The Path To Redemption

Chapter 18

Author: twin who likes to travel

Rating: PG-13

Summary: This is what happened after they got back into the apartment and the following dates.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Reviews: I would like them. Constructive criticism is ok.

Almost three minutes later

Dawn almost yelped when Faith had patted her on the butt after setting her back down on her feet. She had yelped softly when Faith had done that while they were getting into the cab at the beginning of the date. Faith just smirked as she waited for Dawn to unlock the door. They had shared a kiss before entering to find the family room dark and empty. This confused them until they began to pass by Buffy's bedroom. Faith abruptly stopped in her tracks and switched her attention back and forth between the door and Dawn.

"What's the matter, Faith?"

"B's crying. Softly, but still crying."

"Wh-Why?"

"I don't know; let's find out."

Dawn kept her mouth shut as Faith slowly opened the door. Dawn gasped at seeing both girls in the bed. Willow was asleep, but Buffy let the tears come. She found out that the couple was eyeing her curiously. She briefly lifted up the covers to show that both girls were in pajamas before laying them back down and quietly mouthed, "Later, I promise." Faith quickly closed the door to see Dawn clearly worried.

About a minute later, Dawn's bedroom

"No worries, D, we'll find out what happened tomorrow. We should get ready for bed."

"Faith, what were you expecting to happen when we got in here?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. Did you think by doing all of those sweet things that I'd have sex with you?"

"No, I wanted to show you how well I could treat you if given the chance. As much as I would love to have sex with you, I know you're not ready. So we'll just sleep."

At hearing that from Faith, Dawn couldn't stop a few tears.

"Don't cry. It's ok…REALLY. Are you going to be ok?"

Dawn nodded and froze as Faith got down to just underwear. Then the brunette turned around, bent over her bag, pulled out a t-shirt to sleep in, and put it on. It ended up covering only half of her butt. Faith surprised her again by keeping her back to Dawn as she carefully laid the clothes she had taken off on a nearby chair and promised to stay that way to give the teenager some privacy as she changed. Faith smirked when Dawn announced that it was alright for the other girl to turn around. Faith saw that Dawn had chosen shorts and a t-shirt. After that, the girls shuffled into the bathroom to brush their teeth. They silently climbed into bed together. Even though Faith had told her not to worry, she still did. Faith eased this by kissing her again on the lips and the forehead. The final surprise came when Faith pulled her into a hug after turning off the light. They smirked at each other as the moonlight from the partially opened, window blind cast a glow over their faces.

"I never pictured you as a cuddler, Faith."

"Me either," Faith informed as she brushed a few stray hairs out of Dawn's face, "You can't tell anyone that either. Now, go to sleep."

"Ok."

"Dawn."

"Yeah."

"You will let me know when you are ready, right?"

"You'll be the second to know. Why are you asking?"

"Because I want to be ready when you are."

"You always are," Dawn teased with slight sarcasm.

Faith arched an eyebrow at her before both broke into laughter.

"I guess I am," Faith asserted as she lay down on her back.

"Someday, I will be too," Dawn promised as she was pulled into the same position they were in last night.

As soon as Dawn was sure the other girl was asleep, she let out a few more tears. She couldn't imagine letting this girl out of her life again.

Saturday morning, around 8:00 AM, the kitchen

Faith put on her pants before she and Dawn made their way into the kitchen. They noticed the other two sitting at the table and drinking coffee as soon as they came in.

"Hi, Willow."

"Hey, Red."

"Hi, I guess I should be going," the redhead exclaimed before trying to get up to leave.

"Finish your coffee," Buffy demanded as she kept the witch in place by holding her by her left wrist.

"Let go, Buff. They're going to want to know what happened last night," Willow argued.

"We already know what B had had planned, but we want to know what made her cry last night," Faith revealed before seeing the blonde glare at her, "Sorry, B."

"You cried? I know it was bad, but I thought I would be the only one to do that."

"You're my best friend, Will. When something like that happens to you, I can't help but feel sad or angry."

"What happened?" Dawn shouted.

"You tell them, Buffy."

"Will and the girl she's gone on a few dates with had sex a few days ago. When she woke up, the other girl was gone. Willow hasn't heard from or seen her since then."

"Whoa, sorry about that, Red. A hot and sweet girl like you doesn't deserve that."

