Act 2
Fade In:
Int.
Island – Condo – Informal Dining Area – Late Morning
Rowena and Willow were sitting at the table eating fresh fruit and croissants when a bleary-eyed Xander tramped in to the kitchen area and immediately headed for the coffee pot.
Willow glanced questioningly at Rowena, who shrugged and pulled another bit off her roll. “Morning, Xander,” she finally said.
Xander grunted a greeting and filled a mug with steaming coffee, taking a sip of it black. He closed his eyes in pleasure.
“You okay, Xan?” Rowena asked. “You look kinda…bedraggled.”
Xander cracked an eye at her. “Funny you should mention that,” he croaked.
“What do you mean?” Willow asked.
Xander carried his coffee over to the table and sat down. He looked hard at Rowena. “It seems I made the mistake of taking the room right next to a certain watcher and her witch,” he replied. “I spent the entire night learning fifty different ways to say ‘oh god’.”
Rowena turned bright red and hid her face in her hands. “Oh god,” came the muffled response.
“Make that fifty-one,” Xander commented, and took a croissant.
Willow chuckled proudly. “Why don’t you take the next room over?” she suggested.
“There’s an idea. Move closer to the horn-dog slayer and her demon-hunting sex machine,” Xander said, before sighing dramatically. “Here I am on an island full of beautiful women, and I’ve got no one to keep me company…Speaking of lovely ladies, where is everyone?” he asked.
“Buffy and Faith are at the beach…again!” Willow said.
“And I think Kadin and Kennedy are in the game room,” Rowena added. “I heard music from there when I got up.”
Xander nodded and popped the whole croissant into his mouth.
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Condo – Game Room – Same Time
“Five ball, side pocket,” Kadin said. She shot and grinned as the nine ball recoiled off the five and landed in the corner pocket a second after her called ball slid into the side. “My game.”
Kennedy sighed and grabbed the diamond-shaped nine-ball rack and began setting the balls up again.
“What?” Kadin said. “No congrats?”
“That’s the fourth game you’ve won in a row,” Kennedy pouted as she pulled the plastic frame from the table. “I haven’t even had a shot in ten minutes.”
“Awww…pobrecita…” Kadin aimed her cue, and, with a lightning fast move, broke the rack. Kennedy groaned as the nine ball shot into the corner pocket.
“That’s match,” Kadin said triumphantly, tossing her cue on the table. “C’mere you.”
Kennedy slinked over and pressed Kadin against the table in a passionate kiss. The hunter stood up on her tiptoes until her butt was resting against the table and then wrapped her legs around Kennedy, pulling her closer and grinding her hips against the slayer.
Kadin threw back her head, and Kennedy latched on to her neck, sucking deeply.
“Ready to go again?” Kadin asked, after she had caught her breath.
“Can I at least break?”
“You’re on!”
Kadin hopped off the table and quickly racked the balls.
Cut To:
Ext.
Island – Beach – Same Time
Buffy and Faith were parked on their chaise lounges, once again soaking up the sun. They were lying on their stomachs with faces turned to one another, although their eyes were closed. Slowly, Buffy sat up and grabbed her tanning lotion.
“I wonder how things are going back at HQ,” Buffy said, looking at her fellow slayer. She put some lotion on her shoulders.
“Who cares?” Faith mumbled, refusing to open her eyes. “We’re on vacation, remember? ‘Sides, whatever happens, Giles can handle it. It’s not like he hasn’t faced disasters before.”
Buffy nodded and gave a reassured smile before returning to the chaise. “You’re right. Giles can handle it. I’m sure he has everything under control.”
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Lobby – Afternoon
Carrying both his satchel and a completely overstuffed baby bag, Giles struggled with the door to the lobby. Just as he attempted to squeeze through, the baby bag caught on the door, and he had to try again. Luckily, a hand shot out of nowhere and held the door open for him. He took advantage and quickly moved inside.
“Thank you,” he said, adjusting his load without yet looking at the person who had helped him.
“Rupert?” came a surprised voice.
When Giles looked up, he saw a wide-eyed Dianna in front of him. “Di-Dianna?” he said uncertainly.
“Rupert!” she exclaimed with glee, flinging her arms around him. He returned her hug, although awkwardly as he wrestled with the baby bag that swung back and forth from his arm.
Dianna let go of Giles and took a step back, gazing up at his face with a bright smile. “Oh my god, it’s been too long. How are you?”
“Very good, thank you. And yourself? I trust you’ve been keeping well?” he asked with a grin.
She gave an emphatic nod. “I’ve been great,” she said, seemingly utterly stunned. “Blimey, talk about blast from the past! I knew you were over here, but I thought you’d retired. What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same.”
“I’m here on holiday.” He arched a brow, making her giggle. “Okay, so I’m doing a little work while I’m here. You know me, can’t stay away. What about you?”
“Me, I can’t get away,” Giles smirked. “I said I’d come in and help out while the majority of the senior staff is away. How’s Grace?”
