Like Mother, Like Daughter

Rating: PG - NC-17
Disclaimer: All of the materials borrowed from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel belong to Joss Whedon and to the entities and companies associated with their creation. I have borrowed them for creative and entertainment purposes only. No compensation has been or ever shall be received for the writing below. No copyright infringement is intended. Please don't sue
Distribution: The Kennedy Fanfic Archive: http://www.kennedyfanfic.com/fanfic/
From Willow's Window: http://www.elfie.org/~wolfkin/willowfan/index.html
If you are interested in posting my story on your site, please contact me first for permission.
Feedback: Yes, please. Any type you wanna send. Can't fix what I don't know is broken, right?
Spoilers: Show's been off the air since May of 2003. Can they still be considered spoilers?
Author's Notes: Canon through Chosen. From there, the story is a little different.
F/F romance: This story assumes a loving and sexual relationship between people of the same gender. If this offends or is illegal for you, then please leave. Come back when you are older, have an open mind, moved, or changed your laws.
Pairing: Willow/Kennedy, Buffy/Xander, Faith/Robin Wood, Others

Summary: Continuing from events in Full House, secrets and revelations abound as old friends and enemies alike appear.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

As she runs down the hall Kennedy follows close behind. Willow needs to see her daughter to insure herself that the teenager is safe. She goes into Aly and Annie's room to find them sleeping peacefully. From the doorway Kennedy watches concerned. The redhead touches each girl-her shaky hand tracing their faces; she turns and walks back to the door. She leans her tired body into her Slayer and as arms hold her tightly she cries.

Later Kennedy continues to hold the quiet redhead. They are spooned together in their bed. Finally daring to speak the conversation starts, "Same dream?" She feels Willow's slight nod. The Slayer's heart sinks-hearing her worries confirmed causes sudden panic. She fights to control it as she kisses her love's shoulder. The witch has had the same nightmare every night for the last three weeks. In it Annie gives into her hate and anger; then the darkness-The redhead can't eat or sleep and her physical health is suffering. Her already slight frame is at least five pounds lighter. She is pale and becoming more quick-tempered and irritable. Kennedy kisses her shoulder again and then dares broach the subject that has caused many resent confrontations. "Willow I think that maybe Giles is right-you-"

"No-" her voice is soft.

"Please talk to someone-I'm worried about you Red."

She pulls away just a little, "Don't-you want to worry? Then worry about Annie."

"Annie is okay, she's dealing with what happened. She and Aly talk all the time."

"She's dealing-meaning what?" She turns her eyes meeting Kennedy's, "That I'm not?"

"No-I'm not saying-"

"Yes you are-" she moves from her Slayer's arms completely and off the bed.

Kennedy tries to stay calm, "Come back to bed please?" Her answer comes in the form of the door slamming as the redhead leaves. "Freakin' great!" says the frustrated Slayer. She slowly gets out of bed, starts to the door, but changes her mind going to the balcony instead. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly as she looks up at the stars.

In the garden the witch cries as she struggles for composure, finally losing she sobs, her body trembling. From the balcony above the Slayer watches. Kennedy's tear fall too. Unsure of what she can do she whispers softly, "I don't know how to help you Will-not if you keep pushing me away."

A few days later Aly and Annie are in their room just listening to music and hanging out. They hear the voices of their parents getting louder and louder- "No-" Willow yells "you're not taking them out."

"They need to train-" Kennedy's voice is softer.

"They can train in the training room-end of discussion."

"Discussion? We don't discuss Will-we argue, that's all we ever do anymore."

"And that's my fault right?" Her voice is louder.

Annie near tears goes over to the stereo and turns the volume up trying to drown out their shouting. Aly walks to her and puts a hand on her shoulder. "They're okay-it's okay if they fight it's what couples do."

"Right-before they break up-" her eyes meet her sister's. "It's my fault-"

"How do you figure that?"

"The nightmares are because of me-"

"No, she just-no okay?" She waits for her sister to respond, "Annie Mom-she-worries too much sometimes."

"Worries that I'm gonna turn into this murdering black witch," Aly looks unsure. "One day when they were arguing I heard Mama say-" she stops and her tears fall. "Am I bad?"

"Bad?- No-no. Look I don't know what they were talking about. But I'm sure what you think you heard- wasn't-" she hugs her twin. "Let's get out of here for a while. We could go to the park or get ice cream, okay?"

Annie nods as she backs out of her sister's arms, "Ice cream-and mochas?" she wipes away tears and almost smiles.

"Mochas too-" they walk toward the door but stop unsure as they hear a door slam.

"Damn it Willow," is Kennedy's angry response. The girls look at each other.

The later that day Willow walks into the kitchen and goes to the counter to get a cup of coffee. She sees the kids at the table eating, and realizes it is lunchtime. She looks from the younger kids to the older ones, "Thanks-I forgot-"

"You want a sandwich?" asks Annie unsure.

"Maybe later," she answers as she sits down at the table.

Ellie looks up from her sandwich and says, "You should eat."

"I said later," her voice is edged with anger. The girl looks away. Aly lays a hand on her arm to comfort her and Willow notices. "I'm sorry I'm just-where's your mama?"

This time it is Alex, who dares to answer, "She said she was going out-she'd be back to train later."

Again Ellie speaks, her eyes meeting her mom's, "She was upset-is something wrong?"

"No-" but the answer is too quick even the youngest at the table knows that that is an untruth. Annie's eyes meet her mother's-brown to green and neither have their usual brightness. Annie's eyes tear, "Annie?"

She blinks tears away, "I need to-" she stands and goes out the back door. Aly's concerned eyes follow her sister out hte door.

"Can we go out and play too?" asks Kara.

"Finish your lunch," again her words sound a little harsh.

In her mind she questions her oldest child- 'Aly, what's wrong with her?'

Unable to hide her anger she responds, 'What's wrong? What do you think is wrong? We're not deaf we hear you argue-she heard you talking about-' Aly doesn't finish the sentence she gets up and goes out the back door as well.

