They all watched Faith with amazement as she ate more food then the three of them combined. It amused Clotho and Buffy to no end that the two 'Bad Girls' drank their sugar and cream with a little coffee. Both blondes received threatening growls from their raven-haired counterparts. Their response was to laugh harder. When Faith had finished eating every single last crumb on the table she turned and gave Buffy a wide grin, and Buffy couldn't help but give her one back and think that Faith looked absolutely fucking adorable. There was a little dollop of jelly in the corner of her mouth, without thinking twice Buffy leaned forward and gently kissed Faith her tongue sneaking out to lick off the jelly.

"You missed a spot," she whispered before she leaned back in her chair.

Much to Lilith's delight Faith blushed again, "Oh my god she's blushing again!"

Faith just shot Lilith a look but didn't say anything. She started piling up the dishes on the table Buffy started helping her. "We'll clean up since you two cooked." Buffy said to the room in general.

"Oh don't worry about it, I'll take care of it."

"No you cooked Lilith we'll take care of it."

"Nah..." Lilith waved her hand and the dishes, pots and pans, were cleaned, dried and put away in the blink of an eye. She shrugged her shoulders, "Gave up doing the whole mundane housewife thing when I left Adam in the Garden."

{Adam? Garden? Why is that familiar? Like Professor Walsh's Adam? First man. Garden! No, no way that would...}

"Not Adam, Adam... Like Adam and Eve. That Adam? The Garden of Eden, that Garden?" Buffy sputtered then her mouth dropped open when Lilith and Clotho both nodded yes. "But there wasn't any Lilith in the Garden of Eden." Buffy protested.

Faith started laughing, "I knew you were older then me but I didn't figure you were old enough to be my Great Grandmother times a zillion, 'Grandma'. Yup, Gran it is from now on. So 'Grannnn' what's it feel like to be made from someone's rib?"

"Considering that men wrote the story of the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve do you find it surprising that I'm not in it? After all, I did leave his sorry ass." She waved her hand at the Slayers to stave off their questions. "To make a long story short. First off I was not created from Adam's rib, that was Eve. I was created from the same things he was, and I was there first, not Eve. Only mister I-am-the-King-of-the-Garden, tried to do a 'Me Tarzan you Jane' deal and I wasn't going for it. As far as I was concerned we were equals, but Mr. Anti-feminist didn't see it that way. He thought just because the 'Creator', created him first that he got to be my master. So I left him. Didn't really like men that way too much even way back then. I am part of the Hebrew Myths, which is probably why Willow recognized my name. I am also referred to in the Bible in Isaiah 34:14. I've been accused of being a succubus. I've also been accused of killing infants..." Her voice changed to one of repulsion at just the thought alone. "Supposedly I kill the children that don't have a certain amulet over their cribs. That rumor in particular I find repulsive and it pisses me right the fuck off because I would never, ever hurt a child. It is also told that I bore a hundred children a day by the Red Sea, does this body look like it bore a hundred children. What the simple truth is, Adam and I were in the Garden together, the 'Creator' intended for us to be mates, it didn't work out and I left. Considering that women were men's property back then, it's not so surprising that I was removed from the story and portrayed in, shall we say, an unflattering light. And that was a very long time ago, and since I left the Garden before Adam and Eve's fall from grace I retained my immortality."

Clotho and Lilith couldn't help but to laugh at the two open-mouthed gaping Slayers. "Okay, kiddies, time to get showered we've got a long day ahead of us! So move it. I'm sure Gran," Clotho received a light punch on the arm from Lilith for her use of Faith's new nickname for her mate. "As I was saying, I'm sure we can find something to occupy ourselves with while you two get ready. Jeans, tee-shirts, boots and a light sweater or jacket will do. And the bathroom door is fixed by the way."

