Disclaimer: Buffy: the Vampire Slayer is not mine. I wish it was, but feh. Actually, I might just want Faith: the Kickass Vampire Slayer. Ah well.
Author's Note: Heh. I decided it might be best if this was not immediately available on here, so as to give me more time to work on the next chapter for FF.net. Unfortunately, I ended up writing another chapter for 'Improbable'. ARG!

Summary: Bar room type brawls but not in a bar and 'oops' scenarios.

The cat might just be out of the bag now …And let us all say a collective: “Oh crap!”



“I love you Dawn. Because you're my sister! Come back soon.” There was a sniffle, one that Faith was sure came from Dawn, and then the teen bounded back up the few steps and flung her arms around the robot, hugging tightly. The bot just stared into space, not returning the gesture. Faith suddenly felt like she was intruding on something very private and took her leave. Doesn't make much sense. She thought. She acted so crushed about having that-that thing there. She bit her lip. Then why did she have it?

4 pm in the evening

Faith was quiet as she sat within the Espresso Pump. Fingers steepled in front of her, she leaned more heavily into the table with her elbows. A chilled mug of green tea sad in front of her. A server came over to her, which she ignored again. She made no sound and hadn't done much more than twitching in the past hour.
Her mind kept repeating the same things. That bot, the bot that Dawn was hugging. A puzzling feeling of wrongness at not recognizing the kid at first, and the events of the previous hour. The memories were like a broken record. She'd just finished her first mug of tea and was waiting for a second when Dawn and her motley crew of friends came in. Something was off though. She didn't acknowledge it right away because it was so faint. Her second mug arrived, and she readily picked it up, eager for a sip of the relaxing brew.

There it was again, except this time, she could tell what she was seeing. Or wasn't seeing. Her hand was poised over the cup's handle. Her dark brows lifted as she gazed at Dawn again, this time through slightly different eyes. A trick of the light she would have loved to claim it to be, but that wasn't possible. Dawn didn't seem like the type to try any magical mumbo jumbo. So why could she see through the kid? It didn't make any sense.

Brown eyes clenched shut tightly and she shook her head. She waited a moment, then reopened her eyes and looked over. Everything once more seemed right in her world. Except…Her attention returned to her mug. Except…Feeling eyes on her, Faith looked up to see Dawn quickly ushering her friends out the door. The teen directed a disgusted gaze her way and headed out. Slumping down in her seat, a hand lifted and pinched the bridge of her nose. Glancing into her mug, she spoke to her reflection.

“Lehane. Your name is Faith Lehane and you're going insane.” She chuckled slightly and sighed.  I'm going crazy. Resting her elbows on the table, she continued her train of thought. Not like that was unexpected.

The 'peaceful reverie' was broken by a shadow that appeared over her suddenly. Snapping from her trance, she slowly tilted her head up. A tall and well muscled man stood there, long dark brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. Dark, almost black eyes gazed at her. He was wearing a pair of light blue jeans that seemed almost too tight, and scuffed up brown boots. The most notable feature of him, however, was the black leather biker jacket he wore. Of all of the… Checking, she noted that yes she was still in the Espresso Pump. Well I know I'm not in a biker bar, so why the hell--

“Hey little lady. Whatcha say we get to know one another?” Her dark eyes narrowed to slits. Why was this leather bound, wall of muscle talking to her?

“Let me think about it.” The man seemed to be smoothing out his jacket, the answer she'd given him already sounding like 'yes' to his ears. “Okay,” Her words, coming on so suddenly, grabbed his attention. “I've got it.” She lifted her right hand, only her middle finger extended. “Fuck off!” The man took considerable offense to this.

“Now hold on a second there lil missy…”

“How about not?” Peace having now evaded her, she rose to leave. The biker reached out and grabbed her right arm with his left hand. He leaned over a bit to address her, his face scrunching up.

“I don't think you understand what I was say--” Faith cocked her fist and punched the man right in the center of his snarling face. He bellowed in alarm, releasing her, putting both hands to his bloody nose.

“Ya broke my danged nose, you bitch!” His lightly tanned skin was beginning to turn red. She smirked and was ready when he swung his left fist at her. Faith lifted one arm, deflecting the blow with her forearm. This time, her fist hit him square in the belly. He doubled over, only to find himself on the receiving end of a vicious right hook. Saliva, a tooth and plenty of blood flew out of his mouth, along with a howl of pain. He'd almost been hit hard enough to break his jaw. By now, most of the patrons inside the café were getting up or had already started running for the exit.

Faith backed off and the biker stupidly tried to punch her again, this time with his right fist. His efforts were predictable and very sloppy. Instead of completely ducking out of the way, she caught his fist with her right hand and squeezed. And kept on squeezing…as his eyes first widened in alarm, watching as alarm transformed into fear. Faith heard the bones of his hands crack, under the unbelievable pressure, and she crushed his fingers as well in the process. Twisting his fist sharply the wrong way produced a satisfying snap. Then, she let go.

