“Took ya long enough,” Buffy said with a big grin.

“Yeah well…” Kennedy looked at Willow who had walked over to the infamous Markus Dresdon while removing the straps still hanging from her arms.

“Those girls may have been strong, but they were dumb as rocks, and just as coordinated,” Faith said walking over to help Willow bring Dresdon to his feet. “Nice to see ya Red… but next time you miss me, just call.” Faith smiled big and took control of the delirious man.

“I’ll do that,” Willow said smiling back. “You aren’t so powerful without your little crystal are you?” Willow asked and then kicked the man in the shins. Giselle had entered the room and she, Buffy, and Kennedy joined them.

“I’m glad you’re OK… we were worried,” Kennedy said as she hugged her ex-girlfriend. Faith watched them; worried that the fading emotions would come to the surface for Kennedy.

“I wouldn’t have been if you’d been a couple of seconds later. He was gonna turn me into one of them!”

“But we weren’t and he didn’t. Now let’s get this piece of trash out of here and you can tell us what happened on the way back to the coven. I’m sure they’d like to get their hands on this guy.” Buffy and Giselle each took one of his arms and led the man out of the room. Willow turned and gave Faith and Kennedy both hugs and showed her goofy grin.

“Thanks guys.”

“What are friends for?” Kennedy asked. “Now let’s go.” As she headed for the door, Kennedy stopped and waited for Faith to be next to her. She then reached down and grabbed Faith’s hand as they followed Willow through the building and down to the car. Locking fingers, they smiled at each other and Kennedy winked and whispered into Faith’s ear.

“See… you didn’t have to worry… from now on, I’m all yours.” They all piled into the car with Faith and Kennedy sitting side by side still holding hands. As everyone around them spoke and Willow began to tell her tale, Faith and Kennedy shared silent looks of affection. Neither of them could believe what had happened between the two of them in such a short amount of time.

“I think it’s time,” Kennedy whispered into Faith’s ear.

“Time for what?”

Kennedy cupped her hand around Faith’s ear and leaned in so that she knew nobody else could hear. “Time to tell you I love you.” Faith smiled big and squeezed Kennedy’s other hand. As they turned to face the others, Kennedy caught Giselle’s eye. The witch nodded, looked at Faith, looked back to Kennedy, and smiled.

“It’s meant to be,” Giselle said out loud. Buffy and Willow stopped talking and looked at her.

“Huh?” Buffy asked completely unaware of what was going on.

“Yes it is,” Kennedy replied looking into Faith’s eyes. “Yes it is.”