Chapter 10

FLASHBACK-POV None

No one had expected Faith to leave. It wasn't exactly the first fight she and Buffy had had. In fact, there had been a few that left the rest of them scarred. Metaphorically and literally.

"What the hell was all of that commotion? Can't a girl just watch her soap operas in peace?" Cordy ran in, quickly followed by Andrew, who was bumped into by Dawn, bumped into by Willow, bumped into by Kennedy.

Cordy lunged forward. All five of them falling through the door. Buffy would have found it comical if she hadn't been crying.

"Oww," Willow moaned, rubbing her head.

"Oh, baby are you okay?" Kennedy asked, placing her hand over Willow's.

Willow smiled at her and nodded.

"Ouch," Dawn moaned, hitting Andrew.

"Hey," He rubbed his head, "I was in front of you."

Cordy smacked him on the back of the head, "Why all the yelling?" She asked turning to look at Buffy and Angel. "Before you start," she said, holding up her hand, "I know it was between Buffy and Faith. I'm not stupid. Unlike the rest of you." She turned to look at the four of them that had bumped into her. She rubbed the back of her head. "I'm just wondering why all the drama in the middle of the day? Plus," she turned to look at Angel, "you have to admit that it is kinda interesting."

Buffy shrugged her shoulders as Faith blew back in the room. Everyone turned to look at her. She had a backpack on her shoulder. "I'm leaving."

Buffy jumped up. "What?!? No…you can't…Why?"

Cordy spoke up, "Hey is that my backpack?"

Both of the girls stopped what they were doing and looked at her. Buffy rolled her eyes. "Faith, listen to me."

Faith pulled away from her, "Fuck you. You know what's going on here."

Buffy grabbed her arm again. She pulled her to her. "Jesus, Faith will you just fucking listen for one goddamn minute? Quit acting like a child. I'm trying to talk to you and you are jumping to fucking conclusions."

Faith removed Buffy's hand, staring at her, "You need to let go of me." She couldn't help herself. Buffy was pushing her buttons. And maybe it was for the best, she thought as she got into a fighting stance.

Buffy copied her movement. If Faith wanted to fight, they'd fight.

"NO!" Cordy, Willow and Angel screamed at the same time. The three of them moved in between them.

Cordy turned to Buffy, "Are you stupid?" Buffy started to speak. Cordy stopped her. "Wait don't answer that."

Buffy shook her head, but backed off. The action made Faith even angrier. "What B? You gonna hide behind your friends?"

Xander bounced in about this time. "Hey guys. Scooby meeting?"

Faith turned around and growled at him, "Fuck off."

Xander looked stunned. "Umm…okay." He knew better than to get in between Buffy and Faith when they were arguing. He raised an eyebrow at Dawn.

Dawn grabbed him and pulled him out of the line of fire. She leaned up and whispered in his ear. "Faith and Buffy are fighting. They almost came to blows. But those three jumped in between them," She gestured to the group still standing between the two girls, "Kennedy, Andrew and I have no fucking clue what's going on." As if to say, no kidding, Andrew and Kennedy nodded. "But it's quite interesting."

Xander still looked perplexed but didn't say anything.

Buffy took that moment to lunge at Faith. She was pissed. Maybe it was the hormones. Angel grabbed her.

"Gonna hide behind your sweetie?" Faith taunted.

Buffy lunged again, pulling Angel off. Faith moved forward, but was stopped by Kennedy. "Let go of me."

Kennedy threw her against a wall. "Everybody needs to just calm down," She screamed. The action took the rest of them by surprise and they all got quiet. "Good. Now what is going on here?" She directed the question to everyone in the room, turning her head for an answer.

No one said anything. The room had gotten very quiet. Buffy put her hand on her head. "Oh Angel," she whispered. "I feel a little…"she didn't finish the sentence, falling forward.

He caught her, as everyone else rushed forward, sitting her down in a chair.

"Buffy," he pushed her hair out of her eyes, "Are you okay?"

Willow kneeled in front of her. She discreetly put her hand on Buffy's stomach. "Do you feel alright?"

Cordy crouched down too. "Do you want something to drink?"

The rest of the gang stood watching. Having no idea what was going on.

Faith sneered. "You've got to be kidding me."

Cordy stood up, "Faith. Now is not the time for your psycho dramatics."

"What the drama queen swoons? Give me a break."

Angel got closer to her. "Jesus Faith, get your head out of your ass."

