Chapter 25 - Mending Bonding and Firing

-Summer's House-

Xander had entered the house only to meet up with Wesley and Giles in the kitchen. "Where is everybody?"

Giles finished his sip of tea, "Training the girls. Buffy and everyone get off to school okay?"

"Of course. Has Anya come down yet?"

"Not yet but I think I heard someone upstairs."

Xander smiled and stared out the window at the girls, then back at Giles and Wesley, "Shouldn't you guys be out there helping them? I mean you guys are the watchers, what happened to knowing how to train them?"

"I haven't thought about being a watcher in years."

"Plus Buffy has everything under control. She knows exactly what she's doing."

Xander hesitantly agreed, "Okay. I'll be upstairs though if anyone needs me." Giles nodded and Xander took off to Anya.

-Summer's Backyard-

Angel, Faith and Willow sat together in the shadows as they watched the girls train. Kennedy gave them commands which they followed. Andrew tried to immitate them behind all the girls but wasn't to successuful. They had been watching for a while until Angel broke the silence, "Buffy's been training them this whole time?"

"Yea. Well Kennedy helps but honestly I don't think she's getting anywhere." She stared up at Faith. "Which is probably why she wants you to help lead them."

Faith didn't respond to Willow's thought but as she stared at Kennedy, she found the flaw in Kennedy that Willow and Buffy saw, "This Kennedy girl, how long has she been training?"

"Since she was little, like 10."

Faith couldn't believe it, "The ironic thing is Buffy and me had no idea about any of this crap before we were called and yet she's the strongest and smartest slayer alive."

"You'll learn Faith."

"I'm good at the fighting part but the leading freaks me out. I do know though that this Kennedy isn't going to be a good one until someone puts her in her place."

Angel actually agreed, "She may be able to fight but she looks a little too stubborn to lead."

Willow didn't look shocked just a little hurt but only because she believed them, "You guys are right. She puts her ideas and wants before everyone elses. Probably why I'm breaking up with her."

Now it was Faith and Angel's turn to be shocked. Faith smiled though, "Wow red's playing for the other team."

Willow blushed to a rosy red as she answered, "I was. I think it was just Tara because I just don't feel anything for her at all. Kennedy not Tara."

"Never pegged you one for experience Willow."

Willow laughed a little, "If you were only here Angel, if you were only here. I got drunk, tried to end the world, got high of magic, kissed Xander last night again which is why we interrupted last night by the way."

Angel nodded finally understanding and then smiled, "You and Xander tend to kiss a lot in tense situations...and when you have someone you're dating."

Faith laughed a little bit, "Yea I remember hearing about that. Spike came to town and everybody got caught in their lies. He caught Buffy and Angel, You and Xander and even himself and Drusilla. God your lives are full of drama."

Willow smiled, "Well we don't have cable."

"Are they still dramatic?"

Willow shook her head, "Only in the way we're all scared we're going to die but not in the other way really. I mean the Buffy and Spike thing was confusing until you showed up but that was about it. What about you? Drama central besides goin evil and Cordy getting pregnant by your son?"

Angel tried to hide how awkward that conversation was, "Kind of. Gunn and Fred have a thing where they're engaged now but Wesley really liked her until..." He thought about it for a few seconds as he stared at the intense look on Willow's face, "...Until you came along."

Willow tried to hide a giddy smile and failed, "I was hoping you'd say that."

At that moment Kennedy ran up to her with a bottle of water, "We get five minute break."

Willow smiled and stood up, "Good, because I think we need to talk Kennedy."

Kennedy looked a little scared but followed Willow into the house. Angel looked up at Faith, "So who are you in love with?"

Faith pondered the question for a few seconds, "Maybe Spike."

Angel's head shot up in surprise, "Are you in anyway kidding?"

Faith smiled and sat down, "Not love Angel, just a small crush. I was comfortable last night, like he was watching over me not just watching me."

Angel shook his head, "What is it with you slayers and Spike?"

Faith laughed a little, "Maybe it's how our knees go weak when we see him shirtless."

Angel couldn't believe this, "I don't need to hear this."

