SURPRISEs

See Part 1 for Ratings and Disclaimers

Chapter 11

The woman nods, "She was awake for a few minutes but she drifted back off."

"Aly?"

"She went to see how Alex is doing."

Katie nods and goes down the hallway to the boy's room. She walks in and over to her girl. Aly looks up from the sleeping boy. "As soon as he's able, I'll make sure he brings him back," says the Slayer.

Katie nods and sits next to her. "Is he okay?"

"Yeah, just pretty much wasted- and in trouble when mom finds out."

"She doesn't have to find out," Katie offers.

"Yes, she does. She needs to know what he did and they need to talk about it."

"Can't you just tell him it was wrong?"

"He knows that. That's why she'll be upset." Aly runs her fingers through her younger brother's hair. "Never use magic when you're angry- she's told us that since we were little."

"I don't think he was angry," Katie says.

"No? Then why is Jake freezing his ass off half way around the world?" Aly asks.

"Cause he hurt Annie and this familyŠ it protects its own." She smiles and hugs her girl. Aly leans into her body. "Come to bed, he'll be asleep for a while."

Aly stands and turns in her arms. "I just want this to be over."

Katie presses her lips to Aly's head. "I know and it will be. She'll be okay, everyone will."

"Why did he do it?" Aly's tears finally fall.

"That'll be the first question I ask him, I promise." She kisses her girl softly.

In Willow and Kennedy's room there is silence. The Slayer shifts slightly, her eyes flutter open. She turns to see the redhead safe beside her, then the memories of earlier come crashing back. She reaches over and lets her hand trace along her redhead's cheek. "Sleep," she whispers as she places a kiss on her lips and slowly eases herself from the bed. "That energy sucking thing still hurts like hell," she grumbles as she tries to stretch out the pain. She walks around the bed, placing another soft kiss on Willow's lips before she makes her way slowly out the door.

In the hallway she stands still and listens. Her Slayer hearing picks up soft breathing and a few whispers as she tries to gauge just how long she's been out. She goes toward Annie's room and sees Sheila with her. She can't stop the smile that creeps onto her face, but worry soon replaces it as she looks closer at the sleeping teenager. "How is she?" She asks in a whisper.

Shelia looks up at her, "Still sleeping. Stress can do that sometimes," she tries to logically explain the magic drainage.

Kennedy, deciding now isn't the time to get the woman to acknowledge the supernatural, simply nods. "Aly?"

"She's in Alex's room."

Kennedy walks to her daughter and kisses her forehead. She feels the slight fever there. "I'll be back." She runs her fingers through her hair before leaving quietly.

She runs into Aly and Katie as she starts into her son's room. "He still asleep?" She asks.

"Yeah, he used a lot of magic," she says softly. "Is Mom awake?"

"No, not yet. I think the magic exchange took a lot out of her."

"Literally," Aly adds. "Mama, you should know Jake-" she stops.

"Is he hurt? Did she-" Worry fills her eyes.

"No. No, but Alex he, ah, when he teleported him well he-" she can't seem to find the words.

Katie finishes for her, "My brother is in Alaska."

Kennedy eyes grow wide, "He's where!?"

"Alaska." Aly breaths out.

Kennedy shakes her head, "Ah... Okay, get your little sisters together in the living room."

"What are you going to do? I mean, without Mom and Alex, we-"

"Get them. Katie you get blankets, lots of blankets."

Kennedy goes to the room she shares with Willow. She kisses the woman's forehead, "Will, can you hear me?"

The redhead stirs but doesn't open her eyes. She mumbles nonsense, "Snow shovels and rock yards."

The Slayer rolls her eyes, "Okay, we'll just have to try this a different way." She concentrates to send a message to her life. 'Can you hear me sweetie?'

The sleeping woman smiles her mind sending thoughts back, 'Yeah. I love you.'

'I love you but I need you to listen to me.'

' 'Kay,' she thinks to her girl.

'Alex teleported Jake to Alaska.'

'He did what?'

'You heard right. Now he's pretty much zonked out like you and Annie are. I need to know if the younger girls are strong enough to get him back?'

'Together they should be. Aly can help, so can you.'

'I'm not so good with the magic, babe.'

'But you have power... like a generator... it'll boost their energy.'

"Got ya," she says out loud. She then kisses her girl softly. 'Rest.'

' 'Kay.'

Kennedy leaves the room in a jog. She makes one more stop before heading down the stairs. The Slayer walks into the room of her son, then over to him, skipping the talking she sends her message instead. 'Alex, I need to know where you sent him.' An image appears in her mind's eye. 'Thank you.'

* * *

In the living room, Aly has constructed a circle, the younger girls stand around it. "One more time," says the Slayer as she and Aly move to either side of Ellie. "We're gonna concentrate on the image I project, find Jake and bring him back here." She looks into the eyes of the little girls around her. "Any questions?"

"What if we're not strong enough?" Asks Ellie.

"You are, we are- together. So if you need to take my power to finish, you do that okay?" She looks into worried blue eyes.

"It'll hurt you." Ellie says her words a little trembly.

"Not bad and just for a while I'll be fine by morning. Jake won't if we have to wait for Mom." Ellie nods her understanding.

Looking around the circle, she watches as hands are joined. Katie holds an arm load of blankets and waits. The little witches close their eyes and soon a little wrinkle can be seen forming inside the circle. In a flash of light Jake appears, falling to the floor. Katie starts toward him and covers him up in the blankets. Around her the Slayers fall one by one, from the strongest to the weakest. Ellie is the only one still standing, a few flickers of electricity sparking at her fingertips. "Jake. Jake, can you hear me?" Katie asks as she kneels next to him.

Ellie moves to them and lets her hands touch his chest and they begin to glow as just a little warmth enters the boy. Katie looks at her a bit relieved as the bluish tint seems to disappear replaced by his natural color. "Jake?"

The boy's eyes flicker, but don't open. Ellie looks at Katie. "He'll be okay now, but he'll sleep for a while."

"Thank you." Katie hugs the tired little girl.

Ellie sits on the floor her power finally gone. "Tired," she manages as she falls onto her side. "Sleep now." Her eyes close just as Erin, Kara and Kristen all stir, then a few minutes later stand.

"Now what should we do?" Kara asks Erin.

"I think we should get something to drink, then rest."

Katie nods, "That's a good plan." She stands slowly. "I should get something for the others, see if I can get them to wake up long enough to at least sip some."

They all start to the kitchen, the little girls slow at first, legs wobbly.

* * *

The sun peeks through the crack in the curtain and the sleepy redhead turns away. Her arm reaches out to encircle her Slayer only to find the bed empty. Slowly the memories find their way back. Annie in the backyard, the power swap, her flying through the air. The witch groans as she works to sit up knowing now that she must get to her family. Kennedy's words echo, 'Alaska. Alaska.' Her eyes grow large as she pulls herself to her feet and makes her way across the room to the door.

In the hallway she hears nothing, which she finds strange, the house should be noisy with little Slayers scrambling for food. She passes the nursery and sees the babies playing and goes on down the back stairs to the kitchen. To her surprise it is empty.

The coffee pot however is full and she pours a cup, all things are better when preceded by caffine, she thinks with a smile. She takes a couple of sips and the cobwebs fade a little more. She mumbles to herself, "Alaska. Alex, what were you thinking?"

She forces her sore body toward the living room, where she finds the most intriguing sight. Her four youngest Slayers are snuggled together, a blanket covering them in the floor near where the coffee table use to be, she can just make out the circle under them. To their left is Aly, with Katie curled protectively around her. To their left is her girl, her back against the couch, her eyes fighting to open. "Sweetie, can you hear me?" Asks the redhead.

Kennedy's eyes open, "Is he okay?" She searches the room for the boy, Willow's eyes do the same, they see him at the same time, a pile of blankets covering the shivering teen.

Willow starts toward him, she kneels down beside him. "Jake?" His eyes open.

"Where- where am I?" He asks.

Kennedy is finally able to stand and goes to him as well, she sits against her girl, the move taking all her energy. "Our house."

"Annie?" He questions.

"If you're lucky, still sleeping." Willow states. She checks his forehead for a fever but finds none.

The questions wake Katie, she sits up careful not to disturb Aly. "I should take you home."

All eyes turn to her, "I'll tell Aly where you are when she wakes up."

Katie nods and kisses her girl. "Be back soon," she whispers.

"'Kay," answers Aly though she still sleeps.

Katie helps Jake to his feet, walking with him to the door and out it.

The redhead turns her eyes to her girl. "Let's get you on the couch, then more sleep." She helps Kennedy up and over to the couch. The Slayer collapses onto it. Willow smiles, "Why don't I get you something to drink first. That'll help a little."

"No," she wraps her arms around her girl. "Want you here with me."

She wraps her arms around her Slayer and nods against her, "Then that's where I'll be." Kennedy is sleeping again within minutes.

* * *

Later, Katie stands at the desk in her brother's bedroom. He is buried under piles of blankets, still trying to get warm after a hot shower. She looks up at him as he fights off a shiver. "Are you okay?" She asks quietly.

"Fine," he mumbles back.

"Then tell me what's going on?" She looks at him and he looks away. "Why'd you do it?"

Jake shakes his head, "Not sure."

"You have-" she stops the words not coming. "You're with someone besides the girl you say you love, say you want to marry and you're not sure?" Her tone is incredulous. "That- that doesn't even make sense."

"Look, it happened."

"I know." She looks at him again. "But why?"

"We were just goofing off- flirting, that kind of thing and then she stopped by a couple of times-"

She cuts him off, "A couple of times?" She moves closer to him. "Are you saying it happened more than once?"

"Yeah." He nods and looks away.

"I can't believe you."

"The first time, I was angry. She wouldn't marry me and-"

"And obviously she has good instincts." She shakes her head.

"You're taking her side?"

"There are no sides, you cheated on her, more than once, maybe with more than one girl-" when he doesn't protest her words she turns and goes to the door.

"Katie-"

"Good-bye Jake." She leaves the room with tears falling.

* * *

At the house Dawn, Emerson and Duncan come down the steps and into the empty kitchen. "This is just weird, this place is always action central," Dawn says as she looks around.

"Maybe they decided to sleep in."

"Sla-" she catches herself, "they don't sleep in. It's like their bodies have this internal clock that says - 'Get up, it's daylight.' "

Emerson smiles, "Want me to check the rest of the house?"

Dawn looks at her girl, then her son. "What do you think Dunc?"

"Maybe they're outside."

Dawn smiles, "Does that translate into you want to swing?"

The boy smiles, "Can I?"

"Sure, just no farther than the swings."

"Thanks mom." He hugs her and goes out the door.

She and Emerson both scan the backyard for trouble before closing the door, once they decide it's safe. Emerson's lips meet Dawn's in a gentle kiss, her arms encircling her girl's waist. "Been wanting to that since I woke up." Em smiles as they break apart for air.

"Me too," Dawn confesses as she leans back in for more smoochies. They forget about the others as the kissing continues becoming a little more intense with each one.

* * *

In the living room, the little Slayers still sleep along with their older sister. Aly turns over and whines just a bit when a part of her realizes Katie is no longer in her arms. She, however, turns and is deeply sleeping again within seconds.

On the couch Kennedy stirs just a little. Willow snuggles closer in her sleep and the Slayer slowly opens her eyes. She smiles at her wife, content but just a tinge of something nagging in the back of her mind. "Jake."

Willow opens her eyes just long enough to speak, "Katie took him home."

"Good, don't want him here."

