Disclaimer: Everything BtVS and AtS is owned by Joss, ME, and all them over there. Everything Anita Blake is owned by Laurell K. Hamilton
Author's Notes: All song lyrics are from the Three Doors Down song Kyptonite.

Chapter 2

The next night . . .

Willow knew as she sat in the car that what she was about to do was wrong. She was bending the rules to fit her purpose. But she needed a slayer to help her find Spike. Willow felt herself smile, `Wonder what the Council would think of this; a broken Witch helping a murdering slayer escape a magical safe house just so that slayer could help said Witch find a vampire.'

Willow's smile faded to a frown as she felt the sensation of something on the inside crumbling. A small part of her had just lain down and wasn't getting back up. It wasn't like she wanted it to happen, it just had. There was something about her relationship with Spike that was different, something that Willow just couldn't let go of . . . which is why she was where she was now waiting for Angel to meet her.

Last night Willow had gone to see Angel, told him he was going to help her find Spike. That she needed a favor to rival any asked before. And when Willow had told him what she wanted he had just sat there staring at her.

"Nothing to say?" Willow had asked with a forced smile on her face. She knew Angel was in shock. She had just told him Spike was missing and that she wanted his help to find the blond vampire. Then Willow told him of her plan to get Faith to come back to Sunnydale with her. Angel just stood and started to pace.

"Willow are you sure about this?" He turned to face her. "Do you even know if anything has actually happened to Spike? Maybe he just left. He is after all only a demon. It is not like he has a soul or anything."

Before Angel could continue Willow was up and on her way across the room. "Don't stand there and tell me that he just left, like Dawn meant nothing to him. Something has to have happened to him, he wouldn't just leave her." By the time Willow finished her statement her hands were shaking and the pain was evident in her voice.

Angel froze as he noticed that something inside of Willow had changed . . . a tiny shift in her power signature, something that only a demon would be able to pick up on. Some part deep inside himself told him that she was no longer someone to be taken lightly. The first thing Angel needed to do was get more information from Willow.

"Okay Willow, I am sorry. But I think there is more going on here than you are telling me. You have to be honest with me if you want me to help," Angel stated as he showed Willow to a chair, taking the one next to her for himself. "How long have you and Spike been living together?"

Willow just stared at him, her mouth a gape. "How do you know we were living together?"

"I can smell him and Dawn on you. They are the strongest scents. Are you in love with him?" Angel knew that it was always better to ask than to assume. He also could tell that they had no been intimate. He wondered why they hadn't been together.

Willow didn't look up from her hands folded carefully in her lap. "Yes," she whispered

Angel knew that there had to be a reason for the change in Willow's power signature. He just hoped it was because of the stress she was under and not the fact that she had been messing with the darker aspects of her craft. Sometimes when one so young had this much power, it was easier for them to let the magic control them . . . to fall onto the darker aspects of magic, especially when they had witnessed or experienced the dark energy of the hellmouth.

Willow spoke softly, "I didn't even know until he was gone that I had feelings for him. Spike has no idea that I am in love with him. That is why I have to find him."

Angel leaned across and took one of Willow's hands in his. "Willow, what if he knew of your feelings and left anyway? What if he just wanted out, away from you and Dawn? I want you to understand that just because you find him doesn't mean he will want to come back. Just because you tell him that you love him."

Willow swallowed the tears that were threatening to fall and looked up into Angel's eyes. "I know that, but I have to find out for myself."

Angel realized that Willow was a grown woman now and had the right to make her own decisions. The fact that Willow knew she needed help only showed how mature she was being. "Alright Willow, what is it that you want from me?"

"I want you to talk to who ever you need to, find out where Faith is and get her released," Willow stated matter-of-factly.

"What?" Angel was completely taken aback by her statement.

"I need a slayer. Faith is the only one I know of . . . unless you want me to try and raise Buffy from the grave? And I don't really know anything in particular. All I do know is that something is wrong, Spike wouldn't have left Dawn." Willow was perhaps foolishly clinging to the fact that a slayer could solve her problems, but she didn't know what else to do.

Angel was about to say something when his secretary spoke up. "Remember the way you felt about Buffy? Don't you think Willow needs closure? If Spike really left, then she needs to know. Face her demon so to speak."

Angel knew he had been had as soon as he heard Cordelia speak. She knew he was still dealing with Buffy's death. He needed closure as well, though he more than likely would never get it. He had known Cordy was in the shadows listening to what Willow had said. Willow didn't know that the seer had had a vision that morning warning them of the red-head's impeding visit. Cordelia hadn't said much about the vision other than that if they didn't help Willow she would find her own way, and it would lead her onto a path of darkness. Then there would be more evil in Willow than they were ready to deal with. Angel knew there was more to her vision than that, but the brunette seer had held her tongue.

"Okay what do you want me to do?" Angel realized he had given up the moment Cordy mentioned Buffy. The sad part was Cordelia knew she had him. `Why fight it? Who could win with the two of them on the same side?'

Willow looked up at Cordelia. She tried to hide her surprise at the former May Queen's defense. Willow knew Cordy had to have a reason for backing her up, Willow could only hope that the something was big. Willow wasn't all that sure of herself right now, so it was nice to have somebody who was. She made a mental note to talk to Cordelia later. Right now, however, Willow had other things on her mind.

"Well," Willow cleared her mind of all thoughts except the ones that had brought her to L.A. "I have already been inside of the California State Prison system computers. Faith hasn't been in the prison in L.A. for a little over 4 months. When I tapped into the surveillance camera across from Faith's cell there was a girl in there, but it wasn't Faith. She has to be somewhere. I need you to help me find her." Willow knew that she sounded desperate, but she didn't care. Faith was not where she was supposed to be and Willow had a hunch that Angel knew where she was.

"Because the more I think about it, the more it doesn't make sense. How could a slayer just disappear in the City of Angels considering you are the Angel who protects it? How could someone have gotten that past you? The only conclusion I am left with is that you must have had something to do with it. Do you know where Faith is? I want to take her back with me to Sunnydale." After Willow had finished, she stood still and held her breath. She didn't know what to do if Angel didn't help her.

Willow was snapped from her thoughts as Angel knocked on her window, motioning for her to follow him into the building. Willow got out of the car and followed Angel up the sidewalk into the building. He opened the front door, holding it for Willow to enter. He motioned for Willow to take a seat. Angel then turned and walked up to the receptionist, speaking to her in hushed tones.

