LIFE Is Just What You MAKE It

See Part 1 for Ratings and Disclaimers

Chapter 7

As she walks inside she sees Kennedy with Emilee and she can't help but smile. Kennedy looks up from the sleeping baby in her arms and asks softly, "What happened?"

Willow sits down beside her girlfriend and traces a finger along her daughter's cheek. She looks at her Slayer a little sadly, "She called-and ah someone else answered the phone."

"Wrong number?" Kennedy asks unsure.

"No-" she shakes her head as her girl starts to understand, "But there was some wrong conclusion jumping."

"So Faith wasn't sleeping with the person who answered-but Dawn thinks she was?" The redhead nods. "You know this how?"

"The woman called back but Dawn had taken off, now I can't find her to tell her what was really going on."

Kennedy looks at her redhead, "Did you try Faith's room?"

"Yeah-it was the first place I looked," she kisses the baby.

Kennedy takes her girl's hand, "We'll find her-" she kisses her softly. Willow nods as she snuggles against her girl.

Meanwhile, in the last place anyone would look, Dawn is curled into a ball crying-tears streaming down her face as she lies in the floor of the nursery of Willow and Kennedy's old room. "How could you-" she whispers as she continues to cry. "How could you do this to us?"

In Boston Faith is awake, though her head hurts-no pounds would be a more accurate description, as she sits on the bed trying to focus on Gina's words. "You-you did what?"

The woman sits on the bed beside her, "I answered the phone without thinking."

"And it was Dawn?" The woman nods. "And she just hung up?" Again she nods. Faith looks away as she lets her head fall slowly into her hands. "Fucking great-that should just about do it." She stands but before she can move away Gina touches her arm.

"I called back-" Faith turns toward her and their eyes meet. "I talked to a Willow?"

"That'd be Red-she's so gonna-" she stops as Gina continues.

"I explained and she was gonna talk to Dawn."

"Really?" Faith looks at her in amazement and shock.

"Really-so give it a couple of hours and call back okay?" She stands next to Faith. "I mean-you know that's what I'd do if I loved someone as much as-" she stops and looks away-but then looks back to the woman. "But that's just me-and I'm not you-"

Faith looks at her, "No you're not-" she says softly.

At home Kennedy and Willow are still sitting on the couch snuggled together but now Emilee is in her carrier on the table in front of them. "Still can't feel her?" Kennedy asks softly as her fingers stroke her girl's hair.

"No, she's blocking me-it could still be all the emotional eeeeeeeness."

She turns so that she can look into Willow's worried eyes, "Want to try a locator spell?"

"She's in the house-I think-I mean if she is that's all it would tell us."

Though the young Slayer doesn't think they should she asks her girl anyway, "Want to call Buffy?"

To her surprise Willow shakes her head slowly, "No."

"No?" Kennedy asks with a raised eyebrow.

"No-this is all just a big stupid mess that they can fix if they'd just talk to each other. They need to work it out or well-not, but it's for them to decide, not Buffy."

"Then we'll wait-" she pulls Willow into her lap and holds her close. She kisses her redhead's temple softly.

After a few quiet moments mostly spent staring at their daughter the young Slayer speaks again. "Will?"

"Hmm-?" She says softly her mind on Dawn.

"Was she upset?"

"Yeah-" Willow holds her girlfriend tighter.

"I thought of something-maybe-" Willow turns on her lap and straddles her hips. Kennedy grins up at her, her thoughts lost for just a second as Willow's movements distract her. She leans in and kisses her lips softly. She pulls back, she clears her throat and Willow smiles just a little. "My Slayer senses-do you think I could hear her-was she crying?"

A slow smile crosses the redhead's face, as she nods- "Maybe-" she kisses Kennedy softly, "Maybe-" she stands holds out her hand, "But if it doesn't-" she stops and Kennedy stands next to her.

She picks up the baby from the carrier careful not to wake her. "If it doesn't I'll try the follow her scent."

"Baby-" Willow says making a face, "The smelling thing-that's just creepy not to mention yucky."

Kennedy grins and leans forward and whispers something into her ear. Willow blushes and rolls her eyes. Kennedy giggles as they move toward the stairs.

Back in Boston Faith stares at the phone. Gina is standing at the door and looks back at the troubled woman. "Faith?" The once dark Slayer turns her sad eyes towards the sound. "I know you're afraid-"

"I'm not afraid-" she states, then laughs a scared laugh, "I'm scared shitless. What if-" she stops. "She's not gonna talk to me." She says her words soft.

"Maybe not-not on the phone." She agrees.

"You're saying what-I shouldn't even try?" She asks confused and a little angry.

"No-you should, but when it doesn't work-you should try something else."

"What else is there?" Faith asks.

"That's up to you-" she says as she opens the door.

"What would you do?" Faith waits for her words.

"I'd go back beg for forgiveness-" she says as she walks toward the hurting woman and hugs her tightly, "Tell her what you told me-everything- all of it."

Faith nods a little as the woman lets go of her, "What if I can't?"

"Well, then you might just lose her," she says plainly.

Tears threaten to fall from dark eyes as she hears the woman's words. As they slip down her cheeks she picks up the phone. Gina smiles a little as she leaves.

At the house the phone in Dawn's room goes unanswered. Then the phone in Faith's room begins to ring. It too rings without anyone hearing it. Willow and Kennedy start down that wing-they stop at the door to their old room and Kennedy nods with a little smile. "She's inside-" she says softly. "Want me to come with you?"

Willow looks at the sleeping baby in her arms and shakes her head. She gives their daughter to her mom and tries for a smile. "Why don't you take Emilee and tuck her in her bed?"

"You think if Dawn sees her it'll upset her more?" Willow nods a little. "Then we'll see you later." She kisses her girl and turns to leave. Willow slowly opens the door and goes inside.

At the hotel in Boston a frustrated Faith hurls the phone across the room and just before it bounces off the wall the cord catches it and sends it back toward her. She side steps it and growls-her anger growing second by second. "Fuck it!-Fuck it all-" she picks up her jacket and wallet and starts for the door-her plan to find the nearest bar and get so loaded she'll forget at least for a little while-but that plan is stopped as she sees Gina sitting on the hood of her car.

"Going somewhere Faith?"

Faith laughs a little and shakes her head, "Was-guessing now I'll just get a breath of air and go back inside and try again."

"Like that plan-" Gina smiles.

"Damn-why do you even care-I don't get it. Why do you care if I go get drunk and sleep with half of Boston?" She looks at the woman unsure.

"Call me crazy." She looks into Faith eyes.

"I could call you a few things-" she grins at the woman as she goes to the car and sits beside her.

"What would you call me?" Gina asks with a smile.

Faith laughs a little, "Bitch-" she looks at the woman.

Gina nods, "Can be."

"Know it all-" Faith continues.

"Well you know some things are just true-" she grins.

"Smart ass!" Faith glares playfully.

"Definitely been called that," she smiles.

"Friend," the once dark Slayer says softly as she meets Gina's eyes.

"That's new," she confesses. They both smile.

Dawn is now sitting on the couch in Willow and Kennedy's apartment. The teenager is still sniffling back tears. Willow holds her tightly as she tries to calm her. "You can't know-you weren't there." Dawn says softly.

"Neither were you but you're so sure she cheated-at least talk to her."

"No-" Dawn says firmly. "I don't want to."

"So-what? It's just over?" Willow asks as she looks at the young woman. Dawn nods slowly as more tears escape. "You can't mean that-you're making a big mistake."

"She left, she cheated- and somehow you're making this my fault?" Dawn pulls away from Willow and stands.

"No-it's not all your fault-she did those things but she tried to fix them-you're not trying Dawnie--and that-that's your fault." Willow stands and looks at the young woman. "Night Dawnie." She turns and leaves the girl standing by the couch without another word.

As the redhead walks into the hallway she runs into Kennedy, "No luck?"

Willow shakes her head and she steps into her lover's embrace. "She's making me all eeee-with the crazy." She leans her forehead against her Slayer's.

"Why don't you take a nice bubble bath and I'll try-see if I can get her to call back?" She kisses her redhead on her nose.

Willow smiles a little, "That sounds-yeah-I'll take you up on that." She kisses her girlfriend softly and Kennedy kisses back just as soft. "I love you-you know?"

"I know," Kennedy smiles. "I love you-" she kisses her nose again. "Now hit the bubbles." She hugs Willow again before letting her go. The witch watches her girl out of sight then turns and goes into the bathroom.

In the living room Kennedy finds Dawn sitting on the couch staring across the room, "You hungry?" Asks the young Slayer. Dawn just shakes her head. "You sure? I'm gonna fix me a sandwich I'll fix you one of you want." Dawn finally nods and Kennedy smiles as she goes into the kitchen. Dawn follows her and sits at the counter.

"Is Willow mad at me too?" Dawn asks softly.

"No-" Kennedy answers.

"Right," she stands. "I should just go."

"If you want-but you don't have to." She slides a sandwich towards her. "You got your snack to eat." Dawn sits back down and Kennedy joins her with her own sandwich.

"So is this where you tell me I messed up?" Dawn asks her eyes locking with the young woman across from her.

"You don't need me to do that." Kennedy begins to eat.

"Cause she's the one that messed up-" Dawn starts.

"She did-she shouldn't have run away." Kennedy says matter-of-factly.

"Run away?-You make it sound like she's a little kid."

"It's what she's done since she was a kid right?"

Dawn slowly nods, "When she's-" she stops and looks at Kennedy.

"When she's scared-confused-" she supplies and Dawn again has to nod. "What do you think scared her Dawn?"

"I don't know-" she says as her eyes fall to the table.

"I'm not sure either, I've been trying to figure it out. I'm her best friend, I should know right?"

Dawn sits quietly unsure of what to say. Finally, she takes a bite of her sandwich. "I shut her out-I didn't mean too-I just I didn't want to hear her tell me again that not having a baby was okay. Cause to me it wasn't." Tears start to fall again.

Kennedy looks at the girl and nods, "I'll be right back-don't go anywhere."

"I won't-" Dawn assures her.

Kennedy hears the water still running as she sticks her head in the bathroom. Willow has her eyes closed but opens them as she hears the door open. "Everything okay?" She looks unsure, trying to read the look on her girl's face.

"Will-where's the baby outfit?"

"The one-" she stops suddenly understanding. "It's in our room, top drawer of my dresser. You sure about this?"

Kennedy kisses her quickly, "I'm sure." She goes out of the room.

When Kennedy returns to the room Dawn is again sitting on the couch. She sits down on the table in front of her and slowly brings the outfit from behind her. "Dawn it wasn't okay with her either," she watches as the teens trembling fingers touch the words on the outfit. "I think maybe she thought you didn't-I don't know why-but don't you think you should ask her?"

Tears fall down Dawn's cheeks as she takes the outfit and holds it to her chest. Kennedy moves beside her and the younger woman hugs her tightly as she cries. "I don't know how-I kinda do-she's not real good with the talking and well like we said before running-she's good at."

Dawn fights to stop the tears and looks at Kennedy, "I should call her?" She licks her lips trying to calm herself.

"I think you should-the two of you, you need to talk." Kennedy stands and hands Dawn the phone. "I'll give you some privacy."

"Kennedy?" Dawn looks up as the young Slayer starts to leave, "Thank you."

Kennedy looks at her and smiles a little, "Call her." She says and then leaves the room.

Dawn thinks hard trying to remember the number and when she does she calls it. It rings and rings-no one answers. "Come on Faith-answer please."

In Boston the once rogue Slayer sits on her bike staring out at the road. She takes a deep breath and slips her helmet on her head and rides away.

At Willow and Kennedy's, Dawn still holds the ringing phone. Tears stream down her face as Willow comes into the room. She sits beside the teen and slips an arm around her, "I waited too long."

"Nah-" Willow takes the phone. "We'll try again in a little while."

Dawn nods and lays her head on her friends shoulder. "I messed up Will-" she tries to stay in control.

"I'd say you both did." She kisses her temple. "But you can still fix it."

"Tomorrow right?"

"Tomorrow," she strokes her hair, "Now try to sleep." She moves as Dawn curls up on the couch.

"What if she calls my room?"

"It'll ring here-I had the calls transferred. Now sleep."

Her eyes slowly close but then open, "Will-I love her."

"I know." She runs her fingers through Dawn's hair.

"Think she still-" she stops.

"I think she still-and she knows you love her," she watches as Dawn's eyes close again. "That's it Dawnie-relax and sleep."

In England Buffy and Xander are talking as the Slayer packs the man looks on confused. "And again why are we packing?"

"We?" She states as she stares at the man who is standing a few feet from her just staring.

"Okay," he moves to help with the last of the things in the drawer. "Helping-now, why are we packing?"

"I have a bad feeling." She says without stopping.

"About?" He looks at his lover.

She shrugs, "Not sure." She looks at him. "Maybe Dawn-maybe the end of the world as we know it."

"Oh that's nice," he packs a little faster. "Anyway to tell which?"

"No-not so much-unless I fall asleep on the plane-then maybe if it's apocalyptic I'll have a dream."

They pick up their suitcases and start out the door. "And if you don't?" Asks the man.

Buffy says a little edgy, "Well that probably means it's Dawn-and then I have to kill Faith."

Xander thinks about her words for a minute and then chooses, "I'm voting for an apocalypse-just so you know."

"Figured," Buffy rolls her eyes as they keep moving.