Faith couldn't help but laugh a little more. Suddenly hallways and the kitchen was filled with a bunch of girly teenage voices. Angel sighed and stood up along with Faith, "I think I'm going to go rest for a bit. I didn't get much sleep last night." Faith nodded and watched him walk up to Buffy 's room before she made her way down to the basement.

-Anya's Room-

Anya sat there drying her hair with a towel making it obvious she just got out of the shower. There was still a picture of Xander and her together on a dresser which she stared at until she heard footsteps. When she saw Xander's frame in the doorway she flipped the picture over and stared at him. Xander started to get a little uncomfortable, "Can I talk to you? Please?"

Anya nodded and sat on the bed. Xander walked over and kneeled on both knees in front of her. She looked worried but Xander wouldn't let her talk, "Look Anya, I know what I did on our wedding was pretty much the worst thing I have ever done but I finally know why I did it. I've always been connected to one girl my whole entire life on that day it would have meant committing myself to you. You would have to be my new one girl and it scared me. Then the guy showed me the pictures which scared me even more. I didn't want to hurt you like that and I couldn't break that connection to Willow."

Anya was instantly crushed, "Are you telling me you're in love with Willow? Because I don't want to hear this Harris."

Xander smiled, "No I'm not. I'm saying I was scared of being away from the one woman who knew me more then anybody. But I talked to Buffy last night and she made me realize something. She told me I didn't have to be scared because you can still have your friends and the one person you love most. Then I realized how much I've been hurting with just Willow and Buffy in my life. I know you said we were kind of over but I can't take that chance Anya."

Anya started to cry knowing what was coming next, "Xander..."

Xander shook his head and continued, "I've missed you being the only one to smile at my jokes, I miss the way you used to look at me, I miss how we actually talked at night and of course I miss what we did after the talking. I pretty much lost your respect for me when I ran last year but I can't do that again. Anya I want to marry you...again. I know you're probably going to say no but you have to understand how much I want this right now."

Anya was crying a lot now as she stared in Xander's eyes, "I can't let you hurt me like that again Xander."

Xander agreed, "I can't promise you we won't feel pain because we will. If we get married there's going to be things we disagree on, things we don't like about eachother and things we're going to miss from the old days and that's what really scared me before. Now it's different though. I can't promise you a perfect life Anya but I can promise you I'll be there in your life. I'll wear the wedding ring, I'll eat the ugly cake and I'll always, always love you."

Anya shook her head trying to decide what to say. "What about Willow?"

"I figured out last night that me and Willow are always going to be friends and we're always going to be close but she's not the woman I want to lie next to me every night, she's not the woman I want to wake up to every morning and she's not the woman I want to marry...You Are!"

Anya pondered this for a few minutes which scared Xander to the point of almost death. The silence lasted about five minutes but they seemed like hours until Anya finally smiled and wasted no more time in grabbing Xander in a really passionate kiss. When she broke away she wiped away a few tears, "It is going to be a long engagement and you can't leave me again Xander."

Xander shook his head, "I don't know how it was posisble the first time."

Anya smiled and another kiss was ensued, Only this kiss lasted a little longer (Like an hour longer) then the first one. Anya smiled and spoke one more sentence, "I missed what we did after the talking too."

-Willow's Room-

Willow had guided Kennedy up to her room and they both sat at the edge of the bed. Willow had taken a few deep breaths before Kennedy couldn't take it anymore, "What's going on Willow?"

Willow sighed and looked Kennedy in the eyes, "I don't think I can see you anymore Kennedy."

Kennedy looked shock stricken as she stared out into space, "Why?"

Willow stuttered a little bit, "I...In all honesty I don't think I'm really a...attracted to woman anymore. I think Tara became a part of me so it didn't matter but I don't feel with you what I did with her. I know it would be wrong to lead you on so I felt like I had to tell you."

Kennedy nodded slowly and she had a few tears in her eyes, "It's okay Red. It was fun while it lasted."

Willow nodded, "I did care for you though. You brought out an expeirementive part of me I missed."

Kennedy stood, "Hey it's all good Willow. It was a clean break so now nothing has to be wierd right?"

Willow nodded standing too, "I'm really sorry Kennedy."

Kennedy tried to smile, "You can't help what you feel Willow. Don't be sorry about that."