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Lilith waited until the Slayers had left the kitchen before she spoke. "So what do you think, you think everything is okay? Well as okay as it could be considering all they've been through?" She and Clotho had been up almost the whole night worrying about the Slayers after Clotho had faded them here last night. Neither one of them had missed that Faith had not responded to Buffy at all before Clotho had sent them here. Clotho had been surprised at how quickly Lilith had taken to both Slayers, but not nearly as surprised as Lilith herself. For the most part Lilith was, while sociable and knew probably more 'beings' then Clotho, she had few that she called friend and even fewer still that she called family. Already Clotho could tell Lilith considered not only the Slayers family but the rest of the Slayers family of friends, her family as well.

"I think they are getting better. I was worried at first when I saw the shattered door, but they seem closer than they've been in weeks. I think whatever happened yesterday between them forced them to stop trying to hide what they were feeling from each other, from blocking their bond. We both know what trying to keep the bond blocked all the time does. Sometimes it's hard to remember that they are so young they've both been through so much. And I can't even begin to comprehend what Faith must be going through, but I think with Buffy's help they will get through it together. They had a solid, strong relationship before all of this and their commitment to each other just grew stronger when they were being held. I think they need to just be kids or just twenty-year-olds for a little while, instead of Slayers who are twenty-year-olds. So, as Faith would say, we are going to help them find the fun again. They remind me of us, I think we are all a lot alike and I really enjoy their company."

"Find the fun eh, as if we ever lost it. And I think you're right they're a lot like us, which means they are both stubborn, hardheaded, hot tempered, passionate, gentle, loving, and mated for eternity. I also think that Faith is more like me, while Buffy is more like you and this definitely should be fun. Finally have someone who will understand my humor..."

"I don't think even Faith will be able to understand your warped humor..."

"Care to wager on that. Either case it's strange because you know I don't take to people or immortals, demons, well you know what I mean. I don't take to anyone quickly or easily but those two it's like I've always known them and it's not just them but all of them. Sort of freaked me a little at first, not to mention that you, or rather the 'Fates' broke their absolute golden rule of not interfering. Hell not just you three but Lucifer, Crow and now it looks like Lily and Mars have jumped on the bandwagon too, which means the rest of the 'Incarnates' will soon follow. It just feels right somehow, which in of itself should scare the living shit out of me..."

"Yes it does feel right doesn't it... They are so cute together, actually a beautiful sight and I haven't seen a bond as strong as theirs in eons. It funny being around them makes me feel twenty all over again."

"So I noticed..." Clotho just arched an eyebrow at Lilith's cryptic comment. "The kiss you gave me this morning." Lilith told her, her eyes grew darker just thinking about it.

"What? We agreed that we would act normally around them. That it would be good for Faith, for both of them too see, to remember what it is like to be affectionate with their mate..."

Lilith couldn't help but laugh at the innocent look Clotho tried to give her. "Clo... while that kiss was most definitely affectionate, it was a far cry from a just-because-I-love-you affectionate kiss."

Clotho got up from her chair and walked over to lean against the counter. "I don't know what you mean."

Lilith stood up and slowly walked closer to her lover, whom she knew was definitely playing with her now. "You know exactly what I mean. That kiss was more of a, and pardon me for being crude, it was a I-want-to-fu...mmm...."

She never got to finish because Clotho reached out and pulled her to her by the waistband of her leather pants. Clotho leaned up and into Lilith and gave her another 'affectionate' kiss that sent Lilith's senses reeling. She pulled back gasping for air after a minute or two, then gasped again as she felt Clotho hand slip into the front of her leather pants which all the buttons had been miraculously undone without her knowing.

"You wouldn't dare..." She mumbled into Clotho's neck, and a second later she found out that her mate would, and did dare.

"You were saying..." Clotho's husked to Lilith, not giving her a chance to answer as her mouth captured both her mate's mouth and her moan.

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They grabbed clean clothes from the drawers, because their bags had apparently been magically unpacked. Much like they assumed how the bathroom door had been fixed, with a simple wave of the hand of Clotho or Lilith. An awkward silence had settled around them out of nowhere. They both headed for the bathroom at the same time, they stopped and faced each other in front of the door.

