Faith was pacing nervously under Tara's amused stare while the witch was quietly sitting on a bench.

« What time is the bus coming? » Faith asked, while stopping in front of Tara.

Tara looked at her watch again.

« It should be here any minute. »

Faith nodded and resumed her pacing, a fold crossing on her forehead.

« Everything will be ok sweetie » asserted Tara.

Faith stopped again and looked at Tara in astonishment, a little distracted to hear the blonde calling her that so naturally. Tara considered her confusing look one second and realized.

« Oh, sorry, Faith » she apologized, blushing slightly.

Faith frowned, not understanding about what Tara was apologizing.

 « What? »

« About what I said … »

Faith continued to frown, before her face lightened.

« Oh, no, no! No problem Tara … I was just … Surprised. »

The Slayer offered a hesitating smile to her friend and got closer to her, as if indicate that everything was ok. Tara nodded her head and returned her smile.

« I think the bus is arriving » she said while looking over Faith’s shoulder.

The Slayer turned around and noticed that a new bus was turning into the parking lot. Quickly, she was able to read ' Sunnydale ' in front of the vehicle and sighed.

« That’s the one »

She crossed her arms over her chest and walked over and stood beside Tara.  Tara discreetly looked at Faith and noticed how nervous the dark-haired Slayer was.

« It will be ok Faith » she said, while putting her hand on the younger woman’s shoulder.

Faith shrugged and both friends returned their attention to the bus which had just stopped in front of them. Doors opened and Tara scanned the crowd of passengers which came down from it, in search of a known face. Dawn appeared finally, wearing this annoyed grimace characteristic of the adolescent.

« Hey Dawn » Tara hailed her cheerfully.

The teenager turned her head at the call of her name and the grimace on her face transformed into a smile when she saw Tara. The witch moved towards her and both fell in each other’s arms.

« Tara! I’m so happy to see you! » Dawn exclaimed, suddenly overexcited. « I missed you so much and … »

And Dawn’s smile froze on her face when she saw Faith, who was shyly standing behind both young women.

« What the hell is she doing here? » She asked, in a tone with disdain while she was pointing at Faith with her chin.

Tara made a pretence of not understanding about whom she was talking and turned around.

« Ah, Faith » she said, smiling to the aforementioned woman. « She drove me. She’s a friend »

Dawn looked alternately at Tara and Faith then again at Tara.

« A friend? » She asked, in an unbelieving tone.

"Yes" Tara confirmed simply, while inviting Faith to approach with her arm.

But the Slayer didn't move, seeming nailed on her spot by the young Summers’ suspicious and cold glance.

«Do you have anymore luggage? » Asked Tara, deciding to drop this problem for the time being..

« Just a bag » answered Dawn. « I’m here only for the weekend » she grumbled then.

Three girls moved to get back the bag in question. When Faith held out her hand to take it from Dawn, Dawn caught it with force and turned abruptly to the dark-haired Slayer.

« I’ll carry it myself »

 « Hey! Keep cool kid! » Faith said in an annoyed tone. « Do what you want. »

Tara gave her an apologetic smile and quickly bent towards her ear.

« She just needs a little time » she murmured.

Faith shrugged. Then she went ahead to the car, while Dawn had put her arm across Tara’s waist and was beginning to tell her the last events in Sunnydale.

***

Faith came into the kitchen and was surprised to find Angel and Cordelia there, in deep conversation. Both kept silent and turned to her at her entrance.

« Faith. » Angel said simply. « So? »

Faith shrugged and moved into the room. She opened a wall cupboard, took out a bag of chips before jumping on the counter.

"Not that good" she growled out.

« She wasn't very happy to see me either » pointed out Cordelia, in a nice tone.

« Yeah! » Retorted Faith with disgust. « She was SO warmer with you. »

« Maybe the fact I didn't try to kill all her friends, her sister and held her mother and her hostages has something to do with it. I’m sure that helps. » Noticed Cordelia

Faith just threw a small grimace to the former cheerleader and concentrated on her bag of chips.

« Where is she? » Angel asked finally.

« Deep in conversation with Tara » grumbled the Slayer, punctuating her sentence with a disdainful grin.

