Rating: PG
Disclaimer: All of the materials borrowed from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel belong to Joss Whedon and to the entities and companies associated with their creation. I have borrowed them for creative and entertainment purposes only. No compensation has been or ever shall be received for the writing below. No copyright infringement is intended. Please don't sue
Distribution: The Kennedy Fanfic Archive: http://www.kennedyfanfic.com/fanfic/
From Willow's Window: http://www.elfie.org/~wolfkin/willowfan/index.html
If you are interested in posting my story on your site, please contact me first for permission.
Feedback: Yes, please. Any type you wanna send. Can't fix what I don't know is broken, right?
Spoilers: Show's been off the air since May of 2003. Can they still be considered spoilers?
Author's Notes: Canon through Chosen. From there, the story is a little different.
F/F romance: This story assumes a loving and sexual relationship between people of the same gender. If this offends or is illegal for you, then please leave. Come back when you are older, have an open mind, moved, or changed your laws.
Pairing: Willow/Kennedy
Summary: Life continues after Sunnydale is gone. Picks up from the end of Afterlife/Lifeafter
The More Things Change
The morning sun is shining through the open window. The young Slayer awakes, her eyes slowly taking in her surroundings as she stretches. She smiles and turns in her bed, but the smile fades as she sees the redhead she expected to find is not beside her. She stands and walks to the window, then onto the balcony- this balcony had been a huge step for Willow, for their relationship-another fear faced and defeated. Kennedy smiles as she thinks of the nights spent here, watching the stars, making love, and talking. It was their place, their favorite place. She looks below and sees the redhead in the garden. She is watering flowers. In a basket beside her Kennedy sees a freshly cut rose and a curious look crosses her face.
Willow walks into the kitchen and places the rose in a bud vase on a tray. She checks the bacon and then pours the pancake batter into the heart-shaped designs. Kennedy watches from the doorway unnoticed. She smiles and slips quietly from the room so she wouldn't spoil Willow's plans.
Upstairs, Kennedy slips back under the covers. She can't seem to stop the smile. Willow always surprised her-probably always would. She was still smiling though she pretended to be asleep when Willow came in the room with the tray. The witch places the tray on the table and leans over to softly kiss the Slayer on the lips. Kennedy stretches and looks up into the redhead's eyes. "Morning." She whispers as she kisses Kennedy again.
"Morning-" Willow sits beside her on the bed. "You're up early."
She smiles "I wanted to surprise you." She looks toward the tray.
Kennedy plays along looking in that direction. "Wow-breakfast in bed. What's the occasion?"
Shyly Willow looks away and then back at her Slayer- "Just wanted you to know how much I love you."
"I do know-but this is nice." Kennedy sits up beside her and leans in to kiss her lips. The kiss begins slow and sensual but is soon more passionate. Kennedy pulls the witch closer and wraps her arms around her waist. She finally pulls back. They are both a little out of breath. "I love you."
Willow bites her bottom lip and smiles, "So you like your surprise?"
"I like-" she gives the redhead a quick kiss as she puts the tray on her lap. "I'll show you how much later." Willow blushes and Kennedy kisses her. As Willow breaks the kiss she smiles and strokes Kennedy's cheek. Her hand moves to rest on the young Slayer's leg and she traces small circles there as the girl begins to eat. She swallows the first bite and her eyes meet Willow's as she takes a drink of milk. As she sets the glass down, her hand moves to the redhead's and holds it still. "Ah-" she laces their fingers together, "Will-?"
Willow blushes slightly, "Sorry-I-you finish and I'll be down stairs working on-" She is stopped by Kennedy's lips on hers. As the kiss continues, the young Slayer manages to move the tray back to the table. She slides her arms around the redhead and pulls her onto her lap. She breaks the kiss and Willow leans her forehead against Kennedy's and puts her hands on her shoulders. "That was nice."
The young Slayer raises an eyebrow. "Just nice? -Let me try again." She kisses the redhead's neck and then her collarbone before her lips finally return to Willow's. She opens and closes them against hers and the girl quickly does the same. They continue for a few minutes. As she hears a soft moan she slides her tongue inside Willow's mouth and begins to explore. Her hands begin their own investigating as they work their way under the hem of Willow's tee-shirt. They both moan at the contact. They battle playfully, first in Willow's mouth and then Kennedy's. The redhead captures the young Slayer's tongue and caresses it with hers. Excited by the feel of the ring there, she speeds up her actions and soon both are panting, short of breath. They break a part out of necessity both struggling for air. Willow's hands are inside Kennedy's pajama top caressing the bare skin of her stomach. "Goddess-"
"N-need air-" smiles the witch. "That was-wow!"
