FIC: Three Years in Hell, A Lifetime of Pain, (4/?)

["BillGopher" <asagiri@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Authors: Sensei Ferret & Bill Gopher
Email - senseiferret@xxxxxxxxx & kerrison29@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Disclaimers - Buffy & Co. belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, 20th Centure
Fox and UPN
Pairings - Beth/Faith, Willow/Tara
Rating - PG13, but that's gonna change soon. <evil grins>
Summary - In an alternate universe where what was right is now wrong.

Three Years in Hell, A Lifetime of Pain (4/?)
==============================================
The Next Morning?

Beth woke up as the sun broke through her window and hit in her eyes,
sitting up she moved out of her bed. Looking over at the clock on her
nightstand she saw the time on the digital alarm clock showed it was 8:30.
Stretching as she moved around her room, Beth moved the furniture to the
edges of the room so the center of the room was open.

Standing in the center Beth closed her eyes and slipped into the first kata
position she had learned. Starting slowly she moved thru the basic martial
arts moves into the next level of Katas which where more complex and
required more concentration. Slowly all thoughts and worries left her mind,
all that was important was the flow of her movements and nothing else. As
she relaxed the speed and complexity of the movements increased.

Beth heard the door open and Dawn walk in, but even this did not interrupt
her concentration.

"HEY BETH!!"

Slowing she came to a stop and picked a towel off the bed wiping her face,
"Morning to you to Dawn."

"What are you doing today?" Beth asked.

"Nothing, why?"

"I want to spend some time with my little sis, you up for a trip to the
mall?" Dawn looked at Beth surprised, "Yeah, of course!"

"Good, give me a few to clean up and grab a bite and we'll head over then."

<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>

Beth noticed that there were two groups of people shouting at each other and
holding signs as soon as Dawn pulled the Jeep into the parking lot outside
the mall.

?Beth what's up?? Dawn asked noting her sisters clenched fists. She knew
she tended to be a wild driver but she had gotten better in the last year.

?My driving?s not that bad. I've gotten better, just ask Anya,? Dawn said
proudly when she noticed the two groups of protesters at the front of the
mall.

"Damn them, I'm gonna?."

No." Beth stopped Dawn from continuing, "I'm going to spend the day with my
sister and people like that are not going to stop me and you aren't going to
start a fight with them either."

?I don?t like it but that?s their right to do that, and th?? Beth stopped
herself from continuing. She didn?t want to bring up that she was probably
going overseas soon, she wanted a day with Dawn where they could just be
together with no worries.

"You're going over there soon aren't you? I heard you and Mom talking last
night."

Beth placed her hand on Dawn's arm, "I wish I could say no, but I think it's
why I got to go on leave."

Dawn grabbed Beth tightly in a hug, "I don't wanna lose you again Beth" she
said softly.

"You're not, I promise," Beth moved back to look at Dawn.

"Good, cause I'm gonna hold you to that promise then. Now lets go, we've got
stores to see and shoes to buy."

Beth chuckled to herself and the two headed into the mall.

<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>

Beth had managed to steer Dawn away from the protest scene. Even after she
had spoken to Dawn about leaving the protesters alone, Dawn wanted to argue
with the protesters there, but she knew that it would have been a waste and
it would have just ruined their day together. So they had gone inside using
a side entrance.

So far this morning Dawn had been happily talking away about boys, school
and whatever else came to mind as they toured the various clothing stores in
the mall. She actually liked listening to Dawn talk, it was something she
had missed.

?Dawn,?

?Yes?? Dawn answered as they continued walking.

?I'm sorry.?

Dawn stopped suddenly and looked at Beth and saw the regret on her face.

?Sorry for what Beth? You haven't done anything wrong.?

?No, I'm sorry I wasn?t there for you when you needed someone to talk to,
or to just listen to you. I know it wasn't easy for you at school, being
known as the sister of a murderer.?

Dawn put her arms around Beth and held her close for a moment and then
stepped back and looked Beth in the face, ?There's nothing to be sorry for
Beth. I'm okay, relatively normal considering my sisters? friends,? Dawn
grinned at Beth, ?and I have you back in my life now. As for the rest, we'll
I found a friend I could talk to about stuff, and she was there for me when
I needed her. But she's not you and no-one will ever replace my weird, big
sister, the Vampire Slayer.?

