Willow stretched in the bed next to Kennedy. It had been so nice to have her show up out of the blue. She rolled on her side and looked at her lover's face. Even in sleep she looked tense, ready for battle. Willow tied the sash on her robe.
They'd been together for years, and it was good. She sighed. It was good, but it wasn't enough. They didn't meld. They were two pieces, but they didn't make a whole.
Goddess, she missed Tara.
She swallowed and slid from the bed. It felt wrong to cuddle one lover while wishing for the one that still held her heart. Kennedy deserved better than that from her. Looking out the window, she held back tears.
She should end this thing with Kennedy. It wasn't going anywhere, and it wasn't enough.
"Willow, come back to bed. It's cold here without you." Kennedy sounded sleepy and warm, but there would be no cuddling. Kennedy didn't do cuddling.
"You have jet lag, Kennedy. It's past noon. We should get up." Willow turned and smiled. She would have to end it soon, but how could she break up with Kennedy after she had flown over here just to be with her?
"So, what are we going to do out of bed?" Kennedy flopped the covers back. "It's grey and wet outside, and I've seen the sights."
"You've seen these sights, too." Willow smiled.
"Yeah, but that's a tour I never get bored with." Kennedy rubbed the bed next to her. "Come back to bed."
"Let me check on Xander and Dawn. We have dinner over at Giles' tonight. They're probably in a snit." Willow slid towards the door.
"But I missed my witchy woman." Kennedy grinned. "Come on. Put me under your spell."
Willow closed her eyes as Tara's voice played through her head. Goddess, this was torture. She smiled and shook her head.
"This will just take a minute." She waved and scampered out the door.
Dawn and Xander would give her some distance from the situation. They were always good for the buffering. She saw Xander's unwashed breakfast dishes and rolled her eyes.
"Xander. Dawn." Her voice sounded too loud in the unusually quiet suite. "Where are you?"
No answer. She looked for a note, but there was none.
"Willow, they probably went out for lunch. They knew I was here, so they didn't disturb us." Kennedy leaned against the door jamb, naked but for a gold necklace with a garnet pendant. "We could order some room service and take advantage of their consideration."
"They should have left a note." Willow glared at the empty counter. "Their probably trying to avoid going to Giles' tonight."
"Probably, but I can't blame them. I mean the old guy is fine, but the homage you all pay to Buffy can get old, really old. I mean she's a slayer just like me, but you act like she's special."
"Buffy is my best friend. I don't pay homage to her." Willow shook her head.
"Then what was this little trip all about?"
"I wanted to spend the holidays with my family." Willow rested her hands on her hips.
"Where are Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg? Because I'm pretty sure they're off at some conference in Boston. Isn't that what the letter said?" Kennedy curled her lips and waved her hand at the window. "I'm pretty sure that isn't Boston out there."
"No, it isn't. Giles, Buffy, Xander, and Dawn are my family. I chose them and they chose me." Willow tightened her robe. "It's important, they're important."
"You've been with me for three years, but you didn't invite me to your family gathering." Kennedy stalked toward her. "When will I be good enough for an invite? When do you choose me? I'd sure as hell like to know."
Willow glared at Kennedy.
"I'm not perfect like your precious Tara. Hell, I'm just a thing to you. Pick me up when you need to get off, set me down when you're done. We have toys you like as much as you like me." Kennedy slammed her fist on the counter and cracked it. "I can't even get second place with you. No, there's Buffy. Poor hurt little Buffy. If she had done her job and stayed dead, I'd be the one girl. I'd never be your girl, but I'd have that."
"Do you want to know why she's the slayer? Hell, do you want to know why Faith is the slayer? Yeah, they both own the job. They define the job. Your just one of the crowd. You clean out fledglings and your muscle in a tight spot, but you are just a slayer. Without the crowd, you'd be dead inside a month. Cursed, in pain every damn moment, Buffy hunts big game. She's a legend and she deserves it." Willow snarled. "Tara was everything to me. I would have ended the world for her. When the call comes, and it will because you aren't that good, I'll make sure to send some flowers for your grave. Now, get the hell out of my room."
"Make me. Show me what a bad ass witch you are. Come on. Do it." Kennedy tossed her hair over her shoulder and beckoned her with her her fingers.
Willow shook her head. This was not right.
"That's right. You're a full on white hat now." Kennedy sneered. "You won't use your powers for personal reasons. Too bad I don't feel the same way."
Willow's eyes widened as Kennedy came toward her with fists clenched. This was so not what she had wanted.
"Kennedy, you need to stop right there." Willow called forth her power. "I don't want this and neither do you."
"Shut up. You don't know what I want." Kennedy raised her fist.
Willow used her magic, but it didn't work.
Kennedy's garnet pendant started to glow. She grinned and stopped advancing.
"Thanks, Willow. I'm gonna have to drain you dry this time." She shook her head and stroked Willow's face. "Sorry about the paralysis. It's my little secret. The stone will hold your power for me to use as I see fit."
Kennedy plucked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Willow wanted to scream, but she could barely breath.
"Yeah, let me make you more comfortable. I let my first watcher out of it before the drain was complete. He blubbered all over me. I'm sorry this is going to hurt. I'll make the end quick." Kennedy stripped the robe off of her and stroked her gently. "Wanna see if I can get you off before I kill you?"
Willow felt fingers delving into her body.
"It's gonna suck finding a new witch. You really were a treat." Kennedy bent down and sucked on one of her nipples. "I could just wipe your memory and keep you. what do you think I should do?"