"Not finished yet-" whispers the young Slayer into the witch's ear as she pulls the tee-shirt off of her and lowers her to the bed. Kennedy's lips find the sensitive stop just below her girl's ear and she kisses her there. The kiss becomes a lick as she slides her tongue ring against the skin. Willow moans as she travels from her neck to her collarbone and plants a series of soft, wet kisses there. As she moves her hands to the button on Willow's jeans the phone rings. She drops her head to the redhead's chest and listens to her pounding heart. "Nooo-no phones." Whines the young Slayer.
As it rings again Willow starts to get up but Kennedy keeps her pinned to the bed. The redhead smiles, "What? The machine will get it." Smiles the brunette as she unbuttons the jeans and slips her hands onto Willow's hips. Willow's eyes close all thoughts of protest gone as the young Slayer works them off her body. Kennedy looks down at the woman dressed only in her underwear. She runs her fingers lightly up her calves, her thighs, then her sides. Willow is holding her breath-Kennedy places soft kisses just above her belly button as the woman arches toward her.
The answering machine kicks on you can hear Willow's cheerful voice- "We're not here, sorry. Just leave a message and we'll call back." The machine beeps and as Willow moans we hear the message.
"Willow, Kennedy if you're there pick up." Buffy says. Kennedy stops her ministrations and starts to get up, but this time it is Willow who holds her down. "I know you're there-okay, meeting at Giles' need to talk about work. Have fun." The line goes dead.
"You started this and you're so going to finish it." Says the witch her breathing short and ragged.
"But we'll be late."
"Won't be the first time." They both smile.
"True, but you hate them teasing you."
"I do but I hate you teasing more-so don't tease-please." She bites her lip bottom lip and slides her hands to Kennedy's back. She pulls her to her lips and they kiss.
The young Slayer pulls back from her lips, "No more teasing"- she say s softly as her hand disappears between them. The redhead under her gasps and arches into her touch.
Cleveland?
Buffy, Xander, and Giles are sitting in the living room of his flat. It looks remarkably like his home in Sunnydale-maybe it is the decor? Buffy smiles as she hears a knock at the door. Giles walks to it and opens it. "Nice of you to join us."
Willow speaks a little nervously. "Yeah-well we were-busy."
"Spare us the details." Says Xander with a playful smile as everyone sits down.
"So, what's the big emergency? Demons-apocalypse?" asks the young Slayer.
"We have two issues we need to address. First-"
"The First is back- so soon? I thought-" Xander stops her mid babble.
"No Wills-the first problem."
Giles continues, "Faith needs some help in Cleveland."
"And second?" Questions Buffy.
"I need some help at the academy."
Kennedy looks unsure- "So you need a Slayer in Cleveland and a Slayer here?"
"Yes-"
"Doesn't sound like a major crisis Giles," adds Buffy.
"I'll go to Cleveland," says the young Slayer. Willow looks at her surprised.
Buffy and Xander catch the look but Kennedy is oblivious. "I think we should take some time and look over what's entailed." Says Giles- "We'll talk again in a couple of days in the mean time; I could use some help with scheduling. I'm having difficulty balancing the school courses with the training sessions."
"I'll help with that," volunteers Xander.
"Count me in too." Adds the witch.
"Cool-Kennedy and I can talk about Cleveland." Kennedy looks at Buffy. Willow, Xander, and Giles go toward his study. Once they are out of sight Buffy looks at the young Slayer. "Can I ask you a question?"
"If I say no is that going to stop you?"
"No-"
"So why ask?"
"Trying to be polite-What in the hell are you thinking?"
"Excuse me?"
"Willow, does she mean anything to you?"
"Yes-I-what is your problem?"
"How can you volunteer to leave without even talking to her about it? -You have a home here-"
Kennedy looks unsure, then realization crosses her face. "I didn't think- damn. How pissed is she?"
"You could be sleeping on the couch for a while. -Talk to her. Xander and I will help Giles." Buffy goes to the study. Kennedy paces nervously as she waits for Willow. The redhead walks out of the room and to the window. Kennedy walks over and stands behind her.
"I'm sorry-I -we should decide together."
"You think sorry fixes it?"
