Chapter 11 – Clearing up the mess
Note:
Thanks for the reviews. I am not trying to torture anyone on purpose. I really wish I could write the chapters faster, but often life gets in the way. This time especially, since I've just moved, started a new job and my computer is on the verge of dying. But don't worry, I am in the habit of making plenty of backups. And when I had the chapter finally finished, the Document Manager wouldn't cooperate... I also didn't have time to proof read a second time, so excuse any mistakes that might be still in there.
Buffy and Angel were walking rather aimlessly through the night. They had checked the Bronze, not really expecting to find Faith there though.
"Damn it, where could she have gone?" Buffy asked.
"If anybody knows, it would be you," Angel said.
"Me?"
"You know her better than anybody else. You spent the most time with her."
"That doesn't mean I know her at all. She's a sneaky, manipulative, devious, mean person. How should I know what she is thinking?"
"Buffy…"
"I am nothing like her," Buffy said upset. "Just because she is a Slayer as well doesn't mean-"
"Buffy, stop it. I didn't mean to imply that you two are alike. I just meant that if anybody has any clue where she could have gone it's you. The rest of us have never really spent any time with her."
"I should have killed her when I had the chance. How could she do this?" Buffy was so angry. She felt violated and incomplete in this body, without her baby.
"Buffy," Angel tried to get her attention. But she seemed to be in her own world of self-doubt and anger. "Buffy, just stop for a second."
"We don't have time!" Buffy said, looking at him miserably.
Angel took her hand and lightly tugged on it. "Come here." He pulled her close and embraced her. He stroked her back. "We'll find her."
Slowly, Buffy started to relax a little bit. She could hardly form a clear thought. And the headache Xander had given her wasn't helping. But she needed a clear head. Consciously, she forced herself to only focus on Angel's soothing hand on her back. They could do this. Together they could do anything.
"And I don't think she wants to hurt our baby," Angel said.
"And you would think that why? Didn't you just tell me you know her even less than I do?"
"I just don't think she would hurt an innocent on purpose. Despite everything she is still a Slayer."
"Yeah, great, she still hates vampires, which you happen to be. And she hates me. And it's our baby."
"But still an innocent. Besides, the baby is protected."
"For how long? You saw how weak she was. What if it continues?" Buffy tried to push away from Angel, but he wouldn't let her.
"Buffy, we have to think positive. We have to work with what we know. Guessing won't help."
Buffy took a deep breath. "You are right. Sorry, I lost it."
"It's okay." Angel let go of her. He would have liked to kiss her. But as long as she was in Faith's body, it would likely get him in a hell of a mess later on. So he just took her hand. "Come on, let's go."
Buffy and Angel decided to check the cemeteries. It was an even longer shot than the Bronze, since Faith was in no condition to slay, but maybe she was using one of the crypts to hide in.
Sudden Buffy spotted Graham and Forrest. "I have an idea. Come on," she said to Angel and dragged him along.
"Hey, have you guys seen Buffy?" she called out to them.
"Do we know you?"
"Um… we are friends of Buffy."
"And?"
"And we are looking for her."
"Well, you can keep looking all night. She has other plans."
"What?" Angel asked.
"So you have seen her?" Buffy asked.
"No, we haven't seen her. But she's busy."
Angel grabbed Graham's shirt. "Where is Buffy?"
Forrest tried to attack Angel, but Buffy was faster and had him pinned to the ground in a second. "Answer the damn question. Where is Buffy?"
"Who are you guys?"
"We are her friends. And we are very worried about her."
"Relax, will ya? She's with Riley."
"How would you know that if you haven't seen her?" Buffy demanded.
"Riley bailed on us, said he had a hot date, with that chick he's been mooning over for ages."
"And where are they now?"
"We are not his damn babysitter. And I bet you are not hers."
Angel grabbed Graham around the throat.
"Honestly, we don't know."
Buffy put more pressure on the Forrest's back. "Ahh, ouch, stop. Well, by the sound of it, my guess is he probably took her back to his place."
"It was about time, too," Graham added. "Once he's had her, maybe he will stop being so obsessed with her."
Buffy released Forrest. "Come on, Angel, let's go,"
Angel let go of Graham and followed Buffy. "And where exactly are we going?"
"Riley's place."
"And you know where he lives because…?"
