A new twist on reality

Buffy walked out of the mall toward the car beside Dawn and Xander, only half listening as the two chattered on about the new Will Smith flick...Buffy tensed when she felt the eerily familiar tingle that told her she was near Faith…yeah it went off whenever she encountered other newly turned slayers but there was something about the connection between the original chosen two that always hit home with the blonde slayer.



Stopping in her tracks she anxiously scanned the parking lot…nothing. She was out there…Buffy was sure of it…just WHERE she was was the ever unanswered question. Sighing unhappily Buffy got into the car beside Xander and started the engine.



Pulling out of the parking lot Buffy drove home through the Seattle streets, living her long enough to know the city fairly well she got them home in record time. Climbing out of the car she turned to grab her bags.



“Hold up Buff, I got it” Xander said, reaching for the same packages.



“Im pregnant Xander…not helpless.” Buffy said jokingly, although a little irritated that everyone was treating her with kid gloves lately.



“Aw come on Buffy…let him be helpful” Dawn said impatiently…she wanted to get inside and call her new boyfriend. Buffy made a mental note to see how far she could go before the kid fainted…her baby sister having boyfriends was a new and unwelcome development.



“Okay Xander. Here you go” Buffy said handing over the bags and grabbing her purse, walking into the house she raced Dawn to the phone and grabbed it before her sister could.



“No fair…stupid slayer powers” Dawn whined reaching for the phone as Buffy raised it over her head. Slightly out of reach of her taller younger sister…seriously what was in the food these days? Buffy could swear Dawn had grown another two inches since leaving Sunnydale.



“What’s his name?” Buffy asked, raising her eyebrow in a way only an older sister could.



“None of your business” Dawn snapped reaching for the phone again.



“No…what’s his name?” Buffy asked…firmer this time. Dawn sighed and rolled her eyes.



“His names Jake…he goes to my school…I have two classes with him. He my age seventeen. NOW give me the phone!” Dawn shrieked jumping for the phone blindly. Buffy twisted around laughing as Dawn desperately tried to make a grab for it.



Looking behind her in confusion when Dawn suddenly stopped her assault, her sister was staring passed her with a blank expression on her face? Looking in front of her Buffy felt her heart drop to her knees when she saw Faith standing in the hallway, looking at the both of them amusingly.



“FAITH!” Dawn shrieked at a volume that nearly shattered both slayers ear drums. Forgetting the phone she rushed passed Buffy and hugged the darker slayer. Buffy stood mutely…setting the phone down on the hook she turned and walked into the kitchen.



Feeling as though she was near hyperventilation…she didn’t know why but seeing Faith again so…unrepentantly…it was jarring. What was she doing her? Did she come back for good?



“Buffy…can I talk to you?” Buffy froze, hearing the Boston slayers voice behind her. Turning she saw a strangely firm expression on Faiths face. Unable to speak she nodded and gestured outside. Shoving her shaky hands into her pockets she vehenemately cursed hormones.



Stepping back for Faith to join her, she stared at her shoes…confused over what to say…what to do?



“Where did you go?” So she could speak…and without emotion in her voice.



“Around….look…I got no where to go. This is my home now…and im sorry for taking off…are you keeping the baby?” Faith said without looking at Buffy.



“Yes.” Buffy said softly, looking out across the small yard.



“Well…just wanted to say. we been through so much shit B…and well…its stupid for us not to work together I mean were supposed to be leaders now and well…I…I want to be your friend.”



Buffy stared at the younger slayer stunned…friend? She didn’t want to be Faiths friend…she wanted to tell Faith she had figured a whole ton of stuff out since she had left., stuff like she was at least bisexual and was sorry about that stupid thing in Riley’s car.



“Yeah that sounds good.” Buffy was shocked by the calmness in her voice.



“Great…that’s great.” Faith said…with what sounded like forced enthusiasm. She then studied her shoes. “It was just a fling anyway…no harm done.”



“Right…a fling” Buffy said quietly…unable to believe that Faith was back…and they were going back to ground zero…friends…well actually ground zero would be murderous enemies but who pays attention to details that much.



“So…you like…having mood swings?” Faith said with mixed amusement and anxiety.



“NO…not yet…but be careful…I might puke on you” Buffy quipped then internally groaned at the bad joke. Who the hell says shit like that? Seriously.



“Well ill be on the look out…so wanna go inside? I want to see if Andrews still got hot pockets in the freezer”



“Okay…lets go” Buffy said, walking in she felt almost weak in the knees.” You go ahead…I need to lie down”



“Okay B…get some rest” faith said softly. Buffy turned down the hall and walked into her room.



TBC



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