Buffy's eyes opened and she stared at the sunlit wall before scowling at the pain in her ankle. It led to the unwelcome memory of how she broke it, and she sucked in a breath before getting to her feet and heading for the kitchen. She stopped in the doorway when she got there.
"Hello," the brunette girl sitting at the table greeted.
"Um... hi," Buffy looked at her curiously before glancing over to where Lindsey was standing at the stove.
"Buffy... This is Eve. She comes around every once in a while." He turned to the brunette. "And Eve, this is the slayer I've been telling you about. Hopefully she can help us with our Wolfram and Hart problem."
"Yeah..." Buffy murmured as she made her way to a chair and sat down. "I'd like that."
Eve shot a quick appraising look at Buffy. "We would too. I mean, you wouldn't believe what we've been through trying to reason with Angel, and now that you're here we're hoping to make some significant progress."
"That's the plan darling," Lindsey spoke up as he set a plate of pancakes in front of Buffy. "How's the ankle?"
She glanced down at the homemade cast. "It should be good as new in a month."
"Glad to hear it," Eve murmured before taking another bite of pancake.
Buffy looked up and watched her as she listened to Lindsey move around the kitchen. Everything felt so odd. She couldn't believe she was living with a guy she didn't know while her best friends and love of her life were across town wanting nothing more than to... What? She frowned as she poured the syrup. They seemed to... want her... She broke the thought uneasily. Her friends were different but they'd never...
"Coffee?" Lindsey asked as he picked up the pot.
"Um... sure." She watched him pour a cup and set it in front of her before she turned to Eve with calculation. "So... Angel's... um, killing humans."
"Pretty much for the last 12 years," Eve answered casually. "Mostly due to Cordelia's visions, but," she shrugged, "there are a few people we think the Senior Partners wants him to see as demons." She looked at Buffy. "Which Linds says is how he sees you."
"Yeah he does," Buffy agreed before thinking about the woman Willow had said they'd killed. She rubbed at her forehead and dropped her eyes to the table.
Lindsey flipped a pancake before glancing over at Buffy. "I was working at Wolfram and Hart when Angel took over the company, and I have to admit I didn't see it coming. I mean, the Senior Partners handing over their L.A. offices to an ensouled vampire working for the side of good?" He shook his head and turned his attention back to the stove.
"But they didn't turn it over to just any vampire though," Eve added as she watched Buffy. "Souled or not, they thought the Scourge of Europe would love what they had to offer."
Something about the statement threw her, and Buffy's head snapped up when she realized what it was. "Does he still have a soul? I mean, Lindsey said he was..." she broke off uneasily, "that he was sleeping with Cordelia."
"He's got a soul," Lindsey answered. "That's one thing his family made sure of, and Wolfram and Hart have been putting it to the test ever since."
Eve nodded. "He's totally safe... well maybe I shouldn't say that," she revised. "I just mean Lindsey's right, he can't lose his soul."
Silence fell, and Buffy studied her companions for a long moment. "You guys seem to know a lot about it. How long have you been watching him?"
"I left the firm three years ago," Lindsey answered. "I tried to warn Angel what was going on, but he wasn't interested." He hesitated before motioning to the brunette beside him. "Eve still works there. She's the Senior Partner's liaison. It's her job to keep the Partners informed on how things at Wolfram and Hart are going, and to give Angel certain messages."
Buffy frowned but didn't ask what 'certain messages' meant. She looked at Eve. "So you're a mole."
"Yes. And I'd appreciate it if you'd keep it quiet. My employers wouldn't care a bit about my death."
"And what do you expect me to do?" Buffy asked. "I mean, I agree something needs to be done, but slayer strength doesn't help when going against a witch as strong as Willow... And Angel... we were always pretty evenly matched, but it's been 20 years. He could be stronger than I am now."
"I suppose a first step would be trying to convince them you're really you. How we do that," Lindsey gave her an apologetic smile, "I don't know."
Silence reigned as Buffy looked at her uneaten pancakes before looking back up. "You've gone to a lot of trouble. Why haven't you just killed them?"
"It did come up," Eve answered coolly. "But there's a power struggle going on with Angel and his family at the center. It seems everyone wants them playing for their team."
"I see." She pushed her plate away, no longer hungry. "So what's the next step?"
"I've got to get to work." Eve glanced at her watch before looking back at Buffy. "But if you're feeling up to it, Linds and I know some people that are in the same boat you're in when it comes to Angel, and we thought you might want to meet them." Her eyes gleamed with amusement as she glanced at Lindsey before getting to her feet and leaving.
The warehouse Buffy found herself in a few hours later was large and dark, the only lighting coming from bare light bulbs that lit the room's center more than edges. And she glanced into the shadows, noticing the darker shadows there, the movements that indicated the closeness of other... beings? She winced at her thoughts before adjusting the crutch as a figure stepped out of the shadows.
"James," Lindsey held out a hand.
"McDonald," James returned as they shook hands. His gaze slid to Buffy and he looked her over before stepping back. "Is this her?"
"Yes."
He nodded, his eyes seeming almost black in the dark surroundings. "Welcome to our home. It's not much, but this one, and others like it, have kept your mate from putting us in our graves."
Buffy frowned before shaking off the unease she felt. The man was human. She looked over the dark perimeters of the room. They all were. "He's not my mate," she stated before turning to look at him. "I've been dead for twenty years."
Silence fell before Lindsey broke it. "Buffy's being hunted by Angel too. She broke her ankle trying to get away from him and the witch."
"And how is she going to help us if she's one of us?"
Buffy lifted her head and looked at the woman that had stepped out of the shadows. She was a tall brunette that looked like she could handle herself. A slightly larger version of Faith came to mind and she pushed the thought back before shifting to turn toward her. "Angel can't hear my heartbeat," the slayer answered. "I think Wolfram and Hart have him under some kind of spell."
"We know his handicaps well." The other woman looked at her coolly as she bounced the dark haired little girl in her arms. "All of us gathered here are targets for your ex-lover."
"They know you then?" Buffy half asked, half stated... almost challenged.
"Oh yes. Perhaps not as well as they know your sister... but they know us well enough."
"Dawn?" Buffy's head came up sharply. "You know her?"
"Of course," Tala answered. "She was living with us when they captured her."
"Anything?" Giles asked as he walked into Angel's office.
"Nothing yet." The brunette pushed away from the window frame. "But I think she'll come for Dawn, if for no other reason than to convince us she's the real deal."
"Is she that good of a copy then?"
"Yes."
Buffy's ex-watcher lifted an eyebrow. "I must admit I'm looking forward to meeting her."
"And I'm looking forward to getting her into the basement," Angel murmured before walking over to sit at his desk. "Did you have any luck with the hospitals?"
"No. She doesn't appear to have had her ankle professionally set."
Angel nodded as a silence fell, and Giles shifted before changing the subject. "I came to tell you Cordelia's had a vision and asked that you join her."
Angel nodded absently. The visions Cordelia had been getting the last few years were easier on her... but now made her crave sex. It wasn't something they'd expected, but he and his family always tried to make sure her needs were met. He got to his feet and stretched before shooting a look at the monitor. "I want to know if anything happens with Dawn... and don't worry about what you might be interrupting." He met the other man's eyes pointedly.
