Willow hesitated, then nodded. "But even hell might be OK, if I had Tara back," she whispered, too softly for vampires or Slayers to hear.

"Spike and I already told the others that we'd be gone a few days," Giles said to Buffy. "I knew matters were coming to a head, and I thought--" He smiled. "I hoped we could be of some service."

Buffy studied first Giles, then Spike. The one used to be the person to whom she'd unhesitatingly trusted her life. She had to keep reminding herself that he was almost as big a danger to Dawn as Glory. The other one--all she could depend on him for were uncomfortable declarations of demonic love and the occasional wistful remembrance of bloody days gone by. And the steadfast refusal to betray her.

Finally she sighed and nodded. "Spike, I need you and Willow to stay here and keep an eye on Mom and Dawn. Between the two of you, you should be able to hold off just about anything."

Spike glanced at Willow, who straightened in determination. "We've got your back, pet."

Buffy met his eyes. "If it all goes to hell, the keys to the Land Rover are in the Mexican bowl on the kitchen counter. I don't care where, just take them some place far away." He grimaced, then nodded shortly.

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

She shrugged again. "Looks like it's a roadtrip. I told Xander and Anya to pack up and be ready to go in the morning."

"I'm not leaving Tara--"

"We aren't going to. We'll stop by the dorm for your stuff, then at the hospital for Tara. Then ..."

Giles moved up to Buffy's side. "Your mother's Land Rover won't hold that many people."

"I know."

"And a destination would be advisable. We can't wander the hinterlands like the Lost Tribes."

"I know."

"May I help you with both problems?"

She stared at him, remembering years of mutual faith and every lesson about the essential untrustworthiness and self-interest of vampires. "I would be very pleased if you would."

(bouncing) Whee!

Yes, I saw the typo when I copied it to Word. I'll just fix it then in my copy.

I won't be able to get to it till late afternoon. But it will be my carrot to get me through!

Ack--that last was responding to Deb.

Connie, you've got the voices really well. I need to read it again tomorrow when I can focus a bit better. I am anxious to know where it goes from here.

"Ummm...I just left a women's prison - what's with all the girls?" Faith looked pointedly at Willow, who responded with a glare of her own

Love this very much, Teppy. The whole thing.

connie, write more! Write faster! I want to see what comes next!

Connie, story's running like it's on tracks, babe. Only one thing caught me slightly wrong:

too softly for vampires or Slayers to hear.

How many slayers are there in the room? It's nitpicky, maybe, but having just watched Buffy (full of SiTs) and Angel (return of Other True Slayer), I really did blink for a second.

She stared at him, remembering years of mutual faith and every lesson about the essential untrustworthiness and self-interest of vampires. "I would be very pleased if you would."

t squee connie, write more! Write faster! Tell us what happens next!

Okay. Here's the amended version of Faith showing up at the Summers' house. Thoughts?

And does anyone have a title for me? Puh-leeeeeeeze? I'll do a little dance of gratitude...

***********

Two days later, Faith showed up on the Summers' front porch. Vi answered the door, peering curiously at her from under a floppy, garishly striped hat. "Hi. Can I help you?"

"Uh, yeah..." Faith looked around for a minute, checking the address. "This is Buffy Summers' house, right?"

"Yes...do you know her?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm an old friend of hers. I just came up from L.A., because I have some information that I think could help her." Faith smiled, although the gesture didn't reach the steely look in her eyes.

"You mean against the First?" Vi's eyes were wide and hopeful.

"Uh...you bet." Faith looked past Vi into the house. "Is Buffy home?"

"Yeah, she is. Come on in, and I'll get her."

"Thanks, umm...?" Faith trailed off, looking quizzically at Vi.

"Oh, I'm Vi! I'm staying here now, while..."

Vi was cut off as Dawn came around the corner asking "Hey, who's at the door?" Dawn, stopped short, gaping in astonishment at the sight of Faith standing in the doorway, the full moon visible over her shoulder. Then Dawn screamed, backing away quickly. The others came running.

"Dawn, what is it? A Bringer?" Buffy grabbed Dawn's arm, quickly checking to see if she was hurt and then scanning the front hall intently. She stared at Faith in shock.

Xander was right on Buffy's heels, followed by Willow. "Dawnie, are you okay?" Xander held a thick book aloft, brandishing it like an axe. As he caught sight of Faith, he jumped back. "Ngyah!"

"Hey, B, Xander, Willow." Faith attempted a genuine smile. She looked pale, and older than anyone remembered. But then, they were all older. "Look, I...I know you weren't expecting me, but..." Faith took in the looks of shock and horror on everyone's faces. "What?"

"You're...you're dead! I mean, supposed to be. Well, because, there's a new Slayer and everything, which means you died, but you're here, and..." Xander gestured wildly with the book until Willow stepped up and took it away from him.

"Um, really not dead. Because, check me out. Here I am."

"But there really was a new Slayer called. You have to be dead," Dawn said, trembling.

"Look, I think I know why you're all freaking out. I don't expect you to welcome me with open arms, but you're going to want to hear what I have to say. Okay?"

Buffy didn't answer for a moment, assessing Faith carefully. After a minute had passed, she said "At this point, there probably is a perfectly Hellmouthy explanation for this. Fine. Let's go in the living room."

"Thanks, B." Faith followed Buffy, halting at the sight of the potentials gathered around the doorway, trying to hear the conversation in the hall. "Ummm...I just left a women's prison - what's with all the girls?" Faith looked pointedly at Willow, who responded with a glare of her own.

There you go. She's in, she's not threatening anyone, Buffy's confronted with a fait accompli. I'd say that works.

And I like Xander's noise. heheheheh....

And I like Xander's noise.

That was my best approximation of it. I swear, I can hear Xander when I write his dialogue.

This is infuriating. I had a title for the damned thing in my head in the car (doing errands) and it's gone....