FF: RoL II: Revelations and Realizations 17b by Alex P. B/W NC-17

[keeper444@xxxxxxxxx]

As promised here's the second part of 17, I hope y'all are enjoying it.
Thanks to everyone for all the kind and generous remarks, it's the
feedback that keeps me going when it would be easier to just quit.

Have fun.

Later,
Alex
------------
Full disclaimers can be found with part 1 at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buffywantswillow/message/8661 
------------------------
Or, Find the entire "Higher Power" and "Return of Legends" series, from
the beginning, at the "Hand of Chaos" archives at:
http://dreamwater.net/handchaos/new.html
------------------------
As always all the characters from BtVS belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant
Enemy, et al, and are used without permission. Not copyright
infringement is intended and no profit of an kind is being made with
this story.
All other characters are all mine and should not be used without my
permission. K?
-----------------------
Also a big thanks to Cheryl Hill for beta reading the warped and
demented ramblings of my sick and twisted mind, and turning into
something worth reading. She's doing the best she can with what I've
given her to work with. Thanks you did a fabulous job as always.
+++++++++++++++++
Revelations and Realizations 17b
by: Alex P.
+++++++++++++++++
The night progressed quietly, as Faith continued to contemplate the 
events since her awakening. She felt it was a true miracle, that 
Cordelia Chase had actually been there when she'd opened her eyes for 
the first time in over 4 years, and the beautiful woman's open 
declaration of love, was nearly enough of a surprise to put Faith 
right back into the coma. 

She of course already knew of Cordelia's feelings for her, having been 
brought together on the astral plane by the Goddess, where they 
learned of their long time mutual attraction. The only reason they 
hadn't gotten together before was fear, Cordelia's fear of the 
reaction of the parents, that never truly wanted her and of the 
rejection of the shallow friends, she had once thought were so vital 
to her life. Along with Faith's deeply embedded fear of rejection by 
Cordelia and the Scoobies, as well as the fear of losing the woman 
she loved, just as she had lost every other person and thing she'd 
loved all her life.

Inspite of all that and a 4 year separation due to the coma, both 
women found it easy to forgive each other's mistakes and heart 
breaks, once they were able to finally talk openly and honestly. They 
knew they had the Goddess to thank for this second chance at life, 
and they were determined not to blow it this time. 

As Faith sat on the edge of the bed, she noticed that Cordelia's hand 
was constantly reaching over to Faith's side of the bed, and 
searching for her. At first it only happened a few times, but the 
action was increasing, and Cordelia was becoming more anxious in her 
sleep. 

Faith wasn't sure what was going on with the woman she loved, but she 
was finding that stroking Cordelia's luxurious hair, and whispering 
reassurances, wasn't working like it had the first few times.

Realising that there was no way that her beloved seer was going to 
rest without her Faith was laying next to her, Faith gave into the 
urge she was feeling herself, and lay down next to Cordelia. She 
reached over, and gently took the sleeping beauty into her arms, then 
taking care not to wake her, pulled Cordelia to her, until the 
gorgeous one time actress was pressed tightly against her. Faith 
reveled in the feeling of her beloved's body against her, with only 
their thin sleepwear, between their sensitive skin. 

Faith could feel 
the comforting warmth of Cordelia through their clothes. Cordelia 
sensed her lover's nearness, and turned into her lover snuggling in, 
resting her head in the hollow of Faith's shoulder. 
Faith enjoyed the feel of Cordelia's warm breath washing over her 
neck and ear, she could feel her own warmth beginning to build 
between her legs. She groaned softly when the sleeping Cordelia slid 
her thigh between Faith's, barely rubbing against Faith's center.

"Oh Goddess," Faith moaned into the night "She's killin' me."

Although they had both declared their open, soul deep love for each 
other, the couple had yet to actually consummate their relationship. 

There had been a lot of seriously hot kissing, and even some heavy 
petting, as Cordelia said her mother called it. They had even gone so 
far, as to lay topless together, but neither of them were anxious to 
make love for the first time, in the hospital, where just anyone 
could walk in at any time. 

