"Faith it's time I think. They haven't said it but with the way Buffy and Willow have been acting I know something is up." Cordelia tells over the phone. Giving my thanks I hang up and call the airport to book a ticket to Sunnydale. Sadly it's the middle of the fing week and I still have class. Looks like I might be missing a day or two.

Opening my laptop I email my professors telling them there is a family emergency that I have to attend and that I will be back by the weekend. If there is any work or assignments please email them to me and I will pass them in immediately. It's the best I can do and hopefully it's enough. Packing a bag I take my text books, a couple of changes of clothes, and my wallet and cell. My plane leaves in two hours so I book it to the airport.

I do wish Cor was a little more involved with the Scoobs leaving without knowing if the danger is immediate is a little aggravating. I am going to be missing all of my classes for at least three days. Thankfully my chem. Lab was yesterday. We are only allowed to miss three labs and then you fail. I've yet to miss one and I would rather not miss any.

The flight to L.A is tedious but relatively short. Getting out of the plane I go straight out the airport. I've only brought my back pack and one carry-on bag. I find it's easier to travel light unlike Cor and her luggage. Hailing a taxi I give directions to the bus station. It's a large enough expense taking a plane out here I can't afford to take a taxi all the way to Sunnydale. Hoping on to the bus I am almost anxious to get to Sunnydale. There is no point going in to the school today since it's already 8pm and it's going to take another two hours to get to Sunnydale.

The ride felt torturous to say the least. Hoping out I make my way to the motel and get amazingly enough my old room. There is a bit of irony here I swear to it. Tossing my bag on to the only remaining chair in the room I curse my lack of forth thought. I should have remembered to bring some sheets. There is no way that I am sleeping in between those sheets. Who knows how many people have slept in them since they were last washed. No thanks. Looks like I will be spending the night on top of the covers.

Reaching for the phone I give Cor a buzz and let her know I am in town. She tells me to stop by in the morning and walk her to school. Giving a grunt in reply I hang up and go back outside. The stake I brought with me didn't show or get confiscated when I went through security. I wish I had taken my time before leaving home. Now I am here in Sunnydale with only one stake and no other weapons. That's just great.

Walking to the school I figure there is no time like the present to get me at least one or two knives. Two ways going to the school can go; one I see Giles or two I don't. Either way works for me. The walk is a bit long but the streets are clear. My senses are quiet so I know that neither Buffy nor any of the creepies are near me.

Breaking into the library is easy enough. The whole school is closed and it seems Giles has gone home for the night. Must not be as big an apocalypse as I thought since he isn't spending the night here. Going to the back office I find his weapons chest and take my pick. First choice is a nice eight inch knife, strong base, well made and sharp. Second comes a small sword, taking out a harness I remove my shirt and strap it on along with the sword. If the sisterhood is out and about I want more than one knife on my person. Closing the chest I put it back in place and sneak back out of the library. Time for patrol.

Walking through Shady heights I am grateful Sunnydale has twelve cemeteries. It makes it a lot less likely that I will run in to Buffy. Searching the ground I find the occasional good piece of wood. Picking them up I take them along with me until I find a good tomb to sit on. Taking a seat I begin whittling. Unlike other towns I know here in SunnyD even sitting down and waiting will get me at least one vampire.

Whittling away I work through four stakes before a vampire spots me and comes over for a visit. Amazingly enough it is the one vampire I would rather not see.

"Faith?" He asks as if wondering whether or not he is seeing a mirage. Looking closely at the vampire in front of me I realize that in a way he is. The only time he's met me it was when I was trying to kill him. I suppose that was not the best introduction. Releasing a sigh I figure I might as well let the water flow under the imaginary bridge.

"Ya wanna sit down?" I ask wondering whether or not he'll risk coming closer.

"Buffy has been worried about you." He tells me as he sits down. My heart takes a small leap at the words but I know she only has eyes for him.

"Of course she is." I tell him and let out a bit of sarcasm. I feel for this guys a bit. I know I do. He cared about me at least a little bit. He tried more than the others and for that I have to give him props. I may never really like him or respect him all that might but I do respect and like a little.

