Brown Eyes Blue

Chapter 26

It Begins...

Willow lies on the bed spooned around Tara. Her hand rests on her girl’s stomach. The blonde sleeps but the redhead is wide awake. She looks up, ready to protect, as she hears the door open. She relaxes as she sees Kennedy in the doorway. The younger girl smiles and walks over to the bed. She moves in behind Willow and spoons around her. “You should be asleep too-that’s the whole idea of shifts,” she whispers with a kiss to her redhead’s neck.

“I did a little-” she whispers back. “It’s just so hard,” her voice trembles slightly.

“I’ll be here-try to sleep some more-okay?” Her soft tone remains as she holds her tighter.

“Kennedy-I can’t lose her.” The redhead’s tears start to fall.

“I won’t let that happen-I promise.” She turns the girl toward her and presses their lips together. “I promise.” She holds her while she cries herself to sleep.

Down stairs the others sit around the table. Buffy, Xander, Anya, Giles and Dawn are silent no one wanting to be the one to bring up the subject. Finally it is the youngest who speaks, “When are you meeting the others?” Her eyes fall on her older sister.

“In the morning,” she states. “Four girls, right?” Her eyes meet Giles’.

“Yes-that’s the number reported by the council but they can’t be sure.”

“What are you going to tell Willow? Because the truth-well-”Anya starts.

“The truth would be best I suppose,” answers Giles.

“Makes sense-I mean I don’t think she’ll buy the whole family reunion bit,” quips the Slayer.

“Nah-probably not-” agrees Xander.

Buffy stands.“We should all get some sleep-it might be the last for awhile.” She looks around the table at her friends-no she amends-her family. Again there is quiet, “You should all stay here-it’s safer.” Giles nods his agreement and they all stand.

The next morning Kennedy is awake watching her lovers sleep. She holds Willow who is still holding Tara. She smiles as the blonde turns in her redhead’s arms and opens her eyes. She sees Kennedy smiling and smiles back. “Hey-” she says quietly.

“Hey you,” says the young Slayer-to-be as she carefully leans over Willow to kiss the other woman softly. “How you feeling?”

“Good-” she looks down at her redhead and then at Kennedy again. “She okay?”

“Better-finally got her to go to sleep.” There is a pause, “Ready for me to bring you breakfast?”

Tara smiles, “You don’t have to bring me breakfast. I should get up, take a shower-I really am okay.”

Kennedy’s eyes again meet Tara’s and she can see the truth there. She smiles, “Need some help?” She raises a playful eyebrow. They look at Willow asleep between them-Tara bites her bottom lip. “She said one of us should keep an eye on you at all times.” Kennedy grins.

“She did, did she?” Her tone changes a bit-she is trying to stay calm.

“You know she worries about you-and the baby.”

“I know but sometimes-” she lets the sentence drop. “Okay-you can wash my back.”

Kennedy smiles and gets out of bed meeting the blonde on her side to help her up. As they stand face to face the younger woman smiles, “Just your back?”

“We’ll see,” says Tara with a playful smile as they go to the bathroom on the other side of the room.

Later the redhead begins to wake up slowly. She stretches and finds the bed empty. She starts to panic but realizes that she hears watering running. The witch talks herself onto her feet and moves to the bathroom door. She opens it and begins to strip off her pajamas. She opens the shower door to find her lovers. “The bed was all lonely-” she pouts.

“Not lonely here,” smiles Tara as she takes her girl's hand and leads her under the water.

Downstairs, Buffy is returning with four very nervous teenagers. She is introducing them to the others as Willow, Tara, and Kennedy come down the stairs and into the living room. Willow is instantly nervous as she looks from one to the other and memories of her dreams return. “Buffy?”

“Will-I looked for you earlier, before I left, but you were still sleeping. Let’s get some coffee?” The redhead tightens her hold on Tara’s hand. Buffy looks at Kennedy. “Tara will be fine with Kennedy-right?” She looks at the blonde.

Tara kisses Willow gently on the lips, “Bring me some juice when you come back?”

Not totally convinced, the redhead looks at Kennedy. The younger woman smiles, “Coffee for me-” Willow finally nods and follows Buffy from the room while Tara and Kennedy sit together in the oversized chair.