"No-" She slides her arms around the redhead. "Look-this relationship thing it's all pretty new to me. I screwed up-so can we just talk about it and not be mad?"
Willow turns in Kennedy's arms and wraps her arms around her waist too. "We can talk-"
"Okay-I just thought Buffy could use a break from the slaying-"
"And?"
"And I'm not that good with kids-or teenagers."
"Makes sense -but you didn't even ask how long you'd be gone-you just-with the when's the plane leave? I'm on it. -" There is a silent pause. Then sadness in her voice as it is barely heard. "Wouldn't you miss me?"
Kennedy touches her cheek. "Sure I would-I mean no-I thought we'd go together." She kisses her softly on the lips then pulls away. "I guess I shouldn't have just assumed you'd go. I mean-Giles needs you here to teach."
"He does, but not being with you-I'm not sure I could-I'd miss you." She leans in and kisses the young Slayer.
"So what do you want to do?" Asks Kennedy as the kiss ends.
"Let's talk to Giles later and get the details-then talk with Buffy. After that we could decide together."
"Good-okay. -Am I still sleeping on the couch?"
Willow smiles, "The couch? - Oh-well-" realizing Buffy must have planted that seed, she playfully scowls- "I haven't decided yet I'll let you know."
"Do I get any input?"
"I'm thinking no." She drops her arms from around Kennedy and takes her hand.
"Figured." Sighs the young Slayer. "So now what?"
"We help with the schedules, then lunch- followed by you trying to get back on my good side."
"All of your sides are good." Whispers the brunette in her ear as she runs her hand down Willow's side and rests it on her leg.
The redhead gasps slightly at the touch. "That's a start." She looks into Kennedy's eyes- their lips meet in a quick kiss.
Kennedy bites her bottom lip as the kiss ends. "I am sorry-"
"I know." They walk hand-in-hand toward the study.
Later that evening Kennedy walks into Willow's computer room and stands behind her quietly while she works. The redhead stops, minimizes the page and turns the chair to face her.
Kennedy smiles and speaks softly, "Hey."
"Hey-come here." Willow smiles as the young Slayer walks over to her. She stops in front of the redhead who pulls her in closer, wrapping her arms around her waist.
"I packed a picnic." She caresses Willow's arm. The redhead bites her bottom lip. Kennedy leans down and kisses her and pulls her lips into her mouth. As she suckles it Willow moans slightly. Kennedy let's go and breaks the kiss. "Want to join me on the balcony?"
"Give me like two minutes and I'll be there."
"Two minutes-I'll be waiting." She turns to leave as the redhead's arms slide down her body.
Once she is gone Willow maximizes the screen and finishes typing quickly. She looks at the words written there. She starts to send the letter to Althenea but hits the delete button instead. "It's okay-just stress. No big-just me panicking. Now is not the time-no." She takes a deep breath and let's it out slowly. "Enough babble-Kennedy, picnic-lots of food and fun and-" She smiles. "Yeah." She goes to the door.
When she walks into the bedroom she sees candles and a trail of flowers leading to the balcony. She smiles and goes outside. There she sees Kennedy sitting on a blanket and kneels down in front of her. "Wow-this is amazing."
"Am I still sleeping on the couch?"
"You were never sleeping on the couch." Their eyes meet.
"Good cause I couldn't sleep without you. -Besides the rest of the evening works better if there's a bed." She smiles and the redhead blushes.
"Yeah?"
"Oh, yeah." She kisses her but pulls away before it can get too heated. "But that's later. Now-there's other things." She takes a bottle from the basket and opens it. She pours some into two champagne glasses. She takes a drink from one to keep it from spilling over and then hands the other to Willow.
"Champagne? Kennedy it's too-"
"Shhh-let me do this, please." The redhead nods and sits down, with her feet stretched out in front of her. "To us?" She holds the glass out to Willow who holds hers up too.
"To us-" They clink glasses and each take a sip. Willow sets the glass down and Kennedy looks unsure.
"You don't like it?"
"No-I do, it's just champagne-I want to remember everything about tonight. Okay?" Kennedy nods and begins to set out the breads and cheese-then the fruits and dips. "Definitely want to remember this." She leans into Kennedy and takes a bite of the strawberry she is holding. The juice runs down the young Slayer's fingers and hand. Without hesitation Willow begins to lick them. The young Slayer moans and swallows hard.
