By Norwalker
Part 5 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.
Faith stood at her window, looking out over Revello Drive.
It didn't take too much to see Restfield Cemetery from here. She has to admit it sometimes creeped her out to be so close to a cemetery. Know what she knew about what hung out in cemeteries. But in Sunnydale, you weren't going to get too far from a cemetery… 12 for such a small town. And 43 churches. Comfort zones for the spooked of heart, she thinks. Welcome to the Hellmouth!
However, Restfield being so close meant Buffy was close too. Faith stops a minute, and grips the windowsill. Even after 4 months, it was hard to accept she is dead. Really dead. But what happened last night, and tonight, drove that point home. She's dead, and she's not coming back, Faith sighs to herself. Why can't I start to move on? Why am I so stuck in this place… why can't I let her go? She wants me too… she told me that last night. I know I should. I got Dawnie to worry about. She's growing up, and it's tough for her now. She needs me to be here for her… not mooning over her lost sister. Never mind she's grieving over Buffy too, and needs someone to lean on. How much attention can I give her if I spend all my free time remote, holed up, afraid to live? I'm sorry, B! I'm really tryin' to do what you want. But … damn you, you're all twisted around my heart. How can I just let you go when you got my heart all tied up? 'N if I try to untie it, it's just gonna all fall to pieces, like me.
As much as she misses her, what they were doing tonight makes Faith's blood boil. It isn't right, and it's dangerous. Foolish, stupid and in a way, hurtful. She knows they mean well. They want her back, and god , she so wants her back. But raising the dead? Using dark magicks? That's beyond foolish… it's insane. She coulda come back so wrong. Then what? WHAT? Kill her… you think I'd let you kill her? Lose her again? Even if she were…wrong? Stupid -STUPID –STUPID ! God what were they thinking?
Faith sighs. It's not that easy, though. They didn't do it meanly. They were afraid she was suffering. Trapped in some hell dimension, subjected to some unspeakable torture. They wanted to save her. They love her too. They didn't know… she's happy. So happy. My fault, I should've told them. I was afraid. Afraid they'd think me nuts… send me away. Not let me be here anymore. Away from Buffy… from Dawnie… little P-nut… god how she hates me calling her that. But she is my little P-nut… sweet and salty and silly. She's growing up… getting to that age where boys are sooo important. She needs her big sis now to guide her. If it'd worked, she'd have Buffy. Yeah they fought. Yeah they got all scary and angry at each other… but they need each other, Dawnie needs her sister. Faith pauses, and confesses, I need her sister!
Faith walks out of her room, and over to Dawn's doorway. She looks in on the sleeping girl. Dawn's sleep has been restless. The covers are all twisted and kicked off… her limbs are all akimbo. Her hair is half covering her face. But she looks like she's settled now. Faith smiles, and walks into her room. She retrieves the covers, and covers the sleeping teenager. Dawn turns on her side, and snuggles down into the mattress. She looks so sweet when she's sleeping, Faith thinks to herself, what's going on in that head of yours, girl? So young, and so much pain going on. Losing your mom and your sister so fast. No one's paying attention to you, are they baby? We're so wrapped up in our own thing, we don't see how bad it is for you. Faith reaches out, and brushes the hair out of Dawn's face, I'm gonna do better, I promise P-nut. I'm gonna pay attention better, try to make it easier for you. Promise! Faith leans over, and kisses Dawn gently on the cheek, Goodnight sweetheart, sleep well. She turns and walks to Dawn's door. She stands, looking out. Her face reflects her sadness and frustration.
I need you so bad, honey. Faith stands, the emotions churning within her. It's wrong, I know. You're happy now, where you are. I know that. But … god, so selfish, I kinda wish it'd worked. Even if you came back a little wrong. I wouldn't care, as long as you knew me and still loved me. God, that's so greedy. But I can't help it, B. I need you, and I'm weak. I'm so trying to be strong, but everyday hurts without you. It just hurts without you. Sorry. Faith clenches her fists, and lets out a little self deprecating noise. Knock it off, Faith. She's not coming back. She's gone, she's happy. She's probably not even listening anymore. Just get on with your life, girl, and stop mourning her, like she asked you to. Faith feels the frustration rising in her. Damn, even when you're gone, you still got me dancing on your string. Grrr. God, I'm done. I gotta get outta here. I gotta find something to kill. Surely there's some nice cooperative vamp out there waitin' to be staked!
