Genesis

Disclaimer : See Chapter 1

*********************

About two weeks had passed and the group finally had some sort of order to them. Giles had begun to teach Dawn some of the duties that a watcher is supposed to perform, he explained the relevant details that should be recorded in the watcher’s diary. Between them they were working on how to improve the role, they were aiming for the role to be as supportive as possible much like how Giles and Buffy had been.

Willow had finally finished the protection spell that was to surround the entire property, it would alert her to anyon pon presence as soon as it came close enough. She had also been working with Andrew on the budget, and even though the money they had ‘received’ from the council seemed depthless they had agreed to let Andrew invest in some new companies on the stock market. He had shown a great knowledge for the business and had astounded Willow with his mathematical skills.

Wood and Xander had continued the construction work and the new rooms were now complete. They had moved onto the basement, where they were installing a strong cage that would be used for the heavy-duty weaponry. They had also started to install the variousght ght lifting and gym equipment.

Buffy, Kennedy and Faith had been working on training schedules, Buffy had relented and agreed that Kennedy take some of the easier training sessions so that she and Faith could concentrate on the more difficult intricacies of combat.

The slayers had also been on a few patrols over the last weeks, they had been getting a feel for the area. Each time they went they took a few of the SIT’s they didn’t want to look suspicious by walking around with fourteen young girls in the middle of the night. They hadn’t come across anything more dangerous than a month old vampire, but they had found this town’s version of ‘Willies Bar’ back in Sunnydale. However this one was owned by some guy called Lofty his name did not do him justice, as he was almost as short as Buffy.

In doing these patrols they had scouted out potential hide-outs that the demons may use, but they also realised how big this place was compared to Sunnydale. They had discussed this problem with the other members of the Scooby gang and they had come to the conclusion that they would have to have some kind of transport, they could use the old school bus when necessary but it was a bit much for running to the shops.

Willow and Buffy had decided to take a break and were walking around the perimeter of the house and gardens. It was a beautiful summer day so they chose to sit under one of the large oak trees at the bottom of the garden. They sat looking back at their new home.

“It’s doesn’t seem real.” Buffy spoke breaking the silence.

“What the house?” Willow asked a little confused.

“No, well yeah, that to, but all of this, I never thought we would end up like this a few months ago. I was ready to give up and now look we got our own army.” She replied pointing at the distant forms of the SIT’s training with Kennedy in the garden.

“I know, I thought I’d never get over Tara, but, slowly I’m findi’m n’m not looking for her or thinking of what she would do in a situation, she’s always with me but I don’t have to lean on her anymore.” Willow stated looking across at her brunette lover.

“Ken’s really helped you hasn’t she.” Buffy said taking her best friends hand.

“Yeah she has, I never thought I could love anyone again but I think I’m definitely falling.” She smiled.

“It’s good Will, it’s good to see you happy.” Buffy smiled in return. “So is she any good?” She asked wiggling her eyebrows at her friend.

“Buffy!” Willow chided turning slightly red.

“What? There’s gotta be something she’s doing to put that smile on your face every morning.” Buffy giggled poking the red head in the ribs.

“Well I have just this to say. Do all you slayers have that kind of stamina.” Willow finished with a dreamy grin.

“I wouldn’t know, I like low fat yoghurt remember.” Buffy laughed.

“Hey I notice you and Faith are getting along well.” Willow changed the subject quickly.

“Yeah we are, it’s like we’re starting over, getting to know each other again.” Buffy looked at the house. “It was really strange at first I wanted to hate her and stuff but I couldn’t, so much has happened and I’m pissed off at loosing everyone that comes into my life, she helped us back home and she didn’t have to, she’s changed Will.”

“She seems much calmer now, she’s nothing like the old Faith we all knew.” Willow stated.

“We’ve been practicing Ti-Chi at night, it’s strange we move as one even with our eyes closed, we have this kinda thing like a connection or something.” Buffy told her friend.

“What kind of connection, no wait lemme guess, ‘it’s a slayer thing’.” Willow offered with a grin.

