Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy, Inc. Own them. 'nuff said

Author's Note: Ok, you doubting Thomas' who are counting out Faith. O Ye of little Faith. Lets not write off  Faith and Buffy quite yet, shall we?

Summer of  faith

Chapter 13

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And so Buffy and Faith went on with their lives. Separately.

Buffy made up with her mom. Who after grounding her for life, hugged her daughter because she was so happy to have her back.( don't worry, the grounding was rescinded two weeks later). After some initial awkwardness, she made up with her Scoobies, and they started to hang out together again. Giles, of course, was overjoyed to see her. But, as usual, hid his feelings behind cleaning his glasses.

Buffy was way behind in her studies, and had Snyder after her, sneering how he was going to hold her back from graduation. The gloating delight he felt was soon replaced with chagrin when a very angry Joyce Summers confronted him. She made it clear that she would go to the School Board and have him fired for persecuting her daughter unless she graduated with her class. Snyder, sweating bullets, relented to the point that Buffy had to make up course work and pass the tests. Never underestimate the power of a pissed off mom.

And as it seemed to be Buffy's fate, there was yet another threat to Sunnydale, home of the Hellmouth. Richard Wilkins, Mayor of this fine city, Mr. Wholesome Apple Pie Guy, evidently was secretly a demon who would Ascend to his full powers soon. So on top of everything else, she had to work with Giles and the Scooby gang to find some way to stop him.

Did we forget Angel? She didn't . She found him holed up at the garden mansion. She was a bundle of mixed emotions. On one hand, there was the fact that as Angelus he had tortured and nearly killed her friends, and mom. There was the guilt she felt about how she had been somewhat responsible for unleashing Angelus on the world. And that after he had been gotten his soul back, she had to send him to hell to stop the destruction of the world by Acathla's spell. Add in the fact he had spent 100 years in a hell dimension with a soul, repenting his actions, and the fact that despite all, she still loved him, it made for an emotional wrenching time for the confused teenager.

When the other Scoobies found out that Angel was back, and that Buffy had been secretly… lets say angry is too mild a word for it. But gradually, as they learned about the Hell Dimension, and that his soul was back, and that they could use him in fighting the Mayor, they sort of let him back in. But they all kept a wary eye on him. Trust would not come easy.

So, one would think, that with all that going on, she would get over Faith. That she would begin to let go, put it in the past. One would be wrong. Because, in the night, when she was alone, she would take out Faith's picture. And ask over and over " Why? Why did you leave me? What did I do wrong?" and cry, her heart breaking fresh each time. She didn't know it, but her mother often heard her, and wanted to come comfort her. But knew Buffy would just cover up, not open up to her. She shook her head, and thought to herself " Next time one of my childless friends states how easy being a teenager was, I think I'll smack her one".

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Of course, Faith was having a much easier time of it.

She returned to L. A. and found a small room to rent. She went to back to work at the construction company. Not so much that she liked it, but because it kept her busy, kept her from thinking. Everyone noticed she was a lot quieter these days. The old  easy going ,always joking Faith seemed to be gone. But she did her job, very well, so no one complained. They knew better. You don't mess with Iron Faith.

After work, she would go home, shower and change. Then she went out to patrol. It helped to have something to kill. Something to ease the pain. But even that was a mixed blessing, because all too often she would remember patrolling with Buffy, and all the pain came rushing back.

When she was done patrolling, she would go get a drink or two… or six if it was a really bad night. She would make her way home, and sit in the dark, the only light coming in off the street through her window. She would stare at her picture of Buffy, and the tears would come. She cursed herself for falling for her, for wanting her, for needing her. She cursed Buffy for not loving her enough, then beg forgiveness for being stupid. She cursed her life, and for feeling sorry for herself, because Buffy was probably happy now. And then she stopped cursing, and started crying some more.

Weekends were harder. There was no work to distract her. She would go to clubs, go out on the bike, do anything she could think of to distract her. But it didn't really help. She was always back at that picture at night, crying.

Yeah. Teenage life. Easy. Got it.

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The first time Faith made her weekend run to Sunnydale, she told herself it was only to check on B, to be sure she was ok. The second time, she convinced herself it was to keep an eye on Angel. She didn't trust Fang, and wanted to be sure he wasn't doing anything to hurt Buffy. After that, she stopped making excuses, and just went.

