Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for Aaron.

Setting: Alternate Universe 1 year post Season 7

Pairs: Faith/OC, Buffy/Spike, Angel/Cordy, possibly more later.

Reviews: Yes please.

A lot has changed in a year. The potentials have all been reassigned. Willow and Kennedy are no more. She was never really in love with Kennedy anyways. K is too much like me and nothing like Glenda, I mean, Tara. Never knew the girl but B and Xan tell me she was one of the good ones. B's struggling to understand this new role we both play. We're still the slayers but we're something more now too. I understand where she's been coming from with the vampire sidekicks.

That's where Aaron comes in. He's a vampire, an old one at that. He never got around to telling me his true age, but he's talked about things that happened more then 800 years ago. He won't tell me exactly why he stopped killing humans and feeding off them, he did mention something about some Monks in some mountains though.

Ok. Before I start, let me dispel a few myths. First off, Sunnydale caving in? Never happened. Secondly, Mrs. Summers never died. She came close to it, so close that B thought she was gone until after the battle with Glory. She was on her way home from her gallery when she was mugged. The mugger took her purse, and all of her identification. The attack left her in a coma in ICU. Buffy never found out, she though Glory's minions got her.

Apparently after Buffy jumped someone at the hospital recognized Joyce and called the house. I guess it must have been a shock to Dawn, Xan, and Red, finding out that your mother and your best friend's mom was still alive. Joyce came out of the coma a few weeks later.

The battle with the First did it's damage though. Half the town was destroyed in fire and what not. A lot of innocent girls died. Those who were left took me with them to the new council. I worked closely with K and the others to train them but then left. I wasn't needed once we assigned watchers to them. So I came back here. I guess Sunnydale kinda grows on ya. Aaron met up with me here. We'd known each other before but not like we know each other now. However, this is more than just my story; it's our story. I'm just the one telling it. If I embellish a little, screw it. I'm working off of what little the others have told me. Although, what they've told me is pretty interesting. Our story begins at the end.

Sunnyhell was a lot different now. It's been about a year since the battle with the first and here I am stepping back into town just off the bus. A few blocks away from here is what remains of the Bronze. C told me that it burned down with about 30 vamps inside just after I left. A new club was built down the street- The Iron Talon. I'll probably hit it up later but first things first, I gotta find B.

"Damn. Home sweet home I guess."

"You could call it that." A cloaked figure stood behind me. I knew he was a vamp and was clutching the stake in my jacket as I turned around. Sighing in relief I smiled as the rugged features of my mentor of sorts came into view.

"Aaron. What the hellare you doing here?" I smirked up at him. Only two vamps ever got me close to relaxed around them; Angel's one, Aaron's the other.

"Hell mouth, slayer, figured I could get in some trouble."

"Ah. B. lives on Revello Drive."

"Point being? She reeks of Angelus and Billy Idol." Aaron put his arms around me, just like old times. He's comfortable. Not something I had a lot of in my life. "So, miss me?"

"Of course. But I really do have to meet up with B. Come on. I'll step between you and any stray pieces of wood. Let's go." We walked down the street touching like lovers. We weren't though, not yet. The wind swirled up dust at our feet. The sea breeze hit us even this far into town. As we passed the many businesses in town I noticed the new Wolfram & Hart building and shuttered. I really hope they broke that contract a long time ago. I also hoped beyond hope that I wouldn't get my ass kicked when I walked back into the Summers' home.

"We're close . I can feel her nearby. You sure you want me there?"

"Yeah. You ever met Mrs. Summers?"

"Can't say I have. Though, from the stories I've heard she's not one to piss off either. Guess I'll have to stay on her good side." He smiled that cold smile that reminded me that he wasn't purely human. I've always known he's a vamp but he controlled his demon better than most. But that smile was a dead give away. The only thing that would clue me in more would be if his eyes flicked that golden amber that I saw so often in him.

The two-story house came into view and all my memories rushed over me. I couldn't believe the house could ever be so silent again. It was the early evening, the sun just set in the distance. Aaron must have been holed up nearby when he met up with me. It wasn't dark at the house, just quiet. No potentials chatting, screaming, training, or even whispering and sleeping. It was wrong to not have the chaos. As we got nearer I could see the Scoobies arriving for the evening. Anya and Xander came separately though they were much more touchy feely than when I left. Red had told me that they'd been on again off again. Red showed up with a bag of magic supplies. Giles trailed behind her. No one noticed Aaron and me at all. I don't know why we were so cautious to go inside but we were. We stood outside the house, staring into the living room where the three Summers women sat chatting with their friends over coffee hot chocolate.

A deep breath and several seconds later I stepped up to the doorway and knocked hesitantly. Aaron's reassuring hand rested on the small of my back as the door creaked slowly open.

"Faith?"

"Hey Mrs. Summers. how are ya?" I nervously shifted from foot to foot awaiting an invitation or possibly a punch in the face, the latter of which I most likely deserved. What I got was silence. The silence was unnerving and pregnant with things left far too long to fester. I cleared my throat just so I wouldn't have to listen to the oppressing silence.

"Yes please, come in Faith. And your friend?"

"Ma'am." Aaron stood behind the invisible barrier impatiently tapping his foot. Damn ass couldn't lower himself to just ask.

"It's ok Mrs. Summers, Aaron's…….Safe. Hasn't killed innocents in a few hundred years. Actually been good longer and Spike and Angel combined have been undead."

Believe it or not, Joyce conceded to that. She stepped aside and murmured an invitation. Aaron put out a cigarette I hadn't even seen him light under his boot and followed me in. Too bad Joyce wasn't the hardest obstacle to leap; B. was, or possibly Giles.

Short, I know the later chapters will long, much longer. Please review, and I hope you enjoyed it.