Love On The Hellmouth

Once back at the house they tried sneaking in without waking anyone. W the the Potentials were asleep the rest of the gang were wide-awake waiting for the couple to return. Willow gestured for the couple to come into the kitchen, “So how’d it go?” “Interesting. The guide showed me how the Watchers made the First Slayer. They were bastards even back then. They took a girl and chained her to the earth then knocked her up with the soul of a demon. They tried to do that to me. But you know me not one for tradition.” The group was stunned. “Anyway I think we should all just go to bed.” The rest nodded in agreement and headed off. Buffy not really tired decided to go out for patrol. As she heads for the door again Kennedy stops her, “Where are you going?” “Patrol. I know you want to go but I need to do this on my own. You’re not strong enough. Not yet at least.” “I know. Be careful.” “Always.”

Buffy didn’t return till the morning and found Kennedy waiting for her in the kitchen, asleep. “Kennedy. Baby wake up.” Kennedy stirred and groggily looked around. When she spotted Buffy she got up and moved to hug her. At least that’s what Buffy thought instead Kennedy slapped her. Buffy taken aback inquires, “What was that for?” “Scaring the crap out of me. You didn’t say anything about an all nighter.” “I’m sorry. I didn’t plan on it. There were just so many Bringers and vamps out last night that I lost track of time. I won’t do it again.” “Okay. You want to go up to bed?” “Nah I’m wide awake. But you go on up.” “Fine. See you later.” Kennedy headed up the stairs just as Willow came down. Willow came into the kitchen smiling as she had heard the entire scene and thought it all too cute. Buffy hears Willow coming and puts some coffee on the table for the both of them. Willow gratefully takes the coffee and then says, “You’re falling in love with her. You called her baby. And she got all cranky about Slaying all night and you did nothing. Must be love.” “Must be. Will can I talk to you about something?” “Sure.” “It’s Kenn and me related.” “Okay shoot.” Buffy tries to get comfortable, “Well I like her a lot. Maybe I even love her. I want to well, you know, but I’m afraid that I may hurt her. Physically. One thing that bugged Riley while we were together was the fact that he couldn’t keep up with me in everything. I was stronger than him; I know Kennedy is hardly human but she not a vampire or a Slayer for that matter. If I take this relatiip tip to the next obvious level I may hurt her, or scare her. I don’t want that.” “I don’t know what to say only that Kennedy doesn’t seem like one to give up just ‘cos things are hard or scary. Honestly I think she’s a brat that always gets her way.” Kennedy who had come back downstairs interrupts, “And right now you’re my way. And I ain’t letting go.” As Kennedy went and kissed Buffy the rest of the household started to wake up.

Later that morning Buffy and Kennedy were training the others outside. Inside Willow, Xander, Anya and Dawn were researching. Willow brought up the Buffy becoming distant issue and all of them agreed that Buffy was acting strangely. Dawn looks outside and watches Buffy and the Potentials train, “I wish we could do something.” Willow knew how she felt, “I know Dawn but if we push her too hard she may drive us completely away. I think we should trust that Kennedy can keep her close.” As they finish their conversation, the phone started to ring. Andrew came running out of the kitchen in oven mitts to answer it, “Hello Summers residence Andrew speaking.” The others look up waiting to see what’s what. He puts his hand over the phone and goes to Willow, “Willow call for you. From L.A. Somebody called Fred.” Willow takes the phone from Andrew, “Hey Fred what’s happening?” The others watched as the color drains from Willow. “I’m leaving right now.” Willow hangs up the phone and runs outside, the others close behind. “Buffy.” Buffy and the girls stop drills and look at the witch. “Just got a phone call. I gotta take off for a little while, maybe a day or so…” “Something wrong?” “Angel. He’s in trouble. Kinda trouble I can deal with. Trust me.” “What kind of trouble?” “Soul losing. Fred told me that they took his soul so they could get some info about their latest menace from Angelus. They were going to give it back but someone stole it. He got out and has been killing again so Wesley broke Faith out of jail. She caught him but she’s apparently in bad shape.” “Is she going to die?” “Don’t know. But I’ll call you when I know something.”

