Previously…

'So do you think we won?

'Do you think maybe…' Angel began before being interrupted by Spike.

'…No. We are not going to them Angel, we can't. You know we can't.

'Who says we can't Spike?'

'Angel, you're not angry at me, are you?' Spike asked.

'I think we should go to England, Spike.' Angel answered. 'It's not safe to stay here. The city is a mess, and everyone is living in hiding.'

'That's exactly why we need to stay here. These people need our help. If we don't do anything, then who will?'

Spike's question was answered by a familiar female voice. 'I will.'

- - - -

'Uh, Buffy? About what happened back in Sunnydale…'

'Spike you don't need to explain. Andrew spilled.'

'Angel, I'm sorry to tell you this, because we only just found out ourselves and it's a little upsetting.'

'Buffy, just tell me what it is, please.'

'Angel, Faith's in the hospital.'

'What's wrong?'

'She's been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Angel, she's only got a few months.'

She asked for you specifically Angel. 'We'll go right away.' Angel said. 'As soon as night falls.'

Chapter Three:

As night fell, Buffy had got to know the woman formerly known as Fred. She and Illyria had spoke about how they were going to do things, yet Illyria had little respect for the great Slayer.

'In my time, the Slayer was at the same level in society as the human. Lower than the vampire.' Illyria said as she and Buffy sat alone in the apartment.

'Thanks a bunch.' Buffy said dryly.

'But this world is much different to the world I once knew. Humans have evolved and are now the rulers, not demons. They are forced to lurk in the shadows and attack only when it is possible.'

'Illyria, is this going anywhere?' Buffy interrupted. Illyria kept talking.

'The Slayer is now that of a supreme being, higher than humans and vampires. In my time she tried to wipe them out, and because they were a lowly being she succeeded. Have you become more powerful since those times? Is the Slayer a more powerful being than others?'

'Well, I can beat most things of with a stick, so yeah I guess I am more powerful than others.'

'Have you been training Slayer? You need to train to maintain your power. That I know.'

'Not much lately. I'm not the only Slayer anymore. There are thousands like me all over the world. Little thing we did a bit over a year ago.' She informed Illyria.

'Then we will fight to train you so you are prepared for battle. Here, we train in the basement.' Illyria stood up and wandered over to a door. She walked inside and disappeared down a flight of stairs.

Buffy sighed and rolled her eyes. 'Coming.' She whispered as she got up and followed Illyria.

At the hospital, Angel and Spike had just arrived. Angel rushed up to the front desk and asked where he could find Faith in the hospital.

'B Wing.' The lady directed them. Se pointed to her left and Spike and Angel were off. They found her reasonably soon, with Willow, Xander, Giles and Andrew waiting outside her room.

'Angel.' Willow greeted Angel with a big hug. 'Nice to see you.'

'Uh… hi Willow.' Angel tried to quickly move past the meet-and-greet. 'Is she awake?'

'She's awake Angel.' Giles told him. 'You can go right in.' Angel walked through the huddle towards the door and Spike followed him. He spun around at the door.

'Spike, can I have a minute please?' he asked.

'Oh come on Angel, don't you think I care? I fought in a bloody apocalypse with the girl. I shared a house with her for God knows how long. Sure, I fought with 'er a couple of times but that doesn't mean I never cared for 'er.'

'Spike, can I just have a minute. Please.' Angel's eyes pleaded with Spike to let him have just a few minutes with the one other person in the world who he had helped along the rocky road to redemption, and the one who had helped him in return.

'Oh, fine. I'll wait here like a good little puppy.' He said sarcastically. Angel went inside and closed the door behind him. Spike turned around to face the others and spoke cheerfully to them. 'So, how's everyone been?'

Angel wandered over to Faith, as she lay quiet in the hospital bed. He looked across the room at the window which had the blinds drawn. A dim light was cast from a lamp on the table next to her bed. She had a single room, and Angel was glad.

'Faith?' he said softly. Faith rolled her head over and saw Angel. She smiled.

'Angel.' She whispered back. 'You came. Where's B?'

'Stayed behind to hold the fort.' Angel smiled and stepped closer to her. He extended his hand out and stroked her cheek. He rested his palm against her face, in a loving way, like a father. 'How are you holding up?' He asked.