Bunnies
The sun is rising as the young Slayer tightens her hold on the redhead in her lap. They are both curled up in the oversized chair by the window. She watches her girl sleep, a hint of worry on her face. She gently brushes the hair back from her eyes as she places a kiss at her temple. A few seconds later the sleeping witch begins to stir, her eyes open and she smiles. "Morning." She whispers.
"Feeling better?"
"Yeah-not sure what it was but all better now." She kisses Kennedy softly. "How'd we get here?" She asks as she breaks the kiss and looks around her.
Kennedy smiles, "You decided after the third time this was closer to the bathroom."
"So you held me all night?"
"Didn't seem that long."
"Why don't you crawl back in bed and I'll fix breakfast?"
"Why don't you come to bed too-and we'll worry about breakfast later?" She smiles raising her eyebrows. Willow smiles and blushes a little. "That a yes?" The witch stands but as she does she gets dizzy. She holds her head-Kennedy reaches for her and stands beside her. "Red?"
"Dizzy-" She collapses in the young Slayer's arms. Kennedy carries the redhead to the bed and lays her there. She goes to the bathroom and gets a wet cloth. Running back into the room she sits beside the witch and wipes her face gently. Willow begins to open her eyes. She looks into Kennedy's worried eyes. "What happened?"
"I think you fainted. -Will, we should call a doctor or Giles-someone."
"Hey-it's okay. Relax, it's just a bug no reason to get all call a doctory-I don't like them."
Kennedy forces a smile, "Big scary witch afraid of a little ole doctor?"
"I-I didn't say afraid-"
"Right-" She touches Willow's forehead with her lips. "No doctor today unless you faint again, but if you're not better tomorrow then we talk about it. Deal?"
"Deal." Willow closes her eyes.
Later that day Willow is napping on the couch. Kennedy walks in carrying a tray with soup, crackers, and tea. She sets the tray on the coffee table, then sits next to Willow. "Red-hey-" Willow opens her eyes. "I fix you some soup."
The redhead makes a face, "I don't think it'll stay down."
"At least try the tea?" Willow nods and takes the tea from Kennedy. She takes a sip and then another. "Okay?"
"Yeah-" She takes another drink and lays back down handing the tea back to the young Slayer.
As Willow falls asleep she begins to dream. The redhead is in a room. The room is white with stainless steel cabinets, shelves and a table. She wanders around the room not sure how she got there or how she will get out. Still, she doesn't feel fear. The feeling is one of surprise and nervousness, but mostly she feels happy. She begins to walk around the room-in her head, the babblefest starts; "Where am I? How did I get here? Where's Kennedy?" I'll just walk around the room-there has to be a door, a trap door somewhere." She walks around the room running her hands along the wall. She pries open a vent and out jumps a little bunny. "Hey-look at you-where'd you come from?" Soon the room is full of rabbits, they are hopping everywhere. Suddenly all the rabbits fall over. Willow looks unsure-then scared. "Bunny, are you okay. Bunny?"
Willow sits up and yells, "Bunnies! -No, you can't die!"
Kennedy looks at the witch unsure. She moves to her side and holds her. "Just a dream Red no bunnies."
"They were hopping around and then they were dead all of them. It was awful."
Kennedy hugs her and kisses her forehead. Willow rests her head on her Slayer's shoulder. "Shhh-no dead rabbits here."
Fear crosses Willow's face-"The rabbits died." Whispers the witch.
Chances
The shower stops running and a few minutes later, the redhead walks into the bedroom wearing a towel. Kennedy walks in the room and smiles. "Buffy called back, change of plans-she said to meet them at the restaurant." She walks over and slips her arms around the witch. "You sure you're okay to go?"
"Much better." Her lips find Kennedy's and they kiss softly. She pulls away and caresses the young Slayer's cheek. "Don't worry-okay?"
"I'll try." Her hand slides across the redhead's bare shoulder, then her lips follow. Willow takes a deep breath and lets it out. "Love lavender." She kisses her way back across and then up Willow's neck. Her tongue ring makes contact with the skin just below Willow's left ear and she moans. "Like that?"
"Ummm-" is all the redhead manages to get out before Kennedy's lips find hers again. The kiss is quickly passionate, her tongue pushes its way inside and Willow caresses it. They battle for control and the young Slayer eventually wins, as she suckles on the witch's tongue. Hands begin to explore bodies and before long clothes and towels on scattered on the floor. The witch and the young Slayer are wrapped in each other's arms in the chair. Both are still breathing heavily. "Hmmm. That was-wow."