“I dunno Will, it’s weird, Will we haven’t slept apart since Sunnydale.” Buffy admitted to her friend. Willow was a little taken aback by Buffy’s statement.

“What d’you mean Buff?” Willow asked.

“We’ve tried to sleep in our own rooms, but every night we end up on the roof, we do some routines and then either I go to her room or she stays in mine. We can’t seem to sleep without the other, this doesn’t make any sense.” Buffy said putting her head in her hands.

“Buffy, how does she make you feel?” Willow asked as she had a feeling where this confession might lead.

Buffy thought for a moment trying to make sense of her feelings. “There’s only one way to describe it Will, safe.” She stated emphatically.

“What’s it like when you’re not with her?” Willow pushed.

“Will, what are you getting at?” Buffy asked looking at her friend.

“Just answer me Buffy please.” Willow pleaded.

Buffy looked puzzled at her best friend but continued. “Again one word, lonely.” Buffy answered lowering her head, she had just realised where Willow had been going with her questioning.

“You feel differently for her, than you do for say me and Xander.” Willow offered.

“Yeah Will I do. But I don’t know what or how, I mean I don’t think I’m attracted to her, well she has got a hot body and lips and eyes oh, those eyes.” She stopped. “Fuck!” she exclaimed. “Will, what am I gonna do.” She begged.

“What do you want to do?” Willow asked.

Buffy buried her head even lower turning a wonderful shade of red.

“I meant about your situation Buffy, not what you want to do with her, though I can imagine.” Willow giggled.

“Hey, you got your own slayer.” Buffy pouted.

“Yeah, but just cos I got a credit card doesn’t mean I’m gonna use it.” Willow stated the fact that she was happy to look and not touch Faith, although the thought had crossed her mind.

“Seriously though Will, I really don’t know what to do, I just got her back I don’t wanna loose her again.” Buffy finished.

“Are you sure about your feelings?” Willow asked.

“I don’t know, I don’t think I love her or anything but I definetly feel something.” Buffy replied honestly.

“Well, I suggest you sort out your feelings and then when you’ve worked them out we’ll talk about possible next steps.” Willow offered her support.

“Will, we’re forgetting something here,” Buffy stated. “remember who we’re talking about, Faith ‘get some get gone’ with any man, note the MAN part of the sentence Will.” Buffy explained.

“And look whose talking, ‘miss I’m Buffy the vampire slayer and I’m straighter than my stake’.” Willow giggled.

“Hang on a minute, you don’t seemed surprised about any of this.” The blond said to her.

“I’ve been watching you Buff, I’m not that blind. I wasn’t sure but now you’ve confirmed it for me.” Willow replied.

“Am I that obvious.” Buffy said worriedly.

“No, let’s just say I’m tuned into these things.” The red head offered with a wink.

Buffy stood and offered her hand to the read head. “You wont say anything about this Will.” Buffy asked helping her friend.

“No Buff, this is between me and you.” Willow smiled and pulled Buffy into a big hug.

They walked back to the house to continue their daily tasks. Buffy returned to the library where she had been researching the history of this Hellmouth, she was trying to gain as much information to be able to be the the next Big Evil, this wasn’t her normal way of doing things she normally hated going through the books but she wanted to show the SIT’s that a little knowledge can go a long way.

Willow had returned to her apartment on the fourth floor and was busy writing a computer program that would help store all the demon information. She was hoping to be able to get a precise cross reference library set up to help in the identification of any new demons they would come across.

“Hey baby.” Kennedy called softly as she entered the apartment.

“Hey you.” Willow replied. “You finished your training for today?” She asked.

“Yep, so I’m all yours.” Kennedy replied wiggling her eyebrows at her lover.

“I’m sorry babe but I have to finish this bit before I loose it.” Willow stated to the brunettes disappointment.

“Oooww.” Kennedy stamped her feet in a mock tantrum.

“Well if you keep up that attitude I’m just gonna have to punish you.” Willow said in a hoarse voice.

“Oh yes please mistress.” Kennedy laughed and then quickly ducked as a pillow came hurtling towards her.

