The thought of another apocalyptic fight was making it difficult for Willow to sleep. She could feel Kennedy lying next to her, and that helped some. But, it was still another do or die situation. She felt Kennedy carefully get out of bed. She couldn't help but wonder where her girlfriend was going. The simple strength she felt with her by her side was amazing. But, she was slipping away.

Willow needed something. She needed to feel something. She needed Kennedy. But she sighed as she looked around the room. There were potential slayers everywhere. There was no escaping them now. She'd have to find somewhere where the two of them could be alone. One thought entered her mind. She, quietly as she could, got out of bed. Slowly, she made her way to the bathroom.

As she stood in the deafening silence, her mind began racing. This could so be like what happened with her and Tara. It had only been luck that she had been able to tell and show her how much she loved her before that bullet took everything away from her. And there was a real possibility that Kennedy and she could die in the morning. Not just the usual danger thing.

This was the biggest concern for her. Kennedy and she had already made love. But it wasn't like they had told each other that they loved each other. What if she never got the chance to say that she loved Kennedy. It had all happened so fast. And with so much going on. But there was this big time need that she must tell the potential slayer how she felt. After all, if either of them did not survive, at least they would know how they felt about each other.

A creaking of the steps caught her attention. It had to be her girl. There just didn't seem to be anybody else up. They had all passed out from exhaustion. The fear was getting to all of the girls. If she were wrong, and this wasn't Kennedy, she was going to be in for a world of embarrassment in a few seconds.

Timing herself the best she could, she reached out and grabbed the very strong arm. The familiar arm. She pushed Kennedy up against the door. Her lips were on the other woman's, surging with want and need. She needed even more.

That's when she got bolder. She forced the other woman's lips apart and began exploring her mouth. That tongue ring was just so much fun to play with. She let herself linger for quite a little while. Finally, she slowly pulled back. There was a look of surprise on the other woman's face. "Wow!" Kennedy took a deep breath before continuing. "I never took you for one that would have a quicky in the bathroom. Not that I'm complaining, mind you."

Willow felt herself shrugging. This kind of behavior would usually leave her blushing. But she felt comfortable around the potential slayer. "How else are we supposed to be alone. Every square inch of this place is covered by a potential slayer." She smiled and let her hands begin exploring underneath the other woman's nightgown, making Kennedy gasp. "I couldn't sleep. And we have such a big day ahead of us." She so wanted to tell her the rest. The part about her being in love with her. But that might just sound like fear. Or, maybe it would scare her. Faced with the possibility of never seeing her again, she finally said, "I want you to know something.

Her hands tensed on the other's breasts and turned her head away. If Kennedy didn't want this, if she was only looking for somebody to get through the big battle with, it would nearly crush her. She wanted so much from the other woman. Maybe too much. What if she did reject her feelings. "You don't have to say anything. Not tonight. We'll be able to tell each other everything we want to after the battle. I promise you that. We both will make it."

Willow quickly turned her head back toward the other woman. "You think I'm afraid that one of us is going to die?" Kennedy simply nodded her head. "Well, I have to admit, that is part of it." She sighed before she continued. She has to say it. That way she'll know how she feels. And that was what is important. "I almost didn't get to tell Tara how much I loved her before she died. We had just gotten back together when she was killed. We had been able to spend a little happy time together." Willow could feel herself getting more intense by the second. "I don't want that to happen with us." She came forward and wrapped her arms around her, leaning her head on those strong shoulders. Maybe she was holding her too tight. "I.." Her breathing began to pickup. She felt a gentle kiss on her neck, making her shiver from the strength it gave her. That was all she needed to finish what she had to say. "I love you."

The arms wrapped around her, suddenly went limp. It was as if she were letting her go. But that wasn't what she had wanted. She had wanted her to hold her even tighter. To affirm her own love. Willow was now full of worry. Had she been too bold in saying how she felt? Had she scared the other woman off and just when she needed her the most?

Willow was now so unsure of herself. She barely even touched the other woman. Her voice was so soft when she finally managed to speak. "Should I have not said?"

There was suddenly a big smile on the other woman's face. It seemed that Kennedy had just woke up or something. Could that have been what it was? Was she surprised at the words that had come out of the red head's mouth? Was it as simple as that. "I'm glad you did. I love you too." Willow felt herself pulled towards the potential slayer. The kiss was passionate. It lingered for oh so long. She realized that the kiss felt different. Willow knew why. Kissing someone was really nice when you liked them and were trying to get to know them. But when the two people were in love, it was something entirely different. There was passion, there was hunger, and there was need.

Finally, they pulled apart, both their breathing was very heavy. Willow's face was that of a huge smile. She hadn't scared her away. In fact, she felt the same. "I was so scared that you didn't really feel.."

Now Kennedy smiled. "I know the vibe I give off. And, before you came along, it's true. I was pretty much into one night stands. But that's changed. You changed me. You really did. And I love you for it. I think I've missed out on a lot of things by taking people for granted. I even came in here thinking I knew everything. But I had a lot to learn. And I still have a lot to learn. One of them is about relationships. And I think I know who the perfect teacher for me is."

Another big smile. And she couldn't help but tease the other woman. "Now who in the world could that be?"

Again, she felt Kennedy pull her into a very passionate kiss. "I may know the ins and outs of ways to pleasure a woman, but you're going to teach me what real love is all about. And I'm going to love every minute of it. You've tamed my wild heart. It now belongs to you and no one else."