No, they had agreed that their first time should be a special thing, 
after all it was the culmination of their souls' long search for its
other 
half, and that once they consummated their intention to be together 
forever, it would be like a sacred bond between them, a memory to last 
forever. Faith told her beloved lover-to-be, that someone as precious 
as her true soulmate, deserved far better than a quickie in a 
hospital bed. 

Cordelia not only agreed, but had shed tears of joy in the knowledge 
that her Faith, thought so much of her, even after the horrible way 
she had treated Faith the first time around, and had allowed her to 
turn to the darkness, rather than risk telling the wild and impetuous 
dark-eyed beauty how much she loved her. It had been quite a scene, 
and Cordelia had still been crying when Joyce had come to check on 
them.
***********
"Cordelia, honey what's wrong?" Joyce asked the weeping girl. "Tell 
me is there something wrong?"

She looked over the sobbing young woman's shoulder and saw a worried 
Faith, obviously trembling and frightened over Cordelia's apparently-
mysterious mood.

"Faith, what happened?" Joyce asked the dark Slayer, when she realized 
that Cordelia was sobbing too hard to speak "Did you two have a fight 
or something? Did something bad show up in one of the tests? Why is 
she crying?"

Faith felt that Joyce was blaming her for her lover's tears and
instantly became defensive.

"I don't know," Faith huffed "I didn't do nothin'. We were talkin', 
and she just started cryin'. All I said was... well... I... ah... ah 
hell, it wasn't nothin'! Fuck it, I'm outta here!"

Faith got up, and was about to leave, when Cordelia shook off Joyce's 
hold, and grabbed Faith's arm. Angry at Buffy's mother's implied 
accusation, Faith whirled around, and glared at the offending hand

"Let me go Cordy," Faith snarled, afraid she might hurt someone, if 
she didn't get away from people that accused her unjustly "I told you 
they didn't want me around. They'll always hate me. I'll be back when 
it's just you and me. K?"

Cordelia looked into those dark angry eyes, and could see the hurt 
that was hidden in their depths. She realized that if she let her 
Faith walk out right then, their relationship wouldn't ever make it 
past the first stages. Cordelia knew in her heart, that there was a 
very good chance if Faith left at that moment, she might not ever 
come back. She knew it would be easy for Faith to run out of there, 
leave the hospital and disappear forever into the dark world of the 
streets. Her mind was screaming at her to do something, fast, to let 
both Joyce and Faith know that she would never again fail to stand up 
for her lover, against anyone that would try to interfere in their 
lives.

"Please sweetheart don't leave me." Cordelia pleaded softly, her 
tears still falling freely. "I can't live without you, and you know 
you would be lost without our love. Joyce didn't mean anything 
really. She's just a concerned friend, honey. She wasn't accusing you 
of anything. Were you, Joyce?"

Joyce Summers looked into Cordelia's eyes, and saw that her question 
wasn't a question, but a demand that the older, mother figure 
apologize for questioning Faith like a criminal. She could see that 
if she didn't do some quick, and serious damage control, the group 
would not only lose Faith, but Cordelia as well, and with Giles 
acting like he did, then disappearing, she knew they were all held 
together by a very thin, and very frayed thread, that it wouldn't take 
much to break the group apart, causing irreparable damage to the 
groups dynamic. 

If that happened, she also knew it would give all the Evil that lived 
on the Hellmouth, free reign to take over not only Sunnydale, but 
quite possibly the world as well.

"No Cordy, you're right, I didn't mean to accuse you of anything, 
Faith." Joyce said quickly and sincerely. "I just wanted to know why 
your Cordy was crying, and I thought you would know since you were 
here. I was just worried that maybe something serious had shown up on 
one of the tests that the doctors are running on you two. That's all 
Faith, it really is. I would never accuse you of something unless I 
was sure I had all the facts. That is something you taught me the 
first time around Faith, and I learned that very lesson well. Granted
I'm 
not your biggest fan right now, and it's going to take a while for me 
to get used to the idea, that you and Cordelia are a couple, just like 
Buffy and Willow. I mean it wasn't all that long ago that Cordelia 
was engaged to Xander, so you see I have some issues of my own to get 
through, but it doesn't mean I would ever do something to hurt you or 
Cordy, she's like another daughter to me, and if you are the one she 
needs to be happy, then I'll just have to accept that, and get over 
my doubts. So truce, ok?"

