(updated 04-21-2021)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
She sings to me

"The aftershocks of Kepler-22 shook the foundations of the Alliance. With the Regent assuming full public responsibility for the events on Earth and Kepler-22, this muted the cries for a public trial. This was to the relief of many in the upper echelons of the Alliance, because this avoided complicating relations with the Invid. After leaving the Alliance, the Invid became more inward looking and isolated from the other races. Despite their growing isolationism, they continued to provide the Alliance with the Flower of Life, which was necessary for the production of Protoculture. With the 'The Sunnydale Accords' revealing the truth of demons and magic to humanity, there were many questions and doubts, but things eventually returned to normal, and humanity continued on. One group most impacted by the accords was the young women who were Slayers. Under the terms of the accords, special operations units, under Alliance command and control, now executed the roles and functions they used to perform. Despite the restrictions placed upon them, the Alliance military still sought out Slayers for their skills and strengths. We should note that not all Slayers rushed to join the military, some had different priorities…"

— Excerpt from "Light vs. Darkness: War in the Shadows"

oOoOo

"Faith! Phone call!"

Faith looked over at the reception desk. Normally she wouldn't take calls while conducting her class, but the urgent expression on the receptionist's face changed her mind. She wondered what was happening as she nodded to acknowledge she'd heard her.

"Okay, everybody… Take five, I'll be right back," Faith said, turning to face the students in the class she was instructing.

She tried not to laugh, catching the looks of relief on her students' faces as she headed over to the reception desk. Even though she was a brutal taskmaster for the advanced self-defense class she taught, there was no shortage of people waiting to sign up for her class.

She was glad to have her job. After the divorce, it had taken some time to find a job she enjoyed doing and paid the bills. Normally, one couldn't get by on just teaching self-defense classes, but over the years, she'd built up her reputation. Her classes were always in high demand, with the local Alliance base providing a steady stream of customers.

The constant training and exercise, along with being a Slayer, kept her figure lean and in shape. This always led to at least one person in her classes, either looking for a quick hookup or some kind of relationship. A few would-be suitors tried to impress her with their fighting skills, but she always ended up showing them the errors of their ways.

Despite her curiosity being piqued a few times, she had enough life experience to acknowledge that she couldn't do relationships… they ended badly.

Besides, she already had an important man in her life that took all her free time. With her life busy, she wasn't interested in any more relationships or hookups along with the ensuing complications and messy breakups.

Faith approached the desk, "Line two. It's your son's pre-school," the receptionist said.

A worrying sensation gripped Faith as she quickly picked up the phone, "Hello…? Yeah, this is Alex's mom…"

Faith sighed in relief, hearing the call wasn't to tell her something had happened to her son. That relief quickly faded, and her anxiety returned as the caller told her they wanted her to come to the pre-school to discuss her son.

"Yes, I can meet with you today… Yeah, three-thirty… I'll be there, thanks."

Faith let out a deep sigh, shaking her head slowly as she hung up the phone.

"What has that boy done now?" she muttered.

oOoOo

Faith tried not to squirm in the chair while waiting for the school administrator to return to her office. A wave of not so fond memories of the times she'd spent in the school office—when she'd shown up for school—replayed in her thoughts.

She turned her attention to the shaggy, dark-haired boy sitting next to her. Out of reflex, Faith shook her head and sighed, which caused the boy to look up at his mom.

The boy's dark eyes twinkled with intelligence and energy that knew no bounds. A smile grew on the boy's face, which immediately melted Faith's heart. She shook her head and smiled in return.

This one's going to be a charmer and a heartbreaker…

"You need a haircut." Faith said, reaching over to brush the long shaggy hair out of his eyes.

Alex shook his head, but was still smiling, "I like it long."

Faith still found it hard to accept how Alex sometimes seemed to act older than his age. She tried not to dwell on the reasons her son was this way. For all intents and purposes, her son was a happy and healthy six-year-old.

She debated about interrogating Alex over why she was here, but dropped the idea when the office door opened and two women entered. Faith recognized the second lady as Alex's teacher, who was holding a pile of papers in her hands.

"Thank you for coming in on such short notice, Ms. Lehane," the administrator said, taking her seat on the other side of the desk.

As Alex's teacher stood beside the administrator's desk, Faith's instincts were sending her warning bells and she went into defensive mode.

"What did Alex do?" she breathed.