In the kitchen Willow busies herself getting the drinks for her girls. Buffy watches her and then finally speaks, “Will-we need to talk.”

“No-no we don’t. It’s happening-my visions-” Buffy walks toward the redhead who is now leaning against the counter. “This is were you tell me I’m wrong-they’re friends of Dawn’s here for a sleepover-” their eyes meet and there is silence.

As tears slip from Willow’s eyes and down her face Buffy pulls her into a hug, “I wish I could Willow, but I can’t.”

After a few seconds Willow backs away, “Yeah-so what do we do? Who are they?”

“Slayers-like Kennedy-waiting to be called.”

“Why are they here?”

“Protection-”

“From the First?” Asks the redhead.

Buffy nods, “Bringers killed their watchers-tried to kill them but they escaped.”

“What does the council say?”

“You mean the British royal pains in my ass?” Buffy rolls her eyes and Willow smiles briefly. “To look after them. That it’s my job as Slayer. What do I do with a bunch of scared teenagers?”

“Train them-” comes Kennedy’s voice from the doorway. They look toward her. “Teach them what it means to be a Slayer.”

Willow walks toward her, “Tara?”

Kennedy presses a kiss to her girl’s lips, “Tara is fine-you?”

“Been better-” she puts an arm around her.

“We’ll get through this Will-we always do,” states Buffy.

“Ever think you used up all your luck?” Asks her best friend.

“Luck-you’re kidding right?” Willow looks unsure. “It’s all skill-” smiles the blonde.

Willow smiles, “Silly me-” they all become serious again.

“What’s the plan?” asks Kennedy.

“Working on it. I think we need to find that scythe thing from Willow’s vision.

“We’re on it,” assures the redhead as she gets Tara’s juice and hands Kennedy her coffee.

In the other room Dawn sits on the arm of the chair talking to Tara. "A baby-wow!"

"You sound like Kennedy with the wow." She grins.

"It's very wow worthy," says the teen. "Is it a girl?"

"Pretty sure-I mean not offically-but you know since-" she stops blushing.

"Yeah," Dawn smiles. "No guy."

"Exactly." Tara nods. "You doing okay?" The teen nods and they are quiet for a minute. Tara looks at the young girl. "You're handling-" she blushes.

"About Kennedy?-Got use to the idea, so it's cool."

Tara nods as a little smile finds her lips. The Slayer, the witch and the Potential return to the room.

Later the gang is in the middle of serious Scooby research. Willow’s fingers click computer keys, while Tara and Kennedy read. Buffy and Giles are talking quietly, making plans to contact the council. Dawn is teaching the newbies the finer points of research while Xander and Anya come in with more books. “This is the last of them,” he says as they sit down.

“Does that mean we can take a break?” Asks Anya.

“Dinner isn’t a bad idea, we’ve been at it for hours,” replies Buffy.

“Can we order pizza?” Asks Dawn.

“Sure-” smiles Buffy, “Take the wanna-bes with you and see what they want.” The teenagers follow her to the kitchen.

Tara looks up from her book and watches Willow enter and re-enter information. “Still nothing sweetie?”

“It’s so frustrating,” relays the redhead.

“Why don’t you take a break?" Her blonde suggests.

“Can’t-need to keep working,” states the hacker.

“Okay-we’ll keep working,” agrees Tara.

Kennedy looks from her blonde to her redhead and sees they are both tired, “Will-Tara needs to rest, why don’t you go tuck her in?” Tara smiles at the younger woman, realizing her plan.

Willow looks up from the screen and at her girl, “Sorry baby I wasn’t thinking-we’ll rest and then when you’re ready we’ll research.” She stands and so does Tara. They start to the stairs hand-in-hand.

Xander smiles at Kennedy, “Nicely done.”

“Thanks-” she moves to the computer and begins where Willow left off. Buffy looks around at her friends unsure of how to handle the latest Big Bad.

Later Tara watches the redhead as she sleeps restlessly. She begins to mumble- “No-rocks-no-” she sits up and stares across the room.

Tara sits up with her and places a hand on her back. “Will-sweetie, bad dream?”

“It doesn’t make sense,” says the redhead.

“What doesn’t?”

“There were rocks and they just kept growing-it was hiding something.”

“The rocks were?” Willow nods. Tara seems lost in thought. “Willow remember before Kennedy came?”

