DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Buffy The Vampire Slayer stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Warner Brothers. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. Be warned, there is child abuse mentioned.

What's One More
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Joyce and Hank Summers were driving home from their trip when Joyce suddenly noticed something beside the road.

"Hank, stop!" she said.

"What is it?" Hank asked, slowing down.

"I think I saw someone lying in the ditch."

Hank stopped and Joyce got out and ran back.

"Anything?" Hank called after her.

"There's a girl here!" Joyce called back and descended into the ditch. "She's alive but unconscious!" she called after she checked the girl's pulse.

Hank ran to her.

"My god," he said when he saw the shape the girl was in. He frowned when he saw some white stuff on the girl's face. "Is that…"

"Sperm," Joyce said. "Yes, I think so."

"Jesus. Let's get her into the car," Hanks said and moved to pick up the girl.

"Watch out, her leg's broken."

Hank looked and nodded.

"I'll lift her up and you watch her leg."

"Okay."

Hank carefully lifted the girl and carried her back to the car and Joyce made sure the girl's leg was not damaged more than it already was.

When they got to the car, Joyce got in the back and Hank carefully put the girl in so that her head was in Joyce's lap.

"Mommy," the girl suddenly whimpered.

"Shh, it's okay," Joyce said and caressed her. "You're safe now."

The girl calmed down and Joyce looked at Hank.

"Let's get her to a hospital."

Ten minutes later, a cop pulled them over for speeding.

"Damn," Hank said.

"Wait in the car," Joyce warned him.

Hank sighed and they waited until the cop rapped on the window.

"License and registration, please," the cop said when Hank lowered the window.

"Here," Hank said and gave him the documents. "Can you please hurry? We found a girl in a ditch and we're taking her to a hospital. She's in a very bad shape."

The cop took a closer look.

"She's not yours?"

"No, we found her a couple of miles back. It looks like she's been raped and her leg is broken."

"Can you give us escort?" Joyce asked.

The cop hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

"Follow me," he said and gave Hank his documents back.

When they got to a hospital, the medical staff was already waiting. They took the girl and put her on a stretcher.

"I'll go with her," Joyce said and hurried after them while Hank parked the car.

"How is she?" Joyce asked after the girl was taken to a room.

"Quite frankly, I'm surprised she's still alive," the doctor said, shaking her head.

"Will she be okay?"

"Oh yes, she will, she's strong."

Joyce smiled a bit.

"Good."

"Was she raped?" Hank asked.

"No. At least not vaginally or anally."

"But the stuff on her face…"

"That was sperm, yes. It was several days old and since she was malnourished, I'm guessing she's been on her own for about a week."

"Can we see her?" Joyce asked.

"Yes, but make it short. You can come back tomorrow."

Joyce nodded.

"Thank you, doctor."

The doctor smiled.

"You're welcome."

Joyce and Hank then went to the girl's room.

"She looks so fragile," Joyce said quietly as she took the girl's hand into her own.

"Mhm," Hank agreed.

Joyce sighed.

"Who would do such a thing?" she said, shaking her head.

Hank put his arm around her.

"Some sick bastard."

Joyce thought for a moment.

"I'll come visit her tomorrow with Dawn."

"Okay. Come, let's go now."

Joyce sighed and nodded. She caressed the girl once more and then they left.

When they came home, Joyce first checked on Dawn and then on Buffy. She sat on the bed and caressed her, thinking about the fact that it could've been Buffy lying in that ditch.

"Mommy?" Buffy said sleepily.

"Shh, honey, everything's okay," Joyce said and kissed her on the temple. "I love you, baby."

"I love you too, Mommy," Buffy mumbled and went back to sleep.

Joyce smiled a bit, caressed her again, and then left.

The next day, Joyce took baby Dawn with her to see the girl. She parked the carriage next to the bed and then fetched herself a chair. Then she took a book, sat down, took the girl's hand and started to read.

An hour later, she got a visit.

"Mrs Summers?" the newcomer asked.

"Yes?" Joyce said.

"Hi, I'm Darlene Delaney from social services."

"Hello. Have you identified her yet?"

"Yes. Her name is Faith Spencer."

"And her family?"

"Her mother is dead, she lives with her father."

"Where is he?"

"We contacted him, he said he would come as soon as he could."

"Good." Joyce thought for a moment. "Have you got any clues as to who might have abused her?" she then asked.