Willow nodded and watched her walk out the door. The wierd part is Willow didn't feel too sad about it, she felt a little lighter, like it was something she needed to do. Since she was already in her bedroom, she didn't sleep that much last night and she felt kind of relieved she thought it was time for a nap. Willow ran to her bed and flew herself on it. She also smiled at the small giggle she knew came from Anya down the hall. Xander and her worked out and now all Willow had to do was talk to Wesley which sadly hadn't happened too often since they got to Sunnydale. So she fell asleep to sweet thoughts of no more drama!

-Basement-

Faith walked down into the basement and sat on the stairs. The sounds of girls chattering could be heard throughout the basement door she left open. Faith sighed and took out a cigarette. When she did light up Spike interrupted her timeout, "You craving a moment alone in the dank, or can I bumb one?"

Faith looked over to the cot where Spike lay completely shirtless and covered from wasit below by a sheet. Faith stood, "Well, I guess you can smoke all you want, the big C not really an issue."

She handed him the already lit cigarette as he spoke, "Teeth get yellow after an eternity. Gotta watch that."

She took out another smoke for herself now, "Huh."

Spike looked curious until he realized Faith was staring at the chains and shackles on the wall behind the cot. Spike looked up at them and then got defensive, "Right. Not what it looks like."

Faith smiled and nodded, "Hey, to each his own, man. This one guy I ran with, he liked me to dress up like a school girl and take this friggin' bull-whip..." She started doing the movements like she was using the whip "...and I'd be like..."

Spike interrupted, "I got dangerous for a while."

"This before the soul, or after?"

"After, but I got over it. In case you're feeling dust-happy again after your long incarceration."

"Not if you're all repenty. Takes the fun out of it." During their silence they heard all the girls laughing and gossiping and Faith shook her head, "No more starbucks for the wannabe's man. They've been spazzing since Buffy left."

Spike agreed, "Yeah, it does get a bit much up there."

"They're good girls. Just green is all."

Spike again looked curious, "So why aren't you up there...imparting?"

"That's Buffy's thing. She wants me to be all leader type but I'm just the muscle. Guess she actually wants the only two slayers to be all leader type."

Spike thought about that for a few seconds before he spoke, "She doesn't want two leaders Faith. Buffy thinks she's going to die for good this time."

Faith finally got it, "So she wants a successor." There was a short silence. "She's not going to die. I mean she has everything right now."

"That's exactly why she thinks she's going to die."

Faith nodded finally getting everything. She glanced up at the door, "I can't be a leader, especially to a bunch of girls. I just spent a good stretch of time locked away with a mess of female-types. Kinda had my fill."

"But you waited until Angel was in trouble to bust out of jail."

Faith shrugged it off, "Three squeares, nice weight room, movie every third Sunday. Could've been worse."

"What movie?"

"Last one was glitter." Spike raised his eyebrow at her and she smiled, "Guess it couldn't have been worse."

Spike contiued to dab itno her life, "You had the power to walk away anytime. Nothing to stop you."

"I stopped me. I got dangerous for a while."

Spike stared as she slowly took off her jacket, "You over it?"

Faith stretched her arms pretty high, "More or less. I pull for the good guys now."

"What's the less?"

"The usual stuff. I was thinking about looking up the guy with the bull-whip. Long incarceration."

Spike chuckled a little bit, "You could do better then that. School girl thing's old hat."

Faith shrugged, "It's all old hat man. Every guy's got some whack fantasy. Scratch the surface of any granola-type dude you get naughty nurse and horny cheerleaders. I just figure if you can't beat em..."

"Join em."

"Just don't forget who's on top."

Spike was gettin a little flirty, "That, I suspect, would be you."

Faith grinned, "You got that right." She walked over to Spike's cot and sat down beside him. "I've met you before you know. Not in the graveyard but before that. I was kind of wearing a different body." Faith eyed him a little now, "You seemed okay with it."

Spike realized and nodded, "The body swap, with Buffy."

"She fill you in on the whole deal?"

"She told me it went down. Failed to mention who was driving her skin around."

Faith actually blushed a little bit, "I may have said a few things..."

Spike smiled and looked her in the eyes, "Like you could ride me at a gallop 'til my knees buckle, squeeze me 'til I pop like warm champagne. That's not the kind of thing a man forgets."

