Allen Pitt - I'm glad you like it. As for your suggestions about her father, I have read several BtVS & Stargate cross-overs and have vague memories of the show but not enough to be comfortable writing it sorry, and Sirius Black, well now there are several possibilities there but as of the moment I can't be definite on it, I actually have one idea running through my head right now but whether I use it or not... I'll write it up and see how I feel then. Yes I agree, although she wasn't exactly happy about it at first she did come to trust Post and I think her betrayal had a lot to do with Faith's attitude for the rest of the series. I reckon Faith used the manager's death to her advantage actually, after that episode you never see them hounding her for rent. Someone with Faith's life experience would certainly be able to get free rent or at least cheaper rent using not only the dead guy in her room but being attacked on their property as a justifiable reason. But yeah I also found it strange how no one actually helped her, It wasn't really said on the show but she must have been at least younger than Buffy and it should have been Giles or Wesley that helped her out but I guess from Joss's point of view if she had of had that kind of help she wouldn't have needed to go to the mayor and their wouldn't have been a decent storyline so from an outsider's perspective there was a reason. Fortunately I have no such compulsion. :o) And Willow will probably never actually like Faith, but she will like her blonde friend. OMG lol, see this is what you get when you leave a long review, but I love em so keep em coming lol.
kinetic-kid - I'm glad that you're glad. Tara and Faith are two of my favorite characters. And I think given the chance that these two would have gotten along great if Faith had of been in Sunnydale longer and actually gotten to know Tara. Raise your hand if anyone else wanted to go find Joss Whedon and beat the snot out of him for killing her off?
shermi - I'm pleased that you agree about Tara. The F/X pairing will be a long way off, as for the moment Xander is still with Cordelia and Faith will be in no shape ready for a boyfriend but it most probably will happen. When I first thought of this it was going to be way AU. Xander was originally going to be Faith's little brother but I decided to go with cannon so I had to pick a new name. I did a search for baby names and as Alexander meant protector of mankind, I wanted something with a similar meaning and found Liam meaning Unwavering Protector, which now I think about it, it could be the reason it was Angel's human name.
And is anyone else scared that Xander went from being her little brother to being her love interest, or just me lol.
Harry2 - Thank you. And yes it is the same Tara and yep, within a few more chapters' they will be there. That's if my muse doesn't take me in a completely different direction and send them somewhere else.
Darklight - Sorry but this won't be F/T. While I'm not opposed to slash I just don't think I would be very good at it. And I believe Xander might just stand up to them, His done so before on numerous occasions when he's believed his right and was even willing to stand up for Faith, she just wasn't in the right place mentally to accept it. Who knows, I may get thrown completely off tangent, Xander may end up with Anya and Faith might start dating Riley. Nothing's set in stone but I hope you will continue reading anyway.
EmmieLou555 - My thought's exactly, the differences in their personalities might just be what makes them the best of friends.
And now that the reply's are longer than the chapter itself lol, I'll stop babbling.
Chapter 5
When they arrived at the Bus Terminal they had decided that they would head to Sunnydale California. It was on the opposite side of the country, far enough away from Boston Massachusetts and social services, Tara could attend university and they would be able to do it all together.
Grabbing their bags from the back of Janine's car the four of them made their way inside. They were looking for the first bus out of the state, it didn't matter where it went, they would figure out the best way to get to Sunnydale once they were away from here.
Tara quickly scanned the bus departures board and spotted a bus for Cleveland leaving in 15 minutes. "What about that one?" She asked pointing it out to Faith who carried a sleeping Liam in her arms.
Looking up Faith saw which one Tara was pointing at. "It's as good as any since there's none to L.A any time soon."
"How about you girls take a seat." Janine said. "I'll get your tickets. We don't want any questions asked."
Both girls nodded and carried their things to a nearby sofa before sitting down.
Janine took a deep breath before walking to the nearest service desk. After waiting for the person in front of her to finish she stepped forward.
