Brown Eyes Blue

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Chapter 17

Out of Step

Later the three are sitting in the library. Tara and Willow are on the couch together, holding hands. Their joined hands rest on Willow’s thigh. Kennedy sits across from them and she tries not to stare. She finally stands and begins to pace. Tara smiles at her redhead and then looks up at the young Slayer-to-be. “Waiting is hard, but learning to be patient-it’s very important.”

“I guess,” says Kennedy. “It’s just-we’re wasting time.”

“It seems that way,” states Tara, “because we don’t know why we’re waiting.”

“They’re probably watching us,” complains the girl. “Some test.”

Willow nods, “Could be,” she is quiet and then reaches out her hand. “Come sit.” Kennedy looks down at the redhead and walks slowly toward her. She takes her hand and sits next to the witch. They sit together and continue their wait in silence. Willow places their joined hands on her leg and squeezes slightly trying to reassure the younger girl.

On the other side of the room masked by an elaborate glamour three coven members observe the group. “She’s very impulsive.”

“True but her concern is for the witch.”

The third speaks, “As it should be. My only question is her lack of trust. If she will not-”

Althennea speaks, “Trust can be built-she will do what has to be done.”

“What has convinced you of this?” asks Hannah.

“She told me as much,” the leader speaks.

“Still-I worry,” says the youngest present.

“As you should Olivia.” Althennea conveys, “Because if we fail, her evil will over take the world.”

The others nod and Hannah speaks, “We shall go prepare for the night’s ritual.” She and Olivia disappear in a sparkle of light.

Slowly the glamour is revealed, Althennea walks toward them. Kennedy stands-prepared to fight. “You were right young one-we were indeed watching.”

“We’re leaving,” she tightens her hold on the redhead’s hand. “Tara we need to find a phone.”

“Kennedy,” Tara’s voice is calm. She stands as does Willow. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not-they’re just-” her eyes meet the blonde’s. “We don’t have time for games. Willow doesn’t have time.”

“Nothing here is a game I assure you,” Althennea steps closer her hand extended.

“Back the hell away from her.” She moves in front of the redhead.

Althennea smiles, “I’m not here to hurt-my job is to help.”

“Then don’t you think it’s about time to do your job?”

“Kennedy-” Tara cautions.

“She’s right-it is time to start. If you would all follow me please.”

Kennedy looks from Willow to Tara and then back at the woman. Tara touches the Slayer-to-be’s shoulder, she whispers, “We’re safe here.”

Kennedy replies just as softly, “I’m not sure she's safe anywhere.” She looks into the blonde’s soft blue eyes, “Okay-but I don’t like it.”

Later the three are standing inside a circle on the floor of a large bare room. Althennea and the others of the coven are also present. Kennedy looks at each of the coven members-her eyes ever vigilant. “I don’t like this,” she whispers.

Willow looks into her eyes, “I know you don’t but we have to trust them for this to work.”

Kennedy is quiet as she takes in the redhead’s words. “If I can’t?”

“Then-” her words stop and she looks down. When her eyes meet the girl’s again the soft green is replaced by shimmering black. “Then I win.” Her words are followed by a menacing smile.

“Tara!” The teenager looks to the blonde.

Tara sees the reason for Kennedy’s fear. “Willow-” the redhead battles and her eyes again shift to a dark shade of green but at least they are green.

The redhead collapses and they catch her. “Tara?”

“I got you baby.” Tara sits and Kennedy settles Willow into the Wicca’s lap.

Kennedy looks to Althennea, “Do something-” her eyes are pleading. “Help her.”

“Kennedy?” Whispers Willow softly.

“I’m here Will-” she sits beside them and touches the redhead’s hand.

Althennea steps forward and addresses the others present. Silently they form a circle to start the ritual. In unison they call the Quarters- “Guardians of the-”

The words fade for Kennedy as she turns her attention to the redhead. Tara looks at the girl and without words she speaks, ‘Hold her hand-and mine.’ Kennedy does as she is told. The words whirl around her, meaningless-lost as she focuses herself on Willow. Tara gasps as she feels the power surge through her and then Willow cries out in obvious pain. Kennedy looks up at the others prepared to fight but is hit with a wave of calmness. ‘It’s okay,’ assures the blonde. The ritual continues. Power is exchanged. Willow is now crying in Tara’s arms. Kennedy watches helpless as the coven chants.

