"You're... what?"

"I'm pregnant."

Oh. Dear. God.

"I-"

"No, Faith. Just let me finish. I'm gonna have the baby. I haven't thought about adoption yet, but there are options I know, I just need time... to think about them all and... I'm babbling now so I'm gonna cut to the chase. I- I know that this is so much more than you bargained for, going into this relationship. So I understand you probably just want to get out of here as quickly as possible and I can't stop you but... but I do still want you in my life and I... well, I'm done now, I guess. So you can go."

Oh my God. She's pregnant. How the hell... well, no - I know how. Don't want to think about that, about her and Riley. Oh fuck - Riley. So... okay, hold on here, the last part of her speech catches up with my somewhat overloaded brain. Leave? Fuck, she thinks I want out. Wait... do I? A kid is a big responsibility and I've never exactly been the responsible type. But isn't that why I'm back in Sunnydale? To start taking responsibility. To start doing the right thing. Maybe, but this...?

"B?"

She's been staring at the cover on the bed for the last few moments but now she looks up at me. She's crying quietly and it breaks my heart. Yeah, this is a huge thing. But... this is Buffy. *My* Buffy.

"I never had much of anything growing up. But in Sunnydale I've got a job, for the first time I've got a place that feels like home... and I've got you. Buffy you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, without a doubt. And if-"

Okay, don't wanna sound like I'm coming on too strong here.

"If you want... if you'd let me, I'd like to be a part of this. I mean, know I'm not much of a role model, and I've never done the whole 'happy families' thing, but-"

"Wait..." she cuts me off, and she's stopped crying now. "Hold on... I drop this on you, out of the blue, the day after we get together, expecting you to run a mile... and you're telling me you want to be a part of this?"

"I-" Huh, I suppose I am. "Yeah I do. I'm here for you, B... I love you."

And now the tears are back. "I love you too, Faith. Oh God, I love you so much." She buries her head in my shoulder and cries. "I didn't mean for this to happen. We..."

"Hey, it's okay. I know. Everything's gonna be cool, B." At least I hope it will. Fuck, if her friends and family were worried about us being together at all, how the hell are they gonna react to this? How would they react to this even if I wasn't in the picture? And mostly, how is Beefstick gonna take it? This is his kid after all.

"Does Riley know?"

"Not yet. Oh God, Faith, how am I gonna tell him. It'll kill him."

Despite my intense dislike of the guy, I do feel a pang of sympathy for him. "'s alright, B. We'll deal. We'll handle it."

I hold her like that, letting her cry herself out, until she falls asleep. Moving as lightly as possible, I extract myself from her grip and cover her with a blanket. Then I head out to patrol. I really need to stake something right now.

When I wake up, Faith's gone. Looking at the clock, I figure she's gone slaying. I'm still a little shocked by her reaction. I honestly expected she'd run a mile when I told her, but she didn't. Then again, maybe she just hasn't had time to think through exactly what this is going to mean. Maybe when she does, she'll realise just how much it is I'd be asking her to do. And I can't ask that of her, can I?

Kids were never an issue with Angel, except for being one of the reasons he left. Kids, family, sex, walks in the sunlight - all things he couldn't give me. But I think we both knew a split was inevitable. Once he came back from hell, there was always this feeling that time was running out. When I was with him I was always looking over my shoulder, expecting time to catch up with us.

With Riley it was the exact opposite. Maybe that's why I was attracted to him in the first place. I thought he was what I needed to get over Angel. And it worked, to some degree. But whereas with Angel I felt our time was limited, with Riley I felt there was way too much of it. Sure, it was good at first, but somewhere in between the routine of push-ups, 3 square meals a day and the hospital corners on the bed, we lost the passion. And what I found with Riley was when you take the passion away, there's not a whole hell of a lot left. Except for his child.

But Faith? I love her, I don't doubt that. And I trust her, I can see the change in her since the last time she was in Sunnydale. But having a child? And so soon after we've started seeing each other?... I don't know. I'm going to need a whole lot more time to think about things before my head is any way straight.

There's a knock at the door and I go to answer it.

"Buffy."

Shit.

