The Calling (Third part in my trilogy)

[Thanatopsis]

Hilarious that Faith has a problem with mimes, not that I blame her.

Because he's with Willow. And if something ... happened, I'd know...
Insist upon yourself and never imitate. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Ginner WTluv]

Hey everyone. Sorry this took so long. My muse decided to take a holiday . But i finally got part three done. Hope you like.

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Part three



The alarm clock beside Buffy’s bed flashed 10:00am and the sound of Limp Bizkit filled the room. She woke with a start, sat bolt upright and looked around. Frowning, she tried to work out where the noise was coming from and in her groggy state, turned to the alarm clock. Scowling at it, she ripped it from the wall and threw it across the room. Monday mornings were never on the top of her “good” list. Groaning, she got out of bed and walked into the bathroom to freshen up.



Joyce: Buffy?



The blonde opened the bathroom door and answered her mother as best she could with a mouth full of toothpaste.



Buffy: Yeah mom?

Joyce: There’s a package here for you.

Buffy: Okay.



She finished brushing her teeth, quickly washed her face and ran a comb through her hair, before heading down stairs. Her mother was sitting in the kitchen, eating the toast she had just made. She offered some to Buffy and passed her daughter the package.



Buffy: No thanks.



Joyce nodded and watched as her daughter ripped open the top of the package, a huge grin spreading across her face as she took out what was inside.



Faith and Tara’s apartment



They were all sitting in the living room, still in their pyjamas, watching the Monday morning cartoons, when the front door flew open.



Faith: Okay, I know I locked it this time!



Buffy ran into the room and threw herself at Faith, wrapping her arms around the somewhat confused girl and kissing her. When she pulled back, It took Faith a second to recover from this kiss and when she did, she spoke up, still confused.



Faith: Um…. Hi?

Buffy: I got in!

Faith: Huh?

Buffy: I got in!



Willow and Tara looked at each other, catching on and stood up. Buffy stood with them and within seconds the three of them were jumping around the living room, squealing.



Faith: Anyone want to tell me what this is about.



Breaking away from Willow and Tara, Buffy pulled Faith up off of the floor and handed her the package she had got that morning. Faith looked down at it. They were acceptance papers from UC Sunnydale. Faith lifted her head and beamed at her girlfriend.



Faith: You got in!

Buffy: I got in!



And they hugged, and they squealed and the four of them jumped around the sitting room. Once they’d settled down, Buffy, Willow and Tara began talking about what it was going to be like at the same college if both Willow and Tara were accepted as well.



Buffy: Oh! And we could get dorms on the same floor.

Willow: Which would be good for pulling pranks on the rest of the people.

Faith: And then you’d get kicked out.



They all stopped and looked at Faith.



Buffy: You’re trying to spoil our fun, aren’t you? Aww…. Is Faith feeling a little out of the loop?



Faith bottom lip came forward in a pout and Buffy leaned in to kiss her, pulling away at the last second and smirking.



Buffy: You should have applied for the college then, shouldn’t you?



The brunette stuck her tongue out at her girlfriend and continued pouting.



Outside



He watched them from a distance. It was daylight out and he could risk the chance of them seeing him, otherwise it would all be over too soon. He had to tell them all when the time was right, if he revealed himself before then, all would be lost. He had to keep hidden and where did he think was the best place? In the tree across the road from Faith’s apartment, watching them with a pair of binoculars. Very subtle, but it did seem to be working. That was however, until he tried to get down.



What the….?



As he stood up, his leather coat got stuck to the tree and he tripped, fell, and ended up dangling from the tree, clinging to the arm of his coat.



Great, sit in sap, get glued to the tree, wreck your coat…. Very stealthy.



Man: Hey!



He looked over at the front door of the house where a man was now standing.



Man: Get out of my tree!



He tugged at his jacket.



Stranger: I’m trying!



He tugged some more and finally he heard a rip and his coat came free. He landed on the floor in a heap, the man at the front door looking at him a little puzzled. After all, it wasn’t every day you find a man dangling from your tree in your garden. Eventually, he got up off of the floor, pulled his coat on and walked away. Oblivious to the fact that he had a huge rip in his coat around his rear area.



Faith and Tara’s apartment: Later



They were all, once again, lounging around in the sitting room, snuggling with the person they loved, when there was a knock on the apartment door. Seconds later, Oz and Xander walked in, much to the confusion of Faith who jumped up off of the floor and walked over to the door.



Faith: Does this door magically come unlocked when someone knocks on it or something?! Because I know I locked it this time!



Buffy, Willow and Tara just cracked up at that and Xander and Oz stood there looking confused. Faith finally settled down and sat back down in the sitting room.



Buffy: What’s the what?

Oz: Well, unless you guys have got other plans, we were thinking maybe you wanna come to the new club that just opened.

Faith: New club?

Xander: Yeah. Riley’s place.

Faith: Riley? Huh.

Oz: What?

Faith: Nothing, I just got the feeling I know that name.

