Willow's Apartment, 2130 hours.
"Huh" said Willow as she tried to absorb what she just heard.
"Umm…. Will?" said Xander as he looked at Willow, who had her mouth open.
"Will?" said Buffy.
"Wow" said Willow as she stood up and walked towards Buffy and Xander, "wow."
"Is that a good wow? Or a…. you know… not so good wow?" said Buffy nervously.
"Wow" said Willow as she approached Buffy and gave her a hug, "it's a good wow."
"What a way to reset a friendship huh?" said Buffy as she held on to Willow tightly.
"Yeah" said Willow as she smiled at Xander and used one of her arms to motioned for him to come and join in the hug, "congratulations, the both of you."
"Thanks, Will" said Xander as Buffy let go of Willow and stepped to the side while the redhead hugged her oldest friend.
"You've got the girl of your dreams, Xan" whispered Willow, "you loved her the first day you saw her, remember?"
"Yea" whispered Xander into Willow's ear.
"Congratulations" said Willow as she stepped back and smiled at the both of them, "I'm so happy for the both of you."
"Thanks Will" said Buffy as she hugged the red head again and whispered, "thank you so much."
"Hey" said Willow as she looked at both Buffy and Xander, "do the others know?"
"Tara, Angel, Cordy and some of the others know" said Xander, "Dawn doesn't though."
"Ah" smiled Willow, "well you guys better tell her."
"Exactly" smiled Buffy as the three of them walked back into the apartment.
"Hey" said Dawn as she handed Xander and Buffy their hot chocolates, "you guys have been outside for quite some time."
"Dawnie" said Buffy as she put down her hot chocolate and held Xander's hand, "there's something you should know."
"No…." said Dawn as she finally noticed the ring on Buffy's finger, "no way…. Buffy? Xander?"
"Yes" said Buffy as she excitedly showed Dawn her ring.
"Faith! Tara!" screamed Dawn.
"What's doing on kiddo?" said Faith as she and Tara ran out of the kitchen.
"Buffy! Xander!" said Dawn as she looked at Faith and pointed at the couple excitedly.
"Yes" said Faith, "that's B and Xander."
"No" said Dawn hysterically, "Buffy and Xander! Buffy and Xander!"
"Have you been in the sugar again?" asked Faith.
"No" said Dawn as she ran into Buffy's arms and hugged her, "it's Buffy and Xander!"
"Oh" said Faith as Buffy showed her ring to Faith while being hugged by Dawn, "OH!"
"Congratulations" said Faith as she hugged Buffy after Dawn had released her and gone on to Xander, "you made a great catch, you know."
"I know" said Buffy as she returned the hug of her sister slayer.
"You know what" said Faith as she looked at the couple, "let's go out for dinner."
"No" said Buffy, "let's just stay in and order some pizza instead?"
"No way" said Dawn, "the both of you are getting married and no way are we just having pizza."
"Dawnie" said Tara, "Maybe we.. we should, you know, stay in."
"Willow" said Dawn as she looked at the redhead.
"Dawn" said Willow, "it's Buffy's party, so let's have the pizza but…"
"But?" said Dawn.
"But" replied Willow as she looked at Buffy, "she doesn't get a choice for her bachelorette party."
"Oh! Right!" said Dawn as she jumped up and down.
"Calm down Dawnie" said Tara, "you'll hurt yourself."
"Sorry" said Dawn sheepishly before she ran to Buffy and hugged her tightly again, "my sister's getting married! my sister's getting married!"
"I love you, Dawn" said Buffy as she kissed Dawn's cheek.
"Love you too" said Dawn, "I'm so happy for you."
"Alright" said Faith, "I'll go order the pizza."
"Alright" said Willow, "and I'll go change. BE right back"
"Sure" said Buffy as Willow stopped and turned back.
"How about you guys stay here for the night?" asked Willow.
"We can't impose like that, Willow" said Tara.
"You're not" said Willow, "Buffy and Xander can take my room…"
"And Tara can take mine" said Faith as she came up behind Willow, "orders are done."
"Faith and I can sleep here in the living room" said Willow.
"Won't it get cold?" asked Xander.
"The whole apartment is heated" said Willow before she looked at Faith, "and besides, the both of us will be…"
"I really don't need to be hearing this" said Dawn as she passed Willow.
"What I was going to say was that we'll be sleeping together here" said Willow as she stuck out her tongue at Dawn.
"So we're set then" said Faith.
"Guess so" replied Willow.
Willow's apartment, 0400 hours.