“Hey no fair, you can’t use magic.” She pouted at the red head.

“Go, leave me alone and I’ll be done soon I promise.” Willow said pointing to the door.

Kennedy turned and started to walk towards the door with her head down, quickly she turned ran back to her lover caught her up in a passionate kiss and before Willow could think Kennedy had left the apartment.

“Wow.” The red head said aloud still a little dazed.

Buffy had given up on her research and had made her way to the kitchen for a snack, she was busy preparing herself a sandwich when Kennedy came in.

“Hey Ken.” Buffy said as she saw the brunette.

“Hey, can I get one a them.” She asked pointing at the sandwich.

“Willow busy then huh!” Buffy replied with a smirk.

“How d’you guess.” Kennedy said.

“Well slayer here too remember, fighting or exercise makes you one of two things, if the first one fails you do the second, so I’m guessing you’ve already found Willow and now you gonna take the food.” Buffy explained.

“God that was a hell of a way to say if ya can’t get your hornies ya sort ya hungries.” Kennedy smiled.

“Hey whose getting the hornies?” Faith asked entering the kitchen.

Buffy lowered her head trying not to blush, she was reliving her confession to Willow and now she didn’t think she could look at her counterpart without blowing everything.
“Hey B I’ll get one a them if it’s going.” Faith called to the blond.

“In answer to your question,” Kennedy turned to the once rogue slayer. “NO one is getting their hornies, so looks like we’re all gonna get our hungries.” She finished.

“Oooww Willow busy is she.” Faith said in a mocking tone.

“Fuck off.” Kennedy pouted, both Buffy and Faith looked at each other a little stunned then back to the young brunette and both burst out laughing.

“Well if you want my advice,” Faith said between gasps of breath. “I’d go take a cold shower and play a little five card stud, if you know what I mean.” Faith winked at Kennedy while wiggling her fingers toward her.

“Does this actually get any easier to control.” Kennedy asked trying to ignore Faith’s suggestion.

Both Faith and Buffy looked at one another again, “No.” They spoke in unison, never releasing their gaze.

“Shit.” Kennedy stated and left the kitchen in a huff.

“Hey don’t you want …” Buffy called holding up the sandwich she’d made.

“Looks like you got spare B.” Faith smiled as she quickly took the offered food and took a huge bite.

“Some things never change.” Buffy shook her head at her counterpart.

“Ah but it’s why ya love me.” Faith spluttered around the sandwich.

Buffy’s eyes grew wide and she quickly turned away. ‘No she can’t know.’ She thought to herself. ‘Why would she say that?’ Buffy was getting confused again, she knew she felt something for the brunette but she couldn’t work it out.

“Oh yeah Buff, me and some of the girls are heading downtown to see what kinda night life there is, you wanna come with?” Faith asked not noticing the perplexed look on the blonds face.

“Sure. Can I ask Will and Ken? I’m sure they could do with a night out.” Buffy asked.

“Yep why not, it’s about time we had a girly night out instead of in.” Faith smiled.

The plan was all set, the older SIT’s were allowed to go but the younger ones had to stay behind. There was a little arguing but when Giles offered to order Pizza and Ribs and Chicken, it seemed to settle down a little.

Altogether there were Vi, Lennie, Tammy and Anita that were allowed to join the others, Buffy, Faith and Dawn were waiting for Willow and Kennedy to come down so that they could leave.

“What the fuck is keeping them.” Faith gettgetting impatient.

“Keeping who?” Willow asked as she entered the sitting room.

“’Bout time.” Faith answered looking at her watch.

“Couldn’t help it took longer in the shower than I thought.” Kennedy offered wiggling her eyebrows at Faith. Faith smiled and winked at the younger slayer.

“Ok then lets go.” Buffy announced to everyone.

“Have a good time girls.” Xander called from his position on the sofa, he was a little disappointed that he hadn’t been invited, but he still wasn’t ready for the big party nights, he still missed Anya and couldn’t quite get himself together. He hid it well and found that talking to Andrew helped a lot, he never thought that they would become allies let alone friends.