"No, not a good idea." Willow's eyes shutting and sleep returning.

Kennedy presses her lips to her redhead's temple and tries to sleep too but her stomach growls. The Slayer in her now in charge, she sits up careful not to disturb her girl. She walks toward the kitchen. The hungry Slayer inside the brunette making a list of what she wants to eat, all her other senses lost to the need for food.

She walks in and to the cabinet grabbing a loaf of bread, when she turns her sees Dawn and Emerson locked in a passionate embrace. Their lips move together, as their hands explore on top of clothes.

Kennedy tries to shake the hungries away to make sense of the scene before her. The need for food fly straight out the window when Emerson's leg slips between Dawn's and the Key moans loudly.

With a mixture of shock and confusion Kennedy speaks, "What in the hell is going on?" Her words penetrate the fogged minds of the new couple and they jump apart. "Emerson?"

"Huh-hey-hi sis." She smiles with a little blush creeping onto her cheeks.

"Hi," Dawn adds with a blushing smile. "Well-we-" she looks at Emerson.

"We're together."

"Together? The two of you?" The woman both nod as their fingers twine together. "Together together?" Kennedy raises an eyebrow wanting and needing clarification.

"Well we haven't-" Dawn turns a darker red.

"Yet-this time but only a matter of time," she winks at Dawn.

Kennedy is utterly confused, "Together? How long have I been asleep?"

Emerson takes her words literally and tries to add up the time but it is Dawn who speaks. "Not sure, but I haven't seen you since the big tag game yesterday after the picnic."

Before Kennedy can say anything else Willow walks into the room. "Will-they-" she looks like a little child lost in a bad dream.

"I know sweetie-isn't great?" Willow says with a smile.

"Dawn and my sister?" Still trying to make sense of it. Then she remembers that Emerson is indeed her sister. So much like her in her younger days-a player, a flirt. "Emerson-" her tone a little scary.

"I-I know what you're thinking, but it's not like that."

"It better not be-because Dawn is fam-" she stops. She looks at the smiling couple in front of her. Her stomach growls again, and she pouts wrapping her arms around her redhead. "Hungry-don't wanna think about this now."

Willow smiles kissing her cheek. "Let's get you some food then baby."

Emerson steps up, "I'll fix some eggs and bacon."

"And sausage?" Kennedy asks.

"And sausage." Dawn states. She and Emerson move to start cooking.

Willow gets down a box of cereal and a bowl. "Start with this sweetie. I'll get a bowl."

Kennedy opens the box and begins to eat from it. "Don't need a bowl."

Before Willow can reply they hear the front door open and then slam closed. They all move toward the living room in time to see Katie running up the stairs. "Katie?" Willow calls.

The name wakes up Aly, she gets to her feet. "What's wrong?" She sees her girl go up the stairs and her heart can feel the turmoil. She starts after her lover.

Around the room the other little Slayers wake up, "Mom," says Erin. "I'm hungry."

Emerson rolls her eyes as the others echo the same sentiments. "We're gonna need more eggs."

Dawn nods, "Oh yeah-you run to the store and I'll grab more bacon and sausage from the spare freezer in the basement." With a soft kiss they go their separate ways.

The girls all smile at the exchange. "I told you," Ellie says to Kristen with a smile.

Kennedy looks at her daughter, "How'd you know?"

Ellie shrugs, "Just a feeling."

Willow smiles as she watches Kennedy digest the words and stuff more cereal into her mouth. "Why don't all of us have some cereal while we wait."

"Think we should check on Katie?" Kennedy asks as they all go towards the kitchen.

"I think Aly can take care of Katie."

* * *

Upstairs in their room Katie sits wrapped in Aly's arms. "I don't understand. I don't know how he can just-" the tears fall harder as the words stop. "It doesn't make sense."

"Shhh-" she rubs her back, a little of the comforting emergy slipping out, and into her lover. "Shhh-it's gonna be okay."

"How-how can be okay-she loved him and he-god Aly what if I-" she cries against Aly's chest. Sad soft whimpers make it out, "What if I do the same thing to you?"

Aly separates them just enough to look into her sad eyes, "You listen to me," she kisses her lips softly. "That's not gonna happen. I know you. I know what we have. It's not gonna happen." She kisses her lips chastely.

"But what if-" a little hiccupping cry comes out.

"No ifs-I love you and you love me, right?"

Katie nods against her chest. "But he-what if I-"

"No, you're not Jake-you're my Katie and that's all that matters. Got it?"

Again she nods again her chest, "Got-got it." She manages as she fights to calm the tears. "I love you."

"I love you." Aly smiles as she caresses her cheek. Katie leans in and their lips meet in a series of soft kisses, each one lingering a little longer than the last until their lips are moving together. Aly lays them onto the bed gently, her lips finding Katie's neck-she presses soft kisses there. However before things can get much further, the cry of a baby stops them.

Katie laughs just a little and Aly laughs too after a soft whine, "Hold that thought. I think someone's hungry." Aly starts to get up.

Another baby starts, "Make that two someones." Katie says with a little smile, her hand rubbing Aly's arm.

The third baby joins in, "It's unanimous." Aly adds. She bends back down and kisses her girl. "You grab the bottles and I'll grab the babies?"

"Sounds like a plan."

Aly kisses her one more time as the cries get louder. "Liked this plan better, but-definitely later." She smiles.

"Count on it." They slowly get up Katie going into the hallway and Aly going into the nursery.

The Slayer looks down at the fussy babies. She frowns playfully and in a teasing pout states, "Gotta work on your timing little ones, Mama and Mommy were a little busy-or we woulda been." She grins at the babies before leaning down to kiss each one. "Mama loves you," she whispers after each kiss. She then picks up the babies and goes toward the bedroom.

* * *

In Annie's bedroom the Slayer opens her eyes slowly. She is surprised to see Sheila sitting in a chair next to her. She holds her head as the memories come back. The anger, the draining of her parents. She begins to cry. Sheila puts a hand on her shoulder. "Shhh-it's okay Annie." Annie turns away, but the woman continues to try to comfort her. Her hand rubs the teenagers back. "It's okay."

"No it's not, it can never be, not after what I did." Her words are soft, and hurt-filled. "Never."

Chapter 12

"Really? How?" Emerson says with a grin. Kennedy's soft growl threatens her. "Easy sis, I'm kidding." She leans toward her girl and whispers. "Mostly, how are they not as big as the house?"

Dawn clears her throat, "Slayer ears."

Emerson looks unsure as Kennedy and the kids look up at her. "What?"

Willow explains, "Their ears, well they're-"

"They heard me?" Emerson cringes a bit.

"We did," supplies a smiling Ellie.

"So super hearing too?"

"Check," clarifies the oldest Slayer present.

Before more questions and answers, Katie and Allie come down the stairs. "I thought I smelled food."

Em looks at Dawn and before she can ask about Super Slayer smelling she nods. "Figures."

The young Slayer and her girl sit down at the table. Willow stands and looks up the stairs, "I'm gonna check on Alex."

"Want me to come with?" Asks her wife.

"No," she puts a hand on her shoulder as she walks by. "Finish your breakfast." She kisses her on the temple as she moves toward the stairs.

* * *

Upstairs the door to the young boy's room opens and his mother walks in quietly. She sits down on the side of the bed next to him and runs her fingers through his soft red hair. Her look turns sad as she thinks about his actions. "What were you thinking?" She asks in a scared whisper. "So much could have gone wrong."

A few seconds later the boy stirs and she watches as his eyes flutter. "Flying penguins in the sand," he mumbles as his eyes focus on the face of his mom. He sees her slight smile but watches as it fades.

"Hey. How you feeling?" She caresses his cheek.

"Like a drum's been pounding in my head for a couple of days." As he pushes the pain away, a bit of his mom's resolve face sets itself on his features. "He deserved it." He starts and when his mother doesn't respond the boy continues, "He hurt her, besides he's okay."

Willow thinks about her words and lets a long slow breath escape her lips before she speaks. "He is okay, and he did hurt her."

"But I was wrong and I shouldn't use magic when I'm angry." The younger redhead finishes for her, a little shame finding its way to his eyes as he looks into his mother's.

"Yeah." She takes his hand and kisses it. "Alex your power, our power," she includes herself in the equation, "is very strong, stronger than, well, any other. That makes us more accountable." Their eyes meet again. "You understand?"

He sits up slowly, his head throbbing. "I do. Great power, great responsibility and I didn't behave responsibly."

"I know you're young and this is asking a lot but," she stops.

"I'll do better Mom. I promise."

"Okay." She stands and kisses his forehead. "Rest."

Alex looks unsure, "That's it?"

Willow shrugs, "You want me to ground you?"

"You probably should." He says softly.

She shakes her head as she thinks about a punishment. "How about you do the dishes, be nice to your little sisters and meditate with me extra hard for the next two weeks?"

He nods as Willow steps back to him and hugs him, "Thanks Mom."

"Rest, we'll talk more later."

He nods and lays back down. "Mom?" She looks at her son. "Is Annie-" his words stop, already knowing the answer.

Sadness finds her eyes before she can hide it, "She's... it'll be hard for a while but she'll get past it." She strokes his cheek. "You sleep."

Alex lets his eyes close and after a few seconds Willow decides he is indeed asleep. She turns to kiss his forehead before slipping quietly out the door.

In the hallway, Willow sees her Mom leaving Annie's room. They walk toward each other. "Is she still sleeping?"

Shelia shakes her head, "No, she's awake. She's being pretty hard on herself."

Willow nods her understanding, "Yeah, she's good at that." She hugs her mom. "Thanks for looking after her."

Shelia, surprised at first, finally hugs back. "I'll be back as soon as I've had a cup of coffee. Maybe she'll be ready to listen to reason by then."

Willow smiles, "Kinda doubt it, she's a little stubborn."

Shelia smiles, "Stubborn seems to be a family trait." She winks at her daughter, "Must come from Kennedy." The older woman goes toward the back stairs.

Willow just smiles as she shakes her head at her mother's actions. "Who is this woman?" She opens the door to Annie's room after a soft knock.

Annie looks up at her mom and immediately the tears start. "I'm sorry Mom I shouldn't have-" her words stop.

Willow sits on the side of the bed and wraps her in a tight embrace. "Shh, it's okay baby. Shhh, it'll be okay."

"I hurt you, I hurt everyone," she sobs out.

"No no everyone is fine. A little tired and sore, but okay." She kisses her forehead as she tucks a strand of hair behind her daughter's ear. "And everyone understands."

"It doesn't make it right. I knew better and I still... I was so out of control and I-" she tries to pull away but her mom won't let her.

"Hey, we all make mistakes. I made mistakes, your mama made mistakes. It happens. The messing up is when you don't learn from them." Her eyes meet Annie's. "As long as you learn then we'll deal. Okay?"

Annie nods against Willow's shoulder her tears slowing just a touch. "Mom-" she starts, then stops before trying again. "I hurts so much. He said he-" the tears fall harder.

* * *

Late that night, after much talk and hardly any progress in convincing their daughter that she is not the evil person she feels she is, the worn out Slayer and her witch fall into bed. As they snuggle together, Willow's head resting on her Slayer's shoulder, the redhead speaks. "What are we going to do?" She asks, her words full of worry.

Kennedy squeezes her tighter, "We're going to let her work her way through this at her own pace. We can't tell her she's good when she doesn't think she is. She has to forgive herself-" she kisses Willow's lips and smiles briefly, "Like you had to when we first met."

Willow turns so that soft worried green meet dark brown. She presses a kiss to her life's lips. "How did you get so smart?" Asks the woman a she forces a smile.