'Where am I?' thought Willow to herself as she looked around at her surroundings. She saw that it was dark, although there was some light filtering through from somewhere.
'It's not that cave' thought Willow to herself, 'where am I? and what's that humming sound.'
Willow turned her head as she heard a sound.
"Hello?" she said, "anyone there?"
"Athena" said a woman's voice from a dark section to her right.
"Hello?" said Willow as she looked to the right but she could only see the outline of the woman, she couldn't see the woman's face as it was still dark wherever they were. Looking closely at her own body, she found that she was trapped in some kind of a cocoon inside a pod. Confused, she tried to move but couldn't; she was stuck inside the pod. As she scanned her area, she found more of these pods that were filled with people.
"What is this?" said Willow.
"Athena" said the woman again, this time her voice breaking, "I am sorry, if I hadn't been a fool, then you wouldn't have come after me."
"Silence" said another voice.
"Please" said the woman, "don't take her, take me."
"No" said Willow, "show yourself. Let me go from here, let these people go."
"Athena?" said the voice again, "You are Athena? My queen will be pleased to have such an honoured guest."
"What?" said Willow, "what do you mean… my God!"
Willow looked on in shock as the man behind the voice walked into view.
"What… what are you?" said Willow as she struggled to get out of the pod as the male alien continued his walk towards Willow.
"Don't" said the woman, "she's lying, she's not Athena. I am, take me. Let her go and take me!"
"No" said Willow as she looked at the woman, "what are you….?"
"Does not matter" said the creature who Willow saw was about six feet tall and had greenish-blue skin, yellow eyes and black hair down to his shoulders, "the two of you, along with your companions will do."
"Hello" said a woman's voice, "I see we have guests."
"Keeper" said the man as he bowed his head and pointed to Willow's direction, "I present Athena for her Majesty."
"Athena, we have heard of you from our worshippers" said the woman as she came into view and caused Willow to struggle even more, "please struggle, the queen loves fear. She craves it, fear is…. delicious."
Willow watched in horror at the woman with the pale, white skin along with long purple hair and yellow eyes as she reached for Willow's face.
"Stay… stay away" said Willow as she leaned her head back, trying to avoided being touched by the woman.
"How rude" said the woman the male alien had referred to as Keeper.
Willow watched in horror as the woman opened her palm which contained what looked like a small mouth as she pulled it back.
"No" said Willow, "what are you.."
Willow arched her body as the woman's palm hit her chest. Willow could feel the woman's nails digging into her skin as she started to feel weaker, it felt as if life itself was just flowing out of her body.
"Keeper!" said the male, "she is for the Queen."
"I just wanted a taste" said Keeper as she took her palm off Willow's chest, "and she is so delicious, I couldn't help myself."
"Return her life force to her" said the male, "and hope that the Queen forgives you for this insult."
Willow slowly raised her head as she saw the Keeper hiss at the male before turning back to face her.
"If only you could see yourself now" said Keeper as she cupped Willow's face with her palm, "your beauty is gone and while it would be torture for you to remain in this state, the queen seems to have plans for you."
"No" said a very weak Willow as Keeper smashed her palm into her chest again.
Willow pulled her head back and opened her mouth in pleasure as a euphoric feeling went through her entire body as she felt her strength returning again; she felt alive. Then Keeper had removed her hand from Willow's chest before turning to face the male.
"I am hungry" said Keeper.
"Take that woman"
"No" said Willow as she saw the male alien pointing his hand at the woman in the shadows.
"Yes" said Keeper and she stepped towards the woman.
"Stop" said Willow, "don't…. for the love of everything, don't."
"Athena" said the woman again as her voice broke, "I am sorry… please forgive me... if I hadn't come here, none of this would have happened."
"No" said Willow as she shook her head, "stop.. please stop. Take me… take me!"
"Goodbye" said the woman as Keeper smashed her palm into her chest.
Willow could hear the woman struggling in her pod as she tried her best not to scream. It was a few seconds later that Keeper had pulled her hand away in satisfaction before looking at Willow.
"That was amazing" said Keeper as she approached Willow, "but you…."
"Keeper" said the male.
"Unfortunately you will be joining the Queen for her meal" said Keeper as she walked away.
"You were a fool to have come after only one individual, Lantean" said the male alien.
"What have you done to her" said Willow angrily.
"Did you really think you could launch a rescue mission in our cloning facility without being noticed?" said the male, "did you think you could get away with our Potentia?"
"What did you say?" said Willow surprised.
"I will be feeding on some of your companions" said the male as he lit up two of the pods that were right in front of her, "I will make you watch before you are taken to the queen."
