Jessie Sammler, Vampire Slayer
Chapter 21
Author: j_rock873
Rating: PG-13
Summary: The fallout between Willow and Kennedy, a certain brunette returns, and Dawn gets a surprise visit from a loved one. Who could it be?
Disclaimer: I own nothing from either show.
Reviews: I would like them. Constructive criticism is ok.
Author's notes: The first time I watched the Faith episodes during the third season, I felt that the Scoobies could have treated her a little better. So that's what's going to happen in my story. In case you're curious about the chain of command in my story, I will tell you. First in command is Buffy because she's been the leader for so long, second is Faith because she's the second most experienced slayer, third is Willow because she could use her magic in controlling any out of line slayers, and finally, Jessie because of her victory mentioned in chapter fifteen. I also want to thank Jaymie Bishop for help with some of Faith's dialogue in this chapter. The girl Kennedy cheats with has the same name of the potential at the beginning of "Dirty Girls". It's only a coincidence though.
Willow returned to the gym to come face to face with her girlfriend, who seemed almost out of breath, smiling at her.
"Hey, baby, when did you get back?"
"At least half an hour ago. Where have you been? Jessie says that you've missed some training sessions while we were gone. She and Xander seem to think you're cheating one me."
"I wouldn't do that to you," the brunette said as she glared at her accusers.
"Then explain what this was doing under our bed," Willow demanded as she held up the hairclip in front of everyone, "This definitely doesn't belong to either you or me."
"Maybe someone planted it there to frame me," Kennedy exclaimed as she stared back and forth between Dawn and Jessie.
At that very moment, Shannon, a newbie slayer, jogged through the door almost out of breath and stopped in front of the arguing couple.
"There's my hairclip. Where did you find it? I've been looking for it for hours."
"Under my and Kennedy's bed," Willow growled.
The next thing everyone knew, Kennedy and Shannon were hanging at least five feet up in the air. A loud gasp was heard as the redhead's hair had turned black.
"Uh, are you ok, Willow?" Jessie cautiously asked as she tapped her on the shoulder.
"I will be…SOON," Willow answered as she turned around to face Jessie and everyone standing behind her.
Pained and scared expressions appeared as they saw black eyes and veins on her face before taking a few steps away.
"Oh no," Buffy and Xander commented.
"Good lord, Willow, let them down," Giles admonished the witch.
"Wh-What's g-going on?" Jessie and Katie stuttered as they couldn't figure out what to do.
"Shannon, you knew that Kennedy and I were dating and living together. Why would you do something so dangerous?" Willow questioned with an eerie smirk.
"That's not what she told me. She said you two broke up before the last trip you went on with Buffy and Dawn. She also said that you were crashing temporarily with them."
"WHAT! HOW COULD YOU?" Willow snarled at Kennedy, who had begun choking.
Dawn marched up to Willow, looked her in the eyes, and spoke, "No, Willow, you're not going to hurt them. LET THEM GO!"
"Why, Dawnie? I thought you'd like the idea of Kennedy no longer being around," Willow chuckled evilly at the now fearful looks on the levitated slayers' faces.
"Because you promised me," Dawn reminded the redhead.
"I promised you what?"
"You promised me back in Chicago that we'd never lose you. If you do something drastic like killing that slut, don't you think that's what will happen? Remember what happened when Tara died?"
"DON'T!" Willow warned as her hair color flickered back and forth between black and red.
"Please listen to me. We LOVE you, don't do this. I don't want to lose you," Dawn begged as she tightly hugged Willow, "You will find someone else who will treat you the way you deserve to be treated."
Buffy, Giles, Xander, Jessie, and Katie watched hopefully as the holds on Shannon and Kennedy were released. They watched the young slayer fall slowly to the floor while Kennedy was thrown up against the padded wall not too far away. Willow and Dawn fell down to their knees. Willow began to cry and buried her head on Dawn's shoulder as she was held by the younger girl. They were relieved as her hair became red again and stopped changing. Everyone briefly stood still at the sight of Willow gently sobbing on Dawn's shoulder.
"Is there anything we can do for you, Will?" Buffy offered as the rest wondered the same thing.
"Y-Yes, m-make h-her l-leave," Willow sadly mumbled as she slowly looked up and pointed to Kennedy.
They were happy to discover that her eyes and face were also normal again, except for the tears running down her cheeks.
"You heard her, Kennedy. Pack up your things and get out of here," Buffy ordered the now smirking brunette.
