The next day they decided to repeat the training/cleaning activities for the girls since it went so well the first time. It also made sense to keep the girls out of the castle as much as possible since Callum and Angus would be there to fix the elevator. Faith was nervously pacing around the entryway waiting for them to show up when Giles rang his bell from the living room.

She sighed as she walked towards the living room. "What's up?"

"Could I trouble you for another glass of water? Perhaps you should just bring a pitcher."

"A pitcher of water, yeah alright."

While Faith was searching for a water pitcher to use, the front doorbell rang. Faith banged her head on the underside of the cabinet as she pulled out the pitcher and set it down before running to get the door. It was Angus heavily laden with work equipment.

"Oh, hey Angus."

"Hey yourself."

"Where's Callum?"

"Driving separately, said something about having a hot date tonight," Angus winked, "If you haven't been drummin' up so much business for us lately I might have something to say about you keepin' him up too late."

"Why's that, I thought he didn't have to work until later tomorrow."

"Oh aye, at the hardware store. He was supposed to help me with a little job in the morning, canceled on me, he did."

Oh geez, look man, he didn't say anything about it—"

"No worries it's just that bloody door at the pub, I'm just giving you a hard time. I can do it myself and it's for Family anyway so it's not like it's a big gig, don't worry about it. I'm just happy to see him getting back into it. Been a while since he's had a woman in his life."

"Really?"

"Oh aye."

"So yeah the elevator is right over here. Also my cousin wanted you to look at another bigger project she's itching to start."

"Bigger than that bathroom we did for you a while back?"

"Oh yeah, much bigger. Her and her boyfriend are planning on moving here permanently and their new digs are in need a serious overhaul."

"Where is this place?"

"About a hundred yards from here."

"Heavens, you don't mean that building across the garden, do you?" he asked sceptically.

"That would be the one. It's actually a duplex."

"Blimey sounds like a tall order. I don't know if Callum and I can handle all that on our own."

"We have a guy that's good with construction. He can lend a hand and we know you guys probably won't be able to do all of the work but we want to give you the first crack at it. The girls and I can help out too."

"Now I know Callum thinks highly of you and I hear you can handle your own. I don't doubt you. But you mind me asking, what exactly do you know about renovation and construction?"

"I know we're damn good at demolition."

Angus chuckled "Yeah alright, I'll let you know if I can use you."

Faith shrugged, the truth was, she really didn't know much about home renovation and she wasn't sure if Buffy did either. Otherwise she might have been offended. "We can take orders as well as we give them, we'd get the job done."

"I got a wife like that, Lass can do anything she puts her mind to," he smiled, "We'll take a look later. What can you tell me about this lift?"

"Not much, just that it's busted. Who knows when that thing was added."

"Speak for yourself!" Giles called from the living room.

"Oh shit, I forgot his water," she held up a finger and dashed back into the kitchen to fill the water pitcher while Angus went into the living room. The large ground floor room had been converted into a very large living room. Whatever it had been before, it was unrecognizable now with a TV, cozy furniture, a foosball table, and lots of throw pillows.

"Good heavens, Mr. Giles, what happened to you?"

"Slipped."

"Guess I needn't ask what the rush is on this."

"Sorry, eh Uncle Rupe ," Faith stressed the honorific as she walked into the living room, "Funny thing is he did this after we already had Callum take a look."

"Mysterious ways, all I got to say on that."

The doorbell rang again, this time it was Callum. Faith smiled as she opened the door for him.

"Hey, Beautiful," he smiled.

"Keep your 'hey', get in here. You got work to do."

"Sounds like you want this done in a hurry."

"You bet I do," she said with a grin, "I'll go get Spike, and then I have to check on the girls. You get to work," she winked.

"Yes ma'am," he grinned as he eyed her hungrily, watching her go.

"Alright Boy'o, help me get the rest of the stuff out of the van."

Minutes later they got to work on the elevator. "Does the Lass know what she's getting into?" Angus asked a moment after they'd started working.

"Oh shut your gob Angus, I should've never told you about that," he grunted as he loosened a rusty bolt, he paused a second, "I get the feeling Faith can give as good as she gets."

"She's such a tiny thing, hate for you to break her."

"Oh hey now that's enough out of you boy'o. That was one time and it wasn't as bad as it sounds."

"Still scared the girl off, didn't it?"

"Did at that," Callum grunted.

"I'm just saying, you should be upfront with the girl before it gets too far and ya scare her off."

"Don't think it'll come to that."

Just then Spike cleared his throat, "If there's something Faith should know… I think you better spill," he menaced.

