repost: blind Faith II; the healing

["shadowmage_draco" <shadowmage_draco@xxxxxxx>]

Blind Faith: The Healing

By

Sam




Email: shadowmage_draco@xxxxxxx
Rating: R 
Disclaimer: The characters of BtVS slayer are the property of Joss.  
I am borrowing them for a bit for fun.
Archive: The usual suspects. Anyone else just ask, I'll say yes.
Pairing: Buffy/Faith 
Thanks: As always a special thanks to Coy for being kinda enough not 
only to beta read for me but me a most cool friend.
Summery: A reformed Faith is injured and faces an uncertain future 
with her fellow slayer.
Warning: Angst ahead
Feedback: Feedback is the fuel to my muse, please send it as it is 
most yummy.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Act 1: Return to Sunnydale


Faith sat nervously in the car, glad that the trip was over, but 
afraid of what Sunnydale had in store for her. She still was haunted 
by her past and now here she was in the place that saw her turn 
against her friends and do everything she could destroy them and 
herself, <Fuck why'd I come back here, so much went wrong here, I 
turned on every person in this car, I hurt her, ruined what we had, 
damn I was stupid, but here I am back in the Hellmouth. Come on vamps 
take a taste of the blind slayer, she can't do anything to ya 
anymore. I guess I gotta be nuts to be doin' this, no it's not that, 
it's B. She said I was going to Sunnydale with her, so I came, I 
just hope I don't fuck things up like last time, I don't deserve 
this, I don't deserve her, but there she is sitting in the car with 
me somewhere in Sunnydale, not saying a word. God where the fuck are 
we, I hate this. I should be able to see where we are, oh it's the 
library, or the bronze but I can't. Gods it's so fuckin' unfair, why 
the hell don't I know where we are>.

Buffy took a quick look over at Faith then got out of the car. <Okay 
here we go Summers, keep cool, you can't let yourself get hurt again, 
you can do this>. She walked around to the passage side of the car 
and opened the door, "Faith we're at Giles, you're gonna be staying 
here for awhile. Are you ready," <I hope you are because I'm not>.

A few moments later Faith almost jumped when the passenger side door 
opened and she felt some one take her arm, "It's okay Faith, I'm just 
gonna help you into Giles house."

"Okay B." 

The two slayers started up towards Giles porch, Faith holding on 
firmly to Buffy's arm, <God why is everything moving in slow motion.  
It's taking forever to get to the door, why is it taking forever to 
get to the door, > Faith tightened her grip around Buffy's arm as the 
two slayers carefully made their way towards Giles porch, < Does he 
have step, I can't remember if he has steps. God I don't want to 
fall, not in front of B. Fuck please don't let there be a step>.

"Okay Faith, there's just a couple steps then we'll be on the porch."

<Step's why'd there have to be steps,> "B..I&I don't know&."

"Don't worry about them, I got ya."

"You got me," Faith replied, very unsure of the whole situation.

"Yeah I got ya, I won't let you fall," Buffy answered, "Okay were at 
the steps, you ready?"

<Damn I can't believe this, I'm afraid of going up some Fuckin' 
steps, but I don't want to fall, Gods what's gonna happen to me, how 
am I gonna make it here if I can't even go up some damn steps>.

"Faith, we can do this," Buffy assured her fellow slayer, "I'm not 
gonna let you fall. Are ya ready?"

Willow stood behind the two slayers holding Faith's suitcase with one 
hand and Tara's hand with the other, "I don't know if she's gonna be 
able to do the stairs, maybe we should levitate her."

"We can't do that, this is something both of them need to do."

"You sure about that because their just standing there, not doing 
anything, and I know we could help with a quick spell."

"I know Honey, but this is something Faith and Buffy need to do."

Faith took a deep breath, <Okay it's now or never, you can do this 
you got B, > "Okay let's do it."

Faith Clung to Buffy's arm as she stepped out towards the first step, 
<God please be there, > then breath a sigh of relief when she made 
contact with the step.

"Okay there's two more steps to go Faith.'

<Fuck I'm not even half way there but B's got me, I might be able to 
pull this of, please let me be able to pull this off. >

Faith intently listened to Buffy's instructions as she finished of 
the remaining steps and reached Giles porch, <God I'm glad that's 
over, but I did it and B didn't let me fall just like she said.  
Wait, she said she wouldn't let me fall maybe there's hope; maybe I 
haven't ruined any chance I would ever have. Hell who am I kidding 
she hasn't even forgave me yet. >

Buffy lead Faith over to the couch and helped the brunette get 
seated, "Giles where do you want Wills to put Faith's suitcase?"