While Faith felt like she would be comfortable taking a bath with Buffy or even now sleeping with nothing on, she wasn't comfortable, in fact she was terrified at the thought of taking a shower with Buffy. She could not recall a time that they had showered together that they hadn't ended up making love in the shower or dragging the other out into the bedroom. In essence they had not once ever been able to shower together without ravishing each other.

She knew that Buffy wouldn't try anything unless she initiated it but just the thought alone of showering together was causing the knots to start coiling in her stomach. It confused the hell out of her especially after the kisses they had shared first thing this morning, and then the ones that had left her shaking while Lilith had made breakfast. She wasn't sure how to tell Buffy and she didn't want to hurt her feelings by making her think she didn't trust her or making her feel rejected. Things had been going so good, she felt good, she desperately wanted it to stay that way and she was just afraid that showering together would change that and more than anything she just wanted to take a break from the roller-coaster of suppressed emotions today.

Buffy watched Faith as everything she was thinking played across her face. She got it all in an echo as well, because Faith had completely dropped all of her blocks, all of her shields. It was like both their feet were glued to the floor and Buffy decided to take the lead this time, to follow her instincts and hope they were right. "Faith, its okay. I understand... We don't have to shower together."

"B, its not that I don't trust you... its just, for some reason this is...I don't know how to explain it. It felt so good to kiss you before, and I just want to keep that feeling for now. For some reason showering together its just making my stomach knot up. I just, I don't want you to think its you. Am I making any sense?" As she was saying it she felt to her surprise the knots in her stomach start to loosen some, as if expressing her fear was taking away it's power, his power over her. They weren't completely gone, even though she wasn't ready for them to shower together, the idea didn't terrify her anymore either.

"Yes you're making sense and I do understand. You don't have to be afraid to tell me anything at all, even if you think it might hurt my feelings. I know you love me. When it comes to this part of our relationship I am going to follow your lead. I trust you completely. Just tell me what you need, what you want and I will do everything in my power to give it to you. And when you are ready to talk, I'll be right here waiting for you, ready to listen."

Faith moved closer to Buffy and pulled her into her arms, holding her tight and smiled when she felt Buffy return her embrace. "I know you will B... and I am so glad I have you to help me through this, cause I don't think I could make it alone this time."

They just held each other quietly for a time, then they both started giggling when they heard a gasp, followed by a low moan come from the kitchen.

"They so wouldn't be doing what it sounds like they're doing in our kitchen. Would they?" Buffy whispered between giggles to Faith.

Faith never got a chance to answer, Lilith unknowingly answered Buffy, when she moaned Clotho's name, followed by a 'Yes there!'. Buffy collapsed into Faith muffling her giggles in her shirt, mumbling, "Oh my god! I don't believe them! Do you believe this..."

Faith couldn't answer her right away she was too busy stifling her own giggles in the crook of Buffy's neck. "No. But since I think they're a lot like us I'm not surprised. One of us better get in the shower."

"You go first. I hope there are some headphones for that stereo, or maybe I can put my fingers in my ears."

"Or maybe you could come in and talk to me while I'm showering. Keep me company." Faith got a huge 'echo' of joy from Buffy at her request. She didn't wait for Buffy to answer her instead she said, "I'll take that as a yes."

They practically ran over each other in their haste to get into the bathroom, they almost broke the bathroom door slamming it closed when they heard another, even louder moan from the kitchen.

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Neither Slayer had noticed last night that the bathroom was actually two rooms. The first room only had a double sink marble top with a mirror the length of the counter. The main part of the bathroom was off through a doorway on the right. Both Slayers stopped in awe their mouths hanging open when they got a good look at the room. The sun streaming in through the skylight that was almost the size of the entire ceiling, brightly lit the bathroom. There was a Jacuzzi tub exactly like the one in their bedroom at the Fates' home, only this one was the size of a small swimming pool. There was a glass shower stall that could have easily fit five grown men comfortably and it had two massage showerhead jets on each of it's four sides. There was another door off to the side and Buffy peeked her head in and saw that there was a toilet and a sink, affording the user a little more privacy. The whole room, the floor, the walls, was done in black and white marble, and was gorgeous.

