Brown Eyes Blue

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Chapter 18

Stepping In-Stepping Out-Stepping Up


Kennedy is walking down an empty corridor of the huge house. She stops in the door of the library as she hears Althennea talking to Willow and Tara. “The link is normal-”

“You think you could have told us that before?" Asks the younger woman from the doorway.

“Kennedy-” starts Althennea.

“You know, save it-this is-” she turns and walks away. Tara and Willow exchange glances.

“She’ll be all right dears-she’s just a little overwhelmed.”

“I guess,” concedes Willow.

Tara starts, “She needs to talk to-” her words stop and her mind searches out the young would-be-Slayer. ‘Kennedy-’ she decides not to play fair. ‘Willow needs you to be strong.’

The return reply shocks Tara. The girl states simply, ‘I can’t do this.’

‘Why?’

‘Tara- it’s just-it’s too hard.’

“Tara,” says Willow softly. The blonde looks at her, “Are you okay-Althennea asked if-”

“Sweetie I have to go-will you be okay?”

Willow nods and then speaks barely a whisper, “Is she?” Tara slowly shakes her head. Tara leans in and kisses her before she stands.

“I’ll see you in the room later?”

“You want me to come with?” Asks the worried redhead.

Althennea speaks, “We could use this time to meditate.” Her eyes meet Willow’s.

“I guess,” answers the witch. She looks at Tara unsure.

Again the blonde kisses her and speaks softly, “You take care of you-I’ll take care of her-this.” She amends and then walks away. Willow watches her suddenly more worried then before.

“Shall we?”

“I’m all with the not focused,” starts the witch.

“Then meditation is very important. We should go to the garden.” She stands and Willow takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly as she follows the older woman.

Tara knocks quietly on the door to Kennedy’s room but doesn’t get an answer. She sort of smiles a sad smile and goes into the room she shares with her redhead instead. Once inside she goes into the bathroom and opens the door that joins the two rooms to see Kennedy staring out the window. “Hey-”

“I’m sorry. I know I let you down,” Kennedy says without turning around.

“No-you haven’t.” She moves to stand behind the younger girl. “I get that it’s overwhelming-it is for me too. This place-these people.-The Magicks.”

“It’s not that-” says Kennedy softly.

“Then what?” She places a hand on Kennedy’s shoulder. “Talk to me.”

Kennedy watches as Willow and Althennea sit on the ground in the garden below. “It’s her-and you-” she hesitates and then turns to look at the blonde. “And me-” this time she stops completely. “I can’t do this-” tears threaten to fall. “I can’t-the words just-”

“Use the mind link-if the words are too hard to say out loud then just think them.”

“Think them-that’s all I do.” She shakes her head as she steps away from the blonde. “Look I’ll work it out. Just- I need-” her words stop and her mind is filled with words and images.

Tara’s look changes from one of concern to uncertainty and then puzzlement; but she finally smiles. Kennedy panics and starts out of the room.

‘No-’ Tara’s thoughts enter her mind. ‘No more running.’

‘Like there’s another option?’

‘There’s always a choice Kennedy,’ assures the blonde.

‘Maybe-but it’s mine and I’m not gonna-’ she stops and faces the blonde. “What the two of you have-” the words are again audible.

Tara speaks interrupting the younger woman, “What Willow and I have is amazing. I love her-always, and I want what makes her happy.”

“So do I-and that’s you.”

“Look- we’ve talked about what’s gonna happen to me.”

“Don’t-” she holds up a hand. “I can’t hear that now.”

“You have to, because she’ll need you-”

Tears finally fall as Kennedy turns back to the window. Tara steps behind her and wraps the teenager in her arms. “How can I help her when-” her words stop again but her mind races-Tara listens-her heart happy and sad all at once.

Willow is meditating, listening to the words spoken by the witch across from her- “Relax-feel the energy of the earth. It’s the source of all power.”

“I didn’t-I never knew.”

“There’s so much to learn-but you will. Open your mind listen with your heart,” encourages Althennea.

Willow loses herself in the energy of the earth. She can feel the power and the beauty it possesses. The things around seem to become more necessary. Necessary-the word echoes in her mind. She begins to see flashes- Tara at the first Wicca meeting. Kennedy at the door of Buffy’s house. Tara the first time they kissed. Kennedy kissing Tara. Tara the first time they made love. Kennedy in her arms, she and the redhead kiss-touch-explore, then Tara’s hand on hers as she caresses Kennedy. Willow’s eyes fly open.

Althennea’s calm voice speaks to her eyes still closed, “What’s wrong child?”

“Ah-nothing,” she lies.

“I can’t help you if you don’t trust me.”

“I do-I try.” She sees the woman’s eyes open. “It was just-it didn’t make sense.”

