See Part 1 for Ratings and Disclaimers
Protecting
"B!" She lowers her fists, "I thought-"
"I thought too," says the blonde Slayer as she stands down too. "How is she?"
"Stable they said-whatever the hell that means," Faith turns walking back to the waiting area and Buffy follows. "Why aren't you at your place with the baby Slayers?"
"Just-a weird feeling-Slayer tingles."
"Thought it was just me," says the dark Slayer as she sits down. "I've had this feeling since dinner-something's not-it's not good."
"Yeah I feel it too-"
Faith stares at the door then looks at the older Slayer. "You should go in, talk to her-see what you think." Buffy nods and walks to the door.
Inside Willow is sitting on the bed still holding Kennedy's hand. The young Slayer is trying to stay awake. The door opens slowly and Buffy sticks her head inside. Willow looks that direction, "Hey-" she says softly.
Buffy walks inside, "Shouldn't you be asleep?" She asks as Kennedy looks at her.
"Can't sleep-the dreams."
The redhead squeezes her hand reassuringly, "Maybe they won't come back."
"Want to tell me about them? It might help-" says the blonde Slayer.
"Can't remember much-"
"At the house your said stop them-do you know who we have to stop?"
"Yes-they were wearing hooded robes," she stops- "No-don't-" again she seems confused almost angry. "I can't-" she holds her head as the pain starts again. "It hurts Willow-make it stop."
Willow touches her head with her hand but the young Slayer pulls away. "Headaches?"
"It's like-" she curls up again on the bed crying in pain.
"I'll get a doctor," Buffy leaves the room. She runs past Faith.
She stands and goes inside. "Red?"
"Faith help me-" Kennedy is trying to get out of the bed.
"Junior-hey-stop." She grabs the young Slayer as she stands- "Kennedy-"
Hearing her name she stops and looks at Faith, "Faith?"
"Yeah kid-it's me, back in the bed." She helps her back on the bed and Willow covers her as she does the young Slayer takes her hand.
The door opens and the doctor comes in with Buffy right behind him. He walks to Kennedy and can see that her breathing is labored as he touches her head he feels the increased fever. "Tell me about the pain-"
Kennedy looks at Willow, hesitates then speaks- "It's bad-my head." Her free hand touches it as the pain starts again. "Will-" tears start to fall as the pain gets worse.
"Can you describe it?"
The young Slayer looks confused, "No-god-" she pulls her hand from Willow's and clutches her head. "Hurts-it just hurts." He gets out a pen light and looks into her eyes. She tries to turn her head.
"I need you to hold still-" she tries but she can't fight the urge to run. She moves across the bed.
"Kennedy-" says the redhead.
"Is she on something?" asks the doctor point blank.
"No-" says the witch fighting tears.
Faith becomes angry- "If you can't do anything then get someone in here who can-" He looks at her surprised.
Buffy speaks too, "A neurologist would be good-"
He buzzes the nurses desk, "Call Dr. Grayson-I need him in room 423."
Hours later they are sitting in a waiting room. Robin is back, Faith has her head in his lap and is actually sleeping. Buffy is sitting beside Willow and is holding her best friends hand. "Buffy-" the Slayer looks into her eyes, "They're not going to find anything are they?"
"Honestly?" Willow nods, "Probably not."
"They're doing this to her to keep her from remembering?"
"I think so-"
"How?"
"I don't know, but Giles and Dawn are with Xander and they're researching. We'll figure it out." She hugs her tightly. "Will-could it be magic-someone trying to control her-"
"Her thoughts?" Buffy nods. "Yeah-they'd have to be powerful."
"More powerful then you?"
"Buffy-I don't want to sound all you know-Cordellia, but there's no one more powerful then me."
Buffy smiles, "Silly me-"
"But it would have to be dark magicks-" she says a little nervously.
"Ethane?"
"He could do it- but I don't think so."
"So a new player-what's he after?"
Robin's voice enters the conversation, "The babies-or all the kids."
"Why?" asks the redhead.
Buffy speaks, "Power-it's all about the power."
Faith begins to mumble in her sleep- "No-stop-" the scenes flash with increasing speed. Buffy is being chased she stops to fight the hooded man. He falls-another chases Kennedy- Willow's worried face appears, she is crying. Faith starts toward her- "Will-" the redhead cries. "Red-" Faith sits up-looking around her. Her breathing is labored, she runs her fingers through her hair. Robin holds her tightly.
"More dreams?" He asks softly and she nods. He kisses her forehead and feels it is a little warm. "Let's get you out of here for a few hours." He stands and holds his hand down to her. "Faith-"
Willow stands and walks to her, "Go-we're okay here."