"Bloody hell. You know Angus, I'm starting to think the reason I can't get a good woman to stick around just might be the family!" He grumbled. Callum strained his neck to look at Spike from the awkward position he was in, "Morning Spike, don't mind us. Angus, Spike, he works here with Faith and her cousin. Spike, my pain in the ass older cousin Angus."

Spike crossed his arms over his chest, "I dunno, Cal, seeing as Faith is as good as family perhaps I should mind."

Callum groaned and set his wrench down with a huff. He picked up another tool and kept working, "Go on Angus, since you're so intent on talking about stuff ya got no right goin on about. You know, I'll remember this with your wife's cousins at Christmas and have a chat about your sex life."

"Shut it Callum, my wife's had three kids already and we got a fourth on the way. Fairly certain her family knows what we get up to."

"What's this got to do with Faith?"

Angus turned to Spike, "Our unassuming handyman here likes a bit of rough with his tumble. Broke the bed once and nearly scared the girl half to death."

Spike laughed, "Bloody hell, is that all? A broken bed?" Spike continued laughing, "Call me when you have to replace the rest of the furniture after one go. Now that's a night to remember," he grinned, "I think Faith will be more than up for that challenge. Girl certainly won't scare that easy."

"You been there then?" Angus asked in surprise.

Spike noticed as Callum tensed up and stopped what he was doing but didn't respond or even look up. "What, me and Faith? Bloody hell. Sure there's chemistry, but no, we never took that trip. The girl's just not shy is all, likes to talk. Buffy is it for me," Spike clapped his hands loudly, "Anyway, this is me being all helpful like. Where ya need me?"

"I'm done with this bit. Angus, you get the other side. I'll show Spike what we need to do up top."

"Make sure he's got his climbing gear" he said as he went into the elevator and got to work.

"Taken care of," Spike said.

Spike and Callum gathered up the parts and tools they would need. Callum looked at Spike questionably when he picked up the box with the new pulley and cable system parts. It had taken both he and Angus to get it out of the van. And here was Spike picking it up like a basket of laundry. Callum caught up to him as Spike started up to the top floor where the elevator stopped.

Spike spoke, "That was the truth back there, you know. Faith and I… we never…"

Callum shook his head, "Even if you did, I see the way you look at Buffy. I doubt you'd want to bungle that up."

"Got that right. Not after everything we've been through."

"A lot, I take it."

"And then some. End of the world and back."

Callum nodded then stopped as he realized he might mean that literally. He cleared his throat, "So what's it like being in a relationship with a Slayer?"

Spike nodded once and took a deep breath for show, "Buffy said Faith clued you in, that's why you wanted me on my own," he nodded again, "I get it. Look, I can only tell you what I know about Slayers in general. Buffy is one thing, and most of what I know there is strictly private. Faith is a different story altogether. Girl's had a seriously rough go, she's just trying to do what's right now," he adjusted his grip as he made a turn on the stairs, "The first thing you gotta understand is this: Slayers exist to fight evil in the world. Their lives are filled with death and the mission will always come first. Before you, before family, before anything. The second thing is, they are still human. They have human problems and they have to deal with those on top of the mission. It's not the other way round. You get what I'm saying?"

"I think I'm starting to. How's that working for you?"

"Yeah well, that's a little different. I got my own redemption arc going on; so I work alongside her, fighting the good fight. It's harder for mortals," he gestured towards the heavy box he held and raised an eyebrow. "That's why you've got to be there for her, whatever she needs. She needs a sword, you toss her a sword. She needs a quiet space and a hand to hold, you give it to her. She needs some complex text translated in a dead language or spell work done, you stand back and let the geeks handle it."

Callum chuckled, "I'll keep that in mind. So what are you anyway? You look human enough."

"Didn't tell you that bit huh?"

"Said it wasn't her story to tell."

"Give the girl a prize," he adjusted the box in his hands again as they continued up the stairs, "Demon. Vampire actually. I look human because I used to be one, look real good for my age."

Callum stared at him, "Well now the 'Slayer' kink thing makes sense."

"What?"

"Nothing… How's that work, living with a bunch of Slayers? I thought you were all evil and what all."

"You mean how does Buffy stand me and why don't they all stake me in my sleep?" he laughed.

"Is that what Faith meant when she said you were one of a matching set like her and Buffy before… all this. Something special about you?"

"Bloody hell, makes me and sodding Angel sound like a set of bloody collectible salt and pepper shakers. You know, I'm one of only two ensouled-vampires in all the world and she boils it down to that?"

"Don't know anything about any angel."

"That's the bloody git's name; Angel. That PI you were asking about the other night."

"Bloody hell."

"Yup. Faith's life coach and BFF, Buffy's sodding ex, my grand-sire and a general goodie-goodie pain in the ass."

"Tight group."

"In a manner of speaking."

"You don't seem to like him much."

