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Mirror	By : norwalker Category: -Buffy the Vampire Slayer > FemmeSlash - Female/Female > Buffy/Faith Views: 8848 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Mirror

By Norwalker

Chapter 16

Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Mutant Enemy, Inc. They own the rights to the characters appearing on the TV show " Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and " Angel". Any of those characters appearing here? They belong to them, and I'm not making a dime writing about them. So, that's that. Now, if by some weird chance, any person in this fiction happens to resemble any person, living or dead, it's really just a coincidence. Oh, and you have a really strange life. We done now? Legal speak really feels like swearing sometimes.

1

Willow stares at the phone in front of her, caught on the horns of a dilemma.

Ok, exactly what kind of beast is a dilemma, anyway? Maybe it's a demon. I don't know, but it's got horns, and it's really jabbing me right now. Ok, Will, this so isn't getting it done.

Willow picks up the phone, starts to dial, and then stops. Maybe I should wait til later. Til it's later out there. Yeah, that's a better idea. She puts down the phone, starts to get up; then she sits back down. You're stalling. You know you're stalling. You really got to do this.

Resolved, she picks up the receiver. She hears the dial tone. Her finger goes for the first digit. And…she stops. She puts down the receiver, looking at it. Damn.

This is so much harder than I thought it'd be, Willow thinks, looking at the phone in front of her. I know it's the right thing to do. Joyce deserves to know where Buffy really is. It's not right that Buffy should keep tricking her into thinking she's still in recovery in England. She should know that Buffy bailed. That she's hiding out. It's the right thing to do.

Yeah, so noble, Will. Doing the right thing. You're just sooo good at that, aren't you? This of course wouldn't have a thing to do at getting back at Buffy, would it? Heavens, no. You just have to let Joyce know the score. Joyce has always been good to you… even when your own parents didn't give a rat's patootie about you, she did. She always made you welcome and feel a part. You owe her, right? Right!

Sure, and the fact that Buffy'll get her ass spanked, doesn't mean a thing, does it Will? Or getting her in trouble? That isn't part of it, is it Will? No, of course not. This will be best for her, won't it? Sure, it's best. She'll see they love her, and want her… and Faith'll come for her and … oh sure, that's not holding you back, is it? That Faith will come for her, and take her home, and be all happy, and lovey dovey with the blonde bitch, and forget all about you and she'll be happy and Buffy will be happy and you'll be miserable… that isn't stopping you, is it?

No, it's right. Faith should be happy. If it's Buffy she wants… I guess, then … oh FUCK ME! It's not FAIR! Why should Buffy get her, anyway? What's so special about Buffy? That she's a slayer? Not a slayer anymore! That she's so blond and cute and all cheerleader-y? That she knows how to shake those pom-poms of her and have 'em all come running? Sure, why shouldn't SHE win, right? Cuz, that's what FAITH wants, right? Because it's right, RIGHT? Sure, why not? Because Buffy's so pretty, and blond, and tiny and sweet. God, if they only knew her like I know her… oh, wait, Faith does know her like I know her. But I mean, really know her. Know what a catty, mean petty little bitch she can be!!! " But, Buffy's so sweet!' My ass! " Buffy's so pretty" Well, ok, but she can't be all pretty forever, can she? Then what? She's just another … ahh, crap. Catty much, Will? You know Buffy's not just another… damn, why'd she have to call me a WHORE? Shit, that really hurt. That really hurt.

Willow's face starts to screw up like she's going to cry. " no, I won't, I won't cry… no I won't!" She bites her lip, hard. I'm not a whore. God, I just fell in love…again… with the wrong girl. Damn me, I'm an idiot, I'm a fool…ok, I'm even a slut… but I'm not a whore! I didn't mean it, Buffy, honest I didn't mean it. I didn't want to fall for Faith. Think I wanted to hurt you? Think I’m a bitch? Geeze, Buffy… Ah, damn. Why am I apologizing to her, anyway? She doesn't care. She doesn't care about anyone. Only herself. It's always Buffy, Buffy, Buffy, and then… more Buffy! God, she's so self centered she can't pass a mirror without looking in it. Oh, and how's it fair that she should be able to wear anything, and look good in it? Shit, you could dress her in old bags and she'd look hot! Last night, that dress. Looked like she picked it up at Wal-Mart. And damn, if she didn't look cute in it. Not Fair! God, it's so not Fair. What's so special about BUFFY!!!!!???????

How 'bout, just about everything? Like the…oh… million times she's pulled your ass out of the fire? Saved your life without thinking about it? Or hung around with you, not cuz she 'had' to, but really wanted to just hang with you? Oh, and how she casually invite you over for dinner, knowing your parents were gone… again… and otherwise you'd eat alone, on crappy left overs or junk food? Oh, and when Cordelia made you a special target of her venom, who was it stuck up for you? Then when you felt like crap, she'd make it a project to cheer you up? Who stuck up for Tara, after she cast a spell that nearly got you all killed, who stuck up for her against her own family, calling her family? Made her a part of things… even though she didn't have to? Who'd stuck with you when you were so shaky from the magic, held you, cuddled you because she knew you were so bad off you might slip away… and wouldn't let you? Even though she was dying inside from losing Dawn? Who was that again? Shit!

Willow picks up the receiver. Sorry, Buffy. I know you want to disappear. And you know what? I wouldn't mind if you just never existed, because then Faith would love me like she loves you. And I that would be…shit, it'd be better than heaven. But she loves you, and … oh fuck me, I don't even want to think about that or I'll chicken out. I can't let you just disappear, Buffy. I can't be the consolation prize, when I know she'd rather have you. I gotta do this, because you need to be back with your family, with Faith. That's the right thing, right? The right thing to do. I gotta do this, cuz if it were reversed? You'd do it. I know you would. DAMN YOU!

Willow dials the number.

2

Faith leans against the porch post, staring at the pack of Marlboros she bought.

Shouldn't. You're bad for me. Was fucking hell giving you up. It's nice not smelling like an ashtray anymore. Should just put you away, again. Go run another mile. Yeah. She slips the cigs back in her coat. Aw, fuck me, who wants to live forever? Who cares? She takes them out, and opening the box, tamps out a cig. Look at you, all long and round and cylindrically and … naw… geeze, who designed these fuckers, anyway? I mean, the tip? Looks just like a nipple…sorta… geeze, mommy complex much guys? Pervs! She sticks the cig between her lips. Aw well, back to hell again. She pulls out the cheap bic lighter she also bought. Another reason to hate vamps. My lighter… lost it on those creeps in that club. I loved that bitch. Had her forever. Now… just this piece of crap lighter. She lights the cigarette, and takes a deep draw. Oh yeah, I gotta say, missed that. Welcome home, baby. Time for some lung rot.

As she's taking her second drag, she hears the phone ring inside. Mom'll get it. Not for me, anyway. Never is. She leans back, enjoying the nicotine buzz. She hears the phone ring again, and again. Mom? You gonna get that? When it rings again, she tosses the cig. Shit, howdy. Can't even enjoy a smoke around this place. So glad to say bye-bye Sunnyhell. Cursing just a little, she runs up the steps.

But she's lying to herself. She really is going to miss it here, especially being here… feeling at home. Joyce made her feel for the first time that she really belonged somewhere. Here. Now, she's got to tell her that she's going away, and she's not looking forward to that. It's been bad enough on mom, losing one daughter. Ok, I'm not her daughter. I didn't do the slip slidey down her chute. But … she's mom to me… and I think she's gonna miss me… shit, I hate this!

" Oh chill, phone, " She growls, reaching the phone. " I'm here!" That's when she sees the note on the counter.