Giles pointed over to the guest bedroom off to the right, "In there 
will be fine."

"Good you got it Wills?"

Before Willow could reply, Buffy started talking again, "Good, looks 
like everything's under control for now."

"Buffy you're leaving already," Willow inquired, trying to figure out 
what was going through the blondes mind.

"I'll be back, don't worry," Buffy replied before darting out the 
door.

Faith sat on the couch, in the unfamiliar room and listened to the 
conversation that was taking place, <Great we've been here for less 
than a minuet and B's already leaving, guess I was really kidding 
myself. Why should she ever forgive me, hell I can't even help her 
slay anymore, God why'd I let her bring me her, I should have know B 
wasn't gonna forgive me, what the fuck was I thinking>.

Willow and Tara gave a puzzled look in Giles direction, followed by a 
few moments of awkward silence.

"Faith, uh how was the trip from LA," Giles asked, trying to get 
something that resembled a conversation going.

"It was Okay."

"Good, glad to here it," <Come on Giles you're the adult here think 
of something to say, > "Would you like something to drink?"

"Sure, do you have any soda," <Great now I have to try and not spill 
anything on myself, I should have just said no and waited till Red 
and Blondie left, at least B isn't here to see this>.

Giles handed Faith a Pepsi, "I put a straw in it for you."

"Thanks," <This isn't to bad now all I have to do is not poke myself 
in the eye or nose with the damn thing, at least I won't spill it all 
over myself>.

"Buffy, your back," Willow exclaimed.

<B's back, God I just know I'm gonna poke myself with this damn straw 
now, maybe I should ask Giles to put it in the fridge till B leaves>.

"I said I was gonna be right back," Buffy replies, as she tossed a 
large backpack on one of Giles chairs.

Giles eyed the backpack for a second, then gave Buffy a rather 
confused look, "I'm almost afraid to ask, but what's the backpack 
for?"

<Backpack why does B have a backpack, wahts the hell is going on!>

"I'm camping out in your living room."

"Your what?"
<She's what, it can't be, what if I mess up, B what if I fall or do 
something stupid, B can't see me like this, Damn everything is out of 
fucking control.>

"I'm camping out in your living room, you know just in case any vamps 
show up," <Come Giles you just gotta by that, I don't want to go into 
this>.

"Buffy you know there is no way a vamp could get in here, if it would 
make you feel better I could have Willow and Tara put up a few wards, 
but you don't have to stay here."

"Look I'm the Slayer and if they show up I'll slay them, you never 
know they might figure out a way to get in."

"Buffy, Faith and I are perfectly safe here."

"And you'll be even safer with me staying here."

"Vamps are not going to get in my house."

"You don't know that so I'm staying."

"Buffy&"

"Giles we can argue about this all night but I'm still gonna camp out 
in your living room."

Giles looked at the blonde slayer and saw that there was no way he 
was going to when this argument, "Okay, you can stay."

Buffy smiled at Giles and took a seat on the couch next to 
Faith, "Now that that's settled could I get something to drink."

Giles shook his head and headed off to the kitchen to get Buffy a 
Pepsi.  

Buffy looked over at Faith who was tightly holding her soda in both 
hands, "You really should drink that before it gets warm."

<B, stayimg that's good, no its not good, who am I kidding its just 
gonna give me more chances to screw things up. Damn now she's 
sitting right next to me, what if I poke myself with the straw, > 
Faith's hands where trembling as brought the soda towards her, <Okay 
I did the stairs, I can do this, I just need to take it slowly. >

"Here let me help," Buffy replied, reaching over and softly placing 
her hand on top of Faith's.

<B's touching my hand, God I'm gonna drop this soda and get it all 
over both of us,> "B, what are you doing," <Not that I mind, because 
it really feels nice. Come on Spencer get a grip, she's only helping 
you not to spill your drink, it's not like she's holding your hand>.

<Oh my God, I'm not suppose to be feeling this way, I'm just suppose 
to be helping her, it's just a simple touch, it doesn't mean 
anything, > "Just helping out a little, say Ahh, <who am I kidding it 
means everything, I don't want it to but it does. Damn I got it bad; 
I just hope I don't get hurt again>.

