Mommies

Rating: PG
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

Summary: Alex is growing and Buffy and Faith's pregnancies are progressing, but is trouble ever far from the Scoobies?

Mommies

"House full?" questions the redhead a little surprised. "I was talking one more, maybe two-how many are you-"

"I love kids Red and the idea of a bunch of little yous running around-" she smiles. "And this place is big enough-or if it isn't we can buy a bigger one, and money isn't a problem and-"

Willow smiles at the babble mode that takes Kennedy away- "Kennedy-"

The young Slayer blushes slightly as she realizes she was babbling, "Sorry-"

"No-I love it when you're excited-"

"But you don't love the idea of a big family?"

"Being an only child I thought five was big-"

"I guess you have a point- five huh?"

"I'm willing to negotiate-"

"What about finishing college?"

"We've talked about school-I don't know if I want a degree in computers anymore, so why waste the time or the money till I'm sure?"

"Okay but what if we do get pregnant then you decide you want the computer thing?"

"I'm sure I can take classes and still take care of the kids if we work together."

"Okay-" her eyes meet Willow's.

"Yeah?" she smiles-and laces her fingers with Kennedy's.

"Yeah-" smiles the young Slayer.

Willow looks around then leans forward and kisses her Slayer. "You're sure?"

"It's what you want?" The redhead nods. "Then I'm sure. The only question now is the when?"

"And the who and let's not forget the how," says Willow.

"I assumed since this was your idea-you were the who," says Kennedy with a smile.

"I want-I mean-if it's okay with you."

"It's okay-this time." She looks down at Alex-then back at her redhead. "But next time-" she lets the sentence fade.

"Next time," smiles Willow as she kisses her. "And I'll talk to Althenea and the others at the coven. I think they'll help with the-you know."

"I do know-" she raises her eyebrows playfully. "So when?"

"What do you think? Wanna try now or wait till Alex is a little older?" asks the redhead as she looks at their son who is starting to wake up.

"If we got pregnant now, Alex would be around one-"

"Two six year olds, a one year old and a newborn-we're insane aren't we?" Willow smiles as the baby opens his eyes and she picks him up. He has a toy clutched in his hand.

"When you put it that way-maybe," Kennedy smiles and leans against her causing Alex to drop his toy. Before either can pick it up he floats it back to his hand.

"Then again, he's pretty self sufficient, by one he might be able to take care of the baby for us," says Willow as they both laugh. Kennedy presses a kiss to his head. Willow holds him in her lap and looks into his green eyes, "Want a baby sister or bother?" he smiles and coos. "He likes the idea," her eyes meet Kennedy's.

"You think the girls will?" asks her Slayer.

"I think they'll be okay with it."

"So do I- guess that means we're having a baby?" questions the young woman with a smile.

"Okay-" smiles the redhead. "Hear that?-" she looks at Alex- "You're gonna be a big brother."

Later Willow and Kennedy are having lunch with Xander and Buffy. The blonde hasn't touched her food and she looks a little pale. "Buff-you have to try to eat something," says Xander concerned.

"What's the use?-It comes up faster than it goes down."

Kennedy's hand squeezes Willow's as they exchange a glance. Willow goes to the cabinet and gets out a package of crackers. "Try these-" Buffy seems a little apprehensive. "I lived on them for weeks-trust me they'll stay down." She sits beside Kennedy.

The Slayer takes a cracker and begins to eat it. "Thanks-Willow," she says softly as she continues to cautiously eat it. After deciding it might actually stay down she tries another as the others eat too.

A few days later at home Alex is starting to get a little fussy- Kennedy tries to calm him as Willow gets a diaper from the bag, "Maybe he's wet," suggests the redhead.

Kennedy lays him on the changing table and checks his diaper, " No-he's dry and he can't be hungry-" she picks the crying child back up and walks with him. She presses her lips to his head. "Willow does he feel warm to you?"

Willow walks to them and touches his head with her lips. As she removes them she looks to Kennedy and nods, "A little-it could be a cold, I'll get the children's Tylenol." She leaves the room as the baby begins to cry louder.

A couple of hours later Willow is holding Alex who is still fussing. They have tried everything but nothing appeases the baby, he's not happy and he's making sure the world knows it. She is trying to rock him to sleep but it isn't working. Kennedy comes back into the room with a bottle. "You sure you don't want to get the girls and let me try to settle him down?"

"No-we're fine you need a break," says the redhead.

"I'm worried Will he never cries and he's been like this for hours." She touches the baby's cheek and can feel the fever there. "The medicine isn't working."

"Want to call Dr. Taylor?" asks Willow.

"Maybe-" she takes the little boy and Willow stands, walking to the phone. "It's okay Alex, shhh." She kisses his forehead.

Willow is talking on the phone she checks her watch, "Thirty minutes?- Yeah, we can do that-thank you." She looks at Kennedy. "He'll see him in half an hour."

