Kendra woke the next morning frowning. They had been waiting for the blessing for more than a week and she was getting impatient.

Her days were filled with training with Buffy and Faith and her nights were occupied with passionately making love to Angel. The Watchers Council was not a threat to them. She should be happy but this morning was different.

Sometime last night she had rolled on her stomach as she normally did. When she woke up today there was a sharp pain and discomfort. Pushing herself out of Angel’s arms she gasped. She had a slight bump where she had been flat the night before.

“How is this possible?”

“What?” Angel asked sitting up as he wiped the sleep from his eyes.

“This.” She pointed to her swollen stomach.

“Time is different here and this is a mystical pregnancy we should expect some surprises.” He rubbed his hand over his growing child.

“Does that mean I will start craving blood?” She asked her mouth turning down at the thought.

“You already do.” He teased rubbing the spot she had bitten and sucked his blood from the night before. She swatted at him. “You’ll need to stop training. You’ll strain your body.”

“I’ll feel fine.”

“No you don’t. The only reason you aren’t hurting when you wake up is because I’m rubbing you down with the salve Frank makes.” He touched her face. “Every pregnant woman needs to slow down.”

“”Fine.” She said reaching for her shirt. It was too tight across her breast and barely covered her stomach. She groaned. “This is so unfair.”

Angel snickered and handed her a larger t-shirt and shorts with an elastic waist band. Kendra bit her lip as tears filled her eyes. She wasn’t sure why she was crying but she suddenly felt very sad. Shaking off the feeling she started changing when she felt him press his body against hers.

“Do you know he sexy you are?” He whispered in her ear. She shook her head. “Yes you are. The way you stretch in your sleep. When you bite your lip before you come; the way you rock your hips when you’re singing. If I could be in you all day, every day I would never leave you baby. Can I show you how much I want you? Let me taste you.”

Nodding she turned to him. Angel pulled her to him and kissed her with all the passion he had in him. He happily spent the afternoon worshipping her body.

“Where is she?” Buffy asked standing next to Faith with her arms crossed over her breast. “I mean she wants us here bright and early and she’s late.”

“Chill B. the girls got a bun in the oven. That’ll knock the wind out of you.” Faith said stretching. “Sides if I had Angel in my bed I wouldn’t leave it either. I mean man has he been working out?”

“Ladies do not speak of such things, Ms. Faith.” Frank commented as he handed her a plate of food. “Mrs. Kendra is resting. She received an unexpected surprise this morning.”

“Is she alright?” Wesley asked walking over to them.

“Yes, Angel has everything under control.” He handed out the rest of the plates.

“I’m sure he does.” Buffy muttered. Frank glared at her causing a blush to run up her cheeks. “Sorry. Working on that.”

“After we eat I will be sparing with you.”

“You Frankie.” Faith smiled eagerly. “This I can’t wait to see.”

Frank suddenly stood. His attention turned towards the mountain.

“Ms. Faith, please go tell Angel the Triad is coming. Hurry!” He rushed to the cart and pulled out several books. Handing them to Wesley, who followed him over to the fire. “Jenny! Ladies, please put on the dresses I provided for you.”

Jenny hustled Buffy and Willow into the tent.

Faith rushed into Angel’s tent.

“Your companies making their way down the mountain.” Angel, who had been relaxing with Kendra in his arms, jumped off the bed cursing as Kendra’s sleeping form fell over. “Smooth G.Q. smooth.”

Faith laughed and walked back to her tent to change. 

“Get dressed. It’s time.” Angel voice was harsher then he wanted. Kendra glared at him. “Sorry just a little nervous, aren’t you?”

“No.” It was the only word she would speak until the ceremony was over.

The blessing was uneventful. They waited until sunset to perform it. Kendra refused to leave her tent. No amount of coxing from Angel would bring her out. To Angels surprise the Triad and High Priest approved of what they thought was her modesty.

Angel wouldn’t tell them that her dislike for the bright yellow and pink trimmed robe was the real cause. Kendra said she looked like a circus clown. He wanted to ask how she knew what a circus clown looked like when she had never been to the circus.

When the time came Kendra walked from the tent looking dignified, even royal in the ridiculous robe. Angel glared in the direction of their small entourage when he heard a giggle.

The priest danced and sang around the pair. The actual ceremony lasted less than an hour and was less eventful than most Angel had attended.

“That’s it?” He asked watching the group walk away.

“What did you expect?” Kendra asked removing her robe.

“Well, more.” He shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not every day that a vampire and a slayer have a child.”

“We can celebrate when we get home.”

“Where is home?” Willow asked softly. She had been quiet throughout the trip. She spent most of her time studying the text that Frank had brought with him. “Giles and the Council are going to be waiting for us.”

“We aren’t going back to Sunny Dale.” Frank stated. “Angel has purchased a hotel in Los Angeles that will be our base.”

“Great, when do we leave?” Faith asked rubbing her hands together.

“As soon as we pack.” Kendra stood outside the tent holding a bag of clothing in her hand.

“I thought it was dangerous to travel at night.” Jenny said.

“We don’t need to leave this circle to perform the spell.” Frank quickly began breaking down the tents and packing the wagon with Angel and Wesley’s help. This time the girls watched with Kendra.

“Getting kinda big there aren’t you princess?” Faith rubbed Kendra’s bump then howled when she received a punch for her comment.

“Angel.” Kendra called nodding to the group of eight men walking towards them.

They stopped packing the wagon and looked at them as they approached. They were massive men not one shorter than 6’ 5”. Animal skins hung from their bodies. Their skin was tanned by the sun. They were various shades in color.

They stopped when they arrived at the barrier.

“I am Golrik from the Antongis clan. I bring you greetings from our Lord.”

“I am Angel and this is Kendra.” She carefully walked down the short hill when he held out his hand. 

When they saw her small bump they fell to their knees.

“Stand and tell us why you have come.” Kendra said even though Angel was sure she already knew.

“We have come to offer our swords to your worthy cause.” The leader said as he stood. They bent so that their heads were lower than Kendra’s. She squeezed Angel’s hand. He looked into her eyes and knew he was meant to accept their offer.

“We welcome you and accept your assistance.” The words felt awkward and uneven to him. “Please, join us by the fire.”

“Eight warriors. Strong and proud. Your village must be pleased.” Kendra looked around. The men looked at her thoughtfully. “Where is your ninth?”

“Mother, there are but the eight of us.” He looked baffled.

“There would be eight strong and proud; capable of defeating the most fearsome of beast. There will be a ninth, but a boy, with the gift of tongues. He will lead the others in the end battle. Through him they will be victorious.” She stared into the forest. “Call your ninth.”

Golrik put his fingers to his lips and whistled. A few moments past before a smaller man stepped from the shadows. Kendra smiled. If he had not come their task would be twice as hard. Every one of them was needed to defeat the evil that would plague the Earth.

She waited until he was just outside the barrier.

“Come, Ganto son of Ceerek, your skills are need just as your brother’s are.” He stepped into the circle. “We may leave now husband. Our group is complete.