Joss rules, Fox doesn't need to sue and I hope you enjoy.

Sky was blue, the sea was green and there was no one in sight, submarine or otherwise. Faith was bordering on happy. Life had changed since Sunnydale had fallen into a sinkhole, but it was a routine that she liked. Giles, and his little tag along Andrew, kept track of all evil and everything Scooby. The closest member was informed, evil destroyed and Armageddon averted in time for Faith to have too much time to herself.

Yep, life was not so happy after all especially when the thoughts and demons would come back.

"No, Faith, stop!"

"Because you're sick. You've always been sick. It goes right down to the roots, rotting your soul. That's why your friends turned on you in Sunnydale, why the watcher's council tried to kill you. No one trusts you, Faith. You're a rabid dog who should have been put down years ago!"

He hadn't really meant it. He was only trying to prepare her, acting as her watcher once more, but Wesley's words still hurt no matter how much time past. They could easily be true if she fell back in her old ways, but that was the problem, wasn't it? It would be oh so easy.

She was good at killing. As much as she was ashamed at times to admit it, not only was she good but she enjoyed sticking a knife in a demon's guts and twisting it until they screamed. Her life allowed her to fight the urge, her drug of choice but was she failing others by hiding out in the Caribbean?

Andrew's debriefing of the Los Angeles mission had always left Faith conflicted. There seemed to be a line drawn between Buffy's people and Angel's people, but Rome went well. Buffy may be fighting the world, but L.A. had Wolfram and Hart and that seemed bad enough to Faith.

Thoughts of California, and those she still felt indebted to, filled her head and not for the first time. A cold wind brushed her shoulder and she involuntary shuddered. She felt like she was being watched and she was right.

Willow stood there. She looked like she had been in Istanbul, from her clothing choices. Then she noticed that Willow did not look well.

"What is it?"

"They took on the senior partners in L.A. Wesley…he didn't make it."

"Oh…" said Faith and she realized what Willow had said, "No, but how?"

"It was a magician…" started Willow as Faith shook her head and struggled to keep her composure.

Faith found herself in L.A. again. This city held more emotion for her than any other that was above ground. The destruction that remained seemed to match her inner turmoil. The dragons were gone and that could generally be said for the demons. The senior partners' project would not be over without a fight and a fight is what she gave them, but it was too late for many. They were all gone; all those she had fought with to bring Angel back from his Angelus self. Gunn had barely outlived Wes and in Fred's place was a cold, distant demon. Connor reappeared from time to time, but he was gone again at the moment. Faith didn't really understand the situation. There was one time when she doubted he would make it, but he was stubborn.

His father and Spike that was something else entirely. Shansu had been bestowed on both vamps, well, former vamps. Newly alive Americans, maybe?

She kicked at the ground in frustration as tears started to fall.

"There, there, love," said Spike, at the sight. His arms were outstretched and she gladly took them. They were warm and tanned.

"Don't call me that."

The look on his face told her that she wasn't getting off so easy.

"I failed him. He was my watcher."

"You also tried to kill him a time or two, the way I heard it."

She shook her head.

"I was sick then."

"And now?"

Faith tried to stop the tears and it seemed that his breathing was very loud.

"I'm not five by five, but I'm getting there."