Buffy: I don’t think we know anyone called Riley.



Faith just shrugged it off, forgetting about it for the time being.



Xander: So, you guys wanna go?



They all looked at each other before nodded.



Faith: We’ll need to get changed though.





Buffy and Faith made there way to Faith’s room and Willow and Tara made their way to Tara’s, when Xander and Oz stopped them both.



Faith: Um, what are you doing?

Xander: You think we’re going to let you guys change together? No way.

Oz: We’ll never get out.

Willow: But-

Xander: No buts, now switch.



Sighing, Willow followed Faith into Faith’s room and Tara did the same with Buffy. Forty-five minutes later, the four of them emerged from the rooms all dressed up and ready to go out.



Oz: You all ready?



They nodded.



Xander: Good, now you can see my new car.



Outside Riley’s place



A BMW CS1 concept pulled up out side the club and a beaming group of six jumped out of the car. It only had four seats, so Willow and Buffy and sat on Faith and Tara’s lap throughout the ride.



Faith: Xander this car is amazing!

Buffy: How the hell did you afford it?

Xander: Didn’t. My dad just got a huge promotion and he got it for me.

Willow: That’s so cool.



Xander clicked the button of his keys and locked the car.



Xander: What are we waiting for? Lets go party.



In the Club, an hour later.



It was Faith’s turn to get the drinks in and getting up off of her feet, she made her way to the bar.



Faith: Can I get three cokes, a cherry coke, a lemon and lime and a root beer, please?

Riley: Well, well, well. Would you look who it is.



Faith turned her head and found herself looking at the man who had caused her to think things over about her and Buffy a year ago. A smile broke out on Faith’s face as she realised that she had heard the name before.



Faith: I knew the name of the club sounded familiar.



Riley laughed and brushed his long hair out of his face, taking a seat next to Faith.



Riley: It’s been a while.

Faith: It has.

Riley: So, did you finally tell the girl how you felt?

Faith: I did.

Riley: And?

Faith: She felt the same.



He grinned.



Riley: What did I tell you?

Faith: Yeah, yeah.



She looked at him.



Faith: I never did thank you.

Riley: For what?

Faith: Convincing me to go find her. To tell her how I felt.

Riley: Hey, no problem. I was just helping a friend.



They shared a smile.



Faith: You can come over and meet her if you want. A couple of my other friends are there too.

Riley: Normally I would, but as you can see, it’s pretty busy tonight. Opening night and everything. Another time?



Faith nodded.



Faith: You bet.



He flashed a smile and disappeared through a door marked “privet” beside the bar. She smiled, picked up the drinks and walked back to the table. Putting the drinks down and taking a seat beside Buffy, she caught the look of confusion on the blonde’s face.



Buffy: Who was that guy you were talking to?

Faith: Oh, that was Riley.

Willow: The owner?

Faith: Yep.

Buffy: How do you know him?

Faith: That, my darling girlfriend, is the guy that convinced me to come and see you that night I kiss you…. Then ran away.



Buffy smiled at the memory.



Buffy: I wished he’d come over. I’ll have to thank him some other time.

Faith: I already thanked him. After all…. If it hadn’t been for him, I never would have kissed you.



Faith grinned and leaned in to kiss her girlfriend, but pulled away when everyone began making “aww” and “kissy” noises.



Faith: Shut up.



Faith and Tara’s apartment



Willow, Tara, Buffy and Faith collapsed in the sitting room. They’d danced pretty much all of the night and were exhausted. Willow was lying on the couch, her head in her girlfriends lap, while Buffy and Faith sat next to each other.



Faith: Okay, I’m gonna go get changed. I’ll be back in a minute.



She disappeared into her bedroom and Buffy sighed.



Buffy: I’m so tired, I could just-



A knock on the apartment door interrupted her.



Buffy: I bet its Xander. Locked out of his house or something stupid.



She got up and walked over to the door, unlocking it and opening it. A woman stood on the other side. Quiet tall, long brown hair, brown eyes and she was smiling.



Woman: Hi.

Buffy: Um, hi.

Woman: Is Faith here?

Buffy: She’s getting changed.



There was a slight pause.



Buffy: Uh, you wanna come in?

Woman: Oh sure. Thanks.



The brunette walked into the sitting room and Buffy closed the door behind her. Offering the woman a seat, Buffy sat down beside the now intrigued Willow and Tara.



Buffy: Um, can I get you anything? Coffee?

Woman: No, I’m good.



The three of them looked at each other.



Buffy: Forgive me if we’ve met, I was never any good with faces but…. Who are you?

Woman: I’m Samantha.



They looked none the wiser and the woman frowned.



Samantha: Faith’s sister.



TBC..................

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Questions? Comments? Thanks for reading



~ Jen

[snuggle79]

Samantha...Faith's sister? interesting...

Ok, curious now, what the heck she is going to want.

Great Update!

Tara:"Maybe we dreamed it."

