DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Buffy The Vampire Slayer stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Warner Brothers. Twice In a Lifetime doesn't belong to me either. 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 is an AU story and Dawn isn't Buffy's sister. It was inspired by the movie Trouble with Angels.

Tough
By Kristjan Brezovnik

As Faith entered the convent, she wondered if it had been such a good idea choosing going to high school here over going to juvie.

"You okay?" Mrs Cruise, her social worker, said when she noticed the grimace on Faith's face.

"Five by five," Faith said. She thought for a moment. "They aren't wearing uniforms, are they?"

"Yes, I think so."

"I'm not wearing it."

"Faith…"

"No fucking way. And I ain't going to any masses or religious stuff."

"We'll see."

"Either they accept my terms or I'm going to juvie."

Mrs Cruise sighed.

As they entered Mother Superior's office, Faith looked at the woman, evaluating her.

"Ah, welcome," Mother Superior said.

"Hello," Mrs Cruise said. "I'm Emily Cruise and this is Faith Spencer."

Mother Superior nodded.

"Hello, Faith."

"Hey," Faith said and looked around the room.

"I was told she has to stay here for at least two years."

Mrs Cruise nodded.

"Yes. Can she stay longer if she wants?"

Mother Superior smiled.

"I have no problem with that, but my superiors will want tuition. So if she wants to stay, we will have to work something out."

Mrs Cruise nodded.

"I will look into it."

Mother Superior then looked Faith over.

"I will have a uniform brought…"

"No," Faith interrupted her.

"Excuse me?" Mother Superior said, startled.

"I ain't wearing no uniform."

"But…"

"No," Faith said and crossed her arms defiantly. "And I ain't going to no masses or religious stuff."

Mother Superior looked at Mrs Cruise, who shrugged helplessly.

"She's very insistent," she said. "Do you thinking you could work with that?"

Mother Superior looked Faith over again, thinking.

"Well, I suppose, we'll see. But I hope you have some… less provoking clothes."

Faith looked at herself. She was wearing black leather pants, red tank top, black leather jacket and black biker boots, her more or less standard uniform.

"Yeah."

"Good. Do you have any questions?"

Faith thought for a moment.

"This is like high school, right?"

Mother Superior nodded.

"Yes."

"And we eat and sleep here?"

"Yes."

"What about our free time? Do we have any?"

"Yes, of course. Classes are only in the morning, afternoon is reserved for extracurricular activities."

"Can we leave here and go to town?"

Mother Superior thought for a moment.

"Well, we'd prefer that you didn't, but if you have something to do, I'm sure it can be arranged."

"Okay. What about notebooks and stuff?"

"Sister Mary will arrange that."

"Oh."

"Anything else?"

"Not right now."

"Okay. Sister Mary!" Mother Superior called.

"Yes, Mother?" Sister Mary asked as she entered.

"Show Faith to her room and then to chemistry lab. Tell Buffy Summers I'd like her to show Faith around."

"Yes, Mother," Sister Mary said and looked at Faith. "Come."

Faith looked at Mrs Cruise.

"You can call me anytime, Faith," Mrs Cruise said.

Faith nodded.

"Thanks," she said and then followed Sister Mary.

"She's very smart, you know," Mrs Cruise said after Faith and Sister Mary were gone. "But she doesn't like authority. If you want her to do something, make it a request, not an order. She'll usually do it, but sometimes she might refuse. If she does, she usually has a good reason and she then usually does what you asked her later."

Mother Superior nodded.

"That's good to know."

"She may be acting tough, but she's really a nice girl and a little praise will mean a lot to her, but you have to be sincere, she can tell when people are lying to her."

Mother Superior nodded again.

"Very well. May I call you if I need advice?"

"Absolutely."

"Good."

"This is your bed," Sister Mary said when they got to one of the rooms.

Faith looked around and saw that she was sharing the room with three other girls. There wasn't much privacy, but at least she had her own desk to study at. She threw her bag on the bed and looked at Sister Mary.

"This way," Sister Mary said and led the way to the chemistry lab.

"Excuse the interruption, Sister Charlotte," Sister Mary said when she and Faith entered.

"Ah, the new student," Sister Charlotte said and gave Faith a once over.

"Yes." Sister Mary faced the class. "Girls, this is Faith Spencer, our new student," she introduced her.

Faith looked around the class and felt uncomfortable under the girls' stares. She guessed all of them were rich and probably had an attitude to match. At least most of them were pretty.

"Buffy, Mother Superior wants you to show Faith around."

"Yes, Sister Mary," Buffy said.

Faith looked at her, and Buffy smiled. Faith decided that the name definitely suited her.

"Faith, why don't you go to Tara over there," Sister Charlotte said, and Faith looked at the girl in question.

"And come see me after class so I can give you what you will need for studying," Sister Mary added.

Faith nodded, and Sister Mary left. Faith then looked around the class and headed over to Tara. She heard the girls whisper among themselves, but she ignored them.

"Hi," Tara said when Faith got to her.

"Hey," Faith said.

"You can share my book until you get your own," Tara said.

"Thanks."

After the class was over, Buffy and another girl came to Faith.

"Hi, I'm Buffy," she said.

"Hey."

"And this is Willow, my friend."

"Hi," Willow said.

"Hey," Faith said, noticing how Willow kept glancing at Tara.

"Shall we go to Sister Mary now?" Buffy said.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"Come," Buffy said and led the way. "So, where are you from?"

"Boston."

"Really? Is it true that you're, you know, em…"

"A criminal?" Faith asked.

Buffy blushed.

"Well, yes."

"I got a record, yes."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a moment. "I can help you catch up with what we've been doing so far," she then offered.

Faith looked at her, surprised, she hadn't expected any help from the girls. She thought about it. She didn't want to be indebted to anyone, but she knew that she'd need at least some help if she wanted to catch up with what they were doing. And besides, Buffy was simply gorgeous.

"Yeah."

"Okay, we'll get together after classes. I mean, after I show you around."

"Okay." Faith thought for a moment. "Where are you from?" she then asked, wanting to know more about her.

"LA," Buffy said and smiled.

"Your parents sent you here?" Faith asked, looking around.

"Yeah."

Faith looked at her.

"And you went willingly?"

Buffy smiled.

"It's not that bad. The only thing I'm missing is the boys."

Faith grinned.

"Feeling horny?"

Buffy blushed.

"No, it's just… I miss boys."

"Looks like we're both in hell here," Faith said. She hesitated for a moment. "Only you're missing the boys and I'm surrounded by sexy girls that are all straight," she added.

Buffy looked at her, surprised.

"You're gay?"

Faith shrugged.

"Not really, more like bi."

"Oh." Buffy thought about it. "And you've… you know…"

Faith grinned.

"Yeah, I've done it with both boys and girls."

"Oh," Buffy said, blushing. She thought for a moment. "Is there a difference?"

Faith laughed.

"Of course there's a difference. Didn't your parents tell you about the birds and the bees?"

Buffy's blush deepened.

"Yes, but that's not what I meant."

Faith grinned.

"I know." She thought for a moment. "Well, I haven't seen a boy who would take the time or go out of his way to really please me."

"And girls do?" Buffy asked, curious.

"Some. Some just like a quick fuck. Depends."

"Oh," Buffy said, blushing.

Faith grinned.

"You interested?"

Buffy's blush deepened.

"No!"

"You make it sound like it's a bad thing."

Buffy gently slapped Faith on the arm.

"I don't mind you being gay, it's just… I'm not into it."

Faith shrugged.

"I guess we both lose then," she said, and Buffy blushed.

"Anyway, we're here," Buffy said when they reached Sister's Mary's office.

"Faith, how come you aren't wearing the uniform?" Buffy asked in the evening.

Faith shrugged.

"I don't want to."

"And Mother Superior lets you?" Buffy asked, surprised.

"Yeah. I mean, she said I didn't have to wear the uniform, but she did ask if I could wear something more conservative," Faith said and grinned.

"Oh," Buffy said and blushed a bit.

"And I don't have to go to masses and other religious stuff."

"You don't?"

"No. I mean, I'm not here exactly willingly, you know."

"Oh."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Though I might help, you know, with decorating and stuff," she said and blushed nervously.

Buffy smiled.

"That would be nice, yeah." She thought for a moment. "So you're not Catholic?"

Faith shrugged.

"No. I mean, okay, there might be a god, I don't know, but I don't bother praying. I mean, what's the point?"

"Oh."

"What about you? You religious?"

"Yes."

"Oh."

"I mean, I'm religious, but I'm not exactly a fan of going to church. And I'm starting to have second thoughts about this school."

Faith grinned.

"Missing the boys, huh?"

Buffy blushed.

"Yes."

Faith looked around and sighed.

"It's not that bad, I guess," she then said thoughtfully.

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

Faith shrugged.

"Everybody's… decent here. I mean, okay, Cordelia and her gang are real bitches, but okay, I can be a bitch too. I mean, there's not much… crime here. This little town's a heaven compared to Boston."

"I know what you mean," Buffy agreed.

"And it's kinda relaxing, you know, not having to worry too much."

"Yeah, I guess."

A few days later, they went to idiot center. At least that's what Faith called it. She knew it probably wasn't fair of her, but she really didn't want to play with some retarded kid all day. And not only that, it seemed that they would do this once a month. At least it was on Fridays and the classes were off.

She looked around, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. There were quite a few of the children and not all of them looked retarded to her. She guessed that some were there because they had psychological problems. She shuddered, knowing she could easily have ended in a similar place. She hoped that Mother Superior would find her a child she wouldn't have too much trouble with.

"Faith!" Mother Superior called her.

Faith looked and saw Mother Superior standing with a woman, Faith guessed she was in charge of the place, and a young girl in a wheel chair. She groaned internally and approached them.

"Faith, this is Mrs Scott, she runs this center."

"Hi," Faith said.

"And this is Dawn."

Faith looked at the girl, who was sitting still as a rock.

"What's wrong with her?" she asked.

"We're not sure," Mrs Scott said. "She's mostly been like that ever since she was brought here, she rarely reacts to anything. The only thing we know is that she is terrified of water."

"Oh." Faith looked at Mrs Scott. "What do you want me to do?"

"Just keep her company."

Faith looked at Dawn.

"That's it?"

"Yes."

Faith looked around.

"Can I take her over there?" she asked and pointed to a bench that was a bit secluded.

"Yes, of course."

"Okay."

Faith took hold of the wheelchair and started walking to the bench. She looked around and saw that the other girls had already found their charges. She looked down at Dawn and wondered what had caused the girl to shut herself off from the world. She decided not to think about it.

When they got to the bench, Faith made sure they were not easily seen. She made sure the wheelchair was secure and wouldn't go off on its own. Then she sat down on the bench and pulled a comic book from her jacket.

After a while, Faith looked at Dawn to check up on her and she saw that Dawn was staring at her comic book.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Wanna read along?" she asked.

Dawn looked at her, startled.

"Wanna read along?" Faith repeated her offer.

Dawn's eyes went wide and Faith assumed it was a yes.

"Can you read at all?"

Dawn seemed to shrink without moving her muscles and Faith took it for a no.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Want me to read you?"

Dawn's eyes went wide again.

"Okay."

Faith sat closer, making sure that Dawn could see and then she started to tell her about the characters.

When Mrs Scott went around to see how the girls from the convent were getting along with the children from her center, she first went to check up on Faith. The girl didn't wear a uniform and she looked like she was of the rebellious sort, which worried Mrs Scott a bit, in spite of Mother Superior's reassurances.

But when she saw Faith was apparently reading something to Dawn, she calmed down. Then she noticed that Dawn was apparently paying attention and that surprised her. She stared at them for a while and then continued on her way.

When lunch time came, Faith took Dawn inside. She felt a bit uncomfortable taking care of Dawn in front of everyone, but she forced herself to ignore them. As she gathered the food for Dawn, she carefully observed the girl to see what she liked and didn't like. After she got food for herself, she took Dawn to a free table as far away from the crowd as possible. She saw Buffy look at her and she felt herself blush. She quickly looked away and concentrated on Dawn.

She slowly fed her, eating along herself. The way Dawn was staring at her made her feel uncomfortable, but she guessed that it was important for Dawn that someone showed her they cared about her. Faith didn't know what to do. On one hand, she didn't want to get close to Dawn, she knew one of them, or maybe even both, could get hurt. But on the other hand, she could relate to Dawn, she knew what it felt like to be ignored, unimportant. She was aware that their pasts were different, hers more violent, Dawn's more catatonic, but she knew Dawn was lonely. And scared. And it scared Faith to think that of all people Dawn had chosen her to open up to. She was scared because she didn't know what to do and she didn't want to let Dawn down. And, of course, she felt awed and confused that someone had thought her worthy of that trust.

From across the room Mrs Scott carefully observed her and she realized that Faith was okay, that she wouldn't hurt Dawn.

After lunch, Faith took Dawn out again, but this time she told her stories from her neighborhood. She only told her the happy stories, the funny stories, not the stories of violence and abuse.

Time passed so fast she didn't even notice that it got dark. Mrs Scott finally called everyone in to dinner, and Faith fed Dawn again.

After dinner, Mother Superior called the girls to leave, and Faith felt a bit sad.

"I'll see you soon, okay?" she told Dawn, who smiled a little.

Faith smiled back and after a moment of hesitation hugged her briefly. Then she quickly looked around, hoping nobody had seen that.

"Good night, Dawnie."

"So, how was your day?" Buffy asked as she brushed her hair before going to bed. "I didn't see you much."

Faith shrugged, avoiding Buffy's eyes.

"It was okay. She was a statue and I could read."

Buffy frowned, surprised, she could've sworn Faith cared about the girl.

"Oh."

Faith stared at the ceiling, thinking. She had lied to Buffy and that bothered her a bit, but she had her tough girl image to protect. But that wasn't what was occupying her mind, it was Dawn. She thought about the time they'd spent together and realized she enjoyed spending time with the little girl. She decided to visit her the next afternoon.

Mrs Scott frowned when Faith came around the next day.

"Faith, right?"

"Yeah," Faith said, nervously.

"What can I do for you?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Em, I have some free time and I thought I could visit Dawnie."

Mrs Scott raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Can I?"

Mrs Scott stared at her for a few moments and then smiled.

"Of course, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you. Come."

Faith relaxed a bit and followed Mrs Scott.

They quickly reached the room where the children were playing. Dawn was sitting in her wheelchair off to the side, half staring at the children, half ignoring them, hidden behind her walls.

"Hey, Dawnie," she greeted her.

Dawn immediately reacted to the sound of her voice and looked at her, smiling, her eyes glowing.

Faith smiled back.

"Wanna go outside?"

Dawn's eyes seemed to say yes, and Faith looked at Mrs Scott.

"Can I take her outside?"

"Yes, of course."

"Okay."

Faith stepped behind Dawn's wheelchair and took her outside.

"Wanna go where we were yesterday?" she asked Dawn when they were outside, and leaned over her to see what her eyes said. "Okay," she said when Dawn's eyes seemed to say yes.

She took them to their spot and sat on the bench. She was about to start reading when she realized it wasn't the most comfortable position. She looked around and spotted a tree near by that looked relatively comfortable to lean at.

"How about we go to that tree," she suggested and pointed at the tree. "It would be more comfortable."

Dawn looked and nodded a bit.

Faith smiled.

"Okay," she said and took Dawn to the tree. There she hesitated for a moment. "Em, how about I sit you between my legs?"

Dawn thought about it and then nodded.

Faith smiled and carefully lifted her up. Dawn instinctively hugged her, causing Faith's smile to widen.

Faith sat down and positioned Dawn between her legs. Dawn leaned back into her and Faith put her arms around her.

"Comfortable?" she asked and Dawn nodded. "Oh, by the way, I don't know if you've been told, my name is Faith."

Faith then reached into her jacket and pulled out a comic book.

When Mrs Scott came to check up on them ten minutes later, she was a bit worried when she didn't see them at the bench. She went closer and noticed them sitting at the tree. She stared at them, amazed at how Dawn opened up to Faith and how Faith also seemed to get less… tough whenever she was alone with Dawn. She realized that Faith had her own problems and that Dawn could perhaps help her deal with them just as Faith could perhaps help Dawn deal with her demons. She smiled and left.

As she lay in bed that night, Faith realized she was excited about seeing Dawn again. She also realized she had a purpose now, a responsibility. While she didn't mind having a purpose, responsibility scared her, she didn't want to mess up and hurt Dawn. She drifted off, determined to do her very best to help the girl.

"Faith," Buffy approached Faith a few days later.

"Yeah?"

"Would you go out with me in the afternoon?" Buffy realized how it sounded and she blushed. "I mean, with me and Willow and Tara."

Faith raised an eyebrow. Of all the girls only Buffy, Willow and Tara seemed to like her. And Cordelia seemed to have a grudging respect for her. She liked hanging out with Buffy and she actually wanted to go out, but she had Dawn to take care of. She sighed.

"Can't. I have other plans," she said, and Buffy's face fell.

"Oh."

"But maybe tomorrow," Faith quickly offered, feeling bad for making Buffy feel bad.

Buffy's face brightened.

"Okay."

"Okay."

"Hey, Dawnie," Faith greeted the girl when she came to her in the afternoon.

Dawn smiled at her.

"Listen, em, I'd like to go out tomorrow with some… friends and I probably won't be able to come over," Faith continued. She hesitated for a moment. "Is that alright with you?"

She frowned, surprised that she cared that much.

Dawn thought about it and then nodded.

Faith smiled, relieved.

"Okay. I'll come the day after that."

Dawn nodded.

"So, ready for more ass kicking?"

Dawn's eyes lit up.

When the classes were over, and the lunch as well, Faith was a bit nervous. She was going out with Buffy, Willow and Tara. Willow and Tara didn't bother her, but Buffy was giving her a funny feeling in her stomach. She liked hanging out with Buffy, but it scared her at the same time. Sure, she was getting attached to Dawn, but it was different for some reason, though she wasn't sure why. She thought about it and decided that it was probably because she wasn't afraid of Dawn rejecting her. She thought about why that was so and decided that probably because Dawn had initiated the contact and they were taking things slow. Then again, she didn't have the hots for Dawn. Dawn was… sort of like a little sister to her. The fact that she felt responsible for Dawn scared her a bit, but not as much as her feelings for Buffy. She felt like she was in love, she just refused to acknowledge it, afraid that she would end up hurt.

"Ready?"

Faith jerked, startled, and turned.

"Oh, hey," she said when she saw Buffy, Willow and Tara. "Yeah."

"Then let's go," Buffy said.

"Okay."

As she lay in bed that night, Faith thought about the afternoon she had spent with her friends. She realized that they really were her friends and it made her feel good, she'd never had real friends before. She smiled and took a deep breath. Then she turned on the side and watched Buffy. She felt the fluttering in her stomach again and she wondered if she was in love with her. She thought about it for a few moments and then decided that it didn't matter, because Buffy was straight. She decided not to pursue this for fear of losing Buffy.

When one month passed, the whole class went to help the retarded children again. Faith took Dawn away again so that they would be alone. She read her more adventures of the various superheroes and she didn't see when the clouds became heavy with rain.

Suddenly rain started to fall, very gently at first, but then it was like the sky wanted to fall down. Dawn shrieked, terrified, and started to flail with her arms, trying to push away the rain. Faith realized Dawn was afraid of rain.

"Hey, it's okay," she said and quickly took off her jacket.

