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**THE
OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD**
PART 1
"This
way!!!" Buffy said as Faith was heading on the left, the
brunette stopped,
"No this way."
"Faith,
it got that way!" Buffy insisted.
"You
dumb or what?! Day light outside, it's never gonna go there."
"It's a demon you stupid, doesn't care about day light besides do you really think its horns can go through this tight hole?"
Buffy was pointing out where Faith wanted to go.
"It's maybe a demon, B but it ain't going outside in the middle of main street at 3 pm on a Saturday afternoon, Blondie."
Buffy just sighed heavily, she gave Faith a nasty gaze.
"Fine, go your way, I'll go mine."
"Well, how about we head back home." Kennedy said as she stood in front of them.
The younger slayer was holding the demon's head by the horns.
"How did you get him?"
"By actually chasing it after you both let it go."
"We didn't."
"Yeah well, what were you doing there, arguing, not chasing it that's for sure. Anyway tired now." Kennedy passed by them with no more words.
"See, it wasn't outside." Faith told Buffy in a disdaining tone.
"Well, it certainly wasn't in that hole either missy."
Kennedy sighed blasé and continued.
~~~~
"Giles please tell me you've got our tickets and stuff please."
Kennedy sounded exasperated as she opened the door. The 2 slayers were still arguing behind her.
"Hum well did you find the demon?" The watcher just asked.
"Yes, dead. Now when do we leave?" Kennedy asked again. Willow arrived with Vi. Kennedy didn’t look pissed off anymore.
"Mmm baby." she sensually said.
Willow came to her and they kissed.
Faith passed by them, "Get a room."
"They're just happy to see each other, it's not always about sex, you know. There's a thing called love you know. Oh stupid me, how could you?"
Faith was about to reply to Buffy's sarcasm but Kennedy went ahead of her,
"Giles please!"
"Hum yes I've got your tickets."
"Wonderful." Kennedy said as she pulled Willow to her and kissed her fiercely this time.
Faith slumped on the couch,
"Fine, so while the two love birds get a free honeymoon in New Mexico we're stuck here chasing sewers demons, that sucks!"
"Well actually Faith, you're going there too."
"What?!"
"What?!"
"What?!"
In the order; Kennedy's, Willow's and Buffy's exclamations while Faith just gave Giles a surprised gaze.
Kennedy tried to look calm and not exasperated at all,
"No Giles, remember, we said alone me and Willow, alone you know, at least without any of these two."
"Hey what's wrong with us?" Buffy exclaimed in her turn.
Vi raised her eyebrows, "That's a good question."
"Giles, you said it was probably just a bunch of vampires, little nest, Ken and I can take them."
"I've had other news today, a few people actually ended up at the hospital and I'm having much trouble identifying what you'll be against but it sure involves supernatural, so I really don't want to risk any of your lives by underestimating the enemy."
"Vi can come with us then, and Rona too when she's back." Kennedy almost pleaded.
"Kennedy, Rona won't be back until at least next week and anyway, I want someone with older experiences as a slayer."
Buffy sighed ironically,
"Yes cause Faith has such solid experiences in slaying, like blowing things up totally for example."
"Screw you, B." Faith gave Buffy a nasty gaze that the blonde returned.
"That's gonna be so funny." Kennedy ironically said.
Giles tried to remain serious and firm,
"I just want everything to go right."
Buffy frowned hugely, "So you're sending Faith?"
"Shut up!" Faith told her, almost about to get up to walk to her when Giles added,
"No, that's why you're both going; I mean the four of you."
"Oh." Kennedy just said, seemingly less irritated by that to Willow's surprise.
The redhead on the other hand sighed,
"Well I think I'm finally gonna stay here."
Kennedy grabbed her by the waist,
"Huh huh honey, no way you're escaping me, we'll eat burritos under the stars, and I'll show you how sweating southern nights can be.”
Buffy lightly said, "That's poetry."
Giles cleared his throat,
"It's late and you're leaving early tomorrow so I suggest you all go rest now."
"Oooh that's a plan I like." Kennedy said as she lifted Willow who let a slight gasp at the sudden movement before laughing while her girlfriend carried her upstairs.
"Hey! Giles said rest!" Buffy yelled at them amusingly.
"You jealous, B. Haven’t got any puppy to play with no more, next time try not to get them all whiny and suicidal for you and oh also, try not to kill them because that can scares them too. Good night." Faith ironically said before leaving.
"Bitch." Buffy grumbled very low.
Giles inhaled deeply with a smile and said,
"Wonderful, tomorrow we're all on holiday here."
Vi laughed and Buffy frowned, scolding, then left to her room.
~~~~
"God I SO love when you've just come back from patrol, oh God."
Kennedy licked Willow’s belly again. She removed the witch's pants and panties in the process. She savagely licked on Willow’s navel and stomach,
"I can't get enough of your skin baby."
"God that pierced tongue of yours, Kennedy it's oh God God-"
That was Willow’s last words before she started moaning and breathing harder under Kennedy's tongue's ministrations on her sensitive spot.
~~~~
Buffy walked in the huge training room Giles had made in the basement of the house, she frowned,
"You there."
"Yeah, gotta problem with that?" Faith said with the same detached tone as Buffy.
"Gotta train, you done yet?" Buffy asked very coldly.
Faith looked at her, "No." she replied with a satisfied smile.
"How long?"
"Dunno, just gotten started."
Faith was obviously lying as she was already covered by sweats.
Buffy smiled sarcastically,
"What? You didn't find some boy toy to let steam off tonight? That's what you do usually."
Faith turned around, "What's your problem, B?"
"Don't have any problem, I just want to train that's all."
"Yeah well, not finished yet so go back upstairs bore someone else, will you?"
Buffy looked at Faith from head to toe,
"Looks to me like you're done."
"I'm done when I say I'm done ok? You're not the boss anymore Buffy so get the hell away, training room's everyone’s."
Faith punched hard on the punching ball.
"Never pretended that, and since the training room's everyone’s I can stay here too."
"Why? Oh I get it; you wanna get a real training, don’t you?" Faith said looking at her mischievously while moving a bit aside, invitingly.
Buffy walked forward,
"That's right, I'd forgotten how much you love to get your ass kicked."
Faith smiled wickedly, "Yes, that must be that."
They were both already very focused. They launched at each other.
PART 2
Willow let out a loud sigh as she came. She was still holding the sheets and Kennedy's hair very tight as Kennedy made her way up the red head's body; kissing her neck widely, undoing slowly the button of the witch's shirt.
"God that was." Willow just breathed out.
"You are just that way baby." Kennedy told her with a naughty smile, they kissed for a long while and Willow suddenly gave a long annoyed sigh out.
"What's wrong love?"
"Huh oh no sorry not you, was just thinking, I can't believe Giles is doing that to us, sending the two of them."
"We'll deal."
"You weren't very pleased to know Faith was coming and you're the first one to tell me how much they're unbearable lately, but it doesn't seem to bother you that much now that they're both coming?”
"Well, sure I'd rather go there with just you but believe me, I know by experience that having them both, as bothering as it is, is WAY better than having one without the other, trust me, this is much worse."
"Sounds strange since they can't bear each other which is, ok they have a history of not liking each other and fighting but, I mean with The First they were... well maybe it's because they HAD to get along that they did, as much as they could and now their hatred is just coming back on the surface, maybe?"
"They don't hate each other." Kennedy just said as she removed Willow’s shirt by lifting her girlfriend a little bit to do so, she placed kisses on Willow's collarbone.
Willow raised her brows,
"Huh hon did you just tune in or, I'm sorry but-"
"Ssh." Kennedy said as she placed her finger on Willow's lips,
"I have my own theory on the two of them but I don't think anyone wanna hear it right now."
"Yes I do, the others too, everyone wanna hear it."
Willow said wanting to reassure her girlfriend who looked at her seductively and smiled. Willow had not really understood her comment.
"When I say anyone I meant me. I think we have better things to do than talk about these two, don't you think?"
She moved on top of Willow as she said that, her hand slid further down until... their door room slammed opened, they turned their head in a rush and Willow cuddled into Kennedy who was still dressed which wasn't her case.
"Hey!" Kennedy exclaimed.
"Hurry you gotta come!"
"Get the hell out of here Dawn!" Kennedy exclaimed again.
"They're gonna kill each other!"
Willow frowned, "What?!"
"Buffy and Faith, in the training room, you gotta do something."
"Oh shit, they're probably just training."
"Well I really think it's serious this time." Vi said with a frown as she was standing behind Dawn. Willow took the cover and put it on herself as she looked at Kennedy,
"Please baby, go, just check out, please."
Kennedy sighed, "Fine."
She got up and turned around to Willow a last time,
"But you and I gotta seriously talk about moving in together...somewhere else.”
She was pissed off, not at Willow of course. The witch slightly smiled at the situation before her worries about the girls came back. Kennedy walked in the training room, the 2 girls behind her, she put her hands on her hips and sighed at the sight of the 2 slayers sparring blows and kicks on the fighting mat.
"Do something, do something." Dawn told her worriedly.
"They're just-" Kennedy stopped as the word training wasn't willing to come out, that's really not what it was.
"They're not fighting, I mean, whatever it is they're doing they're ok with it."
"You sure?" Dawn asked still looking very afraid. Kennedy turned to the slayers who were still caught up into each other.
"Oh!!" she yelled.
They both stopped. They were on the ground, Faith was squeezing Buffy's head while the blonde had just pinned her on the ground. They both looked up. There was a trail of blood escaping from Faith's lips and one escaping from Buffy's arch of the eyebrow.
They looked at the intruders in surprise, still holding each other.
"You scared the kids." Kennedy told them in a blasé tone.
Vi pouted, "We're not kids."
"What? Why? Dawn oh no, we were just-"
"Training." Faith completed Buffy's sentence. They both moved away from each other.
"Really?" Dawn asked still unsure.
"Yes, Dawn, don't worry."
Kennedy was already out of the basement.
"And we were done anyway, I kicked her ass."
"Really not what it seemed to me missy."
"Want more, B?"
"Bring it on." Buffy replied as mischievously as Faith.
Vi frowned,
"Girls? Remember Giles said to get some rest, I think it's pretty much time to stop trainin,g don't you think?"
"You're right." Buffy said looking at her sister who still looked unsure about the whole thing.
"Shower and bed time."
She left with her sister as to reassure her. Faith went to her room a short time after that.
~~~~
Kennedy walked into her room again.
"So?" Willow asked worriedly.
"What do you think? I was right they were just... well, training or so they call it."
"We gotta do something for these two or it's gonna end badly one of these days."
"Well, first we gotta talk remember, there's a nice apartment not very far from-"
"Ssh." Kennedy was interrupted by Willow's finger on her lips, the witch then told her in a naughty tone,
"I thought we had better things to do than talk."