"I'll let you know," Giles answered as he watched Angel leave the room before turning back to the monitor showing Dawn. The brunette was pacing in her cage, and he sat down thoughtfully to watch her. Buffy's sister never failed to remind him of the past, and he knew it was the same with his family as well. It was the reason they'd actively searched for her, and the reason she was untouched while the others in the basement were played with. Idly he wondered if it wouldn't be more humane to turn her loose than leave her caged year after year. In the end, though it didn't matter what it did to her. She was a reminder of a time none of them were willing to give up.
Angel has Dawn?" she asked slowly, carefully, needing to understand.
"Yes," a new but familiar voice broke in. "And as of last night, she's being caged on the Wolfram and Hart lawn."
"Riley?" Buffy awkwardly turned to look at him. He looked like he was 40... a little larger, a little more filled out. He shot her a faint smile, and she gave a slight shake of her head as she studied him. "Maybe all we have to do is call the cops."
"I can guarantee the only people that will be able to see her will be the ones Angel wants to," Lindsey stated grimly. Silence fell before he turned to her with a shake of his head. "It's a trap, Buffy. They're after you."
"Maybe I don't care," she answered.
"You'd better," he warned. "They care for Dawn, but they love you."
"They'll love you like family," James murmured with a hint of amusement, "and that's already a crowded bed."
She turned to stare at him uneasily and totally missed Riley walking up to her. "Buffy." He reached out to touch her hip, and she turned to look at him on autopilot. "No one said it wouldn't be dangerous, but they've got Dawn. Will you help us get her back?"
"Yes," she answered without thought, answered the only way she could.
"She's got a broken ankle," Lindsey broke in with annoyance.
"It'll heal," Riley answered with heat before turning back to Buffy and pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll help you any way I can... Tala, James..." he murmured. "We all will. Where do you want to start?"
"We start with getting Buffy home," Lindsey answered. "It's getting dark soon, and they've already tried to catch her twice." He shot Riley a hard look before putting a hand on Buffy's back to guide her away.
"Buffy." Riley stopped her with a hand on her arm and a smile. "I know we've had our problems, but it's really great to see you again." He stepped closer and pressed a paper with his phone number on it into her palm before pulling her into a hug.
She hesitated before awkwardly looping an arm around his waist. "It's good to see you too." She leaned her head against his chest and looked into the darkness. It was nice to see him again, to find something normal.
Angel glanced at the brunette sleeping beside him before rolling out of bed and quietly getting dressed. A few minutes later, he was standing in the doorway of his office and watching the two men sitting at his desk with amusement. "What's the verdict?"
Giles glanced up with surprise. "Wesley and I have been examining a video," he stated as Wes looked up from the computer.
"Willow's been trying to find out who sent it," the younger man added, "but so far it doesn't look promising."
Angel lifted an eyebrow. He hadn't thought anyone could outsmart Willow when it came to computers. He pushed away from the door jamb and moved over to the desk, took a moment to glance at the monitor showing Dawn before looking at the computer screen. "Let me see it," he ordered and watched as Wes hesitated before tapping a couple of buttons.
The screen lit up to show an old Sunnydale yearbook. A hand flipped it open to show the familiar signatures and well wishes of the people that had signed it before flipping through the pages to show a picture of Buffy smiling at the camera. A moment later, more pages were turned to show a photo of Dawn before the screen went blank.
"We uh... don't know who sent it, Wes stated, "but it seems reasonable to believe Tala, James, or Riley would have access to Dawn's belongings." He hesitated, looked up. "We also thought the timing might indicate they know about the clone."
"And if they know about her, she no doubt knows about Dawn," Giles broke in.
"I'm ready whenever she is," Angel answered. "We've got time, and I'm willing to wait."
"Eve." Lindsey pulled the door farther open. "Something going on?"
"Cordelia's had another vision," she answered. "A seven year old girl's going to be kidnapped and killed."
"Are any of them concerned about it?"
"I don't think so." She walked over to sit on the sofa. "When I got there, they were joking about how long it was going to take him to kill her."
"And how long's it going to take darling?" he asked as he walked over to sit across from her.
"Four hours... and none of them said a word about stopping it."
Silence fell as Lindsey leaned back in the cushions before giving a shake of his head. "Why am I thinking Cordelia's going to enjoy this one?"
"Enjoy what one?"
They both turned to see Buffy standing in the doorway of her bedroom. "Oh... Hi." Lindsey straightened and glanced at Eve before looking back at the blonde. "Eve came to tell us about Cordelia's latest vision."
"What about it?" Buffy asked in a hard voice.
"A seven year old girl's going to be kidnapped and murdered tonight," Eve stated as she watched Buffy intently.
The blonde stared at the floor before looking up with cold eyes. "Do you know specifics?"
"A few more than I care to."
The slayer rubbed at her forehead before hobbling into the room and awkwardly lowering herself into a chair. "Alright, so we have a starting point." She tiredly looked back at Lindsey. "Now what did you mean about Cordelia enjoying it?"
"It's not something we..." he broke off as she looked at him expectantly. "I already told you the deal the Partners and Powers made changed the nature of the visions."
"Yeah," Buffy agreed as she watched for any signs she was being lied to.
"What I didn't tell you is," he ran a hand through his hair, "when Cordelia gets visions, both before the event, and again during... she's linked to the killers. She *feels* what they do... along with other... urges," he muttered before looking back at Buffy. "She enjoys it... and even had Willow cast a spell to save the murders in graphic detail so she can relive them at her convenience." A heavy silence fell before he broke it, "Angel and his childer accept her needs. They don't even question the morality of it anymore, and Cordelia uses that to her full advantage."
She rubbed at her forehead as a silence fell. "Meaning?"
"Meaning," Eve spoke up, "that Cordelia could have a vision of someone about to be murdered, and all Angel would do about it is take her to bed."
She wasn't sure what she'd expected, but Eve's answer... Buffy sucked in a breath and stared blindly at the floor. "Well she's going to be disappointed this time," she finally answered, "because that girl's not dying."
Lindsey gave a slow shake of his head. "You can't interfere Buffy. Willow cast a spell years ago that makes it impossible for anyone to even notice the murders happening." She glanced up, and he continued. "If you were walking past one of her visions... I mean, if someone were being murdered five feet away from you, you wouldn't even look twice."
She studied him appraisingly. "What if you knew it was happening?"
"You might know it's happening, but you wouldn't be able to see, or hear anything unusual."
She rubbed at the back of her neck, dropped her eyes to the floor. "So they've given the visions a buffer zone. You can't interfere with something you can't see or hear."
"Right," he answered as he watched her curiously.
She looked up slowly. "What would happen if I were five feet away from a murder being committed and started yodeling?"
"It wouldn't work," Eve answered. "The spell locks the murderer and victim into the vision. They wouldn't even know you were there."
Buffy scowled, and Lindsey gave a slow shake of his head. "You can't stop it. Willow's spell won't let you."
She got up before walking over to look out the window. "What if I *hurt* him," she finally asked in a cold hard voice. "Would that get his attention?"
"Probably, but you'll have to be hurting someone you can't see."