"Angel…" She usually didn't mind Angel's jealous streak, but right now was not a good time.
"You said you hardly knew him."
"I never said that. But I am not interested in him, not the slightest bit, okay?"
"But he obviously is very interested in you," Angel pointed out.
"And that is somehow my fault? I never led him on, if that's what you are implying."
"No, I am not implying anything. I… I'm sorry. I'm overreacting. I didn't mean to…"
"I know. It's okay. We are both edgy. And I'm sorry too." Buffy took his hand and stroked her thumb over his skin. She would have kissed him, but just the thought of Angel kissing this body was too much for her. So she simply gave him a reassuring smile and squeezed his hand.
"So, how do you want to do this?" Angel asked.
"Do what?"
"Riley and Faith. Riley's intentions seemed very clear from what those guys said."
"Yeah, he probably played right into Faith's hands."
"Or she in his," Angel pointed out.
"Whatever, but we should try the nice way first. I really don't want to have to explain more than necessary to Riley."
"Me neither. Except that you already have a boyfriend," Angel growled.
"We could say she is drunk or ill. I really don't want to come across as some slut. We could go for amnesia."
"If he has touched your body, I will give him amnesia."
"Here we are," Buffy said when they stood in front of Riley's door. "Can you hear anything?"
"Yeah, some music."
"So they are probably in there. If she used my body to…" Buffy shuddered only thinking about it. "Let's do it." Buffy knocked on the door. But nothing happened.
"She's in there," Angel said. "She just asked Riley to ignore the knocking."
"Okay, plan B then."
"I didn't know we had a plan B." Angel grinned. "But I like it." He kicked in the door.
Riley and Faith were lying on the couch, making out.
"What the hell…?" Riley faced the intruders, but couldn't say anything else as Angel had already grabbed him and had him in a headlock. He only let go of him when he lost consciousness.
Buffy grabbed Faith and pushed her against the wall. But she didn't struggle at all, knowing her game was up.
"I thought we would try the nice way first," Buffy said when she saw Riley go down.
"Sorry, couldn't control myself," Angel grinned, not looking ashamed at all.
Looking back at Faith, Buffy said, "It's over, Faith. Switch us back."
Faith didn't answer. Admitting defeat was not her strong point.
"Faith, I just want my baby back. And I promise I won't hurt you afterwards."
"Faith, just do it," Angel said. "Since when are you a coward?"
"Yeah, and what would be more courageous than trusting us?" Buffy asked.
"Okay, okay, you win. Just give me a sec." She was so damn tired.
"Faith…" Buffy warned.
"I have to concentrate." Faith had memorized the spell, but now she had trouble remembering. She tried to recite the spell, but it didn't work.
"Do it now!" Buffy said.
Faith tried again, but nothing happened.
Buffy grabbed Faith. "Don't you dare play games with me."
"I'm not."
"Faith, I am warning you…"
"I… I might have remembered it wrong. I can't really… think clearly anymore. I am so tired."
"But how did the Major give you the spell? It must have been written down somewhere."
"It was."
"And?"
"I lost the spell." Actually, she had thrown it away, but 'lost' sounded slightly better.
"What?"
"It's the truth. I didn't really think this whole thing through. I was just wanted to make it out of here. I found the spell and knew I couldn't take it with me. So I memorized it and then threw it away. Then I just did it. And before I knew it, I was in Buffy's body. The spell should still be lying around in the alley where I did the switch."
"I woke up in an alley, not too far away from the Bronze. Is that it?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah."
"Somebody could have found it by now."
"I doubt it. Who goes around looking for some crumpled-up paper?" It had been a dark alley. The light hadn't been good and Faith had chosen the place because it was so deserted.
"It could have blown away," Buffy said distressed.
"Then you better go look for it," Faith pointed out.
"Maybe Giles can reconstruct it, if you tell him what you do remember."
"Could we please not panic prematurely?" Faith suggested.
Buffy grabbed Faith and pushed her against the wall again. "You are the one who should panic, because if anything happens to my baby you are so dead. And this time I don't mean like in a coma, I mean like in a coffin."
Riley slowly came round. When he saw Faith being held against the wall, he yelled, "Get away from her!"
The other three looked at Riley, not sure what to do. Buffy reacted first. She quickly let go of Faith and went over to help Riley up. "Um, sorry, this seems to be a big misunderstanding. We thought you were going to hurt Buffy."