She kissed the brunette’s neck and added still very sensually,
"So, where were we?"
"There." Kennedy said as she switched position and leaned Willow on her back to move on top of her.
~~~~
They were on the plane the next morning, on their way to New Mexico. Willow had fallen asleep in her girlfriend's arms as soon as the plane had taken off. Kennedy was fully awake and caressing Willow's hair, enjoying.
Buffy
and Faith were sitting on the raw beside them, after arguing for
about ten minutes about the seats and who should sit next to the
window, they'd finally calmed down. After an hour Faith had fallen
asleep too, her head slowly slid against Buffy. She was now
completely against her chest.
Buffy hesitantly moved her hand, she very slowly moved her fingers to Faith's face and tremblingly ran her fingertips on Faith's corner of the lips, where she still had a small bruise from their previous night's fight. Buffy's touch was very soft, then she let her fingers run a bit further to her chin. She removed her hand in a hurry as if she'd been burnt. She shook her head and blushed unwillingly at her gesture, she looked in front of her as if to check no one had seen anything; on her left, no one; on her right... Kennedy was watching her. Buffy gulped but very fast looked ahead of her very naturally as if nothing happened.
Kennedy sighed and gave a quick glance up with a whatever look on, before focusing on her girlfriend again.
~~~~
"Here we are. Yes, 2 separate rooms, victory!!" Kennedy said as she explored their hotel room.
Willow arrived in a hurry and dropped her bag on the floor.
"Gotta pee."
"We’d gotten that already." Faith said mockingly at Willow's fidgeting movements.
As Kennedy went to the room on the left, Faith opened the other room's door,
"I hope there's- shit."
Buffy walked closer to see what Faith was looking at and she frowned too,
"Dammit."
Both slayers were looking at the one and ONLY large bed."
Buffy sighed,
"Anyway, I take this side."
She moved inside.
"No, why?"
"Because."
"I
let you sit at the window though it was my place, my
ticket but it was the only way to make you shut up in the plane so
now I get to decide, and I choose that side."
"No you take the other one. It's just like for the plane, you always go to the restroom ten times a day! Restrooms are this way so this is where you sleep; don't want you to wake me up each time. It's very simple, just a question of brightness."
"Who you're calling dumb here? You're the stupid one, what would it change for me to get out of the bed and walk around it to go to the restrooms? And by the way, I don't go there that often."
Buffy sighed ironically, "Huh."
Faith went on with the same ironic tone as Buffy's,
"Well you know why I get up that often? It's because I can't sleep because of your snoring, keeps me awake all night."
"I don't snore."
"No you're right, rather sounds like you're using a chain saw."
"Fuck you. I take that side."
"No I do."
Both girls had put their bags on the bed and were pushing the other one's away.
Kennedy and Willow walked in the room,
"Ok, you do know this is getting lame, right?"
Buffy pouted, "She started it."
Kennedy sighed, "Girls? What's your age again?"
Both slayers looked a bit ashamed.
"Fine, sleep wherever you want, I'm heading downstairs see if they have earplugs so that I can sleep tonight." Faith surrendered.
Faith left the room. Buffy smiled embarrassed then lightly told her friends,
“I don't snore. She's completely out of her mind I think."
"Oh no, not a word I would've used to describe any of you." Kennedy said very ironically before leaving to her room with Willow.
PART 3
Kennedy walked in her room, dragging Willow behind her,
"God these two are gonna drive me crazy!"
Willow gave her a nice smile and teased her,
"Weren't you the one who would rather have them both at the same time, remember?"
"Don't start, Will."
Kennedy put her hands on her girlfriend's waist making her slowly walk backwards until she was against the wall.
Kennedy moved closer,
"I need to unleash some... frustration right now."
She kissed Willow's neck and slowly downwards. Willow moaned but then focused while Kennedy was still kissing her way down,
"Err baby I- Oh, don't you think we should go outside, try to figure out what's causing trouble? I think we should start by- oh God, Oh God... start by... yes, there."
Willow breathed out the last words as she surrendered to her girlfriend. Kennedy was kneeling and had lifted Willow's skirt and removed her panties, there was no way Willow would ever resist her pierced tongue, not once.
~~~~
Buffy went outside for a walk then back and she was now wandering in the small hotel corridor. She spotted Faith walking to the bar, she smiled inwardly and headed towards her until a man got ahead of her and sat beside the brunette girl talking to her. Buffy frowned disappointingly then shook her head thinking she had no reason to, she didn’t want to be close to Faith after all because she hated her SO much. She remained standing for a while though but when she understood the man would not leave anytime soon as they already looked in cozy talking, she decided to walk back to the room thinking she could hang with Kennedy and Willow if they were done with their little session in the room, which was at first, the reason why Buffy left the hotel room... too much noises from these two.
Unfortunately for her, when she arrived the two girls were also out, leaving a note saying they would go out to check out the area. Buffy sighed and slumped in a couch turning the TV on.
~~~~
Willow and Kennedy were walking in the street, observing discreetly any sign of their demons or whatever it was that was creating the fuss in town. Night was slowly falling. Kennedy then put her hand on Willow keeping her backwards as she seemed focused on something. Willow searched carefully the area when they both saw a man thrown out of a bar across the street. They both frowned, Kennedy meant to move forward but Willow held her,
“Wait, you don’t know what it is.”
“Just gonna check.”
“No, we get Buffy and Faith back here and then you go.”
Kennedy could see Willow was worried, she never wanted her to be scared so she smiled,
“Ok I won’t do anything, go and get them-“
Kennedy
stopped and looked at the sky now really dark, she continued,
“Ok,
I come with you.”
She preferred to walk Willow back in case of.
Kennedy let Willow in the lobby to go warn the others while she left back immediately. Willow found Buffy in the room,
“We found it.”
Buffy got up in a sudden,
“Where and what is it?”
“Don’t know yet, I preferred to warn you now hurry cause Kennedy’s already back there, she feared it might leave the place and I fear she might follow it if it does so, and I don’t want her to be alone, we don’t know what it is yet. Where is Faith?”
Buffy sighed,
“Probably at the bar.”
Willow told her firmly,
“Well go and get her then, and hurry please. It’s at “Ramon’s bar" , it's a little street at the town's exit, corner with the main road, not very far, go straight through the road”
“Ok I’m on it, you’re staying here ok?”
“No, I mean yes I stay, I’m gonna try a demon locator spell, see if there’s more than one or maybe even find out what it really is and I join you back.”
“Will I’d prefer you to stay here and you know what Ken wants.”
Willow said firmly,
“Hurry, and tell her I join you in a few minutes. End of discussion.”
Buffy left. She arrived at the bar, spotted Faith still talking with the guy, she was smiling sensually at him. Buffy sighed and headed to her and interrupted without even looking at the guy,
“You don’t mind, we’ve got work to do.”
Faith slightly laughed,
“Wow B, Where are your manners. You could say hi.”
Buffy turned to look at the man, she gave him a fake smile,
“Hi, she's right I’m really sorry; I’m Buffy and Faith here is not gonna fuck you tonight, you can go now, bye.”
She turned to look at Faith,
“Now motor.”
Faith got up and stared at her,
“Who do you think you are Buffy?!”
The guy got up,
“Well ladies I think I’m gonna leave you.”
Faith firmly said,
“You, stay here!”
The guy frowned a bit, Buffy was still smiling,
“Well Faith I am a cook and I’m here for a big meal but I think you probably don’t remember, anyway, Kennedy found the ingredients and is waiting for us to do the tossing.”
Faith reluctantly got up still looking mad at Buffy, she turned to the guy,
“Well I gotta go, was nice talking to you, maybe I’ll see you later.”
Buffy turned to the guy,
“You shouldn’t wait for her you know, cooking’s always very long and Faith is not the patient type, she’ll probably find another boy to play with before she comes back here, sorry.”
She started leaving, Faith caught her in the lobby,
“Hey what're you trying to do B!”
“What? Like I’m wrong anyway, you'll bang the first one on our way home.”
“You’re a bitch you know that Buffy?”
“No this is your role Faith.”
“Well I don't think I’m the one who stole the one guy I liked.” Faith replied.
“Never did that, Faith. You don’t remember because this, too, is your usual role.”
“So this is what it’s all about? Riley? Angel and Riley? You did that only for revenge then?”
“I didn’t do anything, not my fault Robin left, besides, don’t tell me you liked him that much?”
“Doesn’t matter, and yes it’s your fault, you’re the one who told him shits about me and got in his bed then.”
“Didn’t do such things, besides what kind of shit could have I told that would be worse than the real thing?”
Faith instinctive reply was to slap her but she didn’t, she began walking away instead, Buffy called her,
“Hey the mission!”
“Go to Hell Buffy!”
Faith entered some restrooms and Buffy followed her after a short while,
“Knew we couldn’t count on you, always giving up, letting me down- I mean- your mission down for some guy banging stories!”
Faith was mad, she went out of the bathroom, just wanting to be left alone but Buffy followed her and they were back in the lobby,
"Leave me alone Buffy!"
"Why? Don't like to hear the truth?!"
"You don't know jack about the truth Buffy. Get off my back or I swear I'll make you."
"Wanna hit me... for a change."
Suddenly they were interrupted,
“What the hell are you two still doing here?”
It was Willow, they both looked annoyed suddenly, Buffy hesitantly began,
“Err we were hum”
“Arguing again! While Kennedy’s still out there.”
Willow didn’t even scold them as she was already outside heading to the bar, the slayers followed, putting aside their argument for once.
~~In the meantime in front of the bar~~
Kennedy, once she was back in her watching spot decided to move closer to the bar when a woman closed its door. She observed it and heard some noise coming from the back, she frowned in annoyance, looked at the road from which the slayers were supposed to come,
*they’ll probably be there soon*
She didn’t give it more thought and went in a dark alley along the bar, she noticed a little grate and discreetly bent to pull it out, she crept inside slowly. She arrived in the restrooms of the bar. She, still very carefully, went out of it, the bar was empty, she opened the back door. There was some noise of bottles, she followed the noise still very carefully, it led her to a warehouse that was linked to the bar. She entered very silently and moved on a corner as to not be seen by a blonde girl who was arranging bottles in several bottle racks. Kennedy remained silent trying to think of a plan, she had not seen any signs of demon till now and was rather skeptic. She frowned suddenly as she thought that this blonde girl was not the one she saw closing the door. She was far but she was sure the other one had dark hair. Kennedy was thinking about that when she instinctively turned around as she’d felt someone, she blocked just in time with her hand the assaulters' stick that was about to knock her, but she was surprised when the woman that she recognized as the one closing the door lifted her by her shirt as if she was as light as a feather and threw her away towards the center of the room.