Faith took a sip of her soda, "Thanks B."

"No problem, I told you I was here for ya," <God why'd I say that, 
because I wanted to, that's why>.

<B's here for me, > Faith sipped happily away on her drink Buffy took 
a quick sip of her soda, "We need to get some rest, tomorrow's a big 
day."

"What's tomorrow B?"

"Tomorrow me and Giles are taking you to the campus."

"The campus?"

"Yeah, they have a program there that's gonna help you out."


Act 2: The Center

Faith was trying her best not to tremble as Buffy led her into the 
Training center for the blind at the Sunnydale campus, everything 
seemed to be moving so fast yet in slow motion at the same time. A 
few weeks ago she had been in the medical center at the prison 
inwardly screaming because she couldn't see and now she was holding 
Buffy's hand as the beautiful blonde slayer led her across 
Sunnydale's campus and it terrified her.

Faith tightened her grip on Buffy's arm as the two slayers walked 
through the glass door to the training center, <Well here goes 
everything Spencer.>

"Buffy over here," "Willow shouted from the reception desk.

"Wills, I didn't know you and Tara where working today."

"Well we weren't scheduled but we figured it might be a good thing to 
just sorta show up for Faith's first day."

"Thanks," Buffy replied, "What are we suppose to do now?"

"Just have a seat and I will go get Mr. Thomas, the director."

Buffy led Faith over to the seats of to the right and helped the 
younger girl sit down. She scanned the room taking in everything, 
and looking for anything that she thought could be a danger to Faith.

"Willow, "Tara softly asked, "Do you think it was a good idea for us 
to show up like this, I mean what if Buffy wanted this time to be 
alone with Faith?"

"Tara just look at her, she is looks like she's about ready to stake 
half the room if they so as much look at Faith wrong.'

"I see what you mean...Do you think this was a good idea, I mean 
bringing Faith back like this."

"I don't know. She's a different person now, but Buffy has been on 
edge very sine we left Sunnydale, she's practically driving Giles 
nuts, and doesn't want to leave Faith alone for a second claiming 
that because Faith is a slayer she is responsible for her."

"So what do we do now?"

"We go get Mr. Thomas."

"And after that?"

"We find Giles."

Faith tightened her grip on Buffy's hand even more, "B, can we leave 
here now."

"Why, is something wrong?"

"I don't think I can do this."

"Faith, I'm right here, we can do this."

"We," <She said we, why did she say we, maybe there is hope, I mean 
she said we, but what if she doesn't feel that way anymore, I mean I 
messed things up, what if its not gonna happen, I mean B hasn't even 
forgave me yet, but she did say we.>

A few minutes later the slayers found themselves sitting in the 
office of Allen Thomas Director of the Sunnydale training center for 
the Blind, "First let me say it great to have you here Ms. Spencer, I 
think you will find that the center has a lot to offer you."

Faith simply nodded, she was to nervous to say anything and figured 
it might be best to let Buffy do all that talking for her.

"Like what," Buffy interjected trying to size up not only the center 
but its director.

"I not quite following Ms. Summers."

"You said the center had a lot to offer Faith, so what does it have 
to offer."

Mr. Thomas to a quick breath, wondering why the blonde girl made him 
so uneasy, "W-well first off we have a full staff that will teach 
Faith several lives skills&"

"Such as," injected Buffy.

"Well uh there is cooking, getting around from place to place and 
hopefully eventually teaching her to get be able to make it one here 
own."

<Make is on her own, wait a second if she could do that she might not 
need me and she might not stay, God what's going on here, I mean I 
don't want to see here go, God I want here to need me, this isn't 
suppose to be happening, God why is all this happening to me.>

Buffy placed her arm around Faith and stared at the director for a 
few moments not saying anything.

<Oh my, B&her arm, she has her arm around me, what do I do, am I 
suppose to put my arm around her to, I want to, but what if she 
doesn't want me to&Why the fuck am I babbling to myself like some 
teenager in one of those stupid movies, I'm not suppose to o that, 
God what is happening to me.>

Mr. Thomas finally broke the awkward silence, "Perhaps you two would 
like a tour of the facility and meet some of the staff."



Act 3: A question of love.

Faith leaned back against her headboard and thought about everything 
that had happened to her today. At first she had been really nervous 
about going to the campus but she was glad she did, everyone there 
had been so nice, maybe it was going to be possible for her to make 
it like this after all. She ran her hand over the small wooden box 
that was resting on her lap, that box had helped her make it through 
some of her darkest hours in prison.  