Dianna’s smile faded slightly. She closed her eyes and sighed, her smile widening once again. “She’s doing fine.”
“Yes, if I were around more, I would have checked on her. I-I hear she’s doing well. Rowena said her knowledge seems to be greater than others at her level just starting out. I take it you had something to do with that?”
Dianna gave him a coy look. “I tried to give her the best start possible when she was younger. By the time she was ten, she was already fluent in four languages, one of which was a demonic language. Though you wouldn’t guess it, she doesn’t like to let people know what she knows.”
“There’s something to be said for modesty.”
“Yes, she gets that from her father.”
“Oh I know,” Giles said, giving her a cheeky smile.
“Rupert, have you got the baby bag?” Becca asked as she came up from behind Dianna, with Martin in her arms and Elizabeth waddling beside her.
Giles broke his stare with Dianna and looked at Becca, raising the bag a moment later.
“Oh, hello,” Becca said to Dianna.
“Hi,” Dianna smiled and glanced at Martin, who seemed involved with his wooly hat.
Becca looked at Giles expectantly.
“Oh…y-yes, yes. Dianna, this is Becca, my wife.”
“That’s right! I had forgotten,” Dianna stammered. “I tell you,” she turned to Becca, “I never thought Rupert would settle down into a serious relationship, let alone marriage! Believe me, I tried it myself!” She gave a light chuckle.
“And Becca, this is Dianna Earl. We used to work together…and…we used t-to be an item. Back in the day.” He smiled weakly.
“More days than I’d care to admit,” Dianna replied.
“Pleased to meet you,” Becca said, shifting Martin in her arms and extending a hand with a friendly smile.
“Pleasure’s mine,” Dianna replied, beaming and shaking her hand. “And who’s this then?” She stroked the side of Martin’s face.
“This is Martin,” Becca told her. She held up his little hand to wave.
“Oh, he’s gorgeous. How old?” she asked, taking a step back.
“Eight months,” Giles answered. “He was born premature, but he’s doing much better now.”
Dianna’s eyes sparkled when she caught sight of Elizabeth cowering behind her mother’s leg, peering up at her.
“Hello,” she said, bending down to Elizabeth’s level.
“This is Elizabeth,” Becca said.
“The Elizabeth, eh? I’ve heard a lot about you, little one. I’m Dianna.” She held out her hand.
She was wary for a moment, but then Elizabeth gave Dianna her hand. “Hiii…” she managed to say shyly.
“You know,” Dianna said with a smile, “I have a daughter who’s a chosen watcher just like you. I’m sure you’ll make your parents proud someday.”
Becca looked confused and then turned to Giles. Seeing the nervous expression on his face as he tried to look away, she bit her tongue.
Dianna stood up. “How precious. They’re lovely children. And how long have you two been married?”
“Almost two years,” Becca answered, propping Martin up in her arms.
“You know, I didn’t even notice the baby bag Rupert was carrying. Says it all about me,” Dianna chuckled. “Are you a watcher, too?” she asked Becca.
Becca shook her head. “Me? Oh no.” She ran her hand over her daughter’s golden hair. “We thought we’d tag along with Daddy for the ride and go down to the park. Were you heading out?”
“Yes, I was going out to get something to eat. Late lunch, I’m afraid,” Dianna replied.
“Well, don’t let me keep you,” she told her, before turning to Giles. “I need to change Martin, so just meet me up in Buffy’s office,” she told him as she snatched the bag from his shoulder. “Nice meeting you,” Becca told Dianna.
“Likewise,” Dianna said with a nod.
Becca walked away without saying another word to Giles.
Cut To:
Int.
Watchers Council – Buffy’s Office – Moments Later
Becca was sitting on the floor changing Martin, her back to the side of the door. Upon hearing it open, she didn’t turn around.
Instead she just asked, “How long?” Her voice was low and even.
“Becca,” Giles began.
“How long have you known?” she asked, this time turning to look at him.
Elizabeth came over to him, still dressed in her coat, and raised her hands to be picked up. He reached down and brought her into his arms.
“Does it matter?” he asked.
“It does to me,” she replied. “Were you ever going to tell me? Or were you just going to enroll her in the Watchers Academy and hope I wouldn’t notice?”
“Please don’t be flippant,” he replied.
“Who’s being flippant?” Becca asked. “Seems everyone knows this bit of information, even people I’ve never met. I want details here, Rupert, and I want them now.”
Elizabeth played with her father’s tie, chewing on the end of it.
“Shortly after we brought Martin home, I had Willow do the spell. There had to be a reason that you and Elizabeth were followed during the crisis. She was the reason,” he said, lifting her up slightly. “Willow did the spell, and chances are Grace overheard her talking to Rowena about it at some point. From there it went to Dianna, I’m sure.”
“I’ll ask again…Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to upset you,” he replied.
“She’s my daughter too, Rupert. I had a right to know. What else aren’t you telling me? What other secrets are you keeping from me?”
