Faith had bitched, moaned and complained all through their shower, then while she braided her hair down her back, a la' Jolie in "Tomb Raider", giving Buffy a wicked smirk at her surprised look. Then continued right on babbling her displeasure as she put on her make-up and got dressed, Buffy should have been irritated but she wasn't. How could she be, when she thought it was absolutely adorable?

"You're just so damn cute." Buffy told her when they had almost reached Lilith and Clotho's cottage.

"Am not!" Faith jutted out her bottom lip.

"Are too!"

"Am not B!" Faith's bottom lip jutted out even further, then she stuck her tongue out at Buffy like a two-year-old.

"Are too, ya big baby you!" Buffy teased.

"God B, how many times do I have 'ta tell ya, 'I AM NOT CUTE!'" Faith pouted, stopped mid-stride, grabbed Buffy and turned her around to face her. "I AM fucking A-DOR-A-BLE!!!!"

"Mmmm I'll say you're fucking adorable, so adorable in fact... I could just eat you all up!" Buffy purred, then bit her own bottom lip.

At that moment, Faith wanted nothing more then to catch that full bottom lip with her own teeth. God she was turning into a nymphomaniac! "I'd say you've been doing a pretty good job of that over the past few days B." Faith said low and husky.

"Well, at least we know why we haven't seen or heard from them in the last few days." Lilith said playfully, startling both Slayers.

Faith spun on her heels to face both Immortals who had managed to come out of the front door of their cottage without either Slayer hearing or seeing them.

"I'm guessing since we haven't 'heard' from them that they remembered to invoke the privacy spell." Clotho grinned impishly at both of the Chosen.

"Thank the Creator for small favors." Lilith laughed, loving the blushes that had made guest-star appearances on both Slayers' faces.

"Looks like they were playing connect-the-hickey-dots again too!" Clotho chimed in between gaffs of laughter.

"ENOUGH ALREADY!!!" Buffy yelled shocking everyone. She took in a deep breath, she needed this like she needed a hole in her head, she was nervous enough as it was. "Could we just go?"

"Sure Buffy..." Lilith said feeling a little bit guilty for starting the teasing session. With a wave of her hand, she faded all four of them to Mars' mansion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They had barely faded into Mars' large backyard before a loud shout of 'SURPRISE!!!' assaulted their ears making all four jump about a half a foot off the ground.

Faith's first reaction was to cower in terror, memories of other birthdays flashing through her mind at the speed of light, then she heard Buffy's worried, loving whispered, "Happy birthday, baby?" Instead, it was the memories, not her, that cowered in terror then fled all together. She blinked rapidly trying to keep the tears from falling from her eyes as she saw all the smiling, loving faces of her family gathered around her all wishing her a Happy Birthday. She smiled back at them, a softness in her eyes that only Buffy ever had the privilege of seeing before and each person there felt honored that Faith had finally let her true self shine through.

The high-pitched squealing that erupted from Dawn, giving nearly everyone heart attacks, interrupted the hugs and birthday wishes. She practically tackled the two Slayers as she threw herself at them, babbling gibberish. She squeezed them both so tight that a loud whoosh of air forced its way out of them. Willow and Tara looked at each other then back at the Key and the Slayers. Willow heard a whispered, 'Look!', in her mind from Tara and then the two witches quickly let out loud squeals of their own and joined the hug fest, while everyone else looked on both puzzled and amused by the whole thing.

The two Slayers shared a look and then in perfect sync, they dropped to the ground and rolled out and away from the group hug fest. They smiled smugly at each other, they knew what had caused Dawn and the Wiccas' squealing and hugging. They just waited to see if everyone else would catch on. They both started laughing when they saw Anya punch Xander, knowing that she had figured it out and they just waited for the scene to play out, they didn't have to wait long.

"OW! What was that for?" Xander yelped rubbing his arm.

"Men! Now, I remember why I agreed to become a Vengeance Demon. It's been over a year Xander and still I'm waiting! How much longer do I have to wait? I bet you they won't make each other wait that long!" Anya huffed, happy for the Slayers, but unhappy with her own situation.