About half an hour later the food turned up, so they set it up in the large TV room and the remaining SIT’s and Scooby gang settled in for their night of movies and munching.

The girls had made their way across town and wheadheaded to one of the clubs they had spotted on their patrol. The club was called Dome, it was huge, inside there were bowling alleys, a pool pit and a dance club, above which had a glass dome for the roof.

The SIT’s had been insisting on having a go at bowling, so Willow, Kennedy, Buffy and Faith had left Dawn in charge of them and had made their way over to the pool pit, currently Faith was beating Kennedy five to nothing and Willow and Buffy were watching them.

“Aww baby did you loose?” Willow pouted at her girlfriend.

“Na I let her win.” Kennedy replied rolling her eyes.

“Up for another?” Faith called while she was setting up the table.

“Oh yeah, this time no messin ‘round.” Kennedy moved back over to the table.

Buffy and Willow sat watching the two dark haired slayers battle it out, Kennedy seemed to be concentrating really hard while Faith looked calm and relaxed.

“So how you doing Buff?” Willow asked turning to look at her best friend.

“Huh!” Was Buffy’s reply.

“Earth to Buffy,” Willow called snapping her fingers in front of the blond trying to break the gaze she had fixed on Faith.

“Huh, oh sorry Will what d’you say?” Buffy replied.

“Well I was asking how you were doing but I think I got my answer.” Willow smirked.

“Will I can’t stop thinking about her, I don’t know why, well I do know why but I just don’t know what to do. Will I’m so confused, I really can’t understand this, I mean why now why not before, I didn’t feel like this when she first came into town.” Buffy asked with concern.

“Buff you were a lot younger then, and you had all the stuff like Angel and your Mom and running away and us and the whole evil thing, you wouldn’t have even known back then if these feeling had hit you like a freight train.” Willow offered.

“I know I haven’t had long since we talked Will, but I’m sure that I want more than friends with her, but I don’t know if I can, I mean what if she ain’t interested or if I screw up. Will I readon’don’t know what to do?” Buffy replied dejectedly.

“Well there’s only one way to find out.” Willow stated. “Ask her out.”

“What like a date or something, no I couldn’t I mean what would we do I mean I’ve never had a date with a woman before, are they the same as with men.” Buffy started to babble.

“Buff slow down will you.” Willow placed her hand on top of Buffy’s. “At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what sex your date is, the only thing that matters is WHO your date is.” Willow said reassuringly.

“I don’t know Will?” Buffy sort of stated.

“Hey you guys wan another drink?” Faith called interrupting their little discussion.

“Yeah sure.” They answered.

Buffy watched as Faith retreated back to the bar, she couldn’t help but let her eyes drift slowly over the perfect form and rest on the perfectly shaped ass that was covered by trade mark leather. Willow nudged her bringing her back from her revere.

“Oops sorry Will.” She smiled.

“Hey I ain’t complaining, but if you don’t want others to know yet, I’d wipe the drool from just there.” Willow replied mock wiping at the corner of Buffy’s mouth.

“Shit I got it bad.” Buffy winced.

“I have to agree.” Kennedy said from her position on Buffy’s other side.

“Shit Ken please don’t say anything.” Buffy pleaded. “Hey I thought you said you wouldn’t tell?” Buffy stated turning to her best friend.

“She didn’t.” Kennedy affirmed. “I’ve seen that kinda look before.” She winked.

“Fuck am I really that obvious?” Buffy asked worriedly.

“No not really, cos I also overheard some of what you were saying.” She smirked.

“Oh fuck what if Faith heard.” Buffy started to panic.

“Don’t worre die didn’t, I gathered what you were talking about and made sure she stayed on the other side of the table.” Kennedy smile.

“Oh Ken I could kiss you.” Buffy clapped her hands.

“Hey get your own slayer.” Willow chided.

“Sorry Will, but I got a credit card to yunno.” Buffy laughed.

“Hey what’s so funny?” Faith asked as she walked back to the group.

“Oh nothing, shall we go get the others and get some dancing done.” Willow asked avoiding the question.

“Hell yeah.” Faith called already turning to find the other members of their party.

