One day passed as Maeve contacted the Watcher of the second Slayer. That night Oz and Willow arrived at the mansion in Oz's van to pick-up Angel and Buffy.
As Willow started to open the entry doors of the mansion, Willow and Oz both heard Angel shout frantically, "SHUT THE DOOR!"
Willow complied instantly, shutting the door without even entering. A moment later they both heard the impact of a body, and saw the heavy wood doors shake. The witch and werewolf gazed at each other uncertainly as they heard the sounds of struggle followed by a sharp cry, then silence.
Five minutes later, Angel slowly opened the door with difficulty, a unconscious Slayer in his arms. Angel stood, his face haggard and grim as he said, "Let's go."
Three minutes from Sunnydale High School, Buffy woke up. Angel held her close, murmuring soothing words into her ear as Buffy gazed around frantically in fear.
As Oz pulled the van into the high school parking lot, Xander and Cordelia stood waiting for them. While Angel and Oz helped Buffy out of the van, Willow went over to Xander and Cordelia.
"Why aren't you two waiting inside with Giles," asked Willow.
"Giles wants us all to come in together," Xander said. "Something about making sure Buffy and Dead Boy are protected…or was it supported?"
Willow scowled at Xander, then looked behind herself as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She smiled faintly as Oz nodded towards the school building. With Angel and Buffy leading, they entered the school.
Outside the library doors Giles stood, waiting for the Slayerettes, Vampire, and Slayer.
"Please be on your best behavior," Giles whispered. "The situation is difficult enough as it is…. In fact, try not to say anything at all. What is happening here is purely between the Slayers, Angel, and the Watchers. The true reason I have asked you all here is to be a base of support for Buffy, Angel, and myself."
Giles looked at each of the Slayerettes in turn, receiving a nod from each in understanding. He then looked at Buffy and Angel.
"Angel, make sure Buffy stays by you at all times," Giles whispered, concern and worry in his voice.
Angel nodded as he held Buffy closer to himself. With a sigh of resignation, Giles opened the library doors, the others following him inside.
"Vampire," said Maeve once the Slayerettes had arranged themselves behind the Slayer, Vampire, and Watcher.
"Distant child of my blood," Angel retaliated as Buffy growled softly, eyes narrowed.
Maeve then said, in recognition of Buffy and her status, "Slayer."
Buffy stopped growling, and tilted her head in curiosity. "Wh-who," she asked.
Everyone followed Buffy's gaze…to an unknown long, dark-haired teenage girl.
"The name's Faith…and I'm the new Slayer." Faith's gaze focused directly onto Buffy, as she said, "So…you're the one who started the whole two-Slayer gig, huh? Just can't seem to stay dead, can ya?"
"FAITH!" Maeve shouted in shock, while Buffy lunged towards Faith, only to be stopped by Angel in a vise-like grip around her shoulders.
"Let me GO!" Buffy shouted in Angel's mind as she struggled to break free of his hold on her.
"I cannot do that, Beloved," Angel thought grimly. "You cannot harm her. She is needed here."
"She is NOT! I can protect the Hellmouth!"
"Not while you're half-insane!" Angel forcefully turned Buffy around to face him, and looked deeply into her eyes. "I will NOT lose you so soon after finding you again! In the state you are currently in -- unable to remain sane for long periods of time AND unable to leave my presence -- how CAN you fight? What if we were broken apart in a battle!"
Buffy stopped struggling, and bowed her head in defeat. Angel gently tilted her head up, and whispered softly, "I love you. Please. Do this for me."
Buffy nodded, tears falling down her face. Tenderly, Angel drew Buffy into his embrace, resting his chin on top of her head. So they remained for a moment, before Faith asked in disbelief, "What the HELL just happened!"
"Now I understand what you meant about a soul-bond, Rupert," Maeve murmured quietly, then said out-loud, "What you just witnessed, Faith, is two of the strongest Warriors in existence communicating through their souls."
Faith looked at Maeve in confusion, and said, "Huh?"
Maeve shook her head, and said, "You have much yet to learn. For now, all you need know is that you are needed here to protect this place from the Underground, and will do so until otherwise told by me."
Faith's eyes flashed with defiance, as she sneered, "You think you can order me around? No one tells me what to do! I AM the Slayer!"
"No," Angel said quietly, dangerously, in a voice the Slayerettes had come to fear in his soulless state, "you are a Slayer. You can easily be replaced. If you wish to live past your first year…you will do what the Head of the Watchers says. If you do not…you will deal with me, and I will not be so kind as they."
Faith shuddered, as she heard the truth of Angel's words. She asked, "Who are you?"
Angel drew himself up, his very presence emanating the power of the Master Vampire that he was. His voice was filled with the power of his life as he said, "I am Angel, a vampire in possession of his soul. But in the time before I received my soul I was known as Angelus: the Scourge of Europe."
Faith's eyes blazed with anger, as she said to Maeve, "You're working with a vampire!"
Maeve nodded, then said stiffly, "Yes, I am. I have no other choice than to work with HIM. Believe me when I say that HE is the last being in existence I would willingly work with. But there are difficulties that make it impossible to not work with HIM."
"Like what!" Faith snapped.
"I cannot tell you."
Faith snorted, then said, "Whatever…I'm outta here! I'll keep this town safe, but don't expect me to do anything else!"
After Faith had left, Xander muttered sarcastically, "That went well. I wouldn't trust her with a ten foot pole."
"Agreed," Giles said grimly. "We must keep a close eye on her. She must NOT learn more than necessary about Buffy and Angel."
Maeve sighed heavily before saying, "I must second your suggestion, Brother. She is too volatile to trust easily." She looked over at Buffy and Angel, and saw them apparently in a deep conversation. She cleared her throat to get their attention. When they looked up, she continued, addressing Angel, "We almost have all of the components needed for the spell to restore Buffy back to full sanity, and make your soul permanent. Hopefully tomorrow the spell can be performed."
Angel nodded, and said, "Good. I would like to be able to keep an eye on Faith by myself. Buffy says that once she is free from this madness that she can begin training again while I watch Faith."