Brown Eyes Blue

Here’s the next chapter. There are some season seven spoilers, but I figure you've probably seen seven! Read, enjoy and review! Don’t make me beg:)

Chapter 27

The End is Near

Kennedy is standing in the doorway covered in blood. Willow scrambles to her feet and toward her Slayer-to-be. “I’m okay mostly-” assures the younger woman.

Tara, who is now standing in front of the brunette, wipes the blood from the woman’s cheek with her fingers. “What happened?”

Kennedy smiles, “We found Will’s scythe.”

“You did?” Questions the redhead. “Where?”

“An old mission kinda-there was a wine cellar in the basement.”

From the door Faith surveys the room and makes some quick observations and smiles. She adds, “And the guys with the knifes.”

“Faith-” Tara is unsure. Willow moves between the two.

“Why are you here?” Asks Willow.

“Angel-he said Buffy might need some help.”

“You should see this woman fight-she kicked Bringer ass.” Kennedy's smile grows.

“Didn’t do anymore then anyone else.” Faith says a little embarrassed.

“Right Buffy would have been-” Kennedy's words stop.

“Buffy’s hurt?” Willow worries.

“She’s five-by-five Red,” she assures the woman. “She’s showing her new prize to G-man.” The once Rogue Slayer watches as Tara takes Kennedy’s hand. “I’ll let you guys sleep-we’ll get with the talking tomorrow.” With those words she slips out and closes the door behind her.

Willow takes Kennedy’s other hand, “You’re really okay?” Kennedy nods. “She didn’t hurt you?”

“She?” confused. “Faith? Why would you think she’d hurt me?”

Tara looks at the blood-covered girl and decides to change the subject, “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

“What aren’t the two of you telling me?”

“You need a shower and some bandages-” the redhead looks at Kennedy, then Tara- “And you need sleep.”

Tara leans in and kisses her redhead. “I’ll sleep better after I see Kennedy’s okay with my own eyes.”

“Tara I am-” the youngest tries to protest.

Willow smiles, “I think we should give up now it’ll save time.”

“Right,” smiles Kennedy. “Okay-” she kisses her blonde. “You can look-” she sees the smile cover Tara’s face. “Wanna be my nurse?” Tara raises a playful eyebrow and nods.

“While you take care of our girl-I’m gonna check with Buffy,” Willow kisses both of them and leaves.

Downstairs Willow finds Buffy, Xander, Giles and Faith sitting at the table in the dining room. The scythe lies on the table. “So you found it-it’s real,” she runs her hand just above it and she shivers.

“You feel it too?” Asks Buffy.

“Yeah-power-old mystical.”

“When I hold it, it feels like it’s always been mine.” Buffy looks up at her.

“Faith does it feel that way to you?” Willow questions.

“Don’t know Red-haven’t held it.”

“Maybe you should,” says Buffy though Xandder and Giles both shoot her a look that says- ‘Huh? have you lost your mind.’

“You mean it B?” The blonde Slayer nods. Faith slowly reaches for it and picks it up. “Oh yeah-definitely feel it.” She puts it down. “What’s it mean?”

“Not sure,” says Buffy. “But we’ll hit the books first thing tomorrow.

From the door Spike speaks, “Won’t find it in the books-”

“You know this how?” Asks Xander.

“Those council wankers, they wouldn’t share this with anyone.”

“Then how do we find out about it Spike?-I‘m sure you‘ve got the answers.” Xander isn’t happy to see the bleached blonde.

But to his surprise it is the Watcher who answers, “I’ll arrange a flight in the morning-have a chat face to face.” Giles’ words sound angry. “I’ll get the information we need.”

Buffy nods, not quite sure what to make of his tone. “We should call it a night.”

“Right-” Faith starts to the door.

“Where are you going?” asks Buffy.

“Find a motel.”

“Stay here-” she half smiles, “Everyone else is.”

“You sure?” She looks around at the Scooby gang.