Joyce saw the small grin that Cordelia gave her, letting her know that 
Cordelia at least, had forgiven her, but she also knew that Faith 
would be the deciding vote to see if Joyce was to be included in 
their futures.

Faith looked into Cordelia's red rimmed eyes, and knew she was lost, 
and if her Cordy wanted her to make nice with the Slayer's mother, 
then Faith would go out of her way to be nice to Ms. Summers.

"S'okay Ms. Summers" Faith mumbled so that the two women watching her 
could just barely understand. "I guess I'm just sensitive, or 
somethin'. I just want ya' all to know, I love Cordy with all my 
heart, and I would never, NEVER, do anything that would cause her 
even a second's pain. I know all of ya' have a lot of good reasons 
not to trust me, and I don't blame ya' at all. I'm willing to do 
whatever it takes, so ya' will know I mean it, but I'm not gonna sit 
around, and let everyone take out all their problems and hurts on me. 
I did what I did before, and no matter what I want, or what I would 
give, to change that, I can't, so you guys can either put it behind 
you, and join me and Cordy, or ya' can hold on to the pain and anger, 
and hate me, but I'll promise ya' this, I will NOT, just let ya' say 
things about me that aren't true, or blame me for your own petty 
troubles. 
I'm here for my Cordy, that's it, I don't really give a damn about 
anything, any of the rest of you think, or feel. I'd rather be friends, 
because we got a lot of trouble comin' our way, and the Goddess says 
it's gonna take us all to win, but all I care about, is making sure 
my Cordy gets through this alive, and if you guys force it, I will fight 
on my own, and to hell with the rest of you."

Joyce was taken back by the passion, and determination in Faith's 
quiet voice. She could see the pain and anger, at the way she had been 
treated now, and the anger at the way they had turned their backs on 
her, when she had accidentally staked the Deputy Mayor. 

Joyce realized, that even though they all would like to say that Faith 
did all that to herself, but deep down she knew, that if any of them 
had tried to help a very young, and vulnerable Faith, get through the 
guilt and pain of that one act, then Faith would have never left the 
Scoobies. 

She had often secretly wondered how different all their lives would 
have been, if they had been able to keep Faith on their side. She told 
herself, that since they were also being given a second chance with 
Faith, she was going to do her level best, to see that the troubled 
young woman and Cordelia, got all the support they needed, whether 
her own lover, Giles, liked it or not.

"That's fair enough Faith," Joyce said after a little 
deliberation. "We've all made some mistakes back then, and it's high 
time we stopped dwelling in the past. Lord knows, we have enough to 
deal with right now, without piling more stuff on top of it. I want 
you to know, that if you ever need to talk, or to just blow off some 
steam, or even just want a quiet hug, no judgements, you come to me. 
I mean, I'm a mom for crying out loud. So Miss Cordelia, what were you 
crying about, when I got here and started all this?" 
===============
Joyce seemed to accept Cordelia's reason for her tears, and after a 
few more minutes of awkward small talk, the Chosen One's mother left 
to check on Xander. She had come to the hospital in the first place, 
because she'd been told that the young policeman would soon be awake, 
and she wanted to be there for him when he learned of Faith and 
Cordelia's relationship. 

Faith watched her leave and shook her head, knowing that Joyce's
intentions were good, but somehow she felt that the one who would 
tell Xander that the woman he was sure was to be his bride, turned 
out to be the destined soulmate of someone else, and that her 
destined soulmate was another woman that had once tried to kill him 
and all his friends, that person would have a lot of fast talking and 
explaining to do. 

As Faith lay there in the darkness, holding the fabulous body of the 
woman she loved, she thought about the changes in her life, since the 
awakening. Never before had she ever let things like, where she was 
going to live, and how she and Cordelia were going to support 
themselves, worry her, but settling down and worrying about mundane 
things, was the price of being with Cordelia, for the rest of her 
life, then it was well worth it.