In Boston, Faith sits on her motorcycle at the interstate 93 sign. It has two paths, South to Cleveland and North to--well open road and who knows. She stares at the signs still confused and torn-the inner voices battle again but before she can silence them and choose her own path she sees headlights baring down on her at a high speed. Her eyes go wide as she watches.

Chapter 8

After figuring out she is mostly in one piece she goes over to the mangled motorcycle. She shakes her head and takes off her helmet; she looks up to see the driver of the now parked truck heading her way. She throws the helmet at him and hits him in the chest knocking him off his feet. She jogs over to him and glares down. "What the fuck was that? Can't you see-or were you trying to kill me?" He is speechless as he stands. "Look what you did to my bike!" He looks that direction. "Say something you moron!"

"You're okay-I thought-" he stammers and then glares when he realizes who she is. "You-you bitch."

She stares and remembers him too, the guy from the bar that Gina rescued her from. "You did this on purpose cause why I wouldn't fuck you?-Well fuck you." She punches him in the face and he falls to the ground.

She storms away and to her motorcycle. She picks it up and begins to push it. After about a hundred yards she realizes that it is lost. She drops it to the ground, "I'll be back for you," she says as she walks into the night.

Faith walks into a bar. "Phone?" She asks the bartender and he points to the darkened corner of the place. "Thanks." She walks toward it and pulls out a phonebook. She finds a number for an all night towing service and dials it.

Dawn sits on the couch in Willow and Kennedy's apartment. Her sleep was short lived. She has been calling the hotel every fifteen minutes but there is still no answer. She is both scared and frustrated. She finally calls the front desk. "Could you try room 14?"

"Sorry ma'am the lady checked out."

A smile begins to cross her face, "Checked out?"

"Yes ma'am earlier this evening."

"Thank you, thank you," she repeats as she hangs up. "She's coming home," she says softly and curls back on the couch sleep coming almost instantly.

Faith is sitting at the bar, she is nursing a J.D. she listens to the words of a song and can't help but smile a little as the image of Dawn flashes through her mind. She sees her girl sitting beside her on a blanket by the lake. The younger woman leans in and kisses her softly as she does the image fades away. She shakes her head and looks toward the phone in the corner. She starts toward it before she gets there she runs into Gina.

Faith smiles as the woman walks up to her. Gina asks, "Why am I seeing you? I thought you'd be half way to somewhere by now."

"I was-had a little problem. Some son-of-a-bitch in an 18-wheeler trashed my bike. Just had it towed to a shop. Looks like I'm stuck here another few days."

"Where you staying?"

"Tried the hotel I'd been in but it's all booked. I'll find some place. No big deal."

"Come on," Gina says with a smile. "You can stay at my place." Faith looks unsure. "We'll head for Cleveland tomorrow night, I have something to take care of first."

"No-I couldn't ask you to-" Faith starts but Gina interrupts.

"You didn't, so just shut up." She smiles.

Faith smiles and nods, "Fine, just let me try to call Dawnie." She moves past Gina to the phone only to find it in use. Faith turns and walks back to the woman. She turns back and looks at Gina. Gina smiles and shrugs. "Maybe surprising her would be better anyway."

Gina rolls her eyes, "You're such a chicken."

Faith glares then a little smile crosses her face before she covers it, "Am not."

"Right," she chuckles a little and they head for the door. The Slayer follows.

Kennedy comes into the bedroom quietly after nursing Em to find her girlfriend sleeping. She crawls into bed next to her and smiles as she slips her arms around her carefully trying not to wake her redhead. She spoons around her and presses her lips to Willow's neck. She shifts a little, then turns in Kennedy's arms facing her as her green eyes flutter and open. Kennedy presses her lips to her girl's and then smiles as she pulls back, "Morning."

"Morning," says the redhead smiling sleepily. "What time is it?"

"Em thought it was breakfast time, all I can tell you."

Willow cranes her neck to see the clock then looks back at her lover, "It's not quiet 7 -was she crying?"

"Just a little," Kennedy answers. "But she's sleeping now."

"That means you should sleep too, while you can."

Kennedy grins playfully and pulls Willow closer still, their bodies touching. "Got other plans," she quips.

"Other plans?" Willow raises an eyebrow as if she's confused as she smiles coyly.

"Un huh, let me show you." She leans in and softly kisses her girl.

"Ummm-like that." She grins. Kennedy presses her lips to the redhead's neck, "Really like that." She turns onto her back and her Slayer turns with her, her body now resting partial on and partial off her lover.

Kennedy lips continue to kiss as her tongue begins to tease as well and the witch moans softly, her hands threading into her girl's dark hair. Before the foreplay can go any further, a noise from the kitchen stops the Slayer. She pulls away silently and places her fingers on Willow's lips, 'Shhhh-' she tells her in their mind speak. She moves off her girl and out of the bed slowly. She gets a stake from the dresser and goes quietly from the room.

Willow follows but goes the opposite way once they reach the hall. She slips into her daughter's room as Kennedy moves toward the living room.

Once in the living room Kennedy relaxes and grins as she sees Dawn in the kitchen cooking breakfast. "How long you lived with a Slayer?" Asks the brunette. "Are you trying to get yourself staked?"

Dawn looks up, "You heard me," she says a little pouty, "And I was gonna surprise you by cooking breakfast."

Kennedy smiles, "Don't let me stop you." She looks at the smiling teen.

"Slayers and food, that pretty much fixes everything doesn't it?"

Kennedy grins and then smirks, "That and well you know." She wiggles her eyebrows. "See ya."

Dawn rolls her eyes and grins as the Slayer leaves the room.

Kennedy goes into Emilee's room and finds her girls rocking gently. She smiles at the sight before her. She walks over to them and kneels in front of them. "It was Dawn making breakfast."

"I'd forgotten she was here," admits the redhead.

"Me too," she kisses her softly.

"Did she seem okay?" Asks Willow.

"Actually yeah, kinda joking and everything." Kennedy stands and takes the baby.

"Think she talked to her?"

"Maybe," answers the Slayer as she kisses her daughter.

Willow smiles up at her, "Whatcha doing?"

"Putting her to bed, we had a plan remember?"

Willow stands and follows her as she tucks the baby in. They both kiss her gently. "Dawn's here."

"She's all preoccupied," Kennedy smiles.

Willow blushes, "We'll be quiet?"

"Absolutely," Kennedy agrees as she leads her girl from the room and back into theirs.

As they eat breakfast the three of them talk. "The desk clerk said she checked out, so she should be home by night fall right?"

Willow smiles and her Slayer nods. The redhead looks at the teen questioningly, "And then there will be talking right?"

Dawn nods in agreement, "I'll try, she's not the most talkative person you know."

Kennedy looks at Dawn, "Make her-"

Dawn rolls her eyes, "I can't make her."

Willow interjects, "I don't think you'll have to as long as she knows you're gonna give her a chance if she explains the running away."

"And show her the baby outfit if you have to," Kennedy adds.

Dawn nods a little sad at the thought of the baby that wasn't. "We can fix this right?"

Willow nods and smiles, "Yeah you can-it'll take work but you can."

As night approaches a nervous Dawn paces in the living room of the main house. Willow walks into the room and smiles, "Relax Dawnie."

Kennedy adds as she enters with Emilee, "Traffic's a bear this time of day. She'll be here."

Dawn nods though she isn't convinced- the excited, confident feeling she had this morning suddenly gone.

"Come on," smiles the redhead, "Let's put in romantic movie."

"She hates the sappy ones," Dawn looks at the redhead unsure.

Kennedy grins, "That wouldn't be to give her a little payback when she gets here, now would it sweetie?"

"Who me?" Answers Willow with an innocent look on her face.

"Yes you." She raises an eyebrow.

"Maybe-she had me all worried." Willow pouts.

Dawn frowns at the redhead, "You? What about me?"

"I meant you-" the redhead tries and the other two laugh at her. "What? I did-"

Kennedy kisses her on the nose and hands her their little girl. "I'll get some popcorn, and against my better judgment I'll leave the two of you to pick the movie.

They both smile. Willow kisses Emilee on the forehead, "Your mommy's a silly willy-hehehe-" she giggles.

"Hey! I heard that," Kennedy says from the doorway.

Dawn and Willow both laugh.

An hour and thirty-seven minutes later a dejected and slightly angry Dawn gets up from the chair and flips off the television. She starts from the room. "Dawnie-" Willow starts as she sits up and moves toward her. "I'm sure it's not anything bad-maybe she got tired and stopped for the night-it's a long drive."

"Right-Will and the hotel just didn't have a phone." She walks away.

This time it's Kennedy's words that stop her. "Dawn this is gonna be hard for her."

Dawn interrupts, "And it's not hard for me?" She fights to keep tears away.

"No, it is for you too, but in a different way," Willow says softly.

Before the conversation can continue they hear the front door open and all three start that way leaving Emilee in the entertainment room unattended.

When they walk in they see Buffy and Xander and Dawn's heart sinks. Tears fall.

Buffy looks at her sister, "Where is she-Faith. Where is she?"

Dawn almost loses to more tears but anger finds its place in her heart and mind first. She glares at Willow, "Just couldn't wait to tell her could you. You had to tell her Faith left me."

"No," Kennedy says stepping to her girlfriend and looking at Dawn. "Willow didn't tell, you just did." Kennedy wraps an arm around the upset redhead next to her. "Let's go Will-"

She shakes her head, "No, Faith will be here and I'm not gonna leave her by herself-not with them."

Buffy looks at her friend, "You're on her side?" There is silence. "After everything she did to us Will?"

"That was a long time ago Buffy and she's not the same."

"Still getting some and getting gone-looks the same to me."

Now it's Kennedy who is angry, "She shouldn't be saying stuff, when you have know idea what's going on."

"I know all I need to know, she hurt my sister."

Xander tries to defuse things, "Buffy-"

The door opens and they all look toward it. Faith walks inside, "Welcoming committee, never good." She looks at Dawn, "Had a little trouble." Dawn sees the cuts and bruises, "Was gonna wait and ride in with a friend, but decided I'd rent a car and-" in mid sentence Buffy steps toward her. "Hey, B-" she grins, "Guessing-" before she can finish the blonde Slayer punches her in the face. "You get that one," she takes a defensive stance. "Cause I deserve it."

Buffy swings again but this time Kennedy grabs her arm. The blonde Slayer glares at her and the baby in the other room begins to cry. "Back off Kennedy this isn't your business."

"It's not yours either," says Willow. "Let them talk." She looks from Faith to Dawn and then back again.

She ignores Willow and pulls away from Kennedy. The younger Slayer moves in front of Faith, "Get out of my way-I don't want to hurt-" before the words are spoken the blonde flies across the room and into the wall.

All those in the room look toward Willow, who looks just as shocked as they do. Xander runs to Buffy and helps her sit up. "Red you didn't have to do that." Faith says softly.

"I-I-I didn't-it wasn't-" she starts and then stops as she hears the baby still crying. At the same time she and Kennedy run into the entertainment room.

Xander helps a shaken Buffy to her feet, "What hit me?"

Xander shrugs, "Not sure, I could guess."

Faith grins, "You got your ass kicked by the kid."

Buffy tries to glare but her head hurts too much. She leans against Xander. "Let's get you some ice." He rolls his eyes at Faith and she smiles. He gives her a little smile too. He leads the Slayer from the room, leaving Dawn and the rogue alone.

Dawn looks at the woman in front of her, "You left me."

Faith looks down and nods, "I fucked up."

"You think that fixes it?"

"No, I know it doesn't. Not sure anything can." She fights tears.

Dawn wipes her own eyes, "We need to talk."

"Yeah," the Slayer agrees. "Can we do it in the morning? Been a hell of a day."

Dawn nods, "Are you okay?"

"Nothing broken, little banged up-I'll be fine tomorrow."

"Good," she looks away and then back at her. "Night."

"Night Dawnie." She watches the girl, her girl walk away her arms hugging her waist and more tears threatening to fall. "I sorry." The teenager walks away.

In the other room Kennedy and Willow sit on the couch with their daughter in her carrier between them. "How did she-I mean it was her right?" Willow nods. "How?"

The witch shakes her head, "I can answer why-" she says softly.

"That's a start I guess," She picks Emilee up and holds her on her lap.

"She sensed you were in danger. She protected you." Willow touches her daughter's cheek. "Just I don't know how."

"I'm thinking we should find out." She looks from the child to the woman beside her. She sees the worry on the redhead's face for the first time. "Guessing from the major wiggins you're about to have it's not something she should be able to do?"

"You'd be right." She runs her fingers through her hair and takes Em from her Slayer. She holds the child to her tightly then holds her back to look into her dark eyes. She kisses her forehead. "Mommy can take care of herself-okay sweetie?" Kennedy takes Willow's hand and worries even more as tears slip from her redhead's eyes.

Chapter 9

"Can't sleep," she whispers back.

"Good," grins her Slayer. Kennedy's hand glides teasingly against her cheek and neck.

Willow bites her lip as her girl's hand slips lower to caress her breast, "Sweetie," she starts but her eyes slip closed and her words stop.

"That a yes?" Asks Kennedy with a little smile as her hand begins to massage and Willow moans softly. The redhead turns and their lips meet in a needy kiss. Her Slayer pulls back and picks up the baby from her girl's lap and tucks her back into bed.

Willow follows and wraps her arms around Kennedy from behind, resting her head against her lover's shoulder, "You distracted me." She kisses her softly.

