It was around lunch so the girls that were up early were already filing into the kitchen for some food but there were still regualr teenagers that were just getting up. Either way the whole downstairs was filled with only teenagers, Andrew and Cordelia. They all sat around the table, on counters and standing or leaning against objects as they made their daily conversation.
Rona was first to make conversation, "So who else is thinking about Buffy differently now?"
One of the girls nodded, "I know I am. I mean where did she pull all that vamp act?"
Rona nodded, "That girl's got a history and I say we find out what it is."
Kennedy had been strangely quiet that morning which is wierd because normally she starts the talking so everyone was wierded out when she said what she did, "I think we should leave Buffy's history alone. She doesn't need a bunch of teenagers prying into her life unless she wants to talk to us about it."
Rona stood up to her, "What changed your mind? I thought you were number one for hating Buffy."
Kennedy smiled, "Yea well some people grow up Rona. Maybe you should try it."
Rona got out of her chair and walked up to Kennedy getting right in her face, "You're going to stand there and tell me to grow up? I wasn't the one who ran out and got myself beet up because my girlfriend was hugging another guy. The best part is that's not even the most immature thing you've done. maybe I should lay all your shit out."
Kennedy didn't give her a chance to because she used her right fist to connect with her face. Rona flew to the side but stayed standing. She looked at kennedy, "Big mistake."
Then kicked her in the stomach sending her into the main room. There was no more talking only slayer pinned against slayer. Kennedy threw Rona on top of the coffee table wrecking it which pretty much woke a few people up. The whole time Cordy stood without saying a word. Illyria was the first one downstairs but Willow, Oz and Wesley were close behind.
Illyria walked up to them and littlerally held them by the clothes behidn their necks, "You two are suppossed to be warriors. You do not fight against each other. What good is being a leader if you do not trust those you are leading?"
Rona stared up at her, "What do you know about being a slayer?"
Illyria threw her at the wreckage of the same coffee table she just went threw. Illyria didn't have a chance to respon because Faith was down there in seconds and directly over Rona, "She may not be a slayer but sadly she knows a little more then you do."
Rona tried to smile through her bleeding fat lip, "You're going to preech about being a slayer?"
Faith smiled, "You can't talk about things you don't understand Rona but you're right. I lost sight of what a slayer is for a year or two and believe me coming back isn't pretty. If you continue this little fight here with Kennedy I guarantee you she'll win because she's doing it for the right reasons. I'm going to let you make a choice, you can attack her again or you can walk away but know if you attack her you'll end up worse for it."
Rona stood there staring at kennedy and then sighed and walked back to the kitchen for some ice. Kennedy smiled up at faith, "You're starting to talk like a slayer."
Then Kennedy walked back to the kitchen for some food. Illyria looked down at faith, "You gain more understanding every day."
Faith nodded, "I guess I do."
Illyria just nodded and walked back to Wesley, "I think I'm fading. I should not have taken them apart."
Wesley smiled, "That's okay Illyria. You're doing what you think is right." Illyria tilted her head to one side as he cotinued to speak, "Let's go to the kitchen. I'm kind of hungry."
Illyria followed without question. Willow had been out of her wheelchair since late night but that fiht had gotten her weaker so she was leaning on Oz as they walked towards faith. Willow smiled, "You're doing a great job Faith."
Oz nodded, "Last time I saw you, you were killing people and this is defenitely a step up for you...a big step."
Faith smiled and nodded, "Thanks."
Oz looked towards Willow, "I'm hungry."
Willow smiled, "Then let's cook you something."
Oz nodded, "We're going in."
Willow laughed as he guided her towards the evry busy kitchen. It was at that moment Xander and Gunn walked down the stairs. Xander ran up to faith, "What's going on?"
Faith waved her hand, "It was nothing. Just broke up another teenage brawl."
Gunn smiled, "That happens a lot with a bunch of teen girls in the same house."
Xander nodded and looked at faith again, "Buffy come in last night?"
