See first chapter for Rating, setting, pairing, disclaimer, and all that other good stuff...
NOTE: Ok, for a certain individual; IGNORE THE COMMENT ABOUT CHAPTER 33!!!!!!!! Geesh....
Um...anyway....lol.
Obviously, I will be getting to the point of how Christine got the scythe and everything and why Faith is sad. Just trying to update at my own pace. Trust me, you don't want the un formatted/revised version of this, it's a pain.
And I am sorry about some of the wording of this fic. Trust me, I am working on it, or at least attempting to. It's even driving me nuts! lol. Just hang in there, and thank you for sticking with this fic! ;)
Anyway,
Wow, so I got another part up! I tried to make it longer this time. Sorry for the wait. Thank you for being patient. I have been VERY busy and I am getting ready to move back to school....so there may be some weird spacing in my updates, I am so sorry. But I will update as often as I can ;)
Also, I kind of cooked up something for you guys...
Ever wonder what Kennedy and Christine would look like together? lol. Well, if you check out my bio (it was the only place I could put the link, it wouldn't show up here in this chapter) and click on the link that is there (You will obviously see where it is in the bio) you will get a little image I made for you guys, so you get an idea of what the two would look like together...
Ok, anyway, on with the update...
By the way: (( )) means thought speaking. I had to change it cuz it wasn't showing up all of a sudden and it was pissing me off...grrrrrrrrrrr....
PART 17: Guilt's A Killer...
Fred led Kennedy up stairs and opened the door that Christine was in. "Go ahead," Fred instructed. Kennedy walked in and Willow got up.
"She's doing a lot better...we'll leave you alone," the redhead stated walking to the door. Kennedy didn't say anything and just watched as Willow went through the door and closed it. She took a deep breath and sat beside Christine. Kennedy looked at her for a moment then took her hand.
Tears started to stream down her face as she looked at the face that was once always smiling at her...the face that was so beautiful that it would light up a room when its owner walked into it. The same face that the brunette grew to love very much. Now, it was battered and bruised with her left eye was swollen shut. Kennedy started to sob, not being able to hold it in any longer.
"God, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," the brunette potential sobbed as she collapsed next to Christine, sobs wrecking through her body, as she placed her head on the other potential's chest and wept.
Downstairs...
"Buffy? Is something wrong?" Spike asked seeing the expression change on her face. The older slayer quickly looked up at him.
"N-No, I'm fine..." Buffy was saying as she wrinkled her forehead for a moment then breathing out. "Um, anyway, that's everything that has happened so far. Willow and Fred are caring to Christine right now till she gets better. It'll be a little time before we can talk to her and see what's going on," Buffy explained as she tried to focus on the group, even though she was worried about Faith.
Spike looked at her for a moment letting the change in emotion that he just saw in the blonde slide. "Well, we found some use full information on Caleb but I guess it doesn't matter now," Spike stated.
"Yeah...may he rest in pieces," Andrew stated looking at the ground. Everyone turned and stared at him.
"What?" he asked as he noticed everyone staring at him.
"Can we feed him to a demon or something?" Spike asked annoyed.
"Hey!" Andrew yelled in protest. Buffy and Dawn laughed for a moment as the blonde looked up at Giles, seeing him smile. Xander and Anya walked in.
"Well, we did the best we could," Xander stated as he sat down with Anya next to him. Willow and Fred walked in.
"We left Kennedy in with Christine...you know...give her some time," Fred stated as she walked fully in the room. Buffy smiled.
"Good...any information?" the blonde asked, looking at Willow. The redhead sadly looked at her.
"Not really...though Fred had a good idea," the Wicca stated looking around the room. Fred then noticed everyone looking at her.
"Well...uh...not really," the shy brunette stated feeling uncomfortable.
Somewhere...
The First stood in the same cave that Christine was in previously and starred at the empty spot that the scythe once was. The First was furious.
"ARRRRRRRRGHHHHHHAA!" It bellowed in anger. Then it looked around at the bodies of the three bringers that were scattered on the ground.
