CHAPTER 1

FPOV

Out of all the things I could have possibly imagined, this was definitely not one of them. I’ve had a thing for B in the past. I’ll admit it. But this? No. This is different.

So I’ve been hanging around with the super hero squad for about 3 weeks now, since we blew up Sunnydale. L.A’s my kinda place, I like it here, I like hanging around with Angel, well at least when he’s not hanging around B. He kinda turns into a walking soap opera when he’s near her. Only this soap, no one’s watching. I don’t mean to be a bitch about it, but seriously, figure it out already. Ok maybe there’s a tiny bit of bitterness there when it comes to B. I gotta stop thinking about that. Even after all these years, the fact that she chose his life over mine, well, it still hurts like a bitch.

Whatever. I’m over it.

So here’s the thing that I didn’t see coming. Willow. She's different now. She's changed. People used to call her shy, or weak, she was never like that with me. Well, the old me. Even when I was way over my fair share of the crazy quota, she stood up to me. Told me what she thought of me. Never backed down, even though she knew I could have snapped her neck with no regret within a blink of an eye. She’s still got that about her, but today, I dunno, she’s just more badass. Sexier. Maybe she’s always been like that, and I’ve just never noticed. Too caught up in the blonde necro maniac that is her best friend.

 I think it started when we were driving back to Sunnydale. She carried most of the conversation, I wasn’t trying to be rude or anything, but it was kind of hard to get a word in most of the time. She told me about how everyone’s lives had progressed over the past few years. She explained that Dawn was a mystical key, the battle with Glory, B dying, coming back. Then she told me about what happened to her girl, Tara, and the aftermath. I felt bad and all, but I couldn’t help but think she must have been wicked hot as a badass evil witch. Its kind of hot, knowing she could still be like that. I mean if she wanted too. Power. It’s kind of sexy.

She’s confident now. Not in a short skirt, cleavage out kind of way. More of a, I’m a grown up, I’ve been through hell, and there’s nothing you can do to faze me, so bring it, kind of way! Does that make sense? Also, I see the way she looks at people she cares about, I’m not gonna go into it in too much detail, but, I like that look. She’s got a lot of love to give. I’m not saying I’m in love or anything, I’m just saying there’s something about her.

Well anyway, since then, I can’t stop thinking about her. Problem is, she’s dating Kennedy. Who, I kinda like. It’s nice having a friend who isn’t a con, or doesn’t have vivid memories of me trying to kill them. Rare thing in my life these days! We hang out, talk fighting techniques, talk video games, comics, yeah I never really grew out of all that stuff. I’ll never admit it out loud, but I could see me and Kennedy being good friends. If it wasn’t for the fact that I want her girl! I don’t think they’ve been together long, like a couple of months maybe. So who knows, maybe it won’t work out. Is that crappy of me to think? Probably.

 I know what you’re thinking, even if they don’t work out, what makes you think Willow would even be interested in me, well I just want to take this moment to point out, that Kennedy? She’s like a watered down version of me! I mean you couldn’t get further from what Tara was like if you tried.  Well actually you could. Me. So I guess there’s hope, right?

I’ve been sitting in the basement of the Hyperion for over an hour now. This cage they got set up in here is oddly comforting. Some people go sit on a rooftop and look at the stars, me? I sit in a cage in a dark basement to reflect. Anyway, stars are too beautiful, I’m not sure if I deserve that yet. I’m sure there’s a shrink somewhere that could write poetry with that!

I gotta admit, sometimes I miss the old me. The old me, would look at Kennedy and think ‘Game on bitch’. She’d win too. The new me, well the new me sit’s in a basement feeling sorry for herself. The new me has to take a moment to consider other people’s feelings. It kinda sucks. Acting like I’ve got a soul. I mean I have a soul, don’t get me wrong. Just sometimes I wonder if mine’s kind of defective. Like I’ll be in a situation and I gotta remind myself that other people would care about it, so maybe I should too. I don’t always care automatically.

So I guess either, I keep these weird crush feelings to myself, or I go after her and possibly ruin any friendship I might have with Kennedy.

Screw it. Game on.

“What the hell is her problem?!" Buffy exclaimed after Faith rushed past her in the hotel lobby.

“I’m sorry who?” Giles said as he looked up from some texts sprawled out on the floor.

“Faith! She never stops to talk, if she’s not sitting in the basement like a freak, she’s always running around in some kind of hurry. I feel like I don’t even know her anymore. At least when she was a crazy psychotic slut, I knew who she was,” Giles looked at her slightly confused, “Ya know, a crazy psychotic slut,” Buffy finished off.

Giles sighed and stood up stretching his legs a little “Buffy if you wish to get to know Faith, I suggest putting a stop to the name calling would be a good place to start.”

“I know, I just wish she would slow down and give me a minute of her time, we’ve hardly spoken to each other since Sunnydale. With all these mini slayers running around, I just want to touch base with the only other chosen one in existence. I mean really, is that too much to ask?” Buffy said as she followed Giles over to the make shift kitchen area in the hotel lobby.

Giles pulled a plastic food bag out of his pocket filled with tea bags, and placed one in a mug, “Is there a particular reason you want to speak with her?”

“I just think it’s important that we be able to work together. I mean things are different now. There are all these slayers, and I think it’s up to me and Faith to guide them. I feel more responsible now than ever, she must be feeling it too.”

Giles sighed whilst switching the kettle on “Well, she seems comfortable as she is. She enjoys spending time with Angel, and some of the new slayers. Just give her a bit of time. Maybe she doesn’t yet wish to...well.”

“Spend time with me?” Buffy finished for him. “Well that’s stupid, she’s being stupid. Shouldn’t surprise me really, seeing as she is stupid.”

“Buffy...” Giles warned

“I’m just saying, we have a connection. Something special. It’s rare and it’s unique, more so now than ever. Besides we talked in Sunnydale, we’re over our past issues, we talked it through.”

“Was this before or after you punched her in the face?”

“…I don’t remember,” Buffy pouted at Giles.

“Well you know where she is now, should you wish to speak with her,” Giles said as he nodded his head towards the stairs. Buffy looked over at the staircase leading up to all their rooms, “I suppose.”

Faith rushed into her bedroom and quickly shut the door behind her. Since she decided to go after Willow the day before, her bravado had shrunk the minute Kennedy approached her and asked if she wanted to hang out in the evening. She had made up some excuse, and decided to go hide in a seedy bar all evening.

She had just come from a run, looking in the mirror she sighed to herself, before stripping off and taking a quick shower. Everything was quick these days; a way to distract herself from unwanted feelings was always finding something to do. A few minutes later, she was out of the shower and drying off before she heard a knock at her door.

“Just give me a sec,” Faith quickly found a clean pair of pajama bottoms and tank top and hurriedly put them on before opening the door.

“Err...hey,” Faith looked a little startled to find Buffy standing in the hallway looking a bit uncomfortable. They had pretty much stayed out of each other’s way since getting to LA.

“Are you busy?” Buffy asked.

“No, what’s up? Something brewing?” Faith replied as she moved back to her bed to retrieve her towel for her hair.

“Giles is making tea,” Faith looked at her oddly “That’s not what you meant is it,” Buffy said as she stepped inside Faith’s room. “No, no trouble, just wanted to check in with you. Make sure everything’s okay?”

“Sure, why wouldn’t it be?” Faith replied.

Buffy looked around the bedroom, before taking a seat on a chair in the corner of the room, whilst Faith stood in front of a mirror and began towel drying her hair, “Faith, I just want you to know that you can talk to me, about anything.”

“What is this about B?”

Buffy looked down before meeting Faith’s eyes in the reflection of the mirror.

“Faith there’s no need to be a closed book.”

“Huh?”

“I know what you’re feeling.”

Faith froze before clearing her throat, before trying to act normal again “I don’t know what you’re talking about B.”

Buffy however had noticed Faith falter in the reflection of the mirror.

“Me and you we have a connection, even though there’s all these other slayers now, they don’t feel the same, not like we do. We’re different, do you understand what I’m saying?”

Faith turned around to face Buffy, and leaned on the dresser behind her.

“Look B, I’m flattered, really. I mean maybe a few years ago, I woulda gone for this.”

Buffy’s face was pure confusion at Faith’s response “Gone for what? Sharing your feelings? Because if I remember correctly, a few years ago, not only were you a closed book, you were a book covered in cellophane. With maybe a security seal wrapped around too. You know like how they have in stores, for like really expensive things.”

Faith threw her towel on the bed and grabbed her comb. “Okay, I don’t really know what you just said, but I’m just saying, I couldn’t do it to Angel. The big guy’s done way too much for me to go stabbing him in the back like that. I know you guys aren’t really together but still.”

“What are you talk-“

“Look B, you’re a total hottie, but it’s more complicated now.”

Buffy stared at Faith open mouthed, “Do you think I’m hitting on you!?”

Faith who was now facing the mirror again began combing her hair, “B, there’s no need to get defensive just cos I’m knocking you back. Besides, like I said if the situation was different, I’d totally do you.”

Buffy closed her eyes and grit her teeth before taking a deep breath “Faith, I’m not hitting on you, I just wanted to talk about our connection, and our connection with the new slayers.”

Faith put the comb down and went to sit on the bed to face Buffy “You want to make a connection with one of them?”

“Not in a sex way Faith, this is not a sex talk!” Buffy threw her arms up in the air before standing, “You know what, this is ridiculous, I should have known this would be a waste of time. Talking to you is like talking to...to…well a really stupid thing.”

Faith stood up to face Buffy “What the hell is your problem?”

“You’re my problem Faith, how you think you’re still relevant here is beyond me.”

“You know what, screw you B, you’re the one that comes into my space, talking bout comparing me to books and shit, hitting on me, then when I’m trying to help you with your connection to one of the newbie’s, you turn all super bitch Buffy on me.”

Buffy stared at Faith shocked, “You know what Faith, you are a monumental moron, I don’t even know why I bother!” Buffy then turned to leave Faith’s, room slamming the door on the way out.

_______________________________________________

To say that Faith felt stressed out was an understatement, she was currently sitting in Wesley’s old office, with Giles, Buffy, Xander, Angel, Kennedy and of course the cause for most of her unwanted stress, Willow.

“I just think that we need to move on, Angel your hospitality has been most appreciated, but we can’t burden you further. We need to set up somewhere more permanent,” Giles said from his chair next to the desk.

Faith could feel Buffy’s eyes piercing her with an evil glare, but chose to ignore it. She could also feel Kennedy looking at her with an emotion she couldn’t quite read.

Faith rubbed at her forehead before speaking up, “I dunno G, I like it here, LA I mean. We don’t have to stay with Angel, but we could set up in LA.”

Buffy rolled her eyes, “Well that would be kind of pointless Faith, seeing as Angel has LA covered,” she said slowly as if speaking to a child.

“Don’t talk to me like that B.”

“Or what?”

Faith stood up to face off with Buffy, followed quickly by Buffy getting to her feet. Before they knew it, both of them were forced back into their chairs. Looking momentarily confused, they then both looked at Willow.

“Sorry guys, but we don’t really have time for this right now, maybe you can pummel each other after the meeting. As I was saying to Giles earlier, the coven in England have a few prophecies they urgently want looked into. It makes the most sense for us to relocate there. At least for the time being.”

“I agree. I can look into accommodation that would house us and all the girls, maybe somewhere a little low key, out in the country side perhaps.” Giles added.

“Does this mean I have to get monsoon weather clothes? A brolly or two, that’s what you guys call them right? A brolly?” Xander said before Giles nodded.