Ellie looks at her mom, though young she is very perceptive, "Don't worry Mom they're just being teenagers."

"Eat your lunch," her tone is cold. She stands and leaves the room.

The five kids sitting at the table are confused. Alex being the big brother decides to take charge, "You heard her, eat."

"Something's wrong," informs Erin.

"Yeah-" adds the boy, "That's a given."

"Jason's parents used to argue all the time-they got a divorce," says Kristen. "Do you think they'll get divorced too?"

"Where would we go?" asks Kara concerned.

"They're not getting a divorce," answers Alex, his voice confident. "Don't worry."

"How do you know?" Erin wonders.

"I just do-" the boy replies. "Now eat."

"I'm not hungry," Ellie stands and walks slowly up the stairs as tears fall.

Kennedy is at Faith's they are in the training room working on hand to hand fighting skills. Kennedy and Faith both are covered in sweat-the younger Slayer appears tired, "Had enough-" asks Faith with a half smile.

"No-need to keep busy," she swings at the once dark Slayer who simply side steps her and knocks her to the mat.

Faith drops her hands and sits on the mat beside Kennedy. "Time to talk."

"Nothing to talk about -in fact I'm tired of talking, tired of arguing-just tired." She drops her eyes to the mat.

"What are you saying-you want out?"

"I-maybe-" her eyes meet Faith's. "No-I want Willow to be Willow. I want what we had."

"Give her time-"

"It's been over a month. I don't no how much longer I can-I'm scared that she's never-why won't she just talk to a shrink?"

"You really think it will help. It's not like she could tell him the truth."

"Hadn't thought of that-so what do I do?"

"Don't know-but if it was me, cut her some slack maybe take her away for the weekend see is I could get her mind off things if you know what I mean?" Faith raises her eyebrows suggestively and smirks.

"Sex-is that your answer to everything?"

"Well-yeah mostly." They both smile. "Now go-out of here."

Kennedy nods and stands, "Thanks-"

"Hope it works out," says the older Slayer as Kennedy leaves.

At the house Kennedy walks in the front door and finds Willow sitting on the couch her feet under her and her mind far away. She goes in quietly and sits beside her. The redhead jumps a little startled. "Sorry-I didn't mean to sneak up on you," her voice is soft.

"You didn't I mean I wasn't-I was somewhere else," admits the redhead.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," smiles Kennedy.

"Me being somewhere else?" Willow looks unsure. "You want me to leave?"

"No-God no-I-. Let me start over-I want us to get away for a couple of days."

"Us?"

"You and me-I thought we could go to the cabin for the weekend?"

"This weekend?" Kennedy nods. "What about the kids?"

"Buffy and Faith will watch them-or I'm pretty sure they will. Please-we need-"

"I know things have been all grrrr lately it's my fault." A tear starts to fall.

"No blame let's just get out of here and fix it okay?"

"Okay-" Kennedy leans in and kisses her softly on the lips. "I missed this," admits the redhead as she pulls out of the kiss.

"Me too-I hate arguing Will-"

"So do I-" she kisses her lips and them nips them playfully. Kennedy's hands moves to her witch's waist and she pulls the redhead onto her lap as the kiss intensifies. "I'm sorry-"

"I'm sorry too-" her hands slip under Willow's shirt to caress bare skin.

"Mama-" screams a voice from upstairs. They pull a part and Kennedy gets to her feet she runs up the stairs two at a time to find nothing in the stairway. She hears it again only softer, "Mama-" she follows it to Ellie's room. The girl is sleeping, dreaming. She opens her eyes when she senses someone in the room. "Help her Mama-" Kennedy looks at the child unsure, Willow walks in and is the upset little girl.

"What happened Ellie?"

"Help who Ellie?" asks Kennedy, Willow is there now too her hand laced with her Slayer.

Noticing this she says, "Nobody-it was just a dream." The parents stare at her not sure if the girl is being truthful. "Kristen was stuck up in a tree-"

"A tree?" questions Willow.

"That's what I thought-I asked her what she was doing up there but I woke up before she told me."

Willow smiles and decides that it must be true- the answer was too elaborate for a lie. "So you're okay?"

"Yeah-I think I'll go outside for awhile-"

"Not too long it'll be time for dinner soon. Mama and I want to talk to all of you about something." smiles Willow. They are still standing in the room but are now in each other's arms as Ellie walks down the hallway.

The little Slayer leans against the hallway wall and thinks back to the dream- 'Cold black eyes why did Mom and Annie have black eyes. They weren't normally black-' the confused child walks toward Annie and Aly's room trying to decide if she should say anything to them her parents seemed happy for the first time in a long time. She didn't want to spoil things so she decided to keep it a secret.

Just Go

"I'm not sleepy-" informs the witch.

The Slayer can't keep the smile from her face, "Who said anything about sleep?"

Willow's eyes meet hers and she reaches up to touch Kennedy's face, "It's been awhile hasn't it?" She bites her bottom lip.

"Too long-but we don't have to, I mean if you don't want- we can just snuggle," she offers wanting her redhead to be at ease.

Willow pulls her into her lap, the Slayer's knees press against the witch's sides as she settles on top of her. Putting her arms around Kennedy and pulling her closer, she presses a kiss to her lips. She asks for and gains entrance to her Slayer's mouth. She explores gently and then more passionately. She hears a soft moan escape the younger woman's mouth and she leans her forehead on her Slayer's forehead as the kiss ends, "I'm sorry I've been so-"

"Shhhh-no talking," states the Slayer as she kisses her witch's lips.

"But I've been thinking-" she pulls out of the kiss.

"Definitely no thinking," she slides her hand under the redhead's shirt, racking her nails along soft skin and sending chills through Willow's body. Their lips meet once more and passion takes over. As lips move in a steady rhythm against lips Kennedy's hands begin to move to the same beat as they massage Willow's breasts. The Slayer smiles around the kiss as she hears the woman moan loudly. "You were saying?" She asks playfully.