“There’s nothing, Becca, I swear. Please don’t be angry.”
“I’m not angry. All right, I am, but…I’m hurt more than angry.”
“Hurt?” Giles asked, truly confused.
“I’m hurt that everyone, including that woman, knew something about our daughter that I didn’t even know…But most of all, I’m hurt that you didn’t trust me enough to handle this.”
“I wasn’t trying to hurt you,” Giles replied. “In fact, that was the furthest thing from my mind. It’s why I didn’t say anything until…”
“Until?”
“Until I thought the time was right,” he replied.
At first, Becca didn’t say anything. She went to re-buttoning Martin’s jumper. Finally, she looked up at Giles again.
“So where do we go from here then?” she asked.
Giles didn’t have a reply.
Fade To:
Int.
Bureau Nine – Isabel’s Apartment – Late Afternoon
Felix let his eyes wander across the view. When he took in the sight of the lake, a smile played upon his lips.
Isabel and Hope entered from behind him. “Ta-da! Lemonade!” Hope said.
“Ah,” Felix said, turning from the window. “The real test! You know, truly good lemonade takes a rare skill.” His eyes twinkled.
“Tell me about it,” said Hope. “Mine ends up like watery Kool-aid.”
Isabel handed Felix a frosted glass, which he accepted with a bow. He then brought the glass to his lips and tasted. Then he swallowed. Then he kept swallowing until the glass was empty. Isabel giggled.
“I…was thirstier than I thought,” said Felix.
“Por favor, have another,” Isabel said, lifting the pitcher.
As she poured, he smiled. “Talent for talent. Gift for gift. I’m having some minions bring groceries, whereupon I shall show off my own culinary skills. My lasagna is a thing of which I am justly proud, and of which I can safely boast. Tonight, dear ladies, your dinner is on me.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Possibly literally. The sauce does tend to splash about a bit.”
“You are very kind, señor,” Isabel said.
“You, my dear,” he replied, “are very patient. And you, Hope, have been a real friend. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
“Mr. Felix?”
“Yes, Isabel?”
“One of the men who came to see me this week…”
“A small army, wasn’t it? I am sorry.”
“No, I understand that you want to understand. So do I. But one of them. He worried me.”
“Worried how? And also, who?”
Hope answered for her. “He said his name was James Tyrell.”
“Ah.” Felix’s voice went low.
“I’ve seen that look before,” said Isabel. “The look in his eyes. It was the same look demons have when they think they’re going to eat you.”
Felix sighed, staring into his glass of lemonade for a moment. Both young women watched him. Then he looked up at Isabel.
“Thank you for telling me. If you like, I will cut off his access to you. In fact, I think that is a good idea anyway. Nearly everyone here will obey my instructions and respect your privacy. Most, I like to think, wouldn’t even need my orders in that regard. But Tyrell…” He shut his mouth, and his eyes went cold. “I don’t see any reason you’ll ever need to be in the same room with him.”
“Good,” Hope replied. Isabel merely nodded in gratitude.
The buzzer on the front door rang.
“You don’t suppose…” Hope began worriedly.
“Actually,” Felix assured, “that should be a pair of minions bearing pasta, tomatoes, herbs, wine, cheese and three different kinds of meat.” He grinned as he headed to the front door. Smiling, Hope and Isabel followed.
Cut To:
Ext.
Island – Beach – Same Time
Buffy slowly rubbed oil on Faith’s bare back. The other slayer was relaxing on her chaise with a languid look on her face, as if she were truly enjoying Buffy’s attentions.
“I seriously need to work out more,” Buffy complained. “I’m getting out of shape from this bloody desk job.”
Faith snorted. “Watch it, Buff…you’re starting to sound like Giles.”
Buffy chuckled in amusement. “You know, I’m more like Giles now than Giles. How scary is that? I had to order him to pay attention before I left. I swear, you’d think I was never a slayer.”
“Was? You still are a slayer,” Faith pointed out. “‘Sides, I thought you sparred with Ro?”
“I fence with Ro, and she’s really good, but not slayer good. Of course she says she’s holding back, but I’m not sure I believe that.”
“Then come work out with me,” Faith offered. “I won’t hold anything back.”
“Robin won’t mind?” Buffy asked.
“Nah,” Faith said. “He and I spar on occasion, but like you said, he’s not slayer good.”
“Plus, there’s his leg…” Buffy said hesitantly.
Faith lifted her head and gave Buffy an incredulous look. “Believe me, that boy can do the most amazing things even without his prosthetic.”
“So things are going good with him, then?”
“Yeah,” Faith replied after a moment of thought. “He knows I’ll always be there for him because he’s got my back. And he gets what being a slayer means too, y’know?”
Buffy paused. “Are we still talking about sparring?”
Faith grinned and rolled over so that Buffy could do her front. “What do you think?” she asked, folding her arms under her head. “Hungry and horny, remember? And lucky for me he’s always ready.” Faith grinned wide as Buffy blushed. “So…you still go with just yogurt after a good slay?”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good slay.”