"I'd never hurt her," Riley said.
Angel considered knocking him out again, but knew Buffy probably wouldn't be very receptive to that idea. "We are her friends. We just want to take her home. She isn't feeling too well."
"I have never seen you guys before." Looking at Faith, he asked concerned, "Are you okay, Buffy? Did they hurt you?"
"I am okay, really," Faith said. "They are just taking me home." Riley was no match for Buffy and Angel. It was better for Faith if she played along. Besides, she really needed to get out of this body.
Riley went over to her, took her by the shoulder and led her into a corner where they had more privacy. "You don't look too well. Are you sure you are okay?"
"I'll be fine once I lie down. Like I said before, it's just been a really long day. I am not really myself at the moment."
"Come on, let's go," Angel said.
"I am gonna see to it that she gets home alright," Riley said.
"What?" Angel asked, hoping for Riley's sake that he had misheard.
"I don't trust you," Riley said. "I am coming with you."
Angel looked at Riley threateningly and took a step towards him, but Buffy discreetly shook her head, letting him know that Riley was not to be harmed again.
"Fine, let's go," Angel grumbled.
Faith had trouble keeping up. She was still getting weaker and weaker. When Buffy noticed, she linked arms with Faith and more or less dragged her along.
"That's not the way to Buffy's house," Riley said after a while.
"We have to make a small detour," Angel said.
"Yeah… um… she lost her… bracelet," Buffy added.
"Yeah, right, I lost it," Faith confirmed. "Pretty clumsy of me."
"I could get Buffy home and you guys can look for her bracelet," Riley suggested.
"They wouldn't know where to look for it," Faith said quickly. By now, Riley was even starting to get on her nerves. If he didn't shut up soon he would only make everything worse for her, if that was still possible.
"Buffy, do you really want to go with them?" Riley asked. "You look tired."
"I'll be fine. But we really need to find my bracelet. It's very valuable."
"Here it is," Faith said when they arrived at the alley.
"Why don't you look over here, Riley?" Buffy said. "And we'll search the alley. It'll be faster that way."
"Um… okay… what exactly am I looking for?"
"A bracelet. Shiny, silver thing," Angel said annoyed, already turning his back on Riley and making his way into the alley, followed by Faith and Buffy.
"It should be somewhere around here," Faith said and leaned against the wall. She was completely exhausted and not able to keep herself upright much longer.
"If we don't find the spell, Faith, I swear you will regret it," Buffy hissed and started looking for the piece of paper.
Faith hardly noticed her threat and sank down against the wall.
"Faith!" Buffy immediately rushed over to her side.
"I'm okay. I just need to sit down," Faith said. "Keep looking."
"Found it," Angel said. He came over to them and handed Faith the paper.
"No tricks," Buffy warned.
"Don't worry. I can't wait to get out of this body." Faith read the spell out loud. As soon as she had spoken the last word, she started to get dizzy. She closed her eyes for a second and when she opened them she was already back in her own body. But the dizziness hadn't disappeared and she lost her balance. She would have fallen down had Angel not caught her.
He lowered Faith to the ground and leaned her against the wall. Then he attended to Buffy, who had lost consciousness. Angel was grateful that she had already been sitting down. "Buffy? Wake up. Are you okay?"
Buffy's body had already been weak, but the switch had given her the rest. When she heard Angel's voice, she forced herself to follow it to consciousness. Despite the heaviness of her eyelids, she opened them. "Yeah, I'm okay," she said tiredly. Her hand went automatically to her abdomen. She managed an exhausted but genuine smile. "We are okay."
Angel let out a sigh of relief. "You sure?"
Buffy nodded. "Yeah, everything is fine. I'm just tired, so tired." She closed her eyes again.
"It's okay. I'll get you home and you can sleep."
"You sure she is alright?" Faith asked concerned, carefully getting up and rubbing her head where Xander had hit her. "Maybe you should take her to a hospital, just to make sure." Faith didn't want to be responsible for anything happening to Buffy's baby, not just because she feared what Angel and Buffy would do to her then, but because she already had one innocent soul on her conscience.
Angel noticed the worry in her voice but chose not to comment on it. "She'll be more comfortable at home." Angel lifted Buffy into his arms and started walking towards the main street. Then he stopped again and turned back around. "You coming, Faith?" Angel asked.