Every time she had felt her world starting to cave in, every time she 
had wondered if she was gonna be able to change she had opened it up 
and talked to the picture of Buffy, <God B if you only knew how much 
you helped me>.

Faith felt around the side of the bed for a few moments until she 
found the nightstand, she then carefully placed the box on it; <guess 
I don't need you anymore, not with the real thing camping outside my 
room. God if I only could talk to B like I talked to you, I'd tell 
her I love her, that I need her, but of course you couldn't run away 
from me, but she can and I don't want to lose her, not know. >

Faith leaned back in bed, <Now only if I can figure out what's going 
on with B. I was afraid that maybe she wouldn't forgive me but she 
did, maybe I still have a chance with her, maybe she still has 
feelings for me, maybe I'm nuts. God I wish there was a chance for 
me and B to get back together, but I might have burnt that bridge, if 
only I hadn't been so fuckin' stupid and saw how good I had it, but 
no I had to go all evil and ruin the best thing I had going in my 
life&way to go, guess I should get the how to screw everything up 
award, but maybe I didn't screw it up as bad as I thought I did.  
She's out there on the couch and she doesn't have to be. She brought 
me to Sunnydale instead of leaving me in La, but that could be her 
sense of duty, maybe that's why she went to the center with me too.  
God B, I wish I knew what you where thinking, do I still have a 
chance, could you love me again>

Buffy sat on the couch staring at the door that led to Faith's room, 
<God what am I suppose to do, I can't go on like this anymore, but 
I'm afraid to tell her that I love her, that I never stopped loving 
her. I know she wouldn't intently hurt me like the last time but 
what if she doesn't feel that way anymore, what if she never felt 
that way. God I just don't know what to do, I want to pull her close 
to me, tell her that I love her, but I can't. Why can't I do it, 
it's just three simple words, but they mean so much, God what am 
gonna do>.

"Buffy, I need to talk to you," Giles replied

The slayer turned away from Faith's door and looked over a 
Giles, "About what?"

Giles walked across the room and took a seat in the recliner, "About 
you."

"Me?"

"Yes. Buffy what's going on?"

"Nothings going on, everything's fine."

"Buffy I'm not a idiot, everything is not fine. I mean your camping 
out in my living room under the pretense that vamps might get in and 
get to Faith."

"We already covered this, I really don't see&"

"I'm not done," Giles replied cutting Buffy off, "that's only the tip 
of the iceberg. You're not going to your classes because for some 
reason you have to be the only one who helps Faith. Buffy listen to 
me, I know what I am doing. My brother Jonathan was born blind and I 
helped raise him, so I do have an idea of what to do to help Faith.  
Plus the others can help to if we need them."

"Giles, I appreciate it but&"

"No buts, look there is no reason for you to try and do this all 
alone, everyone's her to help."

"It's not that simple, I have to do it," Buffy began to cry.

"Why?"

Buffy lowered her head, "I just do."

Giles got up from his chair and walked over to his surrogate 
daughter, "Buffy, I'm trying to understand, but you're not helping 
any. I want to help but you won't let me."

Giles placed his hand on the slayer's shoulder, "Why do you think you 
have to do this on your own?"

Buffy looked up at Giles, tears rolling down her cheeks, "Because I 
love her."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I never got over her from the last time."

"The last time, you mean before she..."

"Yeah, we were sorta dating, I was in love with Faith and I thought 
she felt the same way, then she went all evil," Buffy said with a sob 
in her voice.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know."

"No one did," Buffy wiped the tears from her eyes, "I still love her 
Giles, I want to tell her but I'm afraid, that's why I been doing 
everything the way I have."

"It is?"

"Yeah. I knew when I saw her in the hospital I still loved her, and 
after she got back here I realized I wanted her to love me."

"Buffy running yourself ragged isn't going to make Faith love you."

"I know," Buffy, cried, "I just figured that if we could be close to 
each other, that she might fall for me again."

Faith sat in her bed weeping over what she had just over heard, 
<Tomorrow B I'm telling you that I love you and then we can be 
together again>.




Act 4: A Question of Love.