Buffy sighed before standing up, “Okay, that sounds fine, you find the place I’ll look into booking us all a flight, unless,” She said before turning to Willow “You don’t fancy zapping us all into jolly old England using the free and instant option?”

“Actually Buffy, I’d prefer we did this legally and all above board, well on paper anyway. I might just help it along, using the old hacker skills,” Willow smiled.

“Sure, expensive and long it is.” Buffy smiled back.

Faith who had been quiet during this agreement, decided to choose this moment to speak again, “Erm, the thing is guys, I don’t really have a passport. Plus I’m kind of wanted, so I couldn’t leave the country even if I did have one.”

“Well that’s fine Faith, you wanted to stay in LA so badly, why don’t you go see if your old room at the women’s penitentiary is still available,” Kennedy said before standing up and leaving the room.

Buffy smirked at Faith, “Gosh that was so rude of her, I mean she didn’t even offer to call them to find out for you,” she said before leaving the room.

Giles rose to his feet before awkwardly addressing Faith, “Yes, well, I’m sure between us, we can somehow eradicate the problem quickly and efficiently.”

“Sure,” Willow said smiling at Faith. Faith couldn’t help but smile back at her; she found Willow’s smiles to be kind of infectious.

Angel looked at Faith oddly, noticing the interaction.

“Excellent, well now that’s all in order, I shall start looking on the internet for something suitable, Xander if you could help me out, I’d be most grateful,” Giles said before exiting the room with Xander in tow, leaving Willow, Angel, and Faith alone.

Willow leant forward and put her hand on Faith’s arm, “Faith, I wouldn’t take what Kennedy said to heart, she kind of feels like you’ve been all avoidy girl lately, I tried to explain you might just need a bit of space, but maybe if you could just talk to her, it’ll get straightened out pretty quick.”

Faith swallowed, before quickly nodding her head and replying, “Sure Red, Willow, I meant, Willow.” Faith was cursing herself on the inside but all she could focus on was her sped up heart rate, that didn’t seem to be slowing down, at least not until that hand would remove itself from her arm.

Willow stood up and smiled at both Faith and Angel “Okay well, I better call the coven and tell them we’re on our way.” She then walked out of the office.

Faith turned to look at Angel who had a grin on his face, “Willow?!”

“Oh god,” Faith groaned as she collapsed in the chair behind her.

CHAPTER 2

Faith turned to look at Angel who had a grin on his face, “Willow?!”

“Oh god,” Faith groaned as she collapsed in the chair behind her.

Angel laughed before taking a seat in Giles’s previous chair, “Really? Willow!?”

“What’s wrong with Red?” Faith replied defensively.

“Nothing, she’s grown into an amazing woman,” Angel said with a smile on his face, “I just never thought I’d see the day, I mean you, falling for somebody.”

“Yo, no one ever said anything about falling for anyone, I’m not a walking romance novel dude, I’m not you!” Faith said agitated.

Angel grinned at Faith, “Would ya stop grinning at me, its kind of weird. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without at least one frown line on your face.”

“The words pot and kettle come to mind,” Angel quipped.

“Quit grinning, I’m not in love!” Faith said uncomfortably.

“Are you sure, because if you want help writing her a poem, I’m free for a couple of hours right now,” Angel said looking down at his watch.

“You’re not taking this seriously,” Faith said with dejection in her voice.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s just…” Angel hesitated before continuing, “Your heart sped up pretty quick back there.”

Faith gave Angel an inquisitive look before shaking her head and smiling “That’s some pretty creepy shit you got going there, I’d keep it to yourself in future.”

“Duly noted, so…Willow huh?”

Faith stood up and walked over to the door, which was currently open a jar. She peered out at Willow who was currently at the welcome desk talking on the phone, presumably to the Coven in England. Faith looked down and sighed before closing the door gently. She turned around and leant against it, before looking at Angel.

“Do you think it’s weird?” She said before taking her previous seat again.

Angel shook his head before making eye contact with Faith, “Honestly, no. I probably should do, but hey, who would have thought that Cordy and me would have fallen for each other the way we did. Look at Buffy and Spike, I bet when they first met; they never knew where they’d end up. I know I didn’t.” Angel finished off under his breath, “Growth is an incredible thing, you shouldn’t be hung up on what people think.”

Faith listened patiently to his words whilst looking down at her lap, “Yeah, so you think I should go after her?”

Angel smiled again, “No.”

“What?” Faith looked up surprised at his answer, “Why not?”

The vampire stood and stretched his arms out before replying, “Because she’s in a relationship, and if what you’re saying is true, about you not being in love with her. Then it’s not fair to her, or her girlfriend. Are your feelings for her strong enough to be worth all the pain you may cause? From what you’ve told me, the answers no.” Angel looked down at Faith, who looked a little dejected, he crouched down in front of Faith’s chair to look at her on her level, “Faith, I know you feel something for her, but if you want my advice, wait it out. Give yourself time to figure out what it is you’re feeling, and who knows, in the mean time, their relationship may not actually work out.”

Faith looked him in the eyes; “I thought that I was a complete dick when I thought that.”

Angel smiled, “Yeah well, you and I will always have a little dick inside us,” Faith raised her eyebrows at this, “That came out wrong,” Angel knitted his eyebrows together in frustration.

“Dude...” Faith smirked

“I just meant, that, we’ve both got a darker side, we’ve been there and we’ve become it. So it’s always going to be a part of us. But it’s not our thoughts, it’s how we choose to act that mould us into who we become,” Angel finished off gently.

Faith looked at him with a slight smile etched onto her face, Angel rolled his eyes before standing up, “You’re still thinking about the dick thing aren’t you?”

Faith laughed before standing to walk towards the door with Angel, “Dude that was like, easily, the best thing you’ve ever said!”

_____________________________________________________

“Buffy, all I’m saying is maybe you should try and be nicer to Faith, she’s really changed.”

“She really hasn’t!”

“Buffy.”

Buffy sighed before leaning back on the bed next to Willow, “Will, I went to her bedroom the other day, to try and reach out, she practically tried to sleep with me!”

Willow turned to look at Buffy, shock etched on her face, “She what!? Faith’s gay? Well I mean, that’s fine if she is, cos you know, hello,” She said waving a hand down to herself, “Plus I always kind of thought she might be at least bisexual, but still, she tried to sleep with you?”

“Practically!” Buffy said in a distressed tone, “She was all, ‘Oh I would totally do you right now B, I mean you’re a wicked hottie, but like I’ve gotta go sit in the basement and stare at the walls for a while like the criminally insane psycho that I am,’” Buffy said in her best Boston accent.

Willow turned to look back at the ceiling, “You noticed that too huh?”

“What the psycho part?” Buffy said looking at Willow.

“The basement thing, you know team Angel have a camera set up in there right?”

“They do? That’s a little weird. Maybe we could record Faith rocking back and forth like a loon and make it go viral.”

“Buffy!” Willow playfully slapped Buffy on the arm.

“I’m kidding…sort of,” Buffy replied.

“Well anyway,” Willow continued, “I kind of peeped, I didn’t mean too, but I did. She doesn’t just sit in the basement, Buffy she sits in the cage. She hasn’t been out of prison that long. I was wondering if it’s some kind of coping mechanism. You know, sitting in there. I’ve heard of prisoners being released and not adjusting well to the outside world, do you think that’s what it could be?”

“I don’t know…you seem awfully blasé about her trying to sleep with me,” Buffy replied.

“Well we could chalk it up to two things, either she was just being Faith, or it’s odd behavior and I add it to the cage thing. Maybe I should talk to Angel, I’m kind of worried about her Buffy,” Willow said thoughtfully.

“Well don’t be, I just put it down to her being dumb, I still vote for the viral video option.”

“Buffy!”

_______________________________________________

CHAPTER 4

ONE MONTH LATER:

I’ve been walking round this castle, yeah you heard me right, castle, for like 2 hours now. I’m the only one here. Red had been so snowed under, she didn’t really have time to go through my records to clean them. I think I’m kind of glad about that. I know she’s gonna do it sooner or later, I just don’t want her seeing all my early shit too ya know? Stealing cars, fights, might even be a couple of drug charges there. Okay so I was never in juvi too long, but still, it doesn’t look good. So yeah, no passport for me. Yet. I was the only one that got teleported straight here. Not gonna lie, never been on one, but I still think I’d prefer a plane ride to doing that again.  I vomited as soon as I got here, thank god Red didn’t come with me. I’m gonna hazard a guess, that’s its not an attractive look!

The other’s get here tonight, I don’t really know how the time difference works, but I know I got a couple hours before they even have to be at the airport in L.A.

This place is the kick! Giles flew to the UK a week after we had the big meeting, but he had to fly back to L.A to go over some stuff with Red. Anyway, for the short time that he was here, he managed to at least fix up the living area. The bedrooms are the only areas that are fully furnished. I dumped my one bag full of clothes Wesley got me when I broke out, in a room that I claimed as my own. What can I say, first come first served right?

I’m pretty sure I haven’t covered the entire ground of this castle yet, it’s kind of freaky being alone here, cos you see, I’m not alone. After the first hour, I had this feeling something was following me. Like around me you know? So I was literally walking to the door of the basement, I know, I know, I got a thing for basements, and I’m not even shitting you, the latch pulled itself up and the door opened. There’s some kinda ghost here. I don’t think it’s evil, I don’t get that vibe. Like I said, it’s a little freaky, but I’m not scared. I’ve been around a ghost before. Back in my crazy days when I tried to shake up Cordelia, she had some kind of spazzed out demonic energy in her apartment. I remember it kind of made it difficult for me to break in. Kept throwing shit at me while I was waiting for her to get back. I ended up threatening to kill her if it didn’t stop. Well that made it stop.

I don’t know what kind of ghost this is, but it feels okay. Nothing bad ya know? I’ve named it Sam, after Sam Wheat. You know the movie Ghost? Before you say it, I was forced to watch it in prison, I don’t want you to go around thinking I’m into chick flicks or whatever. Besides, Sam’s kind of like a unisex name, so it fits. It’s not like I know what this ghost was packing back in its living days!

Well other than walking into a bunch of empty rooms for a few hours, there’s not much to tell.

I guess I’ll just tell you about the last month. I stopped avoiding Kennedy. I talked to her like Red asked, and without telling her the real reasons, managed to talk my way back into her good books. We’ve hung out a few times, but nothing like how we used to hang before. Just doesn’t feel right. It’s cool though, she’s started to form pretty good friendships with some of the other newbie’s, so I don’t feel like I’m abandoning her or anything. Even though we’ve smoothed things over, I still get a weird vibe from her, just now and then. Like she’s tryna figure something out.

B has been more of a bitch than ever, actually that’s not entirely true. She had a moment of relapse. About a week ago, I came to the realization that for Red’s sake I should probably make an effort with B. So I went to her room with a peace offering. See I recently made three stakes for myself, really cool ones with bits of silver embedded in them. I found a cloth full of shreds of silver when I was getting a book for Angel, he told me some warlock exchanged them with him for a favor. Well anyway, Angel gave me a few pieces when he saw I was carving a few stakes. I’m not really sure if the whole silver through the heart thing is actually relevant anywhere in demonology, but they look cool as fuck! So I decided to give one to B.  She totally dug it at first. Then it just got weird. She gave me this really long hug, first of all, I’m not into hugs. At all, and this one was like longer than Schindlers List! So like I gently pushed her away, and told her I’m not into that touchy feely stuff. That I wasn’t giving her the stake to like get felt up or nothing. I mean, it was a joke! Well anyway the bitch punched me. I give her a present and try and be nice about it, and she punches me! I went flying through her open doorway into the corridor, in front of all the newbie’s, before she slammed the door shut on me. I don’t know what’s up her ass, but that’s the last time I try and play nice with her. She kept the stake. Bitch.