“Vaguely-” she can’t help but smile and so does Tara.

“Remember the dream-about Buffy?-”

Before she can finish an excited Willow jumps out of bed, “And the rock- she pulled the scythe from the rock, just like in the movie!” She runs out of the room and Tara slowly follows.

Down stairs the pizza has arrived and Kennedy is starting up the steps to get her girls. She stops as Willow runs into her, “Something not right?”

“No-I mean-I have to talk to Buffy,” and without any farther explanation she is gone.

Kennedy meets Tara in the hallway, “I missed something?”

“Maybe a lead.” They continue back to the others.

When they arrive in the kitchen Willow is in full babble mode. “You pulled it from a rock-it was in like a cave or maybe underground like-”

“Like a tunnel?” Wonders Dawn.

Willow nods, “Maybe the sewers-”

“Sunnydale has lots of those,” states Xander. “I’ll go see if I can get the blueprints.”

“You can do that?” Buffy looks unsure.

“I work construction-I know people.” He smiles and so does Anya.

“Way cool-” says the Slayer with a smile. “Should I come with?”

“No, I’ll be fine.” He stands and so does Anya. “Ahn-”

“It’s boring here with the books-” she gives him a sad face and he caves. She stands and kisses him. The two leave together.

Buffy stands, “I’ll be back before dark-Will can you keep an eye on things?”

“Sure-but where are you going?”

“To find Spike he knows the tunnels-he’ll know if something’s going down.” She goes as well.

Just before sundown Buffy and Spike return. The others are in the dining room looking at the plans Xander brought back. “Any luck?” asks Kennedy.

“No-” pouts Buffy.

“Sorry love but it’s quiet underground.” He looks down at the plans.

“Okay-” says Kennedy realizing Willow is getting upset. “Nothing in the tunnels-but there’s lots of things underground.”

Tara sees what she’s trying and adds, “That’s right-basements-” she looks at her girl.

“Subways,” adds one of the Potentials.

“No subways in Sunnydale,” states Anya.

“Really?” Questions the amazed girl.

“Unbelievable but true-” adds Dawn. “Small town-but you can’t say there’s nothing to do. Well you could but-” Buffy gives her younger sister a look. “Stopping now.”

Tara smiles, “Nice babble.”

Dawn smiles, “Thanks-learned from the best.” Willow still deep in thought doesn’t reply.

“Wine cellars,” Kennedy continues.

“Lots of wine cellars in California,” confirms Buffy.

“It’s too late to get a list tonight. It would be better to start fresh tomorrow,” says Giles as he looks around the room.

“Tomorrow-Dawnie could you get the girls settled?”

“Living room good?”

“Taken-” states Anya.

“Basement?” Tries the teen again looking at her sister. The Slayer looks toward Spike. “Right-” She looks at Anya and Xander and makes the ultimate sacrifice. “Anya you and Xander can have my room-we’ll do the sleeping bag thing in the living room.” The Slayer smiles at her sister.

“That’s very nice of you-” states the ex-demon. She stands taking Xanders hand. “Goodnight.” She drags him towards the stairs.

Dawn stands and the girls follow her from the room. Giles takes off his glasses and wipes them. “While you were gone the council called-others are coming the day after tomorrow.” He returns his glasses and looks at his Slayer.

“There’s no place to put them,” states Buffy like that will end it.

“None the less-” Giles adds.

“Have they found anything useful?” He shakes his head. “If this scythe is a Slayer thing how can they not know?”

“They know Slayer, they just aren’t sharing,” Spike’s words echo her thoughts.

Tara takes Willow’s hand and so does Kennedy. Spike sees this and smiles at the redhead. She blushes, “Goodnight Spike.”

“Red-” the three leave.

Later that night Kennedy slips quietly down to the kitchen. There she finds Buffy and Spike drinking coffee and blood respectively. “Couldn’t sleep either?” Asks the blonde.

“I need to hit something-” stats the Slayer-to-be. “This is so frustrating.”

“You’ll find the pretty axe thing-in the nick of time. It’s what you hero types do.”

“Hero?” Smiles Kennedy.

Spike nods and smiles, not able to resist the opportunity to embarrass the young would be Slayer he says, “So the three of you?”

“Spike-” starts Buffy with a warning.

