DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel 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. This is a Buffy/Angel crossover story.

Love and Trust
By Kristjan Brezovnik

Another busy night in Los Angeles. Angel and Cordelia were following a demon, Angel doing the hunting, Cordelia providing the backup. Just as Angel managed to kill off the demon, they heard sounds of a fight.

"Do you have your stake?" Angel asked.

"Of course," Cordelia said.

"Let's go."

They approached the fight scene and noticed a young girl dusting the vampires.

"A Slayer?" Cordelia asked.

"I don't know," Angel said. "Let's help her."

Angel went into vamp mode and charged. Cordelia quickly followed him.

The girl heard a growl behind her and she turned. She rolled her eyes, she had enough of vampires for one day. But then the strangest thing happened, the vampire attacked the other vampires. She stared at him for a moments, surprised and confused, but quickly pulled herself together and blocked a kick from one of her attackers. She kicked him in the head and staked him. When she turned around, she noticed that the last vampire was delivering other vampires to a young woman, who then promptly dusted them.

The vampires quickly decided that they had had enough and retreated in search of an easier pray. The girl let them go and turned to Angel and Cordelia. Angel returned to his normal look and the girl eyed them both suspiciously, her stake ready.

"Who are you?" Cordelia asked.

"I'm Lisa," the girl said after a few moments of hesitation.

"Don't tell me, you're a Slayer."

The girl was surprised.

"Yes," she confirmed.

Cordelia turned to Angel.

"I thought Buffy and Faith were still alive."

"They are, as far as I know."

"Who are you?" Lisa then asked.

"I'm Cordelia and this is Angel."

"You're vampires?"

"Just him. But don't worry, he's one of the good guys. He has a soul."

"Vampires don't have soul," Lisa said.

Cordelia shrugged.

"He does."

"When were you called?" Angel asked.

Lisa looked at him as she thought.

"About four months ago. Why?"

Angel and Cordelia thought back.

"Faith," Cordelia said. "But she's still alive, isn't she?"

"Yes. Giles said she woke up about two weeks ago."

"Then how can she be a Slayer?"

"Perhaps Faith died for a few moments," Angel suggested.

"You mean like Buffy?"

"Yes."

"Then there are now..."

"Wait a minute," Lisa interjected. "What are you two talking about? Who are you? And who are Faith and Buffy?"

Angel and Cordelia looked at the new Slayer.

"It's a long story," Cordelia said.

"Can you make a Cliff's Notes version?"

Cordelia rolled her eyes.

"Slayers," she said. "Okay. I'll start with me. I'm Cordelia and I'm from Sunnydale. I'm a normal mortal, just like most of the people in this town. Angel here, he's a vampire, also known as Angelus. He was a bad guy for a couple of centuries, but then he messed with the wrong girl, a gypsy, and her tribe cursed him with a soul."

"So now he's a good guy."

"Yes. Anyway... How shall I start? Well, there was a Slayer. She died and Buffy was called. When Buffy was fighting some vampire, he killed her or something and another Slayer was called, Faith."

"No, it was Kendra," Angel said.

"Kendra? Oh, you mean that black girl?"

"Yes."

"Oh, yes, that's right. Anyway, Kendra was called. Oh, yes, did I mention that Buffy survived? Well, anyway, Kendra was then killed by another vampire and then Faith was called. Right?"

"Yes," Angel confirmed.

"Right. Faith, however, joined the Mayor, who wanted to become a demon and wipe out Sunnydale. Buffy... No, Faith poisoned you, right?" she asked Angel.

"Yes," Angel confirmed.

"And what was next? I'm not quite sure."

"The only cure for me was the blood of a Slayer," Angel said. "Buffy went after Faith so I could drink her blood. During the fight she stabbed her, but Faith got away."

"Then how did you get well?" Lisa asked.

"Buffy made me drink her blood."

"You're kidding, right?" Lisa asked with disbelief.

"No."

"They were a couple before," Cordelia explained.

"A Slayer and a vampire?"

Cordelia shrugged.

"It could be worse."

"Like what? Dating a werewolf?" Lisa asked sarcastically.

"You know Willow?"

"Who's she? A werewolf?"

"No, her boyfriend is. Or was?"

She looked at Angel.

"Was," Angel said. "Oz fell for another werewolf."

"Oh." She looked at Lisa again. "Well, like I said, there are worst things. Anyway, we blew up the Mayor, but Faith was hospitalized and the last I heard, she was in coma. Well, you said she woke up?"

"Yes," Angel confirmed.

"Oh. Well, anyway, apparently she also died for a few moments and that's when you were called. That's it." She looked at Angel. "Did I leave something out?"

"No."

"Well, that's it," she repeated.

Lisa observed them for a few moments, thinking it over.

"Nice story," she finally said.

Cordelia rolled her eyes.

"I wish," she said.

"Your Watcher didn't tell you about Buffy and Faith?" Angel asked Lisa.

Lisa shook her head.

"No."

"Looks like the Council wants to keep their new toy under control," Cordelia said.

"What Council?" Lisa asked, confused.

"The Watcher's Council. You know, the mighty secret organization in England which is dedicated to fighting vampires and demons. Your Watcher belongs to it."

"He never mentioned them."

"That's not good," Angel said.

"What do you mean?" Lisa asked.

"The Watchers have little respect for the Slayers, they consider them tools. You should be very careful."

"Didn't Buffy quit working for them?" Cordelia asked.

Angel nodded.

"After the test."

"What test?" Lisa asked.

"When a Slayer turns eighteen, she and her Watcher are tested. The Watcher gives her drugs to temporarily take away her powers and then she is locked up with a vampire and has to fight him."

"Are you serious?" Lisa asked dubiously.

"Yes. How old are you?"

"Fourteen."

"Then you have nothing to worry for now."

"First she has to survive long enough to take the test," Cordelia said.

"Yes," Angel agreed.

"I'll ask him," Lisa said.

"No, don't," Angel said. "You are not supposed to know about the test."

"What's your Watcher's name?" Cordelia asked.

"John Petrossian."

"I'll ask Giles about him."

Angel nodded.

"So what's so special about this Giles guy?" Lisa asked.

"Well, unlike some other Watchers, he cares about his Slayers. And if she is in trouble, he goes and helps her out."

Angel nodded.

"You mean, like, in person?" Lisa asked, surprised.

"Yes. In fact, he probably saved her life a couple of times. All of our lives." She paused. "How many people know that you are a Slayer?"

"Just my Watcher and you two."

"I see. Do you have any friends?"

"A few."

"Are they real friends or do they smile at you when they need you and don't look at you when you need them?"

Lisa thought.

"Well, some of them are real."

"Why don't you go with us to the office so you'll know where to go if you need help?" Angel suggested and Lisa gave him a suspicious look.

"Help?" she asked.

"Yeah," Cordelia said. "Like backup. Or with research."

"What research?" Lisa asked, confused.

"Your Watcher never does any research?"

"On what?" Lisa asked, even more confused.

"On what kind of monsters walk around here. Like if you meet a demon or a strange vampire, does he bother to check up what you were and possibly will be up against?"

"I don't know," Lisa said, shrugging.

Cordelia rolled her eyes.

"Stupid much? Looks like the Watchers don't want the Slayers to live long enough to rebel," she said. "You definitely need some help. Come with us."

Cordelia started to walk and Angel followed her. Lisa hesitated for a moment and then joined them.

"So, how long have you been fighting the vampires?" Lisa asked.

"Me? A couple of years, though I try to stay out of their way."