"Riley?"

"Willow told me I could find you here."

There's a long moment of awkward silence before I realise he's still standing on the doorstep.

"Uh... come in."

He does and sits on one of the chairs. I sit down across from him. He doesn't seem too hostile, and I wonder why he's here. I figured I'd be the last person he wants to see. Well... actually, second last - Faith's out there somewhere.

"I'm sorry." he says quietly. "For the way we left things. That's not how I wanted it to be." I stay quiet, there's not much I can say right now. "It just hurt, y'know, when I heard about you and Faith. I guess I didn't like the idea that it took you less than 24 hours to get over me."

"That's not how it was, Riley. And I think you know that. I mean, honestly, when was the last time you felt like you and I were a couple?"

He looks at me with those puppy dog eyes of his. "I know... but it still hurt."

Oh God, Riley. The best is yet to come.

"Look... there's something I need to tell you."

He laughs humourlessly. "Can't be any worse than what I've already heard today."

Don't count on it, Riley, don't count on it.

"Actually... I'm pregnant, Riley."

His face goes from confused, to shocked, to grinning like an idiot. Now I'm confused, he's laughing? He gets up and pulls me out of the chair and into his arms.

"Buffy, this is great. We're gonna have a kid."

He finally puts me down, but keeps his arms around me.

"Look, Riley-"

"I mean, I'm sorry... for you and Faith and all, but this is amazing!"

Oh please don't tell me he thinks... yeah, he thinks alright.

"No, Riley, stop. I'm not going back to you."

His face falls. "What? But... but you're pregnant. It is my child, right?"

"Yes, it's your child. But that doesn't change things between you and me. And for now, that doesn't change things between me and Faith either."

"Buffy don't be ridiculous. A child needs its father."

"Absolutely, Riley. And you will completely be a part of this child's life, I wouldn't try to take that away from you. But I don't love you, Riley. And I'm sorry, but I do love Faith."

He looks genuinely confused, and I really do feel sorry for him. But I'm not going to be with Riley just for the sake of the baby. I grew up with parents in a loveless marriage and there's no way I want to put a child of mine through that.

"Do you honestly think she'll stick around, Buffy? Once push comes to shove, do you think she's gonna be there for you?"

That's the question, isn't it?

"I trust her. If, when she's had time to think this through, she says she's gonna stay, then yeah, I believe she will. But even if she doesn't, Riley - you and I still aren't together."

He shakes his head. "I can't... I have to leave."

He's about to go when the door opens. Faith's standing there and Riley turns on her.

"I hope you're real happy with yourself, Faith. You have a real talent y'know, for fucking up people's lives."

She glares at him for a minute and then turns to me.

"B?"

Her voice is weak and it's only now I notice she's leaning against the doorframe. Oh God.

"Faith? What's wrong?"

I go to her and when I get up close I can see that there's a darker patch on her black t-shirt, spreading from where her hand is placed across her stomach. Her face is pale and it looks like she's having trouble focusing on me.

"I, uh... I think... think I need a doc..."

She slumps and I catch her before she hits the ground. Her hand falls away from where she had placed it and blood starts flowing freely.

"Riley?"

Despite everything he's there when I say his name.

"What can I do?"

"Do you have your car?"

"I'll bring it round front."

He runs out and I grab a couple of towels from the bathroom. Pulling aside her t-shirt I can see there's a long, deep gash running diagonally across her torso. Somebody or something sliced her up. I pad one towel up and press it down against the cut, using the other to tie it in place. It'll slow the bleeding somewhat, I just hope it's enough.

Riley has the car out front now and, lifting Faith in my arms, I carry her out and slide her into the back. I sit with her, her head on my lap as Riley pulls out and heads for the hospital.

Oh God, she's losing so much blood. Faith, hold on baby, please just hold on.

I've always hated hospitals. But I especially hate Sunnydale General. And now is no exception. They rushed Faith into surgery once we got here and she's been in there about half an hour now. I hate waiting like this, I hate how helpless I feel just sitting here. Riley called everyone and Mom and Giles have just arrived. Mom goes to talk to Riley, Giles comes over to me.

