Chapter 36
Connor held her hand as she walked into a place she hadn't seen in almost a year now. It seemed like a lifetime ago, her life used to center around this place and these people. Giles rushed over to her hug her close.
"Hi Giles." She mumbled into his chest returning the hug carefully.
"Buffy, is it really you?" Willow's soft voice could be heard from the back of the shop.
Buffy walked over to the girl who had been her best friend the last six years. Smiling at her. "Hi Willow, I hear you are doing much better. Giles gives me weekly updates on everything. I'm so proud of you."
"How could you be proud? I did horrible things to you; I wouldn't listen to anybody and I...I tried to take Tara's magic," her voice caught on a sob.
Wrapping her arms around the red head, Buffy held her until she quit crying. "But you didn't Willow and Tara's okay, I know all about it. Tara forgave you and the coven helped you understand that you can't use magic. You just have to forgive yourself now."
"What about you, Buffy? Do you forgive me? I was the one that pushed everyone." Willow looked at Buffy doubtfully.
"Yes, Willow, I forgive you. It was hard at first. It wasn't so much that I couldn't forgive you. It was that I didn't know what it was supposed to feel like. I'm okay now; I have a new life that makes me happy. Maybe you and the others can be a part of it."
"You are never coming back are you Buffy?" Willow's shoulders sagged.
"Of course not Willow. Don't you know Buffy's a big celebrity? Why should she come back here to do her job? When she can live it up in LA," Xander's said in a harsh voice. No one had seen him come in from the training room.
Connor stiffened moving to go after the dark haired man but Buffy caught his eye. "Hello, Xander."
"That is it, hello. No sorry for running away again! You waltz back into town after being gone almost a year so now what, we bow down before the almighty Buffy. Our pathetic lives once more have meaning because you are back to save us, huh?"
"Don't know about your pathetic life except what others have told me. I came because Giles asked me to. No apology was given because one isn't owed to you neither is an explanation. I can live my life anyway that I choose whether you like it or not. I was asked to this party were you?" Buffy fired back at him.
Xander's head snapped back as if he had been slapped. Giles had only recently started allowing him to come around again. It was based on him being able to prove his sobriety. It was humiliating to have to show the older man his AA chip and then call his sponsor for verification.
"No he wasn't" Ripper growled. "Boy, I am running out of patience with you." He stalked over to Xander as everyone watched the darker side of Giles emerge. "My darling girl is here in my store because I called her. If I ever hear you talk to her in that manner, again I will personally rip out that viscous tongue of yours. Now if you want to stay, listen and help then do so. Be careful Alexander, I'm tired of all your bloody crap!"
Xander's face paled, his eye's widened and his body trembled as Giles towered over him. He didn't doubt it for a minute; Giles would do exactly what he threatened. On one of his more outrageous drunks, Giles had given him a beating that took days to for him to recover. Xander had told the older man, in detail, the things he wanted to do to Buffy, to make her pay for leaving them. He wanted to dominate her, punish her for ruining his life. Show her what it was like to have a real man between those powerful slayer thighs. That was the last time he was allowed around for months until he started AA.
"I'll stay." He put his hand in his pocket to pull out his chip.
Giles looked down and nodded, his body blocked their interaction from the rest of the shop. "Faith and the others should be here. Anya's in the basement she will be up soon."
Buffy looked at her Watcher closely; there was a subtle change in his voice when he spoke of Anya. Just then, the ex-vengeance demon came bounding out of the basement door. "Rupert I found it. Oh, everyone is here already. Buffy!" She ran over throwing her arms around Buffy in an enthusiastic embrace. "You look gorgeous." Anya looked at her closely. "Oh, how stupid could I be. It was right there like the lips on your mouth."
"What are you talking about, Anya?" Willow asked a sinking feeling suddenly overwhelmed her.
"She just means how my hair and eyes changed, huh Anya. That she should have been able to tell that I was in heaven. It's okay they seemed to lighten and get brighter the further I got from Sunnydale. Lorne said it was something about a hole in my aura, right. Oh, I'm so sorry guys let me introduce everybody. This is Stephen Holtz; some of you remember Wesley Windham-Price and last but nor least Lorne. We became friends in LA; we back each other up for the big stuff. This is Giles, Anya, Tara, Willow and Xander. I have known most of them since I was 16."
They had all agreed not to mention any previous meetings or Buffy's changed status. She was worried about the impact on Willow's recovery.
Chapter 37
The door opened, in walked Spike helping an injured Faith followed by a younger dark haired girl. "Say Rupes, didn't know we was having a party would have worn my red shirt." Smirking he helped Faith to a chair. He spun around as his jaw dropped open "Slayer!"
