A/N: I've gotten a couple of emails/reviews of late asking if there's anymore of this story. Here's the last that I have so far. I am definitely coming back to it, especially since these last responses. Seems as though people are interested, so… I'm almost to the end of another fic I'm writing so I will get back on top of this. May even write a little this afternoon. Hope you enjoy this last part. ~ Mel.

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LA…

Two cold hands wrapped firmly around Wesley's neck.

"Did you think that this would be funny!"

Wesley gasped for air under Angel's grip. One hand moved to his chest and gripped at his clothing. Everything felt very light as Wesley moved through the air. He hit the ground with a thunderous crash and felt the weight of Angel, hands around his throat again, within moments of his landing.

"Well, did you!" Angel was blind with rage. "First you take Connor from me and now this…this story about Cordelia! Where have you taken her!"

"I…hav-…she's…"

Wesley didn't have the breath to speak the words. Trying to tell this man that he wasn't lying.

Footsteps could be heard as they moved closer to the two men.

"Angel!"

It was Gunn's voice that could be heard first.

"Wesley!"

Fred feared that Angel would finally finish the job that he had started at the hospital. A time that seemed so long ago.

Gunn and Lorne attempted to pull Angel off Wesley. Fred stood behind looking for anyway she could help.

"Angel you have to stop." Words were Fred's gift. "Angel listen to me. Wesley had nothing to do with Cordelia-"

Rage flew in and out of Angel's mind and body.

"He took Connor and now he's taken Cordelia from me!"

"CORDELIA WASN'T JUST TAKEN FROM YOU!"

Fred had never screamed words so loud in her life. Angel released his grip at the words. Gunn and Lorne lost their balance and went toppling backwards. Lorne fell into Fred and sent her flying into the deep hole.

Fred hit a padded surface and was suddenly draped in darkness. She felt around her confined space and began to scream at the realisation that she was inside a coffin. She kick and flayed her arms against the lid trying to release the lid.

Gunn and Angel jumped into the hole together. They could hear Fred's screams from within. Together they tried to open the lid, but the clasps had embedded themselves deep into the sides. Angel pushed Gunn back and began to pound his fists onto the lid. Shards of marble and wood cracked away from the box. The hard surface ripped at Angel's already injured hands. With the weight of Angel's blows the clasps released from the sides and the coffin flew open. Gunn moved in and grabbed his girlfriend out of the box. Her tear stained face and howls brought pain to all the men around her.

"She's not there! She's not there!"

Tears rolled from Fred's eyes as she was removed from the hole.

"Who's not there baby?"

Gunn's question was answered when he looked at the stone embedded in the ground. The one that represented the loss of their friend. Lorne was kneeling by the side of the hole, his hands running through the soil. Fred released Gunn's grip on her and leaped at Wesley in hysteria.

"What have you done with her!"

She beat her fists into his chest as tears continued to flood from her eyes. Wesley had little strength to fight her off.

"What have you done with her?"

Loud wails came from within Fred's tiny body. Two hands came to her shoulders and pulled her away. She collapsed to the ground in Gunn's arms.

"You saw her body, you know I'm not lying." Wesley's voice was soft and raspy.

Angel pushed himself out of the ground. Rage flooded through his body. Death across his mind. He took a deep unnecessary breath and locked on his target. It was Lorne's words that broke his focus.

"There's something strange about this soil."

Angel turned slowly to Lorne.

"Wesley's telling the truth. I'm getting some major mystical vibes here and you know just as well I do Angel that this earth hasn't been unsettled. Until tonight that is."

Angel took in what Lorne was saying. He sent a final glare in Wesley direction, then knelt beside Lorne. He ran his own hands through the soil. He could sense it too.

There were other forces at work here.

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Sunnydale…

"Did you get a hold of Xander?"

Buffy turned to Giles as she asked the question. He placed his cell phone back in his jacket pocket and confirmed with a nod.

"He said he would wait for us outside."

"Good."

Buffy and Xander had grown closer over the summer. Xander had joined in on a little training. He'd thought it was about time he started to hold is own. Seems saving the world from its inevitable end gave him a new lease on life. He wanted to be able to help Buffy more on patrols. Everything was starting to go well for Buffy. Once Willow was back to normal things would be even better.

"I really think we should call Angel, he might know why she's here. Or care to know that she's in the hospital." Willow looked at Giles with questioning eyes.

The thought of Angel caring about Cordelia sent chills down Buffy's spine. Caring about Queen C? I guess it was inevitable to at least have some kind of feelings for your…secretary was it? She'd only seen Cordelia once since she had left Sunnydale and that was over two years ago. She wondered how much had changed, other then the hair. She had to give her some benefit of the doubt. Willow had kept in contact with her a little. They had the odd phone conversation, but nothing solid to make any judgments on. She did at least tell Angel to say hi when Buffy came back. Buffy thought that's at least something, though Angel was probably just making her sound better then she was.