Faith marches off to her room to dress. She needs to get out of here, she's suffocating here. She's so wrapped up in her thoughts and frustrations, she doesn't see Dawn sitting up in her bed, looking at her.
Dawn watches as Faith marches off to her room. Her heart is beating quickly in her chest, and her breathing is shallow. She woke up when Faith brushed Dawn's hair out of her face, and she lay there, eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. When Faith kissed her cheek, it was everything Dawn could do to keep from moving. Her heart started hammering in her chest. Then Faith stood in her doorway, and was backlit by the hall light, revealing her form through her robe. Dawn was entranced; she couldn't take her eyes off of Faith.
Dawn was crushing badly over Faith. More and more, her feelings were getting all tangled up concerning Faith. When Dawn had to take back all the stuff she'd… ok, stole… a lot of the times Faith went with her. Faith made her confess, but if the store owner got really hostile, or threaten like calling the police, Faith jumped in, calming things down. She always did that. Even before Buffy died. When she and Buffy had a fight, Faith would work it out between them. Dawn knew Faith made Buffy see her as a teenager, and not like a kid.
So why can't you see that, Faith? I'm not a kid anymore! I've grown up .I'm a woman. I can handle stuff. Why won't you see past me being you're 'P-nut' and realize I can help make it better? I know you're hurting. I see how sad you're eyes are. I wanna help, I wanna make it better for you. Just like you make it better for me. I know you're missing her so badly, me too. We can make it better for each other. If you'd only let me. If you'd only see me… really see me!
Dawn snuggles back down into her bed, and searching through the covers, hugs Mr. Gordo close. She sighs, and begins to feel the warmth of the covers relaxing her. As she drifts into sleep, she thinks I can so help, Faith, if you'd only see me as I am….
In Willow and Tara's bedroom, Willow is thrashing about in the bed. Tara, disturbed, wakes up and moves closer to Willow.
"Willow? Honey?" Tara says, gently shaking the sleeping Willow, " You're dreaming honey…wake up".
"Wha…No…Don't…please….don't…!!! " Willow mumbles. Her eyes fly open, and for a second she looks around, really frightened. She calms down realizing she's been dreaming, and looks over into the concerned face of Tara.
"Hey, baby" Willow whispers, " Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you".
"It's ok, honey" Tara says softly, " you were having a nightmare, I think. Are you ok?"
" It was awful, Tara" Willow says, her voice fearful, " We were out by Buffy's grave, doing the spell. This time it worked, and she came back…"
"That was awful?" Tara says, teasing her.
" She came back wrong, Tara." Willow says, " She … she didn't know us. She was angry, really angry. She attacked us, one by one. She killed Xander, and Anya, and then she came after you. I tried to protect you, but …." Willow has a look of genuine fear on her face.
"Shhh…there, there, honey" Tara says, " I-It was just a dream. Doesn't mean anything" Tara soothes Willow.
"Tara, I messed up. I really blew it. All that, and nothing" Willow says, reproaching herself. " I was so careful about it all, but … it didn't work! I don't get it, it should've worked!"
"I-It's not y-your fault, Willow" Tara says, " Y-You did your best. You know that s-spells sometimes just don't work…who knows why?".
" I can't fix it though" Willow says, sorrowfully, " the urn is broken. There isn't another one to replace it. It's gone, Tara. I … I made a mess of it!"
"M-Maybe it's for the b-best then, Willow" Tara says, " m-maybe this is telling you that it's just not to be. You heard Faith. She's happy w-where she is".
"And maybe Faith is wrong" Willow says, " Maybe she was tricked, or hallucinated it. I mean, she's been broken up by grief… it wouldn't be the first time something like this happened."
"Faith was pretty sure it was Buffy…." Tara says, but Willow interrupts her.
" That doesn't mean she's right, Tara." Willow's face changes to her resolve face. " No… she might still be somewhere bad. I – I can just feel it. I've got to find another way. There's got to be another way!"
" Willow, no!" Tara says, her tone disapproving , " No" She says , more gently. " Enough. We already risked bringing her back wrong. It's time to let it go".
" But I can't just let it go, Tara " Willow says, firmly, " Too much is at stake here. Buffy might be hurting. Faith… and Dawn, both need her. We can't just let it go!"
"Willow, you have to slow down. You're going too fast…doing things too fast!" Tara says
"What do you mean, 'too fast?' " Willow says, her tone turning suspicious. "What're you trying to say?"