"You need me in this fight, and you all know that. Where would I go?"
"I hear Cleveland's nice," Xander suggested.
"I don't know if Faith would be too happy with me intruding on her new stomping grounds."
"We'll just tell her she's needed back here for awhile. Now get packing," Buffy repeated.
"Fine, I'm sick of this place and certain people here anyway," Kennedy sneered as she began to turn away but stopped and spoke again, "I'm not sorry for cheating on Willow. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Tara did the same thing. After all, they couldn't have been together 24/7."
"HOW DARE YOU! YOU DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HER! SHE NEVER WOULD HAVE DONE THAT TO SOMEONE SHE LOVED!" Dawn screamed as she jumped up and smacked the slayer as hard as she could before returning to the sobbing redhead.
The sound of the slap was even louder than the first one.
"Now you're going to get it, you…," Kennedy snarled as she lunged for Dawn.
However, Jessie got to her first. She pushed Dawn out of the way, grabbed Kennedy's wrist, and twisted her arm up behind her back.
"Tara couldn't have done that. I knew her schedule."
"So what? She could have skipped a class when you weren't looking and gotten some on the side. Or she could have performed some sort of mind bending spell," Kennedy informed as she tried to squirm out of the hold with a grunt.
"Shut up," Willow spat as memories of her breakup with Tara started entering her mind.
Buffy held her best friend back as she spoke to Xander, "Can you call Faith and tell her we need her back here?"
"Alright," he agreed as he used his cell phone to call Faith.
As Kennedy left the gym to pack her bags, Dawn began to hug Willow again. Suddenly, Dawn thought she could feel some sort of magical energy around her. She shivered as she unsuccessfully tried to hold in the worry that started to take over her body. The worry went away as she felt a hand on her shoulder and soft lips briefly kiss her forehead. She looked around but saw that neither her sister nor her friends had been close enough to do that.
"Are you ok?" Buffy inquired as she walked over to Dawn and rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" What the heck was that? Could it have been Tara? Don't be silly. Tara's dead. Isn't that what ghosts do though?
"Because just a minute ago, you shivered and got a scared look on your face that quickly changed to a smile," Buffy described as Jessie nodded along.
"I guess I was just worried about what Willow is going to do now and then being happy that Kennedy's gone." Good cover, but maybe it could have been her.
Meanwhile; Cleveland, Ohio; Faith's apartment
Faith was getting dressed after an afternoon romp while her fling remained asleep. She became curious at the sound of a ring coming from her phone.
"Yo, this is Faith. Who's calling, and what do you want?"
"Hi, Faith."
"Hey, Xander, what's up? How's the gang over there in jolly, old England? Whoa, slow down. What's wrong?"
"We need you come back here and let Kennedy take care of Cleveland."
"Why would I let her do that?" Faith argued as she glimpsed over to the person moving around under the covers of her bed.
"Because she cheated on Willow, and nobody wants her around."
"Wow, she cheated on Red? That's pretty stupid with Red being a witch and all."
"So will you come here?"
"Sure, maybe you could have Red teleport me or whatever over there. Give me about ten minutes. That should be enough time to pack and get out of here before my latest fling wakes up."
"Huh?"
"I'll explain when I get there. Just do what you've got to do."
Ten minutes later; London, England; just past the main door of the school gym
Faith appeared before them with an unreadable expression on her face.
"Nice to see everyone again. So where am I staying?"
"You can stay with me, Buffy, Jessie, and Katie," Dawn said as a smile grew on her face as well as on Buffy and Jessie's.
"Alright, lead the way, D."
"Not so fast, Faith, are you sure you're ok with coming back here?" Buffy quizzed.
"A little late to be asking me that, B, but yeah, it's cool."
"Before you go, tell us about this fling. What's his name, where did you meet him, and why so early in the day?" Xander added eagerly.
"Her name's Natalie. I was eager for an afternoon slay. Just like B and I did that one day years ago back in Sunnydale. I met her at a fast food joint while curing the first of the double h's. She helped with the second h."
The Scoobies all gasped at this startling news as the slayer winked at Jessie, which made the blonde blush a little.
"You h-hooked up w-with a g-girl?" Xander babbled, "What did she look like?"
"Xander, get your mind out of the gutter," Willow requested.
"It's alright, Red. She was kind of a short blonde with a nice body. She was a little bit moody but served her purpose," the sly slayer teased. Let's see how B reacts to that.