"I'm with you on the wow-" She kisses her lightly on the forehead. "You know we're so late-"
Willow is a little surprised-"Who said anything about late cause you know sometimes-" She stops realizing what Kennedy meant. "Dinner-yeah well-we're never on time they'll understand."
"Yeah-I guess. Will what was the babblefest before?"
"Nothing-we better hurry." She stands and goes toward the bathroom. Kennedy watches her out of sight. She goes over to the dresser and picks up the calendar there. She flips back through it confused.
At the restaurant, the gang laughs, talks, and eats. Kennedy watches as the redhead eats off of everyone's plate. She smiles, glad that the witch is able to keep the food down. Willow sees her smile and smiles back. She takes her hand and their fingers lace together instinctively. She silently mouths I love you and the young Slayer squeezes her hand.
The waiter brings their deserts and Dawn takes a huge bite of her cake. Buffy smiles at her little sister. "You don't have to swallow it in one bite."
"I do if I want any of it." She smiles at Willow.
Willow looks hurt, "Hey-I only had one little bite of your steak." Dawn gives her a questioning look. "Okay maybe two."
The others laugh and Willow finally smiles. Kennedy comes to her defense. "She hasn't been able to keep anything down all day so-she was a little hungry."
Buffy concerned, "Feeling blucky huh?"
"Major blucky, but way better now. Food stayed down and everything."
"Which is way good cause the tossing her cookies-just ewww." Kennedy makes a face.
Willow looks concerned, "I'm sorry-I-you didn't have to be-"
"I know, but I wanted to be. You were sick and I wanted to help." The table breaks out in a resounding chorus of "awes" and the young Slayer and the witch both blush.
Buffy smiles at her friend, "Okay, enough with the teasing. Eat your desert before Will changes her mind and decides she wants it too." The Slayer smiles as Willow looks at the in shock. "Sorry Will I couldn't help myself."
"You are so in trouble-big magicks to face later-when you least expect it." Willow says haughtily. Buffy's smile fades as the witch gives her a playful evil glare.
Xander speaks, "Why don't we change the subject?"
"Good idea, I spoke with Faith today." Willow gets a panicked look as she glances toward her Slayer.
"How's the new Big Bad?" asks Dawn.
"Calmed down actually-she could still use a hand but it isn't quite as urgent."
Willow stands, "B-bathroom-be right back."
"Are you-going to-" Starts Dawn.
Interrupting, "No-just gotta-" Willow leaves.
Kennedy looks concerned. "Think I should-"
"Why don't you let me?" Buffy stands and as Kennedy nods the Slayer goes toward her friend.
When Buffy enters the restroom, she sees Willow trying to stop tears from falling. She walks over to her and hugs her. The redhead cries on her shoulder. Buffy rubs her back. "Shhh-she's not going anywhere without you-she stayed in the room while you yacked."
Willow wipes her eyes and stops the tears. "That's not it-I mean, it's part of it but Buffy there's a chance I'm pregnant." Willow's eyes meet Buffy's.
"Huh-what-huh?" She opens her mouth to try again but still no words.-Finally, "Again with the huh?"
How?
A stunned Buffy steps back form her friend. "Why would you think-?"
"I-well-the whole blah thing-"
"It could just be the flu."
"And there's the fact that I'm late and I'm never-"
"You've had to deal with a lot of stress sometimes it'll-"
"That's what I thought at first."
Buffy surprised. "Will how late are we talking?"
"Almost seven weeks." She looks at Buffy, tears threatening to fall again. Her bottom lip trembles as she crosses her arms.
"Seven weeks-and the possibility didn't occur to you till now?"
"Dating a girl-pregnancy not generally an issue."
"No-I guess not." There is silence as Willow cries. Buffy touches her arm. "Let's not panic-I mean we don't know for sure. You should see someone or-or we could get one of those tests."
"A home test-yeah that's good. Tests are good. I like tests." She is about to hit full babble mode but the opening door stops her. She looks up to see Kennedy.
"Everything okay?" She looks toward the witch.
Willow nods as she wipes away a tear. "We were just talking."
"So you'll come over later and we'll work on that test?"
Kennedy interjects; "I was going to train-"
"Then I could ride home with Buffy and do the test thing-while you train?"
"Sounds good then I'll drop you at your place after." adds the Slayer.
"Okay-ah-yeah." Buffy leaves. Kennedy looks a little unsure. "I interrupted best friend talk?"
