PART 16
Willow's room…
Christine lay with Kennedy’s warm naked body pressed up against her. The Brunette’s arm was wrapped around her and her legs were tangled with Christine’s. The potential was asleep. She fell asleep a while ago. Christine felt it. She was well content where she was with Kennedy holding on to her protectively. The green eyed potential smiled at the memory of what they just shared.
Kennedy was so gentile. Christine ran her fingers over the brunette’s arm that was around her. Christine was glowing. She was happy at the moment and Kennedy was there for her...not only as her friend but as...her girlfriend. Christine then smiled again. It was time to let go of everything. She knew that now.
The dirty blonde knew what had to happen. And she was ready to accept it. Death didn’t scare her. She guessed that was one of the reasons why she was a potential. Yeah, it sucked that everything happened the way they did to her but it was good too for it made her stronger. Christine was the person she was today because of everything that had happened to her.
Christine had come so close to death so many times and even died once, leaving her not to fear it anymore. She had made a lot of mistakes and done a lot of things in her past that she wasn’t proud of. And she felt ugly because of it. But none of it mattered now.
Christine took and turned a curse into a gift. She took what happened to her and made it into something good. She couldn’t believe how lucky she was. To have somebody as great as Kennedy love her. The brunette had helped Christine in a way. She helped her to realize and accept her fate.
Christine no longer thought about what happened to her in the past. There was no reason to. She had a duty now. The past was long and gone. The green eyed potential felt better. She felt almost new even. Christine watched as the sun came up. For once...in her whole miserable life...she was happy...and she felt happy. Something that she wasn’t used to feeling.
Christine sighed. She didn’t want to get up...but she had to talk to Willow. She also didn’t want Kennedy to wake up to an empty bed but then she didn’t want to wake her either. Last night had meant everything to the dirty blonde and she didn’t want the other potential to think differently. Christine turned in Kennedy’s arms, caressing the brunette’s face. She then rained her face with kisses and laughed. Soon, Kennedy stirred and opened her eyes.
“Hey,” Christine greeted looking into Kennedy’s eyes. The brunette smiled and wrapped her arm around Christine tighter.
“Hey,” Kennedy replied, “What time is it?” the brunette then asked. Christine smiled at her as she yawned.
“Go back to bed. I just wanted to tell you that I was going to go talk to Willow.” Christine said reaching up and lovingly playing with the brunette’s hair. Kennedy made a face.
“Wh-Why?” she asked. Christine had to come up with another lie yet again.
“Just a few questions. I didn’t want you to wake up to an empty bed,” Christine explained before kissing the brunette. Christine hoped that was a good enough answer for the other potential. Kennedy smiled at her.
Dawn’s room...
Willow yawned as she got up. She knew that Christine would be looking to talk to her. She stepped out into the hallway as Christine stepped out of the room.
“Thought you would be looking for me,” Willow said as she started down the stairs quietly. The potential smiled.
“So...what do we got?” Christine asked as she sat at the kitchen table. Willow walked over to the coffee maker and started it up.
“Well, I’ve got a friend from LA on her way here to help us. She’s also bringing some important information, texts, among other things with her,” the redhead explained sitting down across from the potential. Christine nodded then smirked.
“Friend huh?” she stated as the redhead blushed. “Ok, well that’s cool. What about the prophecy and what are telling the others?” Christine asked.
Willow leaned back into her chair. “Here’s what I got. There is a spell I have to do that will turn all potentials into slayers. This will help us when the time comes for the big battle. That was the whole sorceress deal in the prophecy. And of course, I’ll say I read it wrong and that there is a spell to weaken The First...” the witch was explaining.
“How and why would you say that?” Christine asked not understanding.
“Well, there is an amulet involved that you have to wear. It’s in the original prophecy. The amulet shall spill balance and light, helping you destroy The First. The details are sketchy. The whole thing is sketchy. That is why Fred is coming to help from LA. Plus, she has all the updated texts and the amulet that we need. I have to do a spell to activate the amulet though. That’s why I am using the cover story about a spell that weakens The First...” the redhead explained.
“Willow? I-I am sorry...to make you lie to your friends, I understand if you...” the potential started to say, feeling guilty.
“No no, it’s ok. You are the one going to...die...Christine. The last thing I can do is obey a last wish,” Willow said with a sad smile. Christine smiled back, weakly, to show her appreciation.
“What else?” Christine asked, wanting to know more.
“Well, I won’t know anything more solid till Fred gets here but there is also some scythe,” Willow stated.
“Scythe?” the potential asked.
“It’s like an ancient axe. But it’s not for you,” the redhead said smiling, “Slayers only thing. But it’s supposed to be really powerful. It’s hidden somewhere. Caleb and The First are hiding it, protecting it, not wanting us to have it. It’ll help us a lot in the battle,” Willow explained. “That is, if we find it,” the redhead added. Christine nodded her head understanding.
