Disclaimer: I do not under any circumsatnces own anything afiliated and or connected with Ms Feehan and her stories.

Author's note: This story occurs before Dark Celebration, as well as before the conception of Shea's son. Faith has been with Jacques and Shea for seven years, since she was ten years old.

Dark Faith

Faith ran. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her, but she wasn't quick enough. She felt the air leave her as she received a blow to her stomach, and as she thudded against the ground, a sharp pain tearing at her forehead. Her body curled into a tight ball as she took her assault, her mind reaching out for her parents, calling, screaming. She remembered then. It was too early for them to rise; the sun was still in the sky. It was sinking slowly, too slowly, and Faith was sure she'd be dead long before the fiery sphere had retreated enough for her parents to leave the safety of the earth. Another kick to the stomach brought her back to her own mind. She tightened the ball that she had curled into and waited for the storm of abuse to lessen or end. In her heart she knew that they wouldn't kill her. She could see into their minds, into their hearts. She saw the pain and suffering that their parents brought upon them. She saw that her role as their target did nothing to lessen their pain, other than to give them a small sense that they controlled some part of their own lives. Her suffering would save others, even her attackers, and who better to bear it than her? She healed quicker than any normal mortal would have, some would never heal from what she endured. Gradually her beatings became weaker, and she heard Taylor mutter to her friends that they should leave before the police found them. They jogged away, leaving Faith lying face down in the alleyway. Though barely alive, she struggled to her feet. In various places on her body she felt blood trickle downwards, her life-force draining. Slowly, she moved herself, testing her legs, on the lookout for broken ribs, searching for internal bleeding. She needn't have bothered. As soon as she had gotten to her feet, the haunting figure of Jacques Dubrinsky glided down the alleyway. He lifted her gently from her feet into his arms where she slowly lost consciousness against her adoptive father's chest. He summoned her glasses to his hand. She hadn't needed glasses for a long time, but she had insisted on keeping them all the same, it wouldn't do to be almost blind one day and see perfectly the next, she had told them. Those girls would pay for hurting his daughter. He walked out of the narrow space between the pizza place and a bad hotel, just outside the alley his lifemate, Shea, was waiting with the car. He gently laid his daughter out on the back seat where Shea was waiting to support Faith's head. Blood red tears welled up in her eyes when she saw her daughter's face. Bruises covered her face on the right hand side, and there was a horrendous gash on her forehead.

'My God, Jacques. Who would do this to her?' whispered Shea.

'People who gain a sense of control through these actions. They envy her because she has a good life with us, and is successful in everything she does. They are twisted by jealousy and need to be dealt with. I must speak to Mikhail about what is to be done. The laws are shady when the threat is a female mortal'

After seeing that his daughter was in a safe position, Jacques drove Shea and Faith back to their large house in the suburbs of the city. By the time they reached the front porch, Faith was awake. Her eyes were swimming with tears she refused to shed, and she walked awkwardly, supported by both her mother and father. They sat her down at the kitchen table, and Shea sat next to her so that Faith could lean on her mother's shoulder.

Jacques, can you light some of the healing candles, and fix her some broth? She needs to eat; I can't heal her until she has.

When he had done these tasks, he turned to Shea.

I will go and feed now. You will need sustenance after the healing session.

He brushed the top of her head with a kiss as he left the room, sparing Faith a worried glance as he went.

Jacques found what he was looking for quickly, a group of men on their way to a party. He checked them carefully, ensuring that none of them were using drugs, smoked or had been drinking. Using all of his self control, he fed carefully from six of them, lowering them gently to the ground as he finished with them, ensuring that he did not take too much. His mind was still in tatters from the brutal torture that was inflicted upon him, but the knowledge that Shea and Faith needed him helped to keep him in control. As he glided away from them, the compulsion lifted and the men found themselves on the floor without knowing how they got there.

He returned to his home to find Faith leaning against Shea while her mother fed her the nourishing broth. The scene warmed his heart and he felt his eyes fill with tears. He turned away and went to the cupboard to find more candles.

Jacques? Can you take her up to her room? She'll need to sleep when I've healed her. We'll need to discuss her schooling afterwards as well.

Yes, little red hair. She needs to be withdrawn from that school.

I wasn't thinking anything so drastic. We will discuss this later. Her opinion will be needed as well, but it can wait. She has the entire weekend to recover.

We shall discuss it later and we both know who shall win.