There was a shelf lined with all different types of bath oils, soaps, shampoos, lotions, just about anything and everything either Slayer could dream up. Big fluffy, soft looking towels and wash cloths were on the shelf next to the other bathroom toiletries.

With delight both Slayers saw that their amber and black silk robes from home were hanging side by side on a hook on the wall.

"I can't wait to take a bath in that tub. A bath at night. When the moon is out, the stars shining, and all those bath oils. Not an alone bath, you know. Not a by-myself bath, but a bath with you, Faith." Buffy groaned in her head, babble mode had kicked in and she was extremely nervous, she could never remember ever being this nervous.

"Me either B." Faith walked over and looked at the shelf with all the bathroom toiletries, she was never going to be able to pick one. Buffy walked up behind her and reached over her shoulder and grabbed a bar of lavender musk soap and handed it to her.

"I like the way this smells on you..." She grabbed shampoo and lotion and handed those to Faith as well.

"Okay... I'm ah, gonna jump in the shower now." Faith suddenly felt awkward and shy, wondering if this was such a good idea after all.

Buffy made a big show of inspecting everything on the shelf, trying to give Faith a little space. She fiddled with the bottles, acutely aware of Faith getting undressed behind her. She waited until Faith was in the shower for a minute or two before she turned around. She stood frozen as she watched Faith, whose head was tipped back, eyes closed, her hands in her hair pushing it back off her face, as the water ran down in rivulets over her body. Buffy slowly moved forward on shaky legs, she slid down to the floor by the shower and rested her back against the wall. She tried to calm her breathing, which was shallow as she just stared at the unconscious beauty that was Faith.

Faith had felt Buffy eyes on her and at first she had felt uncomfortable feeling the lust coming from Buffy, until she realized through her own fear that it was wrapped up in so many other emotions, the strongest of them once again, love. When she opened her eyes she saw how Buffy quickly averted her own and then Buffy started a babble that would put Willow's best babble to shame.

Buffy looked away quickly when Faith moved out of the direct spray of the jets and opened her eyes. "You think we can get one of those showers at the Mansion or even the tub? Cause then..."

Buffy was babbling about everything and anything, her eyes looking everywhere but at her, and Faith thought she was absolutely adorable. She was sitting on the floor, fiddling with the hem of her shirt and every once in a while Faith would catch Buffy sneaking a peak at her. Buffy was so cute, so endearing right then, trying so hard to put her at ease, make her feel comfortable that Faith could only think of one thing to do.

She opened the shower door and leaned her head out, "B." Buffy just kept on babbling, Faith wasn't sure if she actually heard her, she tried again. "B!" She waited again and finally Buffy stopped babbling and looked at her. "B, I can't hear you too well..."

"Oh... I'll, ah... I could speak louder then..."

"I could hear you a lot better if you got in here with me B."

"Really?"

"Really, B."

"Are you sure Faith?"

"Yes." And Buffy gave her another one of those smiles that blinded Faith for a minute it was so beautiful. Then Faith started laughing when Buffy took her clothes off at the speed of light, and was in the shower with her so fast that had she blinked Faith would have never seen her move. "Eager much B?"

Buffy blushed, her eyes peeked up at Faith through her lashes shyly, "Always where you're concerned Faith."

Then Faith gave Buffy one of those smiles that blinded Buffy for a minute it was so beautiful.

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Faith couldn't help it, she teased the shit out of the immortals for the entire day as they showed them around. Neither Clotho nor Lilith really minded they were just happy to see the two Slayers smiling, laughing and acting like twenty-year-olds should act.

The immortals found themselves acting like kids too, especially Clotho. Which Lilith didn't mind at all, especially after this morning in the kitchen.