"I'm afraid not. I'll have to wait until I talk to her and her father."

"Oh. Will you please keep me posted?"

"Yes, of course."

"Thank you."

The next day, Faith finally woke up. Joyce was just on her way to the bathroom in order to change Dawn's diaper when she heard Faith groan.

"Mommy?" Faith said in a small voice.

Joyce quickly went back to the bed.

"Shh, it's okay, honey, you're safe," she said as she took her head.

Faith looked at her and smiled.

"Mommy."

Joyce frowned, surprised.

"How do you feel?"

"I'm hungry," Faith said and Joyce smiled. "And my leg hurts," she added and looked at it.

"That's because it's broken."

"Oh."

"Does it hurt much?"

Faith thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"Uh-uh. It tingles a bit."

Joyce smiled again.

"That's good, it means it's healing. I'll go get a doctor now."

"Don't go," Faith said, panicking, and grabbed Joyce's hand more tightly.

"It's okay, Faith, I'll be right back."

"Promise?" Faith asked, her eyes wide.

"I promise."

Faith hesitated for a moment and then let go of Joyce's hand.

"I'll be right back," Joyce said and left, leaving the carriage with Dawn by the door.

Faith looked around the room and her mood brightened when she saw the flowers Joyce had brought. Then Dawn started whimpering and Faith looked at the carriage, curious.

Joyce returned a few moments later and Faith smiled at her.

"A doctor will come right away."

"Okay."

Joyce looked at Dawn, who was feeling uncomfortable in her dirty diaper.

"Listen, I have to go to the bathroom to change Dawn's diaper."

"Can't you do it here?" Faith asked, not wanting Joyce to leave.

"There is no space."

"You can do it on the bed."

"I can't, the doctor will be examining you."

"Oh."

"Don't worry, I'll be back as fast as I can, okay?"

"Okay," Faith said, scared that Joyce would leave.

Joyce stared at her for a moment.

"I'll be back, Faith, I promise," she said and Faith smiled a bit.

"Okay."

A doctor and three nurses then walked in.

"Doctor," Joyce said.

"Yes?"

"Can you have one of the nurses wait here until I return? I just have to change the baby's diaper."

"Sure, no problem."

"Thank you." Joyce looked at Faith. "We'll be right back."

Joyce left and Faith looked at the doctor and then nurses apprehensively.

When Joyce returned ten minutes later, only one nurse was there. Faith's eyes immediately lit up when she entered.

"Thank you for waiting," Joyce told the nurse.

"No problem."

"And, how is she?"

"Oh she's fine. She'll be released in a few days."

"Good. Thank you."

"No problem."

The nurse left and Joyce parked Dawn's carriage next to the bed.

Faith, who was now sitting up, curiously stared at the baby.

"Mommy?" she then said.

"Eh, yes?" Joyce said, not sure how to react to Faith calling her Mommy.

"Can I hold her?"

Joyce smiled.

"Sure." She picked up the baby and gave it to Faith. "Here."

Faith's eyes went wide as she carefully held Dawn.

"She's so precious," she said in awe. She hesitated for a moment and then caressed her. "And cute." She smiled at Joyce. "Can I, maybe, watch her sometimes?" she asked hopefully.

Joyce frowned, still not sure how to react.

"Yes, of course," she said.

Faith beamed and looked back at Dawn.

"How old is she?"

"Two months."

"She's so tiny," she said and giggled as Dawn caught one of her fingers and tried to suck on it.

Then Dawn started to cry and Faith's eyes went wide.

"What did I do? Did I hurt her?" she asked, her eyes tearing up.

"No, no, you didn't hurt her," Joyce assured her as she took Dawn. "She's just hungry."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"How do you know?"

Joyce smiled.

"She's always hungry. And besides, I just changed her diaper, so it can't be that."

"Oh."

Faith calmed down and curiously observed as Joyce unbuttoned her blouse and started breastfeeding her.

"Don't you use a bottle?" she asked.

Joyce smiled at her.

"I do, but breastfeeding is the best."

"Oh."

Faith quietly observed the breastfeeding for a while.

"Mommy?"

Joyce glanced at her.

"Yes?"

"Can I have babies?"

Joyce smiled.

"Yes, someday. You're still too young."

"Oh."

"I think you'll make a wonderful mommy."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Faith beamed and looked at Dawn.

