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. This story is set after the Buffy The Vampire Slayer episode Bad Girls.

Teacher
By Kristjan Brezovnik

After Sunnydale was but a crater, the gang first went to LA. After recovering, most of them went to Cleveland to guard the Hellmouth there. Buffy and Dawn went to England with Giles, and Faith went to Boston to kill a demon. When she was done, she decided to go visit her old neighborhood. She knew she wouldn't be staying, but she wanted to see it one more time.

When the night fell, Faith went on patrol to see what kind of monsters lurked there. She killed a couple of vamps, wiped out a nest and killed a couple of demons. When she was half way through, she came across a girl viciously defending herself from a vampire. For a moment, Faith thought it was a Slayer, but she quickly felt that it wasn't. She ran to help her.

"You okay?" she asked the girl after she staked the vamp.

"Five by five," the girl said and got up.

Then their eyes finally met and their jaws dropped.

"Kelly?" Faith finally said.

The girl stared at her defiantly.

"Faith."

Faith hugged her, surprising her.

"God, I thought you were dead," she said, her eyes watering up. "I missed you so much."

Faith let go of Kelly when she felt that Kelly wasn't hugging her back.

"You left me," Kelly said accusingly.

"I thought you were dead, he shot you in the chest. I barely got out alive."

"He shot me in the shoulder."

"Oh. And Mom?"

"Dead."

Faith sighed. She thought for a moment.

"So, um, who took care of you?"

"The social services tried."

"Oh." Faith hesitated for a moment. "I'm sorry. If I'd known you were still alive, I would've stuck around."

"Where've you been?"

"East coast."

"Oh. Why did you come back?"

"I was in Boston, so I thought I'd visit the neighborhood."

"You're leaving?"

"Yeah. Wanna come?"

Kelly frowned.

"Where?"

"Cleveland."

"Ohio?"

"Yeah."

"What's there?"

"A couple of friends of mine."

"Oh."

"I can stay here, if you don't want to leave."

Kelly stared at her older sister for a few moments.

"There's nothing here but bad memories."

Faith smiled a little.

"Not all of them are bad."

Kelly smiled back a little.

"Yeah."

"So, Cleveland?"

Kelly sighed.

"Okay."

"Let's go get your stuff. We can sleep at my motel. The bus is in the morning."

"Okay."

Faith followed her sister, excited that she was still alive. The world suddenly seemed a much brighter place now that she had a family again.

When they got to a dilapidated building, Faith remembered living in such a place. She wished she had come back sooner, though she doubted she would've met Kelly. She was relieved that she found her, so she could offer her a better future.

When they got to Kelly's hole, Kelly went to a pile of boxes and carefully removed them. She picked up something, and when she turned, Faith saw that it was a baby.

"You have a baby?" she asked, surprised.

"Yeah."

"How old is it?"

"Two."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Who's the dad?"

Kelly bit her teeth and looked away.

"It's okay, you don't have to tell me."

Kelly sighed.

"My last foster dad."

"What?" Faith said upset. "Son of a bitch. Who is he? I'm gonna cut his fucking balls off."

"I already did that."

Faith blinked, startled.

"What?"

"I cut off his balls."

Faith stared at her sister for a few moments and then grinned. She hesitated for a moment and then hugged her.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."

"Not your fault," Kelly said.

Faith let go of her.

"How do you feel?"

Kelly sighed.

"Okay. I got over it. I'm concentrating on Faithy now."

"Faithy?" Faith said, startled.

Kelly smiled.

"My daughter."

"You named her Faithy?"

"Faith." Kelly hesitated for a moment. "After you."

Faith smiled.

"Cool," she said, moved.

Kelly smiled a little.

"Can you get my bag?"

"Sure." Faith picked up the bag. "Is that it?"

"Yeah."

"Okay."

When Faith woke up in the morning and found her sister cuddled up to her, she smiled. She lay still and just watched her for a while, until it was time to get up.

"Kelly," she said and gently rocked her.

Kelly's eyes shot open, and Faith could see the fear in them.

"It's okay, it's just me."

Kelly blinked and looked at Faith. She smiled a little.

"Just like old times."

"Yeah. Come, we need to get up if we want to have a breakfast before the bus leaves. And I still need to let my friends know you and Faithy are coming along."

"Okay."

On the bus, they occupied the last row. The bus was pretty full at first, but most of the passengers soon got off. Faith knew that if she wanted Kelly to tell her about herself, she would have to open up first. Not to mention that she would have to tell her about Slayers and demons.

When they were alone in the back of the bus and little Faith dosed off, Faith told Kelly about herself, including the Slayer stuff.

"You sure you're not making that up?" Kelly asked when Faith was done.

Faith smiled.

"I wish I was," she said and lifted her top to show Kelly the scar.

"Buffy did this?"

"Yeah. And I'm sure you've heard that Sunnydale was leveled by an earthquake."

"I don't follow the news."

"Oh."

"Are you gonna show me a demon?"

"You met one."

Kelly frowned.

"I did?"

"Remember when I saved you? That freak was a vampire."

"Oh. I wondered what happened to his face."

"That's their game face. They can look like normal humans."

"Oh." Kelly thought for a moment. "What happened to him? He just disappeared."

"He turned into dust when I staked him."

"Creepy." They were quiet for a few moments. "So I guess you want me to tell you about me now," Kelly then said.

"If you're ready."

Kelly sighed.

"Compared to you, I had the deluxe treatment."

Faith smiled a little.

"Doesn't mean it didn't hurt."

Kelly looked at her hands.

"I thought Chuck killed you too." Faith reached over and took Kelly's hand. Kelly smiled at her a little. "Anyway, I woke up in the hospital a week later. They said Mom was dead and you were missing. They caught Chuck, by the way, and he's in jail now."

