Disclaimer: Everything except original characters belong to Joss Whedon and all that. Quote in summary belongs to One Republic.

Summary: "Whenever your world starts crashing down, that's where you'll find me." The portal is closed and to all who knew her, Buffy Summers is dead. But for Buffy, the real adventure is just beginning when she wakes up in a world not unlike the one she left behind.

Chapter Thirteen: Questions And Answers

Everyone had about a gazillion questions for her, but Buffy refused to answer anything until she had a hot shower. She stayed under the water for as long as she could, just happy to be back in her own house. With her own things. And her own clothes! When she was done, she'd climbed out and dried off, then changed into a simple white blouse and khaki pants. Her long hair was put into a ponytail and she literally skipped down the stairs to find her friends lounging in the living room, talking amongst themselves.

She bounced over to the couch and flopped down between Willow and Dawn, accepting the fourth hug from her little sister. She pushed light brown strands out of her blue eyes and then smiled. "Okay. One question at a time please because I--I'm still a little out of it. Buffy's brain equals swirly mess."

Giles decided to go first since he was the oldest and most knowledgeable. "Where were you?"

She chuckled lowly. "This is gonna sound weird but, Sunnydale. I woke up in this alternate dimension that was Sunnydale. At first I thought I was going coo coo for cocoa puffs, but I wasn't. I was...there."

He arched a brow, intrigued. "An alternate Sunnydale? Dear lord, what was it like?"

"Just like this. Well not exactly like this but for the most part. It was of the strange." She waved her hands as she spoke. "Apparently the Buffy there died when she went up against the Master. Everyone was a little wigged when they saw me."

"Everyone?" Willow asked, confused.

She nodded. "Yeah. There was a Willow, Xander, Tara, Anya and a Giles. A Magic Box and--it was like home but not. There were small differences." Or big ones where Faith was concerned.

"Wow..." The Wicca breathed. "An--and here we thought you were dead. Being tortured in some weird hell place."

"Why did you think I was dead?"

"Because there was no body. And we couldn't find your energy on this plane."

"How did you bring me back? The Scoobies there said there wasn't a way..."

"It wasn't easy. We researched up the butt and even beat up those little lepery guys who used to hang with Glory. Finally one of those spilled his guts on her home world, and we were able to practice opening portals with the information he'd given us. After a few um...mishaps we got it right. Dawn's blood was a big help too...pin pointing stuff."

"Thank you for coming through for me. It's really good to be home. It was nice there but well..."

Dawn touched her shoulder tentatively. "I wasn't there, was I?"

Buffy smiled sadly. "I don't think so. I never saw you, bu--but you could have been somewhere else. They didn't have to fight Glory though, they fought some other Hell God who wanted a different key." She paused, chewing on her bottom lip. "I hope they know what's happened to me and aren't worried. If it hadn't been for them, I probably would have went bonkers."

Xander rubbed his hands together. "So this other me--what was he like?"

She snorted playfully. "Like you. Except he was a mechanic I think. Seriously guys, they were like mirror images in a way."

"I find it very disturbing that there is another me running around out there somewhere. What if she turns evil and comes here, and tries to kill me?" Anya frowned deeply. "Who is going to protect me from myself? And how will you know which is which?"

"She hated squirrels." The blonde mused.

"Ooh, well that's perfect. You could just get a squirrel and whichever one of us runs, is the evil one." She grinned at her plan. "Yay! I'm safe!"

Buffy snickered, stifling a yawn. "Least I wasn't stuck there for years like I'd started to think I'd be. A few weeks wasn't so bad."

Her sister gazed at everyone, then cleared her throat. "Um, Buffy? You were gone almost five months."

What?! "What? I'm sorry, what?"

She nodded slowly. "Yeah. It--well like Willow said it was hard trying to find out where you were. It took us a while."

"I--but it wasn't that long there. Are you sure it was that long?"