Willow:"Right. Right. Wrong! (points at her head ) Different Brains." Tara:"Oh yeah."


Bitch! Witch! Ho!..mo!"

[MissQuirky]

Hmmm, this is getting very interesting!! Faith's sis!! I wanna know wut thats all bout!! Can't wait 4 the next update!!

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.
Tara: I said quirky.

[Ginner WTluv]

Hey all . Snuggle, Quirky, glad you liked. About Samantha.... all will be revealed. Thanks for the feedback



~ Jen

[spazz07]

Great stuff Jen, interesting development with Faith's sister showing up. I loved the magically unlocking door and Xander cruising around in a beamer. As for the dark mysterious stranger, he almost seems to be looking out for them, wondering where you're taking that one. More soon



Cheers

Nath

Isn't it funny how you feel your most tired five minutes before you have to get up.

[Ginner WTluv]

Hey Nath, the mysterious stranger is definatly.... mysterious.... But all will be revealed soon. Thanks for reading.



~ Jen

[witchbitchwillow]

ahhh, this fic is sooo good, but it keeps leaving me wanting to know whats going to happen next and who the hell that man is! i thought that maybe it was riley, but i dont acrually know. grrrrrrr. jen more please soon! i'm going away again tommorrow and im back on monday so there better be a update when i get back *stern face* hmm that doesnt relaly work! lol. great fic jen



xxelliexx

**"Damn gayly forward!"** Anya- into the woods by blameburner.

[Thanatopsis]

ah and another twist added, not just the hiding in the shadows stranger, but Faith's sister. Very intriguing.

Because he's with Willow. And if something ... happened, I'd know...
Insist upon yourself and never imitate. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

[LeatherQueen]

Faith's sister? Ooh... twisty plot lines! Great update!

--------------------------------


"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[Broken hart]

SISTER?!?! Wow didn't see that coming. I love this story when the guys made the girls switch because they'd never get ready it made me chukle. But i love this characters so much!! Can't wait for the next update!

The heart was made to be broken.

[Ginner WTluv]

Hey all. I managed to get this done today, even after getting completely addicted to eBay.... damn that site! Damn it all to hell! Ahem Here's part four. Hope you like.

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Part four





Buffy, Willow and Tara sat, somewhat bemused at the other girl’s words. Buffy blinked a couple of times before speaking again.



Buffy: Sister?



Samantha nodded.



Samantha: She, uh, hasn’t mentioned me, huh?



It was at that point, did Faith emerge from her room.



Faith: Buffy, have you seen my pyjama top, because I can’t….



She trailed off when she saw the familiar person now sitting in the room.



Faith: Sam? What are you doing here?

Sam: Hello to you too.

Faith: Well, you’ll have to excuse me for not jumping for joy, but we didn’t exactly part on good terms.



Sam winced. It was true. The last time they’d spoken, well, it ended badly.



Sam: I know.



Faith ran her fingers through her dark hair and looked at her sister.



Faith: Why are you here?

Sam: I came to see you.

Faith: We haven’t spoken in four years, Sam.



Buffy got up, pulling Willow and Tara with her, sensing that this was a conversation that would be better off being privet.



Buffy: We’re just gonna….



She nodded towards the apartment door and left, closing it behind them. As soon as they got outside, the rain and the cold hit them.



Willow: I didn’t think to grab my jacket.

Buffy: Come on, Faith’s car should still be open.



Back inside the apartment, Faith had taken a seat across from her sister and an uncomfortable silence hung in the air. Neither girl spoke. Sam’s head lolled forward, her hair covering her face, and Faith was still in a minor state of shock at finding her sister in her apartment moments earlier.



Sam: I didn’t come here to argue, Faith….

Faith: You thought you’d come here and I’d be happy to see you?

Sam: Well, I….

Faith: You must have expected an argument, Sam. We hardly went a day without arguing when we were little and we haven’t spoken in four years because of an argument. It’s always been the same.

Sam: You think I wanted it to be like this? You think I wanted to hurt my sister? That’s the last thing I wanted to happen.

Faith: I caught you in bed with my girlfriend! What did you think would happen?! I’d brush it off? Say; Oh, look, my sister and my girlfriend, this is cool?! What, Sam?

Sam: I don’t know!



Faith let out a frustrated sigh.



Sam: But I never wanted to hurt you.

Faith: Whatever.

Sam: You’re my sister, Faith.

Faith: That didn’t stand in the way of you taking my girlfriend, did it?



Another wince.



Sam: Faith…. I’m-

Faith: Apologise, and I’ll kick your ass. Right here. Right now. I don’t want to hear it, Sam. I didn’t want to hear it four years ago and nothing’s changed.



Sam smiled, sadly.



Sam: Then I guess I drove three hundred miles for nothing, because the whole point of coming down here was so that I could apologise.



She got up and began walking towards the door.



Sam: I know you won’t let me say it…. But I am. Everyday I am.



Sam sighed.