Kennedy smiles as she kisses the redhead. "Well, I think that it's possible, y'know, after all these years together, some of your brilliance might have rubbed off." The words get a real smile from her wife. After a soft kiss to her girl's forehead Kennedy looks serious. "Now sleep beautiful, tomorrow is gonna be here before you know it."

Willow looks at her girl and presses her lips against Kennedy's. "I don't think I can." Her teeth play against her bottom lip as she smiles at her love with a raised eyebrow. "My head's all busy."

The Slayer smiles too, "Busy huh?" The redhead nods. "Maybe I can help with that?" She lets her hand toy with the bottom button on Willow pajama top before she abandons the idea and just slides her hand underneath it to trail along soft skin. Willow's breath hitches as her girl continues the teasing. "That better?" The Slayer asks as she lets her hand move higher.

"Better," Willow gasps out as Kennedy's hand cups her breast. The older woman's eyes slipping closed.

"I see eyes closing already. Good sign," she begins to massage gently as her chocolate orbs stay locked on her lover. Listening to moans that escape the redhead's lips she covers her mouth with a searching kiss as her leg settles between the witch's pressing tightly against her.

"Goddess." moans the woman as she pulls her lips away for much needed air, her body moving with and against her brunette.

Kennedy's lips lick and suck while her teeth nip at her redhead's neck. "That's it baby," she mumbles against her skin as she feels the woman beneath her start to tremble. "Let go of everything." As her hand pulls the buttons off the top in one motion her lips find Willow's nipple sucking eagerly and her hand finds a new home. Slipping under Willow's pajama bottoms, her fingers begin to explore. After driving her to the edge, they move inside setting a steady rhythm that Willow's soaring body matches.

Lips moving down her body bring her closer to the waiting abyss. A talented tongue dipping inside her belly button causes moans to fill the air and as her lover's lips encircle her throbbing clit she cries out. "Kennedy!" Her body goes rigid as her climax hits hard. She calls her lover's name over and over till the words become soft and her body relaxes back onto the bed.

Kennedy rests her head on her girl's thigh watching her recover. A smile plays on her face, proud that she took Willow's mind away from her worries, at least for a little while. "Sleep," she whispers as she presses her lips to the leg there.

"Sleep," the worn out redhead mutters her eyes still closed. Kennedy's soft caress of her fingers across her body helps her do just that. The Slayer relaxes some herself as she feels her wife's even breathing. She smiles, knowing she is indeed asleep. "It'll all be okay." She hopes her words are true but a part of her worries about her daughter.

* * *

Looking across at the woman she was so angry at only a short day ago, Annie gets up quietly from her bed. Shelia has fallen asleep in the chair next to the young Slayer. "I need to tell you-" whispers the teenager, but her words stop. With a sad look in her eyes she slips toward the window and out it. Annie climbs, with ease, onto the roof and sits there staring out at the night sky and the few twinkling stars that try to over come the darkness. With a long sigh she tries to center herself, clear her mind so that she can do as her parents ask, so she can try to forgive.

But try as she might an hour later, her heart and mind has found no peace. All that's there are memories, memories of the boy she thought she knew. She struggles to get the good thoughts to the forefront. Happy thoughts of their first day of kindergarten, the budding friendship that had turned into so much more.

The tiniest of smiles finds her face as she remembers that first meeting. The five years olds sit in a semi circle, on a rug, in front of the teacher. She is getting ready to read them a story. Annie sits next to her sister, she looks up as a little boy sits on her other side. She smiles and he speaks. "I'm Jacob but you can call me Jake, my sister does."

She shakes the image away only to have it replaced by a cascading flow of pictures as he plays through her mind. Tag at recess, a shared cookie, and sand castles in the sand pile in the park. She covers her eyes with her hands and tries to stay in control as her days with the young man are revisited against her will.

"Stop it!" She yells then repeats it again much softer. "Stop it." The tears flow down her cheeks as the words are whispered. "Stop it."

* * *

Inside the house Kennedy looks toward the ceiling, the words of her daughter caught by her Slayer hearing. Knowing Annie's trek to the roof is a sign that she is trying to work her way through her problems allows Kennedy to relax some until she remembers what caused her to look up. The sad cry of her child returns to her mind and she starts to get up. She stops however as Willow's hand laces with hers. Surprised, she turns to look into her girl's eyes to find them closed. Her face becomes puzzled. She wraps Willow a little tighter and reminds herself to give Annie the time she needs. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, burying her face in Willow's hair as she rests against her neck.

* * *

With Duncan all snuggled in his bed, Dawn and Emerson slip quietly, hand-in-hand, from the house and onto the back porch. They sit cuddled together on the swing. "This family thing," Em says softly. "Never a dull moment for sure."

Dawn smiles, "True. Kids tend to make life interesting."

"Well and I'm pretty sure the magic helps too."

"I'll give you that." Dawn agrees.

Emerson's cocky smile returns with a raised eyebrow, "What else ya gonna give me?"

Dawn blushes but smiles. "Hmmm," she pretends to think. "Maybe a late night snack?"

Emerson smiles broadly, "Wouldn't argue with that."

"Ice cream or chocolate cake?"

Emerson frowns, "Not quite what I had in mind." She pouts playfully.

Dawn realizing how Em's mind had taken her statement begins to blush bright red. "No. I didn't mean - I - well with the snacking. I was talking food and well-" she fights the blush. "You were - well, I-"

Emerson leans in and kisses her softly, "Relax, I was just playing-" she gives her another small peck on the lips. "Mostly." She lets her hand caress Dawn's cheek. "I can wait-" she adds with a wink. "If I have too."

"Things have been a little... well a lot, changey in my life over the last few weeks-"

Em's lips on hers causes Dawn to stop. As they pulls apart Emerson speaks softly. "We got all the time in the world. No rush."

Dawn smiles and leans in to kiss her, this time their lips begin to move together. Soon lips separate and tongues explore first in Emerson's mouth and then in Dawn's. Soft moans fill the night, finally they pull back, then lean foreheads together. "Kissing's nice." Em pants out.

They lean in for another and soon hands are exploring as well as tongues. They drive each other crazy, caressing on top of clothes. Emerson's lips drop to Dawn's neck, licking and kissing. The woman groans out, "This is nice too."

Emerson smiles against her neck, then begins to nibble. As she draws the soft flesh in, and begins to suck gently, she hears Dawn moan her name. Their bodies press closer together.

Finally finding some control Emerson pulls back, her body on fire, her lungs burning. She smiles at her mark on her girl's neck then looks worried. Dawn who is trying just as hard to control her body, sees the look. "What's - what's wrong?"

Emerson grins a little, "Sorry?" She licks her lips.

"Sorry?" Dawn asks even more confused; she was in no way sorry.

"I ah - well-" her eyes move to Dawn's neck, then back to meet dark blue.

"You didn't?"

Em shrugs, "I did."

Dawn's head drops on her girl's shoulder as she blushes yet again. "You're so in trouble." She lets her lips begin to kiss along the neck in front of her.

Emerson, who's body is still raging groans out, "Payback's hell right?" A note of hope in her words. "Oh yeah!" She moans as she feels Dawn begin to suck on her pulse point.

* * *

Back on the roof later Annie is still facing the past. This time, however, she is the one in charge. She thinks about the boy, her first love, and tries to make sense of it all. They had been so happy, or she had. Had he been pretending all along? No, she decides, consenting to the memories of happier times. He was happy too, she could see it in his eyes as they talked, as they hung out, as they made love-when had it changed she asks herself as she comes back to the here and now. She forces herself to think about it-when?

Her mind replays the past month-there had been some arguing but couples argued right? They do she can remember her parents arguing and they were fine. So it couldn't be that.

Or maybe it was, she recalls one fight that all the others seemed to stem from. A few weeks ago, maybe longer, they lie tangled together both still breathing hard. With a gently kiss to her lips he asks, "Marry me Annie."

Surprised the young woman pulls back, "Marry?" Hesitation, "Jake-"

The boy seems nervous, "Just say yes." He tries as he kisses her again.

"Jake," she touches his face. "I'm not-" again the teenager stops. "No." She says softly.

"Why not?" He pulls away and sits up against the headboard. His eyes meet hers. "If you love me, why not?"

She wraps the sheet around her and sits up too, facing him. "I do love you, but we're too young to get married."

"I know what I want, I'm not too young."

"Maybe it is just me, but I'm not ready Jake."

The 'not ready' echoes in her mind as she lets the memory fade. Her mind begins to belittle and blame. "It is my fault," she says softly. "Even the cheating, if I had said yes then he wouldn't have-" the tears fall again. "It's all my fault. Everything." She wipes at her eyes. "I hurt everyone. Everyone that ever loved me. I gotta get out of here." The panicked teenager mutters. She looks back toward her window, then without another thought she stands and hops from the roof.

As lands she turns to run. However to her surprise she sees her mama. "What do you think you're doing Annie?" Asks the woman calmly.

The young Slayer starts to run.

Chapter 13

"Let me go!" Yells the girl.

"Calm down and I will," she states, holding on just as tightly.

Annie tries again to get out of her mama's grip but can't. "Let me-"

"Annie, relax and I'll let you go." She turns the girl so she can see her but holds on to her. "I'll let you go."

Annie stops struggling and Kennedy moves her hands to her daughter's shoulders. Annie turns away but doesn't try to run. "I just wanna go," she whispers out as the tears fall again.

Kennedy moves behind and gently wraps the teen in her arms, "Go where Annie?"

The young Slayer shakes her head, "Away... any where but here. I just need... I need to be not here." The emotion in her voice and words lets Kennedy know just how much she's hurting.

"How about we go back inside and you get some sleep." She holds her a little tighter.

Annie leans back into her mama, allowing her comfort. "I don't want to sleep."

"Then rest and tomorrow we'll talk about going away for a while."

Annie turns slowly to face her mama. "You mean it?"

"Your mom's not gonna like it, but maybe a little break isn't a bad idea."

"Okay," Annie's eyes meet her mama's. "Thanks."

"Don't thank me yet, we still have to talk her into it." She drapes an arm over her daughter's shoulder and they start back inside.

* * *

"How about some chocolate?" Asks the older Slayer as they walk through the kitchen. The younger Slayer starts to decline but her stomach growls loudly, so she nods. She gets a gallon of milk and two glasses as her mama gets the hidden treats from the cabinet. They sit at the bar facing each other.

As they eat Annie looks up at her mama, "Mama, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, everyone runs away sometimes. The trick is not making it a habit."

"Yeah I get that, gotta face your problems, not run from them."

"Exactly," Kennedy says.

"Just right now... it's- it's too hard. Hurts too much." The tears try to fall again but she wills them away.

"I know," she puts another brownie on the plate in front of the young redhead.

"So, someone hurt you too?" Asks her daughter as she eats the food.

"Once- a long time ago." Kennedy nods.

"What did you do?" Annie asks softly.

"Ran. Well, till I met your mom." She says with a smile and a wink.

"No, be serious will you?" Annie's eyes meet her mama's.

"It hurt and it made me angry. I did some really dumb things. Then I decided I wouldn't let it happen again, no one was gonna hurt me."

Annie looks surprised, "How'd you do that?"

Kennedy looks away and tries to decide how to word her answer. Her daughter knows very little of her love them and leave them past. "I ah, I just didn't let anyone close enough to break my heart."

Annie thinks about the words, trying to understand what it is her mama isn't saying. "So you didn't date?"

