Chapter Text
Faith’s steps stuttered and ground to a halt. That wasn’t Angel sitting on the other side of the Plexiglass. It wasn’t even the cheerleader. No, it was a woman with honey colored hair to her shoulders. A woman Faith didn’t recognize. She almost turned and asked to be sent back to her cell. Only…the woman was here for a reason. So she sauntered up to the glass and slid into the chair as if she hadn’t just spent a few moments contemplating not coming, as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
“What’s up?” she said into the telephone receiver.
It was then that she had a flash of recognition. The Bronze. In a body not her own. Making sexual innuendos. She cleared her throat. There would only be one reason that this woman was here.
“Who staked him?”
“W-what?”
“Who staked Angel? I gotta know who to…visit when I get outta here.” They were always listening and she didn’t want another stint in solitary because she’d threatened someone.
“A-angel is fine.”
Faith blinked. If Angel was fine, then what the hell was she doing here?
“Buffy’s - ”
She held up a hand. “Don’t,” Faith warned.
The girl smiled sadly. Faith suddenly remembered her name. Tara. It was Tara. “I’m sorry, Faith.”
“Why’re ya here?”
Tara shrugged. “The others…”
“The other fuckin’ hate my guts. None a’ them wanted to come, right?” She couldn’t say she blamed them. Not entirely. She and Buffy had come to a…truce was the best word, she guessed. The rest…she was nothing to them.
“Actually, none of them even thought about telling you. But I-I thought you deserved to know.”
“D-does Angel…”
Tara nodded. “Yes, he knows.”
Faith could see why he hadn’t told her. The subject of Buffy was always between them. Had been from the beginning. Neither of them would have survived this conversation. Now, however, she wasn’t going to fall apart in front of this woman. Even if she did have kind eyes. “How?” Some vamp had gotten the upper hand. Faith would find them. And she’d avenge Buffy.
Tara swallowed hard. “She jumped.” At the look on Faith’s face, she quickly continued, “There was a portal. Dimensions were c-collapsing. Because Dawn’s blood had been used to open it - ”
“So B sacrificed herself?” When Tara nodded, Faith growled. “Stupid bitch.” Only she understood why Buffy had done it. She covered her eyes with her hand. For a moment. “Sorry, didn’t mean that.”
“It’s OK. To be angry with her.”
Faith’s head snapped up. “What?”
“It’s OK to understand why she did it and still be angry that she did it. Your feelings are…your feelings. They’re not right or wrong. They just are.”
She just stared.
Finally, Tara fidgeted in her seat. “I…I’ll go. I just - ”
Faith found she didn’t want her to leave. Not just yet. “How’s Little D doin’?”
Another shrug. “As best as she can. We…Willow and I moved into the house. To take care of her. We’re not going to let social services take her.” She lifted her chin a tiny bit as if daring Faith to say something.
She laughed. A bitter bark. “Good. Them fuckers don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground.” How many times had social services been called out to her own home? Nothing good ever came of it. “You and Red’ll be good fer her. G man and Xan, too.”
Tara smiled. It was lopsided. “We’ll try.”
Faith nodded. “Tell her…” Her voice trailed off. Then she shook her head. “Never mind. Don’t tell her nothin’. She don’t need to even think ‘bout me.”
“I - I could write to you. Let you know how she’s doing?” Tara offered shyly.
She smiled. “That would be great. Thanks.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s a long drive. Ya should prob’ly get goin’.”
Tara nodded. “Good bye, Faith.”
“Bye, Tara.” Just before Tara hung up the phone, Faith added, “And thanks. Fer lettin’ me know.”
“You’re welcome.”