"Saying?"-Kennedy's hands continue their caresses. "No-nothing-" she moans again as she leans into the touch and also to her lover's lips. The kiss escalates quickly. She begins to pull on the Slayer's shirt-she is finally able to get it over the woman's head with just a little help. The kiss is momentarily stopped. "Off-" she mumbles as their lips meet once more. She tries to undo the clasp on the brunette's bra but can't seem to get it- she whines, "Off-now." Kennedy smiles and reaches behind her to unhook it.

The offending object falls away and the redhead smiles, "Better?" questions Kennedy.

"Mmmm-" she replies as she nods and leans in to press a kiss between the Slayer's breasts.

Seconds later it is Kennedy who moans as she arches her back, as Willow licks and then nibbles each breast, "Red-feels-" her words stop as the redhead begins to suckle earnestly. Her lips tease from one to the other as her Slayer's breathing becomes faster. Again she tries to speak, "Feels so-" her eyes close tightly, as she bites her bottom lip. Her hands struggle with Willow's tee-shirt. She finally gets it up and over her head but regrets it as the redhead's mouth is forced away from her body. The foreplay continues as they drive each other wild. Kennedy stands up and pulls the witch up also. She kisses her- "Okay?" She looks toward the rug in front of the fireplace and back to her witch.

"Yeah-" they move together towards the fireplace and then lie side by side on the fluffy rug.

Kennedy leans over her and kisses her tentatively, first her forehead, then her nose, her chin and then finally her neck. As she kisses a path down her pale skin the witch moans. Without giving her time to compose herself the Slayer nips at the skin and then begins to suck it. Their hands trace the other's body. The younger woman pulls away slightly and smiles at her mark.

"Did you just-" her strangled words ask? "A hickey-Kennedy" she whines.

"Sorry got carried away," she kisses it softly. "Now it's all better."

"You get to explain it if the kids ask-"

Kennedy smirks, "You really want me to?"

"Second thought-no-" She smiles, pushes her Slayer to her back and starts her own trail down the body of her friend, her lover, her wife- "So beautiful-" she kisses the tip of each breast; reaffirming that she is definitely a breast girl above all else. She moves slowly down her body with her lips, licking, kissing, and teasing.

However before she can reach her destination Kennedy's strong hands stop her and pull her back up her body as they embark on another long, passionate kiss. The Slayer again reverses their position; resting her body between Willow's legs. Her strong but gentle hands work to remove her pajama pants. Soon her witch is lying in only her panties. Kennedy's hands caress bare skin, she comes so close to where the redhead wants her but pulls back smiling.

"You-you're such a t-tease," she finally manages to voice her thoughts.

"You think-" her thumbs hook in the material of the redhead's panties and Willow raises her hips as Kennedy slides them away, tossing them who knows where. She kisses her redhead's stomach and then slips her tongue into her belly button.

As the cold steel of the studded tongue ring contacts her skin, the redhead arches into the touch and moans loudly, "Goddess!" She whimpers and thrusts her hips as Kennedy moves lower still kissing and licking her way to her destination. "P-please baby-" begs her love. Never one to disappoint, Kennedy kisses soft curls. Willow's moans increase as she feels the stud between her folds-caught off guard she screams as her body trembles and her orgasm rockets through her. The Slayer continues her movement with her tongue but also slides to fingers deep inside her redhead. "Ke-Kennedy!" She screams again and again as she builds quickly to another release. As her lips find Willow's clit and she draws it in she speeds up her fingers as well and the witch falls hard again. "Oh-goddesskennedy-goddess-" her breathing is out of control. She draws out the orgasm as her fingers continue, the pace slows and builds again. She can feel her love tremble; all control lost.

Kennedy cradles the woman she loves in her arms and kisses her softly as she begins to calm slowly. "You okay baby?" Kennedy finally asks as she notices her breathing slower after several minutes.

"That-wow-" she struggles to open her eyes and they meet Kennedy's. "Again wow." Kennedy smiles and kisses her lips. What started out as comfort and reassurance quickly becomes passionate as Willow deepens the kiss probing Kennedy's mouth with her tongue. As tongues caress and the moans of her Slayer increase Willow breaks the kiss and pushes Kennedy onto her back. She straddles her hips and begins to remove her pajamas and panties in one motion. Kennedy raises her hips to help and they both moan at the contact, Willow shivering with after shocks. Her eyes close momentarily of their own accord but soon open and lock with the brunette's. Her hands caress bare breasts and Kennedy's back arches into her hands creating more contact.

Worried that the redhead who hasn't had much sleep or food over the last few weeks might be overdoing it, Kennedy takes her hands and holds them still against her body, "We don't have-I mean if-"

"You don't want-" Willow misunderstands.

"No-I mean I want-" she moves the redhead's hand to her center so that there is no question about her want and need.

"So ready baby-" she moves her fingers stroking her outer lips. "Then why?"

Kennedy fights to form words as Willow continues to explore, "It's late and you haven't slept in-"

"Shhhh-" she presses a kiss to Kennedy's lips as two fingers find their way home. As the wetness engulfs her she moans too. Setting a steady rhythm her loses herself in the sounds she is creating in her lover. She kisses down her body stopping to wrap her lips around a hard peek.

"B-baby-so-so clo-close-" gasps her Slayer as Willow's fingers move faster, her thumb applying pressure to her clit too as her lips find her nipple again. She moves to the other breast and does the same. "Willow!" screams the Slayer as minutes later she explodes.

Hours later the couple are still pleasuring each other both are covered in sweat-as they hold each other and fall together calling each other's name. "Love you-" mumbles Kennedy as she fights to keep her eyes open. She kisses Willow's lips.

"Love you-" her eyes are shut her breathing labored as she tries to recover. She slides her hand across bare skin and causes a soft gasp from the brunette.

