By Norwalker
Part 2 of ?
Rating : R for language, sexual situations and violence.
Category: Romance/Angst/Drama
Disclaimer: Most, if not all of the characters depicted here are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Inc. and Fox. This is a work of fiction; any similarities to anyone living or dead are purely coincidental.
Summary: Third in a series of stories started with " Summer of faith" and continued in "Seasons of faith". In the last book, Buffy died fighting Glorificus, the Hell goddess. This book picks up where that book ended. How does Faith deal with the loss of Buffy? How does life change for the scoobies? Buffy will be with them always, but is there more to it than just memories? Stay tuned.
Spoilers: Possible season 6 and season 7 spoilers. Hope you've watched them by now.
Timeline: Season 6, maybe season 7 and beyond( don't know yet).
WARNING: There is always the possibility of major character death. Romance between members of the same gender(duh). Sexual situations between members of the same gender. This is an Alternate Universe (AU) story. The real(by the series 'coda' ) relationship between Buffy and Faith never happened here. So if you're looking for the dark, knife wielding, don't give a crap about nothing but me Faith, She's not here.(ok, bit of an exaggeration, as we all know by now that Faith redeemed herself, but the "dark, evil" Faith never got a chance to live here). Violence happens. Adult themes( someday, I plan on being one, too). Sexual situations. All the usual stuff.
Willow checked her list of ingredients again, making sure everything was assembled.
She was still missing the key item. An urn of Osiris. Without the urn, the rest of the ingredients were useless. It's been extremely discouraging, as finding an urn had been nearly impossible.
Being a modern Wicca, Willow had used the 'Net to search out possible sources. But most had never even heard of the item, and those that had heard of it almost always said that none existed. A few had been helpful, offering to find one(for a fee, of course). Will had been desperate, and had paid the fee to a couple of them. Still without success.
Willow had finally put Anya on it, hoping her demon connections might be more fruitful than her own searches had been. Of course, she wanted to know WHY Willow wanted one of these urns, and she had to agree to meet with Xander and Anya to tell them. It was just as well, anyway, she was going to need their assistance. She was just hoping to put it off as long as she could. But Anya refused to help her locate an urn, until she explained why. Something about it having dangerous powers that could have bad side effects if not used properly. Willow agreed to meet with them that evening, telling Anya she'd explain it all then. But for now, look for the urn.
She sighs as she remembers that night. She arrived at Xander and Anya's apartment about 7pm, bringing Tara for support and back-up.
First thing she did was to swear Anya and Xander to secrecy. It was important that neither Faith nor Dawn learn of anything they talked about. " That goes especially for you, Anya!" Willow emphasized, knowing how Anya, with her literal and up front ways tended to let things slip. Anya appeared a bit hurt, but Willow didn't care. In this case, secrecy was more important than feelings. After discussing it amongst themselves( Xander mostly doing the feather smoothing over the perceived slight Anya felt), they agreed.
Willow briefly outlined the purpose for the urn. She explained about the restoration spell, and how to perform it they required help from Anya and Xander. Xander seemed agreeable, but Anya… well…
" You're WHAT?" Anya said, her voice rising. Willow winced, and Xander tried to calm Anya down.
" Anya, honey?" Xander started, " maybe you should… "
" No, Xander, " Anya cut him off, " you don't know what she's talking about. I don't think she realizes what she's contemplating. Do you, Willow?"
Willow felt the flush creeping up her neck" I'm not a child, Anya," Willow replied, firmly, " I know what I'm doing!"
" Do you really, Willow?" Anya asks, disapprovingly. " Do you have any idea the forces you're playing with? These are powerful, dark magicks required to do this kind of spell. "
" I've been studying this for awhile, Anya. I know it's risky, but I think the restoration spell I'm using has the best chance of success. I'm not going into this blind, you know" Willow says, defensively, " I've been careful."
" She really has been" Tara says, coming to Willow's defense, " She passed over the more dangerous and risky spells. And she's been practicing hard, preparing for it".
" I have no doubt she has" Anya says," But these spells, any of them, are extremely complex. Any wrong word, any interruption at a critical moment, could have unexpected consequences. It could be something as benign as she comes back with a different eye color, or something as bad as she comes back a raving lunatic, or worse."
"Will?" Xander puts in, a little concerned with what Anya's said, "Are you solid with this? It sounds kinda scary, the way Anya puts it"
" I know what I'm doing, Xander, " Willow asserts , "I promise!".