« Oh my God! » Cordelia exclaimed, a wide smile up to her ears. « Our threatening Slayer freaking out with jealousy! The kid is gonna steal her precious time with Tara from her! »

By way of an answer, Cordelia just received a bag of chips in full face, which contributed to increase her hilarity again. Faith thus decided to change the subject of conversation, irritated to be the object of the mockery of the young lady.

« What were you talking about before I come in? » She asked absently, opening a wall cupboard to take something else to nibble on.

Busy with rummaging among the bag of biscuits and other sweets, she didn't notice the glance exchanged between Angel and Cordelia.

« Nothing special » Said Angel, while Faith perched again on the counter, a bag of candies in her hand this time.

« C’mon, tell me » Faith said, smiling. « You were all secretive and everything, kinda stopped speaking when I came in. It was personal maybe? » She added with a small roguish smile.

« Not real… » began Cordelia.

« Personal, that's it » Angel interrupted her.

Faith’s glance passed alternately from one to another with surprise.

« Ok, you don’t wanna say anything to me » she grumbled.

Angel was going to open his mouth to say something when he was interrupted by the bell of the telephone.

« I’ll get it » Said Cordelia, while going at a quick pace step to the lobby.

« Who would be calling at this time? » Interrogated Angel, by looking at his watch.

Faith shrugged in sign of ignorance.

« I guess there’s no time schedule when it comes to saving the world. » she said.

Then she put a new handful of candies in her mouth and both friends remained silent until Cordelia reappeared in the kitchen some moments later.

« It was Lorne » she threw in a serious tone to Angel. « He wants you to go to Caritas to see him. »

 « Why? »

« He just said that he hadn't told you everything the other night »

« Ah, okay » answered simply Angel while getting ready to go out.

« Something important? » Asked Faith. « Can I help? »

Angel’s glance passed from Cordelia to Faith, then he shook his head.

 « No, it’s a simple conversation. »

« Do you want me to come? » Cordelia asked.

« Useless, it’s a simple conversation » repeated Angel while going out.

***

Faith lightly knocked at the door and entered when she heard Tara’s sweet voice inviting her in. Dawn and Tara were sitting on the witch’s bed. The young Summers turned around to see who had just come into the room and gave a grimace when she recognized Faith. Tara, on the contrary, welcomed her with a big smile.

« Hey Faith »

The Slayer moved into the room and remained standing, Dawn’s intrusion making her suddenly incapable to find her place. Tara made her a sign with her hand and tapped the bed beside her.

"Come"

Faith approached and settled down next to Tara as she had been invited to. On the other side of the witch, Dawn crossed her arms and threw a glance clearly annoyed at the Slayer.

« So? » Asked Tara softly. « How was patrol? »

« Nothing special » Answered Faith, while crossing her legs on the bed. « As usual »

« You mean that you killed a guy or two this evening? »

Faith and Tara both turned as abruptly as the other to Dawn who was looking at the Slayer, her face closed and an imperceptible grin on her lips.

« Dawn! » Tara exclaimed putting on her severe eyes.

« I meant : a vampire or two? » Corrected Dawn, pressing excessively on the word vampire.

Faith fixed the young Summers silently, her jaw firmly locked and her eyes dark. Tara turned to her and put a soothing hand on one of Faith’s knee before turning again to the teenager. Dawn wrinkled her eyes when she saw the affectionate gesture from the witch.

"Dawn" began Tara slowly but firmly.

« You don't know her » Dawn interrupted her harshly. « You don't know all she did to us. Everything she did to Buffy »
« Dawn, she’s changed » asserted Tara. « Faith is my friend »

Saying this, Tara squeezed Faith’s knee under her hand. Dawn shrugged and got up rashly.

« That’s also what she made us believe before trying to kill everybody. I’m going to go to bed. »

 « Dawn! »

But the teenager didn't turn around to Tara’s call and went out of the room without adding a word. Tara turned eyes full of excuses to Faith

« I am… I am sorry Faith. I didn't think it would be so hard … »

Faith shrugged and had a bitter and disenchanted smile.

 « I did. »

Both girls looked at each other for a moment silently and Faith tried to smile to relieve the blonde’s uneasiness.

