DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Buffy The Vampire Slayer stuff belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Warner Brothers. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. All other characters that appear belong to me. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. There is some subtext in this story. If this kind of stuff is not legal where you live, if you're under 18 or if you don't like the notion of two women being in love, then you should find something else to read. This story is set at the end of the Buffy episode Who Are You.

Aftermath
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Faith, in Buffy's body, was raving, beating the disgusting thing that was Faith. Then the thing suddenly caught her hand and she became the disgusting thing. Again. She looked at Buffy, whom she had been merely seconds ago. She was shocked. She wanted to run and she pushed Buffy away. She wanted to die, cease to exist. No, she firmly corrected herself a moment later, she wanted to make it better. But she didn't know how to or if Buffy would let her, which she doubted. She saw Buffy stare at her, shocked, and she just curled up and started to cry. She didn't want to, she had always considered it a weak thing to do, but right now she just didn't care, she didn't think she could sink any lower, but you never knew, so she tried not to think about that option.

Buffy stared at Faith, shocked, but then shock turned to surprise and confusion when Faith curled up like a fetus and started to cry. She had never seen Faith cry before and the sight disturbed her for some reason. She wasn't quite sure why. Was it because she didn't think Faith deserved to cry after all that she had done? Or because she believed that Faith was only faking it? Though she didn't know why. She frowned. Or was it because a part of her still cared about her? She shuddered at the thought. Once, perhaps, but now? No way.

She hesitated for a few moments and then slowly approached her, wary of a trap. She slowly kneeled and touched Faith's shoulder. Faith jerked and backed off toward the pews. When she couldn't back off anymore, she pulled her knees to her chest and hugged her legs, sobbing. Buffy stared at her, surprised.

"Faith?"

Faith looked up and Buffy was surprised by the look in her eyes. It was pure hell, pain, guilt, all mixed up. Faith's mouth opened a few times before she managed to say something.

"I… I'm…"

"You apologize to me and I'll beat you to death," Buffy snapped furiously.

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"I'm sorry," she then said.

Buffy stared at her for a moment and then slapped her.

"I told you not to apologize!"

"I'm sorry," Faith said again and Buffy hit her again.

"You just don't get it, do you?"

"I'm sorry."

This time Buffy made a fist.

"I'm sorry."

Buffy growled, got up and kicked Faith.

"I'm sorry."

She kicked her stronger this time.

"I'm sorry."

"Shut up!" Buffy screamed and kicked Faith in the head.

Faith tried to sit up again, but she was dizzy.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Buffy kicked her again.

"Shut up, you bitch! Just shut up!"

"I'm sorry," Faith said again and coughed.

Buffy kneeled in front of Faith and grabbed her by the hair.

"Buffy!"

Buffy jerked and looked at Riley.

"Get out!" she snapped. "Now!"

"Buffy…"

"Out! And don't let anyone in until I come out."

Buffy hesitated for a moment and then left.

"I'm sorry."

Buffy jerked and looked back at Faith, who was on the verge of passing out.

"I'm sorry," Faith said again.

Buffy stared at her. A part of her wanted to just kill her, but another part recognized that Faith obviously wanted to die and was giving her an excuse to kill her. She let go of Faith's hair and Faith's head dropped to the floor. Buffy got up, backed off a little and then stared at Faith, who just lay still for a while, whispering her apology over and over again.

When Faith finally realized that Buffy stopped beating her up, she stopped whispering her apology and tried to sit up. It took her a while, but she finally succeeded. Then she looked at Buffy and they stared at one another.

Faith finally opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out at first.

"How… How can I make it… better?" she finally croaked.

Buffy stared at her, surprised.

"Go to hell," she then snapped.

Faith stared at her for a moment and then slowly got up. Buffy backed off, ready to fight, but Faith walked past her and picked up the stake she had dropped. Buffy was about to attack her, but then Faith turned the stake toward herself. Buffy stopped for a moment, confused, but then she realized what Faith intended to do. She quickly moved and stopped the stake less than a centimeter from Faith's chest.

Faith looked at her, puzzled, not letting go of the stake.

"What do you think you're doing?" Buffy demanded.

"I'm going to… Hell," Faith said.

Buffy blinked, surprised.

"What?"

"You told me to… go to Hell."

Buffy frowned, confused, but then she understood.

"Give me the stake," she said and Faith let go of the stake.

Buffy backed off and stared at Faith, not quite sure what to make of her behavior.

"I insulted Xander and Tara," Faith said quietly.

"What?" Buffy said, surprised.

"I shaved your pussy."

"What?!" Buffy said and her hand went to her crotch.

"I slept with Riley," Faith finished her confession.

Buffy went completely still for a moment and then exploded into action, tossing Faith around the church like she was nothing more than a sack of leaves. Faith didn't defend herself, but Buffy was too furious to notice. She finally threw her half way across the church and Faith remained lying, waiting for Buffy to come to her and finish her off.

As Buffy slowly walked towards the unmoving Faith, her mind finally caught up with what Faith had said and since she first had to get to Faith to continue with the beating, she had some time to think about it. As far as Xander and Tara were concerned, they seemed to have gotten over it, whatever Faith had said to them, at least as far as she herself was concerned. Faith was another matter. Next was her pussy. Not only had Faith stolen her body, she had violated it. She frowned. It wasn't that big a deal, it was like getting a haircut and the hairs would grow back. But what really pissed her off was the fact that Faith had slept with Riley. Her boyfriend! Was he blind? Didn't he notice that she was not Buffy? She frowned. Why the hell was she now angry with Riley? It was Faith who seduced him. Then again, it takes two to tango. Didn't the man notice? And Faith, she had taken everything that she could, including her body. What she didn't understand was why. And for some reason she wanted to know.

She stopped in front of Faith and stared at her. She noticed that tears were running down Faith's cheek and it made her feel uncomfortable. She wanted to kick Faith, but now that her anger was mostly spent, she just stared at her, wondering if under different circumstances, she might have turned out the way Faith had. She kneeled and grabbed Faith's hair, lifting her head.

"Look at me," she said.

Faith slowly opened her eyes and Buffy stared into them. What she saw unnerved her.

"You wanna make it better?" she asked after she got over it.

Faith slowly nodded.

"Get up," Buffy said and let go of Faith's hair.

Faith slowly crawled to the pews and used them to pull herself up. It looked like it would take her a while, so Buffy grabbed her and pulled her up. Faith groaned, but she said nothing.

"Look at me," Buffy then demanded and Faith looked at her. "Go to the mansion."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, surprised, and then turned and limped toward the back door. Buffy stared at her for a few moments and then went out.

"Buffy," Riley said when she got out. "Is everything alright?"

Buffy stared at him for a few moments.

"We need to talk," she finally said. "Later."

"Where is Faith?" Riley asked, deciding to wait for an explanation.

"She's gone."

"What? I thought you…"

"I need to talk to Mom now."

"Buffy…"

"I gotta go."

Buffy left and Riley stared after her, confused. Then he turned around to let the cops do their job and to tell the Scooby Gang what Buffy had told him.

