Reviews:
Skye: Imaginations are great aren't they? It's a story - nothings real anyway and I can make it up as I go. A whole third floor being a master bedroom sounds excellent. (Of course, there probably are places like that!)
CB - Glad you're still enjoying! (Now that I can post again - for a while anyway:0) I'll get the rope!
Chapter 39
"I'm sorry, you guys won't be getting any more home cooked meals for a while." Kelly looks apologetically at the group as she packs up the Hummer to take the basic stuff they need to the apartment. Thankfully it was furnished and she only had to sign a three month lease. "Hopefully I can take care of these three quickly and we can get back together before the end of the week." Kelly opens up her billfold and throws some cash on the coffee table. "Since I won't be cooking, you guys will be eating out a lot. This should cover you." Kelly slides a glance at Faith. "As long as you keep Faith to under twenty pounds of meat a day."
"Thanks, stretch." Faith growls, before frowning. "I want to help. It ain't right my not being there."
Buffy shakes her head looking from her lover to Faith. "Sorry, Faith. She isn't even really letting me help. She doesn't want them to know who she's partnered with, and she doesn't want anyone else to be placed in danger. Just rest, relax and enjoy. You and Sam can fight over our bedroom." Buffy stops and smirks slightly looking at the grin crossing her lover's face at that comment. "Or share, whatever you want."
Faith's eyes open slightly before sliding quickly to look at Sam's smiling countenance before looking back at the other two women.
"Everyone has my cell phone number, and Buffy's, right?" Kelly questions and at everyone's nod she smiles. "Call us, even if it is just to talk. We'll set up meets at the mall and the Bronze so Buffy can visit with you two before you have to leave." Kelly looks pointedly at Dawn and Giles. "Hopefully I can get the Trackers taken care of in the next couple days so everyone can get together before you leave. Sam, if lump of wood shows up, let me know. I just might take him out on patrol with me." Kelly grins evilly at the thought.
"Kelly!" Buffy smacks her lover in the lower abdomen extremely hard.
"SHIT!" Kelly yells, turning to look at Buffy. "That still fucking hurts, you know. And honestly, I would only think about taking him with me, I wouldn't actually do it." Kelly rubs her stomach, frowning.
"I'll drive the Hummer to your apartment that way I can help you guys unload it before driving it back here." Faith offers and smiles at Kelly's nod of acceptance.
"That it?" Giles questions looking at the two women. "Please be careful."
"We will be." Kelly acknowledges the sincerity in the voice of the Watcher. "Thanks for putting your people on the look out for the Cup. I have everyone I know looking for it, also. Keep an eye on them Sam." Kelly turns and smirks at Faith. "I'll expect that you'll be sure to make everyone as safe as possible when you get back."
"Given." Faith answers with a slight nod of her head.
Buffy walks up and hugs her sister tightly. "Love you brat, everything will be okay." Buffy tries to allay Dawn's fear that she sees in her eyes.
"Yeah, you better be. Actually with what Kelly said I'm more worried that something will happen to her." Dawn whispers quietly.
"She knows what she's doing. Plus she knows she'll have to answer to me if she gets hurt." Buffy jokes slightly and smiles as Dawn grins. "This is what we do, fight evil become victorious and then dance. So plan on being at the Bronze soon."
"You got a deal." Dawn smiles watching as they leave.
AAAAAAAAAAAA
Kelly smiles as Buffy works smoothly through the gears, speeding around the track at the university. Now bring it to a nice slow stop and take off. Do this four or five times.
Kelly watches patiently as Buffy brings the bike to a controlled stop before shifting and taking off, building up speed before stopping again. After watching her become more comfortable and at ease with the bike, Kelly grins. Now go around the track the opposite direction and repeat everything.
While Buffy's doing that Kelly looks around and starts picking up rocks. Heading towards the parking lot, Kelly places them roughly three feet apart and glances up as she hears the motorcycle getting closer. Sighing quietly, wishing Clem had been home, but after they do this, they'll try his place again. I set rocks down on the parking lot, here. I want you to work on weaving in and out of them. Start slowly and as you get more comfortable pick up your speed.
Okay. Love you. Buffy sends back seeing the rocks and slowly weaving her way through them. Picking up speed, Buffy grins as she feels the pride and love coming from Kelly. Am I doing good?
You're a natural. Give you a month and I'll bet you'll be riding circles around me and I've been riding for fifteen years. Kelly answers her sincerely.
Buffy pulls the bike up to a full stop beside the tall brunette and turns it off, putting down the kickstand and ripping her helmet off, dropping it on the ground before she jumps up and wraps her arms and legs around her lover, kissing her over and over. Finally pulling away from her lovers lips, Buffy grins. "I love you."
