Faith looked at the monitor and smiled. She was having a baby. It had taken her all of the two weeks to come to grips with the fact that she was pregnant. It didn't matter if the baby ended up looking like Caleb. It didn't matter if the child actually was fathered by Caleb. The baby was hers and she would love her baby with all of her heart. Looking at the monitor she swore she would give her child the life she never had.

"Well Faith everything looks good. I don't see any abnormalities in the ultrasound. We still have to have several blood tests done to confirm everything is okay not only with you but with the baby. Last we need to do a pelvic and cervical exam to make sure your body can handle this pregnancy." Dr. Denise said taking a few pictures and printing them out. Turning off the monitor she wiped down Faith's stomach and took out a gown for Faith to change into. Moving over to the cabinets she took out a syringe and five vials. "Which arm do you prefer?" She asked while washing her hands and putting on a fresh set of gloves.

"The right has a better vein." Faith responded pulling up the sleeve of her shirt.

Dr. Denise smiled then stopped taking a seat and looking at Faith. "Before we continue I wanted to know if you've decided what you would like to do?" She said not mentioning the choice of abortion since it was obvious.

"I'm keeping her." Faith said simply.

Dr. Denise merely nodded her head. It had been rather clear from Faith's facial expression that she was going to keep the baby. Picking up a tourniquet she tied off Faith's upper arm and found a vein. Inserting the needle she took the five vials of blood before giving Faith a bandage. "I'll give you a moment to change and then we can get on with the physical exam." She said getting up and taking the vials of blood with her.

Faith waited for the door to close before getting up and changing into the simple gown again. She made sure to remove her bra and underwear just in case. Hoping back up onto the exam table she laid down and waited for the doctor to return. When she heard the soft knock on the door she called out that she was ready. Dr. Denise entered and in minutes the physical exam was done with several other samples taken.

"Alright Faith" Dr. Denise started as she packed the samples and removed her gloves. "Everything looks good. How have you been feeling?"

"Fine, really fine but I've felt pretty decent throughout all of this so far." Faith said knowing that there was a good chance the rest of the pregnancy wouldn't be as easy. "I haven't gained as much weight as I would have expected and I barely even have a bump." Faith said looking down at her nearly flat stomach.

"Well that will change soon enough. You're at I'd say 14 to 16 weeks along. Pretty soon that little girl is going to make herself known. Have you picked up any of the what to expect books? Do you have any questions?"

"I haven't picked up any of the books but I don't really have any questions right now." Faith said thinking that she would have to review some memories of being pregnant.

"Good, if you do have any questions at any time feel free to call the office or come see me. If you're available I would like to schedule you next appointment for a month from now. Your test results should be in within the week and I'll just give you a call for that. If there is anything wrong with the tests you may have to come in but otherwise you are all set for the next month." Dr. Denise said with a smile. Getting up she shook hands with Faith and reminded her to make her appointment with the receptionist.

Faith watched the doctor leave and couldn't help but have the slightest naughty thought. Dr. Denise was beautiful and even with that lab coat on she was still sexy as all hell. Shaking her head at her thoughts Faith got off the table and got dressed. Stepping out the exam room she went to the receptionist, made her appointment, and left the building.

Driving back to the apartment she wondered what her next step should be. The obvious was to begin by buying baby clothes and furniture. Then came the consideration that the school or its dormitories might be finished before the baby arrived. The school was amazingly enough ahead of schedule at the moment but she knew without a doubt that something would happen to delay opening day. The dormitories wouldn't be finished before the school since they hadn't even finished designing them. There was some consideration to hiring a separate contractor to build the dormitories so that the dorms could be opened near the same time as the school. However, those thoughts were still in their prime.

Releasing a sigh of mild frustration Faith pulled up in front of the apartment building and went straight to her apartment. She knew that she needed to inform everyone. Beyond the fact that soon she would be showing and that her condition would be obvious she believed they had a right to know. She was the chosen head mistress of the school and she might not be able to fulfill her duties.

Entering her apartment Faith mildly wished that she had taken the time to buy more than just the basics. Her apartment was rather Spartan. In her living room there was just the couch, entertainment unit with the television and a coffee table, along with a few end tables and lamps. The kitchen consisted of an island that acted as a table more often than not. She had four stools for the rare occasion she had company. Overall the apartment was relatively empty but serviceable. She figured it would be easier to buy any other furniture and knick knacks once they moved into the dormitories.

