Hey and here I am, back again to update you lovely readers on this fine...morning/night.

I didn't get as much reviews as I wanted for the last chapter, and I know who you suckers are; I get notified when you check it off for Fav Story or Story Alerts, you blighters. I'm just joking.

But I do appreciate the ones that review, gives me the warm tinglies inside.

Anywho, here it is, enjoy it and please review! That way I'll be motivated to write more and update faster. ;)

"So you're sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Positive?"

"Positive."

"Absolutely, positively-"

"Willow, I'm sure!" Buffy finally exploded, stopping in the middle of her pace to throw her arms up in an act of uncertain panic. Was she really sure?

She knew better than God that she wasn't. But there really wasn't much of a choice left. Either they let Faith suffer and feel that burden on their shoulders for the rest of their miserable and probably short lives, or help her through this and risk the possibility that she might want to hurt them again. It was much harder than most would think, seeing that so many other things factored into the equation.

In Buffy's case, anyhow.

Willow just shrugged and raised her eyebrows.

"Well, you don't seem completely sure, is all, Buff."

Buffy paused. She knew she had to watch her words. To pick and choose carefully.

"It's...it's just a risky situation, Wills. We just don't know how it's going to turn out, and that's all I'm worried about."

Willow nodded cautiously. She was definitely not on board, but she supposed if Buffy was willing to do it, she might as well play best friend as she always did and support her decision. It just seemed wrong, but after her heated argument with Tara last night, she finally admitted that most of her hatred towards Faith was jealousy. It's not that she wanted to be hateful; no, that wasn't in her nature, but this wasn't just anyone. This was Faith. And with Faith, it was all or nothing, nothing or all.

They weren't quite sure which one was the better.

"So...we should go in, right?" The red-head asked timidly, while Buffy continued her pacing in front of the meeting room doors where everybody was most likely waiting for their appearance.

"Right." Buffy agreed absentmindedly, still pacing back and forth, not quite realizing that her best friend was fidgeting, trying to decide between pulling them both into the room or just staring at her anxious actions.

They might've been stuck there for several more minutes - perhaps even hours - if it hadn't been for Anya's abrupt opening of the door.

"I'm not quite sure that you understand the importance of time in this situation, since you seem so much more interested in wasting our time, Buffy. You too, Willow. I thought you two were supposed to be on top of this - not literally, of course - but look at you! What in the frickin' world do you think you're doing?" The peppy ex-demon scowled at them menacingly from the doorway.

Buffy scowled back, but she stopped her pacing and paused a few moments, as if her life depended on stepping into the room or not. As she did her own fidgeting, Anya sighed loudly and placed a fist on each side of her hips.

"Buffy, this really isn't going to kill you."

"Yea, until Lilo decides she wants to take over and Faith realizes her goal in life is to kill me."

"It's Lailo, and we'll deal with it if it happens. Well, you'll deal with it, but that's then and now's now. So hurry up and get in here." Anya huffed and walked right back inside.

Buffy gave Willow a look.

"Since when was Anya the sensible one?"

Willow shrugged.

"I think she's just glad she's not the only demon working with us anymore."

When they stepped in, they saw her.

Lailo, in all her demonic glory, looking oh-so-very human in features. She wore a white flowing dress, with white flowing hair, with whites for eyes and skin so pale it might as well be white. She was small and thin, and almost looked like an angel, despite the irony. She was smiling, lips closed, seeming ever the wiser and so gentle and frail that Buffy was afraid if she touched her she might break. Not only that, but she was beautiful, her skin looked as smooth and as soft as a baby's bottom, the shape of her face so regal and elegant, and her posture so inviting.

They couldn't help but stare.

"Y-you're Lailo?" Willow sputtered for the both of them. The others either shrugged or nodded, showing their own personal surprise at Lailo's seemingly good appearance.

"I am she." Her voice was like milk and honey, as melodic as a choir of angels. How in the world was she a demon?

"Yes, well, now that that's settled, shall we get down to business?" Giles was impatient.

"Okay, so operation save-Faith is on the go!" Xander exclaimed, rubbing his hands together with a nervous smile.

"Anyanka has told me about your plan and how I shall be a part of reviving this...Faith's, memory. I suppose you have figured out a way in which this could be made possible? I am a revealer of the truth in vengeance; this may not come through as planned."

Angel took over.

"We only need you to release her memories, not just her need for vengeance. In and out, that's your part in this." He said firmly, looking her straight in the eye, though it was really difficult to tell where exactly she was looking.

She seemed to ponder the request before responding.

"In and out."

"Well, not like when you're waiting for an orgasm, but when-"

"I understand what Angelus was saying, Anyanka."

Angel cleared his throat.

"It's Angel, actually."

"Mmm. I'm sure."

Silence.

"What will I receive in return for this...favor?"

Anya rolled her eyes and huffed again.

"200 dollars more than I'll ever get for all the favors I-"

"Angel Investigations will be supplying you with the cash upfront as soon as you finish the job. Non-negotiable." Cordelia jumped in, looking ever much the authoritative business woman.

Lailo let out a laugh that sounded like the jingle of bells.

"Your bluff to save money is much more amusing than the request itself. However, I'll accept; it's not like I have many interesting subjects on the lineup anyhow."

So simple. So easily accepted.

Maybe Anya was right; money does solve everything!

"And you're a demon? Geesh, there should be more like you in the world. Maybe we could just pay off all of them and be done with it." Cordelia let out a disbelieving snort.

Lailo just smiled and gave a small shrug. Even that seemed like a holy action when she did it.

"I-I have s-something to s-say." Tara's meek voice spoke through the tension, and all eyes turned to her.

Giles understood immediately.

"Ah yes. The aura."

"The aura?"

"Lailo, Tara is a powerful Wicca, one who can read auras. It seems that in our last encounter with Faith at the hospital, Tara discovered a fracture in Faith's aura."

Lailo's expression for the first time deepened into a frown.

"You should all know as well as I that a fractured aura can mean many things, none good."

"Which is why we need you to help us figure out what it is." Angel replied seriously, jaw set unbudgingly.

And there was Lailo, matching it down to the quirk in the lips.

"I'm sure I will have no problem finding it."

Pause.

"Wait, before this goes down, I have to make sure of a few things." Buffy stepped forward, eyebrows furrowed in suspicion. With good reason.

"Ask away."

"First of all, how do we know you're telling the truth?"

Anya's reply was immediate, as though she was expecting the question in the first place.

"Lailo's powers are bound by truth. No matter what we ask, she will always be honest."

"Okay, then Lailo, can we trust you?"

Lailo smiled calmly, almost condescendingly, that it made Buffy want to puke.

"One can never fully trust a demon, but I believe your true question is to find out if I am going to use your friend's predicament to my advantage to do my job."

"One, she's not our friend-"

"No guesses why." Cordelia muttered.

"-and two, yes, what you said."

"I cannot be certain of it until I get a taste of who she may be."

It was too vague for Giles to accept. He sat up and leaned forward.

"Well, what will determine-"

"Her heart and the amount of pain it had to endure."

And that was the truth.

But what good was the truth, if none of them really knew where exactly Faith's stand was? If none of them could ever grasp just how much pain and suffering she had to deal with by the hands of how many people, how many times, how cruel the moments? Could they risk it? Would they? Should they? Was saving Faith even worth the risk of not saving her or themselves?

Well, they were here, weren't they?

Buffy stood up and stuck out her hand stiffly.

"Agreed."

Her eyes bore into the whites of Lailo's, as if she might be able to intimidate the demon into only doing her part. Lailo only smiled softly, holding out her petite hand, receiving Buffy's in her own.

"Take me to her."