“Tell me-maybe it will to someone not so close.”

“Maybe-I saw things.”

“Which is as it should be.” They are quiet until the witch speaks again. “What did you see?”

“Tara-when we first met-” she can’t help but smile. “Lots of firsts you know?” A little embarrassed.

“I do-” she pauses then speaks. “Her love for you-yours for her, keeps you strong- grounded.”

“Yeah-it’s like she gives me direction-focus. It’s like that with the Magicks too. Before we met-I couldn’t do magic-most of the time things kinda went kapuly-but after, it was like I could do anything as long as she was there. Make sense?”

“Absolutely-but that which she gives you, the ability to balance your power and your emotions-you must find it within yourself.”

“What if I can’t-what if it’s not there?”

“It is.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I feel it-” says the witch. “Once you find it-the darkness can’t hurt you.”

Willow nods, “That’s why I’m here.”

“Tell me what else you saw.”

“Kennedy-” starts the redhead.

“She has great power too-”

“Magicks?”

“No-maybe-it is difficult to read.”

“Why?” Willow looks up at the window and sees Kennedy and Tara there.

“She hides what she feels from herself-from others.”

“She doesn’t trust us because-” starts the redhead only to be interrupted.

“She doesn’t trust herself,” states the other.

Willow closes her eyes as if in great pain-suddenly she feels the turmoil of the young Slayer-to-be. “No-” her voice scared.

“You sense it too?” Her eyes open and meet Althennea’s. The redhead nods. “Before she can help you, you must help her.”

“How?”

“That is for you to discover.”

Still in Kennedy’s room Tara watches as the young woman cries. She touches her back and without words she turns into the blonde’s arms. Tara holds her tightly, Kennedy buries her face against her shoulder and she lets go. “It’ll be okay.” She presses a kiss to the girl’s temple. “I got you,” she tries to reassure her.

Later Willow walks in to find Kennedy sleeping in an oversized chair and Tara still standing at the window. She quietly walks to her girl and puts her arms around her waist. She kisses her neck and Tara smiles. The blonde turns to face her redhead. “Hey-how’d it go with Althennea?”

“Good-learned a lot.” Tara leans in to kiss her softly. “That was nice.”

“Very nice-Willowlips-” she smiles as she kisses her again.

Willow raises an eyebrow and bites her bottom lip, “Wanna move this to our room?” Tara looks toward Kennedy and then back to her girl. “How did things go?” Willow looks at the teenager.

“We talked but-”Tara's words stop.

“Althennea said that before she could help me I had to help her. Any idea what she needs help with?”

“Yeah-maybe- I think.”

“Wanna tell me?”

“Not my place sweetie. Let’s give her time and be there to talk. She’ll work it out.”

“Okay-” she presses a kiss to Tara’s lips.

As she does Kennedy opens her eyes, “Hey-go to your room if you’re gonna make out.” She forces a smile.

“That’s kissing not making out-but it can be arranged if you want,” teases Willow as she fights to keep from blushing, Tara is bright red.

Kennedy sits up and shakes her head, “That’s okay-”

Willow starts to tease again as she hears Tara in her mind, ‘Enough okay?’

‘I’m sorry I-’ she looks at Kennedy. “Althennea taught me a meditation technique want me to show the two of you?”

“Sounds fun,” says Tara sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Kennedy?”

“Nothing else to do-why not. You aren’t gonna hypnotize me are you?”

“Nope-just hold your hand to get it started and then, it’s all you,” answers the redhead.

“Let’s do it.” She moves to the bed and so does the witch. They arrange themselves in a triangle. Willow takes Tara’s hand and then Kennedy’s. Tara takes Kennedy’s as well, the younger woman looks at the witches on either side of her. “Now what?”

“Close your eyes,” instructs the redhead. They do as they are told. “Now just let go and feel the earth’s energy.”

Tara follows the words immediately and is caught in the surging of power. “Goddess so much power,” she whispers mainly to herself.

“Wow-” sighs Kennedy. “How?”

All words stop as they link minds as well. Kennedy feels more then hears the answer, 'It just is.'

The next morning Kennedy is eating breakfast at a large table when Tara and Willow walk in, “Did you save anything for us?” Asks Willow with a smile, “You might not be a Slayer yet, but you eat like one.”

Kennedy rolls her eyes and smirks, “You wouldn’t have to worry about the lack of food if you’d get outta bed every once in a while.”

Tara blushes, “Enough you too.”

“Just playing-” they say in unison surprising each other.

A woman brings out more food as the witches sit down across from Kennedy. “Thank you,” says the blonde as the woman leaves.

Kennedy drinks the last of her milk and looks at Willow and Tara, “I think I’ll take a walk.” She stands.

Althennea comes in, “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” Tara answers.