She got in his face, "You know what…I think I need to get my head out of B's ass." Buffy looked up, shocked at her comment. "Apparently, I couldn't see what was right in front of my face. Right fang? You trying to snake my snatch?"

Angel stood still for a moment and then moved. Raising his had, he slapped Faith. Not hard, but it had the desired effect. No one moved. Faith was coiled, ready to attack, when all of sudden she laughed. "Hah." She said, one hand on her cheek. "Not surprising."

Cordy snorted. "I was just joking earlier, but you really are stupid, aren't you?"

Faith stood watching them watch her. Buffy began crying quietly. "Everybody please…just…" She was sobbing.

Faith looked at her for a moment, screwing her face up in concern. It quickly faded. "Fuck this drama. And fuck all of you. I knew from the beginning. I should have known. You guys will never trust me. Not when your precious B is involved." She lowered her eyes and then her voice. "You're the ones that are stupid. I love her." She looked at B, who was still sobbing. She moved over to her and knelt down, "I do love you," she whispered, and kissed her on the forehead, "but I can't do this. It's too much. Maybe I'm too jealous. Maybe I'm not. It doesn't really matter. I don't want to walk down the psycho 'path' again, and I am really really close."

She stood up quickly and ran out. Leaving the rest of them stunned.

Buffy cried louder. Cordy broke the silence, "She'll be back." She said to no one in particular.

Buffy's POV

Ok, calm down, I told myself. No reason to get upset. None at all. Faith was just lying to you the whole time, that's all.

"Arrgh" I screamed, putting my fist into a tree. Ok, fuck that hurt.

I had run out of the hotel. Fuck her and her chance to explain. 'Faithie. When are you coming home?' Gross.

The girl had a southern accent. I didn't stick around long enough to even learn her name. 'She has six bags.' Oh, and she called me a bitch. I should have asked where she was. Then I could have nonchalantly found her and beat her into a bloody pulp.

Ok, don't think that way Buffy. It isn't her fault. It's Faith's fault. I'm gonna beat Faith into a bloody pulp.

Why was I so surprised by this? Five and half years and not one word from her. What did I think; Faith was going to be celibate? I laughed out loud. Yeah right. Faith couldn't be celibate for five and a half hours. I wondered if this girl was last in a long line of women or if…ok, don't think like that. She doesn't mean anything to her. She said.

Yeah, and Faith's word was golden obviously. Ok, now I am arguing with myself. Sure sign of insanity. It was a long time coming, I'll admit. I hope that the rest of them can take care of Annie when they cart me off to a mental institution. 'Oh, Annie we're so sorry that both of your mommies are psychotic. There is nothing we could really do about it.'

"Buffy," Fuck. How did she find me?

I spun around. "You know when you left last time I wanted to kick your ass. Unfortunately, Angel stopped me. But this time, well I'm not expecting anything. Except for you to go down," I told her. She smirked, "And not in the good way," I finished.

The smirk was gone, "Buffy," she grabbed my wrist, "Will you fucking listen to me for one goddamn second?"

"Why Faith," I jerked my arm from her, "when you never listened to me?"

"Well, B, I am an idiot. We have established that." She was so hard on herself. Why did I let her talk about herself like that? You're not an idiot Faith. Ok, still mad.

I nodded, "Go on."

She rolled her eyes, "Go on?"

"Yes, you were saying how ridiculous you could be." I offered.

She closed the space between us. Grabbing my wrist again, she spoke, "I think that goes both ways princess."

I lunged at her. Stupid I know, when she was holding my arms. She swept my feet out from under me. I fell on my back. She fell with me, straddling my legs. She still held my wrists over the top of my head. "Get off of me," I yelled at her.

She bent closer to me, and then all of a sudden sat up, still holding my arms down. "No! Not until you listen to me." I was wiggling underneath her. I thrust up into her quickly. I saw her catch her breath. She composed herself, "Nope," she bore down with all her strength holding my hips down with her weight, "Stop struggling."

I tried to circle my hips again. The best way to get her off of me. Plus, bonus, but I kinda liked it. I know, I'm a bitch.

She was breathing harder. Trying her best to stay in control. I circled my hips one last time. She rose up suddenly, removing all contact from my lower body. She still hovered over me, holding my wrists. Hey, not fair. "I will let you up. But you've got to stop. And before you ask what, you know what I'm talking about," She lifted an eyebrow at me. "Promise me."