"No" said Willow, "please."
"Red, Red wake up"
"I haven't fed on Lanteans in a long time" said the male alien as he opened his palm and showed Willow the small mouth that was present, "it's always been ordinary humans, not the oh-so-special Lanteans with your arrogance and high technology. But today, my brothers and I will be feasting."
Willow looked on as the alien jammed his palm onto the chest of the male who was in the pod in front of her.
"Good God" said Willow as she saw the male open his eyes in shock as his body literally shrivelled away.
"Red… come on, don't make me shout"
"That was delicious" said the male as he pulled out his palm away from the man's chest before looking at Willow, hunger evident in his eyes, "I wonder… yes… maybe just a little taste."
"Get away" said Willow as the male walked towards her, "get away from me."
"Red?" whispered Faith as she watched in worry at Willow as she twitched her face while her eyelids were shut tight, "Red, I need you to wake up."
Faith knew that this wasn't the first time something like this had happened. She recalled the day Willow had that breakdown, followed by nights where she would have dreams or nightmares where she would speak only one name, Athena; and then that dream where Faith was pushed onto the ceiling by Willow's telekinesis before she fell back onto the ground, and numerous times after that.
"Red" whispered Faith as she caressed the redheads cheeks as her face contorted in pain, "I wish you'd let me in, you don't need to do this alone."
As Faith continued to caress Willow's cheeks, the redhead suddenly grabbed a hold of Faith's arm and snapped her eyes open.
"Hey" whispered Faith as she saw the sheer fear in her eyes, "its ok, you're home. You're back with me."
"Faith?" said Willow as she panted, "Faith?"
"It's me" whispered Faith, "I'm here."
"Where? How?" said Willow as she quickly sat up and looked around.
"You're at home" said Faith, "we're sleeping in the living room. Remember? B, Xander and Tara staying over?"
"Right" said Willow as she sat up and straightened her t-shirt.
"Had another dream about… you-know-who?" asked Faith.
"Yea" said Willow as she rubbed her forehead, "yea."
"Wanna talk about it?" asked Faith.
"Not this one" said Willow as she looked at Faith, "not this one."
"Alright" said Faith as she nodded her head in understanding, "but one day, I would like to hear about it."
"When I'm ready?" asked Willow.
"Yes" smiled Faith as she sat up and kissed Willow.
"Ummm… I'm sorry" said a groggy Tara as she came out from the hallway that led to Faith's room, "I just came for some water; I… wasn't bothering you was I?"
"No, Tara" said Willow as she slowly stood up, "I could do with some juice as well actually, Faith?"
"I'm fine" smiled Faith at Willow as the redhead got up and walked towards the kitchen with Tara. She looked at Willow in her t-shirt and shorts before she got up and grabbed her blanket before heading out to the balcony.
Willow looked on as faith closed the glass door leading to the balcony and sat down on the swinging bench.
"Is… is Faith doing alright?" asked Tara.
"Yea" replied Willow as she grabbed a carton of orange juice while looking at Tara, "Juice?"
"No thanks" smiled Tara as she shook her head at Willow.
"So" said Willow, "how's it been?"
"Things are going alright" said Tara, "Kennedy's been great.. although she keeps on volunteering for missions more and more, especially once she became activated."
"Ah" said Willow.
"Yea" replied Tara, "I really haven't seen much of her lately, to be honest."
"She sounds excited" said Willow.
"She is" replied Tara as she took her cup of water and started to walk away.
Willow watched Tara walk away when Tara suddenly stopped and turned around and walked back to the kitchen.
"Umm…." Said Tara nervously, "don't feel offended whn Kennedy insults you."
"I'm not" said Willow.
"She's just angry sometimes" said Tara as she sat stood next to Willow, "and jealous."
"I get the angry part" said Willow, "but why would she be jealous?"
"I…. umm… actually it was my fault, really" said Tara nervously, "I… ummm… I may have let it slip that when we were in that wicca group in U.C. Sunnydale, that I had a slight crush on you."
"Oh" said Willow as she almost dropped her cup of juice.
"I'm sorry" said Tara as she immediately turned around and started to walk away.
"Wait" said Willow as Tara stopped and turned around, "to tell you the truth, I did have a crush on you as well."
"You did?" said Tara in surprise as she looked out at Faith before looking at Willow again.
"Faith knows about it" said Willow as she looked at Faith who had wrapped the blanket tightly around herself and was looking up at the stars while smiling, "I told her what I saw when I went to that….. you know… other place the first time."
