In which Kennedy rants and excuses, Willow is sad and Buffy is oblivious.

Faith glared at the grass. How dare that bitch do that to Red. Now she's crying.

"You'll be okay red. There are a lot of people watchin' out for you." Faith said, feeling awkward.

"I don't know."

"I'm not stupid. I know what's going on." Faith said, interrupting her.

"And I'm sorry. Better than anyone I should know you won't talk about it. Your girl is a bitch." She said matter-of-factly.

"Shut-up" Willow exclaimed angrily, "She is not. What do you know about it!"

Faith looked at her steadily. "I know." She said firmly, not elaborating.

Willow flushed. "It's alright for you, you're a slayer. What am I? The sidekick, the best friend, the girl that almost ended the world."

Faith smiled wryly. "Ending the world is a pretty powerful thing. I don't know any slayer who could do that. Besides, you're a witch Red, not just some chick with protruding veins and lots of eye make-up." She grew serious. "But you changed the subject on me. You have to do something; you can't just be like this."

Willow stood abruptly. "Shut-up. I have to do this. I can't leave her, she needs Me." she stammered out, not looking at her.

"Willow" Faith started.

"No Faith. I don't want to talk about it, there's nothing to talk about. Just leave me alone." Willow stared down at her for a moment, face emotionless before turning on her heel and walking away quickly.

Faith watched her go helplessly, anger and guilt gnawing at her mind.

I can't let this happen, not to Willow. She's so...not me.

Buffy looked up from her magazine at the sounds of footsteps on the doorstep. "Faith?" she called out.

"No." Willow said, entering the room. "Just me. Faith is probably still walking."

Buffy frowned. "I would ask what you two were talking about but I probably don't want to know." She said, mock upset.

You don't know how right you are. Willow thought.

"Buffy" she said warningly, "Don't be stupid." Kennedy might hear you she added silently.

"I know. Paranoia."

"Will?" she said.

"Yeah?" the witch replied, sitting down on the lounge next to her.

"Is Faith...I mean, don't worry."

"What?" Willow said, bemused.

"I'm going to train." the slayer said, heading for the back door.

Willow sank back on the couch.

A door banged and Willow turned her head, expecting to see Faith or Buffy. "Willow!" Kennedy said loudly, heading over to her and sitting down close to her.

"Hey Kennedy," Willow said, leaning away from her.

"What's wrong?" she asked, looking concerned.

Willow looked at her in disbelief. Faith's angry face flashed into her mind and she sat up straight. I'll just talk to her; maybe, I mean maybe she's sorry.

"What's wrong?" she whispered angrily. "Don't you remember last night? Forget where I got this from?" she asked, pulling up her sleeve to reveal purple finger marks on her arm.

Kennedy smiled. "Oh silly, we were just playing." she said lightly.

Willow shuddered. "This isn't a joke! I can't believe you would do that to me."

"I'm sorry okay," Kennedy said petulantly. "Can we please not fight about this?"

"Why, going to hurt me if I don't shut up? Going to..." she stopped and stammered. "Going to. To do that..." Willow trailed off, tears in her eyes. Why do I always end up crying!

Kennedy's face reddened and she stood up.

"I don't want to talk about this!" the slayer shouted, curling her hands into fists. "Just stop it!"

Outside the house, Buffy paused mid-step and took her hand off the back door handle. Hmm, having a fight. I guess I'll go find Faith.

She turned away from the house, heading down the pavement towards a near by coffee shop. I'll get some caffeine in me; give them time to cool down. Just before entering the café she paused, a thoughtful, concerned expression on her face. That sounded like the fight Tara and Willow had over magic. Except that Tara wouldn't shout like that at Willow.

"I guess Kennedy just doesn't understand that magic is part of her."

"What?" a startled question intruded on her reverie and Buffy jumped. "Faith," she smiled, trying not to blush as she looked at the other slayer, sitting at a table, looking up from her occupation of gazing at the other patrons with a disdainful smirk on her face.

"What did you mean by that?" Faith said doggedly, finding time in a portion of her mind to be amused by Buffy's new awkwardness.

"Oh. Well, Willow and Kennedy are fighting." Buffy said matter-of-factly. Faith stilled and searched Buffy's face intently. She stood up.

"Well. That's, ah, that's too bad."

"Yeah." Buffy agreed, her tone confused. "Faith, can I talk to you?"

. "I don't know. Is this the talk where you tell me you were very drunk, and 'it's probably because we're both slayers', and 'I hope we can be friends?'" Faith laughed, although she was looking seriously at Buffy.

Buffy smiled, feeling lighter. That's all that's up with Faith. That's why she ran off this morning with Willow.

"Well, no it's not. Is it for you?" she asked, still embarrassed.

Faith smirked. "Well I was drunk, but not the other two." Seeing Buffy's expression at this she sighed and clarified. "I mean, dickhead," she said fondly, "that I didn't get drunk and decide to fuck you." She grinned wickedly. "I wanted you way before last night.

Buffy blushed hotly.

Darkened room. Loud voices.

"You think what; you're going to leave me?" Kennedy sneered, standing over her girlfriend.

Willow stared at her, a hot feeling of shame engulfing her as she answered. "No."

Kennedy smiled and reached down, pulling Willow off the lounge, and kissing her.

"No, you're not. You're lucky to have me Tree-girl, not everyone would put up with all this crap. The 'magic' stuff, being stuck with the bitch slayer and the ex-sociopath slayer as housemates."

Willow nodded, trying to look away. Kennedy gripped her chin tightly. "I'm the only person in the world who'd put up with this, I'm better than you deserve." She grabbed Willow's hand, slowly bending it back at the wrist. "And you'd better not try any of that hocus pocus crap on me or then you'll really be in trouble."

"The Slayer must choose. Tonight."

Dazed, Buffy shook her head. A thunderous voice had filled her mind, distracting her from her conversation with Faith. "The slayer must choose." She muttered.

God damn I am sick of being 'The Slayer'.

Well...Can't decide whether Kennedy will get what she deserves, or get away...any thoughts?