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.

Savior
By Kristjan Brezovnik

After waking up from coma and coming to LA, Faith felt on the edge, like she might explode at any moment. The pimp she came across after getting off the bus didn't help matters. She had a place to stay for a while, but she knew she'd have to move on soon. But where, she didn't know. She just wanted to end her turmoil.

The second night after she arrived to LA, she was on her way to a club when she passed an alley and heard screams. She decided to take a look, not because she wanted to help the victim but because she wanted to beat somebody up. When she saw two vamps were about to feed on a little girl, her adrenaline went up, but she figured it was because of the approaching fight.

"Hey!" she called and ran toward the two vamps, stake ready.

The vamp who was feeding on the girl stopped and looked at her, and his friend attacked her. Faith quickly dusted her. The other vamp threw the girl toward the wall and attacked Faith. The girl screamed when her arm got cut on a sharp edge of the nearby trash container, but Faith ignored her. The remaining vamp was a tougher cookie and it took Faith a while before she dusted him. Then she looked at the girl, who was cowering beside the trash container, holding her left upper arm and sobbing quietly.

"You okay?" she asked her.

"My arm hurts," the girl said, staring at her with wide eyes.

Faith hesitated for a moment, wanting to move on, but then she went to the girl and kneeled beside her, feeling responsible for some reason.

"Let me see," she said and looked at the girl's arm. "You'll need stitches," she said when she saw the gash. "Where are your parents?" she asked, examining the neck bite.

"Home," the girls said, still staring at her.

"And where's that?"

The girl shrugged.

"Don't know."

Faith sighed.

"I'll bandage this and then I'll take you to the cops."

"No," the girl said and hugged her tightly.

"Hey! Let go!" Faith said and pushed her away. She looked at her t-shirt. "Fuck," she said when she saw the blood. She looked at the girl. "Now look what you've done."

The girl's eyes went wide.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," she quickly said, scared.

Faith stared at her for a few moments, suddenly feeling bad for frightening her. Then she sighed. She looked around and then got up. She looked into the trash container. She noticed a pair of torn pants and she grabbed them. She tore off a leg and then kneeled again.

"Extend your arm," she said. The girl did so, and Faith wrapped the leg of the pants around the wound and tied it. "That should do it for now," Faith said when she was done. She stared at the girl for a few moments. "Come, I'll take you to a hospital, and they can call your parents."

"No!" the girl said and wanted to hug Faith again, but she stopped herself in time. "Please don't," she said, her eyes wide.

"You don't wanna go home?" Faith asked.

The girl shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, remembering what she'd felt like when she'd preferred to sleep in a cardboard box instead of at home. She sighed.

"Fine. Come."

She got up and headed out of the alley.

The girl hesitated for a moment, and then got up and quickly followed her.

When they go to Faith's place, Faith took the girl to the bathroom.

"Sit on the toilet," she said as she searched for the first aid kit.

The girl did so and then watched Faith curious.

"What's your name?" she asked after a few moments.

Faith glanced at her.

"Faith," she said.

"I'm Debbie."

Faith glanced at her again.

"How old are you?"

"Five."

Faith sighed. Then she found the first aid kit.

"Take off the bandage," she told Debbie as she opened the kit.

Debbie tried to untie the makeshift bandage, but she couldn't.

"I can't," she said.

Faith looked at her. She put the first aid kit away and kneeled beside Debbie. She untied the makeshift bandage and then took out the antiseptic from the first aid kit.

"This is gonna sting," she said as she prepared a gauze.

Then she took hold of Debbie's upper arm and started to disinfect the gash.

Debbie gasped and tried to pull her hand free.

"It stings," she said.

"I know," Faith said and started blowing on the gash to ease the stinging.

When she was done, she let go of Debbie's upper arm and prepared the needle.

Debbie blew on the wound and observed Faith, worried about the needle.

"Why do you need that?" she asked.

"To stitch up your wound."

"Why?"

"So it'll heal."

"Oh."

When Faith was ready, she looked at Debbie.

"This is gonna hurt. A lot," she said and took hold of Debbie's arm.

Debbie tried to pulled it free.

"Do you have to stitch it?" she asked, scared.

"Yes. Try not to move."

Faith started to stitch the gash, and Debbie started to cry. Debbie tried to pull her arm free, but Faith's grip was tight and she could barely move it.

When Faith was done, she let go of Debbie's arm.

Debbie covered the wounded and sobbed.

"I'll have to disinfect that again," Faith told her.

"Why?" Debbie asked.

"So it won't get infected."

Faith prepared another gauze and then disinfected the wound again.

Debbie blew on it to lessen the stinging.

"I'll put some salve on to quicken the healing," Faith told Debbie.

"Will it hurt?"

"No."

Faith put on some salve and then she properly bandaged the wound.

"There," she said when she was done.

"Thank you," Debbie said.

"Whatever," Faith said and started to gather up the waste. "Go now."

"Where?" Debbie asked, confused.

Faith glanced at her.

"Where ever you want. What do I care?"

Debbie hesitated for a moment.

"Can I stay?"

Faith looked at her, surprised.

"Here?"

Debbie nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"No."

Debbie's face fell.