"You sure Red?"
"Keep an eye on my kids-" she says as she thinks about what Robin said.
"Okay-" the Slayer stands and Willow hugs her.
At Buffy's place the gang is researching through stacks of books. Faith stands and walks toward the bedroom to check on the kids for at least the third time in the hour she has been back. Robin's worried eyes follow her until she is out of sight. She opens the door and peeks inside to find Alex asleep in his make shift bed- a dresser drawer that Xander fixed up for him. She walks over to him and touches his head. "That's a good boy-sleep." She moves on across the room to the bed in the corner, she sees both girls sitting up awake. "Hey-you should be sleepin'-" she sits on the bed beside Aly.
Annie speaks, "Is Mama going to be okay?"
"The doctor's are doing everything-" says the once dark Slayer. Aly moves closer to Faith- "We won't let anything bad happen. Now try to sleep."
"Will you stay with us-in case the bad dreams come?"
"You been havin' bad dreams Aly?" The child nods against her shoulder. "Tell me about them-" the child crawls onto her lap. When she does, Annie moves closer snuggling against the Slayer.
"Men are chasing you-and Aunt Buffy-" her voice falters but she begins again, "and Mama-"
"But not your mommy?"
"No-mommy isn't there."
"You sure pint-size?"
"I'm sure-just the three of you."
Faith is surprised, hearing Aly's dream makes hers even that much more confusing. "Do you know the men?"
"I can't see their faces-they have on robes with hoods," says the little Slayer.
"If you can't see their faces how do you know they're men?" asks Annie.
"I just do-" says her sister.
"Why don't we forget about 'em and get some sleep," says Faith.
"So we can see Mama tomorrow?" asks Aly.
"Yeah-" says the Slayer. "Maybe she'll feel better and you can." The child closes her eyes as she lays against the Slayer's chest. Annie cuddles against her too and both close their eyes. Faith looks at each of them and then puts an arm around each little Slayer.
In the living room the research continues, Xander is getting frustrated. "What are we even looking for?"
Giles speaks, "Anything-a ritual that needs children or babies-"
Dawn shakes her head, "It's more than that-"
Giles looks unsure- "How so?"
"If they just needed kids or babies, why go to all this trouble? Why take the risk of pissing off Slayers-or better still, Willow-"
"She's right-it's bigger than just any ritual," says Robin.
Xander seems distant, he is now listening to another conversation- Willow is in his head, 'Willow-any word?'
The redhead responds, 'No-the tests were negative too. You guys have any luck with the research?'
'Not much-ruled out like a million things but haven't found the cause.'
'The girls-and Alex?'
'Sleeping- Faith is with them.'
'I have to go-they are bringing her back to the room now.'
'Hang in there Will-'
'Do my best.'
Xander shakes his head clear. Dawn speaks, "Willow?"
"Yeah-Kennedy's tests-nothing." Xander stands, "Robin why don't you and I go to the hospital. Buffy needs to get some rest."
"Sure-just let me check on Faith." He stands and goes to the bedroom. He stops in the doorway when he sees Faith asleep with both girls cuddled in her arms. He smiles and walks over, kissing her on the forehead. She opens her eyes, "Go back to sleep."
"Find something?"
"No-Xander and I are going to the hospital, try to get Buffy to come home and get some rest."
"I'll go too-"
"No-stay they need you here." She looks at the girls and nods. He kisses her lips softly and turns, leaving. She closes her eyes.
At the hospital Willow is sitting on the edge of the bed. She is holding Kenney's hand trying to get the young Slayer to close her eyes. "Please baby try-"
"The dreams-"
Buffy walks over and touches the young Slayer's shoulder, "Kennedy, you need to dream so we can find these guys-"
The tears fall from her eyes and she turns her so Buffy can't see- Willow strokes Kennedy's hair and looks at the older Slayer, "Give us a minute okay?" Buffy nods and leaves the room quietly. "Sweetie-"
Kennedy turns to face her redhead with tears still falling, "I'm so scared-what's wrong with me?"
"Baby-you're so tired-"
"You know that's not it-they won't let me remember and when I try-" she feels the headache start again. "I'll stop-" she looks up at the ceiling- "Just don't-" her hand goes to her head.
Willow's angry takes over- "Leave her alone-or I'll-" she stops, "Come here baby-" she crawls onto the bed beside her Slayer and takes her in her arms. As she holds Kennedy the young Slayer holds her to-moving even closer. "Close your eyes Kennedy-they won't hurt you-" she begins to chant and a protective field covers the bed.