After what seems like hours the room falls silent and the redhead slowly opens her eyes. She sees Tara first and the blonde smiles warmly and presses a soft kiss to her forehead. She looks to her right and sees Kennedy. The teenager is breathing heavily and her hands shake from the residual effects of the magic. She squeezes her hand. ‘I’m okay-’ whispers Willow’s silent words.

‘Yeah-’ she tries to stand but can’t she sits against the couple and closes her eyes. ‘I feel like-I’m all- I can’t stand.’

Tara smiles, ‘You’ll be okay-the magic is draining.’

‘Sleep now.’ Willow says.

‘Can’t-’ she forces her eyes open and again scans the people in the room. ‘Need to watch.’

As the morning light shines through her bedroom window Kennedy opens her eyes and then closes them. The scene is too bright to handle. Her head pounds and her mouth is dry as she opens her eyes again. She sits up slowly and the room starts to spin. “Damn-I don’t remember drinking.” She closes her eyes. She tries to put the pieces together and then she remembers. She remembers where she is and what happened the night before. “What did they do to me?” She is near panic as her thoughts turn to Willow- “Red-” she forces herself onto her wobbly legs and starts to the adjoining door only to fall to the ground.

She looks up at the bathroom door and sees it open. She tries to get to her feet and manages to stand. Willow and Tara walk in and each takes her by an arm. “Let’s get you back to bed,” states the blonde. They walk her the few steps and she sits on the edge.

Willow starts, “Crawl back under the covers.”

Tara who had slipped out of the room comes back in with a cup of what appears to be tea and hands it to the teenager. “Drink this.”

“What is it?”

“It’ll help,” Tara assures softly.

“Why am I all wobbly and you two are-” Kennedy voices.

“We drank the tea,” smiles the redhead. “Come on now.” Kennedy takes a sip and makes a face. “All of it.”

“It sucks,” she protests.

“That’s a given but it’s the tea or you could be all with the spinny head for next couple of days,” Tara challenges.

“Fine,” she pouts but drinks it. She makes another face and hands the empty cup to the blonde.

“Now,” starts Willow, “back under the covers.” She is surprised as the girl does as she instructed. The redhead pulls the covers tighter around her. “Sleep.”

“Giles said,” she starts.

Tara interrupts. “We’re going back to the room-no worries. If we need help we’ll yell.”

“Sleep,” says Willow as she brushes hair from the girl’s eyes. They stand at her bedside until they see her breathing level out and are sure she is indeed asleep. Hand-in-hand they go back to their room leaving the bathroom door open.

“Sleep,” mumbles the Slayer-in-training.

In their room Willow rests with her head on Tara’s chest. The blonde strokes her hair and speaks softly, “Thought we agreed you’d try to sleep a little too?”

“I tried.” She leans her chin on her girl so she can look into her eyes.

“Still busy in there?” She touches Willow's forehead with soft fingers.

“Yeah-” confirms the redhead.

“Wanna talk about it?”

“Nah,” she lays her head back down. “Just want it to stop.”

Tara smiles slightly, “I think I can help with that.” She turns and cradles the redhead underneath her and kisses her lips gently. “Okay?”

Willow smiles as her tongue edges its way out just a little. “Okay,” their lips meet in a soft kiss as she pulls Tara closer and the blonde rests between her legs.

In Kennedy’s room the teenager is mumbling in her sleep as she is plagued by dream after confusing dream. The first starts with Tara and Willow fighting-arguing over magic. Tara’s voice echoes, accusing her girl of erasing her memory. Kennedy watches from across the room but they appear to not see her. Then as suddenly as it started it stops and they are gone.

The next image that fills her mind is of Tara packing-again she goes unnoticed though she is standing in the hallway. She sees Willow crying in the bathroom and starts to go to her only to be stopped by some invisible source, “Willow-” she mumbles in her sleep as she tosses and turns.