"She's not going in blind, Anya" Tara says," Willow's advance in magic. If anyone can do this, she can"
" I still don't like this!" Anya declares, " I have no doubt with regular magic, you two are quite good. But between you, you've got what? Maybe 10 years experience? Me, I've lived 1000 years. I've seen the results of Resurrection magic. The best ones never are quite right, but the changes are so minor, as not to be important. But … when it goes wrong? Really wrong? It's hell to pay, and quickly!"
"What you're saying is all very well, Anya" Willow says dismissively, adding the clincher, " But, what about Buffy?"
Anya eyes Willow suspiciously, waiting for her to make some disparaging remark about her. Anya, even after nearly 3 years being human, is still insecure in her humanity. Willow, however, doesn't say anything more, letting her question sink in.
Finally, Xander, looking puzzled, pipes up. " The Buffster, Will? What do you mean?"
" We all saw her…" Willow still has problems with saying the "D" word, but she continues"… die. She jumped into that portal, closing it with her blood. But who's to say where she went? "
" I'm still not following, Will " Xander says, confused.
" What…what if she's trapped? Trapped in some hell dimension?" Willow says, quietly.
"She could be anywhere, Willow. Just because the portal was to a hell dimension, she might not have gone to one," Anya replies. " For all we know, she might be in a dimension that's all flowers and candy( there is one, you know)."
" How likely is that?" Willow asks, resolutely, " the portal was leading into a hell dimension. It's more likely that she was trapped there".
Anya shakes her head, moving away. She's not convinced, but the seed of doubt has been planted. Xander on the other hand, looks shocked.
" Hell dimension, Will? The Buffster? But… I figured she'd be going … " He looks up, indicating a much more pleasant place.
"Xander, her death was by mystical means" Willow says, patiently, " her goodness or badness wouldn't be weighed. It's more like, where did she get sucked into?"
"Willow, honey?" Tara speaks up, " that could go the other way, too. She might have been taken somewhere nice".
" Tara! We don't know that," Willow turns, her face showing her emotions, " While we're here calmly discussing what to do, she might be in unspeakable torment. We've got to do something. I can't live with the idea that Buffy's suffering horribly".
Xander gets up and starts pacing. He looks visibly upset. Anya, away from the group a little, stares at Willow, her face showing her conflicting feelings. Tara, seated next to Willow, is staring at her hands. She knows that Willow's motives in this aren't 100% pure. That's not to say, however, that Willow isn't right, and that Buffy might be in hell. Willow is looking around at the group. The loss of Buffy alone is extremely upsetting to her, but the idea she's suffering infuriates her beyond reason. She can't just sit back and let Buffy suffer. Not when she can do something about it!
Anya seems to come to a decision, and approaches Willow.
" I can't … we can't let Buffy stay in some hell dimension!" Anya declares, coming onboard, " She's … Well… I know she can be unbearably righteous at times, and can be really careless about money and other people's property, and maybe a little stuck up" everybody in the room is looking at her, their expressions not pleased. She continues, " But she's a good person, and I like her! We've got to save her, Willow!"
Willow furls her brow. It's somewhat hard to follow Anya's logic at times, but she's pretty sure she just joined the team. That just leaves Xander.
"Xander?" Willow asks, almost pleading with him," It's up to you. Do we bring her back, save her? I need you to do this spell."
Xander looks worried. What Anya said carries weight with him, but she's even onboard now. But, if Buffy comes back all weird? Not so sure he likes that idea. On the other hand, he doesn't like the idea of Buffy in torment. In a little secret place in his heart, he still carries a tiny crush for the diminutive blonde slayer.
" I don't know any of this magic stuff, Will." Xander replies, " I'm just a carpenter. But, if the rest of you think it's ok … well, I'm in". He hopes he's made the right choice.
" Thanks, Xander" Willow says, her eyes softening, she smiles brightly at him, " I knew I could count on you!"
" Hey… HEY… you're gay now, Willow. No flirting with Xander!" Anya says, her natural jealousy and insecurity reasserting itself. " Go flirt with Faith or something, if you have to do that!"
" I'm not flirting, Anya!" Willow says, turning a little pink in the cheeks. Well, maybe just a tiny bit. After all, she did have a major crush on Xander for years, " Just smiling is all. Geeze, Anya, chill, ok?"
" Will?" Xander says, doing his best to change the subject. Anya jealousy= really bad time, " I'm still kind of clueless on something. Why don't you want to tell Dawn or Faith. I think they'd be crazy nuts about the idea."
