Around two that afternoon, Buffy was woken up by the sounds of Dawn
shrieking. She threw the blankets off the bed and raced downstairs. She
heard similar sounds from the backyard and threw the door open violently.
She was shocked, to say the least, to find Faith in a swimming pool tossing
Dawn and Dylan in the air and laughing as they squealed before they hit the
water. Kennedy was sprawled out in her bikini on a chair near the pool
watching them. Buffy stood and surveyed the scene for a few minutes until
Willow appeared behind her. The redhead peered over Buffy's shoulder and a
faint gasp escaped her lips.
"When did we get a pool?"
Buffy shook her head.
"I don't know."
The two made their way outside and Willow made her way over to Kennedy as
Buffy walked to the side of the pool only to get partially drenched as Dawn
went flying into the water. Faith caught sight of Buffy as she watched
Dawn hit the water and smiled sheepishly when the blonde got soaked.
"Hey B. Wanna come swimming?"
"Faith, where did this pool come from?"
Faith grinned proudly.
"We got it this morning."
Buffy look confused and shocked and a few other things that Faith couldn't
describe.
"Come on B, come swimming with us, it's fun in here."
Suddenly Buffy's face grew concerned.
"Faith come here a minute."
Faith raised her eyebrows and hopped out of the pool. She followed Buffy
up to the deck and stood waiting for an explanation. Buffy's gaze fell to
the brunette's stomach. The laceration had almost completely healed; Buffy
ran her fingers over the scar tenderly.
"Are you okay Faith?"
Faith reached over and lifted her chin up, forcing Buffy's eyes to meet
hers.
"B, I'm fine, slayer healing, it's okay."
"We need to talk about last night."
"Yeah, I know...can we talk in the pool?"
Faith gave Buffy a hopeful grin and Buffy could only laugh. The blonde
leaned in a kissed her lightly and ran her hand through Faith's hair.
"Yeah, we can talk in the pool. Be right back."
Buffy turned and headed back to her room. Once she was changed she went
back outside. She walked over to Kennedy who was lounging with her eyes
closed. Buffy cringed slightly at the sight of the bruises on the girl's
neck and thighs.
"Kennedy?"
The girl opened her eyes and gave Buffy a small smile. Buffy sat on the
bottom half of the chair when Kennedy moved her legs up.
"Are you okay?"
Kennedy mused silently for a few moments.
"I don't know to be honest. I haven't really had the chance to wrap my
head around everything that happened. I'm just gonna need some time."
Buffy smiled sadly.
"I know, but we do kinda need to talk about last night a little, we won't
go into any details or anything. Are you okay with that?"
Kennedy sat silently for a moment and sighed.
"Yeah."
Buffy nodded and sat in the chair next to Kennedy and smiled when Faith
hopped out of the pool and made her way over. Buffy leaned back and patted
the chair in front of her. Faith slid into the chair between Buffy's legs
and leaned back as the blonde's arms circled around her.
"Ooh, you're cold." Buffy shivered slightly at the cold water dripping on
her from Faith.
"Nah, you're just hot."
Buffy giggled slightly and dropped a kiss on Faith's damp shoulder. She
felt the brunette shiver slightly and she grinned. Buffy pulled Faith's
hair away and placed another kiss on her neck. Faith closed her eyes and
reveled in Buffy's attention. Willow emerged a minute later and ordered
Kennedy up from the chair and sat down pulling the brunette into a similar
position. Willow leaned her cheek against the side of Kennedy's forehead.
"How's your head?" She asked softly.
"It's fine."
Willow nodded and kissed Kennedy's temple and started playing with her
hair. The two girls told the others of the events that they remembered
from the previous night. Buffy's concern grew when Faith told them about
the blood transfusion.
"Blood of a slayer in a vampire would make one hell of a super vamp."
"Yeah, but he only made one, you guys got me before they had enough for
more."
"Okay, I have a question, why would that demon slice and dice if they
needed to draw blood through your arm, isn't that a waste?" Kennedy asked.
Willow shook her head.
"No, in a lot of cases, if the wound is deep enough, it won't really bleed.
When your body is injured, it automatically reproduces more blood cells to
heal. It obviously didn't work the way they wanted it to. Faith, when you
were thrashing around on the table, it must have aggravated the wound into
opening completely, that's probably why they were keeping you sedated.
They knew that by injuring you, your blood would reproduce quicker."
"Spike found the two guys." Buffy confessed suddenly.
Three heads turned to her with wide-eyed expressions.
"Buffy, you didn't..." Willow looked at her condemningly.
"He can't do anything anyways Will."