As they walked, Cordelia told Lisa some more about the life is Sunnydale.

When they got to the office, Angel called Giles, but there was no response.

"He's not..." he started, but was interrupted by the phone. He answered. "An... Yes... What?!... When?... I'll come as soon as possible... Okay. Oh, there is another Slayer... Four months. Apparently Faith died for a few moments. Her Watcher is John Petrossian, see what you can find out about him... Bye."

"What is it?" Cordelia asked.

"Buffy and Faith disappeared."

"Disappeared? Are they dead?"

"They don't know, they just vanished. I'm going to Sunnydale."

Cordelia nodded.

"I'll take care of Lisa in the meantime."

Angel nodded and left.

"He really is concerned," Lisa said thoughtfully after Angel was gone.

"Yes," Cordelia said.

In Sunnydale, Willow and Xander were Bronzing. They felt pretty lonely with all their friends gone and neither was in the mood for dancing, so they just sat and nursed their drinks.

"Hey, Xander!" someone called and Xander turned his head.

"Hey, Jeff!"

"That brunette chick that used to hang out with you, her name was Faith, right?"

"Yes," Xander said, excited, and got up. "You saw her?"

Jeff shook his head.

"Nope. But there's a woman asking for her."

"What woman?" Xander asked, confused.

Jeff shrugged.

"Don't know. She's at the bar."

"Let's go see who it is," Willow said and got up.

"This way," Jeff said and lead the way to the bar. "That's her," he said when they got closer and pointed at the woman, who was already looking at them.

"You're looking for Faith?" Xander asked her.

The woman nodded.

"Yes."

"Well, I know a Faith, but I don't know if it's the one you're looking for."

"Faith Spencer?" the woman asked.

"I guess we are thinking about the same person."

"Why are you looking for her?" Willow stepped in.

"I'm her mother," the woman explained and Xander and Willow looked at each other, surprised.

"I see. Well, we don't know where she is, she disappeared yesterday."

"What? What do you mean?" the woman asked, worried.

"She and another friend of ours have both disappeared and we don't know what had happened to them."

The woman seemed very worried as the news sank in.

"I'll be staying in the motel. Will you please tell me when they've found her?"

Willow glanced at Xander.

"If they do," she said and left.

Xander hesitated for a moment, confused by Willow's cold conduct, and then followed her.

"What was that all about?" he asked when they got back to their table.

"Nothing," Willow said. "It's just that she's Faith's mom and Faith hates her."

"Oh. Right."

Several days later, Willow and Xander walked through the cemetery, returning from a patrol. They were both tired after fighting the vampires, after all, they weren't Slayers, just normal mortals. Suddenly a scream came out of nowhere.

"What was that?" Xander asked and looked around.

"It was a scream," Willow said, also looking around. "But where did it come from?"

"I don't..." Xander started, but stopped when a strong wind suddenly blew and a strange light appeared in the air not far from them. "What's that?"

"I'm not sure I wanna know," Willow said.

Suddenly something fell through the opening. It was a body and Willow's eyes went wide when she recognized it.

"Buffy!" she called and ran to the Slayer.

"What?" Xander said, confused, and quickly followed her.

"Buffy?" Willow said as she kneeled beside Buffy's naked and badly wounded body, and gently shook her, but Buffy didn't respond, even though her eyes were open.

More screams were heard and then the opening closed.

"Scary much?" Xander said as he glanced toward the spot where the opening was.

"Call Giles and 911."

"Gotcha," Xander said and quickly ran away.

Willow then carefully lifted the trembling Buffy and cradled her in her arms.

"How is she?" Joyce asked Giles, concerned, when she got to the hospital.

"She is in shock," the Watcher reported. "She was badly wounded, but the doctors say she will be fine. Physically, that is."

"What do you mean?" Joyce asked, worried.

"Well, I'm not certain, but I believe that she was in Hell."

"What?"

Joyce was totally confused.

"As I said, I'm not certain. We will have to wait until Buffy wakes up."

"Can I see her?"

"Yes. This way."

In Los Angeles, Cordelia had told Lisa some more about both Slayers, the Slayerettes and their adventures. She had also told her not to tell her Watcher that she knew about it, just in case. Lisa appreciated the older girl's help and support and learned some useful things from her.

One month passed and Buffy was still in the hospital, having fallen into a coma. Willow and Xander were still doing patrol duty and they were joined by Angel, who had come from LA. Suddenly a strong wind blew and a strange light appeared in the air not far from them.

"Here we go again," Xander said, wondering who would come through this time.

What he saw, took his breath away. It was a being of light and he figured it was an angel and most definitely a female one. Then he frowned when he saw that the angel was carrying a body, or better the remains of one.

When the angel was completely out of the opening, she put the body on the ground, placed her hands over it and concentrated. Slowly the body started to regenerate itself.

"Faith!" Willow said when the body had regenerated enough for her to recognize it.

"Wait," Xander said when Willow started to approach the angel and Faith.

The angel ignored her until Faith's body was completely regenerated. Then she looked at her.

"You know her?" she asked.

Willow looked at her, surprised.

"Yes. She's a friend. Sort of. She's a Vampire Slayer." The angel nodded. "What happened to her?" Willow asked.

"I found her in Hell."

"In Hell?" Willow asked, surprised. "What was she doing there?"

"One of the demons had escaped and she and another Slayer, Buffy, brought him back. She then helped Buffy escape."

"So that's how she got back."

"Yes."

"Will she be okay?"

"Yes. She will wake up tomorrow and she will not remember anything."

"That's good."

The angel nodded.

"Can you help Buffy?" Angel asked when he and Xander came closer.

The angel looked at him and studied him for a few moments. Then she nodded.

"Yes. She will wake up tomorrow."

Angel nodded and the angel turned.

"Thank you," Willow said.

"Yeah, thanks," Xander quickly added.

The angel smiled and then disappeared through the opening.

"Angel, give me your coat," Willow said when the opening disappeared. "Xander, call Giles."

Xander nodded and ran away while Angel took off his coat and gave it to Willow, who then wrapped it around Faith's naked body.

"The G-man is on his way," Xander reported when he got back. "How is she?"

"She's sleeping," Willow said, cradling Faith.

"Oh, Giles said he'll call Buffy's mom and ask her if we can bring Faith there."

Willow nodded.

"I'll go check up on Buffy," Angel said.

"Okay," Willow agreed and Angel left.

When Giles arrived, Willow and Xander reported what had happened and then they took Faith to Buffy's house, where Joyce was already waiting.

"How is she?" she asked, concerned.

"She's sleeping," Giles said as he carried Faith inside, followed by Willow and Xander. "Apparently she will wake up in the morning. Where do I put her?"

"Upstairs. Follow me."

Joyce led the way and Giles followed her.

"Put her on the bed," Joyce said when they got to the guest room and Giles did so. "Is she naked?" she asked when she noticed Faith's bare legs and the fact that she was wrapped in a coat.

"Yes. I'll get you her belongings, I have them in my house."

Joyce nodded.

"Oh, Angel went to see how Buffy is," Willow said. "He said he'll call."

"Why? Is something wrong?" Joyce asked, worried.

"No," Giles said. "Apparently the angel who brought Faith back from Hell promised to take care of Buffy."

"Angel?" Joyce asked, confused.

"Not Angel, the vampire, but a real angel. From Heaven," Willow explained.

"Oh," Joyce said, not understanding completely.

"Come, you two, let's go get Faith's belongings," Giles then said and he, Willow and Xander left.