"I've always wanted a little sister," she said. "And an older sister."

Joyce smiled.

"Why don't you rest now, your body needs to heal."

"Okay," Faith said and closed her eyes.

Joyce stared at her for a few moments and then looked at Dawn again, who had stopped sucking her breast and was rubbing her eyes sleepily. She smiled and put her back to the carriage.

"Sweet dreams, baby," she said and kissed her on the top of the head.

Dawn mumbled something and Joyce caressed her. Joyce then covered Dawn and buttoned her blouse. She looked at Faith and wondered how the girl could get so attached to her so quickly. She caressed her and a smile spread across Faith's face. Joyce smiled as well and then took Faith's hand, wanting to make her feel safe.

When it was time to leave, Joyce shook Faith gently.

"Faith, honey."

Faith jerked, startled. She looked at Joyce and smiled.

"I have to go home now, honey."

Faith's face became sad.

"Do you have to?"

Joyce caressed her.

"Yes, I have to cook lunch."

"Oh."

"But I'll come in the afternoon."

"Promise?"

Joyce smiled.

"I promise," she said and Faith smiled back.

"Okay."

Joyce ruffled Faith's hair.

"I'll see you in the afternoon then."

"Okay. Bye, Dawnie."

Joyce's smile widened and then she and Dawn left.

"Hi, honey, how was school?" Joyce asked when Hank brought Buffy home.

"Boring," Buffy said.

Joyce smiled.

"Do you have lots of homework?"

Buffy shook her head.

"Uh-uh."

Joyce thought for a moment.

"Do you have any plans for the afternoon?"

Buffy thought for a moment and then shook her head again.

"No."

Joyce glanced at Hank.

"Well, honey, your daddy and I found a little girl yesterday when we were driving home. She was hurt and we took her to the hospital. I was wondering if you would like to come with me and visit her."

"To the hospital?"

"Yes. Dawn and I visited her this morning."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"What is she like?"

Joyce smiled.

"She's a wonderful girl." She hesitated for a moment. "She even calls me Mommy."

Buffy frowned.

"Why?"

Joyce shrugged.

"I guess I make her feel safe and loved."

"Oh." Buffy thought for a moment. "Is she gonna be my new sister?"

Joyce glanced at Hank.

"Would you like another sister?"

Buffy thought for a moment.

"How old is she?"

"Six. She's one year younger than you."

Buffy thought for a few moments and then shrugged.

"I don't know."

Joyce smiled.

"So, you want to meet her?"

Buffy nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Then go do your homework and we'll go visit her after lunch."

"Okay," Buffy said and left.

"Do you want to adopt Faith?" Hank asked when Buffy was gone.

Joyce looked at him.

"I can't, her father is still alive."

"Oh."

Joyce thought for a moment.

"But I still like her and I want to be there for her."

"You're way too affectionate, honey," Hank said, shaking his head.

"And that's why you love me so," Joyce said and gave him a kiss on the nose. "Do you want to come along?"

"Me?"

"Yes. If all goes well, Buffy will be busy talking to Faith. And if not, you can take her back home."

"Okay."

In the afternoon, the whole Summers family paid Faith a visit.

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

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

Then Faith noticed Buffy and Hank.

"Hello," Hank said with a smile, but Faith was staring at Buffy.

"Faith, this is my husband Hank and my older daughter Buffy," Joyce introduced them. "Hank and I found you and brought you to the hospital."

Buffy let go of her father's hand and approached the bed.

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

"You're so pretty," Faith said, making Buffy blush.

"You're pretty too," Buffy said and Faith blushed as well.

Joyce smiled at them.

"Here, I brought you a candy," Joyce said and gave Faith a chocolate bar.

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Thank you, Mommy," she said and started unwrapping it.

"You're welcome," Joyce said with a smile.

In the meantime, Buffy climbed on a chair, so Joyce stepped behind her to make sure she wouldn't fall off.

"Do those hurt?" Buffy asked and pointed at the wires stuck in Faith's arm.

Faith glanced at them.

"A bit," she said as she chewed.

"And your leg?"

"A bit. It tingles."

"Tingles?"

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

"Oh."

"How old are you?" Faith asked after a few moments.

"Seven."

"Do you go to school yet?"

Buffy nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"What's it like?"

Buffy shrugged.

"Okay."