Her defensive instincts ratcheted up, catching the uncomfortable glances exchanged between the women, "Uh, first off we want to say what a delight Alex is. He is a bright and hardworking student…" the administrator started off.

Faith sensed the hammer about to drop and didn't want to waste any more time, "Can we get to the point? What did Alex do?"

Alex's teacher stepped around the desk. Faith's bad vibe grew, seeing the teacher's face, "It's not so much that he did something. I have my students do a lot of drawings. They draw out things they've seen or done and places they've been. I especially like to have my students express how they're feeling in their artwork."

The teacher held out the papers she'd been holding for Faith to see, "For the last several weeks, I've been seeing a shift in Alex's drawings."

The teacher let Faith go through the pictures. As she did, her fears and alarm grew.

"As you can see, the drawings have taken on a sadder and more somber tone. At first, I wasn't too concerned because all kids go through phases, but the last couple of days Alex's drawings became… um… strange."

Faith tried keeping herself in control and not jump out of the chair in panic, "Whaddya mean, strange?"

The teacher nodded to the administrator and the other lady handed her several pictures from a file folder on the desk. Faith's stomach fell away as the pictures were of an alien landscape, except for the last one which was a strange-looking bald-headed woman.

She looked at Alex. His dark eyes immediately reminded her of his father.

The teacher continued, "Is there anything going on at home? Anything that would explain this… um… change in behavior?"

Faith stared at the teacher as if she was talking gibberish. She shook herself out of her shock, her eyes darting back to the drawings, "N-No… N-No," she stammered.

The school administrator chimed in, "In cases where a child is having emotional problems, we suggest they talk to a counselor or psychologist."

A stunned Faith stared at the administrator and then looked at the drawings again, "A-A psychologist? What's wrong with me talking to him?"

Alex's teacher had a small smile pasted on her face as she spoke, "Well, sometimes children can open up better with a professional. Sometimes kids don't want to say anything to a parent to disappoint them or upset them. We would be happy to recommend one."

"I take it that Alex's father isn't around?" the administrator said.

"Huh? No," Faith mumbled.

"Are there any new men in your life? Are you dating?"

It took Faith a minute for the questions to sink in. A wave of anger now gripped her, "What does that have to do with anything?"

The administrator smiled, "Well, sometimes children react badly to change and new people entering their lives. Especially if you're dating anyone that might replace a parental figure."

Faith caught the condescending tone in the woman's voice and it hit the wrong nerve, "Who I see or decide to do it with is my business! And for your information, for the last four years its been just me and Alex. He's been and will always be my priority! The only 'person' I've been 'doing' has batteries!"

Faith didn't wait to see the shocked expressions or hear their responses, "C'mon Alex!" she said, grabbing her son's hand, storming out of the office.

Faith muttered to herself as they stormed out of the school, "Know-nothing stuck up bitches! They're the ones that need a good screw!"

They made it a block from the school before Faith calmed down. She took a deep breath, looking down at Alex, who had kept pace with her, "Are you okay?"

Alex shrugged and nodded without saying a word.

Faith sighed, kneeling down to look her son straight in the eyes, "You know you can talk to me? Right?"

She tried to keep the growing concern and worry in control, but failed seeing Alex's expression.

Okay, time to try a different approach…

"Alex, have you been feeling sad?" Faith probed, trying to keep her voice calm.

The boy nodded hesitantly.

"Is it something I did that's making you sad?"

It took a moment, but Alex shook his head. Faith exhaled, "Okay… Is it something or someone at school that's making you sad?"

Again the boy shook his head.

"Is it someone else that's making you sad?"

This time the boy nodded. Faith closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to calm herself as a parent's worst nightmares flashed in her head.

Faith struggled to keep her voice calm, "Did someone touch you or make you do something that you didn't want to do or didn't like?"

Alex shook his head.

"Oh, thank God!" Faith exhaled in relief.

She paused a moment to take another breath, "Can you tell me why you're sad?"

It took a moment before the boy replied, "S-She's leaving," Alex mumbled in a sad voice.

Faith studied her son, "Who's leaving?"

"The lady…"

Faith shook her head in confusion, "What lady? Is it one of your teachers that's leaving?"

Alex shook his head, "She's sad too… But, she says she has to go… It's her time," he breathed, tears forming in his eyes.

Faith hugged her son tightly. It tore at her to see how upset he was. She wanted to know who could make her son this sad.

"This lady is obviously very important to you. I would like to meet her. Can I meet her?" she said, wiping away her son's tears.