“Sure-if you don’t mind bunking with me.” Buffy looks at Faith.

“Been in prison pretty sure I’ve bunked with worse.” She says with a smile as she turns and goes up the stairs.

“Buffy-” Willow starts but stops.

“She’s different-she can help.”

“Okay-” Willow says softly.

“Thanks for-”Buffy starts.

“It’s okay-I trust you.”

Xander pipes in, “But can we trust her?”

“Yes,” assure the blonde Slayer.

The sun is just starting to rise. The Slayer-to-be and her witches try to sleep but aren’t having much success. Kennedy rubs Tara’s growing stomach only to hear her blonde’s soft words, “She likes that,” Tara smiles.

“She likes it or you do?” Questions Kennedy with a smile.

“We both do-”

“And you know this how? Mother-daughter chats?” Enquires the brunette.

Tara can’t help but smile at her young Slayer-to-be’s words. “Something like that,” says the blonde.

Willow joins the conversation as her hand moves to rest next to Kennedy’s. “She also likes it when you sing to her.”

“She does?” Tara asks.

“Absolutely-” assures Willow. She moves down Tara’s body to rest her head on her rounded stomach. She presses her lips there and feels Tara’s hand in her hair. “Sing us to sleep?” She asks quietly.

“You have a song in mind?”

“No,” she says.

“The one about the stars,” supplies Kennedy as she snuggles into the blonde’s shoulder. She kisses Tara’s neck as she takes Willow’s hand in hers. Tara starts to sing softly.

A few days later Giles is back with some ancient texts. He and Buffy are looking through them. “They just handed them over?” She questions.

“Not exactly-no, but the how isn’t important right now.”

“True. Research is on then.” She picks up a book.

“The others?” The man looks at the Slayer.

“Xander and Anya are at the magic box, Dawn's at school-much to her dislike, Faith went out-not sure where exactly, and Willow and Kennedy took Tara for her check up.”

With a nod, he picks up a book and begins to read.

At the doctor’s office Willow, Kennedy, and Tara are waiting as the doctor checks the chart. “Your vitals look good-How are you feeling?”

“Good-tired sometimes,” she admits, “But good.” Her hand goes to her stomach without her realizing it.

“At twenty weeks we usually do an ultrasound, you're a little over twenty-two, any objections?”

“No-” smiles the blonde. “Can’t wait to see her.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Later the three young mothers stare at their baby on the monitor. Her heartbeat is strong, “Does she have her thumb in her mouth?” Questions Willow.

“She does-” confirms the doctor.

“Wow-” is all that Kennedy can manage as she tries to control tears.

Tara has lost control as the wetness slips down her cheeks as she smiles. “Amazing-” Willow takes her hand and Kennedy’s.

“Pictures?” Asks the doctor.

“Yeah-please,” says the blonde as her composure returns.

She snaps four and then removes the wand from Tara’s stomach. She hand's the blonde the pictures and smiles, “I’ll let you get cleaned up and then see you in my office.”

“Office?” Kennedy looks unsure..

“Is something wrong?” Willow worries with her.

“No-just routine things. Take your time.” She leaves.

The three young mothers smile as they look through the pictures, “Wow-” repeats Kennedy.

Tara smiles and pulls the girl closer for a kiss, “You okay?”

“I’m gonna be a mom.”

Willow smiles, “Known that for a while sweetie-”

“I guess-yeah but-now-” she shakes her head. “I’ve seen her and-wow-” she smiles.

“Yeah-I get that,” agrees the redhead.

“And soon we’ll be able to feel her move-” adds Tara as she fixes her shirt and sits up.

“Can’t wait,” says the other two in unison. The blonde smiles.

A few weeks later Buffy and Faith walk into the living room where the gang is gathered. The blonde Slayer watches as Willow touches the scythe, as she does the weapon begins to glow. “What the hell?” Asks Faith.

“Not sure but every time she touches it we get pretty lights,” informs Xander.