"Okay."

Kelly thought for a moment.

"They stuck me in an orphanage, but I didn't like it there. They even tried some foster homes, but I ran away. And after the last one..."

"So you've been on the street ever since?"

"More or less, yeah."

Faith sighed.

"And school?"

Kelly shrugged defiantly.

"I don't need school."

"You didn't on the street, but now you'll have a home and a better future." She hesitated for a moment. "I know I'm gonna take the GED, maybe even go to college."

"You are?" Kelly asked skeptically.

"Yes."

"Why? I mean, you already got a job slaying, right?"

"That's a night job and it doesn't pay. And besides, I can't tell you to go back to school and not do the same."

"You want me to go back to school?"

"Or at least take the GED."

Kelly made a face.

"I hate school."

Faith smiled.

"Me too. But unfortunately, it's a necessary evil, if you want to get a decent job."

"I'll think about it."

"Okay."

When they got to Cleveland, Faith hired a cab to take them to the new Slayer headquarters.

"Wow, this is where we'll stay?" Kelly asked while Faith paid the driver.

Faith glanced at the mansion.

"Yeah."

"Cool."

"Come."

They went to the front gate, which automatically opened. Faith entered, but Kelly couldn't.

"Eh, Faith?" she said, probing the invisible wall with her fingers.

Faith looked at her.

"You can't go through?"

"No."

Faith went to the intercom.

"Oh, hi, Faith," Willow said.

"Hey. Can you let them through?"

"Sure, just give me a moment."

"Okay."

A few moments passed.

"Okay, they can go through."

Kelly entered.

"Was that magic?" she asked Faith.

"Yeah. Come."

They went to the front door.

"Hey," Willow said as she opened the door.

Faith did a double take.

"Shit, red, are you trying to give me a heart attack?" she asked as she gave her a once over.

Willow blushed.

"Kennedy and I are going out."

"Hot damn." She glanced at Kelly. "Eh, Kelly, this is Willow. Willow, this is my sister Kelly and her daughter Faithy."

"Faithy?" Willow said, startled.

"She named her after me," Faith said, blushing a little.

Willow smiled.

"Come on in."

They entered, and Willow closed the door.

"Nice house," Faith said.

"We figured we needed something defendable. Plus, you know, there are fifteen orphan Slayers here and they'll be staying here. We got a big gym too, and a pool."

"Cool. B back yet?"

"No, she's still in England. She's coming next week."

"Okay."

"Are those Slayers?" Kelly asked as she caught a glanced at the girls in the living room.

"Yes," Willow said.

"They started training yet?" Faith asked.

"No, we're waiting for Buffy."

Faith frowned.

"How long have they been here?"

"The first one came here a month ago."

"And you haven't started their training yet?"

"No, we're waiting for Buffy."

"Kennedy could do it," Faith pointed out.

"I know, but she was busy doing other stuff."

"Oh." Faith thought for a moment. "What are they like?"

"They mostly keep to themselves."

Faith sighed.

"Hey," Kennedy said when they came upstairs.

"Hey," Faith said. "This is my sister Kelly and her baby Faithy. Kelly, this is Kennedy."

"Hey," Kennedy said.

"Hi," Kelly said.

Kennedy gave Willow a once over, and Faith grinned.

"You're gonna need a bodyguard to keep the sleazebags away from her," Faith said, making Willow blush.

Kennedy grinned.

"You bet."

Faith looked around.

"This house is a damn labyrinth."

"Yeah. The rooms are all on this floor. There's also a common room here and a workout room. The big gym is downstairs, as well as offices, a workout room and other stuff. There's an indoor pool in the basement, as well as a workout room."

"Nice."

"And there's a pool out the back."

"Cool."

"What about the bathroom?" Kelly asked.

"Each room has its own bathroom, but there's also a couple downstairs and in the basement.

"Where's my room? I need to pee."

"Well, the inside rooms are mostly taken."

"Everyone likes the inside rooms," Willow said.

"Yeah," Faith said. "We'll look around, you two go have fun."

"Okay. If you're hungry, there's food in the fridge downstairs."

"Okay, thanks."

Willow and Kennedy went downstairs, and Faith followed Kelly, who went looking for a room.

"This one looks empty," Kelly said when she found an empty room. She went to the next one. "This one too." She went to the next one. "So's this one." She looked at Faith. "Which one you want?"

Faith shrugged.

"Doesn't matter."

"Okay," Kelly said. "Here, hold her."

"Me?" Faith said, suddenly nervous.

"Yeah. Here."

Faith took Faithy from Kelly.

"Hey," she said as Faithy stared at her. Kelly entered the second room. "How about we go look at your room?"

"Okay," Faithy said.

Faith took her to the first room.

"Hmm, looks like it needs some decorating." She looked at Faithy. "You'll have to draw some pictures so we can put them on the wall. And you can draw some pictures for me and your mommy."

"I don't have pencils."

Faith smiled.

"We'll get you some. Come, let's go to my room."

They went to the third room, and Faith looked around. It wasn't all that big, but it had a TV and a small bathroom. She dropped her bag and went to the window. She could see the back yard with the pool, as well as the other two wings of the buildings. She sat Faithy on the bed.

"I'll be right back," she said and went to the bathroom to refresh herself. "Wanna help me unpack?" she asked Faithy when she came back.

"Uh-huh," Faithy said with a nod.

"Okay, I'll check out the closets and you carefully take the stuff out of my bag, okay?"

"Okay."

Faith put the bag on the bed and opened it. Then she checked out the closets. Faithy went on her knees and started taking Faith's stuff out.