"HUH?" Xander looked around bewildered hoping someone would help him out and the only answer he received was another punch on his arm from Anya. Faith took pity on him and wiggled her ring finger at him. A very large grin streaked across his face, then almost as quickly disappeared when it finally dawned on him what Anya was saying. He turned around and looked at Anya, catching up both her hands with his. He could care less that everyone was standing around waiting with bated breath to hear what he was going to say. All that mattered to him right now was Anya and what she was feeling. If he had learned nothing else over the last year or so, he had learned that he loved her more then life itself and he truly didn't give a shit if everyone knew that or if saying it aloud made him look weak.

"An' I've been waiting for you to give me a date," he said sincerely. "I mean... I didn't want to bring it up after what happe..." He trailed off hoping that she would catch on to what it was he trying to say without bringing up those painful months they all thought the Slayers were dead.

Anya nodded at him to go on letting him know silently that she understood. Her immediate reaction to his first few words were to rail at him, but something in the tone of his voice, his demeanor stopped her. Xander looked down then looked back up at her, the love he felt for her blazed in his eyes, but there was also a little bit of fear there too, which puzzled her.

"And when you never said anything after things had settled back down. I... I well... I was afraid to say anything. Afraid to ask, afraid you might tell me that you changed your mind. And so I didn't say anything, 'cause I would rather have left things the way they were then chance losing you. I love you more then I can ever say and I meant, still mean everything I said to you in the cellar that day. None of that has changed, if anything I love you even more. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for my silence to hurt you, or make you think that I had changed my mind."

Anya just threw her arms around Xander in answer kissing him so fiercely and hotly that even the oldest amongst them blushed, though no one looked away. They did, however, quickly turn away once the kiss ended trying to pretend they hadn't been listening or watching the whole time. They all failed miserably, but neither Xander nor Anya really cared.

"So when? When did you ask, 'cause I know it wasn't when you planned or where 'cause that wasn't supposed to be until after today and I..."

"You're babbling honey." Tara said softly then smiled just as softly at Willow to take the sting out of her words.

Gary started to laugh at how red both Slayers had turned. At the same time both he and Anya held out their hands, looked around at everyone and said, "Pay up!"

"Pay up? Pay up for what? What's that supposed to mean?" Buffy asked apprehensively not really wanting to know and certainly not liking the smug looks on Gary and Anya's faces.

"I'm thinkin' they bet everyone that you would as..."

"...k her while the two of you were fu..urmph." Anya said cutting off Faith until Xander's hand over her mouth cut her off. But she had managed to get enough out and both Slayers turned even redder.

"HA! The Energizer Slayer Bunnies strike or should I say hum..urmph..." Gary laughed only to be cut off by his mate, James' hand over his mouth.

"Buffy!" Dawn yelled, choosing to ignore both Anya and Gary's comments. "You asked Faith to marry you while you were in bed together? HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO FAITH, AFTER EVERYTHING? NOT TO MENTION ALL THE BABBLING AND RUDINESS WE HAD TO PUT UP WITH FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS!"

"Hey... I um... well, it..." Buffy sputtered, totally mortified and wishing a hole would open up under her feet and swallow her.

"Gamin, it's okay. It was actually really sweet, cute and very romantic. And what she said to me was just beautiful, the most beautiful thing anyone ever has said to me. I wouldn't want her to change a thing." Faith gushed and then turned even redder. The blush, she was sure now covered every inch of her body. Not only was she the reining Queen of Blush-ville but she was starting to become the Queen of Corny and Sappy-ville too. She started wishing for that same hole to open up under her feet and swallow her that Buffy was wishing for too.

"All right everyone, they can tell us about it later, after a few dozen or so Jose' shooters." Mars' chuckled deciding to give the Slayers a break. Besides Faith, they both were his daughters and he really didn't want to hear the details. "Now lets get down to the business at hand celebrating 'm' Inghean's', and for those of you not versed in Gaelic that is... Let start celebrating 'my daughter' Faith's twenty-first birthday.... Soooooo," he paused to wiggle his eyebrows at everyone, "...lets PARTY!"

Mars smiled at Faith whose eyes had gone just a little bit wide and a little bit glassy at his calling her his daughter. He had told her before that he thought of her as his own child, but he had never - not really - publicly acknowledged it. Then again, she hadn't seen the ear-splitting toothy grin or had heard him mumble in awe that she had called him 'My Father - m' Athair' to all the Immortals that day at Lily's.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Faith..." Buffy called from the bathroom. She was feeling shy and a tad insecure and couldn't find the courage to actually face Faith to ask her question.