Then something else came to the potential’s mind. “What about the whole thing about Faith and I being connected in light?” she asked. Willow shook her head.
“I really don’t know...see what I mean about the sketchiness? “the redhead witch asked. Then she shook her head. “I was up all night studying what I did have. A lot of it just doesn’t make sense. And with the end coming soon...it’s no easier. And I just don’t get it...why you?” Willow asked.
Christine looked up at her. “Maybe that’s a stupid question.” The redhead stated shaking her head.
“No, no it’s not. I wondered the same thing as well...but I think I figured it out,” Christine said getting Willow’s attention. “I’m not afraid of death...I’ve accepted it already...since...well...since I have come so close, so many times, and even died once. When I thought about it, it made sense. One who was afraid to die might have a hard time...but me? I guess I am ready,” the potential explained, lightly shrugging.
Willow looked at her sadly as Christine sighed and took a deep breath. “But I don’t know. A prophecy is a prophecy. We never know how or why they are made or even there but they are...I mean...I am finally happy now. You know? Things with Kennedy...Faith...having people that actually care...things have changed...but I guess I have accepted what has to happen...I don’t know, it’s hard to explain.” Christine said looking out the window. Willow studied the girl in front of her. Christine was only 19 but acted and seemed so much older.
Christine stayed downstairs and talked to Willow about the prophecy, what’s been going on, past times with the Scooby gang, and other things. Various potentials were coming down and getting something to eat and doing various things to prepare for the day. Dawn came down and sat with Christine and Willow, telling the past stories of their adventures.
“Where’s Kennedy? Did you wear her out or something?” Willow asked making the potential blush horribly.
“Naw, I think I wore her out,” Kennedy said walking into the kitchen all ready for the day. She passed by Christine and kissed her on the head saying, “Good morning sweetie,” in a sweet joking tone.
Willow and Dawn laughed as an embarrassed Christine turned even redder and tried to leave the kitchen.
“Oh honey! Don’t get upset now! Don’t deny your feeeeeeeeelings!” Kennedy teased chasing Christine from the kitchen. Willow and Dawn started busting out laughing uncontrollably.
Buffy’s room...
Buffy woke up in Faith’s arms and smiled, snuggling more into the brunette’s warm naked body. The younger slayer stirred and looked down at the blonde in her arms smiling.
“Good morning beautiful,” Faith said as she ran her hand down Buffy’s arm, entwining their figures together. For once...Faith was actually happy.
“I wish I could wake up like this every morning,” Buffy said as turned in the brunette’s arms to face her. Faith kissed the older slayer’s nose then forehead.
“Oh you can...I promise that,” Faith said winking making the blonde smile. Both girls smiled at each other before finally getting up and getting dressed.
Downstairs...
All the potentials were getting ready for the days training and morning meeting. They knew that the time was getting nearer. Willow handed Buffy a cup of coffee as she and Faith entered the kitchen. Christine sat on the counter with Kennedy next to her whispering something in her ear that caused the girl to laugh.
Faith smiled at the two as she sat at the table next to Willow. “So what’s the what?” the brunette slayer asked as Andrew rushed in with Anya and Xander behind him.
“No, I am telling you Xander...Spiderman is way cooler then batman,” Andrew stated as he then noticed everyone staring at them.
“They have been arguing about this nonsense all morning...although I never knew that there were spiders and bats that were men,” Anya stated, still slightly confused...
Outside the front of the house...
Fred was a little nervous as she pulled her two bags out of the cab she had been in most of the night. She was anxious but she was excited to see Willow again. There was something about the redhead that Fred just liked. Not to mention that they both seemed to have a lot in common.
“Can I help you with that?” came a voice behind Fred. The brunette jumped at first then turned around. “You must be Fred. I’m Christine,” the potential introduced herself, shaking Fred’s hand.
“You’re a cutie, no wonder Willows got a soft spot for you,” Christine said as she picked up Fred’s bags. The shy brunette blushed.
“I uh...” Fred verbally stumbled. Christine smiled.
“Here, just follow me inside. They are having a meeting right now with the potentials on what they know so far and what might be going down. You’ve got good timing,” the potential said as she stopped in front of the door. “Don’t feel over whelmed. They are good people and we are all on the same side. I know how it must feel to walk into a place you know nothing of let alone know anyone but a few people. I’ll help you with whatever you need, ok?” Christine asked, trying to assure the nervous brunette.
Fred smiled and nodded. “Oh, do you preferred to be called Fred or...” Christine was asking, wanting to start out on the right foot.
“Fred is fine, thank you,” the brunette answered. Christine smiled as she reached for the door knob getting ready to go in. Fred put her hand on the potential’s shoulder, stopping her.