Angel turned around to face Willow, saying, "Wait here, I'll be right back." Willow watched as Angel disappeared behind a large door. She settled into wait.

~~~*~~~

When Angel finally returned he was accompanied by a slim man with glasses. Angel motioned for Willow to join them. Once Willow came to stand at Angel's side he introduced her.

"Willow Rosenberg, this is Allen Johnson," Angel said as Allen shook Willow's hand.

Willow always hated these moments; she always felt so awkward. "It is nice to meet you, Mr. Johnson."

Willow noticed as he shook her hand that his skin had a yellow tint to it. His hair was snow white and his eyes flashed silver as he regarded Willow. She hadn't noticed his striking features until she had looked him right in the eye.

"It is nice to meet you as well, Miss Rosenberg. Now please follow me." Allen turned and headed into the building with Willow and Angel following him. As he led them through the compound he said, "I am taking you up to Faith's room. She is waiting for you."

As they approached the door to Faith's room Willow paused and turned to Angel. "Maybe I should talk to her first."

Angel smiled, "Yeah maybe, since she is not aware of what has been going on." Angel stepped back and let Willow step up to the door.

Willow knocked on the door, and when she heard a muffled `come in' she opened the door and walked into the room.

Faith looked up from her spot on the bed and smiled when she saw who her visitor was. "I'll be damned, Red. Not one person has come to see me even once in all this time. When someone finally does, it is one of Buffy's famed four. I must have really done it this time." Her voice was heavy with sarcasm.

"Hello Faith." Willow could hear the bitterness in Faith's voice; part of her still hated the Scoobies. "I have come to ask you a favor."

Before Willow could continue Faith had interrupted. "Buffy is dead, isn't she?"

"How do you know? I mean yes, Buffy died about four and a half months ago." Willow wasn't sure, for a moment she would swear that she had seen regret mixed with a little sadness in Faith's eyes at the mention of Buffy's death.

"I just knew Buffy was gone I felt different . . . not so much stronger, just alone. I was in my cell when this unnatural feeling of loneliness settled over me. I knew then that Buffy was gone. When I was called as a slayer, Buffy was already the slayer. So I never knew what it meant to be the one and only until she was dead. I just know that now I am sure what it means to be the chosen one. About four months ago, there were a couple of attempts on my life, so they moved me here." Willow could have sworn that she saw unshed tears in the slayer's eyes.

Willow walked over to the bed Faith was seated on and sat next to her. "Faith, I am sorry, I never thought to check on you. I have had a lot happening. After Buffy died, Tara left. Then Spike moved in and he and I were taking care of Dawn. Then four nights ago, he just never came home. I know he wouldn't just leave. He would have come to me first." Willow had tears in her eyes and her voice was thick with emotion. "Angel called in a few favors. If you want to, Faith, you can leave here today and come home with me to Sunnydale. I need some help finding Spike. If you help me do that I can get you out of here for good . . . as long as you can stay out of trouble."

Faith just sat there staring at Willow before she found her voice. "Wow Red: you're gay, then straight and in love with a vampire. All of this comes from living on the hellmouth, you know that, right?" Faith made sure there was a teasing smile gracing her lips when she continued. "While I am thinking about what you said, tell me more of what has happened since I've been in here."

Willow told Faith of everything that had happened in the time she had been in prison. They must have talked for quite some time, `cuz as they were catching up someone rapped softly on the door. Faith called out an invite and Angel stepped into the room.

"You girls know what your doing? We should get going soon. I can feel the sunrise coming," Angel stated as he closed the door.

Willow looked at Faith. "It is up to you."

Faith knew she would do just about anything to get out of here. She hadn't even been outside once in a little over four months. Faith knew it was better than the prison that she had started out in, but still; she was the slayer, she wanted to be free.

Faith looked at Willow. The red-head looked so lost. On the outside Willow was trying to hold it together. But on the inside Faith could see things crumbling, as if the very core of Willow's being was succumbing to the pressure it felt. If Willow was gonna offer her a way out, Faith would have to be a fool to say no, wouldn't she?

Faith wasn't stupid. She knew if she left here with Willow that she wasn't getting out of this bed and breakfast for nothing. There was going to be something horrible waiting for her back in good old Sunnyhell. Faith decided it didn't matter, she wanted out.

"I am game. Let's go." Faith jumped up and headed for the door.

"Wait, don't you want to take anything with you?" Willow was pleased with the decision that Faith had made, but was concerned with the impulsive way Faith had made it.

Faith paused to look around the room. "Na, let's just get out of here."

Angel opened the door. "Follow me girls."

Willow and Faith turned to follow Angel down the hall. As they approached the end of the hallway, an old woman stepped out of the last room. Willow felt a hand touch her arm. She turned to excuse herself, but when she did she was trapped by the smoky depths of the old woman's eyes. Willow could feel the soft whispers of words start at the edge of her mind, louder and louder they came until Willow could finally understand what was being said.

"You are the one. The one that was never meant to be. And soon will be. Find the part that is missing. Finish what was started long ago, bound by your heart. Stand strong child."

Before Willow could open her mouth to respond the old woman was gone. `What had she meant?' Faith placed her hand on Willow's shoulder snapping the redhead from her thoughts.

"Come on Red, let's get out of here. The fresh air will clear your head. Did the old woman say something to you, inside your head? She does that sometimes. She was a seer of sorts at one time . . ."

"No, not exactly." Angel said as he joined the girls. "She was more of a teller of prophesies. Then one day she told her Master of his fall from power. He had her eyes cursed as a punishment. Told her that she would never again lay eyes upon the ones she loves. Then when he fell from power his last act was to put a bounty on her head. That is why she is here. Did she say something to you Willow?'

"She told me `You are the one. The one that was never meant to be. And soon will be. Find the part that is missing. Finishing what was started long ago, bound by your heart. Stand strong child.' I am not sure what she meant, but I know that it has something to do with Spike." Willow was shaken by the whole scene.

"No body told you about this place did they?" Faith asked as she slipped her arm through Willow's and began to follow Angel. Faith continued when Willow shook her head "The guy you met on your way in, do you know what he is?" Again Faith continued on when she saw Willow shake her head. "He is a demon, the second most powerful Siskin in the world. There are only three pairs of his kind left in this world. Each pair runs a place like this. Together they keep the magical `bad' confined, and those who are wanted dead hidden away. I ended up here as a way to keep me alive. I guess there are people out there who want a new, younger slayer. Don't you see: they couldn't kill Buffy, but then she did it herself and there was only one: me. Angel came after me one night, after the third attempt on my life and brought me here. I guess somebody figured that a slayer in prison would make an easy target. Now let's get out of here."

~~~*~~~

Dawn stood just inside the open front door, waiting for Willow's return. Resting her head back against the cool wood, she breathed deeply of the night air. She was trying desperately to control the emotions churning inside of her. It wasn't enough that she had lost her mother, and then her sister. She had also lost Spike, to god knows what.

Now she stood here waiting for a shell of her former friend to return from L.A. with a person who had brought so much discontent to her sister's life. Faith had held her mother hostage and than switched bodies with her sister. There where other things that she could remember being told about Faith. But since the whole Glory ordeal Dawn had learned a few things. One: the people that loved her loved her because of who she was and not who made her. Two: that the memories that she held were the same as everyone else's.

Faith had never done anything to her personally and if Willow thought Faith could help. Dawn would try and work with that. She couldn't stand the thought of losing another person. And with each passing day Willow was slipping farther and farther away. Dawn didn't know how much more she could take, but to save Willow she would try her best to get along with Faith.

With that decision made, she noticed headlights of an oncoming car. Willow was home.

~~~*~~~

The ride home was made quickly after Faith and Willow had returned Angel to the hotel. Faith had been eager to put as much space between her and the compound as possible. So they had said their good-byes and headed home to Sunnydale. Willow noticed a change in Faith the closer they got to the city limits. When they pulled up in front of the Summers' home Willow noticed that Faith was looking nervous. It had been awhile since Faith had been in Sunnydale, and this place held some bad memories for her. Faith had been so angry and lost the last time she had been to this house.

Faith didn't take her eyes off the front door. "Does it still look the same?"

Willow smiled sadly. "Yeah, nothing different really. You want to go in? Xander and Anya stayed with Dawn while I was in L.A."

Faith looked at Willow, a smile slowly spreading across her face. "Know what I really want to do?"

"What?" Willow felt herself start to smile. Faith's first few hours of freedom, what would she do with them?

"Let's go for a quick patrol. That way I can familiarize myself with any changes in the surrounding area. Besides, it has been like for ever since I could really stretch my legs."

Before Willow could even say yes or no, Faith was out of the car and grabbing her bag. "Good, I just want to freshen up a bit first."

Willow watched as Faith headed to the house. Willow knew from the talk that she and Faith had on the way home that Faith knew she couldn't change what happened, and that it was time to move on and let go of the past. Starting over is sometimes the hardest part, but it can be the first steps towards to recovery.

~~~*~~~

Xander heard the front door slam against the inner wall. Then the sound of feet on the stairs. By the time he got to the door Willow was just coming in and dropping her bag by the door.

"Hey, Wills." Xander opened his mouth to say something when the bathroom door slammed close. He smiled. "Sounds like Faith came back with you."

"Yeah, she is up stairs freshen up. Then we are going for a quick patrol. Do you mind staying with Dawn for a little while longer?" Willow's voice sounded tired.

"You want me to go with Faith on patrol? You look tired." Xander asked

"Not tonight. But you can tomorrow night if you want." Willow told Xander as she closed the front door.

Later that night . . .

Xander stood on the front porch waiting for the girls to return. So lost in his thoughts he didn't even notice Faith walking up behind him. He was concerned about Faith, her affect on Willow. He had been against the idea from the start, but Willow had insisted that getting Faith was the only way. He remembered all to well the affect that Faith had had on Buffy. The dead guy in the alley. He wondered if Faith could even walk the straight and narrow path.

"Xander." Faith reached up and shook his shoulder. "Xander."

"Uh . . . what?" He jumped as soon as he felt the hand on his shoulder. Faith had startled him from his thoughts. He stiffly nodded his head at her. "Faith."

"Yeah. Willow asked me to come let you know that we were back so you can go." Faith said it in an `I don't care about anything' way. She always retreated into her bitch facade when she was unsure of some one's reaction to her. It was easier to play it off like she didn't care. But, still this was a different situation all together. She was gonna have to deal with Xander everyday. They needed to clear the air.

"Listen, Xander. What happened between me and you, well, I was hoping to move past it. I am here to help Willow." Faith's voice was soft and unsure.