'Angel, I'm so afraid.' Faith broke into tears. As Angel touched her face, she sobbed and tears streamed down along side his fingers. He moved his hand and gently wiped away her tears.

'Don't be Faith.' He simply said. 'You have everyone here who loves you and cares about you and wants to protect you from any harm. You have nothing to be afraid of.'

'Angel, I'm afraid of dying.' Faith replied as she choked on tears. She sniffed.

Angel broke and felt her pain, finally. He felt all the hurt inside of her, the melting away of her soul. He felt her weaknesses showing through and he felt every feeling that she'd ever felt like he'd felt them before himself. For several moments, he even felt alive.

He understood hoe scared she really was, and why. She'd been on the same path to redemption as he and they both knew what a hard life they'd have to live whiles trying to make up for what they did.

He seemed to have a strange connection with Faith, and eventually managed to not be swamped by her feelings.

'Faith, it's okay. You shouldn't fear dying, it happens to us all.'

'That's easy for you to say, you're already dead.'

'But it wasn't my choice. I never wanted this. I wanted to live; and I mean actually live. With a pulse and a heartbeat. When I died, I wasn't afraid. I just let it come, I invited it.'

'But you didn't want it?'

'No, Faith. All I ever wanted was to live. As a vampire, I only ever wanted to live as a human. I wanted myself to be normal, I wanted myself to be free from the darkness.'

'Pre-soul?' Faith asked curiously. She'd met with Angelus on at least one occasion and he didn't seem to want to be human at all.

'No, after I got my soul. Angelus didn't care. He just didn't. But I do, and I don't just care about me, I care about others. In fact, more than I care about myself. Look, what I'm saying Faith is that I don't want you to feel bad. I know it hurts, I can feel it, but please don't be afraid. You're a strong girl, I know you are.'

'Angel, you and I both know that this is the end for me.'

'Then go out fighting Faith. Don't give up just because you've been told that you're dying. That doesn't mean that it's actually the end for you.'

'Don't give me that Angel. I know that this is all that there is. I know that I'm gonna die soon, and I know that it's gonna be for good. Not like the Buffy thing where Red brought her back. But what's been bugging me the most is that nothing is gonna happen when I die. There's not going to be another Slayer that rises because I'm gone. There's not going to be anything special that happens because my go at being a Slayer is over.'

'Faith, that doesn't matter. You were one of the best Slayers that ever lived, and don't ever doubt that. There are things that you've done which have made life harder, but that doesn't mean that you never did anything good or that nothing good is going to come from you going.' Angel told her.

'Angel, after everything that's happened from high school to jail, I'm just suddenly so scared.' Faith began shaking. 'Why am I so afraid?'

'It's just instinct Faith. You know that something bad is going to happen so you're fearing it.'

'But I've come close to death many times before. Heck, I'm a Slayer I'm basically asking for it 24/7. So why is it so hard?'

'I don't know, but you shouldn't let it be so hard. Just relax a bit and enjoy your last few months alive.'

'Months?' Faith asked suddenly, getting serious. 'Who told you that I had months left?'

'Buffy.' Angel replied, a little alarmed. He suddenly put it together. 'Faith, how long were you told you have left?'

'About 5 weeks.' Faith replied. 'The doctor told me yesterday when I came here. God Angel, what am I going to do with the rest of my life if all I've got is 5 weeks?'

Angel tried to hide his frustration with Buffy and his sadness for Faith. 'Don't worry. Just do whatever you want. If there's something you've always anted to do, then I'll come with you and you can do it.'

'Thanks Angel. But right now, I want to sleep.'

'That's okay, you're probably tired. I'll come back tomorrow night.' Angel leant down and kissed Faith on the forehead. 'I think Spike wants to see you though. He's outside.'

'Okay.' Faith agreed and Angel quietly left. He let Spike in then closed the door.

'How is she?' Giles asked Angel as he saw the look on his face.

'Rough shape. Can you tell me what the doctors said about her condition?'

A/N: Ooh… kind of a cliffhanger… but not really. You wanna know what happens when Angel confronts Buffy about her lying to him? Just wait until the next chapter, cos it's all coming out! Enjoy.