"Hi Spike." Walking past the blond vampire, she knelt beside Faith's chair. "Hey little sis, should you be out of bed. Did you get a note from your Watcher to be out?"
Faith laughed then clutched her stomach. "No fair B, don't make me laugh; otherwise, I'm 5x5. Wanted to welcome big sis home."
The two had been speaking on the phone for the last few months slowly rebuilding their relationship. "Let me see, F." Faith raised her shirt to show Buffy a star shaped symbol carved into her stomach. Buffy gently laid her hand on it, and then closed her eyes. Faith felt warmth on her stomach; Buffy removed her hand pulling down the shirt. "I'm sorry you got hurt but you'll be 5x5 for real in no time." Buffy kissed her head then smoothed her hair back.
"Giles, introduce me to the newbie." She smiled as she stood up.
"I'm sorry dear; this is Kennedy. She was at a retreat when she got called and went to the Council immediately."
"Hello, Kennedy, how are you adjusting? I know it was hard for me at first."
"Oh no problem at all. I've been ready for this my whole life. Just been waiting for my chance to be the one, the Slayer," she answered proudly.
Buffy's eyebrow rose taking in the youngest slayer. "It didn't bother you that someone had to die for you to become a slayer?"
"No, why should it? That is just the way it works. Can we eat now I am starving?" She grabbed some pizza then sat down scooting a chair closer to Willow.
Tara looked at Willow, who was enjoying the young slayer's flirtation. She moved away to sit on the stairs alone.
Buffy seeing this headed over to talk to her friend but Spike stopped her. "Slayer, 'm glad to see you. You look good." He smiled while his eyes roamed over her face.
"Thanks Spike so do you, I'm happy for you and Faith. Giles told me you two are together now. I think you are good for each other."
"What about you, Slayer? Who will be good for you?"
"Him," Buffy nodded at Stephen.
"Why does he look and smell so familiar to me? Bloody Hell, he smells like Peaches; that can't be right vamps can't have children. What is he?"
"He is Angel and Darla's son; he was raised somewhere else though. Look it is a complicated story just get to know him. I need to talk to Tara, go introduce yourself but play nice."
Kennedy watched the by-play and smiled. Perfect. I can use that little scene. I hate sharing the Hellmouth with Faith. It was supposed to be mine. The more grief I can cause her the happier I will be.
The Council were going to strip Faith's power and give them to Kennedy. That was the real reason she was in London with her Watcher. When Mr. Giles called and they changed their minds. Well they were wrong, someone higher up must have seen that I was the rightful Slayer. Kennedy dismissed Buffy since she was officially retired. She wondered why the Council didn't take her power.
She didn't realize they had tried; the backlash of the spell blew out every light in the Council building. Several of the walls cracked, which was how the document was found. The Council decided Miss Summers' was to be left alone. She was considered above reproach with diplomatic immunity. In other words, they realized she was no longer theirs to control, if she ever was. They feared any further repercussions.
Buffy felt eyes on her, looking over she saw the new slayer, Kennedy, staring at her. She smiled but the other girl just ignored her looking away. Something is off about that girl; I'm just not sure what though.
Buffy grabbed Tara's hand leading her over to the stairs. "How are you doing, sweetie?"
"Bbbuffy, I mean Liz." Tara's emotions were overwhelming her. She and Willow had been writing each other while she was in London, slowly trying to heal their torn relationship. Kennedy's blatant come-ons and Willow' enjoyment of them was tearing down their fragilely rebuilt foundation.
"Tara look at me. If she loves you, it will all work out. If not, it hurts but you do heal. Just don't give up, Willow never had anyone but you or Oz pay attention to her. She doesn't see herself as beautiful or desirable, It can be heady stuff. She needs to know you still feel that way about her too."
"I'm not sure I am ready to cross that line yet. If I let her think we can be lovers again and I'm not ready that isn't fair."
"I'm not saying to seduce her, just hold her hand, and kiss her goodnight, the little steps that let someone know you care. Just think about it." Buffy kissed her head and walked over to Stephen grabbing hold of his hand.
He was talking to Spike animatedly but looked down to see her and stopped. He smiled at her.
"Uh, Junior, people still speaking here," Spike laughed.
"Sorry and you are not people anyways."
Spike raised an eyebrow, he did like this boy. Slayer was right, don't know how such a decent chap could end up with Peaches as his father.
Chapter 38
"Everyone let's get down to business. There is, as some of you know, an ancient form of vampire loose in town. We found references and it appears to be a Turok-Hon, a primordial vampire. They are impervious to stakes and holy water. Therefore, that only leaves one manner of termination, which would be decapitation. The biggest drawback with that is they are roughly about 2 to 3 times stronger than a Master vampire. Spike was able to do little damage."
