See Part 1 for Ratings and Disclaimers
Chapter 16
Annie sits on the plane nervously waiting for take off. She is tired from keeping the glamour in place and lack of sleep the night before. She looks out the window but all she can see is the runway.
"Please fasten your seatbelts as we will be departing in just a few minutes." The intercom relays.
Annie takes a deep breathe and lets it out slowly as she does as instructed. She looks out the window as she feels the plane start to taxi. As it starts down the runaway, gathering speed she releases the glamour.
* * *
At the house Willow braces her hands on the table, she is suddenly over run with emotions. She looks up at her wife. "She's... I can feel her. She's so scared." Tears start.
Kennedy moves to her redhead and holds her tightly. "Can you tell where she is?"
Willow shakes her head then rests it on her Slayer's chest. "No, but-" she stops and works to center herself. As she becomes calmer, more in control, she starts again. "In the air-" She stops to make one more attempt at getting Annie to stay. Annie... baby, can you hear me? She waits patiently as she reaches out to her child.
The others in the room wait as well all hoping their sister is okay and can be persuaded to return home. Aly fights for control of her own as tears begin to fall.
Willow lets her eyes close as she hears a soft voice in her head. She can feel the anguish her daughter is dealing with. Please, I just need to hear you.
Mom, I have to do this.
No, no you don't... you don't. Willow's tears fall and Kennedy realizes what is happening.
Kennedy tries as well, Kiddo, I'm okay.
Good. That's good. She fights her emotions and sticks to her decision. You know I have to go.
Willow tries to keep the anger from her tone as she fights her tears. We made a deal.
Yeah, we did, but I'll be okay. I know what I'm doing. Maybe I know, she thinks to herself.
Annie? Both parents send at once but neither receives a response.
Willow loses it and collapses into Kennedy's body. "Come back. Come back." She begs out loud.
Katie looks at the younger kids. She sees the fear in their eyes and begins to usher them from the room. "Meeting over for now... Who wants ice cream? My treat."
The kids are worried but the Slayer in them takes control as the words register. Food, food always wins. "Can I have two scoops?" Asks Kara.
Katie nods, "Absolutely." She walks out behind the youngest Langdon's. She looks back at her girl and gives her a sad smile. I'll keep them gone until things settle here, just whistle. She sends to her lover.
Aly nods as she walks to her parents and wraps them in her arms.
* * *
Upstairs, Dawn and Emerson lie in bed, clothes scattered on the floor. They kiss gently, Emerson's body resting partially against Dawn's. As they both pull out of the kiss, Em smiles as she lets her fingers play with the necklace that rests in contrast to her girl's skin. "You're sure about this?" She asks softly, not wanting to push the woman into something she isn't ready for after the turmoil of the last few months.
Dawn leans up and captures Emerson's lips in response. "I'm sure," she states as they break apart a few breathless moments later. She smiles as she flips the woman under her and begins to kiss across her cheek and down her neck.
Emerson moans as she feels Dawn's tongue trace a path along her neck. Tilting her head to give her girl room, Em runs her hands up and down Dawn's back as they slowly get reacquainted.
Later as clothes disappear, Emerson looks down into Dawn's eyes. " I never stopped loving you." She kisses her lips before she can reply. Needing air they break apart giving her lips and tongue a new course of action. She licks and kisses her way slowly, teasingly down Dawn's body, pulling out ever moan and whimper she can as she explores finding all the spots that drive her girl crazy.
Dawn pleads, "Please- please- please," her body teetering on edge as minutes seem like hours, or hours like minutes as Emerson has played over her skin with her lips, her tongue and her teeth. She bucks up wanting firmer contact and her lover smiles.
Without words, Em's fingers replace her mouth, her movements teasing before she finally slips two fingers into the silky warmth that is her girl.
Dawn gasps, and arches into the touch, her body falling instantly, but Emerson doesn't stop, her fingers continue their work, picking up speed as she curls them slightly, rubbing them against the rough patch she finds.
"Goddess-" cries the woman as she feels her charged body climbing toward a stronger release. "Em- Em- oh- shit!'
Emerson smiles as she watches the orgasm engulf her lover. She slows her fingers, but doesn't remove them as she lies beside her girl. One hand soothing her shaking body as she whispers in her ear. "I love you Dawnie."
"Lo-love you," manages the former Key as she works to slow her breathing and calm her trembling body. "L-love you."
Emerson kisses her shoulder as she feels the pressure on her fingers ease, a wicked smile finds her shining blue eyes as she wiggles them just a little.
"Em-" Dawn's body shivers.
"I've missed this, missed you." She says softly.
"Me too, I've missed you too." She loses herself in Emerson's touch once again.
* * *
Annie stares out the window of the plane as its wheels hit the runway with a soft bounce. She can't believe she was actually did it, left her family, her life, but it was something she had to do. This is where she needs to be. She stands as the others do and makes her way from the plane with her carry-on.