The
woman laughed,
“Hey Linda, we have some unexpected guest.”
Kennedy shook her head and got up when she was once again lifted very easily by the blonde girl from behind. Kennedy give her a headbutt with the back of her head which made the girl let go of her, and Kennedy just had the time to turn around to face her before this one hit her with a punch that cut her breath, and the dark haired woman was already there and took her by the shoulder and waist to send her crash against a bottle rack. Kennedy choked, tried to shake her head, she looked at her watch and told very low,
“Ok girls, now would be a great time for some back-up.”
Humans wouldn’t have heard but the blonde girl smiled ironically,
“Sorry hon, back-up’s for us.”
Kennedy struggled to get up and looked on her left to where the woman was looking and she saw 2 other girls coming her way. She frowned,
*this is no good*
PART 4
They arrived at the spot Kennedy was supposed to be. Willow looked panicky,
“She’s not here, God what if she’s in there?!”
“Don’t worry Will I’m sure she just went closer”
Buffy tried to sound reassuring. It was very dark, they crossed the street. Faith asked,
“So what did you find out Red?”
“Nothing, no demons here, it was actually weird, there seems to be a great source of power but the spell wasn’t very clear, I couldn’t even distinguished Kennedy’s power from the thing’s one but it was strong.”
Faith shook the door a bit and looked inside, she told them,
“No one in there. Let’s have a look on the back”
They went to the alley. Faith and Buffy both stopped at the same time putting one hand on Willow to keep her behind them as they’d heard something coming from a bunch of cardboards and garbage, they moved closer, Willow following carefully. Nothing was moving anymore, no more sound. Then Faith rushed in suddenly,
“God.”
She lifted a cardboard and Willow almost fainted at the sight. Buffy and her then rushed at the inert body on the ground, Willow started crying,
“Kennedy, Kennedy please baby,”
Buffy hold back her friend a little bit as Faith was trying to check on Kennedy's pulse,
“She’s alive, she’s ok Will.”
Willow choked,
“Ok? How is she ok? Kennedy? Kennedy please talk to me?”
Buffy checked all around,
“We gotta get out of here”
Faith took Kennedy in her arms and they left, Buffy tried to put her arm reassuringly on her best friend’s shoulder but Willow shoved it off, obviously mad at her. She told Faith,
“I think there’s a doctor on the town's exit." That's when they heard a low mumbling,
“No”
Willow moved closer taking Kennedy’s hand,
“Baby? Baby you hear me? Baby?”
Kennedy hardly kept an eye opened, she mumbled again,
“Yes. Fine. Hotel.”
Faith convinced Willow to bring her to their hotel room. Willow reluctantly agreed. They lied her down on the bed again. She’d passed out again, Faith checked her pulse and her pupils and she turned to Willow,
“She’ll be alright Willow don’t worry.”
Buffy arrived with a basin of water and bandages to clean Kennedy. Willow took everything from her hands, still not talking to any of them. Kennedy was all bruised and bleeding a lot. She had several cuts on the face and was covered with blood. Faith moved closer to the other side of Kennedy who seemed to gain consciousness again, Willow told Faith,
“What are you doing?”
Faith had taken Kennedy’s arm, she replied,
“Her shoulder’s out of joint, I’m gonna put it back.”
“No don’t touch her”
“Willow I have to-“
“Go away from her!”
Faith didn’t dare, Willow was very mad at her and Buffy, but Kennedy put her hand on Willow’s and gave her a soft gaze just saying,
“Willow.”
Willow reluctantly looked aside and Faith took Kennedy’s arm again. Willow was holding Kennedy’s hand, the young slayer squeezed it tight as Faith replaced her shoulder and she struggled but passed out again. Willow didn’t look at Faith while this one gently put her arm back on the bed and got up. The red head started back cleaning Kennedy’s face. Buffy hesitantly tried,
“She’s gonna be ok Willow.”
Willow just told them,
“Not thanks to you, both of you. If something worse had happened to her-“ Willow trailed off as the simple thought of it was hurting her, she simply said,
“Just go away, leave us alone.”
~~
The two slayers went out of the room sheepishly and very upset. Buffy sat on a chair, Faith was still standing close to the door, and suddenly she frowned and took her jacket with a more resolved face. Buffy got up,
“What're you doing?”
Faith didn’t reply and went to their weapons taking knives and a crossbow. She headed to the entrance door and Buffy went on,
“Hey where you’re going with that?”
Faith just replied,
“Where do you think?”
Buffy grabbed her arm to hold her back, Faith frowned,
“Hey what you’re doing B?”
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“Sure I am.”
She meant to move forward but Buffy moved in between her and the door,
“No you’re not. We don’t know what we’re facing.”
“Well we won’t know until we’re actually facing it.”
“We wait for Kennedy to wake up and tell us what happened and then we make a plan.”
“I have a plan; go there, kill them.”
Buffy sighed,
“Do you have to do the same mistake over and over again Faith?”
Faith raised her brows saying ironically,
“Why do you complain, you’ll be able to tell everyone then how right you were that I didn’t change and am still the same psycho.”
“I never said that.”
“Oh but you think it so strongly B. Anyway now, I’m going there.”
Buffy didn’t move, Faith told her sarcastically,
“Think about it B, worse that can happen is me dying, thought you’d be happy about it?”
Buffy didn’t move an inch as Faith tried to open the door, the brunette sighed and Buffy said,
“You’ll have to hit me to get out.”
Faith raised her brows,
“Don’t tempt me blondie.”
But Buffy didn’t move, she seriously said,
“I’m not letting you go there now and alone.”
Faith frowned,
“Hey careful B, you almost look like you care for me.”
Buffy looked aside and Faith frowned again then added,
“But I guess it’s rather that you don’t wanna get the lecture by Giles. Miss I’m THE slayer lost one of her underling on a mission, bad Buffy. It’s rather that right?”
Buffy didn’t look any less serious and she told her,
“Whatever. But you’re staying with me- I mean, you’re not going out of this room.”
They stared at each other for a while then Faith walked back,
“Fine.”
She went to sit on a chair and Buffy sat on the armchair, they were avoiding looking at each other.
~~
Willow lied herself down beside Kennedy and remained silently caressing her hair for about half an hour before Kennedy started to move again, Willow looked at her hopefully,
“Baby, Kennedy? You hear me?”
Kennedy opened her eyes and raised her hand to Willow’s face caressing her softly, she whispered reassuringly,
“It’s ok love I’m fine, don’t worry, don’t worry my love it’ll be alright.”
Willow put her head on her girlfriend’s chest and held her tight. Kennedy held her back knowing how afraid she must have been and this thought was hurting her. Each time she happened to get injured or in danger she never was afraid for her but for Willow’s reaction, and Willow’s pain to it. She felt the redhead's tears, she lifted the witch's face with her hand,
“It’s ok Willow, baby I’m fine, it’s nothing baby.”
“I was so scared, I don’t know what I’d do if-“
“Ssh.”
Kennedy put a finger on the witch’s mouth then pulled her gently into a kiss, that’s when the others arrived so they pulled apart. Willow avoided looking at them as she was still mad. Buffy hesitantly asked,
“Are you alright?”
Kennedy nodded,
“I’ll be fine.”
She added more lightly,
“I can’t believe I passed out.”
Faith said in the same joking tone,
“3 times.”
Kennedy raised her brows smiling, she noticed her girlfriend’s serious look and took her hand,
“It’s not their fault baby.”
“Yes it is.” was Willow’s automatic reply, Kennedy brushed her cheek,
“I should’ve been more careful.”
“They should’ve have been there instead of here arguing while they knew you were there.”
Kennedy looked at the two slayers with a raised eyebrow, both girls looked embarrassed,
“We’re sorry, we were going there but then... we’re sorry.”
Kennedy sat up straight slowly as it was still hurting her,
“Not your fault, anyway it’s over now, but we have a problem.”
Both slayers moved closer,
“So how many are there? What kind of demon is it?”
Kennedy frowned,
“That’s the snag, it's not demons, it’s slayers.”
The 3 girls frowned, Buffy asked perplexed,
“Slayers? Are you sure?”
“Pretty much yes, the technique, the strength and I could just... sense it you know.”
Willow said enthusiastically,
“But of course it’s slayers! I should've thought about it; the spell, I thought it didn’t work cause I could feel the power but I couldn’t make the difference between yours and theirs; that’s the reason, it’s the same power.”
Faith frowned,
“How many?”
“4 for what I’ve seen.”
Willow frowned again,
“But I don’t get it, why would slayers do such damages and bad stuff, that has no sense?”
Buffy sarcastically said looking at Faith,
“Like it never happened before.”
“Screw you B.”
Willow went on seriously,
“Yes Buffy stop it now, it’s not the time to pick at each other ok? Once is enough and if anything goes bad on this mission I’d considered it your fault ok?”
Buffy nodded,
“Yes, I’m sorry, it was more like a reflex you know.”
Willow got up,
“Well keep your reflex to you next time, you nearly got Kennedy killed, what else do you want? You and Faith just stay away from each other and don’t talk to each other then!”
Her tone was harsh but they could feel the emotions in her voice as she was still under the fright Kennedy’s state gave her. She left the room without more words. Kennedy began moving telling them,
“Seriously girls, you gotta stop doing this.”
Faith looked aside, Kennedy got up,
“I seriously think this game of needling each other has ran long enough, you have everything you need in this room to clear things up between the both of you, try to do it... anytime soon would be great.”
Faith
and Buffy frowned and the blonde slayer asked,
“I don’t
mean to start the argument again but... I don’t see any stick
or boxing gloves here?”
Kennedy told them honestly,
“Well, unlike Willow, I don’t think you need to be apart to set things straight between the two of you, to me-“
Kennedy
smiled mischievously as she went on,
“The only thing you
need is the one thing you’re both sitting on.”
She
raised her brows and left to go find Willow and comfort her. The two
slayers remained skeptic looking at the room, the bed on which
they were both sitting, frowning a bit. Faith took a deep breath and
Buffy naturally said,
“I don’t get it.”
Faith didn’t reply and avoided looking at the blonde slayer, Buffy then frowned realizing,
“What?! Is she damaged? They really beat her hard didn’t they?”
She turned to look at the brunette slayer with a joking smile but Faith got up and went to the bathroom, leaving Buffy thoughtful and a bit ill at ease.