"Are you okay?"

I'm still running in Slayer mode. That's the only way I can stop the nervous breakdown I feel coming. Analyse and give the report, all done emotionlessly.

"She got slashed across her stomach but I don't know who, or what, did it. The edges of the wound were clean, not jagged enough to be an animal, so I'm guessing it was a sword of some kind-"

"Buffy."

He stops me with a hand on my shoulder. I look at him and the sympathy and worry in his eyes is obvious. The control I've been keeping on my emotions shatters and I break down. Giles puts his arms around me and lets me cry it out on his shoulder. I'm so scared. God, if I lose her... No, I'm not going to think like that. I can't afford to think like that. Giles steps away as a doctor comes out of the theatre.

"Miss Summers?" she asks.

"Is she okay? Is she gonna be okay?"

"She's lost a lot of blood, but we're doing everything we can. Do you know what happened?"

I shake my head. "No. She just... she walked in and she collapsed. I slowed the bleeding as best I could but..."

"You did a good job." the doctor says. "She's fighting every drop of blood she loses. She's in the best possible hands, I promise you. We'll do everything we can."

Yeah, that sounds like Faith alright, always fighting for something. The doctor gives me one last reassuring smile and leaves. On her way down the corridor she passes Willow, who's just arrived. Great, I really don't need this right now.

"Buffy."

"Here to gloat, Will?"

"No! I..." she looks at the floor and then back up at me. "Faith came to see me earlier, and I've been thinking about some of the stuff she said. My problems with Faith are my problems. I may not like her very much, but that's no excuse for being a bad friend to you."

She puts a hand on my arm. "I'm sorry."

God, it seems like all I've done today is cry. "Thanks." I say as I hug her tightly.

Mom comes over.

"Are you okay, honey?"

"Not really. I will be once I know she's okay."

Mom nods and pushes my hair back out of my face. It's a familiar gesture and it brings some comfort. I'm just sorry that it took Faith being almost gutted for me to find out that my friends and family actually are there for me, when push comes to shove.

Xander arrives with Anya in tow.

"Buffy, is she okay?" the hostility is gone and he seems genuinely worried about her. I must tell Faith she should get herself sliced open more often, it seems to be winning people over.

"The doctor says she has a good chance."

"Look, Buffy. I'm sorry about earlier. It's just that... well, I don't want to see you get hurt again."

"I know, Xander. And I know you're just trying to look out for me. I appreciate that, I really do. But try to understand that I love her."

"Yeah." he gives me a small smile. "I think I get that."

An hour later they're still operating on her and my initial panic is now a dull, constant fear in the pit of my stomach. We're all sitting round in the seating area outside the operating theatre and it means a lot to me that my friends are here when I need them.

The door opens and a different doctor in blue scrubs comes out. I'm out of my chair in an instant.

"What's going on? Is she okay?"

"I really can't talk to you right now." he says and goes to push past me. That's it - My lover's lying in there, possibly dying, I'm going out of my head with worry and he's too damn busy to talk to me? I snap.

Before he knows what's happening I have him pinned against the wall, letting him feel the full force of Slayer strength holding him inches off the ground.

"Listen to me carefully coz I'm not going to ask you this nicely again. Tell me what's going on."

"We've done all we can. It's just a case of waiting now." he chokes out.

Riley comes up beside me. The others are standing nearby, ready to intervene. "Let him go, Buffy. C'mon, you shouldn't get yourself worked up like this, it's not good for the ba-"

He winces.

The doctor is now forgotten as I turn on Riley. If looks could kill he'd be dead on the spot.

"Um... that is..."

"Buffy?" Mom asks.

"I'm, uh... I'm pregnant."

"Oh, Buffy."

She sounds so very disappointed, and I can't blame her. But the inevitable conversation is delayed a little longer when the first doctor comes back out.

"We're finished operating now. They're transferring her to the Recovery Ward."

"Can we see her?"

"Yes. She's a little groggy, but she's awake. It might do her good to have a visitor. Just the one though, and not for too long, she's still in a delicate condition."

Faith? Delicate? I must tell her they said that - she'll get back on her feet just to prove them wrong.

