It was just past 10 pm on Tuesday night. They had ran what they hoped would be the final practice drill for the box of Garvok Oz was going to be the wheel man with Xander and Angel working together to get the box. Willow would be at their side to disable any magic they might encounter.
Giles had worked with Willow one on one having her practice several different spells and enchantments. Some of them she wasn't 100 percent clear on why she needed to know. Giles sold it to her explaining they would most likely not be needed but it was better to know them and not need them and not and be caught off guard.
After Angel and Xander made there last practice run through Giles called all of them together. "I think we are ready. We are at least as ready as we are going to be."
Xander nodding. "I'm going to go over all the equipment tonight."
Angel nodded. "Triple check it."
Giles paced back and fourth. "We will meet here at 7pm tomorrow night. If everything goes as planned we could have the box destroyed by 8pm."
Willow bit her lip. "Here is hoping everything goes as planned."
Xander started loading up the duffle bag with the equipment. "I have one obvious question. Where is Buffy?"
Giles stammered. "She's not feeling well."
Xander could tell something was up. "Buffy would show up sick."
Willow interrupted Xander. "I know that tone Giles.. You know something or something is up."
Angel looked to Xander and Willow. "You are right. Something is up but for now. I want to keep Buffy out of this. Keeping her out of the direct line of danger and the mayor."
Snyder had personally told Giles that Buffy was no longer a student and as such had no place on student grounds. Giles knew a time would come when the others would find out but he needed them to focus on the task at hand. "Buffy understands the importance of what we have to do. She would tell you to focus and win the day."
Xander nodded in agreement. "He's right."
Giles looked to them. "Stay safe and get a good nights sleep."
With that they left for home. Xander agreed with Giles in sentiment but needed to make sure Buffy was okay. He drove by her house and saw the bedroom light on in her room. Turning the car off he went to the front door. Before he could knock Buffy answered the door. She was wearing comfy pj's. with little kitty cats on them. "Xander what are you doing here?"
"Just checking up on you. I was getting worried. You haven't been in school in two days."
"Xander you have more to worry about than me skipping a few days."
"Giles gave all of us the same speech. I am focused. I am ready. I also know that you could have 31 flavors of the flu and you wouldn't bail on us."
"It's not bailing Xander. It's like Giles said. I trust you guys. I know you have this."
"Okay. That still doesn't explain why you weren't in school."
She sighed looking frustrated. "Fine I will tell you. But this is between you and me."
"I promise."
Buffy leaned against the door. "I went to Snyder and I asked him about a possible early graduation. We discussed it and he spoke with the teachers on my behalf."
"And he helped you?"
"Yep. So I don't have to go to school anymore."
Xander could tell she was hiding something. "Buffy. "
"Xander it is fine. Okay. Go home. Get some sleep and kick ass like I know you are capable."
Xander nodded "I'm putting a pin in this. For now."
"Be careful tomorrow. No stupid cowboy moves."
Xander turned and walked to his car. "You know me."
"Yes I do. Which is why I said it."
Xander laughed hopping in his truck. A few minutes later he was in front of his door. He was reaching to pull out his keys when he saw it. A simple note was on the door written in blood. It was held in place with a knife against the door. It read "See you soon. Faith." She signed underneath XOXO. Just shaking his head he grabbed the knife out of the door.
"Okay Faith game on."
The next morning Xander went directly to the library carrying the knife and note. Giles was dusting the books on the shelf as he came in. "Faith left me a little something last night." Giles came to Xander taking the note from him.
Giles looked it over as Willow came in to the library. "This was all she left?"
Willow looked on curious. "What is going on?"
Xander shrugging. "Just Faith leaving me love notes."
Willow looked on at the note nervous. "You think Faith knows? What we have planned?"
Xander sighed, "I don't know."
Willow stammered. "So tonight are we."
Giles stated clearly. "Moving forward. With out a doubt. This is our chance."
Xander locked eyes with Giles. "I agree."
Willow looked nervous but nodded. "Okay."
Giles looked at her "Willow if you feel you aren't capable."
Willow cut him off. "I got this."
Xander punched her shoulder playfully. "I'd never let anything happen to you." Before they could say anything the class warning bell rang out.
Giles looked at both of them. "Go to class and I will see you two tonight."