"Did you learn to read and write yet?"

Buffy nodded.

"Uh-huh. Mommy taught me."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh. But I can't write very fast yet."

"Oh."

"Here, give me the wrapping," Joyce said when Faith finished her candy. Faith gave her the wrapping and Joyce looked at Buffy. "Why don't you sit on the bed."

"Okay."

Buffy sat and Joyce removed her shoes before Buffy put her feet on the bed.

Joyce then threw the wrapping into the bin and then joined Hank, who had sat down in a chair farthest from the bad.

"How long do you have to stay here?" Buffy asked when she had made herself comfortable.

Faith shrugged.

"A couple of days."

"Are you scared?"

Faith frowned.

"Of what?"

"Of being alone here."

"Oh." Faith thought about it. "A bit. I want to go home."

Buffy took her hand and gently squeezed it.

"We'll come visit you," she said and Faith smiled.

"You too?"

Buffy nodded.

"Uh-huh."

Joyce and Hank quietly observed the two girls for a while.

"Seems like they like one another," Hank then quietly said.

Joyce looked at him with a smile.

"Yes." She looked back at Faith. "I hope I'll be able to stay in touch with Faith after she is released."

Hank smiled.

"You're way too affectionate."

Joyce smiled at him.

"And that's why you love me so."

Hank chuckled.

"That's one of the reasons, yes."

"So, how did you like Faith?" Joyce asked Buffy as they drove home.

Buffy smiled.

"She's nice, I like her."

"Do you want to visit her again?"

Buffy nodded.

"Uh-huh. And I'll bring a book."

"A book?"

"Uh-huh, so I can start teaching her how to read."

Joyce smiled.

"I see."

"And I'll give her Mr Gordo, so she won't be alone."

Joyce's smiled widened.

"That's very nice, honey."

When Joyce and Dawn came to visit Faith the next morning, she was surprised to find Faith had another visitor. But when the man turned to look at her, Joyce noticed that he was trying to smother Faith with a pillow.

"Help! Security!" she called. "Help!"

She pushed Dawn's carriage aside and then attacked the man. She pushed him aside and he let go of the pillow. But he quickly recovered her and slapped her.

"Bitch," he growled and then ran away.

Joyce ran after him.

"Stop him!" she called to the two security officers who were on their way to investigate her screams. "He tried to kill the girl!"

The officers moved to intercept the man and Joyce returned to the room where Dawn and Faith were both crying, Dawn because of all the noise and Faith because the man had tried to kill her.

Joyce quickly picked up Dawn.

"Shh, it's okay, baby, everything's okay," she said as she went to the bed. She sat on the bed and caressed Faith. "Are you okay, honey?" she asked and caressed her.

Faith looked at her with teary eyes.

"He tried to kill me," she said quietly.

"Shh, it's okay now, he's gone. Come."

She moved her arm, inviting Faith into a hug.

Faith sat up and hugged her.

"Shh, you're safe now," Joyce said when Faith started to cry. "You're safe."

A few moments later, Faith's doctor came in with a security officer and two nurses.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

Joyce looked at her.

"He tried to smother her with a pillow. Did you get him?"

"Yes."

"Good." Joyce let go of Faith. "Did he do anything else?" she asked her.

Faith shook her head.

"No."

"Good." Joyce got up. "Why don't you let the doctor examine you, to make sure you're okay."

"Okay," Faith said.

Joyce stepped aside and let the doctor attend to Faith.

Dawn quickly calmed down, but Joyce held her for a while longer.

"She's fine," the doctor declared a few moments later.

"Thank god," Joyce said, relieved. "Can you make her sit?"

"Yes, of course," the doctor said and looked at the nurses, who immediately adjusted the bed so that Faith could sit.

"Thank you," Joyce said when they were done.

"No problem," the doctor said and then she, the nurses and the security officer left.

Joyce then but Dawn back into the carriage and moved it next to the bed. She sat on the chair and took Faith's hand.

"Do you know who that was?" she asked her.

Faith sighed.

"My daddy."

"What?" Joyce said, shocked.

"He said I shouldn't have come back."

"I see." Joyce gently rubbed Faith's hand with her thumb. "Why don't you rest a bit now, okay? I'll be right here."

"Okay," Faith said and closed her eyes.

Joyce stared at her, deciding to find out whether she could adopt Faith.

