CHAPTER FOURTEEN:
The Morning After

The morning sun was beaming in through the skylight filling the bedroom with light. Faith could feel the warming sun on her skin as she struggled to stay asleep. She felt the bed shifting and a part of her noted that it must mean that Michael was awake and getting up. Her mind and body struggled as she was quite content and comfortable to stay in bed. Finally opening her eyes, she blinked to clear away the sleep and focus on her surroundings.

Was it all a dream?

Rolling over, she quickly noted that Michael was no longer in bed. He was on the other side of the room with his back to her, doing some stretching exercises. She propped her head up with her hand, watching him quietly as he moved in slow graceful movements. She recognized some of the movements he was doing. They looked like a combination tai chi with several different martial arts mixed in.

She found herself enthralled watching him going through his exercises… it didn't hurt the view he was only in shorts. Her body stirred with desire as memories from last night played over again in her mind. Michael rudely interrupted her X-rated thoughts, "Why don't you get up and join me. These exercises are good for getting the circulation moving. They're based on some of the hand-to-hand combat techniques taught to Spartans and other UNSC special forces. It probably wouldn't hurt you to learn some new moves," he said while continuing through his exercises.

Faith shifted positions, yawning and stretching her arms as Michael stopped and turned towards her, "I'm not a morning person. Besides, the only moves I'm thinking of right now only work in bed," she said, smirking. Michael's sudden blushing at her comments caught her by surprise.

Damn! I actually made this walking demigod blush! Who would've thought it possible…?

Michael studied her, taking in her body. Watching her stretch, and the way she was lying in bed with the morning sun streaming in around her was one of the most beautiful sights he'd ever seen. His pulse quickened as he hungrily devoured the sight of her. He contemplated her offer when another female voice interrupted his X-rated thoughts.

"Ahem... If the two of you could put your hormones on hold, we do have lots of work and training to prepare for. You know, protect the world from ending and so on."

"Thanks, Adriana. Without you I would have completely forgotten the world was ending," Michael said sarcastically, sighing.

Faith shook her head slowly, "How, and why do you put up with that?" she asked, trying to understand the dynamics between Michael and Adriana.

"We've been through a lot together over the years. She's my best friend, and she's also saved my ass on several occasions," Michael replied, shrugging.

"And such a pretty ass it is," Faith said leering at him, "You guys argue like an old married couple."

Michael snorted, he'd never thought of his relationship with Adriana in those terms, "Maybe we do, but as in most cases, Adriana is right. We have a lot of work and training to do, but..."

"But, what?" Faith replied, looking a little puzzled.

"Right now, I think we can allocate some time for some… oh… one-on-one, hand-to-hand combat training," he said, moving towards the bed with a knowing smile on his face.

Faith quickly picked up on what kind of training he had in mind, "I think I can get on board with that," she replied, adding her own smile.

oOoOo

"So, Faith and Iron Man are knocking boots... riding the big wave... taking a pleasure cruise."

"Knock it off, Xander!" Buffy replied, cutting off his further commentary on the change in the household situation.

It probably didn't help that his room is the closest to Michael's room. If I heard them, then he certainly did, she thought, having some mixed emotions about the situation. Buffy sighed, even in a large building like this privacy was still a scarce commodity.

"Are you saying that Faith and Michael did the nasty?" Willow asked in a shocked voice.

Xander always enjoyed seeing Willow looking shocked, it was a reminder of more innocent times. He took it as an opening to continue, "It wasn't just the nasty… it was some super freaky nasty!"

"Enough... Please," a seemingly always composed voice spoke out, "Can we have a quiet breakfast without engaging in idle speculation and gossip of what other people are doing?"

"But, Giles it is tradition... Nay… I say it is an obligation to gossip about what is going on behind closed doors and with who," Xander answered, relishing his role.

"Whom…" Willow added.

"What?" Xander said, staring at Willow.

"You meant to say 'behind closed doors and with whom'," Willow said, flashing a small grin knowing how Xander hated to be corrected.

The last thing concerning Xander was proper English grammar usage, "Whatever!" he said, shaking his head and shrugging.