"Wait, what the hell are you two talking about?" Faith asked as she pulled
away from Buffy and turned to her.
"Spike got a scent from you and found them holed up downtown. They're both
human. He's gonna keep an eye on them until we can point the police in the
right direction. He's gonna take me there tonight and I'm going to give
the cops an anonymous tip, so they know where to find them."
"So why did Red get all weird when you mentioned him?"
"Honestly? We discussed having Spike find these guys so I could kill
them."
"But you won't, right?" Faith gave her a look almost bordering on angry.
"No Faith, I wouldn't do that after what I said to you this morning. What
Spike decides to do is another story, he was pretty livid when he saw you
in the hospital."
"But he can't physically hurt them right?"
"No, he can't. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't kill anybody without it
frying his brain. He won't do anything to them."
Faith nodded and moved back into Buffy's embrace.
"So what's the plan for today?"
"Well, I talked to Giles and he thinks we should rest today after
everything that went on last night. Maybe we can do a light workout, since
we've had the last few days off, but I don't want anybody falling asleep
tomorrow night. It's obvious that his whole lair thing is below Restfield,
so I'm guessing that's where he's gonna rise. You guys have everything you
need for the spells Will?"
"Yup, we're all set. Actually, I thought of something else that may be
helpful."
"What's that?"
Willow and Kennedy exchanged a look.
"Remember last year when I was all veiny and I did that spell that gave me
strength like yours Buffy?"
Buffy gave her friend a concerned look.
"Yeah."
"Well, I was thinking that I could use it on Kennedy so she will have
slayer strength. Or, Giles could do it. I just figured it would help with
the fight."
"I don't know Will."
Willow gave Buffy a small smile and nodded.
"Just think about it, talk to Giles about it. You guys decide."
Buffy returned the smile and nodded.
"So we know the where and the when, we know what kills him, all we have to
do now is make sure we're ready to fight. So me and Faith are going to
concentrate on the Ubervamps and Kenny and Will are gonna take the vamps.
Giles, Xander and Dawn are going to make sure that nobody gets too close to
Will while she's casting. Dylan takes the baddie and we all live happily
ever after right?"
The rest of the group laughed as they relaxed and spent the rest of the
afternoon lounging. Giles arrived later for dinner and Buffy pulled him
aside.
"Giles, Will told me about the spell."
"Ah, yes."
"Do you think it's a good idea?"
"Well, I think it would certainly help us if Kennedy was given slayer
strength, I'm not so sure Willow should be the one doing the spell."
"She said you might be able to do it."
Giles removed his glasses and began cleaning them.
"I can...I will have to channel power from Willow to do it, but in turn, she
might not be as strong in the fight. If we do this, we will have to use
just the right amount of power from Willow to allow Kennedy enough power to
make it through the fight and still leave Willow enough power to be able to
cast the required spells."
"Can you guys pull it off?"
"I suspect between the two of us, we will figure out a way to balance the
power."
Buffy sighed, obviously relieved.
"Thanks Giles."
He smiled at her and they headed into the dining room for dinner. Buffy
explained to everyone that Spike got a location on the two attackers and
before patrol he was going to show them where they had been hiding.
An hour later, Buffy, Faith, Kennedy, and Dylan left in the jeep to meet
Spike at his crypt. He gave Buffy directions as she drove them downtown to
a shabby looking warehouse. They parked a few blocks away and jumped out.
Spike could still smell them as they circled the building. Buffy crept
around to the back and froze when she heard two voices. She climbed on top
of a few discarded crates and peered in a window. She saw two guys sitting
on a ratty couch drinking. She hopped down silently and ran back around
front where Faith was. She silently took her hand and pulled her around
back. Once Faith confirmed that those were the guys, Buffy pulled out her
cell and called the police. Buffy and Faith ran back to the group and told
them to man the other exit in case the guys decided to bail. Faith and
Dylan ran around the other side and stayed at that exit and Buffy and
Kennedy took the other. Faith heard the two start to panic as they heard
the sirens approach. Suddenly, the door before her flew open and the two
came barreling out. Faith was stunned for a moment as the guys recognized
her and they almost made it past her, but Dylan reached out and grabbed
both of them by the shits and shoved them up against the building. She
called out to the others and they came running around the building as the
police pulled up. Spike decided to bolt and took off through the woods.
The four girls circled around them not allowing them the opportunity to
escape. They were shoved a few times when they attempted to break free.
The police took both men into custody when Buffy explained who they were.
"We were on our way to the Bronze and spotted them, we followed them here
and called you guys. It's a good thing they're drunk, otherwise the four
of us, being girls, never would have been able to keep them here."