Sam: I’m in town for a couple of days…. If you change your mind-

Faith: I won’t.



Sam nodded and left the apartment, Buffy, Willow and Tara entering moments later.



Buffy: What the hell was that?

Faith: Listen…. I really don’t want to talk about it right now, okay?

Buffy: Faith-

Faith: Not now, Buffy!



Faith strode out of the living room and into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. Buffy just stood there, shocked. Tara moved to stand beside her and laid a hand on her shoulder.



Tara: You okay?

Buffy: Yeah, yeah…. I um, I’m gonna head home.

Tara: No, you’re not. You go home, I’m gonna w-worry all night. Stay here. Sleep on the couch if you want.



Buffy looked up at her best friend and smiled.



Buffy: Okay.



Tara left the room to fetch the spare blankets and Willow walked over to Buffy.



Willow: She gets like that sometimes. She doesn’t mean to yell…. It just comes out.



Buffy just nodded.



Willow: Don’t worry, she’ll be grovelling in the morning and begging for your forgiveness.



The redhead bumped shoulders with Buffy, and the blonde let out a giggle.



Buffy: Yeah.



Suddenly, her head snapped towards the window and she could have sworn she saw someone watching them.



Apartment: Next Day



She felt someone sit down beside her and opened her eyes. Faith was sitting on the edge of the couch looking guilty. Buffy sat up and looked at her.



Buffy: Hey.

Faith: Morning.



She handed Buffy the mug of coffee she was holding and the blonde took it.



Faith: I’m sorry about last night…. I didn’t mean to snap.

Buffy: It’s okay.

Faith: No it isn’t. I got mad and took it out on you. I’m sorry.

Buffy: Stop apologising. It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it. But if you want to make it up to me…. How about telling me why you never mentioned you had a sister.



She sighed. How was she going to explain this?



Faith: Okay, well…. Okay. Sam’s two years older than me. We were close when we were really little…. But we drifted apart. Then my dad…. He started to get violent, and one night, he hit her. After that, she ran away to my Aunt’s house and left me with him….



Another sigh escaped the brunette’s lips and she continued.



Faith: Sam was never around after that and I was so angry at her for leaving me with him…. I just stopped talking about her to people, because every time I did, I’d feel the hurt of her leaving me all over again. Anyway, the years went on with no word from her, but on my fifteenth birthday, she showed up and even stayed from a while. At first I was just angry at her all over again, but we started hanging out and eventually we started to rebuild the bond we had before. Then, she met Jessica. Jessica had been my girlfriend for a little over a year. There was a slight age difference, two years, but it never bothered us. The three of us started hanging out and it was really cool for a while…. Then Jessica and Sam began to get kinda friendly and my jealous side kicked in, but they both assured me that nothing was going on and that they were just friends. I got home early from shopping one day and heard their voice from upstairs. So, I went up…. And they were in my room….



Buffy could see the pain and anger in Faith’s eyes and caught on to what the other girl was trying to tell her.



Buffy: Oh Faith….

Faith: That was four years ago and I haven’t spoken to either of them since. Well, until last night.

Buffy: What did she want?

Faith: To apologise, but I just lost it. I don’t want to hear her apologies. I don’t think I could take hearing them. Not after what she did.

Buffy: Does anyone else know?



Faith shook her head.



Buffy: Not even Willow and Oz?

Faith: Sam ran away when she was little…. And that hurt…. I just kinda…. Blocked her out of my life after that. She was never really around much when we were little, so Willow and Oz never knew about her…. Not sure why I never mentioned it. I figured if they found out I had a sister, they’d want to hang with her instead of me…. Kind of silly really.



Buffy smiled and leaned forward, pressing her lips to Faith’s in a soft kiss.



Buffy: No…. it isn’t.



She pulled back a little to look at her girlfriend.



Buffy: You really loved her didn’t you?

Faith: Jessica?



Buffy nodded.



Faith: I did. First loves and everything. I never expected us to be together forever…. I kept telling myself she was too good for me, that she’d eventually find someone better. I guess she did.

Buffy: Don’t ever say that. There’s no one in the world that’s better than you, Faith. There’s no one too good for you.

Faith: Yes there is….



She frowned at the brunette, as if struggling to understand and Faith smiled, weakly.



Faith: You.



A smile slowly crept across Buffy’s lips and she smiled.



It’s the other way around, Faith. It’s you that’s too good for me…. How did I get so lucky?



Mickey’s bar



The first thing Sam thought when she walked in the rough doors of the bar was: What a dump. Even though it wasn’t the most classy bar in the town, she took a seat at the bar and ordered a vodka and coke.



Mickey: ID?



She just looked at the man behind the bar, her eyes boring into him. Micky swallowed hard and nodded.



Mickey: One vodka and coke coming right up.



He went to work making her drink and moments later placed a glass in front of her. She passed him the money and sighed.



You messed up, Sam. Messed up big time.