Kennedy stills her hand, brings it to her lips and kisses it, "Sleep-"

"Don't want to-" she moves it back to bare skin and scraps her nails down Kennedy's side.

"Should rest-"

"Okay," she finally gives in and puts her head on Kennedy's shoulder. Wrapped together they both drift off to dreamland.

As the sunlight finds its way through the window and onto Kennedy her eyes open, she smiles at the woman in her arms. She presses a soft kiss to her temple and begins to slowly untangle herself. As she stands she feels a hand take hers. Her eyes still closed her Willow speaks, "Where do you think you're going?" her voice is thick with sleep but just a hint of seduction is also present.

Kennedy lies down beside her, "Was gonna surprise you with breakfast in bed-" looking around at the rug and the fireplace the fire now ashes. "Sort of-"

"Sounds good-" she leans in and kisses Kennedy soundly causing her to moan. "Tastes good."

She presses a kiss to her forehead, "Pancakes-or eggs and bacon?"

The redhead whines, "No Slayer on the menu?" she pouts as her eyes meet Kennedy's.

Kennedy laughs, "You got to be kidding aren't you hungry after-" her sentence trails off as she sees Willow smile. "Last night was-"

"Wow-" Willow restates.

"Yeah-" she kisses her softly. Her hand laces with Willow's and rests on her bare stomach. "Definitely wow-"

Kennedy's stomach growls, "Poor Slayer-" says the redhead as she moves to press her lips on her love's stomach. "Hungry-"

"A little-" admits the brunette. "Why don't you hop in the shower and I'll fix breakfast?"

"And after breakfast?" She bites her bottom lip.

"You can have desert." She raises her eyebrows suggestively.

"Sounds good-" she stretches and moans slightly. "Maybe I'll nap while you cook-"

"Didn't sleep?" Her concern returns.

"Slept like a baby-after," she smiles. Recognizing her Slayer's worry she adds. "And no bad dreams."

Kennedy smiles, "Good to hear."

"Kennedy-about before. You know me being all with the crazy-" she lowers her eyes.

Her Slayer puts her hand under the redhead's chin and lifts it so their eyes meet, "I understand-I get it I do-"

"I'll deal better I promise-okay?"

"Okay-now I'm gonna start breakfast." Willow's hand slides down her body, nails raking over sensitive skin. "I-Red if you don't stop I-" Her words end as Willow's mouth starts the same journey and breakfast is forgotten. She moans loudly as she arches into her lover's touch. "Goddess-"

A Day in the Life

"Oh-let me see something like this-" she mocks Faith's earlier words, "Come on B-they need some time. Annie, Aly and Alex can stay with me-" Faith rolls her eyes- "Do I need to go on?"

"I know that part I'm talking about Giles calling and needing Robin and Xander this weekend-"

"It was kind of convenient," states Buffy. "You don't think-they wouldn't-"

"They would-" assures Faith.

"They're smart."

"We've been screwed-"

"Language-" admonishes the blonde Slayer.

"Sorry-shit-shoot-I mean we've been messed over."

"Now what?-Do we have a plan?"

"Aly and Annie watch the kids and we jet!" informs the dark Slayer with a half smile.

"Not a bad idea except for-"

Faith finishes, "Red would kick our-a-"

Buffy stops her mid word, "Faith-"

"Butts, I was gonna say butts."

"Right-" says Buffy not at all sure. They both stop the banter to think about their situation. "We could take them to the park for a picnic-let them burn off some energy?"

"That's good-" agrees Faith and adds, "then we could rent a ton of movies-they like movies."

"That's good-okay so we have a plan," replies Buffy as the Slayer's nod, happy with their proposal. "Let's just hope they go for it." Their smiles fade to uncertainty.

Willow is standing on a small knoll looking down at a wondrous field below. She watches, as a family of rabbits plays unafraid there. She smiles as she feels arms encircle her and leans into Kennedy's embrace. "Missed you-" she says softly. "Where were you?"

"Getting ready-"

"Ready?" questions Willow as Kennedy turns her in her arms and presses a gentle kiss to her lips. The Slayer takes her hand and looks toward the clearing to her left. The redhead sees the blanket and the picnic basket. "You think of everything-"

"I try-" she smiles as Willow kisses her. "Let's go-" they walk hand-in- hand to the treat Kennedy has put together.

Later the redhead is lying with her head in her Slayer's lap. Kennedy is feeding her grapes-but then stops to tease her, holding a grape just out of her reach. "Hey-" whines the woman- "Tease-" she smiles.

"Not the first time I've been called that-" she replies as she smiles too- "Just last night if you remember."

"How could I possibly forget-" she blushes slightly. "It was-"

"Amazing?" asks Kennedy with a trace of uncertainty.

"Definitely amazing-always amazing," now it is the Slayer who is blushing. "The word I was thinking of was intense- you know?"

"Yeah-I know." She leans down to kiss her redhead but is surprised to be pulled on top of her. We moves just a little so that all her weight does rest on her love.

"I love you-" she kisses her Slayer and it is instantly passionate. Lips open and close against lips in a steady unrushed pattern. Hands in turn begin to explore first on top of clothes but finally searching out bare skin. Willow's hands begin to slide Kennedy top up her body as she scrapes her nails across dark skin. Her lips move to her Slayer's neck kissing and licking from just behind her left ear to her pulse point. There, she begins to apply gentle pressure as she brings the skin into her mouth. Kennedy moans-the redhead smiles as she pulls back looking at her mark. Her hands slide up her Slayer's body and before Kennedy can speak her shirt is on the ground beside them.

She takes Willow's hands and holds them still. Their eyes meet, Kennedy sees her redhead's confusion. "Red-"

"I want you-"

She looks around them at the open area, "And I need you but ah-a little public, don't you think?-"

"No-" she kisses her again, her Slayer's mouth opens instantly at her tongue's request and she moans as they move against each other's. Willow pulls away- "Maybe-but I," she blushes, "I don't care-"

"All I needed to hear Red-" before she can even lean forward Kennedy's lips are on hers and the Slayer's hands make quick work of both the redhead's shirt and pants. She moves down Willow's body leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses and smiles an evil smile as the woman beneath her moans loudly as she brings one bra clad peak into her mouth. "This has to go too-" she mumbles as she pulls her mouth away and disposes of the material. She touches bare skin with her lips and feels Willow arch into her even more.

