Buffy burst into the waiting room, followed quickly by Dawn, Xander, Giles, and Faith. She quickly scanned the crowded room and saw Kennedy. The girls forehead was bandaged but she seemed fine otherwise. They made their way through the people and to Kennedy, who looked ready to both kill someone and to die at the same time. "Kennedy, where's Willow?" Buffy asked gently but forcefully. Kennedy looked at her, tears in her eyes. "We were in an ambulance and... she died, Buffy"
---------------------------------------
Before Buffy could even begin to let that soak in, Kennedy added, "Then they brought her back, but they-they said she's not...she's hurt and they won't tell me what's wrong." Buffy thought a moment, knowing that medical information was only given out to family members, and that none of Willow's family lived nearby. She found the desk and talked to the first nurse she could. "Can I help you?" the small, gray haired woman asked. "My name's Buffy Summers, I came for Willow Rosenburg, can you tell me what's going on? Please." The woman asked mechanically, "Are you family?" Buffy shook her head, and when she saw the nurse was going to not tell her anything, she added, "But she has no family. Not in this part of the country, atleast. Please. She'd be okay with it, I just... she's my best friend, and I need to know if she's okay." Buffy used the tear trick that had usually worked on her mother. The kind old woman smiled a bit, and said, "I can't tell you anything much, but... I'm close to retiring, and I understand about the best friend thing, so I'll see what I can do." Buffy smiled gratefully and returned to her friends. Kennedy looked up at her and asked, "Well? How is she?" Buffy shook her head. "I don't know yet." The minutes went on for hours, the hours, days. Kennedy couldn't sit still. She could barely think other then to think of Willow, and what had happened. An hour passed and still nothing. Buffy sat in a chair, Dawn on one side, Giles on the other. Xander had sat for a while, but now was roaming endlessly, looking a lot like a lost dog. Buffy had called the house and filled everyone in, and she was told that the storm was supposed to get worse through the night.
Finally a docter, probably early-thirties, walked out and called for Buffy. When she stood, he questioned, "You're Miss.Rosenburg's cousin?" Buffy realized what must have been said and she nodded. Anything for information. The other's stood and Kennedy waited anxiously. Buffy walked to the doctor, who informed her quietly, "Your cousin has withstood a lot of damage. We almost lost her for a minute, but for now she's stable. She obtained a concussion and she's badly battered. She had a puncture wound in her stomach, we believe from a piece of glass." Before he could continue, Buffy questioned, "But will she be okay?" The docter sighed, and answered slowly, "Physically, yes, her wounds will eventually heal. Unfortunatly, she slipped into a coma, and it's quite possible she... won't awaken for a long time. That's not saying it's not possible, but it's not probable." Buffy nodded slowly, "Can we see her?" The doctor replied, "One at a time. Room 132." Buffy walked towards the other's slowly. Kennedy, who normally could have heard the whole conversation due to slayer hearing, was to nervous to have paid attention. Buffy repeated what the doctor had told her, and Kennedy looked away. 'she won't awaken...' the words kept replaying in her head. A life without Willow? She'd rather die. "Can I- can i see her?" Kennedy asked. Buffy nodded and they found the room. Xander looked through the glass window and a tear rolled down his cheek. Dawn cried softly, always emotional, and Giles just sighed. Buffy's eyes widened as everything became reality, and Kennedy just stared at her girl. She couldn't move, speak. When Buffy asked if she wanted to go first, she just stood there, she couldn't answer. Xander went ahead, not for long, he couldn't take it that long. He came out, quiet, and walked to Kennedy. While Buffy went to see Willow and Dawn and Giles went to make a few calls, he stood there. He put his hand on Kennedy's shoulder and said quietly, "I know what you feel, Kennedy. We won't lose her. She's too strong, she'll come back to you." With that, Kennedy slid to the floor, tears washing her face as sobs shook her and Xander sat with her, just sat, doing what he did. He was there for her, and that's all she needed to know. She wouldn't be alone, Xander knew what she was going through, because he'd gone through it less then half a year earlier. 'Anya' he thought. -
Willow couldn't see. Everything was dark and she didn't know where she was. Confusion overtook her; the last thing she remembered was being mad at Kennedy and driving... somewhere. She just couldn't remember where she was driving. Or where she ended up. She had to find out where she was. She looked to the left, then the right, but all she saw was darkness. She turned around and saw a light bright enough to make her sheild her eyes. As she adjusted, she saw everything. She was home. In Sunnydale. She was in her room, safe, and alone. Entirely alone.