She’d done the worst the possible. Betrayed her sister’s trust. Something she regretted every day since then. But what could she do? Faith wouldn’t let her apologise. Wouldn’t let Sam tell her how sorry she was. And to be honest, Sam didn’t blame her. But maybe if she could make Faith see just how sorry she was, things would start to go back to normal. After all, that’s all Sam wanted. She wanted her sister back.

Taking a long swing of her drink, Sam set the gall back down.



I miss her….we used to have so much fun when we were little. Then I had to go and wreck everything.



The stranger walked into the bar, clad in a new leather coat that reached his ankles, his eyes fixed firmly on Sam.



I knew she was here. I could feel her pain all over town.



He walked slowly over to the bar. Mickey saw him and quickly poured his usual whiskey into a glass. The stranger took a seat next to Sam and Mickey put the glass in front of him. He eyed the glass and looked around at the nearly empty pub.



The Stranger: Slow today.



Sam looked up at him, noticing him for the first time.



Sam: What?

The Stranger: I said, slow today.

Sam: Oh, right. I-I don’t come here often though, so I wouldn’t know.

The Stranger: Ah, new in town?

Sam: How’d you know?



The man smiled.



The Stranger: Lucky guess. So, where you from?

Sam: All over. Never really stayed in one place.

The Stranger: Tough childhood, huh?

Sam: Yeah, something like that.



She didn’t know why she was telling the man sitting next to her all. For some reason, she felt she could talk to him.



The Stranger: Yeah, well, I didn’t have the best childhood either.

Sam: No?



He shook his head.



The Stranger: My parents were killed when I was ten; everything kinda went down hill after that. I had to move away to live with my uncle. I was forced to leave my home, my friends and the life I had. I had to leave them all behind.

Sam: Doesn’t sound fair.

The Stranger: It wasn’t, but I was too upset to be angry.



The stranger let out a sigh.



The Stranger: What’s your story?

Sam: I’m a complete loser.

The Stranger: Now, I’m sure that isn’t true.

Sam: I slept with my sister’s girlfriend.



Faith….



The Stranger: People make mistakes.

Sam: Yeah, but I made a pretty big one.

The Stranger: It happens to all of us at some point in our lives.

Sam: Are they forgiven? The people who makes mistakes, are they forgiven?

The Stranger: Sometimes. It’s a matter of the other person seeing how sorry you are.

Sam: What if that person doesn’t want to hear your apologies?

The Stranger: If you really want their forgiveness, you’ll find a way to make them listen.

Sam: But how?

The Stranger: That’s something only you can answer.



He downed his whiskey and pulled a face, before standing up.



The Stranger: Awful stuff.

Sam: Then why do you drink it?



The stranger shrugged and she smiled.



The Stranger: Find a way to tell her. You’ll sleep better at night once you do, and so will she.



And with that, he left the bar.



Faith and Tara’s apartment



Buffy, Willow and Tara were sat in the sitting room, talking. Willow and Tara were on the sofa, Willow’s body sprawled across the length of it and Tara sat near the arm of the sofa with Willow’s head in her lap. Buffy was sitting across from them in the leather recliner that had quickly become “her seat”. The conversation had gone from Joan the Vampire Slayer, to college, to the movie they saw the other night, and had finally settled on Faith and Sam.



Tara: Did she tell you anything?

Buffy: Yeah…. But I think she wants to tell you herself.

Willow: I can’t believe she never told me…. We’ve been best friends for…. Forever.



Tara looked down at her girlfriend, brushing the copper locks from her face.



Tara: I’m sure she has her reasons, sweetie.

Willow: Yeah…. But it still hurts that she never told me. I thought we told each other everything.



Running her fingers through Willow’s hair, Tara glanced up at Buffy.



Tara: Something must have happened between them.



Buffy nodded, silently.



Tara: Something bad…. Something that hurt.



Another nod.



Tara: I’m sure she’ll explain when she feels she can.



A low tapping halted their conversation and Buffy got up to answer the door. She was surprised to see Sam on the other side.



Buffy: Sam…. Hi.



The brunette fingered the sleeve of her jacket nervously, avoiding eye contact with Buffy.



Sam: Hi.

Buffy: Um, Faith isn’t here.

Sam: I-it’s okay…. Can you giver her this for me?



Sam handed Buffy an envelope with “Faith” written across the front and Buffy glanced down at it, then back up at Sam.



Buffy: Sure.



Sam smiled gratefully and headed back down the pathway. Buffy closed the door and walked into the apartment. Willow was now sitting next to Tara, both of them wearing perplexed expressions.



Tara: Who was that?

Buffy: Sam. She asked me to give this to Faith.



She held the envelope for Willow and Tara to see.



Willow: I wonder what it says.



Faith’s room: Later



The brunette lay on her bed, silently running her fingers over the edges of the envelope in front of her. Her eyes were fixed firmly on the envelope, as if she was waiting for what was inside to reach her without opening it. She didn’t want to open the envelope. She didn’t want to hear all the reasons for why Sam did what she did. But, at the same time, she wanted to read the letter. Wanted to see the words on the paper. So, slowly, she began to open the envelope and started to read.