Picking up the phone Faith called Giles, Willow, Kennedy, Xander, Anya, Dawn, and Buffy. She wanted to tell everyone Originals first. Though the title didn't include Kennedy, as Willow's girlfriend she was included in priority information before everyone else. Faith figured it was a good way of telling the new slayers in the process. Kennedy for all her glory wasn't the best person to tell anything secret to. She was still young and more than eager to prove she was better than the other girls by spilling information.

Finishing the last call Faith walked over to the door and left it ajar in silent invitation for everyone just to come in without knocking. Moving into the kitchen she took out a couple of waters, soda, and two bottles of wine, one white and one red. She was glad she kept her fridge well stocked with a variety of drinks. Setting up glasses she wasn't surprised to see Dawn walk in and move straight into the kitchen.

"I'm guessing you are calling everyone to tell them your news?" Dawn asked moving to the cabinet and taking out the wine glasses. She smiled at the fact that Faith took the time to buy wine glasses. It was so incongruent with the old Faith.

"Yes though I am glad you came first. I wanted to tell you before the rest that I've decided to keep the baby." Faith said feeling a sense of relief at saying the words aloud.

"I'm glad." Dawn stated simply.

"Really? I hadn't thought you would be. You've been incredibly hard to read on the topic." Faith said finishing setting out the glasses and looking at Dawn.

"I didn't want to influence your decision. I can't know what it's like to be in your position. I will be honest that I never hope to be in your position. I didn't want to condemn you for deciding to abort that baby because I can never understand what it is like to be raped. I can't understand what it's like to find out your pregnant by your rapist." Dawn said lowering her voice in case anyone walked in.

"You think it's Caleb's as well huh?"

"It would be foolish to disregard the possibility." Dawn looked at Faith sadly.

"Dawn sometimes you surprise me with your maturity. Why are you glad I'm keeping the baby?" Faith asked glad to see some reaction from Dawn.

"I think it would kill you a little to abort that child. You have always been so full of life Faith, so full of emotion. I think this child will be special and that you will love this baby with all of your heart. You deserve some happiness after everything that has happened to you. I am glad that this child can be a turning point for you. I know what you are afraid of and I can try to understand. I know you are afraid of becoming like your mother. But I know, I know with my entire being, that you will never be like your mother. You will never hurt this child. You will never abuse or neglect this child. It doesn't matter who it's father is, the only thing that does matter is that you will love this baby more than anyone else in the world." Dawn said wiping away a stray tear from Faith's eyes.

Grabbing Dawn into a hug Faith did her best to contain her tears. She hadn't realized how much she needed the confirmation that she was nothing like her mother. "Thank you Dawn. I don't know what I would do without you." She said emphatically before pulling away.

"Are we interrupting something?" Kennedy asked with a little smile.

Dawn and Faith turned to see Kennedy walking into the kitchen with Willow not far behind.

"No you aren't Ken." Faith said simply. "Do you want something to drink?"

"I'll take a Coke." Kennedy said walking up to the island and grabbing a can. Popping the top she took a sip and smiled in thanks.

"Anything for you Willow?" Dawn asked motioning towards the large selection.

"I think we can all serve ourselves Dawnie." Willow said picking up a wine glass and pouring out a healthy dose of white wine.

Grabbing a water Faith pulled one of the bar stools into the living room and took a seat. She wasn't surprised to see Dawn pull a stool next to hers. She was glad for the show of solidarity. She knew she would need the bit of courage in order to tell everyone.

"Hey Faith why the meeting?" Xander asked walking into the apartment with Anya and Buffy.

"I'll tell you all once you all get a drink and take a seat." Faith said unwilling to start the big talk any sooner than necessary.

Giles was the last to walk in and shut the door behind him. Faith gave the older man a smile and wished she had thought to make tea. Personally she wasn't a big tea drinker and only kept a bit of Earl Grey in case Giles happened to stop by for a talk. Their talks weren't often but the two had, had a few over the last couple of weeks settling out some of their differences. There was a tentative trust between them.

Looking at everyone Faith wondered how she would tell everyone such a life altering event. Taking a deep breath she considered her options. "I'm pregnant." She stated simply seeing no other way to get to the topic. She could go on and on about her recent mood swings, fatigue, and lack of slaying but that seemed pointless since she really wasn't involved with any one individual person. Those hints would have been great if she had been talking to her lover instead of a group of friends.

"You're what?" Xander asked first his face showing utter confusion.