Kennedy kisses her softly, "Will-"
"Shhh-just sleep." The young Slayer closes her eyes and rests her head on her wife's chest.
In the waiting area Buffy is standing in Xander's arms. "It's not good-" she says softly.
"Buff-I know you want to be here for Willow-but-"
"Xander I can't leave her-"
"Robin and I will stay-you need to rest for the baby."
'He's right-' she is surprised by her friend's words inside her head. 'Go-I'll see you in the morning.'
Buffy smiles, "Just let me say goodnight." He let's her go and together they walk inside. They are surprised to see the force field and more surprised that the young Slayer is sleeping.
"See-now get out of here," says the redhead with a slight smile.
"How long can you hold it?" asks the Slayer.
"As long as she needs me to."
Later at Buffy's house all Slayer's are finally asleep-Faith is still holding the little Slayers. All seem to be undisturbed by dreams-no nightmares this time. However the scene in the other bedroom isn't so pleasant. Buffy is restless, she tosses in her sleep the peaceful dreams of the last few weeks is no more. Still the children play but their smiles are gone. They seem older-more sad, the boy stands and walks toward her, he speaks, "It is written-you can't stop it, they will take us-and she will help." His face fades as the Slayer sits up-her eyes wide-she is breathing heavily. She gets out of bed and hurries to the spare room she relaxes some as she sees everyone is okay.
Faith sensing a presence in the room opens her eyes and focuses on the door- "B-?" she says quietly.
"Yeah-it's me-" Faith gets out of bed and walks to the older Slayer. She can see the woman is ready for a fight.
"What happened-Kennedy?"
"She's-Willow put up a barrier, when I left she was sleeping."
"Then what happened?" Buffy leads her out of the room and they sit on the couch.
"I had a dream-"
"No ice cream and balloons this time?"
"No-"
"Welcome to the club."
"I'm wishing it was a little more exclusive."
At the hospital- Kennedy's eyes fly open, she looks at Willow and the force field that surrounds her. "Kennedy-"
"I remember-god I remember-" Willow smiles and starts to hug her but the young Slayer pulls away. "Let me out Red-now-"
Willow looks at her unsure-
Hard Truths???
At Buffy's, she and Faith are sitting on the couch. The once dark Slayer watches as the blonde seems to struggle with the events of the dream, "What did you see?"
"Our kids again-older, he told me it was written that they would take them," her eyes meet Faith's.
"But you've stopped prophecies before-right?"
"Yeah-"
"Then what's got you freaked?"
"He said -she'll help."
"She?" Buffy nods. "She who?- Me?"
"I don't know-"
"But you think-I'd , that's why you were checking the pint sizes-."
"Faith-no, I know it's not you."
"How?"
"I just do-"
"Then who?"
The blonde speaks cautiously, her eyes dropping- "It's the strongest of all of us-"
She meets Faith's gaze again to see the Slayer shaking her head, "No way it's Red-In my dreams she's crying, yelling for my help.- No freakin' way B-"
"I hope you're right-cause if it's her, we can't stop her."
In her hospital room Kennedy tries to free herself from the force field, she bangs on it again and again. "You have to let me out Will-please-"
Willow takes her hands, "Tell me what you saw."
"I-I can't, I gotta-let me out. I have to stop it."
"Stop what baby? Let me help you," says the redhead.
"It's me-" says the young Slayer. "They get them because of me." Again Kennedy hits the energy wall as she pulls away from Willow.
Stunned the witch lowers the force field and as her Slayer starts to run she grabs her around the waist and tries to hold her. "Kennedy -baby stop."
The door opens and Xander comes in followed by a nurse and an orderly, "Hold her," says the nurse and the orderly wraps her up. Xander pulls Willow away as they sedate the young woman.
Once calm they put her back in bed. Xander let's go of Willow who walks to the bed. She touches her Slayer's face as she fights the medication. "Don't let me-no matter what Red-promise."
Their eyes meet and the realization follows, she understands what her Slayer is asking her -telling her and she fights the thought but then nods, "Promise," is her one word reply. Kennedy closes her eyes as Willow presses a kiss to her temple. The redhead's eyes don't leave her Slayer as she watches her breathing even out then once she is sure she is asleep she turns to Xander.
"What happened Will?" he asks as the nurse and orderly leave.
"She remembered the dream- she says it's her."
"Her?"
"She's the reason they get them-"
"How?"
"She didn't get the chance to explain, she tried to run-then-" she looks back at her Slayer. Xander puts his hands on the shoulders of the exhausted and confused witch. She looks at him and her green eyes fill with tears, they fall as she tries to stay composed but fails.