Buffy caught the others eyes they knew to keep quiet. She already told them she was going hunting tonight. "If you see it, stay in groups and don't do anything without backup. I will be here continuing with some research with Willow and Anya's assistance." Giles told them all.
Xander looked at Anya with longing; he missed her. He was so used to her, the way she always took care of him, the house and the sex was incredible. He was lonely without her. If she would come back, he wouldn't even correct all the stupid mistakes anymore, he promised himself.
Faith got up, by herself this time, to head towards the door. "Xander, how about you and me, see Faith home so Spike can patrol with the others. We can catch up to them later," Kennedy offered.
"Sure Ken, let's get her home so she doesn't get hurt again." He glared at the bleached blonde vampire. Xander blamed Spike for Faith's injuries.
"Lay off Xan, I told you I was ambushed before sunset. No way he could have helped without being a crispy critter."
"You would be better off if he was," he muttered.
"I am tired of your bullshit. I can get home the rest of the way on my own. When are you going to catch a clue, it isn't up to you who I sleep with." Faith started to walk off.
"I'm sorry, let us make sure you get inside, please Faith. I just worry about you that is all."
"Fine, just no more about Spike."
Xander and Kennedy were walking along the street then cut across someone's yard. She stumbled falling onto Xander. Laying on top of him looking down she smiled. "I don't know how either of them stay away from you. Anya must be crazy to let you go and Spike must have Faith under some kind of thrall. Maybe you know like Dracula or something, no, everyone knows that is only in the movies. If you were mine Xander I would hold on tight."
Kennedy moved on top of him straddling his body then leaned down to kiss him. He kissed her back roughly pouring all of his frustration into it. "I thought you were into Willow?"
"What you never heard of someone liking both? I'm here you're here let's play Xander. I feel you, you're hard; how long has it been? Don't you want to just rip off my clothes and pound me into the ground? Have you ever had a slayer be submissive to you? Do anything you want, anytime, anywhere. Have you ever been the one in control, in command Xander? Don't you want to be?"
She moved her hips riding him in slow sensual circles as her husky voice became hypnotic. "Yes, yes I do starting now," he growled. He hadn't felt this powerful, this strong since he was taken over by the Hyena spirit. He grabbed Kennedy flipping her over. She landed hard on the ground only to smile up at him.
"Oh yes Xander, more."
"You will call me Master or I will punish you. Now who am I?"
"Xander." Kennedy replied, playing the game.
He reached down to tear open her shirt then slapped her breasts. Kennedy moaned. "Who am I?"
"Xander"
Giles, Willow and Anya were still trying to find information on the Turok-Han. "I'm bushed Giles I'm going to head home. I have my car so I'll see you in the morning," Willow said.
"Fine Willow , please be careful." As soon as she was gone, he pulled out a paper with a copy of some of the script he has been working on.
"What is that Rupert?" Anya appeared at his shoulder trying to look at the paper.
"Anya, you startled me. This is a document the Council found but no one has had any success translating it."
"Let me see." He handed her the papers. "No wonder, whoever did this was crazy. This isn't one language it is two and they are all mixed up. Every other letter is from the other language. But it doesn't mean anything if you skip so it must be some combination to make a new language. I just don't understand who would even know one let alone both." She mumbled under her breath.
"Anyanka, dear, would you be so kind to tell me what the languages are."
"Well see that second symbol there. That is ancient Sumerian like all the way back to the beginning not anything you would know. The first is well; I'm not sure I know the real name for it but it is supposed to be how angels write. It's their own language how they communicate, you know up there." She pointed to the ceiling.
Giles stared at the text then it dawns on him this book was written by an angel/slayer like Buffy. "That is it Anyanka you are bloody brilliant. I could just kiss you," Giles smiled at her.
"Well what are you waiting? I have been trying to get you to notice me forever Rupert. I only wish I had known it took reading some scribbles on a paper."
Giles stood up placing his hands on her hips pulling her to him. "I noticed Anyanka. I bloody well noticed."
"Why Rupert you are quite a man. Now show me if you know how to do more than talk."
He put his hand in her hair dragging her mouth to meet his. Sliding his tongue across her lips, he asked for entrance. She granted it as her arms came around him moving closer in his arms. He expertly dueled with her tongue as she moaned deep in the back of her throat.
Xander watched the whole exchange, he had told Kennedy to wait outside. He wanted to see if Anya would let him walk her home. He opened the door from the training room to hear Giles comment then Anya telling him she wanted him. Opening the door wider to see him pull he into his arms as she welcomed him. He quietly closed the door marching outside.