After Faith was rested, she and Joyce talked until it was time for Joyce to leave.

"I have to go now," Joyce told Faith.

"Do you have to?"

"I do, I have to cook lunch. But I'll come back in the afternoon with Buffy."

Faith smiled.

"Okay." Then her face became serious. "What about my… daddy?"

Joyce caressed her.

"Don't worry, he won't be coming back."

"Why?"

"Because the police took him away."

"Oh."

Joyce smiled.

"Don't worry, everything will be okay."

Faith smiled a bit and then Joyce and Dawn left.

"Hank, can I talk to you for a moment?" Joyce said when Hank brought Buffy home.

"What is it?" Hank asked and went to her.

"Faith's father came to the hospital today and tried to smother her with a pillow."

"What?" Hank said, shocked. "Why?"

"Apparently because she came back."

"Back?"

"From wherever she's been."

"Oh."

Joyce hesitated for a moment.

"I'd like us to adopt her, Hank."

Hank thought about it.

"Are you sure?"

Joyce nodded.

"Yes."

"What about Buffy?"

"I still need to talk to her, but first I wanted to see what you thought about it."

Hank thought for a few moments.

"I don't know. I mean, yes, she is sweet, but considering her father tried to kill her, I wonder how she'll react to me."

"Yes, I know, I think she was a bit afraid of you."

"I know."

"Still, I think it would do her good to have a positive father figure."

Hank thought for a few moments.

"Can we afford it?"

"We can. I mean, we'll have to carefully manage our finances, but we can manage, yes."

Hank took a deep breath.

"Okay then," he said after a few moments.

Joyce smiled.

"Thank you," she said and hugged him.

"But only if Buffy agrees."

Joyce nodded and let go of him.

"I know."

"Hi!" Buffy said with a smile as she entered Faith's room in the afternoon.

Faith looked at her and smiled.

"Hi."

"Hi, Faith," Joyce said.

"Hi, Mommy."

Buffy held the door open until Joyce entered with Dawn's carriage, and then ran to the bed and climbed on the chair.

"Here, I brought you Mr Gordo," she said and offered the stuffed pig to Faith.

Faith frowned.

"For me?"

Buffy nodded.

"Uh-huh. So you won't be lonely."

Faith smiled widely and took Mr Gordo.

"Thank you," she said and hugged Buffy.

"You're welcome," Buffy said as she hugged her back.

"Careful, Buffy," Joyce warned her, smiling.

Buffy let go of Faith and took off her school bag.

"Can you hold this, Mommy?" she said and gave Joyce the school bag.

Buffy sat on the bed and took off her shoes. She waited for Faith to move over and then she joined her on the bed. Joyce gave her the school bag and she took out a book.

"Look, I brought this," she said and showed Faith the book.

"What is it?" Faith asked, curious.

"It's a story book. Mommy used it to teach me how to read."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh. And now I'm gonna use it to teach you."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"Really?"

Buffy nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Wow."

As Buffy started to teach Faith to read, Joyce sat beside them and read a book, glad that they were getting along so well.

A couple of hours later Mrs Delaney came.

"Hello," she said as she entered.

"Hello," Joyce said.

Buffy and Faith stopped reading and looked at the woman.

"Hello," Mrs Delaney said with a smile. "How are you, Faith?" she asked. "I heard what happened."

Faith tensed and Buffy looked at her.

"Are you okay?"

Faith nodded, nervous.

Mrs Delaney came closer.

"Honey, I need you to tell me what happened, okay? How you ended up in that ditch."

Faith tensed.

"Do I have to?"

Mrs Delaney nodded.

"Yes."

Joyce got up and went to the other side of the bed. She sat down and took Faith's hand into her own, squeezing her encouragingly.

"It'll be okay, honey," she said.

Faith smiled a bit and then looked at Mrs Delaney.

"Will you tell me?" Mrs Delaney asked.

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"I need to record it, okay?" Mrs Delaney asked and took out a recorder.

Faith nodded again.

"Okay."

Mrs Delaney turned the recorder on.

"Case Faith Spencer, March 16th, 1988. Darlene Delaney for social services. Witnesses are Joyce Summers and…"

"Buffy Summers," Joyce said when Mrs Delaney trailed off and looked at her.

"And Buffy Summers," Mrs Delaney finished off. She looked back at Faith. "Okay, Faith, you can start now."