“No, it’s a fair question,” states Kennedy. “And to answer it-yes.”

“Interesting-”

“Finish that sentence with anything about a camera or joining us and I’ll have to stake you.” Her tone is serious and his smile fades.

Buffy smiles as she suppresses a laugh. “Poor Spikey-”

He glares at her, “Now Slayer-”

Before he can continue Kennedy speaks again, “Let’s go kill something.”

“I‘m not sure leaving the house unprotected is a good idea,” Buffy says.

“Willow and Tara can do that if there’s trouble,” assures the younger woman.

“And the Watcher is here-it’ll be safe enough,” Spike adds.

“Okay-” concedes the blonde, “But let me tell Xander and Giles that we’re leaving.

Later Willow sleeps with her arms wrapped around the blonde. She turns slightly onto her back as she mumbles, “Where are you?”

Tara opens her eyes, “I’m here Will-”

“Raisins-in the sun-” she continues in her sleep and Tara smiles as she presses a kiss to her girl’s cheek. She watches her sleep.

Buffy, Spike and Kennedy have finished their patrol. Venting her frustration has relaxed the younger girl some, though she is trying to convince the Slayer to extend their search. “Come on-couldn’t we just check out one more?”

“It’s late and we have an early day tomorrow.”

“I’m not tired-please?” The puppy dog eyes make an appearance.

“That works with Will right?” Buffy smiles.

“What?” Asks Kennedy innocently.

“That face," offers Spike.

Caught, she smiles. “Willow-yes, Tara-no.” There is a pause and then a question. “How about with you?”

Before Buffy can answer she sees a group of Bringers approach, unaware of the Slayers. She clamps a hand over the younger girl’s mouth and pulls her behind a mausoleum. Spike ducks there as well. Kennedy struggles to get away unsure of why she is being held. Buffy is able to turn her toward the unwanted guests and Kennedy stands still.

As they pass by the Slayer looks at the Slayer-to-be and whispers, “You go home tell the others-”

“No way I’m leaving. This is my fight too. We all go together-”

Buffy looks at the determination in the younger girl’s eyes and can’t help the smile, “Did Willow teach you the resolve face?” Kennedy simply nods. “Figures-be careful. I get you killed and she’s gonna be pissed.” The three quietly follow the Bringers.

An hour later the Slayer, the Slayer-to-be and Spike stand behind a group of trees in front of a building secluded within the forest. “What is that?” Whispers the brunette.

“Ah-a winery maybe?”

Kennedy asks, “Willow’s dream- that scythe thing, do you think it’s in there?”

“Could be-” Kennedy starts inside but the Slayer grabs her. “Slow down-we don’t know how many Bringers are in there.”

“She’s right love-” his eyes meet Kennedy’s. “Let me take a look-see.” Before Buffy can argue, he moves closer and finally works his way inside.

Once inside the blonde vamp follows the sound coming from below ground. He sees a group of about twenty Bringers at work. They are digging, trying to get something out of the rock. He smiles when he sees the weapon but it fades as he sees the Slayer ordering them to work harder. “What the bloody hell-?” He looks around once more before making his way back outside.

“What did you see?” Asks the younger woman impatiently before he can speak.

“It’s in there-along with about twenty of the eyeless knife wielding types.”

“Twenty-can we handle twenty?” The Slayer looks at those around her.

“There’s more,” says the vampire. Before anyone can asks he continues. “The leader-the one doing the bossing around. She looks like you,” his eyes fall on the Slayer and she seems rattled.

“The First-” says Kennedy.

“Yeah-” his eyes meet Buffy. “You okay with this or do you want to go get the others?”

“Now’s good-” she moves forward and they follow.

Inside the Slayer and her fighters reach the underground location. Buffy watches as the blonde image of herself rants at the Bringer digging around the Scythe. She steps forward so she can be seen. “I’m so much prettier then you.”

The shocked figment turns to the voice and smiles, “Slayer-have to admit this is a surprise.” Buffy steps closer and swings only to end up on the ground as her hand passes through the mirror image. “Oops-” laughs The First. “Kill them all,” she orders and the Bringers attack.

At the Summers’ house Willow is tossing in a fitful sleep. Tara wakes up and tries to sooth her by rubbing her stomach. Willow sits up and screams, “Kennedy!” She looks around the room as the light comes on.






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