I smiled my sweetest smile, "I promise."

"Fine," she said and let go of my arms. As soon as she did, I grabbed her waist and pulled her back down on my lap. I sat up. She was straddling me. Her breasts were even with my face and I could see her chest rising and falling. Her arms were useless at her sides. She wasn't struggling to get up. I pulled her closer to me, "I promise," I repeated.

She moaned into my hair. "B, we shouldn't be…fuck…" she said, as I nipped at her neck.

I looked up at her innocently, "We shouldn't be what?" I ground her down on my legs. She put her arms around my neck.

"We shouldn't be…" she moaned again. "We shouldn't be doing…" She settled on my lap, wrapping her legs around me. "Fuck B…"I ran my hands up and down her back. I was still licking her neck. I caught her ear in between my teeth.

"This is wrong Faith," I breathed into her ear. I felt her breathe catch. "We shouldn't be doing this," I know I was taunting her. "But I see you…and I wanna…do you know what I wanna do to you? What I want you to do to me?" I sighed, licking the inside of her ear.

She was writhing on my lap. She pulled me away from her, pulling my face between her hands. She bent down and kissed me, shoving her tongue in my mouth. I was wishing she didn't have those damn jeans on so I could feel her. I was wishing I didn't have these damn jeans on either. Where were we? I didn't even care.

She pulled away. Resting her forehead against mine. I was still running my hands up and down, but they had migrated to her ass. "We should…"she was trying to catch her breath. "We should…mmm…talk about Sarah."

My hands stilled. That was her name. I jerked them away from her ass. I pushed her off of me. She landed on her ass, propped by her elbows. I jumped up. "Fuck, Faith." I stood up, and brushed myself off.

She was sitting on the ground still staring at me. "What the fuck is wrong with you B?"

I turned and left her sitting there. "You." I called over my shoulder, walking off.

I heard her moan, "fucking bitch." She whispered to herself.

I shouted back, "Right back at ya, babe." I kept going, not even turning around to look at her.

Chapter 11

Faith's POV

You know when I was in prison, my life counselor (yeah, that was what he was called) said I had some very severe emotional scars. Well big fat fucking duh. I mean, that is not an actual newsflash, is it? I had a fucked up childhood. Granted, that's not an excuse, and I'm not using it as one, ok? Still, It was not all cherries and sunshine. A drunk mom, and nonexistent dad, and the constant fear of not eating kinda gets to a kid.

But hey, I kicked that bad life to the curb. Promised myself at fifteen no more assholes. I was through with people who treated me like shit. In my book, I was gonna always be numero uno. Best of luck to the rest of you.

That lasted, well, until I met B; not even a year. I know, I'm a damn sucker, aren't I? You have to understand though; I can't even describe how she looked when she came out of the Bronze that night. All set on saving my sorry ass from that horrible reject from Saturday Night Fever. Scooby gang in tow, there to watch little miss tightly wound save the day, so that a skank like me could live to see how hot she was. I mean, damn did I look like I thought that fucking bloodsucker was cute? How could she not tell I was going to stake him? I hafta admit the look on her face when she came outside and found me fighting instead of him biting was priceless. Yep, that was my introduction to B. Since then the only thing I've indulged in is a few drinks. Nothing can get me high like she can.

Sad thing about all of that is that she knows it. Like tonight. I was all set on talking to her. We were going to get all of this shit out in the open. There was still the matter of Annie to discuss. I have to admit I was more than a little bit curious as to how she had been conceived.

But B has got to go and pull that shit. Why does she act like that? It's not like I have any self-control around her. The bitch knows it too. Truth is, I forgot all about Sarah. Well that's not completely true. I mean I remembered her when I went back to the hotel and wrote her that note.

Six bags. Those were the bags she bought me. I just brought the one bag I'd walked in to the relationship with. If B had have looked, she would have recognized it. It was the one I stole from Cordy. And hell it wasn't like Sarah and I had been together that long. In fact, it had been two months today. A world record for me. Outside of B that is.

You can't blame me for that. I can't go that long without pussy. It's nothing personal against anyone, but shit I'm only human. Didn't mean I didn't love B. She of all people should know that.

I had to compose myself before I went back to the hotel. We were going to wake everyone up. I couldn't allow that to happen. Cordelia was pretty intent on kicking my ass. As was Willow. And we can't forget about soul boy. He'd probably just as soon see me fuck up as anything in the world. Jackass.

