Chapter Four: A Hot Blonde

Tara opened the door to the Summers house to find a very aggravated witch sitting on the bottom step. Willow jumped up and pulled the stunned blonde into a tight hug, burying her face in Tara's hair. "It's good to see you too?" Tara said, smiling as Willow pulled her closer. "Eventually you will need to let go, though."

Willow pulled away and looked into Tara's deep blue eyes, "I'm just so glad she didn't kill you."

"Who? Willow, sweetie, what are you talking about?" Tara led Willow to the couch. Sitting, she faced the redhead and placed a gentle hand on her knee.

"Faith," she stated, "She…she came here, and pretended to be good…and we believed her."

"F-Faith was here?" Tara asked, stunned that the slayer had made her presence public.

Willow nodded, "I didn't know, baby. I'm so sorry."

"Sweetie, slow down. What are you sorry about?"

Placing her hand on Tara's cheek, Willow responded, "I didn't know that it was Faith who hurt you. She used us. I told her that I trusted her, and she had betrayed me all along. She tried to kill you!"

Tara shook her head and pulled the redhead into a tight embrace, "Oh, n-no sweetie, she didn't."

Now it was Willow's turn to be stunned and confused, "What? But…but she told me. She was the one who hurt you."

"Yes, but it was an accident. I f-found her lying on Buffy's g-grave. She…she was having a n-nightmare, so I shook her arm to wake her up. I…I startled h-her. It w-was an accident."

Willow allowed a tear to slide down her face, "So she was telling the truth. And I…I just sent her away. We have to find her."

Tara nodded, "I'll get your coat sweetie," she said, moving towards the door. "I think I know where she's headed." The redhead nodded and followed her girlfriend out the door.


Faith sat by Buffy's grave, slowly tracing her fingers along the cool stone. She took another swig from the bottle, wincing as the burning liquid ran down her throat. "Damnitt B! You…you fucked things up now!" she said, her words slurring slightly as the alcohol took effect. "You…you didn't even know what we coulda had. We…we woulda been somethin' B!" She stood up, facing the grave, swaying slightly, bottle still in hand. She looked at the nearly empty bottle, "Fuck!" she shouted, throwing it at the grave. The bottle hit the grave and shattered, sending shards of glass to the ground. Faith fell to her knees, tears slightly filling her eyes. "Why did you leave me?"

"Faith?" a soft voice came from behind the slayer. Faith didn't even need to turn to know who it was.

"Hey Red," she replied, wiping away the remnants of tears from her eyes. Turning she faced the witch, only to notice that the shy blonde witch stood next to her companion. "Oh, here to finish me off, are ya?"

Willow shook her head, "Come home Faith."

Confusion covered the dark slayer's Faith as she began to lose her composure. "Home?"

Tara held out her hand to Faith, nodding her head as Faith's eyes met hers. Faith took Tara's hand in her own and the three headed back to Willow's car. Once at the Summer's house, Willow led Faith up to Buffy's room. "You can stay in here. Dawn said she wanted you too." Faith nodded and entered the room of the departed blonde slayer. Her senses were alerted to Buffy's scents around the deserted room. A tear crept to her eyes, but she rubbed it away, putting on Willow's trademark 'Resolve Face'. Throwing off her shoes, Faith relaxed on the bed, still able to feel the alcohol floating around in her stomach. She grumbled, rolling to her side, feeling the 'swish, swish' in the process. Slowly, her body succumbed to well-needed slumber.


"Faith!" Buffy shouted, slapping her fist against Faith's cheek. "What's with these constant invites into your dreams?"

The dark slayer shrugged, "Guess I just can't resist a hot blonde." Noting Buffy's annoyed expression, she continued, "It's not like I planned it this time. Must be the Powers-That-Occasionally-Annoy."

Buffy nodded, crossing her arms. "It looks like they are trying to get your attention. Still haven't picked up on your assignment yet, huh?"

"Naw, I've always been a slow learner. Actually, normally I don't actually do the assignment, so much as copy it from the class brain," thinking, she continued, "I wonder if Red got the memo."

"No," Buffy shook her head, "You still haven't got it."

"Well, if it's so urgent that I need to know, why don't you stop Nancy- Drewing me and just tell me the plan?" Faith shouted, annoyed at all the games.

"Because, Faith, that's not the way these things work, remember?"

Faith sighed, frustration running high. "Well let's see. Last time you told me that if I really wanted you back, I'd find a way. That must mean that I'm the key to getting you back."

Buffy smiled, "See, not so slow after all."

"So, if I'm the key, where's the door? Where's the damn house?"

"Closer than you think Faith. It's a pretty little house, actually. Tiny, yet sturdy, white picket fence, red roof. Quite adorable really," Buffy said, watching as the dark slayer began pacing. "You'll figure it out eventually, Faithy."

A distant buzzing rang through the air, "Guess that's my cue to go," Faith said sadly, glancing once more at the older slayer. "Am I gonna see you again?"

"Maybe, in your dreams."

"There's that bad Buffy humor that I remember," Faith replied, grinning.

Buffy smiled, a sense of longing in her eyes. "Take care of my family Faith."

"I promise, B. You'll see them soon enough."

Faith turned away from the blonde and closed her eyes. "Oh, and Faith."

"Yeah B?"

The blonde smiled, "Be careful."

Faith grinned, "Always, B. Always." The lights flashed and Faith found herself, once again, in the blonde slayer's bed. "Damn B, always with the cryptic messages." Faith knew only once person who might have the answer she was looking for. Tomorrow Faith would take on the task of pumping Willow for information. Tomorrow. Tonight, however, tonight was meant for sleep. She relaxed her body and, this time, fell into a peaceful slumber.


Hey guys! Thanks so much for the reviews. Sorry it's been taking me so long to update. I've had one vacation after another...and yet I still manage to look more pale than Casper. It's ridiculous! Anyways, I'll be gone for another week, but here's an update before I go. I am slowly but surely attempting to finish. Again, thanks for the reviews! Massive amounts of cookies to ya all!