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

Scared Love
By Kristjan Brezovnik

When Faith woke up in the morning, she was a bit confused at first to find herself in someone's arms, but then she remembered and a smile spread across her face. She propped her head on her hand and stared at Dawn lovingly.

When Joyce passed by Dawn's room in the morning, she decided to peek in to see how Dawn and Faith were. She had heard Faith scream a few times at night, so she had left the door open. She smiled when she remembered how Dawn gently rocked her back to sleep again.

When she reached the door, she peeked in and saw that Faith was already awake and was staring at Dawn. She smiled when Faith reached over and removed a strand of hair from Dawn's face.

She was about to leave when Faith leaned closer to Dawn.

"I love you so much, Dawnie," Faith said and kissed Dawn on the forehead.

Then she cuddled up to her again and tried to go to sleep again.

Joyce smiled, realizing that Faith really loved Dawn. She quietly backed off and went to the bathroom.

When Dawn woke up an hour later, Faith was still awake and she opened her eyes when she heard Dawn move.

"Hey," she said with a smile.

Dawn looked at her and smiled.

"Hey. How do you feel?"

Faith's smile widened.

"The best."

Dawn beamed.

"Ready to get up?" she then asked.

"No, thank you, I'm fine."

Dawn giggled. Then she bit her lips and slowly leaned into Faith.

Faith was puzzled for a moment, but then her eyes went wide.

"Are you sure you want this?" she asked.

"Of course I'm sure," Dawn said and caressed her.

Faith took a deep breath and leaned into Dawn. Their lips touched, tentatively at first, but then Dawn got bold and their kiss deepened.

"God, I missed that," Dawn said when they stopped kissing.

Faith smiled shyly.

"Me too."

She stared at Dawn for a few moments.

"What?" Dawn asked.

"You've grown so pretty since the last time I saw you," Faith said and caressed her.

Dawn blushed.

"Really?"

Faith smiled.

"Yes."

Dawn's blush deepened.

"You too," she said, and Faith's smile widened.

"I love you."

Dawn smiled.

"I love you too, Faith." She took a deep breath. "But we really should get up, you know. I have school."

Faith made a face.

"So?"

Dawn rolled her eyes, amused.

"Not funny. Come on, up."

Faith groaned, but got up anyway. She looked at herself.

"Man, I'm still dressed up."

"Come on, let's go take a shower," Dawn said and immediately blushed when Faith grinned at her. "No! Separately. I'll get the stuff ready and then I'll go ask Buffy for some clothes for you."

"I have my bag here. Somewhere."

"Oh. Come."

When Faith and Dawn came downstairs, Buffy immediately noticed that they were holding hands. She also noticed that Faith looked kinda shy and self-conscious. It completely surprised her, it was, like, the total opposite of the Faith she had first met. Well, except for the crying part the night before.

"Morning, girls," Joyce greeted them.

"Morning, Mom," Dawn said.

"Morning, Mrs S," Faith said.

"So, I take it that's a yes?" Joyce said.

"Huh?" Faith said, surprised.

"You are staying, right?"

"Oh," Faith said, blushing, and glanced at Dawn. "Well, yeah, I guess."

"Yes," Dawn said, excited.

"Okay, I'll get a room ready when I get home," Joyce said

"Thanks," Faith said, feeling awkward.

"Come on, sit down."

Faith and Dawn joined Buffy at the table.

"Faith," Buffy spoke up.

"Yeah?" Faith said and looked at her.

"What will you do today?"

Faith frowned, nervous, and shrugged.

"Don't know. Go see Giles?"

"Ooh!" Dawn remembered. "Mom, do you think you could get her a job at the gallery?"

Everyone looked at her.

"Dawnie…" Faith spoke up.

"I think so," Joyce said, thinking, and Faith looked at her, surprised. "Yes, in the warehouse. If you're interested."

Faith hesitated, thinking. She didn't actually want a job, but she realized that she could use a paying job.

"Yeah, sure," she said.

"Good. You'll come with me after Buffy and Dawn go to school."

"Okay."

"Hey, you could go back to school next year," Dawn remembered. "And we'd be in the same grade!" she said, her face brightening. "That would be so cool."

"Ah, Dawnie," Faith said, not really looking forward to going back to school, "I don't think that's such a good idea."

"What?" Dawn asked.

"Me going back to school."

"Why not?"

"Well, I'm a Slayer, and Slayers don't live long."

"Buffy goes to school," Dawn pointed out. "And besides, you don't know how long you'll live. You might live to be a hundred and you'll need a job. I mean, you can't work in a warehouse all your life."

