Thosehosen Two... Plus One

"But, but.... You were..." Buffy wasted no more time on past thoughts and assumptions. As soon as Willow removed herself from the slayer reborn, Buffy soon filled the not-long vacant space. Faith was overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions. Confusion, at the girls' reactions to her. Joy, at that reaction that they had to her standing there. And regret, that she had taken her friends for granted for so long.

That all ended that very night. Faith swore that she would appreciate, and show that appreciation, for her friends every day that she lived.

"Holy shit Faith, I'd hate to see these guys when they're sad!!" Jamie was shocked at the crowd of teary-eyed girls gathering around Faith. But she was also not surprised at their reaction. There was defily sly somethin about this girl, this woman, that merited appreciation and joy upon seeing her.

"Buffy, relax I'm here. I ain't goin anywhere, thanx to my new friend here." Buffy eyed the new girl with suspicion and insecurity.

"Who are you? Faith, what's going on? What happened to you?"

Faith knew from everyone's reaction when she entered the house that it was a known fact that she had died that night. So, she presumed that Buffy knew that a new slayer was up and walkin around, and that she knew her name. "Buffy, this is my new guardian angel... Jamie."

Faith waited for Buffy's reaction and was proud of her intuition when she saw the chosen one's jaw head in the direction of the floor. Buffy's mind couldn't grasp this... Faith had died, a new slayer had been called. And here they both were, standing in front of her, within fifteen minutes of her finding out about both occurences. She was obviously in shock.

"But, how...? I mean, why aren't you dead?" F rai raised her eyebrows at her friend, intent on making her squirm whilst her brain was for the moment incaple of normal fuction.

"I mean, not that I'm not glad you're not de... I mean, alive, you're alive! But um, but.t hat happened?"

Jamie viewed this scenario with much curiousity. No one had ever cared if she lived or died, not to mention saved anyone's life. So she was looking forward to seeing the crowd's reaction when it was explained that she was responsible for Faith standing in front of them, alive and very much kicking!

It was just then that Buffy's mind began to click things into place. Faith's new friend, her name was Jamie. Faith was alive, and with Jamie. There was only one explanation. Buffy reached over to the new slayer and pulled her into a tight embrace, tight enough that if Jamie hadn't become a slayer that night, Buffy would have probably been suffocating her at this moment.

"Uhh, it's nice to meet you too, um, Buffy I presume?" Jamie pulled back and smiled at the older slayer, her smile portraying a lot of respect and admiration for the girl who had lived so long fighting vampires and other things that go "bump in the night".

And it was then that Jamie's mind started pondering the thought of "what if" Buffy had neveed, ed, and given Faith, and herself, their place in the world...? Would she still have found her way to the docks that night? And if she did, would she have died? Her mind was now becoming crowded and claustrophobic, so Jamie decided it was time to step into the welcoming, cool fresh air and give Faith some time with her friends to explain tonights extraordinary events.

"I'm gonna head outside to have a smoke ok girlfirend?" Faith saw the overpowered look in the young slayer eyes and understood. She just nodded and stepped out of her way.

*****

"Hey, how ya doin J?" Faith stepped outside and found Jamherehere she thought she'd be, sitting on the Summer's porch steps, head in one hand, smoke in the other.

She exhaled a breath of smoke and smiled, glad of the company to quiet her noisy thinking head.


"I'm doin aight girlfriend. How're your friends taking things? They didn't look too pleased when they thought you were dead..." Jamie smiled an understanding smile and looked up at her new friend, wondering what she was thinking. She was also re-thinking Faith\roporoposed idea that she live in this very house. Which, by the looks of things, was extremely over-crowded as it was.

"They're five by five now, just a bit freaked a while ago. Gotta say, my head's gotten a bit bigger. Didn't know so many people cared about me." Faith loked proud and confused all at the same time.

The new slayer understood that look, she had given it to Faith earlier that ngiht when she offered her a roof to sleep under and her friendship.

"I know where you're comin from Faith, even though I don't know you. But you've obviously got a lot of people who care a shit load about you. And from tonight onwards, I'm one of em. I dunno about stayin here though, even though I'm extremely grateful. But it's just that I dont think there's enough room for me. You're obviously booked for the weekend..." Jamie looked disantednted but understanding, not knowing what to do or where to go, still seeking more answers about her "Calling".

"J, listen to me now." Faith gently lifted Jamie's eyes to her's, using her hand and the other girl's chin. "You've saved me from death tonight, there's nothin I wouldn't do for you. So trust me when I say, you're more than welcome here girlfriend!" Jamie raised her head just in time to see Faith wink at her, the brightest smile she'd ever seen accompanying that wink. And so she felt like there was nothing she could do but take Faith's hand and fw hew her into the house.

"Everyone," Faith announced, "this is Jamie!"

Having heard the night's story while Jamie was outside, everyone cheered and crowded around the youngest slayer in a group hug. Jamie was overwhelmed, she had never felt this welcome as a stranger before in her life! She quickly began learning everyone's name, until she found hersel in front of Buffy, the groups' obvious leader.

She lowered her eyes in reverance, but Buffy just picked her up in her arms and shouted, "To Jamie, the Miracle Slayer!!"

Everyone repeated her words and the new slayer felt tears escape her eyes and fight their way down her cheeks, never having felt such a welcome in her whole life.

"Fuck, I need a drink!! You slayers' got any strong alcohol around here?!" Jamie reached for Faith's hand and squeezed it, letting her know she was eternally grateful for the gift she had just received. Faith returned her look, also expressing the fact that she was forever thankful to the new slayer for the life she had returned her to, and thus the gift Jamie was entitled to.
fy tfy threw her arm around Jamie's shoulder, "Shit, this is a night for celebration. C'mon Jamie, come with me to the liquor store... I have a feeling we have to talk anyway!"

Buffy winked at the beautiful new slayer and extended her hand. Happy only when it was greeted by the feel of the other girl's hand in her own. They quietly headed out the door, towards the car. Knowing that their lives would never be the same. Only better.