"You've waited long enough. This is a gift, Slayer. Use it."

"No." Buffy whispered.

The Voice flared in anger "You are the Slayer. Don't give me any of this bullshit about suddenly not being strong enough!" the Voice snapped, sounding suddenly like Faith.

Silence for a while...

Buffy stared at her hands.

"Buffy, dear?"

Joyce Summers crawled into bed beside her daughter.

"Mum." Buffy said, tears coming to her eyes. "Is this real, are you here, or part of the dream?"

"I'm here." Joyce smiled. "I'm very proud of you."

"Mum, I don't know what to do."

Joyce looked at her steadily. "You are not to choose Me." she said firmly.

"What? But, I have to!" Buffy protested, feeling strangely weak.

"I cannot come back now. I love you, but you need to live without me."

Buffy bowed her head. "I don't know what to do. So many people have died."

Joyce smiled. "You will know when the time comes. You have one month."

"Mum!"

Buffy woke up, breathing heavily and staring around.

"What time is it?" she muttered. "Quarter to 8! I'm supposed to meet them at the club down the road at 8!"

Racing through her shower and dressing, Buffy paused by the mirror to check her hair. 2 past 8.

Willow smiled at Kennedy and sipped her drink slowly.

"Where's Faith?" Kennedy asked, throwing back a shot of vodka.

Willow shrugged. "She's late." Probably wants to make an entrance.

"And Buffy?" Kennedy continued an involuntary frown on her face at the thought of Buffy. Bossy slayer bitch. Probably busy helping an old lady cross the road.

"She's always late." Willow nodded absently.

"Willow!" Buffy said, making her way through the club. "Hi Buffy" Willow said, watching her. "Buffy." Kennedy said flatly. "Kennedy." Buffy nodded.

Buffy was dressed in jeans and a white shirt, looking remarkably casual, but still good.

For a while the three waited in the dark and noisy club, sipping drinks and watching the crowd dance. Faith watched them from through a window, feeling nervous, a strange sensation for her.

"Showtime."

The club was dark and the music loud. Faith strutted in through the front doors, looking around casually, enjoying the sensation she caused.

Eyes, both male and female followed her as she walked casually over to the corner where her friends were.

Shows how much this has changed. They're not just B, Red the witch and her girl, but my friends.

"B" Faith said, putting on slim arm on her hips.

"Faith" Buffy said eagerly, then, trying to one it down "You're late."

"No kidding B. Now" she continued, watching as Kennedy dragged Willow onto the dance floor "How about my dance?"

Head throbbing- the beginning of a hangover already asserting itself, Willow continued to dance, eyes slightly glazed. Kennedy let go of her arm briefly to grab another drink, sculling it quickly. "Come on, lets go" she whispered.

Willow glanced over her shoulder and smiled despite herself. Faith was dancing close to Buffy, and as she watched Faith ran her fingers briefly over Buffy's shoulder, daring her to comment.

"Okay." She said.

Heading into Kennedy's room behind her, Willow could taste alcohol on her own breath, and on Kennedy's.

Okay. She lectured herself. Today's the day you get over it. Kennedy loves you. She lectured herself, and you love her. Nothing's changed.

Here we are so what you gonna do?

Do I gotta spell it out for you?

I can see that you got other plans for tonight

But I don't really care

Size me up you know I beat the best

Tick tock no time to rest

Let them say what their gonna say

But tonight I just don't really care

"B." Faith was quieter now, as they walked the streets.

"Yes Faith?" Buffy stumbled slightly, the alcohol rushing to her head.

"You didn't look like too much of a dickhead dancing tonight." Faith said.

Buffy stopped walking. "Thank you." The two slayers watched each other for a while, silently.

It was quicker then expected really. 10 minutes from the club to having the blond slayer in her arms. One word, one fatal slip and here they were in the muted light, feeling soft lips meet equally soft ones.

'Buffy?' Faith had said as they reached home, ostensibly so Faith could have some coffee.

Buffy had turned and looked at her and too late Faith realised she hadn't called her 'B.'

Buffy closed the distance between them as Faith stared, grinning and lost in her eyes.

"Faith?' Buffy asked questioningly, her voice soft.

Faith ran for the stairs, grinning as she went. Girl loves a chase. She thought, pulling ahead, entering her room and turning to catch Buffy as she ran through the door.

Kissing her hard and feeling her heart soar as the blonde responded.

"Why?" Buffy mumbled in the dark, "I have to." Faith replied, pushing her back gently onto the bed and pausing to admire the other slayer, right where she'd always wanted her.

Come on baby we ain't gonna live 4ever

Let me show you all the things that we could do

You know you wanna be together

And I wanna spend the night with you

Yeah, yeah with you, yeah, yeah

Come with me tonight

We could make the night last 4ever

She slid onto the bed beside her, Slayer strength evident as she took grip on the others pale arms. "Hey Will," Kennedy laughed. "C'mere." Willow shuffled over beside her awkwardly; I should have drunk more she thought as Kennedy pulled her closer, sticking her tongue in Willow's mouth and plundering it mercilessly.

Willow forced herself to relax, kissing Kennedy gently. My girlfriend. She is very hot. Willow admitted, looking her over for the first time in a long time.

Faith and Buffy took it fast the first time. Using all their strength to ease their frustrations. Despite their strength, they left no bruises. "Faith..."

"B."

"Not again." Willow muttered.

Kennedy, who up until then had been unfailing polite, seductive and charming, like she used to be, became angry.

"What the hell! I love you witch girl!"

"Witch girl?"

Her face going red Willow turned and stared hard at Kennedy.

"Not a goddess anymore?" she asked, hurt.

Kennedy's face fell, before another charming smile flashed over it.

"Oh Willow, I'm so sorry. I was just angry" she said apologetically. "Sometimes I think you don't love me."

"Oh Ken..." Willow said helplessly, tears starting. I don't love you. Come on say it!

"You do love me don't you? Why won't you let me?"

"We just did!" Willow protested.

"You need more stamina." Kennedy's voice was dangerous and in the darkness Willow was sure she spied a predatory grin. Willow tried again, angry and hurt. "I am not a Slayer. I don't want to. Leave me alone before we get into a fight."

"No."

And then Willow learned the downside of dating a Slayer. They are much stronger than you.

The rooms were nearly soundproofed, and the other two Slayers distracted, so no-one heard Willow cry out. "Shh." Kennedy said harshly.

She shut her eyes and tried to bring up her magic, but because of her panic it didn't work.

Kennedy backhanded her "No magic darling. I'll make the magic."

Oh how I wish
For soothing rain
All I wish is to dream again
My loving heart
Lost in the dark
For hope I'd give my everything

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