He winked at her as he lifted Faith easily into his arms. His feet barely touched the ground as he climbed the stairs to his daughter's room. When she was tucked in her bed, Shea sat down by the side of her. Holding Faith's hand gently, Shea exited her own body, becoming pure energy. The energy poured into Faith's body, seeking out her injuries, healing her broken ribs, her fractured leg and sealing the laceration on her forehead as well as repairing the many internal injuries. When Shea had finished, she re-entered her own body, gave Faith the command to sleep and kissed her on the forehead where the cut had been. She tucked the cover up to her chin and walked towards Jacques who was waiting in the doorway.

They went to their bedroom next to Faith's, and Shea fed quickly from her lifemate's provision, ignoring the need that slammed into her, Jacques doing the same. It was more important to discuss their daughter's future. At the feel of her mouth on his chest the beast in Jacques raised its head and fought for release, but the knowledge that Faith's future was precarious kept it under control. When Shea was done feeding they lay side by side on the large four poster bed.

'What are we going to do about this, Jacques? This can't keep happening'

'I know. You are aware of my view on this, Shea. She is not safe at that school. These girls have been upsetting her for a very long time now, but she has hidden it from us. I know Faith has progressed enormously since we found her, but I do not think that she has progressed enough to be comfortable in herself, to ignore what others might say to her. She has been trying so hard to fit in and hide her differences, but these girls obviously see her as a vulnerable person, as a target'

'Maybe the right way to handle this is to go to the school, see if they've noticed anything. I really don't think withdrawing her from the school is the right way to go. What about all her friends?'

There was a rustle at the door, and Jacques looked up to acknowledge his daughter's presence. Shea rolled over and sat up, extending her hand to Faith, sensing the fear within her.

'Can I stay with you guys for a bit? I had a bad dream'

'Of course you can, baby' said Jacques, moving over to make room for her between himself and Shea. There was a moments silence while she settled herself comfortably, dropping her head onto her mother's shoulder. 'It was the vampire again wasn't it?' he probed gently. 'You know, Faith, there's nothing to be ashamed of about having nightmares. You went through a terrible ordeal. Your mother and I are incredibly proud of you; you've progressed far more than we thought you would in so short a time'

'Actually Dad, it wasn't the vampire this time. I guess that's part of what shook me up so much. It was really odd. I could hear this voice calling to me, pleading, begging for release. I wanted so much to help him, parts of my body burned like white hot fire. I don't know what to do…' tears were streaming down her face by this time, and she was curled up in a ball, gently rocking herself back and forth. Her parents closed in carefully, both of them wrapping her in the protective warmth of their arms. Shea thought it best to change the subject.

'Faith, we need to discuss your schooling' she said openly. 'Your father thinks you should be removed from the school, but I think it may be best to talk to the head teacher. What do you think?'

Faith leaned back once more, settling into Shea's embrace, comforted by her mother's hand moving gently over her midnight hair.

'To be honest with both of you, although I suspect you already knew, I've been thinking a lot since my birthday. Mum, Dad, I want the conversion'

She looked up to see her parents exchange glances over her head.

'Are you sure baby? It can't be undone, you know that'

'I know. I'm sure. It's what I want. It'll give me more time to spend with you both, and I generally feel I'd be happier if I were completely a part of your world'

Jacques probed her mind gently and found no doubt. This was what his little girl wanted. He found fear, because she had heard from other formally human women that the conversion was very painful. The thought that she would endure that degree of pain to be with them more was humbling to both of them.

'If it's what you want, sweetheart, then we shall discuss it with Gregori next rising. I can see that you are not going to get a wink of sleep tonight are you darling?' Faith shook her head. 'In that case would you like to come with me to see Francesca and Gabriel with me? I would also like her opinion on the subject. I'm sure Skyler would appreciate seeing you'

Faith smiled and looked at her mother. 'I'd like that' she replied 'I'll just go get dressed then' she jumped out of the bed and stopped at the door to smile warmly at her adoptive parents. 'You know, I'm really glad you found me. I love you both' she bounced back to them and kissed them both on the cheek, holding them close, as if she were afraid she would lose them.

'We both love you too, very, very much. We won't ever leave you and that's a promise. Go. Get dressed; Francesca and Gabriel are expecting us'

Faith ran to the door and returned five minutes later having changed into a pair of black skinny jeans, knee length boots and a skin-tight top with 'You don't like it? So sue me!' written on it. Shea had picked that one especially for her, and it had been one of her favourites ever since. Shea followed her daughter out to the car, waving to Jacques as she left. Things were changing, and much thought needed to be given to every aspect of Faith Dubrinsky's life.