They took them out to the lake first which was a short distance from the cottage. They explained to them how the lake and cottages, which each of the Incarnates had around the fifteen-mile lake were surround by a magical protection and privacy spell. There were boundaries set up for the land and the lake that belonged to each of the cottages which ensured privacy, no one could cross the boundaries without permission first. Nor could anyone see into the area surrounding the cottage and lake the spell surrounded. There was approximately two feet of in-between space between each cottage's boundary. The spell that surrounded the cottage and the lake for where the Slayers were staying had been set up to allow Lilith and Clotho to enter this one time without permission. After today anyone wishing to gain entrance had to basically ring the magical bell and get permission from one of the Slayers to step onto the property or use the part of the lake that belonged to the Slayers cottage.

"So if you want you could run around naked anywhere on the property, in fact, do whatever you want and no one would be able to stumble upon you or see you." Lilith told them slyly, planting the seeds of all the possibilities in both Slayers minds.

"And you will never see a sunset or sunrise in any realm anywhere that can compete with the one here. The lake itself glows with all the colors, and I am not even going to try and describe it. Describing it would just fail miserably." Clotho remembered seeing in the Tapestry of Life how the Slayers used to rise every morning to watch the sunrise together and what it meant to both Slayers. She had no idea whether or not they had watched the sunrise together since their return from Glory's hell. Once the Fates had decided to include, and throw out the rule book where it concerned the Slayers and their extended family, they had stopped watching their lives vicariously within the Tapestry. Like the other 'Life Threads' that belong to the rest of the Incarnates and the others the Fates considered family the Fates turned blind eyes to the weaving of the threads on a personal level, affording all their family members privacy. The Tapestry would alert them if need be to any impending mortal danger or if a prophesy was involved with any of their family members. Clotho explained this to the Slayers as they walked the short distance to their next destination, the stables.

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No one was surprised to see Faith walk directly over to the pure black stallion at the far end of the stable. The stallion, Obsidian and Faith stared at each other, both recognizing the wild nature and proud spirit of the other. No one ever had been able to tame or ride the stallion, including Lilith, Mars and Lily, who had a way with all things belonging within her sphere of power as The Green Mother.

Obsidian moved forward in his stall at a speed that only an immortal or a Slayer could see. He had been known to knock people on their asses or bite those who had gotten within his reach more than once. The warning both immortals started to shout at Faith died in their throats, they watched with amazement as Obsidian nudged then nuzzled his nose in Faith's shoulder trying to get her attention. The light peel of laughter from Faith delighted them all.

Faith nuzzled the black stallion back, loving the silken texture of his mane, she could feel the mischievous spirit of the stallion. "We're a lot alike aren't we? I'm a 'Bad Girl' and you're a 'Bad Boy'. You want to meet my mate?" Faith whispered to the stallion, who neighed in response. "B, come on over here and meet..."

"Obsidian." Clotho supplied for her.

They all watched amused as Buffy hesitantly made her way over to the huge stallion, keeping a leery eye on the horse. The horse brayed softly at Buffy when she moved to stand closely and a little behind Faith, unconsciously reaching out to grip Faith's hand within her own as she peeked at the stallion over Faith's shoulder. Faith gently stroked the long snout of the horse, "You're going to be nice and let my mate pet you aren't you Sid?" Obsidian snorted and tossed his head at the raven-haired Slayer. Faith didn't know why but she was drawn to the spirited stallion, it felt like she knew him, just another odd thing to add to her list of odd things that had happened since she had become a Slayer. Faith gently brought Buffy's hand up to stroke Obsidian, her head close to both Buffy and the horse as she whispered softly to them both.

The immortals watched them with indulgent smiles on their faces. They were being given a rare glimpse into a side of Faith very few people were ever graced to see besides Buffy. There was such an innate gentleness to the way Faith was speaking so softly to Buffy, and yes, even Obsidian, calming, gentling both the stallion and the golden-haired Slayer. The way she was ensnaring them with her words and soft touches, which neither of the immortals had to be able to read minds to know, made both Buffy and the horse feel special, loved, cared for.