Ok, so I'm a little hard on Angel. Granted. But I know he's the only other person in that hotel that's been where I've been. I mean, fuck, dude lost his soul for a little taste. Glad that was not a disclaimer for me, cause the world would just have to come to an end. No way I would have given that up. You gotta give him that. He's got one hell of a constitution going.

I walked back into the hotel. I knew she was in here. I could feel her.

"Faith," I heard a whisper. Not who I expected.

"Xand?"

He walked out of the shadows. He's a sneaky bastard. I didn't even know he was standing there.

"You and Buff get into another showdown?"

I nodded. He moved to sit on the couch and I followed him. "She here?"

"Came in about ten minutes ago. I asked her if she was ok. She said not to let you in unless you were on fire. Or something like that. I argued that it wouldn't it be wise to make you stay outside if you were on fire. Not that smart letting someone on fire in the hotel. She just rolled her eyes and then she huffed her way up the stairs and slammed the door." He sat back, "I was just getting some milk."

I rolled my eyes as well, "Appreciate your concern." I leaned back and put my fingers on my temples, "Do you think I should just leave?"

"God No!" He covered his mouth, "Sorry. But god no. Please don't do that. After the first time you left." He took a deep breath, "Jesus. I don't want to go through that again." I looked at him funny. "Hehe. Not that that was about me, but I mean. It was not fun times Faith. We thought she was going to…" He trailed off.

Kill herself, I thought. Surely not. "Surely not?"

"What do you think? Everything was sunshine and roses after you left?" Oh, so that is how the saying goes.

"I though it was cherries." He looked at me funny. Focus Faith. "Never mind. Look Xander, I didn't think… B's strong. I mean…she did ok, didn't she?"

"For several reasons, none of which were coming to terms with you leaving. There was Annie to think about. And she didn't want to. Let me tell you…" He seemed to ponder this for a few moments, "Well, I'll let her tell you. But it wasn't very pretty. And then Monica came along. Thank god for her."

I winced beside him, "I'm sorry Faith but it's true. Everyone knows that she loved you. But fuck, what did you expect? She was dying inside. And it was killing us. She is," he looked at me, "the center of the universe."

I turned to look at him. What the fuck? He just shrugged. Leave it to Xander to be so matter of fact. "I think Cordy and Kennedy would disagree."

Xander shook his head. "You have been gone a long time. I guess I was a little off. Buffy just created the center of the universe. Annie is the real center. But no Buffy, no Annie. We love Annie. And we put up with a lot of shit. Even Kennedy will humor Buff to keep the kid around. There is something special about her."

I nodded. "I can feel it."

"Well you should be able to. She's part of you."

I nodded again, "I know. It's just so fucked up. We are just going to fuck her up, aren't we?"

Then he did something surprising, he hugged me. "Nah, Faith. I think you'll be a good mom. A great mom. You just need to have…a little faith." He chuckled at himself.

He's thinks he's funny. If only he knew how many times I'd heard that. I decided not to tell him, and instead I hugged him back. "Thanks."

He stood up, "Come on. I'll get you settled in another room. You can talk to Buff tomorrow. I think today has been too big for everyone."

I let him lead me to the stairs. He opened one of the empty rooms and turned to leave. "Good night Faith. Things'll get better."

I touched his arm before he could leave. He turned to look at me. "Thank you." I told him.

He smiled and closed the door. I was tired. He was right. Things would be better tomorrow. They couldn't get any worse. Right?

Buffy's POV

I woke up from a fitful sleep. Turning over I went to put my head on Monica's shoulder. I came, instead, in contact with a pillow. Fuck. I sat up suddenly. Faith. The entire day and night played through my head.

Jesus. I laid back and put my hand on my forehead. Goddamn I had a headache. I felt like I had been drinking. I groaned. No such luck. There was one dark-haired slayer that could do this to me, and by the feelings I was getting she was pretty damn close by.

"Mommy," I heard and looked to see Annie barreling in the room. "You're up. I didn't think you were ever getting up."

I turned to look over at the clock. Stretching my arms out to catch her. "It's only," I squinted, "eight o'clock." I groaned again. I snuggled into her neck. "Mommy's head hurts."

She ran her hand over my forehead. "I'm sorry I was so mean." She smiled up at me.

"Oh, no baby. Mommy's sorry. " I leaned back, pulling her to me, "It's just been really really weird."

She spoke softly, "What do I call her?"