The biker knelt on the floor, sobbing, blubbering like a child as he held his broken hand and wrist. Faith knelt in front of him. “Hurts, doesn't it?” The man nodded, snot coming out of his nose and blood dripping off his chin. “Remember this,” She said, reaching out to cup his chin. “Remember me,” Dark brown eyes drilled into his. “Pull that shit again; it'll be more than the hand. Got me?” He trembled. Faith smiled and pat his cheek twice, rose and turned, walking out of the Espresso Pump.

Fireworks Show – 8 pm

A can of beer in one hand, Faith purposefully walked down the street, now fully grasping the significance of the day. It was the Fourth of July, a day to be celebrating Independence. And yet…Taking a sip from the bottle, Faith allowed her eyes to wander. People were walking along the same side of the street as her. Some looked at her disapprovingly, guessing her to be pretty young and yet daring to drink alcohol outside. Others, saw her drinking out as a blatantly breaking the law. This was amusing to her because most of them would be doing the same later, only they would be calling it 'celebrating'. These people, all of them unaware at what kind of danger they put themselves in just being outside at this time of night. To them, she was probably a young drunk, but to her, they were all defenseless. And she alone was able to fight off what might be lurking, hopeful for a bite to eat.

All hope was truly loss then. “To Freedom.” She stopped walking, making a slight salute with her can and tilted her head a little, dragging more of the beer out.

“Oh my God…” Blinking, she lowered the can and turned her head, seeing Dawn and her gang of friends along with the Scoobies and disturbingly…Buffy as well. All of them staring at her. No! She scolded herself. That's not the real Buffy! Ignoring, or attempting to ignore her inner turmoil, she directed a stare right back at them.

“What?” Before, Faith could fully get the word out, Willow stepped forward, her hands planted on her hips.

“Why are you here Faith? To gloat?” In response, the brunette tilted her head, her eyes catching sight of the blonde woman who had yelled a similar phrase earlier.

“What exactly would I be rodomontading about?” She fought back a smirk as Willow's green eyes widened. Didn't think I knew any of them educated words, did ya Red? While the redhead still had her mouth hanging open in shock, Faith looked over at the bot. “Hey B.” Suddenly, Faith became aware of everyone seemingly holding their breath.

“Hello person I do not know.” Despite the fact that she'd heard something similar the previous night, it didn't erase the sudden chill the words left in their wake. Faith laughed softly and fully turned to face the Scoobies.

“Ya know, I can understand you all not liking me and everything, but if you knew Buffy was going to be leaving, why the hell didn't you contact me, huh?” Her dark eyes glistened. Willow, her cheese reddened from embarrassment, started to become angry. Before she could make a retort, Faith cut her off. “You what?” She tensed her jaw. “I'm glad Buffy got out of this town. I'm sure she's having fun out wherever she is.” Maybe I should go back to Boston… “B's probably gotten into a great college and all that shit. Having fun at keggers and--” Faith was cut off with a slap to the face.

“How dare you…”

“Dawn!” Xander moved to restrain the teenager, all while keeping a wary eye on Faith.

“Chill Xander. It's no problem. Otherwise…well you get the point.” Regardless, Faith eyed the teenager. Dawn, feeling unsure about the wisdom of her decision, backed off. Seeing the dark slayer pull out a stake put her on edge. “So you've got a backup. And so do I.” She stretched and tossed her can of beer to the side, the liquid splashing on the sidewalk. “I got places to go, things to slay, people to do.” That said, she turned on her heel and walked away. After a beat, Willow spoke.

“She doesn't know, does she?”

“I don't think so…” The redhead heard as arms wrapped around her middle.

“How can't she, Tara?”

“Because she was called before all this happened.”…

In The Cemetery

Faith found an easy release in fighting a lone vampire. Strangely, not too many were out tonight. To her surprise, the vampire managed to get the upper hand and flipped her onto a fresh grave, causing her to lose her grip on her stake. Gritting her teeth, Faith reached up and snapped the vampire's neck. Reaching over, she quickly regained her stake and stabbed the vampire through the heart.

Coughing as the dust settled, she rolled to her knees and moved to get up, when something caught her attention. The tombstone…She reached up with one hand and followed the words as she spoke them aloud, unable to believe it: "Buffy Anne Summers 1981-2001. Devoted Sister. Devoted Friend. She Save The World A Lot." The bot wasn't to replace Buffy because she'd left SunnyDale…it was because she died. Faith gasped. Her mind was on overload and none of this was making sense anymore. SunnyD's all mine now… Tears began to well up in her eyes and trickle down her cheeks.

Next Chapter: Once bitten, twice shy. Just how does Faith react to news of Buffy's death? And will she ever find out why no one ever called for her? Just how valuable is a slayer when compared to a robot? Find out in the next chapter!