Red’s been super nice. We’ve been hanging out a lot lately. She’s been talking me through how to adjust to life after the big house. It was kind of out of the blue, but I wasn’t about to question it or nothing. Hey, if it means we get to hang out one on one, that’s fine with me. I thought about what Angel said, and I’ve given it time. I don’t really know what to call how I feel.  But it’s intense. I’m sticking to the plan though, wait it out. Who knows, I might get over it. In the mean time, I figured there’s no harm in just hanging out with Red.

She came down to the basement one evening, and asked if she could join me. I was stunned; I really didn’t think I’d be interrupted, least of all by her! So she came and sat by me, and started asking me about the prison. What it was like, did I make friends, etc. I’ve heard about girls that think con’s are kind of a turn on. When I was inside, we had the option of getting mail from girls, and guys all over the world. Like a pen pal. So I was thinking, cool Red’s got some kind of kink for prisoners! I should have known better, turns out she just wanted to make sure I transitioned okay to life in the real world. She’s too good for my filthy mind.

Another time, we were hanging out in my bedroom, it was so relaxed you know, we’d spent a while just talking about dark shit. It got pretty heavy, and I wanted to lighten the mood. So I asked her to teach me a magic trick! She kind of looked surprised at first, and then she smiled, stood up, went to my desk and got something. A pencil. She placed it in between us, and I swear she didn’t even look like she was concentrating; she could have been playing the Playstation whilst riding a unicycle and still float that pencil without blinking an eye! She’s kind of awesome like that! So I listened to what she told me, and I concentrated. Nothing happened. I tried again. Still nothing. Then something awesome happened. She laughed, then held my hands and told me to concentrate again.  The thing lifted up, it was so cool. I still think it was her that did it, but it was nice of her to humor me like that!

She’s got the most amazing smile, I’m such a dumb ass, how did I not see that before?

I think I’m gonna go into town, there’s like 6 identical black cars out front, I noticed a bunch of keys in the kitchen. I’m gonna see what my new town’s all about!

Buffy, Xander, Willow and Kennedy were currently in a four seater, 2 facing each other on the plane.

Xander was currently in the middle of throwing a peanut over a few seats, aiming for Andrew’s head.

“Ow! Mr. Giles, he’s doing it again,” Andrew complained whilst rubbing his head, “I’m going to have peanut salt in my hair!”

Xander sat back and quietly laughed before turning to Buffy who was sitting on his right, “Ya know I think for a guy with one eye, that was pretty impressive, did you see how it bounced off his head?”

Buffy rolled her eyes, “You need to get it to stick in his hair, you’re doing it all wrong,” Buffy took a peanut from Xander’s hand, and without taking much aim managed to get the peanut to embed itself into the front quiff of Andrews hair.

“Mr. Giles!!” Andrew whined as he pulled the peanut out of his hair.

“Oh for goodness sake,” Giles stood up and walked over to Buffy, Xander, Willow and Kennedy, the last of whom was trying hard to stifle a laugh. “You four insisted on sitting together in order to work out plans for the upcoming weeks, you’ve made me sit with Andrew, who not only has a fear of flying, but also has an absurd belief that all British people have inside knowledge of whether or not the cast of Red Dwarf are planning another reunion. I would appreciate it, if you would keep your antics to yourself, and make my journey slightly more bearable,” Giles finished before returning to his seat.

Willow looked at the others before speaking, “Well, as amusing as that was, I agree with Giles, we have a lot to plan, and seeing as we have nothing to do for this journey, it’s the best time to go over it, and look I have multicolored highlighters, see? A good time is yet to be had!” She smiled.

Buffy leaned forward and reached for a pad of paper, “I honestly think the best thing to do for the upcoming weeks is as much training as possible, for all the newbie’s, they’ve literally been thrown into the deep end the moment they became slayers. They need to learn some control techniques. Slow down a little and learn what it is they’ve become,” She said looking at Willow.

“I agree, Giles and I are still going through paperwork. We need to find doctors, that are willing to stay on sight with us. Preferably people that are in the know about what goes bump in the night. If it’s okay with you Buffy, I’d kind of like to enlist Dawn in helping us out with that. She’s always been good with research, it might be a good start for her, make her feel valued,” Willow replied.

Buffy nodded, before Willow continued, “I guess in the mean time, you and Faith could work together in training the girls?”

“I can teach the girls too,” Kennedy spoke up, at which Buffy and Willow made eye contact. Willow turned to Kennedy.

“Sweetie, I think it’s best you take this opportunity to learn as much as you can…in Buffy and Faith’s classes,” Willow said.

“This is stupid, okay I haven’t been a slayer that long, but I had a watcher! I’m way more experienced than any of them. You shouldn’t put me in the same league as the newbies,” Kennedy replied

“You kind of are a newbie,” Xander added to which he received a death glare from Kennedy.

Willow hesitated before replying “We’ll talk about it when we get th-“

“No, I mean you want us to take direction from Faith? What’s she gonna teach them that I can’t? It’s not like she’s a model slayer! She’s spent the last four years in Jail, and before that she was either in a coma or killing people! Buffy and I can handle this Willow, maybe Faith’s the one that should be taking the class,” Kennedy looked at the others before continuing “I like Faith, she’s cool to hang around, but I’m not gonna forget what she is. She’s a murderer.”

“Well in case you’re forgetting, so am I. If you want a first-hand account, go ask the guy pulling peanuts out of his hair!” Willow said, struggling to keep her cool.

“That’s different,” Kennedy said as she sat back in her seat and looked out of the plane window.

“How is it different? What, I’m allowed to atone, but she’s not?” Willow looked to Buffy and Xander for help, upon realizing she wasn’t about to receive any, she continued but this time to all three of them, rather than just Kennedy.

“Faith is the Slayer, in the true form of it. She’s the current chosen one; the line runs through her, we can’t just demote her! Sure she hasn’t had the best track record, but she’s experienced enough to know what she’s doing. Second to Buffy, she’s the longest living Slayer that’s ever been. Plus, she wasn’t always bad; she’s trained with watchers, and went out and fought alone at one time.  Her understanding of the dark side is far more valuable that you even seem to want to realize. Faith and Buffy are teaching the classes together, and you’ll be there, as a pupil. That’s final.”

The others were silent for a few moments, until Xander spoke up “Well, I was thinking Andrew and I could build a security unit, I could help Andrew learn a bit about carpentry…” Xander trailed off as Kennedy abruptly stood up and moved to the other side of the plane to sit with the newbie’s, “Well that was rude.”

Willow sighed and rubbed at her forehead, “Forget it Xander, go on.”

________________________________________________

It had taken four taxis’ to get all of them from the airport to the castle. Giles had spent most of the car ride staring at the meter and multiplying it by four, then muttering about expenses.

As the cars pulled up, Giles got out of the vehicle and looked at the five parked cars in the driveway. “That’s odd, I ordered six of these.”

“Maybe Faith’s gone on a joyride, ya know, just to add to her ever growing rap sheet,” Buffy said as she walked past him. He shook his head before turning to the drivers to settle the bill.

Dawn stood staring up at the castle, “This is incredible, I feel like I’m moving into Hogwarts!”

“You’re not gonna make us all wear robes to class are you?” Vi said, Buffy turned to look at her strangely before Vi continued, “I hope Faith cooked something, I’m starving.”

“I think we may have to order out,” Buffy replied.

Willow walked up to the others “I’m not sure, we’re pretty far out in the middle of nowhere, I don’t know if anyone will deliver this far.”

“Well you’re not bloody wrong there, do you know how much those thieving bastards just charged me!?” Giles said as he watched the taxi drivers pull out of the driveway.

After everyone had unloaded their things, most of which, including all the weapons had been teleported over with Faith, everyone was feeling exhausted and hungry. Xander, Willow, Buffy, Giles and Vi were all in the kitchen. The other’s had opted for a tour around the castle.

“Why didn’t we stop off and get groceries on the way here?” Vi said solemnly whilst munching on an ice cube she found in the freezer.

“Xander and myself will take one of the cars, and come back with groceries,” Giles said whilst taking a seat at the table.

“But it’s so late, it’s like,” Vi looked at the clock on the wall “9.30 already, will anything be open?”

“Well if worst comes to worst, I believe there is a vegetable patch somewhere outside on the grounds, the previous owner took a liking to growing cabbages,” Giles replied, to which he received numerous groans.

Just at that moment Andrew came barging into the kitchen with Dawn “Do we have any bug spray?” he blurted out as he began to furiously search the shelves.

Dawn rolled her eyes at him, “Andrew you can’t get rid of a ghost with bug spray!”

“There’s a ghost?!” Xander and Buffy shrieked in unison.

“Aha!” he turned around with a spray can of Raid in his hand, “We can but try, young sibling of the slayer, we can but try,” he said before running out of the kitchen again with Dawn hot on his heels.

“Okay, why did nobody mention there was a ghost here, did you know about this?” Xander asked Giles as he stood up and began to pace.

“Oh god, why did I watch Paranormal Activity on the plane,” Buffy said with her head in her hands.

A light outside the window caught Willow’s attention, she stood to investigate “It’s a friendly ghost, I felt it’s presence as we walked in, it’s nothing to worry about,” squinting to see through the darkness, she realized the lights belonged to a car that was about to pull up in the driveway, “I think Faith’s back.”

All five of them stood to greet Faith outside.

Faith had just got out of the car when she saw the five approach her.

“Where the hell have you been!?” Buffy exclaimed.

Faith smirked at the blonde, “Just wanted to see what this place had to offer B, gotta say, the quick answer, is not much.”

“Faith, I would rather you didn’t drive any of the cars just yet, you’re not insured,” Giles said whilst taking his glasses off.

Faith watched him whilst walking over to the passenger side of the vehicle, she opened the door, “I’m guessing you’re not gonna want any of these then,” she said whilst pulling out a stack of about 10 large pizza boxes.

“Oh my god!!” Vi screamed excitedly, and leapt forward to take the boxes from Faith.

“There’s another 10 on the back seat,” Faith said before walking over to the trunk, “Guys I got a few days worth of groceries, wanna give me a hand?”

Willow approached the trunk of the car and smiled at Faith, “Thanks for this.”

“No problem,” Faith smiled back.

Kennedy stood next to Giles as she watched the last of the delivery men finish setting up the final treadmill in the newly renovated Gym.

“I don’t get why we need treadmills, can’t we just run in the vast majority of nothingness located immediately outside the castle?”

“I…didn’t think of that,” Giles turned to the deliveryman as he was walking past, “What’s your refund policy?”

The delivery man looked back at the 15 treadmills him and his team carried in and set up, then looked at Giles “Are you being serious mate?”

“Erm…no, of course it’s fine, thank you, Kennedy here will see you out.”

Kennedy rolled her eyes at Giles and followed the man outside, passing Buffy on the way.

“Wow looks impressive!” Buffy said as she entered the gym.

“Yes it has shaped up rather well, I must say.”

“I say we charge 30 dollars, my bad, pounds to all the wildlife outside, unlimited use membership.”

Giles smiled at Buffy, “Yes well, as amusing as it would be watching rabbits lifting weights, I think we’ll need it free for our girls. Speaking of, they’ve all gone shopping with Xander, did you wish to train?”

Buffy stretched her arms; “It’s been a while since I’ve had a training session with my watcher,” She smiled at Giles and moved over to the mats.