« It’s nothing, Tara. I will be okay. »

Then she got up and held out her hand to Tara to invite her to do so.

« You should go to see her » added the Slayer. « She isn't here for a long time »

Tara seized the tense hand and got up. She squeezed slightly the Slayer’s hand in hers before going to the door with her.

« Thank you. » She said simply. « It will be better tomorrow. She just has to get used to you. She’s kinda stubborn but … »

" A real Summers " Joked Faith.

« Doubtless the worst » confirmed Tara while smiling. « What are you going to do? »

Faith grimaced and seemed to think about it a moment.

« Irritate Cordelia probably. And then wait for Angel who visited Lorne »

Tara nodded and put her hand on the handle.

« Be careful if you go back on patrol. » She said while going out, closely followed by Faith. «Maybe see you later »

The Slayer nodded her head and went to the stair while Tara took the corridor towards Dawn’s room.


***

The teenager was sitting on her bed and was reading a book. When Tara entered after having knocked, she raised her head towards her and presented her with a light smile. Tara determinedly approached the bed and sat down beside Dawn who put her book on the night table. Both friends remained silent until Dawn let escape a long irritated sigh.

"Okay" The young Summers let out. « I’m sorry. I didn't want to make you upset. »

« I didn't come to ask you to apologize » Answered Tara, smiling.

"Ah" Dawn said simply.

« But we can talk about it » went on Tara in her trademark sweet voice.

« Talk about it? » Asked Dawn, unbelievingly.

« How about you telling me what’s annoying you so much? »

« Tara! » Dawn exclaimed with surliness. « It’s about Faith! Faith the murderer, Faith the psychotic, Faith the bitch in leather! »


« Dawn! » Tara reprimanded.

The witch had a characteristic frown which Dawn knew well and the young Summers wasn't able to refrain from smiling by seeing Tara’s expression. But Tara didn't want to laugh and Dawn erased her smile.

"Sorry" She said pathetically, seeing that the severity on the witch’s face wasn’t weakening. « It’s just…I don’t like her »

Tara smiled slightly at this last assertion.

« I got that part I think »

« I don't trust her » resumed Dawn firmly. « She’s crazy »

« She changed, Dawn. Really » insisted Tara.

« How would you know? » Answered Dawn. « You didn't know her before. »

« If she hasn’t changed, then you all judged her way too severely » answered the witch with a light smile.

Dawn crossed her arms and leaned against the wall behind her with a sulky look on her face.

« Give her a chance, Dawnie. I promise you that she’s worth it. »

Dawn didn't loose her sulky look while Tara looked at her simply, waiting for some answer from her part.

« I’ll try » she said finally, without abandoning her characteristic pout.

Tara smiled to her again and nodded her head.

« Thank you sweetie » she said simply.

Dawn relaxed when she saw the smile on Tara’s face and pulled the witch so that she settled down more frankly.

« So… Are you ok here? » She asked after a silence.

Tara’s smile got bigger and she said yes with her head fiercely. Dawn grimaced slightly and asked in a hesitating voice:

« You aren't going to come back home then? »

Tara’s smile fainted from her face when she saw the evident sadness on the face of the teenager.

« Dawn, I … I don't know. Well, not right now … »

« Willow is doing better, you know » Added the young Summers with conviction. « And I’m being completely honest.  I know that I sometimes exaggerated on that matter, but this time, it's true, I promise, she’s really better. »

« I don't doubt it Dawn … It’s good … Really good »

Tara lowered her eyes on her two hands joined in front of her and tried to hide the tears which rose abruptly to her eyes at the evocation of the redhead.

« You… you are going to come to the wedding anyway? » Asked Dawn with hesitance. « Well, I think you don’t have much of a choice, Anya told me to say to you that she would come to look for you herself and that it wasn't even a question that your orgasmic or not-orgasmic – I’m quoting her here – stories spoil the most beautiful day of her life! »

The thought of the former vengeance demon made Tara smile. She raised her head towards the teenager and offered her an amused smile.

« Of course, I’ll come. »

Dawn’s face lightened again and she clapped her hands enthusiastically.

