Title: The Road To Love

Author's Name: SavageLove

Fandom: Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Pairings: Buffy/Faith

Ratings: PG-17

Warnings: This story contains a love between two women. If that bothers you, then find something else to read. This story also contains graphic language and sex, so if you are not 21y/o or older, please find something else to read.

Disclaimers: I do not own the characters, nor do I own anything other than the story I wrote. I am not making a profit off of this.

Feedback Email Address: ImNDeepThoughts2@aol.com

Chapter 1: Going back to Sunnydale

Faith sat on a bench working out, sweating a lot. She might be in prison but had to keep in shape. For the past five years she had worked out in the workout room, toning her muscles, becoming stronger and refining her reflexes. Not only did she workout, but she started doing meditation to help her focus.

There were many other women in the room, but all of them stayed away from her, ever since she kicked her cellmate’s ass. Since she was just really defending her self, she wasn’t punished, but in a way, she was. Angel had been extremely disappointed in her, and that was a punishment to her. So she knew that if another person ever tried to attack her, she’d do nothing.

“Faith?” a voice called out.

Faith look up and there’s a guard by the door. She put down the weights and walked over to him.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Come with me. There’s someone here to see you,” the guard said.

She followed the guard to a room. He opened the door and motioned her to go in. She walked into the room. Angel and her lawyer are sitting at a table waiting for her. She walked up to the table and sit down, opposite of them.

“Hello, Faith,” Angel and my lawyer said.

“Hey. What’s going on?” she asked.

“You’re getting out of here. You are free,” my lawyer said.

Faith sat in the room shocked, her mouth hanging wide open.

“What?” she asked dazed and confused.

“Your time in jail is done. You’ve paid for what you had done. You can leave today,” her lawyer said, simply. Her lawyer smiled. “Did you think you would be in here forever? I have been working hard on getting you out of here sooner than the twenty years that you were supposed to be in here for.”

“Faith, there was no way for you to make amends in a cell. So, they relented and decided to let you out, without having to need a parole officer. You have been released into my custody, until I think you no longer need it,” Angel said.

“Quite right. Now I must go. Good luck Faith,” Faith’s lawyer said, getting up and leaving the room.

Her mouth opened and closed like a fish.

I’m free. I’m finally free, after five years. Faith thought. She turned to Angel, who smiled brightly. “I’m free?” she asked.

“Yes, Faith you are,” Angel said, smiling. “Now lets go.”

Faith got up and followed Angel out of the prison.

***

Six months later.

Faith waked through a cemetery hopping to run into B instead of having to go to her house. She had been back in Sunnydale for two days and still hasn’t come up with the courage to go and see her. After being out of prison for six months, Angel decided that she was on the right track and no longer needed to be in his custody. He told her that she would be the best of use back in Sunnydale since they were down two people, since he had all the help he needed in L.A.

Giles had gone back to England and Anya had been killed by her former mentor. So, now it was only B, Xander, Willow and Dawn. So, Faith had reluctantly agreed to go to Sunnydale.

Faith knew it would be hard to regain the Scooby’s’ trust but knew she would do whatever it takes to do so, even if it meant dying to do so. The one thing Faith didn’t want was their forgiveness. I don’t deserve their forgiveness. And I never will. Faith thought.

She looked at her watch and saw that it was midnight. No use in sticking around anymore. No doubt the vampires and demons were now hiding since dawn was approaching.

Faith walked through the cemetery and head back to her motel room. She refused to use the apartment that the mayor had left her. Hell, he left me more than just the apartment. He felt me all of his money, houses and pretty much everything. But I want nothing that was his. Faith thought.

Faith opened the door to her crappy motel room. It was far worse than the one she had had years ago. There was a bed but no mattress. There was a ceiling light but it flickered on and off. The water was a greenish color and the shower didn’t work. Faith had brought three thick blankets and a pillow. She only brought three outfits, including the one she was wearing. Although Angel had given her money to use to get a nice room, she refused to cause she didn’t think that she deserve it.

She closed and locked the door. She walked over and lay down on the floor on her makeshift bed. But, before she could fall asleep, the cell phone that Angel insisted she take with her rang. She picked up the phone and hit the talk button.

“Hello?” Faith mumbled.

~Faith? ~ Cordy asked.

Faith smiled. “Hey Cordy. What’s up?” Faith asked. She stretched out.

~Not much. I’m just checking up on you, like Angel asked~ Cordy said.

Faith rolled her eyes.

“I don’t need to be checked up on!” Faith muttered.

~Have you talked to Buffy yet? ~ Cordy asked.

“No,” Faith admitted sheepishly.

~ Faith- Cordy growled out.

“What?” Faith asked innocently.

~Why haven’t you talked to her yet? ~ Cordy demanded.

“I dunno, mother,” Faith said.

~Haha… Very, very funny Faith. You talk to her soon, k? ~ Cordy said.

“Sure, I’ll tell her as soon as possible,” Faith said.

~Faith, I’m sure Buffy won’t still be that mad at you~ Cordy tried to reassure the younger woman.

“You’re right. It’s most likely worse now than it was,” Faith said. She sighed. “Most likely she might kill me.”

~Faith! Look, Angel believes you’ve changed and Buffy trusts him. I’m sure she’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself. It’ll just take time~ Cordy said.

Faith smiled. “Thanks Cordy,” Faith said.

~You’re welcome. Look, I’ve got to go. But I’ll call you in three days. You got those three days to tell Buffy, understand? ~ Cordy asked.

Faith sighed. “Ok, Cordy, I promise I’ll tell Buffy in the next three days,” Faith said.

~Night Faith~ Cordy said.

“Night,” Faith said and then hung up the phone.

Faith set the phone down and lay bad in her makeshift bed. Cordy just doesn’t understand. I did so much to Buffy and the rest of them. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it up to them at all. What the hell am I going to say to B when I see her? That is if she lets me live. I got so much to make up for and I doubt that she’ll even let me try. Faith thought, as she closed her eyes and willed her self to sleep.

***

Mean while, across town at Buffy’s house.

Buffy, Dawn, Xander and Willow were sitting on the couch watching movies. Half way through the third movie, Dawn fell asleep. Buffy picked her up and carried her up to her room. Buffy set Dawn down on the bed and covered her. She sat on the bed next to her sister, watching her sleep, running a hand over her cheek and hair. Although Dawn was now seventeen, Buffy was still protective of her. She leaned down and kissed her sister on the cheek, got up and left the room, softly closing the door behind her. Buffy walked back down stairs and sat on the couch with Willow and Xander.

“So, what do we do now?” Xander asked.

“Sleep,” Buffy said, yawning.

“Haha. No, I meant about the fact that Faith is out of prison and is on her way here,” Xander said.

Buffy and Willow turned to him. Their mouths hanging open.

“WHAT?!” Willow exploded.

Xander remember that he hadn’t told them yet. Harris, you are such an idiot. Xander chided him self.

“Oops, I guess I forgot to tell you, huh?” Xander said, trying to look meek.

“DUH!” Willow shouted.

“Well, Angel called a few weeks and said that Faith has been out of prison for six months,” Xander said, sheepishly. “And called yesterday and said that she was on her way here.”

“What do you mean she’s on her way here?” Willow demanded.

“WHAT!” Buffy yelled out.

“She’s…” Xander started.

“I know what you said. Why is she on her way here?” Buffy demanded.

“Cause Angel sent her,” Xander said. “Angel said that she has changed and that she is fighting to make amends for what she had done.”

Buffy growled. “As soon as I find her….”

Buffy stormed off to her room and so did Willow. Xander stayed on the couch.

Unlike Willow and Buffy, he had gone and visited Faith in jail. She had seemed different. Almost the whole time he’d been there, she kept saying sorry. When he had told her that the mayor had left her everything, she had told him that he, Buffy and Willow should take all of it and that she didn’t want it. She even said to burn the things if they didn’t want it or give it away to charity. He even went to L.A. and watched from afar. Faith had changed. She held back when she was fighting. She didn’t draw the fight out as long as she could anymore, she quickly killed when she had to and spared life when it was necessary.

She’s changed, I’ve seen it. Xander thought to him self as he went to his room, which was in the basement, and went to bed.

***

The next night, Faith was once again walking through a cemetery, hoping to bump into Buffy. She had worn her fighting outfit. She wore black leather pants and a dark red long sleeve shirt. She also wore her black leather jacket. Attached to her back were two swords. On her belt she had a long curve knife and a small knife that sprung open into three parts. Inside her jacket she had two stakes.

She’d been on patrol for the last two hours and she had very little action. Two vampires and three new vampires, who she counted as one vampire cause all three were pathetic. All of them had been easy kills, even though she held back a great deal. Ever since getting out of prison, she’d been holding back in her fighting. She made sure that she never got pleasure from the kill and that she did it quickly. Even then, she only killed when she needed to. Back in L.A., she mostly let Angel kill the demons and vampires while she mostly just tired them out for him, although he didn’t need her to do it.

Faith was afraid that if she felt the thrill of the kill again, she’ll become evil again and she didn’t want that to happen, cause she didn’t think she’d be bale to come back from it this time.

Suddenly she heard voices, deep low, angry voices and a lot of them. But there was another voice, a voice of a scared teenager.

Faith stopped at a tree and jumped up into it, hiding her self just as a group of demons came by carting a young girl, about seventeen. She was not crying but was screaming out: “BUFFY!!! HELP ME!!”

This girl knows Buffy. I wonder how. WAIT! Protect the girl, wonder later. Faith chided herself.

Faith new she was more than out numbered. There were at least fifteen demons, at least twice her height and weight. But she knew that she had to help this girl. She took her two swords from her back, aimed and jumped down onto two demons. Her swords cutting into them, killing them instantly. She took the swords out and beheaded two more demons.