Xander grabbed Kennedy's hand. "Is everything okay?"
He slapped her face hard. "Who am I?" He demanded as he grabbed her pulling her close to his body.
"Master, is everything okay?" Her breath was already coming faster as his hands bruised her arms.
"Everything is fine, just fine. You look like a whore; you will wear clothes that cover you. You are mine, slave. You will never wear underwear so you are ready for me anytime I want you, anywhere I want you and anyway I want you." He pulled her roughly towards his car. "Get in; we are going to my house. Call and tell them you sprained your ankle, I don't care whatever you want. Just so, they don't come looking for you. You are going to be busy."
"Yes Master." Kennedy smiled out the window. Men are so easy.
Chapter 39
Buffy was tired. They had killed several vamps and a couple of demons. The number of baddies was high in Sunnydale but no sign of the Ubervamp. When they were calling it a night, she thought she saw something but it could have been a trick of the light. She was impressed with how confident Tara was on patrol.
Not that she was happy about Willow's addiction but it gave Tara a chance to blossom in her time alone. She pulled on her connection with the earth to send dead braches into vamps. Vines grew up over the feet of demons or roots appeared to trip them helping to slow them down. Tara was like some kind of furious wood fairy, mad at the creatures screwing with Mother Nature. She was cautious never taking anything not already given. It was as if she listened to the earth as she fought.
"Wow, Tara, you were so cool out there. Your magic has become stronger or you are finally showing us what you can do."
Tara blushed, "I guess with Willow always pushing so hard it made me pull away. Do you understand the difference between natural magic and learned?" Buffy shook her head. "I was born a witch from a long line of witches. It is, like you were born as a potential slayer. It is all about bloodlines. Willow taught herself magic and with her IQ, she learned too quickly. I learned as I grew naturally from my mother. She taught me to respect and fear the magic. I don't abuse it and it becomes more powerful as I use it and grow older. Willow couldn't understand it and sometimes tried to compete. She has an unhealthy need to score higher than others. I couldn't make her understand she couldn't compare our magic. It is why she couldn't take it from me. It would have been the same as trying to take the me, out of me."
Tara sighed remembering Willow's broken sobs, her drained drawn face as she lay on the ground afterwards. She had just babbled then passed out. Rack had refused her any more free rides. It seemed he had used up all of Willow's magic and she was in a hard withdrawal. She came into the house and latched onto Tara trying to drain her magic. Her mind went into a hard shut down when no magic was available. Tara couldn't believe that her lover had fallen so far. She yelled for Giles and Faith and they came running. Three days later Willow was on a plane for London, a member of the coven had flown over to escort her back.
Buffy and Connor crawled into bed wrapping their arms around each other; they were asleep in minutes. The next morning she woke to soft kisses on her should as an arm wrapped around her stomach. "Good morning, what time is it?" She asked as she turned in his arms.
"Almost eleven, Wes just knocked to say brunch will be ready in about twenty minutes. We slept in, guess everyone was wiped out. Do I get a morning kiss?"
"Yes you do, come here." She pulled him close then kissed him.
It soon became more passionate as he pulled her on top of him. Connor just held her there then his hands began to sweep lightly down her back and up again.
Buffy leaned back to look into his face. "It is just you and me here right now. Talk to me Stephen."
"Can I touch you?"
Buffy smiled and gently touched his face. She lay back on the bed and started unbuttoning her sleep shirt. Moving aside the pieces, she bared her breasts to him. "Touch me Stephen. Show me what you wanted to know."
Connor just looked at her for a moment. Her breasts were full with pink tipped nipples. They were perfect for her size as he looked at the golden skin displayed for him. He put a hand out to trace one nipple watching it pucker then harden. He cupped her whole breast in his large hand applying light pressure. Connor moved his fingers around the outside working towards the center to the nipple repeatedly.
Buffy moaned at the sweet torture of feeling him explore her. Watching his face as the wonder grew at her body's response. Connor bent to take the other nipple into his mouth sucking lightly.
Her eyes closed, it had been so long for her and this felt so right, so good. She put her hand up to his hair running her fingers through the thick dark hair. "Stephen that feels so good baby but if you don't stop we are going to miss breakfast. Maybe the rest of the day."
Connor looked at her heavy lidded luminous eyes. He moved up her body to kiss her urgently. "I love you, Liz."
"I love you too, Stephen." Buffy held him to her tightly like she will never let him go.
Connor pulled her out of the bed. "You were right; if we don't get up now we won't eat."
Chapter 40
Giles asked her to call whenever she got up. "Buffy did you have a good nights sleep?"