As these thoughts whirled through her mind, Cordelia's deep, even
breathing, drew Faith into the realms of Morpheus with her.
================
The two women were sleeping soundly, in the quiet darkened room, the 
only sound in the room, was the duet of soft snores, coming from the 
large lump beneath the blankets. The sky that could be seen through 
the slight gap in the curtains, was turning from dark blue to light 
pink, with the rising of the sun.

The air next to the bed seemed glow and shimmer for a moment, then 
with a bright flash of pink light, a figure appeared next to the bed. 

The curvaceous silhouette moved closer to the bed, and leaned over the 
lump that was made up of the two young women she'd come to see.

"Hey babes it's time to get up," the unmistakably lyrical voice of 
the Goddess called "Come on little sweeties, I have something to tell 
you."

There was a slight movement underneath the covers, but neither woman 
spoke, or even acknowledged the call of the Goddess, and the whimpers
and 
groans that did come from them, weren't enough to satisfy the 
impatient deity. She reached and shook the first shoulder she found.

"WHAT!!!!" Faith yelled not happy with being disturbed, "Geez can't 
you people read the do not disturb sign. Leave us alone, damn it!!"

The Goddess laughed at Faith's response, and kept shaking the 
shoulder.

"There were not any signs the way I came in." the Goddess 
explained "Besides, since when does a simple sign keep a Goddess from 
doing what she wants? Never, that's when. Now get your lovely butts 
out of that bed and listen to what I have to say." 

A sleep tousled head peeked out from under the blankets and a very 
tired dark brown eye fluttered open. The other eye joined the first 
and both became wide as saucers when they recognized who was 
disturbing their sleep.

"Goddess?" Faith choked out, her voice thick with sleep "What... 
why... are you... oh no!"

Realizing the importance of this sudden visit, Faith turned to her 
bed mate.

"Cordy...honey," Faith hissed sharply at her dark haired 
companion "Come on babe, we gotta get up. We have company."

Cordelia stirred a little in her sleep, but didn't wake up, so Faith 
shook her, hoping the tired woman wouldn't be too difficult this 
morning. Then again, why should this morning be any different.

"Come on Cordy," Faith said a little more loudly, "We have to get up, 
there's someone here to see us."

"Don't wanna," Cordelia mumbled without opening her eyes. "Can't they 
come back later, I'm tired."

A slender hand came out from under the blanket, and waved the 
intruder away. The Goddess couldn't help but smile at the young 
woman, but she refused to leave.

"Cordy, you have to get up!" Faith finally said loudly, trying to get 
her mate to open her eyes, "You know when the Goddess comes to talk, 
you should really show her the courtesy of waking up, and listening. 
Don't ya' think?"

"Who!" Cordelia exclaimed, suddenly wide-awake "Lakshmi is here! I'm 
up, I'm up already."

The Goddess and the Dark Slayer chuckled at the one time actress 
sudden awakening, The Goddess was actually flattered at the respect, 
that Cordelia was displaying, especially after their rocky 
beginnings. When Cordelia realized what she wasn't wearing, she 
quickly dove back under the sheets.

"Geez you could at least let a person have time to get dressed before 
you come barging in." Cordelia grumbled from beneath the covers. "I 
mean, I'm not naked or anything, but I'm not dressed to meet with my 
Goddess either. Ya' think I could have a couple minutes to get some
pants on, 
I mean a T-shirt just won't do. Ok?"

In a rare display of affection and respect for her follower, the 
Goddess nodded and in a flash of pink light and a shower of rose 
petals she disappeared.

"Ah...ah..ah...well" Cordelia stammered unsure of what to say in view 
of the goddess' show of courtesy.

"Honey I think we'd better get dressed, don't you?" Faith reminded her 
lover, "I mean it is the reason she left, and I don't think she's 
gonna wait too long, before she comes back."

With a nervous nod of her head, Cordelia conveyed her agreement, and 
both women jumped from the bed. They located the clothing, that Joyce 
had brought them just the day before. After they were both dressed and 
had their usual morning routines finished Cordelia looked them both 
over.