“Get her!” the head demon shrieked, grabbing on to the girl so that she couldn’t escape.

Ten demons rushed her. The head demon started to try and drag the girl away but she kicked him and got away.

“RUN KID RUN!” Faith shouted out, killing three more demons. A demon his her in the face, breaking her nose, but she kept fighting, hopping to distract the demons longer enough for the kid to get away.

The kid ran as fast as she could as the demons over took Faith. A demon knocked her swords out of her hands. A demon behind her hit her over the head, knocking her out. They picked her up and carried her off.

***

The head demon started to try and drag Dawn away but she kicked him and got away.

Dawn turned to see her savior and saw her waving franticly for her to run.

“RUN KID RUN!” the girl who had jumped in shouted out, killing three more demons.

Dawn took her advice and ran, knowing that she’d be no use to the girl if she stuck around and tried to help. The only help she could be would be if she got Buffy. The girl had been strong, like Buffy.

So that was Faith. I don’t understand. If she was evil, then why was she helping me and killing the demons. Shouldn’t she have been helping them if she was so evil? Dawn thought. She shook it off and kept running as fast as she could. She kept running all the way to her house, even though her ribs were killing her. She burst into the house.

“Buffy!” Dawn screamed and then past out.

Buffy cam running down the stairs, Xander and Willow came running in from the dinning room.

“OHMIGOD! Dawn!” Buffy yelled out, running to her sister’s side, picking her up and carrying her to the couch. She laid her down and started to check for wounds.

“It looks like she has a few broken ribs,” Buffy said.

Willow got up quickly and went to the kitchen to get some ice, while Xander went to the bathroom to get the first aid kit.

As Willow and Xander walked back into the living room, Dawn came to.

“Dawn? Dawn, what happened?” Buffy demanded.

“Uhg,” Dawn said, holding her ribs.

“What happened,” Buffy asked in a more gently voice.

“I was cutting through the cemetery to get home quicker, from Amanda’s house. When, like, a bunch of demons jumped me. One punched me in the ribs and they started to cart me off,” Dawn said, as Willow started to wrap her ribs. “Then, suddenly, this girl in black leather pants, a dark red long sleeve shirt and a leather jacket, with long wavy brown hair, jumped down from a tree and started to kill off the demons. I got away from the demon holding me and she told me to run.” Dawn paused. “I think it was Faith.”

Buffy, Xander and Willow shared a look of hatred.

“Look, I know you three hate her, but she saved my life. We have to go after her and save her!” Dawn said.

“Dawn, calm down,” Buffy said.

“What did the demons look like?” Willow asked.

“They were like twice my height and weight, with hors a foot long on top of their heads. Orange eyes, green scales and teeth like a vampire. Their claws could retract and their bottom half looked like a horses,” Dawn said.

Willow got up and leafed through a book. She showed a picture to Dawn. “Is this them?” Willow asked.

“Yes. What are they?” Dawn asked.

“They have no name,” Willow said. “It says that they beat their captives until they are weak and so black and blue that a mere touch would have them scream in pain, so that they are tender. Then they eat them.”

Dawn turned to Buffy. “Buffy, no one, absolutely no one, deserves that kind of death,” Dawn said.

Buffy looked at her sister and sighed. “Alright. Xander, you stay here with Dawn. Willow, go and get some supplies from the hospital. I’ll go and get Faith,” Buffy said.

“Buffy, you don’t even know where she is!” Xander said.

“Most likely, they’ll be under ground, under the cemetery that they were in,” Willow said, looking back down at the book.

Buffy nodded, grabbed her jacket and left to find Faith.

Chapter 2: Faith’s Punishment and the Truth

Faith’s arms were above her head, chains on her wrists. She was hanging about two feet off of the ground. Cuts and bruises marred her nude body. She was dripping blood from all over her body. Her eyes were bruised shut, her lips so swollen; her mouth was just hanging open.

“You stupid bitch!” the head demon shrieked. “You killed ten of my men.”

“To bad I didn’t get all of you, you worthless piece of shit,” Faith said, knowing she would make them more angry.

The head demon raised a hand and struck her back, his claws cutting into her back with ease. Faith winced but didn’t scream. She refused to give him the satisfaction of hearing her scream in pain.

“I think I won’t kill you just yet, though your body is nice and tender. I think I’d rather torture you to death,” the head demon said, cutting into her back again.

“Master, what of us?” the four remaining men asked.

“Why, you will help me torture her in turns,” the head demon said. “You know, bitch, human things are so much fun to use to torture people.”

A demon stepped forward with a metal baseball bat. He swung and hit Faith in the stomach. Soon the four demon henchmen were hitting her with baseball bats, and shovels.

The head demon laughed as he brought out a whip. “Back off boys. I want to do this do the girlie and then you can continue,” the head demon said.

The four demons immediately took ten steps back.

The head demon uncoiled the whip, brought it back and swung it at Faith’s back. After five times Faith couldn’t help herself anymore. She screamed out in pain. The demons laughed in satisfaction.

Faith felt tears stream down her cheeks.

***

Buffy was walking through the cemetery, the one that Dawn had said he had been cutting through.

Why am I doing this? Buffy asked her self. Why should I risk my self to save someone who had tried to kill me so many times?

“Faith you killed a man!” Buffy had said. “And you don’t get it B. I don’t care,” Faith had said. Buffy recalled when she had found out that Faith was working for the mayor. How Faith had tried to make Angel lose his soul. She remembered when she and Faith had fought on the rooftop. When she plunged the knife into Faith and she ended up in a coma.

Buffy shook her head, trying to clear the bad memories.

When she reached the spot where Faith and the demons had fought, she saw Faith’s weapons: two swords and a long curve knife. She picked them up.

Well, this is so unlike Faith. These weapons are meant to kill quickly, not to draw the fight out, which Faith likes to do. Now why would Faith want weapons like these? Buffy mused.

Buffy closed her eyes and extended her awareness. She could sense Faith, barely. She opened her eyes and ran through the cemetery. She stopped in front of a mausoleum. She closed her eyes again and sought out Faith. She could sense her clearly now. Faith was right under her. She walked into the mausoleum. There was nothing but a crypt in the center of the room.

Typical and so obvious that there are stairs in that crypt leading down into the demon’s lair. Buffy thought to her self. Why are some demons so stupid?

She walked up to the crypt and threw the top off and onto the floor. As she had thought, there were stairs leading down. She jumped into the crypt and started down the stairs. Soon the stairs stopped at a door.

She opened the door and saw Faith immediately. She was in the middle of the room, hanging from the ceiling, getting the shit beat out of her. Five demons were hitting her, clawing her and basically torturing her to the point where she was screaming out in pain and was crying.

Faith could have easily killed the five demons, but why wasn’t she? Buffy wondered. Why was she just taking their beating? She’s been in this position before, why isn’t she stopping it?

Buffy shook it off and raised the curve knife and threw it at one of the demons, beheading it. The demon fell to the floor, to the shock of his buddies.

The demons stopped what they were doing to Faith and looked at Buffy. They looked from Buffy to their friend and back to Buffy.

“Oh, did I interrupt something?” Buffy asked innocently.

“GET HER!” a demon shrieked, pointing at Buffy.

Buffy rolled her eyes. These guys are not that smart, are they? Buffy thought.

She threw the two swords, killing two more demons. She ran at the other one as it was running at her and staked it easily.

The head demon screamed in anguish and ran at Buffy. She picked up the sword and beheaded the last demon.

“Well, that was completely easy,” Buffy muttered, looking at the five demons.

“Buffy?” Faith slurred, drawing her attention.

Buffy gasped as she got a good look at Faith. She was hurt so bad that Buffy was afraid to touch her. She picked up the curve knife and threw it up at the chains breaking Faith free. Faith fell to the ground hard, not even trying to fall on her feet.

Faith just lay there, doing nothing, her breathing shallow. The older slayer picked the younger slayer up with a strength, which surprised even her. Faith winced in pain. Buffy ignored it. She carried Faith up the stairs and out of the crypt.

Faith lay limp in Buffy’s arms. Blood just pouring out of her now.

Faith suddenly remembered the girl. “Buffy... there’s a...” Faith tried to say.

“A what?” Buffy asked, not really wanted to talk or listen to Faith.

“A kid. She... demons,” Faith mumbled.

“Oh, you mean the kid that had been attacked by the demons?” Buffy asked, not looking at Faith.

“Yea, I… I gotta find her… make sure she okay,” Faith said, trying to get out of Buffy’s arms.

“Faith, Dawn is okay. She’s at home,” Buffy said, holding onto Faith tighter. She jumped out of the crypt and headed out into the cemetery.

“Dawn?” Faith asked, as she stopped struggling.

“My sister. Dawn is my sister and the girl you saved, which is how I knew what happened to you and where you were,” Buffy said, in a flat voice.

“’Kay,” Faith said and then past out.

Ok, so Faith did save Dawn, but that doesn’t mean I have to forgive her…. Does it? Buffy thought.

Buffy walked as fast as she could to her house. Once she reached her house, she quickly opened the door and closed it.

“Willow, Xander!” Buffy called out, as she ran up the stairs and went into her room. She set Faith down on her bed, which already had towels on it. Xander and Willow came in with first aid supplies.

“Ohmigod!” Xander said, his jaw dropping, not at her nakedness, but at the fact that she had so many wounds.

“Dear lord!” Willow said, shocked but quickly recovered her indifference towards Faith.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Come on, let’s get this over with,” Buffy said.

An hour later, they had Faith cleaned up and bandaged up.

“I’m going to call Angel and tell him what happened,” Xander said.

“Ok,” Buffy said, as she left the room and went into Dawn’s room to sleep.

Xander walked down stairs. He picked up the phone and dialed Angel’s number.