“Anyone else tried?” Buffy walks to them.

“No-” Giles says.

Willow lays it on the table. Buffy looks at Xander, “Xander?”

“Me?” He asks unsure. She nods. “Okay,” he states as he wipes his hands on his thighs and then picks it up. Nothing happens. “Sorry,” he says as he looks to the Slayer.

“It’s okay-” she looks at Giles. The man picks it up and nothing. “Dawnie-”

“Are you sure?-Magical energy ball once-” she seems unsure. “What if I break it?”

“You won’t-” Buffy tells her.

The teenager picks it up and again nothing happens. She puts it down, “Glad that’s over.”

“Spike-” they all look at her.

The vamp picks it up and looks at her, “Sorry love.” He puts it down.

“Tara?”

Willow looks unsure, “What if it hurts her?”

“It won’t-it can’t it’s good-” Tara explains. She picks it up and as she does the glow returns. “That’s wow-” she puts it down.

“Wow?” Smiles Kennedy with a cocked eyebrow.

“Yes wow-” she says playfully, “Other people can use the word you know.”

“Really?” Smiles her Slayer-to-be, Tara nods.

“So is it a witch thing?” Asks Xander.

“Or maybe it’s because they’re making with the-” before Faith can finish Buffy looks at the other Slayer. “I’m just saying-”

“Don’t say it-” Giles requests.

“Kennedy your turn,” Buffy says. She looks from Willow to Tara and reaches for the scythe as she licks her lips. When she picks it up it doesn’t glow but she can feel the power. “Kennedy?”

“It feels-like it’s mine.”

Faith nods, “Cause it is-it belongs to the Slayers.”

“But I’m not-” starts Kennedy.

“But you will be,” says Willow with a smile. Buffy and Faith look at Willow unsure. “A dream-” she says simply.

“So we die." Faith says matter of factly. “Bound to happen eventually.”

“But you don’t-” states Willow. Her voice is certain. “In the dream she brings it to Buffy-you’re all there.”

“How?” Asks Giles.

“I don’t know-” Willow shakes her head. “I just know what I saw. The dreams are always right.”

“So the glowing-does it mean that magic makes it happen?” Buffy looks at the others.

“Maybe-” Tara answers and looks to Giles. “Where did the power of the Slayer originate?”

“Ah-the First Slayer was chosen to protect the people. The First Watchers gave it to her but no one knows how.”

“I’m thinking we do now,” says Dawn.

“Bit’s right-the scythe holds the power of the Slayer.”

“Meaning?” Asks Kennedy.

“If we can figure out how it works everyone who’s been chosen can become a Slayer.” Tara looks at the Watcher.

“That’s cool shit,” states Faith.

“Liking the not dying part,” agrees Buffy.

“How?” asks Xander.

“Magic-” says Willow her words soft and nervous, “Strong-stronger then we’ve ever seen.”

“The coven?”

“No-” Kennedy realizes why Willow is suddenly worried. “Willow and Tara-together.” The redhead leaves the room and Tara follows.

Kennedy looks towards them but then back to Buffy as the blonde speaks. “Can we stop the First?”

“Probably-but-the baby-the magic drains and it’s-” Kennedy words fade and she looks away.

“We’ll find another way.” Buffy says to the girl.

Kennedy nods, “I need to-” she looks to the stairs.

“Go-we’re good here,” says Buffy and Kennedy jogs out of the room.

“Now what?” asks Xander.

“I’ll call Althennea,” says Giles.

Upstairs Willow is staring out the window. Tara moves in front of her and kisses her softly. “Listen to me,” she lifts the girl’s face so their eyes meet, “I won’t do anything to put her in danger.”

“I know-but-what if we think it’s safe and it’s not?” Willow’s tears fall.

“No-no-you saw her, she’ll be fine.”

“We don’t know-I saw Kennedy get shot but we stopped it. We could change something and she could-” the crying witch leans her head on Tara’s shoulder. “Tara-” the tears continue.