She threw it over Dawn's head, got up and then picked up Dawn. She considered putting her back into the wheelchair, but she decided against it and instead ran with Dawn back to the building. Dawn was hugging her tightly, trembling with fear.

"Where's Dawnie's room?" she asked when she came inside.

"First floor, third door on the right," one of the councilors to told her.

"Thanks," Dawn said and quickly went upstairs.

She quickly found Dawn's room and she entered, kicking the door shut behind them. She sat Dawn on the bed and removed the jacked. Dawn looked around, her eyes wide and full of tears.

Faith sat beside her.

"Shh, it's okay, Dawnie, you're safe now," she said and wiped Dawn's tears.

Dawn looked at her and then hugged her. Faith was startled, but she hugged her back. When Dawn didn't let go of her, Faith picked her up, put one leg on the bed and leaned on the bedpost, holding Dawn protectively in her arms. She gently rocked her and occasionally caressed her. Dawn eventually relaxed and fell asleep.

Faith quietly held her, realizing she was upset. She decided to find out why Dawn was afraid of rain.

When it was time to go back to the convent, Mother Superior noticed that Faith was missing.

"I think I know where she is," Mrs Scott said. "I'll be right back."

Mrs Scott went upstairs an quietly opened the door to Dawn's room. The sight that greeted her removed any lingering doubts she may have had about Faith.

Faith was still half sitting, half lying, still holding Dawn protectively. Dawn was whimpering and that woke up Faith. Faith opened her eyes a bit and looked at Dawn.

"Shh, it's okay, you're safe, I'm still here," she said quietly and gently caressed Dawn before hugging her again.

Dawn seemed to get the message and she calmed down. Faith smiled and closed the door.

Mrs Scott decided to let them be and she carefully closed her eyes.

"Where is she?" Mother Superior asked when Mrs Scott came back alone.

Mrs Scott smiled. She thought for a moment.

"I think I better show you," she then said. "Come."

Mother Superior followed Mrs Scott upstairs, where Mrs Scott carefully opened the door again. Mother Superior peeked in and raised an eyebrow, surprised to see the bad girl holding a little girl so protectively. She smiled and stepped back. Mrs Scott closed the door again and they went downstairs.

"I think she can stay overnight," Mother Superior decided.

Mrs Scott nodded.

"Yes. I'll have someone drive her over in the morning."

Mother Superior nodded.

"Yes. Thank you."

When Faith woke up early next morning, she was startled to find herself still holding Dawn. She smiled when she saw Dawn's face, which was covered with her long hair. She reached up and brushed the hair away, causing Dawn to snuggle even close to her. Faith's smile widened and she hugged her again.

Dawn woke up two hours later and Faith smiled when she saw her open her eyes and look around, puzzled.

"Morning," she greeted her.

Dawn looked at her and her eyes lit up. She smiled.

Faith reached up and removed the hair from her face again.

"Sleep well?" she asked.

Dawn nodded. Then she remembered why they were sleeping together and she looked out. When she saw that it wasn't raining anymore, she calmed down.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then caressed her.

"You okay?"

Dawn looked at Faith and nodded, smiling.

"Ready to get up?"

Dawn yawned and nodded.

"I'll go get Mrs Scott, okay?"

Dawn nodded, and Faith sat her on the bed.

"Can you sit by yourself?" Faith asked and Dawn nodded.

"Okay, I'll be right back."

Faith hurried out of the room and looked around for Mrs Scott. She found her in her office.

"Em, Mrs Scott?"

Mrs Scott looked at her and smiled.

"Good morning."

"Eh, morning," Faith said, nervous.

"Has Dawn waken up?"

"Yeah."

"Okay," Mrs Scott said and got up. "Oh, by the way, Mother Superior has allowed you to stay overnight."

"Really?" Faith said, surprised.

"Yes. I'll have someone drive you back after breakfast."

"Okay," Faith said, wondering about Mother Superior's decision to let her stay. Then she remembered Dawn's reaction to rain. "Em, is Dawn afraid of rain?"

Mrs Scott looked at her.

"Not just of rain, she's afraid of water. I mean, not of drinking it or getting washed by it." She hesitated for a moment and then decided that Faith should know the truth. "When she was little, someone murdered her parents. But he apparently couldn't just shoot a baby, so he put her in a bag and threw her in the pool to drown. Fortunately, a neighbor saw that and saved her. She's been mostly non-responsive since then."

"Oh," Faith said, shocked.

She decided to help Dawn deal with her fear of water.

After changing Dawn, they had an early breakfast and then Faith had to go.

"Faith," Buffy said, surprised, when Faith came to their room to change.

"Hey," Faith said.

"Where've you been?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"The kid wouldn't let go of me, so Mother Superior decided I could stay."

"Oh. Is she alright?"

"Yeah."

"That's good."

During the chemistry class, Faith kept glancing at the radiator. The heating system was obviously old and something wasn't working right. It had been annoying the hell out of her for a while and she finally decided to do something about it.

The next afternoon after classes, she went to the basement to check out the situation. She had told Dawn the previous day that she would be late this day. It took her five minutes to figure out what was wrong.

When Charles, the old man in charge of keeping the estate up and running, came back from town after getting some parts he needed, the first thing he noticed was the absence of noise from the radiators. He frowned and went to the closest one. He touched it and saw that it was colder than it should be. He murmured a soft curse, hoping none of the nuns heard him, and went to the basement to see what the problem was.

When he got downstairs and saw Faith rummaging around the partially disassembled furnace, he freaked out.

"What have you done?!"

Faith looked at him.

"I fixed this thing," she said calmly and continued to reassemble the furnace.

Charles stared at her for a few moments and then went upstairs to complain to Mother Superior.

Faith sighed, knowing she was in trouble, and hurried up.

As Mother Superior followed Charles to the basement, she was slowly getting tired of his ranting.

"Yes, Charles, I know," she said patiently. Then she noticed Faith, who was apparently headed upstairs. "Faith."

"That's her," Charles said and pointed at Faith.

"Faith?" Mother Superior said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah?" Faith said, suddenly nervous.

"What happened?"

Faith shrugged.

"The noise was getting on my nerves."

"She took it apart!" Charles said, upset. "She broke it! Now you'll have to buy a new one."

Faith took a deep breath.

"I put it back together."

Charles snorted.

"Right."

"Why don't you go wash up, Faith, and then wait in my office," Mother Superior said.

"Yes, Ma'am," Faith said and left.

Mother Superior turned to Charles.

"Let's go inspect the damage."

"This way," Charles said and hurried downstairs.

When they came to the furnace, Charles was surprised to see that it was reassembled and working.

"I don't believe this, she put it back together," he said, surprised.

"So it is working?" Mother Superior asked, slightly worried that they would have to buy a new furnace.

"Yes," Charles said as he took a closer look. "I'm not sure what she was…"

"Yes?" Mother Superior asked as Charles trailed off, apparently listening to something.

"Do you hear that?"

Mother Superior listened.

"I don't hear anything," she said with a frown.

"Exactly! It's not making any noise."

"The clanking," Mother Superior realized.

Charles nodded.

"Yes. I don't know how, but she fixed it."

Mother Superior smiled, relieved.

"That's good."

Charles nodded.

"Yes," he said, scratching his head, embarrassed. "Seems I owe her an apology."

"And she to you," Mother Superior said with a smile.

"Could you send her here when you're done with her? I want to know what she did."

Mother Superior's smile widened.

"Of course."

After she washed up, Faith went to Mother Superior's office. She didn't actually enter, she waited outside. She knew she had fixed the furnace, but she was worried because she had done so without permission. And even though she usually didn't care about anyone's permission, she was worried now, she didn't want Mother Superior to have an excuse to throw her out. She knew she probably wouldn't, but she didn't want to take any chances, not because of herself but because it would mean she wouldn't be able to take care of Dawn anymore. And hang out with Buffy.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Mother Superior's arrival. She was relieved when she saw that Mother Superior was smiling.

"Come," Mother Superior said and entered.

Faith followed her and closed her door.

"Em, I'm sorry I… I didn't ask for permission," she quickly said, nervous.

Mother Superior raised an eyebrow, surprised, and then smiled.

"It's okay, Faith. Charles says you really did fix it."

Faith shrugged.

"It was no big deal."

"I didn't know you're good with machines."

Faith shrugged again.

"I know my way around."

Mother Superior thought for a moment.

"If you want, I can put… fixing machines down as extra credit."

Faith looked at her, surprised. She thought for a moment.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

Mother Superior smiled.

"Okay. Good. Now, in the future, before you start tinkering with any machines, ask Charles first, he's very… protective about them."

Faith nodded.

"I will."

"Good. Oh, Charles asked if you could come down to him and tell him what you did."

Faith nodded again.

"Sure."

"Good. You can go now."

Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks," she mumbled and left.

Mother Superior smiled after her and shook her head, wondering what other secrets Faith was hiding.

"Faith!" Mother Superior called her in between classes a few weeks later.

"Yeah?" Faith asked, worried a bit, as she approached her.

"Here," Mother Superior said and gave her some sort of card. "It's a library card," she explained.

Faith looked at her, startled.

"You got a library here."

Mother Superior nodded.

"I know, but it's not very large. The town library is much larger and you might find books you would actually like to read there."

Faith looked at the library card.

"Thanks."

Mother Superior smiled.

"You have to sign it and then you also have to sign a few papers at the library before you can take out books."

Faith nodded.

"Okay." She looked at her. "Thanks."

Mother Superior smiled.

"You're welcome."

As Faith entered the library for the very first time, she was a bit nervous, but once she had identified herself at the counter, the lady there quickly helped her through the paperwork and then gave her a quick tour of the library. Faith's first destination was adventure books, but when she saw that they were pretty thick, she started having second thoughts. Not that the thickness bothered her of itself, but she knew she couldn't read the entire book to Dawn. So she decided to check out the children's section to see if there were any interesting books there. There were interesting books, but she decided to borrow one with lots of pictures so that it would be more interesting for Dawn.

"Hey, Dawnie," she said with a smile when she arrived to the center. "Sorry I'm late, but I was at the library. Look what I got."

She showed Dawn the book, and Dawn smiled.

"Come, let's go outside."

Faith took Dawn to their usual spot under the tree and sat her between her legs. Then she took the book and started to read.

"Faith," Dawn suddenly said in a very quiet voice, and Faith stopped reading, surprised.

"Yes?"

Dawn hesitated for a moment.

"I… I need to… pee."

Faith smiled.

"No problem."

She put Dawn back into the wheelchair and took her to the bathroom.

She was a bit lost as to how to go about seating Dawn on the toilet. She finally picked her up and Dawn put her hands around her neck. Faith held her with one arm while with the other she raised Dawn's skirt and pulled down her panties. Then she held Dawn as she peed.

It struck her as something very intimate and she again got a strange feeling in her stomach, which caused her to smile a bit.

When Dawn was done, Faith wiped her, pulled up her panties and lowered her skirt. She put her back in the wheelchair and took her to the sink. She first washed her own hands and then helped Dawn wash her own. Then she took her back outside.

"Why don't you talk?" Faith asked as they were seating again.

Dawn tensed and shivered.

"Shh, it's okay, you don't have to answer," Faith said, hugging her tightly.

Dawn slowly relaxed.

"I'm scared," she said quietly.

Faith caressed her.

"That's okay. I'm scared too sometimes."

Dawn turned her head, surprised.

"You are?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah." Faith hesitated for a moment and then decided to tell Dawn a little about herself. "My mom's not the nicest person in the world. She has many boyfriends and when I was younger, I used to hide from them. I was so afraid I didn't move for hours." What she didn't tell Dawn was that sometimes the boyfriends found her. She shuddered at the memories. "When I got older, I spent most of the time on the streets and there it was also important to be invisible or you got hurt."

Dawn shuddered, old memories resurfacing, and Faith quickly hugged her.

"I can't promise you that I can protect you from everything, but I promise that I will do my best," Faith said quietly and gently caressed the little girl, who nodded.

Faith quietly held Dawn for a while and then started to read to her again.

When another month passed, the girls were taken to the center again. Mother Superior quietly watched as Faith took Dawn to their usual spot. She noticed how both Faith and Dawn were excited.

"She definitely is special," Mrs Scott said when she noticed where Mother Superior was looking.

Mother Superior looked at her.

"Yes," she agreed. She looked at Faith and Dawn. "They seem to get along well."

Mrs Scott laughed a bit, and Mother Superior looked at her, confused.

"I'm sorry," Mrs Scott said, smiling. "Yes, they do get along well. In fact, Dawn now eats by herself, we had to feed her before."

"Oh."

"And I think she talks as well, but only to Faith."

"Really?" Mother Superior said, impressed.

"Yes."

Mother Superior frowned.

"But she's only been here, what, three times?"

Mrs Scott hesitated for a moment.

"Actually, she comes here just about every afternoon."

"Really?" Mother Superior said, surprised.

Mrs Scott smiled.

"Yes. But don't tell her you know, you'd embarrass her."

Mother Superior nodded in agreement.

"Okay, I got this one today," Faith said as they sat down. "Little Red Riding Hood."

She opened the book and started to read, but she soon noticed that Dawn wasn't looking at the pictures but at the text.

"Do you want to learn how to read?" she asked.

Dawn hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay, I'll teach you."

"Really?" Dawn said, wide-eyed, and looked at Faith.

Faith smiled.

"Yeah. Tomorrow. I'll get you a notebook so you can write."

Dawn beamed.

"Cool."

Faith grinned, feeling… proud of herself. It was a strange feeling and it made her nervous a bit, but she liked it, it made her feel good about herself.

"I'll have you writing in no time and then we can try math, if you want."

Dawn nodded, excited.

"I do."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

When Faith came to Dawn the next day, she brought her an empty notebook and a ball-point pen. She grabbed an empty chair and joined Dawn at the table.

"Okay, ready?"

Dawn nodded, excited.

"Uh-huh."

Faith nodded.

"Okay. First, I'm gonna teach you the Alphabet Song."

Dawn frowned.

"A song?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes, it will make it easier for you to remember the letters. And then I'll write down the letters."

"Okay."

Ten minutes later, Dawn could sing the Alphabet Song without mistakes.

"Excellent," Faith said, equally excited. "Now we go to writing," she said and opened the notebook. "Now, there are basically four… types of letters. Block capitals or upper case letters and lower case letters. That's one division. The other is letters used in print, like in books and newspapers and stuff, and letters used in handwriting. I'll write down all four of them, first the upper and lower case letters used in print and then the ones used in handwriting. So, what's the first letter?"

"A," Dawn said, excited.

"Right," Faith said and started to write down the four variants.

Five minutes later, they got to the last letter.

"Okay, that's all of them," Faith said when she was done. "Now it's your turn," she said and gave the pen to Dawn, who eagerly took it.

"What do I do?"

"Write down the alphabet, practice. You don't have to do it by hart, you can use what I wrote as help. Now turn the page."

Dawn turned the page and then started to write.

"No, no, don't hold the pen in death grip, relax," Faith said and Dawn did so. "That's better. See?"

Dawn nodded and continued to write, her tongue sticking out of her mouth as she concentrated.

Faith couldn't help but smile at the sight. She leaned back and watched as Dawn wrote down the alphabet.

"Is this good?" Dawn asked nervously when she was done.

Faith looked and smiled.

"Yes. But you have to practice so you can write faster."

"Okay," Dawn said and started to write again.

Faith chuckled and quietly observed her.

"Hello, Mrs Scott," Faith said when she came around the next day.

"Hello, Faith."

Faith looked around.

"Where's Dawnie?" she asked, worried, when she couldn't see the girl.

"She's in her room."

"Oh. I'll, em, go upstairs then."

Mrs Scott nodded, and Faith went upstairs.

"Hey, Dawnie," she said as she entered.

Dawn looked at her.

"Hi," she said, excited. "Look."

Faith came closer and looked at what Dawn was pointing at in the notebook.

"Your name?" she asked when she figured it out.

Dawn nodded, excited, and Faith smiled.

"Well, you got the first and the last letter right, but in between there is an 'a' and a 'w'."

Dawn looked at her name.

"Really?"

Faith smiled.

"Relax, vowels can be hard."

"What's that?" Dawn asked.

"Vowels?" Faith asked and Dawn nodded. "Well, the vowels are 'a', 'e', 'i', 'o' and 'u', the others are consonants. But they can be difficult, especially when they're paired with other vowels or consonants like 'w'."

"Oh." Dawn quickly rewrote her name. "Like this?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes. Can you write mine?"

Dawn concentrated for a moment and then started to write. She wrote 'Fei' and then she got confused.

"It's not 't', is it?"

Faith smiled.

"It is, only it's paired with 'h'."

Dawn wrote down the last two letters.

"Like this?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes, only it's not 'e' 'i', it's 'a' 'i'."

Dawn frowned.

"But it's spoken like an 'e'."

Faith smiled.

"I know. It's confusing sometimes, believe me. Sometimes I get the spelling wrong."

"Really?"

Faith smiled.

"Yes, and I'm not the only one. But don't worry, we'll practice," she said, and Dawn smiled, feeling better.

"Okay."

"So, did you practice?"

Dawn nodded, excited.

"Uh-huh."

Faith quickly looked over.

"Not bad. See, your handwriting has improved. Look how you first wrote and how you write now."

Dawn compared the two writings.

"It's… smoother."

Faith smiled.

"Yes. So, you think you're ready to try reading?"

Dawn's eyes lit up and she nodded, excited.

"Yes."

"Okay. But be warned, speaking and writing are two different things. If you don't know how a word is pronounced, just think about which word it is and then… just say it."

"Okay," Dawn said, excited.

"Good. I brought Little Red Riding Hood, so you should remember what it's about."

Faith put the book on the table, and Dawn quickly opened it, suddenly a bit nervous.

"Don't worry, I know it's not easy at first, but you'll learn, you'll see."

Dawn smiled at Faith, feeling a bit better. Then she slowly started to read.

In a week, Dawn could more or less read anything, though she didn't understand all of the words yet. She was still struggling with reading aloud, but if she didn't have to say the words, she could read through pretty quickly for a beginner.

Faith had even gone to the local grade school and asked a first grade teacher what they were doing in classes, so she knew what she had to teach Dawn in order for her to pass the first grade. She kept visiting Dawn every day and while Dawn was busy doing her assignments, Faith wrote up new assignments and studied for her own classes. She felt proud of Dawn's achievements and she felt good about herself, because for the first time she felt that she was doing something that mattered, that she mattered to someone. As a consequence, she didn't especially try to hide that she liked helping Dawn, but she didn't go out of her way to tell everybody, too much attention still made her feel awkward.

After getting Dawn started on her school activities, Faith decided it was time for Dawn to start walking again.

"Okay, time out," she said when Dawn finished reading a chapter from a book. She hesitated for a moment. "Dawnie, you can walk, right?"

Dawn tensed and then nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Then why don't you?"

Dawn squirmed a bit, nervous, and looked away.

"I'll still be your friend and I'll still come over every day," Faith continued, guessing what was bothering Dawn.

Dawn looked up.

"You will?"

Faith smiled.

"Of course I will, silly," she said and ruffled her hair.

Dawn smiled back. She hesitated for a moment and then tried to get up.

"Need help?" Faith asked when she saw Dawn struggle.

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh."

Faith hugged her from behind and lifted her up.

"I'll hold you, so don't worry," she said.

"Okay," Dawn said, a bit nervous.

"Slowly," Faith said, holding her firmly.

Dawn took a deep breath and slowly made a step. She staggered, but Faith held her securely.

