Disclaimer: I own nothing and nobody.
Takes place after Not Fade Away
Author's Note: The title comes from a quote that I believe Angel said in either 'Power Play' or 'Not Fade Away', where Angel tells the gang in the final meeting that he knows his plan for all intents and purposes is a suicide mission and that it is very probable they will not survive, but that they need to fight this battle anyway, because it is the right thing to do; and in his final battle with Hamilton, where Hamilton asks Angel why is he fighting a battle he knows he probably won't win and Angel responds by saying "Because I can". If anyone who reviews this remembers more of this dialogue exchange, please let me know if you can.
Summary: Angel, Spike, Gunn and Illyria find themselves in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, reflecting on the story of another group of warriors who banded together to fight a battle they knew they may not win, yet fought anyway, because it was the right thing to do.
SPIKE: "In terms of a plan"?
ANGEL: "We fight."
-from "Not Fade Away"
(This will serve as a sort of introduction, as I try to find words that can come close to adequately paying tribute to the 40 passengers and crew who displayed tremendous courage, strength and resolve in the face of the unthinkable, through the thoughts of Angel, Spike, Gunn and Illyria after their own incredible battle. I hope I do not offend anybody by writing this story and if I do I apologize, but for me it helps to deal with what happened that day).