"She's safe here-with us." He presses his lips to her forehead.
"But are they?"
"What are you saying Will?"
"We should call Buffy and Faith-" she nods and he leaves the room. She looks back at here love, her life, and wonders if she'll have to keep her promise.
One Step Forward
An hour later Willow, Buffy, and Faith are sitting in the waiting area outside Kennedy's door. They are all staring at the floor. Buffy finally speaks, "How is she suppose to help?"
Willow just shakes her head trying hard to stay in control-tears however fill her eyes.
Faith looks up at them- "Junior? Nah-no way in hell."- She refuses to believe it. "It doesn't make sense, I mean wouldn't they want-" again she stops and now stands up, she looks from the upset redhead to the senior Slayer. "You said it yourself B-they want power-there's nobody in this room that can't kicked her ass-"
"Faith-" Buffy tries to settle her and Willow almost smiles.
Again Faith speaks, "How can she stop us?" Without waiting for an answer she walks toward Kennedy's door. When she tries to open it the force field stops her. She looks back at the witch, "Red-I need to see her." Without a word the barrier falls and the once rogue Slayer goes inside.
Buffy's eyes meet Willow's, "She's got a point you know."
"Yeah-something's not right," says the redhead.
In the young Slayer's room Faith watches her as she sleeps. She stands just a few inches from the bed, "If you can hear me-you better never repeat a word of this-got it?" The tough Slayer watches her as if waiting for her to answer, then starts again. "I know bad-I was bad. I'm sure Red's told you what I did to her-the point is you're not bad and no matter what they're tryin' to get you to believe-it's bull. They're just messin' with our heads or some shit like that. They can't beat us if we stick together." She looks up as the door opens and Willow and Buffy walk inside. The redhead walks to the bed and laces her fingers with Kennedy's. Faith starts to step away but before she does she whispers to the young Slayer, "Remember Junior-" then walks to Buffy.
"What was that all about?" asks the blonde.
"Just lettin' her know we're here."
Willow's voice surprises them, "You shouldn't be-it's almost dawn. You should be sleeping."
"Slayer's don't need sleep Will, you know that," says her old friend.
"Maybe not so much-but growing babies, they need lots. Please?"
"You be okay?" asks Buffy.
"We'll be fine-" the Slayer marvels at the redhead's strength as the witch leans down and kisses her forehead, "Won't we baby?"
The young Slayer faintly hears her words but the dreams pull her away. Dreams that are hazy and unclear. She can hear voices but can not make out the words. The young Slayer forces herself to concentrate finally the words are intelligible. "Soon we will have them-you're already helping can you feel it?" The voice laughs it a deep menacing tone.
"I won't help-no matter what!" shouts Kennedy. "No matter what," she repeats.
Willow watches her as she tosses and mumbles in her sleep. The witch crawls onto the bed and sits cross-legged facing her Slayer. She cautiously puts her hand on Kennedy's temple, her eyes close as she forces her energies on the Slayer. "Relax-you're safe they can't hurt you-" says the witch, her power blocking the images from her lover's mind. Kennedy stills-her breathing evens out and she sleeps uninterrupted by dreams. "That's it baby."
Buffy and Faith are sleeping on opposite ends of the same couch as those around continue to research. Giles removes his glasses and rubs his eyes. Dawn stretches and then stands, "Mochas all around?" she asks.
Xander smiles and tosses her his keys, "Juice for the moms-to-be." She nods as she leaves. He looks at his sleeping Slayer and Robin involuntarily does the same.
Giles speaks as he places three books on the table, "These are the last of the demonology texts. If it's not here I'm not sure where to start next."
"With Ethan Rayne-"says Xander.
"Ethan-of course." He stands, "I won't be long."
"Need help?" asks Xander knowing Giles is planning to get information from his former partner in crime, by any means necessary.
"No-finish up here, I'll deal with him." He stands and leaves.
A few minutes later Xander and Robin are reading as the twins walk into the room still in their pajamas. "Uncle Xander-" says Annie.
He looks up at her and smiles, "Girls-it's late, why are you up?"
"Aly had a bad dream," Xander turns toward them.
"You okay?" Aly nods and both girls crawl onto his lap. He tries to situate them and the book, but it falls to the floor.
"I'll get it," says Aly. She slides off his lap and reaches for the book, it has opened to a page and she stares at the picture. "I know this place-" she hands it to Xander.
"You do-how?"
"My dream-they were there," says the little Slayer.