"Thanks, Faith."

"I understand why you're a little upset, but why the tears?" Dawn mumbled.

Dawn felt bad at the sign of pain from the redhead.

"B-Because sh-she l-looked a l-little l-like T-Tara. When she didn't leave any kind of note, I just broke down. It was like I lost her all over again."

Dawn ran to the redhead and hugged her tightly as Willow and Buffy both shed a few tears.

"E-Enough about me. Tell us how the first date went," Willow insisted with a smile.

She and Buffy gazed at the other two as Dawn and Faith whispered before Dawn gushed about the date, leaving out what was said before they left the apartment. Willow and Buffy rolled their eyes at how Faith had called the movie, Chasing Liberty, a chick flick even though it was an accurate description. Dawn continued to tell them about the date as Buffy and Willow's gazes changed into open mouthed gapes at the two of them. Faith just smirked the entire time. Buffy had gotten a little uncomfortable when her sister mentioned them changing for bed in the same room but was relieved to hear that Faith had given Dawn some privacy.

"That was the SWEETEST thing I have ever heard," Buffy chirped as she hugged Dawn and smiled at Faith, "You really carried my sister upstairs like she was a princess?"

"Uh huh," Faith confirmed with a smirk.

"Thank you for showing her such a good time and not using that as a way to get her to have sex."

"I agree. I'm honestly jealous right now," Willow said.

"Best. Date. Ever," Dawn let out through sighs.

"You should see the pre-date picture they let me take, Will."

"Can I see it?" Willow directed to the brunette and the younger Summers.

"Sure," Dawn stated instantly, "I mean if it's ok with Faith."

"I guess it would be alright," Faith concluded.

Buffy ran to find the camera and showed the redhead before handing the camera to her sister, who showed Faith the picture.

"I take it back," Willow replied, "I'm really jealous."

"I guess then it would be too much to ask if you could do me a favor and teleport me back to Scotland."

"Sure, I can do that."

"Can you at least have some breakfast first?"

"Whatever you want, D. Can you wait that long, Red?"

"Yeah, there are some pancakes left. Buffy made a big stack in case you two woke up really hungry….Not that I'm saying you would have done anything to work up a big appetite…You said you didn't have sex… Not like that would be a bad thing….I mean…"

"Will, stop and breathe, ok?" Buffy suggested before she, Dawn, and Faith broke out into laughter.

Willow could only blush after the blonde had stopped her nervous babble. When they finished eating, Faith and Dawn each took a shower, got dressed again, and shared a sweet kiss goodbye before the slayer and witch vanished. Buffy decided to take a shower as Dawn cleaned up the mess left behind. She was thankful that Buffy wasn't in the room. Since Buffy was in the shower, she couldn't see the tears streaming down her sister's cheeks as her heart ached for the brunette. She made sure she looked good before Buffy joined her on the couch. They talked about the movie and other details she hadn't mentioned earlier. Buffy let her sister rest her head on her right shoulder as the two watched a few movies. Meanwhile, Faith had gone straight to her room and decided to listen to some music to take her mind off the girl she left back in Italy. She thought she was going to be ok until she heard the first song turn out be "Patience" by Guns 'n' Roses. She was thankful that nobody saw her and let tears fall down her cheeks. As Dawn's heart was aching for her, hers was aching for Dawn.

For around the next four months, Dawn and Faith frequently went on dates. Dawn teleported to Scotland for a few of them, but the rest were in Italy. They managed to lie about what happened on their second date, which was in Scotland. They had claimed to be going to the nearest town for the clichéd dinner and a movie again, but Dawn had gotten Faith to take her on an unscheduled patrol. All it took was a verbal pleading, a Summers pout, and the promise to never ask again. During the short patrol, Faith had constantly kept her eyes on her date. They were near the end of the agreed amount of time when they came across two vampires. Faith had staked hers with ease and observed closely as the teenage girl fought with hers. The younger Summers did a good job of blocking her face while throwing some of her own punches along with a few kicks. She was knocked down by what seemed to be a strong kick to her stomach. Faith got closer as the vampire leaped at Dawn, who was lying on her back. As he reached her, he was surprised with a hard kick to the chest. The girls watched as his right side hit the ground first. As he began to get up, Dawn promptly gave him a kick to the back of his right knee, which made him fall to his knees. She finished with a rapid stake to the heart.