"The other place?" said Tara when she suddenly realized Willow meant the alternate reality she had told her and Dawn about when the alternate Willow had come to this reality to kill the Captain in revenge, "oh!"
"Yea" said Willow.
"I didn't find out you were gone until Buffy knocked on my door and asked for my help" said Tara as she walked back into the kitchen again.
"I had a feeling that you were the only real witch in that group of wannabe's" smiled Willow, "so I asked her to look you up."
"Oh" said Tara, "when Buffy told me you were gone, I had actually thought about moving here… maybe going to Colorado State… I mean I know that sounds a little creepy but…"
"I actually think that's kinda sweet" smiled Willow.
Tara smiled at Willow before she looked back down at her glass of water.
"Buffy really needed my help in Sunnydale" said Tara, "and I accepted, especially after the Scoobies protected me from my father and brothers."
"Ah" said Willow.
"Can… can I ask you a personal question?" whispered Tara nervously.
"Sure" said Willow.
"In that other place" asked Tara softly, "when you went there, how were we?"
"We… the other me and you I mean, were just like me and Faith" said Willow as she looked out at Faith who was tightening her blanket around herself, "wonderful."
"She loves you" said Tara as she looked at Faith before looking at Willow, "when she came back to Sunnydale after her coma, her aura was filled with darkness and rage. But now, I see beautiful hues from her and a brilliant white light from you."
"The multiverse is huge, Tara" smiled Willow as she walked with her glass towards the blonde witch, "somewhere out there.. in who knows how many realities, I'm sure there's a you and me who are together."
"You're right" said Tara as she smiled, "you should get to Faith, she may be getting jealous."
"I don't mind" said Willow as she smiled and walked with Tara, "just means that I get smoochies from her."
"Oh Goddess" said Tara with a smirk, "I really don't need to know that."
"Hah" said Willow as she squeezed Tara's shoulder, "good night."
"Good night" said Tara as she walked back to faith's room while Willow went out to the balcony after grabbing a blanket for herself.
"Hey you" said Willow as she handed Faith the cup of orange juice while she wrapped the blanket around herself before sitting down next to the brunette.
"Hey" said Faith as Willow lay her head on the Slayer's shoulder.
"Whatcha thinking about?" said Willow.
"Just looking at the stars" whispered Faith, "wondering how many of them we've been to."
"Colonel Carter said that only a handful of the stars we can see from Earth have Gates on them" said Willow.
"Oh" replied Faith.
"Are you happy?" asked Willow.
"Of course" said Faith, "why the sudden question?"
"I mean, you're a Slayer" said Willow, "and I was just wondering… well…."
"I'm happy" said Faith, "the world's got B and Kennedy now as the Slayers, plus a whole slew of potentials. I consider myself retired from the whole Slaying gig, I'm happy here with you and our work. I wouldn't give those up for anything. No more calling or prophesies for me, I'll be here with you and the guys."
"You ever think about… you know… our future?" said Willow.
"Yes" said Faith as Willow sat up and looked at her, "hey, I may not look it but I do think about the future."
"So do I" smiled Willow as she lay her head of Faith's shoulder again, "especially with Buffy getting married, Colonel Carter getting married. Next thing you know, Dawn's getting married as well."
"You thinking small or big?" asked Faith, "you know, our wedding."
"Small" said Willow, "you?"
"Small" said Faith, "I was thinking Big-G's cabin you know, on the dock."
"Sounds perfect" said Willow as she slowly closed her eyes, "everyone there, Colonel Carter, Teal'c, Daniel, Dawn, Buffy and Xander, Tara.. everyone. My parents. Of course it would have to be at night so that Angel could come with Cordy."
"Maybe I could ask Big-G to give me away" said Faith as she lay her head on the top of Willow's head.
"And have Thor officiate" said Willow.
"Oh" said Faith, "that's going to bring about a butt load of questions."
"Maybe disclosure will be done by then" said Willow softly, "or we could just use on of the mimic devices."
"I'm sure people have already started placing bets on us" said Faith.
"Probably" said Willow, "I know there are bets going on about when the Colonel will kick the potato's ass and divorce him. I've got a year."
"Really?' said Faith, "how about us?"
"I'm guessing forever" said Willow when she sat up suddenly and looked at Faith.
"What?" said Faith as she looked at a smiling Willow.
"I have a crazy thought" said Willow.
"You always have crazy thoughts" said Faith.
"This one is a doozy" said Willow, "I'm talking about a link between us."
"A link?" asked Faith.
"Not just any link" said Willow, "a permanent mental link between us, the Nox told me about it the last time I went to train with them."
"A permanent mental link?" said Faith.