"Very good," Faith encouraged her.

Dawn made another step and then another and yet another.

"I can walk," she said excitedly and then staggered again.

"Easy," Faith said with a smile. "You wanna go on?"

Dawn nodded, excited.

"Uh-huh."

"Okay. Make a few more steps and then try to make a sit up."

"I can't do a sit up," Dawn protested.

"Sure you can," Faith encouraged her. "It'll be a bit difficult at first, but once you regain your strength, it'll be a piece of cake."

Dawn smiled.

"Okay."

She made a few more steps, each more surefooted than the previous, and then stopped.

"You gonna do a sit up?" Faith asked her.

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Okay. I'll do it with you."

"Okay."

Dawn took a deep breath and then tried to do a sit up slowly, but her legs gave out and she went down faster. Fortunately Faith slowed her down.

"Okay. Now try to lift yourself," Faith instructed her after a moment.

"Okay," Dawn said.

She concentrated and then tried to stand up. She managed to lift her body for about ten centimeters before her legs gave out again.

"I can't," she said, disappointed.

"Don't worry, your legs are a bit weak right now. Okay, I'll help you. Ready?"

Dawn nodded and Faith started to lift her up. Dawn strained her muscles, but she knew that she wouldn't be able to stand up without Faith's help.

"You wanna walk back to the chair or do you want me to carry you?" Faith then asked.

"I'll walk," Dawn said, excitedly.

"Okay," Faith said with a smile.

Dawn slowly started to walk back to the chair. Her steps were a bit unsure at first because her legs were tired from trying to do a sit up, but she quickly recovered. When she finally sat down again, she squealed, excited.

"I walked!"

Faith smiled.

"You sure did. We'll have you running in no time."

Dawn beamed.

"Cool."

Faith ruffled her hair affectionately.

"Tell you what," she said, "after you go to bed, try to lift your legs a couple of times. Or pull them up to your chest. It'll help you regain your strength faster."

"Okay," Dawn said, excited.

Faith smiled.

"Okay, time out's over."

"Mother Superior," Faith said when she came to Mother Superior's office the next day before she went to see Dawn again.

"Yes, Faith?"

Faith sat down in the chair, nervous.

"Em, I know my parole is only two years, but I was wondering if I could stay the full four years."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Faith hesitated for a moment. "I was also thinking about going to college here."

"You have?" Mother Superior said, surprised, not having expected Faith to become so responsible.

"Yeah. And I was kinda hoping if I could stay here, since I won't have the money for a dorm room."

Mother Superior stared at her for a few moments, thinking.

"I think that could be arranged," she finally said, and Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"Cool," she said, and Mother Superior smiled. "Thanks."

Mother Superior nodded.

"I have to talk to Mrs Cruise first. I'll tell you what we come up with."

Faith nodded, grateful.

"Thanks."

"Hey, Dawnie," Faith said, excited, when she came to Dawn.

Dawn smiled at her.

"Hi."

"I got a good news. I'm going to go to high school here for the full four years and then I'm gonna go to college here. Which means I'll be here for seven more years."

Dawn's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

Faith smiled.

"Yeah."

"Cool. So you'll keep teaching me?"

"Absolutely."

Dawn smiled widely. Then she thought for a moment.

"Could I move in with you after you get a job and a place to stay?" she asked after anxiously after a few moments.

Faith smiled widely, glad that Dawn wanted to be with her.

"I hope so. And if not then, then after you're eighteen."

Dawn groaned.

"That's in ten years."

Faith chuckled.

"Believe me, time will pass fast," she said, and Dawn smiled.

"I hope so."

Faith smiled back.

"Me too." She took a deep breath. "So, ready for more studying?"

Dawn nodded.

"Yes."

"Faith?" Buffy said as she sat on Faith's bed in the evening.

Faith looked up from her comic.

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure?"

Where do you go every day?"

Faith frowned.

"Why?"

Buffy blushed.

"Well, I'd like to hang out with you, you know, but you always leave so fast."

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"Why?"

Buffy frowned, puzzled.

"Why what?"

"Why would you like to hang out with me?"

"Oh," Buffy said and blushed. She gulped, nervous. "Em, well, because I like you."

Faith stared at her, feeling strangely good about it.

"You do?"

Buffy smiled.

"Of course I do."

"Why?"

Buffy frowned, startled.

"I don't know, I just do." She blushed again. "I mean, I can't really explain it, I just like hanging out with you. You know?"

She looked down at her hands, her blush deepening.

Faith stared at her, suddenly feeling nervous. She thought for a few moments.

"I, eh, I'm hanging out with that kid from the center, Dawnie," she then said, nervous.

Buffy looked at her, surprised.

"Really?"

"Yeah," Faith said and looked away.

Buffy smiled.

"That's so nice. How is she?"

Faith looked at her and saw that Buffy was smiling. She shrugged, nervous.

"She's… She's walking and talking."

Buffy frowned, wondering for a moment why that was important. Then she remembered and her eyes went wide.

"Really? Wow." She smiled. "See? One more reason to hang out with you."

Faith looked at her, blushing nervously, not used to being praised. She thought for a moment.

"I… I have to talk to Dawnie about it."

Buffy smiled again.

"Okay."

"Hey, Dawnie," Faith said when she came to her the next day.

Dawn smiled at her.

"Hi."

Faith sat beside her, hesitating.

"Em, you remember when I went out with my friends a while ago?"

Dawn nodded.

"Yes."

"Well, they asked me if I would go out with them more often."

"Okay," Dawn said.

"Would it be okay with you?"

Dawn nodded.

"Yes."

Faith smiled.

"Okay." She thought for a moment. "I was thing about once a week, on… Wednesdays. You know, so we can study two days, then you have a break, study again two days, and a half, and then have another break on Sunday."

"Okay," Dawn agreed, and Faith smiled.

"Okay. So, have you been practicing lifting your legs?"

Dawn nodded, exited.

"Uh-huh."

"Wanna try walking again?"

Dawn beamed.

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Buffy," Faith said when she got back from Dawn.

Buffy looked at her with a smile.

"Hey."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Em, I talked to Dawnie, you know, about me going out with you, Willow and Tara."

"And?" Buffy asked hopefully.

"We agreed I can go out with you every Wednesday. Is that okay with you?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes," she said, amused by how Faith was consulting Dawn for everything and trying to appear a tough girl at the same time. But she didn't comment, knowing Faith would only push her away if she did. "So we're on for next Wednesday?"

"Yeah."

Buffy smiled.

"Good."

When Wednesday came, Faith was excited, but when they entered a Starbucks, she suddenly remembered she didn't have much money. She was nervous when Buffy, Willow and Tara all ordered something. It took her a moment to come up with an excuse that she never ate or drank anything in the afternoon. Willow and Tara apparently didn't notice anything, but Buffy raised an eyebrow. Even though Buffy didn't comment, Faith had a feeling that she knew she was lying.

But since nobody questioned her choice of not ordering anything, she relaxed, especially once the conversation got going. Buffy knew asking Faith about herself wouldn't be wise, so she tried asking about Dawn. Faith was a bit reluctant to talk about Dawn at first, but she quickly got into it, and Buffy thought Faith was very adorable as she excitedly talked about the little girl.

"Faith," Buffy approached as they were alone in their room, Willow and Tara having gone to shower.

Faith tense, knowing what was coming.

"Yeah?" she said, facing away from her.

Buffy hesitated for a moment and then gently touched Faith's shoulder.

"Why didn't you order anything?"

Faith shrugged.

"I told you, I…"

"The real reason, Faith," Buffy said.

Faith hesitated for a few moments. She didn't want to tell Buffy the truth, but she didn't want to lie to Buffy either, not wanting to lose her friendship. She took a deep breath and decided on the truth.

"I had thirteen bucks when I came here, ten of which I had stolen. I spent nine bucks on Dawn and two when we first went out. Which leaves me with two bucks."

"Oh," Buffy said, relieved that Faith wasn't on some self-imposed diet. "Good."

Faith turned and looked at her, puzzled.

"Good?" she asked.

"Oh," Buffy said and blushed. "I, eh, I thought you were trying to starve yourself."

"Oh," Faith said.

Buffy smiled.

"Listen, don't worry about it, I can pay for both of us."

"No," Faith said.

"What?" Buffy asked, startled.

"I don't want no charity."

Buffy smiled.

"It's not charity, Faith. I mean, you're buying stuff for Dawn, right? And it's not charity. You're buying her things because you care about her and I'd like to buy them for you because… Eh, because I like you and you're my friend."

Faith looked down, not knowing what to say.

"I don't expect anything in return," Buffy added, "just be my friend."

Faith looked her in the eyes and saw that she was telling the truth. It made her feel good and nervous at the same time.

"Just think about it," Buffy said and backed off, letting Faith off the hook.

Faith took a deep breath and stared after Buffy as she went to her bed. Then she went to her own bed and lay down, trying to sort out the confusion in her head.

A couple of weeks later, there was a storm, but Faith came to Dawn anyway.

"Hey," she said with a smile as she entered.

Dawn smiled back.

"Hi," she said and turned back to look out the window.

Faith approached her.

"It doesn't scare you anymore?" she asked.

Dawn smiled at her.

"Not really. I mean, I'm still afraid to go out in the rain, but I'm not afraid to look at it anymore."

Faith smiled back.

"That's good," she said and put her arm around Dawn's shoulder.

"I've been watching rain before, but only from afar and never a storm."

Faith gently pressed her to herself.

"That's my girl," she said proudly, and Dawn beamed. "Hey, maybe I could teach you how to swim."

Dawn squirmed at the thought.

"I don't know."

"Don't worry, we'll start slow and only when you're ready, okay?"

"Okay."

"Good. So, you wanna watch the rain or do some work?"

Dawn thought for a moment.

"Let's do some work."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

As Christmas drew near, Faith realized she should buy Dawn a Christmas present. She knew it would have to be cheap, since she only had two bucks. Still, she wanted it to be pretty and useful. And, of course, she had no idea what it should be. She decided to ask Buffy.

"Buffy."

"Yes?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Em, I'd like to buy a Christmas present for Dawnie, but I have no idea what."

Buffy smiled.

"Then let's go shopping. We can go this Wednesday."

"Do you have any ideas? I mean, I want Dawnie to like it, but I have no idea what kids her age like. And it'll have to be cheep, I only have two bucks and some change."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a moment. "What does she like to do?"

Faith thought about it.

"She likes to read comics."

"You could give her those."

"I already have."

"Oh." Buffy thought again. "Ooh! I know."

"What?"

"A teddy bear."

Faith frowned.

"A teddy bear? Isn't she a little too old for that?"

"No, I don't think so. And I didn't mean just any teddy bear, I mean a giant one. Okay, maybe not a giant, but it should be big, you know, so it will protect her and keep her company at night when you're not there."

Faith stared at Buffy for a few moments, surprised, and then smiled.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," she said and Buffy smiled.

"Oh, does she have any pictures of her parents?"

Faith thought for a moment.

"None that I've seen."

"Then maybe you should find out. You could have one blown up."

"I'm short on money, remember."

"Don't worry, I'll pay for it. It can be my present to her."

Faith thought about it.

"Okay. Thanks."

Buffy smiled.

"No problem."

When Faith got to the children's center, she first went to Mrs Scott.

"Hello, Faith," Mrs Scott greeted her.

"Hi." She hesitated for a moment. "Does Dawnie have any pictures of her family?"

"Yes."

"Can I see them?"

"Of course," Mrs Scott said and went to the filing cabinet. "May I ask why?"

"I was thinking of getting Dawnie a blown up photo of her family for Christmas."

Mrs Scott smiled.

"That's a wonderful idea."

"Thanks."

Mrs Scott quickly found Dawn's folder and gave it to Faith. Faith then browsed through the photos and finally found the one she wanted to have blown up.

"Why didn't you give these photos to Dawnie?" she asked as she returned the folder.

"I forgot. I mean, before she was catatonic and it was beside the point."

"Oh."

"Tell you what, you can give them to her for Christmas."

"Yeah?" Faith said, excited.

"Yes."

Faith smiled.

"Thanks." She quickly removed the photos from the folder. "Can I leave them here until I leave?"

"Yes, of course."

"Thanks."

She put the photos aside and then went to Dawn.

A week later, Faith finally got tired of the way Willow and Tara were looking at one another and still not doing anything about it. She decided to speed things up a bit. She came across Tara first.

"Hi, Tara."

"Hi, Faith," Tara said with a smile.

"Looking for your girl?"

"My wh-what?" Tara said, startled.

"Your girlfriend. Willow."

Tara blushed.

"I… I… Eh…"

"What? You are girlfriends, right?"

"Eh… Well…" Tara stuttered, her blush deepening.

"Ah, I see. You haven't told one another yet."

"T-Told?"

"Yes. I'm surprised, I thought you two were long together."

"You d-did?" Tara said, obviously mortified that it was that obvious.

"Yes. I mean, it's pretty obvious you two are in love." Faith smiled. "You should tell her."

Tara blushed furiously.

"What? N-No, I-I c-can't."

Faith smirked.

"Why don't you go outside, get some air and think about it," she suggested.

Tara nodded and quickly left.

"Hey, Willow," Faith said when she found Willow.

"Hey."

"I just saw your girl."

"Huh?" Willow said, startled.

"Your girlfriend, Tara."

"She… She's not my girlfriend," Willow said, blushing.

Faith raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure? I could've sworn you two were a couple," she said and Willow's blush deepened.

"Really?" Willow almost squeaked.

"Hell yeah. Oops," she said and quickly looked around to make sure none of the nuns were around to hear her swear. "I mean, you two are practically all over one another."

"Oh," Willow said, blushing furiously.

"You haven't told her yet, right?"

"T-Told her what?"

"That you love her."

"No," Willow said, nervous.

"So I'm right?"

"Yes."

Faith smiled.

"Thought so. Go talk to her."

Willow's eyes went wide.

"But… But…"

"No buts. She loves you and you lover her. Now go get the girl."

Willow blushed again.

"Thanks."

Faith smiled again.

"That's what friends are for. Now go, she's outside."

Willow left, and Faith went looking for Buffy, feeling good.

When Willow saw Tara, she hesitated for a moment and then approached her, nervous.

"Hi."

Tara jerked, startled.

"Willow," she said and blushed.

Willow blushed as well.

"Faith said you were outside."

Tara's blush deepened.

"Oh." She hesitated for a moment. "You… You talked to her?"

"Yes," Willow said, nodding.

"Oh." She smiled a little. "Me too," she said and Willow's eyes went wide.

"About… About… You know…"

Tara nodded, nervous.

"Y-Yes."

"Oh." Willow hesitated for a moment. "So, em, what do you think?"

Tara blushed again.

"I-I, em, I a-agree w-with her."

Willow smiled.

"Me too." She hesitated for a moment, nervous. "So, em, we're, eh, girlfriends?" she then asked and blushed.

Tara smiled shyly and nodded.

"Y-Yes." She hesitated. "I-I…" She took a deep breath to calm herself. "I love you, Willow," she then said quietly, blushing deeply, and Willow's eyes went wide.

"I love you too, Tara," she said, and Tara smiled.

They stared at one another for a few moments.

"Can I… Can I kiss you?" Willow then asked shyly, and Tara's eyes went wide.

"Y-Yes," she said with a nod, blushing.

Willow smiled, excited, and then frowned.

"I think we should go somewhere more private."

Tara nodded.

"Y-Yes."

"Come."

Willow held out her hand, and Tara took it.

"Faith!" Buffy called when she saw her friend.

Faith turned.

"Hey."

"Have you seen Willow?" Buffy asked when she came closer.

Faith smiled.

"Yeah."

"What?" Buffy asked. "Where is she?"

"Hopefully, in heaven."

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

Faith grinned.

"You'll see. Of course, if they didn't chicken out."

"Who chickened out of what? What are you talking about, Faith?"

Faith laughed.

"Love, baby! Love!" she said theatrically.

Buffy frowned, confused.

"Willow's in love?"

"Ah, so there is a brain in there," Faith said and grinned.

Buffy slapped her on the arm.

"Very funny."

"Buffy! Faith!"

Buffy and Faith looked, and Faith smiled when she saw Willow and Tara approaching them, hand in hand.

"Hey, guys," Buffy said with a smile.

"So, you talked," Faith said.

Willow and Tara both blushed.

"Yes," Willow said.

"I see you've reached my conclusion."

Willow's blush deepened.

"Yes."

"What are you talking about?" Buffy asked, confused. Then she noticed that Willow and Tara were holding hands, and she remembered that Faith had said that Willow was in love. Her eyes went wide. "Oh my god!"

Faith grinned at her.

"You finally figured it out."

Buffy looked at her, startled.

"You knew?"

"Yeah."

"But… But how?"

Faith rolled her eyes.

"It was so obvious even the nuns probably noticed it," she said, and Willow and Tara blushed again.

"Oh." Buffy looked at Willow and Tara. "So you're, em, girlfriends?"

Willow and Tara smiled shyly.

"Yes," Willow said.

"Congratulations," Faith said.

"Thanks."

Faith grinned.

"So, you kissed yet?"

Willow's eyes went wide, and both she and Tara blushed again.

"Yes."

"Go, girls!" Faith cheered. She smiled. "Why don't you fill Buffy in, I gotta go pee."

"Okay."

On Christmas morning, Buffy went with Faith to see Dawn. They went to the center before the breakfast because they wanted to see the look on Dawn's face when she got her presents. They were in no hurry since they had arranged with Mrs Scott so that she would put their presents under the Christmas tree.

"Hello, girls," Mrs Scot said with a smile when they arrived.

"Hi," Faith said.

"Merry Christmas."

Faith smiled.

"Yeah, you too. Is Dawnie up yet?"

"No. We will start waking the children in ten minutes."

"Oh."

Mrs Scott thought for a moment.

"Have you had breakfast yet?"

"No."

"Then you'll eat here."

"Thanks."

"You can wait in the main room."

"Okay."

Mrs Scott left, and Faith and Buffy went to the main room.

"Wow," Buffy said when she saw the number of presents.

"Yeah," Faith agreed. "Can you see our presents?"

"There's your teddy bear," Buffy said and pointed. "And he's holding the album and my photo."

"Yeah. Good."

When Mrs Scott and the other employees went to wake up the children, Buffy and Faith went with them.

"She should dress first," Mrs Scott said as they entered Dawn's room.

"Okay," Faith said. She went to the bed and gently shook Dawn. "Wakey, wakey, sleepyhead, it's Christmas."

Dawn slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a couple of times to clear her vision. When she saw Faith, her eyes went wide.

"Faith!" she said and hugged her.

Faith smiled.

"Hey."

"Hi, Buffy," Dawn said over Faith's shoulder when she saw her.

"Hey, Dawn," Buffy said and moved the curtains aside, causing Dawn to blink.

"Christmas!" Dawn suddenly remembered and let go of Faith. "Presents!"

Faith smiled.

"You have to get dressed first."

"Okay," Dawn said and scrambled off the bed.

"I'll go see Jimmy," Buffy said.

"Okay," Faith said, and Buffy left to take care of her charge.

When Dawn was dressed, they went downstairs.

"Faith, wait!" Buffy called as she and Jimmy hurried after them.

"Wait for Buffy, Dawnie," Faith said.

Dawn stopped reluctantly.

"Come on," she said, eager to see her presents.

