Back in Sunnydale Cemetery, Buffy was running as fast as she could to Giles' house. Faith had vanished into thin air with no logical explanation behind it. The pain that coursed through the blonde's heart was almost unbearable as she thought of losing her true love after just finding her again. Giles was a little perturbed by the fact his front door was sent flying clean off its hinges and his slayer protégé was standing there looking somewhere between angry and upset. After giving his glasses a quick clean, he rose from his reading desk where there was a large book sitting opened. Buffy threw her arms around the man and her slayer strength threatened to squeeze the life out of him.
"OK, Buffy….if you want my help….I suggest you at least let me breathe," he managed to gasp out. Buffy released her grip and began pacing up and down the living room, while running her hands through her hair nervously.
"Something's took Faith, Giles," she said, her voice filled with urgency, "we were walking past mum's grave and there was this weird flash of white light. Once it died away, I was standing there all alone and no sign of Faith anywhere. It was like she'd just vanished into thin air. The ground was undisturbed, so I don't think anything could've dragged her away." Giles put his arms on Buffy's shoulder, forcing her to stop her relentless pacing up and down the floor.
"We'll find out what's happened to her, Buffy," he replied gently, "now, was there anything else odd about your patrol this evening?" Soothed by her watcher's words, Buffy sat down on the sofa before answering.
"There were a lot more vampires than usual," she explained, "They were really laying it on thick with myself and Faith. Unusual for them, they weren't much for the talking tonight, instead rushing in to try and finish us off as soon as they could." Giles looked thoughtful for a moment before going to his reading desk and lifting the book he had been reading before Buffy had came into his house.
"Intriguing, I believe I may have found a plausible reason behind all of this," he said soothingly, "however, to be absolutely sure, there's a book I'm needing which I believe Willow has left at your house. If you could get that book back to me as soon as you can, then I believe I can give you an explanation for everything that's going on." Buffy had rose to her feet before Giles had finished talking and now she was standing at the doorway, ready to leave.
"On it, tell me what book you need," she replied tensely.
"It's a book called Ancient Myths & Legends," Giles had barely got the title out of his mouth before Buffy had disappeared into the night.
Faith strained her eyes, trying in vain to work out where she had been spirited away to and also how she was ever going to get back to Sunnydale. However, there was nothing around the slayer aside from the everlasting whiteness. It was almost as though she had been transported to a point between existence, where nothing except her was present. Feeling incredibly irritated at her predicament, Faith sat down on the white ground and let out a loud growl to no one in particular.
"Man, I wish someone would let me know where the hell I am!" she shouted out in frustration. Almost immediately, she could sense another presence in this astral plain. She was no longer alone, for someone was standing right behind her. Faith rose to her feet slowly and turned to come face to face with a human female. Her hair was a brilliant white, her face lined with more wrinkles than Faith had ever seen one person have and her eyes were a dark, piercing brown colour. She was wearing a robe the likes of which Faith had never seen before. It wrapped over both shoulders of the ancient woman, crossed around her waist tightly and stopped just before her feet, which were bare. It unnerved Faith the manner in which this woman appeared to be looking directly into her soul. They stayed still, looking at each other for what seemed like an eternity to Faith before the stranger broke the silence.
"Ah, I've been waiting for you," her voice was soft yet powerful, "for so long have I watched the path which the chosen one has taken ever since she was old enough to walk. I have watched with patience, awaiting the day she would prove herself to be as truly noble as I had always foreseen her to be." Faith shook her head vehemently, determined to show this stranger that she was mistaken in her judgement.
"You've got me all wrong here," she replied shakily, "the chosen one you're referring to is Buffy Summers. I was called by accident when Kendra died four years ago. Buffy's the heroine who's saved the world more times than I could count, plus she's never stepped one toe out of line in her life. I'm an ex convict and also murderer, so if you were looking for some great hero of the world, I'm afraid you're mistaken." Tears ran thick and fast down Faith's face as she finished talking. The older woman placed one of her hands on Faith's arm and gently rubbed it.
"My child, I'm afraid you're the one who is mistaken," she explained kindly, "it is true Buffy Summers has lived longer than any other slayer in history, has saved the world on numerous occasions and is a very caring woman. But, she has not had the hurtful past which has plagued you from as far back as you can remember. She does not carry the woes you do, yet you have managed to turn your life around." Faith was now eyeing the old woman suspiciously, pacing slightly up and down the white floor.