Buffy continued to watch the traffic. "I'm going to need handcuffs Linds," she turned toward Eve, "and all the details you have. But first I want to know if Cordelia's going to able to see what happens tonight."
"She always does," Lindsey answered grimly.
"So if I stop a vision, she'll know I'm the one that stopped it?"
"Yes."
"That's what I wanted to hear," Buffy answered in a hard voice that made Eve smile.
The little girl was picking dandelions along the sidewalk. She didn't notice anyone watching, and neither did the nervous man standing in the shadows. He started toward her with quick steps before both he and the girl disappeared as Willow's cloaking spell kicked in.
"That went smooth," Willow murmured.
"Yes," Giles agreed, "but they always do."
"And Cordy's always so appreciative," Angel added.
"I'm pretty sure Wes and Xander are too," Willow spoke up.
A companionable silence fell as they made their way back into the seedy demon bar they'd used to access the alley. The bar was empty, although it had been full when they'd walked through just a few minutes ago.
"We are not well liked," Willow stated with a laugh as she glanced over the drinks left on tables, the unfinished games of pool that had been walked away from.
"Shhh.." Angel breathed as his head came up before he suddenly disappeared into an open doorway. He had a girl backed against the wall when they joined him a few seconds later.
"Leave it to our sire," Giles murmured as he shot Willow an amused glance that she returned.
The girl looked at the three vampires before trying to push past the one in front of her, and Angel shifted to block her. She was a sharlin, and, he decided, must be new to town since she seemed surprised she didn't have the speed to outmaneuver him. He took a moment to look her over. Her pale green skin was accented by jet black hair. His gaze slid lower for a few seconds before he looked at Giles. "Interested?"
"I uh... No," the ex-watcher answered. "She's a little too young for me."
Willow laughed. "She's probably 18."
Angel glanced at her. "What about you Will?"
She stared at him, and when his lips twitched with amusement, gave him a smile. He really did know what she was doing in the basement, and she took a moment to look at Giles before deciding he knew as well. She turned back to look over the sharlin. The girl was attractive, but she couldn't help wishing it was Buffy's clone that they'd cornered. "No," she finally answered, "but she looks like your type sire."
Angel turned back to study the girl before abruptly stepping to the side and allowing her to bolt away from him. "I'm looking for a blonde right now," he answered before starting toward the bar's sewer access tunnel.
"We know," Giles fell in at his side, "but I'm pretty sure Cordelia will not be happy to hear it."
He shrugged before smiling. "She's going to be too busy with Wes and Xander to even think about me."
"You know better than that," Willow disagreed.
Angel's grin widened as he dropped into the sewer system. "Alright," he agreed as his childer joined him. "Maybe I should say she's going to be too busy over the next few hours to think about my interest in blondes." He glanced at Giles. "You know you guys could probably join us, don't you? I mean, I doubt Cord would mind, and it's been a while. We could bring up two or three of the girls from the basement and have a party."
Giles's eyes glinted. "We still have a kylick don't we? It might be a good time to have her join in."
"Yeah," Willow agreed almost wistfully. "I really love their blood."
A companionable silence settled as they continued toward Wolfram and Hart.
Wesley stopped pacing and his head came up sharply at the sound of the underground tunnel being opened before he turned toward them. "Sire... Cordelia needs you."
Angel turned to him with a faint frown as he climbed out of the sewers and into the Wolfram and Hart basement. "Isn't Xander with her?"
"Yes, but her vision was interfered with."
"How?"
Wes snorted. "According to Cordy, *Buffy* used spray paint to find our murderer, broke his knee with a ball bat, cuffed him, and called the cops to come and get him."
"That's not..." Willow broke off before turning to look at Angel. "She would have to have known."
"Yes," Wes agreed. "And who else, besides us, knew it was going to happen?"
"Eve," Willow answered with annoyance before a silence fell.
"This clone is quite intriguing isn't she?" Giles murmured with thoughtful interest.
"That's putting it mildly," Angel answered grimly before looking at Wesley. "Why don't you help Xander with Cordy? I'll be up after I check on Dawn."
Wesley turned to leave the room before uneasily turning back. "I... uh... suppose I should tell you she wasn't alone. Cordy said Riley was with her."
"Riley?" Willow shot a quick look at Angel before going silent at the look on her sire's face. A moment later, Angel started out of the basement, and Willow and Giles followed.
Dawn was pacing when she noticed the three vampires standing outside of her cell. She stopped, turned to face them. "What do you want?"
Angel shrugged as he looked her over. "Just making sure we didn't lose you."
She looked at him with interest before taking a step forward. "Did you have a reason to think you would?"
"We've been having some problems with a demon lately," Willow spoke up, "but we *will* get her."
"Who?"
"No one you need to concern yourself with," Angel answered as he watched Dawn walk over to stand in front of them.
"But you thought she might free me?"
"Were hoping she'll try," Giles spoke up. "She won't succeed of course."
She looked at them curiously and started to reach for the bars before pulling her hands back. "Does she know about the spell?"
"Probably not," Angel answered, "but she's very good at thinking on her feet."
"She is," Willow agreed before she met the other girl's eyes and shrugged. "Besides all she has to do is knock me out, and poof," she murmured, "no more spell. Of course, she'd still have to go through Wes, Xander, Angel, and Giles, but you know, I think she might be willing to try it."
Dawn stared at her before purposefully reaching out to lock fists onto the bars of the cell. Magic flowed over her like running water, and she pulled her hands away when they went numb and she couldn't feel them anymore. A moment later, she walked back to sit on the cot and found herself hoping whoever was coming knew what they were doing. She was more than ready to be freed.
Lindsey laughed as he stared at the reporter on tv before looking over to where Buffy and Riley were sitting on the sofa. "You did that?"
"Well... yeah. I mean," the slayer studied the tv screen showing a man on a stretcher, "he had it coming right?"
"Yeah, but Buffy..." the brunette shook his head. "I can't believe..." he ran a hand through his hair before looking at her with a smile. "You know I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when they realized what happened."
"I know," Riley answered as he slid an arm around Buffy's shoulders. "One slayer against a witch and four vampires, and she wins."
Buffy glanced at him. Riley was double her age now... and looked it. She had to keep reminding herself that they used to date, and being this close to him *didn't* creep her out. Besides, it wasn't like she didn't want to be around him. In fact, it felt good to know someone had her back. "Well you know... when Marcus can't be bothered to help out, you've got to take things into your own hands."
"You've met Marcus?" Riley asked with surprise.
"He cast the spell that brought her back," Lindsey answered. "I don't think she likes him."
"That's because I don't." She gave a shake of her head. "I mean, even if you ignore that he reminds me of a perv, I don't understand why he's allowing Willow to get away with protecting murderers." Her eyes narrowed. "And I don't understand why no one even tried to get my sister out of the Wolfram and Hart basement."
"Buffy," Riley turned to look at her with serious hazel eyes, "Angel's dangerous. I mean, there's some of us that wouldn't see the light of day again if we were captured."
The slayer frowned before getting up and hobbling over to the window to rub at her forehead. Arms slid around her waist, and she lifted her head before letting out a soft breath. "You know you're old enough to be my dad don't you?"
"I'm one year older than you Buff... It's just that you aged better than I did."
She didn't reply as she continued to stare out the window.