"She is." He states simply and I wonder how long he can stay quiet. In the future it's always me who initiate the conversation. This time I'd like to know how long it takes before he talks.

Ignoring Angel completely I put down the stake I just finished and pick up a longer branch that I found. Normally I would just break it down and make multiple stakes but I figure I got a lot of time to kill before sunrise might as well make something different. Slowly working out the wood I shape it to look vaguely like a cane.

"Faith? Where have you been?" Wow he actually managed to stay quiet for a whole half hour I think. I've got the rough shape done so I know it's been a while. I am rather impressed. I may feel comfortable with him, in my own way, but I know he is not even remotely comfortable with me. Strangely that makes me smile.

"That's not your business Fang. It never was and it never will be. You worry bout your girl and I'll worry bout myself." I state simply. Strangely I hold a little more respect for him. Pity he is a vampire. I have to give him props for being around me, I could easily have staked him already. He is either a little dumber than I thought or braver. The bit of me he has seen was kicking his ass, takes a lot of nerve to come to me in a cemetery without any witnesses. Hell I could stake him right now and Buffy would never even know.

"True but I am here for you if you need someone to talk to. Being a slayer is lonely enough you shouldn't encourage it." He tells me while placing his hand lightly on my shoulder. Shifting quickly I grab one of my new stakes and slam him flat on the tomb. Holding the stake over his unbeating heart I stare him in the eye.

"Fang you have a lot of balls laying your hands on me but don't let your courage get ahead of you. I could stake your ass right now and no one would be the wiser. No one knows I'm in town yet and no one would suspect me. You might have Buffy wrapped around your little finger cause you fucked her but you don't have me. I don't like the fact that you're a vampire; honestly I don't really like you. Next time you decide to give a little speech about the life of a slayer; don't. I don't want to hear your diatribes, advice, or complaints. I may tolerate you, I may even save your existence one day, but I will not allow you to touch me or become buddy fucking buddy with me." Getting up I release him and wipe my hands as if I touched something slimy. "Go on your merry fucking way and leave me be."

Nodding slightly I watch him get up and walk away. God, what a douche bag. To think she let that thing mount her. I shudder at the mere thought. His cold flesh touching me was enough to make me want to vomit. True I went to him once, he held me in comfort once, he fed from me once, but not this time.

Returning to my seat I pick up the cane I was working on. Sad that I didn't bring out any sandpaper otherwise I could have made a really nice cane. Working over the wood I make a couple of designed engravings of vines going from the bottom of the cane to the head. It's time consuming and enjoyable. Getting as far as I can on the cane I move on to the stakes. Normally I wouldn't bother to do any engravings or designs but I have time to waste. Stake after stake I work a design, something that I find meaningful to me. By the time I finish my last stake the sun has risen. Looks like I was right in my assumption that at least one vampire would pass me by sadly it was the wrong one.

"Morning sunshine you ready for school?" I ask Cor with a big smile on my face.

"Yes though I wish I was even a bit as cheery as you are." She says while giving me a hug then taking her coffee. "Have you been to sleep yet?" She asks even though she knows the answer. Shaking my head in response I start walking and let her fall in to step. She knows about the nightmares but she also knows that I tend to sleep better when she sleeps with me. We are so border line relationship sometimes. I wish she was a bit bi instead of straight laced. Well you can't have everything.

"Guess who I saw last night?" I ask her with a devious little smile.

"Who?"

"Angel, he approached me while I was wasting the night away at Shady Heights. It was an interesting encounter to say the least. I swear if it weren't for the fact that I know he is a champion of good I would have staked his ass. Fuck the temptation was so bitterly sweet. I had him under me for a second and in the back of my mind I wondered at how easy it would be to make him disappear. I thought fuck the consequences but then my brain came back to work and I told him to fuck off. I don't think I will ever have another perfect opportunity. Oh well." Releasing a sigh and a small smile I look over at Cor and see a surprised mildly shocked look on her face.