"I love you too, babe." Kelly grins squeezing the cheeks in her hands. "Let's get by the Licensing Bureau and you can read over the rules and regs quickly before seeing if you can take the test."
Buffy's eyes widen slightly. "I'm no good with tests."
"You'll do fine." Kelly smirks. "Read over the book, and if you're questionable on anything you can always call!" Kelly taps her head as she let's Buffy slide down her body.
"That's wrong." Buffy frowns before grinning. "But I might take you up on it."
"You won't need to. You're absolutely brilliant and you can ride that bike better than a lot of experienced riders. Now, let me drive you over there and get this taken care of before we head back to the dealership." Kelly glances down at her watch figuring they should have couple hours before the dealership will close.
AAAAAAAAA
Buffy smirks as the salesmen that helped them before comes out, looking at them worriedly as she hops off the bike after Kelly got off from behind her.
Kelly strides over and looks at the Wide Glides.
"Was there something wrong?" The salesman looks from one woman to the other.
"No, but can you get me the keys to this? I want to take it for a quick spin." Kelly points to the Wide Glide she'd been looking at in the same color as Buffy's.
"Most definitely." The salesman grins and runs back to the office to get the keys.
Buffy chuckles. "You know you probably made this guys sale of the month today, don't you?"
Kelly grins looking at Buffy. "Yes. But I'm trying to figure out what the hell I'm going to do with four bikes. I don't ride the old Indian bike that often, it was more of a past time restoring it. But that will still leave me with three bikes. I guess we can say this ones yours also, or you can have any of the others if you like."
"You'll figure out something." Buffy grins as the salesman comes back out and hands Kelly the keys. "Go ahead and take it out. I'll wait here." Buffy smirks as her lover winks at her and hops on the bike starting it up before gunning it and laying down a long line of rubber as she heads out down the street, making Buffy laugh.
"God, I hope she doesn't kill herself." The salesman moans quietly.
"She'll be fine." Buffy shakes her head smirking. "Go ahead and start the paperwork. I'm sure she'll be back in a few minutes."
"She's going to buy another one?" He looks surprised at the woman.
"Yep." Buffy grins as she heads towards the office, swinging her helmet in her hand. You are going to buy it aren't you? Buffy sends to her lover.
Yes. If want to tell them to get the paperwork going, I'll be back in a few minutes. Kelly let's her lover know
Already told him to get it started. Buffy chuckles quietly at being one up on her lover.
Know it all. Kelly sends back, smiling as she turns the corner, popping the clutch to do a wheelie for about fifteen yards before letting the bike down gently and pulling into the parking lot up near the office. Situating the bike, she strides in the office. Quickly sitting down and crossing her legs she smirks at the salesman typing furiously.
Reaching across the short distance, Buffy clasps Kelly's hand and winks at her.
"Love you." Kelly turns her gaze fully on her lover, smiling gently. "Anything else you wanted here?"
Buffy shakes her head slightly. "I think everything I got earlier is fine. What about you?"
Kelly just shakes her head smiling before watching as the man stands up and walks to the printer spitting out the paperwork. "Do you need my information again?"
"No, I just pulled it from the earlier paperwork." The salesman smiles bringing the papers to lay in front of Kelly.
"Good." Kelly quickly signs the papers and pulls out her checkbook. Filling out the check she hands it to the salesman. "I'll take it with me. You can owe me a detailing and gas fill up later, if you want."
"Most definitely." The salesman nods smiling. He frowns suddenly opening a drawer and digging around before pulling out a small book. "Here, take this. Use them on whichever bikes you want to."
Kelly takes the small booklet from the guy seeing coupons for free details and smirks. "Thanks." Kelly stands and shakes the salesman's hand before heading out the door, closely followed by Buffy.
"Let's find Clem and get your tattoo done." Kelly checks her pocket feeling the ink and the transfer for Clem to use.
"Do you ever not get done what you want to?" Buffy questions as she watches her lover.
"Hmmm?" Kelly half pays attention as she digs out the map making sure the Trackers weren't close by. Figuring they'll move in under cover of darkness, but making sure. Seeing that they were still in the same areas they were before, Kelly nods her head and folds it back up putting it away.
Growling deeply, Buffy walks up to Kelly and grabs the jacket pulling her down even with her. "Will you please get out of Brigadier General mode and listen to me for a moment?"
"I'm sorry, babe." Kelly looks appropriately chastised and focus' in on her lover completely.
Buffy rolls her eyes and kisses Kelly. "Let's go to Clem's."