"You said I could go," Faith said and took a few steps backwards.
"And where would you go?" Angel asked.
"None of your business."
"I know," Angel said calmly. "I just think we could talk."
"About what? Buffy's fine. You said so. She said so." Faith took another step back.
"Faith, I am not gonna hurt you. I just want to talk."
"I don't wanna talk! I just want to leave."
"And where would you go? You can stay with us tonight. We have plenty of room."
"Yeah, right, so you can kill me in my sleep? I'm not stupid."
"I know you are not stupid. Just desperate and alone."
"I do very well on my own."
"Don't you wanna stick around until Buffy feels better? Maybe talk to her?"
"That's a really bad idea."
"You can still turn your back on all of this tomorrow. And I certainly won't follow you once the sun gets up."
Faith still looked at him uncertainly.
"Look, Faith, I meant what I said. I think you are destined to do good with your slaying abilities. You took a wrong turn, but that doesn't mean…" Angel trailed off. He could see in her face that she wouldn't be very receptive to his ideas tonight. And he wasn't really keen on this talk either right now. "You don't look like you wanna have this discussion tonight and neither do I. I just want to get Buffy home. That's all I really care about right now. You can come with us or not. It's up to you. You could sleep in a nice, clean bed and simply leave first thing in the morning. It usually helps to sleep things over before making life-altering decisions." Angel started walking. "Well, you know where to find us."
Faith just looked on as he turned his back on her again and continued walking towards the street.
When Angel emerged out of the dark alley with Buffy in his arms, Riley rushed towards them. "What happened? What's wrong with her?" he asked concerned.
"She's just sleeping and I am taking her home. And you should head home too," Angel said, not bothering to stop at all to talk to Riley. He really had enough of the guy.
"No, I want to know what is going on here," Riley said, putting himself in Angel's way.
Angel just looked at him annoyed. Had he not been carrying Buffy, he would have made quick work of Riley. "You are starting to get on my nerves, boy."
"And what about her bracelet, huh? I don't see her wearing it."
"She remembered that she left the bracelet at home after all," Faith said, catching up with them. "So we really don't need your help anymore. But thanks for the offer."
"No way, I won't leave her alone with him."
"She is in good hands," Faith said. "And she won't be alone with him. I am staying at their place as well."
Angel gave Faith a look, trying to hide his surprise.
"Their place?" Riley asked. "You mean Buffy's place. Her mom's house, right?"
Faith looked at Angel for help. She didn't want to say anything wrong. Besides, she wasn't really privy to their living arrangements.
Angel decided it was time to mark his territory. "No, she doesn't live there anymore."
"What? Since when? And who are you exactly?"
"Not that it's any or your business, but I am her boyfriend."
"Her boyfriend? Buffy never said anything about a boyfriend. And I have never seen you before." He turned to Faith. "And neither have I seen you."
"Well, and we haven't seen you around Buffy before," said Faith. "And we've known her a lot longer than you."
"If you are really her boyfriend, then why was she throwing herself at me?" Riley asked.
"I was not… um… I bet you were the one doing the throwing," Faith objected. After all he had approached her in the first place.
"I-" Riley started.
"She was obviously not feeling very well today," Angel cut him off angrily. "And that's the only reason I am willing to forgive you for your trespassing. But don't ever touch her again!"
"You must have been blind not to notice how weak she was," Faith said. She didn't just say this for Angel's benefit. She just went with the flow. It was fun to be part of a team again, to have an alley, to be on the winning team. And Faith liked winning. And Riley was definitely going to lose.
"She said it was nothing," Riley defended himself.
"Go home," Angel said.
"You better do what he says," Faith said with a grin. "Because if you don't, you might end up with one of your arms missing, or a leg, who knows."
"Fine, I know when I am not wanted. No need for threats. Not that something like that would intimidate me," Riley said. He knew he had to let it go for now. He was sure they were lying, but they were not going to tell him the truth. He would simply pretend to leave and then follow them. Buffy had indeed behaved strange. But he had been only too glad about her sudden interest in him and had ignored her unusual behavior. Maybe she had been under some kind of demonic spell. But Riley couldn't voice his suspicion. It might blow his cover. So he had to pretend to have no idea what was going on. "I have better things to do anyway," Riley said and stomped off.