Faith shrugged, "If she did I haven't seen her."
Gunn smiled, "Angel and Spike still haven't showed up which means they must of had a very late night."
Xander nodded, "Angel and Spike always get first crack at her."
Gunn smiled, "It's alright man. At least she'll be more calm."
Xander sniffed the air, "Somebody's making pancakes."
Gunn smiled along with Faith. Both yelled at the same time, "I'm there."
All three of them made their way to the kitchen leaving only Spike, Buffy and Angel absent.
-About An Hour Later-
Angel started to stir behind behind as he blinked his eyes to wake himself up. He slowly climbed out of bed turning around once he stood to make sure buffy was still sound asleep. It was time to look for Spike, the only time where buffy couldn't protect him. He put on his shirt and walked out the door and down the stairs slowly. It was pretty noisy as everyone was lounged around the main level of the hotel engrossed in conversation. As he surveyed the room the only one he couldn't find was Spike so he walked over to Xander who was talking to Willow on one of the couches.
He knelt down beside them and Xander smiled, "What's going on dead boy?"
Angel sighed, "Have you seen Spike?"
Xander shook his head and then looked at Willow. Willow shook her head too and then looked at Angel, "Why?"
Angel sighed knowing he should tell them, "Buffy came in last night and..."
Willow smiled, "What time?"
Angel looked confused but answered her, "About 4 this morning."
Willow looked mad, "Dammit!"
Xander was laughing and yelled to Faith, "We win. Buffy walked in at about 4 this morning."
Faith smiled and looked at Willow, "A slayer knows a slayer."
Willow just sighed. Angel looked at her, "You guys were betting?"
Xander nodded, "Yea. It's how we deal with things and Willow can't deal because she lost!"
Willow changed the sunject quickly, "So why are you looking for Spike?"
Angel nodded and finished tellin them, "When buffy came in last night we got into this big discussion and something happened ot her last night that related to something Spike did ot her."
Xander looked pissed in seconds, "Please Angel tell me it's not the bathroom scene."
Angel just stared down and Xander swore to himself, "What happened to her last night?"
Angel sighed knowing it's better for them to know the truth, "A few of the vampires specifically Ronnie started to drink from Buffy but then when she said no Ronnie wouldn't let her go. She walked in with quite a bit of scars and bruises."
Xander banged his head back on the couch as Willow extremely sad. Willow looked down as she spoke, "Is she up?"
Angel shook his head, "No. That's kind of why i wanted to talk to Spike, you know so Buffy can't interrupt."
Willow shook her head, "No!" Angel and Xander both looked extremely confused. "Spike knows what he did was wrong and if he's not around then he defenitely feels guilty about it. Buffy needs to move on from this again. She's not good at dealing with things like this."
Faith finally popped intot he conversation, "What did Spike do?"
Xander ignored Willow's fatal glare telling him no and said it anyway, "He almost raped Buffy in her bathroom."
Faith was extremely taken back but Willow tried to make it better, "But he was evil guys. He was in a bad place and he knows it's something that shouldn't of happened. If Buffy can handle this then why are yu two making such a big deal over the past? She's in a lot of pain now and it has nothing to do with Spike."
Angel nodded, "Has something to do with hatred for Spike."
Willow smiled, "I don't care Angel. Buffy depends on him a lot more then anyone and you are not going to take that way from her."
Faith looked up at Willow, "The more she depends on him the longer he goes without being able to move on."
Willow sighed, "Faith come on. Buffy knows you two are all head over heels. I think you're just a little paranoid because something could happen between them but you won't let yourself think it won't."
Faith smiled, "You're like the town psychiatrist."
Willow smiled and looked up the stairs, "I better go talk to buffy."
Faith shook her head, "I get first crack."
Willow nodded, "Cool."
As Faith walked up the stairs Cordelia walked over to Angel and the group. She actually smiled, "The old gang."
Xander smiled, "Minus Oz."