"No, I did. Lots of dating, just not-" she stops. "Remember when I said I did some dumb things?" Annie nods. "This would be number one on the dumb list."

Annie still works for the unspoken words and suddenly her eyes grow large as she gets the meaning, "You just... with them-?" Kennedy nods. "How? I mean who... how many?"

Kennedy shakes her head, "Okay, so not a conversation I'm having with my daughter."

"I'm not a little kid," she rolls her eyes. "I know mom isn't the only one you've ever slept with."

"True, but we're still not talking about it." Kennedy informs the teen.

"More than 5?" She leans closer to the woman.

"Eat your brownie." Kennedy states.

"More than 10?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Eat my brownie." She puts it on the teen Slayer's plate.

"Twenty?" She fights to keep her voice level, and the wonder out of it.

Kennedy stands, "Night kiddo," she kisses the top of her head.

"Mama, you can't just say and then not-" she follows the woman from the room her thoughts not on Jake for the first time in a long time. "Mama?"

* * *

The next morning Willow wakes up to find her bed missing her brunette Slayer. She frowns then centers herself trying to feel the woman. She smiles a bit when she is able to do so.

Getting up, she slips on a pair of sweats and a tank top. Opening the door she walks toward Annie's room. She stands in the hallway and looks in at her wife and daughter cuddled together on the small bed. After watching for a few quiet minutes she makes her way inside.

As she reaches the bed Kennedy's eyes open and meet hers. Willow raises an eyebrow and her Slayer speaks softly. "Better I think."

Annie turns and mumbles as she does. Kennedy rubs her back gently and the teenager settles again. Carefully she moves from the bed and takes Willow's hand. "Sweetie?"

"We need to talk, and I don't want to wake her. She hasn't been asleep long."

They go into the hallway then down the stairs and out onto the back porch. Sitting down, and hugging her girl close Kennedy starts. "We talked for hours."

"Talking's good, right?" Willow says hopefully.

"I think so, but you're not going to like some of the things we talked about." Kennedy says with a sad smile.

"She wants to leave?" Willow's eyes meet the surprised eyes of her lover.

"How did you-" Kennedy stops. "Never mind silly question. We're both runners by nature."

"Only seems normal that our kids would be."

"True. I told her I'd talk to you, then she would have to."

"I don't want her to go." Willow leans closer into Kennedy's arms. She fights the tears that threaten to fall.

"I know-but I think she needs to just for a little while." She presses her lips to the redhead's temple as she holds her tightly.

Willow nods against her shoulder and lets the tears fall, "Only for a little while then she has to come home. Promise?" Sad green search soft brown. Kennedy nods back. "Say it, say she'll come back."

Kennedy focuses to calm herself, "She'll come back."

The redhead cries harder as she hears the words knowing neither can be sure they are true. The Slayer's resolve falters too as they slip down her cheeks as well. They hold tightly to each other.

* * *

Later Annie wakes to see her parents snuggled together on the twin bed across from her. The bed that her twin had used for years. That thought both made her smile and feel a little sad. If she left, when she left, she thinks, it will be the first time in her life without her twin sister. But she shakes the sadness away, that's what life is right? Change. Growing up, moving on? It was definitely time for her to move on.

She sits up and thinks about her parents, her leaving would be hard on them. But leaving is necessary, something she has to do for herself. She stands and as she does she hears her name. "Annie?" She sees her mom's eyes open.

"Hey, I was trying to be really quiet, didn't mean to wake you up."

Willow slides from the bed and moves to her daughter. "You didn't." She hugs her tightly.

Annie hugs back knowing now that her parents have talked about her leaving.. "So, you and Mama talked?" She asks just to make sure.

"We did." Willow looks sad.

"And?" The teenager asks nervously.

"And why don't we have this conversation over a nice chocolatey mochas on the backyard swing?"

"Okay, I'll get dressed and go get mochas. Meet you in about twenty?" Annie asks.

Willow nods. Annie grabs some clothes from the closet and leaves. The redhead flops back on the bed next to her wife. "You did good baby." Kennedy says softly as she hugs her girl.

"I don't want her to go." The redhead's tears fall.

"I know, I don't either but it's what she needs right?"

"Right." Willow agrees. She snuggles closer into Kennedy.

* * *

Later mother and daughter sit quietly on the swing, each sip from their mocha. Finally after minutes of tense silence Willow speaks softly. "I don't want you to go."

Annie nods, "I know, but Mom I really need to."

"I know," the older woman admits. After a deep breath the words begin again. "There would be rules." She looks up at the teenager.

Eyes meet green on green. "I know," she manages. "I'll call and-"

"Everyday." Willow interjects.

"Okay," Annie concedes.

"And no Hellmouth; I would worry too much."

"But Mom I'm a Slayer-"

Again the older woman interrupts. "I know but-"

"Slaying is what I do." Annie says softly, sadness in her voice and Willow's mind hears a broken Buffy say the same words years and years ago.

"But it's not who you are." Willow tries.

"Right now it is. It's all that I'm sure of, all that makes sense in my life. Please, please, don't take it away from me too." Annie tries, need in her words, hoping mom will understand.

Willow closes her eyes and fights with the tears and emotions that try to escape her. "You'd be really, really careful?"

"Really, really," assure the teenager.

"Not Cleveland." Willow states firmly.

"Okay, not Cleveland." Annie promises.

"And you'd have to go some where for me first. At least, for at least a little while." Willow meets her eyes.

"The coven?" Annie asks and the other witch nods.

"I need you to be in control, centered."

"Okay, can you call them for me?" Annie looks at her mom.

"I think since, well I think you should. I mean if you're going to be on your own you should learn to-"

"I get it Mom." Annie nods and smiles.

"So you're really going?" Willow asks, her voice small as tears slip down her cheeks.

Annie hugs her tightly, "I'll be back, I promise Mom."

"When?"

"When I get... soon." Annie leaves it at that, not wanting to say something, make a commitment that she can't keep. "Soon."

"I'll miss you," Willow whispers.

"I'll miss you Mom." Annie whispers too. "I love you."

"I love you," states her Mom as she holds tightly to her daughter.

Annie groans out, "Mom... can't b-breath."

Willow loosens her hold just a little. "I don't want you to go."

Annie stays quiet as she feels her Mom's tears start. Her mind again blaming herself for causing more pain to those around her. "Shhh-" she tries to comfort her.

* * *

Later that day Annie is in her room packing. She has decided to only take necessities. In one duffle she packs jeans, tanks, and underclothes. In the other duffle she stocks weapons, she takes stakes, three daggers, a short sword and her favorite crossbow. As she zips it up she hears a soft voice. "You're really leaving?"

She turns to see her baby sisters there, Kara and Kristen look sad. "Hey kiddos," she forces a smile and hugs each of them. "I'll be back before you know it."

"When?" Asks Kara.

"Soon," is all she says.

Erin appears behind them, "When are you leaving?"

"In the morning." Annie says suddenly uncomfortable talking about leaving her family.

Alex shows up next, "Mom wants you guys to come help with lunch." He looks at his little sisters.

The girls leave though they really don't want to. "Mom really want them?"

Alex shakes his head with a little smile, "I'm sure she'll find something for them to do. Figured you needed them out of your hair."

"Thanks, I wasn't really sure what else to say to them." Annie admits. She sits on her bed and Alex moves to sit on Aly's old one.

"Are you leaving because of what happened? I mean, I did way worse, if anyone should leave, it should be me." He fights not to cry.

"Hey, no." She moves beside of him and hugs him steadfastly. "It's not because of the magic," she can't stop the smile as he raises his eyebrow much like his mama does when she is questioning something. "Okay, it kinda is I guess, it's just everything all at once. I need some time to think and find out who I am. You understand?"

"You're my sister," he says simply.

She nods, "And I always will be Alex, I just-time... space, y'know?" He nods.

Kennedy watches her daughter and son talk from the doorway. She finally speaks, "Lunch, if anyone is hungry."

Alex laughs, "She's always hungry."

"Hey!" She tickles him playfully.

"Help Mama!" He squeals.

"No way, you got yourself in that mess, get yourself out." She leaves smiling. As she walks down the hallway she can still hear the giggles.

* * *

Aly tucks Aidan into the crib next to his brother and sister. She kisses each one, "Naptime little ones." She says softly.

Katie walks over to her and wraps her arms around her waist. "How you doing?" She asks against her ear.

Aly just shrugs unsure of her voice. She lets her body melt into her love's. Finally after a few minutes like that she speaks. "I don't want her to go."

"I know," she presses her lips to her Slayer's shoulder. "Never been away from each other before."

"I don't know what to say to her." Aly turns in Katie's arms.

With a kiss to her girl's forehead she speaks, "Just tell her you'll be here when she gets back."

"It's not fair." She whispers as the tears start.

"No, it's not fair." She hugs her tight and tries to calm her. "Shhh. I got ya it's okay." She rubs her hands up and down Aly's back.

There is a soft knock on the door and Aly composes herself. After a kiss from her girl she moves to the door and opens it. She sees Annie there. "Hey."

"Hey," Aly manages back.

"Mama and I are going slaying, wanna come with?" Annie asks.

Aly looks to Katie and Katie speaks, "I've got the little guys, go if you want."

Aly nods to her sister, "Give me a few minutes to get ready."

"We'll be downstairs." Annie smiles and leaves.

Aly lets the tears go again and Katie envelops her in her arms. "It's okay baby. I promise. Shhhh, if you wanna go you gotta calm down. I don't want you getting hurt cause you're all unfocused." She presses her lips to Aly's.

Aly nods as they break apart and she fights to control her emotions. "I love you," she breathes out to her girlfriend.

Katie smiles, "I love you too, be careful huh?"

Aly nods as she grabs down clothes from the top of the closet and begins to get ready.

* * *

The Slayers walk through the cemetery, a few feet from each other, all eyes on their mission. Kennedy glances at her daughters and smiles slightly. In her mind it doesn't seem possible that they are as old as she was when she faced her first apocalypse and Sunnydale fell. Seventeen, almost eighteen years, had it really been that long? She brings her thoughts back to the here and now-knowing how dangerous it is to be distracted.

The twins stop cold, then look at their mama, "Feel'em?" Annie states and the other two Slayers nod. Vampires circle around them, five and then ten. "Damn! Vamp reunion."

Kennedy nods as she sizes up the situation, "Three a piece, not the best odds for them." She winks as she speaks.

Aly steps forward and punches the first one, deciding it makes the frustration she is feeling ease some she punches the vamp again and again. Kennedy and Annie both stake one. "Might wanna kill the thing and not play with it, kiddo" her mama states. "There's plenty more."

Aly notices more have joined the fray and she makes quick work of the two closest to her. As they dust she attacks the next group.

A few feet away Kennedy dusts two as well. Annie does the same, staking one, hitting another with a bolt, from her crossbow, and then pummeling a third.

The Slayers back toward each other as they assess the scene, eight vampires left; three of which are dressed in matching uniforms of some type with tribal tattoos. "Thinking the boy band look isn't good news." Annie quips.

"Thinking you're right," Kennedy agrees as she shoots two vamps with her crossbow and Aly does the same.

"Betting they have an agenda," Aly adds.

Kennedy smiles as she reloads and takes out the last of the non matching creatures of the night she looks at her daughters. "Let's find out what it is."

Each launch an attack on one of the remaining vampires only to watch the arrows bounce off them, "Shit!" Annie mumbles.

"Andrea." Her mama cautions. She shakes her head, "Sometimes wonder if you're channeling Faith."