Kelly smiles apologetically and watches as Buffy pulls her helmet on and climbs on her bike starting it up. Quickly donning her helmet and following Buffy, Kelly mutters to herself that she really needs to get this taken care of before she pisses Buffy off.
AAAAAAAAAAA
"Where are you going to have your tattoo put?" Kelly questions as they head towards Clem's crypt as she unfolds the map double-checking before folding it back up.
"How much skin am I allowed to show Clem?" Buffy smirks up at her lover.
"Put it wherever you want to, babe. You know that doesn't bother me." Kelly answers before placing her hand on her lower back, rubbing gently.
"Do you ever get jealous?" Buffy frowns, looking at Kelly.
"Not with you." Kelly shakes her head and opens the door to Clem's crypt. "You have my heart and I know you'll never do anything to hurt it."
Buffy stops and shakes her head at her lover. "You mean to tell me if I decided to have him tattoo my ass, or anyone for that matter, tattoo my ass you wouldn't get upset?"
Cocking her head as they walk in the crypt, Kelly thinks about it and shakes her head. "As long as they weren't like kissing it and doing all other kinds of things, no I wouldn't. But if they were kissing or touching you inappropriately, I'd kill them." Kelly explains seriously.
"I guess it's a good thing she isn't my type." Clem interrupts wide-eyed. "She's a little tight skinned for my tastes."
"Sorry, Clem." Kelly smiles at the demon. "We kind of have a problem and wonder if you can do the tattoo like now instead."
Clem frowns before nodding his head. "I can do it. I just have to get ahold of Josh and let him know that I need to borrow the portable today instead."
"Josh?" Kelly smirks, before asking. "Tall lanky blonde, pierced eyebrow and lip. Works at the tattoo/piercing parlor over on Eighth?"
Clem's eyes widen slightly before he nods his head. "That's him. How do you know him?"
Kelly smirks and unbuttons her shirt to pull it away from the tattoo. "I had him do this Friday."
Clem moves in closer and looks at the tattoo before laughing. "That's his work, but who's design?"
Buffy rolls her eyes. "Give you three guesses and the first two don't count."
Clem grins at Kelly. "Yours I assume?"
"Yep. Surprise Christmas gift." Kelly wiggles her eyebrows before straightening her shirt but leaving it unbuttoned, showing her bra.
Buffy growls quietly, before sighing, deciding to take a page out of Kelly's book. It really isn't worth getting jealous when there isn't anything to get jealous about. 'Or at least I'll try.' Buffy thinks to herself.
"So obviously he's aware of the other side of Sunnydale." Kelly smirks. "Can we just do it at his shop instead?"
Clem nods his head. "Actually he does a little better job than me. He'd do it for you. He'll keep quiet, he has a sister that's a werewolf. Knows about stuff."
Buffy throws her hands up in the air and looks from Clem to Kelly before having to ask. "Let me guess, her names Lana and she runs the Adult Novelty store over on Sterner?"
Clem shakes his head before grinning. "Been over there recently, Buffy?"
"Don't even go there, Clem." Buffy growls, before putting her hands on her hips and sighs heavily. "Things just seem to get weirder and weirder around here."
Kelly smirks at Buffy before winking. "Blame it on me, weirdness seems to follow me."
"Yeah, I used to think it was the Hellmouth." Buffy rolls her eyes before continuing. "Come to find out, it's all your fault. Now stop with the weirdness."
Kelly chuckles before leaning down and kissing Buffy briefly on the lips. "Okay, I'll stop." Kelly's eyes twinkle.
"You two are very strange." Clem laughs. "You probably don't need me. Josh will get you all taken care of."
Kelly frowns slightly. "I was planning on paying you for doing the tattoo."
Clem waves his hand. "I'm okay. I still haven't spent the money you gave me. Thanks again, by the way."
Kelly shakes her head. "No problem. We won't be at the house, we've got Trackers looking for us. So if you need either one of us…" Kelly digs around in her pocket and pulls a card out and a pen from her fanny pack. Quickly writing down her cell and Buffy's, she hands the card to him. "Here's our cell numbers."
"Trackers?" Clems eyes widen and a scared look crosses his face.
"They're outside of town. They're waiting for dark before they move in town. I'm going to wipe two of them out and send the third one back from where it came from." Kelly frowns slightly. "I just want you aware of what's going on, that way if you see them just steer clear. They're after me."
Clem swallows. "If it won't upset you too much, let me know before hell breaks loose. That way I can get out of town."
Kelly chuckles quietly. "Will do, Clem. But I'm hoping to get everything taken care of before it gets to that point."
"My prayers will be with you." Clem nods his head.
Buffy looks at her lover before looking at Clem. "Clem have you ever heard of the Heart? Or the Golden Cup of Jesatta?"