"Please," she said. She hesitated for a moment. "I don't wanna go home," she said quietly.

"Then don't," Faith said. "Now go."

Faith picked up the waste and left the bathroom.

Debbie stared after her for a few moments. Then she slid off the toilet and followed her.

"What?" Faith said after she threw the waste into the trash bin, when she noticed that Debbie was still there.

Debbie stared at her for a few moments and then headed for the door.

Faith stared at her for a few moments, suddenly feeling bad.

"Wait!" she called when Debbie reached the door. Debbie turned. "Where are you going?" Faith asked her.

Debbie shrugged.

"Don't know."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, wondering what the hell was wrong with her. She was on the run and she was slowly going crazy. She had no idea how to take care of a child and she had no desire to do so. Still, she just couldn't let the girl go out there alone.

"Fine, you can stay," she finally said, and Debbie smiled. "As long as you leave me alone."

Debbie came to Faith and hugged her.

"As long as you leave me alone, I said," Faith said, annoyed.

Debbie let go of her and looked up at her.

"I'll be good," she said.

"Whatever," Faith said. "Just leave me alone."

"Okay," Debbie said and smiled a little.

"I'm going out. If you leave, lock up and put the key under the mat."

"Okay. When are you coming back?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know."

As she walked down the street, Faith felt on the edge. She'd had enough problems already, she so didn't need Debbie on her back as well. She desperately needed to vent off some steam or she knew she'd do something that she'd regret. She stalked all the dark alleys, killing vampires and other demons wherever she came across them.

When she finally felt a bit calmer, it was way past midnight. She'd lost count of how many demons she'd killed, but she didn't care. She felt sore, but the pain made her feel good. She finally decided to head back.

When she came to her place, the door was unlocked and the lights were off. Since the door was unlocked, Faith guessed that Debbie was still around. She sighed and went to the fridge to grab a quick bite before heading to the bathroom.

After she was done in the bathroom, Faith went to the bedroom. When she entered, she noticed that Debbie was asleep on the bed, on top of the covers. She stared at her for a few moments and then went to the bed. She lay down under the covers and stared at the ceiling for a while. Then she looked at Debbie and stared at her for a few moments before finally turning away and going to sleep.

When Faith woke up on the morning, she was surprised to find Debbie cuddled up to her. She stared at her for a few moments and then gently shook her.

"Wake up."

Debbie's opened wide.

"I was good! I was good!" she screamed and backed off.

Faith stared at her, remembering what it was like to be in Debbie's position.

"Morning," she said.

Debbie calmed down when she realized where she was. She smiled and rubbed her eyes.

"Morning," she said.

Faith sniffed at her.

"You stink," she said. "If you're gonna stay, go take a shower."

"Okay," Debbie said and got off the bed.

Faith stared after her until she was gone, and then got up. She went to the bathroom as well.

"What do I use?" Debbie asked her.

Faith quickly fetched what Debbie needed.

"Here," she said and gave Debbie everything.

"Thank you," Debbie said.

Faith went to the sink and splashed some water in her face.

"Put your clothes in the sink," she said as she wiped her face.

Debbie looked at her clothes.

"Why?"

"They're dirty."

"But I don't have any other clothes."

Faith sighed, mildly annoyed.

"I'll give you a t-shirt."

"Oh."

Then Debbie's stomach grumbled, and they both looked at it.

Faith rolled her eyes, realizing that Debbie was hungry.

"When was the last time you ate?"

Debbie thought for a moment.

"Three days ago."

Faith stared at her for a moment and then left.

Faith went out to get herself something to eat and when she was just buying food for herself, she realized she should buy some for Debbie as well. She wasn't thrilled about it, because she didn't have all that much money. Still, that annoying feeling of responsibility, as well as her memories of being hungry, kept nagging her until she gave in and bought some food for Debbie as well.

When she came back to her place, Debbie was watching TV, but she quickly turned it off, obviously scared a bit.

"You can watch it," Faith said. "I brought you something to eat."

Debbie smiled widely and went to Faith.

"Thank you," she said.

"Wait, let's get you dressed first. Go to the bedroom."

"Okay," Debbie said and ran to the bedroom.

"I'm losing it," Faith murmured to herself as she put Debbie's food on the table.

She first went to the bathroom to get another towel and then continued to the bedroom.

"Take off the towel," she told Debbie.

Debbie clutched at the towel, which she'd draped around herself.

"Why?" she asked, obviously scared.

"So I can put this one on," Faith said and showed her the towel she'd gotten.

"Why?"

Faith rolled her eyes.

"Instead of a skirt."

"Oh."

Debbie hesitated for a moment and then turned so her side faced Faith, and lifted the towel.

Faith frowned, confused, but then she realized that Debbie had probably been sexually abused. She sighed and started to wrap the towel around Debbie. While she did that, she raised the wet towel even further and that's when she noticed the bruises. She wanted to take a better look, but Debbie quickly stepped away and looked at Faith with saucer eyes.

"Were you beaten?" Faith asked her.

Debbie nodded, scared.

Faith bit her teeth and sighed.

"Come here."

Debbie hesitated for a moment and then slowly came closer.

Faith finished wrapping the towel around Debbie. Then she got up and fetched an oversized t-shirt.