"Who was there?" asks Robin as he turns to the child.
"Mama-and Aunt Buffy and Faith," she says her voice confident.
Xander begins to read the book.
The Slayers continue to sleep as they do the dreams begin. The blonde is again in the park and the children are playing on the swing. The boy pushes the girl but stops when he sees the once dark Slayer join them. "How is she here?" the young boy questions. "This is not her place."
"What do you mean?"
The girl speaks for the first time, "She belongs some place else."
Faith stands beside the older Slayer, "B-"
"Faith-why are you here?"
"We belong together," she says as she walks toward the children.
"Stop-" says a hissing voice. They looks but see no one, "This isn't over!"
The Slayers wake with a start staring at each other, "What the hell was that?" asks Buffy.
Chaos
Buffy continues, "How did you get in my dream?"
"I'm not sure-but from the reaction I think we pissed 'em off," says Faith with a smile.
"Them is the Order of Laous," Xander supplies.
The Slayers look toward him and then joins them at the table. Buffy sees the girls are up "Shouldn't you be in bed?" she asks as Annie crawls from Xander's lap to hers and just smiles as she snuggles into her arms.
"You found something-"asks Faith?
"Not exactly," smiles Robin, "Aly did."
"She saw this picture and recognized it from her dream," adds Xander as he shows it to the Slayers.
"Way to go-pint size." The child surprises her as she leaves Xander's lap to climb onto hers.
Buffy smiles at the Slayer as she watches her stroke the child's hair, "So what do we know?" asks the older Slayer.
"We know the who-"says Xander.
"That's a start," says Dawn as she walks over to them with mochas and juice.
"Oh-goody, mochas," says Buffy as she reaches for one.
Dawn pulls it away, "Not for you-you get nice healthy juice." She hands the bottle to her sister who dejectedly takes it.
"Thanks a lot-" she says sarcastically.
"Thank Xander," smiles her sister as the blonde shoots him a mock evil look."
She hands the other juice to Faith who also gives Xander a look, "What?" he says, "I'm just doing what's best for the babies."
"Fine," says Buffy with a soft whine as she takes a drink.
Robin looks at Faith who is also drinking her juice, then his eyes move to the little girl, "Aly-why don't you tell us about your dream?"
The child looks up at Faith who nods. She turns to the book and points at the picture, "Those men in the robes-they had Mama there-she was sad."
Faith looks at Buffy- "Should we call Red?"
"Xander and I will go to the hospital."
"Can we go?" asks Annie.
"Later-" says Buffy as she stands with the girl in her arms, "Stay with Faith and Robin-try to sleep some more. It's still dark out." She puts her on the floor and kisses her on top of the head. Xander stands and they walk toward the door. Dawn sits and picks up the book. Robin stands and walks to the child, "Come up here," she reaches for him and he picks her up in his arms.
Faith stands with Aly, "We'll tuck 'em back in bed them be back to help with the research.
The young woman looks at the tired Slayer, "You get some sleep too-when I've read it and finish with the cross checking I'll wake you."
"You sure?" asks Faith.
"Yeah-got all these mochas-" she looks around the table and smiles, "Being sleepy not gonna be an issue." Faith nods and she and Robin start toward the bedroom with the girls.
Giles pounds on the door of an apartment, a grumpy voice shouts, "Do you know what time it is?" He asks as he opens the door. Before he can react Giles has him pinned to the wall.
"I'm quite aware of the time-" he says, his voice low and angry.
"Ripper what a surprise- can I get you a drink?"
"What I want are answers-"
"If I can-"
"Someone is in Kennedy's head-causing dreams-and pain-"
"Sorry to hear that-"
"Not as sorry as you'll be if Willow puts two and two together and comes up with you."
"I have nothing to do with this-"
"Think you can convince her of that before she fillets you?"
"How can I help?"
Giles smirks and steps back.
At the house Faith lays in Robin's arms but can't sleep. He kisses the top of her head and speaks softly, "I thought you were going to sleep?"
She turns in his arms so that she can see him in the dim light of the room, "Can't-" they lay quietly again, "I saw her you know in Buffy's dream-"
"Really?"
"Yeah-she looks like you."
He smiles playfully, "Then she's definitely pretty."
She smiles and smacks at him playfully it soon becomes a wrestling match as she allows him to pin her beneath him. She raises up and kisses his lips gently, "Robin-" she says softly, "I love you."
"I love you-now sleep." He turns pulling her on top of him and wrapping his arms around her waist. She snuggles, resting her head under his chin, then closes her eyes.
