Chapter 4: Hugs & Hopes

The dark-haired girl stood frozen. She read and re-read her name, unable to gather the meaning of all this. What … Why … After quite some time, her mind came up with a possible explanation: This has to be some kinda joke … But it didn't feel like one, somehow, and she was quite sure – or hoped so, anyway – that B wouldn't take part in something that cruel … So when Faith turned round, her face showed a mix of confusion, hurt and anger. "What the hell …"

That wasn't the reaction the Scoobies had been expecting. Xander looked disappointed, Willow shocked, Cordelia annoyed and Oz indifferent – only Buffy seemed to understand. She stepped forth and hugged the other Slayer. "Merry Christmas, Faith", she whispered. "Do you like your present?"

Do I … what? Then slowly it dawned to her. Stepping back, she stared at her Sister Slayer, her disbelieve evident in her expression. "You … you … for me?"

The blonde nodded, smiling. "The flat is yours, Faith – it's our Christmas present for you. You didn't think we'd let you live in that rat-hole forever, did you?"

For some seconds, the dark-haired girl stood motionlessly. Then, suddenly, she threw herself at Buffy, hugging her and almost knocking the smaller girl over. She staggered backwards, stumbled … and was saved by Xander and Oz who steadied her and managed to hold both of them upright. "Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you …"

The older Slayer was smiling brightly, returning the hug. "You're welcome, Faithy", she said quietly.

After quite some time, when the two girls showed no intention to break apart, Xander cleared his throat: "Uh … we helped, too …" The hopeful tone in his voice was unmistakable – and promptly earned him a smack from his girlfriend. "Ow! What was that for?"

"For getting all excited at the chance to hug Faith!" Cordelia snapped.

"I'm not!" the boy defended himself. "Well, actually I am, but …" Smack! "OW! Just in a friends sort of way …"

"Not likely!"

This little dispute had given Faith some time to regain composure and secretly wipe her eyes. Now she turned to the group, a smirk on her face. "No worries, Queen C, he's not the one I get turned on hugging …"

"Yeah, we've noticed that much!" Now Cordelia was smirking, while both Slayers were blushing (so was Willow), Xander was grinning openly, and even Oz seemed amused.

"… but", the dark-haired girl continued, in an attempt to cover her embarrassment, "he certainly has earned his hug!" After letting go of Xander, who tried in vain to suppress his pleased grin, Faith hugged Willow, even Oz – only Cordelia stepped back and held up her hands. "No need to get physical here", she remarked. "I hardly helped anyway."

"Of course you didn't." Faith knew very well that the seemingly arrogant girl was a nice person behind her bitchy façade and certainly had taken part in this. She took a deep breath. "This is … I've never expected this, and … I just wanna thank you all, its …" She hesitated. "… by far my best Christmas gift ever!"

She addressed the Scoobies as a group, but somehow her eyes were on Buffy the entire time, and it was the blond Slayer who answered: "You're welcome, Faith. Whether you like it or not: You're a Scooby now, and we take care of each other – that's what friends do." She smiled when she said this, and to Faith it seemed that her smile, the warmth of her voice and the look of sincerity in her eyes expressed more than friendship … and for the first time, she didn't brush it off as wishful thinking. After what just happened … is it that impossible? Why couldn't it be true? But she pushed the thought away: I'm better not getting' my hopes up … would just spoil the happy evening …

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I know this chapter is a little short, but it's just the deep breath before the big final ... time to get the Scoobies to go home and leave our two Slayers to themselves ... Please review!