"Yeah, B." Faith called back from the bed where currently she was snuggled up with the Huskies, the stuffed panthers of course and two of her other birthday presents. Only these two presents were more for both Slayers rather than just her.

"Um... well... Um... Do you..."

"Spit it out B, I'm getting gray here!"

"Um... well... Do you know when you want to have our Joining Ceremony?" Buffy held her breath while she waited for Faith to answer her.

Faith knew exactly what Buffy was feeling, she had wanted to ask Buffy the same question all day. Normally she would tease her, she loved teasing 'shy' Buffy, but she didn't have the heart or the inclination this time. "Honestly... right this second wouldn't be soon enough for me."

"REALLY???" Buffy squeaked then heaved in a desperately needed breath. She turned and hurriedly made her way out of the bathroom.

"Really B." Faith felt a tidal wave of love wash over her from Buffy.

Buffy came out of the bathroom and stopped dead in her tracks at the sight that greeted her. Faith was leaning back against the now twisted headboard, a few pillows propped up behind her. The sheet was pooled around her waist leaving her bare from her lower stomach up. The two huskies were cuddled up into her left leg, the stuffed panthers cuddled up to them. Lying across her thighs on their backs were Vanilla and Chocolate, the three-week-old black and white, real live, panthers that the Immortals had given them. Faith was lightly scratching their tummies and Buffy could hear the soft contented purring coming from them both, a sound that reminded her of Faith. Next to her on the bed were two empty baby milk bottles. She wished she had come out of the bathroom earlier; she would have loved to seen Faith feeding the two baby panthers. The thought, the image in her mind made her stomach flutter and her heart race. Why that was, she really wasn't sure but it did. She didn't get a chance to dwell on it for long, Faith's soft 'Come here, B.' interrupted her musing.

Buffy hurried over to the bed, she climbed up, careful not to disturb the four sleeping animals, they were all so damn cute. She snuggled into Faith's right side, propping herself up on an elbow so she could see her face while they talked. She glanced once more at the four sleeping animals as well as the stuffed ones and a small chuckle escaped her. At Faith's quizzical look she whispered, "I think we have a motif going on, first the stuffed panthers, then the horses, then the dogs and now these two babies."

"Nah... Ya think?" Faith asked quietly, a silly smile on her face. "Whatever could make you think that B? Just 'cause we have one light and one dark of each... it doesn't mean anything. You're just being silly."

"Yeah, you're right Fai, I'm being silly. Just 'cause we're light and dark and all our animals, both real and stuffed are, it must just be coincidence. And you know what else S.O.?"

"What Giz?"

"This conversation is silly too." They shared a look and both started to laugh softly. They enjoyed these silly times together. It wasn't often they had the luxury of being silly and carefree, so both had quietly agreed to embrace their inner silliness wholeheartedly whenever they had the opportunity.

"So um... I was thinking, with the way time works here and back home that we could have our Joining Ceremony before we left here in um... nine days and it will still be the weekend back home and we'll still have time left here for a short honeymoon... Then maybe during spring break we can use those tickets and the vacation club money you gave me for Christmas to go on a real honeymoon. What do you think, B? I mean you can say no, if it's too fast. You don't..."

"I think that's a wonderful idea, I think you're wonderful and if I thought everyone wouldn't have heart failure I would say lets do it tomorrow... Where did you want to have the Ceremony... 'Cause I... well... I was thinking that the clearing with the waterfall would be a beautiful place to have it."

"You just read my mind, B." Faith leaned down and gently kissed Buffy.

"Okay then, that's settled, we can tell everyone tomorrow at breakfast and maybe they can help us with the actual Ceremony part."

"Sounds like a plan." Faith couldn't stop the huge smile from appearing and it just made her heart beat triple time when Buffy returned it.

She carefully picked up the two sleeping baby panthers from her lap, cradling them like infants in her arms. She rose from the bed, acutely aware of Buffy's watching her. She rocked them gently, cooing to them as they made little mewing noises in protest. She squatted down next to the large basket and placed them within it. Softly she stroked them one last time and whispered a good night. It was with amusement she watched the two huskies get up from the bed, taking their stuffed panthers with them and proceeded to curl up protectively in front of the basket.