"Feels-just like- that-" she pants her breathing getting harder to control. "Goddess-" she cries as she squeezes her eyes tightly closed as Kennedy's hand slips lower and tangles in soft curls.

In the park at lunchtime Buffy, Faith and all the kids are there. Buffy and Faith sit on a bench and watch them play. Annie is at the swings with the girls, while Aly is at the jungle gym with the boys. "This isn't too bad-" admits Faith.

"Not till we want them to leave," states Buffy still a little unsure.

Later as the kids have finished their picnic lunch and have started back to the playground-this time the Merry-Go-Round, Aly and Annie stay to help Faith and Buffy pick up. Buffy smiles at the younger Slayers, "Okay-spill, I know that look, what's on your minds?"

Aly nervously speaks, "Well -we-ah-"

Annie impatient finishes, "We were wondering if we could sneak out later?"

"Once the movies start-" Aly clarifies. They both look from one Slayer to the other wanting to know the answer.

"First of all," informs Faith, "it's not sneakin' if you ask permission," she smiles.

"And second," says Buffy, "where do you want to go?"

"The mall-" answers Aly.

And Annie adds, "To the arcade-just to hang out with some friends."

"So can we?" asks Aly.

Faith looks at Buffy who seems unsure, then back to the teenaged Slayers, "What would Red say?"

"Usually yes-but lately-" Annie smiles and makes the crazy sign at her head. "Not too predictable."

They all smile knowingly. This time it is Buffy who speaks, "Let Faith and I talk-we'll give you an answer later."

"Fair enough-" says Annie.

"Thanks," adds Aly. "We better go check the gang-" she looks toward the eleven kids now playing and laughing on the Merry-Go-Round. The twins jog that direction as Faith looks at her fellow Slayer.

"What do you think?"

"I think I don't want my kids to ever be teenagers."

"It would be nice but don't see it happening so we'll just practice with Red and Junior's kids." Faith smiles.

"Cause there's no way that could get us in trouble." Buffy rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Faith laughs.

After settling the kids in to pajamas and comfy blankets, the older Slayers start the cartoons. As Nemo plays and kids giggle, Faith turns to Buffy, "Willow would let them go-"

"But crazy Willow-I thinking not-"

"So-since we aren't crazy-" Buffy raises a questioning eyebrow, "Okay-once I might have been a little psycho, but I'm over it. I say we let them go for a couple of hours."

"How do they get there?" asks the blonde Slayer.

"I can take them-"

"Convenient-" states Buffy.

"And you can pick them up," finishes Faith.

"What if something happens?"

"It won't-" assures the once dark Slayer.

"Fine-let's tell them-but if you know-I'm telling Willow it was your idea."

This time it is Faith who rolls her eyes, "Whatever-"

At the cabin Willow and Kennedy lie in a tangled mess of arms, legs and sheets, basking in the afterglow of their latest lovemaking. Her eyes still closed the redhead tries to slow her breathing as she feels Kennedy's lip brush lightly against her shoulder as she lies in her Slayer's arms. She turns and kisses her lips tenderly. Her eyes finally open and they meet her love's dark brown- the Slayer seems worried, "Something not right?"

"Right-? No-I mean everything's great-" she trails her fingers along damp skin which causes tingles to go through her Slayer.

Kennedy presses a kiss to her forehead and then, "Thinking about the kids weren't you?"

Willow smiles and nods, "This means I'm getting Old doesn't it?" she whines playfully.

"Why would you think that?"

"Here I am with my beautiful wife and we just- I just had the best sex of my life," Kennedy smiles and ducks her head blushing a little, "and afterwards when I can think again-" this time she blushes, "What am I thinking about? Kids-"

"Our kids I hope-" smiles Kennedy playfully, kissing her shoulder again. "Or were you thinking about more kids?"

"More-? No-" she smacks at the Slayer when she realizes she was kidding.

"I miss them too Will-we've never spent a lot a time away from them. We could call-"

"Really?"

"If you want-"

"I do, but later." She smiles and raises her eyebrows suggestively. "I got other ideas for now-" she pushes her Slayer too the bed and like a tiger stalking it prey she climbs slowly up Kennedy's body.

At the mall arcade Annie is talking to a group of teenagers and laughing, across the room Aly is playing a game lost in the action on the screen. Behind her a few teens watch amazed at her skill. When she finishes with the high score and few kids congratulate her. "Thanks-" she says a little embarrassed. She moves away to let the next person play unaware that eyes are watching her from across the room. Annie looks up and sees Aly sit down at a table, she finishes the small talk and starts toward her sister when she sees a girl approach her.

Aly still seems lost in her thoughts not sensing any one in her space until she hears a soft voice, "It's been a while-" Aly looks up surprised as her eyes meet the girl's.

At the house Faith looks at the children, some now sleeping while others are still watching movies. A tingle goes up her spine- "B-" Buffy looks at her, "I got a bad feeling-"

"I felt it too-I'm going to the mall-" she is up and out the door before Faith can say anything.

Faith stands and starts to pace but comes to a halt as she hears Ellie scream-

The Past Comes Back

"It's me-" she smiles.

"Katie!" Aly can't keep the happiness from escaping. She stands and hugs the teenager in front of her. "It's really you." She let's her go with an apology. "Sorry-I-just I can't believe you're here."

Katie smiles, "Can I sit?"

"Ah-sure-right sorry again. Where are my manners?" She blushes slightly and Katie sits down. She sits too, across from her. Annie is now at the table and she looks at the girl across from her sister and smiles.

"Katie-what are you doing here? I thought you were in Cleveland."