Beth couldn't help the smile that crossed her face, that was one thing that
did worry her. About what Dawn had gone through and she wasn't there.

?I'm not weird, I just have eccentric friends is all.? Beth replied as she
smiled back at Dawn.

?Riiiight, and this explains Spike how?? Dawn teased her.

?You better start running squirt, cause I'll get you for that one!?

After Beth got her revenge on a now repentant Dawn, the two headed into the
food court for lunch.

?So what do you want for lunch?? Beth asked as they weaved up one side
looking at the various food stores.

Beth looked around the court noticing only a few tables left. ?I'll get the
food, you get the table.? Dawn started to agree but noticed some of the
protestors from outside were near the Chinese restaurant, China Pavilion.
?I'll get the food Beth.?

?Ok.? Beth replied as she saw Dawn had already headed towards the
restaurant. Looking around for an open table Beth saw one had just emptied a
few feet away and walked over to it and sat down claiming it as theirs for
lunch.

Leaning back in the chair Beth propped her feet up and looked around the
food court, <God things have changed here. This place was just being built
when I left.> Beth mused to herself.

<<<<<< >>>>>>>

Looking over, Raoul saw his friends by the Chinese place getting lunch for
everyone, <protesting something as wrong as this war is making me hungry
today>

As he was looking over Raoul saw a flash of forest green and black. Moving
over he saw a female soldier in fatigues sitting down at a table about 10'
feet away. ?Hey guys, we got a soldier-girl in here. Let's go over and say
?hi? ? he said with an evil gleam in his eyes.

Three others walked over with him as they walked up behind the soldier. He
was hoping to surprise her and have her surrounded before she could react.
<Damn soldier, bet she thinks she's better then us>

As he got within a few feet of the soldier she was out of the seat and
facing them, <Damn, how the hell'd she know we were here?>

Beth had a sudden intuition about something from behind her and stood up
and turned. She found herself facing four young men in their 20's, all were
wearing clothes with anti-war protest logos. <Great, just what I wanted to
avoid. Well I'm not losing my temper here> Beth thought to herself.

?Hey soldier-girl, what'cha doin here? Why don't you go 'play' being
soldier somewhere else, we don't want your 'kind' here,? Raoul said loudly.
He motioned his friends to surround the soldier, ?Are you listenin to me
girlie? I said we don't like your 'kind' here. You gonna do something 'bout
it??

Beth noticed his 'friends' move to cut her off, but she kept her attention
on the leader of the group. As much as she wanted to say something, she knew
that it would only make things worse. ?Why don't you just move on, I'm not
looking for trouble here.?

Raoul looked at his friends and then looked at the 'scared' soldier girl,
?Ooooohhh!!! She wants us to move on guys.? Raoul poked the soldier in the
chest hard, ?I think you're looking for trouble, I heard what you people did
to those kids in Spain. ?You? shot women and children and tried blaming
radicals and the EU for it, you ought to be shot.?

?They've got the bullets that you used as evidence,? seeing she hadn't
reacted Raoul poked the soldier in the chest again and stepped closer to
her. ?You're nothing but murdering scum wearing a uniform.?

Beth was trying to be patient and not break this idiots? fingers, one at a
time, but she knew she couldn't. She had to stay out of trouble and starting
a fight wasn?t staying out of trouble, when she heard Dawn's voice from
behind her

?HEY STUPID!!? Dawn yelled at the leader and shoved the protester in her
way to the side and stepped up in front of the leader of this ?group?. She
had seen Beth surrounded by these idiots and what they had said, and it made
her blood boil. ?Yeah, I'm talking to you ugly.? She poked him in the chest
hard.

Dawn saw the leader look down at her, surprise written all over his face.
?Are you listening to me or do I need to write it down for you so you can
understand me. Oh wait,? Dawn smiled evilly, ?I forgot, you never graduated
elementary. So how can you read??

