A/N: Read and REVIEW. That is all.

Chapter Twenty-Six: Abandoned
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Her dreams had become more disturbing as of late but thankfully they had been devoid of visits from The First. Not saying that they had ever been walks in the park to begin with but usually they were full of puzzles, the violence only heightened when it proved a point or showed the future. With the new dreams she was having, she wasn't sure anymore.

Faith rubbed her eyes lazily. Night after night, she woke up filled with the suspicion that she was missing something in her dreams, some valid chunk of information and it bothered her. True, she had never had proper Watcher training and that with it maybe she wouldn't feel so lost but the opportunity – no, the desire- had never been what she wanted. Now, she was afraid that she was paying for that choice.

If Buffy was here – No, can't think that way. Won't think that way. Ever.

Faith rubbed her eyes again.

"Something's bothering you."

"Nice detective work Sherlock," She shot a look at Locke, smirk on her face. "What gave it away?"

He smiled back and shrugged. Locke took a seat beside her and for a minute, both watched as the sun began to rise, coating the ocean and beach in an array of bright colors. "Nightmares again?"

"I already told you, they're not nightmares." Faith thread her hands through her hair and kept them there, setting her elbows on her bent knees. "I've had these types of dreams since I was sixteen. I grew up learning to depend on them. If I didn't have them, that would worry me."

"What are they usually about?"

"Death, destruction, all those things that makes my life mine. They're like puzzles, little pieces of information that fit a bigger picture." She grunted, "A type of twisted hallucination that usually comes to me when I try to sleep. The Powers that Be think it's funny to screw around with my head and call that helping me."

"Powers that Be?" Locke continued to watch the sky. "Is that like God?"

"Eh, not as high up. Even Heaven uses the corporate system."

He chuckled but grew serious right away. "Think they have any part in why we're here?"

"I don't know, but whatever is building up on this island, it ain't a beach resort I can tell you that."

"I've had dreams since we arrived here. I blew them off as nightmares but the more I think about it, the more I believe I was wrong."

Faith turned her head to study him. "What kind of dreams?"

"I thought they were visions; some were about me in my wheelchair, others were about the people on this island, Boone for example…"

"You saw him covered in blood didn't you? Just about the time you had the dream about the plane?"

"Yeah." Locke locked eyes with hers, his own filled with confusion and a sliver of suspicion. "How'd you know that?"

"I had the same one." Faith looked away. "Sometimes I dream about what's going to happen, I guess you'd label that a premonition, but I also can get bits and pieces from other people's subconscious. Guess you were the lucky donator for that day."

"How does that work?"

"Once again, I really don't know. I just do my job and try to stay alive in the process."

He nodded as if he understood exactly what she meant and she almost hit him out of spite. "When are you gonna show me what else you can do?"

"I can punch you in the face if you want and we'll see how much it hurts." She smirked.

"That doesn't prove anything."

"It does if I punch you straight into next week."

Locke let out a real, hearty laugh that echoed and for a split second, she was actually happy it was Locke that knew her secret. Then again, maybe it was just relief from the fact that at least one person knew the truth. Burdens were always a pain to carry no matter how small.

"I still don't know if I believe vampires are real."

"If we ever get back to LA, I'll introduce you to my friend Angel."

"I thought you didn't have any friends back home."

It wasn't home but she didn't correct him. Faith turned her attention back to the ocean. "Yeah, me neither."

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"I am telling you, I saw him! Stop acting like I'm a crazy person, damn it!"

Faith cocked an eyebrow at hearing Shannon's shrill voice and she turned to see the blonde storming down the beach, Sayid following not too far behind. She covered her eyes with her right hand, the other holding her water bottle and continued to watch, Shannon turning every so often to yell at Sayid before she turned and continued shouting away from him. Regardless of what direction, she was still fuming at him and by the look on his face, he wasn't quite sure what to do.

"Ah, a lovers spat." A feminine voice chuckled. "Those two must really be in love."

She looked over to see Rose, the African-American woman that had been helping Hurley earlier that week with the food. "Any clue what they're fighting about?" She looked back towards Shannon and Sayid again just as they vanished into the forest.

"Poor girl swears up and down she saw Walt the other night. Said he was standing in her tent, trying to tell her something."

Faith's gaze froze in the direction the two had disappeared.

"Honey, you alright? You're awfully pale."

"It's natural, I don't tan." She sent Rose a tight-lipped smile. "But thanks for the concern."

"Maybe if you got out of that hatch once in a while, it might do you some good?" Rose smiled back sweetly. "You and Jack have been spending a lot of time down there together and-"

"Whoa, uh, there is no Jack and I yo." Faith shook her head quickly. "Let's leave Jack and me in two separate sentences when we talk. How about that?"

The kind woman gave her a searching look but seeing as how Faith wasn't going to show any kind of emotion on her face other than irritation, she shrugged. "I just merely think you two shouldn't spend so much time down there."