"That was the plan," she turns and pulls the redhead into her arms.

"Plan worked," she kisses her softly but it heats up quickly. They separate minutes later in need of air.

"Our room," she backs her redhead towards the hallway and then into their bedroom. They settle together on the bed as hands caress and begin to remove clothes.

Soon they are naked and soft moans fill the air as they drive each other closer. They fall together calling each other's names. As they recover and bask in the afterglow tangled together Willow says softly, "I'm scared."

Kennedy kisses her temple, "We'll figure it out."

"She sensed the danger from the other room and knocked Buffy twenty feet at least. Do have any idea the amount of power and control that takes?"

"No, but control is good right?" Kennedy asks, her hands caressing as she tries again to distract her girl. She knows that nothing can be done till morning and her redhead will worry all night if she can't stop her.

"Yeah, mostly. But how does she know-who taught her?" Willow's eyes close and her words stop as Kennedy's fingers tease her slick folds. "Goddess-" the redhead gasps at the contact.

"I don't know, but we'll find out." She whispers in her ear as she nips and licks there.

Just before sunrise the redhead slips from the bed and into a robe. She goes quietly into her daughter's room and scoops her up out of the bed. She pads softly back to the room she shares with her lover and crawls in next to her. She snuggles the baby between them. As she looks up her eyes meet brown orbs looking back at her. She blushes a little at being caught. "I needed her here," she says softly.

Kennedy smiles and kisses her forehead, then the baby's. Emilee coos up at her parents wide-eyed. "Almost distracted you till morning," she grins and winks at her redhead as she leans in and kisses her lips. "How about I fix breakfast?"

"Nah-just want to lie here with the two of you. I'm not hungry." She wraps her arms around her girls and snuggles into Kennedy's shoulder.

"That's a good plan too," whispers the young Slayer. She brushes a strand of red hair behind Willow's ear and looks into green eyes, "We will figure this out. I promise." She strokes her cheek.

Tears try to form in her eyes but she forces them away, "I know." She holds them tighter.

Upstairs in the kitchen Faith stands at the sink looking out the window. She stares out at the darkness and watches as the light tries to break through. She sorta laughs and shakes her head, "Light always battling dark-what's the deal with that?" She asks the empty room. She puts her cup in the sink and turns to find Buffy standing in the doorway.

"The deal is Faith the dark always tries to stop the light, bad always tries to stop the good-make it like them."

"Let me guess-you're light? The good and what I'm still the bad?"

"Pretty much the way I see it."

Faith looks away, struggling to control her anger. "I messed up-doesn't make me bad-it just makes me stupid and hey-we knew that right?"

Buffy stares at the Slayer, "You hurt her-you promised me-" she stops as she sees Faith nod.

"I know-" she thinks about her words.

"You stay away from her."

"I can't-" she says simply. "I love her."

"You don't know what that word means," her anger finding its way to the surface.

"Didn't use to, but now-now I think I do."

"You need to go-now before you hurt her again-"

"See that's the screwed up thinking that got me here-I thought leaving was the best way not to hurt her and-well-"

"You stay I have to hurt you."

"I'm not going B-not unless she says." Faith stands tall in front of her. "You do what you gotta do-but that's just how it is."

Buffy glares, "Don't think I won't-"

Faith smirks a little, her hand goes to the stomach- "Now we all know you're always ready to hurt me-" she moves her hand and starts to leave. Buffy steps in front of her. "Don't do this B-" she says softly.

"Don't have a choice," states the Slayer. "She's my little sister."

Faith tries to walk away again and again Buffy blocks her path. "I'm not gonna fight you." She drops her hands to her sides.

Dawn walks in as Buffy glares at her Slayer, "Buffy-" they both look toward the voice. "Leave her alone."

"After what she did to you, you're just gonna take her back?"

Dawn looks from her sister to her girl, "Don't know-but I'm not gonna let you decide that for me-for us."

Faith swallows hard at the words of her girl, "Dawnie-"

"No-don't just-we'll talk but wait for me in Kennedy and Willow's old room-" Faith isn't sure why she picked that room but she nods and starts to walk away again.

Buffy puts a hand on her shoulder. "This isn't finished-you and me."

"For now it is," Faith pulls away from her and leaves the room.

Buffy looks at her sister, "The two of you-it's over understand? Stay away from her."

Angrily Dawn looks at Buffy, "You're not the boss of me."

"I am until you turn 18."

"That's in like two weeks and besides, I'm like centuries old."

"Technically-maybe but-"

"No buts, it's my life."

Buffy starts, "I can't just let her hurt you and get by with it. It's my job to-"

"She did-" the teen battles hard not to cry. "She did hurt me and still I-" she stops and regroups. "Buffy I'm hurt and scared and angry, but I love her. We need to talk and maybe we can fix it and maybe we can't but that's for us to decide."

Buffy looks at her sister unsure as suddenly it seems that she is indeed older than her years. "She hurt you."

"And I hurt her too-I'm not sure how but I did and I need to know. Please just let-let me see."

Buffy nods slowly and pulls her sister into a hug, "I don't like it."

"I know," she whispers as tears start to fall.

"Why didn't you call me?" Buffy asks as tears slip from her eyes too.

Dawn grins a little, "Oh don't know-kinda didn't want you to kill my girlfriend."

"I won't unless you tell me too."

"Thanks," Dawn takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, then walks toward the wing she shares with Faith.

Meanwhile, the once dark Slayer nervously waits for Dawn. She is trying to figure out how to make things right. She walks around the empty room and is just getting super wigged when Dawn walks in. "D this place is wicked creepy all empty-let's go to my place."

Dawn looks at the older woman, "Yeah, empty is bad." Her eyes meet Faith's, "Empty is how I felt when I realized you were gone."

Faith looks away angry with herself for hurting her girl. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I just-" she stops.

"Just what Faith? Why did you leave me?"

Faith leans against the wall, "I just fucked up. Okay? Can't we just blame me and start over?"

Dawn shakes her head, "No, because if we don't deal with the why then it could happen again."

"No-no it won't I swear to you." Faith touches her Dawn's cheek with her hand.

"Please, don't-" she moves away from her touch. "It only makes it harder."

The Slayer looks down, "Sorry."

"What happened to us?"

Faith meets her eyes and tries hard to say the words. Tries to tell her she was scared and sad-confused by the whole gambit of emotions rushing through her but she can't. She shrugs, "I don't know."

"What did I do?" Tears slip from the Key's eyes and down her cheeks.

"No-no D it wasn't you-it was me."

She shakes her head. Using Faith's fucked up logic she continues, "It had to be me. You left me-not you." Her tears fall harder.

"Shit, D-don't-" she steps forward and kisses her softly. "Don't cry-please-please don't cry." She leans her forehead against Dawn's as her own tears try to start but she forces them away. "My head is just all-" she stops again.

"Talk to me Faith. I love you, you can tell me anything, but you have got to talk to me. Make this make sense before-before I lose you-before we lose each other."

"Fuck," she whispers. "Dawn-I want to-"

"I know. I know." She kisses her lips softly, chastely as she tries to calm her girlfriend. "So, anywhere you wanna start."

"I love you and-shit-" she closes her eyes, then opens them looking into Dawn's as she speaks, "Just so you know, I didn't cheat on you." She back pedals, "That's not totally true. There was kissing-but I stopped. I didn't fuck anyone, cause if I had that's all it would have been and I don't want that, not anymore. I don't want anyone but you."

"Okay-that's good-see not so hard." Faith looks down but Dawn puts her fingers under the Slayer's chin and raises it. "What else?"

Faith struggles to answer. "I just- It was-" Frustrated, she growls and starts to pace. "D, look." The teenager stands and looks at her girl. "I've never loved anybody else. Ever," states Faith simply as she runs a hand through her hair, a growly sigh escaping. "I just- I just had to go away for a while. It was all too much and I had-" She stops and looks back at the teen, her eyes meeting Dawn's. "But I had to come back. I couldn't stay gone. I-I missed you too much," she reluctantly admits.

"I missed you too- but it doesn't fix anything-how do I know it won't get too much again? Like I said before if we don't talk about why it happened what keeps it from happening again?"

"Whatever-I can't do this." She moves to the door.

"Faith?" Dawn looks toward her. "Why is it so hard to just tell me the truth?"

Without a word the rogue Slayer leaves the room. Dawn just watches her walk out the door, the sinking-empty feeling returning. Tears stream down her cheeks as she tries to think. Scared, confused and also a little angry she goes back to her room.

Faith sits alone in her room later staring at the television but has no idea what is playing. Suddenly the words of the commercial sink through and she sees the baby on the screen. "Fuck-" she whispers as tears try to fall. She forces them away as she flips the set off and throws the remote across the room. As it hits the wall it crashes into pieces, "Fuck!" She mutters.

Dawn is sitting in her room as the same commercial plays, a little smile finds her lips as she gets up and goes across to her dresser. She slowly takes out the baby outfit-she runs her fingers over the fabric and then the words. She takes it and goes toward the door. Deciding to try one more time.

Just as Faith starts to pick up the shattered pieces of what once was her remote she hears a knock on the door. "Wait a minute," she growls as she changes direction and pulls the door open. She is surprised to see Dawn there.

"I can come back."

"No-I'm sorry I'm just a little grrrrr-come in."

"Faith," she starts but then stops as she pulls the outfit from behind her back. "You bought this right?" She watches the range of emotion that covers her Slayer's face. So many things she can't read them all but fear and panic the most obvious.

Faith can't deal with the overload her primal protective mode takes over and she attacks. "How did you- Where did you-" she can't seem to finish a sentence, then one finds its way out. "Who the fuck gave you that?"

Dawn starts to explain, "Willow and Kennedy. The guy who picks up the garbage found it and thought it was thrown away by mistake. But it wasn't a mistake was it? No baby means no use for this right?" Before she can ask more questions Faith interrupts.

She yells angry, "You had no right! Not even you have any right-" She backs away. "I gotta- Fuck this!" She growls and storms out of her room.

Dawn stands shocked, confused by her Slayer's words and actions. One thing for sure it was the action of a Slayer. Faith was protecting-fighting-defending. Her mind races trying to piece together everything. What was she protecting? Why was she fighting? Who was she defending? Questions whirled in her mind and for an instant she knew what it was like to be Willow-her mind in a constant state of unrest. Then the answers started falling into place. What was her Slayer protecting? Herself-why was she fighting? It was the only thing she knew. Who was she defending? That wasn't the right question, that question should be what and the answer was her pride. She was scared and hurt and she couldn't let anyone see. "Not even me," whispers the teen. "Especially me. Damn it! How could I not see this?" She runs from the room.

Faith is in the training room pounding on a heavy bag. The bag is nearly demolished as she keeps hitting it harder and harder. Her knuckles bleed as she continues to hammer it. Dawn runs in and sees her there. She walks to her slowly and wraps her arms around her girl from behind. "Stop. Please stop Faith." She holds her tighter and feels her Slayer sag back against her, her hands finally still after nearly twenty minutes. "It's okay." She kisses the back of her head. "I get it now."

Faith's body begins to tremble and Dawn holds her tighter. As the tears try to fall the once rogue Slayer tries to pull away. "I can't stay here-I gotta go. They can't see."

Dawn looks around and sees the other Slayers for the first time. They have stopped their workouts and are staring at them. Then from behind her she hears Buffy's voice, "Back yard now. The last one out owes me two weekends of patrol!" The room clears in a flash and without a word the blonde is gone as well.

Faith turns slowly in her girl's arms as tears finally fall. Dawn kisses her chastely, "The baby?" Faith nods. "I'm sorry." Her tears fall too. "I didn't think you wanted-" she stops.

"I did, I do-but if you don't-" Faith stops.

"I do-I thought you didn't-so I-" she leans her forehead against Faith's. The Slayer's hands go to her face and Dawn sees them for the first time. "Awe Faith-let's get you inside, get'em cleaned up."

Faith winces as Dawn touches them, "Busted'em up good. Think I broke'em."

"Yeah." Dawn nods. "That's what happens when you hold everything in y'know."

Faith rolls her eyes, "You're gonna lecture me when I'm all hurt?" Faith gives her a little pouty face.

"That's so not gonna work. Come on before I take your ass to the hospital."

"You wouldn't do that-" Faith counters.

"Wouldn't I-" Dawn raises an eyebrow.

Faith smiles at her playfulness but it fades, "Are we okay?"

Dawn thinks about her question, "We will be."

"After more talking?" Dawn nods, "Figured. Fuck." She shakes her head.

"Yeah, there'll be more of that too- soon." She grins at her Slayer.

"Nah-" Dawn looks at her unsure. Faith smiles this time. "No more fucking-told you that, weren't you listening?-Just making love." She winks at her girl.

Dawn smiles as a few tears fall. She wraps an arm around her Slayer's waist and they go out the door together.

Chapter 10

She hears the door open and looks up to see Dawn with a tray of food. "Thought I told you to sleep? The healing works better if you sleep."

"I tried." She looks away from her girlfriend.

Dawn walks to her, puts the tray on the coffee table, and sits on the couch next to her. The teen runs her hand down her girl's cheek, then cups her face in her hands. "Whatever it is that you're thinking-getting down on yourself about, stop."

Faith turns her face away trying again to control her emotions. She pushes the tears away. Dawn forces her face back so that their eyes meet. Faith lowers her sad brown eyes. "I can't protect you." She lifts her hands to prove her point.