After smiling at her victory, the teenager grilled the slayer on how she did. She was rewarded with the slayer telling her she did a great job and a passionate kiss that continued while Dawn was pushed backward to a nearby tree. They kissed as their hands traveled over each other's bodies. They had gotten in some groping before hands got under shirts and grazed over their hips and stomachs. It stopped instantly when Dawn heard the zipper of her pants pulled down. She lowered her head to see that they had been both unbuttoned and unzipped, exposing her underwear to the now regretful brunette, who started looking away from her. The younger girl reassured the older one she wasn't mad but asked what had brought on the heated make out when the slayer only got one vampire. Faith explained that seeing her date slay a vampire turned her on too. They got cleaned up as best as they could at a local diner before grabbing a bite to eat and heading back to the castle. They managed to sneak by the others so that Dawn could change her clothes. Faith, however, was able to coax Dawn into a second make out on Faith's bed.

It started with Faith taking off her own shirt and preventing the younger girl from putting one on as well. The slayer got Dawn onto her back, lightly pinned her wrists to the mattress, and straddled her legs while she kissed all over her date's bra-covered chest and stomach. Faith held in a smirk at the occasional giggles and moans from her date. When it had turned to moans, Dawn broke the hold Faith had on her wrists, grabbed the pillow behind her, and bit down on it. Faith soundlessly gloated for a few moments when Dawn did that. It ended once again after Faith had tried to do more than the younger Summers was ready for. The slayer had distracted her by using her tongue to tickle the other girl's stomach and belly button while swiftly unbuttoning and unzipping the pants. Faith apologized repeatedly as she pulled away from her date. Dawn shut her up with a soft kiss that only lasted a few seconds. As the couple came back downstairs, Xander, Vi, and Giles had noticed that the teenager wasn't wearing the same clothes she had on before the date.

Dawn came up with the excuse that she had accidentally got some food on her clothes and a playful food fight with Faith had made it worse. They appeared to believe it by the way the other couple laughed and Giles rolled his eyes before smiling. Faith had tried to get her to spend the night like she had done after the first date. The brunette had gotten Dawn alone for a second time and pleaded that she wouldn't do anything else that night if Dawn just stayed there until the morning. Dawn whispered she knew that Faith had other things on her mind than sleep. At the unusual look of fear from the slayer, Dawn promised again that she wasn't angry with her. When she saw that her best friend was skeptical, she assured her that only the idea that she might have given into the seduction if Faith's touch on the waistband of her underwear had continued a few moments longer had stopped her. Faith relented and gave her a hug and a kiss goodbye. After returning to her bedroom, Faith lay down on the bed and grabbed the pillow that had her best friend's scent on it. She held it to her chest and cried herself to sleep over what she had done, regardless of what Dawn had told her.

From that day on, Faith worked harder at controlling her urges around Dawn. There were a few times that it ended earlier than Dawn expected, leaving her to be the one left wanting more. Their third date, which just happened to be on Valentine's Day, was very memorable as well. Because it wasn't warm enough in Italy for what they wanted to do, Dawn had teleported them to a tropical beach. As soon as they found a spot they liked, they stripped down to bikinis and laid down a few towels. Faith had made her girlfriend speechless with a bikini that left little to the imagination. Dawn's wasn't that revealing but still enough to get the slayer slightly worked up. They raced to the water and splashed around like they had done when they were a lot younger. After that, they headed back to their towels to enjoy a picnic. Since Dawn had done the teleporting, Faith had prepared the meal. She had cooked some of their favorite foods. After they were full, the couple put suntan lotion on themselves and each other. Faith had put some on Dawn's back before getting onto her stomach. She made Dawn gasp by asking her to do more than her back. Dawn nearly gulped as her hands applied the lotion to Faith's butt. Faith thanked her as Dawn lay down on her back beside Faith.