"Yes" said Willow, "I know how to create one; it's highly intimate, we'll know what each of us are feeling and thinking. It will be something like being an empath for you but you'll only be getting my feelings. We'll have access to everything. We'll both see our memories, thoughts and secrets. And that's one of the downsides; there'll be no secrets between us… no hiding."
"I…" said a very surprised Faith.
"I'll understand if you say no" said Willow as she caressed Faith's cheek, "I won't do anything without your consent. If you say no, I'll still love you no matter what."
"Every secret huh?" said Faith.
"Yea" replied Willow, "Our minds will be open books to each other, I can teach you how to control the flow of information and emotions. Faith, we'll feel each others emotions, we can literally use each other's senses; I can see what you see, you can see what I see or feel or taste or touch.. everything. We'll have an 'always open' telepathic communications link although I'm not sure how far it could go distance-wise."
"Hah" smiled Faith, "what's the other downside?"
"The Nox told me" said Willow as she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, "if one of us dies, the other will feel it. The link will be broken but the other person, either you or me, may suffer an emphatic death. Our senses could overload and…. well… put it this way, this link would mean that a part of you will be with me and a part of me will be with you for the rest of our lives, and if one of us dies…"
"I get it" said Faith as she turned towards Willow.
"So" said Willow as she held Faith's hands, "I've told you everything, the decision's yours. I'll accept anything you say."
"You know what" said Faith as she sat closer to Willow and kissed her, "do it."
"Really?" grinned Willow, "you mean it."
"Yes" said Faith, "Do it."
"Then let's go back in" said Willow as she got up and walked hand in hand with Faith back onto the sleeping bag they were sharing and sat face to face to each other.
"I need you to place you hands on my temples" said Willow, "and I'll place mine on yours."
"Alright" said Faith as she placed her hands on Willow's temples as the redhead placed her hands on Willow's temples.
"Lya told me that this whole thing would seem like hours" said Willow, "but only few minutes would pass in the real world."
"Alright" said Faith as she nodded her head, "I'm ready."
Suddenly both Faith and Willow found themselves in each other's minds, complete with the emotions that came with those memories that existed. Willow saw Faith's childhood with her alcoholic mother, her father who left; the abuse she suffered and the things she had to do to survive. Willow looked on in sadness as Faith did unspeakable things all in the name of surviving. Willow felt her loneliness, the anger at everything until she met her first watcher. She saw her smile at being accepted by her Watcher which was followed soon by terror from her murder right in front of Faith. Willow then saw Faith committing acts… acts that she was too ashamed to admit to Willow before she arrived at Sunnydale and helped Buffy kill a vampire. She felt a feeling of acceptance from Faith when she met the Scoobies and Joyce, but she felt something more when Faith would look at her. Whenever Faith looked at the memory of Willow, she would feel attraction and then sadness when Willow insulted her or dismissed her.
Willow felt Faith's elation at meeting her second Watcher and then the sense of betrayal after the Watcher betrayed Faith for her own ends. Willow watched as slowly Faith started to hate everyone after she and the Scoobies betrayed her when she really wanted to come through for them. Then Willow saw everything that happened from the accidental killing of Finch, to the alliance with the Mayor, to the kidnapping of Willow and the subsequent rescue by the Scoobies. At that memory Willow sensed relief from Faith, relief that the Scoobies were able to rescue Willow. She then saw Faith shoot the arrow at Angel to her killing Professor Worth on the orders of the Mayor to Buffy fighting Faith and stabbing her with the knife to the time when she took over Buffy's body. She saw everything else that happened to Faith after she was gone from Sunnydale with a mixture of emotions leaving Willow to wonder what she could have done differently.
Willow saw everything that happened after she joined Angel in L.A; how Angel had helped her, Willow saw Faith admitting to Angel about everything including her feelings about Willow. She then saw Buffy trying to attack Faith again in L.A. She Saw Faith turning herself in to the LAPD over the death of Professor Worth as she accepted her punishment. Then she joined the Slayer Council and Willow sensed her regret over what she had done to Willow during that fiasco, to the elation at joining the SGC and eventually gaining the trust of the team and Willow herself.