Dawn nods at her confession, "I don't need to be protected, I've told you that from the beginning. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself." She caresses Faith's face. "In fact, I can even take care of stubborn Slayers-now eat." She presses a kiss to her forehead.

Faith lifts her eyes to meet Dawn's, "Okay, I'll eat."

"Good," she moves her hands and then gets the tray. She sets it on her Slayer's lap. "And then sleep."

Faith forces herself to keep eye contact with the teenager. "You'll be here when I wake up?"

Dawn nods, "Yeah." Faith forces a little smile.

* * *

Willow and Kennedy are lying on their bed with Emilee between them. The baby is awake cooing and trying to grab her feet. They watch their daughter and both smile at her. Willow bites her bottom lip and speaks softly. "One minute she's just a little baby, and then the next she's kicking Buffy's ass." She looks from the child to her Slayer, her eyes full of worry.

Kennedy grins a little, "Buffy needed her ass kicked."

Willow smiles a little, "Okay, well yeah maybe, but you know what I mean." She strokes Em's face. "So much power."

"You thought it was cute when she had me all safe in a bubbly thing, when I was pregnant," Kennedy eyes meet and search Willow's. "How's this different?"

"It's different cause when she was inside you I just figured she was drawing off your Slayer energy."

Kennedy looks unsure, "Using my energy kinda like you did to bring Buffy back after she switched places with that demon?"

"Just like that." Willow thinks and then speaks, "I thought your Slayer powers-energy boosted her magic, but it's looking like I might have been wrong."

Kennedy smiles and caresses Willow's face, "Wrong huh?" She grins, then smirks, "You-wrong?"

The redhead rolls her eyes and swats at her girlfriend playfully. "It happens." Kennedy seems to be in deep thought. "Sweetie, you okay?"

"Will-what if you weren't wrong? I mean maybe she was drawing from Slayer energy and still is-" their eyes meet. "Just not mine."

Willow processes the words. "Slayer-" she stops and she nods. "Her own, she's a Slayer."

"And a witch," Kennedy nods. "I think that could be it."

The witch looks at the baby and then picks her up cuddling her against her shoulder. She looks into Em's dark eyes and smiles. "You're a special little girl-you're gonna-" she frowns a little as she realizes that much will be expected of the child.

"She's gonna be a normal little girl, cause we're not gonna tell them." Kennedy hugs them both to her. "Deal?"

Willow nods, "Yeah, it's our little secret." She looks down at the baby. "Right baby girl?" She kisses her nose and then playfully kisses Kennedy's.

* * *

Later, in Faith's room the once rogue Slayer is sleeping on the couch, her head in Dawn's lap. The teenager strokes the dark hair of her girl-wondering if she is still her girl-as she watches her, worry in her eyes.

Faith starts to whine and mumble, "No-no don't-don't-get off me-" her hands begin to flail.

"Faith, Faith-" Dawn speaks her name and strokes her cheek. "Shhhh-you're okay." The Slayer calms a little.

A few minutes later she is crying out again, "No mom don't-I'll-please-don't let him-" she pulls away from Dawn and sits up, her eyes now open and her breathing ragged.

"Hey-" Dawn tries to touch her shoulder but she pulls away.

"Don't-okay," Faith stands. "I need some air," she starts to walk away.

"I'll come with you," Dawn stands too.

Faith looks at the girl, "D-" she stops. "I need-" she looks down. "Okay," she nods as she goes out the door. Dawn follows.

They sit on the backyard swing. "They were just bad dreams," Dawn says softly.

Faith shakes her head, "They were real."

"Bad memories sneaking in?"

The once dark Slayer nods. "She just let them-whatever they wanted as long as she got booze." She looks away as tears form.

Dawn puts a hand on her knee, "That's the past-"

"The past makes the future D-makes us who we are." She stops. "What if I'm like her."

"You're not-and you make who you are- you decide. Not some woman who didn't know anything about being a mother."

Faith looks at her and the tears fall, "What if I don't know anything about being a mother?" Her eyes meet Dawn's.

Dawn kisses her forehead and then her lips, "Faith," Dawn leans in and kisses her again. "We don't have to have a baby-not if you're not ready."

"No-" Faith shakes her head adamantly. "That's not what I'm saying."

"Then what?" Dawn looks into her eyes.

"I want that D-with you. I want everything with you. I'm just-" she looks away as she shakes her head again and stands. "I need-" she looks toward the darkness of the night and the openness of the yard, then back at Dawn.

"I'll be here-" Dawn stands in front of her.

"I'm not bailing on you I swear."

"I know," she presses a kiss to her forehead. "Just be careful."

Faith nods and starts across the backyard. When she reaches the street she looks back at the swing and her girl sitting there. "Damn!" She stands there just looking-confused and unsure. She turns and runs back across the yard. Dawn stands and when the Slayer reaches her girl she picks her up and hugs her. "I love you-and it scares me so much. I don't know what to do or how to make sure I don't hurt you or you don't hurt me-and that-that scares me, too." The words just fall as she sits on the swing with Dawn in her lap. "I'm scared Dawn, you make me feel so much and I don't know what to do or how to be-I don't want to let you down-or let our kid down. But I love you and I'm not leaving no matter what-not ever."

Dawn listens to Faith as she cries, and continues to tell her everything. Finally the teen stops her Slayer's words with a chaste kiss, but they start again as they pull apart.

From the window Buffy watches, her Slayer hearing picking up bits and pieces of the once rogue Slayer's words. The blonde wipes her own tears away.

* * *

Willow is just starting to bed as she hears a soft knock on the door. She walks up the stairs and opens it. She sees Buffy there. "I owe you an apology," says the blonde.

"I kinda owe you one too, sorry about the flying through the air thing." She looks down.

Buffy grins a little, "I mostly deserved it. Faith just makes me all crazy."

"Come on in, I'll make us some tea and we can talk about crazy Slayers." She grins too.

Soon they are sitting on the couch talking. "Where's Kennedy?"

"She's getting Emilee ready for bed-dinnertime," she smiles.

"I didn't mean to-" Buffy starts.

"No, it's okay. I'll check in on her later."

"She's gonna take her back isn't she?" The oldest Slayer's eyes meet her friend's.

"Probably. That's what you do when you love someone-you give them another chance, right?"

Buffy nods, "Yeah, but why does she have to love Faith?" She pouts.

"It's kinda like when people ask how a Slayer can love a vampire-or two." She winks at her friend. "It just kinda happens."

Buffy rolls her eyes, "Fine-throw the vampires in my face," she grins. "If she hurts her again I'm gonna stake her."

"And if she deserves it I'll help you."

"Promise?"

"It's a guarantee." Willow nods.

"So why not this time?"

"This time wasn't her fault." Willow says simply.

"Like always you know something I don't." Buffy looks at the redhead, who nods. "See, how can they expect me to be all calm and right if they don't tell me stuff?"

"They don't tell you stuff cause-well-remember when we were talking about crazy Slayers?" Buffy raises an eyebrow, "Sometimes you get a little crazy."

"She's my little sister." Buffy pouts.

"She's not so little Buff-" the witch says. "She grew up."

"I don't want her to."

"I know-Emilee is just a baby but I know how it feels to want to protect her. I'd do anything-"

"Even go crazy Slayer?" Buffy grins but then amends, "Crazy witch."

"Even." Willow nods. "But there'll be a point that I can't protect her-I'll have to let her protect herself."

"What if she can't?"

"She will, cause we'll teach her how-just like you taught Dawn."

"I hate it when you're right!"

Willow smirks, "What-you should be use to it by now."

Buffy rolls her eyes, "That cocky Slayer of yours is rubbing off on you."

Kennedy walks in with Emilee, "Who you calling cocky?"

Buffy smirks, "You."

"That's what I thought," she smiles proudly. Then looks down at Em- "Kiss Mama." She leans the baby down for Willow to kiss and she does. "I'm gonna put her down-and then get a shower." She kisses the witch too, then leaves the room.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow-maybe go for mochas?" Buffy asks her friend.

"I'd like that, maybe we could bring Dawn and Faith?" Willow raises an eyebrow.

"Don't push it," Buffy says sternly, then lightens up. "I'll think about it."

"It's a start." She watches as Buffy stands and goes to the steps, then up them. Willow stands and walks to the nursery. She finds Kennedy still there and wraps her arms around her from behind.

"Everything okay?" Kennedy asks.

"I think-maybe." She kisses her girl's neck.

"That's nice," Kennedy says with a soft moan.

"Need some help washing your back?" Willow whispers at her ear.

"That's even nicer," she turns in her arms. They kiss softly.

"I'll go make sure everything is locked up and meet you there."

They share another gentle kiss and Kennedy watches the redhead leave the room. She looks down at the baby who is nearly asleep. She picks up the monitor from the table by the bed as she turns the larger one there on. "We'll just be right next door if you need us." She caresses her cheek. "Night baby, I love you." She yawns as she leaves the room.

* * *

In the bathroom candles burn around the claw foot tub, the baby monitor sits on the sink. Kennedy is leaning forward just a little as her redhead washes her back. As she rinses it off she places a few soft kisses on her shoulder. Kennedy leans back into her arms-her back pressed against her girl. "This is nice," whispers the new mom.

"Very," smiles the redhead as she moves Kennedy's hair and kisses her neck. Her hands begin to caress her girl's sides, as she teases her fingers up and then down them before cupping her breasts.

"Mmmm-" Kennedy gasps out. "Don't stop."

"Hmmm wasn't my plan." She breaths in her Slayer's ear, then licks and nibbles on it.

Kennedy's eyes close and her body arches against Willow's. She groans as her girl sucks her ear lobe between her teeth. Her breathing quickens as Willow's hand moves down her body and her fingers tease her opening. "Please-" she pants out. As fingers find their way home she calls out her girl's name. Willow sets a slow steady pace-in no hurry to bring her lover over the edge. "Will-"

"Trust me baby-" She whispers in her ear.

"I do-" she groans as she feels her girl add another finger and brush her thumb against her swollen clit.

"Okay?" Willow asks softly, her pace never changing-but she adds more pressure on her girl's bundle of on edge nerves.

"Shit-" she bites her lip and arches with her touch. She moves her hips trying to force a faster pace.

"Shhh-slow-" she whispers in her Slayer's ear.

Kennedy nods, licks her lips and leans her head against her lover's. They are now cheek to cheek.

"I love you," the redhead whispers.

"Love you-" Kennedy manages.

Willow feels her girl start to tighten around her and she slows even more. Kennedy groans. As she relaxes, the redhead's fingers move faster. She continues this pattern pushing her to the edge but not letting her fall for what seems like an eternity to her Slayer. Finally, when Kennedy's muscles tense around her fingers and her body goes ridgid, she pinches her clit and bites down on her ear.

"Willow!" Her lover screams as her body spasms and she falls hard. Willow's fingers continue as she builds up quickly. She calls her name again and again until the redhead kisses her neck and slows her fingers. Kennedy struggles to breath. Her lungs on fire-as she pants to find air. "Fuck-" she gasps.

Willow smiles, "You okay baby?" She asks, her fingers stilling inside her lover.

"Wow-" she licks her dry lips and tries to open her eyes. Her eyes stay closed as breathing seems more important. She finally gets it under control.

"Better?" Willow asks as she presses a kiss to her neck.

Tingles spark through the Slayer, "Stars-still all around."

Willow smirks, "Stars huh-so slow worked out okay?"

Her eyes open and she tries to smile, but her muscles aren't all listening and following directions. "Un huh."

"Good, and just so I have it straight slow was-"

Kennedy answers, "Fucking amusing-" her ability to sensor her words lost in a fog somewhere.

Willow grins as she lets her fingers start again with the same slow pace as before. "Better make sure it wasn't a fluke-say best two outta three?"

"Mmmm-" is all the Slayer can manage as her body starts to climb.

* * *

The next morning in Faith's room, she wakes with Dawn spooned protectively around her. She smiles a little as she turns in her arms to find the girl awake.

"Morning," smiles the teen.

"Morning," Faith answers, her voice a little hoarse from the crying and talking. It was well past midnight when they had finally came inside and past three before they went to bed.

"Did you get any sleep?" The younger woman caresses her cheek.

"Some, how about you?" She brushes some hair behind her girl's ear.

Dawn nods but a little yawn escapes. "Okay-a little less than you." She kisses her lips. "But I'm okay and I have a plan."

"A plan huh?" Faith grins.

"You, me, maybe some food-but mostly bed." Dawn looks into her Slayer's tired eyes. "And no arguing."

"Why would I argue about being in bed with you?" Faith raises an eyebrow.

"Cause there's only gonna be sleeping." Faith growls and Dawn laughs. "I want you well, so when we aren't just sleeping I won't have to worry."

Before there can be anymore discussion there is a knock on the door. Faith looks that way. "Maybe if we're quiet they'll go away."

Dawn smiles, kisses her lips and crawls out of bed. "Sleep!"

Faith rolls her eyes, then closes them and before her girl is across the room she is indeed asleep.

* * *

Dawn opens the door to find Buffy there. "I thought I might find you here."

Dawn looks back at her Slayer, then steps into the hallway with Buffy and closes the door. "I don't want to wake her, she didn't get much sleep."

Buffy rolls her eyes, "I so didn't need to hear that."

It's now Dawn's turn to roll her eyes, "Talking-we were talking. You know not everything with us is about sex."