Soon they had all entered the dance area of the club, Willow and Kennedy had gone to get a table while the others had made their way to the dance floor.

Dawn starting dancing with Buffy and Vi, while Faith had opted to dance with the other three SIT’s.

“Hey Avril, you having a good time?” Faith shouted to Anita. Anita frowned at the nickname that Faith had given her, but secretly she quite like it.

“Yeah not bad, could do with a few more men in here though.” She stated looking around the crowded club.

“Hey girl, how many you want?” Faith replied.

“What can I say, I like choice.” Anita smirked.

Dawn and Vi had given up and had made their way to the table that Willow and Kennedy had snuggled up in. They sat and watched the others still trying to keep up with Faith and Buffy. Soon enough the others also gave up and went and joined the table leaving only Buffy and Faith.

They danced in fluid synchronicity, each knowing where the other was, neither leading nor following the other, it was just like when they practised Ti Chi together, they were linked somehow, each feeling the other rather than seeing.

Willow and Kennedy were watching them closely, Willow was keeping an eye on how close they were getting, she knew that if Buffy lost control she would have Faith pinned against the nearest object and would ravish her there and then.

“I don’t think Buffy’s got any worries there.” Kennedy whispered to her lover.

“I’d have to agree. But how do we get them to see it.” Willow asked.

“Well we have to do something before they both get too scared to even try.” Kennedy spoke lightly. “I know, we’ll have them over to our apartment to watch some films and have like a girly night or something.” She smiled brightly.

“Yeah we’ll do it tomorrow, cos tomorrow being Saturday ‘an all means we all got the day off.” Willow replied to the idea.

“Ok you ask em later then.” Kennedy concurred.

“No problem.” Willow said assertively.

It was past midnight before they arrived back home, most of the younger SIT’s had already gone to bed. Xander and Andrew were in the kitchen making a little snack when Faith walked in.

“Hey guys, enjoy the movie?” She asked as she entered.

“Yeah we had a comedy, I haven’t laughed so much in ages.” Xander answered.

“You want some food?” Andrew asked the brunette slayer.

“You read my mind.” She stated walking over to them.

“So how was your night?” Xander turned to look at her.

“It was great, we went to the Dome, you know the one we were telling ya ‘bout. It was cool they got a pool pit and dance club and bowling.” Faith answesmilsmiling.

“And I wonder who won at pool.” Xander winked.

“Well what can I say, I still got the moves.” Faith replied modestly.

“What’s the dance club like, is it all ‘hip and funky’” Andrew asked joining the conversation.

“It’s great, they have live bands and stuff, but there was just a DJ tonight, fuck I haven’t danced like that for a long time.” Faith offered.

“Did the others have a good time?” Xander asked while shoving some chips in is mouth.

“Yeah we all danced and had a good time, it was fun just to be out and not worry about anything. Me and B danced the most though, I don’t think the others could keep up.” Faith replied.

“Oh well I dunno about you two, but I’m going to bed.” Andrew stated half way through a yawn.

“Yeah I wont be far behind.” Xander called after his new friend.

Once Andrew had left the kitchen Faith turned to Xander.

“Hey X-man, how you doin?” Faith asked.

“I’m ok.” He started. “It’s hard sometimes though, I keep wanting to tell Anya something and then it hits me that she’s not here, it’s weird.” He finished.

“You’ll be ok.” Faith said reassuringly. “You and Andrew seem to be getting close though.” She said with a wink.

“Faith, just because two people spend time together does not mean it’s something sexual. He’s just easy to talk to.” He said in way of explanation. “In any case I could say the same about you and the Buffster.” He finished wiggling his eyebrows.

“Whaddya mean by that?” Faith asked defensively.

“Well you’re both spending a lotta time together, and ya seem pretty close.” He turned to her.

“Yeah well like ya said, just cos two people spend time together doesn’t mean it’s something sexual.” Faith replied.

Buffy moved silently from the kitchen door, she had just heard Faith’s statement and was devastated. ‘She doesn’t like me like that’ she thought to herself. She quickly made her way to Willows apartment.