"Pftt- Angel is… We go way back. Some people have daddy issues— not important. Did I mention grand-sire? He's sodding family. Only part of the problem is that he still thinks Buffy should be his. Lucky for me she's moved on. Even still, bloody git thinks everything should be his. Like he's so damn special…"

Callum raised an eyebrow, "Ahhh… Anything else I should know?"

"'Bout Angel?"

"I ment Faith so no, not unless he's got a claim on her too."

"Bugger if I know… doubt it. Known Angel for over a hundred and thirty years and he's always had a preference for blonds. Last I knew he was shagging some werewolf chick, blonde of course."

"Anything else about being involved with a Slayer or, your little group?"

"The Scoobies. Look man, if you're going to stick around you're just going to have to roll with it, weird shit happens weekly, sometimes daily."

"How do you do it?"

"Simple, I'm with her."

"I should know better than to ask a poet for love advice."

"You asked, Superman. Lois Lane, Faith ain't."

Callum glared at the use of 'Superman', but let it go. Listening intently.

Spike continued, "But seriously, I've got an unlife of my own to live. I do things, I come back. Didn't really get the whole 'Soulmate' thing until after I got mine back. Now we got this… well won't go into that now."

"Sounds like you got a good thing going."

"We do."

"So ahh, where is your climbing gear or don't you need it?"

"I have some up there. I can climb with the best of 'em but I'm still going to have to use my hands, you git."

"Smart ass ain't you?"

"What ever gave you that idea?"

Later, after they had finished fixing the elevator, Buffy pulled Callum and Angus aside. She was getting ready to take them to look at the duplex while the girls got ready for dinner. They were just heading out when Spike made his way into the kitchen. He made a B-line for the refrigerator and some blood. Instead of putting some in a cup like he normally did, he just grabbed the whole container and popped it in the microwave.

Buffy noticed him and held her index finger up, "I'll be with you guys in a minute. I just need to talk to Spike and then I'll show you around in there."

Angus looked at his watch, "That's alright, it's thanks to Spike we got done early. I did tell the wife I'd stop at the market on the way home though so I don't have long."

"I'll be quick!" Buffy shot over her shoulder as she followed Spike out while he tried his best to sneak out of the kitchen.

She caught up to him in the entryway, "Hey, you. How'd it go with the elevator?"

"Ehh it's alright. Think I might have a lie down."

Buffy nodded, "What's with the mini feast?"

"This?" He held up the container of blood and took a drink, "Got a little banged up on that damn maintenance ladder," he lifted up his forearm to show her several very nasty, very deep cuts. If he wasn't a vampire she would have been worried about nerve and tendon damage.

"Ouch! Did you get shafted?"

"That was weak, Slayer."

"I thought it was funny," she shrugged, "Are we still on for the morning?"

"Field trip? Course we are. I'll be alright. Little blood, little rest, maybe a little nursing?" He grinned.

"Maybe later. Try that stuff Willow made for me. No idea if it works on vampires but it's worth a shot. Do you need help wrapping it?"

He shrugged, "I can manage. I'll give that stuff a try. Speaking of little Red, you got whatever you need for tomorrow?"

"Willow was able to dig up some maps of the area. She emailed them to me last night. They aren't complete but that's kind of the point. The important part is that now thanks to some fancy computer tinkering Wil was able to do on the girls' phones now she can track them underground as well as on the surface. At least in theory she should be able to. They are also magically enhanced so that gives them a boost. That's part of what we will be testing out. Oh by the way, even if the tunnels do go clear into Edinburgh, I'm not counting this as our trip. Got it?"

"Wouldn't dream of it, Pet. You know, it seems to me like Red is really taking on this techno-witch stuff a lot more."

"What do you mean, she's always been great at this stuff, she's just combining it more now."

"Still seems complicated, even for her."

Buffy shrugged, "At least she's not getting into trouble with it."

"For now. Alright, Pet, I'm going to disappear for a bit. I'll see you later," He gave her a quick kiss.

"Probably sooner than you think. I'm taking the guys to look at our place now and then I think I'm having the girls rip out the old nasty carpeting. After that I'm calling it. They got way more done today than I thought they would. They'll need some sleep if we're taking them out before the crack of dawn."

It was about an hour later when Angus pulled away from the castle in the work van. The elevator was in full working order now. Buffy was still discussing her plans for the duplex with Callum when Faith came in from outside. "Hey you two, I'm about to call it a day," she said almost triumphantly, "My girls are finishing up and then hitting the showers. I'm heading there myself."

Callum flashed her a wicked grin, "I'll just gather up the rest of my things then shall I?"

Faith walked up to him "I won't be long," she went up onto her toes to kiss him, "A lot more where that came from."

"Promise?"