When Riley was out of sight, Angel looked at Faith with a slightly amused smile. He was glad she had changed her mind. But he didn't say anything.
They walked on in silence for a while. Buffy was still deeply asleep in Angel's arm.
Suddenly, Angel let out a low growl.
"What? What did I do now?" Faith asked.
"Not you. Don't look around. He's following us."
"God, the guy really is annoying," Faith said. "What are we going to do?"
Angel raised an eyebrow and asked, "We?"
"Well… um… I could rough him up for you. You know, as payment for my accommodation tonight, if the offer is still up."
"It is," Angel confirmed. But he had something else in mind as compensation.
"So what is your plan?" Faith asked.
Angel would have loved to take Faith up on her offer. But Buffy would be more than displeased with him, if he did that. "For now, let's just wait and see. Maybe he is smarter than he looks and gives up when he sees that we really are taking her home."
When they arrived back at the mansion, Angel put Buffy to bed, while Faith waited in the living room.
The longer she was left on her own, the more uncomfortable she got. This had been a stupid idea. Why had she gone with them? She considered making a run for it after all. Maybe it was all a trap. Maybe Angel just wanted to get Buffy to safety and then he would deal with her. Faith was about to leave, when she spotted Riley lurking around the mansion. She considered what she should do. Angel was certainly capable of taking care of Riley on his own. But before Faith could decide on a plan of action, Angel was already back and immediately noticed what had caught Faith's attention.
Angel rushed outside and grabbed Riley. "You are really getting on my nerves," he growled.
"I… I just wanted to… make sure Buffy is alright," Riley stammered.
"She is alright. She is home and in bed where she belongs." Angel dragged him inside. He pointed towards the teddy bear lying on the couch. "Think that is my personal taste of interior decoration?"
Riley looked around. The teddy bear definitely looked girlish. And this really didn't look like some lair or hideout. Maybe he had misjudged the situation. Riley looked at Angel unsure. Something about this guy was still giving him the creeps. He'd give it one last try. "There is a very simple way to check if you are telling the truth. Does Buffy's mom know where she is?" Riley asked and waited for Angel's reaction.
"Well, you could ask her. But I'd rather not disturb Joyce at this hour."
Riley looked at him dumbfounded. He knew her name? But maybe it was just a bluff. Riley couldn't tell, because he himself didn't know her first name. "I… I…"
"By the way," Angel went on, "do you think you'd get to keep your job as an assistant, if they knew you were bothering students at home?"
"I'm sorry. This really seems to be a misunderstanding," Riley said quickly.
"As we've been telling you from the beginning," Faith piped in.
Angel let go of Riley. "This is your last chance. Either you leave now out of your own free will or I will make you and it will hurt." He really wished he could do without the threats and warnings, but Buffy probably wouldn't appreciate it. He knew she didn't really mind his jealous streak, but with her being hormonal and all, she was unpredictable at times.
Riley made for the door. "I'm really sorry. I just wanted to make sure Buffy was alright, nothing else." Without another word he disappeared.
"What a jerk," Faith said.
"Come on, I'll show you your room."
Angel was sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard and watching Buffy sleeping right next to him. She had slept through everything. He was too agitated to sleep. Besides, he wanted to keep an eye on Buffy, making sure her body was coping after the two switches and having to put up with Faith's soul.
He had wanted to talk to Faith, but she looked tired and he reasoned that if he gave her some time to think everything through and see that she was safe here, she would be more receptive to his suggestions. On purpose he had left the door to their bed room wide open and had put Faith in a room where she would either have to climb out the window or walk by their room if she decided to leave.
And indeed, not too long after Angel had shown her to her room Faith tried to sneak out. Had she gone through the window, Angel couldn't have done anything. He would have simply let her go. But this way, he would give it another shot.
"Where are you going?"
"Um… getting an aspirin?" The headache was mostly gone by now. But thinking everything through had given her cold feet. Staying here had been a bad idea.
"The bath is the other way," Angel pointed out.
"Well… I… okay, let's cut the crap, I am not staying."
Angel stayed where he was, hoping Faith would feel less intimidated this way. "Nobody will hurt you. I won't and Buffy won't either. We have what we wanted. And we gonna stick to our word."