PART 5
Willow proposed that they wait for the morning to go back into the bar and that they should sleep for the rest of the night. Buffy and Faith agreed as they were still feeling guilty about what happened but they reluctantly did, most of all Faith who was now pacing down her and Buffy’s room while Buffy was calmly getting ready for sleep; going in then out of the bathroom in her night dress, brushing her hair then going under the sheets. She turned on her side. Faith was now sitting on a chair restlessly tapping with her foot, looking at the bed. Buffy after a short while got up again to the light and turned it off without a look at Faith and went back under the covers, leaving the brunette slayer in the half light. Faith didn’t move an inch and didn’t stop her tapping of the foot, after a while Buffy said,
“Trying to sleep here, fanfare’s off.”
Faith sighed and went to the bathroom. Once back in the room she sat under the covers, her back against the headboard and kept staring at the room, then at Buffy beside her. The blonde slayer was turned toward the other side. After a while Buffy said,
“Stop that.”
Faith gave a slight jump first at Buffy’s words then frowned,
“What?”
Buffy hesitated,
“That. ... Looking.”
Faith looked in front of her and replied with dishonesty,
“Looking what? I’m not looking at... anything”
Buffy turned around,
“Yes you are, you’re looking at... the room and-and it, it just, it keeps me from sleeping”
Faith frowned again sceptically,
“Me, looking at the room, prevents you from sleeping? Best thing you found B?”
Buffy didn’t reply and turned around again saying,
“Just stop, close your eyes, sleep”
Faith crept under the covers,
“You’re tiresome B”
They remained silent but Faith could still not find sleep and was a bit restless in the bed, turning herself on one side then changing again. Buffy sighed heavily,
“Can’t you stop for a minute?”
“What now? What am I doing wrong this time?”
Buffy turned around,
“Everything, you’re doing everything wrong, right now you can’t even let me sleep peacefully”
Faith’s gaze darkened as she was exasperated,
“Oh you wanna sleep peacefully, I’ve got a one way solution for that you know”
Buffy frowned,
“Is that a threat?”
“Right now B, I think I could easily knock you out without remorse so much you’re being a pain in my ass”
“A pain in your ass?! Who’s been screwing up the mission since we arrived?”
“What?!”
Faith was mad, Buffy went on,
“Yes, it’s because of you that we were late for Kennedy”
“You’re such a bitch Buffy”
Buffy propped herself more frankly on her elbows,
“No you are, busy hitting on the first guy you met”
“Won’t you just quit with this guy thing, not my fault you don’t get laid.”
Buffy was mad too at Faith’s sarcastic comment but then she looked at her with a sardonic gaze and replied with a smile,
“Oh but I do.”
Faith looked disgusted,
“You think I didn’t know it already?”
Buffy replied innocently,
“Knew what?”
Faith in a furious movement pinned her down on the bed, looking mad,
“Bitch! You’re- you’re”
But she trailed off as she was caught in the blonde’s eyes and she suddenly found herself at word’s loss, just as Buffy was. She didn’t reply to the brunette's fit, she was just staring at her as their faces were inches away and their body slightly pressed against each other. They both gulped, and tried to understand why neither one of them was able to move or say anything now. They couldn’t stop staring at each other, not angrily anymore, just thoughtfully. Faith closed her eyes tightly and moved away sitting on the edge of the bed, silent. Buffy's breathe was heavier and she hadn't moved yet. They remained a while silent then Buffy said,
“You’re right, I did it.”
Faith didn’t move and Buffy went on,
“I slept with Robin.”
Faith remained silent. Buffy slightly began to move and sit against the headboard,
“You were trying to make it work with him and... I’m sorry.”
Faith turned around, Buffy gulped and slightly looked aside first then looked back at her, the blonde slayer looked indeed very sorry, Faith calmly asked,
“Why?”
“I don’t know I-I,”
Buffy stared at Faith as she went on almost unsure of the reason she was giving,
“I think I didn’t want you to be with him and I-... don’t know why.”
Faith asked again,
“Why?”
Buffy frowned and Faith added,
“Why do you tell me that now?”
Buffy gulped,
“I made him leave, after what we did; I forced him to leave, not forced him but... said it wouldn’t work now and... I’m telling you cause... I guess I’m sorry because you cared about him and maybe you had a chance to do- and I-, I broke it- and I had no reasons to.”
Faith slowly got up; Buffy was avoiding her gaze. Faith inhaled deeply,
“Don’t worry B, I didn’t care about him that much, so now you can sleep peacefully, your conscience is free.”
Faith headed to the bathroom.
“No Faith I didn’t tell you to ease my mind, it's really not that, I just wanted to be honest, I don’t know why but it’s not that.”
Faith opened the bathroom’s door,
“Whatever.”
She went inside, Buffy sighed and waited, it didn’t take long before Faith got out of it again, she was all dressed up, Buffy frowned,
“Hey where are you going?”
“Gonna find a new boy toy what else do you think? Cause you know me so well B.”
Buffy’s heart clenched at Faith’s sad sarcasm and the sad veil on her face, the blonde girl didn’t manage to say anything else and Faith left the room.
~~~
Faith was walking thoughtfully in the hotel’s corridor, she went to the bar almost unconsciously and sat on a chair, someone sat beside her just as soon, she looked aside and smiled as she recognized the man she was talking to several hours earlier. He gave her a seducing smile,
“Glad you’re done with your cooking.”
She looked at him with her natural seductive gleam and told him,
“Glad you’re a night owl.”
He smiled,
“Well I was hoping to see you after your... cooking, without your manic blonde friend of course.”
The expression on Faith’s face change at the evocation of Buffy and she looked in front of her saying calmly,
“She’s not my friend.”
He smiled jokingly,
“Glad for you then.”
Faith was thinking of Buffy, their conversation, their closeness just before the talk, the confusing and troubled feelings. The man went on casually running his hand on Faith’s thigh,
“Anyway, guess I could use some... sleep now.”
She looked at him, he raised his brows explicitly while getting up already but she got up too,
“Look, sorry, not in the mood anymore... not done with the... cooking yet.”
She walked away leaving the man a bit stunned.
~~~
Faith walked to the rogue slayers bar, it was opened again and there was music and noises coming from it. Faith decided to go in. As she stepped in she saw a man rather reluctantly giving money to a blonde girl and walking away. Faith slowly walked to the bar and ordered a glass of JD to a young brunette that was behind the bar. She noticed 3 cops were talking and laughing, playing cards on a corner. Faith deduced that the police was probably aware and in the rogue slayers’ pocket. She felt someone moving closer behind her but she didn’t move and waited. She felt gazes on her then the voice behind her said,
“I was pretty sure she wasn’t alone.”
PART 6
Faith turned around, the comment was coming from a tall brunette, Faith smiled wickedly, took her JD and drank a mouthful of it. The woman smiled too and added,
“But this time, I’m really honoured.”
Faith frowned inwardly but didn’t show it, the brunette woman went on,
“The one and only, I’ve wanted to meet you for a very long while you know.”
“There I am.”
Faith was acting very casually, she now knew the girl was pretty much aware of who they all were. The woman sat beside her, everyone was looking at Faith and the woman said,
“You’re kind of my model you know that?”
Faith raised her brows nonchalantly, the woman said,
“My name is Jessica. So finally, the one and only, the slayer.”
Faith sighed and sarcastically said,
“I guess you mistaken me, I’m the other one, and besides, there’s no more one and only, guess you have a lot to learn.”
Jessica replied still smiling,
“I think I know everything I need to know. You’re Faith; you think I’d want some repressed ex-cheerleader queen to admire? Faith, the dark slayer or so they called you.”
“Ok, you know me, you know who you are then... so then I guess you know you’re doing it the wrong way.”
Jessica smiled,
“They really screwed up your mind with this crap. Right, wrong, since when does it matter?”
Faith remained very cool but didn’t say anything, Jessica talked again,
“You see. Look we’re not the bad guys, since we've arrived here this town doesn’t have any criminality or such anymore, that’s thanks to us, the only thing we ask for is what is ours, a little respect that’s all.”
Faith frowned,
“That’s how you call it?”
Jessica got up,
“Nobody’s complaining here I think.”
Faith finished her glass still calmly before saying,
“Of course, I guess those who did are in hospital right now.”
“They’re strangers, they can’t understand but you... you do, you’re like us.”
“I’m gonna tell you something, I really don’t think you know what game you’re playing at and you’d much better stop before-“
“Before what?”
Jessica was just in front of Faith who kept her cool and ended her sentence,
“Before it ends badly... for you.”
Jessica smiled; she moved aside to reach the bottle of JD and said,
“Why would it? After all, what are we doing wrong? Nothing, there’s nothing, no one that would prove or say anything in this town, we have nothing to fear.”
Faith smiled and sighed at the same time,
“Well she may be short and really annoying but she has scared more than her share of bad guys.”
Jessica smiled too,
“So it’s her; Buffy. Are you afraid of her? Because I’m not.”
“It’s not a question of fear, it’s a question that she’s gonna come here and you’d better be down with her.”
“So you really did let her took the lead when you should be the leader.”
“Don’t change the subject.”
Jessica moved closer,
“I’m not, way before I became a slayer Buffy was history to me despite my watcher’s teaching, she was bothering me, I don’t like icons, I like rebels.”
“Rebels end up dead most of the time.”
“There was a time you didn’t care.”
Faith sighed,
“That was a long time ago.”
“Not that long, you’ll never make me believe you forgot the thrill of walking on this side of the road. We’ve got the power, why should we repress it? And anyway, we’re not doing much, we’re not evil, she doesn’t have anything to tell us.”
“She will anyway.”
“I tell you Faith, it won’t stop us, she won’t. She’s out of her league now; you really think you should be wasting your time with us, girls who are just trying to enjoy themselves while there is so much evil in this world?”
Faith asked,
“What about Kennedy, if you’re so innocent then why did you act that way with her?”
“You mean the young brunette, look we didn’t mean it but she kinda looked like the stubborn type. I knew we wouldn’t get anywhere with her and I was right, she really is stubborn, the more we were beating her down the more she was trying to get up and fight back.”
Faith started getting up so Jessica added,
“Ok, ok we’re sorry, we got a little too far I admit it, not what we meant believe me but we didn’t kill her, told you, we’re not evil. She’s probably already jumping and running, she’s a slayer after all and I guess we had to get your attention, yours specifically. Now you’re here and as you can see everything’s working fine here, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Faith smiled,
“Buffy won’t see it that way you know that.”
Jessica was just beside her moving closer,
“Like she is always right? Like we should agree with her... Like you always agreed with her? ... I know you don’t, do you Faith?”
Jessica poured some more JD in Faith’s glass; Faith smiled wickedly and took a mouthful of it...
~~~
Buffy got out of her room the next morning, she looked rather grave. Willow was sitting at the table drinking coffee while Kennedy arrived with bread and butter; the brunette was obviously only just waking up too like Buffy. Willow slightly smiled,
“Hi”
“Hi Will. Kennedy how are you doing?” the blonde inquired after her. Kennedy raised her brows,
“Kicking.”