Buffy and Jimmy quickly caught up with them and they went to the main room together. There, Dawn and Jimmy rushed to the other kids, eager to receive their presents. Jimmy had to ask Mrs Scott for his because he couldn't read yet, but Dawn looked for hers on her own. She quickly located the large teddy bear and hugged it, making Faith and Buffy smile. Then she dragged it and its load away from the crowd, and Faith and Buffy joined her.

"Look what Santa brought me," Dawn said, excited.

"You like him?" Faith asked.

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh. He's so cute."

"Sure, but he can be scary too," Faith said and turned the bear's face into a comically scary one. "See? Grrr," she growled, and Dawn giggled. "He'll keep you safe while I'm not here, okay?"

Dawn nodded.

"Okay."

"Open the package," Buffy said.

Dawn took the package and opened it. Her eyes went wide when she saw a big framed picture of herself and her parents. Her lower lip trembled and her eyes watered up.

"Dawnie?" Faith asked, worried.

Dawn ignored her. She stared at the photo and finally ran her fingers across the images of her parents.

"You miss them?" Buffy asked.

Dawn nodded.

"You still got me," Faith said and hugged her.

Dawn hugged her back and sobbed for a few moments. When she calmed down, Faith let go of her.

"Feeling better?" she asked and wiped Dawn's tears.

Dawn nodded.

"There's more pictures in the album," Buffy said.

Dawn opened the album and quickly leafed through.

"You can put pictures of you and me in there now," Faith said.

Dawn looked at her, frowning.

"I don't have any."

Faith smiled.

"I guess we'll have to fix that."

"I got a camera back at the convent," Buffy said.

"You do?" Faith said.

"Yeah. You can borrow it."

"Thanks," Faith said, and Buffy could see it in her eyes that it meant a lot to her.

"You're welcome."

"Everything okay?" Mrs Scott asked as she came by.

The girls all looked at her.

"Yes," Faith said.

"Okay. Breakfast will be in ten minutes."

"Okay."

Mrs Scott left, and Faith looked at Dawn, thinking.

"Dawnie, would you like to go to a real school?"

Dawn's eyes went wide.

"Real school? You mean, with normal kids?"

"You're not… not normal," Faith said. "You're normal, you were just hurt."

"Oh."

"So, would you?"

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh."

Faith smiled.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do about it."

Dawn smiled.

"Thank you," she said and hugged her.

Faith hugged her back and caressed her.

"Okay. Let's take this upstairs now."

"Okay," Dawn said and got up.

"I'll go check up on Jimmy," Buffy said.

"Okay."

Buffy left, and Faith picked up the bear.

"I'll take him," she said. "Have you thought of a name for him?"

"A name?" Dawn said, surprised. "No." She frowned. "What should I name him?"

Faith smiled.

"Whatever you want. Come."

Dawn followed Faith, trying to think of a name for her bear.

"Can he be Mr Bear?" she asked after a few moments.

Faith chuckled.

"Sure, why not."

"Okay."

"So he's Mr Bear now?"

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Okay," Faith said and ruffled her hair.

After breakfast, Buffy watched Dawn and Jimmy while Faith went to talk to Mrs Scott.

"Is something wrong?" Mrs Scoot asked when Faith came to her office.

"No, nothing. I just wanted to talk to you about something."

"Okay. Sit down."

Faith sat in a chair and hesitated for a moment.

"Em, I was wondering if Dawn could go to a real school."

Mrs Scott raised an eyebrow.

"I was thinking about this myself," she said. "How is she progressing?"

"Great. I'm teaching her the stuff they teach in the first grade, so maybe she could go straight to the second grade. I mean, she knows the first grade stuff."

Mrs Scott nodded.

"I'll see what I can do. But she will have to pass some tests."

Faith nodded.

"Yeah, I figured that."

Mrs Scott smiled.

"Okay. Anything else?"

"No."

"Good. I'll let you know how it goes."

"Thanks," Faith said and left.

A couple of weeks later, Faith was in the middle of math class when Mother Superior asked to speak with her outside. Faith looked at Sister Agatha for permission and then went outside, wondering if she had done something wrong.

"Faith, Mrs Scott just called," Mother Superior started, and Faith immediately got worried.

"Dawnie."

"Mrs Scott said she got upset and then she just… zoned out…"

Faith was halfway down the hall before Mother Superior could finish.

"…again," Mother Superior finished to herself.

She stared after Faith until she disappeared and then entered the classroom to tell Sister Agatha that Faith wouldn't be back.

"Mrs Scott," Faith said, breathless, as she burst into the building.

"She's in her room," Mrs Scott said.

Faith ran upstairs. When she got to the door, she stopped, suddenly nervous. She took a deep breath to calm down and then entered. She was confused for a moment when she didn't see Dawn right away, but then she noticed her behind the bed, in the corner. She slowly approached her, her heart breaking as she watched how Dawn hugged her knees, trembling.

She sat beside her and gently hugged her.

"Shh, it's okay, I'm here now, Dawnie," she said softly, caressing her. "I'm here, you're safe now."

When Mrs Scott came upstairs a minute later, she found Faith gently rocking Dawn, softly talking to her, telling her she was safe. She stared at them for a few moments, still finding it strange how Faith became a whole different person when it came to Dawn. She sighed and carefully closed the door, hoping Faith would be able to help Dawn.

A while later, Faith didn't know how long, but she was sure it was hours, Dawn finally hugged her and started to cry. Faith quietly held her, occasionally caressing her, as tears also ran down her own cheeks.

About ten minutes later, Dawn finally stopped crying. It took her another few minutes to calm down enough for Faith to talk to her.

"What's wrong?" Faith asked her, quickly wiping her tears.

Dawn looked at her and Faith then wiped her tears.

"I don't wanna leave."

Faith frowned.

"Leave?"

Dawn nodded.

"Mrs Scott says I'd have to leave."

Faith sighed.

"Why don't we go talk to her, okay?"

"You won't let them take me away, will you?" Dawn asked, her eyes wide with fear.

Faith smiled a bit.

"No, I won't."

"Promise?"

Faith swallowed hard.

"I promise."

Dawn smiled a bit, relieved.

"Thank you," she said and hugged Faith.

Faith hugged her back and gave her a kiss on the top of the head.

"Come, let's go talk to Mrs Scott," she said a few moments later.

"Okay," Dawn said and let go of Faith.

Faith got up and then offered Dawn her hand to help her up. Dawn accepted it, and Faith pulled her up.

"Come," Faith said and led the way.

When they got to Mrs Scott's office, Faith knocked.

"Come!" came from inside, and Faith opened the door. "Ah, Faith." Mrs Scott smiled, relieved, when she saw Dawn. "Dawn."

Faith and Dawn entered, and Faith closed the door.

"Dawn said you want to send her away," Faith then said.

"Oh," Mrs Scott said and sighed. "No. Well, not exactly away."

"What do you mean?" Faith asked.

"I told Dawn that I would like to find a foster home for her, maybe someone to adopt her."

"Really?" Faith said, surprised.

Mrs Scott nodded.

"Yes. She's okay now, she doesn't have to stay here anymore."

Dawn hid behind Faith.

"I don't wanna go," she said, scared.

Faith glanced at her briefly.

"Can I talk to her for a moment? Alone?"

"Of course," Mrs Scott said.

She got up and left the office.

Faith then led Dawn to the sofa and they sat down.

"Dawnie, all Mrs Scott wants is for you to have a family."

"I do," Dawn said.

Faith frowned.

"You do?"

Dawn nodded.

"You."

Faith gasped and tears threatened to spill down her cheek. Dawn thought of her as a family. It meant so much to Faith she couldn't even begin to describe it. She took a deep breath to calm down. Then she smiled a bit.

"Thank you, Dawnie," she said and caressed the little girl. "You're my family too."

"See? Then I don't have to go."

Faith sighed, thinking.

"Do you miss your mommy and daddy?"

Dawn's face became sad, and Faith wished she could take away Dawn's pain. Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Mrs Scott is only trying to find you a new mommy and a new daddy."

"I don't want a new mommy and daddy," Dawn said.

Faith sighed again and gently squeezed Dawn's hand.

"But that way you could go to school…"

"I don't wanna leave you," Dawn said, panicking, and hugged Faith.

Faith hugged her back, a few tears running down her cheeks.

"I don't want you to leave either," she said and kissed Dawn on the top of the head. She thought about it. "How about a compromise," she then said, and Dawn looked at her, puzzled.

"A what?"

"A compromise," Faith said. "A deal of a sort. Suppose your new parents lived in this town and let me visit you whenever I wanted. Would you give them a chance then?"

Dawn frowned, thinking about it.

"And I would still see you every day?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

Dawn thought some more.

"But I don't know them."

Faith smiled.

"I know. We'll meet them together, okay? And I'll make sure that they're okay."

Dawn smiled.

"Okay."

Faith gave her a quick hug.

"You're a brave girl," she said, and Dawn's smile widened. "So, do we tell Mrs Scott she can find you new parents?"

Dawn hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay."

Faith smiled and got up, Dawn following suite.

"Mrs Scott!" Faith called.

A few moments later the door opened and Mrs Scott entered.

"Yes?"

"Dawn has decided to let you find new parents for her, but there are two conditions. Three, actually."

Mrs Scott raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of conditions?"

"They have to live here and I have to be able to visit her whenever I want. And I want to be involved in any decision concerning Dawnie."

Dawn looked at her with a smile.

Mrs Scott thought about it.

"Well, the first two shouldn't be a problem, I think, but the third might be."

Faith shrugged.

"Just tell them I'm her sister," she said and winked at Dawn, who beamed proudly.

Mrs Scott raised an eyebrow.

"Her sister."

"Yeah."

"Uh-huh," Dawn said, nodding her head enthusiastically.

Mrs Scott sighed.

"I'll see what I can do."

"Okay," Faith said. "I want to be here when Dawnie first meets them. And I want to see where they live."

Mrs Scott smiled at how protective Faith was of Dawn.

"I can't make any promises, but I'll do my best."

Faith smiled, relieved.

"Okay. Thanks." Then she picked up Dawn. "How about we go practice math?"

"Okay," Dawn said, happy.

Faith gave her a kiss on the cheek and then left Mrs Scott's office.

Mrs Scott shook her head and then got to work.

"Faith," Buffy approached her in the evening when she came back. "Is everything alright?" she asked, worried.

Faith looked at her and nodded.

"Yeah."

"What happened? Where've you been?" Then Buffy suddenly realized what the problem seemed to be. "Dawn. Is she alright?"

Faith stared at her, surprised by how much Buffy cared.

She nodded.

"Yeah. She freaked out because she thought she would have to leave after she got adopted."

"She's gonna get adopted?" Buffy asked.

Faith shrugged.

"I don't know. Mrs Scott put her up for adoption, but until she finds her suitable parents, Dawnie will stay at the center."

"Oh. But she's okay now?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"Good," Buffy said with a smile.

After examining the files of twenty-one potential parents for Dawn, Mrs Scott decided to interview six of them. She rejected the first four couples, but the fifth, the Betancourts, seemed to be the right one. But that was only as far as the state was concerned, she still had to tell them about Faith.

"Well, that's as far as I'm concerned, but there are two more conditions you need to fulfill."

"What conditions?" Mr Betancourt asked.

"Well, you see, there is this girl, Faith. She's the one who managed to get Dawn to move and talk again. They've grown so close that Dawn thinks of Faith as her older sister, and Faith is extremely protective of Dawn. She wants two things. She wants to be able to visit Dawn anytime she wants and she wants to be a part of any decision you make regarding Dawn."

"Really? And if we don't?"

"Then you're not suitable."

"Why do we have to fulfill Faith's conditions?" Mrs Betancourt asked.

"Because if you don't and I give Dawn to you anyway, Dawn will shut down again. When I first told that I'd like to put her for adoption, she thought she would be separated from Faith and she immediately shut down again. It took Faith hours to get her out of her shell again."

"Oh. What is she like?"

"Faith?" Mrs Scott thought about it for a moment. "She likes people to think she's tough, but that's only because she thinks people would hurt her if they thought she was weak. But once you get to know her and you gain her trust, she can be a most wonderful person."

The Betancourts looked at one another.

"Well, we'd like to see her first."

Mrs Scott nodded.

"She would like that too."

"When?"

"Now, if you want."

"She's here?"

"Yes. She's here almost every afternoon. She's teaching Dawn."

"Teaching?"

"Yes, so Dawn would be ready to go to school."

"Oh."

"I'll go get them and you two think about Faith's conditions."

"Okay."

Mrs Scott gently knocked on the door of Dawn's room and waited.

"Come!" Faith called from the inside, and Mrs Scott entered. "Oh, hi."

"I think I found a suitable couple for Dawn," Mrs Scott got right to the point.

Faith tensed.

"Have they fulfilled the conditions?"

"Not yet, but they're thinking about it. They want to meet you first."

Faith nodded and sighed, suddenly nervous.

"Are they in your office?

"Yes."

Faith took a deep breath.

"We'll come down in five minutes or so, I want to finish the lesson first."

Mrs Scott raised an eyebrow, but she didn't comment.

"Okay, "she said and left.

"Am I gonna meet my new mommy and daddy?" Dawn asked when Mrs Scott was gone.

Faith looked at her and smiled.

"I think so." She thought for a moment. "Do you want a new mommy and daddy?

Dawn frowned, thinking.

"I want you."

Faith smiled, moved.

"I want you too, Dawnie, and I would take you if I could."

"Why can't you?"

"Because I'm not old enough, I don't have a place to stay nor money to support us."

"Oh." Dawn thought some more. "Are they gonna die?"

Faith's face became serious as she realized what Dawn was afraid of. She sat beside her and hugged her. Dawn hugged her back.

"Everyone dies, Dawnie, including you and me. I know what happened to your mommy and daddy, but I don't think it will happen again."

Dawn sighed.

"I'm scared, Faith," she said in a quiet voice.

Faith pressed her closer to herself.

"I know, Dawnie, so am I." She paused for a moment. "Don't let fear stop you from being happy, Dawnie. Concentrate on the wonderful time you had with your mommy and daddy, not on how they died. I know you won't have the same relationship with your new mommy and daddy, but you can have a similar relationship and you can be happy."

Dawn was quiet for a few moments, thinking.

"But what if they die too?" she then asked, her eyes watering up.

"Then you will have the good memories of them. And you'll still have me."

"But what if you die?"

"Then you'll have them." Faith kissed Dawn on the top of the head. "And I don't think I'll die at the same time as they."

Dawn sobbed a bit, and Faith caressed her.

"Ready?" Faith asked Dawn after Dawn calmed down.

Dawn nodded and let go of Faith.

"Then let's put away this, we'll finish tomorrow," Faith decided.

"Okay," Dawn said and wiped her tears.

"They'll be down any minute," Mrs Scott said as she entered her office. "Faith just wants to finish to finish the lesson."

"Lesson?" Mr Betancourt asked, curious.

"Yes. I believe they were having geography."

"Oh."

"And they do this every day?" Mrs Betancourt asked.

"Yes. Except on Wednesday. Faith goes out with her friends then."

"Oh."

Mrs Scott thought for a moment.

"A word of advice. Faith is very protective of Dawn and she is very direct. She may appear rude and hostile, but that's just because she wants the best for Dawn. So be prepared for some thorough questioning."

Mrs Betancourt nodded.

When she and Dawn came to Mrs Scott's office, Faith took a deep breath and looked at Dawn.

"Ready?"

Dawn looked up at her and nodded.

Faith smiled and gently squeezed Dawn's hand.

"Then let's do it."

Faith knocked, waited a moment and then entered. Dawn was right behind her, half hiding.

"Ah, Faith," Mrs Scott said as Faith closed the door. "Have a seat."

Faith went to the sofa, Dawn closely behind her, eyeing the two strangers fearfully. After Faith sat down, Dawn sat between her legs and Faith put her arms around her protectively as she tried to get the first impression of Dawn's potential new parents.

"This is Faith and the little girl is Dawn," Mrs Scott introduced them. "Faith, Dawn, these are Mr and Mrs Betancourt."

"Hi," Faith said as Dawn tried to back away.

"Hello," Mrs Betancourt said and smiled at Dawn.

"Why don't you have kids yourself?" Faith got straight to the point.

Mr and Mrs Betancourt looked at one another.

"I can't have children," Mrs Betancourt said.

"Oh," Faith said, felling a bit sorry for the woman. "But why her? Why don't you adopt a baby? Most people do."

"We're both a bit too busy to take care of a baby," Mr Betancourt said.

"Which doesn't mean that we wouldn't take care of our own baby, if we could have it," Mrs Betancourt quickly added.

"What do you do?"

"I'm a lawyer and my wife is a doctor."

"So you're not prepared to take care of Dawn the way you would take care of your own baby?"

Mrs Scott gasped as Faith's sharpness.

"We are, but since we can't have our own baby, we decided to give someone older a chance," Mrs Betancourt said.

"And what makes you think you'll have enough time for her?"

"Well, she doesn't need constant attention and we were planning on enrolling her into school."

"You don't exactly work regular hours," Faith pointed out.

"I know, but we can make arrangements at work."

"And I can do some work at home," Mr Betancourt added.

"And we can always hire a babysitter," Mrs Betancourt said.

"A babysitter?" Faith asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Well, since you two are so close, we were thinking of you. And we will pay…"

"You don't need to pay me to take care of my own sister," Faith interrupted her, upset that they would think that.

Mr and Mrs Betancourt looked at one another when Faith called Dawn her sister.

"I'm sorry, I didn't meant to insinuate that you're only taking care of her because of money."

Faith nodded, accepting the apology.

"You don't like us, do you?" Mr Betancourt asked.

Faith looked at him.

"It's not that. I would rather adopt Dawnie myself, if I could, instead of having to worry that some pervs might take advantage of her."

"You think we're perverts?" Mrs Betancourt asked, shocked and hurt.

"Well, no, but that doesn't mean anything," Faith said, realizing she had been too hard. She hesitated for a moment. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that," she said, subconsciously hugging Dawn tighter.

Mrs Betancourt nodded.

"I know," she said and smiled a bit.

"What about you?" Mr Betancourt then asked.

"Me?" Faith said, suddenly realizing that her past may actually hurt Dawn.

"Yes."

Faith sighed and decided to tell them the truth.

"I'm from Boston. My mom's… well, a drunk, so I spent most of my time on the streets. I got into some trouble, but my social worker got me a choice between juvie and the convent school here. I chose the convent school."

"You don't strike me as a convent school girl," Mr Betancourt said.

Faith glared at him for a moment.

"I'm not. But it's better than juvie."

"I see." Mr Betancourt thought for a moment. "And how did you meet Dawn?"

"The convent girls come here once a month and each takes care of a kid for a day. I got assigned to Dawn and we… clicked."

"Clicked?" Mrs Betancourt asked.

Faith looked at Mrs Scott for help.

"Dawn was completely catatonic before," Mrs Scott explained. "She didn't move, she didn't talk. But then Faith came and caught her attention. And now, as you can see, Dawn is ready to go to school."

"Oh," Mrs Betancourt said, impressed.

"Mrs Scott says you want to be able to visit Dawn whenever you want," Mr Betancourt then said, getting back to business.

"Yeah," Faith said, tensing a bit.

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

"I don't think that would be a problem."

Faith relaxed a bit.

"And the other condition?"

"Well, we might have a problem with it."

"Then the deal is off," Faith said.

"No, wait," Mrs Betancourt said and looked at her husband. "They are sisters and it's thanks to Faith that we even got a chance to adopt Dawn," she said. "And besides, she might offer a helpful suggestion."