Buffy decided to put an end to this conversation, "Either way it isn't any of our business what Faith and Michael do behind closed doors. I've never seen her happy like this before, so we should just be happy for the both of them…" she paused for a moment. She couldn't help herself as an evil twinkle sparkled in her eyes, "Though, she did mention the sex was mind blowing."

Giles and Xander, both choked and coughed in surprise and shock at Buffy's comment. Willow had a more contemplative look mixed in with her shock.

oOoOo

After breakfast, Buffy, Xander, Anya, Willow and a large group of Potentials were in the exercise/training areas. Buffy was supervising from the sidelines, keeping an eye on everyone as one Potential — named Kennedy — led the group through exercises and then some self-defense training moves.

Satisfied that Kennedy had things well in hand, Buffy got on with her own workout. She found an empty spot to do some stretching. A small smile flashed on her face seeing Willow off to the side. Her friend was here more to provide moral support rather than engage in any physical activity. She couldn't help noticing her friend seemed to be more interested in checking out Kennedy as the two of them kept exchanging glances. Buffy saw Anya was also down here and like Willow was here in a moral support role. Her support and attention focused on Xander as he worked up a sweat, doing a light weight workout.

Anya spoke out, interrupting Xander's count while he was in the middle of doing arm curls, "Why aren't you using those weights over in that other corner?"

Xander sighed, shaking his head at Anya's impeccable timing, "You're kidding? Those weights start out at 500lbs and go up to 2000lbs," he said. Putting down his weights, he unconsciously flexed his arms, "Those are more like a Buffy-Slayer-type weight set."

Everyone's workout and conversations came to a sudden stop as Faith came into the training area. They couldn't help noticing the huge smile on her face along with what almost seemed to be a bounce in her step as she walked across the room.

It hadn't taken long for word to spread fast about Faith and the Spartan hooking up. Xander hadn't been the only one that had heard what had gone on behind closed doors the previous night. It now had become a main topic of discussion and gossip among all the residents. As Faith made her way across the training room, the whispers and murmuring started as everyone's focus was on the Slayer. A moment later the conversations and gossip took on a different tone as Michael entered the training area...

This was the first time that anyone (other than Faith) had seen Michael completely out of his armor. Everyone stared at the tall, massively built, walking mountain of a man coming into the training area wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

"Yowzers!" Anya muttered, looking the Spartan up and down checking him out. Her gaze shifted over to Faith. Noting the smile and happy look on her face, her gaze shifted back to Michael. A slight twinge of jealousy flowed through her as her imagination wandered. Her wandering thoughts were quickly interrupted.

"Thanks a lot for the vote of confidence and for my self-esteem!" Xander said sarcastically, observing the look on Anya's face. He couldn't help but suddenly feel very inconspicuous and small also seeing Faith's happy look and Michael's appearance.

"Huh? Did you say something…?" Anya said absently as her eyes continued to take in Michael. It was only when Xander cleared his throat that Anya glanced towards him and noticed the look on his face. A twinge of guilt hit her, but she turned back to Michael, her thoughts still running wild with fantasies, "Oh, Xander… you have nothing to worry about. I'm sure he is probably just like any person… Any person with god-like powers you would expect out of Greek mythology," her voice sounding distant.

"Great," Xander said sarcastically, rolling his eyes and shaking his head slowly. Faith and Michael, ignoring the looks they were drawing, found a space and did stretching exercises together. Xander suddenly noticed Anya wasn't the only woman in the room checking Michael out and getting the same dreamy look as her. Resigning himself to the futility of the situation, Xander shrugged and let out another sigh.

"I'm sure that a big guy like him isn't that flexible," Willow said. She'd seen the look on her friend's face and moved over to console him. Despite her own sexual preferences, she found she couldn't help herself as she studied the Spartan. She found losing her train of thought as they watched her statement proven wrong.

"Uh... Willow... You may want to wipe that drool from the corner of your mouth," Xander said wryly, observing his friend match the same look as his ex-girlfriend.

It took a moment for Willow to realize what she was doing. She blushed quite profusely while quickly wiping her mouth with her sleeve. She avoided making eye contact with a smirking Xander or anyone else while she regained her composure.