Faith, like Willow, had seen Willow's childhood. She saw Willow's mother using the young redhead as a guinea pig to test her theories on child development. She saw Willow growing up alone for months on end in the company of a nanny. Faith saw that, eventually, even the nanny was no more as Willow lived alone in the big house with her sometimes spending time at a neighbour's house or with Xander. Faith sensed her immense loneliness and sadness at the entire situation. She could sense Willow questioning if her parents truly loved her at all and what it was she could have done for them to notice her. Faith saw everything through her childhood to the first meeting with Buffy, to the first meeting with Faith in Sunnydale. Faith could feel her jealousy towards the slayer for her trying to interfere in the redhead's relationship with Buffy. Faith sensed that Willow was attracted to Buffy, so much so that she tried everything to impress the blonde. Faith looked on as Willow was talking to Buffy about Finch and then how she had advocated that Buffy murder Faith to save Angel. Faith could feel Willow's disgust for her as she started to tear up. Faith was crying as the memories moved on, she saw Willow happy with Oz, her crush on Xander and that kiss which broke up Xander and Cordelia, and almost destroyed Oz and Willow. She saw how elated Willow was when Oz said that he would take Willow back.
Faith saw the battle against the mayor when he changed into snake and how hard Willow fought with Buffy and the others. She saw Willow open a letter of acceptance from U.C. Sunnydale and was elated, even though she received admission offer from every top school she applied to. Faith saw how loyal Willow was to Buffy that she gave all of that up just to be with her. Then Faith saw Willow increasingly dabbling in black magic, she saw and felt Willow's devastation and pain as she watched Oz wake up with Veruca at his side, she saw her almost hex Oz but stopped at the last minute just before Veruca attacked her, leading Oz to save her before turning on her in his werewolf form; himself being stopped by Buffy.
Faith sensed Willow's feelings of loss and control when Spike rushed into her room at the dorms before being attacked by the Initiative soldiers. Then came the fateful day of the wishes, Faith saw that everyone was hurt but they actually forgave Willow. But Faith felt Willow's intense sense of guilt of causing the Scoobies pain in the first place which led to her making the wish that brought her to the SGC. She saw the redhead slowly gain a new family that accepted her for who she was. Faith saw her training under the then Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter and Teal'c; she saw Willow being happy, genuinely happy studying engineering at the Air Force Academy. She watched on and felt Willow's pride as she walked through the Stargate for the first time on a research trip with Daniel and then again, when she went on her first official mission with SG1 to Vis Uban.
Then Faith felt Willow's heartbreak at the loss of Buffy and the way that Dawn had treated her for so long after that. Faith watched on as Willow was excited that Buffy came back, and then she was even more excited when she graduated from the Air Force Academy. Faith felt her intense feelings of loss and guilt again when Janet died right in front of her eyes leading to Faith crying even more at Willow's attempt and eventual failure to bring her back to life. Faith saw everything else, including all her dreams about Athena, her visions of Atlantis. Then Faith saw Willow recommending Faith for clearance to work at the SGC, her happiness that the General had agreed. Faith felt genuine love from Willow from the time they started working together to the present moment when Faith opened her eyes and saw Willow looking back at her with tear filled green eyes.
"You… you saw everything, right?" said Willow as she moved closer to Faith and put her hands on her hips.
"Ye….. yea" replied Faith, "I…"
"I'm so sorry" said Willow as she looked down, "the way I treated you when you came to Sunnydale. If I'd known what you went through…. I know it's no excuse.."
"It's done, Red" said Faith.
"I saw what you had to go through" said Faith as she got closer to Willow, "I never realized that your mother would treat you like that."
"Wasn't as bad as yours" said Willow.
"Both of us are broken, huh?" smiled Faith.
"I'd like to think we're on the way to repairing the damage we each faced, together" said Willow.
"We are" replied Faith.
Faith: "You loved Buffy?"
Willow: "Kinda."
Faith: "Then Janet, I saw Janet… I mean Dr. Frasier. She's alive?"
Willow: "She ascended… she still comes and gives me cryptic warnings."
Faith: "I saw, do the others know?"
Willow: "Only Cassie. She asked that I don't tell the others, not yet anyway."
Faith: "You saw your future?"
Willow: "I don't know."
Faith: "I saw that dream where you died…. Your name was on that monument that Sam in your dream was talking about."
Willow: "So was yours."
Faith: "you should have told me, Red."
"Now I'll have to" said Willow, "no secrets remember."
"I know" said Faith, "I'll be there with you all the way."
"I love you" said Willow.
"I love you too" said Faith as she wrapped her arms around Willow's neck, "and guess what?"
"What?" whispered Willow as Faith kissed her before she whispered in her ear.
"I win the bet about space vampires."
Minimum Security Correctional Facility, 30 minutes from Sunnydale, CA. Four months later, 1300 hours
Willow and Faith approached the officer at the window and handed him their I.D's.
"HI" said Willow, "We're here for the release of Rupert Giles."
