She sighed inwardly, bracing herself for whatever look she'd receive upon the door being opened, and knocked. Loudly. Twice. Her feet began to itch and her palms began to sweat as she stood there, staring at the door matt emblazoned with a big red "Welcome!" and a bright blue border. Her heart pounded in her ears, growing increasingly louder with every second she was forced to wait. Her world slowly became nothing but the door matt, and she hoped, really hoped, that she would be what it said; welcome.

Her world, the door matt, shattered as the handle turned and Dawn poked her head out of the foyer to see who had come knocking on such a horrible sunny day. Faith blinked as her eyes focused on the teenager, taking in the strained look on the girl's face and the redness around her eyes. She also noticed the strength that coated her, supported her, in this time of grief.

Thin, uncolored lips smiled wanely and a voice unused to speaking softly or kindly after so many months in a cell managed to stutter, "H-hey, Dawn." A pause. A long, awkward pause. The kind of pause that causes your knees to melt. "C-could I come in? Maybe? I-I'd like to… pay my respects…"

Another pause, more thoughtful than awkward, laced with a tinge of bitter resentment and a lot of sorrow. "Sure, come on in."

Brown hair bounced as Faith ducked her head in silent thanks and stepped in gingerly, looking around at the house she hadn't seen since… Since before anyone had died. Sobbing and quiet murmering came from the living room, and she turned her head to see them holding one another, comforting a loss she felt as profoundly as they. She couldn't decide if not being noticed was a blessing or a curse.

The door closed behind her with a gentle click and Dawn moved past her into the room with the others. They looked at her and she nodded towards the uncertain brunette, who nodded to them all as their eyes finally alighted on her presence.

"Hey," she almost whispered. "I-I just came to pay my respects. I'll be out of your hair in… a few."

No one moved. No one said anything. No one got angry or upset. No one even asked how it was she was here and not in jail. They simply nodded and went back to their previous conversation. Faith let out the breath that she'd been holding since the door opened.

Nike sneakers made soft, padded noises as she crossed the room to the small shrine that had been erected in Buffy's honor. Her picture and several candles decorated a small, round table. Flowers were piled in heaps around the table on the floor, most of them white or an obnoxious shade of yellow. A few cards stood on the mantle behind the shrine, with words of consolences scribbled on them.

None of it really mattered. Not now that she was gone. It was all just a bunch of pleasantries. Just some stupid efforts to make everyone feel like Buffy hadn't died a horrible death.

Not that she had. No, not Buffy Summers. Not The Chosen One. Not the golden child of the Slayers. She would never die a horrible, pointless death. She would die saving loved ones, saving family. Faith smiled crookedly and reached out to touch the picture briefly. Then the tears started.

"Bitch," she whispered to herself. "You always did fuck with my head, you know?" Her hand wipped desperately at the tears. "Look, I said I'd be outta here in a few, so I will. I just wanted to say… Sorry. You can beat me up if you want; I mean, that'd be a great story to tell, you know? Ghost-of-the-Slayer kicked my ass, and all that."

A rose below her shuddered as a tear hit it squarely. She chuckled and took a shakey breath. "They let me out of jail on godo behavior. I bet I could have helped, had the paperwork gone through faster. I bet I could have saved you…" She trailed off and bit her lip.

Another shakey breath. "I don't think there's going to be another Slayer. So it's just me now. Just me…" Her eyes closed tightly and her fists clenched invaluntarily. "I'll try and make it all up to you…. To them."

Faith crossed her arms and hid her hands under them as she stared at the picture of the girl she had known. Bowing her head in silent prayer, she straightened and gave a mock salute before smiling cockily.

"Rest in peace, B."

The brunette turned to see everyone's eyes on her. She shrugged and walked towards Dawn, gingerly patting her on the shoulder and whispering a quiet, sincere "Thanks." before heading towards the door. Nike sneakers made padding sounds as she appraoched it, and the handle was cold to her touch as she turned it. The sunlight outside caused her to squint as she prepared to walk back to the bus station and return to L.A.

"Faith," her name was said tentatively. She froze and turned her head slightly, to acknowledge the speaker. "Why don't you stay for dinner?"

Still another pause, this one thoughtful and tinged with sadness, but carrying an underlying feeling of hope. A smile, genuine and true as the sun shining on her feet, broke across Faith's face. "Sure, Red."

The door shut gently and she walked into the room with the others, and their circle opened to allow her admittance and Dawn's hand found hers. She squeezed it gently and smiled fondly at the teenager, remembering how she used to be the one to babysit the squirt before any of the trouble began.

Faith closed her eyes for a moment, making a promise to herself. She would protect the people she had hurt, the people she had wounded so deeply, in memory of the things that she and her Sister Slayer had shared.

In memory of Buffy.