Faith,

Nothing I can say can make up for what I did to you. Nothing I can do can take away the sorrow I caused. You told me you didn’t want to hear my apologies, so I decided to write them down in hope that you’d read them. I’ll be lucky if you even open the envelope, but I’m hoping that you do.

I know I don’t deserve to be forgiven, that’s not why I’m writing this. I just want to let you know how sorry I am. That I regret what I did to you every day, even more than the day before. And that most of all, I want to let you know I miss you. I miss having my sister. I know we didn’t spend that much time together growing up, but I miss the times we did spend together and I hate myself, because I know it’s my fault we didn’t spend more time together, that we don’t spend time together now, and that we haven’t spoken in four years. I’m sorry, Faith. Every day I’m sorry. There aren’t any words to tell you just how much.



Sam



Faith spent a few moments re-reading the letter, a frown set firmly on her face. What was she going to now?



TBC............

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Questions? Comments? Angry rants and the need to throw abuse?



~ Jen

Edited by: Ginner WTluv at: 8/22/02 2:23:42 pm

[snuggle79]

Great Update! Wow, so that's the reason. Poor Faith, that must have hurt very badly. Tough thing. Four years is a very long time. I think she should give Sam a chance...

And finally the stranger is showing up in person.

hmm.....what is he all about?

Tara:"Maybe we dreamed it."

Willow:"Right. Right. Wrong! (points at her head ) Different Brains." Tara:"Oh yeah."


Bitch! Witch! Ho!..mo!"

[Jennpurr]

WOW... No wonder Faith hasn't spoken to her sister in 4 years. That's just horrible what Sam did to her. I don't see how people can do that. Very sad.



I wonder what Faith will do now, after having read Sam's letter? Maybe they can talk? And that stranger... he keeps showing up. He kinda reminds me of Whistler; looking out for people. Wonder what he's doing there?



Okay, we got a Faith/Buffy smooch, now we need more W/T smoochies. And pronto!! Hee... Gotta love our girls.



Looking forward to more, girl. Thank you.

Jen

* * * * * *
Quotes from Melissa Etheridge on 8/10/02, in The Woodlands, TX

"I've been to every, one of Melissa Etheridge's concerts! ... No, really, I have!"
"THAT, is a bat! ... Hey, does it have a ticket? ... It doesn't have a ticket!"

[Ginner WTluv]

Hey all.



Snuggle - I think Faith should give her a chance too... i'll have to talk to her later, see what she thinks And yes, the stranger now showing up in person.... maybe he's about to reveal himself



Jen - Hey girl! Yeah, it is pretty horrible. No one should have that done to them... but you know my fics... always have to have some angsty part I was kinda going for a Whistler thing And i promise, lots of W/T smoochies coming up. Wouldn't be a fic without them



Thanks for reading.



~ Jen

[MissQuirky]

Great update!! Faith should totally give her another chance! She really seems like she is truely sorry! And was that our freaky guy at the bar w/ Sam? Kinda seemed like him, iwanna know wuts up w/ him. Can't wait 4 more!

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.
Tara: I said quirky.

[spazz07]

I feel sorry for Faith but i can feel the remorse that Sam has towards Faith for everything she did. I think they at least need to talk things through and hopefully get their relationship back on the mends.



I might be one of the few but i don't hate this stranger, well yet anyway, until he does something to our girls i'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt



Cheers

Nath

Isn't it funny how you feel your most tired five minutes before you have to get up.

[Broken hart]

Poor Faith, i hope everything works our for her. And that strange man is starting to give me the creeps. Can't wait for the next update!!

The heart was made to be broken.

[Jennpurr]

Hey, Jen.



No... no one should have to go through that. I've gone through something similar, but not the same. It's still horrible though. I really don't understand people sometimes. Grrr.. and yes, I know your fics. Angst to be expected, but they will be happy in the end. That's why I'm not really worried. Yet!



Oooh, you were going for a Whistler thing, eh? Cool. I guessed it. Although, I'm still worried about this guy. Please don't let him hurt our girls, which would include all 4 of them now.



And Woo and Hoo to promises of smoochies soon. Can't wait!



Thanks, girl.

Jen

* * * * * *

"Oh, man. I wish I WAS a lesbian. I would get laid every night for the rest of my life." ~ Amber Benson

Quote from Melissa Etheridge on 8/10/2002, in The Woodlands, TX
"THAT is a bat! ... Does it have a ticket? ... It doesn't have a ticket!"

[Ginner WTluv]

Ah Jen, i always promise happy endings for my fic. You see, if i didn't put in a happy ending i'd be upset

And i just read your sig..... "Oh, man. I wish I WAS a lesbian. I would get laid every night for the rest of my life." ~ Amber Benson

God, that cracked me up. True though.....



