Disclaimer: All Buffy characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Chapter Three: What Your Eyes Can't See
Faith opened her eyes to an unfamiliar room. She panicked and quickly sat up, throwing Sol off her in the process. After a second everything settled in. Right, she was at Giles'. In her own room. Brunette fell back into comforting warmth of the cushions. Her attempts to go back to sleep didn't pay off. She heard a meowing, joined by scratching at the doors. Actually, she needed to pee. Ugh. Faith placed her foot on a cold wooden floor. Refraining herself from shrieking, her eyes searched for her slippers. Yup, near the bed. Putting them on, she let the cat out, going to the bathroom.
Few minutes later she came back, looking at the clock. 9.24 am. She went down, to the kitchen. Faith thought that Giles would be still asleep, he seemed like someone who liked to enjoy nice mornings like the one out of the window. She was mistaken. Englishman sat on the chair, eating breakfast and reading a paper. He looked at her in amusement. Bed hair, still sleepy face, overgrown shirt that reached till her mid-tights. Not to say anything about slippers she had on.
''Good morning.''
She yawned. ''Hey.''
Faith sat on the chair next to him.
''Would you like a breakfast?''
Brunette's head turned to him. ''Yeah. I don't know why, but I'm freaking hungry. What you got?''
''What would you like?'' he asked back.
''Hmm, pancakes maybe? Or eggs on bacon. I suppose that maybe a cereal too..''
Giles blinked. ''You want all of it?''
Faith closed her mouth. ''I'll stick to the cereal.'' she said quietly.
He took off his glasses. ''Faith, don't be ashamed of what you want to eat. Or how much. It's your home too, you can eat what you want, watch what you want. I'm not here to because I have to. I am here because I want to, because we're family now.''
Slayer smiled. ''Yeah, I know.''
''Now that we are clear on that, feel free to go through the fridge.''
Thirty minutes later, brunette took a blanket and went to the backyard with ''You seen this skin? It needs some color.''
Yes, she was still a little pale. So now she was spread out on the biggest patch of the sun, sunglasses on, breathing slowly. Giles watched her through the window. She seemed... happy. Something brushed past his leg. He looked down to see a pair of eyes stare back at him. ''You want something?''
Cat cocked it's head.
''You want to eat?'' Giles guessed. Sol waved her tail and strolled to the kitchen. He searched through the cupboards, but couldn't find it. He sighed and approached Faith. Cat sat down impatiently.
''Faith, where did you put food that Angel brought yesterday? I think it's hungry.''
Faith rolled to her stomach. ''It does have a name.''
Giles rolled his eyes. ''Alright. Sol is hungry. May I know where is the food?'' he didn't have anything against the cat, maybe even liked her. Yet still couldn't fully believe that he had a cat in his home. He only prayed that she wouldn't ruin it.
''Under the sink.''
He nodded his head. ''Thank you.''
Giles went back and found it, gave her food along with water and walked back to Faith. Sitting down, he noticed that he wasn't really embarassed by her nudity. She was sunbathing, next to him and she didn't have much on herself. Before, he would've been staring pointedly in the other direction, cleaning his glasses. Now however, he felt none of it. Just peace.
''We will have to buy her a toilet.'' Faith said. He blinked. ''Excuse me?''
''A litter, you know. Something to scratch on too.''
''What?'' he asked panickly.
''Or no. I'm going to my apartment with Angel tonight. I'll go through it, see maybe if it's there. Anyway, you wouldn't want her to water your plants, huh?''
''Bloody hell.'' he muttered.
''Where is he? Angel, I mean.'' she asked.
In his mansion, waiting for sun to go down so he won't turn to dust.
''He's... working.''
Faith raised an eyebrow. ''What does he do?''
''He is a private detective.'' Giles said smugly. They went over this with Angel.
Sol came to them. She sat for a moment, then began to circle Faith, before finally making her way between slayers legs and laying down, her head on Faith's right thigh. She patted it.
''Maybe a leash would be nice too?'' Giles suggested.
''Nah. My baby needs her freedom. 'Sides she's a smart girl.''
''You should exercise, you know that right?''
Faith turned to Giles. ''Huh?''
''To make sure that your muscles are 100% working as they should be.'' he explained patiently.
''You mean like push-ups or something?'' she asked.
''I thought that maybe a little jogging now and then. Perhaps some stretching could be good too.''
Faith needed to go back to her previous shape. Soon. Still, Giles couldn't bring himself to force her to.
''Yeah, maybe you're right. But not today, 'kay? I'm beat and it's not even dinner time yet.'' Brunette sat down.
''Of course. I don't expect you to immediately run 10 miles.''