"Here," she said and gave it to Debbie.

"Thank you," Debbie said quietly, having calmed down a little.

"I'll get you some socks," Faith said and went to her bag.

Debbie quickly dropped the wet towel and put on the t-shirt.

"Here," Faith said and gave Debbie the socks.

Debbie took them and looked at them.

"They're too big."

"Would you prefer to be barefoot?"

Debbie thought about it.

"Uh-uh," she said, shaking her head.

Faith left, and Debbie put on the socks.

While Debbie wolfed down the breakfast, Faith read a comic. When Debbie was done, she joined Faith on the sofa.

"What?" Faith asked, mildly annoyed.

"Whatcha reading?"

"A comic."

"What's it about?"

"Superheroes."

"Like you?"

Faith frowned.

"Me?"

Debbie nodded.

"Uh-huh. You made the monsters go poof!" she said and clapped her hands.

"Oh," Faith said, and Debbie smiled.

Faith stared at Debbie for a moment and then returned to her comic.

Debbie kept staring at Faith for a few more seconds, and then looked at the comic, trying to see what it was about.

"What?" Faith asked, annoyed, when she noticed that Debbie was staring at the comic. She glanced at her comic. "You wanna read the comic?"

Debbie nodded, slightly nervous.

"Uh-huh."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Here," she then said and gave the comic to Debbie.

Then she got up and headed out, feeling the need to vent some steam.

"Where are you going?" Debbie asked.

"Out," Faith said without looking back.

Debbie stared after her for a few moments and then looked at the comic. She didn't know how to read, but she could guess what was going on from the pictures.

When she got out of the building, Faith stopped and looked around. She was on the edge and she felt the need to smash something. She decided to run around and maybe wipe out a vamp nest or something.

When Faith came back an hour later, Debbie was still reading the comic.

"Hi," Debbie said with a smile when she saw Faith.

"Hey," Faith said. She noticed that Debbie was still reading the comic. "You still reading the comic?"

Debbie nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"You know what's going on?"

"Uh-huh," Debbie said, nodding. "I can tell from the pictures."

"Oh."

Faith went to the bathroom, washed her hands and splashed some water in her face. Then she wiped her hands and face, and returned to Debbie. She turned on the TV and sat on the sofa. When she found the cartoons, Debbie stopped reading and looked at the cartoons.

"You're not gonna read anymore?" Faith asked.

Debbie glanced at her, and then looked at the comic and back at the TV, finding it hard to decide.

"Can I read the comic later?" she asked.

Faith rolled her eyes.

"Yeah."

"Okay," Debbie said and gave the comic to Faith.

Faith continued reading where she left off. She glanced at the TV occasionally, as well as at Debbie. When she saw how Debbie stared at the TV, she remembered when she was Debbie's age, when things were relatively okay. She shook her head and pushed the thoughts away.

Then she suddenly remembered that Debbie's clothes were dirty. She sighed and got up to take care of it.

In the evening, Faith told Debbie to wash herself before going to bed.

"I'm going out," she told Debbie when Debbie was in bed.

"Are you going to hunt monsters?" Debbie asked.

"Yeah."

"Are you gonna be okay?"

Faith stared at Debbie for a few moments, for some reason upset that Debbie was worried about her.

"Yeah," she said.

Debbie smiled.

"Okay. Good night."

"Night."

Faith turned off the light and went out.

Faith first went to a club to have some fun. She usurped the boyfriend of a woman, and when the woman protested, Faith barely stopped herself from hitting her. She hesitated for moment, pissed that the thoughts of Debbie interrupted her fun. She left the club and went on patrol, wondering what the hell was wrong with her. She hoped to find some tough demon she could kill.

When Faith woke up in the morning, she found Debbie cuddled up to her again. It disturbed her, though not necessarily in a bad sense. She took a deep breath and gently shook Debbie.

"Debbie."

"I didn't…" Debbie started, before she realized that she was with Faith. She smiled, relieved. "Morning," she said and rubbed her eyes.

"Morning," Faith said and got up.

Debbie got up as well and then followed Faith to the bathroom, but she waited outside for Faith to finish.

When she was done in the bathroom, Faith went out to get something to eat.

After getting herself something to eat and buying the food for Debbie, Faith reluctantly headed back to her place. On one hand, Debbie's presence for some reason made her feel good, but on the other, it sickened her, not because of Debbie, but because of the innocence she represented.

When she finally got back, she gave the food to Debbie and then went to check up on Debbie's clothes. They were dry. She wanted to take them to Debbie, but then she remembered that Debbie was afraid to undress in front of others, so she took them to the bedroom. Then she went to watch cartoons.

When she came home after patrol that night, she lay on her side and stared at Debbie. She wondered what was wrong with her. She so didn't need anyone complicating her life further, yet only a couple of days had passed and she already felt responsible for Debbie.

As she tried to think of possible reasons for why she cared about Debbie, she remembered her own childhood. It wasn't all that different from Debbie's, except that she had never gathered the courage to really run away. A part of her really wanted to take care of Debbie, to make sure she had a happy childhood, but another part of her was afraid to take care of her, she didn't want Debbie to end up as screwed up as her. Plus, she had no idea how to take care of a little girl, no the means to, not to mention that she was a wanted person. She sighed, knowing she needed to do something.