“I’m not sure I’m your watcher anymore, my duties have been incredibly different over the past year or so,” He said sadly as he walked over to the mats where Buffy was now sitting.

“I’ve been thinking about that Giles, and I know the council doesn’t really operate anymore, thank god, but I do think the idea of a watcher is important, I don’t know what I would have done without you. I don’t know if I’d still be alive if I didn’t have you to guide me, in an ideal world, every slayer should have one.” She looked at him to gage his reaction before continuing, “That’s actually what I came to talk to you about, maybe training people up to become watchers, Dawn wants to do it, believe it or not, I think Andrew would be good at it, and maybe if there’s slayers that don’t want to fight, we could find a place for them there. Still fighting, just not on the front line, so to speak. What do you think?”

Giles was silent for a moment before taking his glasses off, “I think it sounds like a lot of hard work, but do able. It would mean a lot of demonology study for whoever wants to volunteer themselves... I think it’s a great idea Buffy, I just question whether or not I’m the right man to guide them…It’s been a while.”

Buffy sat quietly for a moment before jumping to her feet, “Well I guess it’s time to dust off the old tweed suits,” Giles looked up at her from his place on the mats and laughed, “Come on watcher, slayer here, waiting for her training session.”

Giles stood up and smiled at Buffy, “Indeed.”

_________________________________________________

Faith walked into Willow’s new office, “Hey, you wanted to see me?”

Willow smiled at Faith, “Sure, just thought I’d tell you that you’re officially not a fugitive on the run anymore, give it a week, and you should have your passport too.”

Faith looked surprised “For real? You mean I can stop telling strangers my name’s Lucy Diamond?”

Willow laughed, “Who’s your Amy?”

Faith grinned before taking a seat in front of Willow’s desk, “I’m not sure if I’ve found her yet!”

Willow raised her eyebrow, “Lesbian references, people will talk.”

“Ahh let em, I got the whole prison deal to back me up, thanks by the way.”

“No problem, so… not sure huh?” Willow prodded.

Suddenly Faith experienced something that had only come to her a few times in life. Nervousness, “Erm…I don’t know.”

Willow smiled reassuringly, “I might be way out of line here, but is it Buffy?”

Faith eyes bugged out at Willow “Hell no! We are talking about the same prissy little, self righteous, necro maniac right?”

Willow looked surprised at Faith’s answer, she had been so sure that she’d sensed some kind of love sick puppy vibe from Faith, she just assumed it was for Buffy, due to their fiery chemistry over the years.

“Really?”

“Yeah why did you think it was her?” Faith asked.

“It’s just…it doesn’t matter.”

“No come on, tell me,” Faith pushed.

“It’s just Buffy seemed convinced that you tried to hit on her not too long ago.”

“What!? I never…” Realization hit Faith, “No way is she turning that round on me, she came to my bedroom to hit on me. I swear Red, I turned her down flat. I was practically a second away from showing her that I’ve got a pulse just to get her to leave me alone.”

Willow eyed Faith for a moment, “But there is someone…so who is it?”

Faith locked eyes with Willow and suddenly felt an overwhelming need to escape, she broke Willow’s gaze and looked down into her lap, before speaking quietly “I...erm…I told some of the girls I’d take them patrolling tonight,” Faith stood up and smiled at Willow, “I better go see where they’re at,” She said before leaving the room.

Willow silently watched her leave with concern etched on her face.

A WEEK LATER

Kennedy watched Buffy, and Giles leave the room, after they had finished patching her and Faith up. When they were alone she turned to Faith and approached her with anger.

“What the hell was that back there?”

Faith glanced at her before turning her back on her, and began putting her jacket back on, “My bad, I thought you could handle a vamp by yourself.”

Kennedy angrily spun Faith round and shoved her against the wall, “You just stood there!”

“You need to learn Kennedy! We can’t always be there to baby you through a patrol. You want this so bad? You need to up your game,” Faith moved to walk past and leave, not before stopping and making eye contact with Kennedy, “oh and for the record, you touch me again, and I’ll rip your stitches open and shove your head through your gaping wound.”

“…You’re disgusting.” Kennedy said

Faith’s smile sent a shiver down Kennedy’s spine, “bout time you figured that out.”

Faith sped past Buffy and Giles in the hallway and walked straight outside the front of the castle, she looked back on herself, before continuing to walk around the building to the side and finally leant against a wall. She released a breath she didn’t realize she was holding, before pulling her cell phone out and immediately dropping it. Looking down at her hands, she suddenly realized she had been shaking. She quickly bent down and picked up the cell phone again before dialing the only phone number she had ever memorized.

“Faith?”

“Hey big guy.”

“How’re you doing? I’m sorry about the other week, I’m still tryna figure out that scoop thing, I think Fred’s going to have a mental breakdown if she has to go through it with me again.”

Faith smiled, immediately starting to feel herself calm, “Yeah, it’s Skype by the way, and it’s cool, no big…”

“Is everything okay?”

“…”

“Faith?”

“I just, I dunno if I can do this.”

“Well, you’re actions have proved otherwise.”

“No, my thoughts.”

“We’ve gone over this Faith, it’s not about the thoughts.”

“But it is!” Faith took a deep breath before continuing, “You don’t know the kind of things I’ve been thinking lately, there’s someone here that just pushes all the wrong buttons…I almost let her die tonight.”

“…”

“I mean, no, I wouldn’t have let that happen, but I wanted too.”

“And that’s exactly what I’m talking about, your actions define who you are, not your thoughts… I know you Faith, I know you wouldn’t have let something happen to...?”

“…Kennedy.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, exactly. I mean, normal people don’t think like this Angel.”

“Well I hate to break it to you Faith, but you’re not normal, neither am I.”

“I gotta get out of here, I can’t stay here and watch them be together all the time, it takes me to a bad place.”

“…Are you in love with her Faith?”

“…Does love feel like this?”

“Sometimes.”

“Then maybe I am,” Faith looked down at her shoes before angrily rubbing tears off of her face.

“Well then maybe it’s time to take that risk? Talk to Willow, or if you don’t want to do that, you could always come back here. There will always be a home and a job for you here.”

“I can’t tell Red how I feel, I just can’t!”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to.”

“Would it make me a coward if I left?” Faith said before taking a deep breath and looking up at the stars.

“…I can’t answer that.”

Faith scoffed before replying “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Faith…”

Faith stayed quiet whilst gathering herself together again, Angel also remained quiet, knowing she was still on the line, just respecting her need for silence in that moment. Still looking up at the stars, she finally broke her gaze away from their beauty to look at the forest in the near distance, before speaking up again. “I’m gonna stay, you’re right, my thoughts are my own deal. It’s my actions that count. I’ve screwed up my calling enough for one lifetime. I got a responsibility, and I want to be here to … ”

“Protect her? I know the feeling.”

“Angel thanks, I’m sorry I keep putting this on you.”

“I know you think there’s not enough sorry’s in the world to atone for your actions, but leaning on me is something you never have to apologize for.”

“…Thanks.”

“Anytime.” The call ended as Faith slid her phone shut, she closed her eyes for a moment, before walking round to the back entrance of the Castle, wanting to avoid as many people as possible.

Unbeknownst to Faith, Kennedy had stepped out of the shadows with a mixture of anger and determination on her face. She stood for a moment, before back tracking to the front of Castle.

The following day Faith had decided she needed to do some damage control. She made her way down the many hallways poking her head into every other room, looking for the person she needed to talk to. As she entered the Gym, she faltered before she walked over to one of the punching bags.

“Hey,” Faith said uncomfortably.

Kennedy threw a final punch at the bag, and then held it still. She looked over at Faith, “Hey,” She replied before turning her head back to stare at the bag.

Faith watched her for a moment before deciding it was best to just jump straight to it, “Listen, I wanted to apologize about yesterday, I was way out of line.”

Kennedy turned her body to fully face Faith, she looked at her intently for a moment before breaking out into a smile “It’s cool, there’s a rumor going round that you come with issues,” Kennedy said as she approached the bench where her water bottle was.

Faith laughed and walked over to the bench to sit with Kennedy, “Yeah, I think there might be a little too much truth in that.”

Kennedy took a swig of her water and looked around the gym, making sure they were alone, “Yeah? Tell me.”

Faith looked at her with an uncomfortable smile on her face, “We’d be here all day.”

Kennedy swiveled her body on the bench to face Faith, “You want me to trust you?”

Faith looked a little stunned by Kennedy’s question, but slowly nodded.

“Good, cos I want to trust you too. But I can’t do that unless you tell me what runs around in that head of yours.”

Faith immediately looked away and stood up, she rubbed her hand against her mouth whilst looking over at the exit of the gym, the last of which Kennedy noticed.

“Okay,” Kennedy laughed, gaining Faith’s attention, “How about you just explain yesterday to me, I mean you don’t really owe me any more than that.”

“I guess you’re right…” Faith said unsure of herself.

Kennedy stood and walked over to the mats, “Come spar with me.”

“You taking a psychology course I don’t know about?” Faith laughed as she followed Kennedy to the mats, “This is totally an approach Angel would take.”

Kennedy shook her head whilst smiling, “No psychology course, just trying to be a friend…That’s what we are right? Friends?”

Faith smiled back at Kennedy, “Yeah I guess so.”

“Good.” Before Faith saw it coming, Kennedy struck out at Faith clocking her against her jaw and sending her straight down onto the mat.

Faith looked up at Kennedy before wiping a little blood away from her nose. She flipped herself back to her feet, “You tryna fast track to big girl clothes?”

“You told me I need to up my game.” Kennedy said as they began to circle each other.

“I guess I did…You really wanna play hard?”

“Absolutely,” Kennedy jabbed at Faith, who easily avoided it, “Why did you threaten to shove my head into my stitches yesterday?”

Faith smiled, “Cos it’s a vile thing to say, and vile shocks.”

“So you like to shock people?”

“No,” Faith blocked a kick by grabbing Kennedy’s foot, twisting it, and sending her straight into the ground, “Sometime’s I just like to remind myself.”

“Remind yourself of what?” Kennedy asked before flipping herself back to her feet.

“Of how normal people don’t think what I think.”

Kennedy tried to elbow Faith in the face, but Faith easily avoided it and sent Kennedy back to the ground, “It keeps me grounded, see what I did there?” Faith smirked

Kennedy stood back up, a serious look on her face, “You’re not playing hard enough, this is the big bad Faith everyone resents?” She said before managing to land a kick to Faith’s abdomen, winding her in the process. Faith coughed a few times, whilst Kennedy took the opportunity to land a flurry of punches to Faith’s head. Suddenly getting aggravated by the constant violence, Faith upped her game.

An hour later Faith and Kennedy lay sprawled across the mats, blood and bruises visible on both of them.

“I think we gave Edward Norton and Brad Pitt a run for their money,” Faith said as she stared up at the ceiling.

Kennedy turned her head to look at Faith, “So let’s rewind, you say you think messed up stuff right? And that makes you what, a freak?”

“Are we still doing this?” Faith groaned as she tried to move onto her side

“I wanna know Faith, I’m not walking out of here looking like Carrie covered in pigs blood, if it’s not gonna be worth it.”

Faith smirked at Kennedy, “You don’t look that bad.”

“Faith!”

“I don’t know! Okay, I just…sometimes I think there’s something wrong with the part that makes me good,” Faith glanced at Kennedy before carrying on, “My soul. Like maybe its defective.”

Kennedy looked at Faith before bursting out laughing, “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!”

Faith looked at Kennedy, before getting to her feet, “You know what, screw you, I don’t even know why I’m talking to you, you’re just some random newbie. You can’t even begin to know what this is all about.” Faith turned around and began to walk towards the exit.