Few minutes later slayer yawned. ''I think I'll go upstairs. Read a book, maybe catch a nap. You won't mind?''
''By all means.''
Probably effects of the coma. Her body still wasn't used to functioning properly. Not all of the time.
''See ya later then.''
''Hi.''
''Hello Angel.''
Giles closed the doors behind vampire. It was already dark outside. He looked around.
''So, where's Faith? We were supposed to go to her apartment.''
''Yes, I heard about that. Faith is upstairs, I guess she's sleeping.'' Giles sat down on the sofa. ''Are you completely sure that is a good idea?''
''What do you mean?''
''Are you certain that she won't find anything strange in there?'' he asked slowly.
''Oh, that. Yeah, I'm sure. No knives, stakes or anything out of ordinary. Just normal stuff.'' Angel answered.
''Good. Now, would you like something to drink or go straight to Faith?'' Giles said standing up and heading to the kitchen.
''I'll go to Faith. The sooner we'll go the sooner we'll come back. It's dangerous.''
''I suppose you're right. Ask her if she wants something to eat, though.'' He said pouring himself a glass of scotch.
''Sure.'' Angel went upstairs. He found Faith in her bed, sleeping. An open book laid next to her. It was hard to admit, but she looked... cute. His vampire hearing picked up a quiet snoring. He smiled and slowly made his way to her. ''Faith.'' he shook her lightly. She murmured something inaudible and rolled away. He tried again. This time Faith popped one eye open and looked at him unfocused.
''What?''
''Hey. I'm here to pick you up, remember?''
She sat up, almost hitting him in the process. ''Shit.'' Angel laughed. ''Don't worry. Are you hungry?''
Faith ruffled her hand through her hair. ''Nah, I'm good. Gimme ten minutes and we'll go, aight?''
''Alright.'' Angel left the room, leaving brunette to wander through her wardrobe.
He joined Giles in the kitchen. ''She's good.''
Vampire spotted a certain cat sitting next to his leg. He picked her up. ''What's up, princess?''
She let herself be placed on the counter. Next minutes were spent in silence. Giles was reading a book and Angel played with Sol. Finally Faith came back. She was wearing heavy black boots, blue jeans, black top and her favorite leather jacket. The noticeable difference between her and old-Faith was a much lighter make up. ''So we're going?''
''Yes, of course.'' Angel went to her side.
Gils called after her. ''Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?''
''I'm full.''
''If you say so. But remember, no junk food for a week. At least.'' he warned her.
Faith rolled her eyes. Vampire smiled and they left the house.
''We gonna walk or do you have a ride here somewhere?'' Brunette asked after looking around. He had. But for everything that could go wrong, his car had to broke. ''We're walking. If your up to it.''
Faith shook her finger at him. They walked mostly in silence, occasionally Angel told Faith about things they passed. There's a cinema, a zoo...
''So, how good did you know Buffy?'' she asked. Faith's mind was occupied by this certain little blonde. She couldn't shook the feeling of familiarity that was spread around her. She haven't even meet her yet and already was thinking of her in many ways.
Angel's mind flew to somewhere else. How good did he know Buffy? Probably too good. Oh, a little, you know. I was just her vampire boyfriend, who you did poison and made her go after you. In the end you landed into a coma and I almost sucked the life outta her. Not to say anything about year before. You see, after we slept together I experienced a moment of perfect happiness and turned into a vicious killer. Yes, she stopped me. Very effectively, you could say. Stabbed me with a sword and sent to hell for 100 years. Glad you asked. How was the book you read before?
''...Pretty well, I could say.''
Faith watched him curiously. ''Did she liked me?''
Yeah, ask the most easiest questions, why don't you? Did Buffy liked Faith? Yeah she did. At first. Later, it was a different story. As Angel thought more and more about it, he concluded that Buffy didn't ever hated Faith. Most of the time she seemed sad. Sad of the way their lives went by. Sad about the deputy mayor.
''Angel, yo! You here man?'' Faith nudged him with her elbow.
''Hmm?'' Brunette scowled. ''Yes, she liked you.'' he quickly answered.
Faith turned her head and smiled. ''Think she'll be glad to see me?''
Sure. After first shock goes away. And after she learns that her dark counterpart doesn't remember.
''Yeah. I think she'll be thrilled.''
Faith smiled even wider. Rest of the way was walked in silence. They stopped in front of Faith's apartment doors. ''Can you wait here?''
Angel nodded his head and waited in the hallway.
Faith slowly walked in. Sure it seemed expensive. Big soft bed, big windows, large floor. There was a training bag hung near the corner.