"I wish we didn't have to leave them here." Faith rasped softly.

"I know baby, I don't either. But Lily is right, it will be better for them here and she is letting us take Cinder back with us, which I know isn't the same but it will certainly make Furball happy." Buffy whispered back then both she and Faith laughed at Dusk's soft bark of agreement.

"I know, but still B they're just so small, still babies. It would just be nice to have them with us..." Faith said wistfully as she crawled up onto the bed and curled up into Buffy under the covers.

"Do you ever think about..." Buffy trailed off, biting her lip, wondering if she should even ask.

"Think about what, B?"

"Babies, kids. Do you ever think about having kids?" Her eyes searched Faith's and much to her dismay she watched as the steel veil she hadn't seen in a long time crashed down in Faith's eyes.

"No." She shut almost completely down, instantly, without thought. There wasn't any anger in her voice, her demeanor, she just seemed to be hard, cold, and emotionless.

{FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! Good one Summers, stupid much? 'Cause I'm sure Faith would want to have kids considering she had such a fucking wonderful childhood. Maybe one of these days you'll learn to think before you speak. Dumb ass Summers! Christ you just asked her to marry you and already you're asking about kids and she still, we both are still healing from everything that's happened to us. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!}

It wasn't that Faith had never thought about it. She had. She had given up on the idea a long time ago though and most of the dreams she had about being a mother had been killed the day she was called to be a Slayer. Whatever lingering dreams she had about having kids had been entirely killed the day that Glory had taken them.

"Faith?" Buffy queried softly.

She shuddered a little at the cold, almost dead look in her heart's eyes and shuddered again at the thought that Faith had been able to re-erect a wall so quickly. Had it only been earlier today that she had thought all of Faith's walls had crumbled to dust for the last time, never to be re-erected? She hadn't really meant anything by her question. She was just curious whether Faith ever thought about having kids she knew she had. It was quite easy, though, for her to imagine a little girl, a baby that looked exactly like Faith. As she continued to gaze intently into Faith's veiled eyes she saw something in them she had missed before.... fear. It suddenly became clear to Buffy why Faith was having such a complete and total shut down to her innocent question. She knew that this had to do with Faith's past and not anything to do with them.

"Faith... Fai?" Buffy tried softly again, trying to pull Faith out from behind the steel wall she had erected.

Faith stared sightlessly into Buffy's hazel-gold eyes. Her mind was reeling with memories of her own childhood. She blinked once, twice, as the sound of Buffy's soft scared voice finally penetrated through the barrage of memories assaulting her. She realized suddenly that she had built a new wall and was hiding behind it and it scared her a little, that she had done it so easily, so unconsciously, another knee-jerk reaction from her life before now. She mentally kicked at the wall, trampled it under her feet and obliterated it with a strength that Hercules would have been proud of.

Fuck, if she was ever going to let her past scare her into retreating. Not now! Not again! She recognized this for what it was. It was the same thing, the same voices that had tried so hard to control her over the last few weeks and she wasn't about to give into them again. She was stronger now, stronger than ever in her life and even stronger with Buffy beside her. Buffy knew all there was to know about her, had seen her at her worst, had seen things that no one should ever have seen and she was still here with her, still loved her. Wanted to Join with her, spend the rest of her life with her and it seemed eternity as well. There was nothing they couldn't work out together, there was nothing that she could tell Buffy that would make her turn away from her. She could talk to Buffy about her own doubts and fears, there wasn't any weakness or shame in that and it was about fucking time that she learned that and remembered it. Even so, she knew for her it was easier said than done, the words she knew wouldn't come to her easily. It was a matter of pride to her that she had always kept her promises, both good and bad, she had made a few to herself in the last few days all of which she was determined to keep.

Buffy heaved an internal sigh of relief when she saw the veil over Faith's eyes lift. What she saw though, so much vulnerability, insecurity, and a little bit of fear in Faith's eyes, made her heart cry for her Dark mate. She wished she could take the question back, she obviously would have never asked it if she knew it would cause this kind of reaction, pain in Faith. Ignoring it though wasn't the answer and as much as Buffy didn't want to spoil the end to their wonderful day, she decided she was going to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, if Faith didn't.