At the hospital Willow continues to keep the force field around her Slayer who still seems to be sleeping undisturbed. The witch looks tired-she stretches careful not to wake Kennedy. Suddenly she hears something- 'Will- let us in.' Recognizing Xander's voice she lowers the barrier and they come inside. Kennedy starts to mumble-but Willow returns her hand to her head and she stops.
"How is she?" asks Buffy.
"I found a way to keep the dreams out of her head-so she's sleeping."
"How?" asks Xander.
"It's like a mini barrier-I just focus the energy." She looks toward her hand.
"You've been holding up two barriers?" The witch nods, "For how long?" She doesn't answer- "Since we left?"
She again nods, "She had to rest, it was the only way."
"It has to be draining you-" says Xander.
"I'm okay-" she insists.
They notice for the first time that she is sweating and pale. "Will you have to stop for awhile," he says.
"When she wakes up-"
"At least drop the main barrier-I'm here I can help you keep her safe," says the Slayer.
Willow thinks for a few seconds and then lowers it but she keeps her hand on her Slayer. "You were supposed to sleep-" says the redhead.
"I did-"
"We found something Willow-or actually Aly did," says Xander.
"Aly-?"
"Yeah she had a bad dream-"
Willow is worried, "Is she okay?"
"She's fine, they're all fine," assures Buffy.
"But she saw a picture in the text of a place-it was the same as her dream," Xander continues- "They are called the order of Laous-"
Willow begins to cry slightly though she tries to keep the tears at bay, "Finally-what do we do now?"
"I stay with Kennedy and you and Xander go home-as soon as it's daylight." She starts to protest, "The girls need you and so does Alex," says the Slayer- "Besides you're better at the research then I am."
"Can't argue with that my friend," says Xander with a smile. He kisses the top of her head.
"Guess not-okay." She agrees reluctantly.
"Red?"-Kennedy speaks softly.
Willow smiles down at her and moves her hand to her cheek, "Hey-sleep okay?"
"Yeah-how?" she looks at her witch confused.
"Magic," smiles the redhead as she kisses her forehead softly.
"You're drained-" says her Slayer as she looks into her eyes.
"A little tired but nothing to worry about," Willow kisses her lips. "Xander's gonna take me home so I can check on the kids and get some sleep. Buffy's gonna stay with you."
"Okay-give them hugs for me?"
"Yeah-" she stands and presses her lips to Kennedy's forehead. "Be back soon." She and Xander leave.
At the house Dawn is sleeping on the demon text- she opens her eyes slowly as she hears Alex cry. She stands and starts toward the room.
Meanwhile, Faith also hears him and opens her eyes. As she stretches on Robin she smiles. She feels his hands caress her back. "Morning-where you going?" he asks.
"Alex is awake-probably hungry," the crying stops. "Dawn must have got him."
"See now you can stay here-" he smiles.
"Like that idea," she moves up his body and kisses his lips.
Dawn carries Alex into the kitchen and gets him a bottle from the refrigerator, as she warms it in the microwave she walks with him. The microwave beeps and she gets his bottle, she walks to the couch and sits down with him. As she feeds him the front door opens and she looks up to see Giles with Ethan. "Giles-why is he here?"
"To help-" says Ethan.
"Right-" she says sarcastically.
"Any luck?" asks Giles.
"Actually-yeah-" she points to the open book on the table. "They're called the Order of Laous."
"Laous?" asks Ethan.
"Yeap-demons from this dimension. All with rituals and rites to honor this god called-"
Ethan interrupts, "Kayon-"
"Right, but it's still not clear on what they want with the babies."
"I thought it was a prophecy?" says Giles.
"No prophecy about these babies," says Ethan.
"You know this how?" asks Giles.
"It's what I do," he says.
"What do you know about this Kayon?"
"A little, he's linked in some circles with Chaos-"
Giles walks to the table and starts pulling out books. "Chaos?" Ethan nods as he follows the Watcher to the table.
Faith and Robin walk in and the Slayer gives Ethan a stare, "Friend of yours?" she asks Giles.
"In the loosest of definitions," They sit and begin to research as Dawn continues to feed Alex.
A few minutes later the door opens and Willow and Xander walk in. The witch sees Ethan and hits him with a beam that sends him across the room and pins him to the wall.
At the hospital Kennedy is trying to eat some breakfast as Buffy keeps a watch on her. "When are they gonna let me out of here?"
"They haven't said-you have them kinda stumped. They can't find a cause for the symptoms."
"We know why though right?-I mean cause it's magic."
"Yeah but can't tell them that can we?"
"Guess not-" says the young Slayer.