"I'm sorry, I'm not-I wanted to know if you-the two of you want to have mochas with me and Will."

Dawn looks at her sister, "Just mochas-no yelling?"

"No yelling." Buffy says.

"I'll come with you, but she really needs to rest."

"Okay-meet you at Willow's about one?"

"I'll be there."

Buffy looks back at her sister as she opens the door, "I'm guessing this means you two made up?"

Dawn nods. "I love her-she loves me. We're gonna make this work Buffy."

"I hope so."

Dawn looks back at her, "You mean that?"

"You being happy Dawnie-that's the most important thing."

Dawn smiles as a tear slips down her cheek, "I am." She hugs her sister and Buffy hugs her back.

* * *

Dawn goes back inside. She sits on the bed next to her Slayer. She brushes her hair out of her face and kisses her cheek. Faith looks up at her. "I thought you were asleep."

"Heard Buffy-just making sure you were okay." Faith smiles up at her.

"My Slayer," she grins. "She invited us for mochas."

"I don't think I'm up to being nice to your sister," she winks. "But you should go, Red will take care of you."

"Again with the taking care of-I can do that myself."

"Sorry," Faith takes her hand.

Dawn lies down next to her, "I'm gonna tell her about the necklace-it'll just make things worse if she finds out another way."

"Maybe I should go with you."

Dawn smiles, "No, you should rest, save your energy."

"What am I saving my energy for?" She smirks.

Dawn giggles and kisses her Slayer. She pulls away as Faith tries to deepen the kiss, "Rest-" she playfully pushes her away. "That's for later."

Faith pulls her in for another kiss, deepening it instantly. "Just so you don't forget," she winks as she pulls her tongue from Dawn's mouth.

"Mmmm-pretty sure I won't." She crawls out of the bed. "Sleep."

Faith pouts, "You're not gonna lay here with me?"

"Will you be good?" Dawn asks with a raised eyebrow.

"I'll try." Faith says honestly.

Dawn grins and slips back in beside her. She spoons around her Slayer. "Close your eyes." Faith does what she is told but she lets her hand caress Dawn's hip. "Stop," says the girl warningly.

Faith lets her hand fall to her side. "Fine," she mutters. "Brat!"

Dawn giggles, snuggles closer and kisses her neck. "I love you."

"I love you." With those words the Slayer's eyes close and a few short minutes later she is asleep.

* * *

Later that day at the coffee shop, Buffy, Dawn and Willow sit together drinking mochas. Things are tense and the redhead looks around, her eyes settling on the younger woman. 'What's wrong Dawnie?' She sends silently.

Dawn looks at her friend and then her sister, then back to Willow. 'I need to tell her about the necklace, but-' she stops her thoughts.

Buffy looks at them, "Talking in front of people behind their back is just wrong. What's going on?"

Dawn looks at her sister, "I need to tell you something that you're not gonna like."

Buffy looks at Willow, then back to her sister. "Something Willow already knows?" Dawn nods. "You know maybe if you didn't keep things from me I wouldn't go all grrrrrrr on you. Did you ever think of that?"

Dawn shakes her head, "No, but you could have a point. No more keeping things from you."

"Good! Now tell me."

"You got to promise not to freak out." The teen looks at the blonde.

"I promise I'll try not to."

Willow grins, "That's the best you can hope for Dawnie."

"Faith and I, we-I took the necklace."

"Necklace?" Buffy looks from one to the other confused.

It is the redhead who speaks, "The necklace I got Kennedy for her birthday."

"The magical necklace?" The Slayer asks and the other two nod. "The necklace that made Kennedy pregnant?" Again they nod. "Are you pregnant?" Her eyes meet Dawn's. "I'll kill her-" the Slayer stands but Willow touches her arm. "Let me go!"

"Buffy, I'm not-"

The Slayer looks at her sister. "But you tried?"

"We tried, it didn't work." Tears fill Dawn's eyes.

"Why would you-what was she thinking?"

Dawn looks at her sister and defends her girlfriend. "It was my idea."

"Right-I don't believe that."

"Buffy-" Willow tries.

"Stay out of this Willow." Then she reconsiders. "No, no-you're in this. Faith was trying to get my sister pregnant and you didn't think you needed to tell me?"

"I didn't know until you were gone, but you're not listening to her."

Dawn is angry, tears fall. "She never listens-I don't know why I even try." The teenager stands then levels her glare at her sister. "She was suppose to die." Buffy looks at her. "Your Slayer dream."

Buffy looks unsure, "She told you?"

Dawn nods, "I wanted-I needed a part of her." Tears stream down her face.

Buffy steps toward her sister. "Dawnie-"

Dawn steps back from her. "Don't." She decides to just tell her everything. "It didn't work. That's why she left, she thought I didn't want a baby and I thought she didn't. We were just-it hurt so badly when we found out there was no baby." Buffy hugs her sister. The teenager sobs in her arms. But shaking her head she pulls away. "We're gonna try again-you should know."

Buffy nods, "Tell me first?"

Dawn wipes her tears away, "No-it'll spoil the surprise."

"But Willow will know that's not fair."

"We won't tell her either." Dawn assures.

Willow mock pouts, then smiles. "You'll have to, you'll need the necklace."

"You didn't know the last time till after," she smiles and wiggles her fingers.

"Awe-right, forgot about your crime filled youth." Buffy grins and so does the redhead. Dawn rolls her eyes at them and both start to laugh at her.

"Meanies!" She complains.

* * *

At the house Faith is sitting on the couch in Will and Kennedy's apartment. She is holding Emilee while Kennedy fixes a snack. She comes in with a tray of sandwiches just as the baby gets fussy. "Yo K-I think she wants you back."

Kennedy grins, "Just pat her back, she'll be okay."

The Slayer pants the baby's back but she still whimpers. "Maybe she smells the food and is hungry?"

"I just fed her."

Faith makes a face, "You think she-" she looks toward the diaper.

"Maybe," Kennedy concedes.

"Here Junior," she hands her the baby.

"Come on," the younger Slayer stands. "I'll let you help."

"No thanks, I'll pass." She picks up a sandwich and takes a bite.

"Chicken, wait till I tell Dawn." Kennedy grins.

"I am not," Faith growls.

"Let's see it then," Kennedy starts toward the baby's room.

Faith takes another bite and drops the sandwich onto the plate. "Damn!"

* * *

In Emilee's nursery, Kennedy has her on the changing table. Faith stands beside her and watches as she removes the wet diaper. "Hand me the wipes and a diaper." She points toward them and Faith gets them for her.

"Okay, helping isn't so bad." Faith smiles and folds her arms across her chest.

"I'm helping you, now here-just wipe her off and put it back on."

Faith glares. "K-I don't-" Kennedy starts making chicken noises. "Hell no! Fine give me the wipe." The angry Slayer speaks. Kennedy smiles and hands it to her. She watches and gives a few pointers as she cleans her up and then lays her on the diaper. She concentrates and folds it up and then tries to pull open the tab. "It's stuck or something."

"Like this," the new mother shows her.

Faith does the other side. She inspects her work and smiles. "That wasn't too bad." She picks up the baby. "Now lets eat."

* * *

They are just finishing off the sandwiches when Faith looks up at Kennedy. "I need a favor, if you can't that's cool, but-I need some money."

Kennedy looks at her unsure, "To fix your motorcycle?"

"No, I can't tell you yet."

The younger Slayer's eyes meet the once rogue's, "But you will?"

Faith nods, "In a couple weeks."

"You're not gonna-" Kennedy stops.

"I'm not gonna bail, it's a surprise for D."

Kennedy grins, "Her birthday."

Faith smiles and nods, then the smile fades. "I was saving for something really nice, but most of it's gone now."

"I'll cover you, what ever you need," Kennedy smiles at her friend then down at Emilee as she coos.

"I'll pay you back," Faith says.

"I know," she winks then smirks. "I might need someone to baby sit when Willow and I go out."

"I can do that," she plays with the baby's hand. Emilee takes her finger. "Strong kid." Kennedy looks a little worried. "Something wrong?"

Kennedy shakes her head, "Nah-nothing wrong," she lies.

"Junior-it's cool if you don't want to talk about it, but if you do." Faith's eyes meet hers.

Kennedy looks down at her daughter and then back at the older Slayer. She chooses her words carefully. "Being a Slayer-it might be hereditary."

"Hereditary?" Faith is unsure.

"Emilee inherited Willow's red hair and my brown eyes."

"What you're saying-or okay you didn't exactly say it, the kid's a Slayer?"

Kennedy nods, "We're pretty sure, but don't tell anybody okay?"

"Okay," she smiles at the baby. Then remembers Buffy flying across the room. "A Slayer and a witch?" Again Kennedy nods. "Damn! She's gonna kick some ass."

Kennedy smiles, nods but then says, "We want her to just be a kid for as long as possible."

"I get that. Your secret's safe with me." She smiles at the baby. "Superbaby-" she teases. Kennedy rolls her eyes.

Chapter 11

Dawn looks up into her girl's troubled face and smiles, "Actually, it worked out okay."

"Really?" Dawn nods and kisses Faith's lips. "You tellin' me B didn't freak?"

"She did at first, but after, she finally listened-really listened," Dawn's words stop as tears try to start.

Faith kisses her forehead, her brow all frowny, "Then why the tears D?"

The teen smiles a little, "Happy." She kisses her lips. "Happy." She repeats.

Faith smiles and then heats up the kiss. Her bandaged hands start to caress up and down Dawn's back but she groans and stops their movement. "Shit!" She grumbles as she pulls out of the kiss. "Can't protect you and can't make love-" she shakes her head.

Buffy and Willow walk in at her words, "I'm for that," teases the Slayer. The redhead elbows her in the ribs. "Hey-I'm teasing."

"We're leaving now," says Dawn with a grin. "Gonna show her she's wrong." She pulls her toward the doorway by the front of her shirt.

Faith laughs at the look on Buffy's face, Willow laughs too.

Buffy growls, then shoots dirty looks at each of the women. "Not funny."

Faith smirks, "Trust me B-it was."

"Priceless," adds the redhead.

Buffy glares at them, then pouts.

Dawn grins, "Later."

They start out of the room, "Wait-" they look back at her. "I want to talk to you." Her eyes meet Faith's.

"Can't it wait B?" Faith asks with a raised eyebrow.

Buffy rolls her eyes, "I guess."

With those words Dawn and Faith exit quickly.

Willow pats her friend on the back with a smile, "Poor Buffy."

Buffy mock growls, "Some friend you are." A small smile starts to cross her lips.

Willow hugs her and grins. "I know what will make it better."

"Faith going far, far away?"

"No, that would make it bad, really bad. That would make an upset Dawnie. We don't want a sad Dawnie, do we?" The witch asks. Reluctantly Buffy shakes her head. "But ice cream that fixes everything."

"Oh-yummy-yes please." She sits down at the table.

* * *

Dawn and Faith walk into the Slayer's room. As the door closes the teenager pushes Faith up against it, then presses her lips to Faith's. Her body holds the Slayer unmoving, one leg between her girl's two. The rogue moans at the contact in all the right places and forgetting about her hands she cups Dawn's breasts. The pain however forces her to move them away and she breaks the kiss frustrated. "My hands."

Dawn grins at her, "Don't need'em. Trust me." She pulls the woman toward the bed. She begins to take off her clothes as she walks. When they reach the bed, she's naked from the waist up. She takes the bottom of Faith's tank and pulls it over her head. She grins at the braless girl.

Faith grins back, "Couldn't hook it so, you know, what the hell."

Dawn groans and smiles, "See, your hands, already an advantage." She licks her lips, kisses Faith quickly and begins to unbutton the fly of her jeans. She makes sure her knuckles hit all the right places as she teases just a little on the lower buttons. Faith bites her lip and moans softly. She slips her thumbs into the waist band and bends as she lowers the pants, kissing Faith's tummy as she does. She lets her tongue dart out and tease at her navel.

Faith's breathing is getting quicker, "D-" she pants out.

The teenager pulls back and looks up into her face. "Step for me," she manages with a grin. Faith's arms lay across her shoulders as she lifts one foot at a time out of her pants. "Good." She leans back in and kisses up her girl's body. She drags the flat of her tongue along the underside of her Slayer's breast and the moans return. She smiles against her skin and moves to the other side doing the same. She circles around the hardening nub.

"Dawn-shit-I'm-" she can't finish as her girl pulls the peak between her lips and starts to suck. She feels her body try to tense as Dawn scraps her teeth across it before letting go and moving to the other side. As her lover sucks and nips on the other breast her body begins to shake. She stomach tightens, and she gaps out. "D!" Her orgasm starts and she loses control of her legs. They fall onto the bed, her body on top of her girl.

Dawn wraps her in her arms and kisses her neck, licking and nipping lightly as she calms a little. The Slayer's eyes flutter and finally open to see her girl smiling. "Look-no hands," she winks as she rolls Faith under her and begins to kiss down her body again.

"No you don't," Faith flips their positions and grins down at her girl as she leans above her on her elbows. Faith kisses her lips as she slips a leg between Dawn's and applies gentle pressure. The younger woman moans and arches into the friction and as she does her Slayer slides her tongue into her welcoming mouth. She explores slowly, tongues caress before she breaks away and kisses her lover's chin. She continues the path down her body, her throat, her neck, around to lick and tease her ear. She nibbles and sucks it between her lips as she feels Dawn move under her finding friction against her thigh. She lets the ear go and smiles as she hears her moan.

