A/N: Sorry for the delay. Thanks for the reviews. I appreciate every one of them. I promise to try not to let my life get in the way of the story for that long again... as long as you keep wanting more. Hope you enjoy!

Buffy

Things go on like this for a couple weeks. I still have no contact with Willow, except when I answer the phone. She calls to talk to Dawn now, and I'm glad for that. I think it's helping a lot because Dawn's grades have improved and she's been much happier. And I'm sure it'll help Willow to have friends supporting her. I know she's talking to Xander too. I'm trying to be supportive but it's hard when I'm a little jealous.

The icing on the cake is my new job. My time finally ran out and I'm now the newest member of the Doublemeat Palace team. My outfit is hideous. Red and white stripped shirt, red pants and a hat I can't believe I actually put on. It's bad.

My first day sucked. The manager is creepy looking and takes this job way to serious. You'd think he was saving the world or something. The customers drive me nuts. I don't know how long I'll last.

The place just gets creepier as the day goes on. First the old lady talking about people disappearing. The always present Manny and then Spike shows up. But somehow I manage to get through and even come back for round two. That's when it really got weird.

The guy working the grill with me goes on and on about his ear grease. Then I get hit with a double shift. Break wasn't so bad but is it any surprise when I flip out after finding that finger? And then they have the nerve to fire me.

I call a meeting and head to the Magic Box, meeting up with Xander and Anya. Glad the emergency meetings are being taken seriously. I show Dawn what I found but stupid Xander ate the burger.

"That's your problem with this scenario? You getting seconds?" he asks me, food falling past his lips.

Dawn steps in trying to calm the situation. "Buffy, just go get another burger. Xander," she catches his eye. "There's still some on the wrapper, we'll get to work on analyzing it."

"How... oh." He wipes his mouth off on his sleeve and walks into the back room.

I look from him to Dawn. "What was that about?"

"Don't worry about it, get another burger in case this isn't enough." She walks over to the table, carefully wrapping up what's left.

Since when has she been all in-control girl. "Fine."

I plan to bribe someone into buying me a burger but it's later than I realize. They're already closed for the night so I decide to do some investigating instead. I think the place is even creepier at night. Especially since now I'm finding bigger body parts, like this foot.

Wig lady throws me for a loop when she practically paralyzed me. The snake looking thing coming out of her head wasn't making me feel any better either. I manage to get away, sliding myself along the floor. I was starting to doubt myself as I felt the paralysis move up my body.

She gets a hold of me, lifting me onto my feet. The snake thing starts to bite down and I'm frozen. I don't have a clue what to do but then Willow shows up. She takes the demon's head off and grinds it up, saving me.

She looks down at me oddly and shakes it off, helping me onto my feet. "You okay?"

"Yeah, she paralyzed me but its wearing off." I use her and the wall for support as we start to walk out. "How'd you know I was here?"

"Xander," she says, leading me outside. My one arm around her shoulders and she helps support me. "He asked me to check out that burger. It's vegetables, by the way."

"Interesting." We walk quietly back to my house. "Thanks for saving me."

She sighs, unwrapping my arm and letting me stand on my own feet. "I'm sorry about what I did. I didn't mean to hurt Dawn. Or you."

I watch her as she talks, she's looking everywhere but at me. Her eyes finally catch mine and she turns, continuing our walk. "I haven't done any magic in over a month now. It's hard, but I'm taking it day by day."

"Good." We walk up towards my door and I open it, walking inside. She lingers in the doorway and I turn to her. "Its still your home, if you want it to be."

She stands there and I almost wonder if she heard me, "Will? Coming in?"

"I can't Buffy," she says, looking up at me. "But I'll call ok?"

I nod as she turns and walks down the steps. "Goodnight Willow," I whisper to myself as I close the door.

The following week was my birthday, not a day I was particularly looking forward to. As you well know, my birthdays tend to be off the bad. With Willow barely talking to me and Dawn always busy, I wasn't expecting a party but I guess everyone needed an excuse to relax for a night. It was Xander and Anya's idea, and they seemed excited to I went along. We invited Willow, Tara, the gang, and Sophie from work.