Faith looked at Joyce, who squeezed her hand encouragingly. Faith smiled a bit and then looked back at Mrs Delaney, thinking.

"Danny, that's our neighbor, he sometimes… touches me and he makes me touch his thing until some white stuff comes out," she then started and Joyce and Mrs Delaney looked at one another, shocked. "But then he wanted me to put his thing in my mouth. I didn't want to, but he made me do it. And when the white stuff came out, he made me swallow it. but then Daddy came and he beat him up. Then he took me home and spanked me and then he made me suck on his thing until the white stuff came out." She sniffed as a couple of tears ran down her cheeks. "Then he took me to the car and we drove and then he told me not to come back home. And then he left."

She started sobbing and Buffy hugged her.

"It's okay, honey," Joyce said and caressed Faith.

When Faith calmed down, Buffy let go of her.

"Faith," Mrs Delaney said softly. "When did this happen? What day was it?"

Faith frowned, thinking.

"Thursday."

"Six days ago," Mrs Delaney calculated. "And what did you do then?"

"I waited for a while, but he didn't come back. Then I got hungry and I wanted to go home, but I got lost and then I broke my leg. Then I woke up in the hospital and Mommy was here."

"Mommy?" Mrs Delaney said, startled.

"Uh-huh," Faith said and smiled at Joyce.

Joyce smiled back and gently squeezed her hand.

"I see," Mrs Delaney said. "And today? When your father showed up? Did he say anything?"

Faith nodded.

"He said I shouldn't have come back. Then he took the pillow and put it over my face. Then Mommy came and he slapped her and ran away."

"I see. Thank you, Faith, that would be all for now," Mrs Delaney said and turned the recorder off.

"Do I have to go back to Daddy?" Faith asked.

"No, you don't," Joyce said.

"Promise?" Faith asked, wide-eyed.

"I promise." Joyce looked at Mrs Delaney. "Right?"

"Yes, of course. I'll make sure your father never troubles you again, Faith."

"Okay," Faith said.

"Come here, honey," Joyce said and hugged her.

Faith hugged her back and started to sob.

Buffy, seeing that Faith was sad, hugged them both.

Mrs Delaney quietly observed them, finding it interesting that Faith called Joyce Mommy and that both Joyce and Buffy cared about Faith.

"Well, that will be all," she said when Faith calmed down a bit.

Joyce let go of Faith and looked at Mrs Delaney.

"Can I talk to you outside for a moment?"

"Yes, of course."

Joyce looked back at Faith.

"I'll be right back, girls."

"Okay," Buffy said.

Joyce and Mrs Delaney left.

"Buffy," Faith said when they were gone.

"Yes?" Buffy said and looked at her.

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Does your daddy make you do stuff you don't like?"

Buffy frowned.

"Like what?"

"Like touch his thing."

Buffy frowned.

"What thing?"

"The thing that boys have."

"Where?"

"Between their legs, where we have our trickle place."

"Really?"

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh."

Buffy thought about it.

"No, he doesn't."

Faith smiled a bit, relieved.

"Good."

Outside, Joyce got straight to the point.

"I'd like to adopt Faith," she told Mrs Delaney.

Mrs Delaney raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"You already have two daughters," Mrs Delaney pointed out.

"I know. But I really care abut Faith and she cares about me."

"Have you talked to Faith about it?"

"No, just my husband, and he agrees. I want to know what our chances are before talking to Faith about it."

Mrs Delaney thought for a moment.

"I noticed she's calling you Mommy."

Joyce smiled.

"Yes."

"When did she start?"

Joyce thought for a moment.

"She first called me Mommy in the car, but she was still unconscious then. And when she woke up, she started calling me Mommy."

"I see."

"Can I adopt her? I mean, now that her father had tried to kill her."

"Well, he'll have to give up his parental rights first."

"Oh."

Mrs Delaney smiled.

"Don't worry, I'll convince him it's in his best interest to."

"Okay. Thank you."

Mrs Delaney nodded.

"I'll start taking care of the papers," she said and took a card from her purse. "Here, come see me."

"Thank you," Joyce said with a smile.

"You're welcome."

Mrs Delaney then left and Joyce returned to the room.

"Mommy?" Buffy asked.

Joyce smiled.

"Everything's alright, honey," she said and went to the other side of the bed. She sat down and took Faith's hand. "Are you alright, Faith?"