Xander was so surprised by the tone of her voice. This was the small wonderful part of Faith he had imagined all those high school nights. He smiled at her. Maybe he could give her a chance. After all this was the hellmouth stranger things had happened.

"Faith, I am worried enough about Willow to give you the benefit of a doubt here. I am not sure what happened between her and Spike, but this is killing her. It is weird. I never saw it until it was too late, or at least that is what Anya tells me. Willow and Spike are in love. But it is more than that." Xander paused, hoping to get his words out right.

"Willow has stopped eating. She doesn't sleep but an hour or so at night. Dawn tells me that she can hear Willow tossing and turning at night. She calls out for Spike over and over again until she awakes. Then Dawn can hear her crying in her room for the rest of the night. There is something wrong with this whole situation. There is something else between Willow and Spike besides love. I can forgive anything and everyone as long as you realize this is about Willow. We need to find Spike and soon," Xander finished, his voice filled with the emotion he felt.

"Yeah, that is why I am here," was all Faith could mange. The love that filled Xander's eyes as he spoke of Willow touched Faith. It was a look she had always wanted to see in someone eyes when they spoke of her. It had yet to happen. Faith knew that if she took the chance that was laid out in front of her she would finally find a place to call home, and friends to fill it with.

"We will find him. Set things right. All I am asking is that you give me a chance. I won't let anyone down this time." The conviction in her voice was strong.

Xander looked Faith in the eyes. He saw nothing but honesty. He gave her a small nod.

"Yeah. Goodnight Faith. I'll see you tomorrow night for patrol." Xander said as he stepped off the stairs.

"Hey Xander, who is Anya?" Faith asked

"Anya . . . oh, she is my girlfriend. You will meet her tomorrow night on patrol." Xander said with a soft smile on his face.

"You take your girlfriend patrolling? Oh, you are warped." Faith couldn't hide her laughter.

"Anya used to be a vengeance demon. I think she can handle patrol." Xander stated proudly.

"Yeah, I bet. See you tomorrow night." Faith said as she stepped back in the house.

~~~*~~~

Willow and Faith walked slowly along the perimeter of Restfeild cemetery. They had been out patrolling for better than two hours. Faith had staked a couple of fledglings. They had overheard talk of a new warlock, nothing for sure just whispers and rumors. Faith had said that she would go and talk to Willie the next day.

"Red, how come you sprung me and yet you haven't called Giles?" Faith just grinned wickedly. "Not that I am complaining, but don't you think he might be able to help?"

Willow only nodded and stopped walking, "I did call Giles. He said that maybe this was all for the best. That Dawn needs people in her life who are a stable, positive influence for her. I tried to explain how things had changed since he left. But he insisted that if Spike had left it was more than likely because Buffy was no longer part of the group. Giles suggested that he could send for Dawn, but with the way things were between the two of them, it was highly unlikely that Dawn would want to move half way around the world only to be with someone who made her uncomfortable. I had to just agree with him and hang up."

Faith let a low whistle escape her lips. "Wow, he really told you that?"

"I don't think he understands how important Spike is to Dawn and me." Willow dropped her gaze to the ground as her eyes filled with tears. It took almost a full minute for Willow to realize what it was that lay at her feet. It was an old Zippo lighter. Willow kneeled down to pick it up. "Faith."

Faith looked at Willow as she held up the lighter. Faith noticed the fresh tears that sprung to Willow's eyes. Faith knew beyond a shadow of a doubt to whom the lighter had belonged. "We will find him."

As they walked back home Faith thought about the conversation Willow said she had had with Giles. It didn't really make any sense. Why would he refuse to help people who at one time he would have done anything for? Maybe he knew something that they didn't. Faith decided to give Giles a call. Maybe he could shed some light on things, but first she would talk to Xander and Anya and see what they thought.

`If I go crazy than will you still call me Superman?
If I am alive and well, will you be there to holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite . . .'

~~~*~~~

`You call me strong, you called me weak
But still your secrets I will keep
You took for granted all the times I never let you down
You stumbled in and bumped your head
If not for me then you would be dead
I picked you up and put back on solid ground . . .'

The same night across town he started to awake. His eyelids fluttered several times before finally opening to reveal smoky blue. He tried to sit up, his skin still burning and tingling. His mind was filled with images he didn't recognize. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on, but he needed to figure out where he was. He opened his eyes and looked around the room. He saw a movement out of the corner of his eye.

"Who is there?" he demanded. His voice was weak and his breathing passages stung.

Amelia stepped from the shadows "It's me Jonathan. It's Amelia."

He wracked his brain, `Amelia?' His mind could recall a woman by the name of Isabelle, even a red-headed girl, but he couldn't seem to place the woman that stood before him.

"Amelia, can you tell me where I am?" he asked. Maybe if she told him something about where he was, he would be able to figure out what he was doing there.

"Yes, things will become clearer the longer you are awake. I was told that you might be slightly confused when you first awoke. Jonathan, do you remember anything?" Amelia asked as she edged closer to him.

"A few things, but what I do remember is all garbled. Do I know someone named Isabelle?"

Jonathan watched as her face shimmered. Amelia managed to keep control of herself, but it was obviously an effort. There was no reason to lay all of her cards on the table until she knew where she stood with Jonathan.

"What just happened with your face? I saw it shift." Jonathan knew there was something about this girl he couldn't quite place, but he knew he didn't have anything to fear from her.

"We will talk about that later. What you need to do right now is get some more rest. If you would like something, I would be happy to get it for you."

Jonathan knew she was right. He needed rest. He leaned back against the pillows. He didn't have to wait long before he drifted back to sleep.

`If I go crazy than will you still call me Superman?
If I am alive and well, will you be there to holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite . . .'

The next night . . .

Xander had his arm around Anya's waist as they walked behind Faith. He noticed that Faith had been awfully quite since they had left Willow at the Summers' house. Xander was the first to admit that he knew very little about women, but on this occasion he knew enough to know something was wrong.

"Are we gonna keep walking around in uncomfortable silence, or are you gonna tell me that you two slept together?" Anya's loud voice boomed in the quite darkness.

Faith spun around and looked at Anya. Faith couldn't hide her smile. The look on Xander's face was priceless. He was frozen in place and his eyes were huge. His mouth kept opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"Well, that is why you two aren't talking to each other, isn't it?" Anya asked. Now she was getting annoyed.

"Well . . . I . . ." Xander stammered.

"No. I have something that I want to talk to you about. I was quiet because I didn't know how to start the conversation. But I can see that with you, Anya, I need not worry about how bluntly I say things in the future." Faith was in an all out smile by the time she finished. Anya was a girl Faith could get along with; she said everything that was on her mind.

Xander stepped forward. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Willow." Faith than told them about what had happened in L.A. and then about the conversation Willow said she had with Giles. They all agreed that if anything else happened they would again contact Giles.

One week later . . .

Willow watched the lighter reflect the moonlight as she turned it over and over in her hand. With each gleam of the metal, a new memory flashed in Willow's mind, every moment of the last four months and three weeks played over and over like a skipping CD. She could feel the tears wetting her face.

Willow didn't raise a hand to wipe the tears away; she simply let them run their course. Willow knew there was no point in denying what was; she was nothing without her Superman. Willow knew it was absurd that she was so incapable of surviving on her own, even with everything she had been through. But she had so many regrets that would forever be just that; something she regretted.

Willow knew every time she looked in the mirror just how close she was to the edge. This was by far worst reaction she had ever had to being abandoned. The first time her parents had left her alone she had spent days in a stupor and nights hiding in the bottom of her closet. The house had seemed so overwhelming that she had found one small, safe spot and barricaded herself in. When the morning light shone over the balcony's edge, she crawled out of that safe spot and continued on, happy to have made it through the night.

When Oz had left it was her first heartbreak; love had not been kind. Willow had spiraled out of control. She had tried to drown her sorrows and had ended up abusing her magic. Willow had never realized how much love could hurt until then.

Now she was a woman. And as she looked back on her relationship with Oz she knew that she had loved him, but in a young and inexperienced way. She didn't deny her love for Oz; she had loved him with all her heart. Things just could never have been the same after Veruca. Both she and Oz had known that they had to move on.

Spike, however, was a completely different story. They had originally spent time together by force, their shared love for Dawn drawing them together. Spike had become her rock when her life had been turbulent. Willow hadn't even known that it was love she held in her heart for Spike until he was out of her reach.