Raoul couldn't believe that this girl was talking to ?him? this way, ?You
don't underst...?

Dawn cut him off, ?No, you don?t understand. This is ?my? sister you're
talking to and I don't like what you're saying about her. I'm proud that
she's my sister and that she's in the Marines and you should be thanking
everyone like her 'cause they're the reason you can whine and complain all
the time,? Dawn poked the leader again, Now you have about 10 seconds to
apologize and drag that smelly carcass of yours along with your friends away
from me before I hurt you.?

Dawn turned her back to the man and looked at Beth, ?Hey Beth, you okay??
she asked as she smiled at her sister.

"I am now that my sister is here, thanks" and Beth pulled Dawn into a hug.
Dawn looked over at the leader, ?Why are you still standing there? Go!
Shoo!!? Dawn waved her arms in shooing motion.

Finally the protesters drifted away from her and Beth, ?Morons,? Dawn said
under her breath.

Later the next day?

Faith pulled her motorcycle West Freemont Avenue. She couldn't shake the
feeling from the cemetery. Someone or something had been watching her, but
she didn't threatened, but still she couldn't shake the apprehension that
was forming in the pit of her stomach. <Come on Faith your just tired>.

Faith entered her apartment, juggling the bags of groceries. A flashing red
light caught her attention and she made her way over to her answering
machine. ?Faith this is Will, I just wanted to let you know that Buffy is
back in town and she's heading to L.A. She knows that you?re out of the
hospital but that's about it. Page me if you need me. Oh and she goes by
Beth now. Bye!?

Faith stumbled backwards slightly as Will's words sunk in, <Buffy,
mmm....Beth is coming here?> And then it hit her <Oh shit, this is not going
to be fun.> Moving over to the table Faith put the bags down and then
flopped in one of the chairs and leaned back holding her head <Bu..Beth's
gonna be here? >

Faith got up and moved over by a shelf with several pictures on it, picking
one up she gazed at the picture of her and Beth together, smiling at the
camera. <Why'd I have to screw that up? This is one thing I can never fix,
she trusted me and I betrayed her.> Placing the picture back on the shelf,
she moved back towards the phone, ?Thanks for the warning Red, at least I
have a few days till she arrives here.?

As she started to pass the phone she saw the red light was still flashing
on her answering machine <Whoops, missed one> and hit the "PLAY" button for
the last message

"Faith, This is Gunn, I need a favor. There's a small nest of vamps that's
setup shop over in the old meat-packing district over on East Haledon. My
crew can't get to it and Wes and Angel are tied up with something from
Wolfram & Hart.?

Faith quickly grabbed the few items in the bags that had to go in the
'fridge and put them away. <Hot damn! Demon butt to kick and time to forget
what's bothering me> Faith thought excitedly as she ran towards the elevator
to get downstairs and to her silver and black motorcycle.

<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Beth walked up to the doors of the Hotel Hyperion, which was the home of
?Angel Investigations?. Pushing open the double-door, Beth stepped into the
lobby and walked towards the front desk. As she approached it she saw
Cordelia sitting behind the front desk talking to Wesley.

Cordelia saw a female soldier walk into the hotel and walk towards her and
Wesley, as the soldier got closer to them she saw a face she?d thought she?d
never see, ?Buffy?!?!? running out from behind the desk she grabbed Buffy
and hugged her. ?B-But?? Cordy stuttered. ?How are you? What are you doing
in LA?? Raising a hand Beth halted Cordy?s barrage of questions.

?Hi Cordy, Wes. How are you??

Wesley stepped forward, ?Buffy, it?s good to see you. What brings you up
to LA?? he asked cordially.

?Actually I?m here to see Angel?? when from behind the front door flew
open, ?Hey, Cordy! You can tell Gunn to scratch one vamp nest.? Turning Beth
saw the one person she hadn?t wanted to see today, Faith.

Stopping suddenly about 10' feet away, ?B???? <SHIT! I...I thought she
wasn't gonna be here yet. I can't talk to her. Damn she looks hot in
camouflage though>

?Hello Faith,? she said with a cold smile that did not reach her eyes. ?It?
s been a while, glad to see you?re up & about and moving on with your life.?
Beth said bitterly. Turning back to Cordy, ?Tell Angel I?ll call him later,?
and walked past Faith without a word and out of the building.