In the morning, Giles, Willow and Xander went to the hospital to be there when Buffy woke up and Joyce reluctantly agreed to remain at home so she could be there when Faith woke up.

Finally Faith opened her eyes.

"Buffy," she said and then looked around, confused.

"Good morning, Faith," Joyce greeted her with a smiled.

"What happened? Where am I?" Faith asked, confused.

"You're in my house."

"Buffy?"

"She's in the hospital."

"Is she all right?"

"I think so. Mr Giles said he would call when she woke up."

Faith was quiet for a few moments, trying to remember what had happened.

"What happened?" she then asked, not being able to remember.

"I don't know," Joyce said. "According to Mr Giles, you and Buffy fought some demon from Hell and were trapped there. You then apparently helped Buffy escape."

Faith thought.

"Yes, I remember the demon and I know that I helped Buffy escape, but I don't remember it," she said, confused. "How did I get back?" she then asked.

"Apparently an angel brought you."

"Angel?" Faith asked, confused.

"Not Angel, the vampire, a real angel."

"Oh."

"How do you feel?" Joyce asked.

Faith stared at her for a few moments.

"Tired," she then said.

"Well, feel free to rest. If you're hungry, I can bring you something to eat."

Faith shook her head.

"No, I'm not that tired."

"Then why don't you dress up and then come down? Your belongings are all here."

Faith sat, looked around the room and saw that it was true.

"How long was I gone?" she asked.

Joyce thought.

"A little more than a month."

Giles, Willow and Xander anxiously waited for Buffy to wake up.

"Faith," Buffy said when she woke up and then looked around.

"Buffy!" Giles, Willow and Xander said in unison and approached her.

Buffy looked at them and smiled.

"Hey."

"How do you feel?" Giles asked her.

"Fine," she said and frowned. "What happened?" she then asked. "The last thing I remember is fighting some sort of demon. And Faith, she came to help." She paused for a moment. "I also know she helped me escape, but I don't seem remember it."

"She helped you escape?" Giles asked, curious.

"Yes. Don't ask me how, I don't know, I just know that she did." She looked around. "Where's Mom?"

"She's home, with Faith."

"Faith's back?" Buffy asked, glad.

"Yes."

"How?"

"An angel brought her," Willow said.

"Angel?"

"No, not Angelus, an angel. You know, from Heaven?"

"Oh. How is she?"

"Last I saw her, she was sleeping. The angel said that she would wake up today."

"Good." Buffy sat. "Giles, can you get a doctor? I want to go home."

"Yes, of course," Giles said and left.

"I'll go call your mom," Xander said and left.

"That was Xander," Joyce said after she hung up. "Buffy woke up. He said that they should get home soon."

Faith nodded, glad.

"Good."

"Do you want some more?"

Faith shook her head.

"No, thank you."

Faith got up and left the kitchen. Joyce stared after her, feeling that something was not quite right with her. She let it go for now and started to clean up the dishes and preparing breakfast for Buffy.

When she was done, she went to the living room and noticed Faith, who was sitting on the sofa, hugging her knees. She noticed that Faith was deeply disturbed over something. She hesitated for a moment and then went to the sofa and sat next to the Slayer.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.

Faith shook he head.

"Are you sure?"

Faith looked at her and Joyce noticed that she was holding back the tears. Joyce caressed her and then Faith suddenly hugged her and started to cry. Joyce was surprised, but she hugged her back and held her as Faith cried her heart out.

When Faith finally stopped, she let go of Joyce and wiped her tears.

"Are you okay?" Joyce asked, concerned.

Faith looked at her, embarrassed.

"No, but I feel better now," she said and smiled. "Thank you."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Joyce offered again, but Faith shook her head.

"No."

"Well, if you change your mind, let me know."

Faith nodded, grateful, and Joyce left.

About an hour later, Giles brought Buffy home.

"Mom?!" Buffy called when she entered.

"Buffy!" Joyce called back and came running.

Mother and daughter hugged.

"How do you feel?" Joyce asked and caressed Buffy.

"I'm fine, Mom."

Faith slowly approached them, not feeling very comfortable around the people who had nearly died because of her.

"Faith. How do you feel?" Giles asked.

"I'm fine," Faith said.

"Do..." Giles started to interrogate, but was interrupted by Buffy, who hugged Faith.

Faith was surprised, but she slowly hugged her back.

"Thank you," Buffy said when she let go of the fellow Slayer.

"What for?" Faith asked, confused.

"For helping me fight the demon and for helping me escape from Hell."

"Oh," Faith said, feeling awkward because she was praised by the girl whom she had badly hurt and who had nearly died because of her.

"Faith," Giles interrupted the silence, "do you remember anything?"

Faith looked at him and shook her head.

"No. Just the demon."

"I see."

"Buffy, are you hungry?" Joyce asked her daughter.

"Oh, yeah," Buffy said. "Will, Xander, did you eat yet?"

"Yes," Xander said.

"Oh."

"Go ahead, we'll wait," Willow said.

"Okay."

Buffy followed her mother to the kitchen and Faith was left alone with the group.

"Oh, Faith, your mother was looking for you," Willow then remembered.

"What?" Faith said and Willow was surprised when she noticed fear in her eyes for a brief moment.

"She's staying at the motel, apartment 5."

Faith stood still for a few moments and then left.

"She sure isn't too happy about the reunion," Xander said.

"I'll go talk to her," Willow said.

"Are you sure it's safe?"

Willow rolled her eyes.

"Yes, it is," she said and followed Faith upstairs.

Faith sat on her bed and thought about her mother. She found it ironic that after all that time and in spite of the fact that she was a Slayer she was still afraid of her. She hated her and she didn't want to have anything to do with her. She decided to go away.

She had just started packing when Willow knocked. She didn't respond, so Willow slowly opened the door.

"What are you doing?" Willow asked, surprised, but Faith didn't respond. "Faith?"

Faith stopped and looked at her.

"I'm getting outta here," she said.

"Why?" Willow asked, surprised, but Faith didn't respond. "Because of your mother?"

Faith glared at her.

"Yes, because of her," she said angrily.

"Look, you don't have to run away, you're safe here."

"What do you mean?" Faith asked, confused.

"I think you're still afraid of your mother, aren't you?"

"I hate her!"

"She doesn't know you're here and I'm sure Mrs Summers won't let her in if you don't want to."

"And how long do you think Mrs Summers will let me stay here?" Faith asked.

"I don't know. And if you have to leave this house, I'm sure Giles would take you in."

"Yeah, right."

"Look, you don't have to be so pessimistic. Buffy told us why you went to work for the Mayor. I know you messed up, but so did we. There's no reason we can't still be friends."

Faith stared at the Wiccan, surprised. After all she had done, Willow still wanted to be her friend? She was slightly confused, no one had ever cared for her that much. Except maybe the Mayor, she wasn't quite sure about that, but she knew he was evil and she felt ashamed of what she had done. She felt awkward and she didn't know what to say. She sat on the bed.

"What is she like?" she asked after a few moments of consideration.

"Your mother?" Faith nodded. "Well, she seemed pretty normal. I've seen her around, asking for you. She doesn't know you're back yet." Faith sighed. "Oh, do you know there's a third Slayer?" Willow continued.

Faith snapped out of her stupor.

"What?" she asked, surprised.

"Her name is Lisa."

"How's that possible?" Faith asked, confused.

"Well, apparently you died for a few moments after... after Buffy stabbed you."

Faith stared at the Wiccan for a few moments.

"How do you know?" she then asked.