~Hello? ~ Cordy asked, after picking up the phone.

“Cordy, let me talk to Angel,” Xander said.

~Sure~ Cordy said.

A moment later Angel came on the line.

~Xander? ~ Angel asked.

“Hello Angel. I got some good news and some bad news,” Xander said.

~Oh? ~ Angel asked.

“Good news is I am willing to give Faith another chance and I am in the process of forgiving her. Bad news is, Faith is hurt badly,” Xander said, bluntly. “And no, Buffy didn’t do it to her.”

~How bad? ~ Angel asked, worry evident in his voice.

“She’s bruised and cut all over. She’s been tortured by demons. And she won’t let her slayer healing work. I can see it. She still won’t let her slayer healing up, like she wouldn’t in L.A. She needs to let it work or she’ll die,” Xander said.

~How do you know she’ll die? ~ Angel asked.

“Because she’s not fight for her life,” Xander said and then told him what Buffy had saw.

~She’s doing it again~ Angel muttered.

“Doing what?” Xander asked.

~Punishing herself by letting other people hurt her. Four months ago I found her in an alley badly beaten. She let two vampires beat her before she dusted them. She nearly died~ Angel said.

“That’s just stupid. She paid for what she did. She shouldn’t be allowing this!” Xander said.

~I know that and you know that but she doesn’t. She stopped and has started to try and make herself better for her not for anyone else but I think she still thinks that she needs to be punished~ Angel said.

“What can I do?” Xander asked.

~Nothing, this has to be about her. She has to want to make amends and she needs to realize that she did pay for what she did. She may realize it but then again she may not~ Angel said.

“Jeez, I feel so helpless,” Xander said.

~I know. I’ll let you go now. Call me as soon as she gets better ok? ~ Angel asked.

“Alright, Talk to you later,” Xander said and hung up the phone.

Xander got up and went upstairs to Buffy’s room. He got a chair and pulled it close to the bed. He sat in it and put his feet up onto the bed. He looked at Faith and hopped that by morning she would be a little better.

***

The next day, Xander was sitting on a chair next to the bed, watching Faith. It was ten o’clock and he’d been up for the last three. Little had changed in the ten hours that she had been saved from the demons. In fact she looked worse for the wear. Xander shook his head in sorrow.

Willow and Buffy walked into the room.

“How is she doing?” Willow asked, flatly.

“Not good. She’s holding back,” Xander said.

“Huh?” Buffy and Willow asked, mildly interested.

“Her minor cuts and bruises should have been healed by now, but they aren’t,” Xander pointed out. “She is stopping her slayer healing capabilities from healing her. She’s punishing her self by not letting herself feel the slayer within her.”

“So?” Buffy asked coldly.

“If she doesn’t allow it soon she’s going to die. Just remember one thing. If she dies, it’ll be on your hands, not mine. I’m willing to help her,” Xander said, calmly.

“We didn’t do this to her Xander,” Willow said, her anger rising.

“I know that. But you can help her,” Xander argued.

Willow looked away from Xander.

“Xander, you of all people should hate Faith. Other than Willow, you never really trusted her!” Buffy said. “You might have had a crush on her but you still didn’t trust her!”

“Look, I trust Angel. Now as hard as it is to believe, especially coming from me, but I do. He says that Faith has changed and I believe him. Plus, I’ve seen it for my self,” Xander said.

“What do you mean?” Buffy asked, sharply.

“I’ve been down to L.A. a few times and have watched her from afar. She’s changed. She doesn’t fight like she used to. She’s like you now Buff. She doesn’t draw the fight out anymore and she only kills when necessary. Hell, most of the time she lets Angel kill them,” Xander said. “She’s more vulnerable.”

“Xander!” Buffy and Willow said shocked.

“Why can’t you two forgive or start to forgive her?” Xander demanded. “Or at least give her a second chance?”

“She tried to kill the whole town! She tried to kill me at least five times. Not to mention she tortured all of you guys!” Buffy argued.

Dawn stopped in the door way and listened to their conversation. No one noticed her.

“Willow tried to kill the whole world and you forgave her in time,” Xander pointed. “We have all made mistakes. Hell, I make them on a daily bases! I’m not saying you have to forgive her right away or forget what she did, but she does deserve a second chance. After all Willow, you of all people should understand her.”

Xander stood up, his body shaking in his anger. “Hell Buffy, you even forgave Angel. Faith has done nothing worse than he did when he turned evil again. Yet everyone was willing to forgive him,” Xander pointed out.

“There’s a big difference! Willow’s grief over took her; she practically lost her soul when she lost Tara! And Angel had lost his soul! It wasn’t him doing those thins it was Angelus!” Buffy yelled out.

Dawn cleared her throat. Everyone turned to her. She walked into the room and up to the bed and looked down at Faith.

“How is she? Is she gonna wake up soon? I wanna tank her for saving my life,” Dawn said, trying to make her comments seem innocent, like she hadn’t heard them arguing. “Jeez, she looks worse than I had imagined she would.”

“We’re gonna help her heal, once we find away, since she did save your life, Dawn,” Buffy said.

“There is a way to help her to heal. With Buffy’s help,” Willow said.

“There is? Well, you guys get the healing process started and I’ll go down stairs and make breakfast,” Dawn said and then left the room.

“All right, what do I have to do?” Buffy asked.

“Xander can you leave and come back in about five hours?” Willow asked.

“I dunno,” Xander said.

“We aren’t going to kill her,” Willow snapped.

“Ok, ok,” Xander said, getting up and leaving the room, closing the door behind him.

Willow sat on the left side of Faith and motioned for Buffy to sit on her right side.

“Now what?” Buffy asked, after doing what she had been told to do.

“Take her hand,” Willow said, taking Faith’s hand. Willow then held out her hand to Buffy. “Now take my hand with your other hand.”

Buffy Took Faith’s hand and Willow’s hand, like Willow had told her to do.

“What are you going to do exactly?” Buffy asked.

“Well, I’m going to force Faith to use her slayer’s healing ability and I will also use yours to help hers. I figure that two slayer’s healing abilities for five hours should do and then she should be as good as new,” Willow said. “While we’re helping her to heal, we’ll be in her dreams.”

“Oh, that’s just great,” Buffy said, sarcastically.

“I know what you mean,” Willow said.

“Ok, let’s get started then,” Buffy said.

“Close your eyes and relax,” Willow said, closing her own eyes and relaxing.

Buffy closed her eyes and forced herself to relax.

***

Xander walked down stairs and into the kitchen.

“You heard the entire conversation didn’t you?” Xander asked, sitting down at the table.

“Yep,” Dawn said.

“I thought so,” Xander said, taking the bowl of cereal and offered him.

Dawn got the toast and put it on a plate next to Xander’s. She got a glass of milk and orange juice for him and then did the same for herself.

“How come you can forgive her so easily?” Dawn asked, sitting across from Xander.

“I guess it’s just that a lot has happened in the last five or so years. Life is hard enough without holding a grudge against someone who paid for what they did,” Xander said.

“Why does Buffy and Willow hate Faith so much?” Dawn asked.

“Well, Willow hates Faith because she’s afraid. Because Faith could identify with Buffy so well because she was a slayer too and could understand what Buffy was going through, she was afraid to lose her bestfriend to someone else. She doesn’t Faith who Faith is. She hates that Faith understands what Buffy goes through and what Buffy needs,” Xander said.

“When did you get so smart Xander?” Dawn asked, amazed at his perception.

“You learn a lot from watching people,” Xander said.

“Well, why does Buffy hate Faith?” Dawn asked, as she followed Xander to the living room and sat down on the couch.

“Well, before Faith there was Kendra. But before there was Kendra there was only Buffy. She had no one to really to share her burdens. Yea, Willow, me, Oz, and Cordy helped but we didn’t understand what she had to go through. The One Slayer,” Xander said. “So, once Kendra came, Buffy knew that she wasn’t alone anymore and that someone else was going to help her. But then Kendra died and Buffy felt alone again. She didn’t know that another slayer had been called, until Faith had showed up.”

Xander put his feet up onto the coffee table, crossed his ankles and crossed his arms over his chest. He sighed.

“Well, once Faith arrived, Buffy felt that once again she’d not be the One and Only Slayer. That she wouldn’t have so much on her shoulders. Faith was good at the slayage but not the leadership and stuff. So, even though Faith was there, Buffy started to feel like the One and Only Slayer again. Faith was never really into plans; she was more into ‘Let’s just kick their asses’. Plus Faith was wild, so Buffy had to take care of her,” Xander said.

“Wow,” Dawn said.

“Yeah,” Xander said.

“What makes you think she’s changed?” Dawn asked.

“Well, when I saw her in L.A., she was more subdue. I even went to the prison she was in and saw her. She didn’t know I was there. I saw tapes of her. All she did was eat, sleep, workout and read,” Xander said. “I was shown this one tape though. These six big girls were trying to fight her. All she did was defend hers elf. She didn’t hit them back. She just waited for the guard to come to her aid. Before she would have kicked their asses from here to the moon. In this other tape, she did fight back, but that was only because this girl had a handmade knife and would have killed her if she hadn’t fought back.”

“So you think she’s changed and she’s willing to work hard to gain back trust?” Dawn asked.

“Yes,” Xander said.

“How did you get so smart?” Dawn asked.

“I’ve always been this smart. I’m just smart enough to know that being dumb half the time is a good idea. People say a lot of things in front of dimwitted people,” Xander said, good-heartedly.

Dawn laughed. “That’s smart!” Dawn said. “I wonder how the healing is going on up there.”

“I dunno, it’s only been twenty minutes and they have another four hours and forty minutes,” Xander said.