Eventually, she thought of Angel. She knew they weren't friends, but he had tried to talk some sense into her before Wes had kidnapped her, plus, he was helping people, so she thought he might find Debbie a new home, or at least get her away from her parents.

However, a part of her didn't want to let go of Debbie. Sure, she annoyed her, but that wasn't Debbie's fault. Not to mention that Debbie was probably the only reason she hadn't completely lost her sanity. She knew it was selfish, but she didn't care.

She turned away and tried not to cry.

A couple of days later, Faith had accepted the fact that no matter how it annoyed her, she needed Debbie, she was the only thing keeping her sane. But she dreaded the moment she would have to give her away.

One evening, as they were coming back from dinner, Faith noticed someone stalking in the alley near her apartment.

"Wait here," she told Debbie and went into the alley.

Debbie waited at the entrance and peeked around the corner, curious.

Faith quietly approached the suspicious man. When she finally recognized him, she ran to him and grabbed him by the throat.

"Hey, Wes, long time no see," she said, glaring at him hatefully.

"Faith," Wes croaked, clutching at her hand.

"My, you remember me." She grinned, and pressed him against the wall. "Good. Then you know we have some unfinished business," she said squeezed tighter.

"Faith," Wes croaked again.

Faith looked around to see if they were alone. When she saw Debbie peeking around the corner, she tensed. She stared at her for a few moments and then looked back at Wes. She was angry, she wanted to hurt Wes for what he'd done, but she didn't want Debbie to see it, she didn't want to let her down. She started trembling a bit, finding it hard to contain her rage. She finally forced herself to let go of Wes.

"Run," she hissed quietly at Wes, who was rubbing his throat and catching his breath. "Now!"

Wes didn't have to be told twice. He quickly ran away.

Faith balled her hands into fists and squeezed so hard she pierced her skin. She was trembling. She'd thought she had regained some control, but she was obviously wrong and she almost killed Wes. Fortunately, Debbie's presence had stopped her. But the rage was still there. She screamed and punched the wall, making a hole in it.

And then there was also the fear. She'd thought she wasn't afraid anymore, that she didn't care, that she was above everyone because she was a Slayer, but the time she'd spent with Debbie had taught her otherwise.

She remembered how she felt when she'd killed Finch. That, plus the memories of the courier and Professor Wirth, suddenly brought back the guilt. She fell on her knees and almost threw up. She sat and hugged her knees, trying hard not to cry.

Debbie, who had been peeking around the corner, saw Faith grab a man. They were too far for her to see if the man was actually a monster. Faith finally let go of him and the man ran out of the alley. Since she wasn't sure if he was a monster she hid and waited for him to pass. When he was gone, she ran into the alley.

She was confused when she didn't see Faith anywhere. She hesitated for a few moments and then carefully approached the spot where she'd seen Faith.

When she finally noticed Faith sitting behind a trash container, she ran to her, worried, but she stopped when she saw that Faith was trembling. Faith didn't look physically hurt, so Debbie guessed that something else must be wrong. She hesitated for a moment and then went to Faith and hugged her.

Faith looked at her for a moment, startled by the act of kindness, and then her walls came crumbling down and she burst into tears.

She let herself cry for a while before she tried to regain control. She finally managed to stop crying, but the sobs kept coming for a while.

When Faith finally calmed down, she just held Debbie for a while, thinking. She knew that Wes would tell Angel that he'd found her, which meant that she would have to leave the place. It also meant that she would finally have to let go of Debbie. She sighed.

When Debbie felt that Faith had calmed down, she let go of her.

"Are you okay?" she asked, worried, when Faith looked at her.

Faith smiled sadly.

"Not really."

"Oh," Debbie said, disappointed.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"But I'm better. Thanks."

Debbie smiled.

"Okay."

Faith wiped her face and took a deep breath.

"Come, let's go in."

When they got to the apartment, Faith went to the bathroom and splashed some water in her face to calm down. Then she looked in the mirror and stared at her reflection. She knew Angel would come investigating soon, but she wasn't ready yet. She sighed and then dried her face.

Then she went to Debbie, who was sitting on the sofa, obviously a bit nervous. Faith hesitated for a moment and then sat beside her.

"We need to pack and leave," she told her.

Debbie looked at her.

"Why?"

Faith hesitated for a moment, thinking.

"Remember that man from the alley?"

Debbie nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Well, he's gonna tell someone else he saw me and I don't want to be found."

"Why?" Then Debbie's eyes went wide. "Did they hurt you like Daddy hurt me?"

Faith looked at her, surprised.

"No."

"Oh," Debbie said, relieved. She thought for a moment. "Is he a monster?"

"No." Faith hesitated for a few moments. "I'll take you to someone who'll help you find a new home," she then said.

Debbie's eyes went wide again.

"I can't stay with you?"

Faith shook her head.

"No."

"Why not?"

Faith sighed, thinking about what to say. She decided on the truth.

"Because the cops are after me."

"Why?"

Faith tensed.

"Because I killed three people."

Debbie's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Faith gulped. She really didn't want to think about it, but the annoying feeling of responsibility kept nagging at her to be honest with Debbie. Which meant she first needed to be honest with herself.