"About Lisa? Angel told me. He and Cordelia discovered her in LA just after you and Buffy disappeared."

"I see," Faith said slowly.

They were quiet for a while.

"Will you stay?" Willow finally asked.

Faith looked at her and stared at her for a few moments. Then she sighed.

"Yes," she finally said. "For now."

Willow smiled.

"Okay," she said and hesitated for a moment. "I'll see you later."

Faith nodded and Willow left.

"How is she?" Buffy asked when Willow came to the kitchen.

"She's okay. I guess," Willow said and turned to Xander. "Did you tell her about Lisa?" she asked him.

"Yup."

"Strange much?" Buffy said as she ate. "I think Faith and I should pay her a visit."

"That would be a good idea," Giles agreed.

"Em, I think you should talk to Faith first," Willow said.

"Come," Faith's voice came from the room and Buffy entered.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey," Faith responded.

Buffy hesitated for a moment and then sat beside Faith on the bed.

"I hear your mother's in town."

Faith stiffed.

"Yeah," she said.

"Are you gonna talk to her?"

"I don't know," Faith said.

"If you want someone to back you up, you can count on me," Buffy offered.

Faith looked at the fellow Slayer, surprised.

"Thanks," she said and Buffy smiled. "How did you feel about me when you found out you weren't the only Slayer in town?" Faith asked after a few moments of hesitation.

Buffy sighed as she thought about it.

"I was relieved because I wasn't the only Slayer anymore and I could actually afford a vacation. Mom even suggested I retire, but I knew I couldn't leave you alone with all the monsters." She smiled. "In a way, I felt responsible for you."

They were quiet for a few moments, thinking over Buffy's words.

"That's how I feel about Lisa," Faith then said and grinned. "Imagine, me being responsible."

Buffy grinned back.

"Stranger things have happened."

Faith laughed.

"Yeah," she agreed.

"How about we pay her a visit? You know, as senior Slayers, we're responsible for her."

Faith smiled.

"Yes," she agreed.

"Good. So when do you want to go?"

"As soon as possible."

"Okay. We'll talk to Giles," Buffy said and Faith nodded. "Em, Willow said you were worried about whether you could stay here."

Faith nodded.

"Yes, I..."

"Well, don't worry, Mom said you can stay as long as you want."

Faith stared at her, surprised.

"You sure?" she then asked, uncertain.

Buffy smiled.

"Yes."

"Thanks."

"Hey, that's what friends are for."

Faith stared at her for a few moments, surprised, and then sighed.

"I'm sorry, Buffy," she said. "For everything."

Buffy was surprised for a few moments and then smiled.

"Forgiven," she said and paused. "I'm also sorry. I have a feeling that I've failed you. Not to mention I nearly killed you."

Faith was surprised. After everything she had done to her, Buffy was apologizing to her? She had not expected that and she just stared at her for a few moments.

"Looks like we both screwed up," she said.

"Yeah," Buffy agreed, "big time."

"Well, I forgive you."

Buffy smiled.

"Thanks." She paused. "Friends?"

"Yeah," Faith agreed and they shook hands.

"From now on I want you to tell me if something is wrong, I don't want you to run away again."

Faith nodded.

"I will."

"Good. Now... Oh, em, why did you disappear after you woke up?"

Faith sighed and looked down..

"I was ashamed and I didn't know what would happen to me. And I needed some time to think. About my life, the past, the future, you know. I mean, I was a real bitch."

"Yeah," Buffy agreed with a smile. "Anyway, let's go down and talk to Giles."

Faith sighed and nodded.

Downstairs, Giles and Joyce were drinking coffee in the kitchen and Willow and Xander were watching TV.

"Where's Giles?" Buffy asked.

"In the kitchen," Xander said and Buffy went there.

Faith remained behind and she felt awkward.

"I'd like to apologize," she said hesitantly and both Willow and Xander looked at her, surprised. "I was a real bitch." She looked at Xander. "And I'm sorry about... you know, how I treated you. You weren't that bad."

"Yes. Okay," Xander quickly said, not wanting to discuss that topic in front of Willow.

"Well, I already told you, we all messed up, so we're in part responsible," Willow said.

"No, it was my decision..."

"Yes, but..."

"Okay, okay, you're forgiven."

Willow smiled.

"You too, Faith."

"Thanks," Faith said and looked at Xander questioningly.

"Well, I liked the first part better than the second," he said and grinned.

"Definitely," she said, grinning back. "Thanks."

"What was that all about?" Willow asked after Faith had disappeared into the kitchen.

"Nothing," Xander said and turned away, blushing.

"Faith," Buffy said when Faith entered the kitchen. "Giles said we can go anytime we're ready."

"Today?" Faith asked.

Buffy hesitated.

"What about your mother?" she asked.

"She can wait," Faith said coldly.

"Your mother?" Joyce asked, interested. "Is she in Sunnydale?"

"Yes."

Joyce noticed the hostility in Faith's voice and looked at Buffy questioningly.

"It's a long story, Mom," Buffy said.

Joyce nodded and didn't ask further.

"So, when do we leave?" Faith asked.

"Tonight, after patrol?" Buffy suggested.

"Why so late?"

"Because of Angel."

"Oh." Faith frowned, not looking forward to meeting that particular vampire. "Okay," she agreed. "And when do we return?"

"Probably the day after tomorrow."

"Fine with me."

"Good. Let's go tell Willow and Xander."

The two Slayers left the kitchen.

"Do you know about Faith and her mother?" Joyce then asked Giles.

"Yes."

"So, what's new in Sunnydale?" Xander asked when the two Slayers returned to the living room.

"We're going to LA after patrol," Buffy informed her friends.

"What?"

"To see Lisa?" Willow asked.

"Yes. We have to save her from the evil clutches of the Council."

"Need any Wiccan help?"

Buffy smiled.

"I think a vampire and two Slayers will do. You think you can keep the local monsters in line for two days?"

"Sure, no problem," Xander said. "We'll just tell them that the Slayers are out of town and that they should behave."

"With some persuasion, it might even work," Faith said.

After the sun set, Angel came. He frowned when Faith, who was waiting for him, opened the door.

"Faith," he said.

"Hello, Angel," she said. "Come in." Angel entered and closed the door. "Wait," Faith stopped him before he could go on. "I'm sorry," she said after a few moments of hesitation. "If there's anything I can do to make it up..." she trailed off.

Angel stared at her, surprised. Then he nodded.

"I'll let you know," he said and Faith nodded.

Angel nodded back and went on.

"Hello, Angel," Buffy greeted him.

"Buffy," he said, relieved to see that she was obviously well. "How are you?" he asked just to make sure.

"I'm fine."

"Do you remember anything?"

Buffy shook her head.

"Nope, not a thing."

"That's good."

"Yeah, I guess so," Buffy agreed. "Listen, we're going to LA after patrol. Giles is driving."

"To see Lisa?"

"Yes."

Angel nodded.

"Do you need backup tonight?" he offered.

Buffy glanced at Faith.

"No, thanks."

"But you've been out of the picture for over a month."

"I know, but we need to do this alone."

"Okay," Angel reluctantly agreed.

"We'll meet you back here after patrol."

Angel nodded and the two Slayers left.

They discovered that the time in Hell didn't impair their skills, but they figured it was probably because of the angel's help that they were still so good.

When they were returning from patrol, they passed the motel in which Faith used to live. Faith stopped and stared at it.

"You wanna go talk to her?" Buffy asked.

Faith thought about it.