I'll get an update up soon.



~ Jen



Editing to add: Hey, i'm extra flamey!! When did that happen?

Edited by: Ginner WTluv at: 8/23/02 11:32:08 am

[Jennpurr]

Oh I know, how true that quote is, eh?? Hee... I just love Amber. She's so... what's the right word.... unpredictable?? Gotta love her.



And I agree. If I was ever to write an unhappy ending to any of my fics, I would go crazy. I'm just glad to hear it will end that way.



Oooh, update soon? That makes me a very happy kitten. Thank you!



Jen

* * * * * *

"Oh, man. I wish I WAS a lesbian. I would get laid every night for the rest of my life." ~ Amber Benson

Quote from Melissa Etheridge on 8/10/2002, in The Woodlands, TX
"THAT is a bat! ... Does it have a ticket? ... It doesn't have a ticket!"

[singgirl]

oooh, Faith has a sister...and what's up with the damn stranger!? Dammit!! grr...

[Imperfectly Me]

EEP...I need more soon Ginner...I'm goin thru withdrawls!



Aim

[mocha fiend 22]

ok see this is why i hate school i get set back on my fav board and my fav fics so i have to type lot more then usual first off poor faith, second i thought it was funny when the stranger got stuck in the tree, and third ive missed this fic well in school

The word "gulp" comes to mind.

[Ginner WTluv]

Hey all. Sorry it took me so long to get you guys an update, had to take a break from anything Buffy related for a while But now i'm back. Sorry it isn't very long, hope you like anyway

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part Five



Faith was still staring at the letter when she heard a knock on her bedroom door.



Faith: It’s open.



The door opened and Buffy walked in, closing it behind her. She eyed the letter and sat beside Faith on the brunette’s bed.



Buffy: You okay?



Faith shrugged. She honestly wasn’t sure what she was feeling. She’d reread Sam’s letter a number of times and it did sound like she was truly sorry. The question now was, was Faith going to forgive her? Could she forgive her?



Buffy: What’s wrong?



Faith passed Buffy the letter and the room was silent for a few moments as the blonde read it. Once she’d finished, she turned to her girlfriend.



Buffy: What are you gonna do?

Faith: I don’t know.

Buffy: She does sound sorry….

Faith: I know that, but…. You weren’t there. You don’t know how much she hurt me. How can I just forgive her after that?



Buffy shifted her position so that she was behind Faith and she wrapped her arms around the other girl’s middle.



Buffy: Only cowards run away from their problems. It takes strength to forgive someone, Faith. I know you’ve got that strength. I know that if you want to, you’ll be able to forgive her. She misses her sister, and if I had to guess, I’d say you miss yours too.



She rested her head on Faith’s shoulder as she heard the other girl sigh and hoped that she’d got through to her. She knew Faith was hurting and she couldn’t stand it. Because when Faith hurt, Buffy hurt.



Small price to pay for being in love



Somewhere in Sunnydale



Sam walked aimlessly down the street, her thoughts somewhere else. She wondered whether giving Faith that letter was the right thing to do. Would it bring them back together? Or just make things worse? She knew Faith didn’t want to hear her apologies…. But Sam had to tell her. The guilt was driving her crazy and she thought if she said she was sorry, maybe some of the guilt would be lifted, but it wasn’t. She sighed.



You do something wrong, and the guilt stay with you forever. It’s the punishment.



Suddenly, she heard noises coming from somewhere in front of her, but couldn’t place exactly where it was coming from. Stopping for a moment, Sam’s eyes swept across the street in front of her. When she didn’t see anything, she shrugged it off, dismissing it as her mind playing tricks on her. She continued walking for a moment or too, before stopping dead in her tracks. She’d heard the noise again and was sure that this time, it hadn’t all been in her head. Turning slowly, she found herself in front of an alleyway, sounds of pain ripping through her ears. She could hear the cries of pain and agony, and while none of them were actual words, she knew whoever or, dare she say, whatever was in an amazing amount of pain. Sam began to back away slowly, once she’d got the feeling back in her legs. She couldn’t see anything but darkness in they alleyway, but the sounds were still there. Ringing in her ears and ripping through her soul, it was awful. She backed away further, almost tripping over a trashcan when a figure emerged from the shadows. It was the stranger, and he was covered in blood, as was the knife he held in his hand. Sam body froze for a moment and when the stranger opened his mouth to talk to her, she ran as fast as she could in the direction of the hotel she was staying in.



Giles’ house: Next day



He was watching TV when there was a knock on his door. Not thinking to turn it off, he got up to answer it and found his daughter and her girlfriend standing on the other side. His face broke out in a smile when he saw them both.



Giles: Tara, Willow, it’s wonderful to see you both. Please, come in.



They both smiled at the older man and walked into the house. Willow ears perked up when she heard familiar names being said.



Gabrielle: “Looks like we have a bit of a lead on them.”

Autolycus: “Ah, well, that was a full day, huh?”

