Disclaimers: I don't own the characters, they belong to Joss yadda yadda yadda DON'T SUE ME!

Authors note: Ok I don't really know what happened to Faith, so I'm winging it a bit on a few things. I've gatherd that she went to jail, so I think for this story it would be best to mentally snip that out otherwise this ep mightn't make much sense.






Chapter Four: Restoring Faith


Tara woke as someone was knocking on the door of her new flat, she walked over and opened the door.
"Hey Tara" Faith said a little unsurely
"F-Faith, What are you d-doing here?"
"I talked to Angel, he said you where in New York and that I should see you"
"See me about what?"
"About training, about helping me, like Angel did. Oh and about something called the Alliance"
"All right, come in Faith" Tara motioned for Faith to come inside
Faith walked into the apartment and looked around "Nice digs"
"Thanks"
"So, what's this alliance thing?"
"It something Angel and I are talking about, a kind of alternative to the watchers council, we're just looking at an alliance of some slayers, watchers and good demons and vamps"
Faith nodded "And where do I fit in?"
"Well I'm not to sure, but my guess is you'd be a slayer trained under the alliance"
"Interesting"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It hurts don't it?" Faith asked as she kicked the punching bag
"Yea" Tara replied watching
"Why don't you just go back?"
"Why don't you focus on you training"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to"
"I know, it just hurts a lot"
"I was in the bar last night again"
"Fai-"
"No, it's a good source of info, and I won't pick any fights, promise"
"You better not get in any fights, you'd be wiped out so fast"
"Any-way there's this guy I'm gonna keep my eye on, he's recently been turned, Matthew I think, he's talking about revenge with his new found power"
Tara knew she shouldn't be letting Faith follow this guy, but a Matthew seeking revenge might spell bad news for Tara's favourite redhead.

~~~~~~~
"So what's the news Faith?" Tara asked as Faith walked into the apartment
"He is Matthew from Sunnydale, and he plans to head back soon and dish some revenge"
"Go look out for her Faith"
"Why can't you?"
"I'm not ready to face what waits for me there, you are"
"Tara, Buffy will kill me, she hates me!"
"Just tell her I sent you, I'll keep an eye on Matthew here, I'll join you in Sunnydale soon"
"Tara I don-"
"It's time for you to face up to your past and seek the forgiveness you need"
"All right"

~~~~~~~

Buffy walked along the familiar streets of Sunnydale. A strangely familiar figure leaned against a wall up ahead. As Buffy walked past the voice sent a shiver down her spine
"Hey B" Buffy quickly pinned Faith against the wall "Hey easy B, I'm your friend"
"And what makes you say that?" Buffy tightened her grip
"Tara sent me B, I'm working for her and Angel" Buffy let Faith go
"Why are you back here"
"Tara wants me to keep an eye on Willow, seems some trouble may be coming her way"
"What are you talking about?"
"A new vamp called Matthew"
"Damn"
"I know, I heard all about what he did"
"He was human when he shoved a knife through willows stomach, who knows what he'll do now"
"Buffy I'm sorry"
"What?" Buffy asked suddenly returning her attention to the brunette beside her
"I'm sorry for everything that happened, but I've changed, or am changing"
"I heard a bit of the story from Angel, I'm going to give you another chance Faith, but screw me over this time and I'll kill you, guarantee"
"Sure"

~~~~~

"She does miss you Will"
"But what about Vikki?"
"What about any of the guys you've been with?"
"Point, will she come back?"
"When she's ready"
"I do forgive you Faith"
"I know"
"I miss her Faith, I want her back"
"Don't worry Will, she'll be yours the second she sets foot in SunnyDale"

~~~~

Faith was training hard in her new apartment when the door opened she turned and smiled at the familiar figure who walked in the door.
"There's something I've wanted to ask you since I got here"
"What?"
"How'd you get me this place?"
Tara tapped her nose "So how are things Faith?"
"Good, and you"
"Well out little Matthew problem solved itself, he got in a bar fight with some other vamps and is now dust"
"Good riddance. So I guess you'll be catching up with Willow now"
"No"
"Bu-"
"I'm here to help you Faith, Angel wants me to be your watcher, to guide you"
"So what I have to lie to the scoobs?"
"Don't lie, maybe bend the truth a little, don't worry Faith it won't be long"
"I'm glad your here Tara"
"So am I, and I'm hoping this goes well, you been my first charge and all"
"Don't worry you've done better than all those Poms that tried to tame me before"