"Hey, just trying to help, doll," Jackie said as his back pressed tighter against the wall.

"Your brand of 'help' isn't necessary, Jackie," Sara's husky voice shot back.

"You know this guy, Sara?" Buffy asked.

"You bet I do. His name is Jackie Estacado; he's a hitman for the Franchetti family. Take a good look, Willow: this is the guy that pumped me full of the Onyx dose that was aimed for you."

Buffy was shocked. "This is the guy?" she asked. "My mistake. Carry on."

"Hey, I came here to help you out!" Jackie protested.

"Sorry, we just don't have anymore test subjects for your illegal narcotics," Giles retorted.

"Do you realize how long it took for me to get off of that stuff?" Sara asked angrily. "To not crave it? Four months, Jackie. That's how long."

"I know where your girl is being held," Jackie quickly interjected.

"And why should we believe you?" Buffy asked.

"Because I'm the one who took her."

Buffy walked closer to Jackie, still being held up by Sara, and said through gritted teeth, "Not helping your case here."

"I didn't want to, but I had no choice."

"You always have a choice!" Buffy shot back. "And you chose to kidnap one of our own."

"My hand was forced!" Jackie replied, futilely trying to defend his position.

"And how's that?" Buffy asked.

But in the midst of their arguing, something washed over Sara like a rancid rainshower. She felt coated by the sensation, disgusted to her very core. And the feeling was coming from Jackie. "What is that?" Sara asked in disdain. "It's all over you."

"That's my little problem," Jackie replied. "The Darkness."

"That doesn't sound too pleasant," Rona quipped.

"What are you talking about?" Buffy asked.

"You can't feel that?" Sara asked, confused at how Buffy could sense the Witchblade and not what was emanating from Jackie.

"No," Buffy replied.

"I can feel it too," Willow said, likewise repulsed by it.

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it had something to do with last night kidnapping," Buffy said. "So why turn on Amy now? Don't you work for her?"

"Yes... and no. I work for Don Franchetti."

"So what... you're just being pimped out to Amy?"

"I prefer to call it being 'contracted', thank you."

"Whatever. All I know is that you're going to help us get Ling back."

"Hey, I just gave you info," Jackie said. "That's where my 'help' stops. From here on out, you're on your own."

"Are you kidding me?" an astounded Buffy replied. "You're partially responsible for this mess and you're going to help fix it."

"Or what?"

"You wanna find out? Besides, whatever powers you got could help us."

"They won't do you any good," Jackie replied. "At least, not in the sunlight."

"What?"

"My powers are negated by sunlight."

"Are you serious?" Buffy asked, not believing her ears. "What is with you semi-evil guys with superpowers and sunlight?" Letting out a loud sigh she merely said, "Fine, but you're still helping us out."

"And if I refuse?" Jackie glibly inquired.

"Then we get to see how much it takes to persuade you." The group of Slayers, including Stacy and Tina, inched closer to Jackie. Seeing what they were capable of last night he was certain that it would be tough to escape the place.

"Well," he answered, forcing a smile, "far be it from me to refuse a lady's request."

"Good," Buffy replied. "Everyone get back to work. Let's get moving, Jackie."

Just as the group was dispersing, Jackie stood in front of Willow and began to talk to her, "Hey, Red. Look, I just want you to know that, um, me trying to take you out, it wasn't, you know... it wasn't personal, it was just..."

"Just business. Yeah, I saw 'The Godfather', Jackie." Willow continued. "But let me tell you something: what you did to Sara and what you tried to do to me... I took that very personally. And if you ever try to hurt me or my friends ever again, I guarantee that whatever you're dealing with will seem like a day at the spa when I'm through with you, understood?" Her eyes then glowed white with a touch of gray.

"Completely," Jackie said with a twinge of anxiety in his body. Something deep inside told him that this woman would make his life utterly miserable if she were to be crossed. All the places I could be right now and I get stuck in Weirdo Central, he thought.

He walked over to the office where the command team and some Slayers had gathered. As soon as he entered, Buffy immediately spoke.

"So tell us what we need to know."

"The girl..."