“Shhh-” she presses her lips to the top of her girl’s head. “Shhh-”

Willow feels arms wrap around her waist from behind and then soft lips on her neck. Kennedy’s voice fills her ear, “We won’t do it if there’s any chance it’ll hurt her.”

“But that would mean you won’t-” Willow stops.

“The Slayer thing-no big deal-our baby that’s big,” she smiles as she reaches past Willow to touch Tara’s face with her hand. “I’ll always keep her safe no matter what.”

Willow turns so that she can see both of her girls. “Okay-”

“Okay-” smiles Tara as she leans in and kisses first the redhead and then the brunette. “I-ummm-” her hand goes to her stomach.

“Tara?” they say at the same time.

“She moved-” Tara smiles brightens the room. “She moved,” restates the woman. Willow and Kennedy put their hand on Tara’s stomach and wait.

A few minutes later the three moms-to-be are lying on the bed still waiting for the baby to kick again. “Are you sure it was a lick?” Asks Kennedy for the third time.

Tara shoots her a mock glare, “Yes-”

“Why won’t she do it again?” Pouts the redhead.

“She will-” says Tara.

“When she’d good and ready,” concedes Kennedy.

“Thinking she takes that after you,” teases Willow.

“Me?" Kennedy as she feigns hurt. “You saying I’m stubborn?”

“A little,” admits Willow with a smile.

Tara smiles at their playful banter as she closes her eyes. Willow smiles as she sees this and snuggles closer into her blonde’s shoulder. “Sweet dreams baby,” whispers the redhead.

Kennedy kisses Tara’s cheek and snuggles in close as well, “Sleep tight.” Willow and the Slayer-to-be lock hands on Tara’s stomach. “We’ll wait her out,” she whispers and the witch nods.

Later Willow opens her eyes as she focuses on the voice speaking softly in her mind, ‘Feel that?’ asks Kennedy. Willow smiles and sits up a little as she feels the baby move under her hand.

‘Goddess-it’s really her,’ a tear slides down Willow's face. Tara’s eyes open and she smiles as she sees the women she loves with their heads resting on her stomach. “She moved.”

“Felt that-” Tara smiles.

“That’s so cool-” Kennedy presses a kiss to Tara’s stomach. “Come on baby girl do it one more time for Mama-” she coaxes the growing child. And again they wait.

“You know while we wait we could pick out names,” volunteers Willow.

“I like that idea,” agrees Kennedy.

“I’ve got a name,” smiles Tara.

“You do?” Asks Willow.

“If it’s okay?”

“You gonna tell us?” Prods Kennedy.

“I want it to be a surprise,” Tara says softly.

“A surprise,” smiles the redhead, “can we have a hint?”

“Nope-” smiles Tara.

Her answer is met with a chorused, “Meanie,” from her lovers.

Days and weeks pass and the Scooby Gang begins to get a better understanding of what they face. A bit of unexpected news from Althennea has them all unsure. Giles turns to the others and speaks, “It’s been confirmed. The council was in session so most of the Watchers were present.”

“So, they’re gone-wiped out?” Asks Dawn.

“I’m afraid it’s so,” says Giles.

“Now what?” asks Willow-knowing the answer but hoping against all hope she’s wrong.

“The First has made its move, we must now plan a course of action,” the Watcher answers.

“And this plan-does it include the scythe and-” her words stop as she takes Tara’s hand.

“Will-if there’s any other way,” Buffy starts.

“We know,” answers Kennedy.

“Let’s gather the others-” says Giles and he walks out of the room.

The next two weeks pass quickly as research and training is stepped up. The twenty-seven teenagers who have been camping out at Castle Summers are as ready as they can possibly be. The meeting in the living room is led by Buffy with Faith giving her full support. “So it’s up to you-stay and fight or we’ll get you a bus ticket,” Buffy states.

“This scythe will give us power?” Asks Rona.

“That’s the plan-” says Dawn.