Faith,

Sorry. Had to go out early to meet a buyer. There's milk and cereal , sorry couldn't meet you for breakfast. See you tonight? Maybe have dinner before you go save the world? Ha. Ha.

Love,

mom.

Shit!

" Yeah, hello? What?" Faith barks in the phone, feeling upset about all that's going down. " Sorry, hello?"

There's a silence on the phone. Faith looks angry.

" Hello? Is anyone there?"

She just hears soft breathing on the phone.

" Great. A perv. Just what I need. Look , guy, if you're just gonna breathe all day, just go bother someone else. "k?"

Another long silence.

" Oh well, fuck you too…" Faith starts to hang up the phone.

" Faith?"

Faith nearly drops the receiver. As is, she juggles it around to get it back up to her ear.

" Red?" Faith feels her whole body go nuts on her. " Red?"

" Faith, " Willow almost drops the phone. Crap, this is so not what I wanted!!! Oh damn, why'd she have to answer, anyway? Damn!

" Red. Hi. God, sorry… just we get a lot of perv calls here, kinda… sorry, hey." Faith finds all of a sudden, she doesn't remember English very well. Talking is becoming rather hard, too. Standing, breathing… not easy.

" Faith… Hey, " Willow feels her heart start to hammer in her chest. " Ummm… how are you?" OH, that's so clever, Will. " How are you?" Shit! Why not just " How's the weather?"

" I'm… uhhh… I'm…." Why the hell is my hand shaking?" I'm… fine. You know? Great. Yeah. Just doin' my thing, you know. " Shit, just lie some more, right? Fine my ass. Shit, why does her voice make me all …shit…

" Good, glad to hear it, " Willow almost chokes on the words. What did you expect? Her to say " I miss you, come back to me so I can fuck your brains out?" Only in my dreams. " So, doing the slayer thing? Now? I mean, what time is it there?" Oh good, now it's a time check. You're so smart, Will. Get an 'A' in " Conversations with people 101"?

" Huh? What? Oh, no, I didn't mean right now. I'm talking on the phone with you right now, " Faith nearly dies. God, are you a moron, Faith or what? Restate the obvious. You're a total dope. " I just meant…that's what I'm doing… the slayer thing… you know?" Smooth, Faith, really smooth. God, I need a cig. A cig and a bottle of Jack. Shit, now I get why dear old mom loved her Crack n' Jack. " So…college girl. How's it hangin'?" Shit, she doesn't…crap.. " I mean… how's college going?"

" Hmmm…College?" Willow's mind is 3 thousand miles away. " Oh, yeah…it's great, really great" Finally, something safe to talk about. " Doing really good, you know? Love the classes. That's me, loving the learning, you know. Ha. Ha." Can you sound more geeky, Will? " Anyway, got great Professors. Working on a paper on teaching special needs children…" Yeah, what about my special needs? Oh damn…don't go there…god, too late. Nipples hard! " And …lets see…I take my first Orals in about two months …" Shit! Did I just say that? Orals? God! GOD!

" Orals?" Faith is confused…and suddenly all tingly. Orals…mmm…love to take some orals with you baby. Hmmm…you do orals…shit… Damn… god I gotta think of something else or I'm gonna…shit… too late. I think I wet myself…Damn!

" Oral examinations. Er… not written. To test my knowledge on the subject." Hmmm… love to give you an oral exam, lover. Get down and exam that sweet… oh shit. THINK.CONCENTRATE! STOP THIS!" Uhhh… anyway, college is good, real good!" Shit, is nothing safe? I gotta end this…can't keep talking to her… bad, real bad. Shit…." Hey, ummm…was calling for Joyce… is she there?"

" Joyce?" Faith forgets who Joyce is for a moment. Her mind is still on Orals. " Oh… Duh…right…oh…no she's out…" Faith picks up the note. She's forgotten everything but Orals." She had to meet a buyer…I'm guessing, she won't be back 'til tonight." God, are you a tard, or what?

" Oh, " Willow is feeling extremely conflicted. Ok, should tell her. About Buffy. Remember, right thing to do. Right thing to do! Wrong that I want to forget Buffy right now. Wrong I want to hurl myself over this line and start stripping her naked. Wrong so wrong image in my head of Faith naked. Bad. No, gotta tell her. Gotta tell her. Buffy…is here, Faith. See? Like that. Now…just do it… Faith, Buffy is here. In Ohio. Living at my grandmother's. She's trying to disappear and you need to come get her…yes, perfect. No. Why should I help her? Why should I tell Faith, get her hopes up, and then when she comes, Buffy's like gone? No, I'll call back Joyce. I will… Not telling her now. No. Willow swallows." Oh, ok, well, it wasn't important. Just wanted to see how she was doing. Ummm… guess I'll call back. Later. When she's there, you know?"

" Right," Faith says, feeling her stomach turn over." Later." But, you don't give a fuck how I'm doin' , right? Not really, do ya? I mean so the fuck what you left me. So who cares, right? Meant nothin, right? Why am I even doing this, anyway? Well, let's see how you like it." Well, guessin' I got news, too, Red. I'm leavin…"

"What?" Willow feels like someone just punched a hole in her heart. " Leaving? When? Where?" Her voice cracks. " Why?"

" The Watcher's council. They decided that I'm needed elsewhere. Sunnydale is a big zero on Hellmouth scale now. So they're moving me… to somewhere else."

" Where? Where you going?"

"I dunno. They won't tell me. Only I'm going. Real soon." Faith exhales. " I haven't told Joyce yet."

" But… what about Buffy?" I've got to tell her. Now! Before it's too late. ´Faith, listen to me. I've got to tell you…"

" No, don't. Please, " Faith's voice goes flat. " Buffy…yeah, well, whatever. I mean, what am I supposed to do when she pretty much dumps me on the phone, huh? Give you props, Red, at least you did it to my face." Shit, I hate this. God, I hate this. What'm I doin here?

" Faith, " Willow's voice is soft. God, I never should've left her. I should've stuck it out. Even if I got hurt, so what? At least she would've… God, I'm such a…Damn." Why're you saying this? Are you trying to hurt me?" If you are? It's working." Faith, I don't want to lose contact. Please, let me give you my number, ok? We can talk…"

Faith looks at the phone like it wants to bite her. She shakes her head. What, so we can keep doing this to each other?

"What's the point, Red?" Faith's tone goes flat. " So we can torture each other some more? Sorry, don't think so. I used to be into torture, and I never made it this bad," Faith feels like her lungs are on fire" Buffy pretty much dumps me. You walk out on me. And I want to keep talking? That's good, real good, ya know? I don't get the point of all this, you know? Being in love? I'm only seeing what? Pain? No… pretty much you both said, bye. Fine, maybe that's best. Maybe this was all fucked up in the first place. I can't see it, Red. Really can't. Sorry." Faith's tone grows colder. " You two should go on the road together. You know? You're better at torture than I ever thought of being. No. Sorry. Done. " You're a fucking liar, Faith. You'd do anything to have her back. But ya can't resist stickin it to her, can you. Oh, you're so good. So fucking good!

" Faith, I only left because I thought that would be best for you and Buffy."

" Sure. Nice, sounds real nice. All noble and crap. But, if you loved me so much, Red, why'd you throw me away like that? I've been through hell here because you weren't here. I needed you so badly…and you left." Faith sighs. " Sorry, Red. Figure it's over, keeping in contact? Really not needing this. Not needing this at all. Goodbye , Red…"

" Faith wait, " Willow decides she's lost, but there's still Buffy." Please listen to me. It's about Buffy…"

" Oh, well. If you see her? Tell her I said goodbye to her, too. I'm done."