"Ling," Sara interjected pointedly.

Jackie looked at her. "Ling," he continued, "is being held in a old lot near Amy's distribution center for New Empire Textiles, in Jersey. The place is well-guarded. Even if you were to get in, you're not likely to get out. Unless you're packing some serious heat..." He looked around and saw a rack of swords outside of the office nearby and one lone sword in the office. "...which it looks like you're not. What is this, some medieval sword group or something?"

"We manage," Buffy replied.

"Yeah, well, unless you're planning on 'using the Force' to block bullets I suggest you come up with another solution."

"What about you?" Kennedy offered.

"Me?" Jackie said.

"Yeah. You got the ins on this deal. Can't you slip in and get her out?"

"She's not in any condition to be running from anybody," Jackie replied. "And as soon as they saw me moving her I'd be a sitting duck."

"We could provide a distraction," Monica said.

"How?"

"We just need to give you enough time to move her and load her into the van," said Buffy.

"Again, I ask... how?" Jackie reiterated.

Buffy sighed. "I'm not sure."

"And if Amy's there she'll sense us right away," said Willow.

Jackie kept his eyes fixated downward, clearly deep in thought, when suddenly he snapped his fingers. "I've got an idea. Not a great one, but it might be doable."

Amy was sitting in her private study of her expensive home, formerly belonging to the late Don Genovese Vitelli, fixated on the drawings in front of her. She was studying them carefully, knowing the importance of each detail. If she was right, her path to power was within reach in a matter of days.

A moment later her cell phone rang. It was Jackie.

"What is it, Jackie?"

"I think I'm being followed," he replied. "Someone knows I was involved."

"Who?" she asked.

"I'm not sure, but it's probably someone with connections, maybe to the other families. I've got a plan to get him. I just thought you'd be interested in doing a little inquiry on the guy."

"Where will you be?" she asked.

"Near the Forsythe Building on West 58th. I'll call you when I've got him."

"I'll meet you there in an hour and a half," Amy replied.

"An hour and a half, good." He closed his cell phone and turned to Buffy. "I think she bought it."

"Let's hope so."

Sara, Buffy, Giles, Willow, Kennedy, Monica, Rona and a few other Slayers drove out in two vans to the lot site while Jackie drove his Ferrari. Out of the view of Amy's men guarding the lot, they went over the plan again to ensure everyone knew what to do.

"Alright, we've got thirty minutes to do this," Buffy reminded those present. "We all remember what to do?"

"Yeah," Sara replied.

"We've got it," Adrienne replied, who nodded to Monica.

"All right, then," Jackie said. He brought out his cell phone once more and entered into the van, so that as any noise that would tip Amy off, such as wind or voices, would be silenced or muffled. Giles also entered the van with him. Once they closed the door, he called Amy.

"Jackie..."

"I've got him," he replied. "Doesn't look like much. Won't give me his name." Jackie then threw a pulled punch that softly landed on Giles' thigh. Giles gave a mock-groan in response.

"Trying to soften him up here, but he seems a little tough."

"What does he look like?" Amy asked.

"Male, late forties or early fifties, glasses. He said something earlier when I nabbed him and sounded British."

"Giles..." Amy said to herself as she smiled. "Where are you?"

"Five buildings north of the Forsythe Building, the basement of the Rialto Theatre," Jackie replied.

"I'll be there in thirty minutes," Amy said.

"Good. I'll see if I can dredge out any info from this guy." He then threw a real punch at Giles stomach, making him double over in pain and groan. "See you in thirty." Closing his cell he smiled at Giles.

"Was that entirely necessary?" Giles asked, trying to regain his composure.

"No. Just wanted to add a touch of realism," Jackie replied, smirking. They exited the van and Jackie gave a thumbs-up to Buffy.

"Good," she said in approval. "We're all set then."

"Not exactly," Jackie corrected. "I'm going to have to make my performance in there convincing. I'm new to these guys and I've been trusted only so much. I need to bring someone in to convince them I'm being followed and that they're going to be attacked." He looked at Buffy and smiled.

Her face fell at that. "You mean me." When Jackie nodded she said, "Alright, fine."