The officer looked at the picture on both of their I.D's. and then looked up at the faces looking back at him, and returning to the I.D's again. He then sighed as he handed back their I.D's.
"Please leave all your personal belongings in these plastic bags and fill out these forms" said the Guard.
"Sure" said Faith as she took a bag and handed another one to Willow.
After they had filled out the forms and put them, along with their keys and cellphones, into the bags to identify their belongings, the both of them turned towards a door as something buzzed and it opened automatically.
"Please walk straight down the hall, first door to the right" said the guard as he gave the two women instructions for getting to the waiting room.
"Thanks" said Willow as she and Faith walked through the door and down the hallway.
"Hey" said Faith as she looked at Willow, "You alright? You seem to be feeling a bit apprehensive."
"Just a little" said Willow, "I mean I was the one who put him in this place."
"It was for the best" said Faith, "and I know you want to repair your relationship with him too, otherwise you wouldn't have supported that new BPRI guy… what's his name?"
"Agent Garret?" said Willow.
"Yea" replied Faith, "or else you wouldn't have supported his application to prevent the G-man's deportation."
"Well" said Willow, "the BPRI offered him the job as head of research, and in exchange we get Anya to help out Daniel at NORAD."
"That guy's been trying to hide it but they've been dating for the past month now." said Faith.
"Yep" said Willow, "I felt how happy he was when he saw her."
"Oh" smiled Faith, "you felt it huh?"
"Yeah" said Willow, "wait how did you find out?"
"I asked Anya" smiled Faith as they walked into the waiting room.
"Willow" said Dawn as she waited with Buffy, Xander and Tara for Giles to come out.
"Hey Dawnie" smiled Willow as she hugged the brunette, "how's your week long vacation been?"
"Great" said Dawn, "Buffy took me out on patrol and I dusted two vamps."
"Really?" smiled Faith as she ruffled Dawn's hair, "I'm glad kiddo."
"Buffy.. Xander" smiled Willow, "how are things?"
"We're good, Will" said Buffy as she held Xander's hand.
"Mr. Giles should be out soon" said Tara.
"Five minutes I think" said Willow as she turned and looked at the door.
"Umm… Willow…. Faith" whispered Tara as she sat next to the both of them, "have you guys done something?"
"What do you mean?" said Willow and she glanced at Faith who immediately knew what Tara was going to ask.
"I.. I just see your aura's and its so… so synched" whispered Tara as Buffy, Xander and Dawn were on the other side of the small room talking, "I've never seen anything like it."
"You wanna tell her?" asked Willow.
"Sure" replied Faith as she smiled at the redhead before looking at Tara, "Red established a permanent mental link, a permanent bond, between us."
"Wow" whispered Tara as she grinned at Willow and Faith while squeezing both of their hands, "that's great. Have you told Dawn and the others?"
"No" said Faith, "we decided not to tell anyone unless absolutely necessary."
"We're not getting married or anything" said Willow.
"Not yet, anyway" whispered Faith, "still have a lot of things to do."
"But…." Said Willow.
"My lips are sealed" whispered Tara as she kissed Faith and Willow on the cheeks, "I'm happy for you."
"Thanks" said Faith.
"Thanks Tara" said Willow as she stood up, "he's coming."
"Oh" said Faith and Tara as they got up.
Just then a buzzer rang and the door opened.
"Giles!" said Buffy as she ran to her former Watcher and gave him a big tight hug.
"Oh dear lord" said Giles as he stepped back slightly from the impact of Buffy running into his arms, "I have missed you terribly."
"I've missed you too" said Buffy as she hugged the man she thought of as a father figure.
"Hey G-man" said Xander as he offered his hand just as Giles grabbed it and pulled him in for a hug, "how many times have I told you not to call me that, Xander."
"Many, many times" said Xander as he hugged Giles.
"Don't stop" said Giles as he stepped back and looked at Dawn.
"Hi Giles" said Dawn as she hugged him.
"Look at you" said Giles, "you've grown."
"I know" grinned Dawn.
"Mr. Giles's?" said Tara as she approached the Watcher.
"My dear Tara" said Giles as he hugged the Blonde witch, "how are you?"
"I… I'm great" said Tara as she smiled.
Faith: "Red?"
Willow: "You go ahead Faith."
"Heya G-man" said Faith as she hugged Giles.
"Hey" said Xander, "that's my line. I trademarked it."
"No you didn't" said Buffy and Dawn.
"Well" said Xander as he looked at the two Summers sisters sheepishly, "I should."
"Right, Xander" said Giles before he turned to look at Faith, "How are you Faith?"