Aly giggles then the three go back to work. They initiate a hand-to-hand approach. They punch, kick and wrestle with the vamps with no luck. The vamps are able to isolate each Slayer, then suddenly three more join the battle, all grabbing at Kennedy. As they wrestle Aly sees the problem, "Mama!" She yells, that causes Annie to look as well.

Annie breaks the neck of the vampire she's fighting then, the fiery young Slayer takes off for her mama in a dead run. She hurdles tombstones, and ducks tree branches as she heads to help. She sees them get the upper hand, the apparent leader moving his fangs closer to his target.

On the brink of panic she centers herself, "Scythe," she calls holding out her hand and it appears just as she reaches Kennedy, somersaulting over one vamp to stab the pointy end of the weapon through another's heart. She however is an instant too late, fangs break the skin of the older Slayer's neck as Annie swings and beheads the creature.

"Annie," Kennedy groans out as she falls to the ground the vamp no longer supporting her.

As Aly reaches them and the twins kneel next to their mama, they both are shocked by what they see. The woman before them, with out having done the 'whole sucking thing,' begins to morph, eyes yellow, brow shifting... "Mama?" They whisper in fear.

Chapter 14

Annie nods as she picks up the Slayer. The vampire inside tries to fight her daughter and Annie decides on a course of action, with one punch she knocks the creature out cold. The struggling young woman looks down at her mama and the devil on her shoulder begins to place blame. The unwanted voice whispers, 'It's your fault, you can't even run away right. You get caught and look what it costs her. And you say you love her?' Annie fights tears, then forces the thoughts from her mind as Aly rejoins her.

With the vampire in tow, and a quick worried look at her sister she speaks, "Let's get her home." Not waiting for a reply, the witch concentrates, and in a flash of light the group is gone.

* * *

As they pop into the living room it grows quiet. Willow, who was talking to Dawn and Emerson, moves to the Slayers. "What happened?" She starts toward her wife but stops as Annie put her on the couch and Aly drops the vampire on the floor, then moves to block the path. "Girls?"

"Mama got bit," Annie says.

Again Willow tries to get close enough to help. "Stay back," Aly starts. "She's-" before she can finish Kennedy eyes open and the yellow tone flares through them, but she fights the ridges that try to form. Willow goes pale and almost collapses in her daughter's arms.

Annie begins to explain, "They weren't normal vamps. They were harder to kill and when it bit her, she started to turn."

Aly finishes, "We brought one back. Thought maybe we could find out what to do. We can make her better, right?"

Willow looks at her daughters and then takes a step toward Kennedy. "Stay back," warns Kennedy as the vampire inside wins and she turns.

Willow stops unsure what to do, but she shakes her head and moves to her wife. She kneels beside the couch and touches the ridges as Kennedy fights to stay in partial control. "Baby-" her hand shakes as does her voice. "It'll be okay. I promise we'll fix it."

Kennedy fights the ridges away and tries to center herself. "Not sure you can. If I-" she fights the urge to bite her love. "Don't let me hurt anyone."

"You wouldn't." Willow tries.

Kennedy growls, "I want to, the vampire wants to."

Annie moves to her mom's side. "We won't let you."

"Chains," Kennedy growls out louder as she feels the need to feed grow. "Hurry."

"No. I won't-" Willow fights tears.

"Then I'll kill and they'll be like me." The ridges return as she lunges for the redhead's jugular.

Willow screams but forces Kennedy's teeth away, her hands stopping her just short. Annie moves in and presses her mama to the couch. "Do what she says, please."

Willow backs away crying, Dawn holds her as Aly looks at her twin. "Basement is probably the best place."

"Let's get her down there." They each take hold of the newly turned and carry her towards the basement. "Dawn, call Buffy and Faith."

With those words the twins take Kennedy from the room.

* * *

In the basement, Willow strokes the cheek of her Slayer, as her love battles the beast within her. "Will... please... shouldn't be so close." She snaps at her hand nearly biting her.

The redhead steps back a little. "I love you and we'll fix this I swear."

"I know you will," she forces a smile.

Across the room, chained to a wall, the other vamp laughs, "You're one of us now."

The redhead stands, irate, her eyes stone cold. "Shut up!" She warns.

The creature laughs as Faith and the oldest Langdon twins enter the room. Annie sees the sparks starting to flow through her mom's hands. "Mom, don't. We need him."

Willow tries to fight down the magicks bubbling inside. "She's right, Red.I'm gonna torture his ass till he talks can't have you frying him now can we?"

The witch works to control the rage inside. She wants so much to exact revenge on the creature that has threatened to change her life, to hurt her family. But finally she is able to find her center, focus and remember to use her power as it is intended. Slowly, very slowly she takes a deep breath and lets it out, the power is now harnessed safely away. The redhead nods, "No, not-not yet."

"Good, now let's get the show on the road." The once Dark Slayer walks toward him with a maniacal smile.

Annie walks to the demon with Faith. "What are you going to do?"

Faith answers the younger Slayer's question by punching the vampire in the face. "That, for starters."

Annie nods and gives him a punch of her own. The two Slayers take turns punching. It is Aly's words who calls them both to task. "And this is better than Mom frying him how?"

Faith looks at the younger Slayer with a smirk, "Watch and learn." She looks at the vampire and pulls out a lighter. "See this is gonna be really slow." She starts her lecture, looking at Aly.

* * *

At the Langdon house Buffy is now on the scene, the torture continues. However, they have learned very little and wasted hours of time. Willow growls in frustration, "This is useless." With a wave of her hand the creature is dust.

"Mom!" Annie exclaims.

Faith touches the girl's arm, "She's right."

"But how-" the young Slayer starts.

"Research," Kennedy answers from the corner, her human self fighting with her vampire self for control. "Time to hit the books, baby."

Willow nods and moves toward her Slayer, she strokes her cheek gently. "I love you." Her eyes meet the brown yellow mix and look back at her and she can see her love's struggle. "We'll find out how to fix this."

"I know," Kennedy forces a smile, but inside the fear that she'll be forever changed grows. Resisting the urge to feed, she whispers. "Go."

"We shouldn't leave you alone." Willow says as she moves her hand away.

Faith nods, "I'll stay, ain't much help with the books anyway."

Buffy shakes her head, "Always trying to get out of research."

Annie speaks, "Let me stay."

Faith looks at the teen, she knows the girl is blaming herself and needs a way to feel useful, "Could use some help."

Willow nods and the others leave the room. Annie looks at her mama as the Slayer loses the battle and turns again. "Can't wait to suck'em all dry. All but you," she levels her eyes on her daughter. "You I'll turn, so you're like me." She begins to laugh but it ends abruptly as Faith hit her so hard she is out cold.

Annie turns to face the Slayer angrily. "Why'd you do that?" She charges at the Rogue but Faith wraps her in her arms. "You- you can't just hit my mama and-"

Faith speaks softly, "She ain't your mama when she's sayin' shit like that. I don't want you hearin' it."

"It's my fault. I did this to her."

"No, no you didn't. We're Slayers, shit happens and it's nobody's fault. So don't go blamin' yourself."

Annie gets loose and pushes Faith away. "You don't know... you weren't there, so you just shut up."

Faith looks at the girl and sees herself in her eyes and the fear overtakes her. "Annie-"

"Just shut up," she says again as she starts for the basement door and outside.

Faith again stops her, this time by blocking her path. "Can't let you go out there kid."

"I'm not a kid, I'm a Slayer and I'm gonna find a vampire and make him tell me how to make her better."

Faith growls and runs her fingers through her hair, "Don't make me do this."

"Just get out of my way."

"Not happenin'." They stand nose to nose. "Red'll roast my ass if I let you go and you get hurt or worse."

"So you're more afraid of her than me?"

"Damn right," Faith forces a smile.

Annie looks at her puzzled by the expression on the older Slayer's face, "What?"

"Just chill give your mom time to find a cure."

Annie considers the words and then looks Faith in the eyes, "One hour, then I go out there."

"They don't find something in two, I'm right there with you."

Annie nods and backs away from the door. She looks toward her mama and fights to keep tears from falling. "I'm such a screw up."

"I'm the leader in that field, sorry kid."

"Everything I touch just-" she stops.

Faith dares to broach the subject, "I heard about Jake. Little bastard, he's lucky to still be in one piece." Her words stop when she sees Annie slide down the wall to the floor her tears coming in waves that the teen can no longer hold back. The Rogue sits next to her and with a little uncertainty, wraps an arm around the younger Slayer. "I ain't gonna tell ya it'll be okay-" she stops and then starts again after a look to Kennedy for help. The Slayer isn't there, the vampire is still at the fore. With a deep breath, then an exhale the older Slayer speaks again. "It hurts like hell-"

* * *

An hour later Dawn looks up from the book she is reading. "Got it." She says and as she does Buffy and Willow are at her side reading over her shoulder.

Emerson watches, waiting to see what will happen next. A thousand thoughts flying through her mind, unsure what is happening to her sister.

Buffy moves to get a crossbow from the weapons safe. "I'll find one, just get all the things you need together." She starts for the door.

Aly stands, "You can't go alone, they're too strong."

Buffy looks at her best friend and Willow nods her approval for her daughter to go out again. "Strictly backup got it?"

Aly nods, "Backup, got it."

She looks at Katie, "You get Alex and help mom okay?"

Katie nods as she kisses Aly, "Be careful."

Aly and Buffy start for the door in a jog but as they reach it, Xander and Robin come in with a vampire in tow. "How did you-" Buffy looks at her husband. "When did you... why did you-"

Xander smiles, "Figured somebody killed the other one."

Robin adds, "And that you'd need an extra ."

"The kids?" Buffy asks, eyebrow raised.

"Grandpa Giles." Xander says with a smile.

The blonde looks unsure, "All 6 of them?"

Robin nods, "All of them."

Xander adds, "And only one 'good lord' this time."

The Slayer laughs at his words as she takes the vampire and kisses Xander, "Thanks-" then mumbles about it being dangerous for the two men to be out hunting alone. They smile at each other and shake their heads both knowing lots of talking will be happening later.

* * *

Emerson paces in the kitchen while the others either are working on the antidote or stand guard over Kennedy in the basement. Dawn walks over to her and puts her hands on her shoulders stopping her movement. "She'll be okay."

"This is crazy! How can something like this happen?"

Dawn pulls her into a hug and whispers in her ear. "They'll fix it, it's what they do, what *we* do." She presses her lips to Em's cheek.

"She is a Slayer, this isn't suppose to happen." Emerson insists.

"Hey, trust me, she'll be herself in no time." Dawn tries again to calm the woman.

Faith and Annie come through the door with Kennedy, her game face securely in place. "She's been this way a while. Thinkin' whatever it is you're gonna do, ya better make it fast."

Willow nods, a shaking hand holding a bowl under the vamps mouth as Buffy holds him tightly with the help of Aly. The witch uses a funnel type instrument to cover his fangs, reciting a few words a liquid begins to drip into the other ingredients there. She sets it down and begins to mix it, more words spoken quietly as she makes the potion.

She looks at Faith and Annie as she walks toward them, "Hold her tight, it's gonna be like fire to her."

"But it won't hurt her right?" Dawn asks, knowing Emerson is worried.

"It'll bring her back." Willow promises.

She puts the bowl to Kennedy's lips but the vampire in control refuses to swallow it. "Please baby, I know you're in there and you can hear me. Drink."

The vampire inside the Slayer roars, "I'll drink you!" She tries to break free from the Slayers holding her and almost succeeds until Annie wraps an arm around her neck.