"Yeah. We've been counting. We worked as fast as we could because of the whole thought you were in hell thing, but it couldn't be rushed."

Five months. Five long months. She knew time went differently in dimensions but that was just another level of insane. While it had been a near walk in the park for her, everyone else had been stressed for quite a while. She could feel the guilt creeping up her spine, threatening to run across her chest. It was calling her a stupid head for once wanting to never come home.

"I'm glad that all of you guys are okay. I--I was worried about you." A little lie never hurt anyone. "You didn't slay while I was gone, did you?"

"We did until the Buffy Bot got destroyed." Xander shook his head. "Poor little thing went up like a toaster when this demon cut into her wires or something. Willow tried to fix her but it was no use."

Dawn pouted. "I miss her. But at least Spike was here to help with the demons and stuff."

Ack. Him. "Oh...right." Subject change. "Well I guess I can get back into the swing of things soon. Fighting evil and all that girlie stuff."

The former Key rubbed her cheek, then placed her hands in her lap. "Um I--thank you. For like, my life. I've been wanting to say that for the longest time. What you did for me was so amazing."

"Aww Dawnie, you're my sister. I'd do it all over again if I had to." Buffy hugged her tight, kissing her forehead. "Saving the world, it's what I do."

Giles removed his glasses with a serene expression. "Hopefully next time you won't have to launch yourself into the unknown to do it."

"Meh, next time." She made a face, then blinked. "Oh! Um, oooh..."

"What is it?" Tara inquired, speaking for the first time. "Ar--are you in pain?"

Buffy stood and moved over to the mantle, folding her arms over her chest. "I--Los Angeles. I need to go to Los Angeles as soon as possible."

Willow chewed on the inside of her cheek. "To see Angel? We--well I told him that we couldn't find you and he got all broody about it. He'd be happy to know you're alright though I'm sure. But...you could just call him on the phone."

"Yes. Angel. He's probably in mourning or something." She averted her gaze. She just didn't feel comfortable springing the Faith revelations on them yet. "I'd rather see him in person though. Show him that I'm not a zombie or that I haven't been body snatched."

"Perhaps an in person reunion would be best." Giles admitted. "When do you plan to go?"

She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Tomorrow? They have buses running regularly, right?"

Xander scowled, rolling his eyes. "So soon? But you just got back..."

"I--I know but--it's just--it's important. Not that you guys aren't, because you are. Totally are. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for the awesomeness of you." Mouth meet foot. "I just--there are things I need to get off my chest and I really feel they can't wait. I'd only--"

She was interrupted when the front door opened and Spike breezed in with his trademark black leather coat bellowing behind him. "Could have bloody told me we were done for the night. I know we aren't mates but..." He spotted the blonde and trailed off, just staring. "...Buffy?"

"Hello Spike." She offered up a small smile. He had tried to protect Dawn.

He took a step closer, still staring. "Wh--when did you--uh--how?"

"Willow. Magic. The usual." She chuckled slightly. "And about an hour ago. I hear you've been helping with the slaying; thank you. For keeping my friends safe and for looking out for Dawn."

He just nodded, apparently star struck. From his expression, she could tell all that pesky crushy love stuff was still there. That was probably gonna be a real drag in the coming days.

"Um I'm kinda beat. I guess traveling dimensions gives you killer jet lag." She thumbed to the stairs. "I'm gonna catch some zees. We can talk more tomorrow."

"Of course." Giles grinned and squeezed her arm affectionately. "I uh--I look forward to hearing more about this alternate dimension.

She figured that.

"It's great you're back, Buffy." Willow and Xander said in unison, then giggled at each other.

And just like that, things were more or less back to normal.

Yes.

The answer to the question was yes. Yes she did feel like the gum on someone's shoe for leaving her friends so soon after just getting home, but she knew she had to see Faith while her back bone wasn't squishy. Besides they were fine, and she wasn't sure she could say the same for the other Slayer. Five months had passed...anything could happen in that time period. Maiming and death were the highest on her list. Besides everyone understood her connection to Angel, so no one really put up much of a fuss when she expressed overt interest in seeing him. And it wasn't like she was gonna be gone long. A few hours at the most.