" Faith, no…."

>>Click<<

Willow stares at the phone, the throws it as hard as she can. It hits the wall, and bounces off, apparently unharmed. She sits there, staring at it. For some reason, she starts to laugh.

" Can't even… do that right, " She laughs almost hysterically, " …can't even… break a stupid…phone… god I'm so good…" she keeps on laughing and laughing until the tears start to fall. " So smart… threw away the best thing I ever had… so damned smart…"

Willow gets up, walking over and picking up the phone. She puts it back on the table. She looks around. She feels like the walls are closing in on her. She runs out of the room, and out of the house. She needs to be elsewhere. Anywhere but here right now.

Buffy watches as Willow disappears down the driveway. She moves away from the window, and goes over to the punching bag. She starts hitting it, one blow after another after another.

I've ruined her life now too(bam) Everything I touch, I destroy(bam) I'm no good, I don't deserve anything(bam) I'm worthless, I'm useless, I'm nothing(bam) (bam)Nothing(bam) (bam) (bam)It be better if I were just gone(bam) (bam) Then no one would be hurting anymore(bam) (bam) (bam)

She steps away from the bag. She stares at her fists. You know what you gotta do.

Faith stares at the receiver, then carefully hangs it up. She grabs the note, and crumples it up.

Wonder if she bought that shit? Who cares, right? I'll be gone soon. Won't make a diff.

She starts towards the stairs, thinking she'll get ready for her run. She stops at the bottom, looking up. What the fuck for? What do I give a shit, anyway?

I need a drink.

Fuck that. I need a lot of drinks.

She storms out the front door.

3

Buffy stops dressing and watches as the last little bit of the sun disappears on the horizon. She walks to the window, watching the sky as it darkens into night.

She feels the night call out to her. She reaches out and touches the pane, her hand glowing in the dying sun. She smiles.

Soon, real soon.

She moves away, and finishes dressing, pulling on her cap. She reaches into the drawer, and pulls out the cross. She brings it to her lips, and kisses it.

" I'll make it right, baby. I promise," she whispers as she hangs the cross over her neck." It's all gonna be better now."

Feeling a little flushed, Buffy walks into the bathroom to splash cool water on her face. As she dries it off, she sees herself in the mirror.

Well, loser, out to try to do it right this time? You know it won't work. It'll never be right. You can't do what you need to do to make it right, can you?

I can, I will do it. I can.

Yeah, sure you can. Keep telling yourself that. It's a nice little fairy tale. Maybe someday you'll actually buy that. But, you can't fool me. You can't do it. You don't got the guts.

Fuck you, I can do it, and I will. I'll show you. I'll show 'em all. I'll make this right. It's all gonna be right again.

Yeah, well, we'll see. But, hopin' you don't mind if I don't hold my breath waiting? Blue? Not my color!

Shut UP! I'm gonna do it, Shut UP!

Buffy rushes out of the bathroom, hearing the laughter following her. She rushes to the door, and exits,

It's gonna be right again. I'm gonna make it happen FUCK YOU ALL IT'S GONNA HAPPEN!

She strides quickly into the gloom of the night.

Willow watches Buffy disappear up the street from her bedroom window. She casts a small protection spell over her, hoping it will help keep her safe. Yeah, that's so gonna help. She's out going up against vampires and monsters, and I'm sitting her casting spells. Willow sighs. This all sucks. I don't want to be mad anymore. And I'm still mad. Damn.

Willow feels the tears of anger and hurt come. The whole day has been bad, really bad. Faith, Buffy. It's like she's on some crazy carnival ride she can't get off, it just keeps spinning out of control. Damn. What'm I gonna do? What am I gonna do?

She looks over, and sees her laptop, and sighs. Paper. Get back to the paper. Forget this. Can't think about this anymore. Gotta work. Get done. Then maybe I can turn it in, get my grade, dive under a bus and just DIE!

Willow leans heavily over the laptop, putting her head in her hands, covering her face. Dammit, just stop it. Stop feeling sorry for yourself.

She looks at the screen, starting to read over the paper. It's kind of hard, because her eyes are still teary. After awhile, she shakes her head in disgust.

I wrote this garbage? I can't believe this? What was I thinking! God, ok, I can fix this. This is school. I'm good at this. Damn, I gotta be good at something, right?

Willow pulls up her notes, and starts going over them. She looks up at the light knocking on her door. Shit, Gram. I've hid out so far, but if she sees I've been crying…I don't have time for this

" What Gram? I'm really busy in here" Willow calls out. " Mega behind!"

" You weren't home for dinner, honey," Rose calls through the door, " I just wanted to be sure you got something to eat."

" Oh yeah, great, Gram. Stuffed! Thanks!"

" Willow, can I come in? Just for a minute?"

Oh, man. Don't need this.

" Can't it wait, Gram? Really, really busy here. I gotta get this done."

" It'll just take a minute, dear. "

Sigh

" Ok, just a sec, Gram." Willow quickly checks her face in the mirror, wiping her eyes best she can. She runs back to her laptop, and pretends to be reading something. " Ok, Gram."

Rose walks in the room, and knows in about 2 second that Willow's been crying, and that she's using the laptop as cover.

" Sorry to disturb you dear. Know you're busy, but I was wondering if you knew what happened to the phone?"

" The phone?" Willow asks, innocently.

" Yes, dear. Funny, I know it was working last night. But for some reason, it seems to have stopped today sometime. I only found out because Mrs. Geshel came over, worried about me. She'd been trying to call me all morning. I tried it, and there was no dial tone. Strange. The other phone in my bedroom seems to be working, but not the one downstairs."

"Oh, gosh. That's my fault. Sorry Grams," Willow blushes. " I was using it this morning, and I was in a rush and I didn't set it back right and it fell on the floor. It looked ok, but I didn't check it. My bad."

" Oh." Rose looks at Willow," Ok dear. Just wish I'd known. I would've switched it with the one upstairs. Just poor Mrs. Geshel was so worried, took a half an hour and a couple of cups of tea to calm her down. Poor lady." Rose smiles." Of course, she did want to bend my ear with the latest gossip too. "

" I'm sorry, Gram," Willow says. " I'll get you a new one tomorrow, ok?"'

" Don't be silly, dear. It was an accident." Rose turns to leave, and stops " Ok, honey. Do I really have to ask you what the matter is?"

" Hmmm? Nothing, Gram." Willow fakes a yawn. " Just got lots to do, and hey, major sleepy." She grins at her Gram.

" Uh-huh. Come now, Willow. Your eyes are puffy, your nose is red , and it’s not allergy season. Oh, and you don't have any allergies that I know of. So, dear, you've been crying. So, what's up?"

Damn, why couldn't I have a no see, no hear, frail old doddering grandma ?… you know, the normal kind!

" So, the phone was just a trick to get in to see me?"

" Well, dear, you're gone all day, you miss dinner, and sneak upstairs… I'm going to get suspicious. What happened? Is it still about Anne, dear? Sorry, Buffy, I mean. Is that it?" Rose comes and sits on the edge of Willow's bed.

" Kinda…" Willow stalls, hoping still to find a way to divert this topic.

" Kind of…ok, " Rose isn't happy with that answer." You're still upset about last night and angry with her, then? Is that why you're crying?"

" Well… yeah, that's it, Gram," Willow lies.

" Willow Danielle Rosenberg, I thought we…you're parents and I… taught you better than to lie to us." Rose arches a brow.

Damn, how does she do that? I never get away with it with her!

Willow sits, lips locked stubbornly, face looking resolved.