"That's good-" the baby continues to cry.

"You want to take him or want me to?" asks the older mother. Kennedy doesn't answer but Willow sees her fear. She touches her shoulder then the baby's cheek. "I'll call Xander see if he can pick up the girls-and we'll go together, okay?" Kennedy nods. The redhead kisses her forehead softly, "He'll be okay-"

Kennedy's voice has a slight quiver to it, "Promise?"

"I promise-" she wipes away a tear from Kennedy's eyes. She dials the phone again.

Thirty minutes later they are in the doctor's office examination room. Alex is still crying and Kennedy is still pacing with him. "Shhhh-baby-shhhh." She looks toward Willow, her eyes show her worry.

Willow stops her and hugs her, then kisses her forehead. As she pulls back the door opens and the doctor walks in. "Hey-Alex big guy-what's wrong huh?" He walks to them and takes the baby. "How long has he been crying?"

"Off and on-since a little after noon," answers Kennedy.

"Mostly on-" clarifies Willow. "He has a fever the Tylenol didn't help."

"Let me take a look at him," he lays the child in the crib and begins to examine him. He checks his stomach for tightness but finds none, he then looks in his ears-

"Ear infection?" questions Willow as she has her arm around Kennedy's waist.

"Don't think so-" he continues his exam, he looks down his throat-then smiles as he rubs his finger across the red gum. "He's teething," smiles the doctor.

"Teething?" asks Kennedy, hoping she heard right.

"A little early but I think that's the problem. Feel right here," he steps back as the two mothers stand by the crib, "Top left."

They each take a turn feeling and looking at his irritated gum, "Teething-" smiles Kennedy as her eyes meet Willow's. "He's okay."

She nods, "Yeah-" she let's out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. She looks at the doctor, "Thank you."

"I'll give you something to rub on it for the pain." He leaves patting them both on the back.

"Teeth-just teeth, sorry for being all spasy," says Kennedy. "I was afraid-" her eyes meet Willow's and the redhead reaches forward and touches her Slayer's face. Kennedy presses against her hand, "I hate it when they're sick-"

"I know, so do I-" she says, then whispers softly, "And it's okay to be afraid Kennedy." The young Slayer nods as she fights tears. She leans forward and kisses the younger woman chastely. The door opens as they step back, both returning their attention to their son.

The doctor rubs some medicine on Alex's gums and he seems to feel better. He hands the tub to Kennedy, "Four times a day-and keep giving him the Tylenol."

"Thanks-" she reaches into the crib and picks up the baby. "That feel better Alex?" she asks as she kisses his head. He coos.

Late that night Kennedy is again walking the floor with a fussy baby. Willow watches from the bed-finally she gets up and walks to them, she puts her hand on Kennedy's shoulder. "Want me to take him for a while?"

"No-go back to sleep. We're okay." Willow kisses him and then kisses Kennedy.

"I'll check the girls," says the redhead and she leaves the room quietly.

As the morning light fills the room Willow slowly opens her eyes. She notices that the bed is empty as she sits up she sees Kennedy sleeping in the chair by the window with Alex in her arms. She smiles and goes to the dresser, she gets her girl's camera and takes a picture. As she puts the camera away she sees Kennedy's eyes start to open. "Morning-" she says softly, careful not to wake up the child who is finally sleeping. She touches the Slayer's face. "You get any sleep?"

"Enough-" she stretches slightly careful not to jostle the baby in her arms. "What time is it?"

Willow looks at the clock, "A little after seven."

"Are the girls up?"

"Girls?"

She smiles at the redhead's confusion, "Annie and Aly-they sleep in the room down the hall?" she smiles playfully, "They have school today-"

"I didn't set the alarm," she runs from the room.

As she starts to their room she stops and looks at the bar. The girls are dressed and eating cereal, "Morning Mommy-" says Annie.

"Is Alex better?" asks Aly.

"He's asleep-how long have you been up?" Both girls shrug in unison. "I'm gonna get dressed while you finish breakfast."

"Okay Mommy-" they says at the same time and continue eating.

Willow walks back into the bedroom and looks at Kennedy, "They're up and dressed, eating breakfast at the bar."

"You're kidding?" Willow shakes her head as she takes off her nightshirt and starts to get dressed. "You're not kidding-" says the young Slayer.

"Not kidding-I'm gonna take them to school, you need anything while I'm out?"

"Can't think of anything-" Willow slides a tee-shirt over her head. "Oh-you told Xander you'd check on Buffy this morning, he had to go out of town till late tonight."

"Will you be okay?"

"I'll be fine-" Willow now dressed leans in and kisses her. She looks at the sleeping baby, "He's okay-" she kisses Willow again. "Don't worry about us-" she smiles.

"Call if you need me-" the redhead says and the young Slayer nods.

At school Willow takes the girls inside to find Ms Rodgers alone with the class, "Where's all your help?"