"Yeah, but…"

Dawn took Faith's hand into her own and Faith nervously glanced at Buffy and Joyce, who were observing the whole conversation, amused.

"Faith, you have to be optimistic. You don't wanna end up as a housewife, do you?"

"Housewife?" Faith asked, startled.

"Yes. I mean, we're gonna have our own house some day, maybe even children. I won't be able to support us all."

Faith blushed furiously and glanced at Buffy and Joyce, who were chuckling.

"I… Em…Well, eh, I guess not," she said.

Buffy laughed and Faith's blush deepened.

"She has you wrapped around her finger," Buffy said.

"That's not funny, Buffy," Dawn said, glaring at her older sister. "I'm serious here."

"Sorry," Buffy said, trying hard not to laugh.

"I think Dawn is right, Faith," Joyce said, and Dawn smiled, glad that her mother was on her side.

Faith sighed.

"Yeah, I know. It's just… I hate school," she said and made a face.

Dawn gently squeezed her hand.

"Hey, we'll be together. And you can do homework with me and brush up on stuff."

Faith sighed.

"Yeah, I guess," she said, not very enthusiastic about it.

"I guess we need to go shopping," Joyce said, and Dawn smiled at her.

Faith cringed at the thought and then looked at Buffy.

"Em, B?"

"Yes?"

"Eh, don't tell anyone about this, okay? It would totally ruin my rep."

Buffy chuckled.

"Your secret's safe with me," she said, trying not to laugh.

"Thanks."

"Okay, eat up, girls, or you're going to be late," Joyce said.

"Hey, guys," Buffy said as she walked into the library.

"Buffy," Willow said. "Did you find Kakistos?"

"Yep," Buffy said and sat on the table. "He's history."

"Really?" Giles asked, surprised.

"Yes. All it took was a big stake."

"A big stake?"

"Yes. I tried staking him with a standard stake, twice, but he didn't go poof. Then Faith staked him with a beam."

"I see."

Buffy shook her head.

"Whatever he did to her Watcher, it scared the hell out of Faith."

"How is she?" Willow asked.

"Okay. Oh! You're so not gonna believe this."

"What?" Xander asked.

"Faith and Dawn? They're a couple."

There was deathly silence for a few moments and then Xander pretended to be cleaning his ears.

"Em, could you repeat that? I don't think I heard you correctly."

Buffy rolled her eyes, smiling.

"You heard me right."

"You mean Faith and Dawn? Faith the Slayer and Dawn… your sister?"

"Yes," Buffy said, nodding.

"They're a couple?"

"Yes."

"As in… As in… lovers?"

"Yep," Buffy said, smiling at how Willow's eyes seemed to grow bigger with every answer.

"But… But… Dawnie? Gay? I mean, Faith, okay, not really surprised, but Dawn?"

"I don't think Dawn's gay, she's just in love with Faith."

"After, what, two days? And Faith? Don't tell me she's in love with Dawn."

Buffy sighed.

"Yes, Faith is in love with Dawn. And yes, I'm sure."

"But after only two days?"

"They've met before."

"Really?"

"Yes. Dawn went to a summer camp just before we moved to Sunnydale and she met Faith there. She never spoke about her because they'd lost contact."

"Oh."

"Oh, Giles," Buffy said and looked at her Watcher. "Faith moved in with us."

"Really?" Giles said, surprised.

"Yes."

"With Dawn?" Xander asked.

Buffy glared at him.

"No, she has her own room."

"Oh," Xander said, blushing.

Buffy looked back at Giles, rolling her eyes.

"Anyway, Mom got her a job at the gallery and then she'll study with Dawn so she can go back to school next year."

"That's an excellent idea," Giles agreed.

"Mom said if you could get Faith's papers."

Giles nodded.

"I'll call the Council."

"Okay."

Dawn was chatting with Lisa after school when she noticed Faith. Her eyes went wide and she ran to her.

"Faith!" she said and hugged her.

"Hey," Faith said, smiling.

"What are you doing here?" Dawn asked when they stopped hugging.

Faith shrugged.

"I came to pick you up."

"Yeah?" Dawn beamed. "Cool."

"Dawn?" Lisa asked as she came closer.

Dawn looked at her.

"Oh, Lisa. Lisa, this is Faith, my girlfriend," Dawn introduced her proudly. "Faith, this is Lisa, my best friend."

"Hey," Faith said, feeling weird because Dawn had called her a girlfriend in public.

"Hi," Lisa said. "Dawn talked about you the whole day," she said, causing Dawn to blush.