"If you'd like to follow me..."

I do. As we walk to the ward the doctor turns to me.

"Are you family?" she asks with a small smile.

I smile back.

"Yes."

When I come to I'm in a ward with three other beds but they're all empty. Sunnydale General, I'm gonna have to start paying rent here soon. I remember what it was like the last time I woke up here - the confusion, the anger, the fear.

That fear wells up again, but just then the door opens and B walks in and smiles at me. And suddenly everything's okay again.

The doc that came in with her checks the chart at the end of my bed. "You're lucky to have come through what you did. Take it easy now, we want you to recover quickly."

Lady, you'd be surprised at just how quickly someone like me can recover.

B pulls up a chair and sits beside the bed, taking my hand in hers.

"You had us scared, Faith." she says quietly, and I can see that she's been crying. "I almost thought I'd lost you..." her voice catches and she trails off.

I grin at her as best I can. Which, the way I'm feeling, must be pretty weak.

"Hey, c'mon, B. If there's one thing you shoulda learnt about me by now it's that I'm one tough bitch to get rid of."

She gives a little half-laugh, half-cry and tightens her grip on my hand.

"Faith, I love you, and I'm glad you're okay. But if you ever put me through anything like that again I'm gonna kill you myself."

"I can honestly promise I'll do my best not to get slashed by some samurai wannabe vamp again."

"Is that what happened?"

Oh yeah, this should be a fun story to tell.

"It looks like we have some new boys on the block. And they don't play well with the other kids. I ran into five of 'em, they were doing some ritual or other out by Grove Hill Cemetary. I pretty much kicked their ass but then another five show up, and one of 'em was the boss man."

"A master vampire?"

"Looks like. And it seems like he has plans for Sunnydale."

She grins wryly. "Don't they all?"

"Yeah, but he's good, B. He's strong, and fast." I look down at the bandages wrapped around my middle. "And he has a really big sword."

"We'll take him down." she says confidently.

"Yeah... *we*." I want to make this point perfectly clear. "As in you and me. I don't want you going after this guy on your own."

She's about to argue but I don't give her the chance.

"No. Look, B, you've got a kid to think about, alright? I'll be up and kicking ass in no time, and when I am, we'll take the bastard out. Until then you be careful, okay?"

She just stares at me.

"B, promise me."

She sighs. "Alright, alright, I promise. Giles is probably going to be over-over protective now anyway."

"Giles knows?" When did this happen?

"Everyone knows. I told Riley, and he kinda let it slip."

Nice going, Beefstick.

"How did they take it?"

"I don't know. We haven't really had a chance to talk about it yet."

Just then the doc sticks her head in the door.

"Okay, you need to get some rest. And you can come back and see her tomorrow."

B stands up but I keep a hold of her hand.

"I meant what I said, y'know. I'm here for you, B. All the way."

She smiles at me, and even lying here sliced up that smile still has the same effect on me. She smoothes my hair back from my face then leans in and kisses me briefly.

"I'll come by tomorrow."

"I'll be looking forward to it. Oh, and, B?"

She turns around.

"Remember - you promised."

She nods. "I know. See you tomorrow."

The doc gives me a quick smile and knocks the lights off. I close my eyes and drift into something between sleep and a coma where the Slayer healing can do its thing.