"I don't know." She paused. "After all this time and I'm still afraid of her."

Buffy was surprised by the confession.

"Because she beat you?" she asked.

Faith glanced at her.

"She can't do that anymore... I don't know, I'm afraid. I don't know why."

"Perhaps because you miss her and hope that she has changed and you're afraid that she hasn't."

Faith thought about it.

"Perhaps," she admitted.

"Well, you'll never know, unless you talk to her."

Faith sighed.

"I know."

"You need backup?" Buffy offered.

Faith gave it a thought and then shook her head.

"No, thanks. I need to do this alone."

"Then I'll wait here. Good luck."

Faith nodded.

"Thanks," she said and slowly started to walk to apartment 5, not quite sure what to say to her mother or what to expect from her.

She hesitated a moment when she got to the door, then took a deep breath and knocked. Then she nervously waited until the door opened.

"Faith!" her mother cried, relieved and happy, when she saw her and hugged her.

Faith was surprised, she had not expected that at all.

"Where've you been?" Mrs Spencer asked when she stopped hugging Faith and caressed her. "I've been worried sick."

Faith stared at her, confused and surprised by the change. That was not the side of her mother she knew.

"I've been in Hell," she said.

Mrs Spencer bit her teeth.

"Yes, I know. I..."

"No, you don't understand. I've been in Hell. Literally. You know, the one with the capital H, the opposite of Heaven?"

Her mother stared at her, confused.

"I..." she started.

"Why have you come?" Faith interrupted her.

Mrs Spencer stared at her daughter, she did not remember her being so bold.

"Will you come in?" she offered.

"No," Faith turned down the offer.

Mrs Spencer sighed.

"After you had gone, I realized just how much I love you..."

"Oh, really?" Faith interrupted her. "I could never have guessed."

Mrs Spencer looked down for a moment, ashamed.

"I missed you, Faith," she finally said. "I know I've been a lousy mother. But I want to make it up to you."

"Yeah, right," Faith said, not believing her.

"I mean it, Faith. I dropped Derek and joined the AA. I haven't touched alcohol in over a year."

Faith stared at her mother, surprised.

"So?" she finally asked. "And now you think you can just get back into my life and pretend nothing happened?"

Mrs Spencer gulped.

"No, of course not," she said. "I know I screwed up, but I want you to be a part of my life again." She paused. "I know I didn't show it in the past, quite the opposite in fact, but I do love you."

Faith stared at her mother, astonished. Never before had she told her anything like that and she didn't know what to say.

"I... I... We'll see," she finally said and turned around.

"Faith," Mrs Spencer called after her, but Faith didn't turn.

Mrs Spencer stared after her, hoping that all would go well.

Faith was slowly walking, thinking about the change she had witnessed in her mother, and she nearly didn't see the three vampires that had decided she was an easy prey.

Mrs Spencer also saw them, but she couldn't see they were vampires. She was surprised that Faith was under attack. She quickly picked up a near-by chair and went to help her daughter.

But Faith had everything under control. Just when her mother arrived and hit one of the vampires with the chair, she managed to dust one. Mrs Spencer screamed, surprised, when the attacker turned and she realized that he wasn't human. She was even more surprised when the attacker she had hit suddenly turned to dust and she saw Faith standing behind him with a stake. By that time Buffy had arrived and dispatched the last one.

"You okay?" she asked.

Faith nodded.

"What were those things?" Mrs Spencer asked, shaken.

Buffy and Faith looked at her.

"Vampires," Faith explained.

"Vampires?" Mrs Spencer asked, confused.

"Welcome to Sunnydale, Mom."

Mrs Spencer was speechless.

"You mean these things happen often here?" she finally asked.

"Every night. Sometimes even during the day."

"You should stay in at night and lock the door," Buffy advised.

Mrs Spencer looked at her and then back at her daughter.

"And what are you doing out so late?"

"We were on patrol," Faith explained.

"What do you mean?" Mrs Spencer asked, confused.

"We're Slayers. It's our job to kill vampires and other monsters," Faith explained.

"I... I don't understand."

"It's a long story and I'm not in the mood to tell it," Faith said. "Good night."

Faith walked away.

"You should go into the house," Buffy advised. "It's not safe outside."

Mrs Spencer stared after Buffy as she followed her friend. When they were gone, she looked around and then quickly returned into the house, completely confused.

"You okay?" Buffy asked as they walked back to her house.

Faith sighed.

"It went better than I expected," she said.

"That's good."

"We'll see," Faith said skeptically.

"Well, she looked worried."

Faith glanced at her.

"That's not something I'm used to."

"Hey, one good thing to look forward to."

"We'll see."

While they drove to LA, both Slayers slept in the back seat while Giles and Angel exchanged in the driver's seat. When they arrived, Giles was also asleep and Angel woke him.

"What?" Giles asked sleepily. "Are we there yet?"

"Yes."

"Buffy, Faith..."

"They're sleeping."

"Oh. Yes. Then we better wake them up or they will be stiff in the morning."

Angel turned around and shook Buffy and then Faith.

"Mmm, what?" Buffy said and blinked her eyes. "Go away."

"We have arrived," Giles informed her.

"So?"

"We should go in."

"Oh."

"Do we have to?" Faith asked as she rubbed her eyes.

"Well..."

"All right, all right," Buffy interrupted Giles. "Angel, I really hope you have a sofa that can be turned into a bed, cause I really don't want to sleep in a sleeping bag."

"If Cordelia bought it."

"Great," Faith moaned.

Cordelia had bought the sofa and the two Slayers and their Watcher immediately hit the pillows.

In the morning, Giles was the first to get up. He checked the fridge for food, but apparently Cordelia had forgotten to buy enough of it. So Giles sneaked out of the apartment, went to a store and bought some.

Faith woke up the smell of food and moaned. She opened her eyes and looked around.

"Wake up, B, breakfast time," she said and nudged Buffy.

"Mmm, what?" Buffy asked sleepily.

"Breakfast."

"Is it morning yet?"

"Yes."

Buffy groaned, but her spirits brightened when she smelled the food.

"Mmm, that smells good."

"Absolutely," Faith agreed.

Soon after breakfast, Cordelia came.

"Hello, Cordelia," Giles greeted her when she got in.

"Hello, Giles. How are things back in Sunnydale?"

"Quite peaceful, thank god. And here?"

"Not bad. Oh, Lisa said she'll come some time in the morning."

"Good."

"Hello, Cordelia," Buffy said when Cordelia and Giles came into the room.

"Buffy. Faith. I hear you've been to Hell and back."

Buffy smiled.

"Yeah, literally."

"What's it like there?"

"Fortunately, we don't remember."

"Oh. And Willow and... Xander?"

"They're fine. They kept the vampires in line while we were gone."

"When do we see Lisa?" Faith asked.

"Later this morning."

"And what do we do till then?" Buffy asked.

"I can show you some shops," Cordelia offered.

"That'd be great!" Buffy accepted. Then she remembered Faith. "Faith, wanna come?"

Faith hesitated for a moment.

"Yeah, why not?" she said and got up.

When they returned, Lisa had already arrived and Giles had already had an extensive interview with her. He had also told her what he had found out about her Watcher.

"Ah, here they are," Giles said when the three girls came in. "Lisa, meet Buffy and Faith. Buffy, Faith, this is Lisa."

"Hi, Lisa," Buffy said.

"Hello," Lisa said, curiously observing both Slayers. "You're Faith?" she then asked Faith.

"Yes."

Lisa stared at the girl who would have been her predecessor if she had died but was now instead a fellow Slayer.