----------------------------------------------------
Buffy sat with Dawn and Xander, once again in the waiting room. Though they had been told everything they needed to know and they should have gone home to fill in the others and possibly catch some much needed sleep, no one wanted to leave. Giles was doing his thing and calling people and filling out forms, and Kennedy was still in with Willow. The storm outside had worsened dramaticly and people flooded the room. Dawn looked on in horror at the mass number of people, victoms of the storm. Kennedy sat in a chair near Willow's bed, her eyes focased in on Willow. If she moved at all, Kennedy would make sure to see. So far she hadn't, but she was willing to stay for weeks if she had to. She'd do anything she could to make Willow better again. She blamed herself for Willow being hurt, because she was the one who had kept a secret from Willow. -
Willow looked around. No one. She looked out the window. There they were. The slayers were out back training. She turned around and walked downstairs. She looked into the living room and saw sleeping bags scattered about. She passed through the dining room, where Xander and Anya were argueing again, into the kitchen. Passing Andrew, she walked into the backyard. She smiled at Kennedy, who was giving orders to the girls. Buffy and Wood were there, too. Willow frowned. She looked at the girls. Kennedy, Rona, Emily, Amanda... why did it seem wrong? Then Willow realized. Sunnydale, the house, it wasn't supposed to still be there. And Amanda...was dead. Wasn't she? What was going on? Buffy looked to Willow, and she realized she'd been talking to her. "Uh, yeah...oh, yeah. Only the lighter stuff." Buffy looked back at Wood and Willow walked back into the house, having no idea what was going on.
--------------------------------------------------------
"Kennedy, you have to go home. You have to sleep. And you might wanna get your head rebandaged. You're looking kinda icky." Dawn said. "Willow will be okay. I swear." Kennedy shook her head. They'd been in the hospital for about seven hours, and Kennedy's head had begun to bleed again a while back. She'd forgoten she was supposed to get it rechecked when they reached the hospital. When Kennedy said, "I'm not leaving her." Dawn just looked at her. "Fine, but when Willow wakes up she'll get mad that you didn't take care of yourself. You know she will." Kennedy sighed. "Not yet. Just a little while. I need to be with her now." Dawn gave in and left. She walked back to the others and shook her head. Buffy looked at her sister, then Xander, and Giles. She'd never noticed how much older he'd gotten in the past eight years. He looked tired. "I think you guys should go home. Get some sleep, fill everone else in, make sure everythings okay. It's likely that they've burned the Acadamy down." Dawn automatically shook her head, "No. We need to stay." Buffy shook her head, "No, you need to sleep because Willow wouldn't want us to kill ourselves by depriving ourselves of sleep." Giles asked, "What about you?" Buffy replied, "I'll stay here, try and pry Kennedy away for a little while." Dawn frowned, "Buffy, you need sleep, too." Buffy nodded, "I know, Dawn. I'll wait here and when you guys come back I'll go. I promise. But for now, I can't leave Kennedy alone." Xander said, "I don't like this, Buffy. I don't want to leave." Buffy nodded, "I know, but it's what Willow would want." He nodded, "Four hours, then I'm back." Buffy nodded, "I can live with that." A small shared smile, masking a lot of pain, and they were gone. Buffy walked down the hallway and looked in the glass window of Willow's room. Kennedy still sat, the same spot as she had all day. 'Some Christmas this is' Buffy thought sadly.
--------------------------------------------
Willow walked out the front door and ended up back in the living room, but now the room was filled with potentials and scoobies. Some were crying, some were just quiet. She remembered this one. She walked over and sat in the chair, Kennedy next to her. Buffy walked in. "Anyone wanna say a few words about Chloe? Let me. Chloe was an idiot. Chloe was stupid. And anybody in a rush to be the next dead body I bury, it's easy. Think of Chloe, and do what she did." Buffy kept talking, but Willow'd heard it all before. She was thinking untill she saw Kennedy stand, "You're out of line!" Willow looked up at her, "No, she's not." Kennedy shot back something about strength and Willow turned to look at Buffy. What was going on? This had all already happened. She didn't understand it. She waited as Buffy talked.