"Thank you," Faith said with a smile. She quickly put her stuff away. "Okay, let's go see if your mommy's done peeing."

Faithy lifted her arms, and Faith picked her up. They went to Kelly's room and waited for a few minutes.

"Hey," Kelly said when she came from the bathroom. "How's your room?"

"Like yours," Faith said.

Kelly looked around.

"It's nice."

"Yeah."

"I'll just put my stuff away now."

"Okay." Kelly started to unpack, and Faith thought about the Slayers. "Listen, I might need your help."

Kelly looked at her.

"With what?"

"The Slayers."

Kelly frowned.

"The Slayers? The ones downstairs?"

"Yeah."

"Why? I mean, I'm not Slayer."

"No, but you and I both know what it's like to live in the street. They're orphans, probably lived on the street. They keep to one another and they don't trust anyone. I want to make them into a family."

"Oh."

"And if I want them to open up, I need us to open up first."

"You want to gain their trust."

"Yeah. And I'm gonna start training them tomorrow."

"I thought they're supposed to wait for Buffy?"

"All this sitting around isn't doing them any good."

"Oh. Okay." Kelly thought for a moment. "Are you gonna teach me how to fight too?"

"Sure. In fact, I'd like you to train with them."

"But they're Slayers, they'll kick my butt."

"They need to learn how to control their power."

"Oh. Okay."

"And I'll try to get them to study for the GED."

Kelly groaned.

"You really think they'll go for it?"

Faith shrugged.

"They might."

Kelly smiled.

"With you as a role model, they just might."

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Me, a role model?"

"Sure."

Faith chuckled.

"I'm not much of a role model."

Kelly hesitated for a moment.

"You were mine when we were little."

Faith blinked.

"I was?"

Kelly blushed a little.

"Yeah."

"Oh." Faith sighed, thinking about the revelation. "That was then," she then said. "Now I'm a murderer and stuff."

"You went to the dark side, but you came back. You can teach them about that."

Faith thought about it.

"I guess."

Kelly finished unpacking.

"Okay, I'm done."

"Let's go downstairs then."

"Okay."

"Here."

Faith gave Faithy back to Kelly.

"Hey, sweetie," Kelly said and kissed her.

"We need to get her some crayons and some papers so she can decorate her room," Faith said.

"I don't have much money."

"Don't worry, I have some."

"Okay."

They went downstairs to the main living room.

"Hey, guys," Faith said.

The new Slayers looked at them.

"Hey," Kelly said.

"Hey," one of them said.

"I'm Faith and this is my sister Kelly," Faith introduced them.

"You're not a Slayer," one of the Slayers said to Kelly.

Kelly smiled.

"No."

"Oh."

"Is that your baby?" another Slayer asked Kelly.

Kelly smiled.

"Yeah. Her name is Faithy."

Faith did a quick head count and saw that they were all there.

"Kennedy and Willow go out yet?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Okay." Faith glanced at Kelly, who smiled at her and went to sit by the youngest Slayer. Faith took a seat as well. "Anyway, we're starting your training tomorrow."

"But Buffy's not here," another Slayer said.

"So? Kennedy should've started training you as soon as you got here."

"You're Faith? One of the Chosen Two?" another Slayer asked.

"Yeah."

"Cool."

Faith smiled a little.

"Anyway, I hear you're all orphans. Kelly and I are orphans too."

"You are?"

"Yeah. Our mom got shot by her drunken boyfriend. Kelly got shot too and I thought she was dead. I just found her again a couple of days ago." She thought for a moment. "I know you're feeling confused right now. Did Kennedy and Willow at least tell you about the Slayers and stuff?"

"You mean about one girl every generation?" one of the Slayers asked.

"Yeah."

"Yeah, they told us. They said we were strong and faster and stuff."

"You are. I'm sure some of you've already noticed that. I'm guessing they also said it's your duty to go out and kill demons, right?" Several Slayers nodded. "Well, duty my ass. Every single one of you has a choice. You can choose to go out there and kill demons or you can choose not to go."

"What do you mean? I thought we were supposed to kill demons."

"Why? Because someone upstairs decided that now you're a Slayer? Wait, actually it was us who decided to make you all Slayers. They tell you that?"

"Yeah."

"Well, yes, you have the power, but you didn't ask for it, it was… thrust upon you. But power or no power, you have to decide whether you want to go out and kill demons. Take Xander for example. You heard about him?"

"Willow mentioned him. And I think he called a couple of times."

"Right. Well, he's just your average nerdy kind of guy, not someone you'd consider a hero. And he has no superpowers either. He's in construction business now and he didn't even go to college. But he helped saved the world more times than I did. He doesn't fight because he's supposed to, he fights because he wants to, to protect his friends. Now, I know you think you got nobody, but you do, you got one another. Me and B are gonna teach you how to fight, but not so you'll go out and fight but so you can protect yourselves, because you'll be targets now for the demons and I want you to be able to defend yourselves. Okay? And no matter what Buffy and the others say, you do have a choice." She paused for a moment. "So, have you girls introduced yourselves to one another?" Several girls shook their heads. "Okay, I'll start then."

After Faith told her story, Kelly took over. Slowly, the other girls opened up as well. The youngest one was the shyest, but with Kelly's encouraging, she opened up. After that, the girls questioned Faith about what it was like to be a Slayer.

When Willow and Kennedy got back, they were surprised to find the Slayers laughing, chatting and gushing over Faithy.

"Hey, guys," Faith said. "How was your date?"

"Hot," Kennedy said, making Willow blush.

"Yep, she definitely is." She gave Willow a once over. "You look even sluttier than before." She licked her lips. "I like it."