Clem looks in surprise at the two women, for the first time really looking at them and seeing their eyes, he backs up before sitting down hard in the chair. "It's a myth. That's what I always thought the two that become the Heart? The Cup? They're both real?"
Kelly and Buffy both nod their heads. Buffy walks up to kneel in front of Clem. "What do you know about it, Clem?"
"Supposedly the two combined with the Cup can close the Hellmouth and keep the demons from using the Hellmouth ever again." Clem starts before Kelly interrupts.
"Actually Hellmouth's. There are at least a dozen of them." Kelly frowns slightly.
"Yeah. One is in Cleveland and one in Russia that I know of." Clem answers quietly. "It was also rumored that they had the capability to end demon kind on Earth after the last Hellmouth is closed."
"What? How?" Kelly questions quickly walking towards the demon.
"Their power combined with the Cup at the last Hellmouth. The myth mentions choices need to be made. Remember, this is stuff that I heard, so please don't take it as the absolute truth." Clem looks seriously at the two women, continuing after they nod. "You can wipe demon kind permanently from the Earth in one fell swoop, but it uses your combined life force to do it. The two can choose to allow demon kind to stay on Earth and live forever hunting them and exterminating them on a one-on-one basis. Or…" Clem trails off looking at the two women before shaking his head. "The other choice that I was told was one of the two could sacrifice her/himself and it would wipe out all evil demons on Earth, leaving the other demons to live."
Kelly thinks over the choices. "What about the other half of my heart, what is supposed to happen to her if I were to sacrifice myself?"
Buffy jerks her head around hearing a note in her lovers voice that she truly does not like, even as the phrasing finally sinks in.
Clem looks at the slayer, seeing the anger coming into her eyes and shifts the chair further away from the woman. "She would live out a normal life, dying a natural death. Going to heaven to supposedly be reunited with her other half."
"What would happen if we were to live and eventually kill all the demons. Would we still live forever or would we be allowed to die?" Kelly questions, pacing back and forth.
"I don't know. I didn't hear anything more about that. But I would assume if you didn't kill all the demons, you wouldn't be able to die." Clem whispers his eyes flickering from one woman to the other and back.
"So, more or less if we took the one-on-one choice, we'll live forever. Because say, as an example, you are the last demon, I won't kill you. So effectively I would have to stay here because demon kind still walks the Earth." Kelly throws out the thought, running her hands through her hair roughly. "Watching our family and friends die."
"I assume so." Clem climbs out of the chair and runs to the corner of the crypt as Buffy growls loudly jumping up and standing in front of Kelly.
"Get that thought out of your fucking head, now! You will not be sacrificing yourself. There may be a chance that all this is conjecture, anyway. So you are not going to make any decisions or choices right now! To many things have to happen before it gets to that point." Buffy growls deeply, fire flashing in her eyes as she watches her lover.
Kelly looks into the angry eyes of the slayer and nods her head. "No more thoughts about this right now. You're right. It isn't like we will have to make a choice at this moment in time, anyway." Kelly whispers quietly, gently reaching out for her lover, trying to calm her. "Sorry, got my General Mojo going on." Still seeing the flames literally flickering in her lovers eyes, Kelly gently places a hand on each cheek, easing in closer. "Easy, babe. Decisions will be made together. No self-sacrifice unless we talk about it first. I was just going over all the options. This isn't something I should be thinking about right now, anyway." Kelly brushes a thumb across the slayer's lips as she watches the anger dim in her eyes but not diminish completely. "We need to get you inked, babe."
Buffy takes a couple deep breaths trying to calm down before nodding her head. "I'm warning you, you are not making this decision yourself."
Kelly sighs quietly, before leaning down to kiss Buffy then frowns as Buffy turns her head. "Let me check the map again before we head to get your tattoo." Pulling the map out, Kelly unfolds it. "They're on the move." Glancing at her watch she groans. "We were here longer than I expected. Clem, I'm sorry but we really got to get going."
Clem just waves and states. "Get the hell out of here. And good luck."
"Thanks, Clem." Buffy smiles softly at the demon, before heading out of the crypt to her bike watching as Kelly folds the map as she strides towards her bike. Yanking her helmet on, Buffy starts it up and guns it, growling as she feels the rear wheel slide before gripping and taking off.
Kelly watches Buffy head out of the cemetery like a bat out of hell and sighs before quickly following her.
AAAAAAAAAAAA
"Thanks, Josh." Kelly smiles sadly at the man. "No telling anyone about this, okay?"
"That's cool." He frowns, looking at the woman, before glancing at Buffy as she finishes getting dressed. "She's the one you got the tattoo for, right?" And at Kelly's nod he watches as an obviously angry Buffy jerks her jacket on. "Is she mad at you?"