"Cordelia says you're pretty good," Buffy broke the silence and Lisa looked at her.

She felt strange, like the youngest child in a family or maybe a granddaughter to Buffy and a daughter to Faith.

"How about we go out for a run and some practice?" Faith suggested.

"Yes, that would be a good idea," Giles agreed.

"And in the evening, we can go on patrol together."

"Yes, excellent idea," Giles agreed again.

"I'm not exactly wearing my running shoes," Lisa said.

"We can stop by your house," Buffy said.

"I don't think so," Lisa said. "My Watcher lives near by and he might see you."

"Oh."

"Then go change and then come back," Faith said.

"Okay," Lisa agreed. "See you later."

When Lisa returned, they went out for a run and then they stopped at an abandoned warehouse and practiced. Faith noticed that Lisa was trying to prove herself very hard. She kept quiet at first, but when Lisa was knocked down by Buffy for the umpteenth time, she had enough.

"Okay, that's enough," she said and both Buffy and Lisa looked at her, surprised.

"Faith?" Buffy asked, curious, but Faith was watching Lisa.

"Don't do that."

"What?" Lisa asked, confused.

"Compete with us. You have nothing to prove. We're all Slayers, we have to work together. We know you're good, but right now we have more experience than you and that's why we're able to beat you up. I know you might feel like you have to prove something to us, you don't." She paused. "I made the mistake of wanting to prove myself and it cost me a lot. I don't want you to repeat my mistake."

Buffy put her hand on Faith's shoulder.

"She's right," she agreed. "LA is your turf and you're the only Slayer around. But we have more experience at fighting vampires and other monsters. I remember when I found out Angel was a vampire. At first I was a bit afraid, but he proved that he was on my side. Then I felt sort of jealous because he had all the experience I lacked. But I know I don't know everything and I'm not afraid to ask for help if I feel I can't do it alone. And believe me, it often saved my life."

Lisa stared at the senior Slayers, feeling a bit awkward.

"Life expectancy of Slayers is not very long," Faith said, "so don't waste your life by being stubborn or too proud."

They were quiet for a while.

"Look, I know this sounds like some sort of lecture," Buffy said, "but we feel responsible for you and we would like you to have a long life, that's why we're telling you this."

Lisa stared at the two Slayers for a few moments and then nodded.

"Thanks," she said and smiled and the Buffy and Faith smiled back.

"Oh, when do you have to be back?" Buffy asked.

"By lunch."

"I suppose your parents don't know about your extra curricular activities."

"No. Yours?"

"My mom does."

"Really?" Lisa asked, interested. "How'd she react?"

"She freaked out. But now she's proud of me."

"Really? And she lets you go out on patrols?"

"Sure. We made a deal, she lets me go out as long as I tell her what I'm doing and come back till curfew."

"Cool. And your dad?"

"They're divorced. He doesn't know."

"Oh." She looked at Faith. "And your parents?"

Fait hesitated for a moment.

"I don't know where my dad is, but my mom and I are not exactly on the speaking terms."

"Oh."

"I did tell her, yesterday."

"How'd she react?"

"She didn't know what I was talking about. And quite frankly, I don't give a shit."

"Oh."

"And your parents? How would they react?" Buffy asked.

Lisa shrugged.

"I don't know. I mean, they're pretty cool, but they're also very religious types and they'd probably freak out just by the sight of the drawings in my diary."

"You keep a diary?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah. I write down what happened and if I kill some weird vampire or demon, I draw it and write down how I killed it."

"So you're keeping records?"

"Yeah. I mean, Mr Petrossian never seems to do any research and he never tells me anything about the monsters I kill, even though I now suspect that he knows what they are and how to kill them."

"Oh. So..."

Lisa's cell phone started ringing and she went to pick it up.

"Yeah? Hi, Mom... I... Yes, Mom... I... Yes, Mom... I'll be right there... Yes... Bye."

"She found the diary?" Faith joked.

"Yeah," Lisa confirmed.

"Ouch," Buffy said.

"What are you going to do?" Faith asked.

Lisa shrugged.

"Tell them the truth."

"If you need any backup, bring them to Angel's place," Buffy said. "I'm sure the sight of Angel's other face will convince them."

The three Slayers grinned at that.

"Good idea," Lisa agreed. "I just hope they'll listen to me and not ground me forever."

"Yeah."

When Lisa got home, both her parents were already waiting for her and she gulped when she spotted her diary in her mother's hands.

"Young lady, you better explain this," her mother started and pointed at a drawing in the diary. "You should know better than to draw such... such blasphemous creatures."

"Mom..."

"Quiet! We are very concerned about you, Lisa, and we sincerely hope you haven't got involved with one of those satanic sects."

"Mom..."

"Silence, young lady!"

"But Mom!"

"Listen to your mother," her father said.

Lisa rolled her eyes.

"We will seriously have to consider letting you out alone," her mother continued.

"Mom, if..."

"Stop interrupting me, young lady!"

Lisa rolled her eyes and pulled the diary out of her mother's hands.

"Young lady..." her father started.

"Did you read it?" Lisa interrupted him as she quickly turned the pages, searching for a specific entry.

Her parents looked at each other, surprised.

"No," her mother said.

"Ah," Lisa said, finding the entry. "Then read it, at least the first two pages" she said and gave her mother the diary. "Read," she insisted when her parents stared at her, surprised, "it's nothing blasphemous, but it will explain things."

They hesitated for a few moment, uncertain, and then started to read. Lisa patiently waited and hope they wouldn't freak out even more. Fortunately, they didn't, they just stared at her, confused.

"What is this?" her father finally asked.

"It's my diary, Dad. And the things written in it actually happened to me, it's not some sort of crazy story I made up. I'm a Slayer and Mr Petrossian is my Watcher. And yes, there really are vampires and other monsters. In fact, those you saw drawn are the ones I've killed."

Her parents stared at her daughter, confused, and then looked at each other, not quite sure what to make of it.

"Em..."

"Listen, why don't you read it till the end first? And when you're done, I can take you to the other two Slayers and their Watcher, who came to LA to see me, and they can answer any questions you might have. And if you need proof that there really are vampires, I can show you one."

Her parents glanced at each other, surprised.

"A real vampire?" her mother finally asked.

"Yes, Mom. I believe he's over two hundred years old."

"Em..."

"Why don't you sit down and read the diary first?" Lisa urged them and escorted them to the table.

Her parents sat down and after a few moments of hesitation, they started to read.

It was Faith who opened the door when Lisa and her parents came.

"Hi," Lisa said.

"Hi," Faith responded and glanced at her parents. "Your parents?"

"Yep."

"Come in."

The trio entered and Faith closed the door.

"Why is it so dark in here?" Lisa's father asked.

"Because of him," Lisa said and pointed at Angel.

"Ah, Mr and Mrs Martin," Giles said. "Welcome."

"Mom, Dad, this is Mr Giles, he's a Watcher," Lisa introduced him as they shook their hands. "And these are Buffy and Faith, the Slayers."

"Like you?" her father asked.

"Yes. And those two are Cordelia and Angel, they help me out. Oh, Angel is a vampire."

"A vampire?" Mr Martin said, uncertain.

"Angel, could you show her your other face?" Buffy asked.

Angel nodded, stepped closer and morphed into his vampire face, making the Martins jump back.

"Don't worry, he won't bite you," Lisa said. "Oh, shit, sorry, no pun intended," she said to Angel when she realized what she said.

Angel nodded and morphed back into a normal face.

