Page 98 of Pain

It was hard not to be scared.

Therapy helped some, but she still didn't like to talk about everything that happened. She was embarrassed and ashamed of a lot of it, even though Xander had told her that she shouldn't be. Xander was easier to talk to than anyone because he knew exactly how she felt. He didn't try to understand, he did understand.

Still, even with him she held back.

"I'm going to run to the bathroom." Dad kissed her cheek before walking away.

"Okay." Faith wandered over to Xander. "I'm having so much fun." She looked around. "Can we go see the tigers again?"

"Sure, anything with stripes, right?" He nudged her playfully.

"They still aren't as cool as zebras." Faith moved with him down the walkway, closer to the bathrooms. "Do you have to work tonight?"

Xander shook his head. "Nope, not until Sunday unless something comes up."

"Can I ask you something?" She glanced around, making sure there was no one too close to hear them.

"Anything."

"Did you save me from the bad people?"

Xander's eyes went wide. "Why would you think that?"

She shrugged. She'd wanted to ask about it for a long time, but had been almost scared to, because they seemed to always be secretive about things that had to do with their work. "Well, Dad told me you work to help kids, then remember when you were shot?"

"I can't forget that." Xander rubbed his shoulder.

"When Dyson was talking about what happened, he said he painted a path to the kids for the police to follow. When the police found me, I heard them say someone had painted a path for them to follow." She stared into his eyes. "You saved me just like you and Dyson did the kids that night you got shot, right?"

Xander didn't say anything for several minutes. "Why are you asking this now? That happened almost a year ago."

"I was scared you'd get mad if I asked, but I guess I'm getting braver."

Xander smiled. "Yes, you are." He hugged her, and as he did, he whispered against her ear, "it's a secret. I'm not allowed to tell you."

She pulled back. "I knew you did." She hugged him hard, then stepped back. "Thank you."

"The policefoundyou." He narrowed his eyes at her, but she could tell by the way he was looking at her that the team had been the ones to paint the path for them to follow.

"I love you." She smiled.

"Hey, do I get some of that love too?" Dad walked up.

"I love you too, Dad." She hugged him. "So, can we go see the tigers?"

"We can head that way, then we need to think about leaving," Her dad told her as he exchanged a strange look with Xander.

It was a look that she knew very well. They used it when they were up to something and didn't want to tell her.

"Then can we get ice cream?" She figured she might as well ask while they were in a good mood.

"Sure." Xander reached for Dad's hand, then hers.

"This day can't get any better." She started to walk toward the tiger enclosure.

"And, maybe after ice cream, we can stop by the pet shelter and see about getting a dog," Matt said behind her.

Faith released Xander's hand as she turned to look at her dad. "Really?"

Xander laughed. "Told you she wouldn't believe you."

Dad nodded. "You and Xander have talked me into it. What do you say, still want a dog?"

Faith flew into his arms, tears filling her eyes. "I love you so much."

As Xander stepped into the hug, she'd couldn't remember ever being happier. Life was good, and it was just about to get better.

She hugged her dads hard, never wanting to let go. Well, at least until they got the dog!