"No-well, yeah but we'll finish."
"You're still worried about Cleveland?"
"No, that's not it."
"But you're worried?" Willow nods. "That's what the two of you were talking about?" Again the witch nods. "So she knows?"
"We'll talk when I get home, I promise. It may be nothing; I don't want you to worry."
"If it upsets you I worry. Can't help it." She kisses her softly.
"I'll see you in a little while." She kisses her again. "Bye sweetie." She walks out of the room.
Kennedy watches her worried. "What's so bad that you can't tell me?"
Willow sits on Buffy's bed with the Home Pregnancy Test in her hands. She reads the back of the box for the third time. Buffy sits down beside her. "Will, you can't just stare at it and find out, you have to actually take the test."
"I guess." She stands and takes a big breath. She blows it out loudly. She looks at Buffy and goes toward the bathroom.
Later Buffy and Willow are sitting on the side of the tub waiting for the timer to go off. Willow stares at her hands- "This can't be happening. If I am how do I tell her? How do I make her understand when I don't?"
"Well it has to be magic right?"
"Nothing I know about-" She looks up at Buffy. "Tara and I, we talked about -we did research, but we found nothing."
"Maybe you weren't looking in the right places?"
"You saying a prophecy?"
"It's possible, powerful witch and a slayer." The timer dings and they look at each other. Willow doesn't move. "You want me to look?"
Willow shakes her head and stands. She walks over to the sink and picks up the test. She begins to cry as she stares at it. The tears become sobs as Buffy walks to her and puts her arms around her. The tears continue as the Slayer tries to calm her.
Hours later, well after midnight Willow quietly walks into the house. Kennedy is sitting on the couch; she looks up as the redhead walks toward her. She can tell that the woman has been crying. She goes over to her and hugs her tightly. "Whatever it is Willow we'll be okay. Just talk to me-please."
Willow nods her head against the young Slayer and then looks into her eyes. They walk to the couch and sit down. Willow crosses her legs and sits Indian style facing her lover. Kennedy does the same. She reaches for Willow's hand and as she holds it the redhead looks into her eyes again.
"I don't know how to do this-"
"Are you upset with me-is it the Cleveland thing? Cause I don't have to go-I'll stay here at the academy with you."
"No baby-you didn't do anything. Okay-? I just have to tell you something and it doesn't make sense but-" She stops and starts again. "I love you-only you. Kennedy-" She stops and takes something from her pocket. She hands it to Kennedy. The woman looks at it and as what it is registers she stands.
Confused she looks down at the witch. "Are you-? You're pregnant?" Willow nods- "How? -Who have you-?" Kennedy turns away and runs her fingers through her hair. Willow stands behind her and reaches to touch her shoulder but Kennedy pulls away.
"Kennedy please baby-I haven't been with anyone else."
She turns to face her tears streaming down her cheeks. Her voice angry- "Then how? Cause admittedly not much of a student but I liked Biology -explain to me how this happened."
"I don't know."
"Right." She walks out of the room. Willow starts to follow but stops. She sits back on the couch and cries.
On the balcony Kennedy cries as she wraps her arms around herself. "Damn." She looks again at the test in her hand.
Hurt
Kennedy is sitting on the balcony staring up at the sky. She cries as she remembers the first night she and Willow spent there. She buries her face in her hands and tries to pull herself together. She takes a deep breath and then lets it out slowly. Her mind is in chaos, so many things running wild. Who had Willow been with and when? What guy had she-? Did she really think Willow would cheat on her? That was the question that kept repeating itself. Would Willow cheat? -She knew the answer to that-though she was angry and hurt that Willow had gone to Buffy and not her-she knew the truth; there was no one else. Whatever was happening, Willow loved her. Kennedy stands up and walks into the bedroom and through it to the living room. She finds Willow curled up in a ball on the couch. Her face is still wet with tears. Kennedy cringes as she realizes the woman has cried herself to sleep. She runs her fingers across her girl's cheek then sits beside her. "Red-" She says softly. "Will-wake up."
The redhead slowly opens her eyes. She looks into Kennedy's face. "Kennedy-?"
"Let's go to bed we'll talk in the morning." She helps Willow stand and they walk to the bedroom.
Buffy is staring at the phone. She finally picks it up and dials Giles' number. It rings and he answers after a few rings. "I'm sorry, I know it's late but I need to talk to you. It's about Willow. Yeah-I'll be over in a few. Thanks." She hangs up the phone. "Sorry Wills-but we need research and there's no one better."