Now she just wanted the opportunity to tell him how much he meant to her. Willow knew her friends were starting to worry about her, but she just couldn't seem to stop her descent. She was really trying, but the whole Spike leaving thing was more than she could overcome. Willow knew there was just something about the way Spike had treated her that made her so dependant on him. Willow was so lost in her thoughts that she never heard Faith come up behind her.

Faith slowly walked up beside Willow and sat on the grass next to her. Faith looked down at Willow's hands, seeing the lighter held tightly in her grasp.

"Will, listen I know you are hurting." Faith reached out and plucked the lighter from Willow's hand. She and Willow had found the lighter in this exact spot a little over a week ago, right after Willow had brought Faith back to Sunnyhell. Willow had made it clear that the only reason she sprung Faith was so that Faith could help her find Spike. Faith knew something was wrong; the longer Spike was gone, the more Willow acted like she was having withdrawl . . . Making the search for Spike a little more desperate. So far they had run across every dead end imaginable. After Willow had found the lighter she hadn't let it go. Willow knew Spike had to have had the lighter on him the night he disappeared.

"Red, sitting in this spot every night is not gonna bring him back. We need to do some research." Faith pulled a cigarette from her pocket and lit it with the lighter, then handed it back to Willow. Faith took a couple of deep drags before continuing. "You know, you've got Dawn worried sick. First she loses her mom, then her sister, then Spike. Now she thinks she has lost you. Come on, Red. You got to give that kid a break. Let's get you home and into bed." Faith stood and extended her hand to Willow.

Willow looked down at the lighter one last time before taking Faith's hand, pulling herself up. She slipped the lighter into her back pocket before turning and whispering into the night. "Please come home to me." With her deepest desire a drift on the wind she turned to follow Faith home.

`If I go crazy than will you still call me Superman?
If I am alive and well, will you be there to holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite . . . `

~~~*~~~

Isabelle followed the two girls back to their house. She needed to find a way to reach out to them, ask them for their help. Isabelle just didn't know how. Could she just walk right up to them and ask for help? I wasn't like they had normal lives. Isabelle had watched the dark-haired one fight like a warrior in the cemetery. She could also sense the power that the redhead held. Isabelle knew the red-haired girl was the one she was looking for. Her great-grand- niece had turned out more beautiful than she had ever thought possible.

Isabelle watched as the two girls walked up the stairs to the front door. She knew that longer Jonathan was out and about the more damage he could do. If she was going to have a chance of stopping him she had to act fast. Isabelle drew in a deep breath and stepped from the shadows. "Excuse me."

Faith spun around on the porch, pushing Willow be hind her . . . only to come face to face with a young woman that could have pasted for Willow's sister.

Willow peeked her head over Faith's shoulder. She couldn't believe her eyes. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was her great- aunt Isabelle. Willow could remember her grandmother telling her stories of magic and her sister before Willow's mother had placed her in a home. Willow could remember how angry her mother had been when she had walked in on one of grandmother's wonderful tales.

Willow recalled secretly listening to her mother and father talking about the effect the tales would have on her. Willow's mother had insisted that they move her grandmother to a home, some place where she would have less of an affect on Willow. She remembered that her grandmother had passed away not long after that. Willow still had a box with a few of her grandmother belongings. Suddenly things were making sense; that is if she was to believe what her grandmother had told her a child.

Willow stepped around Faith. "Isabelle?"

"Yes, I am your great-grand aunt."

Willow stepped forward. "My grandmother showed me your picture and told me stories about you when I was a kid."

Isabelle had only hopped that the girl before her was as smart as she was meant to be. Things were going to happen to her that she could not yet comprehend. Isabelle stepped closer to the stairs.

"I have waited a long time to meet you, child. I . . . disappeared before you were born. You look like your grandmother, maybe a little of your mother. I have come a long way and need your help." Isabelle knew that it was best to just lay her cards on the table for her niece. Willow was a smart and fair woman; she would understand.

"Whoa, wait a sec here. I know this is the hellmouth and all, but come on. You're really expecting us to believe that you are here for our help?" Faith was on her way down the steps when Willow touched her arm, stopping her in mid stride.

"Let's at least hear what she has to say." Willow couldn't help it. Her interest was peaked.

"Oh come on." Faith was starting to protest. "She's your great-aunt and she doesn't look a day older than you. What do you think we were born yester-" Willow cut her off with a wave of her hand as she walked toward Isabelle.

"I have some things in a box in my room you might want to take a look at. They belonged to my grandmother. My father gave the box to me shortly after she passed away," Willow told Isabelle as she took Isabelle's arm, leading her into the house. Willow didn't even look over her shoulder as she took Isabelle upstairs to her room.

~~~*~~~

Faith stood in the door jam watching as Willow whole heartedly accepted what Isabelle said. Something in Faith's gut was telling her that this whole situation was spiraling out of control. It was a feeling that Faith associated with her childhood and things she had buried long ago. `Her great aunt, my ass. Time to quit playing. I am calling Giles. This counts as the something that Xander and Anya and I talked about.' With her mind made up Faith turned toward the kitchen; she would use the phone in there.

Faith waited as the phone rang. `Five . . . six . . . seven. Come on old man, be there.' Faith was impatient to get some answers. She had a funny feeling in her gut about Isabelle.

"Ello?" came a sleepy British man's voice.

"Giles?" Faith wasn't sure if she had gotten the right number.

"What . . . who is this?" the voice inquired

"It's Faith." As soon as she said her name Faith heard some movement, and then nothing. "Giles, talk to me. Something is going on here, and it is getting worse but the minute."

"She got you out. I don't know why that surprises me, although I thought it would have taken a little longer," Giles answered

"Doesn't really matter now, does it? We get home tonight and there is a woman here waiting for us. She told Willow that she was her great-aunt. Now tell me what the hell is going on." Faith knew that her instinct to call Giles had been right because she could tell Giles was hanging on her every word, his breathing becoming faster with every word she spoke, starting with the mention of Isabelle.

"What did the lady say her name was?" He was hoping he was wrong, but how could he be?

"Who is she, Giles? Is she who she says she is?" Faith was worried. `How was it even possible? She didn't look any older than me or Willow.'

"Her name Faith, what was it?" Giles voice was edged with worry.

"Isabelle." Faith heard Giles sharp in take of breath. "Shit, she is what she says she is, isn't she? How is that even possible?"

"Tell Willow I am on my way, and not to do anything until I get there. I'll leave tonight." His mind was racing with thoughts. He had to hurry.

"Giles?" Faith asked

"Yes," he paused to answer her.

"I won't ask how you know what you do. Just hurry." Faith's voice held her worry.

Giles was silent for a moment before answering. "I'll get a reservation as soon as I can. I'll try to be there by tomorrow night."

"K, Bye." Faith hung up the phone with a heavy heart. She had finally felt like she was gonna have a chance at a real friendship, at being accepted for what she was. Now it looked like the one person in the world she was comfortable with was in danger. Faith had always liked the redhead, but had been hesitant to make friends with her because of Willow's friendship with Buffy. Being friends with two slayers would be too much for anyone.