Willow hid behind Kennedy, blushing.

"Isn't she cute when she blushes?" Kennedy asked with a grin.

Faith grinned back.

"Definitely."

"Kennedy!" Willow protested. "You're supposed to protect me, not help her."

"I can't help it if you're cure when you blush."

"Let's go upstairs."

"Okay."

"Hey, Red," Faith quickly called, deciding to ask Willow in front of the new Slayers. "I was thinking of taking the GED."

"Really?" Willow said, surprised.

"Yeah. You think you could help me out? I need to know what I need to study and where I can apply and stuff. And, I don't know, maybe one of them might want to take it as well," she said, waving at the new Slayers. She looked at them. "Guys?"

"I might," Kelly said. "I said might," she said when Faith looked at her.

Faith smiled.

"Okay, I'll see about it tomorrow," Willow said.

"Okay. Kennedy, I've decided to start training the girls tomorrow."

"But Buffy's not here yet," Willow said.

"So? Kennedy did just fine with those girls in Sunnydale. And besides, they're bored."

"Oh. Okay, I guess."

"Sure," Kennedy said. "When do we start?"

"Eight?"

"Okay."

Kelly groaned.

"Isn't that kinda early?"

Faith smiled at her.

"This isn't a vacation, honey."

Kelly pouted.

"I better go to bed then, I need my beauty sleep and Faithy's tired too," she said and got up.

Faith chuckled.

"Okay." She looked at Kennedy. "You guys want me to do a quick sweep?"

"No, it's okay, Willow and I took the long way home. We'll go together tomorrow, so I can show you around."

"Okay."

Willow and Kennedy went upstairs.

"Night, Faith. Night, guys," Kelly said and followed them.

"Night, Kelly, night, Faithy," Faith said. She looked at the Slayers. "I'm not gonna tell you when you have to go to bed, but if you're not ready at eight o'clock, I'm waking you with a bucket of cold water," she said with a smile. The Slayers groaned. "I'm going upstairs." She got up. "If you need anything, or if you just want someone to talk to, you can come to me any time. Or you can bitch to Kelly about me," she said with a grin. She winked at them. "Night, guys."

"Night, Faith!"

After she was gone, the Slayers talked a little about what Faith had told them. Then they slowly went to bed as well.

In the morning, Willow went out to do some shopping, and Kennedy helped Faith train Kelly and the new Slayers. Faithy was playing with a stuffed doll Kelly had made for her. The girls were all excited and a bit nervous. Faith got them to pair up. She made sure that Kelly would pair up with the youngest girl, since they seemed to get along. Then they showed them some easy routines and finally, they did some pair work.

"Okay, guys, that was good," Faith said during a break. "But knowing how to fight isn't enough for a Slayer, you also need to know how to kill a demon. I've mentioned Kakistos. Now he was a really tough cookie. I staked him in the chest and he didn't go poof like normal vamps do." She smiled. "We had to use a bigger stake. The point is, the more you know about demons, the greater the chance that you'll know how to kill them. Plus, since this job doesn't pay, you'll need jobs. As you know, I've already decided to take the GED and maybe even go to college. I'm not saying that you have to take it as well," she looked at Gina, the youngest Slayer, "or even go to school, but it would help you get a better job. And I don't want to hear any of that crap that Slayers' lives are short. Considering how many of us there are now and what we have at our disposal, we'll live longer. Hell, we might even die of old age," she said with a grin. "So, anyway, we need to set up a schedule. There'll definitely be physical training and learning about demons, but I want you all to think about doing some normal school work. Kennedy, Willow and I will try to make a rough schedule this week. Let us know by the end of the week how you decide about school."

"And if several of you decide to take the GED, Willow will probably teach you herself," Kennedy said.

"And if we don't want to take the GED?" Kelly asked.

"Then you'll do some physical exercises," Faith said.

Kelly pouted.

"That's extortion."

Faith grinned.

"Oh yeah, cleaning. I doubt we'll be hiring maids to clean up, so it'll be up to us to clean the house. You're each responsible for your own rooms, but we'll make a schedule so that the common rooms and the unused rooms get cleaned as well."

"What about you?"

"We'll do the cleaning as well."

"Okay."

"And there'll be shopping duty as well, and kitchen duty," Kennedy said. "There'll be twenty-one of us for a while and that's a lot of food. Any of you got driver's license?" There were no hands. "We'll fix that. We'll add driving lessons to the schedule as well. And if any of you has any suggestions, let us know."

"What about dating?"

"Dating?"

"Yeah. Suppose I meet a hot guy, can I bring him over?" She grinned at Faith. "Can I have sex with him?"

"You're asking me?" Faith asked with a smirk. "Your big sister." Kelly's grin widened. "You can date, but I want you to tell us with who and where you're going. And if you want to bring your hottie over, let us know in advance."

"And sex?"

Faith rolled her eyes.

"As long as you use protection."

"What about Gina?"

Faith looked at the youngest Slayer, girl, who was blushing. She shrugged.

"Hey, if she's old enough to die, she's old enough to have sex." She smiled. "If you have any questions regarding sex, feel free to ask." She looked at the others. "You can watch porn movies, if you want."

"Buffy's gonna blow a gasket if she finds out," Kennedy said with a grin.

Faith grinned at her.

"The girl needs to get laid properly."

"You said it, sister."

They chuckled.

"The way you two are talking, you make it sound as though this is a whore house, not a Slayer Academy," Kelly said.

Kennedy and Faith laughed.

"You didn't tell them about the H&H?" Kennedy asked.

"No."

"H&H?" Kelly asked.

Faith grinned at her.