Kennedy sat up and looked at Faith, “What you think I haven’t had a hard life?”

Faith spun round to face Kennedy on the mats, “Yeah I’m sure you had a real hard time tryna figure out where you were, ya know, every time you got lost in a wing!” She turned round to leave again.

This time, Kennedy watched her exit, she lay back on the mats and smiled to herself.

Kennedy shut the door and leant against it. She felt awful, her whole body was screaming in pain, and she was pretty sure Faith was in a similar way. She walked over to her bathroom and looked in the mirror. Faith was right, she didn’t really look that bad. Well not as bad as she felt. Her left eye was already swollen and black, she had a nasty bruise on her cheek, and blood smeared down around her mouth and cheek, where her nose had bled before.

Standing in front of the mirror, she stared at herself and wondered if what she was about to do was justified. Knowing if there was ever a last chance to back out, this would be it.

She sighed and walked over to the phone, picking it up she dialed an internal number to Willow’s office.

Hearing Willow answer, Kennedy took a deep breath before speaking, “Will, baby I need you come to our room”

“Is everything okay?”

“Not really. Its Faith. She attacked me.”

Buffy was pacing the floor in Kennedy and Willow’s bedroom, Xander was leant against a wall, and Willow was sat on the bed next to Kennedy, who was currently holding an ice pack to the side of her eye.

“It just doesn’t make sense,” Buffy said, suddenly coming to a stop she looked at Kennedy “Did anything happen when you guys went patrolling last night?”

Kennedy looked up at Buffy, “Like what?”

“Maybe a demon infected her?” Buffy asked.

“No, there was just a few vamps,” Kennedy replied.

Xander pushed himself off of the wall and took a few steps forward, “Look this is Faith we’re talking about here. I don’t think it’s too absurd to think that she would do something like this without being infected.”

Buffy rubbed her eyes, before looking back at them, “It just doesn’t make sense, I mean even when we argue, she doesn’t retaliate physically. Not anymore. Trust me, in recent months I’ve pushed her buttons more than a few times. She’s different now.” Buffy looked at Kennedy who was nursing her wounds, “Or at least I thought she was…this doesn’t make sense.”

Xander looked over at Kennedy, “Ken, you gotta go through this again, so you guy’s were sparring, and she just lost it?”

“I’ve explained it a million times, she’s crazy. She can’t be trusted. It was like she was there but she wasn’t you know? Like something switched inside her, like she was getting off on it. There was something, evil about it.” Kennedy explained whilst trying to avoid eye contact with Willow.

“When you say evil? Do you mean like possessed?” Buffy asked

“Jesus Buffy, she’s not infected or anything. This was all Faith, trust me. That’s what I’m trying to explain to you,” Kennedy exclaimed, “Anyway, why are you taking her side? I’ve seen you around her, you hate her!”

“I don’t hate her…It’s just … complicated.” Buffy said quietly, as she moved to sit on a chair by the bed.

“Well you should hate her! What is wrong with you people! Can’t you see what she did to me? Do you all wear blinders when it comes to Faith?” Kennedy stood up angrily.

“Hey, calm down, we’re just trying to understand the situation,” Xander said

“The situation, Xander, is that you guys have put an unstable, psychotic murderer in charge of a bunch of vulnerable girls,” Kennedy said as she edged towards him

“Kennedy…” Buffy warned.

Kennedy glanced at Buffy then turned to look at Willow who was still sitting on the bed, “And why are you not saying anything?”

Willow looked up at Kennedy, then over to Xander and Buffy, “I think Buffy’s right. When it comes to Faith, thing’s can be a little complicated.”

Kennedy looked at her incredulously, “Is that so?”

“Yes,” Willow stood to face Kennedy, “Sweetie, none of us are saying what Faith did was okay. But what we’re trying to figure out, is why. We know she’s improved. We know she’s made progress…” Willow sighed before sitting back on the bed.

“Counseling?” Xander suggested.

Buffy shook her head, “I can’t see Faith doing that, besides I think this is gonna be a little out of their league.”

“Maybe we should call Angel?” Willow suggested

“No,” Buffy said as she shook her head, “I don’t want us to go running to Angel every time Faith get’s too difficult for us to handle, we have to learn how to deal with whatever issues she’s got.”

“How to deal? Are you insane? She needs to be back in prison. Am I the only one that hasn’t forgotten that she broke out of high security prison, whilst doing time for murder? Really? This isn’t ringing alarm bells for anyone else?” Kennedy said as she looked around the room.

“I don’t think that’s the answer, besides, she can’t go back, her record’s clear now,” Xander said.

“What? What are you…”, Kennedy turned to Willow, “You cleared her record? Were you even gonna tell me?”

Willow rubbed at her temples, before looking up at her hurt girlfriend, “Kennedy, it’s not really your decision.”

“No it’s not, but I should be a part of it. I’m a slayer, I’ve got more right to know and decide about these things than say the useless one-eyed carpenter over there.”

Xander looked up but decided to stay quiet for Willow’s sake, however Buffy felt the need to speak up, “Kennedy, I’m getting a little sick of your attitude,” Kennedy turned to face Buffy.

“Buffy, you need to stay out of this, this is between Willow and me.”

“No, I won’t stay out of it.” Buffy stood from her seat, “I know you seem to think you deserve more responsibility than you have, but you really don’t. Not yet anyway.”

“No, clearly not. Apparently I have to murder someone and ride a few vampires before I get to that level,” Kennedy snapped before she walked out the door.

Buffy was stunned at Kennedy’s parting words, and looked at Willow after Kennedy slammed the door, “How the hell do you deal with that?”

Willow looked sadly down at the floor in front of her, “I’m so sorry guys.”

Xander slowly walked over to the bed to sit next to Willow as she continued, “Sometimes I just don’t know how to approach her, she’s so different to Oz, and Tara… I get why she’s mad at Faith, but it’s like sometimes, she just doesn’t grasp the maturity to understand there’s more to a situation than just black and white.”

Buffy sat down on the bed too, “Will, are you happy? With her?”

Willow smiled sadly, “It’s not always bad,” Willow sighed before continuing, “Anyway, we should talk about Faith.”

Kennedy stood in the hallway, desperately trying to calm down. Her plan was backfiring on her, and spiraling out of her control. They were supposed to get angry and send Faith back to L.A, where she could be far away from Willow. Instead they seemed to want to keep a tighter hold on the dark slayer. Suddenly panic washed over Kennedy, they were obviously going to confront Faith, who would then know what Kennedy did. Which would be fine, if she was being sent away to L.A never to be seen or heard from again, but that wasn’t the case anymore.

“Shit!” Kennedy leant her head against the wall. She had to get control of the situation again. Looking over at the door she just walked out of, she took a deep breath, then walked back in.

Looking over at the bed, she saw all three friends sitting around. They had obviously been talking but stopped when she walked in. Xander and Buffy looked annoyed and avoided eye contact, and Willow just looked disappointed.

“Xander, Buffy, I’m sorry about what I said…” Kennedy started, both Xander and Buffy looked a little surprised at the apology, clearly expecting more of an argument, “I was…It was really ignorant and disrespectful. I didn’t mean it, I was just angry.”

Xander was the first to speak, “I appreciate that, hey, I’ve been on the receiving end of an angry Faith. I know it can be a little frustrating…and sore.”

“Yeah,” Kennedy smiled at him, before looking at Willow, “Baby…”

Willow didn’t really look in the mood for apologies, “We’ll talk about it later, right now, if you can do so without acting like a brat, we need to discuss Faith.”

Kennedy looked at Willow, then sat down in the chair that Buffy had previously been occupying, “I’ve been thinking about that. I think you should let me deal with Faith. We used to be close, and we kind of still are. I was just mad before. Wounded pride ya know?”

Buffy looked at Kennedy perplexed, “I’m sorry, did you just have a personality transplant in the five minutes you were gone?”

Kennedy rolled her eyes, trying desperately to eradicate the tension in the room, “Look Faith lost it, big time, I’m not gonna lie. But clearly I’m the closest to her, out of all of us. Buffy you can’t even go five minutes before you both start aggravating each other, and Xander, you and Faith have barely spoken since she got out of Jail!”

“I seem to get along fine with her.” Willow said as she met Kennedy’s eyes. Kennedy stayed quiet for a moment, before speaking again, “I know baby, but you guy’s have this history, all of you do. She might not feel comfortable opening up to you, I wasn’t around for all that,” looking at Buffy again, Kennedy continued, “Buffy, you said I don’t deserve responsibility yet, just give me this. Don’t talk to Faith about this, it’ll make things worse. Let me do it.”

The three friends sitting on the bed, looked at each other a bit unsure. Willow then turned to Kennedy, “Fine, we’ll let you deal. But Kennedy, Faith isn’t some problem that you can solve to gain a promotion. If you’re doing this for the wrong reasons”

“I’m not, I just want to help her.”

“Okay but I do think we should all keep an eye on her too.” Buffy said to the others around her.

“Sure.” Kennedy smiled.

Faith had done her best to avoid Kennedy since their argument in the gym. She felt humiliated that she had told Kennedy something so personal, and was laughed at in return.

It had been a few days, and she had successfully managed to avoid everyone in the castle. Surprisingly nobody had come to her room to check up on her, which made her feel a mixture of relief and sadness. She checked herself over in the mirror, her injuries from the sparring session had mostly disappeared, all but a bruise to the side of her eye, and a nasty cut on her lip. She sighed before walking over to the door, fully intending on a solo patrol. She just had to get out undetected.

Opening the door, she walked out into the corridor. Closing her eyes for a moment, she tried to focus and concentrate on making sure she could avoid anyone nearby. Slowly she walked to the end of the corridor, and peered round the corner. She watched as Rona was talking about her new weapon to Vi, the latter of whom was unlocking the door to her bedroom. Faith watched them both enter Vi’s bedroom, before she breathed a sigh of relief as the coast was finally clear.

“What are you doing?”

“Jesus Red!” Faith jumped at the voice behind her, “Nothin, I wasn’t doing anything.”

Willow looked at her with a bemused expression, “Have you been avoiding everybody?”

“Why would I do that?” Faith replied

“No reason,” Willow hesitated for a moment before continuing, “What happened to your face?”

Faith smirked before replying, “What can I say, I’m god’s gift!”

Willow let out a small laugh, “As stunningly gorgeous as you are, I was talking about your bruises.”

“It’s nothing, just sparring with the girls,” Faith shrugged. Willow lifted her hand to move some hair away from Faith’s eye in order to get a better look.

“Well, if you want I can take a look at it back in my room,” She ran her hand down the side of Faith’s face and gently stroked Faith’s lip with her thumb, “Might be able to do something about that cut too,” Willow said before finally dropping her hand back to her side.

Faith held her breath before finally speaking, “I erm…I”, Faith closed her eyes for a brief moment, internally berating herself for losing her confidence so quickly.

Willow looked at Faith strangely, trying to figure out if she was about to admit to losing it with Kennedy, “Sweetie, come on, let’s go to my room,” Willow finished with a smile, before gently tugging at Faith’s hand.

Faith was sat on Willow’s bed, whilst Willow was gathering some stuff from the bathroom. She looked down at the bed she was sitting on, and instantly stood up as the thought of Willow and Kennedy having sex on it sprang into her mind.

At that moment Willow came out from the bathroom and smiled at Faith, “Take a seat.”

“Nah I’m cool.”

Willow took a seat on the bed and looked up at Faith, “Faith, I can’t really do this if you’re all the way up there.”