"You have questions about Slayers and Watchers?" Giles asked, interrupting the silence.

The Martins looked at him.

"Yes," Mr Martin said.

"Why don't you sit down. Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you."

When Giles answered all their answers on the subjects, it took the Martins a few minutes to absorb everything.

"Do your parents know you are Slayers?" Mrs Martin then asked Buffy and Faith.

"Mine are divorced, but my mom knows," Buffy said.

"And how did she react when she found out?"

"She freaked out. I mean, she knew there were strange things happening in Sunnydale, but she was in denial. But then she calmed down. She's proud of me and she knows how important my job is."

"She lets you go out and fight vampires?" Mr Martin asked.

"Yeah. We made a deal, she lets me go out as long as I tell her what is going on and get home till curfew."

"I see," Mrs Martin said and turned to Faith. "And your parents?"

Faith hesitated for a few moments, her parents not being one of her favorite subjects to discuss.

"I don't know where my dad is, but I didn't speak to my mom in a long time."

"She doesn't know?"

"She does, I told her yesterday."

"And how did she react?"

"She was confused."

"Oh."

"You can visit my mom and talk to her," Buffy suggested. "You know, as a Slayer's parents to a Slayer's parent. I'm sure she could give you some useful suggestions."

The Martins looked at each other.

"Yes, that would be a good idea," Mrs Martin agreed.

"I'll get you the address and the phone number so you can call her and arrange a meeting," Buffy said and left. She quickly returned with a peace of paper. "Here," she said and gave it Mrs Martin.

"Em, can she go on patrol with us tonight?" Faith asked. "We're going back tomorrow, so we'll only have tonight to give her some useful suggestions."

The Martins looked at each other and then at their daughter.

"I don't know," Mr Martin said. "I mean, you made it sound so important..."

"It is important," Buffy said. "Not everyone can fight a vampire, much less some other demon. She is a Slayer and you have to accept that. The only way for her to stop being one is to die and I'm sure you don't want that to happen."

"No, of course not," Mrs Martin said.

"Well, we came here to see how she fights and give her some suggestions so she would survive as long as possible."

The Martins looked at each other.

"And when do you intend to get back?" Mr Martin asked.

"Eleven?" Buffy suggested.

The Martins looked at each other again and then Mr Martin nodded.

"Okay, eleven."

"Thanks, Dad," Lisa said.

"So, how is she?" Joyce asked when Buffy and Faith got home.

"Lisa? She's okay," Buffy said. "She fights pretty well and with Angel's and Cordelia's help, she'll be okay. Oh, her parents just found out she's a Slayer."

"Really?"

"Yeah. They talked to Giles and us and I suggested they call you and maybe come over so you can give them some suggestions. You know, as a Slayers' parent to a Slayer's parents."

"Yes, that would be a good idea," Joyce agreed. "Are you hungry?"

"Yeah."

"Good, then come to the kitchen, I've just finished making lunch."

The two Slayers followed Joyce to the kitchen.

In the afternoon, Willow and Xander came around and Buffy told them about Lisa and her parents. Faith had gone out, she needed to think. Ever since her mother came to Sunnydale, she had been thinking about her. She hated her for what she had done to her and for not being there for her, yet at the same time she missed her and she kept thinking about how her life would have turned out if her mother had been there for her.

She still remembered how good she had felt when the Mayor her treated her like she was his daughter and how she did everything to please him. She regretted it now, of course, but she missed that feeling of having a family. Sure, Buffy and her friends were a sort of substitute, but it just didn't feel the same.

She frowned when she realized that she had a new chance of having a family, a real family, with her mother. She grimaced at the thought and shuddered when she remembered the years she had spent with her. Then she stopped walking, remembering the brief period when she was just a little girl and her mother wasn't drinking yet. She realized that her mother was different once and that maybe, just maybe, she could be like that again.

She sighed and started walking again. A part of her wanted to give her mother a second chance, but a part of her was afraid, she didn't want to be hurt again. But then again, she realized, she had also screwed up and Buffy and her friends gave her a chance to make up. Perhaps she should also give her mother a chance. Perhaps.

She walked around for a while and then decided to treat herself to some ice cream before returning home. She entered a shop, looked where they kept ice cream and got some. Then, on her way to pay, she saw one of the shop assistants, it was her mother. Her mother noticed her too and came closer.

"Hi, Faith," she said, uncertain, and smiled briefly.

"You work here?" Faith asked.

"Yes, I need money."

"To drink?" Faith asked sarcastically.

Mrs Spencer hesitated for a moment, ashamed.

"No. I've decided to finish school. And I've decided to buy a new house."

"And where will you get the money?"

"I sold our house."

Faith stared at her mother, surprised. It seemed as though she really wanted to change. She took a deep breath.

"Good for you," she said and immediately regretted being so rude. "Sorry," she apologized.

Her mother smiled.

"Why don't you come by in a couple of days so I can give you my new address? I mean, you're always welcome, but that's when I'll buy the house."

"I get it, Mom."

Mrs Spencer smiled again.

"You're always welcome to come and if you decide to move in with me, there will always be a room waiting for you."

Faith stared at her mother thoughtfully. She liked the way she was treating her. In a way, it was better than the Mayor, because she was her mother and the Mayor was, well, only a substitute. She nodded.

"Faith," Mrs Spencer said when Faith started to continue to the register. Faith stopped. "I would really like to know what has happened to you."

Faith stared at her, not really wanting to talk about her past, but she decided that she needed her mother to know what a lousy life she'd had. She nodded and left.

Her mother stared after her, hopeful.

When Faith got home, Willow and Xander were still there.

"You okay?" Buffy asked her when she saw her expression.

Faith nodded and went to her room. There she lay on the bed and thought.

In the evening, Faith left early, she had decided to talk to her mother and get it over with. She hesitated for a few moments when she got to the door, then took a deep breath and knocked.

Her mother quickly opened and smiled when she saw her.

"Faith," she said.

Faith hesitated for a few moments, having last moment doubts.

"You wanted to know about my life," she said.

Mrs Spencer's face became serious.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," she said.

"I have to," Faith said.

Mrs Spencer sighed, having a bad feeling.

"Come in," she said and Faith entered. "Would you like something to eat or drink?" she asked.

"No," Faith said, shaking her head.

She sat on the bed and her mother joined her. Neither spoke for a few moments.

"You sure you want to know what kind of life I've had?" Faith then asked.

Mrs Spencer gulped, now having a really bad feeling. She nodded.

"Yes."

Faith sighed.

"Okay," she said and told her the whole story, including the most gruesome details.

When Faith was finished, her mother's face was very serious, sad, Faith noticed, surprised, when she risked a glance at her, and she was obviously holding back the tears.

"I'm so sorry," Mrs Spencer finally said, her voice trembling.

Faith stared at her mother for a while and then decided that she was sincere. She felt strange, her mother was actually sorry? And concerned? Now that didn't happen in a long time and it felt good. But still, she didn't completely trust her mother. Yet.

They were quiet for a while.

"I don't know what to say," Mrs Spencer finally broke the silence.

"Nothing," Faith said. She didn't mean to sound rude, she knew that her mother's facial expression told her all she wanted to know. "Any questions?" she asked.

Mrs Spencer hesitated for a moment. She knew that it must have been hard for Faith to tell her all this and she didn't want to push her luck.

"Yes," she said. "Buffy, that's the girl I saw you with?"

"Yes."

"And she's also a Slayer?"

"Yes."

"Do her parents know?"