Buffy smiled sweetly at the officer who was shoving the blonde guy into the
backseat. The girls got back in the jeep and followed the police to the
station. After Kennedy and Faith each did a separate line up, they were
allowed to leave. The girls headed back to the cemetery and did a quick
patrol. Between the four of them, they only managed to dust two vamps and
decided to head home to get some sleep. The girls split up and headed for
their respective rooms.
A few minutes later Kennedy headed for the shower. She stood facing the
spray leaning heavily on her outstretched arms. She allowed the spray to
hit her face directly for a few moments before turning and reaching for the
soap. She unwrapped the new bar and began lathering her body furiously.
She managed to cover every square inch of her skin, scrubbing wildly,
before allowing the scorching water to rinse it off. She repeated the
process three more times and her skin was almost numb when she stepped out
of the shower forty-five minutes later. She wrapped a towel around herself
and walked back to her room. Willow was in bed reading when the girl
appeared in the doorway. The redhead almost gasped at the sight of
Kennedy's red, tender skin.
"Kennedy, what did you do?"
The brunette stood in the doorway gazing at the floor. Willow dropped her
book on the floor and approached Kennedy. As she got near, the brunette
reared back slightly.
"No, Kenny, it's just me. I won't hurt you, I just want to help."
Willow took a few tentative steps closer and took the girl's hand
cautiously. Kennedy's chin quivered slightly as Willow directed her to the
bed. She sat down and stared at the floor as Willow trailed her fingers
over her skin lightly.
"I just wanted to feel clean."
Willow felt her heart melt at the broken quality of her voice.
"I think everything just kinda hit me when I got in the shower. I couldn't
stop scrubbing. I don't feel clean."
"Shh, baby, it's okay. I'm here. Does it hurt?"
Kennedy shook her head slightly. Willow thought for a moment and mumbled
something under her breath. Seconds later a vile of liquid appeared in her
hand. Kennedy looked up at her questioningly.
"It's just a potion, it'll help. Can I?"
Kennedy nodded. Willow turned and closed the door and returned and knelt
in front of the girl. She pulled the cork from the bottle and poured the
milky solution into the palm of her hand. She rubbed her hands together
and started lathering the fluid onto Kennedy's arm. She repeated the
process on the other arm and took care of her legs. She raised her eyes to
Kennedy's and searched her gaze for a moment.
"Do you want to do the rest or do you want me to?"
Kennedy's eyes were sad as they met Willow's for a moment and she let her
gaze fall back to the floor.
"You."
The brunette inched backwards on the bed until she was lying on her back.
She grasped the towel and pulled it open. Willow felt her stomach tighten
as she took in the sight of the girl's skin. Bruises still marred the skin
on her thighs and the endless scrubbing in the shower turned her skin an
angry red color. Willow kept her touches light as she finished applying
the lotion to Kennedy. When she finished, the girl pulled the sheet up
over her self and turned on her side facing the middle of the bed. Willow
tossed the discarded towel over the back of a chair and stood at the foot
of the bed.
"Do you want me to sleep on the couch tonight?"
Kennedy shook her head.
"I don't want to be alone."
"Do you want me to take the floor?"
"No, stay with me. Please?"
Willow immediately crawled onto the bed and was lying on her stomach
looking at the girl.
"I'll do whatever you want me to do Kennedy, I just don't want to crowd
you."
The brunette shook her head and grasped one of Willow's hands.
"I need you close. I need you to hold me close."
Willow nodded and kissed her forehead lightly before getting out of bed and
turning the lights off. She climbed back in bed and laid on her back,
gently pulling Kennedy closer. Kennedy squeezed in as close as she could
and draped her arm around Willow's waist as the redhead's arms wrapped
around her tightly. Willow traced her fingers lightly on Kennedy's healed
back and arms. Kennedy lifted her head and looked into Willows deep green
eyes and leaned in for a kiss. The brunette deepened the kiss quickly
until Willow pulled back slightly.
"Kennedy."
The girl looked up to her with an almost pleading look in her eye.
"Willow, I need you tonight. I need you to make love to me. I know it
might sound weird, but I need something sweet and gentle tonight and
you're...pretty much Queen of sweet and gentle."
Willow searched the dark eyes for a moment.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"You know I'll do anything for you, but promise me if you get wigged at
all, you'll tell me and we'll stop."
Kennedy nodded and her face broke out into a smile that melted Willow's
heart every time. Willow smiled back as she leaned in for another kiss.
Buffy followed Faith into their room and closed the door behind them. She
watched as Faith shrugged out of her denim jacket and she draped it over
the back of the desk chair. Faith sat on the bed and started unlacing her
boots and she threw them in the closet when she was done. She looked up
and found Buffy watching her intently.