Willow was the first to speak up. "Whoa, hold on. What happens if you get caught?"

"I agree," Sara replied. "It's too dangerous."

"We're running out of time here," Jackie stated.

Buffy turned toward the group. "Look, if it'll help get Ling back I'm doing it." She turned back to Jackie. "You can't bring me in like this, looking too healthy. I need a couple of fresh ones on the face."

"What?" Jackie replied in astonishment.

"Punch me, Jackie. I'll be fine."

"Hey, not my style to hit a woman," Jackie replied. "Especially one as small as you. I'd much rather be showing you a lavish night on the town."

"Well, since that's never gonna happen, this'll have to do," Buffy said back. "Time's a-wastin'."

"Fine then," he replied. Balling up his fist he threw a solid hook to her jaw that was hard enough break a man's, let alone a petite woman's. But Buffy looked fine. He had gotten a brief primer on Slayers by Amy, very brief, and heard Buffy and her group were tough. Apparently, they were tough enough to take a hard punch from a full-grown athletic man.

He punched her again, blood dripping from her mouth. He jabbed her in the mouth and gave her a split-lip. "One more," Buffy replied. "Make it good."

Since they were in the shadows, Jackie decided to use The Darkness and a metallic blue-green substance formed over his right hand. He punched Buffy once more and and she nearly buckled. He had hoped it wasn't too much.

"Good," she said. "I'll play possum once we get in. As soon as those men leave to check out the scene, we'll free Ling."

"And we'll come with the van," Sara said.

"Exactly," Buffy replied. "Let's go, Jackie." She got into his car and put the seat back a little, feigning unconsciousness. Jackie then drove up to the lot. Exiting out of the car went over to the passenger side and scooped up Buffy into his arms.

"Who's this?" one of the men replied.

"Some chick who was following me," Jackie answered. "I don't know if there were more."

"It looks like that 'Buffy' girl, the one in charge," the man said. "Amy'll be happy about that."

"We need to secure the perimeter immediately," Jackie said. "I don't know if they were tailing me but I'm pretty sure they were. Fan out. I doubt they'll be cool with me bagging their leader."

"Will do," the man replied. He spoke on his walkie-talkie and told the rest of the men to spread out. As soon as he was out sight, Jackie set Buffy down near Ling. She went over to the girl and felt a pang in her heart; Amy had brutalized her. Burn marks covered her body and one eye was partially closed from the swelling. Putting her feelings aside she went to undo the ropes.

"We're here, Ling" she said. Ling, though dazed, smiled ever so slightly. Before Buffy could untie her, Jackie cut the ropes with a knife formed by The Darkness. Buffy then scooped up Ling and carried her. As soon as they approached of the entrances to the building, one of Amy's men came in. He looked at the scene and began to ask, "What's goin' on?" as he raised up his gun.

He didn't have a chance to fire it as Jackie ran up and stabbed him in the chest and ripped the gun from his grasp. Buffy recoiled a bit. Though she knew Jackie was helping them, she also remembered what his profession was and realized that killing a man was something he had few qualms about doing. She was brought out of her momentary shock when they heard a vehicle run through the lot.

"There's our distraction," Jackie said to Buffy. That had been part of the plan. The Slayers were going to use the other van to create a diversion. It had been loaded with some quick-and-dirty homemade explosives and Adrienne and Monica had rigged it to stay straight while it tore through the lot. Amy's men heard it coming and began firing as soon as it got close enough. The sound of gunfire rang throughout. From the other side of the lot, away from Amy's men, Giles, Sara, and the Slayers that accompanied them approached in the escape van. An explosion went off as Jackie and Buffy realized their distraction was almost at its end.

"Come on, come on," Buffy said quietly as the escape van approached. Amy's men started to approach the burning van when on caught sight of the other van busting through the lot fence. "Hey! Over here!" one of the man shouted to his comrades.

The van moved near Buffy and Jackie and and skidded on the gravel to an abrupt halt. The Slayers opened the door and quickly loaded Ling into safety. Amy's men ran over, saw what was happening, and began to fire. Buffy and Jackie jumped into the vans after Ling and Giles began to drive away.