"I don't know about normal people, but the best thing about being a Slayer is the H&H." She looked at the Slayers. "Hungry and horny."

"What are you talking about?"

Faith chuckled.

"After slaying, every Slayer feels two things, hungry and horny."

"Even though Buffy denies it," Kennedy said with smirk.

Faith glanced at her.

"She can deny it all she wants, all you have to do is smell her and you know that low fat yoghurt is not the only thing she craves."

Kennedy grinned.

"I know." She looked at the Slayers. "If any of you wants some toys, let us know and we'll get them for you. You can even pick them out." She looked at Kennedy. "Or maybe have Willow order a batch over the internet."

Kennedy chuckled.

"She'll die of blushing."

"Whore house," Kelly said. She looked at Faith. "You dragged me into a whore house." Faith laughed. "You should be called Sluts, not Slayers."

Everyone laughed, except Gina, who was blushing furiously.

"Okay, Sluts, enough idling," Kennedy then said. "Let's practice some more."

When Willow returned from her shopping, she came outside.

"Hey," she said, watching Kennedy put the new Slayers through their paces.

"Hey," Faith said.

"How's it going?"

"Okay."

"I brought Faithy some crayons and some coloring books."

"Cool. Thanks. I was planning on doing that myself. Come." They went to Faithy. "Hey, peanut, look what Auntie Willow brought you."

Willow stepped closer.

"Look, crayons, so you can draw," she said and opened the box. "Here's some paper and these here are coloring books. Look." She opened one. "See? You take a crayon and color the pictures. You can use any color you like."

"Now you can draw the pictures for your room," Faith said, and Faithy smiled at her. "But don't chew on the crayons and don't stick them up your nose or eyes, you might hurt yourself. Okay?"

"Okay," Faithy said excitedly and started examining the crayons.

"I'll be in the kitchen or in my office," Willow told Faith.

"Okay."

When they ended their morning session, Kelly and the new Slayers went upstairs to take a shower and rest a little before lunch.

"How'd it go?" Willow asked Kennedy when Kennedy and Faith came to the kitchen.

"Okay," Kennedy said. "They're bonding."

"That's good." She looked at Faith. "I did some research on the GED. I'll show you after lunch."

"Okay, thanks. Anyway, we talked to the girls about them taking the GED or going to school."

"Really? What did they say?"

"Nothing yet. We told them to take their time. We don't want to pressure them. We got Kelly on our side. I think."

"Okay."

"We also need to get them driver's licenses so they can do the shopping duty."

"Shopping duty?"

"Yeah. There'll be twenty-one of us. One person can't do everything."

"Oh."

"We need to make a schedule and divide the duties. Some girls will be on shopping duty, some kitchen duty and some cleaning duty. That also includes us. And everyone gets to clean their own rooms."

"Sounds like you've been busy."

"Yeah."

Kennedy grinned.

"And we thought you could order a batch of vibrators and dildos to take care of the horny part of being a Slayer."

Willow blushed furiously, and Faith laughed.

"You're bad," she told Kennedy.

"You have no idea," Kennedy said with a wink, making Willow blush even more furiously.

"Oh yeah, I'm guessing that the girls are kinda broke since they're orphans," Faith said. "Do you think you could ask Giles if they could get some sort of allowance or something?"

"I'll ask."

"And cell phones."

"Cell phones?"

"Suppose they go out and come across a demon they can't fight. They'll need a way to call for backup."

"Oh. Okay. Kennedy, can you take over…"

"Wait, there's something else," Faith interrupted her. She hesitated for a moment. "I think Kelly might have a record."

"Record?"

"Police record. She cut off her last foster dad's balls."

Kennedy burst out in laughter while Willow's eyes widened.

"Why?"

"He raped her. He's Faithy's father."

"Oh. I'll take care of it."

"Cool. Oh yeah, eh, if some of the girls go back to school, they'll need some sort of legal guardian, right?"

"Yes. I'm already working on that."

"Oh. Okay."

Willow looked at Kennedy.

"Can you take over here, so I can go ask Giles?"

"Sure."

After lunch, Willow, Faith and Kennedy started on the schedule. When it was time for the afternoon practice, Willow came to the Slayers.

"Hey," she said. "I got some great news for you. I talked to Giles and he approved it. You all get allowance, as well as cell phones." She looked at Faith, Kennedy and Kelly. "Including you."

"Cool!" Kelly said as the Slayers cheered.

"I still need to talk to Giles about the amount, as well as which phones you're getting and stuff. I hope I'll have some details by the time you're done."

"Okay. Thanks," Faith said. Willow started leaving, and Faith went after her. "Hey. Listen, you think Kelly could get a little more money? I know I'll contribute some, but I hear babies can cost a lot of money."

"Yes, I mentioned that to Giles."

"Cool. Oh yeah, do you think it's possible to get the first allowance by tomorrow? I'd like to take the girls shopping."

"Shopping?"

"They need some new stuff, plus, you know, team building experience and some fun."

"Oh." Willow thought for a moment. "I'm not sure yet how the payments will be made, but I can withdraw some cash from our budget account."

"Cool. And don't tell anyone, I want to surprise them."

Willow smiled.

"Okay. I'll let you know later."

"Okay. Thanks."

Willow left, and Faith went back to Kennedy.

The next morning, after breakfast, the girls gathered for the morning session. Faith smiled widely as she came to them.

"Okay, girls, today, we're gonna go shopping," she said and grinned when she saw the confused looks.

"Shopping?" Kelly asked.

"Yeah."

"Eh, we're kinda broke, remember?"

"Not anymore. Willow got you your first allowance today and we're going shopping."

The Slayers cheered.

"Cool," Kelly said.