 « Great! » She exclaimed. « That way, you can see by yourself that Willow is doing better. And then you two can speak! Again! »

"Dawn" intervened Tara. « I am not … »

She kept silent without finishing her sentence when she saw the enjoyment disappearing from the teenager’s face in front of her.

"Tara" asked Dawn in a hesitating voice. « You could give her a chance? She’s worth it … »

***

When Angel came back from Caritas, in the middle of the night, he was surprised to find Faith sitting at the table in the kitchen.

"Faith" He said while he opened the refrigerator to take a packet of blood out. « You’re not sleeping? »

« Obviously not » answered the Slayer, a hint of irony in her voice.

"Obviously" approved Angel while sitting down beside her. « You aren't with Tara? »

« Obviously not » repeated the Slayer in the same tone as previously.

« Not better with Dawn? » Interrogated the vampire.

« Not really»

Angel nodded his head thoughtfully and returned to his mug of blood while Faith swallowed a mouthful of her coffee.

« So, what did Lorne want? »

« Nothing precise. He just wanted to see me »

Faith frowned.

« Just seeing you? »

"Yeah"

« My God, Angel, I’d think that guy is hitting on you! » Faith exclaimed suddenly, laughing.

Angel turned his head in astonishment, not expecting something like that at all.

 « Faith! »

« Ok, I know he’s not your type » resumed Faith in the same roguish tone. « But well, a guy who calls you so late to come 'just' to see him … »

« Where are you with Tara? » Angel asked, abruptly.

The Slayer switched back immediately in full 'defense' mode.

 « What? »

« You two made up » pointed out the vampire.

« We never fought » countered Faith.

"OK" admitted Angel. « You just stopped acting like the queen of idiots »

Faith presented him with an understanding grimace but nodded her head.

« We can say that. »

 « And? »

 « And what? »

« How are things? »

« Actually, pretty good » Faith said.

They kept silent and Angel remained looking at Faith.

« You aren't very talkative » He pointed out after a moment.

"No" Said Faith while smiling.

« You look good since she’s been here. » Asserted the vampire.

Faith turned her head to him with quite a surprise, but wasn't able to erase the smile on her face.

« She’s special » she admitted finally in a breath.

 « Special? »

« Yeah. You know, I think nobody has ever really liked me before her. »

Angel frowned.

« Faith … You know, I think you are a little bit hard with the scoobies and Buffy, I think that they kinda lik … »

« It’s different. Tara loves me for ME. Just for me. B would never have given a damn about me if it weren’t for the Slayer gig. I was a Slayer and she saw only the Slayer in me. And later, I wasn't more than a psychotic murderer. Tara sees the other stuff too. »

Angel looked at Faith and smiled when he saw the almost shy smile the Slayer was wearing.

« I’m happy you finally realized that there were other things to you » he concluded before tapping her shoulder and going out of the kitchen.

***

When the vampire had crossed the lobby and gone up the stairs, he had the surprise to see Cordelia going out from the shadow at the first floor.

"Cordelia" said simply Angel while recognizing her. « You aren't in bed yet? »

« I was waiting for your return »

« Certainly, everybody is waiting for me this evening »

« I wanted to know what Lorne wanted » indicated Cordelia directly. « And don't tell me stories like you did to Faith. Lorne doesn't want to see only you just to talk about the country. »

« You heard our conversation? »

« Yes. So, Lorne? »

Angel crossed his arms and stared at Cordelia, gauging her determination. She didn't seem to weaken. Angel moved in the corridor and made a sign to follow him.

« Let's not stay here »

Cordelia followed him close and they went up to the library to which Angel closed the door behind them. Cordelia stood in front of him and challenged him with her glance. Angel wasn't able to repress an amused smile in front of the stubbornness of the young lady.

« Lorne saw things about Sunnydale. »
« Don't waste your time. I want precise things »

Angel grimaced then sighed with tiredness, seeing the immovable resolution on Cordelia’s face.

 « Please sit down »

***

When Dawn went in the kitchen for the breakfast the following morning, she found Faith and Tara there. The witch was near the stove and the Slayer was using her skills to lower a plate full of pancakes.

« Round or funny shape? » Asked Tara when she saw Dawn entering the kitchen.