"HOW DID THIS HAPPEN!?" The First yelled. "I had her!" it yelled again looking over at the two cowering bringers that were near the entrance.
"Clean this mess up...NOW!" It screamed at them as it disappeared.
Back at the Summer's...
The scoobies, minus Faith, Kennedy, and Christine, sat and listened to Fred. "That makes sense," Giles said after she was done.
"Actually, it's the only way she would have gotten it," Buffy stated looking at Giles. The retired watcher nodded. "And the scythe? It was made for the slayer...I can feel it when I touch it," the blonde added looking around the room.
"Interesting...what happened when Faith held it?" Giles asked. Buffy looked at him, suddenly remembering Faith at the window.
"I d-don't know...she hasn't been around...I mean I haven't seen her really since Christine..." the older slayer was saying. Willow looked over at the blonde slayer as Fred spoke up.
"Yeah, she has been kind of down since Christine came back...I think she blames herself," Fred stated looking over at Buffy.
"I see," Giles stated, taking off his glasses and pinching his nose.
"Well, now that we are all back to talking about me behind my back, I came to tell you that I went ahead and buried the six potentials," Faith stated as she walked fully in the room. Everyone looked at her as she crossed her arms.
"Faith, we were just..." Willow was saying but the brunette cut her off.
"Red, it's cool. Used to it. Besides, it's no biggie," Faith said looking at the redhead. "Now where is this scythe you were talking about?" the younger slayer asked. Everyone was silent, feeling a little bad, but Faith had made her point and proved it, leaving the scoobs to some what understand her a little from back then. Back when they all talked about her.
Buffy picked up the scythe that was next to her and handed it to Faith. The brunette looked at her and lightly smiled to reassure her that everything was ok. The blonde smiled back a little bit, but knew that something was wrong, but now wasn't the time.
"Wow," Faith uttered as she gripped the scythe in her hand, rotating it a little bit. Everyone looked at her with interest. "It...feels like it's made for me," the brunette stated, turning it around again.
"See?" Buffy said to Giles.
"So that probably means it's yours, here," Faith stated, handing the blonde the scythe. Buffy just looked at her as no one said anything.
"Faith..." the older slayer started to say but the brunette cut her off.
"So it looks like B is right. I mean the scythe is kept in a stone or something like that right?" Faith asked looking at Giles. The watcher thought about it for a moment.
"Yeah! Like the sword in the stone!" Andrew stated loudly, a little too excited and proud of him self. Faith laughed a little, which caused Buffy to smile. It was nice to hear the younger slayer laugh for once. The blonde knew Faith was hurting inside. Everyone mumbled something as Andrew quieted down again.
"Yes, you're quite right Faith," Giles said sitting up. The brunette looked at him.
"It's all weird really...I mean I could even hear her when..." Faith trailed off, realizing what she was saying. She was thinking out loud. The brunette seemed to always dig a hole for herself. Everyone looked at her.
"What," Anya stated wanting Faith to go on.
"No...n-nothing," the younger slayer replied uncomfortable.
"Great, she never tells us anything," Anya grumbled. "I mean you all treat her like crap, make her go to the dark side. Then she gets better, tries to prove she's a better person and is all 'five-by-five'..." Anya rambled as she crossed her arms over her chest, pouting a little.
"AN!" Xander scolded. The ex vengeance demon again, somehow, stated what was thought but never said aloud.
"What!?" Anya asked annoyed.
"I could hear her screaming," Faith said suddenly. Everyone turned to her as she looked up from the floor. "When I was on the ground, I felt her. I felt all this pain...and heard her screaming. I-I didn't know it was her at first...then I saw her...she used all the strength she had to get to us...to help us," the brunette stated, looking back down. She shoved her hands in her pockets.
"Faith, I..." Buffy started. Faith spoke up to stop her.
"I can't even believe she even made it back here," the younger slayer stated, trying to change the subject onto Christine. Everyone was silent for a moment. Willow spoke up.