“Um...Willow told me...about you...” Fred said as Christine gave her her full attention. “I wanted to tell you that I will also follow your wishes,” Fred stated, trying to tell the potential that she understood. Christine smiled.
“Thank you,” she said turning the door knob and going inside.
Willow and Buffy were filling the potentials in. Just before they started, Christine spotted the cab outside and knew it was Fred. So she went out to help. Buffy nodded at Christine as she saw her come into the living room with who she guessed was Fred.
Willow was just finishing up on what she had already told Christine that very morning, obviously leaving out some parts. She told them about the scythe that she found information on and the spell to turn all potentials into slayers. She also told them a little about the prophecy and how she read it wrong at first and how it involved her, Faith, and Christine. She also told them about the spell that would ‘weaken The First’. The redhead knew that any information given to the girls would give them hope and that’s what they really needed right now. Other wise she wouldn’t have told them anything in till she was absolutely sure. Although she did tell them that she wasn’t sure on everything.
Faith stood in the doorway next to Kennedy as they listened to what Willow was saying. “...so that’s what we got so far...we are just telling you this information to give you guys a heads up on what we know,” Willow explained seeing Fred and Christine. The redhead’s face lit up a little as she gave a small wave. Everyone turned to look at Fred, who was feeling really uncomfortable right at the moment.
“Just remember what I told you...they are good people...relax,” Christine whispered to Fred. The shy brunette eased down a little as Christine stepped forward.
“Hey guys. This is Fred from LA. She’ll be helping Willow with...” Christine was saying as she noticed some weird looks from some of the potentials...that were directed at her. Right then Willow spoke up.
“Fred and I will be going over the texts and all the information that we can find to help us and to get a hold on what’s going on,” Willow explained. Buffy stepped foreword ready to tell the girls what was going down for the day. Christine felt awkward with all the looks she was getting from some of the potentials. Why were they looking at her like that?
Christine picked up Fred’s bags again. “You stay here, I am going to go take your stuff upstairs. You’ll sleep in Willow’s room with Willow, Kennedy, and me if that’s ok?” the potential asked Fred. The brunette nodded as Christine picked her bags up and practically raced out of the room. Faith frowned from the doorway noticing Christine leave.
“Listen up. Fred and Willow will be doing the research gig. But as for us, I’ll be splitting you guys into separate groups. We will change the groups every hour. Time is getting closer guys so we need to buckle down and stay focused. Xander will be leading the weapons group, Kennedy will be with me on hand to hand combat...” Buffy went on explaining the day.
Faith left the room following Christine upstairs. “Hey,” the brunette slayer said from the doorway startling her.
“Hey,” Christine replied setting Fred’s bags down.
“What’s up?” Faith asked leaning on the door frame.
“Nothing...” the potential answered. Faith gave her a look and Christine sighed. “I noticed the potentials giving me weird looks...it’s nothing,” Christine said as she tried to get by Faith through the doorway that the brunette had blocked.
“Christine...they just don’t understand how important you are. People often are afraid or don’t like things that they don’t know or understand. They’ll warm up again, I promise,” Faith said to the potential standing back up straight again and putting her hands in her pockets.
Christine sighed and walked down the hall and sat on top of the stairs hearing everyone below as Faith sat next to her. The potetnial leaned her head on her hands as she heard them greet Fred warmly as they got ready to get in their groups. Christine smiled for a moment glad that Fred was feeling welcome. Then she heard something that caught her ears.
“Listen,” Christine told Faith as a conversation could be over heard near the bottom of the stairs from a few potentials.
“Who does she think she is?” Gina, a potential asked.
“Yeah, what makes her so important?” another potential, Kim, agreed.
“You guys, she’s just like us. She has to deal just like us...” a potential, Rona, said in Christine’s defense.
“Oh yea right. Did you see her? Trying to get in with Faith, Buffy, and them? Like she will ever be one of them,” Gina snorted.
“Hey! That’s just mean! What about Kennedy? She’s a potential too and she helps Buffy...” Rona tried again.
“Right. She HELPS. And she has more experience to help and she isn’t in no prophecy,” stated Kim as she crossed her arms.
“Right. What’s up with that anyway? And did you notice Kennedy and Christine this morning? Someone got some loving last night,” Gina laughed. Tears threatened to spill from Christine’s eyes as she held them back. She wasn’t going to cry and she wasn’t about to cry about this or anything for that matter. She had a duty to uphold.
“That’s enough! You guys are horrible. You don’t know her! How dare you say those things. Christine has just as much experience as Kennedy and who cares if they are involved? And who cares if Christine is in a prophecy. She is a girl just like us if you haven’t forgotten. I bet she feels very alone right now. I know I wouldn’t want to be a part of this big prophecy and have the evil out there looking for me, wanting to kill me for it. Christine and Kennedy are the oldest potentials we have and they are strong and experienced. You should be ashamed of yourselves,” Rona said to the group of potentials that were gathered around her.
