Summary: What if Buffy had gone with Angel into that hell dimension on the finale of Season2? My first fan fiction, I think this would be considered AU.

Disclaimers: Mutant Enemy and Joss Whedon own it all. This just all just for entertainments sake, I hope.

After much discussion on the pros and cons of having Spike as an addition to the group, Angel finally spoke his piece.

"Look you guys, as much as I would love to run Spike out on a proverbial rail, he wants to be with us. With Connor. Wiith me and Buffy. You don't quite understand the bond between a childe and his sire. It's strong. As many times as Spike could've killed me he didn't. And that's because of our shared lineage. I don't expect you to understand. Buffy feels it now, she knows what's going on with Spike, what he's feeling. Spike has never been like any other vampire I have ever known, he retained so much of his humanity after he was turned it was very disturbing to those of us who had lost it all. Maybe it was because of Drusilla being so insane, maybe it's just in his wiring. All I know is he can help to protect Connor against Darla and Dru or whatever else may come up. He wants to protect him."

It was Buffy's turn to speak. "I know you'll find this hard to believe after all he's put us through, but I trust Spike when it comes to my son. It sounds so insane, but he's family. The four of us have the same blood now and that means something to him. Darla and Dru are a different story. Maybe because Darla was Angel's sire, she's going to feel threatened by him and Dru, well, she's just a crazy bitch. We have to figure this out, the prophecy, and that will take resources. We have to keep Sunnydale safe, that's Faith and me, and we have to protect Connor. I think without Spike, we'll be spreading ourselves too thin and my son has to be my top priority. He has to be our top priority, according to Whistler, he has a very important part to play in this world. Giles?" Buffy looked to her watcher for his valued opinion.

"Well, my dear, you are certainly right." Giles was really very proud of her, she had matured and she was so sure of herself. Yes, it seemed 20 years did pass for his slayer and she was a confident, strong woman. "So, I give my approval, if that is what you two are looking for. I trust your instincts and if you are sure about this we'll try to work this out." Looking at both Buffy and Angel, Giles continued, "Connor is important for many reasons, the least of which is that he is your son. We must organize and research. You two and Faith can work out a schedule for patrolling and the rest of us can concentrate on finding out what this latest prophecy is." With that, Giles got up. "I really should be going. Buffy, Angel, I'll talk to you once you've spoken with Spike."

Faith stood up as well, "Hey G, did you walk over? Maybe I should go with you, just to keep an eye, y'know?"

"We'll drive him home, maybe we could come in and do a little research?" Willow hated to let any project sit too long and the thought of research was just too tempting for her.

"Willow, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but tomorrow will be soon enough. I think we should all get a good nights rest. I'll take you up on the company, Faith. You can update me on your evening's patrol."

Faith gave the group a big smile and followed her watcher out the door.

Joyce gave them a thoughtful look. Seemed her Faith had a bit of a crush on the Englishman, not that she could blame her. But she didn't want to see Faith get hurt. Perhaps she should have a talk with Giles. Although she wasn't so sure Faith's feelings weren't reciprocated. There were times…oh, well; nature would take its course.

"What's going on, Faith?" Her watcher could tell she had something unspoken on her mind. During the past summer they had become close, even though getting through the shell had built had been something Giles had almost given up on. Once he had, he was very happy he hadn't given up on her. She was hardened by the life she had led, but she had learned to accept the fact that the little Sunnydale contingent was there to fight the good fight and she seem to need the moral compass they were able to give her. Particularly Joyce. She had become the surrogate mother Faith had so desperately needed. So different from Buffy, but no less endearing to him. Yes, Buffy had certainly opened him up to a whole new plethora of emotions where his relationships were concerned. He was sure the council would never approve.

"I went to see Spike tonight."

"Faith, you didn't kill him, did you?" The last thing he wanted was a major disagreement between his two slayers.

"No, I just wanted to feel him out. The guy is wicked sexy, y'know?" She took a sideways glance to gauge his reaction.

Giles nearly choked, "Wicked sexy? Faith, he's a demon! What are you thinking?"

"I'm not acting on it, it's just an observation. All we shared was a cig and a laugh. The guy can be all pouty-charmy like. You had to be there, I guess. Anyway, I just wanted know what he was about. And if B and Angel decide he's gonna be added to the mix, I'll back 'em100."

"Well, I'm sure they'll be glad of it. I just don't know if it's wise for you to be spending too much of your time with him, is all. There seems to be a certain attraction that my slayers have for vampires. Granted, Angel has a soul, but despite his recent actions to the contrary, Spike is a vicious monster and we need to all be wary of him. Are you listening to me Faith." Giles turned to face her as they reached the door to his apartment.

Faith looked back into Giles' face and as if on auto-pilot, she took his face between her two hands and kissed him, full on the mouth. At first he was in shock. It wasn't as if he hadn't thought about this once or twice, he was still man and Faith was a very beautiful, desirable girl. But she was still a girl. At first he tried to pull away but Faith wouldn't let go. As she slid her tongue into his mouth, Giles moaned and pulled her close as he opened his mouth to allow her access.

Oh my god, what and I doing? With that thought, he used all his will power to pull away from her. He staggered back, trying to put some distance between them. "Faith, I am so sorry, I should never have allowed that to happen. I don't know what came over me."

Faith just smiled her secret smile. "Well, G, I came over you. Fight it all you want but I have my answer and I will have you. It may take you a little time to get use to the idea, but we will be together." She turned to leave an opened mouth Giles looking after her. Try as he might, he couldn't help staring at the sight of her swinging backside and the long hair flowing down her back. "Oh yes," he thought, "I am in big trouble here."