As Faith watched from the ether at Bruce's reunion with Rachel, her heart clenched within her chest and she felt tears welling in her eyes. Bruce looked completely happy, joyous even to have Rachel returned to him. His smile was one of complete love and devotion and Faith felt her heart break in two as she watched Bruce take Rachel into his arms and hold her like his life depended upon it.

She had always known deep down that Bruce wouldn't choose her in the end and she had been right. While he may have loved her, his history with Rachel had shaped and defined him irrevocably and as Faith watched...Bruce lifted Rachel into his arms and kissed her deeply, his hazel eyes burning with raw intensity.

Faith could see the disappointment but understanding in her friend's gazes...even Angel seemed resigned and Faith knew he wouldn't hold it against Bruce for choosing Rachel in the end.

When Whistler came at Buffy's insistence and the particulars of Faith's deal was shared, there was a moment where Bruce looked away with pained understanding, almost guilt...but it wasn't until D'Hoffryn showed and explained the promise that Faith had extracted, that Bruce's face shuttered and fell in sad realization. It was clear that while he may have loved her, he loved Rachel more.

As Faith watched from the outside looking in, what was left of her heart broke irreparably and died in that moment. There was no way Bruce would have remembered Whistler's words...that there was a chance that Faith could return if he had chosen her in the end. But he didn't and he hadn't...so Faith was left alone...again.

Time had passed and when the powers had offered Faith a chance to return, she wasn't sure what to do...her destiny had been fulfilled and there wasn't anything left for her amongst the land of the living. But there wasn't anything for her in the afterlife either...

Six months after her death...Faith returned...the Powers giving her a place of stature and wealth in her new life and Faith decided to head back to Boston...to start over...

When she'd returned, Faith was given a beautiful Brownstone in Beacon Hill and from there she spent the next six months finishing her GED and applying to Harvard's Business undergraduate Program...deciding that just maybe, after what Bruce had said once about her having a nose for business, that she might just find success with it. Her classes were interesting and a year into school, she'd made a few friends, but kept to herself for the most part.

Faith had purposefully not sought any information on Bruce Wayne or Rachel Dawes, preferring to forget that time in her life completely. As time passed, her love for Bruce turned to hurt, then hate. The anger she felt at his dismissal after everything she'd given to him hurt more everyday. By the end of her sophomore year, one of her classes was having a guest speaker come in on the final week of class...the syllabus hadn't indicated whom the guest lecturer was...and as it turned out...it was the last person she ever wanted to see again.

Sitting quietly in class next to her friend Verity, both women were discussing another class they had together when the professor walked in and introduced their guest speaker...Bruce Wayne.

Faith's eyes widened, but then her expression closed off completely as the man himself walked in from the back door, nodding at the students and smiling in welcome. The lights dimmed thankfully, as Bruce stood at the podium, and discussed Wayne Energy's new division in green technology...all thanks to her...and her sacrifice...

Faith grimaced as she stared at the slide presentation, feeling herself getting angrier by the minute, but thankfully her Slayer Powers were sufficient to control her more murderous tendencies these days. When the lecture was over...the class applauded, but Faith just shook her head and leant down to grab her bookbag. As she stood up with the rest of her class, her eyes locked with hazel ones and the shocked look on Bruce Wayne's face was priceless. Faith sneered in revulsion before moving quickly out of the classroom, ignoring her name being called by Verity as she walked swiftly out of the lecture hall and towards the parking lot.

She had almost reached her car, when she felt a strong hand grasp her upper arm...knowing instinctively whom it was who'd accosted her.

Faith stopped in her tracks as her whole body stiffened with angry awareness, but she refused to turn around...even when Bruce whispered her name pleadingly.

"Faith...Is it really you?"

Faith took a deep breath in and wrenched her arm free before moving towards her car, not bothering to answer Bruce's question. When she went to open her car door, it slammed shut in front of her and she could see Bruce's left hand on the top of the door frame...and the golden wedding band that glinted in the sunlight, silently mocking her.

"Remove your hand Wayne or I will break it in two and you along with it."

Bruce hissed out a sharp breath but slowly moved his hand back, but he didn't move his body away, choosing to remain in close proximity instead.