"Faith-" her word breathless.

She kisses across her collarbone and down the middle on her chest. She licks and kisses and the moaning gets louder. She teases her tongue around the hard peaks of the teen's breasts, stopping to lick and suck gently before moving lower. She dips her tongue into Dawn's bellybutton and the girl moans even louder. She grins against her girl, feeling her stomach tighten against her touch.

Dawn moans "Please-"

Faith takes in her smell and then licks down to her mound, "Might be right D-don't need my hands." She says with a grin and licks across the hardened muscle there. Dawn arches and cries out as Faith drives in, her tongue between slick folds licking and sucking.

Dawn screams her girl's name as she falls hard. Faith doesn't stop as her nose bumps Dawn's bundle of nerves and her tongue finds its way into her moist heat. She drives her toward the edge again.

* * *

Later that evening the two very tired lovers lie snuggled together. Dawn's head rests on Faith's shoulder and the younger girl traces around her Slayer's injured hands. Faith kisses the top of her head. "All finished with your nap?" Asks the once rogue, her voice still a little deeper than usual.

Dawn turns and kisses her lips before snuggling back into place. "Someone wore me out," she grins against her shoulder.

"Sorry about that," she says with a grin.

"Liar," Dawn teases.

"Okay, you're right. Not sorry." Dawn looks up at her. "It was-" she stops.

Dawn smiles, "Yeah-I know. Different, I felt it to."

"What do you think it means?" Faith asks a little worry in her words.

"What do you want it to mean Faith?"

The Slayer moves slightly so that she is lying on her side. They are now eye to eye. She touches Dawn's cheek with her bandaged hand, "I love you Dawn-" she considers her words. "Never gonna be anybody else."

"Are you saying-" Dawn smiles nervously.

"What would you say if I was?" Faith is nervous now too.

Tears fill her eyes and she smiles, "I'd say yes."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Faith leans in and kisses her, her lips press lightly unmoving as she begins to cry. Dawn pulls back as she feels the girl start to shake. "Wrong answer?" She looks unsure.

Faith leans her forehead to Dawn's and tries to compose herself. She doesn't want any misunderstandings like before. She fights to say what she feels. "No-fuck no. I just-I never thought-you really love me enough to-"

Dawn presses her lips to Faith's stopping her words. She pulls back with a smile, "Name the day."

Faith smiles and tears burn her eyes as well, "I love you."

"I love you." They share a gentle kiss.

Dawn turns onto her back and Faith snuggles against her. They lie in quietly for a few minutes then the Slayer finally speaks. "As much as I don't want to, I should see what your sister wanted to talk about."

"Not yet," she holds her tighter. "Wanna hold you."

Faith kisses her shoulder. "Talked me into it." She smiles when she feels Dawn's lips kiss the top of her head.

* * *

Faith stands outside the door to the entertainment room. She can see Buffy sitting on the couch with Xander watching a movie. Kennedy and Willow are there as well. Emilee sits in her carrier on the table next to them. After taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Faith goes inside. "Whatcha watching?"

They all look up at her, it is Kennedy who speaks, "Chick flick, Last time we let Buffy pick the movie."

Buffy glares, "Hey-Willow likes it too. Right Will?"

"I do," she smiles and snuggles back into Kennedy and kisses her neck.

Kennedy smiles, "Keep that up and maybe it won't be so bad." Willow kisses her lips.

"Still wanna talk?" Faith asks changing the subject.

"Kitchen okay with you?" Asks the blonde as she stands.

"I could use some food." Faith smiles.

They start to leave the room and as they do Xander asks, "Can we change the movie now?" Buffy rolls her eyes and keeps walking. "I'm taking that as a yes." He hits the eject button.

* * *

In the kitchen Faith works on making some sandwiches. Buffy watches. "So yell away," Faith looks up at the blonde.

"No yelling, just talking."

"I'm for that-want a sandwich?"

"Wouldn't say no." Buffy sits down and watches in silence as Faith makes six sandwiches. Finally the Slayer sits across from her with the plate. "I'll grab some drinks." Buffy gets bottled water and chips and sits back down.

"Just so you know," Faith starts as she talks around the mouthful of food. "I ain't leaving her again."

"And just so you know if you do, I'll have to hurt you."

"Deal," Faith nods and works on finishing the sandwich.

"I need to know something," Buffy looks at the other Slayer. Faith's eyes meet hers. "The baby, was it really her idea?"

"Yeah-but after we talked it made sense to me too."

"So still thinking about having one? Since you're not gonna die and all."

"Yeah, someday."

"Someday soon?" Buffy looks a little unsure.

"If she wants." Faith smiles and gets a faraway look in her eyes. Buffy can't help but smile at the obvious love there.

"Her birthday is in a couple weeks," Buffy starts.

"Ten days, wanna help be put together a rock'em sock'em party?"

"A surprise?"

"Doesn't have to be I got the surprise part covered." Buffy raises an eyebrow. "A cruise-she talks about traveling a lot. So I thought-" she stops when she sees Buffy smile. "What?"

"You're so whipped."

"Yeah-feels damn good."

Buffy nods, "It does at that." She grins. "So go get Dawn, you can join the movie watching."

Faith smirks, "Got other plans." Buffy rolls her eyes, "Later." She leaves the room with the plate of sandwiches and grabs more water from the fridge as she goes.

Buffy smiles, it gets bigger when she feels arms around her waist. "I didn't hear yelling." Xander whispers against her ear.

"That's cause amazingly enough there wasn't any."

"What have you done with my girlfriend?" Teases the man.

Buffy mock glares. "We're gonna plan a party for Dawnie's birthday, wanna help?" She stands and turns in his arms.

He kisses her gently, "Normally I'd say yes-but I think the two of you need some time alone-together."

She smiles, "You could be right." She presses a kiss to his lips. "Wanna go watch the movie?"

"Not so much," he kisses her again and it heats up quickly.

When they finally break apart for air she smiles, "I like that idea too. Should we tell Kennedy and Willow?"

"Don't think they'll miss us." He grins.

"Making out on the couch again?"

"Oh yeah." He nods. Buffy rolls her eyes and they start for her room.

* * *

Days pass and things go surprisingly smooth. Faith and Buffy are getting along, and plans for the party are falling into place. Even the younger Slayers have joined in and are working on the music, which has Buffy and Faith both kinda worried.

Willow is in charge of the food and Kennedy volunteered her help as well. After calling bakery after bakery and getting the same answer-we need more time they decide to fix the cakes themselves, again not making the older Slayers relax. Kennedy looks from Buffy to Faith and then to her girl, "Trust me-we got it covered."

"You better Junior!" Is all the once dark Slayer says as she glares and goes toward a group of teen Slayers by the pool.

Buffy looks from the Slayers to Willow and Kennedy, "I better make sure she doesn't hurt them-she's getting a little tense." She races after the brunette.

Willow smiles and Kennedy looks unsure, "They're actually getting along."

Kennedy smiles, "About damn time. Those two are just too much alike."

Willow grins, "And you're not like them at all?"

"No, they're stubborn and arrogant-and they think they're always right even when -" she stops mid-sentence and sticks her tongue out at her girl.

The witch laughs and pulls her into a hug. "I still love you." Kennedy rolls her eyes and pouts. "Ah-come on it was a joke, mostly."

"You really think I'm like them?" Kennedy looks into her eyes.

"Let me think," she pretends to think. "Yep. Brave. Passionate. Determined. Yep just like them." She kisses her Slayer.

Kennedy smiles as they break the kiss. They both look toward Emilee in her carrier on the table as she starts to fuss. They both move to her. "You want some kisses to baby girl?" Asks her mom with a smile. Kennedy picks her up and they pepper her with playful kisses and soon she is giggling.

* * *

Finally, Dawn's big day arrives. Dawn stretches and opens her eyes to find Faith smiling at her. "Happy birthday," whispers her lover as she leans forward and kisses her.

"Mmmm-nice present," whispers Dawn as their lips separate only to join again.

Faith moves her lips away again. "Come on," she pulls her to a seated position and then to her feet.

Dawn pouts, "Wanna stay here." She tries to crawl back in bed but Faith wraps her arms around her waist. "Nooo-" she whines.

Dawn squeaks as Faith lifts her into her arms and carries her into the bathroom. She is amazed by the sight she sees. Faith is worried by her silence. "You don't like it? Cause B said you would."

"No," she touches her girl's cheek. "It's amazing." She smiles as she looks around at the lit candles glowing in the otherwise dark room. Rose pedals cover the floor and feel like satin as Faith puts her down and her feet touch them. "You didn't have to do this." She presses a kiss to her lips. "The party-it would have been enough."

Faith grins, "The party that for the others-I wanted something special for us." She kisses her again as her hands begin to undress her girlfriend. Soon Dawn stands before her all clothes gone. "In you go." She holds her hand as she steps into the water.

"You coming in too?" Dawn asks as she bites her bottom lip.

"Not this time. I got a couple things to do, but I'll be back to wash your back." She leans down and kisses her again. "I won't be long."

"I'll be waiting." Dawn leans back with her head on the end of the tub, bubbles surround her. Faith kisses her one more time and then is gone. Dawn lets her eyes slip closed.

* * *

In the kitchen Faith is putting pancakes on a tray along with milk and juice, when Buffy comes in with Xander. "You cooked?" Asks the blonde as she eyes the tray. Faith blushes. "Is that a blush?"

Xander grins, "If it weren't Faith I'd say yes." Faith glares at him. He makes a face. "But since it is I'll say no."

"Did she like her surprise?" Buffy asks.

"She did, thanks."

"Glad I could help," the oldest Slayer says.

"B-I need to talk to you about something later," Faith's eyes meet hers.

"Sounds serious."

"Kinda is, maybe we can talk before the party?"

"Now's good." Buffy is suddenly nervous.

She looks down at the tray and then back up at the blonde. "Gotta go," she starts for the door. She stops to pick up the vase with the single rose in it. She puts it on the tray, then is gone.

Buffy smiles as she leaves. Xander hugs her. "You okay?"

"Yeah." She nods and kisses him softly.

"What do you think she wants to talk about?"

"I think I know, but I'm gonna pretend I don't. I want to be fun Buffy at the party-not worried Buffy."

* * *

In the bathroom Faith finishes Dawn's back with a soft kiss to her shoulder. Dawn smiles, "Feels good." Faith presses her lips back again.

"Another surprise for you, so we'll do the rest of the kissing later." She winks and holds her hand out of Dawn to take. The birthday girl does and stands. Faith wraps her in a towel and hand-in-hand they go into the bedroom.

Dawn sees the tray, "My favorite." She smiles as she sits on the bed her back against the headboard. Faith puts the tray on her lap and sits beside her. The teenager begins to eat slowly. She smiles at her Slayer and reaches a bite of pancake toward her.

Faith grins and leans in, taking the bite in her mouth. The syrup dribbles down her chin. Dawn grins and she mock glares at her. "You did that on purpose."

Dawn shakes her head innocently, "Would I do that?"

Faith smiles, "Give me the fork." Dawn looks unsure but does as the girl asks. Faith puts the pancakes at her girlfriend's lips and then just as she is going to take it off the fork she moves it wiping syrup on the teenager's chin. She giggles and Dawn playfully pouts. "Let me get that for you baby." She lean in and presses her lips to the sugary mess, then lets her tongue slip out to brush it away. Dawn moans softly. Faith grins and kisses her lips moving the tray back onto the night stand but not before she drips syrup onto Dawn's shoulder. "Oops-" she smirks as she leans over her girl.

* * *

The party is going full swing. The music is playing, both Buffy and Faith seem to like it. "Who knew?" Grins the once dark Slayer, "That they actually had taste."

Buffy smiles and adds, "Probably comes with being a Slayer."

Willow rolls her eyes, "That and ar-" Kennedy hands the baby to Faith and whisks her redhead away to dance.

Kennedy grins against her neck, "Play nice today remember?"

"Fine, ruin my fun." Willow teases.

"You be good and there'll be lots of fun later." She kisses her witch's neck. Willow lets her eyes close and she lays her head on Kennedy's shoulder.

Faith looks at the little redhead in her arms, "Hey little Red-wanna dance?" She grins and begins to dance around the room with her.

Dawn walks up to Buffy, "Where's Faith?"

Buffy points, "That's her-I think. Since when does she play with babies?" Dawn smiles and Buffy puts an arm around her sister. "Right." There is a pause as they watch her. "So, you like the party?"

"Yeah, thanks for helping her. It meant a lot to her."

"I had fun, you know she's trying hard."

"She's changed Buffy-" Dawn says.

"I see that," she kisses Dawn on the forehead, "Happy birthday sis."

"It has been." Dawn hugs her.

Faith dances over to them, "Hey D-" she kisses her softly. "Wanna dance with us?" She puts one arm around her girl and they dance off with the baby between them.

Rona comes up to Buffy, Vi following close behind as are a few other young Slayers. "When is she gonna cut the cake?"

Buffy smiles at the teenagers, "Gotta open presents first."

Another young Slayer chimes in, "We could starve by then."

Buffy giggles, "Soon." They look at her disbelievingly. The oldest Slayer rolls her eyes. "When this song finishes, Vi you turn the music off."

Vi looks at her unsure, "Will Faith hurt me?"

"I think you'll be safe," she smiles as the young Slayers move toward the entertainment center.

