I had almost managed to convince the G-Man to use "Professor Giles' School for Gifted Youngsters" as the official name of Slayer Central when that little so and so Andrew clued him in. Still, Giles did agree with me that a school was the best cover story we could come up with to explain why dozens of teenage girls would be living together without drawing undue attention from the authorities. I never thought I'd live to hear the words "Xander is right" said with a British accent …
The building was big and old—I think that Giles would have a heart attack if he lived in something that was built after the 19th Century—but the G-Man has done a good job of getting his hands on the old Council's assets, so buying it hadn't been a problem. It was going to take some time until it was a Grade A Fortress of Slayeritude, but we'd made a good start on it.
"Thanks for letting me crash at your place last night, Xander." Kennedy's hair is still wet, and I think that look is very becoming for her. I love a woman who doesn't spend half an hour blow-drying her hair before she sets foot outside …
"No problem, Ken. It was my pleasure." I pulled my truck up to the front of the school. "I'm going to talk to G-Man and Robin o' the Wood about the Slayer Road Trip thingie. Is it okay with you if I mention to His Watchfulness that you've agreed to come along and help?"
"Sure. It'd be fun to get away for a while."
"Yeah, me and Robin are Kings of the Fun. You'll have a heck of a good time with me. Er, us."
Kennedy giggles as she opens the door. "How could a girl turn down an offer like that?" She shuts the door and takes two steps to the front of the school, then turns around. "Xander? Could you join me for dinner tonight? I'm buying."
"I'm always down for the free eats, Ken. I'd love to."
"Great. I'll see you then."
"Great."
Then comes one of those awkward pause things that I love so well.
"Kennedy?"
"Yes?"
"Why are we still here?"
"I—" Next thing I know, Kennedy has walked over to my side of the truck and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Thanks a lot for last night. I really needed it."
She's looking at me for a moment and I'm trying to read the look in her eyes …
And the next thing I know, she's given me a little peck on the cheek. "You know, I don't recall Willow as being so stubbly …" One of her hands brushes against my cheek.
"I'll have to ask Will about her shaving secrets." I can't believe a kiss on the cheek can make me blush, but right now my face feels as hot as an Easy Bake Oven.
"So … I'll call you tonight, Xander."
"I'll be counting the minutes, Ken."
With that, Kennedy turns and walks into the School, and it takes me a moment to realize that I was paying VERY close attention …
No way I wasn't checking out the ex-girl of my Lesbian best friend. Nope. Not happening …
I am so screwed …
((Special thanks to my friend Stacy for her help dealing with the writer's block that hit
me on this chapter …))