"Yes, Giles I slept very well. I think better than I have in years," she smiled at Connor.
"Good could you come by the shop sometime after lunch it isn't as busy then. I have something I need you to look at."
"Sure so, Giles, how long you been crushing on Anya?"
"What? How did you? I mean I don't, oh bloody hell Buffy not now." He hung up the phone. "That girl sees entirely too much."
"Who Rupert?" Anya smiled as she walked into the office closing the door.
"Buffy she knows." Giles felt his heart quicken at the sight of her.
"Of course she does, angels are susceptible to other people's feelings." She said matter-of-factly, as she sat on his lap.
"How did you know she's an angel, dear?" He held her leaning back to see her face.
"Anyone can if they know what to look for, it's the hair and eyes. There is also something more, a warmth that makes you just want to get closer to her. No wonder we almost smothered her to death when she returned. The Hellmouth must have been awful for her. Damn Willow and Xander, I told them not to do it but no one ever listened to me."
"I will Anyanka, you are a wonderful woman. I find your honesty refreshing. Now who was talking last night about proper greetings for certain occasions? I think a proper hello is called for don't you?"
"Yes, Rupert I do." Anya pulled his head down to hers kissing him deeply. She wiggled her hips mischievously on his lap.
"That is enough of that young lady. I won't start anything I can't finish properly. When I do have you dearest you will know it and feel it to your toes. Now go run our shop, scoot."
She laughed jumping up, "Rupert I will hold you to that promise. Just make sure you can keep up with me."
"Anyanka, you have only been with an inexperienced boy. I am a man you will see the difference well it will be largely apparent." Ripper grinned out at her.
"Rupert, you are coming home with me tonight, both of you." She closed the door on his grinning face.
"Yes we are, aren't we old chap, finally a real woman who wants all of us."
Kennedy limped home soar but happy putting a check beside Xander on her shopping list. She looked her body over this morning. There weren't any marks that wouldn't look like they hadn't come from a fight. Now for the second item on her list, she purposely knocked something off in the room she shared with Willow. "Oh I'm sorry Willow. I guess I'm worse off than I thought. Could you help me get into a bath?"
"Kennedy, when you called you said it wasn't bad. Come on we will get you in for a soak then I think there is still some cream we can put on you."
"Thanks Will," she put her arm around the red head. Kennedy dropped her clothes as Willow ran the bath. Noticing the side-glances she was getting, Kennedy asked. "Can I hold on to you?" Willow put her arm around her again then as Kennedy slid down her breast brushed Willow's face. Willow blushed when Kennedy moaned. "How bad is it?" She asked her eyes looked closed as she looked through her lashes.
Willow looked down her body for a long time. Her breasts were bruised, so were her hips and thighs. It looked like her ribs were to and possibly around to her back. Even with all the marks on her, there was no denying Kennedy's body was beautiful. "Nnot too bad."
"Could you help me wash my arms feel like noodles? I guess I will get used to this sooner or later."
Willow swallowed at the idea of rubbing a cloth over that body. It was making her feel warm. She loved Tara but something about this dark-haired girl drew her. Willow she is hurt you can do this. She soaped up a rag then started on Kennedy's arms washing them carefully. She moved to her chest with her head down as she tried to concentrate. She is hurt. She is hurt. You are just helping. Kennedy's breast tightened under Willow's hands.
She looked up to see dark eyes looking at her hungrily. "Touch me Willow." Almost as if in a trance, the cloth fell away and her hand obeyed. "Lower." Willow never took her eyes off Kennedy as she obeyed. Kennedy saw the door open and a swish of blond hair. "Kiss me." Again, the red head obeyed without question or thought.
Tara walked in the bath to see Willow crouched over Kennedy in the tub. They were kissing passionately as Willow's hand moved under the water. Kennedy's eyes were open and looking straight into Tara's. The blonde witch quietly closed the door then moves towards her room. Pulling a suitcase out from under the bed, she began to pack quickly.
"Hey T, what cha doing? Hey, what is up?"
Tara turned to Faith with tears running down her cheeks. "I accidentally walked in on Kennedy in the bath."
"T it was bound to happen to one of us living here. No reason to leave."
"She wasn't alone Faith, Willow was there. She didn't see me but Kennedy did. Kennedy looked proud, what kind of person is she? I can't stay here any longer." Tara's eyes pleaded with Faith to support her.
"T, you want some help?"
"Could you just call Buffy ask her if she has room for me there?"
"Sure, give me a sec," Faith jogged off.
Tara continued to pack up her belongings as she prepared to leave the woman she had loved more than anything.
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