Everyone in the room continued to watch as Michael finished his warm up and moved over to the heavy weight set. Eyes went wide when he setup the bench weights for 900lbs. She saw how everyone was checking out Michael and beamed a self-satisfying smile. Faith made her way over to Buffy, fighting the urge to shout out, "Yeah! That's right! I'm hitting that!" The smile was still there as she stood beside Buffy. They both watched as Michael began his workout with the weights.

"He is sure a nice piece of eye candy… wouldn't you say so?" Faith said teasingly. Buffy ignored the ribbing from Faith and tried to focus on her stretching exercises, but like everyone else she found her glances drifting to the Spartan.

"Looks aren't everything," Buffy replied, but sounding not too convincing as her eyes wandered up and down Michael.

"Yeah, but it helps," Faith replied still teasing noticing the look on Buffy's face.

A mesmerized Buffy watched as Michael easily lifted the 900lbs for a quick set. Her eyes went wide as he increased the weight to 1500lbs, "Now, he's just showing off," she said trying to brush off what she was watching. She experienced a growing twinge of jealousy as she now gave Michael a hard serious look. His muscles drew her eyes as they strained and flexed, pushing the insanely amount of weight. Her mind began wandering down some unexpected paths as some pretty explicit and X-rated imagery flashed in her thoughts. She wasn't a prude. She knew what had gone on in Michael's room… her room wasn't that much farther away than Xander's.

Faith's reply shook off the fantasizing, "Maybe, but that is damn impressive! Oh, B… you have a bit of drool in the corner there. You might want to wipe that," she said teasingly.

oOoOo

"Afternoon, everyone... Rupert."

"Hello, Spike," Giles muttered out in the stereotypical British reserved and somewhat polite tone, trying to hold back his disdain and contempt for the vampire.

Spike may have a soul now, but he's still a pain in the ass, Giles thought.

It was late afternoon, but Spike was just waking up from his sleep. He stretched and yawned as he walked across the kitchen to the fridge. It didn't take him long to find the container full of pig's blood and pour himself a mug of blood. He watched anxiously as the microwave warmed the blood. As soon as the microwave timer went off, he quickly removed the mug and took a long gulp. As he swallowed, he grimaced at the mug and reflexively held it at arm's length. He always found it a ghastly tasting drink, but it was better than the alternative.

"Anything happen while I was asleep?" he asked, taking another sip and grimacing again.

"Do you have to do that in front of us?" Giles said, not hiding the disgust in his voice this time.

"Do my feeding habits bother you? Well Rupert, you can go take a sodding leap," Spike replied in a light tone, taking another sip of his drink making sure that Giles saw him.

Xander jumped in to add his hate and disdain towards Spike, "Why don't you take your drink outside...? Oh wait you can't! You'll burst into flames. Here let me hold the door open for you," he said sarcastically, motioning towards the doorway.

"Sod off, mouth breather!"

"Well, at least I can breathe!" Xander replied angrily.

"That the best you can come up with!" Spike laughed derisively. There was the temptation to add that Anya hadn't minded he couldn't breathe when he did her in the Magic Shop. Buffy read where things were heading and stepped in.

"Enough you two!" her harsh voice conveying how tired she was of always having to play referee.

Both men looked anxiously at Buffy. They took on sheepish expressions as they mumbled "sorry" to her. There was a long moment of silence before Spike spoke.

"Did anyone hear loud noises last night?"

Spike's question caught the others off-guard. Buffy and Xander looked at each other with disbelief and then looked at Spike before looking at each other again. They both cracked smiles with Xander fighting hard to keep from breaking out into laughter.

Spike looked at Buffy and Xander in confusion as their smiles grew bigger, "What? I was watching a movie on one of those big tellies and I thought I heard something," his confusion and frustration grew as Buffy and Xander started to lose control.

"What?" Spike asked angrily at apparently being left out of the joke.