"She'll be ok. With the connected healing and the healing spells I put on her...she'll be ok," the redhead said to everyone, to Faith in particular. The brunette slayer looked up at her and nodded. Faith felt like a jerk. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair changing her attitude.
"Alright then, what else we know? I mean we're going to need all we got right? We're going to kick major ass," Faith said smiling. Everyone looked at her smiling, some laughing. Buffy frowned. She knew the brunette was faking it. Yet Faith was also trying to make everyone feel better, for she felt that it was her fault they were down spirited in the first place. So casting her thoughts and concerns away, she focused on cheering everyone up.
CHAPTER 23
Willow was leaning against the door frame as Fred stood next to her, listening to Giles speak. The Wicca smiled when Faith would interrupt with silly comments, making the group laugh, though it annoyed Giles to no end. The redhead knew what Faith was doing. But at lest she was getting the effect she hoped to get...laughter and ease. Willow felt something brush by her hand. The redhead looked down to see that it was Fred's hand, who stood next to her listening. The Wicca briefly smiled for a moment as she studied her. She never took the time to realize just how beautiful Fred actually was.
Fred turned to her. "What?" the shy brunette asked seeing that the Wicca was looking at her strangely.
"Nothing," the redhead stated, looking back at Giles as he continued talking. Fred just smiled and returned her attention back to Giles.
Faith glanced at Buffy to find her looking at her and quickly looked away, feeling a little ashamed. Then she felt something on her hand and looked down to see the blonde taking a hold of her hand. The brunette looked back at Buffy and the older slayer smiled at her. Faith gave a weak smile back and squeezed Buffy's hand before letting it go.
Buffy looked at the younger slayer a little hurt, which panged Faith's heart. The brunette looked sideways at her counter part and gave her a full smile before winking at her. She then tilted her head towards Giles and rolled her eyes. The blonde laughed a little, trying not to be too loud as Faith smiled. That seemed to do the trick on the older slayer.
Upstairs...in Willow's room...
"Wh...K-Kennedy?" Kennedy heard as she lifted her head. Christine was looking back at her.
"Christine...you're awake..." Kennedy said softly still holding her hand. The other potential looked at her. She could tell that the brunette had been crying and it tore at her. Christine lifted her other hand to Kennedy's cheek, stroking it as the brunette lifted her own hand to join hers. Tears still ran down her face.
They sat like that, for a moment. Just looking at each other. Then Christine's hand fell back to her body, she was still really weak. "Are you feeling ok?" Kennedy asked concerned. Christine looked at her.
"Well, the room isn't spinning...that's good..." she weakly whispered causing Kennedy to smile a little. The brunette potential still held Christine's hand as she looked at her.
"I was so worried about you," Kennedy choked out. Christine looked at her. "It hurt not to be with you...and then you didn't come back and I went looking for you..." the brunette said, looking away. She fought the tears that wanted to spill down her cheeks again. The weak dirty blonde potential lightly squeezed Kennedy's hand, feeling her pain. The brunette looked back at her.
"I felt like I was dying inside...I just, I just love you so much," Kennedy sobbed, letting her emotions get the best of her. She placed her head on the other potential's chest, lightly sobbing. Christine felt her heart ache. She closed her eyes as tears of her own came down her cheeks. Christine let go of the brunette's hand as she weakly wrapped her arms around the other potential. Her shoulder was feeling better. She took a deep breath trying to calm herself.
"I'm not leaving you Kennedy. Where you are...I'll always be," Christine said as she felt Kennedy sit up. The brunette steadied herself with her arms that were placed on either side of Christine as she looked at her. It was hard for the other potential to say this. Christine took Kennedy's hand and placed it on her heart.
"No matter what, we will always be connected. My heart beats with yours; even if I am not right next to you...I'm there..." Christine said as she looked up at the brunette. Kennedy searched her eyes but only saw love reflected in them. Kennedy leaned down and captured Christine's bruised lips with hers, giving her a soft kiss. The brunette then lightly pulled away and rested her forehead against the other girl's.