Faith paused for a moment. “Now, it’s my turn to ask…Are we still talking about slaying?”
Buffy blushed again.
Fade To:
Int.
Island – Condo – Study – Night
Buffy hit the speaker button on the phone, and when the dial tone came on, she dialed a long distance number.
The phone rang for a moment before a click could be heard over the line. “Jim Pollan,” the answering voice said.
“Hey Jim, it’s Buffy,” she said.
“Buffy?” Jim said. “Everything okay?”
“Great…wonderful…fantastic even,” Buffy replied. “We’re having a terrific time. I just wanted to check in, make sure all is well Cleveland-way.”
“Buffy…” Jim chided. “You’re on vacation. We’re fine. Have fun.”
“Much fun is being had,” she assured him. “Just wanted to check in.”
“Relax,” Jim said. “Our approval rating rose a couple of points thanks to Mrs. Longheart and your heroic deed. So enjoy your reward.”
“Okay then,” Buffy said. “Take care.”
“Bye.”
“Were you just making a work call?”
Buffy turned in the direction of the chiding voice to see Faith standing a few yards away, her hands planted on her hips.
“Not a work call,” Buffy defended, “just a check-in call…you know, just to let everybody know we’re okay.”
“Of course we’re okay,” Faith said pointedly as she approached Buffy. “We’re on a tropical island with a gorgeous beach and a luxury condo, and we’re on vacation…so quit worryin’ about Cleveland and enjoy yourself, okay?”
“Fine!” Buffy shot back with mock sarcasm. She playfully stuck her tongue out at her fellow slayer.
Faith smirked then asked, “You headin’ down to the beach?”
Buffy rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding? I heard how the last fireside gathering went after I left.”
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Beach – Same Time
Willow and Rowena walked through the sand barefoot, hand in hand, and approached the bonfire, in front of which sat a lone figure.
As they got closer, Willow took the blanket that she’d been carrying off her shoulder. But before she could spread it out, Xander quickly stood up and held his hands in front of him.
“No,” he told her. “You are forbidden entrance to the circle of fire, which I have created with my own two hands and manliness.”
“Excuse me?” she asked with a chuckle.
“Unless you swear…no campfire songs. Correction…any songs, of any kind…period. Do you promise?”
Willow moved to go around him, but Xander jumped in front of her.
“Promise?” he repeated.
Willow tried to move to the other side, but he jumped back again, and Willow released a sigh. Rowena began to giggle at the pair and took a drink from the open champagne bottle in her hand.
“Don’t make me open a can of kick-butt on you, Xander,” Willow replied, giving her best friend a mock glare.
“Here is the line,” Xander said, dragging his foot in the sand. “Don’t cross it.”
Willow put her foot back and forth over it repeatedly as she taunted him. “Whatcha gonna do, huh? Look, look. I’m crossin’ your line, Xander. I’m crossing it.”
“That’s it,” Xander said as he playfully tackled her to the ground, making sure to steady her descent. Xander landed on top of Willow, and she immediately began to fake an injury.
“Ow, you brute!” she told Xander. Then she turned to Rowena. “Are you just gonna stand there, or are you gonna defend my honor?”
“Why should I? You two don’t look particularly uncomfortable there,” Rowena replied. She had a sexy grin as she looked at the two of them together, lying tangled up in each other’s arms. “Well, that and I happen to agree with the no songs policy,” she added, taking another drink.
Xander smiled broadly, and Willow responded in kind. “Well, this certainly feels familiar,” she told him, the words practically dripping off her tongue.
“Familiar good?” he asked.
“Familiar wonderful,” she said coyly.
Xander didn’t let their fun deter him from his goal. “Promise?” he repeated pointedly.
Willow sighed again and flopped her arms out to her sides. “Okay, I give. No songs, I promise.”
Xander stood up and helped pull Willow to her feet, but she still managed to crash into him. He held her steady by the hips.
“Okay ladies,” he told them, with a sweeping gesture of his free hand. “You may stay.”
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Condo – Kennedy & Kadin’s Suite – Same Time
Kadin was lying on her stomach, idly flipping through the channels on the huge flat screen TV. She looked up from her spot on the bed when she heard the door open and footsteps approach.
Kennedy smiled over at the hunter as she walked in. In one hand was a tray piled high with food, and in the other was a video camera. The red light was shining brightly and Kadin’s image in the viewfinder.
“What’s with that?” Kadin asked, nodding towards the camera.
“This?” Kennedy replied with a smile. “I just thought it might be nice to have some good ol’ memories of our little vacation here. Technically, it’s our first as a real couple.”
Kadin seemed to ponder the notion for just a minute. She finally nodded and sighed. “Fine. Just keep it away from me.”
Kennedy placed the tray on the table closest to the bed. She looked up at her lover with a smirk as she took the camera in both hands. “Whatsa matter? The big bad monster hunter ain’t camera shy, is she?”