Chapter 3: Faith’s past

Notes: I’m not really sure of what happened in Faith’s past so here is my version. I don’t remember her watcher’s name or the vampire who had killed Faith’s watcher. So I made up the watcher’s name and for the vampire, I tried to spell it as close to the real name as I could... If your not happy with what I did, then tell me. And from now on this symbol - à (D) will mean dreams, (V) will mean visions, **remembering.

~~~~~

(D)

Buffy and Willow awoke to find themselves on the floor. They got up and looked around. They were in a really trashed apartment. There were holes in the wall, old food and bugs everywhere. And it smelled horrible.

“This must be a dream or whatever of Faith’s, right?” Buffy asked Willow.

“Yeah,” Willow responded. “I think it is where she goes we go because it is her dream, but I’m not really sure.”

“Oh, that’s just great!” Buffy said, rolling her eyes.

The door opened and in came a five-year-old Faith. She was dressed in clothes two sizes bigger than she should be wearing. She looked happy. She practically wore her emotions on her sleeves.

“Mama, Daddy, I’m home! I made a friend today! She asked if I could go to the zoo with her tomorrow. Can I?” five-year-old Faith asked, walking through the house and into the kitchen. She didn’t seem to notice Buffy and Willow.

“Hey, Willow, are we going to remember these dreams or whatever of Faith’s?” Buffy asked, realizing that she didn’t want to remember because she had a feeling that some of these dreams might make her want to forgive Faith and she wanted to stay mad at her counterpart.

“No, well, subconsciously we will but not enough for us to think about it,” Willow said.

“Good,” Buffy said.

Suddenly, Faith came flying out of the kitchen. She hit the floor and skidded across it. A piss ass drunk woman came out of the kitchen. She was about five foot two inches, with long light brown hair and blue eyes. She could have been described as pretty, if not for the fact that her face was contorted in rage. She had a bottle of whisky in her hand. She drank the last of it and threw it at Faith, who tried to get out of the way but was hit in the head with the bottle.

The woman, who was obviously Faith’s mom, ran at Faith, picked her up and started to beat her.

“You’re nothing Faith! A nobody, a loser! Just like your father. No body could ever love you. Your father doesn’t love you. How could he since he left? And I certainly don’t love you, you worthless piece of shit!” Faith’s mother screamed out at her crying daughter.

Willow and Buffy looked at each other, shocked.

“Ohmigod,” Willow muttered, sick to her stomach at the sight.

“I knew that Faith had it bad, I didn’t know that it had been this bad!” Buffy said, anger rising from the scene playing before her. No child, not even Faith, deserved this kind of treatment.

Faith’s mother finally stopped beating her and walked off into another room and slammed the door. Faith got up and walked over to a corner of the room. Willow and Buffy followed her. Faith lay down on a small makeshift bed. There were a few old and battered toys. Faith grabbed a stuffed bear and hugged it to her as she curled into he fetal position.

“Daddy, where are you?” Faith whimpered out. She cried herself to sleep.

Suddenly the scene around them started to fade and Willow and Buffy started to fall.

***

Cordy walked in on Angel pacing around his office muttering to himself. She smiled and walked up behind him, sliding her arms around his waist.

“What’s wrong?” Cordy asked.

“She’s doing it again,” Angel said, turning around and pulling Cordy close to him.

“Who’s doing what?” Cordy asked.

“Faith is punishing herself again. She saved Dawn from a bunch of demons, killed all but five of them. Dawn escaped and ran to get Buffy. Buffy found the demons torturing Faith when Faith could have easily saved herself,” Angel said and then sighed.

“I don’t get why she’s doing this,” Cordy said. “You know I’m not her biggest fan, but I can see she’s changed and she has done her time for her crimes.”

Angel shrugged. “I think she’s afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“I don’t know.”

***

(D)

Buffy and Willow hit the ground. They quickly picked themselves up and looked around. They were in a different apartment. One that was a little better than the one before it. There were holes in the walls, but there were no old food and no bugs lying around.

“What happened?” Buffy demanded.

“She must have started to dream about another phase in her life,” Willow said, unsure.

A girl came running into the room and up to a window and looked out. She was about eight years old. Willow and Buffy walked up behind the girl and looked out the window. There were two men outside arguing. One man was short with blonde hair and had ugly scaring on his face. The other was tall dark and handsome. He had dark brown hair and looked a lot like Faith.

Suddenly the short blonde man pulled out a gun and shot Faith’s father. Faith’s father’s eyes widened in shock. His hand went to his wound; he lifted his hand to his face and saw the blood on his fingers. He fell to the ground.

“NO! DADDY!” Faith yelled out, scrambling off of the window seat.

The short blonde man took off running, not hearing Faith yell out.

Faith quickly ran out side, Buffy and Willow following her. Faith ran up to her dad and knelt besides him and held his head in her lap.

“Daddy,” Faith whimpered out, stroking his cheek.

“Hey Pumpkin,” Faith’s father croaked out. “Go, run. Quickly get out of here before he comes back for you. Go to your mama’s.”

A man stuck his head out side his door from the house next to Faith and her father’s house. He saw the man and the crying child and ran inside to call the cops.

“NO! You’re gonna be otay,” Faith said, tearing flowing from her eyes. Her body shaking from her sobs.

Faith’s father grabbed her hand and held it to his lips and kissed it gently. Faith pulled the hand to her face and rubbed her cheek on her father’s hand.

The man raised his head and looked his daughter in the eyes.

“Faith, go, please. I love you and I will always be with you, never forget that,” Faith father said, his voice getting quieter and quieter.

“I love you Daddy. Please don’t leave me!” Faith begged the one person who has always shown her love.

“I will never leave you, my Faith. I’ll always be in here, in your heart and in your mind,” Faith’s father said, pointing to her heart and her head. “I love you, always. You are the light of my life. Remember that I love you.”

Faith’s father’s head fell back in her lap, his eyes unmoving and his chest lay still. The light went out in Faith’s father’s eyes, as he lay dead in his daughter’s arms. Faith lay his head down, got down and lay on him, hugging him tightly. Her body racked with sobs.

“Daddy! No, no no no no! Don’t leave me please. I need you,” Faith sobbed out.

Buffy looked at Willow, both silently crying for the young girl. This was a side of Faith they have never seen. They cried for the Faith as a child.

A cop car pulled up and two men rushed to the young girl and her dead father. Both men knelt besides them.

“Kid, hey kid,” the older one said.

Faith looked up, tears still falling. “Who are you?” Faith asked, sniffling. Faith’s tears finally stopping.

“I’m Officer Bart O’Connor and this is my partner Officer William O’Brien,” the older man said.

“Oh,” Faith mumbled.

“What happened little one?” Bart asked.

“My daddy was shot by a man,” Faith said. Her tears starting again.

Bart reached out and picked her up and held her close to him. Faith wrapped her arms around the old man and cried into his shoulder. He stroked her hair and murmured soothing words to her, as William check over the man, finding no pulse.

The younger cop went to the car and called for an ambulance.

“…I need an ambulance at fifth and tenth. Address 3580 Fine Street. A male and a child. No, the man is dead and the young girl is unharmed,” the young officer said.

“It’s okay little one,” Bart said, as Faith fell asleep in his arms. “I got you now, I’ll make sure you are ok.”

***

(D)

Once again the scene around them started to fade and Willow and Buffy started to fall.

Buffy and Willow hit the ground again. They quickly picked themselves up and looked around.

They saw Faith sitting on a bed, her head down cast. She was ten years old now. The bedroom door was ajar and the voices from down stairs could easily be heard.

“This must have been one of her foster homes,” Willow said.

“Look, I am sorry Sir, but she is just too much trouble. We can’t handle her anymore,” a woman said. “She stays out late, gets into fights and is almost always in trouble at school!”

“If you do this, she’ll sink even more deeper into herself. She feels unloved! This is her fifth foster home. Don’t do this to her. It’ll just take sometime to bring her around,” a man insisted.

“I’m sorry, Officer O’Connor but we just can’t keep her,” a man said, stubbornly.

“She’s only been here nine months! You expect her to open up to you in that small amount of time?” Bart demanded. “This girl’s been through a lot! Just give her more time.”

“No and that is our final answer Sir,” the man said.

“Fine. Are all her things packed?” Bart asked, curtly.

“Yes. She’s in the bedroom up stairs,” the woman said, off handily.

“I’ll go and get her then,” Bart said.

Buffy and Willow looked at each other confused.

“Why would a police officer be doing something social services should be doing?” Buffy asked.

“Well, I don’t know,” Willow said.

A moment later, Bart entered the room and walked over to Faith. He sat on the bed and stroked her hair.

“Hey, Faith. How are you doing?” Bart asked.

“Okay, I guess,” Faith said, not looking at him. “I’m sorry.”

Bart cocked his head. “For what?” he asked, confused.

“For getting kicked outta another home,” Faith said.

“Hey, you have nothing to be sorry for. It’s not your fault,” Bart said.

Faith looked at him and raised a brow. “This is the fifth home I’ve gotten kicked out of in less than two years,” Faith pointed out.

“Okay, it is a little bit your fault since you are getting into trouble but it’s not really your fault. These people just don’t seem to understand you and your needs. They aren’t willing to try hard enough,” Bart said, still stroking her hair. Faith leaned into his touch. She picked her up and held her to him. Faith wrapped her arms around the cop and laid her head on his chest.

He got up, put her down and looked at her. “Come on, let’s go. I found another foster family for you to go to incase this didn’t work out.”

“’K,” Faith said. Faith picked up the small suitcase and Bart picked up the larger one. Faith followed Bart out side and to his car. Bart up the suitcases into the back, they got into his car and drove off.

Buffy and Willow appeared in the back seat of the car.

“How did we get in here?” Buffy asked.

“Where ever Faith goes we have to go,” Willow said.

“Oh,” Buffy said.

“I wonder why the cop doesn’t just adopt her if he’s going through all this trouble to find her a home,” Willow said.

Buffy shrugged.

After a few hours Faith finally spoke up.

“Hey, Bart,” Faith said.

“Yes?” Bart asked.

“How come you won’t foster or adopt me?” Faith asked.

Bart looked at Faith for a moment. “Well, because in my line of work it’s just not possible. I’m a single cop with no family. If anything ever happened to me, you would jut end up right back here,” Bart said. He sighed. “Not only that but I would be putting you in danger. I have many enemies.”

“But-“ Faith started but Bart cut her off.

“No buts. I knew that this was coming. Handling your case was a wrong decision. I have become attached to you and you to me. Social services only let me handle your case because I knew some people who would take you in,” Bart said, pulling into a driveway. He turned to Faith. “I’m sorry Faith, but this is the last time you will see me. I should have let a professional handle this, someone who wouldn’t get attached.”

