Faith

She's fucking spying on me! Who gave her the right? I don't give a shit if she's invisible, she's got no right following me around.

I sensed her before Willow showed up but was confused, since I couldn't see her anywhere. When she explained what happened it made more sense, but I didn't want to upset Red. She'd really feel betrayed if she thought B was checking up on her like that.

I didn't think she was going to follow me at first, then I felt her. It was a little weaker, so I knew she was keeping her distance. At least until I left the house. I wonder what she made of that conversation. Was funny as hell to see Jonathan's head lurch forward but he deserved being hit.

I feel her creeping too close for comfort. Try as I might, I can't ignore the way that slayer sense kicks in. It's finally too much and I spin around, shooting the ray gun at her. Hope I flicked the switch right, probably should have thought of that before I pulled the trigger. I see her start to materialize and relax.

She looks at me, a little relieved, and I just got pissed! She doesn't get it. So I throw the gun at her and leave. I don't want to be around her anyway. I only got involved as a favor to Red.

"I seem to remember a time you weren't above a little spying,"

I groan as I turn into an alley, I hadn't realized she was still following me. I turn around and she stops short about 4 feet from me. I bite the inside of my lips as I try to stay calm. "And I learned my lesson, now you've learned yours."

I go to turn when she's closed the distance between us, her hand on my arm to stop me. "Thanks."

I pause but my back is still to her. "Don't need your thanks."

She lets go of my arm and sighs, "I'm just trying to be nice Faith."

"Don't need your 'niceness'," I say as I turn to face her again, leaning back on my right foot, my right hand resting on my hip. "Don't even want it so no thanks."

"Since when haven't..." she stops, her hand going over her mouth.

I squint my eyes, looking at her closely. "What was that B?"

She looks up from the ground, which she seemed to find interesting, and locks eyes with mine. A slight smile crosses her face and it actually looks natural for a change. Her voice takes on a little attitude, "Since when haven't you wanted my 'niceness.'"

So there is a little B left after all. I look up to the sky as I try to add it up, "Since about 18 months ago."

Now she's confused, I love doing that. "Explain."

"No."

She looks up at me, anger flashing in her eyes, "You can't say something like that and not explain!"

"You'll get an explanation when I feel like giving you one." I continue through the alley, crossing the street at a jog and going inside. Thankfully she stops following when she sees me enter, guess she doesn't want a door slammed in her face.

When I get into the apartment I find Red talking to Xander on the couch. They get quiet when I walk in. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt anything."

"You're not Fai," Red said, adopting Seth's nickname for me. "Xander and I were just talking." I raise my eyebrow at her, "He apologized."

Cool. I nod and get a bottle of water out of the fridge. "Want me to leave you two?"

"Actually," he says, standing up. "I have to get going. Anya and I are meeting with caterers."

"Yum. Food." I turn and go through the fridge again, looking for something to eat.

Willow laughs and leads Xander out. He pauses by the door, "Faith?"

I lift my head over the door, "Yeah?"

"Thanks."

I stand upright, looking at him. What's with everyone thanking me today. "For what?"

"For helping Willow." He smiles at the redhead and kisses her forehead.

"Anytime," I turn back to look for food, hoping this doesn't lead to a group hug. I hear the door close as I lift out a plate of left over lasagna. "Hungry?"

"Sure," she sits down at the kitchen table.

I put the plate in the microwave and warm it up. I sit down with Red, putting the plate between us and giving her a fork. She laughs as I dig in, eating almost twice as much as she does. I almost growl as she takes the last piece. "What?"

"You want this?" she twirls the last piece on the edge of her fork, teasing me.

"Bitch."

She holds it near her nose and inhales, "Smells yummy."

"Bitch." I know I said that already, but I feel it bears repeating.

She blows on it softly, even though I doubt it's still hot. I decide I like this Red better than the old one. I lower my eyes and she smirks, "You can have it." I go to grab her fork and she shakes her head. She waves the fork in front of me again, "Just gotta say please."

Is she crazy? She thinks I'm gonna beg? I don't beg! As she goes to pass it by my face I grab her wrist, strong enough to remind her who she's messing with but not enough to hurt. I lock eyes with her and slowly lower my mouth to the fork, wrapping my lips around the pasta and sucking it.

I slowly chew, darting my tongue out to lick a little sauce off my lips. I let go of her wrist and sit back. She's looking at me like I told her Santa Clause isn't real. "No fair!"

"What?"

"You didn't say please!" she says, pouting.

"Not in my vocabulary Red." I stand up, clearing our dishes and washing them.

"You should work on that then," she's looking at me. I'm not facing her, I can just tell. I continue cleaning up and wipe the sink off. She leaves it alone, changing the topic. "Did you hear about the team?"

"What?" I answer, drying off my hands and moving into the living room.

She follows, sitting down on the couch as I turn on the playstation. I resume my game waiting for her to answer. "Jeff is getting transferred to Portland."