A few minutes later the music stops. Dawn complains, "Hey!" Faith looks toward the young Slayers.

"Buffy said," defends Rona.

"Time to open presents," grins the blonde.

"Goody!" Grins Dawn as she pulls Faith across the room.

* * *

Dawn opens the last package, tearing the paper to shreds. Kennedy laughs and Faith shakes her head. Buffy chimes, "And how old are you?"

The birthday girl rolls her eyes at her sister, then grins. "Old enough," she winks at Faith.

"Got a point, we can move you in tonight." She kisses her softly.

Buffy looks uneasy but as she eyes meet her sister's her forces a little smile. Xander takes the blonde's hand and kisses it. "You want some help?"

Faith smiles, "Yeah-that would be cool."

Dawn looks from the talking to the now opened present. She smiles at the Scooby-Doo pajamas and looks up at the teen beside Kennedy. "Thanks Andrea-I love'em." The girl blushes.

Faith grins, "Won't need those tonight." Dawn blushes as does about half the room. The other half groans-Kennedy giggles.

Dawn composes herself and looks at her friends and family. "I want to thank everybody."

Faith stops her, "One more D."

Kennedy smiles at Willow who squeezes her hand and smiles back.

Rona grins, "Can we stay for that Captain?" She raises an eyebrow.

The once dark Slayer glares at the young Slayer, but a slow smirk crosses her face after a second as she decides embarrassing the teen would be more fun than scaring her. "You like watching do you Rona?" She raises an eyebrow in return.

Dawn swats her playfully, "Enough-be nice."

Faith concedes, adding, "I'm trying D, but it's a lot of work."

Willow nudges her Slayer and the younger one speaks. "Open it Dawn."

Faith holds an envelop toward her girlfriend. "Hope you like it."

Dawn looks unsure as she begins to carefully open it. She is shocked, then amazed and then speechless.

"What is it?" Vi asks.

Faith gets nervous when her girl doesn't answer. "I just thought." She stops.

"You shouldn't have-"

Faith is near panic but she relaxes as she sees the love in her eyes. "We had a plan right? Three continents," she wiggles her eyebrows playfully and Dawn's smile brightens the room.

She nods at her Slayer, "Yeah, we sure did." She pulls Faith into a kiss.

The others look around from one to another trying to see if anyone knows what the present is. Finally, Kristy asks, "What is it?"

"A cruise," says Dawn softly.

Buffy looks at her friends surprised. Xander smiles at her nervously, but is relieved when he sees a little smile on his Slayer's face as well. "Let's eat," says the man knowing it will clear most from the room. As the younger Slayers leave, the older follow.

"You okay?" He whispers to his girl. She nods and kisses him. They begin to walk again.

Dawn stops Faith just before they reach the kitchen. "Three continents-sure you're ready?"

Faith leans in and kisses her, "We can do it right?" She asks her forehead against Dawn's.

"Yeah, we can do anything." She holds her close.

Faith breathes a sigh of relief then jokes, "You know the cake is gone now right?"

"It better not be," she glares and starts to the kitchen. "Slayers! Away from the cake!" she yells as she enters the room. She hears laughter fill it.

* * *

Later as the party begins to break up,(in Slayer-speak that means the food is gone) Buffy stops Faith and Dawn. "We were gonna talk," she says to her sister Slayer.

Dawn looks at her girl knowing what the conversation is about and she smiles.

Faith smiles back and kisses her softly, "Meet you in our room later?"

Dawn nods, "I like the sound of that."

"Me too." They share another kiss.

Buffy rolls her eyes, "Please, we're gonna hear a sappy alert soon."

Faith mock glares at Buffy, "Fine." She kisses her again only she deepens it just to hear Buffy complain. They pull away and both smile at the blonde. "Later D." Dawn grins and leaves.

"Okay B lets get this over with."

"Is it that bad? Should I sit down?" She teases.

"Maybe-yeah probably." Faith says seriously.

Buffy walks back to the entertainment room at sits on the couch Faith sits on the coffee table across from her. She looks the blonde in the eye, "It's like this B, I love her and I ain't going nowhere. You got my word."

Buffy takes a deep breath and nods, "What are you saying Faith?"

"I ain't exactly saying, I guess I'm kinda asking." She waits nervously for some type of response.

Chapter 12

They sit in silence for a few minutes before the redhead hears the Slayer's soft words. "I hate change, it's all happening too fast and I'm trying to be all understanding and supportive. I really am."

"I know," says her friend softly. "They'll only be gone a few weeks."

Buffy looks at Willow surprised, "You don't know?"

"Know?" The confused redhead looks at her friend.

Buffy can't stop the smile, "She really told me first."

"Told you?" Willow still seems unsure. "Who told you what?"

"Faith, she's gonna-" Buffy stops and repeats, "She really told me first." A little smile tries to find its way to her lips.

* * *

Faith sits on the couch holding Emilee. She smiles down at the little girl. "You know you're gonna have someone to play with soon. You're gonna be best friends-like your mom and me."

Kennedy walks back into the room with the necklace in an open box. She stands in front of Faith. "You're sure?"

"We're sure," she removes one hand from Em and takes the necklace. She looks at it with a smile before she closes it. "Thanks," she looks up at her friend.

"Did you tell Buffy?"

"Buffy and I talked about a lot of stuff. We're cool."

"So, you need a ride to the airport?"

"No, B's gonna take us." She rolls her eyes. "I trust her to save the world, but riding with her..." She grins and shakes her head.

Kennedy laughs. "We'll see you in a month then."

"Count on it." Faith nods and stands. "Thanks for everything."

Kennedy nods as she takes Emilee from her arms, "That's what friends do."

"I'm learning that." She rubs Emilee's head, "Take care of your mom E."

"Like someone has to tell her that." Kennedy grins.

"True, see you K. Tell Red we'll take good care of this." She pats the box that holds the necklace and then without another word Faith leaves the room.

* * *

The next morning Dawn is looking through her drawers making sure she hasn't forgotten anything. "About ready D?" Asks Faith from the door.

Dawn smiles at her lover, "Just checking again. Don't want to forget anything."

The Slayer smirks, "D-I've already loaded three suitcases just for you in the car. What else could you need?"

The teen glares at her, then playfully rolls her eyes, "Fine, but if I forgot something-"

Faith wraps her in her arms and pulls her close. "Hmmm let me think, got me-" she kisses her neck. "What else could you need?" She grins against her ear.

"Camera!" Dawn pulls away and goes through the closet looking for and finally finding the camera.

Faith has a mock pout on her face, "So the camera is more important than me?"

Dawn walks back to her and pulls her close. She shakes her head as she presses her lips to her Slayer's. "Never," she whispers as she pulls back.

Faith leans in again and they share a tender kiss just as Willow and Kennedy both stick their heads in the door. "Okay-that can wait," says the redhead.

They both glare at the witch. Kennedy adds, "Fine, but you're gonna be late. Do you really want Buffy to have to drive fast?"

They look at each other and both start for the door. Stopping only long enough to kiss baby Emilee before running for the front of the house. All miss the exchange between Slayers as Kennedy hands the older woman something and they each smile.

Willow watches them disappear from view with a smile and then turns back to her girls. Kennedy holds their daughter as the redhead slips her arm around her Slayer's waist. The younger woman looks into soft green eyes. "How's Buffy doing today?"

"Amazingly okay. Faith told her they were gonna-you know-with the necklace and she didn't freak."

Emilee starts to fuss. "Someone's getting hungry," Kennedy says as their conversation comes to a stop.

"Well a hungry Slayer is a cranky Slayer-we better feed her."

"I do not get cranky when I'm hungry." Kennedy pouts.

"Of course you don't sweetie," she says with a grin. "Just all the other Slayers, not you."

Kennedy rolls her eyes at her girlfriend then looks at her daughter, "I think later Mama's gonna have to be tickled, wanna help?" The baby grins.

Now it's the redhead's turn to pout, "You wouldn't."

"Of course not," she says with a smirk as she reaches to tickle her. The witch pulls away and playfully bats at her hand. They both giggle as they start for their apartment.

* * *

Faith and Dawn stand, ready to board. Buffy hugs her sister and then walks back to Xander. "Call me sometimes."

Faith grins and teases, "I don't know B, we'll be really busy."

Dawn shakes her head, "We'll call at least once a week. I promise." She moves from her girl to her sister and hugs her again, then hugs Xander.

Xander smiles, "Have fun."

"Plan to," says Faith as Dawn moves back to her arms. The horn of the ship sounds. "That means we better get our butts on board."

Buffy nods as Xander slips an arm around her waist. The once rogue Slayer and her girl walk up the ramp to the deck. They stand at the rail and wave down at the oldest Slayer and her lover as the confetti and streamers fill the air.

The blonde waves back as tears start to slip down her cheeks. Xander pulls her into a hug, "They'll be back before you know it." He presses a kiss to her lips, then holds her to his chest resting his chin on her head. A silent Buffy just holds him tightly.

* * *

Aboard ship, Faith and Dawn are in their cabin and have just finished unpacking. The Slayer walks up behind her girl and puts her arms around her. She presses her lips to her neck and whispers in her ear. "Happy?"

"Happy," she whispers back.

Faith lets a hand roam up to cup her girlfriend's breast. "Wanna try out the bed?" She lets her words dance across Dawn's neck and feels her shiver as she arches against her.

"Guess this could be continent number one," she breathes out as her eyes close as the rhythm of Faith's hand speeds just a little.

"That's what I was thinking." Faith groans as Dawn turns in her arms and finds her lips. The kiss is instantly needy and passionate as her tongue finds its way into her Slayer's mouth and begins to explore.

Dawn walks her girl backwards, towards the bed. All the while sucking gently on her girl's tongue, driving her crazy. The dark Slayer moans again as the younger woman finally lets the captured muscle go only to begin an attack along her lover's throat. She kisses and licks there.

Losing control quickly Faith tries desperately to compose herself. She decides taking things into her own hands is the only way. She picks up her girl and carries her to the bed. She puts her down there and immediately climbs in beside her. Her lips find Dawn's and after a few soft kisses the need overwhelms them again. "Too many clothes," pants out Dawn as her hands pull Faith's tee shirt from her leather pants. Their lips separate long enough for the top to be removed and then they join again. Dawn's fingers tease over the soft skin and toned muscles of her lover's sides and stomach. The Slayer's moans fill the small cabin. The teen pulls her lips away gasping air into her lungs minutes later, then begins to kiss down Faith's body. She stops at her belly button-her fingers begin to open buttons one at a time. "In the way," she informs, but then smiles before letting her tongue tease in and out of her girl's belly button once the leather is unbuttoned enough. "Better," she whispers as Faith writhes under her, arching against the onslaught of lips and tongue as the Key starts back up her body.

Faith's hands tangle in her girl's hair as she loses to the feelings coursing through her. "Shit! Please D-" she pants out as the need grows stronger.

Dawn presses a chaste kiss to her lover's lips as her hands knead her breasts. She licks her way to Faith's neck, then sucks there earnestly before circling her ear and drawing it between her lips.

Faith's moans are continuous. She body arches beneath Dawn searching for friction. Her body begs for release but her mind can't form the words.

The younger woman lets a leg slip between Faith's she presses down firmly. "Fuck!" Screams the Slayer as she trembles, then stiffens as her release is instantaneous.

"One down, two to go." Smiles Dawn against her lover's ear in a whisper.

Faith struggles to pull air into her lung. She tries to speak but all she can manage is a smile as she lets her eyes close. As her breathing slows she speaks, "About that."

Dawn looks at her unsure, "It's okay if you changed-"

"No," Faith forces her eyes open and meets her. "I haven't."

"Good," she smiles as she turns rest against her shoulder. "Cause I want us to," she kisses her lips.

"I was just thinking that since we were planning to have a kid." She stops and turns to the bedside table and gets something from it. "You might want to get married first." Her eyes meet Dawn's as she hands her the box.

Dawn slowly opens it and smiles a little as she sees the diamond there. "Faith." She stops a little unsure.

Faith is nervous, "I get it if you want to wait."

"Don't want to wait." Dawn leans in and kisses her.

"Good, there's an island-it'll be legal, even when we get home."

Tears fall from the teen's eyes. "Just full of surprises aren't you?" They share a gentle kiss.

"Just one more," she smiles.

"What's that?"

"B and the others are gonna meet us there. Can't get married without your family."

Dawn kisses her, "I love you."

"I love you D-" they kiss again.

* * *

Two weeks later Faith and Dawn disembark with the rest of the passengers. They nervously walk inland hand-in-hand. As they approach the hotel they walk inside. "Yeah-ah-we have a room."

As they talk to the man the gang appears in the lobby. Dawn sees her sister and lets go of Faith's hand to meet her. She runs toward her and hugs her tightly. "You knew and you didn't tell me."

Buffy looks up into the happy face of her sister, "Would have ruined the surprise now wouldn't it have?"

Faith joins them as she watches Xander, Willow, and Kennedy hug her girl. "Hey K-let go of my girl."

Kennedy rolls her eyes, "Don't need your girl, got my own." She puts her arms around her redhead.

"Where's Emilee?" The teen asks, realizing she isn't there.

Willow looks a little sad, "She's too young to travel out of the country."

Buffy and Xander both grin, "Giles and Slayers are baby sitting."

Kennedy pouts, "I miss her already."

Willow hugs her then kisses her lips, "We'll see her in two days and we're gonna talk to her tonight."