"Okay, it's not set yet how you'll get your allowance in the future, but for now go to Willow, she'll give you the money."

The Slayers quickly ran inside.

"Nice," Kennedy said with a smile and followed them.

"Come, sweetie, we're going shopping," Kelly told Faithy.

"Shopping?"

"Yes. We're gonna get you some new clothes and some toys."

"Toys!" Faithy said, excitedly.

Kelly smiled.

"Yes. Let's take this stuff inside first."

When they got to the mall, Faith first gave the girls some instructions and then went with Kelly. Kelly first got some clothes for Faithy and then they went to get some toys for her. When Kelly bought everything she thought Faithy would need, she and Faith finally went to get some clothes for themselves.

When they were done shopping, they went to the meeting point. When all Slayers got there, Faith bought them all a couple of scoops of ice cream and then they went home. Faith and Kelly walked in the back.

"This was a good idea," Kelly said as she watched Gina talk to the other girls.

Faith smiled at her.

"Yeah."

"But we could sure use a car."

"I'll tell Willow. Or you can."

"Me?"

"Sure. After all, we'll all be living together, so you can suggest improvements."

"Oh. Okay."

Faith smiled when Kelly wiped Faithy's chin.

"So, what do you think so far?"

Kelly thought for a moment.

"It's okay. I don't have to look over my shoulder all the time. Plus, I got you now."

Faith's smile widened.

"And I got you," she said, making Kelly smile.

When Buffy finally arrived from England, Faith went to pick her up.

"Hey," she said when Buffy came to her.

"Hey," Buffy said.

"How was the flight?"

"Okay. We had some turbulences."

"Oh." Faith nodded at Buffy's bags. "Is that all?"

"Yeah."

"Need help?"

"No."

"Come."

They went toward the exit.

"So, I hear you have a sister and a niece," Buffy said after a few moments.

Faith glanced at her.

"Yeah."

"Cool."

"Yeah."

"How come you never mentioned her?"

Faith sighed.

"I thought she was dead."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Chuck, our mom's boyfriend, he got drunk. He shot Mom and Kelly. I barely got out."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

Faith shrugged.

"It's okay. We got over it."

Buffy thought for a few moments.

"How are the new Slayers?"

"Great. They're bonding."

"That's nice. Willow said they weren't very social."

"Yeah. Plus, they were bored. But now Kennedy and I are putting them through their paces. Half of them have already decided to either take the GED or go back to school."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'm taking the GED."

Buffy smiled.

"I thought you hated school."

"I do. But I can't tell them to do it if I won't. Plus, I could use a paying job."

"I hear you're getting allowance."

"Yeah. It gives them a feeling of independence."

"Yeah, I guess."

"As far as fighting training is concerned, they're fast learners and they enjoy the exercises. Kelly also practices. She's not as good as the Slayers, but she's doing okay and the Slayers consider her one of them."

"And the baby? Faithy?"

"Yeah. When we're practicing, she's either playing or drawing, or Willow takes care of her." She smiled a little. "Everyone adores her."

"I bet."

"Oh yeah, one thing. I told them it's their choice whether they go out Slaying or not."

Buffy frowned.

"But they're Slayers."

"I know, but it wasn't their choice. We didn't have much of a choice but to make those girls Slayers. There are a lot of Slayers. I want it to be their choice to go out, I don't want them to resent us."

"Oh." Buffy thought about it. "I guess."

"Good."

Faith took out the car key and disabled the alarm.

"That's your car?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Not mine, the Academy's."

"Oh."

"We use this one for shopping. We have six smaller cars, but I didn't know how much bags you have, so I took this one."

"Oh."

Faith opened the trunk, and Buffy put her bags in.

When they got to the mansion, Buffy took out her bags and followed Faith in.

"Hey, peanut," Faith said with a smile when she saw one of the Slayers with Faithy.

"Hi," Faithy said and smiled.

Faith glanced at Buffy.

"These are Kiana and Faithy. Faithy, this is Auntie Buffy."

"Hi," Buffy said with a smile.

"She's a Slayer like me." Faithy reached out, and Faith took her from Kiana. "Hey."

Buffy smiled when she saw how gentle Faith was.

"Where's Willow?"

Faith looked at her and then at Kiana.

"In her office," Kianna said.

"Okay."

"You know where that is?" Faith asked Buffy.

"No," Buffy said.

"I'll show her," Kiana said.

"Okay. Do you have a room yet?"

"No," Buffy said.

"Oh. I'll be in the living room."

"Okay."

Faith left with Faithy, and Buffy dropped her bags and followed Kiana to Willow's office.

"Hey," she said as she entered.

Willow smiled.

"Buffy!" she said, excited. She got up and hurried to her. "I missed you," she said as they hugged.

"I missed you too."

Willow let go of her.

"How was your flight?"

"Okay. We had turbulences."

"Oh."

"Is it just me or has Faith opened up?"

Willow smiled.

"She opened up. She's playing tough when I'm around though. But you should see her when she's with Faithy. Wait till you meet her."

"I did. She's sweet."

"Yes!" Willow said, beaming.

"I'll go freshen up."

"Okay. You can pick any room that's not occupied."

"Okay."

"Lunch will be in half an hour."

"Okay."

When she freshened up, Buffy came downstairs to the living room, where the Slayers had gathered to meet her.

"Hi," she said as she entered.

"Guys, this is Buffy," Faith introduced her. "B, these are Taylor, Erica, Maria, Tallulah, Kiana, Alexa, Marcie, Elena, Molly, my sister Kelly and her daughter Faithy, Gina, Betty, Kyla, Claire, Kate and Jennifer."

"Hey, guys."

"Feel like a little practice in the afternoon?" Faith asked.