"Please look at me Faith."

"Fuck off Wayne...you made your choice...go back to her and forget you ever saw me. I'm dead to you remember..."

"Faith..." Bruce whispered out in agony. "I thought you were gone."

Faith laughed out harshly. "No, you were glad I died...be honest Wayne. You got what you'd wanted and forgot all about me before my body was cold in the ground...which I knew you would. You never loved me...so it shouldn't be too difficult to forget me this time too..."

"That's not true Faith. I loved you, you know that."

Faith was quiet, not choosing to entertain that lie with a response. Opening her car door, she slid inside and started the engine, not bothering to spare a glance at the man she'd sacrificed everything for.

Making her way back home, Faith parked her car and walked inside, placing her bookbag on the couch and heading towards her kitchen to grab something to eat. It wasn't even thirty minutes later when the doorbell to her home rang. Fuck! How the fuck did he manage to find her so fast?

Staring mutinously at where the sound was coming from, Faith opened her fridge and placed a few items on the counter...purposefully ignoring the doorbell, then the pounding, then Bruce calling her name...pleading with her to come and let him inside.

The man was persistent, Faith had to give him that as he banged on her door for an hour before he left. Sighing in relief, Faith put her dishes in the dishwasher before deciding to get some reading done.

An hour later her doorbell rang again and when she went to look through her peephole, she noticed Verity standing there looking awkward...opening the door to her friend, Verity sighed out the word 'sorry' before Bruce barged into the entryway and slammed the door shut, his hazel eyes filled with barely restrained emotion.

"Nice Wayne...you accosted my friend and used her to come here and harass me? Heaven forbid Bruce Wayne doesn't get exactly what he fucking wants, right?"

"Faith..." Bruce growled out in warning but Faith just snarled at him with undisguised hatred, which took him aback momentarily.

"You're not welcome in my home, or my life...so why the fuck are you here?"

"You're angry, I get it..."

Faith laughed out loud, the caustic sound had Bruce flinching in pain.

"I'm not angry Wayne...not anymore. I hate you...how's that for a news flash? There's nothing you could ever say or do to make not hate your guts. Now remove yourself...the only reason you're here is to try and make yourself feel better about the fact you used me and then conveniently forgot about me once you had your precious Rachel back. I see you married her, I'd offer my congratulations but since I died so you could have your happy little ending, you'll forgive me if I feel like I've given enough to your happiness at the expense of my own."

Bruce's lips thinned as he took in Faith's body language and facial expression, which were filled with more hurt, anger and pain than when he'd first gotten involved with her.

"Faith, I thought you were dead."

"No, you knew that there was a chance I could return...Whistler even indicated as much...or did you conveniently forget that too?"

Bruce's eyes widened and his face paled as he realized belatedly that Faith was right and he hadn't thought about that at all. He'd been so excited to see Rachel and devastated by Faith's death he'd forgotten what Whistler had said that day.

"Yeah, you remember don't you Wayne...feeling some guilt, maybe just a bit?" Faith mocked as she grinned in a way that Bruce had never seen before. This, was a side of Faith he had never seen...

"I'm going to give you to the count of three to get the fuck out of my home. If you don't, I will come for you Bruce Wayne and I'll destroy you and everything you have, I'll take it and burn it to ash...I think you know I'm powerful enough to do it." When Bruce refused to leave Faith spat out, "D'Hoffryn could you come to me please?"

Bruce's eyes widened in fear as he shook his head... "Faith, don't do it...please beautiful...don't do it...I'm so sorry...I loved you Faith...I still love you..."

Faith sneered as the portal opened and the Lord of Vengeance stood there in all his glory...his face smiling as he took in the angry Slayer before him.

"Ah Slayer...it has been much too long...what can I do for you?"

Faith gave Bruce one last look of utter loathing before turning to the blue demon and smiled evilly.

"I've decided to take you up on your offer."

Bruce's face paled and he desperately reached for Faith, but was prevented from moving at all...his eyes silently pleading for Faith to not make this choice.

"You wish to become a Vengeance Demon?"

Faith laughed. "Nothing so drastic. I wish to rescind my promise from you to protect Gotham..."