"Yeah?" Faith said, slightly nervous. "I'm sure she was exaggerating."

"I wasn't," Dawn protested.

"Mhm," Faith said and smiled fondly at Dawn. "Come, let's go to Buffy. I need to talk to Giles."

"Okay," Dawn said and took Faith's hand. "I'll see you tomorrow, Lisa."

"Okay. Bye."

As she and Dawn walked down the street, hand in hand, Faith felt a bit nervous at first, but then she relaxed. It felt strange to hold someone's hand in public, but she quickly got used to it.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

"Huh?" Faith said, startled, and looked at Dawn. "What?"

"You were spacing."

"Oh," Faith said and blushed.

"What were you thinking about?"

Faith shrugged.

"Nothing much. Just, you know, I'm not exactly used to displaying affection in public, but right now I don't really give a rat's ass about what anyone might think."

Dawn smiled and gently squeezed her hand.

"Good."

"It's nice, you know? I mean, no one ever called me a girlfriend before."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, I've had relationships, but not…"

"Not what?" Dawn asked when Faith trailed off.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Love," Faith said shyly.

Dawn smiled.

"You'll have plenty of that now," she said, and Faith smiled.

"I know." She hesitated for a moment. "I love you."

Dawn's smile widened.

"I love you too."

"Hey, guys," Dawn said as she and Faith entered the library.

"Hey," Buffy said. "You picked her up?" she asked Faith.

"Yeah. I did all the work, so your mom asked me to, because she had some more work to do."

"Oh."

Faith noticed that Xander and Willow were staring at her and Dawn.

"What?"

Xander and Willow quickly looked away.

"They still can't believe that you and Dawn are together," Buffy said.

"Oh. Well, we are."

She sat on a chair and Dawn sat in her lap. She then put her arms around Dawn's waist and pulled her closer and Dawn put her arms around her neck.

"How was work?" Buffy asked.

Faith shrugged.

"Okay. I move the crates around and do the paperwork, no big deal."

"Oh."

Faith looked at Giles.

"Giles, did B tell you that I moved in with them?"

"Eh, yes, she did."

"And that I'm planning to go back to school next year?"

"Yes. I've already notified the Council and they said that they will arrange the transfer."

"Cool. Oh, I guess you know that we dusted Kakistos?"

"Yes."

"With an extra large stake?"

"Yes."

"Okay, just checking. Anything you want to know?"

Giles hesitated for a moment.

"Well, Buffy told me more or less the whole story, but I would like to know what happened in Boston."

Faith froze, and Dawn looked at her.

"Faith?" she said, worried. "Faith, look at me," she said and made Faith look into her eyes.

Faith blinked her eyes startled.

"Sorry, I just… I just can't talk about it. Not now," Faith said and looked down, trembling slightly.

"There's no hurry," Giles quickly said, realizing that the topic was a very touchy one for Faith.

"So, how did you two meet?" Willow asked after a brief pause, changing the subject.

Faith and Dawn looked at her and Faith took a deep breath, pushing the bad memories away.

"She chatted me up," she said and smiled a bit. "She was the only one of the kids at the summer camp who talked to me because she wanted to, not because she needed something from me."

"You worked there?"

"Yeah, I was running errands, watching the kids and stuff."

"Then I went peeing after lights out one night and after that I went to the beach and stared at the stars," Dawn said. "Faith was also there, so I went to her."

"Yeah, it became sort of nightly ritual for us."

"What?" Xander asked.

"Stargazing," Dawn said. "We'd just sit, wrapped in a blanket, and stare at the stars. And we talked about stuff."

"Oh."

"I even taught her how to swim," Dawn said proudly.

Faith blushed, feeling like one of her weak spots has been uncovered, but she quickly relaxed, realizing that there was nothing to be ashamed of.

"Really?" Buffy said.

"Yeah," Faith said. "Though her methods leave something to be desired," she said and grinned at Dawn.

"What?" Dawn asked, puzzled.

"You pushed me into the water."

Dawn's eyes went wide.

"I didn't know you couldn't swim! I'd never push you otherwise, you know that."

Faith smiled and hugged her tightly.

"I know. Just teasing," she said and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Then she noticed that everyone was staring at them and she blushed. "What?" she said. "Can't I tease my girl?"

Xander shook his head.

"Man, this is so weird." He looked at Dawn. "I didn't know you were gay."

Dawn frowned.

"Who said I was?"

Xander frowned as well, puzzled.