Five weeks later:
"I don't know why you feel like you have to patrol," Lindsey stated worriedly as he watched the slayer pick up her tennis shoes. "It's dangerous... and Angel won't like it."
She turned to look at him before snorting. "Yeah. I'm going to let that stop me."
"The demons you've been going after could hurt you, Buffy. They've still got their strength because Angel allows it."
She sat on the sofa and pulled on one of her shoes. "I've killed three of them Linds. I think I know what I'm facing."
"Yeah, but by now they know someone's hunting them, and they probably won't be as easy to take out."
"So what do you want me to do? Just leave them alone? Need I remind you I found a warehouse down there that had a couple of people locked in a *cage*?"
"No, but maybe we should get some tranqs, and have Riley help. It would be safer."
She finished tying her shoelaces before looking up. "If it makes you feel better you can meet me in front of the warehouse with the cell in it at 9. It's the one with the blue roof."
"I remember. And it's still not safe for you to go alone."
"I'll be fine for three hours," she answered before heading into her room and coming out with a sword strapped across her back and a light coat over the top of it. "You know Linds... slayers fight, we die, and another one's called. I got my cast off a week ago... there's nothing stopping me from going after my sister. One of these days you can worry about that." She shot him a dark look before heading toward the door. It hadn't been lost on her he was less than enthusiastic about rescuing Dawn.
"They've gathered," Willow announced as she walked into Angel's office and watched him finish up some last minute paperwork at the end of a long day.
"Who?"
"Demons. There's probably a hundred and fifty of them in the warehouse district."
Angel hesitated before leaning back thoughtfully. The demons in L.A. didn't gather. They moved regularly and purposely kept in small groups to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Not that they were much of a threat with their strength diminished... but a gathering of them was still interesting. "I wonder why?"
"I thought it might have something to do with the offer you made to catch the clone," Willow answered, her dark eyes reflecting a combination of amusement and anger.
He studied her before getting to his feet. "Rupert will be sorry he missed the action."
"Yeah he will," Willow agreed as she watched Angel slide into his duster before heading out of the office. She grinned as she followed. "But it was his idea."
Wesley and Xander were waiting in the hall, and Angel took the sword Wes offered before looking at him thoughtfully. He was the only one that didn't have a sword on his back. "You're staying here?"
"Thought I would," Wes answered. "We need to keep an eye on Cordelia and Dawn... and Ripper's in England."
Angel's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Sounds like a plan," he agreed as he started down the hall before turning back. "If they attack us, we kill them. If they don't, we find out what's going on. If Buff's there, she's mine. Don't get involved unless you have to, and if you do," he added with a warning glance, "I don't want her killed." He looked at Wes. "Same goes if she shows up here while we're gone, Wes."
"Yes Sire," they answered before Xander and Willow followed him out the door.
Buffy quickly glanced over the darkness for Lindsey and Riley before turning back to the five demons she was facing when she didn't see them. She'd already taken out six and could feel several more in the area.
"There's more of you tonight," she murmured as she shifted to counter the demons that were creeping closer. "I take it you called in reinforcements?"
The demon closest to her shrugged. "Killing you would be easier than catching."
Buffy lifted an eyebrow. "Don't think either's going to happen, but you should give it your best shot."
"Oh we will," he answered as he crept closer while the demon beside him lunged. Her sword made a graceful arc before cutting through his neck. It was what the others had been waiting for, and for the next several minutes Buffy moved with a fluid grace that was all instinct. It wasn't until the last demon facing her was laying at her feet that she noticed there were several more watching, and she gave a quiet curse before turning to face them. "Who's next?"
"He is," one of them hissed as he motioned over her shoulder.
She cautiously glanced at the slime demon behind her before abruptly sheathing her sword and starting a hard sprint. She pulled her blade and turned to face them when six were able to keep pace with her. "Seems like a lot of you guys have more than human strength," she stated as the slime demon moved toward her.
"Magic doesn't affect our friend," the tall red demon rasped, "and we made a deal with Angelus." He smiled at her with a mouth of sharp pointed teeth. "As long as we don't kill humans, he allows us to keep our strength."
"You might not kill them, but you cage them, don't you?" she almost growled.
His grin widened. "Even your lover is known to keep a few toys in his basement."
She shot him a hard look before realizing she was in trouble when she noticed the slime that was circling her feet... ankles, moving up her calves. "Alright," she stated grimly when she tried to pull away from the thick goo and found she couldn't, "but it's going to get messy."
"Maybe not," Angel answered from a few feet away.
"We caught your slayer," the demon called as he looked at Angel. "Do we get the month of freedom your childer promised?"
"A month for your family to do anything they want," Angel agreed before looking pointedly at Willow.
She murmured a quick spell and looked at the marrows. "When the ring on your finger's gone, your month is up, and you'll be restricted to killing demons again."
He laughed as he looked at the large black onyx ring before turning to leave.
The slime demon pulled back, and Buffy waited a couple of seconds before pivoting to look at the vampires behind her. A moment later, she jumped onto the branch of a nearby tree.
"Hey Buff," Xander greeted. "Imagine finding you here."
"Yeah," she answered as she looked them over warily.
"Why not come down?" Willow asked.
"Not yet," she answered before Willow waved a hand and she found herself standing on the ground a moment later. Her stomach lurched at the short jump before she took a breath and turned toward them. "Do you guys always let the demons go, or is tonight a first?"
"We have an agreement with the marrows," Angel answered. "As long as they don't do anything we disapprove of, we let them have their full strength."
"And do you approve of them torturing and killing people?"
"Not usually... killing. Which is one of the reasons we're so interested in you... of course there are others," he stated pointedly.
Buffy studied them before sheathing her sword. "How are we going to do this then? I mean, we can fight, or you can let me walk away. Or maybe you can just go to sleep?"
Angel lifted an eyebrow before abruptly turning toward Willow when she dropped to the ground. Xander followed, and he twisted to see Lindsey and Riley behind him with a tranq gun. A dart went into his shoulder and he blacked out.
"Well..." Lindsey murmured as he ran a hand through his hair and looked at the vampires, "this is kind of scary."
Buffy glanced at him before walking over to look down at Angel. He was just as beautiful as ever, but there was something seriously wrong with him. "Do you think so?" she asked thoughtfully as a silence fell before she quickly made up her mind. "I want my sister back Linds, and I think Wes is going to give her to me."
"A swap?" Riley asked with interest.
"Why not?" She turned to the ex-lawyer. "Giles is in England right?"
He nodded. "Eve said he left 2 days ago."
Buffy nodded before looking at the vampires laying at her feet. "Then let's make a trade."
The sound of steps in the empty warehouse alerted her she had company, and Buffy turned to the door expectantly when it opened. "Everything's set for 2 hours from now," Riley stated as he and Lindsey walked into the room Buffy had found the cage in 2 nights ago. "We should have Dawn back by two tonight. And I've got to tell you, Wes is not a happy camper."
"You used a payphone right?"
"The one in the park."
She nodded before turning back to the cell. None of them had moved, but...
"How're the tranqs holding up? Lindsey asked as he pulled off his coat and dropped it over a chair.
"Willow got a second dose about an hour ago, and we've got one left."
