Ch. 12
The LA crew stood a little to the side as the Sunnydale gang looked at the burnout shell that was (and they actually admitted it) the best years of their life.
"What
happened?" Fred asked.
"We burnt it down." Cordy exclaimed.
"I can't believe you made me miss this B."
Everyone spun around and saw Faith standing behind them. Buffy's jaw dropped and she ran to give the younger slayer a hug, which she returned.
"Faith when did
you get out?"
"I really don't know."
"Huh?"
"I fell asleep and a voice told me that I was needed. Next thing I know I'm
standing here. I figure it's a good thing I'm here though. I once told you that
you couldn't save the world if you're in jail. I didn't think I'd ever see the
two bands of warriors here together. What's going down?"
"Apocalypse." Angel stated.
"Party. Lemme guess, all the big bad are commin' back
and you have to fight them again to win."
"Yeah." Buffy smiled.
"God I hoped you were going to tell me it wasn't that bad."
"Sorry."
"This is it."
"No it's not. We'll win."
"No this is it for me."
"Faith. I'm not going to stab you again."
"Buffy. I'm a mistake. Kendra should never have been called. It's because of
her I'm the slayer. It's not right. The Powers have decided to take away my
powers. I've been inactive for so long they've decided that I'm not needed.
It'll be back to the chosen one. You."
Buffy hugged the younger slayer.
"Are you okay?"
"Actually yeah. I realised that I loved the slaying just a little too much. In
prison I had to fight to stay alive. I don't want that anymore. What I do want
is for my life to be slightly normal."
"I'll accept that as long as you realise that we are here as friends and we
love you. Well at least Angel and I do."
"So do I." Dawn said coming up.
"No matter what you will always have a family."
"Thanks B. Now let's kick some ass."
"That's the Faith I know." Buffy and Faith headed over to the gang
"Look who's back on the clock."
Fred, Gunn and Doyle all greeted Faith like she was their sister. Everyone else however were a little more hesitant. Finally Giles went up to her.
"You have hurt
everyone here very much Faith. Buffy especially, and that isn't something that
I am willing to forget easily. But the last 24 hours have proven to me that
forgiveness is the key to peace. So I will happily forgive you. Plus Buffy's
smiling and there is nothing that I want more."
"Thanks Giles. Guy's I really am sorry. I personally think that having my
powers stripped is punishment enough but I will more than fully understand if
you never want to talk to me again."
Willow came up and hugged Faith.
"I really like
you. But if you hurt my friends again you're in big trouble."
"Sure thing Red."
The rest of them hugged Faith in turn and each forgave her.
"Okay guys." Buffy stated. "Let's rock and roll."