"We came back for the summer, it looks like we might stay. Dad got a job offer."

"Cool-" says the teen and tries to nonchalantly add, "Is Jake here?"

"Yeah-" she points to a tall guy at the game closest to them. "He's grown a little-" she smiles.

Annie looks his direction then turns her attention back to the girls. "Later-" she walks toward him.

"Three years-" says Aly. Katie just nods- "I cried for days when you moved."

"Me too-the whole flight." Katie confirms. "I missed you-" she looks down then back up at the girl in front of her. "How's Sarah?"

"Sarah-?" Aly shakes her head and fights tears. "Long story-" but before she can fill Katie in on the details Buffy runs through the room and launches herself at the teen. Aly sees what is about to happen and pulls Katie out of the way. Buffy lands on the floor in a heap.

At the cabin, Kennedy and Willow are in the middle of another love making session. The sweat covered Slayer lies under the light body of the redhead who is licking and nibbling back and forth from one breast to the other as her fingers move at a steady pace instead her lover. "So-good-mmm-" moans the brunette. Her eyes are tightly shut and she is lost in the passion between them. Suddenly though her eyes fly open as a not good tingly sensation pulses through her being. "St-stop-" she struggles to form words in her foggy mind and then speak them.

Willow looks up unsure as she looks into Kennedy's face, "Sweetie did you say stop-cause that's new."

"Something's not right-"

Willow's fingers stop all movement, the redhead looks at her Slayer, "Did I do-"

"No-" Kennedy realizes what Willow is thinking. "No-god no-" She smiles. "I mean Slayery senses all-you know tingly."

"You're sure it wasn't-" Willow raises her eyebrows and blushes, a smile crosses her face. Her fingers move slowly causing Kennedy's eyes to drift closed.

She forces her eyes open, "Trust me-I know the difference." Willow removes her fingers and moves up Kennedy's body.

"Is it Annie or Aly?"

"I don't know-just maybe we should call," the fear creeps out in her voice though for Willow she is trying not to panic. She reaches across her redhead and gets the phone.

At Willow and Kennedy's, Faith is rocking a still shaking Ellie in her arms. The other kids are all awake now and scared. Nikki, Alex, and Will help calm the younger ones. "Still don't want to talk about it?"

The little girl shakes her head. "I want my mama-"

"I know but she's on her trip remember?" Faith tries to reason with the little Slayer.

"I want my mama," repeats the child, not about to change her mind.

Erin who is standing beside her twin, clarifies for the once dark Slayer, "She's really stubborn-more than Mom."

"Good to know," mutters Faith as she remembers just how stubborn the redhead can be. The phone rings and she looks at her oldest. "Can you get that for Mom Nikki?"

"Sure Mommy-" says the little Slayer as she crosses the phone. "Hello-" she listens and then looks at her mom. "It's Kennedy-" before any more words can be spoken, the child in Faith's arms is across the room with the phone in her hand.

"Mama I had a bad dream-"

"Ellie is that you?"

"Yes Mama-but I didn't cry."

"Mama's brave girl want to tell me about it?"

"No-I want you to come home-"

"Okay sweetie let me talk to Buffy."

"She's not here-"

"Faith?"

"Faith, Mama wants to talk to you."

Faith who is now standing by the little girl takes the phone, "Hey Junior-"

"Did she tell you about the dream?"

"No, not word one-"

"Everyone else okay?"

Faith hesitates but lets out a sigh of relief when the door opens and Annie, Aly and Buffy walk in. "Yeah-we're good." She waits as she hears muffled voices in the background-she assumes that Kennedy and Willow are discussing what to do. "Don't cancel stay tomorrow she's okay. I'll keep her with me-not let her out of my sight."

"Let me talk to her-"

Faith hands the phone to Ellie, "You're not coming home?"

"It's really late and it's a long drive. Tell you what I'll give you the number and if you want to call you can."

"When will you be back?"

"Tomorrow night-okay?"

"Okay Mama-"

"That's my girl-Mommy wants to talk to you. I love you-"

"I love you Mama."

Across the room Faith and Buffy talk quietly, "So everything was okay with Annie and Aly?"

"Yeah, they weren't happy I was early. Seems you're the cool one-"

"That's right-" smiles the one dark Slayer.

"So why did we get the tinglies?"

"Good question-think it had something to do with Ellie's dream?" asks Faith.

"Could be," answers Buffy, " Maybe it was a Slayer dream-"

"Maybe-" agrees Faith.

Later that night at the house the kids are all sleeping soundly. Buffy who has Joy in bed with her starts to toss and mumble. Her dream is out of focus the figures undiscernible-all that is clear are the voices. One male, one female.

"The time is almost here," states the male voice. "She will do our bidding."

The female replies, "And the world will be ours."

Buffy sits up and looks around the room.

Down the hall Faith has Ellie tucked safely against her as she promised Kennedy. As she sleeps she too mumbles and tosses as she dreams. It is like a foreign film, two hooded figures face each other they are talking in their minds but their words are useless to her she doesn't recognize them. They hold a conversation male to female. As they turn she sees the alphabet eyes. She wakes and sits up panicked, she checks the child next to her then climbs out of bed.

At the cabin Kennedy is tossing trying to sleep. Dreams feel her head, she sees Ellie at there house playing in the play room. Annie and Aly are there as a group of bringers fill the room- "No-" screams the Slayer as they go after the girls.

Willow is a wake her hands gently shake her Slayer, "Sweetie wake up-"

"Stay away from them-" she yells as her eyes open. Her breathing is labored as she looks around the room.

The redhead touches her face and tries to sooth her with a soft kiss to her temple. "Just a dream-"

"I don't think so-we need to go-now."

"What happened?"

She stands and shakes her head- "No time. I'll explain while we drive."

"Should we call Buffy and Faith?" She too is now panicked.

"They know-"

"How-?" Willow pauses "Slayer dream?" Kennedy nods and they run out of the room.