"Well it's a good thing you didn't kill him I guess. Though after last year I am not sure I would be too sorry. I think the whole vampire-slayer relationship is about as healthy as your relationship with Buffy. Overall I say you are all emotionally stunted individuals who need a reality check." There's my Cordelia always down with the sound advice. Chuckling lightly I let silence fall between us.

Walking in to the school I give her a small hug goodbye and walk to the library. She still wants some space from the Scooby gang so I won't press her to come with me. She is still healing from Xander and Willow's betrayal. Entering the library I see the gang en masse. The look on their faces is rather priceless. It's as if they are seeing a ghost.

"Nice of you to join us Faith," Xander says with sarcasm dripping from his tongue like honey.

Turning a bit I look him straight in the eye and focus all of my attention on him. "If you would like Xander I can leave. I am sure a big strong man like you is more than capable of handling the Sisterhood of Jhe, make sure you win they like to eat the flesh of their foes that have been defeated in battle." Turning around I begin to walk back to entrance.

"Faith wait!" Buffy calls out to me, stopping me in my tracks. Turning back I look at her and wait. "How do you know about the sisterhood?" She asks a confused little pout marring her features.

"I have my sources Buffy. The hellmouth will open. However Xander over there has made it clear you don't need my help so good luck. I figure if the sisterhood doesn't eat him then the creature from the hellmouth will, pity I won't be around to watch." Turning back around I start to leave again only to be stopped by Xander.

"Faith wait, I'm sorry I didn't mean it, please come back. You know we need your help." He tells me almost pleading. Undoubtedly either Willow or Buffy kicked him under the table. Turning back again I walk towards the table again.

"Don't beg Xander it only makes you look more pathetic than you already are. Now do we know when the sisterhood is going to try to open the mouth of hell or what?" I ask already running out of patience.

"How did you determine that it was the sisterhood of Jhe?" Giles asks coming out of the office.

"As I said I have my sources. I keep my ears open thus I hear things." I tell him leaving my face blank of all emotion.

"Well I don't have a clear idea as to when it's going to happen. Honestly I didn't even know it was the sisterhood of the Jhe we were facing." He tells me while taking off his glasses and wiping them clean.

"Call me when you know the details. I'll be at the motel same room." I tell him and leave before they have a chance to ask any more questions. God I cannot stand the drama that is about to occur. I still remember fighting that beast and that spell that knocked Angel out. Buffy looked like she was going to fall apart. Lord knows this time around I am leaving before I have to witness the Buffy/Angel drama.

I spend the majority of the day in my motel room sleeping. I wake up to the sound of the phone ringing next to me.. "Someone better be dead or dying." I answer.

"Faith it's happening tonight. I need you at the library as soon as possible." I hear Giles say before he hangs up. Well that was fast. Looking at the clock I see it's past eight. I hadn't thought I would sleep that long, must have needed it though.

Getting up I hop into the shower and get dressed. Pulling on the small sword's harness I sheath it put on my jacket and slide the knife into my boot, two stakes in my waistband and I am ready to go. The walk to the school is uneventful and I am mildly surprised. Getting into the library I find Willow, Angel, Buffy, and Giles waiting. Looks like it's time for business. Everything is drawn and the furniture has already been moved along with Oz I see. Walking to the weapons closet I pull out a larger sword and signal to Giles that I am ready.

He hesitates for a minute and I know that he is debating whether or not to attempt talking to me. Letting out a small smile I wait for all hell to break loose and am not disappointed when it does. For what feels like days but could only have been hours or less we fight the beast. Heads going in every direction it's a battle to control it and keep it from coming out too far. I see Buffy flying past me and I hear her shouting directions at me.

Focusing my attention on the beast I keep it contained to the best of my ability. Giles is chanting in the background and Angel is fighting a sister from the Jhe. Overall it is chaos pure and simple. Time flashes by and as I am thrown and tossed about in the waves of violence I wonder how in the world I survived this once. Finally I hear the last of the incantation and the beast has been bound and retreating. Looking over I see Angel and Buffy bending over him tears dripping down her face. Not wanting to deal with this a second time. I lift my sore ass up and walk out. I have better things to do then watch unnecessary drama. And just like last time they don't even notice that I am gone.