Kadin looked over at Kennedy with a clearly-not-amused expression. “I just don’t like ’em. Never have. Never will. Didn’t think you did, either.”
“As long as there’s not a nosy reporter attached to the other end, I’m cool,” Kennedy replied.
Grinning, she made her way over to kneel on the bed. She leaned in, getting closer and closer to Kadin’s face. The hunter’s hand suddenly flew up and covered the lens in a tight fist. She gave Kennedy a hard glare. “Unless you want this camera in a very unpleasurable place…I suggest you get it outta my face now.”
Kennedy didn’t flinch at her lover’s harsh words. In fact, they seemed to have the opposite effect. She moved the camera out of the space between their bodies, but didn’t release her hold on it. “Speaking of pleasure…”
Kadin watched the expression change on her lover’s face. Kennedy’s eyes had taken on a hungry glow. “Kenn…”
“You know what I’ve always wanted,” Kennedy interrupted, before Kadin could finish. She lifted the camera up between their bodies and switched it into her left hand. She raised it up enough so that both their upper bodies could be seen clearly in the shot.
Kadin’s eyes drifted over to the camera and then back to Kennedy. Their eyes locked in a motionless stare.
“Okay,” Kadin answered in a casual tone. “But,” she quickly added, “you have to do something for me too.” When Kennedy gave her a curious look, Kadin got up and moved over to the bags piled in the corner of the room. She bent down and began rummaging through the bottom of her bag.
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Condo – Study – Same Time
Faith laughed and said, “I think I’ll steer clear of Camp Sing-Along, too.”
“What are you gonna do?” Buffy inquired.
“Don’t know yet,” Faith replied. “Gonna call Robin first and –” She stopped at the mini-glare Buffy was giving her. “Don’t worry,” she assured Buffy, leaning over to whisper in the other slayer’s ear. “We ain’t gonna be talkin’ work.”
Buffy chuckled. “Gonna have a little long distance phone sex?” she teased, giving Faith a little poke in the stomach.
Faith instantly captured her hand. “Maybe,” she answered with an unrevealing smirk.
Buffy laughed and pulled out of Faith’s grasp. She walked past her toward the door and then turned around.
“Well, after a pit stop at the bar, I’m headed to the media room,” Buffy announced cheerfully. “Maaaaybe you should join me,” she added, with more than a little flirtatiousness in her voice.
Faith’s lips curved into a half-grin. “Maaaaybe I will,” she said, playing along.
At that, Buffy left the room. Faith laughed and shook her head then turned to the desk where the phone was. She picked up the receiver and quickly dialed a number. She waited until she heard someone answer.
“Hey Ace!” she said, talking into the phone. “Yeah, everything’s cool here…Buffy and I are gonna make all those pale-assed slayers jealous with our tans…oh, you better believe it. Yeah, things are good. I think Buffy and I are really connecting, not like the old days when we were always, I dunno, competing? This time we’re just equals…yeah, friends. It’s cool.”
As Robin talked, Faith turned her gaze to the doorway. She stared distractedly at it until she heard Robin finish his statement.
“Yeah, right,” she said in reply. “Anyway, I won’t keep you. I’ll call you tomorrow, though…Love you too…Bye!”
She hung up the phone and headed out the door.
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Condo – Kennedy & Kadin’s Suite – Same Time
Having finally found what she was looking for in her bag, Kadin turned around and faced the bed. Kennedy’s eyes fell to the object in Kadin’s grasp. Her brow rose slowly, and a smirk fell across her lips.
“I didn’t know you still had those,” Kennedy said. “Been saving ’em for a rainy day?”
Kadin slowly stalked over to the bed, twirling the handcuffs around her index finger. “I don’t hear any rain,” she replied with a casual smile.
“Hmph,” Kennedy sighed. “That’s too bad, ’cause I was really hoping to get wet tonight.”
Kadin’s smile widened as she placed one knee and then the other on the end of the bed. She leaned in to bring her face inches from the slayer’s. “We don’t need any rain to do that.”
Kennedy watched with hazy eyes as Kadin reached down and took her right hand in the hunter’s left. She reached over and snapped one end of the handcuffs onto Kennedy’s wrist, before snapping the other over her own. Her eyes met the slayer’s. “Now you can’t touch me unless I let you.”
Kennedy’s brow rose just slightly, and she smirked again. “You’re forgetting one small detail.”
Kadin raised her own brow in challenge.
Kennedy suddenly and forcefully yanked on the handcuffs, sending Kadin crashing down into her hard. Their lips were an inch apart.
“I’m stronger than you,” she whispered, her breath warm and sweet against Kadin’s face.
The sound of rustling bed sheets was soon followed by a low groan from Kennedy.
“But you forget,” Kadin whispered back, “I know your weakness.”