"They're divorced, but her mother knows."

"And she lets her out?"

"Yes."

Mrs Spencer thought for a moment.

"And this other Slayer, Lisa, do her parents know?"

"Yes."

Mrs Spencer thought again and then sighed. She didn't like the fact that her daughter was fighting vampires and other demons every night, but she knew she could do nothing about it, except wish her luck and hope that someone upstairs was watching over her.

"I'm proud of you, Faith," she said and Faith looked at her, surprised. "Without my help and in spite of the mistakes you made, you turned out a fine young woman."

Faith stared at her mother, completely surprised. She didn't remember her ever say anything like that and she wouldn't have been surprised if her mother had started to yell. What surprised her even more was the fact that her mother was proud of her, even though she knew what she had done. It made her feel strange that someone was proud of her, not counting the Mayor, much less her mother.

"I gotta go," she said and got up.

"Already?" Mrs Spencer asked, startled.

"Yeah. I'm going on patrol," Faith said and went to the door.

"Oh. Be careful, Faith," Mrs Spencer said when Faith opened the door.

Faith looked at her, surprised, and then nodded. Mrs Spencer stared after her as she left, worried.

Buffy was not at the meeting place yet, so Faith sat on a bench and thought about her conversation with her mother. Although she did most of the talking, her mother's expression and the few words she had said spoke volumes. She found it ironic that the closer she was to reconciling with her mother, the more afraid and uncertain she was.

"Hey, Faith," Buffy interrupted her thoughts.

"Hey yourself," she said and smiled briefly.

"How did it go?" Buffy asked as she sat down beside her friend.

Faith shrugged.

"Okay, I guess." She paused. "I told her what I've done."

"Everything?"

Faith nodded.

"Yes."

Buffy thought for a moment.

"How did she react?"

"She was shocked and she looked sorry." She paused. "She said she was proud of me."

"Really?" Buffy asked, surprised, and smiled, happy for Faith.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah."

"So you two made up?" Buffy asked after a pause.

Faith didn't immediately respond.

"Not exactly," she said and paused. "How did you feel when you returned home after running away?" she then asked.

Buffy thought, understanding Faith's problem.

"I was a bit afraid," she then confessed. "I didn't know how Mom would react."

"And how did she?"

"She freaked out at first and I ran away from home. But when I returned, and told her all about my extracurricular activities, she was quite understanding. We made up."

Faith sighed.

"You know, even though I hated my mother, I still missed her. And now that she's back and seems to be the mother I've always wanted her to be, I'm afraid." She paused. "I don't want to be disappointed again."

Buffy nodded.

"You can do nothing and you won't be disappointed or you can give her a chance and risk being disappointed. But if you give her a chance, you might discover that she really has changed. It's your choice."

Faith nodded, sighing.

"Yeah, I know."

"And if it doesn't work out, you're welcome in my house."

Faith looked at her and Buffy smiled.

"Thanks," Faith said and also smiled.

"How about we go kick some vampire ass?" Buffy suggested. "It'll make you feel better."

Faith grinned.

"Yeah," she said and got up.

The next day in the afternoon, someone rang the bell. Since Buffy's mother wasn't home yet and Buffy just went to the toilet, Faith opened the door.

"Mom?"

"Faith?"

Mother and daughter stared at each other, surprised, for a few moments.

"What do you want?" Faith asked first.

"Well, I wasn't looking for you. I need to talk to Buffy's mother."

"Oh. She's not home... I think she just arrived," Faith said when she noticed Joyce's SUV.

Mrs Spencer turned around and they waited for Joyce to come closer.

"Hello," Joyce said and looked at Faith.

"Hello, Mrs Summers," Faith said and hesitated for a moment. "This is my mother."

"Really?" Joyce said and turned to Mrs Spencer. "Hello."

"Hello," Mrs Spencer said and they shook hands.

"Come in," Joyce invited her.

Faith went upstairs while her mother and Joyce went to the kitchen.

"Who was it?" Buffy asked her as she came out of the bathroom.

"My mother."

"Really? What did she want?"

"Talk to your mother."

"Oh. She's probably worried and confused like Mom was when she found out."

Faith thought about it and nodded. She took a deep breath.

"You know, I think I'm gonna give her a chance," she said.

"Really?" Buffy said, smiling. "That's great."

"Yeah, well, I hope it turns out as well as I hope it would."

"Yeah," Buffy agreed.

"I think I'll go pay her a visit in the evening."

"Okay," Buffy said and nodded. "Oh, and if it doesn't turn out well, which I hope it doesn't, you're welcome here."

"No, B..."

"I mean it, Faith. I know what it's like to be alone. I may not have been alone as long as you have and my mom may not have been the bitch that your mother has, but I was alone and I didn't like it."

Faith nodded.

"Thanks."

Buffy smiled.

In the evening, Faith went to her mother.

"Hello, Faith," Mrs Spencer greeted her with a smile.

"Hi, Mom?"

"Do you want to come in?" Mrs Spencer then asked, uncertain.

Faith nodded and entered.

"How did it go with Mrs Summers?" Faith asked after a few moments of hesitation.

"Quite well. She told me how she reacted when she found out about Buffy being a Slayer." She sighed. "It helps a little, knowing that I'm not the only one with a Slayer daughter, but I'm still worried."

Faith nodded. She hesitated for a few more moments and then took a deep breath.

"I've decided to give you a chance, Mom," she said.

Mrs Spencer's face brightened.

"Really?" she asked, excited, and Faith nodded.

"Yeah. I'd like to move in with you when you buy a house."

Mrs Spencer hugged her daughter.

"Oh, Faith," she said.

Faith hesitated for a few moments, uncertain, and then hugged her back. She realized she really missed that, not just hugging, but being close to her mother, not just physically, but emotionally. She missed having a family.

When they stopped hugging, they stared at each other for a few moments, both feeling strange.

"I love you, Faith," Mrs Spencer then said and Faith, seeing that she meant it, nodded. "Look, I've picked a few houses I want to check out tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?"

Faith hesitated for a few moments and then nodded.

"Yeah."

They were quiet for a few moments, both uncertain as to how to continue.

"Are you going on patrol tonight?" Mrs Spencer then asked.

Faith nodded.

"Yeah. I still got a couple of minutes."

Mrs Spencer nodded.

"Be careful, Faith. I don't want to lose you again."

Faith smiled.

"I don't want to lose you either," she said and Mrs Spencer smiled back. "Oh," she said after a pause, "the Martins called, they're coming here on Saturday."

"Martins?" Mrs Spencer asked, confused.

"Lisa's parents. You know, the third Slayer?"

"Oh, yes."

"Well, Mrs Summers said you can come by then. I mean, you know, you're also mother of a Slayer."

Mrs Spencer nodded, smiling.

"Yes. Is Lisa coming too?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Then I guess you and Buffy will want to show her around?"

"Yes."

"Are they staying over night?"

Faith frowned.

"I don't know."

"Well, Mrs Summers and I will try to calm them down and assure them that what you do is important."

Faith smiled.

"Good." She paused. "Well, I gotta go."

"Already?" Mrs Spencer asked, a bit disappointed.

"Yeah, I'm meeting Buffy."

"Oh. Be careful. Both of you."

Faith smiled briefly.

"We will, Mom," she said. "Night."

"Good night, Faith."

Faith left her mother's apartment and went to meet Buffy. She felt great. Not only did she get her friends back, she had also gotten her mother back, a family, and that was something worth living and fighting for. She smiled, happy, life suddenly appeared much better.

The End