When we leave the hospital, Mom and Giles offer to let me stay the night and I agree. Willow and Xander make me promise to come talk to them tomorrow after I've seen Faith, and Riley just leaves. The ride home is made in silence but I can practically hear the wheels turning in Mom's head. Once we get inside Giles goes to put the kettle on in a not-so-subtle attempt to leave the two of us alone. "I'm guessing you didn't plan this." she says after a few moments. "No, I didn't. I mean, we used protection and everything, but..." "But, it's not foolproof." she sits beside me on the couch. "So have you thought about what you're going to do?" I sigh. "Not really, not properly. I mean, I haven't had much time to think things through, not after what happened with Faith." "And does she know?" "Yeah, yeah she does." Mom gives me a somewhat sympathetic look. "How did she take it? I mean, are you two still together?" "Yeah, Mom, we are. She took it really well, in fact. Better than I'd expected." I can see that there's something really worrying Mom but she doesn't want to say it. "What is it?" She hesitates. "Mom?" "It's just that... well, honey, I know I'm not in a position to lecture on family values, but it would be nice for your child to have a family, you know? Two parents to look up to. I know that probably sounds hypocritical coming from a single Mom, but you have no idea how much easier the last few years would have been on me if I had someone to share the responsibility with." "I do, Mom. I mean... I think I do." "Faith?" "She's said she wants to be a part of this, but she hasn't really had time to think it all through, what with being slashed and all." "Well that's very loyal of her, but honey she's eighteen." "And I'm nineteen. You think either of us are ready for this? We're not. But if the roles were reversed I'd stand by her. I love her. And I trust that she feels the same about me. So if she says this is what she wants, I believe her." "So that's it? You've decided and everything is that easy?"

"No! Trust me, Mom, you've made the point many times before that having a kid is not easy... but I'm going to. I can't stop that now. I couldn't go through with an abortion, and I really don't think I could give a child up for adoption either. So I'm down to a few options."

Giles walks in now and sits across from us.

"And you're saying that one of those options is raising a child with Faith?" Mom asks.

"Yes. I know it's not the most conventional of families. But if there's one thing you've taught me above all else, it's that in a family love is the most important thing. And I know some people are gonna think it's wrong, but does that really matter if this child is being raised by people who love it?"

"It's just... you're so young, Buffy. Both of you. And it's such a huge responsibility."

"I know that, Mom, I know. And I'm not gonna say that I'm prepared, coz I'm really not. But I'm going to have to face up to this. I'm going to have a child and... and now I've got to deal with that."

"What about Riley?" Giles asks, "How does he feel about this?"

Hurt, mostly. "When I told him he thought it meant we were getting back together. He was hurt when I told him that even if Faith wasn't in the picture, we weren't. But I do want him to be a part of his child's life. He's a nice guy, I never wanted to hurt him."

Everyone's quiet for a few moments and there are some things I need to ask Giles.

"How is this going to affect me... as the Slayer, I mean?"

"Uh..." he removes his glasses and starts cleaning them, "You must understand, it's a rare occurrence that a Slayer would become pregnant. It's a rare enough occurrence that a Slayer would reach child bearing age. So there are really no documented cases. I shouldn't think it would adversely affect your powers, on the contrary in fact. Your enhanced strength and metabolism should help during the pregnancy.

"However, the repercussions of having a child are slightly more serious. Think of how many times your friends and family have been targeted by your enemies. To put a defenceless child in that position... Well, it won't be easy, Buffy."

Yeah, I had thought about that myself. Not one of the people close to me hasn't had a bad experience at the hands of one or other of my enemies. If word gets out that the Slayer has a baby, my child would immediately become a target, a weak point.

"Then again," Giles says, "You have Faith. And with two Slayers protecting the child... Well, it's not a foolproof way of keeping, uh... him? or her?, safe, but it certainly increases your chances. Plus Faith will also be able to take over your slaying duties when it reaches the stage where you are no longer able to."

"That's if she sticks around. I have to say, Faith isn't noted for taking on responsibility."

"She'll stay, Mom. I know she will."

I know she will.

Come morning I'm feeling a hell of a lot better. I can't see through all the bandages, but I'm fairly sure the gash across my stomach is healing nicely. I could be outta here by today if I can win this doc over.

She's standing at the bottom of my bed, flipping through my chart. I can't read the expression on her face, but I'm guessing she's impressed.

"You're certainly on the mend."

"Five by five, doc. SO when can I leave?"

She laughs. "What... you don't like the service?"

"Nah, it's just there are things I could be doing."

"The only thing you're going to be doing for the next while is convincing me your better-"

She's interrupted as the door to the ward slams open and one of the samurai guys from last night charges into the room. He's completely wrapped in black, from head to foot, which explains how he made it in in the daylight.