"In my life, there's been heartache and pain 
I don't know if I can face it again 
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far 
To change this lonely life 

I want to know what love is 
I want you to show me 
I want to feel what love is 
I know you can show me" 

--Foreigner, 'I want to know what 
love is'
**********************************************************************
*******

Faith sat up in bed, nervously fiddling with her fingers as she 
listened to the grandfather clock in Giles living room slowly tick 
away. <God why am I so nervous, I know B loves me, I heard her tell 
the G-man. I'm not suppose to be like this, all tied up on the 
inside, afraid of how she's gona react. I should be happy with 
butterflies and everything but I'm not. Instead I am sitting up in 
bed at three in the morning worried that B is going to run away 
screaming, not that I can blame her. God I fucked things up so much 
last time, she offered me love and instead of taking it I used and 
hurt the one person that means more to me than anything else. God B 
please don't freak out when I tell you, I promise I want hurt you 
again, I'd rather die than do that>.

Buffy sat on the couch staring at Faith's bedroom door, <Damn Summers 
what are you gonna do now. It's bad enough I'm head over heels in 
love with Faith but that wasn't enough was it, no I had to go and 
tell Giles. Maybe I could get Willow and Tara to put a spell on him 
so he wouldn't remember what I said, no can't do that then I would 
have to tell them what's going on. Damn why does this have to be so 
complicated, I wasn't suppose to fall for her again, I was only gonna 
help, God what am I going to do>.

Later that morning&

Faith leaned back against the head board waiting for someone to come 
and help her get ready for her first full day at the center and 
hoping it was Buffy. According to the chiming Grandfather clock it 
was five in the morning so she was gonna have to wait another hour or 
so until someone came, <God I hate this, I can't do anything but just 
sit hear and wait for some one to come and get me, this is worse than 
when I was in prison. At least then I knew what was going on around 
me, I knew how to get around now I can't even go from one room or 
another without someone fucking helping me. God if I only could get 
up and get something to drink without half killing myself, fuck why'd 
this have to happen. Guess I should be happy that B is here taking 
care of me, God why does she still love me, after all I did t her, 
and now this. God please don't let her freak out, I have to make up 
everything to B>.

Buffy carefully pushed Faiths bedroom door open so that she wouldn't 
wake the brunette if she was still asleep. She looked over at the 
bed and saw Faith sitting there twiddling her thumbs, <God she's 
beautiful,> "faith?"

"B&y-you're early," <Get a grip, you can do this, you can tell her>.

"Couldn't sleep," <She stuttered, something's wrong&Oh My God what if 
she heard me and Giles talking, fuck she knows and doesn't feel the 
same way>.

"Same here, guess it's catchy," Faith nervously replied.

<God that's it, she know, quick think of something,> "Do you n-need 
anything, you know something to drink or eat, maybe orange juice, 
yeah orange juice would be nice."

<damn B's babbling, I got to tell her before she has a heart attack 
pr something,> "B, I don't need any orange juice&c-could we t-talk?"

<Brace yourself her it comes,> "Okay."

"Maybe we should talk in the living room?" 

Faith leaned up against Buffy and took her arm after the blonde had 
helped her out of bed, <I could defiantly get used to this>.

<God if she is going to let me down why is she leaning up against me 
like that. Maybe I was wrong, maybe she didn't hear me and Giles 
talking, or maybe she did&God I wish I knew what was happening here>.

"Okay, we're here," <And it's a good thing a few more seconds of 
having you lean on me like that and I would have had to kiss you&damn 
get a grip on yourself Summers, she doesn't feel the same way>.

Buffy helped Faith onto the couch and took a seat next to her, <Okay 
time to find out what's going on,> "Faith, you said you w-wanted to 
talk," Buffy asked with a hint of anxiety in her voice.

"B, could you hold my&hand," <Please do it, please>.

<Okay she wouldn't ask me to hold her hand if she was gonna tell me 
she doesn't love me, or would she,> Buffy took Faith by the 
hand, "Okay," she sighed.

<Okay here is goes," B, I uh, (Come one spit it out, tell her you 
love her,> "Buffy&"

<Oh God, she called me Buffy, this is bad, and she never calls me 
Buffy>.

"I know I hurt you and I'd give anything to take it back but I 
can't," Faith sobbed, "I know I don't deserve it but I have to 
ask&.could you give us another chance," <Please say yes, you just 
gotta say yes>.

"Us," <Oh my, is she asking what I think she's asking, please be 
asking what I think you're asking>.