"Can't be helped Rose." She bent to grab her bag, leaving it hanging loosely at her side as she straightened back up. "Besides, you want to fuss at someone, maybe you should be looking for Locke. The man practically can't function unless he's down there."

"I worry about all of you, you seem to put yourself through a lot of danger for everyone."

"It kinda comes with the territory." Faith muttered.

"Young girls like you shouldn't have to carry so many burdens."

She shot Rose a look, the woman still smiling at her in a comforting manner. "I'm strong enough to handle it."

Rose nodded. "And we're extremely grateful for that. I can't wait for Bernard to meet you. I have a feeling you two will get along!"

"Who's that?"

"Bernard is my husband."

"Oh," Faith nodded slowly. "Was he meeting you in LA?"

"No, he was on the plane, using the rest room when we went down." She paused as she spotted the look Faith was giving her. "Trust me honey, he's alive, you'll see."

"How do you know that?"

"I just know." Rose's hand rose, her fingers clasping a thick gold band that she had attached to her necklace. "Woman's intuition, you'll see." She smiled one more time, patting Faith on the shoulder, then turned and began making her way towards a group of survivors near the trees.

Young girls like you shouldn't have to carry so many burdens.

Faith snorted and turned away only to bump into Claire standing behind her.

"I've been looking for you."

Her eyes widened as she looked at the tiny blonde, Aaron clutched protectively in her arms. They were both looking at her, Aaron's face filled with contentment at being held so snuggly to his mother but Claire's face was serious, her eyes glittering with what Faith could only label as hope and expectancy.

"Uh…" Faith grimaced, glancing around. "You have?"

"Aaron," Claire nudged her head towards the baby, "Wants you to hold him while I take a shower."

"Hey now, I'm not your babysitter! Why not get Locke to do it? Didn't I see him around your tent earlier?" Faith frowned and placed her hands on her hips. "What about Charlie?" As soon as his name came out of her mouth, Claire's look darkened and she shook her head. "Okay, screw that idea." She let out a loud sigh. "Look Claire, babies and me? Well, we just don't like each other, total enemies."

"Nonsense." Claire moved forward with a grin and there was no time to turn and run.

Dropping the baby wasn't an option. Faith suppressed mild panic as she gathered the child in her arms and maneuvered him to a more comfortable position.

"Make sure you support his head." Claire clapped. "See, you're a natural!"

"This is the biggest bad idea of all bad ideas Claire. I don't know a single thing about babies and I-" She was surprised at hearing Claire giggle at her, the woman shaking her head with a gentle smile. "Claire, I'm serious."

"Yeah, seriously scared of a baby no less!"

"No, I-" Faith paused as Aaron made a soft gurgling sound and his tiny hand reached up, fingers curling around a thick lock of her hair. She stared down at him as he continued to coo and smile.

"See, he adores you. Aaron knows when he's safe with someone."

Safe. Faith glanced up at Claire sharply. "Why me? What's going on?"

The Australian shifted uncomfortably on her feet but didn't look away. "I don't know anyone else." Claire cleared her throat. "You're the only one besides Locke that I trust with Aaron right now Faith. Charlie's acting like he knows more about my baby then me and I just…" She blinked back what Faith thought were the beginnings of tears. "I hate to ask you but I just didn't know where else to turn."

Faith swallowed the sigh that had been resting on the tip of her tongue and nodded in acceptance, her eyes drifting back down to see Aaron still holding her hair in a death grip, his blue eyes watching her. "Fine but hurry up."

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She was timing how long Claire stayed gone. It had only been twenty minutes and she awkwardly glanced at Aaron to see that he was fast asleep. Faith forced herself to relax and she shifted her attention to the ocean, her body rocking back and forth. She didn't even realize she was doing it.

The sky was beginning to darken but it had nothing to do with the sun. It remained high in the sky, but clouds had started to position themselves in front of it. A storm was coming and fast. Faith glanced back down at Aaron.

Never in a million years would she ever have imagined holding a baby. The very thought of having any of her own was the funniest thing she could ever visualize. Just the mere thought made her shudder. They said every little girl turned out to be just like her mother. If that was the case, Faith would rather she end up dead but that in itself would be ironic since her mother had been dead for several years now.

No, babies would never be a part of the jumbled mess she called her life. Even with Aaron in her hands she itched for a fight, something to dust, anything to put her fist through. She knew she couldn't explain it to Locke, couldn't even imagine where to start with Sayid and there just wasn't any attempting when it came to Jack but since the day of Boone's death, the day of her rebirth, a different kind of energy pulsed through her veins.

It was dark, it made her violent, almost thirsty for blood and despite these things, it comforted her. She knew without a doubt through death she had somehow channeled the essence of the first slayer. To what extent, she wasn't sure but it made her feel alive, ready and there was no denying it. She didn't want to.

Maybe this is what Buffy had tried to explain to her not to long ago. They had both attempted to mend the gap between them, each seeing the differences as well as the connections between them. Like she had expected; Buffy was the first to extend the white flag.