"You okay baby?" She asked Faith quietly, her hand unconsciously reaching up to caress gently the side of Faith's face.

Faith caught Buffy's caressing hand and brought it to her mouth. She gently planted a few soft kisses on the back of it then pulled it down to hold it against her chest, her heart.

"Yeah B. I when... when I was... it's... I didn't... oh fuck!" She huffed, blowing air forcefully out of her mouth, exasperated at her inability to put the words together.

"It's okay Fai... Take your time, I'm not going anywhere. Just let the words come out any way they want." Buffy leaned in towards Faith and placed a soft, almost dainty kiss on her mouth.

The conversation had started innocently enough but somehow, somewhere in the last few minutes it had become extremely important to her. Why? She didn't know why, but it was. She didn't want.... or did she? She did and in a moment of clarity, Buffy suddenly understood why it was so important. She wanted to have a full life with Faith and she realized when she closed her eyes and allowed herself to think of a future for them, she had seen them in it with children. Up until she had found her home, her soul-mate in Faith she had pretty much given up on the idea of ever having children, but that had all changed. Maybe not right now, this minute, this year, but definitely if it was what Faith wanted too, in the future. Especially now that she thought about having a future, now that she carried the hope in her heart that she, and Faith, would live a long life together. Now that she resisted the idea that her destiny, that Faith's destiny was to live short lives because they were Slayers. Now after all these years of being a Slayer she had hope in her heart that she would live to see gray hair on her head, liver spots on her hands, and wrinkles on her face. And as she gazed into Faith's eyes she could see, could feel that same hope lived inside of Faith too.

"Okay B, I'll try. When I... I was little I used to pretend what it would be like when I was a Mom. How I would treat my kids, how a Mom, a Dad was supposed to treat their kids. Ya know..." Faith looked at Buffy not really expecting an answer, "...and I used to promise myself at night that when I was a Mom I would never, ever do to my kids what my... what was done to me. Then as I started to get older even though I couldn't seem to stop myself, I could see how I treated other people, could see how in some ways I was becoming like they were. It was almost a relief when I got called, 'cause I figured I would never have to worry about having kid. I didn't think I would live long enough to have them. I'm sure you probably thought the same thing after you got called too. Didn't you?"

"Yeah, I did. I kind of figured I wouldn't live long enough to have kids. And, to be honest, there wasn't anyone I ever really wanted to have them with. But then you came along and you turned my world upside down. In the time we've been together I've started to... no, I 'believe' that we can have all those things. God, just look what we've done so far. We live together, have a pretty normal life, outside of the Slaying. We own a business, I'm already in college and you'll be starting back with me in a few weeks. We're raising Dawn, we have a really big, really nosy family, but they're all good, loving people. I'm not ready to have a baby tomorrow, but I can't lie... if you want to, if it's something you want too, I would love to have kids with you Faith." Buffy continued to stare into Faith's soft eyes, her heart, her soul in her gaze.

"I'm afraid, B..." Faith whispered softly, shamefully.

"What are you afraid of Fai?" Buffy asked just as softly, she gave Faith's hand, which was still holding hers tightly, a little squeeze.

"I'm afraid that I'll end up being just like her, like my Mom. I mean I still lose my temper, get mad, still feel like I want to lash out, hit. I'm just afraid that I'll end up being like them, no matter how hard I try not to be." She dropped her eyes; afraid almost of what it was she would see in Buffy's. Silently she berated herself for being so chicken-shit and just as silently she cursed herself for not believing in herself. In not believing, yet again, in Buffy, in Angel, in all of them. For doubting the fact that they believed in her wholeheartedly, for doubting that she knew she was a different person. She took a deep breath and raised her eyes back up to Buffy's and what she saw in them started to melt away all the doubts she had.

"You could never be like her, like either of them, Faith. Never. I know that, we all know that. You need to let yourself know that too. And if you still have doubts all you have to do is look at Dawn. You've been raising her just as much as I have. In fact if it wasn't for you, I might have pushed her away, alienated her. If ever there were a time you would have raised your hands to her it would have been that day in the training room when she attacked you. Hell you didn't even yell at her. I was the one who yelled, who pushed her and had you not stopped me I would have hurt her. And if you need more proof take a look around at the faces of the all the kids you've helped over the last year at the center. You, Faith, would be a wonderful Mother. You're loving, caring, gentle, smart, funny and all I can say is that when I see you with Dawn, see you with the kids from the center you remind me of my Mom." Buffy kept her eyes locked with Faith's as she spoke and she consciously opened the bond between them, letting the feelings, the emotions, the images flow from her to Faith along with her words.