She slightly smiled and added,
“No seriously I’m much better, thank you.”
Buffy sat in front of them and poured herself some coffee. Willow sighed and jokingly said,
“And who’s the last one still in bed again? For a change.”
Kennedy smiled too but not Buffy. The brunette slayer added,
“Is she awake at least?”
Buffy kept her eyes on her coffee and replied toneless,
“Not in there.”
Willow and Kennedy frowned asking,
“What do you mean? Where is she?”
“Dunno.” Was Buffy’s simple reply. Willow was irritated already,
“How’s that you don’t know? Did she get up early or what?”
“She left last night that’s all I know.”
Kennedy asked a bit more gently than Willow,
“And you let her go? You don’t think that she was maybe gonna go there?”
Willow added,
“She’s maybe in trouble now!”
“She’s a big girl ok? If she went there, there’s nothing I can do and I don’t care.”
Willow was mad,
“I see you two argued again, what was it this time, her pillow was softer than yours? I’m getting tired of your whims Buffy, you nearly got Ken-“
“Enough Willow! Look I’m sorry Kennedy got hurt, but she’s ok now, stop blaming me for that!”
Buffy got up and added slightly bitterly,
“And Faith is probably out there in some random guy’s bed.”
Kennedy replied,
“You know she never spends the whole night with any of them.”
Buffy sarcastically replied,
“Well then she jumped from bed to bed... one is never enough for her.”
The door opened at this moment, Faith frowned and smiled sarcastically as she’d heard,
“I see you’re already over your honest and nice time, it lasted 5 minutes, I see you’re in progress B but don’t worry I won’t tell anyone about it; you’re still the bitch.”
Buffy sighed and looked at Willow and Kennedy,
“Told you, she was just out there getting screwed.”
Buffy entered her room again. Faith sighed in frustration once Buffy was gone and went to the restrooms, locking herself in it for a while. Willow got up as if to go see Buffy but Kennedy held her back,
“Just leave her alone right now, both of them in fact, I think it’s better.”
Buffy got out of the room a little while after and sat at the table immediately moving on to the mission,
“We go there, get the place empty first if there’s any civilians in it then close it and we settle their hash.”
Willow asked,
“But after that? I still haven’t been able to reach Giles to tell him so we still don’t know what to do with them, we won’t be able to bring four slayers back in England against their will, we’ll need back-up.”
Buffy nodded but said,
“We’ll see in time, first let’s beat them down.”
Faith got out of the restroom,
“Well, what about we talk with them first?”
Buffy almost laughed at her and replied sarcastically,
“Bump! Wrong answer but thank you for playing, next.”
Faith raised her brows but Kennedy went on,
“Sorry Faith but Buffy kinda have a point I mean, they don’t really seem to wanna talk you know, at least, not the impression I got.”
Faith sat beside them,
“Yeah I know, but maybe they were just trying to make their mark you know, I mean... maybe we should try.”
Buffy stared at her,
“How about we don’t? You were all for revenge yesterday and now, what is that speech? I thought you’d be the first one to wanna get in there... come on Faith, violence! Violence! Wake up! You don’t wanna miss that do you?”
Faith didn’t reply at Buffy’s teasing comments, she looked at Willow,
“I just say it deserves a thought that’s all.”
Buffy firmly said,
“No it doesn’t.”
Faith stared at her,
“And who made you the chief in that mission again? No one. It was Kennedy and Willow’s one at first. We’re only here for back-up, so stop acting like the boss, you’re not THE slayer anymore Buffy so shut the fuck up!”
Buffy started to get up as if to move towards Faith but Kennedy made her sit down again pressing hard on her shoulder,
“Sit down. You both shut up now. You’re right WE’re in charge. So Willow what do you think?”
“Well, I wouldn’t be very objective in that, with the way they hurt you I’d rather go for the violence myself.”
Buffy gave a slight satisfied and flouting smiled at Faith but Willow went on,
“But I know by experience revenge can be... So it depends. Faith what makes you think we can talk with them? And what would we say? We don’t even know if they know who they really are.”
Faith slowly said,
“They do”
The three girls looked at her with surprise not understanding how she could know it, or rather mistrustful about how she got to know it, Faith went on,
“They know who they are, all of them.”
PART 7
Buffy remained silent, Kennedy went on,
“How do you know?”
“I- I... went there to check.”
Willow scolded her,
“What’s wrong with you? You could’ve been killed, after what they did to Kennedy?”
Buffy was still silent and Faith said,
“It’s cool, I’m fine, I just wanted to have a look.”
Buffy finally spoke,
“I say you’re more than fine. No bruises, no sign of fights, coming home at 9 in the morning wow... I’d say you girls must have launched kind of a party right?”
Willow scolded very low,
“Buffy.”
Buffy went on,
“No but tell me Faith, how did you do to keep yourself intact against four slayers?”
“Five.”
Faith corrected, Buffy sighed,
“I knew it.”
“You don’t know anything Buffy.”
“I don’t? So tell me I’m wrong; you went into the bad guy’s lair, pretty sure you had one or more, rather more in fact drinks with them, you talked all night long? You’ve probably solved the mission then haven’t you? Otherwise what could you possibly have been doing there all this time?”
Faith remained silent, Willow asked her,
“Faith?”
“We talked, about them and what was happening in this town, look I know they went pretty hard on Kennedy but we all made bad things in our lives, they’re not evil they’re slayers, they’re just like us.”
Buffy got up,
“You mean they’re just like you right? So I guess you’re spying for them right now aren’t you Faith?”
“This is crap Buffy you know that.”
“No, what I know is that I was right, I knew one day you’ll let me down again- I mean-“
Buffy stopped, both girls looked at each other; Buffy went on eluding her slip of the tongue,
“So did you make your choice? Think fast because I’m gonna get in there and kick some asses, yours included if I have to.”
Kennedy intervened,
“You’re going a little too fast Buffy, Faith is with us you know that, and it’s probably a good idea to know what the girls are up to.”
Willow went on,
“Faith’s information may be major for the mission, I’d rather not cause too much damage if we can avoid it and Faith is right, the girls are human after all.”
“Ok, ok, you’re the boss like she said, but I am firmly against that idea.”
Buffy sat again on her chair in silence, Faith went on,
“We have to be careful, I know you noticed too but we’re watched everywhere we go cause the town’s all theirs, more or less willingly. They make the laws, so that’s right there’s no more criminality but it’s not for free, they make people pay, for what I understood.”
Kennedy asked,
“What do you suggest?”
“Well honestly it’s gonna be hard to stop them, the leaders; Jessica and Linda, they’re the hard core. The others are followers, they were in the same trip to Sunnydale when they were attacked by the bringers and their watchers killed, they were the only survivors and Linda brought them here, her and Jessica had met at a watchers and potential’s day kinda thing and they kinda had the same view on their calling already. But the other three, they can still be convinced the other way... And then maybe-“
“Maybe what?” Buffy interrupted then went on,
“You think they would turn themselves like that?”
“I don’t know Buffy, maybe they would stop doing that at least and maybe we- I don’t know,”
“Oh yes you do, you’re suggesting that we let them go aren’t you Faith?”
“They’re not demons.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“I haven’t said that anyway but, I just think we should give it more thoughts... that’s all.”
“I see you’ve given it a lot of thoughts already.”
Willow interrupted them looking at Faith a bit harshly,
“So you told them that you would talk to us right? What did they say? And what are you and them expecting us to say?”
“Nothing specific Will, I just said I’ll try my best to arrange things the best way for everyone.”
“Are you sure?”
Buffy and Willow's gaze on Faith was very distrustful while Kennedy was thoughtful, Faith went on,
“Look we have one day to decide as they’re not in town today, you trust me or you don’t.”
Buffy
said,
"I don’t.”
Willow
said,
“Nothing is solved anyway, even if we bring the three
girls you perfectly know Faith that we can’t let the others
free to behave that way.”
Faith honestly said,
“At least let’s try this first and we’re perfectly able to take them all with your help Willow if it doesn’t work that way, what do we have to lose?”
Buffy got up,
“Ok, deal, but I’ll talk? When do we meet them?”
“I’m not their messenger B. Don’t know much more than this but I guess they’ll let us know in time.”
Kennedy sighed, Willow asked,
“Ok then, what do we do now?”
Buffy stared at Faith,
“I guess we train and prepare the weapons, we’ll need them for sure.”
She left for her room without more words. Faith remained silent too and headed to the door, Willow asked inquisitively,
“Where are you going?”
“Out for a walk.”
“Be careful.” Kennedy honestly told her.
Faith nodded and left, Willow took her girlfriend’s hand and told her,
“Kennedy I really have a bad feeling. Look I know you like Faith but I-, you haven’t seen what she’s able to do you know, and I really don’t like this story. I’m afraid her and Buffy’s hatred has gotten the best over her, don’t get me wrong I really don’t want that but she’s acting weird you know, and she betrayed us once already... I just want you to be careful.”
Kennedy caressed Willow’s face with a reassuring face,
“Don’t worry I will, and I won’t let anyone hurt you either Willow but... you have to give her more trust. She’s slipped off the tracks once, happens and you know that, but she’s not a bad person and her and Buffy... You’re right, it’s about to explode and I just hope that they... that it’s not too late.”
“What do you mean?”
“Not sure, just hope they won’t let their fear get the best of them.”
Willow frowned,
“Their fear? Fear of what?”
“Sometimes it’s just in front of you, you know, but it’s so big that you don’t see it, but it’s here...”
Kennedy seemed to be lost in her thoughts suddenly, Willow caressed her cheek bringing her back, Kennedy had teary eyes and Willow didn’t understand. Then the brunette said with emotions cracking her voice,
“Makes me realize how lucky I am to have you. I don’t know what I’d do without you Willow. I’m so glad you let me in. So glad you let me give you a bit of it, love, happiness... How much as I could it’s all yours. Life’s so lonely... It’s so hard all alone. I love you so much Willow, so much, wish you knew how much I do.”
Willow
held her tight,
“I do baby, I do.”
She kissed her softly and whispered,
“You make me so happy Kennedy. I thought my life was over but I've lived again, I’ve smiled again and I’ve felt this feeling that I thought was lost forever. You gave it back to me and I wouldn’t be able to live without it now, without you. I want you to know how much I love you. I never want you to doubt about it.”
They kissed deeply and slowly got to their rooms, held each other for a while on the bed. They kissed and caressed tenderly,
“I need you so much Willow. Don’t ever leave me, please never.”
Willow gently moved on top of her girlfriend and kissed her,
“I ain’t going anywhere without you. I'm never gonna live without you, I love you Kennedy. I love you so much.”
