PART NINE: Accepting Death...
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 Willow's 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.