Oz walked over and smiled, "No the old gang. Just don't go kissing my girl and I'll be fine."
Xander let out a nervous laugh, "You were joking right?"
Oz just half smiled leaving Xander to wonder. Willow was really smiling now as she stared at Xander, "Yea Xander. You're not aloud to kiss me."
Xander sighed, "Then maybe you should of stayed a lesbian."
Oz smiled down at Willow, "I don't think so."
Willow looked extremely praised as she cuddled into Oz's presence behind her. Shelooked over at Cordy and into her eyes. She noticed something, something she couldn't place. "Cordy, are you okay?"
Cordy just smiled at Willow, "I've been better, why?"
Willow just shook it off, "No reason."
Cordy looked a little suspicious herself now. Looks like Willow was on to her but she smiled anyway because it wouldn't be too long until all her problems were gone. It also wasn't long until they were all yet again in deep conversation, even Cordelia. When it was silent Angel looked over to Cordelia, "Can we talk?"
Cordy smiled, "Of course."
Then those two walked towards the office for their talk.
-Buffy's Room-
Buffy sat curled up on the bed with a few tears excaping the side of her eyes. She knew when Angel smiled around Cordy that he was happy, that it was a real smile and it was happening now. She liked the feeling of him being happy but the jealousy and pain was almost too much for her. She closed her eyes and layin the dark room crying until she saw a streak of light from the door get bigger and bigger. She knew someone was coming to talk to her.
Buffy quickly tried to wipe the tears away but faith caught her in the act. She down on the bed, "What's wrong with you?"
Buffy slowly shook her head, "Nothing. I'm just a woos nowadays."
Faith nodded and thought about ti for a second, "Angel's talking to Cordy huh?"
Buffy nodded and wiped away a fresh tear. She took a deep breath to stop crying and finally spoke, "I wanted to talk to you, about last night."
Faith smiled, "Forget about it."
Buffy shook her head, "I didn't warn anybody and I know how you and Spike feel about each other."
Faith nodded, "I understand B, no worries."
Buffy nodded, "So then we're cool?"
Faith nodded. During the silence Faith thought about an unanswered question, "People keep saying we feel the same thing for each other. Am I wrong when I don't believe them?"
Buffy surprised her with her answer, "No." Faith waited for her to explain. "I'm always going to need Spike and I hope he's always there for me. I can't promise you I won't try anything unless you guys get married because...well Spike and I take care of each other."
Faith nodded, "I get the closeness but I don't think I can be with him if on some level you two are together."
Buffy shook her head, "No faith, it's a good thing you're trying with Spike. The less he needs to take care of me the better and he wants to take care of you. Soon I won't even be able to compare to you. You just have to give him a chance and be patient with him."
Faith smiled, "I figured I'd need patience."
Buffy and Faith had a small laugh until buffy stopped and sighed. "He's pretty sad right now."
Faith looked curious, "Why?"
Buffy shook her head, "Guilt."
Faith nodded already uderstanding, "He's not downstairs."
Buffy nodded, "He'll show up smoking under a blanket in a few minutes. He'll wait until I worry."
For some reason Faith wasn't as jealous as she thought she would be but more understanding, "How does he know you're worrying?"
Buffy smiled, "I don't know but the second I start to worry he always shows up."
Faith smiled, "Worry soon because I want to go back downstairs."
"You can go downstairs. I'll hang up here."
"Why? Who can't you face?"
It took a few seconds for Buffy to answer, "Cordelia."
Faith smiled, "Don't you miss the days when you were used to feeling what they feel?"
Buffy smiled, "I do. Sometimes though when they're happy it's nice to feel it."
Faith nodded and stood up, "Alright, if you're not going to come down I'm going to send Willow up. She wanted to talk to you."
Buffy smiled, "She would."
Faith walked to the door, "Thanks buffy."
Buffy couldn't ask why faith was saying thank you because she was out the door and buffy was left alone to ponder it.