Faith heard and felt it all. And she believed. "Thank you... and I'm not the only one that's gonna make a wonderful Mom, you are too B. Someday B, someday I'd like to have a little girl or a little boy or maybe even both with you."

"I'd like that too, Fai. I'd like that a lot." Buffy husked softly then rested her head against Faith's chest, listening to her heartbeat. She began to purr deep inside when Faith's arms came round to hold her close and she smiled softly when she heard Faith begin to purr in answer to her wordless call.

They rested quietly against each other, secure and so damn proud of themselves for talking it out, for not giving in or letting Faith's demons from her past win. Eventually, they drifted off to sleep, to dream of a future filled with love, happiness, joy and the beautiful children they someday hoped they would have together.

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...Heal me lift me ~ Take me to the waterside ~ Drop me in let me swim ~ Let everyone know I'll be coming home again...
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The next week was hectic, leaving both Slayers tired but ecstatically happy. The days were filled with making plans for their Joining Ceremony, trying to figure out what to wear, trying to find a ceremony they both liked, and would speak to who they were. Together they worked on the braided cord that would be used to bind them during their Joining Ceremony. They had made it from three silk strands that Clotho had lovingly woven for them. Their early evenings were filled with taking care of the two infant panthers, Vanilla and Chocolate and the two puppies, as well as trying to write their vows, which in the end, they decided to not only write but say together. Faith, despite all her protesting that she just wasn't good with words, was the more poetic of the two of them when it came to actually writing down what it was she felt.

Their nights after their 'brood' of black and white animals were settled down were filled with the sounds of lovemaking, passion, lust, joy, love and laughter. They had mutually agreed to practice as much as possible making babies, though Buffy laughing told Faith she was pretty damn sure they didn't have the right equipment for it, but hell they would give it the good-ol'-college try anyway. Faith's answer was to leeringly tell Buffy, that she could, if Buffy wanted, 'acquire' the right equipment for them, which made Buffy turn the brightest shade of red Faith had ever seen her turn to date. It didn't stop Buffy though from saying, 'Really?' with just enough curiosity that Faith told her once they got home if Buffy wanted they could go 'toy' shopping. Which only made Buffy blush harder, which made Faith start to blush, which in turn made them both break out in fits of giggles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They parted reluctantly after the long lingering kiss they had just shared. Neither Slayer was happy that their family was forcing them to follow tradition and spend the night before their Joining Ceremony apart. Buffy was going to be held hostage at the Fates' house, while Faith was going to be held hostage at Mars. And being held hostage was what both were convinced it was!

"This really sucks B."

Faith's bottom lip jutted out in a pout that was both adorable and hot as sin at the same time and Buffy couldn't resist it. She leaned forward and caught Faith's lip between her teeth, her tongue exploring, tracing along the cleft there that fascinated her to no end. The sexy little whimper Faith made in the back of her throat caused Buffy's insides to tighten and she pushed Faith up against the wall, kissing her with everything she had. Hotly, wildly, with overwhelming need.

"I have to touch you now," she mumbled against Faith's soft, delicious lips, eliciting another sexy whimper. She slammed Faith into the wall again then slammed herself into Faith.

Their hands were all over each other in a matter of seconds. It was desperate, furious, frantic, and caused them both to start laughing hysterically at exactly how goddamn silly they were being. But it didn't in any way curb the fever in their blood to touch, to be with each other.

Buffy literally wrenched her mouth away from Faith's. She hastily mumbled out the privacy spell for the fifth time that day. They both nearly jumped out of their skins when Atropos' voice boomed out from nowhere, "OH THE HELL YOU TWO WILL AGAIN!"

They shared a sly grin and this time Faith said the privacy spell and both almost had heart failure when Atropos voice boomed out at them again, from thin air, "YOU'VE GOT FIVE SECONDS BEFORE WE FADE IN THERE SO MAKE YOURSELVES DECENT!"