Faith rubbed her hands on her jeans before sitting back down again.

Willow started fussing with some antiseptic ointment, knowing full well Faith’s injuries would be fine left alone, she wanted to use this as an opportunity to get Faith to open up. Placing some of the ointment onto some cotton, she then put the bottle onto the ground before turning to face Faith.

“Pretty tough sparring session?”

“Yeah well…”

Willow smiled at Faith before dabbing the cotton onto her lip, “Sometimes you’re like a closed book, you know that?”

“B said that.”

Willow wiped the wetness of the ointment from the bottom of Faith’s lip using her thumb, “Does that sting?”

Faith looked directly into Willow’s eyes and held her gaze for a moment, “Nah, only stings when I try and smile or something.”

“Well I’m happy to know that you’ve been attempting to smile!” Willow beamed, which caused Faith to smile, “Ow!” Faith said before running her tongue over her lip, “Gross, what the hell is this stuff,” Willow watched on amused as Faith was now desperately trying to get the taste off of her tongue using the side of her hand.

“It’ll heal you a lot quicker, it’s regular antiseptic, with a little help from me to quicken it up.” Willow said.

“What like magic?” Faith asked

“Nope, just good old fashioned chemistry. It’s harmless, just an extra agent to speed it up.”

“You sure I’m not gonna start sprouting an extra lip?” Faith said looking horrified.

“Hey!” Willow playfully smacked Faith’s arm, “I’ll have you know, I was top of my class.”

Faith smiled at Willow, this time ignoring the pain, and looked into her eyes, “Yeah, you’re pretty awesome like that.”

Willow looked a little surprised at the compliment. Then suddenly everything clicked into place, realization hit Willow in an instant. She was the one Faith had feelings for. It all made sense. Why she began avoiding Kennedy, why she lashed out at Kennedy in the gym, the intense gazes she sent Willow’s way. Practically everybody had complained at least a few times about Faith’s behavior with them, Willow couldn’t really understand it, as Faith had never been nothing more than gentle and sweet towards her in the past few months. Willow snapped out of her thoughts as Faith had now stood up and was making excuses to leave.

“Look I just didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable, I just meant, you’re smart you know? Mixing stuff up like that,” Faith’s voice was shaky as she edged towards the door, “I’d probably end up blowing my head off or something!”

“Faith wait, you don’t have to leave…” Willow said standing, her face full of concern.

“I was on my way out to patrol anyway, so I better go do that,” Faith said as she backed herself against the door, with her hand behind her on the handle.

Willow took a step forward, “Kennedy took a couple of the girls to do a sweep, you don’t need to worry about it tonight,” she said gently.

Faith looked at the floor, “Kennedy…Right.”

Willow’s heart broke at the tone in Faith’s voice, as if picking up on Willow’s pity, Faith suddenly spun round and opened the door before running out. Willow quickly followed her out into the corridor but Faith was gone.

This can’t be happening. This cannot be happening. How did I let this happen? Jesus, okay, maybe she didn’t really pick up on anything…right? I mean I just said that her chemistry stuff was awesome, since when was that a pick up line? Okay I seriously need to calm down, she totally doesn’t know. Yeah, it’s fine, it’s cool. I’m totally relaxed.

Jesus Fuck!

What if she knows? I mean she’s so smart, why wouldn’t she figure it out. But then she didn’t know before. Oh my god, this is so not my brain, I don’t even think like this! Since when do I think like this? Okay, maybe I need to stop, and figure out where to go. There’s newbie’s walking round all over the place. I need to slay. Maybe I’ll get lucky and accidently slay Kennedy. Now why the fuck did I think that? Who thinks shit like that? Well at least I know it’s still my brain!

I’m just standing here like an idiot. The latch to the basement just moved, I’m guessing Sam’s giving me a heads up. I can hear chattering round the corner, yep definitely a heads up.

Okay, basement it is.

Faith sat down on the bottom step inside the dark basement with her head in her hands. She looked up quickly as she heard a glass bottle rolling on the ground towards her until it hit the side of her foot. She bent forward and picked it up, smiling at the beer.

“Thanks Sam…That’s kind of what I named you by the way.” Faith said as she looked around, half expecting a response. Faith stood up and looked around the dark basement. There were tubs of paint, plasterboard, and a couple of six packs of beer sitting in the corner. She vaguely remembered Xander saying he wanted to build a games room somewhere in the castle.

“I guess Xander and Andrew have been making a start on this place huh?”  She sighed before absentmindedly kicking an empty Bug spray can on the floor, then slowly walked back over to the bottom step and sat down again.

“I hope you’re cool with that, I dunno if this is like you’re little dark hang out?” Faith twisted the top of the beer with ease and took a long sip before wiping her mouth with her sleeve, “Not that I’d blame you, I see it’s appeal.”

Faith sighed before looking down at her beer, “I don’t suppose you saw what happened with me and Red right? Or do you just only hang here?” Again, silence.

“Okay, we gotta figure out some kind of communication, how bout you tap once for yes,” Faith tapped the step next to her as if to demonstrate, “and twice for no,” and again demonstrated by knocking on the step.

“Okay, so…Do you just hang in the basement?” Faith waited patiently but heard nothing, scoffing, she took another long sip of her beer then stood up to leave, “Well if you’re not gonna talk, then I’m not gonna hang, thanks for the beer but I gotta-“

Suddenly she heard two knocks, smiling she sat back down. She finished off her beer and put the bottle down beside her.

“Cool, so you go all over the place. I guess that’d make sense. You’d have to be some seriously depressed ghost to just wanna hang out in here all the time…Did you used to live here?” Faith nodded as she heard one knock, “That’s gotta suck, I mean having your own place then sitting back and watching as people you don’t know move in…You know what we are right? Slayers, Witches, and Watchers, oh my?”

Faith stood as she heard another single knock, she walked over to the six pack of beer, “I don’t think Xander’s gonna mind,” She said as she helped herself to a second bottle, twisting the cap off she leant against the wall, before sliding down to sit on the floor with her legs bent in front of her. She looked down, and squeezed her eyes shut, willing the tears not to fall, “…I want her so bad Sam.”

---------------------------

Willow blew on the hot cup of coffee before slowly taking a small sip.

“So, come on, what’s got Willow all upset?” Buffy said as she joined Willow at the table in her small kitchen. Very few of the bedrooms in the castle offered up an apartment style luxury, Buffy was one of the first to claim one as her own.

Willow bit her lip and stared off into the space in front of her, “I spoke to Faith, about an hour ago.”

Buffy looked surprised, “I thought you were going to leave that to Kennedy?”

“I was, but she hasn’t really been forthcoming with information, she just keeps shrugging me off,” Willow said as she placed her coffee on the table.

“Maybe she hasn’t had a chance to speak to her, have you noticed how Faith’s barely come out of her room for the past couple of days?” Buffy said as she looked at the table.

“Yeah, I have.”

“That’s gotta mean something though right?” Buffy asked hopefully, “I mean, maybe she feels really bad for what happened with Kennedy, and so she can’t face anybody? Something must have triggered it.”

Willow bit her lip again, before making eye contact with Buffy, “Faith has bruises. The other day, when the attack happened, did Kennedy mention hitting Faith?”

Buffy’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion, “No, not that I recall, the way she told it, she could barely defend herself.”

“Yeah…That’s what I thought too,” Willow said quietly.

“What are you saying? That Kennedy’s lying?”

Willow looked up at Buffy, “No, that’s not…I don’t know.” Willow rubbed at her forehead, “Buffy, I have to tell you something, and you can’t tell anybody about it. I might be wrong. But I don’t think I’m wrong, because I’m usually quite good with these things, that sounded really conceited didn’t it? Like oh, look at me, I’m so good-“

“Will.”

“Sorry, but really Buffy, can you keep this to yourself?”

Buffy leant forward and put her hand over Willows in a reassuring manner, “Absolutely Will, what is it?” Willow looked at Buffy before taking a deep breath.

“I think Faith has feelings for me.”

Buffy looked stunned at the revelation, “What?”

“She already admitted that there’s someone she likes, a girl. That was a while ago now.”

Buffy was quiet for a moment before responding, “How do you know it’s you? I mean it might not be…There’s a lot of us here, it could be…anyone” Buffy finished as she looked back up at Willow.

Willow stood up and walked to the refrigerator to get some more milk, “There’s been all these clues, that I’ve only just picked up on.” Willow sat back down at the table, “She started avoiding Kennedy a while back, out of the blue, for no reason. Plus what happened a few days ago.”

“That doesn’t really mean she has feelings for you Will, maybe she just has a problem with Kennedy? I mean…” Buffy shook her head trying to make sense of the new information.

“There’s been other things too, the way she looks at me, holds my gaze.” Willow said.

“Like how?”

“Like…I don’t even know how to explain it, just intense.”

“Faith’s always been kind of intense.”

“Which is exactly how I’ve been explaining it to myself, but it’s different. God, I could be so wrong, I just…I don’t think I am.”

Buffy found herself staring into her coffee, “Right…” She said quietly.

“Buffy, are you okay?”

“Sure, I’m just tryna figure this out.” Buffy responded with a half hearted smile.

 “Well anyway, I already tried talking to Faith about the Kennedy incident, she didn’t really bite, so I was thinking maybe, if you could try? But calmly, I can’t stress that enough!”

Buffy smiled before softly replying, “I’ll stop by her room a little later.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Buffy looked up at Willow, “I’m fine, I’m just tired. I’ve had trouble sleeping the past few days.”

Willow stood, “Okay, well I better leave you to get some rest.”

“Oh no, I didn’t mean-“

Willow smiled down at Buffy, “I know you didn’t sweetie, but I promised Dawnie I’d help her look through some candidates for some on site doctors tonight. I was meant to be in the meeting room ten minutes ago.”

Buffy stood to walk Willow to the door, “Get some sleep, I’ll speak to you tomorrow,” Willow leant forward to give Buffy a hug, “And remember-“

“Not a word” She said smiling at Willow as she left. Buffy closed the door and walked over to her couch, she sat down and grabbed a cushion. Holding it close to her, she stared off into the space before her, before finally breaking down in silent tears.

--------------------------

Faith had just dusted the second of the two Vampires she had encountered that evening. Looking down at her watch she realized she should probably get back to the Castle if she was going to slip back to her room undetected. She began her walk back to one of the black cars she had taken for the night.

When she finally got back to the castle, she was relieved that all the lights appeared to be off. Getting back to her room quickly, she closed the door behind her, and kicked off her boots. Suddenly her light was switched on.

“What the fuck!” Faith said as she spun round, there standing by the light switch near her bed was Buffy.

“Where have you been?” Buffy asked

“How did you get in my room?” Faith replied confused

“Don’t change the subject”

“I’m not changing the subject-“

“Do you know what time it is?”

“B, why are you in here?” Faith said as she begun taking off her jacket and undoing her leg holster with her stake. Buffy walked around the bed and over to Faith near the entrance to the room.

“I just needed to speak to …” Suddenly Buffy sniffed close to Faith, “Have you been drinking!?”

Faith rolled her eyes and moved around Buffy, to her bed, “I’m a big girl B, what’s your deal?”

Buffy looked over at Faith as if she’d grown another head, “What’s my deal? You took one of the cars tonight! You can’t drink and drive Faith!” She then pointed at the stake in the holster which had been flung on the chair, “You went slaying! You got drunk, drove a car and went slaying!”

Faith lay back on the bed and looked up at the ceiling, “I guess I did.”

Buffy shook her head in disbelief, “You are so irresponsible it’s unreal, you could have been killed Faith.”