“I’m in,” states the Potential. Around the room the words are echoed. Most choose to fight; though the dangers are many.

Buffy and Faith walk the cemetery with Spike. “So what do you think we’ll find down there?” Asks Faith.

“My guess-those uber vamps-and lots of them.”

“A hundred?” The vampire asks.

“Maybe more-”

“How do we stop them-even thirty Slayers-not liking the odds.” Faith looks at them both.

At the Summers’ house Willow sits up at the desk going over the calculations for the fifth time in the last hour. Kennedy walks over to her and begins to massage her neck. “M-mmm feels nice.” Kennedy kisses her lips as she turns.

“Come to bed and I’ll make it even nicer,” smiles the dark haired girl.

“Yeah-” she raises an eyebrow playfully. “We might wake Tara,” says Willow as she bites her bottom lip.

“We’ll be really quiet.” Kennedy pulls the woman to her feet and into her arms. Her hands begin to caress Willow’s back and sides-just brushing her breasts as they kiss.

“Not something I’m quiet at sweetie,” reminds Willow as they break the kiss for air.

“True-but we can practice.” They kiss softly and make their way to the bed. As they kiss and caress Willow moans softly.

Tara stirs slightly and turns towards them. She smiles as she opens her eyes, she runs her fingers along Kennedy’s shoulder. “Hey-” whispers the girl as she bites her bottom lip. “You should be asleep,” she states as her hands find their way under Willow’s tank. She massages the soft mounds gently as the redhead moans louder.

“Not sleepy anymore,” says the blonde. Her hand slides under Kennedy’s top and with her nails she traces small circles there. “Okay?”

“Oh yes-way better than okay."

The next morning the gang is in the war room going over the last minute details. They are planning to attack the vineyard the next morning at sunup. Willow and Tara talk with Giles and Buffy about the magic end of the venture while Faith and Kennedy ready the troops.

Faith and Kennedy stand alone in the back yard. The weapons have been passed on to Xander so that he can load them in the bus Spike “borrowed.”

The young Slayer-to-be looks at the dark haired Slayer and speaks, “Will told me about before-”

“Figured,” admits Faith. “That’s not me anymore.”

“I get that,” Kennedy takes a breath and looks Faith in the eye. “You liked her then didn’t you?”

“Yeah-made a play and she blew me off. Told me she was straight. Knew she wasn’t pissed me off so- I should’ve realized then she didn’t know-hadn’t come to terms you know? But I was too wrapped up in me.” There is a pause and Faith speaks, “We good? By gones and all?”

“Yeah-just-”

“Don’t have to say it-she’s not available.” Faith smiles. “So how’s the whole three thing working for you?”

“Go away-you’re as bad as Xander.” Kennedy smiles as she pushes Faith playfully, “Good-it’s good.” They walk toward the house. “Faith-” they stop on the steps to the porch.

“What’s the what Junior?”

“Anything happens to me-make sure they’re safe?” Faith simply nods and they go inside.

The next morning Buffy is standing in the kitchen with Spike. They kiss softly, as they break apart their eyes meet, “When this is over-” Spike starts but her fingers on his lips stop him. She hands him a ring. “What’s this-a proposal?” He smiles.

“Willow made it-protection-so you don’t get toasty when the light show starts.”

“Nice of her-”

“My idea,” smiles the blonde.

“Nice of you,” they kiss again. Faith clears her throat as she walks in. They pull apart and go to opposite sides of the room. Before she can make a comment the others fill the room.

Giles looks at those around him, “The bus is ready when you are.”

“Let’s do this-” says the blonde Slayer.

“What-no speech?” Teases Kennedy.

“Time for talking’s over-time to kick ass!” They file out of the house; Buffy first followed by Xander, Kennedy, Willow, Tara, Dawn, Anya and the Potentials. Giles and Faith bring up the rear-

“Kick ass and not even waste the time taking names,” responds the once dark Slayer.





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