"I've been great, G-man" said Faith, "you look great."
"Thank you" said Giles as he grinned, "I have been working out you know."
"Sure you have, Giles" said Buffy.
"I could have, I mean…." said Giles as he looked at Willow who was just slightly hanging back behind Faith.
"Hi Giles" said Willow softly as she wiped her eye.
"Willow" said Giles as he walked towards the redhead until they were just inches away from each other.
Faith looked on as both Willow and Giles just simply hugged each other tightly before she noticed that tears were falling from her eyes. Looking closely, she could see that Willow's body was trembling as she cried into Giles' shoulder.
"Shh" said Giles as he rubbed Willow's back, "I'm sorry, Willow. I'm so very sorry for everything."
All Willow could do was nod into his shoulder.
"You… you look great, Giles" whispered Willow.
"So do you" whisper Giles, "you've grown into an amazing young woman. I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you" said Willow as she stepped back.
"Maybe it's time we got out of here" said Xander.
"Yea" replied Faith.
"You guys are coming with us, right?" said Buffy as she looked at Willow and Faith.
"Yea" said Faith as she looked at Willow, "but we'll meet you at your place, I've got some place I should visit."
"Alright" said Buffy, "we should see Agent Garret first. He's looking forward to meeting Giles, then we'll be going to my place."
"I'll be firing up the good ol' barbeque" said Xander.
"Burning the meat?" asked Willow.
"Maybe" replied Xander.
"That's it" said Willow, "I'll bring some take-out."
"Chinese please" said Buffy.
"Italian" replied Dawn.
"Actually" said Giles, "I could do with some Italian."
"Hey!" said Xander, "I'm right here."
"Yea, Xan" said Buffy as she grabbed Giles' hand, "come on, we've got things to do and people to see before we celebrate your coming back party."
"Alright" said Giles as he was pulled away, followed by Tara who was laughing at the scene in front of her.
"Dawnie" said Willow, "we'll be back."
"Alright" said Dawn, "I'll make sure Buffy doesn't tell Giles about her getting married until you get back."
"Thanks" said Faith as the three of them walked out together.
"See ya, Dawnie" said Willow as Dawn ran over to Buffy's car before she waved.
"Ready?" said Willow as she looked at Faith.
"Just need to change clothes" said Faith, "but yea, it's time I went to visit him."
Sunnydale Memorial Cemetery, 1500 hours.
"Here we are" said Faith after they had gone back to their hotel and changed into the appropriate clothes.
"You sure about this?" asked Willow.
"Yeah" said Faith, "I should have done this a long time ago, but…."
"I know" said Willow.
"His daughter brought him flowers" said Faith as she looked down at the grave, "they're still fresh."
"I'll be right here for you" said Willow.
"Thank you" said Faith as she squeezed Willow's hand before Faith let go.
Willow watched as Faith walked towards the grave and crouched down to place the flowers she brought next to the flowers that were already there. Before she knew it, Willow felt tears coming down her face as she looked at Faith's shoulders tremble as she remained crouched down.
The redhead walked over to Faith as she crouched down next to her while Faith placed her head on her shoulder and cried.
"It's alright, Faith" said Willow as she wiped her tears, "You don't have to do this, we can always come back another time."
"It's... It's alright" said Faith as she tried to regain her composure, "I'm here, I have to do this."
"Ok" said Willow as she helped Faith stand up, "There's no one around. I don't sense anyone."
"Thanks" said Faith.
"Hi Professor Worth" said Faith as she looked at the grave, "I don't know if you remember me, but my name is Faith… Faith Lehane. I'm the one who killed you. Everyone tells me that I was just following orders; and it's true, I was under an order to kill you and I followed that order; but it doesn't mean that… what I mean is that…. What I'm trying to say is that despite it being an order, it's something I did that will stay with me as a stain that can never be rubbed off until the day I die. I just wanted you to know that I have changed my life around and that I'm helping to save people now. Saving people on Earth, saving people of other races on other planets, helping others gain their freedom from their oppressors. I'm doing something good with my life and I'm doing this with the one I'm in love with, so it makes it even better. Watch me Professor, watch me help others. Whether you forgive me or not, I'll continue to help others."
"I'm done" said Faith as she stepped back and held Willow's hand, "I don't know why I never did that before."
"You did it now" said Willow, "that's what counts."
"Yeah" said Faith as she wiped a tear.
"Let's go" said Willow as she put an arm around Faith's shoulder and led her back to the car.
"Goodbye, Professor" said Faith as she glanced back before looking at Willow again as they walked away.
TBC.