Buffy quickly spotted Faith, who was slowly limping toward the mansion. For a moment, she considered going to her and helping her walk, but she decided against it, she wanted Faith to suffer. For now. She slowly followed her until Faith got to the mansion. When Faith disappeared inside, Buffy quickened her pace.

When Buffy entered the mansion, she noticed that Faith was lying on the floor, chained and the key was out of Faith's reach. She frowned, confused. She looked around, but she and Faith were alone in the mansion, which meant that Faith had chained herself. Only why?

She slowly approached her. When Faith noticed her, she slowly sat up.

"Did you chain yourself?" Buffy asked and Faith nodded. "Why?"

"I don't… want to… run away," Faith said and coughed blood.

Buffy stared at her. She was angry and she wanted to make Faith pay, but as long as Faith didn't give her a reason to beat her up, she couldn't just beat her. It was frustrating, especially since Faith apparently didn't mind. Hell, it looked as though she wanted to be beaten.

"So, you changed," she finally said and Faith nodded. "And that's supposed to make it all okay? Now I'm supposed to be a good little Slayer and help you clean up the mess you made? Of my life?"

Faith shook her head.

"No," she whispered. "I… want to make it better."

"Oh really? And how do you intend to do that?"

Faith shrugged.

"I'll do what you… tell me to."

Buffy stared at her for a moment.

"Shaking off responsibility again, are we?"

Faith shook her head.

"Don't want to… hurt you again."

"Nice excuse, Faith. Do you really think I'm gonna let you stay anywhere near Sunnydale after what you've done? Do you really think I'll ever trust you again? Oh sure, right now you'd do just about anything, wouldn't you? But what about tomorrow? And the day after? And the day after that? Who are you gonna torture to get to me then?"

Faith shook her head.

"No one."

Buffy stared at her, not sure what she should do. Her common sense was telling her to take Faith to the police, but a small voice in the back of her head was telling her to help her. Only a Slayer really understood a Slayer and right now she and Faith were the only two Slayers around. Which meant she was the only person that could help Faith. And she didn't like that. God, this was such a mess. She needed a second opinion.

"Buffy," Faith said when Buffy turned to leave.

"What?" Buffy snapped as she turned around.

"Tell the gang about… me, so it won't be like it… was with Angel."

Buffy stared at her for a few moments, confused, before she realized what Faith was saying. Then she wanted to kick her for mentioning Angel's name, but she realized Faith had a point. She growled and left.

"Mom?"

"Buffy?" Joyce said.

"Are you okay?"

Joyce frowned, confused.

"Of course. Why?"

Buffy sighed.

"I need to talk to you."

"Of course, honey. Come."

They went to the sofa and sat down. Joyce took Buffy's hand.

"So, what's wrong?"

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Remember when Faith and I fought here?"

"Yes."

Buffy took a deep breath.

"Well, she stole my body then."

Joyce frowned, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"She had some magical device and when we touched, I was in her body and she was in mine."

Joyce thought for a moment and then her eyes went wide.

"So that's why you, I mean, she, was acting a bit strange."

"Strange?" Buffy asked.

"Like she was uncomfortable."

"Oh."

Joyce looked at Buffy.

"You are Buffy, right?"

"Yeah, it's me." She sighed. "I found Faith in the church, fighting a bunch of vampires. Then we fought and she went all wacko, but fortunately Willow and Tara managed to conjure another magical device and we switched bodies again." She paused for a moment. "But then Faith didn't run away, she just… curled up like a fetus and started to cry." She paused again. "She said she was sorry, that she wanted to make it better, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

Joyce thought for a moment.

"Where is she now?"

"At the old mansion."

"I see. Have you thought about handing her over to the police?"

"Yeah, but they wouldn't know how to handle a Slayer." She sighed. "I hate her and I don't trust her, but if she has really changed…" She sighed again. "She expects me to tell her what to do to make it better, but I don't know what to do."

Joyce thought for a moment.

"Do you want to help her?"

Buffy frowned.

"I don't know. I mean, a part of me just wants to get rid of her, but a another part…" She sighed. "I don't know. Right now I'm not sure I could help her, even if I wanted."

Joyce squeezed her hand.

"Do your friends know?"

"No, not yet. I wanted to talk to you first."

"Then why don't you go talk to them first, see how they feel about it."

Buffy sighed and nodded.

"Okay," she said and hugged her mother. "I love you, Mom."

Joyce hugged her back.

"I love you too, honey."

Buffy then got up and left.

Joyce went to the kitchen to make herself some coffee, but her mind kept thinking about Faith. She had liked the dark Slayer and she wondered what had happened to her. She decided to go talk to her.

"Hey," Buffy said when she came to Giles.

The Scooby Gang was all there, including Riley.

"Buffy," Riley said. "Are you okay?"

Buffy stared at him for a moment and then nodded.

"Yes."

"What happened?" Willow asked.

Buffy looked at her and sighed.

"We fought, I won, she started to cry," she gave the short version.

"Em, did you say Faith cried?" Xander asked.

"Yes."

"Anybody else feels that Faith and crying don't belong in the same sentence?"

"Where is she now?" Giles asked.

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Someplace safe," she said, not quite sure why she was protecting Faith.

"Safe?" Xander asked. "As in six feet under? Or maybe a top security prison?"

Buffy glared at him.

"She's not going anywhere right now," she said.

"W-Why was she c-crying?" Tara asked.

Buffy thought for a moment.

"She said she was sorry and she wanted to make it better."

"And you believed her?" Xander asked incredulously.

Buffy sighed.

"I don't know. I don't trust her."

"For a moment there I though you completely lost it."

"Xander," Willow said and Buffy glared at him.

"I need to sort things out with her first and then I'll see what I'll do with her," Buffy said. "Any ideas? Besides jail?"

"The Council?" Xander suggested.

"No," Buffy said determinedly. "They'll kill her."

"And that would be a bad thing?"

Buffy glared at him.

"She said she insulted you," she said.

Xander frowned.

"She did?"

"Yes. How?"

Xander thought for a moment.

"She said he was bad in bed," Anya said.

"Hey!" Xander said and nudged her. Then he looked at Buffy. "My male ego will survive." He glanced at Anya affectionately. "Especially when she keeps boosting it."

Buffy looked at Tara.

"And what did she say to you?"

Tara seemed to shrink.

"She insulted you?" Willow asked Tara, surprised, and Tara nodded.

"S-She m-made f-fun of me," Tara said.

"What? Why didn't you tell me?"

"B-Because I f-felt she wasn't wh-what she s-seemed."

"Bitch," Willow said and then blushed. "Sorry, I'm just… angry."

Buffy sighed and looked at Riley.

"I need to talk to you. Alone."

She led the way to the bathroom and Riley followed her, puzzled.

"I guess you know now that Faith and I switched bodies," Buffy said when Riley closed the door.

"Yes."

"Then you also know that you slept with Faith."

Riley looked down, ashamed.

"Yes, I realized that."

Buffy stared at him for a moment, thinking.

"How… How was she?"

"Buffy…"

"I want to know."

Riley sighed.