Willow was kissed Kennedy’s neck and caressed her breasts while she slid her hand under the brunette’s shirt.
Kennedy was for the most part the leader in their love making and their relationship, not in an authoritarian way but she was the impulsive one, the wild one while Willow was the calmer one, the silent one, the listening one, the attentive one. Not that Kennedy wasn’t careful with her girlfriend’s needs and thoughts, she was, always, but it was how their couple was working. In the eyes of everyone Kennedy was the strong one, the leader, the slayer and Willow was willingly letting her take the lead but there was times, times like these where Kennedy would fall apart for a minute, for an hour and Willow would take the lead and reveal her real strength in their couple, strength that they both were aware of and neither was denying. Kennedy needed her. She never denied it but times like these it was obvious for the rest of the world as well. They didn’t need to think about that though. Willow was making sweet love to her girlfriend, leading each movement, each sweet touches and Kennedy desperately needed each of them... They didn’t need to talk anymore to know what state of mind the other was and what she needed, and to give it to her...
They made solacing love for long hours, holding and caressing each other and whispering tender words.
~~~
In the meantime
Faith was walking in a dark alley; there was a small red light at the end of it, a cigarette. Faith walked towards the silhouette. It was Linda. Faith stopped by her, the blonde raised her brows expectantly and Faith told her,
“It’s cool, I got it. Plan’s working.”
The blonde girl handed her the cig and Faith took it, they both smiled mischievously.
PART 8
Faith came back in late in the afternoon, Buffy wasn’t in the hotel. Kennedy was sleeping; she still had some aftermath from the previous fight with the girls so Willow let her sleep. The redhead was preparing some stuff for the encounter with the girls when Faith opened the door. Faith checked all around. Willow observed her, trying to erase her reserves towards Faith’s attitude. The brunette then stared at her and told her after a while,
“Do you think you can trust me Willow?”
Willow didn’t blink,
“Should I?”
Faith slightly smiled and went to the table, she sat in front of the witch still staring at her, Willow sat too...
~~~
Faith was placing some slices of pizzas in the microwave in their little kitchen when Buffy came back. Willow was reading in a chair and Kennedy was sitting on a chair beside her, resting her head on the redhead’s shoulder,
“Hey Buffy.”
“Hi Will, what you’re doing girls?”
“Waiting for the pizzas to be hot. Kennedy’s really hungry.”
Willow raised her brows explicitly and Kennedy smiled, Buffy raised her brows too, smiling,
“I see.”
Buffy sat at the table and shortly after Faith brought one then two big pizzas, cut in slices, they all ate rather quietly, Buffy and Faith avoiding looking or talking to each other. Willow and Kennedy were still being very calm and tender with each other.
~~~
BEDTIME
Willow was sitting on the bed in her and Kennedy’s room,
her back against the headboard and reading a witchcraft book. Kennedy
was resting, her head on Willow’s lap and caressing Willow’s
thigh with one hand.
IN
THE OTHER ROOM
Buffy went out of the bathroom and was
surprised to find Faith already dressed with her night t-shirt but
she didn’t say anything about it. Faith went to the bathroom in
her turn and went back five minutes later. Buffy was arranging some
stuff. Faith silently crept under the covers. Buffy frowned,
“Not going out tonight?”
Faith didn’t look at her as she replied,
“Buffy please, don’t talk to me.”
Buffy went under the covers and said,
“That’s gonna be hard then to fight the girls, I will have to talk to you, or maybe you don’t care because you won’t be on my side.”
Faith sighed then looked at the blonde slayer with a sardonic smile,
“I am never on your side Buffy, you should know by now.”
Buffy inhaled deeply and seriously said,
“If anyone gets hurt because of you Faith you know I will kill you.”
Faith replied seriously too,
“Maybe I’ll kill you first.”
“I will watch you Faith, carefully. I don’t trust you.”
“This I know. So, obviously you can’t bear me anymore so now turn the other way and let me sleep, don’t talk to me anymore.”
“You think I would be able to close my eyes and sleep with you beside me?”
Faith showed her fist and asked a bit cheerfully,
“You want me to help?”
“You’re very close to get the end of my patience Faith.”
“Oh I am? You’re the one who’s been ruining my life for months now; nothing I do is everenough and everything I try to do... You break it.”
“Come on don’t bring Wood back up for discussion again Faith, you didn’t really care about him much more than all the others. You had your views on the girls' karate trainer already, think I didn’t notice? You were gonna screw someone else very soon, that’s what you do, you screw people, every way you can.”
“You’re right, that’s what I do. I don’t think anyone ever complained about it, Riley didn’t, about that B, no wonder he left you, I showed him things that night that he could never forget.”
Buffy slapped her so Faith pushed her backwards on the bed pinning her down like the previous night, holding both her hands on each side of her head. They were both breathing a bit more heavily and staring at each other. Faith said after a while,
“There’s nothing I can do that is enough for you... what do you want from me Buffy?”
It wasn’t really a question.
“Everything.” Buffy breathed out without even realizing it.
Faith couldn’t help it; she kissed her and Buffy responded, freeing her hands to pull Faith’s face even more closely. Faith kissed her neck widely and Buffy roamed her hands on Faith’s back as she had lifted the brunette’s t-shirt already. Buffy breathed out again,
“What is happening to us?”
It wasn’t really a question either and it wasn’t only referring to what was happening now but rather to their whole relationship. Faith pulled apart still looking intensely at the blonde slayer, her breathing was already very ragged and she said,
“I can’t believe how much I wanna hit you right now, and even less how much more I wanna kiss you.”
Buffy pulled her into another kiss and Faith lifted her just a bit to get Buffy rid of her nightdress. Buffy pulled away Faith’s t-shirt as well. Faith pressed her thigh on Buffy’s crotch and the blonde slayer gasped and held Faith tighter against her, Faith was kissing her widely on her neck and caressing her breasts when Buffy pushed her slightly away from her, out of breath,
“No, no Faith, I can’t, I need, I need to know first, what you feel? I can’t be another notch, I can’t, I need to know.”
Faith didn’t reply and kissed her again; Buffy responded to the kiss but then pushed the brunette away again looking at her still very expectantly, Faith smiled predatorily,
“Always about the feelings right? Or so you make believe, I know you Buffy, don’t forget the lust, don’t forget the passion, don’t forget the violence, I know it turns you on as much as it does to me.”
Faith bit hard on the blonde’s neck and Buffy cried out in pleasure before pushing Faith away again, Faith was still smiling,
“You want to know, what do you wanna know exactly? You want me to tell you I melt every time I look at you. You want me to tell you how many times I spied on you showering, you want me to tell you how wet I get every time we fight, every time you move, every time you hit me or anyone else, you want me to tell you about the screwing and how I close my eyes every time I ride them and see your face and come so hard then? You want me to tell you how many times I’ve fingered myself thinking about you? How many times I’ve dreamt of fucking you against a wall and making you scream; is that what you wanna hear? Is that enough of a declaration cause I don’t buy flowers sorry, is that what you want? Is it enough?”
During her wild teasing speech Faith had moved her face closer and their lips were almost touching now. Her warm and ragged breathing made the blonde girl shiver hugely. Buffy smiled,
“It is... so you.”
And she pulled the brunette slayer closer to kiss her savagely while gripping her body and clawing Faith’s skin with her nails. Faith moaned with pleasure.
She pressed her knee very hard on Buffy’s crotch and began sucking on her breasts, sometimes biting hard on her nipples and Buffy slightly cried out at the painful pleasure each time she did.
Outside the room Willow and Kennedy were about to turn off the lights too, but Willow went out of their room to take a bottle of water for the night, she turned her head towards her girlfriend who frowned at Willow’s worried expression. Kennedy got up and followed Willow,
“Willow wait where you’re going?”
Willow was frowning,
“I think they’re arguing again, even fighting.”
Willow opened the door and her mouth dropped opened at the sight. The two slayers didn’t even notice the redhead entering. Willow looked stunned. Kennedy put her hand very fast on her girlfriend’s mouth before she said anything and she dragged her out of the room and closed the door discreetly. Willow stammered,
“But-what-huh-what-they-Buffy-what-huh? Ken?”
Kennedy pulled her girlfriend into a fiery kiss,
“Let’s go to bed Will.”
Willow frowned,
“But we can’t let them- I mean, we have to do something? I Mean, what they? Err?”
Kennedy smiled at the redhead's astonished expression and dragged her to their room,
“God let’s definitely NOT do something about it. Took them long enough, let them work it out and... mind our business.”
Kennedy carried Willow and they closed their door room.
Faith moved her hand in between her and Buffy’s body and moved it down. Buffy gasped at the touch. Faith started stroking her soft spot staring at her intensely and kissing her savagely. She entered the blonde’s wetness with a finger and Buffy cried out at the feeling, scratching Faith’s back very hard. Faith was moving her finger in and out very fast then slowing down. She was staring at Buffy while pushing her finger as deep as she could inside of her and whispering,
“You feel me, you like that Buffy, you’ve been wanting me to do that for so long haven’t you?”
Faith entered a second finger at the same time she said that. Buffy gasped loudly and raised her head to bite strongly Faith’s neck. The brunette groaned and smiled,
“Yes you feel me, I’m inside of you, I’ve got you.”
Buffy pulled her into a kiss and switched position in a wild movement, holding Faith’s hands with hers and pressing her pelvis onto the brunette’s crotch, Faith moaned heavily. Buffy then lowered her hand and directly entered Faith who cried out at the sensation. She was as wet as Buffy was. The blonde lowered herself to suck on the brunette’s breasts, teasing hard her nipple, and then she grasped Faith’s lower lips with her teeth and bit it hard, cutting it slightly. Faith pulled her into a kiss and Buffy entered a second finger and started rubbing Faith’s clit with her thumb, she whispered,
“Who’s got who now?”
Faith
smiled naughtily and reached Buffy’s crotch again, entering her
with one finger while teasing her clit once more.
Their hips were
moving frantically as the pleasure grew hard inside of them. Faith
pulled on Buffy’s hair and scratched her back as she climaxed.
Buffy cried out at the pain caused by Faith’s nails but it only
made her ride herself even harder on Faith’s hand and she came
a moment after the brunette did.
They
lied onto each other for a short while. Buffy slightly moved aside
then and they were both on their side facing each other now. Staring
intensely at each other for a long moment while catching their breath
back. Then after a while Faith moved her hand slowly to Buffy’s
face and gently caressed her, Buffy closed her eyes and inhaled
deeply. She moved closer and they kissed, more gently, more tenderly
than the previous kisses. Faith slowly moved Buffy backwards and lied
on top of her again, in between her legs and began pressing herself
softly on the blonde’s crotch. Buffy caressed the brunette’s
face now and they kept staring intensely at each other. Buffy pulled
her into a long kiss while they were rocking each other...