Lindsey ran a hand through his hair. "If she wakes up, we're toast..."
"I think we can keep her out." Buffy looked at Willow thoughtfully before looking back at them. "So... how's this going to work?"
"We're going to meet at the bridge at 2, and swap prisoners across it... or at least that's what we agreed on," Riley stated meaningfully. "Linds and I were thinking we might need to figure out some of the finer points later."
Buffy's eyes narrowed. "You think he's going to give us a problem then?"
They both looked at her as a silence fell. "She's your sister," Riley finally stated quietly, "and you mean a lot to them, Buff."
"That doesn't even..." she broke off and looked at him with irritation before giving a shake of her head. "You know I'm really looking forward to talking to Dawn. I mean, it'd be great to find someone from my past that's normal and I can relate to."
"I'm normal. You can relate to me," Riley answered.
Amused brown eyes opened. "What do you think Linds, can she?" Angel sat up with a soft clank of chains and looked at them. No one answered, and he centered his attention on Lindsey and gave a wicked smile as he climbed to his feet. "Not that I would mind if she could, but I get the impression she's not interested."
Lindsey didn't answer, and Buffy glanced at him with sharp eyes before turning back to Angel. "I was wondering how long you'd pretend to be knocked out. What do you think of our plan?"
His gaze shifted to her as he walked up to the bars. "Hate to tell you, but this swap isn't happening. Dawn belongs to us."
Buffy snorted as she got up and walked over to stand in front of him. "You've already pissed me off Angel. You kidnapped my sister and are holding her in a cell... Do you really want to make the claim she *belongs* to you on top of everything else?"
"Yes," he answered firmly.
A moment later, she reached out to knot a hand into his shirt before pulling him roughly against the bars. "My sister doesn't belong to you," she hissed angrily.
He smirked as he looked down at her before turning to Lindsey. "You know the more I'm around her the more I just want to..." he broke off with a wicked grin before looking at the blonde that still had a hold of his shirt. "You know Buff... I have to admit, I'd be tempted to trade her for you." He glanced over his shoulder. "What do you think Xander?"
Xander got to his feet. "Dawn's a nice pet," he answered, "but this one's beyond tempting." He walked over to stand beside his sire, and Buffy released Angel before pulling Xander into the bars a second later.
"My sister's a pet to you?" she asked threateningly.
"You do realize I'd put a lot of restrictions on her don't you?" Angel asked casually as he looked at his childe.
"I think we all know that," Xander murmured, "but just having her around would be more than entertaining, and it's not like we do a lot with Dawn anyway." He looked at Angel with gold sparks in his eyes, and Angel smiled back before turning to look at the angry slayer.
"See?" he murmured silkily. "Both Xander and I would consider swapping Dawn for you... How do you feel about it, lover?"
"I think you're confused about who's in control... *lover*," Buffy almost threatened as she released Xander and turned to Angel. "And for the record, that's not an exchange you'd like."
"It wouldn't be ideal, but I wouldn't exactly hate it either." He glanced over her body before looking back into her eyes with a smirk.
She abruptly turned away. "I'm going to find something to kill." She checked for a stake before grabbing her coat. "I'll be back by one thirty."
"One o'clock Buffy," Lindsey ordered as she left the room. "And you'll need the blow torch if you go after the slime demon."
"I'll help her," Riley murmured as he quickly moved to follow.
"At least make sure she takes the torch," Lindsey called after him with annoyance.
The door closed behind the tall blonde, and Angel turned to Lindsey. "I like her, but then I suppose you knew I would." He dropped a shoulder against the bars. "Where'd you get her?"
"Sunnydale. About 6 feet under."
Angel's eyes narrowed. "I'm not sure I believe that, but I'll play. Tell me... why her?"
"Seems like someone wants to do a little experiment, and you've got a lot of powerful people interested in you Angel."
"You Linds?"
He shook his head before turning to leave the room. "I'm not even in the running."
Buffy hesitated outside of the room Angel, Willow, and Xander were being held in. They'd managed to kill the slime demon, but she hadn't expected it to almost explode while she was holding the blow torch on it. Riley hadn't been covered in slime, but she had.
She ran fingers through heavily slimed hair before running a hand over the saturated sleeve of her shirt and then shaking a few globs of goo off of it. Her head dropped back and she stared at the ceiling with annoyance before grabbing a clean grease rag that had been tossed onto an empty crate. Riley was already laughing at her, and she wasn't looking forward to what Lindsey, Angel, or Xander would say. She scowled before pushing open the door with resignation.
"Hey." Lindsey turned to her with a charming smile when she stepped into the room. "Riley said you had a little trouble darling."
"No one told me it would explode," she answered as she wiped her hands on the rag and forced herself to glance up at Angel and Xander. They were watching with amusement, and she turned back to Lindsey. "Did you manage to give Willow the last tranq?"
"Yeah... Why'd you think I'd have trouble with that?"
"Because when I was tranquing her they were unconscious, but when you did it, they were on their feet."
"Vampires can't stop a tranquilizer dart, Buffy." Riley turned to look at her. "What did you expect them to do?"
The slayer glanced at Willow thoughtfully as she continued to wipe at her hands and arms. "Take the hit for her." She dropped the slimed rag. "I mean, they might be caged and cuffed, but they've still got a lot of speed. And if there was a chance Will could wake up, we'd have to call off the trade."
"Well luckily that wasn't a problem," the tall blonde muttered.
"Yeah," Buffy agreed with a frown. "I guess it wasn't." Green eyes slowly lifted to lock with Angel's brown, and hers narrowed. "It looks like you screwed up," she taunted.
"Our mistake," Xander offered as Angel gave a slow smirk.
She studied them with a troubled frown before Lindsey got her attention. "We don't have to worry about their witch Buffy." He glanced at Angel before rubbing the back of his neck. "All we have to worry about is how we're going to make this trade without ending up in their basement."
Silence fell before Buffy gave a slow shake of her head. "I don't know what Wes has up his sleeve, but I want the advantage." She turned to look at them. "Let's talk in private." She glanced one more time at Angel before heading out of the room with Lindsey and Riley on her heels.
Ten minutes later, Buffy and Lindsey were back, and Lindsey sucked in a breath as he looked at the two brunettes in the cell that were watching with bright curious eyes. "How exactly are we going to do this again?"
"Slowly," Buffy murmured as she walked to the cell door and watched as Angel moved to stand in front of her. She locked eyes with him. "I want to come in," she stated quietly, "but I want you and Xander to move away from the door first."
His eyes sparkled with amusement before he moved to the back wall with Xander on his heels, and Buffy opened the door before walking over to Willow. "You awake Will?" The redhead didn't move, and Buffy crouched down to press an arm against her mouth. "Want some blood, Will?" She still didn't move, and Buffy pulled a small key out of her pocket and slid Willow's cuffs off before getting to her feet and tossing them to Lindsey. A moment later, she turned to look at Xander. "I need you to move to the bars and lean against them."
"Sire?"
"Do it," Angel ordered before watching as Lindsey cuffed Xander to the bars. He turned back to Buffy. "What's next lover?"