However she had a problem that was bigger than the goo goo eyes Spike had given her the previous night. She had no idea what jail Faith was in or how to go about seeing her, so she'd have to ask someone with knowledge on the matter.

She'd have to talk to Angel and either give him a Pinocchio type fib, or tell the truth. To be honest she hadn't decided which to go with yet. It depended on how he reacted to seeing her and everything.

The bus ride had given her a while to think though about everything. And she'd come to the conclusion that she thought too much. Also that bus bathrooms were totally disgusting and that all of the Purell in the world would never change that.

Team Angel knew she was coming; she'd called ahead so that someone would be on hand to give her a lift. She just prayed it wasn't Cordelia. She'd really had her fill of her for one decade.

So now here she was, standing near a bench outside of the drop off point, with her hands stuffed into the pockets of her stylish white jacket. She didn't have any bags since this wasn't an over night visit. Chewing on the inside of her cheek, her brows knit together as a vintage black convertible pulled up to the curb and a young black man hopped out. He glanced around and then spotted her, smoothing a hand over his bald head.

"Yo. You Buffy?" He asked, shrugging at his gray hoodie.

She nodded. "Yeah. Are you Gunn?"

"The one and only." He grinned and shook her hand. "Angel sent me to pick ya up. You ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Smiling, she followed him to the car and climbed in, putting on her seat belt. "So how are things at Angel Investigations?"

He turned the engine, threw up the gear and took off. "Same old same old really. A lot of kickin' ass and takin' names later. Glad you're alive cause Big A has been hella depressed since he got the news. Ran off to be with the monks or some shit."

Geeze. "I'm glad to be alive too, though technically I never died. It--it's a long story."

"I'm sure he'll be all ears." He chuckled and turned a corner, continuing down the street until he came to a large hotel.

Buffy blinked; this wasn't the tiny office she remembered. "He owns a hotel now?"

Gunn nodded as they got out. "Yup. It ain't the Ritz but it works. C'mon." He lead her inside and through the glass doors to the lobby. "Yo! We got a visitor!"

The first person that Buffy saw was Wesley as he stepped out of a back office in a button down blue shirt and white slacks. He smiled at her and came over, giving her a hug. "Hello Buffy. It's very nice to see you."

"Hey. It's good to see you too." She replied.

"Giles told me briefly about this alternate dimension. I'd be quite interested in picking your brain about it." He said, rubbing his hands together.

"Um...okay. Maybe later." She chuckled, noticing Cordelia.

The brunette strolled into the room, her hair short yet cute. "Hey Buffy. Heard you were like, dead or whatever. How did that work out for you?"

The blonde sighed. "Good. Apparently because I'm standing here." She paused. "So, where's Angel? I really need to talk to him."

"He's probably up in his room drawing more pathetic pictures of you." Cordelia shook her head. "Third door on the left. It's the master suite so I'm sure you'll be able to find it."

Buffy started up the stairs and walked slowly down the hallway, preparing herself for what was to come. She came to said door and knocked softly, hearing a low voice tell her to come in. Inhaling deeply, she turned the knob and did so.

Angel sat in a chair in the corner of the room, staring at nothing. When she walked inside, he stood abruptly and gazed at her intensely. He wore all black as usual, his expression stoic. "Buffy."

"Hi." She said timidly. "Not dead, see?"

He crossed the space in seconds and hugged her tightly, inhaling the smell of her hair. She returned the hug, resting her head to his chest. "It's nice to see you too."

"Are you alright?" He tipped up her chin. "Willow told me that they couldn't find you."

"Yeah I--the portal sent me to this other dimension but I got better." She chuckled, pulling away from him gently. Didn't wanna give him the wrong idea. "It was just like Sunnydale but not."