"Who?" Who was she calling at this time of the morning?

She made a face at me. "Faith?"

I was perplexed. "What do you mean? Why are you calling Faith? Did she leave?"

She made a face. "No silly. Not call her on the phone. What do I call her?" She stressed the importance of each word. "You know. I know she's my other mommy." I nodded at her. She looked down. Refusing to meet my eyes. "But what do I call her? I don't wanna call her Mommy."

"You don't have to call her Mommy."

"Good, cause I don't want to." She looked at me and frowned. "She left you. I heard Aunt Cordy say it. When you were really sad. She said you wouldn't even look at me when I was borned."

I hugged her again, "Oh, that's not true. I was just sad. It wasn't your fault."

Note to self – kick Cordelia's ass.

She looked as if she could read my mind. "Oh, no Mommy. She didn't tell me that. I heard her talking to Angel one day. It was really long ago. She didn't know I was there. When I was like three or something. She looked like she was going to throw up when she saw me. Then she got on to me for listening in on growned up conversations." She was still frowning. "Anyways. I know, it was her fault." I started to protest. "No. It was. She left me and you."

"She didn't know about you."

She looked a little surprised. "So. She still left you. I thought she was gonna be cool. Everybody said she was cool. Even Wills said that and I know that she doesn't really like her."

I shook my head, "That's not true."

"No it is. I can feel it." She nodded at me. "It doesn't matter. She made Monnie leave. What if I don't see her again?"

I hadn't really thought about that. What if she didn't see her again? How do I explain all of this? "Monnie wasn't your mommy."

"So, neither is Faith."

I shook my head. "Yes she is. You're a part of her. You look just like her." I touched her nose with mine. "You have the same hair. And the same smile. And the same attitude. And you're smart like her."

"Uh-uh. Nope, Mommy. Girls and girls can't have babies. Only girls and boys."

"But you're special. You know that."

Her face got red. "I don't wanna be special. I wanna be normal. And I don't want Faith to be my Mommy." She screamed and jumped from the bed. "I'm gonna find Dawnie. She said she would take me for pancakes."

I let her run away from me. I should have gotten on to her for yelling. But I could hardly think of what to say.

She threw open the door. "Move," I heard her scream. I went to get up; to chastise her for yelling at someone else. Until I saw who that someone else was. Faith. She had tears in her eyes. Annie pushed her out of the way and ran down the hall. I could hear her sobbing. "Dawnieeeeeeeee."

I looked to Faith. She just shook her head at me. Wiping at her eyes. God it killed me to see her cry. Move legs, damn it. Move. She turned to walk away.

"Faith, wait," damn. Glad I still have a voice.

She stalled, and then turned to look at me. I could tell she was waiting for me to say something.

"Come here," I said, patting the bed next to me.

She looked down the hall, after Annie. "Shouldn't you…?"

"No," I said, still patting the bed, "She's not an easy kid to talk to." I smiled at her, "She gets that from you." She smiled back at me weakly. "Dawn will talk to her. She seems to listen to everyone better than me." I looked down at the bed. "I am a fucked up mother."

She crossed to me quickly. Sitting beside me, she picked up my hand. "I think you're a great mom. She's a great kid. Just confused. And with good reason. I can't blame her for hating me."

I shook my head. "No. She is not going to talk to people like that. I don't care how special she is. She still has to be respectful."

"See," Faith smiled. "That's good parenting. My mother didn't give a shit how I talked, or who I talked to for that matter."

I smoothed her hair. "Will you try to make it work?" I heard myself and rushed, "I mean not with me." She looked crestfallen, "Not if you don't want to, I mean. I just meant with Annie. She needs you. I think you would balance out my craziness a little."

"You mean with my own craziness."

I laughed, "Well, it couldn't hurt, could it?"

She stopped smiling, "Yeah, B, it sounds like it could kinda hurt."

"Faith she's five. You don't have to take everything she says to heart." She wasn't looking at me, "Hey, I hate to say it but little kids can be mean. For example," I smiled at her again, turning her head to look at me, "Dawn was a little fuck. I'm not kidding," I said when she smiled, "She was. The biggest brat on the planet. And look at her now…Ok well not the best example. But take this for example. I heard Cordy's mom say she was the sweetest child on the planet." Faith shot an eyebrow up, "I know…I know. I thought she was nuts. Apparently some things do change."

She shook her head, and laughed slightly to herself. "What kinda crazy shit is it giving us a kid?"