Mr Betancourt thought about it. He didn't like it, but he had to agree with his wife. He sighed.

"Very well."

"So you agree?" Faith asked.

"Yes."

"Good. I want that added to whatever contract you're going to sign."

"What?" Mr Betancourt said, surprised.

"I want it written. I don't want to find out one day that you've moved. And I want to see the contract before you sign it."

Mr and Mrs Betancourt looked at one another.

"Okay," Mrs Betancourt said.

"Honey…" Mr Betancourt started.

"She just wants to make sure she won't lose Dawn," Mrs Betancourt said.

Mr Betancourt looked at Faith and sighed.

"Very well, I'll draw up an annex."

Faith relaxed and looked at Dawn.

"Dawnie?" she said and Dawn looked up at her. "Do you want them to adopt you?"

Dawn looked at the Betancourts and stared at them for a few moments, thinking. Then she looked back at Faith.

"Do you think they're okay?"

Faith smiles a bit.

"I do, "she said, glancing at the Betancourts. "But it's your choice, Dawnie, you can say no, if you don't want them to adopt you."

Dawn glanced at the Betancourts, who quietly observed the discussion between her and Faith.

"Won't they be mad?" Dawn asked, worried.

"Probably, but it doesn't matter. If you don't want them to adopt you, say so."

Dawn looked at the Betancourts, who stared back at her. A few moments later, she looked back at Faith.

"I want them to be my new mommy and daddy."

Faith smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"Okay." She looked at the Betancourts. "Congratulations, you just earned yourselves a daughter."

Mrs Betancourt breathed a sigh of relief. She hesitated for a moment.

"Can I hug her now?"

Faith smiled and looked at Dawn.

"Dawnie?"

Dawn stared at her new mommy for a few moments and then slid off the sofa. She slowly approached Mrs Betancourt, nervous because she didn't know her yet.

Mrs Betancourt smiled at her.

"Hi, honey."

"Hi," Dawn said a little less nervous.

Mrs Betancourt wanted to reach out to Dawn, but she decided to let Dawn come to her at her own pace. When Dawn reached her, Mrs Betancourt spread her arms, and Dawn hugged her. Mrs Betancourt's smile widened and she hugged her back.

"Welcome to the family, Dawn," she said softly.

Faith quietly observed them, feeling a bit jealous, but she had a good feeling about them.

"I'll, eh, draw up the annex," Mr Betancourt said.

He hesitantly reached out and gently caressed Dawn.

"We'll go pack," Faith said and got up. She looked at Mrs Scott. "We can pack, right?"

Mrs Scott smiled.

"Yes."

"Okay. Come, Dawnie, let's go pack."

Mrs Betancourt let go of Dawn, and Dawn ran to Faith and took her hand.

"Can I come along?" Mrs Betancourt asked.

Faith shrugged.

"Sure."

Mrs Betancourt looked at her husband.

"Do you need me?"

"No, not at the moment. Later, when we have to sign."

"Okay."

Mrs Betancourt got up and followed the girls.

When they got to Dawn's room, Mrs Betancourt looked around, curious.

"Nice room," she said, and Dawn smiled.

"Faith helped me decorate," she said.

"Oh." Mrs Betancourt went to the table. "Are these all your notebooks?"

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh. Faith is teaching me."

Mrs Betancourt smiled.

"So, are you looking forward to go to school?"

Dawn beamed.

"Uh-huh."

"Can she go straight to second grade in fall if she passes all the tests?" Faith asked.

"Tests?" Mrs Betancourt asked.

"Yeah. She knows so much already and she could easily pass the tests."

Mrs Betancourt thought about it.

"If it's possible, I can't see why not."

"Cool." She looked at Dawn. "Okay, Dawnie, let's pack now."

After Mr Betancourt drew up the annex and all the other papers were in order, Mrs Scott went to get Mrs Betancourt, Faith and Dawn, who were sitting and talking, having finished packing. They went to Mrs Scott's office, and Faith read the annex. Everything seemed okay to her, but she looked at Mrs Scott.

"Did you read this?"

"Yes. I think it's okay."

Faith took a deep breath and looked at the Betancourts.

"Okay. I guess you sign now."

Mrs Betancourt smiled and looked at her husband.

"Honey?"

"On the line," Mr Betancourt said and signed his own name.

While the Betancourts did the signing, Faith stood next to Dawn, holding her hand. Dawn looked up at her, and Faith smiled at her. Dawn smiled back.

"Okay," Mrs Scott said when she checked that the signatures were okay. She looked at Faith. "Faith, you have to sign the annex too. Here."

Faith let go of Dawn and stepped closer. She took the pen and signed.

"Okay, this is it," Mrs Scott then declared. "You can go home now."

Dawn looked at Faith, who smiled at her.

"Go hug your mommy," Faith said softly.

Dawn smiled, ran to Mrs Betancourt and hugged her.

Mrs Betancourt smiled, happy, and hugged her back.

"Can I pick you up?" she asked after a few moments.

Dawn let go of Mrs Betancourt, looked at her and then at Faith.

Faith smiled.

"She's your mommy," Faith said.

Dawn thought for a moment and then looked at Mrs Betancourt. She hesitated for a moment and then raised her arms.

Mrs Betancourt smiled and picked her up.

"Ready to go home, honey?"

Dawn nodded.

Mrs Betancourt's smile widened and after a moment of hesitation, she kissed her on the forehead.

Dawn smiled shyly, and Mrs Betancourt caressed her.

"I assume you want to go with us?" Mr Betancourt asked Faith.

Faith jerked, startled.

"Yeah."

"Then let's go."

Dawn looked at Faith, who smiled at her.

"Let your mommy carry you," Faith said.

"Okay," Dawn said.

"That's your car?" Faith said, surprised, when they got to the car and she saw it was an SUV.

"Yes."

"What do you use it for, cargo transport?"

Mr Betancourt smiled.

"No," he said and disarmed the alarm.

Mrs Betancourt put Dawn down, and Dawn ran to Faith, who caressed her.

"Okay, let's go home," Mrs Betancourt said.

Faith opened the back door and went in. Dawn hesitated for a moment and then followed her. She leaned on her, and Faith hugged her.

Mrs Betancourt then closed the back door and sat in the front.

"Buckle up."

Faith looked and saw that the backseats had seatbelts. She reached over and fastened Dawn's first and then her own.

"Wow," Faith said when they arrived to the Betancourt house.

"You like it?" Mr Betancourt asked, glancing at her in the rear-view mirror.

"It's… big." She cocked her head. "It's okay, I guess." She looked at Dawn. "Like it?"

Dawn nodded, staring wide-eyed at the house.

Mr Betancourt pulled over.

"Come on, let's go in," Mrs Betancourt said and got out.

Faith unclasped her own seatbelt and then Dawn's.

"Go on, open the door," she said.

Dawn looked at the door.

"That clutch, yes," Faith said when Dawn looked at it.

Dawn reached for the clutch.

"Now pull it."

Dawn pulled it and the door opened.

"There. Now push the door," Faith said, opening her own door.

Dawn pushed the door and got up.

"That's it," Faith said and got out.

She closed the door and went to the other side.

"Okay, now close it."

Dawn pushed the door and it closed.

"Well done," Faith said and took Dawn's hand.

Dawn smiled, and Mr Betancourt locked the car.

"This way. Well get Dawn's things later," Mrs Betancourt said and led the way.

Faith and Dawn followed her, Mr Betancourt bringing up the rear.

"Let's go to Dawn's room first," Mrs Betancourt said as they entered the house.

"Okay," Faith said and looked at Dawn. "Excited?"

Dawn smiled and nodded.

"Uh-huh."

Faith smiled and gently squeezed her hand.

They went upstairs.

"This is it," Mrs Betancourt said as they entered Dawn's room.

Faith and Dawn entered and looked around.

"Wow," Faith said.

Dawn just stared.

"It still needs a bit of decorating," Mrs Betancourt said.

Faith took a closer look and saw that there were still a few things that needed to be done.

"Yeah." She walked to the window and looked out. "You have a pool," she noticed.

"Yes."

Faith looked at Dawn.

"Dawnie, I want you to stay away from the pool, okay?"

Dawn nodded, frightened a bit by the memories. Faith quickly hugged her for a moment.

"Hey, it's okay," she said. She slowly let go of her. "Just stay away from it. And if something falls in, don't try to get it yourself, wait for Mommy or Daddy, okay?"

Dawn nodded.

"Okay."

Faith smiled.

"Good."

"The pool has an electric cover," Mr Betancourt spoke. "We'll keep it covered unless someone is swimming."

"Okay," Faith said, relieved. "Oh yeah, if something happens to Dawnie, I want you to call me at once. I mean, not the good stuff, that can wait till I come over, but the bad stuff. Okay?"

Mrs Betancourt nodded.

"We will," she assured her.

"Good." Faith looked at Dawn and smiled. "How about we go get your stuff and unpack."

Dawn smiled.

"Okay."

"I'll go cover the pool," Mr Betancourt said.

An hour later, they had unpacked and Mr and Mrs Betancourt helped them finish decorating the room. Mr and Mrs Betancourt then left to take a coffee break, leaving them alone.

"So, you like it here?" Faith then asked.

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"And your new mommy and daddy?"

Dawn thought for a moment.

"They're nice," she said.

Faith smiled a bit.

"Yes," she agreed. "Dawnie? If they, or anyone else, does something to you that you don't like, I want you to tell me, okay? Even if they threaten to punish you, I want you to tell me. Okay?"

Dawn nodded.

"Okay," she said, knowing that Faith was very serious.

Faith smiled.

"Good." She took a deep breath, thinking. "But give them a chance, okay? You might like them. I mean, you gave me a chance."

Dawn smiled.

"Okay."

Faith smiled back and caressed her.

"Hey, Faith," Buffy said when Faith got back to the convent.

Faith smiled a bit.

"Hey."

"What's wrong?"

Faith frowned.

"What makes you think something's wrong?"

"You got that… pensive look."

"Oh." Faith sighed. "Dawnie got adopted today."

"Really?" Buffy said, knowing how much Dawn meant to Faith.

"Yeah. Fortunately Mrs Scott found her a good couple from here."

"Can you still visit?"

"Yeah."

"That's good," Buffy said with a smile.

Faith smiled a bit.

"Yeah."

"You okay?" Buffy asked, worried.

Faith sighed.

"Yeah. Just paranoid, I guess."

"That's perfectly normal," Buffy assured her, and Faith chuckled.

"Yeah, I guess." Then her face became serious. "I just hope they're not just faking it."

"Do you think they are?" Buffy asked, not belittling Faith's fears.

Faith thought for a moment.

"No."

"Hi," Faith said the next day when she came to visit Dawn.

"Hi," Mrs Betancourt said with a smile. "Come on in."

Faith entered, and Mrs Betancourt closed the door.

"Dawn's in her room. She's studying."

Faith nodded, hesitating.

"Was everything okay last night?"

"Yes."

Faith thought for a moment.

"What about this morning? I mean, didn't you go to work?"

"I did, but my husband stayed at home."

"Oh."

"Em, I called Mrs Scott and she said we could bring Dawn over to the center in the mornings. Is that alright with you?"

Faith thought about it for a moment, glad that Mrs Betancourt asked for her opinion.

"Yeah, I guess. Is Dawnie okay with it?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll, em, go to her now."

Mrs Betancourt smiled.

"Okay."

Faith went upstairs. When she got to Dawn's room, she knocked and waited.

"Yes?" came from the inside.

Faith opened the door.

"Hey," she said with a smile.

Dawn smiled back.

"Hey."

Faith entered and closed the door.

"You okay?" she asked as she sat on the chair beside her.

Dawn nodded.

"Yeah. They were nice. Mommy said I can spend the mornings with Mrs Scott."

Faith nodded.

"Do you want to?"

Dawn thought for a moment.

"Yeah, she's okay."

Faith smiled.

"Good." She thought for a moment. "Listen, tomorrow is Wednesday. Do you want to go out with me and my friends?"

Dawn smiled brightly.

"Can I?"

Faith smiled at Dawn's enthusiasm.

"Sure."

"Cool!"

"We'll ask your mommy and daddy later."

"Okay."

"So, was everything alright?" Buffy asked when Faith came back to the convent.

Faith smiled.

"Yeah." She hesitated for a moment. "Listen, I was thinking Dawn could go out with us tomorrow."

"Really?" Buffy asked, excited. "Yes, that would be nice."

Faith smiled, glad that Buffy was okay with it.

"Okay. We'll go pick her up together tomorrow. Her parents have already agreed."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Okay."

"Hello, Mrs Betancourt," Faith said when she, Buffy, Willow and Tara arrived to their house to pick up Dawn.

"Hello, Faith," Mrs Betancourt said with a smile. "Come in." The girls entered, and Mrs Betancourt closed the door. "Dawn's on her way," she said.

"Okay."

"Faith!" Dawn said, excited, as she came downstairs, followed by her father.

Faith smiled.

"Hey, Dawnie. Hi, Mr Betancourt."

"Hello, Faith."

"Em, these are Buffy, Willow and Tara," Faith then introduced her friends.

"Hello, girls," Mrs Betancourt said.

"Hi," the girls said in unison and then giggled.

"Faith, come here a moment," Mr Betancourt then said and Faith approached him, curious. "Here's some money for you and Dawn, so you can buy yourselves something to drink or eat," he said and offered her some money.

Faith frowned.

"Why for me?" she asked.

"Well, you are Dawn's sister and that means you get allowance as well. She's a bit too young to handle money, so I'm giving you hers as well."

Faith stared at him for a few moments and then at the money. She didn't take charity, but she realized that Mr Betancourt had a point, after all, she was Dawn's sister, so she supposed it was okay. And besides, she needed the money.

"Okay," she said and took the money. "Thanks."

Mr Betancourt smiled.

"You're welcome."

"Okay, Dawnie, ready to go?" Faith asked as she put the money away.

Dawn nodded, excited.

"Uh-huh."

"Okay then, let's go."

"Hi, Mr Betancourt," Faith said when they returned.

"Hello."

"Can you call your wife?"

"Sure. Honey!"

"Yes?!" Mrs Betancourt called.

"Can you come here?!"

"Okay!" Mrs Betancourt arrived a few moments later. "Yes?"

"Faith?" Mr Betancourt asked.

"Well, Buffy suggested that Willow and Tara could teach Dawn. You know, so she can go to school."

"Oh."

"Dawn said she'd like that."

Mr Betancourt glanced at Dawn.

"Okay." He looked at his wife. "Honey?"

"Yes, a good idea," Mrs Betancourt agreed. She looked at Willow and Tara. "We'll discuss money later."

"Oh no, it's okay," Willow said. "We like to teach. And besides, we have enough money."

"Yes," Tara agreed.

"Well, okay."

"Come," Dawn said.

"So, you ready to take a shower?" Faith asked Dawn after Buffy, Willow and Tara had left.

Dawn seemed to shrink a bit.

"No."

"Okay, then some other day."

"No!" Dawn said, changing her mind. "I mean, I'm… scared, but I wanna do it."

"You sure?" Faith asked.

Dawn nodded.

"Yes."

Faith smiled.

"Okay. You undress and I'll change… Oh hell, I might as well be naked. Would that bother you?"

Dawn thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"No."

"Okay. I'll just ask your mom if that's okay with her."

Dawn nodded and started to undress.

"Mrs Betancourt?"

"Yes?" Mrs Betancourt asked as she looked at her.

"Em, Dawn and I are going to take a shower now."

"Is she ready?"

"No, but she wants to do it anyway."

"Oh."

"Em, since I'm going to be with her in the shower, I thought I might as well be naked instead of wearing my bikini. Is that okay with you?"

Mrs Betancourt thought for a moment.

"I'd rather if you wore a bikini."

"Okay," Faith said.

"I'll prepare everything."

"I thought you wanted to be naked," Dawn said when Faith entered the bathroom, wearing a bikini.

"Yeah, but your mom wants me to wear a bikini," Faith explained and glanced at Mrs Betancourt, who was preparing everything.

"Oh."

Faith smiled.

"Still wanna do it?"

Dawn nodded.

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Faith, this is what you will need," Mrs Betancourt said. "This is shampoo and this is shower gel."

"Okay," Faith said and gathered up the stuff she would need.

Mrs Betancourt smiled at Dawn and then left.

"Come," Faith said, took Dawn's hand and led her to the shower booth. "Remember," she said as she closed the booth, "if you want to stop, just say so, okay?"

Dawn nodded.

"Okay."

Faith smiled.

"You're very brave," she said, and Dawn smiled a bit. "Okay, here we go."

Faith slowly turned the valve, starting the shower. Dawn moved closer to Faith, scared.

"Shh, it's okay," Faith said and caressed her. "Take a few deep breaths."

Dawn did so and she calmed a bit.

"Better?"

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Tell you, what, why don't you turn on the water, that way you'll be in control."

Dawn turned to the valves and after a moment of hesitation, reached for them.

"Make sure you turn both equally, so the water won't be too hot or too cold," Faith warned her.

Dawn nodded and then slowly started to turn the valves. The water started to flow faster, and Dawn tensed.

Faith kneeled behind her and hugged her.

"Shh, it's okay, you can turn it off, if you want, you're in control."

Dawn took a few deep breaths and calmed down. Then she slowly continued to increase the water flow.

"Okay, that's enough," Faith said when the water jet was strong enough. "Now make sure you're completely wet," she said and let go of Dawn.

Dawn slowly moved into the water jet. She tensed a bit, but she quickly calmed down when Faith put a hand on her shoulder. Dawn moved around in the jet, making sure she was wet. But when she looked up to the shower head and saw water rushing at her, she shrieked and hugged Faith, scared.

"Shh, it's okay, Dawnie, it's okay, you're safe," Faith said, caressing her.

Dawn trembled for a few moments.

"Do you want to stop?" Faith asked.

Dawn thought about it for a few moments and then shook her head. She took a deep breath and let go of Faith.

"You're very brave," Faith said, and caressed her again.

Dawn smiled.

"Now what?" she asked.

"First, turn off the water," Faith said and Dawn did so. "Now, take the shower gel and squeeze it on the washing glove," she instructed Dawn, who picked up the shower gel and the washing glove. "Make sure you don't squeeze too much," Faith warned her.

Dawn nodded and carefully squeezed some shower gel on the washing glove.

"Is that enough?"

"Yes. Now, you wash yourself and I'll wash your hair, okay?"

Dawn nodded and started washing herself while Faith took the shampoo and started to wash Dawn's hair.

"Okay, time to rinse," Faith said a few minutes later when they were done.

Dawn slowly started to turn the water on again.

"Okay, that's enough," Faith said when the water jet was big enough.

Dawn slowly moved into the jet and let the water rinse off the shower gel and the shampoo.

"Use your hands to help the water," Faith advised as she took care of Dawn's hair.

Dawn did so.

"Okay, step aside so I can rinse myself," Faith said.

Dawn moved aside and Faith got up and rinsed herself. Then she turned off the water.

"Now we dry you up," Faith said and opened the shower booth.

They stepped out and Faith took one of the towels and started drying Dawn. When she was done, she took another towel and wrapped it around Dawn. Then she took yet another towel and dried herself. When she was done, she took the fourth towel and wrapped herself in it. Then she removed the bikini and put it in the sink. After that she took the blow dryer and sat in front of the mirror.

"Come, sit between my legs."

Dawn did so, and Faith started to dry her hair.