"What's up B?"
Buffy smiled and Faith felt her chest tighten for a moment. Faith watched
as her gorgeous blonde took a few steps closer to her until she was
standing directly in front of her.
"You promised me a shower...feel up to it?"
Faith grinned and reached out and pulled the hem of Buffy's tee up
slightly. She reached in and placed the sweetest kiss on the skin just
below her belly button. Buffy shivered lightly and her knees went a little
weak. She placed her hands on Faith's shoulders for support Faith
dropped a few more 'innocent' kisses on Buffy's stomach before she stood
and kissed her sweet lips. Buffy sighed as she released Faith's lips and
licked her lips before smiling deviously.
"Come on Faithy, shower time."
Buffy grabbed Faith's hand and dragged her into the bathroom. Faith
reached to remove her tee when Buffy grabbed her hands.
"Nope, that's my job."
Faith smirked and watched as the little blonde turned the shower on and
turn back to face her. Buffy smiled up at Faith as she slowly began to
pull the shirt up Faith's body. She threw the tee over her shoulder and
trailed her hands over the newly exposed skin. Faith closed her eyes and
breathed in deeply. She shivered slightly under the blonde's touch and
when she opened her eyes again, Buffy was staring at her, her hazel eyes
dark with desire. Buffy smirked and reached down and unbuttoned and
unzipped Faith's leathers. She slowly edged them down the brunette's hips
until she stepped out of them. As Buffy crouched in front of the dark
slayer she placed a tender kiss on each of her knees. She allowed her
fingers to trace Faith's legs lightly as she stood up again. She slowly
slid the straps of Faith's bra off her shoulders and lightly kissed them
both. She allowed her mouth to travel to the brunette's neck and nipped
and sucked briefly. She felt Faith shiver again and quickly did away with
the girl's bra and panties.
Buffy was about to yank her own shirt off when Faith stopped her. The
younger girl smirked as she took both of Buffy's hands and held them above
her head. She reached down and slowly pulled the shirt up over her head.
She left the tee trapping Buffy's arms together and the blonde smiled and
lowered her arms a bit allowing the shirt to rest behind her head. Faith
slowly traced a finger from Buffy's neck down to the button on her jeans.
Faith retreated to her knees and placed a few kisses on the blonde's
stomach. She undid the button and slowly, teasingly slid the blonde out of
her jeans, trailing kisses down each leg as she did so. Buffy placed her
hands on Faith's shoulders again for support as she stepped out of her
jeans. Faith smirked up at her for a second before reaching in and
grabbing the edge Buffy's panties with her teeth. She used her teeth to
pull the fabric down slightly, but grew impatient and quickly discarded
them and Buffy's bra. Faith grinned wickedly as she pulled the trembling
blonde in the shower. As soon as they stepped in, Faith pulled Buffy into
a searing kiss. They wrapped their arms around each other and gently
explored each other's mouths. Tongues battled for control as Faith traced
her fingers down the blonde's slender back. Their slick bodies pressed
more hungrily against each other as they kissed, nipped and sucked at the
tender flesh before them. Their hands almost simultaneously dropped to
nether regions and each arched slightly at the contact. They stroked in
rhythm, each bringing the other to a blinding orgasm. The two breathed
heavily for a few moments before sharing a loving smile. Once the hunger
for release was taken care of, the two slayers basked in their shower.
Buffy forced Faith to allow her to wash her hair and lather her up. Faith,
of course, totally didn't mind the lathering. She returned the favor to
Buffy, who was quite obviously enjoying it as much as she had. The slayers
spent close to an hour in the shower and they hopped out each pulling a
towel around their bodies. They grabbed at their clothes and quickly made
it back to their room. Faith dropped her towel the second she crossed the
threshold of the room and grinned as she hopped in bed. Buffy stood with
her back against the closed door and watched Faith jump into bed. She gave
Faith a sensuous smile and turned out the lights. She walked slowly to the
side of the bed and purposely swayed her hips a bit. As she took the final
few steps to the bed she brought her hand to the towel and let it fall to
the ground.
After hours of lovemaking, the Chosen Two laid in bed unable to keep their
hands off each other. Faith propped her head up on her elbow and was
constantly running her fingers up and down Buffy's bare back. Buffy was
lying on her side and tracing imaginary patterns on Faith's side and
stomach. Buffy couldn't help but stare into Faith's shining eyes and she
couldn't keep her lips to herself. They grinned through a dozen smoldering
kisses until sleep finally overcame them.
Continued...