"While Xander and I are both entitled to an opinion as to whether you go though with a potential pregnancy or not, the final decision on that matter has to be yours." Diana told Faith as she sighed. "It's no more a choice you're ready for than sex is, but having had unprotected sex, regardless of the circumstances, it's a choice you may be faced with as a result. And it's your body, your right to decide. As much as Xander or I might like you to make a choice we favor, the final decision rests with you. And it is final, Faith. Once you decide, there's no going back, you can't undo an abortion, but if you don't feel ready or capable of raising a baby, there's alternatives to consider. Xander is an option, as am I or allowing adoption by a family are also alternatives to consider. Whatever choice you think gives your baby the best chance in life."
"And those options depend on if I'm pregnant in the first place." Faith looked miserable, an outgrowth of her fear. "I don't know which I'd prefer. Obviously not being pregnant in the first place would be the easiest path, but if I am pregnant, I guess abortion would be easier there. But is easy running away from responsibility?"
"That's a good question and one you need to consider." Diana nodded. "You have good reason to be afraid, both of you and fear doesn't just go away, it needs to be addressed and wrestled with, sometimes repeatedly. But if you aren't pregnant, I want you to go on birth control, as long as it's safe for you to do so. If you and Xander choose to date, I'm very much opposed to you having sex at all for the foreseeable future. But I'm not naive enough to think you won't be tempted and a second pregnancy scare when you're not under the influence of Magic will only serve to piss me off. Understood?" She could melt glass with that glare.
"Yes, ma'am!" Xander assured her, he really didn't want to go through this a second time.
"Now, we touched on the options and trust me, we will continue to discuss this as we move forward but for now, Faith, you have homework to work on. Xander and I are going for a walk. Don't worry, Xander, I'm not bringing a gun and a shovel, it's not that kind of talk."
"Yes, ma'am." Xander decided that was probably the safest response he could make at present and shakily stood up and followed the formidable woman out the door. 'Funny how both she and Faith aren't very big, but they're both capable of being scary.' Xander thought. 'And yet still not as scary a thought as turning into Tony Harris.'
"When I was looking for Faith, I spoke to Jesse." Diana had decided straightforwardly broaching the subject was the best way to handle this conversation as well. "When we realized both of you were missing, I voiced the thought that your parents might know where you were and Jesse objected to me speaking to them, which made me wonder why. I should tell you, Xander, I'm a licensed teacher and some of my training included recognizing symptoms of abuse or neglect. Jesse's attempt to keep me from speaking to your parents made me suspicious, so I questioned him. Please don't be angry with him because he was trying to protect you, as any good friend would. But he's also a boy with a big secret who's scared for his friend. While he gave me no details, he did tell me your parents drink, especially your father. That they didn't notice you were absent from home for two days following the vampire attack and being hospitalized and that Family Services have been called, but have never responded. I can't begin to guess why Family Services has never followed up on a report, but I can tell you the law requires me, as a teacher, to make a report about my suspicions. Given Family Services lack of response in the past makes me feel that would be futile. Nonetheless, I can't just ignore the fact that there's a problem, so another solution must be considered. All I need is a yes or no answer, Xander. If I find such a solution, will you let me help you?"
"A yes or no isn't enough, ma'am." Xander answered. "Because I won't leave Faith to deal with this situation alone, I was involved and will continue to be involved regardless of whether we were under the influence or not. And I won't leave Jesse to deal with Sunnydale alone, we're practically brothers and we already lost our sister to Sunnydale. If your solution involves leaving them, than the answer is no. But if it allows me to stay, than the answer is yes. I just hope I never hurt her."
"My feeling is that you wouldn't deliberately hurt her." Diana assured him. "But given what I suspect your home life is like, it's an understandable fear. Very well, I will try to find a solution that allows you to stay in Sunnydale. And even though I didn't bring a gun and shovel, I will tell you this, if you betray the trust I'm placing in you and you do harm her, no one will ever find your body."
'Okay, maybe she is scarier than the possibility of becoming Tony Harris.' Xander decided, shivering under the glare being aimed at him. 'Because I believe her and that's a Hell of an incentive to get this right.'