"She was… different, I think. At first she came at me like she usually seduces guys, I guess, I mean, she was aggressive and she wanted to play." He thought for a moment. "She wanted to leave when I told her I didn't want to play, I guess she thought I didn't want to make love to her." He stopped. "Since I thought it was you, I stopped her and then we made love." He thought for a moment. "I guess I should've noticed that she was… unused to it. And… And she… she, you know, shaved… down… there," he said, blushing.

"I know," Buffy said, trying not to blush as well.

"And in the morning… she fled. Yes, fled. It was like she was scared of something."

Buffy thought about it and then shook her head when she realized she was in a forgiving mood.

"Bitch," she murmured.

"Buffy…"

"Never mind." She sighed. "I need to think."

"My God," Joyce said, shocked, when she saw Faith lying on the floor, all bruised and chained.

Faith slowly opened her eyes and looked at the newcomer.

"Mrs S-Summers?" she said, surprised, and tried to sit up.

She moaned and Joyce was immediately by her side, helping her sit.

"Did Buffy do this?" Joyce asked.

Faith quickly shook her head.

"Vamps," she said.

"And why are you chained?"

"Didn't want… to run… again."

Faith sobbed and Joyce hugged her. When Faith stopped sobbing, Joyce held her for a while, until she realized that Faith had passed out. She carefully laid her down and then looked around for a key. But when she uncovered a tray and saw surgical instruments there, she was shocked. Was Buffy going to torture Faith? She quickly shook the thought away and continued to look for the key. When she found it, she unchained Faith, took her to the car and drove her home.

When Buffy got back to the mansion and found Faith gone, she had a bad feeling. And when she noticed that the tray with the surgical instruments was uncovered, the bad feeling got worse. She turned and ran home as fast as she could.

"Mom!" she called when she burst through the door. "Mom!"

"I'm in the kitchen!" Joyce called.

Buffy ran there.

"Mom…"

"We need to talk, young lady," Joyce said sternly.

"Mom, Faith's escaped and she's armed."

"She upstairs," Joyce said.

Buffy blinked.

"What?" she said, thinking she didn't hear right.

"She's upstairs."

Buffy turned and was about to run upstairs, when Joyce stepped in front of her.

"Buffy."

Buffy looked at her mother.

"Mom?"

"I brought her here."

Buffy blinked again.

"What?"

"I went to the mansion and wanted to talk to her, but when she passed out, I brought her home."

"What?! Mom, she's dangerous!"

"Were you going to torture her?"

"What?" Buffy said, puzzled.

"I saw a tray with surgical instruments there. Were you going to torture her?"

"What? No! That tray's been there since she tried to torture me."

"Oh," Joyce said, her resolve wavering for a moment. "But you did beat her?"

"Yes," Buffy said.

"Buffy…"

"Mom, she stole my body, she slept with Riley! I've lost battles before, but nobody ever made me a victim."

"So that's what it's all about. You know what Eleanor Roosevelt once said? 'Nobody can make you a victim without your consent.' Or something like that. And in your case, that's true."

"What?" Buffy said, shocked.

"You feel a victim because you let her hurt you. You cared about her, but every time you wanted to help her, you ended up hurt. But you're forgetting something here, she's as much a victim as you are. She had no one to turn to for a long time and when she did, she was too scared to ask for help. Tell me, how did you feel when you were in her body?"

Buffy opened her mouth to respond, but she closed it again as she remembered. She felt hopeless, despised, a loser. She felt she was bad and that she was meant to screw up. Most of the time, anyway. She had been beaten badly before, but the spit and the loathing from the Council hit man probably hurt the most. She sighed as she realized what her mother was trying to tell her. She sighed.

"I understand," she said. She hesitated for a moment. "Thanks."

Joyce smiled and caressed her.

"You're welcome, honey."

"I'll go upstairs."

Joyce nodded and Buffy left.

Upstairs, she looked into the spare room and saw that Faith was either unconscious or sleeping. She stared at her for a moment and then went to her room to think.

In the middle of the night, Buffy and Joyce were awoken by a scream. Buffy knew it was Faith and she didn't really care about Faith suffering, but she got up anyway, knowing that her mom would go check up on her and she didn't want to leave her alone with Faith.

Joyce entered Faith's room and Buffy waited at the door. Joyce sat on the bed and caressed Faith.

"Faith?"

Faith stopped sobbing and finally looked around.

"Where… am I?" she asked, puzzled.

"At my house."

"What?" Faith said, surprised, and tried to sit up, but the pain stopped her.

"Easy. Just lie," Joyce told her.

"Does… Buffy know?"

"Yes."

Faith thought for a moment.

"Why… am I here?" she then asked.

"I brought you here."

"Why?"

"You passed out and you looked like you could use some medical attention."

Faith coughed.

"Take it easy, Faith," Joyce said.

Faith sobbed again.

"Do you want to talk?" Joyce asked.

Faith shook her head.

"You should, you know," Joyce continued. "Keeping it bottled inside isn't going to help you. Or Buffy."

Faith slowly stopped talking.

"I… I'm scared," she finally said.

"Of what?"

Faith took a deep breath, trying to stop the sobs.

"That I won't have the strength to go through this and that I'll end up hurting Buffy again." She paused for a moment. "And I'm scared that she'll become like me if stay around."

She started sobbing again and Joyce caressed her.

"I'm sure everything will be alright, Faith. Now why don't you get back to sleep and get some rest?"

Faith snorted and then coughed.

"I don't think I can sleep right now."

"Do you want me to get you a radio? You can listen to some music."

Faith considered the offer.

"Okay."

Joyce smiled and got up.

"Mrs Summers."

"Yes?" Joyce said and looked at Faith again.

"I… I'm sorry."

Joyce stared at her for a moment, surprised, and then smiled.

"Good," she said and left to get the radio.

Outside, Buffy heard every word. She tried not to feel sorry for Faith, but when she heard Faith confess her fears, she was just plain shocked. She had expected Faith to be afraid for herself. Instead she was afraid for her. And she also realized that Faith had a point, the way she'd beaten her up in the church, she was becoming like her. What also bothered her was the fact that her mom could talk to Faith so easily and that Faith trusted her. Why couldn't she and Faith talk like that? It would've saved them a lot of pain and regret.

When she woke up in the morning, Buffy was confused for a moment, thinking she had been dreaming, but then she realized that it all really happened. She got up and went to Faith's room, but Faith was still asleep. She took a shower and went downstairs.

"Good morning, honey," Joyce greeted her.

"We'll see about that," Buffy said. "I'll take her back to the mansion before I go to class."

"You'll do no such thing," Joyce said.

"Mom?" Buffy said, puzzled.

"You'll stay here and try to work things out with Faith."

"Mom?" Buffy said, surprised. "I have classes."

"I know. You'll skip them today."

Buffy blinked, surprised.

"But…"

"No buts. You and Faith have some serious things to work out. Faith is suffering as much as you are, perhaps more. She's willing to make up for what she's done, but she'll need your help."

Buffy snorted.

"And what am I supposed to do? Just forgive her? Right now I'm too angry to even be in the same room with her without wanting to make her suffer."

"The sooner you two start to work things out, the be…"

Joyce was interrupted by Faith's scream. She sighed.

"Looks like another nightmare," she said and went upstairs.

Buffy followed her. Upstairs, Joyce knocked on the door and then entered. Buffy waited outside again.