Buffy smiled.

"Sure."

"Well, girls, you've seen me kick Kennedy's ass and now you're gonna see me kick Buffy's as well."

Buffy snorted.

"In your dreams."

"Lots of stuff happens in my dreams," Faith said and wiggled her eyebrows, making Buffy blush.

Kennedy chuckled.

"She needs her H&H pack."

Faith laughed.

"H&H pack?" Buffy asked, puzzled.

"Hungry and horny pack," Kennedy said. "Vibrators, dildos and stuff," she clarified.

Buffy's eyes went wide and blush deepened.

"You told them?" she asked Faith.

"Sure. And besides, they would've discovered it by themselves."

"So each of them…"

Faith grinned.

"You bet."

"We had Willow order it over the internet," Kennedy said with a grin.

"She blushed all sorts of interesting shades of red," Faith added.

"You didn't," Buffy said, wide-eyed.

"We did."

"I can't believe you did that to Willow," Buffy told Kennedy.

Kennedy grinned.

"I do all sorts of wicked things to Willow and she likes them all." She smirked. "And I'm pretty sure Faith could show you some wicked things too."

This time Faith blushed as well.

Kelly laughed.

"She's got you now, Faith."

Faith mock glared at her.

"Aren't you on kitchen duty?" she asked Kennedy.

Kennedy chuckled.

"Yes. I cook food and mischief, just like you."

Faith rolled her eyes.

"You need a cold shower, girl."

"Or get laid. Speaking of which, is Willow in her office?"

"Yes."

"Cool. Jennifer, can you check up on the food? I need to check up on Willow."

Kelly laughed again.

"I knew you were lying, Faith," she said. "You're a bunch of sluts!"

Faith grinned at her.

"Yeah, and we love it." She looked at the Slayers. "Okay, those of you on kitchen duty, go cook, we're starving."

"Yeah, and not just for food," Kelly said.

"She's as bad as you are," Buffy told Faith.

"What did you expect?" Faith said with a grin. "She's my sister."

Buffy smiled, shaking her head.

"I need to see the schedule."

"You might wanna wait until Kennedy finishes checking up on Willow," Faith warned her, making her blush. "I can give you a quick overview."

"Okay."

After lunch, Buffy and Faith sparred a little, showing off to the new Slayers. Faith kept taunting Buffy, who kept blushing. They ended up on the ground with Faith on top of Buffy.

"Oh get a room," Kelly said, rolling her eyes, when Buffy and Faith just stared at one another for a couple of moments.

Buffy and Faith looked at her and then at one another. They burst into laughter and Faith rolled off Buffy.

"What's so funny?" Kelly asked, puzzled.

Buffy and Faith looked at one another and burst into laughter again.

"You're… You're just like Dawn," Faith said when she calmed down a little.

"Yes," Buffy agreed.

"Oh," Kelly said.

Buffy looked at Faith.

"It's a good thing she stayed in England. Imagine the two of them together."

"They would've given us hell!" Faith said, and they laughed.

"I'm starting to like her already," Kelly said. "You two need someone to knock some sense into you." The Slayers laughed. Kelly grinned. "So, when were you gonna tell us?"

Buffy and Faith looked at her, puzzled, and sat up.

"Tell you what?" Buffy asked.

Kelly's grin widened.

"That you're a couple."

Buffy's and Faith's eyes went wide.

"What?"

"Oh please, even Gina noticed."

"Noticed what?"

"That you got the hots for each other."

The new Slayers nodded.

Buffy and Faith looked at one another, blushing.

"She's worse than Dawn," Faith said in mock awe.

"Yes," Buffy said and looked at Kelly, glad that Faith had changed the subject.

Kelly rolled her eyes.

"Denial much," she said. "So, are you gonna teach us or go check up on one another?"

Buffy and Faith blushed.

In the evening, Buffy and Faith went on patrol together. They walked quietly, both thinking about the afternoon training session and Kelly's words.

Faith knew she had feelings for Buffy, but she was afraid to admit it to her. She didn't know how Buffy felt about her, because she was getting ambiguous signals from her. Because she had just regained Buffy's friendship, she didn't want to risk it with a love affair.

Buffy, on the other hand, wasn't quite sure how she felt about Faith. She'd never thought about being with another girl, even though she liked being with Faith. Mostly. Faith had always flaunted her sexuality and there were lots of innuendos, which made Buffy nervous. After Willow became openly gay, she'd thought about it. She found plenty of girls attractive, but the only girl she thought about making love to was Faith. And she wasn't quite sure how Faith felt about her. When they'd first met, there was a spark between them, but then Angel came back and Faith took a backseat. But now the spark was back. Buffy wasn't sure how sexually active Faith still was, but she didn't want to be just another notch on her belt. Strangely, there were no innuendoes, no teasing. She had to admit that she kinda missed it.

She glanced at Faith and saw that she was obviously thinking as well. Most likely about the same thing she was. But, knowing Faith, she knew that Faith would not start a conversation about their feelings, regardless of how much she had opened up. She herself was also nervous about starting the conversation. On one hand, she knew that Faith would avoid talking about it, and on the other, she wasn't quite sure how deep her own feelings for Faith were. In spite of their past, they were friends again and there was a spark between them, but did that mean that they had deeper feelings as well? She had noticed that in spite of her openness, Faith was also more reserved. More grown up. Sure, she still flirted with her, especially during their practice session, but other than that, she held back. Buffy wondered if that was because Faith wasn't in love with her anymore or because she was afraid of losing their regained friendship. She knew she would have to be the one to breach the topic, but in order to do that, she first needed to be sure of her own feelings for Faith.