“Kennedy I would like to see you and Willow after breakfast.”

“And Tara?” Questions Willow.

“Later.” She pauses before finishing. “I’ll meet you in the garden-where we meditated yesterday.” She leaves without waiting for an answer.

Kennedy is now noticeably nervous, “Why just the two of us? Why not Tara? Who will watch out for her?”

Tara smiles at her concern, but it fades as she sees Willow’s worry as well. “I am capable of taking care of myself you know.” Her eyes meet Willow’s then Kennedy’s and then Willow’s again. “I think I’ll use the library-there’s a ritual I want to check out.”

“For the cleansing?” Asks her redhead.

“No-just something I wanted to look into.” She leans and kisses her girl. “So-focus on what you’re doing with Althennea don’t lose energy on other things.”

“You’re not other things your the only-my always,” Willow counters.

“Will-” her voice is stern.

“Okay-” she pouts. “But be careful.”

“The carefullest,” she smiles. They look across at Kennedy only to discover that she has gone during the playful banter.

“Where’d she go?” Asks the redhead. Tara leans in and kisses her and the question and breakfast are momentarily forgotten.

Later, in the garden, the witch and the Slayer-to-be sit facing each other as Althennea sits next to the younger woman. Kennedy is still not comfortable. ‘Tara’s okay-’assures Willow without words.

‘You know this how?’

‘I can feel her-’ smiles the redhead. Althennea smiles too and Willow realizes she knows they were talking telepathically. “Sorry-”

“It’s quite all right.”

“Why isn’t Tara here?” asks Kennedy.

“What you and Willow need to work on, they have already established.”

“What’s that?”

“Trust-” states the woman matter-a-factly. Kennedy looks nervously up at the redhead. “Join hands.”

“Relax-it’s just like yesterday, when we meditated.” She smiles reassuringly as she takes both of Kennedy’s hands in hers.

“Right-” says the younger woman unconvinced. She looks to the coven leader and then back to Willow.

“Now close your eyes,” they do as they are told. “Let your minds link like before and let the energy flow. Don’t release your hands no matter what.”

“And if we do?” Asks Kennedy.

“We try again-but remember time isn’t always a friend.”

“Meaning the longer it takes the more danger Willow faces?”

“Precisely.”

Willow looks at Althennea unsure, confused by the pressure she places on this activity and therefore the teenager in front of her, “Listen to me Kennedy-I’m okay either way-understand?”

“Yeah-I won’t let go.”

“If you need to-” cautions Willow.

“I won’t let go,” she repeats. The redhead smiles a forced smile and squeezes Kennedy’s hands. “Ready.” She looks into Willow’s eyes.

“Ready,” confirms the witch.

“Close your eyes.” They do as they are told. The woman sprinkles a misting power above them and speaks, “Listen and see. Reveal!”

With the spoken words the two that are holding hands see a bright light before them, ‘Okay-not gonna panic-but my eyes are closed so why do I see a light? Do you see a light?’ Asks Kennedy.

‘I see it.’ She looks up to meet the girl’s eyes. ‘I see you too.’

‘What’s happening Willow?’ Suddenly they feel themselves being draw toward the light.

‘I don’t know.’ She tries to let go of the teenager’s hands but she won’t let her. ‘Kennedy-’

‘I promised Tara-’ her words stop as she realizes what she almost told.

‘Promised her what?’

Before she can answer they are dragged into the portal of light. As they swirl through the energy field they finally stop. ‘That was a hell of a thing-’ states Kennedy as she looks around.

‘You okay?’

‘I’m guessing no-’ she looks around her at the yard and the house.

‘Any idea where we are?’ The redhead asks.

‘Some-’ she looks around confused.

‘Do I get clues?’

‘Sorry-a little freaked here-we’re in Jessica’s yard.’

‘Jessica-your girlfriend Jessica?’ Willow asks and Kennedy nods. ‘What the frilly heck?’

The door opens and Kennedy watches as Jessica, still in her pajamas, kisses a blonde girl in the doorway. The kiss escalates, Kennedy steps forward. “Jess-?”

“Kennedy-” she says surprised as she pulls away from the other girl. “How-I thought you were in England-”

Before anymore words can be exchanged the light appears again and they are pulled inside. The energy surges and again they land-they look around them unsure of where they are Kennedy is crying. Willow pulls her into a hug. As she does she sees a little blonde haired girl run toward her- “Mommy-” her eyes meet Willow’s. Willow moves back from the young Slayer-to-be and stands staring at the child who is probably no more than four- "Can I have ice cream?” Willow can’t tear her eyes from the blue ones looking up at her.

Finally Kennedy answers, “After lunch,” she smiles at the girl.

“But Mama-” protests the child.

Kennedy's eyes move to Willow's.





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