She waits in line for her duffle bag and then walks out into the chilly Cleveland air. She looks around her taking it all in and then suddenly it hits her- she feels the emptiness, she is alone, truly alone for the first time in her life. She fights tears and forces them away. This was her life now, this was how it has to be. It is time to just deal with it and more forward. First order of business, her growling stomach reminds her, is to find food.
She walks across the lot and toward what she hopes is the space she needs to right her life... well that and food. Another louder growl escapes as her tummy rumbles.
* * *
At the Langdon house Emerson and Dawn lie tangled together. Both just starting to awake. Dawn's eyes open first and she smiles at the feel of her girl wrapped around her. She kisses the first available skin.
Dawn moans softly, "Morning you," she mumbles and turns to face her lover.
Emerson smiles, "Morning." She lets the back of her hand caress Dawn's cheek. "Doing okay-no regrets?" A little concern on her face as the smile falters.
"None-" she leans in and kisses her lips chastely.
Em's smile returns as she looks into her girl's eyes and sees the truth of her words. She touches the necklace on Dawn's chest. "It does look beautiful on you."
"You're such a charmer." She grins, her forehead resting against her lover's.
Her fingers playing on Dawn's skin she questions, "Think we should shower and head downstairs for breakfast?"
"Think breakfast up here is a better idea."
"Right ," smiles the woman. "One breakfast in bed coming up." She starts to move from the bed but Dawn's hand stops her. Em looks back at her and sees the sexy, inviting smile. She grins as she now understands the meaning of the words. She raises a brow as Dawn grins at her. Then laughs as the younger woman punches on her playfully, pinning her to the bed. "Like your idea way better." She groans out as Dawn's lips trail down her neck.
* * *
Annie stands outside the fence enclosed compound of Slayer Central - Cleveland branch. She looks around and takes a deep breath. She shakes her head and slowly walks away, how can she find herself, she questions, if she just becomes one of them?
She walks down the sidewalk and moves to one side as she sees a group of teenagers walking toward her, all talking and laughing. The Slayer looks a little sad, they seem so happy. For an instant she is jealous, how do they get to have something she doesn't? How can life be so unfair? With a growl she quickens her pace, not noticing the group looking back at her.
The tall blonde speaks, her voice soft, "S-she's a Slayer."
The girl next to her shakes her head, "Can't be. If she were she'd be here."
"Not all Slayers are at the Compound," corrects the first girl.
They move to the fence's gate, still not in agreement. The blonde stops, looking back at the girl as the others go inside. "W-who are you?" She asks softly.
* * *
As night falls Annie sits on the bed of a little motel room. It isn't much, but it's clean and warm. She stands and walks toward the table in the corner, then she picks up her fighting gear. She hides both a stake and a knife in her boots, then slips on her long jacket-hiding a crossbow beneath it. She checks the stake at her waist and moves to the door and out it.
Once in the cold night air, she surveys the surroundings. Not knowing the town she wonders where to start her patrol. Taking a deep breath and clearing her mind she lets herself feel. A few minutes later, eyes open and destination set, she moves out. The first night of the rest of her life just waiting for her.
* * *
Willow lies in the arms of her wife, but the redhead isn't asleep. She can't stop her mind's worries as her oldest tries life outside her reach. She stares up at the ceiling fighting a losing battle to tears as she feels them trickling down her cheeks. With one hand she tries to wipe them away, Kennedy's hand stops hers and then continues the job, lightly brushing the redhead's face. "I didn't mean to wake you up," whispers the witch.
"You didn't," comes her Slayer's soft words. "Couldn't sleep either."
"She's okay right?" She asks.
Kennedy turns and faces her love, "Yeah, we'd know if she wasn't." She kisses her forehead gently.
"I'd be okay, if-if I just knew where she was."
Kennedy looks into soft green eyes, "I think I do."
"Yeah?" She seems unsure, "How?"
"Well... she's a Slayer, so, guessing she'd want to be somewhere she'd feel needed, where she could help-" she stops as she watches the realization cover Willow's face.
"She promised." Starts the redhead.
"I know she did, but slaying... it's what she has to do. A part of her can't just not."
The mother in Willow fights the Scooby, who knows the words are true, "But she promised me-"
"She didn't mean to lie, Will, she just-she knew you'd worry."
The redhead pushes away more tears, sits up, and reaches for the phone. "Baby?"
"Call Vi. See if she's there." She hands her the phone.
"Baby, we can't... If she knows we know where she is she might leave, find another Hellmouth. This way, she's got help, Slayers who can watch her back."
"But you can... you can tell her not to say anything to Annie," tries the mother.
The Slayer speaks, "She'll find out, she's smart like her mom, so she'll pick up on it." Kennedy turns to her back and pulls her girl completely on top of her, wrapping her up tight and then whispers. "She's a good Slayer Will, she'll be okay."
