"Hey there Faith! How you doing today?"

She throws me a quick look and I see a glimpse of despair pass through her eyes before she looks around and rapidly finds her hands, keeping her eyes there like she had found something extremely amusing on her fingers nails.

The other girls that were around Faith before, gave me a quick look and stood up, asking permission to leave while two of them I noticed, being Willow and Tara, told me the very first thing that came into their minds, and logically the obvious.

"Mr. Giles and Mr. Wyndam-Pryce, will be here in a few moments, sir."

Still surprise by Faith manners, who of all people I knew so well, I managed to say:

"O-kay. I'll wait."

Then I heard others voices… One extremely similar to Dawn's, so I listened and I could hear the words:

"I just thought…" - Her voice trembled, desperate and anguished. "Just thought…" – Now she was screaming as loud as her lungs allowed her to…

"That they couldn't do it Buff, they had no right! Why?" I could hear her cry, while her voice became a soft whisper, "She's our mother, we should at least have the right to…" She sighed, and tried in vain for what seemed to me to hold back the tears.

That… made me walk out the door, opened it and found the two girls in front of each other talking. And finally after all this time I heard the voice that I loved so much and that haunted me during the last couple of years.

"Dawnie, I'm so sorry."

"You're not!" She said throwing her hand up in the air "You're not even crying! It's like it's alright with you, isn't?"

I saw Dawn turning away from Buffy and run away, far away… the violent beating of a door was heard, meanwhile Buffy screamed her sister's name in vain.

At that moment, I saw form of Buffy standing completely still in the middle of the hallway. She breathed deeply, once, twice, a habit I was familiar with; that I knew she was doing the best she could to be strong, to keep up and not fall down on her knees and cry right there. It was painful to see her that way. I walked slowly until I was close enough to lightly touch her shoulder. She didn't even flinch, yet I felt her body tremble under my touch, almost wavering. She turned to face the person who had placed their hand on her shoulder, in order to comfort her…

Her eyes were sad, and I could see it, especially when she took a little breath and looked me straight in the eyes, finally able to pronounce something, she said:

"I'm so sorry, you shouldn't have had to witness this family's disagreements, it's really... I don't know what to say to you, except – um...

"Of course…"

Leaving my touch she turned, extending her hand to me, I held it without thinking twice and shook it.

"Please to meet you, you must be Liam, the new watcher. I really hope you have lots and lots of patience because, well… every day here is pretty much like this."

She pretended to smile while speaking... God, even now I knew her so well, I could see she was suffering more than she could take, even though she put a mask and let everyone believe in the lie that said everything was okay; forcing herself to smile. I didn't really think when I simply said:

"You don't need to pretend to be strong all the time, somedays you'll fall. I only hope you have someone you trust to hold you and lend you a shoulder to cry on.

Angry, probably because I invaded her "space", she answered... Her voice hoarse and emotional, though strong and convicted all at the same time.

"I know that! Believe me, I know. I don't need a stranger to tell me what I'm feeling, because now, right now, I feel nothing."

God only knows how much I wish I didn't have to see the pain burning in her eyes, while her soul was being ripped out right in front of me.

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to be rude..."

"It's that right now everything seems to have gone to hell or whatever. It's all. The system, my mom, being me..." She sighed, "Seriously! You better have some sort of protection, otherwise, you might as well find one, or living here isn't gonna be easy."

She advised me, trying to soften the air that had become heavy and I said:

"You weren't being completely rude. I know how it is, I've been through it."

She finally let it go, closing her eyes and letting some tears fall on her face, to then quickly clean them with the palm of her hand.

"I just need some time, I should go after my sister… um... you know... she needs me now... She can't understand why the system is so cruel or why they would do something like this."

She didn't look at me. She faced the floor while glancing rapidly at me, gathering all the strength she had to keep talking and not collapse in tears.

"Mr. O'Connor."

Saved by the bell! Giles finally called me. Only God knew how much I could not look at her that way, could not stand another second more of it. I gave him an apologetic look and was about to leave when I thought about it better. I turned around and hugged her, holding her for several minutes. She clung to me as well, and for a moment it was like being home again. The energy that emanated from her was still the same.

I don't know if it was her perfume, the scent of her shampoo or conditioner, I was just not sure. I let her go, missing the touch of her body close to mine, and gave her a smile.

"Sorry about your mother. I'm sure you were very close. I will try not to invade your privacy again or embracing it without being allowed." I said.

She smiled genuinely, saying:

"It's okay, thanks. Well, you are now definitely part of the gang, just make sure you do not show such affection ... you know, the hugs... with Giles and Wes..." She whispered the last part arching her eyebrows. Even though she felt bad, she was still standing there, trying to make me feel comfortable.

"They're British, so they tend to be somewhat against it… how did Wes said it again? Oh…" - while doing air quotes she continued – "public displays of affection."
She smiled and left. I was watching her when she turned quickly and threw me a wink.

So this was the new Buffy? Or not? She acted and looked exactly like the Buffy I once knew. It was as surreal as with Faith. Maybe because they were the two who I had more contact with. I think the fact that I miss her and them, and then having them around even if they don't have the slightest idea who I am, can help heal the pain I feel in my heart that now beats, or… I could just be tricking myself.

Maybe I should take it slow, day after day. First things first… Giles and Wes are the two with whom I shall speak; find out what's going on with this place. Start training the girls and apparently also boys. See if I can find a way to modify the system before the damage becomes even greater.

So any reviews?

Come on is not that hard!

Love you tons ;P

Nat