"Good morning," Joyce said with a soft smile. "Another nightmare?"

Faith looked at her and then around the room. When she remembered when she was, she looked back at Joyce and then nodded.

"Why don't you take a shower and then come downstairs for a breakfast? What would you like?"

Faith shrugged.

"Whatever you have."

"Okay."

Joyce turned around to leave."

"Mrs Summers?"

Joyce turned around again.

"Yes?"

"Why are you… nice to me? After all that I've done?"

Joyce sighed.

"Because I learned the hard way that yelling and accusations don't help. When I found out that Buffy was a Slayer, I… Well, things got out of hand and she ran away. I was worried sick. And when she came back, things were… strained and she nearly ran away again." She paused. "I always liked you and I hoped that you and Buffy would become friends." She sighed. "Apparently something went wrong. Now, I know that you want to make up for what you've done and I'm going to help you."

Faith stared at Joyce, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Why? I mean, Buffy gave me so many chances, was there for me when I had no reason or right to expect her to, but I still… hurt her, every single time."

Joyce took a deep breath.

"I don't know what was going on between you and Buffy, she never really talked about it, but I have a feeling, a motherly instinct, that this time things will work out."

Faith sighed.

"I hope so," she said and gulped.

Joyce thought for moment.

"Can you tell me something?"

Faith looked at her.

"What?"

"Buffy said you worked for the Mayor. Why? I mean, Buffy said he wanted to become a demon or something."

Faith sighed and bit her teeth.

"After I killed Finch, I was scared out of my mind, so I told myself lies, so I didn't have to deal with the reality. Buffy wanted to help me, but I was too scared to let her close." She paused for a moment. "I went to the Mayor so I could prove to myself that I wasn't bad, that I could be just as good as Buffy. But then, then the Mayor started treating me like no one has ever treated me before. He was like the dad I never had, a family. I tried to spy on him, but in the end, I found myself liking him." She sobbed. "And the fact that I was jealous of Buffy didn't help. I mean, she had everything, she was the perfect Slayer and I couldn't even protect my own Watcher. Like father like daughter." She sobbed again and Joyce caressed her. "And when I woke up from coma," Faith continued, "Angel was gone and Buffy was with Riley. That made me even more angry. And when I stole her body, I wanted to run away, start a new life somewhere where nobody would know me. But I couldn't. I mean, I was Buffy, the best Slayer there ever was. So I went to that church." She sobbed again. "And when we changed bodies again, I realized that it was all just another lie. I may have her body, but I would never be Buffy."

She started crying and Joyce gently caressed her, patiently waiting.

"Sorry," Faith said when she stopped a minute later.

Joyce smiled.

"Feeling better?"

Faith sighed.

"A bit. I just wish I could tell Buffy that."

"In time," Joyce said and caressed her again. "How do you feel about cereals?"

Faith blinked, confused, but then she realized Joyce was talking about breakfast.

"Fine," she said, even though she wasn't particularly fond of cereals.

Joyce smiled.

"I'll tell Buffy to prepare some clothes for you."

Faith nodded and Joyce got up and left.

Outside, Buffy was shocked. Not just about the fact that Faith had another talk with her mom, but more about what Faith had told her mom, about herself and why she had done the things she'd done. And it made her feel guilty. And because of that she was frustrated and angry. Why was she feeling guilty when Faith was the one who had hurt her? Still, she understood Faith better now and as much as she hated to admit it to herself, she obviously still cared about Faith in some way.

Her thinking was interrupted when her mother got up to leave. She quickly went to her own room and pretended she was looking for something in her closet.

"Buffy?"

"Yes, Mom?"

"Could you prepare some clothes for Faith?"

"Yes, Mom," Buffy said.

She thought for a moment and then quickly assembled a suitable outfit for Faith and took it to the bathroom. Then she went downstairs before Faith got out of her room.

After she finished her breakfast, Buffy went upstairs to check up on Faith. She heard the water running in the bathroom and she listened through the door. She heard strange sounds and she wanted to go in to see what it was when she realized that it was crying. Faith was crying, she realized. This was the first time that she found herself believing that Faith might not be faking it, that she was really sorry. She shook her head, disturbed, and went downstairs.

When Faith came downstairs, Buffy, who was watching TV, got up and followed her to the kitchen. As she gave her a once over, she had to admit that Faith looked good in the clothes she had given her, more like a teenager and a lot less like a psycho slut. She shook her head, pushing the thoughts away.

Faith quietly sat down and waited for Joyce to serve the breakfast.

"Thank you," she said when Joyce gave her the plate.

Joyce smiled.

"You're welcome."

Buffy rolled her eyes, but she said nothing. She quietly watched Faith eat.

When Faith was done, Joyce took the plate away.

"Why don't you two go change Faith's bed," she said and the Slayers looked at one another, both remembering the dream they had had not long before Faith had awoken from coma. "She slept in dirty clothes. I'll go clean up the bathroom."

Buffy sighed and got up. Faith quietly followed her.

As they changed Faith's bed, they worked in sync, just like they did when they were slaying, but they were both nervous, both remembering the dream. They were both quiet, except for Buffy's occasional instructions.

"Come on, let's go," Buffy said when they were done.

Faith quietly followed her downstairs.

"Where are you going?" Joyce asked when she saw that they were going out.

"I'm taking her back to the mansion, where I can chain her. I need to go to Giles."

"What?!" Joyce said, surprised. "I told you, you are not taking her back to that mansion."

Buffy looked at her, surprised.

"What?"

"She's not some rabid animal you can just chain and forget, Buffy."

"Mom, she's dangerous! I won't leave you alone with her."

Faith stared at them with disbelief. They were fighting over her? And Buffy's mom was on her side? It was puzzling, but she didn't want them to fight over her.

"Stop," she said, but the two women ignored her.

"Buffy, she has had quite a few opportunities to take me hostage. Don't you think she would've done that already?"

"Mom, she's a psychopathic killer!"

"Please stop," Faith pleaded again and moved closer.

"Buffy…"

"What do I have to do to convince you that she's dangerous?" Buffy said, frustrated.

"She may be dangerous, but she's willing to change."

"Please don't fight," Faith pleaded, trying to hold back the tears.

"Stay away from Mom!" Buffy said angrily and pushed her away.

"Buffy!" Joyce said, surprised, as Faith tumbled on the floor. "Go to your room."

"What?" Buffy said, surprised.

"Go to your room. You're grounded."

Buffy stared at her.

"You can't ground me. I'm…"

"Grounded. I'm sure Mr Giles and your friends can take care of any vampires that show up tonight."

"But Mom!" Buffy protested, but Joyce only gave her a stern look. Buffy looked at Faith, furious. "You so much as touch her and you'll wish you were never born," she said and stormed off to her room.

"Buffy!" Joyce said, but Buffy was gone. Joyce sighed and turned to Faith, who was hugging her knees and silently crying. "I'm sorry, Faith," she said and approached her.

"It's my fault," Faith whispered.

"No, it wasn't."

"Yes, it is," Faith insisted. "If I hadn't hurt her, or if I had just ran away, you two wouldn't be fighting over me."