"You're using powerful magicks, Willow. Dark magicks not meant to be used." Tara says, her tone a little uneasy, " They always have consequences. You're just not thinking this through. You have to stop, now, Willow".
"Stop now? I don't get it." Willow says, upset, " We failed once, but we can still find a way. I know it. I've thought this through carefully. And I know I'm right. You just got to believe in me. You do believe in me, don't you, Tara?"
Tara takes an extra beat in answering. " Y-Yes of c-course I believe in you, Willow" Tara says, nervously, not looking at Willow " But you're doing such complicated spells. You're moving so fast, sometimes it… frightens me".
Willow sits up straight in bed. Her face is surprised, and confused. " Frightens you? Do I frighten you?" Willow asks, her tone strange.
" N-No, of course not" Tara says, " I… bad choice of words. I meant your changing so much, so fast…"
" Changing? I'm…getting better at casting spells, yes, but changing?" Willow's brow furrows, " This is more than the magic, isn't it?" Willow asks.
"N-No… just… it …" Tara begins, but again Willow interrupts her.
" You think my feelings for you are changing, don't you?" Willow says, her tone defensive, " You… oh, Goddess, you think… that I'm bringing back Buffy because I want her. For me. That's… just … ridiculous!"
"Is it?" Tara asks, quietly, "Is it ridiculous?"
" YES" Willow says, louder than she meant to . She looks around, but no one seems to be stirring. She continues, quieter, " Yes… I'm bringing back Buffy because Faith and Dawn need her. And she might be in pain. No other reason!"
Tara just looks at Willow, and doesn't say anything. But her expression says it all. Willow gets up from the bed.
" I think…I think I better sleep downstairs…before anything more gets said…" Willow says, her tone low but angry. " I … guess I haven't proved how much I love you. Sorry. I don't know what you want me to do or say to prove it. But… what you're accusing me of is …it just hurts! Goodnight, Tara." Willow leaves the bedroom, making for the couch downstairs. She's fuming.
Tara watches Willow go. Her expression is hurt and puzzled. She knows Willow loves her. That's not in question. But this obsession with Buffy, bringing her back, is scaring her. Possibly angering her a little too. It's just not right! She lies back down in the bed, but sleep eludes her. She's left staring at the wall. She just hopes this Buffy fixation ends soon.
Really soon!
Buffy sits by her grave, looking dazed, confused and frightened.
She doesn't know where she is, and it's scaring her silly. Worse, she doesn't know WHO she is, and that's just plain insane. Even more crazy…why was she buried underground? God, I coulda died down there. Was this some kinda sick joke? I'm not dead… but geeze. I wake up in a box, and I'm buried in a grave. Who'd be crazy enough to do that? I got so scared, I thought I was gonna die down there. Lucky whatever they buried me in was weak… I managed to punch through it and dig myself up to the surface. But … why can't I remember anything? Even my silly name. I … maybe somebody hit me real hard… maybe I got….ummm…what's that called??? Amnesia…yeah… that's gotta be it! Buffy checks her head, but doesn't feel any lumps or wounds…feels normal… not even feeling like she's been hit. She puzzles over it, then another thought hits her. I feel kinda woozy… maybe someone drugged me! Some special drug that makes you lose your memory. Maybe I'm some kinda… spy or something… and I learned too much, so they knocked me out, and buried me, to kill me… and the drug was just in case. Yeah… Ok, that's totally insane. That's almost as nutty as…vampires! It's just crazy. No, gotta be something else…but what???
Buffy starts to get up, but her legs give out under her. Weird…like I've not been using them for awhile. How long was I buried under there? Couldn't have been too long, I'd be dead…but why are my legs so weak? She crawls over to the marker and reads it again.
Buffy Summers
1981-2001
Beloved Daughter
Devoted Friend
Cherished Love
She saved the world
A lot
Her brow furrows. She was so young… just 20. Obviously somebody…somebodies… really loved her. So sweet. But to die so young! And, what does that last line mean? " She saved the World … A lot. " That's weird. Maybe she was like… in the military. Oh, yeah, sure. With a name like Buffy? " Private Buffy reporting for duty, SIR!" Buffy giggles That's just nuts. That's so gonna strike fear in the heart of the enemy, huh? What kinda name is "Buffy" anyhow? Sounds so… snobby. Kinda like a cheerleader. Eewww. God, who'd wanna be a stuck up snob like that? Can you imagine? " Buffy, darling, Biff is on the phone for you. He wants to know if you're going to the Country club this evening!". Buffy giggles some more. Ok, giggling at headstones now. Yeah, I gotta be nuts. Nuts to sit here… but that last line…what do they mean by it? " She saved the world… a lot." How? Buffy shrugs, probably just some sentimental crap or something. Maybe she volunteered. Who knows? Who cares?