***

Xander and Dawn were playing a video game, Super Mario Brothers, on super Nintendo. It had been two and a half hours since Willow and Buffy had started to heal Faith.

“Hey kiddo, can we please play another game?” Xander asked for the umpteenth time.

“Why? We’re beating the game!” Dawn said, not looking at Xander

“No, you are beating the game. I just keep dying when ever I get my turn to play,” Xander pouted.

Dawn laughed. “Alright,” she said, saving the game and then turning it off. “What game do you want to play then?”

“How about we watch a movie,” Xander said.

“Ok, what movie?” Dawn asked.

“How about ‘Twelve Angry Men’?” Xander asked.

“Ok,” Dawn said.

***

(D)

Buffy and Willow appeared in a fancy living room. Faith and the cop were sitting on a couch and a woman was sitting on another couch opposite of them. She was rather pretty, with her brown hair in a tight bun. She had on a gray skirt and coat.

“This must have been Faith’s watcher,” Willow said, instantly recognizing the signs of a watcher.

“What?” Buffy asked confused.

“Faith’s watcher. Look at how she’s dressed and look around the room. It has watcher written all over it,” Willow said.

“Well, Mr. O’Connor, thank you for bringing young Faith here. I have had all the paper work done and I am in the process of trying to adopt her. But I am sure that you have some where to be,” the woman said, politely but in a way that said she wanted him to get lost.

“Yes, well. Goodbye Faith,” Bart said.

“Bye,” Faith said, not looking at him.

Bart got up, deciding that she wasn’t going to hug him goodbye, and walked out of the living room and out of the house.

The woman smiled at Faith and got up and held out a hand to Faith. Faith got up and took the offered hand.

“Faith, I am Miss Gervaise Warren. But you can call me Gervaise,” the older woman said, as she lead Faith into a huge library. Buffy and Willow quickly followed.

“Okay,” Faith replied, following the woman.

Gervaise had Faith sit down at a table. She then pulled down a book and leafed through it before stopping on a page. She set the book down in front of Faith.

“Faith, what is that drawling of?” Gervaise asked.

“It’s a vampire,” Faith said, like Gervaise was stupid for asking.

“What do you know about them?” Gervaise asked.

“That they drink blood from people’s bodies and that they can’t go out into the sunlight and that they can turn into bats,” Faith said. Then she thought for a moment. “Also, that they aren’t real.”

“Well, you are right on two accounts and wrong on two. Yes, they drink blood and can’t go out into the sunlight, however they do not turn into bats and they do exist,” Gervaise said, matter of factly.

Faith looked at her like she was crazy. “Excuse me?” Faith asked, raising a brow at the obviously crazy woman.

“I said that they are real,” Gervaise said, as if Faith had become dense.

She sat down across from Faith. She folded her arms and leaned on the table.

“Faith have you ever wondered why so many people die or disappear for no good reason? Why there are people who are considered crazy and locked away?” Gervaise asked.

“Sorta,” Faith admitted. She had always wondered why so many people disappeared without a trace or came back but came back very different from when they had left.

“Well, it is because of vampires. And not only vampires; there are demons, witches, warlocks, werewolves, and many more other creatures who live among us.  Who come out at night and prey upon the innocents,” Gervaise said.

She got up and looked at the books in the bookcase before pulling down another book. She leafed through it. She then put it down in front of Faith.

“What do you see Faith?” Gervaise asked.

On the two pages was a drawing. On one page was a young woman, holding a stake. On the other page the young woman was stabbing a man through the heart. The man was a vampire. And off to the side was another man, but he was just watching.

“I see a woman killing a vampire,” Faith said.

“Yes. You see there is one good person in all the world to fight against the evil of vampires, demons and such. One girl who stands alone to fight. The chosen one. The Vampire Slayer. This girl has strength, agility, quick reflexes and the ability to heal quickly. In each generation a slayer is born. There is one slayer to defend the world, but there are also potentials. Girls who, if the slayer dies, may be called to take her place,” Gervaise said. “Now, to help the slayer and the potentials to learn, there are people called the ‘watchers’. I am a watcher, your watcher to be precise. Watchers watch over and guide their charge.”

Faith’s mouth was hanging open in disbelief.

Willow and Buffy looked at each other and then back at Gervaise. She was being less than tactful at telling Faith what is real.

“Currently there is a slayer, Farren. Now there are two potentials, who will be called if necessary, before you can be called. First it is Buffy Summers, Kendra, and then you,” Gervaise said. “Now, you and Kendra have been taken in because you two have no where to go, so you two will be trained now. Buffy however has a family. But her and her situation has nothing to do with you.”

Buffy and Willow looked at each other, shocked.

“She knows me?” Buffy said, at the same time Willow said, “She knows you?”

“Now, I will train you how to fight, how to kill all kinds of vampires and demons. I will also teach you many things about demons and vampires. I’ll teach you about the world and its many languages,” Gervaise said. She got down next to Faith and looked her in the eyes. “I can teach you to defend your self so that you will never ever need to depend on anyone ever again. So, what do you say?”

Faith looked into Gervaise’s eyes. “I say that you’re crazy!” Faith said.

Gervaise smiled, stood up and held out her hand. “Come, I will prove it to you then,” Gervaise said.

Faith looked at the proffered hand, unsure of what to do. Gervaise must have sensed the child’s uncertainty. She knelt in front of Faith. Looking directly into her eyes.

“I’ll make you a deal. Give me a chance to prove to you that everything that I have told you is true. If, after, you still don’t believe me, then I’ll find you a nice family who would take you in and keep you, no matter what,” Gervaise said.

“You give me your word that if I still don’t believe you will do what you just said?” Faith asked, still not certain if she should trust the crazy lady.

Gervaise paused and then nodded. “I give you my word of honor,” she said, standing up and holding out her hand again.

Faith took the hand and got up. Gervaise lead Faith out of the library, closely followed by Willow and Buffy.

“Isn’t Faith a little young to know about this stuff? I mean come on! At sixteen I had nightmares when I first found out,” Willow said.

Buffy was shocked. “Wills, you had nightmares? How come you never told me?” Buffy asked, slightly hurt that Willow had kept this from her.

“Well, I didn’t want you to think I was a sissy. Plus, I knew you would try and keep me away from everything to protect me and I didn’t want that to happen,” Willow said.

“Wills, how long did the nightmares last?” Buffy asked.

“About six months or so,” Willow said.

“Wills-” Buffy started.

“Shh,” Willow said, suddenly.

Buffy realized that they had stopped walking and were in a basement. There was a cage off to the side of the room with a vampire in it.

“Faith you stay right here,” Gervaise said. She then handed Faith a stake. “Here, take this.”

Faith took the stake and saw that Gervaise had another one.

“I’m going to let the vampire out and I will stake him,” Gervaise said, pushing a button and the cage door swung open. The vampire ran out and Gervaise started to fight him. She quickly staked him and he turned to dust.

Gervaise turned to Faith whose mouth was hanging open. “Now do you believe?” Gervaise asked.

Faith just nodded.

Gervaise smiled, triumphantly.

***

(D)

Buffy and Willow appeared in a room.

“How many of these freakin’ dream thingies are we going to see? It is becoming kind of hard to stay pissed at Faith,” Buffy complained. “Now that I’m seeing her past, I can kind of understand what she went through.”

“I don’t know how many more will come,” Willow said. She had always known about Faith’s past. She looked into her background. So she wasn’t really affected.

“This ain’t fair! Seeing all that has happened to her, I want to forgive her!” Buffy shouted out frustrated.

“Well, we aren’t doing to remember it,” Willow pointed out.

“Oh yeah,” Buffy said, happily

Willow looked around. “It looks like we’re in a large warehouse,” Willow said.

A fifteen-year-old Faith came running in behind them and went right through them. Willow and Buffy followed her. Faith stopped and fell to her knees next to…

“Ohmigod,” Willow said, sickened at the sight of the body, as she and Buffy stopped behind Faith.

The body was ripped and shredded into pieces. The only thing that was untouched was the face, which had a look of horror.

“Faith’s watcher,” Buffy said, quietly.

Buffy could see herself in Faith’s position and Giles in Gervaise’s. She could completely understand what Faith went through as she imagined that it was her and Giles.

“NO!” Faith cried out. Faith reached out and touched the face of her watcher. “Gervaise, no. I am so sorry, I have failed you… to protect you like I’d promised,” Faith cried out. Tears rolling down her face.

A deep evil laugh come from behind Faith. Faith turned around and saw that it came from Kakisto. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t it little Faithy. Come to save her watcher and fall right into my trap. Well, sorry, little one, but I already killed your watcher. But you did fall right into my trap,” the vampire said.

Faith stood up, fear in her eyes. She looked at her watcher one last time and then back at the thing that had killed her. She reached into her pocket and took out a bag of powder. She ran up to him and threw the bag in his face. She kicked him in the crotch and then took off running.

Kakisto roared in rage, but was unable to follow her because the powder had blinded him momentarily. “You stupid little bitch!”

Buffy and Willow followed Faith throughout the streets of Boston. Faith ran up and into the house that she and her watcher were living in. She ran up the stairs and into her room.

She got a duffle bag and a backpack and threw them onto the bed. She threw clothes into the duffle bag and threw books, pens, pencils, and paper into the backpack. She then ran into Gervaise’s room with her duffle and backpack. She searched through drawers. She finally found some more books and tossed them into her backpack. Then she went to a painting on the wall and tossed the painting on the floor, revealing a safe. She broke open the safe and took out the money and put it into her backpack. Then she ran down stairs with her stuff and into the workout room. She got a few stakes, and two knives. She up one knife in her boot, with one stake. Then she put a stake inside her jacket. She put the other four stakes and one knife in her duffle under her clothes. Then she ran into the kitchen and got some food and a few bottles of water.

All through this, Buffy and Willow had been following Faith around. Although they had no choice since where ever Faith went they had to go to. They said nothing as they watched Faith running around like a chicken without a head.

Faith walked out the front door and walked a few feet away from the house. She stopped and turned back to the house.

“Never again…”

Chapter 4: Anger, Hate or Love?

Notes: I made my own version of how the night went when Faith killed the man in the alley. In a way this has nothing to do with the show after Faith had left Sunnydale after she and Buffy switched back bodies in the church. Also, Tara died because Warren shot her but it was because of something else and Willow did try to destroy the world. Willow did go to England for a while.  And where Buffy had tried to kill Faith in L.A. And from now on this symbol means **remembering**.