`If I go crazy than will you still call me Superman?
If I am alive and well, will you be there to holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite . . .'

~~~*~~~

Faith walked up the stairs toward Willow's room and then she stopped halfway down the hall. Faith could hear muffled sobs coming from behind Dawn's bedroom door. Faith knew this had been hard on her. Faith had to admit that she respected the girl. Dawn had shown so much strength since Faith had been there. Dawn was trying so hard to be strong. Faith knocked on the door.

"Come in," came a muffled reply to Faith's knock.

Faith waited until she heard the movement inside of the room stop, giving Dawn a moment to compose herself. Then she opened the door.

"Hey Dawn. Listen, I know that things have been rough around here lately. But it will get better, I promise."

Dawn could only nod as fresh tears filled her eyes.
`If I go crazy than will you still call me Superman?
If I am alive and well, will you be there to holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite . . .'

The next night . . .

Willow knew as she sat in the car that what she was about to do was wrong. She was bending the rules to fit her purpose. But she needed a slayer to help her find Spike. Willow felt herself smile, `Wonder what the Council would think of this; a broken Witch helping a murdering slayer escape a magical safe house just so that slayer could help said Witch find a vampire.'

Willow's smile faded to a frown as she felt the sensation of something on the inside crumbling. A small part of her had just lain down and wasn't getting back up. It wasn't like she wanted it to happen, it just had. There was something about her relationship with Spike that was different, something that Willow just couldn't let go of . . . which is why she was where she was now waiting for Angel to meet her.

Last night Willow had gone to see Angel, told him he was going to help her find Spike. That she needed a favor to rival any asked before. And when Willow had told him what she wanted he had just sat there staring at her.

"Nothing to say?" Willow had asked with a forced smile on her face. She knew Angel was in shock. She had just told him Spike was missing and that she wanted his help to find the blond vampire. Then Willow told him of her plan to get Faith to come back to Sunnydale with her. Angel just stood and started to pace.

"Willow are you sure about this?" He turned to face her. "Do you even know if anything has actually happened to Spike? Maybe he just left. He is after all only a demon. It is not like he has a soul or anything."

Before Angel could continue Willow was up and on her way across the room. "Don't stand there and tell me that he just left, like Dawn meant nothing to him. Something has to have happened to him, he wouldn't just leave her." By the time Willow finished her statement her hands were shaking and the pain was evident in her voice.

Angel froze as he noticed that something inside of Willow had changed . . . a tiny shift in her power signature, something that only a demon would be able to pick up on. Some part deep inside himself told him that she was no longer someone to be taken lightly. The first thing Angel needed to do was get more information from Willow.

"Okay Willow, I am sorry. But I think there is more going on here than you are telling me. You have to be honest with me if you want me to help," Angel stated as he showed Willow to a chair, taking the one next to her for himself. "How long have you and Spike been living together?"

Willow just stared at him, her mouth a gape. "How do you know we were living together?"

"I can smell him and Dawn on you. They are the strongest scents. Are you in love with him?" Angel knew that it was always better to ask than to assume. He also could tell that they had no been intimate. He wondered why they hadn't been together.

Willow didn't look up from her hands folded carefully in her lap. "Yes," she whispered

Angel knew that there had to be a reason for the change in Willow's power signature. He just hoped it was because of the stress she was under and not the fact that she had been messing with the darker aspects of her craft. Sometimes when one so young had this much power, it was easier for them to let the magic control them . . . to fall onto the darker aspects of magic, especially when they had witnessed or experienced the dark energy of the hellmouth.

Willow spoke softly, "I didn't even know until he was gone that I had feelings for him. Spike has no idea that I am in love with him. That is why I have to find him."

Angel leaned across and took one of Willow's hands in his. "Willow, what if he knew of your feelings and left anyway? What if he just wanted out, away from you and Dawn? I want you to understand that just because you find him doesn't mean he will want to come back. Just because you tell him that you love him."

Willow swallowed the tears that were threatening to fall and looked up into Angel's eyes. "I know that, but I have to find out for myself."

Angel realized that Willow was a grown woman now and had the right to make her own decisions. The fact that Willow knew she needed help only showed how mature she was being. "Alright Willow, what is it that you want from me?"

"I want you to talk to who ever you need to, find out where Faith is and get her released," Willow stated matter-of-factly.

"What?" Angel was completely taken aback by her statement.

"I need a slayer. Faith is the only one I know of . . . unless you want me to try and raise Buffy from the grave? And I don't really know anything in particular. All I do know is that something is wrong, Spike wouldn't have left Dawn." Willow was perhaps foolishly clinging to the fact that a slayer could solve her problems, but she didn't know what else to do.

Angel was about to say something when his secretary spoke up. "Remember the way you felt about Buffy? Don't you think Willow needs closure? If Spike really left, then she needs to know. Face her demon so to speak."

Angel knew he had been had as soon as he heard Cordelia speak. She knew he was still dealing with Buffy's death. He needed closure as well, though he more than likely would never get it. He had known Cordy was in the shadows listening to what Willow had said. Willow didn't know that the seer had had a vision that morning warning them of the red-head's impeding visit. Cordelia hadn't said much about the vision other than that if they didn't help Willow she would find her own way, and it would lead her onto a path of darkness. Then there would be more evil in Willow than they were ready to deal with. Angel knew there was more to her vision than that, but the brunette seer had held her tongue.

"Okay what do you want me to do?" Angel realized he had given up the moment Cordy mentioned Buffy. The sad part was Cordelia knew she had him. `Why fight it? Who could win with the two of them on the same side?'

Willow looked up at Cordelia. She tried to hide her surprise at the former May Queen's defense. Willow knew Cordy had to have a reason for backing her up, Willow could only hope that the something was big. Willow wasn't all that sure of herself right now, so it was nice to have somebody who was. She made a mental note to talk to Cordelia later. Right now, however, Willow had other things on her mind.

"Well," Willow cleared her mind of all thoughts except the ones that had brought her to L.A. "I have already been inside of the California State Prison system computers. Faith hasn't been in the prison in L.A. for a little over 4 months. When I tapped into the surveillance camera across from Faith's cell there was a girl in there, but it wasn't Faith. She has to be somewhere. I need you to help me find her." Willow knew that she sounded desperate, but she didn't care. Faith was not where she was supposed to be and Willow had a hunch that Angel knew where she was.

"Because the more I think about it, the more it doesn't make sense. How could a slayer just disappear in the City of Angels considering you are the Angel who protects it? How could someone have gotten that past you? The only conclusion I am left with is that you must have had something to do with it. Do you know where Faith is? I want to take her back with me to Sunnydale." After Willow had finished, she stood still and held her breath. She didn't know what to do if Angel didn't help her.

Willow was snapped from her thoughts as Angel knocked on her window, motioning for her to follow him into the building. Willow got out of the car and followed Angel up the sidewalk into the building. He opened the front door, holding it for Willow to enter. He motioned for Willow to take a seat. Angel then turned and walked up to the receptionist, speaking to her in hushed tones.

Angel turned around to face Willow, saying, "Wait here, I'll be right back." Willow watched as Angel disappeared behind a large door. She settled into wait.

~~~*~~~

When Angel finally returned he was accompanied by a slim man with glasses. Angel motioned for Willow to join them. Once Willow came to stand at Angel's side he introduced her.

"Willow Rosenberg, this is Allen Johnson," Angel said as Allen shook Willow's hand.

Willow always hated these moments; she always felt so awkward. "It is nice to meet you, Mr. Johnson."

Willow noticed as he shook her hand that his skin had a yellow tint to it. His hair was snow white and his eyes flashed silver as he regarded Willow. She hadn't noticed his striking features until she had looked him right in the eye.

"It is nice to meet you as well, Miss Rosenberg. Now please follow me." Allen turned and headed into the building with Willow and Angel following him. As he led them through the compound he said, "I am taking you up to Faith's room. She is waiting for you."

As they approached the door to Faith's room Willow paused and turned to Angel. "Maybe I should talk to her first."

Angel smiled, "Yeah maybe, since she is not aware of what has been going on." Angel stepped back and let Willow step up to the door.

Willow knocked on the door, and when she heard a muffled `come in' she opened the door and walked into the room.

Faith looked up from her spot on the bed and smiled when she saw who her visitor was. "I'll be damned, Red. Not one person has come to see me even once in all this time. When someone finally does, it is one of Buffy's famed four. I must have really done it this time." Her voice was heavy with sarcasm.

"Hello Faith." Willow could hear the bitterness in Faith's voice; part of her still hated the Scoobies. "I have come to ask you a favor."

Before Willow could continue Faith had interrupted. "Buffy is dead, isn't she?"

"How do you know? I mean yes, Buffy died about four and a half months ago." Willow wasn't sure, for a moment she would swear that she had seen regret mixed with a little sadness in Faith's eyes at the mention of Buffy's death.

"I just knew Buffy was gone I felt different . . . not so much stronger, just alone. I was in my cell when this unnatural feeling of loneliness settled over me. I knew then that Buffy was gone. When I was called as a slayer, Buffy was already the slayer. So I never knew what it meant to be the one and only until she was dead. I just know that now I am sure what it means to be the chosen one. About four months ago, there were a couple of attempts on my life, so they moved me here." Willow could have sworn that she saw unshed tears in the slayer's eyes.

Willow walked over to the bed Faith was seated on and sat next to her. "Faith, I am sorry, I never thought to check on you. I have had a lot happening. After Buffy died, Tara left. Then Spike moved in and he and I were taking care of Dawn. Then four nights ago, he just never came home. I know he wouldn't just leave. He would have come to me first." Willow had tears in her eyes and her voice was thick with emotion. "Angel called in a few favors. If you want to, Faith, you can leave here today and come home with me to Sunnydale. I need some help finding Spike. If you help me do that I can get you out of here for good . . . as long as you can stay out of trouble."