" I'd like to tell them, but I'm afraid they wouldn't get it," Willow says, quietly, " You know how Faith is about magic … she totally doesn't trust it. Knowing the possibilities, she'd probably nix the idea." Willow pauses, seeming to think, then continues, " And, careful as I'm going to be, something might go wrong … or it might not work at all, " She looks around the room, trying to read the expression on each person's face. She hadn't mentioned that little possibility. She hoped it wouldn't screw things up. She continues, " I don't want them to get their hopes up, and have them dashed all over again. They're suffering enough. I don't want to make it worse."
"What about Mr. Giles?" Tara asks. She still wants him somehow clued in. In case something goes wrong, he might be able to help.
" Definitely not Giles" Willow says, firmly, " He'll more than likely not understand, and be opposed to the idea". She doesn't mention that Giles is sometimes disapproving of Will's use of magic. To the point he's lectured her on it a couple of times. Grrr, like she's a child!
" But, how're you going to explain her return then?" Anya asks.
"Well, if it works, and turns out ok, I'll just present them with the fait accompli . Thinking they won't send her back" Willow says, smiling.
The group nods in unison. It seems reasonable enough. But Willow isn't quite done.
"One more thing. This spell, as Anya pointed out, is complicated. I have to be able to count on you all to do exactly as I tell you, otherwise…." Willow lets it hang, her expression saying she's not going to be very happy if the spell fails if someone screws it up.
" I think we should put Willow in charge" Tara pipes up, " make sure that all goes as she says, since she is the one coordinating the whole incantation."" Do you really think this is gonna work, Will? " Xander asks. Willow nods. He continues, " Ok, then, lets vote. All in favor of making Willow the boss, raise their hands".
Xander raises his hand, as does Tara and Willow. They turn to Anya, who's hesitating. She doesn't like the idea of Willow being boss of her in anything. Xander throws her a look as if saying " just go along with it, honey". She finally acquiesces, and raises her hand.
" Ok, then, it's unanimous. Willow, you're the boss" Xander says, grinning. " You're the boss of us. Don't let it go to your head"
Willow's reverie is interrupted by the phone ringing. She's a little irritated, wondering who that can be. She walks over and picks up the phone.
" Hello…Oh, hey, Anya" Willow says," What? REALLY? Oh, cool, I could kiss you!" Willow says, excitedly." No… no… calm down, I'm not going to kiss you, it's just an expression. Yes, I'm sure I'm not going to kiss you!" Willow says, getting a bit edgy. " So, when will it be here? Really? Good! Great! Yes… Yes… Ok, I'll come pay for it. Yes, now" Willow rolls her eyes. God, does she ONLY think of money? " Ok, I'm on my way now. Yes, now. Yes, I have the money. Ok…ok… bye then".
Willow smiles. Great! They finally got a line on an urn of Osiris. From what Anya said, they should be able to have it in a week. Finally, it's all coming together. Soon, Buffy will be back, and things will go back to normal around here.
Willow, feeling pretty cocky, walks out the front door.
Faith re-reads the letter, her brow scrunched together in worry.
It's from Hank Summers. He writes that he hasn't heard from Buffy or Dawn in awhile, and was worried. He missed them, so he was planning to come to Sunnydale to see them. It'd be in a couple of months, because he still had some unfinished business(Hah! Wonder what her name is? Faith thought) in Rome, but that he would be calling when it got closer to the time he would be coming.
This is so not good, Faith thinks, folding up the letter. First of all, probably shouldn't have opened it. Addressed to Buffy. Ok, but since Buffy isn't… Faith sighs, thought it might be a good idea. Especially with the Rome return address. But that's really minor, to the big problem. Buffy is… Faith can't bring herself to even think it. When he comes and sees there's no Buffy, just Faith and Willow and Tara looking after Dawn, he's going to hit the roof.
Like he has any right, the prick, Faith thinks. The bastard hasn't been here for his daughters in years. All of a sudden, he has daddyitis? What, did the bimbette he's been shacking up with kick him out? Now the bastard is gonna come here, see that Buffy's gone, and take Dawnie away. Like he'd even pay her any attention. What does he care about her? I mean, ok, I know she isn't really his daughter. That the monks made her and created all the memories. But the memories are strong, even in Faith. She knows it's not real, but it's like she's known her for 3 years rather than 9 months. So how come he hasn't been interested in her, or what's she doing, or how's she doing, til now? Cuz, he doesn't give a rat's patootie about anything except Hank Summers.