The door opens and a doctor comes in they both look at him. As he approaches the bed they both feel their Slayer senses tingle, "Get out of here Kennedy." Buffy takes a swing but he disappears only to reappear a few feet away. Kennedy stands up and gets a little dizzy-Buffy moves toward the young Slayer but he gets to her first. She tries to fight him off but can't. As Buffy lunges at him the room begins to glow-
Upheaval
The blast suddenly fades and Willow starts to fall- "Will!" Xander grabs her before she hits the floor. Robin joins him and starts to carry her to the couch. Alex cries and Dawn tries to comfort him but he doesn't stop.
Ethan finally gets his breath back looks toward the witch. "That didn't hurt as much as I thought-"Giles looks at him with an angry glare, "What?-Her power is weak Ripper-better hope that bit of news doesn't get around," he smirks.
As he does a fist connects with his chin and he drops like a rock. Faith stands over him, "How's that? Enough power for you?" asks the once rogue Slayer.
Giles goes over to him as Faith goes over to Willow. Robin comes back with a wet cloth and Xander takes it gently washing her face.
In Kennedy's room the glow becomes brighter until a barrier surrounds Kennedy. Buffy is shocked and so is the young Slayer as the robed figure no longer disguised as a doctor bounces off it. The man laughs and turns to Buffy, "You think you won?-You are all fools, soon it will be done." He turns and grabs Buffy, before Kennedy can warn her the blonde Slayer disappears from the room. The glowing protection falls and she runs out the door.
Back at the Slayer's place Willow is starting to come around. She tries to sit up but Faith's hand on her shoulder stops her. "What happened?" she asks a little groggy.
Xander speaks, "You're not the Energizer Bunny-power overload."
"Head hurts-" her nose is bleeding slightly. He hand her the cloth so she can stop it. "Ethan?"
"Is here to help-" says Giles.
The witch watches him unsure as he picks himself up off the floor. He sits at the table quietly. Alex is still crying as Dawn tries to settle him. "He okay?" asks the mother.
"I-I think so-I mean he just started for no reason."
"Let me have him." Dawn walks to the couch and sits on the edge beside the redhead. Faith helps her sit up and Dawn puts the baby in her arms. He stops crying almost instantly. "That's Mommy's boy," she forces a weak smile as she kisses his head.
The girls run into the room and Willow smiles at them, "Mommy-Mommy," they say in unison as she looks up at them.
"What's wrong?" asks Annie.
"She's just tired," says Xander.
Dawn tries to distract them, "Want to help me with breakfast?" They nod and follow her into the kitchen.
Willow's eyes start to close and she feels a hand on her shoulder, "Let me have him Red-you need major rest." She doesn't protest as Faith takes her son. She is holding him a few seconds later when the door bursts open and Kennedy stands in the doorway.
"Kennedy?" says Xander surprised to she her.
Willow's eyes open. Faith walks toward the young Slayer with Alex still in her arms. "Junior-what's goin' on?-Where's B?"
"He-he took her-"says Kennedy her voice weak, her fever obviously back.
Xander is standing at those words, "Who?"
"The guy from the dreams-he grabbed her and disappeared."
"And you had nothing to do with it?" His words accusing.
"No-I-" she is beginning to have trouble standing.
Faith intercedes, "Back off Xander-let's get her to-" her words are interrupted as Dawn moves toward them.
"This is your fault-" says the Slayer's younger sister.
"Dawn-" says Giles.
"No-she's right you said before that you would help-how did you help?" says Xander his voice now angry.
"Xander-" Willow attempts to stand trying to defend her Slayer. "She didn't-" Robin holds her arm steadying her.
Dawn moves forward only inches from the young Slayer, "Tell us what you did with her-" her voice loud and angry, Alex begins to cry. As she is within inches of Kennedy the glow reappears and Dawn bounces off the barrier. Everyone in the room looks toward the witch surprised she is able to cast again so soon. They see the astonished look on her face and realize she is not the one protecting the Slayer.
"Kennedy?" the witch speaks unsure. The young Slayer is leaning against the wall. "How?"
"I don't know-when it happened at the hospital I thought it was you," tears start to fall- "The barrier protected me and he got Buffy-maybe it was my fault."
"No-" Faith shakes her head, "It wasn't." THe baby in her arms continues to cry.
"We don't know that-" she starts to back away but the force field prevents it. She hits it but it holds. She slides down the wall and sits crying.
Willow walks to her slowly her strength returning a little. The barrier disappears the instant she reaches her hand toward it. She kneels in front of her Slayer and hugs her tightly. "Shhh-let's get you in bed." Alex finally quiets as Faith tries to comfort him.