The first chance they got, they switched to a slightly heated make out. When they discovered that they were temporarily alone, Dawn pushed the slayer onto her back and got on top of her. During the kissing, Faith surprised her by removing her top so that Dawn could get a great view of what she could expect when the time came. Dawn was in awe of the chest in front of her. Faith took advantage of the look on Dawn's face by flipping the other girl onto her back and climbed on top. Dawn sighed after seeing Faith putting the top back on and that the older girl had flipped her onto her back. She confided to the brunette that the sight of her almost naked girlfriend had nearly made her decide to give into the apparent seduction. Faith told her that she only did it to tease her. Dawn smiled back at her and pulled her into a hug, which was followed by soft kissing and fingers running through both of their hair. At the sound of more people coming onto the beach, Faith rolled off Dawn and lay down on her back wile Dawn chose to lay on her stomach. She shrieked softly at how the slayer gently smacked her on the left side of her butt. Dawn glanced over at Faith and saw a smirk. Dawn could only sigh as she rested her head on the towel.

They spent as much time as they could together before Dawn had to be home. She eventually returned and saw that Willow was still there. Her sister and the redhead had spent the day together and watched sappy movies since neither had a date that day. They had gotten Dawn to describe as much of the date as they could. The slayer and the witch smiled while Dawn talked about the fun they had in the water, the picnic, the bikini Faith had chosen, and even mentioned part of the make out. When Willow accidentally asked for more details, Dawn showed the marks left on both sides of her neck. Although Faith claimed each time that everything was cool after the following make-outs would end, Dawn was afraid. She was scared to think of how much longer Faith would wait for her to be ready. If it wasn't soon, she feared that Faith would dump her and find someone else. Someone who was more than willing to give in to everything the slayer wanted to do.

She knew she loved Faith as much as she possibly could. She also worried that even though Faith clearly loved her, too, saying it would make the woman want to get as far away from her as possible. She ended up crying herself to sleep the first night she thought about it. Meanwhile, Faith was thinking most of the same things. She knew she loved Dawn, but was afraid to actually say it. The brief crush she had on Buffy had never made her feel this way. She had an idea that her girlfriend felt the same way, but was hesitant to ask. If she did, she might not get the response she was hoping for and everything great between them could be possibly ruined, especially the friendship they had worked so hard on to rebuild. The thought of losing that caused her to cry herself to sleep as well. Before she closed her eyes, she berated herself for letting her emotions get to this point.

The next morning, they put those negative thoughts out of their minds. They let everyone know that they were an official couple now. When they were questioned if the couple had gone along with the "third date rule", it was answered with a firm no. They got concerned when they thought Buffy and the other Scoobies were getting an idea of how they truly felt about each other. The two hadn't even brought it up in their own conversations yet. To prevent anymore assumptions before they admitted it to the group, the couple wouldn't always act sweet to each other. There had been a few staged fights. It didn't matter if it was when they were in front of the entire Scooby gang or on the phone with each other. Dawn knew that Buffy would most likely share the information with Willow and Xander, who would then pass it along through their own gossip grapevine.

They made it very believable when Dawn had faked tears once. The couple had come up with code words and even made motions with their hands so both knew that the fights were an act. Buffy had suggested that the two take a break from each other after they had all seen the first public fight. During that fight, Faith had called Dawn a whiny, clingy brat. Dawn shot back with calling her a slut that was probably cheating on her whenever she got the chance. That was the one that had ended in tears. The beginning of the week of Faith's birthday, they made it seem that they had made up for the sake of that very special occasion.

Saturday, May 22nd; Faith's 23rd birthday, the Watcher's Council/slayer training school in Scotland.

Everyone was glad to see the two happy around each other again. As Buffy and Willow began to let them know it was time for the cake, Dawn and Faith acted like something was wrong again.

"Faith, we need to talk alone, NOW!"

"Whatever, D."

Their friends got worried at the expressions on the couple's faces as they headed to Faith's bedroom. They attempted to follow the couple until Buffy stopped them with a convincing stare, but her best friend still expressed her concern.

"What do think is wrong now, Buff?"

"I…I don't know, Will. I hope they work it out. They're really good together when they're not fighting."

"I agree. I can't understand how they could go from the way they were after the first date to …"

"Arguing and name calling?" Xander and Vi interrupted.

"Yeah," Buffy and Willow declared at the same time.

Meanwhile, Faith's bedroom

"What is it, D?"

"I can't do this anymore."

"Can't do what?"

"Keep teleporting both of us back and forth between here and Rome."