<okay here goes everything,> "B, I love you, I always have. I know I 
screwed things up and I don't blame you if you don't want to give us 
another try," Faith replied with tears rolling down her face, "but if 
you do I promise I love you with everything that I have, that I'll 
never hurt you , that I won't ever let you down again."

Tears formed in the blonde's eyes as she reached over and wiped the 
tears from Faith's cheek, "You love me," <God is this real, is it 
really happening>.

Faith felt a warm sensation gently breeze through her body as Buffy's 
hand caressed up agaist her cheek, "Yes, I love you with all my 
heart, all my soul&."

Buffy placed her finger over the brunettes lips, "Shhhh. You don't 
have to say anymore, you've made me the happiest slayer in the world 
just by saying that you love me."

Buffy leaned over into Faith and gently placed a kiss on her forehead.

<B just kissed me. She didn't run away and she kissed me>.

"Faith you know what I see?"

"No, what?"

"I see the most beautiful girl in world and love her more than I have 
ever loved anyone. I&I want to give us another chance."

"You do?"

"Yeah I do," Buffy replied, before tenderly kissing Faith.

<God B loves me, I know I heard her tell Giles but know, Oh God, she 
really loves me>

The two slayers sat there on the couch holding on to each other 
weeping tears of happiness over the long lost love they had found 
again. Finaaly after a few moments they regretfully broke their 
embrace to get ready for Faith's first day at the center.

Buffy smiled at Faith and saw that the dark hared slayer seemed so 
sad, almost like she was gonna cry..

<Be strong! Accept it Faith...your blind.>.

"Faith, are you Okay?"

<Am I okay, no I'm not okay. Everything I had been dreaming about 
for the last couple of years has come just come true, I used to dream 
about how it would be if you ever could love me again, and now its 
happen and I can't see you&.I can't fucking see you and it's tearing 
me apart.>

Buffy placed her hands on Faith's shoulder, "Faith talk to me, tell 
me what's wrong," <please tell me, did I do something wrong>.

<I want to see how beautiful you are, I want to see your golden 
flowing hair being blown by a gentle breeze, I want to see your 
luscious lips, and your angelic body. I want to melt in your 
enchanting hazel eyes, the ones I fell in love with, that captured my 
heart and soul. God only to see those eyes again, but I can't.  
You're the only beautiful thing in my life and I can't even fucking 
see you>.

"Faith? Come Faith we just got together again, talk to me," <Please 
talk to me, tell me what's wrong so I can make it better>.

Tears of anguish flowed down Faith's face, <Damn, I such a wuss, I'm 
pathetic>.

"What's wrong Faith," Buffy asked seeing the tears in Faith's eyes.  
Her heart shattered into a million pieces just from seeing a single 
tear drip down the brunette's face, <Oh God. Please don't cry. I 
can't stand 
it if you cry!>

"N-nothin'," <Great cope out, God she's gonna hate me>.

"No Faith, I'm not buying it. You told me that you would never hurt 
me, that you loved me with all your heart and soul. I'm not gonna  
sit back and watch you suffer like this. Come Faith you got to tell 
me, we can get through whatever it is that's bothering you if you 
tell me," Buffy pleaded, tears of her own form in her eyes.

Faith was didn't respond. The tears were still coming and she didn't 
bother trying to hold them back. <Don't make me Buffy. Not now! It 
hurts too much>.

"Faith..." Buffy said just above a whisper. "Please tell me."

"I-it's just..." Faith started barely choking back a sob. "...it 
hurts..."

"What hurts, what happened" Buffy asked in a near panic.

"It's not that kind of hurt," Faith cried putting her hand over her 
heart, "It's this kind."

Buffy reached over and placed her hand on top of Faith's, "Then let 
me help, what's wrong."

"I dreamed of this moment B, I dreamed of us being together again and 
now that it's happen&..it hurts."

"Why does it hurt?"

"Because I'm blind&.I just....I just wish I could see you...." Faith 
said so quietly that only Slayer hearing could pick it up.

<God I think my hearts gonna break, all she wants to do is see me and 
she can't, it's not fair,> "Faith," Buffy tenderly spoke, wiping the 
tears from the brunette's face.

"Yeah?"

"Do you remember yesterday at the center, when you met your councilor 
and she said how you were gonna learn to use your hands in place of 
your eyes?"

"Y-yeah..." Faith said unsure of where Buffy was going with this.

"Well...You can see me." Buffy said grabbing Faith's hands. "With 
your hands."