<>Well<> she thought as she appraised their attire <>It's not exactly 
designer originals, but it'll do, besides I gotta admit, she looks damn 
good in those jeans<>

Cordelia blushed slightly at her thoughts as she closely examined 
Faith rear, and the way her jeans fit snugly over it. There was 
another pink flash, and another small shower of scented rose petals, 
and the Goddess was once again standing before her latest discovered and
favorite couple.

"I couldn't agree more Cordy." The Goddess said agreeing with 
Cordelia's thoughts as she too, examined the body part in 
question "She does fill out a pair of jeans rather nicely, doesn't 
she. But hey, now, my little prom queen, you don't look so bad 
yourself."

Cordelia was now a bright red as she looked over at her lover and 
seeing the woman they had been discussing, was watching back over her
shoulder, and 
giving Cordelia a shy smile, filled with the promise of passions yet 
to come.

"Don't be upset, sweety." Faith said softly "I'm just glad you like 
what you see, and may I say, I really appreciate the view from here, 
myself."

Faith turned around and gave the woman she loved a big hug. Cordelia 
buried her face into Faith's chest, trying to hide her embarrassment 
at being caught looking.

"Alright my little darlings enough of this, it's time to get down to 
business," the Goddess reminded them "I have come to tell you, that 
it's time for you to leave this place. The time of returning nears, 
and it is critical that you two are there, when the Chosen One and the 
Great Sorceress return from the other realm. 
The Final Battle is almost upon us, and you all need to be where you 
can prepare for your role in the confrontation to come. Each of you 
will learn your place among the chosen warriors, and for the first 
time, I believe that we are actually ready to meet our foes. Ancient 
laws do not allow me to take an active part in the coming battle, but 
I can do everything in my power to see that my warriors are fully 
prepared to face the enemies of mankind."

"As you wish my Goddess." Cordelia replied, but she was worried about 
some of the mundane details of her and Faith's new life 
together. "I'm afraid to ask my Goddess but where are we to go. Faith 
has been in a coma for 4 years, and all I had was an apartment with 
Xander, and I just don't think he would want to live with us, 
especially because it is a studio apartment."

"Worry not my little seer, all things will be made apparent in their own
good 
time," The Goddess told her, gently stroking Cordelia's silky soft 
hair. "Just get your things together my darlings, and go to the 
Chosen's and her Sorceress' abode, and your needs will be provided 
sooner then you think."

"Now hurry my children, your doctors will be here soon, with your 
release papers, and a car is waiting for you downstairs," The Goddess 
urged, "Cordy sweetheart, your and Alexander's car has been taken to the
Slayer's 
home, and is in good repair, however, I doubt you will want to keep 
it, as it belongs to both you and Alexander. Let him have it dear, I 
promise you will be provided for."

That was the Goddess last words, as the Goddess gave her a knowing 
smirk, and then disappeared in another pink flash and rose petals.

"Well ya' gotta give her one thing," Faith said chuckled at the 
Goddess' usual flamboyant persona, "The woman does know how to make 
an exit. I wonder what she was talking about anyway."

"I don't know," Cordelia answered her, "but I bet we won't be bored 
finding out."

They both laughed and turned to gather their belongings as the 
Goddess advised them to do.
==================
Cordelia and Faith spent the rest of the morning gathering up their 
belongings, and packing them into plastic bags, that the hospital 
provided. There wasn't a lot, but Cordelia wanted to make sure they 
had everything.

"I know it's not much, honey," Cordelia explained to her confused 
lover "but it's all we really have to start our lives together. I 
just hope that Lakshmi was right, cause I haven't a clue to where 
we're supposed to go, after we get out of here."

"I know you're worried sweetheart," Faith answered from where she sat 
in the rooms only comfortable chair, "but Lakshmi, or the Goddess, or 
Aphrodite, or whatever name she uses, has never let us down yet now 
has she."