The guys she worked with at the construction company soon learned two things. A) Faith was real touchy on Mondays. Don't cross her. And B). Don't ask about her weekends. You might get your head torn off.

She would follow Buffy at a distance. She made sure that Buffy wouldn't see her , or notice her. She dressed differently so she would be harder to spot. Anything so that at a casual glance, she wouldn't be recognized.

She would follow Buffy around, observing her. She wanted to be sure that Buffy was happy. She wanted to be sure that she had made the right choice. Ok, Ok, I want to just see B anyway I can, she thought. It was desperate, and sad. But it was all she had.

She watched Buffy as she went on patrol. She would patrol herself, dusting off what few vamps Buffy might overlook. But mostly, she just wanted to watch Buffy at work. She enjoyed watching the older slayer in action. It was like watching a dance, her moves always giving Faith a little thrill. She did her work so skillfully, so casually, so gracefully, Faith at times felt a little jealous. But always, she would follow, and watch.

If Buffy went out with her friends, Faith would follow.  She learned that the only good place in town to hang was the Bronze, and she would try to beat them there. She would stand up on the catwalk, trying to see them come in. When she spotted them, she smiled. Like her buds had arrived. She enjoyed watching Buffy having fun. It made things a tiny bit easier.

Buffy and Willow were with Xander. Xander was being Xander, making noises about all the hot babes in the club, and how he was gonna wow 'em all. Buffy and Willow couldn't resist teasing him. Why was he sitting with them, then, and not out doing the wow? He said hey, I'm with two of the finest honeys here, why mess with success ? They laughed at him, giving him barbs. All of a sudden, Buffy had the feeling she was being watched. She scanned the club, looking for vamps, but didn't sense any. She looked up on the catwalk, but didn't notice any there either. She shook her head, and laughed at herself. She is getting paranoid, now.

Faith noted Buffy looking around, and left. She didn't want to get caught. She sighed, and found herself wandering in the direction of Revello drive. It was early yet, but she wanted to get set for her favorite pastime these days. Watching Buffy sleep.

That was one of the few pleasures she got anymore. She would wait for Buffy, and when she was sure she was in bed asleep, she would watch her. She loved watching her little angel sleep. She looked so sweet and innocent, so carefree. It often brought up bittersweet memories of them together, but it was worth it.

As she got approached the house on Revello Drive, she was glad she had brought a coat with her. It was a cool winter evening, and it was going to be cold. She looked around, and saw no one. She headed for the tree she hid in, waiting for Buffy to come home. As she was starting to climb the tree, she heard a voice.

" I think you better come down"

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She froze. Who…what?

She looked down, and saw Joyce Summers, her arms crossed, looking up at her

" Did you hear me? I think you better come down from there"

Busted, Faith. Real smart. Why didn't I just wait longer?

Sighing, Faith climbed down. She was feeling really embarrassed, and really stupid.

Joyce shivered a little, and said, " Its rather cold out tonight. You better come inside. We need to have a little chat."

Faith just stood there, a little confused. She's not calling the cops?

Joyce sighed. " Faith, are you coming?"

Blown away… again. What IS it about these Summer's women that they can do that to her?

Sheepishly, head down, she followed Joyce inside.

"Sit down, Faith. Are you cold? Can I get you a little something to warm you? Tea? Maybe some hot chocolate?"

Faith hadn't had hot chocolate since she was a kid. But she had this craving for it, all of a sudden

"Can I have some chocolate?" she said, in a small quiet voice

Joyce couldn't help smiling. That was Buffy's favorite, too.

She came back a few minutes later with the chocolate, and handed it to Faith. Faith was still trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Here Mrs. Summers catches her climbing her tree, and instead of calling the cops, invites her in. And on top of that, she knows who she is.

" You….you know me?" Is all Faith is able to stammer out.

" Well, Buffy has spoken a lot about you. Well… not everything, but how you two hung out together in L. A. and all. And she has a picture of a dark haired girl up in her room she tries to hide. So, unless you have a twin sister, I have to guess you are Faith from L.A."

Faith looks at her feet, wondering just how these Summer's women do it.

" So, Faith, can you explain why you are hanging around outside my daughter's bedroom window?"

" Ummm…"

" Maybe then you can explain why my daughter has been miserable since she came from L.A. then?" Joyce gently prods the girl.