"Did you tell her goodbye?" Jessie replied with a slight chuckle.
"No, after I'm done with them, I either leave or let them get dressed and then kick them out the door. It's my get some, get gone motto," Faith revealed as she smirked at Xander.
"Isn't that a little cold?" Jessie declared.
"They were only one night stands, I don't do relationships well," Faith claimed as she briefly eyed Buffy. Not yet, anyway.
"I don't think I could ever do that to someone," Jessie responded.
"Ok, how are you holding up, Red?" Faith muttered as she tried to ignore the stare Buffy was giving her.
When the redhead didn't respond, Dawn spoke up again, "Let me show you to our place, Faith."
"Sounds good, need some help patrolling tonight?"
"That would be nice. You could go in my place while I hang out with Willow tonight."
"I can still go out, Buff."
"No, Will, we're hanging out together tonight and drown our problems at the nearest club. The rest can join us after the patrol."
"Fine, but let the record show I was still willing to fight tonight."
"So noted," Buffy let out through a smirk, "Faith, when you get back, check with Jessie. She already has the schedule set up."
"You're really enjoying the authority, huh, J?" Faith guessed as she turned to face the other blonde.
"Yeah," Jessie happily sighed.
"Great, but now you're fourth in command."
"If that's what it takes for you to be back, it's ok."
"Glad you understand," Faith stated as she peered over at Buffy before being led away by Dawn.
Back in Cleveland, Ohio, Faith's former/Kennedy's new apartment
Kennedy silently watched the blonde woman, who was still sleeping and apparently naked underneath the covers. She rolled her eyes at the striking resemblance between the girl in front of her and their leader back in London. She lifted up the covers to get a better look and to confirm her assumption. She let out a low whistle at the physical attributes of Faith's latest conquest. The sound of the whistle and the slight breeze across her skin woke the blonde.
"Want some more, F-Faith? W-Wait, who are you? Where's Faith?" the girl hissed as she pulled the sheet and comforter away from Kennedy and covered herself again.
"The name's Kennedy. What's yours?"
"Mine's N-Natalie. I guess I should be going then," Natalie decided as she searched for her clothes, "Is she going to be back soon?"
"No, she had to leave and take care of some business back in London. I don't think she'll be coming back."
"Then I should go," the blonde repeated as she reached for her clothes.
"You don't have to run off so fast you know," Kennedy encouraged as she approached the girl trying to get dressed under the covers.
"W-Why?"
"You sounded like you want more, and I can show you that I'm probably better than Faith," the brunette predicted as she quickly got undressed and hopped into bed before throwing the blonde's clothes toward the floor.
"Al-Alright," the blonde relented before being pushed onto her back.
Around twenty minutes later; London, England; Buffy, Dawn, and Jessie's apartment
"Nice place, D. Definitely better than mine."
"Thanks, you can set your bags down by the couch before you head back to go patrolling. I guess you'll be sleeping on the couch unless…"
"Unless what?" Faith grunted.
"Unless you could convince Buffy to share the bed with you."
"W-Why would I do that?"
"Because the couch isn't that comfortable, Buffy's bed is big enough for two, and we know you really like Buffy."
"Who said I like Buffy like that?"
"We can all see it. Well, if Buffy wasn't quite aware before, she should be now. That girl, Natalie, must be the spitting image of Buffy."
"Maybe," Faith admitted as she studied the look on Dawn's face, "Something else bothering you, D?"
"No, what makes you say that?"
"I don't know. It just looks like something else is on your mind. Or maybe I should say SOMEONE. A blonde about the same height, nice body, great smile, can sing, and knows how to kick some serious ass."
"Possibly."
"And you want to know what it would possibly be like to kiss her? I'm assuming you're asking me because of my confession back there. Although, Red should've already let you know what it feels like to kiss a girl."
"I already have," Dawn confessed, "It was after she saved me and Katie from some vampires."
"Wow, D, I'm impressed. Did you like it?"
"Yeah, I did, and that makes me feel bad."
"How is that bad?"
"Because she's still with Katie, and it also makes me wonder something else."
"And that would be?"
"Does liking the kiss make me gay or just confirm my crush on her? I mean can you tell from one kiss on the lips if you're gay, bi, or straight?"
"I'm not sure I can give you an honest answer, but we could find out the easy way."
"What are you talking…," Dawn mumbled before being caught up in a soft kiss from the former rogue slayer.