Maybe I'm not being fair. I mean, I don't know what went on with his and Joyce's divorce. Maybe there were reasons he didn't come to see the girls(Damn, I still can't get those memories separated). Maybe he really does love them…her… damn(Faith wipes a tear), and maybe it'd be better for the P-nut. She's not happy here, I know. She's grieving for her sister, this house reminds her of her mom and Buffy constantly. I know sometimes she looks at me like I'm some kinda intruder… after all I was just her sister's girlfriend… even if Joyce treated me like a daughter… DAMN( she wipes some more tears). Stop being a baby , Faith. You have to be a grownup now. You gotta think of what'd be best for Dawn!
He is her father(at least, he thinks he is), and he probably could do good things for her. Give her the things she needs. Especially some sense of family. I mean, she knows he's not her real dad, but … still, he's the closest thing she has to one. Better than me, who doesn't have a clue who her dad is/was/ whatever. I don't give a damn, but she's a kid. She needs some kinda parent. He's doing well in business, I guess(if he's not spending it all on the sluts he hangs with… Faith, be nice! Why? Cause!( Faith sighs) Ok, ok…). He could probably give her things Me and Red and Tara never'll be able to give her. Nice stuff. Even college. Yikes, college. That's something else too. I mean, I'm making ok money swinging a hammer, we do ok. But can I save enough to get P-nut into college? I dunno. I mean, she's bright. Like Willow, real bright with the book stuff, unlike dummy here(ok, not dumb…just dyslexic, still…). She might get a scholarship… that'd help. But there're still the living expenses and books and stuff. That's gonna be some serious change. Even if Will and Tara toss into the pot, not sure we can swing it. Not fair to P-nut not to have the chance. He could do that for her.
What does it matter, anyway? I mean, once he comes here and sees Buffy is… not here, he's gonna take her. Legally he's her father, even if he hasn't exactly been Daddy of the year. Yeah, right Faith. What kinda role model have you been? Huh? I mean, not exactly sister/ mom material here, either. Been trying, but what kinda example to you set for Dawn? Being all the wild girl, before, and being a slayer…yeah, that's really keepin' her safe. And god, if he finds out me and Buffy were lovers? Oh crap on a stick up my ass, that's gonna be so bad. I can just hear the " What kind of household are you raising my daughter in? Two pairs of lesbians? God… Blah de blah blah blah". But the way people think, he'll get the point, not me, not Red or Tara….shit. Like Mr. Run around Europe with your secretary/whore is such a great example. Oh, but he's straight! And He's her father. And you're nothin' but some street kid who took advantage of his poor confused daughter. The PRICK!!!!
Faith, in anger, sweeps her hand across the counter, breaking a glass. She gets a disgusted look on her face, and gets up to pick up the pieces. She accidentally cuts herself, and swears. She finishes picking up the shards, then gets a broom and dustpan and cleans up the remainder. She goes upstairs to the bathroom and bandages her hand.
Oh, real mature, Faith. That'll prove what a good ….? … guardian… you are for Dawnie. Can't control you're temper worth crap, girl. " What if you lost your temper at Dawn, and hit her?" they'll ask… crap, I'd never hit Dawnie… God, I … love P-nut. She's like my lil sis. Yeah, she's a pain in the ass sometimes. Yeah, she's not easy to live with(lots of the time). She can be a real brat. But… sometimes she does something so sweet, it just blows you away. Like the other night, she could see I was kinda depressed(yeah, that's news, huh?). A little while later, she comes in with a mug of hot chocolate… with the marshmallows on top. She knows I love hot chocolate…I got a sweet tooth the size of Alaska. It always makes me feel better, for some reason. And she just gave it to me, like it was no big. But it was a big. When I looked up at her, and smiled, she just gave me a hug, like saying " I love you, Faith, and it's gonna be ok". Like, she's the adult, comforting me. God. That's what I mean. How can ya not love someone like that? Who'd think to do something like that? She's special, just like Buffy is… was… DAMN – DAMN- DAMN!!!
Faith starts feeling the tears roll again, and stands clutching the sink as the sadness overwhelms her, again. She bites her lips so she won't cry out loud, in case Dawn comes home. She doesn't want her to be upset. Poor kid's upset enough already, Faith thinks. She finally gets herself back under control, and splashes water on her face. She looks in the mirror, and wonders if the ache will ever get less. She kinda doubts it.
" Hey… I'm Home" Dawn calls out, from downstairs. "Anybody here?"
" I'm upstairs, P-nut… Be down in a minute!" Faith calls from the bathroom. She checks herself in the mirror, and then it hits her. The letter! It's still on the counter in the kitchen! Oh… CRAP!!!!