" Oh… right, the famous resolve face. Mmm-hmmm, I remember this. The one you put on when you've made your mind up about something. Well, I see," Rose nods. " So, I'm guessing this has something to do with the other girl. The one I don't know the name of, but I suspect is the cause of the problem between you and Anne… er…. Buffy."

Willow's cheeks color.

" Yes so I see." Rose looks at her calmly, " So, dear, would you like to talk about it now?"

" Uh…no," Willow says quietly. She waves at the laptop. " Busy"

" Ok, " Rose says calmly, " you do realize we are going to have to talk about this eventually?"

" Huh?" Willow asks, " Why?"

" Oh… well, you see. You're old fuddy of a grandmother gets rather upset when her granddaughter is upset, and mopes around, and sneaks around trying to avoid me. Never mind she's arguing with I think is her best friend in the world, over some other woman I … All right, this all just seems silly to me, and frankly, I don't get it. But you need to talk, and I'm here to listen. Even if I don't get it."

Willow is dying to talk to her Gram about this. Gram always knows how to fix the boo-boos. But pride and stubbornness is stopping her. Hey, adult here. I can handle this. Yeah, sure, look how good you're doing so far. She's not gonna get it. Maybe she doesn't NEED to get it. Maybe she can just listen. And maybe, Gram isn't as dumb as you're making her out to be, you know?

Do you really want to hear all this stuff, Grams? I mean, it's gonna sound so stupid to you." Willow gives her an out. Please don't take it. Please, please, please!

" Perhaps so, dear. But it's not silly or stupid to you, and that's what counts, isn't it?" Rose looks at her. " Now, we could talk up here. But I think we'd be more comfortable in the living room. Neutral territory. I won't be … how do you kids put it? … invading your space then. So, meet me downstairs?"

About an hour later, giving her Gram the reader's digest version, Willow has explained exactly( well, with some careful editing. She doesn't need to know everything, does she? Don't think she's going to get the whole slayer, sacred duty, Hellmouth thing. I wouldn't, except I lived it!) what life in Sunnydale has been like in the last year . Willow watches her grandmother carefully for her reaction.

Rose sits on the sofa for a few minutes, attempting to digest and make sense of what her granddaughter has just told her. She gazes at her granddaughter, and sighs. With a slightly odd expression on her face, she gets up and walks to the kitchen. She returns a few minutes later, with a wine bottle and two glasses. Willow looks somewhat surprised.

" Gram, I didn't think you…" She waves at the wine bottle and glasses.

" I don't, really. Very rarely. But tonight, what you told me? I suspect if there's any reason to have a glass of wine… this is it." She pours two glasses of a red wine, handing one to Willow.

Rose sits down, and sits sipping her wine for a while, trying to collect her thoughts. This has proven indeed to be an interesting evening for her. Interesting and informative. She looks at Willow again. Her expression isn't approving.

" You know what you did, was wrong, don't you Willow?" Gram asks, sipping her wine.

Willow is crushed. She's rarely earned her Gram's disapproval.

" I know, " Willow whispers, voice choked.

" I'm not angry at you, dear. More surprised, is all. I thought you knew better," Rose smiles a little smile. " I can't come down too hard on you. When my Hank died, I have to admit, there were times when I wanted to 'take comfort' in the wrong place. There was this one man…"

" GRAM!" Willow is a little shocked. A touch grossed, too.

" Oh, goodness, honey. I was in my forties. Still young, vital, still got those urges…" Does this girl thin it all stops at 30? I can't even tell her I still get the urge now and then. She'd faint!" Anyway, this isn't about me, now is it, dear? The point is, I can understand how it can happen. But that doesn't make it right, does it?"

" No…" Willow says softly, " But Gram, it wasn't like … I mean, I wouldn't have done it, if Buffy hadn't tried to shove us together all the time."

" Hmmm," Rose says, just looking at her.

" But it was…wrong," Willow blushes.

"Good, I wanted you to see that, " Rose says, " But it's done, and you can't exactly un-ring that bell. You've fallen for this… what did you say her name was again?"

" Faith," Willow says softly. God, even saying her name gives me tingles. I'm so bad!

" Yes, this Faith character. Can't say I approve much of what she did, either. She was supposed to love Anne…er…Sorry, Buffy. That is such an odd name. Whatever possessed her parents to call her that? Never mind, she was supposed to love Buffy, and then seduces you?"

" It wasn't that way at all, Gram!" Willow protests. " She didn't seduce me, I …" Willow blushes. " I came on to her."

" Yes, " Rose shakes her head slowly, " I'm still dealing with that. My granddaughter, the seductress."

" It wasn't like that, Gram. You make it sound…dirty!"

" Well, whatever it was, your Faith allowed herself to be seduced. She knew she had a woman she already loved, or said she did, and she goes and well, sleeps with you. Can't say that exactly speaks well of her."

" You don't know her!" Willow protests angrily, " You don't know her at all, but you're condemning her. That's not fair, Gram. She's a wonderful woman," Willow gets up, " If you're just going to pick on me and Faith, then I don't even know why were talking! I'll just leave!"

" You really do love her, don't you?" Rose can't help smiling. " I don't see it, but then it's not me. Sit down, dear, so we can discuss this rationally."

Willow keeps standing, arms crossed.

" Willow? SIT!"

Willow sits.

" That's better. I'm sorry dear, if you don't like my opinion. But you, and Anne, have brought this into my house. And it is my house, and I will express my opinion."

" Fine," Willow says quietly, and peevishly.

" Being cranky won't change my mind, Willow. I don't approve of what you and Faith did."

" Well, what about her?" Willow exclaims." Buffy. She tried to push us together from day one. It wasn't just us, Grams. She does this whole thing to bring us together, what about that? Oh, and she loves Faith? Why is she always running away from her? It's come here, no, go away. Come here, no, go away. Back and forth. What do you expect any of us to feel? She's not little miss innocent here, Gram. Don't care what you say. She has a part in this too. If she loved Faith so much, then quit pushing her away!!!"

" I'm not excusing Anne… Buffy… goodness. She plays a part in this too. However, dear, it might do to remember what she's been through. This boyfriend of hers. What he did to her was unconscionable. From what you tell me, she went through hell, and then gave a lot back. She hurt all of you, and believe you me, she's paying for that. Her conscience is her own worst enemy right now, dear. Maybe she's having a hard time accepting being loved. Maybe that's why she kept pushing Faith away, did you consider that?

" Yes, I did. I'm not a child, Gram. I figured that. But you didn't see what it was doing to Faith. I did. I was there. Not you, not Buffy. The girl was miserable, and I'm sorry, it touched me. I wanted to make her feel better, and that's ALL it was meant to be. To help her get through. She wasn't designing to cheat on Buffy, and NEITHER WAS I!!! I hadn't planned on falling for her, and I know she didn't plan on it for me. And Buffy isn't exactly guiltless Gram. She could've come home when she told them she was coming, and this probably wouldn't have happened. None of it. So don't you lay all the blame on me or Faith. Buffy is guilty too!"

Rose sighs, and sits back on the couch. She takes a generous swallow of her wine, and thinks for a moment.

" This is a rather large mess. And all of you, Buffy, Faith and yourself, have a part in making it. Who's more or less guilty? We can do this all night, and we're not going to agree. But here's the important thing, Willow. From what you've told me, you and Buffy go way back. Much longer than either of you and this Faith person. You've shared a lot, been there for each other, and helped each other through bad times. You've shared a lot in that 8 years; more than some people who live together for 50 years."