Joyce realized Faith had a point.

"Then we would be fighting over something else." She sighed. "And it wouldn't be the first time."

"Please make up," Faith pleaded, finally looking Joyce in the eyes.

Joyce stared at her for a few moments and then nodded.

"I will. Come, why don't you sit on the sofa?" she said and offered Faith her hand.

Faith stared at it for a few moments and accepted it. She got up and went to the sofa. Joyce went upstairs.

In her room, Buffy stared out the window, furious and frustrated. She was furious at Faith for getting between her and her mom and she was furious her mom was taking Faith's side. Couldn't she see that Faith was dangerous? It was frustrating. And how was she supposed to do her job if she was grounded? She should've just handed Faith over to the cops and be done with it. And if Faith escaped, well, she could always… Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. She jerked, but she didn't respond. She was afraid she'd do something stupid if her mom wanted to give her a sermon or if Faith showed up. There was another knock and when she didn't respond this tie either, the door opened.

"Buffy?"

Buffy bit her teeth and didn't turn around.

Joyce entered and approached her.

"I'm sorry, Buffy," she said and put her hand on Buffy's shoulder. "I know you're only trying to protect me and I appreciate that. But you're letting you anger cloud your judgment when it comes to Faith. Right now she blames herself for just about everything, including the fight we had. She stopped telling lies to herself and she's trying to deal with what she's done. But she needs help, support. Now, I can help a little, but you're the one that can really help her. I know you tried to help her before and you ended up hurt, but she wasn't ready then. She is now. The question is, are you?"

Buffy didn't respond as she thought over what her mother had said. Joyce hesitated for a few moments and then decided to leave and let Buffy think things over.

"Oh," she remembered as she stepped out the door, "you're not grounded. You can go slaying."

Buffy didn't move, so Joyce sighed and left.

Buffy stared out the window for a few more moments and then lay down on the bed and sighed. This was one crazy day, full of surprises. How the hell was she supposed to help Faith when just the sight of her made her wanna beat her into a bloody pulp. She sighed, remembering the time when she enjoyed spending time with Faith, when she envied her for being so carefree. She frowned as she realized that Faith wasn't carefree, she just didn't admit to herself that there was trouble. Until now. And now Faith wanted her to help her? The nerve. But then she realized that Faith didn't have anyone and that she was just about the only person Faith ever let close. Well, and her mom. Sort of. It still surprised her how easily Faith could confide in her mother. She frowned. Perhaps that was the problem. She was angry because Faith could confide in her mother, but she couldn't confide in her. But then again, Faith had hurt her and not her mother. Well, not much, anyway. And her mother also didn't feel so betrayed by Faith. She wondered why she didn't just hand her over to the police. Was it because she wanted to punish her or because she wanted to help her? She sighed as she reluctantly admitted to herself that she wanted to help her after she saw the look in Faith's eyes. Damn, why did she still care about Faith?

When Joyce came downstairs, Faith looked at her anxiously. Joyce smiled at her.

"She'll be fine, she just needs to think it over," she said.

Faith gulped and bit her teeth. So she waited, hoping Buffy would be alright, and she tried not to think about anything, except that she had to apologize. Again.

When Buffy finally came downstairs, Faith was sitting on the sofa, staring at the TV. Which was turned off. When she got closer, she noticed that Faith wasn't staring at the TV, but was apparently reliving some bad memory.

"Faith."

Faith jerked and looked at her anxiously. Then she got up.

"I… I'm sorry, Buffy," Faith quickly said. "I didn't mean to come between you and your mom."

Buffy blinked, surprised. Then she sighed.

"And I'm sorry for pushing you."

"I understand."

They stared at one another for a few moments, Faith just waiting, Buffy hesitating.

"So, you decided to change," Buffy then said. "Why?"

Faith looked at Buffy, surprised.

"I… I…" She sighed and sat down. Buffy did the same. "It wasn't like I decided to change, but after we… switched bodies again, I realized just what a screw up I was. I've been you for just long enough that I couldn't lie to myself anymore." She paused for a moment, fidgeting with her fingers. "At first I didn't care what happened to me, but I didn't want to run again. Then I wanted to die." She sighed. "Now I want to make it better." She paused for a moment. "If you'll let me."

Buffy stared at her for a few moments.

"And you want me to tell you how?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

"And what makes you think that I care?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"You were the only one that ever cared," she then said. "And your mom."

Buffy blinked, surprised, and then realized that it was true.

"And why the hell do you think I'd still want to help you after all that you've done?" she pushed further. "You stole my body and you dared to change it." She frowned. "Okay, so it was actually a good thing, but the point is, you had no right to do it. And let's not forget you slept with Riley and who knows how many others. Or what you did before you… before I stabbed you," Buffy finished a bit subdued.

Faith gulped, looking down.

"I didn't know where else to turn," she said quietly.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments, not quite sure whether she should be angry or what. Not to mention that she still felt guilty over stabbing Faith. She sighed.

"Right now I'm still too angry and I sure as hell don't know how to help you, even if I wanted to. Which, right now, I'm not sure I want to."

"I'm sorry," Faith said quietly.

"Yes, you said so before. Saying it again won't change anything."

"So…" Faith started but then trailed off.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments.

"I don't exactly trust you, but you've had plenty of opportunity to hurt Mom and you haven't, which means I'll take a chance. Again. But I don't like it. And if you hurt me again, then so help me God, Hell will look like Paradise when I'm through with you."

Faith gulped and nodded. Buffy stared at her for a while and then sighed.

"How come you can talk to Mom and not to me?" she then asked.

Faith looked at her, surprised.

"What?"

"I overheard you. Twice."

Faith gulped and looked down, thinking.

"I… didn't hurt her as much as you and she wasn't as close to me and…" she trailed off.

"And?" Buffy prodded.

"She… She's like a mom. Sort of." Her eyes went wide when she realized what she had said. "I mean, I'm not trying to…"

"I know," Buffy cut Faith's panicky explanation short, and Faith bit her teeth and gulped, looking down. She thought for a moment. "Why did you sleep with Riley?"

Faith's eyes went wide as she looked at Buffy.

"I… I… I… Em…" She stopped and took a deep breath. "I wanted to see what he was like, why you were with him."

"And how was it?"

Faith gulped.

"Are… Are you sure… you want to know?"

"Yes."

Faith gulped and looked away, thinking.

"It… It was… scary."

Buffy blinked, surprised.

"What?"

"It was scary," Faith repeated.

"Why?"

"Because I knew that I could never have anything like that."

"Like what?" Buffy prodded.

Faith sighed, avoiding Buffy's eyes.

"When… When I came in, I started seducing him my way, but he didn't respond, so I wanted to leave, but he stopped me and then… then we… we made love." She paused for a moment. "I've had sex with many people, but I've never made love to anyone and I've never slept with anyone through the whole night. It… It was great, but it also scared me."

Buffy stared at her, surprised.

"Everything okay?" Joyce asked when she came in and saw Faith looking down.

Buffy looked at her.

"Yes. We were just talking." She sighed. "I'll be in my room."

"Okay, honey," Joyce said and Buffy left. Then she looked at Faith. "Are you okay?"