D'Hoffryn smiled widely and then turned to the mortal whose face was completely ashen in horror.

"Faith...beautiful...please don't do this..." Bruce pleaded.

"You are sure, Slayer? If I do this, Gotham will not survive what is to come."

Faith stared at her former lover with cold eyes that were completely unforgiving. "I'm sure...let it burn."

Bruce woke up with a start, his pulse racing and chest heaving with adrenaline as he tried to shake his mind clear of the nightmare he'd just had. Looking over at the clock, it was a bit past seven in the morning. Running his hands down his face, Bruce grabbed his cell phone and sighed despondently when he'd noticed there was no new message from his wife.

Standing up and walking towards the bathroom to relieve himself, Bruce shook his head clear. It had been almost a month since Faith had left Gotham...on an assignment from Wolfram and Hart...she was helping curate a new Egyptian weaponry exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Art.

His wife had become a verifiable weapons expert and had been called upon several times in the last three years of their marriage to evaluate collections from various museums around the world. Faith had tried to stay relatively close to Gotham however, and had only taken two jobs internationally...one in Rome and another in Istanbul.

Their honeymoon had been glorious and those memories always put a smile upon Bruce's face. In the past three years since they'd returned home from Paris...they'd actively engaged in trying to add to their family, with no success. After the first year, Faith had been disappointed...but cautiously optimistic that they'd get pregnant eventually...after the second year his wife had been despondent over the fact that she had failed to give him a child, an Heir. She had become distant and at times, depressed...despite his repeated attempts to let her know that he loved her no matter what and it didn't matter to him whether or not they had a child.

Faith's periods had never been a regular thing...likely due to being a Slayer she had very little body fat...if any. Her OB/GYN had told her that due to that fact, it might take a while for a pregnancy to take hold. Bruce had brought up the subject of seeing a fertility specialist two months ago which Faith had refused...and when he'd broached the subject of adoption...Faith had stormed out of the house and hadn't returned home that night...offering no immediate explanation as to her state of mind.

Four weeks ago, they had attended a Wayne Foundation event together...and as luck would have it, Bruce's old girlfriend from Yale had been there with her new husband. Camille Enders, whom he had dated for six months his sophomore year, was seven months pregnant with twins...Bruce had been thrilled to see her and had offered his congratulations to both Camille and her husband Edgar...Faith had been polite but when they'd gotten home, she had stormed upstairs and refused to talk to him.

This had led to the first real fight of their marriage. In the end, Faith had screamed out hurtful words, finishing with 'I'll bet you wished you'd chosen Rachel instead...maybe she could've given you a child...'

Bruce had been shocked silent and then angry...angrier than he'd ever been in his life. He had chastised Faith's insecurity and told her she was being ridiculous, over emotional and petty. The look of devastation and hurt had made Bruce rethink his words for a moment, but then his wife had grabbed her bag and left their Penthouse. Bruce had found out the next morning she had left for Boston, taking the job that Micah had offered without saying goodbye.

The first few days, Bruce had been livid and had refused to call or text Faith, thinking that she'd come to her senses and text him...or call and apologize. When the days passed and she hadn't done either, Bruce had traced her phone...making sure she in Boston and safe. The fifth day he'd texted her with a simple message...'I love you beautiful'...but Faith had not responded.

Everyday since, Bruce had texted his wife and every night he'd left the same voice mail message...he knew she'd received them...but she didn't respond and Bruce knew his wife well enough to know that when she got like this, the only thing he could do was give her the space she needed...

After ten days he'd called Angel in his desperation and the vampire had listened and offered some advice, promising he'd call Faith and check up on her. Bruce was grateful and had Angel promise to call him and let him know how Faith was faring.

At the end of the second week without his wife, the nightmares had started in earnest and they'd only gotten worse as time went by. Bruce had to wonder if Faith was going to come back to him...Angel mentioning that Faith had refused to return his calls or texts either.

As Bruce made his way to Wayne Enterprises, he couldn't help but wonder how he could help Faith...it was clear she felt terribly insecure because she hadn't gotten pregnant...but Bruce simply wasn't worried. If it happened he would be ecstatic but he loved his wife more...he could live without anything in his life, except her.