Tilting his head to the side, he studied her. "I'm glad that you are alright. Though you look like a woman on a mission..."

Okay, here goes. "Angel I--I know our last conversation wasn't exactly full of perk. Mom had just died and I was feeling very needy. An--and we kissed and...I want you to know I'm grateful that you showed up. It really helped. I probably would have fell to pieces even more if it hadn't been for you." They both knew the but was coming. "I--um--I need your help."

"What's wrong?" He inquired.

Fiddling with her fingers, she sighed. "I...I need to see Faith. It's important."

He arched a brow. "You want to see Faith...? Why?"

"Because--cause while I was away I had a dream about her and it made me really wanna see her." She admitted. "I wanna know that she is alright. And I know that I wanted to beat her the last time I saw her but, things change. I've decided to give her a second chance."

Angel blinked, stunned for a moment. "We--I--good. That's...good."

"Can you take me to see her?"

"Now?"

"Uh, yeah. I--I have to be home tonight because I promised Dawn I'd spend some time with her."

"That's quite a long drive, Buffy. And it's daylight so..."

"Oh. Oh. Ca--can someone else take me?"

"You honestly want to see her, don't you?" He questioned and she nodded. "Alright I'll take you. My car has tinted windows so I should be okay. You'll be searched thoroughly and you'll have to sign in."

"Okay." Buffy reached out and took his hand. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. And on the drive up, you can tell me what caused this miraculous change of heart." He smirked a little.

Jeepers.

She'd never been to a prison before. She'd never even drove past one on her way to somewhere. Yet here she was, outside of the scary looking jail with its high barb wire fences and its tall watch tower. She could just barely make out a tough looking woman with a rifle as she paced from one side of the tower to the other. The front of the area looked like any other building, with cars in the parking lot and employees going about their day.

Buffy sat in the front seat of Angel's vehicle, staring at the entrance. She stretched her restless legs the best she could and sighed. Just as she was about to open the door and head inside, fear clamped around her heart and started to squeeze. She started thinking on all the ways this could go wrong. How there could be yelling and name calling. Or worse, what if she were strip searched!

"I--I change my mind." She stammered, gripping her seat belt. "I can't do this."

The vampire with a soul glanced at her. "You can. Just relax. We've come too far for you to chicken out now."

"But maybe I am a chicken. A big fat chicken with feathers who is afraid to cross the road." She rambled. "What if I go in there an--and totally lose my cool? Go off on her or something?"

"That won't happen." He sounded so sure. "From everything you have told me, it seems like you've honestly forgiven her. Seeing her won't change that."

To pass the time, she and Angel had talked about nearly everything. Riley leaving and how he'd almost lost his faith in the forces of good. They touched briefly on the events after her mother's funeral and then how it had felt to be sucked into a portal that felt like it was burning the skin off your bones. She told him all about Alter Sunnydale and the Alter Scoobies, and a little about stable Faith. She told him that was one of the reasons why she wanted to make amends, because she'd seen how things could have made all the difference.

The having feelings for her stuff was left out on purpose.

He of course was happy with her change of heart, as she had suspected.

"I'm so nervous. I--I don't think I've ever been this nervous before." She thought on it. "I might throw up."

He chuckled. "Open the door first please. I just got the seats done." Cracking a grin, he put his hands on the steering wheel. "Maybe she will be happy to see you..."

"Maybe..." She whispered. "I want to see her but then I think about how I...lied to everyone. Actually I just let them think that I was coming to solely visit you. It's their fault for jumping to conclusions. Anyway how can I be all gung ho about talking to her when I'm lying to my bestest buds?"

"To protect them? Perhaps even her. After what she did, easing them into things would be best."

"I guess. Can't you like, throw a blanket over your head and run in with me?"

"No. I'd be smoking or either on fire, and that won't make a good impression with the guards."

"What if they like fire? It is pretty and keeps you warm in the winter."

"Buffy..."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm going. You're mean."