"But… I mean, you and Faith…"

"What? Because we're together? That doesn't make me gay, just…"

"In love," Faith finished.

"Yes," Dawn said, nodding. "I like boys just fine."

"Me too," Faith said. Then she looked at Dawn, smirking. "And you can look all you want, as long as you don't touch."

Dawn blushed furiously.

"As if? I have you, thank you very much."

Faith smiled.

"You're welcome." She looked at Xander. "How about we go home now before Xander has to go relieve the tension?" she said with a smirk.

Xander blushed furiously as everyone looked at him.

"I… I…"

"You were thinking about us, weren't you?" Faith teased. She shook her head. "I don't think Buffy would appreciate you daydreaming about her little sister and her sister-in-law doing the deed, especially when you're also probably including her in the fun."

Xander's blush deepened.

"I'm not," he squeaked.

"Xander?" Buffy said, glaring.

Xander looked at her and his blush deepened again.

"I wasn't! Really!"

"Hmm," Buffy said, crossing her arms.

"I need air," Xander said and quickly left.

Faith laughed.

"I think he's gonna behave now. At least for a while."

"You're so bad," Dawn said, smiling.

"Yeah," Faith said and looked at her. "And that's why you love me so."

"No, that's not it," Dawn said, "but it's one of the reasons, yes."

Faith smiled.

"Good. I aim to please." She looked at Giles. "Giles, anything you need me with?"

Giles thought for a moment.

"Well, I would like you and Buffy to train together."

"Sorry, not today. Dawnie's got homework and then we're going shopping."

"Shopping?" Willow asked.

"Yeah. Mrs S feels my room needs a little extra touch."

"Oh."

Faith looked at Buffy.

"You coming, B?"

Buffy looked at Giles.

"Giles?"

"No, you can go."

"Okay," Buffy said and got up.

Dawn quickly got up and then Faith.

"I guess I'll go as well," Willow said and got up.

"We'll see you in the evening, Giles," Faith said.

"Okay."

"Man, I'm definitely out of it," Faith said when Dawn finished her homework.

"Don't worry, I'll help you get back in," Dawn said.

Faith smiled at her fondly.

"I know. At least it's not as boring as school."

Dawn smiled.

"I hope so," she said and Faith chuckled. "Ready to go shopping?"

Faith groaned.

"I don't like shopping."

Dawn frowned.

"Are you sure you're a girl?"

Faith laughed. She touched her breasts and her crotch as if to make sure.

"Yeah, pretty sure," she said as Dawn blushed.

"Come, let's go."

After hours of shopping, they returned home. Faith and Dawn carried everything to Faith's new room. When they were done, Faith fell on the bed, spread-eagle, and pretended she was exhausted. Dawn straddled her and kissed her.

"Mmm," Faith said.

"I know why you hate shopping," Dawn said.

"Huh?" Faith said, startled.

"Because you hate to be given anything for free."

Faith looked away, not really wanting to discuss the subject.

"You're family now, Faith," Dawn said and hugged her.

Faith hugged her back and they remained like that for a few moments.

"How about we make this room inhabitable," Faith then said.

Dawn let go of Faith and sat up. She stared at her for a few moments and then smiled.

"Okay."

She wanted to get up, but Faith was faster. Faith sat up, hugged Dawn and got up, making Dawn squeal.

"Wow," Dawn said as Faith put her down. "That was fast."

Faith smiled.

"I hope so," she said. "Or I'd have to retire."

Dawn smiled.

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

In the evening, when Faith came home after patrol, Dawn was waiting for her.

"Wanna go stargazing?" she asked.

Faith smiled.

"You bet. Just let me grab a quick shower."

"Okay."

After the shower, Faith went to Dawn's room.

"Ready?"

Dawn nodded. She took a comforter and got up.

They went downstairs and to the back of the house. They sat down at the top of the stairs and Dawn covered them with the comforter.

"You know," Faith said as she looked around, "this isn't the most ideal spot for stargazing."

"Yeah, I noticed," Dawn agreed. "Too bright."

"Yeah."

"We'll look for a better spot tomorrow."

"Okay," Faith said and put her arm around Dawn's waist.

Dawn leaned her head on Faith's shoulder and Faith leaned her head on Dawn's head.

When Buffy came home five minutes later, she first went to the kitchen for some yogurt. She noticed that the back door was not closed and she carefully approached, worried that someone might have broken in. But when she got to the door, she saw Faith and Dawn sitting on the steps, giggling about something. She was confused for a moment, but then she remembered what Dawn had told her about her and Faith stargazing. She guessed that was what they were doing now. She stared at them for a few moments, still surprised how Faith could be so different when she was around Dawn. Then she left, not wanting to intrude.