Faith rushes out of the bathroom and runs downstairs, taking two steps at a time. She rushes into the kitchen… just in time to see Dawn reading the letter. Dawn looks up, her face flushed.
"What's going on, Faith?" Dawn asks." Why'd you read this letter? It's addressed to Buffy and me!" Dawn says. " What… gave you the right to read it?"
Faith stands quietly, mortified and ashamed. " I'm sorry, Dawnie" Faith says.
"Sorry? God, Faith, that's so … lame. You read my letter!" Dawn says, upset. " Do I open your mail?"
"No" Faith says, blushing." I just saw who it was from, and I…."
"What? You what, Faith?" Dawn says, voice rising, " Thought you'd get a thrill, or a laugh out of it? Well, did you? DID YOU?"
"No, " Faith says quietly.
" Do I open your mail, Faith? Do I read your private stuff?" Dawn bluffs. She hopes Faith never learns she actually read her journal. Hey, I got a right to know who my sister was…well, you know!
I'm sorry, Dawnie. I just… well, when I saw it was from your dad, I got worried." Faith makes as to explain, but it sounds kinda lame, even to her.
"Worried? Oh, really? " Dawn says, dismissively, " Why worried, Faith?"
" Dawnie, if … well, when he gets here, and sees Buffy is… gone" Faith grips her hands, trying to not lose her control, " Well, he's gonna like… take you away, probably."
"Yeah? Well, probably be better anyway!" Dawn says, a little spitefully, but a note in her voice, a quaver, contradicts her words, " I mean, that'd be better for you and Will and Tara, right? You don't have to look after me anymore. You can get rid of me, like I know you want to!"
"DAWNIE!!!" Faith shouts, losing control for a second. She continues, quieter, " Dawnie, honey, no! I … God, no! I don't want to get rid of you. What makes you think that?" Faith asks, genuinely puzzled, and somewhat hurt.
"C'mon, Faith, I'm not an idiot. I know the only reason you three are here is cuz of Buffy. Cuz she made you promise to look out for me!" Dawn says, angrily, " you don't care about me!"
"Dawnie that's not true!" Faith says, emphatically . " Buffy did ask me to watch out for you, in case. That's true. But even if she hadn't I woulda anyway. Dawnie, you're like my lil sis, too . Don't you know that?"
"Yeah, sure" Dawn says, cynically, " How can you love something that's not real?"
"DAWN!!!" Faith yells, for the second time in five minutes, " Why are you still thinking that?"
"Cuz, it's true!" Dawn replies, obstinately. " I'm not real, never will be real!"
"Dawn, that's so bogus!" Faith insists. " If you're not real, I'm not real either. This house isn't real, none of it's real!"
Dawn looks at Faith like she's lost her mind. But Faith continues anyway.
" Didn't Buffy get through to you?" Faith asks, amazed." Didn't she convince you? You're real, you're a Summers woman, as much as you're mom was, or Buffy was" Dawn shakes her head, turning away. Faith takes hold of her arms, and turns her back towards herself. She continues, " Look at me Dawn" Dawn turns her head away, " Look at me, Dawn!" Faith says, more firmly. Dawn turns, her face blank like a mask, " Didn't what Buffy did, that night, say anything to you?" Dawn tries to keep her face blank, but her lip begins to quiver, " Dawn, honey, if you and she weren't…sisters, of the same blood, do you think her sacrifice would've worked?" Dawnie shakes her head, her lip quivering more, and big tears forming in her eyes, " Honey… you're as real as anyone. She knew that. She wanted you to have a life, Dawn. She wanted you to grow up, find someone to love, be married, all the good stuff. If you weren't real, do you think she would've bothered?" Dawn shakes her head again, the tears rolling, a little sob escapes her. Faith's heart melts, and she pulls Dawn close, " P-nut, you mean everything to me. Don't you know that? I love you, Dawnie, as if you were my sister. You're special to me, Dawnie!"
Dawn clings to Faith, her body shaking with sobs. Through the sobs and tears, she manages to get out " Why? Why'd she do it, Faith?"
Faith lifts Dawn's chin. She gently brushes away the tears. " Because, baby, she knew she had to stop the apocalypse. The world would've been destroyed, we'd have a hell on earth, if she hadn't jumped. That's what we do, honey. That's our destiny as slayers. To give our lives for the world, to fight the darkness". Faith smiles gently at Dawn, all the time inside wondering again why Buffy did it, left her alone. It still hurt like a heated rod through the heart.