Giles moves slowly toward the couple in the floor and the glow reappears, he stops- as Alex again gets fussy, he looks toward the baby. He seems to be running a scenario through his head but he keeps quiet. "Willow, let me help you." She nods at him- the glow vanishes and he helps first the witch and then the young Slayer to her feet. They walk slowly toward the bedroom.
Once they are gone Robin looks at Faith, as Dawn and Xander sit at the table worry evident on her face. Faith turns to them, "B- can take care of herself till we find her and we will find her." The Slayer speaks with a confidence she seldom displays. "Let's get back to the research."
Meanwhile in the underground caverns Buffy is trapped inside a force field that has a subtle glow. She looks around her and sees three figures in hooded robes. They appear pleased with themselves as they look into a liquid pool at the edge of a cliff and laugh. One speaks, "Soon our plan will be finished and the other one will be ours."
Buffy shouts, "You're not getting my baby-or Faith's all you're going to get is your asses kicked."
A voice from behind her speaks, "And what makes you think that it is the babies we want?" She turns to look at him stunned. He laughs an eerie, bone chilling laugh that causes the Slayer to shiver.
At the house Ethan turns to Giles as he comes from the bedroom, "How is she?"
"She has a fever again," he says as he sits at the table and picks up a text.
"Not the Slayer Ripper, the witch."
"Willow, she's weak. Why?" asks Giles.
"You don't get it do you?" Giles looks at him unsure, "For a smart man you can at times be a bit daft."
Frustrated, "Why don't you enlighten me?"
Faith sits down and looks at Ethan, "What do you know?"
"They don't want the Slayers-they want discord."
"Discord?" questions Faith.
Robin speaks, "They want us fighting against each other." His eyes look at Xander and Dawn who are now sitting on the couch.
"They got that-but why?" says Faith.
"It makes you weaker," says Aly as she crawls onto Faith's lap.
"That it does-" agrees Giles, he smiles at the young child's wisdom. So much like her mother he thinks.
Annie crawls on Xander's lap, and looks up into his eyes- "If we're weaker, then they can win."
The worried man leans forward and closes his eyes as he kisses the top of her head, "You're right-" he stands and sets her on the couch next to Dawn. "I think I owe someone an apology." He walks down the hall.
"So to get Buffy back we need to work together-" as she speaks a robed figure appears. He starts after Faith, "Faith!" Robin shouts. As he tries to stop the man he is knocked to the ground. The man grabs for the Slayer, but the child in her lap is able to put up a barrier. Knowing he has lost this round the figure disappears.
Faith looks at Robin, "Robin?" the barrier falls, she puts Aly down, and walks to him as he sits up. "You okay?"
"Find-" he assures her. She touches his busted lip.
Ethan looks surprised, "The force field?"
"That was pint-size," smiles Faith looking back at the child.
"Another witch?" asks Ethan.
"Have you forgotten the prophecy that nearly got you killed old man?" asks Giles.
"So it was true?-Slayers and witches?" he asks.
"How'd you know?" asks Annie. "We're not supposed to tell." She says as she stands beside Ethan.
"That's a long story I'd rather not get into-" he says nervously as her eyes stay on him.
In the underground caverns the figure is talking to another man who is noticeably angry, "How could you fail?"
"The witch-she put up a barrier-it was strong."
"The witch is drained-"
"Maybe she is stronger then we realize-"
"I know how strong she is fool-why do you think we planned so carefully?"
"I'll go back-"
"Now they'll be expecting us. We must be patient."
"But the longer we wait the stronger she will get."
"We'll just have to make sure she stays weak."
"How?"
The figure laughs as he steps toward the pool- "Slayer hear me-"
At the house as Xander is sitting on the bed next to Willow he whispers softly, "Will-about before I'm sorry."
"I know but we'll get her back Xander-"
Kennedy talks with her eyes closed, "You'll never get her back-" her eyes open and meet Willow's.
The witch backs away as she sees the emptiness there, "Kennedy?"
The Slayer swings and hits her the redhead flies across the room. "Faith!" yells Xander as he goes to Willow's side.
The Slayer enters the room and sees the witch on the ground, "What the hell happened?"
"He hit her-"
Willow sits up a little dazed, "Help me Faith-" the tears fall. The once rogue Slayer moves toward Xander. On the other side of the room Kennedy smiles an evil smile as she fights to stifle a laugh. From the make shift bed Alex begins to cry.
Go on to Part 3(Chapters 11-15)
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