In the 'fair warning' department, this story builds fairly slowly; the situation is complex at best. Thanks again for your attention.

The Dawning of Faith

Chapter 8

"Ooooh, and an evil witch is born!"

"Let's take this stuff to the victims, I mean, the patients," Willow said as she handed a glass to Dawn.

"When did you come up with this?" Dawn asked.

"Freshman year at college, there were a lot of hangovers. It really works pretty well, I started adding the hot sauce hoping it would slow them down a little."

"Did it work?"

"Not really, but I kept adding it anyway."

"Has Buffy ever had this stuff before?"

"Wait and see," Willow answered her. They entered the study and found it deserted, but they could hear the sound of the shower running.

"Looks like Giles ran away," Willow said.

"And it sounds like our patients are cleaning up a bit," Dawn added dryly.

"Don't start that again, they're in no condition to get frisky, even if they wanted to, which they don't." The bathroom door opened and Buffy entered the room with a towel wrapped around her head and another wrapped around her body. She was moving very deliberately.

"Here you go Buff," said Willow, extending a glass towards her.

"Willow's famous elixir of fire, I presume?" Buffy questioned.

"Yup, Dawn helped with this batch," Willow answered.

"It's gonna burn, isn't it?" Buffy asked, narrowly eying her sister.

"Maybe," admitted Dawn, "were you two scrubbing each other's backs, or what?"

"Huh? Oh, no, but I've got something to tell you that you aren't going to believe! Just let me get this down first." She closed her eyes and gulped the mixture down. "Jesus Christ!" she gasped as her eyes watered and her nose ran. "What's in this, lighter fluid?"

"Just nature's goodness," promised Willow.

"The burning means it's working," Dawn promised. Willow winked at her.

"God I hope so. You see Dawn; this is why you should never drink to excess. It was worth it though, Faith and I have made peace, and we worked through a lot of shit last night. Turns out Faith was right about some things all along, we are a lot alike. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to working with her now."

"Is that the thing you wanted to tell us?" Dawn asked, Buffy didn't catch the tremble in her voice, but Willow did, and she laid a hand on Dawn's shoulder.

"No, gosh that stuff is hot," Buffy panted as she sat down, "Dawn, would you see if there is any more water in the fridge? Or anything wet that's not alcohol." Dawn went and returned with a can of ginger ale.

"This should help your stomach some too," she told Buffy.

"Thanks Dawnie," Buffy took a few careful sips.

"You were saying?" prompted Dawn, her arms folded over her chest.

"Yeah, listen, don't spread this around, but after Giles handed us some water I decided to take a shower…"

"Good call," interrupted Willow.

"Thanks, yeah, anyway, I was kidding around with Faith, and I asked her to promise not to peek." Willow rolled her eyes, Dawn just stared. "Anyway, I thought I'd get some smartass reply, 'cause, come on, Faith… anyway," she took a few more sips of ginger ale. "You were right Dawn, this stuff does help. Where was I?" Willow cast an anxious glance at Dawn; she could feel the tension pouring off of her.

"You asked Faith not to peek, and you expected a smartass answer," Willow prompted.

"Oh, right, I mean why the hell would Faith peek at me? You see?"

"Got it," Dawn answered, Buffy didn't pick up on the edge in her voice.

"Anyway, what she said rocked me back on my heels, not that that was all that hard to do then, or now even. Is the room moving?"

"Nope," Willow answered, "is there a point to this story Buffy?"

"Huh? Damn, I think I'm still drunk."

"Would you like some more potion?" Dawn asked her through clenched teeth.

"No thanks, anyway, Faith said that she couldn't really see yet, but she wouldn't peek, because – are you ready?"

"Pretty ready Buff," Willow assured her.

"Hang on to something, she said she wouldn't peek, because – " she took another sip of ginger ale. Dawn's nostrils flared, and Willow could hear her teeth grinding. "Is there anything to eat around here? I need something salty."

"Buffy?" said Willow. "Concentrate honey, finish the story and I'll make you some popcorn, okay?"

"Oooh, neat! No butter though. Butter might not be a good idea; my tummy is a little delicate."

"I get that, yes, no butter," Willow promised her. "You were going to tell us why Faith promised not to peek, remember?"

"Well, why would she peek at me? That's just silly. Faith doesn't want to see me naked. Not with all the eye candy around this place, I'm drunk but I'm not stupid." Buffy snorted. Dawn growled low in her throat.

"Actually Buffy, you may be a little stupid right now," Willow told her. "Cut to the chase, will you? Concentrate, why did Faith say that she wouldn't peek?"

"Because - "I don't think she'd like it if I peeked." Looks like our girl Faith has fallen for someone at last! Can you believe it?"

"I don't suppose she named names, huh?" Willow said hopefully.

"Nope. She said it was too new, that it was different, and that she wanted to hold it close for a while. I actually believe she's serious," Buffy said, her voice edged with wonder.

Dawn's face was a study in emotional extremes, unbridled joy and sheer, stark, terror. The sound of the shower ceased, and Willow gave Dawn a gentle push towards the bathroom.

"The sooner she gets that, the sooner she'll feel better," Willow told her.

"It's painful, but it works," admitted Buffy, "I don't feel good by a mile, but I don't mind if I live now."

Dawn knocked on the bathroom door. "Yeah?" Faith called.

"It's me, Dawn. I brought you a potion Willow and I made. It will help, it's – it's a bit hot though, just thought I'd warn you."

"Gotta be better than how I feel right now," Faith answered her as she opened the door.

"Here," Dawn said, extending her arm, "it's best to just gulp it dow-" Dawn's eyes had strayed from Faith's face to the mirror, and even through the steam of the shower she could see Faith's back from the slicked-back wet hair down to the top of her thighs, the towel that Faith held at her throat covered nothing at all back there. Dawn swallowed loudly, "I – I have to go do something. I hope you feel better." Faith smiled, and Dawn took a step backwards before turning and nearly running from the room.

"What's up with Dawn?" Buffy asked.

"We might have left the stove on," Willow lied smoothly.

"Damn! This stuff is hot!" cried Faith from within the bathroom.