"No substitute today-afraid it's just me."

"You and eighteen five year olds?"

"Sure-we'll have fun-" the girls go to their seats. Willow smiles and leaves.

Later Buffy is sitting at the table trying to drink some clear soda. There is a knock at the door and she moves slowly to answer it. She forces a smile when she sees Willow. "Hey Will-"

"Hey-" smiles the redhead as she looks at her friend, "Awe-poor Buffy still feeling yucky?"

"Oh, yeah-does it ever stop?" she asks as she sits down on the couch and Willow sits next to her.

"Eventually-"

"Good to know," says the Slayer. "You'd think being a Slayer would some how make this easier."

"Doesn't-sorry." They sit quietly, "I have an idea, why don't we go for a walk?"

"Not sure I'm up to it Wills."

"You'll feel better-the fresh air," Buffy doesn't seem to be buying it. "Trust me-I was right about the crackers." Willow says with a slight smile.

"Point taken-give me a minute?" Buffy stands and walks slowly toward the bathroom.

In the park Willow and Buffy are sitting on a bench watching two small children play in the sand box. Buffy smiles- "What?" asks the redhead knowingly.

"I can't wait till the baby's old enough to play here-" she smiles.

"Yeah-it's pretty neat watching them," agrees Willow.

The blonde smiles as one dumps sand on the other and their mother has to go separate them. Her hand goes instinctively to her stomach and Willow smiles.

Later that day Willow talks Buffy into going to her place. Kennedy walks in the living room as they come in. "Shhhh-I just got him down," says the tired young Slayer.

Willow hugs her, then kisses her forehead- "Why don't you sleep-I'll keep an eye on him?"

"You sure?"

"Absolutely-" the redhead kisses her softly. Kennedy snuggles against her and Willow looks a little worried, "I'll wake you up when it's time for dinner."

"Dinner?"

"No arguing-bed-now." She points her that direction, "Go-" Kennedy forces a tired smile and leaves the room.

Buffy is sitting on the couch as the Slayer walks by her. Willow sits down on the other end of the couch. "Looks like she had a rough day-"

"And night-he didn't sleep much at all." Willow looks toward the bedroom.

Buffy notices and smiles, "Why don't you go snuggle-she'll sleep better and you won't worry so much?"

"Alex-"

"I'll check on him-go on, you've looked after me all day let me do this for you."

"Promise you'll get me if he starts to cry?"

"First whimper-"

Willow nods and goes toward the bedroom.

In their room she finds her Slayer unable to sleep. "Hey-thought I told you to sleep?"

"I'm trying-" Willow crawls in next to her and spoons around her protectively.

"Better?" asks the redhead as she presses a softly kiss to the side of her head.

"Better-" says Kennedy as she snuggles closer and Willow holds her tighter.

An hour later the phone rings and Buffy answers it, "Hello-"

"B is that you?"

"Faith-yeah, Willow and Kennedy had a rough night I'm watching Alex while they crash."

"You're not puking your guts up?"

"Not since this morning now that you mention it-"

"I hate you-I haven't been able to keep anything down for days."

"Crackers and soda-" advises the older Slayer.

"You know this how?"

"Willow-"

"You have an unfair advantage-"

"Maybe-you could always catch a plane, stay here till the baby's born. Giles has a guest house."

"Couldn't do that-"

"Why not?-Talk to Robin-"

"Maybe-I gotta run-"

"Faith?"

"I'm gonna be sick-" the phone goes dead and Buffy looks worried.

Slayers Dream

"I'm not sure-" she turns in her redhead's arms and kisses her softly. She still looks tired even though Alex has been sleeping better. He is still teething but isn't as fussy.

"Why don't you let me take care of him?-You crawl in bed-"

"I'm okay-"

"You're out on your feet sweetie-please, rest-I'm worried about you." She presses her lips chastely to Kennedy's. Their eyes meet as she breaks the kiss.

"Red-"

She strokes her face with her hand, "Please?"

"Only if you promise to stop worrying so much," says her Slayer forcing a smile.

"I'll try-" says the redhead and Kennedy nods.

The tired young mother turns back to the crib and picks up the little boy. She kisses him, "Sleep tight baby boy-I love you." She looks at Willow and hands her the child. "He sleeps better if you hold him close-"

"I know-" she looks at the little boy. "Let's find you a bottle-big guy." He smiles up at her. She takes Kennedy's hand and they leave the room together. Kennedy stops by the door to their bedroom as Willow walks to the kitchen with the baby. She gets the bottle and puts it in the microwave to heat it. Once it is finished she walks to the baby's room and sits in the rocking chair. As she feeds him she rocks and hums-he nurses. Soon, however, his eyes drift closed and he sleeps. She kisses the top of his head.

In their bedroom Kennedy sleeps restlessly- she tosses and mumbles, as Willow walks in she sees her Slayer and again is instantly concerned. She crawls in bed next to her and spoons around her tightly. "Shhhhh baby, it's okay-sleep."