She continued her path. Book regals were empty, bathroom too. Mostly, whole apartment was empty except for the furniture. And a litter box. Brunette sat down on the bed. Her eyes noticed a slightly outstanding board out of the floor. She walked over and tore it away. There was a a handle. She grabbed it and pulled, not noticing how easy it came. It was seemed pretty heavy. Inside she found a small box. Faith opened it, to find it full of drawings. But on top of it were two rings. On the inside, one of them read From Diana. She tried them. One fit her ring finger, second one index. Although they seemed heavy on her right hand, unnatural. She changed hands and yes, now it was perfect.
She went back to the box. She picked up a few drawings. They were nice. Each of them represented something else. A school, flowers, kids. Faith found a few with the same person on. Buffy. Each of them had a little B in the corner. She took a pencil and wrote it. Yup, the same handwriting. Seems like even before her coma she had a thing for the blonde. Good, then maybe Buffy felt something too. Putting them back and closing the box, she called Angel. He walked in.
''Okay, think I'm good to go. Just pick up a litter for Sol.'' Vampire did as he was told. ''What's in there?'' he asked looking at the box in her hands.
''That's... personal stuff.''
''Oh. Okay.'' They left the building.
''You know anyone named Diana?'' Faith asked him.
''Why did you ask?''
She showed him her hand. ''It says it's from Diana. You know who's she?''
Faith's first watcher. Those rings were probably pure silver. ''She was an aunt of yours.''
''What do you mean was?''
Angel almost slapped himself. ''She... passed away, not even a year ago.''
Silence fell upon them again. As they marched longer and longer, Faith felt tingling on the back of her neck getting stronger and stronger. ''Hey, Angel...'' she started uncertaintly, not interrupting their speed.
''Yeah?''
''Don't freak out, but I think we're being followed.''
If she thought that Angel would stop and panickly look around himself she was wrong.
''Why do you think so?'' he asked quietly. He felt the presence too, but hoped that maybe it wasn't connected to them.
''There's this... this tingling since we've left the house.'' she said.
Angel was sure that they wouldn't reach Giles' before the attack came. He had stakes up in his sleeves, but he couldn't take vampires out with Faith watching. He had to make a decision. Either leave Faith and kill the vamps or wait for them. Each way, it could go to hell. He had to try.
''Faith, listen to me very carefully. I'm gonna put this box on the ground and you're gonna stay right here until I'll come back. Okay?''
Faith looked at him as if he was crazy. ''You nuts? We should get the hell outta here as fast as possible.'' she objected.
''Nothing is gonna happen, I promise. I'll just go and check out the area. I will be back in five minutes. If I'm not, go to Giles as fast as you can, okay?'' he said slowly.
Faith nodded her head. Angel disappeared into darkness. Brunette stood nervously, with her arms around herself, shifting, looking around for any kind of movement.
''Hello there.'' a voice from behind her said. Two nasty looking men came out. No, they weren't ugly or drunk. Maybe a little older than her, but their posture just screamed trouble.
She took a step back. They advanced on her. ''What such a pretty girl is doing alone in this neighborhood on this hour?'' second one asked. Slayer gulped. ''Don't be afraid. We're not gonna hurt you. If you'll cooperate, of course.'' he said and they both laughed. Faith tried to scream but found that her voice wouldn't obey her. When an almost predatory smile came to their mouths, something snapped in her. Noticing that the first one had legs spread apart, she aimed and with all her might kicked him in the balls. He jumped nearly three feet with a force of it. He was out of this fight.
Second one roared and took out a knife. Faith's eyes widened and she ducked completely at instinct. She managed to avoid it for most of the time, but soon was cornered. Having no other choice, she blocked the man's arm and punched him in the face. He dropped the knife, stumbling back and holding his bloody nose. He swinged at her, catching her clean in the face. She fell down.
He didn't had time to do two steps before Angel reappeared and kicked him in the stomach. Man doubled over and got a knee to his face. He was knocked out. Vampire kneeled next to her. ''Are you okay? They didn't do anything to you, did they?'' he asked, worry clear in his voice. Faith shook her head.
''Good. Come on, pick up your box, we're going to Giles. Now.'' he said. As Faith took her box, Angel hovered over the first man. ''I see you near her again, you'll be very sorry.''
Faith sighed. For past twenty minutes she was sketching Sol. Cat laid on the sofa in front of her, licking her paws. Slayer already had most of work done. Only tail remained to draw. Background too. Five minutes later, satisfied of her work, Faith wandered to the kitchen in order to eat something. Deciding on a simple sandwich, her food was done fast. But not fast enough to stop Giles from looking at the drawing of Sol. He looked between it and the real cat. Faith's face turned red when he faced to her.