"I guess this means that we've made up huh?" Kennedy asked smiling slightly. Christine chuckled a little, as much as she could in the condition she was in, and smiled.
"Yea, I guess it does," Christine answered kissing Kennedy.
CHAPTER 24
Giles was still talking about the situation at hand as everyone listened. "The First seems to target Christine and Faith. We need to keep an eye out, and The First, I presume, won't be happy right now." Giles stated looking around. Spike spoke up.
"I just wish we had gotten back sooner with the information. Then the mess with Christine may have not happened," Spike was saying, as he tried to avoid noticing the looks that the two slayers were giving each other. "We did find some useful information. Caleb was part of a convent there in England where the Watchers were but was kicked out for suspicion in the black arts. In fact, we think he had something to do with the council being practically destroyed," Spike finished looking back at Giles.
Giles nodded. "There are other odds and ends that we know but none of which matter at the moment. Being that Caleb is already dead. But right now...it seems as though we are waiting. We know nothing of when to attack or anything. And we will have to wait for Christine to get well, possibly in a few days, till we can ask her what happened. And we all know that time is coming close. Activity is low and the end is nearing...we just don't know when," Giles said looking up at everyone.
"We've got two days," came a voice from the entrance of the living room by Willow and Fred. Everyone turned to the source of the voice, and there, with Kennedy helping her, was the quite beaten and busied Christine.
Dawn gasped at the state the potential was in as Christine started to fall. Kennedy grabbed and steadied her as Willow jumped in to help. Faith had jumped up from where she was sitting, next to Buffy, and started foreword.
"I'm fine," came Christine's weak voice as she looked from Willow up to Faith, who had froze in her place.
(( I'm ok, really...just...sit down )) Christine told Faith in her head. The brunette slayer looked worried but did as she was told. Everyone in the room knew that there was an inner exchange between the two but that wasn't new.
"You shouldn't be down here...or even awake," Willow said as she helped Christine into the chair that Wood jumped out of. He offered his chair to the potential as they walked over.
"She said it was important that she talk to you guys. So she made me help her bring her down here," Kennedy stated helping Christine.
"Maybe you should go back and rest," Fred stated, also worried. Christine managed a weak smile.
"I'll be alright. This can't wait," Christine stated as she looked over at Giles. The watcher looked at her.
"I'm afraid she might be right...what about two days?" Giles asked getting curious and right into it. The potential took a few deep breaths and looked over at Faith. The dirty blonde potential was still a little dizzy from getting up and was still really weak. When she looked at Faith, she almost wished she hadn't. Fear, pain, hurt, and other emotions showed right through her. And Christine knew she was the cause of it. But there was nothing that could be done at the moment.
Faith, who was studying Christine at the moment, suddenly felt sick, and looked away. She felt that her friend was all weak and banged up and beaten because of her. Everyone looked at the potential expectedly as Christine looked over at Buffy, who was seated next to Faith.
Buffy gave her what she hoped was an encouraging smile and knew, without speaking, what the potential was worried about as she took Faith's hand in hers and squeezed it, holding it. Christine smiled at the blonde slayer as she turned to the others.
"Well, let me start from the beginning," Christine weakly said as she started to tell them what happened when she arrived at the magic shop. She left out a few details and added some. She knew not to tell them that she saw 'The Powers That Be' and what they said. So she had to inform them another way. For if she did, it would make things more difficult then they already were.
Kennedy could tell a change in Christine. Nothing like she had seen before. She seemed more confident and strong. She didn't know how to place it. But something seemed different in her outwards attitude. The brunette smiled at the thought and became proud of Christine and the strength she had. Through all her trials, she picked her self up every time and dealt with things. And now, as she looked at her, she seemed to be glowing even more.
"The First wasn't going to kill me right then..." Christine stated trying to word things carefully, not to upset anyone, expressly Faith. "It wanted to have me more awake to enjoy what it planned," Christine said as she was explaining. She was really trying to word things as best as she could, but Faith wouldn't look at her.