Willow can't stop the flood that escapes as she holds onto her love for dear life.
* * *
Vi and a young group of Slayers fight in a scattered formation. Candace, the soft spoken blonde, fights the farthest from the others. After dusting her vamp with relative ease, she encounters a fierce looking demon. Glancing back in the direction of the other Slayers she realizes she is on her own, and she isn't sure how that makes her feel. She has been training with the academy for months now, but is still a little unsure of her abilities.
The demon however, doesn't care if she's sure or not, it launches an attack, sharp claws nearly making contact, before Candace is able to duck away. "Sometimes I hate..." her words are interrupted as she feels her legs fly out from under her and she lands with a solid thud, the creature standing over her, a menacing look covering it's reptilian face.
As it moves in for the kill, the Slayer kicks to her feet and out of it's reach.
Candace looks on in surprise as she watches two bolts from a crossbow hit the demon. A slow smile covers her face as she speaks softly, "Told'em you were a Slayer."
Annie is a little thrown when she hears the word 'Slayer' and wonders how this girl knows about them. She then remembers seeing her outside the Slayer complex, and putting two and two together with Willow-like speed, she shrugs, "Thought you might need a hand, but I might have been wrong." She watches as the girl pulls out a small axe.
"Wouldn't say no. Teamwork is good," replies Candace as she begins to fight.
Annie takes out her knife and the two soon have the demon dead on the ground. Their fighting smooth and synchronized. Vi looks on a bit surprised.
Candace looks at the newcomer and holds out a hand, "Thanks." They shake hands. "I'm Candace Gray."
"Anne-" she says not adding a last name.
"So you're new in town?"
"Yeah," she again doesn't elaborate.
Vi looks at the girl and speaks for the first time, "Thanks for the help." However the redhead's mind is trying to place the girl, something seems very familiar about her.
Annie gets a little nervous, "Sure. Ah, I gotta go."
Candace touches her shoulder, "Why don't you come by Slayer Central and have something to eat. Slaying always makes me hungry."
"And horny," mumbles another Slayer and the young blonde shoots her an evil glare. "What?"
The blonde looks at Annie, "Ignore her, she's twelve."
Annie grins as the offended Slayer growls. "Maybe next time." She says to Candace. She turns and heads back toward her motel room.
* * *
Annie sits on her bed, hair still wet from her shower, dressed in her pajamas. She grumbles as her stomach growls again, "Stupid Slayer stomach."
She hears a knock on the door and her attentions turns to it. She stands with stake in hand and goes over to it. She opens the door carefully and smiles when she sees Candace with a large pizza in her hands. "Okay, if I wasn't starving, I ask how you found me."
"And I'd tell ya I followed you here." She becomes a little shy, "Then went back to get food. Okay?"
Annie smiles as she shakes her head and turns toward her bed. Candace stands unmoving. Annie looks back, "You can't be seriously standing there waiting for an invitation, cause that's *so* not happening."
Candace smiles, then laughs. "Right. Wasn't thinking." She comes on in and Annie looks relieved.
As they sit on the bed the box is opened and the food starts to disappear. It is Candace who speaks first. "Where are you from?"
Annie's eyes meet hers, "Can we skip this part?"
"Parent issues, no worries. Mine freaked too when they found out what I was."
Annie looks confused, "Why?" She can't imagine her parents doing that.
"Demons being real... me destined to hunt them... pick one." She seems to become a bit reserved again, maybe a little nervous. "That didn't upset your folks?"
Before she can stop herself the words slip out, "My mama's a Slayer-" she closes her eyes. "Okay," she opens them to see Candace's amazed look, "You're gonna pretend you didn't hear that deal?"
"Hear what?" Candace says without blinking, another slice of pizza stuffed in her mouth.
Annie smiles relieved. "Thanks, Candace-" she frowns.
"Your secret's safe." She assures thinking that is the reason for the look.
"You don't seem like a Candace."
"Some of the girls call me Candy, but..." she stops scrunching up her nose.
"Don't like it?"
"Not so much, doesn't sound very... well, 'Slayery', y'know?"
"True. How about Andy?" The blonde makes a face. "Okay that's a no." They finish off the food as she thinks about a name for her new friend. "I got it." She beams.
"Why am I suddenly scared?" The slightly older girl teases.
Annie swats at her playfully, "Watch it Ace! You might need me to save your butt again."
Candace's mouth opens , then closes then opens again, "What were you watching? There was no saving! I had it under control."
Annie laughs for the first time in days, maybe weeks. "You so needed me."
Candace finally breaks down and joins her. "Right," she rolls her eyes playfully. A few minutes later both are more composed and Candace realizes she has a new nickname. "Ace?" She raises a brow.
"Better than Candy or Andy right?" Annie mocks her by raising her brow as well.
"I guess, but why?"
She shrugs, "Why not?"
She picks up the last slice of pizza.
To Be Continued...
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