After Beth had stormed out of the hotel, Faith looked up at the ceiling and
shook her head, ?Thanks for the warning Red, great timing there,? she
muttered under her breath. Looking back at Cordy she saw her staring at her.
?What with the stare Cordy? On second thought, don't tell me. I?m out of
here,? and Faith stomped angrily out of the hotel door.

Several Hours Later?

?Hi Cordy, it?s Beth. Is Angel there?? Beth asked tersely.

?Beth??? Cordy asked puzzled, ?Uhmm, hold on one sec.?

There was a brief pause and then a click in the background, ?Angel,?

?Angel, hi.? her tone softened as she heard Angel's voice, at least now
she'd get some answers.

?Buffy, I heard you were coming up to LA. What brings you up here??

?For a couple of reasons, I need to see you and get some answers.?

There was a short pause, ?Okay, we can meet at ?Caritas?, its a karaoke
bar.?

?A karaoke bar Angel?? Beth asked curiously.

?Don't worry, you'll understand when you see the place. I'll meet you there
at 6PM.?

Beth arrived at the address and stared at the non-descript looking building.
Her fatigues had gotten her several strange looks in this part of town so
far, sighing she entered the building and her first sight was that of a
large metal detector down the hallway and a demon bouncer who seemed to be
taking weapons from anyone before entering the bar.

Walking forward Beth walked thru the metal detector, and heard music coming
from the doorway into the bar. Stepping in she saw a large bar on her right
and towards the back was a stage with a microphone.

However the sight that actually surprised Beth was that the bar's patrons
were humans and demons! In the center of the floor she saw the tables and at
a side table to the left she saw Angel and a green-skinned, red-eyed demon
talking.

Beth headed over towards the table, and saw the demon Angel was talking to
turn around and look at her strangely for a few seconds.

?You're right Angel.? Turning he stood up and took the young woman's hand
and kissed the back of it, ?You my dear have a very interesting aura for a
Slayer.?

Beth stood shocked, first that he had kissed her hand and second that he had
known that she was a Slayer. She remembered most demons trying to tear her
hand off, not kiss it.

?Please take my seat, I was just leaving,? The Host said to her. ?Angel,
we'll talk or in your case, sing later.? And he left with a flourish and
headed over towards a Slime demon, ?Rilo! It's been a while??

She sat down in the seat that the green demon had just left. Angel noticed
the look on her face. ?That's the Host, he's a bit...different, but he's
harmless. You look good.?

?Interesting ?friend? you have, how did he know I was the Slayer? Did you
tell him?? As she sat down she looked around the room carefully.

Beth saw Angel shift uncomfortably in his seat briefly, ?He 'guides' humans
& demons, it?s something you need to do to understand better. Now what was
it you wanted to talk to me about?? he asked seriously.

Beth looked in Angel, ?Faith.?

Angel leaned back a little now that he knew what Beth was digging into,
?What about her? She's done a lot of good the last few years.?

Leaning forward, ?What's the deal with her? First Wesley, now Faith.
Everyone who tries to screw up my life comes to work for you now?? Beth said
angrily.

Irritation flashed across Angels? face briefly, ?That?s not true Beth and
you know it. So stop looking for a fight you can't win.?

?Then why is she working for you??

?She's not, she was doing a favour for a friend, Gunn. And even if she was
working for Wes & Gunn, what business is that of yours Beth??

?She took my life from me that?s what!? she yelled. Several of the patrons
looked over at the table and just as quickly saw the look on Beth?s face and
decided to pay attention to something else.

Shaking his head, ?No, she didn?t. She was in a coma, Wolfram & Hart and
the Mayor?s ex-cronies did that Beth, they wanted you out of the way and
that?s what they got for a while. You don?t know what shape Sunnydale was in
after you were gone. Once the word got out that there was no Slayer, vamps
and demons came out of the woodwork and Giles, Willow and the others had
their hands full trying to keep things under control. After Faith came out
of her coma, you don?t know how hard she worked for over a year to clean out
Sunnydale and make it known that it was ?off limits? to demons.?