"When?" I look up, pausing my game. Jeff was Seth's T-ball coach. The season was just starting in a week.

"In a month, but he's gonna be too busy getting ready to move to coach the team."

I frown, resuming my game. "Who's taking his place?"

"You."

I look at her, my game forgotten again. She's smiling. "What are you talking about Red?"

"Jade and I were talking about it and we think you should coach the team. You've helped out at practices a few times plus you're always sitting at home playing games. It'll do you some good to get out of the house more." She starts giving me that pouty face again. "Seth would love it if you coached the team. Come on..."

I think about it, she's got a point. I don't know much about baseball but what's to know when the kids are all 4 or 6. It's all fun and games. "Okay."

I see her jaw drop as I go back to my game. "Really? That's it? You'll do it?"

"Yeah, they got practice tomorrow right?"

She nods and slides her lap top over. The coffee table has turned into her desk, all her discs and books cluttering it. Suddenly she's in hackers mode and I know I can finally play in peace.

The next afternoon I'm on the far side of the park, cutting across the grass with a large bag of equipment hanging over my shoulder. I'm about a hundred yards from the field when I walk past Dawn, sitting alone on a bench.

I keep going, not sure of the little one's feelings regarding me. I'm about 5 steps away when she lifts her head up, seeing me. "Faith?"

I stop and turn around, "Hey Dawn."

"What are you doing here?" She looks from me to the bag.

"Oh, um.." I shift the bag off my shoulder, holding it by my side. "Practice."

"You're training at the park?"

"Training? No, practice." I motion to the field of little kids playing and parents sitting in the stands. "I'm coaching a t-ball team."

I can see her trying not to laugh. Her lips slowly creep into a smile and her body shakes a little. I sigh and roll my eyes and she bursts out laughing. "Sorry," she says, catching her breath. "Just not on the list of things I'd expect you to be doing."

"Never was one to do the expected." I look back and the field, knowing I'm late but reluctant to leave her alone. "So what's your excuse?"

"Huh?"

"Whatcha doing here?"

"Oh," she says, looking away. "Just getting out of the house for a while."

"Something wrong?" I ask, knowing I shouldn't get involved. I sit down next to her.

Her expression changes and I know I'm right, but she covers it quickly. "Nope, just going stir-crazy."

I don't press. I hate when people bug me so I tend to leave them be. But I know sulking alone isn't going to help what ever is wrong. "You free for the next couple hours?"

"Yeah," she looks at me curiously. "Why?"

"See those brats over there?" She looks over and instantly smiles. Bingo! "Well, I've got to keep them focused for two hours and I've never done this before. I could use a hand."

"I don't know," she says. She keeps watching the kids and I follow her gaze. "You'd really be helping me out, I'd owe you big time."

"You'd owe me?" she asks, her tone changing. I've got her now.

"Yep."

"Can't hurt to have a slayer in your pocket," she smirks.

Doesn't she already? I leave that for later, standing up and grabbing the bag. "Come on, we're late."

Practice goes even better than I thought. Dawn's a natural with children, they loved her. Our team isn't that bad, even though it's pretty hard to be bad a t-ball. The girls are fast runners, with a few good hitters. The boys got some tough lil guys always trying to knock it out of the park.

I finish picking up the equipment and see Seth leading Dawn over. "Time for ice cream?"

I laugh, nodding my head. "As soon as we get home Buddy."

He pouts, "My name's not Buddy!"

Dawn ruffle's his hair and I'm forgotten as he turns to her, "Want some ice cream?"

Dawn looks at me and I smile, "We have a bowl at home after each practice. You're can come if you want."

She reaches down and picks him up, carrying him as I lead her back to my apartment. I leave the equipment down in the storage room and we head upstairs. Seth jumps out of her arms once we're inside, grabbing her hand and leading her into the kitchen. She barely has time to wave to Willow and Xander who are in the living room.

"Back so soon?" I question with a grin.

He holds up his hand in the shape of the Vulcan greeting. He says, "I come in peace."

I pick up a throw pill and... well, throw it at him. "That's live long and prosper."

"Damn, well the alien theme worked!" He says, chuckles. "You mind me dropping by?"

I can see Red look at me and I think she's worried I'm gonna say yes. "Nah, as long as you don't start anything I'm five by five."

Both Red and Xander smile and get back into their conversation. I start to join but I hear Seth call out "FAI!"

"Excuse me guys," I stand up. My stomach rumbles at the thought of ice cream. "Duty calls!"

Red calls out, "Faith, wait a minute." I pause near the kitchen door and she motions me back over. "What's Dawn doing here?"

"Oh," should have known that would raise a few questions. "Bumped into her at the park... she helped out with practice. I think she might stick around the whole season. She really hit it off with the kids."

Both Willow and Xander smiled at that. Again, I wonder if she's been having problems at home. I move to head into the kitchen when a thought hits me, "Just don't tell Buffy... if Dawn wants her to know she'll tell her."