Los Angeles International Airport was surprisingly quiet as Faith made her way from baggage claim to the exit. She tried to project an outward calm, but inside she was anything but. Her flight from AKL to LAX was the first time ever she had been aboard a plane, and despite the amenities of First Class, she wasn't looking for a repeat performance any time soon. So, still feeling somewhat lost in the vastness of an international airport, she had just kept on following people who had disembarked the same 747 as she, hoping that they would lead her to the baggage claim area.

Her last weeks with the Faithful at Oruanui had been a flurry of activity, all of which she had taken in a kind of numb haze. She had aced her GED and then received an admission letter to UC Sunnydale – perhaps the most improbable piece of mail she had ever gotten, topping even her SAT score. She, a college student!

Then there was the fact that she would be returning to the States as a very wealthy woman. Having always been poor and occasionally resorting to shoplifting and... other ways to earn enough money to survive, the numbers in her investment portfolio and Citibank account still didn't quite make sense to her. She was very much set for life, a comfortable one at that, but all of it was still something abstract – like it had nothing to do with her. She just didn't know how to spend money beyond what was necessary for everyday life.

On the other hand, she had offered to buy her "host family" anything they desired – cars, jewellery, art – as parting gifts, but Pauline had taken her immediately aside and given her a strict lecture about fiscal responsibility. She had reflected on that for a day or two and then gone to Taupo to get everyone something nice and personal instead of something she had believed they'd want. In the end she had spent maybe $1,000 in total, and the reception was just as enthusiastic, maybe even more, had she spent $100,000.

One thing she had been adamant about, though. Anytime any of the "Oruanui Faithful" wanted to visit the States, she would foot the travelling costs. With secretive smiles, everyone had been all too happy to let Faith have this little concession.

She had let only Cordelia know the exact date of her return, having planned to stay for a few days in LA with her friend before proceeding the rest of the way to her ultimate destination, the place where her heart lay – Sunnydale. So, when she finally exited the baggage claim area, the first thing she saw made her collide with the cart.

There was a large group of people standing outside the exit. They were holding a huge banner with large letters proclaiming, "WELCOME HOME, FAITH!"

While she was still very much gathering her bearings, an incoming blonde cruise missile almost toppled her over.

"Faith! Oh, my God, Faith! You're really here!" Buffy kept on babbling as she took her into a Slayer-strength embrace which threatened to crack her ribs.

"Buffy...," she whispered into the flowing blonde hair, finding it suddenly impossible to speak.

Despite her growing self-confidence over the past year, she had still felt anxious about her return – especially about the way she would be received by the Sunnydale gang. Cordelia had been ecstatic when Faith called her and practically demanded the Slayer to stay with the A.I. crew at their new headquarters at least for a few days. From what she had gathered, the original A.I. offices were demolished in an explosion quite recently and now they were occupying some Deco style hotel.

Over Buffy's shoulder she could see the other members of the welcoming committee approach them slowly. She recognised all of them, except for one pretty blonde girl who was holding Willow's hand. But ultimately, she had eyes only for one of them.

Extracting herself from Buffy's hold, she stepped over and this time very much initiated the embrace.

"Sunray..." The word caressed her ear and raised goosebumps in her arms. No declaration of love could have been more heart-felt.

They kissed deeply with the others chuckling good-naturedly around them. Everyone was eager to wish the Slayer their own welcomes, but priorities were priorities.

Once they separated, but still holding hands, Faith was for the first time really able to take in her surroundings. Besides Buffy, who was discreetly dapping the corners of her eyes, there was Giles with a fond smile on his face, Xander, Willow, the still-nameless blonde girl and Cordelia. Apparently Angel had wanted to come too, but Cordelia and the rest of A.I. crew were practically forced to tie him down to avoid their boss becoming a pile of dust.

Willow was grinning from ear to ear as she first hugged Faith with all she got and then introduced the beautiful blonde as Tara, her girlfriend.

"So, you aren't driving stick anymore, Red?" Faith managed to blurt out at the revelation, an encounter in a computer lab the year before emerging from the recesses of her mind like a flashback.