Faith just sat there staring at Willow before she found her voice. "Wow Red: you're gay, then straight and in love with a vampire. All of this comes from living on the hellmouth, you know that, right?" Faith made sure there was a teasing smile gracing her lips when she continued. "While I am thinking about what you said, tell me more of what has happened since I've been in here."

Willow told Faith of everything that had happened in the time she had been in prison. They must have talked for quite some time, `cuz as they were catching up someone rapped softly on the door. Faith called out an invite and Angel stepped into the room.

"You girls know what your doing? We should get going soon. I can feel the sunrise coming," Angel stated as he closed the door.

Willow looked at Faith. "It is up to you."

Faith knew she would do just about anything to get out of here. She hadn't even been outside once in a little over four months. Faith knew it was better than the prison that she had started out in, but still; she was the slayer, she wanted to be free.

Faith looked at Willow. The red-head looked so lost. On the outside Willow was trying to hold it together. But on the inside Faith could see things crumbling, as if the very core of Willow's being was succumbing to the pressure it felt. If Willow was gonna offer her a way out, Faith would have to be a fool to say no, wouldn't she?

Faith wasn't stupid. She knew if she left here with Willow that she wasn't getting out of this bed and breakfast for nothing. There was going to be something horrible waiting for her back in good old Sunnyhell. Faith decided it didn't matter, she wanted out.

"I am game. Let's go." Faith jumped up and headed for the door.

"Wait, don't you want to take anything with you?" Willow was pleased with the decision that Faith had made, but was concerned with the impulsive way Faith had made it.

Faith paused to look around the room. "Na, let's just get out of here."

Angel opened the door. "Follow me girls."

Willow and Faith turned to follow Angel down the hall. As they approached the end of the hallway, an old woman stepped out of the last room. Willow felt a hand touch her arm. She turned to excuse herself, but when she did she was trapped by the smoky depths of the old woman's eyes. Willow could feel the soft whispers of words start at the edge of her mind, louder and louder they came until Willow could finally understand what was being said.

"You are the one. The one that was never meant to be. And soon will be. Find the part that is missing. Finish what was started long ago, bound by your heart. Stand strong child."

Before Willow could open her mouth to respond the old woman was gone. `What had she meant?' Faith placed her hand on Willow's shoulder snapping the redhead from her thoughts.

"Come on Red, let's get out of here. The fresh air will clear your head. Did the old woman say something to you, inside your head? She does that sometimes. She was a seer of sorts at one time . . ."

"No, not exactly." Angel said as he joined the girls. "She was more of a teller of prophesies. Then one day she told her Master of his fall from power. He had her eyes cursed as a punishment. Told her that she would never again lay eyes upon the ones she loves. Then when he fell from power his last act was to put a bounty on her head. That is why she is here. Did she say something to you Willow?'

"She told me `You are the one. The one that was never meant to be. And soon will be. Find the part that is missing. Finishing what was started long ago, bound by your heart. Stand strong child.' I am not sure what she meant, but I know that it has something to do with Spike." Willow was shaken by the whole scene.

"No body told you about this place did they?" Faith asked as she slipped her arm through Willow's and began to follow Angel. Faith continued when Willow shook her head "The guy you met on your way in, do you know what he is?" Again Faith continued on when she saw Willow shake her head. "He is a demon, the second most powerful Siskin in the world. There are only three pairs of his kind left in this world. Each pair runs a place like this. Together they keep the magical `bad' confined, and those who are wanted dead hidden away. I ended up here as a way to keep me alive. I guess there are people out there who want a new, younger slayer. Don't you see: they couldn't kill Buffy, but then she did it herself and there was only one: me. Angel came after me one night, after the third attempt on my life and brought me here. I guess somebody figured that a slayer in prison would make an easy target. Now let's get out of here."

~~~*~~~

Dawn stood just inside the open front door, waiting for Willow's return. Resting her head back against the cool wood, she breathed deeply of the night air. She was trying desperately to control the emotions churning inside of her. It wasn't enough that she had lost her mother, and then her sister. She had also lost Spike, to god knows what.

Now she stood here waiting for a shell of her former friend to return from L.A. with a person who had brought so much discontent to her sister's life. Faith had held her mother hostage and than switched bodies with her sister. There where other things that she could remember being told about Faith. But since the whole Glory ordeal Dawn had learned a few things. One: the people that loved her loved her because of who she was and not who made her. Two: that the memories that she held were the same as everyone else's.

Faith had never done anything to her personally and if Willow thought Faith could help. Dawn would try and work with that. She couldn't stand the thought of losing another person. And with each passing day Willow was slipping farther and farther away. Dawn didn't know how much more she could take, but to save Willow she would try her best to get along with Faith.

With that decision made, she noticed headlights of an oncoming car. Willow was home.

~~~*~~~

The ride home was made quickly after Faith and Willow had returned Angel to the hotel. Faith had been eager to put as much space between her and the compound as possible. So they had said their good-byes and headed home to Sunnydale. Willow noticed a change in Faith the closer they got to the city limits. When they pulled up in front of the Summers' home Willow noticed that Faith was looking nervous. It had been awhile since Faith had been in Sunnydale, and this place held some bad memories for her. Faith had been so angry and lost the last time she had been to this house.

Faith didn't take her eyes off the front door. "Does it still look the same?"

Willow smiled sadly. "Yeah, nothing different really. You want to go in? Xander and Anya stayed with Dawn while I was in L.A."

Faith looked at Willow, a smile slowly spreading across her face. "Know what I really want to do?"

"What?" Willow felt herself start to smile. Faith's first few hours of freedom, what would she do with them?

"Let's go for a quick patrol. That way I can familiarize myself with any changes in the surrounding area. Besides, it has been like for ever since I could really stretch my legs."

Before Willow could even say yes or no, Faith was out of the car and grabbing her bag. "Good, I just want to freshen up a bit first."

Willow watched as Faith headed to the house. Willow knew from the talk that she and Faith had on the way home that Faith knew she couldn't change what happened, and that it was time to move on and let go of the past. Starting over is sometimes the hardest part, but it can be the first steps towards to recovery.

~~~*~~~

Xander heard the front door slam against the inner wall. Then the sound of feet on the stairs. By the time he got to the door Willow was just coming in and dropping her bag by the door.

"Hey, Wills." Xander opened his mouth to say something when the bathroom door slammed close. He smiled. "Sounds like Faith came back with you."

"Yeah, she is up stairs freshen up. Then we are going for a quick patrol. Do you mind staying with Dawn for a little while longer?" Willow's voice sounded tired.

"You want me to go with Faith on patrol? You look tired." Xander asked

"Not tonight. But you can tomorrow night if you want." Willow told Xander as she closed the front door.

Later that night . . .

Xander stood on the front porch waiting for the girls to return. So lost in his thoughts he didn't even notice Faith walking up behind him. He was concerned about Faith, her affect on Willow. He had been against the idea from the start, but Willow had insisted that getting Faith was the only way. He remembered all to well the affect that Faith had had on Buffy. The dead guy in the alley. He wondered if Faith could even walk the straight and narrow path.

"Xander." Faith reached up and shook his shoulder. "Xander."

"Uh . . . what?" He jumped as soon as he felt the hand on his shoulder. Faith had startled him from his thoughts. He stiffly nodded his head at her. "Faith."

"Yeah. Willow asked me to come let you know that we were back so you can go." Faith said it in an `I don't care about anything' way. She always retreated into her bitch facade when she was unsure of some one's reaction to her. It was easier to play it off like she didn't care. But, still this was a different situation all together. She was gonna have to deal with Xander everyday. They needed to clear the air.

"Listen, Xander. What happened between me and you, well, I was hoping to move past it. I am here to help Willow." Faith's voice was soft and unsure.

Xander was so surprised by the tone of her voice. This was the small wonderful part of Faith he had imagined all those high school nights. He smiled at her. Maybe he could give her a chance. After all this was the hellmouth stranger things had happened.

"Faith, I am worried enough about Willow to give you the benefit of a doubt here. I am not sure what happened between her and Spike, but this is killing her. It is weird. I never saw it until it was too late, or at least that is what Anya tells me. Willow and Spike are in love. But it is more than that." Xander paused, hoping to get his words out right.

"Willow has stopped eating. She doesn't sleep but an hour or so at night. Dawn tells me that she can hear Willow tossing and turning at night. She calls out for Spike over and over again until she awakes. Then Dawn can hear her crying in her room for the rest of the night. There is something wrong with this whole situation. There is something else between Willow and Spike besides love. I can forgive anything and everyone as long as you realize this is about Willow. We need to find Spike and soon," Xander finished, his voice filled with the emotion he felt.

"Yeah, that is why I am here," was all Faith could mange. The love that filled Xander's eyes as he spoke of Willow touched Faith. It was a look she had always wanted to see in someone eyes when they spoke of her. It had yet to happen. Faith knew that if she took the chance that was laid out in front of her she would finally find a place to call home, and friends to fill it with.

"We will find him. Set things right. All I am asking is that you give me a chance. I won't let anyone down this time." The conviction in her voice was strong.

Xander looked Faith in the eyes. He saw nothing but honesty. He gave her a small nod.

"Yeah. Goodnight Faith. I'll see you tomorrow night for patrol." Xander said as he stepped off the stairs.

"Hey Xander, who is Anya?" Faith asked

"Anya . . . oh, she is my girlfriend. You will meet her tomorrow night on patrol." Xander said with a soft smile on his face.

"You take your girlfriend patrolling? Oh, you are warped." Faith couldn't hide her laughter.

"Anya used to be a vengeance demon. I think she can handle patrol." Xander stated proudly.

"Yeah, I bet. See you tomorrow night." Faith said as she stepped back in the house.