"Oh no! Buffy!" Faith said pulling her hands away from Buffy. "I 
can't touch you!"

"Why not?"

"Because t-they're dirty!" Faith cried showing Buffy her hands. "I k-
killed with these."

Buffy shook her head. "No Faith." 

"But I did!"

"Yeah but your wrong. They're clean now." Buffy smiled grabbing 
Faith's hands once again. This time Faith didn't pull away.

"Let me." Buffy said rubbing Faith's hands with her thumbs.

Faith gulped. <I can't believe she's doing this!>

Buffy sucked in some air. <I can't believe I'm doing this!>

Slowly, she brought both hands to the sides of her face letting 
Faith's hands touch her face. A bolt of energy surged through her 
body as soon as Faith's hands made contact. She closed her eyes and 
waited.

Faith gasped feeling Buffy's face on her hands. Her hands were 
shaking slightly, but slowly, she felt what was Buffy's nose. Then 
she moved and felt Buffy's lips, and cheeks, and finally her eyelids. 
Tears were streaming down her face but not from sadness. From joy!

"Faith," Buffy smiled, her own tears ran down her face.

"Buffy...are you crying," Faith asked a little worried that she might 
have hurt the girl, "Did I hurt you?" 

"No, I'm just really happy," Buffy replied as she held the brunette's 
hand against her face.

"Me too B....Me too."


Act 5: I'll be there

Faith sat in the front lobby of the UC Sunnydale Training Center for 
the Blind, nervously clinging to Buffy's hand; <God this is all 
happening so fast, First I tell Buffy she loves me, then she tells me 
that she feels the same way, we kiss, Oh my God what a kiss, I 
thought I was In heaven. Then there was the touching, I loved the 
touching, feeling my hands run across her soft skin, touching her 
tender lips. Damn I got to stop thinking about this or I'll be all 
turned on for my fist day here and that would be bad>.

Buffy comfortingly squeezed Faiths hand, "A penny for your thoughts."

"I was thinking about this morning...about us."

"Oh, y-your not re-regretting it are you?"

Faith was momentarily shocked by Buffy's Question, "No of course 
not. B I love you, this morning was so perfect, I've never been 
happier, it's just that, it's that I'm..."

"Your what Faith," Buffy asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I'm afraid and I'm not suppose to be afraid. B I don't know if I 
can do this, I don't know if I can make it."

Buffy let go of Faith's hand and pulled the brunette into a hug, she 
placed her forehead on Faith's.

The younger slayer let out a low sigh, she could feel Buffy's warm 
breath against her neck.

"Faith you don't have to do this on your own."

"I don't," Faith replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm here, and I'm not gonna let you do this alone."

Faiths heart was rapidly pounding in her chest, "Y-your gonna h-help?"

"I love you Faith. Of course I am gonna help," Buffy gently kissed 
Faith on the cheek, "We're gonna do this together, we're gonna get 
through this."

"Together," Faith asked as tears rolled down her face.

"Always."
**********************************************************************

Kristine Irving watched the two young women each other and waited.  
She had been a councilor at the center for five years now and 
understood what the two women where going through, she had seen it 
many times before and knew that if they where going to succeed in the 
program that moments like this where a necessity.

After the two young lovers broke their Hug Kristine walked over to 
them and introduced herself, "Hi I'm Kristine which one of you is 
Faith?"

"I-I am," Faith reluctantly replied.

Buffy sensed the brunettes uneasiness with the situation and 
tightened her grip around Faith.

Kristine smiled at the two young women and noted how protective the 
petite blonde appeared to be, she had seen this before but this time 
it was different, there was something in the blondes eyes that made 
her take a step backwards, something that said I'm not going to let 
anything hurt her so watch your step.

"I'm going to be...Faith's councilor," a very intimidated Kristine 
replied, "I'm going to help Faith with learning how to get around, 
cooking, cleaning, that sort of stuff."

Buffy stared out the councilor for a second, then smiled, "I'm 
Buffy. Faith's girlfriend."

Faith felt her heart skip a beat, <She called me her girlfriend, B 
called me her girlfriend>. She leaned into Buffy's hug, her face 
filled with bliss, <I'm B's girlfriend>.