"Said the vampire to his pray."
"You are usually the huntress."
"Yeah, and I don't think Buffy has forgiven me for that."
"I don't know. You would have to ask her. But I have."
"I almost killed you."
The worst thing for Angel about Faith's poisoned arrow was not that he could have died, but that he had drunk from Buffy. And he mostly blamed that on his lack of self-control. "I am still alive."
"Yeah, I noticed. And by the way, how did that happen?"
"Long story." Angel didn't want to talk about that now. He wanted to talk about something else.
"Hey, you were the one who wanted to talk."
"Fine, then let's talk about what you gonna do when you walk out the door tonight."
"I get my life back, my freedom," Faith said.
"You become an outcast. A rogue Slayer."
"So?"
"I would have a better suggestion."
"Really?" Faith said, trying not to sound too interested.
"Yes."
"Enlighten me."
"Stay and take over Buffy's slaying duties."
"What? Are you out of your mind?" Faith yelled.
Buffy stirred, but didn't wake.
In a whisper, Faith hissed "Have you lost your marbles?"
"No, far from it actually."
"That's crazy. Besides, the others would never… hell, I don't even… you saw what Xander did."
"Nobody said it would be easy. It would be hard work. You would have to earn their trust back. But everybody deserves a second chance." Angel looked lovingly down at Buffy, who was deeply asleep again.
"She gave you a second chance, didn't she?" Faith asked softly.
Angel nodded.
"What happened? How can she be pregnant from you?" Faith asked.
"That's an even longer story. You should get some sleep. We can talk about everything else tomorrow."
"What makes you think I won't leave over the roof?"
"You could have left anytime already. I am not stopping you. If you do feel you have to leave, I am the last person who wouldn't understand. But let me give you a little piece of advice. Leaving is not a solution to your problems. Believe me, I know."
Faith looked at him and was about to say something, when she changed her mind and went back to her room.
"Hey," Buffy said, when she woke a few hours after sunrise and found Angel staring at her.
"Hey, how are you feeling?"
"Good. Why are you looking so glum?"
"I was worried about you."
"I told you, I was just tired, very tired." Buffy stretched and then snuggled into his side. "I am just so glad I am back in my own body. If Faith had stayed there much longer, who knows what would have happened."
"Let's not think about that," Angel said and hugged her closer to his body.
"I guess these power fluctuations are really good for something. If my body hadn't reacted to Faith's invasion like it did, I don't think we could have persuaded her to give it back. She always thought my life was so much better than hers."
"I think after she found out that you were pregnant, she wasn't too keen on staying in your body."
"Well, she could have…" Buffy couldn't finish the sentence.
"No, Buffy, she never would have done that."
"She tried to kill you. She killed the Mayor's aid."
"She didn't mean to."
"She did mean to kill you."
"She was brainwashed by the Mayor."
"How can you…" Buffy trailed off. She didn't want to fight. "Whatever, I am just glad she is gone."
"Well…" Angel started, not sure how to break the news to Buffy. But then he heard light footsteps coming down the hallway. In a second there would be no need to explain.
"Um… good morning," Faith said a bit awkwardly when she passed their room.
"Morning," Angel replied.
"Um… I was just on my way to the kitchen… for breakfast," Faith said uncomfortably, seeing how Buffy was staring daggers at her. "Cause I'm hungry after all… that… yesterday."
"Sure, go ahead. We'll be there shortly too," Angel said.
"Okay." Faith quickly left quickly for the kitchen.
Buffy looked at Angel like she was about to strangle him. "What is she doing here?" Buffy hissed.
"She needed a place to sleep."
"You let her sleep here? Right next to our room?"
"Well, a couple rooms down the hall."
"I can't believe this." Buffy turned to get up, but Angel grabbed her hand.
"Buffy, please listen to me before you get all mad, okay?"
She crossed her arms and just looked at him.
"Everybody deserves a second chance and-"
"She killed people!"
"So did I."
"That was different, and you know that," Buffy said.
"Buffy, we can help her. And she can help us."
"Help us?"
"She could take over for you while you are pregnant. You won't have to worry about slaying anymore and can fully focus on our baby."
"You are doing a great job."
"I know you don't think it's the same. She is a Slayer. She is destined to do this. And I would have more time to spend with you."
"She tried to kill you."