Dawn was a little resistant at first but caved in. As the kiss continued, she felt her tongue enter Faith's mouth while the slayer gently grabbed her butt. Dawn was brought out of her current stupor when she realized Faith's hands were now touching her underwear as the older girl was kissing her neck. She started to step away from Faith as hands began to make their way under Jessie's t-shirt. Faith's touch on her skin just above her hips felt almost like a jolt of electricity.
"Stop it, Faith," Dawn commanded softly as she stepped away even more and pulled the sweats back up.
She was a little shocked that Faith had been able to untie the drawstrings and pull them down to her knees before she noticed.
"Wh-What? Oh, damn. I'm sorry, D, I didn't mean to do that. I guess I got carried away. I was just…" Damn, B's going to want to hurt me for this. If I want a relationship with her, I'll have to tell her about this soon. I just hope she doesn't try to hurt me.
"Even though you were kissing me, you began thinking I was Buffy?"
"Yeah, like you were thinking I was Jessie?"
"Yes."
"If you were thinking that, then why did you stop me?"
"Because I couldn't do that with her if she's still with Katie." Yeah, keep thinking that. I wonder how far we would have gone if I hadn't remembered it was Faith.
"So does that answer your question?"
"Y-Yeah," Dawn divulged with a positive nod.
"And?"
"I guess I am, but this should never happen again," Dawn determined.
"Because you don't want either of us to hurt Buffy?"
"Uh huh," Dawn sadly sighed, "Not to mention the age difference."
"I'm glad we both agree, but if I want a relationship with B, we're going to have to tell her what happened. I don't want to lie to her anymore."
"Faith."
"Yeah?"
"How far do you think we would have gotten if we hadn't snapped out of it?"
"I think we both know," Faith informed as she motioned over to Dawn's bedroom, "Anything else?"
"Yeah, what am I going to do? I mean I really like Jessie, but she's still with Katie. I don't want to be the one responsible if they break up, but I don't know how much longer I can hold this in."
"Well, if they break up and you want to make a move on your hero, I might be able to give you some advice."
"I don't know. We need to get back downstairs."
"Just think about it. By the way, you look good in blue."
"Stop it," Dawn pleaded as she blushed.
"Ok, so you're not angry with me?"
"No, because you paid attention when I asked you to stop, and I could tell you didn't meant to take it that far."
"Good, hey, where are you going?"
"To quickly change into my own clothes."
"Why? You look good in J's clothes."
"I don't think Katie liked me borrowing them."
"Mind if I watch?"
"W-What? W-Why?"
"So I can get a better look at what I can't have," Faith teased as she followed Dawn into the bedroom and closed the door behind them.
"I don't think that would be a good idea after what we just did and said."
"Just once?"
"No, if Buffy found out that you watched me do that, she'd go postal."
"Whatever you say," Faith conceded as she quickly patted her on the butt and made her way out of the room.
"FAITH!"
"Sorry, I couldn't resist it. Maybe one day J won't be able to resist either."
"Yeah, right."
Thirty minutes later, the gym
"What took you so long?" Buffy grumbled.
"Sorry, B, I had to ravage your sister. She did pretty well for a first timer. Unfortunately in the process, I tore J's clothes into pieces. Sorry, J. They did look good on her though," Faith described with a smirk before directing a wink at Dawn.
"THAT BETTER BE A JOKE! IF NOT, IT'S STATUTORY RAPE!" Buffy yelped.
"Ease up, B. Of course it's a joke. This isn't the United States anyway. The laws might be different over here."
"That's not funny. Don't do it again," Buffy warned as signs of jealousy were evident to Jessie, Katie, Dawn, and Willow.
"Geez, Buffy, learn to recognize a joke. We talked and came to a decision about a few things. Like the sleeping arrangements and…," Dawn said with a deliberate pause.
"And?" Buffy asked.
"And I think I'm kinda gay," Dawn announced before smirking at Buffy and Willow.
Buffy rolled her eyes at her sister while her best friend simply smirked back at the amused teen.
"Sorry, another inside joke between us," Dawn explained to Jessie and Katie.
Buffy became worried at the sudden change of mood on Willow's face. It looked like the redhead was on the verge of crying again.
"What's wrong, Willow?"
"N-Nothing."
"That's a lie. Tell me what's on your mind," Buffy continued the questioning.
"Ok, I'll do better than that."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'll show all of you," Willow responded before mumbling, "Appear."