Faith looked at her and nodded.

"Yeah." She hesitated for a moment. "I'll be in my room."

Joyce smiled.

"Okay," she said and Faith left.

Joyce stared after the two Slayers and then sighed, hoping things would work out for the both them.

In her room, Buffy thought about her conversation with Faith. The more time she spent around her the more she wanted to trust her, in spite of her instincts, which were screaming at her to get rid of Faith. But for some reason she wanted her to be around, to keep an eye on her, as she kept telling herself. She also grudgingly started to accept the fact that Faith may really have changed, that she wasn't just pretending. The problem was she didn't know how to help her. And she found herself wanting to. And it frustrated her. She sighed. How come Faith could always count on her help? Why did she always want to help her? She sighed again, hoping she won't get hurt this time. And the thing with Riley was definitely not something she expected. She thought Faith would revel in the fact that she slept with her boyfriend, she never thought that the experience would scare Faith. It was strange.

In her room, Faith tried to blank out her mind, but she couldn't. Her crimes haunted her and she was scared. It would have been much easier if Buffy would tell her what she planned, the uncertainty was driving her crazy. Beside her conscience, which was already doing overtime, making up for all the time she didn't allow it to speak its mind. But what was worse, she wasn't sure she could take the uncertainty for much longer. Her body wanted to run, but her mind insisted she should stay. And her mind was slowly losing.

Buffy was in the middle of thinking about her past with Faith when someone knocked on the door.

"Come," she said and frowned when Faith entered. "What do you want?" she asked and sat up.

"Take me to the mansion and chain me," Faith said.

Buffy blinked.

"What?"

"Take me to the mansion and chain me," Faith repeated.

"Why?"

"Because I'm not sure how long… I don't want to run. Please."

Buffy stared at her, puzzled, and was surprised when she saw that Faith was fighting back the tears.

"You said you won't run."

"I know, but… but I'm… scared," Faith said, fidgeting with her fingers.

"Of what?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Of the future. I don't know what will happen to me and it… it scares me."

Buffy stared at her for a few moment.

"So if you knew, for example, that I was going to kill you, it would okay?"

"Yes," Faith said quietly.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments, thinking.

"I'll call the gang after lunch and we'll decide then."

Faith gulped.

"Okay."

"Go watch TV or something," Buffy suggested.

Faith nodded and left.

Buffy stared at the door, annoyed that it bothered her that Faith was scared.

When Joyce came out of the kitchen to go to the bathroom, she noticed that Faith was staring at the TV, clenching her fists, and that she was apparently scared out of her mind. She went to her and saw that there was her picture on the TV and that the speaker was warning people.

"Faith?"

Faith jerked and looked at her.

"Buffy."

"What?"

"Call Buffy."

"Buffy!" Joyce called.

"Mom?" Buffy said, worried, when she came running down the stairs moments later. Then she noticed Faith, who was trembling and on the verge of tears. "Faith?"

"Knock me out," Faith said.

"What?"

"Knock me out!" Faith screamed and tears started to run down her cheeks. "I don't want to run. Please. I can't… I…"

Buffy realized that Faith was desperately trying not to run and that she was losing the battle. She approached her and knocked her out.

"Buffy!" Joyce said when Faith slumped on the sofa.

"It was the only way," Buffy said apologetically. "She was about to go mental."

Joyce sighed and looked at Faith. Then she frowned when she noticed blood on Faith's hands. She opened the fists and saw that Faith had clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

"She was really desperate," she said.

Buffy gulped when she saw the blood.

"Yes," she said, annoyed that she was worried.

"I'll clean this," Joyce said and left to get a med kit.

Buffy nodded absentmindedly. She took the remote, turned off the TV and sat in the lounge chair next to the sofa. Then she observed Faith.

"Do you think I should bandage her hands?"

Buffy jerked and looked at her.

"What?"

"Do you think I should bandage her hands?"

"Oh. No, they'll heal in no time. Just turn her palms up so the blood won't get on the sofa."

"Okay," Joyce said and did so.

"When's lunch?" Buffy asked when Joyce got up.

Joyce looked at her.

"In an hour."

Buffy sighed and Joyce left. Buffy hesitated for a moment and then went to call Giles and tell him when he and the gang should come over, but she didn't tell him about Faith. Then she returned to the lounge chair and stared at Faith again.

After a while she needed to go to the bathroom. When she returned, she saw that Faith had curled up like a fetus and was crying. She stopped for a few moments, staring at her, surprised, and then slowly continued.

When Faith heard her, she sat up and wiped her tears.

"Thank you," she said quietly, avoiding Buffy's eyes.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments before responding.

"Feeling better?"

Faith nodded and took a deep breath.

"I called Giles," Buffy continued. "They'll come as soon as Tara's classes are over."

Faith shuddered and then nodded.

"You think you can make it till then?"

Faith nodded again.

"Yeah."

"Good. Lunch is in half an hour." Buffy hesitated for a moment. "You wanna play cards or something till then?" she then offered, surprising herself as well as Faith, who looked at her, surprised.

"Okay," Faith said.

Buffy got up and got the cards.

When lunch was ready, Joyce called the two Slayers. Soup posed no problem for Faith, but when it was time to cut up the steak, she just stared at her knife, afraid to touch it.

"Do you want me to cut it up for you?" Joyce offered, noticing Faith's distress.

Faith looked at her.

"Yes. Please."

Joyce pulled Faith's plate closer, took Faith's knife and then cut up the steak.

"There you go," she said when she was done and pushed the plate back to Faith.

"Thank you," Faith said.

Buffy observed the whole event without comment.

"Hey, Buffy," Willow said as she and the gang arrived to Buffy's house. "What's this hush-hush meeting about? And why haven't you been to classes today?"

"Faith," Buffy said.

"Faith?" Xander asked. "What about… Whoa," he said and stopped when he saw Faith sitting in the lounge chair. "What is she doing here? I thought you said she was someplace safe."

"She was in the mansion, but Mom brought her home," Buffy explained as Faith got up.

"Your mom brought her here?" Willow asked, surprised.

"Yes."

"Wait. How did she know where Faith was?" Xander asked.

"I told her."

"You told her, but you didn't tell us?" Willow asked, sounding hurt.

"I didn't think she'd go to her and I knew you would. And I needed to talk to Faith. Alone."

"And what did you find out?" Giles asked.

Buffy sighed. What did she find out? And could she really trust her own judgment where Faith was concerned. She wasn't sure.

"She feels she deserves to be punished," she then said.

"Hey, let the cops handle her. Or the Council," Xander said.

"We've been through this before. The cops can't handle her and the Council would kill her."

"And that would be a bad thing?"

Buffy glared at him.

"Yes."

They stared at her and at Faith for a few moments.

"I… I'm… sorry," Faith used the opportunity, trying to meet everyone's eyes, even if only for a moment.

Everybody, except Buffy, stared at her, surprised.

"Is it just me or did she say she was sorry?" Xander broke the stunned silence.

"She said she was sorry," Anya said.

Xander looked at Buffy.

"Are you sure this is Faith?"

"Yes."

"And it's not just one of her sick games?"

"Yes."

"Huh boy."

