“The baggage claim is this way,” Kennedy said as Faith began to walk in the opposite direction.

“Don’t need it… got everything right here.”

“Oh… not planning on staying long huh?”

“Nope… just don’t need much is all. I’m not like Buffy. That girl had five bags when she left,” Faith said smiling and shaking her head. The two Slayers made their way through the airport and to the parking lot. When they reached the car, Faith let out a whistle. “Wow… nice ride.”

“Yeah… Willow just HAD to have it.”

“Red’s got taste,” Faith replied as she opened her door and tossed her bag in the back. Kennedy got in and started the engine.

“So… when’s Buffy coming?” she questioned as nonchalantly as she could while leaving the airport parking lot.

“She’s not,” was Faith’s simple answer.

“Oh… oh…” Kennedy stammered.

Seeing her dismay, Faith turned in the seat to look at the Slayer she thought was most like herself. “You sound a little worried K.”

“I’m not worried exactly…” Kennedy paused and contemplated her next words. ‘She IS a Slayer… and one of the best. On the other hand, she IS Faith and she’ll give me so much crap if I admit I’m scared. But… she’s the closest friend I have next to Willow. Oh well… if I can’t tell her, who can I tell?’ After the brief conversation in her head, Kennedy continued. “OK… I take it back, I am worried. In fact, I’m a little scared. And I kind of thought we might need as much fire power as possible.”

Surprisingly, Faith didn’t lead off with a joke. Instead, she reached over and squeezed Kennedy’s thigh and gave her a look of understanding. “I know. Everyone’s a little spooked by the whole Dracula thing. And Buffy can’t come.”

“Why not? I thought this would be way up there on her list of priorities.”

“You don’t know?” Faith questioned.

“Know what?”

“Shit… you don’t do you?”

“KNOW WHAT?” Kennedy questioned a bit annoyed.

“That blood sucker almost turned Buffy,” Faith said softly.

“What?” Kennedy said incredulously glancing at Faith.

“Yeah… it was a few years ago. As a matter of fact, he had already turned Xander into a complete puppet when…”

“Yeah… I know about all of that. But Willow never told me the part about Buffy.”