Giles found it hard to control himself too as the edges of his mouth curled upwards, hinting at the beginning of a smile. It took all his self-control to not laugh at Spike's predicament. He cleared his throat to regain his self-control. This had the bonus of getting Buffy and Xander to calm down... somewhat for the moment. He tried to think of a tactful way to explain the current situation between Faith and Michael. It was painfully obvious that Buffy and Xander were in no condition to say anything without bursting into laughter.

"It appears there have been some recent changes in some of the social dynamics between Faith and Michael," Giles said in a straight voice.

Spike gave Giles a strange look, "What are you going on about?" he asked, sounding even more confused.

Giles suddenly felt decidedly uncomfortable having to find the words to describe the situation between Faith and Michael, "Well... Uh... It seems Faith and... um... Michael have... um."

As he tried to explain, Giles unconsciously used his hands as he stuttered to explain, making awkward motions with them. The awkward hand movements mixed with his stuttering attempts to explain caused Buffy and Xander to lose it. Xander had tears running down his face as he laughed. Buffy was in no better condition. Giles's awkward explanations and the others' out loud laughing caused Spike to become even more confused and frustrated.

"Spit it out, Rupert! What's going on?"

"Y-Yesss... P-Please tell him!" Xander said breathlessly between his laughing.

The timing was perfect as Faith and Michael walked into the kitchen. This was Spike's first look at the Spartan without his battle armor on, "Holy sh—," he muttered as Buffy and Xander managed to get their laughing somewhat under control.

He watched as the Slayer and Spartan went to a fridge and grabbed some drinks. It was when Michael bent over into the fridge he picked up on the noticeable leer and twinkle in Faith's eyes. She wasn't being too subtle about her behavior. His confusion soon cleared as the two turned to leave the kitchen and Faith grabbed Michael's ass causing him to give her a smirk.

The light bulb finally went off in the vampire's head as he watched the couple leave the kitchen, "Oh… They're shagging. What's the big deal?"

oOoOo

Faith was surprised when Adriana called out to her in the hallway she was walking, "Faith, please report to the conference room."

Normally, she would have questioned why she was being summoned, but her mind wasn't in a normal place. Her distraction and preoccupation was caused entirely by Michael. She'd left him in the armory, putting on his battle armor. He was "armoring up", preparing for his nightly perimeter sweep. Before getting involved with Michael, she had given no thought about the "robot" going out alone on nightly patrols. Now, it was different, and strange having to worry about him. She'd nervously paced while he suited up, but finally couldn't take it anymore, hugging and kissing a confused Michael before excusing herself.

Entering the conference room, Michael still preoccupied her thoughts, so it took her a moment, after the door closed, to realize she was alone in the room. Faith was about to turn around and leave when Adriana spoke, startling her.

"We need to talk."

The tone in the AI's voice caught Faith by surprise, "What's up, Adriana?" she asked cautiously.

Adriana's hologram appeared in the center of the conference table, startling Faith. Her cautious feeling reinforced seeing the serious look on the AI's face. She still couldn't believe how 'human' Adriana could sound and look.

"I want to talk about you and Michael."

Faith's eyes widen with surprise at the AI's bluntness, "Okay," she said hesitantly.

At least she's direct and straight to the point, she thought, studying the woman's holographic face.

"What do you want to know about us?" Faith asked, trying to keep her growing unease about where this conversation was going.

"I've known and been with Michael for 4 years, 265 days, 16 hours and 52 minutes. We've been through many combat situations and encounters during this time period. I've grown… attached to him and developed a… fondness for him. I wanted to speak to you as I want to make sure that Michael doesn't get hurt."

It took Faith a long moment to recover from her shock at Adriana's statement. She stared at the AI as her earlier comment about Michael and Adriana sounding like an old married couple replayed in her head. She heard the protectiveness and caring in the AI's voice and to say it was an eye-opener was an understatement.

When Faith didn't immediately reply, Adriana continued, "Michael told you how he became a Spartan. He's received some of the best training, education and equipment that the UNSC could provide. His training and experience allows him to deal with any combat or tactical situation..."

Faith could feel the other shoe about to drop.

"But, his exposure to and experience with emotional relationships has been quite… um… basic and limited."

"I wonder why that is?" Faith muttered, recalling how Michael became a Spartan.