~~~~~

Dawn looked at the blank screen on the T.V. Xander had fallen asleep halfway through the movie, so Dawn had decided to turn it off and think. Although she didn’t blame him for that. She had kept him up all night. She had become scared and went to him. Not about the fact that demons had kidnapped her but the fact that Faith was so badly hurt because of her.

She had heard a lot about Faith over the years, but almost all of it had been bad. No one had really ever told her about all the good things that Faith had done. Sure, in the end she went bad, but that must have meant that she did some good in the beginning, didn’t it? Although Xander hadn’t exactly told her anything about what had Faith had done was good but he did tell her something that got her to think. Xander was right about why Willow felt that way towards Faith, but maybe he wasn’t right about why Buffy felt that way towards Faith. Not all of it seemed to fit.

When Willow had gotten back from England, Buffy had let her have a second chance. It had taking a year and seven months for everyone to forgive Willow. Even then, Willow had still walked on eggshells around everyone. She even only used magic when Buffy asked her to. Even now she rarely used it.

Why was Buffy condemning Faith so much when she had given the chance to Willow who had done nothing less? Technically, Faith went to prison and paid for what she did and Willow didn’t. Willow wasn’t really punished for killing Warren, and Buffy forgave her after a time. Faith did pay for killing the deputy mayor, and Buffy hasn’t forgiven her after a time. Dawn was starting to doubt it was the fact that Willow was Buffy’s bestfriend. No. If that were the case, then it would be the other way around. Buffy should have forgiven Faith easier than she had Willow. And it can’t just be the slayer thing. Buffy was all, I’m the One Slayer and it’s MY job. Buffy was never really good at sharing her job.

Dawn could understand why Willow hated Faith. Xander was right about the jealousy. Willow had always been jealous of Dawn’s and Buffy’s closeness. But Dawn couldn’t figure out why Buffy was angered at Faith. Hurt even… Hurt? Dawn paused at that and thought a moment. Hurt? Buffy seemed more hurt and the hurt made the anger. Could it be… No, it couldn’t be. Dawn jaws dropped, as she understood why Buffy was so angry. Could it be that the anger was out of hurt? That Faith had hurt Buffy because Buffy was or had been in love with Faith?

Dawn laid back. She pulled her legs up and under her, resting her head on the side of the couch.

That had to be it! It explains why Buffy felt so betrayed! Buffy loves…or loved Faith. Which would explain why it is so hard for Buffy to forgive.

Dawn closed her eyes and fell asleep at that thought.

***

Angel looked up when Cordy walked in. “What did you find out?” Angel asked, setting down his mug.

“The spell that they are doing will heal Faith all the way. Willow is using Buffy’s slayer strength along with Faith’s at full strength to heal her in five hours. How ever there is a side affect to the spell. While Willow and Buffy are healing Faith, they will be in her mind and see all of Faith’s most horrible memories. However, Willow and Buffy will only remember them subconsciously,” Cordy said, standing in front of Angel’s desk.

“How did you find that all out?” Angel asked, a little surprised.

“Wesley told me about it. Well, at least that’s what he thinks the spell that Willow is using,” Cordy corrected.

“Well, how did he guess that?” Angel asked.

“He said that it is the only spell he knew that wouldn’t involve a sacrifice to heal someone. And he also said it was one that would heal the fastest with no pain,” Cordy said.

Angel opened his mouth, but Fred walked in at that moment.

“Hey, Cordy. You ready?” Fred asked, as she wrapped her arms around Cordy’s waist.

Cordy smiled and lightly kissed Fred on the lips. “You bet, lover,” Cordy said.

“See you two tomorrow,” Angel said, smiling at the two lovers.

“Bye Angel,” Fred and Cordy said as they left Angel’s office.

Angel sighed as he heard the office door slam shut.

“So, they’ll see some of Faith’s past,” Angel said to him self. He smiled slightly. “That’s going to piss of Faith. Faith hates it when someone looks into her privacy. She feels strongly for it. And Buffy is going to be pissed because she may actually see what Faith’s life had been like and will be more willing to forgive.”

Angel chuckled to himself.

Angel sat back in his chair, after turning the lights off, and closed his eyes to think. Angel now knew a lot more about Faith than he had when they had first met. He’d been to into Buffy to notice anything about her. Maybe if he had, things could have been different. He knew now that he and Buffy had never really been in love. Buffy only had a crush on him and he had just been lonely. But with Faith, even he could see it. The two were in love, and didn’t know it.

“I hope Buffy realizes what her true feelings are before its too late,” Angel said.

***

“What were you and Angel talkin’ about?” Fred asked, as Cordy slid into the driver’s side of the car.

“Oh, about Buffy and Faith,” Cordy said.

Fred slightly stiffed at the mention of Faith. “What about Buffy and… Faith?” Fred asked.

“Oh, Faith was badly injured saving Dawn from a bunch of demons. So Willow cast a spell, using Buffy’s and Faith’s slayer strengths to heal Faith before she dies,” Cordy said.

“Ah,” Fred said.

Cordy looked at Fred as she stopped at a red light. “You really don’t like Faith do you?” Cordy asked.

Fred was silent for a moment. The light changed and Cordy started to drive again.

“Well, I don’t really know her. I only know of her from what you have told me,” Fred said.

“Fred, baby, I’m not Faith’s biggest fan. I may not like her, but I do respect her,” Cordy said, as she pulled up in front of their apartment.

They got out of the car and went into their apartment. Cordy sat down on a recliner and pulled Fred onto her lap. Fred laid her head on Cordy’s shoulder as Cordy wrapped her arms around Fred’s waist.

“What do you mean you ‘I may not like her, but I do respect her’?” Fred asked.

“Well, when I first met Faith, she never really took responsibility for her actions. She laid the blame on others. She was all, ‘Get some, and Get gone’. After she killed the deputy major, she refused to take the blame. Then she ran,” Cordy said, as she started to stroke Fred’s hair. “She came here to get away, but in the end, she took the blame. She took the responsibility and turned her self into the police. She willingly went to prison. Let’s face it; if Faith didn’t want to be in prison, she could have gotten out when ever she wanted to. But she stayed there. She finally to the blame and the responsibility. That’s why I respect her.”

Cordy looked down at Fred.

“She finally grew up. Yes, I will forgive her one-day but I will never forget what she did. But the fact that she is doing anything she can to make up for what she did, even if it may kill her, is something to respect,” Cordy said.

Fred nodded. “I guess I can understand that,” Fred said. Fred paused. “What do you mean get her killed?”

Cordy smiled warily. “Buffy will most likely try to kill her like last time after Faith has healed,” Cordy said.

“Why would she help to heal her in the first place then?” Fred asked.

“Because Buffy loves Faith,” Cordy said, simply.

Fred’s jaw dropped. “What?” Fred asked, completely confused.

“Buffy is in love with Faith. She has been since the day they met,” Cordy said.

“How do you know?” Fred asked, still confused.

“Because, baby, I was Cordelia Chase, the May Queen, ruler over the high school. I pretty much knew everything that went on in that school. Well, that and anyone with eyes and knew how to use them could see it. Faith was the only person who could anger Buffy and yet make her smile at the same time,” Cordy explained. “Yes, Buffy loved Angel, but it was more like a crush than anything else. Angel couldn’t really be there for Buffy. Faith could. Faith made Buffy happy.”

“But, then why would she kill Faith if she loves her?” Fred asked.

“Because Faith betrayed her. She hurt Buffy more than anyone ever did. Because the one and only person she has ever really loved betrayed her,” Cordy said.

Fred nodded. She opened her mouth to ask another question. Cordy captured Fred’s lips in a passionate kiss before she could ask another question.

“Enough about Buffy and Faith. You. Me. Bed. Now!” Cordy said, standing up with Fred in her arms.

Fred smiled and snuggled closer to Cordy as Cordy carried her to their bedroom.

***

****Six years ago****

”Faith, you killed a man!” Buffy yelled, as Faith dried her hands off from washing the blood off of her hands.

“And you don’t get it B, I don’t care,” Faith said, hotly.