"The first one was an accident. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time and I didn't notice he was Human until I stabbed him." She shuddered at the memory. "The second was a courier," she quickly continued, wanting to get it out as fast as possible. "He brought something for my boss, but he got greedy, so I killed him. The third was a professor and my boss sent me to kill him."

"Why?"

Faith shuddered again.

"He found something that threatened my boss," Faith avoided the real answer.

"Oh."

Faith closed her eyes for a few moments, realizing she wasn't being totally honest.

"After I killed the first man, I was scared, and my boss protected me." She hesitated for a moment. "He gave me the feeling that… that he… that he cared about me. I wanted to do anything to not lose that feeling."

She took a deep breath to calm down.

Debbie stared at her for a few moments, realizing that Faith needed someone to love her, just like she did. She hugged Faith.

"I care about you," she said.

A couple of tears came running down Faith's cheeks, but she quickly wiped them. Then she put her arm around Debbie and leaned back, breathing deeply to calm down.

"Thanks," she said finally.

Debbie let go of her and smiled at her.

"Are you okay now?" she asked.

"I'm better," Faith said. She sighed. "Come, let's go pack now," she said and got up.

"Where are we going?" Debbie asked, following her.

"I don't know yet. We need to find a room for a few hours. Then I'll take you to Angel."

"Who's Angel?"

"Someone who helps people. He'll help you find a new home."

"What about you?"

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know yet. I'll probably leave town."

"Why?"

"Because the cops are after me."

"Oh."

"Come, let's pack."

"I don't have anything."

"Then we'll make sure you do."

After they packed, they left the apartment. Faith had no idea where to go, so they walked around for a while, until they came across East Hills Teen Center. Faith wanted to just drop Debbie there for a few hours, but she knew she couldn't get back in till morning, so she stayed and quietly watched Debbie sleep.

At three in the morning, Faith woke up Debbie and they sneaked out of the center. Debbie was sleepy, so Faith carried her.

When they got to Angel's place, Faith put Debbie down. Then she took a deep breath and knocked real loud.

They waited for about a minute before Angel came up.

"Faith," he said, surprised, when he opened the door and saw her there. He glanced at Debbie, confused. "What do you want?"

"I need a… a really big… favor," Faith said.

"What?" Angel asked and glanced at Debbie, who was holding Faith's hand.

"I need you to find Debbie a new home."

Angel glanced at Debbie again, confused.

"Come in," he said and stepped aside. Faith and Debbie entered and Angel closed the door. "Why don't you take her to the police?"

"She's afraid of them."

"And her family?"

"Sexual and physical abuse," Faith said, tensing, as her own memories returned.

"I see."

"I need you to find her a new home."

"Why me?"

Faith shrugged.

"Because I don't know anyone else."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Please?"

Angel realized that for some reason Debbie was important to Faith.

"What about you?" he asked.

"I can't take care of her. And besides, I'm leaving town."

"Where will you go?"

Faith shrugged.

"Don't know." She hesitated for a moment. "Will you?"

Angel glanced at Debbie.

"Okay."

"Thanks," Faith said, relieved. Then she looked at Debbie. "Debbie, this is Angel." She hesitated for a moment. "He used to be a monster too."

Debbie's eyes went wide.

"Really?" she asked and looked at Angel.

"Yeah. But he's okay now." She looked at Angel. "Show her your game face."

Angel hesitated for a moment and then changed.

Debbie shrieked and hid behind Faith.

"It's okay, Debbie, he won't hurt you."

"But he's a monster."

"He just looks like one, he's not a monster anymore. At least not an evil one. He helps people now."

Debbie looked at Angel from behind Faith.

"Really?" she asked, a bit calmer now that Angel's face had changed back to Human.

"Yes. He'll make sure you get a new family."

Debbie looked up at Faith.

"Can't I go with you?"

"No, because I can't take care of you."

"Why not?"

"Because I can't. You'll go to school soon and you wouldn't be able to, if you were on the run with me."

"Oh. But I don't want you to go."

Faith sighed.

"I know," she said quietly.

"Will you come back?"

"Yes."

"Promise?"

Faith gulped.

"I promise."

Debbie let go of her hand and hugged her legs.

Faith tensed for a moment, surprised, and then almost started to sob, but she caught herself. She hesitated for a moment and then ruffled Debbie's hair.

Debbie let go of her and looked up at her.

"Bye, Faith."

"Bye," Faith said and quickly left.

As she turned, Angel thought he could see tears on her cheeks. He frowned, wondering just who Debbie was.

When Faith was gone, Debbie looked at Angel, suddenly nervous.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi," Angel said.

They stared at one another for a few moments.

"When will you find me a new home?" she asked.

"Eh," Angel said, startled. "I'll start looking in the morning."

Debbie smiled a little.

"Okay."

Angel hesitated for a moment, not sure what to do.

"Are you sleepy?"

Debbie nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Go to the lift. It's over there."

Debbie went to the lift, and Angel closed the door.