She stands up again. This time her knees are still a bit wobbly, but better. She can stay standing. She walks, a little shaky, but ok, making to leave the gravesite. But something draws her back to that stone. If I could only figure out why I wound up here… I could get a handle on this. Why does this stone intrigue me so? Maybe it's a clue or something. Maybe I knew this woman. I just wish I could remember. Something… anything. She sighs. This is totally pointless. I gotta get outta here… maybe somebody knows me? God I hope so… this so blows, otherwise.
She leaves the gravesite, looking(and feeling) confused. She looks around, trying to orient herself, but she's lost. Not a clue. She sighs…Damn, now what? How do I get outta here? Nothing personal, but I don't wanna be wandering around this place all night. Anyway, I need to find the way to town… maybe find a police station or something… She starts north, and walks for awhile, getting more and more discouraged as time passes. She's more lost than before, cause she's obviously going deeper into the cemetery. So, where does it end, anyway? She looks around, and sees a man standing a bit off, over by another grave. Kinda weird, comin' here at night. Oh yeah, I should talk… anyway, maybe he can help me find my way outta here. She walks towards the man, who's not moving.
"Mister.." Buffy calls out. No reaction. She runs up a little, and calls again " Hey, mister!!!".
The man turns around. He doesn't say anything, just stands there. Ok, silent type. Right. She walks up to him. She can't quite make out his face… it's in shadow, light behind him.
" Mister? Can you help me out here? Kinda lost…do you know how…" But she doesn't get more out, because the man growls at her and leaps at her." Holy crap!" Buffy yells, turning around. She starts to run.
The man , a vampire it turns out, is in hot pursuit. Buffy, panicked, just keeps running blindly. Oddly, he's not catching up…. Whoa…I'm goin pretty fast here…cool. She seems she's going to lose him, starts to really kick in… and boom, she trips over a low marker, and goes flying. Without even thinking, she does a roll, and lands on her feet. But she's facing the vampire now, and he's almost on top of her. She turns to start running again, but he grabs her.
" Hey…HEY!!! What's your deal?" Buffy yells out, elbowing him. The vampire, catching it in the solar plexus, keels over. Buffy, not a moron, turns and starts running again. The vampire quickly recovers, and follows after. Again she kicks in the speed, and it looks like she's really going to lose him this time, because she's watching where her feet are going. She's almost lost him when she runs into two other men, standing as a group
"Whoa, am I glad to see you!" Buffy breathes, " Some nut is chasing me. Get a little help here?"
The two men turn, and she sees their faces. She screams. They're deformed, and lookin' like that dude that followed her
" Well, hi, little girl" The vampire on the left says, grabbing her, " Gotta say, this is handy. Most time gotta go looking for food. Nice you happened along".
"Food?" Buffy says, puzzled," What're you talking about? I don't have any food". She's struggling against him, but he's got a good grip on her
The vampires laugh. " You, you idiot. We're gonna eat you!"
"Huh?" Buffy says, really not getting it, " Eat me? You're cannibals?" Now she's getting scared. This is too weird!
" God, where did this one come from? Kansas?" The first vampire says. The other vampire grins at his joke. " Listen, we're vampires. We're gonna suck you dry, girl". About that time the third vampire runs up.
Buffy bursts out laughing. The vampires look at her like she's nuts. The first vampire turns her around.
" What's so funny?" He says, growling.
" You're funny" She says, giggling. "Vampires. God, that's a hoot. There's no such thing!" She's laughing her butt off. The three vamps look flustered.
" Yeah, well… when we've drained you dry, we'll see who's laughing" The second vampire says, moving in. Buffy sobers immediately, and starts to panic again
" HEY… HELP … ANYONE!!!!" She screams, struggling against the vampire holding her. The second vampire growls, and leans in to bite her. " NO… NO… LEAVE ME ALONE… NO!!" She screams
"Hey, uglies. Didn't you get the memo? If the lady says no, she means NO!" Faith says, coming up behind the group.
" Hey, look guys…dessert!" The third vampire says, turning on Faith. Faith just smirks at him.