~~~*~~~

Willow and Faith walked slowly along the perimeter of Restfeild cemetery. They had been out patrolling for better than two hours. Faith had staked a couple of fledglings. They had overheard talk of a new warlock, nothing for sure just whispers and rumors. Faith had said that she would go and talk to Willie the next day.

"Red, how come you sprung me and yet you haven't called Giles?" Faith just grinned wickedly. "Not that I am complaining, but don't you think he might be able to help?"

Willow only nodded and stopped walking, "I did call Giles. He said that maybe this was all for the best. That Dawn needs people in her life who are a stable, positive influence for her. I tried to explain how things had changed since he left. But he insisted that if Spike had left it was more than likely because Buffy was no longer part of the group. Giles suggested that he could send for Dawn, but with the way things were between the two of them, it was highly unlikely that Dawn would want to move half way around the world only to be with someone who made her uncomfortable. I had to just agree with him and hang up."

Faith let a low whistle escape her lips. "Wow, he really told you that?"

"I don't think he understands how important Spike is to Dawn and me." Willow dropped her gaze to the ground as her eyes filled with tears. It took almost a full minute for Willow to realize what it was that lay at her feet. It was an old Zippo lighter. Willow kneeled down to pick it up. "Faith."

Faith looked at Willow as she held up the lighter. Faith noticed the fresh tears that sprung to Willow's eyes. Faith knew beyond a shadow of a doubt to whom the lighter had belonged. "We will find him."

As they walked back home Faith thought about the conversation Willow said she had had with Giles. It didn't really make any sense. Why would he refuse to help people who at one time he would have done anything for? Maybe he knew something that they didn't. Faith decided to give Giles a call. Maybe he could shed some light on things, but first she would talk to Xander and Anya and see what they thought.

`If I go crazy than will you still call me Superman?
If I am alive and well, will you be there to holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite . . .'

~~~*~~~

`You call me strong, you called me weak
But still your secrets I will keep
You took for granted all the times I never let you down
You stumbled in and bumped your head
If not for me then you would be dead
I picked you up and put back on solid ground . . .'

The same night across town he started to awake. His eyelids fluttered several times before finally opening to reveal smoky blue. He tried to sit up, his skin still burning and tingling. His mind was filled with images he didn't recognize. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on, but he needed to figure out where he was. He opened his eyes and looked around the room. He saw a movement out of the corner of his eye.

"Who is there?" he demanded. His voice was weak and his breathing passages stung.

Amelia stepped from the shadows "It's me Jonathan. It's Amelia."

He wracked his brain, `Amelia?' His mind could recall a woman by the name of Isabelle, even a red-headed girl, but he couldn't seem to place the woman that stood before him.

"Amelia, can you tell me where I am?" he asked. Maybe if she told him something about where he was, he would be able to figure out what he was doing there.

"Yes, things will become clearer the longer you are awake. I was told that you might be slightly confused when you first awoke. Jonathan, do you remember anything?" Amelia asked as she edged closer to him.

"A few things, but what I do remember is all garbled. Do I know someone named Isabelle?"

Jonathan watched as her face shimmered. Amelia managed to keep control of herself, but it was obviously an effort. There was no reason to lay all of her cards on the table until she knew where she stood with Jonathan.

"What just happened with your face? I saw it shift." Jonathan knew there was something about this girl he couldn't quite place, but he knew he didn't have anything to fear from her.

"We will talk about that later. What you need to do right now is get some more rest. If you would like something, I would be happy to get it for you."

Jonathan knew she was right. He needed rest. He leaned back against the pillows. He didn't have to wait long before he drifted back to sleep.

`If I go crazy than will you still call me Superman?
If I am alive and well, will you be there to holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite . . .'

The next night . . .

Xander had his arm around Anya's waist as they walked behind Faith. He noticed that Faith had been awfully quite since they had left Willow at the Summers' house. Xander was the first to admit that he knew very little about women, but on this occasion he knew enough to know something was wrong.

"Are we gonna keep walking around in uncomfortable silence, or are you gonna tell me that you two slept together?" Anya's loud voice boomed in the quite darkness.

Faith spun around and looked at Anya. Faith couldn't hide her smile. The look on Xander's face was priceless. He was frozen in place and his eyes were huge. His mouth kept opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"Well, that is why you two aren't talking to each other, isn't it?" Anya asked. Now she was getting annoyed.

"Well . . . I . . ." Xander stammered.

"No. I have something that I want to talk to you about. I was quiet because I didn't know how to start the conversation. But I can see that with you, Anya, I need not worry about how bluntly I say things in the future." Faith was in an all out smile by the time she finished. Anya was a girl Faith could get along with; she said everything that was on her mind.

Xander stepped forward. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Willow." Faith than told them about what had happened in L.A. and then about the conversation Willow said she had with Giles. They all agreed that if anything else happened they would again contact Giles.

One week later . . .

Willow watched the lighter reflect the moonlight as she turned it over and over in her hand. With each gleam of the metal, a new memory flashed in Willow's mind, every moment of the last four months and three weeks played over and over like a skipping CD. She could feel the tears wetting her face.

Willow didn't raise a hand to wipe the tears away; she simply let them run their course. Willow knew there was no point in denying what was; she was nothing without her Superman. Willow knew it was absurd that she was so incapable of surviving on her own, even with everything she had been through. But she had so many regrets that would forever be just that; something she regretted.

Willow knew every time she looked in the mirror just how close she was to the edge. This was by far worst reaction she had ever had to being abandoned. The first time her parents had left her alone she had spent days in a stupor and nights hiding in the bottom of her closet. The house had seemed so overwhelming that she had found one small, safe spot and barricaded herself in. When the morning light shone over the balcony's edge, she crawled out of that safe spot and continued on, happy to have made it through the night.

When Oz had left it was her first heartbreak; love had not been kind. Willow had spiraled out of control. She had tried to drown her sorrows and had ended up abusing her magic. Willow had never realized how much love could hurt until then.

Now she was a woman. And as she looked back on her relationship with Oz she knew that she had loved him, but in a young and inexperienced way. She didn't deny her love for Oz; she had loved him with all her heart. Things just could never have been the same after Veruca. Both she and Oz had known that they had to move on.

Spike, however, was a completely different story. They had originally spent time together by force, their shared love for Dawn drawing them together. Spike had become her rock when her life had been turbulent. Willow hadn't even known that it was love she held in her heart for Spike until he was out of her reach.

Now she just wanted the opportunity to tell him how much he meant to her. Willow knew her friends were starting to worry about her, but she just couldn't seem to stop her descent. She was really trying, but the whole Spike leaving thing was more than she could overcome. Willow knew there was just something about the way Spike had treated her that made her so dependant on him. Willow was so lost in her thoughts that she never heard Faith come up behind her.

Faith slowly walked up beside Willow and sat on the grass next to her. Faith looked down at Willow's hands, seeing the lighter held tightly in her grasp.

"Will, listen I know you are hurting." Faith reached out and plucked the lighter from Willow's hand. She and Willow had found the lighter in this exact spot a little over a week ago, right after Willow had brought Faith back to Sunnyhell. Willow had made it clear that the only reason she sprung Faith was so that Faith could help her find Spike. Faith knew something was wrong; the longer Spike was gone, the more Willow acted like she was having withdrawl . . . Making the search for Spike a little more desperate. So far they had run across every dead end imaginable. After Willow had found the lighter she hadn't let it go. Willow knew Spike had to have had the lighter on him the night he disappeared.

"Red, sitting in this spot every night is not gonna bring him back. We need to do some research." Faith pulled a cigarette from her pocket and lit it with the lighter, then handed it back to Willow. Faith took a couple of deep drags before continuing. "You know, you've got Dawn worried sick. First she loses her mom, then her sister, then Spike. Now she thinks she has lost you. Come on, Red. You got to give that kid a break. Let's get you home and into bed." Faith stood and extended her hand to Willow.

Willow looked down at the lighter one last time before taking Faith's hand, pulling herself up. She slipped the lighter into her back pocket before turning and whispering into the night. "Please come home to me." With her deepest desire a drift on the wind she turned to follow Faith home.

`If I go crazy than will you still call me Superman?
If I am alive and well, will you be there to holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite . . . `

~~~*~~~

Isabelle followed the two girls back to their house. She needed to find a way to reach out to them, ask them for their help. Isabelle just didn't know how. Could she just walk right up to them and ask for help? I wasn't like they had normal lives. Isabelle had watched the dark-haired one fight like a warrior in the cemetery. She could also sense the power that the redhead held. Isabelle knew the red-haired girl was the one she was looking for. Her great-grand- niece had turned out more beautiful than she had ever thought possible.

Isabelle watched as the two girls walked up the stairs to the front door. She knew that longer Jonathan was out and about the more damage he could do. If she was going to have a chance of stopping him she had to act fast. Isabelle drew in a deep breath and stepped from the shadows. "Excuse me."

Faith spun around on the porch, pushing Willow be hind her . . . only to come face to face with a young woman that could have pasted for Willow's sister.

Willow peeked her head over Faith's shoulder. She couldn't believe her eyes. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was her great- aunt Isabelle. Willow could remember her grandmother telling her stories of magic and her sister before Willow's mother had placed her in a home. Willow could remember how angry her mother had been when she had walked in on one of grandmother's wonderful tales.

Willow recalled secretly listening to her mother and father talking about the effect the tales would have on her. Willow's mother had insisted that they move her grandmother to a home, some place where she would have less of an affect on Willow. She remembered that her grandmother had passed away not long after that. Willow still had a box with a few of her grandmother belongings. Suddenly things were making sense; that is if she was to believe what her grandmother had told her a child.

Willow stepped around Faith. "Isabelle?"

"Yes, I am your great-grand aunt."

Willow stepped forward. "My grandmother showed me your picture and told me stories about you when I was a kid."

Isabelle had only hopped that the girl before her was as smart as she was meant to be. Things were going to happen to her that she could not yet comprehend. Isabelle stepped closer to the stairs.

"I have waited a long time to meet you, child. I . . . disappeared before you were born. You look like your grandmother, maybe a little of your mother. I have come a long way and need your help." Isabelle knew that it was best to just lay her cards on the table for her niece. Willow was a smart and fair woman; she would understand.

"Whoa, wait a sec here. I know this is the hellmouth and all, but come on. You're really expecting us to believe that you are here for our help?" Faith was on her way down the steps when Willow touched her arm, stopping her in mid stride.

"Let's at least hear what she has to say." Willow couldn't help it. Her interest was peaked.

"Oh come on." Faith was starting to protest. "She's your great-aunt and she doesn't look a day older than you. What do you think we were born yester-" Willow cut her off with a wave of her hand as she walked toward Isabelle.

"I have some things in a box in my room you might want to take a look at. They belonged to my grandmother. My father gave the box to me shortly after she passed away," Willow told Isabelle as she took Isabelle's arm, leading her into the house. Willow didn't even look over her shoulder as she took Isabelle upstairs to her room.

~~~*~~~

Faith stood in the door jam watching as Willow whole heartedly accepted what Isabelle said. Something in Faith's gut was telling her that this whole situation was spiraling out of control. It was a feeling that Faith associated with her childhood and things she had buried long ago. `Her great aunt, my ass. Time to quit playing. I am calling Giles. This counts as the something that Xander and Anya and I talked about.' With her mind made up Faith turned toward the kitchen; she would use the phone in there.

Faith waited as the phone rang. `Five . . . six . . . seven. Come on old man, be there.' Faith was impatient to get some answers. She had a funny feeling in her gut about Isabelle.

"Ello?" came a sleepy British man's voice.

"Giles?" Faith wasn't sure if she had gotten the right number.

"What . . . who is this?" the voice inquired

"It's Faith." As soon as she said her name Faith heard some movement, and then nothing. "Giles, talk to me. Something is going on here, and it is getting worse but the minute."

"She got you out. I don't know why that surprises me, although I thought it would have taken a little longer," Giles answered

"Doesn't really matter now, does it? We get home tonight and there is a woman here waiting for us. She told Willow that she was her great-aunt. Now tell me what the hell is going on." Faith knew that her instinct to call Giles had been right because she could tell Giles was hanging on her every word, his breathing becoming faster with every word she spoke, starting with the mention of Isabelle.

"What did the lady say her name was?" He was hoping he was wrong, but how could he be?

"Who is she, Giles? Is she who she says she is?" Faith was worried. `How was it even possible? She didn't look any older than me or Willow.'

"Her name Faith, what was it?" Giles voice was edged with worry.

"Isabelle." Faith heard Giles sharp in take of breath. "Shit, she is what she says she is, isn't she? How is that even possible?"

"Tell Willow I am on my way, and not to do anything until I get there. I'll leave tonight." His mind was racing with thoughts. He had to hurry.

"Giles?" Faith asked

"Yes," he paused to answer her.

"I won't ask how you know what you do. Just hurry." Faith's voice held her worry.

Giles was silent for a moment before answering. "I'll get a reservation as soon as I can. I'll try to be there by tomorrow night."

"K, Bye." Faith hung up the phone with a heavy heart. She had finally felt like she was gonna have a chance at a real friendship, at being accepted for what she was. Now it looked like the one person in the world she was comfortable with was in danger. Faith had always liked the redhead, but had been hesitant to make friends with her because of Willow's friendship with Buffy. Being friends with two slayers would be too much for anyone.

`If I go crazy than will you still call me Superman?
If I am alive and well, will you be there to holding my hand?
I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might
Kryptonite . . .'

~~~*~~~

Faith walked up the stairs toward Willow's room and then she stopped halfway down the hall. Faith could hear muffled sobs coming from behind Dawn's bedroom door. Faith knew this had been hard on her. Faith had to admit that she respected the girl. Dawn had shown so much strength since Faith had been there. Dawn was trying so hard to be strong. Faith knocked on the door.

"Come in," came a muffled reply to Faith's knock.

Faith waited until she heard the movement inside of the room stop, giving Dawn a moment to compose herself. Then she opened the door.

"Hey Dawn. Listen, I know that things have been rough around here lately. But it will get better, I promise."

Dawn could only nod as fresh tears filled her eyes.

"I know this may not make you feel better, but Giles is on his way. I know what happened between the two of you, but he is smart. He can help us figure this out."

Dawn looked up at Faith and nodded. She and Giles may have had their problems, but he was more than capable of figuring this out. Dawn knew that Faith was offering her the only comfort she could by letting her know that Giles was coming. Dawn was still a little surprised sometimes at how different this Faith was than the one she remembered from not so many years ago. But right now she would take comfort where she could get it.

"Thanks Faith."

"No problem kiddo." Faith stepped out of the room and closed the door.

`Now I just need to talk to Red,' she thought as she walked down the hall. She could hear Isabelle's voice as she walked up to the door.

"Willow, I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for the fact somebody figured out a way to release Jonathan. We were supposed to be sealed together forever, keeping the balance of magic. Somehow, somebody released him into this world which, in turn, has drawn me out. I must find him in order to keep any more of this burden from resting on your shoulders. But my time is limited. We must act quickly."

Faith knocked on Willow's door, opening it just enough to pop her head into the room. "Red, Giles just called. He is on his way. He said not to make a move until he gets here." The whole time Faith spoke, she never took her eyes of Isabelle.

Willow looked up at Faith. "Oh, yeah. Now he wants to help," Willow said with no small amount of sarcasm.

Faith didn't say another word. She pulled her back out into the hall and closed the door behind her.

`You call me strong, you called me weak
But still your secrets I will keep
You took for granted all the times I never let you down
You stumbled in and bumped your head
If not for me then you would be dead
I picked you up and put back on solid ground . . .'

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