Kennedy's fitful sleep continues- Willow can't make out the words as the young Slayer mumbles. Her eyes finally open as she wakes with a start, "Alex!" She tries to sit up but can't-she pulls from Willow's arms.

"Kennedy-" says Willow scared. She turns on the bedside lamp and sees the tears in her lover's eyes. "Kennedy what's wrong?"

"I have to check on Alex-" she crawls out of bed and Willow follows her from the room. In his nursery they find him sleeping soundly. The young Slayer begins to cry.

The redhead takes her in her arms and holds her rubbing soothing circles on her back, "He's okay-see-shhh."

At Buffy's, the blonde Slayer is sleeping with her head resting on Xander's chest. He is watching her sleep, wondering what she is dreaming about to cause the smile on her face. In her sleep her hand laces with his. In dreamland the Slayer is watching her son play in the sandbox with a dark haired little girl.

In Cleveland, Faith is spooned protectively in Robin's strong arms. She is sleeping restlessly as he kisses her shoulder trying to sooth her, "Just sleep-" her dreams continue-flashes that she can't put together.

An image of Willow crying appears and her eyes fly open, "Red!" She sits up and her eyes meet Robin's.

"Another dream?"

"The same dream-" she looks worried, "Damn-it doesn't make sense."

Later the witch and her Slayer sit in the oversized chair, looking out the balcony door. Kennedy is curled in Willow's lap and the redhead continues to try to calm her. Her hands stroke her back as she kisses the top of her head. "It was just a dream-whatever it was-was just a bad dream." Kennedy nods as she tries to keep the tears at bay. "You're so tired-close your eyes sweetie." Kennedy does as she's told. She nods against Willow's chest as her girl whispers in her ear. A few minutes later she can tell by the even breathing that her Slayer is finally asleep. The door opens and Aly walks in- "Shhhh-" says the witch and the little girl nods as she walks over to them. She whispers, "Bad dream?" Aly nods- her mommy carefully slides from under Kennedy and walks hand in hand with her to the bed. She sits down and pulls the child onto her lap. "Want to tell me about it or just snuggle for awhile?" she still speaks softly.

"Aunt Buffy and Faith-they were in trouble."

Surprised by the child's words she stands and leads her out of the room and over to the bar. As the little girl climbs into the seat Willow pours her a cup of milk and puts it in the microwave to warm. When it finishes she sets it on the counter for the child. Willow sits beside her, "What kind of trouble Aly?"

"They were being chased by these two men-"

"Men-not demons or monsters?"

"They looked like just men."

"Do you know why they were chasing them?" Aly shakes her head. The little girl takes a drink of the milk. "And they were just after Buffy and Faith?" The child doesn't answer she just takes another drink of milk. "Aly-who else were they after?"

The child's eyes meet her mommy's as the five year old tries not to let the tears slip out- "Mama-they were after Mama too." Willow leans forward and pulls the child onto her lap, the little girl's tears fall. "Don't let them hurt Mama-"

"I won't-I promise Mama will be okay-they all will be," reassures the redhead.

"Willow!" She hears the scream from the bedroom and sits Aly on the floor-Alex starts to cry loudly as the witch runs toward Kennedy's cry-

"Kennedy!"

Demons

"I don't know-I just- I can't remember," Kennedy stands and Willow holds her in her arms tightly. "I can't remember-"

"You're okay-?" Kennedy nods- Alex is still crying. "I need to check on Alex," says the redhead softly as she presses a kiss to her Slayer's temple. "Be right back."

In the nursery Annie and Aly are rocking the crib trying to calm their brother when their mommy walks in. She smiles at them and picks up the little boy. "Shhhh everything's okay-Mama just had a bad dream."

"Like mine," asks Aly.

"I don't know-she doesn't remember." She rocks back and forth and the baby begins to drift off again. "Why don't the two of you crawl back in your beds and I'll tuck you in in a couple of minutes?"

"Can I tell Mama good night?" asks Aly-Willow realizes the child needs to see for herself that Kennedy is indeed okay. The older mother nods her head. The twins disappear out the bedroom door.

They find their mama standing, looking out the closed balcony door. They walk up to her and each put a hand on her back, "Night Mama," they say in unison and she turns to smile down at them.

"Night girls-sorry my bad dream woke you up." She says a little sadly.

"It's okay-" says Aly.

"Were there vampires?" asks Annie.

"I don't think so-" Willow walks in and looks at her Slayer, "Okay-all Slayers to bed," she smiles playfully trying to lighten the mood of the last few minutes. She walks over and kisses Kennedy softly, then looks at the girls- "Kiss your mama good night," they do as they are told as Kennedy bends down in front of them so they can reach her.

"Night girls-"

"Night Mama," they say as they leave the room.