Faith puts down the chocolate. " Maybe I should just go, Mrs. Summers. I'm sorry to have been a bother" Faith gets up, and turns to leave.

" Faith? Running isn't going to solve the problem" Joyce gently chides.

Faith stops, and bows her head. " I don't know what to do"

"Something serious happened between Buffy and you in L.A., didn't it?"

" Y-Y-Yes"

" And , you brought Buffy home, because you felt that was best?"

Faith nods

" I'm glad you did, Faith. I missed my little girl. But, I don't think she understood why you just took off on her."

"B-but I …." Faith starts, and then stops. She didn't get the note! Oh, my god. She thinks I just took off, was dumping her.

" I left her a note… in her bag" Faith says, a bit bewildered. Why didn't she get it?

"Well… I don't think she has been in those bags since she came home. She just kinda threw them in the closet, as I remember"

Maybe it's for the best. Maybe this will make it easier for her

" Well… it's not important"

" You really love her, don't you Faith"

"HUH? How do you figure that, Mrs. Summers?" God, how did she know that?

Joyce smiles a little ruefully " I know you all think parents are blind and somewhat stupid, but we see more than you think. Buffy comes back, and is upset and mooning around like she lost her last friend. You're following her around, and hanging out in the tree to watch her sleep. Putting it together isn't too hard, Faith"

Faith can't help grinning. "Put it that way, I guess I should have a big neon sign saying " Lovesick and Stupid" over my head, huh?"

Joyce laughs. " Only if you have a matching one for Buffy"

Faith asks " It doesn't kinda weird you out?"

" Well, Faith, I admit I never really dreamed I would be having a chat in the living room with my daughters girlfriend…I guess, I mean my daughter's girl. But, it's worlds better than a … vampire"

Both women look at each other and say " Angel" neither is happy with the name on their lips.

Joyce rolls her eyes, and Faith just looks down in disgust

" That is why I left her, Mrs. Summers. Because she wasn't over Angel. And … I didn't want her to be with me if she loved someone else"

" Faith, can I give you a piece of advice? Oh, and call me Joyce. Most everyone does"

"Ummm… ok … uh…Joyce" not real comfortable using her first name

" Look, you love my daughter. Ok, I will get used to that. And I'm pretty sure Buffy feels the same. So, I say, fight for her"

" Huh?"

" Don't get all weak and back off. If you want Buffy, show her you mean business, Faith. Fight for her"

" Really" Faith looks hopefully at Joyce.

Joyce nods. " I would much rather have 2 daughters in the family, than …(shivers) …well, you know"

Faith just runs over and gives Joyce a large hug. Joyce is taken aback, but then puts her arms around the girl.

"Thank you" says Faith, " God, Buffy doesn't realize how lucky she is. I would kill to have a mom like you"

Joyce is touched. She gently strokes the young woman's hair.


 "I think you better go now, Faith. Buffy will be home any…" Joyce starts, but then hears the key in the door " Go out the back door. I will stall her. Remember what I said, Faith" Joyce says, and moves to intercept Buffy

" Buffy, is that you?" Joyce calls

Faith makes a retreat out the back door. She hops the fence, and is back on the street. She starts walking, and thinking about what Joyce said to her.

" Mom? Are you still awake?" Buffy asks.

" Yes, Dear, I'm awake."

"Oh. Well, I'm going to bed , mom" Buffy says, heading for her room

"Buffy? Wait a minute" Joyce calls to her

"Yeah, mom?" Buffy stops

" Those bags you brought from L.A. When you came home. Did you ever clean them out?"

"uhhh…no" Buffy replies, not liking this.

"Well, young lady. I don't want who knows what growing in your closet. Tomorrow, first thing, I want those bags emptied out, and anything worth saving to be cleaned. Got it?"

"Awww… mom"

"No ' Awww moms'. Just do it, Buffy"

"'K" Buffy stomps up the stairs

Joyce smiles a self satisfied smile. Well, someone has to give this a kick start.

Faith walks to her motorcycle, and her face is set. She has a grin on it, a shit eating grin.

Yeah, fight for her. No more Ms. Wimp here

Watch out world. Faith is BACK!!!

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TBC

Finally. Maybe we will see the Faith we know and love . Thanks for reading =)