"I'm not going to debate the morality and ethics of the SPARTAN-II program," Adriana said catching Faith by surprise, "In terms of human relationships and sexuality… Michael is inexperienced."

A confused and shaken Faith took several moments to gather her thoughts and digest what the AI had just said. She knew Michael had never been in a relationship before with anyone. At one time she would have made a joke or sarcastic comment at taking someone's virginity, but this was different. She actually found it now made her feel that much more special. A whirlwind of emotions and thoughts filled her... being with Michael confused her and made her happy. She didn't completely understand everything she was feeling about him. The only thing she was sure of was this was more than a one night stand or just simply fooling around.

Before she realized it, the words were coming out of her mouth, "Adriana, I love Michael… I've never known a man like him. I would never hurt him… I know he would never hurt me."

The words surprised her. For a moment she didn't believe she'd actually said something like this. She found her heart racing as her words sank in and what they meant.

I'm actually in love...! I love Michael...!

There was a long moment of silence between the two women. The more Faith thought about what she'd just said and what she was feeling, the more she was certain about it. Thinking of Michael, a smile grew on her face.

Adriana broke the silence, "Faith, from my understanding of human relationships and watching how you and Michael have interacted with each other… I believe you love him. I know more about Michael and I want you to understand who and what Michael is... he's a Spartan. He told you about the program, but do you know what that really means?"

The AI's words and tone suddenly had Faith defensive and unsure of what the AI was getting at, "What is it you're trying to tell me?"

"All I'm saying is that Michael is first and foremost what the UNSC selected, designed and trained him to be..."

"And what's that?" Faith asked hesitantly.

"A weapon…"

oOoOo

It was late, yet Faith still nervously waited in Michael's room while he was out on his perimeter sweep. She'd tried waiting in her room, but it felt strange and lonely waiting there. She moved to Michael's room as he'd invited her to stay with him. There was still a part of her hesitant and leery about crossing this line, but worrying about him and what she had said to Adriana changed her mind. She moved the few items she'd brought with her to Sunnydale to his room. She was still nervous and fearful, but she felt more comfortable being in his room… it was a room they shared. There were still faint warnings going off in her head she was going too fast. She pushed them away as she found she didn't care as she replayed her conversation with Adriana over and over in her head to keep her worries at bay.

Even though she had used the 'L-word', confusion and worry filled her as she tried to sort out her feelings towards Michael. Too many times, people she thought she loved or claimed to love her had burned her. A part of her was afraid of going down that path again.

Michael had been painfully honest about his feelings towards her, yet she hadn't told him how she really felt towards him. Now, she found herself afraid of telling him her feelings towards him. She was honest when she said she didn't want to hurt him, but she didn't want to get hurt herself. She was distracted by her thoughts and feelings, she jumped when a familiar voice from her past spoke.

"A penny for your thoughts…?"

Faith spun to face Richard Wilkins the Third, the former — now deceased — mayor of Sunnydale. Her pulse quicken as old memories and feelings raced through her. She took a moment to realize who and what she was facing.

"I was wondering if you would show up again," Faith said trying to act nonchalantly to The First Evil using the image of the long dead mayor.

"Well aren't you a firecracker! All grown up and fighting on the good guy's side now," The First smiled which sent a chill through her. The creature could read Faith and see it had scored by using her old boss/benefactor, "You know you don't belong here. They don't trust you after everything you've done. If I was them I wouldn't trust you," the apparition of Wilkins said with a light laugh.

"I've changed and you aren't him," Faith said angrily, refusing to let the old memories and guilt pull her down.

The First smiled, laughing again, "That's true... I've been dead for several years now, but my spirit lives on."

Wilkins's face took on a harder look, "You think this… man… will protect you. You think something like him can even love you! You're just fooling yourself, playing silly little girl games with your dreams of romance. He will use you and then dump you to the side. He will—"

"Why don't you stop bothering the young lady and go away," came a voice from behind, surprising Faith and interrupting The First.

"Well, here comes the hero… just in time to save the day," The First said with a sneer.

Michael moved to stand beside Faith, "It must bother you that I can sneak up on you and you can't sense me?" he said nonplussed.