Faith runs into the room Buffy is using, she isn't surprised to see the Slayer awake- "You have the dream too?"

"Yeah-"

"Bringers we have to get the kids out of here-"

"They were bringers?"

"I thought-" starts Faith.

"I just got voices-" she starts to move around the room looking for Kennedy's weapons chest.

In the doorway stands Ellie- "Mama keeps them downstairs."

They all start that direction with Buffy carrying Joy.

A lone hooded figure crawls into Aly and Annie's bedroom window. It approaches Aly and puts a hand on her shoulder. The teenager opens her eyes and fear covers her face- a slight scream escapes before a hand covers her mouth.

To Haunt You

Aly searches Sarah's eyes and sees the truth there, 'Why?'

'There's not time, just please-I'd never forgive myself if I let them hurt you.'

Aly sees tears slide down Sarah's face, but before she can speak Bringers begin to file through the window. "Annie-" Aly shouts and the teenager instinctively rolls out of the way of a knife.

"What the frilly heck!" asks the girl still not quite awake.

"Get the kids out of here-" says Aly.

"Now- I'll hold them- but you have to go," implores Sarah looking at Aly.

Annie runs from the room a little unsure at first and Aly stands fast, "I can't leave you here alone they'll-" Her eyes meet Sarah's again.

"Please-" whispers Sarah one more time as Aly hits a Bringer in the face and takes his knife. She stabs him and looks at the blonde, her feelings still mixed.

"Sarah-" she pleads as she hears Annie's voice in the hall and then lots of running footsteps. "I-"

"I know-" Sarah admits softly and Aly touches her cheek and then runs out the door. "I love you," she whispers as she begins to fight. The room continues to fill with hooded figures. "You won't get them!"

As Kennedy drives Willow watches for road signs- "Too far-" says the witch. "Pull over."

"Red?"

"Just do it-" she begins to chant. As she does Kennedy pulls off the road. Once she has the car in park a stream of light circles them and they are gone.

At the house Aly stops as she sees Annie leading the kids safely down the stairs. She fights off two Bringers and turns going back into the bedroom. As she does she sees Sarah surrounded. She chants and starts a barrier around them but Sarah is stabbed before she can complete it. "No-" screams the young Slayer as she gathers the teenager into her arms as the force field is finally operational. She checks the injury and adds pressure to Sarah's side to try and stop the bleeding. Sarah opens her eyes and they meet Aly's. "Stay still-" the barrier holds as the Bringers try to fight through it.

Meanwhile, downstairs Annie arrives with the frightened kids as Faith and Buffy start up to the second floor. Buffy looks at the young Slayer- "Where's Aly-"

"The room, alphabet-eyed guys and Sarah-"

"Sarah?" asks Buffy and the girl nods- "Get the kids to some place safe."

"Ah-I'll help start a barrier and be up to help-"the older Slayers continue out of the room.

Annie takes the kids into the living room. She looks at her brother, "We need a barrier-think you and Ellie can hold one?"

"As long as you need one-go help Buffy and Faith. We're okay here."

She looks at him unsure, but it disappears as he closes his eyes and Ellie does the same. They focus and chant in unison and the force field covers the group. Annie runs toward the stairs.

Willow and Kennedy appear in the upstairs hall as Buffy and Faith arrive. Without a word the four of them enter the twins' bedroom. They see the Bringers bouncing off the barrier and the Slayers begin to battle them. Willow watches from outside the protective barrier as her daughter tries to help the fallen blonde. Sarah's eyes start to close. "No-don't leave me. Stay awake-"

"Aly-"

"Shhhh-" her tears start to fall. She presses a soft kiss against Sarah's temple. "I'm sorry-"

"No-I ha-had to-" her words are choppy, her breathing weak. "to warn you-tell you-" she winces in pain.

"Please-shhhh-save your strength," again Aly presses a kiss to her head. Losing focus the barrier falters and Willow is instantly at their side.

"Let me see sweetie-" she carefully moves Aly's hand and grimaces as she sees the seriousness of the wound. She looks into Aly's eyes, trying to keep her emotions under control.

Sarah's eyes close- "No-Sarah?" Aly touches her cheek with a blood stained hand, "Baby please open your eyes." She cries as she realizes that it isn't gonna happen. She rocks the body in her arms, "I'm sorry-I'm sorry-" the fight continues around her but she is unaware. "I love you-" she lays her head on the teenager's shoulder and sobs uncontrollably.

Willow is kneeling beside them crying as well her mind reels back to the loss of Tara, the events were so similar. She remembers the blood on her blonde's shirt and then her lifeless body in her arms. Then the memories chill her-her imploring of Osiros to bring her back-then the Dark Magicks that followed. She shakes the thoughts away and concentrates on her daughter. "Sweetie-"

Aly looks up at her and continues to cry- "I want her back-s-she can't be-" Willow wraps her in her arms but the girl pulls away. She picks up the knife - her eyes locked on the Bringers, "I'll kill them all-" she starts to stand but Willow's hand on her shoulder stops her.

"You really want to leave her alone? The others will stop them."

Aly looks back at the blonde who had been her first love, "Sarah-" the tears start again. The redhead holds her in her arms as Aly rocks Sarah's lifeless body in hers.

Downstairs all but forgotten Alex and Ellie continue to hold their shield against an onslaught of Bringers. Both are now sweating as it continues to drain them. Alex tries to focus his energies in two places as he concentrates to telepathically reach help. He takes a breath, 'Can you hear me Annie?'

'Alex-'

'Need some help there's too many they just keep coming.'

'On the way little brother.' She looks at the others fighting and for the first time sees Sarah. "Damnit!" She goes to them- "Aly-" she kneels by her sister momentarily forgetting the needs of the younger children.

"She's gone-" says her twin. "Because of me-"

"No-" says Annie, "Not because of you."

Alex is in her head again, 'Annie?'

"Shoot-ah-they need me down stairs."

Willow stands, "Need my help?"