"You forgave Angel," Buffy pointed out.

"Yeah, but he had a good excuse," Xander said. "Like, he lost his soul."

"That's true, but that was as much my fault as it was his."

"Buffy…" Giles started.

"No, it's true. If we hadn't slept together, he wouldn't have lost his soul. And Jenny would still be alive." She pointed at Faith. "Faith didn't lose her soul, but it is her choice to change, Angel just got his soul back, he didn't make any choices. Except no more… happy moments," she added quietly.

Everybody, including Faith, stared at her, surprised.

"Okay, who are you and what have you done with Buffy?" Xander asked.

Buffy glared at him.

"You don't actually trust her, do you?" Willow asked.

Buffy looked at her and sighed.

"I don't know. I'm watching my back, but Mom isn't exactly helpful. And besides, she's had plenty of opportunities to hurt me or Mom and she was this close to dying."

"So what are you going to do?" Riley asked.

Buffy sighed.

"I don't know, that's why I called you."

Everybody thought.

"Can… Can Willow and Tara do a spell?" Faith asked and flinched when everyone looked at her. "You know, one that would have the same effect as Spike's chip?"

Buffy looked at the two witches.

"Can you?"

Willow and Tara looked at one another and then at Buffy.

"I don't know," Willow said. "We'll have to look through the books."

"Riley, what about one of those chips, like the one Spike has?" Buffy asked her boyfriend.

"I don't even know where they keep them, much less how to install one," Riley said.

"There's always the mansion and the chains," Xander said.

Buffy glared at him again.

"No," she said. "Mom's against it."

"Your mom's against it?" Xander asked, surprised.

"Yes."

"Where is she?" Willow asked.

"She had to go to the gallery. She said she'd be back soon."

"Oh."

"Faith," Giles said and Faith looked at him, nervous. "Do you want us to help you?"

Faith looked down and nodded.

"Perhaps we should call ourselves the Good Samaritan Gang," Xander murmured.

"Xander," Giles admonished him.

"Whatever," Xander said, throwing up his hands.

"Oh, hello," Joyce, returning from the gallery, interrupted the silence that followed.

"Hello, Mrs Summers," Willow said.

Joyce looked at everyone.

"Why do I have a bad feeling?" she then asked suspiciously.

"We're trying to decide what to do about Faith," Buffy said.

"She's staying here," Joyce said and everyone looked at her, surprised.

"Joyce…" Giles started.

"She's staying. Right now she's at a crucial stage and she needs to know that somebody still cares," Joyce said determinedly and gave everyone a stern look.

"Eh, Mom, there's still the police," Buffy pointed out.

"Oh." She looked around. "Does anyone have any ideas?"

Buffy hesitated for a moment.

"Willow, could you hack into their computers?" she then asked.

"Sure," Willow said, not too happy about the idea of helping Faith.

"How soon can you do it?" Joyce asked, ignoring the fact that Willow would do something illegal.

"As soon as I get my computer."

"Call me."

Willow nodded.

"And then what?" Xander asked.

"We'll see."

"We'll see?

"Yes, we'll see," Buffy said in a voice that didn't allow objections.

"And now?"

"Now you go home and I'll keep an eye on Faith."

"Why did you call us if you had everything planned already?"

"I didn't have anything planned," Buffy objected.

"Oh yeah? It sure looked that way to me."

"Me too," Anya agreed.

"Look, we all know the cops can't handle her and the Council would kill her. And I'm not gonna kill her. Which kinda leaves us with one option, that we help her. And as much as I'd feel better if she was chained up in the mansion, that wouldn't exactly be helping her."

"That's one opinion," Xander said.

"She's staying," Joyce said, giving Xander a stern look. "If you don't have any constructive suggestions, don't make any."

Everyone looked at her, surprised.

"I think we just have to get used to it," Giles said before anyone could make a snappy remark. "I suggest we all go home now," he said and starting to herd the Scooby Gang toward the door. "Are you going on patrol tonight?" he asked Buffy when they were moving.

"I don't know yet."

Giles nodded but didn't comment.

"Thank you," Faith said in a hoarse voice when the Scoobs were gone.

Buffy and Joyce looked her and Joyce smiled.

"You're welcome," she said and then looked at Buffy. "Do you want to help her?"

Buffy hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

"Yeah."

"Good. Then you two make up a story Faith will tell the police."

"When are we taking her there?"

"As soon as Willow calls."

Buffy sighed and looked at Faith, who was staring at the floor.

"You tell me what had happened and I'll tell you what you're gonna tell the cops," she told her.

Faith nodded and sat down again.

"That was Willow," Buffy said when she hung up the phone two hours later.

"What did she say?" Joyce asked.

"There wasn't much evidence and she deleted the records."

"I see," Joyce said, trying not to frown at the fact that Willow did something extremely illegal. "Then let's go." She looked at Faith. "Are you ready?"

Faith bit her teeth.

"I… I… I'm… scared," she said quietly, staring at the floor.

Joyce approached her and put an arm around her shoulder.

"Everything will be fine, you just stick to the story you and Buffy came up with."

Faith took a deep breath, fighting the tears. She was scared, but at least this time she was admitting it to herself and to others and she had help. She gulped. At least now she had hope that things would turn for the better. She nodded.

"Let's go," she said.

When they got to the police station, Joyce stood by Faith when she turned herself in. The clerk was surprised for a moment, but then he called the investigating detective, who then took over. Joyce and Buffy both stood by Faith's side as the detective questioned her in the interrogation room.

"We'll take it…" Collins started as he confidently walked into the interrogation room, but he trailed off when he saw Buffy.

Buffy didn't hesitate. She was over the table in a moment and then she attacked Collins.

"They're the ones who kidnapped Faith!" she called to the detective as she pounded on Collins, Weatherby and Smith.

"Is that true?" the detective asked Faith as he got up to arrest the three men.

Faith had no idea.

"Yes," she said, knowing that Buffy would recognize them because they had kidnapped her.

While Collins was dizzy from being kicked against the wall, the detective handcuffed him. Collins got up and tried to fight, but Smith came flying into him and they both went down. The detective handcuffed Smith as well. By the time he was done, Weatherby was down as well and he handcuffed him as well.

"Nice work, missy," he said, impressed. "Watch them for a moment."

Buffy nodded and the detective went out.

"Slayer," Collins snarled hatefully.

"You guys just don't learn, do you?" Buffy said. "We don't work for you anymore. You're a bunch of losers. Stay in England and drink tea, because that's what you do best."

The detective returned with several uniforms, who then took the Council men away.

"Be careful!" Buffy called after them. "They have military training!"

"They were from the Council?" Joyce asked when they were gone.

"Yeah. They would've killed me, because the Council's too cheap to afford a safe passage to England."

"Oh."

The detective soon returned and finished questioning Faith. Since there wasn't anything he could hold against her, except beating up the girl in the hospital, assaulting an officer and resisting arrest, he had a bail assigned and then let her go.

"That went well," Joyce said as they drove home.

"Yes," Buffy agreed. She thought for a moment. "You think the judge will go easy on her?"

Joyce nodded.

"She doesn't have a record, so he will probably have her do some community work."