"Get to the cars!" the leader said to the rest. "Move!" They ran over to the SUVs parked in the lot and sped away to catch up with the departing van.

Willow cradled Ling as they gained speed. Buffy and Jackie looked outside of the van only to see a couple of black SUVs gaining on them. Fast. "Pedal to the metal, Giles," Buffy said. "They're gaining."

"I'm going as fast as I can," Giles replied. "With all of the added weight, we won't be able to outrun them." He knew that was a strong possibility when they thought of the plan, but he had hoped a little more time would have be available between the distraction and the rescue, enough to at least move into traffic, blend in, and escape onto a off-ramp. Sadly, at present, that didn't seem to be the case.

The SUVs finally caught up behind them and the men began to fire. Giles and the rest ducked down to avoid being shot, while trying to keep the van steady. Michelle looked at Buffy and asked nervously, "What do we do now? We can't outrun them."

Buffy looked at Michelle, then Willow, but she didn't speak. Her eyes said it all: they were going to lose. They were going to die.

"We won't have to," Sara suddenly said as she stood up, using the seat to brace herself. The Witchblade began to extend its metal over her body. Slowly slithering it began to cover the vital parts of her body. Once it reached her head it formed a protective helmet, with metal covering the bridge of her nose. The only visible parts on her head were her mouth, eyes, and hair. She grabbed her shotgun that she had brought along and set it against her back. The Witchblade's metal formed over it, creating a holster. She looked at Michelle.

"Whatever happens, when I hand you the shotgun through the window, you reload and keep firing. Got it?" Sara said.

"Got it, Pez."

"Jackie, I need you to lay some cover fire."

"I ain't got much ammo," he replied to Sara.

"Just do what you can," she said back. She then looked at Buffy. "Open the door," she ordered. Buffy looked at her and did so, ducking down as the bullets fired. Jackie then pointed his pistols out of the back window and started to fire and the SUVs.

Sara sprinted out and grabbed the edge of the roof of the van. Using her well-developed abdominal muscles she lifted her legs up and landed onto the roof. She walked over to a what she felt was a good position, knelt down, and the Witchblade's tendrils formed hooks into the roof's metal, securing her. She saw the three SUVs tailing them, brought out her shotgun, and opened fire on the lead car. She pulled the pumped again and shot the windshield, causing the driver to swerve.

"I'm gonna try and keep the everyone else on the road from seeing her," Willow said, hoping she could keep everything under wraps. Her eyes then glowed white.

The SUV to her left started shooting at her, one bullet bouncing off of her armor near her shoulder. Sara turned and shot at the truck, aiming for the driver. She hit his side-view mirror at first, but the second shot partially hit his shoulder and he swerved. She then turned her attention to the SUV on her right and began firing again. Though she got the side of the truck a few times, the passengers had enough sense to duck down. Pumping the shotgun one more time she fired and heard a click: it was empty. She went over near one of the broken windows of the van and slipped the shotgun in, yelling "Michelle: reload and keep firing!"

Sara focused her attention back on the trucks. Standing up, she steadied herself and made a running dash for the edge. Jumping off, she landed on the hood of the lead SUV. Gripping the hood with the claws covering her hands and feet she secured herself. She punched through the already-broken windshield and grabbed the steering wheel, trying to wrest control from the driver. The man in the passenger seat slipped his upper body outside of the window and pointed his Uzi at Sara. She swatted it away and stabbed the man with the Witchblade, killing him. Another man in the truck stood up through the open sunroof and began firing. Sara ducked down and gripped the edge of the dashboard to keep from slipping. The driver pulled out a pistol and Sara grabbed his hand tightly, breaking his fingers. Screaming out in pain the SUV swerved again, Sara holding on as hard as she could. When it steadied, she stood herself up again.

One man in the truck to her left pointed his shotgun on her and fired. Though the Witchblade's armor had protected her chest, the mere force of the blast threw Sara off of her balance and she slipped. Falling below the truck she grabbed the bottom of the grill. Sparks flew from her back as the Witchblade's armor was scraping against the concrete of the freeway. Sara gritted her teeth and groaned as she endured the pressure and pain.