Faith continued to stare, the words for once not coming out of her mouth and she wasn't sure they ever would. At least not the right words.

The blonde slayer continued to pummel the punching bag, her eyes locked on it as if seeing a face she desperately wanted to smash. They said it was always easier to bowl when you imagined someone you didn't like as the pins. Guess it worked for gym equipment as well.

Faith grunted as Buffy hit the bag again and it swung back, almost rocking clean out of Faith's hands as she tried to hold it steady. "Buffy, I… I had no clue."

"Neither did they until I started singing." Buffy punched the bag again. "You should have seen their faces, when they found out I hadn't been in a hell dimension after all." She punched with both fists this time. "That I'd actually been… you know, okay." Buffy finally took a step back, wiping at her sweaty forehead.

"What was it like?"

"Peaceful…" Buffy answered quietly. "And safe. It was as if I knew I was finished, that I was ready to let go."

"It sounds nice B. Almost makes this whole gig not so bad after all." Faith winced as the words slipped out of her mouth and she waited for the explosion. When nothing happened she glanced over to find Buffy nodding.

"Yeah, almost."

Faith hesitated again. "Think we'll all be so lucky?"

Buffy's gaze shifted from the punching bag to Faith, the only sound in the room coming from the ticking of the clock hanging above the door. She nodded. "We've all done our time."

The double meaning wasn't lost on Faith.

Sometimes when she thought back on it, Faith led herself to believe it was because Buffy saw something in her that she recognized in her own self, something other than just a destiny to fight the dark forces of evil and it allowed her to force back her doubts and suspicions of the other slayer. When it came down to it, they were similar and it had taken Faith years after Buffy had to realize it.

In truth, Faith knew what it was without a moment's hesitation. They were both slayers, young women chosen to give up their lives in order to save those they didn't know and those that would never realize how close they came to never seeing a tomorrow. Slayers: the strong fighters who wore the disguise of an innocent face. At one time that had been enough to make her laugh.

Now she was no longer alone in her duty. Young women woke up everyday with the realization that their lives were more than just school and boys. It was now a life full of responsibility, power, ultimate knowledge, and for those that needed it, even a chance of redemption. All over the world, there were those just like her, and no matter how hard she denied it, Faith knew deep down the truth of who she saw in the mirror, a little girl who was lost.

"I wish I had a camera."

Faith shook herself from her thoughts and with a raised eyebrow, shifted to stare at Jack.

"You look, uh, you look different holding a baby."

Faith glanced down at Aaron who was beginning to wake up then shot her gaze back to Jack. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, I mean, not different really but more…" He scratched at the back of his neck. "It's a good look for you."

"Wow, I've never been hit on with the baby line before." She flashed him a smile as he stepped forward to look down at Aaron. "Maybe I should rent one and carry it around."

"You ever think about having kids?" Jack chuckled, smiling down at Aaron as he opened his eyes.

Faith didn't even hesitate. "No."

If he noticed how fast and stiff the answer came out, he didn't mention it. Jack opened up his mouth to say something else when Faith spotted Claire heading towards them.

"Oh thank you God."

As soon as Claire had Aaron back, Faith tried her best to slink off unnoticed but it was easier thought then done. Claire continued to stand there with Jack and talk, every so often gushing at Faith as to what a great person she was. It made her extremely uncomfortable and it wasn't until Jack touched her elbow and she jerked that she became aware of Claire heading back towards her own tent.

"Rose told me it'd be a good idea for me to get some sun," Jack smiled, "I was gonna talk a walk, want to join me?"

"I'm not sure I'm up for a share more about me walk right now Doc."

"That's alright, I'll talk and you can listen."

"Nice try but no mango." Faith smirked. She paused to slide her bag onto her shoulders. "I might go to the hatch and–"

"Locke's got the hatch covered, he'll be fine for a few hours by himself and I agree with Rose, too much time down there isn't good for anyone."

"He's down there more than I am!"

Jack chuckled and positioned his hand under her elbow. He turned her towards the direction of the trees and she was so surprised by the unspoken demand that she failed to react immediately.

"Let me get some water and then we'll-" Jack was cut off as Faith suddenly wrenched her arm free of his grip. Before he could even open his mouth to say anything, her hand shot out and caught the object seconds before it hit him in the face.

Faith pulled back, staring down at the golf ball resting in the palm of her hand. "Since when did we move the golf course down here?" She paused, aware that Jack was staring at her. "What?"

"And Hurley calls me the Jedi."

"Oh very funny." Smiling, Faith tossed the ball into the air, which he caught easily, and she shoved him on the shoulder before walking up the beach. Faith paused and threw him a look over her shoulder. "Well, are you coming or not?"

He followed and they made their way towards the forest. Rose caught her eye as she passed the woman's tent and she grinned as if she knew a secret. Faith couldn't help herself and she stuck out her tongue, trying to ignore Rose's chuckling as they continued past her.