"Sounds like it- I think they've got the alphabet-eyes trying to bust their barrier." The two of them head out of the room. Aly looks at Sarah and again speaks, "I'm sorry-but they'll pay-I promise." She lays her on the floor and stands. She looks at her blood stained hands and clothes. Then follows the others out the door.

Downstairs Annie and Willow fight about twenty Bringers. Realizing the weapons aren't enough since they are so out numbered, Willow begins to shoot electrical currents at them. They fall one by one. The witch and her daughter's eyes meet and they each smile a sad smile. Their smiles fade as they feel the room begins to shake- Willow looks up and sees Aly standing in the doorway- the young Slayer and witch is focusing her energy and taking the strength of those around her. The barrier is the first to fall as she takes the power from the already weak Alex and Ellie, the kids collapse on the floor- "No!" Shouts Willow as she replaces the barrier with her own energy. "You have to stop-" she tries to keep her attention as she sees Annie moving behind her unnoticed by the distraught teenager.

"They killed her-"

"How-they are down here-not upstairs."

Ally begins to cry as she does Annie tackles her and holds her on the ground. The others jog down the steps and see the scene before them. Aly struggles to get out of Annie's arms but stops as her grief over comes her. Annie gently pulls her into her lap and holds her. Kennedy goes to them as does Willow. They kneel beside their oldest daughters and try to console them.

Faith and Buffy check the other kids as the room is empty of Bringers. They kneel beside Alex and Ellie as their eyes open slowly- "What happened?" asks Alex.

"Not sure kid- just got here," answers Faith honestly. "But our visitors are gone." Ellie crawls into her arms.

Buffy picks up a crying Joy and hugs her tightly. "You're okay-shhh." They all look back to Willow, Kennedy and the teenaged Slayers.

"This isn't over is it?" asks Alex. Suddenly sounding older than his years.

"No-I'm afraid it's just starting," confirms the oldest Slayer.

Faith adds, "They want more-we'll give 'em more."

"What do they want?" asks Ellie her voice soft and scared.

"Everyone to be bad-" says Buffy.

Nikki speaks for the first time as she stands beside her mother, "That'll never happen."

"That's right," adds Erin, "cause we fight for good."

"And good always wins," says William. His blue eyes meet the smiling eyes of his mother, "Isn't that right Mom?"

"That's right son-we always win," says Buffy as she presses a kiss to the top of his head. Each Slayer stands with their family around them; Buffy, Faith, and Kennedy. As the eyes of the older Slayers meet Buffy speaks the words they all feel- "You couldn't take us before-" she challenges.

"And you want a piece of us now?" Faith smiles and shakes her head. "Not gonna happen."

"We're stronger-we're smarter," she looks at Willow and tightens the hold her hand. "And we're not afraid of you."

A whirl of dust fills the room as it shakes and rattles, "You will be-" rumbles a deep voice. The kids grab onto the parents. "You will be-" it echoes again and then is gone.

All eyes fall on Kennedy, "What-like it was just me who pissed him off?"

"Language," chastises Faith. Kennedy rolls her eyes. This causes all the little kids to giggle.

Hours later Willow sits on a bed holding Aly. The teenager rests her head on her mom's shoulder, tears still falling. "I'm sorry-"

"Shhhh-" says her mom softly as she places a kiss on the top of her head, "you need to rest-"

"I can't when I close my eyes I see-"

"I know-" she squeezes her own eyes closed tightly but then opens them. "I remember when Tara was killed-"

"She was killed?" asks Aly as she turns so her eyes meet her mom's. "I thought-"

"I know, I didn't want you to have to know but now-it's something you need to know."

"Why now?"

"So you don't make the same mistakes-"

"What mistakes?" questions the teenager.

"I killed someone-"

Aly's mouth drops open in shock- she pulls herself together, "Some thing you mean-a demon-a monster?"

"He was a monster but he was human and he shot Tara and I-" her words fade as does the room as she continues the story. Her mind sees the events as they were; her chasing Warren through the woods-

In the living room- Buffy, Faith, Xander, Giles, Kennedy, and Robin discuss what should be done next. "Are we sure it's the First?" asks Giles.

"Unless his alphabet-eyed buddies are working for someone else," says Xander, "Cause it was definitely Bringers we buried."

He looks at Robin who nods confirming his words. "What's it want-"

"Another ass kicking," relays Faith. Kennedy looks at her- "What? No kids here-" she smiles.

"Fine-" says the younger Slayer playfully.

"It would be safe to say that he wants to take over the world like before," answers Giles.

"No-well yeah, but he's after the kids," states Buffy her voice sure.

"Why do you say that?" asks Faith.

"He said we'd be afraid- anything else you're afraid of?" Her eyes move from Faith to Kennedy and back-each shake their heads.

"So how do we protect them?" asks Xander.

"Teach them to protect themselves," says Willow from the doorway. Her arm protectively around her daughter. "We have to show them the dangers they face-"

Kennedy moves toward her family, "What are you saying Will?"

"We have to know what's in us, the strengths and the weaknesses-"answers her teenaged daughter.

"What weaknesses?," asks Faith.

"Our power is good, we do good-" says Buffy, "But the root of it-it's evil."

"And they need to know-" says Willow softly.

Around the room heads begin to nod in agreement. Giles looks at the Slayers and the witch. "You may be playing into his hands-"

Faith speaks, "It's got hands now?"

"No-" Robin smiles, "He means maybe that's what the First wants."

Aly looks at her mom and shakes her head, "No-the First didn't want me to know Mom killed a guy with Dark Magicks after Tara died-he wanted me to do the same." Kennedy looks at her witch surprised. "But I won't-because-well because we talked and I understand." She takes her mom's hand. "Sarah died to save me-I won't let the First have me-she didn't die for nothing." Aly cries as she turns and buries her head on her mother's shoulder.

"So we tell them everything-" agrees Faith.

"Everything-" they all nod.

Go on to Part 2(Chapters 6-10)

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