As he entered his office, Bruce noticed a small wrapped box sitting on his desk. Looking back, he'd noticed that Kathy wasn't at her usual spot. Sighing softly, he sat down in his chair and cradled the small rectangular box inside his hands. There was no note, nor card to indicate where the gift had come from. Shaking his head, he slowly unwrapped the paper and opened the lid...his heart skipping several beats as he gazed in wonder at the small silver spoon nestled inside the blue velvet. The handle had the Wayne Family Crest and folded in the top of the box, there was a small note.

With shaking hands, Bruce unfolded the paper and his heart leapt at the words scrawled in his wife's perfect handwriting...

I'm so sorry I've been such a mess lately...turns out my hormones were all over the place because we are going to have a baby...our child...please forgive me for being so horrible lately...you have to know how much I love you. There has only been two things in this world I've ever wanted...you and our child. I love you my husband, more than my own life.

Bruce's breath caught as he lifted up the small, perfect gift and clutched it to his chest feeling a few tears leaking from his eyes. When his gaze lifted, he saw his exquisite bride standing in the doorway of his office...her eyes filled with love, but her posture was hesitant.

"Hi." She said softly.

Bruce stood up and made his way quickly to his Faith, lifting her up into his embrace and kissing her breathless. After a few minutes, he pulled back and responded, "Hi beautiful. I've missed you."

Tears fell down Faith's cheeks as she choke out a sob. "I've missed you too. I'm so sorry."

Bruce shook his head. "I'm sorry baby...I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I don't ever want you to think that there is anything in this world more important to me than you. I'm thrilled about the pregnancy, but you need to know that whether we have one child, ten children or none...you are my family...everything else is just a bonus. Please don't ever doubt that."

Faith nodded as she tilted her forehead into Bruce's chest. "You're my family too and I'm sorry I forgot that. I just wanted this so much Bruce...was it so wrong of me to want a child for us?"

Bruce cupped Faith's cheeks and kissed her again before answering. "No beautiful, it's not wrong...something so wonderful could never be wrong. How did you find out?"

"Home pregnancy test...ten of them a few days ago. I've been sick to my stomach and at first I thought it was stress. I went to my OB yesterday and she did a quick ultrasound as well as a pregnancy test to confirm it. I'm eleven weeks. I've been so stressed, I haven't had my period but it's not like that hasn't happened before so I didn't think anything of it. Being more emotional...well, apparently that happens when your pregnant."

Bruce smiled and wrapped his wife into his arms, leading her over to his couch by the window and cuddling her into his side, kissing her temple softly. "I should have guessed, but honestly...I didn't even think about it either. Are you feeling alright?"

"I'm okay for the most part...tired and a little nauseous first thing in the morning. I finished my job with the museum and I told Micah yesterday that I'm officially taking a break from work for a while. I don't want to add anymore stress on myself."

Bruce nodded in agreement. "I think that's perfectly fine. When do you go back and see your doctor?"

"I set up a visit for next week on Thursday to do a follow up. She did mention that sex was fine however...so not to worry."

Bruce chuckled deeply. "Good to know. Perhaps we might head home and get started on that as soon as possible. I haven't seen my beautiful wife in nearly a month and I've missed her...ached for her..."

Faith blushed, which she always did when her husband talked like that to her. She simply loved that side of him...the dominant, sexy side of Bruce Wayne.

"I've missed you too."

Grabbing his gift and sliding it into his suit pocket, Bruce wrapped an arm possessively around his wife and led her to the elevator, ignoring the curious looks from his employees. He really couldn't be bothered with work right now...right now he needed to spend the foreseeable future making love to his wife and reminding her viscerally how much he worshipped her. Smiling down into large brown eyes that were staring up at him with adoration, Bruce Wayne couldn't help but think he was a very lucky man indeed. For a brief moment, his mind went back to the nightmare he'd had this morning before he came to the conclusion that no matter what the future had in store for he and his Faith, he had followed his heart and made the right choice...the only choice...and that choice was the woman nestled into his side who was his entire world. He owed her everything...and Bruce Wayne would never let her go.

END OF PART ONE