"You're going to lose some blood," she answered. "Whether Xander does it or I do it is up to you." He stared at her with narrowed gold eyes, all traces of amusement gone. "I'd rather Xander do it," she continued, "but I will if I have to." She pulled a stake out of her coat pocket, and Angel eyed it neutrally before looking back into her eyes. She motioned toward his childe, and he slowly walked over before twisting his head to the side.
"Make sure you *drink* Xander," Buffy ordered as she watched his fangs sink in. "I want him on his knees."
Xander gave a low rumbling growl, and Angel's lips twitched with amusement. "Got something in mind lover?" He twisted his head a little farther so he could see her. "I've got to tell you, I haven't played bondage games since I came to L.A., and it's been a *long* time since I was the one following orders."
"I'm surprised you remember anything that happened before L.A.," she answered before walking over to help steady him when he started to waver.
"Are you going to make me the same offer you made Will?" he asked huskily.
"No." She tried to help slow his fall when his knees gave out before crouching down to lift his chin. Sharp brown eyes slowly lifted to lock with hers, and she scowled. "Are you sure you can't stand any longer? Because you're going to lose more blood, and it's up to you who's going to take it."
"I've probably taken too much as it is," Xander answered.
Buffy nodded before reaching for her stake and plunging it into Angel's right shoulder. He bit back a cry of pain, and she pulled the stake out and watched the steady stream of blood wet his shirt before turning to drop to her knees in front of Xander.
"Linds," she called as she started to untie Xander's shoestrings, "I'm going to need some help with his cuffs." She used slayer strength to lift his feet and slide his shoes off before beginning to unbutton and unzip his jeans as Lindsey started to work the cuffs so they were on separate bars.
"You know Buff... I used to have dreams about this in high school," he murmured as he stared down at her.
Buffy snorted with annoyance. "One of you decides to finally acknowledge who I am, and that's what you want to talk about." She jerked his pants down and worked them off his feet before standing when she was done and starting to unbutton his shirt. "Let's start with his left wrist."
"Right," Lindsey murmured as he released it, and Buffy carefully slid his shirt off his arm before forcing his wrist back against the bars for Lindsey to cuff.
"Trying to make me jealous?" Angel asked. "I mean, you offer Will your blood, strip Xander, and the only thing you've done to me is put a stake in my shoulder."
She scowled as she pulled Xander's shirt off. "Don't feel bad... I'm taking you with me." She carried the clothes out of the cell and dropped them in a pile before turning to Lindsey. "Um... can you find a blanket or something? I don't want to leave her without..."
"They're *family*... " Lindsey stressed. "It doesn't matter Buffy."
The implication wasn't something she needed, and Buffy turned to glare at him. "Yes it does," she answered firmly. "I want a blanket."
He scowled before picking up Xander's clothes and leaving the room, and Buffy moved back to Willow. "Will?" The witch didn't move, and the blonde dropped to her knees. "Sorry Will... I want my sister back."
Lindsey walked back in with a tarp, and she glanced up. "Thanks."
"It was all I could find." He dropped it at her side before hesitating. "Need help?"
"Maybe," she answered as she started to free Willow's arm from the gold, orange, and maroon striped shirt she was wearing. Lindsey started to help, and they quickly managed to work her arms out of the sleeves. "I think I can get it now." She glanced up. "Why don't you change?"
He left, and Buffy finished removing Willow's shirt before sliding the short matching mini skirt she was wearing off and pulling the tarp over her. "Um..." she looked up at Xander. "We've given her a lot of tranqs, so it might take a few minutes for her to get her magic back. I'll leave my clothes, but..." she looked down at the heavy coating of slime on them with a grimace, "she might not want to wear them."
"So what's the plan?" Xander asked.
Buffy ignored him as she went over to stand beside Angel. "Linds," she called. "I'm going to need some help."
Angel snorted. "Can't we just keep this between us Buff?" She didn't reply before reaching down to absently slide fingers through his hair as she waited for Lindsey, and Angel looked up with gold eyes. "I have to admit I'm glad you're not running. I might even let Linds live for a few years I'm in such a good mood."
Her hand knotted and she leaned down so their noses were about a foot apart. "Shut up lover," she breathed, "or I'm going to stake you again." She pulled back and watched as Lindsey came in wearing Xander's clothes before he walked over and carefully pressed tape across Angel's mouth.
Gold eyes slowly turned up to his, and the ex-lawyer took a breath before uneasily shifting back. "This is unbelievably dangerous Buffy... We need to get out of here, and *hope* we can pull this off."
"Yeah... I know," she answered as she went over to pick up Willow's clothes and start toward the door. "I'll be back in a minute."
Lindsey watched her go before crouching down in front of Angel. "You might win tonight," he stated quietly, "and if you do, I want you to remember that I helped bring her back. I know we're not friends Angel, but I promise she's the real deal." Gold eyes looked up at him. "I know you're mad," he continued as he stared into them... "but I've got a lot more to lose than you do."
Buffy came back into the room, and Lindsey abruptly stood and watched as she quickly moved toward him wearing Willow's clothes, the only addition was a scrap of cloth wrapped around her blonde slimed hair. She dropped her wet clothes beside Willow with a grimace before moving over to where he stood beside Angel. "Let's cuff his hands in front of him," she ordered as she unlocked one of the cuffs before pushing his arms forward.
"Riight," Lindsey drew out quietly as he shoved the cuff back around Angel's wrist before quickly moving to help Buffy get him on his feet. She ducked under his arm to take his weight easier, and they started out of the cell.
"Buff..." Xander called. "Be seeing you soon."
"Maybe..." she answered before leaving him behind.
Angel's weight pulled at him, and Lindsey scowled as he struggled to help the weakened vampire walk. He looked up when Buffy suddenly stopped.
"Is that Giles?" she asked as she squinted at the street light that was several yards away.
"Looks like it. I guess he cut his vacation short."
"He can't do that... *We* can't do that," she stated anxiously. "He knows magic. He's as dangerous to us as Willow."
Lindsey frowned as they continued to move forward before Buffy suddenly dropped to the ground, Angel followed, and his weight pulled Lindsey down. "I don't think they can see us."
The slayer freed herself from Angel before giving a worried shake of her head. "Up until now, we've only had to worry about being ambushed, or maybe tranqued. Now though..." she trailed off and looked at him grimly. "We need a new plan Linds."
"Not much longer now." Wes glanced at his watch.
"No," Giles agreed as he leaned against a large tree and kept his gaze on the other side of the river.
Wes suddenly straightened before grinning as three figures came into view. "That looks like..." he trailed off.
"Willow, Angel, and Xander," Giles finished thoughtfully.
"Angel's hurt," Wes growled as he watched his sire's slow clumsy movements.
Giles didn't answer as he watched the three figures disappear behind a line of evergreen trees, and after several seconds Wesley shifted impatiently. "I'm going to check on them. If they're alone I'll wave."
Giles nodded. "And if they're not alone, I'll be along shortly."
Wes nodded before heading over the bridge.
"Wes is coming," Lindsey suddenly exclaimed.
Buffy looked up before reaching to hold Angel down when he shifted against her. "You should go Linds... This isn't safe."
"Come with me."
"It's a trap," she answered grimly. "They might let one of us leave, but I don't think they'll let both of us."
"I've got to tell you," Angel murmured after he'd pulled the tape off his mouth, "I'm really looking forward to taking you home Buff."