"I…no, I think it's better that we deal with the situation first and then take it from there."

There was a weird tone in Giles's voice. Like he was keeping something back. Buffy knew he received a call from Wesley a month or so back and he was a little funny afterwards. But that was normal between the two watchers. But something wasn't sitting right.

"Are you alright Giles? You seem a little concerned." Buffy looked at him through the revision mirror as she turned the car into the hospital parking lot.

"I'm uh, yes…oh, there's Xander."

The Summer's car pulled to a halt and the members of the Scooby Gang filed out.

"Hey Buff, guys. Fancy meeting you all here." Xander clapped his hands together and rubbed them warm in the cool air.

"They should give us our own special entrance."

The comment from Dawn brought a smile to everyone's face. How she was growing into the way they were.

"So, Queen C's back in town. Anyone want to chance a guess at why? You don't think that Anya's managed to work out how to curse me or something do you? Bring back all my ex-girlfriends to torture me."

"It'd be a bloody short list of woman."

Xander looked behind the pack and saw Spike resting against the car, lighting a cigarette.

"He's back?" Xander directed the question at the others.

"Gee Harris, do you think? I'm certainly not one of your exes back in town. Though maybe the big poof soldier boy will be just around the corner."

"Shut up Spike." Buffy and Xander spoke in unison.

"Well, as fun as this all is, I think it's best we go in side and attend to Cordelia."

Giles tried to usher them inside. There was something weird about the way he was acting and Buffy didn't like it.

"Won't be any use. She won't know who you are."

"Yes, well we're going to try aren't we Spike." Giles was becoming frustrated. "She is our friend after all."

"She is?" Again Buffy and Xander spoke in unison.

Giles glared at the two. "Yes she is and Wes-…we're going to help her."

Giles headed inside the hospital. It had almost slipped, but he managed to cover it up. He hoped.

The other followed.

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Sunnydale Hospital…

Giles told the others to wait back, he would handle the situation. He headed to the administration counter and asked for help. A nurse in her mid forty's came to his aid.

"Yes, we're here about the girl, ah woman on the news this evening."

"You and everyone else. Seems several people took quite a shinning to her. Pretty young women, no memory, probably quite appealing to a man of your age, appeal to most men actually."

"I beg your pardon." Giles was astounded by her rudeness. "My name is Rupert Giles and I have known that woman for several years thank you. Look up my files, I've been to this hospital on occasion." At least once a month. "And whilst you're at it look up the files for Cordelia Chase. I think you'll find that's the name of the girl."

The nurse looked at Giles suspiciously for a moment.

"Wait there. I'll get her doctor."

Giles couldn't believe the nerve of that woman. He tapped his fingers on the counter impatiently, avoiding the stares he could feel in his back. Maybe Buffy did pick up on his slip?

Finally the doctor approached Giles, reaching out and offering him his hand.

"Mr Giles was it?"

"Yes." Giles took his hand and shook it.

"Well, it's good to meet you. I'm Dr Simly and I've been looking after the young woman. Now Nurse Redgrave here has told me that you claim to know the woman."

"I can assure you it's not a claim doctor, it's the truth. Her name is Cordelia Chase."

"And how do you know her? Are you family?"

"No I'm not, but you won't get in touch with her parents, they're in prison I'm afraid."

"In prison?"

"Yes, I'm sure you can check that out. Make sure I'm telling you the truth. Is it possible for me to see her?"

"We'd like to check things out first Mr Giles. Would you mind coming with me so we can check out your information?"

"Not at all. If you'll just give me a moment."

The doctor motioned that Giles' request was fine. Giles headed towards the others across the hall. He spoke to them quietly.

"They want me to go with them and check the information I have given. Seems several people are claiming to know her. I want you all to get her, whilst I'm gone with the doctor. Do what you have to, but we have to get her out of here. I don't think it's safe for her. We have to get her before they find out…"

"Find out what Giles? What's going on?" Buffy was growing impatient with his secrecy.

"I promise to tell you later. Go now and get her out. Whatever you have to do. I suggest you use Spike to help. She's seen him once today, she might be able to trust him."

"Trust Spike?" Xander was not impressed.

"This is not the time for any kind of testosterone fuelled face off Xander. Do as I ask."

Buffy was about to protest again, but Giles was already gone.

"Why is he so worried about Cordelia?" Willow questioned. "Well, other then the fact that she can't remember anything."

"I don't know." It was the truth, Buffy didn't. "But Giles obviously has his reasons. Where's Spike?"

"He's outside" Dawn pointed in the direction.

"Ok, we have to go get him and this is what we're going to do."

The group huddled as they walked out the door.