"I'm pregnant." Faith stated again thinking Xander looked as if the baby was his. His look was so genuine confusion she expected him to blurt out 'is it mine?' at any moment.

"Are you sure?" Giles asked seriously.

Taking out the ultrasound pictures she laid them on the coffee table for anyone to see. One by one the group converged on the table to look at the photos. Pulling out the best one she handed it to Dawn. It was the best profile of the little nut growing inside her.

"That's pretty sure G-man." Xander piped up feeling the need to break the sudden silence.

"How far along?" Giles asked his face sad.

"Fourteen to sixteen weeks depending on how you look at it. The doc thinks sixteen but she is counting from the day of my last period. I say fourteen because I know the day of conception." Faith responds her face as emotionless as possible.

"I see" Giles says pausing to gather his thoughts. "I don't want to be the one to ask this but clearly I have to." He paused again. "Have you scheduled a date to terminate it." He asked the last part softly as if it hurt to say the words.

"What?" Buffy asked shocked at the idea. "Why would she terminate?"

"Buffy you know she has no choice. We were all there that night. We all heard what he said. We all know what that child could be." Giles said looking at Faith's stomach.

"So what? That doesn't mean we have to terminate." Buffy stated standing up and moving closer to Faith. "That child is innocent."

"And that child could be the incarnation of the First." Giles stated emphatically. "She knows when that child was conceived. She knows who it's Father is. She knows she cannot bring that child forth into this world." He said standing up and looking at Faith for confirmation.

"Giles stop." Willow said getting up and moving towards the older man. "We don't know any such thing. Even if that child is Caleb's there is still a chance that the child will be good."

"Is that a chance you want to take?" Xander asked looking at Willow. "We lost a lot of good innocent people that day. We lost friends. Do you want the First coming back in human form? Do you want another war? Do you want to risk the lives of hundreds just on the off chance that she might not be carrying Satan?"

"I'm keeping my baby."

"That is Enough Xander." Dawn said frowning.

"Is it?" He asked looking bemused

"It is. None of you have taken even a second to consider that this is Faith's child and Faith's body." Dawn stated simply.

"It may be her body and her child but don't we have a say?" Xander asked outraged.

"No you don't, none of us do. I am beyond sure that there are several laws passed not only by the state but by the supreme court that says she has control of her own body. Do any of you remember Roe vs. Wade?" Dawn asked looking at Xander as if he had lost his mind.

"Xander stop being an idiot." Anya said smacking Xander on the arm. "It's Faith's body and her choice. We can deal with whatever happens. If she gives birth to a reincarnation of the First than we will deal with it."

"I'm keeping my baby."

"Anya's right Xander. It is Faith's body and she does have the right to keep or abort." Kennedy said refraining from saying pregnancy or baby along with words like termination and abortion.

"Yeah but if it affects all of us I think we should be able to voice our thoughts." Xander pointed out.

"Yes Xander you can voice your thoughts but you have no right to tell me what I should do. This is my baby and I am keeping it." Faith said simply brooking no argument.

"How can you be willing to do this to us Faith? To the world?" Giles asked befuddled.

"Giles this is my child." Faith stated as if that explained everything.

Looking at Faith, Giles stopped. He saw the sadness in the younger woman's eyes. He didn't think he would have the fortitude or the courage to raise the child of the man who had violated him. It was a perspective he rarely took. Faith had gone through hell in some very literal terms and he could see that losing the child she carried would be the end for her. It would be losing yet another part of herself. "Anya is right Xander, we can deal with whatever happens as it happens."

Throwing his hands up in the air Xander looked at the group as if they had all lost their minds. Anya merely patted him on the shoulder. She couldn't help but smile at how dramatic he could be over things he had no control over.

"So really this meeting was just for the purpose of telling you that I am pregnant and that I am keeping this child. I would like your support, I know I will need it." Faith said knowing how hard it would be having a baby by herself.

"We are here for you Faith and we will help as much as we can." Buffy stated emphatically.

Smiling at Buffy, Faith wiped away the slight wetness at the corner of her eyes. The meeting had gone somewhat along the lines she had expected. Thankfully it had ended better than she had expected. The group was willing as a whole to accept her child.

Looking at Buffy, Faith wondered if they still had a chance at something more. She had expected Buffy to hate the idea of her being pregnant. She had expected Buffy to demand termination. She was surprised and happily so. It helped to prove that Buffy did care about her.