"I guess." Cordelia mumbled as she pondered Faith's comment. "I guess 
I'm just scared, I know I'll have to face Xander sooner or later, and 
I hope he understands, or at least he isn't too mad about us...you 
know, you and me. I mean it isn't like I ever gave him any reason to 
think that I was going to fall in love with a woman. I never told him 
about LA, and he never asked, and after what Kate did, I never thought I 
could ever trust anyone, enough to love them ever again. That's why I 
was going to marry him, I knew Xander would never hurt me, or make me 
feel bad about myself, and even if I....mulrf."

Cordelia's sudden nervous rambling was cut off, when Faith pulled the 
jittery young woman into her lap and kissed her soundly, driving all 
coherent thoughts from her mind.

"So that's the way you do it," a familiar voice said from the door "I 
never could get her to be quiet long enough, to tell her she had 
nothing to worry about."

Both women looked up and Cordelia gasped and jumped from Faith's lap 
when she saw who was at their door, watching their open display of 
affection.

"Xander!!" Cordelia croaked "we...ah...I...ah... how long...how long 
have you been there."

"Yeah, X man," Faith said as she rose easily from the chair, her body a
coiled spring, ready to fight for the woman she loved, "I wouldn't want
to think you 
were spyin' on us, now would I, old bud."

"Hello Faith," Xander said calmly as he leaned on the door jam, "How 
ya' doin'? Been a while huh?"

"Yeah, yeah it has, X man," Faith answered warily "I'm five by five 
how 'bout yourself."

Cordelia could see that the two were sizing each other up, looking for 
something that had been there before, but was missing now.

"Oh well I've been good," Xander said with a slight smile, knowing 
that his presence hadn't been expected, and seeing that Faith was 
more than willing to fight for Cordelia. "You know how it is, 
spending time with the Goddess, training, learning, finding a 
soulmate. That Kind of stuff."

"Soulmate huh," Faith said her voice becoming low and menacing "Well 
it looks like I found mine, X man, and I'm not gonna give her up, 
even if I do like ya'."

"FAITH!!" Cordelia fairly screamed, just sure that her beloved Faith, 
and her best friend Xander, were about to fight and it wasn't going to 
be pretty. "I'm not some prize for you two to fight over you know."

"I know baby," Faith answered quickly wanting to get her side in, 
before Xander could speak, "but I just found you and well, I'm not 
giving you up like this, I mean the Goddess brought us together, and 
I'm not letting anyone, no matter who it is, come between us again,
ever!"

Cordelia stopped and stared at the young Slayer, unable to speak,
Faith's fear spoke volumes on how insecure she still was. Cordelia 
knew she had to come up with something fast, that would appease 
Xander, so he wouldn't get himself killed fighting the dark Slayer, 
and at the same time reassure Faith, that Cordelia would never leave 
her.

"Faith, I know she's yours," Xander said softly, but both women heard 
him just fine. "I said I'd spent time with the Lady, and one of the 
first things she taught me, was that Cordelia, was meant to be with 
you Faith, not me. Actually I came down here to offer you guys the 
apartment, the Lady wants me to go stay at Giles' place for now, at 
least until the returning. She also said that after Buffy and Willow 
get back, all of us will have a change of living arrangements. I 
tried to get her to expand on that, but you know the Lady, she just 
says that a girl has got to keep some mystery about her, or everyone 
just takes her for granted."

All of them chuckled at that all of them realizing the statement was 
typical of their patron, mentor, and most importantly, friend, the
Goddess.

"Xander," Cordelia began, "Lakshmi told us the car is at Giles' 
place, and in perfect condition, well as perfect as it can be, 
considering its age. Anyway, I want you to have it. I know what it 
means to you. I never understood it, but I always knew you loved that 
silly thing."

"Cordy, please," Xander said softly knowing that his ex was 
attempting to normalize things between the three of them. "You know 
that car is a classic, it's one of the last factory made muscle cars, 
beside there aren't many 442 Oldsmobiles left."

"I can tell you why too." Cordelia grumbled "People got tired of 
fixing them or having to get them jump started. I told you we should 
have kept the Porsche."

Xander sighed, this was an old argument between them. When they had 
moved in together, they decided to sell Cordelia's little sports car, 
and keep the powerful vehicle that Xander had bought at the police 
auction. It had been seized from a drug dealer, and Xander had 
watched carefully until it came on the auction block, and when it did, 
he jumped on it. Since then the young policeman spent much of his 
free time pampering the temperamental car.