Kennedy let out a grunt of approval and nearly dropped the camera from her free hand. Kadin noticed the motion and reached over to take the camera. She grabbed the object from her lover’s hand and leaned over to place it on the table by the bed. She checked to make sure the red light was on before turning back to the slayer with a smirk.
Kennedy’s eyes were intense as she gazed back up at the hunter.
“As hot as this is,” Kennedy said with a ragged breath. “I think you’re forgetting one more thing.” She pushed herself up the short distance to bring her lips within a breath of Kadin’s. “We’re attached at the wrist. Could make clothing a bit of a problem?”
In answer, Kadin reached down with her free hand and her cuffed one and grabbed a fistful of Kennedy’s shirt in each. With all her strength, she pulled.
Kennedy’s shirt ripped right down the middle, exposing her chiseled abdomen to the cool room air.
“That works,” the slayer mumbled in a heated whisper, just before Kadin’s lips came crashing down onto her own.
Both women let out a moan into each other’s mouth. Kadin’s free hand roamed up Kennedy’s side before coming to rest on her ribcage. Kennedy sucked in a deep breath and reached up to place her hand on Kadin’s hip. The hunter broke away from the kiss and stared into Kennedy’s eyes as she reached down to grab her hand.
“I want you,” Kadin said slowly and deliberately, “to put this hand here,” as she raised both their hands above Kennedy’s head. She placed the slayer’s hand on the headboard and curled her fingers over Kennedy’s. “And not move it until I say so.”
Kadin leaned in as Kennedy settled back against the pillows. The room filled with the sound of rapid breathing.
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Beach – Same Time
Willow, Xander cand Rowena were lying on their backs, looking up at the night sky. Willow leaned up on her elbows. She took a drink from the bottle beside her and handed it to Xander on her right.
“Isn’t it amazing?” she asked, not taking her eyes off the stars above them.
Xander took a drink and then passed it to Rowena on his right. “What?” he asked.
“All those stars,” Willow replied lazily. “There are tons we’re looking at right now. They’re twinkling, but in reality they’ve already burned out. Their time’s over but…their light is still here. That’s just…amazing.”
“Yeah, it is,” Xander replied with a hint of melancholy.
Rowena brought the bottle down from her lips. “I think you’re both drunk,” she said, making all three of them laugh.
“Tipsy, yes,” Willow agreed, “but not drunk. I’m just…relaxed, comfortable. I’ve got a beautiful fire, a beautiful beach and two beautiful people I love very much here with me…It’s just…beautiful.”
Xander looked over at Rowena. They both nodded at each other. “Drunk,” they both said at the same time.
“You know what?” Willow said. as she crawled over Xander to lie on top of Rowena. “You look around here and tell me it’s not beautiful. I dare you.”
Rowena reached up and brushed Willow’s hair behind both her ears, but didn’t release her face. “The view right now is stunning, I’ll admit,” she replied.
Willow smiled and then hungrily captured Rowena’s lips with her own. The blonde returned the favor, and the two kissed deeply and passionately, emitting soft moans as they did so.
Xander’s eyes widened as he watched. He seemed hypnotized, unable to look away.
Rowena’s hands ran down the length of Willow’s body and pulled at the hem of the witch’s shirt. In one fluid motion she lifted the garment. Their lips parting only for a moment as Willow’s head was released from the garment. Her upper body now clad only in her bikini top, Willow returned her attention to Rowena’s lips.
When Willow began to nibble at her neck, Rowena turned her head to the side. When she briefly opened her eyes, she saw Xander watching them. His mouth was slightly open, and his chest was rising and falling rapidly.
Rowena smiled and lazily closed her eyes again. She let out a moan before arching her back, forcing herself closer into Willow’s touch. Xander’s body began to tremble.
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Condo – Media Room – Moments Later
As Faith neared the media room door, she heard music. She stepped through the open doorway and saw Buffy dancing by herself to a sultry song. The other slayer’s eyes were closed as she moved slowly to the beat. Faith watched as Buffy took a sip of her drink and then put her glass down to continue with her dancing. Faith’s lips quirked into a smile, and she moved into place behind Buffy. She started dancing in sync with her, moving closer, until she touched Buffy’s back.
Buffy’s eyes popped open. She seemed surprised at first as she looked at Faith over her shoulder, but then she smiled and closed her eyes. She leaned her head back until it was resting next to Faith’s, and the two continued to dance to the music.
The two women moved together in perfect rhythm, the front of Faith’s body pressed closely against Buffy’s back as the music throbbed. Without warning, Buffy turned around and pulled Faith closer by the hips, until they were molded together as one.
After a few minutes of dancing, Buffy finally stopped. With her hands over Faith’s shoulder’s she leaned back and looked at the other slayer.
“What’s wrong?” Faith asked.
“I don’t know,” Buffy whispered, her breathing heavy. “It just feels…”
“Hot?” Faith put in when Buffy paused.
Buffy shrugged uncertainly.
“We used to dance like this all the time at the Bronze,” Faith said.
“We were just kids back then,” Buffy said, her voice shaky.