Willow walked next to Xander on the way to gym. "Day 3 still no Buffy"
Xander walked backwards to look at her as he talked. "Tomorrow we tackle the Buffy issue. Today we take back graduation."
Willow nodded "See you at lunch."
The rest of the day was all about nervous energy. It felt like things were dragging twice as slow as usual. When the day finally ended Xander went back to his apartment. He ran one last check on the harnesses and weapons. At 5 pm he loaded up the truck and walked back in to the library. Giles was preparing a cauldron as Xander came in. "You are here."
"I have quadruple checked the rig and harness. All the weapons are deadly. I take it with your big black pot you are getting ready to make soup."
Giles removed his glasses. "Yes. A soup that removes all matter and substance."
Xander just laughed, "Sounds like the time my mom tried to make chili."
"Well if all of this fails maybe she can whip up a batch and use that on stand by"
As the sun went down Angel came walking in a few minutes later. Oz came walking in behind him with Willow at his side.
Xander looked at the couple. "You two ready?"
Oz nodded. "Van is Gassed and "
Willow smiled back. "I got the book of every possible spell we might need."
Angel just laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "If I didn't know better I'd say you guys are professionals."
Xander shook his head. "Yeah well I won't tell anyone that if you don't."
Giles looked at all of them "Okay you all have your details and job descriptions. Once we get the box we bring it back here. I will destroy it."
Angel nodded. "Let's make tis work."
Giles took a pause and chose his words. "Don't forget how important tonight is. I want the win but first and foremost. All of you stay safe."
Xander nodded "Let's do it."
The van was quiet all the way to City Hall. When they arrived Oz parked on the back end of the building. They used an old fire escape to get roof access. Willow was the last one on the roof.
Xander pointed to the skylight. "That is our access point." Angel and Xander worked putting the harness in place. Xander started strapping in. Angel opened the panel for the skylight. The box was in the center of the table. A mystical dome of dark magic covered the box.
Willow took out the bottle Giles gave her She sprinkled the contents from the roof over the magical dome.. She opened the book and recited from it. "Sis modo dissolutum exposco, validum scutum! Diutius nec defende a manibus arcam, intende!"
As she recited the Latin the magic did exactly what it was supposed to. Between the contents of the bottle and the incantation the dome fizzled in to nothingness.
Xander just smirked whispering. "You are amazing Rosenberg." He looked at Angel holding the other end of the harness. "You ready."
No words were said as Angel just nodded. Xander closed his eyes pushing his fear aside the stepped in to the opening. Angel lowered him in to place slowly. Angel lowered him slowly he whispered to Xander "You okay."
"I'm fine. Keep lowering."
Angel grumbled "Ought to drop you on your face."
As Xander got with in the reach of the table he grabbed the box by it's handles. "I got it. Pull me up."
Angel pulled but as he did the loud alarm rang out as the box came off of contact with the table. Xander looked up at Angel. "Oh shit."
Three guards ran in to the room finding Xander holding the box. Angel jumped down from the sky light. "Why can't these things ever go smooth?"
Xander stepped out of the harness and set the box down ready to fight "Angel weapons?"
Angel looked up at the roof "Uhm about that."
Xander shook his head. "You have to be kidding me."
"You are welcome for coming to save your ass."
Xander shook his head looking at the guards. "Don't suppose we can call time out."
The first guard charged at him as Xander picked up a chair swinging it across him breaking it over him. Angel grabbed one of the other guards tossing him so hard through the table it snapped it in two. Angel picked up the box swinging wildly at the last guard knocking him clean out. "Come on Xander time to go."
Xander led the charge out the front of the building. They looked around right as Oz pulled up in front of them. "Right on time." Xander lunged open the side door as Angel tossed in the box.
Angel looked in the van "Where is Willow?"
Oz looked at him worried. "I thought she was with you."
Xander looked up at the roof where they last seen her. Faith was grabbing Willow. Xander sighed. "Faith has her. You have to go now."
Oz shook his head. "I'm not leaving her."
Xander looked at him. "We have the box. If they get that back they have no reason to keep her alive. "
Angel nodded. "Xander is right. Get the box out of here."
Xander shook his head. "You have to protect the box."
Angel looked at him like he was crazy. "Xander."
He shook his head. "I don't have time to argue Angel. I'm begging you. GO. Oz I give you my word. You know I won't let anything happen to Willow."