"Good morning, how can I help you?"
"Hi, I would like to book three seats on the bus leaving for Cleveland."
"Ok" The clerk replied. "Three adults?"
"No, 1 adult, 1 teen and a child, my nieces and nephew came to visit for a holiday and I need to work so I can't take them home."
The clerk just nodded before turning to her computer. After a few minutes she looked back over. "I have them booked to leave on the Cleveland bus leaving in 10 minutes, is that suitable?"
Janine breathed a sigh of relief. "That's great, thank you very much."
The clerk handed her the tickets with a smile. "Your welcome."
Heading back to the girls she checked her watch, they had about 20 minutes before their time ran out. She couldn't believe how fast things were moving and she couldn't deny that she was worried about them, she knew that they hadn't even started dealing with this mornings incident yet, but was happy knowing they would still be together. Stopping in front of them she grabbed the three bags that belonged to Faith and Liam. "Your ride leaves in 10 minutes, we better get to the bus."
Silently they stood and followed as Janine led them to the bus. Handing the bags over to the driver to store underneath she watched as Tara did the same with her own and turned to face the siblings she had come to care about a lot over the last few years. "You make sure to take care ok." She hugged Faith, careful of the sleeping child in her arms before leaning down to place a soft kiss on Liam's forehead.
"We will." Faith answered softly. "Thank you for helping us."
Janine smiled through the tears that were forming in her eyes. "It was no problem. I expect to hear from Dr Donovan that you guys are safe and sound ok." When Faith nodded she turned to look at Tara. "You'll look out for them?"
Tara gave her a shy smile. "We'll look out for each other."
Waving goodbye, they climbed aboard the bus and took a seat towards the back. Tara sat in the window seat, Faith took the seat closest to the isle and they managed to situate Liam comfortably in between them.
Leaning back in her seat Faith let out a big sigh. She couldn't believe that, less than two hours ago, she had watched her mother take her last breath. That she wouldn't be there when they lowered the second most important person in her life into the ground. Liam was now her first priority and glancing down at his sleeping form, she knew that come hell or high water, he would always come first.
Looking over at Tara she could see the blonde Wicca was worried about her. Giving her, what she hoped was a reassuring smile, she pulled the envelope she had gotten out of her mother's wooden chest, out of her pocket, unfolded it, and started to read.
My darling daughter,
It is my fondest wish that you will never have to read this letter. That I will get well and everything will be ok, but the realist in me knows that's all it will ever be. A wish.
As you know, I was only seventeen when I fell pregnant with you and my family disapproved of your father so we ran away to be together. It was the happiest day of our lives when you were born and to this day I have never once regretted my choice, how could I? I was blessed with a beautiful little girl who grew up to be an exceptional young woman and I was later given a little boy whom I cherish. Your father and I loved you both more than words could ever express and my only hope is that you knew that. Times have sometimes been hard, you have been through more than I ever imagined anyone could and I know that you will come out standing strong. I just wish I could be there to see it.
You have an amazing ability to care for the people you love, like you have me and I am so proud of the woman you've become. You have given up more that should be asked from anyone and you have done it without complaint. I never wanted this for you my darling, I wanted your life to be full of happiness and love and I am so sorry I wasn't able to provide that for you as a mother should but never once doubt that I loved you.
Don't hide; don't let your heart be locked away from life because as much as it hurts my love, it is worth it. Live and love for me, I already know the wonderful person you are, let the rest of the world see what I have; let them love the woman that I am proud to call my daughter.
Take care of your brother, he's going to need you in the years to come and if he's with you I can go peacefully knowing he will be safe and loved. Be happy and take care of yourself firecracker.
All my love, now and forever Mommy. xxxooo
Closing her eyes to block the tears, she let her head fall back onto the headrest and silently vowed to be strong, to let nothing stand in the way of what she wanted and to be the longest-lived the Slayer the world had ever seen. For Liam's sake.