Faith finally looked back at him, "Should've known it wasn't blondie behind the wheel. She'd never throw down like that."

Spike chuckled a little bit, "Oh you have been away."

Faith looked shocked, "Don't even tell me little Miss Tightly-Wound's been getting her naughty on?"

Spike laughed to himself remembering their long LONG nights, "Not of late but she used to. You know it's always the innocent ones you got to worry about."

"So you and her...You guys were all passionate and in love? Funny, I don't peg you for that sort of vampire."

Spike laughed a little more then he was before, "I may be in love but those nights weren't soft and lovable. Buffy actually brought up handcuffs."

Faith laughed along with him, "Wow everybody's just full of surprises." They continued to talk like that for a long time. Faith didn't even bother going back out to train with the girls.

-The School-

Buffy had made sure Amanda got to her classes and then walked Dawn to her's making sure the teacher would let Conner go to. So when Conner and Dawn were in class she made her way to the principle's office for some damage control. He wasn't there hen the bell rang so she did her work like usualy. It was at lunch though that Robin finally showed up. The lunch bell rang and Buffy followed Robin into his office. She stood at the door letting him sit down and stuff. When he was working she made herself known.

"Hey."

Robin smiled up at her, "You haven't been around the past few days."

"I had to save the world in L.A."

Robin looked surprised, "Wow. An around the world slayer."

"You look better."

He looked back down to his work, "No I don't."

"No, you don't."

Robin nodded slowly, "But I'll be okay. Unless of course, you start beating up on me."

"I won't." She shrugged, "Well I thought about it. I made some doodles. As far as I'm concerned, we're on even ground. I meant what I said though. I don't have time for you vendetta but I need you in this fight. What you and Giles did to Spike hurt me a lot and I understand why but it hurt and as long as I know you want try that again I want you on my side."

Robin smiled, "I'm pretty sure he could take me anyway. So thanks, it means a lot."

Buffy sighed in relief, "So we're of the good?"

He stared up at Buffy, "Abolutely." Buffy sighed but he kept speaking, "You're fired."

Buffy was in shock now, "What?"

"Effective immediately."

Buffy couldn't understand, "You're firing me?" She walked right into his office and stood in front of his desk, "I just refrained from kicking your ass. I mean I could have let Spike kill you."

Robin tried to make her understand though, "Buffy, there's nothing here for you. I mean, people are leaving town, half the kids don't even bother showing up anymore. You've got things to deal with that are much worse than anything here. Look at the big picture. Plus the school might close tomorrow."

"Right. the big picture. The one with the big war and the dead little girls."

"Not dead. Not dead. Not if you get them ready."

"I don't want to lead them to war. It can't be the right thing."

Robin agreed, "Most wars aren't, you know."

"Some of these girls haven't even been tested in battle."

"Well then maybe it's time you test them."

Buffy was suddenly happy, "Couldn't I just come to work part-time? I could make flyers for encounter groups and post them up all over school."

Robin smiled, "And you're fired again." He looked down, "Remember Buffy, the mission's what matters."

Buffy stared him in the eyes now as she nodded. She stood up and walked to the door, "Do you mind if I take Amanda and Dawn out of school then?"

"I would encourage it."

Buffy nodded and walked out of the room with one last statement, "I'll be in touch."

-Summer's house-

It had been about half an hour past lunch and the girls were training again. Kennedy was a little more cold in her orders but the girls all obeyed. Spike and Faith were still in the basement, Angel was up and heating up a bag of blood, and Willow was just walking down the stairs to see Anya and Xander sitting together on the living room couch. Everything seemed pretty calm until Conner, Dawn and Amanda were rushed into the house by Buffy who slammed the door. Willow was closest so she walked up to Buffy who was obviously pissed off.

Willow tried to smile, "Bad day at work?"

Buffy sarcastically smiled, "I'm going to kill Spike."

Willow smiled, "No you aren't. You say that all the time."

Buffy whipped out a stake from her sleeve, "Now I'm serious." She gently pushed Willow out of the way and made her way down to the basement followed by a confused mob including Anya, Xander, Willow, Angel, Conner, Dawn and Amanda.