Buffy told the Potentials to go grab lunch. She took Kennedy aside and hugged her. Kennedy understanding hugged back, “He’ll be fine. Willow will give him his soul back. And Faith, she’ll be fine. She’s a Slayer. Hard to kill.” Buffy cried. The rest of the group watched the two from the kitchen. Dawn explained the drama; “Buffy dated Angel and Faith in the past. I think to a point she still loves them both. Angel is a vampire who was cursed with a soul. They dated when we first got here for about three years before he left. His curse had a happy clause so when they slept together he lost his soul. Willow gave it back to him, which is why she’s gone to L.A. As for Faith she’s a Slayer that went bonkers and tried to kill her.” The Potentials continue looking at the two until they headed back inside. They all found food and sat around in little groups.

Later that night Buffy took the girls outside again, this time with Spike. The two of them put on quite the performance for the Potentials. Neither pulling punches. After a half hour Buffy called time and asked for a volunteer to fight her. To no ones surprise it was Kennedy. The couple fought and all could see that Buffy wasn’t putting all her effort into the bout. Kennedy however was. While they were fighting Kennedy felt a wave of power enter her and momentarily became dizzy. She quickly recovered and punched through one of Buffy’s halfhearted blocks. The group watched as Buffy went stumbling back holding her chest. Buffy looked at Kennedy and then ran to the house. The group followed her in. Buffy immediately got on the phone and called Angel’s hotel. Fred answered, “Angel Investigations we help the helpless.” “Fred it’s Buffy, give me Willow.” Buffy could hear Fred call Willow to the phone and tell her it was Buffy. “Buffy?” “Faith is she dead?” “Buffy I’m so sorry she died a few moments ago. I was just about to…wait how’d you know?” “Kennedy just landed a punch and it kinda stung. Which none of the Potentials can do. Kennedy’s the new Slayer.” Everyone looked to Kennedy in shock. Kennedy gave a small smile. “Buffy I’m on my way home, I’ll talk to you more when I get back, okay?” “Okay.” The two hang up and Buffy looked at her girlfriend for the first time since entering the house. While keeping her eyes on Kennedy she told the rest that training was over and to organize dinner. She took Kennedy’s hand and led her upstairs.

Buffy looked at Kennedy and smiled, “My girlfriends the new Slayer. Cool.” “So you’re okay with that?” Buffy nodded and brought Kennedy into a passionate kiss. “You want to come patrolling with me tonight?” “Yes. How about we patrol then go out.” Buffy shakes her head; “No I need to talk to Willow as soon as she gets back. I need to know what happened.” “I just thought now I was the Slayer you might want to…” “I do but not with things so hectic and with the house so full.” Kennedy nodded and kissed Buffy again, “Well it’s about seven, so you want to go now?” “Yep.” The two of them left the house Buffy taking her mobile in case Willow got home early.

The couple’s patrol went well. Kennedy was having a great time. She managed to kill all of the vampires they came across with little help from Buffy, who was happy to watch her girlfriend work. As they made their third pass of Sunnydale’s biggest cemetery they were attacked by a dozen Bringers. Buffy and Kennedy made short work of them without many injuries. Kennedy came out the worse for wear but she was happy to note that her injuries did not hurt. “That would be the famous Slayer healing at work. Those cuts will be gone within a few hours. How are you feeling Kenn?” “Great. Being the Slayer is better than being a Potential. I can fell the power. It’s a great felling.” “And it never stops. The longer you live the stronger you become. I still feel it. I’m at least ten times stronger than I was when I was first called.” “That’s why my punch merely stung?” “I think so. You may be a Slayer now but I’m still stronger.” As they started to head home, Buffy’s phone rang, “Hey, what’s up?” “It’s Xander, Willow just called. She’s at the hospital with a Potential that was just attacked. Thought you and Kennedy should check it out.” “Thanks. See you soon. Kenn, we have to go to the hospital. Willow found a Potential.” The two ran all the way there.