"No, definitely not," Tara answered in her girlfriend's stead before shaking Faith's hand. "Hello, Faith."

"Willow's a damn lucky gal, Blondie," Faith responded, making Willow's eyes widen as big as saucers. What had Red expected? Some flirty double-entendres? Well, get used to the new Faith, people!

"Hi, X-Man," she greeted Xander somewhat apprehensively and held out her hand. She was totally surprised when he took her into a bear hug. "Uh, you're Xander, right?" she asked for confirmation.

"Alive and well," he grinned and then leaned in closer to her ear. "I've got the beers taken care of," he whispered in her ear. "And I promise to be all ears."

Was she still asleep on the plane? Or perhaps she had never recovered from her coma? This had gone way beyond anything she could have expected.

"Ok, ok, give the girl some room to breathe," Cordelia shooed everyone except Rowan away from Faith's immediate presence. "Damn, you look fine, sis," the former beauty pageant breathed as she got her first good look of the Slayer.

Faith's wardrobe still consisted mostly of black – jeans, leather pants, jackets, tops – but for travelling she had opted to wear loose, black cotton pants that ended above the ankle, a white polo shirt, a casual buttoned jacket (black) and low-heeled strappy sandals. Travelling first class, she could have been easily mistaken for a young, VP-level executive.

"This is just a disguise, C," she grinned at her friend. "Otherwise they wouldn't have let me board the damn plane."

Buffy had to agree with Cordelia's assessment. Faith really looked fine... no, she looked absolutely gorgeous. She had always prided herself for her taste in clothes, but whoever chose Faith's travelling attire for her had done an outstanding job.

"Erm..., maybe we should actually move on," Giles cut in as more people started pouring out of the exit. "As delightful as this reunion has been, maybe we should all rein ourselves in and recommence the celebrations once we're at the Hyperion."

"Angel's got a hotel," Buffy supplied helpfully from beside Faith. "It's huge, like ginormous. We're all going to stay there until the end of the week."

"Yeah?" Faith grinned.

"Oh, yeah," Buffy nodded in confirmation. "Welcome back, Faith."

Faith let out an impressed whistle as she stepped through the front doors into Hyperion's tasteful lobby. There was a circular sofa in the middle of the vast space with three men sitting on it, obviously waiting for them. One of them, the first one on his feet, he recognised immediately.

"Wow, sweet crib, Fang," she grinned at the vampire in question.

"Faith," Angel nodded back simply, but it was obvious he was very much restraining himself.

"See? That's the proper way to greet someone after an absence," Faith snickered at Sunnydale gang following her in. "None of that sappy hugs and kisses crap."

"Really?" Rowan asked from beside her with a raised eyebrow.

"Not you," Faith hissed quietly from the corner of her mouth. "Don't spoil this."

Behind Angel his two companions had also stood up, and Faith determinedly ignored Angel as she stepped forward to greet them.

"Gunn, right?" she asked the bald, black man who looked like an experienced fighter.

"Yeah."

"Love the name," she winked at him, and they bumped fists. "That would make you Wesley," she addressed the thinner, bespectacled man standing next to Gunn.

"Indeed, Ms Lehane," Wesley nodded eagerly and stepped forward with an extended hand. "I'm delighted to make your acquaintance."

"Just Faith," Faith responded and shook the offered hand. "Heard you and Bright Eyes are pretty tight. Also that you got booted out of the Council. That makes you pretty much ok in my eyes."

"I could hardly hope for a better compliment... Faith," Wesley smiled at the Slayer. He had heard many stories of the brunette from Rowan, but the reality very much eclipsed all his expectations. Rowan really was a very lucky guy.

After the introductions the scene very much transitioned into an informal gathering of friends and acquaintances. Most of it was centred around Faith who was starting to feel more than a little overwhelmed by all the attention given her. There were drinks and food available, ordered in advance by Cordelia, and lots of stories to go around.