Willow watches them leave then turns to the young Slayer, "You crawl under the covers too-"

"I need you to snuggle with-" says Kennedy with a playful pout.

"We could probably arrange that," she smiles as she leaves.

In the girls' room Willow covers and kisses each of them. As she kisses Aly the little girl whispers, "What if I have another scary dream?"

"You can come wake me up-" says her mommy as she kisses the child again.

"And Mama?"

"Let's let her sleep, okay?"

"Okay," says the tiny Slayer.

When Willow goes into the room she finds Kennedy sleeping soundly. The redhead smiles, "Finally-"

As the next few days pass the dreams continue for the Slayers. Kennedy is stressed beyond belief-she is tense and quick to anger. She is spending a great deal of time training working off the frustration caused by her inability to remember the dreams.

Aly's dream is always the same, two men chasing the Slayers-never catching them but never giving up. The feeling of impending doom growing with each day.

Buffy's dreams are happy ones; playing children: they are in the park or at the zoo or simply in their own backyard. Though she thinks it's strange she has chalked it up to being pregnant.

And Faith? Well Faith's dreams are far from happy-she has the same dream every night-every night scenes flash through her mind a shattered puzzle with no interlocking pieces. She is trying to catch her breath after the latest episode, in her mind she sees an upset Willow yelling to her for help. Robin sits up beside her, "The dream again?" She nods, "Let's call them."

"And tell them what? None of it makes sense."

"What do you want to do?"

"Let's take a little trip-"

"You're up to it?" he asks unsure.

"Why not-I can throw up any where," she says with a half smile as she reaches for the phone.

Xander sets a plate of pancakes on the table as Buffy walks in from the bathroom. "Not feeling so good today?"

"A little queasy-forgot the crackers before I got up." There is a knock at the door, "I got it-" she opens the door to see Faith and Robin standing there. "Faith?"

"Hey B-"

"Faith-" she hugs the Slayer before she realizes it and Faith actually hugs her back.

Xander walks to the door- "Robin, Faith- what a surprise-come in." They walk in and he closes the door.

Faith sees the food on the table and turns a little pale- "Still not eating much?" asks Buffy.

"Not much-" says the younger Slayer. Buffy gets a package of crackers from the cabinet and hands it to her. "I tried 'em they don't stay sown either."

"What's the doctor say?"

"Nothin' to worry about just drink a lot-"

"A little more then that," adds Robin, "He's keeping a close watch on her weight and her vitamin levels."

"I think you need to spend a day with Willow-definitely helps, she has lots of good tips."

"How is Red?" questions Faith happy that Buffy left her an in to the subject, the last thing she wanted was to raise suspicion.

"She's good-let's call her." The blonde heads for the phone and Faith follows her. Xander and Robin go to the table and start to eat, they smile back at their Slayer.

At Willow and Kennedy's the young Slayer is in the training room. Willow watches from the doorway worried-Kennedy has been working out for hours and will not stop to eat. Willow hears the doorbell and turns to leave. Kennedy stops and holds onto the heavy bag. "Why can't I remember?" She starts to pound it again. "Why-" punch "can't" punch "I" punch "remember?" Her hands speed up and the anger takes over. She hits the bag again and again.

"Hey Junior-" she stops when she hears the voice. "Damn girl give it a rest." Faith sort of smiles as Kennedy looks over and sees Faith in the doorway. Before she can say anything else the young Slayer collapses on the floor. Her smile fades, panic taking over- "Shit!" She runs to her and checks her pulse. Trying to calm herself, she calls loudly to the other Slayer-"Hey B-could you come here a sec?" She pulls the young Slayer's head onto her lap.

Buffy appears in the doorway, "Yeah-what's up?" She sees Kennedy- "What happened?" She goes over to them.

"I'm not sure-"says Faith- "One minute she's pounding the bag next she's-"

"Kennedy?" They both look up and see the redhead in the doorway. Willow runs to them. She touches her Slayer's face- "Baby-" She is close to tears.

"Let's get her on the mats-" says Buffy.

"No-" says Willow.

"Will-" Buffy starts-

"The hospital-hospital," she repeats.

The Slayer's each take a side and lift her up, "I got her," says Faith as she takes the full weight in her arms.

"Put me down-" says Kennedy's weak voice. Faith sets her on her feet but doesn't let go of her arm, Kennedy is still a little wobbly. "I'm okay-" she touches her head.

"Dizzy?" asks Buffy.

"A little-I didn't eat breakfast-"

"Or lunch," adds Willow. Their eyes meet and Kennedy sees her fear.

"I'm sorry Will-" Willow steps toward her and kisses her lips softly. She touches her face with her hand. "I've been a little crazy lately-the dreams." Willow nods her understanding.

"What kind of dreams?" asks Faith.

"She can't remember them-" says the redhead as they walk her Slayer to the couch and they all sit down.

"They're intense-important I can tell but I can't-" she closes her eyes trying not to let the frustration take over.