I shook my head as well. "Who knows? I figure most parents are as big fuck ups as we are. I mean we can't do any worse can we?'

She smiled, "Oh, we could do a hell of a lot worse. I'm thinking our drama probably doesn't even register on the fucked up parent radar."

"Except for the whole two girls thing…" I laughed.

She nodded, "Yeah…that is kinda fucked up." She agreed.

Chapter 12

FLASHBACK- POV None

"Jesus Buffy You have to at least push." Cordy said, holding Buffy's left leg. "I mean we are not going to sit here and do everything," She pushed Buffy's leg back. "And I have to say. I'm sick of looking at your…"She thought for a moment, "Private area. Who would have thought it would get that big? I mean, good god, I could crawl up inside of it."

Willow wiped at Buffy's brow, "Cordelia. You are not helping. You need to be quiet."

"Hey," Cordy said. "You got the job of wiping the brow. Don't break a sweat or anything. I'm sitting here holding one of these massive legs," Buffy stopped straining to give Cordelia the evil eye, "Hey, I'm just saying. They don't look so tiny from this position."

The midwife smiled at them, "I think it's sweet that you have so many caring friends, Ms. Summers."

Buffy growled, "I have slayed fucking vampires that had cloven hooves. I have been dead not once, but …fuck….twice…I have defeated the first, been stabbed, shot, drowned, and beat to damn near a bloody pulp…and fuckkkkkkk…..nothing feels like this. Jesus H. Christ. This is ridiculous. Get this thing out of my body." She twisted her face in pain.

The midwife looked stunned. Cordy jumped in. "She's crazy. That's why we're in here. She's a loon," She made the crazy sign against her head. "We have to follow her around. Shot, stabbed? Vampires? Have you ever in your life? She's deluded. We think it's because she was not fed properly as a child."

"Cordy," Buffy roared, "When … I …fuckkkkk…..Oh my god. Will this ever end? Fuck…Cordy…I'm going to rip your tongue out and feed it to these made up creatures when I get through…fuck," she began panting. "Somebody kill me."

Cordelia smirked, "Hey, I will," She held up her hand. Willow gave her a warning look, "I am so not scared of you." She told the witch.

Dawn spoke up. "Could the two of you just stop for like two fucking minutes cause…oh look hair!" She exclaimed pointing between Buffy's legs.

Kennedy looked over the leg she was holding, "Wow. It's black. Like…just likes Faith. You know," she looked at Cordy, "I thought she was just kidding."

Cordy nodded, "me too," she mumbled.

"Ok," the midwife said, "One more big push."

Buffy shook her head. "No more." She tried to get up. "Forget it. Just leave it inside me. We can get it a tent. It'll be fine."

Kennedy pushed her back down. "No way, sister. One more."

Willow was holding Buffy under her arms and the other two girls were pushing against her. Dawn was sitting next to the midwife. "Come on Buff, I can see her head."

"No," Buffy replied weakly, and then, "Arrgghhhhhhhhh…get it out…get it out!!"

Willow wiped her brow again, "Just one more time."

"Ohhhhhhhhhh," Buffy screamed out as the midwife pulled.

"Good," the midwife said. She pulled the baby out. "Oh look, she's a big one."

Kennedy was smiling ear to ear as the midwife held the baby up. "Wow. She's gorgeous. Good job."

Cordy was turning a little green. "What is that stuff?" She asked, pointing.

"The placenta," Dawn answered. Everyone looked at her. Cordy raised an eyebrow. "What? I read up."

"Who wants to cut the cord?"

"Oh, me…" Willow spoke up, "If that's ok?"

Everyone nodded. "Oh no, let me," Cordelia sarcastically replied. "That would fill the nasty quota for my week."

The baby was laid on Buffy's stomach as Willow cut the cord.

Dawn jumped up and down, "Cool what are we going to name her."

Kennedy laughed. "Buffy did the work. She names her."

Cordy piped in, "Umm I beg to disagree," she said looking at the baby on Buffy's stomach. She rubbed her gently with her fingers. "I'm the one that picked your mother's large ass legs up every time you wanted to stick your little head out. I think I was the first, or at least the most beautiful person you saw. We should all get a say."

"That's retarded," Dawn commented. "I'm way hotter."

"Oh please, you wish, in like a million years. And not even then mind you. I can't think of any situation where you would be hotter than me. Let me think," she put her fingers to her head, "Nope. Not one."

