"Hey boss, do you want to come with us to raid that nest we found last night?" one of the Slayers calls to Kennedy. Kennedy can't remember the girls name; she's been mentally calling her interchangeable slayer #8.
"No, take care a couple of girls and take care of it," Kennedy replies to #8. She doesn't want to turn into Buffy, seeing the other slayers as cannon fodder instead of people. But she can't help it, after all who has the time to learn names when your girlfriend is just hanging on to this side of sanity with her fingernails.
---
"Will?" Kennedy calls cautiously, entering the bedroom. Willow is curled at the top of the bed, the covers pulled up to her chin, she doesn't move when Kennedy sits down next to her.
"I thought you were working tonight?"
"I took the night off; eight's taken eleven and thirteen out on patrol."
"You can't keep calling them that, Ken."
"I'm not as bad as Andrew. Faith says he's given all the British Slayers Borg designations."
Kennedy almost detects a smile at that, "Will, we could use your help tomorrow night?"
"I can't, you know I can't, you know what'll happen…"
---
"Kennedy, it's half past three in the morning, what could you possibly need?" Giles sounds tired and irate.
"Sorry," Kennedy does a passable imitation of contrite, "it's about Willow."
"She's still no better?"
"Worse. She's locked herself in our bedroom. She's getting really sick but she says she can't use magic."
"I know it's difficult for you to hear, but there is nothing physically wrong. It is approaching the second anniversary of Tara's death and Willow never really dealt with her actions surrounding it. The best thing you can do is be there for her."
Kennedy scowls and hangs up.
---
"Hey boss?" This Slayers name is Alexandra, formerly #6; Kennedy's been making more of an effort lately.
"What's up Alex?"
"It's about the basement."
The basement is kitted out for restraining demons they may need information from later. Willow's been holed up there for days now, refusing to come out, she says it for everyone's protection.
Its fine for Giles to sit in England and say it's all in Willow's head, but he's not the one with a Brax demon tied up in his kitchen while the woman he loves whimpers in a basement.
"Don't worry, I'll talk to her."
---
As Kennedy descends into the basement she sees Willow curled in a corner, she's wrapped her arm around an iron chain and is gripping it like her life depends on it.
Kennedy crouches next to Willow, "Hey babe."
Willow shies away from Kennedy's touch, "Warren smelled after I killed him, I never told anyone that. If I leave here I'll hurt you too and you'll leave me. Everyone always leaves me."
Kennedy pulls the slight redhead against her, "I'm not going to leave you, Will, ever. We'll go to England, get Giles to help you."
"You'll stay with me?"
"Promise."