A/N: Alright, so I was watching some of the earlier Faith episodes, and this idea popped into my head. I think if Faith was ever to have a baby, her first reaction would be that this would be a huge mistake, probably because she loves being a Slayer so much. Thus, this story was born. I honestly don't know how long it'll be, but I don't think it'll be too long. This is my first Buffy fanfic. I totally blame David Boreanaz for getting me addicted to Buffy. I loved him on Bones, so I wanted to see him as Angel, and I didn't think I'd care about the rest of the show. Little did I know…..
Please read and review! If nobody likes this I won't bother continuing it, so please let me know!
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"Alright, Ms. Lehane. The doctors will clean you up now and take you to recovery, and I'll send the social worker in to collect the baby."
The doctor patted Faith Lehane on the knee in a gesture that was probably meant to be comforting, but only came across to Faith as disapproving. Faith could practically hear him thinking she was just another idiotic teenager too lazy to care for her own child. She snorted disbelievingly. If only he knew.
Robin sat next to Faith and leaned his forehead against hers, and for a brief moment, Faith allowed herself to relax and meet his eyes. He looked at her with so many emotions in his eyes, Faith couldn't count them all. Regret, pride, sadness, love, Faith felt the gaze boring into her, until she forced herself to look away. Thankfully, a flurry of action caught her attention. The nurses were carrying a tiny, squalling bundle of blankets over to a scale.
Faith tried to tell herself to look away, that it would be better for herself and the kid if they never laid eyes on each other. However, her eyes seemed to lock on the small form, and she watched as the nurses unwrapped the baby.
The newborn wailed and thrashed its arms and legs, as if demonstrating exactly how pissed off it was to be stuck with the nurses. Faith felt herself smile. The kid had attitude.
In the next half-hour, the doctors thoroughly cleaned Faith and the baby, moved her to her own room, asked her what seemed like endless pointless questions so they could admit her, and kicked Robin out. He left reluctantly, telling Faith he'd be back after he showered and changed.
Through it all, Faith's eyes never left the baby. Shocked at her own behavior, Faith couldn't belief that the kid who she had seen throughout the pregnancy as an unnecessary burden. But when the social worker, who Faith had hated since they had met, came into her room and picked up the baby, she suddenly found herself asking,
"Hey, can I see the kid for a few?"
All the adults in the room cast her surprised looks, as if they expected she'd hurt the kid if she ever laid her hands on her. The social worker shuffled forward, the baby still wailing in her arms, and pasted a smile onto her face.
"I know it's…difficult to let a child go, Faith, but often it's easier if –"
"Look, lady, did I ask for a life-affirming speech? Don't believe so. I asked to hold the kid for a few. Hand it over."
The social worker's smile slipped and she sighed in resignation. Shifting carefully, she placed the baby in Faith's outstretched arms. Faith fumbled awkwardly for a way to hold the baby. She had never held a baby before, how could she be sure she was doing it right? But nobody came rushing to yank the kid away and the baby didn't wail any louder, so Faith figured she was okay for now.
"Pretty little girl you've got there," remarked the doctor.
Faith settled her daughter into her arms, pulling the blankets away from the newborn's face. Slowly, the baby quieted as her eyes focused on Faith's face. The infant's face was tear stained, and Faith couldn't help brushing the tears away with her forefinger. The child's eyes locked with Faith's, and Faith's breath caught in her throat.
Forcing herself to look up, Faith whistled to get the doctor's attention.
"Yo, doc, we done here?"
The doctor looked up, and Faith caught the glint of exasperation in his eyes and the stiffness of his back as he nodded.
"Good then, clear out. Need some alone time with her."
This time, there was an unmistakable hesitation from all adults present. Faith gave her signature scoff.
"What, you think I'm gonna kill the kid? I haven't signed any papers giving her to you yet, so technically, she's still mine. Clear out."
Slowly, carefully, the doctor, the nurses and the social worker left the room, with one nurse handing Faith a bottle and diapering supplies as she left.
"Gonna need those, honey. This little one's gonna be hungry not too long from now."
"Thanks," said Faith softly.
Finally, everyone cleared out, and she was left alone with the baby, who was still quiet, eyes trained on Faith. Slowly, she unwrapped the blanket and inspected the baby, head to toe.
She was impossibly small. Faith hadn't ever seen anything so tiny. She balanced the baby on her knees, touching her gently, as if she were made of glass that could shatter at any moment. Her skin was incredibly soft, and a light cocoa color. Her facial features were delicate, like Faith's. She had big brown eyes and a shock of black hair. Her limbs were still curled inward, and Faith gently placed her arms by her sides.
For moments, she laid there, baby on her knees, just staring. Then suddenly, the baby's face scrunched, and she let out a cry. A moment of panic seized Faith. What the hell had she been thinking, asking to be left alone with the baby? She didn't know jack about taking care of babies. What was she supposed to do when the baby started crying?
Suddenly she remembered the bottle the nurse had left, and her warning that the baby would be hungry soon. Faith grabbed the bottle off the nightstand and shoved it into the baby's mouth. She quieted instantly, sucking from the bottle.
"Don't blame you, kid," Faith grinned. "I yell if I get hungry too."
They lay in silence for long moments, the baby drinking with her eyes fixed on Faith. Faith sighed heavily.
"Might as well be straight with you," she said. "You're probably going to end up with someone else. No offence, kid, but you don't want to end up with me. Your mom lives a crazy life. Kinda love it though. See, your mom slays all those monsters that hide under bed. Which reminds me, if your mommy ever tells you a couple years from now that there are no monsters under the bed, tell her she's an idiot for me."
The baby made a noise that Faith could almost swear was a laugh, which made Faith smile in turn.
"Yep, you'd sure be better off with someone else. So I guess this is goodbye, kid."
Faith's brain was yelling at her to put the baby down, especially if she was going to give her up. But somehow, her arms seemed frozen. Why the hell did she feel like this? Why did she ask to see the kid in the first place? The whole pregnancy, she'd been sure she'd give the kid up without so much as a glance, and then get back to the slayage. So why couldn't she even put the baby down?
The baby hiccupped in her arms, and Faith studied her.
"Still, even if we're never gonna see each other again, not right for you to go without a name. You should at least have a name."
Faith scrutinized the baby carefully. The baby blinked slowly, as if she was wondering herself what her name should be.
"Amber," Faith whispered softly. "Amber Leigh. I think it suits you, don't you?"
The baby gave a little yawn around the bottle, and Faith chuckled.
"That's it, then. It's been…interesting, Amber. But this is goodbye."
But strangely, no matter how much she said it, Faith couldn't seem to make herself believe it.