After Dawn's hair was dry, Faith dried her own. Then she checked out the skin creams.

"Okay, get up and put the towel aside," she instructed Dawn as she reached for one of the creams.

Dawn got up and removed the towel. Faith then started to apply the cream to Dawn's body.

When she was done, she helped Dawn wrap the towel around her body again and then she applied the cream to her own body.

"Okay, bed time," she said as she wrapped herself in a towel again. Then she smiled at Dawn. "You were very brave," she said and Dawn smiled back. "Come, let's go to your room."

Dawn took Faith's hand and they went to her room.

There, Dawn put on her panties, and Faith helped her put on her nightshirt.

"Okay, all set," Faith then said and Dawn smiled.

Dawn climbed in the bed and Faith quickly dressed.

"I'll go get your mommy and daddy," Faith then said.

Dawn nodded and Faith left.

"Mrs Betancourt!" she called when she was in the hall.

"Yes?!" Mrs Betancourt called from downstairs.

"Dawnie's ready for bed!"

"Okay!"

Faith returned to Dawn's room.

"They're coming," she said and sat beside Dawn and caressed her. "Scared?"

Dawn shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

Faith smiled.

"Good."

They waited for a few moments and then Mr and Mrs Betancourt entered. Faith got up and stepped aside.

Mr and Mrs Betancourt approached the bed and tucked Dawn in.

"You okay, honey?" Mrs Betancourt asked.

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh."

Mrs Betancourt smiled.

"Good," she said and caressed her. "Good night, Dawn."

"Night, Mommy."

Mrs Betancourt kissed her on the forehead and then stepped aside to let her husband kiss Dawn goodnight.

"How's my girl?" Mr Betancourt said with a smile.

"I'm fine, Daddy," Dawn said, smiling shyly.

Mr Betancourt smiled.

"Good. Good night, honey," he said and kissed her on the forehead again.

"Night, Daddy."

Faith quietly watched them and decided that they were good parents.

Mr and Mrs Betancourt then looked at her. Faith hesitated for a moment and then approached Dawn's bed.

"Good night, Dawnie, I'll see you tomorrow," she said and kissed her on the forehead.

"Night, Faith," Dawn said with a smile.

As Mr and Mrs Betancourt watched Faith kiss Dawn goodnight, they realized that they may not be blood related, but they were sisters nonetheless.

They left Dawn's room, and Faith followed them, turning off the light and closing the door.

"Was everything okay in the shower?" Mr Betancourt then asked.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah. She was a bit tense, but she relaxed. I let her turn on the water, so she would be in control. I helped her wash her hair."

"Oh."

"She might have a nightmare tonight. She's okay at the moment, but she might dream about the shower."

"We'll leave the door open," Mrs Betancourt said.

"Good." Faith thought for a moment. "Em, it she wants to shower again, ask her if she wants you in the shower booth or not. Maybe she'll be comfortable enough to shower by herself."

Mrs Betancourt nodded.

"Okay."

Faith took a deep breath.

"I'll just go get my bikini and then I'll go."

"How was it?" Buffy asked when Faith returned.

Faith smiled.

"Okay. I let her turn on the water by herself, so she was in control. She was a bit tense, but she relaxed. I just hope she doesn't have a nightmare."

Buffy nodded.

"Yeah, I hope so too." She smiled. "You'll have her swimming in no time."

Faith smiled a bit.

"I hope so." She took a deep breath. "Em, do you mind, I need to change."

"Oh, sure," Buffy said and turned away.

At the door, Mother Superior had been listening to their conversation. She had allowed Faith to come late and she was curious as to what happened. She smiled when she heard that everything was okay. Then she left.

"Hi," Faith said when she came to see Dawn the next day.

"Hello, Faith," Mr Betancourt said.

"Did she have a nightmare?"

"No."

"Good," Faith said, relieved.

Mr Betancourt smiled.

"Oh, listen, I don't know if you know, but Dawn's birthday is next Thursday."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I'll be there." Faith thought for a moment. "Can I invite Buffy, Willow and Tara?"

"Yes, of course, she likes them."

Faith nodded.

"Yeah. Oh, eh, can I, em, spend the night then?" she then asked, nervous. "If Mother Superior agrees, of course."

Mr Betancourt smiled.

"Yes, of course."

Faith smiled back.

"Thanks." She took a deep breath. "Is she in her room?"

"Yes."

"Okay," Faith said and went upstairs. "Hey," she said when she entered Dawn's room.

Dawn smiled at her.

"Hi."

Faith sat beside her.

"Did you have a bad dream last night?"

Dawn shook her head.

"No."

Faith smiled, relieved.

"Good," she said and caressed her. "So, ready to study?

Dawn nodded.

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Did she have a nightmare?" Buffy asked Faith when she returned.

Faith shook her head.

"No."

"Good," Buffy said, relieved.

Faith smiled, surprised again by how caring Buffy was. Then she caught herself and blushed.

"Em, Dawn's birthday is next Thursday. You're invited."

Buffy's eyes lit up.

"I am?"

Faith smiled.

"Well, you and Willow and Tara." She looked at Willow and Tara. "Wanna come?"

"Yes, of course," Willow said, excited. "When's the party?"

Faith frowned.

"I don't know. I think after our classes end. I'll ask."

"Oh. Okay."

"Are you gonna sleep over?" Buffy then asked.

Faith looked at her.

"After the party?"

Buffy nodded.

"Yes."

"I don't know, I have to ask Mother Superior first. I'll ask her tomorrow."

"But Dawn's parents agree?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. I guess now we need to think up what we're gonna buy her."

"Ooh! We have to throw her a surprise party!" Willow said, excited.

"You will have to take her out so we can prepare it," Tara added.

Faith grinned, glad that they were all excited by it.

"Yes," Buffy said, "we'll help her parents get everything ready."

"Okay. I'll talk to the tomorrow and see what plans they have."

Buffy smiled.

"Okay."

When next Thursday finally arrived, Faith took Dawn out for ice cream, giving Mr and Mrs Betancourt, Buffy, Willow and Tara enough time to prepare the surprise party.

"Surprise!" everyone yelled when Dawn entered the living room when she and Faith came back.

Dawn jerked, startled, and looked at Faith, confused.

"It's your birthday, Dawnie," Faith said and smiled. "This is your surprise party."

Dawn's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

"Yes," Faith said and ruffled her hair. "Happy birthday."

"Happy birthday, honey," Mrs Betancourt said, smiling.

Dawn beamed.

"Thank you."

"Here, blow out the candles," Faith said.

Dawn approached the cake.

"Wow."

Faith smiled.

"Make a wish first," she instructed. "Quietly."

Dawn thought for a few moments and then blew out the candles.

"Very good," Willow said, smiling.

"Okay, presents," Buffy said, and Dawn's eyes went wide again. "Who wants to go first?"

"Mr and Mrs Betancourt," Faith said when Dawn looked at her expectantly.

Mrs Betancourt fetched her and her husband's gift.

"Here you go, honey," she said. "Happy birthday."

She kissed Dawn on the forehead and gave her the gift.

"Happy birthday, sweetie," Mr Betancourt said and ruffled her hair.

"Thank you," Dawn said with a smile and opened her present. "Wow! A school bag," she said, excited, when she saw what it was.

"Open it," Mr Betancourt said.

Dawn did so.

"Wow! Faith, look! School stuff," she said as she rummaged through the bag.

Faith smiled.

"You're gonna need it," she said, and Dawn smiled at her. "Here, my present."

"Thank you," Dawn said as she took the present. She unwrapped it and her eyes went wide. "Your comics!"

"Yeah. Thought you should have something fun to read."

Dawn smiled and hugged her.

"Thank you."

Faith hugged her back, ruffling her hair.

"You're welcome."

Dawn let go of Faith and looked at the comics again.

"Have you read them all?"

"Sure. Several times."

"Oh."

Mr Betancourt left the room.

"Here," Buffy said and gave Dawn her present.

"Thank you," Dawn said as she took the small box. She unwrapped it and frowned. "What is it?"

"It's a locket," Buffy said and reached over. Dawn gave her the locket and Buffy opened it. "See? You can put pictures of your parents in here. Or someone else's."

"Oh," Dawn said and took the locket. She smiled at Buffy. "Thank you."

Buffy smiled back.

"You're welcome."

"Okay, our turn," Tara said. "Here," she said and gave Dawn her present.

Dawn unwrapped it and frowned.

"A bicycle lock?" She looked at Tara. "But I don't have a bicycle."

Tara smiled.

"Well, we couldn't wrap it up, so we left it in the garage."

Dawn's eyes lit up.

"You got me a bicycle?"

"Yes."

Dawn looked at Mrs Betancourt.

"Can I see it?"

Mrs Betancourt smiled.

"Your father will bring it in any moment."

"Oh."

"You can cut the…" Faith started but trailed off when Mr Betancourt returned with the bike.

"Wow," Dawn said.

She went to the bike and got on it.

"You'll drive outside, honey," Mrs Betancourt said.

"Okay," Dawn said. She took the helmet. "Is this also for me?"

"Yes," Willow said. "You know, safety."

"Okay," Dawn said, and put it on. "How do I look?"

"Really sporty," Faith said, and Dawn smiled.

"Will you teach me how to ride a bike?"

"Sure."

"Come, honey, cut the cake," Mrs Betancourt said.

"Ooh!" Dawn said.

She quickly got off the bike, took the helmet off, and approached the cake.

"Here you go," Mrs Betancourt said, and gave Dawn the knife.

"What do I do?" Dawn asked.

"Just cut one slice, I'll do the rest."

"Oh. Okay."

Dawn carefully cut a slice and then looked at Mer Betancourt questioningly.

"Very good," Mrs Betancourt said with a smile. "Now give me the knife."

Dawn gave her the knife, and Mrs Betancourt put Dawn's slice on a plate and gave it to Dawn.

"Thank you," Dawn said.

Mrs Betancourt then proceeded to cut the rest of the slices.

"So, you ready to get washed up?" Faith asked Dawn in the evening.

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Do you think you're ready to take a bath?"

Dawn frowned.

"You mean, I'd have to sit in the water up to my neck?" she asked, nervous.

"Well, more like to your chest."

Dawn thought about it.

"I don't know."

"You don't have to, you can take a shower."

Dawn hesitated for a moment.

"Will you be with me when I take a bath?" she then asked.

Faith smiled.

"Of course."

Dawn hesitated again.

"Okay," she then agreed.

"You sure? You don't have to take a bath, if you're not ready."

Dawn took a deep breath.

"No, I'll take a bath."

"Okay. Let's go to the bathroom then."

"Okay." Dawn looked at Mrs Betancourt, who was quietly observing them. "Mommy, I'm going to take a bath."

Mrs Betancourt smiled.

"Okay, honey."

Dawn took Faith's hand and they went upstairs.

While Dawn was undressing, Faith decided that it would be safer if she undressed to her underwear, she didn't want to get her clothes wet. When Dawn was naked and Faith was in her underwear, Dawn took Faith's hand again and they went to the bathroom.

"So, you want to wait until the bath is ready or do you want to sit in the tub now and get used to the water?" Faith asked as she prepared the bubble bath.

Dawn thought about it.

"I'm gonna sit in now," she decided.

"Okay," Faith said and helped her in. "Stand for a while until I get the temperature right."

"Okay."

Faith fiddled with the tap until she got the temperature right.

"See if the water's right," she then told Dawn.

Dawn bowed and touched the water jet.

"It's okay," she declared.

"Good. Oh!" Faith suddenly remembered. "I have to get something from my bag. Will you be okay for a few moments?"

Dawn looked at the rising water and nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Okay, I'll be right back," Faith said and ran out of the bathroom.

Dawn stared at the rising water and at the water jet, her heartbeat quickening a little.

"I'm back," Faith said when she came back. "You okay?" she asked when she that Dawn was tense.

Dawn looked at her and nodded.

Faith smiled encouragingly and showed her what she had brought.

"Look what I got," she said.

Dawn frowned.

"Is that a rubber ducky?"

Faith smiled widely.

"Yeah. Here."

Dawn took it and took a closer look.

"I think I had a rubber ducky when I was a baby."

Faith caressed her.

"Squeeze it," she said, trying to make Dawn feel happier.

Dawn looked at the toy and squeezed it. It made a squeaking noise, and Dawn giggled. She quickly squeezed it a couple of more times. Then she looked at Faith.

"Does it float?" she asked.

Faith smiled.

"You bet. Why don't you sit down now."

"Okay."

Faith offered Dawn her hand, and Dawn took it. Dawn then slowly lowered herself. First she squatted and then slowly sat down.

"Is the water okay?" Faith asked.

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh," she said and submerged the rubber ducky. Then she let go of it and the toy shot to the surface. Dawn giggled and looked at Faith. "I didn't know you have a rubber ducky."

Faith grinned.

"I don't. I bought it for you."

Dawn's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Happy birthday, Dawnie," Faith said and ruffled Dawn's hair.

Dawn beamed.

"Thank you, Faith."

"You're welcome," Faith said and took a deep breath. She looked at the water. "Is this enough water?"

Dawn looked at the water.

"I think I can take a bit more," she said after a moment of hesitation.

"Okay. I'll just prepare the towels and stuff."

"Okay."

"Just turn the water off when you think there's enough of it."

"Okay."

Faith got up and prepared the towels and skin cremes, and Dawn played with the rubber ducky, trying not to panic at the rising water. When she finally felt that there was enough water, she turned it off.

Faith looked at her.

"Just lean back and try to relax," she said.

Dawn started to lean back, but then she started to hyperventilate.

Faith was immediately by her side.

"It's okay, Dawnie," she said and put her right hand behind Dawn's back and took Dawn's left hand with her left hand. "Take a few deep breaths," she said and Dawn did so. "That's it. Now try again, if you want."

Dawn hesitated for a moment and then slowly started to lean back, and Faith gently rubbed her back.

"Just breathe deeply and try to relax," Faith advised. "Okay, you're almost there. I'll remove my hand now, okay?"

Dawn nodded, nervous.

"Uh-huh."

Faith slowly pulled her hand away and put it on Dawn's shoulder instead.

"There, see?" she said when Dawn was leaning on the tub wall. "Now just try to relax."

Dawn released her grip on Faith's hand, so Faith took the rubber ducky, which Dawn had let go of, and squeezed it a couple of times. Dawn looked at it and smiled.

"Feeling okay?" Faith asked her.

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh," she said.

"Good. Just breathe deeply and relax."

Dawn did so and she also played with the rubber ducky to distract herself.

Faith caressed her and Dawn smiled at her.

"Okay, how about we get you cleaned up now," Faith said after a minute or so.

"Okay," Dawn agreed and sat up.

"Here, you wash your front and I'll do your back," Faith said and quickly fetched two water gloves.

"Okay," Dawn said.

Dawn washed her face, her arms and her front and Faith washed Dawn's back.

"Okay, now we need to get your hair wet so I can wash it," Faith said when they were done. "You'll have to lean back and dip your head in the water."

Dawn's eye got wide.

"Do I have to?"

"Don't worry, you can keep your face out of the water. And I'll be holding your head," Faith calmed her down. "But you don't have to, if you don't want to."

Dawn hesitated for a few moments and then took a deep breath.

"Okay, let's do it."

Faith smiled at her.

"Okay. We can do it slowly or fast."

"Fast?"

"Yes, you lean on my arm and I'll quickly lower you enough for your hair to get wet and then I'll lift you up again."

Dawn thought about it.

"Okay," she then said, nervous.

"You sure?"

Dawn nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Okay." Faith put her right arm behind Dawn's back, making sure Dawn's head was on her shoulder. "Okay, hold my left hand with your both hands and tell me when you're ready."

Dawn nodded and took a few deep breaths.

"Okay, I'm ready," she then said.

"Okay, here we go. On three. Three, two, one."

When the countdown was over, Faith quickly lowered Dawn and then lifted her again.

"You okay?" she then asked.

Dawn nodded, breathing deeply.

"Uh-huh."

"Good. You take care of your bottom and your legs and I'll wash your hair."

"Okay."

Dawn started to wash her bottom and her legs and Faith got the shampoo and washed Dawn's hair.

"You done?" Faith asked when she was done.

Dawn nodded.

"Yes."

"Okay, get up then," Faith said and pulled the plug.

"The ducky!" Dawn said and quickly grabbed it.

Faith smiled.

"Don't worry, it can't get sucked through."

"Oh."

Faith took the tap, removed it from its cradle and got up.

"Why didn't you do that before?" Dawn asked when she realized that the tap was attached to a flexible hose.

Faith smiled sheepishly.

"Just tried to see if you were ready to get your head dipped in."

"Oh."

"Don't worry, you can use this the next time you bathe. Now, let's get the suds off."

Faith turned on the water and made sure the water was warm.

"Is this okay?" she then asked and sprayed Dawn across her stomach.

"Yes," Dawn said.

"Okay, now close your eyes so I can rinse your head," Faith instructed.

Dawn closed her eyes, and Faith quickly rinsed her head.

"Okay, you can open your eyes again," Faith then said. "Wait!" she said when Dawn reached up to wipe her eyes. "Rinse your hands first."

Dawn squinted and quickly washed her hands. Then she rubbed her eyes and Faith continued to rinse her off.

After rinsing, Faith dried Dawn. Then she helped her out of the tub and finished her drying her. Then she wrapped her in a towel and applied the skin cream. After that, she dried her hair.

"There, you're all done," Faith declared once Dawn's hair was dry. "Why don't you go to your room and get dressed up and I'll take a shower."

"Okay," Dawn said and left.

Faith smiled and waited until Dawn was gone. Then she took off her underwear and took a shower.

When Faith came to Dawn's room after the shower, Dawn was not here. Faith quickly dressed for sleep and then went looking for Dawn.

"There you are," she said with a smile when she saw Dawn watching TV.

Dawn looked at her and smiled.

"Mommy said I can stay up late and watch a movie."

"Okay. Anything interesting?" Faith asked as she sat down.

Dawn shrugged.

"I don't know."

"I guess we'll see then."

"Uh-huh."

Dawn cuddled up to Faith, who looked at her, startled. Faith then smiled and ruffled her hair.

"Comfortable?" Mr Betancourt asked as he came in.

Faith and Dawn smiled at him.

"Uh-huh," Dawn said.

"Eh, where am I gonna sleep?" Faith asked.

"Can she sleep with me, Daddy?" Dawn asked.

"I can't see why not," Mr Betancourt said.

"What?" Mrs Betancourt asked as she came in.

Mr Betancourt looked at her.

"Faith asked where she would sleep and Dawn wanted her to sleep with her."

"Oh. Sure."

"Okay," Faith said, and Dawn smiled at her.

By the time the movie was over, Dawn was constantly yawning and could hardly keep her eyes open, but she had insisted on watching the movie to the end. So when the movie ended, Faith picked her up and carried her upstairs. She laid her down and then lay beside her. Dawn immediately cuddled up to her, and Faith smiled.

Mrs Betancourt smiled as well.

"Good night, girls," she said and turned off the light.

"Night," Faith said.

Dawn only mumbled something.

"Night, Dawnie," Faith said, but Dawn didn't respond.

"Hey," Faith said when she got back to the convent in the morning.

"Hey," Buffy said and smiled. "How did it go?"

"Great. She bathed."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I even got her to dip her head in the water for a moment."

"That's great."

"Yeah."

"What did you do then?"

"We watched a movie and then we went to bed." Faith hesitated for a moment. "They let me sleep with Dawnie."

Buffy smiled again.