Faith noticed almost immediately that Buffy and Angel were doing their best to discreetly avoid each other. There didn't seem to be any real animosity in it, just a tacit understanding that they were best apart. She knew Buffy was seeing someone in Sunnydale – one of the Initiative soldiers, who was conspicuously absent from this party. She was not so secretly glad of it – no beef stick could be good enough for her sister Slayer.

It didn't take long until the drinks, food and jetlag started to get the better of her. She navigated her way to where Rowan was in an animated discussion with Gunn and Xander about some small gang in Cleveland, Ohio – one of the other Hellmouths – who were actively fighting the local demon population. There seemed to be a consensus that A.I. should reach out to them to maybe set up a local franchise.

"Hey, Bright Eyes," she greeted her boyfriend and gave his cheek a light kiss. "I'm all but ready to drop. Wanna help me with the luggage?"

"Of course, Sunray," Rowan agreed immediately. "Xander, Charles, until tomorrow."

"So, which one's yours?" Faith asked as they stepped into one of the elevators after a quick round of goodnights.

"410," Rowan answered and pressed "4" on the number pad. "It's a suite, similar to Angel's 310 one floor below."

"Uh-huh?" Faith responded in all seriousness. "And mine?"

"Well, seems that you're stuck with me," Rowan deadpanned and handed Faith a key numbered "410".

"Is that right?" Faith asked with a straight face.

"Mmm-hmm," Rowan nodded. "Of course, we can head back down and ask Cordelia..."

"Enough!" Faith growled and pushed Rowan against the mirrored wall. Then she started laughing and touched his cheek lightly. "I've missed your stupid ass."

"We have definitely earned some peace and quiet together," Rowan smiled at his girlfriend and circled his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "You're so beautiful."

They stayed like that until the elevator reached its destination and then only reluctantly stepped apart.

Room 410 was a real suite with a separate bedroom, a balcony and a small kitchenette. The bedroom had an adjacent bathroom. The bed was king-sized with one half looking slept-in.

"That bed looks pretty fucking inviting," Faith grinned after a short tour around the suite. It really felt like it was pulling her in, something that was augmented by a huge yawn by her.

"I'll stow your luggage in the wardrobe and make the bed for you," Rowan suggested. "You should take a warm shower."

"We," Faith corrected firmly. "I'll be honest with you, Bright Eyes. I'm too tired for any sexcapades tonight, but I still want to feel you against me. So, let's take a real shower together and then I want to just fall asleep holding you."

"Sunray, we have all the time in the world," Rowan grinned, already unfastening his belt.

Much later, holding the half-asleep Faith's naked body against his under the sheets, he couldn't hold his curiosity any longer. "What sexcapades?"

Three days later, Sunnydale

"Keep your eyes closed, Sunray," Rowan instructed his girlfriend as he helped her out of the minibus.

The rented bus had one-by-one dropped off all their friends at various spots around Sunnydale and now they were the last two. Rowan had been decidedly tight-lipped about what he had allegedly arranged for Faith (and himself) for accommodation. For all she knew, Rowan was still lodging with Giles. To her chagrin, he had apparently sworn all their friends into secrecy, so she had no idea what was in store for her.

She had kind of guessed it must be a fancy suite at a hotel or a country club, or something like that. The motel, while nostalgic in the "not" sense was definitely out of the question, and so were the apartments she and Gwen had occupied before their departures. And there was absolutely no way they could share his old room at Giles'. So, why the need for secrecy?

She did own some real estate in the city, one being the apartment complex where she had stayed while "working" for Wilkins. That too was out-of-bounds due to all the bad memories, and she knew Rowan knew that. She didn't mind the income she received for being the landlady, but she could never make herself live there again.

"Ok, you can open them," she heard Rowan tell her in barely veiled excitement after he had guided her a short distance away from the street.

Opening her eyes, she immediately recognised the place. "You... this... are you fucking kidding me?"

"I made a deal with Angel," Rowan grinned at her and opened the front door. "Come inside and have a look."

The next fifteen minutes were like a whirlwind for Faith. The main hall, the master bedroom, the second bedroom, the library, the dining hall, the kitchen – all decorated in a style that embraced both the old and modern while being totally unique.