They
made love for a long moment before falling asleep in each other’s
arms.
PART 9
It was still dark outside, Buffy checked at the alarm clock, it was almost 4 am. She looked beside her at the sleeping brunette and kept staring at her for a long while, then she ran her fingertips very slowly on her arms, it made her shiver. She leaned in to kiss the brunette’s shoulder then stared at her again. She began feeling her lungs squeezed, she was taking heavier breath, she felt as if her lungs were too small and she couldn’t really breath. Her heart was moving up and down in her chest, she inhaled deeply several times and finally laid her head on her pillow again, trying to calm her breathing, after a while she closed her eyes again.
~~~
Buffy
felt a warm sensation on her body; a hand sliding on her back from
her nape to the small of her back. She smiled inwardly but didn’t
move. The hand stopped and she felt soft lips gently pressed on her
nape. The lips went away and Buffy still did not move, she knew Faith
was looking at her but she pretended to be still asleep.
A while
after she slowly turned herself around to rest on her back and they
found themselves staring at each other again... silent.
Then they
heard noises from the main room. Willow and Kennedy were awake. Faith
moved her hand to Buffy’s face but the blonde slayer slightly
moved away, she sat at the edge of the bed and started to get
dressed, putting her socks. Faith didn’t move,
“Buffy.”
She just said, not asking. Buffy replied in a light tone,
“Yes?”
Faith slightly looked down at the sheets but went on,
“Buffy, look at me.”
Buffy turned around very naturally,
“Yes what’s wrong Faith?”
Faith inhaled deeply but said, trying not to show any disappointment or expectations,
“Is that all?”
Buffy got up, buttoning her shirt,
“What do you mean? And also, you should get dressed fast, I changed the plan, we’re going in there right now that they want it or not, I think it’s better if we catch them a little off-guard, even just to speak with them.”
Buffy acted very casually and talking enthusiastically, focused only on the mission. Faith put that away from her mind as she went on,
“I mean us, last night.”
“Faith I-We have to get this done, once the mission is done it’ll be different.”
Faith got up,
“How different?”
“You know. We’ll talk later.”
“Look Buffy, I-I have feelings too, I know you like to think I don’t... but I do and I, too, need to know what it was, or was not to you, you know, just like you did ask me last night.”
Buffy avoided looking at her for a short while then said a bit hurrying,
“Look Faith, now really not the time. I don’t wanna talk, I just want to get rid of this mission cause I’m tired of it, this town and this... whole thing. It’s getting me crazy I guess. We’ll talk later, first let’s go there and get this done once and for all.”
She left the room and Faith inhaled deeply then a darker expression spread on her face and she whispered,
“You’re right, once and for all. Buckle up honey.”
~~~
Buffy opened the door very fast. Willow and Kennedy were still having breakfast.
“Girls hurry up! The plan’s changed; we’re going there right now.”
Buffy had already put her jacket on, she stopped as she noticed Willow and Kennedy’s stare on her, mostly Willow’s one, she asked,
“What? Didn’t you hear?”
Willow stammered,
“Hum, err, huh Buffy, err you, well, err why?”
Willow blushed unwillingly and Kennedy smiled inwardly at her girlfriend’s embarrass towards what she knew of Buffy and Faith. Buffy shook her head,
“It’s better that way Willow, I want to have an advantage on them; surprise, always a good one. Now hurry.”
Faith got out of the room in her turn, Willow looked aside for a short while trying to not think of the two slayers entangled together. Faith moved on to the mission as well,
“We can’t go out all of us together Buffy.”
Buffy avoided looking Faith in the eyes, she sighed with impatience but Faith went on,
“Think about it, they’re watching us through almost every citizen, if we go out all together they’ll immediately know something’s going on.”
Willow was still wondering a bit but Kennedy was already very focused on the mission too,
“Faith is right, but in this case it means we’ll always be spotted, there’s no way they can not know.”
Faith went on,
“Yes there is, they’ve seen B walking alone and me too quite often, and you and Willow together so I say Buffy’s going first, she takes the long ride, out of town from the left, the warehouse must have an entrance at the back, something like an emergency exit, Willow and you leave in about 20 min and wander around a while then discreetly head to the town’s exit, on the right side and join Buffy there and I’ll take the most direct way, heading to the warehouse via the alley as I’m the less watched of us all, it won’t seem too suspicious as I could be trying to reach them, I think it can work, what do you think?”
Faith was looking expectantly at Buffy, the blonde slayer hesitated. Faith added a bit more implicitly,
“Or... if you wanna talk some more, we can still-“
Buffy opened the door,
“Ok. Let’s go then.”
And
she left, Faith sighed. She waited with Willow and Kennedy, the
atmosphere was very heavy and tensed. Willow and Faith were looking
at each other with a too serious and suspicious look to
Kennedy’s opinion, and Willow was very silent. The girls
finally left and Faith remained alone...
She took deep breaths
then went in the corridor to the phones, she dialled a number,
“It’s me. We’re coming now. Be ready.”
She hung up and left the hotel, took a cig and lit it then walked away towards the bar.
~~
Buffy found Willow and Kennedy already there at the back of the warehouse; they waited for a few minutes as Faith wasn’t here, the brunette finally arrived from the side. She asked the girls,
“Nobody followed you, you’re sure?”
Kennedy replied,
“They were watching us but we went shopping at the local souvenir shop and wandered around a bit more and they didn’t pay more attention then.”
Buffy moved closer to the back entrance,
“Let’s go then.”
She crushed the padlock with her hand but Faith said,
“Wait, we can’t be sure they didn’t follow us, one of us should stay outside to make sure we don’t have any surprises awaiting us.”
Buffy thought about it for a while and nodded,
“Well, yes maybe, Kennedy should stay here making sure-“
“No.” Faith cut her then went on,
“I mean, if it gets dirty in there we’ll need her, and anyway the most qualified to sense stuff like trap or such is Willow, she should head back in town, close to the bar and make sure everyone there sees her so that they don’t wonder and if they do, she can tell us with telepathy.”
Kennedy frowned,
“I don’t want her alone, no, that’s too risky.”
Willow was silent, she looked thoughtful, Faith looked at her, the witch slightly looked aside then back at the girls,
“No she’s right, I’m the only one able to secure the area for you, and you can take care of the girls if it gets out of hand, Faith is right... I think.”
Kennedy was still reluctant,
“I really don’t like that plan.”
Faith moved closer,
“She’s a big girl, she could burn down that whole town right here, right now, don’t worry for her junior, now we gotta move before someone sees us, Will are you in?”
Faith looked very self-confident and natural, Willow looked at her and finally nodded. Buffy began to open the door, Faith grabbed Kennedy’s arm to drag her in following Buffy. Willow looked at them disappearing inside, closing the door behind them...
~~~
They
carefully made their way inside, it was very silent and dark, and
there were several walls making different rooms almost like in a
labyrinth, they were walking very carefully. There was an office
further that was lit up, they thought the girls were in there. Buffy
was walking first, Kennedy following and Faith was bringing up the
rear.
Suddenly all the lights went on and they found themselves
face to face with four slayers, armed with guns. Jessica smiled,
“Finally there.”
They were obviously waiting for them. Buffy said almost to herself,
“How did you know?”
“How do you think, Buffy?”
And
as she said that Faith quickly put big chains around Buffy and
Kennedy's wrists, linking them together to a thin but solid pillar.
Both girls were looking incredulously and almost in shock as
Faith walked backwards, the fifth slayer was behind them with a gun
too, she and Faith then both moved closer to the others. Faith was
smiling wickedly,
“So what do you think of that? 2 slayers at the same time, now you can say it girls, who’s the best?”
Faith turned to look at Buffy who looked dismantled. Kennedy was trying to free herself, pulling hard on the chain, only hurting her wrist in the process. Linda smiled,
“Stubborn type.”
Faith smiled, Kennedy was getting mad,
“Get this thing out of me now. Faith! You can’t do that!”
“Why? Isn’t it fun?”
“You were my friend Faith.”
Faith sighed,
“You shoulda listened to B or red when they told you no to befriend me, not to trust me, as I’m sure they’ve told you already, they know me so well you know. It’s too bad love got in your way cause otherwise, I’m sure you could’ve been a great part in this with us, you would’ve love it, but red’s love has blinded you... nothing I could do, that’s what it does... love.”
Faith looked at Buffy, the blonde slayer finally spoke,
“I can’t believe you Faith.”
“Can’t believe what love?”
The other slayers were smiling and relaxing, putting their guns aside or in their pockets while Buffy continued,
“You can’t be doing that.”
“Why? Because it’s wrong? Come on B, we’ve both been beyond right or wrong.”
“You can’t do that because of... not now.”
Faith looked at her teasingly,
“Now what Buffy?”
“You know.”
“Do I?”
Buffy’s was more and more clenched by the emotions, she tried to go on,
“You can’t do that, not after what happened.”
“And what exactly happened Buffy?”
Buffy looked aside, avoiding Faith’s ironic gaze, the brunette went on,
“Don’t tell me that now you wanna talk... Do you Buffy? And, is there still something to talk about? What? You don’t say anything finally, that’s what I thought.”
"Faith.”
Buffy just said, the brunette moved closer and whispered to her,
“Do you think I still wanna hear it anyway love?”
She moved on Buffy’s side going on,
“Come on Buffy, I’m waiting here. Do I? If I do, means you can trust me... careful B. Do I?”
PART 10
Faith
was staring intensely at Buffy. Jessica and Linda were slightly
laughing at Buffy’s lost expression, and the look of intense
thinking on her face. The other 3 rogue slayers were a little less
comfortable, keeping their guns trained on 3 slayers including The
slayer, the longest survivor of their kind, was a little too much
for them.
Buffy closed her eyes for a short while and the first
image she saw then in the back of her mind was Faith’s eyes on
her last night; Faith’s loving eyes on her. Buffy
shivered as this vision reminded her body of the brunette’s
warmth on her. She opened her eyes again and kept up Faith’s
gaze,
“Yes, you still wanna hear it. You do.”
Faith smiled but not in a mischievous way. Linda frowned a bit, despite Buffy’s still uncertain look Linda began to suspect there was much more in the 2 slayers’ history than she would’ve thought. She had it confirmed when Faith took Buffy’s hand in hers. Buffy hesitated. Faith whispered,
“Trust me.”
Buffy
squeezed the brunette’s hand. On Buffy’s other side
Kennedy squeezed her other hand too as she felt her girlfriend’s
presence very close. Jessica frowned and suddenly all the lights went
off.