"I know. But I am sure she won't try again."
"Well, I am not willing to take that risk."
"She has nowhere to go. And if she keeps on running there is nowhere else for her to go but down."
"So?"
"Buffy, just like you have this urge to slay, I believe Faith has it too. She needs a purpose in life. And what better purpose for a Slayer than slaying? She could redeem herself by saving people."
"Look, if you miss helping people, I understand, I really do. Maybe you should make another visit to LA and help out there."
"Buffy, this is not about me helping people. I am perfectly happy with just being there for you. But if we don't help Faith, nobody will."
"She made her bed, she has to lie in it."
"I think she is willing to change. Why else would she have stayed the night? She could have disappeared any time during the night. I didn't lock her up or anything. She was free to go. Why would she stay if she didn't want to change?"
"What if you are wrong? You really want to take that risk with our baby around?"
"She never harmed the baby when she had the chance."
"Because she knew I would kill her if she did."
"I don't think that's it. She was really worried about you and the baby last night. She wanted me to take you to the hospital."
Buffy still looked like she wasn't anything else but fond of his suggestion
"Just give her a chance," Angel said. "You could sit back and relax and I would have more time for you. If nothing else, Faith was a really effective Slayer. If it doesn't work out, she can still leave."
"Yeah right, after how many casualties?"
"Buffy, you are being unfair."
"Don't tell me I am unfair. I almost lost you because of her."
"You said yourself that was a long time ago."
"I said that because she was holding our baby hostage."
Angel understood her reluctance. But he also saw it as a great chance for them and for Faith. But he didn't want to upset Buffy, especially not while she was pregnant. "It's your call. I would never ask her to stay if you don't want her here. It's just a suggestion. But even if you want her to leave, maybe you want to talk to her before she leaves."
"Talk about what?"
"I don't know. Maybe you want to ask her something or talk about what happened, sort some things out. And we don't have to decide anything right now."
To Buffy, the concept of Faith going back to slaying was not really that bad. It was her job after all and certainly better than letting her roam around and cause havoc. But could Buffy trust her with Sunnydale? Last time, Faith had killed someone she was supposed to protect and then turned her back on Sunnydale. And no matter how much she liked the idea of having someone fill in for her while she was pregnant, Faith posed an imminent threat to Angel.
"And in your little scenario, where would Faith stay?" Buffy asked.
Angel gave her a look that told Buffy all she needed to know.
"Here? Are you out of your mind?"
"We have plenty of room."
Buffy was simply speechless.
Angel went on, "Or your mom might take her in."
"No way. Then I'd rather have her here where I can keep an eye on her."
"I think it's best to have her stay somewhere where she is around people. We have to show her that being part of a team and working together is better than being alone. Why did she turn to the Mayor? Because he took care of her and made her part of his family. He was like a father to her and after all we know now it seems he actually cared about her very much and didn't just use her for his purposes."
"She's never had an easy life," Buffy admitted.
"No," Angel agreed.
"That's not a yes," Buffy said quickly.
"Buffy, just because I think she deserves a second chance doesn't mean I trust her blindly. You and the baby always come first. You are my main priority and I would never do or suggest something that could hurt you or the baby. She will have to earn any trust she is given. I am not suggesting we forget everything that happened. I just believe we can use this situation to both our and her advantage."
Buffy let herself fall back into the pillows and released a deep breath. "Damn, I can't believe I am actually considering this. And I mean very, very remotely."
"That's all I am asking of you. Just think about it." He placed a kiss on her forehead and lay down next to her, wrapping his arm around her.
"This is crazy."
"Well, at least you two agree on something."
Buffy looked at him questioningly.
"That was kind of her first reaction as well. And maybe she doesn't even want to stay. We can't force her."
"I certainly wasn't going to try."
They lay together for a while in silence. Angel wanted to give Buffy a chance to process his idea. And he simply enjoyed being with her, having her back in the right body.
"Angel?"
"Yes?"
"Did anything happen… before I made it back to the mansion?" Buffy asked hesitantly.
"No," Angel said without hesitation, knowing exactly what Buffy wanted to know. "Nothing happened. Not even a kiss, not even cuddling." He hugged her tighter.
Buffy was quiet again.
"You do believe me, don't you?" Angel asked. "It's important to me."
"I do believe you."