"So she ordered the bringers in the room to chain me up and left. I knew that it would be over if they chained me up...so when the first bringer came at me, I mustered up what I had left and attacked the best I could. I managed to get around to where I saw the scythe," Christine explained as she nodded to the scythe that lay on the floor next to Buffy.
"I didn't have a chance...and figured I'd try...I barley got to it and grabbed the handle. The First was telling me about it like I told you before. How it wasn't meant for me and how it was for a slayer and all that. But since Faith and I," Christine said looking at Faith, "Became connected, I thought maybe..." The potential was saying.
"That it would recognize you as a slayer," Willow finished. Christine smiled and looked over at the redhead.
"That's what Fred said that she thought might have happened," Willow added looking over at the shy brunette.
"It just seemed to make sense," Fred just stated looking at everyone who was looking at her before looking back at Christine, who was some what smiling at her. Willow just looked at the smart brunette, feeling somewhat proud.
"That's right," Christine said picking back up, "Since our essence is as one, I thought it was worth a shot, my only shot."
Everyone was listening to the potential as she was explaining what happened. You could hear nothing else other then the clutter of the other potentials that were getting ready for bed.
"So I took it. I took the shot and pulled at it. I really didn't think it would work but all hope in me told me to believe. I concentrated as much at I could and it came right out of the stone into my hands," Christine explained.
"The bringers stopped and looked at me for a moment. I didn't hesitate and swung at them..." the potential said, stopping for a moment.
"Chopped them up huh?" Spike asked. Christine just turned to him and smiled at his saving words. She didn't want to remember it...and couldn't form into words what happened let alone the way she felt. Thanks to Spike she didn't half to.
"Something like that yea," she replied smiling. Christine then turned back to the others. "I wanted to lay down then. I was so tired and so weak," the potential continued, trying not to tell too much. "But I fought it. The First had sent Caleb and his bringers to you, I knew that, and I knew you were in trouble. So I picked up the scythe and what I had left of my strength and stumbled out. I didn't recognize where I was. Then it hit me..." Christine was saying.
"Hellmouth...the high school," Buffy suddenly said. Christine looked at her as well as everyone else. The older slayer looked around her. "What? It fits the description," Buffy merely said hiding a smile as she turned to Christine.
Kennedy smiled as she looked at the dirty blonde. There was definitely a change. She seemed happy and smiled more which was kind of odd in the given state she was in. "Lucky guess Summers," Christine stated, lightening the mood. A few chuckled.
"Eh, was going for bonus points," Buffy stated leaning into Faith, who was still next to her. Giles on the other hand wanted to hear everything.
"So the place to attack is there?" he asked frowning at Buffy, who he didn't like interrupting. Christine looked at him.
"Yes...that's the location but there is more..." the potential stated as Anya interrupted.
"But how did you get out of there? Let alone back to us?" Anya questioned. Even though everyone was thinking it no one asked. They all turned to Christine as Giles became more annoyed. The potential seemed to look a little nervous as she glanced at Faith then Willow.
"Well, I ran into a few bringers and ubervamps..." Christine stated lightly. Everyone looked at her.
"WHAT?! Ubervamps?! You mean there are more?!" Anya yelped. Giles was growing impatient.
"Everyone shut up and let her speak!" he yelled as everyone stared at him. He mumbled something and looked at the ground as the attention was given back to Christine. The potential looked at them all growing tired, using all of her energy to talk was taking its toll on her. She looked at the ground for a moment.
"Yes there are more...that's how I know we have two days. I made my way out...but I got to see where The First spends all its time..." Christine said as she looked back up. Everyone stared at her.
"There are many of them...hundreds...maybe even thousands...and the First was commanding them, saying that they would attack in two days..."
CHAPTER 25
Everyone erupted in talk all at once. Giles just looked at Christine knowing that she wasn't finished. "Shut up!" he yelled quieting everyone as they looked back at the potential. She looked at them and they all could tell now more then before that she was getting tired and weaker due to her using all her strength to speak with them.