"Yeah." Kelly mutters quietly before watching Buffy head to the front of the shop. Turning to glance at Josh she nods her head. "See you, Josh. And thanks again."
"No problem." He shakes his head as he watches the tall woman walk slowly towards the front of the shop.
"Babe?" Kelly hesitantly questions, as she walks up to Buffy standing stiffly by the front door, looking out at the night.
"Where are they?" Buffy looks out on Sunnydale.
Kelly sighs and pulls the map out, flipping it open. "One is on the outskirts of town by the caves. Another one seems to be shifting around the High School and the last one is downtown." Kelly folds the map up and hands it to Buffy. "Take it. Take care of it. I'm going after the one downtown." Kelly zips up her jacket before edging by Buffy. Getting on the motorcycle, she starts it up, feeling her heart aching.
Buffy clenches her jaw as she watches Kelly pull out, heading towards downtown Sunnydale. "FUCK!" She yells out into the night. Hopping on the bike she heads closer to where the demon is so she can be close if Kelly needs her, before pulling under a light and unfolding the map watching the demons slowly searching for them. Pulling a hand down hard across her face she waits for Kelly to contact her. Pulling her phone out and looking at it, Buffy growls quietly, debating. Quickly hitting her speed dial, she hears Dawn pick up the phone.
"Dawn, is Sam there? I need to talk to her." Buffy questions quickly.
"Yeah, hold on. Is everything okay?" Dawn wonders at the note in Buffy's voice, not quite being able to place it.
"Yes, I just need to talk to Sam for a moment." Buffy sighs quietly, waiting for Sam.
"Buffy? What's wrong?" Sam comes on the line asking the question right off the bat.
"Sam, I need to ask you a question. How self-sacrificing is Kelly?" Buffy seriously gets the question out, feeling her heart tighten, already knowing the answer.
"For someone she loves, she would willingly sacrifice herself, if that's what you want to know, Buffy." Sam answers immediately. "What's going on?"
"Damn." Buffy growls. "We found out something tonight that really doesn't have any bearing on anything right now. But in the future will have a very serious bearing on us."
"Do you want to talk to me about it?" Sam makes the offer softly.
"God, I don't know what I need to do. I'm so pissed right now that I can't hardly see straight." Buffy hops off the bike to pace back and forth, occasionally stopping to look at the map to make sure there wasn't any changes.
"Kelly can do that to a person." Sam seriously makes the statement. "You need to talk to someone. Do you want to meet somewhere?"
Buffy hesitates looking around remembering a coffee shop around the corner. Quickly grabbing the map she walks to the corner and looks, seeing it has a decent sized group of people in it. "Yeah, if you don't mind. Can you meet me downtown at the coffee shop on Brill Street?"
"I'll be there in five." Sam hangs up the phone. "Faith, I need to borrow your bike, if you don't mind."
"Take it." Faith throws the keys to her. "Am I needed?"
Sam smiles softly and shakes her head. "No. I have a feeling Kelly did something to royally piss off Buffy. Buffy needs someone to talk to about her. Since I know her best…" Sam trails off smirking slightly. "I got to go."
"Be careful." Faith murmurs to the closing door, watching Sam leave before sitting back down on the couch.
"What the bloody hell is going on?" Giles questions to the quiet room.
"You know as much as we do, G-man." Faith growls out stretching her legs out in front of her while flicking the TV on. "Just deal. We'll find out more soon, I'm sure."
Buffy glances out the window occasionally before looking back down at the map tapping her fingers impatiently. Kelly?
I'm busy, I'll get back to you. Kelly sends back. Kelly slowly cruises down the street looking for the demon, knowing it's around here somewhere. Catching a glimpse up the street of a tail swishing around a corner, she quickly parks her bike and runs towards the corner, slowing down to peek around, seeing the demon ahead of her, she grins. Looking around she sees its heading towards a less populated area and decides to follow, waiting for a better time to go after it.
Buffy growls as she picks up her coffee cup sipping as she watches Sam pull up outside the shop.
Sam sees Buffy sitting at a booth in the back of the shop and quickly walks towards her. Shaking her head at the obviously angry and worried slayer. Sliding in across from Buffy, Sam glances down seeing a coffee sitting there waiting for her with the sugar beside it. "Mine?" At Buffy's nod she quickly pours the sugar in before stirring and taking a sip. Silently watching Buffy, Sam waits patiently for her to start the conversation.