" Gram! I don’t think… I mean… her and I? We don't feel…"

" Oh goodness, no! I'm not even suggesting something like that! You want to ruin what you have? No, Willow. What I'm saying…god…there's an old expression… I think it goes something like " Lovers come and go, but friends remain forever." Rose waves her hand. " Doesn't matter. What matters is you have something special, something precious with Buffy. True friendship. And you're going to throw it away, it looks like, over this other woman. Is that really what you want?"

"No," Willow says quietly. " I don't want to lose Buffy. I can't help how I feel, Gram."

"Well, this thing with you and Faith and Buffy? That you're going to have to figure out. I don't have that kind of experience. I met your grandfather and that was it for me. I made sure he wasn't looking for comfort anywhere else." Rose sighs, " What you have to do is figure out how you and Buffy can get past this. Find a way to fix it."

" I don't know if we can, Gram," Willow says , " Not that simple. With all that's happened, not sure we can just glue together and have it hold. Might be …just too broken."

" I didn't say it was going to be easy, dear. It probably will take more than one try at it," Rose looks at Willow,' but, considering what you told me, isn't it worth it?"

" I don't know who she is, Gram," Willow says, touching her cheek." She hit me. Buffy would never hit me. Not the Buffy I knew. Or thought I knew. It didn't hurt that bad, and I wasn't angry. Just shocked. Who is that?"

" Sweetheart. You told me what she went through. She's had what? A year to adjust? Some people never adjust honey. She may never be the same woman you remember, Willow. But does that mean you should give up on her? You have to ask yourself: Is she worth keeping?"

" Yeah," Willow whispers, her voice cracking, " but what if she doesn’t want me anymore, Gram? What if she gives up on me?"

Rose sighs. " I don't know her mind. No one knows what she's thinking or feeling, except her. But I know she needs someone now. She needs something to hold onto. Something real. I think she's in trouble, and she doesn't know how to ask for help."

" She's always the one who protects everyone, Gram," Willow feels her throat constrict, " She's never asked for help. I don't know if she can."

" You have to let her know it's there, honey, if she needs it. You have to throw the rope this time."

" I don't know if I can," Willow says softly, " I don't know how."

" You do honey. You know how. You might be the only one who does."

Willow feels her hand shaking, and puts down her wine before she drops the glass.

" I've never seen her like that, Gram," Willow's voice quavers, " it was like she was afraid of me. She wouldn't even look at me. I forced her to look at me, and then she became so angry, so cold and angry… and said such mean things. And hit me. Like…she was afraid if I got too close, I'd see something worse." She looks up at Rose." I'm really scared, Gram." She sighs. " I called her mom. I got Faith on the phone. That's why the phone's busted, I … it didn't go well. I got angry." She confesses.

Rose sighs heavily, gets up and goes to stand by her granddaughter. " I wish I had some neat little answer for you honey. But frankly, I'm way out of my depth here. You're going to have to figure it out the best you can. You're going to have to decide what's important to you. I can't do that for you." She starts towards the stairs. She stops and turns. " Oh, I'd like one of those new cordless phones with an answering machine built in, when you get around to it." She smiles.

Willow turns pink. " 'K Grams. Pick it up tomorrow."

" No hurry dear. White would be nice, " Rose turns, " Put away the wine when you're finished, please. Goodnight, dear."

She goes upstairs.

Willow sits still for a moment, staring into space. Then seemingly on autopilot, she pours herself another glass of wine, wishing it were something stronger. Tequila might be nice. She downs the glass in one, and stands up, a little woozy from the sudden alcohol intake. She grabs the wine and glasses, and heads for the kitchen. While in there, she glances out the window, and sees Buffy standing at the edge of the drive, lighted by the streetlight. She just stares at the house, not moving. As if she recognizes it, but can't place it. Willow watches her, feeling an urge to go out and just hug her. But something in Buffy's expression gives her pause; she feels tiny ice knives poking her heart. She turns away for a moment to put the wine away. When she looks up, Buffy's gone.

Who are you, Buffy? How can I help you?

Willow feels more confused than ever.

4

"I'm telling you, I'll never get 'em. I'll never understand women, long as I live" Faith nods, taking another pull on her beer.

"Faith?" Amy looks at her, half amused. " You are a woman!"

" Huh?" Faith looks at her slightly out of focus. " Oh…yeah. Well, I don't get me, either, 'K?"

Amy and Faith have been sitting at the Bronze for awhile. Faith much longer than Amy, however, and much farther along in the drinking department.

" Faith, I think maybe you've had enough?" Amy looks a little worried. What would an out of control Faith be like? Do I really want to know? "Maybe we should call it a night?"

" Huh? What? What're you talking about? We're celebrating! I've got a new town to conquer, fight the bad guys, and hey, I'm finally done with the Misery Sisters. I think that calls for another drink!" She looks at Amy, seeing her look. " Oh, for god's sake, Amy. I'm not drunk! I'm fine! Geeze, what is it about this town? Can't you be a little buzzed and happy? Is there like a law against it?"

" No, I guess not, " Amy smiles. " I'll get us another beer." Amy stands up. Faith catches her hand.

" See? You're cool. Why couldn't they just be cool?" Faith shakes her head." I don't get them. I just don't." She looks at Amy. " You're a good friend, Amy. You know that?"

" Thanks Faith, " Amy smiles her crooked little smile. " I believed you the other 5 times you told me that."

" Oh." Faith pauses. " Well, you are."

" Thanks, Faith," Amy extracts herself from Faith, " I'll be right back."

" 'K"

Faith takes two of the beer bottles and puts them in front of her.

Let’s see. Blondie, " She taps one of the bottles, " and Red." She taps the other. " You two… you don't play fair, you know? You both get me to love you, then you walk away. Not fair, you know? And I suppose you want me to choose between you now. How'm I supposed to do that, huh?" She picks up the bottles, and puts them over towards the edge of the table. " I don’t want to look at you anymore. Buncha buzz kills. Nope, me and Amy? We're celebrating. I'm outta this dump, and hey, I couldn't be happier!"

" Who're you talking to, Faith?" Amy sits down, giving Faith a beer.

" The gloomy twins," She points at the bottles. " Buffy and Willow…what a set of buzz kills, you know?" She leans into Amy, " I moved them so they wouldn't ruin the party, ok?"

" Sure, Faith, " Amy says, taking a drink of her beer. Ok, gotta get her home. Now probably would be good.

" Yeah, we don't need any party poops here." She smiles at Amy. " you know what? I wanted to thank you."

" Huh?" Amy's surprised. " For what?"

" Well, first of all, for Sami. You were right, she's a genius. She saved my hair. That was sooo cool!"

" Hey, no prob. I like your hair, looks like a mane now. Fits you."

" Thanks." Faith smiles. " Also for this." Faith pulls out the charm Amy gave her. " Really nice to do that for me."

" It was no big. Thought it might help." Amy shrugs off the compliment. " Glad you liked it."

" Just wish I'd had one of these when I came to Sunnyhell, " Faith says, fingering the charm.

" Why?" Amy doesn't get it.

" Cuz, then, I wouldn't of been descended on by Buffy and Willow, and I'd be a whole lot better off," Faith says. She sees Amy's look. " Well, B, she was evil, hell we know that. and Willow? Oh, she's trickier. But Evil. Oh yeah. Pretends to be all nice and caring and shit, then laughs when she … aw, fuck it. Maybe you're right. Maybe I've had too much to drink."

Whew!

" Let's go, I'll getcha home safe," Faith says, getting up. Then grabbing the table to keep from losing balance. " Hey, who's screwin' with the room?"

" Faith, maybe I should get you home?" Amy says, coming over to her.

" That’s silly. I'm the slayer, I'll escort you. I'm not drunk, I told you!" Faith says, " just, someone's screwin' with the room."