Beth just sat there in surprise as she digested what Angel had told her,
<But?but, she?s evil >

Leaning forward towards Beth, Angel saw her shocked expression and knew that
some of what he was telling her was sinking in. ?Beth, she?s did a lot of
evil and she?s trying to atone for what she did. I?m not saying you should
forgive her, I know you?re angry that she?s moved on and you?re in the
Marines. But you can?t judge her by what she was without looking at what she
?s done with her life since then.? <Now that I?ve got her thinking about
her, maybe she?ll talk to Faith, those two have a lot to work out. >

Beth slumped back in the chair ?I?I don?t know Angel. I just see her and I
don?t know if I want to hug her since she?s alright or punch her since I?m
so angry at her. I?m not sure what to do.?

?How about talking to her then?? Angel signaled the Host who nodded.

?What are you talking....? as Beth looked over and saw Faith walking towards
them.

Faith stopped in front of her ?Hi B, or is it Beth now?? she asked. Faith
was dressed in faded blue jeans, black shirt and a light, leather jacket.
Beth just stared, Faith the woman she had both dreaded and wanted to see was
now right in front of her. <Be Nice> she could her Taylor's voice in her
head. <Screw nice Taylor>.

"It's Beth, and why are you here?? Beth asked angrily as she looked at
Angel.

Standing up, ?Because you two need to talk, and as I've been told, ?there's
no time like the present?. I've got a Polgara demon to see and you two have
things to talk about,? and Angel was gone.

Faith sat down in the chair Angel had just vacated, ?Look Beth, Broody's got
a point...?

?And that would be what Faith? There's not a lot to talk about.?

?B, I?m sorry for what happened??

Beth cut Faith off before she could continue, ?Sorry? For what exactly? You
have a rather long list to choose from.?

?Yeah I do B, every night I see all the evil I did and every day I try to do
something to make up for it.?

?Well you know what Faith, I'm ?happy? you're finally doing good. But you
know what? We both know who really killed Finch, but I'm the one who had my
life stolen from me, not you!? Beth angrily stood up. She could feel her
cool start to seep away.

Pacing right up into the dark slayers face, ?All I have now is the Corps,
and I can't even retire cause it?s a lifetime sentence till I'm dead! So you
think about that while you're ?doing good now? cause now matter how much
good you do you can never give me my life back!?



?You know what B, I don't have to take this...I didn?t do anything to you,
the Mayor did,? Faith stood up, refusing to back down to Beth, ?Everyone's
got their problems B, some are worse than others. But speaking from
experience, getting 3 meals a day, a roof over your head and a ?home? is a
hell of lot better than some of the things I had to do to get by from day to
day. So don't go acting all ?high and mighty? on me, cause it ain?t gonna
fly with me.?



Turning, Faith strode out of the bar, as she exited the building Faith felt
the tears burning her eyes as she struggled to control them. <Damn, shit,
damn. She's in the Marines for life? When I screw up I really do a great
job. No matter that I told her it was the Mayor, we both know if I hadn't of
killed Finch by accident....>



Faith hopped on her motorcycle, quickly starting the engine and gunning it
as she flew down the street rapidly. Her only thought right then was to get
away and think.



<<<<>>>>



Beth watched the door close behind Faith, as she tried to get hold of her
temper. Anger flooded her veins as she slowly controlled the urge to hit
something or someone. But in the back of her mind was the fact that she
'felt' better after confronting Faith.



Angel watched Faith slam through the door and made his way over to Beth.



?I'd say that pretty much went about as bad as can be expected, do you feel
better now Beth?? Angel asked as he sat down.



Beth felt her temper start to flare and stamped down on it, refusing to let
Angel know how angry she was. ?What did you expect to happen Angel? After
what she did, did you think I was gonna tell her all is forgiven??



?No I didn?t. But then I didn?t expect you to attack her either, you have
changed and not all for the better either Beth,? Angel replied.