“Well,” Faith leaned closer to whisper into Buffy’s ear, “we’re not kids anymore.”
Faith let go of the other slayer and slowly walked away. At the doorway, she paused and turned to give Buffy a steamy look before leaving.
Buffy took a deep breath and then slugged down the rest of her drink. She looked at the door and then, with a firm hand, she put the glass on the table and followed Faith.
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Condo – Kennedy & Kadin’s Suite – Same Time
Other than the movement of breathing, Kennedy remained still, her hand closed tightly around the edge of the headboard.
Kadin kept her eyes locked with Kennedy’s as she leaned down towards her lips. The slayer lifted up just enough for their lips to touch, but Kadin pulled back at the last moment.
Kennedy let out a groan of protest, but it soon turned into a moan when Kadin’s lips attached themselves to the side of her neck.
The hunter bit down into the tantalizing flesh just hard enough and received a groan in response.
Kennedy moaned as her head dipped back and her body arched slightly. Her cuffed fist clenched and unclenched as she struggled to keep her other hand attached to the headboard.
Kadin suddenly detached herself from the slayer’s neck. Kennedy’s eyes flew open, and she gazed up at the other woman through hazy eyes.
The hunter reached down with her free hand and grabbed the hem of her shirt. In one quick motion, it was up and over her head. The garment slid down her arm and pooled at the spot where the two women’s hands were cuffed together. Kadin took only a moment to meet Kennedy’s eyes before her lips were once again at the slayer’s neck.
Kennedy worked her fingers around the discarded shirt and balled the material into a tight fist. The bare skin of Kadin’s stomach met with hers as the hunter began the slow descent down her body.
“God, Kadin,” Kennedy managed to force through her lips when she felt another nip at the sensitive skin of her ribcage. The bite was quickly soothed with a lick from a warm tongue.
Kennedy’s knuckles had turned white from the effort to keep her hand attached to the wood of the headboard. The wood began to crack and splinter beneath the slayer’s grip.
Kadin worked her mouth down to the waistband of the slayer’s pants, where she halted and lifted her head. She flashed her eyes up to Kennedy and then down to the exposed skin just above the slayer’s belt buckle. She licked her lips and then used her tongue to start a wet trail from the waistband of Kennedy’s pants all the way up to the bottom of her chin.
Kennedy’s body jerked beneath her, and she released a long, deep moan. “I can’t do this,” she said, her eyes popping open.
“You can,” Kadin replied in a throaty whisper. “It’s all about…control.”
“I don’t have any,” Kennedy groaned in protest. “Not when it comes to you.”
Kadin leaned down and nipped at the edge of the slayer’s jaw. “You don’t have a choice,” she whispered as she kissed her way to Kennedy’s ear.
“If you move that hand, then I stop doing this.” She ran the tip of her tongue around the shell of Kennedy’s ear before pulling the lobe between her teeth. She released it and turned her head to lick the side of Kennedy’s throat, then she lifted up to look into Kennedy’s eyes. “Understand?”
Kennedy’s breathing increased, and her body started to shake, but she gave a silent nod.
Kadin leaned forward to kiss her, causing the slayer’s head to rise up off the pillow. The second before contact, Kadin pulled her lips back out of reach. Kennedy’s head fell back to the pillow, and she released a ragged groan.
The hunter once again worked her way down the slayer’s body, planting heated kisses and nips along her skin.
Kadin’s free hand reached up and slipped the slayer’s belt through the buckle before freeing it from her pants completely. She grabbed one side of Kennedy’s pants with her fingers and the other with her teeth. With a hard tug, the button fell through the loop, and the hunter moved to latch her teeth onto the zipper.
With every motion, Kennedy’s body jolted and shook, but her grip on the headboard remained locked in place.
Kadin wrestled the shirt from Kennedy’s cuffed grip and intertwined their fingers.
Kennedy’s eyes suddenly shot open, and her back arched off the bed. Her fingers shook with the effort to keep them attached to the headboard as she slowly fell back against the bed.
“I…I…ca…can’t hold…”
Kadin’s face suddenly appeared above hers. She latched her lips onto Kennedy’s, swallowing the rest of her words in a heated kiss.
The slayer struggled to keep her body under control as Kadin’s hand slid down her stomach and disappeared below.
Kadin broke away from the kiss and lifted her cuffed hand to grab onto the other side of the headboard. She shifted and wedged her thigh between Kennedy’s legs.
Kennedy’s cuffed hand latched onto the underside of the headboard. Moments later, the wood shattered beneath her grip.
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Beach – Same Time
Rowena rolled over until she was on top of Willow. She whispered something into Willow’s ear that made the witch giggle and nod her head. Then she used her lips to capture Willow’s earlobe, making the redhead emit an entirely new sound.
A chuckle from beside them made the couple stop. When they looked in Xander’s direction, they found him facing the fire.
“Yes, Xander?” Rowena inquired.