Jessica tried to switch them on again failing at it,
“What the fuck is goi-“
She
was cut by a thunder and a powerful red and white light coming from
behind our 3 slayers. It was Willow; she put one hand on Buffy and
Kennedy’s ones and her other hand on Faith and Buffy’s
ones and several flash of lightning went from Buffy, Faith and
Kennedy to Linda and Jessica. The other 3 rogue slayers moved
backwards in fright. There was thunder resounding everywhere in the
warehouse. Linda and Jessica screamed while Faith, Buffy and Kennedy
stood still, eyes closed and breathing very loudly. Willow’s
gaze was riveted on the 2 rogue leaders and there was a blinding
light coming from where her hands and her slayer friends’ ones
were joined, then it all stopped and the ceiling lights went on
again.
Linda and Jessica fell on their knees, exhausted. The 3
others were very silent and frightened behind them, against a wall.
Buffy opened her eyes again and tried to figure out what happened,
Kennedy as well. Faith looked at Buffy and the blonde slayer let go
of her hand, uncertain, she turned to look at Willow,
“What happened?”
The two girls on their knees could barely breath. Willow looked at them, waiting for them to look at her, when they did she smiled at them,
“I’m the one who gave you that power.”
The witch smirked,
“Well, I’m the one who took it back now.”
Jessica and Linda didn’t even need that deathblow to understand, they could feel it; that strength and that power inside was missing already. Willow looked up at the other 3 who were even more terrified.
“And don’t you dare move cause I can easily take it from you too.”
They nodded immediately putting their guns on the ground slowly. Faith reach for her pocket and took a key, she began unlocking Kennedy’s and Buffy’s chain. Buffy sighed but remained silent; Kennedy shook her head while looking at her girlfriend,
“You were together in this? What did you do? And why didn’t you tell me anything?”
Willow’s gentle and shy look was back on her face, she hesitated,
“I know, I-I it was, I wanted to but-“
“I told her not to,” Faith said cutting Willow’s uneasiness. Kennedy looked at Faith not sure whether to look happy that she was still on their side or mad at her for risking Willow’s life in a huge spell without her knowledge and support of it but Faith went on,
“You had to believe it because THEY had to believe it; that I was on their side.”
Willow went on,
“Faith had this idea but I didn’t know if it could work without the scythe or even it if could work, period. But it was worth the try so I worked on it and with you, I mean, the scythe’s power never left me since THAT spell and I realized I had what it takes to do it with you; 3 generations of slayers; Buffy, Faith and you baby, it was way enough.”
Faith started again,
“I was pretty sure you’d never accept that, mainly Buffy because for that-“ Faith stared at the blonde slayer as she went on, “-she would have had to admit she trusts me enough for it and she would’ve never done that. And I’m pretty sure we’d have screwed the mission one way or another and these girls... or even us, would have paid the price.”
Buffy didn’t say anything but she gave quite a hard gaze at Faith. Linda said,
“Don’t talk about us like that, like you’re not one of us, you’re not a nice girl you're the bad girl, that’s what’s inside of you, you belong with us.”
Faith moved closer lifting her by the shirt,
“Let me tell you something honey, you haven’t even got close to being bad. You’re just lazy... But you’re right, I’m bad, I really am and you don’t wanna see my real face, no you don’t.”
She let her go and Linda fell on the floor again. In the meantime Jessica reached for her gun in her pocket but Kennedy was quicker, she took her wrist and broke it. Jessica cried out in pain, Kennedy moved behind her and Linda pulling on their hair, holding their head backwards in the process,
“I guess you feel a little less joking today don’t you? You know I could beat you up right now, you know that don't you?”
She pulled harder, the girls’ faces creased with pain then Kennedy released her grip and got up,
“But unlike you, I have a sense of honour, I like to play it fair and you... you’re not even worth the sweet taste of revenge, you’re not worth much in fact.”
Willow went on,
“Well I tend to be really good at revenge I’m sure you girls heard about that... And for my part I think I could use a bit of that sweet taste of revenge right now.”
Linda and Jessica looked panicky for a short while before Kennedy and Willow held each other, she was just scaring them... and it worked, even more for the three girls behind.
They softly kissed then Willow whispered to her girlfriend,
“You’re right, not worth the time, have better things to do.”
They smiled tenderly at each other then Buffy finally spoke in a casual tone,
“What about the other three?”
Faith said,
“They’re not a threat, they’re coming back to England with us, and I guess with some good guidance they should do... otherwise we can still use them as real targets for the girls training at the council’s boot camp.”
The three girls frowned in panic, Faith smiled wickedly at them,
“I’m kidding you girls... mainly. Goes without saying we’ll be watching you, hope that’s clear?”
They all nodded and gulped. Buffy turned her head the other side,
“Fine, do that, let’s go home then.”
Buffy’s tone was cold. Faith sighed and Jessica smiled,
“So that’s it? You’re gonna go back to be her flunkey?”
Faith didn’t reply and Jessica went on,
“See how she's treating you? You know that I’m right you should be the leader instead you stay here doing every one of her desire while she treats you like shits.”
Faith calmly said,
“Shut up now.”
But Jessica didn’t stop,
“I guess I’m right then. Come on Faith, you like it being free it’s obvious, she’s been screwing your mind and ruining your life ever since you met her, she should be gone for long instead she’s here telling you how to behave. You’re a free spirit Faith just like us, come on give us back what’s ours, let's take back what's ours, she’s not the one who’s got to decide about it.”
Kennedy intervened,
“You decided, this power hasn’t been yours since you started using it for your own good, you lost it on your own now shut the hell up.”
Faith was still silent, Jessica continued,
“No I won’t shut up! She hates you Faith, her only regret is to have missed you the first time, she can’t wait to finish the job, she’s a bitch.”
Buffy smiled, Faith looked aside and the blonde slayer finally spoke,
“You’re right, I am. A real bitch and a leader, and you, nor Faith has anything to say about it.”
Faith avoided looking at her and Buffy continued,
“Faith will stay with us because she can’t go anywhere else, she doesn’t belong with you. She can’t go anywhere far from me, I’m like an addiction to her. She can’t do anything without me; she’s nothing without me, this is why she will stay with us forever.”
Linda raised her brows,
“Faith you’re gonna let her talk about you like that?”
Buffy moved closer to Faith who looked slightly hurt, Buffy kept talking,
“Yes she will; I can do anything I want to her, she’s lost without me,”
Faith didn’t really know how to react, the more Buffy was talking and staring at her the less she was able to move or say anything to contradict her. Buffy went on talking to the girls though still staring at Faith while moving very close to her,
“You girls can’t understand, you will never take Faith away, you will never come between us... she can’t choose any way that would be without me-“
Buffy took Faith’s face between her hands,
“-Just like I can’t choose any way that does not include her, just like I’m lost without her, just like I’m nothing without her, just like she’s an addiction to me, just like she can do anything to me I would always come back... just like I can’t breathe without her.”
Faith exhaled deeply as she’d held her breath without realizing it, and she smiled at Buffy who smiled back, the blonde slayer caressed her face and turned to look at Linda and Jessica,
“You were wrong on one thing, my only regret is to have denied and pushed back this feeling for so long.”
Buffy looked back at Faith with a sad look,
“I’m so sorry... I didn’t understand... God I didn’t know... It was so strong... I couldn’t handle it, I’m so sorry for the time we've lost, I’m sorry Faith, please, tell me it’s not too late.”
Faith caressed the blonde girl’s face in her turn,
“We’re bound together for life Buffy... It would never be too late.”
She pulled her closer and they kissed under the satisfied gaze of Willow and Kennedy. Then they pulled away, Faith whispered,
“Let’s go home now.”
Buffy smiled but Willow asked,
“What do we do about these two?”
Faith moved to them, grabbed their arms and locked their wrists with the chains, she told her friends,
“Leave them to their misery, I guess also there are quite a few people who’d like to talk with them, now... and some still in hospital as well... Have fun girls.”
The four friends left, guiding the other three slayers with them. They went to the hotel to pack their stuffs and left for the airport where tickets had already been booked by Giles.
~~~
They
got to their seats in the plane, the three ex-rogue slayers were
already seated and silent, they’d been very listening and doing
everything they were told. Willow was smiling a lot inwardly because
each time she looked at them they looked completely panicky and
gulped. The witch was giving them severe looks but always smiling
inwardly at the effect she had on them, she was enjoying herself a
lot. Kennedy was observing her do and was amused by her girlfriend’s
game. After all she deserved some revenge didn’t she?
Willow and Kennedy sat on their seats, Buffy and Faith arrived
hand in hand but at the time to sit they meant to go to the window
seat at the same time, they both moved backwards but gave each other
a nice smile, Faith said,
“I don’t want to bother you love, but this is my seat.”
Buffy gave her a fake-nice smile and showed her ticket,
“Well, my love, don’t want to bother you but obviously it’s not.”
Faith gave her the same fake-smile,
“Well honey, it was also my ticket on the plane the first time but despite it all I let you sit there to make you shu-, to please you.”
Buffy sighed,
“Yeah right, err I mean, no you wanted to sit near the aisle cause of the restrooms, remember sweety? You don’t want me to say the details again because I wouldn’t want to embarrass you.”
Faith nodded ironically,
“Oh yes the details, that I can’t sleep because of your loud snoring is that what you’re talking about love?”
Buffy was becoming a bit mad, gently mad while Faith was flouting and smiling mischievously at her, Buffy went on simply saying,
“Whatever; my ticket, my place.”
She began to move but Faith did too saying,
“My turn, my place.”
Buffy’s eyes widened suddenly and she looked ahead,
“The girls are running away!”
Faith turned around very fast,
“Where?! Where?!”
When
she turned around again Buffy was sitting by the window looking ahead
of her like nothing happened. Faith sighed and finally sat beside
her, she looked in front of her too, then she just said without
looking at Buffy,
“Bitch.”
Buffy
didn’t look at her as she replied,
“Psycho.”
“Asshole.” was Faith’s response only to be echoed by Buffy’s next,
“Slut.”
Faith was still looking in front of her,
“Fake blonde.”
“Cheater.”
Faith suddenly turned to Buffy and kissed her savagely, Buffy responding even more wildly.
On the row of seats beside them Willow and Kennedy sighed, Kennedy shook her head and Willow told her jokingly,
“I bet you thought it would get better with these two once they would... well, you know. At least they don’t wanna kill each other, that’s a plus.”
Kennedy sighed,
“We’ll just never have peace with those two right?”
Willow nodded negatively and smiled,
“You’ll get used to it.”
Kennedy put her head on her girlfriend’s chest, resigned but smiling all the same. Willow was smiling too, she glanced at the two slayers almost making out on their seats and she said with a joking tone,
“God it’s only gonna get worse now.”
And she held her girlfriend who smiled at her, knowing.
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