As the party started up, I learned that Xander and Anya had invited someone over to set me up. Anya was anxious for a couple to hang out with. The guy was sweet enough, but I think being magically trapped in my house for the night freaked him out a tad. He didn't ask for my number so I'm not expecting anything.

Seems Dawn hasn't learned her lesson about wishes. She made a mindless wish talking to a counselor and we were trapped for hours. But, in a weird way, it was good. Her and I stayed up all night, talking about what's bothering her, what's bothering me. I think things between us are finally looking brighter.

That was until last night. Dawn was out again, with Willow... for the umpteenth time. Xander and Anya were busy. And I had no desire to see Spike. Well, there was desire, but I was being smart for a change. I decided to leave early for patrol and take a walk around the park. As I neared the park I saw the ball field lit up for a little league game. I took a path leading up the side of the field and stood watching for a while.

"Keep your eye on the ball!" Shouted who I assumed was a parent sitting on the bleachers. How the kid could miss I didn't know, the ball was sitting on a tee in front of him. The kid swung and the ball landed between first and second.

"Run Jimmy!" I hear the coach on first yell. Someone who sounds awfully like...

"Come on Ken, slide home!" Okay, now I know that voice. I walk closer to the benches, sticking behind the bleachers and see something I would never have believed. Faith is coaching a little league team. Wait... I look down the baseline at first and see Dawn. I thought she was with Willow...

Looking around some more I find Willow chatting with someone I don't know. Going out on a limb I'd guess it was Faith's friend, the one with the son. Who also happens to be up to bat now. I feel the anger and hurt start to fill me up and I'm thankful that I'm actually feeling something. I'd be really scared if this didn't bother me, on several levels.

I walk away as the sun begins to set. I mindlessly patrol, staking four vamps without breaking into a sweat. I find myself standing in front of Faith's apartment and realize that I had decided to talk to her about it. I look up, seeing the light is on. I hadn't really expected her to be asleep, but she could have been out. I never sensed her but she has a way of avoiding me.

I go inside and make my way to her door. I hear laughing and music playing. Sounds like she's having a party. I really shouldn't intrude on her when she's got company so I turn to leave. Just then, her door opens and someone steps out, looking behind them. "Don't forget to call! I'll be out that way in two months."

I turn and see Faith step into the doorway to close it as the woman walks past me. She takes a step out and closes the door behind her. "B?"

Well, now I have to talk. "Hey Faith."

"Whatcha doin' here?"

I turn and face her fully, "I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Can you make it quick?" She motions to the door behind her, "I have guests."

I sigh, brushing my hair behind my ear, "We can meet tomorrow or something, I don't want to keep you from your party."

"Great, I'll come patrol with you."

Just as she finishes answering, the door behind her opens. "Faith, what are you doing out..." Dawn pauses, looking at me.

"Dawn! What are you doing here?" I must have yelled that, because the music inside was suddenly turned off. I stepped past Faith and Dawn and saw only a couple people I didn't know. The others consisted of my friends, all of them. Except Sophie... dammit what's her last name! I rub my eyes, trying to stop the mind-ramble. "Sorry, my invite must have got lost in the mail."

Everyone stays quiet, looking at me. They look scared of me. Faith's voice answers from behind me, "You weren't invited B. Just go."

I turn slowly, glaring at Faith when our eyes meet. "You must be so fucking happy now. You've finally stolen my life. You've got everything I had. Does it make you happy?"

Faith regards me slowly, nodding her head. "Yes, it makes me happy. But I didn't steal shit from you. Hasn't been yours for a while B."

Without look away from Faith I say, "Dawn get your things. We're leaving."

"C'mon B. She wasn't doing anything wrong. You can see for yourself there isn't anything bad going on here."

I walk up to Faith, getting right in her space. "I want to talk to you outside."