Kristine smiled at Buffy, she knew why the blonde had been looking at 
it that way, she had seen it before on the faces of husbands and 
wives who had brought their spouses into the center. They where 
being protective of the one they loved and didn't mean to come across 
in a intimidating manner, however something told her that the blonde 
knew exactly what she was doing, that she was intentionally trying to 
intimated her.  

"It's nice to meet both of you, would the two of you like to join me 
in my office."
**********************************************************************

Kristine sat back in her chair and looked at the young couple, she 
could tell the Faith was nervous about the whole situation but what 
had her more concerned was the way the blond stare was seemly 
shooting right through her, she could almost see the wheels turning 
in Buffy's mind, trying to decided if she should entrust her 
girlfriend's care to her or not.

Kristine let out a sigh of relief when the uncomfortable silence was 
broken by someone knocking on her door, "It's open."

Giles poked his head in the office, "They told me I could find my 
niece Faith in here."

Kristine felt a wave of relief come over her, "Ahh Mr. Giles I'm 
Kristine Irving, we talked on the phone. I'm really glad you could 
make it, please come in."

Giles stepped into the office wondering why the middle aged women was 
so happy to see him. As soon as he spotted Buffy sitting next to 
Faith that question was answered, his surrogate daughter was sitting 
next to Faith looking like she had just stumbled across a nest of 
vampires and was deciding which one to stake first.

Giles sat down next to Faith and shot Buffy a fatherly glare, "Sorry 
I'm late, somehow my alarm clock keeps getting turned off."

"That's quite all right," Kristine replied.

Kristine took a deep breath, "Well we should get down to business. I 
believe our director outlines the program for you when you came here 
yesterday. Today I would like to talk to the three of you a little 
bit then start Faith on some mobility training."

"Mobility Training," Buffy inquired.

"Y-yes, I-it's what the director was talking about&teaching Faith h-
how to get around on her o-own."

Kristine turned her attention to Faith and hoped her girlfriend 
didn't have anymore questions, "Do you have any questions about the 
mobility training?"

"No, I'm five by five," Faith replied, squeezing Buffy's hand.

"Good then I'll press on. Mr. Giles."

"Call me Rupert."

"Okay Rupert, as her uncle and legal guardian you are going to play a 
critical role in her recovery, and Buffy as her girlfriend you also 
have a major role to play in all of this.

Giles hot a quick glance over to Buffy who sheepishly turned away 
from him, <Girlfriend, great that's another thing I'm going to have 
to talk to Buffy about>.

"Getting the two of you involved in the recovery process along with 
any other friends and family is vital. Do you understand this?"

Buffy and Giles both nodded in agreement.

"Second I need to schedule a home visit so I can see where Faiths is 
living, we'll show you how to make her place easier for her to get 
around and a good part of the training is going to take place their."

Kristine stood from behind her desk, "Well unless you have questions 
I guess its time for me and Faith to get to know each other so I'll 
be talking to the two of you later today when you come back at 5."

"I'm not going anywhere, I'm staying here with Faith," Buffy 
exclaimed.

"Your what," Giles demanded.

"I'm staying her with Faith, I can skip my classes for today."

"Buffy you need to go to your classes!"

"You should listen to Mr. Giles, "Kristine added in 
desperation, "besides if I am to effetely help Faith I need to talk 
to her one on one."

"You can, I'll just be here too."

"Buffy Anne Summers you're going to your classes or I'm going to be 
forced to call your Mom at the Gallery," Giles threatened.

"Call I'm staying her with Faith," Buffy retorted.

Giles rubbed his head, <God she's going to give me a stroke,> "Buffy 
if you want to do what is best for Faith you'll go to your classes 
and let Ms. Irving do her job."

"B," Faith softy replied.

"What is it?"

"I'll be okay here. Could you go to your classes for me?"

"You sure?"

"Positive, besides it will give us something to talk about when you 
come back this afternoon, Okay?"

"Okay," Buffy answered before giving Faith a good-bye kiss, "I'll see 
you in a few hours."

"I'll be waiting."
**********************************************************************
*

"Uh Mr. Giles, Rupert could I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure," Giles replied following Faith's councilor into the hallway.

"There seems to be a slight problem with your nieces recovery 
program."

Giles looked understandably at the councilor, "Buffy?"

"Yes, I know she means well but she isn't helping Faith any."

"I know, I'll talk to her about it."

"You think that will work?"

"I don't know, if it doesn't I'll talk to her Mom."

"Thanks Rupert, I'll see you around 5."


TBC in act 6: Dinner and more