After a mostly uneventful patrol, Buffy and Faith went back home. Neither had started the conversation and they didn't talk about anything else either, both thinking about their feelings.

"Night, B," Faith said when they reached her room.

"Night, Faith," she said. She hesitated for a moment and then stopped. "Faith?"

"Yeah?" Faith said, looking at her.

"I missed our patrols together."

Faith stared at her for a moment.

"Yeah, me too."

Buffy smiled and continued to her room.

Faith stared after her for a few moments and then entered her room, feeling the butterflies in her stomach flutter for a moment.

The next afternoon, when the Slayers were resting after lunch, Faith watched TV in the living room. After a while, Buffy joined her. She sat next to her and she could feel Faith tense, but she didn't say anything. They just quietly sat next to one another and enjoyed one another's presence. Faith wasn't sure what this was all about, but she wasn't complaining, she liked being close to Buffy. Buffy, on the other hand, knew exactly what this was all about, she just wasn't sure how to start the conversation.

When Kelly got in ten minutes later and saw them sitting like that, she rolled her eyes.

"You guys are pathetic," she said. "Just say it already, for crying out loud."

"What?" Faith said, startled.

Buffy blushed.

"Brother," Kelly murmured. "You know damn well what and so does Buffy. As much as it's fun watching you squirm, I'd prefer if you two started dating already." She grinned. "And besides, I got a bet going on, so hurry up."

Kelly picked up a magazine and left.

Buffy and Faith stared after her and then looked at one another. When their gazes met, they both immediately blushed.

"I, eh…" Faith started.

"I love you, Faith," Buffy blurted out before she could lose the courage.

Faith blinked, surprised.

"What?"

Buffy's blush deepened.

"I love you," she repeated, nervous.

"You… do?"

Buffy smiled a little.

"Yes. I have for a while, I just… You know, with our past, it's been kinda hard to concentrate."

"Oh." Faith looked at her hands. "You sure about this?" she asked, uncertain.

Buffy reached over and took hold of Faith's hand.

"Yes," she said as Faith looked at her.

Faith gulped. She'd finally heard the words she'd longed to hear for so long and now she was terrified she would mess up.

"I love you too," she admitted quietly.

Buffy smiled and gently squeezed her hand.

"I guess Kelly wins her bet."

Faith looked at her and smiled a little.

"Yeah." She hesitated for a moment. "You sure you want to date me?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"I, eh, I've never really dated anyone before."

Buffy smiled.

"There's always a first time."

Faith smiled a little.

"Even for sleeping with another girl," she said, making Buffy blush.

"Even that. But, eh, let's take this slowly, okay?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah. I'm not in a hurry. I want to make this work."

Buffy nodded.

"Me too."

A while later, Willow and Kennedy came in.

"Hi, guys," Willow said.

Buffy and Faith looked at her.

"Hey," Faith said.

"Hi," Buffy said.

"Well, it was about time," Kennedy said with a grin.

"What?" Willow asked.

"Their hands."

Willow looked at their joined hands and her eyes went wide.

"You're dating?"

"Yes," Buffy said, blushing.

"Welcome to the team," Kennedy said.

Faith grinned at her, and Buffy blushed.

"Thanks," Buffy said.

"Kelly cornered us," Faith said.

"Does she know yet?" Willow asked.

"No."

"I guess she wins the bet," Kennedy said.

"You knew?" Buffy asked, wide-eyed.

Kennedy grinned.

"We all knew."

"Great."

"Hey, Kelly!" Kennedy called when she saw her.

"Oh man," Faith said.

"Yes?" Kelly asked as she came closer.

"You win the bet," Kennedy said.

"Yeah?" Kelly said and sped up. "You're dating?" she asked Buffy and Faith.

"Yes," Buffy said.

"Ha! About time." She smiled. "Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"Thanks," Faith said.

"Just don't be too loud at night, I don't want you to wake up Faithy."

"Kelly!"

"Or do it in Buffy's room," Willow said, blushing.

"Willow!" Buffy said, wide-eyed.

"You need to watch your girl," Faith told Kennedy.

"Are you crazy?" Kennedy said. "Not after I finally got her to be like that," she said, making Willow blush.

"So now she's Willow the Slutty Witch?" Faith asked, causing Willow to blush even deeper.

"She's my slutty witch," Kennedy said and put her arm around Willow's waist. "You got your own slutty Slayer."

Faith grinned, and Buffy blushed.

"Yeah, I do," Faith said.

Buffy looked at her, and they both blushed.

"Did you guys kiss yet?" Kelly asked.

Buffy and Faith looked at her.

"Eh…" Buffy said.

"Kiss already!"

"Kelly," Willow said. "You won your bet. Enough with the teasing."

Kelly grinned.

"I'll go tell the others."

"Oh man," Faith groaned.

"We'll be in the kitchen," Kennedy said.

"Okay," Buffy said.

Willow and Kennedy left.

"So, how about that kiss?" Faith asked.

Buffy looked at her, blushing.

"Okay."

She licked her lips, nervous.

Faith, emboldened and excited by being Buffy's girlfriend, took the initiative. She leaned closer and initiated the kiss, but she didn't push it. She let Buffy get used to being kissed by another girl. Soon, they were kissing properly.

"Wow," Buffy said breathlessly when they stopped.

Faith smiled.

"Yeah."

"I could get used to this."

"Absolutely." Faith hesitated for a moment. "You know, I've been in your body, but I like it better with you in it."

Buffy smiled.

"I know what you mean," she said and leaned on Faith's shoulder.

Faith smiled.

"I love you, Buffy," she said and kissed Buffy on the top of the head.

Buffy's smile widened.

"I love you too, Faith."

THE END

The End