Disclaimers: All the characters in this story belong to Joss Whedon.

Chapter 22: Faith, hope and tricks

She couldn't believe it. Her cousin Faith was coming to live with them. She had shoulder length,brown hair, brown eyes and dressed like a punk/rockstar, kind of like a female version of Spike. Not that she had anything against her just that she was trouble and that was the last thing she needed right now. With all the slaying, the master and now the very confusing situation with Spike. Buffy had climbed through the window and as she got through, Faith burst in, causing the blonde to jump.

"Jesus Faith! You know it's polite to knock before you enter someone's room,"

The brunette just looked at Buffy, then the open window and then smirked at the slayer.

"B, take a chill pill...anyways since when do you climb outta windows? I had you down as the little miss goodie two shoes type," Faith said as she popped her gum

Buffy looked at the open window, wide eyed. Now she panicked. What the hell was she going to tell her? Oh I lost my hat? If she wasn't careful she could get herself stuck in a big hole. She turned back to her.

"I wasn't climbing out of the window...,"

Faith snorted and sat cross legged on the bed, taking Mr Gordo into her hands. She began to play with his ears.

"I couldn't give two stuffs what ya were doin'...but if its anything good then you would tell me," she hinted

Buffy groaned and rolled her eyes.

"It wasn't anything good...so, how long you here for?" the blonde asked

She was scared that Faith was Spike's type, but she was far from wrong.

"Til I graduate and then it's the high road for me baby!" she exclaimed

Buffy's face fell. This was definitely going to be a problem.

School the next day. Synder spoke with Mrs Summers and went through Faith's very colourful record, arson of a previous school was on the list, which he did not like one bit. He explained that she had three chances, if she messed up three times then she would be out. Synder also warned Faith that he would be watching her every move. After the meeting, Joyce took Faith to the library. The teen walked into the room with attitude. No one was there. She nosed at the books on the front desk. A voice caused her to look up, seeing Giles and Buffy walking out of his office, arguing. The blonde froze as the watcher went over to the brunette.

"What can I do for you?" he enquired

"Aunt Joyce told me B would be here and look there she is,"

Giles turned to Buffy with a quizzical frown etched upon his face.

"You didn't tell me you had a cousin,"

"I don't have to tell you everything about my life Giles...now if you don't mind we're going to be late for next lesson, Faith let's go,"

The blonde headed for the door and Faith shrugged at him.

"Catch ya later G-man!"

He frowned once again at the nickname that Buffy's cousin had given him.

Time for English. The students were entering the classroom as the girls approached. Cordelia gave Buffy a dirty look and Faith turned to her cousin.

"What the hell is her problem?"

The slayer shushed her as they entered the room. Instantly her brown eyes were on him. Mrs Henson looked at her and smiled. She looked at a piece of paper and then back at Faith.

"Miss Davenport, welcome to my class...since there is no one for me to pair you up with I'm afraid I will have to sit you with Miss Summers and Mr Giles (Spike looks up) Buffy why don't you show Faith to your seats,"

Buffy nodded and made her way over to her seat. Everyone was muttering, especially Cordelia and Harmony, who were giggling and pointing.

"Hello salty goodness," Faith muttered to herself as she took her seat next to Spike, forcing Buffy to sit the other side of her.

"Faith, Buffy's cousin"

She held her hand out and shook his.

"Spike...(cranes his neck to see Buffy) please tell me you did the soddin' homework coz I didn't," he admitted

She saw this as an opportunity to wind him up. After all she had been nice to him recently. Sighing, she looked him in the eye.

"No, I was too busy slaying vampires," she lied

His face was priceless. One of pure shock and mortification. Faith noticed automatically that Buffy liked him, but she wasn't sure if he reciprocated those feeling. She couldn't help it. Buffy broke into a grin.

"I'm only joking, I did the homework, don't worry,"

He cocked an eyebrow at her and rolled his eyes.

"You are goin' to be the undoing of me Summers,"

Okay, what the hell? Undoing of him? What does he mean?

"So you ain't been un done already?" Faith asked, wiggling her brows at him.

Buffy hit her on the arm and he just wiggled his brows back.

"Wouldn't you love to know...pet,"

Buffy groaned once more and turned her attention to the teacher. Throughout the lesson Faith and Spike chatted amicably, Faith flirting with the bleach blonde. He occasionally looked over to the blonde and saw that she was less than pleased. What is wrong with her? He thought.

It was now lunchtime. Buffy had introduced Faith to all her friends and Spike introduced Faith to all his, warning her about Angel and what he had done to him. By the end of this she felt like going and teaching him a lesson but he explained that he had already done that. Buffy eventually left the cafeteria to go to the library, shortly followed by Spike. She was at the other end of the corridor, opposite the library. For some reason she sensed someone was following her so she sped up a bit. Spike sighed and ran after her.

"Buffy!" he shouted as he ran.

Buffy stopped abruptly and waited for him to come to her. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Why aren't you with your new best friend?" she spat

They walked on, at a slow pace. His brow furrowed at her comment. Spike stopped right in front of her. She rolled her eyes at him and looked at his hand gently on her arm.

"What do you mean?"

"Faith, you two seem to be hitting it off really good...I know she's my cousin but she is no good, do you know in the past two years she has had ten boyfriends...(looks down at the floor) I just don't want to see you get hurt again,"

Spike cackled a bit.

"Firstly, she isn't my type and secondly and believe me when I say I will make sure I don't get hurt like that again...anyway there is someone else, well sort of," he said casually

They continued towards the library. Buffy was so disappointed. She knew he was with Cordelia all along and this broke her more than anything. Buffy cleared her throat.

"Oh, who is she?"

"Ah now that would be telling! (he taps his finger on her nose causing her to wrinkle it up) she doesn't even know so it's not like I'm gonna go bloody well blabbing to you,"

So what do you think? Sorry this chapter is so short and not much happens but next chapter will be better! It may be a while before i can update again because i have a busy week ahead but don't worry i will work on it when i can. In the next chapter or the chapter after there will be some serious spuffy going on! Thanks for all the reviews so far and keep it up!