“Sorry,” he said, glancing only for a moment in their direction.
“Don’t be sorry. Wanna tell us what’s on your…mind?” Rowena asked, letting the last word hang for a moment.
“Her earlobe,” he said, quickly looking over again. “Right?”
“You’ve got a good memory,” Rowena complimented. “Don’t look,” she told him, “but have you heard this noise?”
Xander turned toward the fire, and within moments he heard Willow make another new noise. He instantly began to grin. He turned back to face them once more. “Yeah, I, uh, I remember that one too.”
Rowena and Xander both began to chuckle slightly.
“Hey,” Willow said, rolling to sit next to Rowena. “No comparing notes.”
“Oh, sweetie,” Rowena told her, “we both love all your sounds, don’t we, Xander?”
Xander could only manage a nod.
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Condo – Kennedy & Kadin’s Suite – Same Time
All movement between the women stopped, and Kadin collapsed on top of Kennedy. The only sound in the room was their shared harsh breathing.
Seconds later, Kennedy spoke. “K…Kadin?” she breathed out shakily.
“Yeah?”
“Can I move my hand now?”
Kadin lifted her head from the slayer’s chest with a seductive smirk. “That depends on where you plan to put it.”
Kennedy’s only reply was a smirk of her own.
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Beach – Same Time
Rowena looked at Willow, a sly smile coming to her face. Willow bit her lip and gave her a nod of approval. Rowena then cleared her throat slightly and crawled over to Xander, who was looking into the fire again.
“You know,” she said, as she began to straddle his lap, blocking his view of the fire. Xander seemed unsure of where to put his hands until Rowena guided them to her hips. “We’re at a disadvantage.”
“Wh-What do you mean?” he asked. He cast Willow a nervous glance before looking back at Rowena, trying hard to keep his eyes on her face and not her chest.
“Well,” Rowena said, as her fingertips made trails across Xander’s chest. “We know all about Willow, and she knows all about us. Problem is…you and I…we don’t know about each other, do we?”
Xander could only shake his head, his eyes locked on the blonde. In fact, he was so wrapped up in looking at Rowena that he didn’t notice Willow had moved beside him. When Willow reached out to stroke his hair, he jumped slightly at the touch.
“It’s okay,” Willow whispered gently in reassurance.
Rowena smiled, then slowly leaned down and planted a warm, full kiss on Xander’s lips. After a moment’s hesitation, Xander eagerly returned the kiss, running his hands along Rowena’s sides and back. When they finally separated, they were both breathing deeply, but they managed a brief smile at one another.
Willow gave a light chuckle and rose to her feet. She reached out her hand, and Rowena took it. She pulled the blonde to her feet and kissed her soundly.
Xander still sat on the blanket, unable to move as Willow and Rowena turned to leave. He reached for the champagne and took a long drink.
“Hey, Xan,” Willow said as they paused.
Xander looked up. “Hmm?”
Rowena held out a hand toward him and asked huskily, “Wanna watch?”
Xander still sat frozen and couldn’t do anything besides look at them. After a moment, Willow kneeled down beside him.
“Tell you what,” she told him. “You put out the fire here and then…come join us, if you want.” Then she rose and led Rowena away.
Xander tried to take another drink, but the bottle was now empty. He tossed it to the sand and ran his hand down his face.
Cut To:
Int.
Island – Condo – Willow & Rowena’s Suite – Short Time Later
The lights were dim in the master suite as the figure of a naked woman sat on the edge of the bed. Another set of hands was wrapped around her waist. The sound of the door opening behind them pulled their attention away from each other.
There stood Xander, who closed and locked the door behind him. He didn’t move further into the room, however. He seemed frozen in place by the door, entranced by the scene before him.
Rowena, half dressed in her bra and panties, soon stood in front of Xander.
“Decided to join us, I see?” she said as she played with the buttons on his shirt, undoing each one with deliberate slowness.
“If the offer still stands,” he replied.
Rowena’s hands snaked up and pulled Xander down into a passionate kiss. He instantly wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close, letting his hands roam.
After a moment, Rowena separated them. She smiled, took Xander’s hand, and led him toward Willow. He stopped shy of the bed and watched as Rowena moved into place behind Willow. She pulled Willow back by the hair and began to nibble her way up the witch’s neck. Willow moaned in response. When Rowena released Willow, they both gave Xander an inviting stare.
“You don’t have to just watch,” Willow offered, extending her hand.
Xander nodded and let his open shirt fall to the floor before joining Willow and Rowena on the bed.
Cut To:
Int.
Unknown Location – Same Time
Hunched before his bank of monitors, the dark figure scowled as he watched Rowena lead Xander to the bed. When a soft buzz came from his console, he tapped a small red button to answer.
“How are things proceeding?” a voice asked.
As the figure leaned back, the light of the computer screens revealed the face of Jordon Tyrell. His lips curled into snarling grin.
“Everything seems to be going according to plan,” he answered.
Black Out
End of Act Two