The fact that it was way too early in the morning to be waking up and that they were still in California didn’t change the fact that Faith was pretty sure that she heard a rooster crowing somewhere in the hotel.

It didn’t sound like the rooster she’d heard at dawn when she camped out in that old farmhouse on her way to California four years before. That was a crisp and welcomed sound, letting her know that she’d survived another long night.

No, this was different. It was the wrong pitch and the wrong sound, and it was totally killing the well-deserved sleep after burying the Hellmouth the day before.

And worst of all, it was coming from somewhere inside her room.

She cracked open one eye to find Buffy standing at the foot of her bed with her arms crossed over her chest and a grin spread across her face.

“Cucka-cucka-choooooo!” Buffy crowed again, trying to contain her laughter.

“I think you mean cock-a-doodle-doo,” Faith grumbled, pulling the blanket up over her head.

“Duly noted,” Buffy replied, tugging at the bottom of the blanket so that it slipped down from Faith’s face. “Today is the first day of the rest of your life, Faith. What do you want to do first?”

And there were lots of things to do. She still had to work out the arrangements of her new freedom with Angel, and she needed to talk to Giles about some kind of rehabilitation program. There was the matter of getting some ID and finding a place to stay, or finding out if she was welcomed to tag along with the Scoobies.

Heck, she even had to go out and buy new clothes.

Yes, there was indeed a lot to do.

Faith stretched languidly on the bed, sliding her hand under her small t-shirt to scratch her stomach.