"Drink," orders the young Slayer as she pushes the vamps lips closer to the bowl.

After some struggle, they are finally able to force the liquid into vamp Kennedy's mouth. She cries out in obvious pain. Her features begin to shift but change almost instantly back to bumpies. "Why Isn't it working?" Emerson questions.

More of the antidote is force feed to the creature, the howls of both pain and anger fill the room. "You're hurting her." Emerson moves to stop them, but Dawn wraps her up and stops her. "Let me go! They have to stop they're hurting her."

"No, they're helping her, bringing her back." The Key promises.

Emerson stands still but turns her face away, trying to block out the noise.

After a few more agonizing moments, Kennedy's soft face emerges to the fore. Willow smiles as tears slip down her cheeks. "Hey baby-" she leans forward to kiss her wife but strong hands stop her. She looks up to see a skeptical Buffy between them. "She's back." Willow says as she meets her friends eyes. "It's her."

"How can ya be sure Red?" Asks Faith.

The witch rolls her eyes, "Cause I can." She glares at the blonde until she finally moves. She tilts her head to rest her forehead to Kennedy's. "Welcome back." She gives her girl a soft smile.

"Glad to be back." She says tears in her eyes as well. Her aching body collapses against her wife. "Hurts."

"I know, itwill for a while." She explains. "The antidote isn't very vamp friendly and you were, well, y'know."

"I know, gotta get the rest of'em before the whole town is-" she tries to stand but Willow won't let her.

"Shhh, no shop talk for you. Got Slayers to take care of that. You are gonna rest and I'm gonna pamper you for a few days."

Kennedy frowns and starts to protest that she's a Slayer too and Slayers don't need pampered, but she sees the resolve face planted firmly in place. "Pampered. 'K." She gives up without a fight. Her eyes close of their own accord, the draining effect of the potion making her even weaker.

Willow looks at the family around her, "She'll be okay, just needs lots of sleep."

Faith nods, "Heard the witch, she's a'ight. Let's get a plan on how to kill the rest of'em."

Buffy smiles, "You said plan," the blonde laughs.

Faith frowns, "I plan. I've mellowed over the years."

Dawn laughs at them both, "Another disaster averted, so now you're all silly."

"How can you just be so-" Emerson starts.

Dawn interrupts, "She's okay."

Buffy tries to help, "It's a win for the good guys."

"But she could have been-" she shakes her head and leaves the room.

"Drama queens run in the family." Dawn jokes as she goes to out of the room, but as she hurries after Em her smile fades.

The Slayers look at each other and start for the living room leaving Willow with her arms full of zonked out Kennedy. "Ah, I, hey! Some help here." She calls to them.

All stop and look back at her, but it is Annie who goes back to her mom. "I got her mom." She takes her mama into her arms and the three of them go up the back steps.

* * *

Dawn stands in the guest room trying to talk to an angry Emerson, who stands with her back to her girl. Dawn takes a deep breath and steps closer to her. "I know it all seems flip and like it doesn't matter, but it does. We know how it could have been... really bad, but it wasn't."

"She could have been... that thing was inside her." Her words are shaky and Dawn can tell there are tears too.

Wanting to provide comfort she steps forward and wraps her arms around the younger woman. "I know it's scary but it's how we live."

"And die?" Emerson asks.

"Sometimes." Dawn says honestly. She holds Em tighter as the she cries. "Shhh, I got you." She presses a kiss to her cheek as she leans to get closer. "It's hard at first, to get use to it."

"Get use to? How-" she stops. Kennedy's sister turns and buries her face into Dawn's shoulder and cries, her body shaking.

* * *

Willow lies on the bed, her back propped against the headboard. Kennedy is asleep with her head against Will's chest, the witch gently strokes her hair. As the Slayer begins to sweat and shiver she pulls her girl's blanket tighter. "Willow-" mumbles the woman.

"Right here baby, shhh you're okay." She kisses the top of her head.

"I didn't hurt you?" Kennedy's voice is a whisper as she opens her eyes.

"No, no you didn't hurt anyone sweetie. Rest." She hugs her tighter and kisses the top of her head again.

"But I... the things I said, I remember I wanted-"

Willow puts her hands on Kennedy's cheeks and raises it so that they are at eye level. "Listen to me, that wasn't you. You didn't say or do anything. Got it?"

Kennedy looks into her eyes, essence her soul and knows her wife believes the words completely. "Got it." She concedes though a part of her still wants to carry the guilt.

"Good." She kisses her lips chastely. "Now close those beautiful brown eyes and sleep."

"Sleep." Agrees the Slayer as she manages a little smile. She snuggles in close, her head moving back down to its comfortable spot. "Love you," she mummers against the redhead's chest as she lets her eyes fall shut.

"Love you too," Willow says back softly. "Always."

* * *

The Slayers stand in the center of the cemetery, Xander and Robin are there as well-weapons in hand. Buffy looks from Faith to the Langdon twins. "You sure this is the right place?"

"Seems pretty dead," Faith adds.

"This is the place." Annie states getting a bit agitated at their questioning.

"The one we grabbed was over by the Browning crypt." Xander tells the group.

"Then lets break up into groups of two and start there." Buffy orders, going into Slayer mode. "Faith, you and Annie check there, then circle the west side. Meet back here when you're finished"

"On it," says the younger as she starts that direction.

Faith's hand on her shoulder stops her, "Wait up, junior! We stick together, got it?"

Annie pulls away but waits for Faith to take the lead. Faith looks back at Buffy and rolls her eyes before starting that direction.

The blonde Slayer looks at Aly, "Where were you when you ran into them?" Aly points toward the east side. "Then that's where you and I start."

Xander smiles, "Looks like it's you and me Robin," states the man.

"Didn't we get chastised for hunting alone earlier?" Asks Robin playfully.

"I believe we did," quips the man. "Slayers and their mixed signals."

"How do they expect us to follow-"

Buffy playfully growls at the two, "Okay enough. This is so different, not even the same."

"How is that exactly?" Asks the former principal.

"Slayers here to get you outta trouble, if you get in it for and one and b-."

Xander shakes his head, "We'll take the south side." He and Robin go that direction as Buffy and Aly go the other.

It's not long before all groups encounter vampires in varying numbers. Xander and Robin, take out two of the super vamps before heading to the meeting spot.

Buffy and Aly find and destroy five before returning back.

Faith and Annie work in tandem on the group of eight they run across. The first three died quickly, the once Rogue taking out two to Annie's one. The last group however aren't making things easy. The hand to hand is having no effect of them. The punches are absorbed, the Slayer's hands taking the brunt of the punishment. Faith launches a flying kick, the knife on the toe of her boot taking the head off her opponent. "Take that you dead bastard."

Annie battles hers and finally gets an advantage as he stumbles, she lunges at him with her short sword, removing his head, dust filling the air. "Damn you all." She rages toward the next.

Faith watches unsure as the girl circles the remaining three. "Easy kid, they're all yours, I'm just back up but-"

"Damn straight they're mine!" She swings the sword at the closest creature of the night.

The once Rogue watches speechlessly. Her body tense, the fire inside burning hotter. The Slayer wanting to rumble, but the woman in control. She clenches and then unclenches her hands trying to maintain her focus. Watching Annie methodically take out her enemy sends a shiver through her, a memory of herself, how she use to be before prison and she worries for the young woman.

Making a decision and stepping in she stops the angry young Slayer, "Enough," she says as she holds on to the bloody hand of the teenager. She has battered the creature till his features are unrecognizable. "It's over." She cuts off his head and he is gone.

Annie pulls her hand away and starts to swing at the older Slayer, "You had no right-"

"Easy kid, let's head back."

Annie's tears try to fall but she forces them away, the anger still flowing. She storms away and Faith follows cursing under her breath about stubborn young Slayers.

When they reach the group Buffy looks at the gang, "Everyone okay?"

Faith nods, "More or less. We got eight."

Robin looks at his wife, "Never good at sharing were you," he winks as he wraps an arm around her. "You had all the fun, we only had two."

Aly adds, "Mama, Annie and I got three the first time-"

"Then the one your mom killed," Buffy supplies.

"And the one Robin brought as a present," Xander says.

"Add that to the five Aly and I dusted then that's it. It said packs of twenty."

"So it's over?" Aly asks.

"Not yet, now we find out why they were here." Buffy informs the younger Slayer.

Faith nods, "And that means we probably gotta hunt something else down and kill it-"

"True. The Order of Grokhan is muscle for hire." The oldest Slayer pouts. "Can't they just play nice?"

"'Fraid not sweetie," Xander wraps an arm around her, "Evil demony things aren't usually known for their manners."

"Figures," the blonde pouts.

Annie is getting frustrated by the easy banter. She starts to walk away and Aly follows. She drapes her arm over her younger sister's shoulder. "She's okay and they're all blowing in the wind. Relax okay?" Annie's tears fall but she tries to stop them.

* * *

At the house Dawn and Emerson lie in bed, the former Key is spooned protectively around the sleeping woman. Dawn runs her hand up and down her girl's arm trying to soothe her. Emerson is restless, she tosses and mumbles the events of the night still haunting her. "No... Kennedy, no," she whines. "Kennedy!" She screams as she sits bolt upright in bed. She is crying and shaking as Dawn wraps her up tightly.

"It's okay baby, just a bad dream."

Emerson fights to focus on the room and slow her breathing, as her heart pounds. The fear of losing her sister so real and scary. She looks into Dawn's eyes.

* * *

Down the hallway Aly slips into bed beside Katie. Katie turns into her arms and snuggles close. "Hey."

"Hey yourself, figured you be asleep."

"Waiting up to make sure you're alright."

"A few bumps and bruises but nothing serious."

"They all dusty?"

"Yep." Aly tells her girl.

"And Annie?"

"Pretty upset, she's still blaming herself. I tried to talk to her but didn't do much good."

Katie pulls her closer and kisses her lips, "She's gotta work it out for herself."

"My head knows that, it's the rest of me that isn't listening." Aly replies. Katie caresses Aly's back and causes a soft moan. "Trying to distract me?"

"Maybe, is it working?" Asks the young witch.

"Maybe." The young Slayer smiles and leans in to kiss her. Soon the soft kisses grow and the worries fade, as lips, hands and tongues explore.

* * *

Annie walks through the quiet house. She checks the doors downstairs then makes her way down the upstairs hall. She can hear the soft moans coming from her oldest sister's room and she moves away from the door and down the hall. She opens the doors as she comes to them. She looks at the sleeping kids in each room, she steps inside to adjust blankets, then kiss each one.

With a deep breath in and a slow breath out she moves toward her parent's room. She listens at the door and when she hears only gentle breathing, she opens it. She moves to the bed and kisses her parents on the forehead. She makes her way from the room, tears falling down her cheeks.

She goes to her room, picks up her duffle bags and goes toward the front stairs. She turns, giving the hallway that holds her family one last look before walking away. "I'm sorry," she whispers out.

Chapter 15

She thinks about the last few weeks, all the trials and obstacles they have faced, and the affects of them on her family. She wonders how much more they will have to endure, since it seems like trouble comes in clusters.

Kennedy stirring on top of her stops her contemplation. She lets her fingers play in her girl's hair. "Shhhh... Sleep baby." She holds her a little tighter.

Brown eyes open slowly as she snuggles closer, "Mmmm nice way to wake up," she says as she presses her lips to Willow's chest. Her lips find a smile as she looks up, their eyes meeting.