Beth sat down angrily, not sure what she was more annoyed about. That she
knew Taylor would say the same thing or that Angel was right.



?You?re right, she?s not. But then neither are you. We?ve all got dark
places in our souls. But you?re so busy being angry at the world for what
was ?taken from you?, you can?t seem to realize that your life is coming
apart because of it. Stop blaming everyone for what happened and move on
with your life.?



?You're one to talk Angel. If I remember correctly, you're Mr. Brood, now
all of a sudden you're Mr. Groove, hanging out with demons.?



?That's a low blow Beth.?



?No, you know what's a low blow Angel, you telling me that my life is
falling apart. You don't know anything about my life.?



?No? Elizabeth Anne Summers, convicted of the murder of Deputy Mayor Allan
Finch on Feb 15, 2000. Judge granted you the choice of life in prison or
life in the Marine Corps. You chose the Marine Corps and attended basic
training that summer and then advanced training combat in December 2001,
later assigned to 13th Mobile Expeditionary Unit, Yankee Company, 1st
Platoon. When you were assigned to your latest unit you met Corporal Steven
J Taylor, father of Samuel Taylor and married to Mary Elizabeth Giardello.?



?But more than that Beth, you didn't just take the fall for Faith because
she was a Slayer or because you put her in a coma or whatever the reason is
that you convinced yourself why you protected her so strongly from everyone
who came after her. All this anger and resentment you keep telling yourself
you feel and to push her away isn't real, you're using it as an excuse not
too see the truth that you're deeply in love with Faith and that she feels
the same way towards you.?

Angel raised his hand to stop any denials that he knew were coming his way.
?Look Beth,? Angel stood up and moved in front of Beth, ?don't say it. Just
?think? about what I?ve said, don't just dismiss it out of hand. Okay??

Angel turned motioning to the Host and exited through the side door.

Later the next day

Faith leaned against the cool wall of the warehouse, as she tried to rest a
moment. Dropping the bloody sword, Faith checked her wounds and saw most of
them weren?t too bad, they'd be healed by tomorrow. But this little hideout
with the four Vamps and the two Thorgal demons were more then she had
expected.

Picking up her sword Faith wiped it off on the body of the closest demon and
then covered it up with a blanket that was lying nearby, and started walking
towards the exit. As she exited the building Faith looked around and headed
over towards her motorcycle. She stored the sword and kicked the engine to
life, pulling out she stopped at the corner. The street was empty except for
a few bums across the street, but something felt 'wrong' shaking her head,
<Damnit Faith get over it. You?ve been nervous ever since you ran into Beth
yesterday> Faith gunned the engine and took off down the street and towards
her apartment.

Beth made her way down the stairs of the building and came out on the
street, for a second day Beth had been watching Faith. She had found out
where Faith lived before she went to Angel's yesterday. <Damn, damn, damn!
Why couldn't you just have stayed evil Faith? This way i could hate you. She
did look good though,> Beth shoved her hands in the pockets of her winter
camo jacket and headed towards her rental car.

As Beth headed towards the car, she cast one last look at where Faith had
pulled out and saw something that caught her eye. Walking over she crossed
the street and saw a small wallet sized picture and picked it up.

Looking closer, Beth saw it was <DAWN?!?! What the hell????> Dawn was
dressed in a formal dress and over her shoulders was a black, leather
jacket. Turning the picture over Beth noticed the writing on it. ?Faith,
thanks for a great birthday!! Glad you could make it. Love, Dawn.? At the
bottom was the date, ?April 1, 2000?, <Dawn's birthday, what the hell is
'she' doing with Dawns picture and why is she spending time with her?>

Walking back to her car, Beth got in and started towards Faiths' apartment,
<I?m not sure what's going on, but its time I talk to Faith and find out
what.>

<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>

Beth pulled her car over and parked it next to the building/warehouse where
Faith lived. Getting out Beth walked in to the bottom level of the warehouse
which was filled with piles of rusting metal pipes, wooden pallets and other
junk. But about 75' away she saw a freight elevator and headed towards it.

Once at the elevator Beth pushed the "CALL" button to bring the elevator
down, over here she did notice the area was swept clean of junk just as the
elevator arrived.