The apparition of the Mayor shrugged, "I'm still mystified why that is, but I'm sure that will soon change. It's only a matter of time before my servants and followers ensure none of you will feel anything ever again. I will—"

Michael rolled his eyes, "Yap… yap… yap… That's all I hear from you! You sound so cute spouting your threats. I've faced meaner and scarier things than you in my universe," he said smirking.

Before an angry looking Mayor could retort, Michael cut him off, "You know it's late, and I want to spend some alone time with Faith. Why don't you leave and find yourself a nice street corner where you can rant from. You should just leave… now!" he said harshly.

The First appeared flustered along with angry at how it was being spoken to, "You will learn to fear me! You have no idea and cannot comprehend the power I have!"

"You talk a good game, but I've been around and seen my fair share, so I think I understand fear and death well enough. Though I look forward to your visits, don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out. Maybe next time you'll be of more substance, so I can rip you in half! Until that time… take a hike," Michael said dismissing The First with a wave of his hand.

The apparition of the Mayor directed an angry sneer at Michael and Faith before disappearing, leaving the couple alone in the room.

Faith stared at Michael in awe while shaking her head slowly in disbelief at what she had just witnessed. Surprise and relief at his arrival filled her, "You don't think maybe it's not a good idea to piss off The First Evil?"

Michael flashed a mischievous grin and shrugged, "I have that effect on some people."

Faith shook her head in disbelief as a smile lit up her face.

"What image was The First appearing to you?" Michael asked as his face took on a more serious look.

"He was as someone I knew… Mayor Wilkins was someone I worked for when I was in a really dark place. I did… things… jobs for him I'm not too proud of. Why?" Faith replied, her face taking on a more somber look recalling old painful memories.

Michael took a moment to consider this info, "At least that's better than what I see. I guess I'm lucky and get to see The First in what I can only assume is its true form. I can tell you it's not a pretty sight."

"Doesn't it bother or worry you?"

Michael shrugged nonchalantly. He planned to get Adriana to look further into why he only saw The First Evil in its true form, "I only worry about those things I can control. In combat there are too many variables and so much uncertainty you have to learn to adapt and overcome. Plus, like I said I've seen much scarier and meaner things."

Faith shuddered at the thought there were creatures worse than The First Evil. Michael came closer, wrapping his arms around her, looking into her eyes, "The First is just playing mind games with you… to mess with you, and us. It wants to undermine your resolve and determination. Just so you have no doubts," a small tender smile came to his face, "I love you… I have no doubts or hesitations," he whispered gently.

Feeling his arms and hearing his voice was all the comfort she wanted. In that moment, she found her doubts and fears ebbing to the back of her mind. Other thoughts and desires came rushing forward, "As long as you're sure," she said, flashing Michael a mischievous smile.

oOoOo

Faith and Michael were holding each other, enjoying the afterglow of sex. Holding her hand up to his hand, she was amazed at how hands that were so big and powerful could touch and caress so gently. Lying next to Michael, Faith found her conversation with Adriana again playing in her head along with earlier thoughts and worries, "Where are we going with this?" she asked.

Her sudden and unexpected question caught Michael by surprise. He suddenly found himself confused and unsure of what was going on, "Going where with what?" he asked.

Faith sat up in bed, "Us… Where is this relationship going? It's not like we're your typical normal-type couple. I don't see us ending up in a house in the suburbs with a white picket fence. I mean you being a super enhanced soldier from a future alternate universe and me being a Slayer," she said worriedly with a concerned look on her face.

Michael took a moment to consider the question as it wasn't something he'd even considered. He was lost in the moment being with Faith, enjoying all the new feelings and pleasures he was discovering being with her, "To be honest I don't know. This is all new to me," he sat up beside her, "All I've ever known is the military and war, so this whole relationship thing is confusing at times. I do know I'm happy when I'm with you. I want to enjoy every moment with you."

Faith let out a sigh. She understood where he was coming from, but at his mentioning spending moments together, other more tangible threats came to the forefront, "What about The First and the Hellmouth?"