"I still miss her." Grumbles the new mother.

"I miss her too," Willow agrees.

Dawn looks at Faith and then speaks, "It's okay if you want to go home. We understand."

They both shake their heads. "We can do it, right sweetie?" The redhead says softly. Kennedy nods not trusting her voice.

"Let's go find the priest and check out the garden." Buffy looks at those around her.

Dawn nods but the growl of Slayer tummies change their plans for now, postponing them for a little while.

* * *

That night Faith says goodnight to Dawn at the door of the room she is sharing with her sister. "See you tomorrow." She kisses her softly.

"I can't believe you're falling for all the superstition stuff."

"Not taking any chances D-want everything to go smooth so this time tomorrow we can be making a baby."

"Then we should practice." She moves closer letting her hands caress her girl's body. "You know what they say about practice." She bites her bottom lip as she gives her Slayer the best puppy dog eyes she can master and still look sultry.

Faith smiles and shakes her head. "Not working, D." She kisses her girl again, then takes the younger woman's roaming hands in hers. "See you in the morning." She grins at Dawn's pout.

"I guess one night isn't all that bad." She kisses Faith, letting her lips open and close against her fiancee's. "Night," she breathes out as she steps back.

"Night Dawn." She turns and goes down the hallway to her room looking back over her shoulder once to see her girl still watching her.

* * *

Buffy and Dawn are both in bed. The teen however can't see to go to sleep. She has been staring at the sleeping Slayer for hours. She looks toward the window and sees the sun trying to find it's way out. She turns to face her sister's bed. "Buffy are you asleep?" She gets no answer. "Buffy?" She says a little louder.

Her sister slowly opens her eyes. "This better be good." She looks at Dawn.

"I'm scared." She whispers barely audible.

Buffy gets up and crawls in bed next to the younger woman. "You don't have to do this-not if you're not ready."

"I'm ready-I mean I think I am. It's just-it's happening so fast."

Buffy hugs her sister realizing it's just last minute jitters. "Do you love her?"

"I do." Dawn nods.

"Do you want to marry her and have babies?"

"I do." Dawn whispers again.

"Then why wait?" Buffy says surprising her sister and herself.

Dawn smiles at her words once the surprise wears off. "Where's my sister?"

"I think she's suffering from serious jetlag and you should ignore everything she says."

The former Key's smile widens. "No, I think she might be right." She hugs her again. "Thanks-I just got a little nervous."

"I thought maybe." Buffy grins. "Now sleep." Dawn's eyes close as she snuggles into her sister's arms.

* * *

Across the hallway in the room that belongs to the witch and her Slayer, Kennedy lies awake too. She holds Willow on top of her, her girl's head snuggled under her chin. She strokes her bare shoulder as she thinks about the last year. She can't help but smile when her thoughts turn to the child they share together. "Hey Red," she presses her lips to Willow's hair. "Sweetie wake up."

The woman on her chest stirs slightly. "No frogs in my pictures. No hoppies-ick."

Kennedy smiles as she strokes her back again trying to sooth her. "No frogs I promise."

Willow's eyes slowly open. "Sweetie is everything okay?" She turns so that she can look into Kennedy's eyes.

"I just been thinking." Willow is quiet as she waits for her girl to continue. "Marry me, Willow."

Willow lets a small smile cross her lips. "Kennedy just because they're getting married doesn't mean we have to."

"I know." Her eyes meet her redhead's. "That's not why."

"Then why all of a sudden?" Willow kisses her lips.

"It's right. It's what I want. You make me so much better-"

Willow puts her fingers on Kennedy's lips, "We make each other better." Kennedy nods at her words. "You're sure?" She nods again. "Then yes."

"Yes? You will?"

"I will." The redhead accepts. Kennedy kisses her passionately then slides from the bed. "Where are you going?"

"Got plans to make." She kisses her again and slips into some jeans and a tank before slipping out the door. Willow smiles at her Slayer.

* * *

Willow, Buffy and Dawn go dress shopping. They search all the stores until the bride-to-be finds the prefect dress. "Like that one Dawnie?" Smiles the redhead.

"Yeah-" she let's her hand brush across it.

"Then we get that one," smiles the blonde. She looks at the shop owner and the woman gets the dress for them.

As they start to the register Willow looks at them, "I'll meet you guys back at the hotel. I need to find Emilee a present."

Buffy smiles and a distracted Dawn waves as the redhead leaves the shop. She walks along the roadway looking in windows. She stops a couple shops away and smiles at the dress she sees there. She goes inside.

* * *

At the hotel a nervous Faith paces around her room as she waits for Kennedy. The door opens and the younger Slayer comes in a little out of breath. "Okay-where the hell you been! I'm like climbing the walls here. We're gonna be late. I don't even have what I'm wearing yet."

"Relax got it taken care of," she takes a pair of white leather pants and a white tank from a bag. "What do you think?"

Faith smiles and nods, "I think you did good K-now tell me where the hell you been?"

"Shopping." Kennedy says simply, hoping the nervous Slayer will let it go at that.

"Like I'm believing that-you're up to something." She looks into the girl's dark eyes.

"Okay-you're right. And when did you get that damned observant?" Faith just grins. "You gotta promise to keep it quiet."

"I can do that."

Kennedy smiles, "I had to make some arrangements. Willow and I are gonna take a later flight back."

Faith smiles, "Why's that?"

Kennedy rolls her eyes, "Smart ass, figured it out didn't you?"

"You could just get married when D and I do."

"Nah that's your time. I got ours all ready for sunset." They both smile. "Now go get your ass dressed." Faith nods and picks up the clothes as she goes toward the bathroom.

* * *

The wedding has started, nervous vows are being exchanged. "I do," says Dawn and Buffy's tears start. Xander holds her tighter.

Faith finishes the ceremony whispering, "I do." She smiles and leans in kissing Dawn softly.

Willow and Kennedy smile at each other, their hands joined. They party begins to walk back the way they came in and all six end up at the garden entrance where a small reception is set up.

Buffy hugs Dawn and then Faith, "Take care of her."

"Plan to," Faith promises.

Dawn rolls her eyes, "Again-I can take care of myself."

Faith kisses her softly, "I know but I like to." She puts an arm around her wife. Faith smiles at the word as it runs through her head for the first time. Dawn is her wife.

Music begins to play, "Dance with me," whispers the teen.

"Anything you want." Faith whispers back and they hold each other moving to the soft music. Faith looks her wife in the eyes, "I love you Dawn-I might screw up some but I'll always love you."

Dawn touches her cheek, "I love you too and I'm sure I'll screw up too, but we'll fix it. That's people in love do." They share a soft kiss as their foreheads rest together.

* * *

Later, the couple stands by their bed. Dawn turns her back to Faith and her wife draws the zipper down. With a soft kiss to the younger woman's shoulder, the once dark Slayer slips it off her shoulder. She does the same to the other side and the dress is soon a puddle on the floor around her feet. Faith holds her hand and Dawn steps out of it, she turns to face her Slayer. They share a tender kiss. Dawn reaches down and raises Faith's tank over her head. Next, her hands slip to the waist of her hipster leathers and unbuttons them. She works her hands inside and lowers them down her legs. When she stands again they are both in only their underwear, which for Faith is only a pair of panties. They share another kiss as her Slayer's hands move around to unhook her bra, she lets it fall to the floor.

Dawn smiles a little nervous as Faith turns to get the necklace from its box on the night table. They stand face to face, their eyes meet. "You sure?" Dawn asks softly.

"Never been more sure of anything D-" she kisses her again.

Dawn turns her back and Faith puts the necklace around her neck then kisses her shoulder. The younger woman turns to face her. They both smile nervously.

"Shit! Feel like I've never done this before." Faith breathes out as they step toward the bed.

Dawn smiles, "I know what you mean." Faith sits on the bed and pulls Dawn into her lap. Dawn sits straddling her hips. "I love you."

"Love you D." She kisses her softly as her hands begins to roam her wife's body for the first time.

* * *

Buffy looks at the redhead unsure, "Why aren't you going back with us?"

Xander looks just as confused, "I thought Giles with the baby had you all eeeee?"

Kennedy looks at the Slayer and the man in front of her, "The beach looks amazing. I want to try it out tomorrow and then catch a late flight."

"The beach?" Buffy looks at the younger Slayer. "We were together in California for almost a year, I don't remember you ever going to the beach."

Willow speaks, "Well, okay maybe true, but there was the whole trying not to get killed thing then and not to mention the apocalypse."

"Exactly." Kennedy agrees.

Buffy looks at Xander, "I think this means they're gonna have sex on the beach."

"Hey!" Willow quips as she turns red. "What! Are you channeling Anya?" The redhead's face goes pale afraid her words will upset Xander.

Xander smiles at the redhead and then the blonde, "Kinda sounded that way didn't it Will."

Buffy just rolls her eyes, "You know I'm right." She looks at her boyfriend.

Kennedy nods, "Okay-you're right."

"See-you could have just told us." Buffy takes Xander's hand.

"We'll see you when you get back." He leads his Slayer towards the cab.

Willow leans into Kennedy's arms. "Aren't they gonna be surprised when we get home."

Kennedy kisses her lips, "Just a little, maybe we should make love on the beach so she's not all wrong."

Willow shakes her head, "That's so not gonna happen sweetie." The Slayer pouts. "That's not gonna work."

* * *

Faith and Dawn are lie tangled together. Both breathing hard trying to recover from their latest round of love making. Faith notices the faint glow of the necklace as it lays against her wife's chest. She smiles as she let's her fingers brush over it. She looks up into Dawn's eyes, "Think it worked?"

The younger woman smiles, as she runs her fingers through her girl's tossled hair. "Maybe we should try again just in case." Her smile turns into a grin.

"Maybe," she smirks, wiggling her eyebrows. She leans down and brushes her lips against Dawn's. The glow of the necklace remains the same. The soft green light reflects onto the former Key's skin creating a shimmering effect. As the kiss heats up and lips begin to move against lips, the glow seems to change ever so slightly.

As the Slayer pulls back she lets her fingers touch the necklace again, "It's hot," she looks at Dawn unsure.

"So are you," the new wife grins.

"No, I'm serious D-doesn't it burn?"

Dawn shakes her head and leans back in kissing her girl. She tangles her hands in Faith's hair and pulls her closer as she deepens the kiss.

The Slayer moans forgetting the necklace all together when her girl's hands tease her body.

* * *

Willow and Kennedy stand hand-in-hand on the overlook, the beach beneath them and the starry night sky above them. The moon is peeking from the behind the clouds. Willow bites at her bottom lips nervously. "Nervous?" Asks her Slayer as she squeezes her hand tighter. The redhead nods. "Piece a cake, right?" She smiles as she meets Willow's green eyes.

"Right." She watches below them as those in charge set up the ceremony. The Priestess and those who will call the Corners ready themselves. "I can't believe you got this ready in less than a day."

Kennedy kisses her lips gently, "I was properly motivated." Willow raises an eyebrow. "Well that and I'm still a bit of a brat." She winks.

The witch smiles. "But you're my brat." She hugs her.

As she holds her against her tightly she whispers, "Ready to go down there?"

Willow takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Ready."

* * *

Back in Cleveland, Vi and Rona are trying to get Emilee down for the night but she is not being very cooperative. The normally happy baby has been fussy for most of the evening. Almost every young Slayer tried to entertain her at some point during the spree, with no luck.

Rona looks at Vi, "Something has to be wrong. Maybe we should get Giles."

Vi looks unsure, "What does he know about babies?"

"More than me, he'd have to cause I don't know much and neither do you."

The redhead picks the baby up out of the bed and holds her against her shoulder, patting her back as she walks with the fussy infant. The crying only gets louder. After a few minutes she tries rocking her. "Okay-find him," she concedes.

"Finally-my ears are ringing from the noise." The young Slayer goes up the stairs.

* * *

The handfasting ceremony starts with a request from Priestess to the goddess for her blessing on the union. Then, the Corners call the goddesses of the air, fire, water, and earth to oversee the night. Willow's eyes don't leave the chocolate of her love. She gets more overcome by emotion, tears slipping down her cheeks with each part of the ceremony.

Kennedy smiles at her and presses a soft kiss to her forehead at the Priestess's final words, "So mote it be." After a period of silence she turns her attention to the couple before her. "Willow and Kennedy let us begin."

* * *

"Yes Giles, we fed her." Rona rolls her eyes.

"Right on schedule," Vi adds. "And she's been changed."

"Quite obviously, this can't be the child Willow and Kennedy left in our charge." The cries so loud now he is nearly shouting to be heard.

"Maybe we should call them?" Vi recommends.

"To what end?" He checks his watch. "Their flight has already left." The man informs them. As they all stare at the child she is suddenly quiet and then just as quickly she is gone. "Bloody hell!" States the Englishman. Rona and Vi stand speechless.

* * *

At the handfasting, just as the red cord is tied to their hands Emilee appears in them. She giggles up into the face of her parents tears still wet on her face. Willow and Kennedy simply look from their child to each other. Kennedy sends silently, 'Okay-what just happened?'

The witch shrugs her shoulders slightly, 'Ah-guessing she missed us and took her own flight.'

Kennedy's eyes become large as she considers her witch's words. "She can do that?" She asks out loud.

"Apparently," answers the shocked redhead.

The priestess looks at them unsure of what to do. "Our daughter," explains the Slayer.

The woman smiles and begins again.

The End

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