-----------------------------------------
"Kennedy, you were in a seven-car crash. You're head's bleeding and looks pretty painful. You haven't moved for the past ten hours. You need to move. For all we know you could be dead. Show us you're not and stand up." Buffy ordered. Kennedy shook her head, "I have to stay with Willow." Buffy frowned and glared at her, frustrated. The girl needed to be have her wounds checked, and she definitly needed some sleep. Even a slayer needs a break sometimes. "Kennedy, you know I'm stronger then you, especially right now. Don't make me drag you. I will." Kennedy nodded, and stood up. She looked at Willow before following Buffy out the door. While a doctor checked over and rebandaged Kennedy, Buffy went to meet Xander in the waiting room. With him was Faith and Giles. Faith explained, "Dawn's out cold, and I wanted to make sure the brat was okay. Buffy nodded, knowing it was hard for Faith to let onto her feelings. Kennedy came out of the room and Xander asked, "How is she?" Kennedy shook her head, "The same"
-------------------------------------
Willow had walked through the doorway into the basement and ended up in the living room (again), but this time the only ones there were the scoobies and Kennedy and Andrew. Only, she wasn't herself. She looked like Warren. This was after she and Kennedy's first 'date'. They'd kissed and she'd turned into Warren! She went out the door and walked into an office.
----------------------------------
Kennedy was back by Willow's side. She'd seen a doctor and now she refused to leave. They others seemed satisfied for now, and she was glad. Willow needed her there. She knew that they probably thought she was being stubborn, but it had never bothered her before and it didn't now, either.
---------------------------------------
Willow's memories were out of order and confusing, but perfectly the same as she remembered. Now she sat on the floor of the highschool, Kennedy in front of her, a look of perfect trust in her eyes. Willow looked at her and knew what had happened. Someone (or thing) wanted her to remember that she loved Kennedy and should have given her the chance to explain. She should have trusted her, she just loved her so much. She'd jumped to conclusions, and she now knew better. Slowly her surroundings faded and the sterile white of a hospital room came into view. She looked over and saw Kennedy, asleep. "Kenn..." Willow called weakly. Kennedy's eyes snapped open. "Willow!" she exclaimed, jumping up and hugging her. "Oh, honey, ow." Willow warned. Kennedy pulled away, eyes sad, "Oh, I'm sorry!" Willow smiled. Kennedy's eyes widened and she ran out of the room and down the hall. She got a nurse and told her Willow was awake, then went to the others, who'd been joined by Dawn, and told them all, "She's awake! She's awake! Hurry up, come on!" They all followed her down the hall and crowded into Willow's room. "Hey, you guys didn't have to come here. I'm fine. Just a little scratch." Willow joked softly. Xander and Buffy both had tears in there eyes, and Kennedy's hand was entwined with Willow's, "She's okay. You're okay." She said quietly, almost unnoticeable beneath the others' chatter.
---------------------------------
It was nearly five days after the accident. Willow had slept most of the time, and they'd kept her drugged to help with the pain, so the rest of the time she was pretty out of it anyway. "So...she can go home?" Buffy asked. "She can, although she won't be able to do much. We'd like to keep her here, but we can't force her to, and she's made it clear she'd like to leave as soon as possible. I'll be back in a few minutes with the release papers and her meds"
Buffy turned around and walked back towards her friend's room. When she got inside, only Kennedy remained, and Willow, of course. "Can I go now?" She asked Buffy, awake and alert, if only for the time being. "Yup. Well, soon. The doctor'll be back in a minute and then we can go." Buffy looked sternly to Kennedy, "From now on, she doesn't leave the house alone when it's snowing." Kennedy nodded in agreement, "Sounds like a plan to me." Willow just pouted, "That's not fair! Kennedy was in a crash too!" Buffy frowned, "Oh, that's right. Sorry Kenn, but you either." Kennedy frowned, "You're joking?!" She grinned, knowing Buffy was just joking around to lighten things up. She glanced at Willow and hide a grin, "Only if you can make me." Buffy practicly growled, and Willow held in a laugh. Laughing hurt. Laughing bad.
"So, are you ready to go home?" the docter came back in and asked Willow, who smiled. A sudden thought made the smile fade, though. She looked up at Kennedy, who had stood up and was listening to the docter. She frowned, then looked to Buffy. She was listening to the docter, too. Looking back at Kennedy, she inhaled sharply. When the other three looked at her, she looked away from Kennedy, who asked, "Willow? You okay?" Willow just nodded, not able to form words.
----------------------------------------
Xander was out cold, and Dawn was nearly asleep in the chair by the window, where she was watching for the other three to return. Faith sat on the couch next to Robin, appearingly unconcerned. She had never been a part of their little family, but after everything that had happened, she wasn't unfazed by the week's events. Giles sat across from them, one eye on the other girl, Alexa. She'd stayed with them, in an extra room, simply because she had no place else to go. He'd only been told briefly what had happened, something about her being a friend of Kennedy's. Alexa, sitting near the entrence to the room, looked unscathed by what was being said. She knew that these people had no idea who she was, and she could use that to her advantage. Kennedy's new fling wouldn't stop her, only possibly slow her slightly. Kennedy's resistance would fade, it always did. Then she'd take her and go. They'd leave, maybe go to Mexico this time, and when the got back to New York, she'd forget about everything here. It was a simple plan, and it always worked. This time, though, when they got to New York, she wouldn't let Kennedy out of her sight.
