A/N – Here's another for the day. I'm glad I'm getting reviews, thanks so much to all those who took the time to care! Enjoy, and I'll be back soon.

-Coll

The Prophecy

"Let it be known that on the day that two Champions fall in love, and the lives of Innocents are threatened by an unstoppable force, as well as a triangle being broken by one, that this shall be the day that the Apocalypse draws dangerously close. Beware of the fallen Champion who will destroy The Prophecy that will save the Innocents and the rest of the world from an unbearable world worse than hell itself."

Part 11

"What happened to Fred?" Cordelia asked Gun as she walked up to him. He looked like he was ready to burst in to tears. When she realized that she wasn't going to get an answer soon, she led Gunn over to the seat that she was sitting in and helped him down. Almost as soon as he sat down, Gunn jumped up. "Isn't that...?" "Faith, yes," Wesley filled in. "Where is Fred? What happened?"

Gunn stared at Faith a while before continuing. "Wolfram & Hart happened to her," Gunn told them and when he received confusing glances he elaborated. "I didn't exactly take...When Angel told me...I had Lilah with me the whole time. I didn't want her getting back to Wolfram & Hart." "So, she got a hold of the lawyers and they took Fred?" Cordy said as she crouched down next to the chair.

Gunn slowly nodded. "They got me with some kind of dart," he told them. "It knocked me on my ass and they took her." "But not before she could slip our information to you?" Wesley asked. There was bitterness in his tone. "We have to get her back. Go to Wolfram & Hart." Gunn said as he stood. Cordelia stepped in front of him. "That's what they want, Gunn. We can't just-"

"What? We can't save Fred? We let her die?" Gunn interrupted angrily. Cordelia backed away and Wesley stepped in front of her. "You know that's not what she meant." Gunn turned away. "I thought I would get help coming here," he confessed. "I'm gonna get Fred back." "And die in the process." Lorne chimed in. "I don't care." Gunn shot back right away. "You're not going alone," Wesley said after a minute. Everyone gawked at Wesley who had begun to slip his jacket on.

"Wait, where the hell do you think you're going?" Cordy asked. Wesley looked at her. "I'm helping Gunn. He is right, we have to help Fred." "You can't, Wesley," Cordelia told him. "It's too much of a risk, especially since Angel is out there hunting you down." "Lady's got a point, boss." Lorne agreed. Wesley looked torn. "Surely Gunn can't go alone..."

"I'll go." Gunn looked at Faith with an untrusting look. "I don't really know you too well," Gunn started off. "And, I've heard your story-" "You need muscle, I got that," Faith interrupted. "C will come too and Wes and green will watch the kid." "Lorne!" Gunn looked to Wes. "Cordy's right, Angel will be hunting me," He admitted slowly. "And, Faith is familiar with Wolfram & Hart. She may be of more use than I could."

"Fine," Gunn shouted. "Let's go, you coming Cordy?" Cordelia nodded. She looked back at Wes and Lorne as her and Gunn followed Faith out of the cave. "You sure that was a smart idea, sending Faith out?" Lorne asked as Connor began to stir in his arms. Wesley took over holding duties as Lorne continued, "How do we know we can really trust her?"

"She's been standing in here, Lorne," Wes said quietly. "That means she has a pure heart."

***

Angel kicked a nearby trashcan and it flew down the street. He was never this angry, even when he was evil. Cordelia was helping Wesley then? Great, just freakin great! A bottle followed the trashcan's suit. He swallowed hard and sniffed around. Nothing. He had walked three blocks away from his car. Cordy's scent was there, and then it just disappeared, right outside of that stupid, old dance school.

He rounded a corner, trying to pick up anything he can when he saw it. Gunn's truck. "Shit." He muttered as he walked up to the truck. Gunn and Fred were in this too. Was there anyone still loyal to him? Next thing he'd know, Lorne might actually be down there taking care of Connor. His Connor. His hearing began to pick up something and Angel tensed. "Cordy." He whispered as he backed away from Gunn's truck and retreated into the shadows.

"So, what do we do? Walk in their office and be like, 'Can we have our Fred back?'" he heard Cordelia say to Gunn and, whom he originally thought was Fred, but after hearing that it couldn't have been. So, Fred's been taken, by who? "I know how Wolfram & Hart works, leave it to me." Faith?!? When did Faith come into this? Wait, she's with Cordy who is with Wesley who...damn, everyone was against him.

"Got weapons, Chuck?" Faith asked Gunn. They headed toward the truck as Gunn nodded. "Yeah, and it's Gunn, OK? What's up with you and nicknames?" Angel couldn't take this. There were too many questions in his head and he had spent most of his life hiding in the shadows. He was tired of it. "I've always wondered that too, Gunn," he said as he stepped forward. "You never had a nickname for me, did you Faith? Can't really shorten Angel too much."

"Angel." Cordelia gasped. Faith and Gunn tensed and were ready for him to attack. "Where's Connor?" Cordelia began to open her mouth, but he held his hand up, silencing her. "I know you're all working with Wesley, OK? So no bull shit. I want my son and I want him now." "Look, we have to get-" "Fred?" Angel filled in for Gunn. "Now you know what it's like when something important to you is taken."

"We gotta go." Faith said as she opened the door to Gunn's truck. "We could use your help." Gunn told Angel. He glared back at Gunn, wanting to rip his throat out. "I could've used yours," He growled. "Get lost, now." Gunn practically ran to the truck as Faith and Cordelia shut the passenger door. The last thing Angel saw was Cordelia, staring back at him with an apologetic expression. It chilled him.

Deep down, he knew they were helping. The Prophecy said he was going to kill his own son; they were protecting Connor, which meant they were helping him. They should have let him help too, though. Now, Wolfram & Hart had Fred, too. They were good, he had to admit that. They can hit you where it hurts. As the truck disappeared, he cursed his soul and his good heart as he headed for Wolfram & Hart.