In the morning, Dawn knocked on Faith's door.

"Mmm, what?" Faith's sleepy voice answered.

Dawn smiled and entered.

"Hey, sleepyhead, rise and shine."

Faith groaned.

"Don't wanna," she said and covered herself over her head.

"Oh no you don't," Dawn said and pulled the cover off.

"Hey!" Faith protested.

Dawn kneeled on the bed and tickled Faith, who squealed.

"You squealed!" Dawn said, delighted.

"Did not!" Faith objected.

"Did too."

"Did not!" Faith said and pouted.

"You're cute when you pout," Dawn said with a smile.

"I'm not cute," Faith protested.

"You're adorable," Dawn said and gave her a quick peck on the lips. "Now get up, Mom's making breakfast."

Faith sighed.

"Okay."

Dawn got up, and Faith said up and yawned.

"Ooh!" Dawn said and ran out.

Faith frowned, startled, and then got up and stretched.

"Try this on," Dawn said as she returned.

Faith looked and frowned.

"I don't think so," she said when she saw a sexy black dress that was way too girly for her taste.

"Please," Dawn pleaded. "You're gonna look so hot in this."

"I'd look hot in old rags," Faith said with a grin.

"Well, yes," Dawn agreed. "But please? I wanna see what you look like." She batted her eyelashes. "For me?"

Faith chuckled.

"No way. I don't wear stuff like this," she said and Dawn pouted. "That's not fair," she said and crossed her arms. "You can pout all you want, but I'm not wearing that dress," she said and looked away.

Dawn sighed.

"Okay." She smiled. "Now get dressed. I'll meet you downstairs."

"You're not mad?" Faith asked.

Dawn's smile widened.

"No. Hurry up."

Dawn left and Faith took a deep breath.

In the afternoon, Faith came home before Dawn. She remembered Dawn's dress and she went to Dawn's room. Fortunately, the dress was draped across the back of a chair and she didn't have to rummage through Dawn's stuff. She picked it up and looked at it. Then she put it in front of herself and looked at herself. She couldn't decide how she looked, so she went to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. She hesitated for a while and then decided to try it on.

When she changed, she felt a bit weird, but when she looked at herself in the mirror, she had to admit that she looked very hot. She decided to put it on again when Dawn came home, so she could see her.

Buffy came home first, and then Joyce and finally Dawn. When she heard her, Faith quickly went to her room and changed again. Then she waited.

When Dawn saw that her dress was gone, she first went to Buffy, who had absolutely no idea what she was talking about. When Dawn realized that Faith might have taken it, a smile spread across her face. She went to Faith's room and knocked.

"Who is it?"

"Me."

There was a brief pause.

"Come in."

Dawn opened the door and gasped, her eyes wide. Then she squealed, ran to Faith and hugged her.

"I told you you'd look hot in that," she said.

Faith smiled.

"Close the door," she said.

Dawn let go of her and closed the door. Then she gave Faith a once over.

"Wow, simply breathtaking," she admired, making Faith blush.

"Thanks."

"Turn around," Dawn ordered, and Faith did so. "Can I take a picture?"

"No way," Faith quickly objected.

Dawn sighed, realizing she was already pushing Faith enough.

"Okay." She sidled up to Faith and licked her lips. "You're very sexy," she said, put her hand beneath Faith's dress and ran her fingers across Faith's panties.

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Dawnie!" she said, surprise.

Dawn blushed a bit.

"I can't help myself," she said in a husky voice. "You make me so hot."

Faith's eyes widened again.

"Down, girl, down. You need a cold shower."

Dawn blushed.

"I need something else," she said as she hugged Faith and rubbed her crotch against Faith's leg.

"Dawnie!" Faith protested. "What are you trying to do? You're gonna give me a heart attack."

"I wanna give you something else."

Faith blushed, furiously.

"Jeez, girl, what's happening to you?"

Dawn blushed.

"I'm growing up and you're making me horny." She batter her eyelashes. "Wanna help me with that?"

Faith's eyes went wide again.

"Are you crazy? Your mom and Buffy would kill me if we had sex. Hell, they'd probably kill you too." She hesitated for a moment and then caressed Dawn. "And besides, you're too young."

Dawn crossed her arms, pouting.

"Am not. I'm a woman now."

Faith smiled.

"Not quite," she said and gave her a once over, "but you're getting there fast."

Dawn blushed.

"You don't want me?" she then asked in a quiet voice, nervous.