"Round" said Dawn with a smile.

" Funny shape " answered Faith who hadn't seen the teenager entering the room.

Both girls stared one second at each other then Dawn moved to Tara to whom she slammed a kiss on the cheek before settling down silently in front of Faith.

« Round then » said Tara while smiling. « You already had funny shapes » she added to Faith.

"Yeah" said Faith while casting a glance to Dawn who was staring at her with curiosity.

Quickly, Tara came to sit down beside her and put down a full plate of new pancakes between the three girls.

« So, Dawn, what you do want to do today? » Interrogated Tara.

« What did you foresee? » Answered Dawn, with a big smile. « I don’t mind anyway, as long as I’m with you » she quickly added.

Tara smiled to the young Summers’ enthusiasm.

« We thought of spending the day in the city. At noon, we’ll go to the restaurant and this evening, cards between girls while Faith and the boys will be patrolling. What do you think of that? »

Dawn nodded between two mouthful of pancakes.

« I’m in Tara »

« Perfect. » Approved Tara. « Faith, can you drive? »

The Slayer nodded and opened her mouth to answer but was interrupted by Dawn.

« She is going to come with us? » The teenager exclaimed, turning to Tara.

Tara made a pretence of not noticing the tone openly annoyed used by the girl and contented with nodding her head with an innocent smile.

« Of course. » She answered simply. « We leave as soon as you are ready? »

Dawn’s glance passed alternately from Tara, who was looking at her just like everything was normal, to Faith who was staring stubbornly at her cup of coffee and her pancakes.

"Okay" she gave in finally, in a tired tone while bitting into a doughnut.

***

Dawn didn't have to complain about her choice. The teenager asked to be taken everywhere where she remembered having lived in Los Angeles with her parents, and she was fulfilled. Faith drove where she was asked and Dawn was all too happy to tell Tara recollections and anecdotes relating to her former school or to her former house. And when the melancholy got the upper hand, she simply put her head on Tara’s shoulder, until a more cheerful recollection surfaced and pulled her again into an extensive babbling to the witch’s biggest amusement.

When noon rang, Faith led both young ladies in a small restaurant where she had already taken Tara before. The Slayer remained silent during all the meal, as she had been during the morning, leaving Dawn the pleasure to speak again and again to the blonde. From time to time, the teenager glanced at her obliquely, not really engaging and rather clearly annoyed. But she said nothing and most of the time, didn't pay attention to her. Faith called that progress and contented herself with it.

The three girls spent the afternoon in museums. Faith went from dismay to boredom, from boredom to indifference, from indifference to curiosity before returning to boredom just after having touched interest.

A remark from Dawn, indicating that if it had been said to her one day that she would go to a museum in Los Angeles with Faith before going there with her own sister, she would never have believed it, extracted a smile from the Slayer.

Several hours and two museums later, they were back at the Hyperion. Faith let herself fall heavily on the sofa into the lobby, which drew Cordelia’s attention at the counter, while Dawn was already flooding Angel and Wesley with the story of the afternoon.

« You look exhausted. » Commented Cordelia.

« Spend the day with them and you will understand » muttered Faith.

« Poor little Slayer! You can kill vampires every night but you’re tired after a visit at a museum » Cordelia exclaimed with a derisive enjoyment. « But wait, I get it. Isn't it because these two activities require in no way the same skills? Yes, that's right, to you Slayers, it is anything to do with muscles! »

Faith threw her a dark glance but refrained from answering, and Cordelia gave her her trademark smile which the Slayer never failed to receive when the former cheerleader left her without her voice.


« And now, will you be able to survive a cards evening, Faithie? » Interrogated Cordelia, in a derisive tone while passing beside her and tapping her shoulder.

Faith raised her eyes to the sky and just let herself lie on the sofa.


After this - not so - hard day, Faith left Tara and Dawn with Fred and Cordelia for an evening between girls. She occupied hers with a patrol longer than usual with Angel, Wesley and Gunn.

When she returned, the girls weren't in the library any more where she had left them. But when she passed in front of Tara’s room, Faith was able to guess that the witch and the teenager weren’t asleep yet and were still deep in conversation. She stayed for a moment in front of the door, hesitating to disturb them, to take the place which appeared to her so naturally being hers now. The name of Willow reached her then and Faith released the handle that she held in her hand and took the direction of her own room.