Without answering Faith turned and headed for the stairs. Buffy shook her head "And the weird just keeps getting weirder."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He chuckled as he took some things out to his car. Buffy followed him.

"Just that I never thought I'd see Faith like… well that. She really only ever had the one real 'boyfriend' that I know of and I don't remember her ever getting the cartoon heart eyes over him," Buffy watched him as his eyes lit up. "Yup, looks like the mutual crazies in full bloom to me."

He closed the back door to the car, "The what now?"

"Mutual crazies, I think Faith might have coined the term… or maybe not, I don't remember. It's what we call the head-over-heels kind of love."

"Like you and Spike?"

"Definitely."

They went back inside while Callum gathered up the last few tools and tucked them away in his toolbox, "I wouldn't mind being crazy for a girl like that."

"Yeah, good luck with that," Buffy said, "Do you need help with anything?"

"I only have my things here. You can take that out if you like," he indicated towards a set of heavy bolt cutters that didn't fit into the toolbox, "Angus took the rest and Spike was a big help. Except for taking stuff outside, I guess the sun thing is true."

Buffy looked at him curiously, "You talked to Spike?" she asked as she followed him back outside with the bolt cutters.

"Ahh yeah… gave me a bit to think about. Made it clear that getting in it with a slayer isn't something to take lightly."

"He knows better than anyone. He was around enough to see all my other relationships do a Hindenburg and stood there commenting on what they were doing wrong. Even when we hated each other, he knew me better than anyone. He knows Slayers, especially me."

"Yeah he kinda mentioned that. So what, he like studded Slayers or was a Watcher before he was turned or something?"

Buffy actually laughed at that idea, "Oh he studied alright! Spike is the only vampire in history to kill more than one of us. He hunted Slayers, that's how we met actually. He came to town to kill me."

Callum raised an eyebrow as they went back into the castle, "How exactly—"

"Super long story. It was a seriously freaky mess for way too long."

"And somehow you ended up together?"

"Seriously long story…" she paused a moment, hesitating, "Callum?"

"Yeah?"

"Did Spike mention the nightmares?"

"What nightmares?"

"I'll take that as a big N-O," Buffy nodded, "All Slayers get prophetic dreams, sometimes they can be pretty freaky. Then there's me and Faith; we've been around longer, seen a lot more crazy. So some serious nightmares are part of the perky-package. Some can be pretty brutal. Mix that with super strength… not always the friendliest cuddle buddy. I don't know how she deals with hers but I know she gets them too. I'm better when Spike is there but then again he can handle it without getting beat to a pulp."

"Do you mean like PTSD or something like that?"

"Humm sort of, yeah, I guess so."

"Nope, he didn't mention that bit. Thanks for the heads-up."

"Yeah well I'm not surprised he didn't bring it up, he gets them more than I do, so consider the source. When you hold the record for the most brutal vampire in history second only to the one who taught you and then suddenly decide to go get a soul and go all good guy… it tends to leave a mark," she laughed darkly.

"He was… that's…"

"That's the glamorous life we lead."

"But he has a soul. I mean he seems like a pretty good guy."

"Sounds like you two got chummy."

"We had a pretty good chat."

"Huhh… he must like you. He doesn't usually play well with others."

"Sounds like a dog I had once, he was fine with the family; didn't do well with strangers."

Buffy laughed, "Was your dog named Spike too?"

"Nah, it was Merlin, actually," he laughed.

"Good name."

"Yeah well I had a bit of an obsession as a kid. Probably how I ended up getting into fighting to begin with."

"You fight?"

"I used to fight. Used to compete."

"Seriously? Sort of explains you and Faith."

"Don't think it's actually come up to be honest. Most of our conversations have consisted of home improvement and Slaying."

"Lots of territory to cover then."

"Little afraid she's going to want to spar, could be interest—" Callum cut off as Faith came down the stairs.

For the second time she had forgone her usual jeans in favor of something more feminine. It wasn't anything fancy, just a simple knit dress in a muted red. It was one of three dresses that she had let Buffy talk her into on their shopping trip. She had paired it with a pair of low slip-on shoes Buffy recognized as her own. She also carried a small book-bag style purse Buffy was sure she must have borrowed from one of the girls. It was such a comfy casual outfit she barely looked like she was going on a date at all, in fact she looked like she could be taking a walk in the park rather than planning her first overnight with her new guy. And yet Callum looked at her like she was Cinderella at the ball.

"Wow, you look beautiful."

"Thanks, I don't really do dresses much but this one is super comfortable."

"Are you ready to go? I'm going to have to hit the shower myself when we get to my place, hadn't thought that one through."

"That's ok, it'll give me a chance to get nosey," she winked.

To be continued... Please Read and Review!