" Now, fellas. Didn't you're momma teach you better? Stake first, then dessert!" Faith says. Before the third vampire can react, her stake is in his heart. He looks down, surprised, then up… and crumbles to dust.
" Shit… the Slayer!" The second vampire says, turning on Faith. The first vampire lets go of Buffy, to face Faith.
" I'm so touched!" Faith says, sarcastically, " You know me!" She sees the victim is free, but can't see her face. She turns and starts to say " Hey, girl, this is your cue…." But she stops, and nearly faints.
BUFFY !!!
Faith , in shock, stands stock still, almost frozen. The vampire, seeing an advantage, punches Faith, who is knocked back and down.
" HEY!!!" Buffy says, angry, "That wasn't nice!" She starts to kick the vampire, aiming for his shin. But as if guided by another hand, her leg comes up, and she hits him in the thigh with a kick, and the bone snaps
"SHIT…what the hell did you do?" The vampire groans, going down in pain. Buffy, seeing what she did, is getting cocky. She turns, and sees the first vampire advancing on the prone Faith. She runs over, and stands in front of him, blocking Faith.
" Get outta my way, shrimp!" The vampire reaches over and shoves her. She is thrown, landing on her butt. She's up in a second, and without thinking, does a flying kick on him, sending him flying. He smashes against a gravestone, and gets up, looking mad.
By this time, Faith has recovered. Seeing the vamp with the broken leg on the ground, she runs over and quickly stakes him. The first vamp is coming towards Buffy. She gets up, ready to fly at him
" You little pipsqueak. How'd you do that? You're barely big enough for a meal". Losing his temper, he lunges at Buffy. She sidesteps him, and with a kick, sends him flying into another gravestone, head first. He lays there, stunned.
Faith, not waiting for an invitation, is on the vampire. She pulls out a stake, raises it and is ready to plunge it down when she hears a scream.
" NO… You'll KILL him" Buffy says, running over. " That's murder! " She grabs Faith's hand, stopping the downward plunge of the stake.
"B? What the hell? He's a vampire. We kill them" Faith says, confused. She struggles to free her hand.
The vampire, shaking off the blow, stands up. He starts for Faith, punching her in the jaw. She goes flying backwards, landing on her back. Figuring she's the easier kill, he ignores Buffy for the moment, and jumps on Faith… just in time to land on her up pointed stake. He turns to dust.
" WHOA… what the hell?" Buffy says, flabbergasted.
Faith, rubbing her jaw, stands up. She looks intently at the disheveled blonde standing in front of her. She walks over, and looks closely at her face. Her eyes go wide, and for the second time in her life, she faints.
Buffy instinctively catches her. she lowers her to the ground… then realizes she must be stronger than she thinks. Even so, she's panicking. She so doesn't want to meet up with any more of those muggers. She's gotta get outta here…but she can't just leave the girl here. They might hurt her… or worse.
" Miss? MISS?" Buffy says, slapping Faith's Faith. " Oh, please, miss. Wake up… I'm really scared, and I don't wanna be here. Wake up, please!" Buffy begs.
Faith, feeling the blows on the face, wakes up and catches Buffy's hand. She stops her from continuing. She looks up at her, and her heart goes pounding in her chest a mile a second. She feels lightheaded again, and is afraid she'll faint again. She sits up, and stares at the small blonde woman.
"B?" She asks, in a whisper…still in shock.
" Bea? As in Beatrice? Is that my name? Do you know me?" Buffy asks, excitedly. Instinctively she hugs Faith. " God, thank you. I… I can't remember anything!"
"N-N-No, B… as in Buffy" Faith says, " Can't remember?"
" Buffy?" Buffy asks…like the name on that marker? " Buffy? No… no way! That…that girl's dead. I.. I can't be her!"
" How do you know she's dead?" Faith asks, " I mean, if you can't remember anything?" She's puzzled by all of this… but dammit… Willow's spell musta worked!
"I… I… I saw her headstone…back over there" Buffy points in the general direction of her headstone.
"BUFFY! " Faith cries jumping up and hugging the small blonde. The girl struggles, and pushes her away. Faith looks confused. " Buffy?"
" I told you… I'm NOT Buffy!" Buffy cries out, scared. " I… I don't know who I am, but I'm not dead!!!"
Faith looks hurt and bewildered. She moves towards Buffy, who backs away…looking scared . Faiths stops.