I mutter a few choice curses and tear the IV out. I'm sure the doc would've protested if she wasn't too busy staring at the guy who's now drawn a sword and is running straight for me. I'm on my feet as quickly as I can be with these damn drugs in my system. But even somewhat dopey, I'm still the Slayer, and this bastard is going down.

I grab the IV stand and swing it at him. It catches him off guard and sends him crashing to the floor, sword flying from his hand. He scrambles back to his feet and charges me. I block his attacks fairly easily and then I manage to land a solid right hook. He stumbles backwards, straight into the doctor.

With a cry of pain, he spins around and I see she's stabbed him with a syringe. That may work on a human, but...

"Bitch!" he snarls and lunges for her.

I'm just about quick enough to get to him before he gets to her and the two of us land on the bed, rolling over, and off the other side. I end up straddling him but the searing pain across my middle tells me I've torn the stitches there. Fuck.

He takes advantage and pushes me off. Grabbing his sword again he raises it for a killing blow... and promptly turns to dust. B moves from the door where she threw the stake from and comes to where I am on the floor.

"I thought I was the one who wasn't supposed to take those guys on alone."

"Didn't give me much choice." I mutter, trying not to pass out again. I thought getting stabbed with a knife was painful, this is fucking agony.

The doc gets her ass in gear and kneels beside me, checking on the wound.

"Help me get her up," she says to B.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she unwraps the bandages and inspects the damage done.

"It doesn't look too bad, only a couple of stitches torn. And this wound is healing unbelievably fast. It probably won't scar much either."

I grin at that. Scars are pretty much a job hazard but only if it's a really bad cut. And I don't get too many of those. The doc's still staring at my stomach. "Though it does look like you have an earlier scar here... nasty one."

B and I share a look. I can see the guilt all over her face and I reach for her hand, smiling. She smiles weakly back at me.

The doc looks over her shoulder at the newly formed pile of dust.

"That guy didn't just... did he?"

B makes real deliberate eye contact with her.

"What guy?"

She looks confused, and glances to me. I just shrug.

"Ain't nobody here but the three of us."

She turns back to B. "I guess I've been working this shift too long."

"Right," B agrees, "You're probably overtired."

"Should get some sleep." I offer.

"Yeah..." she nods, looking distracted, "Yeah, I probably should." With one last glance at the now dead vamp, she stands up. "I'm happy enough with your progress. You can leave later this afternoon. I'll get back to you." And she leaves, still looking really confused.

I wonder how many people B's had to explain stuff like that away to. Still, I guess people will see what they want to see. How else could you live in a town like Sunnydale and still sleep at night?

"Are you okay?" B asks.

"You know me-"

"Five by five," she laughs, "Right. But seriously."

"Seriously, I feel okay. Wanna go slay tonight?"

She looks at me dubiously. "Let's just wait and see if you're up for it."

I grin and wink slowly at her. "Oh I'm always up for it."

"Faith." she smacks me on the arm, but she's grinning too. "What am I gonna do with you?"

"I could suggest a few things..." I'm still grinning as I grab her round the waist and pull her down onto my lap.

"Faith!"

I give her a mock sympathetic expression. "Humour an injured girl, huh?"

She smiles at me but then her expression sobers.

"Faith? About what you said before... in the motel?"

"Yeah?"

"Think seriously about this, okay? It's a huge responsibility to take on. Don't enter into it lightly."

"B, this... Sunnydale... you. This is all I have. Except for Angel and the guys in L.A., no one outside of this town knows who I am. Everything I have is here. Look, the way I see it... you're my girl, right?"

"Right." she smiles.

"Right. And I'm not giving you up for anything. So if you're having a kid, then... well, we're having a kid. I mean, if that's what you want?"

"It is. I just don't want you to feel this is some burden you have to bear."

"I don't. B, there was a time when I didn't think I'd ever have any happiness in my life. When I thought I didn't deserve any. You've changed all that. And a new life is an amazing thing, y'know? B, if you let me... if that's what you want... then I am gonna be the second best damn mother that kid could hope for. I promise."

She's tearing up again and I wipe away the few stray tears making their way down her cheek.

"I'd like that, Faith. I'd really like that."

"Good..." I raise an eyebrow, " Now I believe you were humouring me?"