Buffy stormed out of Faith’s apartment. Once Faith heard the door slam shut, she leaned against the fall and slide down it to sit down. Faith tilted her head back until it rested against the wall. Tears filled her eyes and fell.

“What have I done?” Faith asked herself. She laid her face in her hands as she cried. The truth was that she did care. She killed a man. She felt sick to her stomach. She was scared and didn’t know what to do. So, she automatically went to her ‘bitchy I don’t give a damn attitude’ whenever she was scared. She was worse than scared. There was no word for what she was.

The worse thing was, she had hopped that Buffy would be there for her! And she wasn’t. All she did was blame Faith for what happened and didn’t really off any help. It had been an accident. Faith had felt that there was another vampire and had thought that the man was a vampire. She hadn’t known he was human until it was too late. The look in the man’s eyes would stay with Faith for the rest of her life. The horror, the pain, the terror, all of these crossed the mans eyes as his eyes lost the light as he died.

Faith wiped her tears, got up and headed into the bedroom. She started to pack her things. She knew, instinctively that Buffy would tell everyone what had happened and that they would all react like Buffy had. They would hate her and try to turn her into the cops.

After packing up all of her belongings, she took off for the bus station.

***

Buffy walked into her house and saw that her mom, Giles, Xander and Willow were all waiting for her.

“Buffy there you are!” Joyce said.

“Buffy’s there’s been an accident,” Giles said at the same time.

“Accident?” Buffy asked.

“Yes, the deputy mayor has been killed. Stabbed in the heart with a stake,” Giles said.

“So it was the deputy mayor,” Buffy muttered. “Yea, I know about that. I was there when it happened.”

“WHAT!” everyone in the room other than Buffy and Giles screeched.

“Faith and I were in an alley. We were fighting some vampires when the guy jumped out and Faith staked him. I yelled ‘NO’ to her but it had been to late,” Buffy said.

“Oh the poor girl,” Joyce said.

Buffy turned to her. “What? What do you mean ‘oh the poor girl’? She killed someone,” Buffy said.

“Buffy, it was an accident! You said you were fight vampires! How was she to know that he was human?” Joyce said, shocked at Buffy.

Buffy blinked. Her mother was right it had been an accident. Buffy groaned and hid her face in her hands.

“What is it Buffy?” Willow asked.

“I have made a terrible mistake,” Buffy said.

“What happened?” Xander asked.

“Well, Faith and I ran back to her motel room. She started to wash the blood off of her hands. We started to argue. I believe I said something like: ‘Faith, you killed a man!’ and she said something like: ‘And you don’t get it B, I don’t care.’ Then I took off. I jumped onto her. Blaming her for what had happened,” Buffy said.

“Elizabeth Buffy Ann Summers! What the hell is the matter with you?” Joyce yelled.

Buffy paled at the use of her full name. “I freaked ok? I’m sorry, but I got scared!” Buffy said.

“And what do you think Faith is feeling?” Joyce said. “She must be more scared than you! She killed a man, a human man! And the first thing you did was attack her!”

“We have to find her before she does something stupid,” Giles said.

They all agreed and quickly left to find Faith.

***

Faith found herself standing in front of the mayor’s office. She had been going to the bus station but some how she had ended up here. She knocked on the door.

The mayor opened it and smiled. “I knew you would be coming. Come in,” the mayor said.

Faith walked into the office and sat down in front of the desk.

“So, Faith is it?” the mayor asked, as he sat back down.

“Yes,” Faith replied.

“You killed my deputy?” the mayor asked.

“Yes, it was an accident,” Faith said.

“Oh, I know. I set it up for you to kill him. I set everything up and now you are here and you will be under my power,” the mayor said, staring Faith in the eyes. The mayor mumbled something under his breath. His eyes glowed black while Faiths, at first glowed white, started to change to black. “You will do what I say. You will be my minion.”

“I will do what you say. I will be your minion,” Faith repeated.

“Good, now Faith, you mustn’t worry. I’ll take care of Allen’s death. I’ll take care of you,” the mayor said.

Faith blinked and grinned. She didn’t know what happened but some how her pain was gone.

***

“She’s working for the mayor,” Angel said.

Buffy, the Scoobies, Angel and Giles looked at Faith and realized that she was now their enemy.

Chapter 5: Don’t Let Them Get To You

Xander opened his eyes and looked around. The T.V. was off and Dawn was asleep on the couch next to him. Well, since it was like twelve o’clock in the afternoon and she had stayed up all night crying on his shoulder because she had been scared, it was understandable. Xander got up and stretched. He got a blanket and laid it over her. He looked at his watch.

“Time to go and wake them up,” he muttered to himself.

He walked up stairs and into Buffy’s room. He went over to them and realized that he had no clue as how to wake them up. He hadn’t had the sense to ask Willow how to wake them when the time was up. And Willow had never mentioned how to wake them up when she first told him and Buffy about the spell.

“SHIT!” Xander yelled out when he realized he didn’t know how to wake them.

Buffy and Willow’s eyes opened and they looked at him. Faith shot up into a sitting position, her chest rising and falling very fast.

“Well, I guess that was a way to wake them up,” Xander muttered to himself. He smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, Willow hadn’t told me how to wake you guys up.”

Faith was looking around wildly. “Wha… what happened?” Faith stuttered.

“You were tortured by demons. Looks like you healed nicely,” Xander said, looking at Faith’s naked form. Xander, was after all a man. Faith looked down and saw that she was naked. She blushed and tried to cover herself. Xander felt the familiar bulge in his pants.

Willow pointed to the door. “Out,” Willow said, glaring. Xander quickly walked out of the room and pulled the door closed.

“Ohmigod!” Faith said, moving to get off the bed. Buffy and Willow easily held her down. She was healed but she was still weak. “No, let me go! The kid! I need to find that kid and make sure she’s ok!” Faith’s voice filled with concern, fear and urgency.

“Kid? What kid?” Willow asked, confused.

“Faith, it’s alright. Dawn is okay,” Buffy said, looking at everything but Faith. Feeling Faith’s naked form under her hands was a little…disconcerting. She felt the attraction flare up she had left all those years ago in the Bronze when she and Faith had been dancing so close together.

“Dawn?” Faith asked, as she stopped struggling. She looked into Buffy’s eyes, once Buffy had looked at her.

“Dawn is my sister and the girl you saved, which is how I knew what happened to you and where you were. And she is the only reason I agreed to find you and help you to heal. You saved her life,” Buffy said, annoyed at having to repeat this information again.

“Oh,” Faith said. She paused and then said, “She’s ok?”

“Yes,” Buffy said, as she and Willow got off of the bed.

“Well, then I guess I’ll go,” Faith said, moving to get off of the bed.

“No, you’re staying here,” Buffy said, pushing Faith back onto the bed roughly.

“No, B, it’s ok, I can just go back to the motel. I got a room there,” Faith said, still trying to cover her self.

“I don’t trust you enough to let you out of my sight,” Buffy snapped. Faith flinched. Buffy ignored Faith’s flinch. “What motel are you staying at? I’ll go get your crap.”

“The Motel Han. Room eight,” Faith said, still trying to cover her nakedness. She felt embarrassed that Buffy could see her completely naked. Why she felt so embarrassed was a not a mystery, with Buffy, she felt vulnerable.

Buffy walked out of the room with out a word. Willow followed her out. Buffy and Willow walked down stairs.

“Buffy?” Willow asked, when they reached the front door.

“Yea?” Buffy asked, not looking at Willow.

“Is it me or does it seem like I want to start to forgive Faith. Give her a second chance?” Willow asked.

Buffy turned to Willow.

“I don’t know, but that’s how I feel too,” Buffy said. “Something happened when we were in Faith’s mind but I can’t remember what.”

“Well, that is part of the spell. We go into her mind and see but we can’t remember. It has some thing to do with privacy, I think,” Willow said.

“Well, I better go and get Faith’s crap. I’ll be back in a while,” Buffy said, getting her coat and walking out of the house.

***

Buffy let herself into Faith’s motel room. She was surprised. It was far worse than the one she had all those years ago. She found a bag and put it on the bed. She quickly picked up the little stuff that Faith had.

Buffy looked around. The room was tiny. The plaster was falling off of the ceiling, the paint on the walls were peeling, it smelled of smoke and beer and the bed was so messed up the weight of a baby would have made it collapse. This room was far worse than the one Faith had had six years ago.

Why would Faith stay here? I’m sure that Angel gave her money to get a place better than this. Hell, she still has the apartment that the mayor gave her. Buffy thought.

Just then a cell phone rang. Buffy looked over to a makeshift bed and saw the cell phone lying next to it. Buffy went over to it and picked it up.

“Hello?” Buffy asked.

~Buffy? ~ Angel asked, not surprised that Buffy answered the cell phone.

“Angel?” Buffy responded, she was surprised to hear Angel.

~What are you doing with Faith’s cell phone? ~ Angel asked, although he had an idea.

“I’m at the motel she’s staying at. I’m picking up her stuff and taking it back to my house. And before you say anything. It’s no. I haven’t forgiven her and I never will. I don’t trust her and I want to keep her where I can see her. People like her don’t change,” Buffy said, before Angel could speak.

~She has changed. Don’t you trust my judgment? She’s not the same person she was. And yes, people like her can change. I did. But I’m not going to argue with you. So, how is she? ~ Angel said, slightly annoyed.

“She’s okay now. Willow and I healed her using this weird spell,” Buffy said and then explained what they had done. After she was done explaining she paused. “Wait, if you knew that Faith was at my house, why did you call her cell phone?”

~Because I knew sooner or later you would get her stuff. ~ Angel said.

“Why is it that you think that Faith has changed so much?” Buffy demanded.

~Take her out on a patrol. You’ll see what I mean. ~ Angel said and then hung up.