" B… don't you know me?" Faith asks, her voice hoarse.
Buffy, looking scared and disoriented, shakes her head. " Sh-should I?" She asks.
Oh my god. Oh my god, oh my god. She… she doesn't know me… me! Faith thinks, What's wrong with her? Damn… damn… she must be disoriented. God… it musta been scary to wake up in a coffin!
" B… It's me, Faith" Faith says, gently. She slowly approaches the nervous looking woman. Buffy backs up, looking around for some kind of weapon. This dark haired chick's gotta be nuts!
" I don't know any Faith… I don't know anybody… and why do you keep calling me different names? First it's Bea, then it's Buffy…then back to Bea… what the hell? Are you nuts?" Buffy says, spying a rock. She quickly bends down and grabs it. She holds it up, threateningly. " You… you stay back…leave me alone! Hear? I don't care if you… helped me or not… you're crazy!" She shakes the rock, her eyes wild and angry. Faith stops.
She really doesn't know me! Something's way wrong here! What happened to her?
" Buffy… please… You're just confused. I understand that. I just want to help you" Faith says, edging closer. Buffy looks at her warily, but doesn't move. " What do you remember?" Faith asks, gently.
Buffy looks at Faith, confused. She…she's nuts… she has to be… but… she's not … I mean… she's not trying to attack me. Buffy doesn't get any hostile vibe off of Faith…and she seems to recognize her, even if she keeps getting her name confused. She looks carefully at Faith. She looks ok… She realizes she has to trust somebody, if she's going to get help. She lowers her rock.
" I… I …I don't remember anything" Buffy says, plaintively, " I … can't remember my name…or where I am… where am I , anyway?" She asks.
" Sunnydale. You live here" Faith says, quietly. She edges a little closer.
" I don't remember anything" Buffy cries, her lip quivering, " All I know is I woke up in some box. Had to claw my way out, and I'm buried in some grave. What happened? Why can't I remember anything?" She starts to cry. She drops the rock.
Faith walks over, and takes Buffy into a hug. Buffy stiffens, looking frightened.
" It's ok, B. I'm not going to hurt you" Faith says, tenderly.
"What…what's my name? I mean, you keep changing my name" Buffy sobs. " I'm so damned confused!"
Faith looks at the confused woman in her arms, and her heart sinks. Damn. She doesn't remember anything about herself. This can't be just that she's disoriented. Something happened. Something bad happened. Faith feels her anger rising. It musta been that spell. Something went wrong with that spell. Red screwed up, big time.
" Buffy. Buffy Summers. You're name is Buffy Summers," Faith replies.
Buffy looks at Faith as if she grew another eyeball. " That's… no way, that's just not so!" Buffy says, angry, " Why're you lying to me? I can't be Buffy Summers. She… she's … dead!" Buffy bursts into fresh tears, " I'm NOT DEAD!".
"No, you're not dead, " Faith says. But I know one red-headed witch that's gonna be! She continues, " ummm… can I call you Buffy, just for convenience sake?" Faith asks.
Buffy nods. Why not? I mean, not like I know who I really am!
"Buffy… I can prove who you are, if you'll come with me?" Faith asks, holding her breath.
Buffy seems to shrink into herself, and moves away from Faith. " I dunno…" She says, doubtfully. She might be some kinda weirdo!
" B… Buffy.. I promise, I won't hurt you" Faith says. She moves a little closer to the bewildered woman. Buffy backs up just a little bit.
" Y-You really know who I am?" She asks, in a small childlike voice. Faith nods.
" Yeah, Buffy. I know who you are. Promise! " Faith swears.
" Help me?" Buffy says, pleading in a small voice. " Please?" .
Faith looks at this scared, frightened Buffy, and she wants to cry. This isn't the Buffy she knows. The one who's so strong sometimes it scares Faith. Who can be such a stubborn, buttheaded bitch that she makes Faith feel useless. That has saved the world 5 times, and died…twice. This.. Buffy is like a child. Frightened, scared, needing someone to trust. Needing to be protected. This isn't the Buffy that Faith loves, but she knows that she still has protective feelings for her. Faith feels an angry rage building in her. Red. I'm gonna throttle her. She did this. She did this with that damned magic of hers. She stole the Buffy I love from me, and I'm so angry at her I could wring her stupid neck! Faith breathes deeply, trying to dissipate her rage. Then it hits her. Dawn. Oh god, Dawn's gonna freak so badly when she sees Buffy. But I can't hide her… this so sucks…this so is Red's fault. She shoulda known better than play with magicks she didn't understand.
