Willow stared in horror at the men in black hovering over Buffy's unconscious body. She had no idea what to do but kept herself from charging in because they seemed to be helping her. She stood at the door and only then did she hear Joyce cry out and the baby crying. She ran back just in time to see Joyce lying on the floor, eyes open and a blank look on her face. Her neck was broken, snapped. She was dead. The redhead didn't have time to dwell on that now. The baby was crying in the arms of the black robed men and she had to get her back.

"You can't have her!" she declared, stepping in front of them. Magic flared to life inside of her and the man holding the infant paused.

"We have no quarrel with you, witch. We are saving the mother's life and taking them both."

Sure enough a stretcher was wheeled out of the operating room doors and Buffy was lying there weak but wide eyed. As she passed Willow and saw her daughter she gave a small sound. The man in black nodded reverently as they passed him. The redhead was, by now, completely confused. What the heck did these people want killing one person and healing another? Even if they were taking the baby they seemed to view her as sort of a tiny goddess or something. She didn't know what to do. In the end she knew she had to defend her friend.

"I can't let you take her." She said again, with less conviction than before. She man in black robes shook his head.

"We are taking her and there's nothing you can do about it, witch. If you try to interfere I will kill you. By now Ethan Rayne has surely secured the father and we must reunite the family."

"Ethan Rayne? Are you kidding me?"

"He is a necessary inconvenience. We will not suffer his presence much longer. Not when we have the entire family."

"You can't have them. Those are my friends."

"They are the parents of the child. They deserve a place of honor among us. I no longer have time to debate this with you, witch. Please step aside and let me pass."

Of course she refused and she was blasted back with a sudden burst of telekinetic energy and a simple wave of the man's hand. Willow was flung back against the wall and tried to struggle to her feet. She wasn't able to. Her body gave out and she collapsed back down. The last thing she was aware of was darkness overcoming her.

Giles knew he was in danger. With a gun cocked and pressed against his temple he was surprised by the thoughts that crossed his mind. The most absurd things. He thought of his horse in England, Roland, and how he'd never been to Disneyland. The Watcher had never had a desire to go until he found out he was going to have a family. They gave him an excuse and he thought they might vacation there someday. He thought of Buffy and his child riding in a bright colored ride around a movie set track and him on the sidelines taking pictures. The cold steel reminded him that things don't always go the way one might think they should. If there ever was a time for being clever or miracles, now would be opportune.

"Ethan, I'm giving you one last chance to let me go and save yourself." He growled, straining his muscles against the ropes. Ethan didn't seem particularly worried when he saw all the knots holding firm. He laughed, looking at Giles with an evil smile on his lips. He believed that his victory was in hand and he could take away his rival's life at any time he chose, completely at his own leisure. The Watcher continued to struggle despite, needing to preserve his own life for the sake of his child and for its mother. He was beside himself with worry.

"Ripper, old man, you're only delaying the inevitable. This is really bordering on pathetic now. What else can you want to accomplish? You'll be a father. For all of ten seconds but you will be a father. Enjoy it while it lasts."

"I'll kill you, Ethan." He promised in a low growling voice he was shocked to hear come from his lips. He'd never been so angry before. He could only see things tinted in the color red and he was so furious he was literally trembling where he sat with the force of it. The other Englishman laughed again and pressed the gun barrel back against Rupert's head. He cocked the gun and gave a small smile to his former best friend. "Really, Ripper, you ought to be pleased. Now you'll never know how badly you'd have mucked up being a father."

The gun cocked and was once again pressed against his head. Rupert cringed, expecting any moment to be his last. "Stop!" the booming voice rang out and he chanced to crack open an eye. A man clothed in a black robe stood at the far side of the warehouse and was moving toward them rather quickly. The Watcher puzzled a moment. It didn't appear demonic and he didn't seem to recognize the cult of humans by dress. Ethan didn't look too pleased at it came forward and Rupert felt his bonds cut loose. He was about to speak, address the new person in the room and try to find out more information when he was interrupted.

"The blood of the father is sacred. He must not be harmed. He must be taken to the mother and the child."

"He'll kill me!" Ethan complained, watching as the Watcher was helped up and supported. He was still woozy but otherwise in good shape. He thanked God nothing more serious had happened to him but wasn't entirely sure he was in the clear just yet. His former friend followed along and Rupert swore revenge for what was obviously his plot. It wasn't the demon's fault his plot had gone wrong. Most things Ethan did were asinine. Giles became more aware as he was moved through the warehouse and then outside into the warm night air. He was picked up by two more robed men and carried away from the city.

"Now just a minute here!" he protested, struggling. Their grip was firm over him and in the end he had no choice but to be borne where they took him. Little did he know the procession was being followed by a platinum haired vampire.