Buffy looks at the young Slayer, "Slayer dreams don't always make sense-"

"No, but there's always a reason," adds Faith.

"You having dreams too?" asks Buffy.

Faith nods, "Weird as hell-just unconnected flashes," she leaves out the part about Willow deciding now is not the time.

"But you remember the flashes?"

Faith nods- "Yeah-"

"Tell us," says Willow hoping that Faith's dreams will help her make sense of Aly's.

Something Wicked this Way Comes

"Who's running?" asks the Slayer.

"You-" pauses a beat and then continues, "me-Junior."

Now it is Kennedy who questions, "Running from what?"

"I'm not sure if we're running away from someone or to someone." Her eyes meet the witch's. "I can't connect anything."

"At least you can remember it," the young Slayer's frustration returns.

Willow touches her shoulder, "You'll remember when you need to." She brushes her lips against her temple.

Faith looks at the older Slayer, "No dreams?"

"No Slayer dreams-just happy baby dreams," she shrugs.

"Whose baby?" asks the redhead.

"I assumed mine-oh and he's playing with a baby girl." Her eyes meet Faith's.

"You think she's mine?" asks the brunette Slayer with a half smile.

"Yeah-" answers Buffy.

"So I get dreams that I can't remember, and Faith gets dreams that are puzzle pieces and you get babies playing? How's that fair?"

"I'm older, I've had my share of creepy Slayer dreams," she smiles somewhat pleased with herself.

Willow smiles too before she speaks, "So what do we do?"

"We wait-till we know more," says Buffy.

"More means we know something- we don't know anything," says the young Slayer.

Faith looks at her young friend, "We know something's coming-"

"Isn't it always-" answers the older Slayer.

Willow simply nods. A cry comes from the direction of the nursery, and she looks that way. As she turns back her eyes meet Kennedy's- "Think you can feed him-or should I get a bottle?"

Kennedy's eyes fall to the floor, realizing for the first time that not taking care of herself also causes problems for her son. "Ah-a bottle," she answers softly.

"Can I feed him?" asks Buffy.

"Just let me warm up the bottle," says the redhead. She starts to stand.

"We got it Red-" Faith and Buffy stand. "You get the bottle ready and I'll get the kid." Buffy goes toward the kitchen and Faith toward the nursery.

Kennedy's eyes slowly meet Willow's, "I screwed up-" The redhead presses her lips to the young Slayer's temple. "The dreams-they make me crazy. I'm sorry-Will-" tears start to fall.

"I know-shhh." She kisses her lips chastely. "Let's get you something to eat so when he's ready for dinner, you will be too." The young mother nods-together they slowly stand and go into the kitchen just as Buffy is leaving with the bottle. Kennedy sits at the table. Willow gets out a couple of pans and a salad bowl. "Pasta sound okay baby?" Kennedy nods.

In the nursery Faith sitting in the rocking chair holding Alex. As Buffy comes in with the bottle she smiles- "You two look pretty comfy." She reaches the bottle towards Faith.

"No-you feed him," she says nervously.

"You can do it-you just hold it for him, no big." The once dark Slayer takes the bottle and cautiously puts it on his lip-the baby pulls it into his mouth and begins to drink. "See-"

Faith nods as she watches him eat. Without looking up she speaks, "So in your dreams my kid's a girl?"

"Yeah-very pretty," pauses a beat then playfully adds, "Like her daddy."

"I see how you are," smiling her eyes meet Buffy's. She turns serious suddenly, "She happy?"

"Always smiling-"

"That's good-"

"Faith what aren't you telling us about the dreams?"

"Never could get anything past you. Red-she's in some kinda trouble, she keeps yelling to me for help. Then I wake up-." They are both quiet for what seems like ages then Faith adds, " I didn't think now was a good time for them to know-."

"Yeah, things seem a little tense."

Later Kennedy is eating at the table, Willow is sitting with her they have their fingers laced as they hold hands. "You be okay?-I need to go get the girls."

"I'm good-just gonna finish here and then maybe take a shower."

Willow presses a kiss to her lips as she stands. She walks into the living room and smiles as she sees the Slayers playing with Alex. "Hey Wills-" smiles Buffy, "When did he learn to turn over?"

"A couple of days ago," she reaches down to play with his tummy. "Mind watching him while I get the twins?"

"I got it-" smiles Faith.

"Is it okay if I go with-?" asks Buffy.

"Sure-" says Willow and the blonde Slayer stand, then they leave together. Faith continues to play with the baby. He reaches for her hands and grabs her fingers as she wiggles them at him.

Willow and Buffy are sitting on a bench in the hallway of the school, "Buffy-the dreams- do you think they're all connected?"

"Probably-"

"Even yours?"

"Yeah even mine," she admits.

"So if there were more dreams-they would be connected too?"

"Will-?"