Faith smiled and nodded.

"Uh-huh."

Joyce smiled.

"Good." She thought for a moment. "Faith, if you want to talk about what happened to you, or about anything else, you can, okay?"

Faith nodded.

"Okay."

"Good." Joyce looked at Buffy. "You can continue with your lessons now."

"Okay," Buffy said and opened the book.

Joyce smiled and went to the other side of the bed and checked on Dawn before she sat down.

The next morning, Joyce went to see Mrs Delaney about adoption and was glad that the news was good. Which meant all she had to do was ask Buffy and Faith about it.

"Honey," she said when Hank brought Buffy home from school.

"Yes, Mommy?"

"Remember when we talked about Faith being your new sister?"

Buffy thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Would you like her to become your sister?"

Buffy's eyes lit up.

"Can she?"

Joyce smiled.

"If she wants, yes."

"Cool!" Buffy said, excited. "Can we go see her now?"

"After lunch."

"Okay," Buffy said and ran upstairs.

"We can adopt her?" Hank asked when Buffy was gone.

Joyce looked at him with a smile.

"Yes. Mr Spencer is giving up his parental rights and Mrs Delaney said there were no other obstacles."

"Okay then." He thought for a moment. "But I'm afraid Buffy and Faith will have to share a room for a while."

Joyce smiled.

"Somehow I don’t think they'll mind," she said and Hank smiled.

"Yes."

"Faith!" Buffy said excitedly when she entered Faith's room.

"Hi," Faith said with a smile.

Buffy ran to the bed and climbed on the chair.

"Do you want to be my sister?"

Faith frowned.

"Your sister?"

Buffy nodded.

"Uh-huh."

"Mommy said we could be sisters if you wanted."

Faith's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

Buffy nodded again.

"Uh-huh."

Faith smiled.

"I do," she said and Buffy smiled as well.

"Then I'll tell Mrs Delaney to come here tomorrow and we'll deal with the rest of the paperwork. And my husband will come as well."

"Okay," Faith said, excited.

Joyce smiled.

"Now have fun. I'll just go find a doctor and see when you'll be released."

"Okay."

Buffy sat on the bed and took off her shoes. Then she put her legs on the bed and Joyce gave her her school bag.

"I'll be right back," Joyce said and left.

The next day, Joyce came with Dawn, Hank and Mrs Delaney.

"Hello, Faith," Hank said with a smile.

"Hi," Faith said, still not sure about him.

"How do you feel, Faith?" Mrs Delaney asked.

Faith smiled at her.

"Okay."

"So, I hear you would like to become a part of the Summers family."

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. Mommy said I could."

Mrs Delaney smiled.

"You can. All we have to do is fill out these papers."

"Okay."

"Would you like to keep your old last name, Spencer, or would you like to get a new one."

"A new one?" Faith said, startled.

"Summers."

Faith's eyes went wide.

"I can be a Summers?"

Mrs Delaney nodded.

"Yes."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

"Good. Let's see then."

"Faith!" Buffy said, excited, when she and Joyce came to visit Faith in the afternoon.

"Hi!" Faith said, equally excited.

"Mommy said we're sisters now," Buffy said as she ran to the bed and climbed on the chair.

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. I'm Faith Summers now."

Buffy smiled.

"This is so great. I can't wait to show you our room."

"Our room?" Faith said, startled.

Buffy nodded.

"Uh-huh. Mommy said we'll have to share my room for a while."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

"Ooh! I brought a notebook today, so you can try to write."

Faith frowned.

"But I can't."

"I'll teach you."

Faith smiled.

"Okay."

A couple of days later, Faith was finally released and Joyce took her to her new home.

"Wow," Faith said as she looked around.

"You like?" Joyce said with a smile.

Faith nodded.

"Uh-huh. It's so big and so… clean."

Joyce ruffled her head.

"Come, let's go upstairs to your room." Joyce led the way, carrying Dawn in one arm, and helping Faith, who had a broken leg, with the other. "This is it," she said when they reached Buffy's room.

"Wow," Faith said as she looked around. Then she noticed that there was only one bed. "Where do I sleep?"

"Well, we thought you could share the bed and Buffy doesn't mind. But if you want, we can get you a bunk bed."

Faith thought about it.

"It's okay."

Joyce smiled.

"Okay."

