Buffy shrugged.

"This is Sunnydale, weirdness central."

Faith grinned.

"Hey, I'm not complaining."

Buffy smiled.

"So you're happy?"

Faith flashed her a big smile.

"Hell yeah." She thought for a moment. "I've never been this happy," she then said, thoughtfully, more to herself than to Buffy.

"I say it's about time," Buffy said and Faith smiled at her.

"Yeah, I guess." She thought for a moment. "You know what the only down side is?"

Buffy frowned.

"There's a down side?"

"Two actually."

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"School and no more partying and sex."

Buffy laughed.

"I'm sure you'll live."

Faith smiled.

"Yeah, I will. And besides, I gotta be the responsible big sister now."

Buffy smiled.

"I think you'll be a great big sister," she said, making Faith blush.

"Thanks, B."

"You're welcome, F. Now, how about we find us a couple of vamps and have some fun."

Faith grinned.

"I thought you'd never ask. Last one to the cemetery is a sissy!" she called and ran off.

Buffy rolled her eyes.

"And you're supposed to be responsible?!" she called and ran after Faith.

The End