Faith caressed her.

"I do, Dawnie. You're so hot I wanna lick you all over and then some," she said and Dawn's blush deepened. "But I don't think you're quite ready."

"You had sex when you were my age," Dawn argued.

Faith sighed.

"That was different."

"How?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"For me, sex was a way to get things," she said and looked at her toes. "The people I had sex with didn't care about me, I was just an object, nothing more."

"Like Miss Fletcher?" Dawn asked quietly.

Faith glanced at her, shaking her head.

"No, she was different. She was one of the people I had sex with because I simply wanted sex. She liked young girls, but she would never go out and seduce them. And she was nice, she treated me like a partner in bed and she gave as good as she got. She let me be in control and decide what I wanted. The job at the summer camp was her idea, but it had nothing to do with us having sex." Faith smiled a bit. "She said I had potential and she wanted to help me. When I asked her if we could stop having sex, she was okay with it and she didn't cause me any problems."

"Oh."

Faith looked at Dawn.

"I want our first time to be very special," she said and caressed Dawn, who smiled.

"Why not now?"

"I don't wanna mess things up. I mean, yes, we've been in love since that summer camp, but I want us to get to know one another even better. Not to mention that I don't want your mom to throw me out."

"Oh." Dawn smiled. "When then?"

"On your eighteenth birthday."

"But that's years away!" Dawn said, disappointed.

"I know, but I want us both to be ready."

"Oh."

Faith grinned.

"Want me to get you Bob?"

Dawn frowned.

"Who's Bob?"

"Battery Operated Boyfriend."

Dawn's frown deepened for a moment, but then she figured it out and her eyes went wide and she blushed.

"A vibrator?"

Faith's grin widened.

"Yeah." She hesitated for a moment. "Unless you want to wait and let me take your cherry."

Dawn's eyes widened for a moment. Then she thought about it.

"I'll wait, I want you to do it."

Faith smiled.

"Okay." She caressed Dawn. "And I promise you, it will be very special."

Dawn smiled.

"Okay, I'll wait."

She hesitated for a moment and then moved closer for a kiss.

Faith smiled and leaned closer as well.

They kissed for a few moments and then pulled apart.

"Damn, you're making me horny, girl," Faith said.

Dawn smiled, blushing.

"Ditto." She took a deep breath. "Okay, you can change back now. Then come to my room and we'll study."

"Yes, Ma'am!" Faith said and saluted.

Dawn rolled her eyes.

"And you said I was too young?"

Faith grinned as Dawn left.

"Mom, can I go with Faith to the Bronze?" Dawn asked Joyce in the evening.

"On a school night?"

"I'll be back by ten."

"Nine thirty. And I want Faith to escort you."

"Okay," Dawn said and smiled, excited. "Thanks."

"I'll bring her back," Faith said.

"Good," Joyce said.

"Come on, let's get dressed," Dawn said and dragged Faith upstairs.

"Holly…" Faith said when she saw what Dawn had put on. She licked her lips. "Your mom's not gonna let you go out in that."

"You like?" Dawn asked, blushing a bit.

Faith grinned.

"Hell yeah. But your mom's still not gonna let you go out in that."

"In what?" Joyce asked as she came from her bedroom.

"That," Faith said and stepped aside.

"Oh my," Joyce said, surprised.

"Nobody will touch me, Mom," Dawn quickly said, "I'll be with Faith all the time, she'll protect me."

Joyce gave her a once over.

"You look pretty, em…"

"Exactly," Faith agreed. She looked at Dawn. "And even though I don't mind showing you off, I think your mom might have a problem with guys drooling after you."

Dawn blushed.

"She's right," Joyce said. "Put on something that doesn't show off your belly."

Dawn rolled her eyes.

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

"And Dawn?" Joyce called after her.

Dawn looked at her.

"Yes?"

"The bra."

Dawn blushed and quickly disappeared in her room.

At the Bronze, Faith and Dawn mostly danced. They were the hottest item there and most boys, as well as some of the girls, kept staring at them, but they had eyes only for one another.

"You know," Xander said when they took a break, "if they hired you, they wouldn't need heating here."

Dawn, sitting in Faith's lap, blushed, and Faith grinned.

"Enjoying the show?" Faith asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Hell yeah."

Buffy cleared her throat, glaring at him, and he smiled at her sheepishly.

"Why aren't you dancing?" Dawn asked.

"We did," Willow said, "but we couldn't keep up with you."

"Oh," Dawn said and blushed again.

"Thirsty?" Faith asked her.

"Yes."