"Y-You're br-breaking up w-with m-me?" Faith stuttered as she began to panic and started pacing back in forth in front of Dawn, "And on my birthday. That's just cruel. I mean I guess I should have expected this. Not about how you're breaking up with me on a day like this. It's just that nothing good in my life lasts for a long time, except for being a kick ass slayer with a hot body."

"That's not what I'm saying, Faith. So stop pacing and look at me."

"What are you saying?"

"I know that since Giles is closing down the school because they've all been trained and he's moving the headquarters back to London, you're wondering what you're going to do."

"Yeah."

"I want you to move to Rome. That way we can live in the same city. Whenever there's a possible apocalypse somewhere else in the world, you and Buffy can go there and stop it like you've done before. You could always get a job dealing with security."

"Like me being a COP? With my history, it would be kind of ironic. Don't you think?"

"Not necessarily a cop, maybe a bouncer in a club or part of a security team for sporting events or concerts. What do you say?"

"I say yes, but where I would live?"

"We could help you find a place of your own, and you could stay with me and Buffy until you do."

"You mean you don't want to live with just me right now?" Faith questioned with a smirk.

"I don't think you and I are ready for that yet. And the three of us living together might not work either."

"True. Ok, I'll move to Rome. So are we done here? I mean is there anything else either one of us the needs to say?"

"We need to let the rest of them know that we lied, and we're actually good. They're probably worried right now."

"You're right. You've played the anger thing well. It kind of turned me on actually."

Dawn could only smile and blush as they left the room but made sure to appear casual as they joined the others again.

A few minutes later

There were gasps and sighs of relief when the crowd didn't see any signs of injury on either girl.

"So…So everything's alright between you two now?"

"Five by five, B."

"Then what was that about?" Xander cut in.

"It was an act. In fact, every fight we've been in since out first date was an act," Dawn confessed as they began to be gawked at by everyone.

"Let me get this straight," Buffy muttered and was interrupted by laughter at the word 'straight'. "All of the yelling, name calling, and even your tears were a lie?"

"Yes," Dawn divulged.

"Why?"

"Because telling all of you to be quiet when you were teasing us wasn't working, and I wanted to hide how I was truly feeling until I was ready to tell the truth."

"What, that you really like each other? We kind of sensed that after the first couple of dates," Willow assumed.

"No. That I LOVE her," Dawn admitted before doing a quick, ninety degree turn to face Faith, "I love you, Faith. More than I thought I could love someone other than a relative. You make me the happiest I have ever been in my life."

"Really, how do you know?"

"I can feel it in my heart when we talk on the phone, when we're around each other, and when we touch. When we kiss, it feels like my heart is going to melt; and I get weak in the knees. When we hold hands, I feel the electricity and my heart seems to beat faster and louder."

"I…I…I love you too. I never thought I could feel the same way about anyone."

The shock that had started at the beginning of Dawn's confession of love increased when Faith had done the same. It only got bigger with what happened after that.

"I know," Dawn affirmed before kissing the brunette softly for a few seconds.

"YOU KNOW?" Faith yelled accidentally, making Dawn smile, "Sorry about yelling, but how long have you known?"

"I was completely sure you loved me right after the first date. When were you sure that you loved me?"

"The morning after our first date, I felt this pain in my heart as I hung out in my room. Since I never felt that way before, I knew it was love. How about when you knew you loved me?"

"I guess I could tell I was falling for you around Christmas. I was sure it was love when we talked the morning before our first date."

Faith kissed her back suddenly before they twirled around to see what the others were thinking. The newbies there were smiling. Buffy and Willow were shedding tears as Xander's right arm was around Willow's shoulders. Vi was crying a little, too, as her head rested on Xander's left shoulder, Xander was smiling a little, and Giles was almost beaming at how happy Dawn, who he considered a surrogate daughter, was; and that Faith was just as happy. They all became nervous at the stern stare the blonde started giving the couple.

"Would you die for her, Faith?"

"You heard what we said, B."

"I know what I heard," Buffy told them before raising her voice but still continued calmly. "Would you die for her?"

"YES!" Faith answered just as calmly but louder than Buffy had done, "And if her death was something I couldn't prevent, I would feel like I was dying a little each day I was without her after that."

"Ditto," came from Dawn.

"No, Dawn," Faith announced firmly.

"No what?"

"I won't let you die for me because…"

"Because?"