Her son shook his head, which only confused Faith more, "How come I can't meet her?"

It took a moment before her son replied, "S-She lives faraway…"

"Then how do you see her… talk to her?"

Alex pointed to his head, "She talks and sings to me. I can hear her. Mostly she talks or sings to me when I'm scared or lonely. She knows how to make it go away and make me feel better…"

oOoOo

Faith was opening the door before the doorbell rang a second time, "Thank God, you're here!" she exclaimed, letting Giles and Rachel into her home.

Rachel saw how agitated Faith was, "Is everything alright? We came as soon as we got the message!" she said, barely hiding her own growing worry.

"I-I don't know? I need your expertise," she stammered, looking at Giles.

Giles eyed her with surprise, "My expertise? What do you need me for?"

"Alex… I think he's possessed!" Faith blurted out in a scared voice.

Giles and Rachel stared at Faith in disbelief, "P-Possessed? Y-You did say possessed?" Giles stammered out.

"Whoa! Let's back the demon train up!" Rachel cautioned, "Your message said nothing about demonic possession!"

"I'm sorry," Faith said, taking a deep breath, "I've been going a hundred different ways since Alex told me."

"What did Alex tell you?" Giles said.

Faith started babbling, despite her attempts to remain calm, "He says he hears a woman talking… singing to him! He's been drawing strange pictures at school!"

"What kind of pictures?" Giles said.

"Places… People… it was a strange-looking woman. She looked human, but she wasn't," Faith replied.

Giles's face took on a thoughtful expression, "Do you have any of the pictures?"

"No… Sorry," Faith replied, shaking her head.

Giles nodded, "Rachel, why don't you and Faith go have a cup of tea. I'll go see Alex and talk to him."

"He's in his room. I told him you were coming for a visit," Faith sighed.

Giles read the fear in Faith's eyes. He took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze to reassure her, "It will be fine. We'll make sure Alex is safe." he said, trying to calm her.

"Please… Giles. He's all I have!" Faith begged.

Rachel led Faith to the kitchen and fixed the tea. She tried to keep Faith calm while Giles was talking to Alex, but Faith paced back-and-forth like a caged animal as the minutes crept by.

"Sit down," Rachel said.

"I can't," Faith replied, chewing at yet another fingernail.

Rachel tried again to reassure Faith, "This could all be nothing. There haven't been any reported problems with demons in years."

"I know… I know… But, if it is something to do with demons or magic, how long before an Alliance Special Ops team is banging on my door? What if they want to take him away?" Faith said, struggling with the thought of her life crumbling away.

"We'll worry about that once we find out what's going on," Rachel replied.

Giles entered the kitchen, catching both women off-guard, "What is it? What's wrong with him?" Faith pleaded, rushing towards him.

"Well, it's not demonic possession. I'm sure of that," Giles said, seeing the relief from both women.

"What is it then?" Faith demanded.

A confused look passed across Giles's face, "I'm not sure. I had him draw me some pictures, and this is what I got," he said, holding the drawings out for the women to see.

"Those are exactly the same as the ones from the school," Faith exclaimed.

Rachel gasped, "My God…"

Faith and Giles turned in surprise, "What is it?" Giles said, seeing Rachel staring wide-eyed at one particular drawing.

"I-It can't be… I should have seen this…" Rachel muttered, still staring at the drawing.

"What is it? Who is that?" Faith demanded.

"T-That's the Invid Regess… T-The Regess is talking to Alex," Rachel stammered out.

"Why in the hell is an Invid talking to my son?" Faith roared, resuming her pacing.

"It would seem that's pretty obvious," Rachel muttered, earning a glare from Faith.

Giles quickly cut in, "Would someone like to explain what's going on?" he said, looking between the two women.

Faith stopped her pacing, eyeing Rachel with surprise, "You never told him?"

Rachel shook her head, "I promised you, I wouldn't say anything."

The confusion was obvious on Giles's face, "Told me what? Promised who what?"

Faith shrugged, sighing, "Might as well tell him."

Giles turned to Rachel, looking for answers. She added her own sigh, "I promised Faith I wouldn't say anything about Alex's father."

"Andy? What about Andy?" Giles replied, shaking his head, still confused.

Rachel smirked, giving Giles's cheeks a light-hearted squeeze, "It's a good thing, you're such pretty eye candy. You can be so dense sometimes."

"Andy isn't Alex's father!" Faith blurted out.