" Ok, take me home," Amy smiles. We'll just swing by your place first.

Amy and Faith are walking down Revello drive towards Faith. Amy has put Faith's arm over her shoulder, just to keep her on track. She keeps wandering off. Hard to get her to go straight.

"It's a nice night, " Faith comments. She looks over at Amy. " Did I say thanks, by the way? Hate to drink alone… well, I don't, really, but it's nice to have someone to celebrate with, you know?"

" Well, thanks for the invite to your little party, " Amy says, a little dubiously, " It was… interesting" if a bit obsessive.

" You know something?" Faith says, looking at Amy.

"Hmmm?" Amy says, thinking more how she's going to get home, away from Faith.

" I don't think you realize it, but you're really quite pretty, " Faith says.

" Oh. Well, thank you, Faith, " Amy smiles, " You're quite … well, I don't need to tell you. I'm sure you know you're what they call a hottie."

" A girl never gets tired of hearing it, you know, " Faith says, softly.

" Well, I think this is you're stop, " Amy tries to divert the conversation. " Thank you for a nice time."

" Amy?"

" Yes… oomph!" Amy suddenly finds herself in Faith's arms, being kissed rather warmly. Oh god! She gently pushes Faith away. She backs away a step or two.

" Oh…God, I'm sorry, Amy. I…" Faith looks stricken.

" Oh…no, Faith, " Amy approaches her cautiously, " Ummm… that was very nice. If I swung that way, I'd be quite… weak kneed. But, I drive strictly stick." She pats Faith on the shoulder.

" I'm just so… god, look, please, I've had a bit too much. I…God," Faith runs up the stairs.

Amy looks at her, watches to be sure she gets inside.

Poor girl. She's got it bad.

But Damn, quite a kisser!

5

Faith lets herself into the house very, very quietly.

She's doing everything with a very, very… sort of the exaggerated caution one uses when trying to sneak in, or very drunk. Both true in this case.

" Joyce," Faith calls out very, very softly, " Are you home?" She looks at her watch, with intense seriousness. Of course she's home, goofy. It's…ummm… very late. All good people are home way before now. Well, no good people here then! Yup!

She giggles softly, and heads for the kitchen. Hungry. Way wicked hungry. Totally, awesomely hungry. Wonder if there's something left over from dinner. Ooops. I was supposed to be here for dinner. Bad me. Tsk, tsk, You're the naughty one, Faithy!

Faith finds her stride has become rather weave-y in the last few minutes, and her hips keep seeming to direct her into tables and things. " Oops, sorry," She holds a table she runs into, keeping it from falling over and crashing. " Why don't you be more careful, little table? You might run into somebody!" She giggles. She stands for a moment, looking confused. What was I doing again? Oh yeah, food. Yummy! And watch out for those crazy tables. They seem to be all over the place tonight!

She makes her way into the kitchen, only knocking into one chair before getting there. I am so not drunk! How dare you say I'm drunk. You ran into me, chair. I think it's been YOU that's been drinking, you naughty! She walks over to the fridge, and opens it, bending over to survey the goodies.

Hmmm…let's see…oooo. Roast beast! I want that! She pulls out the platter with the Chicken on it, putting it on the counter. Let's see… potatoes. Oh definitely. … Ummm… cauliflower? Geeze…no way. Icky! Should have a veggie… hmmm… corn…ok, that's good. Like corn. Ok… oooo…pie! I love pie! Gotta have that!

Giggling, she looks at food, mouth starting to water. She pulls off a leg from the chicken, and starts munching on it. Mmmm… mom makes the best roast beast. Now…where is a plate. " Plate… oh plate!" She calls out in a soft, sing song voice. " Where are you hiding?" She spots the dish drainer, seeing a washed plate sitting in it. " There you are, you silly!" She weaves over to the plate, crashing her hip into the counter. She slaps the counter. " Bad, bad counter. Where'd you come from?" She grabs the plate, and heads back to the food.

She pulls off some chicken, and puts it on the plate. " Oh damn, I need a spoon…for the potatoes…hmmm." She looks at the potatoes seriously. " Why didn't you remind me about a spoon, goofy potatoes?" She turns around, but doesn't see a spoon in the drainer. " Well, that sucks!" she turns back to the potatoes. " Well, I guess we gotta get creative, huh?" She reaches in the bowl, and scoops out some potatoes with her hand, plopping them on the plate. " Shhh… don't tell anyone, 'k?" She looks at her potato covered hand. " Darn, that's no good." She looks at the sink, and smiles. She turns on the tap, rinsing off her hand. " See, easy as cake. Piece of pie!" she looks at the pie. " Ah HAH! Thought I'd forgotten about you, didn't you!" She looks at the drainer, seeing a knife. " Yes!" She starts over, then remembers her hand is wet. " Towel…where's the towel? Oh, screw it!" She wipes her hand on her jeans. She gets the knife, then sees a spoon and fork. " Well, there you are! Hiding from me, bad spoon!"

She walks back over, and after cutting off a big piece of pie, she looks at the plate. " Cold. No good cold. Damn." She stands thinking about it a minute, then her face lights up. "Microwave!" I'm so smart, she thinks as she carries the plate over to the micro. She opens the door, and shoves the plate in. She closes the door, and presses the button.

Nothing happens.

Faith frowns.

" Hey, what's wrong with you?" She jabs at the button. Nothing happens. " C'mon, work ,you stupid." She jabs it again.

A flashlight beam crosses her face, and she shuts her eyes tightly. " What the…?" She puts up her hands. " I didn't do it, Officer, honest. It was her!" She points at the air next to her.

" Faith?" Joyce asks, " is that you?"

" Joyce!" Faith smiles broadly. " Hi, Joyce!"

" Faith? You can put your hands down now," Joyce says, sounding a little worried. What's wrong with her?

" Oh. Yeah. Heh, " Faith lowers her arms. " Hey, Joyce, how are ya?"

" I'm fine, dear. A little startled to find someone in my kitchen at 2:30 in the morning. Are you ok?"

" Fine. Peaches, Joyce, Georgia peaches, you know? Finest kind!" She frowns." I think the microwave is busted. It won't nuke my food!"

Joyce approaches Faith warily, and entering the kitchen flips on the light.

" Whoa! Light. Wow! " Faith says, still grinning.

Joyce comes over to the microwave, and looks at it. " You didn't enter a time, honey."

" I didn't?" Faith looks at the display. " Gee, I guess I didn't, did I?" She punches in some numbers, and hits the start button. It starts working. " Well, who woulda thought it!"

" Faith, why aren't you out on patrol?" Joyce is growing more concerned by the minute.

Faith leans over, putting an arm around Joyce's shoulders. She puts her finger up to her lips. " Shhh… playin' hooky!" She giggles." Don't tell Giles. He'll get all stern and watchery!"

Joyce waves the air in front of her face. 80 proof breath. Not good. " Faith, hon. Have you been drinking?"

" Huh? No! er… well, ok, maybe a little. But, I so am not drunk. I don't care WHAT the table tells you!" She finds this funny, and bursts out laughing. The timer goes off on the microwave. " Cool. Foods done!" She reaches for the microwave's handle.

" Honey, go sit at the table. I'll bring this in to you. Ok?" Joyce gently pushes Faith towards the dining room table.

" You will? You'd do that for me?" Faith gets a big smile on her face. " You're the best Joyce!" She hugs her. Then giggles. " Joyce. Heh." She walks towards the dining room table. Well, weaves might be a better description.

Oh boy. What happened now?