In the other room Willow and Tara are caressing and teasing each other. “Did you-” she stops to compose herself. “Did you hear something?” asks the redhead her words choppy as Tara kisses down her body.

The blonde above her smiles mischievously, “Only you-” she slides her hand down to play in wet curls. She bites her bottom lip. As she teases soft folds the redhead moans. “See.”

“Please baby-” begs the redhead. “I need-” she stops as Tara slides two fingers inside. “Yes-” she gets lost in her lover’s touch. The question she asked long forgotten as the steady touch takes her away.

Kennedy still dreams-as the scene unfolds she sees Willow and Tara dressing. They seem happy and this makes her smile. Suddenly a shot rings out and Tara falls into Willow’s arms as her blood spills. Willow screams out- Kennedy sits bolt upright in bed as she tries get herself under control. “It was a dream.” Her breathing calms as she makes that realization. But she panics again as she hears the redhead’s voice.

“No-don’t-stop!” pause “Tara!” She screams and Kennedy is on her feet and through the opened door of the bathroom and into the room of the Wicca’s. She stops in her tracks however as she sees the blonde slide up Willow’s naked body, brushing soft kisses as she does. She kisses her lips and then turns onto her back pulling the still trembling redhead on top of her and holding her tight. “Tara-baby-”

“Shhh-sleep,” smiles the blonde.

“But you,” the redhead tries to protest.

“Later-” she presses a kiss to the top of her head.

“Now,” says Willow as her lips find Tara’s breast and her hand caresses her girl’s sweat slicked body.

Tara moans as the redhead sucks then licks the pebble nibble.

Kennedy tries to back out of the room not wanting to spoil their private moment, well there’s that and the fact that watching them make love isn’t on her top ten list. As she hears Tara moan and then arch into the redhead’s hand she decides maybe her top ten list should be revised. She finally chastises herself, ‘Perv-they’re fine-leave now.’ She backs away only to bump into the dresser and knock over the lamp. Tara and Willow stop all movement and the witch looks her way.

“Kennedy?” The blonde blushes.

“I thought-” she stops and starts again. “I heard Willow yell and I-” she turns red as does the couple on the bed. Willow buries her face against Tara's shoulder. “Leaving now.” She turns and runs back through the bathroom. “Damn!” says Kennedy as she knocks something else over.

Willow begins to giggle silently against Tara’s shoulder. Tara is still embarrassed, “Are you laughing?”

“Me,” lies Willow, “No.” She can’t contain it any longer and laughs out loud.

“Will, it’s not funny.” She turns and her eyes meet Tara’s.

“You’re right,” she tries to stop the laughter but can’t.

“She saw us making-” she stops. “We were-” a smile crosses her face. “Think she’s okay?”

“I think she broke something-” she smiles. “Maybe we should check on her?” The redhead starts to get out of bed-Tara watches the cover fall from her girl’s naked body before she stops her by taking her hand.

“Later-” she pulls the redhead back down on the bed and smiles as she crawls toward her. As their lips meet in a passionate kiss they hear the door to Kennedy’s room slam shut. Tara breaks the kiss- “Okay-we check on her now. Door slamming never a good sign.”

After one more soft kiss they get out of bed and start picking up their clothes.

After searching the house they find Kennedy sitting on an old bench in the garden, “We have been looking for you,” Tara says softly.

“Ever think I didn’t want to be found?”

“Thought crossed our minds,” concedes Willow. “But we need to talk.”

“No we don’t-let’s just forget it ever happened.” Her eyes stay focused on the sun over the lake.

Tara looks at Willow- ‘Let’s give her some space.’

‘But baby she-’

“I can hear you-you know?”

They look at her surprised. “How?” they ask in unison.

Kennedy looks up and their eyes meet as she shrugs her shoulders. She stands and walks away. They look at her but decide to stay put. Willow and Tara sit on the bench. “It had to be the ritual right?” asks Willow.

“We should talk to Althennea.”

“Yeah-let’s do that.” They stand and walk toward the house hand-in-hand. From behind the rose bushes Hannah watches them.




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