"Oh." She looked at Faith. "You think you're up to that?"

Faith nodded, still feeling scared, but not as much as before.

"I'm going on patrol, Mom," Buffy said when night approached.

"Okay, honey. Be careful."

Buffy left the house, but she didn't go on patrol right away, she went to the living room window and peered inside, still worried that Faith would do something to hurt her mother, but Faith just sat on the sofa. Then her mother came and they watched TV. When Buffy was sure that Faith wouldn't hurt her mother, she finally went on patrol.

The movie was a family drama, not Faith's usual movie of choice, but she didn't complain, she just watched. Unfortunately, it struck home and she didn't even notice when she started crying. When she finally did notice that she was crying, she wiped her tears and hugged herself. Joyce noticed that and put her arm around Faith's shoulder. Faith was a bit nervous and uncomfortable at first, but she finally relaxed and leaned her head on Joyce's shoulder.

When the movie was over and Faith realized she was in a very intimate position with Joyce, she pulled back.

"I… I'm sorry."

Joyce frowned, confused.

"Why?"

"I… I don’t want to… to… I mean, em, I don't want Buffy to think that I'm… stealing… you from her," Faith said nervously, staring at her feet.

"You're not stealing me from her, Faith," Joyce said, perplexed.

"I… I was… jealous of Buffy," Faith tried to explain. "She… She had everything, a great Watcher, friends who stood by her side, a boyfriend and a family, or at least a mom. I had nothing. I mean, I had a Watcher, but she was nothing like Giles. And now I'm afraid that Buffy will be hurt if… if I get too close to you."

Joyce caressed her, understanding, and Faith flinched.

"She won't be hurt. She's angry right now, but she's not hurt by me liking you."

Faith hesitated for a few moment.

"Why… Why are you… helping me?" she finally asked. "I… I mean, I hurt Buffy. I hurt you."

Joyce sighed and thought.

"I may not know everything that's going on out there, but I know that Buffy, in spite of her friends and in spite of Mr Giles, who is like a father to her, she comes to me when she's hurt. She may not tell me what's bothering her, but that doesn't mean that a hug won't make her feel better. You, on the other hand, have no one, but I know you could use a good hug. And now that you've made one of the hardest decisions in your life, to change, you will need help. And I want to be there for you."

"But I hurt you. And Buffy."

Joyce sighed again.

"Yes, but I think I understand now why you did it. I'm not saying it's forgiven and forgotten, but I know that you want to make up for it and I'm giving you a chance."

Faith swallowed hard.

"Thank you," she said in a hoarse voice.

Joyce smiled.

"You're welcome."

Faith took a deep breath to calm down.

"I… I'll go take a shower now."

"Okay."

"Mom?" Buffy asked, worried, when she came back.

"In the kitchen, honey."

Buffy went there.

"Everything okay?"

Joyce smiled.

"Yes." Then she frowned when she noticed that Buffy was a mess. "What happened?" she asked, worried. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a couple overzealous vamps letting me know that Adam was thinking about me."

"Who's Adam?"

"Just the latest bad news. Where's Faith?"

"Sleeping."

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"Already?"

"Yes."

Buffy took a deep breath.

"I'll go take a shower."

"Okay."

Buffy went upstairs and first checked up on Faith. When she saw that she was asleep, she went to the bathroom to take a shower.

When she returned from the shower, she heard noise from Faith's room. She immediately went there, ready for a fight, but then she saw that Faith was having a nightmare. She hesitated for a moment and then went to her and gently shook her.

Faith woke with a start. She looked around, panicking for a moment.

"Buffy?"

"You had a nightmare," Buffy explained.

Faith gulped and lay back.

"Thank you," she whispered and curled up like a fetus, facing away from Buffy.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments, not quite sure what she should do. She felt that Faith could use a hug or something, but she wasn't sure she was ready to give her that, not to mention that she was wearing only a towel. She sighed and went to her own room.

After dressing, she lay down and hugged Mr Gordo, thinking about Faith. Then she realized Mr Gordo could help Faith. Okay, so it was a stuffed animal, but it made her feel better, being so cuddly. She hesitated for a while, not sure how Faith would react, but she finally decided to give it a try.

She got up and went to Faith's room. She knocked and then entered.

"Faith?"

Faith stirred and Buffy went closer.

"Here, I brought you Mr Gordo."

Faith turned, puzzled.

"What?"

"Mr Gordo. It makes me feel better."

Faith stared at her, surprised.

"But… But… It's yours."

"I'll live. Besides, you look like you need him more than I do."

She gave Mr Gordo to Faith and Faith stared at it.

"I'll see you in the morning," Buffy said.

Faith jerked and looked at her.

"Thank you," she said.

Buffy smiled and then left.

Faith stared at the stuffed pig for a while and then brought it closer to her face and inhaled. It smelled like Buffy. It wasn't Buffy, but it was probably the next best thing. Except Buffy's mom, of course. She hugged it and closed her eyes. She could feel it belonged to Buffy. She knew that a while ago she would find hugging a toy pathetic, but right now she didn't care.

In the morning, Faith got up before Buffy. She was just returning from the bathroom, when she heard that Buffy was getting up. She quickly went to her room and dressed up. Then she took Mr Gordo, went to Buffy's door and waited for Buffy to come out.

"Buffy."

Buffy jerked when she saw Faith.

"Hi."

"Em, I brought you… the pig."

Buffy stared at Mr Gordo for a few moments and then looked at Faith.

"Keep it."

Faith frowned.

"But it's yours."

"I'll survive without him. And when I'll want him back, I'll tell you. Besides, I'm staying at the dorm, so he might as well keep you company."

Faith stared at Buffy for a few moments.

"Thank you," she then said and looked down.

Buffy nodded.

"What… What did you dream about?"

Faith gulped.

"About that demon."

Buffy frowned.

"Which one?"

"The one that wanted to sell us the Books of Ascension."

"Oh." Buffy stared at Faith for a few moments and then sighed. "I'm gonna… Oh, em," she started, blushing, and looked around to make sure her mom was not around, "about shaving my… my pussy. You had no right to do it, but I have to say it feels… nice."

Faith quietly stared at the ground.

"Buffy," she said when Buffy turned around to go to the bathroom.

"Yes?" Buffy said, turning back.

"Why… Why are you helping me?"

Buffy thought for few moments and then sighed.

"I don't know. At first I wanted to have you under control, but the longer you're around the more I want to… help you. I still don't trust you and I'm still mad at you, but… I want to help you."

"Thank you," Faith said quietly.

Buffy turned to go to the bathroom, when a thought crossed her mind.

"Faith."

"Yes?"

"How come you don't call me B anymore?"

Faith gulped.

"Because it's a nickname I gave you and I don't want to remind you of the past. Not more than I already do."

"Oh."

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Do… Do you think there's still hope for me?" she then asked.

Buffy stared at her for a few moments, thinking.

"If you really want to change, yes."

Faith heaved a sigh of relief.

"Thank you," she said, "for giving me another chance."

Buffy stared at her for a moment and then went to the bathroom.

Faith stared after Buffy until she disappeared in the bathroom and then took Mr Gordo back to her room, feeling better than she had in a while.

The End