"Aly she's been having dreams too-"

"And you didn't say anything earlier?" Willow shakes her head. "Why?"

"Kennedy doesn't know-and I don't want her to, not yet."

"I get that I do-so what does she remember?"

"Not much just the three of you being chased by two men."

"Men?"

"I asked her if she was sure they weren't demons or monsters-she said they looked like men."

"Know idea why they were chasing us?"

"None- I don't like Slayer dreams when my Slayer's only five."

"Don't blame you Will-" she puts an arm around her and hugs her. "Annie having them too?"

"No-I mean she hasn't said anything." The bell rings and children fill the halls.

At the house Faith is watching Alex sleep in her arms as Kennedy comes into the room in her robe. She sits on the coffee table and touches the baby's face gently. "You're so good with him," she says softly.

"Thanks-want me to put him in his crib?"

"Nah-I want to just hold him for awhile." Faith nods and lays the baby in her arms. She watches as the young Slayer struggles to keep tears from falling. "What if the dreams-what if they're after the kids again?"

"Then there'll be another ass kicking Junior-cause nobody messes with them," her tough exterior making its return.

The door opens a few minutes later as Buffy, Willow, and the twins come in. The girls run to Faith and she wrestles playfully with them. Kennedy walks in the room and smiles at the sight. Willow walks over to her and puts her arms around her Slayer. "Alex sleeping?"

"Yeah-Faith wore him out."

"Hey Red-what do you say I take Aly and Annie for pizza?"

Willow looks at Kennedy and she smiles, before she can answer she hears the girls pled, "Please Mommy?"

"Sure-"

"Cool-" says Faith as she stands.

"Seatbelts-" and as Buffy, Faith and the girls go out the door she adds, "And no tattoos!"

Kennedy smiles- "You have a tattoo-" she raises her eyebrow playfully.

"But it's discrete, nobody knows about it but you."

"They better not-"

"Well you an-and the guy who gave it to me." A smile crosses her face.

At the pizza place Faith, Robin, Buffy, Xander and the girls are having a great time. In the corner a man watches them. Buffy looks that direction-Faith follows her stare. "What is it B?"

"Slayer senses kinda tingling."

"Me too-" they both stand and look around the room. Nothing seems out of place as the man disappears into the store room.

"Guess it was just all the talk earlier-" says the blonde.

"Yeah-" says Faith not so convinced.

Willow and Kennedy are snuggled together in their bed. Kennedy is spooned protectively in Willow arms. She presses her lips to her Slayer's ear and whispers quietly, "You're not sleeping. We had a deal-"

"The tattoo is well done-" she turns to her back and looks into her lover's eyes and smiles.

"Sleep-I'll be right here." She lays her head on Kennedy's shoulder as she feels the young Slayer's arms encircle her. The young Slayer shivers. "Cold baby?"

"Chill-didn't you feel it?"

"No-but I'll fix it." She smiles and moves completely on top of her, allowing her weight to be held by her Slayer. "You okay?"

"Feels good."

"Good, now sleep-I got you." A little later she feels the woman's breathing even out and turns them on their sides and spoons around her. "I'll keep you safe."

Later Willow wakes up to find the bed empty. She looks around unsure then gets up-she starts out the door but stops to check the nursery. Kennedy is not there. She continues on to their bathroom-there she finds the young Slayer kneeling in front of the toilet. She starts to throw up-Willow holds her hair out of the way. Kennedy's eyes dark eyes meet Willow's worried green, "Something's not right Red-"

In a cavern deep in the mountains a group of hooded figures look into a pool of liquid- "It has started-" states the raspy voice of the figure closest to the pool. An eerie laugh feels the air.

Give me Fever

Kennedy closes her eyes and as soon as she does the flashes start- hooded figures around a pool, first one and then others. Her eyes fly open and the young Slayer panics, "No!" Willow walks back in with the thermometer. "Make 'em stop Red-please."

"Make who stop baby?" She sits beside her on the bed and presses her lips to her temple.

The young Slayer squeezes her eyes closed tightly and them more flashes appear, short looks at children-she can't see their faces but she can hear their cries. "Help them-you have to-"

"Kennedy sweetie help who?"

"The ba-" a pain shoots through her and she cries out-"It hurts -god please-please make it stop-" she curls into a ball and holds her head in her hands.

"What hurts Kennedy?" Worry fills her voice as she touches her Slayer's shoulder. "Tell me-"

Kennedy pulls away from her hand- "Don't-" her eyes meet Willow's. "Don't-"

"Let me take your temperature-"

"No-" she moves across the bed away from her. "No-I gotta-have to go-" she tries to get off the bed but stumbles back as soon as she stands the dizziness overwhelming her.

Willow again tries to approach her, trying to keep her voice calm she speaks, "Together we'll help together. Just let me take your temp-"

"No-you can't touch me-" states the young Slayer again.