Joyce looks at the mess on the counter, and closes her eyes, as if in pain. She then retrieves the plate from the microwave. The pie, a chocolate cream pie, has melted over the other food. Oh, dear. She carefully carries the plate over to the sink, and rinses the mess down into the garbage disposal. She gets another plate, and cuts some chicken, and getting a spoon from the drawers, scoops some potatoes on the plate, along with the corn. She puts it in the microwave, and turns it on.

" Where's my food, Joyce? I'm starved!"

" Ummm… I'm making you another. There was an accident with the first plate."

" Really…" Faith gets up, and walks to the kitchen doorway. " Hey, Joyce. I think something's up. I think the house is possessed by a demon or somethin."

" I'm sorry?"

" Well, everything's acting all weird. The tables come out and run into you, and the chairs are all funkly. Now the plates are being bad. Yup. Sounds like a possession," Faith sighs. " Wish Red was here. She could do that hocus pocus stuff and scare away the bad old ghosty." She gets a serious look on her face. " Where'd Red go again? Oh yeah… Ohio… yeah… why'd she leave again?" She thinks some more. " Oh. I remember. Never mind." She wanders back into the dining room.

Joyce retrieves the plate from the microwave, and carries into Faith, who seems to have become quiet.

" Can I get you something to drink, honey? Juice, milk, extra strong black coffee?"

" Huh? Why'd I want coffee? Want me to be up all night…oh, I mean all day?" She looks at Joyce and cocks her head. " You think I'm drunk! I told you, I so am not drunk. Just a little buzzed, maybe. Maybe!" She looks at Joyce hopefully. " Gotta beer?" She sees Joyce's expression. " Ok, ok, I guess water. Whatta party poop!" Faith starts digging into her food.

Joyce gets the water, and returns.

" I mean. We're celebrating, right? Shouldn't we have a drink or two…or whatever?"

" Celebrating?" Joyce asks, confused.

" Yeah, I'm going on a trip. Don't you celebrate when you go on a trip?"

" Trip? I don't understand."

" The council. The old fuddys. They think I'm not needed here. They think I'm needed somewhere else. Sooo, they're sending me away. Far, far away!" She frowns. " Well, they didn't say where, actually, but I bet it's far!"

" The Watcher's council is sending you away?" Joyce shakes her head. " When did this happen."

" Oh…ummm… not sure. G just tole me couple days ago…I think… I meant to tell you. Didn't I tell you?"

" No, Faith. You didn't."

" Oh." Faith frowns. " That's the shits, you know? I mean… JOYCE!"

" What?"

" You just swore!"

" I didn't swear!"

" I heard you. You said shits. Naughty, naughty Joyce!" She waggles her finger at Joyce.

" Honey, you said shits, not me."

" Ah, got you to say it!" Faith giggles. Then frowns." It's totally the shits." She looks up at Joyce, sad faced. " Why're they sending me away? Was I bad?"

" Bad? No, sweetheart, you weren't bad," Joyce is still trying to process her going away. " Maybe they just needed you somewhere else."

" No! I was bad. Because I… I was bad!" Faith stops eating." I was really bad. I feel for Buffy, then I fell for Willow, and I … bad, really bad… and Buffy told me to get lost, and Willow left me, and now they're sending me away. I was a bad, bad girl!"

" Faith, I don’t understand. You fell for Willow?" Joyce looks confused.

" Willow? Oh yeah, she called today, here, you know. Wanted to talk to you…didn't I leave a note?" Faith looks upset. " God, I'm totally bad! No wonder they're sending me away!"

" Faith, honey, it's ok, " Joyce reassures her. " Willow called?"

" Yeah… she wanted to see how you were doing, " Faith stops. " How are ya, Joyce?"

Confused. Worried. Surprised. Oh, and what the hell's going on with you and Willow and Buffy?

" Faith, dear, none of this is making sense." She looks at her carefully. " Why're you calling me Joyce all of a sudden?"

" Don't matter, cuz I gotta go." Faith suddenly gets a sick looking expression on her face. She stands up suddenly, knocking over her chair. " Oh… I gotta…go!'

" Faith!"

Faith runs out like her butt's on fire. Her boots are heard on the stairs. Then there's the sound of a door, and the sounds of retching.

" Oh goodness," Joyce says, getting up. She looks at the ceiling. " Ok you up there laughing at me. Are you trying to make me prematurely gray?"

She rushes out and up the stairs. She finds a very sick looking Faith holding onto the toilet bowl. Faith looks up, her face pale, her eyes red and puffy. She looks at Joyce.

" What's wrong with me? Why don't the want me anymore? Don't you want me anymore? Am I really that bad? I … oh crap…" She leans over the bowl, and retches again.

Joyce comes over, holding Faith's head as she brings up everything she's been drinking over the last day. Faith lifts her head, groaning a little.

" I've been really bad, haven’t I?" She leans back over for another volley.

" No, honey, no. Not bad. Not at all."

Joyce holds her, rubbing her back.

Just sad, dear. Just really sad.

5

Helen Stone looks around the club, feeling rather out of place and more than a little nervous.

Why did she insist on meeting here? Helen thought to herself as once again some large fellow brushes against her, almost making her spill her tonic water. This is highly unusual and most inappropriate!

Helen is Faith's new watcher. Dressed conservatively in a knee length gray skirt, white collared blouse and gray sweater held on to her shoulders by a chain guard, she was rather out of place in the club.

Helen is young for a watcher. 25, she's one of the youngest members of the council. She dresses in a manner to appear older, her makeup is minimal, and her hair, a deep red color, is tied up in a tight bun on her head. Perhaps her best feature are her eyes; large, startlingly sky blue.

She was quite surprised when she was given this assignment: to be watcher to the current slayer. This was the ultimate job for a watcher: The Slayer's watcher.

It wasn't until she read Faith's file that she began to get a glimmer of why she was given the job. Faith has been a rebellious slayer since the beginning of her career. Once termed rogue, she now was the only slayer left after Buffy Summers died. She noticed an addendum: That Ms. Summers had been restored to life, but lost her slayer powers. Restored to life? That doesn't happen… ever.

She knew now they'd set her up to fail. No one wanted to deal with this slayer. Stick her on the new girl, let her get it when Faith goes bad again. Well, I might just surprise those pompous asses on the council

Despite her colorful record, the thing that stood out most about Faith was that she was a concurrent slayer. She was the slayer at the time that another active slayer was alive. That's never happened before. Ever. I wonder if that might have something to do with her spotty history?

Helen sighs impatiently, looking at her watch. Where is she? She told me to meet her here at 8:00 sharp, and it's … 8:33. This is highly rude. I'm going to have to speak to her about manners. You don't set an appointment, then just break it without any ...

" Excuse me" A voice , low and a little sultry, brings her back to reality. She looks up and is somewhat taken aback.

Standing before her is a rather startlingly dressed young woman, around her age. She has a mane of dark brown hair, and the eyes to match. Her face is made up rather boldly, emphasizing her eyes and lips.

Her costume is rather on the daring side. A black push up bustier( Doesn't appear she needs it, however, Helen noted) is covered by a black leather bomber jacket. The sleeves have been pushed up her arms, revealing silver tooled black leather gauntlets on each wrist. Her hands are covered in black fingerless gloves, and all her fingers, . including her thumbs, have silver rings.

The woman looks like she's been poured into her black leather pants. She can't see them, but she imagines the girl is wearing boots to match. The only jewelry she has on, besides the rings, is a small silver cross hanging on her neck.

" May I help you?" Helen asks.

" I dunno. You Helen Stone?" Faith asks, smirking at her. In this joint, who the hell else could she be?

" Yes, I am... are you Faith Lehane?"

" That's me, " Faith nods.

Oh, dear. She seems to be rather… worse than I expected.

