Faith grinned as she passed the 'Welcome to Sunnydale' sign. "I should've run it over," she mused out loud.

"Then go back and do it," her friend, Darla, advised, reading a letter Faith had recieved a few days earlier. "You knew a guy named Alexander Lavelle Harris?" Darla raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"His name's Xander," Faith rolled her eyes. "His middle name's Lavelle? You know how long I've wanted to know that?"

"I don't blame him for not telling you," Darla said scornfully, still studying the wedding invitation. "What parent would name their child 'Lavelle'? It's almost as bad as Anyanka."

"Hey, she doesn't like to be called that. Just say Anya."

"Because that's so much better." Faith shot the blonde a glare. "Fine, Anya it is." After a pause, Darla added "Am I going to meet Spike?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Because if he's as hot as you said he is, then I'm going to make sure he forgets any other girl he's been with," Darla teased Faith, knowing all about the brunette's crush.

"Shut up, Darla, or I'll kick your ass," Faith parked outside her house. After a few minutes of just watching the house, Darla interrupted her reverie.

"Are we going in, or not?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, in awhile," Faith shook her head and steered the car to a house a few minutes away. "First, if he's here, you have to meet Xander."

"Can't wait to meet him," Darla smirked. "Any guy ready to get married at eighteen, right after high school, he's got to be nuts."

"Naw, those two have been in love for three years, at least now they'll have an excuse for acting like newly-weds," Faith chuckled as she bounded up to the door. A few seconds later and she was ready to punch Xander's father.

"How can you not know where your only son lives?" Darla asked, her voice fairly dripping with comtempt. The middle-aged man reminded her of her own father. And she'd always hated her father.

"You two could wait here until he comes over to visit," he leered at them. Both girls glared at him and returned to the car.

"The bastard should be best friends with Holland," Darla growled. "The two could go to a strip club and get drunk together." Faith smiled faintly at her.

"Don't forget Hank," she added. "Dawn might know where Xander's living now."

0o0o0o

"See ya tomorrow, Cassie," Dawn waved as her best friend left. She adjusted her backpack's shoulder straps, getting ready for the short walk home. She heard a driver honk their car horn, and automatically turned to the source. When she saw the driver, she grinned and practically ran to the car. "Faith?"

"Hey, Dawnie," Faith smiled at her little sister. "Need a ride?"

"Duh," Dawn nearly jumped into the backseat. "Hi," she noticed Darla. "Who are you?" she asked blunty.

"Darla," the blonde answered. "You're Dawn? The way your sister talked about you, I thought you'd be...shorter."

"Very funny," Dawn rolled her eyes. "You came back for Xander's wedding?"

"Yep, got the cutesy invite and everything," Faith handed her the invitation.

"Can you belive his middle name's Lavelle?" Dawn asked, laughter in her voice.

"That's what I said," Darla chuckled. Faith grinned. Her favorite sister and best friend were getting along better than she'd thought.

0o0o0o

"Wow, Xan did pretty good for himself," Faith looked around the apartment complex with wide eyes. It was far nicer than she'd thought it would be.

"I get why Anya's marrying him," Darla agreed. Dawn just smiled and led them to the door of a particular apartment and banged on it.

"Hey, Xander, open up!" she called, and her order was obeyed almost immedietaly.

"Hi, Dawn, Xander's not here," Anya told the younger girl. "But I have popcorn if you stay."

"I love popcorn," Faith stated, grinning when Anya noticed her. "Hey, Ahn."

"Faith," Anya gave her a quick hug. "You came for the wedding?"

"Like I'd miss that. I even brought the 'plus one'," she motioned to Darla.

"Hi," Darla gave a small wave. Anya gave her a quick once over.

"Good, because she's pretty, and I have an extra bridesmaid dress I need to get rid of," Anya decided as she led them inside.

"What?" Darla shot Faith a look promising death if she had to wear an ugly dress.

"I was already supposed to be a bridesmaid," Faith explained. "I swear, I didn't know Anya'd have an extra dress.

"Right," Darla didn't believe her for a second. "Look, Anya, being a bridesmaid is great and everything, but we really don't know each other that well. And aren't just your best friends supposed to get that honor," she tried to convince the engaged girl, dreading the dress would be ugly and tacky.

"It's only the dress, you won't be a bridesmaid," Anya shrugged. "And I found out I don't get my money back if I return it."

"She doesn't like to waste money," Dawn whispered to Darla. Anya picked up a white box on the table and put in on Darla's lap before sitting across from her in a recliner. Darla shot Faith a glare before opening the box and gingerly lifting out the dress.

"Wow," the dress was a pretty shade of green and looked beautiful. "Thanks."

"No problem," Anya smiled. "A friend of Faith's is a friend of mine." Faith gave her a smile.

"Lucy, I'm home," Xander stepped into the room. "Faith?"

"Hey, Xander," Faith pulled him into a hug. "Can't believe you're getting married. And when'd you get a place like this?"

"Right before school ended," Xander hugged her tightly. "Willow's gonna be upset you didn't see her first."

"I had to see the bride-to-be, so Darla could get her dress," she explained.

"Hi," Darla smiled when he finally noticed her.

"Hi," he gave her a friendly smile before turning back to Faith. "Have you seen Spike?"

"No, why?"

"He has a girlfriend," Dawn muttered. She'd known all about Faith's secret crush, and knew this bit of news would hurt her.

"Who?" Faith managed to stay calm. No one answered, Anya and Xander taking Dawn's lead. "Guess I got a guy to visit then."

0o0o0o

"Mom," Faith gasped out, "I can't breathe."

"Sorry, honey, it's just..." Joyce hugged her daughter again. Darla and Dawn stood off to one side, both smirking at Faith's expression. "I missed you so much."

"I know, Mom," Faith finally escaped. "Mom, this is my friend, Darla. Is it ok if she stays here for awhile?"

"Just until I find a place of my own," Darla promised.

"You can stay for as long as you want," Joyce gave her a motherly smile without realizing it. Darla gave a smile of her own.

"Thanks," she said sincerely, surprising Faith. After a few more minutes of Faith getting hugged, they finally escaped to the brunette's old bedroom. "This Spike?" Darla asked, picking a picture of Faith and a guy with bleached hair from the desk.

"Yep," Faith smiled as she looked at the picture. "He was my best friend before I moved."

"So, time for your old best friend to meet your new best friend," Darla drawled.

"Hey," both girls turned to see Dawn in the doorway. "Dinner's ready. And you can't leave, 'cause then Mom'll get all upset," she added.

"Fine," Faith rolled her eyes. "We're coming."

"And be nice, my boyfriend's here. Don't scare him, please," she gave her best puppy-dog look. Faith chuckled and ruffled her hair.

"I make no promises," she teased, before starting down the stairs. Dawn shot Darla a warning look.

"Buffy's boyfriend is here too," she said softly. For a second the blonde didn't realize why Dawn told her that. Then her eyes widened when she figured it out.

"Shit, Faith's gonna lose it."