Giles stared at Faith and then at Rachel as the words sank in, "T-Then who is Alex's father?"

"Paul—" Rachel said.

"HE'S NOT PAUL! PAUL'S DEAD!" Faith shouted.

Silence enveloped the room. Giles finally broke it, "So, what you're saying is…?"

Faith ranted, "I screwed the Regent, and he's Alex's father… His real father!"

Giles took a minute before asking, "Does Alex know?"

Faith took a deep breath, calming down a bit, "No… I never told him."

Giles hesitated, "Did Andy know?"

Faith stopped her pacing, taking another deep breath. The old guilt came rushing back, "No, but he suspected something. That was the major reason our marriage fell apart. He stopped trusting me. He kept saying he felt like there was a ghost hanging over us… that he was the consolation guy."

"Is that why you never wanted child support from him?" Giles said.

Faith nodded, "There was no point. I wanted a clean break. I figured as Alex got older, it was only a matter of time before Andy realized he wasn't his father. Gawd! Never in a million years did I think my life would turn out like this!"

Giles eyed Faith curiously, "Like what?"

Faith exhaled a depressed sigh, "I'm a thirty-something, divorced mom, working to make ends meet and my son's father is an alien I screwed who looked like my dead boyfriend!"

A brief thought of concern gripped Giles, "He didn't force you? Did he?"

Faith smirked, shaking her head, "I wish I could use that as an excuse. No, this was mutual consent fornication."

Faith paused, replaying the memory in her thoughts. A wistful expression filled her face, "Damn… it was like Paul was there."

Giles studied Faith, her words sending his thoughts racing. His face took on a thoughtful look as he and Rachel exchanged glances, "You said, 'it was like he was there'?" he muttered.

Faith caught his expression and the glances they exchanged, "What? What's going on?"

Rachel sighed, "I didn't want to say anything. It was just a theory, and I didn't want to get your hopes up."

"What? What theory?" Faith demanded, sensing she was missing something important.

Rachel took a deep breath, bracing herself for Faith's reaction, "I-I don't think Paul died on Optera…"

"WHAT?"

Rachel continued, "I think… I think Paul transformed into the Regent or he somehow merged into the Regent."

"BULLSHIT!"

Rachel sighed, "The evidence I had was all circumstantial. Little things he did and said. Add it all together and it…"

Faith shook her head in denial while trying to process what Rachel was suggesting, "No! No! NO! What you're saying is crazy! Why didn't you tell me?"

Rachel took a hesitant breath, "What was I going to say? Get your hopes up based on a theory? And after the Invid nuked Kepler-22, they left the Alliance. He went to Optera and hasn't left since."

Faith screamed in frustration, resuming her pacing. Silence filled the room until Giles finally spoke.

"What do you mean 'hasn't left Optera'? No one knows where the Regent went after the incident at Kepler-22. Everyone assumed he returned to Optera, but there was nothing ever officially confirmed," Giles said, eyeing Rachel questioningly.

Faith saw the uneasy guilt flashing across Rachel's face, "You know something! What is it? Tell me!" she demanded.

"He made me promise." Rachel pleaded.

"Damn it, tell me! Please, Rachel!" Faith begged.

Rachel sighed, standing up and moving over to grab her bag. Faith and Giles watched, somewhat confused, as Rachel she pulled a tablet from her bag and swiped it. She pressed the tablet's screen and turned to show Giles and Faith what was on the screen.

"I got this two weeks ago. Other than it came from Optera, I couldn't tell you where it specifically came from."

Faith and Giles gaped at the screen as a familiar face appeared. Faith immediately noted the Regent's haggard appearance. It looked as if he hadn't slept in days.

"Hello Chief… I know it's been a few years. I'm sending you this message because… because… I've had a lot of time to think and reflect. Things are about to change, and I finally understand who and what I am. I can't explain it, but I think my destiny was always to be a part of everything that has and will happen. I know Faith has moved on with her life, b-but… but there isn't a day that goes by I don't think of her. If you could keep an eye on her for me, I would appreciate it… You always liked her. I-I want to say goodbye. I wish I had the guts to send her a message, but it's better this way… she's got her own life and family. Please tell no one, especially Faith. She doesn't need to be dragged back into the past. She has her future… I just want to tell you it has been an honor and privilege to have known you and served with you. Take care of yourself, Rachel."

