Joss owns all. I make no money. I just have fun.
This AU after the 3rd season
Chapter 1- Waking up
"Ms. Spencer…Ms. Spencer can you hear me?" Faith blinked dramatically at the blinding light being shown into her eyes, attempting to bat at it.
"Ms. Spencer?"
"I hear you." Faith huffed annoyed. She was surprised to find her vocal cords in ill repair. The stark white room began to come into focus. "Buffy…where is Buffy?" Her voice was raspy.
"We've phoned you're contact…a Mr…" The nurse fumbled through Faith's chart. "…Mr. Giles…Rupert Giles. He should be here any minute." Faith seemed to drift off until she heard a familiar voice.
"She's responsive then?" Giles said before seating himself next to Faith's bed.
"Faith thank god that you're awake." Faith opened her eyes.
"Hey G man, how's it hangin' oh and how do you know I'm not going to jump out of here and snap your neck?" Giles shifted his position.
"Cordelia has been having visions." Faith shrugged her shoulders.
"Faith I know that you are just waking up and you'll need some time but…" Faith stopped him.
"Giles how long have I been out?"
Giles smiled awkwardly. "1460 days." "That long huh?"
"Yes well Faith there is a pressing matter that I am afraid that only you can attend to."
"Sure thing G, anything you want. While I was sleeping for that…oh…four years something became kinda clear. The way I figure it I got like fifty years of good deeds ahead of me before I get near anything that even resembles redemption. So what is it you need me to do that B can't handle?"
Giles cleaned his glasses on his shirt. "That's just the thing Faith. Buffy is gone and you are the only one that can find her. Because of your slayer connection you'll be able to sense her if you pay attention to it."
Faith's eyes went wide. "B's gone?!"
"Yes. She slipped out one night after graduation. No one has seen or heard from her since. Now I know you'll need some time to recuperate but…"
"I've been snoozin' for almost half a decade geezes, I'm ready to motor."
"Yes, well I'm afraid they won't just let a newly awakened four year coma patient waltz out of the front door."
Faith cocked a half smile. "G just go home. I'll call when I catch her scent or whatever…have a little faith."
Faith slid her motorcycle to a stop outside of a hotel in Manhattan. Buffy was close. She could feel it. Faith studied her surroundings. She was down by the docks. Even she was a little leery. She couldn't comprehend why Buffy would be in this neighborhood.
Faith closed her eyes and tried to get a feel from Buffy. She caught a strong vibe from a warehouse about a block away.
She carefully entered the dilapidated building and climbed the rickety stairs. She reached a door marked 3A. Buffy was inside, she knew it. Faith knocked almost silently, not wanting to set eyes on her elder in such filthy conditions.
Faith could pick up the faintest footsteps coming to the door. She waited in anxiety as the doorknob began to turn. She clenched her eyes closed. When she opened them it wasn't Buffy standing before her, but a small child. "Oh…I'm sorry I was looking for someone." Faith turned and headed down the hall, wondering why her slayer sense had failed.
"Faith?" a small voice quivered behind her. Faith turned to face him. "How do you know my name?" The boy ran inside. Faith hurried after him. He pointed to a picture sitting next to the ragged couch. She cringed at the mirror stained with white powder that sat next to it.
"That's you and mommy." He smiled at her.
"Mommy?" Faith chocked. "Your mom is Buffy?"
"Her name Hope." The boy wiped dribbling snot on to his shirtsleeve. Faith bent down by him.
"…and what's your name?"
"Gage." The brunette seated herself on the edge of the sofa.
"Gage do you know where mommy is?"
"Her go away yesterday." The boy sighed.
Faith's stomach dropped. "You've been alone since yesterday?" The boy nodded his head and started to cough violently, then began to cry. Faith surprised herself by instinctively drawing Gage into her arms. "I'm gonna get you outta here ok kiddo?" He nodded and wrapped his arms around Faith's neck. He could not see the tears welling in her eyes.
"Angel Investigations." The vampire rang with a cheery tune.
"Angel it's me."
"Faith did you find her?" Angel drew a sudden seriousness.
"Close, you sittin' down."
"Yes."
"I found her son." Faith could still hear the surprise in her voice.
"Her what?" Angel half yelled.
"Her son. His name is Gage and he's three." Faith looked over at the sleeping boy. "B's livin' rough… The kid had been alone in this cesspool of an apartment for two day when I found him and he's sick. I booked him a child's flight to LA for today, he'll have his own attendant to look after him."
"Why here?" Angel asked.
"You know Giles wouldn't spring for a good kidnapping, and I really thin it's best that he leaves here."
"What time do you need me to pick him up?"
"Now see I was considerate, 9:30 tonight at LAX. Flight 213 and your last name is Summers."
"Alright… and Faith…be careful." Faith grinned at his concern.
"5x5 fangs."
Faith reentered Buffy's apartment at 2:00 AM after seeing Gage off and doing a patrol. The darker slayer sat on the couch and waited in the dark for her counter part to return.
Buffy slouched through the door at 4:00 AM. A man came in behind her. Faith shuddered at the sight of his greasy hands all over her sister slayer. "Get undressed." He ordered, shoving the blonde against the weak wall. "Hurry up you fucking whore." Faith flew out of her seat, throwing the man through the front door. "Alright big boy play time's over the girl's all mine."
"Fucking dyke." The man sputtered hitting the wall.
"..and I prize for the fat man." She laughed before slamming the door.
Buffy looked at her through clouded eyes. "Faith?" Faith hit the smaller slayer with all of her might.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing B?" Buffy looked around frantically.
"Where is my son?"
"The one you left alone for two days."
"Two days?" The girl seemed confused. Her voice was a whisper.
"Yeah two days and he's gone." Buffy lunged at her but Faith easily sidestepped without effort. Buffy looked up at her from the floor.
"Where is he?" She pleaded.
"Do you care?"
"Faith please."
"In LA." Faith offered.
"With Angel?"
"Yeah." Faith pulled Buffy off of the floor and sat her on the couch. "You're fucked up little sis."
"I am not." Buffy jerked away. "You don't know me. You never did." She crossed her arms defiantly.
"Really?" Faith laughed. "Cause I know you right now. Let me see your arms B." Buffy folded her arms in tighter. "You had a good thing going Twinkie, great family, good friends, best watcher…" Faith began to pace the room. "But now…" She dipped her finger nail into a pile of cocaine and inhaled it with practiced ease. "…you're me." She smiled and rubbed her nose. "That's good."
"What you do want?" Buffy questioned.
"Giles asked me to find you after I woke up from my four year nap. God damn B how did this happen. I changed my mind you're more fucked up than I ever was."
"I don't need you're help. Get Gage back and leave." She huffed.
"You aint getting the kid back B, not till you clean up."
"Damn it Faith!" Buffy curled into a tight ball on the sofa. She reached into her purse and pulled out a syringe. Faith snatched it away."
"uh-uh B."
"Faith I need it" Buffy pleaded.
"No B." Faith swept a few strands of hair out of the blondes face. "We gotta get you sober sis."
Buffy looked down at her trembling hands. "Faith I…God…help me."
Leave a review telling me if you want more of this.