Gabrielle: “Autolycus-- what is going on? Why is Xena in your mind?”

Autolycus: “Oh-ho, now you believe me. Ow! Does she work out for those stunts?”

Gabrielle: “Where is she?”

Auto: “I--I don’t know. Stop that.”

“Xena”: “I’m right here.”

Auto: “Oh, now she’s back.”

“Xena “Autolycus, I’m going to speak through you. Give me control.”

Auto“No, wait-- we have an agreement. I have a right--”

Xena-in-Auto: “Yes, Gabrielle, it’s me. I want you to do something. Close your yes. Close them tightly, and think of me.”



Gabrielle does this, the woods start to fade away and there is nothing but blue (sky?) around her. She opens her eyes to find Xena standing in front of her.



X: “Gabrielle. Gabrielle. It’s me. I’m not dead.”

G: [Cries] “Xena.”

X: “At least, not completely.”

G: “Why? Why did you leave? There’s so many things I want to say to you.”

X: “Gabrielle-- you don’t have to say a word. We don’t have much time. I need to get to the ambrosia; otherwise, I will be gone.”

G: “Xena, I can’t lose you again.”

X: “Gabrielle, I’ll always be here.”



Xena leans forward as if to kiss Gabrielle and the dreamscape disappears, woods returning and Gabrille and Autolycus are revealed kissing. They break away once Gabrielle realises it’s him.



A: “Well, I-- hope you two worked things out.”

G: “We did. Thank you. I mean that.”

A: “Oh, certainly-- whatever’s necessary. I’m here for you both.”

G: “Autolycus.”

A: “Hah?”

G: “Get your hand off my butt.”



The redhead turned to look at her girlfriend’s father.



Willow: You’re watching Xena?

Giles: Oh, I um, there was nothing on. I was just, uh, flicking through the channels when you knocked.



He moved past the two smirking girls and switched the television set off.



Willow: You were watching Xena.



Giles coughed and changed the subject quickly.



Giles: What can I do for you?

Tara: If we’re interrupting….



Willow and Tara exchanged grins, while a very embarrassed Giles cursed himself for getting caught watching Xena. Tara let out a giggle.



Tara: W-we just came to give you the good news.

Giles: Oh?

Willow: We both got acceptance papers to UC Sunnydale this morning.

Giles: That’s wonderful!



Giles beamed at them both and pulled them into a hug.



Giles: I’m so glad you’ll both be staying in Sunnydale.



They grinned at the elder man and then looked at each other. They were both glad they were staying too.



Faith and Tara’s apartment



They found Buffy waiting for them when they arrived at the apartment. She was pacing the living room, looking worried.



Tara: Buffy?



The blonde turned to face the new arrivals.



Buffy: Faith isn’t with you?



They shook their heads.



Willow: Last time we saw her she was with you.

Buffy: I’ve been waiting here for hours…. She hasn’t come home. I haven’t seen or spoken to her since last night.

Tara: Maybe she’s just talking to S-Sam…. Trying to w-work things out.



Buffy didn’t seem satisfied with that answer.



Buffy: No, she would have told me.



A distraught Buffy looked up at them both, tears shining in her eyes.



Buffy: Faith’s missing….



TBC..............

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Questions? Comments?



~ Jen

[MissQuirky]

Great update!! Giles a Xena fan, hmm! Funny! I hope Faith is ok!! I mean shes missing, it can't be good!!



And Sam running from the freaky stranger guy w/ blood on him and a knife in his hands! That doesn't look good at all!! I hope she got to her hotel! Can't wait 2 read more!!

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.
Tara: I said quirky.

[Broken hart]

where's Faith?

Work as though you don't need the money, love as tho you've never been hurt and dance as though no one is watching!

[snuggle79]

oh, a lot of things happening here. What happened to Sam and that stranger guy? And where is Faith?

wait...Giles is a Xena fan...teehee...

Great Update!

Tara:"Maybe we dreamed it."

Willow:"Right. Right. Wrong! (points at her head ) Different Brains." Tara:"Oh yeah."


Bitch! Witch! Ho!..mo!"

[Ginner WTluv]

Ah yes, our Stranger is becoming a regular isn't he



Quirky - Yeah, Giles a Xena fan ) I thought it was kinda funny And don't worry, i'm sure Faith will be okay. Unlike some evil people i don't kill my characters off for no reason



Hart - What happened to Faith will be revealed. Did it have something to do with our stranger and that knife? Or did she fall into a black hole? You'll have to wait and see....



Snuggle - Glad you liked it and a lot more things are to come. This story does have a plot around here somewhere... i just need to find it



Thanks for the feedback



~ Jen

[witchbitchwillow]

heya,



great updates jen! i missed them because i was away again! im never at home these days i tell ya!



do you know where i can get that scene from xena? i didnt watch it but i heard a lot about it and that seems like a really sweet scene



xxelliexx

**"Damn gayly forward!"** Anya- into the woods by blameburner.