Buffy growls as she grabs a napkin shredding it into tiny little pieces. Finally she tells Sam about the conversation earlier with Clem. Explaining Kelly's tone and looks with the questions she asked, while watching the map, seeing the demon Kelly should be after moving further away from the population. Glancing up looking into the stunned eyes of the Marine, Buffy runs a hand over her eyes. "I got to ask, would she do it? Even if we discussed it and decided on another decision, would she sacrifice herself?"
Sam lets everything Buffy said soak in not answering her at first, running her finger around the top of her coffee cup, thinking. She glances up as the waitress comes towards their table and pushes the cup towards the edge to be filled before dragging it back and putting more sugar in it. Looking up and making eye contact with Buffy, she shakes her head smiling sadly. "You already know the answer to that, Buffy. What do you really want to know?"
"How can I keep her from doing it?" Buffy growls quietly. "I know she won't even consider both of us sacrificing ourselves or me sacrificing myself. One, I don't think she likes the idea of my dying. Two, she wouldn't want anything to happen to the good demons."
Sam shakes her head, "No, she wouldn't. Buffy, I don't know what to tell you. She's a stubborn fucking bitch and if she gets something in her head, it's almost impossible to get out." Sam sips her coffee, sighing quietly.
Buffy looks down tracing her finger around the demon that Kelly is obviously fighting and winning, since the light is getting duller. Glancing at the rest of the map, Buffy watches the other two lights still working in some kind of pattern searching for them before glancing back up at Sam. "I don't think a thousand years together with her will be long enough, Sam."
Sam chuckles quietly. "Then I guess you need to do your damndest to make her understand you want forever. But you better think about that long and hard. You'll have each other, but you won't have anyone else. Your sister will die, I'll die, Giles, Xander, Anya, Willow, Tara, Faith. All your friends and family will die, Buffy. If you two decide to have children, you will out live them. It isn't an easy road. When you think about it, it will hurt. Not to make you feel bad, but how do you feel when you think about your mom?" Stopping for a moment seeing the pain, sadness then love cross the slayer's face she shakes her head. "It's been a little while now, since she died. But it still hurts. But you also remember having her love. Think about that. Can you stand those feelings when you think about everyone?"
Buffy takes a deep breath, before finishing her coffee and pushing the cup out of the way. Silently watching the map for long moments. "I don't know, Sam."
"That's only a decision you can make, Buffy." Sam smiles sadly before chuckling quietly. "But you'll also have Kelly there forever holding you, kissing you, fighting beside you and yes, I'm sure, even making you mad."
Buffy chuckles quietly. "That's a given." Shaking her head she glances out the window frowning. "I pissed her off when I wouldn't talk to her before she left to fight the Tracker demon."
Sam quirks her lip. "She'll forgive you, Buffy. Give her time. I've only seen her really pissed off once in all the time I've known her. She may be upset, but she's probably more hurt than anything." Sam hesitates for a moment before continuing in a very low voice. "She may seem strong, but her feelings get hurt easily, Buffy. You wouldn't know it with the way she acts, but I hurt her pretty badly when I went with Riley. I didn't even realize it until afterwards."
"But she's said she wasn't in love with you." Buffy frowns watching the Marine intently.
"No, but she did love me. When I decided to marry him, she volunteered for every single mission there was. I think the President finally decided to put his foot down before she collapsed from exhaustion. That's why, after all those years, he had her lead the guard detail on the actress. He could have had a number of other people do it just as easily, but he ordered her to do it." Sam shakes her head watching as Buffy circles the light on the map that was almost extinguished. "Is that the demon she's fighting?"
"Yes." Buffy whispers. Glancing up she makes eye contact with Sam. "Was he hoping something would happen between the two women?"
Sam chuckles quietly. "Honestly I don't know. But I have a very serious feeling he might have. He knows Kelly's tendency and he also knew that the bitch swung both ways." Watching as the light finally dies out completely, Sam breaths a sigh of relief. "Just remember she loves you, Buffy. She's had a rough life in more ways than one. She went out on a death mission less than six months ago, Buffy." Sam shakily gets the words out.
Buffy jerks her head up looking at the Marine intently before growling. "What the hell is a death mission, Sam?"
"Pretty much what it sounds like, Buffy." Sam shifts back crossing her arms across her chest. "There were three teams that went after a group of demons, they were all killed. Or at least we thought they were all dead. Kelly did a tracing spell on the squads, found there were at least four people still alive. The Government had already counted it a total loss and decided not to send in a recovery team. Kelly didn't agree. That is the only time I have ever seen her royally pissed. She told the President himself to fuck off when he ordered her to stand down. She rented a private helicopter with her own money and went after the people. She got three of them out alive. She hasn't told anyone what happened or how she did it. But the demons were dead and the three people that she was able to save won't say a word about what went down. By all rights she should be dead, Buffy. The three teams that went after those demons had some of the top witch's with them after Kelly."