''That's... that's very good. I didn't know you could draw.'' He told her.
''Me neither. Until I came across few sketchings.'' Slayer murmured.
Giles, sensing her uncomfort, quickly backed off.
''Pretend I'm not here. Actually, I'll just go... there.''
Giles left the room.
Brunette heavily sat down and took the pencil. Her mind flew to certain smile. A little, pretty face with blonde hair... She closed her eyes, trying to remember. She could swear that for a second, she saw Buffy's face. Not thinking, she grabbed her sketch pad and began to draw. Cute little nose, accompanied by a breathtaking smile, joy clear in eyes. It's like blonde was in front of her. Except she wasn't. Something was missing. Licking her lips, Faith wrote a little B in the corner and smiled.
''Man, she's hot.''
Oz and Faith watched a movie together.
Werewolf turned a questioning stare at her.
''Don't tell me you wouldn't want to have few minutes with her alone. I mean, redhead. That's already good for you, right?'' Faith asked him.
''Are you saying you like her?'' Oz said, pointing at the TV.
''You don't? Come on, accent alone should be enough. Sexy as hell. I'm not even counting that she's perfect. They all said it few times. She's such a warrior, you know? Strong and tough. Bad ass as it gets. But she's also so pure, innocent. Who wouldn't want her?''
Oz stayed quiet for few minutes.
''You're right. Except that's just a character. She doesn't really exist.''
''Oh, shut up! Lemme dream a little.'' Brunette laughed.
Giles came behind them.
''Here you are kids. I've got a surprise for you.'' Their heads turned to him.
''Since Buffy is coming back soon, me and Joyce thought that we might go out. All of us. Have a dinner in a nice restaurant. What do you say?''
Oz nodded his head. ''When?''
''Tomorrow would be best.'' He noticed that Faith didn't answer him. ''How about you?''
''Angel's going too?''
''I'm sure he will. As soon as you'll pass it to him.'' Giles answered and left the room. Not even a minute later, brunette stood near him.
''Restaurant, huh? I...''
''What is it?'' he asked gently.
''How the hell I'm supposed to know what to do with all of the things they'll give me? It's probably like five kinds of spoons and knives and...'' Slayer trailed off.
''No, don't worry. We're not going anywhere fancy. Just a normal dinner.'' Giles said.
''Oh.'' Now Faith felt stupid. ''Okay. So, I'll just go... finish the movie.'' Brunette left to join Oz.
Angel sat on the floor in his mansion, watching the fireplace. In few hours they were supposed to go eat dinner. He probably had something good to wear. It's not like it was his major problem. No, Joyce called earlier and wanted to meet him. Personal talk, she said. What would she want to talk about? His mind flew to only one possible scenario. Buffy. She was coming back tomorrow in the morning. He was almost certain that there wouldn't be any violence involved. Willow on the other hand... Read headed witch might have some problems with Faith. Brunette held her hostage, after all. His hope laid in Oz and his methods of calming his girlfriend down. He picked up light footsteps.
''Hi, Joyce.''
''Angel.'' she sat down. ''I'm here to talk with you about...'' Vampire cut her off. It wasn't really polite but, what the hell. He was past explaining that this chapter of history was over. He closed it. Locked it and threw the key away. Burned the bridges. ''Buffy. I figured. What do you want me to say, Joyce? What do you want to hear?''
Woman closed her eyes. Opening them, she said. ''You very well know that I didn't ever approved your relationship with my daughter. She needs to find herself a nice boy. I'm sure we both know that and that's not why I'm here.''
Angel raised his eyebrows. ''Really? Then why are you here?''
''I never really said it before... but I think you're a good man, Angel. Or a vampire. We might not like each other much, but I understand. This is bigger than your need to see my daughter again. I just wanted you to know that I'm okay with it. And I wanted to thank you. For being there for Faith. I don't know how would we manage to make her trust us without you.''
''You'd do it. No one can resist a Summers woman.'' Angel smiled.
Joyce got up and started to leave.
''Thank you.'' he called after her.
''See you at 8 o'clock.''
Faith stared at high heels before her. She kinda felt unsure about them. Shaking her head, brunette grabbed them and put on her own feet. It can' be really different than walking on flat boots, right? Besides, she had to know how. That kind of things you can't forget. Breathing deeply, she took a few, slow steps. Ha! It's like riding a bike. Increasing her pace, confidence in her steps... she fell down. Fuck, Giles had to hear that. Great, she already heard his fast footsteps heading right to her room. Faith did no even had time to get up. Doors flew open and Giles stared down at her, clearly surprised to see her in a position such as that. ''What happened?''