Dawn snarled, "Shut up. I'm so much hotter. Kennedy what do you think?"

Kennedy went to speak. Willow got there first, "Will the two of you just shut up for like two seconds? Jesus Buff just had a baby. You act like you're at the dinner table or something."

All three of them scrunched up their noses, "Well now that was gross," Cordy commented. Dawn and Kennedy nodded.

"Anna," Buffy said.

"Huh?" Willow asked.

"I want to name her Anna. Anna Jackson Summers."

"Why would you name her after yourself?" Cordy asked. She was about to go on when she got the evil eye from Willow again. She held up her hands. "Fine…Whatever."

"It's Faith's middle name. And Jackson…that's her last name. In case you didn't know." They all shared glances with each other, "Which none of you did." Buffy tried to hide the sob in her voice, "God I'm an idiot," she said.

The others cooed over the baby. Watching her settle herself on Buffy's stomach. Buffy held her with one hand. When the midwife noticed the lack of attention she was giving, she picked her back up. "Let me clean her off." She took the baby and wrapped her in a blanket, "Come on, ladies. We'll check and make sure everything is in working order." She looked at Buffy, "though I have to say, this is one of the most beautiful babies I've ever seen."

Buffy ignored her, closing her eyes.

The midwife walked away, shaking her head a little. Everyone followed her. "Can I hold her first?" Dawn asked.

They were pushing to get to her like little kids. "Wow," Kennedy cooed, "look at her eyes."

Cordy nodded, whispering, "No doubt now, is there?"

Willow stayed with Buffy. "Are you ok?"

Buffy turned her head to the side, away from Willow. "Yeah," she muttered. "I just feel like someone ripped out my intestines. Other than that, I'm peachy." She felt the tears run down her face. She wiped at them. "Don't you want to go see the baby?"

Willow shook her head. "I'll see her in a bit." She brushed Buffy's hair out of her eyes and wiped at her tears, "Everything's gonna be ok, you'll see."

Buffy turned back to look at her again. "Whatever," she mumbled closing her eyes.

Faith's POV

I couldn't deny that I was sitting on B's bed. All she had on was a t-shirt. And panties. So shoot me, I looked.

"Should we check on her?" I asked motioning with my head towards the door.

Buffy shook her head, "No. I don't think…let's just wait, ok?"

I nodded, albeit reluctantly. I had to find some way to rectify this.

"It was awful," she said. It startled me.

"What was awful?"

"The labor. The pain. You not being there. I wanted to…I though about…"She began to cry, "I'm so sorry."

I held her to me, "No B. I'm sorry. I can be a real Jacksass sometimes. Just running out like that." I stroked her head. "If I had thought for one nanosecond that you were going to…Oh my god Buffy, you have no idea what I would do to myself. None. You have no idea how much…"

She sniffed, "What about Sarah?"

I tried the humorous approach, "Sarah who?"

She quirked an eyebrow. Ok, plan B. "She's pissed at me. Hence the phone call. I did tell her," I looked away, a little embarrassed, "it was in a note, but still. I laid everything out for her."

She scoffed a little, mockingly, "You broke up with your girlfriend in a note?"

"Hey," I hit her on the arm, "She wasn't my girlfriend."

She tensed. "I don't know if that is a good or bad thing."

"I see it as good. I couldn't stay with anyone. All I thought about was you." I looked down. "You haunted me."

She cried a bit. "Why did you stay gone?"

I heaved. "It's hard to explain. Why did you think I came back to LA with her? I knew you were here. It was the reason I was at the mall. I could feel you." She looked at me, "Not to say the kid didn't shock me, cause whoa…that was a little…well, of course you know. You saw me faint." She nodded. "I don't know why I didn't come back sooner. I was afraid of what I had done. Walking out with little explanation. Even then I knew I was being a fool."

"That doesn't make any sense."

I shook my head trying to clear it. "In a way it does. I've never had anything in my life but you and pride. And when I thought you were taken away, well pride was all that was left. I couldn't help it. I just couldn't. I can't explain it. God knows I want to. I was so stupid. I've missed so much…." I trailed off.

She hugged me to her. She put my head on her shoulder and stroked my head. "Hey…we've…let's look ahead." She sighed, "Annie's five. She still has so much more ahead of her. She's special Faith. And I don't just mean how she was born."

