Everyone else

*Flashback* San Francisco, California 2004 three weeks ago

Andrew came waddling onto the site with his tail between his legs, if he was actually a dog that would work as imagery a lot better but for now metaphorical tail between his two quite real legs. He was alone, but slightly haggard. After the battle at the Hellmouth he'd followed Giles to Rome and trained up the slayers around those parts, leading up his own squad for a while, but soon enough he found himself in the presence of the Angel Investigations and back in California. It happened on his way back through the airport, the police picked up a marker against his name, someone on the outside - outside of the slayer circle that is, had reported him for the murder of Jonathan and he was now WANTED all over the state.

He'd had no idea who in fact it was that'd reported him but it meant he was now on the run, having just narrowly escaped capture with the help of some of his slayers in tow. But they'd had to return to Italy without him and as he couldn't get through customs he was now stuck here. It'd been a few months of running around trying to get someone who'd help, he even went to Angel a couple of times but he'd actually commited murder, and he was human so they couldn't really help him. Not that Spike had been all that willing.

Making his way from LA he'd slowly trundled upon San Francisco hearing a rumour the remains of the Scooby Gang were living out their lives there. He needed help and if he knew Buffy she could hardly turn him away. And maybe if he asked nicely they would help him get back on his feet as they had after they kinda kept him tied up, but beside the tying. That was what brought him to Xander's site, a need to be fed and watered and helped.

Peeking through the window to one of the trailers Andrew spotted Xander alone in his office of sorts mulling over new blueprints. He rapped quietly on the door and was greeted by a simple "door's open," from Xander.

His coat was dirty and he smelt like the city dump, but he was helpless, a lost dog in a big city. "Xander?" Andrew said effeminately with his usual soft smooth voice, a little rough around the edges but he was mostly all there. Xander was surprised - to say the least - to see Andrew, he hadn't expected this slightly haggard, aged, smelly version either. But he was adjusting second by second, not to the smell - that would take a while but to the very idea Andrew was standing in front of him.

"Xander I-I just, I need help, a job, I'll do anything. And I've always kind of admired you and-" Andrew spilled out, he hadn't meant to sound so forward or anything but he really needed a job, or something at least that would bring in a little money, and he was an outlaw, it would be hard to find anything elsewhere.

"Woah." Xander replied, still getting his head round his surprise visitor.

After quite a lot of talking and Andrew explaining everything that'd happened, and Xander nodding along, pretending to be listening. He was paying attention just in shock of the big blast from the past Andrew had brought with him. And also a huge reminder of Anya, who now filled his mind. But eventually they'd come to an agreement about Andrew doing a little bit of paperwork on the side, but it would earn him a wage. Xander didn't mind helping, after all Andrew had put an immense amount of effort into trying to redeem himself after Jonathan's murder. So he seemed like a worthy cause.

San Francisco, California 2004 present day

When Xander had put the phone back in its cradle the night before, quite a few missed calls had rung through on the machine. However it wasn't until the next morning that it occurred to Willow to actually check half the messages left for her. There were about six in total, all left by a stubborn brunette who Willow had split up with some weeks before. Most of them were along the lines of:

"Willowww, please pick up. I miss you ok. I know why you did what you did, but I miss waking up and you not being there." It was kind of sweet, Willow thought but she knew she couldn't get back with Kennedy, they just weren't in that space anymore. Or at least she wasn't in that space anymore. During the battle against the first and the waiting and the training and all the potentials roaming around the house, it was nice to have a distraction in the form of a girlfriend. But after it all ended and they had to go back to normal life, Willow struggled to find comfort in a person who wasn't Tara. The free time had her thinking about her love more and it broke her. She couldn't be with Kennedy with that going on, it was too much; and it wasn't fair, to drag her through it when she wasn't even there. A wallowy Willow was no use being around.

And then she caught the end of the last message, "I'm not taking this anymore, I need to see you. I'm coming over tomorrow morning whether you like it or not, and if you're not in, I'll be waiting for you when you get back." Then there was an audible slamming of the phone down in its adjoining socket and a huff noise as a half drunk Kennedy fell asleep on her coach.

Then the knock on the apartment door startled her, as the 'not hung over at all' version of Kennedy stumbled into the living room. "Willow? Talk to me, what went wrong? I can fix it I promise." Kennedy began to rant, apparently the classic Willow-babble was starting to rub off on the others, not really a surprise given how long they've known her, but anyway. The brunette now had her hand on Willow's shoulder, holding herself up more than anything else, but it slightly put Willow at ease. Talking with Buffy yesterday had put a little clarity back in her mind, Tara was gone. She wasn't coming back, maybe she should give Kennedy another chance, clearly the brunette agreed seeing as she was here, this early and on a Saturday. Which was a new one for Kennedy, she had to admit.

"Kennedy slow down." Willow said calmly, making her stumble again and eventually just sit on the couch. "I only just got your messages, the phone fell off the hook yesterday," Willow began to explain. "It's a long story," she added, "but you're right, I shouldn't have just written you off and I'm sorry, but I kinda thought you might wanna start again?"

Kennedy nodded slowly, before letting a tear out of her eye, she would always forgive her Willow, no not her Willow. But yes actually she supposed she kinda was her Willow again. That was a nice thought. "Really?" She said slightly overemotional but she reckoned that was mainly the alcohol left in her system.

"Yes sweetie." Willow replied, wiping the tears from her recently renewed girlfriend's cheek and pulling their bodies close in a tight hug. A caressing embrace as Willow laid the brunette's tired body to rest on the couch. She could stay here for a bit then this evening she guessed Kennedy wouldn't mind staying over.