After dropping Debbie off at Angel's Faith went to the bus station. She had no idea where she wanted to go, so she sat down and waited for an idea to pop up. Since she was too upset, she couldn't take a nap. She didn't really want to think about anything, but the thoughts of Debbie kept resurfacing. She wondered why the hell she cared so much about her, she didn't need anyone in her life, especially not now. Yet, as confusing as it was, she did care, even if she didn't understand why. And for the first time she felt that she wasn't the number one. She found it ridiculous that she should care what some strange kid thought of her, yet she did, and she wanted to be a good role model. However, in order to be a good role model, she needed to do something about it, specifically, turn herself in. But she wasn't sure whether she wanted to be a good role model that badly.

By the time Faith was done deciding what to do next, several hours had passed. As she sat on a chair, at a police station, waiting for a detective to process her, she still couldn't believe she had decided to turn herself in. She was nervous, yet at the same time also relieved that she didn't have to run anymore. Still, as she waited for the detective to arrive, her resolve dwindled. Fortunately, the detective, Kate Lockley, soon arrived. Faith started to tell her the cleaned up version, but Kate quickly guessed about vampires and other supernatural stuff, including Angel and Slayers. This surprised Faith, who then told her what really happened.

Just before Faith was taken to her cell, she asked Kate not to tell Angel she'd turned herself in.

In the morning, Angel woke up Debbie.

"I was good! I was good!" Debbie screamed. Then she noticed Angel. "Oh." She looked around. "Where's Faith?"

"I don't know," Angel said.

"Oh," Debbie said, disappointed.

Angel stared at her for a few moments.

"Are you hungry?" he then asked.

Debbie nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Come."

Debbie quickly got up and followed Angel, a bit nervous.

When they got to the kitchen, Angel looked into the fridge. He stared at the contents for a few moments and then looked at Debbie.

"Corn flakes?" he asked.

"Okay," Debbie said.

Angel took out the milk.

"Warm or cold?"

"Warm, please," Debbie said. She went to the table and sat on a chair. "Is Faith gonna come back?" she asked after a few moments.

Angel glanced at her.

"I don't know."

"Oh." Debbie stared at him for a while. "You don't look like a monster," she then said.

Angel glanced at her.

"Thanks," he said, not sure what else to say.

"Were you always a monster?"

"No."

"How did you become a monster?"

Angel hesitated.

"Another vampire drank my blood and then made me drink her blood."

Debbie's eyes went wide.

"Am I gonna be a monster too?"

"No, you didn't drink any blood."

"Oh," Debbie said, relieved. She thought for a moment. "How come you're good?"

"I have a soul."

"Monsters don't have souls?"

"My Human soul."

"You lost it?"

"When I became a vampire, yes."

"Oh."

Angel thought for a moment.

"How did you meet Faith?"

"She saved me from monsters like you. I was hurt and she took care of me. See?" she said and showed him the bandage. "They bit my neck too, but that's okay now," she said and rubbed the bite spot.

"Yes."

Debbie thought for a moment.

"Did they want to drink my blood?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"That's what vampires eat."

Debbie thought for a moment.

"You're a vampire?"

"Yes."

"Do you drink blood?" Debbie asked, a bit nervous.

"Only animal blood."

"You kill animals?"

"No. I get blood from a butcher's shop."

"Oh."

Angel finished warming up the milk and brought it to Debbie.

"What happened then?" he asked as he poured the milk over the corn flakes.

"She wanted to take me home, but I didn't want to go, so she let me stay."

"How long?"

Debbie shrugged.

"A week. But then a man came and Faith said she had to leave."

"What man?"

Debbie shrugged again.

"I don't know. Faith said he wasn't evil, but she didn't like him."

"Oh."

"Oh don't be ridiculous, Wesley," Cordelia was saying as she and Wes entered Angel's kitchen. "You've been around here long…" She trailed off when she saw Debbie, who had immediately hid behind Angel when she saw Wes. "Eh…"

"Hey!" Wes protested when Cordelia pinched him. "Why did you do that for?"

"You don't expect me to pinch myself, do you?" Cordelia said. "Now, do you still see a little girl?"

Wes looked at Debbie.

"Yes."

"Good, I'm still sane."

"Guys, this is Debbie," Angel said. He looked down at Debbie. "Debbie, these are my friends, Cordelia and Wesley."

Debbie pointed at Wes.

"He made Faith go away," she said and pouted.

"I beg your pardon?" Wes said, surprised.

"Faith left because of you," Angel said.

Wes looked at him.

"Faith?"

"Yes."

"What do you mean?"

"You found out where she was staying, so she left town."

Wes frowned.

"What does that have to do with her?" he asked and glanced at Debbie.

"Faith was taking care of her," Angel explained.

"She was?" Wes said, surprised.

"Yes."

"You mean our Faith?" Cordelia asked. "You know, the psycho Slayer?"

"Yes."

"And why is she here?" Cordelia asked, glancing at Debbie.

"Faith asked me to find her a new home."

"What does she care?"

Angel shrugged.

"I don't know. But I know that Debbie is important to her for some reason."

Debbie smiled a little.

"What does that have to do with you?" Cordelia asked.

"She doesn't know anyone else."

"Oh."

"Where is Faith now?" Wes asked.

"I don't know," Angel said. "I think she left town."

"Oh."

"What are you going to do with her?" Cordelia asked.

Angel glanced at Debbie.

"Find her a new home."