"Who are you, exactly?" the slayer's voice was tense and her every muscle was poised, ready to fight if necessary. The old woman smiled and walked alongside the slayer as she paced.
"I have been called by several names over the millennia," the woman's voice now died into almost a soft whisper, "Mother Nature by some, the Greeks called me Eros and Aphrodite, the Wiccas call me the Divine Goddess, I have also been referred to as St. Valentine by the Catholic believers. I am all of these things and more, yet I believe you already know me for my true identity, as does Buffy Summers, Kendra and the slayers who have been before." As she finished speaking, the old woman's aged face and crooked form faded away to be replaced by a young and beautiful woman. Her hair was still shining white and her eyes the same piercing brown, but her face was unlined and flawless. Faith's eyes widened and her heart thundered deep within her chest as recognition dawned upon her.
"Yes, I know who you are, my lady," she dropped to her knees as she spoke, "of course I do. Is it my time to die? Am I being made to repent my sins already?" The young woman ran her hands gently through Faith's hair, trying to soothe the anguished girl.
"Faith, Faith, I do not bring death to my children," she said louder than her previous whisper, "nor do I merely bring them to my realm in order to decide what fate awaits them in the afterlife. I have called you here with me to show you things. These will be things that have transpired now and things which could've been. After we have seen what I have to show you, I shall present you with a choice which could change the fates of many concerned. If you choose the other option, then your life alone shall be enriched beyond your wildest dreams and the others shall be left behind. Come with me, my child." She extended her hand to Faith and the brunette took it firmly.
"I will, mother."
In the Summers house, Dawn and Kennedy were relaxing in the living room, watching the TV together. Since the previous night, the girls were taking things as slow as they could, not willing to make their partner feel pressured or harassed in any way. They still had to share their first kiss, which both of them secretly wanted so badly. As they relaxed together, Dawn decided to use her initiative and lay her head down on Kennedy's lap. She couldn't suppress the shudder which passed through her body as Kennedy began to run her fingers through her hair automatically. The tips of Kennedy's fingers were gently brushing against Dawn's cheek with every downward sweeping motion they made through the hair, transmitting the heat which the girl was keeping in check. They remained like this for what seemed an eternity to both girls before Dawn sat upright slowly and gazed into Kennedy's dark brown eyes. There was nothing but endless affection burning in the deep, dark pools gazing back at her. Neither of them knew who leaned in first, but soon their lips were meeting and brushing against each other with tender affection and sizzling desire. A strange paradox of emotions flowed between them, things which ordinarily wouldn't exist in the same timeframe as one another. Dawn entangled one of her hands in Kennedy's hair as she slowly drew her tongue over her girlfriend's lower lip. Kennedy could only emit a low moan as she felt Dawn's tongue slide inside her mouth. A quiet polite cough broke the girls apart as they found themselves looking at the amused face of Buffy, who was standing in front of them with her arms crossed.
"It's not what….." Dawn started to say, her face flushing several shades of red as she tried to sit as far away from Kennedy as possible. Buffy cut her off before she could say anymore.
"Yeah, it is what it looks like," she replied in an amused tone, "my little sister, having a heavy make-out session with her new girlfriend, on the sofa. Dawnie, there's been a number of occasions when I've been doing the same thing with the likes of Angel and Riley. Trust me, I'm cool with this. Definitely explains why you were walking around the house all day looking as though you'd won the lottery or something." The slayer turned and stared Kennedy square in the face, which saw the younger girl pale slightly and shrink back into the couch slightly.
"Now, I'm going on the belief you're a sweet person, otherwise Dawn wouldn't be dating you," she stated simply, "but, if you ever hurt her or mistreat her in anyway, then you'll have me to answer to. Understand?" Kennedy nodded sheepishly before relaxing slightly as she felt Dawn's hand entwine with her own. Buffy by this point was at the bookcase at the other end of the living room, scanning for the book she needed to take to Giles. Once she had it, before Dawn could ask any questions, she was out of the house. Shrugging, having it pegged down to slayer business, Dawn turned back to face her girlfriend who was looking at her lovingly once more.
"You know, you really do mean a lot to me," she purred softly to Kennedy, "It's also better that Buffy knows and is cool. Come here." Kennedy scooted over and cuddled right into Dawn, resting her head on her shoulder. They stayed like that for a time before Kennedy raised her head and once more looked lovingly into Dawn's eyes.
"You mean a lot to me as well, Dawn. I think this the start of something amazing," she replied softly before leaning into kiss her dear girlfriend's lips once again.