"Damn. I wonder if that's what she was talking about." Buffy whispers to herself.
"Where's she at right now?" Sam questions watching Buffy.
"What?" Buffy shakes herself out of her thoughts.
"Where is Kelly?" Sam asks again.
Buffy frowns realizing Kelly hadn't contacted her. Kelly? Babe? Buffy tries to send all her love with those two words.
Where's the demon at that was around the high school? Kelly sends back with no emotion coloring her thoughts.
Kelly, honey. Let's go home. Buffy sends back frowning at the tone of Kelly's thoughts
I'm going to take out the other demon tonight. Tomorrow I should have my blood here along with the gear for the wounds so I can take care of the last demon. Kelly explains. I'm almost at the high school. Where is it?
"Damn it!" Buffy growls slamming her hand down on the table, making Sam jump.
"What's wrong?" Sam questions watching the slayer getting angrier by the minute.
"She's going after another one tonight." Buffy explains looking at the map before growling.
"It's how she deals, Buffy. She's upset. When she gets upset she looks for a fight." Sam explains quietly.
"Sounds almost like Faith." Buffy snarls quietly.
"In a lot of ways, the two women are a lot alike." Sam nods her head agreeing with Buffy's assessment. "But now she can physically stand toe to toe with just about anything. Before she would have to use some magic along with her physical abilities. She's probably getting a lot more out of it, now." Sam places a calming hand over Buffy's. "Let her fight it out. That's the only suggestion I can give you. She'll eventually come home."
Where is it Buffy? Kelly growls into Buffy's mind.
Sorry, it's about two blocks east of the high school on Elm. Buffy sends back to her lover. Looking up she smiles at Sam before shaking her head. "I need to head towards the school, just in case she might need me." As Buffy stands she folds up the map and smiles a little more genuinely at Sam. "Thanks for coming here to talk to me. I really appreciate it."
"Any time, Buffy. Trust me. This won't be the last time she'll do something to piss you off. She can be the most easygoing person in the world. But every once in a while she gets something in her head and it'll take a fucking jackhammer to get it out. Just remember she loves you." Sam smiles squeezing her shoulder slightly. "Go watch over her."
Buffy nods and whispers. "Thanks, Sam." Before quickly heading out the coffee shop doors.
Sam shakes her head. "Good luck, Buffy. You're going to need it with the stubborn bitch." Sam chuckles quietly at the thought. "I think I'd take ten Faith's before I would deal with Kelly right now." Laughing, Sam heads out to hop on the bike and head back to the slayer's house.
AAAAAAAAA
Kelly growls as she slams her fist into the demons face again. Taking a blow to her ribs, she feels them give and shifts back leaning over slightly before straightening as she feels them knitting back together. "Fuck, this is awesome." Kelly smirks at the surprised demon. "I'm going to tear you limb from limb asshole. Why the hell am I bothering talking to you? You don't understand me and I sure as the hell can't understand you. Dumb asshole." Kelly jumps up kicking him hard in the chin, flipping him up and back.
Crouching down near the ground Kelly watches the demon flip back up. "You guys really are hardy bastards. It took me almost an hour to kill your other friend." Kelly jumps up and over the tail the demon swings towards her before flipping over him and kicking him in the lower back. Hearing the crack as she connects with his back, Kelly steps back silently waiting. Watching as the demon struggles back up, Kelly's hard eyes follows every single move the demon makes. "I'm not exactly a happy camper right now, just to let you know. Your other friend found that out, now you are." Kelly does a quick back-spin kick nailing him hard on the jaw. "Just to let you know I'm not even using my full power. I'm holding back because I don't want to kill you fast. I'll use my sword when I want to finish you off. It's great that beheading most things kills them."
Kelly smirks as the demon keeps coming at her. Letting it get a shot in, she jumps up, scissoring her legs around it's chest and flipping it over, squeezing her legs together tight until she feels the chest cavity collapse. Rolling away she narrows her eyes waiting for it to get back up. Frowning, Kelly tilts her head, not able to see it breathing. Crouching down, she patiently waits.
AAAAAAAAAAAAA
Buffy watches the map, thinking about her lover. 'I'm sorry for pulling away, babe. But there is no way in hell I'm going to let you sacrifice yourself. I know that's exactly what you're thinking and it isn't going to happen.' Buffy thinks to herself watching as the demon Kelly's fighting light blinks out suddenly. "Well that's different from the other one." Buffy glances over to the other demon, seeing that it's worked it's way to town, and seems to be moving faster than before. Frowning, Buffy watches as it seems to work it's way downtown. "And where are you going?" She growls as she watches the light work it's way towards where Kelly fought the first demon.