“You’re right...I shouldn’t have said those things,” Kim said feeling bad as she looked down at her feet.
“Yeah. You are right. Maybe we should try and do something with her later to get her mind off of everything,” Gina suggested, feeling bad too. Rona smiled.
“I bet she would like that. Now let’s get going,” Rona stated as the potentials left to go out the back. Faith turned and looked at Christine who refused to look at her.
“That’s what I am talking about,” Christine stated.
“Yea, but someone defended you, and now they might better understand...” Faith was saying. She knew that Christine wasn’t really paying attention. Her mind was on something else. That bothered the brunette slayer. She felt like Christine was hiding something from her.
“Hey, I know how you feel. I was the fuck up slayer, remember?” Faith stated. Christine looked at the brunette realizing her point, even though her choice of words were a little wrong. Why was she even worried about this? And after what she told Fred about everyone...Christine was now doing the opposite. This was something that she shouldn’t worry about right now. Christine woke up feeling so great this morning and she was going to keep it that way. Faith was right.
“You’re right...” Christine said turning to Faith then smiling, “Let’s get down there.”
Faith smiled and led the way downstairs into the kitchen were Buffy stood with Willow, Dawn, and Fred.
“We need to get a little bit more supplies from the magic shop,” Willow stated “Incase if something goes wrong. Plus we might need something that we haven’t even realized yet.” Fred nodded her head in agreement.
“I brought all the texts that I thought would help...but do you think that we will have time to go get the stuff?” Fred asked. The redhead thought a moment.
“I’ll go get it,” Christine offered. Everyone turned and looked at her. “I mean it’s no big. It would spare you all the time and Faith could help train the potentials that need help. I mean it makes sense if I go.”
Buffy thought a moment. Christine was right. Buffy was going to have Faith and Christine practice and train together most of the time anyway. They were going to need it since they were both their main fighters in this war. And Buffy could use Faith’s help.
“Ok, later on in the day when Willow and Fred know what they need they can send you and Faith can help me train the others,” Buffy stated. Christine just wanted a break from the house and the whole end of the world slayerness going on. It was starting to get to her.
None of the girls were aware of the shadowed figure of Caleb who watched and listened from outside. As quietly as he came, he left. Faith looked at Christine.
“So it’s you and me training then huh?” the brunette slayer asked.
“I guess so,” Christine answered smiling.
“I got to teach you how it’s really done,” Faith said laughing.
“Hey!” Buffy protested.
“Just teasing you B, you know you’re my girl,” Faith stated with a wink, causing the blonde slayer to blush. Christine laughed a little at the older slayer’s expression.
“Uh...well, Willow, why don’t you guys settle yourselves in the living room and use whatever books you need. Based on the information you uncover today, forms our game plan. Dawn, I want you to go with Andrew to get some supplies...” Buffy started.
“Buffy!” Dawn whined.
“I’m sorry. It won’t be that bad...where is Andrew any way?” the blonde slayer asked. Christine saw movement out of the corner of her eye.
“Hey! I saw you Andrew!” the potential said, reaching out into the other room and yanking the boy inside.
“I wasn’t trying to avoid you I swear! I didn’t eat the last hot pocket!” Andrew exclaimed. Everyone rolled their eyes and Andrew wiped the crumbs off his chin.
“Andrew...no one cares,” Anya stated as she came through the back door, “Buffy, Kennedy said she could use you when you’re ready,” Anya told her.
“Alright, I’ll be there soon,” Buffy said as Anya turned back around and went back out the door. The older slayer turned her attention back to Andrew and Dawn.
“I also need you guys to try to get in touch with Wood, Spike, and Giles. They left a few days ago to get information about Caleb. I think they might be at Giles but I am not sure...we haven’t heard word and I am a little worried.” Dawn and Andrew nodded.
“Ok guys, let’s do it,” Buffy stated. Dawn and Andrew went out the front door as Willow and Fred went into the living room to get going on the information. Buffy smiled at Faith as she walked by her to the back door. The brunette slayer quickly reached out and grabbed her hand pulling the older slayer to her, giving her a quick kiss.
“You know, for patience...” Faith stated smiling. Buffy blushed a little due to Christine being there and smiled at the younger slayer, grabbing her hand and squeezing it before going out the back door.
“Yup, it’s official. Defiantly whipped,” Christine teased crossing her arms. Faith looked at her.
“Oh I’m whipped? What about you, miss-I-can’t-look-at-Kennedy-with- out-a-school-girl-look,” Faith teased almost laughing.
“Wh-what!? Hey! I am not a school girl...I don’t do that!” Christine protested. Faith laughed not being able to hold it in any more.
“That’s it. I’m so not talking to you anymore,” Christine said jokingly going out the back door.
“Wh-What? Oh come on Christine I was only joking...” Faith said going after the girl still laughing.
