020- A Short Vacation on the Other Side

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

Title: A Short Vacation on the Other Side
Author: bakatulip
Rating: PG
Words: 480
Characters: Kennedy, Tara, Willow
Setting: Between Chosen and The Long Way Home
A/N: I used the idea from the play Carousel that life on earth moves quicker than in the hearafter so this short conversation with these two in heaven, would be one month on earth. Also I snuck in my firm belief (as well as penny_earrings's firm belief) that Tara will be back.

Kennedy let out a frustrated grunt. If there had been a wall, Kennedy would’ve kicked it. “This is so unfair! I’m too young to die. I’m too pretty to die!” she cried, folding her arms over her chest with a huff.

“I think you also might be a little too stubborn to stay d-dead.” Came a voice from behind her.

Kennedy spun, her eyes falling on a woman whom she’d only seen in photographs over Willow’s shoulder, snatched away and hidden before she could actually get a good look at her. It didn’t matter. She knew, she knew who this girl was.  She tapped her foot impatiently. “Tara Maclay.”

The blonde nodded. “Hi, Kennedy.”

“What are you doing here?”

“You mean besides being dead?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kennedy shifted her weight from foot to foot. “Okay, good point. You got me there.”

Tara sighed, tucking a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. “You know this isn’t your time, right? You’re still needed in the realm of the living.”

“All I know is I’m dead and I don’t like it.”

The blonde couldn’t help but smile. “You’re willful.” She said, not so much informing her, just musing to herself. “I’ve been watching… you… and her… and I wanted to thank you…”

“Thank me? For what, I stole your girl.”

Tara shook her head. “You saved her. You were selfish and pushy and you showed her… that there was still love for her in this world. And she needed to know that. She still needs it… which is why I’m going to help send you back.”

Kennedy’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “If you have that kind of power, why don’t you just go back to her yourself? Why didn’t you before?”

The blonde smiled sadly. “I’ll be back, if I’m needed, when I’m needed… but right now, it’s you that Willow needs.”

The brunette frowned. “But it’s you she loves… more than me.”

Tara didn’t reply, she just smiled sagely as her and everything around her began to fade and Kennedy’s eyes fluttered open to see Willow’s face, tired and tear streaked.

“Willow?” she whispered softly.

“Kennedy? You’re… you’re awake, you’re alive…”

Shakily, the slayer sat upright. “How long was I out for?”

“A month… well… thirty days, twenty hours and seventeen minutes.” The witch informed her, the facts out of the way, Willow melted and threw her arms around Kennedy clutching her tightly and crying softly. “What was it like?” she managed to ask.

“It’s like… it’s like I was dreaming…” she whispered hugging her gently. It still felt like she was dreaming. Like she was watching Willow’s embrace, not living it. These questions, these tears, these hugs, they weren't meant for  her... “Will… maybe we should take things slowly for a while…”

Kennedy’d made up her mind.

If she’s needed…

When she’s needed…

She would be needed…

Comments

[imbaskinrobbins.livejournal.com]

Lovely piece, and great voices for all of them. It hadn't occurred to me that Kennedy would count for this prompt, but she works wonderfully considering we don't have any details on what happened.

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

It didn't really occur to me either until... I dunno it smacked me upside the head out of the blue. I'm glad you like it.

[lauratd.livejournal.com]

I love that Tara understands that Kennedy's being selfish and pushy was what Willow needed at that time and that Kennedy comes back a little less selfish and pushy and with some of Tara's wisdom.

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

:) I'm glad you like it.

[not-purrrfect.livejournal.com]

So cool, I do/did like Kennedy. So thanks for this.

But I'd never like her more than Tara.

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

*nod* I don't dislike Kennedy... but I think that mostly has to do with jetwolf's The Chosen, which I do like better than Joss's S8. And it was penny_earrings who really made me realize that Kennedy did help Willow, so I figure I'd put that in my writing.

*Hugs Tara* I'm conviced she'll be back in Joss's S8... if not... I'll always have The Chosen.

[writero.livejournal.com]

Oddly enough, I just watched Carousel yesterday afternoon. Never would have thought to equate Kennedy with Billy Bigelow, but you know what? It works!

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

XD Well I am glad you liked it

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

Really great job with this. Tara had a way of always giving a little bit of her wisdom to people. It was sort of that gentle pushing. But you captured all the voices here perfectly.

I really wish Tara would come back in the comics but to be honest, I don't see it happening sadly. But that is what we have great fanfic for. :)

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

She must. They can't bring back Warren and leave Tara dead. It just can't happen... we sitll have 40+ comics left, lots of room for stuff to happen...

Anyways, so glad you liked it. :)

[desdemonaspace]

I liked this. While I don't like Kennedy as a rule, you're got her largish sense of entitlement down pat. I think meeting Tara was humbling for her, and realizing that Willow was partly grieving for Tara while Kennedy was in a coma. Nice job.

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked it. I think them interacting is a very interesting thing. But no one did it better than JetWolf in the episode of The Chosen Aid & Abet... those two stuck in a car together... oh joy.

[skull-theatre.livejournal.com]

Tightly written and very in-voice.

I'm out of the loop - where/when is Kennedy in a coma?

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

According to Willow, Kennedy died for a month while they were in Brazil.

[boy-named-susie.livejournal.com]

“But it’s you she loves… more than me.”

Lovely story. I hope Tara comes back in the comics as well. I have to admit I was rather annoyed when there was that comment about Kennedy dying and being brought back to life.

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

Yeah it's like: WTF?! She comes back but TARA doesn't?

[boy-named-susie.livejournal.com]

No kidding. Not that I have much respect for Joss Whedon anymore, but what little I had left was lost when I read that line.

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

That is why I fall down on my knees and worship The Chosen, it's the best continuation of BTVS I've ever read, better than Joss's anyways. My friend got so mad at me because that's my canon and apparently I suck because Joss has his "real" canon.

[wereleopard58.livejournal.com]

very beautiful, very sweet

[rayruz.livejournal.com]

Thanks