Willow's tone is playful hoping it can keep the bad thoughts away a bit longer. "Definitely not complaining. Could keep here, like this for a very long time." She allows a smile. Kennedy leans back in and kisses her neck, but as she does she frowns. The redhead questions, "Stopping bad, why is there stopping?" As soon as the words leave her mouth she knows the answer, her Slayer is over thinking. "Hey-" she tilts Kennedy's head upward and can see the tears. "No- stop- Absolutely doesn't have anything to do with anything." A teasing smile spreads on her face, "You've always had a thing for necks. You know and I know it so don't even go there, you hear me?"

Kennedy drops her eyes but she forces herself to nod. She knows that there is truth in her wife's words. "I hear you, it's just-"

Willow turns the brunette under her and begins to kiss along her neck, "Just what?" She whispers out as she continues to place tantalizing lips along her smooth skin.

"Can-can't think when you're doing that," Kennedy manages with some effort.

Willow smirks, "Doing what? This?" She kissing long Kennedy's neck till she reaches her pulse point. "Or this?" She begins to nip and then suckle there.

The Slayer moans, her body getting lost along with her mind. Willow's hands on her body stop all thought as she slowly takes her girl away.

* * *

Downstairs Dawn stands in the kitchen, her face wet, her eyes swollen from crying. Katie and Aly come in and the older woman turns away trying to hide the fact that she is upset.

"Dawn?" Aly asks unsure.

The former Key places with the necklace as tears begin again. "I need to-" she tries to walk away but Aly won't allow it.

"Is Mama okay?"

Dawn nods, "I mean, I guess... I haven't really seen her this morning."

Aly places a hand on her shoulder as she walks up behind her. "And Duncan's fine. I saw him playing with the girls, so-"

Katie interjects, "That leaves Emerson."

Aly nods knowing now what the problem must be, "She freaked out about the vamp thing?"

"Yeah, you could say that." Dawn turns and starts to the stairs.

"Where is she? I'll talk to her." Aly offers.

"I don't know. She-she left." The tears pour now as Dawn sobs. The young Slayer wraps her in a hug as she looks toward Katie.

The young redhead sends to her girl, #See if she's outside.#

#Okay... if you're sure you've got things here.# Katie look at her Slayer.

#For now, yeah.#

With a nod, Katie goes out the door.

"Why don't you tell me what happened?" Aly asks as she leads Dawn into the living room and they sit on the couch.

"What's there to tell? This was, all of this was too much for her, so she left." Anger fills her words, but she forces herself to calm and then adds. "It's probably for the best. At least now she's safe."

Aly looks away not sure what to say, her mind is torn. Emerson being safe is good, but Dawn being heartbroken is bad. She speaks softly, " Safe is good but giving up what, who you love just to... it sucks and it's not smart. So don't. Just give up I mean, you gotta fight for her Dawn."

"I tried. I told her I-we'd go away with her anywhere she wanted, but she still left. She said it was best just to-"

"She'll be back, I know she will... She's just upset but she'll be back." Aly tries to reassure the woman in tears beside her.

Dawn shakes her head, "She said-" she stops as the flood falls freely. Katie comes in and Aly can sense her, she looks up and her love shakes her head slowly, one arm wrapped around her waist. Aly holds onto Dawn tightly and tries to comfort her.

* * *

A few minutes later with hot tea all around Dawn tells Katie and Aly what happened. Her words fade as she begins to remember the episode.

Dawn tries to comfort the woman as she shakes from the nightmare she experienced. "It's okay, it was a bad dream. Relax baby."

Emerson pulls out of Dawn's arms and gets out of bed, her own arms wrapped around her. "She turned you, made you like her and then you-" she shakes her as if trying to force the images from her mind. "There was blood everywhere-"

Dawn moves from the bed and toward Emerson but the woman backs away, "Em... She's okay, I'm okay."

"This time... okay, maybe this time but what about the next time? Huh? What if next time-" she closers her eyes and when she opens them she looks at Dawn. "I can't do this! I can't live not knowing when or if-" she goes to the closet and get her pack.

Dawn stares in disbelief, "Em, what are you doing?"

"I'm... I have to go," she begins throwing clothes into the pack. She stops after a few things, "Tell Kennedy I'll send for the rest-" tears are falling down her checks.

"Not again," Dawn cries. "Please Emerson! Stay, let's talk."

"Dawn, there's nothing to say. I can't live like this-"

"Then I-we'll go with you-" she tries.

Emerson just goes to the door and out it.

The story ends and Dawn is crying uncontrollably. The young couple try to console her, neither sure of what to do.

* * *

As the children wake up, the house fills with young Slayers ready for food. The clamoring in the kitchen echoes throughout the house. Kennedy who is still wrapped up in the arms of her witch, smiles against her shoulder. "I can hear the hungry Slayers downstairs."

Willow smiles as she kisses her wife's neck and then her cheek, "They can fix their own breakfast." Before the brunette can answer her own stomach rumbles, "Seems they're not the only ones needing food?" The redhead raises a brow.

"Missed dinner," she pouts playfully.

"Poor Slayer, better get you feed, you might pass out from malnutrition." She teases as she tickles her girl.

"Hey!" Kennedy squeaks as she moves away from and then captures the probing fingers. "Not nice." She pouts.

Willow stops trying to get her hands free and leans in kissing her girl, "Rest. I'll fix you all your favorites and you can have breakfast in bed."

Kennedy smirks, almost Faith worthy-"Had breakfast in bed-though seconds would be okay." She leers at her lover as she looks her body up and down and then up again, settling on dark green eyes.

Willow leans in and kisses her thoroughly, "You had seconds if I recall, so real food and then, if you play your cards right, we'll discuss thirds."

Kennedy stares at her witch, eyes showing her arousal and manages a nod. The redhead laughs as she gets out of bed and slips into a robe. The Slayer tries to find her voice as she watches her leave. "Damn," she mumbles and let her tried body collapse back on the comfy mattress.

* * *

Dawn sits on the porch in the cool England air. She has gotten the tears under control for now. Inside Willow stands at the sink letting the water run on the cereal bowls there. She looks at the younger woman and can tell by her posture that something isn't right. Words from behind her get her attention, "Emerson left."

The redhead turns to face her oldest daughter, "Left?" Surprise fills the single word.

Aly nods, as she shifts the fussing baby in her arms. "She said she couldn't deal with this. You know, the way we live." The little girl gets louder. She looks down at her and pats her butt. "She's been fussy since last night." She considers her next words. "You think she can tell something isn't right?"

Willow thinks about the question and nods, "Yeah, you always could. Ellie even more so."

Aly nods, "Figured. Think she's a witch too or just a Slayer?"

Willow smiles at her daughter as they both look at the baby, "I think probably both, but time will tell."

Aly nods and smiles at her mom, "Want me to take breakfast up to Mama while you talk to Dawn?"

"No, I think she needs to be by herself right now so she can decide what she wants." She looks out the window.

Aly looks puzzled, "What she wants?" Willow begins to put food into two plates. "She wants Emerson, isn't it obvious?"

"Then why's she sitting on the back porch?" With those words the redhead's eyes meet her daughter's. "You want something, you go get it." She pats Aly's shoulder as she picks up the tray and goes up the stairs. She stops a couple of steps up and turns back to her daughter. "Have you seen your sister this morning?"

The young Slayer shakes her head, "No. I figured she needed to sleep in. She hasn't done much of that lately."

Willow smiles and nods, then continues up the steps to her wife.

* * *

Upstairs later, Aly is still trying to settle down a fussing baby girl. She pats and rubs her back after feeding her but nothing appeases the tiny Slayer. "What's wrong Kyra, tell Mama." She whispers against her cheek. Her daughter only cries.

Katie looks up from the bed where she is feeding Adam. "Want me to take a turn with fussy pants?"

"No," Aly answers her response a little sharper than she planned. "No-" she says softer.

Katie tucks her son in bed next to his sleeping brother and goes over to her girls. She wraps Aly up and the tears instantly fall. "Ah... shhh, baby, it's okay." She kisses her girlfriend's shoulder then turns her so that they are face to face. "She's just being a temperamental Langdon," the words get her a pout from her girl. "What?" She teases, "Don't even try to tell me that's not a family trait."

"Maybe," says Aly as she dries her eyes.

"Definitely," Katie continues to play. "But I love you anyway."

Aly looks down and then back at her, "Always?"

Katie nods understanding now part of the problem. Her insecure Slayer is worrying that their love will end too, like those around her. She leans in and kisses her girl softly. "That's a promise." She waits for Aly's eyes to meet hers. "I'll always be here. Okay?"

The young Slayer nods. "Okay." She breathes out.

"Now give me the little Slayer and I'll see if I can get her to sleep like her brothers." Aly reluctantly hands her the child. "And you go check on the rest of the crew so they don't wake your parents."

Aly smiles, "Don't think they're sleeping."

Katie rolls her eyes, "I so don't need to know that," she shakes her head.

Aly laughs at her, then leans in and kisses her. "I love you."

"I love you, now go away." She says with a wink and the young Slayer does just that.

* * *

Annie stands across the street from the entrance of the airport and watches as the security people check the luggage as the passengers go inside. She looks at the bag of weapons in her hand and shakes her head as she shoulders it. She begins to formulate a plan to get her out of the country, weapons included. Maybe a little magic, a glamour would do the trick? She runs different spells through her head until she settles on one that she is sure will work. With determined look on her face she moves forward to her new life. She approaches the line, whispers the spell and precedes inside without incident. She goes to the ticket window confidence growing. "I need one ticket toŠ"

* * *

Willow shivers a bit as she sits next to her girl watching her eat. Kennedy looks up at her, "Sweetie?"

"It's nothing." Willow tries to convince her.

"Then why does that nothing sound like something?" Kennedy's eyes search her girl's.

"Magic. I felt a little, it happens sometimes."

"Since when?" Kennedy asks.

"Since the kids were able to use it." Willow admits knowing what her Slayer will ask next. "Yes, one of our kids just used magic."

"Who?" The Slayer starts to emerge.

Willow looks at her girl, "Annie," is her single word answer.

"How can you tell?" Kennedy gets to her feet.

"Woo... where you going?" Willow asks as she gets up to.

"How can you tell?" The Slayer repeats her own senses now heightened.

"The signature. Powerful magic, well all magic, leaves a signature. The more powerful the witch, the more noticeable the signature."

Kennedy is pulling on her clothes, "Can you tell where she is?"

Willow shakes her head starting to worry, "No, why?"

"She was upset last night." Kennedy starts.

"But she-she knew you were okay," Willow starts to get dressed as well.

"Maybe, but she's nevertheless not in the best frame of mind-" Kennedy leaves the room.

"Damn!" States the witch as she follows, still pulling on clothes.

The younger woman knocks on and then opens each door as she passes it. If there is a child inside she asks if they have seen their sister and gets the same question and answer; which sister and no.

When they reach the bedroom of the troubled young Slayer they open it and find it not only empty but with no signs that anyone slept there last night.

"Dammit, where is she?" The Slayer runs a hand through her hair the frustration growing.

"She always makes her bed," Willow starts. "Since she was four, remember?"

Kennedy's mind goes instantly to that day, she watches as the little one struggles with the covers but smiles triumphantly as she finishes. "See Mama? I can do it by myself." She assure the woman. She shakes the thought away as she goes inside and opens the closet to find her favorite weapons gone. Willow looks through her chest of drawers.

The witch states without waiting for Kennedy to ask, "I might be able to find her with a locator spell."

Kennedy fights tears as she nods. "You do that, I'll call Buffy and Faith, we'll scout around see what we can see." She starts to leave. "Let's uh, let's keep it quiet till we know something for sure. She might just be out blowing off steam."