" Well, do be seated, please. We have much to discuss." Helen indicates the vacant seat across from her.

Faith sits, watching the watcher rather warily. She doesn't look overjoyed to see her.

" You're my new watcher. What do we got to talk about?" Faith asks, her tone slightly edgy.

" Well, for one thing, you have a rather … colorful history, Faith. I think we need to discuss exactly what the council's expectations of you are."

Expectations? Oh, this should be fun!

" Please, go ahead. Don't let me get in the way of your little spiel, lady." Faith holds up a hand. " Actually, wait. I could use a beer. Might make this go down easier. What you drinking?"

" Faith, I hardly feel this is the time to be imbibing in alcoholic spirits. We have a lot to discuss, and I prefer both our heads be clear when we do so."

" Ok, you don't want anything to drink. I'm still getting the beer." Faith gets up.

" Uhhh… could I have a tonic water? I suspect they don't have tea here."

" Good guess. Tonic water? Oh, you mean…got it." Faith walks to the bar.

Hmmm… cheeky little tart. I think we're going to have to put things in order right away.

Faith returns , setting a glass of seltzer in front of Helen. She takes a seat across from her, and takes a pull on her longneck.

" There you go, get wild, " Faith says, smirking.

" Faith, I really believe we need to discuss first of all what is expected of you as a slayer," Helen sips the seltzer, and makes a face. She puts it down." As your watcher, I am your direct link to the council . All your assignments as a slayer will come through me, based upon the situation at hand. Is that clear so far?"

" I got it. You're boss of me, and you give the orders. "

" Yes, I guess that's one way to put it. But we're a team, Faith. I'm here to work with you. Mold you into a better slayer. Supervise you're training, and test you on your knowledge. There are many new, and exciting things I can show you Faith."

Faith nods. She's kidding me, right?

" The point I'm making Faith, is I'm not here to just ' boss you around.' I'm here to work with you."

" Ah, so you wanna go with and kill vamps then?" Faith grins. " I think you'll need something a little less… watchery… to do that."

" No, of course not! I'm your watcher. The slayer slays, and the watcher…"

" Watches. Kinky."

Helen sighs." Faith, are you deliberately obtuse? Or is it genetic?"

" I bet you think I don't know what obtuse means, don't ya? No, I'm not stupid. If I were stupid, I'd be dead. Usually, arranged by the very same council you represent. So, no, I'm not stupid. Suspicious, yes."

" I'm sorry, I'm not understanding you. Are you accusing the council of attempting to murder you?"

" You followed along real good there, sister. Yeah, pretty much. They had more than one of my fellow… guests… come at me. Several times. But that's old news, right? We're all buddy buddy now. So, continue. Please. I'm fascinated."

" I'm sorry, Faith. I simply don't believe you. I work for the Watcher's Council. Not … what… Murder, Inc."

"There's a diff? Oh, there I go again, being all… what? Paranoid? Gee, guess after getting almost stabbed a few times, you get a little paranoid."

" You know, " Helen says, showing some annoyance. " You could at least give me a chance. You're upset by perceived slights. But you yourself seem to be slighting me before you even give me an opportunity to work with you."

Faith leans back in her chair, gazing at the woman across from her. She frowns slightly.

" You gotta point. I dissed you before letting you have your say. Ok. But I'm tellin' you now, because I respect you for having the guts to come in here looking like that, that I don't trust you. You or your council. We clear?"

" Perfectly," Helen nods.

" Then, go for it. I'm listening."

Helen thinks for a moment. " Actually, that's pretty much it. I want to work with you, Faith, to make you a better slayer. That'll keep you alive. I do expect that you give me a daily report of your slayer activities, and of course, any assignment I give you, I expect you to carry out. That's pretty much it. Any questions?"

" Not really. Couple of comments."

" Ok, please."

" Ok, I told you about the trust thing, so I'm not gonna pretend like you're a moron and repeat it, " Faith can't help getting in the dig. " Now, as for this daily report crap? Well, princess, here's the deal. You want a daily report, you come by my place. I work all night, and I take a run in the morning, sleep and then get up and eat and work out, then go to work again. So, either get to my place around 6 a.m., or after 3 p.m. if you want this report of yours. I'm not comin' to you. As I said, not big on the trust, and I'm not going anywhere were I might find some friendly council folks pointing AK-47's at me."

" Faith, I told you, nothing like that…"

" Ok, Hell, I've shown you respect enough to acknowledge maybe you're on the level with me and that you're not stupid. I'm gonna play you straight, so don't make me remind you, I'm not stupid. I don't trust you, I don't trust that bunch of fat-asses you work for. You come to me. At least, until you show me you're gonna play me straight. Am I clear? This isn't negotiable."

Helen considers it a moment. " All right, that's acceptable. However I'll need your address…"

" Nope. I'll meet you somewhere. For now, I really don't want visitors. Specially of the council kind."

" You really don't trust me, do you?"

" You're smart. You catch on fast. I like that," Faith smirks.

" Well, I'm hardly meeting you here, " Helen looks around at the club.

" What's wrong? Don't like the ambience, Hell?"

" Helen. My name is Helen. Or Ms. Stone. Not Hell"

" Fine, whatever… Helen." But Faith smiles. She appreciates someone standing up for themselves." Ok, not here. I know a little coffee shop not too far from here. Got a pen, Helen?"

" I guess," She digs through her purse, producing a pen.

Faith snatches it, and before she can do anything, snatches her hand, She turns it over, and acts as if she's going to write on it.

" What are you doing! Stop that!" Helen says, trying to pull her hand away.

Faith laughs, and lets her go.

" Just messin' with ya, Helen, " She digs around in her pocket and produces a scrap of paper. She writes an address on it. " This is the place. Meet me there around… oh, 4:30 p.m. or so. Then we can chat while I'm eating breakfast. 'K?"

" Breakfast? At 4:30? "

" I work nights, remember? I sleep all day."

" Right. Very well. 4:30 then, " Helen says, putting the piece of paper in her purse.

They sit silently for a few moments.

" So, we done here?" Faith asks.

" I suppose we are, Faith," Helen says. " Was there anything else you wanted to know?"

" Not really…" Faith pauses. " Ok, look. We're not friends. Not looking for a friend. All I want is to be able to trust you. Don't screw with me, and we'll get along peaches, ok?"

" Very well, and as you would say, ditto."

" Yeah, well anyway. I'm gone. Got stuff to do. Places to be, monsters to kill. Later." Faith stands up. She takes on last look at Helen, shakes her head, and leaves.

Helen watches her leave, then reaches into her purse. She pulls out a cell phone. She dials a number and waits for an answer.

" Hello, yes this is Helen. Yes, I've made contact with her." She listens to the other end. " Yes, well… I have to admit, it's a little disturbing. She's dressing like she used to. Yes leather and … right." She pauses to listen. " Her attitude? Definitely paranoid, and I sense some anger. Hmmm? Considering what she's been through, I think it's more than justified. No, no… I don't think she's ready to ' go off' again. I think it's more like a statement than… yes, she was suspicious… but of the council's motives. She doesn't like the council very much. Oh, yes, I'm sure you were aware of that… what? No, actually, all considered, she behaved very well. Yes… no, I told you, she doesn't suspect you're involvement. No, I'm sure of it. " Helen sighs. " Look, Mr. Giles, I know you think I'm a ' child', but I'm very capable, and discreet. Yes. I'll keep you informed. Very good. Well, good night then."

Helen closes the phone, and sits for awhile , thinking. A small smile comes to her face.

She stashes the phone in her purse, and standing up, makes her way to the exit.

To be continued.
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