Brunette murmured something he couldn't understand. ''Sorry?''
''I fell.''
Then Giles noticed heels on her feet. He would've laughed if it wouldn't be so sad. This girl had seventeen years and couldn't walk on high heels. Faith probably never even bothered to try.
''Are you alright?''
Faith got up. ''Yeah.''
''Good.''
''Hey, you think I should go to school?''
Giles looked at her for a minute. ''If you want my opinion, then yes. But it's your life and I can't force you to go.''
''Is there even a high school here? I mean, last blew up.'' she asked.
He leaned against the door. ''I think you should maybe complete GED. You dropped out from school early. There's no point in going to high school.''
''Really? If you say so.''
Giles nodded his head and left, leaving Faith to practice walking.
''How long is gonna take Angel and Oz to get here? I'm hungry.''
Giles and Joyce traded looks. For past 10 minutes Faith was complaining. They shouldn't be here for another 5 minutes, but he wouldn't tell her that.
''Honey, they'll be here shortly. Now just hang on. We're all hungry.'' Joyce said.
Slayer scoffed and sat down. Giles noticed Oz's van slowly going down the street.
''They're here.'' he said over his shoulder and moved to pick up his keys. He felt a rush of air and turned his head to see front door opened and Joyce behind him.
''What the hell took you so long?'' Faith assaulted Angel.
''Good to see you too.'' Vampire replied. Oz nodded his head.
They all went to Giles' car and waited for owner to lock his door.
''Hey, Joyce. You work at the gallery, right?''
''Yes. Why did you ask?''
Faith shrugged. ''Just thought that maybe one day I could swing by and see it. If you don't mind.''
Elder woman smiled. ''Of course not. Come anytime you want. I'll gladly show you around.''
They got to the car. Young in the back. Faith leaned against Angel.
''You're too young to drink.'' Angel said.
They were at the table. Faith looked at him disbelievingly. She was the only one from the group underage.
''Since when did it ever stopped her?'' Oz murmured. Faith wouldn't hear that, except she was a slayer. ''You see? Even Oz agrees.''
Angel looked at Giles. ''I'm with Angel on this one. It's against the law and you shouldn't drink it because of your state. You should be clear for at least a week more.'' Faith dropped her head, but the smile on her face appeared. ''That doesn't mean you'll be allowed to drink after this week.'' He added.
''Excuse me, gotta hit the bathroom.''
''Maybe you all would like to come for a glass of wine? It's such a nice evening, it would be waste not to stay a little longer.''
They arrived back at Giles'. ''I think you're right Rupert. Angel?''
''Sure.''
''Hell yeah.'' Faith said enthustaically.
''You're not drinking.'' Angel warned. Brunette rolled her eyes and walked to the house.
Faith turned on the TV while rest went to the kitchen.
Giles poured everyone some wine.
''What are we drinking for?'' Oz asked.
''How about for the last peaceful day of this summer?'' Joyce suggested.
Group nodded and began to sip from their glasses. They spend some time in silence, each in thoughts.
They heard a very girly, very-unlike-Faith shriek, coming from Faith. Angel rushed to the living room, rest of them hot on his heels. He saw Faith on the sofa, controller in her hand. She turned to them. ''What?''
Angel glanced at TV. There was a devastated city on the screen. ''What happened?''
''Nothing.'' Faith looked away.
''Faith?'' he stepped closer.
She sighed. ''Okay so I tried to play Resident Evil, alright? It's not my fault that a fucking zombie jumped from the car right into me.''
Giles coughed. Oz looked away. Joyce turned away.
Angel shook his head, trying to suppress smile that began worming on his lips. ''You shrieked like that because of a game?''
''Hey! I didn't shriek.'' she said defensively pointing at him threateningly. Giles took off his glasses and left the room, Oz and Joyce following.
Angel turned around, hiding his face. It didn't do much, because Faith still could see his shoulders that right now were shaking. She dropped the controller and tackled him to the ground. Vampire laughed freely, trying to get Faith off him. They rolled on the ground few times. Using all her strenght, slayer had Angel pinned beneath her. ''What's so funny now?''
''You.''
That seemed to irritate Faith more. She raised her hand to smack Angel upside the head, when her arm got into iron grip. She turned her head to see a tiny fist going right to her face. ''Buffy, no!''
Brunette crashed to the floor. Last thing she saw was a blonde hair.
So, how did you like it? Now when Buffy came back, I think I'll get a little more into it. However, I don't know when the next chapter is gonna be. School is starting soon and I gotta take care of real life now. But remember, more reviews I'll got, faster the chapter will be written. Review! ...Please?