"That's nice."

"Yeah," Faith said, blushing a bit.

"Hurry up, so you won't be late for classes."

A couple of weeks later, Willow saw Tara chuckling to herself.

"What is it?" she asked, curious.

Tara smiled at her.

"Have you ever watched Buffy and Faith talk to one another?" she asked.

Willow frowned.

"Yes?"

"No, I mean, really watched. You know, their faces, their eyes, their body language."

Willow's frown deepened.

"Eh, no. Why?"

Tara smiled.

"Because they're in love."

Willow's eyes went wide.

"What? How do you know?"

Tara's smile widened.

"Remember how we used to look at one another before we became a couple? The way we still do sometimes when we talk about love?"

Willow smiled, blushing a bit.

"Yes." She frowned. "You mean they look at one another the same way?"

Tara nodded.

"Yes." She smiled. "Isn't it funny?"

"What?"

"That Faith could tell we were in love, but she can't figure out that Buffy's in love with her?"

Willow smiled.

"Maybe she can but is just uncertain." Her eyes went wide as she got an idea. "Maybe she's just waiting for someone to tell her that Buffy loves her."

Tara smiled widely.

"Sneaky."

"Shall we do it?"

Tara nodded.

"You go talk to Buffy and I'll go talk to Faith."

Willow smiled widely.

"Okay."

They split, each going to her target.

"Hi, Buffy," Willow said when she reached her friend.

"Oh, hi, Willow."

"So, how's the love life?"

Buffy frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"You and Faith. When are you going to ask her out?"

Buffy's eyes went wide.

"What… What do you mean?" she asked, blushing furiously.

"You're blushing," Willow said with a smile.

Buffy's blush deepened.

"Eh…"

"A blind man could see that you and Faith are in love with each other. You don't need to hide it. I mean, at least not from me and Tara. And Dawnie. She would be so happy for you two."

"Well, em, we, em, we…" She trailed off, thinking. "You think she's in love with me?"

Willow nodded.

"Oh yes, definitely."

Buffy took a deep breath.

"Wow. I mean, I know she likes me, I just… I had no idea."

Willow smiled.

"So, are you going to talk to her?"

Buffy blushed.

"I guess."

"Good."

"Are you sure? I don't want to freak her out."

Willow giggled.

"Positive."

Buffy took a deep breath.

"Okay." She looked around. "Any idea where she went?"

"Go to the pavilion, I'll send her there if I see her."

"Okay."

"Hi, Faith," Tara said when she found Faith.

"Hey," Faith said.

Tara smiled.

"You know, it's funny."

"What?"

"The way you could see how Willow and I were in love but you can't see how Buffy is in love with you."

Faith blushed and looked away.

"What are you talking about?"

"I think you know. You're in love with Buffy and Buffy is in love with you."

Faith's blush deepened.

"How do you know?"

Tara smiled again.

"I know. You should tell her."

Faith sighed.

"It's a bit complicated."

Tara frowned.

"What do you mean? You love one another."

"Eh…" Faith sighed again. "I'm… I'm nervous."

"Why?"

Faith hesitated for a few moments.

"Well, she's from a rich family and I'm, well, a juvenile delinquent."

"Oh," Tara said. "So? I mean, she loves you."

Faith sighed.

"You think?"

Tara smiled.

"I know. And besides, Dawnie loves you, so why couldn't Buffy?"

Faith glanced at her.

"Well, yeah, but…"

"Because she's rich?"

Faith sighed.

"Yeah."

"She obviously doesn't think it's a problem."

Faith looked at her, thinking.

"I guess."

Tara smiled.

"Go talk to her."

Faith blushed.

"I don't know."

"Trust me, Buffy loves you."

Faith took a deep breath.

"I guess."

"Oh look, there's Willow."

Tara waved at Willow, who came closer.

"Hey," Willow said. "Faith, Buffy's been looking for you. She's at the pavilion."

"Okay, thanks," Faith said and looked at Tara, who smiled at her.

"Now's your chance."

Faith took a deep breath.

"Yeah. Right."

Faith left, and Willow and Tara stared after her.

"How did it go?" Tara then asked Willow.

Willow smiled at her.

"Great. You?"

"Not so great. She's nervous."

"Why?"

"Because Buffy is rich and she's a juvenile delinquent."

"Oh."

"Hey," Faith said when she got to the pavilion.

Buffy smiled.

"Hey."

"Willow said you've been looking for me?"

"Eh, yes," Buffy said, blushing.

"Oh great," Faith suddenly realized. "Willow's been talking to you."

"Eh, yes?"

"And Tara's been talking to me." She grinned. "Sneaky."

"Oh," Buffy said and smiled. She took a deep breath. "So I guess you know what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Eh, yeah," Faith said, nervous, and looked at her feet.

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Okay, I'll say it. I love you, Faith."

Faith looked at her. She swallowed hard.

"Eh, I… I… I love you too," she said quietly.

Buffy smiled.

"Great," she said, excited.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Em, it doesn't bother you that I'm a… a… a juvenile delinquent?"

Buffy frowned.

"No. I think you're a wonderful person. I mean, sure, you've made some mistakes, but that doesn't mean you're bad or anything."

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"And it doesn't bother you that I'm, well, not, eh, rich?"

Buffy blinked.

"No. I don't love you because of your money. Or lack of it." She smiled. "I love you because of you," she said and touched Faith's cheek with the palm of her hand.

Faith stared at her for a few moments and then covered Buffy's palm.

"So, em, we're, like, girlfriends now?"

Buffy smiled.

"Yes."

Faith smiled as well.

"Cool."

Buffy blushed.

"Can I, em, can I kiss you?"

Faith grinned.

"Absolutely."

Buffy licked her lips, nervous. Then she slowly leaned closer.

Faith gulped, nervous as well. She took a deep breath and leaned closer. Their lips touched. Since Buffy had no experience kissing girls, Faith took the initiative and pushed her tongue into Buffy's mouth.

Buffy gasped, but she reciprocated.

"Whoa," she said when they stopped kissing. "Wow."

Faith smiled, blushing.

"Oh yeah," she said, making Buffy blush as well.

Buffy thought for a moment.

"How do you think Dawnie's going to react?"

Faith smiled.

"I think she'll be excited."

"You mean, like Willow and Tara?" Dawn asked after Faith told her that she and Buffy were a couple.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

Dawn squealed, excited, and ran to Faith, who picked her up.

"I'm so happy for you," she said and hugged her.

"Thanks," Faith said, hugging her back.

Dawn then let go of Faith and hugged Buffy, who was standing next to Faith.

Faith moved a bit closer, so that they could hug more easily.

"So you're girlfriends now?" Dawn asked when she and Buffy stopped hugging.

Buffy smiled.

"Yes."

Dawn smiled.

"Cool." Faith let Dawn down. "Do Willow and Tara know?"

"They sort of set us up," Faith said with a smile.

"Oh." Dawn turned around and ran off. "Mommy! Daddy!"

"Oh man," Faith said.

Buffy smiled at her.

"Nervous?"

Faith shrugged.

"A bit."

Buffy took her hand and gently squeezed it.

"Come, let's go after her."

Faith smiled and they went after Dawn.

"Congratulations," Mrs Betancourt said when Faith and Buffy came to the kitchen.

"Thanks," Faith said, blushing a bit.

Dawn ran to her and grabbed her hand.

"Come, you have to tell me more," she said and dragged Faith out of the kitchen, Buffy following them.

"So, Dawnie, ready to learn how to swim?" Faith asked in the summer as they came to the pool, where Buffy, Willow and Tara were already swimming.

Dawn stared at the pool, tense.

"Tell you what, why don't you sit there on the lounge chair and when you feel comfortable, you can come closer to the pool, okay?" Faith suggested.

Dawn thought about it and then nodded.

"Okay."

Faith smiled and let go of her. Dawn went to the lounge chair, and Faith went to the pool. She stretched a bit and then jumped in.

"Faith!" Dawn screamed and jumped up, terrified.

"It's okay, Dawn!" Buffy called. "She's okay! See?!" she added a moment later when Faith resurfaced.

"What?" Faith asked and looked at Dawn.

"I think she thought you drowned or something," Buffy explained.

"Oh. I'm fine, Dawnie!" Faith called and swam toward her.

Dawn stared at her for a few moments and then sat down.

"You okay?" Faith asked when she got to the edge of the pool.

Dawn nodded.

"Yes."

"You sure?"

Dawn nodded again.

"Uh-huh."

Faith smiled.

"Okay," she said and swam away.

Dawn watched the older girls swim for a while and then very slowly approached the pool. She stopped a meter from the edge, afraid to go closer.

"Hey," Faith said with a smile when she came closer again. "You okay?" she then asked softly.

Dawn nodded.

"Yes."

"Why don't you go over there," Faith said and pointed at the shallow end of the pool where the steps were. "You won't need to worry about falling in."

Dawn looked.

"Okay," she said.

She got up and went to the steps.

Faith swam along.

"If you want to go in, just call me, okay?" she said when they got to the steps.

Dawn nodded as she sat down at the top of the steps. She hesitated for a moment and then ran her fingers across the surface of the water.

Faith smiled and sprinkled her with water.

Dawn jerked, startled, and then giggled. She hesitated for a moment and then sprinkled Faith back.

Faith grinned and sprinkled Dawn again, this time with more water. Dawn retaliated and a water fight erupted. Since Faith had advantage over her, Dawn soon used her feet to shower Faith.

"Hey, not fair!" Faith complained, grinning.

"You started it," Dawn said, smiling.

"Okay, you win," Faith said and submerged for a few moments.

Dawn stopped, and Faith resurfaced. Dawn looked at her feet, which were in water. She shuddered for a moment, but then she calmed down as she remembered that she had bathed before and that this little water couldn't hurt her.

"You okay?" Faith asked, swimming closer after she saw Dawn shudder.

Dawn looked at her and nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

Faith smiled softly.

"Okay. Want some company?"

Dawn thought for a moment.

"Okay."

Faith climbed up the stairs and sat on the third step so that her lower body was in the water.

"Don't worry, we'll have you swimming in no time," she said with a smile, and Dawn smiled back. Then her face became serious. "I don't want you to go anywhere near the pool unless someone is with you, okay?"

Dawn nodded, her face serious as well.

"Uh-huh."

"Promise?"

Dawn stared at Faith for a few moments.

"Promise," she said and hugged her.

Faith hugged her back, realizing she was worried. She took a deep breath to calm down and then let go of Dawn.

"Everything okay?" Buffy asked as she swam closer.

Faith and Dawn looked at her.

"Yeah," Faith said and smiled, but Buffy could see that something had upset her.

"You sure?"

Faith's smile widened.

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"Okay," Buffy said.

"Oh," Faith remembered and looked at Dawn. "Dawnie, can you get that little ball from your room? We could play with it."

Dawn's eyes brightened.

"Okay," she said and got up.

"And you can get a rubber ducky too or something."

"Okay," Dawn said and ran to the house.

"Dry yourself before going in!" Faith called after her.

Dawn changed course and went to her towel. She quickly dried herself and then went into the house.

"You want to lure her in?" Buffy asked as she approached Faith.

Faith looked at her.

"No, I just want her to forget that she's afraid of water. You know? And I don't want her to feel isolated while we're swimming."

"Oh." Buffy hugged Faith from behind. "She's lucky to have you for a big sister," she said, leaning her chin on Faith's shoulder.

Faith smiled and blushed at the comment.

"Thanks," she said and cupped Buffy's hands.

A few moments later Mrs Betancourt came outside with a tray.

"Hello, girls," she said. "Where did Dawn run to?"

"To her room," Faith said. "I sent her to get that little ball."

"Oh." Mrs Betancourt put the tray on the table. "I brought you something to drink and some pastries."

"Thanks."

Mrs Betancourt offloaded everything from the tray and then went back into the house. A few moments later Dawn came running out.

"Catch!" she said and threw the ball toward Faith.

Buffy let go of Faith and Faith threw herself toward the ball, which landed an arm's length away from her. Faith grabbed the ball and threw it toward Willow. Willow caught it and threw it toward Buffy, while Faith and Tara swam away from their respective partners. Buffy then threw the ball back at Willow, who threw it at Dawn. The ball fell a meter short of her and Dawn hesitated.

"Do you want me to get it?" Faith asked.

Dawn shook her head and very slowly went down the steps. When she reached the ball, she quickly ran back up and out of the pool.

"You okay?" Faith asked, worried.

Dawn nodded and took a deep breath. When she calmed, she threw the ball to Buffy.

The older girls played on, and Dawn slowly went back into the pool. She sat on the second step, trying to get used to the huge amount of water around her. Faith soon threw another ball at her, and Dawn caught it and threw it to Tara.

As the game progressed, Dawn went deeper and deeper into the water, until the water reached up to her chest.

"We'll have you swimming in no time," Faith said with a big smile as she swam toward her.

Dawn smiled back.

"I don't know," she said, uncertain.

"Sure we will," Faith said. "Look how deep you've come already."

"She needs to learn that she's safe in the water," Buffy said as she came closer.

Faith glanced at her, thinking.

"You're right. I have an idea. We'll start by submerging."

"By what?" Dawn asked.

"This," Faith said and slowly submerged. "See?" she said when she resurfaced. "It's easy."

"I don't know," Dawn said, scared.

"Let's go in the shallower water," Faith said. "We'll start by you putting just your face in the water, okay?"

Faith swam to the stairs, and Dawn and Buffy followed her while Willow and Tara resumed playing with the ball on their own.

"Okay," Faith said when they were gathered. "I want you to take a deep breath, hold it, and then put your face in the water like this," Faith said and demonstrated. "See? It's easy."

Dawn hesitated for a moment and then tried it. She lasted five seconds.

"You okay?" Faith asked when Dawn took a deep breath.

"Uh-huh. It wasn't that scary."

Faith smiled.

"Told you. Now try keeping your eyes open."

"Under water?" Dawn asked.

"Sure."

Dawn hesitated for a moment and then slowly put her face in the water, forcing herself to keep her eyes open. Faith went under with her and waved at her when Dawn looked at her. When Dawn resurfaced, she giggled.

"You looked so funny."

Faith grinned.

"So did you. Tell you what. Why don't you practice this for a while? With your eyes closed and open. And when you're ready, you can try submerging like this," she said and demonstrated again.

"Okay," Dawn said, excited.

"Good. Buffy and I will be near by."

"Okay."

Faith and Buffy swam away, and Dawn started practicing.

"You never cease to amaze me," Buffy said quietly as they swam side by side.

Faith blushed.

"Good."

A while later Mr Betancourt came out in his speedos.

"Mmm, not bad," Faith said admiringly.

"Hey," Buffy said and mock glared at her.

Faith winked at her, grinning.

"Don't worry, he's no competition."

Buffy blushed.

"Good."

"Hey, sweetie," Mr Betancourt said as he approached Dawn.

Dawn smiled at him.

"Hi, Daddy. Look."

Dawn put her head under water for a few seconds.

"Very good," Mr Betancourt said when she resurfaced again, and Dawn beamed.

"I've even sub… submerged," Dawn said, "but I'm still scared."

"That's okay, honey," Mr Betancourt said and ruffled her hair, "there's no need to hurry."

Dawn smiled.

"Are you going swimming?"

"Yes. I'm going to jump off the board."

Dawn looked at the board, her eyes wide.

"Are you sure?"

Mr Betancourt smiled.

"Yes. It's perfectly safe, I've done it before."

"Oh."

Mr Betancourt kissed her on the top of the head and then went to the jumping board. Dawn watched him closely. Mr Betancourt waved at her and then jumped. Dawn tensed, but she relaxed when Mr Betancourt quickly resurfaced. Mr Betancourt waved at her again and she waved back, smiling.

"Hey, let's take a break," Willow said.

"Okay," Faith said and they all swam to the stairs. "Come, Dawnie," she said when she got to the girl, "let's go to the table."

"Okay," Dawn said and got up.

Faith took her hand and they went to the towels first to dry off. Then they went to the table, and Faith poured herself and Dawn some juice.

"Faith," Dawn said as she sat down.

"Yeah?"

"I'm gonna try submerging later."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

"Will you be there with me?"

"Sure I will," Faith said and ruffled her hair, making Dawn smile.

"Mmm, these are delicious," Tara said, tasting the pastries.

"Really?" Willow said and tried as well. "Mmm, you're right."

"Do you have any games?" Buffy asked.

Faith looked at Dawn.

"Dawnie?"

"What kind of games?" Dawn asked.

"I don't know, cards, board games."

Dawn frowned.

"I don't know."

"I'll go ask your mom," Faith said and left.

An hour later, they went back into the pool.

"I have an idea," Buffy said and looked at Faith. "Let's teach her how to float on her back."

"Yeah," Faith agreed, liking the idea.

"Float?" Dawn asked.

"Like this," Buffy said and demonstrated.

Dawn frowned.

"How come she doesn't sink?" she asked Faith, puzzled.

"She has enough air in her lungs."

"But she's breathing."

"I know. She keeps her legs up."

"Oh."

Buffy stopped floating.

"See?" she said. "It's easy."

"Wanna try?" Faith asked Dawn.

Dawn hesitated.

"I don't know. Will you hold me?"

"Of course." She kneeled and extended her arms. "Here, lay on my arms."

Dawn hesitated for a moment. Then she turned and slowly lay back.

"It's okay, I got you," Faith said when Dawn tensed. "Just lay still until you get used to it, okay?"

Dawn nodded.

"Okay."

"Here, hold my hand," Buffy said and gave Dawn her hand.

Dawn slowly relaxed.

"Just breathe normally," Faith instructed her, "and keep your legs up."

"Okay," Dawn said and did as she was told.

Faith held her arms steady, occasionally lowering them a bit, testing Dawn's readiness. Dawn was a bit nervous at first, but then she slowly relaxed and tried to float for real.

"I'm gonna remove my hands slowly," Faith said after a few moments. "I'm gonna keep them under you, but I won't be touching you."

Dawn nodded, nervous.

"Ready?"

Dawn nodded again.

"Okay. Just relax."

Dawn took a deep breath, and Faith the slowly let go of her. She tensed, so Faith quickly touched her back, reassuring her.

"It's okay. Breathe normally."

Dawn relaxed a bit.

"That's it," Buffy said with a smile, "you're doing great."

Dawn smiled at her.

"It's not so hard."

"Now try kicking your feet up and down," Buffy instructed. "But not too much."

Dawn did so.

"Great, you're moving," Faith said with a smile.

"Okay, I'm going to let go of your hand now," Buffy said. "Try moving your arms like this, see?" she said and demonstrated. "Left and right, like a snake."

"We'll have you swimming for real in now time," Faith said when Dawn started moving.

"Mommy, look! I'm swimming," Dawn said, excited, when Mrs Betancourt came to check up on them.

Mrs Betancourt smiled.

"Great going, honey."

Faith slowly lowered her hands a bit so she wasn't touching Dawn, but she kept them under her just in case.

"How's it going?" Willow asked as she and Tara came closer.

"Excellent," Faith said. "Okay, Dawnie, why don't you stop for a moment."

"Okay," Dawn said and stopped swimming. She stood up and frowned. "You weren't holding me," she said and looked at Faith, who smiled.

"No, you swam all by yourself," she said proudly. "But I did have my hands underneath, don't worry."

"Oh." Then she realized that she had swam all by herself. "I swam all by myself!" she said, excited, and smiled.

"See? Piece of cake," Faith said. "But I still want you to stay away from the pool when no one's here. Okay?"