"What do you want?"

Dawn thought about it.

"Fanta."

"Okay."

Dawn got off of Faith and Faith went to the bar.

"Having fun?" Buffy asked Dawn with a smile.

Dawn smiled widely.

"Yeah. This is so great! I hope Mom lets me come here more often."

"Not on school nights."

Dawn pouted.

"You can go out on school nights."

"I'm older than you are."

Dawn crossed her arms.

"This is so not fair."

Buffy reached over and ruffled Dawn's hair, smiling.

"I know."

"You should come here with me more often," Faith said as she returned.

"You're fast," Buffy said, surprised.

Faith grinned.

"Why?" Dawn asked.

"Free drinks," Faith said and gave her hers.

"Free?" Dawn said, surprised.

Faith nodded, smiling widely.

"Courtesy of the bartender. Because we put on such a hot show."

Dawn blushed.

"Oh."

Faith winked at her.

"Tired?"

"A bit."

"You should work out more," Faith said, wiggling her eyebrows.

Dawn blushed again.

"Cold?" Faith asked Dawn on the way home.

"A bit," Dawn said.

Faith took off her jacket.

"Here."

Dawn smiled.

"Thanks," she said and put it on. "That was, like, a knight-in-shiny-armor thing."

Faith grinned.

"Yeah, I'm a real knight."

"You're a knightly lady."

Faith laughed.

"A lady, huh?"

Dawn smiled.

"Yes."

"I'm no lady in bed," Faith said and wiggled her eyebrows.

Dawn blushed.

"Good, because ladies are all frigid in bed," she said, and Faith burst into laughter.

"You little perv."

Dawn's blush deepened.

"I wonder which one of us is the more pervy."

Faith grinned.

"I guess we'll see on your eighteenth birthday."

"Which is, like, years away."

"Don't worry, when you're eighteen, you'll feel like an old lady compared to now."

Dawn groaned.

"Great, just what… Faith!"

Faith looked and saw a group of vampires come toward them. She took her stake and got ready for a fight.

"Dawnie, try to stay behind me," she said.

"Okay," Dawn said, scared.

Faith waited until the vamps got closer and then attacked them. Dawn tried to stay behind her, but one of the vamps managed to get past Faith and grab her. Dawn screamed and kicked him in the shins. The vamp growled and threw Dawn at the wall.

"Dawnie!" Faith screamed, worried.

She pushed her attackers away and then ran to help Dawn. Dawn's attacker faced her, but she quickly staked him. Then she turned back to her attackers. She'd killed two before having to help Dawn and now there were four left. She was worried about Dawn, but she didn't have the time the check up on her. She quickly dispatched two vampires and the remaining two decided to run. She staked one as they turned to flee and then threw her stake after the last one, killing him. Then she turned to Dawn.

"Dawnie?" she said, worried, when she saw Dawn lying beside the wall, unmoving. She gulped and went to her. "Dawnie?" she said quietly, scared, as she kneeled beside her.

But Dawn didn't respond. She checked her pulse and was relieved when she could feel it. She removed the hair from Dawn's face. She gulped when she saw blood there. She rolled Dawn on her back and then put Dawn's arms on her stomach. She could feel a broken bone through the jacket. She hesitated for a few moments and then picked up Dawn.

After the doctors took Dawn to the ER, Faith called Joyce. Then she paced in front of the ER like a caged panther, worried sick about Dawn and feeling guilty for not protecting her.

"Faith!" Joyce called when she saw her.

Faith jerked, startled, and looked at her, suddenly nervous. Her vision was a bit blurry and she realized she was crying. She quickly wiped her eyes.

"How is she?" Joyce asked when she came closer.

Faith took a deep breath.

"She has a broken arm and some cuts and bruises," she said, avoiding Joyce's eyes.

"What happened?" Buffy asked.

"We were going home when we were attacked by a group of vamps. One of them got past me and threw her against the wall."

"Oh."

Buffy and Joyce took a seat and Faith joined them, only she sat a seat apart from them.

A few minutes later, Dawn was taken to her room. Joyce immediately questioned the doctor and then they went to Dawn's room.

Faith quietly listened as the doctor told Joyce that Dawn would be okay. She was relieved, in spite of the fact that she knew that Dawn wasn't seriously injured. Then she followed Joyce and Buffy to Dawn's room, but she didn't enter. She stared at Dawn for a few moments and then left.

Dawn woke up a few minutes later.

"Honey?" Joyce said.

Dawn blinked her eyes.

"Mom?"

Joyce smiled and caressed her.