And Bright Eyes had been living there for quite a while, as was apparent from the clean but lived-in look that overlaid the whole place. They stopped in the doorway to the second bedroom. The room appeared to be fully furnished but unlived-in at the moment.

"So, what do you say?" Rowan asked her enthusiastically. "Xander really outdid himself making this place habitable in this short while with Joyce's contribution."

"Uh, let me get this straight," Faith started both apprehensively and dangerously neutrally. "You want me to...?"

"Oh, I did this all wrong," Rowan groaned to Faith's utter surprise, and then took both of her hands into his. He looked her deeply in the eyes. "Sunray, I don't own this place but I'm still asking you to share these humble quarters with me until you find something better. The second bedroom I've reserved solely for you, and you only. It has its own back door, so you can come and go as you please. Everything here is equally yours as it's mine as agreed with the master of this place. But, I understand if you'd rather..."

"Oh, be quiet," Faith snapped as it looked like Rowan was very much slipping into babble-land. 'Maybe he has spent too much time with Red.'

"So, where do you want to...?" Rowan asked her somewhat sadly as he dropped his gaze to the ground.

"Here."

"Huh?"

"Here, with you," Faith stated firmly. "I love the idea of a room of my own, but I kinda don't expect to really sleep in it regularly. Your bed seems big enough for two and much comfier."

"It's a California King," Rowan replied, still somewhat taken aback.

"Thought so," Faith nodded simply and started hauling her luggage into the second bedroom past the still-blinking Rowan. "I seem to remember someone toting the joys of sneaking into other people's bedrooms," she grinned at her pole-axed boyfriend. It was so satisfying seeing him off-balance for a change.

Somewhat later Faith was sitting on the edge of the bed (she didn't want to start calling it her bed) with most of her clothes, etc. finally tucked away somewhat neatly in the wardrobe and chest of drawers. There was an empty stand for two swords on top of the chest. She had immediately laid down her precious bokken in the lower notch.

She was a multi-millionaire and could really purchase any place in Sunnydale several times over – perhaps even a whole neighbourhood. But, sitting there on a bed she didn't intend to use, made her realise that there was no other place on earth she'd rather be. Well... Oruanui came close, but this was now her new life.

She blinked a few times when she heard knocking on the frame of the open door and Rowan appeared at the doorway looking suspiciously mysterious.

"Ok, what, Bright Eyes?" she almost sighed but still managed a smile. "Miss me already?"

"Always," Rowan answered honestly and then took a speculative look around the bedroom. "But something is definitely missing here."

"Huh?" she gaped and was left with her mouth hanging open as Rowan stepped into full view holding a sheathed katana in his hands.

"This is for you, my love," he spoke quietly but solemnly. "It's made by Howard Clark, like mine, but with measurements specific to your style."

"H-how?" Faith stammered as she stood up and stepped over to take the sword into her own hands. She only needed to pull the blade an inch out of the scabbard to see that it was indeed the real deal.

"Sunnydale Airport," Rowan said simply. "Back then I ransomed the courier's life for half of what the Box of Gavrok was worth, and later left Rupert instructions on what to do with the money in my absence."

In stunned silence Faith laid the sword in the other notch of the sword stand, above her bokken. Together they looked absolutely gorgeous.

"And now, here we are," she felt more than heard Rowan whisper in her ear as he circled his arms around her waist from behind and nuzzled her neck with his nose the way that absolutely made her melt every time. "A full circle."

"What do you mean?" Faith asked curiously in a near whisper with her eyes closed and surrendering herself into the embrace.

"Remember Sunnydale Harbour a year ago?" Rowan continued in a whisper that caressed her ear like the lover's touch that it was. "Come back to me..."

"I remember," Faith nodded. "You meant it then, totally, and asked me to say something back when we next met. We did, and I've said it, but, yes, this circle is complete."

"Yes, it is."

"I love you."

"I love you too, my Sunray. I'm yours and you're mine."

"Forever."

THE END... FOR NOW.

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TO BE CONTINUED IN "WE HELD OUR DAY IN OUR HANDS"