Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is copyright and not created or owned by me. References to characters, episodes and all other intellectual property related to the show below are made for entertainment only and I do not profit from it in any way.
"Cordy, I love you, but you have got to ask the PTB for more specific visions." Gunn wearily followed the rest of the crew through the back garden of the Hyperion, ineffectively scraping at the viscous blood coating him.
"Sure, Gunn, no problem. 'Hey, Powers that Be! Could you send more specific stomach-churning, brain-splitting images of terror and horror directly into my brain on a daily basis?'" Cordelia growled in a dangerously low voice. "It's not my fault the Powers didn't mention it'd be a nest."
"Guys." Angel interrupted softly. "Give it a break, okay? We're all intact."
Nodding agreement, Tara walked past Angel and pushed open the back door to the hotel, only to stop a few steps inside the door at the sight of Faith standing in the lobby with a stranger.
"Hi!" Tara said a little too loudly. "I'm Tara...are you here to see Angel?" hoping the guys behind her got the hint to ditch the more conspicuous weapons, she continued down the stairs to extend a hand to the woman.
"Olivia." The newcomer offered, shaking Tara's hand. "And no, I'm not here to meet Angel – I'm actually here to see Faith." Tara glanced over at the woman in question, who stood silently ignoring them as she read what looked like a letter.
Tara was spared the need to make small talk as the rest of the group filed in, thankfully sans enormous weaponry. She stepped back to make room for the group to greet their visitor, and tuned out as Angel introduced himself and made lame excuses for the team's liberal coating of gore, turning instead to watch Faith more closely, who was unusually still and focussed.
In the time since Faith had been released from prison and Tara had gotten to know her slightly better, Faith was almost never still. Whether she was fighting, dancing, training or even just eating or sitting around bored, she was constantly on the move. It came as a shock, then, to see her so focussed, but even more surprising when Faith's head finally snapped up and, cutting through the polite conversation taking place around her, said, "Thanks. Will you be around long?"
Even Olivia seemed slightly confused by this outburst and took a second to answer. "Yeah, I'll be in town a couple of days – did you want to...talk?"
Faith was silent for a couple of seconds, and Angel took the opportunity to ask, "Where are you planning on staying, if you don't mind my asking?"
"No plans yet," the lady casually replied, "I just got in. Know any good hotels?"
Angel smiled. "How about this one?" he asked, looking at Faith to check the offer would be welcome. "It's a converted hotel, we don't rent the rooms out, but a few of us live here and we have some guest rooms you'd be more than welcome to choose from."
Olivia looked at Faith for confirmation. "Well, sure, if it'd be no problem...Faith? What do you think?"
"Sure, whatever." The Slayer replied. "Maybe we can talk later, Olivia. I really gotta jet. I got some stuff needs doin'." Without waiting for a reply, she dropped her letter on the table, picked up her jacket and strode off out the front door.
The group stood awkwardly for a moment. Cordelia eyed their guest suspiciously. "You are a friend of Faith's, right? Not some bitch from the slammer hunting her down to blackmail her or something?"
Gunn snorted. "Subtle, Cordy."
Angel shot her a glare. "And this is who I have answering my phones." He mumbled. "Sorry, Olivia. Gunn, Wes, why don't you show Olivia the guest room and kitchen and help her with anything else she might need? I should go...help Faith. With her stuff."
Once Gunn, Wes and Olivia had gone upstairs, Angel turned to Cordelia. "What?" She asked. "You were all thinking it! How do we know she's legit? Hell, maybe she's looking to recruit Faith for a gang. I kinda got the impression that Faith didn't have any friends that weren't us."
Angel sighed. "Tara? What was your read on Olivia?"
Tara, who ad been standing quietly nearby turned to look at the two. "Um, it's hard to explain. I only really get basic facets of character and glimpses of intention, which don't always make things clear. I can't know what the future holds for her, like Lorne, or anything. But from what I could see, she's honest, she's caring, and she was worried about Faith. I didn't get any ill-will or evil off her."
Cordelia threw up her hands. "Fine! Whatever. I'm going to go file tonight's vision under 'diced and done' then head home."
"Thanks Cordy. Tara, I'm going to go try to find Faith and keep an eye on her. Thanks for all your help tonight." Angel said, peeling off his latest ruined jacket.
"You don't trust her?" Tara asked.
Grabbing his spare coat from his office, Angel walked back to where Tara was standing. "With everything but her own well-being."
Tara nodded, satisfied he wasn't assuming she would be attacking anyone. Since Faith's return from prison, she had done nothing to suggest she had changed her mind about redemption, and Tara's surface readings of her aura had backed that up.
"I'm coming with you." Tara said. By now, Angel knew better than to argue with the witch when she took on this tone. He nodded, grabbed a small sword from the cabinet to conceal under his coat, and they left.