Faith woke up from her coma confused. She felt out of place well because she was. She hated hospitals. Ever since she was little. Nothing would ever change that fact. She lie in bed for a moment trying to recall the events leading up to her current predicament. It all came flooding back. Finch, the mayor, Angel. All of it. Every last detail. She cringed when she thought of all the pain from way back when. Then the thought occurred to her. She hadn't apologized. To noone. She had to get to the hell out of there fast. They had to hear her. Even if they didn't forgive her she at least wanted to apologize to all of them. In all honesty there was only one person she wanted to forgive her and she knew it would be the hardest to get her to even listen. She still had to try though. Just as she was about to press the call button a nurse came into her room. She looked shocked at first but then she just smiled warmly.

"hello ms. Lehane. Nice to see you awake."

"how... how long have I been here?"

"a little over 8 months. And I have to say you, my friend, have some people who would be happy to hear that you are awake."

"really? But...I.. I don't have any family here."

"well you must have some really good friends then because they have been here everyday at one point be it morning noon or night. Somebody is usually here I'm surprised you are alone right now." those were definitely some words Faith had never expected to hear.

" well ms. Lehane, you just stay put and I'm going to go call your friends and give them the good news."

"ok...the only reason I'm listening is cus I don't feel like moving mind you. Don't think I'm some good little girl."

"ok Faith whatever you say" with a smile the nurse was out the door to make the phone call.

After about three rings a voice on the other end answered.

'hello'

'yes Mr. Giles?'

'yes'

' this is nurse Melissa Davis calling from Sunny dale General concerning your daughter Faith'

'is she alright? Did something happen?' the panic was clear in his voice.

'no sir she is far better than alright she is awake!' her voice was filled with joy. Even though she didn't know the girl she had watched her closely and felt hope that one day she would wake up to be with her family again.

'are you serious? That's wonderful! I shall be there with everyone else as soon as they are out of classes.'

'ok. Uh Mr. Giles may I ask a question?'

'yes of course'

'she doesn't know you are her father does she?'

'well I don't... I ... no she doesn't'

'alright then I'll see you all soon then. Until then I'll keep an eye on Faith. Goodbye.' before he had a chance to respond she hung up and sighed. It was always cases like this that were depressing. This poor child has no idea she has living family. Oh well she will find out soon enough.

Giles pov

she is awake! This is fantastic. I can finally tell her the truth. Hell she shouldn't be too upset with me. I found out the same night Buffy stabbed her. Well that's not important anymore. What's important is she is awake and she will be happy this time. I'll make sure of it.

Ring ring

'hello'

'hey Giles its Buffy'

'ah hello Buffy just the person I needed to speak with'

'really what's up?'

'Faith is what's up'

'what do you mean Faith is what's up? Do you need me to stay at her hospital room tonight or something?'

'NO!' it was said a little louder and harsher than intended. But ever since he found out her coma was Buffy induced he had been a little cautious about leaving her around Faith unattended. 'I mean no need for it she's awake!'

'really! We have to get to the hospital like yesterday! Meet you there' and with that she hung up. Well off to see my youngest child. Yeah there are more but those are for my later unnerving.

40 minutes later...

pov none

everyone was piled into Faith's hospital room including the nurse. They were all just looking at her waiting for her reaction to Giles' news.

Faith's pov.

he's my real dad. How should I feel. I mean, my ma said my dad skipped out on us when he found out but why lie. To make me hate him? Well in my opinion a man who skips out on his kid ain't alright with me. If he ain't dead he got no excuse. Well except not knowing. But she said he knew. So who the hell is lying? I want to believe my ma but then again she was a drunk druggie. But on another note I can't remember her ever lying about something. Well except that one time she said she loved me. Yeah say that to a six year old and they'll believe it. But I don't really know Giles like dat either. So how can I tell? Well all I can do is ask right.

"she told me you knew and you skipped out because you didn't want the responsibility. Is my ma a liar or was she just thinkin of the wrong man?"

"I'm sure your mother was just confused about your paternity at the time Faith. She would never intentionally lie about such a thing and I assure you I had no idea of her pregnancy. And given her state of mind at the time I will just go with that suspicion."

"state of mind? Oh you mean being a drunken hooker on more drugs than you would think exist. Yeah you are right that is a questionable state of mind considering she was in any state at all. So tell me were you one of her john's or did you know her?" I didn't want to sound bitter but I couldn't help it. I mean my mom was a hooker I know that and it fed us once a week when I was lucky but he said it like she was... I don't know.

"i knew your mother personally. We were best friends at one point in time actually"

"so why did you fuck your best friend who you knew was a filthy hooker. And before you say anything about my description those were her words not mine."

"well it was a drunken night of well...er... you know what it was. Faith I swear had I known I would have proudly taken responsibility"

"so its true. Well that's good ol' ma for ya. Blunt and honest."

"what's true"

"when I was four she told me I was a mistake. Never meant to happen. By the time she found out she was pregnant it was too late for an abortion. She had me found out bout welfare and hey watya know I'm useful for something other than..." the group looks shocked that a mother would say that to a child. Hell if that shocks them my whole childhood might put them in a coma. It's Xander who speaks up shocking me with the seriousness in his voice.

"Faith you are NOT a mistake. If your mother thought that well then fuck her. She obviously didn't know her daughter. Well her loss. You are a good person. Just a little misguided." what the hell is up with my vision. He said that and shit got blurry all of a sudden. I know it ain't tears cus Faith Carmen Lehane don't cry. Nope probably just allergic to him or something. Yeah lets go with that. Allergies. If I'm gonna hang around him I gotta stock up on bendryl. Yeah can't have my vision all blurry. This time B speaks up

" guys can I speak to Faith alone for a moment?" what? Why? Everyone looks at her and nods except giles. She shoots him a 'get the hell on old man' look and he reluctantly nods. Then she turns to me

"i'm sorry Faith."

"apology accepted"

"no not that quick I dont deserve it"

"ya you do and more. I'm sorry too. For everything and for what it's worth I forgave you before it hit the truck"

"why"

"cus... I can't hate you or be mad at you for long."

"ok but-" she was cut off by a familiar face from my past walkin through the door. I look at her and smile a little.

"Bridget."