"Right," the redhead breathes out, her own tears falling.

Kennedy moves to her and wraps her in her arms. "We'll find her."

"I know, but will it be here or half way around the world?" She questions against her wife's chest.

* * *

Dawn comes in the living room to find the kids lying on and around Aly on the floor, watching cartoons. She smiles as Duncan looks up at her. "Morning Mommy."

"Hey Dunc-" she moves to hug him tight, then looks around at Aly , who raises a inquiring eye as hers meet Dawn's. The older woman forces a smile. "Better." She answers the unspoken question. "But I was wondering if you could watch Duncan? I need to do a few things."

"Not a problem," she assures.

"I shouldn't be too long." She rolls her eyes to make sure the tears stay at bay. "Thanks," she leaves quickly.

Katie walks in and hands her girl the walkie from the babies room. "I need to go out for a little while. Will you be okay?"

Looking around at the kids in the floor with her. "We'll be fine."

Katie kisses her lips, "Won't be long." She adds as she walks away, "I hope."

Aly looks unsure but then the kids laugh at the antics on the screen and her mind is pulled back to them. She smiles as her hand unconsciously strokes Duncan's hair.

* * *

Katie stands in the hallway outside the door. She works on regaining her confidence as she starts to worry that she has over stepped her bounds. She takes a deep breath and raises her hand, knocking on the door. As it opens she looks at the surprised face of the young woman.

Emerson shakes her head, "Katie right?" The woman nods. "Look I don't mean to be rude but-"

Katie cuts her off, her words unceremoniously hard, "Then I will be. I don't know who you think you are to just come back into someone's life and then run when things get a little hard."

"A little?" Emerson gives her that classic Kennedy look; hand on hip, eye cocked.

"Yes a little... life isn't all roses and candy okay? It gets hard, it gets serious, so grow up and learn to deal with it. Running away, well, that doesn't solve anything." Those words said she turns and stomps off.

Emerson stands stunned, offended and then embarrassed as she considers the words. She slowly shakes her head as she closes the door.

* * *

Later Dawn stands in the same hallway, at the same door. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. Summoning all of her courage she knocks on the door, the wait seems endless. She raises her hand to knock again but as she does it opens. She is surprised to see that the maid has been cleaning the room, her heart falls. Fear takes over as she questions, "Emerson, where is she? Did she-" her words stop.

"Senorita, haberse ido-" the older Hispanic woman stops and waves her hand and tries again in English. "Senorita-ah-lady ah-go-gone. Lady gone."

The words hit Dawn hard and she struggles to keep tears from falls as she turns and runs down the hallway. She leans against the wall as she pushes the button for the elevator, her heart broken into a million pieces. The sobs start, totally out of control.

* * *

Back at the Langdon house, Kennedy watches nervously as Willow prepares for the locator spell. She sees the ingredients mixed, the oils poured and then hears her wife speak the words needed. The smoke starts but dies almost instantly. "What, what happened?" She looks at the frustrated redhead. "Shouldn't the smoke have done something?"

"Yes, grrrrrrr-" growls the redhead, "That girl!" she stops and tries again remixing, repeating-but the result is the same. "She's blocked the magic."

"How-how can she do that?" Her scared eyes meet Willow's as she realizes her daughter doesn't want to be found by them or anyone else. "I mean, you're the most powerful-" she stops.

"She's powerful too, and smart. Dammit!" She runs her fingers through her hair. "Now what?"

Kennedy speaks softly, "Now we hope Faith or Buffy find some sign of her."

"Not likely. If she blocked the magic, she didn't leave a trail they can follow either."

Kennedy moves to her wife and wraps her in her arms. "Then I guess we wait for her to call us."

Willow nods as she keeps tears at bay, "When she does, she's so grounded."

Kennedy smiles as she presses her lips to her witches hair. "I'll let you tell her that."

"Let me be the bad guy huh?" Willow nuzzles her neck as she tries to stay calm. She tells herself they knew Annie was leaving, the plan had been to leave today. She rationalizes that her daughter just didn't bother to wake them and tell them good bye, because she knew they had had a rough night.

The Slayer holds her tighter. "You're a way better bad guy than me. I always cave, hell even Kara and Kristen have figured that out."

Willow smiles up at her, "Erin told them."

Kennedy rolls her eyes, "That helps." The Slayer mumbles and Willow holds in a laugh. They stand holding each other in silence until her ears pick up the front door opening. "Buffy and Faith... maybe they found something." Sharing another gentle kiss they start hand-in-hand toward the entrance way.

In come the two senior Slayers each shaking their head. "No sign of her at the bus stations or the train depot." Faith looks at the witch. "Sorry Red."

Buffy looks at her friends and her eyes tell them that the airport was a bust as well. "No one matching Annie description there either."

"She could have been at any of those places. A glamour can make her look like anyone."

"Magic?" Buffy is surprised.

"It's possible, especially since she blocked my locator spell."

Faith shakes her head, "This sucks! I shoulda known she'd bail, she was really wrecked yesterday."

"Don't blame yourself Faith, this has been building for a while. I mean, we knew she needed space." Kennedy informs the two. "Just would have been good to know how much space." Her arms go back around her redhead. "But thanks for looking."

"Sorry we couldn't do more," Buffy says.

Faith is distracted by the sounds of the television as she realizes it is her favorite cartoon. She looks that way and Willow smiles at the 'tough' Slayer. "Go on in Faith, Aly might need some help with the kids."

Faith smiles and goes that direction. Buffy realizes what's going on, "I better keep an eye on Faith."

"Of course," the redhead smiles. The blonde Slayer leaves the room as well. "Slayers are so not tough."

Kennedy rolls her eyes and then pouts, "Except mine of course." Her Slayer kisses her lips.

* * *

Buffy and Faith each take a couch as Aly looks up at them. "Hey what are you two doing here?"

Buffy looks at Faith and Faith looks at Buffy and both evade the subject. "Watchin' cartoons."

"Okay," she says as she sees the older Slayers look at the younger kids with a 'We'll explain later face'. "That's cool, could use some reinforcements since I've obviously been abandoned by my girlfriend and your sister." She looks at Buffy.

"Where's Dawn?" Buffy seems surprised.

Aly looks toward the monitor as she hears a baby fuss. "Come help me change the babies and I'll tell you."

Buffy rolls her eyes but follows the younger slayer upstairs.

In the babies' room, as they are replacing diapers Aly tells her what she knows. An unsure Buffy speaks, "She just left?"

"There was talking and some tears but in the end Emerson told her she just couldn't deal with it."

Buffy takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly. "So you think Dawn went to find her?"

"She didn't say but that's my guess."

"Does Duncan know?" Buffy asks and Aly shakes her head. "Maybe he should spend the night at my place. In case she finds her and they need to talk?"

"Or in case she doesn't and she needs some time to come to terms with it."

"I'll see what Duncan thinks."

The Slayer puts her little Slayer back in the bed and snuggles the kids together again. Soon they are sleeping. She kisses each one and turns for the door. Buffy smiles and follows.

* * *

On the back porch it is Katie who is now upset, she wipes away a few stray tears as Aly comes out. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"I tried to help-" she stops and starts again as Aly sits next to her. "Dawn. I found Emerson and I, well I said things-"

Aly smiles and nods, "Loud things?"

"No. Well... no, just things she needed to hear." She states a little more sure. "I thought maybe she'd listen and-" she looks away. "I guess I was wrong."

The Slayer hugs her girl, "You did good baby. "Emerson's in the living room."

Katie smiles, her eyes meeting Aly's, "Really?"

"Yep. Now, if we just knew where Dawn was." The young Slayer looks perplexed.

Katie and Aly both look toward the noise of the cab at the back driveway. "Looks like we found her."

"Yep yep," Katie smiles but it fades. "Who's gonna tell her Emerson's here?"

Aly looks at her girl, "I think she'll figure it out, don't you?"

"But she might go up the back stairs and miss her."

"Fine-" Aly stands, "I'll tell her." She walks down the path toward the taller woman. Katie watches as they meet, talk, and finally after much animated conversation from Dawn, walk toward the porch.

* * *

The kitchen holds the Langdon clan as the others walk in, Dawn looks up at the group and quips as she passes through. "I wasn't gone that long." She leaves before anything can be explained.

"Emerson's in the living room." Aly explains, "And Duncan is with Buffy for the night."

Dawn raises an eyebrow, "Why?"

Aly shrugs, "Thought it would be best."

"Maybe." Dawn starts to the living room.

Kennedy smiles, "New love." But it fades as her Slayer picks up something in Aly's demeanor. "What did I miss?"

"A fight, seems last night kinda freaked Em out." Katie supplies.

"That's my sister. Run first, ask questions later." Kennedy says. She turns serious again, "Running is in fact, a family trait." She looks away trying to keep her emotions in check.

"We're not talking about Emerson now are we?" Alex asks.

It is Willow who shakes her head and then answers her son. "No. Annie left last night."

* * *

The clamor of the questions and concerns in the kitchen fade as Dawn reaches the living room. Emerson stands when she sees her approach. "Dawn."

"Emerson," the taller woman responds.

"I'm sorry. I screwed up."

"Yes, you did. Big time." Dawn wraps her arms around her own waist.

"I'm sorry I-I freaked. I mean she's my sister and I thought... I don't want to lose her." She looks down as she continues. "Or you Dawnie. I just I got scared." Her eyes slowly look up to see the other woman now in front of her. "I was scared and for some reason I thought I could leave and it would be all okay." Tears slowly start. "Pretty stupid huh?"

Dawn nods as she fights her own tears. "Very stupid, the stupidest." She moves a step closer and Emerson slowly does the same till they are only inches a part. "Don't ever do it again," say the former Key with a raged breath. Her lips now centimeters from Em's.

"I won't. I'm not leaving, this is were I belong." She leans in her lips brushing against Dawn feather light. "With you." She lets their lips touch once more.

Dawn wraps her arms around Emerson's waist and pulls her against her body. Emerson's arms find their way around Dawn's neck as the kiss grows. As lips move together and tongues explore breathing becomes a problem for both. Finally breaking apart their eyes meet. The room is silent except for their ragged breathing, it is Emerson who finds her voice first. "I love you, Dawn."

Dawn smiles, "I love you, too." She admits.

"Think this time we can do this without screwing up?" Her fingers play with the necklace that rests on her girl's chest.

"Think we should try, but it isn't gonna be easy, you understand. Especially if we keep running away from each other."

"No running, check." She lets her eyes travel to the stairs and back.

Dawn smiles and blushes just a little, "So since neither of us is gonna run, what are we gonna do?"

Emerson takes her hand and leads her toward the stairs. "Something I've been dreaming about for a very long time." Dawn blushes and Emerson misreads the response. "Unless... Well, I don't mean... If you're not ready, then-

Dawn kisses her so that the talking stops, as she pulls her lips away by only inches her speaks, "Shut up and take me up stairs already."

Emerson grins as she pulls Dawn toward the stairs in a jog. Both giggle as they make their way up the steps. They kiss and tease each other down the hallway and to the door of the room they share. Dawn has her back pressed to the door as Emerson kisses her neck. Suddenly however they are gone and she looks unsure, "Em?"

Emerson's eyes meet her, "I love you Dawn."

Dawn smiles and opens the door as she presses their lips together again. "I love you." She leads her into the bedroom and closes the door behind them.

Go on to Part 4(Chapters 16-?)

Or go back to Part 2(Chapters 6-10)

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