She ignored him and looked at Lindsey. "Go," she ordered before clamping a hand over Angel's mouth. He tried to turn his head, and she shifted so she was practically on top of him as she tightened her hold.
"He's too close for me to try it," Lindsey told her worriedly.
"Then at least be quiet," she hissed with annoyance as she settled her weight firmly on Angel and slowly pulled her sword.
Wes slowed when he was 30 feet from them before stopping. "Sire?" The scent of Angel's blood was heavy in the air, and he moved closer before stopping again.
Buffy shifted as if she were hurt, her hand tightening on the sword as Angel gave a quiet snarl.
"Sire?" Wesley asked before taking a few more steps toward them.
Buffy made a soft sound, and Angel's growl grew louder.
"Will?" Wesley murmured as he moved closer, and Buffy was up an instant later with her sword in front of her.
"I don't think Giles can see you anymore Wes... want to play?"
He froze before slowly reaching for his sword. "Hello Buffy," he greeted quietly. "We were hoping you'd make an appearance."
"All I want's my sister. Give her to me and we'll leave."
"Can't have that," he murmured as he looked over to see Lindsey get to his feet before focusing back on her. "I thought you were going to bring them all, and we'd have an exchange over the bridge."
"Plans change." She took a step closer. "Now this is what's going to happen. You say anything louder than you're talking right now, or you try to leave, and Angel's going to get another stake in his shoulder... and you'll be taking a big chance on which shoulder I pick." She hesitated before giving a slow shake of her head and looking at him meaningfully. "I'm a little out of sorts right now, and if I were you I don't think I'd take that gamble."
"Don't worry. I won't cause any problems," he answered.
"Linds... what's Giles doing?"
He carefully walked past Wes to glance around the little stand of trees. "Standing."
Buffy's eyes narrowed as she looked at her ex-watcher. "Tell me about the spells. Is there just one that's going to be activated when we get near the bridge?"
"You think we've cast a spell?" Wes gave a quiet laugh. "If only." He rolled his eyes. "I mean, you've got our spell caster Buff."
Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Linds?"
"Yeah?"
"Take Angel's cuffs off." He quickly slid them off, and Buffy didn't take her eyes off her opponent. "Now put them on, Wes."
"And how exactly do you expect me to do that darling?"
She smiled unpleasantly at the smirking vampire she was facing. "Drop the sword Wes... and put your hands behind your back... If you don't, I'm putting another stake in your *sire*."
"Why am I always the one getting staked lover?"
"I don't know," she answered. "Maybe because I'm pissed at you."
"Why are we fighting anyway?" he asked. "You want to see Dawn... I don't have a problem with that. Let's go see her."
"Drop the sword Wes," she ordered again.
"Sire?"
Angel was silent for a long moment as he slowly sat up. "Why cuff Wes? He's under orders... well... they're all under orders not to... really... hurt you."
"Too bad I can't say the same." She stepped closer to Wes and raised her blade. "He's either cuffed or bled Angel, your choice."
He studied her for a long moment before scowling. "Let Linds cuff you."
Wes dropped the sword before sliding his arms behind his back, and Lindsey cuffed him. "What's Giles doing?" Buffy asked.
"He's gone," Lindsey answered.
Silence fell for several long moments as Buffy pulled off the scarf and ran a hand through her hair, well aware they were all watching. She turned to look at Lindsey a moment later. "I wish you weren't here Linds."
"I wish neither of us were."
"There's no reason to worry," Wes spoke up as he watched her carefully. "He's the only one at the bridge, and I'm pretty sure all he's doing is waiting for you."
"Yeah," Buffy murmured thoughtfully, "I'm sure it's just Giles and his book of spells. I doubt we have a thing to worry about." Silence fell, and she turned to Angel. "Any advice *lover*?"
He looked up thoughtfully. "If you manage to get Dawn away from Giles, you might want to keep her chained... I'm pretty sure she'll be after your boyfriend."
She turned to him with confusion before glancing at Wes when he laughed. A moment later, she looked at Lindsey... "What's he talking about?"
"Buffy," he started quietly, "this isn't the time..."
She turned to him incredulously. "Who's Dawn with?"
He looked at her for a long moment before sighing. "Riley."
"Riley? And you never thought to fill me in on that?"
He scowled. "Angel's had Dawn for 3 years... I didn't think it was something you needed to be told."
"Gods..." she breathed. "I feel like I'm in some kind of sick nightmare. Angel's arranging to have people killed, and is..." she broke off. "My little sister's with Riley who's like... *40* and seems to want to get back together with me... My friends are all vampires, who have my little sister locked in their basement... and have all gotten really creepy by the way."
"There was a quiet laugh from behind her. "Hello Buffy."
She spun instantly to face her ex-watcher with her sword in her hand. "I was wondering when you'd make an appearance Giles."
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
"Actually I think things would have gone smoother if you hadn't cut your trip short."
"I canceled my trip to England this year. I thought it might be advantageous to make you believe however that I did not."
And now she knew why Angel and Xander hadn't been concerned with trying to stop Lindsey from tranquilizing Willow. Why bother when Giles was their ace in the hole? Buffy scowled and couldn't stop from looking at Angel. He met her eyes before giving a slow smirk, and she turned back to Giles with a troubled frown.
"You um... wanted to know about the spells Buff..." Wesley spoke up casually. "They're more tied to Rupert than to the bridge... And just so you know, Dawn's not here."
"What?"
"There really wasn't a need to bring her," Giles answered.
Her eyes narrowed angrily, and Wes laughed as he watched her. "Upset about that? Let me assure you that's the least of your worries."
"And let me assure you... it's not going to be as easy as you think," she answered grimly.
Angel raised an eyebrow before smirking. "Surprise me, lover... make it hard."
There were some quiet laughs, and Buffy ignored them. "Linds," she held out her hand "I could use your phone."
He walked over and handed her his phone before uneasily taking her sword when she handed it to him. "Keep an eye on them," she ordered offhandedly before moving a few steps away and punching in a number. A couple of minutes later, after a quiet call, she snapped the phone closed and turned back to study the guys behind her. Giles grinned before chanting and waving a hand. There was a soft clank of chains as Wesley's cuffs slid to the ground and Angel turned a bright smile on her as he easily climbed to his feet.
"Linds," she called. "Why don't you come over here?"
"You know Buffy... if you've got something in mind, it would be a good time to let me in on it," he told her uneasily as he moved to her side.
"You mean like you let me in on Riley and Dawn?" she snapped as she took her sword and sheathed it. "And have I thanked you lately for resurrecting me?" She looked at him with a scowl before turning toward Angel. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to let him go, would you? I mean, if I promise not to give you any trouble?"
"No," he answered with a smile. "Not that I wouldn't take you up on it if I thought it was necessary, but... it's not."
"You might be right," she agreed before pausing. "You know I think I lost my favorite stake." She turned to Lindsey. "Would you mind helping me find it?" He looked at her for a long moment, and she scowled at him threateningly.
"No Buffy... I'll help you look for it," he finally answered.
"Good. I think..." she glanced around as if trying to get her bearings. "I'm pretty sure it's this way." She started forward, and Angel's eyes glinted with amusement as he followed.