" She didn't have to , Faith!" Dawn says, " She… I should've done it. I should've jumped. It was my fault that the portal open. I'm the key, Faith. I should've died! ME! It should've been ME!" Dawn sobs out, her guilt and heartbreak making it all the worse for her.
"Oh, P-nut" Faith says, holding her closer, " She did it because she loved you. She loved you, baby, above all else. You're her sister. She wanted you to live, to love and the experience everything life had to give you. " Faith feels her own throat tightening with emotion, "Baby, look at me" Dawn lifts her head, looking into Faith's eyes, " She did it because she knew, as a slayer, her time here was limited. She knew that she would die, if not then, then someday soon after. It's our fate and destiny as slayers. We never live long lives, honey." Dawn looks miserable, thinking that Faith is including herself in that. She… doesn't even want to think about that. Faith goes on, " Thing is, you living allows her to live, too. Don't you see that?"
Dawn shakes her head. It doesn't make any sense to her.
"You're the last of the Summer's women, baby," Faith explains, " If you'd gone that night, she'd be the last. The line would be gone soon. But, you're alive. You can carry the line forward. You aren't fated like we are, baby. You can live to a ripe old age, have lots of kids, and make sure the Summers' legacy continues. That's what she meant you have to live for her, honey. She lives on, through you. Through your kids, and grand kids. It's a hard world, Dawn. That's why she said the hardest thing is living in this world. With all it's suffering and pain and misery. You know how hard it is , P-nut" Faith smiles at her, and Dawn smiles back. " But you gotta do it, Dawnie. You gotta live, so what she did means something."
Dawn nods, understanding. She finally understands what Buffy wanted from her. She's still sad, but her heart feels lighter, now.
" I miss her Faith" Dawn says, quietly, " I miss her so much!"" I know, honey, I miss her too" Faith says, her voice cracking just a little, " I miss her tons!"
Dawn hugs Faith tightly, trying to comfort Faith like she's always comforting Dawn. Faith hugs her back, and gently breaks away.
"Are we a couple a weepy babies, or what?" Faith quips, handing Dawn a tissue. Dawn wipes her eyes, and blows her nose, and smiles a little bit. Faith reaches out, and strokes Dawn's hair, " So, P-nut, feeling a little better?" Dawn nods.
Dawn goes over , and picks up the letter. She holds it up.
"What're we gonna do?" Dawn asks, a little worried now. " About this?" She waves the letter.
Faith looks at her, and smiles, reassuringly.
" Don't know yet, Dawn, but I'll figure something out" Faith says, with more confidence than she feels.
She hasn't a clue how she's gonna deal with that. Hank Summers has the legal system on his side. She knows that it's gonna be a tough fight, and she stands a good chance of losing.
But the one thing she does know, when it comes to Dawn.
She's not giving her up without a fight!
Faith shows Willow the letter. Willow has a frown on her face.
"This isn't good" Willow says, stating the obvious, " Do you think he'll try to take Dawn?"
"Oh yeah, Red" Faith says, " He'll take one look at the situation, and have Dawnie outta her faster than you can say Samantha Stevens " Faith says, making a little witch joke, Trust me, it didn't go over well.
Willow thinks for awhile, then says" Maybe I can do a spell. Something so he doesn't remember that Buffy isn't here… or maybe better, a glamour to make you appear to be Buffy to him!" Willow smiles, pleased with herself.
"Ummm… ok, and will you be giving me Buffy's memories, too?" Faith asks, quietly.
Willow frowns, she hadn't thought about that.
"We'll find a way, Faith" Willow says, confidently, " We'll keep Dawn. I promise!"
" I wish I were as confident as you , Red" Faith says, feeling a little discouraged. But then she perks up a little, " I'll tell you one thing though. He's gonna take Dawn outta here over my dead body. No way I'm not gonna fight this!"
"Don't worry, it won't come to that " Willow says, enigmatically. Faith looks at her, with an arched brow.
"Well, anyway, I gotta patrol, so… you and Tara are on Dawn duty, ok?" Faith says. Willow nods affirmatively.
Faith reaches out, and squeezes Willow's arm. Willow smiles. Faith turns, grabs her coat, and walks out the front door.
Willow follows her to the door, watching the dark haired slayer disappear into the night. She smiles slightly.
" Don't worry, Faith. Soon Buffy'll be back, and it'll all be well. We're all gonna be a family again. Happy again".
Willow closes the door.
To be continued.