Faith's heart was pounding and her eyes brimmed with tears. That brief message released a flood of memories and emotions. Her eyes locked on the man on the screen. She didn't see any alien. All she saw was the man she'd always wanted to be with.

That was Paul…

"What did he mean by that 'things are about to change'?" Giles said.

Rachel shrugged, "I don't know."

Giles took a moment to think, "You got this message around the same time that Alex started drawing those pictures?"

"Yes, but…" Rachel said, but suddenly realized where Giles was going, "You don't think it is coincidence?"

A thoughtful expression filled Giles's face, "No, the timing is too good. Didn't Alex say the Regess told him she was leaving?"

Faith's thoughts were a mess. A long buried hope flared inside her, "How do I get in touch with him?" she pleaded.

Rachel shook her head, sympathizing with the other woman, "You can't! Like I said, all I know is he's on Optera."

Faith didn't even take a moment to consider her decision or the consequences, "I need to get to Optera!"

Rachel eyed Faith with surprise, "Whoa, wait a sec! No one goes to Optera. When they left the Alliance, they became all hermit crab kingdom! Even though the Alliance still has a diplomatic and military presence on the planet, they're restricted to specific areas. They don't allow visitors to the planet without approval!"

Faith stomped around the room, screaming in frustration, "God dammit! There's got to be a way to get a message to him or get to Optera!"

"What about James?" Giles offered.

Faith immediately grasped on to the lifeline Giles was throwing, "James? What about him?"

A grimace filled Rachel's face, "We can call him, but I don't think it will do any good."

"Call him… Please!" Faith begged.

oOoOo

The strained voice coming over the video screen sounded incredulously, "You're kidding, right?"

Rachel grimaced, expecting and understanding his response, "No, sir."

Normally, she wouldn't have been this formal for a call with James. But this wasn't a normal family-related conversation.

"You understand the Invid aren't allowing any visitors to their world? They restrict the people we have there to specific military and diplomatic areas."

"I understand, but this is important!" Rachel said, tilting her head slightly towards Faith who was pacing impatiently in the background.

James picked up on Rachel's message. He sighed, realizing this wasn't an argument he was going to win. One thing he learned was arguing with Rachel, Faith or Buffy once they'd made up their minds was a losing proposition, "Okay… Let me make a few calls. I'll get back to you in an hour."

"Thanks."

Two hours passed before James called back…

"I thought you forgot about us," Rachel quipped, noticing the tiredness on James's face.

"I wish… When I asked Alliance command about approaching the Invid and going to Optera, it literally stirred up a hornet's nest with them. They immediately denied my request."

A frown crossed Rachel's face, but then noticed the change in James's expression, "I take it you found out what's going on?"

A smirk flashed across James's face, but it faded, replaced by a worried expression, "I dug deeper. Whatever is going on with the Invid has got command freaked. The Alliance is keeping a tight lid on the news, but I found out the Invid are closing down and withdrawing all their consulates in the Alliance. From my sources, all diplomatic staff have received orders to return home… immediately."

Rachel blinked in disbelief, "You're kidding? All of them?"

James nodded, "The Invid embassy in New York will close within the next twenty-four hours."

Giles had been listening in and now stepped in. The concern on his face was obvious, "Are the Invid going to attack us?" he said.

James shook his head, shrugging, "That's the funny thing. They've got no reason to attack us. Despite their isolationist stance, we've kept good relations. If they wanted to hurt us, they could just cut off shipments of the Flower of Life and we'd eventually run out of Protoculture. From all the Intel reports I've seen, most of their fleet units are on the planet, just sitting there doing nothing. If they are about to start a war, they're doing it in a strange way."

Faith's patience was stretching to its limits, "Is there any way we can get to Optera?" she blurted.

"There's nothing the Alliance can do…" James said.

A wave of bitter disappointment crashed down on Faith, but then a small smile flashed across James's face.

"But, I called in a lot of favors and I talked to the Invid embassy in New York. The Ambassador is someone I know and when I asked, she said she will meet with Faith to discuss her request. You need to get to New York ASAP otherwise you're out of luck. Other than that…" he said, adding a shrug.

Rachel exhaled a tremendous sigh of relief, "Thanks, James!"

She turned to Faith and Giles, "Now all we have to do is get to New York, convince the Invid to let you go to Optera and then get there…"

James replied, catching them by surprise, "Maybe I can't do any more about convincing the Invid to let you go to Optera. But, I think I can help with the getting to New York and Optera part if they say yes."