About twenty minutes later they were looking at a puddle of green goo. "It... " Buffy broke off before grabbing Lindsey's wrist and leading him toward the puddle. "I'm pretty sure it's here somewhere," she murmured as she pulled him so they were both standing in the slime before dropping to her knees and pulling him down with her. She looked up sharply when he didn't do more than look at her worriedly. "I thought you were going to help me Linds," she stated with slow irritation as she ran hands through the slime.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
"Trust me... You'll thank me later." She met his eyes before lifting a hand and wiping goo across his face.
"Buff... " Angel started from where he and his childer were watching. "This... isn't really... going to help you too much."
"I'm not the one that needs help," she answered before suddenly moving to put her weight on Lindsey's back and force him face first into the slime.
Angel raised an eyebrow as Giles turned to him with a smile. "Of course she doesn't need help sire. What were you thinking?"
Buffy ignored them as she worked to flip Lindsey over before standing up and offering him a hand. He looked at her for a long moment before taking it. "You know," she started conversationally as she helped him up. "I just remembered I didn't bring that stake with me tonight."
Wesley looked them over before giving a quiet laugh. "We are so going to have to clean them up."
Buffy glanced at him uneasily before looking back at Lindsey. "Can you swim?"
"Yeah."
"Good." A moment later, she shoved him into the nearby fast moving stream before sprinting upriver as the water carried him in the opposite direction. Giles chanted and threw out a hand in Lindsey's direction before throwing one out in Buffy's.
Neither spell had any effect, and after a few seconds of surprise, Angel was sprinting after her with Giles and Wes on his heels.
Her lungs were starting to burn when she neared the bridge, and she stopped beside a large oak tree to catch her breath, glance at her watch... figure out her next move.
"Buffy," Xander murmured with a wide smile as he looked her over from a few feet away. Her head shot up, and relief ran through her when she saw he was alone. "Where is everyone?"
"Behind me," she answered. "Where's Will?"
"Looking for you, but she should be back before much longer." He glanced behind her and gave a soft laugh as he noticed the three guys rapidly moving toward them, before abruptly turning back to tackle her when she tried to run again. They hit the ground hard, he rolled away, and she got to her feet with slayer speed before turning to him with a sword in her hand.
"Just want to talk," he stated as he held his hands up in surrender. "I mean, we're friends right?"
"I'm pretty sure that's over," she answered as she watched Angel, Wes, and Giles line up beside him.
"I have to admit I'm a little... miffed we lost Linds," Angel murmured as he stared at her intently. "Didn't see that one coming Buff."
"You guys lost him?" Xander asked with confusion before suddenly laughing. "How did you possibly lose him?"
"She pushed him into the river," Wes answered.
"And you couldn't get him out?"
"I tried with a spell, but for some reason magic doesn't work on either of them. Why is that Buffy?" Giles asked.
Angel's eyes narrowed when she didn't respond. "Don't suppose that slime demon you killed was a nowlane was it, Buff?"
"Didn't catch a name. But I was told magic didn't affect it, and it definitely had more speed than a human."
Giles studied her for a long moment. "That was very clever of you... but also quite risky."
"I know," she told him quietly. "But my little sister's being held by totally deranged psychos, and I thought I could use any edge I could get. I mean, I was only guessing I could slime myself and have some protection as well."
"That was quite a gamble," Wesley said as he took a step closer. "I wouldn't have given it very good odds of working."
"So tell me... what do you think my odds are of making it to Lindsey's apartment tonight?"
"Not good," Angel answered as he studied her thoughtfully before looking over her heavily slimed clothes. "Why don't you clean her up Giles?"
The ex-watcher waved a hand, and Buffy still had slime on her. Angel's eyes narrowed but he nodded. "Okay. Maybe we could use some rain... what do you think Buff?"
"It's going to take more than that to get this stuff off," she answered uneasily even as she hoped it was true.
"Let's find out." He glanced pointedly at Giles. A steady rain began to fall, and Buffy gave a quiet curse as it poured over her.
"Well... at least we know we can get her wet," Angel murmured with amusement before he continued conversationally, "So... what do you guys think of her?"
"She's very very good," Giles answered as he looked her over carefully.
"Quite charming," Wes spoke up.
"Feels like family," Xander stated.
Buffy stared at him in distress before taking a couple of steps forward with her sword ready to strike. "I'm not your family," she hissed. "You're all psychotic."
Giles waved a hand, and her sword was gone. She tensed at the sudden loss before pulling a stake out of her pocket and quickly trying to coat it with slime. A moment later, she was slowly backing toward the bridge.
"I know we're having problems right now, but I think when Will gets back she's going to take care of them for us," she stated casually. "What do you guys think?"
"Normally I'd agree with you, but I don't think she's going to be able to take care of things tonight," Angel answered as they started to move forward again. He glanced at Giles. "Why don't you try to paralyze her?"
Giles chanted, and she continued to stand when he was done. A moment later, she looked nervously at Angel. "You know... I *really* don't want to end up in your basement."
Silence fell as Angel's eyes flashed up to hers. "No need to be nervous..." he murmured silkily. "We just want to keep you from killing people... and maybe... spend a little time with you."
"Yes of course," Giles added. "Perhaps do a couple of spells to find out a little more about what you are."
"And then there's Dawn. I'm sure she'd enjoy a visit," Wes added.
"We all would," Xander agreed.
"Gee that all sounds so... great," she finished flatly as she continued to inch back. "What have I been thinking?"
"It does sound good doesn't it?" Angel asked with amusement before he looked at Giles. "Why don't you try to take her stake away from her?"
Giles chanted and when he was done she still had her stake.
"Suppose we're going to need one of the vans to get her home," Xander stated thoughtfully.
"Why don't you go get one Giles?" Angel glanced at him. "You can let Dawn know her big sister's on the way while you're there."
"No!" Buffy almost shouted before he could do the spell that would transport him to Wolfram and Hart. They all looked at her curiously, and she shifted uneasily. "I... I'd rather walk. It could be like a last patrol before..." she broke off. "Maybe you could even help me understand what's wrong with you."
Angel's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he nodded. "Alright." He turned to Giles. "Then why don't you go home and check on Dawn?" Giles was gone a moment later, and Buffy looked at them with a troubled frown.
"Are you okay?" Wes asked. "You look a little pale."
She didn't answer as she slowly shifted onto the bridge and then moved to the center of it.
"Jumping won't help you lover."
"No, it won't yet," she answered bleakly.
Angel lifted an eyebrow before looking up when Giles materialized beside him. "Dawn's gone," the ex-watcher stated as he looked at her intently.
Heavy silence fell, and Buffy continued to study the water for a few seconds before she broke it. "I should thank you for letting me make that phone call... and just for the record," she gave a slight shake of her head, "I really wanted to jump with Lindsey, but with the last minute change in plans they needed more time to get Dawn out."
"I hope you're going to enjoy taking her place," Angel answered grimly.
"No..." she answered quietly. "I'm pretty sure I won't." She turned to look at them before relief ran through her when she noticed Willow standing a few feet away. The two locked eyes before Buffy dove into the water, and Willow watched as they all went in after her before giving a dark smile and chanting a barrier. Her eyes widened in surprise when the only ones she caught in it were her family.