"Yes."

Dawn looked around.

"What am I doing here?" she asked.

"Faith brought you."

"Oh." Dawn looked past Joyce and Buffy. "Where is she?"

Joyce and Buffy both looked.

"Eh, I don't know," Joyce said, confused. "I thought she was here."

"Is she okay?"

"Yes."

Dawn suddenly realized what was wrong.

"Oh no. Buffy, you have to find her," she said.

"Why?" Buffy said.

"Because she might run away."

Buffy frowned.

"Why would she do that?"

"Because she feels guilty."

"Oh. Okay."

Buffy quickly left.

"Honey?" Joyce said.

Dawn sighed.

"She feels guilty because I got hurt," Dawn explained.

"Oh."

Buffy went straight home, knowing that if Faith was planning to leave, she would go there to pack. And she was right.

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

Faith looked at her, nervous.

"Buffy."

Buffy saw that Faith was indeed packing.

"Are you planning on leaving?" she asked.

Faith gulped and looked down.

Buffy sighed.

"Dawn woke up," she said. "She wants to see you."

Faith looked up.

"How is she?"

"She's fine. You heard what the doctor said."

Faith sighed.

"Yeah."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Look, nobody's blaming you," she said. "You did the best you could."

"But it wasn't enough," Faith said.

"Do you think I could've done it any better? Or maybe Mom?"

Faith sighed.

"No," she said quietly.

"Then stop blaming yourself. Now, come on, Dawn is waiting for you."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

When they got to the Dawn's room, Faith hesitated for a moment before entering.

"Faith!" Dawn said and smiled.

"Hey," Faith said, nervous.

Joyce smiled at her.

"Are you okay, Faith?"

Faith nodded, avoiding her eyes.

"Yeah."

"Good." Joyce looked at Dawn. "We'll come back tomorrow, honey."

"Okay, Mom. Night."

"Night, honey."

Joyce and Buffy left, and Faith slowly approached the bed.

"Hey," Dawn said softly.

Faith looked at her.

"Hey."

"It's not your fault, Faith," Dawn said. She reached out and took Faith's hand into her own. "Not even Buffy could've done better. And if it had been me and Mom, we'd both be dead."

Faith sighed.

"Yeah, I know."

Dawn smiled softly.

"Then stop blaming yourself, okay?"

Faith nodded.

"Okay."

"I mean it, Faith. I'm bound to get hurt again, I don't want to have to worry about you running away every time I do. Promise you won't run away."

Faith gulped.

"I promise."

Dawn's smile widened.

"Good. I love you."

Faith smiled a bit, relaxing.

"I love you too, Dawnie." She took a deep breath. "So, how are you?"

"Okay. My arm hurts, but they gave me painkillers. I'm going home tomorrow."

"Good."

"And how are you?"

Faith shrugged.

"I'm okay." She hesitated for a moment. "I was so scared," she admitted.

Dawn smiled softly.

"Everything's okay now," she said and ran her thumb across the back of Faith's hand.

Faith smiled back.

"Yeah."

Dawn thought for a moment.

"You know what you can do to make me safer?"

"What?"

"You can teach me how to fight."

Faith smiled at first, but then she frowned.

"Why doesn't Buffy teach you?"

Dawn rolled her eyes.

"She thinks I'm too young."

"Oh."

"But now you can help me convince her that it would be good if I knew how to fight."

Faith nodded.

"Yeah." She smiled a little. "But you're not coming on patrols with us."

Dawn smiled.

"I know."

"Good." Faith took a deep breath, relaxing. "Want me to spend the night here?"

"I can spend the night on my own," Dawn said. "I'm a big girl, you know."

Faith smiled.

"Not according to your mom."

Dawn giggled.

"I know." She thought for a moment. "Unless you're afraid to spend the night on your own," she then said with a smirk.

Faith grinned.

"Right."

Dawn nodded.

"I think I'm going to sleep now."

Faith smiled.

"Okay. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep."

Dawn smiled as well.

"Okay. And then go home, okay?"

Faith nodded.

"Okay. Sweet dreams."

Dawn's smile widened.

"Do I get a good night kiss?"

Faith grinned.

"You bet."

She leaned closer and they kissed.

"Love you," Dawn said when they stopped kissing.

"Love you back," Faith said and caressed her.

"Night, Faith."

"Night, Dawnie."

Dawn closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep. Faith stayed with her, holding her hand, thinking how lucky she was to have her. When Dawn fell asleep, Faith kissed her on the forehead.

"I love you, Dawnie," she said and left.

The End