"Because everyone here will love you more than they will ever care about me. They need you MORE than me. There's only one of you. There are hundreds of other slayers. As much as we've all tried to be good friends, I sometimes feel that Buffy, Xander, and Willow are only nice to me because of you. And also wouldn't mind that much if I suddenly wasn't around anymore."

There was a non-verbal "Whoa." from everyone as the rest of the Scoobies felt like they had been slapped across the face, figuratively speaking.

"NEVER say that again! Don't you know how much it would hurt me here if you weren't around," Dawn almost spat through angry tears as she paused to point to her heart, "Whether or not they need or care about you as much as they love me is unimportant. I'M the one who loves and needs YOU! I'll be DAMNED before I let your insecurities ruin what we have now and where it could lead."

At hearing that, Faith temporarily glanced down at the floor in regret over the pain she had caused. She carefully lifted her head when Dawn brought her into a hug and returned it instantly. Since Faith's head was on Dawn's right shoulder and her back was to the rest of them during the hug, she didn't see the muted communication between Dawn and the Scoobies. Dawn had sent them an almost icy glare that obviously meant they needed to respond to Faith's claim. Giles and the Scoobies stood there wordlessly as the others waited for one of them to speak up. At the same time, Faith was holding back a laugh at how Dawn remained still and speechless as one of the slayer's hands drew small circles on her lower back and the other was currently resting on her butt. For a second, the younger Summers was tempted to do the same thing but decided against it.

"F-Faith," the older Summers finally choked out.

"Yeah," Faith murmured after she stepped back and turned to face them.

"I-I'm s-sorry w-we ev-ever m-made y-you f-feel th-that w-way," Buffy apologized as she moved toward the other slayer.

Before Faith or Dawn could say another word, the blonde gave the brunette the most caring hug she had ever given her, which caused a chain reaction. Before it was over, everyone else had hugged Faith.

"Feel better now?" Dawn guessed.

"Much. I…," Faith got out before stopping to smirk at her girlfriend.

"What?" Dawn asked casually.

"If I can get you to love me already, can you imagine what it will be like when we finally have sex?"

Dawn remained quiet as Faith smirked again, almost all of the rest of them gasped, and Giles appeared extremely uncomfortable.

"You mean you haven't…" Willow and Xander said before being interrupted by the blonde.

"Willow, Xander, not now," Buffy exclaimed before focusing on the couple, "Are you serious?"

"Of course, B. Not without trying on my part though. D's a tease…just her sister."

Their friends let out a groan and expected the sisters to get angry but were surprised with a laugh from both of them.

"Now it's time for us to sing to you before you make a wish and blow out the candles," Dawn stated to change the topic as she walked over to the table with the cake and pulled the brunette along with her.

"Before that, I want to say something else to Faith," Buffy interrupted.

"What is it, B?"

'We've seen all the good you've done since coming back to Sunnydale: helping us in the fight against The First, training hundreds of newbie slayers, protecting Dawn, falling in love with her, and not making her another case of 'Get some, get gone.' I think I speak for all of the Scooby gang and Giles when I say that you've redeemed yourself."

"Thanks. But Angel once told me that no matter what, I'd always be fighting for it."

Faith scanned over the Scooby gang for the response to what the blonde had revealed. They had all nodded positively, with Dawn's being the first and Xander's the last. Then Dawn lit the candles.

"I don't need to make a wish, D."

"Why?" Dawn inquired even though she knew what the slayer was going to say.

"Because it already came true when you said that you love me," the brunette responded and didn't mind what she heard next.

"AW!" was heard from Buffy, Willow, Vi, and most of the newbies.

"Well, think of something else then blow them out," Dawn advised.

Immediately after that, everyone sang to her. Faith held back tears at how softly Dawn sang to her. She cast a glimpse at her girlfriend before blowing out the candles. When they had eaten the entire cake and Faith had opened her presents, they headed to a club they had been to before and danced like they had the night of Buffy's birthday. The blonde was able to not make a scene since they all knew how the couple felt about each other. She and Willow had even joked about being jealous of them again. When the party was over, Dawn decided to spend the night with Faith despite Buffy's initial objections. After the couple reassured the blonde nothing would happen, Willow teleported Buffy back to Italy and herself back to Brazil.