CHAPTER TWELVE: HOME AGAIN

Buffy had spent the three hour plane trip thinking over the events of the last few days, unsure of what exactly had happened, but knowing that it had changed her in a way she wouldn't be able to explain to the others.  She could only imagine what Willow and Xander would say if they knew the inexplicable connection that Buffy had felt towards Faith.  Xander would be too busy drooling of course, but after he got over the mental images of the two Slayers together, he would probably wig as much as Willow and Joyce would.

The blonde Slayer walked into her house, dumping her bag on the couch and walking into the kitchen.  It didn't look as though her mom was home, and Buffy was infinitely thankful for that.  She fixed herself a sandwich before moving up to her bedroom and curling up with Mr Gordo beside her. 

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She successfully avoided her mother all of Saturday night by pretending to be asleep and then sneaking out the window to patrol, more to ease her mind than to actually keep the vampires away.  She was just grateful that she hadn't run into Angel on the way, not entirely certain that she would be able to tell him about her sudden change of heart.

She knew that she and Angel could never be together, but there was still Angel's feelings to consider.  She knew that she would have to completely break things off with the brooding vampire, too confused by these new feelings for Faith to try and deal with another doomed relationship with Angel.

Sunday came, and Buffy knew that a confrontation with her mother was inevitable.

"How was your trip honey?" Joyce asked, the standard parental question to any teen who had gone across the country.

Buffy shrugged trying to look indifferent.  "Was alright.  She didn't die, so all's well with the world."

Joyce looked at her daughter closely, having learnt to read Buffy on a whole new level since discovering Buffy's second life.

"You don't sound too thrilled about that," Joyce said.  "Did something happen?  You two didn't get along?  I would have thought that the two of you would have got along famously."

Buffy fought not to blush and looked away, wondering how to answer her mom without giving any of her new inner turmoil away.

"We didn't fight," Buffy replied.  Well…sort of… "And I didn't tell her about me being the Slayer.  We actually got on pretty well." Understatement.

"So what was the problem?" Joyce asked curiously.

"Nothing," Buffy replied.  "I'm just…tired I guess."

Joyce knew there was more to it than Buffy was letting on, but she knew that her daughter wouldn't say anything if she didn't want to.  She could only hope that Buffy would talk to Willow or one of her other friends if it was really important.

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Buffy walked into the library on Monday morning, a little worried that Giles would lecture her about not checking in the day before.  She just hadn't felt like explaining anything regarding Faith and the Cruciamentum.  She just hoped that Joanna hadn't called Giles and explained to him about the connection between Buffy and Faith.

She entered Giles' office, somewhat glad that he wasn't at school yet.  She sat down on the couch and flipped through Faith's profile for about the millionth time since she'd left Sunnydale six days ago.  She became so absorbed in reading, that she didn't notice someone else enter the office.

"Did you enjoy your weekend with your father?" Wesley asked.

Buffy jumped and looked up at her official Watcher.  She gave him a blank look for a moment before working out what he was talking about.

"Oh…uh yeah, it was good," she replied.

"Good," he said briskly.  He sat in Giles' seat and leant forward to speak to her.  "I hope that means you'll be concentrating on your Slaying here in Sunnydale then."

Buffy sighed.  She really didn't like Wesley. 

"Yeah, of course," Buffy said.  "So, where's Giles?"

Wesley sighed, hating that his Slayer still didn't look to him for Slaying advice.  He could only hope that things would change for the better and soon.

"He should be here soon."

Buffy nodded and stood up, subtly placing Faith's profile in amongst Giles' notes, not wanting Wesley to see her with his official files.

She walked out of the office and into the main area of the library, not entirely comfortable being in close quarters with the Watcher.  It wasn't as though she was intimidated by, him, there was just something about him that she found kind of creepy.  Probably his attraction to Cordelia.

The doors to the library swung open, Willow, Xander and Giles entering.  Willow squealed with excitement and raced at Buffy, hugging the girl enthusiastically.  Buffy returned the hug, a grin coming to her face.  She really had missed her friends over the last few days.

"Nice to see you too Wills," Buffy joked.

Willow stepped back and smiled sheepishly.  Xander stepped forward and engulfed the Slayer in a hug. 

"Good to have you back Buff," he said.

Buffy grinned at him and looked at Giles.  His eyes asked her a silent question and she nodded happily.  Giles sighed with relief, thankful to know that his Slayer was alright, and that her mission had gone well.  He wanted to ask her the details of what had happened, but knew he couldn't with Wesley in the room.

The Council Watcher had no idea that Buffy had gone to Boston, and had fallen for the ruse of Buffy going to visit her father in LA.  He was just glad to have the Slayer back in Sunnydale.  He didn't enjoy relying on Angel for the slaying, and he'd missed his surrogate daughter.

"So, what've I missed?" Buffy asked.

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