A soft braying came from behind the immortals and they turned around to see Obsidian's mate, Sol, pushing against the bottom half of the stall trying to get free. Clotho waved her hand and the stall door opened and the large albino mare exited the stall and made her way towards the Slayers and her mate. She nuzzled her nose into Buffy's hair, and the immortals heard the sound of soft laughter as both Slayers laughed when Buffy almost jumped into Faith's arms at Sol's affectionate nuzzling. Sol, gently nudged Buffy aside so she could get to her mate. Obsidian tossed his head, his mane flying, preening for his mate. They slid the sides of their faces together in greeting, nickering softly to each other. The immortals watched as the two horses and the two Slayers snuggled into each other. Buffy's hand reached out of it's own volition to gently stroke the pure white mare's long nose, feeling drawn to the mare in the same way Faith had been drawn to the stallion.

Lilith snuggled into her own mate, feeling a peacefulness and a sense of serenity surround all of them, animals included. She hadn't felt this way in a long time, young, carefree and with a feeling in her heart that everything and anything was possible. She felt her mate tighten her arm around her waist and the same feeling came to her from Clotho through their bond. They watched the Slayers and in particular Faith whom they could see was beginning to feel comfortable not only with Buffy but within her own skin once again. They could see no trace of the 'Bad Girl'. She was nowhere in sight. In her stead, was a big-hearted, gentle, loving woman. And next to her stood her mate another, big-hearted, gentle, loving woman. They were each others compliment, and Lilith finally got to see first hand why Clotho, why they all thought the two Slayers were a beautiful sight together. And she couldn't help but to agree wholeheartedly.

The spell was broken when Faith opened the stall at Obsidian's gentle nudge, she understood what he wanted, understood his need to be close to his mate. The white mare wasted no time in entering the stall with her mate, they leaned into each other, their heads resting lightly, gently against the others.

"They're beautiful aren't they B? Light and dark..."

"Yes... just like us, light and dark. Beautiful just like you..." Faith felt herself start to blush from Buffy's words.

"She's..."

"So do you two ride?" Clotho asked the Slayers quickly, cutting off Lilith before she could start teasing Faith about blushing again. They both shook their heads no. "Would you like to learn?" They both nodded their heads yes quickly, both of their eyes shining with excitement. "Okay! Then Lilith and I will start teaching you tomorrow. You'll find what you need at the cottage! Are you ready for our next stop? I think Obsidian and Sol want to be alone!"

Faith and Buffy laughed when they saw that what Clotho said was true. Obsidian was getting frisky with his mate, who was playfully pushing him away, and both Slayers swore that Sol was peeking up at Obsidian with playful, flirtatious eyes.

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Their next stop was at a large looking barn-like structure that was out behind the cottage. Both Slayers started bouncing with glee like five-year-olds who had just been set loose in Disneyland. It was the biggest training room either had ever seen. There was an arsenal of weapons, from stakes to crossbows, all of which both Slayers were sure Clotho was extremely versed at using. The Incarnate told them, if they would like, during their stay, she as well as Lilith and Mars would resume their hand-to-hand and weapons training. Faith and Buffy both said yes so loudly that the immortals were sure that the humans back on Earth surely heard them.

There was also weight-lifting equipment, both machines and free weights. Both Slayers were again delighted. Buffy had started lifting weights with Faith over the last six weeks since their escape from Glory's domain. Right now both Slayers were a little obsessed with being in the best possible physical and combat shape. It was a natural reaction to what had happened to them and one that both immortals understood.

They left the barn deciding that they would work out the details for the training over dinner, then they began a leisurely stroll around the fifteen mile lake. Clotho had permission from all the others around the lake to enter their domains without having to knock first. They ended the tour at Lilith and Clotho's cottage which as it turned out was right next door to the cottage the Slayers were staying in, just in time for dinner, they just had taken the longest way possible to get there.

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