"This sucks big time!!!" Faith fumed, stamping her foot, "They broke the damn privacy spell. They don't play fair B!!!"

"You're right we don't," Atropos said appearing from out of thin air behind them. She started to laugh gaily when both Slayers jumped half a foot in the air.

"That was fun can we do it again?" Dawn said then laughed right in the Slayers' faces as they glared at her.

"Not going... wanna stay here with B!" Faith grumbled and gave a pathetic version of 'Willow's Resolve face', which only prompted everyone in the now crowded cottage to burst out laughing.

"Baby, I'm sorry," Buffy said when Faith shot her a look for laughing at her, "...you just can't pull off the whole 'Resolve face'. Stick to what you do best the bad-girl thingy."

"Thanks a lot B..." Faith sulked, crossing her arms over her chest and staring defiantly at everyone gathered in the room. Let them just try to take her if they dared!

"Okay enough of this already. Whether you like it or not you two will not be spending the night together." Atropos stared pointedly at Faith. "Now let me have your rings." She held out her hand and smiled softly as the Slayers grudgingly took them off and handed them to her. "Now say goodnight to each other and please keep it G-Rated there is a minor present after all."

"You're a little late with that warning," Dawn giggled, "...someone should have told them that a long time ago."

Once again, everyone in the room burst out laughing as both Slayers' turned a nice vibrant shade of pink. They decided to ignore everyone and just focus on each other. It was somewhat unsettling how nervous, upset they were about spending the night apart. Both were in complete denial that their overwrought nerves and the unsettling feelings had anything to do with their Joining tomorrow.

"I'm going to miss you tonight. This will be the first night we haven't spent together since... Well... since forever." Buffy whispered softly and they both realized that it had been well over a year since they had spent a night apart.

"Me too B." Faith rasped low. She leaned forward and kissed Buffy softly, delicately. Their lips barely brushed but it was a kiss that touched both their souls.

"Okay time to go," Atropos waved her hand and all present started to fade to their destination for the night.

"This sucks," Faith grumbled for the third time that night, she smiled when she heard Buffy's soft laughter as they faded-out.

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Faith prowled the confines of her room like a caged wild animal. She stopped only occasionally to right the tiny baby black panther who kept tripping over her own four paws as she too prowled with both the Dark Slayer and Dusk who had the stuffed black panther hanging by it's ear in his mouth. It was becoming an all too familiar sight. They had all burst into laughter when Dusk had shown up scratching at the door, this time though he it wasn't the stuffed panther being held gently in his mouth, but Chocolate, who in turn had the stuffed black panther dangling from her mouth by its ear. Even Faith had laughed, then she went right back to her prowling, the animals right behind her imitating her, right down to the soft growls that rumbled out of her chest.

Tara, Lilith, Cordy, Fred, Lachesis and Atropos had given up trying to get her either to sit down or to talk. They had secretly conspired with Willow, Clotho, Dawn, Anya, Lily and Charlotte, Crow's mother, who were keeping Buffy company to cast a sleeping spell so that everyone, most especially the Slayers would get some sleep. They doubted that either Slayer would voluntarily lie down to sleep the night before their Joining. The six in the room with Faith looked at each other wondering if it was too early to cast the sleeping spell on the restless Dark Slayer.

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At exactly the same moment Dusk and Chocolate showed up at Faith's door, Cinder and Vanilla showed up at Buffy's door, which had sent everyone there into belly laughs. Currently the three animals, two living, one stuffed were pacing behind Buffy, who like Faith, hadn't sat down once. She was a nervous wreck, her stomach churning, spinning violently and she was in full-scale nonsense babble mode. With Cinder and Vanilla contributing to the nonsense babbling noise with soft growls, barks, hisses and mews of their own.

By ten that night, the twelve women who were on the 'Night-before-Joining-jitters' watch had decided they had enough. Silently through their bond, Willow and Tara agreed to cast the sleeping spell on the two agitated, panicky Slayers and their animals.

"Oh you guys don't fight fair," both Slayers said at the same time in different rooms, in different homes as they felt the effects of the sleeping spell hit them. Lilith caught Faith, while Clotho caught Buffy before either of them could hit the hardwood floor.

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