"Which side do I sleep on?"

"That's up to you and Buffy."

"Oh."

"Well, why don't you make yourself comfortable. I'll just put Dawn in her crib and then I'll show you around."

"Okay."

"Faith!" Buffy cried excitedly when she came home from school and saw Faith sitting on the sofa in the living room.

"Buffy!" Faith said, excited, and got up.

Buffy ran to her and they hug.

"Guess what, I'm a Summers now," Faith said, beaming.

"I know, Daddy told me. Come, let's go upstairs."

Buffy took Faith's hand and helped her up the stairs.

"Well, looks like we did the right thing," Hank said when they were gone.

Joyce smiled.

"It sure does."

"Hello, girls," Joyce said when she came upstairs an hour later.

"Hi, Mommy," Buffy said.

Joyce smiled.

"Have you decided which side you'll sleep on?"

"No," Buffy said. She looked at Faith. "Which side do you want to sleep on?"

"Which do you want to sleep on?"

Buffy shrugged.

"I don't care."

Faith looked at the bed.

"Can I sleep on that side?" she asked and pointed at the left side of the bed, which was away from the door.

"Okay."

Faith frowned as she thought of something.

"No, I'd like to sleep on the other side."

"Okay," Buffy agreed.

Joyce, however, sensed that something wasn't right.

"What's wrong, honey?" she asked and kneeled beside her.

Faith shook her head.

"Nothing," she said quietly and looked away.

Joyce caressed her.

"Honey, this is your home now. I'm your mother, right?" she asked and Faith nodded, her eyes wide. "If there's something bothering you, I want to know, okay? I can't help you otherwise." She caressed her again. "Now, what's wrong?"

Faith looked at her feet, nervous.

"I… I… I wanted to protect Buffy," she said barely audibly.

Joyce frowned.

"From what?"

Faith hesitated for a few moments.

"Her daddy," she then whispered.

"Oh honey," Joyce said and hugged her tightly. "You don't need to worry about Buffy's daddy, he's nothing like your old daddy. He's a wonderful person." She let go of Faith and cupped her face with her hands. "If I thought he was abusing Buffy, I would have left at once, I wouldn't allow him to hurt her. Or you or Dawn." She caressed her. "You're safe here, honey."

"Promise?" Faith asked, her eyes wide.

Joyce smiled.

"I promise," she said and caressed her.

Faith hugged her and Joyce hugged her back.

Buffy, who didn't quite get what the whole conversation was about but felt that Faith was scared, came closer and hugged her from behind.

"You're safe, honey," Joyce said.

They hugged for a few moments and then Faith let go of Joyce.

"Faith?" Buffy asked.

Faith looked at her and smiled a bit.

"I'm okay."

"Faith," Joyce said and Faith looked at her. "If anything's wrong, anything at all, I want you to tell me, okay? Even if people threaten you."

Faith nodded.

"Okay."

Joyce smiled and caressed her.

"Good. Now, come downstairs, lunch is ready. And then we'll go to Faith's old place to get her stuff."

In the evening, Joyce and Hank tucked the girls in. Hank, knowing that Faith was a bit afraid of him, went to Buffy's side and Joyce to Faith's.

"Good night, Faith," Joyce said and kissed Faith on the forehead. "Good night, Buffy," she said, leaning over, and kissed Buffy as well.

"Night, Mommy," the girls said in unison.

"Night, Buffy," Hank said and caressed Buffy. "Night, Faith."

He almost caressed Faith, but he pulled back when Faith's eye widened.

"Night, Daddy," Buffy said.

"You're safe here, Faith," Hank said. "I promise I'll be a good daddy, better than your old one. Okay?"

Faith nodded a bit and Hank smiled.

"Good. Good night, girls."

Joyce and Hank left and The girls lay on their sides, facing one another.

"I'll protect you, Faith," Buffy said and Faith smiled, "I promise."

"Buffy?" Faith said after a few moments.

"Yes?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Is this a dream?" she asked in a quiet voice, almost whispering.

"No, it's real."

They stared at one another for a few moments and then Faith moved closer to Buffy, who lay on her back and let Faith cuddle up to her.

"Night, Buffy," Faith said when she was comfortable in Buffy's arms.

"Night, Faith," Buffy said and pressed her gently to herself, determined to protect Faith from further harm.

Together they slowly drifted off to sleep.

The End