Michael heard the worry in her voice and understood her fear. Before meeting Faith there would have been no worry, now he found the embers of worry and fear growing inside him. The thought of losing her caused a pain he hadn't experienced in such a long time, it was a vague memory. He figured that rather than worry her further, he should say something to ease it, "We'll deal with The First and anything else that comes out of there. When that's done I think we deserve some downtime. We should travel and see the world. There's so much to see and we could see it together."

This was the last thing she expected him to say, "You want to be a tourist and sight-see?" she said in disbelief.

Michael chuckled at seeing the surprised expression on her face, "Yeah… You'd be surprised. I've traveled most of the galaxy, but I never visited Earth… at least my Earth. I was born on a colony world I don't even remember… probably doesn't even exist anymore. The only place I could really call home was a planet called Reach. It was in the Epsilon Eridani System, about 10.5 light years from here."

Faith still found it hard to believe Michael had been in space and traveled across the galaxy. She found his stories fascinating, but she picked up something in his tone when he mentioned Reach, "Was?" she asked.

Michael's face took on a more somber tone as old memories returned, "Reach was a major UNSC military base with a large civilian population. It was where we did our training after being selected for the program. Reach was the second most important planet in the UNSC next only to Earth. The Covenant found Reach and they... glassed… destroyed the whole planet. It was the only home I ever really knew."

Faith saw change in his face. She could tell he was looking past her to another place… another time, "I'm sorry," she whispered, hugging him tightly. Other than some generalities, Michael hadn't really discussed the war he'd been fighting back in his universe. She found her curiosity to know more about what he'd experienced winning out, "It sounds like things weren't going well for the human race in your universe."

Michael let out a deep sigh, meeting Faith's eyes. He saw the beauty in there along with the small smile she gave him, but the memory of bodies stacked as cities and worlds burned came rushing back.

"We've been at war for such a long time... over 20 billion people dead," he didn't hear her gasp as he went on, "We would win some battles. We would score some victories, but yeah we were losing the war. So, many worlds gone… all those people dead… glassed by the Covenant! It got to the point we measured victories when we could evacuate people off planet before the Covenant killed them. We couldn't stop them!" his voice sounded flat and haunted as old memories danced in his head.

Faith had a hard time wrapping her head around what he was telling her and what he faced. Yet, she saw the haunted look in his eyes and immediately recognized the guilt he carried.

"We could kill them by the hundreds... by the thousands, but they still kept coming. Remember what I said about there being worst things than The First?"

Faith nodded, unable to speak losing herself in his story and pain.

"Despite how terrible the Covenant was, there was something even worse out there."

Faith found her voice, "Sounds like it was bad enough. How could it be worse?"

Michael snorted, "I never encountered them myself, but one of my brother Spartans… the Master Chief… he did. He found and fought something that makes all your demons, vampires and anything that your Hellmouth could spew out pale by comparison… it's called the Flood."

Despite such an innocuous name, Faith still let out a shudder. She found it hard to believe there were worse things out there, but knowing Michael she knew he wouldn't exaggerate something like this. She realized the guilt he was carrying was for not being in his universe… not being there to help uphold his mission to defend the human race. The pain and guilt he was carrying stabbed at her as she reached out and gently touched his face. He looked at her, but he was still looking past her, "Sometimes I think I should be back in my universe. They need me there," he whispered.

A wave of pain and anger flowed through Faith as she shook her head, "No! From what you said about how you got here… you didn't have any choice. If you didn't come here, you would probably be dead! No! We… I need you here!"

Faith wanted to change the topic and stop worrying about guilt, pain, demons, aliens and everything else that threatened them. She just wanted Michael to hold her and tell her he loved her. She wanted to feel his arms around her and have him make love to her, "You know you're right! Once we finish up here and kick The First's ass up and down Sunnydale, we should take a vacation. Maybe find a beach somewhere and kick back and relax. Maybe we can make it a private secluded beach. Nobody can bother us, and we can watch the sunrise and the sunset each day," she said holding him tightly.

Michael gazed into Faith's eyes. He didn't see burning bodies, cities or worlds anymore. He just saw someone who loved him, "I would like that," he whispered.