***


The next day began by the Slayer sleeping in. When she arrived in the kitchen, Faith wasn't able to repress a gesture of surprise mixed with disappointment by seeing Tara conversing with Angel and Cordelia. All kept silent and turned to her at her entrance.

« Hey, Faith » Tara said simply, while presenting her with her trademark smile.

"Hey" answered the Slayer, moving up to the counter where she perched on a stool next to the witch.

« Good night? » Tara asked friendly and serving, instinctively, some coffee in a cup for the Slayer.


« Good. You up for a long time? »

Tara shook her head.

« Not really. »

There was a brief silence which Angel interrupted.

« Then what’s your plans for today? »

« Seeing what time it is » Tara answered while glancing at the wall clock in front of her, « I think that we are going to hang out here until lunch. And then we’ll go for a walk maybe until it’s time to leave for the bus station. And you? »

« Job even on Sundays » answered Angel with a smile.
 
« Job? » Interrogated Faith, curving an eyebrow.

« Nothing requiring your presence » quickly answered Angel. « You can spend the day with Tara»

« I can leave them alone » proposed Faith. « If there’s some job to do, I’m in »

"No" Angel cut her firmly. « We won’t need you. Spend the day with Tara and Dawn »

Faith crossed her arms with a bored look on her face to the tone without retort on which Angel had addressed her, but answered nothing.

« So, we’re going to go » said Angel by getting up and stopping swallowing the bottom of its mug. « Have a good day girls »

Both friends presented him and Cordelia with warm greetings, and remained alone.

« They’re acting weird this morning, aren’t they? » Commented on Faith.

Tara shrugged in sign of ignorance.
 
« You didn't come to wake me » Resumed the Slayer with hesitance after a silence.

Tara didn't turn to her when she answered "no". Faith considered her for a few seconds, wondering where the embarrassment which seemed to have settled down between them came from.

« So, what were you speaking about ? » Began the Slayer.

« Faith, I have to tell … » Began Tara at the same time.

They kept silent and looked at each other, waiting that the other one started again. But none had the possibility because Dawn came into the kitchen at this precise moment.
The teenager quickly closed the distance which separated her from Tara, kiss her on the cheek and perched on a stool next to her after having muttered a vague « Morning » to Faith, hardly looking at her. Faith answered in the same tone and put her nose to her coffee while Dawn grabbed a bowl of milk and cereal.

« Slept well sweetie? » Interrogated Tara.

Dawn rested the package of cereals which she had just flooded her bowl with and smiled with all her teeth to the witch.

« Very well, thank you. It was a great night, last night! »

The young Summers punctuated her sentence by turning to Faith and by shooting her an understanding smile.

« And you Faith, how was patrol? »

« Excellent. » Said Faith in the same tone.

« Don't eat too much of that, Dawnie » Tara said friendly, while pointing to her bowl. « Lunch isn't far »

The teenager nodded her head while swallowing a new spoonful of her cereal in her mouth.

« Promise »

Tara looked at her with a skeptical grimace and smiled to her indulgently.

« Still ok for a walk in the afternoon? »

« Hem, I don't know » answered the girl. « I feel lazy today, we’ll see? »

Tara nodded her head and got up.

« As you want sweetie. »

She went to the refrigerator, opened it and detailed the contents.

« You going to get ready? We’re getting lunch within a little more than one hour. »

Dawn jumped up at the foot of her stool and put down her bowl now empty in the kitchen sink.

« All right. »

She was about to get out of the room but considered Faith who hadn't moved from her place.

« But I could help you first. »

« Faith’ll help me sweetie » answered automatically Tara while continuing to search the refrigerator.

« I like to cook with you » protested Dawn. « And I leave tonight »

Faith’s glance passed alternately from Tara who was looking at her with hesitance, to Dawn who was casting her oblique glances. Finally she got up in her turn.

« Stay here, kid. I’m going to go to the training room anyway. »

And joining her gesture to her word, the Slayer put down her bowl with Dawn’s and exited the room.