"Cordy, don't worry honey," Faith tried to reassure her 
beloved, "The Goddess said it would be taken care of, and while I 
totally understand why the X-man loves that car, I mean what's not to 
love, I'm sure the Goddess will take care of any troubles we 
encounter, just as she promised."

"Faith's right Cordy," Xander agreed, using the pet name without
thinking and feeling bad when he saw Faith flinch at the small 
intimacy. "Sorry, I don't mean to cut your style Faith, if it would 
make you happy I ah...well I won't use..."

Faith held up a hand to stop him, she realized that Cordelia and 
Xander, had a life long history together, and he was completely 
entitled to use her soulmate's nickname, she would just resign 
herself to getting used to certain familiarities between them. It 
wasn't going to be easy, but she knew she could.

"Don't worry about it, X man," Faith reassured the nervous young 
man. "You guys have been friends a long time, and since we're gonna 
to be workin' together, closely, for at least a while, then we'll just 
have to get used to each of us steppin' into areas that were once 
solely reserved for the other. Ok?"

"Sure, I get it," Xander sighed from both relief and resignation to 
Faith's point. "You are a bigger person then I am though. Faith, I am 
truly happy that you and Cordy found each other. All I ever wanted 
was for her to be happy with her life, and I can see now she never 
would have been completely happy with me, at least not as happy as 
she was when I first got here. Besides I'm a big boy, I can handle 
it, I want you two to feel free to be what you are around me, you 
should never feel forced to hide your obvious love for each other, 
just because it bothers some idiot, even an idiot like me. Now I came 
down here to see if you ladies needed any help getting your stuff out 
of here."

With that said Faith and Xander began getting all the bags and boxes 
together in anticipation of the doctor's arrival with their release 
papers. Cordelia studied Xander closely, she was able to discern the 
new bulk in his musculature, and she admired his new and improved 
body, but what left the somewhat puzzled look on her face, was this 
new maturity. 

The Xander she had been engaged to would never have been so forgiving, 
or so understanding, she realized that this change had a lot to do 
with his time with the Goddess. Cordelia had begun calling the 
friendly deity, Lakshmi, after she heard Jeffery's tale from his 
travels in India. She had asked the Goddess about it, and the 
beautiful deity admitted that Lakshmi was one of her incarnations, 
she also told Cordy it wasn't one of her friendlier incarnations, but 
if that was what Cordelia wanted to call her, then it was okay with 
her, and it might even be appropriate, considering their 
circumstances. 

Cordelia told her that she liked that particular incarnation, because 
of the reputation Lakshmi had for being protective of her children, 
the Soulmates. The Goddess had laughed, and agreed with Cordelia, 
after that, Cordelia began referring to the ancient Goddess as 
Lakshmi, and the Goddess appreciated the respect that accompanied the 
name, whenever Cordelia spoke it. After a few days, Faith began 
calling the Goddess Lakshmi, every once in a while, but most of the 
time Faith just referred to her as the Goddess.

These thoughts were going through Cordelia's mind, when a stranger 
came to the door, clearing his throat to get the attention of the 
three friends as they joked and laughed, at each other's experience 
with the Goddess. When they became aware of the stranger all three 
warriors went on alert, unsure of his purpose.

"Ah...excuse me, but is there a Faith Spencer here?" The man asked
timidly "I have some important private business to conduct with her."

"Hey I remember you," Faith growled recognising the stranger and his 
associations from her past. "You were Mayor Wilkins' attorney. What 
do you want you little weasel?"

Cordelia noticed Faith's low protective growl and how she placed 
herself between the stranger and her Cordelia. Following Faith's 
example Xander placed himself near Faith, so they were both in place 
to protect the woman they both cared for.

"I have come to tell you about your inheritance," the man said
nervously. "I remember you too, Ms. Spencer, and I remember what you 
are capable of. As did the late Mayor, that's why I'm here."

++++++++
END 17b
TBC in 18
++++++++