2002

Sunnydale

Angel would be in Sunnydale in 48 hours, which meant Buffy had two days before all Hell broke loose on Revello Drive. In the meantime, she was scheduled for lunch with her father and Dawn to 'discuss' money problems and other arrangements. Faith was uncharacteristically quiet, Spike stomped around smoking like a chimney most of the time, and Dawn watched it all with wide-eyed amusement. And the Slayer was trying to keep them all from falling completely apart.

"I'll be back by three." Buffy was telling Faith, "Spike's at the crypt collecting some of his stuff he left behind, so he won't be back until sundown...Will you be OK?"

Faith grinned, "I think I can handle being home alone for a few hours, B."

"I know." Buffy said, relaxing a bit "I'm just on freak-out auto-mode."

"Relax, go to lunch, don't worry about me."

The blond smiled and waved over her shoulder before shutting the front door behind her, leaving Faith to the empty house, alone. She fidgeted with the remote for a few minutes, flipping by daytime talk shows and soap operas, before completely abandoning the thought of watching TV. The nervous energy was coiled deep into the pit of her stomach, waiting for some kind of release. *Too bad I can't go on patrol during the day* she thought, swinging her arms at her sides. The combined nervousness over Angel and the gang's arrival, the dinner the night before, and Xander's oh-so-clear hatred of her was enough to drive the Slayer up the wall with jitters. When the doorbell rang she practically sprung off the couch and sprinted at the door, swinging it open as if Tom Cruise were waiting on the other side.

"Oh. It's...Where's Buffy?"

Faith stepped back a little, staring at Xander from inside the house, "Lunch with her dad."

"Oh. I'll come back later, then."

"Xander."

He turned, one foot on the first step, "Yeah?"

"Can we talk? Without the yelling or me-bashing?" Was that a smile in his eyes? Maybe.

"Talk about what?"

"Update me on Sunnydale. Teach me how to make the perfect banana split. I don't care. Just don't leave me alone in this house."

Xander considered her for a moment before shrugging and coming inside, although he did send her a wary glance as she shut the door.

"Don't worry. I won't bite." She joked, her hands shoved deep in her pockets.

There was a long, awkward silence and zero eye contact.

"Can we sit?" Faith broke the silence, "This foot shuffling is exhausting."

"Fine."

Sitting, then more awkward silence. Faith let out an exasperated sigh and crossed her arms, "Look, you don't have to stay. I could deal with an empty house."

Xander's eyes softened when he caught the slight waver in her voice, "I'll stay. You don't want to be alone, I can get that."

Faith sighed in relief (sort of) and leaned forward, "It's just, with Angel and Cordelia, and Wesley--God, especially him--I'm freaking out more than usual."

"Faith, what did you *do*?"

"You really want to know? I mean, can you handle that without wanting to kill me? Or yell at me again? Because to be really honest, Xan, I can't handle being bashed today."

"Tell me. I won't freak."

She gathered up her courage, her hands shaking a little, so she sat on them, "When I was in LA, I tortured Wesley. For hours and hours, I beat him and cut him and did unspeakable things. I treated him ten times worse than I treated you." She met Xander's dark gaze and forced a smile, although tears were starting to slowly fall from reluctant eyes, "The worse part is, he was supposed to be my Watcher. We were supposed to have a bond. Every Slayer loves her Watcher in one way or another. Buffy loves Giles unconditionally and I loved my first watcher until Kakistos..."

Xander took Faith's hand and squeezed as she continued, "I should've given Wesley that much. I should've loved him like I was supposed to. Instead I hurt him. I could have KILLED my own Watcher. I can't even imagine how he must feel knowing his Slayer ditched him."

Faith hurriedly wiped away her tears and sniffed, "Sorry. I'm just really up and down and emotional lately."

"That's OK." Xander murmured, "Sorry I was so harsh last night. I didn't realize how hard you were on yourself."

"I deserved it. Thanks for listening just now."

"No problem." He shrugged and shot her that goofy Zeppo grin, "I'm used to hormonal Slayers."

Faith laughed for the first time since...Ever.

2003

Los Angeles

She's so beautiful in the sunlight, Wesley thought as he watched Faith play with Connor in the mid-afternoon light. The garden of the Hyperion was blooming and she had tucked a tropical red flower behind her ear, another behind Connor's, making the baby giggle. Faith looked over and smiled and Wesley as she scooped Connor up and held him above her head, the baby screaming and giggling wildly.

"You're so good with him." Wesley murmured into her neck as Faith let the baby gently down into her arms.

"I never thought I'd be playing with Angel's son." She commented, making faces at the infant in her arms, "Then again, I never imagined any of this."

Wesley's eyebrows furrowed, "But...you're happy here, aren't you?"

Faith faced him, smiling widely. He was adorable when he was insecure, "Of course. I wouldn't trade this for the world." She reached up and traced his cheek with her finger, "God, Wes, for the first time ever, I love my life."

"Good." He said, reaching into his pocket, "That makes this a lot easier."

"What are you--" Her eyes focused on the diamond ring in his palm. The California sun reflected off the sparkling surface and she gasped, "Wesley."

"Faith, I love you. And I want to be with you forever if you'll"

Her lips pressed urgently against his as she struggled to hold the baby *and* hug Wesley as hard as she could. "Oh I will." She breathed as they pulled apart, "I will."