Willow and Kennedy broke away from their passionate embrace when there was a loud banging on their door.

“This had better be good.” Willow called as she swung open the door. “Oh Goddess Buffy what’s wrong? What happened?” She asked concerned seeing the upset slayer in front of her.

“Oh Will, she doesn’t like me, she never will.” Buffy spoke between sobs.

“What? How? Huh!” Willow spoke confused.

“She and …. Xan ..Xander were talking .. a..and I heard her, Will she said she didn’t like me.” Buffy cried.

“Buffy tell me EXACTLY what she said.” The red head started to get a little mad.

Buffy took a few calming breathes and relayed what she had heard, Willow hugged her gently for some comfort.

“Buff, she didn’t say she didn’t like you, she just said there was nothing sexual between you.” Willow tried to keep the blond calm.

“Exactly, so that means she doesn’t like me.” Buffy started to cry again.

“No, it just means there’s nothing sexual between you at the moment silly.” Willow poked her best friend in the ribs.

“D’you think so?” Buffy’s eyes grew wide and she tried to wipe her tear stained face.

“Trust me I know so.” Willow answered smoothly, she had thought back to the way Faith had been dancing with Buffy, she had also remembered that it wasn’t always Buffy that had initiated their sleeping together.

“Buffy why don’t you go to bed and sleep on it, it’ll make more sense in the morning, and besides, we’re gonna have a girly night tomorrow.” Kennedy offered.

“A girly night.” Buffy frowned at Willow.

“Well we were thinking and perhaps what you and Faith need is to spend some quality time together, ya know without the SIT’s and training and the sleeping thing getting in the way.” Willow started to babble her explanation.

“What so like just us three and Faith, no Dawn, no SIT’S” Buffy replied.

“Yep just us and Faith.” Willow nodded.

“Oh shit, what if I mess up and go all funny and stuff and oh fuck.” Buffy panicked.

“Listen Buff, just be yourself, it’s just a bunch o’ girls getting together to watch a movie an shit, nothin’ heavy.” Kennedy replied trying once again to calm the older slayer.

“Ok, ok I can do this, have you asked her yet, she may have other plans or somthin.” Buffy asked quickly.

“Don’t worry she’ll come.” Willow smiled.

“Right ok, I’ll go now and I’ll see you tomorrow, we are still going to the mall.” The blond asked.

“Well me and you are, but I think Kennedy and Faith would hack off their own legs then have to walk around there all day.” Willow giggled looking back at her girlfriend.

“Ya got that right.” Kennedy stated.

Faith was on the roof, she had already started her Ti Chi routine and co’t q’t quite focus, she was wondering where the blond was. They had been doing the same routine for a while now and she missed her partner. Normally within a few minutes of one being on the roof the other would turn up, they never set a time it just happened that way, but tonight she had been there for nearly twenty minutes.

“Hey.” A voice called from behind, smiling Faith turned to greet the blond.

“Hey, I thought you weren’t coming.” She stated softly.

“I got caught up in Willow’s, her and Ken want us to go for a girlie movie night tomorrow, I hope you don’t mind but I told them yes.” Buffy shrugged a little.

“Na I don’t mind I’m beginning to like Red and K.” Faith smiled.

Buffy smiled at the way Faith had shortened Kennedy’s name, she only really did this to the people she liked, those she didn’t well the names aren’t really repeatable.

Soon they had finished their nightly routine and had both made their way into Buffy’s room. Buffy made her way into the bathroom and changed into her shorts and t-shirt. Faith had quickly changed in the bedroom they had both left night-clothes in each others rooms as it was easier that way. Once again they curled up against one another and settled in for the night, Buffy watched as Faith slowly drifted to sleep, she felt her heart melt when the brunette tightener hor hold on her as she finally fell asleep. She couldn’t help but smile at the situation, sure she had fallen and fallen hard for this woman wrapped around her, but she felt so at peace like this, at that moment it didn’t matter to her that they may never be any more than friends, she was just happy to have these moments.

Soon enough Buffy drifted off into another peac sle sleep.