"Nothing happened. When the switch took place, she fainted. It probably was too much for your body. I carried her back to bed and waited for her to wake up. And then she started behaving strangely. She wanted to get away from me, made excuses to leave. She really didn't behave much like you. But I put it down to your hormones. Wouldn't have been the first time that… um… well…"
"It's okay, I know I haven't really been myself lately. I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize."
"What happened then?"
"Well, I got suspicious but played along until I got a chance to test her. I told her not to forget your books for your classes. And she asked me to get them for her."
"Sneaky."
"Yeah, maybe, but the moment my fears were confirmed I was so scared, Buffy." He hugged her even tighter.
"Angel, you are crushing me."
"Oh, sorry. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, no biggie."
"You sure?"
"Angel…"
"Sorry, I just… I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you or our little miracle."
"Me neither."
Buffy's stomach growled.
"Somebody is hungry. Come on, let's have breakfast together and see how it goes."
When they came into the kitchen, Faith was sitting at the table and chewing on an apple. When she saw them coming in, she jumped up.
Angel leisurely went to the cupboards and got out some plates. "What do you want for breakfast?"
He didn't receive an answer as Buffy and Faith were just staring at each other.
"You know, breakfast will taste a lot better, if you two sit down and relax," Angel said.
None of them followed Angel's suggestion. He put the plates on the table and went over to Buffy. He gently kissed her and whispered, "Give her a chance." When Buffy looked at him angrily, he added, "I know you don't trust her. I know you won't let her out of your eyes and neither will I. Relax, it'll be fine." Angel gave Buffy another kiss and then went over to the fridge. "So, what would you like, Faith?"
"I… um… whatever you are having," Faith said insecurely.
"He makes really good pancakes," Buffy said finally, but she didn't take her eyes of Faith.
"Pancakes?" Faith repeated.
"Yeah, you know, those flat, hot things. They look like pizza just without the topping."
"Sure, pancakes. Great," Faith said, trying to sound enthusiastic, but failing miserably.
"Pancakes it is," Angel said and grabbed a pan.
Breakfast was a quiet affair and Angel almost started to regret having invited Faith to stay. When Buffy and Faith had finished their food, Angel cleared away the plates. Buffy got up as well and wiped off the table.
Faith watched them with great interest. "Man, you two have gotten homely. Are you sure I woke up in the right dimension?"
Buffy looked at her with ice-cold eyes.
"It was just a joke," Faith said. "Relax."
Buffy just turned her back on Faith, otherwise she might have said something she would probably regret. Well, she probably wouldn't regret it, but she had promised Angel to give her a chance.
"Fine, forget it. This was a stupid idea." Faith stood up. "Thanks for letting me stay the night." She walked towards the door.
Buffy looked at Angel. She almost expected him to run after her, but his look told Buffy that it was up to her now. Buffy took a deep breath. "Faith, wait."
Faith stopped and turned around. "What?"
"If you really want to change, if you really want this chance-"
"I do, I really do. I want to change." Faith looked ashamed at the floor. "I want to make up for what I did."
"But that's it. That's all you gonna get. If you screw up again, I won't be as forgiving."
"You mean you'll do something worse than stabbing me in the stomach with a knife?" Faith asked jokingly.
"Yes, something much worse," Buffy said dead-seriously.
"Well, I guess that's only fair," Faith said.
"More than fair, I think."
"Fine, you got yourself a deal."
"Fine, now that that's settled, I am gonna take a shower."
When Buffy had left the room, Faith sat down at the table.
"Some more coffee?" Angel asked.
Faith could have used something stronger at that moment. But she held her tongue and just nodded.
When Angel had refilled her cup, he sat down directly opposite her. "Listen, I am glad you are taking this chance. But if you set one foot wrong, if you upset Buffy in any way, if you try anything to upset her on purpose, I'll personally chase you out of town or worse."
"I guess that includes no loud parties?"
"Faith!"
"Relax, I was just kidding. You two really have lost your sense of humor."
"No matter what you or Buffy think, this is not a charity project for me. The main reason why I asked you to stay is so that Buffy won't have to worry about slaying. She gets really agitated about not being able to protect Sunnydale. That's your job. That's what you are here for and why you get to stay. And it's your chance to make up for what you did."
"Slaying is the only thing I know how to do anyway."
TBC