Kennedy is wide awake. She has spooned herself around the sleeping redhead. Her hands rest on Willow's stomach and absentmindedly the young Slayer runs her fingers back and forth there. She smiles when she realizes what she is doing. She kisses Willow's shoulder. "A baby-wow."
She is surprised by the quiet response, "Yeah-scary huh?" The redhead turns in her arms.
"I thought you were asleep. -You should be asleep."
"Can't, too much going on inside my head."
Kennedy smiles, "I could fix that," She raises an eyebrow. "But I think we should check with the doctor first." Again her hand rests on Willow's stomach.
Willow forces a nervous smile. "I should make an appointment. -Kennedy, I don't know how this happened."
"We'll figure it out. -I mean the chances are it's magic right?"
"Or some Slayer prophesy. We'll start the research and I'll talk to the coven."
"I'm sorry I freaked-I know there's not anyone else."
"I freaked too-it's understandable, I mean it's not everyday your girlfriend tells you she's pregnant."
"Definitely a first for me." Willow's hand rests on Kennedy's. "Wow-a baby."
"A baby-you okay with that?"
"Yeah-" She leans in and kisses her softly. "Now sleep."
But there is no sleep for the redhead this night her mind is in full babble mode. How had this happened? If it was magic how had she and Tara missed it before and how had it been invoked? What if it wasn't a baby at all but a demon? -No they'd know-too many Slayers with their "Spidery" senses"-Assuring herself. " They would know. This was her child, Kennedy's- she wasn't sure how but it was. She was going to be a mother-a mother-that was the scariest thing. She knew nothing about babies and Kennedy knew even less. She tries to quiet her mind but it continues. The last thing she remembers thinking before sleep finally came is wow this is amazing.
The next morning a nervous Willow and Kennedy walk into Giles' flat. The others are there busily researching. Giles looks their direction. "Morning, there's coffee and milk in the kitchen. Help your selves."
Kennedy walks that direction- "Bring me coffee?" Asks the redhead?
"I'll bring you milk." Willow frowns-Kennedy looks at her sternly. "Pouting won't help."
"Fine-I'll have milk." She goes over to Buffy- "Anything?"
"See that big stack of books over there?" Willow nods. "All of them-nothing."
Kennedy hands her the milk and they sit down. Each picks up a book. "What are we looking for exactly?"
Giles answers, "Slayer prophesy-dealing with babies or magic used to induce pregnancy."
"Right." Kennedy begins to read.
Four hours later and the stack of useless books is higher and their morale lower. Kennedy stands, "This is pointless-there's nothing here."
Willow reaches for her hand. "Relax-let's take a break." Kennedy nods. Willow stands and they walk out onto Giles' patio. Willow wraps her arms around the frustrated Slayer from behind. She rests her head against her back.
"It just doesn't matter Red-let's just be glad it happened and just have a baby."
"You don't want to know how?"
"I don't have to know."
"I think we should know -it could be important. A prophecy would mean we'd need to be careful."
"Cause the Big Bads would know too?"
"Yeah-I want this to be as normal as possible but I know it isn't. I want to be prepared. For her to be safe."
"Her?"
"Pretty good bet- with no 'y' I mean.-" she smiles. "Come on, let's get with the research."
Inside hours later, Willow stretches, Kennedy looks at her concerned. "You okay?"
"A little tired." She closes the book and Buffy does the same.
"Why don't the two of you go home, rest, we'll call if we find anything." Says the Slayer.
"I think that's a good idea."
"But just for a couple of hours." Adds Willow. "Then we'll be back." They both stand and walk toward the door. Kennedy sees the book in Willow's hand.
"Why do you have the book?"
"I was going to read it." Kennedy holds her hand out for it and the redhead reluctantly gives it to her. She gives it to the other Slayer. Buffy smiles at Kennedy's protectiveness.
"We'll call if we find anything," says the Slayer.
"Thanks-for you know-" her eyes meet Buffy's.
"Not a problem." She forces a smile. The witch and the new Slayer leave together hand-in-hand.
Outside, in the shadow of the falling night, a cloaked figure watches as they get into the car. Inside Buffy gets a strange look on her face. She walks toward the window.
Xander speaks, "What is it Buffy?"
"Ah-someone's out there." She goes to the door and opens it, she stares, surprised by who she sees.
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