"I won't-just you put it in your mouth okay?" She holds it toward Kennedy and she takes it. "Just put it under your tongue." She follows the redhead's directions.

An hour later that is how Buffy and Faith find them. Kennedy huddled on the bed away from Willow who is struggling to keep tears from escaping. "Hey-Red, what's the deal?"

Her eyes meet Faith's, "She's burning up-her temperature is like 105-but she won't let me near her."

Kennedy speaks, "She can't touch me-"

"Nobody's gonna touch you-" says Faith. She looks toward Buffy and then the redhead. "Why don't you take the kids to B's-"

"I'm not leaving her-"

"Will-if they see her," she stops her words then starts again, "You don't want them to worry."

"Take them-you and Xander," the redhead says.

"That'll work-then we can get Junior to a doctor."

"No doctors-" she shakes her head. "Can't go-they said no-"

"Who said no Kennedy?" asks Willow. Kennedy doesn't answer. "Baby?"

"They-" Kennedy starts to cry. "They are gonna hurt the ba-" she screams and curls up into a ball again, clutching her head.

"Get them out of here B-" the Slayer nods and leaves the room. She goes to the nursery through the adjoining door.

Robin comes in the room. He stops when he sees Kennedy and then Willow crying. "Faith?"

"I don't know-we need to get her to the hospital now."

Robin picks her up but the young Slayer struggles. "She's on fire-" he holds her tightly. "Get all the ice you can-" Faith leads Willow out of the room and he follows.

At the hospital the three of them sit in the waiting room. Willow is trying to stop the tears but is unable to. Faith watches her and her hand instinctively laces with Robin's. He squeezes it and tries to reassure her. The silence is broken by Willow's angry, loud voice. "What's taking so long?" She stands up and starts to pace.

Faith stands nervously, "Red let's take a walk-get some coffee-"

"I can't leave her-" Faith puts her hands on Willow's shoulders and she holds her still. Willow's tears start to falls as her eyes meet Faith's.

"Don't-Willow-" the once dark Slayer looks away trying to control her own emotions. "She'll be okay-"

"You don't know that-"

"She's tough-like me, we always pull through," says Faith her voice confident.

Before Willow can respond a door opens and a doctor walks toward them. "Ms Langdon?"

Willow nods, "She okay?"

"She's stable-her temperature is still elevated, we're giving her antibiotics and something to relax her but she still won't sleep."

"Nightmares-she's been having nightmares-she won't sleep," says the redhead without thinking.

"We could sedate her-"

"No-" is Faith's answer as Willow looks her way surprised. "When she's tired enough she'll sleep."

"She's right," says the redhead realizing that the dreams are not going to help her Slayer.

"What's causing the fever?" asks Robin who is now standing with them.

"We're not sure-could be a virus or some kind of infection. All the tests came back negative. We're just going to hit it with everything we've got and that should knock it out."

"Can I see her?" asks Willow.

"Give us a few minutes to get her settled into a room and someone will come out and take you to her." Willow nods.

"Thank you." He smiles and walks back through the door.

"See she's five by five," says the Slayer with a wink.

"I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there to help-" she turns toward Faith and hugs first her and then Robin.

Later Kennedy is lying in her hospital bed staring across the room at the door. It opens slowly and Willow then Robin and Faith walk in. "Hey-" says the redhead softly as she walks to the bed and laces fingers with her Slayer.

"Hey-" says Kennedy softly.

Faith and Robin walk closer, she kind of cringes as she sees the I.V. in the young Slayer's arm. "Junior-give me any more trouble and I'll kick your ass."

"Sorry about that-" says Kennedy, "Don't really remember much."

"That's because of the fever," explains Robin.

"Now we know you're cool-we're gonna jet-give B and the pint-sizes the news so they don't worry. Red-" her eyes meet the witch's- "Need anything call-"

"Thanks-" the Slayer and Robin leave.

Outside the door Faith looks at Robin- "Something's not right, my Slayer senses are all wacky-"

"I agree-we should call Giles-"

"Yeah, you do that, tell him the scoobies need to get all researchy-"

"What are you going to do?" He asks as she puts his arms around her.

She kisses him softly, "Hang out here for awhile-"

"Faith-don't take this the wrong way- but you've got to remember to take care of you."

"I took care of me for years, now it's time to take care of the people who I-" she catches her self stops then starts again, "People not me-"

"Exactly," he says as he rests his hand on her stomach. "She needs down time every once in a while. It's been a long day."

"True-" she puts her hand on his. "I'll catch some sleep on the couch thing-"

"Promise?" She nods as she leans in and kisses him. As he pulls back he presses his lips to her forehead. "I'll be back in a couple of hours."

"Okay-" he leaves as she looks around the corridor. She sees a shadow and starts that direction. She moves closer to the wall and stealthily continues toward it. When she reaches the corner she realizes they are now face to face her fists drawn- "Damn-"

Go on to Part 2(Chapters 6-10)

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