Oz locked eyes with him. "Get her back."
Angel jumped in slamming the door shut. "I hope you know what you are doing."
Xander turned his back running back in to city hall. He knew he had to find some where to hide quick. The alarms were still blaring and the remaining security were running around like chickens with there heads cut off. Xander looked around not sure where to hide. He saw an office with the name Deputy Finch on the door.
Quickly he reached for the handle finding the door unlocked. He ducked inside the room. He didn't turn the lights on not wanting the attention from the outside. There was a closet in the corner of the office. He turned the doorknob finding that unlocked. He closed the door behind him and waited for things to cool down.
The mayor entered the conference room shaking his head. It was in shambles and torn to pieces. "This is unfortunate. I just had this room redecorated and at tax payer expense." He pulled a chair up and sat down. "And oh yeah THEY GOT MY BOX."
Faith called out from down the hall. "Yes they do." They mayor turned his attention to the door. "But lookie what we got." Faith pushed Willow in to the center of the room,
The mayor stood up slapping his hands together and smiled. "Well well. Maybe we aren't out of luck yet."
Back at the school Angel came rushing in with the box. "GILES" Oz came charging behind him. "Giles we got the box."
Giles came out of the office. "You have the box but."
Oz stood there shaking his head. "It didn't come with out a price."
Before he could ask Angel interrupted. "They have Willow."
Giles stammered "And where is Xander?"
Oz looked frantic. "He went in after her. He told us to take the box. It made sense at the time but now. It just feels like we abandon them."
Giles shook his head. "A year ago I would have doubted Xander's skills. I'm not saying he's Superman but he's come a long way."
Buffy stepped out of the office having heard everything. "He won't let anything happen to her."
Angel closed his eyes. "Buffy you aren't supposed to be here."
Buffy put her hands up. "I couldn't wait at home and do nothing. I'm"
Giles looked to Angel. "Lets keep the focus where it is needed."
Buffy looked at Giles. "We have to talk to the mayor. He will want his box back and he's not going to kill them if it means messing up his only chance at getting it back."
Giles stepped to the box touching it. "You are talking about giving it back."
Buffy nodded. "If it will keep them alive."
Giles turned to Angel and Oz. "For now I need you two to take this and get it out of here."
Oz looked confused. "Take it where?"
Giles shook his head. "Any where but here. The mayor already has people on the way looking for it. I promise you he will come looking for it and he will come here."
Angel nodded "I'll call you on the hour for updates." He looked past Giles at Buffy. "Can I have a minute."
Giles picked up the box. "Be quick. You have to get on the road. Oz pull the van up front. I will load this in the back."
They left the library leaving Buffy and Angel alone. He stepped to her. "What are you doing here?"
"Don't give me that look Angel. I am here but I'm not doing any physical. I am not putting the baby in danger"
"If the Mayor shows up that could be out of your hands"
"Angel I am trying my best. This isn't easy. I cant just shut all of it off."
He looked at Buffy. "Go in the office and stay there. I don't care what happens from here out but please."
Buffy nodded "Okay." She let go of his hand. "Stay safe and if you can bring us back Willow and Xander."
Angel nodded and walked out. Giles passed him in the hallway. "Box is loaded and ready to go. Drive and don't stop for anything."
At City hall the mayor posted a vampire guard outside the door Willow was being kept in. Xander couldn't leave the office. There were too many guards walking the halls. He sat and waited hoping the opportunity would come.
As Willow paced the room she looked for any way to escape. The window was sealed shut. She went to the desk looking for anything she could use to help her escape. She tugged at the drawer but it had little give. She tugged harder pulling with everything she had till it flung open. The drawer came out crashing to the floor.
Pencils, pens and paper clips scattered everywhere. The vampire guarding the door entered the room. "What the hell are you doing?"
Willow looked up nervous. "I was just looking for a sucking candy or something. My mouth gets dry when I'm nervous or you know held against my will."
The guard looks at her the way a hungry dog looks at a bone. She stammered. "Maybe using the word sucking isn't so good around a vampire." She nervously laughed. The vampire stepped to her. "Hey did you get permission to eat the hostage? I don't think so. You're going to be in some trouble when the mayor."
He cut her off grabbing her. Willow gasped. "NO"
The guard laughed. "Just a little taste. He won't mind."