Kelly, something weirds going on with the last demon. Buffy sends to her lover.
What? Kelly answers.
It's heading to the spot you killed the first demon. Why would it do that? Buffy frowns as the light stops at the spot Kelly killed the first one.
They must have something telling them the other ones are dead. Or maybe there's some kind of homing beacon when they decide to get together so they can find each other. Kelly frowns, thinking about it, she starts searching the demon. Running her hands slowly over the demons head before working her way down it's body, she feels something weird under the skin of it's thigh. Pulling a knife out she slices in to pull the item out, frowning as she flips it around her fingers. I think I found it. Looks like some kind of tracking device. Standing up, pacing back and forth, Kelly glances around looking occasionally at the demon
Babe? Where are you? Buffy questions hesitantly, folding the map up waiting for the answer.
Still here on Elm. Kelly answers crouching down, thinking.
Stay, please? Buffy frowns, hoping Kelly will actually talk with her
I'll be here. I have to decide what to do. Kelly leans down, picking the demon up, grunting slightly. "Heavy bastard, aren't you? Now what am I going to do with you to make it look like I lucked out killing you?"
Kelly hears Buffy's motorcycle heading her way as she carries the demon back towards her bike. As she watches Buffy turn the corner, she drops the demon on the sidewalk, waiting for Buffy to get off her bike.
Buffy shuts off the bike before easing the helmet off her head. Easing her leg over the bike to walk slowly towards Kelly, Buffy tilts her head looking at Kelly's closed off face.
"We need to do something with this demon, make it look like I got lucky killing it. The other tracker will be able to tell that demon died in a fight. But it doesn't know how many people it took to kill it. If it comes across this one and it finds out it died in a fight, he'll head straight home to mommy and tell on us." Kelly explains quickly looking at the demon.
Buffy sighs, deciding for now it's best to just get this taken care of. "There's a construction sight about five blocks over. They're demolishing one of the buildings so there's a wrecker ball there. Would that work?"
Kelly nods her head before picking up the demon putting it on the back of her bike while shimmying herself in front of it, so it's leaning half over her. "Lead the way."
Buffy frowns before getting back on her bike, leading Kelly to the site. Watching Kelly drop the demon by the building, Buffy walks towards her. "Need me to do anything?"
"I got it." Kelly shakes her head before digging the beacon out of her pocket, placing it back in the demons leg. Kelly pulls her knife back out and cuts across the leg and a couple other places so it doesn't look like she went straight to the device. Considering the demon for a long moment, thinking she mutters a quick spell watching as the demon lifts up slamming into the building. Doing a couple other spells, a fireball spell that scorched the demons hide and one that made him fly up in the air falling on the ground. Standing up she looks at the wrecker ball. Sighing she quickly climbs up into the machine looking at the ignition switch before placing a small spell on it to start it up. Swinging the ball around she looks at Buffy standing close to the demon. You need to move.
Buffy watches Kelly silently for a few moments before turning and walking away from the demon. As she stands by the bikes, she watches Kelly swing the ball over towards the demon before slamming it into the building by it then after the concrete bits fall on it, she drops the ball to where it crushes the demon under it. Watching as the tall woman turns the machine off and hops out of the cab, Buffy actually looks at her, seeing all the tears and rips in her clothes and the dried blood. Frowning heavily at the fact Kelly obviously had been hurt, Buffy shifts from one foot to the other.
"Kelly?" Buffy questions starting to reach out to touch one of the tears down the side of her jacket and clenches her jaw tight as Kelly sidesteps her hand.
"I'm fine. Where's the other demon at, so I can be sure to steer clear of it while I do a patrol?" Kelly shifts her leg over her bike, holding her helmet.
"You are not doing a patrol. We're going home to the apartment and talk." Buffy growls loudly before flipping her phone on and calling her house. "Dawn, tell Faith to do a patrol. Just head the other way if she comes across our last demon. Thanks."
"Buffy, no offense. But I'm really not in the mood to talk at this moment in time." Kelly growls quietly, looking out across the construction site.
"Fine. You don't have to talk. We'll go back to the apartment, you'll get out of your destroyed clothes, maybe take a bath or shower to relax. I'll order a pizza and we'll sit in front of the television and ignore each other the rest of the night." Buffy yells at her stubborn lover before yanking her helmet on, hopping on her bike and heading off towards the apartment.
"Ah, fuck me." Kelly groans, watching the tail light of Buffy's bike turn the corner. Sighing heavily, Kelly throws her leg over the bike, pulling her helmet on before quickly following Buffy to the apartment.