“Yeah well, it comes with the job, hey could you switch the light off,” Faith said sleepily.

Buffy walked over to Faith on the bed and grabbed hold of her foot, then with one quick motion pulled Faith off of the bed and onto the floor, “Get up!”

Faith stood up and faced Buffy, “You know, you’re really starting to piss me off B.”

“Oh I’m shaking F?” Buffy said as she pushed Faith back

“You should be,” Faith replied, getting back into Buffy’s space.

“Why? What are you gonna do? Beat on me like you did with Kennedy? Then go hide in your room feeling guilty for a week!” Faith looked confused before Buffy continued, “I guess it’s a step up from hiding in basements.”

“What are you talking about?” Faith said.

“You, beating the crap out of Kennedy.” Buffy replied.

Faith sighed before turning around to sit on the bed, “Jesus is that why you’re here? You got it wrong B, we were sparring. Ask Ken, she’ll straighten it out.”

“Why did you do it?”

“Do what B! I told you, we were sparring, what the hell is-“

“Why did you get drunk, and then put yourself in danger Faith,” Buffy said, this time with no aggression.

Faith looked up at Buffy, “Cos.”

“That’s not an answer.”

Faith looked down into her lap and was quiet. Buffy walked over to the bed and sat down next to her.

“Did ya ever want something so bad, but it’s too far outta your reach?” Faith finally said without looking up,  “I have, a couple of times at least,” Faith continued as she looked up and met Buffy’s eyes. Faith suddenly broke eye contact and stood, “B I’m tired, I gotta sleep.”

Buffy looked up at Faith who was now stood at an open drawer half heartedly and slowly rummaging through it.

Buffy took a deep shaky breath before replying, “Faith, maybe some things aren’t as far out of your reach as you think” She stood from the bed and walked over to Faith, who had her back to her, and gently put her hand on her arm. “Maybe if you open up a little more, make it a little clearer as to what it is you want, then things might fall into place.”

“Yeah cos that works every time,” Faith said as she gripped the sides of the drawer.

Buffy gently turned Faith around to face her, “What are you so afraid of?”

Faith looked at Buffy, “Why are you here B?” She said softly.

As if the words snapped her out of a trance Buffy took a step back, “I just, I heard you were out, I was just worried-“

Faith scoffed at this, before walking over to the door, “Yeah well thanks for the totally weird concern, but as you can see, I’m five by five. So…” Faith trailed as she held the door open for Buffy to leave.

Buffy looked at Faith, before quietly leaving the room.

-------------------------

Willow looked around the room at all the faces staring at her expectantly. She sighed as she realized Faith was missing.

“Okay, so, as some of you know, Andrew, Xander, and I have been working on a neat little security necklace,” Willow said as she put her hand on the box in front of her.

“Like a protection spell thingy?” Dawn asked.

Willow opened the box and pulled one out for everyone to see, “Kind of, only way more effective, and only effective in and up to a radius of a mile around the castle.”

“I don’t get it, how does it work?” Kennedy said as she took one out of the box to study more closely.

“They’re chipped,” Andrew said excitedly, Kennedy looked closer at the cross pendent, “You can’t see the chip silly, it’s tiny!”

“Its all to do with the security center, it connects back to the castle, which is why we only have the lame one mile radius,” Xander added, “There’s also witchy magic involved.”

Kennedy passed the pendent to Buffy then looked at Willow, “Why didn’t you tell me you were working on this?”

Willow looked back at Kennedy and tried not to look annoyed, “…I did.”

“Okay, so it’s chipped and it’s magic, what does it do?” Buffy asked

“It’s a no violence spell, they had something similar set up when I was in LA, we’ve just tinkered with it.” Willow smiled as she watched Buffy put it on, before standing up to look in the mirror.

“Ooh pretty.” Buffy said smiling.

Kennedy walked up to Buffy and threw a punch at her jaw, knocking Buffy over a couple of chairs. “It doesn’t work,” Kennedy said casually.

Everyone immediately got to their feet and prepared themselves for the worst.

“What the hell is wrong is with you!?” Willow shouted at Kennedy.

“I was just testing it! Jeez!”

Willow shook her head before turning to Buffy who was already on her feet again looking like she was trying to keep herself calm, “Buffy are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Buffy replied whilst looking at Kennedy. Everyone began to relax again as soon as it was clear no fight was about to break out.

Willow quickly rubbed the side of her head and decided to finish the meeting quickly, “It didn’t work so to speak, because it only works on demons, if it stopped humans from fighting then you’d all have problems when you’re training here in the castle. If you had let me finish, you would have known that,” directing the last part at Kennedy.

“Anyway, they’re not completely finished, I just wanted to show you guys what we had so far, and the general idea of it,” Willow began packing the necklaces back into the box before handing it to Xander.

Willow walked out of the meeting room, leaving Dawn to explain the upcoming arrival of their first on site doctor.

“Will, wait up.”

Willow stopped and turned to see Buffy catching up with her.

“I think it’s a great idea you know,” Buffy said

“Thanks, I’m not really sure if it’ll be successful, we’ll have to trial and error it,” Willow replied as the two girls began walking towards the stairs, “I’m sorry about Kennedy.”

“You don’t have to apologize for her, she’s a brat, an annoying brat,” Buffy stated

Willow remained silent, which prompted Buffy to continue “Sorry, I know she’s you’re girlfriend, it’s just…”

Willow shook her head, “No don’t be sorry,” she looked around to make sure they were alone, “To be honest Buffy, she’s getting on my nerves a lot lately…I’m thinking about breaking it off.”

Buffy nodded, “Not gonna lie, I’ve seen it coming for a while.”

Willow pushed open the door that led to the stairwell, “ I just haven’t got the energy to deal with it anymore, I’m like a sink,” Buffy raised her eyebrows as she looked over at Willow, whilst they slowly began to climb the stairs.

“Say what now?”

Willow stopped and sighed before taking a seat on one of the steps, “I’m a sink,” Willow repeated looking up at her best friend.

“Erm, are you talking about like…a bathroom-“

“Tara used to fill me up, Kennedy just drains me.”

Buffy sat down next to her friend, “You will find someone like that again Will, I promise.”

“Yeah, maybe, or maybe I just need to be on my own for a while.” Willow said slightly downcast.

Buffy smiled then nudged Willow with her shoulder, “Hey, being single isn’t so bad, look at me and Xander! We hang out and watch movies in our pajamas, you could join us.”

“When do you guys do that?” Willow said not looking convinced.

“Friday nights, after patrol, there’s popcorn!”

“Really?”

“Yep, it’s not as depressing as it sounds, we have a strict rule, the only movies allowed are the ones that are so bad they’re brilliant!”

“That actually does sound like fun,” Willow smiled.

“It’ll be like old times, before things got so complicated, with things like, oh I dunno, our memories being altered to accommodate Dawn, my multiple deaths.”

“Me trying to destroy the world, and trying to kill you guys.”

“All of us destroying Sunnydale, the only place that ever felt like home.”

“Yeah…It’ll be fun.”

“Yeah…Fun.” Both girls sat for a moment before Buffy broke the silence.

“Wouldn’t you technically be the water?”

“I’m the sink Buffy” Willow stood and held her hand down to Buffy to pull her to her feet, before they continued up the stairs.

“Another!” Faith said to the bar tender whilst slamming down her shot glass.

The bar tender raised his eye brow at her before shaking his head “I think you’ve had enough luv.”

Faith looked at him and contemplated whether she could be bothered to argue, deciding she just didn’t care, she stood up, and steadied herself before making her way back outside to where she parked her car.

She leant against the car and fumbled with her key, before it was quickly snatched out of her hand.

“Now I know you’re not thinking of driving home in the state you’re in sweetheart.”

Faith looked at the bar tender who had followed her out on to the street, “Go fuck yourself!”

“Charming and beautiful, God really pulled an all nighter when he made you!”

Faith rolled her eyes before replying, “Gimme my keys back, fore I stick em up your ass and ride you ho-“

“Well as much as I’d love a gorgeous thing like you riding me, how bout I just call you a cab?”

“How about you get out of my business, and give me my keys back befo-“

“Okay final deal, and I think you’ll like this one,” The bar tender grinned, “You come inside and let me call you a cab, and you can have another shot, on the house.”

Faith stared him down for a couple of moments before replying, “Fine. I want a double!”

-------------------

“I’m such an idiot, no, she’s the idiot Alec!” Faith said pointedly at Alec who scrunched his forehead as he continued cleaning a glass behind the bar.

“No, no, she’s smart, she’s like a…a dolphin, they’re smart right? A dolphin with red hair. What do you think?” Faith asked turning to the man perched on the stool beside her.

“Darling, my cabs on the meter, we really should get going…”

“She’s all, ‘oh yeah look at me with my witchy shit’- I bet this is what this is ya know? A spell!” Faith said as if a light bulb had gone off in her head.

“Right…” The cab driver said as he looked down at his watch “We could continue this conversation in the car if you like?”

“You’re a cool guy Tom, I’m sorry your wife cheated on you dude.”

“Yeah thanks, it’s just that I’ve got an airport run later.”

Faith looked at the middle aged, pot bellied man with confusion, “Where are you going?”

“Okay,” Alec spoke up, “I think it’s time you get going,” he continued as he approached the other side of the bar. Both him and the cab driver helped Faith up, looping their arms under hers as they led her out the pub and into the taxi.

“Now don’t forget, I’ve put my name and number on a card in your pocket, in case you’re that hammered, you forget where your car is tomorrow!” Alec  finished.

Faith opened the back door to the cab, whilst Tom took his place in the driver’s seat.

“I’m not good enough for her, and it kinda sucks,” Faith said sadly to Alec, before getting into the car. Alec wound down the window before shutting the door, then bent down to talk through the open window.

“If this girl is worth getting this plastered over, then go for it, with all you’ve got.”

“I’m not good enough,” Faith repeated whilst looking directly ahead.

“Then make yourself good enough.”

Alec stood then gave a hard tap to the back of the car, and watched sadly as it drove away.

----------------------

The cab pulled into the big driveway of the castle and came to a stop. Faith handed Tom a few notes before mumbling something he couldn’t quite make out. She got out of the car and slammed the door shut. Immediately she stumbled to the ground. Tom quickly got out of the car and walked round to help her up, at the same time Buffy and three of the junior slayers were pulling up in another car.

They all exited the car simultaneously; Buffy looked over at Faith, before turning back to the girls.

“Get yourselves inside and cleaned up, I’ll be in soon.”

The three girls looked over at Faith before nodding and making themselves scarce.

Buffy walked over to Faith where she was now leaning on the cab.

“Faith?”

“Look hun, can I leave her with you? Just I’ve got another job to get too.”

 Buffy glanced at the cab driver, “Yeah thanks.”

Buffy held Faith steady as the car quickly drove away.

“Faith?” She tried again, trying to get Faith to look at her.

“Get off me B, I don’t need your headaches right now.” Faith said whilst shrugging Buffy off of her, the sudden movement caused Faith to lose her balance, and sent her back to the ground.

“Clearly not,” Buffy said as she looked down at Faith with her hands on her hips, “You’ve got the headache part covered all by yourself, at least for the morning anyway.”

Faith squinted with her head to one side as she looked up at Buffy, before bursting out laughing.

“This is just like us B!” Faith said as she waved her hand between them, “You on your high horse, staring down at the mess on the ground,” Faith sat up slightly and looked up at Buffy again before loudly whispering, “That would be me by the way.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and sighed before crouching down on the ground, “What’s wrong Faith? Why do you keep doing this?”

“Just leave me alone B.”