"Sara!" Michelle yelled out as she finished reloading the shotgun. Never before had she felt such intensity of anger well up inside her as she did at that moment. It washed over her in an instant and the hunter in her took over. She had never used a gun before; now she felt as if it were a part of her, one with her in a symbiotic relationship beyond that of mere familiarity. Sticking the shotgun out of the window she repeatedly fired and pumped a new shell into the chamber, howling a guttural, warrior yell as she did so. It was so furious and strong that it even began to scare the occupants of the van. At the same time, Jackie rapidly fired his twin pistols at the lead SUV.

The lead SUV swerved as the pellets and bullets hit the grill and hood, the driver trying as best he could to avoid being hit. The truck to its left attempted to compensate by firing repeatedly at the van, hitting its side. Willow ducked down, her concentration broken. Buffy ducked down as well and had enough. She couldn't take it anymore. The SUV had to go. Grabbing her crossbow she said to Rona, "When I say so, open the door on that side." Rona nodded in affirmation. Buffy moved over to the opposite side of the van, carefully avoiding Ling, who was being cradled by the other Slayers trying to keep her safe and comforted. Locked in a seated position, she looked at Rona.

Allowing another hail of gunfire to pass, Buffy then yelled out, "Now!"

Rona quickly opened the door and Buffy ducked down and extended her arm out of the door, pointing the crossbow at the SUV's right front tire. She knew she only had a second to aim. She did so and fired the arrow straight into the tire's side. It blew out and the SUV swerved as the driver tried to steady it. It was a futile gesture as it soon crashed into the cement barrier in the median. Buffy allowed herself the slightest sense of relief, but quickly reminded herself that there were still two more following them.

Sara lifted herself up enough to at least minimize the scraping of the concrete against her back. She looked at the SUV to her left and stuck out her hand, letting loose an energy blast that destroyed the front axle and sent vehicle crashing into a ditch on the side of the freeway. With renewed vigor she lifted herself up and clawed her way onto the hood. The driver and other passenger of the vehicle looked at her in shock. There she was, on the hood of the SUV, death in her eyes. She reached out her left hand and blasted the passenger who had pointed his Uzi at her. All that left was the driver. Sara hit him in the face and he was momentarily knocked out. Grabbing the steering wheel she tried as best she could to control the vehicle and maneuver through traffic. The driver's foot had rested on the acceleration pedal and the vehicle gained speed.

Sara looked at the Slayer van as she pulled up. Willow heard Sara's voice in her head and said to Buffy, "Open the side door!" She then spoke to Giles.

"Giles, pull up next to the SUV. On the count of three, side-swipe it," Willow said.

"Are you mad?" a stunned Giles replied.

"Sara wants you to do it. Trust her."

Sighing, Giles relented. "Alright."

"Get ready," Willow said, looking out through the opened side door. "1..."

Sara kept her hand on the steering wheel, trying as best as she could to keep it straight. But out of the corner of her eye, she caught a motion. The driver started to wake up. Seeing a gun lying on one of his dead companions, he moved for it.

"2..."

Grabbing the gun he sat up was about to point it at the detective when he noticed something: she smiled at him. It was a smile that quickly unnerved him.

"3!"

The van moved to the right and, only a moment before it connected with the SUV, Sara leapt into the side-door opening. Retracting the Witchblade at the very last second to avoid injuring anyone, she fell into a heap onto some of the passengers. The group soon felt a sudden jolt as the van hit the SUV and soon heard the driver screaming as his vehicle veered off of the freeway and violently crashed into the base of an overpass.

"We need to get off of the freeway," Sara said as they rode on.

"We need to get Ling to a hospital," Rona replied.

"If we don't get off this road we'll be spotted by everyone from here to the city. Pull off here. I know a friendly in the area."

Giles had driven off of the freeway and was directed to the back lot of an auto shop run by an acquaintance of Sara's. After acquiring a temporary new vehicle they transported Ling to the city and brought her to the emergency room of a nearby hospital. As they exited the vehicle, Jackie quickly slipped away unnoticed. Willow and the rest of the Slayers had gone home as Buffy, Giles, and Sara stayed in the lobby. It was only a few minutes after Ling was admitted that Buffy began to wonder where their temporary ally was.