"How?"

Angel shrugged.

"I was thinking about calling Kate."

"Right, the cop that hates you," Cordelia said.

"No police!" Debbie said, worried. "They'll take me back to Daddy."

Everyone looked at her, startled.

"Kate's a good cop, she won't let your dad hurt you," Angel said. "Don't worry, I'll protect you from him."

"Promise?"

"Yes. But I need Kate's help to find you new home."

"Oh."

Angel thought for a moment.

"Why don't you finish your breakfast. We'll be in the next room."

"Okay," Debbie said, still a bit upset.

"Let's go to the living room," Angel said and guided Cordelia and Wes out.

"You're serious about helping her find a new home?" Cordelia asked when they were in the living room.

"Yes," Angel said.

"Why is she afraid to go home?" Wes asked.

"She's been abused," Angel said. He hesitated for a moment. "Physically and sexually."

"Oh dear."

"How did she come across Faith?" Cordelia asked.

"Faith saved her from some vampires and then took care of her, because she was wounded."

"Oh. And you're sure Faith cares about her?"

"She was crying when she left."

"She was?" Cordelia said, surprised.

"Yes."

"Oh."

"I'll go call Kate."

After paying a visit to Angel and making plans to find Debbie a new home, Kate went to see Faith.

"You forgot to mention Debbie," she said.

Faith tensed, and Kate noticed it.

"What Debbie?" she said, looking away.

"The one you took to Angel. He called me if I could find her a new home."

Faith looked at her.

"Can you?" she asked, and immediately blushed a bit as she realized her blunder.

Kate smiled a little.

"I'll try. In any case, I'll make sure she doesn't have to go back home."

"Thanks," Faith said, relieved. She thought for a moment. "Can you bring me a photo of Debbie?"

"I'll see what I can do," Kate said and left.

Three years later, Faith was released. She'd gotten more, but she was a model prisoner. She went back to LA and visited Kate.

"Hey," she said when she got to her desk.

Kate looked up.

"You? You're out already?"

Faith shrugged.

"I behaved. Plus, your version of my confession really helped. Thanks."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"You remember Debbie?"

"Yes, of course."

Faith hesitated again.

"Em, do you know where she lives?"

"Yes." Kate opened one of the drawers. "We got her a new family," she said as she searched for a folder.

Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks."

Kate finally found the folder and she opened it. She quickly found the address and wrote it down on a piece of paper.

"Oh, Angel moved," she said, remembering that Faith knew Angel.

"He did?" Faith said, surprised.

"Yes. His old place got blown up."

"What? Was everyone alright?"

"The English guy got hurt, but he's okay."

"Oh."

"I wrote down his new address as well," Kate said as she gave Faith the piece of paper.

"Thanks," Faith said.

"What are you gonna do now?"

Faith thought for a moment.

"Try not to mess up again."

"That's a good plan."

"Yeah. Thanks."

When she got to the address where Debbie lived, Faith hesitated. She wasn't sure if Debbie remembered her, but she wanted to make sure the girl was okay, she felt she owed her that. She finally took a deep breath and walked up to the house. When she got to the door, she hesitated for a moment and then rang the bell.

A few moments later, a man opened the door.

"Yes."

Faith gulped.

"Em, hi. Mr Davison?"

"Yes."

"Em, did you adopt Debbie?"

"Yes."

"Is… Is she home?"

"Yes."

"Can I see her?"

"Why?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"I met her a couple of years ago and I want to see if she's okay. I was… away."

Mr Davison stared at her for a few moments, before turning.

"Debbie!" he called.

"Yes, Daddy?!"

"Come here a moment!"

Debbie came, curious. Then she saw Faith and her eyes went wide.

"Faith!" she said, excited.

She ran to her and hugged her.

Faith swallowed hard, moved that Debbie not only remembered but actually cared.

"Hey," she said in a coarse voice, and ruffled Debbie's hair.

"You're Faith?" Mr Davison said, surprised.

Faith looked at him.

"Eh, yeah?"

Mr Davison smiled.

"Debbie told us about you."

"Oh." She paused a moment. "She did?"

"Oh yes. She missed you."

Debbie stopped hugging Faith, and looked up at her.

"Are you gonna stay here now?" she asked, excited.

"Probably. I'm gonna go see Angel later and then find myself a place to stay."

Debbie smiled.

"Are you gonna come visit me?"

Faith smiled a little.

"Sure."

Debbie grabbed Faith's hand.

"Come in," she said and dragged her inside.

"Eh…"

"Mommy, this is Faith," Debbie told her mother, who had come to see who was at the door.

"Really?"

"Uh-huh," Debbie said, bobbing her head excitedly.

"Nice to meet you," Mrs Davison said with a smile.

"Thanks," Faith said, a bit nervous.

"Come, let me show you my room," Debbie said and dragged Faith upstairs.

When they got to Debbie's room, Faith looked around.

"Nice," she said.

Debbie beamed.

"You like it?"

"Yeah," Faith said and smiled a little. Debbie sat on the bed and Faith joined her. "Are you happy?" Faith asked Debbie.

Debbie beamed and nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Are they good parents?"

Debbie nodded again.

"Uh-huh."