" Faith?" Buffy says hesitantly.
Faith looks up , sharply, startling Buffy. " You…remember me?" Hope upon hope.
" N-No…sorry…I… I just remember you telling me that" Buffy says, " Are you ok?"
" Yeah, " Faith lies, " I just…lost in my thoughts. Sorry." She smiles at Buffy.
Buffy smiles back, hesitantly. " C-Can we go now? I'm kinda scared of this place!" She looks around, nervously.
It's just another piece to make Faith angry. Buffy never was scared of a cemetery. But this girl…she's terrified. So much to tell her. God, she's gonna be freaked… and so not believe it!
Faith reaches out a hand, and Buffy hesitantly takes it. They start to walk, Faith leading Buffy to the house on Revello Drive.
As they walk along, Faith can't help but look at Buffy… and she at times catches Buffy looking at her. But Buffy immediately turns away. Faith is a bundle of conflicting emotions. On one hand, she's gonna … god, she's so angry at Willow, she doesn't know WHAT she's gonna do. But, Willow is so going to pay for this. This is worse than if she hadn't brought her back. What if she never remembers who she is… Who I am? Who we are… were… are… dammit! It'll kill me if she's so close, alive… and … and doesn't want me anymore! Dawnie…poor P-nut. She's gonna be so…upset. Her sister doesn't remember her? God, how'd that feel? Giles. Oh my god, I'm gonna have to tell Giles. He's…shit, this is just getting worse and worse. And if Hank Summers shows up while she's like this…Damn!!! We can kiss Dawn, and Buffy, goodbye. Magic. Magic this, Red! Faith flips her a mental finger.
But then there's the touch of Buffy's fingers in her hand. Even if it's only for now. And being able to see her again. Looking at her, so shy… she even smiled a tiny smile at me once. I thought my heart was gonna beat right out of my chest. I love her so much, and she's right here… and so far away. God, I love this, and I hate it. Grrr.
They reach the sidewalk leading to 1630, and stop. Faith starts to lead Buffy up the walk. Buffy stops, pulling her back. Damn, still has the slayer strength… bet she doesn't even know it!
" You live here?" Buffy asks, amazed. " It's so… cool !" Faith has to smile, remembering how many times Buffy complained about the house.
" I live here, yes, " Faith says, " But it's your house, Buffy. You own it."
" I do?" Buffy says, now astonished. " Me? This is my house?"
" Yup, yours… and your sister's" Faith says.
" Sister? I got a sister, too?" Buffy is more and more astounded. " God, this IS cool !".
"C'mon, I'll reintroduce you" Faith says, grinning. Buffy still hesitates. " You ready?"
" Kinda scared now, " Buffy says, " What…do I do?". Faith looks at Buffy, sadly.
" Don't worry, Buffy. Everyone's gonna be glad to see you" Faith says, truthfully. Well, except for the not remembering part.
" Ok" Buffy says, childlike.
Faith leads Buffy up the steps. She goes to the door, and hesitates. Should she wake the household? Or wait?… She so wants to nail Red… but Dawn? She's gotta be prepared for this. No… she'll not wake 'em.
She slips her key in the lock, and motions Buffy in. Quietly, she turns on the light.
" Hey… that you , Faith? What's going on? Kinda late, isn't it?" Willow calls out from the living room.
PERFECT! Faith thinks.
Buffy hides behind Faith, scared by the unfamiliar voice.
" Who's that?" She whispers. " is that my sister?"
" Er… no" Faith says, quietly, " She's a… friend."
Willow enters the foyer, rubbing sleep from her eyes. She looks at Faith
"What's going on, Faith?" Willow asks, " It's kinda late…" She looks behind Faith. Her eyes go wide, and her jaw hits the floor. " Buffy? Buffy !!! " Willow cries, running around Faith to hug Buffy. Buffy, startled, runs away from her, trying to hide in a corner. She is shaking , scared.
"Faith? What… what's wrong with her?" Willow says. She tries to approach Buffy, but Buffy pushes herself more into the corner. "Why… why is she acting like that?" Willow asks, puzzled.
" Well, we got good news and bad news, Red, " Faith says, a derisive edge to her tone. " The good news is… you're spell worked". Willow looks puzzled.
" The bad news? She doesn't remember a damned thing!"
To be continued