"Where's Jackie?" she asked quizzically.

Sara looked around, realizing that she too had forgotten all about the hitman. "I don't know," she said. "He must have slipped out when we got here."

"I'm impressed," Buffy said.

"That's why the Franchettis pay him the big bucks," Sara replied.

"Well, at least he helped us out back there. Speaking of which, I have to say that what you did was quite possibly the most reckless, dangerous..."

Sara sighed as she prepared for what she thought was going to be a Buffy tongue-lashing.

"... and coolest thing I've ever seen you do."

Sara was surprised at the compliment. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it. How do you feel?"

"Sore all over. That's the last time I do anything like that again."

"Really?" replied Buffy. "I'd pay to see it again."

"Well, in that case..."

As they were speaking a doctor approached Sara, Giles, and Buffy.

"What the report, doc?" Sara bluntly asked.

"Someone really did a number on your friend," the doctor replied. "Bite wounds, multiple burns caused by cauterizing cuts and gashes. Multiple bruises, significant blood loss, rope burns... I mean, they really worked her over."

"Is she going to be alright?" asked Giles pointedly.

"She'll be fine. We're giving her a blood transfusion to replace the loss. I can't anything for her mental state, though. You may want your friend to see a specialist. Something like this can be very traumatizing. In any event, she needs to take it easy. She said she has an active lifestyle that wants to get back to, but she needs serious rest and time to heal."

Buffy breathed a sigh of relief at the likelihood of a successful recovery for one of her Slayers. "Thank you, doctor. We'll talk to her."

"Good," the doctor replied. "You can see her if you like. We're running some blood tests to make sure she's alright. I'm also trying to convince her to file a police report, but she seems reluctant."

"I'm a cop," Sara replied. "I'll take care of things."

As the doctor walked away, Buffy turned to Giles and Sara and said, "I'm going to look in and see how's she's doing."

"I'm gonna go home, you guys," Sara said. "I'm a little worn out after that rescue. I'll visit first thing in the morning."

"You want me to drive you home?" Giles asked.

"No, I'll just take the subway."

"Are you sure? I can call the girls and have them bring your car..."

"I'm fine, Giles," Sara said firmly. "I just... I just want to walk some stuff off, okay?"

"Um... alright," Giles replied. "I understand." He was perplexed. Normally, Sara was relieved after a battle that went so successfully, but she seemed more on edge than ever, if that were even possible. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, but knew that when she got like this, it was best to let her be by herself for awhile.

So Sara journeyed home, enjoying the night air, breathing it in with every step. But it didn't satisfy her. Indeed, it couldn't. The repercussions of the day's events were yet to be felt. No doubt the incident would be on ten o'clock news broadcasts across the tri-state area and possibly the country, even if Willow's spell did at least help to confuse the incident to passersby. Of course, the woman had trouble concentrating with bullets whizzing past her head, so she reasoned no doubt some at least saw her performing her one-woman feat. But she had no idea if any drivers on the freeway got a good look at the occupants of the van.

Then there was the issue of Amy's response, if and when it came. It would be brutal and desperate. The only consolation Sara had was that the rest of the Five Families and the other crime bosses would likely use the incident as a catalyst to move against her. But even that consolation was minor compared to what really had her concerned. It had racked her mind over the past few weeks and she could tell that everyone at Slayer Central noticed; they just didn't know the details. She got to her building and walked up to her apartment. No sooner had she walked in and closed the door that she heard a feminine voice.

"Why do you push him away so much, Sara?" Elizabeth asked.

"Do I have a choice?" Sara shot back.

"You always do."

"Not really. Not after that vision I got when me and Willow unlocked the true powers of the Witchblade. You know what I saw."

"I know what you thought you saw," Elizabeth said, attempting to correct her.

"What I thought I saw?" Sara shot back. "Really? "Because what I thought I saw was after I confront Amy, I'm going to die!"