"But I know the way...I know what they plan to do...and we have an advantage." Christine said looking at all of them. "We go early that day when the sun is up and surprise them. We have the scythe," Christine said tilting her heard towards it.
"And we also have great brave and powerful fighters on our side," she said looking at Spike, Wood, Xander, Anya, even Dawn, as well as everyone else. "We all have something they don't...the passion of life. We all have our own reasons for fighting but that's what gives us the motivation....the passion..." Christine was saying as she started coughing violently. Fred was at the potential's side in an instant, concerned. as Kennedy grabbed her hand and held it, the other running up and down her back.
"I'm fine..." Christine said as she looked back up at them. "I may be wounded now...but thanks to Faith's added slyer healing and Willow's healing spells...I should be feeling better in the morning...we need to use the time that we have..." Christine was saying but was growing very weak and couldn't see straight at the moment and shook her head.
Faith got up where she was seated and walked over to Christine and knelt in front of her. "You alright Chris?" she asked as she grasped her other hand. Christine looked at her, not really focusing.
"I'm just...dizzy..." Christine stated before falling forward onto Faith. Everyone sprang up.
"It's ok I got her," Faith stated. Kennedy looked at Christine as the brunette slayer lifted her. She let her; she knew the younger slayer was still blaming herself. "Maybe we should talk more in the morning," Faith stated as she stood all the way up with Christine in her arms.
"S-sorry," the potential stated weakly, looking up at Faith. The brunette just looked down at her and smiled.
"Tis ok Chris. Just don't talk. I'm going to go lie you down," Faith said, taking a few steps.
"B-but..." Christine protested weakly.
"No way man. You're going to bed," Faith instructed, causing Buffy and Willow to smile. Kennedy smiled as she let the brunette slayer carry her girl upstairs and followed with Fred close behind.
"We'll talk about this more in-depth in the morning," Buffy stated as everyone started to get up. "I think everyone's had enough for the day," the blonde added as she turned to Willow. The redhead smiled at her nodding.
"I agree. Christine will feel better in the morning. She won't be a hundred percent but better," Willow stated looking at her friend.
"Good. We're going to need her. I don't want her to over do it though. But I'm going to need her for she's going to help form the battle plan," Buffy admitted looking around the house that seemed to hold so many people's lives now. Willow smiled.
"Yeah, I'm sure she'll be a big help," the redhead stated. Buffy turned and smiled at her friend as she looked at the stairs. Willow followed her gaze. "I'm sure she's fine Buffy," the Wicca stated. The older slayer turned and looked at her with a startled look.
"I..." Buffy started as she stopped and sighed. "Yea, I just think she blames herself too much for things that have happened to her," the blonde stated.
"Just talk with her. I'm sure things will get better," Willow reassured. Buffy smiled at her best friend.
"I think I will. Thanks Will," the older slayer thanked, hugging her friend. The redhead smiled. "I'm going to do the rounds and check on everyone before going up. Keep an eye on Christine tonight," Buffy said after pulling away. Willow nodded.
"No problem. Goodnight Buffy," the redhead said as she walked over to the stairs. The blonde smiled as she watched her friend go. That was Willow for you. She had always been there for her. With this in mind, Buffy walked out of the living room into the kitchen where the potentials that were supposed to be sleeping in the living room were eating a late night snack and laughing.
They all froze as Buffy came in. the blonde slayer stood and looked at them before crossing her arms over her chest. "Well, we didn't want to ruin your meeting," said a potential that had chocolate on her chin. The older slayer laughed, which eased the mood for the other potentials.
"Ok late night snackers, let's get going to bed now," Buffy said as she helped clean up the little food mess they made. "Oh wait! Cookie dough..."
TBC....reviews are great...unless if you are like Sketch, who likes to get a little tipsy before they read fics, lol. Anyway, Thanks for sticking with this fic. It means a lot. Cuz as I have said before, I don't even care for this fic that much....so it means a lot that some of you actually like it and want to read it. Anyway, more to come when I get the chance! ;)