The shift between good and evil hadn't seemed to slow the flow of demons and vampires that spilled from hell. Two weeks in L.A. and already the three Slayers had collectively dusted and destroyed hundreds of demons. It seemed hell was out to get them and boy was it furious. As the sun peaked over the tall buildings, the reigning Slayer laid her head meekly atop her pillow. Her head was throbbing and her body ached in unimaginable pain. No rest for the wicked meant no rest for the decent either. Next to her, curled in a ball was her young sister Dawn. Her sides heaved up and down peacefully, her eyes fluttering as her body tried to awaken. Their schedules were twisted and Buffy often slept while Dawn mosied around the hotel room in utter boredom. It seemed everyone but her and Xander spent the nights awake.
In the next room over Willow pulled her own tired Slayer into her arms, kissing her forehead softly and mumbling sweet nothings in her ear. Kennedy relaxed almost immediately and the Wiccan felt her own body ease. She had barely slept recently, spending her time worrying over Kennedy at night and thinking about Tara during the daylight hours. She had seen her that day, her radiant smile as she called on the power of the Slayers. She had been proud, looked it, and that face was all Willow could see when her mind wasn't entrapped in the new love she had found.
She felt guilty for the way her thoughts tangled themselves together but she couldn't seem to get control and quite frankly, she wasn't sure she really wanted too. She enjoyed the way her mind replayed the image, it was more pleasing than the previous. Tara limp in her arms, blood pooling at the hole in her chest. That was the last time she had seen, touched and heard Tara and the only words she had left Your shirt were quite frankly saddening to the red head.
"You're thinking about Tara, aren't you?" Kennedy voiced, her tone hushed but not in a manner that reflected disappointment, only comfort. Willow wasn't quite sure how to respond, taken aback by the words, by the fact that Kennedy was awake despite the long night of Slayage. Out of respect for her, she nodded, her face flushing red with nervousness but all Kennedy did was smile peacefully and wrap their fingers together. "You're allowed to do that, you know. I know you love me. I'm not worried... and I saw her too." the last part was a hush, almost as if she was unsure that the beautiful red head should know that she had peered into her minds eye, viewed the light that had shown so brightly above the witch's head.
"You did?" she asked softly, her voice meek, almost painfully nervous. Kennedy nodded, smiling softly. Willow wasn't upset, wasn't even fretting, in fact, it pleased her. It had been real. Someone else had seen Tara and to her, that set the whole world right again.
"She is proud of you" she murmured softly, leaning up to place a gentle kiss on the red-heads lips. Willow smiled against the pressure and returned the kiss, melting into it in such a way that left the two of them breathless.
"I know... I just wish I could hear her say it. Just one last time" she stated as the two pulled apart. Though Kennedy felt a twinge of disappointment in her heart, she understood Willow's meaning. She just wanted to hear it, to change the last of her thoughts of Tara. To right them. Make them perfect and she should get that. She should have it but cruel people had taken it away... but if Tara hadn't died where would that leave Kennedy now? Would they even have known each other? "I love you, please don't think I don't" Willow pleaded, her voice shakey as her free hand moved up to carress the Slayers cheek.
"I know, I love you" she returned, placing yet another gentle kiss on her lips. The red-head laid back, placing her head carefully upon Kennedy's chest, listening to the thump of her heart and the unusually slow pace of her breathing until at last, the two slipped into sleep, the world disappearing again.
"Willow" a voice sounded not far off, the redheads eyes snapping open. At her side rested the sleeping Slayer, her brown wavey hair framing her face in the most beautiful manner. Willow couldn't help but smile, the breath stolen from her chest but it hadn't been Kennedy's voice that had circled through her mind. She turned her head upwards, jumping back slightly when the mist like figure came into view.
"Tara?" was all she could muster before she sprung to her feet and ran to the blonde, her arms wrapping around her in pure delight. She felt her shift beneath her and once again their bodies melded together perfectly. How long had she been missing this? This touch? This feel? Like nothing else in the world mattered. It was her and Tara. Yet there was a question that wouldn't leave her mind. What was she doing here?
"I came to warn you" she remarked, as if she head read the wiccans mind. Willow stepped back slightly, blinking at the beautiful blonde. Warn her? The first was gone and it had only been two weeks since they had destroyed the Hellmouth. They hadn't even decided where they were going at this point, just trying to find slayers. Trying to get their lives together. She blinked in confusion.
"Warn me?" she asked briefly, taking yet another step back, admiring the female before her but with a prick of worry filling her heart. Something was wrong, clearly, the worry was painted across Tara's face.
"Something is picking off the new Slayers one by one. They are confused and unaware of their new powers and what it means. The council doesn't have enough Watchers for everyone." the blonde faltered, her figure fading out momentarily before she righted herself "You have to move on. You have to find the other Slayers." she stated, a sadness in her heart as her form shimmered, fading from sight.
"Wait, please don't go" Willow cried, a tear forming at the corner of her eyes. Tara simply smiled sadly and reached out to place a hand on Willow's cheek. The pressure was light but it was enough.
"I am already breaking the rules coming to you, but I had to see you. I'm proud of you Willow." Tara paused and looked back at Kennedy "And so is she" she stated. Willow glanced at Kennedy and in the time it took her to look back, Tara had faded.
Willow awoke with a start, tears pouring down her face. Kennedy stirred beside her, her eyes fluttering open. It took her all but a minute to realize that Willow was in distress and her arms shot out, wrapping themselves around the girl she loved.
Tara's words had meant more than anything to Willow but particularly, the last three. So is she. Kennedy loved her, possibly as much as she had loved Tara and the thought made her heart swell. She returned the hug that had been kindly forced upon her and fell into the brunettes lap in a mess of tears, letting herself fall apart for the first time since she had returned from the Coven in England.