"Good." Faith thought for a moment. "You're going to school, right?"

Debbie nodded.

"Uh-huh. Second grade."

"You like it?"

"Uh-huh. We learn lots of new stuff."

Faith smiled.

"Yeah."

"Ooh! I still got your comic," Debbie said and fetched the comic from a drawer.

Faith took it, remembering when she'd given it to Debbie.

"You can keep it," she said and gave it back to Debbie.

Debbie put it on the nightstand. Then she thought for a moment.

"Where were you?"

Faith shrugged.

"Around." She hesitated for a moment. "I needed to get a grip."

"Oh," Debbie said, not quite comprehending. "Are you okay now?"

Faith thought about it.

"I'm working on it."

Debbie smiled.

"Okay."

Faith thought for a few moments.

"How's your arm?"

"I got a little scar," Debbie said and rolled up her sleeve. "See?"

Faith ran her finger over it.

"Could be worse," she said.

There was a rap on the door, and they both looked at it.

"Here you are," Mrs Davison said with a smile as she came in. "Faith, would you like anything to drink?"

"No, thanks," Faith said.

"Okay."

Mrs Davison left, and Faith looked at Debbie.

"Tell me about your parents."

An hour later, Faith finally decided to leave.

"Are you gonna come again?" Debbie asked her.

Faith smiled.

"Sure."

"When?"

"When I get myself a place to stay."

"Okay."

Faith ruffled her hair.

"Bye."

"Bye, Faith."

Faith looked at Debbie's parents.

"Bye."

"Bye, Faith," Mrs Davison said.

When she got to the Hyperion, Faith stared at it for a few moments, wondering what the hell Angel was doing in a hotel. Then she went inside.

"Faith," Cordelia said, surprised, when she saw her.

Faith, who was looking around, looked at her.

"Cordelia."

"What are you doing here?" Cordelia asked, not sure whether she should be worried or not.

"Looking for Angel."

"He and Wesley are out."

"Oh."

"What do you want?"

Faith shrugged.

"Find out what's been going on while I was out of town."

"You're not gonna go all psycho on me, are you?"

Faith grinned.

"Do you want me to?"

"No," Cordelia quickly said.

"Relax, I'm okay now."

Cordelia stared at her for a few moments.

"Are you gonna wait or come back?"

Faith shrugged.

"Depends on when they're coming back."

"Probably soon. They just went to slay some eggs."

"Oh. I'll wait." She grinned. "If you can take it."

"As long as you don't go all psycho."

"I told you, I'm okay."

"You'll excuse me if I don't take your word for it."

Faith grinned.

"Sure. I'll just sit over there."

Faith went to the sofa and sat down.

Cordelia stared at her for a few moments and then left.

After a few minutes, Cordelia came back. She stared at Faith again.

"Tea?" she finally asked.

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"What do you think I am? British?"

Cordelia smiled.

"Coffee?"

"Sure."

"Come here then."

Faith got up and went to Cordelia.

Cordelia poured them a cup each and then sat down.

Faith joined her.

"You're not afraid anymore?"

"It's making me nervous when I can't see you," she said, and Faith chuckled. "And besides, if you wanted to hurt me, you would've done it already."

"Probably, yeah," Faith agreed.

When Angel and Wes came back, they found Faith and Cordelia sitting and talking, almost as if they were best friends.

"Hi, guys," Cordelia said cheerily.

Faith got up and faced them.

"Hi," she said, a bit nervous.

"Faith," Angel said.

"Eh, hello," Wes said.

"I've just been telling Faith what's been going on while she was gone," Cordelia said.

"Where've you been?" Wes asked.

Faith shrugged.

"Around." She hesitated for a moment. "Getting a grip."

"How are you?" Angel asked.

"I'm dealing."

"We got Debbie a new family."

"Yeah, I know. I've already been to her."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Thanks."

"What are you going to do now?" Wes asked.

"Get myself a place to stay."

"And then?"

Faith shrugged.

"Slay some demons."

"Oh."

Faith looked at Angel.

"Interesting place you got here. Sorry about the old place."

Angel shrugged.

"It happens."

"Yeah."

Angel hesitated for a moment.

"You can stay here, if you want. I have plenty of rooms."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Want to keep an eye on me, huh?"

"No, I can see you've changed."

"You can?"

"Yes."

"Oh." Faith considered the offer. On one hand, she wouldn't have to pay anything, but on the other, she really didn't want everyone to know her business. Still, she needed money more than privacy. "Okay."

"Come, let me show you to your room."

"Do I get breakfast in bed too?" Faith asked with a grin as she headed after him.

Angel smiled.

"Only if you make it yourself."

"Faith!" Wes called.

Faith turned.

"Yeah?"

Wes hesitated for a moment.

"Last time we met… You wanted to, eh, hurt me."

"Yeah," Faith said, slightly uncomfortable.

"But you didn't."

"No."

"Why?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Because of Debbie," she then admitted and headed toward the stairs.

"Oh," Wes said, confused, and watched as she and Angel went upstairs.

"Relax, Wesley, she's not a psycho anymore," Cordelia said.

Wes looked at her, startled.

"Yes, well…"

"Coffee?"

"Eh, yes, please," Wes said and followed her to the kitchen.

The End