--------------------------------------------
Willow sighed when they pulled up to the acadamy. This was Kennedy and her home, yet now an uninvited feeling of lonilyness radiated off it. Buffy had driven them back, and now, seeing Willow's hesitation, knew she should go in ahead to make sure nothing was, uh...wrong. "Can you guys manage? I wanna go and, uh... see if they left the lights on if they're not awake. Don't want you two to trip over something and have to go back to the hospital." She left, and Kennedy looked over at Willow. "You ready baby girl?" Willow looked at her. She always did that. The nicknames. It was so cute. 'Did she call Alexa that?' the thought popped into her head, and she shook herself. She'd promised herself she'd let Kennedy explain. "Huh? Uh, yeah." Kennedy got out and came around to Willow's side. She opened the door and moved away for a moment. Willow got out and stood, slowly. She knew her stomach was bandaged, and it hurt enough for her to know it was hurt, but not enough for her to think something was seriously wrong. Other then that, she had no idea what she looked like. Kennedy had sent Faith after her faverite clothes for her as soon as she woke up, so atleast she knew what she was wearing. Kennedy stood beside her, and Willow looked over and saw the wheelchair that she'd been forced to use. She looked pleadingly at Kennedy; she hated that thing. It made her feel old. Kennedy sighed, then said, "You're going to get yourself back in the hospital, ya know." Willow shook her head, "You wouldn't let me." Kennedy smiled, then slipped an arm around her fiancee's waist, supporting her. Willow fingered the ring that was now in her palm, hidden from view. She only wished that she was the only girl that Kennedy had actually given a ring to, but apparently, it seemed she was wasting her wishes.
--------------------------------------------
Buffy had sent everyone out of the front hall and the lounge. It was nearly midnight anyway so she told them that they should be sleeping, and that Willow would be annoyed if she found out they were depriving themselves of sleep on her behalf. Dawn and Xander were already out, though, so she figured they'd be fine. When Willow and Kennedy walked in, the only lights on her the side lights, the big light being to harsh in Buffy's point of view. Buffy helped Kennedy get Willow upstairs, then said good-night. "Buffy!" Willow called before she could go to far. When she turned back, Willow just smiled painfully. Buffy knew what she couldn't ask, and she'd be happy to do it. Once the other two were in their room with the door closed, she passed her room and went straight for the extra ones.
------------------------------------------------------------
Kennedy had gotten Willow in bed and smiled at her from the dresser. Willow, looked at the ring on her finger, the back at Kennedy. When the younger girl laid down beside her, turning off the bright light (much to Willow's relief) Willow asked softly, "Kennedy?" The girl turned to her, placing a hand on hers, "Hmm?" The older girl's eyes stung, but she had to ask, "Wh-who is she?" Kennedy sighed, then sat up. She got up and walked to the window. Willow watched as she stepped into the pale splash of moonlight, hesitant. "Were- Was she- Were you two-" Willow knew if she finished her sentance she would burst into tears. "Yes. We were." Kennedy stressed the were. "But she said...did you just- did you just leave?" Willow asked. Kennedy faced away from her, not answering. "You did. You just..." Willow paused, standing up slowly and backing towards the door. "Willow, please." Kennedy turned to look at her and Willow asked, eyes shining with unshed tears, "You left her, and you-you were en- engaged. How do I" Willow couldn't barely speak. Kennedy wanted to explain but she couldn't. "If you did that to her, how do I- I know you w-won't do it t-t-to me? Can you even answer?" Kennedy, eyes wide, said, "I wouldn't. I love you. I want to spend my life with you." Willow asked, doubtful, "Didn't you love her? Y-you were engaged? Didn't you- " Kennedy stopped her, "No. I didn't." Willow stopped, "B-but you were engaged." Kennedy looked away for a moment before looking back and saying insistantly "But I didn't love her. We were engaged, but I didn't love her." Willow stepped farther away, not even able to think of anything but the worst possible scenario. "Then how do I know you love me?"
------------------------------------------------
A.N.-I know this isn't broken up like it should be but i wrote this a long time ago and thought i should post more finally