Willow looked to the floor and focused. She saw the pencil on the floor. She closed her eyes and focused with everything she had. The pencil floated off the ground and found it's way sailing through the air and in to the back of the vampire staking his heart from behind.
As he burst in to dust Willow turned to run out the door seeing her opportunity. Stepping in the door way Faith blocked her.
"Wow Red that was pretty impressive."
Willow sighed knowing there was no escape for now. "That might mean something if it wasn't coming from a psychopath."
Faith stepped in to the room crossing her arms. "Wow aren't you the feisty one. I mean we have you caught captured and practically hog tied but you still got that fire and spunk in you." Faith closed the distance to her stepping in her personal space.
Willow stood her ground. "Faith I want to tell you something."
Faith just laughed looking at the ceiling. "Oh yes please give me the speech again. Faith we're still your friends. We can help you. It's not too late."
"It's way to late.." The anger in Faith's eyes only grew darker. "It didn't have to be this way but you made your choice. I know you've had a tough life. I know some people think you've had a lot of bad breaks and that you've hardened your heart to protect yourself from the pain. "
Faith eased up and mellowed out. "Yeah what of it."
"Boo hoo Faith. Poor you. You' had a lot more in your life than some people. You had friends like Buffy. You had a boyfriend like Xander. People who looked out for you. Who stood up for you. Now you got no one. You were the slayer one of the chosen. Now you're nothing but a selfish worthless waste."
Faith could hear the footsteps of the Mayor approaching. She reached back slapping Willow across the face. Willow cringed ready as she took the hit. She stumbled back a little holding her face hurt and confused. She was about to say something but Faith cut her off.
"You try to hurt me I try to hurt you. I'm just a little more efficient."
Willow stood there a mix of surprise. "I'm not afraid of you."
Faith pulled out the knife the mayor gave her. "Well I bet you I can change that."
The mayor stepped between the two of them. "Now girls." The Mayor looked at Faith. "I hope I'm not going to have to separate you two.. Faith you can play with your new toy later. Something has come up."
Faith turned to the Mayor. "So we got a plan?"
The Mayor nodded. "I've called in the rest of my security detail. We are going to trade the girl for the box."
Faith nodded. "Okay let's do this."
The mayor put his hands up. "Slow down. I have a plan. I'm putting you in the most important position."
Faith nodded in agreement. "Long as we get the box back I don't care where you put me."
The Mayor nodded. "We have agreed to meet at a neutral location. I don't want to bring the girl with us though. In case they are trying to set up a trap."
Faith looked at him confused. "So what do you need me to do?"
The mayor touched Willow's hair. "You will stay with her make sure she doesn't escape."
Faith shook her head. "You need me by your side."
The mayor looked at her. "I had a guard posted on this door and in ten minutes she had him turned to dust. I need to have someone I can trust. Someone I know can do this. You are my big gun Faith."
Faith bit her lip. "Okay."
The mayor just flashed her his toothy smile. "I knew I could count on you." He reached in to his jacket pocket and handed her a two radio. "Keep this on and wait for the signal."
Faith nodded. "Okay." As the mayor left she looked at Willow and pointed to the chair. "SIT."
Willow hissed back "And if I don't?" No words were said. Faith just pulled her knife out again to show her. Willow rolled her eyes. "I'm sitting. Calm down."
Faith watched as one by one the mayor pulled his guards loading them up till City Hall was practically empty. Faith leaned against the wall looking at Willow She moved the chair to the radiator tied in to the wall and handcuffed Willow to it..
Willow finally looked at her and spit it out. "I don't get it."
Faith laughed. "Don't get what?"
"You had it good. At least from my perspective. I mean you had a nice place to live and friends and."
"Pretty sure I don't owe you an explanation."
"Explanation. Maybe not but. I mean. You always seemed stronger to me than some insecurity about a boyfriend. I mean there is what Giles did but."
Faith put her hand up. "Shut up." She stood up holding her finger to her lips. "I think I heard something."
Willow rolled her eyes. "It is probably one of the mayors goons."
Faith opened the door. "Nope the building should be empty." She stepped out in the hallway to examine the sound. She looked across the hall at the now empty office. She pulled out her knife and edged closer to the door.
Before she could react the door opened. Xander was standing in the hall. She looked him up and down.
He crossed his arms. "Hello Faith." He stepped up to her. "Tonight we end this once and for all."