Faith heard the elevator when it went down and waited for her 'guest' to
arrive. As the elevator gate opened she was shocked to see Beth stepping
out.

?B, you here to tell me more about how I?ve screwed your life over?? Faith
asked angrily.

?No Faith, I?m not. Actually I?m not real sure about a bunch of things now.?
Pulling the picture out of her jacket pocket, ?But you dropped this, I
thought you?d like it back.? Beth held the picture out towards Faith.

?Oh, thanks B,? Faith took the picture and flipped it over and saw it was
the Dawn?s picture that she carried. <Oh shit >

?Nice picture. But Faith, why do you have a picture of Dawn?? Beth asked as
she walked further into the ?apartment?, which seemed to be the entire
second floor of the building. She could see the kitchen, bedroom and living
room since there were no walls, only sheets to give the illusion of
individual rooms. But the other half of the floor was partitioned with a
wall and only one door could be seen to enter it.

Turning Faith watched Beth as she walked by and moved towards the couch.
?You wanna sit??

Beth sat down on the end of the couch, ?So why do you have a picture of Dawn
Faith??

Faith sat down on the opposite end of the couch, facing Beth and sighed
loudly. ?After I came out of the coma I knew I had fucked a lot of things up
in my life, especially people who had tried to help me. I went looking for
you, but no one was talking to me at the time not that I was surprised, so I
went to see your Mom and hoped she listen to me. I told her everything B and
she let me prove that I meant what I said to her about changing.?

?She did? What about Dawn though?? Beth asked, very curious now.

?Well that came later, at first I started helping Giles, Willow, Tara &
Xander. Mostly on the sly, since they didn?t trust me. But after a while
they saw I wasn?t the ?old? Faith and gave me a second chance and so did
your Mom. I was sort of visiting your Mom a lot and I saw Dawn a lot, she
was having a lot of problems so I tried to just listen to her when she
needed to talk.? Faith shifted uncomfortably, she didn?t like talking this
much but she knew that she had to tell B everything. ?She?s like a sister to
me B. I?d do anything to protect her, she?s family. That goes for Xander,
Red & Tara too, but especially Red. When I moved out here, she called to
check up on me and how I was doing or just say hi, constantly. She helped
out with the Wicca-stuff when I needed it, you?re lucky to have her for a
friend B.?

Beth leaned forward and looked Faith straight in the eye, ?Faith, how bad
was it in Sunnydale with me gone? Angel said it was bad, but he clammed up
about it.?

Faith looked around, anywhere but at Beth before she exhaled loudly and
looked at her. ?It was real bad, there was a curfew from sundown to sunrise.
Vamp?s roamed the streets at will during the night, and demons were
constantly moving in. When I started helping them they were in pretty bad
shape. They were doing their best, but there were too many vamps. Red & Tara
were able to hold their own mostly, especially Red, she got real powerful
and she was casting more powerful spells almost every night.?

?Oh,? Beth replied softly and clamped down on her feelings of guilt for
failing her friends.

Faith heard Beth?s reply, but she saw the look on her face before Beth?s
face turned into an emotionless mask. Scooting over Faith put her hand on B?
s. ?B?Beth, it wasn?t your fault. You couldn?t have done anything even if
you knew? Faith felt Beth?s hand clench.

?But I should have?.?

?NO. You couldn?t have done anything B. You?re gonna have to let it go, I
know what?ll happen if you don?t. You?ll end up angry at the world and
blaming it for everything, you?ll be just like I was. Don?t do that.
Please.? Beth?s hand relaxed under hers. Faith suddenly realized she had
moved very close to B while she was talking to her, but B didn?t seem to
mind.

Suddenly Beth?s beeper went off, grabbing it she moved it up to read the
message, *RTBRFD* (Return To Base, Ready For Deployment ? that?s what it
stands for Keri.) ?Faith, something?s up with my unit I have to go. Can we
talk later??

?Yeah, I?d like that too B,? With one last look at Faith Beth turned and
made her way back into the elevator.

End Part 4

TBC?.

Thought, comments?