Buffy scowled at the cell phone. She put it in with the other stuff and headed back home.

***

Willow, Xander and Dawn were sitting in the living room in silence.

“So, how is Faith?” Dawn asked, breaking the silence. She really wanted to see Faith to thank her and maybe give her a good smack upside the head. Faith had been stupid to take on all those demons alone.

“She’s all healed but she’s weak. She’ll recover her strength soon,” Willow said, flatly. She really didn’t want to talk about Faith.

“Can I go and see her?” Dawn asked, although she knew Willow would say no, she knew Xander would say yes.

Willow opened her mouth to say no but Xander beat her to it. “Yes, Dawn go on up,” Xander said.

“Xander!” Willow said shocked.

Xander glared at her.

“How could you let her got up there with that psycho bitch?” Willow asked, as Dawn went up stair.

“Faith saved Dawn. And she is not a psycho bitch, at least not anymore,” Xander said.

“Xander do you remember what she did?” Willow exclaimed.

“Do you remember what you did?” Xander shot back and Willow flinched. “You tried to destroy the world, she didn’t. Your doing the ‘pot calling the kettle black’ thing pretty well Wills.”

Willow looked away. It hurt her knowing he would use something against her.

“Why don’t you get over your damn jealousy already?” Xander asked.

“What? Jealousy?” Willow asked, surprised. She turned back to Xander. “And what do I have to be jealous of?”

“Your jealous of Faith, always have been from day one. You’re jealous because Faith could identify with Buffy so well because she was a slayer too and could understand what Buffy was going through. You were afraid to lose your bestfriend to someone else. You don’t know who Faith is. You hate that Faith understands what Buffy goes through and what Buffy needs,” Xander said,

“No, Willow whispered.

“Yes. You hated that Buffy got another friend who she could hang out with. She wasn’t so dependant on you anymore. If you were busy, she had someone else that she could hang with. It could have been like that with you and Faith too. You could have been her friend too, but you let jealousy over rule you,” Xander said. Xander stood up. He looked down at Willow. “You of all people have no right to judge her.”

Xander walked out of the living room and into the kitchen before he could say something that he would regret.

Buffy walked in with Faith’s stuff. “Hey, where’s Xander? Where’s Dawn?” Buffy asked.

Willow looked up. “Xander is in the kitchen and Dawn is upstairs with Faith,” Willow said.

“WHAT!?” Buffy yelled out.

***

Dawn got up and went up stairs. Leaving Xander and Willow arguing. She went into her sister’s room and saw that Faith was naked. Dawn bent down and picked up the blanket by the door and brought it over to the bed. She laid the blanket over Faith, which caused Faith to look at her.

“Thank you,” Faith said quietly, as Dawn sat down on the side of the bed.

“No problem,” Dawn said, smiling slightly.

Dawn paused, unsure of how to proceed.

“How you feeling?” Dawn asked, really concerned for the slayer.

“I’m good. I feel weak, but I don’t hurt anymore,” Faith said, with a hint of disappointment.

“Thank you,” Dawn said, ignoring the disappointed sound in the slayer’s voice from not being in pain.

“For what?” Faith asked, startled. She didn’t know why Dawn would be thanking her.

“For saving my life. For being dumb enough to take on all those demons on your own,” Dawn said.

Faith laughed softly. “Dumb? Definitely. Worth it all? Hell ya it was worth all that torturing!” Faith said and Dawn cocked her head in question. “It was dumb. I could have been caught and you might not have been saved, but luckily you got away. I made a risk with out thinking and I should have. All I knew was that you were in danger and I had to rescue you or at least try to rescue you. If I lost my life doing that then it wouldn’t have been a big loss. My sole concentration was on saving you.”

Faith blushed, realizing that she might have said too much.

“Or you wanted to get caught so that they could torture you,” Dawn said.

Faith’s mouth dropped open. “I…I… I dunno what you’re talking about,” Faith said.

Dawn raised a brow. “Oh really?” Dawn asked. “Faith I have heard all about you from Buffy. Even when you were first here, you wouldn’t have done something that stupid. You were arrogant, selfish and headstrong. You weren’t one to make a plan. You just rushed in, but even you wouldn’t have done it when you knew there were way more demons then you could handle.”

Faith looked away. “Why do you care? I hurt everyone you care about. I betrayed you all,” Faith said. “You are right. I did let it happen, because I deserve it. I should be punished. I should be killed. Hell, I should be tortured to death!”

Dawn mouth dropped open. “FAITH!” Dawn said, shocked.

“What? It’s true. Don’t you know what I did to Buffy, and the Scoobies? I did everything in my power to hurt them,” Faith said, trying to defend her words.

“Willow tried to destroy the world. She tried to kill me, Buffy, Xander and everyone else,” Dawn blurted out before she could think about it.

Faith’s mouth dropped open and she turned her head and looked at Dawn. “What?” Faith asked.

“After Tara died, Willow went nuts,” Dawn said.

“It can’t be true. Willow would never hurt anyone who was considered an innocent,” Faith defended Willow.

“It’s true. Tara was killed by a stray bullet that had been meant for Buffy,” Dawn said.

“Wasn’t Tara killed before her vary eyes? Wasn’t Willow standing in front of Tara when it happened?” Faith asked.

“Well, yeah,” Dawn admitted.

“There you go. It wasn’t really Willow. When Tara dies, it’s like she just lost her soul. So that doesn’t count,” Faith said. “I’m a-”

Dawn raised her hand and smacked Faith across the face. Faith gaped at her. Dawn smacked her. She didn’t know she could be so violent.

“Faith, stop pitying your self. You fucked up. You fucked up majorly. But you went to prison for five years to pay for what you did. And you did pay for it in the normal world. Now you will pay for it in the demon world by protecting the innocent to the best of your abilities and defeating evil,” Dawn said, matter-of-factly. “Buffy forgave Angel. He did a lot more than you ever did. If he can turn over a new leaf and repent for what he did then you can too.”

Faith stared at Dawn, wide eyed.

“But he lost his soul, literally! So he doesn’t count!” Faith said, pointing out that it had been Angelus who did those things, not Angel.

Faith was about to saw more but Dawn glared at her and Faith kept her mouth close.

“Dying or getting hurt on purpose is the easy way out Faith! If Buffy and Willow want to be mean to you, then you take it. Don’t rise to their bait! Take their crap and show them that you are here for the good fight!” Dawn said. “Don’t let them get to you.”

“And how the hell did you come to this conclusion?” Faith asked, getting a little annoyed at being told off by a kid. A kid who didn’t really know Faith or what Faith did, so she couldn’t really judge fairly.

“I’ve been thinking about it. Get some rest,” Dawn said, getting up and heading for the door. She paused. “Faith?”

“Yea?” Faith asked, a little more subdue.

“Thank you for saving me,” Dawn said and then left the room.

Faith lay back and let a dreamless sleep take over her.

***

“YOU WHAT?” Buffy demanded. She was pacing in front of Dawn. Her steps quick and angry.

“I talked to her. And I am going to continue to do so,” Dawn said, calmly. Dawn knew Buffy was angry but she knew that Buffy wouldn’t hurt her.

“No, I forbid it. She’s dangerous. What if she tries to get to me by getting you?” Buffy asked, still pacing.

“Oh, yes. I forgot, everything is about you,” Dawn muttered, rolling her eyes at her sister’s enormous ego.

“She’s a murderer. Murderers should never be forgiven,” Buffy insisted.

“Buffy you have already contradicted that statement!” Dawn said, pointing to Willow.

“What?” Buffy asked, confused. She stopped pacing and looked at Dawn.

“You forgave Willow for what she did,” Dawn pointed out. “She killed someone, she tortured us and tried to destroy the world and yet you forgave her.”

Buffy opened her mouth to speak, but Dawn beat her to it. “Sit down and listen for once and stop being so damn stubborn!” Dawn snapped.

Buffy sat down and crossed her arms.

Xander, who was sitting next to Willow, spoke up. “She’s right Buffy,” Xander said, using all the bravery he had, which wasn’t much. “When I first visited Faith in prison I told my self I would never trust or forgive her for what she did. I told myself that she betrayed us, when we gave her every chance.”

Xander looked at Willow, who had stayed quiet through out the whole conversation. He knew what he was aboiut to say would hurt her but in his eart he knew it was the right thing to do. “After what Willow did, I realized something. I love Willow so much. I never believed that she was capable of something like that. And yet she did do those things. I felt more betrayed by Willow than Faith, because Willow is someone I’m so close to. Yet, after a year or so and a lot of proving, I forgave her and so did you,” Xander said, softly. “What I realized was that life is too short. I realized it even more when Anya died. It’s too tiring to hold a grudge.”

“Xander’s right,” Willow said suddenly.

Buffy turns to Willow, her mouth on the floor.

“What?”

“Xander and Dawn are right. No point in lying to my self anymore. Yes, Tara died, but I didn’t lose my soul. I was blinded by anger and hatred. I did those things of my own free will, just like Faith. You gave me the chance to get your trust again. I think I should be able to do it for Faith,” Willow said. She paused and looked at Buffy whose mouth was hanging open. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m never gonna be her biggest fan. I don’t have to like her but that doesn’t give me the right to judge her.”

Buffy opened and closed her mouth, in a good impression of a fish. She sat there, slightly shocked. Xander, Dawn and WILLOW were going against her for Faith! Buffy knew she wouldn’t win this.

“Fine, I’ll give her a chance. She’ll mess up, just you see,” Buffy said, then left the house to go to her job.

Willow rubbed the bridge of her nose. She looked at her watch and sighed. She stood up to her bestfriend for Faith, of all people. She really hopped that Faith didn’t mess up. Willow stood and looked at Xander and Dawn.

“I really hope you’re right,” Willow said.