Stepping out into the rain I handed my things to dead boy. Buffy looked up at me her green eyes welled with tears that didn’t want to fall. I gathered Dawn into my arms and entered the car. The two past lovers took the front seats. I watched B wipe her eyes just before I closed mine in defeat. Dawn was soaking wet and cold from the rain, I covered her in my coat as she gave in to fatigue.
“She hasn’t slept since you left.” Buffy’s voice caught in her throat. “She made me come find you, she made Angel track you. She hasn’t stopped until now.” I bowed my head watching her sleep. She seemed so peaceful now, just like the night I left her. Two tears fell on her cream forehead.
“She meant what she said Faith. We both love you,” her words stung me; she couldn’t possibly want me as much as I wanted her, but I couldn’t hurt Dawn. I cursed myself for the upset I had caused her in the last few days. “She needs your guidance, your companionship, your love. You mean as much to her as she does to me, you’re our sister. You’re our sister slayer, protector and family. But it’s your decision whether to stay or not. But please tell Dawn either way, she needs closure.”
“She loves me,” B nodded. “She wants me; she wants me as an older sister.” I took all the words in. No one had ever needed me; I’d never been someone to look up to. But now I was, I had to step up. People needed me. People wanted me. People loved me.
I rested my head once more atop hers, she was warmer now, I felt her moving, waking up. “Hey Sparky.” She smiled and held my face in her palm, relaxing to the touch she smiled. The rain had stopped and the night was clear, three stars shone in the night, a small laugh escaped me, both Dawn and B looked at me confused.
“Do you see that? There are only three stars shining that bright, can you see them?” Dawn followed my hand pointing out of the window,
“What do they mean?” Dawn yawned out, but before I could answer Angel chirped up,
“They are a constellation, rarely seen complete because of clouds and other cosmic obstructions.”
“Don’t you remember Dawn; they were mom’s favourite stars.” Buffy tried to look too where I was pointing.
“Yes, Joyce will be happy tonight, the stars haven’t shone like that for almost a year. And now they are reunited again.”
“So what are they?” Dawn was confused and yawned again. Leaning down I whispered to her,
“Those stars Dawnie, those stars are the three sisters. Apollo ,” I poked her gently, “I know it’s a guy but that’s what it’s called.
“So that’s me, what are the other two called?”
“The one on the left is Hera the goddess of like families. That’s your sister up front there.” I saw Buffy smile at my explanation. “The one to the right, that’s Hercules. The hero and protector.”
Dawn poked me smiling, “That’s you! But why are you a guy?”
“The Greeks were funny people I guess.”
I heard B in my head, man it was weird we hadn’t communicated like this for what felt like an eternity.
*You know that’s not what they are called.* I smiled and replied,
*Now you and I both know the real story isn’t nearly as impressive.*
I felt Dawn snuggle into my arms again, I don’t know why, but I felt powerful, I felt strong. I was Hercules, I was immortal. I was never going away, never again. I settled once more and drifted away into my imagination once more. I could hear her voice again, soft and loving,
*My girls, my children, my family together once more.* Goodnight Mrs.S
***
Disclaimer in chapter 1
Chapter 10 – Please ask me again…
Returning to the Summer’s house I took Dawn upstairs as B collapsed down in one of the chairs. Placing her in the bed I lit a small candle in the room. I wasn’t going to leave until she said it, until she asked me that one last time. Not one murmur or groan came from her the entire ride home; I had to hear her again. I sat beside her bed gently stroking her hair.
As the flame flickered and died my hopes too were extinguished. I walked away with my head hung low. Why did this bother me? Jeese what is going on inside of me?
“Faith,” Her voice made me freeze as a small bit of warmth returned to my heart. “Faith don’t leave me, never leave me…”
I had returned to the bed Dawn’s body was tense and her face held an expression of fear. I placed a caring kiss on her forehead, “Never”
“Promise?” she murmured as her body and expression relaxed.
“I promise” I left the room to go and see how B was holding up.
***
Buffy was already asleep in the chair, her golden hair half covered her face. I carefully placed the stray hairs behind her ear; I had really missed them both so much, but I had never felt any warmth in B. Her words had never comforted me, never calmed my spirit. I loved her so much but to what end? Before I made myself cry I decided to just move away from her.
As I resigned to the sofa I was torn, do I kiss her goodnight, do I go to sleep? I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep with her in the room. Well if B’s down here, her rooms free, and a logical solution has arisen.
The warm sheets, soft pillows and the subtle scent of Buffy’s sweet perfume. You could always smell it a mile away but it had a comforting feel to it. Before I knew it I was soon out cold.
***
The next morning my stomach woke me violently craving some serious munchies. Heading into the kitchen B was still catching some Z’s in the chair, no worries I’ll find what I need, slayer senses are picking up some bacon, waffles, pancakes, sausages, eggs and a frying pan. That’s all I need, maybe I should leave some for B and Dawnie too.
I think it was the eggs that got them, just as I was piling up my plate both of em’ came crawlin’ into the kitchen.
“Smells good,” B wiped the sleep from her eyes as she sat down,
“Yeah, hey you’re not wanting to push in on a slayers breakfast now are ya?”
I flashed her a cheeky smile before taking two plates out of the oven already laden with food. Putting in front of them I was rewarded with a couple of muffled words as it was all gulped down. Anyone would think that they hadn’t eaten in days!!
After putting all the newly cleaned dishes away I joined the two in the living room.
“I am so stuffed!” Dawn was groaning, I jumped down next to her and placed my arm around her,
“Can’t handle a slayer’s breakfast?”
“No, I can’t handle a Faith breakfast!”
“I second that!” B curled up in the chair.
“Ha! Remember me Hercules!! You can’t handle such Godly feats as finishing one of my meals!!” I pulled a strong man pose much to the amusement of Dawn.
“So, can we look forward to any more Herculean breakfasts?” Dawn was looking up at me with her puppy dog eyes,
Flashing a look at Buffy, there was something behind those eyes that begged me to say yes, there was warmth in her and Dawn.
“Yes I think so but next time you’re washing up!”