Dawn nodded.

"Okay."

Faith smiled and ruffled her hair.

"Good. Come, let's take a short break now."

Dawn smiled and looked at Mrs Betancourt.

"I swam all by myself, Mommy," she said, excited.

Mrs Betancourt smiled.

"Yes, I saw. You'll be swimming like a dolphin in no time," she said, and Dawn beamed. "Faith, can I talk to you for a moment."

"Sure," Faith said and looked at Buffy. "Why don't you help Dawn float some more?"

"Sure," Buffy said.

Faith looked at Dawn.

"I'll be right back."

"Okay," Dawn said.

Faith got out of the pool and followed Mrs Betancourt to the table.

"What's up?" she asked when they sat down.

"What are your plans for the summer?" Mrs Betancourt asked.

Faith frowned.

"I'm not sure. I mean, I think I'll have to stay at the convent. Or maybe go back home. I don't know, depends on the terms of my sentence. Why?"

"Well, my husband and I were thinking that maybe you could stay here for the summer."

"Here?" Faith said, surprised. "In this house?"

"Yes. So that Dawn wouldn't miss you."

Faith smiled.

"I'll ask Mrs Cruise."

"Don't tell Dawn yet, I don't want her to get her hopes up."

"Okay. Thanks."

Mrs Betancourt smiled.

"You're welcome."

"Anything else?"

"No, that's it."

"Okay."

Faith took two cookies and went back to the pool.

"Faith," Mother Superior said when Faith came into her office. "How can I help you?"

"Eh, I need to call my social worker."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I just need to ask her if I can stay here during the summer break."

"Here?"

"With Dawn. Her parents said I could stay with them."

"I see," Mother Superior said with a smile. "Sure, go ahead."

Mother Superior left her office, and Faith went to her desk and called Mrs Cruise.

"Cruise."

"Hi, Mrs Cruise."

There was a brief pause as Mrs Cruise tried to match voice to a face.

"Faith?

"Yeah."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, no, nothing, I was just wondering about something. Remember Dawn?"

"Yes. You told me she was adopted."

"Yeah." Faith hesitated. "Well, her parents said I could stay with them for the summer holidays. Can I?"

Mrs Cruise thought about it.

"I think so, yes, but you have to get your mother's permission."

Faith sighed.

"That's it?"

"Yes."

"Thanks. Bye."

"Goodbye, Faith."

Faith hung up and stared at the phone for a few moments before she picked up the receiver again and reluctantly dialed her mother's number. She waited nervously until her mother picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Mom," she said, bracing for her mom's reaction.

Faith could swear that she heard her mother gasp.

"Faith?" Mrs Spencer said after a few moments.

"Yeah."

There was another pause.

"How are you?"

Faith was surprised by the tone of her mother's voice. She had expected her to yell, not ask how she was.

"I'm okay."

Mrs Spencer hesitated for a moment.

"I, eh, talked to your social worker, Mrs Cruise. She told me you're going to some convent school."

"Yeah," Faith said, surprised that her mother bothered to find out where she was.

Mrs Spencer sighed.

"I… I miss you, Faith."

Faith nearly dropped her jaw.

"You do?"

"Yes." Mrs Spencer hesitated for a moment. "I'm sober now. I haven't touched drink in almost six months."

"Really?" Faith said, surprised.

"Yes."

Faith thought for a few moments and then made a decision.

"Hold on a moment," she then said, put the receiver on the table and ran out of the office. "Oh, eh, Mother Superior," she said, startled, when she found her in the next room.

"Yes?" Mother Superior asked.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Eh, if my mom came to visit for a weekend, could she stay here at the convent?"

Mother Superior raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"I can't see why not," she said after a moment of consideration.

Faith smiled.

"Thanks," she said and ran back inside. "Mom?" she said when she picked up the receiver again.

"Yes?"

"Can… Can you come visit me?"

Mrs Spencer gasped again.

"To the convent?"

"Yeah. You know, for a weekend or so. Mother Superior said you could stay here."

There was a moment of pause.

"I'd love to."

Faith smiled.

"Okay. This weekend?"

Mrs Spencer thought about it.

"No, I can't this weekend. Next weekend?"

"Okay," Faith said, realizing she was excited.

"Good. I'll try to come on Friday."

"Okay." Faith hesitated for a moment. "Mom?"

"Yes?"

"I miss you too."

There was a brief pause and Faith imagined she could see her mother smiling.

"So, em, is there anything you wanted to talk about?"

"Yeah, but it can wait until you come here. We'll talk then."

"Okay.

"Bye, Mom."

"Bye, Faith."

Faith hung up and leaned back in Mother Superior's chair. She took a deep breath and smiled. Then she got up and went to Mother Superior.

"Em, I'm done, Mother Superior," she said.

"Okay."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Eh, Mom said she'll come next weekend. Is that okay?"

Mother Superior thought about it.

"Yes, of course."

Faith breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good. Thanks."

"You look thoughtful," Buffy said as she lay beside Faith, who was lying on her back, staring at the ceiling.

Faith looked at her and Buffy caressed her.

"My mom's coming."

Buffy frowned.

"Here?"

Faith nodded.

"Yeah. Next weekend."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"I thought you and your mom weren't on the best of terms."

Faith sighed.

"We weren't." She thought for a moment. "But I called her earlier and she sounded… different. She said she'd stopped drinking."

"Really? That's good news."

"Yeah." Faith sighed. "I'm just nervous. I mean, if she was still a bitch, I wouldn't mind staying away from her, but she's changed now and I want to give her a second chance."

"But you don't want to leave Dawn either."

"Yeah."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"Maybe she could move here," she suggested.

Faith frowned.

"Here?"

"Yes. I mean, if she got a flat and a job here, you could stay with her and still visit Dawn every day."

Faith thought for a moment and then smiled.

"Yeah, that would be nice." Then she frowned. "But will she agree to it?"

"Only one way to find out."

Faith sighed.

"Yeah, I know."

Buffy kissed her and then cuddled up to her.

"It'll end up fine, you'll see."

"Hello, Faith," Mr Betancourt said when she came over the next day.

"Hey," Faith said. She hesitated for a moment. "Em, my mom's coming here next weekend. Can I bring her here?"

"Yes, of course."

Faith hesitated again.

"We weren't on the best terms because of her drinking, but she'd stopped. I'm hoping she would move here, so I could still visit Dawn."

Mr Betancourt nodded.

"I don't suppose she has much money, does she?"

"No, we're not rich."

"What does she do?"

Faith shrugged.

"No much." She frowned. "At least not that I know of. I mean, she has a degree in something, but I'm not sure what." She thought for a moment. "I think she was a secretary or something for a while."

"I see. Tell you what, I'll see if there are any cheap flats available near here and if someone needs a secretary."

"You will?" Faith said, surprised.

Mr Betancourt smiled.

"Yes."

"Thanks," Faith said, feeling excited. "I'll, em, go to Dawn now."

Mr Betancourt nodded.

"She's in her room."

"Hey, Dawnie," Faith said as she entered Dawn's room.

Dawn smiled at her.

"Hi."

Faith sat beside her and hesitated for a few moments.

"Em, Dawnie, my mommy's coming here next weekend. Would you like to meet her?"

"Your mommy?" Dawn said, surprised.

"Yeah."

Dawn smiled.

"Okay."

Faith smiled as well, relieved.

"Okay." She took a deep breath. "So, show me what you've been doing."

The weak and a half didn't pass fast enough for Faith, but when Friday finally came, she forgot about the time.

"Faith," Mrs Betancourt said as she came to Dawn's room.

"Yeah?" Faith said and looked at her.

"Mother Superior called. She said your mother has arrived."

"Really?" Faith said, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Damn." She looked at Dawn. "Dawnie, I gotta go now, my mom's arrived."

"Will you bring her over?"

Faith smiled.

"Yeah, tomorrow." She looked at Mrs Betancourt. "If that's okay with you," she checked one more time.

Mrs Betancourt nodded with a smile.

"Yes."

"Eh, after lunch?"

"Okay."

"Good." Faith took a deep breath and got up. "Bye, Dawnie."

"Bye, Faith," Dawn said.

Faith smiled at her and then left.

When Faith arrived to Mother Superior's office, she was nervous as hell. She looked at Sister Mary.

"Is my mother in?"

"Yes," Sister Mary said with a smile.

Faith took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come!" Mother Superior called.

Faith hesitated for a moment and then entered.

"Ah, Faith," Mother Superior said and got up. "I'll leave you two alone."

Mother Superior quickly left, and Faith's mother, who had been sitting in the chair in front of Mother Superior's desk, got up and looked at her. The two Spencer women stared at one another for a few moments and Faith could see it in her mother's eyes that she had changed.

"Hello, Faith," Mrs Spencer spoke first.

"Hi, Mom," Faith said.

She stared at her mother for a few moments and then slowly approached her. When she was close enough, she hesitated for a moment and then hugged her.

Mrs Spencer was surprised for a moment, but then she hugged her back, holding back the tears.

"I missed you, Faith," she said.

"I missed you too, Mom," Faith said, knowing they both meant more than just the physical separation. She let go of her and smiled a bit. "So, you okay?"

Mrs Spencer smiled.

"I am. I'm finally pulling my life back together."

Faith nodded.

"Me too." She thought for a moment. "Come, let me show you where I live."

Mrs Spencer smiled again.

"Okay."

They left Mother Superior's room.

"I'm gonna show Mom around," Faith told Sister Mary.

"Okay, Faith."

"So, em, you stopped drinking?" Faith asked as they walked down the hall.

Mrs Spencer nodded.

"Yes." She hesitated for a moment. "I got… lonely after you were taken away and I realized I really messed up. I was really relieved when your social worker told me you were sent here instead of to the juvie."

"Yeah, me too. I mean, I'm not really a convent girl, but it's definitely better than juvie."

Mrs Spencer looked at Faith's clothes.

"You're not wearing a uniform like the others," she observed.

"Yeah. Mother Superior allowed. And I also don't have to attend masses or other religious stuff."

"Really?" Mrs Spencer said, surprised.

"Yeah."

Mrs Spencer smiled.

"You've changed too."

Faith glanced at her.

"Yeah, I have." She sighed. "But not because of this place."

Mrs Spencer raised an eyebrow.

"No?"

Faith shook her head.

"No. Anyway, we're here," she said as they entered the room she shared with Buffy, Willow and Tara.

"Hi, Faith," Buffy said and approached her.

"Hey," Faith said. "Buffy, this is my mom. Mom, this is Buffy. My girlfriend," she introduced them.

"Hi," Buffy said and offered Mrs Spencer her hand.

Mrs Spencer took it they shook hands. Mrs Spencer then looked at Faith.

"Girlfriend? As in…" she frowned, "boyfriend, only a girl?"

Faith and Buffy smiled.

"Yeah," Faith said.

"I didn't know you were gay."

"I'm bi, actually."

"Oh."

"Anyway, this is our room," Faith said and waved her hand.

Mrs Spencer looked.

"Not bad."

"Yeah, it's okay." She looked at Buffy. "I'll see you later, I wanna show Mom around."

"Okay," Buffy said.

Faith looked at her mother.

"Where did they put you?"

"Oh, this way." She glanced at Buffy. "Nice meeting you, Buffy."

"You too," Buffy said.

Mrs Spencer led Faith to her room, which wasn't far.

"She seems a nice girl," she said as they walked down the hall.

Faith smiled.

"She is."

"Is she the reason you've changed?"

Faith's smile widened.

"Not exactly, though she definitely helped."

"Then what is the reason? Or is it a secret?"

Faith grinned, suddenly nervous.

"Well, you see, once a month, Mother Superior takes us all to some center for retarded kids or something and we have to take care of a kid for a day. Something about teaching us compassion and stuff."

Mrs Spencer nodded.

"Yes. Oh, we're here."

Faith looked.

"Oh. Okay."

"Aren't you gonna enter?"

Faith shrugged.

"Maybe later. These rooms are all the same."

"Oh."

"Let's go outside."

"Okay. So?"

"So? Oh! Right." Faith hesitated for a moment. "Well, I was assigned to this girl, Dawnie. She was totally catatonic, she didn't move and she didn't talk. But somehow I caught her interest and, well, I got her walking and talking and now she's ready to go to school."

"Really?" Mrs Spencer said, impressed.

"Yeah," Faith said, a bit nervous.

"Wow. So Mother Superior was right."

Faith looked at her mother, frowning.

"About what?"

"That you are a wonderful girl."

"Oh," Faith said, blushing. She took a deep breath. "Anyway, she got adopted and her parents allow me to visit her."

Mrs Spencer smiled.

"That's nice."

"Yeah." Faith hesitated for a moment. "She even considers me her big sister."

Mrs Spencer's smile widened.

"Really?"

"Yeah. And I kinda consider her my own little sister."

"That's very nice."

"Yeah." Faith took a deep breath. "Anyway, I've been thinking about going to college here."

"Really?" Mrs Spencer said, excited. "That's great." Then she realized something. "Because of Dawn, right?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes." Faith hesitated again. "And, em, the reason I called you is because I need your permission to stay here during the summer break."

"Oh."

"But I'm glad you're here." She hesitated for a moment. "Em, do you think you could move here?" she then got straight to the point.

"Here?" Mrs Spencer said, surprised.

"Yeah. I mean, I wanted to spend the summer with Dawnie, her parents even invited me to stay with them, but now that you've changed, I want to spend time with you too," Faith said, nervous.

"Oh." Mrs Spencer thought for a few moments. "I… I need to think about it."

"Okay," Faith said, relieved that her mother hadn't rejected the idea out of hand.

When Faith and her mom got to the Betancourts the next day, Faith was a bit nervous. She looked at her mom.

"You ready?"

Mrs Spencer looked at her.

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

Faith smiled back.

"Okay," she said and rang the bell.

A few moments later Mrs Betancourt opened.

"Hello, Faith," she said with a smile. "Come on in."

Faith and Mrs Spencer entered, and Mrs Betancourt closed the door.

Mr Betancourt came from the kitchen.

"Eh, Mom, these are Mr and Mrs Betancourt," Faith introduced them. She looked at the Betancourts. "This is my mom," she said and pointed at Mrs Spencer.

"Hello," Mrs Betancourt said.

"Hi," Mrs Spencer said and shook hands first with Mrs Betancourt and then with her husband.

Then Dawn finally came downstairs and slowly approached. She stopped behind Mrs Betancourt, curiously observing Mrs Spencer.

Faith reached out with her hand.

"Come, Dawnie."

Dawn looked at her and then approached her, her eyes back on Mrs Spencer again.

"Mom, this is Dawnie," Faith introduced her as she took her hand. "Dawnie, this is my mom."

Mrs Spencer bowed so she was more or less eye to eye with the girl.

"Hello, Dawn," she said with a smile.

"Hello," Dawn said, a bit nervous.

"Faith tells me you're going to school this fall."

Dawn nodded.

"Second grade."

"Really? You must be really smart."

Dawn smiled shyly.

"She is," Faith said and glanced at her affectionately.

"Would you like some coffee?" Mrs Betancourt then asked.

Mrs Spencer looked at her.

"Yes, please."

Mrs Betancourt looked at her husband.

"Why don't you take them to the living room, I'll go make the coffee."

Mr Betancourt nodded.

"This way."

Faith headed after him, holding Dawn's hand, and then Mrs Spencer.

They talked for a while and then Faith left to play with Dawn.

"She sure has changed," Mrs Spencer said, staring after them.

"What was she like before?" Mrs Betancourt asked.

Mrs Spencer looked at her.

"Angry, scared. She didn't have any real friends and she rarely laughed so freely," she said and sighed. "Mostly because of me."

Mrs Betancourt smiled.

"She's also very protective and caring."

"When did you first meet her?"

"When we came to adopt Dawn. She put us through Spanish Inquisition before she agreed that we could adopt Dawn. And it still took her a few months after that before she trusted us completely."

Mrs Spencer took a sip, thinking.

"I think I'll move here," she then decided.

"Faith hoped you would," Mr Betancourt said and got up. "I asked around and found some more or less cheap flats you could buy or rent."

"Really?" Mrs Spencer said, surprised.

"Yes," Mr Betancourt said as he went to the bookcase and picked up some papers. "She also said you worked as a secretary."

"Yes."

"Well, there have been some posts open, but you'll have to check again," Mr Betancourt said and gave the papers to Mrs Spencer.

"Really?" Mrs Spencer said, staring at him. "Why?"

Mr Betancourt glanced at his wife.

"Well, Dawn is the most important thing in our lives and we want her to be happy. Faith is very important to Dawn and we don't think she could bear being away from her for the entire summer holidays. We want Faith to stay, and since you two have obviously improved your relationship, that means that you'd have to stay too. Which means you need a place to stay and a job. So I looked."

Mrs Spencer stared at him for a few moments, not used to complete strangers helping her out.

"Thank you," she then said.

"No problem."

About an hour later, Mrs Spencer decided she and Faith could take a quick tour of the flats, and Mrs Betancourt said they could take Dawn with them. They went upstairs to Dawn's room. The door wasn't closed, so Mrs Spencer stopped and peeked through. When she saw Faith playing with Dawn, she couldn't help but smile at the sight. She was glad her daughter was happy again.

Mrs Betancourt smiled when Mrs Spencer peeked inside. She let her peek for a few moments and then gently touched her shoulder. Mrs Spencer looked at her, and Mrs Betancourt nodded at the door. Mrs Spencer nodded and then knocked.

Faith and Dawn both looked at the door.

"Yes?" Dawn asked.

Mrs Spencer opened then door, and she and Mrs Betancourt entered.

"Mom?" Faith asked.

Mrs Spencer smiled.

"I've decided to move here."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

Mrs Spencer nodded.

"Yes."

"Cool," Faith said and smiled. "Thanks."

Mrs Spencer smiled again.

"You're welcome. I'll have to go back to Boston first to take care of things there and then I'll come back. Hopefully in a week or so."

"Already?" Faith asked, excited.

"Yes."

"Cool."

"Em, Mr Betancourt has found me some flats and I thought maybe we could go make a quick tour, see where they are."

"And you can take Dawn with you," Mrs Betancourt added.

"Really?" Faith looked at Dawn. "Wanna go out with me and my mom?"

Dawn looked at Mrs Spencer for a few moments and then back at Faith.

"Okay."

Faith smiled.

"Then let's get you dressed."

After they let the house, Dawn was between Mrs Spencer and Faith, holding their hands. Mrs Spencer suddenly stopped.

"Mom?" Faith asked.

Mrs Spencer looked at her.

"I'm sorry, Faith, for what I've done to you." She hesitated for a moment. "For what… my boyfriends… did to you," she added quietly and looked down.

Faith stared at her for a few moments, feeling happy that her mother was really sorry.

"I'm just glad you're back, Mom," Faith said and hugged her with her free hand.

Mrs Spencer hugged her back with her free hand and a few tears escaped from her eyes.

Dawn looked up at them and realized this was a very important moment for them. She let go of their hands and hugged them both.

The Spencer women let go of one another and looked at her, smiling. Faith caressed her.

"Are you okay, Faith?" Dawn asked, worried.

Faith's smile widened.

"Yeah, Dawnie, I'm fine." She looked at her mother, who was wiping her tears. "You okay, Mom?"

Mrs Spencer smiled.

"Yes, Faith, I'm fine now."

Faith smiled again.

"Good." She took Dawn's hand again. "Then let's go finds us a place to live."

The End