“It’s like you’re going backwards. This is meant to be you at your peak, those girls are meant to look up to you, not see you sprawled out drunk outside. You are meant to be a leader,” Faith began shaking her head as she looked down at her lap, Buffy continued anyway, “These girls are what they are, because we made them that way. But we were chosen Faith, me and you, we’re different.”

Faith grinned at Buffy, “Aw B, is this that connection talk you were tryna have with me, you don’t give up do ya?”

In one swift movement Faith grabbed hold of Buffy’s jacket lapel and pulled her forward into a kiss, losing her balance, Buffy stumbled forward and onto Faith. Quickly pushing herself off, Buffy was beyond fuming as she stood up.

“What the hell is wrong with you!?”

“Is everything okay?” Buffy whipped her head round to see Kennedy standing at the entrance to the castle, “A couple of the girls told me you were out here.”

“Everything’s fine Ken, go back inside.”

“Do you need help?” Kennedy asked as she took a couple of steps forward.

“No!” Buffy snapped, “Thank you, just go back inside,” She added with a little more control to her voice.

Buffy watched as Kennedy surprisingly obeyed her orders before turning back to Faith. She bent down and not so gently helped Faith to her feet.

---------------

“Get the fuck offa me B!”

“What? So you can fall down these stairs? Don’t tempt me!” Buffy replied angrily whilst trying to get Faith up the last few steps.

“Jesus, is she okay?” Willow said as walked towards the top of the staircase.

Buffy looked at Willow before manoeuvring Faith to lean against the wall.

“She’s drunk, like annoyingly drunk!” Buffy replied before sighing.

“I’ll help you get her to her room.” Willow said looking worried.

“Thanks,” Buffy smiled gratefully back. Willow put Faiths other arm around her neck and they began walking down the long hallway to Faith’s room.

“How was patrol?” Willow asked after they had walked in silence for a few steps.

Buffy adjusted her hold of Faith before replying, “Not great, that new girl keeps forgetting what side the heart is in!”

Reaching the end of the hallway, Willow opened Faith’s door whilst Buffy helped Faith stay upright, finally all three went into the room and sat Faith down on the bed, who had her head down and was slightly swaying. Willow walked over to the medicine cabinet and began rummaging through it before grabbing a bottle of water from the mini fridge and placing it on the table by the bed.

They both stood and watched Faith for a moment, before Willow sighed and spoke.

”She’s been drinking a lot lately...”

Buffy rubbed at her neck, still watching Faith, “I know.”

Faith lifted her head up and finally looked at them both, “Hey!”

Willow raised her eyebrows at Faith “Hey yourself!”

Faith suddenly had a cheeky smirk on her face, as she patted the space on the bed next to her, “Hey lookie here, we got a bed big enough for three!”

“We’re not having a sleepover!” Buffy deadpanned.

“Yeah, I don’t think she’s suggesting a sleepover.” Willow replied with a frown on her face.

Faith grinned at Willow and nodded.

Buffy rolled her eyes at Faith, whilst Willow knelt down to begin taking Faith’s boots off.

“I promise, it’ll be the hottest threesome ever, I mean look how wicked hot we all are yo!” Faith slurred seriously, like she couldn’t understand why the other two couldn’t see what an amazing idea it was.

Willow looked up at Faith with an amused look on her face, “As flattered as we both are, I think it’s better you get some sleep sweetie.”

“I bet I could make you cum in under thirty seconds,” Faith whispered down at Willow.

 As Willow stood, startled by Faith’s words, Faith put her hands on the back of Willows thighs in front of her and gently pulled her forward.

“Hey!”Buffy was losing her patience again, “Seriously get a grip of yourself!” She said as she pulled Willow back out of Faith’s clutches.

“I’d rather get a grip on you B!” Faith replied with her head tilted to the side and a lazy smile on her face.

“Yeah, well, that’s not happening. This whole drinking thing, is getting out of control and I’m not gonna stand by whil-“

“Whatever!” Faith cut in, suddenly losing interest in the conversation. She lay back on the bed and closed her eyes.

“You can whatever me all you like, I don’t know what’s going on with you-“Buffy suddenly stopped when she heard a light snore, “Is she sleeping?”

“Mmhmm” Willow said as she opened the door and moved to switch off the light.

 “I’m giving her a lecture and she’s sleeping!?” Buffy said more to herself, than Willow.

“It’s okay, you can yell at her tomorrow, I’m sure she’ll appreciate it more with a hangover.” Willow said finally as she ushered Buffy out the room and closed the door behind her.

-----------------------

Faith woke the next morning to a light tapping at her bedroom door. Squinting at the light coming through her window, she groaned before slowly sitting up. She grimaced, before turning to put her feet on the floor. She rubbed her face before noticing a bottle of water and some aspirin on the bedside table.  She was about to pick it up, when the tapping at the door started again. Getting up, she walked over to the door and opened it to find Willow standing there with a smile on her face.

“Morning!” Willow said.

“Err, hey” Faith replied groggily. Willow looked Faith up and down, “Good sleep?”

Faith looked down at herself, “I guess I was too tired to change...”

“Can I come in?” Willow asked, “Oh shit, yeah, sorry!” Faith mentally berated herself for her lack of manners.

Willow walked through and took a seat on the bed. Faith closed the door behind her and leant against it with her body facing Willow.

Willow watched Faith, who was avoiding eye contact, noticing her hand still on the door handle, she wondered if Faith would make a run for it again down the corridor, this time with an angry hangover. Deciding she was safe, she began to speak, “You should take the aspirin.”

Faith looked up at Willow and smiled, Willow continued to talk, but Faith was too caught up in her thoughts, thoughts like roughly pushing Willow down onto the bed, trailing her hand up her thigh, kissi-

“Faith?”

“Huh?”

“Are you okay with that?”

“I...sure?” Faith replied wondering what she had just agreed too. 

“I was hoping you’d say yes, plus it’ll give you and Buffy a chance to clear the air.”

“B..?”

“She was pretty pissed at you last night, but hey this was kind of her idea, so it’s not like it’s beyond repair.”

“Buffy was here last night?” Faith asked confused.

“Do you not remember?” Willow asked concerned about how much Faith had to drink the previous night.

“No, not really...” Faith replied, a little embarrassed whilst rubbing her forehead.

“Well, the word on the street was, you both got into a little argument out front, or I should say the word on the castle. Although if we were on the castle, technically we’d be on the roof. We should do a cookout up there...”

“Erm...”

“It’s a nice roof,” Willow said thoughtfully before continuing, “Well anyway, I saw Buffy trying to drag you up the stairs, and I don’t use that word lightly, so I helped. We brought you here and-“

 “Oh God,” Faith put her hands up to her head, “Did I say anything...weird..?”

“Erm, you were a little...handsy.” Willow smiled softly and sympathetically.

“Oh God, Red, I’m so sorry.” Faith said looking up at Willow.

“You were drunk, it’s okay, although I think Buffy was a little disturbed by it.” Willow said amused.

“What do you mean?” Faith asked, looking fearful of the answer.

“You promised us it would be the best threesome of our lives, then you pretty much passed out.” Willow deadpanned

Faith was pretty sure she was about to have an aneurism.

 “So I’ll see you tonight, do you have a movie you wanna bring?”

“...”

“Faith?”

“Oh! A movie night! Right!” noticing Willow’s confused expression, Faith hurriedly continued, “Er no, I’m fine with whatever you guys wanna watch, where did you say it was gonna be again?”

Willow stood and smoothed down her skirt, to which Faith’s eyes instinctively followed.

“At Buffy’s, Xanders bringing snacks, and we have drinks covered, so just bring yourself.” Willow replied. Faith’s eyes jerked up to meet Willows.

“Buffy’s!?”

“Yeah Buffy’s... are you okay?” Willow asked.

 “No, I’m, yeah, I’m great, I just need to shower,” Faith replied whilst running her hand through her hair.

“Okay, well, I’ll see you tonight.” Willow smiled, before leaving the room. Faith gently closed the door behind her before banging her head against it “Jesus Christ!”

-----------------------------

“I don’t understand, shouldn’t this stuff come naturally to me?” Vi said dejectedly as she pulled out the dart from the wall.

Dawn laughed before replying “I don’t know, I mean Buffy still has a hard time making breakfast, so maybe becoming a slayer doesn’t automatically make you perfect at everything.”

“Thats different though,” Vi replied, looking at the 3 dents she made in the wall, then taking the two steps to the dart board, “You’re not a slayer and you’re hitting the board, I thought I was supposed to have like precision aiming, everyone else does!”

“Maybe it’s different for every slayer,” Rhona offered up from the couch she was draped over, “I heard a rumour that once there was a slayer who was trying to tranquilise a werewolf, and she ended up tranquilising her own watcher!”

“No way!” Sarah, one of the new girls replied, “See?” She turned towards Vi, “You can’t be as bad as that dumbass!”

“I guess,” Vi said as she slumped down in a chair near Rhona.

“So,” Sarah began “When are Faith’s classes gonna start?”

“That was a random change of subject,” Vi said flatly.

“Who knows!” Dawn replied, “Buffy’s stressed that she’s had to do them by herself so far, but I think theres something going on with her, they just won’t tell me what. Doesn’t matter how old I get, I’m still a kid to them!”

“Is it true that she was in prison? And that she’s like ‘Wanted’?” Sarah asked.

“Yeah, and not so much more with the ‘Wanted’.” Vi said.

“Thats hot!” Sarah replied, to which the others fell silent, before laughing.

“How is that hot!?” Rhona asked mid laugh.

“I don’t know, the whole bad girl thing, you can’t tell me thats not hot!” Sarah replied with a cheeky smile on her face, “Besides, have you seen her!?”

“You’re like 16!” Dawn replied!

Sarah got up to take a shot at the dartboard, “Hey in this country, I’m legal!” She took aim at the dartboard and landed the dart straight in the bulls eye, “What did she do anyway?”

 “She staked some guy, then went nuts and decided she wanted to kill everyone.” Dawn said.

“She staked a guy!? Like a human guy?” Sarah replied shocked.

“Slayers that stake humans, and tranquilise watchers, you’ll be fine!” Rhona said to Vi before laughing.

“Oh ha ha.” Vi replied, clearly not amused by the comment.

“Why are you asking about Faith?” Rhona smirked at Sarah.

“I’m not, I’m just wondering!”

“Yeah, wondering when you can get hot and sweaty with her on the mats!”

“Not gonna lie, I wouldn’t push her off!” Sarah said before taking her second shot.

“Hey, you guys seen Red?”

All four girls turned to look at Faith standing at the door, Sarah looked like a deer caught in headlights.

“Guys? Red?” Faith repeated.

“She’s talking to one of the new Doctors, she arrived an hour ago, I think Willow’s showing her around.” Dawn answered whilst trying to keep a straight face at Sarah’s embarrassment.

“Thanks.” Faith replied, before disappearing.

“Yeah, definitely wouldn’t push her off.” Sarah replied, before whizzing around and taking the third shot.

---------------

Faith walked around the castle, failing to find Willow, she was about to U-turn back to her room, when she heard the library door open beside her and came face to face with Kennedy. They looked at each other and both awkwardly shifted, waiting for the other to speak first. Faith had successfully stayed away from Kennedy for about a week.

“New training schedules.” Kennedy said as she half heartedly lifted the papers in her hand. “I noticed your still not down to teach any classes,” Kennedy continued.

“Yeah well, I’ve been busy.” Faith said whilst avoiding eye contact.

Kennedy smiled and shook her head, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing, “Sure Faith, sure,” She said as she walked away.