I nodded against Buffy's shoulder, "I know I can feel it. She's destined for something big. Bigger than us." I lifted my face to look at Buffy, "How did you take…was it weird?

"You mean having her?" I nodded. Buffy pulled away a little. "The whole thing was well…it was surreal. Like it wasn't really happening or something. I can't explain it. And she looked so much like you. It scared me. She had every feature, every trait, down to the little swagger when she learned to walk." I smirked at this comment, "No, I'm serious. She was a carbon copy. It was so conflicting."

Wow. I didn't know it was like that. It's kinda cool thinking I have a carbon copy. Let's face it, I am hot. Focus Faith. I seem to be telling myself that a lot lately. "I know everything is not always movie ending happy in real life. Having a kid is hard. Especially when you get abandoned." I looked down. "Fuck…I suck."

"Stop," Buffy said, "We are going to stop that. You didn't know. And yeah I fucked up royally. If it weren't for the gang, well god knows what would have happened and then…"

I couldn't stop myself, "Monica," I spat out.

Buffy looked at me. "She wasn't bad. Angry maybe. Jealous obviously. But she fixed me. She loved Annie. You are probably going to have to deal with that. Annie loved her back."

Stupid blond whore reject from a B movie, ok…I can deal. I took a deflating breath, "I…I don't know B. I…I won't deny that that girl pisses me off. It's my own insecurities I get, but still…I…she had what was mine. I told ya I'm kinda proud. Guess that makes me possessive too."

Buffy smiled a little, "You don't have to worry about me going anywhere. I'm right here. Forever. I'm never leaving…but…I'm worried…."

I took another deep breath, "About me running," I whispered, anger tinting my voice, "Cause that's what I do. I run."

Buffy shook her head and put her hand on my arm, "No baby. I didn't mean it like that. I just…"

I nodded. "No, it's ok. It's true."

Cordelia ran into the room at that moment. God she knows how to interrupt a situation, doesn't she? " Wow! No shouting. I just bet Angel that one of you had already killed the other, hence the silence."

I smirked, "Guess you lost."

"Whatever. He's not getting a copper cent out of me. He doesn't pay me enough as it is."

I can believe Fang boy pays this chick. That is too damn much. I wonder if he's…nah, they can't be. He still has his soul. Doesn't he? I rolled my eyes, "I can't believe he pays you anything."

Cordy scoffed, "You know even if I wasn't his secretarial slave, he'd still have to pay me for putting up with his broody ass. Plus, all of you. I mean, what the hell would you people do without me. You would die, that's what." She looked to Buffy's shocked face, "You need to think about it. Who provides you with grounded, and may I add, much needed advice? Me. Who loves the kid, even though I personally believed she was spawned from two wackos?" Gee thanks for being so honest Cor. " Me. Without me, your lives would be boring at best."

Buffy shook her head, "Damn Cordelia you are really really full of yourself."

Cordy ignored her, "I cooked breakfast. I know you two are hungry. You fucking slayers eat like wild animals. Oh, and see, another thing I do, cook. You would all also starve to death without me."

Buffy nodded at that. "Yeah you're right. I can put up with a little obnoxiousness for good food."

Cordy nodded sagely. She smacked Buffy's arm as we walked out of the room, "Hey I'm not obnoxious. I'm super hot. You two are just jealous."

I stalled. She's right there. "You are hot, I'll give you that Queen C."

Buffy just laughed, it was a good sign. Cordy and I stared at her. "What? She is hot." Well that just sucks. Buffy isn't allowed to think she's hot.

Cordy whined after us, "Hey now I know why you all stay. You two are just lusting over me. God, why didn't you tell me? I mean I knew Willow and Xander wanted me. But I really had no idea about you." She said, following us into the kitchen.

Willow spit out her food, "I do not want you."

Cordy rolled her eyes as if to say whatever.

Willow stammered, "I don't. Jeez. Conceited?"

Cordy ignored her.

Xander looked around the room, "Hey I don't want her either."

Cordy rolled her eyes again. "You people need to get a serious clue," she laughed, pouring herself some coffee.

Yeah Cordy was hot. But I wouldn't trade my B for anything in the world. Then I heard the whirlwind coming from the hall.

"Come back here," Dawn yelled.

"Mommy, she's making me wear these ugly shoes. Why do you people want me to wear ugly shoes? I'm going barefoot. These are…" she stopped mid-sentence when she saw me. "Why is she still here?" She basically yelled.

Well that doesn't fucking sound very promising does it?

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